Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The embodiment relates to a dryer and a foreign material removing apparatus thereof. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In general, a dryer is an apparatus that dries a dry target by blowing hot wind generated by a heater into a rotary drum to absorb moisture of a drying target (i.e., clothes which has been washed). 
         [0005]    The dryer is largely classified into an exhaust type dryer and a condensation type driver in accordance with a processing scheme of wet air containing moisture generated by drying the drying target. More specifically, the exhaust-type dryer uses a scheme that discharges the wet air discharged from the drum to the outside of the dryer, while the condensation-type dryer use a re-circulation scheme that removes the moisture by condensing the wet air discharged from the drum in a heat-exchanger and thereafter, heats a dry air without moisture again and sends it to the drum. 
         [0006]    Meanwhile, since the drum is formed in a rotation type, the drying target housed in the drum shakes in the drum as the drum rotates. In this process, foreign materials contained in the drying target are spread in the air. That is, the foreign materials are included in the air passing through the drum. 
         [0007]    The foreign materials contained in the air causes troubles while passing through mechanical components of the dryer. In addition, the foreign materials contained in the air are discharged to the outside of the dryer to injure user&#39;s health. Therefore, while the air passing through the drum passes through a filter, the foreign materials should be removed from the air. 
         [0008]    In general, the filter is provided at the front portion of the drum and filters the foreign materials contained in the air passing through the drum. When the foreign materials are accumulated in the filter at predetermined levels, circulation of the air is interfered, such that cleaning is required. In general, the filter is removably coupled to the dryer and after a drying cycle is terminated, the user separates and cleans the filter. 
         [0009]    In particular, since the foreign materials which are contained in the wet air contain moisture, the foreign materials are damply attached to the filter. In addition, as the drying cycle is performed, when the amount of the moisture contained in the air decreases, the damply wet foreign materials adhere to the filter while being dried. 
         [0010]    According to the dryer in the related art, in order to clean the filter to which the foreign materials is adhered, there is a problem in that the cleaning should be by the user effort, such as strongly shaking off the filter. 
         [0011]    If the state where the foreign materials adhere to the filter is ignored, proper wind quantity is not secured. As a result, since the air heated by the heater is not cooled, there is a risk of firing. 
         [0012]    In addition, since the filter cleaning operation should be performed whenever using the dry in order to secure the wind quantity in the dryer and prevent firing, it is troublesome to the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The embodiment proposes to solve the above-mentioned problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a dryer including a filter to more facilitate cleaning and a foreign material removing apparatus thereof. 
         [0014]    In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a dryer that automatically clean a filter without manually cleaning the filter and allows the user to separate and discharge the foreign materials removed from the filter and a foreign material removing apparatus thereof. 
         [0015]    Further, yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dryer that maintains wind quantity at a predetermined level to improve drying performance without a risk of firing and a foreign material removing apparatus. 
         [0016]    In order to achieve the above objects, a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a cabinet that forms an exterior; a drum that is provided in the cabinet and houses a drying target; a base that has a rotation motor rotating the drum and a blowing fan moving air in the drum; a drum cover that is coupled to the base and supports the drum; a case in which an air introduction hole that is mounted on the drum cover and into which air discharged from the drum is introduced and an air discharge hole that discharges air without foreign materials are formed; and a filtering unit that is separately mounted on the case and filters the foreign materials in the introduced through the introduction hole, wherein the filtering unit includes a filter member in which a plurality of parts folded based on the curved portion are provided. 
         [0017]    A foreign material removing apparatus of a dryer according to another embodiment includes: a case that includes an air introduction hole into which air discharged from a drum is introduced and an air discharge hole that discharges air introduced through the air introduction hole from which foreign materials are separated; a filter member that is mounted on the case to filter the foreign materials from air and is provided with a plurality of parts; a curved portion that connects the plurality of parts and can relatively rotate the plurality of parts; and a guide part that extends along at least one side of the filter member and guides the rotation of the plurality of parts. 
         [0018]    A dryer according to yet another embodiment of the present invention includes: a drum that houses a drying target; a base that includes a rotation motor that is provided on one side of the drum and rotates the drum and has a blowing fan that moves air; a foreign material removing apparatus that filters foreign materials from air moved by the operation of the blowing fan and cleans the filtered foreign materials; and a foreign material case that is provided on one side of the foreign material removing apparatus and stores the foreign materials cleaned in the foreign material removing apparatus, wherein the foreign material removing apparatus includes a filter member that separates the foreign materials from air and perform a folding movement; a filter case that movably supports the filter member; and a guide groove that is provided on one side of the filter case and guides the folding movement of the filter member. 
         [0019]    With the dryer and the foreign material removing apparatus according to the present invention, it can clearly remove the foreign materials adhered to the filter only by the simple operation without using the user effort. 
         [0020]    In addition, the filter is provided in a folded type and is automatically operated by the driving unit, thereby making it possible to effectively remove the foreign materials adhered to the filter. Therefore, the product image is luxurious and the satisfaction of user is increased. 
         [0021]    Moreover, the convenience of user can be maximized by separating and cleaning only the case when the foreign materials are stored in the case above a predetermined amount without the user needing to clean the filter each time the dryer is used. 
         [0022]    Further, since the wind quantity passing through the inside of the drum is secured at a predetermined level or more while the filter is automatically cleaned, there is no risk of firing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an exterior of a dryer according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view showing main internal components of a dryer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view showing components of a foreign material removing apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a side view showing a curved part of a filter member of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a side view showing an appearance before the filter member of  FIG. 3  is curved. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a side view showing an appearance after the filter member of  FIG. 3  is curved. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a filter member of a dryer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a filter member of a dryer according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a side view showing an appearance before the filter member of  FIG. 8  is curved. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a side view showing an appearance after the filter member of  FIG. 8  is curved. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an exterior of a dryer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0035]    Hereinafter, a condensation-type dryer described as an embodiment in order to describe the spirit of the present invention. However, it is to be noted that the spirit of the embodiments is not limited to the condensation-type dryer and is applicable even to an exhaust-type dryer. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a dryer  10  according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet  100  forming an exterior thereof and having an opening part  110  formed on a front surface thereof and a door  120  that is rotatably connected to one side of the cabinet  100  and selectively opens and closes the opening part  110 . 
         [0037]    The inside of the cabinet  100  is provided with a drum  200  (see  FIG. 2 ) that receives a moisture containing drying target. The drying target can be input into the drum  200  through the opening part  110 . 
         [0038]    The door  120  is provided with a transparent window  121 . The user can view the inside of the drum  200  to confirm the drying state in the state where the door  120  is closed. 
         [0039]    A control unit  140  that can control a cycle of the dryer  10  is provided on one side of the cabinet  100 . A display unit that displays an operation condition of the dryer and a plurality of buttons that can be operated by the user are included in the control unit  140 . 
         [0040]    A drawer  130  that stores condensed water that is generated in the drying process of the drying target is provide on the front surface of the cabinet  100 . When the condensed water is stored in the drawer  130  above a predetermined level, the user can draw out the drawer  130  to drain the condensed water. 
         [0041]    A lower cover  150  is removably provided on the front lower portion of the cabinet  100 . The lower cover  150  plays a role of covering a heat exchanger  260  (see  FIG. 2 ) cooling air that circulates in the dryer  10  so that the heat exchanger  260  is not viewed from the outside. The user separates the lower cover  150  from the cabinet  100  and thereafter, draws out the heat exchanger  260  for cleaning. 
         [0042]    Meanwhile, a foreign material removing apparatus  300  removing the foreign materials contained in the air passing through the drum  200  is provided on the front of the drum  200 . Hereinafter, the detailed configuration thereof will be described. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view showing main internal components of a dryer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the cabinet  100  includes the drum  200  housing the drying target, a drum cover  210  that is coupled to the front surface of the drum  200  to support the drum  200 , a rotation motor  221  that is provided in a lower portion of the drum  200  to rotate the drum  200 , a blowing fan  222  that is connected to the rotation motor  221  to circulate the air in the drum  200 , and a base  220  on which the rotation motor  221  and the blowing fan  222  are mounted. 
         [0045]    More specifically, the drum  200  has a cylindrical shape of which the front surface and the rear surface are opened and the front surface of the drum  200  is disposed to face the opening part  110 . The front surface of the drum  200  is rotatably connected to the drum cover  210 . A felt, etc., is provided in the drum cover  210  that is in contact with the drum  200  to allow the drum  200  to smoothly rotate. 
         [0046]    The drum cover  210  supports the drum  200  and is coupled with the front end portion of the base  220 . The drum cover  210  is formed with an input hole  211  into which the drying target is input. The input hole  211  may be punched to correspond to the opening part  110  and the front surface of the drum  200 . 
         [0047]    When the user opens the door  120  and inputs the drying target through the opening part  110 , the drying target is housed in the drum  200  while passing through the input hole  211 . 
         [0048]    In addition, an air duct  215  is provided on the lower side of the input hole  211  so that air passing through the drum  200  can be circulated. The foreign material removing apparatus  300  is mounted on the air duct  215  to clean the foreign materials. A foreign material removing cover  250  is connected to the lower portion of the air duct  215 . The detailed description thereof will be described. 
         [0049]    The base  220  is configured to form the bottom surface of the dryer  10  and support the drum  210  and the drum  220 . 
         [0050]    The rotation motor  221  is provided at an approximately central portion of the base  220  and can be connected to the drum  200  by a belt member (not shown). The drum  200  can be rotated by the driving of the rotation motor  221 . 
         [0051]    The blowing fan  222  may be rotatably connected to the rotation motor  221  and may be provided at the front portion of the motor  221 . A cooling fan  223  that is driven by the rotation motor  221  and sucks the external air is provided at the rear portion of the rotation motor  221 . The external air sucked by the cooling fan  223  is heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger  260 . 
         [0052]    Although not shown in the drawings, a heater, which heats air introduced into the drum  200 , is provided on the rear portion of the drum  200 . 
         [0053]    The heat exchanger  260  that performs the heat exchange between the air which circulates in the drum  200  and the air introduced from the outside of the dryer  10  to exchange heat is provided in one side of the base  220 . 
         [0054]    The heat exchanger  260  is provided to be drawn out and in from the front portion of the base  220  so that the user can draw out the heat exchanger  260  and clean it. The detailed operation of the heat exchanger  260  will be described below. 
         [0055]    In addition, the foreign material removing apparatus cover  250  is removably provided on the front portion of the base  220 . The foreign material removing apparatus cover  250  is provided on the lower portion of the drum cover  210  and is connected to the lower end portion of the air conduct  215 . 
         [0056]    In detail, the insertion groove  251  into which the foreign material removing apparatus  300  can be inserted is formed to be depressed in the upper end portion of the foreign material removing apparatus cover  250 . The insertion groove  251  is connected to the lower end portion of the air duct  215 . Therefore, when the foreign material removing apparatus  300  is inserted into the air duct  215 , at least a part of the foreign material removing apparatus  300  is inserted into the insertion groove  251 . 
         [0057]    The insertion groove  251  extends to the front portion of the blowing fan  222 . A communicating hole  252 , which moves air to the blowing fan  222 , is formed in the insertion groove  251  The air, which passes through the drum  200 , is introduced into the air duct  215  and can be moved to the blowing fan  222  while passing through the foreign material removing apparatus  300  and the insertion groove  251 . 
         [0058]    The foreign material case  300  in which the foreign materials are stored and a foreign case housing part  255  to which the foreign material case  390  is removably coupled are provided on one side of the foreign material removing apparatus cover  250 . The foreign materials can be input in the foreign material case  390  through the opened upper surface. 
         [0059]    The foreign material case housing unit  255  is depressed to the rear portion to correspond to the shape of the foreign material case  390 . The hook  256 , which is locked to the foreign material case  390 , is provided on the bottom surface of the foreign material case housing part  255 . 
         [0060]    A foreign material dropping hole  253  is formed on the foreign material removing apparatus cover  250  so that the foreign materials dropping from the foreign material removing apparatus  300  can be housed in the foreign material case  390 . 
         [0061]    More specifically, a foreign material discharge hole  314  (see  FIG. 3 ) is formed on the bottom surface of the foreign material removing apparatus  300  and the foreign material dropping hole  243  is disposed at a position corresponding to the foreign material discharge hole The foreign materials separated from the foreign material removing apparatus  300  is input to the foreign material case  390  and the foreign material case  390  while passing through the foreign material dropping hole  253 . 
         [0062]    When the foreign materials stored in the foreign material case  390  is filled at a predetermined level or more, the foreign material can be discharged by separating the foreign material case  290 . 
         [0063]    In another embodiment, a part of the foreign material removing apparatus  300  can be configured to be protruded to the lower portion of the foreign material dropping hole  253 . In this case, since the lower end portion of the foreign material removing apparatus  300  is housed in the foreign material case  390 , the foreign materials dropping from the foreign material removing apparatus  300  can prevent the leakage to the outside. 
         [0064]    Further, the foreign material removing apparatus cover  250  can be formed to shield the inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger  260  in order to sufficiently secure the size of the filter member  500  to be described later. In this case, the heat exchanger  260  can be drawn out after the lower cover  150  and the foreign material removing apparatus  250  are removed. 
         [0065]    Meanwhile, since the driving to et contains a large amount of moisture, when dry hot wind passes through the drying target, the moisture contained in the drying target evaporates and spreads to the air. The evaporation process is executed at the same time when the drum  200  rotates and the drying target is dried by being rotated with the drum  200 . 
         [0066]    At this time, foreign materials such as dust, naps, etc. contained in the drying target spread to the air. The foreign materials are included in the air that passes through the drum  200 . When the foreign materials are introduced into the blowing fan  222 , etc., the fault of the blowing fan  220  can occur, such that the foreign materials can be filtered before passing through the blowing fan  222 . 
         [0067]    The foreign material removing apparatus  300  is mounted on the drum cover  210 , such that air passing through the drum  200  can be removed from the foreign materials. 
         [0068]    In detail, when the foreign material removing apparatus  300  is mounted to the low part from the upper portion of the air duct  215  and at least a part of the foreign material removing apparatus  300  is inserted into the insertion groove  251 . 
         [0069]    The air, which passes through the drum  200 , is introduced from the upper side of the foreign material removing apparatus  300  and after the foreign material is filtered, is discharged to the front portion of the foreign material removing apparatus  300 . At this time, the front portion of the foreign material removing apparatus  300  can be disposed to be spaced from the drum cover  210  and the inner side surface of the insertion groove  251  so that air smoothly flows in the drum cover  210  and the insertion groove  251 . 
         [0070]    The operation of the drier  10  having the above-mentioned configuration will be described below. 
         [0071]    The dryer  10  is a condensation-type dryer and is operated in a scheme that the air (a dotted line arrow of  FIG. 2 , hereinafter, circulation air) circulating in the dryer  10  is cooled by the air (a solid line arrow of  FIG. 2 , hereinafter, cooling air) introduced from the outside of the dryer  10 . 
         [0072]    In detail, the circulation air in the drum  200  includes a large quantity of moisture containing foreign materials. The circulation air moves forward by the rotation of the blowing fan  222  and is discharged from the drum  200  and passes through the foreign material removing apparatus  300 . In this process, the foreign materials included in the circulation air are filtered by the filter member  500  to be described later. 
         [0073]    The circulation air, which passes through the foreign material removing apparatus  30 , moves to the heat exchanger  260  through the blowing fan  22  and can be cooled by being heat-exchanged with the cooling air. In the heat exchange process, the condensed water, which is condensed from the circulation air, moves to the drawer  130  and is discharged. 
         [0074]    The cooled circulation air moves to the rear portion of the base  220  and is heated at high temperature by the heater. The heated air is introduced into the drum  200  again and circulates in the dryer  10 . 
         [0075]    Meanwhile, the cooling air is sucked into the base  220  from the rear portion of the drier  10  by the rotation of the cooling fan  223 . The cooling air moves to the heat exchanger  260  along the passage formed in the base  220  and can be heat-exchanged with the circulation air. The cooling air with an increased temperature in the heat exchange process is discharged to the front or side of the drier  10 . 
         [0076]    Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the foreign material removing apparatus  300  will be described with reference to the drawings. 
         [0077]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view showing components of a foreign material removing apparatus of  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4  is a side view showing a curved part of a filter member of  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 5  is a side view showing an appearance before the filter member of  FIG. 3  is curved, and  FIG. 6  is a side view showing an appearance after the filter member of  FIG. 3  is curved. 
         [0078]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 6 , the foreign material removing apparatus  300  includes a first case  310  in which an air introduction hole  311  is formed, a second case  320  in which an air discharge hole  321  is formed, and a filtering unit  400  that is provided in a space between the first case  310  and the second case  320  and filters the foreign materials in the air introduced through the air introduction hole  311 . 
         [0079]    However, the first case  310  and the second case  320  may be integrally injection-molded. Unlike one shown in the drawings, the air introduction hole  311  may be formed in the second case  320  and the air discharge hole  321  may be formed in the first case  310 . 
         [0080]    The first case  310  faces the rear portion of the dryer  10  and the second case  320  is inserted to face the front portion of the dryer  10 , in the state where the foreign material removing apparatus  300  is inserted into the drum cover  310 . 
         [0081]    In other words, the first case  310  is disposed to face the rear portion of the drier  10  so that it faces the drum  200  and the air discharged from the drum  200  may be introduced into the air introduction hole  311  through the air duct  215 . 
         [0082]    In detail, the air introduction hole  311  is a part into which air discharged from the drum  200  is introduced and is formed on the upper par of the first case  310  to be tilted at a predetermined angle. The air discharged from the drum  200  may be input at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal surface. The air introduction hole  311  is provided in a grill shape, such that it can prevent the drying target from inputting to the inside of the foreign material removing apparatus  300 . 
         [0083]    Since the air introduction hole  311  is provided to be tilted, the air discharged from the drum  200  flows while forming a predetermined angle with respect to the filtering unit  400 . 
         [0084]    The foreign material discharge hole  314 , which separates the foreign materials from the filtering unit  400  and is discharged, is formed on the bottom surface of the first case  310 . The foreign discharge hole  314  is positioned at the front side of the surface that filters the foreign materials of the filtering unit  400 , such that it is formed to smoothly discharge the separated foreign materials. 
         [0085]    A handle groove  312  may be formed on the upper end portion of the first case  310  so that the user can easily hold a removable handle  420  of the filtering unit  400 . 
         [0086]    The air discharge hole  321 , which discharges air passing through the filtering unit  400 , is formed in the second case  320 . The air discharge hole  321  is formed in an approximately rectangular shape and is formed at a sufficient size so that the wind quantity, which circulates in the dryer  10 , can be secured above a predetermined level. 
         [0087]    In addition, a guide rib  325 , which guides the coupling of the filtering unit  400 , is provided at both sides of the second case  320 . The filtering unit  400  may be inserted downwardly to face a space between the second case  320  and the guide rib  325 . 
         [0088]    The guide rib  325  supports the front portion of the filtering unit  400  in the state where the filtering unit  400  is coupled thereto and the filtering unit  400  can be closed to the second case  320 . 
         [0089]    In the state where the filtering unit  400  is coupled to one side of the guide rib  325 , the air discharge hole  321  can be shielded. The air introduced through the air introduction hole  311  can pass through the filtering unit  400  and be discharged to the air discharge hole  321 . The foreign materials discharged through the foreign material discharge hole  314  can be stored in the foreign material case  390 . 
         [0090]    The filtering unit  400  includes, a filter case  410 , an air hole  430  that is formed the filter case  410  in a punched form and is formed correspond to the shape of the air discharge hole  321 , a filter member  500  that is formed to shield the air hole  430  and filters the foreign materials, and a guide part  450  that guides the curve of the filter member  500 . 
         [0091]    In detail, the filter case  410  is configured to be inserted into the second case  320 . 
         [0092]    A removable handle  420  is provided on the upper end portion of the filter case  410  so that the user can easily hold the filter case  410  to separate the filtering unit  400  from the foreign material removing apparatus  300 . The removable handle  420  may be disposed at a position corresponding to the removable handle groove  312  when the filter case  410  is coupled with the second case  320 . 
         [0093]    The filter case  410  includes the air hole  430  that is formed at a position corresponding to the air discharge hole  321  when the filter case  410  is coupled with the second case  320 . The air hole  430  is shielded by the filter member  500  and the air passing through the filter member  500  moves to the air discharge hole  321  through the air hole  430 . 
         [0094]    The guide part  450 , which guides the curve of the filter member  500 , extends up and down at both sides of the air hole  430 . The up and down direction may be a direction that is defined corresponding to the configuration that the filter member  500  moves (folds) up and down. 
         [0095]    In detail, the guide part  450  is formed to be protruded by a predetermined length from the filter case  410 . The guide part  450  is formed with a guide groove  451  that is depressed downwardly. The upper end portion of the guide groove  451  is formed with the insertion part  455  opened so that the filter member  500  can be inserted. The filter member  500  is inserted to the lower portion from the upper portion of the insertion part  455 . 
         [0096]    The guide groove  451  extends from the lower portion of the insertion part  455  to the lower end portion of the guide part  450  and the filter member  500  may be inserted up to the lower end portion of the guide part  450  along the guide groove  451 . At this time, the guide groove  451  is formed at a position spaced by a predetermined distance from the filter case  410  so that the filter member  500  is closely coupled to the filter case  410 . 
         [0097]    The upper end portion and lower end portion of the guide groove  451  are formed an upper hooking groove  452  and a lower hooking groove  453 , respectively, so that they are disposed to be intersected with the extending direction of the guide groove  451 . The upper end portion and lower end portion of the filter member  500  can be inserted into the hooking grooves  452  and  453 , respectively, such that the filter member  450  may be maintained in an unfolded state. 
         [0098]    Meanwhile, the filter member  500  is formed so that the plurality of parts are relatively curved to each other. At this time, it is preferable that the parts are provided in an even number so that the filter member  500  can be curved the state where the filter member  500  is coupled with the guide part  450 . In the embodiment, the case where the filter member  500  is configured in four parts will be described by way of example. 
         [0099]    The filter member  500  includes a first part  510  that is provided on the uppermost side, a second part  520  that is connected to the lower portion of the first part  510 , a third part  530  that is connected to the lower portion of the second part  520 , and a fourth part  540  that is connected to the third part  530  and is provided on the lowermost side. 
         [0100]    Each of the first, second, third, and fourth parts  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540  can be configured by one that the filter  570  is attached to the frame  512 . The frame  512  has an approximately rectangular shape and the central portion of the frame  512  is punched. The filter  570  is configured to filter the foreign materials. 
         [0101]    At this time, the filter  570  is formed so that all the filters provided to each of the part  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540  can be connected, thereby better separating the foreign materials. The detailed contents thereof will be described below. 
         [0102]    A fixing projection  517 , which moves up and down while being inserted into the guide groove  451 , is formed at both sides of the upper end portion of the first part  510  and the lower end portion of the fourth part. The fixing projection  517  may extend to the outer side of the guide part  450 . 
         [0103]    The fixing projection  517  is coupled to a fixing member  550 . The fixing member  550  is coupled at both sides of the first part  510  and the fourth part  540  and the filter member  500  can be coupled to the filter case  410  by the fixing member  550 . The filter member  500  is fixed to the guide part  450  by inserting the fixing projection  517  into the hooking grooves  452  and  453 . 
         [0104]    A filter handle  515  is provided on the upper end portion of the first part  510 . The filter handle  515  is coupled to the upper end portion of the first part  510  by a hinge and can be configured to be rotated according to the degree of pulling the filter handle  515  by the user. 
         [0105]    Meanwhile, each part  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540  is connected to each other by curved parts  581 ,  582 , and  583 . 
         [0106]    The curved parts, which are formed on the upper side and the lower portion of one of the parts  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540 , are disposed not to be positioned on the same line in a vertical direction. Therefore, when the user holds the filter handle  515  and pulls it down, the filter member  500  is folded as becoming wrinkled and in this process, the foreign materials that are filtered in the filter member  500  can be removed. 
         [0107]    In detail, the rear edge of the lower end portion of the first part  510  is protruded downwardly by a predetermined length, such that it is connected to a portion protruded by a predetermined length from the rear edge of the upper end portion of the second part  520 . The connection portion can be thinly formed to be folded. 
         [0108]    At this time, the connection portion forms the first curved part  581 . Since the first curved part  581  is provided at the rear portions of the first and second parts  510  and  520 , the first part  510  can be relatively rotated clockwise with respect to the second part  520  based on the first curved part  581  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0109]    The front edge of the lower end portion of the second part  520  is protruded by a predetermined length downwardly, such that it is connected to the portion protruded by a predetermined length from the front edge of the upper end portion of the third part  530 . 
         [0110]    At this time, the connection portion forms the second curved part  582 . Since the second curved part  582  is provided at the front portions of the first and second parts  520  and  530 , the second part  510  can be relatively rotated counterclockwise with respect to the third part  530  based on the second curved part  582  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0111]    In summary, the first curved part  581  is disposed to face the rear portion of the second part  520  and the second curved part  582  is disposed to face the front portion of the second part  520 . In other words, the first curved part  581  and the second curved part  582  are disposed to face each other. The first part  510  may be rotated clockwise by the arrangement and the second part  510  may be rotated counterclockwise. 
         [0112]    The configuration of the third curved part  583  between the third part  530  and the fourth part  540  is similar to the configuration of the first curved part  581  and the third part  530  can be relatively rotated clockwise with respect to the fourth part  540  based on the third curved part  583  (see  FIG. 6 ). Similarly, the second curved part  582  and the third curved part  583  are disposed to face each other. 
         [0113]    The above-mentioned curved part is alternately disposed in a front and rear direction of each part  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540 , such that each part  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540  is sequentially rotated in different directions (clockwise or counterclockwise direction). Consequently, the filter member  500  is operated to be folded as becoming wrinkled while each part  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540  are rotated. 
         [0114]    Consequently, the length of the filter member  500  in the folded state is formed to be smaller than the filter member  500  in the unfolded state. In the embodiment, when the filter member  500  is folded up and down, the length of the up and down direction of the filter member  500  can be reduced during the folding process. On the other hand, in embodiments as will be described later, when the filter member  500  is folded left and right, the length of the left and right direction of the filter member  500  can be reduced during the folding process. 
         [0115]    At this time, since the fixing projection  517  moves in the state where it is inserted into the guide groove  451 , the filter member  500  can be folded only in a predetermined direction. In addition, since the filter member  500  is folded in the state where it is coupled with the filter case  410 , the user can conveniently clean the filter member  500 . 
         [0116]    Meanwhile, adjacent filters of each of the part  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540  are closely disposed in the state where the filter member  500  is unfolded. In other words, the filter, which is provided in one part and the filter, which is provided in the adjacent part are closely formed, such that a filter, which is substantially plane to the filter member  500 , can be obtained. 
         [0117]    For example, the filter  570  can be attached to extend to the adjacent parts while passing through the curved parts  581 ,  582 , and  583  from the front surface of each part  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540 . 
         [0118]    The function and operation of the filter member  500  will be described below. 
         [0119]    The air introduced through the air introduction hole  311  passes through the filtering unit  400  and is discharged to the air discharge hole  321 . In this process, the foreign materials included in the air are filtered in the filtering unit  400 . 
         [0120]    Air necessarily passes through the filter member  500  in the state where the filter member  500  and the air hole  430  are shielded, such that the foreign materials can be easily filtered by the filter  570 . 
         [0121]    The filters  570  attached to each part  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540  are closely formed to each other, such that the foreign materials can be filtered at boundary portions of each part  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540 . 
         [0122]    Meanwhile, at the early state of the drying cycle, the foreign materials are collected in the filter surface of the filter member  500  together with moisture while a large quantity of moisture containing air is filtered. Thereafter, when air, which is gradually dried according to the progress of the drying cycle, passes through the filter member  500 , a coagulation phenomenon that the collected foreign materials are firmly adhered to the filter member can occur. In particular, the foreign materials may be adhered to the curved parts  581 ,  582 , and  583 . 
         [0123]    After the drying cycle is terminated, the user separates the filtering unit  400  from the foreign material removing apparatus  300 . The user can open the door  120  and separate the filtering unit  400  by using the removable handle  420  that is exposed to the outside. 
         [0124]    After the filtering unit  400  is separated, the user pulls the filter handle  515  forward, such that the fixing projection  517  of the first part  510  is separated from the upper hooking groove  452 . Thereafter, when the user pulls the filter handle  515  downward, the filter member  500  becomes wrinkled by being curved based on the curved parts  581 ,  582 , and  583 . 
         [0125]    When the filter member  500  becomes wrinkled, the adhered foreign materials can be separated from the filter member  500  based on the position corresponding to the curved parts  581 ,  582 , and  583 . If necessary, the folding operation to wrinkle the filter member  500  can be repeatedly performed as described above. 
         [0126]    Pieces of the separated foreign materials are stored in the foreign case  390  and the user removes the foreign materials of the foreign case  390 , such that the cleaning of the filtering unit  400  can be finished. 
         [0127]    Consequently, the hardened foreign materials are separated from the filter member  500  and can be cleaned by the operation of pulling the filter handle  515  by the user, thereby making it possible to increase the convenience of use. 
         [0128]    Hereinafter, a dryer according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, since the second embodiment has the difference in the direction that the filter is folded as compared to comparing the first embodiment, the difference will mainly be described and the same components thereof recites the description and reference numerals of the first embodiment. 
         [0129]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a filter member of a dryer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0130]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the guide unit  450  is formed on the upper portion and lower portion of the air hole  430  to extend in a left and right direction. 
         [0131]    The left and right portions of the guide part  450  are provided with the insertion part  455  in which the filter member  500  is inserted and the guide groove  451  that extends to a horizontal direction from the insertion part  455 . One end portion and the other end portion of the guide groove  451  are each formed with the hooking grooves  452  and  453 . 
         [0132]    The filter member  500  is inserted into the insertion part  455  in a horizontal direction and the fixing projection  517  is inserted into the hooking groove  452 , such that the filter member is fixed to the filter case  410 . The user holds the filter handle  515  and applies force thereto to pull it in a horizontal direction, such that the coagulated foreign materials adhered to the filter member can be broken and removed. 
         [0133]    In this case, since the curved parts  581 ,  582 , and  583  lengthily extend up and down and the filter member  500  is folded to be wrinkled in a left and right direction, the foreign materials separated from the surface of the filter  270  is easy to drop in a down direction that is a gravity direction. That is, the foreign materials can be better separated from the surface of the filter  270 . 
         [0134]    In summary, the filter member  500  of the first embodiment is inserted into the filtering unit  400  up and down (vertically) and thus, is disposed to be folded up and down, while the filter member  500  according to the embodiment is inserted into the filtering unit  400  in a left and right (horizontal) direction and thus is disposed to be folded left and down. 
         [0135]    Hereinafter, a dryer according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, since the third embodiment has difference in a configuration that the filter is automatically folded as compared to comparing the first embodiment, the difference will mainly be described and the same components thereof recites the description and reference numerals of the first embodiment. 
         [0136]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a filter member of a dryer according to a third embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 9  is a side view showing an appearance before the filter member of  FIG. 8  is curved, and  FIG. 10  is a side view showing an appearance after the filter member of  FIG. 8  is curved. 
         [0137]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 to 10 , a driving unit  480  is provided on the lower portion of the air hole  430  so that the filter member  500  can be automatically folded. 
         [0138]    In detail, the driving unit  480  includes a driving motor  482 , a motor supporting part  481  that is protruded from the filter case  410  and supports the driving motor  482 , and a pulley  483  that is connected to the rotation shaft of the driving motor  482 . The driving motor  482  may be disposed so that the pulley  483  is positioned in a vertical direction of the filter case  410 . 
         [0139]    The pulley  483  is connected to a wire  460 . The wire  460  is fixed to the upper end portion of the first part  510  while passing through the space between the filter member  500  and the filter case  410 . The pulley  483  and the wire  460  can be considered as a “power transfer unit” that transfers the driving force of the driving motor  482  to the filter member  500 . 
         [0140]    In detail, the upper end portion of the first part  510  is provided with a hooking part  511  that is protruded from the first part  510  and is curved at least once. The wire  460  may be hooked to the hooking part  511 . 
         [0141]    The filter case  410  is provided with a direction changing pulley  487  that changes the direction of the wire. The direction changing pulley  487  is disposed to be spaced by a predetermined distance from the filter case  410  so that the wire  460  extended from the pulley  483  can pass through the space between the filter member  570  and the filter case  410  without interfering with the filter member  570 , etc. The direction changing pulley  487  may be fixed to the filter case  410  by the pulley supporting part  486 . 
         [0142]    The filter member  500  may be folded by the driving of the driving motor  482 . 
         [0143]    In detail, when the pulley  483  is rotated, the wire  460  is wound on the pulley  483 . Therefore, a downwardly pulled force is applied to the first part  510  and in this process, the filter member  500  is folded. At this time, since the fixing projection  517  drops along the guide groove  451  and the filter member  500  can be folded in a predetermined direction. 
         [0144]    Meanwhile, the upper part of the filter member  500  is provided with an elastic member  470  that returns the filter member to an original state from the state where the filter member  500  is folded. The elastic member  470  includes a tension spring. However, the elastic member  470  is not limited to the tension spring and other elastic body, which provides a restoring force, can be used. The embodiment will describe the tension spring by way of example. 
         [0145]    In detail, the elastic member  470  is fixed to the fixing part  415  whose one side is fixed to the hooking part  511  and the other side is formed on the upper side of the filter case  410 . 
         [0146]    The elastic member  470  is in the state where the external force is not applied when the filter member  500  is unfolded, that is, the state where the elastic deformation does not occur. 
         [0147]    On the other hand, when the filter member  500  is folded, the elastic member  470  is extended and applies the restoring force upward. The size of the restoring force is proportional to the degree that the elastic member  470  is folded by a Hook&#39;s law. 
         [0148]    When the filter member  500  is folded and thus, the coagulated foreign materials reach a separated state, the operation of the driving motor  482  stops. The operation time of the driving motor  482  can be previously set. 
         [0149]    When the operation of the driving motor  482  stops, the filter member  500  is unfolded in an original state by the restoring force of the elastic member  470 . In this process, the pulley  483  is rotated in an opposite direction when the filter member  500  is folded and the wire  460  is released. 
         [0150]    As described above, when the operation of the driving motor  482  and the restoring process by the elastic member  470  are repeated, the foreign materials adhered to the filter member  500  can be better separated and discharged. 
         [0151]    The foreign materials separated from the filter member  500  are stored in the foreign material case  390  through the foreign material discharge hole  314  by the above-mentioned process. 
         [0152]    When the foreign materials are stored in the foreign case  390  above a predetermined level, the user separates only the foreign material case  390  and throws out the foreign materials and then mounts the foreign material case  390  again. 
         [0153]    Since the foreign materials are automatically cleaned, the foreign materials are not accumulated in the filter  570  and thus, the wind quantity in the dryer  10  can be always maintained at a proper level or more. At this time, the above-mentioned process of cleaning foreign materials can be performed at the time point when the foreign materials is completely coagulated to be easily broken, that is, at the time point when the drying cycle is terminated or after the drying cycle is terminated. 
         [0154]    With the foreign material removing apparatus  300  having the above-mentioned configuration, the convenience of use is maximized since the user does not need to clean the filter each time the drying operation is performed. 
         [0155]    Further, the product image is luxurious and the satisfaction of user is increased since the foreign materials are automatically removed. 
         [0156]    In addition, since the user separates only the foreign material case  390  and throws out the foreign materials therein, he and she can conveniently use the drier  10 . 
         [0157]    Moreover, since the wind quantity passing through the inside of the drum is maintained at a predetermined level or more by automatically performing the process of removing the foreign materials, there is no risk of firing.

Technology Category: 6