Clothes dryer

Abstract

The present application relates to a clothes dryer, comprising: a drum assembly comprising a first driving member and an inner drum having a clothes accommodating space, the inner drum being rotated by the driving force of the first driving member; a rear cover which is arranged adjacent to the inner drum, wherein there is a gap between the rear cover and the inner drum, and the rear cover is provided with a first air guide channel; and a housing which comprises a front plate and a base, wherein the front plate is provided with a second air guide channel, and the base is provided with an accommodating space; the accommodating space, the first air guide channel, an inner drum space and the second air guide channel form an air duct; and under the driving action of the second driving member, a circulating airflow flowing through the accommodating space, the first air guide channel, the inner drum space and the second air guide channel in sequence is formed in the air duct.

Description

clothes dryer

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent applications filed on the same day, October 15, 2024, with application number 202411439882.1 entitled "Clothes Dryer" and application number 202422495013.2 entitled "Clothes Dryer", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of clothing care technology, and in particular to a clothes dryer. Background Technology

[0004] Clothes dryers are commonly used equipment for clothing care. Clothes dryers usually refer to drum dryers, which heat the clothes inside the drum to evaporate the moisture in the clothes, and then remove the moisture through condensation or exhaust.

[0005] Currently, the circulating hot air in dryers loses a significant amount of heat during airflow, affecting drying efficiency and increasing power consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the present application provides a clothes dryer to solve at least one problem existing in the background art.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a clothes dryer, comprising:

[0008] A roller assembly includes a first drive member and an inner drum having a space for accommodating clothing, the inner drum rotating under the driving force of the first drive member;

[0009] The rear cover is disposed adjacent to the inner cylinder, and the rear cover is provided with a first air guide channel, which is in communication with the space of the inner cylinder.

[0010] The housing includes a front panel and a base. The front panel is connected to the base. The front panel is provided with a second air guide channel, which communicates with the inner cylinder space. The base is provided with an accommodating space, one end of which is connected to the second air guide channel and the other end of which is connected to the first air guide channel. The accommodating space, the first air guide channel, the inner cylinder space, and the second air guide channel constitute an air duct.

[0011] The second driving component is located inside the air duct. Under the driving action of the second driving component, a circulating airflow is formed inside the air duct, which flows sequentially through the accommodating space, the first air guide channel, the inner cylinder space and the second air guide channel.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, the first air guide channel is composed of an interconnected air inlet channel and an air guide groove provided on the rear cover. One end of the air inlet channel is connected to the air guide groove, and the other end has a second air inlet. The air inlet channel extends along a first direction, which is perpendicular to the axis of the inner cylinder.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an alternative embodiment, the second air inlet faces the first direction.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, the second driving member is a cross-flow fan located in the accommodating space near the second air inlet.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, the width of the second air inlet in a second direction matches the width of the second drive member, the second direction being perpendicular to the axis of the inner cylinder and perpendicular to the first direction.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, the air guide groove is an annular structure, and the airflow enters the air intake channel from the accommodating space through the second air inlet, and flows to the inner cylinder space after being discharged from the air guide groove.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, the base includes two end caps and two base plates, the second drive member is mounted on the two base plates and located within the accommodating space, the two end caps are connected to the rear cover, and the two end caps have a first air outlet that matches the second air inlet.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, under the driving action of the second driving member, the airflow in the accommodating space enters the air intake channel from the first air outlet and the second air inlet along the first direction and continues to flow along the first direction in the air intake channel.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, in the first direction, the bottom plates of the two devices are provided with an arc-shaped plate from the position corresponding to the second driving member to the first air outlet;

[0020] The airflow within the accommodating space is guided by the arc-shaped plate to the first air outlet and flows along the first direction to the air inlet channel.

[0021] In conjunction with a first aspect of this application, in an alternative embodiment, the first drive member is fitted onto the side of the rear cover away from the inner cylinder.

[0022] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, the side of the rear cover away from the inner cylinder is recessed to form a first mounting groove that matches the first drive member;

[0023] The rear cover is also provided with a first through hole, which is located in the first mounting groove. The output shaft of the first drive unit passes through the first through hole and is connected to the inner cylinder.

[0024] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, the housing further includes a rear plate, the rear plate being a sheet metal part, the rear plate covering the rear cover, and the rear plate being connected to the base.

[0025] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an alternative embodiment, the inner wall of the air duct is made of plastic.

[0026] The dryer provided in this application embodiment has a first air guide channel inside the rear cover. The first air guide channel, together with the accommodating space, the inner drum space, and the second air guide channel, constitutes an air duct, which can greatly reduce heat loss, thereby improving drying efficiency and reducing power consumption.

[0027] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the overall structure of the clothes dryer provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of section BB in Figure 1;

[0031] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of section BB in Figure 1;

[0032] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the second drive unit and heat exchange assembly mounted on the base of the dryer provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of point A in Figure 3;

[0034] Figure 6 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the rear cover in the dryer provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the CC section in Figure 6;

[0036] Figure 8 is an exploded view of the structure of the rear plate, rear cover and first drive component in the dryer provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 9 is a partial structural cross-sectional view of the dryer provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of point B in Figure 9;

[0039] Figure 11 is a structural schematic diagram of the rear cover and base in the dryer provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of DD in Figure 11;

[0041] Figure 13 is an enlarged view of point E in Figure 12.

[0042] Reference numerals: 100, Dryer; 10, Housing; 110, Front panel; 11a, Second air passage; 111, Loading / unloading port; 120, Rear panel; 130, Base; 131, First air inlet; 132, Accommodating space; 133, End caps of both components; 1331, First air outlet; 1332, Second connecting piece; 1333, Second alignment piece; 1334, Rib; 1335, Limiting post; 134, Base plate of both components; 1341, Arc-shaped plate; 140, Side plate; 20, Drum assembly; 210, First driving component; 211, Output shaft; 220, Inner drum; 221, Drum end plate; 2211, Air inlet hole; 222, Protrusion; 30. Rear cover; 30a. First air guide channel; 310. Air inlet channel; 311. Second air inlet; 320. Air guide groove; 330. First mounting groove; 340. First through hole; 350. Second mounting groove; 360. First connector; 361. Insertion groove; 370. First alignment member; 371. Limiting through hole; 40. Second driving member; 50. Heat exchange assembly; 510. Evaporator; 520. Condenser; 530. Compressor; 60. First sealing member; 610. Foam; 620. Felt; 70. Thermal insulation material; 80. Second sealing member. Detailed Implementation

[0043] To make the technical solution and beneficial effects of this application more apparent and understandable, a detailed description is provided below by listing specific embodiments. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and local features may be enlarged or reduced to more clearly show the details of the local features; unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those in the technical field to which this application pertains.

[0044] In the description of this application, the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "height", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the purpose of simplifying the description of this application and do not indicate that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. In other words, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0045] In this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating the relative importance of the indicated features or the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly include at least one of those features. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc.; "several" means at least one, such as one, two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0046] In this application, unless otherwise expressly defined, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," "setting," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can also refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0047] In this application, unless otherwise expressly defined, the terms "above," "on top of," "over," "above," "below," "below," "below," or "below" for "first feature over second feature" can refer to the first and second features being in direct contact, or to the first and second features being in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "below" for "first feature over second feature" can mean the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than the horizontal height of the second feature. Similarly, "below," "below," and "below" for "first feature over second feature" can mean the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than the horizontal height of the second feature.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the dryer 100 includes a housing 10 and a drum assembly 20. The drum assembly 20 includes a hollow cylindrical inner drum 220 and a first driving member 210. The inner drum 220 is rotatably mounted on the housing 10 and connected to the first driving member 210. The inner drum 220 is used to hold clothes to be dried. One end of the inner drum 220 has a loading port, and the other end of the drum end plate 221 has multiple air inlet holes 2211. The inner drum 220 rotates under the driving action of the first driving member 210, causing the clothes inside to rotate accordingly.

[0049] The casing 10 includes a front panel 110, which has a loading / unloading port 111 corresponding to the dispensing port. The loading / unloading port 111 is spatially connected to the inner drum 220. The front panel 110 also has a door panel for opening or closing the loading / unloading port 111. The front panel 110 also has a control panel (not shown in the figure), which includes an input section and a display section. The input section is used to receive control commands from the user and request the dryer 100 to execute the control commands. The display section is used to display the operating status of the dryer 100 and the information input by the input section.

[0050] The housing 10 also includes a base 130, the interior of which forms an accommodating space 132. The base 130, located on the same side as the front panel 110, is provided with a first air inlet 131. The first air inlet 131 communicates with the accommodating space 132, and the accommodating space 132 communicates with the interior of the inner drum 220. External air enters the internal space of the dryer 100 through the first air inlet 131.

[0051] The inner drum 220 is free at one end near the back plate 120. The dryer 100 also includes a back cover 30, which is adjacent to the free end of the inner drum 220 and there is a gap between the back cover 30 and the inner drum 220. The back cover 30 is provided with a first air guide channel 30a. One end of the first air guide channel 30a is connected to the accommodating space 132, and the other end is connected to the internal space of the inner drum 220.

[0052] The front panel 110 is provided with a second air guide channel 11a. One end of the second air guide channel 11a is connected to the internal space of the inner cylinder 220, and the other end is connected to the accommodating space 132. The first air inlet 131, the accommodating space 132, the first air guide channel 11a, the space of the inner cylinder 220, and the second air guide channel 11a form an air duct capable of circulating airflow. The hollow arrow in Figure 2 shows the circulation path of the airflow in the air duct.

[0053] The dryer 100 also includes a second drive unit 40 and a heat exchange assembly 50, both of which are mounted in the receiving space 132 of the base 130. The second drive unit 40 is a fan, which creates a circulating airflow within the air duct. The fan can be a cross-flow fan, which can increase the airflow speed and volume, thereby improving the overall drying efficiency of the dryer 100.

[0054] Please refer to Figures 2 to 4. The heat exchange assembly 50 includes an evaporator 510 and a condenser 520. The evaporator 510 and condenser 520 are installed in the accommodating space 132 of the base 130 along the airflow direction. That is, the air in the air duct flows sequentially through the evaporator 510 and condenser 520, and the evaporator 510 and condenser 520 respectively dry and heat the air to produce dry, high-temperature air. The dryer 100 also includes a compressor 530 (not shown in the figure). The compressor 530 is connected to the evaporator 510 and condenser 520. The working fluid can flow between the compressor 530, evaporator 510 and condenser 520 so that the working fluid can absorb or release heat. The working fluid is the medium for the interconversion of thermal energy and mechanical energy.

[0055] Specifically, compressor 530 compresses low-temperature, low-pressure gas into high-temperature, high-pressure gas, and then through a throttling device (not shown in the figure), it becomes a high-temperature, medium-pressure gas-liquid mixture. Subsequently, the working fluid flowing through condenser 520 changes from gas to liquid and releases heat to the surroundings. It then enters evaporator 510, where the working fluid changes from liquid to gas and absorbs heat from the surroundings. Finally, it flows back to compressor 530 to form a cycle.

[0056] This can be understood as follows: the working fluid absorbs heat at the evaporator 510. When air flows through the evaporator 510, the water vapor in the air releases heat to produce condensate, thus drying the air. The hot and humid air becomes low-temperature and dry air after passing through the evaporator 510. The working fluid releases heat at the condenser 520. When the dried air flows through the condenser 520, the heat released at the condenser 520 heats the air, forming dry and high-temperature air. This dry air then enters the inner cylinder 220 space through the first air guide channel 30a of the rear cover 30 to carry away the moisture generated on the clothing.

[0057] In the above-mentioned dryer 100, the inner walls of the air duct formed by the accommodating space 132 of the base 130, the first air guide channel 30a of the rear cover 30, the inner drum 220 space, and the second air guide channel 11a of the front panel 110 are all made of plastic. Compared with the air ducts of existing dryers, where at least a part is made of sheet metal, the air ducts with sheet metal lose heat faster. The fact that the inner walls of the air ducts of the dryer in this embodiment are all made of plastic can greatly reduce heat loss, shorten the drying time of the dryer 100, improve the condensation efficiency of the dryer 100, and also improve the drying efficiency and reduce power consumption.

[0058] It should be noted that the dryer 100 requires the use of the sheet metal back plate 120 to ensure its overall structural strength. In the prior art, the back plate 120 is used as part of the air duct, resulting in heat loss within the air duct. In this embodiment, a first air guide channel 30a is provided inside the back cover 30, and the entire air duct of the dryer 100 is made of plastic, which greatly reduces heat loss within the air duct and ensures the drying efficiency of the dryer.

[0059] In an optional embodiment, referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, the first air guide channel 30a is composed of an air inlet channel 310 and an air guide groove 320 provided on the rear cover 30. One end of the air inlet channel 310 is connected to the air guide groove 320, and the other end has a second air inlet 311. The air inlet channel 310 has a square-like structure and extends along a first direction, i.e., the Z-axis direction of the coordinate axis shown in Figure 2. The first direction is perpendicular to the axis of the inner cylinder 220. The airflow in the accommodating space 132 of the base 130 is directed along the inner cylinder by the action of the cross-flow fan. The airflow is directed along the X-axis direction of the 220 axis, as shown in Figure 2. The width of the air intake channel 310 matches that of the cross-flow fan in the Y-axis direction of the second direction, as shown in Figure 1. This allows the cross-flow fan to guide more airflow from the second air intake 311 into the air intake channel 310, improving drying efficiency and reducing energy consumption. In addition, the air intake channel 310 is shorter in the Z-axis direction of the first direction, as shown in Figure 2, reducing wind energy loss and increasing the airflow speed and flow rate within the duct, thereby increasing the airflow speed and flow rate entering the inner cylinder 220 space.

[0060] Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional structural diagram of the rear cover 30. Referring to Figure 2, the width of the air inlet channel 310 gradually narrows along the airflow direction in the first direction, i.e., the Z-axis direction shown in Figure 2. Specifically, the width at the second air inlet 311 is greater than the width at the connection between the air inlet channel 310 and the guide groove. As the air inlet channel 310 gradually narrows, the airflow velocity within it gradually increases, thereby increasing the airflow velocity entering the inner cylinder 220 space and further improving drying efficiency.

[0061] Further, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the base 130 includes two-electrode end caps 133 and two-electrode base plates 134. The evaporator 510 and condenser 520 are both mounted on the two-electrode base plates 134 and located within the accommodating space 132. The accommodating space 132 has a first air outlet 1331 near the rear cover 30. The first air outlet 1331 is located on the two-electrode end caps 133 and matches the second air inlet 311. Airflow within the accommodating space 132 flows along a first direction through the first air outlet 1331 and the second air inlet 311 into the air intake channel 310. This can be understood as the airflow guided by the cross-flow fan flowing along the first direction, i.e., the vertical direction of the dryer 100 in its operating state, i.e., the Z-axis direction shown in Figure 2. The airflow enters the rear cover 30 and continues to flow vertically within the air intake channel 310, then exits from the air guide groove 320 and enters the inner drum 220. It can also be understood that the airflow in the accommodating space 132 enters the air intake channel 310 without any obstruction, which increases the flow speed and flow rate of the airflow in the air duct, further increases the flow speed and flow rate of the airflow into the inner cylinder 220 space, and improves the drying efficiency of the clothes in the inner cylinder 220.

[0062] Furthermore, in the first direction, an arc-shaped plate 1341 is provided on the bottom plate 134 of the two devices from the position corresponding to the cross-flow fan to the first air outlet 1331. The airflow flowing along the axis of the inner cylinder 220 in the accommodating space 132 flows to the surface of the arc-shaped plate 1341 under the action of the cross-flow fan. Guided by the arc-shaped plate 1341, it flows along the first direction and enters the air intake channel 310 through the first air outlet 1331 and the second air inlet 311. The airflow direction in the accommodating space 132 is consistent with that in the air intake channel 310, and the first air outlet 1331 and the second air inlet 311 are matched. The airflow is unobstructed during the flow, ensuring the flow speed and flow rate of the airflow from the accommodating space 132 into the first air guide channel 30a of the rear cover 30, further improving the speed and flow rate of the airflow entering the inner cylinder 220 space.

[0063] In an optional embodiment, the cross-flow fan is located in the accommodating space 132 near the second air inlet 311. On the one hand, the cross-flow fan is located near the second air inlet 311, that is, near the inner cylinder 220 space, to increase the airflow velocity entering the inner cylinder 220 space; on the other hand, the cross-flow fan can change the airflow direction in the accommodating space 132, so that the airflow near the first air outlet 1331 in the accommodating space 132 flows in a first direction, and the airflow entering the second air inlet 311 continues to flow in the first direction, thereby ensuring the airflow velocity from the accommodating space 132 into the air intake channel 310, further ensuring drying efficiency.

[0064] In an optional embodiment, as shown in Figures 2, 3, 5, and 6, the air guide groove 320 has an annular structure. Airflow enters the air intake channel 310 from the first air outlet 1331 and the second air inlet 311, then exits along the air guide groove 320 and flows towards the inner cylinder 220. After exiting the annular air guide groove 320, the airflow flows through the surface area of ​​the rear cover 30 enclosed by the air guide groove 320. In other words, the airflow exiting the air guide groove 320 not only enters the inner cylinder 220 from the position corresponding to the air guide groove 320, but also from the position of the inner cylinder 220 corresponding to the area of ​​the rear cover 30 enclosed by the air guide groove 320, improving the uniformity of airflow entering the inner cylinder 220 and further enhancing the uniformity of drying the clothes inside the inner cylinder 220.

[0065] In an optional embodiment, referring to Figures 3 and 7, the first driving member 210 is a motor. A first mounting groove 330 is recessed on the side of the rear cover 30 away from the inner cylinder 220 for mounting the motor. The rear cover 30 also has a first through hole 340 located within the first mounting groove 330. The output shaft 211 of the motor is inserted into the first through hole 340 and connected to the inner cylinder 220. Under the driving force of the motor, the output shaft 211 rotates and drives the inner cylinder 220 to rotate synchronously.

[0066] The motor is embedded in the first mounting slot 330 of the rear cover 30, which can improve the overall structural compactness of the dryer 100; in addition, the use of direct drive motor can improve the energy efficiency of the motor and thus reduce power consumption.

[0067] Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 8, the housing 10 also includes a rear plate 120, which is a sheet metal part. A rear cover 30 is located between the rear plate 120 and the inner cylinder 220. The rear plate 120 covers the rear cover 30 and the first drive member 210, reducing heat loss and noise generated during machine operation. The rear plate 120 is connected and fixed to the base plate 134 of the two components. The rear plate 120 is also connected and fixed to the side plate 140 of the housing 10. The fixing method is not specifically limited in this embodiment, for example, screws. Figure 8 shows an exploded view of the structure of the rear plate 120 and the rear cover 30 with the first drive member 210 embedded in it.

[0068] It can be understood that the rear cover 30 is located inside the dryer 100, and the rear plate 120 is used to contact the outside of the dryer 100. The rear plate 120 can ensure the structural strength of the dryer 100. The first air guide channel 30a inside the plastic rear cover 30, as part of the air duct, can greatly reduce the heat loss in the air duct. The embodiment of this application can not only ensure the structural strength of the dryer, but also reduce the heat loss during the drying process, improve the drying efficiency of the dryer 100, and reduce power consumption.

[0069] In an optional embodiment, as shown in FIG2, a heat insulation material 70 is connected between the rear plate 120 and the rear cover 30. The heat insulation material 70 can not only reduce the overall heat loss, but also reduce the noise generated by the dryer 100 during operation, thereby improving the user experience. The specific material of the heat insulation material 70 is not limited in this embodiment, for example, heat insulation sponge.

[0070] Specifically, the insulation material 70 is connected to the corresponding position of the air intake channel 310 of the rear cover 30 to insulate the hot air flowing through the air intake channel 310.

[0071] During the operation of the dryer 100, the inner drum 220 is in a rotating state, and there is a gap between the free end of the inner drum 220 and the rear cover 30, which can easily cause heat loss.

[0072] Based on this, as shown in Figures 7, 9 and 10, a first sealing element 60 is connected to the side of the rear cover 30 near the inner cylinder 220. During the rotation of the inner cylinder 220, it abuts against the surface of the first sealing element 60 and the first sealing element 60 deforms to ensure the sealing effect between the rear cover 30 and the inner cylinder 220. The sealing process achieved by connecting the first sealing element 60 to the rear cover is simple and thus saves costs.

[0073] Optionally, the first sealing element 60 includes foam 610 and felt 620. Felt 620 is connected to foam 610, which is connected to the rear cover 30. The inner cylinder 220 abuts against the surface of felt 620, causing both foam 610 and felt 620 to deform. The porous structure of foam 610 provides good cushioning and shock absorption, as well as good thermal insulation. Simultaneously, the porous structure of foam 610 can absorb sound waves to reduce noise transmission. Felt 620 has a certain degree of elasticity, and both felt 620 and foam 610 possess thermal insulation properties. This not only improves the sealing effect between the inner cylinder 220 and the rear cover 30 but also significantly reduces heat loss within the duct, thus providing insulation. Of course, the first sealing element 60 can also be made of other materials, such as sponge or rubber strips.

[0074] Furthermore, the rear cover 30 is provided with a second mounting groove 350 of an annular structure, and the first sealing element 60 is installed in the second mounting groove 350. The inner cylinder 220 is provided with an annular protrusion 222 at the corresponding position of the second mounting groove 350. The protrusion 222 abuts against the surface of the first sealing element 60 and deforms it to ensure the sealing effect.

[0075] Furthermore, the shape of the protrusion 222 gradually narrows from the inner cylinder 220 toward the seal to reduce the contact area between the protrusion 222 and the first seal 60, thereby reducing the friction between the protrusion 222 and the first seal 60 when the inner cylinder 220 rotates, and further improving the drying efficiency of the dryer 100.

[0076] Furthermore, the end of the protrusion 222 that contacts the seal has an arc-shaped structure to ensure the smooth rotation of the inner cylinder 220 relative to the first seal 60, thereby further reducing the power consumption of the dryer 100.

[0077] In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, the rear cover 30 is sealed to the first air outlet 1331 of the end caps 133 of the two devices.

[0078] Specifically, the bottom of the rear cover 30 is provided with a first connector 360, the base 130 is provided with a second connector 1332 that matches the first connector 360, and a second sealing member 80 is connected between the first connector 360 and the second connector 1332 so that the rear cover 30 is sealed to the base 130.

[0079] As an example, the bottom of the rear cover 30, near the end caps 133 of the two devices, has a insertion groove 361 as a first connector 360, and the surface of the end caps 133 has a raised rib 1334 that matches the insertion groove 361 as a second connector 1332, with the raised rib 1334 inserted into the insertion groove 361. Again, as an example, the first connector 360 is the raised rib 1334, and the second connector 1332 is the insertion groove 361. Of course, the first connector 360 and the second connector 1332 can also be other specific connection structures, and this application embodiment does not impose specific limitations.

[0080] A second sealing element 80 is connected between the protruding rib 1334 and the insertion groove 361. The second sealing element 80 ensures a sealing effect between the rear cover 30 and the end caps 133 of the two devices, thereby greatly reducing airflow leakage in the duct. The second sealing element 80 can be a rubber sealing strip, or other sealing materials. The shape of the second sealing element 80 can be set according to the specific shape of the insertion groove 361 and the protruding rib 1334. In addition, the number of insertion grooves 361 and protruding ribs 1334 is set according to requirements, and this application embodiment does not make specific limitations.

[0081] To ensure maximum airflow within the rear cover 30, the insertion groove 361 at the bottom of the rear cover 30 is located at the bottom of the side wall of the air intake channel 310. This can be understood as the rear cover 30 having a thinner side wall of the air intake channel 310 to allow for a larger space in the air intake channel 310. Inserting the protruding rib 1334 into the insertion groove 361 can greatly increase the airflow path within the insertion groove 361, while also ensuring the sealing of the accommodating space 132 and the first air guide channel 30a.

[0082] Furthermore, the rear cover 30 and the end caps 133 of the two devices can also be fixed by means of screws or hooks, in order to improve the connection between the rear cover 30 and the end caps 133 of the two devices.

[0083] In an optional embodiment, as shown in Figures 11 to 13, the rear cover 30 is provided with at least two first alignment members 370, and the end caps 133 of the two devices are provided with second alignment members 1333 that match the first alignment members 370, so as to improve the ease of assembly of the rear cover 30 and the end caps 133 of the two devices, thereby improving the assembly efficiency.

[0084] Specifically, the first alignment member 370 is a limiting through hole 371 provided in the rear cover 30, and the second alignment member 1333 is a limiting post 1335 provided in the end caps 133 of the two devices. The limiting post 1335 is inserted into the limiting through hole 371 to realize the alignment action between the rear cover 30 and the end caps 133 of the two devices during the assembly process. Optionally, the rear cover 30 is provided with two first alignment members 370, and the end caps 133 of the two devices are provided with two second alignment members 1333. The two first alignment members 370 are located at different positions in the rear cover 30, and the two second alignment members 1333 are located at different positions in the end caps 133 of the two devices.

[0085] The first alignment member 370 and the second alignment member 1333 are not limited to the limiting through hole 371 and the limiting post 1335, but can also be other alignment structures. As an example, the first alignment member 370 is the limiting post 1335, and the second alignment member 1333 is the limiting through hole 371. As another example, the first alignment member 370 is the limiting groove, and the second alignment member 1333 is the limiting protrusion 222. The shape of the limiting protrusion 222 is set according to specific circumstances, and this application embodiment does not specifically limit it.

[0086] In an alternative embodiment, referring to Figures 1 and 8, the rear cover 30 is not only connected to the two end caps 133 of the base 130, but also connected to the rear plate 120, which is a sheet metal structure. The connection of the rear cover 30 to the rear plate 120 can improve the overall structural strength of the dryer 100.

[0087] The rear panel 120 is connected and fixed to the base 130 and the side panel 140, and the front panel 110 is connected and fixed to the side panel 140 and the bottom plate to form the casing 10 structure of the dryer 100. The rear panel 120 is used to cover the rear cover 30 as a whole, which not only achieves noise reduction and heat preservation, but also simplifies the overall shape of the dryer 100 and enhances its appearance.

[0088] It should be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and are not intended to encompass all possible implementations included in the claims. Various modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Similarly, the various technical features of the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined to form other embodiments of this application that may not be explicitly described. Therefore, the above embodiments only illustrate several implementations of this application and do not limit the scope of protection of this patent application.

Claims

1. A clothes dryer, comprising: A roller assembly includes a first drive member and an inner drum having a space for accommodating clothing, the inner drum rotating under the driving force of the first drive member; The rear cover is disposed adjacent to the inner cylinder, and the rear cover is provided with a first air guide channel, which is in communication with the space of the inner cylinder. The housing includes a front panel and a base. The front panel is connected to the base. The front panel is provided with a second air guide channel, which communicates with the inner cylinder space. The base is provided with an accommodating space, one end of which is connected to the second air guide channel and the other end of which is connected to the first air guide channel. The accommodating space, the first air guide channel, the inner cylinder space, and the second air guide channel constitute an air duct. The second driving component is located inside the air duct. Under the driving action of the second driving component, a circulating airflow is formed inside the air duct, which flows sequentially through the accommodating space, the first air guide channel, the inner cylinder space, and the second air guide channel.

2. The clothes dryer of claim 1, wherein, The first air guide channel is composed of an interconnected air inlet channel and an air guide groove provided in the rear cover. One end of the air inlet channel is connected to the air guide groove, and the other end has a second air inlet. The air inlet channel extends along a first direction, which is perpendicular to the axis of the inner cylinder.

3. The clothes dryer of claim 2, wherein, The second air inlet faces the first direction.

4. The clothes dryer of claim 2, wherein, The second driving component is a cross-flow fan, which is located in the accommodating space near the second air inlet.

5. The clothes dryer of claim 2, wherein, The width of the second air inlet in the second direction matches the width of the second drive member. The second direction is perpendicular to the axis of the inner cylinder and is perpendicular to the first direction.

6. The clothes dryer of claim 2, wherein, The air guide groove has a ring structure. The airflow enters the air intake channel from the accommodating space through the second air inlet, and flows to the inner cylinder space after being discharged from the air guide groove.

7. The clothes dryer of claim 2, wherein, The base includes two end caps and two base plates. The second drive component is installed on the two base plates and located within the accommodating space. The two end caps are connected to the rear cover. The two end caps have a first air outlet, which matches the second air inlet.

8. The clothes dryer of claim 7, wherein, Under the driving action of the second driving member, the airflow in the accommodating space enters the air intake channel from the first air outlet and the second air inlet along the first direction and continues to flow along the first direction in the air intake channel.

9. The clothes dryer according to claim 8, wherein, In the first direction, the bottom plates of the two devices are provided with arc-shaped plates from the position corresponding to the second driving member to the first air outlet; The airflow within the accommodating space is guided by the arc-shaped plate to the first air outlet and flows along the first direction to the air inlet channel.

10. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein, The first drive element is embedded in the rear cover on the side away from the inner cylinder.

11. The clothes dryer according to claim 10, wherein, The rear cover has a recessed first mounting groove on the side away from the inner cylinder that matches the first drive member. The rear cover is also provided with a first through hole, which is located in the first mounting groove. The output shaft of the first drive unit passes through the first through hole and is connected to the inner cylinder.

12. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein, The housing also includes a rear plate, which is a sheet metal part. The rear plate covers the rear cover and is connected to the base.

13. The dryer according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The inner wall of the air duct is made of plastic.

Images