JP2002233693A - Clothes dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clothes dryer to dry clothed by circulating hot air into the rotary drum rotated by a motor, which effectively utilizes circulation air of hot air to expand the service range. SOLUTION: A rotary drum 2 rotatably set in an outer frame 17 is pivotally supported by an almost doughnut shape drum front plate 3 in front. A heater 5 to be the heat source is housed in a heater cover 4 with an opening part communicating with a hot air blowing port 3a of the drum front plate 3. A double blade fan 6 with functions to exchange heat between circulating air and cooling air and to send air is housed in a fan case 9. The fan case 9 and the heater cover 4 are connected by a circulation duct 16. An exhaust port 18 to exhaust air to the outside of an outer frame 17 and a suction port 19 to suck air from the outside of the outer frame 17 are equipped on the circulation duct 16. The exhaust port 18 and the suction port 19 can be simultaneously opened/closed. A first valve 20 and a second valve 21 to close/open the circulation duct 16 synchronized with opening/closing the exhaust port 18 and the suction port 19 is equipped on the dryer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a clothes dryer for drying clothes by circulating hot air through a rotating drum driven by a motor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of clothes dryer has been configured as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, an outer frame 1 is provided with a rotatable drum 2 for accommodating and agitating clothes therein and rotatably disposed on the drum.
It is supported by. A hot air outlet 3a is provided in the drum front plate 3. The heater cover 4 houses a heater 5 serving as a heat source, and has an opening communicating with the hot air outlet 3 a of the drum front plate 3.

[0004] The two-wing fan 6 has a function of blowing heat while exchanging heat between the cooling air 7 and the circulating air 8, and is housed in a fan case 9. The circulation duct 10 connects the fan case 9 and the heater cover 4 and has a drain port 11. The motor 12 is connected to the rotating drum 2 via a drum belt 13 and a fan belt 14 formed of resin.
And the two-wing fan 6 is rotationally driven. The back plate 15 has a hole 15a through which the cooling air 7 is sucked.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. When the motor 12 is rotated, the drum belt 13 and the fan belt 1 are rotated.
4, the rotating drum 2 and the two-wing fan 6 rotate. When the two-blade fan 6 rotates, a cooling air 7 and a circulating air 8 are generated, and the circulating air 8 is
, Heated by the heater 5, introduced into the rotating drum 2, dried, and returned to the double-wing fan 6 again. On the other hand, the steam of the circulating wind 8 which has exchanged heat with the clothing and has become hot and humid becomes condensed water, and is discharged from the drain port 11 to the outside of the outer frame 1.

The configuration of the circulation duct 10 is substantially cylindrical so as to allow circulation air to flow from the circulation side fan case 9b to the heater cover 4.

[0007]

As described above, in the conventional structure, the circulation duct 10 introduces the circulation air 8 heated by the heater 5 into the rotating drum 2 by the rotation of the two-wing fan 6, and Therefore, the circulating air 8 which is hot air cannot be effectively used for purposes other than drying the clothes in the rotating drum 2, for example, it cannot be used for heating (heating) the undressing room in winter.

Further, in the conventional clothes dryer, shoes, mats, etc. are easily damaged by rotation of the drum and cannot be dried.

Further, in the conventional clothes dryer, it is necessary to iron a cotton shirt or the like which is easily wrinkled after drying.

Further, in the conventional clothes dryer, there is a problem that when a cotton shirt or the like which is easily wrinkled is left in the drum 2 after drying, wrinkles are further formed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to expand the range of use by effectively utilizing the circulating wind as hot air.

[0012]

According to the present invention, a rotary drum rotatably disposed in an outer frame is pivotally supported by a substantially donut-shaped drum front plate having a hot air outlet at the front. A heater serving as a heat source is housed in a heater cover having an opening communicating with the hot air outlet of the drum front plate,
A two-wing fan that exchanges heat between the circulating air and the cooling air and has a blowing function is housed in the fan case, and the fan case and the heater cover are connected by a circulation duct. And a valve that opens and closes the circulation duct in synchronism with the opening and closing of the exhaust port and the intake port.

[0013] With this, it is possible to heat the cold undressing room in winter, which is not good for the health of the elderly, and to dry the wet one by a simple operation by effectively utilizing the circulating wind as the hot air. The range of use can be expanded.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to a substantially donut having a rotating drum rotatably disposed in an outer frame, and a rotatably supported rotary drum at the front and having a hot air outlet. -Shaped drum front plate, a heater serving as a heat source, a heater cover containing the heater and having an opening communicating with a hot air outlet of the drum front plate, a heat exchange function of circulating air and cooling air, and a blowing function. A fan case accommodating the two-wing fan, and a circulation duct connecting the fan case and the heater cover, wherein the circulation duct has an exhaust port for exhausting outside the outer frame and an intake air for sucking air from outside the outer frame. The exhaust port and the intake port can be opened and closed at the same time, and a valve that closes and opens the circulation duct in synchronization with the opening and closing is provided. The circulation air introduced into the rotary drum from the state of the clothes in the rotary drum are dried,
By switching the valve, the circulating wind, which is hot air, can be discharged from the outer frame through the exhaust port provided in the circulating duct. This hot air can be used effectively and simple operation can improve the health of the elderly in winter. It can heat a cold undressing room and dry wet ones, expanding the range of use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a storage shelf is attached substantially below the outer frame, and an external duct for leading hot air from the exhaust port to the storage shelf is provided. By effectively using the hot air discharged outside the outer frame from the exhaust port provided in the circulation duct by switching the valve, it was not possible to dry with the conventional drum dryer,
For example, shoes, mats and the like can be easily dried.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a clothes-drying pipe having a plurality of hot air holes is provided substantially below the outer frame, and the clothes-drying pipe communicates with an exhaust port. By switching the valve, the hot air discharged outside the outer frame from the exhaust port provided in the circulation duct can be used effectively, and clothes that are easily wrinkled can be dried by hanging them well on a clothesline. In addition, the trouble of ironing can be saved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clothes storage box having a clothes hook on a side surface of the outer frame and having a suction section, and connecting the suction section and the exhaust port. By switching the valve, it is possible to effectively use the hot air discharged to the outside of the outer frame from the exhaust port provided in the circulation duct by switching the valve, and to place clothes that are easily wrinkled and dry it with less wrinkles And can be stored as it is.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

(Embodiment 1) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a circulation duct 16 is provided with a heater cover 4 for housing a heater 5.
And a fan case 9 for housing the two-wing fan 6. The circulation duct 16 is provided with an exhaust port 18 for exhausting outside the outer frame 17 and an intake port 19 for taking in air from outside the outer frame 17.

A first valve (valve) 20 and a second valve (valve) 21
Are integrally formed, supported by a rotating shaft 22 provided near the exhaust port 18 and the intake port 19 and rotatable in the direction of arrow A, so that the exhaust port 18 and the intake port 19 can be simultaneously opened and closed. , In synchronization with this opening and closing, the first valve 20
Thereby, the space between the circulation duct 16 and the heater cover is closed and opened. Other configurations are the same as the conventional example.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. When the exhaust port 18 is closed by the first valve 20 and the intake port 19 is closed by the second valve 21, the communication between the circulation duct 16 and the heater cover 4 is established by the first valve 20. Becomes

When the motor 12 is rotated in this state, the rotating drum 2 and the two-blade fan 6 rotate via the drum belt 13 and the fan belt 14 as in the conventional example, and the cooling air 7 and the circulating air 8 are generated. The circulating air 8 is heated by the heater 5 via the circulating duct 16 and is introduced into the rotating drum 2 to dry the clothes.

Next, when the first valve 20 and the second valve 21 are rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow A to the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the exhaust port 18 and the intake port 19 are connected. It can be opened at the same time, and at this time, the space between the circulation duct 16 and the heater cover 4 is closed by the first valve 20.

When the motor 12 is rotated in this state, the rotating drum 2 and the two-wing fan 6 rotate via the drum belt 13 and the fan belt 14. When the two-wing fan 6 rotates, the intake air 23 taken from outside the outer frame 17 and the outer frame 1
Exhaust air (hot air) 24 exhausting outside 7 is generated.

By effectively utilizing the exhaust air (hot air) 24,
Heating of a cold undressing room in winter, which is not good for the health of the elderly, can be performed by a simple operation, and the range of use can be expanded.

In this embodiment, the first valve (valve) 20
And the second valve (valve) 21 are integrally formed to open and close the circulation duct 16 and the heater cover 4 in synchronization with opening and closing of the exhaust port 18 and the intake port 19. Separately,
The same effect can be obtained even if the opening and closing are performed synchronously.

(Embodiment 2) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the storage shelf 25 is mounted substantially below the outer frame 17, and an external duct 26 for leading hot air from the exhaust port 18 to the storage shelf 25 is provided. . The storage shelf 25 is provided with an inlet 27 and an outlet 28, and hot air coming out of the outlet 18 is supplied to an external duct 26.
From the inlet 27 and is discharged from the outlet 28 to the outside. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. By switching the first valve 20 and the second valve 21 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the hot air discharged to the outside of the outer frame 17 from the exhaust port 18 provided in the circulation duct 16 is supplied to the external duct 26 and the inlet 27. Through the storage shelf 25. By storing items that cannot be dried in the rotating drum 2, such as shoes and mats, in the storage shelf 25, it is possible to dry the storage drum 25 with the hot air introduced into the storage shelf 25.

(Embodiment 3) As shown in FIG. 6, a clothes-drying pipe 29 is provided substantially below the outer frame 17 and a plurality of hot air holes 30 are provided.
Is provided. A duct 31 for drawing out hot air from the exhaust port 18 to the clothesline 29 is provided. The storage section 32 is to be folded and stored when the clothesline 29 is not used. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. By switching the first valve 20 and the second valve 21 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the hot air discharged to the outside of the outer frame 17 from the exhaust port 18 provided in the circulation duct 16 is dried through a duct 31 through a clothes-drying pipe. 29 and discharged from the hot air hole 30. By this hot air, the wrinkled cotton shirt 33 hung on the clothesline 29 can be dried without wrinkles, and ironing work can be omitted.

(Embodiment 4) As shown in FIG. 7, the clothes storage box 34 is provided on the side surface of the outer frame 19, provided with an intake section 35 and an exhaust section 36, It communicates with the part 35. The clothes storage box 34 is provided with a clothes hanger 38 so that clothes 39 hung on a hanger are hung. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. By switching the first valve 20 and the second valve 21 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the hot air discharged to the outside of the outer frame 17 from the exhaust port 18 provided in the circulation duct 16 is connected to the clothing via the connection duct 37. It is introduced into the storage box 34. With this hot air, the garment 39 hung on the hanger and hung on the garment hook 38 can be dried, and the wrinkle-prone clothes can be dried with less wrinkles and stored as they are.

[0033]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the rotary drum rotatably disposed in the outer frame, the rotary drum is axially supported at the front and the hot air outlet is provided. A drum cover having a substantially donut shape, a heater serving as a heat source, a heater cover accommodating the heater and having an opening communicating with a hot air outlet of the drum front plate, and performing heat exchange between circulating air and cooling air. A fan case for accommodating the two-wing fan, and a circulation duct connecting the fan case and the heater cover, wherein the circulation duct has an exhaust port for exhausting outside the outer frame, and an outer opening outside the outer frame. The exhaust port and the intake port can be opened and closed at the same time, and a valve that closes and opens the circulation duct in synchronization with this opening and closing is provided. It can be discharged outside the outer frame from the exhaust port provided in the ring duct, and by effectively utilizing this hot air, simple operations can be used to heat the cold undressing room in winter, which is not good for the health of the elderly, or to get wet Can dry things,
The range of use can be expanded.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the storage shelf is mounted substantially below the outer frame, and the external duct for drawing out the hot air from the exhaust port to the storage shelf is provided. By effectively utilizing the hot air discharged from the outer frame through the exhaust port provided in the duct, for example, shoes, mats, etc., which could not be dried by the conventional drum dryer, can be easily dried.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a clothes-drying pipe provided with a plurality of hot air holes is provided substantially below the outer frame, and the clothes-drying pipe is communicated with the exhaust port. By effectively using the hot air discharged outside the outer frame from the exhaust port provided in the circulation duct, clothes that are easily wrinkled can be dried by hanging them well on a clothesline, eliminating the need for ironing. it can.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the clothes storage box having the clothes hook on the side surface of the outer frame and having the suction section is provided, and the suction section and the exhaust port are communicated by the connection duct. By switching the valve, the hot air exhausted outside the outer frame from the exhaust port provided in the circulation duct can be used effectively, and the wrinkled clothing can be dried with less wrinkles and stored as it is Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a clothes dryer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clothes dryer.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the clothes dryer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a clothes dryer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the clothes dryer.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a clothes dryer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a clothes dryer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional clothes dryer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 rotating drum 3 drum front plate 3a hot air outlet 4 heater cover 5 heater 6 double wing fan 9 fan case 16 circulation duct 17 outer frame 18 exhaust port 19 intake port 20 first valve (valve) 21 second valve (valve)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A rotary drum rotatably disposed in an outer frame, a substantially donut-shaped drum front plate that axially supports the rotary drum in the front and has a hot air outlet, a heater serving as a heat source, A heater cover that houses a heater and has an opening communicating with a hot air outlet of the drum front plate, a two-wing fan that exchanges heat between circulating air and cooling air and has a blowing function, and a fan case that stores the two-wing fan. A circulation duct that connects the fan case and the heater cover.The circulation duct is provided with an exhaust port that exhausts outside the outer frame and an intake port that intakes air from outside the outer frame, and the exhaust port and the intake port can be simultaneously opened and closed. A clothes dryer equipped with a valve that opens and closes the circulation duct in synchronization with opening and closing. 2. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, further comprising a storage shelf mounted substantially below the outer frame, and an external duct for leading hot air from the exhaust port to the storage shelf. 3. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein a clothes-drying pipe having a plurality of hot air holes is provided substantially below the outer frame, and the clothes-drying pipe communicates with an exhaust port. 4. The clothes dryer according to claim 1, wherein a clothes storage box having a clothes hook and a suction section is provided on a side surface of the outer frame, and the suction section and the exhaust port are communicated with each other through a connection duct.