U.S. patent application number 15/765242 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-04 for portable clothes dryer and clothes drying method thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to SHIQIANG SHAN, HUACHENG SONG, SHUJUN TIAN, SHENG XU.
Application Number | 20180282935 15/765242 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58414678 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180282935 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
XU; SHENG ; et al. |
October 4, 2018 |
PORTABLE CLOTHES DRYER AND CLOTHES DRYING METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
A portable clothes dryer and a clothes drying method thereof,
wherein the portable clothes dryer comprises: a casing (1) provided
with air inlets (4) and air outlets; a detachable garment model (8)
made of elastic material comprising an inflatable chamber, the
chamber provided with an air intake port (82) through which air
from the air outlet enters into, clothes to be dried putting on the
garment model (8) for drying; a heating device (7) disposed inside
the casing (1) to heat air; a blower (6) configured to move heated
air to the chamber of the garment model (8). The overall size of
the dryer can be reduced to make it easy to carry due to the
garment model with the inflatable chamber is detachable and made of
elastic material; the clothes to be dried could be neatly put on
the garment model so the clothes dried in this manner is
wrinkle-free and can be dressed immediately, and the ironing
process is saved.
Inventors: |
XU; SHENG; (QINGDAO,
SHANDONG PROVINCE, CN) ; TIAN; SHUJUN; (QINGDAO,
SHANDONG PROVINCE, CN) ; SONG; HUACHENG; (QINGDAO,
SHANDONG PROVINCE, CN) ; SHAN; SHIQIANG;
(US) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD. |
QINGDAO, Shandong Province |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
58414678 |
Appl. No.: |
15/765242 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
September 14, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2016/098972 |
371 Date: |
March 30, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 73/00 20130101;
D06F 2202/12 20130101; D06F 2204/04 20130101; D06F 59/02
20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 59/02 20060101
D06F059/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 30, 2016 |
CN |
201510633256.0 |
Claims
1. A portable clothes dryer comprising: a casing provided with air
inlets and air outlets; a detachable garment model made of elastic
material comprising an inflatable chamber, the chamber provided
with an air intake port through which air from the air outlet
enters into, clothes to be dried putting on the garment model for
drying; a heating device disposed inside the casing to heat air;
and a blower configured to move heated air to the chamber of the
garment model.
2. The portable clothes dryer of claim 1, wherein comprising: a
supporting rod retractably arranged on the casing; the supporting
rod being pulled out when preparing the dryer for use and the
garment model being sleeved on the supporting rod or the upper part
of the garment model being fixed on the supporting rod.
3. The portable clothes dryer of claim 2, wherein: an extending end
of the supporting rod provided with a support block, the top
surface of the casing provided with a receiving groove matched with
the support block, the support block disposed in the receiving
groove.
4. The portable clothes dryer of claim 2, wherein: the casing
provided with an installing portion matched with the air intake
port of the garment model, the supporting rod passing through the
air intake port and extending into the chamber as the air intake
port being fixedly mounted on the installing portion.
5. The portable clothes dryer of claim 2, wherein: the garment
model provided with extending openings corresponding to the
supporting rods, the supporting rods extending into the chamber
through the extending openings as the garment model being
installed.
6. The portable clothes dryer of claim 1, wherein: the blower
capable of being upwardly ejected arranged at the air outlet
comprising a cylindrical blower casing with a top surface, a
plurality of air outtake ports opened on the cylindrical side wall
of the blower casing; the blower ejecting upwardly to expose the
air outtake ports when preparing the dryer for work.
7. The portable clothes dryer of claim 6, wherein: the lower
periphery of the blower casing configured to be in close contact
with the air outlet once the blower upwardly ejected, the air
intake port of the garment model configured to be installed at the
lower periphery of the blower casing to ensure the overall air
outlet disposed in the chamber of the garment model.
8. The portable clothes dryer of claim 1, wherein: the air outlet
having an upwardly funnel-shaped extending portion, and the upper
end of the extending portion being fixed on the top surface of the
casing.
9. The portable clothes dryer of claim 1, wherein: a pressure
sensor disposed corresponding to the air outlet; when the dryer
works, comparing the pressure detected with a preset pressure; if
the detected pressure is higher than or equal to the preset
pressure, stopping the blower and the heating device; if the
detected pressure is lower than the preset pressure, maintaining
the blower and the heating device at work.
10. A method for drying clothes according to the portable clothes
dryer of claim 1, comprising the following steps: a. installing and
fixing the air intake port of the garment model on the casing,
putting the clothes to be dried on the garment model; b. starting
the clothes dryer: the blower and the heating device begin to work,
the air introduced from the air inlet is heated by the heating
device, then the heated air is directed by the blower to flow into
the chamber of the garment model through the air intake port, the
garment model is inflated to put on the clothes to be dried; and c.
taking off the dried clothes and then turning off the portable
clothes dryer, removing the garment model.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of
clothes dryers, in particular relates to a portable clothes dryer
and a clothes drying method thereof.
BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY
[0002] Clothes dryers typically used occupy much floor space, which
are heavy for lifting and moving. These appliances are merely
suitable to be installed in a fixed location inside room. People
need to change clothes, especially small items as shirts, pants and
underwear in business or in travelling, but not all of the hotels
provide drying service; public dryers are available sometimes but
there are hygienic issues to be concerned. Therefore a portable
clothes dryer becomes a basic necessity for people who travel
frequently.
[0003] Various portable clothes dryers previously proposed
typically have an upper shell, a lower shell, and supporting rods
provided between the upper shell and the lower shell. The
supporting rods are designed to be retractable or detachable which
could be drawn back in or be removed to shorten the overall height
of the dryer to make it easy to carry when they are not in use, or
likewise could be pulled out or installed when it is in use for
creating a space between the upper shell and the lower shell in
which clothes to be dried is hung on a coat hanger. Those
arrangements require the length and the width of the space are a
bit larger than those of the coat hanger, namely the volume of the
space is much larger than the size of the clothes, and thus the
time period of drying process extends even longer, and the drying
efficiency is lowered. In fact, the flatness of the clothing dried
in this way is not satisfying and it requires an extra ironing
process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a portable clothes dryer that
is simple to operate and easy to carry, the clothes dried is
wrinkle-free.
[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present
invention adopts the following technical solutions.
[0006] One aspect of the disclosure relates to a portable clothes
dryer, the portable clothes dryer including a casing, and one or
more air inlets and one or more air outlet are provided on the
casing; the dryer further comprises a detachable garment model made
of flexible material; the garment model has an inflatable chamber
with an air intake port and air is introduced to the air intake
port through the air outlet; clothes is configured to be put on the
garment model and dried; the dryer further comprises a heating
device disposed inside the casing to heat air; the dryer further
comprises a blower configured to move heated air into the chamber
of the garment model.
[0007] Further, the portable clothes dryer further comprises one or
more supporting rod, the supporting rod is retractably arranged on
the casing; when preparing the dryer for use, the supporting rod is
being pulled out and the garment model is sleeved on the supporting
rod.
[0008] Further, the portable clothes dryer further comprises one or
more supporting rod, the supporting rod is retractably arranged on
the casing; when preparing the dryer for use, the supporting rod is
being pulled out and the upper portion of the garment model is
sleeved on the supporting rod.
[0009] Further, an air duct communicating with the air inlet and
the air outlet is formed inside the casing, and the heating device
is disposed in the air duct.
[0010] Further, the air inlets are opened on both sides of the
casing, the air outlet is opened at the center of the top surface
of the casing, and the air duct is configured in a shape of an
inverted alphabet T.
[0011] Further, the air intake port is detachably connected to the
air outlet.
[0012] Further, the blower capable of being upwardly ejected is
disposed corresponding to the air outlet, and the blower comprises
a cylindrical blower casing with a top surface, a plurality of air
outtake ports are opened on the cylindrical side wall of the blower
casing; when preparing the dryer for use, the blower ejects
upwardly and the air outtake ports are exposed.
[0013] Further, a pressure sensor is disposed corresponding to the
air outlet; when the dryer works, comparing the pressure detected
with a preset pressure; if the detected pressure is higher than or
equal to the preset pressure, stopping the blower and the heating
device; if the detected pressure is lower than the preset pressure,
maintaining the blower and the heating device at work.
[0014] Further, the lower periphery of the blower casing is in
close contact with the air outlet once the blower is upwardly
ejected and the air intake port of the garment model is installed
at the lower periphery of the blower casing to assure the overall
air outlet is in the chamber of the garment model.
[0015] Further, an annular groove is formed at the lower periphery
of the blower casing and an elastic fixing structure is arranged
around the air intake port of the garment model, and the elastic
fixing structure is installed in the annular groove.
[0016] Further, the air outlet has an upwardly funnel-shaped
extending portion, and the upper end of the extending portion is
fixed on the top surface of the casing.
[0017] Further, the garment model is provided with extending
openings corresponding to the supporting rods; the supporting rods
extend into the chamber through the opening as installing the
garment model.
[0018] Further, the casing is further provided with an installing
portion matched with the air intake port of the garment model; when
the air intake port is fixedly mounted to the installing portion,
the supporting rods pass through the air intake port and extend
into the chamber.
[0019] Further, the casing has a top surface, the air outlet and
the top end of the supporting rods are located on the top surface,
an installing portion configured to mount the air intake port of
the garment model is further disposed on the top surface, the air
outlet and the top end of the supporting rods are surrounded by the
installing portion.
[0020] Further, an extending end of the supporting rod is provided
with a supporting block, a receiving groove matched with the
supporting block is arranged on the top surface of the casing, and
the supporting block is disposed in the receiving groove.
[0021] Further, a cabinet for storing the garment model is disposed
in the casing.
[0022] Further, a handle is provided on the casing.
[0023] Further, the garment model is opened with vent holes.
[0024] According to the above-mentioned portable clothes dryer, the
present invention also provides a clothes drying method by the
portable clothes dryer, the method comprises the following
steps:
[0025] installing and fixing the air intake port of the garment
model on the casing, putting the clothes to be dried on the garment
model;
[0026] starting the clothes dryer: the blower and the heating
device are activated, the air introduced from the air inlet is
heated by the heating device, then the heated air is directed by
the blower to flow into the chamber of the garment model through
the air intake port, the garment model is inflated to put on the
clothes to be dried;
[0027] taking off the dried clothes and then turning off the
portable clothes dryer, removing the garment model.
[0028] Further, the portable clothes dryer further comprises one or
more supporting rod, and the support rod is retractably disposed on
the casing; before the step a, the method comprises a step a0, a0:
pulling out the supporting rod and putting the garment model on the
supporting rod.
[0029] Further, the portable clothes dryer further comprises one or
more supporting rod, and the support rod is retractably disposed on
the casing; before the step a, the method comprises a step a0, a0:
pulling out the supporting rod and putting the upper portion of the
garment model on the supporting rod.
[0030] Further, the step b further comprises a pressure determining
step to control the pressure inside the chamber between a first
preset pressure and a second preset pressure; if the pressure
inside the chamber is higher than or equal to the first preset
pressure, stopping the blower and the heating device; if the
pressure inside the chamber is lower than or equal to the second
preset pressure, maintaining the blower and the heating device at
work.
[0031] According to the above-mentioned portable clothes dryer, the
present invention also provides a clothes drying method by the
portable clothes dryer, the method comprises the following
steps:
[0032] installing and fixing the air intake port of the garment
model on the casing; [0033] a) starting the clothes dryer: the
blower and the heating device are activated, the air introduced
from the air inlet is heated by the heating device, then the heated
air is forced by the blower to flow into the chamber of the garment
model through the air intake port, the garment model is inflated to
put on the clothes to be dried; [0034] b) taking off the clothes
until it is dried and then turn off the portable clothes dryer,
removing the garment model.
[0035] The portable clothes dryer provided by the present invention
comprises a casing, a heating device, a blower, and a detachable
garment model. The overall size of the dryer can be reduced to make
it easy to carry due to the garment model with the inflatable
chamber is detachable and made of elastic material; the clothes to
be dried could be neatly put on the garment model so the clothes
dried in this manner is wrinkle-free and can be dressed
immediately, thus the ironing process is saved. In addition, the
heated air is introduced by the blower to enter into the chamber of
the garment model, and the heat is directly transmitted to the
clothes to be dried via the garment model to evaporate moisture.
Heated dry air are filled in the chamber constantly to enhance the
drying efficiency, additionally the small volume of the chamber
also improve it.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a first embodiment
of the portable dryer according to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 2 is a rear view from FIG. 1;
[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view from FIG. 1;
[0039] FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the portable dryer
from FIG. 1 as the supporting rod being pulled out;
[0040] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged schematic view of the area A
from FIG. 4;
[0041] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the portable dryer
from FIG. 4 as the garment model being installed;
[0042] FIG. 7 is another schematic view illustrating the portable
dryer from FIG. 4 as the garment model being installed.
[0043] FIG. 8 is flow chart illustrating the control process of the
portable dryer;
[0044] FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating a second embodiment
of the portable dryer according to the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating the portable dryer
from FIG. 10 as the supporting rod being pulled out;
[0046] FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the portable dryer
from FIG. 4 as the garment model being installed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0047] In the detailed description, numerous specific details are
set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide a
thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention.
[0048] In the description of the present invention, it is worthy to
be noted that the terms "inner", "outer", "upper", "lower", "left"
and "right" showing the direction or position are merely based on
the drawings for convenience in describing, rather than indicating
or implying that the claimed device or element is limited in a
specific orientation or be constructed or operated in a specific
orientation. These terms should not be construed as the limitation
of the present invention.
[0049] FIGS. 1 to 8 are diagrams illustrating an example of the
portable clothes dryer in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention. The portable clothes dryer shown in FIG. 1 comprises a
casing 1. The casing 1 may be provided with a knob 2, a handle 3, a
power plug 5, air inlets 4 and one or more air outlets. A heating
device 7 and a blower 6 are arranged inside the casing 1. The
handle 3 rotates around a fixed portion of the casing 1, and it
turns up for lifting and turns down as the dryer in operation. The
air inlets 4 are configured to introduce air from outside when the
dryer works. The power plug 5 is used to provide electricity supply
to the portable dryer and power the heating device 7, the blower 6
and the controller. When the power plug is not in use, it is
received in the casing 1, when the power plug is in use, it is
being pulled out. The heating device 7 is arranged within the
casing 1 to heat air. The portable clothes dryer further includes a
detachable garment model 8. The clothes to be dried is put on the
garment model 8 to dry. The garment model 8 is made of elastic
material and has an inflatable chamber. The chamber has an air
intake port 82 where air directed from the air outlet flows into.
When the clothes dryer is at work, the air intake port 82 covers
the air outlet as the garment model 8 is being installed, thereby
allowing the blower to direct heated air to enter into the chamber
of the garment model 8 and inflate the chamber.
[0050] The portable clothes dryer provided in this embodiment
includes a casing 1, a heating device 7, a blower 6, and a
detachable garment model 8. Due to the garment model with the
inflatable chamber is detachable, also could be deflated and made
of elastic material, the overall size when the dryer is not in use
can be reduced to make it easy to carry; the clothes is put on the
garment model neatly for drying so the clothes dried in this manner
is flat without wrinkle and can be dressed immediately, and the
ironing process is saved. In addition, the heated air blown by the
blower 6 enters the chamber of the garment model 8, and the heat is
directly transmitted to the clothes to be dried via the garment
model 8 to evaporate moisture. Heated dry air is filled in the
chamber constantly to enhance the drying efficiency. In addition,
the chamber is smaller in contrast to the prior art due to fact
that the clothes is put on the garment model to dry instead of
being covered, the chamber is filled with heated air in a very
short time, thereby further enhancing drying efficiency.
[0051] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the
blower 6 is disposed at a position corresponding to the air outlet
and capable of being upwardly ejected. The blower 6 includes a
cylindrical blower casing 61 with a top surface 611. A plurality of
air outtake ports 62 are opened on the cylindrical side wall of the
blower casing; when preparing the dryer for work, the blower ejects
upwardly to expose the air outtake ports. The ejecting blower 6
protrudes from the top surface of the casing 1, so that the air
flowing efficiency is improved, thereby enhancing the drying
efficiency.
[0052] In this embodiment, when the blower 6 is ejected, the lower
periphery of the blower casing 61 is in close contact with the air
outlet, that is to say, the air in the duct cannot pass through the
gap between the blower 6 and the air outlet; the air inlet 82 of
the garment model 8 is installed at the lower portion of the blower
casing 61 so that the air outlet 62 is located inside the chamber
of the garment model 8 and air blown from the air outlet could
enter into the chamber directly to improve the drying
efficiency.
[0053] Various arrangements could be used to fix the air intake
ports 82 of the garment model 8 on the blower casing 61. In this
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, an annular groove 612 is disposed
at the lower portion of the cylindrical side wall of the blower
casing 61. An elastic fixing structure, for example, a pulling cord
or elastic band is provided at the air intake port 82 of the
garment model 8. The air intake port 82 of the garment model 8
could be installed in a convenient manner by stretching the air
intake port 82 and cover it out of the groove 612.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 5, the air outlet has an upwardly
funnel-shaped extending portion 9 to facilitate the installation
and fixture of the air intake ports 82 of the garment model 8, and
the upper end of the extending portion 9 is fixed on the top
surface of the casing 1. That is to say, the funnel-shaped
extending portion 9 is formed outwardly corresponding to the air
outtake port. Accordingly, there is enough space for installing the
air intake port 82 of the garment model 8, and further to make the
appearance of the portable clothes dryer more concise.
[0055] The garment model 8 is preferably made of heat-permeable
airtight elastic material, such as PVC. The garment model 8
comprises a top model and a bottom model which are used for drying
coats and pants respectively, and further comprises other small
models for drying small items. In addition, the garment model 8
further includes top models and bottom models in different size to
ensure that the clothes to be dried could be in close contact with
the garment model to improve flatness.
[0056] In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in
FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in order to control the pressure in the chamber
of the garment model 8 as well as enable the air in the chamber to
circulate, venting holes 83 are opened on the garment model 8,
especially at the portion where the clothes are difficult to dry,
such as the armpit portion of the top model or the connecting
portion between the legs of the bottom model. The venting holes 83
allow air in the chamber to circulate drying clothes around and
additionally could save room for heated air entering from the air
intake port 82.
[0057] In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in
FIG. 8, in order to control the pressure in the chamber of the
garment model 8, a pressure sensor is disposed at the air outlet to
maintain pressure inside the chamber between the first preset
pressure P1 and the second preset pressure P2. In the working
process of the portable dryer, if the detected pressure P is higher
than or equal to the second preset pressure P2, the blower 6 and
the heating device 8 stop running; if the detected pressure P is
lower than the preset pressure P1, the blower 6 and the heating
device 8 are working. According to this arrangement, the blower 6
and the heating device 8 are intermittently stopped to maintain the
pressure P in the garment model 8 between the first preset pressure
P1 and the second preset pressure P2, so that the drying efficiency
is enhanced and the power consumption is reduced.
[0058] The second preset pressure P2 is the maximum pressure that
the garment model could bear, which is determined by the material
of the garment model. The first preset pressure P1 could be set as
atmospheric pressure or slightly larger than it. Preferably, the
first preset pressure P1 could be set as the pressure value within
the inflated chamber of the garment model 8 under the condition
that the clothes is putting on, for example, the first preset
pressure P1 is 1 atm to 1.5 atm.
[0059] In the present embodiment, the pressure sensor is provided
on the top surface of the blower casing 61.
[0060] In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in
FIG. 4, the portable clothes dryer further includes one or more
support rods 10 retractably disposed on the casing 1. When
preparing the portable clothes dryer for use, the support rod 10 is
being pulled out, and the garment model 8 is sleeved on the support
rod 10. In this way, the support rod 10 is disposed in the chamber
of the garment model 8 to support the garment model 8. The garment
model 8 is supported by the supporting rod 10 and it could be put
on the clothes to be dried before the chamber inflated by the
blower 6.
[0061] In this embodiment, the portable clothes dryer may include
two supporting rods 10 arranged from the left to the right. The top
end of the supporting rod 10 is disposed at the top surface of the
casing 1. A support block 101 is disposed at an extending end of
the support rod 10. A receiving groove matched with the support
block is disposed on the top surface of the casing 1. The support
block 101 is configured to be in the receiving groove and aligned
with the top surface of the casing 1 as the supporting rod 10 is
being drawn back in the casing 1, so as to make the overall
appearance more concise; meanwhile the support block 101 increases
the contact area between the garment model 8 and the supporting rod
10 as the garment model 8 is sleeved on the supporting rod 10.
[0062] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the
garment model 8 includes extending openings 84 corresponding to the
supporting rods 10 due to the configuration that the air intake
port of the garment model 8 is fixedly arranged on the blower
casing 61 and the garment model 8 is sleeved on the support rod 10.
When installing the garment model 8, the supporting rod 10 extends
into the chamber through the extending opening 84. The lower end of
the extending opening 84 is further provided with a pull rope or
elastic belt to seal the extending opening 84 and the supporting
rod 10 as the garment model 8 is being installed.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 1 to Figure. 8, a method for drying clothes
by the portable clothes dryer according to this embodiment is
described. The method comprises the following steps:
[0064] a0: Pulling out the two support rods 10 and installing the
garment model 8 on the support rods 10.
[0065] Specifically, ejecting the blower 6 upwardly and pulling out
the two supporting rods 10, extending the supporting rods 10 into
the chamber through the opening 84, that is to say, placing the
garment model 8 over the supporting rods 10.
[0066] a, the air intake port 82 of the garment model 8 is fixedly
arranged on the casing 1, and the clothes to be dried are put on
the garment model 8.
[0067] Specifically, the air intake port 82 of the garment model 8
is installed and fixed to the groove 612 of the blower casing 61,
and the clothes to be dried are put on the garment model 8.
[0068] b, activating the portable dryer: the blower 6 and the
heating device 7 start to work, air entering from the air inlet 4
is heated by the heating device 7, and the heated air is blown into
the chamber of the garment model 8 by the blower 6 through the air
inlet open 82, the chamber is being inflated to for drying.
[0069] In operation, measuring pressure within the chamber and
controlling the pressure between a first preset pressure P1 and a
second preset pressure P2. To be specific, if the pressure measured
is higher than or equal to the second preset pressure P2, stopping
the blower 6 and the heating device 8; if the pressure measured is
lower than the first preset pressure P1, the blower 6 and the
heating device 8 are working; thus the intermittent running of the
blower 6 could maintain the pressure within the chamber between the
first preset pressure P1 and the second preset pressure P2.
[0070] c. removing the clothes until it is dried, turning off the
portable dryer and removing the garment model 8.
[0071] Referring to the FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, a second embodiment of
the portable clothes dryer according to the present invention is
disclosed. The main difference between the present embodiment and
the first embodiment lies in that the air intake port of the
garment model is directly mounted and fixed on the casing. Other
structures may employ those of the first embodiment.
[0072] To be specific, in this embodiment, a portable clothes dryer
includes a casing 1, air inlets 4 and air outlets, the air inlets 4
and the air outlets are disposed on the casing 1, and a heating
device 7 and a blower 6 are disposed inside the casing 1. The air
inlets 4 are configured to direct air from the outside when the
dryer in operation. The heating device 7 disposed inside the casing
for heating air. The portable clothes dryer also has a detachable
garment model 8. The clothes to be dried are put on the garment
model 8 for drying. The garment model 8 is made of flexible
materials and has an inflatable chamber with an air intake port 82.
Air directed from the air outlet flows to the air intake port 82.
The configuration requires that the air intake port covers the air
outlet as the garment model 8 is being installed so that the blower
could force heated air flow into the chamber of the garment model 8
to inflate it.
[0073] The portable clothes dryer provided in this embodiment is
configured to include the casing 1, the heating device 7, the
blower 6 and the detachable garment model 8. The overall size of
the dryer can be reduced to make it easy to carry due to the
garment model with the inflatable chamber is detachable and made of
elastic material; the clothes to be dried could be neatly put on
the garment model so the clothes dried in this manner is
wrinkle-free and can be dressed immediately, and the ironing
process is saved. In addition, the heated air blown by the blower
enters the chamber of the garment model, and the heat is directly
transmitted to the clothes to be dried via the garment model to
evaporate moisture. Heated dry air are filled in the chamber
constantly to enhance the drying efficiency, additionally the small
volume of the chamber also improve it.
[0074] The air outlet is located at the center of the top surface
of the casing 1. The portable clothes dryer may include two
supporting rods 10 arranged from the left to the right. The top end
of the supporting rod 10 is disposed at the top surface of the
casing 1. A support block 101 is disposed at an extending end of
the support rod 10. A receiving groove matched with the support
block is disposed on the top surface of the casing 1. The support
block 101 is configured to be in the receiving groove and aligned
with the top surface of the casing 1 as the supporting rod 10 is
being drawn back in the casing 1, so as to make the overall
appearance more concise; meanwhile the support block 101 increases
the contact area between the garment model 8 and the supporting rod
10 as the garment model 8 is sleeved on the supporting rod 10.
[0075] In this embodiment, the casing 1 is provided with an
installing portion 13 matched with the air intake port 82 of the
garment model 8. When the air intake port 82 is fixedly mounted to
the installing portion 13, the support rod 10 extends into the
chamber through the air intake port 82. As such, the air outlet and
the supporting rod 10 are covered by the garment model 8, or the
air outlet and the top end of the supporting rod 10 are surrounded
by the installing portion 13. The opening is saved due to that the
supporting rod 10 is configured to enter into the chamber through
the air intake port 82 in this embodiment.
[0076] The installing portion 13 is disposed on the upper part of
the side wall of the casing 11 or on the top surface of the casing
11. The installing portion 13 protrudes outwardly. The air intake
port 82 of the garment model 8 is provided with an elastic pulling
cord. The pulling cord is fixedly mounted on the lower end of the
projected part of the installing portion 13 as installing the air
intake port 82 on the installing portion 13, so as to ensure the
tightness of the connection between the air intake port 82 and the
installing portion 13.
[0077] One or more hooks are further arranged on the installing
portion 13. An extending end of the pulling cord is fixed on the
hook to ensure the stability of the garment model in the drying
process.
[0078] In other embodiments, the garment model 8 may not be sleeved
on the support rod 10, that is to say, the support rod 10 is not
disposed in the chamber. The upper part of the garment model 8 is
configured to fix on the support rod 10, and the air intake port 82
on the lower part is directly installed and fixed at the air
outlet; clothes to be dried cover both of the garment model 8 and
the support rod 10.
[0079] In this embodiment, an air duct 12 communicating with the
air inlet 4 and the air outlet is provided in the casing 1, the
heating device 7 is disposed in the air duct 12. This configuration
improves the working efficiency of the heating device 7 by
facilitating circulation. Both of the left and right sides of the
casing 1 are provided with air inlets 4, the air outlet is located
at the center of the top surface of the casing 1, the air duct 12
is designed in a shape of an inverted alphabet T.
[0080] In this embodiment, a cabinet for storing the garment model
8 is disposed in the casing 1, so that the garment model 8 could be
stored in the dryer.
[0081] In other embodiments, the air intake port 82 of the garment
model 8 may also be directly and detachably fixed at the air
outlet; in this manner, air coming out of the air outlet directly
enters the air intake port 82.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, a method for drying clothes
with the portable dryer is disclosed, the method includes the
following steps:
[0083] a0: The two support rods 10 extend upwardly and the garment
model 8 is sleeved on the support rod 10.
[0084] Specifically, the support rod 10 extends into the chamber
through the air intake port 82.
[0085] a, the air intake port 82 of the garment model 8 is fixed on
the installing portion 13 on the casing 1, and the clothes to be
dried are put on the garment model 8.
[0086] b, activating the portable dryer: the blower 6 and the
heating device 7 start to work, air entering from the air inlet 4
is heated by the heating device 7, and the heated air is blown into
the chamber of the garment model 8 by the blower 6 through the air
inlet open 82, the chamber is being inflated to for drying.
[0087] In operation, measuring pressure within the chamber and
controlling the pressure between a first preset pressure P1 and a
second preset pressure P2. To be specific, if the pressure measured
is higher than or equal to the second preset pressure P2, stopping
the blower 6 and the heating device 8; if the pressure measured is
lower than the first preset pressure P1, the blower 6 and the
heating device 8 are working; thus the intermittent running of the
blower 6 could maintain the pressure within the chamber between the
first preset pressure P1 and the second preset pressure P2.
[0088] c. removing the clothes until it is dried, turning off the
portable dryer and removing the garment model 8.
[0089] In other embodiments, the clothes to be dried may be placed
on the garment model 8 until the chamber is being inflated during
the operation.
[0090] While the invention has been specifically described in
connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be
understood that this is by way of illustration and not of
limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible
within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without
departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the
appended claims.
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