CN113235260A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The washing machine includes: a housing (2); an outer tub (1) elastically supported in the housing; a washing tank (4) rotatably provided in the outer tank; a water supply passage (19) for circulating the washing water in the outer tank; and a circulation pump (20) for circulating the washing water in the water supply passage. The washing machine further comprises a centrifugal separation part (21) which is provided in the water supply passage and is used for centrifugally separating foreign matters contained in the washing water flowing in the water supply passage. The centrifugal separation part is provided with a shell (21a) and a rotating drum (21b), wherein the shell forms a contour, the rotating drum is hollow and rotates in the shell, and a rotating drum inlet (21e) and a rotating drum outlet (21f) are formed on the rotating drum for enabling the washing water circulated by the circulating pump to flow through the rotating drum. In addition, the direction of the washing water flowing through the rotary drum is consistent with the direction of the rotary shaft of the rotary drum.

Description

Washing machine

The application is a divisional application of application with the application date of 2017.11.2, the application number of 201780068647.X (PCT/JP2017/039709) and the invention name of 'washing machine'.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine for washing textile products such as clothes.

Background

In a conventional washing machine, it is considered to separate impurities such as dirt and lint, which have been separated from laundry during washing, from the washing water to purify the washing water and prevent the impurities from adhering to the laundry again (see, for example, patent documents 1 and 2).

Fig. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional washing machine disclosed in patent document 1. As shown in FIG. 14, a cyclone type separator 54 is provided in a bath water supply path composed of a 1 st water supply pipe 51, a 2 nd water supply pipe 52, and a 3 rd water supply pipe 53. When the bath water supply pump 55 is driven during washing, water in the drum 56 is introduced into the cyclone 54 through the connection pipe 57, and impurities such as dirt and lint removed from the laundry are removed by the cyclone 54. The water from which the foreign substances are removed is returned to the drum 56 through the 2 nd water supply pipe 52 and the 1 st water supply pipe 51.

When the bath water is pumped up through the 3 rd water supply pipe 53, the bath water supply pump 55 is also driven. The drawn bath water is introduced into the cyclone type separator 54, and the foreign substances are removed therefrom, and then supplied into the drum 56 through the 2 nd water supply pipe 52 and the 1 st water supply pipe 51.

In patent document 2, it is considered that in a so-called vertical washing machine in which a rotation axis of a washing tank is set in a vertical direction, lint and solid matter mixed in washing water are separated by a cyclone lint separator.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2005-152212

Patent document 2: japanese laid-open patent application No. 2001 and 70694

Disclosure of Invention

However, in the conventional structure, it is difficult to reliably separate foreign matters from the washing water and to prevent the separated foreign matters from being mixed into the circulating washing water again. Further, it is difficult to prevent the separated foreign matters from remaining in the inside of the hydro cyclone and from being mixed into the circulating washing water again.

Generally, the dirt adhering to the laundry is sludge, sebum, mud, and food drops of the human body, and these different kinds of dirt are separated from the laundry and mixed in the washing water. That is, the foreign matter separated from the washing water includes substances having a specific gravity lower than that of water, such as sebum separated from the washing, and fine substances. Therefore, it is difficult to separate these substances using a hydrocyclone. Further, it is difficult to prevent the separated foreign matters from remaining in the inside of the hydro cyclone and from being mixed into the circulating washing water again.

In addition, in the separation of foreign matters by the hydrocyclone, it is generally necessary to discard the separated foreign matters during operation. At this time, a part of the liquid to be treated is also discharged at the same time, resulting in a decrease in the washing water during the washing. Therefore, in order to appropriately maintain the amount of washing water supplied in accordance with the amount of laundry at the start of operation, water needs to be replenished during washing, and the amount of water used during washing also increases.

The invention provides a washing machine, which can separate dirt substances from washing water dirtied by washing to purify the washing water, and inhibit the separated dirt substances from adhering to the washing again to improve the cleaning effect.

The washing machine of the present invention comprises: a housing; an outer tub elastically supported in the housing; a washing tank rotatably provided in the outer tank; a motor for driving the washing tank to rotate; and a water supply passage for circulating the washing water in the outer tub. In addition, the washing machine of the present invention includes: a circulation pump provided in the water supply passage and circulating the washing water; and a centrifugal separation part which is arranged on the water supply passage and is used for centrifugally separating foreign matters contained in the washing water flowing in the water supply passage. The centrifugal separation section has a shell forming a contour, and a rotary drum which is hollow, is provided inside the shell, is rotatable, and has a shell inlet and a shell outlet which are connected to the water supply passage. The rotary drum is provided with a rotary drum inlet and a rotary drum outlet for allowing the washing water to flow through the rotary drum, and the direction of the washing water flowing through the rotary drum coincides with the direction of the rotary shaft of the rotary drum.

With this structure, the washing water flows through the rotary tub while revolving around the rotary shaft. When the washing water flows through the rotary drum, substances having a specific gravity higher than that of the washing water contained in the washing water are moved toward the inner circumferential surface of the rotary drum by centrifugal force. Therefore, among the dirt contained in the washing water, substances such as sand, lint, hair, and keratin dirt that are heavier than water in specific gravity, and substances such as oil and fat components represented by sebum that are lighter than water but adhere to substances such as lint that are heavier than water in specific gravity are separated from the washing water. In addition, since the washing water filled in the portion of the rotary drum that is outside the through flow and inside the inner circumferential surface of the rotary drum is occupied by the through flow, and the washing water is always subjected to a centrifugal force toward the inner circumferential surface of the rotary drum, the washing water and the washing water in the through flow portion are hardly mixed. Therefore, the dirt substances that have been once moved toward the inner peripheral surface of the rotary drum by the centrifugal force are prevented from returning to the through-flow due to the mixing of the washing water, and the washing water is purified by the centrifugal separation section as it circulates through the water feed passage. Therefore, the washing machine including the centrifugal separation part of the present invention can prevent the separated dirt from adhering to the laundry again, thereby improving the washing effect.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a centrifugal separation part of the washing machine according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a centrifugal separation part of the washing machine according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view 4-4 of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a block configuration diagram of a washing machine according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a centrifugal separation part of the washing machine according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a centrifugal separation part of the washing machine according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view 8-8 of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of a centrifugal separation part of the washing machine according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a main part block configuration diagram of a washing machine of embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of a centrifugal separation part of the washing machine according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional washing machine.

Description of the reference numerals

1. An outer tank; 2. a housing; 4. a washing tank; 10. an electric motor; 13b, a water supply path; 17. 17b, 17c, a drain passage; 19. a water supply passage; 20. a circulation pump; 21. 31, 121, 221, a centrifugal separation part; 21a, 31a, 121a, 221a, shell; 21b, 31b, 121b, 221b, a rotary cylinder; 21c, 31c, 121c, 221c, a rotary drum motor (drive unit); 21d, 31d, 121d, 221d, inner peripheral surface; 21e, 31e, 121e, 221e, spin basket inlet; 21f, 31f, 121f, 221f, spin basket outlet; 21g, 31g, 121g, 221g, shell inlet; 21h, 31h, 121h, 221h and a shell outlet; 21i, 31i, 121i, 221i, a drum rotation shaft; 31j, a drive rotation shaft; 31k, a protrusion; 32. a speed change unit; 229. a water storage tank.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment does not limit the present invention.

(embodiment 1)

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 1, a bottomed cylindrical outer tub 1 is elastically supported by a plurality of suspension mechanisms 3 inside a casing 2 constituting an outer frame of the washing machine. Washing tub 4 having a bottomed cylindrical shape is provided in outer tub 1. An opening 6 for a user to take out or put in laundry 5 such as clothes is provided on the front surface side (left side in fig. 1) of washing tub 4. An opening 1a for a user to take out or put in laundry 5 such as clothes is also provided on the front surface side of the outer tub 1.

The washing tub 4 is provided to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 7. A plurality of (e.g., 3) baffles 8 protruding inward are provided on the peripheral wall surface 4a of the washing tub 4. Further, a plurality of small holes 9 are provided in the peripheral wall surface, and the inside and outside of the washing tub 4 communicate with each other through the small holes 9 in the outer tub 1. Outer tub 1, washing tub 4, and rotary shaft 7 are inclined forward and backward at an angle θ (for example, 20 °) with respect to the horizontal.

The washing tub 4 is configured to be rotatable in the forward and reverse directions by a motor 10 provided at the rear portion of the outer tub 1. The motor 10 is, for example, a brushless dc motor, and can freely change the rotation speed by inverter control of a control unit 22 described later.

Opening 1a of outer tub 1 and opening 2a of casing 2 are formed to face opening 6 of washing tub 4. The opening 1a of the outer tub 1 and the opening 2a of the casing 2 are connected to each other by a bellows-shaped seal 12 which can be expanded and contracted, thereby securing an airtight structure. A door 11 for opening and closing the opening 2a is provided on the front surface of the housing 2.

A water supply port 13 for supplying washing water is provided at an upper portion of the rear surface of the case 2. The water supply port 13 is connected to a tap 13a of a tap water pipe. The water supply port 13 is connected to one end of the water supply path 13 b. The other end of the water supply path 13b is coupled to the detergent box 15. The water supply path 13b is provided with a water supply valve 14. The water supply valve 14 is opened and closed by the control unit 22 to supply water and stop the supply of water. The detergent input portion 15a of the detergent box 15 is configured to be able to be drawn out from the detergent box 15 toward the front side as indicated by an arrow a. The user can easily put the detergent into the detergent box 15 by putting the detergent into the detergent putting portion 15a drawn out to the front side and pushing the detergent putting portion 15a into the detergent box 15.

The washing water supplied from the water supply port 13 flows into the detergent box 15 through the water supply path 13B as indicated by an arrow B. Then, the washing water flows into the outer tub 1 while dissolving the detergent put into the detergent box 15.

A control unit 22 is provided at a lower portion in the housing 2.

A drain port 16 for draining the washing water is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 1. The drain passage 17 is connected to the drain port 16. A drain valve 18 is provided in the drain passage 17. The drain valve 18 is driven to open and close by the controller 22, and stores the washing water in the outer tub 1 or discharges the washing water from the outer tub 1.

One end of the water supply passage 19 is connected to the drain passage 17, and the other end is connected to the lower portion of the front surface of the outer tub 1, thereby forming a circulation path. The water supply passage 19 is provided with a centrifugal separation part 21 and a circulation pump 20 for circulating the washing water in the outer tub 1. Centrifugal separation unit 21 is provided downstream of circulation pump 20.

The washing water in the outer tub 1 is circulated by the circulation pump 20 from the drain passage 17 through the water supply passage 19 as indicated by arrow C, and passes through the centrifugal separation section 21. The washing water flowing through the water supply passage 19 is configured to flow at a flow rate of, for example, about 2 to 3 m/s. The flow rate can be set according to the capacity of the circulation pump 20. When the washing water passes through the centrifugal separation unit 21, foreign substances contained in the washing water are separated. The foreign matter includes dirt and lint separated from the laundry 5, and a water softener contained in a detergent dissolved in the washing water.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the centrifugal separation part of the washing machine according to the present embodiment. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the centrifugal separation part of the washing machine according to the present embodiment. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view 4-4 of fig. 3.

The centrifugal separation section 21 includes a casing 21a, a spin basket 21b, and a spin basket motor 21c, the casing 21a being provided in the water supply passage 19 and through which the washing water passes, the spin basket 21b being hollow and rotatably provided in the casing 21a, and the spin basket motor 21c being a driving section for rotating the spin basket 21 b.

The shell 21a constitutes the outline of the centrifugal separation section. A casing inlet 21g connected to the water supply passage 19 is formed in the lower peripheral surface of the casing 21 a. A casing outlet 21h connected to the water supply passage 19 is formed in the upper surface of the casing 21a in fig. 2. The washing water circulated in the water supply passage 19 by the circulation pump 20 flows into the casing 21a from the casing inlet 21g and flows out to the water supply passage 19 from the casing outlet 21 h.

A hollow cylindrical rotary drum 21b is provided inside the casing 21 a. The rotary cylinder 21b is configured to be rotatable. In fig. 2, a rotary tub inlet 21e through which the washing water circulated by circulation pump 20 flows into rotary tub 21b is formed in the lower end surface of rotary tub 21 b. The rotary drum inlet 21e has a plurality of (e.g., 4) slit-shaped holes formed outside the rotary shaft of the rotary drum 21 b. A spin basket outlet 21f through which the washing water flows out from the inside of the spin basket 21b is formed near the rotation axis on the upper end surface of the spin basket 21 b. The rotary drum outlet 21f of the rotary drum 21b is provided in accordance with the opening position of the water supply passage 19. The water supply passage 19, the rotary drum inlet 21e, and the rotary drum outlet 21f are formed to have substantially the same opening area.

In the present embodiment, the spin basket inlet 21e is provided below the spin basket outlet 21f, and the washing water passing through the centrifugal separation unit 21 flows upward from below as indicated by an arrow C in fig. 2.

The rotary drum motor 21c is provided at the outer bottom of the casing 21 a. The rotary drum motor 21c and the rotary drum 21b are coupled by a drum rotation shaft 21 i. Control unit 22 rotates rotary tub 21b in accordance with the circulation of the washing water by circulation pump 20 through water supply passage 19. The rotation speed of the rotary drum 21b is, for example, 2000rpm to 4000 rpm.

In fig. 3, the diameter D1 of the rotary drum 21b around the rotation axis is larger than the maximum diameter D2 of the rotary drum inlet 21e and the rotary drum outlet 21 f. With such a configuration, the centrifugal force of the washing water acting on the rotating rotary drum 21b increases as the washing water moves from the inner circumferential surface 21d facing outward from the rotation axis. The gap between the outer surface of the rotary drum 21b and the inner surface of the housing 21a is configured to be as narrow as possible so as to reduce the flow of the washing water within a range where the rotation of the rotary drum 21b is not hindered.

Fig. 5 is a block configuration diagram of the washing machine of the present embodiment.

The output of a cloth amount detection unit 23 for detecting the amount of laundry 5 put into washing tub 4, the output of a water amount detection unit 24 for detecting the amount of washing water supplied into outer tub 1, and the output of a rotation detection unit 25 for detecting the rotational driving of washing tub 4 are input to control unit 22. The control unit 22 controls the driving of the motor 10, the water supply valve 14, the drain valve 18, the circulation pump 20, and a spin basket motor 21c described later based on a washing program set by the user using the operation display unit 26, and executes a washing operation. The washing operation includes steps of washing, rinsing, and dewatering. Further, the operation setting set by the user is displayed on the operation display unit 26.

The operation and action of the washing machine configured as described above will be described below.

In the washing operation, the washing step is a step of supplying washing water in which a detergent is dissolved into outer tub 1, and beating the washing water while rotating washing tub 4 to remove dirt from laundry 5. The washing step is followed by a rinsing step, for example, each of the 1 st intermediate dehydration, the 1 st rinsing, the 2 nd intermediate dehydration, and the 2 nd rinsing is performed. And, finally, a dehydration process is performed.

First, the user opens the door 11 provided on the front surface of the housing 2 and puts the laundry 5 into the washing tub 4 through the opening 6. Next, a power switch (not shown) of the operation display unit 26 provided on the upper portion of the front surface of the casing 2 is turned on, and a start switch (not shown) is operated to start the washing operation.

When the washing operation is started, controller 22 first detects the amount of laundry 5 put into washing tub 4 by fabric amount detector 23. The amount of laundry 5 is detected based on the amount of torque acting on motor 10, the current value of motor 10, and the like when washing tub 4 is rotated at a low speed.

The control unit 22 sets the time of each step of washing, rinsing, and dewatering and the amount of washing water based on the detected amount of the laundry 5. Then, the operation display unit 26 displays the amount of the detergent preset according to the amount of the laundry 5. The user pulls out the detergent input portion 15a from the detergent box 15, and inputs detergent according to the reference value of the amount of detergent displayed on the operation display portion 26, and then moves the detergent input portion 15a into the detergent box 15.

Control unit 22 estimates that the detergent input is completed, and opens water supply valve 14. When the water supply valve 14 is opened, the washing water flows into the detergent box 15 from the water supply port 13, and is supplied to the outer tub 1 while dissolving the introduced detergent as indicated by arrow B. The washing water retained at the bottom of the outer tub 1 flows into the washing tub 4 through the small hole 9. The amount of washing water remaining in the outer tub 1 is detected by the water amount detector 24. When a predetermined amount of washing water preset according to the amount of laundry 5 is supplied, control unit 22 closes water supply valve 14.

When the water supply is completed, controller 22 drives motor 10 to rotate washing tub 4, and lifts laundry 5 in washing tub 4 in the rotation direction by damper 8 to fall from above. As a result, laundry 5 in washing tub 4 hits the bottom surface of washing tub 4 strongly or laundry 5 retained at the bottom of washing tub 4 strongly. As such, the mechanical force is utilized to perform the beat washing together with the chemical force generated by the detergent. The rotation speed of washing tub 4 for beating and washing laundry 5 is, for example, 45rpm, and washing tub 4 is driven to rotate forward and backward so as to be reversed every predetermined time.

At the start of the washing process, controller 22 drives circulation pump 20 to circulate the washing water in outer tub 1 through water supply passage 19. Further, the control unit 22 drives the rotary drum motor 21c to rotate the rotary drum 21 b. Thus, in the washing step, the washing water in the outer tub 1 is circulated, and foreign matter having a specific gravity higher than that of the water contained in the washing water can be separated.

When the washing step is performed for a predetermined time, controller 22 stops the operation of circulation pump 20, and thereafter stops the operation of drum motor 21 c. Then, the controller 22 opens the drain valve 18 to discharge the washing water in the outer tub 1 to the outside of the machine. After completion of the draining, the rinsing step is performed, and the 1 st rinsing is performed following the 1 st intermediate dewatering. In the rinsing step, a predetermined amount of washing water is supplied into outer tub 1, and washing tub 4 is rotated to rinse laundry 5, as in the washing step.

In the final dehydration step, after the drain valve 18 is opened to discharge the washing water in the outer tub 1 to the outside of the washing machine, the washing tub 4 containing the laundry 5 is rotated at a high speed by the motor 10 to dehydrate the laundry 5. When the dehydration step is completed, the control unit 22 ends the washing operation.

Next, the operation of purifying the washing water in the centrifugal separation section 21 will be described.

In the washing step, the washing water contains various foreign matters such as dirt. For example, the dirt substances include substances having a specific gravity higher than that of water, such as sand, lint, hair, and keratin dirt, and substances having a specific gravity higher than that of water, such as lint, which are lighter than water, such as oil and fat components represented by sebum.

In the washing step, controller 22 drives circulation pump 20. When circulation pump 20 is driven, the washing water containing the dirt in outer tub 1 passes through water supply passage 19 and reaches centrifugal separation unit 21.

The washing water having reached the centrifugal separation section 21 flows into the spin basket 21b from the spin basket inlet 21e and flows out from the spin basket outlet 21 f. At this time, since the control unit 22 drives the rotary tub motor 21c to rotate the rotary tub 21b, the washing water flows through the rotary tub 21b while swirling. Since the opening area of the spin basket inlet 21e is narrower than that of the spin basket 21b, the flow rate of the washing water decreases when the washing water flowing through flows into the spin basket 21b from the spin basket inlet 21 e. Since the washing water in the rotary drum 21b is whirled by the rotation of the rotary drum 21b, foreign substances having a high specific gravity contained in the washing water are moved toward the inner circumferential surface 21d of the rotary drum 21b by the centrifugal force. In this way, the washing water having passed through the centrifugal separation section 21 is in a state in which foreign matter such as dirt is separated therefrom.

In addition, the washing water passes through the spin basket 21b of the centrifugal separation unit 21 from below to above while swirling. At this time, bubbles generated in the washing water by the detergent and bubbles generated by the air sucked by the circulation pump 20 (japanese: エア and wall み) may enter the rotary tub 21 b. Even in such a case, first, the bubbles lighter than water are concentrated toward the center of the rotary drum 21b by the swirling flow, and further, the action of upward floating is intended to be coordinated with the flow of the washing water from the bottom to the top, so that the bubbles are easily discharged from the rotary drum outlet 21f to the outside of the rotary drum 21 b. This prevents imbalance in the distribution of water and air bubbles in the rotary drum 21b, which is caused by the air bubbles lighter than water staying in the rotary drum 21b, and minimizes fluctuation in torque required to rotate the rotary drum 21 b. In addition, the variation of the rotation speed of the rotary drum 21b due to the torque variation can be prevented. Since the rotational vibration of the rotary drum 21b due to the unbalance can be prevented, the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the housing 21a and the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 21b can be narrowed. This makes it possible to limit the empty space in the housing 2, and to form the rotary cylinder 21b larger while also limiting the size of the case 21 a. Further, the turbulence of the water flow in the rotary drum 21b caused by the retention of the air bubbles lighter than water in the rotary drum 21b disappears. This prevents the foreign matter, which is temporarily separated and held, from returning to the washing water due to the turbulence of the water flow of the washing water.

Therefore, the centrifugal separation section 21 can hold the foreign matters on the inner peripheral surface 21d of the rotary drum 21b during the centrifugal separation, and can prevent the foreign matters separated from the washing water by the centrifugal force from returning to the washing water flowing through the rotary drum 21b once. In addition, the bad phenomena such as the washing 5 is polluted again by the dirt substance are prevented, and the cleaning force of the washing machine is improved.

The washing water from which the foreign matters have been removed by the centrifugal separation unit 21 flows into the outer tub 1 through the water supply passage 19, and is further circulated between the centrifugal separation unit 21 and the outer tub 1, whereby purification is performed.

The foreign matter collected on the inner peripheral surface 21d is caught by the flow of the washing water flowing in the reverse direction to the circulation in the water supply passage 19 during the drainage and is discharged to the outside of the machine through the opened drain valve 18. This eliminates the need for a structure in which a part of the purified washing water is discarded during the centrifugal separation.

In addition, the separation of foreign matter contained in the washing water can be performed not only in the washing step but also in the rinsing step. In the rinsing step, foreign matter separated from the laundry 5 into the washing water is separated by the centrifugal separation unit 21, whereby the rinsing effect can be improved. In rinsing, zeolite having a specific gravity heavier than that of water in a cleaning assistant contained in a detergent can be removed to improve rinsing performance.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the washing machine includes: a housing 2; an outer tub 1 elastically supported in a housing 2; a washing tank 4 rotatably provided in the outer tank 1; a motor 10 for driving the washing tub 4 to rotate; and a water supply passage 19 for circulating the washing water in the outer tub 1. In addition, the washing machine includes: a circulation pump 20 for circulating the washing water in the water supply passage 19; and a centrifugal separation unit 21 provided in the water supply passage 19 and configured to centrifugally separate foreign matter contained in the washing water flowing through the water supply passage 19. The centrifugal separation part 21 includes a casing 21a and a rotary drum 21b, the casing 21a is configured to have a contour, the rotary drum 21b is hollow and is rotatably provided inside the casing 21a, and the casing 21a is formed with a casing inlet 21g and a casing outlet 21h which are connected to the water supply passage 19 and through which the washing water flows inside the casing 21 a. Further, a spin basket inlet 21e and a spin basket outlet 21f for allowing the washing water circulated by circulation pump 20 to flow through spin basket 21 are formed in spin basket 21b, and the direction of the flow of the washing water through spin basket 21b coincides with the direction of the rotation axis of spin basket 21 b.

With this configuration, the washing water flows through the rotary cylinder 21b while swirling around the rotary shaft. When the washing water flows through the rotary drum 21b, substances having a specific gravity higher than that of the washing water contained in the washing water move toward the inner circumferential surface 21d of the rotary drum 21b by centrifugal force. Therefore, among the dirt contained in the washing water, substances such as sand, lint, hair, and keratin dirt having a specific gravity higher than that of water, and substances such as oil and fat components represented by sebum that are lighter than water but adhere to substances having a specific gravity higher than that of water, such as lint, are separated from the washing water, and the dirt substances specific to the laundry 5 contained in the washing water are removed.

Further, the washing water filled in the portion outside the through flow and inside the inner peripheral surface 21d of the spin basket 21b in the spin basket 21b is almost not mixed with the washing water in the through flow portion because the spin basket inlet 21e and the spin basket outlet 21f of the spin basket 21b are occupied by the through flow and the washing water is always subjected to the centrifugal force toward the inner peripheral surface 21d of the through flow portion. Therefore, the dirt temporarily moved toward the inner peripheral surface 21d of the rotary drum 21b by the centrifugal force is prevented from returning to the through-flow by the mixing of the washing water, and the washing water is purified by the centrifugal separation section 21 as it circulates through the water supply passage 19. Therefore, the washing machine including the centrifugal separation part 21 according to the present invention can prevent the separated dirt from adhering to the laundry 5 again, thereby improving the washing effect.

The centrifugal separation unit 21 is configured to hold foreign matter centrifugally separated on the inner circumferential surface 21d of the rotary drum 21b during centrifugal separation. With this configuration, foreign matters temporarily separated from the washing water by the centrifugal force can be prevented from returning to the washing water flowing through the rotary drum 21 b.

The centrifugal separation unit 21 is configured such that a diameter D1 of the rotary drum 21b rotated by the rotary drum motor 21c of the drive unit about the rotation axis is larger than a maximum diameter D2 of the rotary drum inlet 21e and the rotary drum outlet 21f of the rotary drum 21 b. With this configuration, the centrifugal force increases as the inner circumferential surface 21d of the spin basket 21b moves outward from the rotation axis. As a result, the dirt is held on the inner circumferential surface 21d by the stronger centrifugal force as the dirt approaches the inner circumferential surface 21d from the washing water flowing through the rotary drum 21b by the centrifugal force. Thus, centrifugal separator 21 can prevent the separated dirt from returning to the washing water flowing through rotary drum 21b and causing the dirt to adhere to laundry 5 again.

The centrifugal separation part 21 is configured to allow the washing water to flow upward from below inside. With this configuration, even when bubbles generated by the detergent in the washing water or bubbles generated by the air entrained by the circulation pump 20 enter the rotary drum 21b, the bubbles are easily discharged from the rotary drum outlet 21f to the outside of the rotary drum 21 b. This prevents imbalance in the distribution of water and air bubbles in the rotary drum 21b, which is caused by the air bubbles lighter than water staying in the rotary drum 21b, and minimizes fluctuation in torque required to rotate the rotary drum 21 b. In addition, the variation of the rotation speed of the rotary drum 21b due to the torque variation can be prevented. In addition, since the rotational vibration due to the unbalance can be prevented, the rotary cylinder 21b can be configured to be larger.

Further, control unit 22 is configured to rotate rotary drum 21b after the operation of circulation pump 20 is stopped. This prevents the foreign matter adhering to the inner circumferential surface of the rotary drum 21b from floating in the rotary drum 21b due to a decrease in the rotation speed of the rotary drum 21b, flowing from the casing outlet 21h through the water supply passage 19, and being discharged into the washing tub 4. In addition, this structure also has the following operational effects. For example, since the dirt which has been washed off from the laundry 5 by washing and has appeared in the washing water is not returned after being separated from the washing water once, the surfactant of the detergent can be prevented from acting on the separated dirt again and being consumed, and the detergent can be used efficiently to improve the cleaning power.

Furthermore, since the dirt can be prevented from adhering to the laundry 5 again, the washing water can be circulated through the washing tub 4 and the centrifugal separation portion 21 in the washing step, and a higher washing water purification effect can be obtained as compared with the case where the washing water is passed through the centrifugal separation portion 21 in a single pass.

In addition, it is not necessary to discard a portion of the purified water during centrifugation as in a typical hydrocyclone. Therefore, the washing water containing the detergent is not discarded during the washing operation, and the trouble of replenishing the washing water is eliminated. Thus, the detergent concentration is not reduced, the water consumption is not increased, the water saving performance is improved, and the washing water can be cleaned while being purified. Further, since the removal capacity can be improved by centrifugal force unlike a hydraulic cyclone, which depends on the inflow speed, a large-sized circulation pump is not required.

(embodiment 2)

Next, a washing machine according to embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.

However, since the entire configuration of the washing machine is the same as that of the washing machine of embodiment 1 of the present invention shown in fig. 1, the same reference numerals as those in fig. 1 are assigned to the respective components, and the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the centrifugal separation part of the washing machine of the present embodiment.

Since the structure of the centrifugal separation section is the same as that of embodiment 1, the same components will be described with the same reference numerals. Other configurations are the same as those of embodiment 1, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations, and the detailed description refers to the description of embodiment 1.

The centrifugal separation section 21 includes a casing 21a, a spin basket 21b, and a spin basket motor 21c, the casing 21a being provided in the water supply passage 19 and through which the washing water passes, the spin basket 21b being hollow and rotatably provided in the casing 21a, and the spin basket motor 21c being a driving section for rotating the spin basket 21 b. The spin basket 21b is formed with a spin basket inlet 21e and a spin basket outlet 21f so as to pass through the washing water circulated by the circulation pump 20 inside the spin basket 21 b. A casing inlet 21g connected to the water supply passage 19 is formed in the lower peripheral surface of the casing 21 a. The rotary tub motor 21c is coupled to the rotary tub 21b by a tub rotation shaft 21i, and rotates the rotary tub 21b in accordance with the circulation of the washing water in the water supply passage 19 by the circulation pump 20. The rotary drum motor 21c is set to rotate the rotary drum 21b at a high speed of, for example, about 4000 r/min. By rotating the rotary tub 21b, the washing water introduced into the rotary tub 21b is swirled in the rotary tub 21b, and a high-speed swirling flow is generated.

The washing water introduced into the centrifugal separation section 21 is swirled by the rotation of the rotary drum 21b and receives a centrifugal separation force while flowing into the rotary drum 21b from the rotary drum inlet 21e and flowing out from the rotary drum outlet 21 f. In this way, foreign matter such as dirt contained in the washing water flowing through the inside of the rotary drum 21b is moved toward the inner circumferential surface 21d of the rotary drum 21b by centrifugal force. In the present embodiment, the spin basket inlet 21e is provided below the spin basket outlet 21f, and the washing water passing through the centrifugal separation unit 21 flows upward from below.

In the present embodiment, when the flow velocity in the rotation axis direction of the washing water flowing through the inside of the rotary drum 21b of the centrifugal separation part 21 is V1 and the flow velocity in the swirling direction in which the washing water swirls in the rotary drum 21b is V2, the flow velocity V2 becomes a velocity higher than the flow velocity V1 (V2> V1) when the washing water circulates in the water supply passage 19. Specifically, the flow rate is defined in the following manner. For example, the flow velocity V1 is a flow velocity obtained by dividing the volume flow rate per unit time of the washing water flowing through the inside of the spin basket 21b of the centrifugal separation part 21 by the opening area of the spin basket inlet 21e or the spin basket outlet 21f, and is a larger flow velocity. The flow velocity V2 is a flow velocity in the swirling direction in the vicinity of the inner peripheral surface 21d of the rotary cylinder 21 b. The flow velocity V2 may be replaced by the velocity of the inner circumferential surface 21 d.

A plurality of (e.g., 4) slit-shaped holes are provided on the outer side of the drum rotation shaft 21i to form a rotation drum inlet 21e provided at the center of the lower end surface of the rotation drum 21 b. The rotary drum outlet 21f provided at the center of the upper end surface of the rotary drum 21b is provided corresponding to the casing outlet 21h of the water supply passage 19. The water supply passage 19 is formed to have substantially the same opening area as the rotary drum inlet 21e and the rotary drum outlet 21 f. The spin basket inlet 21e, the spin basket outlet 21f, and the casing outlet 21h are configured to communicate linearly with each other with their centers aligned.

The operation and action of the washing machine configured as described above are the same as those of embodiment 1, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of purifying the washing water in the centrifugal separation section 21 will be described.

In the washing step, the washing water contains various foreign matters such as dirt. For example, the dirt substances include substances having a specific gravity higher than that of water, such as sand, lint, hair, and keratin dirt, and substances having a specific gravity higher than that of water, such as lint, which are lighter than water, such as oil and fat components represented by sebum.

In the washing step, controller 22 drives circulation pump 20 to circulate the washing water containing the dirt in outer tub 1 to centrifugal separator 21. When circulation pump 20 is driven, the washing water in outer tub 1 passes through water supply passage 19 and reaches centrifugal separation unit 21. The flow velocity V1 of the washing water in the rotation axis direction of the through-flow inside the rotary drum 21b of the centrifugal separation part 21 is, for example, about 2 to 3 m/s. As described above, the flow velocity V1 is a flow velocity obtained by dividing the volume flow rate per unit time of the washing water passing through the centrifugal separation unit 21 by the opening area of the spin basket inlet 21e or the spin basket outlet 21 f.

At this time, the rotary drum motor 21c of the centrifugal separation section 21 rotates the rotary drum 21 b. The rotary drum 21b is rotated at a speed of about 4000r/min, for example. Therefore, the washing water flowing into the spin basket 21b becomes a high-speed swirling flow in the spin basket 21 b. The flow velocity V2 in the swirling direction in the vicinity of the inner peripheral surface 21d of the rotary drum 21b is, for example, about 16 to 17m/s, and is in a relationship of V2> V1, with respect to the swirling flow swirling in the rotary drum 21 b. Since the swirling flow is pulled by the rotation of the rotary cylinder 21b, the inner circumferential surface 21d rotates at a speed slightly higher than the flow speed of the swirling flow.

Thus, the washing water flows in from the rotary drum inlet 21e, flows through the rotary drum outlet 21f while revolving in the rotary drum 21b, and flows out from the rotary drum outlet 21 f. At this time, the foreign matter having a heavier specific gravity than the washing water contained in the washing water moves toward the inner peripheral surface 21d of the rotary drum 21b by a strong centrifugal force generated by the high-speed swirling flow of the flow velocity V2. In this way, the dirt is separated and removed from the washing water circulating through the water supply passage 19.

On the other hand, the washing water filled in the inner circumferential surface 21d side of the rotary drum 21b with respect to the washing water flowing along the rotary shaft at the flow velocity V1 near the center of the rotary drum 21b becomes a high-speed swirling flow of the flow velocity V2, and a strong centrifugal force is applied thereto. Since the spin basket inlet 21e and the spin basket outlet 21f are occupied by the circulating washing water, the dirt separated from the washing water and moved toward the inner peripheral surface 21d of the spin basket 21b is hardly mixed with the washing water flowing through the inside of the spin basket 21b and is not returned by being drawn into the circulating flow, and the washing water is purified by the centrifugal separation section 21 as circulating in the water supply passage 19.

Therefore, the centrifugal separation section 21 can hold the foreign matters on the inner peripheral surface 21d of the rotary drum 21b during the centrifugal separation, and can prevent the foreign matters separated from the washing water by the centrifugal force from returning to the washing water flowing through the rotary drum 21 b. This prevents the undesirable phenomenon that the dirt adheres to the laundry 5 again, and improves the cleaning power of the washing machine.

In addition, the washing water passes through the spin basket 21b of the centrifugal separation unit 21 from below to above while swirling. At this time, bubbles generated by the detergent in the washing water and bubbles generated by the air sucked by the circulation pump 20 may enter the rotary drum 21 b. Even in such a case, first, the bubbles lighter than water are concentrated toward the center of the rotary drum 21b by the swirling flow, and further, the action of upward floating is intended to be coordinated with the flow of the washing water from the bottom to the top, so that the bubbles are easily discharged from the rotary drum outlet 21f to the outside of the rotary drum 21 b. This prevents imbalance in the distribution of water and air bubbles in the rotary drum 21b, which is caused by the air bubbles lighter than water staying in the rotary drum 21b, and minimizes fluctuation in torque required to rotate the rotary drum 21 b. In addition, the variation of the rotation speed of the rotary drum 21b due to the torque variation can be prevented. Since the rotational vibration due to the unbalance can be prevented, the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the housing 21a and the outer peripheral surface of the rotary cylinder 21b can be narrowed. This makes it possible to limit the empty space in the housing 2, and to form the rotary cylinder 21b larger while also limiting the size of the case 21 a. Further, the turbulence of the water flow in the rotary drum 21b caused by the retention of the air bubbles lighter than water in the rotary drum 21b disappears. This prevents the foreign matter, which is temporarily separated and held, from being returned to the washing water due to the turbulence of the water flow.

Of the dirt contained in the washing water, not only substances having a higher specific gravity than water (lint, sand, hair, keratin dirt, and the like) but also substances having a lower specific gravity than water (oil and fat components represented by sebum, and the like) are attached to and separated from the substances having a higher specific gravity than water. Therefore, the dirt having a low specific gravity peculiar to the laundry contained in the washing water can be separated.

The washing water from which the foreign matters have been removed by the centrifugal separation unit 21 flows into the outer tub 1 through the water supply passage 19 (see fig. 1), and is further circulated between the centrifugal separation unit 21 and the outer tub 1, whereby purification is performed.

The foreign matter collected on the inner peripheral surface 21d of the rotary drum 21b is discharged to the outside of the machine through the opened drain valve 18 (see fig. 1) while riding on the flow of the washing water flowing in the reverse direction to the circulation direction in the water supply passage 19 at the time of water discharge. This eliminates the need for a structure in which a part of the purified washing water is discarded during the centrifugal separation.

In addition, the separation of foreign matter contained in the washing water can be performed not only in the washing step but also in the rinsing step. In the rinsing step, foreign matter separated from the laundry into the washing water is separated by the centrifugal separation unit 21, whereby the rinsing effect can be improved. In rinsing, zeolite having a specific gravity heavier than that of water in a cleaning assistant contained in a detergent can be removed to improve rinsing performance.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the speed of the swirling flow generated in the rotary tub 21b by the rotation of the rotary tub 21b is set to be higher than the speed of the washing water flowing through the inside of the rotary tub 21 b.

With this configuration, the washing water flows through the centrifugal separation portion 21 while swirling around the central axis line inside the rotary drum 21 b. Further, by separating dirt having a specific gravity lower than that of water, such as sebum, which has been separated from the laundry 5, and different kinds of dirt containing fine substances from the washing water by a high-speed swirling flow generated outside the washing water flowing through the inside of the rotary drum, it is possible to remove dirt substances specific to the laundry contained in the washing water. The separated dirt is subjected to a strong centrifugal force by the rotary drum 21b of the centrifugal separation unit 21, and therefore does not return to the washing water flowing through the inside of the rotary drum 21 b. This prevents the separated dirt from adhering to the laundry again, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

In addition, the present embodiment also has the following operational advantages. For example, since the dirt which is washed off from the laundry by washing and appears in the washing water is not returned after being separated from the washing water once, the surfactant of the detergent can be prevented from acting on the separated dirt again and being consumed, and the detergent can be used efficiently to improve the cleaning power.

Further, since the dirt can be prevented from adhering to the laundry again, the washing water can be circulated through washing tub 4 and centrifugal separation unit 21 in the washing step, and a higher washing water purification effect can be obtained as compared with the case where the washing water is passed through centrifugal separation unit 21 in a single pass.

In addition, it is not necessary to discard a portion of the purified water during centrifugation as in a typical hydrocyclone. Therefore, the washing water containing the detergent is not discarded during the washing operation, and the trouble of replenishing the washing water is eliminated. Thus, the detergent concentration is not reduced, the water consumption is not increased, the water saving performance is improved, and the washing water can be cleaned while being purified. Further, since the removal capacity can be improved by centrifugal force unlike a hydraulic cyclone, which depends on the inflow speed, a large-sized circulation pump is not required.

(embodiment 3)

Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described below.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a centrifugal separation part of the washing machine according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view 8-8 of fig. 7.

In the present embodiment, the rotary drum 31b of the centrifugal separation unit 31 and the rotary drum motor 31c as a driving unit for driving the rotary drum 31b to rotate are coupled via the transmission unit 32. Other configurations are the same as those of embodiment 1, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the detailed description refers to the description of embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the centrifugal separation part 31 includes a housing 31a, a rotary drum 31b, and a rotary drum motor 31c, the housing 31a is provided in the water supply passage 19 and through which the washing water passes, the rotary drum 31b is hollow and rotatably provided in the housing 31a, and the rotary drum motor 31c is a motor or the like that rotates the rotary drum 31 b. A casing inlet 31g and a casing outlet 31h connected to the water supply passage 19 and through which the washing water flows inside the casing 31a are formed in the casing 31 a. The spin basket 31b is provided with a spin basket inlet 31e and a spin basket outlet 31f to pass through the washing water circulated by the circulation pump 20 inside the spin basket 31 b. The rotary tub motor 31c rotates the rotary tub 31b in accordance with the circulation of the washing water by the circulation pump 20 through the water supply passage 19.

The rotary drum 31b and the rotary drum motor 31c are coupled via a transmission unit 32. The transmission unit 32 includes a rotary shaft gear 32a provided on the drum rotary shaft 31i of the rotary drum 31b and a drive shaft gear 32b provided on the drive rotary shaft 31j of the rotary drum motor 31 c. For example, when the gear ratio of the drive shaft gear 32b to the rotation shaft gear 32a is set to 2: 1, when the rotation speed of the rotary drum 31b is 4000r/min, for example, the rotation speed of the rotary drum motor 31c is 2000r/min which is half.

The casing 31a and the spin basket motor 31c constituting the centrifugal separation portion 31 are attached to the upper surface of the support portion 33, and are integrally fixed to the bottom portion in the casing 2 via the support portion 33. The transmission unit 32 is attached to the lower surface of the support portion 33, and the cylinder rotation shaft 31i provided with the rotation shaft gear 32a of the transmission unit 32 and the drive rotation shaft 31j provided with the drive shaft gear 32b are disposed in parallel in the vertical direction.

The washing water flowing through the water supply passage 19 flows into the casing 31a from the casing inlet 31g and is introduced into the centrifugal separation portion 31, and while flowing into the spin basket 31b from the spin basket inlet 31e and flowing out from the spin basket outlet 31f, the washing water is swirled by the high-speed rotation of the spin basket 31b and receives a centrifugal separation force. In this way, foreign matters such as dirt contained in the washing water are moved toward the inner circumferential surface 31d of the rotary drum 31b by centrifugal force. In the present embodiment, the spin basket inlet 31e is provided below the spin basket outlet 31f, and the washing water passing through the centrifugal separation unit 31 flows upward from below.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, a protrusion 31k protruding inward is provided on the inner peripheral surface 31d of the rotary cylinder 31 b. A plurality of (for example, 4) projections 31k are provided in the vertical direction in the same direction as the cylinder rotation axis 31 i.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the rotary drum 31b of the centrifugal separation unit 31 and the rotary drum motor 31c for driving the rotary drum 31b to rotate are coupled via the transmission unit 32. With this configuration, the rotation speed of the rotary drum motor 31c can be switched to rotate the rotary drum 31b at an arbitrary rotation speed. In this case, when the gear ratio is set at an increased speed as described above, the swirling flow generated in the rotary drum 31b can be further increased in speed, and the centrifugal force acting on the washing water can be increased to improve the effect of separating the dirt.

Further, the drum rotation shaft 31i of the rotary drum 31b of the centrifugal separation unit 31 is disposed in parallel with the drive rotation shaft 31j of the rotary drum motor 31c, and the casing 31a and the rotary drum motor 31c are integrally configured. With this configuration, the rotation operation of the rotary drum motor 31c can be accurately transmitted to the rotary drum 31b, and the high-speed rotation operation of the rotary drum 31b can be stably performed.

Further, the centrifugal separation part 31 has the inwardly protruding projection 31k on the inner peripheral surface 31d of the rotary drum 31b, so that the transmission loss when the rotation of the rotary drum 31b is transmitted to the washing water can be reduced, and the speed difference between the rotary drum 31b and the swirling flow can be reduced. Further, by increasing the speed of the swirling flow generated in the rotary drum 31b, the centrifugal force acting on the washing water can be increased, and the effect of separating the dirt can be improved.

(embodiment 4)

Hereinafter, a washing machine according to embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described.

Fig. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to embodiment 4 of the present invention. Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of a centrifugal separation part of the washing machine according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

The present embodiment is characterized in that a centrifugal separator 121 is provided in the water supply path 13 b.

The structure of the centrifugal separation part 121 will be described below.

In fig. 10, a case inlet 121g is formed on an upper surface of a case 121a, and a case outlet 121h is formed on a lower side circumferential surface of the case 121 a. The case inlet 121g and the case outlet 121h are connected to the water supply path 13 b.

A rotatable cylindrical rotary cylinder 121b having a cylindrical shape is provided in the case 121 a. A rotary casing inlet 121e for allowing water to flow into the rotary casing 121b is formed in an upper end surface of the rotary casing 121b in fig. 10. A rotary cylinder outlet 121f for allowing water to flow out of the rotary cylinder 121b is formed in the lower end surface of the rotary cylinder 121 b. The rotary cylinder outlet 121f has a plurality of (e.g., 4) slit-shaped holes formed on the outer side of the rotary shaft on the lower end surface of the rotary cylinder 121 b.

A rotary drum motor 121c is provided at the outer bottom of the case 121 a. The rotary drum motor 121c and the rotary drum 121b are coupled by a drum rotation shaft 121 i.

A drain port 126 is formed in the lower end surface of the case 121 a. The drain port 126 is connected to one end of a foreign matter discharge water passage 128. As shown in fig. 9, the other end of the foreign matter discharge water passage 128 is connected to the discharge passage 17. A drain valve 127 is provided near the drain port 126 of the foreign matter discharge path 128.

Other configurations are the same as those of embodiment 1, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the detailed description refers to the description of embodiment 1.

Next, the operation and action of the washing machine of the present embodiment will be described.

The user puts the laundry 5 into the washing tub 4 and starts the operation of the washing machine. When the operation of the washing machine is started, controller 22 opens water supply valve 14 to supply water to washing tub 4 in a state where drum motor 21c is operated to rotate drum 21 b. The tap water flowing from the faucet 13a through the water supply port 13 and the water supply path 13b flows into the centrifugal separation part 121. The tap water flowing into the centrifugal separator 121 centrifugally separates foreign matter heavier than water in specific gravity in the centrifugal separator 121. Thus, the water passing through the centrifugal separation part 121 is removed of the fouling substances such as rust and mud. Thus, the cleaning water from which the dirt is removed is supplied into washing tub 4, and the cleaning effect can be improved. The function of the centrifugal separation unit 121 to centrifugally separate the fouling materials is the same as that of embodiment 1, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

When the water supply is completed, control unit 22 closes water supply valve 14 and performs the washing process. Further, the control unit 22 opens the water discharge valve 127. When the drain valve 127 is opened, foreign matter floating in the centrifugal separation portion 121 flows as indicated by an arrow F in fig. 9, and is discharged to the outside of the casing 2 through the foreign matter discharge path 128, the drain passage 17, and the drain valve 18.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the washing machine includes: a housing 2; an outer tub 1 elastically supported in a housing 2; a washing tank 4 rotatably provided in the outer tank 1; and a motor 10 for driving the washing tub 4 to rotate. In addition, the washing machine includes: a water supply path 13b provided in the casing 2 and supplying water into the washing tub 4 and the outer tub 1; and a centrifugal separator 121 provided in the water supply path 13b for centrifugally separating foreign matter contained in the water flowing through the water supply path 13 b. The centrifugal separator 121 includes a housing 121a having an outline, and a rotary cylinder 121b having a hollow shape and rotating inside the housing 121a, and the housing 121a is formed with a housing inlet 121g and a housing outlet 121h connected to the water supply path to allow water to flow through the housing 21 a. The rotary cylinder 121b is formed with a rotary cylinder inlet 121e and a rotary cylinder outlet 121f for allowing water to flow through the rotary cylinder 121b, and the direction in which water flows through the rotary cylinder 121b coincides with the direction of the rotary shaft of the rotary cylinder 121 b.

With this configuration, water supplied from the faucet 13a flows through the rotary cylinder 121b while revolving around the rotary shaft. When water flows through the rotary cylinder 121b, substances having a specific gravity higher than that of water move toward the inner circumferential surface 121d of the rotary cylinder 121b by centrifugal force. Therefore, among the dirt contained in the water, substances such as sand, lint, hair, and keratin dirt that are heavier than water in specific gravity, and substances such as oil and fat components represented by sebum that are lighter than water but adhere to substances such as lint that are heavier than water in specific gravity are removed from the supplied water. This makes it possible to supply clean water into the washing tub 4 even in a region where the water purification apparatus is not particularly extensive, and thus to improve the washing effect of the laundry 5.

(embodiment 5)

Hereinafter, a washing machine according to embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described.

Fig. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to embodiment 5 of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a block diagram of a main portion of a washing machine according to embodiment 5 of the present invention. Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of the centrifugal separation section according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.

The present embodiment is characterized in that the centrifugal separation part 221 is provided on the downstream side of the drain passage 17 with respect to the drain valve 18, and a reservoir tank 229 is provided on the rear surface in the housing 2.

As shown in fig. 11, a centrifugal separation portion 221 is provided on the downstream side of the drain passage 17 with respect to the drain valve 18. A three-way valve 232 is provided on the downstream side of the centrifugal separation unit 221 in the drain passage 17. One side of the three-way valve 232 is connected to the water storage passage 17a communicating with the water storage tank 229, and the other side of the three-way valve 232 is connected to the 1 st drain passage 17b (see fig. 12) draining the water to the outside of the housing 2. The three-way valve 232 is constituted by a solenoid valve. In a state where the three-way valve 232 is not energized, the three-way valve 232 is in a state where the path on the water storage passage 17a side is closed and the path on the 1 st drain passage 17b side is opened. When the three-way valve 232 is energized, the three-way valve 232 is in a state where the 1 st drain passage 17 b-side path is closed and the water storage passage 17 a-side path is opened.

Reservoir 229 and outer tank 1 are in communication by waterway 230. The water path 230 is provided with a water supply pump 231 for supplying water in the water storage tank 229 to the outer tank 1.

A drain port (not shown) is formed in the inner bottom of the water storage tank 229. The 2 nd drain passage 17c (see fig. 12) communicating with the outside of the reservoir 229 is connected to the drain port. The 2 nd drain passage 17c is provided with a drain valve 233.

The following describes the structure of the centrifugal separation unit 221 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in fig. 13, the centrifugal separation unit 221 includes a casing 221a, a hollow rotary drum 221b, and a rotary drum motor 221c as a driving unit for rotating the rotary drum 221 b.

In fig. 13, a casing inlet 221g is formed in an upper peripheral surface of the casing 221a, and a casing outlet 221h is formed in a lower end surface of the casing 221 a. The shell inlet 221g and the shell outlet 221h are connected to the drain passage 17.

A rotatable hollow cylindrical rotary cylinder 221b is provided in the casing 221 a.

A spin basket inlet 221e for allowing the washing water to flow into the spin basket 221b is formed in an upper end surface of the spin basket 221 b. A plurality of (e.g., 4) slit-shaped holes are provided on the upper surface of the rotary drum 221b outside the rotary shaft to form a rotary drum inlet 221 e. A spin basket outlet 221f for discharging the washing water in the spin basket 221b to the outside of the spin basket 221b is formed in the lower end surface of the spin basket 221 b.

A rotary drum motor 221c is provided on the upper surface of the casing 221 a. The rotary drum motor 221c is coupled to the rotary drum 221b via a drum rotation shaft 221i, and rotates the rotary drum 221b by rotationally driving the rotary drum motor 221 c.

Other configurations are the same as those of embodiment 1, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the detailed description refers to the description of embodiment 1.

The operation and action of the structure are explained.

After the rinsing step is completed, the control unit 22 opens the water discharge valve 18 in a state where the spin basket motor 221c of the centrifugal separation unit 221 is operated to rotate the spin basket 221 b. When the drain valve 18 is opened, the washing water in the outer tub 1 flows in the water feed passage 19 and the drain passage 17 in the direction of the arrow G1, and flows into the centrifugal separation part 221. The washing water flowing into the centrifugal separation unit 221 is separated into foreign substances heavier than water by centrifugal separation. The washing water having passed through the centrifugal separation unit 221 is relatively clean from foreign matters such as rust and mud. The function of the centrifugal separation unit 121 to centrifugally separate the fouling materials is the same as that of embodiment 1, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

In addition, at the time of drainage, the control portion 22 energizes the three-way valve 232 until a predetermined time elapses. As described above, since the path on the water storage passage 17a side of the three-way valve 232 is opened in the state where the three-way valve 232 is energized, the relatively clean washing water having passed through the centrifugal separation part 221 flows into the water storage tank 229 and is stored in the water storage tank 229.

After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 22 stops the energization of the three-way valve 232 and stops the rotation of the spin basket motor 221c of the centrifugal separation unit 221. In a state where the three-way valve 232 is not energized, the path of the three-way valve 232 on the 1 st drain passage 17b side is opened, and thus the washing water having passed through the centrifugal separation part 221 is discharged to the outside of the casing 2.

By such control, relatively clean washing water after centrifugal separation can be accumulated in the water storage tank 229, and the dirt separated in the centrifugal separation unit 221 can be discharged to the outside of the casing 2.

The time for which the three-way valve 232 is energized is determined by the water level in the reservoir 229, the water level in the outer tank 1, and the like. With such a configuration, a necessary amount of water can be stored in the reservoir tank 229.

At the start of the next washing, controller 22 drives water supply pump 231. This allows the washing water stored in reservoir tank 229 to flow in water path 230 in the direction of arrow G2 by the water pressure, and to be supplied into outer tank 1. This can reduce the amount of tap water supplied from the faucet 13a, and thus can achieve a water saving effect.

When the water in the reservoir 229 is discharged, the control unit 22 opens the drain valve 233. When the drain valve 233 is opened, the water in the reservoir tank 229 flows through the 2 nd drain passage 17c and is drained.

Further, it is preferable that the water storage tank 229 is provided with a structure for sterilizing the stored washing water or suppressing the growth of bacteria. Examples of the structure for sterilizing the washing water include a method of sterilizing by providing an ozone generator and releasing ozone, a method of providing an adsorbent for adsorbing and removing sebum components and the like from the washing water, and a method of sterilizing by irradiating ultraviolet rays. With such a configuration, even when the washing water is accumulated in the water reservoir 229 for a long time, the growth of bacteria can be suppressed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the washing machine includes: a housing 2; an outer tub 1 elastically supported in the housing 2 and having a drain port 16 at the bottom; a washing tank 4 rotatably provided in the outer tank 1; and a motor 10 for driving the washing tub 4 to rotate. In addition, the washing machine includes: a drain passage 17 connected to the drain port 16 for draining the washing water in the outer tub 1; and a centrifugal separation unit 221 for separating foreign matter contained in the washing water flowing through the drain passage 17. The centrifugal separation part 221 includes a housing 221a and a rotary drum 221b, the housing 221a forms an outline, the rotary drum 221b is hollow and rotates inside the housing 221a, and the housing 221a is formed with a housing inlet 221g and a housing outlet 221h connected to the drain passage 17 to allow washing water to flow through the housing. Further, a spin basket inlet 221e and a spin basket outlet 221f for allowing the washing water to flow through the spin basket 221b are formed in the spin basket 221b, and the direction in which the washing water flows through the spin basket 221b coincides with the direction of the rotation axis of the spin basket 221 b.

With this configuration, the washing water flowing through the drain passage 17 flows through the rotary drum 221b while swirling around the rotary shaft. When the washing water flows through the rotary drum 221b, substances having a specific gravity higher than that of the water move toward the inner circumferential surface 21d of the rotary drum 221b by centrifugal force. Therefore, among the dirt contained in the washing water, substances having a specific gravity higher than that of water, such as sand, lint, hair, and keratin dirt, and substances having a specific gravity higher than that of water, such as oil and fat components represented by sebum, which are lighter than water, but adhere to substances having a specific gravity higher than that of water, such as lint, can be separated and removed from the discharged water.

In the present embodiment, a reservoir tank 229 connected to the drain passage 17 is provided, and the washing water in the reservoir tank 229 can be reused in the next washing. With this configuration, the used washing water from which the dirt components are removed can be used in the next washing, and therefore, a water saving effect can be obtained.

(other embodiments)

As described above, the 1 st to 5 th embodiments are described as examples of the technique disclosed in the present application. However, the technique of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like are made. Further, each component described in the above-described embodiments 1 to 5 may be combined to form a new embodiment.

Accordingly, other embodiments are exemplified below,

in embodiments 1 to 5, the case inlets 21g, 31g, 121g, and 221g and the case outlets 21h, 31h, 121h, and 221h are formed on the side peripheral surfaces of the cases 21a, 31a, 121a, and 221 a. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The shell inlets 21g, 31g, 121g, and 221g may be formed in the lower end surfaces of the shells 21a, 31a, 121a, and 221a, and the shell outlets 21h, 31h, 121h, and 221h may be formed in the upper end surfaces of the shells 21a, 31a, 121a, and 221 a. With the above configuration, since the inflow direction of the water into the casings 21a, 31a, 121a, and 221a and the outflow direction of the water from the casings 21a, 31a, 121a, and 221a substantially coincide with each other, resistance of the water flow when the casings 21a, 31a, 121a, and 221a flow can be reduced, and the flow force of the water flow can be maintained.

In embodiments 1 to 5, the configuration in which the rotary cylinders 21b, 31b, 121b, and 221b are rotated by the rotary cylinder motors 21c, 31c, 121c, and 221c has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the water receiving portions may be provided in the rotary cylinders 21b, 31b, 121b, and 221b in a blade shape, and the water flowing into the rotary cylinders 21b, 31b, 121b, and 221b may rotate the rotary cylinders by rotating the water receiving portions. With the above configuration, since the rotary drum motors 21c, 31c, 121c, and 221c are not required, the centrifugal separation unit can be configured at low cost.

In embodiments 1 to 5, as an example of the rotary cylinders 21b, 31b, 121b, and 221b, a configuration in which the opening areas of the water supply passage 19, the rotary cylinder inlets 21e, 31e, 121e, and 221e, and the rotary cylinder outlets 21f, 31f, 121f, and 221f are equal has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The opening areas of the spin basket outlets 21f, 31f, 121f, and 221f may be larger than the opening areas of the spin basket inlets 21e, 31e, 121e, and 221e, or the opening areas of the spin basket inlets 21e, 31e, 121e, and 221e may be larger than the opening areas of the spin basket outlets 21f, 31f, 121f, and 221 f.

In embodiments 1 to 5, a holding member for holding foreign matter in the rotary cylinders 21b, 31b, 121b, and 221b may be provided on the inner circumferential surfaces of the rotary cylinders 21b, 31b, 121b, and 221 b. The holding member is, for example, a mesh filter or the like. With the above-described configuration, even in a situation where the rotational speed of the rotary cylinders 21b, 31b, 121b, and 221b is reduced and foreign matter adhering to the inner circumferential surfaces of the rotary cylinders 21b, 31b, 121b, and 221b is not significantly affected by the centrifugal force, the foreign matter is prevented from floating in the rotary cylinders 21b, 31b, 121b, and 221b, flowing through the water supply passage 19 from the casing outlets 21h, 31h, 121h, and 221h, and being discharged to the washing tub 4.

In embodiment 5, the configuration in which the drain liquid after the rinsing step is centrifugally separated by the centrifugal separation unit 221 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the drain liquid after the washing step may be centrifugally separated by the centrifugal separation unit 221 and stored in the reservoir tank 229. With such a configuration, since the washing water containing a large amount of detergent components can be stored in the reservoir tank 229, the cleaning effect can be improved in the next washing.

In embodiment 5, a configuration in which the reservoir tank 229 is disposed on the rear surface inside the casing 2 is described as an example. The water storage tank 229 may be provided at any position as long as it is configured to store the discharged washing water. For example, the present invention may be provided below the outer tub 1 or outside the housing 2.

Further, the centrifugal separation units 21, 31, 121, and 221 shown in embodiments 1 to 5 may be combined to form a washing machine. For example, the centrifugal separation portions 21 and 31 may be provided in the water supply passage 19, and the centrifugal separation portion 221 may be provided in the drain passage 17. By adopting such a structure, dirt can be removed from the washing water during washing and rinsing, and the cleaning effect can be improved. In addition, dirt contained in used washing water can be removed and stored in reservoir tank 229, and reused in the next washing, so that a water saving effect can be obtained.

In embodiments 1 to 5, the structure of a drum-type washing machine has been described as an example of a washing machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a pulsator-type washing machine may be used.

Further, since embodiments 1 to 5 exemplify the technique of the present disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent thereof.

As described above, the washing machine disclosed in claim 1 includes: a housing; an outer tub elastically supported in the housing; a washing tank rotatably provided in the outer tank; a motor for driving the washing tank to rotate; and a water supply passage for circulating the washing water in the outer tub. In addition, the washing machine includes: a circulating pump provided in the water supply passage and circulating the washing water; and a centrifugal separation part which is arranged on the water supply passage and is used for centrifugally separating foreign matters contained in the washing water flowing in the water supply passage. The centrifugal separation section includes a shell having a contour, and a rotary drum which is hollow, is rotatably provided in the shell, and has a shell inlet and a shell outlet which are connected to the water supply passage. The rotary drum is provided with a rotary drum inlet and a rotary drum outlet for allowing the washing water to flow through the rotary drum, and the direction of the washing water flowing through the rotary drum coincides with the direction of the rotary shaft of the rotary drum.

With this structure, the washing water flows through the rotary tub while revolving around the rotary shaft. When the washing water flows through the rotary drum while swirling, substances having a specific gravity heavier than that of the washing water contained in the washing water are moved toward the inner circumferential surface of the rotary drum by centrifugal force. Therefore, among the dirt contained in the washing water, substances such as sand, lint, hair, and keratin dirt that are heavier than water in specific gravity, and substances such as oil and fat components represented by sebum that are lighter than water but adhere to substances such as lint that are heavier than water in specific gravity are separated from the washing water.

In addition, since the washing water filled in the portion of the rotary drum that is outside the through flow and inside the inner circumferential surface of the rotary drum is occupied by the through flow, and the washing water is always subjected to a centrifugal force toward the inner circumferential surface of the rotary drum, the washing water and the washing water in the through flow portion are hardly mixed. Therefore, the dirt substances that have been once moved toward the inner peripheral surface of the rotary drum by the centrifugal force are prevented from returning to the through-flow due to the mixing of the washing water, and the washing water is purified by the centrifugal separation section as it circulates through the water feed passage. Therefore, the washing machine including the centrifugal separation part of the present invention can prevent the separated dirt from adhering to the laundry again, thereby improving the washing effect.

In particular, in the disclosure of claim 2, the centrifugal separation section is configured to hold the foreign matter centrifugally separated on the inner peripheral surface of the rotary drum, in addition to the disclosure of claim 1.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent foreign matters temporarily separated from the washing water by the centrifugal force from returning to the washing water flowing through the rotary drum.

In particular, in the disclosure of claim 1 or 2, the diameter of the rotary drum around the rotation axis is larger than the maximum diameter of the rotary drum inlet and the rotary drum outlet of the rotary drum.

With this configuration, the centrifugal force increases as the inner circumferential surface of the spin basket on the outer side of the rotation axis moves away. Therefore, as the dirt comes closer to the inner circumferential surface from the washing water flowing through the spin basket due to the centrifugal force, the dirt is held by the stronger centrifugal force. Thus, the centrifugal separation part can prevent the separated dirt substance from returning to the washing water flowing through the rotary drum and causing the dirt to adhere to the washing again.

In particular, in any of the disclosures 1 to 3, the centrifugal separation part is configured to allow washing water to flow upward from below inside the centrifugal separation part.

With this configuration, even when bubbles generated in the washing water by the detergent or bubbles generated by the air sucked by the circulation pump enter the rotary drum, the bubbles can be easily discharged from the outlet of the rotary drum to the outside of the rotary drum. This prevents imbalance in the distribution of water and air bubbles in the rotary drum, which is caused by the air bubbles lighter than water remaining in the rotary drum, and minimizes fluctuations in torque required to rotate the rotary drum. In addition, the variation of the rotation speed of the rotary drum caused by the torque variation can be prevented. In addition, since the rotational vibration due to the unbalance can be prevented, the rotary cylinder can be configured to be larger.

In particular, in any of the disclosures 1 to 3, the 5 th publication is configured such that the speed of the swirling flow generated in the rotary drum by the rotation of the rotary drum is higher than the speed of the washing water flowing through the inside of the rotary drum.

With this configuration, dirt having a specific gravity lower than that of water, such as sebum, which has been separated from the laundry, and different types of dirt containing fine substances are separated from the washing water by the high-speed swirling flow generated outside the washing water flowing through the inside of the rotary drum, and thus the dirt specific to the laundry contained in the washing water can be removed. In addition, the separated dirt substances are subjected to a strong centrifugal force in the centrifugal separation section, and therefore do not return to the circulating flow passing through the centrifugal separation section. This prevents the separated dirt from adhering to the laundry again, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

In particular, in the washing machine disclosed in claim 6, the washing machine has a driving unit for rotating the rotary drum, and the rotary drum and the driving unit are coupled to each other via a transmission unit.

With this configuration, the rotating drum can be rotated at a high speed by the driving unit, and the centrifugal force acting on the washing water can be increased by increasing the speed of the swirling flow generated in the rotating drum, thereby improving the effect of separating the dirt.

In particular, in the case of the publication No. 7, the transmission unit includes a rotary shaft of the rotary drum and a rotary shaft of the drive unit, the rotary shaft of the rotary drum and the rotary shaft of the drive unit are arranged in parallel, and the housing and the drive unit are integrally formed.

With this configuration, the rotational operation of the driving unit can be accurately transmitted to the rotary drum, and the rotary drum can be stably rotated at high speed.

In particular, in any of the publications 1 to 3, the 8 th publication has a protrusion protruding inward on the inner circumferential surface of the rotary cylinder.

With this configuration, the transmission loss in transmitting the rotation motion of the rotary drum to the washing water can be reduced, and the speed difference between the rotary drum and the swirling flow can be reduced. Further, the swirling flow generated in the rotary drum can be easily speeded up, and the centrifugal force acting on the washing water can be increased to improve the effect of separating the dirt.

The washing machine disclosed in the 9 th publication includes: a housing; an outer tub elastically supported in the housing; a washing tank rotatably provided in the outer tank; a motor for driving the washing tank to rotate; a water supply path provided in the housing and supplying water into the washing tub and the outer tub; and a centrifugal separation part which is provided in the water supply path and is used for centrifugally separating foreign matters contained in the water flowing in the water supply path. The centrifugal separation section includes a housing having a contour, and a rotary drum which is hollow, is rotatably provided in the housing, and has a housing inlet and a housing outlet connected to the water supply path. The rotary drum is provided with a rotary drum inlet and a rotary drum outlet for allowing water to flow through the rotary drum, and the direction of the water flow through the rotary drum coincides with the direction of the rotary shaft of the rotary drum.

With this structure, water supplied from the faucet flows through the rotary cylinder while swirling around the rotary shaft. When water flows through the rotary drum while swirling, substances having a specific gravity higher than that of the washing water are moved toward the inner circumferential surface of the rotary drum by centrifugal force. Therefore, among the dirt contained in the water, substances having a specific gravity higher than that of water, such as sand, lint, hair, and horny dirt, and substances having a specific gravity higher than that of water, such as oil and fat components represented by sebum, which are lighter than water, but adhere to substances having a specific gravity higher than that of water, such as lint, can be removed from the supplied water. Thus, in a region where the water purification equipment is not complete, clean water can be supplied into the washing tub, and the washing effect of the laundry can be improved.

The washing machine disclosed in the 10 th publication includes: a housing; an outer tub elastically supported in the housing and having a drain port at a bottom thereof; a washing tank rotatably provided in the outer tank; a motor for driving the washing tank to rotate; a drain passage connected to the drain port for draining the washing water in the outer tub; and a centrifugal separation part which is provided in the drainage passage and separates foreign matters contained in the washing water flowing through the drainage passage. The centrifugal separation section includes a shell having a contour, and a rotary drum which is hollow, is rotatably provided in the shell, and has a shell inlet and a shell outlet which are connected to the drain passage. The rotary drum is provided with a rotary drum inlet and a rotary drum outlet for allowing the washing water to flow through the rotary drum, and the direction of the washing water flowing through the rotary drum is substantially aligned with the direction of the rotary shaft of the rotary drum.

With this configuration, the washing water flowing through the drain passage flows through the rotary cylinder while swirling around the rotary shaft. When the washing water flows through the rotary drum, the substances having a specific gravity higher than that of the water are moved toward the inner circumferential surface of the rotary drum by centrifugal force. Therefore, among the dirt contained in the washing water, substances having a specific gravity higher than that of water, such as sand, lint, hair, and keratin dirt, and substances adhering to substances having a specific gravity higher than that of water, such as lint, although being lighter than water, such as oil and fat components represented by sebum, can be separated and removed from the discharged water.

In particular, in the washing machine disclosed in the publication No. 10, the washing machine includes a reservoir connected to a portion of the drain passage on the downstream side of the centrifugal separation unit, and the washing water in the reservoir is reused in the next washing.

With this configuration, the used washing water from which the dirt components have been removed can be used for the next washing, and therefore, the amount of water used for washing can be suppressed, and water can be saved.

Industrial applicability

As described above, the washing machine of the present invention can separate foreign matter such as dirt from washing water that has become dirty by washing, purify the washing water, and suppress the separated dirt from adhering to the laundry again, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

Claims (13)

1. A washing machine, wherein,

the washing machine includes:

a housing;

an outer tub elastically supported within the housing;

a washing tank rotatably provided in the outer tank;

a motor for driving the washing tub to rotate;

a water supply passage for circulating the washing water in the outer tub;

a circulation pump provided in the water supply passage and circulating the washing water; and

a centrifugal separation part provided in the water supply passage and used for centrifugally separating foreign matters contained in the washing water flowing through the water supply passage,

the centrifugal separation part is provided with a shell and a rotary cylinder, the shell forms a contour, the rotary cylinder is hollow and is arranged in the shell and can rotate,

a shell inlet and a shell outlet connected to the water supply passage are formed in the shell,

a spin basket inlet and a spin basket outlet for allowing the washing water to flow through the spin basket are formed in the spin basket,

at least at any one of the spin basket inlet and the spin basket outlet, the spin basket inlet and the casing inlet are together disposed in correspondence with a position of a rotation axis of the spin basket, or the spin basket outlet and the casing outlet are together disposed in correspondence with a position of a rotation axis of the spin basket.

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

the centrifugal separation part is configured to hold the foreign matter centrifugally separated on the inner circumferential surface of the rotary drum.

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

the diameter of the rotary drum around the rotation axis is larger than the maximum diameter of the rotary drum inlet and the rotary drum outlet of the rotary drum.

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

the diameter of the rotary drum around the rotation axis is larger than the maximum diameter of the rotary drum inlet and the rotary drum outlet of the rotary drum.

5. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the centrifugal separation part is configured to allow washing water to flow upward from below inside the centrifugal separation part.

6. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the speed of the swirling flow generated in the rotary drum by the rotation of the rotary drum is set to be higher than the speed of the washing water flowing through the inside of the rotary drum.

7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein,

the washing machine has a drive unit for rotating the rotary drum, and the rotary drum and the drive unit are coupled via a transmission unit.

8. The washing machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein,

the transmission unit includes a rotary shaft of the rotary drum and a rotary shaft of the drive unit, the rotary shaft of the rotary drum and the rotary shaft of the drive unit are arranged in parallel, and the housing and the drive unit are integrally formed.

9. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein,

an inner circumferential surface of the rotary cylinder is provided with a protrusion protruding inward.

10. A washing machine, wherein,

the washing machine includes:

a housing;

an outer tub elastically supported within the housing;

a washing tank rotatably provided in the outer tank;

a motor for driving the washing tub to rotate;

a water supply path provided in the casing for supplying water into the washing tub and the outer tub; and

a centrifugal separation part provided in the water supply path for centrifugally separating foreign matter contained in the water flowing through the water supply path,

the centrifugal separation part is provided with a shell and a rotary cylinder, the shell forms a contour, the rotary cylinder is hollow and is arranged in the shell and can rotate,

a case inlet and a case outlet connected to the water supply path are formed at the case,

a rotary drum inlet and a rotary drum outlet for allowing the water to flow through the rotary drum are formed in the rotary drum,

at least at any one of the spin basket inlet and the spin basket outlet, the spin basket inlet and the casing inlet are together disposed in correspondence with a position of a rotation axis of the spin basket, or the spin basket outlet and the casing outlet are together disposed in correspondence with a position of a rotation axis of the spin basket.

11. A washing machine, wherein,

the washing machine includes:

a housing;

an outer tub elastically supported in the housing and having a drain port at a bottom thereof;

a washing tank rotatably provided in the outer tank;

a motor for driving the washing tub to rotate;

a drain passage connected to the drain port and discharging the washing water in the outer tub; and

a centrifugal separation part provided in the drain passage and used for centrifugally separating foreign matters contained in the washing water flowing through the drain passage,

the centrifugal separation part is provided with a shell and a rotary cylinder, the shell forms a contour, the rotary cylinder is hollow and is arranged in the shell and can rotate,

a shell inlet and a shell outlet connected to the drain passage are formed in the shell,

a spin basket inlet and a spin basket outlet for allowing the washing water to flow through the spin basket are formed in the spin basket,

at least at any one of the spin basket inlet and the spin basket outlet, the spin basket inlet and the casing inlet are together disposed in correspondence with a position of a rotation axis of the spin basket, or the spin basket outlet and the casing outlet are together disposed in correspondence with a position of a rotation axis of the spin basket.

12. The washing machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein,

the washing machine includes a water storage tank connected to a portion of the drain passage downstream of the centrifugal separation unit, and the washing water in the water storage tank is reused in the next washing.

13. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1, 10, 11,

the opening areas of the casing inlet, the casing outlet, the spin basket inlet, and the spin basket outlet are formed to be substantially equal.

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