CN114174582A

CN114174582A - Drum type washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN114174582A
Application number: CN202080053173.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 芳贺秀夫; 下部静男; 石原俊吾; 植平秀太
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-29
Filing date: 2020-07-10
Publication date: 2022-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-10
Also published as: WO2021020071A1; JP7324977B2; TW202104715A; CN114174582B; JPWO2021020071A1

Abstract

The drum-type washing machine of the present disclosure includes: a main body case (1); a water tank (11) which is supported in a freely swinging manner inside the main body casing (1); a rotating drum (10) which is rotatably disposed inside the water tank (11); and a detergent feeding device for supplying a detergent to the water tank (11) or the rotary drum (10). The detergent feeding device includes: a detergent container into which a detergent is put; a 1 st flow path connected to the detergent container and including a reservoir (42) formed to be capable of storing a liquid; a 2 nd flow path which is connected to the 1 st flow path downstream of and above the reservoir (42) and is connected to the water tank (11); and a 3 rd flow path which is communicated with the 1 st flow path at the downstream and upper part of the 2 nd flow path and is communicated with the inside of the rotary drum (10).

Description

Drum type washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine.

Background

The conventional drum-type washing machine includes: a water tank elastically supported in a main body casing of the washing machine; a rotary drum rotatably installed in the water tub; a motor for driving the rotary drum to rotate; a detergent input device for supplying the detergent input into the rotary drum; and a drying device for conveying dry air into the rotary drum. The detergent input device comprises a water supply hose, a detergent box for accommodating detergent, and a water supply path for connecting the detergent box and the upper part of the front surface of the water tank. The drying device includes a drying heater for heating air and a blower for conveying the heated air to the inside of the rotary drum. A return portion for storing water is formed in the middle of the water supply path, and the water stored in the return portion suppresses intrusion of the air heated by the drying device into the detergent box (see, for example, patent document 1).

Another conventional drum-type washing machine includes: a main body case; a water tank which is elastically supported in the main body case in a freely swinging manner; a rotary drum rotatably installed in the water tub and receiving laundry; a motor for driving the rotary drum to rotate; a foam generating section that generates foam and supplies the foam to the storage tank; and a circulation pump for supplying the laundry liquid in the storage tank to the foam generating part. The foam generating unit includes a casing, and has a water supply passage for dividing the inside of the casing into a passage for the liquid laundry supplied from the circulation pump and a foam generating chamber communicating with the water supply passage, and generates detergent foam by collision of a discharge port formed in the water supply passage with the liquid surface of the liquid laundry stored in the foam generating chamber (see, for example, patent document 2).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 11-114286

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-43184

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure provides a drum type washing machine which suppresses: the case where the air heated by the drying device enters the detergent container and the case where the detergent and the water reach the inside of the rotary drum at an improper timing.

The drum-type washing machine of the present disclosure includes: a main body case; a water tank which is supported in the main body casing so as to be swingable; a rotary drum rotatably disposed inside the water tank; and a detergent input device for supplying detergent to the water tank or the rotary drum. The detergent feeding device includes: a detergent container into which a detergent is put; a 1 st flow path connected to the detergent container and including a reservoir portion formed to be capable of storing a liquid; a 2 nd flow path which communicates with the 1 st flow path downstream and above the reservoir and is connected to the water tank; and a 3 rd flow path communicating with the 1 st flow path at a downstream and upper side of the 2 nd flow path and communicating with the inside of the rotary drum.

The drum-type washing machine of the present disclosure suppresses: the case where the air heated by the drying device enters the detergent container and the case where the detergent and the water reach the inside of the rotary drum at an improper timing.

In addition, the present disclosure provides a drum type washing machine capable of generating detergent bubbles with a simple structure.

The drum-type washing machine of the present disclosure includes: a main body case; a water tank which is elastically supported in the main body case so as to be swingable; a rotary drum rotatably installed in the water tub and receiving laundry; a motor for driving the rotary drum to rotate; a detergent supply device for supplying a detergent to the water tank or the rotary drum; and a water supply device for supplying water to the detergent input device. The detergent feeding device includes: a detergent container into which a detergent is put; a storage unit which is provided below the detergent container and stores the detergent flowing down from the detergent container; and a spout provided above the reservoir portion and adapted to drop the water supplied from the water supply device toward the liquid surface of the reservoir portion.

The drum type washing machine of the present disclosure can generate detergent bubbles with a simple structure.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a drum type washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the drum type washing machine of embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a block circuit diagram of the drum type washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is an external perspective view of a detergent container of the drum-type washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a partial perspective view of the periphery of the storage section of the drum-type washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is an external perspective view of the drum type washing machine of embodiment 1 as viewed from the front surface side thereof.

Fig. 7 is an external perspective view of the drum-type washing machine of embodiment 1 as viewed from the back side thereof.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the drum type washing machine of embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 is a module circuit diagram of the drum type washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 is a partially transparent top view of the drum type washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of an upper half of the drum type washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 12 is a partially transparent front sectional view of a bubble generating portion of the drum type washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 13 is a partially transparent front sectional view of a bubble generating portion of the drum type washing machine according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of a partial perspective of a bubble generating portion of a drum type washing machine according to another embodiment, as viewed from the front.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiment 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the drawings and the following description.

(embodiment 1)

Hereinafter, a drum-type washing machine according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 5.

[ basic Structure of Drum-type washing machine ]

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a drum type washing machine according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the drum type washing machine of embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a block circuit diagram of the drum type washing machine according to embodiment 1.

As shown in fig. 1, a door 3 is openably and closably disposed on the front side of a main body case 1, and an operation unit 4 and a display unit 5 are disposed above the door 3. The door 3 is partially transparent so that the inside can be viewed, and the door 3 is disposed so as to cover an inlet 7 that opens on the front side of the main body case 1. The operation unit 4 is operated by a user to input various washing programs. The display unit 5 is disposed adjacent to the operation unit 4, and displays an input result based on an operation input by a user, information related to a selected washing course, a process progress status during operation of the washing course, and the like.

A detergent container 6 for containing a detergent or a finishing agent is disposed on the front side of the main body case 1 above the door 3 and on the side of the operation portion 4 and the display portion 5. The detergent container 6 is configured to: a grip portion 2 recessed with respect to the main body case 1 is formed, and a user can put a hand into the grip portion 2 and pull it out. The user can pull out the detergent container 6 before starting the washing operation, and put the detergent and the finishing agent into the detergent container 6 in advance.

A part of the water supply unit including the water supply valve 25 (see fig. 2) is exposed on the rear surface side of the main body case 1. The water supply valve 25 has a plurality of valves that can be opened and closed to two or more water paths.

As shown in fig. 2, the water tank 11 is disposed inside the main body case 1, and is supported to be swingable by a lower damper 15 and an upper spring body 16. The water tank 11 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and an opening of the water tank 11 is disposed to face the inlet 7. An annular seal 8 made of an elastic body such as a rubber material is disposed in a gap between the inlet 7 and the front surface portion of the water tub 11, thereby preventing clothes and washing water from splashing out of the gap.

The rotary drum 10 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and is rotatably disposed inside the water tank 11. The user can take out and put in laundry into the rotary drum 10 through the input port 7 by opening the door 3.

A plurality of water passage holes 14 are provided in the outer peripheral portion of the rotary drum 10, and the water stored in the water tank 11 is passed through the inside and outside of the rotary drum 10. Further, a plurality of protrusions 13 for stirring clothes are provided on the inner wall surface of the rotary drum 10.

A rotation shaft (rotation center shaft) 51 is provided in an oblique direction at the rotation center of the rotary drum 10, and the axial direction of the rotary drum 10 is inclined downward from the front side toward the back side.

The motor 12 is attached to the vicinity of the bottom of the back side of the water tank 11 and is coupled to the rotating shaft 51 via a belt 52. The motor 12 drives the rotary drum 10 to rotate in the forward and reverse directions by the belt 52 and the rotary shaft 51.

One end of the drain path 19 is connected to the lower portion of the water tank 11, and the other end is connected to the drain valve 18. The drain path 19 discharges the washing water in the water tank 11 to the outside of the main body case 1 in a state where the drain valve 18 is opened.

The detergent feeding device includes: a substantially box-shaped frame 38; a water supply member 35 connected to a water supply path 50, the water supply path 50 communicating with the water supply valve 25; and a detergent container 6 housed in the frame 38 and arranged to be able to be pulled out forward. When water supply valve 25 is opened, water supplied from water supply path 50 to water supply member 35 is poured into detergent storage container 6 below. The path from the detergent supply device to the water tank 11 will be described later.

The water level detection member 34 is disposed on the upper portion of the main body case 1 and detects the water level in the water tank 11.

The water tank vibration detection unit 36 is disposed above the water tank 11, and detects the acceleration and direction of the water tank 11, thereby detecting the vibration of the water tank 11 during the dehydration.

The control unit 53 is disposed inside the lower portion of the main body case 1. The controller 53 controls the operations of the motor 12, the water supply valve 25, the drain valve 18, and the like based on information from the water level detector 34, the water tank vibration detector 36, and the like, and controls the respective steps including washing, rinsing, and dewatering.

As shown in fig. 3, the control unit 53 is connected to the power switch 33, the water level detection unit 34, the water tank vibration detection unit 36, the cloth amount detection unit 37, the operation unit 4, the display unit 5, the motor 12, the drain valve 18, and the water supply valve 25.

The power switch 33 turns on/off the power supplied from the commercial power supply to the main body casing 1, and is manually operated by the user.

The cloth amount detecting means 37 detects the amount of laundry put into the rotary drum 10.

[ detergent feeding device ]

Fig. 4 is an external perspective view of a detergent container of the drum-type washing machine according to embodiment 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a partial perspective view of the periphery of the storage section of the drum-type washing machine according to embodiment 1. In fig. 5, the detergent container 6 is not shown.

As shown in fig. 4, the detergent container 6 is provided with a detergent container 27 into which a detergent is put and a finishing agent container 9 into which a finishing agent is put.

As shown in fig. 5, a bellows-shaped water supply member 31 is connected to a lower portion of the frame 38, and the water supply member 31 is connected to the reservoir member 40. The storage member 40 includes: the reservoir 42 as a curved portion; a 1 st discharge flow path 28 provided downstream of the reservoir 42; a diversion path opening 41 formed in the middle of the 1 st discharge flow path 28; a 2 nd discharge flow path 29 provided downstream of the 1 st discharge flow path 28; and a discharge connection portion 30 communicating with the rotary drum 10 via the annular seal 8 downstream of the 2 nd discharge flow path 29. The water feeding member 31, the reservoir 42 and the 1 st discharge channel 28 constitute a 1 st channel.

The storage member 40 is configured such that the storage portion 42 is lowest in the mounted state. The reservoir 42 is a bent portion of the reservoir member 40 formed in a substantially V-shape, and therefore has a structure in which water is always retained. The residual water can prevent water vapor, heated air, and the like generated in the water tank from flowing into the detergent storage container 6.

The 1 st discharge flow path 28 extends upward from the reservoir 42. A diversion passage opening 41 connected to a diversion passage 43 described later is formed above the 1 st discharge passage 28. The diversion passage opening 41 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the 1 st discharge passage 28. The 2 nd discharge channel 29 is defined as a channel above the branching opening 41. The discharge connection portion 30 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to extend from the 2 nd discharge flow path 29, which is an upper portion of the 1 st discharge flow path 28, toward the annular seal 8. The annular seal 8 is provided with a discharge port 81 so as to face the discharge connection portion 30. The discharge port 81 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending toward the inside of the rotary drum 10, and is configured to discharge the liquid passing therethrough toward the back side. The 2 nd discharge channel 29, the discharge connection portion 30, and the discharge port 81 constitute a 3 rd channel.

The diversion path 43 is connected to the diversion path opening 41. The branch passage 43 extends downward and is connected to an extensible hose 45, and a connection portion where the extensible hose 45 and the branch passage 43 are connected is locked to an inner wall of the body case 1 by a mooring member 44. The flexible hose 45 is formed in a bellows shape and is connected to a lower portion of the water tank 11 so as to be swingable. Thereby, the flexible tube 45 absorbs the swing of the water tank 11. The diversion path opening 41, the diversion path 43, and the extensible hose 45 constitute the 2 nd flow path. The 2 nd channel is a bypass of the 3 rd channel and is formed by branching from the 1 st channel.

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

[ washing operation ]

By turning on the power switch 33, the main body case 1 can be operated by supplying electric power from the commercial power supply. The user opens the door 3 and puts laundry into the rotary drum 10. The user selects various washing courses through the operation unit 4. For example, when the user selects "all the steps" in which the respective steps from "cleaning" to "dewatering" are continuously operated and selects the start of the operation, the operation of the main body casing 1 is started. The drum-type washing machine of the present embodiment drives the cloth amount detection member 37 to detect the cloth amount of the laundry to be put in at the start of operation, and sequentially displays the water level, the required detergent amount, the finish amount, and the washing time on the display unit 5.

When the user pulls out the detergent storage container 6, the detergent storage part 27 and the finish storage part 9 are exposed. The user confirms the display unit 5, and puts the required amount of detergent to be displayed into the detergent storage unit 27, and puts the required amount of finish to be displayed into the finish storage unit 9.

When the user puts the liquid detergent, a part of the injected liquid detergent flows down the water supply member 31 and reaches the storage member 40. Since water is always left in the reservoir 42, the liquid detergent flowing down is mixed with the remaining water. When the liquid level becomes higher than the connection position of the diversion path 43, the mixed liquid detergent and water flow down along the diversion path 43 and the flexible hose 45, and are sent into the water tank 11.

Then, the control unit 53 controls the operations of the motor 12, the water supply valve 25, the drain valve 18, and the like, and executes the respective steps such as washing, rinsing, dewatering, and the like.

In the cleaning step, controller 53 opens water supply valve 25. After the tap water supplied from the water supply valve 25 passes through the water supply member 35, the tap water is discharged from a predetermined hole facing the detergent storage section 27 of the detergent storage container 6.

When the powder detergent is put into the detergent storage 27, the discharged water and the powder detergent are mixed and sent to the storage member 40 through the water sending member 31. When the liquid detergent is put into the detergent storage 27, the discharged water and the liquid detergent remaining in the detergent storage 27 are mixed and sent to the storage member 40 through the water sending member 31. As described later, the water and the detergent fed into the storage member 40 are fed into the water tank 11 and the rotary drum 10.

The washing process is started when the water supply is completed. In the washing step, the rotating drum 10 is rotated to perform washing agitation, thereby removing stains adhering to the laundry. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the washing water is drained and the rinsing process is started.

When the rinsing process is started, water supply is performed. Tap water is discharged from a predetermined hole through the water supply member 35, and the finishing agent storage portion 9 is filled with water. In the state of being filled with water, the mixed liquid of water and finishing agent in the finishing agent storage 9 is sent into the water tank 11 from the water sending member 31 by a siphon phenomenon. Then, when water is supplied to a predetermined water level, rinsing agitation is performed. When a predetermined time elapses, the washing water is discharged to the outside of the main body case 1.

Next, a dehydration process is performed. In the dehydration step, since the discharge port 81 communicating with the discharge connection portion 30 is provided in the annular seal 8, the rotary drum 10 is not easily affected by vibration even if the water tank 11 vibrates due to high-speed rotation. When the dehydration step is completed, the washing is completed.

[ storage means during washing operation ]

As described above, when the user puts the liquid detergent in the washing operation, a part of the injected liquid detergent reaches the storage member 40. Therefore, in the case where the diversion passage 43 and the extensible hose 45 as the 2 nd flow passage do not exist, the mixed liquid of the liquid detergent and the water remaining in the storage member 40 reaches the discharge port 81 via the 1 st discharge flow passage 28, the 2 nd discharge flow passage 29, and the discharge connection portion 30. Accordingly, the user can observe the discharge of the liquid from the discharge port 81 through the door body 3, and may feel uneasy and uncomfortable. Further, when the liquid detergent is poured in with the door 3 opened, the liquid detergent may leak out of the main body casing 1 through the pouring port 7.

In the present embodiment, the following structure is adopted: by providing the 2 nd flow path as a bypass path of the 3 rd flow path, the liquid does not reach the discharge port 81 when the liquid detergent is put in.

Then, water is supplied to the detergent storage part 27, and a mixed liquid of water and detergent flows down to the storage member 40. When the flow rate is sufficiently small, the mixed liquid of water and detergent reaching the reservoir 42 reaches the water tank 11 via the 1 st discharge channel 28, the opening 41 for the diversion channel, the diversion channel 43, and the flexible tube 45.

When the flow rate of the mixed liquid of water and detergent exceeds the amount of water that can pass through the diversion passage opening 41 per unit time, or when the flow rate of the mixed liquid of water and detergent exceeds the maximum capacity of the diversion passage 43, a part of the mixed liquid enters the 2 nd discharge flow path 29. The mixed liquid passes through the 2 nd discharge channel 29, the discharge connection portion 30, and the discharge port 81, and is discharged into the rotary drum 10.

At this time, the amount of liquid passing through the path formed by the branch path 43 and the extension hose 45 is smaller than the amount of liquid passing through the path formed by the 2 nd discharge flow path 29, the discharge connection portion 30, and the discharge port 81, and the ratio of the liquid to the total amount of the mixed liquid is small. Sufficient water can be supplied to the clothes stored in front of the inside of the rotary drum 10 by discharging a sufficient amount of water through the discharge port 81.

[ Effect, etc. ]

As described above, the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment includes: a main body case 1; a water tank 11 supported in a freely swingable manner inside the main body casing 1; a rotary drum 10 rotatably disposed inside the water tank 11; and a detergent supply device for supplying a detergent to the water tank 11 or the rotary drum 10. The detergent feeding device includes: a detergent container 6 into which a detergent is put; a 1 st flow path connected to the detergent container 6 and including a reservoir 42 formed to be capable of storing a liquid; a 2 nd flow path which communicates with the 1 st flow path downstream and above the reservoir 42 and is connected to the water tank 11; and a 3 rd flow path communicating with the 1 st flow path downstream and above the 2 nd flow path and communicating with the inside of the rotary drum 10.

According to this configuration, a small amount of liquid flows down the 3 rd flow path and reaches the water tank 11, and therefore is not discharged into the rotary drum 10 through the 2 nd flow path. Therefore, the detergent injected into the detergent container 6 when the user supplies the detergent can be prevented from immediately reaching the inside of the rotary drum 10.

As shown in the present embodiment, the 2 nd flow path may include an extensible hose 45, and the extensible hose 45 is fixed to the main body casing 1 so as to be swingable and includes a connection portion to be connected to the water tank 11.

According to this configuration, the extensible hose 45 absorbs the swing of the water tank 11 and is fixed to the main body case 1 by the mooring member 44, so that vibration is not transmitted to the diversion path 43.

(other embodiments)

As described above, embodiment 1 is described as an example of the technique disclosed in the present application. However, the technique of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Therefore, other embodiments are exemplified below.

In embodiment 1, the discharge port 81 provided in the annular seal 8 is described as an example of the opening of the 2 nd flow path communicating with the inside of the rotary drum 10. The opening of the 2 nd flow path may be in communication with the inside of the rotary drum 10. Therefore, the opening of the 2 nd flow path may be provided in a portion other than the annular seal 8.

In embodiment 1, the water supply member 31 and the storage member 40 are described as an example of the 1 st flow path including the storage section. The storage member 40 is not limited to the shape bent into the substantially V-letter shape, as long as the storage portion 42 is formed at the lowest position. For example, the storage member 40 may be substantially U-shaped.

Other operational effects of the drum-type washing machine according to embodiment 1 will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the drawings and the following description.

(basic structure of drum type washing machine)

The structure of the drum-type washing machine of embodiment 1 has been described with reference to fig. 1 to 5, and other operational effects of the drum-type washing machine of embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 6 to 12.

It should be noted that although the drum-type washing machine according to embodiment 1 shown in fig. 1 to 5 and the drum-type washing machine according to embodiment 1 shown in fig. 6 to 12 have different configurations such as the installation angles of

water tanks

11 and 540 and

rotary drums

10 and 530, the same configuration is used as a characteristic configuration, and therefore the drum-type washing machine shown in fig. 1 to 12 will be described as the drum-type washing machine according to embodiment 1. However, since the drum-type washing machine according to embodiment 1 shown in fig. 1 to 5 and the drum-type washing machine according to embodiment 1 shown in fig. 6 to 12 have different functions, different definitions are provided or different reference numerals are given to the components.

Fig. 6 is an external perspective view of the drum type washing machine of embodiment 1 as viewed from the front surface side thereof. Fig. 7 is an external perspective view of the drum-type washing machine of embodiment 1 as viewed from the back side thereof. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the drum type washing machine of embodiment 1.

In fig. 6 to 8, the main body casing 200 of the drum-type washing machine 100 includes a front wall 210, a rear wall 220 opposite to the front wall 210, a left wall 230 erected between the front wall 210 and the rear wall 220, a right wall 240 opposite to the left wall 230, a top wall 250 surrounded by upper edges of the front wall 210, the rear wall 220, the left wall 230, and the right wall 240, and a bottom wall 260 opposite to the top wall 250.

Water supply port 410 is exposed in rear wall 220, and water is supplied by connecting water supply port 410 to a faucet (not shown) using a hose.

The door 101 is attached to the front wall 210, and the door 101 pivots between a closed position along the front wall 210 and an open position protruding from the front wall 210. The door 101 shown in fig. 1 is at an open position, and when the door 101 is at the open position, the inlet 511 defined by the storage groove 510 (see fig. 3) is exposed. In washing, the door 101 is rotated to the open position, and clothes are put into the storage tub 510 through the input opening 511.

The storage tank 510, which is elastically supported by a vibration isolator not shown in the figure so as to be swingable, in the main body case 200 mainly includes a rotary drum 530 for storing clothes, and a water tank 540 for rotatably storing the rotary drum 530.

The rotary drum 530 includes an inner annular wall 531 defining the inlet 511, an inner bottom wall 532 on the opposite side of the inner annular wall 531, and a cylindrical inner peripheral wall 533 between the inner annular wall 531 and the inner bottom wall 532.

The water tank 540 includes an outer annular wall 541 disposed between the front wall 210 and the inner annular wall 531, an outer bottom wall 542 disposed between the rear wall 220 and the inner bottom wall 532, and an outer circumferential wall 543 surrounding the inner circumferential wall 533 between the outer annular wall 541 and the outer bottom wall 542.

The outer peripheral wall 543 of the water tank 540 includes a front peripheral wall 545 to which the outer peripheral wall 541 is attached, and a rear peripheral wall 546 disposed between the outer bottom wall 542 and the front peripheral wall 545.

The motor 520 includes a main body 521 for generating a driving force, and a driving shaft 522 for transmitting the driving force to the rotary drum 530, and the driving shaft 522 penetrates the outer bottom wall 542 and is connected to the inner bottom wall 532. Fig. 8 shows a rotation axis RX of the rotary drum 530 defined by the motor 520. The later-described foam generating portion 450 is disposed above the rotation axis RX.

Fig. 9 is a module circuit diagram of the drum type washing machine of embodiment 2. Fig. 10 is a partially transparent top view of the drum type washing machine according to embodiment 2.

Further, in fig. 9, solid line arrows show the flow of water, dashed line arrows show the flow of air, and single-dot chain line arrows show the transmission paths of control signals.

In fig. 9 and 10, washing machine 100 includes main body case 200, control unit 300, water supply device 400, washing device 500, and drying device 600.

The main body case 200 houses therein the control unit 300, the water supply device 400, the washing device 500, and the drying device 600. The control unit 300 controls the water supply device 400, the washing device 500, and the drying device 600, and sequentially controls a washing process for washing the clothes, a rinsing process for rinsing the clothes, a dehydrating process for dehydrating the clothes, and a drying process for drying the clothes.

(washing device)

The washing device 500 includes a storage tank 510 configured by a rotary drum 530 and a water tank 540 for storing clothes, and a motor 520 for driving the storage tank 510. The motor 520 drives the rotary drum 530 of the storage tank 510 to rotate under the control of the control unit 300.

In the washing process, the rotary drum 530 agitates the clothes in a detergent-containing liquid. As a result of which the clothes are properly washed.

In the rinsing process, the rotary drum 530 agitates the clothes in water having a detergent concentration lower than that in the washing process. In the rinsing step, water is repeatedly supplied to the storage tank 510 and drained from the storage tank 510. As a result, the detergent is properly removed from the clothes.

In the dehydration process, the rotating drum 530 dehydrates the clothes using centrifugal force. As a result, drying of the clothes is promoted.

In the drying step, dry air is supplied into the water tank 540 that houses the tank 510. The humidity of the drying air is low and the temperature is high, so that the clothes are properly dried in the receiving tub 510. The rotating drum 530 stirs the clothes during the supply of the drying air. As a result of which the clothes are properly dried.

(Water supply device)

The water supply device 400 supplies water to the storage tank 510 in the above-described washing step and rinsing step.

The water supply device 400 includes a water supply port 410 connected to a water tap, a water supply valve 420, and a detergent container 460, and the detergent container 460 includes a detergent input portion 430 for containing detergent and a liquid finishing agent storage portion 440 for containing liquid finishing agent. The front and rear of the detergent container 460 are longitudinal directions, and the detergent container 460 is configured to be freely drawn out from the front surface side of the main body case 200 so as to be charged with detergent or liquid finishing agent. The water supply device 400 includes a 1 st water supply path 421, a 2 nd water supply path 422, a 3 rd water supply path 423, and a bubble generating portion 450. Further, the foam generating portion 450 will be described in detail later with reference to fig. 11.

The water supplied to the water supply port 410 reaches the water supply valve 420.

The water supply valve 420 has a multi-valve structure that can open and close two or more water paths. Therefore, the water supply valve 420 can be switched between the 1 st water supply path 421 for supplying water to the storage tank 510 via the detergent input part 430, the 2 nd water supply path 422 for supplying water to the storage tank 510 via the liquid finishing agent storage part 440, and the 3 rd water supply path 423 for allowing water to directly flow to the foam generating part 450.

In the washing process, when the 1 st water supply path 421 is opened by the water supply valve 420, water flows into the detergent input part 430 into which detergent is input, and the water and the detergent are mixed. Then, the mixed liquid of water and detergent flows into the rotary drum 530.

In the rinsing step, when the 2 nd water supply path 422 is opened by the water supply valve 420, water flows into the liquid finishing agent storage portion 440 into which the liquid finishing agent is introduced, and the water and the liquid finishing agent are mixed. Then, the mixed liquid of water and the liquid finishing agent flows into the storage tank 510.

For example, when no detergent is supplied to the detergent supply portion 430, the 1 st water supply path 421 is used in the rinsing step. As a result, the water is directly supplied to the storage tank 510 through the detergent input portion 430. For example, when the liquid finishing agent is not charged into the liquid finishing agent storage portion 440, the 2 nd water supply path 422 may be used for the cleaning process.

(drying apparatus)

The drying device 600 includes: an air filter 610 that receives the wet air sent from the storage tank 510 through the air intake pipe 650; a heat exchange unit 620 that exchanges heat with the air that has passed through the air filter 610; and a blower 630 for sending the warm air from which moisture has been removed after passing through the heat exchange unit 620 to the storage tank 510 through an air supply pipe 660. The air filter 610 removes lint from the air sent from the receiving tank 510. Therefore, the purified air flows into the heat exchanging part 620.

(detergent feeding device)

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of an upper half of the drum type washing machine according to embodiment 1. Fig. 12 is a partially transparent front sectional view of a bubble generating portion of the drum type washing machine according to embodiment 1.

In fig. 11 and 12, the foam generating section 450 is a device for generating foam. The laundry detergent, which becomes bubbles in the bubble generating part 450 and increases in volume, is delivered to the receiving tub 510 and spread over the clothes. When the laundry detergent contacts and soaks up the clothes, the bubbles become a foam film to cover the clothes. Since the foam film contains a surfactant at a high concentration, stains of clothes can be effectively removed.

The foam generating unit 450 is attached to the front wall 545 of the water tank 540 below the detergent container 460 and above the rotation axis RX of the rotary drum 530, and is configured in a substantially U-shape by forming a partition wall 456 in the foam generating unit case 451.

The foam generating portion 450 has an inflow port 453 connected to the upper surface side of the foam generating portion case 451, the inflow port 453 is connected to the 1 st water supply path 421 and the 2 nd water supply path 422 through the detergent input portion 430 and the liquid finishing agent storage portion 440 formed in the detergent storage container 460, and the foam generating portion 450 has an ejection port 455 connected to the upper surface side of the foam generating portion case 451 as one end of the 3 rd water supply path 423.

A foam generating chamber 452 is defined by a partition wall 456 at the lowermost portion of the foam generating section case 451, and an outlet 454 is formed on the side opposite to the inlet 453 with the partition wall 456 therebetween. The bottom surface of the bubble generating chamber 452 is formed to be inclined upward as it goes toward the outflow port 454, and the outflow port 454 is formed on an extension line of the bottom of the bubble generating chamber 452. Further, the top end a of the partition wall 456 is located at a position lower than the outflow port 454 (reserve line).

The foam generation chamber 452 stores the detergent that is put into the detergent input portion 430 and flows along with the water. When water having a relatively high flow rate is discharged from the discharge port 455 through the 3 rd water supply path 423 and collides with the liquid surface of the stored detergent liquid, a large amount of detergent bubbles is generated. Then, the detergent bubbles flow into the receiving tank 510 together with the water having a relatively high flow rate from the flow outlet 454.

Here, by dividing the interior of the foam generation unit case 451 by the partition wall 456, the flow path area of the foam generation chamber 452 is reduced, and the flow velocity of water from the discharge port 455 can be increased, and more detergent foam can be generated.

There are also situations where: the vapor or odor present in the storage tank 510 flows back and leaks from the detergent pouring section 430 through the foam generating section 450. The bubble generation chamber 452 can prevent the reverse flow of steam or odor in a water-sealed state. As shown in the present embodiment, the flow path area of the bubble generation chamber 452 is reduced by providing the partition wall 456, so that the amount of water required for sealing the flow path with water can be reduced. This ensures that even a small amount of water can seal the foam generation chamber 452 reliably.

In addition, a bypass outlet 427 is formed in the foam generating portion case 451 upstream of the outlet 454 and downstream of the detergent liquid stored in the bottom surface of the foam generating chamber 452, and the bypass outlet 427 is connected to the bypass path 425.

The other end of bypass channel 425 is connected to water tank 540 so as to be swingable, and absorbs the vibration transmitted from storage tank 510. When the mixed liquid of water and detergent stored in the inflow port 453 reaches the storage line or more, the mixed liquid overflows and flows into the water tank 540 from the bypass outlet 427 through the bypass path 425 and the flexible tube 426.

The detergent container 460, the inflow port 453, the foam generating part 450, the bypass passage 425, and the flexible tube 426 function as a detergent input device for feeding the water containing the detergent into the storage tank 510.

(washing operation)

Before the operation, the user pulls out the detergent container 460 and puts the liquid detergent for washing into the detergent putting portion 430. The liquid detergent gradually flows down from the inflow port 453 to the bubble generating portion 450, and is accumulated in the bubble generating chamber 452 at the lowermost portion. When a liquid detergent in an amount equal to or larger than the amount of the liquid detergent stored in the storage line is injected into the bubble generation chamber 452, the liquid detergent flows into the water tank 540 from the bypass outlet 427 through the bypass path 425 and the flexible tube 426.

When the operation is started, water supply valve 420 is driven to supply water to detergent dispenser 430 through water supply path 1 421. The water washes the liquid detergent remaining in the detergent input portion 430 and the path following the detergent input portion, and flows down into the foam generating portion 450 from the inflow port 453 of the foam generating portion 450.

When the powder detergent is put into the detergent input portion 430, the powder detergent becomes a mixed liquid of water and the detergent and flows into the foam generation chamber 452 of the foam generation portion 450 from the inlet 453. The mixed liquid overflowing from the foam generation chamber 452 flows from the bypass outlet to the water tank 540 through the bypass passage 425 and the flexible tube 426.

Next, the water supply valve 420 is opened to discharge water having a high flow rate from the discharge port 455 through the 3 rd water supply path 423. The water discharged from the discharge port 455 collides strongly with the water surface of the mixed liquid of the detergent and the water stored in the foam generation chamber 452, agitates the detergent liquid to suck air, and generates detergent foam. The generated detergent bubbles flow toward the outflow port 454 provided in the bubble generating portion 450, and are supplied from the outflow port 454 to the clothes in the rotary drum 530 of the storage tub 510.

The detergent bubbles generated in the bubble generating unit 450 are directly supplied into the rotary drum 530 from the outflow port 454 above the bubble generating unit 450. Thus, the detergent foam quickly permeates into the entire clothes, and the surfactant densely present in the foam adsorbs and floats the stains, thereby exhibiting cleaning performance such that the tough stains can be completely removed.

When water is supplied into the rotary drum 530 to a predetermined water level, the motor 520 is driven to rotate the rotary drum 530 to perform a washing agitation operation, and a large amount of detergent bubbles are applied to the clothes, thereby exhibiting a high washing effect.

Next, when the water discharge and the intermediate dehydration are completed in the 1 st rinsing step, the water supply valve 420 opens the 1 st water supply path 421, supplies water into the water tank 540 through the detergent input part 430 and the bubble generation part 450 without detergent, and when the water is supplied to a predetermined water level, the motor 520 is driven to rotate the rotary drum 530 to perform the rinsing agitation.

When the water supply valve 420 opens the 2 nd water supply path 422 at the end of draining and intermediate dewatering in the final rinsing step, water flows into the liquid finishing agent storage portion 440 of the detergent storage container 460, into which the liquid finishing agent has been previously put, and the water and the liquid finishing agent are mixed. Then, the mixed liquid of water and the liquid finishing agent flows into the water tank 540. When water is supplied into the rotary drum 530 to a predetermined level, the motor 520 is driven to rotate the rotary drum 530, thereby providing the liquid finishing agent effect to the clothes and simultaneously performing rinsing agitation.

After the rinsing agitation is completed and the water is drained, a final dehydration step is performed, and then a drying step is performed as necessary.

Here, the washing water remaining in the bubble generating portion 450 at the end of the rinsing step flows into the bypass path 425 or does not flow into the bypass path 425 and is accumulated in the bubble generating chamber 452 according to the magnitude of the vibration of the water tank 540 in the dehydration step. There is therefore no case: the washing water flows into the water tub 540 from the outlet 454 during the dehydration to fall to the clothes being dehydrated.

In the dehydration step and the drying step, the foam generation chamber 452 is sealed with water remaining in the rinsing step, thereby exerting a backwater effect and preventing odor present in the storage tank 510 from flowing backward and leaking from the detergent input portion 430 through the foam generation portion 450.

(action, etc.)

As described above, the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment includes: a main body case 200; a water tank 540 supported in the main body case 200 in a freely swingable vibration-proof manner; a rotary drum 530 rotatably installed in the water tub 540 and receiving laundry; a motor that drives the rotary drum 530 to rotate; a detergent supply device for supplying detergent to the water tank 540 or the rotary drum 530; and a water supply device 400 for supplying water to the detergent dispenser. The detergent feeding device includes: a detergent input part 430 into which a detergent is input; a foam generation chamber 452 provided below the detergent input portion 430 and storing the detergent flowing down from the detergent input portion 430; and a discharge port 455 provided above the bubble generation chamber 452 and adapted to drop the water supplied from the water supply device 400 toward the liquid surface of the bubble generation chamber 452.

According to this configuration, in the foam generating section 450 which is a part of the detergent supply device, the detergent liquid stored in the foam generating chamber 452 collides with water, and foam can be generated. Therefore, the device for generating foam can be realized with a simple structure without using a complicated device provided with a path dedicated to foam generation or the like.

As shown in the present embodiment, the water supply device 400 may include: a 1 st water supply path connected to the detergent input part 430, and allowing water to flow down to the bubble generation chamber 452 through the detergent input part 430; and a 3 rd water supply path 423 connected to the ejection port 455.

Accordingly, water can be supplied to the laundry detergent stored in the bubble generation chamber 452 through the 3 rd water supply path 423 provided separately from the 1 st water supply path.

As shown in the present embodiment, the detergent dispenser may include a foam generating unit 450 formed in a substantially U-shape, and the foam generating chamber 452 may be formed below the foam generating unit 450.

According to this configuration, the foam generating unit 450 can be formed in a small size, and thus the detergent dispenser can be made space-saving.

As shown in the present embodiment, the detergent supply device may include: a bypass path 425 connecting the bubble generating unit 450 and the water tank on the downstream side of the bubble generating chamber 452; and an outflow path provided downstream and above a connection portion where the bubble generating portion 450 and the bypass path 425 are connected, and communicating the bubble generating portion 450 and the storage groove.

With this configuration, the detergent liquid that has passed through the storage line is sent to the water tank 540 through the bypass path 425. Therefore, the foam generation chamber 452 can be prevented from overflowing.

(embodiment 2)

Since the portions other than the shape added to the foam generating portion are the same as those in embodiment 1 shown in fig. 6 to 12, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

(guide wall)

In fig. 13, guide wall 457 is provided to cover bypass outlet 427, which is a connection port to bypass path 425.

The guide wall 457 has a substantially semicircular shape, has an opening 428 opened substantially semicircular only on the outflow port 454 side which is the downstream side, and the opening 428 communicates with the bypass outflow port 427.

In the cleaning step, when the water supply valve 420 is opened in a state where the liquid detergent or the mixed liquid of the powdery detergent and the water is stored in the bubble generation chamber 452 and the water having a high flow rate is discharged from the discharge port 455 of the bubble generation portion 450 through the 3 rd water supply path 423, the water collides with the water surface of the stored mixed liquid of the detergent and the water strongly and agitates the detergent liquid, thereby causing air to be sucked into the liquid in the form of bubbles and generating detergent bubbles. The generated detergent bubbles flow along guide wall 457, flow into bypass path 425 from bypass outlet 427, flow toward outlet 454 provided in bubble generating portion 450, and are supplied to the clothes in rotary drum 530 of storage tub 510 from outlet 454.

(action, etc.)

As described above, in the foam generating portion 450 of the present embodiment, the bypass outflow opening 427, which is an opening portion communicating with the bypass passage 425, is provided with the guide wall covering the upstream side.

Thus, the generated detergent bubbles are guided by the guide wall 457, and flow toward the outflow port 454 provided in the bubble generating portion 450 without flowing out from the bypass outflow port 427. Therefore, the detergent foam can be prevented from flowing out of the bypass path 425, and the detergent foam can be efficiently generated.

(other embodiments)

As described above, embodiment 1 and embodiment 2 are described as examples of the technique disclosed in the present application. However, the technique of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Therefore, other embodiments are exemplified below.

In

embodiments

1 and 2, a drum-type washing machine is described as an example of a washing machine. The washing machine may be any washing machine using a detergent. Therefore, the washing machine is not limited to the drum type washing machine, but may be a vertical type washing machine or a dual-tub type washing machine.

In embodiment 1 and embodiment 2, the foam generating portion 450 is described as an example of the foam generating portion. Since the foam generating portion only needs to include the reservoir portion, the foam generating portion is not limited to the shape of the foam generating portion 450, and may be a shape extending upward from the foam generating chamber 452 as shown in fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a partially transparent sectional view of a bubble generating portion of a drum type washing machine according to another embodiment, as viewed from the front.

In embodiment 1 and embodiment 2, the shapes shown in fig. 12 and 13 are described as examples of the substantially U-shaped bubble generating portion. The substantially U-shape is not limited to the shape of fig. 12 and 13, and may be a V-shape, a japanese kana コ -shape, a folded shape, a shape including any of these shapes, or the like.

In embodiment 1 and embodiment 2, the outlet 454 formed as a part of the foam generating section case 451 is described as an example of an outlet path. The outflow path is not limited to a path formed as a part of the foam generation section case 451, as long as it is a path that communicates the reservoir section and the rotary drum. The outflow path may also be a separate component connected to the foam-generating portion. Further, the outflow path may not be directly connected to the rotary drum. For example, the outflow path may be connected to a window seal that seals a front portion of the storage groove. By forming a part of the window seal as an outflow path, detergent foam can be efficiently sprayed from above onto clothes stored in the rotary drum. Further, the window seal is often formed of an elastic material such as rubber, and absorbs the vibration of the storage groove. Since the transmission of vibration to the foam generating portion can be suppressed by connecting the outflow path to the window seal, a rigid member having no elasticity can be used for the foam generating portion.

Industrial applicability

The present disclosure can be applied to a drum type washing machine into which a detergent is injected. Specifically, the present disclosure can be applied to a drum type washing machine.

In addition, the present disclosure can be applied to a washing machine that performs a washing operation using a detergent. Specifically, the present disclosure can be applied to a vertical washing machine, a drum washing machine, a dual-tub washing machine, and the like.

Description of the reference numerals

1. 200, a main body shell; 3. 101, a door body; 6. 460, a detergent container; 7. 511, throwing in; 9. a finishing agent storage part; 10. 530, rotating the roller; 11. 540, a water tank; 12. 520, a motor; 25. 420, a water supply valve; 27. a detergent storage part; 28. a 1 st discharge channel (1 st channel); 29. a 2 nd discharge channel (3 rd channel); 30. a discharge connection part (3 rd flow path); 31. a water supply member (1 st flow path); 35. a water supply member; 38. a frame body; 40. a storage member; 41. a diversion path opening (2 nd flow path); 42. a reservoir section (1 st channel); 43. a flow dividing path (2 nd flow path); 44. a mooring member; 45. a flexible hose (2 nd flow path); 53. 300, a control part; 81. an outlet (3 rd flow path); 400. a water supply device; 421. a 1 st water supply path; 423. a 3 rd water supply path; 425. a bypass path; 427. a bypass flow outlet; 428. an opening part; 430. a detergent input part; 440. a liquid finishing agent storage section; 450. a foam generating section; 451. a foam generating section housing; 452. a foam generation chamber (reservoir); 453. an inflow port; 454. an outflow port; 455. an ejection port; 456. a partition wall; 457. a guide wall; 510. a receiving groove; 545. a front peripheral wall.

Claims

1. A drum type washing machine, in which,

the drum-type washing machine includes: a main body case; a water tank which is supported in the main body casing so as to be swingable; a rotary drum rotatably disposed inside the water tank; and a detergent input device for supplying detergent to the water tank or the rotary drum,

the detergent feeding device includes:

a detergent container into which the detergent is put;

a 1 st flow path connected to the detergent container and including a reservoir portion formed to be capable of storing a liquid;

a 2 nd flow path which communicates with the 1 st flow path downstream and above the reservoir and is connected to the water tank; and

and a 3 rd flow path which is communicated with the 1 st flow path at the downstream and upper side of the 2 nd flow path and is communicated with the inside of the rotary drum.

2. The drum type washing machine as claimed in claim 1,

the 2 nd flow path includes a hose portion fixed to the main body casing so as to be swingable, and including a connection portion connected to the water tank.

3. A washing machine, wherein,

the washing machine is provided with: a main body case; a water tank which is elastically supported in the main body case so as to be swingable; a rotary drum rotatably installed in the water tub and receiving laundry; a motor for driving the rotary drum to rotate; a detergent supply device for supplying a detergent to the water tank or the rotary drum; and a water supply device for supplying water to the detergent throwing device,

the detergent feeding device includes: a detergent container into which the detergent is put; a storage unit provided below the detergent container and storing the detergent flowing down from the detergent container; and a spout provided above the reservoir portion and adapted to drop the water supplied from the water supply device toward the liquid surface of the reservoir portion.

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

the water supply device includes:

a 1 st water supply path connected to the detergent container and configured to allow water to flow down to the reservoir through the detergent container; and

and a 3 rd water supply path connected to the discharge port.

5. The washing machine according to claim 3 or 4,

the detergent dispenser includes a foam generating unit formed in a substantially U-letter shape,

the reservoir portion is formed as a lower portion of the foam generating portion.

6. The washing machine according to claim 5,

the detergent feeding device includes:

a bypass path connecting the foam generating section and the water tank on a downstream side of the reservoir section; and

and an outflow path provided downstream of and above a connection portion where the foam generating portion and the bypass path are connected, the outflow path communicating the foam generating portion and the rotary drum.

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

the foam generating portion is provided with a guide wall covering an upstream side at an opening portion communicating with the bypass path.