Patent Publication Number: US-7591082-B2

Title: Laundry dryer

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a laundry dryer, and more particularly, to a laundry dryer having a dry board on which tender clothes or shoes can be stably dried. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Generally, a drum-type laundry dryer is designed to perform the drying operation while rotating laundry loaded in a dry drum. The laundry rotates and drops by the rotation of the laundry drum. High-temperature dry air introduced into the dry drum is mixed with the laundry to vaporize the moisture soaked in the laundry. The laundry dryer may be classified into a condenser-type dryer and an exhaust-type dryer. The former is designed such that the air in the dry drum is directed to a condenser and a heater and is then returned to the dry drum. That is, the air circulates in the dryer without being exhausted out of the dryer. The latter is designed such that the air in the dry drum is directed to the condenser so that the moisture contained in the air can be eliminated and is then exhausted out of the dryer. 
   Describing in more detail, in the condenser-type dryer, the air circulating in the dryer absorbs the moisture from the laundry loaded in the drum and passes through the condenser to be lowered in its temperature by a heat-exchange. As the temperature of the air is lowered, the moisture contained in the air is condensed. The condensed water is pumped out by an condensing pump and is then exhausted to an exterior side. 
   In the exhaust-type dryer, high-temperature high-moisture air absorbing moisture from the laundry in the drum is exhausted out of the dryer via a lint filter. 
   In both the exhaust-type and condenser type dryers, as the laundry lifts and drops by the rotation of the drum, heat-exchange is briskly incurred. 
   Meanwhile, in the case of the general laundry dryer, laundry loaded on the dry chamber are mixed together when the drum is rotating. At this point, various kinds of clothes are entangled such that the clothes are extended or worn out. Specifically, when the clothes are dried in the laundry dryer, they may be easily damaged. In addition, a special laundry, such as rubber shoes, which cannot be treated in the same manner as the general laundry, must be dried separately. Accordingly, the laundry drier must re-operate for the special laundry, resulting in the increase of power consumption. Further, there occurs a problem in that a user spends a long time in drying the laundry. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a laundry dryer that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a laundry dryer capable of drying special laundry, such as rubber shoes and wool, together with a general laundry. 
   Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
   To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a laundry dryer including: a dry drum in which laundry is loaded; a dry board mounted in an inside of the dry drum, the laundry being put on a top side of the dry board; a hook mounted in one side of the dry board and fixed to an inside of the dry drum; and a front cover in which a front side of the dry board is stably received. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laundry dryer including: a dry drum; a hook having a plurality of bent portions, one end of the hook being inserted into a center of a rear wall of the dry drum; a dry board with which the hooked is coupled to install the dry board in the dry drum; a seating guide projected at a front bottom portion of the dry board to prevent a shaking; and a swing preventing projection projected at a bottom portion of the dry board to prevent a movement of the hook. 
   In a still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laundry dryer including: a dry drum; a dry board mounted in an inside of the dry drum, the dry board including seating guides projected at front bottom portions to prevent the dry board from shaking and a shake preventing part projected between the seating guides to prevent the dry board from shaking back and forth; a front cover supporting a front side of the dry board and having an opening through which laundry is loaded; a shake preventing projection projected at a bottom portion of the opening to prevent the dry board from shaking; and shake prevention ribs projected at positions spaced away from the shake prevention projection. 
   According to the present invention, the laundry, such as tender clothes or shoes, can be stably dried during one-time drying cycle. 
   In addition, since the drying operation need not be performed several times, the power consumption of the laundry dryer can be reduced. Further, a time necessary for the drying of the laundry can be reduced. 
   It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a condenser-type laundry dryer with a vibration/noise reduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a dry board according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view showing a front lower portion of a dry board according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of a dry board according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view showing a back lower portion of a dry board according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a front cover in which a dry board to be received according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view showing a dry board installed in a drum according to the present invention; and 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a drum rear wall defining a cap hole according to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a condenser-type laundry dryer with a vibration/noise reduction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a condenser-type laundry dryer  200  includes an outer case  210 , a cylindrical drum  220  mounted in the outer case  210  to receive the laundry therein, a door  230  controlling the opening of the drum  220 , and a belt  221  disposed around an outer circumference of the drum  220  to rotate the drum  220 . 
   The condenser-type laundry dryer  200  further includes a motor shaft  271  connected to the belt  221  to transmit rotational force to the drum  220 , a motor  270  for transmitting the rotational force to the motor shaft  271 , and a cooling fan  260  connected to a first end of the motor shaft  271  to rotate by receiving the rotational force of the motor  270  and intake interior air. The laundry dryer  200  further includes a dry fan  280  connected to a second end of the motor shaft  271  to circulate air in the drum  220  and a duct cover  290  connecting the dry fan  280  to the drum  220  to allow the air introduced by the dry fan  280  to be directed to the drum  220 . The cooling fan  260  and the dry fan  280  are disposed facing each other and the motor  270  is disposed between the cooling and dry fan  260  and  280 . The dry fan  280  and the heater  291  are received in the duct cover  290  defining an air passage through which the circulation air introduced by the dry fan  280  is directed reward of the drum  220 . 
   The dryer  200  is formed on a rear surface of the door  230 , including a door lint filter  231  for primarily filtering foreign objects contained in the circulation air and a body lint filter  250  for secondary filtering foreign objects contained in the circulation air passing through the door lint filter  231 . There is provided a circulation duct  251  along which the circulation air passing through the body lint duct  250  is directed to a condenser (not shown). There is further provided a drawer  211  for storing condensing water generated in the condenser. 
   The operation of the above-laundry dryer will be described hereinafter. 
   When electric power is applied to the dryer, the motor  270  rotates and the heater  291  mounted in the duct cover  290  is excited. Then, the belt  221  connected to the motor shaft  271  rotates to rotate the drum  220 . As the drum  220  rotates, the laundry in the drum  220  is lifted and dropped by the lift (not shown) mounted on the inner wall of the drum  220 . 
   Meanwhile, the dry fan  280  connected to the motor shaft  271  rotates by the rotation of the motor  270  to introduce the circulation air via the condenser. The air flows upward along the duct cover  290  and passes through the heater  291  to be converted into high-temperature/drying air. Then, the air is directed into the drum to absorb the moisture contained in the laundry, thereby being converted into the high-temperature/damp air. 
   The high-temperature damp air is directed to the condenser (not shown) along the circulation duct  251  via the door lint filter  231  and the body lint filter  250 . 
   Meanwhile, as the cooling fan  260  connected to the motor shaft  271  rotates, outer interior air is induced into the dryer  200 . The interior air is directed to the condenser via the cooling fan  260 . The high-temperature/damp air and the interior air are not mixed with each other but heat-exchanged. 
   Accordingly, the high-temperature/damp air gives heat to the interior air as it goes through the condenser, thereby being changed into low-temperature/damp air, in the coursed of which the moisture contained in the low-temperature/damp air is condensed. The condensed moisture is dropt on the floor of the condenser and is then directed to a sump (not shown). 
   The moisture directed to the sump is transmitted to the drawer  211  disposed on an upper portion of the dryer. Meanwhile, the interior air passing trough the condenser takes the heat from the high-temperature/damp air to change the circulation air into the lower-temperature/damp air. As a result, the temperature of the interior air is increased. 
   Here, the circulation air introduced by the dry fan  280  flows along the passage defined by the duct cover  290 . Then, as it passes through the heater  291 , it is changed into the high-temperature/drying air and is then directed into the drum  220 . 
   As described above, the circulation air circulates in the order of the drum, the lint filters, the condenser and the duct cover. 
     FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a dry board according to the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a dry board  100  to be installed in the drum  220  is designed such that laundry such as shoes can be easily seated on its top. 
   The dry board includes a rectangular frame  110 , a grill  112 , and a triangular hook  140 . The length of the frame  110  is substantially equal to that of the drum  220 , and the grill  112  is formed inside the frame  110 . The triangular hook  140  is inserted at a rear portion of the frame  110  to keep the frame in a horizontal position. 
   Further, the frame  110  includes a grip part  120 , a cover matching part  130 , and reinforcement ribs  131 . The grip part  120  is formed at a portion of the grill  112  with a curved shape for an easy grip. The cover matching part  130  is formed at a front lower portion of the frame  110  to be received in a front cover of the drum (refer to  205  in  FIG. 7 ). The ribs  131  are formed to support the cover matching part  130 . 
   Drain holes are defined between bars of the grill  112  to drain dropping water from the laundry and easily circulate air in the drum  220 . 
   Herein, the shape and location of the grip part  130  is not limited to this embodiment. The grip part  130  may be formed with any shape and at any location to allow the user to grip it easily. 
   To mount the dry board  100  in the drum  220 , the triangular hook  140  is inserted at a rear wall of the drum  220  and then the cover matching part  130  is stably received in the front cover  205 . After that, laundry such as shoes is loaded on the dry board  100 . 
   The structure and mount steps of the dry board will now be described more fully with reference to accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view showing a front lower portion of a dry board according to the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the dry board  100  includes seating guides  132 , a shake prevention part  133 , and supporting ribs  134 . Each seating guides  132  is projected from each side of the front lower portion of the dry board  100  with a predetermined length and height. The shake prevention part  133  is formed at a center of a bottom side of the cover matching part  130  with a predetermined height and width in order to prevent the dry board  100  from moving in forward and backward directions. The supporting ribs  134  are formed to support the shake prevention part  133 . 
   Each of the seating guides  132  has inwardly inclined faces  132   b  and an outer face  132   a  that is flush with a side end of the frame  110 . The seating guides  132  stably seats the cover matching part  130  in an exact position of the front cover  205 , and then the shake prevention part  133  prevents the dry board  100  from moving in the forward and backward directions. 
   Further, each of the seating guides  132  defines an opened space therein to prevent its deformation, for example, during its injection molding process. 
     FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of a dry board, and  FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view showing a back lower portion of a dry board. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the dry board  100  includes guide ribs  150 , guide faces  151 , and fixing grooves  152 . The guide ribs  150  are formed at both backward corners of the dry board  100  to guide the insertion of the triangular hook  140 . The guide faces  151  guide the triangular hook  140  toward the insides of the guide ribs  150 . The fixing grooves  152  receives the inserted triangular hook  140 , such that the inserted triangular hook  140  can be securely held at the both backward corners of the dry board  100 . 
   In detail, each of the guide faces  151  is inclined at a predetermined angle, such that the triangular hook  140  is extended when it is guided by the guide faces toward the insides of the guide ribs  150 . The extended triangular hook  140  is retracted when it is received in the fixing grooves  152 , such that the triangular hook  140  can be securely coupled with the dry board  100 . 
   Further, the triangular hook has vertical portions for the coupling with the dry board  100  and inclined portions  144  each extending from each of the vertical portions at a predetermined angle. The inclined portions  144  meet each other at their ends with one end winding the other end. 
   Further, the triangular hook  140  includes a vertical portion  141  extended from one end of the inclined portions  144 , a horizontal portion  143  bent backwardly from the vertical portion  141 , and a cap  142  put on the horizontal portion  143 . 
   Further, the dry board  100  includes at least one swing prevention projection  1134  at the bottom side thereof to prevent the triangular hook  140  from swinging when it couples with the dry board  100 . To receive and hold lower portion of the triangular hook  2140 , the grill  112  defines a groove at a bottom back portion. 
   The dry board  100  may be fabricated using various methods. Preferably, the dry board  100  can be made in one-piece using an injection molding method in order to reduce fabrication processes and cost. 
   As described above, the triangular hook  140  is attached to the dry board  100  to install the dry board  100  in the drum  220  at a predetermined height and in a horizontal position. The cap  142  of the triangular cap  140  is inserted in a hole defined at a rear wall of the drum  220 . The lower portion of the triangular hook  140  is inserted in the groove defined at the bottom back portion of the grill  112 . 
   The inserting step of the triangular hook  140  to the dry board  100  will now be described more fully. 
   In inserting step, the triangular hook  140  is pushed inwardly along the guide faces  151  and the guide ribs  150 , and then the vertical portions of the triangular hook  140  are inserted in the fixing grooves  152 . 
   The guide ribs  150  are elastic such that they extend outwardly to receive the triangular hook  140  when the triangular hook  140  is pushed thereto. The triangular hook  140  is spread outwardly when it is pushed along the guide faces  151 , such that the triangular hook  140  is retracted at the fixing grooves  152  by its restoring force and thereby securely inserted in the fixing grooves  152 . By the same principle, the guide ribs  150  are retracted to their original position. 
   By pulling the triangular hook  140  upwardly, the lower portion of the triangular hook is inserted in the groove defined at the bottom back portion of the grill  112 . Also, the triangular hook  140  includes a curved portion  145  at a center of the lower portion thereof in order to couple with the swing prevention projection  113  of the dry board  100 , for a further securable fitting. 
     FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a front cover in which a dry board to be received according to the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , the front cover  205 , in which the dry board  100  to be received, includes a shake prevention projection  227  and a shake prevention ribs  217 . The shake prevention projection  227  is protruded at a lower portion of the drum  220  and includes inclined portions  228  at each side thereof. The shake prevention ribs  217  interpose the shake prevention projection  227  therebetween and are positioned in vertical directions. The cover matching part  130  of the dry board  100  is received on a top of the shake prevention projection  227 , and shake prevention projection  227  is positioned between the seating guides  132  of the cover matching part  130 . 
   Further, the shake prevention part  133  of the dry board  100  comes into contact with the shake prevention projection  227 . 
   In detail, the inclined faces  228  of the shake prevention projection  227  and the inclined faces  132   b  of the seating guides  132  are abutted each other. Also, the outer faces  132   a  and the shake prevention ribs  217  are brought into contact with each other. In other words, each of the seating guides  132  is inserted between the shake prevention projection  227  and the shake prevention rib  217  such that the dry board  100  can be prevented from moving in right and left directions. In addition, the shake prevention part  133  of the dry board  100  prevents the dry board  100  from moving in forward and backward directions. 
     FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view showing a dry board installed in a drum according to the present invention, and  FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a drum rear wall defining a cap hole according to the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the cover matching part  130  formed at the front of the dry board  100  is seated on the front cover  205 , and the back of the dry board  100  is suspended from a rear wall  500  of the drum  220  by using the triangular hook  140 . 
   In detail, the rear wall  500  includes a plurality of through holes  510 , a housing  520 , and a cap hole  160 . The plurality of through holes  510  are defined to pass high-temperature dry air from a dry duct (not shown) into the drum  220 . The housing  520  is formed at a center of the rear wall  500  and defines a concaved portion to receive a journal bearing for supporting a shaft of the drum  220 . The cap hole  160  is defined at a center of the housing  520  for the insertion of the cap  142  of the triangular hook  140 . 
   Meanwhile, though the cap hole  160  can be directly formed at the center of the housing  520  for the insertion of the cap  142 , an injection molded part having appropriate size and depth may be inserted in the cap hole  160  to receive the cap  142 . The injection molded part may allow more close insertion relationship with the cap  142 , such that the triangular hook  140  can be securely fixed in the drum  220 . 
   It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.