Electronic device and dryer

Abstract

A dryer (1) comprises an electronic device (1), an impeller (10), and a housing (20) that has a ventilation passage (21) that accommodates the impeller (10) and the electronic device (1). The ventilation passage (21) includes an intake port (22) and a blowout port (23). The electronic device (1) includes a plurality of heaters (3) that each have the following in an axial (x) direction: a plurality of first conductors (4) arrayed at a first pitch (P1); and a plurality of second conductors (5) arrayed at a second pitch (P2). The plurality of heaters (3) are disposed side by side in a radial direction.

Description

Electronic equipment and dryers

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a dryer.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Electronic devices having heaters are used in a variety of devices, for example, in hair dryers (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2013-75139 A

[0004] For example, in hair dryers, there is a demand for a configuration that can shorten the drying time. Therefore, for electronic devices with heaters in hair dryers, there is a demand for a configuration that can efficiently heat the air in order to increase the temperature of the air blown out. Furthermore, depending on the condition of the hair to be dried, it may be preferable to apply air of different temperatures to different parts of the hair in terms of drying time and stress on the hair. Thus, there is a demand for a configuration that can improve the air heating performance of electronic devices with conventional heaters.

[0005] Therefore, an example of an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a dryer that can improve the performance of heating air.

[0006] An electronic device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of heaters each having a plurality of conductors arranged at a first pitch in an axial direction and a plurality of conductors arranged at a second pitch, and the plurality of heaters are arranged in a radial direction.

[0007] A dryer according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an electronic device according to the present invention, an impeller, and a housing having an air passage that accommodates the impeller and the electronic device, the air passage having an intake port and an outlet port, and the multiple heaters being arranged inside the outlet port.

[0008] 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention, having an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front view of the dryer; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the dryer; FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the dryer, showing an enlarged view of the electronic device; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of heaters attached to a heater support in the dryer; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plurality of heaters shown through the heater support; FIG. 7 is a front view showing each of the plurality of heaters with the heater support omitted; FIG. 8 is a top view of a plurality of heaters; FIG. 9 is a rear view of a plurality of heaters; FIG. 10 is an electrical circuit diagram showing the configuration of an electrical circuit provided in the electronic device; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modified example of a dryer provided with a modified electronic device; FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to the modified example; FIG. 13 is a top view of a heater according to the modified example; FIG. 14 is a front view showing a heater according to a modified example on the front side, and an electrical circuit diagram showing the configuration of an electrical circuit provided in the electronic device according to the modified example.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in the drawings, not all of the components are labeled with reference numerals, and some of the components may be omitted.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a dryer 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes an electronic device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the dryer 1. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the electronic device 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the dryer 1, taken along a line perpendicular to the axis x. 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. Furthermore, although the electronic device 1 is provided in a dryer, the application of the electronic device according to the present invention is not limited to this.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the dryer 1 includes an electronic device 1, an impeller 10, and a housing 20 having an air passage 21 that accommodates the impeller 10 and the electronic device 1. The air passage 21 includes an air intake 22 and an air outlet 23. The electronic device 1 includes a plurality of heaters 3, each of which includes a plurality of conductors (hereinafter referred to as first conductors) 4 arranged at a first pitch P1 in the direction of an axis x and a plurality of conductors (hereinafter referred to as second conductors) 5 arranged at a second pitch P2. The heaters 3 are arranged radially. The configurations of the electronic device 1 and the dryer 2 will be described in detail below. The illustrated axis x is the axis of the dryer 1 and the axis of rotation of the dryer 1. The radial direction is a direction perpendicular to the axis x. The direction around the axis x is a circumferential direction.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the impeller 10 is rotatable about an axis x as a rotation axis. The impeller 10 sucks in a fluid through a suction port 22 and blows out the sucked fluid through a blowout port 23. As shown in FIG. 3 , for example, the impeller 10 is configured such that a suction direction F1 of the sucked fluid intersects with a blowout direction F2 of the blown fluid. The impeller 10 also extends longitudinally in the direction of the axis x. The impeller 10 has a plurality of blades 11. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , for example, the plurality of blades 11 of the impeller 10 extend longitudinally along the axis x. In the impeller 10, the plurality of blades 11 are, for example, arranged around the axis x. In this way, a space S extending in a substantially cylindrical shape is formed inside the plurality of blades 11, as shown in FIG. 4 . The shape of the blade 11 in a cross section perpendicular to the axis x is a curved shape (e.g., an arc shape), as shown in Fig. 4. Specifically, the multiple blades 11 are arranged, for example, parallel or approximately parallel to the axis x, and are arranged at equal or approximately equal angular intervals around the axis x. The impeller 10 is, for example, a crossflow fan.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the housing 20 has a main body portion 20a and a handle portion 20b. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the ventilation passage 21 is formed in the main body portion 20a. The ventilation passage 21 is a space that houses the impeller 10 as described above, and is also a space through which the airflow F generated by the rotation of the impeller 10 passes. The handle portion 20b is a portion that serves as a handle for the dryer 1. The handle portion 20b houses a motor (not shown) that rotates the impeller 10. As shown in FIG. 4 , the ventilation passage 21 includes an air intake port 22 and an air outlet port 23. The main body portion 20a has two openings that open to the internal ventilation passage 21; these two openings are the air intake port 22 and the air outlet port 23. The air intake port 22 is an opening that allows air to be drawn into the impeller 10 from outside the housing 20. On the other hand, the air outlet 23 is an opening for blowing air from the impeller 10 to the outside of the housing 20 .

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the air intake 22 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 10 so as to face outward. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , for example, the air intake 22 is formed in the housing 20 so as to extend longitudinally in the direction of the axis x along the impeller 10, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , has a pair of ends 22 a, 22 b extending along the axis x. The air intake 22 is also formed in the housing 20 so as to extend longitudinally in the circumferential direction around the axis x. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the area of ​​the air intake 22 is formed to be large. The air intake 22 is formed so that a large amount of air is drawn into the impeller 10. The air intake 22 is shaped, for example, so that half or approximately half of the surface of the impeller 10 is exposed to the space outside the housing 20. 1 to 4, the air intake 22 is formed in a shape such that the entire or substantially the entire outer circumferential surface of the impeller 10 in the direction of the axis x, and half or substantially half of the outer circumferential surface of the impeller 10 in the circumferential direction are exposed to the space outside the housing 20. The size and shape of the air intake 22 may be other sizes and shapes. The air intake 22 may also be covered with a filter to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the ventilation passage 21.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the air outlet 23 is formed to face in a direction intersecting the radial direction of the impeller 10. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , for example, the air outlet 23 is formed in the housing 20 so as to extend longitudinally along the axis x of the impeller 10, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the air outlet 23 has a pair of ends 23 a, 23 b extending along the axis x. For example, the air outlet 23 extends in the axis x direction by the same or approximately the same distance as the impeller 10. Note that the air outlet 23 may extend in the axis x direction longer or shorter than the impeller 10. As shown in FIG. 4 , the air outlet 23 is formed, for example, so as to open a portion of the ventilation passage 21 on the opposite side of the impeller 10 from the intake port 22 in the radial direction of the impeller 10. Note that the size and shape of the air outlet 23 may be other sizes and shapes. The position of the air outlet 23 relative to the air intake 22 is not limited to the position shown in the figure and may be other positions. The air outlet 23 may be covered with a filter, a honeycomb cover, or a cover having multiple lattices.

[0016] 1 to 4, a nozzle 24 is formed in the housing 20. The nozzle 24 is formed in a portion of the ventilation passage 21 on the opposite side of the impeller 10 from the intake port 22 in the radial direction of the impeller 10, and forms a flow path that extends away from the impeller 10 along the rotation direction R of the impeller 10 (see FIG. 4). The air outlet 23 is formed at the tip (end) of the nozzle 24.

[0017] As described above, the housing 20 has an air passage 21 formed therein, which extends from the air intake 22 to the air outlet 23. The inner periphery of the housing 20 is aligned with the impeller 10 as shown in FIG. 4 . The inner periphery of the housing 20 is an inner surface 25 that defines the air passage 21. As shown in FIG. 4 , the inner surface 25 extends in the rotation direction R of the impeller 10, faces the air passage 21, and extends between the air intake 22 and the air outlet 23. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 , a cross section of the housing 20 has a pair of inner surfaces 25 between the air intake 22 and the air outlet 23. As shown in FIG. 4 , one of the pair of inner surfaces 25 extends between the end 22 a of the air intake 22 and the end 23 a of the air outlet 23. Meanwhile, the other of the pair of inner surfaces 25 extends between the end 22 b of the air intake 22 and the end 23 b of the air outlet 23.

[0018] As shown in Figure 4, one inner surface 25 extending between the end 22a of the intake port 22 and the end 23a of the outlet port 23 is formed by an inner surface 25a, which is a portion extending from the end 22a of the intake port 22 to the inlet end of the nozzle 24, and an inner surface 25c, which is the inner surface 25 of the nozzle 24. The inner surfaces 25a and 25c are connected. Also, as shown in Figure 4, the other inner surface 25 extending between the end 22b of the intake port 22 and the end 23b of the outlet port 23 is formed by an inner surface 25b, which is a portion extending from the end 22b of the intake port 22 to the inlet end of the nozzle 24, and an inner surface 25d, which is the inner surface 25 of the nozzle 24. The inner surfaces 25b and 25d are connected. As shown in Fig. 4, inner surfaces 25a and 25b face each other across impeller 10, and inner surface 25b is longer than inner surface 25a and extends in the rotation direction R of impeller 10. As shown in Fig. 4, inner surface 25b is a curved surface having an arc-shaped or arc-like cross section. Inner surfaces 25a and 25b form part of the outer edge of ventilation passage 21 and mainly form the space in which impeller 10 is housed.

[0019] 2 and 4 , the housing 20 has, internally, sidewall surfaces 26 and 27, which are a pair of surfaces facing each other in the axial x direction. The sidewall surfaces 26 and 27 form part of the ventilation passage 21. The impeller 10 extends between the sidewall surfaces 26 and 27 in the axial x direction. The sidewall surface 26 has a sidewall surface 26a, which is a portion extending from the inlet end of the nozzle 24 toward the impeller 10, and a sidewall surface 26b, which is the sidewall surface 26 of the portion of the nozzle 24 from the inlet end of the nozzle 24 to the outlet 23. Similarly, the sidewall surface 27 has a sidewall surface 27a, which is a portion extending from the inlet end of the nozzle 24 toward the impeller 10, and a sidewall surface 27b, which is the sidewall surface 27 of the portion of the nozzle 24 from the inlet end of the nozzle 24 to the outlet 23. The side wall surfaces 26a and 27a correspond to the inner surfaces 25a and 25b and define a space therebetween. Similarly, the side wall surfaces 26b and 27b correspond to the inner surfaces 25c and 25d and define a space therebetween. In FIG. 4, the side wall surfaces 27, 27a, and 27b opposite the side wall surfaces 26, 26a, and 26b are shown in parentheses.

[0020] When the impeller 10 rotates, an airflow F is generated from the air intake 22 toward the air outlet 23, as shown in Figure 4. The airflow F generated by the rotation of the impeller 10 flows along the inner surface 25. The airflow F generated by the rotation of the impeller 10 also flows through the impeller 10.

[0021] As described above, the dryer 2 is provided with the electronic device 1, and the electronic device 1 has a plurality of heaters 3. The plurality of heaters 3 are arranged in the radial direction, and each of the plurality of heaters 3 has a plurality of first conductors 4 and a plurality of second conductors 5. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the plurality of heaters 3 are arranged inside the air outlet 23 of the housing 20.

[0022] 1 to 4, the heaters 3 are supported by a heater support 30, and the heater support 30 is disposed inside the air outlet 23 of the housing 20. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the heater support 30 is attached to the nozzle 24 of the housing 20, and passes through the ventilation passage 21 within the nozzle 24. As a result, the heaters 3 are also located within the nozzle 24 of the housing 20, and pass through the ventilation passage 21 within the nozzle 24. The heaters 3 are attached to the nozzle 24 so as to cover the air outlet 23, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0023] Next, the configuration of the electronic device 1 will be described in detail. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing multiple heaters 3 attached to a heater support 30, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the multiple heaters 3 seen through the heater support 30. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are front, top, and rear views, respectively, showing the multiple heaters 3 without the heater support 30. Note that the front side is the side of the air outlet 23 relative to the multiple heaters 3, and the rear side is the side opposite the front side relative to the multiple heaters 3. Also, the side of the air intake 22 relative to the multiple heaters 3 is referred to as the upper side, and the side opposite the upper side relative to the multiple heaters 3 is referred to as the lower side.

[0024] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the heaters 3 each include a first heater 6 and a second heater 7 that are adjacent to each other in the radial direction. The term "radial direction" also includes a direction along the radial direction. That is, the direction along a line perpendicular to the axis x is included in the radial direction. As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the radial direction is, for example, a direction parallel or approximately parallel to the blowing direction F2. As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the heaters 3 each include, for example, a first heater 6 disposed on the front side and a second heater 7 disposed on the rear side. The first heater 6 includes a plurality of first conductors 4 and a plurality of second conductors 5, and the second heater 7 includes a plurality of first conductors 4 and a plurality of second conductors 5. The conductors 4, 5 of the first heater 6 are opposed to the conductors 5, 4 of the second heater 7 in the radial direction.

[0025] Specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 , the first heater 6 has two first conductors 4 and two second conductors 5, and similarly, the second heater 7 has two first conductors 4 and two second conductors 5. The first conductors 4 and the second conductors 5 are formed by spirally winding a heating wire, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 . The heating wire is, for example, a round wire, such as a nichrome wire. As described above, the first conductors 4 have a first pitch P1. As shown in FIG. 7 , the distance between the centers of adjacent heating wire portions in the first conductor 4 along the extension direction of the first conductor 4 is the first pitch P1. Furthermore, the second conductors 5 have a second pitch P2. As shown in FIG. 7 , the distance between the centers of adjacent heating wire portions in the second conductor 5 along the extension direction of the second conductor 5 is the second pitch P2. For example, the first pitch P1 is smaller than the second pitch P2. In other words, the first conductors 4 are wound more densely in the extension direction of the heating wire than the second conductors 5. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the first conductors 4 and the second conductors 5 of the first heater 6 extend along the axis x direction, and similarly, the first conductors 4 and the second conductors 5 of the second heater 7 extend along the axis x direction.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 7 , in the first heater 6 on the front side, the two first conductors 4 and the two second conductors 5 are arranged at intervals in the axial x direction (see FIG. 3 ). Also, in the first heater 6 on the front side, the two first conductors 4 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, and similarly, the two second conductors 5 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. Thus, the two first conductors 4 and the two second conductors 5 of the first heater 6 are arranged along a plane perpendicular to the blowing direction F2. The upper first conductors 4 and the upper second conductors 5 are arranged at intervals in the axial x direction, and the lower first conductors 4 and the lower second conductors 5 are also arranged at intervals in the axial x direction. Also, the upper first conductors 4 and the second conductors 5 and the lower first conductors 4 and the second conductors 5 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 9 , in the second heater 7 on the rear side, two first conductors 4 and two second conductors 5 are arranged at a distance from each other in the axial x direction (see FIG. 3 ). Also, in the second heater 7 on the rear side, two first conductors 4 are arranged at a distance from each other in the vertical direction, and similarly, two second conductors 5 are arranged at a distance from each other in the vertical direction. Thus, the two first conductors 4 and two second conductors 5 of the second heater 7 are arranged along a plane perpendicular to the blowing direction F2. The upper first conductors 4 and the upper second conductors 5 are arranged at a distance from each other in the axial x direction, and the lower first conductors 4 and the lower second conductors 5 are also arranged at a distance from each other in the axial x direction. Also, the upper first conductors 4 and second conductors 5 and the lower first conductors 4 and second conductors 5 are arranged at a distance from each other in the vertical direction.

[0028] 6 and 8, the plurality of first conductors 4 of the first heater 6 and the plurality of second conductors 5 of the second heater 7 face each other in the radial direction. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the first conductors 4 on the upper side of the first heater 6 and the second conductors 5 on the upper side of the second heater 7 face each other in the radial direction. Similarly, the first conductors 4 on the lower side of the first heater 6 and the second conductors 5 on the lower side of the second heater 7 face each other in the radial direction.

[0029] 6 and 8, the second conductors 5 of the first heater 6 and the first conductors 4 of the second heater 7 face each other in the radial direction. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the second conductors 5 on the upper side of the first heater 6 and the first conductors 4 on the upper side of the second heater 7 face each other in the radial direction. Similarly, the second conductors 5 on the lower side of the first heater 6 and the first conductors 4 on the lower side of the second heater 7 face each other in the radial direction.

[0030] As described above, the first heater 6 has a first region S1 where two first conductors 4 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, and a second region S2 where two second conductors 5 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, and in the first heater 6, the first region S1 and the second region S2 are arranged side by side in the axial x direction. Similarly, the second heater 7 has a first region S1 where two first conductors 4 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, and a second region S2 where two second conductors 5 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, and in the second heater 7, the first region S1 and the second region S2 are arranged side by side in the axial x direction. However, the direction in which the first region S1 and the second region S2 are arranged side by side in the first heater 6 is opposite to the direction in which the first region S1 and the second region S2 are arranged side by side in the second heater 7 (see FIG. 8 ). That is, the first region S1 of the first heater 6 faces the second region S2 of the second heater 7 in the radial direction, and the second region S2 of the first heater 6 faces the first region of the second heater 7 in the radial direction (see Figure 8).

[0031] 3, 5, and 6, the heater support 30 is configured to form two regions (hereinafter referred to as a first heating region H1 and a second heating region H2) aligned in the axial direction x. The first heating region H1 accommodates one of the mutually opposing first region S1 of the first heater 6 and the mutually opposing second region S2 of the second heater 7, and the mutually opposing second region S2 of the first heater 6 and the mutually opposing first region S1 of the second heater 7. The second heating region H2 accommodates the other of the mutually opposing first region S1 of the first heater 6 and the mutually opposing second region S2 of the second heater 7, and the mutually opposing second region S2 of the first heater 6 and the mutually opposing first region S1 of the second heater 7. The first heating region H1 and the second heating region H2 form independent paths along the blowing direction F2 in the nozzle 24.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 6 , the heater supports 5 and 6 each include, for example, an upper guide plate 31 and a lower guide plate 32, which are two plate-like members extending in the axial x direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the upper guide plate 31 and the lower guide plate 32 extend along the inner surfaces 25 c and 25 d of the nozzle 24 of the housing 20. The heater support 30 also includes a plurality of support plates 33, which are plate-like members extending in the vertical direction. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the heater support 30 includes three support plates 33. The support plates 33 support the upper guide plate 31 and the lower guide plate 32 at intervals in the vertical direction. The support plates 33 are also arranged at intervals in the axial x direction, forming a first heating region H1 and a second heating region H2 between two adjacent support plates 33. In this way, the heater support plate 6 forms a space that accommodates the first region S1 of the first heater 6 and the second region S2 of the second heater 7, which face each other, and the second region S2 of the first heater 6 and the first region S1 of the second heater 7, which face each other.

[0033] 6, the first heating region H1 accommodates a first region S1 of the first heater 6 and a second region S2 of the second heater 7, which face each other. On the other hand, the second heating region H2 accommodates a second region S2 of the first heater 6 and a first region S1 of the second heater 7, which face each other.

[0034] 5 and 6 , between two opposing support plates 33 that define the first heating region H1, two first conductors 4 of the first heater 6 extend on the front side, and two second conductors 5 of the second heater 7 extend on the rear side. For example, both ends of the first conductor 4 of the first heater 6 are fixed to the two support plates 33, respectively. Similarly, for example, both ends of the second conductor 5 of the second heater 7 are fixed to the two support plates 33, respectively.

[0035] 5 and 6 , between the two opposing support plates 33 that define the second heating region H2, the two second conductors 5 of the first heater 6 extend on the front side, and the two first conductors 4 of the second heater 7 extend on the rear side. The second conductors 5 of the first heater 6 are fixed, for example, at both ends thereof to the two support plates 33, respectively, and similarly, the first conductors 4 of the second heater 7 are fixed, for example, at both ends thereof to the two support plates 33, respectively.

[0036] FIG. 10 is an electrical circuit diagram illustrating the configuration of an electrical circuit 8 included in the electronic device 1. The electronic device 1 has wiring 9 electrically connecting multiple conductors 4 and 5. Multiple heaters 3 are electrically connected in parallel. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , wiring 9 is formed so that a first heater 6 and a second heater 7 are electrically connected in parallel, thereby forming an electrical circuit 8. Specifically, for example, in the first heater 6, the two first conductors 4 and two second conductors 5 are electrically connected in series by wiring in the following order: first conductor 4, second conductor 5 aligned with the first conductor 4 in the axial x direction, second conductor 5 aligned vertically with the second conductor 5, and first conductor 4 aligned with the second conductor 5 in the axial x direction. Furthermore, terminals to which power is supplied are connected to each of the two first conductors 4 located at the ends of the multiple conductors 4 and 5 aligned in series.

[0037] In the second heater 7, the two first conductors 4 and the two second conductors 5 are electrically connected in series by wiring 9 in the following order: second conductor 5, first conductor 4 aligned with the second conductor 5 in the direction of axis x, first conductor 4 aligned vertically with the first conductor 4, and second conductor 5 aligned with the first conductor 4 in the direction of axis x. Terminals to which power is supplied are connected to each of the two second conductors 5 located at the ends of the plurality of conductors 4, 5 aligned in series.

[0038] 10 , in the electric circuit 8, the first region S1 of the first heater 6 and the second region S2 of the second heater 7 are arranged in parallel, and the second region S2 of the first heater 6 and the first region S1 of the second heater 7 are arranged in parallel. This allows the first region S1 of the first heater 6 and the second region S2 of the second heater 7 to be controlled in association with each other, and similarly, the second region S2 of the first heater 6 and the first region S1 of the second heater 7 to be controlled in association with each other. Therefore, heating control of the first heater 6 and the second heater 7 can be performed in the first heating region H1 of the heater support 30, and heating control of the first heater 6 and the second heater 7 can be performed in the second heating region H2 of the heater support 30.

[0039] 10, the electronic device 1 is provided with a plurality of triacs 41 for the first heater 6 and the second heater 7, respectively, and a plurality of temperature sensors 42 corresponding to the plurality of triacs 41. Each of the plurality of triacs 41 controls the voltage applied to the corresponding first heater 6 or second heater 7 based on the detection value of the corresponding temperature sensor 42.

[0040] Therefore, in the first heating region H1, the two first conductors 4 (first region S1) of the first heater 6 on the front side near the air outlet 23 and the two second conductors 5 (second region S2) of the second heater 6 on the rear side near the impeller 10 are independently controlled to perform heating control on the air passing through the first heating region H1, and the temperature of the air discharged through the first heating region H1 is adjusted to a desired temperature. Similarly, in the second heating region H2, the two second conductors 5 (second region S2) of the first heater 6 on the front side near the air outlet 23 and the two first conductors 4 (first region S1) of the second heater 6 on the rear side near the impeller 10 are independently controlled to perform heating control on the air passing through the second heating region H2, and the temperature of the air discharged through the second heating region H2 is adjusted to a desired temperature. In this way, according to the electronic device 1, heating control can be performed independently in the first heating region H1 and the second heating region H2.

[0041] Furthermore, in each of the first heater 6 and the second heater 7, the conductors forming the adjacent first region S1 and second region S2 are different. That is, the first region S1 is formed by the first conductors 4 having a dense pitch P1, and the second region S2 is formed by the second conductors 5 having a sparse pitch P2. Therefore, in each of the first heater 6 and the second heater 7, air can be heated with different heating amounts between the adjacent first region S1 and second region S2. This allows air of different temperatures to be blown out from each of the first heating region H1 and the second heating region H2.

[0042] Furthermore, since the first heater 6 and the second heater 7 have the same two types of conductors (the first conductor 4 and the second conductor 5), it is possible to easily control the amount of heat generated in each of the first region S1 and the second region S2.

[0043] As described above, the electronic device 1 can adjust the amount of heat in the first heating region H1 and the amount of heat in the second heating region H2 to various amounts, and therefore can adjust the temperature of the air blown out from the first heating region H1 and the temperature of the air blown out from the second heating region H2 to various temperatures. Furthermore, the electronic device 1 can adjust the amount of heat in the first heating region H1 and the amount of heat in the second heating region H2 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 42. This allows the dryer 2 to blow air of different temperatures, adjusted based on the hair temperature, from each of the two regions, the first heating region H1 and the second heating region H2, and can blow air at an appropriate temperature onto the hair, allowing the hair to be dried appropriately and in a short time without over-drying.

[0044] As described above, the electronic device 1 and the dryer 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention can improve the air heating performance.

[0045] In the electronic device 1 described above, the first heater 6 and the second heater 7 are aligned in the radial direction, i.e., two heaters are aligned, but the number of heaters included in the electronic device according to the present invention is not limited to this. The electronic device according to the present invention may have three or more heaters aligned in the radial direction.

[0046] Furthermore, in the above-described electronic device 1, each of the first heater 6 and the second heater 7 has two rows (first conductors 4 and second conductors 5) of conductors arranged in the radial direction along the axis x, but in each heater of the electronic device according to the present invention, the number of rows of conductors arranged in the radial direction along the axis x is not limited to two. Each heater of the electric device according to the present invention may have three or more rows of conductors arranged in the radial direction along the axis x.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above-described electronic device 1, each of the first heater 6 and the second heater 7 has two conductors, the first conductor 4 and the second conductor 5, arranged in the axial x direction. However, the number of conductors arranged in the axial x direction in each heater is not limited to this. In each heater of the electronic device according to the present invention, the number of conductors arranged in the axial x direction may be three or more. That is, in the above-described electronic device 1, each of the first heater 6 and the second heater 7 has two regions, the first region S1 and the second region S2, arranged in the axial x direction. However, the number of regions arranged in the axial x direction in each heater is not limited to two. In each heater of the electronic device according to the present invention, the number of regions arranged in the axial x direction may be three or more. In this case, the heater support 30 is formed with heating regions corresponding to the number of regions arranged in the axial x direction in each heater. That is, the number of heating regions formed by the heater support 30 is not limited to two, the first heating region H1 and the second heating region H2, but may be three or more.

[0048] Furthermore, in the above-described electronic device 1, the first heater 6 and the second heater 7 have conductors with the same two types of pitch (P1, P2), but the pitch of the conductors of the first heater 6 does not have to be the same as the pitch of the conductors of the second heater 7. In other words, the pitch of all of the conductors of the first heater 6 may be different from the pitch of the conductors of the second heater 7, or some of the pitches of the conductors of the first heater 6 may be different from some of the pitches of the conductors of the second heater 7.

[0049] Next, an example of a modified example of the electronic device 1 will be described. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a dryer 2A according to a modified example of the dryer 2 equipped with an electronic device 1A, which is a modified example of the electronic device 1. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the electronic device 1A, FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a heater 3A according to the modified example, FIG. 14 is a top view of the heater 3A according to the modified example, and FIG. 15 is a front view showing the heater 3A according to the modified example from the front side. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the electronic device 1A according to the modified example has a different heater configuration from the electronic device 1 described above, and is equipped with a heater 3A that is different from the heater 3 of the electronic device 1. Furthermore, the dryer 2A according to the modified example differs from the dryer 2 described above in that it is equipped with the electronic device 1A instead of the electronic device 1.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 , the electronic device 1A has multiple heaters 3A. Like the heater 3, the multiple heaters 3A have two types of conductors: first conductors 4A and second conductors 5A. The heater 3A also has multiple first conductors 4A and multiple second conductors 5A. Like the first conductors 4 and 5 described above, the first conductors 4A and second conductors 5A are formed from heating wires. However, the heating wires are not round but strip-shaped, and the first conductors 4A and second conductors 5A are formed by deforming strip-shaped or plate-shaped heating wires into a wavy shape. The first conductors 4A have a first pitch P1A, and the second conductors 5A have a second pitch P2A. The first pitch P1A is smaller than the second pitch P2A. In other words, the heating wires of the first conductors 4A are denser in the extension direction than the second conductors 5A. The first conductors 4A and the multiple second conductors 5A extend along the axis x.

[0051] 13 and 14 , the plurality of heaters 3A includes two heaters 3A adjacent to each other in the radial direction, specifically, for example, a first heater 6A and a second heater 7A. The first heater 6A corresponds to the first heater 6 described above and is disposed on the front side, while the second heater 7A corresponds to the second heater 7 described above and is disposed on the rear side. The first heater 6A has a plurality of first conductors 4A and a plurality of second conductors 5, forming two adjacent rows in the radial direction. The second heater 7A also has a plurality of first conductors 4A and a plurality of second conductors 5, forming two adjacent rows in the radial direction.

[0052] Specifically, as shown in Figures 12 to 14, the first heater 6A, unlike the first heater 6, has six first conductors 4A and six second conductors 5A. In the first heater 6A, three first conductors 4A and three second conductors 5A are lined up on the front side to form a group of rows (hereinafter referred to as the first row) 6Aa, and similarly, three first conductors 4A and three second conductors 5A are lined up on the back side to form a group of rows (hereinafter referred to as the second row) 6Ab. Similarly, the second heater 7A, unlike the second heater 7, has six first conductors 4A and six second conductors 5A. In the second heater 7A, three first conductors 4A and three second conductors 5A are lined up on the front side to form a group of rows (hereinafter referred to as the first row) 7Aa, and similarly, three first conductors 4A and three second conductors 5A are lined up on the back side to form a group of rows (hereinafter referred to as the second row) 7Ab.

[0053] In the first row 6Aa of the first heater 6A, three first conductors 4A and three second conductors 5A are aligned along a plane perpendicular to the blowing direction F2, as in the case of the first heater 6. The three first conductors 4A are aligned vertically, and similarly, the three second conductors 5A are aligned vertically. The upper first conductors 4A and the upper second conductors 5A are aligned along the axis x, the middle first conductors 4A and the middle second conductors 5A are aligned along the axis x, and the lower first conductors 4A and the lower second conductors 5A are aligned along the axis x. Similarly, in the second row 6Ab of the first heater 6A, three first conductors 4A and three second conductors 5A are aligned along a plane perpendicular to the blowing direction F2. The three first conductors 4A are aligned vertically, and similarly, the three second conductors 5A are aligned vertically. The upper first conductors 4A and the upper second conductors 5A are aligned in the axial x direction, the middle first conductors 4A and the middle second conductors 5A are aligned in the axial x direction, and the lower first conductors 4A and the lower second conductors 5A are aligned in the axial x direction. As described above, the first row 6Aa and the second row 6Ab are aligned in the radial direction, and the three first conductors 4A aligned in the vertical direction of the first row 6Aa and the three first conductors 4A aligned in the vertical direction of the second row 6Ab face each other in the radial direction. Similarly, the three second conductors 5A aligned in the vertical direction of the first row 6Aa and the three second conductors 5A aligned in the vertical direction of the second row 6Ab face each other in the radial direction.

[0054] Similarly, in the first row 7Aa of the second heater 7A, three first conductors 4A and three second conductors 5A are aligned along a plane perpendicular to the blowing direction F2, as in the case of the second heater 7. The three first conductors 4A are aligned vertically, and similarly, the three second conductors 5A are aligned vertically. The upper first conductors 4 and the upper second conductors 5A are aligned along the axis x, the middle first conductors 4A and the middle second conductors 5A are aligned along the axis x, and the lower first conductors 4A and the lower second conductors 5A are aligned along the axis x. Similarly, in the second row 7Ab of the second heater 7A, three first conductors 4A and three second conductors 5A are aligned along a plane perpendicular to the blowing direction F2. The three first conductors 4A are aligned vertically, and similarly, the three second conductors 5A are aligned vertically. The upper first conductors 4A and the upper second conductors 5A are aligned in the axial x direction, the middle first conductors 4A and the middle second conductors 5A are aligned in the axial x direction, and the lower first conductors 4A and the lower second conductors 5A are aligned in the axial x direction. As described above, the first row 7Aa and the second row 7Ab are aligned in the radial direction, and the three first conductors 4A aligned in the vertical direction of the first row 7Aa and the three first conductors 4A aligned in the vertical direction of the second row 7Ab face each other in the radial direction. Similarly, the three second conductors 5A aligned in the vertical direction of the first row 7Aa and the three second conductors 5A aligned in the vertical direction of the second row 7Ab face each other in the radial direction.

[0055] 12 and 13 , the first conductors 4A of the first heater 6A and the second conductors 5A of the second heater 7A face each other. Specifically, as in the first heater 6 and the second heater 7, the first conductors 4A at the top of the second row 6Ab of the first heater 6A and the second conductors 5A at the top of the first row 7Aa of the second heater 7A face each other in the radial direction. Similarly, the first conductors 4A at the middle of the second row 6Ab of the first heater 6A and the second conductors 5A at the middle of the first row 7Aa of the second heater 7A face each other in the radial direction. Similarly, the first conductors 4A at the bottom of the second row 6Ab of the first heater 6A and the second conductors 5A at the bottom of the first row 7Aa of the second heater 7A face each other in the radial direction.

[0056] 12 and 13 , the second conductors 5A of the first heater 6A and the first conductors 4A of the second heater 7A face each other. Specifically, as in the first heater 6 and the second heater 7, the second conductors 5A at the top of the second row 6Ab of the first heater 6A and the first conductors 4A at the top of the first row 7Aa of the second heater 7A face each other in the radial direction. Similarly, the second conductors 5A at the middle of the second row 6Ab of the first heater 6A and the first conductors 4A at the middle of the first row 7Aa of the second heater 7A face each other in the radial direction. Similarly, the second conductors 5A at the bottom of the second row 6Ab of the first heater 6A and the first conductors 4A at the bottom of the first row 7Aa of the second heater 7A face each other in the radial direction.

[0057] In this way, the first heater 6A has two first regions S1A, each of which is a region where three first conductors 4A are arranged, and two second regions S2A, each of which is a region where three second conductors 5 are arranged, and in the first heater 6A, the two first regions S1A and the two second regions S2A are aligned in the direction of the axis x. Similarly, the second heater 7A has two first regions S1A, each of which is a region where three first conductors 4A are arranged, and two second regions S2A, each of which is a region where three second conductors 5A are arranged, and in the second heater 7A, the two first regions S1A and the two second regions S2A are aligned in the direction of the axis x. 13, the direction in which the first regions S1A and second regions S2A are arranged in each of the first row 6Aa and second row 6Ab of the first heater 6A is opposite to the direction in which the first regions S1A and second regions S2A are arranged in each of the first row 7Aa and second row 7Ab of the second heater 7A. In other words, the two first regions S1A of the first heater 6A face the two second regions S of the second heater 7A in the radial direction, and the two second regions S2A of the first heater 6A face the two first regions S1A of the second heater 7A in the radial direction.

[0058] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the first heating area H1 of the heater support 30 accommodates two first areas S1A of the first heater 6A and two second areas S2A of the second heater 7A that face each other in the radial direction, and the second heating area H2 accommodates two second areas S2A of the first heater 6A and two first areas S1A of the second heater 7A that face each other in the radial direction.

[0059] 16 is an electrical circuit diagram showing the configuration of an electrical circuit 8A included in the electronic device 1A. Similar to the electrical circuit 8 of the electronic device 1 described above, the electronic device 1A has wiring 9 formed therein so that the first heater 6A and the second heater 7A are electrically connected in parallel. In the first heater 6A, the three first conductors 4A and three second conductors 5A in the first column 6Aa are electrically connected in series by the wiring 9 in the following order: the first conductor 4A, the second conductor 5A aligned with the first conductor 4A in the axial x direction, the second conductor 5A aligned vertically with the second conductor 5A, the first conductor 4A aligned with the second conductor 5A in the axial x direction, the first conductor 4A aligned vertically with the first conductor 4A, and the second conductor 5A aligned with the first conductor 4A in the axial x direction. The second conductor 5A at the end of the series in the first row 6Aa is electrically connected in series with the second conductor 5A in the second row 6Ab that faces the second conductor 5A in the radial direction. The three first conductors 4A and three second conductors 5A in the second row 6Ab are electrically connected in series by wiring 9 in the following order: the first conductor 4A aligned with the second conductor 5A in the axial x direction, the first conductor 4A aligned up and down with the first conductor 4A, the second conductor 5A aligned with the first conductor 4A in the axial x direction, the second conductor 5A aligned up and down with the second conductor 5A, and the first conductor 4A aligned with the second conductor 5A in the axial x direction. In the first heater 6A, terminals to which power is supplied are connected to each of the two first conductors 4A located at the ends of the series-arranged conductors 4A, 5A.

[0060] In the second heater 7A, the three first conductors 4A and three second conductors 5A in the first row 7Aa are electrically connected in series by wiring 9 in the following order: the second conductor 5A, the first conductor 4A aligned with the second conductor 5A in the axial x direction, the first conductor 4A aligned up and down with the first conductor 4A, the second conductor 5A aligned with the first conductor 4A in the axial x direction, the second conductor 5A aligned up and down with the second conductor 5A, and the first conductor 4A aligned with the second conductor 5A in the axial x direction. The first conductor 4A in the second row 7Ab, which faces the last first conductor 4A in the series in the first row 7Aa, is electrically connected in series with the first conductor 4A in the second row 7Ab, which faces the first conductor 4A in the radial direction. The three first conductors 4A and three second conductors 5A in the second row 7Ab are electrically connected in series by wiring 9 in the following order: second bodies 5A aligned with the first conductors 4A in the direction of the axis x, second conductors 5A aligned up and down with the second conductors 5A, first conductors 4A aligned with the second conductors 5A in the direction of the axis x, first conductors 4A aligned up and down with the first conductors 4A, and second conductors 5A aligned with the first conductors 4A in the direction of the axis x. In the second heater 7A, terminals to which power is supplied are connected to each of the two second conductors 5A located at the ends of the plurality of conductors 4A, 5A aligned in series.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 16, a triac 41 connected to a temperature sensor 42 is connected to the first heater 6A, similar to the electrical circuit 8, and a triac 41 connected to a temperature sensor 42 is connected to the second heater 7A, similar to the electrical circuit 8.

[0062] In the electronic circuit 1A, in the first heating region H1, the six first conductors 4 (first region S1) of the first heater 6A on the front side near the air outlet 23 and the six second conductors 5 (second region S2) of the second heater 7A on the rear side near the impeller 10 are controlled to perform heating control on the air passing through the first heating region H1, and the temperature of the air discharged through the first heating region H1 is adjusted to a desired temperature. Similarly, in the second heating region H2, the six second conductors 5 (second region S2) of the first heater 6A on the front side near the air outlet 23 and the six first conductors 4 (first region S1) of the second heater 7B on the rear side near the impeller 10 are controlled to perform heating control on the air passing through the second heating region H2, and the temperature of the air discharged through the second heating region H2 is adjusted to a desired temperature. In this way, in the electronic device 1A, the first heater 6A, which forms two rows, and the second heater 7A, which forms two rows, can be independently controlled for heating. The electronic circuit 1A and the dryer 2A have the same functions as the electronic circuit 1 and the dryer 2 described above. In the electronic circuit 1A, a plurality of triacs may be provided corresponding to the first and second rows 6Aa and 6Ab of the first heater 6A and the first and second rows 7Aa and 7Ab of the second heater 7A, respectively, and in the first heating region H1, the three first conductors 4 (first region S1) of the first and second rows 6Aa and 6Ab of the first heater 6A on the front side near the air outlet 23 and the three second conductors 5 (second region S2) of the first and second rows 7Aa and 7Ab of the second heater 7A on the rear side near the impeller 10 may be independently controlled to heat the air passing through the first heating region H1 and adjust the temperature of the air discharged through the first heating region H1 to a desired temperature. The same applies to the second heating region H2.

[0063] In this way, the electronic device 1A and the dryer 2A according to the modified example can also improve the air heating performance.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 1, 1A Electronic device, 2, 2A Dryer, 3, 3A Heater, 4, 4A Conductor (first conductor), 5, 5A Conductor (second conductor), 6, 6A First heater, 6Aa First row, 6Ab Second row, 7, 7A Second heater, 7Aa First row, 7Ab Second row, 8, 8A Electric circuit, 9 Wiring, 10 Impeller, 11 Blade, 20 Housing, 21 Ventilation duct, 22 Intake port, 22a, 22b End, 23 Outlet port, 23a, 23b End, 24 Nozzle, 25, 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d Inner surface, 26, 26a, 26b, 27, 27a, 27b Side wall surface, 30 Heater support, 31 Upper guide plate, 32 Lower guide plate, 33 Support plate, 41 Triac, 42 temperature sensor, F air flow, F1 suction direction, F2 blowing direction, H1 first heating area, H2 second heating area, P1 first pitch, P2 second pitch, R rotation direction, S1, S1A first area, S2, S2A second area, x axis

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising a plurality of heaters each having a plurality of conductors arranged at a first pitch in the axial direction and a plurality of conductors arranged at a second pitch, the plurality of heaters being arranged side by side in the radial direction.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of heaters include a first heater and a second heater that are adjacent to each other in the radial direction, and the plurality of conductors of the first heater arranged at a first pitch face the plurality of conductors of the second heater arranged at a second pitch.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of heaters are electrically connected in parallel.

4. A dryer comprising: an electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; an impeller; and a housing having an air passage for accommodating the impeller and the electronic device, wherein the air passage has an intake port and an outlet port, and the plurality of heaters are arranged inside the outlet port.

5. The dryer according to claim 4, wherein the temperature of the air blown out from the air outlet varies in the axial direction.

6. The dryer according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the inner periphery of the housing is aligned with the impeller.

7. The dryer according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the impeller has a fluid suction direction and a fluid blowing direction that intersect with each other.

8. A dryer according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the impeller extends long in the axial direction.

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