CN111511973B

CN111511973B - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN111511973B
Application number: CN201880083534.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 樋口秀一
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-12-26
Filing date: 2018-12-24
Publication date: 2022-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-24
Also published as: JP2019115391A; JP7126152B2; WO2019128901A1; CN111511973A

Abstract

A washing machine capable of effectively collecting lint in a washing tub by a lint filter even if the water level and water flow strength in the washing tub are changed. A washing machine (1) comprises: a washing tub (4); a first support shaft (7) disposed in the washing tub (4) and extending in the vertical direction (Z); and a lint filter (9) supported by the first support shaft (7) so as to be rotatable about the first support shaft (7) and liftable along the first support shaft (7). The thread scrap filter (9) comprises: a lint intake (23A); a fin part (30E) which is arranged on the opposite side of the shooting port (23A) relative to the first supporting shaft (7) and receives the water flow in the washing barrel (4) to rotate the lint filter (9); and a floating plate part (28) for generating buoyancy.

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background

The washing machine described in the following patent document 1 includes: a washing tub for storing washing water; a pump housing disposed at the bottom of the washing tub; a pulsator disposed in the recess of the pump housing; and a suction flow path and a discharge flow path rising along a side surface of the washing tub. The lower end of the suction flow path is connected to a space communicating with the recess of the pump housing from below. The lower end of the discharge flow path is connected to the concave portion of the pump housing. When washing starts, the pulsator rotates. The washing water in the washing tub is sucked into the suction flow path by a centrifugal pump effect of the centrifugal blade at the back side of the pulsator, passes through the space and the recess, enters the discharge flow path, and is discharged into the washing tub from the discharge port at the upper end of the discharge flow path. A lint filter is mounted on the discharge port. The lint filter traps lint contained in the washing water discharged from the discharge port.

Generally, the lint filter is fixed to the upper portion of the washing tub as in the washing machine described in patent document 1. In this case, when the water level in the washing tub is lowered or the strength of the water flow in the washing tub is weakened, the washing water in the washing tub does not reach the lint filter, and thus it is difficult for the lint filter to effectively trap lint from the washing water.

Documents of the prior art

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2000-140477

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine capable of effectively collecting lint in a washing tub by a lint filter even when a water level and a water flow intensity in the washing tub are changed.

Means for solving the problems

The washing machine of the present invention comprises: a washing tub for receiving the laundry and storing water; a support shaft provided in the washing tub and extending in an up-down direction; and a lint filter supported by the support shaft in a rotatable manner about the support shaft and in a liftable manner along the support shaft, for trapping lint in the washing tub, the lint filter including: a lint intake; a fin portion provided on the opposite side of the support shaft from the intake port, and receiving a water flow in the washing tub to rotate the lint filter; and a floating plate portion that generates buoyancy.

In addition, the washing machine of the present invention further includes a restriction unit for restricting a rotation range of the lint filter.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that a lower end of the support shaft is disposed to be spaced apart from a bottom wall of the washing tub to an upper side, and the washing machine further includes another support shaft elastically supported by the bottom wall to be movable in a vertical direction and supporting the lint filter from a lower side.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, the thread waste filter supported by the support shaft extending in the vertical direction in the washing tub is lifted and lowered along the support shaft by the buoyancy generated by the floating plate portion. Therefore, the lint intake of the lint filter is always arranged at the water level in the washing tub or at a position lower than the water level, so that the lint contained in the water in the washing tub can be effectively captured. Further, the fin portion receives the water flow in the washing tub, and the lint filter rotates around the support shaft so as to face the water flow in the washing tub with respect to the intake port on the opposite side of the fin portion of the support shaft. Thus, the intake port is always disposed at a position in the washing tub where the water flow flows, and therefore, the lint contained in the water flow can be effectively captured. Therefore, even if the water level in the washing tub and the strength of the water flow are changed, the lint filter can effectively collect the lint in the washing tub.

Further, according to the present invention, the rotation range of the lint filter is limited in such a manner that the pickup does not deviate from the position where the lint can be effectively captured, and thus the lint inside the washing tub can be more effectively captured by the lint filter.

Further, according to the present invention, the support shaft supports the thread dust filter in a state where a lower end thereof is spaced apart from a bottom wall of the washing tub to an upper side, and the other support shaft supports the thread dust filter from a lower side. Since the other support shaft is elastically supported by the bottom wall of the washing tub in a manner movable in the up-down direction, a space between the support shaft and the other support shaft is expanded in the up-down direction when the other support shaft is deviated to the lower side. The assembly is as follows: when the other support shaft is returned to an upper original position after the thread dust filter is disposed in the space, the thread dust filter is supported by both the support shaft and the other support shaft. Therefore, the ease of assembly of the lint filter is improved.

Drawings

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

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the lint filter of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the lint filter viewed from the axial side of the washing tub.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the lint filter.

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the lint filter.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the washing machine when the lint filter is lifted up to the upper limit position.

Fig. 7 is a schematic top view of the inside of the washing tub.

Fig. 8 is a schematic top view of the inside of the washing tub.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a washing machine; 4: a washing tub; 4C: a bottom wall; 7: a first support shaft; 7A: a lower end; 8: a second support shaft; 9: a lint filter; 17: a restricting section; 23A: a camera; 28: a floating plate section; 30B: a lower guide groove; 30E: a fin portion; z: up and down direction; z1: an upper side; z2: a lower side; q: and (5) washing the articles.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The washing machine 1 includes not only a washing machine that performs washing operation, rinsing operation, and dehydrating operation of laundry, but also a washing and drying machine that performs drying operation. The vertical direction in fig. 1 is referred to as a vertical direction Z of the washing machine 1, and the upper side and the lower side in the vertical direction Z are referred to as an upper side Z1 and a lower side Z2, respectively. The washing machine 1 includes: the washing machine includes a casing 2, an outer tub 3, a washing tub 4, a motor 5, a pulsator 6, a first support shaft 7 as one example of a support shaft, a second support shaft 8 as one example of another support shaft, and a lint filter 9.

The case 2 is made of, for example, metal and is formed in a box shape. An opening 2B communicating the inside and outside of the case 2 is formed in the upper surface 2A of the case 2. A door 11 for opening and closing the opening 2B is provided on the upper surface 2A.

The outer tub 3 is made of, for example, resin, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a bottom wall 3A at a lower end thereof. An opening 3B is formed at the upper end of the tub 3. The tub 3 is elastically supported by the casing 2 via a hanger 12 suspended from an upper portion of the casing 2, specifically, from a metal frame (not shown) constituting a part of the casing 2. A water supply path 13 connected to a tap of tap water is connected to an upper portion of the outer tub 3. In the water supply, water from the water supply path 13 is accumulated in the outer tub 3 from the bottom wall 3A side.

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 4B having an inlet/outlet 4A at an upper end thereof; and a disk-shaped bottom wall 4C that closes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4B from the lower side Z2. For example, the circumferential wall 4B is made of metal, and the bottom wall 4C has a center portion made of metal and an outer peripheral portion made of resin. The outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 4C is formed in a cylindrical shape bent upward Z1 and can be regarded as the lower end of the circumferential wall 4B. The bottom wall 4C and the lower end portion of the circumferential wall 4B connected to the bottom wall 4C constitute a bottom 4D of the washing tub 4. The washing tub 4 is coaxially accommodated in the outer tub 3 and supported by a bottom wall 3A of the outer tub 3. The washing tub 4 in this state can rotate about an axis J passing through the center of the washing tub 4 and extending in the up-down direction Z.

The axis J of the washing tub 4 is also the center of the outer tub 3, and the rotation direction of the washing tub 4 coincides with the respective circumferential directions P of the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4. Hereinafter, the radial direction about the axis J is referred to as a radial direction R, and the side facing the axis J, that is, the side facing the axis J in the radial direction R is referred to as a radial direction inner side R1, and the side facing away from the axis J is referred to as a radial direction outer side R2. The circumferential direction P and the radial direction R are both directions along the horizontal direction H.

The inlet/outlet 4A of the washing tub 4 is in communication with the opening 3B of the outer tub 3. The opening 3B and the doorway 4A are opened and closed together by a door 11. The user of the washing machine 1 can throw the laundry Q into the washing tub 4 through the open entrance 4A. Through holes 4E are formed in the circumferential wall 4B and the bottom wall 4C, respectively, and water in the outer tub 3 flows between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 through the through holes 4E. Thereby, the washing tub 4 stores water from the bottom wall 4C side to the same level as the tub 3. During draining, the water stored in the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 is drained to the outside of the machine through the drainage passage 14 connected to the bottom wall 3A of the outer tub 3.

The inner circumferential surface 4F of the circumferential wall 4B is an example of the inner circumferential portion of the washing tub 4. The circumferential direction P is the extending direction of the inner circumferential surface 4F. An annular balancer 15 is attached to an upper end of the inner circumferential surface 4F in the circumferential direction P. Balancer 15 is a member that reduces vibration of washing tub 4 during rotation, and a liquid such as brine is stored in cavity 15A inside balancer 15 to help reduce vibration.

The motor 5 is disposed on the lower side Z2 of the bottom wall 3A of the tub 3 in the casing 2. The output shaft of the motor 5 branches into: a first output shaft 5A of tubular shape extending along the axis J to the upper side Z1; and a second output shaft 5B inserted through the first output shaft 5A with play. In fig. 1 and fig. 6 described later, the left half of each of the first output shaft 5A and the second output shaft 5B is shown in cross section. The motor 5 can selectively output a driving force from either one of the first output shaft 5A and the second output shaft 5B. The first output shaft 5A extends to the upper side Z1 and penetrates through the center of the bottom wall 3A. The upper end of the first output shaft 5A is fixed to the bottom wall 4C of the washing tub 4, and is coupled to the washing tub 4. When the motor 5 is driven and transmits a driving force to the first output shaft 5A, the washing tub 4 is rotated.

The pulsator 6 is a disc disposed in the horizontal direction H at the bottom 4D of the washing tub 4. The circumferential direction of the impeller 6 is consistent with the circumferential direction P of the washing barrel 4, and the radial direction of the impeller 6 is consistent with the radial direction R of the washing barrel 4. A plurality of protrusions 6A aligned in the circumferential direction P are provided on the upper surface constituting the surface in the pulsator 6. Each of the protrusions 6A is formed in a ridge shape protruding toward the upper side Z1 along the radial direction R of the pulsator 6. An upper end portion of the second output shaft 5B of the motor 5, which protrudes to the upper side Z1 than the 1 st output shaft 5A, penetrates the bottom wall 4C of the washing tub 4, and is fitted to a circle center portion of the pulsator 6. When the motor 5 is driven and transmits a driving force to the second output shaft 5B, the pulsator 6 rotates about the axis J.

The first support shaft 7 is, for example, a circular resin or metal pipe linearly extending in the vertical direction Z. The first support shaft 7 is provided in the washing tub 4, and is disposed away from the inner circumferential surface 4F of the washing tub 4 toward the radially inner side R1 and away from the pulsator 6 toward the radially outer side R2. The upper end of the first support shaft 7 is disposed at the upper end of the washing tub 4, specifically, at a position substantially at the same height as the lower end surface 15B of the balancer 15, and is fixed to the upper end of the inner circumferential surface 4F via a stay 16. The support 16 may be integrated with the first support shaft 7 as part of the first support shaft 7. Lower end 7A of first support shaft 7 is disposed at the same height as the vicinity of the center of washing tub 4 in vertical direction Z, for example, and is disposed away from bottom wall 4C of washing tub 4 toward upper side Z1.

In an inner circumferential surface 4F of washing tub 4, a receiving groove 4G (see also fig. 7 described later) is formed in a region facing first support shaft 7 from radially outer side R2, that is, in the same region as first support shaft 7 in circumferential direction P, so as to be recessed in an arc shape toward radially outer side R2 and extend in vertical direction Z. Rib-shaped restricting portions 17 (see fig. 7) that protrude radially inward R1 and extend in the vertical direction Z are provided one by one at both ends of the housing groove 4G in the circumferential direction P.

In association with the second support shaft 8, a protruding portion 4H protruding radially inward R1 is integrally provided at a portion exposed into the washing tub 4 in the outer peripheral portion of the bottom wall 4C of the washing tub 4. The protruding portion 4H is provided with, for example, a hollow protruding portion 4I protruding upward Z1, and a columnar protrusion 4J protruding upward Z1 is provided on the upper surface of the protruding portion 4I. The second support shaft 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape having substantially the same thickness as the projection 4J, for example, and is disposed directly above the projection 4J. The second support shaft 8 is located at substantially the same position as the first support shaft 7 in the circumferential direction P, and is disposed radially inward R1 of the first support shaft 7 and radially outward R2 of the pulsator 6. The second support shaft 8 is connected to the projection 4J via an elastic member 18. The elastic member 18 is, for example, a coil spring, and is attached to both the projection 4J and the second support shaft 8 so as to surround at least an upper portion of the projection 4J and at least a lower portion of the second support shaft 8. Thereby, the second support shaft 8 is elastically supported by the bottom wall 4C so as to be movable at least in the vertical direction Z.

The lint filter 9 is supported from the upper side Z1 by the first support shaft 7, and is supported from the lower side Z2 by the second support shaft 8. Hereinafter, the chip filter 9 will be described in the radial direction R and the circumferential direction P with reference to a state of being supported by the first support shaft 7 and the second support shaft 8. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the lint filter 9 of fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side view of the lint filter 9 as viewed from the radially inner side R1. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the lint filter 9. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the lint filter 9. Referring mainly to fig. 2, the lint filter 9 has a holding member 21 and a filter member 22.

The holding member 21 is formed in a box shape made of resin, for example. The holding member 21 integrally has: a front panel 23, a pair of side panels 24 (see fig. 3), a top panel 25, and a bottom panel 26. The front plate 23 has a plate thickness direction substantially coincident with the radial direction R, and is a flat plate extending in the circumferential direction P, precisely, in a tangential direction with respect to the circumferential direction P (see fig. 4). In a lower region of the front plate 23, an intake opening 23A, for example, rectangular, is formed to penetrate the front plate 23 in the radial direction R. The side plates 24 are connected to both ends of the front plate 23 in the circumferential direction P one by one, and extend radially outward R2 while being orthogonal to the front plate 23.

The top plate 25 is a flat plate extending in the horizontal direction H, and is connected to the front plate 23 and the upper ends of the side plates 24. A portion of the top plate 25 on the radially outer side R2 than the side plate 24 is formed into a substantially triangular shape in which the width in the circumferential direction P is narrower toward the radially outer side R2 (see fig. 4). The holding member 21 has a circular tube-shaped upper guide portion 27 extending in the vertical direction Z at an end portion of the radially outer side R2 of the top plate 25. The inner space of the upper guide portion 27 is a cylindrical upper guide hole 27A penetrating the upper guide portion 27 in the vertical direction Z. An inner peripheral surface of the upper guide portion 27 defining the upper guide hole 27A is formed with a tapered chamfered portion 27B formed by chamfering an upper end of the inner peripheral surface. The lower end of the upper guide portion 27 is located lower than the upper surface of the top plate 25, and the upper end of the upper guide portion 27 is located higher than the upper surface of the top plate 25. The holding member 21 further includes a spacer 29 extending from the lower end of the upper guide portion 27 toward the radial inner side R1 and connected to the front panel 23. The partition 29 is disposed on the lower side Z2 of the top plate 25 and extends parallel to the top plate 25.

A floating plate portion 28 is provided at a position higher than the intake port 23A in the holding member 21, for example. An example of the floating plate portion 28 is a space enclosed in the radial direction R by being sandwiched from the top plate 25 and the partition plate 29 in the vertical direction Z, by being sandwiched from the upper portion of the front plate 23 and the upper guide portion 27, and by being sandwiched from the circumferential direction P by the pair of side plates 24, that is, a so-called air trap. Instead of the space, the floating plate portion 28 may be formed of a material that generates buoyancy, such as expanded styrene.

The bottom plate 26 is a flat plate extending in the horizontal direction H, and is connected to the front plate 23 and the lower ends of the side plates 24. The holding member 21 has a lower guide portion 30 provided in a region on the radially outer side R2 of the bottom plate 26. A cylindrical lower guide hole 30A penetrating the lower guide portion 30 in the vertical direction Z is formed in the lower guide portion 30 at a position overlapping the upper guide hole 27A of the upper guide portion 27 in a plan view. The upper guide hole 27A and the lower guide hole 30A are arranged on the same straight line along the vertical direction Z. The portion of the lower guide portion 30 in which the lower guide hole 30A is formed may be formed in the same circular tube shape as the upper guide portion 27 (refer to fig. 5).

A lower guide groove 30B recessed toward the upper side Z1 is formed on the lower end surface of the lower guide portion 30, on the radially inner side R1 of the lower guide hole 30A. The lower guide groove 30B extends in an arc shape along the circumferential direction around the lower guide hole 30A (see fig. 5). An inner peripheral surface of the lower guide portion 30 defining the lower guide groove 30B is formed with a chamfered portion 30C formed by chamfering a lower end of the inner peripheral surface. A through hole 30D may be formed in a lower end surface of the lower guide portion 30 in a region between the lower guide hole 30A and the lower guide groove 30B. The portion of the lower guide hole 30A on the radially outer side R2 in the lower guide portion 30 is a plate-like fin portion 30E that is thin in the circumferential direction P. The fin portion 30E constitutes an end portion of the radial outer side R2 of the holding member 21. The upper guide holes 27A and the lower guide holes 30A are located between the floating plate portion 28 and the fin portion 30E in a plan view (see fig. 4).

The internal space 21A of the holding member 21 located below the floating plate portion 28Z 2 is exposed radially inward R1 from the intake port 23A of the front plate 23. The internal space 21A also passes through between the upper guide hole 27A and the lower guide hole 30A and is exposed to the outside R2 in the radial direction.

The filter member 22 is formed in a bag shape made of, for example, a net, and is fixed to the holding member 21. The filter member 22 is disposed in the internal space 21A of the holding member 21, and the opening 22A of the filter member 22 is exposed from the intake port 23A. An end portion 22B of the filter member 22 opposite to the opening 22A may protrude from the internal space 21A to the radially outer side R2. The end portion 22B may be branched into, for example, two pieces so that the upper guide hole 27A and the lower guide hole 30A do not overlap with each other in a plan view (see fig. 4 and 5).

When such a lint filter 9 is assembled to the first support shaft 7 and the second support shaft 8, referring to fig. 1, the operator displaces the second support shaft 8 downward Z2 to enlarge the space S between the lower end 7A of the first support shaft 7 and the upper end 8A of the second support shaft 8 in the vertical direction Z. In this state, the operator places the lint filter 9 in the space S, and inserts the lower end 7A of the first support shaft 7 into the upper guide hole 27A of the holding member 21 of the lint filter 9 from the upper side Z1. Then, when the operator returns the second support shaft 8 to the original position of the upper side Z1, the upper end 8A of the second support shaft 8 is inserted into the lower guide groove 30B of the holding member 31 from the lower side Z2. Thereby, the assembly of the lint filter 9 is completed. The first support shaft 7 is smoothly inserted into the upper guide hole 27A through the chamfered portion 27B at the upper end of the upper guide hole 27A, and the second support shaft 8 is smoothly inserted into the lower guide groove 30B through the chamfered portion 30C at the lower end of the lower guide groove 30B (see fig. 2). In order to achieve such smooth insertion, the same chamfered portions may be provided in the first support shaft 7 and the second support shaft 8, respectively.

The lint filter 9 in the assembled state is supported by the first support shaft 7 in a state rotatable about the first support shaft 7 and liftable along the first support shaft 7, and is supported from the lower side Z2 by the second support shaft 8 as described above. In the lint filter 9, the fin portion 30E is provided on the opposite side of the first support shaft 7 from the intake port 23A, and is accommodated in the accommodating groove 4G (see fig. 7) of the inner peripheral surface 4F of the washing tub 4. The outline of the housing groove 4G follows the locus of rotation of the tip of the fin portion 30E accompanying the rotation of the lint filter 9 in a plan view. When the thread dust filter 9 rotates about the first support shaft 7, the tip of the fin portion 30E contacts with any one of the pair of restricting portions 17 provided at both ends of the housing groove 4G in the circumferential direction P, and therefore the thread dust filter 9 cannot further rotate in the same direction (see fig. 7 and 8). Thus, the rotation range of the lint filter 9 is restricted by the restricting portion 17 so that the fin portion 30E does not separate from the housing groove 4G. The rotation range of the lint filter 9 is, for example, 120 degrees.

The lint filter 9 is shown in a lower limit position in fig. 1. When the lint filter 9 is located at the lower limit position, the lower end 7A of the first support shaft 7 is inserted into the upper portion of the upper guide hole 27A of the lint filter 9, and the upper end 8A of the second support shaft 8 is inserted into the lower guide groove 30B from the lower side Z2. The lint filter 9 at the lower limit position is elastically supported by an elastic member 18 connected to the second support shaft 8. As described above, since the lower guide groove 30B is a long hole (see fig. 5) extending in the circumferential direction around the lower guide hole 30A, the lint filter 9 can rotate around the first support shaft 7 even when it is located at the lower limit position.

When the water level in the washing tub 4 is raised by the supply of water, the entire lint filter 9 is raised together with the water level by the buoyancy generated by the floating plate portion 28 of the lint filter 9. Thus, the first support shaft 7 is deeply inserted into the upper guide hole 27A of the holding member 21 of the lint filter 9, further passes through the internal space 21A of the holding member 21, and is further inserted into the lower guide hole 30A of the holding member 21. Further, as the lint filter 9 is lifted from the lower limit position, the second support shaft 8 is disengaged from the lower guide groove 30B of the holding member 21.

When the maximum amount of water is accumulated in the washing tub 4, the lint filter 9 reaches the upper limit position shown in fig. 6. At this time, since the upper end of the upper guide portion 27 of the holding member 21 of the lint filter 9 contacts the support 16 of the first support shaft 7 from the lower side Z2, the lint filter 9 cannot be further lifted. Further, the lower end 7A of the first support shaft 7 is in a state of protruding to the lower side Z2 from the lower guide hole 30A of the lint filter 9 located at the upper limit position. When the water level in the washing tub 4 is lowered by the drainage, the entire lint filter 9 is lowered together with the water level, and finally reaches the lower limit position (see fig. 1). At this time, the second support shaft 8 on the washing tub 4 side is inserted into the lower guide groove 30B of the lint filter 9 from the lower side Z2.

As described above, the lint filter 9 is lifted and lowered according to the water level in the washing tub 4. The inlet 23A of the holding member 21 of the lint filter 9 is always disposed at the same level as or lower than the water level in the washing tub 4 regardless of the water level in the washing tub 4.

Next, washing performed in the washing machine 1 will be described. Referring to fig. 1, before the washing operation is started, the user opens the door 11, accommodates laundry Q in the washing tub 4 through the doorway 4A, and then closes the door 11. By the subsequent water supply, the water in which the detergent is dissolved is stored as the washing water in the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4. As the water is supplied, the lint filter 9 rises from the lower limit position as described above. When the water level in the washing tub 4 rises to a predetermined level, the water supply is stopped. Then, the pulsator 6 rotates in a state where the washing tub 4 is stationary, thereby generating a current of washing water in the washing tub 4. The laundry Q on the pulsator 6 in the washing tub 4 is agitated by the water flow and the rotating protrusions 6A of the pulsator 6. The laundry Q is washed by being agitated or by decomposing dirt with a detergent contained in the washing water. When the water is drained from the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the pulsator 6 starts rotating, the washing operation is ended. The lint filter 9 descends to the lower limit position with the drain water.

In the rinsing operation after the washing operation, tap water is supplied as rinsing water to a predetermined level in the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4, and then the pulsator 6 is rotated while the washing tub 4 is stationary. Thereby, a flow of rinse water is generated within the washing tub 4. The laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is rinsed by the water flow. When the water is drained from the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the pulsator 6 starts rotating, the rinsing operation is finished.

The spin-drying operation may be performed as final spin-drying after the rinsing operation, but may be performed as intermediate spin-drying immediately after the washing operation. In the dehydration operation, the washing tub 4 is dehydrated and rotated at a high speed. Thereby, the water is oozed out from the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 and discharged from the through holes 4E of the washing tub 4. When the final dehydration is finished, the washing of the washing machine 1 is finished. The user opens the door 11 to take out the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 from the inlet/outlet 4A of the washing tub 4.

In both the washing operation and the rinsing operation, the water flow in the washing tub 4 flows in the same direction as the rotation direction of the pulsator 6 substantially along the circumferential direction P. For example, as shown in fig. 7, when the water flow flows clockwise in a plan view (see white open arrows), the fin portion 30E of the lint filter 9 receives a part of the water flow. Thereby, the entire lint filter 9 rotates clockwise (see black arrow) about the first support shaft 7, and the inlet 23A of the lint filter 9 faces the water flow (see white hollow arrow) from the downstream side. Thus, lint (not shown) that escapes from the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 and flows together with the water flow enters the filter member 22 of the lint filter 9 through the intake port 23A and is collected.

On the other hand, when the water flow in the washing tub 4 flows counterclockwise in a plan view (see white open arrows) as shown in fig. 8 by the reverse rotation of the pulsator 6, the fin portion 30E of the lint filter 9 receives a part of the water flow. Thereby, the entire lint filter 9 rotates counterclockwise (see black arrow) about the first support shaft 7, and the inlet 23A of the lint filter 9 faces the water flow (see white hollow arrow) from the downstream side. Thus, lint (not shown) that escapes from the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 and flows together with the water flow enters the filter member 22 of the lint filter 9 through the intake port 23A and is collected.

As described above, in the washing machine 1, the lint filter 9 supported by the first support shaft 7 is lifted and lowered along the first support shaft 7 by the buoyancy generated by the floating plate portion 28 (see fig. 1 and 6). Accordingly, the lint intake port 23A of the lint filter 9 is always disposed at the water level in the washing tub 4 or at a position lower than the water level, and thus lint contained in the water in the washing tub 4 can be effectively captured. Further, the fin portion 30E receives the water flow in the washing tub 4, and the lint filter 9 rotates about the first support shaft 7 so as to face the water flow in the washing tub 4 with respect to the pickup opening 23A on the opposite side of the fin portion 30E of the first support shaft 7 (see fig. 7 and 8). Thus, the inlet 23A is always disposed at a position where the water flow in the washing tub 4 flows, and therefore, the lint contained in the water flow can be effectively captured. Therefore, even if the water level in the washing tub 4 or the strength of the water flow changes, lint in the washing tub 4 can be effectively collected by the lint filter 9.

Further, the rotation range of the lint filter 9 is restricted by the restricting portion 17 so that the pickup port 23A does not deviate from the position where lint can be effectively captured, and thus lint inside the washing tub 4 can be more effectively captured by the lint filter 9. When the lint filter 9 is located at the lower limit position, the lower guide groove 30B formed in the lint filter 9 and the second support shaft 8 inserted into the lower guide groove 30B may also function as a restricting portion that restricts the rotational range of the lint filter 9 (see fig. 7 and 8).

As described above, when the second support shaft 8 elastically supported by the bottom wall 4C of the washing tub 4 so as to be movable in the vertical direction Z is displaced downward Z2, the space S (see fig. 1 and 6) between the first support shaft 7 and the second support shaft 8 is enlarged in the vertical direction Z. The assembly is as follows: when the second support shaft 8 is returned to the original position on the upper side Z1 after the thread dust filter 9 is disposed in the space S, the thread dust filter 9 is supported by both the first support shaft 7 and the other second support shaft 8 (see fig. 1). Therefore, the assembling property of the lint filter 9 is improved.

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

For example, although washing machine 1 is a vertical dryer in which axis J of washing tub 4 extends vertically in vertical direction Z, washing machine 1 may include a structure in which axis J is disposed slightly inclined with respect to vertical direction Z. The first support shaft 7 may extend in the vertical direction as described above, or may extend slightly obliquely. In the case where the first support shaft 7 is disposed obliquely, the lint filter 9 can be lifted and lowered while being tilted with respect to the vertical direction.

Furthermore, the lint filter 9, which rotates about the first support shaft 7, may have a waiting position in the rotational direction. For example, the position of the lint filter 9 when the intake port 23A is directed to the radially inner side R1 is an example of the waiting position. Further, a biasing member (not shown) may be provided in the washing tub 4 and the lint filter 9, and the biasing member may rotate the lint filter 9 to the waiting position as the water flow in the washing tub 4 is weakened.

Claims

1. A washing machine, characterized by comprising:

a washing tub for receiving the laundry and storing water;

a support shaft provided in the washing tub and extending in an up-down direction; and

a lint filter supported by the support shaft in a rotatable manner about the support shaft and in a vertically movable manner along the support shaft, for trapping lint in the washing tub, the lint filter including: a lint intake; a fin portion provided on the opposite side of the support shaft from the intake port, and receiving a water flow in the washing tub to rotate the lint filter; and a floating plate portion that generates buoyancy;

the washing barrel is in a cylindrical shape with a bottom;

an accommodating groove which is concavely curved towards the radial outer side of the washing barrel and extends along the vertical direction is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the washing barrel;

the supporting shaft is arranged on the inlet side of the accommodating groove;

the upper end of the supporting shaft is arranged at the upper end part of the washing barrel;

the lint filter includes a holding member and a filter member;

the camera port is provided at a front panel of the holding member, and the floating panel portion is provided on the holding member;

the fin portion is a thin plate, and the fin portion constitutes an end portion on the outer side in the radial direction of the holding member;

a filter member formed in a bag shape and fixed to a holding member, the filter member being disposed in an internal space of the holding member, an opening of the filter member being exposed from the pickup port;

the thread scraps filter is lifted along with the change of the water level in the washing barrel;

the fin part can receive water flow in the washing barrel so as to enable the lint filter to rotate around the supporting shaft in a mode that the pickup opening faces the water flow in the washing barrel.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1,

the thread dust filter further comprises a limiting part which limits the rotation range of the thread dust filter so that the fin part does not leave the containing groove.

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

the lower end of the support shaft is configured to be away from the bottom wall of the washing tub to the upper side,

the washing machine further includes another support shaft elastically supported by the bottom wall in a movable manner in an up-down direction and supporting the thread dust filter from a lower side when the thread dust filter moves to a lower end.