CN108221260B

CN108221260B - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN108221260B
Application number: CN201711208149.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 塔罗·班伦蓬; 查克波·葛素旺; 索米斯·平达
Original assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Priority date: 2016-12-13
Filing date: 2017-11-27
Publication date: 2020-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-27
Also published as: CN108221260A; JP2018094068A; JP6824017B2

Abstract

A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a washing tank for receiving and washing the laundry; and a roller rotatably provided on an inner wall portion of the washing tub in a state in which an axial direction is a vertical direction, for facilitating movement of the laundry by rotation; the roller is cylindrical and is configured such that the outer diameter dimension thereof varies in the vertical direction.

Description

Washing machine

The present application is based on and claims priority from Japanese patent application No. 2016-.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a washing machine.

Background

In a so-called vertical axis type washing machine, it is conceivable to rotatably provide a roller on an upper surface portion of a pulsator provided at a bottom of a washing tub. In this case, two or three rollers are provided on the pulsator so as to extend in the radial direction, and the laundry can be favorably rotated on the pulsator by the rollers.

In the washing machine having the roller provided on the pulsator as described above, the effect of moving the laundry by the roller covers only a part of the region on the pulsator, and when the laundry amount in the washing tub is large, it is difficult to obtain the effect of improving the laundry spin of the laundry. Therefore, although the rollers are provided in the washing tub to rotate the laundry well, it is desirable to provide the rollers so as to further improve the washing effect.

Disclosure of Invention

The washing machine of the embodiment comprises: a washing tank for receiving and washing the laundry; and a roller rotatably provided on an inner wall portion of the washing tub in a state in which an axial direction is a vertical direction, for facilitating movement of the laundry by rotation; the roller is cylindrical and is configured such that the outer diameter dimension thereof varies in the vertical direction.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional side view schematically showing the structure of a washing machine according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the structure of the washing tub according to the first embodiment in a cross-section different from that of fig. 1.

Fig. 3A is a front view of the first cover member according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3B is a rear view of the first cover member according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4A is a vertical cross-sectional side view of the first cover member according to the first embodiment taken along line a-a in fig. 3A.

Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional plan view of the first cover member according to the first embodiment taken along line B-B of fig. 3A.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the roller means before being attached to the first cover member according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the roller means is attached to and detached from the first cover member according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7A is an exploded perspective view of the roller means according to the first embodiment as viewed from the back side.

Fig. 7B is a perspective view of the roller means according to the first embodiment as viewed from the back side.

Fig. 8A is a front view of the holding member according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8B is a rear view of the holding member according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8C is a vertical cross-sectional side view of the holding member according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the roller according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 10A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a main roller section according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 10B is a plan view of the main roller portion according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 10C is a bottom view of the main roller portion according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 11A is a perspective view of the cover according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 11B is a front view of the cover according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 11C is a vertical sectional side view of the cap portion according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 12A is a rear view showing an upper portion of the shaft support structure for the roller according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 12B is a rear view showing a lower portion of the shaft support structure for the roller according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the roller and the side bulging portion according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the state in which the washing water intrudes into the roller according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the arrangement of rollers in the washing tub in an exaggerated manner in a state where the shape of the rollers according to the first embodiment is shown.

Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the arrangement of rollers in the washing tub in an exaggerated manner in a state where the shape of the rollers according to the second embodiment is shown.

Fig. 17 is a diagram showing the arrangement of rollers in the washing tub in an exaggerated manner in a state where the shape of the rollers according to the third embodiment is shown.

Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the arrangement of rollers in the washing tub in an exaggerated manner in a state where the shape of the rollers according to the fourth embodiment is shown.

Fig. 19 is a diagram showing the arrangement of rollers in the washing tub in an exaggerated manner in a state where the shape of the rollers according to the fifth embodiment is shown.

Fig. 20 is a diagram showing the arrangement of rollers in the washing tub in an exaggerated manner in a state where the roller shape according to the sixth embodiment is shown.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments applied to a so-called vertical axis type washing machine (full automatic washing machine) will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that portions substantially common to the plurality of embodiments are given common reference numerals, and new drawings and redundant description are omitted.

(first embodiment)

A first embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 15. First, the overall structure of the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1. The washing machine 1 includes a plastic top cover 3 on an upper portion of an outer casing 2 formed of, for example, a steel plate and having a rectangular box shape as a whole. A water tank 4 capable of storing washing water is provided in the outer casing 2, and the water tank 4 is elastically suspended and supported by an elastic suspending mechanism (not shown) having a known structure. Although not shown, a drain port is formed in the bottom of the water tank 4, and a drain path including a drain valve is connected to the drain port.

A vertical axis type washing tank (rotary tank) 5 also serving as a dewatering tank is rotatably provided in the water tank 4. As shown in fig. 2, the washing tub 5 is a bottomed cylindrical shape as a whole, and a plurality of dewatering holes 17 are formed in a peripheral wall portion thereof. A liquid-filled rotary balancer 6, for example, is attached to the upper end of the washing tub 5. In addition, a pulsator 7 is disposed at the inner bottom of the washing tub 5. The washing tub 5 accommodates laundry, not shown, and performs a washing operation including a washing, rinsing, and spin-drying process of the laundry. The detailed structure of the inside of the washing tub 5 will be described later.

A driving mechanism 8 of a known structure is disposed on an outer bottom portion of the water tank 4. Although not shown or described in detail, the drive mechanism 8 includes a washing machine motor 9, which is, for example, an outer rotor type dc three-phase brushless motor. The drive mechanism 8 includes a hollow tub shaft 10, a stirring shaft 11 penetrating the tub shaft 10, a clutch mechanism for selectively transmitting the rotational drive force of the washing machine motor to the

shafts

10 and 11, and the like. The rotary tub 5 is coupled to an upper end of the tub shaft 10. The upper end of the stirring shaft 11 is connected with the impeller 7.

The clutch mechanism is controlled by a control device mainly composed of a computer, for example, using a solenoid as a drive source. In the washing and rinsing stroke, the clutch mechanism transmits the driving force of the washing machine motor 9 to the pulsator 7 via the agitating shaft 11 in a state where the washing tub 5 is fixed (stopped), and directly drives the pulsator 7 to rotate in the forward and reverse directions. In the dehydration step, the clutch mechanism transmits the driving force of the washing machine motor 9 to the washing tub 5 via the tub shaft 10 in a state where the tub shaft 10 and the agitation shaft 11 are coupled, and directly rotates the washing tub 5 (and the pulsator 7) at a high speed in one direction.

The top cover 3 is formed in a thin hollow box shape having an open lower surface and an upper surface inclined downward toward the front. A substantially circular laundry entrance is formed in the center of the top cover 3 above the washing tub 5. A cover 12 is provided on the upper surface of the top cover 3, and the cover 12 is formed in a rectangular panel shape as a whole and opens and closes the entrance. Although not shown in detail, a laterally long operation panel is provided on the front edge of the upper surface of the top cover 3. A water supply mechanism for supplying water into the water tank 4 (washing tank 5) is provided at the rear part of the inside of the top cover 3.

Here, the washing tub 5 will be described with reference to fig. 2. Specifically, the washing tub 5 is configured such that the tub bottom 16 is connected to the lower end of the cylindrical body 15 and the rotary balancer 6 is connected to the upper end of the body 15. The body 15 is formed in a cylindrical shape with openings on both upper and lower surfaces, from a metal plate such as a stainless steel plate. A plurality of dewatering holes 17 for dewatering are formed in the main body 15 at positions other than a portion where a water passage (cover member attachment portion) to be described later is formed. The tank bottom 16 is made of plastic, formed in a circular container shape, and is connected to a lower portion of the body 15 by caulking and screw clamping.

A pump chamber 20 is formed between a circular region of an inner bottom (upper surface) of the tank bottom 16 and the pulsator 7. In addition, outlets 21 are formed at three positions at intervals of 120 degrees in the circumferential direction in the outer peripheral portion of the groove bottom portion 16. The pulsator 7 has a disc shape having a convex portion for generating water flow on the front surface (upper surface), and a plurality of thin plate-shaped pump blades 22 extending in the radial direction are integrally provided on the rear surface thereof at positions located in the pump chamber 20. The centrifugal pump is configured such that the rotation of the pulsator 7 discharges the washing liquid (water and water with detergent dissolved therein) in the washing tank 5 toward the outer periphery of the pump chamber 20 (three outlet ports 21).

A water passage (pumping passage) 23 is provided in a side wall portion of the washing tub 5, and the water passage (pumping passage) 23 sucks the washing liquid in the washing tub 5 from each outlet 21 of the pump chamber 20 and discharges the washing liquid from an upper portion of the washing tub 5 (i.e., drains water). Here, a plurality of, for example, three water passages 23 are provided to extend in the vertical direction at an angle of 120 degrees in the circumferential direction of washing tub 5. In this case, the water passages 23 are formed by attaching the cover member to the body 15 at the tank bottom 16 (the outflow port 21) of the washing tank 5.

In this case, in the present embodiment, when three water passages 23 are formed, the first cover member 24 is provided at two positions in the washing tub 5. A second cover member 25 having a different configuration from the first cover member 24 is provided at the remaining one position. Here, rollers (roller means) are attached to the first cover member 24. The structure of the first cover member 24 and the rollers (roller means) will be described later.

The second cover member 25 is formed of a plastic molded product, and as shown in fig. 1 and 2, is substantially plate-shaped and vertically long as a whole. The second cover member 25 includes a main portion 25a disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the main body portion 15. A lower connecting portion 25b provided below the main portion 25a and connected to the outlet 21 of the tank bottom 16, and an extension portion 25c extending upward and inward from the upper portion of the main portion 25a to the rotary balancer 6 are integrally provided. The main portion 25a has an arc-shaped cross section curved to the opposite side of the curved surface formed by the body portion 15.

As shown in fig. 1, a rectangular opening 25d that is vertically long is formed in the main portion 25a of the second cover member 25. A filter member 26 is detachably attached so as to close the rectangular opening 25 d. Although not shown in detail, the filter member 26 is formed in a rectangular plate shape as a whole, and has a plurality of horizontally long slit-shaped water passage holes in a plate surface thereof, and a mesh-like filter for trapping lint is attached to a water passage hole portion thereof, as is well known.

The extension 25c of the second cover member 25 is located below the rotary balancer 6, and is provided with a detergent inlet 29 that opens in the inner wall of the washing tub 5. Although not shown in detail, the second cover member 25 configured as described above is attached to the washing tub 5 by engagement between the engagement claws and the engagement holes, for example. At this time, although not shown, a seal is provided along the left and right side portions in fig. 1 on the back surface side of the cover member 25. The water passage 23 is formed by watertight sealing between the back surface of the cover member 25 and the inner wall surface of the washing tub 5 by the seal.

When starting the washing operation, the user can input a required amount of detergent from the detergent input port 29 of the cover member 25 in advance. Then, when the pulsator 7 rotates when the washing operation starts, the following cycle is performed: that is, the washing water in washing tub 5 is raised along water passage 23 from outlet 21 of pump chamber 20, and supplied into washing tub 5 from the water passage hole of filter member 26. At this time, the injected detergent is dissolved by water and is transported into the washing tank 5. In addition, lint (thread ends) contained in the washing water is captured by the filter of the filter member 26. By detaching the filter member 26 from the second cover member 25, the filter can be easily cleaned.

Next, the first cover member 24 will be described with reference to fig. 3A to 6. The first cover member 24 is formed of a plastic molded product and has substantially the same outer shape as the second cover member 25. That is, the first cover member 24 is substantially plate-shaped and vertically long as a whole, and includes a main portion 24a disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the body portion 15. Further, the lower coupling portion 24b is provided at a lower portion of the main portion 24a and coupled to the outlet port 21 of the tank bottom portion 16, and the extension portion 24c is provided integrally with the lower coupling portion 24b and extends along an upper inner circumferential side from an upper portion of the main portion 24a to the portion of the rotary balancer 6.

As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the extension portion 24c is formed in a concave shape having an inverted trapezoidal opening on the front surface and becoming thinner toward the rear side, and is connected to the upper end portion of the rear surface side (water passage 23) of the main portion 24a through a communication port 30 formed in the lower portion of the rear wall of the extension portion 24 a. As shown in fig. 5, an outlet mask 32 is attached to the front opening of the extension portion 24c, and the outlet mask 32 closes the front opening of the extension portion 24 c. A laterally long slit-shaped outlet 32a is formed in the outlet cover 32 at a position near the upper portion.

As shown in fig. 4B, the main portion 24a is formed in an arc shape as a whole, the cross section of which is curved to the opposite side of the curved surface formed by the body portion 15. A recessed mounting portion 31 is provided in a vertically long rectangular region of the front surface portion of the main portion 24a, and a roller means, which will be described later, is detachably mounted to the mounting portion 31. The mounting portion 31 has a rectangular box shape with an open front surface and having left and right side walls and a back wall. A long opening 31a is formed in the back wall portion of the mounting portion 31, and the opening 31a opens toward the back surface of a portion where a roller, which will be described later, is disposed. Rollers, which will be described later, are provided separately from the water passage 23.

In this case, as shown in fig. 13, in the main portion 24a, the left and right portions of the front opening portion of the attachment portion 31 are provided as cover-side curved

walls

39, 39 that are curved walls, and the cover-side curved

walls

39, 39 gradually expand toward the inner peripheral side from both the left and right end portions toward the center portion when viewed from above. As will be described later in detail, these cover-side curved

walls

39, 39 constitute side bulging portions together with the curved wall of the holding member (holding member-side curved wall).

Although not shown in detail, the first cover member 24 is also attached to the washing tub 5 by, for example, engagement between the engagement claws and the engagement holes. At this time, as shown in fig. 3B, an outer seal holding groove 24d and an inner seal holding groove 24e are integrally provided on the back surface side of the first cover member 24. The outer seal holding grooves 24d extend upward at the left and right side portions of the range of the main portion 24a and the lower coupling portion 24b of the first cover member 24. The outer seal holding groove 24d is formed in an inverted U shape continuing to an immediately upper portion of the communication port 30. The inner seal holding groove 24e is formed in a rectangular frame shape extending in a longitudinal direction so as to surround the outer periphery of the mounting portion 31 (opening 31 a).

The outer seal 33 is held in the outer seal holding groove 24d, and the outer seal 33 has an end band shape. Thereby, the back surface of the first cover member 24 and the inner wall surface of the body 15 are sealed watertight along the outer periphery of the water passage 23. Further, the frame-shaped inner seal 34 is held in the inner seal holding groove 24 e. Thereby, the back surface of the first cover member 24 and the inner wall surface of the body 15 are sealed watertight along the outer peripheral portion of the opening 31 a.

In this way, a water passage 23 for raising the washing water is formed between the first cover member 24 and the inner peripheral wall of the washing tub 5 (main body 15). In this case, as shown in fig. 3B, the water passage 23 extends upward from the outlet 21 to the lower portion of the mounting portion 31 as indicated by an arrow a. Further, the water passage 23 is branched into two parts from this point, extends upward in the right and left direction of the mounting portion 31 (opening portion 31a), merges into one at the upper portion of the mounting portion 31 again, and reaches the communication port 30. The washing water flowing through the communication port 30 reaches the extension portion 24a (front surface side), and is discharged into the washing tub 5 from the discharge port 32a of the discharge cover 32. In this case, the water passage 23 is provided at positions on both sides of the roller, which will be described later.

As shown in fig. 4A, the mounting portion 31 of the first cover member 24 is provided at a lower edge thereof with an engaged portion 35, and the engaged portion 35 is used to engage with an engagement piece of a roller means to be described later. A fitting hole 36 is provided in an upper portion of the mounting portion 31, and the fitting hole 36 is fitted with a fitting projection of a roller means to be described later. Further, an upper holding portion 37 and a lower holding portion 38 are provided in the mounting portion 31 above and below the opening 30a, and the upper holding portion 37 and the lower holding portion 38 are configured to hold the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the shaft of the roller in a state of being prevented from coming off, respectively. The upper holding portion 37 and the lower holding portion 38 are configured to have

U-shaped recesses

37a and 38a in the center of the front end surface of the laterally long plate-shaped piece portion protruding forward.

As shown in fig. 1, 2, and the like, a cylindrical roller 41 for promoting movement of the laundry by rotation is rotatably provided in an inner wall portion of the washing tub 5 with an axial direction being a vertical direction. In the present embodiment, as exaggeratedly shown in fig. 15, the roller 41 is not cylindrical with a uniform diameter throughout the entire vertical direction, and the outer circumferential surface of the roller 41 has a conical surface shape. That is, the outer diameter of the roller 41 is maximized at the upper end portion and gradually decreases downward. For example, the outer diameter of the upper end of the roller 41 is 40mm, whereas the outer diameter of the lower end is about several mm smaller than the outer diameter of the upper end, for example, 3mm smaller, and 37mm smaller.

As shown in fig. 5, 6, and the like, in the present embodiment, the roller 41 is held by the holding member 42 and is provided as the roller means 43. In a state where the roller means 43 is provided, the rollers 41 are detachably (detachably) attached to the attachment portions 31 of the first cover members 24. Next, the roller 41 and the roller means 43 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 7A to 15.

First, the roller 41 will be explained. As shown in fig. 9 and the like, the roller 41 is configured to have a roller main portion 44, a cover portion 45, a metal shaft 46, and upper and

lower bushings

47, 47. As shown in fig. 10A to 10C, the roller main portion 44 is formed of a plastic molded product and has a vertically long hollow cylindrical shape with an open upper surface (a bottom wall on a lower end surface). The roller main portion 44 is continuous with a bottom surface (lower end portion) thereof and integrally has a cylindrical portion 48, and the shaft 46 is inserted and held in the cylindrical portion 48. The cylindrical portion 48 has a circular tube shape and is provided so that the axial center portion of the roller main portion 44 extends to the vicinity of the upper portion in the axial direction (upward direction).

At this time, as shown in fig. 10C, three openings 49 are formed in the bottom surface of the roller main portion 44. These openings 49 are arranged at positions offset from the cylindrical portion 48 at angular intervals of 120 degrees when viewed in the axial direction, and communicate with the internal space of the roller main portion 44 (the space on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical portion 48). As shown in fig. 10B, three reinforcing ribs 44a are integrally formed at 120-degree angular intervals on the inner peripheral surface of the roller main portion 44 so as to be continuous with the outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical portion 48. Further, three sets of engaging pins 44b and hooks 44c for coupling with the cover 45 are integrally provided at an upper portion of the inner peripheral surface of the roller main portion 44 at an angular interval of 120 degrees in the circumferential direction.

The cover portion 45 is also formed of a plastic molded product with respect to the roller main portion 44, and has a cylindrical cover shape. As shown in fig. 11A to 11C, the lid portion 45 integrally has a cylindrical wall portion 50, and the cylindrical wall portion 50 extends downward from the lower surface of a disc-shaped portion constituting the upper end surface of the roller 41 and is fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the roller main portion 44. A cylindrical portion 51 is integrally provided at the axial center portion of the lid portion 45, the cylindrical portion 51 extends downward so as to penetrate in the vertical direction, and the shaft 46 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 51.

As shown in fig. 11A and 11B, the cylindrical wall 50 is provided with cam portions 50a, the cam portions 50a are formed by obliquely cutting off the distal end portion of the cylindrical wall 50 at three circumferential positions, and the engagement pins 44B of the roller main portion 44 are guided to be opposed to each other by abutting against the cam portions 50 a. An engagement recess 50b is provided at the tip of the cam portion 50a in an upward concave shape. The engaging pin 44b is engaged and fixed in the engaging recess 50 b. Further, three locking holes 50c are formed in the cylindrical wall portion 50, and the three locking holes 50c lock the hooks 44c of the roller main portions 44 in a slip-off prevention state.

In this way, after the lid portion 45 is fitted to the upper end portion of the roller main portion 44 so that the cam portion 50a of the cylindrical wall portion 50 abuts against the engagement pin 44b, the lid portion 45 is rotated clockwise. Thereby, the engagement pin 44b is engaged and fixed to the engagement recess 50b, and the hook 44c is locked to the locking hole 50c, thereby being attached to the roller main portion 44.

As shown in fig. 11C, a rib 52 for preventing clothes from being caught is integrally provided on the upper end surface of the roller 41, that is, the upper surface of the cover 45. As shown in fig. 12A, the rib 52 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the shaft 46 and is formed in a ring shape (a cylindrical shape with a low height) rising upward. As will be described later, the rib 52 closes a gap between the rib and the upper edge of the rectangular opening 53a of the holding member 42, thereby preventing laundry as laundry from being caught in the gap. As will be described later, the rib 52 also serves as an erroneous assembly preventing member that allows the roller 41 to be held by the holding member 42 in the correct orientation but does not allow the roller 41 to be held by the holding member 42 in the reverse orientation.

As described above, the roller 41 is assembled by attaching the cover 45 to the roller main portion 44, inserting the shaft 46 into the cylindrical portion 48 and the cylindrical portion 51, and fixing the shaft 46 by the upper and

lower bushings

47, 47. Thus, as shown in fig. 7A, the roller 41 is provided such that the shaft 46 penetrates the shaft center portion thereof and the shaft 46 protrudes a little in the vertical direction from the upper and lower end surfaces of the roller 41.

The holding member 42 is configured as follows with respect to the roller 41 having the above-described configuration. That is, as shown in fig. 7A, 7B, and 8A to 8C, the holding member 42 is formed of a plastic molded product, and has a rectangular shape that is long and blocks the mounting portion 31 of the first cover member 24 as a whole, and is formed in a box shape that is open on the back side and is thin in the front-back direction. The front center portion of the holding member 42 is provided with a bulging portion 53, and the bulging portion 53 has an arc-like (semi-conical) shape bulging forward when viewed from the top. The bulging portion 53 is formed with a rectangular opening 53a for exposing a part (an area less than half of the entire area) of the outer peripheral surface of the roller 41. The rectangular opening 53a is formed to have a length in the vertical direction in which the roller 41 can be fitted, corresponding to the length of the roller 41.

At this time, as shown in fig. 8A, 13, and the like, portions of the front surface of the bulging portion 53 of the holding member 42 located on the left and right of the opening 53a are provided as holding member-side curved

walls

61, 61 as curved walls. As will be described later, these holding member-side curved

walls

61, 61 are continuous with the cover-side curved walls 39, and constitute

side bulging portions

62, 62 together with the cover-side curved

walls

39, 39. The

side bulging portions

62, 62 are provided at positions on both sides of the roller 41, and are connected to the exposed outer peripheral wall surface of the roller 41 so as to form a smooth curve, thereby functioning to smoothly guide laundry to the roller 41. In the present embodiment, the holding member-side curved

walls

61 and 61 are provided in a shape in which the curvature as viewed from above changes so as to further follow the outer peripheral surface of the roller 41 in the vicinity of the roller 41.

Further, as shown in fig. 8C, in the front surface portion of the expanded portion 53 of the holding member 42, a portion located above the opening portion 53a is provided as an upper expanded portion 63. Further, a portion of the front surface of the expanded portion 53 located below the opening 53a is provided as a lower expanded portion 64. The upper bulging portion 63 is located above the roller 41 and is provided so as to smoothly connect to the upper end portion of the roller 41. Similarly, the lower bulging portion 64 is located below the roller 41 and is provided so as to smoothly connect to the lower end of the roller 41.

As shown in fig. 7A, 8B, 12A, and 12B, an upper wall portion 54 is integrally provided on the back surface (inner surface) side of the holding member 42 at the upper end portion of the rectangular opening 53 a. Further, a lower wall portion 55 is integrally provided at a lower end portion of the rectangular opening 53a on the back surface side of the holding member 42. At this time, an upper cutout 54a having a wide width is formed in the upper wall 54 so as to open to the back surface side, and the rib 52 of the roller 41 can be disposed (passed) through the upper cutout 54 a. A narrow lower cutout 55a is formed in the lower wall 55 so as to open to the back surface side, and the shaft 46 of the roller 41 can be inserted through the lower cutout 55 a.

As shown in fig. 7A, 7B, and 8A to 8C, an upper bearing portion 56 is integrally provided on the back surface (inner surface) side of the holding member 42 at a position slightly above the upper wall portion 54, and the upper bearing portion 56 pivotally supports the upper end portion of the shaft 46 of the roller 41 so as to be rotatable. A lower bearing 57 is integrally provided at a position slightly below the lower wall portion 55, and the lower bearing 57 rotatably supports the lower end portion of the shaft 46 of the roller 41. The upper bearing portion 56 and the lower bearing portion 57 have

U-shaped notches

56a and 57a, respectively, which are open on the rear surface side. The shaft 46 of the roller 41 is inserted into the

notches

56a and 57a from the back side, and thereby the upper bearing portion 56 and the lower bearing portion 57 rotatably support the roller 41.

Further, the holding member 42 is provided with a structure in which the roller means 43 is detachably attached to the attachment portion 31 of the first cover member 24 as follows. That is, as shown in fig. 7A, 7B, and 8A to 8C, a laterally long locking piece 58 protruding downward is integrally provided at the lower end portion of the holding member 42. The locking piece 58 is inserted from above into the inside of the locked portion 35 of the mounting portion 31, whereby the lower end portion of the holding member 42 is locked in a state of being prevented from falling forward.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 8A to 8C, a gripper portion 59 is integrally provided at the upper end portion of the holding member 42. The grasping portion 59 includes an upper piece portion 59a and a lower piece portion 59b extending forward from a wall portion on the upper end back side of the holding member 42 in the vertical direction, and these upper piece portion 59a and lower piece portion 59b are elastically deformable in the vertical direction. At this time, as shown in fig. 6, a concave portion 59c into which a user can insert a finger is provided in a concave shape opened on the front surface below the lower piece portion 59 b. The upper piece portion 59a is positioned at the upper end of the holding member 42, and as shown in fig. 5, a fitting projection 60 that is detachably fitted to the fitting hole 36 of the attachment portion 31 is provided on the upper surface of the upper piece portion 59 a. Thus, the user can hold the grip portion 59 in the vertical direction, and can elastically deform the upper piece portion 59a downward (in the direction of arrow b in fig. 8C) by reducing the distance between the upper piece portion 59a and the lower piece portion 59 b. In this state, the fitting projection 60 can be attached to and detached from the fitting hole 36.

As shown in fig. 7A, in the roller unit 43 configured as described above, the rollers 41 are accommodated and held in the bulging portion 53 from the back side with respect to the holding member 42. Specifically, the upper end of the shaft 46 of the roller 41 is inserted into the notch 56a of the upper bearing 56 and is rotatably supported by the pivot. At this time, the rib 42 of the upper end surface portion of the roller 41 is disposed in the upper cutout portion 54a of the upper wall portion 54 having a wide width. The lower end portion of the shaft 46 is inserted into the notch portion 57a of the lower bearing portion 57, and is rotatably supported by the pivot. At this time, the portion of the shaft 46 immediately below the lower end surface of the roller 41 is disposed in the narrow lower notch portion 55a of the lower wall portion 55.

Thus, as shown in fig. 7B and the like, the roller 41 is rotatably held by the holding member 42, and the front portion of the roller 41 (a portion in a slightly narrower range than the half-circumference) is disposed in the rectangular opening 53a and exposed forward. In this holding state, as shown in fig. 12A, the rib 52 on the upper end surface of the roller 41 is disposed in the gap portion with the rectangular opening 53 on the upper end surface side of the roller 41, and functions to prevent clothes from being caught. At this time, as is clear from fig. 12A and 12B, since the rib 52 is present, even if the roller 41 is attached to the holding member 42 upside down, the rib 52 is caught by the lower wall portion 55. This prevents the roller 41 from being held by the holding member 42 upside down.

The roller means 43 is detachably attached to the attachment portion 31 of the first cover member 24 on the inner wall of the washing tub 5. When the roller means 43 is mounted on the mounting portion 31, first, the locking piece 58 at the lower end of the holding member 42 is inserted from obliquely above into the inside of the engaged portion 35 at the lower end of the mounting portion 31, and the locking piece 58 at the lower end of the holding member 42 is locked (see fig. 6). Next, the upper portion of the roller means 43 is fitted into the mounting portion 31 while holding the gripper portion 59 and elastically deforming the upper piece portion 59a downward (in the direction of arrow b). Thereby, the fitting protrusion 60 is fitted into the fitting hole 36. Further, the roller means 43 are attached to the first cover members 24 at two positions, respectively.

Thereby, the roller means 43 is fitted into the fitting portion 31. At this time, as shown in fig. 1, the upper holding portion 37 and the lower holding portion 38 are provided on the first cover member 24 on the back side of the roller means 43. Thus, the upper end portion of the shaft 46 of the roller 41 is prevented from falling off rearward (rear side) by the upper holding portion 37 at a position immediately below the upper bearing portion 56. Further, at the lower end portion of the shaft 46, the lower holding portion 38 prevents the falling-off from the rear (rear surface side) in the portion immediately above the lower bearing portion 57.

In the state where the roller means 43 is mounted, the rollers 41 are rotatably disposed on the inner wall of the washing tub 5 with the axial direction being vertical as shown in fig. 1 and 2. The rotation of the roller 41 itself promotes the movement of the laundry in the circumferential direction along the inner wall of the washing tub 5. At this time, as shown in FIG. 15, two rollers 41 are disposed at two positions in the circumferential direction of the inner wall portion of the washing tub 5 at the middle stage portion in the vertical direction of the washing tub 5. Here, the arrangement of the roller 41 at the middle stage in the vertical direction of the washing tub 5 means a state in which a certain portion in the vertical direction of the roller 41 is located on the middle line M in the height direction of the washing tub 5.

As shown in FIG. 13, etc., the roller 41 (central axis) is positioned on the inner peripheral side of the inner wall of the washing tub 5.

Side bulging portions

62, 62 are provided on the inner wall portion of the washing tub 5 at both side portions of the roller 41, and the

side bulging portions

62, 62 are connected to the exposed outer peripheral wall surface of the roller 41 in a smooth curve to smoothly guide the laundry to the roller 41. In the present embodiment, the side bulging portion 62 is provided so as to continue the holding member-side curved wall 61 provided to the holding member 42 and the cover-side curved wall 39 provided to the first cover member 24. As shown in fig. 13, in the holding member-side curved wall 39, the curvature as viewed from above changes so as to follow the outer peripheral surface of the roller 41 in the vicinity of the roller 41. Further, an upper bulging portion 63 smoothly connected to an upper end portion of the roller 41 is provided at an upper portion of the roller 41. A lower bulging portion 64 smoothly continuous with the lower end portion of the roller 41 is provided at the lower portion of the roller 41.

As shown in fig. 14, in the mounted state of the roller unit 43, the openings 49 of the lower surfaces of the rollers 41 communicate with the inside of the washing tub 5 through gaps at a plurality of positions on the holding member 42. Therefore, in the washing and rinsing stroke, the washing water in the washing tub 5 flows in the direction opposite to the arrow c and enters the inside of the roller 41 through the opening 49. However, when water is drained from the interior of the washing tub 5, the washing water in the roller 41 flows in the direction indicated by the arrow c, and is drained from the interior of the roller 41 through the opening 49.

When detaching the roller means 43 from the attachment portion 31, the user grips the grip portion 59 and elastically deforms the upper piece portion 59a downward (in the direction of arrow b), contrary to the above. In this state, the fitting protrusion 60 is pulled out downward from the fitting hole 36, and the upper portion of the holding member 42 is pulled out forward (see fig. 6). Then, the roller means 43 can be detached by pulling the locking piece 58 obliquely upward and releasing the locking between the locking piece 58 and the locked portion 35. Further, the roller unit 43 after being removed from the washing tub 5 (the mounting portion 31) can be easily removed from the holding member 42 and also can be easily mounted.

Next, the operation and effect of the washing machine 1 configured as described above will be described. In the above configuration, since the rollers 41 are rotatably provided on the inner wall portion of the washing tub 5, the movement of the laundry in the washing tub 5 is facilitated, and the washing effect can be improved. In this case, since the rollers 41 are disposed in a state in which the axial direction is the vertical direction, the rotation of the laundry is effective in a relatively wide range, not only in a partial region of the pulsator 7, but also in an inner wall portion of the washing tub 5. Here, especially when the laundry amount in the washing tub 5 is large, the laundry is hard to rotate, and the stain removal may be uneven. However, the so-called laundry rotation is performed well by the rollers 41, and such unevenness of the stain removal can be eliminated.

Further, since the roller 41 is cylindrical and the outer diameter dimension thereof fluctuates in the vertical position, the outer diameter of the upper portion is larger than that of the lower portion, and therefore, the laundry in contact with the roller 41 can be moved in the lateral direction, and a downward force can be applied by a surface (tapered surface) inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Therefore, the laundry can be favorably rotated in the rotational (circumferential) direction, and the vertical displacement of the laundry in the washing tub 5 can be promoted, thereby improving the cleaning performance. As a result, according to the present embodiment, the excellent effect of providing the rollers 41 in the washing tub 5 to rotate the laundry satisfactorily and further improving the washing effect can be obtained.

In this case, in the present embodiment, the roller 41 is provided at a position located at the middle stage in the vertical direction in the washing tub 5. Accordingly, the rotation of the roller 41 can apply a downward force to the laundry located at the middle stage position in the washing tub 5, and the vertical shift of the laundry can be promoted as a whole.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the following operation and effect can be obtained. That is, the roller 41 is provided to be detachable with respect to the washing tub 5. Thus, even if dirt is likely to adhere to the vicinity of the mounting portion of the roller 41, the user can easily remove the roller 41 and clean it, and the cleaning performance can be improved. The holding member 42 is provided with bearing

portions

56 and 57 for rotatably holding the roller 41. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a portion having a complicated shape, which easily adheres to dirt, in other words, which is difficult to remove dirt, on the side of washing tub 5, and the cleaning performance can be further improved.

Since the holding member 42 is provided with the gripper 59 for placing a finger when the roller means 43 is attached and detached, the roller means 43 can be easily attached and detached by using the gripper 59. The holding member 42 is provided with bearing

portions

56 and 57 that pivotally support the shafts 46 at both ends of the roller 41. Thus, the roller 41 can be rotatably held by the bearing

portions

56 and 57, and there is no need to provide a bearing function on the washing tub 5 side.

Further, ribs 52 for preventing clothes from being caught are provided on the end surfaces of the rollers 41 on the outer peripheral side of the shaft 46 so as to close the gap between the end surfaces and the rectangular opening 53a of the holding member 42. This makes it possible to prevent laundry from being caught in the gap between the roller 41 and the upper edge of the rectangular opening 53a by the rib 52, which is a more effective technical feature. In this case, the upper end side of the roller 41 may be more likely to be spaced from the holding member 42 than the lower end side due to the self weight of the roller 41. By providing the ribs 52 on the upper end surface of the roller 41, the clothes can be more effectively prevented from being caught.

The rib 52 is also configured to serve as an erroneous assembly preventing member that allows the roller 41 to be held by the holding member 42 in the correct orientation, but prevents the roller 41 from being held by the holding member 42 in the opposite orientation. This can prevent erroneous assembly in which the roller 41 is assembled to the holding member 42 in the opposite direction. Since the rib 52 also serves as the erroneous-assembly preventing member, the structure can be simplified as compared with a case where the erroneous-assembly preventing member is provided separately from the rib 52.

The roller 41 includes a roller main portion 44 and a cover portion 45 attached to one end portion of the roller main portion 44, and is attached by fitting the cover portion 45 to the roller main portion 44 and then rotating it. This allows the cover 45 to be easily attached to the roller main section 44, and facilitates the assembly of the roller 41. More specifically, the engagement pin 44b is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the roller main portion 44, and the cover portion 45 is provided with an engagement recess 50b and a cam portion 50a that relatively guides the engagement pin 44b toward the engagement recess 50 b. This enables the roller 41 to be easily assembled with a relatively simple structure.

The mounting portion 31 of the first cover member 14 is provided with an upper holding portion 37 and a lower holding portion 38 that hold the shaft 46 of the roller 41 in a state of being disengaged from the holding member 42. Thus, unlike the case where the shaft 46 is held by the holding member 42 alone, the structure of the bearing

portions

56 and 57 of the holding member 42 can be simplified. The roller 41 is also easily removed from the roller means 43 when it is removed.

In the present embodiment, the roller 41 is formed in a hollow shape, and an opening 49 is provided on a lower end surface thereof. Thus, even if the cleaning liquid enters the roller 41, the cleaning liquid can be easily discharged from the opening 49, and the cleaning liquid can be prevented from being stored in the roller 41. It is of course also possible to manufacture the rollers 41 with a low weight and at a low price. At this time, the opening 49 of the roller 41 is disposed at a position deviated from the cylindrical portion 48 that holds the shaft 46 as viewed in the axial direction. Therefore, when the roller 41 (the roller main portion 44) is formed by a plastic molded product, the opening 49 is easily formed.

In addition, in the present embodiment,

side bulging portions

62 and 62 are provided on both side portions of the roller 41 of the washing tub 5 so as to be continuous with the exposed outer circumferential wall surface of the roller 41 in a smooth curve. Thereby, the laundry is smoothly guided by the rollers 41 toward the exposed outer peripheral wall surface. In this case, the laundry is not caught or caught by the roller 41, and the laundry can be smoothly moved.

At this time, the side bulging portions 62 are provided on the plastic holding member 42 and the first cover member 24. This can be achieved at low cost, and the side bulging portion 62 can be easily provided even if the shape is relatively complicated. The roller 41 (roller means 43) can be easily attached to and detached from the washing tub 5. In the present embodiment, the side bulging portion 62 is provided in a form in which the holding member-side curved wall 61 of the holding member 42 is continuous with the cover-side curved wall 39 of the first cover member 24. In this way, the side bulging portion 62 can be provided over a wide range in such a manner as to exhibit a smoother curve.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the holding member-side curved wall 61 is configured such that the curvature as viewed from above changes in the vicinity of the roller 41. Thus, the laundry can be smoothly guided to the roller 41 by the side bulging portion 62 having a smooth curve. Further, in the vicinity of the roller 41, a shape more suitable for preventing clogging and jamming of the laundry can be formed. Since the upper bulging portion 63 is provided at a position located above the roller 41, the laundry can be prevented from being clogged and caught even at the upper portion of the roller 41. Since the lower bulging portion 64 is provided at a position lower than the roller 41, the laundry can be prevented from being clogged and caught at the lower portion of the roller 41.

In the present embodiment, the first cover member 24 attached to the inner wall of the washing tub 5 serves both functions of attaching the rollers 41 and forming the water path 23, and thus the structure can be simplified and the space can be saved. In this case, since the roller 41 is provided separately from the water passage 23, the flow direction, the discharge position, the flow rate, and the like of the water in the water passage 23 can be easily adjusted (set) by the design of the water passage 23. Unlike the case where the roller 41 is located in the water path 23, lint is less likely to be caught or caught on the roller 41, and a good flow of the water path can be ensured.

In the present embodiment, the opening 31a is provided on the first cover member 24 on the back side of the roller 41. The opening 31a can secure a gap between the roller 41 and the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub 5, and the space for disposing the roller 41 can be made small in the radial direction of the washing tub 5. An inner seal 34 is provided between the first cover member 24 and the washing tub 5 at a position surrounding the outside of the opening 31 a. Accordingly, the water passage 23 is provided outside the opening 31a and sealed by the inner seal 34 surrounding the opening 31a, and thus the washing water can be prevented from leaking out of the opening 31 a. Since the water channel 23 in the first cover member 24 is provided at a position on both sides of the roller 41, the water channel 23 and the roller 41 can be arranged relatively compactly, and the cross-sectional area (flow rate of water) of the water channel 23 can be secured large.

(second embodiment)

Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in the arrangement of the rollers 41. That is, in the second embodiment, the roller 41 configured such that the outer diameter size thereof varies (gradually decreases) from the upper end portion to the lower end portion is used, as in the first embodiment. The two rollers 41 are disposed at upper positions in the washing tub 5. Here, the upper portion means that the roller 41 is located above the middle line M of the washing tub 5.

According to the second embodiment, the rollers 41 are provided in the washing tub 5, and the outer diameter of the upper part of the rollers 41 can be made larger than that of the lower part thereof, so that the laundry can be rotated satisfactorily. This makes it possible to apply a downward force to the laundry, thereby further improving the washing effect. At this time, since the roller 41 is provided at a position located at an upper portion in the washing tub 5, a downward force can be applied to the laundry located at an upper stage portion in the washing tub 5 by the rotation of the roller 41. As a result, the vertical position of the laundry can be further promoted as a whole.

(third embodiment)

Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a third embodiment. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the structure of the roller 71. In contrast to the roller 41, the outer diameter of the roller 71 is changed so as to be smallest at the upper end and larger downward, that is, it is configured to have a tapered surface in which the outer diameter of the lower portion is larger than that of the upper portion. The rollers 71 are disposed at two positions in the circumferential direction of the inner wall of the washing tub 5 at the middle stage in the vertical direction of the washing tub 5.

According to the third embodiment, laundry in contact with the roller 71 can be favorably rotated in the circumferential direction. The outer diameter of the lower portion of the roller 71 is larger than that of the upper portion, and thus an upward force can be applied to the laundry. As a result, the washing effect can be further improved. Further, the rotation of the roller 71 can apply an upward force to the laundry located in the middle stage portion in the washing tub 5, and the vertical shift of the laundry can be promoted as a whole.

(fourth embodiment)

Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in the arrangement of the rollers 71 configured to have a diameter that varies (gradually increases) from the upper end to the lower end. That is, in the fourth embodiment, two rollers 71 are provided at positions located in the lower portion in the washing tub 5. Here, the lower portion means that the roller 71 is located below the middle line M of the washing tub 5. Accordingly, the laundry located in the lower stage portion in the washing tub 5 can be forced upward by the roller 71, and the vertical position of the laundry can be further promoted as a whole.

(fifth embodiment)

Fig. 19 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment. The fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment and the like in the following points. That is, the first roller 72 and the second roller 73 are provided as rollers at different positions in the circumferential direction in the inner wall portion of the washing tub 5, the first roller 72 is configured such that the upper portion has an outer diameter larger than the lower portion, and the second roller 73 is configured such that the lower portion has an outer diameter larger than the upper portion. The first roller 72 has a tapered outer peripheral surface, as in the roller 41 of the first embodiment and the like. The outer peripheral surface of the second roller 73 is formed as a tapered surface, similarly to the roller 71 of the third embodiment and the like. These

rollers

72 and 73 are disposed at the middle stage in the vertical direction of the washing tub 5.

According to the fifth embodiment, the laundry is applied with a downward force by contacting the first rollers 72, and the laundry is applied with an upward force by contacting the second rollers 73. Therefore, the laundry can be moved up and down at different positions in the washing tub 5, and the vertical position of the laundry can be promoted as a whole.

(sixth embodiment)

Fig. 20 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment. The sixth embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in the arrangement of the first roller 72 and the second roller 73. That is, first roller 72 is provided at a position located at an upper portion in washing tub 5, and second roller 73 is provided at a position located at a lower portion in washing tub 5. This can further promote the vertical direction change of the laundry.

(other embodiments)

In the above embodiments, two rollers are provided in the washing tub, but one roller or three or more rollers may be provided. Although not shown in the drawings, when three or more rollers are provided, the rollers may be arranged at positions near the upper portion, the middle portion, or the lower portion of the washing tub, respectively, or a combination of the above embodiments. In addition, various modifications of the shape and structure of the roller are also conceivable. For example, the shape may be a straight tube having a constant diameter at a part in the vertical direction, or may be a shape having a contraction (or expansion) at an intermediate part in the vertical direction.

The roller may be configured not to have a shaft but to have a shaft portion integrally formed on an end surface portion. Further, the structure of the holding member for holding the roller can be variously modified. In the first embodiment, the roller is rotatably held by the holding member constituting the roller means, but the roller may be rotatably supported by providing a pivot support portion on the side of the washing tub (cover member). This makes it possible to reduce the number of components compared to the case of unitization, and to realize a simple and inexpensive structure. Various modifications are also conceivable in the shape and structure of the side bulging portion, and for example, the side bulging portion may be provided only on the holding member or only on the cover member.

The above embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The present embodiment and modifications thereof are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Claims

1. A washing machine is provided with:

a washing tank (5) for storing and washing the laundry; and

rollers (41, 71, 72, 73) rotatably provided on an inner wall portion of the washing tub (5) in a state in which an axial direction is a vertical direction, for facilitating movement of the laundry in the vertical direction or the vertical direction by rotation;

the rollers (41, 71, 72, 73) are cylindrical and configured such that the outer diameter dimension thereof varies in the vertical direction.

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

the rollers (41, 72) are configured such that the outer diameter of the upper portion is larger than that of the lower portion.

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

the rollers (41, 72) are provided at positions located at the middle stages in the vertical direction in the washing tub (5).

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

the rollers (41, 72) are disposed at an upper position in the washing tub (5).

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

the rollers (71, 73) are configured such that the outer diameter of the lower portion is larger than that of the upper portion.

6. The washing machine according to claim 5,

the rollers (71, 73) are provided at positions located at the middle stages in the vertical direction in the washing tub (5).

7. The washing machine according to claim 5,

the rollers (71, 73) are disposed at a lower position in the washing tub (5).

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

the rollers (72, 73) include a first roller (72) and a second roller (73), the first roller (72) being configured such that an upper portion has a larger outer diameter than a lower portion, and the second roller (73) being configured such that a lower portion has a larger outer diameter than an upper portion;

the first roller (72) and the second roller (73) are provided at different positions in the circumferential direction of the washing tub (5).

9. The washing machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein,

the first roller (72) is disposed at an upper position in the washing tub (5);

the second roller (73) is disposed at a lower position in the washing tub (5).