Dryer Motor and Control
AssigneeNidec Motor Corporation
InventorsRobert E. Wehrheim, Keith I. Hoemann, Gregory A. Peterson, L. Ranney Dohogne, Marshall J. Huggins, Gregory M. Levine
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drying device has been developed having a single electric motor configured to drive a drum and directly drive an air blower. The single electric motor is a non-line frequency electric motor. The drum is coupled to a support frame to enable rotation of the drum relative the support frame. The drum has an interior space for holding a load of articles, such as clothing. The motor includes a controller configured to regulate the angular velocity of the output shaft of the motor with reference to the current drawn by the motor.
Claims20
A drying device for tumble drying articles, the drying device comprising:
- a non-line frequency electric motor coupled to a support frame and electrically coupled to a non line-frequency supply voltage, the non-line frequency electric motor being configured to rotate an output shaft having a first end and a second end;
- a drum coupled to the support frame and coupled to the first end of the output shaft to enable rotation of the drum, the drum having an interior space;
- a fan member directly connected to the second end of the output shaft, the fan member generating an air flow within the interior space of the drum in response to the output shaft being rotated by the non-line frequency electric motor;
- and
- a controller electrically coupled to the non-line frequency electric motor, the controller being configured to sense current drawn by the non-line frequency electric motor and control an angular velocity of the output shaft of the non-line frequency electric motor to control either a rotation speed of the fan member or a rotation speed of the drum.
A drying device for tumble drying articles, the drying device comprising:
- an electric motor configured to rotate an output shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end of the output shaft having a belt engaging surface;
- a drum coupled to a support frame and to the first end of the output shaft to rotate the drum, the drum having an interior space;
- a fan member connected to the second end of the output shaft, the fan member generating an air flow within the interior space of the drum in response to the output shaft being rotated by the electric motor;
- an endless belt that engages the belt engaging surface and is coupled to the drum to enable the output shaft to rotate the drum;
- and
- a bearing cap having a guide surface, the bearing cap being mounted about the output shaft to maintain the endless belt on the belt engaging surface of the output shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.