EP1157626B1

EP1157626B1 - Dryer with brush

Info

Publication number: EP1157626B1
Application number: EP01111925A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kamada Kenji; Kumode Takahiro
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Works Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2000-05-26
Filing date: 2001-05-18
Publication date: 2006-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-18
Also published as: KR20020060034A; DE60119218T2; CN1326087A; EP1157626A2; KR100406213B1; EP1157626A3; TWI222854B; HK1041309B; JP2001333816A; HK1041309A1; CN1141548C; DE60119218D1

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dryer with a brush according to claim 1.

PRIOR ART

A dryer with a brush is known conventionally. As shown in Fig. 4, in the conventional brush dryer, a fan, a motor, rectifier blades for rectifying a blow of air and supporting the motor, a heat supply heater are arranged in this order from the upstream side within an interior of a ventilation passage of a body. Furthermore, a brush 1 having a blowout port on the downstream side is provided. A suction port is opened to a rear portion of the body immediately upstream of the fan. Also, a switch is disposed in or on the body for turning on/off and switching a blow amount. Then, in the conventional case, an outer peripheral portion of the body in which the fan, the motor, the rectifier blades, the heater and the switch are received provides a grip portion.
In the above-described conventional brush dryer, since the outer peripheral portion of the portion of the body in which various components such as the fan, the motor, the rectifier blades, the heater, the switch and the like are received, is used as the grip portion, the diameter of the grip portion is inevitably increased (i.e. , the grip portion becomes larger in size), and there is almost no degree of freedom in shape, and it is difficult, for instance to add other parts thereto. In particular, since the fan that is one of the important components for generating the stream or blow of air is disposed in the vicinity of the suction port, it is difficult to miniaturize the fan, and this becomes a hindrance against thinning of the grip portion.
A further dryer according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US 4 328 818 A.

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

In view of the above-noted defects, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dryer with a brush, in which a grip portion is thinned so that the dryer may easily be used.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

In order to solve the above-noted defects, according to the present invention, there is provided a dryer with a brush characterized in that a fan, a motor, in particular a rectifier blade, and a heater are provided in a ventilation passage within an interior of a body having a brush, a blowout port to the outside is provided downstream of the heater, a grip portion provided substantially in parallel with and axially with the body upstream of the ventilation passage of the body, and an end portion opposite to the body of the grip portion is opened to form a suction portion, a communication passage is formed within the grip portion for communicating the suction portion with an upstream portion of the ventilation passage. Thus, the grip portion is provided separately from the body to thereby make it possible to reduce the number of the components within the interior of the grip portion and to enhance the degree of freedom in shape of the grip portion.
Also, it is preferable that a switch is provided within the grip portion for turning on/off and switching a blow amount. With such a structure, it is possible to reduce the number of the parts within the body.
Also, it is preferable that an outer diameter of the grip portion is thinner than an outer diameter of the body downstream of the fan. The grip portion is easy to grip with such a structure.
Also, it is preferable that a portion of the body on the grip side is formed into a joint portion, and is slanted so that the joint portion is thinner from the body side towards the grip portion side. The joint portion is thus slanted whereby the blow or stream of air becomes smooth.
Also, it is preferable that the fan is disposed within the slanted joint portion, and an outer peripheral portion of the blade of the fan is slanted substantially in parallel with the above-described slant of the joint portion. With such a structure, it is possible to form a compact air blow portion while receiving the fan in the slanted joint portion, also to make smooth the flow of air toward the fan from the introduction to the discharge, and to utilize a centrifugal force of the blade to feed the air.
Also, it is preferable that an outer surface shape of a hub of the fan is slanted so that a diameter of its downstream portion is greater. With such a structure, it is possible to form a compact air blow portion while receiving the fan 3 in the slanted joint portion, and also the hub is slanted to thereby make more smooth the flow of air toward the fan from the introduction to the discharge, and to utilize a centrifugal force of the blade to feed the air.
Also, it is more preferable that a slant angle of the hub is greater than a slant angle of an outer peripheral portion of the blade of the fan. With such a structure, it is possible' to form a compact air blow portion while receiving the fan in the slanted joint portion, and also the hub is slanted to thereby make more smooth the flow of air toward the fan from the introduction to the discharge, and to utilize a centrifugal force of the blade to feed the air. Furthermore, the slant angle of the hub is greater than the slant angle of the outer peripheral portion of the blade of the fan whereby a flow area on the suction side and a flow area on the outlet side of the fan 3 are made close to each other to thereby make it possible to reduce the loss of the flow.
Also, it s preferable that the fan is disposed within the slanted joint portion, a discrete bugle sleeve having a bugle-shape is connected between the joint portion and the fan, and a slant of the bugle sleeve and the slant of the outer peripheral portion of the blade of the fan are substantially in parallel with each other. With such a structure, it is possible to make uniform the gap around the fan irrespective of the shape of the joint portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and prior art are described in relation of the drawings, in which

Fig. 1: is a longitudinal cross-section through an embodiment according to the invention;
Fig. 2: is a plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3: is a perspective view of a fan of an embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 4: is an example of a prior art dryer in a partly longitudinal cross-section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described on the basis of an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.
A casing 17 forming an outer shell of a dryer according to the present invention is composed of a body 8 and a grip portion 9 provided in an axial direction or in parallel with the body 8.
A portion of the body 8 on the side of the grip portion side 9 is formed into a joint portion 13 with the grip portion 9 and is provided in its interior with a ventilation passage 2. A fan 3, a motor 4 for rotating the fan 3, rectifier blades 5 for rectifying a blow and supporting the motor 4 and a heater 6 are disposed in the ventilation passage 2 within an interior of the body 8 from the upstream side to the downstream side. A brush 1 is provided on an outer surface portion of the body 8. A blowout port 7 to the outside is provided in a portion where the brush 1 is provided on the downstream side of the heater 6.
A grip portion 9 is provided axially and in parallel with a body 8 upstream of the ventilation passage 2. An opening is formed at an end portion of the grip portion 9 opposite to the body 8 and the opening is used as a suction portion 10. A communication passage 11 for communicating the suction portion 10 and the upstream side of the ventilation passage 2 with each other is formed within the grip portion 9. Also, a switch 12 is provided within the grip portion 9 for turning on/off and switching a blow amount.
As described above, the grip portion 9 is provided separately from the body 8 which contains therein the fan 3, the motor 4, the rectifier blades 5 and the heater, 6 whereby it is possible to enhance the degree of freedom of the shape of the grip portion 9 without affecting the primary components such as the fan 3, the motor 4, the rectifier blades 5, the heater 6 and the like. Also, as shown in Fig. 1, the switch 12 for turning on/off and switching the blow amount is provided in the grip portion 9, the number of the parts within the body 8 may be reduced.
As described above, since the degree of freedom of the shape of the grip portion 9 is enhanced, in the present embodiment, an outer diameter of the grip portion 9 is smaller than an outer diameter of the body 8 downstream of the fan 3 to thereby make it easy to grip the grip portion 9 and to enhance the operability while holding ,the dryer.
Between the body portion 8 of the casing 17 and the grip portion 9, the joint portion 13 is slanted towards the grip portion 9 or inclined to become thinner or more slim starting from the side of the body 8 towards the side of the grip portion 9. Since the joint portion 13 is slanted or inclined to be thinner from the side of the body 8 to the side of the grip portion 9, it is possible to make the flow or stream of air smooth which is flowing through the interior.
The fan 3 is disposed within the joint portion 13 that becomes slender beginning with the body 8 towards the grip portion 9. The fan 3 is slanted or inclined so that the outer peripheral portion of the blades 14 is substantially in parallel with the above-described inclination or tapering of the joint portion 13. Also, the outer surface shape of the hub 15 of the fan 3 is slanted or tapered so that the diameter thereof is larger toward the downstream side. Thus, the fan 3 having the outer peripheral portion slanted or tapered is received in the slanted or tapered joint portion 13 to thereby make the air blow portion more compact. Also, the outer peripheral portion of the blades 14 of the fan 3 is slanted or tapered and the hub 15 of the fan 3 is slanted or tapered whereby the flow or stream of the air stream to the fan 3 from the inlet to the discharge may be smoothened. Also, the outer peripheral portion of the blades 14 is slanted or inclined to thereby supply the stream of air by utilizing the centrifugal force of the blades 14.
Here, the slant or inclination angle of the hub 15 is greater than the slant angle of the outer peripheral portion of the blades 14 of the fan 3. Thus, the slant angle of the hub 15 is greater than the slant angle of the outer peripheral portion of the blade 14 of the fan 3, in one containing the fan with the outer peripheral portion slanted within the slanted joint portion 13, the flow area on the suction side and the flow area on the outlet side of the fan 3 are close to each other to thereby reduce the loss of the power of the air current.
Also, as shown in Fig. 1, a discrete bugle sleeve 16 in the form of a bugle may be disposed between the slanted or tapered joint portion 13 and the fan 3. In this case, the inclination or tapering of the bugle sleeve 16 is substantially in parallel with the inclination or tapering of the outer peripheral portion of the blades 14 of the fan 3. Such a discrete bugle sleeve 16 is disposed within the joint portion 13 so that the gap around the blades 14 of the fan 3 and the slanted or tapered outer peripheral portion may be readily made uniform.
In a dryer with such a structure, the grip portion 9 is thin and the suction portion 10 upstream of the grip portion 9 is very narrow. Even under the condition that it is difficult to generate a large amount of air current, it is possible to generate the large amount of blow or air current without enlarging the body 8 using the compact fan 3 and it is possible to provide a dryer in which the heater 6 is mounted having a large output.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention of claim 1 of the present invention, there is provided a dryer with a brush in which a fan, a motor, in particular a rectifier blade, and a heater are provided in a ventilation passage within an interior of a body having a brush, wherein a blowout port to the outside is provided downstream of the heater, a grip portion is provided substantially in parallel with and axially with the body upstream of the ventilation passage of the body, an end portion opposite to the body of the grip portion is opened to form a suction port, and a communication passage is formed within the grip portion for communication of the suction part with an upstream portion of the ventilation passage. Thus, the grip portion is provided separately from the body to thereby make it possible to reduce the number of components within the interior of the grip portion and to enhance the degree of freedom in shape for the grip portion. Thus, it is more simple to grip the dryer according to the invention and making it possible to arrange parts in the space inside the body and in particular also inside the grip portion.
Also, according to one embodiment since a switch 12 is provided within the grip portion 9 for turning on/off and switching an amount of air current, it is possible to reduce the number of the parts within the body to thereby make the body more compact.
Also, according to one embodiment of the invention, since an outer diameter of the grip portion 9 is thinner than an outer diameter of the body 8 downstream of the fan 3, the grip portion 9 is easy to grip to thereby make it possible to form a more compact blow portion
Also, according to one embodiment of the invention, since a portion of the body 8 on the grip side is formed into a joint portion 13 with the body, and is slanted or tapered so that the joint portion 13 is thinner or more slender starting from the body side towards the grip portion side, the joint portion 13 is thus slanted whereby the stream of air becomes more smooth.
Also, according to one embodiment of the invention, since the fan 3 is disposed within the slanted or tapered joint portion 13, and an outer peripheral portion of the blade 14 of the fan 3 is slanted substantially in parallel with the above-described inclination of the joint portion 13, it is possible to form a compact air blow portion while receiving the fan in the slanted or tapered joint portion 13, also to make smooth the flow or current of air towards the fan 3 from the inlet opening to the discharge opening, and to utilize a centrifugal force of the blade 14 to feed the air, thereby improving the air blow efficiency.
Also, according to one embodiment of the invention, since an outer surface shape of a hub 15 of the fan 3 is slanted so that a diameter of its downstream portion is larger, it is possible to form a compact air blow portion while receiving the fan 3 in the slanted or tapered joint portion 13, and also the hub 15 is slanted or tapered to thereby make the stream of air additionally smooth towards the fan from the inlet towards the discharge, and to utilize a centrifugal force of the blade 14 to supply the air, thereby improving the air blow efficiency
Also, according to one embodiment of the invention, since an inclination angle of the hub 15 is greater than an inclination angle of an outer peripheral portion of the blade 14 of the fan, it is possible to form a compact air blow portion while receiving the fan 3 in the slanted joint portion 13, and also the hub 15 is slanted or tapered to thereby make further the stream or current of air smoother towards the fan 3 starting from the inlet opening to the discharge opening 7, and to utilize a centrifugal force of the blade 14 to supply the air. Furthermore, the inclination angle of the hub 15 is greater than the inclination angle of the outer peripheral portion of the blade 14 of the fan 3, whereby a flow area on the suction side and a flow area on the outlet side of the fan 3 are close to each other to thereby make it possible to reduce the loss power of the air current. As a result, the air stream efficiency is further improved.
Also, according to one embodiment of the invention, since the fan 3 is disposed within the slanted or tapered joint portion 13, a discrete bugle sleeve 16 having a bugle-shape is connected between the joint portion 13 and the fan 3, and an inclination of the bugle sleeve 16 and the inclination of the outer peripheral portion of the blade 14 of the fan 3 are substantially in parallel with each other, it is possible to make uniform the gap around the fan 3 irrespective of the shape of the joint portion 13. Thus, the performance of the fan 3 may be improved.

EXPLANATION OF SIGNS

1: brush
2: ventilation passage
3: fan
4: motor
5: rectifier blade
6: heater
7: outlet port
8: body
9: grip portion
10: suction portion
11: communication path
12: switch
13: joint.portion
14: blade
15: hub
16: bugle sleeve

Claims

A dryer with a brush (1) characterized in that a fan (3), a motor (4), and a heater (6) are provided in a ventilation passage (2) within an interior of a body portion (8) having a brush (1), a blowout port to the outside being provided downstream of the heater (6), a grip portion (9) being provided substantially in parallel with, axially with and upstream of the ventilation passage (2) of the body portion (8) an end portion the grip portion (9) opposite to the body portion (8) being opened to form a suction port (10) and a communication passage (11) is formed within the grip portion (9) for communicating the suction port (10) with an upstream portion of the ventilation passage (2).
A dryer according to claim 1, further characterized in that a rectifier blade (5) and/or a switch (12) is provided, said switch being provided within said grip portion (9) for turning on/off and switching a blow amount.
A dryer according to one of claims 1 or 2, further characterized in that an outer diameter of said grip portion (9) is thinner than an outer diameter of the body portion (8) downstream of the fan (3).
A dryer according to one of claims 1 to 3, further characterized in that a portion of said body portion (8) on the grip side is formed into a joint portion (13), and at the same time, is slanted and/or tapered so that the joint portion (13) is thinner or more slender starting from the body side toward the grip portion (9).
A dryer according to claim 4, further characterized in that said fan (3) is disposed within said joint portion (13), and an outer peripheral portion of the blade (14) of the fan is slanted and/or tapered substantially in parallel with the above-described slant of the joint portion (13).
A dryer according to claim 5 further characterized in that an outer surface shape of a hub (15) of said fan (3) is inclined so that a diameter of its downstream portion is larger.
A dryer according to claim 6, further characterized in that a slant angle of said hub (15) is larger than an inclination angle of an outer peripheral portion of the blade (14) of the fan.
A dryer according to one of claims 4 to 7, further characterized in that said fan (3) is disposed within said joint portion (13), a discrete bugle sleeve (16) having a bugle-shape is connected between the joint portion (13) and the fan (3), and an inclination of the bugle sleeve (16) and the inclination of the outer peripheral portion of the blade (14) of the fan (3) are substantially in parallel with each other.