EP2441879A1

EP2441879A1 - Laundry drying processor and removal device including a filter element

Info

Publication number: EP2441879A1
Application number: EP11182083A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tsuyoshi Murao; Toshiyuki Kurakake; Masahiro Suzuki
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp
Priority date: 2010-09-30
Filing date: 2011-09-21
Publication date: 2012-04-18
Also published as: CN102535128B; JP5537374B2; TWI448602B; CN202227167U; JP2012075598A; CN102535128A; TW201221722A

Abstract

The present invention provides laundry drying processor (100) including: drying tub (410) with intake port (643) into which dry air flows and exhaust port (601) from which dry air is exhausted; removal device (700) for removing lint from dry air; dehumidifying heater (630) for dehumidifying and heating dry air; and an air supplier (621) for sending dry air to intake port (643), wherein removal device (700) includes housing (710) with inlet (712) into which dry air is introduced and outlet (713) from which dry air is discharged, filter element (720) attached to outlet (713), and adjuster (500) for adjusting flow direction of dry air, adjuster (500) includes rotating shaft (740) and adjustment plate (765) extending from rotating shaft (740), and adjustment plate (765) changes amount of dry air in response to rotation of rotating shaft (740).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to a laundry drying processor for drying laundry and a removal device for removing lint of the laundry from dry air.

Description of the Related Art

A laundry drying processor such as a laundry dryer configured to drying laundry or a washing and drying machine with drying functions and washing functions typically supplies dry air into its drum, in which laundry is stored, to dry the laundry. Lint (yarn wastes), which is separated from the laundry, is circulated in the housing along with the dry air.
There are a dehumidifier, which dehumidifies the dry air, a heater, which heats the dry air, and an air supplier, which causes the dry air to flow, in a circulation path of the dry air. It is likely that the aforementioned lint sticking to the dehumidifier, the heater or the air supplier worsens drying functions or damages the laundry drying processor. Therefore, a filter device configured to remove the lint is typically situated in the circulation path, along which the dry air is circulated, in addition to the aforementioned dehumidifying heater, heater, and/or air supplier (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-6045 ).
FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a filter device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-6045 . The filter device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-6045 is described with reference to FIG. 17.
A filter device 900 disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-6045 comprises a semi-cylindrical filter tube 920 which extends across a pipeline 912 defining a circulation path for dry air in a housing 911 of a washing and drying machine 910, and a collecting cylinder 921 connected to one end of the filter tube 920. The filter device 900 also comprises a coil 922 situated inside the filter tube 920 and a motor 923 mounted to the other end of the filter tube 920. The motor 923 rotates the coil 922 inside the filter tube 920. Meanwhile, the coil 922 slides on the inner surface of the filter tube 920. As a result, lint L captured by the filter tube 920 is scraped off from the inner surface of the filter tube 920. The lint L is then sent toward the collecting cylinder 921 by the coil 922.
The washing and drying machine 910 comprises an outer cylinder 931 surrounding the collecting cylinder 921, and a secondary pipeline 914 connecting the bottom wall 913 of the outer cylinder 931 to the pipeline 912. The bottom 924 of the collecting cylinder 921 includes an annular cylinder 925, which projects downward. The annular cylinder 925 is inserted into the secondary pipeline 914. Thus, the secondary pipeline 914 is connected to the outer cylinder 931.
The collecting cylinder 921 includes a secondary filter 926. The secondary filter 926 covers an opening on the bottom 924, which is defined by the annular cylinder 925. The second filter allows dry air returns to the pipeline 912 via the secondary pipeline after the dry air flows into the collecting cylinder. On the other hand, the second filter prevents passage of the lint.
It is likely that removal of the lint L from the filter tube 920 by means of the coil 922 prevents an amount of dry air passing through the filter tube 920 from decreasing. However, frequent removal of the lint L from the filter tube 920 increases an amount of small lint L, which is fine enough to pass through the filter tube 920. The increase in the small lint L passing through the filter tube 920 worsens drying functions or results in failure modes in the laundry drying processor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a laundry drying processor and a removal device which may appropriately maintain drying functions thereof over a relatively long period of time.
A laundry drying processor according to one aspect of the present invention has: a drying tub including an intake port into which dry air for drying laundry flows and an exhaust port from which the dry air is exhausted; a removal device configured to remove lint from the dry air exhausted from the exhaust port; a dehumidifying heater configured to dehumidify and heat the dry air after lint removal by the removal device; and an air supplier configured to send the dry air subjected to dehumidification and heating by the dehumidifying heater, to the intake port, wherein the removal device includes a housing having an inlet into which the dry air exhausted from the exhaust port is introduced and an outlet from which the dry air is discharged to the dehumidifying heater, a filter element attached to the outlet to remove the lint from the dry air, and an adjuster configured to adjust a flow direction of the dry air, which flows from the inlet to the filter element, the adjuster includes a rotating shaft configured to rotate in the housing, and an adjustment plate extending from the rotating shaft, the filter element includes a first area extending in an extension direction of the rotating shaft, and a second area extending along the first area, and the adjustment plate changes an amount of the dry air passing through the first area and an amount of the dry air passing through the second area in response to the rotation of the rotating shaft.
A removal device according to another aspect of the present invention, which removes lint from dry air for drying laundry, has: a housing including an inlet into which the dry air is introduced and an outlet from which the dry air is discharged; a filter element attached to the outlet to remove the lint from the dry air; and an adjuster configured to adjust a flow direction of the dry air flowing from the inlet to the filter element, wherein the adjuster includes a rotating shaft configured to rotate in the housing, and an adjustment plate extending from the rotating shaft, the filter element includes a first area extending in an extension direction of the rotating shaft, and a second area extending along the first area, and the adjustment plate changes an amount of the dry air passing through the first area and an amount of the dry air passing through the second area in response to rotation of the rotating shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing and drying machine according to one embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing and drying machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a top wall of the washing and drying machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an external air introduction mechanism of the washing and drying machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the external air introduction mechanism along line A-A shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a cover mechanism of the external air introduction mechanism shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a schematic bottom view of the cover mechanism shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a filter device of the external air introduction mechanism shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the filter device along line B-B shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the filter device along line C-C shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11A shows operations performed by an adjuster of the filter device shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 11B shows operations performed by an adjuster of the filter device shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 12A shows operations performed by the adjuster of the filter device shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 12B shows operations performed by the adjuster of the filter device shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of elements used for controlling the operations of the adjuster shown in FIGS. 11 and 12;
FIG. 14 shows a rotational range of a rotating shaft on the basis of the control for the adjuster shown in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the rotating shaft of the filter device shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an opening/closing operation of a housing of the filter device shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an opening/closing operation of a housing of the filter device shown in FIG. 9; and
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a conventional filter device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A laundry drying processor and a removal device according to one embodiment is described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that directional terms such as "upper/above," "lower/below," "left" and "right" is to merely clarify the descriptions and not to limit methodologies of the laundry drying processor and the removal device in any way.

(Entire Configuration of Laundry Drying Processor)

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing and drying machine, which is exemplified as the laundry drying processor according to one embodiment. In the present embodiment, a washing and drying machine which has both washing and drying functions is exemplified as the laundry drying processor. A laundry dryer without the washing function may be used as the laundry drying processor as well.
The washing and drying machine 100 comprises a main housing 200 and a door 300. The main housing 200 is a substantially rectangular box. The main housing 200 includes an upright front wall 210, a back wall 220 opposite to the front wall 210, left and right walls 230, 240 standing vertically between the front and back walls 210, 220, respectively, a top wall 250 forming the upper surface of the main housing 200, and a bottom wall 260 forming the lower surface of the main housing 200.
The front wall 210 includes a lower wall 211 situated on a lower portion of the washing and drying machine 100, a central wall 212 above the lower wall 211, and an upper wall 213 above the central wall 212. The central wall 212 and the upper wall 213 are curved upward so as to incline toward the back wall 220.
The central wall 212 includes an annular concave surface 214 which defines a complementary concave area to the substantially disc-shaped door 300. The concave surface 214 surrounds a feed port 215 formed in substantially the center of the central wall 212. The feed port 215 is communicated with a washing and drying tub (described later) stored in the main housing 200. A user may put laundry (or alike) in and out of the main housing 200 through the feed port 215.
The washing and drying machine 100 comprises a hinge structure 330 configured to pivotally connect the door 300 to the main housing 200. The hinge structure 330 allows the door 300 to turn between a closing position, where the door 300 closes the feed port 215, and an opening position, where the door 300 opens the feed port 215. The door 300 turned to the closing position is stored in the concave area surrounded by the concave surface 214. It should be noted that the door 300 shown in FIG. 1 is positioned at the opening position.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing and drying machine 100 with the door 300 at the closing position. Arrangements, shapes and structures of elements in the main housing 200, which are shown in FIG. 2, should not be interpreted in a limited way. The arrangements, shapes and structures of the elements in the main housing 200 may be appropriately defined according to designs and functions of the laundry drying processor. The entire structure of the washing and drying machine 100 is further described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
As shown in FIG. 2, a laundry processor 400 configured to perform a drying process is constructed in the main housing 200. In the present embodiment, the laundry processor 400 executes various processes required for washing and drying laundry C, such as drying, washing, rinsing and spin-drying processes. If a laundry dryer without a washing function is used as the laundry drying processor, the laundry processor may perform only the drying process.
The laundry processor 400 comprises the aforementioned washing and drying tub 410. The washing and drying tub 410 includes a one-end bottomed cylindrical water tub 420 which is supported but allowed to rock in the main housing 200, and a one-end bottomed cylindrical rotary drum 440 which is supported in the water tub 420. The laundry processor 400 comprises a suspension 490 configured to elastically support the washing and drying tub 410. The suspension 490 connected to the bottom wall 260 of the main housing 200 appropriately absorbs vibrations generated during various processes such as the aforementioned drying, washing, rinsing and spin-drying processes.
The laundry processor 400 further includes a motor 430 configured to rotate the rotary drum 440. The main body of the motor 430 is mounted to the outer surface of the bottom wall 431 of the water tub 420. The rotating shaft of the motor 430 pierces through the bottom wall 431 of the water tub 420 and is connected to the bottom wall 432 of the rotary drum 440. The motor 430 rotates the rotary drum 440 during the various processes such as the drying, washing, rinsing and spin-drying processes.
An opening 434 substantially concentric with the substantially circular door 300 at the closing position is formed on a front wall 433 opposite to the bottom wall 431 of the water tub 420. Similarly, an opening 436 substantially concentric with the opening 434 formed on the front wall 433 of the water tub 420, is formed on a front wall 435 opposite to the bottom wall 432 of the rotary drum 440. A user may move the door 300 to the opening position to feed the laundry C into the rotary drum 440 through the feed port 215. The laundry processor 400 further comprises a bellows 437 situated between the central wall 212 of the main housing 200 and the front wall 433 of the water tub 420. The water tub 420 is elastically connected to the main housing 200 by the bellows 437.
As shown in FIG. 1, the door 300 includes a one-end bottomed transparent window 310 which looks like a substantially trapezoidal cone, and a substantially disc-shaped support frame 320 which supports the window 310. As shown in FIG. 2, when the door 300 is disposed at the closing position, the window 310 is inserted into the feed port 215 formed on the main housing 200. A user may see the laundry C inside the washing and drying tub 410 through the transparent window 310 while the door 300 is at the closing position.
As shown in FIG. 2, the water tub 420 is provided with a discharge port 423, from which washing water is discharged, and an inflow port 424, into which the washing water flows. The washing water used for washing the laundry is circulated between the discharge port 423 and the inflow port 424. The washing and drying machine 100 comprises a pipeline 425, which defines a circulation path for the washing water between the discharge port 423 and the inflow port 424. The pipeline 425 includes an upstream pipeline 426 and downstream pipeline 427. One end of the upstream pipeline 426 is connected to the discharge port 423. The other end of the upstream pipeline 426 is connected to the bottom wall 260 of the main housing 200. One end of the downstream pipeline 427 is connected to the middle of the upstream pipeline 426. The other end of the downstream pipeline 427 is connected to the inflow port 424.
The washing and drying machine 100 comprises a circulation pump 428, which circulates the washing water between the discharge and inflow ports 423, 424, and a drain valve 429 which controls drainage of the washing water outside the main housing 200. The circulation pump 428 and the drain valve 429 are mounted to the upstream pipeline 426. The circulation pump 428 is situated before a connection between the upstream and downstream pipelines 426, 427. The drain valve 429 is situated after the circulation pump 428. The drain valve 429 is closed while the washing and drying machine 100 executes a process, which requires accumulation of a predetermined amount of water in the washing and drying tub 410 (e.g., the washing or rinsing process). Meanwhile, the circulation pump 428 is activated as appropriate to circulate the washing water between the discharge and inflow ports 423, 424. On the other hand, if the washing and drying machine 100 performs a process without the accumulation of the water in the washing and drying tub 410 (e.g., the spin-drying or drying process), the drain valve 429 is opened. As a result, the washing water inside the washing and drying tub 410 is drained from the bottom wall 260 to the outside of the main housing 200 through the upstream pipeline 426.
The washing and drying machine 100 comprises a circulator 600 configured to circulate dry air for drying the laundry C, which is stored in the rotary drum 440. The water tub 420 includes a cylindrical circumferential wall 438 extending between the bottom and front walls 431, 433. The circumferential wall 438 of the water tub 420 is provided with an exhaust port 601, through which the dry air is exhausted from the washing and drying tub 410. An intake port 643 through which the dry air is sucked into the washing and drying tub 410 is formed on the bottom wall 431 of the water tub 420. The circulator 600 circulates the dry air between the exhaust and intake ports 601, 643.
A bottom hole 645 is formed on the bottom wall 432 of the rotary drum 440 to guide the dry air sucked through the intake port 643 into the rotary drum 440. The rotary drum 440 includes a cylindrical circumferential wall 439 extending between the bottom and front walls 432, 435. A lot of circumferential holes 646 are formed on the circumferential wall 439 of the rotary drum 440 to guide the dry air to the exhaust port 601 formed on the circumferential wall 438 of the water tub 420. The dry air flowing from the bottom hole 645 to the circumferential holes 646 dries the laundry C inside the rotary drum 440. In the present embodiment, the washing and drying tub 410 used for the drying process is exemplified as the drying tub.
The circulator 600 configured to circulate the dry air in the main housing 200 comprises a first pipeline 610 extending from the exhaust port 601 toward the top wall 250 of the main housing 200, a filter device 700 connected to the first pipeline 610, and a heat pump 630 adjacent to the filter device 700. As shown in FIG. 1, the top wall 250 includes a substantially rectangular main wall 252 which forms most of the upper surface of the main housing 200 and a substantially rectangular cover mechanism 800 surrounded by the main wall 252. As shown in FIG. 2, the filter device 700 is adjacent to the cover mechanism 800.
Lint (dust such as yam wastes) is separated from the laundry C during the drying process performed in the rotary drum 440. The lint is introduced to the filter device 700 through the first pipeline 610 by the dry air flow. The filter device 700 is configured to remove the lint in the dry air. In the present embodiment, the filter device 700 is exemplified as the removal device.
As described hereinafter, the filter device 700 is connected to the cover mechanism 800, which may be attached to or detached from the main wall 252. If the cover mechanism 800 is removed from the main wall 252, the filter device 700 is taken out from the main housing 200 with the cover mechanism 800. A user may thereafter remove lint accumulated in the filter device 700.
The heat pump 630 may be a general heat exchanger. The heat pump 630 comprises a dehumidifier 635 which cools dry air to remove moisture in the dry air, and a heater 633 which heats the dry air passing through the dehumidifier 635. The dehumidification by the dehumidifier 635 and the heating by the heater 633 are accomplished by increasing/decreasing pressure applied to coolant, which passes through the dehumidifier 635 and the heater 633. In the present embodiment, the heat pump 630 is exemplified as the dehumidifying heater. The dehumidifying heater may be a device such as the heat pump 630 with the dehumidifier 635 and the heater 633 incorporated therein. Alternatively, the dehumidifying heater may include a dehumidifier for dehumidification and a heater separately provided from the dehumidifier.
The circulator 600 comprises a blower 621 configured to blow the dry air after the dehumidification and heating by the heat pump 630 to the intake port 643, and a second pipeline 620 configured to guide the dry air blown by the blower 621 to the intake port 643. The blower 621 causes negative pressure on the upstream side of the blower 621 and positive pressure on the downstream side of the blower 621. As a result, dry air circulation is effected between the exhaust and intake ports 601, 643. In the present embodiment, the blower 621 is exemplified as the air supplier.
The circulator 600 comprises a branched pipeline 650 branching from the second pipeline 620, and a switch valve 651 situated at a connection between the second pipeline 620 and the branched pipeline 650. The branched pipeline 650 includes a tip end which is communicated with the opening 436 formed on the front wall 435 of the rotary drum 440. The switch valve 651 is turned between a first position where the switch valve 651 blocks the dry air flowing from the blower 621 toward the intake port 643, and a second position where the switch valve 651 allows the dry air flowing from the blower 621 to further flow toward the intake port 643. If the switch valve 651 is set at the first position, most of the dry air is blown from the opening 436 of the rotary drum 440 to the laundry C through the branched pipeline 650. If the switch valve 651 is set at the second position, most of the dry air flows toward the intake port 643. For example, after the drying process is started, the switch valve 651 is set at the second position for a predetermined period of time. Thereafter, the switch valve 651 is set at the first position until the end of the drying process. Thus, drying operations are changed in response to how much the laundry C is dried.

(External Air Introduction Mechanism)

An external air introduction mechanism configured to cool the heat pump 630 is described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In the present embodiment, external air which exists outside the main housing 200 is introduced as cooling air into the main housing 200 in order to maintain heat-exchange efficiency of the heat pump 630.
As shown in FIG. 2, the external air introduction mechanism 150 includes the aforementioned filter device 700 and the cover mechanism 800 situated above the filter device 700. As described above, the cover mechanism 800 is attached to the top wall 250 of the main housing 200.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the top wall 250. The external air introduction mechanism 150 is further described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
A substantially rectangular ejection port 251 is formed on the top wall 250. The ejection port 251 is used to take the filter device 700 in and out of the main housing 200. The cover mechanism 800 is connected to the filter device 700 as described later. Therefore, a user may remove the cover mechanism 800 from the ejection port 251 to take the filter device 700 in and out of the main housing 200 via the ejection port 251. The user may connect the cover mechanism 800 to the filter device 700 and attach the cover mechanism 800 to the ejection port 251 to dispose the filter device 700 in position inside the main housing 200, in which the laundry C is stored.
As shown in FIG. 1, the cover mechanism 800 includes a cover plate 810 with a complementary outer surface 813 to the ejection port 251, and a pivotal lever plate 820 attached to the cover plate 810. The cover plate 810 appropriately closes the ejection port 251. Thus, it becomes less likely that machine sound or flow sound, which are generated from various elements stored in the main housing 200 (e.g., the washing and drying tub 410, the filter device 700, the heat pump 630, and the blower 621), leaks. A suction port is formed between the cover plate 810 and the lever plate 820 to introduce external air into the main housing 200 as described later. An external air inlet is formed in the filter device 700, which is communicated with the suction port. The external air taken into the main housing 200 via the external air inlet of the filter device 700 is used for cooling the heat pump 630. In the present embodiment, the cover mechanism 800 is exemplified as the cover element. The outer surface 813 of the cover plate 810 is exemplified as the first outer surface.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the external air introduction mechanism 150. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the external air introduction mechanism 150 along line A-A shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the cover plate 810. The suction port between the cover plate 810 and the lever plate 820 is described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 to 6.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cover plate 810 of the cover mechanism 800 is attached to an upper portion of the filter device 700. As shown in FIG. 6, the cover plate 810 includes an attachment edge 812, which forms a complementary attachment port 811 to the lever plate 820. In the present embodiment, the attachment edge 812 contours a substantially rectangular closed loop. As shown in FIG. 1, the lever plate 820 closes the attachment port 811.
As shown in FIG. 5, the lever plate 820 includes a base edge 821 at the back side of the washing and drying machine 100, a tip edge 822 opposite to the base edge 821 (i.e., the front side), and an outer surface 823 extending between the base and tip edges 821, 822. The base edge 821 extends along a rotation axis of the lever plate 820. In the present embodiment, the outer surface 823 of the lever plate 820 is exemplified as the second outer surface.
The lever plate 820 vertically turns around the rotation axis near the base edge 821. Therefore, a user may push the lever plate 820 downward to grab the cover plate 810. The tip edge 822 is situated below the attachment edge 812 (i.e., inside the main housing 200).
The outer surface 823 of the lever plate 820 includes a base surface 824 extending from the base edge 821 forward along the outer surface 813 of the cover plate 810, and a curved and inclined surface 825, which extends from the tip edge 822 toward the base surface 824. A space between the inclined surface 825 and the attachment edge 812 is used as a suction port 830 through which the eternal air is suctioned. The suction port 830 is opened in an opposite direction to the front wall 210 (i.e. toward the back wall 220). The suction port 830, which is opened obliquely upward, mainly defines a transmission direction of sound generated inside the main housing 200 backward. Thus it becomes less likely that the sound is transmitted to a user working nearby the front wall 210.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the attachment edge 812 includes a ridged edge 814, which protrudes upward. The ridged edge 814 is situated above the tip edge 822 of the lever plate 820. Due to the ridged edge 814, it becomes less likely that, for example, water dripping from laundry, which is placed on the top wall 250 by the user, flows into the suction port 830.
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the cover mechanism 800. Angular motions of the lever plate 820 are described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7.
The lever 820 includes a first shaft piece 826 and a second shaft piece 827, which are situated near the base edge 821. The first and second shaft pieces 826, 827 project downward from a bottom surface of the lever plate 820. The first shaft piece 826 includes a substantially cylindrical first shaft 828. The second shaft piece 827 includes a substantially cylindrical second shaft 829 shorter than the first shaft 828. The first and second shafts 828, 829 extend along the base edge 821.
The cover plate 810 includes an attachment wall 815, which contours a substantially rectangular loop. The attachment wall 815 projects downward from the bottom surface of the cover plate 810. The attachment wall 815 includes a first bearing piece 816 which supports the rotatable first shaft 828, and a second bearing piece 817 which supports the rotatable second shaft 829. The first and second bearing pieces 816, 817 protrude forward from an inner surface of the attachment wall 815 adjacent to the base edge 821 of the lever plate 820. Thus, the pivotal lever plate 820 is attached to the cover plate 810. The first and second shafts 828, 829, which are aligned along the base edge 821 of the lever plate 820, define the rotation axis of the lever plate 820.
The cover mechanism 800 comprises a twisted coil spring 840 wrapped around the first shaft 828. One end of the twisted coil spring 840 is connected to the bottom surface of the cover plate 810. The other end of the twisted coil spring 840 is connected to the bottom surface of the lever plate 820. Accordingly, the twisted coil spring 840 pushes the tip edge 822 of the lever plate 820 upward to bias the lever plate 820. In the present embodiment, the twisted coil spring 840 is exemplified as the biasing element.
The lever plate 820 includes a substantially U-shaped positioning piece 891. The positioning piece 891 forms the tip edge 822 and a part of side edges of the lever plate 820. The positioning piece 891 partially overlaps with the cover plate 810. The positioning piece 891 therefore appropriately limits the upward angular motion of the lever plate 820, which is caused by the biasing force of the twisted coil spring 840.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the filter device 700. The connection between the cover mechanism 800 and the filter device 700 is described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8.
As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8, the filter device 700 comprises a housing 710. The housing 710 includes an inlet 712 through which dry air discharged from the exhaust port 601 is introduced, and an external air inlet 725 through which external air existing outside the main housing 200 is introduced. An outlet 713 opposite to the inlet 712 is formed on the housing 710. A right-angled grid of supporting part 714 is formed on the outlet 713. A filter mesh 720 (see FIG. 5) is attached along the supporting part 714.
The dry air guided from the exhaust port 601 to the filter device 700 by the first pipeline 610 is introduced into the housing 710 via the inlet 712. Subsequently, the dry air is discharged from the outlet 713 opposite to the inlet 712. When the dry air passes through the outlet 713, the filter mesh 720 filters the dry air to preferably capture lint floating in the dry air. The heat pump 630 is situated immediately after the outlet 713. Therefore, the dry air is discharged from the outlet 713 to the heat pump 630 after the lint removal from the dry air. In the present embodiment, the filter mesh 720 is exemplified as the filter element. In the following descriptions, the direction of the dry air flowing from the inlet 712 to the outlet 713 (i.e., the direction from the front wall 210 to the back wall 220) is referred to as the first direction.
The housing 710 includes a first housing wall 715 on which the inlet 712 and the external air inlet 725 are formed, and a second housing wall 716 on which the outlet 713 is formed. The first housing wall 715 includes a connection wall 717, which has a substantially U-shaped cross section, to connect the cover mechanism 800 with the housing 710. As shown in FIG. 5, a space R1 which allows the lever plate 820 to pivot is formed between the connection wall 717, which is curved downward, and the flat cover plate 810.
As shown in FIG. 5, the connection wall 717 includes a rib 718 which protrudes upward. The rib 718 is formed along the backside edge of the connection wall 717. The attachment wall 815 of the cover plate 810 configured to cover the connection wall 717 is adjacent to the rib 718. The attachment wall 815 and the rib 718 are coupled to each other by means of a suitable fixture such as a screw or bolt. In the present embodiment, the attachment wall 815 is exemplified as the connection portion.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the filter device 700 along line B-B shown in FIG. 8. Introduction of the external air into the housing 710 is described with reference to FIGS. 1, 5, 8 and 9.
As described in the context of F1G. 5, a space is formed between the substantially flat cover plate 810 and the connection wall 717 curved downward. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the first housing wall 715 includes a partition wall 719 extending in the first direction. The partition wall 719 divides the space between the cover plate 810 and the connection wall 717 into the space R1 in which the lever plate 820 is turned and a space R2 into which the external air flows. The space R2 is communicated with the suction port 830 via a gap between the upper edge of the partition wall 719 and the cover plate 810.
The substantially rectangular external air inlet 725 is formed on the connection wall 717 which defines the space R2. A space between the suction port 830 and the external air inlet 725 (i.e., the space between the cover plate 810 and the connection wall 717) is partially partitioned by the partition wall 719, which projects upward from the upper surface of the connection wall 717. Due to the partition wall 719, it becomes less likely that liquid dropping down from the suction port 830 onto the connection wall 717 flows into the external air inlet 725.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the filter device 700 includes a gating mechanism 730 configured to open/close the external air inlet 725. The gating mechanism 730 includes a valve piece 735. The valve piece 735 includes a base 731, which is fitted into an opening nearby the external air inlet 725, a plug 732 which is displaced between a closing position where the plug 732 closes the external air inlet 725 and an opening position where the plug 732 opens the external air inlet 725, and a thinner portion 733 between the base 731 and the plug 732. In the present embodiment, the valve piece 735 is exemplified as the valve. It should be noted that that the plug 732 at the opening position is shown by a dotted line in FIG. 9.
The base 731, which looks like a substantially rectangular block, is fixedly attached to the connection wall 717. The plug 732, which looks like a substantially rectangular block, partially projects into the internal space of the housing 710 through the external air inlet 725. The plug 732 is pivoted around the thinner portion 733 between the opening and closing positions. If the plug 732 is at the opening position, the external air flows into the housing 710 via the external air inlet 725 in fluid communicated with the outside of the main housing 200 via the suction port 830. In the present embodiment, the thinner portion 733 is exemplified as the hinge.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the filter device 700 along line C-C shown in FIG. 9. The gating mechanism 730 is described with reference to FIGS. 5, 9 and 10.
As shown in FIG. 10, the housing 710 includes an inner wall surface 726 which defines a substantially cylindrical internal space of the housing 710. The internal space formed by the inner wall surface 726 extends in the second direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The housing 710 includes an annular partition plate 729, which partitions the internal space extending in the second direction into a first chamber 727 and a second chamber 728. The first chamber 727 is communicated with the inlet 712, so that the dry air flows in the first chamber 727. As shown in FIG. 9, the second chamber 728 is communicated with the external air inlet 725. Therefore, the external air flows in the second chamber 728 while the plug 732 is at the opening position.
The filter device 700 includes a rotating shaft 740 configured to rotate in the housing 710. The first housing wall 715 includes a first side wall 736 and a second side wall 737, which extend between the inlet 712 and the outlet 713. A gear 738 is attached to the outer surface of the first side wall 736. The gear 738 includes a gear shaft 739 inserted into a through-hole, which is formed on the first side wall 736. The gear shaft 739 is inserted into a concavity formed on one end of the rotating shaft 740. A suitable fixture such as a screw or bolt is screwed along longitudinal directional axes of the gear shaft 739 and the rotating shaft 740, so that the gear 738 and the rotating shaft 740 are appropriately connected to each other. A motor or another appropriate driver is connected to the gear 738. Drive force is transmitted to the gear 738 to appropriately rotate the rotating shaft 740 in the housing 710. The second side wall 737 includes a boss 741, which is inserted into a concavity formed on the other end of the rotating shaft 740 to support the rotating shaft 740.
The gating mechanism 730 includes a cam piece 745, which projects from the circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 740 in the second chamber 728. The cam piece 745, which rotates along with the rotating shaft 740, comes into contact with the plug 732 at the closing position. The plug 732 into contact with the cam piece 745 is pushed upward, so that the plug 732 is turned upward around the thinner portion 733 and displaced to the opening position. Subsequently if the plug 732 is disconnected from the cam piece 745, the plug 732 is turned downward around the thinner portion 733 by its own weight, and then displaced to the closing position. Thus, the gating mechanism 730 may open/close the external air inlet 725 in response to rotation of the rotating shaft 740.
The partition plate 729 includes an outer rim 746 connected to the inner wall surface 726 of the housing 710, and an inner rim 747 defining an opening into which the rotating shaft 740 is inserted. The rotating shaft 740 extends across the opening defined by the inner rim 747. An annular gap formed between the inner rim 747 and the rotating shaft allows communication between the first and second chambers 727, 728.
The dry air flowing from the inlet 712 toward the outlet 713 causes negative pressure in the second chamber 728. As a result, the external air flows from the suction port 830 into the second chamber 728 while the cam piece 745 lifts the plug 732.
As shown in FIG. 10, the outlet 713 includes a first outlet 748 which is used to discharge the dry air flowing from the inlet 712 into the first chamber 727 to the heat pump 630, and a second outlet 749 which is used to discharge the external air flowing into the second chamber 728 to the heat pump 630. The filter mesh 720 includes a first filter 751 covering the first outlet 748 (see FIG. 5) and a second filter 752 covering the second outlet 749 (see FIG. 9). The first filter 751 is used to filter the dry air flowing from the inlet 712 to remove lint floating in the dry air. After the lint removal, the dry air is directly supplied to the heat pump 630 (i.e., without passing through the blower 621). The second filter 752 is used to filter the external air flowing from the external air inlet 725 to remove foreign objects (e.g., dust) floating in the external air. After the removal of the foreign objects from the external air, the external air is directly supplied to the heat pump 630 (i.e., without passing through the blower 621).

(Adjuster)

An adjuster configured to adjust a direction of the dry air flowing from the inlet 712 to the outlet 713 is described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 10.
The filter device 700 comprises an adjuster 500 configured to adjust a direction of the dry air flowing from the inlet 712 to the outlet 713. The adjuster 500 comprises the aforementioned rotating shaft 740 and an adjustment piece 765 extending from the rotating shaft 740. The adjustment piece 765 is rotated as the rotating shaft 740 rotates in the housing 710. The adjustment piece 765 is made of a substantially rectangular plate material. In the present embodiment, the adjustment piece 765 is exemplified as the adjustment plate.
The housing 710 includes an upper stopper pin 773 and a lower stopper pin 774, which project from the inner wall surface 726 toward the outlet 713. The upper stopper pin 773 is formed above the inlet 712. The lower stopper pin 774 is formed below the inlet 712. The adjustment piece 765 includes a tip end 766 which turns between the upper and lower stopper pins 773, 774. If the adjustment piece 765 moves upward, the tip end 766 abuts the upper stopper pin 773 to limit the upward movement of the adjustment piece 765. If the adjustment piece 765 moves downward, the tip end 766 abuts the lower stopper pin 774 to limit the downward movement of the adjustment piece 765. In the present embodiment, the upper and/or lower stopper pins 773, 774 are exemplified as the limiter.
FIGS. 11A to 12B schematically show operations performed by the adjuster 500. FIGS. 11A and 12A are schematic cross-sectional views of the filter device 700. FIGS. 11B and 12B show the first filter 751. The operations of the adjuster 500 are described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12B.
The adjustment piece 765 shown in FIG. 11A projects downward from the rotating shaft 740, so that the tip end 766 abuts the lower stopper pin 774. The adjustment piece 765 shown in FIG. 12A is more horizontal than the adjustment piece 765 shown in FIG. 11A.
The rotating shaft 740 extends in the second direction. The first filter 751 extends in the second direction, like the rotating shaft 740. Each of FIGS. 11B and 12B shows a phantom line FL, which divides the first filter 751 into upper and lower areas. The phantom line FL defines an upper area 753 extending along the extension direction of the rotating shaft 740, and a lower area 754 extending along the upper area 753. In the present embodiment, the upper area 753 is exemplified as the first area while the lower area 754 is exemplified as the second area.
As shown in FIG. 11A and 11B, the adjustment piece 765 projecting downward from the rotating shaft 740 interferes with the dry air, which tries to flow below the rotating shaft 740. As a result, most of the dry air is guided upward. Consequently, a decreased amount of the dry air passes through the lower area 754 whereas an increased amount of the dry air passes through the upper area 753.
Compared to the adjustment piece 765 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the adjustment piece 765 shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B allows the dry air to flow more smoothly. Therefore, if the adjustment piece 765 moves from the position shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B to the position shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a larger amount of the dry air passes through the lower area 754 whereas a smaller amount of the dry air passes through the upper area 753.
Thus, the adjustment piece 765 may change amounts of the dry air passing through the upper and lower areas 753, 754 in response to the rotation of the rotating shaft 740.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram of elements used for controlling the filter device 700. The control for the filter device 700 is described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 11A to 13.
The washing and drying machine 100 comprises a controller 510 configured to control the adjuster 500. The adjuster 500 includes a stepping motor 520 configured to rotate the rotating shaft 740. The controller 510 controls the stepping motor 520, which engages with the gear 738 described in the context of FIG. 10, to adjust the dry air flow in the filter device 700. In the present embodiment, the stepping motor 520 is exemplified as the drive source. Alternatively, another drive element configured to rotate the rotating shaft 740 may be used as the drive source.
The blower 621 comprises a fan 622 and a motor 623 configured to rotate the fan 622. The motor 623 rotating the fan 622 keeps an amount of the dry air at a predetermined level while the dry air is circulated in the washing and drying machine 100. The washing and drying machine 100 comprises a power supply 530 configured to supply power to the motor 623. The controller 510 controls the stepping motor 520 in response to the power from the power supply 530 to the motor 623. Thus, the dry air flow in the filter device 700 described in the context of FIGS. 11A to 12B is appropriately adjusted.
In the present embodiment, the controller 510 reads or receives a value of current flowing from the power supply 530 to the motor 623 to control the stepping motor 520, so that the current value is decreased (i.e., to decrease the power). For instance, if lint is more stacked on the upper area 753 of the first filter 751 than the lower area 754, the position of the adjustment piece 765 may be preferably set to allow more dry air to pass through the lower area 754 rather than the upper area 753, so that the same amount of the dry air is circulated at a low current value. Therefore, in this case, the controller 510 adjusts the position of the adjustment piece 765 so that more dry air passes through the lower area 754.
The heat pump 630 has a thermo-sensor 631 configured to detect a temperature of the coolant used for the heat exchange with the dry air, and a compressor 632 configured to compress the coolant. The controller 510 controls the stepping motor 520 in response to the temperature of the coolant detected by the thermo-sensor 631 and a number of revolutions of the compressor 632 to move the plug 732 to the opening or closing position.
The controller 510 has an acquisition portion 511 configured to read or receive the value of the current flowing from the power supply 530 to the motor 623. The acquisition portion 511 also receives an output signal from the thermo-sensor 631. In addition, the acquisition portion 511 reads or receives the number of revolutions of the compressor 632. In the present embodiment, the value of the current flowing from the power supply 530 to the motor 623 is exemplified as the power information. The output signal from the thermo-sensor 631 and/or the number of revolutions of the compressor 632 is exemplified as the temperature information.
The controller 510 comprises an output port 512 from which an operation signal for operating the stepping motor 520 is output. The operation signal includes a first operation signal for rotating the rotating shaft 740 in a predetermined rotation range defined by the upper and/or lower stopper pins 773, 774. While the rotating shaft 740 is rotated in the predetermined rotation range in response to the first operation signal, the acquisition portion 511 reads current values supplied to the blower 621.
A reference position for the rotation of the rotating shaft 740 is set at, for example, a position where the adjustment piece 765 abuts the upper and/or lower stopper pins 773, 774. The stepping motor 520 rotates the rotating shaft 740 in the predetermined rotation range in response to the first operation signal. The acquisition portion 511 monitors the current values obtained during the rotation of the rotating shaft 740 to identify a period from when the rotating shaft 740 starts rotating to when the minimum current value is recorded. In the present embodiment, data on the period identified by the acquisition portion 511 is exemplified as positional information related to the position of the adjustment piece 765.
The controller 510 comprises a memory 513 configured to store the data on the period identified by the acquisition portion 511. The operation signal includes a second operation signal for moving the adjustment piece 765 to a position where the power becomes the lowest during the rotation of the rotating shaft 740 in response to the first operation signal. The position of the adjustment piece 765 where the power becomes the lowest during the rotation of the rotating shaft 740 is identified on the basis of the data on the period. The second operation signal is output from the output port 512 to the stepping motor 520 after completion of the rotation of the rotating shaft 740 in response to the first operation signal. As a result, the adjustment piece 765 is moved to the position where the power supplied to the blower 621 becomes the lowest.
FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the external air introduction mechanism 150. The control performed by the controller 510 is further described with reference to FIGS. 9, 13 and 14.
In the present embodiment, the rotation range of the rotating shaft 740 includes an upper rotation range UR and a lower rotation range LR. The upper rotation range UR is defined as a range from where the adjustment piece 765 abuts the upper stopper pin 773 to where the adjustment piece 765 then moves downward, for example, by approximately 60°. The lower rotation range LR is defined as a range from where the adjustment piece 765 abuts the lower stopper pin 774 to where the adjustment piece 765 then moves upward, for example, by approximately 49°. The plug 732 is kept at the opening position while the rotating shaft 740 rotates within the upper rotation range UR. The plug 732 is kept at the closing position while the rotating shaft 740 rotates within the lower rotation range LR. In the present embodiment, the lower rotation range LR is exemplified as the first range while the upper rotation range UR is exemplified as the second range.
The aforementioned first operation signal includes a first mode signal for rotating the rotating shaft 740 within the lower rotation range LR, and a second mode signal for rotating the rotating shaft 740 within the upper rotation range UR. The acquisition portion 511 determines whether the heat pump 630 has to be cooled or not, on the basis of the output signal from the thermo-sensor 631 and/or the number of revolutions of the compressor 632. Unless the heat pump 630 has to be cooled, the acquisition portion 511 selects a first mode in which the rotating shaft 740 rotates within the lower rotation range LR. If the heat pump 630 has to be cooled, the acquisition portion 511 selects a second mode in which the rotating shaft 740 rotates within the upper rotation range UR. As a result, the plug 732 moves to the opening position, so that the external air is supplied to the heat pump 630.
The output port 512 selectively outputs the first or second mode signal in response to the determination made by the acquisition portion 511. As a result, the rotating shaft 740 rotates within the upper or lower rotation range UR, LR. Meanwhile, the acquisition portion 511 monitors the current values obtained during the rotation of the rotating shaft 740 to identify a period from when the rotating shaft 740 starts rotating to when the minimum current value is recorded. The memory 513 stores the period from when the rotating shaft 740 starts rotating to when the minimum current value is recorded. The output port 512 thereafter outputs the second operation signal. Consequently, the adjustment piece 765 moves to the position where the power supplied to the blower 621 becomes the lowest.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the filter device 700 along a longitudinal directional axis of the rotating shaft 740. The rotating shaft 740 is described with reference to FIG. 15.
As described above, the inner rim 747 of the partition plate 729 defines the opening which allows the communication between the first and second chambers 727, 728. The rotating shaft 740 includes an annular projection 775 adjacent to the opening defined by the inner rim 747. The annular projection 775, which is substantially the same size as the opening, includes a periphery 776 along the inner rim 747 of the partition plate 729. Therefore, it is likely that the annular projection 775 prevents the lint in the dry air flowing in the second direction from entering the second chamber 728 from the first chamber 727. It should be noted that there is a small gap between the partition plate 729 and the annular projection 775. The gap between the partition plate 729 and the annular projection 775 keeps the communication between the first and second chambers 727, 728.
FIGS. 16A and 16B are schematic cross-sectional views showing the housing 710 of the filter device 700. FIG. 16A shows the housing 710 in use. FIG. 16B shows the disassembled housing 710. The housing 710 is described with reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B.
The second housing wall 716 is attached and pivotal with respect to the first housing wall 715. A connector 780 configured to connect the first housing wall 715 to the second housing wall 716 is provided below the connection wall 717 of the first housing wall 715. The second housing wall 716 includes, for example, a connecting plate 781 situated immediately below the connection wall 717 and a pin 782 projecting from the connecting plate 781. The connection wall 717 holds the rotatable pin 782. A user may turn the second housing wall 716 to preferably remove the lint accumulated in the housing 710.
The aforementioned embodiment mainly includes a laundry drying processor and a removal device which have the following configurations. The laundry drying processor an-d the removal device with the following configurations may maintain appropriate drying functions over a relatively long period of time.
A laundry drying processor according to one aspect of the embodiment described above has: a drying tub including an intake port into which dry air for drying laundry flows and an exhaust port from which the dry air is exhausted; a removal device configured to remove lint from the dry air exhausted from the exhaust port; a dehumidifying heater configured to dehumidify and heat the dry air after lint removal by the removal device; and an air supplier configured to send the dry air subjected to dehumidification and heating by the dehumidifying heater, to the intake port, wherein the removal device includes a housing having an inlet into which the dry air exhausted from the exhaust port is introduced and an outlet from which the dry air is discharged to the dehumidifying heater, a filter element attached to the outlet to remove the lint from the dry air, and an adjuster configured to adjust a flow direction of the dry air, which flows from the inlet to the filter element, the adjuster includes a rotating shaft configured to rotate in the housing, and an adjustment plate extending from the rotating shaft, the filter element includes a first area extending in an extension direction of the rotating shaft, and a second area extending along the first area, and the adjustment plate changes an amount of the dry air passing through the first area and an amount of the dry air passing through the second area in response to the rotation of the rotating shaft.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the dry air flows into the drying tub via the intake port. The dry air is then discharged from the drying tub via the exhaust port. As a result, the laundry in the drying tub is dried. The removal device removes lint from the dry air discharged from the drying tub. After the lint removal process, the dehumidifying heater dehumidifies and heats the dry air. The air supplier sends the dehumidified and heated dry air to the intake port of the drying tub. The dry air is used, again, for drying the laundry inside the drying tub. The housing of the removal device is provided with the inlet, into which the dry air from the exhaust port is introduced, and the outlet, from which the dry air is discharged to the dehumidifying heater. The filter element attached to the outlet removes lint from the dry air. The adjuster adjusts the flow direction of the dry air flowing from the inlet to the filter element. The adjuster includes the rotating shaft, which rotates in the housing, and the adjustment plate extending from the rotating shaft. The filter element includes the first area extending in the extension direction of the rotating shaft, and the second area extending along the first area. The adjustment plate changes the amounts of the dry air passing through the first area and the second area, in response to the rotation of the rotating shaft. Therefore, if a lot of lint is stacked on one of the first and second areas, the flow direction of the dry air is adjusted as appropriate, so that the dry air flows toward the other of the first and second areas. Accordingly, the amount of the dry air is kept at an appropriate level. Since the filter element may capture fine lint, it becomes less likely that the fine lint flows to the dehumidifying heater. Therefore, it becomes less likely that fine lint, which passes through the removal device, worsens the drying function or damages the laundry drying processor. Thus appropriate drying functions may be maintained over a relatively long period of time.
It is preferred, in the aforementioned configuration, that the laundry drying processor further have a main housing configured to store the drying tub, the removal device, the dehumidifying heater and the air supplier, wherein the housing is provided with an external air inlet through which external air existing outside the main housing is introduced, the removal device includes a valve which includes a plug configured to be displaced between a closing position where the plug closes the external air inlet and an opening position where the plug opens the external air inlet, and a cam piece connected to the rotating shaft, and the cam piece displaces the plug between the closing position and the opening position in response to the rotation of the rotating shaft.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the external air, which exists outside the main housing configured to store the drying tub, the removal device, the dehumidifying heater and the air supplier, is introduced into the external air inlet formed on the housing. The cam piece, which is connected to the rotating shaft, displaces the plug of the valve between the closing position where the plug closes the external air inlet and the opening position where the plug opens the external air inlet. If the dehumidifying heater has to be cooled, the external air inlet is opened. As a result, the dehumidifying heater is appropriately cooled. Thus, the drying function is appropriately maintained over a relatively long period of time.
It is preferred, in the aforementioned configuration, that the housing includes an inner wall surface configured to define an internal space in which the dry air and the external air flow, and a partition plate configured to partition the internal space into a first chamber in which the dry air flows and a second chamber in which the external air flows, the outlet includes a first outlet from which the dry air in the first chamber is discharged to the dehumidifying heater, and a second outlet from which the external air in the second chamber is discharged to the dehumidifying heater, and the filter element includes a first filter which covers the first outlet and a second filter which covers the second outlet.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the inner wall surface of the housing defines the internal space in which the dry air and the external air flaw. The partition plate partitions the internal space into the first chamber in which the dry air flows and the second chamber in which the external air flows. The first filter covers the first outlet from which the dry air is discharged in the first chamber outside the housing. The second filter covers the second outlet from which the external air of the second chamber is discharged outside the housing. It is likely that the partition plate prevents lint from moving from the first chamber to the second chamber. Therefore it becomes less likely that the second filter is clogged by lint. Accordingly, the external air is appropriately supplied to the dehumidifying heater. Thus, the drying function is appropriately maintained over a relatively long period of time.
It is preferred, in the aforementioned configuration, that the dehumidifying heater is adjacent to the removal device, and the dry air passing through the first filter and the external air passing through the second filter are directly supplied to the dehumidifying heater.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the dry air passing through the first filter is directly supplied to the dehumidifying heater nearby the removal device. Therefore, the dehumidifying heater may efficiently dehumidify and heat the dry air. The external air passing through the second filter is also directly supplied to the dehumidifying heater nearby the removal device, which results in more efficient cooling for the dehumidifying heater. Therefore, the drying function is appropriately maintained over a relatively long period of time.
In the aforementioned configuration, it is preferred that the partition plate includes an outer rim connected to the inner wall surface, and an inner rim defining an opening into which the rotating shaft is inserted, and the second chamber is communicated with the first chamber via the opening.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the outer rim of the partition plate is connected to the inner wall surface. The inner rim of the partition plate defines the opening into which the rotating shaft is inserted. Therefore, an area between the outer rim and the inner rim of the partition plate appropriately prevents the lint from moving from the first chamber to the second chamber. As a result, it becomes less likely that the second filter is clogged by lint. Accordingly, the external air is appropriately supplied to the dehumidifying heater. Thus, the drying function is appropriately maintained over a relatively long period of time. Because the flow of the dry air inside the first chambers cause negative pressure in the second chamber, which is communicated with the first chamber through the opening, the external air is appropriately introduced from the outside of the main housing into the external air inlet. Thus, the dehumidifying heater is appropriately cooled, so that the drying function is appropriately maintained over a relatively long period of time.
In the aforementioned configuration, it is preferred that the rotating shaft includes an annular projection which includes a periphery along the inner rim, and the annular projection is adjacent to the opening.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the annular projection which has the periphery along the inner rim is adjacent to the opening, so that it becomes likely that the annular projection prevents lint from moving from the first chamber to the second chamber. As a result, it becomes less likely that the second filter is clogged by the lint. The external air, therefore, is appropriately supplied to the dehumidifying heater. Thus, the drying function is appropriately maintained over a relatively long period of time.
It is preferred, in the aforementioned configuration, that the main housing includes a top wall which forms an upper surface of the main housing, the top wall has a suction port communicated with the external air inlet, and the removal device is adjacent to the top wall.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the suction port in fluid communication with the external air inlet is formed on the top wall which forms the upper surface of the main housing. Arrangement of the removal device adjacent to the top wall results in more efficient cooling for the dehumidifying heater adjacent to the removal device. Thus, the drying function is appropriately maintained over a relatively long period of time.
It is preferred, in the aforementioned configuration, that the top wall includes a cover element with the suction port, and a main wall with an ejection port closed by the cover element, the cover element includes a connection portion connected to the housing, and if the cover element is removed from the main wall, the removal device connected to the cover element is removed outside the main housing via the ejection port.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the top wall includes the cover element, on which the suction port is formed, and the main wall with the ejection port closed by the cover element. The connection portion of the cover element is connected to the housing. If the cover element is removed from the main wall, the removal device connected to the cover element is removed outside the main housing via the ejection port, which facilitates maintenance of the removal device.
In the aforementioned configuration, it is preferred that the main housing includes a front wall with a feed port through which the laundry is fed into the drying tub, and the suction port is opened in an opposite direction to the front wall.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the front wall of the main housing includes the feed port, through which the laundry is fed into the drying tub. The suction port is opened in an opposite direction to the front wall. Therefore, it becomes less likely that noise inside the main housing is transmitted to the user nearby the front wall.
It is preferred, in the aforementioned configuration, that the cover element includes a cover plate which includes a complementary first outer surface to the ejection port, and a pivotal lever plate attached to the cover plate, the cover plate includes an attachment edge configured to form a complementary attachment port to the lever plate, the lever plate attached in the attachment port includes a base edge along a rotation axis of the lever plate, a tip edge opposite to the base edge, and a second outer surface between the base edge and the tip edge, the tip edge is situated inside the main housing rather than the attachment edge, the second outer surface includes a base surface extending from the base edge along the first outer surface, and an inclined surface extending from the tip edge to the base surface, and the attachment edge and the inclined surface define the suction port.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the cover element includes the cover plate, which includes the complementary first outer surface to the ejection port, and the pivotal lever plate attached to the cover plate. The cover plate includes the attachment edge, which forms the complementary attachment port to the lever plate. The lever plate attached to the attachment port includes the base edge along the rotation axis of the lever plate, the tip edge opposite to the base edge, and the second outer surface between the base edge and the tip edge. The tip edge is situated inside the main housing rather than the attachment edge. The second outer surface includes the base surface extending from the base edge along the first outer surface and the inclined surface extending from the tip edge to the base surface. The attachment edge and the inclined surface define the suction port. A user may insert the finger into the suction port defined between the attachment edge and the inclined surface to easily remove the cover element from the ejection port, which results in more efficient replacement or maintenance of the removal device.
In the aforementioned configuration, it is preferred that the attachment edge includes a ridged edge protruding upward, and the ridged edge is positioned above the tip edge.
According to the aforementioned configuration, a user may place an object on the top wall, which forms the upper surface of the main housing. The ridged edge which protrudes upward is situated above the tip edge. If liquid drips on the top wall, it is likely that the ridged edge prevents the liquid from dropping into the main housing through the suction port.
It is preferred, in the aforementioned configuration, that the cover element includes a biasing element configured to bias the tip edge upward.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the biasing element biasing the tip edge upward is less likely to make the suction port excessively larger. Therefore it becomes less likely that noise inside the housing is transmitted to the user.
In the aforementioned configuration, it is preferred that the housing includes a partition wall configured to partially partition a space between the suction port and the external air inlet, and the partition wall projects upward from an upper surface of the housing.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the partition wall projects upward from the upper surface of the housing between the suction port and the external air inlet to partially partition the space. Therefore, it becomes likely that the partition wall prevents liquid dripping on the top wall from flowing into the housing through the external air inlet.
It is preferred, in the aforementioned configuration, that the housing includes a first housing wall in which the inlet and the external air inlet are formed, and a second housing wall in which the outlet is formed, and the second housing wall is attached and rotatable with respect to the first housing wall.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the housing includes the first housing wall on which the inlet and the external air inlet are formed, and the second housing wall in which the outlet is formed. The second housing wall is attached and pivotal with respect to the first housing wall, so that it becomes easier to remove lint inside the housing.
It is preferred, in the aforementioned configuration, that the valve includes a base attached to the housing and a hinge formed between the base and the plug, the plug brought into contact with the cam piece is turned upward around the hinge and displaced to the opening position, and the plug disconnected from the cam piece is turned downward around the hinge by its own weight and displaced to the closing position.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the valve includes the base attached to the housing and the hinge formed between the base and the plug. The plug brought into contact with the cam piece is turned upward around the hinge and displaced to the opening position. The plug disconnected from the cam piece is turned downward around the hinge by its own weight and displaced to the closing position. Thus, the external air inlet is opened/closed by the relatively simplified structure.
A removal device according to another aspect of the above-described embodiment, which removes lint from dry air for drying a laundry, has: a housing including an inlet into which the dry air is introduced and an outlet from which the dry air is discharged; a filter element attached to the outlet to remove the lint from the dry air; and an adjuster configured to adjust a flow direction of the dry air flowing from the inlet to the filter element, wherein the adjuster includes a rotating shaft configured to rotate in the housing, and an adjustment plate extending from the rotating shaft, the filter element includes a first area extending in an extension direction of the rotating shaft, and a second area extending along the first area, and the adjustment plate changes an amount of the dry air passing through the first area and an amount of the dry air passing through the second area in response to rotation of the rotating shaft.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the housing of the removal device is provided with the inlet, into which the dry air is introduced, and the outlet, from which the dry air is discharged. The filter element attached to the outlet removes the lint from the dry air. The adjuster adjusts the flow direction of the dry air flowing from the inlet toward the filter element. The adjuster includes the rotating shaft configured to rotate in the housing and the adjustment plate extending from the rotating shaft. The filter element includes the first area extending in the extension direction of the rotating shaft, and the second area extending along the first area. The adjustment plate changes the amounts of the dry air passing through the first and second areas in response to the rotation of the rotating shaft. Therefore, if a lot of lint is stacked on one of the first and second areas, the flow direction of the dry air is adjusted as appropriate, so that the dry air flows toward the other of the first and second areas. Accordingly, the amount of the dry air is kept at an appropriate level. Since the filter element may capture fine lint, it becomes less likely that fine lint gets out from the housing. Therefore, it becomes less likely that fine lint through the removal device worsens drying functions. Thus appropriate drying functions are maintained over a relatively long period of time.

Industrial Applicability

The methodologies of the present embodiment are preferably utilized for laundry dryers and washing and drying machines.

Claims

A laundry drying processor (100), comprising:
a drying tub (410) including an intake port (643) into which dry air for drying laundry (C) flows and an exhaust port (601) from which the dry air is exhausted;

a removal device (700) configured to remove lint from the dry air exhausted from the exhaust port (601);

a dehumidifying heater (630) configured to dehumidify and heat the dry air after lint removal by the removal device (700); and

an air supplier (621) configured to send the dry air subjected to dehumidification and heating by the dehumidifying heater (630), to the intake port (643),

wherein the removal device (700) includes a housing (710) having an inlet (712) into which the dry air exhausted from the exhaust port (601) is introduced and an outlet (713) from which the dry air is discharged to the dehumidifying heater (630), a filter element (720) attached to the outlet (713) to remove the lint from the dry air, and an adjuster (500) configured to adjust a flow direction of the dry air, which flows from the inlet (712) to the filter element (720),

the adjuster (500) includes a rotating shaft (740) configured to rotate in the housing (710), and an adjustment plate (765) extending from the rotating shaft (740),

the filter element (720) includes a first area (753) extending in an extension direction of the rotating shaft (740), and a second area (754) extending along the first area (753), and

the adjustment plate (765) changes an amount of the dry air passing through the first area (753) and an amount of the dry air passing through the second area (754) in response to rotation of the rotating shaft (740).
The laundry drying processor (100) according to claim 1, further comprising:
a main housing (200) configured to store the drying tub (410), the removal device (700), the dehumidifying heater (630) and the air supplier (621),

wherein the housing (710) is provided with an external air inlet (725) through which external air existing outside the main housing (200) is introduced,

the removal device (700) includes a valve (735) which includes a plug (732) configured to be displaced between a closing position where the plug (732) closes the external air inlet (725) and an opening position where the plug (732) opens the external air inlet (725), and a cam piece (745) connected to the rotating shaft (740), and

the cam piece (745) displaces the plug (732) between the closing position and the opening position in response to the rotation of the rotating shaft (740).
The laundry drying processor (100) according to claim 2, wherein
the housing (710) includes an inner wall surface (726) configured to define an internal space in which the dry air and the external air flow, and a partition plate (729) configured to partition the internal space into a first chamber (727) in which the dry air flows and a second chamber (728) in which the external air flows,
the outlet (713) includes a first outlet (748) from which the dry air in the first chamber (727) is discharged to the dehumidifying heater (630), and a second outlet (749) from which the external air in the second chamber (728) is discharged to the dehumidifying heater (630), and
the filter element (720) includes a first filter (751) which covers the first outlet (748) and a second filter (752) which covers the second outlet (749).
The laundry drying processor (100) according to claim 3, wherein
the dehumidifying heater (630) is adjacent to the removal device (700), and
the dry air passing through the first filter (751) and the external air passing through the second filter (752) are directly supplied to the dehumidifying heater (630).
The laundry drying processor (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein
the partition plate (729) includes an outer rim (746) connected to the inner wall surface (726), and an inner rim (747) defining an opening into which the rotating shaft (740) is inserted, and
the second chamber (728) is communicated with the first chamber (727) via the opening.
The laundry drying processor (100) according to claim 5, wherein
the rotating shaft (740) includes an annular projection (775) which includes a periphery along the inner rim (747), and
the annular projection (775) is adjacent to the opening.
The laundry drying processor (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein
the main housing (200) includes a top wall (250) which forms an upper surface of the main housing (200),
the top wall (250) has a suction port (830) communicated with the external air inlet (725), and
the removal device (700) is adjacent to the top wall (250).
The laundry drying processor (100) according to claim 7, wherein
the top wall (250) includes a cover element (800) with the suction port (830), and a main wall (252) with an ejection port (251) closed by the cover element (800),
the cover element (800) includes a connection portion (815) connected to the housing (710), and
if the cover element (800) is removed from the main wall (252), the removal device (700) connected to the cover element (800) is removed outside the main housing (200) via the ejection port (251).
The laundry drying processor (100) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein
the main housing (200) includes a front wall (210) with a feed port (215) through which the laundry (C) is fed into the drying tub (410), and
the suction port (830) is opened in an opposite direction to the front wall (210).
The laundry drying processor (100) according to claim 9, wherein
the cover element (800) includes a cover plate (810) which includes a complementary first outer surface (813) to the ejection port (251), and a pivotal lever plate (820) attached to the cover plate (810),
the cover plate (810) includes an attachment edge (812) configured to form a complementary attachment port (811) to the lever plate (820),
the lever plate (820) attached in the attachment port (811) includes a base edge (821) along a rotation axis of the lever plate (820), a tip edge (822) opposite to the base edge (821), and a second outer surface (823) between the base edge (821) and the tip edge (822),
the tip edge (822) is situated inside the main housing (200) rather than the attachment edge (812),
the second outer surface (823) includes a base surface (824) extending from the base edge (821) along the first outer surface (813), and an inclined surface (825) extending from the tip edge (822) to the base surface (824), and
the attachment edge (812) and the inclined surface (825) define the suction port (830).
The laundry drying processor (100) according to claim 10, wherein
the attachment edge (812) includes a ridged edge (814) protruding upward, and
the ridged edge (814) is positioned above the tip edge (822).
The laundry drying processor (100) according to claim 11, wherein
the cover element (800) includes a biasing element (840) configured to bias the tip edge (822) upward.
The laundry drying processor (100) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein
the housing (710) includes a partition wall (719) configured to partially partition a space between the suction port (830) and the external air inlet (725), and
the partition wall (719) projects upward from an upper surface of the housing (710).
The laundry drying processor (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein the housing (710) includes a first housing wall (715) in which the inlet (712) and the external air inlet (725) are formed, and a second housing wall (716) in which the outlet (713) is formed, and
the second housing wall (716) is attached and rotatable with respect to the first housing wall (715).
The laundry drying processor (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein the valve (735) includes a base (731) attached to the housing (710) and a hinge (733) formed between the base (731) and the plug (732),
the plug (732) brought into contact with the cam piece (745) is turned upward around the hinge (733) and displaced to the opening position, and
the plug (732) disconnected from the cam piece (745) is turned downward around the hinge (733) by its own weight and displaced to the closing position.
A removal device (700) for removing lint from dry air for drying laundry (C), comprising:
a housing (710) including an inlet (712) into which the dry air is introduced and an outlet (713) from which the dry air is discharged;

a filter element (720) attached to the outlet (713) to remove the lint from the dry air; and

an adjuster (500) configured to adjust a flow direction of the dry air flowing from the inlet (712) to the filter element (720),

wherein the adjuster (500) includes a rotating shaft (740) configured to rotate in the housing (720), and an adjustment plate (765) extending from the rotating shaft (740),

the filter element (720) includes a first area (753) extending in an extension direction of the rotating shaft (740), and a second area (754) extending along the first area (753), and

the adjustment plate (765) changes an amount of the dry air passing through the first area (753) and an amount of the dry air passing through the second area (754) in response to rotation of the rotating shaft (740).