Dryer

Abstract

A dryer (1) comprises a housing (30), a motor (2), a first bearing (5), a second bearing (6), an impeller (10), and a member (4) passing through the inside of the impeller (10). The impeller (10) is rotated by the motor (2), and the impeller (10) is rotatably supported, via the first bearing (5) and the second bearing (6), on the member (4) passing through the inside of the impeller (10).

Description

Dryer

[0001] The present invention relates to a dryer.

[0002] Dryers are used, for example, on hair (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2013-75139 A

[0004] Dryers have traditionally been required to have a configuration that stabilizes fan rotation.

[0005] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a dryer that can stabilize the rotation of the fan.

[0006] A dryer according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a housing, a motor, a first bearing, a second bearing, an impeller, and a member that passes through the inside of the impeller, wherein the impeller is rotated by the motor, and the impeller is rotatably supported via the first bearing and the second bearing relative to the member that passes through the inside of the impeller.

[0007] 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the dryer; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the dryer taken along a plane including the axis; FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration for coupling a motor and an impeller to each other by magnetic force; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a dryer according to a modified example; FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration for coupling a motor and an impeller to each other by magnetic force in the dryer according to the modified example shown in FIG. 5; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a specific example of a heater; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the heater shown in FIG. 7 from which the heat-generating member is omitted; FIG. 4 is a side view of the heater shown in FIG. 7 from which the heat-generating member is omitted; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the attitude of three pillars supported by a support member; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the attitude of three pillars supported by a support member; FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another specific example of a heater; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the heater shown in FIG. 12 from which the heat-generating member is omitted;

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a dryer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section perpendicular to the axis x of the dryer 1. In the drawings, not all of the components are labeled with reference numerals, and some reference numerals may be omitted. The dryer 1 is a hair dryer intended for use on hair. The dryer according to the present invention is not limited to hair dryers, but also includes dryers used for other purposes.

[0009] 1 and 2, the dryer 1 includes a motor 2, a housing 30, and an impeller 10 rotatably supported by the housing 30. The motor 2 and the impeller 10 are coupled to each other by magnetic force. The dryer 1 will be described in detail below.

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the impeller 10 is rotatable about an axis x. As shown in FIG. 2 , the impeller 10 has a fluid suction direction F1 and a fluid blowout direction F2 that intersect. The impeller 10 extends longitudinally in the direction of the rotation axis (axis x). That is, the longitudinal direction of the impeller 10 is the axis x. The impeller 10 has a plurality of blades 11. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the plurality of blades 11 of the impeller 10 extend longitudinally along the axis x. Furthermore, in the impeller 10, the plurality of blades 11 are arranged, for example, around the axis x. In this way, a space S extending in a substantially cylindrical shape is formed inside the plurality of blades 11. The shape of the blade 11 in a cross section perpendicular to the axis x is curved (e.g., arc-shaped), as shown in FIG. 2 . Specifically, the plurality of blades 11 are arranged, for example, parallel or substantially parallel to the axis x, and are arranged at equal or substantially equal angular intervals around the axis x. The impeller 10 is, for example, a cross-flow fan.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the dryer 1 has a heater 20, and the impeller 10 and heater 20 are housed in a housing 30. As shown in FIG. 1 , the housing 30 has a main body 31 and a handle 32. The main body 31 is a portion that forms an accommodation space 31a, which is a space that accommodates the impeller 10. The handle 32 is a portion that serves as a handle for holding the dryer 1. The main body 31 has two openings that open the internal accommodation space 31a. One of the two openings is an inlet 33, and the other is an outlet 34. The inlet 33 is an opening that allows air to be drawn into the impeller 10 from outside the housing 30. On the other hand, the outlet 34 is an opening that allows air discharged by the impeller 10 to be blown out of the housing 30.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the inlet 33 is disposed outward from the outer circumferential surface (surface in the circumferential direction) of the impeller 10, and is formed to face the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 10. The inlet 33 is formed in the main body 31 of the housing 30 so as to extend longitudinally along the axis x of the impeller 10, as shown in FIG. 1 , for example, and has a pair of ends 33 a, 33 b extending along the axis x, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The inlet 33 is also formed in the main body 31 of the housing 30 so as to extend longitudinally in the circumferential direction around the axis x. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the area of ​​the inlet 33 is large. The inlet 33 is formed so that a large amount of air is drawn into the impeller 10. The inlet 33 is shaped, for example, so that half or between one-third and two-thirds of the surface of the impeller 10 is exposed to the space outside the housing 30 in the circumferential direction. The inlet 33 is shaped so that the entire outer circumferential surface of the impeller 10 or a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 10 is exposed to the space outside the housing 30 in the axial x direction. Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the inlet 33 is open so that the entire or a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 10 in the axial x direction and half or approximately half of the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 10 in the circumferential direction are exposed to the space outside the main body 31. The inlet 33 may have a different size or shape. The inlet 33 may be covered with a filter to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the accommodation space 31a.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the outlet 34 is formed to face the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 10 in a direction intersecting the radial direction of the impeller 10. The outlet 34 is formed in the main body 31 of the housing 30 and extends longitudinally along the axis x of the impeller 10, as shown in FIG. 1 , for example. The outlet 24 has a pair of ends 34a, 34b extending along the axis x, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The outlet 34 extends in the axial x direction by the same or approximately the same distance as the impeller 10. The outlet 34 may extend in the axial x direction longer or shorter than the impeller 10. As shown in FIG. 2 , the outlet 34 is formed to open a portion of the accommodation space 31a on the opposite side of the inlet 33 from the impeller 10 in the radial direction of the impeller 10. The size and shape of the outlet 34 may be other sizes and shapes. The position of the outlet 34 relative to the inlet 33 is not limited to the position shown in the figure and may be other positions. The outlet 34 may be covered with a filter, a honeycomb lid or a lid having multiple lattices, or the like.

[0014] 1 and 2, the housing 30 is formed with a nozzle 35. The nozzle 35 is formed in a portion of the accommodation space 31a on the opposite side of the impeller 10 from the inlet 33 in the radial direction of the impeller 10. The nozzle 35 extends along the rotation direction R of the impeller 10 (see FIG. 2), and forms a flow path that moves away from the impeller 10 toward the outlet 34 (outside). The outlet 34 is formed at the tip of the nozzle 35.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the main body 31 of the housing 30 has wall portions 36 and 37 that radially define the accommodation space 31 a. The wall portions 36 and 37 face the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 10 and extend in the direction of the axis x. As shown in FIG. 2 , the wall portion 36 is a portion of the main body 31 that extends between an end 33 a of the inlet 33 and an end 34 a of the outlet 34. As shown in FIG. 2 , the wall portion 37 is a portion of the main body 31 that extends between an end 33 b of the inlet 33 and an end 34 b of the outlet 34. As shown in FIG. 2 , the wall portion 36 has a shape that is, for example, curved convexly toward the accommodation space 31 a. Meanwhile, the cross section of the wall portion 37 is arc-shaped as shown in FIG. 2 . Furthermore, the wall portion 37 extends in the circumferential direction of the impeller 10 so that the entire wall portion 37 faces the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 10. As shown in Figure 2, the wall portion 36 and the wall portion 37 face each other with the impeller 10 in between.

[0016] 1 and 2, the main body 31 of the housing 30 has walls 38 and 39 that define the accommodation space 31a in the direction of the axis x. The walls 38 and 39 face each other in the direction of the axis x with the impeller 10 interposed therebetween, and the walls 36 and 37 are disposed between the walls 38 and 39.

[0017] The heater 20 is disposed in a space S inside the impeller 10, as shown in FIG. 2, for example. The heater 20 extends along an axis x within the space S. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the heater 20 is tubular (e.g., cylindrical or approximately cylindrical), and the cross-sectional shape of the outer circumferential surface of the heater 20 is, for example, circular or approximately circular. Note that the shape of the heater 20 is not limited to this. Furthermore, the illustrated shape of the heater 20 is a schematic representation of the shape of the space occupied by components of the heater 20. The components of the heater 20 include, for example, a heating wire and a member supporting the heating wire.

[0018] The dryer 1 also includes a first member 3 that transmits the rotation of the motor 2. The first member 3 and the impeller 10 are coupled to each other by magnetic force. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dryer 1 taken along a plane including the axis x. As shown in Fig. 3, the motor 2 includes a rotating shaft 3 as the first member 3. The rotating shaft 3 is coupled to the impeller 10 by magnetic force.

[0019] In the dryer 1, a second member 4 is disposed inside the housing 30. The impeller 10 is supported by the second member 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the second member 4 is disposed in the accommodation space 31a of the main body 31 of the housing 30. The second member 4 is, for example, a shaft 4, which is a rod-shaped member extending along the axis x. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shaft 4 has a cylindrical or approximately cylindrical shape, and its cross section perpendicular to the axis x is circular or approximately circular. The shaft 4 is longer than the impeller 10 in the direction of the axis x. However, the shape of the shaft 4 is not limited to this.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, the dryer 1 includes, for example, a first bearing, a bearing 5, and a second bearing, a bearing 6. A shaft 4, which is a second member, is a member that passes through the interior of the impeller 10 and passes through a space S inside the impeller 10, and the impeller 10 is rotatably supported on the shaft 4 via the bearings 5 ​​and 6. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, both end portions 4a and 4b of the shaft 4 protrude from the bearings 5 ​​and 6, respectively, and are supported by a housing 30. Note that both end portions 4a and 4b of the shaft 4 are the respective end portions of the shaft 4 in the direction of the axis x.

[0021] Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 , support portions 38a, 39a formed to be able to support both ends 4a, 4b of the shaft 4 are formed on respective wall portions 38, 39 of the main body portion 31 of the housing 30 that face each other in the direction of the axis x. The support portion 38a is, for example, a recess that can support the end 4a of the shaft 4. Similarly, the support portion 39a is, for example, a recess that can support the end 4b of the shaft 4. The recesses of the support portions 38a, 39a have a shape that is recessed in the direction of the axis x and accommodate the ends 4a, 4b of the shaft 4, respectively. Specifically, for example, the ends 4a, 4b of the shaft 4 can be fitted into the support portions 38a, 39a, respectively, and the support portions 38a, 39a can fix the ends 4a, 4b of the shaft 4 to the wall portions 38, 39, respectively.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3 , the ends of the impeller 10 have wall portions (hereinafter referred to as end wall portions) 12, 13 that respectively support the ends of the blades 11. The end wall portions 12, 13 of the impeller 10 face each other in the direction of the axis x, with the blades 11 interposed therebetween. The end wall portions 12, 13 have, for example, an annular or approximately annular plate shape and have openings 12a, 13a, respectively, corresponding to the space S. As shown in FIG. 3 , the end wall portion 12 has a support portion 12b that protrudes along the axis x toward the opposite side from the blades 11. The support portion 12b is formed to surround the opening 12a and has a cylindrical shape extending along the axis x. The support portion 12b also has an inner peripheral surface 12c that faces the inner periphery. The inner peripheral surface 12c is, for example, a cylindrical surface or an approximately cylindrical surface with the axis x as its central axis or approximately its central axis. The support portion 12b has an outer peripheral surface 12d that faces the outer periphery. The outer peripheral surface 12d faces away from the inner peripheral surface 12c in the radial direction. The outer peripheral surface 12d is, for example, a cylindrical surface or a nearly cylindrical surface with the axis x as its central axis or nearly central axis.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3 , the end wall portion 13 also has a support portion 13b that protrudes along the axis x toward the opposite side from the blade 11. The support portion 13b is formed to surround the opening 13a and has a cylindrical shape extending along the axis x. The support portion 13b also has an inner circumferential surface 13c that faces the inner circumferential side. The inner circumferential surface 13c is, for example, a cylindrical surface or a nearly cylindrical surface with the axis x as its central axis or nearly central axis. The support portion 13b also has an outer circumferential surface 13d that faces the outer circumferential side. The outer circumferential surface 13d is a surface that faces away from the inner circumferential surface 13c in the radial direction. The outer circumferential surface 13d is, for example, a cylindrical surface or a nearly cylindrical surface with the axis x as its central axis or nearly central axis.

[0024] 3, in the dryer 1, the shaft 4 passes through the space S inside the impeller 10. As described above, the length of the shaft 4 in the axial direction x is longer than the length of the impeller 10 in the axial direction x, and the ends 4a and 4b of the shaft 4 protrude from the end wall portions 12 and 13 of the impeller 10. Furthermore, the ends 4a and 4b of the shaft 4 are supported by support portions 38a and 39a of the wall portions 38 and 39, respectively, and the shaft 4 is fixed to the main body portion 31 in the accommodation space 31a.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3 , inner rings 5 ​​a and 6 a of bearings 5 ​​and 6 are fixed to the shaft 4, and outer rings 5 ​​b and 6 b of bearings 5 ​​and 6 are attached to support portions 12 b and 13 b of the end walls 12 and 13 of the impeller 10, respectively. Specifically, bearing 5 is press-fitted into the space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface 12 c of support portion 12 b, and outer ring 5 b is pressed against the inner circumferential surface 12 c of support portion 12 b, thereby being fixed to support portion 12 b. Similarly, bearing 6 is press-fitted into the space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface 13 c of support portion 13 b, and outer ring 6 b is pressed against the inner circumferential surface 13 c of support portion 13 b, thereby being fixed to support portion 13 b. Bearing 5 is located near end portion 4 a of shaft 4, and bearing 6 is located near end portion 4 b of shaft 4. Thus, in the dryer 1, the impeller 10 is rotatably supported on the shaft 4 via the bearings 5 ​​and 6. In addition, both ends 4a and 4b of the shaft 4 protrude from the bearings 5 ​​and 6, respectively, and are supported by the housing 30.

[0026] 3, the heater 20 is disposed in the space S inside the impeller 10, and is fixed to the shaft 4, which is the second member. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heater 20 has a cylindrical outer shape extending along the axis x, and the shaft 4 penetrates the space S1 inside the heater 20 in the space S inside the impeller 10. The heater 20 is supported by a support portion 4c fixed to the shaft 4, for example, and is fixed to the shaft 4.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, the motor 2 is provided in the space S2 within the handle 32. The rotating shaft 3 of the motor 2, which is the first member 3 that transmits the rotation of the motor 2, protrudes toward the main body 31. In the dryer 1, the motor 2 is disposed in the space S2 of the handle 32 so that the axis of the rotating shaft 3 of the motor 2 coincides or nearly coincides with the axis of the shaft 4. In Fig. 3, the axis of the rotating shaft 3 and the axis of the shaft 4 both form the axis x.

[0028] As described above, the motor 2 and the impeller 10 are coupled to each other by magnetic force. For example, the rotating shaft 3 of the motor 2 and the impeller 10 are coupled to each other by magnetic force. Specifically, the rotating shaft 3 of the motor 2, which serves as a first member, is provided with a first magnetic body 7, and the impeller 10 is provided with a second magnetic body 8, and the motor 2 and the impeller 10 are coupled to each other by magnetic force generated between the first magnetic body 7 and the second magnetic body 8. For example, the first magnetic body 7 and the second magnetic body 8 are configured to face each other in the direction of the axis x and be coupled to each other by magnetic force.

[0029] Specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first magnetic body 7 is an annular or cylindrical magnetic body, and may be a magnet. The first magnetic body 7 has, for example, an annular or approximately annular shape, or a cylindrical or approximately cylindrical shape. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , a disk-shaped support portion 7a is fixed to the tip end 3a of the rotating shaft 3 of the motor 2, and the first magnetic body 7 is fixed to this support portion 7a. The first magnetic body 7 is attached to the surface of the support portion 7a facing away from the motor 2. For example, the first magnetic body 7 is fixed to the support portion 7a so that the axis x is the central axis or approximately the central axis. The support portion 7a is, for example, a non-magnetic member. Note that the support portion 7a may be integral with the first magnetic body 7 and be a part of the first magnetic body 7.

[0030] 3, the second magnetic body 8 is an annular or cylindrical magnetic body, and may be a magnet. The second magnetic body 8 has, for example, an annular or approximately annular shape, or a cylindrical or approximately cylindrical shape. The second magnetic body 8 has, for example, the same or approximately the same shape as the first magnetic body 7. The second magnetic body 8 is attached to the support portion 12b of the end wall portion 12 of the impeller 10. Specifically, the support portion 12b is press-fitted into the hollow interior of the second magnetic body 8, and the second magnetic body 8 is fixed onto the outer peripheral surface 12d of the support portion 12b.

[0031] 3, in the dryer 1, the storage space 31a of the main body 31 and the space S1 inside the handle 32 are adjacent to each other across a wall 38 that is part of the housing 30. In other words, the wall 38 that is part of the housing 30 separates the first magnetic body 7 and the second magnetic body 8. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the first magnetic body 7 and the second magnetic body 8 face each other in the direction of the axis x, separated by the wall 38.

[0032] In this way, the first magnetic body 7 and the second magnetic body 8 face each other in the direction of the axis x, and a magnetic force that attracts each other is generated between the first magnetic body 7 and the second magnetic body 8, and they are coupled to each other by this magnetic force. When the motor 2 is driven and the rotating shaft 4 rotates, the first magnetic body 7 also rotates along with the rotation of the rotating shaft 4. Because the first magnetic body 7 and the second magnetic body 8 are coupled to each other by a magnetic force, when the first magnetic body 7 rotates, the second magnetic body 8 also rotates, and the impeller 10 rotates. In this way, the impeller 10 is coupled to the rotating shaft 4 of the motor 2 by the magnetic coupling between the first magnetic body 7 and the second magnetic body 8. Therefore, the impeller 10 rotates when the motor 2 is driven.

[0033] The first magnetic body 7 is, for example, a permanent magnet, and the second magnetic body 8 is, for example, a permanent magnet. Note that one of the first magnetic body 7 and the second magnetic body 8 may be a permanent magnet, and the other of the first magnetic body 7 and the second magnetic body 8 may be a magnetic body (yoke). Also, another magnetic body (yoke, not shown) may be attached to the first magnetic body 7. Also, another magnetic body (yoke, not shown) may be attached to the second magnetic body 8.

[0034] The motor 2 and the heater 20 can be supplied with current through wiring electrically connected to a power source.

[0035] The dryer 1 has the above-described configuration, and when the motor 2 is driven, the rotating shaft 3 rotates, and the impeller 10 rotates via magnetic coupling between the first magnetic body 7 and the second magnetic body 8. The impeller 10 is rotatably supported by the shaft 4 fixed to the main body 31 via two bearings 5 ​​and 6. The bearings 5 ​​and 6 also support end wall portions 12 and 13, which are the longitudinal ends of the impeller 10.

[0036] As described above, in the dryer 1, the impeller 10 is coupled to the rotating shaft 4 of the motor 2 by magnetic coupling, which is a mutual coupling using magnetic force, and the motor 2 transmits torque to the impeller 10 in a non-contact manner. Therefore, even if the axis of the impeller 10 is misaligned with the axis of the rotating shaft 4 based on the processing tolerances of each component of the dryer 1, it is possible to suppress any influence on the transmission of torque from the motor 2 to the impeller 10.

[0037] Furthermore, the impeller 10 is supported by two bearings 5 ​​and 6 at end wall portions 12 and 13, which are the ends in the longitudinal direction of the impeller 10. This allows the rotation of the impeller 10 to be stable.

[0038] As described above, the dryer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can stabilize the rotation of the impeller 10, which is a fan.

[0039] In the above-described embodiment, the first magnetic body 7 and the second magnetic body 8 face each other in the axial x direction, separated by the wall portion 38. However, the configuration for magnetically coupling the motor 2 and the impeller 10 is not limited to this. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a dryer 1 according to a modified example, and FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration for magnetically coupling the motor 2 and the impeller 10 in the dryer 1 according to the modified example. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the first magnetic body 7 and the second magnetic body 8 may face each other in the radial direction, separated by the wall portion 38. Specifically, for example, the inner periphery of the first magnetic body 7 has a larger diameter than the outer periphery of the second magnetic body 8. The second magnetic body 8 is disposed in the space inside the first magnetic body 7, and the first magnetic body 7 faces the second magnetic body 8 on the radially inner side, with an annular gap therebetween. As shown in Figure 5, the wall portion 38 is formed to pass through the gap between the first magnetic body 7 and the second magnetic body 8, and the first magnetic body 7 and the second magnetic body 8 are opposed to each other in the radial direction, separated by the wall portion 38.

[0040] Next, an example of a specific configuration of the heater 20 will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a heater 21 as a specific example of the heater 20. The heater 21 has an example of a specific configuration of the heater 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the heater 21 has a plurality of pillars 22 and a heat-generating member 23. The pillars 22 are members that support the heat-generating member 23. The pillars 22 are columnar members and have a pair of ends 22a and 22b. The pillars 22 extend between the ends 22a and 22b, for example, along a straight line. The heat-generating member 23 is, for example, a coil 23 formed of a heating wire. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the heater 21 has a plurality of support members 24. The support members 24 are members that support the plurality of pillars 22. The heater 21 also has a plurality of shafts 25 that support the support members 24.

[0041] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the pillar 22 is a plate-shaped member and has a pair of side portions 22c and 22d, which are back-to-back surfaces extending between the end portion 22a and the end portion 22b. Note that Figure 8 is a perspective view of the heater 21 shown in Figure 7, with the heat-generating member 23 omitted, and Figure 9 is a side view of the heater 21 shown in Figure 7, with the heat-generating member 23 omitted. The pillar 22 also has a side end portion 22e extending between one end of the side portion 22c and the side portion 22d, and a side end portion 22f extending between the other end of the side portion 22c and the side portion 22d. As shown in Figure 7, the pillar 22 extends long in the direction in which the end portion 22a and the end portion 22b are back-to-back, with the ends 22a and 22b being longitudinal ends and the side ends 22e and 22f being lateral ends. Furthermore, the width between side portion 22c and side portion 22d is thinner than the width between side end portion 22e and side end portion 22f. The pillar 22 is, for example, a rod-shaped flat plate, and the side portions 22c and 22d are, for example, rectangular or substantially rectangular flat or substantially flat surfaces. The ends 22a and 22b and the side ends 22e and 22f form the edges of the plate-shaped pillar 22. The pillar 22 is not limited to a flat plate-shaped member. For example, the side portions 22c and 22d may be curved surfaces, or may be surfaces formed by combining one or more flat surfaces with one or more curved surfaces, and the pillar 22 may be a curved plate-shaped member.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 , the support member 24 is, for example, a plate-shaped member having a pair of surfaces 24a and 24b facing each other and an end portion 24c, which is an edge of the support member 24 extending on the outer periphery of the surfaces 24a and 24b. The support member 24 is, for example, a circular plate-shaped member, and the surfaces 24a and 24b are circular or approximately circular. The multiple support members 24 are arranged so that the surfaces 24a and 24b face each other, and the multiple columns 22 are supported so that the multiple columns 22 extend between the multiple support members 24. For example, the multiple columns 22 penetrate the surfaces 24a and 24b of the multiple support members 24 and are supported by the multiple support members 24. The multiple columns 22 are supported by the multiple support members 24 so that they are aligned in the circumferential direction around the axis x and extend along the axis x. The multiple columns 22 are supported so that they extend parallel or approximately parallel to the axis x, for example.

[0043] As described above, the heater 21 is disposed in the space S inside the impeller 10, and the airflow F generated by the rotation of the impeller 10 passing through the space S inside the impeller 10 hits the heater 21. In contrast, in the heater 21, the heat-generating member 23 is supported by a plurality of plate-shaped pillars 22, and the plurality of pillars 22 are supported by plate-shaped support members 24, and a space penetrating the heater 21 is formed. Furthermore, this space penetrating the heater 21 forms a wide flow path cross-sectional area for the airflow F. Therefore, the heater 21 does not obstruct the airflow F passing through the space S inside the impeller 10 or can suppress obstruction of the airflow F, thereby improving the air blowing efficiency of the dryer 1.

[0044] Furthermore, by supporting the multiple pillars 22 on the support member 24 in an orientation that does not obstruct the airflow F passing through the space S inside the impeller 10 or that can suppress obstruction of the airflow F, the air blowing efficiency of the dryer 1 can be further improved. For example, the multiple pillars 22 are oriented such that air flows into the heater 21 and the air that has flowed into the heater 21 flows out of the heater 21. Specifically, for example, the multiple pillars 22 are oriented such that a flow path that guides the airflow F into the heater 21 is formed between at least one pair of two pillars 22 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and a flow path that guides the airflow F that has been guided into the heater 21 to the outside of the heater 21 is formed between at least one pair of two pillars 22 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0045] 7 to 9 , as an example, the heater 21 has three pillars 22 and two support members 24. Also, as an example, the heater 21 has two shafts 25. The two support members 24 are arranged so that their surfaces 24a face each other in the direction of the axis x, and support the three pillars 22 therebetween. The three pillars 22 are supported between the two support members 24, for example, by fixing the ends 22a, 22b or the vicinity of the ends 22a, 22b of the three pillars 22 to the two support members 24, respectively.

[0046] As described above, the three pillars 22 are supported by the support member 24 in a position that does not obstruct the airflow F passing through the space S inside the impeller 10 or that can suppress obstruction of the airflow F. For example, the three pillars 22 are positioned such that air flows into the heater 21 and the air that has flowed into the heater 21 flows out of the heater 21. Specifically, for example, the three pillars 22 are supported in a position such that a flow path that guides the airflow F into the heater 21 is formed between one set of two pillars 22 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and a flow path that guides the airflow F into the heater 21 is formed between another set of two pillars 22 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and these two flow paths join together inside the heater 21 to form a flow path that guides the airflow F that has been guided into the heater 21 to the outside of the heater 21.

[0047] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the posture of three pillars 22 supported by a support member 24, and is a view of the three pillars 22 viewed in the direction of the axis x. As shown in Fig. 10, the three pillars 22 are supported in a posture that is not symmetrical about the axis x (hereinafter referred to as a "twisted posture"). Note that a symmetrical relationship about the axis x also includes a relationship in which the same posture is maintained when rotated about the axis x and then moved in the radial direction.

[0048] For example, as shown in Fig. 10 , the three pillars 22A, 22B, and 22C are supported by the support member 24 in such a manner that the side portion 22d of one pillar 22C faces the end portions 22e of two of the pillars 22A and 22B that are located inside the heater 21. As a result, as shown in Fig. 10 , a flow path P1 that guides the airflow F into the heater 21 is formed between two circumferentially adjacent pillars 22A and 22B, and a flow path P2 that guides the airflow F into the heater 21 is formed between two circumferentially adjacent pillars 22B and 22C. These two flow paths P1 and P2 merge within the heater 21. In addition, the three pillars 22A, 22B, and 22C form a flow path P3 that guides the airflow F introduced into the heater 21 to the outside of the heater 21. In other words, the two flow paths P1, P2 merge downstream and connect to flow path P3. Furthermore, the distance between the end portions 22e of the two pillars 22A, 22B and the side portions 22d of the pillar 22C can be increased, and the cross-sectional areas of the flow paths P1, P2, and P3 are large. Thus, the three pillars 22A, 22B, and 22C form flow paths P1, P2, and P3 through which the airflow F smoothly passes through the heater 21. The heater 21 does not impede or suppresses the obstruction of the airflow F passing through the space S inside the impeller 10, thereby further improving the air blowing efficiency of the dryer 1.

[0049] 7 to 9, the heater 21 has, for example, two shafts 25, each supporting two support members 24 on the surface 24b side. That is, the two shafts 25 are fixed to the two support members 24 so as to protrude from the surface 24b. The two shafts 25 are fixed to the two support members 24 so that the axes of the two shafts 24 coincide with the axis x. The two shafts 25 are formed, for example, by the shaft 4 of the impeller 10. In this case, specifically, for example, the shaft 4 does not extend between the support portions 38a and 39a of the housing 30 (see FIGS. 3 and 5), but is divided into the shaft 25 on the support portion 38a side and the shaft 25 on the support portion 39a side. As a result, the shaft 4 does not penetrate the heater 21 or the space S inside the impeller 10, and the airflow F within the space S is not obstructed by the shaft 4. This configuration also allows the air blowing efficiency of the dryer 1 to be further improved.

[0050] 7, the coil 23 extends in a cylindrical region around the three pillars 22. Specifically, the coil 23 extends partially to a plurality of positions between two adjacent pillars 22 and is supported by the three pillars 22. Note that the heater 21 may have a plurality of coils 23 or may have a single coil 23.

[0051] The support member 24 is not limited to a circular plate shape. The shapes of the surfaces 24a, 24b of the support member 24 may be other than circular as long as they can support the pillar 22 in a twisted position as described above. For example, the shapes of the surfaces 24a, 24b of the support member 24 may be polygonal, such as a triangle, or a star shape with multiple points. The heater 21 may also have three or more support members 24. In this case, the support members 24 support the space between the ends 22a, 22b of the pillar 22. The shapes of the multiple support members 24 do not all need to be the same. For example, the shape of the support member 24 that supports the space between the ends 22a, 22b of the pillar 22 may be different from the shape of the support member 24 that supports the space between the ends 22a, 22b of the pillar 22. The heater 21 may also have only one or more shafts 25. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shaft 4 may extend through the heater 21 and form a single shaft 25 .

[0052] Similar to the shaft 4 described above, the two shafts 25 fix the heater 21 to the space S inside the impeller 10. The heater 21 is preferably fixed in an orientation such that the flow paths P1 and P2 formed by the pillars 22A, 22B, and 22C are aligned along the air suction direction F1, and the flow path P3 formed by the pillars 22A, 22B, and 22C is aligned along the air blowing direction F2.

[0053] Next, a description will be given of another example of the posture of the three pillars 22 supported by the support member 24. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the posture of the three pillars 22 supported by the support member 24, and is a diagram of the three pillars 22 viewed in the direction of the axis x. As shown in Fig. 11, the three pillars 22 may be supported by the support member 24 in a posture symmetrical about the axis x, rather than in the twisted posture described above (see Fig. 10).

[0054] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 11 , the three pillars 22A, 22B, and 22C are supported in such a manner that their end portions 22e inside the heater 21 face each other. More specifically, the side portions 22c and 22d of the three pillars 22A, 22B, and 22C are parallel or substantially parallel to the radial direction, and the projection of the end portions 22e in the lateral direction of the pillars 22 overlaps with the axis x. Note that the lateral direction of the pillars 22 is the direction perpendicular to the axis x along the side portions 22c and 22d, as indicated by arrow a in Fig. 11 . The three pillars 22A, 22B, and 22C are arranged at equal or substantially equal angular intervals from each other in the circumferential direction around the axis x.

[0055] Next, another example of a specific configuration of the heater 20 will be described. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a heater 26 as another specific example of the heater 20, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the heater 26 as another specific example of the heater 20. The heater 26 has an example of a specific configuration of the heater 20. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the heater 26 is attached to a shaft 27 that serves as the shaft 4 of the dryer 1, and has a heat-generating member 23 similar to the heater 21 described above. The heat-generating member 23 is, for example, a coil 23 formed of an electric heating wire. The heater 26 also has a plurality of support members 28. The plurality of support members 28 are members for supporting the heat-generating member 23 and fixing the heat-generating member 23 to the shaft 27. The heater 26 also has a cylindrical member, a tube 29, made of an insulating material. An inner circumferential surface 29 a, which faces the inner circumferential side of the tube 29, forms a through-hole inside the tube 29. The shaft 27 can be inserted into a through hole formed in an inner peripheral surface 29a of the cylinder 29. The heater 26 has one or more cylinders 29.

[0056] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the heater 26 shown in FIG. 12 , with the heat-generating member 23 omitted. As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 , the support member 28 is, for example, a plate-shaped member and has a pair of surfaces 28a and 28b facing each other, and an end portion 28c, which is the edge of the support member 28 extending on the outer periphery of the surfaces 28a and 28b. The support member 28 is, for example, a circular plate, and the surfaces 28a and 28b are circular or approximately circular. A through-hole 28d is formed in the support member 28, penetrating between the surfaces 28a and 28b. The shaft 27 is passed through the through-hole 28d, and the support member 28 is attached to the shaft 27. The support member 28 may be fixed to the shaft 27, or may be slidable relative to the shaft 27. 12 and 14, for example, a D-cut is formed in the shaft 27, and the shape of the through-hole 28d of the support member 28 corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the shaft 27. This fixes the support member 28 to the shaft 27 so that it cannot rotate.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 , the multiple support members 28 are arranged so that their surfaces 28 a and 28 b face each other. A single cylinder 29 is attached between two adjacent support members 28. That is, the portion of the shaft 27 extending between the two adjacent support members 28 passes through a through-hole formed by the inner circumferential surface 29 a of the cylinder 29. Ends 29 b and 29 c, which are both ends of the cylinder 29, contact the surfaces 28 a and 28 b of the two adjacent support members 28, respectively. This positions the support member 28 in the direction of the axis x. As shown schematically in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the coil 23 is supported by the multiple support members 28 and extends in a cylindrical region around the shaft 27. As shown in FIG. 13 , the cylinder 29 extends on the inner circumferential side of the cylindrical region through which the coil 23 extends.

[0058] As described above, in the heater 26, the insulating tube 29 is interposed between the coil 23 and the shaft 27. This provides electrical insulation between the coil 23 and the shaft 27. Therefore, even if the shaft 27 that rotatably supports the impeller 10 and supports the heater 26 is made of metal to increase the rigidity and strength of the shaft 27, a short circuit between the coil 23 and the shaft 27 is prevented. In this way, the heater 26 can prevent a short circuit between the coil 23 and the shaft 27, thereby improving the safety of the dryer 1.

[0059] For example, as shown in Figures 12 to 14, the heater 26 has three support members 28 and two cylinders 29. One cylinder 29 is provided between two adjacent support members 28. In other words, from one end of the heater 26 in the axial x direction to the other end of the heater 26 in the axial x direction, the multiple support members 28 and multiple cylinders 29 are arranged in the following order: one support member 28, one cylinder 29, one support member 28, one cylinder 29, one support member 28. Note that even when the heater 26 has three or more cylinders 29, the multiple support members 28 and multiple cylinders 29 are arranged in the above-mentioned order. Alternatively, the heater 26 may have two support members 28 and one cylinder 29. In this case, the support members 28 and the cylinders 29 are arranged in the same order as described above.

[0060] The shape of the outer peripheral surface 29a of the tube 29, which is the surface facing the outer periphery, is not limited to a cylindrical surface as shown in the figure. The shape of the outer peripheral surface 29d of the tube 29 may be another shape, such as a rectangular cylindrical surface. Furthermore, the tube 29 is not limited to being hollow. For example, the tube 29 may have through holes that penetrate between the inner peripheral surface 29a and the outer peripheral surface 29d. For example, the tube 29 may be mesh-like or may have slits.

[0061] Although the present invention has been described above through the above embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the dryer includes an impeller, a heater, and a housing that accommodates the impeller. The dryer also includes an air passage disposed in the housing. The heater is described as being disposed between the housing and the impeller. The present invention is not limited to applications to dryers. For example, the configuration of the present invention related to the dryer described above may be applied to a blower that includes a heater such as a fan heater. Specifically, the blower may include an impeller, a heater, and a housing that accommodates the impeller.

[0063] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention, and the present invention may include any and all applications. The components of the above-described embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shape, size, etc., are not limited to those illustrated and may be modified as appropriate. For example, the present invention includes differences that arise during implementation due to manufacturing tolerances, etc. Furthermore, components illustrated in different embodiments may be partially substituted or combined within the scope of technical inconsistency. Furthermore, the various configurations may be selectively combined as appropriate to achieve at least some of the above-described problems and effects.

[0064] 1 dryer, 2 motor, 3 rotating shaft (first member), 3a tip portion, 4 shaft (second member), 4a, 4b end portion, 4c support portion, 5 bearing (first bearing), 6 bearing (second bearing), 5a, 6a inner ring, 5b, 6b outer ring, 7 first magnetic body, 8 second magnetic body, 10 impeller, 11 blades, 12, 13 end wall portion, 12a, 13a opening, 12b, 13b support portion, 12c, 13c inner peripheral surface, 12d, 13d outer peripheral surface, 20, 21, 26 heater, 22, 22A, 22B, 22C pillar, 21a, 22b end portion, 22c, 22d side portion, 21e, 21f side end portion, 23 heat-generating member, 24, 28 Support member, 24a, 24b, 28a, 28b surfaces, 24c, 28c ends, 25, 27 shaft, 28d through hole, 29 tube, 29a inner peripheral surface, 29b, 29c ends, 29d outer peripheral surface, 30 housing, 31 main body, 31a storage space, 32 handle, 33 inlet, 33a, 33b ends, 34 outlet, 34a, 34b ends, 35 nozzle, 36, 37, 38, 39 wall, 38a, 39a support portion, F air flow, F1 suction direction, F2 blowing direction, P1, P2, P3 flow path, R rotation direction, S, S1, S2 space, x axis

Claims

1. A dryer comprising a housing, a motor, a first bearing, a second bearing, an impeller, and a member that passes through the inside of the impeller, wherein the impeller is rotated by the motor, and the impeller is rotatably supported via the first bearing and the second bearing relative to the member that passes through the inside of the impeller.

2. The dryer according to claim 1, wherein a heater is disposed inside the impeller, and the heater is fixed to a member that passes through the inside of the impeller.

3. The dryer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a member for transmitting the rotation of the motor, the member for transmitting the rotation of the motor and the impeller being mutually coupled by magnetic force.

4. A dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein both ends of a member passing through the inside of the impeller protrude from the first bearing and the second bearing and are supported by the housing.

5. The dryer according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a first magnetic body is provided on the member that transmits the rotation of the motor, and a second magnetic body is provided on the impeller.

6. The dryer according to claim 5, wherein one of the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body is a magnet.

7. The dryer according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a portion of the housing separates the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body.

8. The dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the impeller has a fluid suction direction that intersects with a fluid blowing direction.

9. The dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the impeller extends long in the axial direction.

10. A dryer comprising a motor, a housing, and an impeller rotatably supported by the housing, the motor and the impeller being coupled to each other by magnetic force.

11. The dryer according to claim 10, further comprising a first member for transmitting rotation of the motor, the first member and the impeller being coupled to each other by magnetic force.

12. The dryer according to claim 11, further comprising: a second member disposed inside said housing; and said impeller being supported by said second member.

13. The dryer according to claim 12, comprising a first bearing and a second bearing, the second member passing through the inside of the impeller, and the impeller being rotatably supported by the second member via the first bearing and the second bearing.

14. The dryer according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein a heater is disposed inside the impeller, and the heater is fixed to the second member.

15. The dryer according to claim 14, wherein both ends of the second member protrude from the first bearing and the second bearing and are supported by the housing.

16. The dryer according to claim 12, wherein the first member is provided with a first magnetic body, and the impeller is provided with a second magnetic body.

17. The dryer of claim 16, wherein one of the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body is a magnet.

18. The dryer of claim 17, wherein a portion of the housing separates the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body.

19. The dryer according to any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein the impeller has a fluid suction direction and a fluid blowing direction that intersect with each other.

20. A dryer according to any one of claims 10 to 19, wherein the impeller extends long in the axial direction.

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