CN108699750B

CN108699750B - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN108699750B
Application number: CN201780012352.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 川口智也
Original assignee: Qingdao Jiaonan Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Asia Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Jiaonan Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Haier Asia Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-04-15
Filing date: 2017-02-27
Publication date: 2020-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2037-02-27
Also published as: WO2017177771A1; JP6781870B2; JP2017189529A; CN108699750A

Abstract

A washing machine (1) capable of selecting a washing mode of a vertical washing machine and a washing mode of a drum washing machine. A washing machine (1) comprises: a washing tub (4) that is driven to rotate about a first vertically extending rotation axis (J1); a water flow generating member (5) which is disposed in the washing tub (4) and generates a water flow in the washing tub (4) by being driven to rotate; and a hollow housing (61). The container (61) is detachably provided in the washing tub (4) and is rotationally driven about a second rotation axis (J2) extending horizontally.

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background

The washing machine described in patent document 1 includes: an outer tub for receiving washing water, a rotary tub received in the outer tub, and a pulsator disposed on a bottom wall of the rotary tub. A freely detachable washing tub for accommodating shoes or very dirty clothes is mounted on the pulsator and rotates together with the pulsator. Thus, the laundry subjected to the centrifugal force in the detachable washing tub strongly contacts the washing brush formed on the inner wall of the main body of the detachable washing tub.

It is convenient to freely select a washing method of a vertical washing machine having a vertically arranged rotary tub and a washing method of a drum washing machine having a horizontally arranged rotary tub as in patent document 1.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 8-299670

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of selecting a washing method of a vertical washing machine and a washing method of a drum washing machine.

Means for solving the problems

The present invention is a washing machine comprising: a washing tub for storing water and receiving laundry and driven to rotate around a first rotation axis extending vertically; a water flow generating member disposed in the washing tub and generating a water flow in the washing tub by being driven to rotate; and a hollow housing detachably provided in the washing tub and driven to rotate about a second rotation axis extending horizontally.

In addition, the receptacle may be divided into a first member and a second member, and an interface between the first member and the second member, which are combined with each other, may extend horizontally in a state of being mounted in the washing tub.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the washing tub and the accommodating body are each independently drivable to rotate.

Further, the present invention is characterized by further comprising: a transmission mechanism that rotates the housing around the second rotation axis by a driving force from the water flow generating member.

In the present invention, a plurality of recesses are provided on an outer surface of the housing, and the plurality of recesses are arranged in a circumferential direction around the second rotation axis and are to transmit the driving force from the transmission mechanism.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, a washing machine including a washing tub driven to rotate about a vertically extending first rotation axis and a water current generating member for generating a water current in the washing tub by being driven to rotate is a vertical type washing machine. Therefore, the washings directly received and contained in the washing barrel can be washed in the washing mode of the vertical washing machine. On the other hand, in this washing machine, since the hollow housing is detachably provided in the washing tub and is driven to rotate around the second rotation axis extending horizontally, the laundry housed in the housing can be washed by the washing method of the drum-type washing machine. That is, the washing machine can select a washing mode of the vertical type washing machine and a washing mode of the drum type washing machine.

Further, according to the present invention, in a state where the housing body, which can be separated into the first member and the second member, is mounted in the washing tub, the joint of the first member and the second member, which are combined with each other, extends horizontally and intersects the first rotation axis of the washing tub. Therefore, the centrifugal force generated when the washing barrel rotates around the first rotation axis is hard to generate the function of opening the interface between the first component and the second component, thereby preventing the first component and the second component from being separated accidentally during the rotation of the washing barrel.

Further, according to the present invention, the washing tub and the accommodating body can be driven to rotate independently of each other. In this case, if the washing tub and the storage body are driven to rotate simultaneously, the storage body does not rotate only in the vertical direction about the second rotation axis but also in the horizontal direction about the first rotation axis. By rotating the housing in such a complicated manner, the laundry in the housing can be efficiently washed. On the other hand, during the spin-drying rotation of the washing tub, the drive rotation of the container about the second rotation axis is stopped, and the container and the washing tub can be rotated laterally at a high speed. Thus, the centrifugal force generated by the spin-drying rotation can be concentrated on the laundry in the housing without being affected by the vertical rotation, and the laundry can be efficiently dehydrated.

Further, according to the present invention, the transmission mechanism rotates the housing around the second rotation axis by the driving force from the water flow generating member, and thereby both the water flow generating member and the housing can be driven to rotate by the driving force from the same driving source, and therefore the number of components and the cost can be reduced. In addition, the laundry in the accommodating body can be washed by the water flow generated by the water flow generating member, and the laundry in the accommodating body can be washed by lifting the laundry in the accommodating body by the longitudinal rotation of the accommodating body and then tumbling the laundry naturally falling down, so that the laundry can be efficiently washed.

Further, according to the present invention, the user of the washing machine can easily attach and detach the housing to and from the washing tub or move the housing as the washing basket by hooking the fingers on the outer surface of the housing along the recesses arranged in the circumferential direction around the second rotation axis. Further, since the recess can be used as a portion of the housing to which the driving force is transmitted, the housing can be configured simply.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a main portion of a washing tub of the washing machine viewed from an inside of the washing tub.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view a-a of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view showing a main portion of fig. 1 in detail.

Fig. 5 is a schematic vertical right side view of the washing machine with the transmission mechanism and the housing attached.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view showing the transmission mechanism and the periphery of the transmission mechanism in fig. 5 in detail.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view B-B of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the container in the unfolded state.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the container in the assembled state.

Fig. 10 is a view showing a part of the C-C section of fig. 9.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The washing machine 1 may be a washing and drying machine having a drying function of the laundry Q. Fig. 1 is a schematic vertical right side 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, and the horizontal direction in fig. 1 is referred to as a front-rear direction Y of the washing machine 1. 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. In the front-rear direction Y, the left side in fig. 1 is referred to as a front side Y1, and the right side in fig. 1 is referred to as a rear side Y2. The direction perpendicular to the paper plane of fig. 1 is referred to as a left-right direction X of the washing machine 1. In each cross-sectional view including fig. 1, there is a portion where the cross-section is omitted for convenience of illustration. The washing machine 1 includes: a cabinet 2 formed in a box shape, an outer tub 3 accommodated in the cabinet 2, a washing tub 4, a water current generating member 5, a water pumping member 6, and a driving mechanism 7.

Leg portions 10 provided at four corners of the lower surface of the bottom wall of casing 2 contact a floor (not shown) from upper side Z1, and washing machine 1 is thereby installed on the floor. Most of the housing 2 is made of metal, for example, but a portion constituting a top wall of the housing 2 is a top panel 11 made of resin. The upper panel 11 is provided with an opening 12 communicating the inside and outside of the housing 2, and a resin door 13 opening and closing the opening 12. The door 13 is opened and closed by being vertically rotated about a rotation shaft 14 at the rear end portion thereof, and is folded by being further rotated about another rotation shaft 15 in the opened state. An operation unit 16, which is a liquid crystal operation panel or the like, is provided on the upper surface of the upper panel 11, for example, in a region on the front side Y1 of the opening 12. By operating the operation unit 16, the user of the washing machine 1 can freely select the operation conditions of the washing operation performed by the washing machine 1, or instruct the washing machine 1 to start or stop the washing operation.

The outer tub 3 is made of, for example, resin and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The outer tub 3 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 3A extending in the vertical direction Z, and a bottom wall 3B closing a hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from a lower side Z2. The outlet 20 surrounded by the upper end edge of the circumferential wall 3A is formed in the outer tub 3, and the outlet 20 is in a state of communicating with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A, that is, the internal space of the outer tub 3, from the upper side Z1. The tub 3 is provided with a door 21 for opening and closing the access opening 20. The door 21 is opened and closed by being vertically rotated about a rotation shaft 22 at the rear end thereof. A support member 23 called a hanger depends from the upper panel 11 and is connected to the circumferential wall 3A, and the tub 3 is elastically supported by the casing 2 via the support member 23.

The outer tub 3 stores water therein. For example, one end of a water supply passage 24 connected to a faucet (not shown) is connected to an upper end of the circumferential wall 3A, and tap water is supplied from the water supply passage 24 into the outer tub 3. A water supply valve 25 that opens and closes to start or stop water supply is provided in the water supply path 24. One end of the drain passage 26 is connected to the bottom wall 3B from the lower side Z2, and water in the tub 3 is discharged to the outside of the machine body from the drain passage 26. A drain valve 27 that opens and closes to start or stop the drainage is provided in the middle of the drainage channel 26.

The washing tub 4 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape one turn smaller than the outer tub 3. The washing tub 4 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 4A extending in the vertical direction Z, and a bottom wall 4B blocking a hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A from a lower side Z2. For example, most of the circumferential wall 4A is made of metal, and most of the bottom wall 4B is made of resin. In the washing tub 4, the inlet/outlet 30 surrounded by the upper end edge of the circumferential wall 4A is formed, and the inlet/outlet 30 is in a state of communicating with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A, that is, the internal space of the washing tub 4, from the upper side Z1. The lower end of the circumferential wall 4A connected to the bottom wall 4B and the bottom wall 4B constitute the bottom of the washing tub 4.

The washing tub 4 is coaxially accommodated in the outer tub 3. In this state, the inlet/outlet 30 of the washing tub 40 communicates with the inlet/outlet 20 of the outer tub 3 from the lower side Z2, and the inlets/

outlets

20 and 30 are opened and closed together by the door 21. The user can put in and take out the laundry Q into and from the internal space of the washing tub 4 through the open doorway 20 and the open doorway 30. The laundry Q is accommodated in the inner space of the washing tub 4. The water in the outer tub 3 can pass through the through holes 4C formed in the circumferential wall 4A and the bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4, and can move back and forth between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4. Thereby, water is stored in the washing tub 4 from the bottom wall 4B side to reach the same water level as the tub 3. For convenience of illustration, the through-hole 4C is omitted from the washing tub 4 in each of fig. 3 and later.

The washing tub 4 can rotate centering on a central axis passing through a center thereof. The central axis of the washing tub 4 is referred to as a first rotation axis J1. Since the first rotation axis J1 extends vertically in the vertical direction Z, the washing tub 4 is disposed vertically. In the present specification, the vertical direction is not limited to the vertical direction V, but includes a direction inclined with respect to the vertical direction V, and the horizontal direction is not limited to the horizontal direction H but also includes a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H for the same purpose. Hereinafter, the circumferential direction around the first rotation axis J1 is referred to as a circumferential direction S, and the radial direction around the first rotation axis J1 is referred to as a radial direction R. In the radial direction R, a side close to the first rotation axis J1 is referred to as a radially inner side R1, and a side far from the first rotation axis J1 is referred to as a radially outer side R2.

An annular balance ring 31 is coaxially attached to an upper end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A. The balance ring 31 is a device for damping vibration of the washing tub 4 during rotation, and a liquid for helping damping vibration, such as brine, is contained in a hollow 31A inside the balance ring 31.

The water flow generating member 5, a so-called pulsator, is formed in a disk shape having a thickness in the vertical direction Z. Water flow generating member 5 is disposed on upper side Z1 of bottom wall 4B of the lower portion in washing tub 4 in a state of not contacting the bottom of washing tub 4. The water flow generating member 5 is rotatable centering on a center axis passing through a center point thereof in a state of being coincident with the first rotation axis J1. For example, the thickness of the water flow generating member 5 is set to be larger as approaching the first rotation axis J1, and a plurality of raised portions 5A raised in the circumferential direction S and extending in the radial direction R are formed on the upper surface of the water flow generating member 5 so as to be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction S (see also fig. 7 described later).

Referring to fig. 2, which is a view of the inner surface of washing tub 4 viewed from radially inner side R1, and fig. 3, which is a cross-sectional view a-a of fig. 2, water scooping member 6 has a water pipe-like overall shape bulging radially inward R1 and extending in vertical direction Z, and is attached to circumferential wall 4A of washing tub 4 from radially inner side R1. The plurality of water pumping members 6 are arranged in the circumferential direction S. Of the plurality of water scooping members 6, two water scooping members 6 are disposed to face each other with the first rotation axis J1 interposed therebetween (see fig. 1). An upper end portion of a side surface portion of the radially inner side R1 of the water scooping member 6 is located at the same position as an upper end portion of the circumferential wall 4A in the vertical direction Z, and an outlet 35 (see fig. 2) is formed at the upper end portion of the side surface portion. Between the water pumping member 6 and the circumferential wall 4A, a water pumping passage 36 extending in the up-down direction Z is formed. The water raising passage 36 is exposed from the outlet 35 at the radially inner side R1. An inlet (not shown) facing the water flow generating member 5 from the radially outer side R2 is formed at the lower end portion of the water lifting path 36.

The driving mechanism 7 is a mechanism for generating a driving force for rotating the washing tub 4 and the water flow generating member 5, respectively, and transmitting the driving force to the washing tub 4 and the water flow generating member 5, respectively. Specifically, referring to fig. 4 showing the drive mechanism 7 and its periphery in fig. 1 in an enlarged detail, the drive mechanism 7 includes: a first support shaft 41, a second support shaft 42, a frame 43, a first motor 44, and a second motor 45.

The first support shaft 41 is formed in a tubular shape having a central axis coinciding with the first rotation axis J1. A through hole 3C is formed in a center portion of the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3, and an upper end portion of the first support shaft 41 extends to an upper side Z1 of the bottom wall 3B through the through hole 3C and is fixed to a center portion of the bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4 from a lower side Z2. The portion of the bottom wall 4B to which the upper end portion of the first support shaft 41 is fixed is made of metal. The second support shaft 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a central axis coincident with the first rotation axis J1, and is inserted into the first support shaft 41. A through hole 4C is formed in a center portion of the bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4, and an upper end portion of the second support shaft 42 is extended to an upper side Z1 of the bottom wall 4B through the through hole 4C and fixed to a center portion of the water current generating member 5 from a lower side Z2. The portion of the water flow generating member 5 to which the upper end portion of the second support shaft 42 is fixed is made of metal. One or more bearings 46 are interposed between the first support shaft 41 and the portion of the second support shaft 42 inserted into the first support shaft 41. The second support shaft 42 in this state is rotatable relative to the first support shaft 41 about the first rotation axis J1 without contact. As the bearing 46, for example, a slide bearing is used.

The frame 43 is formed in a tubular shape, for example, and is fixed to the bottom wall 3B of the tub 3 from the lower side Z2 in a state of surrounding the first support shaft 41 and the second support shaft 42. Between the frame 43 and the first support shaft 41, one or more bearings 47 are interposed. The other bearing 47 is also interposed between the inner peripheral portion of the bottom wall 3B that wraps the through hole 3C and the first support shaft 41. The first support shaft 41 in this state is rotatable about the first rotation axis J1. As the bearing 47, for example, a rolling bearing is used. An oil seal 48 for closing a gap between the inner peripheral portion and the first support shaft 41 is provided on the inner peripheral portion of the through hole 3C of the bottom wall 3B.

The first motor 44 is disposed around the frame 43 and fixed to the bottom wall 3B of the tub 3 from the lower side Z2. The first motor 44 has an output shaft 49 protruding to the lower side Z2. The lower end of the first support shaft 41 is disposed to extend downward Z2 from the frame 43. The first support shaft 41 and the output shaft 49 are coupled to each other by a pulley 50 attached to the output shaft 49 and a lower end portion of the first support shaft 41, and an endless belt 51 wound around the pulley 50. When the first motor 44 is operated to generate a driving force, the driving force rotates the first support shaft 41. Thereby, the washing tub 4 fixed to the first support shaft 41 is driven to rotate about the first rotation axis J1.

The second motor 45 is fixed to the bottom wall 3B of the tub 3 via an anchor bolt not shown. The second motor 45 is coupled to a lower end portion of the second support shaft 42, which extends from the frame 43 and the first support shaft 41 to the lower side Z2, from the lower side Z2. The lower end of the second support shaft 42 also serves as an output shaft of the second motor 45. When the second motor 45 is operated to generate a driving force, the driving force rotates the second support shaft 42. Thereby, the water flow generating member 5 fixed to the second support shaft 42 is driven to rotate about the first rotation axis J1. The speed reduction mechanism 52 is interposed in the middle of the second support shaft 42, and the rotation of the second support shaft 42 can be reduced to the target rotation speed by the speed reduction mechanism 52 and then transmitted to the water flow generating member 5. As the speed reducing mechanism 52, a known structure can be used. In this way, the washing tub 4 and the water current generating member 5 can be driven to rotate independently of each other.

The washing operation performed by the washing machine 1 includes: a washing process of washing the washings Q; a rinsing process of rinsing the laundry Q after the washing process; and a dehydration process of dehydrating the laundry Q by rotating the washing tub 4 after the rinsing process.

In the washing process, after the water supply valve 25 is opened for a predetermined time and the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 are stored to a predetermined water level, the water current generating member 5 is driven to rotate (refer to fig. 1). Then, the washing Q in the washing tub 4 is agitated by the water flow generated in the washing tub 4 in accordance with the rotation of the water flow generating member 5, or the washing Q on the water flow generating member 5 is rubbed by the respective swelling portions 5A of the rotating water flow generating member 5, thereby efficiently removing dirt from the washing Q. The water flow generated by the water flow generating member 5 circulates so as to pass through an inlet (not shown) at the lower end of each water scooping path 36, rise in the water scooping path 36, and return from the outlet 35 to the inside of the washing tub 4, and at this time, the water flow is sprayed from the outlet 35 to the laundry Q, thereby helping to remove dirt from the laundry Q. In addition, a detergent may be put into washing tub 4, and in this case, the dirt of laundry Q in washing tub 4 is decomposed by the detergent. When a predetermined washing time elapses, the drain valve 27 is opened, and the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 are drained, thereby ending the washing process (refer to fig. 1).

In the rinsing process, after the water supply valve 25 is opened for a prescribed time and the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 are stored to a prescribed water level, the water flow generating member 5 is driven to rotate. Thereby, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is rinsed. When the prescribed rinsing time elapses, the drain valve 27 is opened, the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 are drained, and thus the rinsing process is ended. The rinsing process may be performed a plurality of times.

In the dehydrating process, the washing tub 4 is driven to rotate at a high speed in a state where the drain valve 27 is opened. By the centrifugal force generated by the high-speed rotation, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is pressed against the circumferential wall 4A of the washing tub 4 to be dehydrated. The water seeped out of the laundry Q by the dehydration flows out of the washing tub 4 through the through holes 4C of the washing tub 4, and then is discharged to the outside of the machine body from the water discharge path 26. It should be noted that the dehydration process may be performed as an intermediate dehydration process after the washing process and the rinsing process, respectively. In this case, in order to distinguish from the intermediate dehydration process, the dehydration process finally performed after the last rinsing process is referred to as a final dehydration process.

The washing machine 1 including the washing tub 4 driven to rotate about the vertically extending first rotation axis J1 and the water current generating member 5 is a vertical type washing machine. Therefore, the washing machine 1 can wash the laundry Q directly received in the washing tub 4 in the washing manner of the vertical washing machine as described above.

The washing machine 1 further includes a transmission mechanism 60 and a housing 61 shown in fig. 5. In association with the transmission mechanism 60, two stoppers 62 are provided one by one, that is, in total, at two positions 180 degrees apart along the circumferential direction S in the lower portion of the circumferential wall 4A of the washing tub 4 or at the lower portions of the two water scooping members 6 disposed to face each other across the first rotation axis J1. The stopper 62 is formed in a block shape that is exposed to the inner space of the washing tub 4 and protrudes radially inward R1. The stopper 62 has a receiving groove 63 recessed from an upper end surface thereof to a lower side Z2 and opened to a radially inner side R1. The lower end of the bottom portion forming the receiving groove 63 is in a blocked state. The receiving grooves 63 of the two stoppers 62 are opposed to each other across the first rotation axis J1. In association with the transmission mechanism 60, a recess 5B recessed toward the lower side Z2 is formed in a center portion of the upper surface of the water flow generating member 5. The recess 5B has a circular inner peripheral surface in plan view, and a tenon tooth 64 (see fig. 6) extending in the vertical direction Z is formed on the inner peripheral surface so as to be arranged in the circumferential direction S.

In association with the housing body 61, two positioning portions 65 are provided one by one, that is, in total, in the two water raising members 6 disposed to face each other with the first rotation axis J1 therebetween. The positioning portion 65 is a recess in which a side surface portion of the pumping member 6 on the radially inner side R1 is recessed toward the radially outer side R2. The positioning portions 65 of the two water raising members 6 are in a state of being opposed to each other across the first rotation axis J1. Further, on the side surface portions of the radially inner side R1 of the two water scooping members 6, guide grooves 66 extending from the upper end of the water scooping member 6 to the lower side Z2 and connected to the positioning portions 65 are formed. The guide groove 66 includes: a vertical portion 66A extending from an upper end of the pumping member 6 to a lower side Z2 along a vertical direction V; an inclined portion 66B which is offset from the lower end of the vertical portion 66A in the circumferential direction S and extends obliquely downward Z2; and a horizontal portion 66C extending in the circumferential direction S in the horizontal direction H from the lower end of the inclined portion 66B and connected to the positioning portion 65 (refer to fig. 2). The vertical portion 66A, the inclined portion 66B, and the horizontal portion 66C are exposed to the radially inner side R1 together with the positioning portion 65, and the upper end of the vertical portion 66A is exposed to the upper side Z1 from the inlet/outlet 30 of the washing tub 4.

Referring to fig. 6 showing the transmission mechanism 60 and its surroundings in enlarged detail in fig. 5, the transmission mechanism 60 includes: a frame 70, a fixing portion 71, an input portion 72, a conversion portion 73, and an output portion 74. The frame 70 is formed in a box shape made of metal, for example. The fixing portion 71 is formed in a rod shape extending in the horizontal direction H with reference to the posture of the transmission mechanism 60 in fig. 6, and the center portion in the longitudinal direction of the fixing portion 71 is fixed to the frame 70 from the lower side Z2 (see also fig. 7).

The input section 72 includes: a first rotating shaft 75 inserted through a through hole 70A formed in the bottom wall of the frame 70 and extending in the longitudinal direction; and a gear 76 fixed to a lower end portion of the first rotation shaft 75 extending downward from the through hole 70A to the lower side Z2. The gear 76 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a central axis extending in the vertical direction Z, and a tenon tooth 77 extending in the vertical direction Z is formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof so as to be arranged in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface as a gear tooth of the gear 76. The gap between the through hole 70A of the bottom wall of the frame 70 and the first rotating shaft 75 is closed by a sealing member 88 such as a gasket.

The conversion unit 73 is disposed in the frame 70. The conversion section 73 includes: a first bevel gear 78 fixed to an upper end portion of the first rotating shaft 75; a second rotation shaft 79 extending laterally; a pair of bearings 80 fixed to the frame 70 and rotatably supporting both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the second rotating shaft 79; and a second bevel gear 81 fixed to a middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the second rotating shaft 79 and meshing with the first bevel gear 78. As the bearing 80, for example, a rolling bearing can be used.

The output section 74 includes: a third rotation shaft 82 extending in parallel with the second rotation shaft 79 on an upper side Z1 of the second rotation shaft 79; a pair of bearings 83 fixed to the frame 70 and rotatably supporting both ends of the third rotating shaft 82 in the longitudinal direction; and a rotating body 84 fixed to a middle portion of the third rotating shaft 82 in the longitudinal direction. As the bearing 83, for example, a rolling bearing can be used. A recess 70B recessed toward the lower side Z2 is formed in the upper surface of the frame 70. The middle portion of the third rotation shaft 82 and the rotating body 84 are exposed to the outside of the frame 70 by being housed in the recess 70B. The rotary body 84 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a central axis extending in the lateral direction, and a center portion thereof is fixed to a middle portion of the third rotary shaft 82. A plurality of protrusions 84A are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 84 so as to be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface. The region of the upper side Z1 of the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 84 housed in the recess 70B is disposed so as to protrude from the recess 70B to the upper side Z1. A gap between the third rotating shaft 82 and a portion 70C of the frame 70 facing the recess 70B and through which the third rotating shaft 82 is inserted is closed by a sealing member 85 such as a gasket. The frame 70 is formed with an accommodating space 70D for accommodating one of the bearings 83 and a removal opening 70E through which the bearing 83 passes when removed from the accommodating space 70D, and the removal opening 70E is closed by a cover member 89. The gap between the peripheral edge of the attachment/detachment port 70E of the frame 70 and the cover member 89 is closed by another seal member 90.

The transmission mechanism 60 includes: pulleys 86 attached to the second rotation shaft 79 and the third rotation shaft 82, respectively; and an endless transmission belt 87 wound around these pulleys 86. The pulley 86 and the belt 87 are disposed in the frame 70. The second rotation shaft 79 and the third rotation shaft 82 are coupled to each other by a pulley 86 and a belt 87.

Referring to fig. 8 showing a vertical sectional view of the housing 61 in the expanded state, the housing 61 can be divided into a first member 91 and a second member 92. The first member 91 and the second member 92 are made of, for example, metal, and have substantially the same shape and size. The first member 91 and the second member 92 each integrally include: a bowl-shaped separate body 93, a semi-cylindrical first separate shaft 94, and a semi-cylindrical second separate shaft 95.

The specific shape of the separate body 93 may be substantially hemispherical as shown in fig. 8, or may be substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The separate body 93 has: a recess 93A forming an inner space of the separate body 93; an opening 93B that exposes the recess 93A to the outside as an entrance of the recess 93A; and a plurality of through holes 93C provided separately from the opening 93B and exposing the recess 93A to the outside. The first split shaft 94 protrudes from a portion of the split body 93 that covers the opening 93B. The first split shafts 94 of the first member 91 and the second member 92 are coupled to each other via a coupling shaft 96.

The second split shaft 95 is disposed at a position where the opening 93B is interposed between the second split shaft and the first split shaft 94. The second split shaft 95 is provided to protrude from a portion of the split body 93 that covers the opening 93B toward the side opposite to the first split shaft 94. Therefore, in each of the first member 91 and the second member 92, the first split shaft 94 and the second split shaft 95 are arranged on the same straight line. A recess 95B that is recessed toward the first split shaft 94 is formed in the end surface 95A of each second split shaft 95 on the opposite side from the first split shaft 94. The recess 95B is exposed from both the end surface 95A and a flat surface 95C of the semi-cylindrical second split shaft 95, which extends toward the opening 93B side and is perpendicular to the end surface 95A. In the recess 95B of the first member 91, an engagement groove 95D is formed which is recessed further toward the first split shaft 94 side from the bottom of the recess 95B. The recess 95B of the second member 92 is provided with a support shaft 95E extending across the recess 95B, and an engagement member 95F coupled to the support shaft 95E. The engaging member 95F is rotatable about the support shaft 95E, and a distal end portion of the engaging member 95F on the side opposite to the support shaft 95E is formed in a hook shape by bending.

The housing 61 of fig. 8 is developed such that all of the first split shafts 94 and the second split shafts 95 of the first member 91 and the second member 92 are aligned on the same line. When one of the first member 91 and the second member 92 is rotated relative to the other about the coupling shaft 96 from this state and the openings 93B of the separate body portions 93 of the first member 91 and the second member 92 are brought into abutment with each other, the housing 61 is closed and integrated as shown in fig. 9. In the combined housing 61, the separate body portions 93 of the first member 91 and the second member 92 are combined with each other to form a single hollow body portion 97. The body portion 97 is formed in a substantially spherical shape in fig. 9, but may be formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the combined housing 61, the first split shafts 94 of the first member 91 and the second member 92 are combined with each other to form a single cylindrical first rotating shaft 98, and the second split shafts 95 of the first member 91 and the second member 92 are combined with each other to form a single cylindrical second rotating shaft 99. The first and

second rotation shafts

98 and 99 and the body portion 97 interposed between these rotation shafts are arranged on the same straight line as the second rotation axis J2.

In the assembled housing 61, the tip end portion of the engaging member 95F of the second split shaft 95 of the second component 92 is engaged with the engaging groove 95D of the second split shaft 95 of the first component 91, whereby the state in which the first component 91 and the second component 92 are assembled is maintained (see fig. 8). The engaging member 95F engaged with the engaging groove 95D is disposed at a position not protruding from the surface of the second rotation shaft 99. As described above, the locking mechanism for locking the first member 91 and the second member 92 is not limited to the structure using the engaging member 95F and the engaging groove 95D, and other structures may be used. As described above, the pair of first split shafts 94 provided with the coupling shaft 96 and the pair of second split shafts 95 provided with either one of the engaging groove 95D and the engaging member 95F serve as the rotating shaft of the combined housing body 61.

A plurality of recesses 100 are provided in the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 97 forming the outer surface 61A of the housing 61 in regions avoiding the through-holes 93C. This region is a substantially central portion of the main body portion 97 in the extending direction of the second rotation axis J2. The recesses 100 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction over the entire region of the region in the circumferential direction around the second rotation axis J2. As shown in fig. 10 showing a part of the C-C section of fig. 9, each recess 100 is formed by, for example, recessing the outer wall of the body portion 97 toward the second rotation axis J2 side.

In the opened housing 61 (see fig. 8), the laundry Q is placed in the recess 93A of the separate body 93 of the first member 91 or the second member 92, and then, when the housing 61 is closed as described above, the laundry Q is housed in the body 97 of the combined housing 61. When the laundry Q is washed in the washing machine 1, the user opens the

doors

13 and 21, and then lowers the transmission mechanism 60 in the posture of fig. 6 from the opening 12, the

doorways

20 and 30 and mounts the same in the washing tub 4 (see also fig. 5).

As shown in fig. 6, in the transmission mechanism 60 mounted in the washing tub 4, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the fixing portion 71 are received in the receiving grooves 63 of the stoppers 62 one by one from the upper side Z1 with play in the circumferential direction S and placed on the bottom of the receiving grooves 63 (see also fig. 7). Further, the gear 76 of the input portion 72 is fitted into the recess 5B of the water flow generating member 5 from the upper side Z1, and the tenon tooth 64 of the recess 5B is in tenon-tooth engagement with the tenon tooth 77 of the gear 76. In addition to the tenon-and-mortise fitting, the transmission mechanism 60 may be coupled to the water flow generating member 5 by spline fitting, key fitting, or the like. The transmission mechanism 60 may be fixed to the washing tub 4 at three or more positions, in addition to two positions of both ends of the fixing portion 71.

Next, as shown in fig. 5, the user holds the finger on the recess 100 of the combined housing 61, lifts the housing 61, lowers the housing from the opening 12, the doorway 20, and the doorway 30, and installs the housing in the washing tub 4. At this time, the first rotation shaft 98 and the second rotation shaft 99 of the housing 61 enter the vertical portions 66A of the guide grooves 66 of the two water pumping members 6 disposed facing each other from the upper side Z1. The first rotation shaft 98 and the second rotation shaft 99 pass through the vertical portion 66A and the inclined portion 66B of the guide groove 66 in this order, and then horizontally move in the circumferential direction S in the horizontal portion 66C, thereby fitting the positioning portion 65 (see fig. 2).

Since the first and second

rotating shafts

98 and 99 fitted into the positioning portion 65 are positioned in the vertical direction Z so as not to fall off to the upper side Z1, the housing 61 mounted in the washing tub 4 is held at a fixed position in the vertical direction Z in the washing tub 4. The projection 84A of the rotating body 84 of the transmission mechanism 60 located on the uppermost Z1 is fitted into the recess 100 of the accommodating body 61 located on the lowermost Z2 in this state from the lower Z2. Further, the mouthpiece T of the first member 91 and the second member 92 of the housing 61, which are combined with each other, is in a state of being aligned with the second rotation axis J2 when viewed in the left-right direction X of the washing machine 1 and extending horizontally in the front-rear direction Y in fig. 5. The second rotation shaft 79 and the third rotation shaft 82 (see fig. 6) of the transmission mechanism 60 located on the lower side Z2 of the housing 61 extend parallel to the second rotation axis J2.

Then, after the

doors

13 and 21 are closed, the washing operation is started, and the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process are performed. In the washing process, the water flow generating member 5 is driven to rotate after the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 store water to a prescribed water level. Referring to fig. 6, at this time, the driving force of the water flow generating member 5 received from the second motor 45 (see fig. 4) causes the first rotary shaft 75 of the input portion 72 of the transmission mechanism 60, which is engaged with the water flow generating member 5 by the tenon teeth, to rotate laterally about the first rotation axis J1. The transverse rotation of the first rotation shaft 75 is converted into the longitudinal rotation of the second rotation shaft 79 by the first bevel gear 78 and the second bevel gear 81 of the conversion section 73. The longitudinal rotation of the second rotating shaft 79 is transmitted to the third rotating shaft 82 via the pulley 86 and the belt 87, and the third rotating shaft 82 and the rotating body 84 are rotated longitudinally.

Referring to fig. 5, the longitudinal rotation of the rotating body 84 is transmitted to the housing 61 via the recess 100 of the housing 61 and the protrusion 84A fitted into the recess 100. In this way, the transmission mechanism 60 drives and rotates the housing 61 to rotate longitudinally about the second rotation axis J2 extending horizontally by the driving force from the water flow generating member 5. Therefore, during the washing, the laundry Q in the container 61 is lifted up with the longitudinal rotation of the container 61 and then naturally falls down, thereby being beat-washed like a drum-type washing machine. In the beat washing, damage to the laundry Q during washing can be suppressed as compared with scrubbing by the water current generation member 5 in the washing system of the vertical washing machine. The water flow generated in the washing tub 4 by the rotation of the water flow generating member 5 enters the housing 61 from the through hole 93C of the housing 61 to stir the laundry Q in the housing 61, thereby helping to remove dirt from the laundry Q. That is, the laundry Q in the housing 61 can be washed by the water flow generated by the water flow generating means 5, and the laundry Q can be washed by the tumbling motion accompanying the vertical rotation of the housing 61, so that the laundry can be efficiently washed. When a predetermined washing time has elapsed, the drain valve 27 is opened to drain the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4, thereby ending the washing process.

In the rinsing process, after the water supply valve 25 is opened for a predetermined time and the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 are stored to a predetermined water level, the water flow generating member 5 is driven to rotate, and the housing 61 is rotated longitudinally about the second rotation axis J2 in conjunction with the rotation of the water flow generating member 5. At this time, the water flow generated in the washing tub 4 by the rotation of the water flow generating member 5 flows into the housing 61 to rinse the laundry Q in the housing 61, and then flows out of the housing 61 through the through hole 93C of the housing 61. When the prescribed rinsing time elapses, the drain valve 27 is opened, the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 are drained, and thus the rinsing process is ended.

In the dehydration process, only the washing tub 4 is driven to rotate at a high speed in a state where the drain valve 27 is opened. Therefore, the water flow generating member 5 is not driven to rotate, and the water flow generating member 5, the transmission mechanism 60, and the housing 61 rotate laterally around the first rotation axis J1 integrally with the washing tub 4. The laundry Q in the housing 61 is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the body portion 97 of the housing 61 and is dehydrated by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation. The water seeped out of the laundry Q by the dehydration flows out of the main body 97 through the through holes 93C of the main body 97, and is then discharged to the outside of the machine body from the drainage passage 26.

As described above, when the washing operation using the container 61 is completed, the user opens the

doors

13 and 21. Then, the container 61 and the transfer mechanism 60 mounted in the washing tub 4 are sequentially moved to the upper side Z1 of the opening 12, so that the container 61 and the transfer mechanism 60 can be separated from the washing tub 4. At this time, the user can easily detach the housing 61 from the washing tub 4 by hooking the fingers on the depressions 100 of the outer surface 61A of the housing 61, and thereafter can easily carry the housing 61 as a washing basket to a laundry site. Further, as described above, the recess 100 can be used as a portion of the housing 61 to which the driving force from the transmission mechanism 60 is transmitted, and therefore the housing 61 can be configured simply.

As described above, the washing machine 1 can wash the laundry Q stored in the storage body 61 in the washing manner of the drum-type washing machine. That is, the washing machine 1 can select a washing mode of the vertical washing machine and a washing mode of the drum washing machine. Therefore, for example, in the washing machine 1 in which the container 61 and the transfer mechanism 60 are detached from the washing tub 4, the extremely dirty laundry Q can be efficiently washed by the washing method of the vertical washing machine (see fig. 1). On the other hand, in the washing machine 1 in which the container 61 and the transmission mechanism 60 are mounted in the washing tub 4, for example, the laundry Q whose cloth is easily damaged can be washed gently by the washing method of the drum-type washing machine (see fig. 5).

In a state where the housing 61 is mounted in the washing tub 4, the joint T between the first member 91 and the second member 92, which are combined with each other, extends horizontally and is substantially orthogonal to the first rotation axis J1 of the washing tub 4. Therefore, during the spin-drying process, since the centrifugal force generated when the washing tub 4 is spin-dried and rotated about the first rotation axis J1 hardly causes the opening of the joint T between the first member 91 and the second member 92, it is possible to suppress the first member 91 and the second member 92 from being unintentionally separated during the spin-drying rotation.

Further, the transmission mechanism 60 rotates the housing 61 about the second rotation axis J2 by the driving force from the water flow generating member 5, and thereby can drive both the rotating water flow generating member 5 and the housing 61 by the driving force from the same driving source, i.e., the second motor 45 (see fig. 4), and thus can reduce the number of components and cost.

Further, as described above, since the washing tub 4 and the water current generating member 5 can be driven to rotate independently of each other, the washing tub 4 and the housing 61 interlocked with the water current generating member 5 can be driven to rotate independently of each other. In this case, if the washing tub 4 and the storage body 61 are driven to rotate simultaneously, the storage body 61 rotates not only in the vertical direction about the second rotation axis J2 but also in the horizontal direction about the first rotation axis J1. In the washing step and the rinsing step, the container 61 can be rotated in a complicated manner as described above, and in this case, the laundry Q in the container 61 can be washed uniformly and efficiently without damage. In the washing machine 1 having the drying function, when the laundry Q in the housing 61 is dried by supplying hot air into the housing 61, the laundry Q in the housing 61 that rotates in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction is efficiently agitated in this manner, so that the laundry Q can be uniformly and efficiently dried, and the occurrence of wrinkles in the dried laundry Q can be suppressed.

In the dehydration process, as described above, the respective driving rotations of the water current generation member 5 and the housing 61 are stopped and only the washing tub 4 is driven to rotate, whereby the housing 61 can be rotated laterally at a high speed integrally with the washing tub 4. As a result, the centrifugal force of the spin-drying rotation can be concentrated on the laundry Q in the housing 61 without being affected by the vertical rotation, and the laundry Q can be efficiently dehydrated.

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

Description of the reference numerals

1: a washing machine;

4: a washing tub;

5: a water flow generating member;

60: a transfer mechanism;

61: a container body;

61A: an outer surface;

91: a first member;

92: a second component;

100: recessing;

j1: a first axis of rotation;

j2: a second axis of rotation;

q: washing the article;

t: an interface.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a washing tub for storing water and receiving laundry and driven to rotate around a first rotation axis extending vertically;

a water flow generating member disposed in the washing tub and generating a water flow in the washing tub by being driven to rotate; and

a hollow housing detachably provided in the washing tub and driven to rotate about a second rotation axis extending horizontally;

the water flow generating member is driven to rotate around a first rotation axis;

further comprising: a transmission mechanism that rotates the housing around the second rotation axis by a driving force from the water flow generating member.

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

the receptacle can be split into a first part and a second part,

the interface of the first and second parts combined with each other extends horizontally in a state of being mounted in the washing tub.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2,

the washing tub and the receptacle can be driven to rotate independently of each other.

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

a plurality of recesses are provided on an outer surface of the housing, and the plurality of recesses are arranged in a circumferential direction around the second rotation axis and are to which a driving force from the transmission mechanism is transmitted.