Patent Publication Number: US-2021180240-A1

Title: Lint removing apparatus and clothes dryer having the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0166523, filed on Dec. 13, 2019 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The disclosure relates to a lint removal apparatus and a clothes dryer having the same, and more specifically, coupling and separating of a lint removal apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In general, a clothes dryer refers to a device that forcibly blows hot air into a drum to dry wet laundry inserted into the drum. The clothes dryers have an appearance similar to that of a drum type washing machine, and may dry laundry by forcibly circulating heated air into a drum through a heater and a blower fan. 
     Air discharged from the drum during operation of the clothes dryer may contain lint (fluff). Since the air discharged from the drum is circulated back into the drum through a heat exchanger, there is a need to remove lint in the air before circulation. 
     For this, a lint removal apparatus is required. The lint removal apparatus includes a filter separably provided and configured to collect lint, a rotation member configured to scrape lint remaining on a surface of the filter and push the scraped lint from one end portion of the filter, and a lint box disposed adjacent to the other end portion of the filter to accumulate the lint pushed to the other end portion of the filter. 
     The filter of the dryer is provided to be directly removed by a user, cleaned, and installed, and there is no separate filter cleaning module in the dryer. Therefore, the filter of the dryer needs to be manually removed by users for cleaning the dryer filter, and with the filter not cleaned, lint may accumulate and the drying performance may deteriorate. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, it is an object of the disclosure to provide a clothes dryer for facilitating separation of a lint removal apparatus. 
     It is another object of the disclosure to provide a clothes dryer for facilitating cleaning of a lint filter by easily separating a lint removal apparatus. 
     Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. 
     According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a clothes dryer including: a cabinet; a drum rotatably supported in the cabinet; a supply port configured to guide air into the drum; an exhaust port configured to guide the air in the drum to an outside of the drum; and a lint removing apparatus configured to remove lint from the air passing through the exhaust port, wherein the lint removing apparatus includes: a lint filter configured to capture lint; a rotation member rotatably installed to scrap and collect the lint captured in the lint filer; a driving device configured to generate power; a first coupler connected to the driving device to receive the power from the driving device; and a second coupler coupled to the first coupler to transmit the power to the rotation member. 
     The lint removal apparatus may include a first rotation shaft to which the first coupler is coupled and an elastic member disposed on the first rotation shaft to elastically press the first coupler such that the first coupler and the second coupler are coupled to each other. 
     The lint removing apparatus may include a second rotation shaft to which the second coupler is coupled and an elastic member disposed on the second rotation shaft to elastically press the second coupler such that the first coupler and the second coupler are coupled to each other. 
     The clothes dryer may further include a front cover rotatably provided to open and close a front surface of the lint removing apparatus and a link member connected to the front cover to be rotated along the front cover, wherein when the front cover is opened, the first coupler may be separated from the second coupler through the link member. 
     The lint removing apparatus may further include a holder configured to be rotated at an outside of the first coupler in connection with the link member such that the first coupler and the second coupler are coupled to or separated from each other. 
     The lint removing apparatus may include an inclined surface formed on each of the first coupler and the second coupler such that the first coupler and the second coupler, when rotating in a reverse direction, are separated from each other by sliding. 
     The lint removing apparatus may further include: a holder configured to be rotated at an outside of the first coupler such that the first coupler and the second coupler are coupled to or separated from each other; and a case configured to surround the driving device and the first coupler, wherein the case may further include a first guider, and the first guider is formed in an inclined shape to separate the first coupler from the second coupler through rotation of the holder. 
     The lint removing apparatus may further include: a frame member formed at an outside of the rotation member; and a holder provided at an outside of the second coupler such that the first coupler and the second coupler are coupled to or separated from each other. 
     The frame member may include a second guider having a screw crest shape that guides a rotation direction of the holder to prevent the holder from being separated. 
     The lint removing apparatus may further include a lever coupled to the second coupler and configured to be pressed in a direction toward the second coupler such that the first coupler and the second coupler are separated from each other. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a clothes dryer including: a cabinet; a drum rotatably supported in the cabinet; a supply port configured to guide air into the drum; an exhaust port configured to guide the air in the drum to an outside of the drum; and a lint removing apparatus configured to remove lint from the air passing through the exhaust port, wherein the lint removing apparatus includes: a lint filter configured to capture lint; a rotation member including a fin having a spiral shape to scrap and collect the lint captured in the lint filer; a driving device including a motor rotatable in both directions; a first coupler connected to the driving device to receive power from the driving device; and a second coupler coupled to the first coupler to transmit the power to the rotation member, wherein the motor operates such that the first coupler and the second coupler are coupled to or separated from each other. 
     The lint removal apparatus may include: a first rotation shaft to which the first coupler is coupled; and an elastic member disposed on the first rotation shaft to elastically press the first coupler such that the first coupler and the second coupler are coupled to each other. 
     The lint removing apparatus may include an inclined surface formed on each of the first coupler and the second coupler such that the first coupler and the second coupler, when rotating in a reverse direction, are separated from each other by sliding. 
     The lint removing apparatus may include a terminal gear integrally formed with the first coupler, and configured to transmit the power generated from the driving device by being coupled to the second coupler. 
     The lint removing apparatus may include: a case configured to surround the driving device and the first coupler; a first rotation shaft provided on the case and coupled to the terminal gear; a screw crest formed on the first rotation shaft; and a screw root formed on the terminal gear and configured to guide a rotation direction of the terminal gear by being coupled to the screw crest. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a lint removing apparatus including: a lint filter configured to capture lint; a rotation member including a fin having a spiral shape to scrap and collect the lint captured in the lint filer; a driving device configured to generate power; a first coupler connected to the driving device to receive power from the driving device; and a second coupler coupled to the first coupler to transmit the power to the rotation member. 
     The lint removing apparatus may further include a first rotation shaft to which the first coupler is coupled and an elastic member disposed on the first rotation shaft to elastically press the first coupler such that the first coupler and the second coupler are coupled to each other. 
     The lint removing apparatus may further include: a holder configured to be rotated at an outside of the first coupler such that the first coupler and the second coupler are coupled to or separated from each other; and a case configured to surround the driving device and the first coupler, wherein the case may include a first guider, and the first guider is formed in an inclined shape to separate the first coupler from the second coupler through rotation of the holder. 
     The lint removing apparatus may further include an inclined surface formed on each of the first coupler and the second coupler such that the first coupler and the second coupler, when rotating in a reverse direction, are separated from each other by sliding. 
     The lint removing apparatus may further include a lever coupled to the second coupler and configured to be pressed in a direction toward the second coupler such that the first coupler and the second coupler are separated from each other. 
     Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. 
     Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a view illustrating a clothes dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an internal structure of the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating a drum and a heat exchanger in the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of the drum and the heat exchanger in the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating a front wall of the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a view schematically illustrating a rear surface of the front wall of the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a lint removal apparatus in the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the lint removing device shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a view illustrating a process of separating a lint case in the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 10A  is a view illustrating a coupling device coupled to a driving device in the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 10B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 11A  is a view illustrating the coupling device separated from the driving device in the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 11B  is a cross-sectional illustrating showing the driving device and the coupling device in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 12A  is a view illustrating a coupling device coupled to a driving device in a clothes dryer according to another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 12B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 13A  is a view illustrating the coupling device separated from the driving device in the clothes dryer according to the another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 13B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 14A  is a view illustrating a coupling device coupled to a driving device in a clothes dryer according to still another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 14B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 15A  is a view illustrating the coupling device separated from the driving device in the clothes dryer according to the still another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 15B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 15A ; 
         FIG. 16A  is a view illustrating a coupling device coupled to a driving device in a clothes dryer according to still another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 16B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device coupled to each other in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 16A ; 
         FIG. 16C  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device separated from each other in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 16A ; 
         FIG. 17A  is a view illustrating a coupling device coupled to a driving device in a clothes dryer according to still another embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 17B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device coupled to each other in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 17A ; and 
         FIG. 17C  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device separated from each other in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 17A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 through 17C , discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged system or device. 
     The embodiments set forth herein and illustrated in the configuration of the disclosure are only the most preferred embodiments and are not representative of the full the technical spirit of the disclosure, so it should be understood that they may be replaced with various equivalents and modifications at the time of the disclosure. 
     Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts or components. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the disclosure. It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “include”, “comprise” and/or “have” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The terms including ordinal numbers like “first” and “second” may be used to explain various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are only for the purpose of distinguishing a component from another. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure. Descriptions shall be understood as to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items when the items are described by using the conjunctive term “˜ and/or ˜,” or the like. 
     The terms “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”, and “bottom” as herein used are defined with respect to the drawings, but the terms may not restrict the shape and position of the respective components. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a view illustrating a clothes dryer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an internal structure of the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a clothes dryer  1  according to an embodiment of the disclosure is described. The clothes dryer  1  is an air circulation type clothes dryer that may generate dry air while circulating air, and dry clothes with the generated dry air. 
     The clothes dryer  1  may include a cabinet  2  and an inlet  3 . The cabinet  2  is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and the inlet  3  may be formed in an upper portion of a front side of the cabinet  2  such that clothes is inserted into or withdrawn from the inlet  3 . 
     The inlet  3  may have a horseshoe-shaped appearance. Specifically, an upper portion of the inlet  3  may be formed in a semicircular shape, and a lower end portion of the inlet  3  may be formed to extend in a horizontal direction. 
     A manipulator  4  including a touch panel may be installed at an upper side of the inlet  3 . A controller  5  may be provided behind the manipulator  4  inside the cabinet  2 . A door  6  may be coupled to the front side of the cabinet  2  through a hinge, and the inlet  3  may be opened and closed by the door  6 . 
     A front wall  10  is integrally assembled inside the front surface of the case  2  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). As the front wall  10  is assembled, an annular concave portion  2   a  recessed in an annular shape, an outer flange portion  2   b  protruding from an inner edge of the annular concave portion  2   a  to partition the entrance  3 , a inner flange portion  11  protruding from an inner edge of the outer flange portion  2   b  toward the inside of the case  2 , and the like are formed at a front portion of the case  2 . 
     A door protrusion portion  6   a  to be fitted to the annular concave portion  2   a,  the outer flange portion  2   b,  and the inner flange portion  11  is provided on the entrance  3  side of the door  6 . An exhaust port  20  is provided at a lower end portion of the inner flange portion  11 . 
     A drum  30  for accommodating clothes may be installed inside the cabinet  2 . An opening  30   a  for inserting and withdrawing clothes may be formed in the front of the drum  30 . The drum  30  may be arranged with the opening  30   a  oriented to the inlet  3 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating a drum and a heat exchanger in the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of the drum and the heat exchanger in the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the drum  30  may be formed in a cylindrical shape. In addition, the drum may be supported by the cabinet  2  so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft extending in the front and rear direction. 
     Specifically, the central portion of the rear end of the drum  30  is coupled to the rear portion of the cabinet  2 , and the peripheral edge portion of the front end of the drum  30  is supported by a plurality of guide rollers  13  installed at the front portion of the cabinet  2 . 
     A ventilation port  30   b  having a circular shape and covered with a mesh filter may be formed at the rear end of the drum  30 . 
     A stirring plate  30   c  may be attached to an inner surface of the drum  30 . The stirring plate  30   c  may be formed integrally with the drum  30 . However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. During a drying operation, the drum  30  may be rotated by a driving motor (not shown). 
     The clothes dryer may include a heat exchanger  40 , a blowing apparatus  50 , a lint removal apparatus  100 , and a lint box  70 . The heat exchanger  40 , the blowing apparatus  50 , the lint removal apparatus  100 , and the lint box  70  may be disposed below the clothes dryer  1 . Accordingly, a sufficient installation space may be ensured, and a large-sized, high-performance clothes dryer may be manufactured. In addition, since the center of gravity is lowered, the clothes dryer  1  may be stably installed. In addition, since the components are located below the drum  30  that generates vibration during drying operation, vibration may be suppressed. 
     In addition, as will be described below, the air circulation path is enlarged and simplified, so that air resistance may be reduced to reduce pressure loss, and air flowing out of the drum  30  may be smoothly guided to the heat exchanger  40 . 
     The heat exchanger  40  is composed of an evaporator  41 , a condenser  42 , a compressor  43 , and the like. 
     The evaporator  41  and the condenser  42  both have an outer appearance of a rectangular parallelepiped shape with the transverse width larger than the longitudinal width and are accommodated and arranged in the duct cover  44  side by side in the front-rear direction. That is, the heat exchanger  40  is disposed in the exhaust duct  45 . 
     The heat exchanger  40  is disposed further downstream than the lint removal apparatus  100  along a direction (see the arrows in  FIG. 2 ) in which air flows inside the exhaust duct  45 . 
     According to the embodiment of the disclosure, the lint removal apparatus  100  may be assembled to a lint case  60  which will be described below, and may be disposed on the front side of the lower portion of the clothes dryer  1 . The lint removal apparatus  100  may be disposed in an exhaust duct  45  through which air from the drum  30  flows. 
     The blowing apparatus  50  may include a blowing motor  51 , a blowing fan  52 , and a fan cover  53 . The blowing apparatus  50  may be disposed downstream from the heat exchanger  40  in a direction in which air flows inside the exhaust duct  45 . 
     An outside air introduction fan  55  for introducing outside air into the cabinet  2  may be disposed in front of a compressor  43 . The outside air introduction fan  55  may be coupled to a front wall  10 . 
     The blowing fan  52  may include a centrifugal fan, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the blowing fan  52  may be covered by the fan cover  53 . The fan cover  53  may be provided with a suction port and a discharge port, and the suction port may be connected to a downstream side of the exhaust duct  45 . 
     The clothes dryer may further include a supply duct  56 . The supply duct  56  may be installed along the inner surface of the rear wall of the cabinet  2 . The discharge port of the fan cover  53  may be connected to one end of the supply duct  56 . 
     A supply port  57  may be formed at the other end of the supply duct  56 . The supply port is illustrated in a circular shape, but is not limited thereto and may include various shapes. The supply duct  56  may communicate with the rear portion of the drum  30  through the supply port  57  and the ventilation port  30   b.    
     During drying operation, the blowing fan  52  is rotated by the drive of the blowing motor  51  to generate a flow of air that is directed from the exhaust port  20  to the supply port  57 . Accordingly, circulation of air passing through the drum  30  is formed (see an arrow in  FIG. 2 ). By the blower fan  52  and the heat exchanger  40 , humid air is discharged from the drum  30  through the opening  30   a  and the exhaust port  20 , and dry air is introduced into the drum  30  through the supply port  57  and the ventilation port  30   b.    
       FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating a front wall of the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 6  is a view schematically illustrating a rear surface of the front wall of the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the front wall  10  may be included in the cabinet  2 , and may be coupled to the front inner side of the cabinet  2 . 
     The front wall  10  includes a support frame  14  attached to the front inner side of the cabinet  2 , and the outside air introduction fan  55  and the exhaust port  20  may be installed on the support frame  14 . The guide roller  13  may be installed on the inner surface of the support frame  14 . 
     The inner flange portion  11  may be formed by the support frame  14 , and a connection duct  15  may be formed at a lower side of the inner flange portion  11 . The exhaust port  20  may be provided at a lower end portion of the inner flange part  11 . 
     The connection duct  15  may extend in a vertical direction from the exhaust port  20  toward the lower side, and may connect the exhaust port  20  to the exhaust duct  45 . The connection duct  15  may be provided to have a vertical width greater than a horizontal width while extending in the vertical direction. The lower end portion of the connection duct  15  may communicate with the exhaust duct  45 . 
     The connection duct  15  may be provided at a lower side thereof with an accommodation space  16  including a part of the exhaust duct  45  and elongated in the horizontal direction. The lint removal apparatus  100  and the lint case  60  to be described below may be mounted in the accommodation space  16 . 
     The accommodation space  16  is provided at an inside thereof with an opening having a rectangular shape elongated in the horizontal direction. The opening may be integrally connected to an air inlet  17  provided on the front side of the exhaust duct  45 . 
     The lint box  70  may be disposed on one side of the accommodation space  16 . The outside air introduction fan  55  may be disposed at an upper side of the lint box  70 . 
     A plurality of ribs  18  extending in a front-rear direction is formed on a bottom surface of a portion where the lint case  60  is disposed inside the case  2 , that is, on the bottom surface  2   c  of the case  2  constituting the accommodation space  16 . The lint case  60  may be fitted into the accommodation space  16 . 
     An inner side of the upper portion of the connection duct  15  may be connected to the exhaust port  20 . An upper portion  20   a  of the exhaust port  20  may be formed in a rectangular shape elongated in a horizontal direction. An inner portion  20   b  of the exhaust port  20  may be formed in an inverted arch shape. 
     The center in the horizontal direction of the exhaust port  20  may be located below the center of the drum  30 . Therefore, air may evenly and stably discharged without being affected by the rotation of the drum  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , when the door  6  is closed, the upper portion  20   a  of the exhaust port  20  may be provided to be disposed vertically opposite to a door protruding portion  6   a  of the door  6  with a gap therebetween. The exhaust port  20  may communicate with the front portion of the drum  30  when the door  6  is closed. 
     During the drying operation, air in the drum  30  may be mainly guided to the connection duct  15  through the inner portion  20   b  of the exhaust port  20  to flow downward. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the exhaust duct  45  may extend in a direction (left and right directions) crossing the vertical direction in which the connection duct  15  extends. The exhaust duct  45  communicates with the lower end portion of the connection duct  15  while extending rearward. 
     Further, the exhaust duct  45  may form an L-shaped flow path when viewed from the left and right sides. 
     The accommodation space  16  may be disposed at a portion where the exhaust duct  45  and the connection duct  15  communicate with each other. In the following description, the portion in which the exhaust duct  45  and the connection duct  15  communicate with each other may be defined as the accommodation space  16 . 
       FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a lint removal apparatus in the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the lint removing device shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 9 , the lint removal apparatus  100  is an apparatus for removing lint in the air flowing out of the exhaust port  20 . 
     The lint removal apparatus  100  may include a frame member  110 , a rotation member  120 , and a lint filter  130 . 
     The rotation member  120  may include a rotation shaft  121  and a fin  122  provided on the rotation shaft  121  and having spiral shape. The fin  122  may include a plurality of fins  122  disposed to be spaced apart from each other along the axial direction of the rotation shaft  121 , and the plurality of fins  122  may be designed to have the same outer diameters. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Some of the above components may be omitted. 
     The rotation member  120  is coupled at one end thereof to a driving device including a motor  143   a  to generate power for rotating the rotation member  120 . 
     The frame member  110  may include a lint processing part  112  and a lint lead-out part  113 . Some of the above components may be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the lint processing part  112  includes a main body  112   a  including a rectangular frame, and a plurality of gratings  112  extending in an inclined form while intersecting the axial direction of the rotation shaft  121  of the rotation member  120 . In this case, the rotation shaft  121  may be referred to as a second rotation shaft  121 . A first rotation shaft  182  will be described below. 
     An air introduction port  112   c  is formed between the frame body  112   a  and the grating  112   b  and between the gratings  112   b  adjacent to each other, and air passing through the connection duct  15  is introduced into the lint filter  130  from the air introduction port  112   c.    
     The grating  112   b  may include a lower surface facing the lint filter  130 , and the lower surface of the grating  112   b  may include a curved surface concave upward. The shape of the curved surface may correspond to a part of a rotation trajectory of the rotation member  120 . 
     The lint processing part  112  is provided with two protrusions  112   d  protruding forward and rearward from the front end and the rear end of the frame body  112   a,  respectively. 
     The protrusions  112   d  may support the lint filter  130 . In addition, the protrusions  112   d  may support the lint removal apparatus  100  while the lint removal apparatus  100  is coupled to the lint case  60 . 
     The lint filter  130  may have a U-shaped cross section and may be formed to be elongated in the horizontal direction in the lint processing part  112 . In addition, the lint filter  130  may be detachably coupled to the lint processing part  112 . Some of the above components may be omitted. 
     The lint filter  130  includes a mesh filter  131  having a sheet shape and including a hole through which lint does not pass, and a filter frame  132  elongated in a horizontal direction with a U-shaped cross-section while supporting the mesh filter  131 . 
     The lint filter  130  may be provided at an inside thereof with a collecting surface  130   a  having an arc-shaped cross-section. The collecting surface  130   a  may be disposed to face the upstream side of the air flow path. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the inner diameter of the collecting surface  130   a  may be provided larger than the outer diameter of the fin  122  of the rotation member  120 , and a rubber plate  122   a  configured to come in contact with the collecting surface  130   a  may be attached to the outer side of the fin  122 . 
     The lint filter  130  may be detachably provided on the frame member  110 . 
     The filter frame  132  may be formed of an elastic material, and may include protrusions  132   a  formed at opposite side upper ends thereof. A locking portion  112   e  having a shape corresponding to the protrusion  132   a  may be formed in the protrusion  112   d  of the lint processing part  112 . 
     When the filter frame  132  is pushed to cover the rotation member  120  from the lower side of the frame member  110 , the filter frame  132  is elastically deformed, so that each protrusion  132   a  is caught with a corresponding one of the locking portions  112   e.  Accordingly, the lint filter  130  is caused to be mounted on the lint processing part  112 . 
     The lint removal apparatus  100  may be set to operate for a certain time after the operation of the clothes dryer  1  ends or before the operation starts, for example, when the blowing apparatus  50  or the heat exchanger  40  is not operated. 
     Lint in the air circulating during the drying operation is captured by the lint filter  130  and accumulated on the collecting surface  130   a.  The lint filter  130  may be designed in a size and shape that does not cause clogging by the amount of lint generated in at least one time of drying operation. 
     After the drying operation is finished, a film-shaped lint lump may be generated by the lint remaining on the collecting surface  130   a.  As the rotation member  120  rotates, the lint film may be scraped off from the lint filter  130  by the rotation member  120  and pushed out to one side of the lint filter  130 . 
     Meanwhile, a gap may be set to exist between the fin  122  and the collection surface  130   a  without the rubber plate  122   a  attached to the fin  122  as long as the lint film can be scraped off. In this case, a protrusion configured to be caught with the lint film while in contact with the collecting surface  130   a  may be provided on a portion of the tip of the fin  122 . 
     The lint removal apparatus  100  may not operate during the drying operation. Since the lint removal apparatus  100  may collectively remove lint before or after the drying operation, lint may be removed in a short time. Therefore, complicated control and high-function devices are not required, and relevant costs may be reduced. 
     The lint lead-out part  113  may be located adjacent to one side of the lint processing part  112 . The lint lead-out part  113  may guide the lint film pushed out from the lint filter  130  to the lint box  70 . 
     The lint lead-out part  113  may be provided in a tapered shape in which a cross-sectional area thereof decreases as being directed toward the lint box  70  in the axial direction of the rotation shaft  121 . The lint lead-out part  113  may include a protrusion  113   a  protruding downward from the lower surface thereof. As will be described below, the protrusion  113   a  may support the lint removal apparatus  100  while the lint removal apparatus  100  is attached to the lint case  60 . 
     The lint box  70  may be disposed at one side of the lint lead-out part  113  and store a lint film scraped from the collecting surface  130   a.    
     Since the lint box  70  is disposed adjacent to one side end of the lint filter  130 , the lint film may be easily transferred to the lint box  70  without installing a complicated transfer mechanism. 
     The lint box  70  may include an accommodating portion  71  for accommodating a lint film, and a box front  72  installed to cover the front side of the accommodating portion  71  and attached to the cabinet  2 . 
     The accommodating portion  71  of the lint box  70  may communicate with the lint lead-out portion  113  through a lint conveying port  70   a  formed in an upper right portion of the accommodation space  16  and a lint accommodating port  71   a  formed in an upper left portion of the accommodating portion  71 . Accordingly, the lint film scraped off from the lint filter  130  may be transferred into the accommodating portion  71  of the lint box  70 . 
     The lint box  70  of the clothes dryer  1  may be formed separately from the lint case  60  and may be detachably installed on the lower portion of the cabinet  2 . 
     Although not shown in  FIG. 8 , the lint removal apparatus  100  may include a driving device  140  and a coupling device  150  disposed on the right side of the lint removing apparatus  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , gripping portions  73  are provided on left and right sides of the box front  72  of the lint box  70 . The lint box  70  may be separated from the cabinet  2  by pulling the gripping portion  73  forward. 
     In addition, the box front  72  may be provided to be partly transparent, and allow the amount of lint accumulated in the lint box  70  to be checked without separating the lint box  70  from the cabinet  2 . However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the box front  72  of the lint box  70  may not have a transparent portion. 
     The clothes dryer may include a front cover  80  provided in front of the lint case  60  to open the lint case  60 . That is, the lint case  60  may be accommodated at an inside of the front cover  80 . 
     The lint case  60  may be provided at an inside thereof with a handle  61  provided to withdraw the lint removal apparatus when the front cover  80  is opened. 
     The lint case  60  is provided with a support portion  68  for supporting the lint removal apparatus  100  in a state in which the lint removal apparatus  100  is accommodated in the accommodation space  16 . 
     A support protrusion  68   a  extending toward the center of the support portion  68  is formed on the support portion  68 , and the protrusion  113   a  of the lint lead-out part  113  of the lint removal apparatus  100  is coupled to an upper end of the support protrusion  68   a.    
       FIG. 10A  is a view illustrating a coupling device coupled to a driving device in the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 10B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 10A .  FIG. 11A  is a view illustrating the coupling device separated from the driving device in the clothes dryer according to the embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 11B  is a cross-sectional illustrating showing the driving device and the coupling device in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 11A . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A to 11B , the clothes dryer may further include a link member  170 . The front cover  80  may be connected to the link member  170  that is rotated through opening of the front cover  80 . The link member  170  may be connected to a holder  154  of the coupling device  150  to be described below, and the holder  154  may be provided to rotate together with the link member  170  to separate a first coupler  151  and a second coupler  152  of the coupling device  150  from each other. 
     When the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are separated from each other, the lint removal apparatus  100  may be removed from the clothes dryer  1  using the handle  61  described above. Such a configuration may facilitate cleaning of the lint removal apparatus  100  and replacement of the lint filter  130 . 
     The lint removal apparatus  100  may include a case  181 , the driving device  140 , and the coupling device  150 . 
     The driving device  140  may include a plurality of gears  142 , and include the motor  143   a  connected to the plurality of gears  142 . The motor  143   a  may operate to produce power. 
     Power produced through the plurality of gears  142  connected to the motor  143   a  may be transmitted to the rotation member  120 . Accordingly, the rotation member  120  may scrape off the lint film accumulated in the lint filter  130  to deliver the lint film to the lint box  70 . 
     The case  181  may be formed to surround the driving device  140 . The case  181  may include a first case  181   a  formed to surround the plurality of gears  142  and a second case  181   b  formed to surround a terminal gear  141  to be described below. 
     The first case  181   a  may include the first rotation shaft  182 . The terminal gear  141  to be described below may be coupled to the first rotation shaft  182 . 
     The driving device  140  may include the terminal gear  141 . The terminal gear  141  may transmit power to the coupling device  150 . The terminal gear  141  may be elastically biased by an elastic member  153 . The terminal gear  141  may be connected to the plurality of gears  142  to receive power from the motor  143   a.  The terminal gear  141  may have a protrusion  141   a  extending in the axial direction. The protrusion  141   a  may be formed in a shape corresponding to that of the first coupler  151  so as to be coupled to the first coupler  151 . That is, the protrusion  141   a  may include a flange (not shown) radially protruding therefrom. Power transmitted from the motor  143   a  may be connected to the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  to operate the rotation member  120 . 
     The coupling device  150  may include the first coupler  151 , the second coupler  152 , the elastic member  153 , and the holder  154 . 
     The first coupler  151  may be coupled to the protrusion  141   a  of the terminal gear  141  to transmit power to the second coupler  152 . In the drawings, the first coupler  151  and the terminal gear  141  are illustrated as separate components, but are not limited thereto and may be integrally formed with each other. The first coupler  151  may be formed with a hole (not shown) to correspond to the flange protruding from the terminal gear  141 . That is, the flange may be coupled to the hole of the first coupler  151 . 
     The second coupler  152  may be arranged to be coupled to the first coupler  151 . The second coupler  152  may have a shape corresponding in shape to the first coupler  151  so as to be coupled to the first coupler  151 . The second coupler  152  may be coupled to the second rotation shaft  121  to transmit power to the rotation member  120 . 
     According to the concept of the disclosure, the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are used in coupling and separation the lint removal apparatus  100 , so that gears may be prevented from being broken due to using the gears when transmitting power, and long-term use of the lint removal apparatus  100  may be ensured. 
     The elastic member  153  may be disposed between the first coupler  151  and the terminal gear  141 . The elastic member  153  may include a spring. The use of the elastic member  153  may increase the coupling stability of the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152 . In addition, since compression occurs during separation, when first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are recoupled to each other, the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be recoupled with a small force due to the restoring force of the elastic member  153 . 
     When the front cover  80  is opened, the link member  170  and the holder  154  rotate, so that the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be separated from other. In this case, the elastic member  153  may receive a compressive force exerting toward the terminal gear  141 . The elastic member  153 , upon receiving the compressive force, may be compressed until the front cover  80  is completely opened. Therefore, the more the front cover  80  is opened, the more force is used to open the front cover  80 . 
     Since the front cover  80 , the link member  170 , and the holder  154  operate in connection with each other, a user may allow the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  to be coupled to or separated from each other in a single operation by opening or closing the front cover  80 . 
     The holder  154  may be formed to have a shape corresponding to that of the frame member  110 . That is, the holder  154  may be formed to have a holder inclined surface  154   d.  With such a shape, the holder  154  may be prevented from being separated, and the holder  154  may be rotated while sliding along the holder inclined surface  154   d  through rotation of the front cover  80 . 
     The holder  154  may include a holder body  154   a  and a holder arm  154   b.  The holder body  154   a  may be formed in a circular shape. The holder arm  154   b  may be formed to protrude in the radial direction of the holder body  154   a.  The holder body  154   a  and the holder arm  154   b  may be integrally formed with each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     The holder  154  may be connected to the link member  170  to rotate according to the opening and closing of the front cover  80 . As the front cover  80  is opened, the holder  154  may be rotated in direction A and moved in direction B. In addition, as the holder  154  rotates, the degree of compression of the elastic member  153  may be changed. With the front cover  80  closed, the holder arm  154   b  may be disposed to face the upper side. 
     When the front cover  80  is opened, the holder  154  may rotate in direction A. In this case, the holder arm  154   b  may be disposed to face the front side. 
     Since the holder  154  rotates in direction A while moving in direction B, an insertion hole  154   c  coupled to a second fastening portion  172  may approach a third portion  170   c  of the link member  170  through the second fastening portion  172 . That is, when the front cover  80  is open, the third portion  170   c  of the link member  170  and the insertion hole  154   c  may be disposed closest to each other. 
     The holder arm  154   b  may include the insertion hole  154   c.  The insertion hole  154   c  may be provided such that the link member  170  is coupled to the end of the holder arm  154   b.    
     The link member  170  may include a first portion  170   a,  a second portion  170   b,  and a third portion  170   c.  One end of the first portion  170   a  may include a first fastening portion  171  to be connected to the front cover  80 . That is, the first portion  170   a  may be disposed adjacent to the front cover  80 . The second portion  170   b  may be disposed between the first portion  170   a  and the third portion  170   c  to connect the first portion  170   a  to the third portion  170   c.  A connection portion between the first portion  170   a  and the second portion  170   b  may be connected in a bent shape. In addition, a connection portion between the second portion  170   b  and the third portion  170   c  may be connected in a bent shape. One end of the third portion  170   c  may include the second fastening portion  172  to be connected to the holder arm  154   b.  That is, the third portion  170   c  may be disposed adjacent to the holder  154 . The insertion hole  154   c  provided in the holder arm  154   b  may be coupled to the second fastening portion  172  through press-fitting. The holder arm  154   b  and the second fastening portion  172  may be detachably coupled to each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto and the holder arm  154   b  and the second fastening portion  172  may be integrally formed with each other. 
     The front cover  80  may be coupled to the lint case  60  through a hinge portion  81  provided on one side thereof. 
     The case  181  may include a stopper  184 . That is, the stopper  184  may be provided at one side of the second case  181   b  to limit the rotation angle and distance of the holder  154 . When the front cover  80  is closed, rotation of the holder arm  154   b  in direction A may be limited by a first portion  184   a  of the stopper  184 . On the other hand, when the front cover  80  is opened, rotation of the holder arm  154   b  in direction A may be limited by a second portion  184   b  of the stopper  184 . 
     Due to the stopper  184 , the holder  154  may not be excessively rotated, and the opening and closing of the front cover  80  and the coupling and separation of the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be effectively performed. 
       FIG. 12A  is a view illustrating a coupling device coupled to a driving device in a clothes dryer according to another embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 12B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 11A .  FIG. 13A  is a view illustrating the coupling device separated from the driving device in the clothes dryer according to the another embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 13B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 13A . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12A to 13B , the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may include coupling surfaces  151   b  and  152   b  and inclined surfaces  151   c  and  152   c.  That is, the first coupler  151  may include a first coupling surface  151   b  and a first inclined surface  151   c,  and the second coupler  152  may include a second coupling surface  152   b  and a second inclined surface  152   c.  The driving device  140  may include a driving motor  143   b  capable of rotating in both directions. 
     The use of the driving motor  143   b  capable of rotating in both directions may allow the coupling device  150  to be separated without a user directly separating the first coupler  151  from the second coupler  152  from each other. The clothes dryer may further include a controller (not shown) to control the rotation direction of the driving motor  143   b  capable of rotating in both directions . . . 
     The first coupling surface  151   b  and the second coupling surface  152   c  may be engaged with each other so as to transmit power when the driving motor  143   b  rotates in the forward direction. In addition, the first inclined surface  151   c  and the second inclined surface  152   c  have an inclined shape such that the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are separated from each other while sliding when the driving motor  143   b  rotates in the reverse direction. The length of the outer circumferential surface of the inclined surface  151   c  and  152   c  may be longer than the length of the inner circumferential surface of the inclined surface  152   c.  In addition, the slope on the inner circumferential surface may be formed steeper than the slope on the outer circumferential surface. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto and the inclined surfaces may be formed in various shapes. 
     Since the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  each include the coupling surfaces  151   b  and  152   b  and the inclined surfaces  151   c  and  152   c,  power may be effectively transmitted with the coupling surfaces  151   b  and  152   b  engaged with each other during the forward rotation, and the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be easily separated from each other through the inclined surface  151   c  and  152   c  during the reverse rotation. 
     When the driving motor  143   b  capable of both direction rotations rotate in the forward direction, the rotation member  120  may rotate to scrape the lint film accumulated in the lint filter  130 . On the other hand, when the driving motor  143   b  rotates in the reverse direction, the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be separated from each other while each sliding on an opposite one of the inclined surface  151   c  and  152   c.    
     Since the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  have the inclined surfaces  151   c  and  152   c,  the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be separated from each other by a relatively small driving force of the driving motor  143   b.    
     The first case  181   a  may include the first rotation shaft  182 . The terminal gear  141  may be coupled to the first rotation shaft  182 . 
     The first rotation shaft  182  may include a screw crest  182   a.  The terminal gear  141  may include a screw root  141   b  corresponding to the screw crest  182   a.  With such configuration, the terminal gear  141  and the first rotation shaft  182  may be effectively coupled to each other, and during rotation in direction A by the driving motor  143   b,  the terminal gear  141  may move in direction B along a portion in which the screw root  141   b  of the terminal gear  141  is coupled to the screw crest  182   a  of the first rotation shaft  182  is coupled. That is, due to the screw crest  182   a  and the screw root  141   b,  the terminal gear  141  may be easily rotated and move in direction B according to the coupling and separation of the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  without path deviation. 
     The terminal gear  141  may be elastically biased by an elastic member  153 . The terminal gear  141  may be connected to the plurality of gears  142  to receive power from the motor. The terminal gear  141  may be integrally formed with the first coupler  151 . That is, power transmitted from the motor to the terminal gear  141  may be transmitted to the second coupler  152  to operate the rotation member  120 . The driving device  140  includes the terminal gear  141 , and the coupling device  150  includes the first coupler  151 , but when the terminal gear  141  and the first coupler  151  are integrally formed with each other, the terminal gear  141  and the first coupler  151  may be included in the driving device  140  and the coupling device  150  at the same time. 
     The elastic member  153  may be disposed between the first case  181   a  and the terminal gear  141 . The elastic member  153  may include a spring. When the driving motor  143   b  rotates in the forward direction and then the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are coupled to each other, the elastic member  153  may be in an uncompressed state. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the elastic member  153  may be provided on the second rotation shaft  121  and disposed between the second coupler  152  and the fin  122 . 
     When the driving motor  143   b  rotates in the reverse direction and the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are separated from each other, the elastic member  153  may receive a compressive force from the terminal gear  141  exerting toward the first case  181   a.  The elastic member  153 , upon receiving the compressive force, may be compressed until the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  slide through the inclined surface  151   c  and  152   c  to be completely separated. Accordingly, more and more force of the driving motor  143   b  may be used until the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are completely separated. The use of the elastic member  153  may increase the coupling stability of the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152 . In addition, since compression occurs during separation, when first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are recoupled to each other, the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be recoupled with a small force due to the restoring force of the elastic member  153 . 
       FIG. 14A  is a view illustrating a coupling device coupled to a driving device in a clothes dryer according to still another embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 14B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 14A .  FIG. 15A  is a view illustrating the coupling device separated from the driving device in the clothes dryer according to the still another embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 15B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 15A . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14A to 15B , the clothes dryer according to the embodiment may include the holder  154 . The holder  154  may include a holder body  154   a,  a holder bar  154   e,  and a holder neck  154   d.  The holder body  154   a,  the holder bar  154   e,  and the holder neck  154   d  may be integrally formed with each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     The holder bar  154   e  may serve as a handle that may be easily pressed and pushed by a user when coupling or separating the first coupler  151  to or from the second coupler  152 . The holder neck  154   d  is disposed to connect the holder body  154   a  to the holder bar  154   e.  The holder body  154   a,  the holder neck  154   d,  and the holder bar  154   e  may be integrally formed with each other, but are not limited thereto and may be formed as separate components. 
     By pressing the holder bar  154   e  in direction A, the holder  154  may be rotated along a first guider  183  so that the holder  154  may move in direction B while rotating in direction A. In this case, the elastic member  153  may be compressed. As the holder  154  moves in direction B, the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be separated from each other. 
     The holder  154  may be provided to surround the first coupler  151  at an outside of the first coupler  151 . 
     The second case  181   b  may include the first guider  183  configured to allow the rotational motion (motion in direction A) of the holder  154  to be converted into a linear motion of the holder  154  (motion in direction B), and formed in an inclined shape to prevent the holder  154  from being separated. 
     Due to the functions of the holder  154  and the first guider  183  described above, the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be easily coupled to and separated from each other. 
     The first guider  183  may be provided at an upper portion thereof with a guider groove  183   a.  When the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are coupled to each other, the holder  154  may be separated through the guider groove  183   a.    
     The driving device  140  may include a terminal gear  141 . The terminal gear  141  may transmit power to the coupling device  150 . The terminal gear  141  according to the embodiment may not move, irrespective of the coupling and separation. The terminal gear  141  may be connected to the plurality of gears  142  to receive power from the motor  143   a.  The terminal gear  141  may have a protrusion  141   a  extending in the axial direction. The protrusion  141   a  may be formed in a shape corresponding to that of the first coupler  151  so as to be coupled to the first coupler  151 . That is, the protrusion  141   a  may include a plurality of flanges  141   b  radially protruding from the protrusion  141   a.  The flange  141   c  may extend along the longitudinal direction of the protrusion  141   a.  In the drawing, the number of flanges  141   c  is not limited as shown in the drawings. Power transmitted from the motor  143   a  may be connected to the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  to operate the rotation member  120 . 
     Although not shown, the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may each include coupling surfaces and inclined surfaces. 
     The terminal gear  141  may be integrally formed with the first coupler  151 . 
     The elastic member  153  may be disposed between the first case  181   a  and the terminal gear  141 . The elastic member  153  may include a spring. As the first coupler  151  and the terminal gear  141  move in direction B, the elastic member  153  may be compressed. 
     The use of the elastic member  153  may increase the coupling stability of the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152 . In addition, since compression occurs during separation, when the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are recoupled to each other, the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be recoupled with a small force due to the restoring force of the elastic member  153 . 
       FIG. 16A  is a view illustrating a coupling device coupled to a driving device in a clothes dryer according to still another embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 16B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device coupled to each other in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 16A .  FIG. 16C  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device separated from each other in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 16A . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16A to 16C , the frame member  110  may include a second guider  111  having a screw crest shape. 
     The holder  154  may be coupled to the frame member  110 . The second guider  111  may guide the rotation direction when the holder  154  is coupled to the filter frame  132 . 
     When a user rotates the holder arm  154   b  in direction A, the holder  154  may move in direction C along the second guider  111  formed on the filter frame  132 . In this case, the elastic member  153  may be compressed. As the holder  154  moves in direction C, the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be separated from each other. That is, the A-direction rotational motion is converted into the C-direction linear motion to separate the first coupler  151  from the second coupler  152 . 
     The holder  154  may provide a user with convenience of use when coupling or separating the first coupler  151  to or from the second coupler  152 , and due to the second guider  111  formed on the frame member  110 , the holder  154  may be stably coupled or separated without path deviation. 
     The terminal gear  141  may be connected to the plurality of gears  142  to receive power from the motor  143   a.  The terminal gear  141  may be integrally formed with the first coupler  151 . That is, the power transmitted from the motor  143   a  to the terminal gear  141  may be transmitted to the second coupler  152  to operate the rotation member  120 . 
     The holder  154  may include the holder body  154   a  and the holder arm  154   b.  The holder body  154   a  may be formed in a circular shape. The holder arm  154   b  may be formed to radially protrude from the holder body  154   a.  The holder body  154   a  and the holder arm  154   b  may be integrally formed with each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     The elastic member  153  may be disposed between the second coupler  152  and the rotation member  120 . The elastic member  153  may include a spring. 
     The use of the elastic member  153  may increase the coupling stability of the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152 . In addition, since compression occurs during separation, when the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are recoupled to each other, the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be recoupled with a small force due to the restoring force of the elastic member  153 . 
     In a state in which the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are coupled, the elastic member  153  may be in an uncompressed state. On the other hand, when the holder  154  rotates to separate the first coupler  151  from the second coupler  152 , the elastic member  153  may be compressed. In this case, the elastic member  153  may receive a compressive force exerting toward the rotation member  120 . The elastic member  153  upon receiving the compression force may be compressed until the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are completely separated from each other. Therefore, more and more force may be used until the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are separated from each other. 
     The use of the elastic member  153  may increase the coupling stability of the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152 . In addition, since compression occurs during separation, when the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are recoupled to each other, the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be recoupled with a small force due to the restoring force of the elastic member  153 . 
       FIG. 17A  is a view illustrating a coupling device coupled to a driving device in a clothes dryer according to still another embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 17B  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device coupled to each other in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 17A .  FIG. 17C  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the driving device and the coupling device separated from each other in the clothes dryer shown in  FIG. 17A . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17A to 17C , the coupling device  150  may include a lever  155 . The lever  155  may be coupled to an outside of the second coupler  152 . 
     The lever  155  may include a lever body  155   a  and a push bar  155   b.  A length from the lever body  155   a  to the push bar  155   b  is longer than a length from the push bar  155   b  to the lever body  155   a.  One end of the push bar  155   b  may be formed and bent. The lever body  155   a  and the push bar  155   b  are illustrated in a quadrangular shape, but are not limited thereto and may include various shapes. The lever body  155   a  and the push bar  155   b  may be integrally formed with each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     When a user presses the push bar  155   b  in direction C, the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be separated from each other. In this case, the elastic member  153  may be compressed. 
     The user may easily separate the first coupler  151  from the second coupler  152  using the lever  155 . 
     In the drawing, the lever  155  is illustrated as being coupled to the outside of the second coupler  152 , but is not limited thereto, and may be coupled to the outside of the first coupler  151 . When the lever  155  is coupled to the outside of the first coupler  151 , the user may easily separate the first coupler  151  from the second coupler  152  by pressing the push bar  155   b  in a direction opposite to direction C. 
     The terminal gear  141  may be connected to the plurality of gears  142  to receive power from the motor  143   a.  The terminal gear  141  may be integrally formed with the first coupler  151 . That is, the power transmitted from the motor  143   a  to the terminal gear  141  may be transmitted to the second coupler  152  to operate the rotation member  120 . 
     The elastic member  153  may be disposed between the second coupler  152  and the rotation member  120 . The elastic member  153  may include a spring. 
     In a state in which the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are coupled to each other, the elastic member  153  may be in an uncompressed state. On the other hand, when a user presses the lever  155  to separate the first coupler  151  from the second coupler  152 , the elastic member  153  may be compressed. In this case, the elastic member  153  may receive a compressive force exerting toward the rotation member  120 . The elastic member  153  upon receiving the compression force may be compressed until the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are completely separated from each other. 
     The use of the elastic member  153  may increase the coupling stability of the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152 . In addition, since compression occurs during separation, when the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  are recoupled to each other, the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be recoupled with a small force due to the restoring force of the elastic member  153 . 
     The lever  155  is pressed toward the second coupler  152  so that the first coupler  151  and the second coupler  152  may be separated from each other. The lever  155  may be disposed to rotate in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front by being pressed. 
     As is apparent from the above, the clothes dryer according to the aspect of the disclosure is provided with a lint removal apparatus that is easily separated using a coupler structure. 
     The clothes dryer according to an aspect of the disclosure is provided with a holder and a link member to separate a lint removal apparatus with simple operation. 
     The clothes dryer according to an aspect of the disclosure ensures a long time use with a coupling device of a driving device and a lint removing device using a coupler structure. 
     Although few embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, the above embodiment is illustrative purpose only, and it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and scope of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents. 
     Although the present disclosure has been described with various embodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.