CN109563665B

CN109563665B - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN109563665B
Application number: CN201780038044.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 川上刚史; 中西隆; 吉田贤司
Original assignee: Qingdao Jiaonan Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Jiaonan Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-07-26
Filing date: 2017-07-26
Publication date: 2021-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-26
Also published as: CN109563665A; JP2018015143A; WO2018019257A1

Abstract

A washing machine (1) capable of improving washing performance by effectively utilizing the movement of a water-retained outer tub (20) and a spherical washing and dehydrating tub (30). A full-automatic washing machine (1) is provided with: an outer tub (20) which is rotatably disposed in the housing (10) about a vertical rotation axis (R1) and can store water; a spherical washing and dehydrating barrel (30) which is rotatably arranged in the outer barrel (20) by taking a horizontal rotating shaft (R2) as a center and accommodates washings; a tub motor (140) for rotating the tub (20); a dehydration tub motor (70) for rotating the washing dehydration tub (30); and a control part (200) for driving the motor (70) of the dehydration barrel while driving the motor (140) of the outer barrel during washing.

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background

Conventionally, a washing and spin-drying tub shaped into a spherical shape for containing laundry and performing washing, rinsing, and spin-drying has been known. As one of such washing machines, for example, patent document 1 discloses a washing machine including: a support body which is disposed in the outer tub capable of storing water and is rotatable about a vertical support body rotation axis; and a spherical washing tub rotatably supported by the support body about a horizontal washing tub rotation shaft, the washing tub being rotatable in both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

In the washing machine of patent document 1, the support body is rotationally driven by a motor. The inner side of the outer barrel is provided with an annular washing barrel rolling guide rail, and a washing barrel rotating wheel is arranged on a washing barrel rotating shaft. When the washing tub is rotated in a horizontal direction together with the support body by the rotation of the motor, the washing tub rotating wheel rolls on the washing tub rolling guide, and the washing tub is also rotated in a vertical direction.

In the washing machine of patent document 1, the water may be retained inside the support body without providing the outer tub. That is, the support body may function as an outer tub capable of storing water. In the case of adopting such a configuration, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case of providing the support body and the outer tub.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese Re-Table No. 2010-055674

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the above-described washing machine, when the water is stored inside the support body, the washing tub and the support body after storing the water rotate together during washing. However, in the above-described washing machine, since the support body and the washing tub are rotated by one motor, the washing tub can only move in conjunction with the support body. Thus, in the case where the water is stored inside the support body in the above-described washing machine, although the number of parts can be reduced, it is difficult to improve the washing performance by effectively utilizing the movement of the support body and the spherical washing tub after storing the water.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of improving washing performance by effectively utilizing the movement of a water-retained outer tub and a spherical washing and dehydrating tub.

Means for solving the problems

The washing machine of the main scheme of the invention comprises: a tub which is rotatably disposed in the casing around a first rotation shaft inclined in a vertical direction or from the vertical direction and can store water; a spherical washing and dehydrating tub which is rotatably disposed in the outer tub around a second rotation axis inclined along or from the horizontal direction and accommodates laundry; a tub motor for rotating the tub; a dehydration tub motor for rotating the washing dehydration tub; and a control part for driving the outer barrel motor and the dewatering barrel motor at the same time when washing.

According to the above configuration, the water flow is generated in the outer tub by rotating the outer tub about the first rotation axis, and the laundry is agitated in the washing and dehydrating tub by rotating the washing and dehydrating tub about the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis. Further, since the outer tub and the washing and dehydrating tub are independently rotated by the outer tub motor and the dehydrating tub motor, various rotation operations can be performed between the outer tub and the washing and dehydrating tub. Therefore, the washing performance can be expected to be improved by effectively utilizing the movement of the outer barrel and the spherical washing and dehydrating barrel after water storage.

In the washing machine of the present aspect, the control unit may be configured as follows: and driving the motor of the dewatering barrel in a state that the motor of the outer barrel stops during dewatering.

According to the above configuration, since the laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub is dehydrated by rotating the washing and dehydrating tub about the second rotation axis in a state where the outer tub is stopped, the driving load can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced as compared with a case where the laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub is dehydrated by integrally rotating the outer tub and the washing and dehydrating tub about the first rotation axis.

In the washing machine of the present aspect, a spin-drying tub rotation shaft may be provided as the second rotation shaft in the washing and spin-drying tub. In this case, the outer tub is formed in a spherical shape covering the washing and dehydrating tub to more than half, and has a bearing attachment port to which a bearing portion that rotatably supports the rotation shaft of the dehydrating tub is attached. The outer tub is divided into a first outer tub member and a second outer tub member, and a dividing surface of the outer tub passes through a center portion of the outer tub and does not contact the bearing interface.

More specifically, the spin-drying tub rotation shaft is provided at both sides of the washing spin-drying tub, and the spin-drying tub rotation shaft of one side is rotated by the spin-drying tub motor. The bearing attachment port is provided on both sides of the outer tub, and the outer tub is divided obliquely with respect to the second rotation axis from a position above the bearing attachment port on one side to a position below the bearing attachment port on the other side.

According to the above structure, the outer tub is formed into a ball shape covering the washing and dehydrating tub to more than half, so that the outer tub can be formed compactly. Further, since the tub is divided into the first tub member and the second tub member, the spherical tub can be easily manufactured. Further, the split surface of the outer tub is provided so as to pass through the center portion of the outer tub and not to touch the bearing mount, and therefore, the bearing mount is easily formed with high cylindricity, and the bearing can be mounted to the bearing mount with high accuracy. Thus, the first rotating shaft is prevented from being deviated, and the washing and dewatering barrel can be smoothly rotated around the first rotating shaft.

In the washing machine of the present aspect, the following configuration may be adopted: the electric wire relay unit is used for relaying a first electric wire extending from the dewatering drum motor and a second electric wire extending from the control unit. In this case, a tub rotation shaft as the first rotation shaft is provided in the tub. Then, the wiring relay section includes: a rotating part rotating together with the outer tub rotating shaft; a ring-shaped first terminal portion provided on an outer peripheral surface of the rotating portion and electrically connected to the first electric wiring; a fixing part disposed outside the rotating part and not rotating together with the tub rotating shaft; a second terminal portion provided on the fixed portion and electrically connected to the second electric wiring; and a conductive contact portion extending from the second terminal portion and contacting the first terminal portion, and sliding on the first terminal portion when the rotating portion rotates.

According to the above structure, the electric wiring can be prevented from winding the outer barrel when the outer barrel rotates.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine capable of improving washing performance by effectively utilizing the movement of a water-retained outer tub and a spherical washing and dehydrating tub.

The effects and significance of the present invention will be further apparent from the following description of the embodiments. However, the following embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view of a full automatic washing machine in which a housing of an embodiment is shown in a transparent state.

Fig. 2(a) is a front sectional view of the full automatic washing machine of the embodiment, and fig. 2(b) is an enlarged sectional view of a coupling portion of an upper outer tub member and a lower outer tub member of the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a washing and dehydrating tub to which a right dehydrating tub rotating shaft and a left dehydrating tub rotating shaft are mounted according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4(a) is a perspective view of the upper tub member with the right bearing portion and the right sealing member removed as viewed from above in the embodiment, and fig. 4(b) is a perspective view of the upper tub member as viewed from below in the embodiment.

Fig. 5(a) is a perspective view of the lower outer tub member with the left bearing portion and the left sealing member removed as viewed from above in the embodiment, and fig. 5(b) is a perspective view of the lower outer tub member as viewed from below in the embodiment.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of the wiring relay section of the embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a structure of the fully automatic washing machine according to the embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a control process of the control unit for the tub motor and the spin tub motor in the washing operation according to the embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

1: full automatic washing machines (washing machines);

10: a housing;

20: an outer tub;

20 a: an upper tub member (first tub member);

20 b: a lower outer tub member (second outer tub member);

22 a: a right bearing mount interface (bearing mount interface);

22 b: a left bearing mount interface (bearing mount interface);

30: a washing dehydration barrel;

40 a: a right spinning tub rotating shaft (spinning tub rotating shaft);

40 b: a left dewatering tub rotating shaft (dewatering tub rotating shaft);

50 a: a right bearing portion (bearing portion);

50 b: a left bearing portion (bearing portion);

70: a dewatering barrel motor;

140: an outer tub motor;

150: a wiring relay section;

151: a rotating part;

152: a fixed part;

153: a rotating terminal portion (first terminal portion);

155: a fixed terminal portion (second terminal portion);

157: a contact brush (contact portion);

160 a: a first electric wiring (first electric wiring);

160 b: a second electric wiring (second electric wiring);

200: a control unit;

r1: a vertical rotation axis (first rotation axis);

r2: a horizontal rotation shaft (second rotation shaft);

d: and (6) dividing the surfaces.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a fully automatic washing machine 1 as an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a front view of a fully automatic washing machine 1 in which a casing 10 of the present embodiment is shown in a transparent state. Fig. 2(a) is a front sectional view of the full automatic washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, and fig. 2(b) is an enlarged sectional view of a coupling portion of an upper tub member 20a and a lower tub member 20b of the present embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the washing and dehydrating tub 30 to which the right and left dehydrating

tub rotating shafts

40a and 40b are mounted according to the present embodiment. Fig. 4(a) is a perspective view of the upper tub member 20a of the present embodiment, with the right bearing portion 50a and the right sealing member 55a removed, as viewed from above, and fig. 4(b) is a perspective view of the upper tub member 20a of the present embodiment, as viewed from below. Fig. 5(a) is a perspective view of the lower tub member 20b of the present embodiment, with the left bearing portion 50b and the left sealing member 55b removed, as viewed from above, and fig. 5(b) is a perspective view of the lower tub member 20b of the present embodiment, as viewed from below. Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of the wiring relay section 150 according to the present embodiment.

Referring to fig. 1 to 6, the fully automatic washing machine 1 includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing 10 forming an external appearance. A circular opening 11 is formed in the center of the top surface of the housing 10. Moreover, footstools 12 are provided at four corners of the bottom surface of the housing 10.

The tub 20 is rotatably disposed about a vertical rotation axis R1 along the vertical direction in the casing 10. A spherical washing and dehydrating tub 30 is rotatably disposed about a horizontal rotation axis R2 along the horizontal direction in the outer tub 20. Laundry is accommodated in the washing and dehydrating tub 30. The vertical rotation axis R1 corresponds to a first rotation axis of the present invention, and the horizontal rotation axis R2 corresponds to a second rotation axis of the present invention.

The washing and dehydrating tub 30 includes a tub body 31 and an inner lid 32. The tub body 31 is formed by joining a hemispherical upper member 33 and a hemispherical lower member 34, which are formed of a metal material having excellent corrosion resistance, such as stainless steel, and fixing

flange portions

33a and 34a to each other by welding or the like. A plurality of dewatering holes 35 are formed in one surface of the tub main body 31. The tub main body 31 is provided with a circular inner inlet 36, and the inner inlet 36 is opened and closed by the inner lid 32. The inner lid 32 is formed of, for example, resin and has a shape in which a projection is bent. A grip portion 32a that can be gripped by fingers is formed at the center of the inner lid 32. The inner inlet 36 of the tub body 31 is partially flat, and the washing and dehydrating tub 30 as a whole takes the shape of a sphere when the inner inlet 36 is closed by the inner lid 32.

On the right side of the washing and dehydrating tub 30, a right shaft mounting portion 37a formed as a vertical flat surface is provided at the center portion as viewed from the right. Further, a left shaft mounting portion 37b formed as a vertical flat surface is provided at the left side of the washing and dehydrating tub 30 at the center portion as viewed from the left side. A right spinning tub rotating shaft 40a is mounted to the right shaft mounting portion 37a by a plurality of screws 41a, and a left spinning tub rotating shaft 40b is mounted to the left shaft mounting portion 37b by a plurality of screws 41 b. The right and left spinning

tub rotating shafts

40a and 40b are horizontal rotating shafts R2. The right and left spinning

tub rotating shafts

40a and 40b correspond to spinning tub rotating shafts according to the present invention.

On the inner surface of the washing and dehydrating tub 30, a plurality of baffles (buffers) 38 are provided. In addition, a right cover 39a for covering the screw 41a is installed at a position of the right shaft mounting portion 37a, and a left cover 39b for covering the screw 41b is installed at a position of the left shaft mounting portion 37b on the inner surface of the washing and dehydrating tub 30.

The outer tub 20 is formed of, for example, a resin material, and has a spherical shape covering the washing and dehydrating tub 30 to more than half. A circular outer inlet 21 is formed in the outer tub 20 so as to cut off the upper portion in the horizontal direction. On the right side of the outer tub 20, a right bearing attachment port 22a of a circular shape is formed at a center portion as viewed from the right. A right mounting portion 24a is provided around the right bearing interface 22a on an outer surface of the outer tub 20, and the right mounting portion 24a is formed as a flat surface having a plurality of screw mounting holes 23 a. Further, on the left side of the outer tub 20, a circular left bearing attachment port 22b is formed at the center portion as viewed from the left. A left mounting portion 24b is provided on an outer surface of the outer tub 20 around the left bearing attachment port 22b, and the left mounting portion 24b is formed as a flat surface having a plurality of screw mounting holes 23 b. Note that the right and left bearing

attachment ports

22a and 22b correspond to the bearing attachment ports of the present invention.

The outer tub 20 is divided into an upper tub member 20a and a lower tub member 20b, and a division plane D thereof passes through a center portion of the outer tub 20 and does not touch the right and left bearing

attachment ports

22a and 22 b. That is, the outer tub 20 is divided obliquely with respect to the horizontal rotation axis R2 from a position above the left bearing attachment port 22b toward a position below the right bearing attachment port 22 a. Thus, the upper outer tub member 20a is formed with a right bearing interface 22a, and the lower outer tub member 20b is formed with a left bearing interface 22 b. It should be noted that the upper tub member 20a corresponds to a first tub member of the present invention, and the lower tub member 20b corresponds to a second tub member of the present invention.

A plurality of screw insertion holes 25a are formed in the lower end surface of the upper outer tub member 20 a. Each screw insertion hole 25a is connected with a screw receiving recess 25b formed at an outer surface of the upper outer tub member 20 a. In this case, a screw mounting hole 25c is formed at a position just below the right bearing attachment port 22a of the lower end surface of the upper outer tub member 20a, instead of the screw insertion hole 25 a. In addition, an annular fitting rib 26a is formed on the lower end surface of the upper tub member 20 a. In fig. 4(a), the shape of only one screw receiving recess 25b is shown by a broken line.

A right bearing portion 50a is attached to the right bearing mount interface 22a of the upper outer tub member 20 a. The right bearing portion 50a includes a cylindrical bearing housing 51a and a rolling bearing 52a accommodated in the bearing housing 51 a. An annular mounting flange 54a having a plurality of screw insertion holes 53a is formed on the bearing housing 51 a. The right bearing portion 50a is inserted into the right bearing attachment port 22a from the outside in a state where an annular right seal member 55a is attached to the front side. The mounting flange 54a is fixed to the screw mounting hole 23a of the right mounting portion 24a by a plurality of screws 56a, and the right bearing portion 50a is fixed to the right bearing mounting port 22 a. Water leakage from the right bearing-attachment port 22a is prevented by the water sealing function of the right sealing member 55 a. The right bearing portion 50a corresponds to the bearing portion of the present invention.

A plurality of screw mounting holes 25c are formed in an upper end surface of the lower outer tub member 20 b. In the upper end surface of the lower outer tub member 20b, screw insertion holes 25a are formed at positions corresponding to the screw mounting holes 25c of the upper outer tub member 20a, instead of the screw mounting holes 25 c. The screw insertion hole 25a is connected with a screw receiving recess 25b formed at an outer surface of the lower outer tub member 20 b. An annular fitting groove 26b is formed in the upper end surface of the lower tub member 20 b.

A left bearing portion 50b is attached to the left bearing mount interface 22b of the lower outer tub member 20 b. The left bearing portion 50b includes a cylindrical bearing housing 51b and a rolling bearing 52b accommodated in the bearing housing 51 b. An annular mounting flange 54b having a plurality of screw insertion holes 53b is formed on the bearing housing 51 b. The left bearing portion 50b is inserted into the left bearing attachment port 22b from the outside in a state where an annular left seal member 55b is attached to the front side. The mounting flange 54b is fixed to the screw mounting hole 23b of the left mounting portion 24b by a plurality of screws 56b, and the left bearing portion 50b is fixed to the left bearing attachment port 22 b. By the water sealing function of the left sealing member 55b, water leakage from the left bearing attachment port 22b can be prevented.

The upper tub member 20a to which the right bearing portion 50a is attached and the lower tub member 20b to which the left bearing portion 50b is attached are combined into a spherical shape from the up-down direction. At this time, the fitting rib 26a is fitted in the fitting groove portion 26b, and the screw insertion hole 25a is matched with the screw attachment hole 25 c. The upper outer tub member 20a and the lower outer tub member 20b are fixed by fixing the screws 27 inserted into the screw receiving recesses 25b to the screw mounting holes 25c through the screw insertion holes 25a, and the outer tub 20 is assembled. As shown in fig. 2(b), a labyrinth seal is formed by fitting the fitting rib 26a and the fitting groove 26b, thereby preventing water leakage from the joint portion between the upper outer tub member 20a and the lower outer tub member 20b, i.e., the split surface D of the outer tub 20. The water sealing function can be further improved by providing a Packing (Packing) between the upper outer tub member 20a and the lower outer tub member 20 b. The left bearing portion 50b corresponds to the bearing portion of the present invention.

When the outer tub 20 is assembled, the washing and dehydrating tub 30 is accommodated in the outer tub 20. At this time, the right and left spinning

tub rotating shafts

40a and 40b are inserted into the right and left

bearing portions

50a and 50b, respectively, and are rotatably supported by the right and left

bearing portions

50a and 50 b.

The outer inlet 21 of the outer tub 20 is opened and closed by a transparent cover 60 made of, for example, a resin material. The outer cover 60 is exposed above the housing 10 through the opening 11. The outer cover 60 is coupled to the outer tub 20 by a hinge 61, and the outer cover 60 rotates about the hinge 61. A latch 62 is provided on the outer cover 60 at a position opposite to the hinge 61, and the outer cover 60 is held in a closed state by the latch 62. When a predetermined operation of opening the latch 62 is performed, the outer lid 60 is in an open state.

The washing and dehydrating tub 30 is rotationally driven by a dehydrating tub motor 70. The dehydration tub motor 70 is, for example, an outer rotor type motor including a rotor 71 and a stator 72. The rotor 71 is fixed to a top end portion of the right spinning tub rotating shaft 40a protruding to the outside of the outer tub 20, and the stator 72 is fixed to a rear portion of the right bearing portion 50 a.

A disk-shaped shaft attachment portion 28 having a plurality of screw attachment holes 28a is formed at the center of the bottom of the outer tub 20, and a drain port 29 is formed at the side of the shaft attachment portion 28. An attachment plate 80 having a predetermined shape is fixed to the shaft attachment portion 28, and the tub rotation shaft 90 is fixed to the shaft attachment portion 28 via the attachment plate 80. The tub rotation axis 90 is a vertical rotation axis R1. A drain device 100 for draining water from the inside of the outer tub 20 is fixed to the mounting plate 80. The drainage device 100 includes: a drain pipe 102 having a drain valve 101, and a torque motor 103 rotating the drain valve 101. One end 102a of the drain pipe 102 is connected to the drain port 29, and the other end 102b is connected to a drain hose, not shown.

The tub rotation shaft 90 is rotatably supported by a tub bearing portion 110. The tub bearing portion 110 includes: a bearing housing 111; the upper rolling bearing 112 and the lower rolling bearing 113 are disposed in the bearing housing 111 with a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. The tub bearing 110 is mounted on a square-plate-shaped tub mounting plate 120 disposed at the bottom of the casing 10. The tub mounting plate 120 is elastically supported by vibration isolators 130 installed at four corners thereof.

The outer tub 20 is rotationally driven by a tub motor 140. The tub motor 140 is, for example, an outer rotor type motor, and includes a rotor 141 and a stator 142. The rotor 141 is fixed to a distal end portion of the tub rotation shaft 90 protruding downward from the tub bearing portion 110, and the stator 142 is fixed to a lower portion of the tub bearing portion 110.

Above the outer tub bearing 110, a wiring relay 150 is provided. The wiring relay unit 150 relays a plurality of first electric wirings 160a extending from electric components that rotate together with the outer tub 20, such as the spin tub motor 70 and the torque motor 103, and a plurality of second electric wirings 160b extending from a control unit described later. The first electric wiring 160a corresponds to a first electric wiring of the present invention, and the second electric wiring 160b corresponds to a second electric wiring of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 6, the wiring relay section 150 includes: the rotating portion 151, the fixing portion 152, the plurality of rotating terminal portions 153, the plurality of first connecting wirings 154, the plurality of fixing terminal portions 155, the plurality of second connecting wirings 156, the contact brush 157, the upper rolling bearing 158a, and the lower rolling bearing 158 b. The rotating terminal portion 153 corresponds to the first terminal portion of the present invention, the fixed terminal portion 155 corresponds to the second terminal portion of the present invention, and the contact brush 157 corresponds to the contact portion of the present invention.

The rotating portion 151 is formed in a cylindrical shape from an insulating material such as resin, and is fixed to the tub rotation shaft 90 to rotate together with the tub rotation shaft 90. A plurality of annular terminal grooves 151a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating portion 151 at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. The rotating terminal portion 153 is formed in a ring shape from a conductive metal material and is disposed in the terminal groove 151 a. Wiring insertion holes 151b connected to the back sides of the respective rotary terminal portions 153 are formed at predetermined positions of the rotary portion 151 so as to face downward from the upper surface. The first connection wirings 154 inserted into the wiring insertion holes 151b are connected to the respective rotary terminal portions 153. Each first connection wiring 154 is connected to each first electric wiring 160a via a connector 161 a. That is, each rotating terminal portion 153 is electrically connected to each first electric wiring 160a via each first connecting wiring 154.

The fixing portion 152 is formed in a cylindrical shape from an insulating material such as resin, and surrounds the outer periphery of the rotating portion 151. The fixed portion 152 is coupled to the rotating portion 151 via an upper rolling bearing 158a and a lower rolling bearing 158 b. Thereby, the rotating portion 151 is rotatable with respect to the fixed portion 152. A mounting piece 152b having a screw insertion hole 152a is provided on the bottom surface of the fixing portion 152. As shown in fig. 2(a), the fixing portion 152 is fixed to the tub bearing portion 110 by fixing the mounting piece 152b to the upper portion of the tub bearing portion 110 by a screw 159. Thus, even if the tub rotation shaft 90 rotates, the fixing part 152 does not rotate.

The fixed terminal portions 155 are arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the fixed portion 152 so as to face the rotating terminal portions 153 with a predetermined gap therebetween in the vertical direction. Each fixed terminal portion 155 is formed of a conductive metal material. The fixing portion 152 has wiring insertion holes 152c formed upward from the lower surface and connected to the back side of the fixed terminal portions 155. The fixed terminal portions 155 are connected to second connecting wires 156 inserted into the wire insertion holes 152 c. Each second connecting wire 156 is connected to each second electric wire 160b via a connector 161 b. That is, each fixed terminal portion 155 is electrically connected to each second electric wire 160b via each second connecting wire 156.

Each contact brush 157 is attached to a surface of each fixed terminal portion 155. Each of the contact brushes 157 is formed of a plurality of conductive metal wires, and the tip end portion thereof is in contact with the corresponding rotating terminal portion 153.

When the tub rotation shaft 90, that is, the tub 20 rotates, the rotation part 151 rotates, and the first electric wires 160a, the first connection wires 154, and the rotation terminal parts 153 rotate. The respective contact brushes 157 slide on the respective rotating terminal portions 153 that rotate, and thereby, the respective first electric wires 160a and the respective second electric wires 160b are kept in an electrically connected state. Since the second electric wires 160b do not move even if the tub rotation shaft 90 rotates, the second electric wires do not wind around the tub rotation shaft 90 or the like.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of the fully automatic washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

In addition to the above configuration, the fully automatic washing machine 1 further includes: water supply device 170, operation unit 180, water level sensor 190, control unit 200, and storage unit 210.

The water supply device 170 includes a water supply pipe, a water supply valve, etc., and supplies water into the outer tub 20.

The operation section 180 includes: the operation buttons such as a power button for turning on and off the power of the fully automatic washing machine 1, a start button for starting operation, and a selection button for selecting an operation mode output an input signal corresponding to the operation button operated by the user to the control unit 200.

The water level sensor 190 detects a water level in the outer tub 20 and outputs a water level detection signal corresponding to the detected water level to the control part 200.

The storage unit 210 includes an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The storage unit 210 stores programs for executing washing operations in various operation modes. In addition, various parameters and various control flags for executing these programs are stored in the storage unit 210.

The control section 200 includes: a control circuit, a drive circuit, and the like including a CPU control the operations of the spin tub motor 70, the tub motor 140, the water supply device 170, the drain device 100, and the like in accordance with a program stored in the storage unit 210 based on signals from the operation unit 180, the water level sensor 190, and the like.

In the fully automatic washing machine 1, washing operations in various operation modes are performed. In the washing operation, a washing process, an intermediate dehydration process, a rinsing process, and a final dehydration process are sequentially performed.

In the washing process and the rinsing process, water is stored in the outer tub 20 to a predetermined water level L. As shown in fig. 2(a), the predetermined water level L is a position where the washing and dewatering tub 30 is immersed in water, and may be set at a position lower than the center position of the washing and dewatering tub 30, that is, the position of the horizontal rotation axis R2. In the washing process, the stored water contains a detergent.

In a state where water is stored in the tub 20, the tub motor 140 is driven to rotate in one direction, the tub 20 rotates horizontally in one direction around the vertical rotation axis R1, and the washing and dehydrating tub 30 rotates horizontally integrally with the tub 20. The spin tub motor 70 is driven to alternately rotate in the forward direction and the reverse direction, and the wash spin tub 30 and the tub 20 are alternately rotated vertically in the forward direction and the reverse direction around the horizontal rotation axis R2 independently of each other.

A water flow is generated in the outer tub 20 by the horizontal rotation of the outer tub 20, wherein the laundry agitated in the washing and dehydrating tub 30 performs a complicated motion by the horizontal rotation and the vertical reverse rotation of the washing and dehydrating tub 30. Thus, the water flow generated in the outer tub 20 interacts with the complex motion of the laundry, so that the laundry is well washed, or rinsed.

Further, in the case where the washing and dewatering tub 30 is spherical, since the circumferential surface is also arc-shaped in the direction of the horizontal rotation axis R2, the laundry located at both end portions in the washing and dewatering tub 30 is likely to be located at a position higher than the water surface, and the laundry at both end portions is less likely to be soaked in water. However, in the present embodiment, since the outer tub 20 rotates horizontally, the water on the outer peripheral side gradually rises by the centrifugal force, and the water easily spreads over the laundry on both end portions.

In the intermediate dehydration process and the final dehydration process, after the water is drained from the inside of the outer tub 20, the washing dehydration tub 30 is vertically rotated at a unidirectional high speed in a state where the outer tub 20 is stopped. The laundry is dehydrated by the centrifugal force generated in the washing and dehydrating tub 30.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a control process of the outer tub motor 140 and the spin tub motor 70 by the control unit 200 during the washing operation according to the present embodiment.

In the washing process or the rinsing process, the control part 200 rotates the outer tub motor 140 in one direction (S102) and rotates the spinning tub motor 70 in the reverse direction (S103) based on the judgment of the control of the washing or the rinsing (S101: yes). As described above, the tub 20 is rotated horizontally in one direction, and the washing and dehydrating tub 30 is rotated horizontally and rotated vertically in the forward direction and the reverse direction alternately.

When the washing or rinsing completion time has elapsed (S104: YES), the control part 200 stops the operations of the outer tub motor 140 and the spinning tub motor 70 (S105).

On the other hand, in the intermediate spinning course or the final spinning course, the control part 200 rotates the spin tub motor 70 in one direction at a high speed while keeping the outer tub motor 140 stopped, based on the determination of the spinning control, not the determination of the washing or rinsing control (S101: no). As described above, the washing and dehydrating tub 30 is vertically rotated at a high speed in one direction.

When the completion time of the dehydration has elapsed (S107: YES), the control part 200 stops the operation of the dehydration tub motor 70 (S108).

< effects of the embodiment >

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the water flow can be generated in the outer tub 20 by horizontally rotating the outer tub 20, and the laundry can be agitated in the washing and dehydrating tub 30 by horizontally and vertically rotating the washing and dehydrating tub 30. Further, since the tub 20 and the washing and dehydrating tub 30 are independently rotated by the tub motor 140 and the dehydrating tub motor 70, various rotation operations can be performed between the tub 20 and the washing and dehydrating tub 30. For example, by rotating the washing and dehydrating tub 30 in the forward and reverse directions in a single direction while rotating the outer tub 20, the movement of the laundry stirred in the washing and dehydrating tub 30 becomes complicated, and the water flow generated in the outer tub 20 interacts with the complicated movement of the laundry, so that the laundry is washed or rinsed well.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is expected that the washing performance can be improved by effectively utilizing the movement of the outer tub 20 for storing water and the spherical washing and dehydrating tub 30.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the spin tub motor 70 is rotated at a high speed while the tub motor 140 is kept stopped, and the wash water tub 30 is vertically rotated at a high speed while the tub 20 is kept stopped, thereby dehydrating the laundry in the wash water tub 30, the driving load may be small, and the power consumption may be small, as compared with the case where the wash water in the wash water tub 30 is dehydrated by rotating the tub motor 140 at a high speed while the tub motor 70 is kept stopped, thereby horizontally rotating the tub 20 and the wash water tub 30 at a high speed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the outer tub 20 is formed in a spherical shape covering the washing and dehydrating tub 30 to more than half, and therefore, the outer tub 20 can be formed compactly. Further, since the outer tub 20 is divided into the upper and

lower tub members

20a and 20b, the spherical outer tub 20 can be easily manufactured.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the imaginary plane including the split surface D of the outer tub 20 is obliquely provided with respect to the horizontal rotation axis R2 in such a manner as to pass through the center portion of the outer tub 20 and not to touch the right and left bearing

attachment ports

22a and 22b, and therefore, the right and left bearing

attachment ports

22a and 22b are easily formed in a highly cylindrical manner, and the right and left

bearing portions

50a and 50b can be attached to the right and left bearing

attachment ports

22a and 22b, respectively, with high accuracy. This prevents the horizontal rotation axis R2 from being displaced, and allows the washing and dewatering tub 30 to smoothly rotate vertically. The center of the outer tub 20 is a point at which the vertical rotation axis R1 and the horizontal rotation axis R2 intersect.

It should be noted that in the case where the dividing plane D relates to the right and left bearing

attachment ports

22a and 22b, the right and left bearing

attachment ports

22a and 22b are formed separately from the upper and lower

outer tub members

20a and 20b, and therefore, it is difficult to obtain high cylindricity when the right and left bearing

attachment ports

22a and 22b are formed by combining the upper and lower

outer tub members

20a and 20 b. Thus, if the horizontal rotation axis R2 is deviated, the washing and dewatering tub 30 cannot be smoothly rotated vertically.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the plurality of first electric wires 160a extending from the electric parts such as the spin tub motor 70 and the torque motor 103 rotating together with the outer tub 20 and the plurality of second electric wires 160b extending from the control part 200 are relayed by the wire relay part 150, the electric wires can be prevented from being entangled with the outer tub 20 when the outer tub 20 rotates.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications other than those described above may be made to the embodiments of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the tub 20 rotates about the vertical rotation axis R1, and the washing and dehydrating tub 30 rotates about the horizontal rotation axis R2. However, the outer tub 20 may be configured to rotate around a rotation axis inclined from the vertical direction. Similarly, the washing and dewatering tub 30 may be configured to rotate around a rotation axis inclined from the horizontal direction.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the outer tub 20 is horizontally rotated in one direction during the washing process or the rinsing process. However, the tub 20 may be alternately horizontally rotated in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction by reversely rotating the tub motor 140 in the forward and reverse directions. Further, the speed of the water flow in the outer tub 20 may be changed by changing the rotation speed of the outer tub motor 140, i.e., the outer tub 20.

In the above embodiment, the outer tub motor 140 and the spin tub motor 70 are outer rotor type motors, but may be inner rotor type motors.

Further, in the above embodiment, the outer tub 20 is divided obliquely with respect to the horizontal rotation axis R2 from a position above the left bearing attachment port 22b toward a position below the right bearing attachment port 22 a. However, the outer tub 20 may be divided obliquely with respect to the horizontal rotation axis R2 from a position above the right bearing attachment port 22a toward a position below the left bearing attachment port 22 b. That is, if the dividing plane D passes through the center portion of the outer tub 20 and does not touch the right and left bearing

attachment ports

22a and 22b, the position of the dividing plane D may be appropriately changed. In order to prevent water leakage from the division surface D, the division surface D is preferably provided above the water level L of the water stored in the tub 20. From this point of view, the outer tub 20 is preferably divided from a position above the left bearing attachment port 22b (right bearing attachment port 22a) toward a position slightly below the right bearing attachment port 22a (left bearing attachment port 22 b).

Further, although the fully automatic washing machine 1 is illustrated in the above embodiment, the present invention may be applied to a fully automatic washing and drying all-in-one machine having a drying function in addition to a washing function.

The embodiments of the present invention may be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims.

Claims

1. A washing machine is characterized by comprising:

a tub which is rotatably disposed in the casing around a first rotation shaft inclined in a vertical direction or from the vertical direction and can store water;

a spherical washing and dehydrating tub which is rotatably disposed in the tub around a second rotation axis inclined in a horizontal direction or from the horizontal direction and accommodates laundry;

a tub motor for rotating the tub;

a dehydration tub motor for rotating the washing dehydration tub; and

a control part for driving the outer barrel motor and the dewatering barrel motor at the same time when washing;

a spin-drying tub rotating shaft as the second rotating shaft is provided at the washing spin-drying tub,

the outer tub is formed in a ball shape covering more than half of the washing and dehydrating tub,

and has a bearing attachment port to which a bearing portion that freely rotatably supports the rotation shaft of the dehydration tub is attached,

the outer barrel is divided into a first outer barrel component and a second outer barrel component, and the dividing surface of the outer barrel passes through the center part of the outer barrel and does not contact the bearing interface;

the spin-drying tub rotating shaft is arranged at two sides of the washing spin-drying tub, the spin-drying tub rotating shaft at one side rotates through the spin-drying tub motor,

the bearing attachment ports are provided at both sides of the outer tub,

the outer tub is divided obliquely with respect to the second rotation axis from a position above the bearing mount port on one side to a position below the bearing mount port on the other side.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1,

when dewatering, the control part drives the motor of the dewatering barrel under the state that the motor of the outer barrel stops.

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

and a wiring relay unit for relaying a first electric wiring extending from the spin-drying tub motor and a second electric wiring extending from the control unit,

a tub rotation shaft as the first rotation shaft is provided at the tub,

the wiring relay unit includes:

a rotating part rotating together with the outer tub rotating shaft;

a ring-shaped first terminal portion provided on an outer peripheral surface of the rotating portion and electrically connected to the first electric wiring;

a fixing part disposed outside the rotating part and not rotating together with the tub rotating shaft;

a second terminal portion provided at the fixing portion and electrically connected to the second electric wiring; and

and a conductive contact portion extending from the second terminal portion and contacting the first terminal portion, and sliding on the first terminal portion when the rotating portion rotates.