HK1230701B - Warm air device - Google Patents

Description

Heating device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a warm air device for blowing out air heated by a heating element.

Background Art

In a heating device that blows out air heated by a heating element, there is a case where a device for preventing the heating element from overheating, namely a thermal fuse, is provided. In Patent Document 1, the thermal fuse is held by a protective net, thereby fixing the thermal fuse at a position spaced apart from the heating element.

Prior art literature

Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-48999

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional technology, since the thermal fuse is separated from the heating element, the actual temperature of the heating element and the temperature detected by the thermal fuse are easily misaligned. Therefore, there are cases where the heating element rises to an abnormal temperature but the thermal fuse cannot detect the abnormal temperature.

In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a heating device capable of reducing the difference between the actual temperature of a heating element and the temperature detected by a temperature fuse.

Solutions for solving problems

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the purpose, the present invention is characterized in that it has: a shell, an outer side of which is formed with an air intake port and an air outlet, and an air path connecting the air intake port and the air outlet is formed inside; a blower, which allows air to pass from the air intake port to the air outlet in the air path; a heating element, which is arranged in the air path; and a fuse part, which is in contact with the heating element.

Effects of the Invention

The heating device of the present invention can achieve the effect of reducing the difference between the actual temperature of the heating element and the temperature detected by the temperature fuse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a heating device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of a heating device

FIG3 is a front view showing a schematic structure of a heating unit

FIG4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the Y-Y line shown in FIG3

FIG5 is a perspective view of a heating unit fixing frame that holds the heating unit; ...

FIG6 is a perspective view showing the heating unit and the heating unit fixing frame in an exploded state

FIG7 is a cross-sectional view of a heating unit fixing frame holding a heating unit; FIG.

FIG8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of portion A shown in FIG7

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a fuse unit.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the fuse fixing portion

FIG11 is a perspective view of the heating unit fixing frame with the fuse unit fixed; FIG

FIG12 is a perspective view of a wire fixing portion

FIG13 is a perspective view of the fuse unit with the lead wire fixed to the lead wire fixing portion; FIG13 is a perspective view of the fuse unit with the lead wire fixed to the lead wire fixing portion

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a heating device in an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

Implementation Method 1

FIG1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the structure of a heating device 50 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the structure of the heating device 50. The heating device 50 includes a housing 1, a blower 30, a heating unit 31, and a fuse unit 5. The outer surface of the housing 1 has openings forming an air intake 32 and an air outlet 33.

An air passage 34 connecting an air intake port 32 and an air outlet 33 is formed inside the housing 1. The blower 30 is disposed in the air passage 34. As shown by arrow X in FIG. 2 , the blower 30 passes air through the air passage 34 from the air intake port 32 toward the air outlet 33.

The heating unit 31 is provided in the air duct 34. Fig. 3 is a front view schematically showing the structure of the heating unit 31. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Y-Y in Fig. 3. The heating unit 31 includes a plurality of heating elements 31a and a plurality of heat sinks 31b.

The heating element 31a is rod-shaped. A plurality of heating elements 31a are arranged parallel to each other with intervals therebetween. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the heating portion 31a is referred to as the first direction. The heating element 31a is an electric heater that generates heat when supplied with electricity. From the perspective of suppressing overheating, the heating element 31a preferably employs a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater. The PTC heater utilizes a PTC element whose resistance value rises sharply when it reaches the Curie temperature, and thus has an automatic temperature control function.

Multiple fins 31b protrude from the heating element 31a. The fins 31b are plate-shaped. The fins 31b are arranged so that their surfaces face each other and are spaced apart from each other. Heat generated by the heating element 31a is transferred to the fins 31b. The materials of the heating element 31a and the fins 31b are determined based on thermal conductivity. For example, a metal containing aluminum is used as the material of the heating element 31a and the fins 31b.

The heating unit 31 is held by a heating unit fixing frame described later. A cutout 19 for fastening with screws is formed on the heating unit fixing part 18. The heating unit 31 is fixed in the air duct 34 by fixing the heating unit fixing frame in the air duct 34. The air passing through the air duct 34 is heated by passing between the heat sinks 31b. In other words, the heating device 50 heats the air sucked into the air duct 34 from the air intake port 32 through the heating unit 31 and blows it out from the air outlet 33. As the heating device 50, for example, a heater is provided. In addition, as the heating device 50, for example, a dryer is provided. In addition, as the heating device 50, for example, a bathroom warm air dryer is provided.

Figure 5 is a stereoscopic view of the heating unit fixing frame 2 holding the heating unit 31. Figure 6 is a stereoscopic view showing the heating unit 31 and the heating unit fixing frame 2 in a disassembled state. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the heating unit fixing frame 2 holding the heating unit 31. Figure 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of part A shown in Figure 7. The heating unit 31 is held in the heating unit fixing frame 2 by fastening the heating unit fixing parts 18 extending on both sides with screws. The heating unit fixing parts 18 are provided with cutouts 19 for fastening with screws 10a. The heating unit 31 is fixed in the air duct 34 in a state held by the heating unit fixing frame 2. The heating unit fixing frame 2 is fixed in the air duct 34 and constitutes a part of the housing 1. Screw sleeves 12 for screwing in the screws 10a are formed on the heating unit fixing frame 2.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the fuse part 5 is brought into contact with and fixed to the heating element 31a by the fuse fixing part 4. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of the fuse part 5. The fuse part 5 has a temperature fuse 23, a wire 8, and a protective tube 25. Two wires 8 are connected to the temperature fuse 23. The temperature fuse 23 and the two wires 8 are connected in series. The wires 8 and the temperature fuse 23 are connected by a pressure-welding part 24. The protective tube 25 covers the temperature fuse 23, the pressure-welding part 24 and a portion of the wire 8, and is in a rod-like shape as a whole. The protective tube 25 protects the wire 8 from the heat of the heating element 31a. In addition, the temperature fuse 23 and the pressure-welding part 24 are electrically insulated from the surrounding parts.

The temperature fuse 23 detects the temperature of the heating element 31a. If the temperature of the heating element 31a reaches or exceeds the set abnormal temperature, the low-melting-point alloy inside the temperature fuse 23 melts, disconnecting the wires 8 from each other. The fuse unit 5 is located in a portion of the power line that supplies power to the heating element 31a. This allows the melting of the low-melting-point alloy to stop the power supply to the heating element 31a. Thus, if the temperature of the heating element 31a reaches an abnormal level, the fuse unit 5 stops the power supply to the heating element 31a, preventing the heating element 31a from overheating.

As shown in Figure 6, the fuse holder 4 is generally rod-shaped and has the same length as the protective tube 25 portion of the fuse unit 5. As shown in Figure 8, the fuse holder 4 includes an elastic force applying portion 4a, which is located on the opposite side of the heating element 31a, sandwiching the fuse unit 5. A clamping portion 4b extends from the elastic force applying portion 4a toward the heating element 31a, sandwiching the protective tube 25 of the fuse unit 5. The clamping portion 4b is formed to protrude less than the diameter of the protective tube 25.

One longitudinal end of the fuse fixing portion 4 is fixed to the heater fixing frame 2 with a screw 9. The heater fixing frame 2 has a threaded hole 14 formed therein for receiving the screw 9. The other longitudinal end of the fuse fixing portion 4 is fixed by fitting a protrusion 15 into a hole 22. Figure 6 shows an example in which the protrusion 15 is formed on the heater fixing frame 2 and the hole 22 is formed on the fuse fixing portion 4. Alternatively, the protrusion may be formed on the fuse fixing portion 4 and the hole may be formed on the heater fixing frame 2.

In the absence of the fuse unit 5, when the heating unit 31 and the fuse fixing unit 4 are fixed to the heating unit fixing frame 2, the distance between the heating element 31a and the elastic force applying portion 4a becomes smaller than the diameter of the protective tube 25 of the fuse unit 5. Therefore, when the fuse unit 5 is installed, the fuse fixing unit 4 elastically deforms, generating an elastic force that presses the protective tube 25 against the heating element 31a.

Figure 10 is a stereoscopic view of the fuse fixing part 4. A recess 20 that is recessed in a direction away from the heating element 31a is formed on a part of the fuse fixing part 4. Figure 11 is a stereoscopic view of the heating part fixing frame 2 in a state where the fuse part 5 is fixed. The fuse part 5 is bundled with the fuse fixing part 4 by the binding tape 7 in the recess 20 part. By bundling the binding tape 7, a part of the fuse part 5 is pushed into the recess 20 side. By bundling with the binding tape 7, the fuse part 5 is fixed to the fuse fixing part 4. In addition, the fuse part 5 is positioned in such a way that the position of the pressure-welded part 24 becomes the position of the recess 20. In addition, for the convenience of showing the drawings, Figure 11 shows the temporary fixed state of the fuse part 5 before being fastened by the binding tape 7.

As shown in Figure 6, a wire fixing portion 6 is fixed to the heating unit fixing frame 2 using screws 10b. This wire fixing portion 6 determines the path and positions the portion of the wire 8 of the fuse unit 5 that extends from the protective tube 25. The heating unit fixing frame 2 is formed with a threaded hole 13 for receiving the screw 10b. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the wire fixing portion 6. The wire fixing portion 6 includes a fastening portion 27, which is fastened using the screw 10b, and a path determining portion 28, which extends from the fastening portion 27 and determines the path of the wire 8. The path determining portion 28 allows the wire 8 to pass between the recesses, thereby determining the path of the wire 8.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the fuse unit 5 with the lead wire 8 secured to the lead wire securing portion 6. As shown in Figure 13, when the fastening portion 27 is rotated clockwise, as when the screw 10b is tightened, the lead wire securing portion 6 is secured to the heater unit securing frame 2 in a position such that the routing portion 28 moves the lead wire 8 away from the thermal fuse 23. This same position also applies when the lead wire securing portion 6 presses against the protective tube 25 to determine the routing of the lead wire 8.

In this first embodiment, the fuse unit 5 is in contact with the upwind side of the heating element 31a. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8, the fuse unit 5 and fuse fixing portion 4 are shaped and sized to fit within the range extending upwind from the heating element 31a. Furthermore, the fuse fixing portion 4 is formed from the same material as the heating element 31a.

According to the heater 50 described above, since the fuse unit 5 is in direct contact with the heating element 31a, the temperature of the heating element 31a is reliably and easily transmitted to the fuse unit 5 through heat conduction. This reduces the difference between the temperature of the heating element 31a and the temperature detected by the fuse unit 5. Furthermore, it prevents the power supply to the heating element 31a from being stopped in a timely manner when the temperature of the heating element 31a reaches an abnormal level.

Furthermore, the fuse unit 5 is pressed against the heating element 31a by the elastic force generated by the fuse fixing portion 4, thereby reliably bringing the fuse unit 5 into contact with the heating element 31a. Furthermore, in a state where the fuse unit 5 is not provided, when the heating unit 31 and the fuse fixing portion 4 are fixed to the heating unit fixing frame 2, the distance between the heating element 31a and the elastic force applying portion 4a becomes smaller than the diameter of the protective tube 25 of the fuse unit 5. Therefore, even if there are deviations in the dimensions of the fuse unit 5, the heating unit 31, and the fuse fixing portion 4, a gap is unlikely to form between the fuse unit 5 and the heating unit 31.

Furthermore, since the pinching portion 4b of the fuse holder 4 is formed to protrude less than the diameter of the protective tube 25 of the fuse unit 5, the fuse holder 4 is less likely to contact the heating element 31a. This prevents the fuse holder 4 from experiencing a temperature increase due to the temperature of the heating element 31a, which could reduce the elastic force of the fuse holder 4. Furthermore, since the fuse holder 4 grips and holds the fuse unit 5 with the pinching portion 4b, the fuse unit 5 is less likely to fall out of the fuse holder 4.

Furthermore, in the portion where the fuse unit 5 and fuse fixing unit 4 are bound by the binding band 7, a recessed portion 20 is formed in the fuse fixing unit 4, recessed away from the heating element 31a. Therefore, by tightening the binding band 7, the fuse unit 5 can be pressed into the recessed portion 20. This makes it less likely that the binding band 7 will protrude toward the heating element 31a. Since the binding band 7 is less likely to protrude toward the heating element 31a, contact between the fuse unit 5 and the heating element 31a can be more reliably achieved.

Furthermore, the fuse unit 5 is positioned so that the pressure-weld component 24 is aligned with the recess 20. If the pressure-weld component 24 is larger than the thermal fuse 23, the diameter of the protective tube 25 covering the pressure-weld component 24 may become larger than the diameter of the protective tube 25 covering the thermal fuse 23. Even in such a situation, tightening the binding band 7 pushes the protective tube 25 and the pressure-weld component 24 toward the recess 20, making it less likely that the portion covering the pressure-weld component 24 will protrude toward the heating element 31a. This ensures more reliable contact between the heating element 31a and the fuse unit 5 at the portion covering the thermal fuse 23.

In addition, since one end side of the fuse fixing part 4 in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the heating part fixing frame 2 by screws 9, and the other end side is fixed by the engagement of the protrusion 15 and the hole 22, the operation of tightening the screw 9 is reduced to only one end side, which can facilitate the installation operation.

Furthermore, since the fuse unit 5 and the fuse fixing portion 4 are formed in a shape and size that is accommodated within the range extending the heating element 31a toward the upwind side, they are less likely to obstruct the flow of air through the air passage 34. Furthermore, since the fuse unit 5 is located on the upwind side relative to the heating element 31a, the air passing through the air passage 34 can suppress excessive temperature increases, and can also suppress erroneous melting of the thermal fuse 23.

Furthermore, when the wire fixing portion 6 rotates in the direction of rotation used when tightened by the screw 10b, the routing portion 28 moves the wire 8 away from the thermal fuse 23, making it less likely for the wire 8 to become loose. This prevents the thermal fuse 23 from falling out or becoming misaligned.

Furthermore, the heating element 31a and the fuse fixing portion 4 are made of the same material, and thus, when condensation occurs, the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion can be suppressed.

In addition, the temperature fuse 23 is not limited to a soluble alloy type fuse in which a low-melting-point alloy melts due to a rise in temperature. A particle type fuse may also be used, which has a spring and temperature-sensitive particles inside. When the ambient temperature rises and the temperature-sensitive particles melt, the wire 8 and the contact are pushed apart by the spring, thereby cutting off the current.

Alternatively, the fuse unit 5 may be disposed on the leeward side of the heating element 31a. In the case where the fuse unit 5 is disposed on the leeward side of the heating element 31a, the fuse unit 5 and the fuse fixing portion 4 are shaped and sized to fit within a range extending the heating element 31a along the leeward side, thereby ensuring that the flow of air through the air path 34 is not obstructed.

Description of reference numerals:

1 housing, 2 heating unit fixing frame, 4 fuse fixing portion, 4a elastic force applying portion, 4b clamping portion, 5 fuse portion, 6 wire fixing portion, 8 wire, 23 temperature fuse, 24 pressure welding part, 25 protective tube, 27 fastening portion, 28 path determining portion, 30 blower, 31 heating unit, 31a heating element, 31b heat sink, 32 air intake port, 33 air outlet, 34 air duct, 50 heating device.

Claims (8)

1. A heating device, characterized in that it comprises: The housing has an air intake and an air outlet formed on its outer side, and an air passage connecting the air intake and the air outlet is formed inside the housing. A blower that directs air from the air inlet to the air outlet within the aforementioned air duct; A heating element, wherein the heating element is disposed within the aforementioned air duct; The fuse section is in contact with the aforementioned heating element; A fuse fixing part is provided, which contacts and fixes the fuse part to the heating element. The aforementioned fuse fixing part secures the fuse part by means of an elastic force pressed against the aforementioned heating element. The aforementioned fuse fixing part has an elastic force attaching part and a clamping part. The elastic force attaching part is disposed on the opposite side of the aforementioned heating element, clamping the aforementioned fuse part and applying the aforementioned elastic force to the aforementioned fuse part. The clamping part extends from the aforementioned elastic force attaching part toward the aforementioned heating element and clamps the aforementioned fuse part. 2. The heating device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a gap is provided between the clamping part and the heating element. 3. The heating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuse fixing part and the heating element are made of the same material. 4. The heating device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fuse fixing part is rod-shaped, one end of which is fixed to the outer casing by a screw, and the other end is fixed by the engagement of a protrusion and a hole. 5. The heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fuse portion is fixed on the upwind side relative to the heating element. 6. The heating device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fuse portion is housed within a range extending the heating element toward the upwind side. 7. The heating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned fuse section includes a temperature fuse and a conductor extending from the temperature fuse. The aforementioned heating device also includes a wire fixing part, which has a fastening part and a path determining part. The fastening part is fastened to the aforementioned housing by screws, and the path determining part extends from the aforementioned fastening part and determines the path of the aforementioned wire. When the fastening part rotates in the direction of rotation when tightening with a screw, the wire fixing part is fixed to the housing in the posture of moving the wire away from the temperature fuse by the path determining part. 8. The heating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A recessed portion is formed on the fuse fixing part, which is recessed in a direction away from the heating element. The aforementioned heating device also includes a strapping band, which, at the portion of the aforementioned recess, binds the aforementioned fuse portion and the aforementioned fuse fixing portion together.