EP2679717A1 - Drum-type washing machine - Google Patents
Drum-type washing machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2679717A1 EP2679717A1 EP12749072.0A EP12749072A EP2679717A1 EP 2679717 A1 EP2679717 A1 EP 2679717A1 EP 12749072 A EP12749072 A EP 12749072A EP 2679717 A1 EP2679717 A1 EP 2679717A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- water
- drainage
- water tank
- washing machine
- water level
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
- D06F39/083—Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/26—Casings; Tubs
- D06F37/261—Tubs made by a specially selected manufacturing process or characterised by their assembly from elements
- D06F37/262—Tubs made by a specially selected manufacturing process or characterised by their assembly from elements made of plastic material, e.g. by injection moulding
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
- D06F39/087—Water level measuring or regulating devices
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/10—Filtering arrangements
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a drum-type washing machine for washing a load accommodated in a rotary drum.
- this type of drum-type washing machine is provided with a water level detection structure for detecting a water level in a water tank (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
- Fig. 3 is a vertically sectional view showing a configuration of major parts of a conventional drum-type washing machine described in Patent Document 1
- Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing a water level detector of the conventional drum-type washing machine.
- a water tank 3 is supported in a washing machine casing 2 via a suspension structure (not shown), and a cylindrical rotary drum 5 with a bottom is rotatably arranged in this water tank 3.
- a drainage passage 7 for discharging washing water in the water tank 3 is arranged in a bottom of the water tank 3.
- the water level detector includes an air trap 100 integrated with the drainage passage 7 and a water level sensor (not shown) connected to the air trap 100 by an air tube 104, and the water level of the washing water in the water tank 3 is detected by the water level detector.
- a connection portion 101 of a drainage tube 107 is coupled to a drainage groove 20 formed in the water tank 3.
- the drainage tube 107 is integrated with a water level detection tube 108 having a decreased diameter, the water level detection tube being provided with an inclination portion 109 on the lower side, and one end of the water level detection tube 108 is opened in the air trap 100.
- One end of the drainage tube 107 is coupled to a drainage port 102 and connected to an external drainage tube 103 via a drainage valve 27.
- Patent Document 1 JP 2005-137645 A
- the present invention is to solve the above conventional problem, and an object thereof is to provide a drum-type washing machine in which foreign substances such as lint do not easily come into an air trap in a piping structure of a bottom of a water tank, the drum-type washing machine being capable of stably detecting a water level of the water tank.
- a drum-type washing machine of the present invention comprises:
- the drum-type washing machine of the present invention in which the foreign substances such as lint do not easily come into the air trap can stably detect the water level of the water tank.
- a drum-type washing machine comprising:
- the water level detection tube, the drainage tube, and the connection port of the filter case are substantially horizontally arranged, at the time of draining washing water in the water tank, a water flow from the drainage port of the bottom of the water tank toward the connection port of the filter case through the drainage tube can be straightened.
- the water level detection tube providing communication between the drainage tube and the opening of the air trap has the inclination portion in the vicinity of the lower side of the drainage port and the water level detection tube has a smaller diameter than the drainage tube.
- the water flow cannot easily come into the air trap. Therefore, foreign substances such as lint contained in the washing water cannot easily flow into the air trap, so that air pressure in the air trap is stabilized.
- the water level of the water tank can be stably detected.
- the drum-type washing machine according to the first aspect, wherein the air trap and the drainage port are further arranged substantially horizontally with respect to the water level detection tube, the drainage tube, and the connection port of the filter case.
- the drum-type washing machine according to the first or second aspect, wherein the water tank and the air trap are integrally formed from a reinforced plastic material. With such a configuration, the air pressure in the air trap can be more stabilized.
- Fig. 1 shows a vertically sectional view of a drum-type washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention.
- a water tank 42 is oscillatably arranged in an interior of a washing machine casing 41, and a rotary drum 43 is rotatably arranged in the water tank 42.
- a rotation shaft (rotation center axis) 44 arranged in the horizontal direction is provided in a rotation center of the rotary drum 43.
- a motor 45 attached to the vicinity of the back surface side of the water tank 42 is coupled to this rotation shaft 44 via a belt 46. Rotation drive force of the motor 45 is transmitted to the rotation shaft 44 via the belt 46, so that the rotary drum 43 is driven and rotated in the forward direction or in the reverse direction.
- a water tank unit 49 as a vibration system includes the water tank 42, the rotary drum 43, the motor 45, and the like.
- This water tank unit 49 is supported by a plurality of spring bodies 50 from an upper part of the washing machine casing 41 and anti-vibration supported by a plurality of anti-vibration dampers 51 from a lower part of the washing machine casing 41. Thereby, vibration generated in the water tank unit 49 is absorbed, so that transmission to the washing machine casing 41 is suppressed.
- the washing machine casing 41 has a casing opening 40 into and from which the clothing is brought on a front surface, and this casing opening 40 is openably and closably covered by a lid body 52. Between a front surface of the water tank 42 and an opening edge of the casing opening 40, a seal packing 82 for coupling the both and playing a role of anti-vibration and water sealing is provided.
- the lid body 52 can seal or open the casing opening 40 via this seal packing 82. By opening this lid body 52, the load can be brought between an exterior of the washing machine casing 41 and the interior of the rotary drum 43 through a clothing outlet/inlet 53 formed on a front surface of the rotary drum 43.
- This drum-type washing machine has a function of automatically controlling the motor 45, a water supply passage 54, a drainage passage 55, and a water circulation passage 56 in accordance with mode setting and a control program, so as to perform at least a wash step, a rinsing step, and a spin-drying step.
- the water supply passage 54 is a passage for supplying water supplied from a water source in an exterior of the drum-type washing machine to an interior of the water tank 42.
- a first water supply hose 59 and a second water supply hose 60 connected to the water source are connected to a detergent accommodating portion 61 accommodating a drawer portion (not shown) storing detergent and softener, the drawer portion to be freely pulled out from the exterior in an interior.
- a first electromagnetic valve 57 (first water supply portion) is provided in the first water supply hose 59, and a second electromagnetic valve 58 (second water supply portion) is provided in the second water supply hose 60.
- the detergent accommodating portion 61 is connected to the interior of the water tank 42 through the water supply passage 62.
- the water supplied from the water source is supplied into the detergent accommodating portion 61 through the first water supply hose 59 or the second water supply hose 60.
- the water supplied to the interior of the detergent accommodating portion 61 is supplied into the water tank 42 through the water supply passage 62 at a proper time.
- the drainage passage 55 is a passage for draining the washing water in the water tank 42 to the exterior of the drum-type washing machine.
- a drainage port 85 is provided in a recessed portion 71 formed in a bottom of the water tank 42, and a drainage tube 64 is connected to this drainage port 85.
- One end of the drainage tube 64 is connected to a case connection port 89 of a filter case 83.
- the filter case 83 accommodates a lint filter 65 (drainage filter) for collecting lint, and the lint filter 65 can be removed from the outer side of a lower part on the front surface of the washing machine casing 41 by a filter grip 84.
- a drainage pump 63 is connected to the filter case 83, and a drainage hose 66 arranged from the interior of the washing machine casing 41 to the upper side of the exterior is connected to the discharge side of the drainage pump 63.
- the washing water in the water tank 42 flows into the filter case 83 via the drainage tube 64 connected to the recessed portion 71 in the bottom of the water tank 42.
- the washing water is drained to the exterior of the drum-type washing machine through the drainage pump 63 and the drainage hose 66.
- the other end of the drainage tube 64 is connected to a water level detection tube 87, and the drainage tube 64 and the water level detection tube 87 are integrated with each other.
- An inclination portion 86 is provided in the vicinity of the lower side of the drainage port 85 of the water level detection tube 87, and thereby, a diameter of the water level detection tube 87 is formed to be smaller than a diameter of the drainage tube 64.
- One end of the water level detection tube 87 communicates with an opening 88 of an air trap 74.
- the drainage tube 64 is preferably made of a soft material such as a rubber material in consideration with a connection property to other members, prevention of leakage from a connection point, and a vibration absorption property of the water tank unit 49 at the time of the spin-drying step.
- the air trap 74 is integrated with the water tank 42 in a side wall part of an outer periphery on the rear side of the bottom of the water tank 42.
- An air tube 75 is connected to this air trap 74, and a water level detector 76 such as a pressure sensor or the like is provided on the inner side of the upper part of the washing machine casing 41 so as to be connected to the air trap 74 via the air tube 75.
- a water level detector 76 such as a pressure sensor or the like is provided on the inner side of the upper part of the washing machine casing 41 so as to be connected to the air trap 74 via the air tube 75.
- the filter case 83 is arranged in a right lower part on the front surface of the washing machine casing 41 for handleability of the filter grip 84.
- the drainage port 85 is provided on the right side of a vertical center of the water tank 42 when seen from a front in order to efficiently arrange the drainage tube 64. It should be noted that a piping structure of the bottom will be described later with reference to Fig. 2 .
- the water circulation passage 56 is a passage for circulating the water in the water tank 42 in order to circulate the water in the water tank 42 in accordance with need such as a time of a pre-wash step, the time of the wash step, and the time of the rinsing step, so as to prevent early dissolution or leaning of the detergent and improve functions of wash and rinsing.
- the drainage tube 64 and the lint filter 65 also used for the drainage passage 55 are connected to an inflow side passage 68 of a circulation pump 67.
- a discharge side passage 69 of the circulation pump 67 communicates with the interior of the water tank 42 at jet ports 70 on the inner side of the front surface of the water tank 42.
- the circulated water discharged into the rotary drum 43 is utilized as the washing water, and circulated again in the water circulation passage 56.
- the water tank 42 has the circular opening on the front surface, the plurality of jet ports 70 is provided along a circumference of this opening edge, and the circulated water is discharged into the rotary drum 43 from all directions of the circumference of the opening edge.
- a hot water heater (heating portion) 72 for heating the washing water is arranged in the recessed portion 71 formed in the bottom of the water tank 42.
- a sheathed heater or the like is used as such a hot water heater 72 and arranged so as to extend in the horizontal direction in the recessed portion 71.
- the coupling hose 77 plays a role of evacuating the air in the water tank 42 pressurized by a step operation action.
- a vibration detector 78 for detecting vibration of the water tank unit 49 is arranged.
- a multiaxis acceleration sensor is used as the vibration detector 78, and detects not acceleration in one direction but vibration in the three-axis directions of the front and rear direction (X axis direction), the left and right direction (Y axis direction), and the up and down direction (Z axis direction) when seen from the front surface side of the drum-type washing machine, so as to control an operation of the drum-type washing machine. This is because actual vibration of the water tank unit 49 cannot always be limited to one direction, and thus the multiaxis acceleration sensor is used for detection with high precision.
- a user selects modes such as an operation course and various functions in the operation of the drum-type washing machine by making an input to an input setting portion 80 from an operation panel 79 provided in the upper part of the front surface of the washing machine casing 41.
- a control device 81 is arranged on the inner side of the upper part of the washing machine casing 41, and the control device 81 displays a display corresponding to information inputted through the input setting portion 80 on a display portion (not shown) on the operation panel 79 so as to notify the user.
- Fig. 2 is a perspective view of major parts when the piping structure such as the drainage passage 55 in the bottom of the water tank 42 of the drum-type washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention is seen from the lower side.
- the drainage port 85 of the water tank 42 is arranged on the right side of the vertical center of the water tank 42, and the filter case 83 coupled to the one end of the drainage tube 64 which is connected to the drainage port 85 is arranged in the right lower part on the front surface side of the washing machine casing 41.
- the circulation pump 67 connected to the discharge side passage 69 and the drainage pump 63 connected to the drainage hose 66 are arranged on the left and right sides of the filter case 83.
- the air trap 74 formed on the rear side of the drainage port 85, the water level detection tube 87, the drainage port 85, the drainage tube 64, and the case connection port 89 of the filter case 83 are substantially horizontally arranged.
- the water tank 42 and the air trap 74 are integrally formed from a reinforced plastic material such as polypropylene containing glass (for example, formed by integral molding or the like). Therefore, in the wash step and the rinsing step, the air pressure in the air trap 74 is stabilized, so that variation in the water level detected by the water level detector 76 is suppressed.
- a reinforced plastic material such as polypropylene containing glass
- the washing water with which the water tank 42 and the drainage passage 55 are filled is drained at once from the drainage hose 66 to the exterior by drive of the drainage pump 63.
- a strong water flow from the drainage port 85 to the filter case 83 via the drainage tube 64 is generated. Since the air trap 74, the water level detection tube 87, the drainage port 85, the drainage tube 64, and the case connection port 89 of the filter case 83 are substantially horizontally arranged, the water flow is straightened so as to come into the filter case 83. Since the inclination portion 86 is provided in the vicinity of the lower side of the drainage port 85 in the water level detection tube 87, the water level detection tube 87 has a smaller diameter than the drainage tube 64.
- the water in the drainage tube 64 is suppressed from flowing into the water level detection tube 87.
- foreign substances such as lint contained in the washing water in the water tank 42 cannot easily be reversed so as to flow into the air trap 74, so that a change in the air pressure due to accumulation of lint and the like over time and consequent instability of the water level are suppressed.
- the drainage tube 64 is preferably formed from a soft material such as a rubber material.
- a soft material such as a rubber material.
- the air trap 74, the water level detection tube 87, the drainage port 85, the drainage tube 64, and the case connection port 89 of the filter case 83 are substantially horizontally arranged, at the time of draining the washing water in the water tank 42, the water flow from the drainage port 85 of the bottom of the water tank 42 toward the case connection port 89 of the filter case 83 through the drainage tube 64 can be straightened. Further, in the water level detection tube 87 providing communication between the drainage tube 64 and the opening 88 of the air trap 74, the inclination portion 86 is provided in the vicinity of the lower side of the drainage port 85 and the water level detection tube 87 has a smaller diameter than the drainage tube 64.
- the water flow cannot easily come into the air trap 74. Therefore, the foreign substances such as lint contained in the washing water cannot easily flow into the air trap 74, so that the air pressure in the air trap 74 is stabilized.
- the water level of the water tank 42 can be stably detected by the water level detector 76.
- the rotation center of the rotary drum 43 is arranged in the horizontal direction in the drum-type washing machine is described above as an example.
- the rotation center of the rotary drum may be arranged while being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.
- a substantially horizontally arranged state includes a state that the members are arranged while being slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal direction to an extent that straightening of the water flow is not essentially influenced in addition to a state that the members are respectively horizontally arranged.
- the drum-type washing machine according to the present invention in which the foreign substances such as lint do not easily come into the air trap can stably detect the water level of the water tank.
- the present invention can be applied to a use for a drum-type washing machine and other washing machines.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a drum-type washing machine for washing a load accommodated in a rotary drum.
- Conventionally, this type of drum-type washing machine is provided with a water level detection structure for detecting a water level in a water tank (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
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Fig. 3 is a vertically sectional view showing a configuration of major parts of a conventional drum-type washing machine described in Patent Document 1, andFig. 4 is a sectional view showing a water level detector of the conventional drum-type washing machine. - As shown in
Fig. 3 , in the conventional drum-type washing machine, awater tank 3 is supported in awashing machine casing 2 via a suspension structure (not shown), and a cylindricalrotary drum 5 with a bottom is rotatably arranged in thiswater tank 3. In a bottom of thewater tank 3, adrainage passage 7 for discharging washing water in thewater tank 3 is arranged. As shown inFig. 4 , the water level detector includes anair trap 100 integrated with thedrainage passage 7 and a water level sensor (not shown) connected to theair trap 100 by anair tube 104, and the water level of the washing water in thewater tank 3 is detected by the water level detector. - In the
drainage passage 7, aconnection portion 101 of adrainage tube 107 is coupled to adrainage groove 20 formed in thewater tank 3. Thedrainage tube 107 is integrated with a waterlevel detection tube 108 having a decreased diameter, the water level detection tube being provided with aninclination portion 109 on the lower side, and one end of the waterlevel detection tube 108 is opened in theair trap 100. One end of thedrainage tube 107 is coupled to adrainage port 102 and connected to anexternal drainage tube 103 via adrainage valve 27. - Patent Document 1:
JP 2005-137645 A - However, with the configuration of the water level detector in the conventional drum-type washing machine, at the time of draining the washing water in the
water tank 3 through thedrainage passage 7, the washing water flows toward theair trap 100. Thus, foreign substances such as lint easily come into theair trap 100. When lint comes into theair trap 100, there is sometimes a case where an error is generated between a set water level of thewater tank 3 and an actual water level. - The present invention is to solve the above conventional problem, and an object thereof is to provide a drum-type washing machine in which foreign substances such as lint do not easily come into an air trap in a piping structure of a bottom of a water tank, the drum-type washing machine being capable of stably detecting a water level of the water tank.
- In order to solve the above conventional problems, a drum-type washing machine of the present invention comprises:
- a washing machine casing;
- a water tank arranged in the washing machine casing;
- a rotary drum accommodated in the water tank;
- a filter case arranged in an inner lower part of the washing machine casing;
- an air trap having an opening on a lower side;
- a water level detector detecting a water level of the water tank from air pressure of the air trap;
- a drainage tube connected to a drainage port of a bottom of the water tank and a connection port of the filter case; and
- a water level detection tube providing communication between the drainage tube and the opening of the air trap, wherein
- the water level detection tube has an inclination portion in a vicinity of a lower side of the drainage port so as to have a smaller diameter than the drainage tube, and further, the water level detection tube, the drainage tube, and the connection port of the filter case are substantially horizontally arranged.
- With such a configuration, at the time of draining washing water in the water tank, a water flow from the drainage port of the bottom of the water tank toward the connection port of the filter case through the drainage tube can be straightened. Therefore, foreign substances such as lint contained in the washing water cannot easily flow into the air trap, so that air pressure in the air trap is stabilized. Thus, the water level of the water tank can be stably detected.
- The drum-type washing machine of the present invention in which the foreign substances such as lint do not easily come into the air trap can stably detect the water level of the water tank.
- These aspects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description concerning a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Fig. 1 is a vertically sectional view of a drum-type washing machine in an embodiment of the present invention. -
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of major parts when a lower piping part of the drum-type washing machine in the embodiment is seen from the lower side. -
Fig. 3 is a vertically sectional view of a conventional drum-type washing machine. -
Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing a water level detector of the conventional drum-type washing machine. - According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a drum-type washing machine, comprising:
- a washing machine casing;
- a water tank arranged in the washing machine casing;
- a rotary drum accommodated in the water tank;
- a filter case arranged in an inner lower part of the washing machine casing;
- an air trap having an opening on a lower side;
- a water level detector detecting a water level of the water tank from air pressure of the air trap;
- a drainage tube connected to a drainage port of a bottom of the water tank and a connection port of the filter case; and
- a water level detection tube providing communication between the drainage tube and the opening of the air trap, wherein
- the water level detection tube has an inclination portion in a vicinity of a lower side of the drainage port so as to have a smaller diameter than the drainage tube, and further, the water level detection tube, the drainage tube, and the connection port of the filter case are substantially horizontally arranged.
- Since the water level detection tube, the drainage tube, and the connection port of the filter case are substantially horizontally arranged, at the time of draining washing water in the water tank, a water flow from the drainage port of the bottom of the water tank toward the connection port of the filter case through the drainage tube can be straightened. Further, the water level detection tube providing communication between the drainage tube and the opening of the air trap has the inclination portion in the vicinity of the lower side of the drainage port and the water level detection tube has a smaller diameter than the drainage tube. Thus, the water flow cannot easily come into the air trap. Therefore, foreign substances such as lint contained in the washing water cannot easily flow into the air trap, so that air pressure in the air trap is stabilized. Thus, the water level of the water tank can be stably detected.
- According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided the drum-type washing machine according to the first aspect, wherein the air trap and the drainage port are further arranged substantially horizontally with respect to the water level detection tube, the drainage tube, and the connection port of the filter case. With such a configuration, the foreign substances such as lint contained in the washing water further cannot easily flow into the air trap, so that the air pressure in the air trap is stabilized. Thus, the water level of the water tank can be stably detected.
- According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided the drum-type washing machine according to the first or second aspect, wherein the water tank and the air trap are integrally formed from a reinforced plastic material. With such a configuration, the air pressure in the air trap can be more stabilized.
- Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.
-
Fig. 1 shows a vertically sectional view of a drum-type washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention. - As shown in
Fig. 1 , awater tank 42 is oscillatably arranged in an interior of awashing machine casing 41, and arotary drum 43 is rotatably arranged in thewater tank 42. A rotation shaft (rotation center axis) 44 arranged in the horizontal direction is provided in a rotation center of therotary drum 43. Amotor 45 attached to the vicinity of the back surface side of thewater tank 42 is coupled to thisrotation shaft 44 via abelt 46. Rotation drive force of themotor 45 is transmitted to therotation shaft 44 via thebelt 46, so that therotary drum 43 is driven and rotated in the forward direction or in the reverse direction. On an inner wall surface of therotary drum 43, several protuberances 47 (baffles) for agitating a load (clothing) are provided. On the entire surface of an inner wall surface of therotary drum 43, a large number of water passage holes 48 passing through an interior and an exterior of therotary drum 43 are provided. It should be noted that in the drum-type washing machine ofFig. 1 , the left side in the figure is the front surface side, and the right side in the figure is the back surface side. - A
water tank unit 49 as a vibration system includes thewater tank 42, therotary drum 43, themotor 45, and the like. Thiswater tank unit 49 is supported by a plurality ofspring bodies 50 from an upper part of thewashing machine casing 41 and anti-vibration supported by a plurality ofanti-vibration dampers 51 from a lower part of thewashing machine casing 41. Thereby, vibration generated in thewater tank unit 49 is absorbed, so that transmission to thewashing machine casing 41 is suppressed. - The
washing machine casing 41 has a casing opening 40 into and from which the clothing is brought on a front surface, and this casing opening 40 is openably and closably covered by alid body 52. Between a front surface of thewater tank 42 and an opening edge of the casing opening 40, a seal packing 82 for coupling the both and playing a role of anti-vibration and water sealing is provided. Thelid body 52 can seal or open the casing opening 40 via this seal packing 82. By opening thislid body 52, the load can be brought between an exterior of thewashing machine casing 41 and the interior of therotary drum 43 through a clothing outlet/inlet 53 formed on a front surface of therotary drum 43. - This drum-type washing machine has a function of automatically controlling the
motor 45, awater supply passage 54, adrainage passage 55, and awater circulation passage 56 in accordance with mode setting and a control program, so as to perform at least a wash step, a rinsing step, and a spin-drying step. - The
water supply passage 54 is a passage for supplying water supplied from a water source in an exterior of the drum-type washing machine to an interior of thewater tank 42. In thewater supply passage 54, a firstwater supply hose 59 and a secondwater supply hose 60 connected to the water source are connected to adetergent accommodating portion 61 accommodating a drawer portion (not shown) storing detergent and softener, the drawer portion to be freely pulled out from the exterior in an interior. A first electromagnetic valve 57 (first water supply portion) is provided in the firstwater supply hose 59, and a second electromagnetic valve 58 (second water supply portion) is provided in the secondwater supply hose 60. Thedetergent accommodating portion 61 is connected to the interior of thewater tank 42 through thewater supply passage 62. By opening the firstelectromagnetic valve 57 or the secondelectromagnetic valve 58, the water supplied from the water source is supplied into thedetergent accommodating portion 61 through the firstwater supply hose 59 or the secondwater supply hose 60. The water supplied to the interior of thedetergent accommodating portion 61 is supplied into thewater tank 42 through thewater supply passage 62 at a proper time. - The
drainage passage 55 is a passage for draining the washing water in thewater tank 42 to the exterior of the drum-type washing machine. In thedrainage passage 55, adrainage port 85 is provided in a recessedportion 71 formed in a bottom of thewater tank 42, and adrainage tube 64 is connected to thisdrainage port 85. One end of thedrainage tube 64 is connected to acase connection port 89 of afilter case 83. Thefilter case 83 accommodates a lint filter 65 (drainage filter) for collecting lint, and thelint filter 65 can be removed from the outer side of a lower part on the front surface of thewashing machine casing 41 by afilter grip 84. Adrainage pump 63 is connected to thefilter case 83, and adrainage hose 66 arranged from the interior of thewashing machine casing 41 to the upper side of the exterior is connected to the discharge side of thedrainage pump 63. When required such as a time of finishing the wash step and a time of finishing the rinsing step, by drive of thedrainage pump 63, the washing water in thewater tank 42 flows into thefilter case 83 via thedrainage tube 64 connected to the recessedportion 71 in the bottom of thewater tank 42. After passing through thelint filter 65 in thefilter case 83, the washing water is drained to the exterior of the drum-type washing machine through thedrainage pump 63 and thedrainage hose 66. - The other end of the
drainage tube 64 is connected to a waterlevel detection tube 87, and thedrainage tube 64 and the waterlevel detection tube 87 are integrated with each other. Aninclination portion 86 is provided in the vicinity of the lower side of thedrainage port 85 of the waterlevel detection tube 87, and thereby, a diameter of the waterlevel detection tube 87 is formed to be smaller than a diameter of thedrainage tube 64. One end of the waterlevel detection tube 87 communicates with anopening 88 of anair trap 74. It should be noted that thedrainage tube 64 is preferably made of a soft material such as a rubber material in consideration with a connection property to other members, prevention of leakage from a connection point, and a vibration absorption property of thewater tank unit 49 at the time of the spin-drying step. - The
air trap 74 is integrated with thewater tank 42 in a side wall part of an outer periphery on the rear side of the bottom of thewater tank 42. Anair tube 75 is connected to thisair trap 74, and awater level detector 76 such as a pressure sensor or the like is provided on the inner side of the upper part of thewashing machine casing 41 so as to be connected to theair trap 74 via theair tube 75. When the water is supplied to the interior of thewater tank 42, the air in theair trap 74 is compressed in accordance with a water level of the supplied water, and air pressure is transmitted to thewater level detector 76 through theair tube 75. Thereby, thewater level detector 76 can detect a plurality of water levels in thewater tank 42 from a change in the air pressure. - It should be noted that the
filter case 83 is arranged in a right lower part on the front surface of thewashing machine casing 41 for handleability of thefilter grip 84. Thedrainage port 85 is provided on the right side of a vertical center of thewater tank 42 when seen from a front in order to efficiently arrange thedrainage tube 64. It should be noted that a piping structure of the bottom will be described later with reference toFig. 2 . - The
water circulation passage 56 is a passage for circulating the water in thewater tank 42 in order to circulate the water in thewater tank 42 in accordance with need such as a time of a pre-wash step, the time of the wash step, and the time of the rinsing step, so as to prevent early dissolution or leaning of the detergent and improve functions of wash and rinsing. - In this
water circulation passage 56, thedrainage tube 64 and thelint filter 65 also used for thedrainage passage 55 are connected to aninflow side passage 68 of acirculation pump 67. Adischarge side passage 69 of thecirculation pump 67 communicates with the interior of thewater tank 42 atjet ports 70 on the inner side of the front surface of thewater tank 42. By driving thecirculation pump 67, the washing water in thewater tank 42 is guided to theinflow side passage 68 going toward thecirculation pump 67 through thedrainage tube 64 and thelint filter 65. After that, the washing water is discharged into therotary drum 43 as circulated water from thejet ports 70 in the direction shown by a solid arrow through thecirculation pump 67 and thedischarge side passage 69. The circulated water discharged into therotary drum 43 is utilized as the washing water, and circulated again in thewater circulation passage 56. It should be noted that thewater tank 42 has the circular opening on the front surface, the plurality ofjet ports 70 is provided along a circumference of this opening edge, and the circulated water is discharged into therotary drum 43 from all directions of the circumference of the opening edge. - A hot water heater (heating portion) 72 for heating the washing water is arranged in the recessed
portion 71 formed in the bottom of thewater tank 42. For example, a sheathed heater or the like is used as such ahot water heater 72 and arranged so as to extend in the horizontal direction in the recessedportion 71. By discharging the washing water in thewater tank 42 heated by thishot water heater 72 into therotary drum 43 through the plurality ofjet ports 70 as described above, the washing water is sprinkled on the clothing, and this washing water is circulated again. Since the heated washing water is sprinkled on the clothing, activation of the detergent is increased in accordance with an increase in molecule activities of the washing water. Thus, a washing ability can be increased and wash non-uniformity can be reduced. In the vicinity of thehot water heater 72, atemperature detector 73 for detecting a water temperature such as a thermistor is provided. - An upper part on a rear surface of the
detergent accommodating portion 61 provided on the inner side of the upper part of thewashing machine casing 41 and an upper part of thewater tank 42 are connected by acoupling hose 77. Thecoupling hose 77 plays a role of evacuating the air in thewater tank 42 pressurized by a step operation action. - In a rear part on an upper surface of the
water tank 42, avibration detector 78 for detecting vibration of thewater tank unit 49 is arranged. For example, a multiaxis acceleration sensor is used as thevibration detector 78, and detects not acceleration in one direction but vibration in the three-axis directions of the front and rear direction (X axis direction), the left and right direction (Y axis direction), and the up and down direction (Z axis direction) when seen from the front surface side of the drum-type washing machine, so as to control an operation of the drum-type washing machine. This is because actual vibration of thewater tank unit 49 cannot always be limited to one direction, and thus the multiaxis acceleration sensor is used for detection with high precision. - A user selects modes such as an operation course and various functions in the operation of the drum-type washing machine by making an input to an
input setting portion 80 from anoperation panel 79 provided in the upper part of the front surface of thewashing machine casing 41. Acontrol device 81 is arranged on the inner side of the upper part of thewashing machine casing 41, and thecontrol device 81 displays a display corresponding to information inputted through theinput setting portion 80 on a display portion (not shown) on theoperation panel 79 so as to notify the user. -
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of major parts when the piping structure such as thedrainage passage 55 in the bottom of thewater tank 42 of the drum-type washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention is seen from the lower side. - As shown in
Fig. 2 , when seen from the front surface side of the drum-type washing machine, thedrainage port 85 of thewater tank 42 is arranged on the right side of the vertical center of thewater tank 42, and thefilter case 83 coupled to the one end of thedrainage tube 64 which is connected to thedrainage port 85 is arranged in the right lower part on the front surface side of thewashing machine casing 41. On the left and right sides of thefilter case 83, thecirculation pump 67 connected to thedischarge side passage 69 and thedrainage pump 63 connected to thedrainage hose 66 are arranged. Theair trap 74 formed on the rear side of thedrainage port 85, the waterlevel detection tube 87, thedrainage port 85, thedrainage tube 64, and thecase connection port 89 of thefilter case 83 are substantially horizontally arranged. - Operations of the drum-type washing machine of the present embodiment formed as above will be described below.
- The
water tank 42 and theair trap 74 are integrally formed from a reinforced plastic material such as polypropylene containing glass (for example, formed by integral molding or the like). Therefore, in the wash step and the rinsing step, the air pressure in theair trap 74 is stabilized, so that variation in the water level detected by thewater level detector 76 is suppressed. - In a drainage step, the washing water with which the
water tank 42 and thedrainage passage 55 are filled is drained at once from thedrainage hose 66 to the exterior by drive of thedrainage pump 63. At this time, a strong water flow from thedrainage port 85 to thefilter case 83 via thedrainage tube 64 is generated. Since theair trap 74, the waterlevel detection tube 87, thedrainage port 85, thedrainage tube 64, and thecase connection port 89 of thefilter case 83 are substantially horizontally arranged, the water flow is straightened so as to come into thefilter case 83. Since theinclination portion 86 is provided in the vicinity of the lower side of thedrainage port 85 in the waterlevel detection tube 87, the waterlevel detection tube 87 has a smaller diameter than thedrainage tube 64. Therefore, the water in thedrainage tube 64 is suppressed from flowing into the waterlevel detection tube 87. Thus, foreign substances such as lint contained in the washing water in thewater tank 42 cannot easily be reversed so as to flow into theair trap 74, so that a change in the air pressure due to accumulation of lint and the like over time and consequent instability of the water level are suppressed. - The
drainage tube 64 is preferably formed from a soft material such as a rubber material. By using a soft material for thedrainage tube 64, a task for connection to thedrainage port 85, connection to theopening 88 of theair trap 74, or connection to thecase connection port 89 is easily performed, and water leakage from the connection point can be prevented. - As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the
air trap 74, the waterlevel detection tube 87, thedrainage port 85, thedrainage tube 64, and thecase connection port 89 of thefilter case 83 are substantially horizontally arranged, at the time of draining the washing water in thewater tank 42, the water flow from thedrainage port 85 of the bottom of thewater tank 42 toward thecase connection port 89 of thefilter case 83 through thedrainage tube 64 can be straightened. Further, in the waterlevel detection tube 87 providing communication between thedrainage tube 64 and theopening 88 of theair trap 74, theinclination portion 86 is provided in the vicinity of the lower side of thedrainage port 85 and the waterlevel detection tube 87 has a smaller diameter than thedrainage tube 64. Thus, the water flow cannot easily come into theair trap 74. Therefore, the foreign substances such as lint contained in the washing water cannot easily flow into theair trap 74, so that the air pressure in theair trap 74 is stabilized. Thus, the water level of thewater tank 42 can be stably detected by thewater level detector 76. - It should be noted that a case where the rotation center of the
rotary drum 43 is arranged in the horizontal direction in the drum-type washing machine is described above as an example. However, the rotation center of the rotary drum may be arranged while being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. - When at least the water
level detection tube 87, thedrainage tube 64, and thecase connection port 89 of thefilter case 83 are substantially horizontally arranged in thedrainage passage 55, the water flow toward thecase connection port 89 of thefilter case 83 in thedrainage tube 64 can be straightened. In addition, by also arranging theair trap 74 and thedrainage port 85 substantially horizontally, a straightening effect can be enhanced. It should be noted that a substantially horizontally arranged state includes a state that the members are arranged while being slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal direction to an extent that straightening of the water flow is not essentially influenced in addition to a state that the members are respectively horizontally arranged. - It is to be noted that, by properly combining the arbitrary embodiments of the aforementioned various embodiments, the effects possessed by them can be produced.
- Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom.
- The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2011-036754 filed on February 23, 2011 - As described above, the drum-type washing machine according to the present invention in which the foreign substances such as lint do not easily come into the air trap can stably detect the water level of the water tank. Thus, the present invention can be applied to a use for a drum-type washing machine and other washing machines.
-
- 41
- Washing machine casing
- 42
- Water tank
- 43
- Rotary drum
- 64
- Drainage tube
- 65
- Lint filter
- 74
- Air trap
- 76
- Water level detector
- 83
- Filter case
- 85
- Drainage port
- 86
- Inclination portion
- 87
- Water level detection tube
- 88
- Opening
- 89
- Case connection port
Claims (3)
- A drum-type washing machine, comprising:a washing machine casing;a water tank arranged in the washing machine casing;a rotary drum accommodated in the water tank;a filter case arranged in an inner lower part of the washing machine casing;an air trap having an opening on a lower side;a water level detector detecting a water level of the water tank from air pressure of the air trap;a drainage tube connected to a drainage port of a bottom of the water tank and a connection port of the filter case; anda water level detection tube providing communication between the drainage tube and the opening of the air trap, whereinthe water level detection tube has an inclination portion in a vicinity of a lower side of the drainage port so as to have a smaller diameter than the drainage tube, and further, the water level detection tube, the drainage tube, and the connection port of the filter case are substantially horizontally arranged.
- The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the air trap and the drainage port are further arranged substantially horizontally with respect to the water level detection tube, the drainage tube, and the connection port of the filter case.
- The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water tank and the air trap are integrally formed from a reinforced plastic material.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2011036754A JP6074690B2 (en) | 2011-02-23 | 2011-02-23 | Drum washing machine |
PCT/JP2012/001234 WO2012114753A1 (en) | 2011-02-23 | 2012-02-23 | Drum-type washing machine |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2679717A1 true EP2679717A1 (en) | 2014-01-01 |
EP2679717A4 EP2679717A4 (en) | 2014-07-09 |
Family
ID=46720544
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP12749072.0A Withdrawn EP2679717A4 (en) | 2011-02-23 | 2012-02-23 | Drum-type washing machine |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2679717A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6074690B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102844489B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012114753A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP6131167B2 (en) * | 2013-10-18 | 2017-05-17 | 日立アプライアンス株式会社 | Washing machine |
CN104178972B (en) * | 2014-08-14 | 2017-02-15 | 松下家电研究开发(杭州)有限公司 | Dehydration control method for clothing treatment device and clothing treating device thereof |
CN106192284A (en) * | 2015-05-05 | 2016-12-07 | 安徽聚隆传动科技股份有限公司 | A kind of Water saving apparatus for full automatic washing machine and washing machine thereof |
CN106149312A (en) * | 2016-09-23 | 2016-11-23 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | A kind of draining and water level detecting system and the roller washing machine applying it |
JP7209166B2 (en) * | 2017-10-30 | 2023-01-20 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | dishwasher |
JP6937467B2 (en) * | 2018-02-27 | 2021-09-22 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Washing machine |
JP2019187507A (en) * | 2018-04-18 | 2019-10-31 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Washing machine |
CN109440383A (en) * | 2018-12-06 | 2019-03-08 | 无锡小天鹅股份有限公司 | Device for clothing processing |
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US20050097924A1 (en) * | 2003-11-10 | 2005-05-12 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Drum-type washing machine with water level sensing unit |
JP2005137645A (en) * | 2003-11-07 | 2005-06-02 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Drum type washing machine |
JP2006255317A (en) * | 2005-03-18 | 2006-09-28 | Sharp Corp | Washing machine |
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US4321809A (en) * | 1980-09-04 | 1982-03-30 | General Electric Company | Washing machine |
JP3162559B2 (en) * | 1993-11-18 | 2001-05-08 | 株式会社東芝 | Dehydration combined washing machine |
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2011
- 2011-02-23 JP JP2011036754A patent/JP6074690B2/en active Active
-
2012
- 2012-02-23 WO PCT/JP2012/001234 patent/WO2012114753A1/en active Application Filing
- 2012-02-23 CN CN201280001112.8A patent/CN102844489B/en active Active
- 2012-02-23 EP EP12749072.0A patent/EP2679717A4/en not_active Withdrawn
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US4066094A (en) * | 1976-03-17 | 1978-01-03 | General Electric Company | Combination drain sump and air pressure chamber for automatic clothes washing machine |
US4168615A (en) * | 1978-05-17 | 1979-09-25 | General Electric Company | Clothes washing machine with water recirculation |
EP0247918A1 (en) * | 1986-05-27 | 1987-12-02 | Ciapem | Tub with an integrated pressure chamber member |
GB2236332A (en) * | 1989-09-25 | 1991-04-03 | Toshiba Kk | Clothes washing machine |
EP0885993A1 (en) * | 1997-06-18 | 1998-12-23 | Electrolux Zanussi S.p.A. | Washing machine with improved control of the dynamic trim of the suspended washing assembly |
US20040148971A1 (en) * | 2002-11-28 | 2004-08-05 | No Yang Hwan | Washing machine |
JP2005137645A (en) * | 2003-11-07 | 2005-06-02 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Drum type washing machine |
US20050097924A1 (en) * | 2003-11-10 | 2005-05-12 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Drum-type washing machine with water level sensing unit |
JP2006255317A (en) * | 2005-03-18 | 2006-09-28 | Sharp Corp | Washing machine |
JP2010136740A (en) * | 2008-12-09 | 2010-06-24 | Panasonic Corp | Washing machine |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2012114753A1 (en) | 2012-08-30 |
JP6074690B2 (en) | 2017-02-08 |
EP2679717A4 (en) | 2014-07-09 |
JP2012170697A (en) | 2012-09-10 |
CN102844489B (en) | 2015-02-04 |
CN102844489A (en) | 2012-12-26 |
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