CN1973078B

CN1973078B - Dryer

Info

Publication number: CN1973078B
Application number: CN2005800207222A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 尹铭基
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2004-11-10
Filing date: 2005-11-09
Publication date: 2010-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-09
Also published as: CN1973078A; KR101053603B1; KR20060042672A

Abstract

A drying machine in which a rotary drum (30) is stably supported is disclosed. The drying machine includes a cabinet (1 ); a drum (30) rotatably installed in the cabinet (1) for containing laundry to be dried; a first housing (100) connected to the drum (30); a second housing (200) connected to the first housing (100); first (150) and second (250) bearings respectively provided in the first (100) and second (200) housings; and a shaft (50) supported by the first (150) and second (250) bearings, and rotatably connected to the drum (30).

Description

Clothes dryer

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a dryer, and more particularly, to a support structure that rotatably supports a drum of the dryer.

Background

Generally, a dryer is an apparatus for drying laundry using hot air generated by a heater. The dryer has a drum for receiving laundry, and supplies hot air to the drum. In order to promote drying of the laundry, the drum is preferably rotated by a drive means and the dryer is provided with a support structure for supporting a spindle of the rotating drum.

The above-described conventional support structure of the dryer has the following problems.

First, when the dryer is used, the lubricating oil used as the lubricant may leak out of the bearing, thereby hindering the lubricating motion of the bearing and the main shaft.

Secondly, the support is usually made of metal. Such metal bearings cannot be finely machined, thereby causing abnormal excessive wear of the spindle journal and generating noise.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

An object of the present invention is to solve the problems involved in the construction of a support structure for stably supporting a rotating drum.

Technical scheme

The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a dryer including: a housing; a drum rotatably mounted on the cabinet for accommodating laundry to be dried; a first bracket (first housing) coupled to the drum; a second bracket connected to the first bracket; first and second bearings provided in the first and second housings, respectively; and a main shaft supported by the first and second bearings and rotatably connected to the drum; wherein one of the first and second bearings has a rib formed therein along an edge thereof, and the other of the first and second bearings has a groove engaged with the rib.

The first and second supports may be interconnected, and preferably may be interconnected such that they are sealed separately.

The spindle may be fixed to the housing. Thereby, the first and second bearings may rotate together with the rotation of the drum.

The first and second bearings support the shaft in radial and axial directions of the shaft. Thereby, the first and second bearings surround the end of the shaft journal.

The shaft journal may be spherical, and each of the first and second bearings may have a recess for mounting the spherical journal.

The journal of the shaft may be made of metal, and a space for storing lubricating oil is formed between the journal of the shaft and the first and second bearings. Further, the journal of the main shaft may have at least one oil groove formed therein along an outer peripheral surface thereof.

The first and second bearings may be formed by injection molding and made of plastic.

Preferably, the first and second bearings are integrally formed with the first and second housings, respectively.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clothes dryer including: a housing; a drum rotatably mounted on the cabinet for accommodating laundry to be dried; a first supporting member connected with the drum; a second support member connected to the first support member; and a main shaft supported by the first and second bearings and rotatably connected to the drum; wherein one of the first and second bearings has a rib formed therein along an edge thereof, and the other of the first and second bearings has a groove engaged with the rib.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a clothes dryer, including: a housing; a drum rotatably mounted on the cabinet for accommodating laundry to be dried; a main shaft connected with the drum; a bracket unit disposed on the housing and surrounding the main shaft; and a supporter installed in the bracket unit and rotatably supporting the main shaft; wherein the support is an oil-free support.

Advantageous effects

In the dryer, the drum being rotated can be stably supported.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dryer according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a support structure of a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the support structure;

fig. 4 is a perspective view of the first bracket viewed in the direction B in fig. 3;

fig. 5 is a perspective view of the first support as viewed in the direction B in fig. 3;

fig. 6 is a perspective view of the first support member viewed in the direction a in fig. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second support member viewed in the direction B in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second support member viewed in the direction A in FIG. 3;

fig. 9 is a perspective view of the second bracket viewed in the direction a in fig. 3;

fig. 10 is a perspective view of the second bracket viewed in the direction B in fig. 3;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the primary shaft of the first embodiment of the support structure;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the first embodiment of the support structure;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the modification of FIG. 12;

fig. 14 is a perspective view of the first support as viewed in the direction B in fig. 13;

fig. 15 is a perspective view of the first support member viewed in the direction a in fig. 13;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the second support member viewed in the direction A of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the second support member viewed in the direction B in FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a dryer support structure according to the present invention; and

fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the support structure.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, the same reference numerals and terms are used to designate the same or similar elements, and a detailed description of such elements is not necessary, so that the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dryer according to the present invention.

The dryer of the present invention includes a cabinet 1 and a drum 30 rotatably installed in the cabinet 1. An opening 5 is formed through the front surface of the cabinet 1, and laundry is put into the drum 30 through the opening 5. The rib 2 formed along the opening 5 is inserted into the drum 30 and rotatably supports the front of the drum 30. The drum 30 is rotated by a designated driving means, for example, a motor and a belt for connecting the motor with the drum 30. Various other mechanisms may be used as the driving means of the drum 30. The drum 30 is rotatably mounted on the rear surface 3 of the cabinet 1. A supporting structure is applied between the rear surface 3 of the cabinet 1 and the drum 30 so that the drum 30 being rotated can be stably supported. Hereinafter, the support structure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a support structure of a dryer according to the present invention, and fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the support structure. As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the first embodiment of the support structure includes first and

second housings

100 and 200, first and

second bearings

150 and 250, and a shaft 50.

The first cradle 100 is connected with the drum 30 (fig. 1), and the second cradle 200 is connected with the first cradle 100. The first and

second bearings

150 and 250 are installed between the first and

second housings

100 and 50, and more precisely, the journal 52 of the shaft 50 is installed between the first and

second bearings

150 and 250.

Referring to fig. 4, the first bracket 100 has an approximately annular shape, and a seating portion 118 for mounting the first bearing 150 is formed at a central portion of the first bracket 100. A plurality of coupling holes 134 are formed through the first bracket 100 such that the first bracket 100 is coupled with the drum 30 by a coupling member (not shown), and a plurality of recesses 105 are formed along the circumference of the seating portion 118.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, the first bearing 150 has an approximately annular shape, and has a recess 178 formed therein for mounting the journal 52 of the shaft 50. Preferably, the recess 178 has a size that is compatible with the size of the seating portion 118 of the first bracket 100. As shown in detail in fig. 6, the first bearing 150 further has a protrusion 155 corresponding to the recess 105 of the first housing 100. The protrusion 155 is inserted into the recess 105, whereby the first bearing 150 can be directly and accurately coupled with the first housing 100 without using a coupling member. The protrusion 155 may be formed on the first bracket 100, and the recess 105 may be formed in the first bearing 150. In this case, the same function can be achieved. At least one recess 170 is formed along the circumference of the first bearing 150.

Grooves

191 and 192 are formed in the surface of the first bearing 150 toward the second bearing 250 along the periphery of the recess 178.

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, the second bearing 250 has an approximately annular shape, and has a recess 278 for mounting the journal 52 of the spindle 50, and a through hole 277 for passing the spindle 50 therethrough. The second bearing 250 further has at least one rib 270, the position and size of the rib 270 being adapted to the position and size of the recess 170 of the first bearing 150. Thus, the second bearing 250 is directly connected with the first bearing 150 by inserting the rib 270 into the recess 170, preferably without a connector. The rib 270 may be formed on the first bearing 150, and the recess 170 may be formed in the second bearing 250. In this case, the same function can be achieved.

Further,

annular ribs

291 and 292 are formed on the second bearing 250, and the positions and sizes of the

ribs

291 and 292 are adapted to the positions and sizes of the

grooves

191 and 192 of the first bearing 150. The

ribs

291 and 292 and the

grooves

191 and 192 are engaged with each other when the first and

second bearings

150 and 250 are coupled to each other. Thus, the first and

second bearings

150 and 250, more precisely, the

recesses

178 and 278 are tightly sealed by the

ribs

291 and 292 and the

grooves

191 and 192. The

ribs

291 and 292 and the

grooves

191 and 192 may prevent the lubricant from leaking out of the first and

second bearings

150 and 250, and more precisely, from the

recesses

178 and 278 during the rotation of the drum. The

ribs

291 and 292 may be formed on the first bearing 150, and the

grooves

191 and 192 may be formed in the second bearing 250. In this case, the same function can be achieved.

Referring to fig. 9 and 10, a plurality of coupling holes 234 are formed through the second bracket 200 at positions corresponding to the coupling holes 134 of the first bracket 100. Thereby, the first and

second brackets

100 and 200 are coupled with the drum 30 using the coupling holes 134 and 234 and the coupling members (e.g., screws) passing through the coupling holes 134 and 234.

The second bracket 200 has a seating portion 218 for mounting the second bearing 250, and further, the second bracket 200 has a through hole 287 for passing the main shaft 50 therethrough.

Referring to fig. 11, the shaft 50 has a body 54 and a journal 52 supported by a first bearing 150 and a second bearing 250. As shown in fig. 1, the body 54 is fixed to the rear surface 3 of the cabinet 1 by means of the screw portion 56 and the connection member formed on the body 54, and the journal 52 is supported by the first and

second bearings

150 and 250. The drum 30 is rotatably connected with the main shaft 50. Thus, when the dryer is operated, the main shaft 50 is fixed, and the drum 30 rotates against the main shaft 50, rotating together with the first and

second bearings

150 and 250. That is, the main shaft 50 rotatably supports the drum 30.

In order to stably support the drum 30, the journal 52 of the main shaft 50 is substantially spherical. The first and

second bearings

150 and 250 surround the end of the journal 52 to stably support the journal 52. More specifically, the recess 178 of the first bearing 150 and the recess 278 of the second bearing 250 are substantially hemispherical. Therefore, the first and

second bearings

150 and 250 support the shaft 50 in the axial direction of the shaft 50 and in the radial direction of the shaft 50. As a result, the above-described support structure can stably support the drum 30 and the main shaft 50.

Preferably, the journal 52 of the spindle 50 has a cutting portion 58. As shown in fig. 2, a designated space 175 is formed between the cutting portion 58 of the journal 52 and the first and

second bearings

150 and 175, and the lubricating oil is stored in the space 175. Therefore, the lubricating oil is sufficiently supplied to the first and

second bearings

150 and 250 for providing effective lubrication. Preferably, at least one oil groove (not shown) is formed at the outer circumferential surface of the journal 52. The oil groove always stores a designated amount of lubrication oil and supplies the lubrication oil to the space 175 between the journal 52 and the first and

second bearings

150 and 250 for providing effective lubrication.

The journal 52 is made of metal and is formed on the body 54 by injection molding. Since the journal 52 is made of metal, the wear of the journal 52 can be significantly reduced. The first and

second bearings

150 and 250 are made of plastic. Preferably, the first and

second bearings

150 and 250 are formed by injection molding. Since the first and

second bearings

150 and 250 can be finely manufactured and easily polished unlike the bearings made of metal, the surfaces of the first and

second bearings

150 and 250 contacting the journal 52 have a high surface finish. Therefore, the wear of the journal 52 can be further reduced, and the generation of noise can also be reduced.

Figures 12 to 17 show a modification of the first embodiment of the support structure. In the modification described above, the first and second bearings are formed substantially integrally with the first and second housings. Hereinafter, modifications made to the first embodiment will be described in more detail.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a modification of the first embodiment of the support structure, and fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the modified form of fig. 12. As shown in fig. 12 and 13, the modification is made to have the first and

second bearings

300 and 400, and the shaft 50.

The first bearing 300 is connected to the drum 30 (fig. 1), and the second bearing 400 is connected to the first bearing 300. The shaft 50, more precisely, the journal 52 of the shaft 50 is disposed between the first bearing 300 and the second bearing 400.

Referring to fig. 14 and 15, the first bearing 300 has a boss 350 protruding from a central portion thereof, and a recess 358 formed in the boss 350 for mounting the journal 52. The first bearing 300 further has a plurality of coupling holes 333 formed along an edge of the first bearing 300 such that the first bearing 300 is coupled with the drum 30 through the coupling holes 333. Preferably, as shown in fig. 15, in order to reinforce the strength of the first bearing 300 and the connection portion, connection holes 333 are respectively formed in the corresponding protrusions 338. An annular rib 310 and an annular groove 345 are formed in the first support 300 along the periphery of the recess 358.

Referring to fig. 16 and 17, the second support 400 has a seating portion 450 for mounting the boss 350 of the first support 300, and a recess 458 formed in the seating portion 450 for mounting the journal 52 of the spindle 50. A through hole 450 for passing the main shaft 50 is formed through the recess 458. A plurality of connection holes 433 are formed through the second bearing 400 along an edge thereof at positions corresponding to the connection holes 333 of the first bearing 300. Preferably, as shown in fig. 17, in order to enhance the strength of the second bearing 400, connection holes 433 are formed in the corresponding bosses 438, respectively. An annular rib 410 and an annular groove 445 are formed in the second bearing 400 along the periphery of the recess 458 such that the annular rib 410 and the annular groove 445 are fitted with the annular groove 345 and the annular rib 310 of the first bearing. When the first and

second bearings

300 and 400 are connected to each other, the annular rib 310 and the annular groove 345 are engaged with the annular groove 445 and the annular rib 410, respectively. Thus, the first and

second bearings

300 and 400, that is, the

recesses

358 and 458 are tightly sealed by the

annular ribs

310 and 410 and the

annular grooves

345 and 445. The

annular ribs

310 and 410 and the

annular grooves

345 and 445 prevent the leakage of the grease from the first and

second bearings

300 and 400, and more precisely, from the

recesses

358 and 458, during the rotation of the drum.

The shaft 50 has a body 54, and a journal 52 supported by a first bearing 300 and a second bearing 400. As shown in fig. 1, the body 54 is fixed to the rear surface 3 of the cabinet 1 by the screw portion 56 and the connection member of the body 54, and the journal 52 is supported by the first and

second bearings

300 and 400. The drum 30 is rotatably connected with the main shaft 50. Thus, when the dryer operates, the main shaft 50 is fixed, and the drum 30 rotates against the main shaft 50, the first and

second bearings

300 and 400 also rotate together. That is, the main shaft 50 rotatably supports the drum 30.

second bearings

300 and 400 surround the end of the journal 52 to stably support the journal 52. More specifically, the recess 358 of the first support 300 and the recess 458 of the second support 400 are substantially hemispherical. Therefore, the first and

second bearings

300 and 400 support the shaft 50 in the axial direction of the shaft 50 and in the radial direction of the shaft 50. As a result, the above-described support structure can stably support the drum 30 and the main shaft 50.

Preferably, the journal 52 of the spindle 50 has a cutting portion 58. As shown in fig. 12, a designated space 370 is formed between the cutting portion 58 of the journal 52 and the first and

second bearings

300 and 400, and the lubricating oil is stored in the space 370. Therefore, the lubricating oil is sufficiently supplied to the first and

second bearings

300 and 400 for providing effective lubrication. Preferably, at least one oil groove (not shown) is formed at the outer circumferential surface of the journal 52. The oil groove always stores a designated amount of lubrication oil and supplies the lubrication oil to the space 370 between the journal 52 and the first and

second bearings

300 and 400 for providing effective lubrication.

The journal 52 is made of metal and is formed on the body 54 by injection molding. Since the journal 52 is made of metal, wear of the journal 52 can be reduced strongly. The first and

second bearings

300 and 400 are made of plastic. Preferably, the first and

second bearings

300 and 400 are formed by injection molding. Since the first and

second bearings

300 and 400 can be finely manufactured and easily polished unlike the bearings made of metal, the surfaces of the first and

second bearings

300 and 400 contacting the journal 52 have a high surface finish. Therefore, the wear of the journal 52 can be further reduced, and the generation of noise can also be reduced.

Preferably, the surfaces of the first and

second bearings

300 and 400 contacting the journal 52, i.e., the surfaces of the

recesses

358 and 458, are coated with a self-lubricating material. Polytetrafluoroethylene (TEFLON) -containing materials and carbon-containing materials can be used as self-lubricating materials. The self-lubricating material described above contributes to effective lubrication of the journal 52 and prevents wear of the journal 52. The first and

second bearings

150 and 250 of the first embodiment may also employ a self-lubricating material.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a support structure of a dryer according to the present invention, and fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the support structure. Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the support structure will be described in detail with reference to fig. 18 and 19 as follows.

As shown in fig. 18 and 19, the second embodiment of the supporting structure has a main shaft 500 connected with the drum 30, a tray unit surrounding the main shaft 500, and a bearing 800 installed in the first and

second trays

600 and 700.

The main shaft 500 has a flange 510 fixed to the rear surface of the drum 30, and a plurality of coupling holes 501 formed through the flange 510. The main shaft 500 further has a journal 520 rotatably supported by the bearing 800. The main shaft 500 passes through the rear surface 3 of the cabinet 1, and the journal 520 is located outside the cabinet 1. Thus, the bracket unit and the bearing 800 are disposed outside the cabinet 1, thereby supporting the journal 520.

The cradle unit has a first cradle 600 and a second cradle 700 substantially connected to each other. The first and

second brackets

600 and 700 have

seating portions

610 and 710 for mounting the bearing 800, and coupling holes 601 and 701 for coupling the first and

second brackets

600 and 700 to the rear surface 3 of the cabinet 1, respectively.

The bearing 800 is located in the seating portion 610 and the seating portion 710 so that the bearing 800 may surround the journal 520, thereby rotatably supporting the main shaft 500. The outer surface of the bearing 800 has a designated curvature, and the

seating portions

610 and 710 have a curvature that conforms to the curvature of the bearing 800, as shown in fig. 18 and 19. Thus, the bearing 800 can be stably mounted in the

seating portions

610 and 710 without using separate fasteners. Preferably, an oilless bearing may be used as the bearing 800. The oilless bearing is made of metal, and a plurality of small holes are formed therein. The oilless bearing does not require additional lubricant because the small holes of the oilless bearing are filled with lubricating oil.

To carry the support 800, a ring 910 and a ring 920 are mounted on the main shaft 500 at positions adjacent to the support 800. A groove 570 is formed in the end of the main shaft 500, and an E-ring 930 is mounted in the groove 570. The E-ring 930 prevents the bearing 800 from disengaging the spindle 500 and optionally prevents the spindle 500 from disengaging the bearing 800. As shown in fig. 18, in order to mount the first and

second brackets

600 and 700 on the cabinet and improve the structural stability of the support structure, a bracket 33 is provided between the cabinet and the first and

second brackets

600 and 700. The bracket 33 may be integrally formed with the housing.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Industrial applicability

The effect of the dryer according to the present invention is described as follows.

First, the support structure of the dryer of the present invention is tightly sealed by the grooves and ribs engaged with each other. Thus, since the leakage of the lubricating oil from the bearing structure can be prevented, the bearing structure can be effectively lubricated, thereby preventing the wear of the journal of the main shaft and the generation of noise due to the wear of the journal.

Second, since the support is made of plastic, the support has a fine size and is easily polished. The bearing surface that receives the journal thus has a high surface finish, thereby effectively preventing wear of the journal.

Third, bearings coated with self-lubricating materials, or oil-free bearings, are employed, thereby providing effective lubrication to more effectively prevent journal wear.

Claims

1. A clothes dryer, comprising:

a housing;

a drum rotatably mounted on the cabinet for accommodating laundry to be dried;

a first bracket coupled to the drum;

a second bracket connected to the first bracket;

first and second bearings provided in the first and second housings, respectively; and

a main shaft supported by the first and second bearings and rotatably connected to the drum; wherein,

one of the first and second bearings has a rib formed therein along an edge thereof, and the other of the first and second bearings has a groove engaged with the rib.

2. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the first support and the second support are interconnected.

3. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the first and second supports are interconnected such that they are sealed, respectively.

4. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the first bracket and the first support are directly connected to each other without using a connecting member.

5. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein one of the first bracket and the first support has at least one protrusion and the other of the first bracket and the first support has at least one recess for mounting the at least one protrusion.

6. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the spindle is fixed to the cabinet.

7. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the first and second bearings rotate with the rotation of the drum.

8. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the first and second supports support the spindle in radial and axial directions of the spindle.

9. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the first and second supports surround ends of the shaft journal.

10. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the journal of the spindle is spherical.

11. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the journal of the spindle is made of metal.

12. The clothes dryer of claim 10 wherein the first and second supports have recesses for mounting the spherical journals.

13. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein a space for storing lubricating oil is formed between the journal of the shaft and the first and second bearings.

14. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the spindle has at least one oil sump formed therein along a periphery thereof.

15. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the first support is formed by injection molding.

16. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the first support is made of plastic.

17. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the second support is formed by injection molding.

18. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the second support is made of plastic.

19. The clothes dryer of claim 1 wherein the first and second supports are integrally formed with the first and second brackets, respectively.

20. A clothes dryer, comprising:

a housing;

a drum rotatably mounted on the cabinet for accommodating laundry to be dried;

a first supporting member connected with the drum;

a second support connected to the first support; and

21. The clothes dryer of claim 20 wherein the first and second supports are interconnected so as to be sealed respectively.

22. The clothes dryer of claim 20 wherein the spindle is fixed to the cabinet.

23. The clothes dryer of claim 20 wherein the first and second bearings rotate with the rotation of the drum.

24. The clothes dryer of claim 20 wherein the first and second supports support the spindle in radial and axial directions of the spindle.

25. The clothes dryer of claim 20 wherein the first and second supports surround ends of the shaft journal.

26. The clothes dryer of claim 20 wherein the journal of the spindle is spherical.

27. The clothes dryer of claim 20 wherein the journal of the spindle is made of metal.

28. The clothes dryer of claim 26 wherein the first and second supports have recesses for mounting the spherical journals.

29. The clothes dryer of claim 28 wherein a recess of the first support is formed in a boss provided in the first support.

30. The clothes dryer of claim 20 wherein a space for storing grease is formed between the journal of the shaft and the first and second bearings.

31. The clothes dryer of claim 20 wherein the journal of the spindle has at least one oil groove formed therein along its peripheral surface.

32. The clothes dryer of claim 20 wherein the first and second supports are formed by injection molding.

33. The clothes dryer of claim 20 wherein the first support and the second support are made of plastic.

34. The clothes dryer of claim 20 wherein the first and second bearings each have a connection hole formed through a protrusion provided on the first and second bearings.

35. The clothes dryer of claim 20 wherein the inner surfaces of the first and second supports that contact the shaft journal are coated with a self-lubricating material.

36. The clothes dryer of claim 35 wherein the self-lubricating material is a polytetrafluoroethylene (TEFLON) -containing material.

37. The clothes dryer of claim 35 wherein the self-lubricating material is a carbon-containing material.