CN107849784B

CN107849784B - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN107849784B
Application number: CN201780002620.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 米泽孝昭; 川口智也; 佐藤弘树; 马场义一; 大西崇之; 中川亘
Original assignee: Qingdao Jiaonan Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Asia Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Cleaning And Protection Electrical Appliance Co ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-02-29
Filing date: 2017-02-27
Publication date: 2020-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2037-02-27
Also published as: CN110042612A; US20180327958A1; EP3354786A4; CN110042612B; JP2017153632A; CN107849784A; JP6908352B2; EP3354786A1; KR20180078298A; WO2017148342A1

Abstract

A washing machine capable of effectively utilizing the volume of an inner tub by preventing water in the inner tub from leaking from an outer tub. A washing machine (1) is provided with: a sealing element water sealing part (34) which is provided with a sealing element (35) arranged between the upper end part of the outer barrel (3) and the upper end part of the inner barrel (4) so as to prevent water from leaking to the outside from the outer barrel (3); a labyrinth section (8) having a labyrinth structure, wherein ribs (81, 82) lower than the sealing member water seal section (34) are provided between the outer tub cover (32) and the upper end section of the inner tub (4) on the inner side of the sealing member water seal section (34); and a washing bucket (7) which is provided integrally with the outer tub cover (32) as a heightening tub and stores water higher than the water level at the upper end of the inner tub (4).

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to washing machines that can be adapted for home use.

Background

Conventionally, a so-called vertical washing machine has been known which includes an inner tub opened upward to accommodate laundry and an outer tub accommodating the inner tub (see, for example, patent document 1). In order to prevent water from overflowing to the outer surface side of the outer tub, the water level of water supplied during the washing process and the rinsing process of the washing machine is generally set at a low position having a certain margin with respect to the balancer provided at the upper end of the inner tub. In addition, a sealing member is provided between the outer tub and the outer tub cover for water reaching the inner surface side of the outer tub body beyond the balancer of the inner tub, thereby preventing water from leaking from the outer tub.

However, in the vertical type washing machine of the related art, not only the above patent documents, but also a washing process and a rinsing process for storing water to a water level near the upper end portion cannot be pursued to more effectively utilize the volume of the inner tub. If the water level is raised so that the water bypassing the outer tub side is increased, the water sealing measure becomes insufficient without increasing the screw fixing position for fastening the sealing member provided between the outer tub and the outer tub cover.

Further, when there is a demand for raising the water level to a position higher than the upper end portion of a balancer or the like provided with an inner tub, the conventional seal water seal structure for preventing water from leaking between the seal water seal and the outer tub cannot cope with the current situation.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2011-240004

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which prevents water in an inner tub from leaking from an outer tub, thereby effectively utilizing the capacity of the inner tub.

Means for solving the problems

In view of the above problems, the present invention adopts the following aspects.

That is, the washing machine of the present invention includes: an inner tub for accommodating laundry; an outer tub for accommodating the inner tub; a sealing member water sealing part having a sealing member disposed between an upper end of the outer tub and an upper end of the inner tub to prevent water from leaking from the outer tub to an outside; a curved-diameter part which adopts a curved-diameter structure, and a rib lower than the sealing part of the sealing part is arranged between the outer barrel cover and the upper end part of the inner barrel at the inner side of the sealing part water sealing part; and a heightening barrel integrally provided with the outer barrel cover for storing water higher than a water level at an upper end of the inner barrel.

The present invention is characterized in that the booster tub has a lower end portion continuous with an upper end portion of the inner tub, and a large-diameter upper end portion configured to have a diameter gradually increasing from the lower end portion upward.

The present invention is characterized in that an overflow hole is provided in a side wall of the booster tub, and an overflow hose is provided to allow water to overflow from the overflow hole to the outside.

Effects of the invention

As described above, according to the present invention, since the labyrinth portion is provided and the rib lower than the sealing material water seal portion is provided between the outer tub cover and the upper end portion of the inner tub inside the sealing material water seal portion, even if the water level is set to be raised so that the laundry is about to enter the gap between the upper end portion of the inner tub and the outer tub, the winding-in is suppressed by the labyrinth portion.

Further, since the highest water level at the time of the washing process and/or the rinsing process is set higher than the upper end portion of the inner tub, when the inside of the labyrinth structure portion is in a state of air accumulation due to the rise of the water level, since the water is blocked by the air accumulation and cannot be bypassed, the water in the inner tub is prevented from running to the outer tub side even if the water level is raised, and the amount of water can be increased to effectively perform the washing process and the rinsing process.

Since the booster tub is provided integrally with the outer tub cover to store water at a level higher than the upper end of the inner tub, the same effect as the washing machine with the increased volume of the inner tub can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention in which the raising tub has the lower end portion continuous to the upper end portion of the inner tub and the large-diameter upper end portion configured to have a diameter gradually increasing from the lower end portion upward, the increase in the capacity can be more effectively achieved, and the loading and unloading of the inner tub into and from the laundry can be more easily performed.

Further, according to the present invention in which the overflow hole is provided in the side wall of the heightening tub and the overflow hose for allowing water to overflow from the overflow hole to the outside is provided, the degree of freedom of the connection position of the overflow hose can be effectively heightened.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the same embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of the same embodiment.

Fig. 4 and 5 are explanatory views of the same embodiment.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion a of fig. 3.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an external shape of a washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is an external view showing a state seen in the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a main internal structure of the same washing machine 1, and the driving portion, the control-related portion, and the control-related portion of the washing machine 1 are appropriately omitted in the same drawing.

The washing machine 1 of the present embodiment is a washing machine suitable for use in, for example, a home, and includes: an inner tub 4 for accommodating laundry; an outer tub 3 for accommodating the inner tub 4; and a casing for accommodating the inner tub 4 and the outer tub 3 so as to be visible from the outside. In addition to the outer tub 3, the inner tub 4, and the casing, the present embodiment further includes: a washing bucket (hopper)7 installed at an upper portion of the outer tub 3; a damper 6 installed at a lower side of the outer tub 3; and a curved-diameter portion 8 provided between the upper end of the inner barrel 3 and the inner barrel 4.

Here, the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment is characterized by including: a sealing member water sealing part 34 having a sealing member 35 disposed between the upper end parts of the outer tub 3 and the inner tub 4 to prevent water from leaking from the outer tub 3 to the outside; and a curved-diameter portion 8 having a curved-diameter structure, wherein ribs 81 and 82 lower than the seal water seal portion 34 are provided between the outer tub cover 32 and the upper end portion of the inner tub 4 inside the seal water seal portion 34.

The following describes the structure of each component constituting the washing machine 1. First, as shown in fig. 1 and 2, the casing 2 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom, and is separated from the tub 3 housed therein by a substantially uniform dimension in a plan view. The housing 2 has: a housing main body 20 having a cylindrical tubular body 22 with an open upper end as a main body; a bottom wall 21 disposed at the lower end of the casing body 20, i.e., the cylindrical body 22, and supporting the outer tub 3 from below; a fixed cover 24 fixed to the upper end of the casing main body 20 and having a circular ring shape in plan view; and a movable lid 25 which has a substantially circular shape in plan view, is movably provided to the fixed lid 24, selectively opens the upper end of the casing main body 20 to the outside, and can form a lid side opening 28 which opens an inner barrel side opening 43 formed at the upper end of the inner barrel 4 upward.

The casing main body 20 has: a cylindrical body 22 having a cylindrical shape made of a transparent or translucent resin such as acrylic resin; a wiring cover 23 provided over the upper and lower sides of the cylindrical body 22 and configured to accommodate various wirings; and a bottom wall 21 that indirectly supports the tub 3 from below on the bottom surface side of the casing main body 20. The fixed lid 24 has a lid-side opening 28 with a substantially circular opening on the inner peripheral side, and a hinge portion 26 for supporting the movable lid 25 so as to be movable in an openable and closable manner. Further, a water supply part 27 is provided at a position displaced from the hinge part 26 in the circumferential direction for supplying water to the inner tub 4.

The outer tub 3 is a bottomed cylindrical member disposed inside the casing 2, and can store washing water therein. The outer tub 3 has: an outer tub 31 for storing water; an outer tub cover 32 disposed at an upper end of the outer tub 31; and a sealing member water sealing part 34 which is clamped between the outer barrel body 31 and the outer barrel cover 32 and prevents water from leaking to the outside. The seal water seal portion 34 includes a water seal member 36 provided on the lower side of the outer tub cover 32 and a seal 35 for preventing water leakage. The specific structure of the seal near the seal water seal portion 34 will be described later.

The inner tub 4 is a bottomed cylindrical member disposed coaxially with the outer tub 3 in the outer tub 3 and rotatably supported. The inner tub 4 is a general member capable of receiving laundry therein and has a plurality of water passage holes in a wall surface thereof. As shown in fig. 3, a balancer 41 protruding inward in an annular shape and three lift ribs 42 protruding inward below the balancer 41 are provided on the upper end side of the inner circumferential surface of the inner tub 4. In the vertical full-automatic washing machine 1 as in the present embodiment, a pulsator (paddle) 5 driven by a driving device 50 shown by an imaginary line is rotatably disposed at the center of the bottom of the inner tub 4.

The pulsator 5 is a general member having a pulsator body having a substantially disk shape and a plurality of blade sections formed on an upper surface of the pulsator body. The pulsator 5 agitates the washing water stored in the tub 3 to generate a water current. Although only the positions are shown by imaginary lines in the same drawing, the drive device 50 rotates a drive shaft extending toward the bottom of the inner tub 4 by using a motor not shown as a main body, and rotates the inner tub 4 and the pulsator 5. The washing machine 1 mainly rotates only the pulsator 5 in a washing process, and integrally rotates the inner tub 4 and the pulsator 5 at a high speed in a dehydrating process.

In the present embodiment, the outer tub 3 and the inner tub 4 are supported from below on the bottom wall 21 of the casing 2 through the damper 6 in the casing 2. In addition, the tub 3 is not supported from the side or from above by the hanger. That is, the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment avoids the arrangement of the hanging bar, and further enhances the visibility of the laundry viewed from above, which will be described in detail later. The damper 6 is a member for supporting the operating outer tub 3 from below and for effectively reducing vibration generated from the operating outer tub 3. The damper 6 has: an inner shaft 61 fixed to the bottom wall 21 of the housing 2; an outer shaft 62 fixed to the tub 3 side to cover an outer side of the inner shaft 61; and a spring 63 which is a compression coil spring for reducing vibration transmitted to the casing 2 by being clamped between the lower end of the outer shaft 62 and the bottom wall 21 side of the casing 2 and being appropriately expanded and contracted with the up-and-down movement or vibration of the tub 3. Further, between the outer shaft 62 and the tub 3 and between the inner shaft 61 and the bottom wall 21, cushion rubbers 64 are provided. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, the damper 6 is disposed at or near the position of the maximum diameter within a range not protruding from the bottom of the tub 3 in a plan view. In the present embodiment, the spring 63 has a reduced elastic constant to such an extent that the spring does not come into close contact during dehydration and the outer tub 3 does not tilt during operation.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the washing tub 7 is provided so as to be sandwiched between the upper side of the outer tub 3, specifically, the cover side opening 28 of the fixed cover 24 and the inner tub side opening 43.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the washing tub 7 is provided between the lid-side opening 28 and the inner-tub-side opening 43, and functions as a water receiving guide for guiding the input and output of the laundry from the lid-side opening 28 to the inner-tub-side opening 43, and also guides the input and output of the laundry from the lid-side opening 28 to the inner-tub-side opening 43.

The washing tub 7 is formed of a transparent or translucent resin integrally molded product, and has a washing tub body 71 having a substantially conical shape, i.e., a cone shape, and a protruding portion 72 extending outward from a lower end portion of the washing tub body 71. The diameter of the opening portion as the inner edge of the protrusion 72 is formed to be substantially corresponding to the opening of the inner tub 4 side. Further, the washing tub main body 71 has: a large-diameter upper end portion 73 having an upper end opening larger than the inner barrel side opening 43; a folded end 74 provided at the large-diameter upper end 73; and an overflow hole 75 which is an opening provided at an arbitrary position at the middle position in the vertical direction of the washing tub main body 71 and sets the upper limit water level in the washing process and the rinsing process.

The material of the washing tub 7 is a resin material, and among these, a material having a specific gravity smaller than that of the material used for the outer tub 3 may be used, and the washing tub has a lightweight structure as compared with the outer tub 3.

As shown in fig. 2 and 4, an overflow pipe 76 for discharging water from the overflow hole 75 to the outside of the machine is connected to the outside of the overflow hole 75 so as to prevent water from being stored above the overflow hole 75. The overflow pipe 76 mainly has a curved elliptical portion as viewed in a plan cross section so as to effectively utilize a circumferential space between the casing 2 and the tub 3. Further, since the mechanism and structure for discharging water from the overflow pipe 76 to the outside of the machine are already known, the description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 4 in particular, the inner periphery of the cover side opening 28 of the fixed cover 24 is formed in a shape and a size such that substantially the entire inner barrel side opening 43 is opened upward, and the inner barrel side opening 43 provided at the upper end portion of the inner barrel 4 is formed in a shape and a size such that substantially the entire inner barrel side opening 43 is opened upward. In other words, the opening edge of the cover side opening 28 is located outside any position of the inner barrel side opening 43.

In the present embodiment, the washing tub 7 functions as a booster for storing water at a level higher than the upper end of the inner tub 4. In other words, the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment is characterized in that the maximum water level during the washing process and/or the rinsing process is set higher than the upper end of the inner tub 4. In addition, in the present embodiment, since the tubular body 22, the movable cover 25, and the bucket 7 of the cabinet body 20 are transparent or translucent as described above, the laundry lifted up to the vicinity of the water surface of the bucket 7 through the fixed cover 24 is easily visible during washing, and the laundry near the water surface is easily visible from the side through the tubular body 22 and the bucket 7. In other words, the visualization of the laundry is optimized. Further, by making the tubular body 22 transparent or translucent, the visibility of the internal mechanism elements is also heightened. This increases the user's convenience in grasping the operating state and performing maintenance work.

In the present embodiment, the washing tub 7 functions as a booster tub during washing, but by having a conical shape, which is a substantially conical shape, the laundry is guided into the inner tub 4, which is a spin-drying tub, during spinning, and can be reliably stored in the inner tub 4.

In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 5 in particular, by disposing the damper 6 at the lower portion of the outer tub 3 and configuring the washing tub 7 as a raised tub to be lightweight, the natural frequency of the portion supported by the damper 6 can be increased, the vibration during dehydration can be further reduced, the moment in the falling direction of the outer tub 3 can be suppressed, and the vibration transmitted from the damper 6 can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the tub 7 is fixed to the outer tub 3 so as not to be rotatable, but the inner tub 4 is naturally configured to be rotatable, but water does not leak from between the inner tub 4 and the tub 7.

That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 6 in particular, the labyrinth 8 is formed over the upper end regions of the tub 7, the outer tub 3, and the inner tub 4, and includes: an upper rib 81 provided on the protruding portion 72 of the laundry bucket 7 and extending vertically downward; a lower rib 82 provided at the upper end of the inner tub 4 and extending upward in the vertical direction; and an air accumulation portion 83. The sealing member 35 is provided at the upper end of the outer tub 3, and is provided at a position vertically above an imaginary plane including the front end of the upper bead 81, and seals the upper end of the outer tub 3 and the protruding portion 73. This prevents the air in the air accumulating portion 83 from leaking out of the tub 3 beyond the seal 35.

When water is accumulated above the balancer 41 of the inner tub 4, the liquid surface in the labyrinth 8 is formed substantially flush with the tip of the upper rib 81, and an air accumulation portion 83 is formed between the liquid surface and the inner peripheral surface of the protrusion 72 above the liquid surface. By forming the air accumulation portion 83, even if the water in the washing tub 7 moves outward from between the upper and

lower ribs

81, 82, the water moving outward is strongly suppressed by the air accumulation portion 83 because the air accumulation portion is already formed near the seal 35. Further, since the sealing member 35 is provided, even if water is immersed beyond the air accumulating part 83, it is prevented from flowing out of the outer tub 3. Thereby, the number of fastening elements required for connecting the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 7 can be effectively reduced.

As described above, the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes the labyrinth 8, and adopts the labyrinth structure, and the rib lower than the gasket water-sealing portion 34 is provided between the outer tub cover 32 and the upper end portion of the inner tub 4 inside the gasket water-sealing portion 34, so that even if the set water level rises and laundry enters the gap between the upper end portion of the inner tub 4 and the outer tub 3, the entry of the laundry is stopped by the labyrinth 8.

Further, even if the highest water level during the washing process and/or the rinsing process is set higher than the upper end portion of the inner tub 4 in the present embodiment, since the air accumulation portion 83 is formed in the labyrinth structure portion 8 due to the rise of the water level, the water cannot be bypassed due to being blocked by the air accumulation portion 83, and the water in the inner tub 4 can be effectively prevented from running to the outer tub 3 side even if the water level is raised.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the washing machine in which the volume of the inner tub 4 is increased can be obtained by using the washing tub 7 provided integrally with the outer tub cover 32 as a heightened tub for storing water higher than the water level of the upper end of the inner tub 4, although a simple structure is used.

Further, by forming the washing tub 7 functioning as the raising tub to have a substantially conical shape having a lower end portion continuous with the upper end portion of the inner tub 4 and a large-diameter upper end portion 73 having a diameter gradually increasing from the lower end portion upward, the volume can be effectively increased, and the loading and unloading of the inner tub 4 into and from the laundry can be facilitated.

In the present embodiment, according to the present invention in which the overflow hole is provided in the side wall of the washing tub 7 and the overflow hose for allowing water to overflow from the overflow hole to the outside is provided, the degree of freedom of the connection position of the overflow hose can be matched with the degree of freedom of the upper limit position of the water level, and the upper limit water level can be set only by changing the shape of the washing tub 7 independent of the inner tub 4.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the structure of the embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

For example, although the above embodiment discloses a structure formed by the ribs extending in the vertical direction as the curved portion, it is needless to say that any member may be used as long as the labyrinth shape can be achieved, and for example, a labyrinth shape may be achieved by extending a part of the ribs in an oblique direction or a horizontal direction.

Although the washing tub, the movable lid, and most of the cabinet main body are made of transparent materials in the above embodiments and modifications, it is needless to say that any members may be used as long as they can achieve their respective functions, and they may be transparent or colored.

The other structure may be variously modified within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a washing machine; 3: an outer tub; 34: a sealing member water seal part; 35: a seal member; 4: an inner barrel; 8: a curved diameter portion; 81: ribs (upper ribs); 82: ribs (lower ribs).

Claims

1. A washing machine is characterized by comprising:

an inner tub for accommodating laundry;

an outer tub for accommodating the inner tub;

a sealing member water sealing part having a sealing member disposed between an upper end of the outer tub and an upper end of the inner tub to prevent water from leaking from the outer tub to an outside;

a curved part which adopts a curved-diameter structure, and a rib lower than the sealing part of the sealing part is arranged between the outer barrel cover and the upper end part of the inner barrel at the inner side of the sealing part water sealing part, so that even if the set water level rises and clothes enter the gap between the upper end part of the inner barrel and the outer barrel, the clothes can be prevented from entering through the curved-diameter part; and

a heightening barrel integrally provided with the outer barrel cover for storing water higher than a water level at an upper end of the inner barrel;

the outer tub has: an outer tub body for storing water; the outer barrel cover is arranged at the upper end of the outer barrel body; and a sealing member water seal part clamped between the outer barrel body and the outer barrel cover to prevent water from leaking to the outside.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the raised tub has a lower end portion continuous with an upper end portion of the inner tub, and a large-diameter upper end portion configured to gradually increase in diameter from the lower end portion upward.

3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein an overflow hole is formed at a sidewall of the heightening tub, and an overflow hose for allowing water to overflow from the overflow hole to the outside is provided.