Enclosure Structure of Front-Load Laundry Dryer

This application is based upon and claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202421402692.8, filed on Jun. 19, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to the technical field of front-load laundry dryers, and in particular to an enclosure structure of a front-load laundry dryer.

In the structures of the existing front-load laundry dryers such as the front-load laundry dryer in the Chinese invention patent (with publication number CN216404842U), a grille plate is fixedly connected at the back of the front-load laundry dryers. Over time, dusts or foreign matters can be accumulated on the grille plate, affecting the ventilation effect and thence affecting the normal operation of the front-load laundry dryers. Moreover, the grille plate cannot be dismounted and hence cannot be easily cleaned, and the above structure of the laundry dryers is integrally formed. When a failure occurs in the machine, overall dismounting and mounting is required, bringing inconveniences to dismounting, maintenance and repair.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that the existing fixed grille plates are not easy to clean, maintain and repair. In order to overcome the above defects in the prior arts, the present invention provides a detachable grille assembly which can be easily dismounted for cleaning to ensure normal operation of the front-load laundry dryer and also provides a detachable inspection plate to facilitate direct maintenance and repair at an inspection hole, so as to bring conveniences to the maintenance and repair.

For the purpose of the present invention, the following technical solution is employed.

There is provided an enclosure structure of a front-load laundry dryer, which comprises an enclosure body, where a drum chamber for mounting a drum is disposed inside the enclosure body, and an opening in communication with the drum chamber is disposed on a front plate of the enclosure body; a door plate is rotatably connected at the opening on the enclosure body, where the door plate is closed to close the opening and sealingly connected with the opening; a ventilation mounting opening in communication with the drum chamber is disposed on a rear plate of the enclosure body; a grille assembly is detachably connected on the ventilation mounting opening; an inspection hole is disposed on a bottom plate of the enclosure body; an inspection plate is detachably connected at the inspection hole on the enclosure body, where the inspection plate is to close the inspection hole when fixed. After the detachable grille assembly is used for a period of time, the grille assembly can be easily dismounted for cleaning and handling the foreign matters and dusts, ensuring normal operation of the front-load laundry dryer. Further, the detachable inspection plate is disposed to facilitate direct inspection at the inspection hole without dismounting the whole machine, bringing conveniences to maintenance and repair.

Preferably, an ear plate is disposed at a side of the inspection plate; a connection hole is disposed on the ear plate; a screw hole is disposed on the bottom plate, and a connection screw is inserted through the connection hole to be thread-connected in the screw hole and thus the inspection plate is fixedly connected to the bottom plate. The connection hole and the screw hole help realize detachable connection, bringing operation conveniences.

Preferably, a bulging block matching the inspection hole in shape is disposed on the inspection plate, and a step surface is formed along a periphery of the bulging block between the bulging block and the inspection plate. During fixing process, the bulging block is fitted into the inspection hole to enable the step surface to be abutted against the bottom of the bottom plate. In this way, the bulging block can be exactly fitted into the inspection hole so as to ensure the tight mating of the inspection plate and the bottom plate. Further, the step surface is abutted against the bottom of the bottom plate to ensure the bottom sealing effect.

Preferably, the grille assembly comprises an annular grille plate and a circular grille plate. The annular grille plate and the circular grille plate are respectively detachably connected to the rear plate. An outer ring of the circular grille plate is connected with an inner ring of the annular grille plate, and the circular grille plate and the annular grille plate are combined to close the ventilation mounting opening. A plurality of first grille holes are arranged circumferentially on the annular grille plate. a plurality of second grille holes are transversely arranged in a middle part of the circular grille plate. The cooperation of the annular grille plate and the circular grille plate guarantees the entire aesthetics. Further, the first grille holes on the annular grille plate are located at the outer ring of the circular grille plate, which facilitates the air intake of the first grille holes and the air discharge of the second grille holes at the same time, ensuring good air intake and discharge effect and improving entire ventilation circulation.

Preferably, the enclosure structure further comprises an annular mounting plate integrally formed with the rear plate. An outer ring of the annular mounting plate is connected to an inner ring of the ventilation mounting opening. A plurality of ventilation holes are circumferentially arranged in a spacing at positions of the annular mounting plate corresponding to the first grille holes. A plurality of fitting holes are circumferentially arranged in a spacing at the outer ring of the annular mounting plate. A plurality of fitting notches are disposed at positions that are on an inner wall of the annular grille plate and correspond to the fitting holes. Each fitting notch is provided with a connection fitting block fitted to the corresponding fitting hole. The fitting cooperation of the fitting holes and the connection fitting blocks helps realize detachable connection, bringing conveniences to after-dismounting cleaning and also bringing conveniences to the interior maintenance and repair.

Preferably, each fitting hole comprises an insertion portion and a clamping portion. The insertion portion has a larger hole width than the clamping portion. An insertion fitting head is disposed at an end of each of the connection fitting blocks. The insertion fitting heads have a larger width than the connection fitting blocks, and a guide inclined surface for easy insertion is disposed on each of the insertion fitting heads. After the insertion fitting heads are respectively inserted into the insertion portions, the annular grille plate can be rotated to enable the insertion fitting heads to be clamped in the corresponding clamping portions, and then the annular grille plate is fixed on the annular mounting plate, achieving fast and convenient mounting.

Preferably, one U-shaped insertion block is disposed on an outer wall of the annular grille plate. The U-shaped insertion block is transversely disposed. One end of the U-shaped insertion block is connected with the annular grille plate and the other end of the U-shaped insertion block is bent to form a mounting toggling block. A positioning insertion hole is disposed at a position that is on the annular mounting plate and corresponds to the U-shaped insertion block. During insertion process, two side plates of the U-shaped insertion block are abutted between two sides of the positioning insertion hole, and the mounting toggling block is abutted against the rear plate. The U-shaped insertion block can be easily mounted due to squeeze deformation and after the annular grille plate is rotated and fixed, the U-shaped insertion block is directly inserted by squeeze into the positioning insertion hole. The U-shaped insertion block expands toward both sides and abuts against the positioning insertion hole. During dismounting, the mounting toggling block is manually toggled to squeeze both sides of the U-shaped insertion block to release the annular grille plate, so as to easily take out the annular grille plate by rotation.

Preferably, a plurality of mounting fitting openings are circumferentially disposed along the inner ring of the annular mounting plate; a plurality of mounting fitting blocks are disposed at positions that are on the inner wall of the outer ring of the circular grille plate and correspond to the mounting fitting openings; a mounting fitting head is disposed at an end of each of the mounting fitting blocks. During fitting process, the mounting fitting blocks are fitted into the mounting fitting openings, and the mounting fitting heads are abutted against the inner wall of the inner ring of the annular mounting plate. A plurality of dismounting recesses are further arranged circumferentially on the inner ring of the annular mounting plate. By the cooperation of the mounting fitting heads and the mounting fitting openings, the circular grille plate is fixedly fitted to the annular mounting plate. Further, the disposal of the dismounting recesses helps to take down the circular grille plate by inserting a hand during dismounting process, realizing quick and convenient operation, and facilitating cleaning.

Preferably, a plurality of first grille holes are arranged circumferentially in equal spacing on the annular grille plate. Further the plurality of first grille holes are helically distributed. The helically-distributed first grille holes can further realize air intake effect.

Preferably, a middle part of the circular grille plate is an outwardly-convex protrusion portion. A plurality of second grille holes are transversely arranged in equal spacing on the protrusion portion. Each of the second grille holes is vertically disposed. Lengths of the second grille holes from the left end to the middle gradually increase and lengths of the second grille holes from the middle to the right end gradually decrease, such that the second grille holes are arranged to be bilaterally symmetrical. With the above structure, the air discharge effect of the second grille holes is further achieved.

In conclusion, the present invention has the following advantages: after the detachable grille assembly is used for a period of time, the grille assembly can be easily dismounted for cleaning and handling the foreign matters and dusts, ensuring normal operation of the front-load laundry dryer. Further, the detachable inspection plate is disposed to facilitate direct inspection at the inspection hole without dismounting the whole machine, bringing conveniences to maintenance and repair.

Numerals of the drawings are described below:

. enclosure body,. front plate,. rear plate,. bottom plate,. screw hole,. drum chamber,. opening,. door plate,. ventilation mounting opening,. grille assembly,. annular grille plate,. first grille hole,. fitting notch,. connection fitting block,. insertion fitting head,. guide inclined surface,. U-shaped insertion block,. mounting toggling block,. circular grille plate,. protrusion portion,. second grille hole,. mounting fitting block,. mounting fitting head,. inspection hole,. inspection plate,. ear plate,. bulging block,. step surface,. connection hole,. annular mounting plate,. ventilation hole,. fitting hole,. insertion portion,. clamping portion,. positioning insertion hole,. mounting fitting opening,. dismounting recess.

First of all, those skilled in the arts should understand that these embodiments are used only to interpret the technical principle of the embodiments of the present invention rather than to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present invention. Those in the arts can make adjustment thereto based on requirements to adapt to the specific application scenarios.

In the descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly stated or defined, the terms “connect” and “couple”, and the like shall be understood in a broad sense, for example, may be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or formed into one piece; or may be mechanical connection, or electrical connection; or direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art may understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention according to actual situations.

In the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly stated or defined, the first feature being “on” or “below” the second feature refers to that the first feature and the second feature are in direct contact, or the first feature and the second feature are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, the first feature being “above” or “on” the second feature refers to that the first feature is exactly above or obliquely above the second feature, or only refers to that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being “under” or “below” the second feature refers to that the first feature is exactly under or obliquely below the second feature, or only refers to that the first feature has a smaller horizontal height than the second feature.

The present invention will be further detailed below in combination with drawings and specific embodiments.

As shown in, there is provided an enclosure structure of a front-load laundry dryer which comprises an enclosure body, where a drum chamberfor mounting a drum is disposed inside the enclosure body, and an openingin communication with the drum chamberis disposed on a front plateof the enclosure body; a door plateis rotatably connected at the openingon the enclosure body, where the door plateis closed to close the openingand sealingly connected with the opening; a ventilation mounting openingin communication with the drum chamberis disposed on a rear plateof the enclosure body; a grille assemblyis detachably connected on the ventilation mounting opening; an inspection holeis disposed on a bottom plateof the enclosure body; an inspection plateis detachably connected at the inspection holeon the enclosure body, where the inspection plateis fixed to close the inspection hole. After the detachable grille assemblyis used for a period of time, the grille assemblycan be easily dismounted for cleaning and handling the foreign matters and dusts, ensuring normal operation of the front-load laundry dryer. Further, the detachable inspection plateis disposed to facilitate direct inspection at the inspection holewithout dismounting the whole machine, bringing conveniences to maintenance and repair.

As shown in, an ear plateis disposed at a side of the inspection plate; a connection holeis disposed on the ear plate; a screw holeis disposed on the bottom plate, and a connection screw is inserted through the connection holeto be thread-connected in the screw holeand thus the inspection plateis fixedly connected to the bottom plate. The connection holeand the screw holehelp detachable connection, bringing operation conveniences. A bulging blockmatching the inspection holein shape is disposed on the inspection plate, and a downwardly-concave step surfaceis formed along a periphery of the bulging blockbetween the bulging blockand the inspection plate. Further, the inspection holeand the bulging blockboth are rectangular. During fixing process, the bulging blockis fitted into the inspection holeto enable the step surfaceto be abutted against the bottom of the bottom plate. In this way, the bulging blockcan be exactly fitted into the inspection holeso as to ensure the tight mating of the inspection plateand the bottom plate. Further, the step surfaceis abutted against the bottom of the bottom plateto ensure the bottom sealing effect.

As shown in, the grille assemblycomprises an annular grille plateand a circular grille plate. The annular grille plateand the circular grille plateare respectively detachably connected to the rear plate. An outer ring of the circular grille plateis connected with an inner ring of the annular grille plate, and the circular grille plateand the annular grille plateare combined to close the ventilation mounting opening. A plurality of first grille holesare arranged circumferentially on the annular grille plate. The plurality of first grille holesare arranged circumferentially in equal spacing on the annular grille plate, and further the plurality of first grille holesare helically distributed. The helically-distributed first grille holescan further realize air intake effect. a plurality of second grille holesare transversely arranged in a middle part of the circular grille plate. The middle part of the circular grille plateis an outwardly-convex protrusion portion. The plurality of second grille holesare transversely arranged in equal spacing on the protrusion portion. Each of the second grille holesis vertically disposed. Lengths of the second grille holesfrom the left end to the middle gradually increase and lengths of the second grille holesfrom the middle to the right end gradually decrease, such that the second grille holesare arranged to be bilaterally symmetrical. With the above structure, the air discharge effect of the second grille holesis further achieved. The cooperation of the annular grille plateand the circular grille plateguarantees the entire aesthetics. Further, the first grille holeson the annular grille plateare located at the outer ring of the circular grille plate, which facilitates the air intake of the first grille holesand the air discharge of the second grille holesat the same time, ensuring good air intake and discharge effect and improving entire ventilation circulation.

As shown in, the enclosure structure further comprises an annular mounting plateintegrally formed with the rear plate. The annular mounting plateis used to fixedly mount the circular grille plateand the annular grille plate. An outer ring of the annular mounting plateis connected to an inner ring of the ventilation mounting opening. A plurality of arc-shaped ventilation holesare circumferentially arranged in a spacing at positions of the annular mounting platecorresponding to the first grille holes. A plurality of fitting holesare circumferentially arranged in a spacing at the outer ring of the annular mounting plate. A plurality of fitting notchesare disposed at positions that are on an inner wall of the annular grille plateand correspond to the fitting holes. Each fitting notchis provided with a connection fitting blockfitted to the corresponding fitting hole. The fitting cooperation of the fitting holesand the connection fitting blockshelps realize detachable connection, bringing conveniences to mounting and dismounting and after-dismounting cleaning and also bringing conveniences to the interior maintenance and repair. Each fitting holecomprises an insertion portionand a clamping portion. The insertion portionhas a larger hole width than the clamping portion. An insertion fitting headis disposed at an end of each of the connection fitting blocks. The insertion fitting headshave a larger width than the connection fitting blocks, and a guide inclined surfacefor easy insertion is disposed on each of the insertion fitting heads. After the insertion fitting headsare respectively inserted into the insertion portions, the annular grille platecan be rotated to enable the insertion fitting headsto be clamped in the corresponding clamping portions, and then the annular grille plateis fixed on the annular mounting plate. In this way, both of them are fixed and will not fall off unless under external force. Therefore, the mounting work can be easily and conveniently carried out. One U-shaped insertion blockis disposed on an outer wall of the annular grille plate. The U-shaped insertion blockis transversely disposed. One end of the U-shaped insertion blockis connected with the annular grille plateand the other end of the U-shaped insertion blockis bent to form a mounting toggling block. A positioning insertion holeis disposed at a position that is on the annular mounting plateand corresponds to the U-shaped insertion block. During insertion process, two side plates of the U-shaped insertion blockare abutted between two sides of the positioning insertion hole, and the mounting toggling blockis abutted against the rear plate. The U-shaped insertion blockcan be easily mounted due to squeeze deformation and after the annular grille plate is rotated and fixed, the U-shaped insertion blockis directly inserted by squeeze into the positioning insertion hole. The U-shaped insertion blockexpands toward both sides and abuts against the positioning insertion hole. During dismounting, the mounting toggling blockis manually toggled to squeeze both sides of the U-shaped insertion blockto release the annular grille plate, so as to easily take out the annular grille plate by rotation.

As shown in, a plurality of mounting fitting openingsare circumferentially disposed along the inner ring of the annular mounting plate; a plurality of mounting fitting blocksare disposed at positions that are on the inner wall of the outer ring of the circular grille plateand correspond to the mounting fitting openings; a mounting fitting headis disposed at an end of each of the mounting fitting blocks. During fitting process, the mounting fitting blocksare fitted into the mounting fitting openings, and the mounting fitting headsare abutted against the inner wall of the inner ring of the annul ar mounting plate. A plurality of dismounting recessesare further arranged circumferentially on the inner ring of the annular mounting plate. By the cooperation of the mounting fitting headsand the mounting fitting openings, the circular grille plateis fixedly fitted to the annular mounting plate. Further, the disposal of the dismounting recesseshelps to take down the circular grille plateby inserting a hand during dismounting process, realizing quick and convenient operation, and facilitating cleaning.

The present invention has the following advantages: the detachable grille assemblycan be directly dismounted for cleaning after a period of use, and the foreign matters and dusts can be removed to ensure normal operation of the front-load laundry dryer. Further, a detachable inspection plateis disposed to facilitate direct inspection at the inspection holewithout dismounting the whole machine, helping maintenance and repair.

In the descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention, it is noted that in the descriptions of the present invention, the terms “inner”, “outer” and the like for indicating the directional or positional relationship are based on the directional or positional relationship shown in the drawings and the terms are used only to help the descriptions rather than to indicate or imply the device or component must have a specific orientation or be constructed or operated in a specific orientation and thus shall not be understood as limiting of the present invention.

In the descriptions of the present invention, the descriptions by referring to the terms “one embodiment”, “some embodiments” “in this embodiment”, “specific example” or “some examples” or the like mean that the specific features, mechanisms, materials or characteristics described in combination with this embodiment or example are incorporated in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms are not necessarily directed to same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the described specific features, mechanisms, materials or characteristics may be combined in an appropriate way in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, in a case of no conflicts, those skilled in the arts may perform combination for different embodiments or examples and the features of different embodiments or examples in the specification.

The above descriptions are only the specific embodiments of the present invention but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited hereto. All changes or substitutions those skilled in the arts can easily conceive of within the technical scope of the present invention shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be indicated by the claims.