JP2006305084A - Warm air drier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a warm air drier quiet by preventing occurrence of a wind noise due to collision of sucked air with a light source in the warm air drier of a self cleaning type provided with a photocatalyst and the light source for irradiating the photocatalyst with exciting light. <P>SOLUTION: A mounting hole 89 is formed through the inside and outside of a fan case 36, and the light source 80 is mounted to the mounting hole 89. In this mounting state, the distal end face 86a of a light-emission part 86 of the light source 80 facing a fan blade 34b is made to be flush with the inner wall surface 36a of the fan case 36 surrounding the mounting hole 89. Thus, air sucked by a fan 34 is prevented from colliding with the light-emission part 86 of the light source 80 to generate turbulence, so that the warm air drier becomes quiet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot air dryer in which a blower unit and a heater are arranged in a ventilation path in a main body case having an air outlet and a suction port. The hot air dryer according to the present invention can be applied to a hand dryer for washing, a dryer for feet, a body dryer, a dryer for pets, etc. in addition to a hair dryer (including a blosser).

  In this invention, in order to decompose | disassemble organic substance or disinfect fungi, the format provided with the photocatalyst and the light source which excites a photocatalyst inside the main body of a warm air dryer is taken. Devices that perform sterilization using photocatalysis in this manner are known in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

  In Patent Document 1, a photocatalyst film is provided on the surface of a part facing the shaving chamber of a razor head for application of an electric razor to prevent oxidation and decay of fouling and sebum adhering to the surface of each part. Or sterilize various bacteria.

  In patent document 2, in the hand dryer for drying the hand after water washing, the photocatalyst layer is formed in the transparent case and the ventilation fan inside a case, respectively. The hand dryer does not have a built-in light source for exciting the photocatalyst, and an indoor lighting device in which the hand dryer is installed is used as a light source for excitation.

JP-A-11-216276 (paragraph number 0038, FIG. 1) JP 2001-361 (paragraph number 0020, FIG. 1)

  Allergens such as pollen, mite carcasses, fungi, germs, etc. in indoor air and microdust such as dust, dust, pet animal hair, and textile waste contained in the air can cause various allergic diseases. It is a problem. According to the electric devices of Patent Documents 1 and 2, since organic substances adhering to the components inside the device can be decomposed with a photocatalyst or germs can be sterilized, it is advantageous in preventing the onset of allergic diseases.

  However, in hot air dryers such as hair dryers, it is necessary to increase the blowing efficiency of the fan, and it is necessary to reduce the ventilation resistance of the suction port, for example, it is only covered with a punching metal grill, and is almost dustproof function Not equipped. For this reason, even if an oxidation catalyst is placed inside the dryer body, fiber dust, hair, or microdust contained in the suction air adheres to and accumulates on the blade of the blower fan, the air guide inner wall, or the rectifying blade. The surface of the oxidation catalyst itself is easily covered with the deposited layer, and the allergen is trapped in the deposited layer.

  In this way, when allergens and microdust are accumulated inside the ventilation path, the sterilization action by the oxidation catalyst and the decomposition action of the organic matter are remarkably reduced, and dusty air that comes in contact with the deposit and air with a decaying odor are generated. It is inevitable that it is sent as dry air. If the hot air dryer is used for a long period of time, as a result, allergens and microdust are repeatedly sprayed on the head and the like, which may even contribute to allergic diseases. To deal with this situation, the dryer body can be disassembled to remove the deposits, but it is difficult for the general user to disassemble and clean it, and it is difficult to reassemble it correctly. There is no reason to rely on it.

  As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a photocatalyst was provided on the surface of the fan of the hot air dryer, and it was examined that a light source for irradiating the photocatalyst with excitation light was assembled. According to this, the photocatalyst is excited by the excitation light from the light source, the organic matter is decomposed by the oxidation-reduction reaction, and the germs can be sterilized, so that the fan is kept clean and a hygienic clean dry air is generated. Can supply balloons.

  In the self-cleaning type hot air dryer provided with the photocatalyst and the light source for excitation as described above, the light source is disposed at a position close to and opposed to the fan, specifically, in the ventilation path. This is because the photocatalyst is irradiated with higher-energy excitation light to effectively exhibit the resolution of organic matter. However, when a light source is provided in the ventilation path, the wind sucked by the fan collides with the light source to generate turbulence, and noise derived from wind noise becomes a problem.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a self-cleaning type hot air dryer that includes a photocatalyst and a light source that emits excitation light to the photocatalyst and that can maintain the inside of the main body in a clean state by an oxidation-reduction reaction derived from the photocatalyst. is there. In addition, in the self-cleaning type hot air dryer, even when a light source is provided close to and opposed to the fan, it is difficult to generate wind noise caused by the suction air colliding with the light source. Therefore, it is to provide a hot air dryer rich in silence.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention is a hot air dryer in which a blower unit 3 and a heater 5 are arranged in a ventilation path R in a main body case 1 including an air outlet 27 and a suction port 26. As shown in FIG. 1, the blower unit 3 includes a fan 34 for blowing air, a motor 35 for driving the fan, and a fan case 36 that houses the fan 34 and the motor 35, and at least the surface of the fan blade 34 b of the fan 34. In addition, a photocatalyst C is provided. In addition, a light source 80 for irradiating excitation light toward the photocatalyst C is mounted in a mounting hole 89 provided in the fan case 36 so as to penetrate inside and outside. In this mounted state, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the front end surface 86 a of the light emitting portion 86 of the light source 80 facing the fan blade 34 b is substantially flush with the inner wall surface 36 a of the fan case 36 around the inner peripheral edge of the mounting hole 89. It is characterized in that it is set to be in a shape.

  The term “same surface shape” as used herein means that the tip surface 86a and the inner wall surface 36a are substantially free of steps, and the shape of the tip surface 86a is not limited. That is, the front end surface 86a of the light emitting unit 86 is not limited to a slightly recessed shape as in the illustrated example, and may be a flat surface or a slightly swollen shape. A configuration in which the tip surface 86a is slightly recessed in an R shape with the same radius of curvature as the inner wall surface 36a of the fan case 36 is optimal. Specific examples of the photocatalyst C include metal oxide particles such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tungsten oxide, and cerium oxide.

  In FIG. 1, the light source 80 is disposed so as to face and face the fan blade 34 b. As the fan 34, an axial flow type fan is used, and it is desirable to dispose a plurality of light sources 80 in a state of being displaced in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 85 of the fan 34.

  In that case, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of light sources 80 are arranged in the existence area of the fan blade 34 b along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 85.

  More specifically, a light source unit 81 in which a plurality of light sources 80 are mounted on a substrate 82 is prepared, and the light source unit 81 is attached to the fan case 36.

  In the light source unit 81 described above, the light source 80 includes a columnar light emitting portion 86 that irradiates excitation light from the tip thereof, and a flange portion 87 that projects from the proximal end side of the light emitting portion 86. The light emitting unit 86 is inserted and loaded, and the board 82 of the light source unit 81 is screwed and fixed to the outer surface of the fan case 36, whereby the flange portion 87 is received by the outer peripheral edge of the mounting hole 89 and inserted into the mounting hole 89. The limit is restricted, and the flange portion 87 is pressed against the outer surface of the fan case 36 by the substrate 82.

  When the air outlet 27 and the inlet 26 are provided before and after the main body case 1, the light source 80 can be provided on the left or right side of the fan case 36 as shown in FIG. That is, the main body case 1 is formed by connecting a pair of left and right half-divided split cases 1a and 1b in a butted manner, and the fan case 36 is fixed to either the left or right split case 1a or 1b.

  The main body case 1 can be joined to the split cases 1a and 1b in an integral manner by externally fitting and attaching the regulating ring 25 from the rear of the split cases 1a and 1b. Furthermore, the main body case 1 can be joined to the split cases 1a and 1b in an integral manner by externally fitting a cylindrical front case 23 from the front of the split cases 1a and 1b.

  In FIG. 3, the front case 23 can be formed of a transparent plastic material, and a decorative sheet 33 can be disposed on the inner surface of the front case 23.

  According to the present invention, the photocatalyst C is provided on at least the surface of the fan blade 34b of the fan 34, the photocatalyst C is excited by the light from the light source 80 assembled to the fan case 36, and the organic matter is decomposed by the oxidation-reduction reaction. Sterilize miscellaneous fungi. Therefore, the fan 34 can be maintained in a clean state, and a hygienic and clean dry air can be blown out. There is also an advantage that germs and the like contained in the dry wind can be directly sterilized by the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 80.

  When the light source 80 is assembled to the fan case 36, the mounting structure of the light source 80 can be simplified as compared with the case where a special mounting structure is provided in the main body case 1 or the like. This can eliminate the increase in machine assembly costs.

  If the fan blade 34b is provided with the photocatalyst C, it is only necessary to irradiate excitation light from the light source 80 toward the rotation locus of the fan blade 34b, and the photocatalyst C can be efficiently excited with a smaller number of light sources 80. The structure of the hot air dryer provided with C and the light source 80 can be simplified. Since the photocatalyst C is present on the surface of the fan blade 34b that has the highest chance of contact with air, the microdust and organic matter contained in the dry air are brought into contact with the photocatalyst C to efficiently sterilize and decompose them. The hair can be dried with a cleaner drying air.

  If the front end face 86a of the light emitting portion 86 of the light source 80 facing the fan blade 34b is set to be flush with the inner wall surface 36a of the fan case 36 around the inner periphery of the mounting hole 89, the suction wind collides with the light source 80. Thus, turbulent flow is not generated, and wind noise can be effectively suppressed. That is, despite the fact that the light source 80 is assembled to the fan case 36, there is no problem that wind noise occurs due to the air sucked by the fan 34 colliding with the light source 80, and the hot air dryer Can be effectively silenced.

  When the light source 80 is in close proximity to the fan blade 34b, more light energy can be supplied to the photocatalyst C on the fan blade 34b. Therefore, the resolution of the photocatalyst C with respect to the organic matter and the bactericidal ability against various germs can be effectively exhibited.

  When an axial flow type fan 34 is used and a plurality of light sources 80 are arranged in a misaligned state in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 85 of the fan 34, the excitation light from the light source 80 is different from the fan blade 34b. The part can be irradiated. Therefore, compared with the case where the excitation light is irradiated diffusively with a single light source, stronger light can be emitted toward the fan blade 34b, so that the resolution of the photocatalyst C with respect to organic substances and the bactericidal ability against various germs can be demonstrated well. Is done. If a plurality of light sources 80 are arranged in the existence area of the fan blade 34b along the axial direction of the rotary shaft 85, the fan blade 34b can be irradiated with excitation light evenly. And sterilizing ability is more efficiently exhibited without unevenness.

  According to the form in which a plurality of light sources 80 are mounted on the substrate 82 to form a unit, and the light source unit 81 is attached to the fan case 36, the light source 80 can be easily attached to the fan case 36. It is possible to improve the assembly workability of the dryer.

  In the light source unit 81 described above, when the light source 80 includes the light emitting portion 86 and the flange 87 on the base end side of the light source unit 81, and the substrate 82 is fixed to the outer surface of the fan case 36 with screws, the flange 87 is the substrate 82. If it is configured to be pressed against the outer surface of the fan case 36, the insertion depth of the light emitting portion 86 with respect to the mounting hole 89 of the fan case 36 is surely restricted, and the light source 80 is surely non-movable with respect to the fan case 36. Can be mounted and fixed. As a result, the front end surface 86a of the light emitting portion 86 of the light source 80 is flush with the inner peripheral edge of the mounting hole 89, and the light source 80 is not inadvertently moved, so that the generation of wind noise can be reliably prevented. The quietness of the hot air dryer can be improved.

  When the fan case 36 is fixed to the left or right divided case 1a or 1b, the entire weight of the blower unit 3 can be received and supported by only one of the divided cases 1a and 1b. According to this embodiment, the weight of the blower unit 3 is not applied to the opposing joint surfaces of the two split cases 1a and 1b and acts in the direction of separating the two 1a and 1b. Therefore, even when a drop impact or the like is applied to the hot air dryer, it is difficult to inadvertently separate both split cases 1a and 1b, which is advantageous in preventing damage to the hot air dryer.

  When the split cases 1a and 1b constituting the main body case 1 are externally fitted to each other by attaching the regulating ring 25 from behind, the split cases 1a and 1b are separated by a drop impact. Can be prevented well. Further, if the two split cases 1a and 1b are connected to each other by attaching a cylindrical front case 23 from the front of the split cases 1a and 1b, both split cases 1a and 1b 1b can be well prevented from falling apart.

  When the previous front case 23 is formed of a transparent plastic material and the decorative sheet 33 is disposed on the inner surface of the front case 23, the decorative sheet 33 can be seen from the outside through the front case 23, thereby increasing the depth. A colored state is obtained. By preparing the decorative sheet 33 with different colors and patterns as required, it is possible to easily provide a plurality of types of hair dryers with different design impressions (color tones) simply by changing the decorative sheet 33. .

  1 to 8 show an embodiment in which the hot air dryer according to the present invention is applied to a hair dryer. In FIG. 2, the hair dryer includes a cylindrical main body case 1 that is long in the front-rear direction and a grip portion 2 provided below the main body case 1.

  The inside of the main body case 1 is set to a ventilation path R along the front-rear direction. In the ventilation path R, in order from the rear side, a blower unit 3 that feeds dry air, a heater 5 that heats dry air sent from the blower unit 3, an ion generator 6 that feeds ions to the dry air, and the like Is equipped.

  The grip portion 2 is connected to the lower portion of the main body case 1 so as to be swingable around the shaft 7 between a use posture extending downward from the main body case 1 and a non-use posture following the lower surface of the main body case 1. ing. In the grip portion 2, a main switch 9 that combines power on / off and air volume control and a cool switch 10 for stopping the driving of the heater 5 and generating cool air are assembled. A switch knob 11 of the main switch 9 and a switch button 12 of the cool switch 10 are provided on the front surface of the grip portion 2 so as to be slidable up and down.

  Specifically, by sliding the switch knob 11 upward from the power-off position at the lower end, three types of hot air having different air volumes and heating temperatures, such as hair set, hair care, and dry, can be supplied. When the switch button 12 of the cool switch 10 is pushed in, the driving of the heater 5 is stopped and cold air can be fed. When the switch button 12 is slid to the upper locking position, the cool switch 10 is held in the ON state, and the supply of cold air can be continued.

  3, 4, and 7, a display panel 13 that is long in the front-rear direction is assembled on the upper surface of the main body case 1. The display panel 13 includes a first indicator lamp 15 for displaying the ion supply state in order from the front side, a slide knob 16 for switching the energization state of the ion generator 6, and a second indicator lamp 17 for clogging display. They are incorporated in order. In FIG. 4, on the inner surface of the display panel 13, a circuit board 22 on which an ion switch 19 switched by the slide knob 16 and LED chips 20 and 21 for the first and second indicator lamps 15 and 17 are mounted is arranged. ing.

  In FIG. 3, a main body case 1 serving as a wind conductor for dry air is formed by abutting and joining a pair of left and right halved split cases 1a and 1b. The two split cases 1a and 1b in the butted state are externally fitted with a cylindrical front case 23 from the front, and a circular ring-shaped regulating ring 25 is fitted from the rear of the split case 1a, 1b. Cases 1a and 1b are integrally and integrally coupled.

  In a state where the two split cases 1a and 1b are coupled, a suction port 26 is formed at the rear end of the main body case 1, and a blow-out port 27 is formed at the front end. A connecting frame 29 for the grip portion 2 is integrally formed on the lower surfaces of the left and right divided cases 1a and 1b. The blower outlet 27 is equipped with a press-molded front grill 30 and a nozzle 31 (see FIG. 2) that narrows the drying air flat.

  The front end of the main body case 1 is formed in a tapered shape having a tapered shape that gradually decreases in opening size toward the outlet 17 side. A fitting surface 32 is formed in a stepped shape on the outer surface of the front end of the main body case 1 so as to allow the front case 23 to be fitted to the outside so as to be thin. This fitting surface 32 is set so that the front and rear width dimension is small and the front and rear width dimension increases as it goes downward. The front case 23 is a tapered cylindrical body made of a transparent plastic material that is formed in a tapered shape toward the air outlet 27 as in the case of the main body case 1. The outer shape of the front case 23 is the same as that of the previous fitting surface 32, and when the front case 23 is fitted and attached to the fitting surface 32, the outer surface of the main body case 1 and the outer surface of the front case 23 are almost the same. Continues flush.

  As described above, the front end of the main body case 1 has an inner / outer double cylinder structure with the fitting surface 32 and the front case 23. By utilizing this, a decorative sheet 33 is interposed between the cases 1 and 23 to improve the decorativeness of the appearance.

  The decorative sheet 33 is made of a colored sheet material made of a flexible synthetic resin cut so as to coincide with the developed shape of the fitting surface 32, and is wound around the fitting surface 32 prior to the external fitting of the front case 23. To do. Thus, by viewing the decorative sheet 33 from the outside through the transparent front case 23, a deep colored state can be obtained. By preparing the decorative sheets 33 having different colors and patterns, a plurality of types of hair dryers with different design impressions can be easily commercialized.

  1 and 4, the blower unit 3 includes an axial flow type fan 34, a motor 35 that rotationally drives the fan 34, and a cylindrical fan case 36 that accommodates both 34 and 35. As shown in FIG. 4, a motor holder 37 is integrally molded with plastic at the center of the short cylindrical fan case 36, and some (seven) are formed between the motor holder 37 and the cylindrical peripheral wall of the fan case 36. ) Is formed integrally in a state of connecting both 37 and 36.

  In FIG. 6, fastening bosses 39 and 39 are formed so as to project from the outer peripheral surface of the fan case 36, in the illustrated example, vertically. Screw bosses 40 and 40 corresponding to the fastening bosses 39 are integrally formed so as to protrude at two locations on the upper and lower sides of the one (right) split case 1b. After the fastening boss 39 on the fan case 36 side is aligned with the screw boss 40, and the screw 40a is screwed from the outer surface side of the fastening boss 39, the blower unit 3 is mounted and fixed to one divided case 1b.

  In this way, when the blower unit 3 is mounted on one of the left and right split cases 1b and the total weight of the blower unit 3 is received only by the split case 1b, the weight of the blower unit 3 is equal to the two split cases 1a. -It adds to the opposing joint surface of 1b, does not act in the direction which isolate | separates both 1a and 1b, and can prevent that the main body case 1 isolate | separates carelessly. As will be described later, this is particularly useful when the heating unit, the ion generator 6, the light source unit 81, and the like are assembled to the blower unit 3 and the unit 3 is a heavy object.

  3 and 4, the blower unit 3 is incorporated in the main body case 1 in a state of being integrated with heating means including the heater 5. The heating means includes a heat sink cylinder 41 having a constricted cylindrical shape, an insulating frame 42 assembled radially inside the heat shield cylinder 41, and a heater 5 wound spirally around the insulating frame 42. The rear end of the heat shield cylinder 41 is connected to the fan case 36, and the front end of the heat shield cylinder 41 is sandwiched and fixed by a peripheral wall near the air outlet 27 of the main body case 1.

  The center of the front portion of each insulating frame 42 is cut out in a U-shape, and the ion generator 6 is arranged in the cut-out portion. In FIG. 4, the ion generator 6 includes a cylindrical heat insulating case 43 made of heat resistant plastic, a discharge current regulator 45 housed in the heat insulating case 43 and made into unit parts, and two discharge units 46. .

  In FIG. 8, the discharge portion 46 includes a pair of left and right needle-like discharge electrodes 49, 49 fixed to a conical cup-shaped electrode holder 47, a ring-shaped counter electrode 50 surrounding each discharge electrode 49, and both electrodes 49, And a dielectric cylinder 51 that insulates 50 from each other. The two discharge parts 46 are arranged in a state adjacent to the left and right, and a plastic protective frame 51 is arranged in front of these discharge parts 46. As shown in FIG. 5, the protective frame 51 is engaged and fixed to the front grill 30, and has ion discharge passages 52 corresponding to the left and right discharge portions 46. Reference numeral 53 denotes a plate-like body for protecting the discharge electrode 49 provided inside the passage 52.

  The discharge current adjuster 45 is formed by enclosing circuit components such as a rectifier circuit and a pulse generation circuit, a transformer, and the like in a resin mold, and is inserted into and fixed to a hollow portion of the insulating frame 42 together with the heat insulating case 43. The The transformer applies a high voltage of −4 KV to the discharge part. The ion generator 6 generates negative ions when the ion switch 19 is turned on in a state where the main switch 9 is turned on. At this time, the first indicator lamp 15 of the display panel 13 is turned on.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a cup-shaped filtration frame 55, a filter 56, and a suction grille 57 that covers the outer surface of the filter 56 are mounted on the opening outer surface of the suction port 26 of the main body case 1.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the filtration frame 55 is a cup-shaped plastic molded product, and the entire outer peripheral surface thereof is formed of a lattice frame 59 having a cylindrical structure that allows ventilation. In FIG. 1, a first step portion 60 that receives the suction grille 57 and a second step portion 61 that receives the filter 56 are formed in a multistage shape at the opening portion on the front end side of the filtration frame 55.

  As shown in FIG. 9, fastening bosses 62 are integrally provided at four locations on the inner surface of the first step portion 60. A positioning wall 61a is formed in a circular shape on the inner surface of the second step portion 61, and a mounting groove 61b for receiving the opening edge of the filter 56 is formed in a circular shape on the outer surface thereof. The positioning wall 61a is externally fitted to a flange wall 36a formed to protrude from the rear end opening of the fan case 36 so that the central axes of the filtration frame 55 and the fan case 36 coincide with each other.

  The filtration frame 55 is fastened together with the restriction ring 25 to the main body case 1. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 3, fastening bosses 62 and 63 are integrally provided at the first step portion 60 and the four inner surfaces of the regulating ring 25, respectively. On the other hand, screw bosses 65 are integrally provided at four locations on the inner surface of the rear opening of the main body case 1. A groove 25 a that fits and engages with the main body case 1 is provided at the front edge of the restriction ring 25.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the fastening boss 63 of the restriction ring 25 and the fastening boss 62 of the filtration frame 55 are externally fitted to the screw boss 65 in the order of description, and the screw 66 is fastened from the outer surface side of the first step portion 60. Both the bosses 62 and 63 are fixed by screwing into the 62 and 63, and the restriction ring 25 and the filtration frame 55 can be integrated with the main body case 1. The left and right divided cases 1a and 1b constituting the main body case 1 are each provided with two screw bosses 65, and the cylindrical filter frame 55 is fastened and fixed to the screw bosses 65, thereby dividing the case. 1a and 1b are combined so as not to separate.

  In FIG. 5, the filter 56 includes a filter frame 67 made of a plastic molded product and a filtration element 69 disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the filter frame 67. The filter frame 67 is formed in a round shape by connecting a ring frame 70 at the front end and a circular inner inner wall 71 at the rear end by eight ribs 72 facing in the front-rear direction. The filter paper element 69 is formed using a nonwoven fabric or filter paper as a raw material, and is fixed on the outer peripheral surface of the filter frame 67.

  When the filter element 69 of the filter 56 is clogged with long-term use, the amount of air sucked is reduced by the amount clogged. As a result, the temperature of the air heated by the heater 5 rises, and this temperature rise is detected by the bimetal 68, and the LED chip 21 of the second indicator lamp 17 blinks in red (see FIG. 8). This alerts the user that the filter 56 needs to be cleaned or replaced.

  In FIG. 5, the suction grille 57 is made of a round plastic-shaped molded product, and integrally includes a parabolic rib 73 continuous in the front-rear direction and a ring frame 75 that connects the ribs 73. 1 and 4, the suction grille 57 is mounted in a state of being fitted into the suction port 26 of the main body case 1, and is detachably attached to the filtration frame 55 by a grill lock mechanism provided on the mounting seat 76 at the rear end. Can be installed.

  The grill lock mechanism has a lock knob 77 assembled from the rear surface side in the center of the mounting seat 76 and a lock body 79 fastened and fixed to the lock knob 77 from the inner surface side of the suction grill 57. By rotating the lock knob 77, the engagement state of the lock body 79 with respect to the filtration frame 55 is released, and the suction grille 57 and the filter 56 can be removed.

  In the hair dryer having such a structure, in the present invention, the photocatalyst C is formed in a thin film on the entire surface of the fan 34, that is, the fan boss 34a and the fan blade 34b so as to cover all of these surfaces (see FIG. 1). Specifically, a fine silver powder is supported on titanium dioxide, and the fine powder is mixed in a dissolved resin to form a processing stock solution. After the fan 34 is immersed in the processing stock solution, the dissolved resin is solidified. As a result, the photocatalyst C was formed in a thin film on the entire surface of the fan 34. However, the fan 34 may be formed using a resin mixed with the photocatalyst C (titanium oxide fine powder).

  As shown in FIG. 1, a light source 80 for exciting the photocatalyst C is disposed on the wall of the fan case 36 that is close to and faces the rotation peripheral surface of the fan 34. Here, a pair of light source units 81 and 81 having two light sources 80 and 80 are mounted on the left and right outer surfaces of the fan case 36, respectively, so that the excitation light is irradiated to the fan 34 from the left and right directions.

  Each light source unit 81 includes a square plate-like substrate 82 and two light sources 80 and 80 arranged on the front and back of the inner surface side of the substrate 82. In each light source unit 81, the two light sources 80 and 80 are arranged in the axial direction (front-rear direction) of the rotation shaft 85 of the fan 34.

  Each light source 80 is an ultraviolet light emitting LED including a columnar light emitting portion 86 that emits ultraviolet light from one end and a collar portion 87 formed on the base end side of the light emitting portion 86. Corresponding to the light source 80, a mounting hole 89 is provided in the fan case 36 so as to penetrate inside and outside. When the ultraviolet light is irradiated from the light emitting portion 86 of each light source 80 toward the fan blade 34b and the fan boss 34a, irradiation is performed. The photocatalyst C provided in the range is excited. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the excitation light emitted from the two light sources 80 and 80 in the region where the fan blade 34b is located along the axial direction of the fan rotation shaft 85 is different from the front half and the latter half of the fan blade 34b. It was made to irradiate evenly to the part.

  Each light source unit 81 is mounted on the outer surface of the fan case 36 with the two light sources 80 and 80 pointing inward. Specifically, each light source unit 81 is configured such that the light emitting portions 86 are fitted into the front and rear mounting holes 89 provided on the left and right side surfaces of the fan case 36 from the outside, and the substrate 82 is attached to the fan case 36. Attach and fix by screwing to the outside.

  At this time, the flange 87 is received on the outer surface of the fan case 36 around the outer peripheral edge of the mounting hole 89, thereby restricting the insertion limit of the light emitting unit 86 to the mounting hole 89. In addition, since the collar portion 87 is firmly pressed against the outer surface of the fan case 36 by the substrate 82, each light source 80 can be securely mounted and fixed to the fan case 36 so as not to swing. 1 and 6, reference numeral 90 is a screw for mounting and fixing the light source unit 81, reference numeral 91 is a screw hole formed in a recessed shape on the outer surface of the fan case 36, and reference numeral 92 is a screw provided on the substrate 82. A through hole for use is shown.

  The photocatalyst C that has received the excitation light from the light source 80 decomposes organic substances and sterilizes miscellaneous fungi by a redox reaction generated on the surface thereof. As a result, it is possible to prevent microdust or the like from adhering to the surface of the fan 34, and to keep the fan 34 clean for a long time.

  In addition, micro organic substances and germs floating in the dry air can be directly sterilized by ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 80. When the photocatalyst C is excited, a radical OH group is generated from the surface and sprayed onto the scalp, so that the scalp can be sterilized with the radical OH group. The silver supported on the titanium dioxide sterilizes organic substances adhering to the surface of the fan 34 when not in use.

  At that time, if the photocatalyst C is provided on the surface of the fan blade 34b having the highest contact opportunity with air as described above, the microdust or organic matter contained in the dry air is efficiently brought into contact with the photocatalyst C. Can be sterilized and decomposed effectively, and hair can be dried with a cleaner drying air.

  When the light source 80 is attached to the fan case 36 containing the fan 34, it is easy to irradiate excitation light from a position close to and opposed to the fan 34, and more photocatalyst C on the fan blade 34b can be irradiated. Light energy can be supplied. Therefore, the resolution of the photocatalyst C with respect to organic substances and the bactericidal ability against various germs are effectively exhibited. Compared to the case where a special mounting structure is provided in the main body case 1 or the like, the mounting structure of the light source 80 can be simplified, so that the number of parts can be increased and the assembly cost of the hair dryer can be eliminated. Yes.

  When the light source 80 is unitized as the light source unit 81, the light source 80 can be easily attached to the fan case 36 simply by fitting the light emitting portion 86 of the light source 80 into the mounting hole 89 and fastening the screw 90. be able to.

  When the two light sources 80 provided in each light source unit 81 are arranged in a misaligned state in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 85 of the fan 34, the excitation light emitted from each light source 80 is the front half of the fan blade 34b. Therefore, it is possible to irradiate the fan blade 34b with stronger light as compared with the case where the excitation light is radiated diffusely with a single light source. As a result, the resolution of the photocatalyst C with respect to the organic matter and the bactericidal ability against various germs are exhibited well.

  In the state where the light source unit 81 is mounted and fixed as described above, the tip surface 86a of the light emitting portion 86 of the light source 80 is stepped from the inner wall surface 36a of the fan case 36 around the inner peripheral edge of the mounting hole 89, as shown in FIG. It should be noted that it is set so as to be flush with the surface.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the thickness dimension of the fan case 36 around the inner peripheral edge of the mounting hole 89 and the protruding height dimension of the light emitting portion 86 are set to be the same, and the light emitting portion A central portion of the front end surface 86a of 86 is slightly recessed in an R shape with the same radius of curvature as that of the inner wall surface 36a of the fan case 36. As described above, when the light emitting portion 86 of the light source 80 is flush with the inner wall surface of the fan case 36 around the inner periphery of the mounting hole 89, the flow of air in the fan case 36 is smooth and turbulent. There is no flow, and the noise of wind noise is kept low, and the hair dryer can be effectively silenced.

  The visible light emitting LED 83 is turned on in synchronization with the light source 80, and is assembled on the substrate 82 of the light source unit 81 mounted on the right side surface of the fan case 36. As shown in FIG. 3, a concave portion 96 having a stepped receiving surface 95 is formed on the right side surface of the main body case 1 facing the LED 83, and a display panel 97 is fitted and attached to the concave portion 96. The display panel 97 is formed as a lens made of a transparent plastic material, collects the illumination light from the LED 83, and radiates it outside the main body case 1. Reference numeral 99 denotes a through hole provided in the receiving surface 95, and the LED 83 irradiates light toward the display panel 97 through the through hole 99.

  When ultraviolet light, which is excitation light emitted from the light source 80, is radiated to the outside of the main body case 1, the ultraviolet light may act on the human skin, which is a safety problem. In this regard, as in the present embodiment, a normal LED 83 for irradiation with visible light that is turned on in synchronization with the light source 80 is provided, and the LED 83 is turned on, so that the light source 80 is indirectly in the irradiation state (driving state). If the user is made to recognize that there is no such a safety problem as described above.

  The light source 80 of the present invention is not limited to the ultraviolet light emitting LED in the illustrated example, and for example, a fluorescent tube-shaped small black light bent in a ring shape may be applied as the light source 80.

It is a cross-sectional top view of the principal part of the warm air dryer which concerns on this invention. It is a side view of a warm air dryer. It is a disassembled perspective view of a warm air dryer. It is a vertical side view of a warm air dryer. It is a disassembled perspective view of a filter structure. It is a vertical front view of a warm air dryer. It is a top view of a warm air dryer. It is a conceptual diagram of the electrical equipment which comprises a warm air dryer. It is sectional drawing which shows the attachment structure of a filtration frame.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body case 1a, 1b Division | segmentation case 3 which comprises a main body case 3 Blower unit 5 Heater 23 Front case 25 Control ring 26 Suction inlet 27 Outlet 33 Decoration sheet 34 Fan 34a Fan blade 35 Motor 36 Fan case 36a Inner wall surface 80 of a fan case Light source 81 Light source unit 82 Substrate 85 Fan rotation shaft 86 Light source light emitting part 86a Light source light emitting part front end face 87 Hut 89 Mounting hole C Photocatalyst R Ventilation path

Claims (10)

A hot air dryer in which a blower unit (3) and a heater (5) are arranged in a ventilation path (R) in a main body case (1) having a blower outlet (27) and a suction port (26). And
The blower unit (3) includes a fan (34) for blowing air, a motor (35) for driving the fan, and a fan case (36) that houses the fan (34) and the motor (35),
A photocatalyst (C) is provided on at least the surface of the fan blade (34b) of the fan (34),
A light source (80) for irradiating excitation light toward the photocatalyst (C) is mounted in a mounting hole (89) provided in the fan case (36) so as to penetrate inside and outside,
The tip surface (86a) of the light emitting part (86) of the light source (80) facing the fan blade (34b) is flush with the inner wall surface (36a) of the fan case (36) around the inner periphery of the mounting hole (89). The hot air dryer is characterized by being set to.   The hot air dryer according to claim 1, wherein the light source (80) is in close proximity to the fan blade (34b). The fan (34) is an axial flow type fan,
The hot air dryer according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of light sources (80) are arranged in a misaligned state in the axial direction of the rotation shaft (85) of the fan (34).   The hot air dryer according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of light sources (80) are arranged in a region where the fan blade (34b) exists along the axial direction of the rotating shaft (85).   The hot air dryer according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a light source unit (81) having a plurality of light sources (80) mounted on a substrate (82) is mounted on a fan case (36). The light source (80) includes a columnar light emitting portion (86) that irradiates excitation light from the tip thereof, and a collar portion (87) that is formed to project from the base end side of the light emitting portion (86),
The light emitting unit (86) is inserted and loaded into the mounting hole (89), and the board (82) of the light source unit (81) is screwed and fixed to the outer surface of the fan case (36). Is received by the outer peripheral edge of the mounting hole (89) to restrict the limit of insertion of the light emitting part (86) into the mounting hole (89), and the flange (87) of the fan case (36) is supported by the substrate (82). The hot air dryer according to claim 5, which is pressed against the outer surface. The main body case (1) is formed by joining a pair of left and right split case (1a, 1b) in a butted manner,
The hot air dryer according to claim 1, wherein the fan case (36) is fixed to the left or right divided case (1a, 1b).   The hot air dryer according to claim 7, wherein the two split cases (1a, 1b) are joined together in a non-separable manner by a regulating ring (25) fitted and fitted from the rear side.   The hot air dryer according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the two split cases (1a, 1b) are joined together in a non-separable manner by a cylindrical front case (23) externally fitted from the front.   The hot air dryer according to claim 9, wherein the front case (23) is formed of a transparent plastic material, and a decorative sheet (33) is disposed on the inner surface of the front case (23).

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