CN107923099B

CN107923099B - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN107923099B
Application number: CN201680049040.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 中西隆; 川村保; 吉田贤司; 间宫春夫; 佐藤弘树; 中川亘
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Asia Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2015-08-25
Filing date: 2016-08-25
Publication date: 2020-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-25
Also published as: US20180237973A1; JP6650135B2; KR102018499B1; CN107923099A; EP3342912A4; WO2017032324A1; EP3342912A1; KR20180043333A; JP2017042325A

Abstract

A washing machine (1) is capable of suppressing the occurrence of a failure of a drive mechanism (8) for rotating a washing tub (3), wherein the washing tub (3) is rotatable in a manner intersecting with a vertical direction (Z). A washing machine (1) comprises: a washing tub (3) that can rotate in a manner intersecting the vertical direction (Z); a rotating part (6) which is provided with a plurality of concave parts (6C) arranged along the rotating direction (K) of the washing barrel (3) and is connected with the washing barrel (3) in an integrally rotatable manner; and a locking portion (18) that locks the rotation of the rotating portion (6) by fitting into the recess (6C). In a washing machine (1), a nut member (35) that is screwed to a threaded shaft (32) and is connected to a rotating section (6) moves in the axial direction of the threaded shaft (32) as the threaded shaft (32) rotates, thereby rotating the rotating section (6). The clearance between the locking portion (18) and the rotating portion (6) in the state of being fitted into the recess (6C) is smaller than the clearance between the threaded shaft (32) and the nut member (35).

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background

In the washing and drying machine described in patent document 1, a tub portion to which a rotary tub portion to which laundry is put is assembled is supported by a rotary support plate via an inclined rotary support shaft. The rotary support plate is supported by the outer frame of the washing and drying machine through the hanging rod. The outer barrel part is provided with a rotary control rope mounting part, and a control rope connected with the rotary control rope mounting part is wound on a winding drum of an inclined rotary motor arranged on the outer frame. The steering cord is moved up or down in accordance with the rotation of the tilt rotating motor, whereby the outer tub portion is tilted about the tilt rotating support shaft. Therefore, the outer tub part can be inclined transversely when the washings are thrown into the rotary tub part, and the outer tub part can be erected along the vertical direction when the washings are washed, rinsed and dehydrated.

In the washing and drying machine described in patent document 1, there is a possibility that a driving mechanism for rotating the outer tub portion, such as a rotation control rope mounting portion, a control rope, an inclined rotation motor, or the like, may be broken down by collision caused by vibration generated during operation of the washing and drying machine.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 4-166196

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can suppress the occurrence of a failure in a drive mechanism for rotating a washing tub that can be rotated so as to intersect with a vertical direction.

Means for solving the problems

The present invention is a washing machine comprising: a washing tub for accommodating the laundry and capable of rotating in a manner of intersecting with the vertical direction; a rotating part having a plurality of recesses arranged in a rotating direction of the washing tub and connected to the washing tub to be integrally rotatable; a locking portion that locks rotation of the rotating portion by fitting into the recess or unlocks the rotating portion by disengaging from the recess; a threaded shaft; a motor that rotates the threaded shaft; and a nut member that is screwed to the threaded shaft and coupled to the turning portion, and that moves in an axial direction of the threaded shaft in accordance with rotation of the threaded shaft to turn the turning portion, wherein a clearance between the locking portion and the turning portion in a state of being fitted in the recess is smaller than a clearance between the threaded shaft and the nut member.

Further, the present invention is a washing machine comprising: a washing tub for accommodating the laundry and capable of rotating in a manner of intersecting with the vertical direction; a rotating part connected to the washing tub in an integrally rotatable manner; a threaded shaft; a motor that rotates the threaded shaft; a nut member that is screwed to the threaded shaft and coupled to the rotating portion, and that moves in an axial direction of the threaded shaft with rotation of the threaded shaft to rotate the rotating portion; and a pair of support portions rotatably supporting both side portions of the threaded shaft in the axial direction.

The present invention is characterized by including a coupling that couples the output shaft of the motor and the threaded shaft.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the threaded shaft and the nut member are formed by trapezoidal threads.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, in the washing machine, the rotating portion connected to the washing tub in an integrally rotatable manner has a plurality of recesses arranged in a rotation direction of the washing tub, wherein the washing tub is rotatable in a manner intersecting with the vertical direction. When the rotation of the rotating part is locked by the locking part fitting into the recess, the position of the washing tub in the rotating direction is locked. On the other hand, when the locking of the rotating part is released by the locking part being disengaged from the recess, the washing tub can be rotated.

The screw shaft, the motor, and the nut member screwed to the screw shaft and coupled to the rotating portion constitute a driving mechanism for rotating the washing tub. In the driving mechanism, when the motor rotates the threaded shaft, the nut member moves in the axial direction of the threaded shaft, thereby rotating the rotating portion and the washing tub.

The clearance between the locking portion and the rotating portion in the state of being fitted into the recess is smaller than the clearance between the threaded shaft and the nut member. Therefore, even if vibration generated by the washing tub during washing operation is transmitted to the rotating portion in a state where the locking portion is fitted into the recess, the vibration is absorbed by the play between the locking portion and the rotating portion, and is therefore difficult to be transmitted to the nut member, the threaded shaft, and the motor. This can suppress a failure of the drive mechanism.

Further, according to the present invention, in the washing machine in which the rotating portion is connected to the washing tub rotatable in a manner intersecting with the vertical direction in an integrally rotatable manner, the screw shaft, the motor, and the nut member screwed with the screw shaft and connected to the rotating portion constitute a driving mechanism for rotating the washing tub. In the driving mechanism, when the motor rotates the screw shaft, the nut member moves in the axial direction of the screw shaft, thereby rotating the rotating portion and the washing tub.

Both side portions of the threaded shaft in the axial direction are rotatably supported by a pair of support portions. This makes it possible to improve the support rigidity of the threaded shaft, and the threaded shaft itself is less likely to vibrate, so that even if vibration generated by the washing tub during washing operation is transmitted to the rotating portion, the vibration is less likely to be transmitted to the threaded shaft and the motor. Therefore, malfunction of the drive mechanism can be suppressed.

Further, according to the present invention, since the output shaft of the motor and the screw shaft are coupled by the coupling, vibration generated from the washing tub during operation of the washing machine is absorbed by the coupling, thereby being hardly transmitted to the motor. This can further suppress the failure of the drive mechanism.

Further, as described above, according to the present invention, since vibration generated from the washing tub during operation of the washing machine is hardly transmitted to the driving mechanism, it is possible to suppress damage to the threaded shaft and the nut member formed by the trapezoidal thread.

Drawings

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

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a driving mechanism included in the washing machine.

Fig. 3 is a left side view of a main part of the washing machine.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of a washing machine according to a modification.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a washing machine; 3: a washing tub; 6: a rotating part; 6C: a recess; 18: a locking portion; 31: a support portion; 32: a threaded shaft; 32B: two side portions; 33: a motor; 34: a coupling; 35: a nut member; 44: an output shaft; k: a direction of rotation; y: a front-back direction; z: and (4) the up-down direction.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vertical direction in fig. 1 is referred to as a vertical direction Z of the washing machine 1, the horizontal direction in fig. 1 is referred to as a front-rear direction Y of the washing machine 1, and a direction substantially perpendicular to the paper surface in fig. 1 is referred to as a horizontal direction X. The up-down direction Z is also the vertical direction. In the vertical direction Z, the upper side is referred to as an upper side Z1, and the lower side is referred to as a lower side Z2. Of the front-rear direction Y, the right side in fig. 1 is referred to as a front side Y1, and the left side in fig. 1 is referred to as a rear side Y2. In the left-right direction X, the front side of the drawing sheet of fig. 1 is referred to as a left side X1, and the back side of the drawing sheet of fig. 1 is referred to as a right side X2.

Although the washing machine 1 includes a washing and drying machine having a drying function, the washing machine 1 will be described below by taking as an example a washing machine that omits the drying function and performs only a washing operation. The washing operation includes a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process. The washing machine 1 includes: a cabinet 2, a washing tub 3 disposed in the cabinet 2, a support frame 4, a hanging rod 5, a rotation part 6, a lock releasing mechanism 7, and a driving mechanism 8.

The casing 2 is made of, for example, metal and is formed in a box shape. The housing 2 is provided with a coupling surface 2C that couples the front surface 2A and the upper surface 2B. The connecting surface 2C is, for example, an inclined surface that descends toward the front side Y1. An entrance (not shown) for putting laundry into and taking laundry out of the washing machine 1 is formed so as to straddle the front surface 2A and the coupling surface 2C.

The washing tub 3 includes an outer tub 10 and an inner tub 11. The outer tub 10 is made of, for example, resin, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. An imaginary straight line passing through the center of the outer tub 10 is the central axis J of the outer tub 10. In the washing process and the rinsing process, the outer tub 10 stores water therein. A circular opening 10A through which laundry put into and taken out of the washing machine 1 passes is formed in an upper end portion of the outer tub 10 on the opposite side of the bottom wall (not shown). The metallic rotation shafts 12 protruding outward in the left-right direction X are provided one by one on the left and right side surfaces of the tub 10. In fig. 1, only the rotation axis 12 of the left side X1 is illustrated. The pair of left and right rotating shafts 12 are disposed at the same position when viewed in the left-right direction X.

The inner tub 11 is made of, for example, metal, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape one turn smaller than the outer tub 10. The laundry is accommodated in the inner tub 11. A circular opening 11A through which the laundry accommodated in the inner tub 11 passes is formed at an upper end portion of the inner tub 11 opposite to the bottom wall (not shown). The inner tub 11 is coaxially housed in the outer tub 10. Therefore, the central axis of the inner barrel 11 is the central axis J. In a state where the inner tub 11 is accommodated in the outer tub 10, the opening 11A of the inner tub 11 is located inside the opening 10A of the outer tub 10. The opening 10A and the opening 11A face an entrance (not shown) of the cabinet 2, and laundry can be put into and taken out of the inner tub 11. A plurality of through holes 11C are formed in the circumferential wall 11B and the bottom wall of the inner tub 11, and water in the outer tub 10 flows between the outer tub 10 and the inner tub 11 through the through holes 11C. Therefore, the water level in the outer tub 10 is identical to the water level in the inner tub 11. During the washing operation, the inner tub 11 is rotated about the central axis J by receiving a driving force from a motor (not shown) provided in the cabinet 2.

The support frame 4 is made of metal, and includes a pair of left and right side plates 13 and a beam member 14 bridged between lower end portions of the pair of side plates 13. Each side plate 13 is formed to be substantially rectangular when viewed in the left-right direction X, and is thin in the left-right direction X. The washing tub 3 is disposed between the pair of side plates 13.

The outer tub 10 of the washing tub 3 has a rotation shaft 12 protruding to the left side X1 penetrating through the side plate 13 of the left side X1 and rotatably supported by the side plate 13 of the left side X1 via a bearing (not shown). The tub 10 has a rotation shaft 12 (not shown) projecting to the right side X2, which penetrates the side plate 13 of the right side X2, and is rotatably supported by the side plate 13 of the right side X2 via a bearing (not shown). Thus, the washing tub 3 is supported by the support frame 4 and can rotate about the rotation shaft 12 so as to intersect the vertical direction Z. Specifically, as the washing tub 3 rotates, the central axes J of the outer tub 10 and the inner tub 11 are inclined in the front-rear direction Y with respect to the vertical direction Z. The direction of rotation of the washing tub 3 is referred to as the direction of rotation K.

An acute intersection angle between imaginary reference axis L extending in vertical direction Z and central axis J is a rotation angle θ of washing tub 3 with respect to reference axis L. As rotation angle θ becomes smaller, washing tub 3 is closer to the upright posture, and as rotation angle θ becomes larger, washing tub 3 is inclined toward front side Y1 so that opening 10A of outer tub 10 and opening 11A of inner tub 11 face front side Y1. The rotation angle θ can be changed in five stages of, for example, 5 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees. In this case, as an example of application to the washing machine 1, when laundry is put into the washing tub 3 at the start of washing operation, the rotation angle θ is set to 45 degrees so that the putting in of the laundry becomes easy, and then, when the load amount of the laundry is detected or water is supplied to the washing tub 3, the rotation angle θ is set to 5 degrees. Then, in the washing and rinsing processes, the rotation angle θ is set to vary between 5 degrees and 60 degrees in order to facilitate the position alternation of the laundry in the inner tub 11 to achieve efficient washing and rinsing.

In a region of the side plate 13 on the left side X1 on the lower side Z2 with respect to the pivot shaft 12, an opening 13A penetrating the side plate 13 in the left-right direction X is formed. The opening 13A is formed in a substantially rectangular shape elongated in the front-rear direction Y. Receiving portions 15 protruding outward in the front-rear direction Y are provided at the front end edge and the rear end edge of each side plate 13. The receiving portion 15 may be formed integrally with the side plate 13, or may be attached to the side plate 13 as another component made of resin, for example.

The suspension bar 5 is formed in a bar shape having a friction damper 16 at a lower end portion. Four hanging rods 5 are provided, and one is disposed at each of four corners in the housing 2 in a plan view from the upper side Z1. These hanging rods 5 are suspended from an upper portion of the casing 2, specifically, from a metal outer frame (not shown) constituting a part of the casing 2. Of the two hanging rods 5 arranged in the front-rear direction of the left side X1, the lower end of the hanging rod 5 on the front side Y1 is connected to the receiving portion 15 on the front side Y1 of the side plate 13 of the left side X1, and the lower end of the hanging rod 5 on the rear side Y2 is connected to the receiving portion 15 on the rear side Y2 of the side plate 13 of the left side X1. Of the two hanging rods 5 arranged in the front-rear direction on the right side X2, the lower end of the hanging rod 5 on the front side Y1 is coupled to the receiving portion 15 on the front side Y1 of the side plate 13 on the right side X2, and the lower end of the hanging rod 5 (not shown) on the rear side Y2 is coupled to the receiving portion 15 (not shown) on the rear side Y2 of the side plate 13 on the right side X2. Accordingly, the support frame 4 having the side plate 13, the washing tub 3 supported by the support frame 4, and a motor (not shown) for rotating the inner tub 11 are elastically supported by the cabinet 2 via the hanging rod 5.

The turning portion 6 is a metal plate which is thin in the left-right direction X and is formed in a substantially fan shape bulging toward the front side Y1 when viewed in the left-right direction X. The rotating portion 6 has an outer peripheral edge 6A formed in an arc shape along the rotating direction K and bulging toward the front side Y1. A through hole 6B penetrating the rotating portion 6 in the left-right direction X is formed in the rotating portion 6 at a position that coincides with the center of curvature of the outer peripheral edge 6A. A plurality of, here five, recesses 6C are formed in the outer peripheral edge 6A. These concave portions 6C are recessed in the through holes 6B, penetrate the rotating portion 6 in the left-right direction X, and are arranged in line in the rotating direction K. The interval between adjacent recesses 6C may be constant or may vary depending on the position of the rotating portion 6. In the present embodiment, in the rotating portion 6 in the posture of fig. 1, two recesses 6C located on the rearmost side Y2 and the positions immediately before the rearmost side Y2 are spaced apart by 10 degrees in the rotating direction K, that is, in the circumferential direction around the through hole 6B, and the other adjacent recesses 6C are uniformly spaced apart by 15 degrees, corresponding to the rotation angle θ set at 5 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees.

The turning unit 6 is disposed closer to the left side X1 than the side plate 13 of the left side X1. The rotation shaft 12 of the outer tub 10 of the washing tub 3, which protrudes to the left X1 and penetrates the side plate 13 of the left X1, is inserted through the through hole 6B of the rotation part 6 and fixed to the rotation part 6. Thus, the rotating part 6 is integrally rotatably connected to the washing tub 3 via the rotating shaft 12.

In the rotating portion 6 in the posture of fig. 1, an extension portion 6D protruding downward Z2, specifically, outward in the radial direction R of the rotating portion 6 around the through hole 6B is integrally provided at the rear end of the outer peripheral edge 6A. The extension portion 6D is formed in a plate shape that is long in the radial direction R and thin in the left-right direction X. The extension portion 6D is formed with a guide hole 6E that is long in the radial direction R and penetrates the extension portion 6D in the left-right direction X. Both ends of the guide hole 6E in the longitudinal direction are in a closed state. The guide hole 6E is located at the same position in the vertical direction Z as the opening 13A of the side plate 13 of the left side X1. The guide hole 6E always faces the opening 13A from the left side X1 regardless of the rotation angle θ being 5 to 60 degrees.

The lock release mechanism 7 is fixed to the left side surface of the side plate 13 of the left side X1. The lock release mechanism 7 includes a main body portion 17 and a lock portion 18. An actuator (not shown) such as a solenoid is provided in the main body 17. The lock portion 18 is formed in a convex shape protruding rearward and upward from the main body portion 17 to the rear side Y2, and is supported by the main body portion 17 to be slidable in the front-rear direction Y. The actuator of the main body portion 17 operates to slide the lock portion 18 between an entry position entering toward the rearmost side Y2 and a withdrawal position withdrawing toward the foremost side Y1.

The locking portion 18 of fig. 1 is in the entry position. When any one of the recesses 6C of the rotating portion 6 is located at the same position as the lock portion 18 in the rotating direction K, the lock portion 18 enters the entering position and fits into the recess 6C at the same position in the rotating direction K. Thereby, the rotation of the rotating part 6 and the washing tub 3 is locked. In this state, when the locking portion 18 is retracted to the retracted position, the locking portion 18 is separated from the recess 6C, and thus the locking of the rotating portion 6 and the washing tub 3 is released.

In fig. 1, the lock portion 18 at the entry position is in a state of being fitted into the recess 6C located on the uppermost side Z1 and located on the foremost side Y1. At this time, rotation of rotating part 6 and washing tub 3 is locked at rotation angle θ (60 degrees), rotation angle θ becomes smaller as concave part 6C into which lock part 18 is fitted becomes another concave part 6C located at rear side Y2, and rotation of rotating part 6 and washing tub 3 is locked at rotation angle θ of 5 degrees in a state in which lock part 18 is fitted into concave part 6C of rearmost side Y2.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism 8. Referring to fig. 2, the drive mechanism 8 includes a base portion 30, a support portion 31, a threaded shaft 32, a motor 33, a coupling 34, a nut member 35, and a sensor 36.

The base portion 30 is formed by bending a metal plate, for example, and integrally includes a vertical wall 37 and a pair of upper and lower lateral walls 38. The vertical wall 37 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is thin in the left-right direction X and long in the front-rear direction Y. The lateral wall 38 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is thin in the vertical direction Z and long in the front-rear direction Y. Of the pair of lateral walls 38, the lateral wall 38 of the upper side Z1 extends continuously from the entire upper end region of the vertical wall 37 toward the left side X1, and the lateral wall 38 of the lower side Z2 extends continuously from the entire lower end region of the vertical wall 37 toward the left side X1.

The left end portion of each lateral wall 38 is formed as a flange portion 38A so as to be bent substantially at right angles outward in the vertical direction Z over the entire region in the front-rear direction Y. The flange 38A of the lateral wall 38 of the upper Z1 is formed so as to bend toward the upper Z1, and the flange 38A of the lateral wall 38 of the lower Z2 is formed so as to bend toward the lower Z2. Each flange 38A has a threaded hole 38B formed therein. The base portion 30 is formed with a housing space 30A surrounded by a vertical wall 37 and a pair of upper and lower lateral walls 38. The housing space 30A houses the support portion 31, the threaded shaft 32, the coupling 34, the nut member 35, and the sensor 36.

Base portion 30 is disposed between side plate 13 of left side X1 and washing tub 3, and a pair of upper and lower flange portions 38A are disposed facing each other from a peripheral edge portion of opening 13A of side plate 13 of right side X2 and left side X1 (see fig. 1). The screw 39 (see fig. 1) attached to the side plate 13 of the left side X1 is also attached to the screw hole 38B of each flange portion 38A, whereby the base portion 30 is fixed to the side plate 13 of the left side X1. The housing space 30A of the base portion 30 is exposed from the side plate 13 of the left side X1 to the left side X1 through the opening 13A (see fig. 1).

The support portion 31 is formed by bending a metal plate, for example, and integrally includes a main body portion 40 and a base portion 41. The body 40 is thin in the front-rear direction Y, and is disposed so as to protrude from the left side surface of the vertical wall 37 of the base portion 30 toward the left side X1. The main body 40 is mounted with a ring-shaped bearing 42 as viewed in the front-rear direction Y, and the bearing 42 is disposed so as to be exposed at least from the front surface of the main body 40. The base portion 41 is formed in a plate shape that is thin in the left-right direction X, extends from the lower end of the body portion 40 to the rear side Y2, and is disposed so as to overlap the rear end portion of the vertical wall 37 from the left side X1. The screw 43 is assembled to the base portion 41 and the vertical wall 37, whereby the support portion 31 is fixed to the base portion 30.

The screw shaft 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in an elongated manner in the front-rear direction Y, and has a screw thread 32A extending in a spiral shape over substantially the entire outer peripheral surface thereof. In the drawings other than fig. 2, the thread 32A of the threaded shaft 32 is not shown for convenience of explanation. The rear end of the threaded shaft 32 is inserted into the annular bearing 42 of the support 31. In this state, the screw shaft 32 is rotatably supported by the support portion 31.

The motor 33 is a general electric motor, and has an output shaft 44 projecting toward the rear side Y2 and disposed coaxially with the screw shaft 32. A plate-shaped bracket 45 that is thin in the front-rear direction Y is attached to the motor 33 from the rear side Y2. The output shaft 44 is exposed from the bracket 45 to the rear side Y2, and is disposed facing the front end of the screw shaft 32 from the front side Y1. The output shaft 44 is exposed from the bracket 45 to the rear side Y2, and is disposed facing the front end of the screw shaft 32 from the front side Y1. An upper end portion and a lower end portion of a left end portion of the bracket 45 are bent at substantially right angles to the rear side Y2 as a pair of upper and lower flange portions 45A, and a screw hole 45B is formed in each flange portion 45A.

Motor 33 is disposed between side plate 13 of left side X1 and washing tub 3 on front side Y1 with respect to base portion 30, and flange portions 45A of bracket 45 are disposed facing each other from right side X2 to the peripheral edge of opening 13A of side plate 13 of left side X1 (see fig. 1). The motor 33 is fixed to the side plate 13 of the left side X1 via the bracket 45 by also attaching screws 46 (see fig. 1) attached to the side plate 13 of the left side X1 to screw holes 45B of the respective flange portions 45A. The motor 33 in this state is exposed to the left side X1 from the side plate 13 of the left side X1 through the opening 13A (see fig. 1).

The coupling 34 includes: a cylindrical output portion 47 externally fitted to a rear end portion of the output shaft 44 of the motor 33 so as to be integrally rotatable, a cylindrical input portion 48 externally fitted to a front end portion of the screw shaft 32 so as to be integrally rotatable, and a buffer portion 49 disposed between the output portion 47 and the input portion 48. The cylindrical output section 47 has a plurality of protruding sections 47A arranged along the circumferential direction thereof and protruding toward the rear side Y2. The cylindrical input portion 48 has a plurality of protruding portions 48A arranged along the circumferential direction thereof and protruding toward the front side Y1. The protruding portions 47A and the protruding portions 48A are alternately arranged one by one in the circumferential direction of the output portion 47 and the input portion 48. Between the adjacent protruding

portions

47A and 48A, a buffer portion 49 is disposed. The buffer portion 49 is made of an elastic body such as rubber or a spring. The output shaft 44 and the threaded shaft 32 are coupled together via the coupling 34 so as to be rotatable integrally. Therefore, when the motor 33 is driven so that the output shaft 44 rotates, the screw shaft 32 rotates integrally with the output shaft 44.

The nut member 35 includes a body 50, a coupling portion 51, and a detection portion 52. The body portion 50 is formed as a ring-shaped nut having a screw thread 50A (see fig. 3 described later) extending spirally on an inner peripheral surface thereof, and is externally fitted to the screw shaft 32 so that the screw thread 50A is screwed to the screw thread 32A of the screw shaft 32. When the screw shaft 32 is rotated by the driving of the motor 33, the nut member 35 moves as a whole in the axial direction of the screw shaft 32, i.e., the front-rear direction Y, as the screw shaft 32 is rotated.

The coupling portion 51 is formed by bending a metal plate, for example, and integrally includes a first portion 51A, a second portion 51B, and a third portion 51C. The first portion 51A is formed in a plate shape that is thin in the front-rear direction Y and extends in the up-down direction Z, and is fixed to the main body 50 by a screw 53. The second portion 51B is formed in a plate shape that is thin in the left-right direction X and extends in the up-down direction Z, protrudes from the left end edge of the first portion 51A to the front side Y1, and faces the main body portion 50 from the left side X1. The second portion 51B is formed with a through hole 51D penetrating the second portion 51B in the left-right direction X.

The second portion 51B faces the extension portion 6D of the rotating portion 6 from the right side X2, and the coupling pin 54 (see fig. 1) inserted into the guide hole 6E of the extension portion 6D from the left side X1 is inserted into the through hole 51D. The coupling pin 54 cannot be removed from each through hole 51D and the guide hole 6E, and the nut member 35 is coupled to the rotating portion 6 via the coupling pin 54. Therefore, when the nut member 35 moves in the front-rear direction Y with the rotation of the screw shaft 32, the rotating portion 6 is pulled in the front-rear direction Y by the nut member 35, thereby rotating with the washing tub 3. When the rotating portion 6 rotates, the coupling pin 54 moves in the guide hole 6E along the longitudinal direction of the guide hole 6E. The third portion 51C is formed in a plate shape that is thin in the vertical direction Z, protrudes from the lower end edge of the first portion 51A to the front side Y1, and faces the main body portion 50 from the lower side Z2.

The detection section 52 is formed in a plate shape that is thin in the left-right direction X, and integrally includes a fixing section 52A and a distal end section 52B. The fixing portion 52A is disposed so as to overlap the third portion 51C of the coupling portion 51 from the lower side Z2, and is fixed to the third portion 51C by a screw 55. The distal end portion 52B is formed to extend from the distal end portion of the fixed portion 52A to the right side X2.

The sensor 36 is a sensor for detecting the rotation angle θ of the washing tub 3 based on the position of the nut member 35 in the front-rear direction Y, and an optical sensor such as an optical sensor can be used as the sensor 36. When the optical sensor is used, a groove 36A penetrating the sensor 36 in the front-rear direction Y is formed on the left side surface of the sensor 36, and the sensor 36 detects light in a state of crossing the groove 36A in the vertical direction Z. The number of the sensors 36 is the same as the number of the recesses 6C of the rotating portion 6, in other words, there are five sensors in the present embodiment, and the respective grooves 36A are arranged in the front-rear direction Y in the lower region of the vertical wall 37 of the base portion 30 so as to overlap each other when viewed from the front-rear direction Y. Each sensor 36 is fixed to the vertical wall 37 by a screw 56. The interval between adjacent sensors 36 is set so as to correspond to the interval between adjacent recesses 6C. Therefore, in the present embodiment, although the intervals between adjacent sensors 36 among the four sensors 36 on the rear side Y2 are fixed, the intervals between two sensors 36 located on the frontmost side Y1 and the positions adjacent thereto are narrower than the intervals between the other adjacent sensors 36.

When the nut member 35 moves in the front-rear direction Y with the rotation of the screw shaft 32, the front end portion 52B of the detected portion 52 provided to the nut member 35 passes through the groove 36A of each sensor 36. In a state where the tip portion 52B is fitted into the groove 36A, the detection light of the groove 36A is blocked by the tip portion 52B.

As shown in fig. 2, in a state where front end portion 52B of detected part 52 is fitted into groove 36A of sensor 36 on rearmost side Y2, lock part 18 is located on uppermost side Z1 and at the same position as recess 6C of foremost side Y1 in rotation direction K, and rotation angle θ of washing tub 3 is 60 degrees (see fig. 1). On the other hand, in a state where front end portion 52B of detected part 52 is fitted in groove 36A of sensor 36 on foremost side Y1, lock part 18 is located at the same position in rotation direction K as recess 6C of rearmost side Y2 in fig. 1, and rotation angle θ of washing tub 3 is 5 degrees. When the rotation angle θ is any one of 5 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees, the distal end portion 52B of the detection portion 52 is in a state of being fitted into the groove 36A of any one of the sensors 36. Therefore, the five sensors 36 collectively detect which of 5 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees the rotation angle θ is.

Fig. 3 is a left side view of the main part of the washing machine 1, specifically, the side panel 13 of the left side X1 of the support frame 4 and its peripheral part. In fig. 3, the left side portion of the threaded shaft 32 and the nut member 35 are shown in a cross-sectional view, and the extension portion 6D of the rotating portion 6 and its peripheral portion are not shown. In fig. 3, an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a dashed line circle and an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a dashed line circle are shown together, but the scale is different in these enlarged views.

An enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a dashed-dotted circle in fig. 3 shows a state where the locking portion 18 at the entry position is fitted into a certain recess 6C of the rotating portion 6. The mark 6F is provided to the bottom portion of the recess 6C, and the mark 6G is provided to a pair of side surfaces extending in the radial direction R from both ends of the bottom portion 6F toward the outer peripheral edge 6A of the turning portion 6 in the turning direction K. The play between the lock portion 18 and the rotating portion 6 in the state of being fitted into the recess 6C is constituted by a gap 60 and a gap 61, where the gap 60 is a gap in the radial direction R between the bottom portion 6F of the recess 6C and the lock portion 18, and the gap 61 is a gap in the rotational direction K between each side surface 6G and the lock portion 18. Since the pair of side faces 6G are formed to be convexly curved in such a manner as to approach each other, the clearance 61 of the most protruding portion of the side face 6G and the locking portion 18 is as small as zero.

A pair of inclined surfaces 18A that approach each other as they face the bottom portion 6F side of the recess 6C are provided at both ends of the distal end portion of the lock portion 18 in the rotational direction K, and a pair of inclined surfaces 6H that separate from each other as they separate from the bottom portion 6F are provided at the end portions of the pair of side surfaces 6G of the recess 6C that are farthest from the bottom portion 6F. The entry of the lock portion 18 is guided by the inclined surface 18A and the inclined surface 6H, whereby the lock portion 18 can be smoothly fitted into the recess 6C.

An enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a dotted circle in fig. 3 shows the threaded shaft 32 and the nut member 35 in a threaded state. The thread 32A of the threaded shaft 32 and the thread 50A of the main body portion 50 of the nut member 35 have a trapezoidal cross section. Therefore, the threaded shaft 32 and the nut member 35 are formed by trapezoidal threads. The play between the threaded shaft 32 and the nut member 35 is constituted by the clearance 62 in the front-rear direction Y between the adjacent thread 32A and thread 50A.

The gap 60 and the gap 61 are set smaller than the gap 62. That is, the clearance between the locking portion 18 and the rotating portion 6 in the state of being fitted into the recess 6C is smaller than the clearance between the threaded shaft 32 and the nut member 35. Therefore, even if vibration generated in washing tub 3 during washing operation is transmitted to rotating portion 6 in a state where locking portion 18 is fitted in recess 6C, the vibration is absorbed by the play between locking portion 18 and rotating portion 6, and is therefore difficult to transmit to nut member 35, threaded shaft 32, coupling 34, and motor 33. This reduces the load on the drive mechanism 8 due to the vibration generated in the washing tub 3, and thus prevents the drive mechanism 8 from malfunctioning, particularly, prevents the

threads

32A and 50A from being damaged.

Further, since the output shaft 44 of the motor 33 and the threaded shaft 32 are coupled to each other by the coupling 34, vibrations generated in the washing tub 3 during operation of the washing machine 1 are absorbed by the buffer portion 49 (see fig. 2) of the coupling 34 and are not easily transmitted to the motor 33. This can further suppress the occurrence of a failure in the drive mechanism 8.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of the washing machine 1 according to a modification. In fig. 4, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those already described in fig. 1 to 3, and the description of the portions will be omitted. In the embodiment of fig. 1 to 3, only one support portion 31 is provided to cantilever-support the screw shaft 32. As shown in the modification example shown in fig. 4, the support portion 31 may be provided in a pair separated in the front-rear direction Y, and rotatably support both side portions 32B of the screw shaft 32 in the front-rear direction Y via respective bearings 42. In this case, since the support rigidity of the screw shaft 32 can be improved, the screw shaft 32 itself is less likely to vibrate, and even if vibration generated in the washing tub 3 during the washing operation is transmitted to the rotating portion 6, the vibration is less likely to be transmitted to the screw shaft 32, the coupling 34, and the motor 33. This can suppress the occurrence of a failure in the drive mechanism 8.

Note that, as in the modification, a configuration in which the threaded shaft 32 is supported by both ends of the pair of support portions 31 can also be applied to the embodiment of fig. 1 to 3. The two side portions 32B of the screw shaft 32 supported by the pair of support portions 31 may be both ends of the screw shaft 32, or may be portions that are offset from both ends toward the center of the screw shaft 32 in the front-rear direction Y. Further, there may be three or more support portions 31.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, the unlocking mechanism 7 and the recess 6C of the rotating portion 6 may be omitted as long as the movement of the nut member 35 in the front-rear direction Y, that is, the rotation of the washing tub 3 can be restricted when the driving of the motor 33 is stopped. This enables the rotation angle θ to be adjusted steplessly.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a washing tub for accommodating the laundry and capable of rotating in a manner of intersecting with the vertical direction;

a rotating part having a plurality of recesses arranged in a rotating direction of the washing tub and connected to the washing tub to be integrally rotatable;

a locking portion that locks rotation of the rotating portion by fitting into the recess or unlocks the rotating portion by disengaging from the recess;

a threaded shaft;

a motor that rotates the threaded shaft; and

a nut member that is screwed to the threaded shaft and coupled to the rotating portion, and that moves in an axial direction of the threaded shaft in accordance with rotation of the threaded shaft to rotate the rotating portion,

the clearance between the locking portion and the rotating portion in the state of being fitted into the recess is smaller than the clearance between the threaded shaft and the nut member.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein,

the method comprises the following steps: and a coupling that couples the output shaft of the motor and the threaded shaft.

3. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 2,

the threaded shaft and the nut member are formed by trapezoidal threads.