CN109972349B

CN109972349B - Washing machine and sealing member for washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN109972349B
Application number: CN201811024804.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 菅原道太; 曾我丈; 北慎勇希; 千叶浩司
Original assignee: Hitachi Global Life Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Hitachi Global Life Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2017-12-28
Filing date: 2018-09-04
Publication date: 2021-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2038-09-04
Also published as: TW201930682A; TWI665354B; CN109972349A; JP6778173B2; JP2019118405A

Abstract

The invention provides a washing machine, which can improve the reliability of the washing machine. The washing machine comprises a rotary motor, a shaft capable of receiving the transmission of the rotary force from the rotary motor, an inner tub capable of receiving the transmission of the rotary force from the shaft, and a rotary impeller.

Description

Washing machine and sealing member for washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine and a seal member for the washing machine.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses a structure in which a rotary impeller 2 provided at the bottom of an inner tub 3 is screwed to a drive shaft 13 with a screw. A drive motor 9 is provided on the lower end side of the drive shaft 13.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2009-233441

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

When the washing water is present around the rotary impeller 2, the water may flow along the drive shaft 13 from the screw or the lower side thereof, and may infiltrate into and adhere to electric components such as the drive motor 9 and metal components such as bearings. When such adhesion occurs, it is assumed that the drive motor 9 and the like are deteriorated and damaged.

Means for solving the problems

In view of the above, the present invention provides a washing machine having: a rotary motor; a shaft capable of receiving transmission of a rotational force from the rotating motor; an inner tub and a rotary impeller capable of receiving the transmission of the rotational force of the shaft; an inner tub hole of the inner tub and an impeller hole of the rotary impeller are inserted through the shaft at one end side of the shaft, and the washing machine is characterized in that: the sealing component is provided, which improves the air tightness of the clearance between the shaft and the inner barrel hole and/or the clearance between the shaft and the impeller hole.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a vertical washing machine and a frame base in embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the inner barrel and its periphery in example 1.

Fig. 3 is a further enlarged view of the upper end side of the shaft in fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary motor, the gear, the shaft, the rotary impeller, the screw member, and the seal member of embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view (a), a side view (b), and a sectional view (c) a-a of the seal member of example 1.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[ vertical washing machine 100]

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a vertical washing machine 100 and a frame base 11 according to the present embodiment. The vertical washing machine 100 includes a casing 1 mounted on a casing base 11, an outer tub 2, a suspension rod 99, a support portion 98, a corner vibration damping spring 97, an inner tub 3 having a dewatering hole 31 and an inner tub bottom 32, a rotary impeller 4, a screw member 9 (see fig. 2, for example), a shaft 5, a gear 6, a rotary motor 7, a water supply hose 91, and a drain hose 92.

The outer tub 2 capable of storing washing water is located inside the outer frame 1. The tub 2 is connected to a corner vibration-proof spring 97, and the corner vibration-proof spring 97 is elastically supported by the frame 1 by being connected to a support portion 98 located above the frame 1 via a suspension rod 99.

The inner tub 3, which is rotatable by an intermediate diameter portion 52 serving as an outer output shaft of the shaft 5 to which the rotational force of the rotation motor 7 is transmitted, is located inside the outer tub 2, and the rotation impeller 4, which is rotatable by a small diameter portion 51 serving as an inner output shaft of the shaft 5, is located on the bottom side of the inner tub 3. The gear 6 and the rotary motor 7 are located below the rotary impeller 4 and the shaft 5, and the rotational force generated by the driving of the rotary motor 7 is transmitted to the shaft 5 via the gear 6. The rotary motor 7 is fixed to the lower side of the gear 6. The shaft 5 has a large diameter portion 53, a medium diameter portion 52, and a small diameter portion 51 in order from the near to the far of the gear 6 and the rotary motor 7 connected thereto.

The driving rotation of the rotation motor 7 can be selectively transmitted to only the small-diameter portion 51 or to the small-diameter portion 51 and the intermediate-diameter portion 52 by the operation of the clutch. The laundry in the inner tub 3 can be washed by the rotation of the rotary impeller 4 accompanying the rotation of the small diameter portion 51. The laundry can be dehydrated by the rotation of the inner tub 3 accompanying the rotation of the middle diameter part 52. Centrifugal dehydration is performed from the dehydration holes 31 provided in the main body of the inner tub 3.

The washing water W is poured into the outer tub 2 from a water supply hose 91 connected to a tap water as a tap water supply source. Further, the water is discharged to the outside of the machine through a drain hose 92 provided at the bottom of the tub 2.

[ Structure around the inner tub 3 ]

Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the inner tub 3 and its periphery of the present embodiment, fig. 3 is a further enlarged view of the upper end side of the shaft 5 in fig. 2, and fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rotary motor 7, the gear 6, the shaft 5, the rotary impeller 4, the screw member 9 (an example of a fixing member), and the seal member 8 of the present embodiment.

The inner tub 3 has an inner tub bottom 32 located at a lower side than the rotary impeller 4, and an inner tub hole 33 provided at a center side of the inner tub bottom 32.

The rotary impeller 4 has an impeller hole 41 located on the center side in front view of the rotary impeller 4. The impeller hole 41 is a through hole in a front view (plan view), and includes an insertion hole 411, a regulation hole 412, a guide hole 413, and a small-diameter corresponding hole 414 in this order from a position distant from the rotary motor 7.

The insertion hole 411 has a size allowing insertion of the screw member 9 and the seal member 8. The restriction hole portion 412 is a tapered region having a diameter that decreases with distance from the insertion hole portion 411, and is capable of passing the tip (portion to be screwed with a screw) of the screw member 9 but restricting the head of the screw (screw). The guide hole 413 is a region extending with a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the end position of the restriction hole 412 (the position farthest from the insertion hole 411 in the present embodiment), and is capable of restricting the axial movement of the small-diameter portion 51 of the shaft 5. The small-diameter corresponding hole 414 is a region through which the small-diameter portion 51 can pass, and is formed in a size capable of restricting axial movement of the middle-diameter portion 52. The diameter of the small-diameter corresponding hole 414 is preferably substantially equal to the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 51.

Further, on the surface of the rotary impeller 4 on the rotary motor 7 side (lower side), an annular rib 43 is provided around the impeller hole 41. The rib 43 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the impeller hole 41 and projects toward the rotary motor 7 side, and when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft 5, the tip end 521 of the intermediate diameter portion 52 reaches the inside of the annular shape formed by the rib 43. In other words, in vertical washing machine 100, front end 521 of intermediate diameter portion 52 is located above the lower end of rib 43.

The shaft 5 has a small diameter portion 51, a medium diameter portion 52, and a large diameter portion 53 in order from the far side to the near side from the rotating motor 7. The boundaries between the small diameter portion 51, the medium diameter portion 52, and the large diameter portion 53 each have a discrete (step-like) diameter change, but may be configured to continuously change. In the present embodiment, the small diameter portion 51, the intermediate diameter portion 52, and the large diameter portion 53, which are 3 kinds of cylindrical members having different diameters, are coaxially fitted and combined.

A recess (a hole with or without a bottom) is provided at the tip (upper end) of the small-diameter portion 51, and a screw that can be screwed into the screw member 9 is provided in the recess. A screw thread that can be screwed into another member is provided on the small diameter portion 51 side of the intermediate diameter portion 52.

[ insertion through to shaft 5 ]

The shaft 5 is inserted into the inner tub hole 33 of the inner tub 3 on the side of the intermediate diameter portion 52 of the shaft 5. One surface side (lower surface side) of the inner barrel bottom portion 32 is supported by the boundary of the large diameter portion 53 (the boundary with the intermediate diameter portion 52).

On the other surface side (upper surface side) of the inner barrel bottom portion 32, a nut as an inner barrel fixing member 96 is inserted through the shaft 5 via a flange 95. The inner barrel fixing member 96 is screwed to the thread of the middle diameter portion 52, and supports the inner barrel 3 from one side thereof with the boundary with the large diameter portion 53. Thereby, the intermediate diameter portion 52 and the inner barrel 3 can be fixed.

The front end 521 of the middle diameter portion 52 on the side of the small diameter portion 51 is also exposed from the inner barrel fixing member 96 in a state where the inner barrel fixing member 96 is attached.

Further, by providing a washer or a flange (for example, a washer 94 on the side of the small diameter portion 51 from the distal end 521) appropriately in the other portion, the accuracy of the restriction of the passage of the water droplets and the protection of the components can be improved. The tip 521 of the present embodiment substantially abuts against the washer 94 or substantially abuts against a member provided together with the washer 94.

The small-diameter corresponding hole 414 in the impeller hole 41 of the rotary impeller 4 is inserted through the small-diameter portion 51 in the shaft 5. The tip of the small diameter portion 51 is substantially abutted against and restricted by the guide hole portion 413, and the screw member 9 is inserted into a recess provided at the tip of the small diameter portion 51. This can fix the small diameter portion 51 to the rotary impeller 4.

[ airtightness around the shaft 5 ]

The shaft 5 has a gap between the shaft 5 and the inner tub hole 33, the inner tub fixing 96, the small diameter corresponding hole 414, the guide hole 413, the restriction hole 412, and the insertion hole 411, which are inserted through the shaft 5, respectively. This is because the fixing is usually performed unintentionally after the insertion process of the shaft 5. In this gap, air is present when the vertical washing machine 100 is manufactured.

Here, when the vertical washing machine 100 is used, the washing water W is stored in the inner tub 3 above the shaft 5. Such washing water is generally substantially suppressed from reaching the gear 6 and the rotary motor 7 through the gap, but when, for example, the flange 95, the gasket 94, and the like provided together with the inner tub fixing 96 come into contact with the washing water or sand and the like mixed therein and are worn away, there is a risk that the washing water reaches the gear 6 and the rotary motor 7 along the gap. Therefore, it is required to suppress the washing water from entering such a gap as much as possible. In addition, there is a risk that the washing water may reach the bearing 93 as the water level rises due to the storage of the washing water. The bearing 93 is typically metal and also risks wear or rust.

In the present embodiment, the sealing member 8 is provided in the insertion hole 411 on the screw head side of the screw member 9. Fig. 5 is a perspective view (a), a side view (b), and a sectional view (c) a-a of the sealing member 8 of the present embodiment.

The sealing member 8 having elasticity, which is formed of, for example, resin, has an upper surface 81, an upper surface convex portion 82, a side surface 83, a side surface guide portion 84, and a bottom surface concave portion 85.

The up-down dimension of the sealing member 8 is preferably smaller than the dimension from the upper end of the screw head of the screw member 9 to the upper end of the insertion hole portion 411. This can prevent the seal member 8 from protruding from the impeller hole 41 and coming into contact with the laundry, and can prevent the seal member 8 from being accidentally removed from the impeller hole 41. The diameter of the sealing member 8 is preferably substantially the same as the diameter of the insertion hole 411, and is further preferably slightly smaller than the diameter.

Preferably, the upper surface 81 is recessed downward, and the upper surface protrusion 82 has a shape protruding upward. When the seal member 8 is disposed above the screw head of the screw member 9, it is difficult to remove the seal member 8 from the insertion hole 411 if the upper surface is flat. Therefore, by configuring as in the present embodiment, it is possible to easily remove the top surface convex portion 82 by grasping it.

The side surface 83 may be flat, but preferably has irregularities as in the present embodiment. This can improve the sealing performance at the convex portion when the convex portion is biased to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 411 by the elasticity of the sealing member 8 itself.

The side surface guide portion 84 is formed in a tapered shape whose diameter size decreases as going downward. This allows the sealing member 8 itself to be guided when inserted into the insertion hole 411.

The bottom surface recess 85 is a depression provided in the bottom side center portion of the seal member 8. This makes it easy for the bottom surface side of the seal member 8 to move due to elasticity, and thus, for example, the sealing property can be improved.

The sealing member 8 is preferably an elastic member made of resin or the like, and is naturally slightly smaller than the diameter of the insertion hole 411. By inserting the sealing member 8 into the insertion hole 411, upward escape of air below the impeller hole 41 can be suppressed, and airtightness can be improved. Thus, when the washing water is stored in the gap and its surroundings, the air pressure in the gap rises with the storage. Since the washing water is at substantially atmospheric pressure, the washing water can be prevented from entering. Accordingly, by suppressing wear of the members, such as the gasket, disposed in the gap, transmission of water droplets to the gear 6 and the rotary motor 7 can be suppressed even in the vertical washing machine 100 after repeated use, for example.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the rib 43 surrounds the periphery of the tip 521. The diameter of the rib 43 is preferably larger than and substantially equal to the diameter of the tip 521, so that the airtightness around the tip 521 (the region substantially surrounded by the gasket 94 and the members in the vicinity thereof, the rib 4392, and the tip 521) can be improved, and therefore an air reservoir can be formed in this region, and a more excellent effect can be achieved. Alternatively, some other structure may be disposed instead of the washer 94.

In addition, the washing machine of the present embodiment is of a vertical type as described above, that is, the axial direction of the shaft 5 substantially coincides with the direction of gravity. The seal member 8 may be sold in a state of being incorporated in the washing machine 100, or may be sold separately from the use in which the seal member is inserted into the impeller hole 41 of the rotary impeller 4.

Description of the reference numerals

1 … … outer frame

11 … … outer frame base

2 … … outer tub

3 … … inner barrel

31 … … dewatering hole

32 … … inner barrel bottom

33 … … inner barrel hole

4 … … rotary impeller

41 … … impeller hole

411 … … insertion hole part

412 … … restriction aperture

413 … … guide hole section

414 … … small diameter corresponding hole

43 … … circular edge

5 … … axle

51 … … small diameter part

52 … … middle diameter part

521 … … front end of middle diameter part

53 … … wide diameter part

6 … … Gear

7 … … rotary motor

8 … … sealing member

81 … … upper surface

82 … … upper surface convex part

83 … … side surface

84 … … side guide

85 … … concave bottom surface

9 … … screw part (fixed part)

91 … … Water supply hose

92 … … drainage hose

93 … … bearing

94 … … gasket

95 … … Flange

96 … … inner barrel fixing element

97 … … corner anti-vibration spring

98 … … support portion

99 … … boom

100 … … vertical washing machine.

Claims

1. A washing machine having:

a rotary motor;

a shaft capable of receiving transmission of a rotational force from the rotating motor; and

an inner barrel and a rotary impeller capable of receiving the transmission of the rotating force of the shaft,

the shaft is inserted into an inner tub hole of the inner tub and an impeller hole of the rotary impeller at one end side of the shaft,

the washing machine is characterized in that:

having a sealing member which improves airtightness of a gap between the shaft and the inner tub hole and/or a gap between the shaft and the impeller hole,

a fixing member fixing the shaft and the rotary impeller is provided in the impeller hole,

the sealing part is arranged in the impeller hole,

the seal member has an upper surface projection on an upper surface thereof, the upper surface of the seal member being observable from the impeller bore.

2. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

having an annular rib extending in the axial direction of the shaft,

a portion of the shaft is located inside the ring of the rib,

an upper end of a part of the shaft is located above a lower end of the rib.

3. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:

the sealing member is entirely located in the impeller bore.

4. A washing machine as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that:

the ribs are provided around the impeller hole of the lower surface of the rotary impeller,

the shaft has a large diameter portion, a medium diameter portion, and a small diameter portion in order of distance from the connected rotary motor,

the inner barrel receives the transmission of the rotating force of the shaft through the middle diameter part,

the rotating impeller receives the transmission of the rotating force of the shaft through the small diameter part,

a nut screwed with the middle diameter part,

the inner barrel is limited by the nut,

an upper end of the intermediate diameter portion is exposed from the nut.

5. A sealing member for a washing machine, characterized in that:

the washing machine has: a rotary motor; a shaft capable of receiving transmission of a rotational force from the rotating motor; and an inner tub and a rotary impeller capable of receiving transmission of a rotary force of the shaft, wherein the shaft is inserted into an inner tub hole of the inner tub and an impeller hole of the rotary impeller at one end of the shaft,

the sealing part is arranged in the impeller hole and is used for improving the air tightness of a gap between the shaft and the inner barrel hole and/or a gap between the shaft and the impeller hole,

the seal member has an upper surface projection on an upper surface thereof, the upper surface of the seal member being observable from the impeller hole,

the sealing member has elasticity.