TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a clothes dryer for drying clothes.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A conventional clothes dryer is provided with a yarn waste catcher called lint filter.
The lint filter catches lint generated from clothes (for example, see PTL 1 and PTL
2).
[0003] The conventional clothes dryer includes at least a drying drum provided with a loading
port through which clothes are loaded, and a door. The drying drum has a bottomed
cylindrical shape having the loading port on a front surface side, and a bottom portion
on a rear surface side. The drying drum rotates around a rotation axis defined horizontally.
The door is opened when a user loads clothes into the drying drum or removes clothes
from the drying drum.
[0004] An air supply fan is provided on the rear surface side of the drying drum. Drying
air is supplied from the rear surface side of the drying drum to the front surface
side thereof by rotation of the air supply fan. The drying air supplied into the drying
drum passes through the door and flows through a circulating path formed below the
drying drum, and again reaches the air supply fan. Clothes are dried by utilizing
circulation of drying air in this manner.
[0005] In this case, the circulating drying air contains lint generated from clothes. The
lint generated from clothes reaches the air supply fan or a heater, and causes problems
in some cases. For avoiding these problems, a lint filter is provided on the door
to catch the lint.
[0006] When cleaning the lint filter, the user opens the door, and detaches the lint filter
from the door. Then, the user discards foreign matters such as lint caught by the
lint filter.
[0007] However, in the conventional clothes dryer, the lint filter is detachably attached
to the door. In this case, if the lint filter is not securely accommodated within
the door, a gap produced between the lint filter and the door may cause leakage of
circulating drying air from the circulating path. When this leakage occurs, a supply
amount of the drying air circulating within the circulating path decreases, and deteriorates
clothes drying performance within the drying drum. In addition, lint which has not
been caught by the lint filter and has passed therethrough may reach a heat exchanger
in the circulating path, and accumulate on the heat exchanger. As a result, heat exchange
efficiency of the heat exchanger lowers, and the drying performance further deteriorates.
Citation list
Patent Literatures
[0009] WO 2005/121437 A1 relates to a lint filter assembly of laundry dryer. A lint filter assembly for a
laundry dryer is provided. In the lint filter assembly, a door is provided, a lint
filter has a filter housing installed at the rear of the door and a filter main body
inserted into the filter housing, and at least one securing member is provided to
secure the filter main body to the filter housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved and useful clothes
dryer in which the above-mentioned problems are eliminated. In order to achieve the
above-mentioned object, there is provided a clothes dryer according to claim 1. Advantageous
embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.
[0011] According to the invention, a clothes dryer includes a drying chamber that accommodates
clothes, a loading port through which clothes are loaded into and removed from the
drying chamber, a door that closes the loading port, and a lint filter that is detachably
attached to the door. The door includes an accommodating unit that is disposed opposed
to the loading port and that accommodates the lint filter. The lint filter includes
a filter unit that catches lint, and a frame that holds the filter unit. The door
closes the loading port in a state where an upper end of the accommodating unit of
the door and an upper end of the frame of the lint filter are substantially in alignment
with each other.
[0012] According to this structure, when the user closes the loading port by the door, a
user cannot close the door if the lint filter is not securely accommodated in the
accommodating unit. This structure makes the user realize that a gap is produced between
the lint filter and the door, and urges the user to more securely accommodate the
lint filter into the accommodating unit of the door. Accordingly, this structure provides
a clothes dryer capable of preventing deterioration of drying performance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a clothes dryer according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the clothes dryer according to the exemplary
embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the clothes dryer according to the exemplary
embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a view schematically illustrating a heat pump device of the clothes dryer
according to the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a door of the clothes dryer according to the
exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the door of the clothes dryer according to the
exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 7A is a side view of the door of the clothes dryer according to the exemplary
embodiment.
FIG. 7B is a rear view of the door of the clothes dryer according to the exemplary
embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7B.
FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional side view illustrating a part of the door of the clothes
dryer according to the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional side view illustrating a part of the door of the clothes
dryer according to the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 9C is an enlarged view of portion C shown in FIG. 9A.
FIG. 10A is a perspective view illustrating an upper part of the door of the clothes
dryer according to the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 10B is a perspective view illustrating the upper part of the door of the clothes
dryer according to the exemplary embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT
[0014] A clothes dryer according an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is hereinafter
described with reference to the drawings. The following description is merely a specific
example of the present invention, and therefore does not intend to limit the scope
of the present invention.
EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0015] A structure of a clothes dryer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention is hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a front view of the clothes dryer according to the exemplary embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the clothes dryer
according to the exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the clothes
dryer according to the exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 is a view schematically illustrating
a heat pump device of the clothes dryer according to the exemplary embodiment.
[0017] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, clothes dryer 100 according to this exemplary embodiment
includes housing 110, and provides a drying function for drying clothes within housing
110 by utilizing circulation of drying air.
[0018] Housing 110 includes front wall 111, rear wall 112 on a side opposite to front wall
111, left wall 113 standing between front wall 111 and rear wall 112, right wall 114
on a side opposite to left wall 113, and top wall 115 closing an area surrounded by
upper edges of these walls 111 to 114. Loading port 116 is formed in front wall 111
of housing 110. Loading port 116 is a port through which a user loads clothes into
housing 110.
[0019] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, clothes dryer 100 includes door 120 attached to
front wall 111. Door 120 has opening handle 123. Door 120 rotationally shifts between
an opened position and a closed position on body coupling hinge 125 (see FIG. 7B).
Door 120 shown in FIG. 1 is in the closed position.
[0020] A clothes drying operation performed by the clothes dryer according to this exemplary
embodiment is hereinafter described briefly.
[0021] First, the user shifts door 120 to the opened position by pulling opening handle
123 provided on door 120 to the front to open loading port 116. Then, the user loads
clothes into housing 110 through loading port 116. Thereafter, the user shifts door
120 to the closed position to close loading port 116. At this time, door 120 is fixed
to the closed position by door lock lever 124 (see FIG. 7B).
[0022] When controller 200 shown in FIG. 2 detects the closure of door lock lever 124 to
a body side of clothes dryer 100, controller 200 brings clothes dryer 100 into a state
for starting clothes drying. Then, clothes drying is started to dry the clothes loaded
into rotary drum 320 constituting a drying chamber.
[0023] Clothes drying is performed by the foregoing operation.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1, clothes dryer 100 according to this exemplary embodiment
further includes operation panel 201. Operation panel 201 is equipped as a part of
front wall 111 of housing 110. The user is allowed to set various types of operation
courses by operating operation panel 201.
[0025] Clothes dryer 100 performs drying operation based on course information output from
operation panel 201. At this time, the user shifts door 120 to the opened position
in advance, and loads clothes into rotary drum 320 through loading port 116. Thereafter,
the user shifts door 120 to the closed position to start the clothes drying operation.
[0026] Rotary drum 320 constituting the drying chamber has a bottomed cylindrical shape.
Rotary drum 320 is disposed such that an axial center of the rotation axis of rotary
drum 320 is horizontal, and that loading port 116 is located on the front surface
side.
[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, double-shaft drive motor 310 is provided on a bottom
surface of clothes dryer 100. Drum drive pulley 311 for rotating rotary drum 320 is
provided on front rotary drive shaft 310a of double-shaft drive motor 310. Drum drive
belt 312 fitted to drum drive pulley 311 is attached to an outer circumference of
rotary drum 320. On the other hand, fan drive pulley 313 for rotating air supply fan
331 is provided on rear rotary drive shaft 310b of double-shaft drive motor 310. A
driving force of double-shaft drive motor 310 is transmitted to air supply fan 331
via fan drive belt 314 fitted to fan drive pulley 313.
[0028] In this case, air supply fan 331 disposed on a downstream side of heat pump device
420 sucks drying air supplied from upstream air-supply path 480. Then, air supply
fan 331 delivers drying air to downstream air-supply path 332 of fan case 330.
[0029] With rotation of double-shaft drive motor 310, the clothes loaded into rotary drum
320 is repeatedly agitated, in which the clothes are raised in a rotation direction,
and dropped from an appropriate position. At this time, drying air is supplied from
circulating duct 430 into rotary drum 320 in accordance with rotation of air supply
fan 331.
[0030] The drying air is then introduced into rotary drum 320 where the clothes are agitated
as described above, and the drying air is caused to efficiently collide with the clothes.
As a result, the clothes are dried in an appropriate manner.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 2, circulating duct 430 for circulating drying air provided
in clothes dryer 100 according to this exemplary embodiment includes lint filter 510,
filter 482, heat pump device 420, and fan case 330 accommodating the air supply fan.
Fan case 330 is coupled with rear plate 117 provided between rotary drum 320 and rear
wall 112 of housing 110. Lint filter 510 accommodated in an accommodating unit of
door 120 catches lint. Filter 482 disposed in a lower part of clothes dryer 100 and
on the upstream side of heat pump device 420 catches foreign matters having passed
through lint filter 510. Circulating duct 430 further includes upstream air-supply
path 480 disposed between lint filter 510 and filter 482.
[0032] Clothes dryer 100 according to this exemplary embodiment includes heat pump device
420 illustrated in FIG. 4. Heat pump device 420 exchanges heat with drying air having
passed through rotary drum 320 within circulating duct 430. Heat pump device 420 is
disposed on a flow path of drying air flowing from rotary drum 320 to air supply fan
331. Heat pump device 420 exchanges heat with air flowing toward air supply fan 331,
and produces high-temperature and dry air to supply the air to rotary drum 320.
[0033] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, heat pump device 420 includes dehumidifier 421
for dehumidifying air, and heater 422 for heating air. Both dehumidifier 421 and heater
422 are provided within circulating duct 430. While drying air passes through dehumidifier
421 of heat pump device 420 after passing through lint filter 510, dehumidifier 421
dehumidifies the drying air and lowers a humidity of the drying air. Then, the dehumidified
drying air passes through heater 422 to be heated. In other words, heat pump device
420 exchanges heat with moist drying air having passed through rotary drum 320 to
produce high-temperature and low-humidity drying air used for drying clothes.
[0034] The structure of the heat pump device in the clothes dryer according to this exemplary
embodiment is hereinafter described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 4, heat pump device 420 includes at least compressor 423,
expansion valve 424, first circulating tube 425, and second circulating tube 426.
Compressor 423 compresses working medium (for example, refrigerant). Expansion valve
424 reduces pressure of the working medium. First circulating tube 425 guides the
working medium flowing from expansion valve 424 to compressor 423. Second circulating
tube 426 guides the working medium flowing from compressor 423 to expansion valve
424. First circulating tube 425 and second circulating tube 426 form a closed loop
passing through compressor 423 and expansion valve 424. First circulating tube 425
and second circulating tube 426 are provided so as to project into circulating duct
430 which guides air sucked by air blower 410.
[0036] Specifically, the pressure of the working medium flowing through first circulating
tube 425 is reduced by expansion valve 424, whereby the temperature of the working
medium within first circulating tube 425 is reduced to a low temperature. The working
medium flowing through second circulating tube 426 is compressed by compressor 423,
whereby the temperature of the working medium within second circulating tube 426 is
increased to a high temperature.
[0037] First circulating tube 425 of heat pump device 420 is folded multiple times to define
a flow path of the working medium within circulating duct 430. A number of fins are
attached to first circulating tube 425 thus folded. Thus, first circulating tube 425
and fins 427 within circulating duct 430 constitute dehumidifier 421 of heat pump
device 420.
[0038] Similarly, second circulating tube 426 of heat pump device 420 is folded multiple
times to define a flow path of the working medium within circulating duct 430. A number
of fins are attached to second circulating tube 426 thus folded. Second circulating
tube 426 and fins 428 within circulating duct 430 constitute heater 422 of heat pump
device 420.
[0039] The operation of the heat pump device and the flow of drying air in the clothes dryer
are now described more specifically.
[0040] First, drying air flowing within circulating duct 430 is cooled by first circulating
tube 425 and fins 427 constituting dehumidifier 421 and cooled by the low-temperature
working medium. As a result, water vapors within the drying air condenses on first
circulating tube 425 and fins 427. The drying air is dehumidified in this manner.
[0041] Thereafter, the dehumidified drying air is heated by second circulating tube 426
and fins 428 constituting heater 422 and heated by the high-temperature working medium.
As a result, the drying air becomes high-temperature dry air suitable for drying clothes.
[0042] In other words, dehumidifier 421 and heater 422 exchanges heat with air flowing within
circulating duct 430 to produce drying air.
[0043] Then, air supply fan 331 sucks the drying air dehumidified and heated by heat pump
device 420, and supplies the drying air to downstream air-supply path 332 of fan case
330. The supplied drying air flows through opening 432 of rear plate 117 into space
450 between the bottom surface of rotary drum 320 and rear plate 117.
[0044] Thereafter, the drying air flows through a number of ventilation holes (not shown)
formed in bottom wall 321 of rotary drum 320, and enters rotary drum 320. The drying
air thus entered collides with the clothes while passing through rotary drum 320.
This collision between the drying air and the clothes dries the clothes. At this time,
the drying air discharged from rotary drum 320 receives water vapors or the like from
the clothes, and the humidity of the drying air rises. Simultaneously, dust containing
lint generated from the clothes, hair attached to the clothes and the like are captured,
and made to float by the drying air discharged from rotary drum 320.
[0045] Then, the drying air containing dust such as lint and having a high humidity is supplied
to door air-supply holes 122 (see FIG. 6) of accommodating unit 121 attached to a
rear surface of door 120. The drying air supplied to door air-supply holes 122 passes
through lint filter 510. At this time, lint filter 510 catches the dust such as lint
floating within the drying air and removes the dust.
[0046] The drying air having passed through lint filter 510 further passes through upstream
air-supply path 480, and then through filter 482. Then, the lint or the like having
passed through lint filter 510 is caught by filter 482 and removed.
[0047] Thereafter, the drying air flows from suction introduction port 481 into heat pump
device 420, where the drying air is dehumidified by dehumidifier 421 and heated by
heater 422. The drying air dehumidified and heated to high-temperature passes through
suction discharge port 429. Then, the drying air is again sucked by air supply fan
331, and supplied to downstream air-supply path 332.
[0048] The clothes are therefore dried by the drying air allowed to circulate within circulating
duct 430 and rotary drum 320 by the operation of the heat pump device and the flow
of the drying air described above.
[0049] A structure of lint filter 510 in the clothes dryer according to this exemplary embodiment
is hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10B.
[0050] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view illustrating the door of the clothes dryer according
to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a rear perspective
view illustrating the door of the clothes dryer according to the exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 7A is a side view of the door illustrating the clothes dryer according to the
exemplary embodiment. FIG. 7B is a rear view illustrating the door of the clothes
dryer according to the exemplary embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken
along line 8-8 in FIG. 7B. FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views illustrating an
upper part of the door of the clothes dryer according to the exemplary embodiment.
[0051] As described above, lint filter 510 according to this exemplary embodiment catches
dust such as lint floating within drying air discharged from rotary drum 320.
[0052] Lint filter 510 is inserted into accommodating unit 121 of door 120 from above with
door 120 opened, and is detachably attached to accommodating unit 121 of door 120.
[0053] On the other hand, filter 482 is inserted from below front wall 111 of housing 110,
for example, and detachably attached to suction introduction port 481 connected with
heat pump device 420 on a downstream side of upstream air-supply path 480. Filter
482 is formed of a sponge material, for example.
[0054] Lint filter 510 and filter 482 are removed from accommodating unit 121 of door 120
and from below front wall 111 of housing 110, respectively. Then, lint accumulating
on lint filter 510 and filter 482 is removed. Maintenance work for lint filter 510
and filter 482 is achieved in this manner. Moreover, dust such as lint contained in
the circulating drying air can be almost completely removed by lint filter 510 and
filter 482.
[0055] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, lint filter 510 at least includes mesh filter 511
constituting a filter unit, frame 512, seal packing 513, and lock unit 514. Mesh filter
511 catches dust such as lint to remove the dust. Frame 512 fixes and holds mesh filter
511. Seal packing 513 is provided on a rear surface side of lint filter 510 (door
air-supply holes 122 side of accommodating unit 121) to function as a sealing unit.
In addition, seal packing 513 makes contact with press-contact wall 126 of accommodating
unit 121 of door 120 shown in FIG. 8 to maintain airtightness between accommodating
unit 121 and lint filter 510. Note that the sealing unit is only required to maintain
airtightness between door 120 and lint filter 510, and therefore may be provided on
a door 120 side, for example.
[0056] Lock unit 514 provided in an upper portion of lint filter 510 fixes lint filter 510
to accommodating unit 121 of door 120, to lock lint filter 510 thereto.
[0057] Lock unit 514 includes lock mechanism 516 for locking lint filter 510 to door 120,
and operation unit 517 for shifting lock mechanism 516 toward left and right.
[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 7B, when lint filter 510 is accommodated within accommodating
unit 121 of door 120, lock unit 514 is locked with operation unit 517 of lock unit
514 located at the center, and is unlocked with operation unit 517 slid toward the
right and located on a right side.
[0059] Specifically, when operation unit 517 and lock mechanism 516 of lock unit 514 are
located at positions shown in FIG. 6, a position of recess 129 of accommodating unit
121 does not agree with a position of lock mechanism 516 as indicated by solid line
arrow A in FIG. 6 (see FIG. 10B). Therefore, lint filter 510 cannot be accommodated
within accommodating unit 121. For accommodating lint filter 510, operation unit 517
of lock unit 514 is slid toward the right to shift lock mechanism 516 toward the right
and bring lock unit 514 into an unlocked state, as illustrated in FIG. 6. In this
state, lint filter 510 is inserted into accommodating unit 121 of door 120 from above.
At this time, the position of recess 129 of accommodating unit 121 agrees with the
position of lock mechanism 516 as indicated by broken line arrow B in FIG. 6. As a
result, lock mechanism 516 of lock unit 514 is fitted into recess 129 located in an
upper portion of accommodating unit 121. When operation unit 517 of lock unit 514
is slid toward the left with lock mechanism 516 fitted to recess 129, lock mechanism
516 shifts from recess 129 of accommodating unit 121 toward the left. As a result,
lint filter 510 is accommodated within door 120 (see FIG. 10A). This allows lint filter
510 to be securely accommodated within accommodating unit 121 of door 120.
[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 7A, communicating port 130 communicating with upstream air-supply
path 480 is formed in a lower portion of accommodating unit 121 of door 120 in which
lint filter 510 is accommodated. Accordingly, drying air circulated by air supply
fan 331 flows from rotary drum 320 through door air-supply holes 122 of door 120,
and then passes through lint filter 510 accommodated in accommodating unit 121. Subsequently,
the drying air flows from communicating port 130 of accommodating unit 121 toward
upstream air-supply path 480.
[0061] Simplification and easiness of attachment and detachment are desired for lint filter
510 which is repeatedly attached and detached, considering labor of maintenance and
the like. In addition, secure sealing is also desired so as to prevent deterioration
of drying performance caused by leakage of drying air from circulating duct 430. Similarly,
excellent sealing is required so as to avoid contamination of an exterior of clothes
dryer 100 by lint or the like contained in drying air and leaked from circulating
duct 430.
[0062] Therefore, projection 515 is further provided on side surface 512b of frame 512 of
lint filter 510 according to this exemplary embodiment so as to secure simplification
of attachment and detachment, and a high degree of sealing.
[0063] Operation and effect of projection 515 provided on lint filter 510 according to this
exemplary embodiment are hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9C.
[0064] FIGS. 9A and 9B are cross-sectional side views illustrating a part of the door of
the clothes dryer according to the exemplary embodiment. FIG. 9C is an enlarged view
of portion C shown in FIG. 9A.
[0065] As illustrated in FIG. 9A, projection 515 of lint filter 510 shifts along groove-shaped
guide portion 127 formed on an inner side of accommodating unit 121 of door 120, for
example. With this structure, lint filter 510 is guided toward an accurate position
of accommodating unit 121 of door 120 and accommodated in accommodating unit 121.
In other words, guide portion 127 of accommodating unit 121 guides projection 515
of lint filter 510, whereby attachment of lint filter 510 to accommodating unit 121
is facilitated. Moreover, lint filter 510 is accurately attached to accommodating
unit 121, whereby leakage of air caused by attachment of lint filter 510 to an inaccurate
position is prevented.
[0066] Moreover, guide portion 127 further includes bent portion 128 in a lower portion
(communicating port 130 side) of guide portion 127 as illustrated in FIG. 9A. Bent
portion 128 is configured such that a predetermined angle is formed by upper portion
128a and lower portion 128b of bent portion 128.
[0067] When lint filter 510 is accommodated within accommodating unit 121 as illustrated
in FIG. 9B, projection 515 shifts toward press-contact wall 126 side of accommodating
unit 121 by the angle of bent portion 128. In this case, seal packing 513 of lint
filter 510 is pressed against press-contact wall 126 of accommodating unit 121, and
lint filter 510 is accommodated within accommodating unit 121. Accordingly, lint filter
510 is securely accommodated within accommodating unit 121 without looseness between
lint filter 510 and accommodating unit 121 and without easy separation therebetween.
Moreover, bent portion 128 is bent in such a direction as to press seal packing 513
of lint filter 510 against press-contact wall 126 of accommodating unit 121. In this
case, tight contact between lint filter 510 and accommodating unit 121 produced by
seal packing 513 increases. This structure prevents leakage of air from a gap between
lint filter 510 and accommodating unit 121, thereby improving drying performance.
[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 8, press-contact wall 126 of accommodating unit 121 in contact
with seal packing 513 of lint filter 510 is inclined from accommodating port 121b
of accommodating unit 121 toward communicating port 130 with respect to the vertical
direction. In other words, lint filter 510 is inclined so as to ride on a wall surface
of press-contact wall 126. Specifically, in the closed state of door 120, upper portion
126a of press-contact wall 126 projects from lower portion 126b toward loading port
116. In this case, press-contact wall 126 is inclined such that lower portion 126b
is larger in thickness than upper portion 126a as viewed in the cross section of press-contact
wall 126. In other words, the inner surface of accommodating unit 121 forms a sloped
surface of a substantially trapezoidal shape (including trapezoidal shape) as viewed
in the cross-sectional view. In this case, lint filter 510 is brought into press-contact
with press-contact wall 126 of accommodating unit 121 by a weight of lint filter 510.
As a result, airtightness between lint filter 510 and accommodating unit 121 is further
improved by seal packing 513 of lint filter 510 provided on the surface opposed to
press-contact wall 126.
[0069] Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, an attachment surface of seal packing 513 attached
to lint filter 510 has a substantially trapezoidal shape (or trapezoidal shape) having
a sloped surface which substantially agrees (or agrees) with a reversed shape of the
inner surface of accommodating unit 121. Specifically, in the closed state of door
120, upper portion 510a of the attachment surface of seal packing 513 of lint filter
510 projects from lower portion 510b toward loading port 116. In this case, the weight
of lint filter 510 is given in such a direction as to bring lint filter 510 into tight
contact with press-contact wall 126, whereby the seal structure is more securely formed.
This structure prevents leakage of lint or the like, and leakage of drying air from
the air duct ranging from door air-supply holes 122 to communicating port 130 by a
simple seal structure. Accordingly, this structure secures sufficient drying performance
allowed by circulation of drying air, and the dehumidification and heating functions
of heat pump device 420.
[0070] Furthermore, lock unit 514 of lint filter 510 disposed in an upper portion of frame
512 securely attaches and fixes lint filter 510 to door 120. In this case, it is required
to properly fix lint filter 510 to accommodating unit 121 by lock unit 514.
[0071] When lint filter 510 is not properly accommodated in accommodating unit 121, lint
filter 510 has the following structure so as to prevent closure of door 120.
[0072] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, closure of door 120 is allowed in a state where
upper end 512a of frame 512 of lint filter 510 and upper end 121a of accommodating
unit 121 are substantially in alignment (or in alignment) with each other. On the
other hand, when upper end 512a of frame 512 and upper end 121a of accommodating unit
121 do not substantially in alignment with each other, lint filter 510 makes contact
with loading port 116, and door 120 cannot be properly closed.
[0073] Moreover, when it is attempted to accommodate link filter 510 into accommodating
unit 121 with lock unit 514 slid to a locked state as indicated by solid line arrow
A in FIG. 6, lock mechanism 516 of lock unit 514 interferes with upper end 121a of
accommodating unit 121. In this case, lint filter 510 cannot be properly accommodated
in accommodating unit 121 (see FIG. 10A). Therefore, as indicated by broken line arrow
B in FIG. 6, lock mechanism 516 of lint filter 510 is inserted into recess 129 of
accommodating unit 121 in the unlocked state (state where operation unit 517 is slid
toward the right) of lock unit 514. Then, operation unit 517 of lock unit 514 is slid
toward the left to bring lock unit 514 into the locked state. (See FIG. 10B)
[0074] Lint filter 510 having the foregoing structure prevents closure of door 120 when
lint filter 510 is not properly accommodated in accommodating unit 121. This structure
allows drying operation to be performed while maintaining sufficient sealing between
lint filter 510 and press-contact wall 126 of accommodating unit 121.
[0075] Furthermore, this structure prevents attachment of lint filter 510 to an inaccurate
position of accommodating unit 121. Accordingly, this structure prevents leakage of
air from the press-contact surface between lint filter 510 and accommodating unit
121. In addition, this structure prevents leakage of lint or the like to the outside
from the air duct ranging from door air-supply holes 122 to communicating port 130.
As a result, this structure secures the drying function achieved by circulation of
drying air and the dehumidification and heating functions provided by the heat pump
device.
[0076] In addition, such a structure is allowed in which an elastic body such as a spring
is disposed in a lower portion of lock unit 514, for example, so as to prevent closure
of door 120 when the user attempts to close door 120 without locking lock unit 514.
In this case, if lock unit 514 is in the unlocked state without locking of lock unit
514, an upper end of lock unit 514 (such as upper end of operation unit 517) interferes
with loading port 116 by a push-up force of the spring as an elastic body. Therefore,
closure of door 120 is not allowed. For closing door 120, lock unit 514 is pushed
downward while resisting the elastic repulsive force of the spring. Then, lock unit
514 is slid toward the left to come into the locked state (see FIG. 10B) and the upper
end of lock unit 514 is lowered to a height not interfering with loading port 116.
This structure more securely attaches lint filter 510 to accommodating unit 121 while
preventing such a problem that lock unit 514 of lint filter 510 is left unlocked.
Accordingly, this structure avoids lowering of sealing caused when lint filter 510
floats upward during drying operation. Moreover, this structure more securely prevents
leakage of lint or the like, and leakage of drying air to the outside from the air
duct ranging from door air-supply holes 122 to communicating port 130. Accordingly,
this structure secures sufficient drying performance allowed by circulation of drying
air, and the dehumidification and heating functions of heat pump device 420.
[0077] In addition, lint filter 510 includes the elastic body such as the foregoing spring
within lock unit 514 so as to allow locking of lock unit 514 when the upper end of
frame 512 and the upper end of accommodating unit 121 are substantially in alignment
with each other. In this case, lock unit 514 pressed downward by the elastic body
comes into contact with accommodating unit 121 of door 120, and lint filter 510 is
pressed downward via lock unit 514. This structure prevents lowering of sealing caused
when lint filter 510 floats upward during drying operation. Moreover, this structure
more securely prevents leakage of lint or the like to the outside from the air duct
ranging from door air-supply holes 122 to the communicating port 130. Accordingly,
this structure secures sufficient drying performance allowed by circulation of drying
air, and the dehumidification and heating functions of heat pump device 420.
[0078] In addition, such a structure is allowed which merely interferes with lock unit 514,
for example, prevents locking by lock unit 514 when the user attempts to slide lock
unit 514 positioned in the upper portion of lint filter 510 to the locked state in
a state where projection 515 has not reached bent portion 128 of guide portion 127.
This structure allows the user to easily recognize an inaccurate use state. As a result,
this structure prevents leakage of air caused by attachment of lint filter 510 to
an inaccurate position of accommodating unit 121, thereby improving drying performance.
[0079] As described above, the clothes dryer according to the present invention includes
a drying chamber that accommodates clothes, a loading port through which the clothes
are loaded into and removed from the drying chamber, a door that closes the loading
port, and a lint filter that is detachably attached to the door. The door includes
an accommodating unit that is disposed opposed to the loading port and that accommodates
the lint filter. The lint filter includes a filter unit that catches lint, and a frame
that holds the filter unit. The door may close the loading port in a state where an
upper end of the accommodating unit of the door and an upper end of the frame of the
lint filter are substantially in alignment with each other.
[0080] According to this structure, when the user closes the loading port with the door,
a user is not allowed to close the door if the lint filter is not securely accommodated
in the accommodating unit. This structure makes the user recognize that a gap is produced
between the lint filter and the door, and urges the user to more securely accommodate
the lint filter into the accommodating unit of the door. Accordingly, this structure
provides a clothes dryer capable of preventing deterioration of drying performance.
[0081] According to the clothes dryer of the present invention, the lint filter may further
include a lock unit that locks the lint filter to the door, and the
lint filter may be accommodated within the accommodating unit when the lock unit is
in an unlocked state.
[0082] According to the clothes dryer of the present invention, the door may be allowed
to close the loading port when the lint filter is locked to the door with the lock
unit.
[0083] According to these structures, the lock unit prevents floating of the lint filter
during drying operation, thereby avoiding leakage of drying air. In addition, since
the lint filter cannot to be accommodated within the door when the lock unit is locked,
the door cannot be closed. These structures make the user recognize that a gap is
produced between the lint filter and the door, and urge the user to accommodate the
lint filter into the door. Accordingly, these structures prevent production of a gap
between the door and the lint filter, thereby avoiding deterioration of drying performance.
Moreover, these structures make the user recognize the necessity of lock by the lock
unit, thereby urging the user to accommodate the lint filter into the door.
[0084] The clothes dryer according to the present invention may further include a guide
portion provided on the door, and a projection provided on the lint filter. The door
may be allowed to close the loading port with the projection fitted to the guide portion.
[0085] According to this structure, the projection fitted to the guide portion facilitates
accommodation of the lint filter into the door. Accordingly, this structure prevents
displacement of the lint filter from the accommodating unit, thereby reducing leakage
of drying air, and preventing deterioration of drying performance. In addition, when
the projection is not accurately fitted to the guide portion, the locking by the lock
unit is not allowed. This structure makes the user recognize that a gap is produced
between the lint filter and the door, and urges the user to more securely accommodate
the lint filter into the door. Accordingly, this structure prevents production of
a gap between the door and the lint filter, thereby preventing deterioration of drying
performance.
[0086] According to the clothes dryer of the present invention, the lock unit may be locked
in a state where the upper end of the accommodating unit of the door and the upper
end of the frame of the lint filter are substantially in alignment with each other.
[0087] According to this structure, the lock unit prevents floating of the lint filter during
drying operation, thereby reducing leakage of drying air. Moreover, this structure
does not allow locking of the lock unit with the lint filter floating when the user
attempts to lock by the lock unit. This structure urges the user to more securely
accommodate the lint filter into the door. Accordingly, this structure prevents production
of a gap between the door and the lint filter, thereby preventing deterioration of
drying performance.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0088] The present invention is advantageous in such fields as clothes dryers where easy
attachment and detachment of a lint filter and high airtightness are demanded.
REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS
[0089]
- 100
- clothes dryer
- 110
- housing
- 111
- front wall
- 112
- rear wall
- 113
- left wall
- 114
- right wall
- 115
- top wall
- 116
- loading port
- 117
- rear plate
- 120
- door
- 121
- accommodating unit
- 121a, 512a
- upper end
- 121b
- accommodating port
- 122
- door air-supply hole
- 123
- opening handle
- 124
- door lock lever
- 125
- body coupling hinge
- 126
- press-contact wall
- 126a, 128a, 510a
- upper portion
- 126b, 128b, 510b
- lower portion
- 127
- guide portion
- 128
- bent portion
- 129
- recess
- 130
- communicating port
- 200
- controller
- 201
- operation panel
- 310
- double-shaft drive motor
- 310a
- front rotary drive shaft
- 310b
- rear rotary drive shaft
- 311
- drum drive pulley
- 312
- drum drive belt
- 313
- fan drive pulley
- 314
- fan drive belt
- 320
- rotary drum (drying chamber)
- 321
- bottom wall
- 330
- fan case
- 331
- air supply fan
- 332
- downstream air-supply path
- 410
- air blower
- 420
- heat pump device
- 421
- dehumidifier
- 422
- heater
- 423
- compressor
- 424
- expansion valve
- 425
- first circulating tube
- 426
- second circulating tube
- 427, 428
- fin
- 429
- suction discharge port
- 430
- circulating duct
- 432
- opening
- 450
- space
- 480
- upstream air-supply path
- 481
- suction introduction port
- 482
- filter
- 510
- lint filter
- 511
- mesh filter (filter unit)
- 512
- frame
- 512b
- side surface
- 513
- seal packing (sealing unit)
- 514
- lock unit
- 515
- projection
- 516
- lock mechanism
- 517
- operation unit