JP2000288291A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the self-priming period of time for bathtub water or the like by providing a self-priming type pump which works as a vacuum pump to evacuate air in a suction pipe at the beginning, and works as a storage pump after the air in the suction pipe is evacuated, and using one section of a water supply by a water supply means for self-priming of the self-priming pump. SOLUTION: In a rear housing box of the washing machine, a tap water faucet, a water supply electromagnetic valve, a self-priming type pump to suck bathtub water, or the like are housed. When the self-priming type pump is operated, first, the water supply electromagnetic valve is opened, and one section of a water supply is poured into a priming port 35, and after water is filled to air-water separating chambers 50i and 50j, water is made to flow into a pump runner chamber 28 from a water returning hole 52a of a partition plate 52. Then, the priming action is displayed by the rotation of a runner 53 by a motor 54, and bathtub water is suckled up from a water suction hose through a water suction tap 36, and is fed to a washing tank. Then, for the self-priming type pump, air in the water suction hose is eliminated, and when a suction chamber 50b is filled with the bathtub water, the self-priming type pump is moved to a pumping up process of the bathtub water by the pumping action of the pump runner chamber 28.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a self-priming pump for sucking water used for washing from a bathtub or the like and supplying water to the washing tub, and a washing machine for supplying water using the pump.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various structures have been adopted for a self-priming pump. As a prior art in which a self-priming pump for absorbing bath water or the like is incorporated in a washing machine, and the remaining hot water in the bathtub is supplied into the washing tub via the pump, for example, JP-A-8-135590 discloses And the like.

In the self-priming pump described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-135590, the volute portion of the pump case is of a double volute type, and each volute portion has a separation wall facing a runner (impeller). It is disclosed that a return water hole communicating with the inside and outside of the volute portion is provided while being formed.

[0004]

When a pump is built in a washing machine, at the start of operation, the inside of a water-absorbing hose communicating between the pump and the bathtub is filled with air, and this air is discharged to leave the remaining in the bathtub. A self-priming operation that draws hot water to the pump is required. In this self-priming operation, the air and the priming water introduced into the pump runner chamber are agitated in the pump runner chamber to mix the air into the priming water, and the air is separated into water and water outside the pump runner chamber. Air must be exhausted.

However, in the conventional self-priming pump, no consideration is given to the self-priming operation time, noise during self-priming operation, and miniaturization. That is, JP-A-8-13559
The self-priming pump described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 0 has a problem in replenishing return water during the self-priming operation, and has a problem that the self-priming time is long and the noise during the self-priming is large. Also, when the pump shape is large and installed in the rear panel of the washing machine top cover,
It is necessary to increase the depth width of the rear panel, and the circular laundry insertion port juxtaposed at the center of the top cover becomes small, so that there is a problem that it is difficult to take in and out the laundry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a compact self-priming pump that reduces the time for self-priming of bath water and the like and also reduces noise, and to improve the usability of a washing machine equipped with the pump.

[0007]

Generally, in a self-priming pump, when the volume of the water / water separation chamber is reduced, the efficiency of the water / water separation is reduced, and the self-priming time is increased. To reduce the size of the self-priming pump, the volume of the water / water separation chamber must be reduced, and it is necessary to increase the water return efficiency in order to offset the increase in the self-priming time.

At this time, the size of the opening of the return hole for the water for self-priming is formed so as to gradually decrease from the upstream end to the downstream end, thereby taking into account the water flowing out of the return hole. As a result, the flow velocity of the water flowing through the volute can be made substantially constant, and the water return efficiency can be increased.

Further, after a partition plate for separating the pump chamber in which the pump impeller is housed and the suction chamber in which the suction pipe is opened is fitted to the suction chamber end face, the partition plate and the suction chamber end face contact portion are fused. By doing so, it is possible to prevent air from leaking into the suction chamber during self-priming, and to increase the water return efficiency.

In addition, a housing having a suction chamber in which a suction pipe is opened and a housing in which a motor for driving a pump impeller is externally and watertightly sealed are fusion-bonded, so that the width of the pump is reduced and the housing is reduced. Water leakage from the body can be prevented and water return efficiency can be increased.

Further, by providing a water draining hole at the lower part of the impeller side and a steam draining hole at the motor side, water leaking to the motor side can be quickly discharged to the outside of the housing, thereby preventing the motor from leaking or rusting. Can improve the reliability of the pump, improve the flow in the air-water separation chamber, and improve the efficiency of the air-water separation. In addition to securing the discharge flow rate and the head, which are the performances of the pump, the self-priming time and the noise at the time of the self-priming, which are problems, can be reduced.

At this time, the water supply port and the discharge port of the priming water have a diameter of 1..
By positioning it four times or more above, air leakage into the suction chamber during self-priming can be prevented, and self-priming performance can be improved, so that the discharge rate and head, which are compact and pump performance, are secured. In addition, the self-priming time and the noise during the self-priming, which were problems, can be reduced.

[0013] Further, by making the width of the casing perpendicular to the rotation axis of the pump impeller arranged in the casing and making the length within twice the diameter of the impeller, the water / water separation efficiency is improved. Since the self-priming performance can be improved, the discharge rate and the head, which are the performances of the pump, can be ensured compactly, and the problems of the self-priming time and the noise during the self-priming can be reduced.

[0014] In the washing machine, by providing the above-mentioned self-priming pump, the self-priming time of the self-priming pump can be shortened, so that the washing time can be shortened and the usability can be improved. Further, by reducing the noise, the time period during which the washing machine is used is not restricted, and the usability is improved. Furthermore, by reducing the size of the self-priming pump, the washing machine can be configured compactly, so that it can be arranged in a narrow space, and the working space can be easily secured, so that the usability is improved. At this time, when the self-priming pump of the present invention is arranged near the laundry inlet, the inlet can be enlarged, and the usability is improved.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a fully automatic washing machine equipped with a self-priming pump according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line AA of FIG. The exterior is composed of an outer frame 1 made of a steel plate and a top cover 17 attached to an upper portion thereof. An outer tub 4 serving as a water receiving tub is provided with a suspension rod 2 and a vibration isolator 3 including a coil spring and a sliding ring from the upper four corners of the outer frame 1.
And is supported in a suspended state in the outer frame 1 to store washing water in the washing step and rinsing water in the rinsing step (hereinafter referred to as washing water). In the outer tub 4, a washing and dewatering tub 5 made of stainless steel (hereinafter, referred to as a washing tub) is rotatably provided. A number of dehydration holes 5a are provided on the side surface of the washing tub 5, a rotatable blade 6 is rotatably provided at a central bottom portion, and a balancer 5b is provided at an upper edge portion. A support plate 10 is attached to the bottom surface of the outer tub 4, and a driving device is fixed to the support plate 10.

The driving device is a transmission device 9 which combines an electric motor 7, a gear reduction mechanism, a clutch mechanism and a brake mechanism.
The rotation of the electric motor 7 is controlled by a pulley 8a and a belt 8
It is transmitted to the transmission 9 at b. The output shaft of the transmission 9 penetrates the bottom wall of the outer tub 4 in a watertight manner, protrudes into the outer tub 4, and is connected to the rotary wing 6 and the washing tub 5. The driving device stops the washing tub 5 during the washing step and the rinsing step, and rotates the rotary wing 6 in the clockwise (forward) and counterclockwise (reverse) directions. During the dehydration step, the washing tub 5 is rotated in one direction.

A water level sensor tube 12 for transmitting the water pressure in the outer tank to a water level sensor 11 is provided below the outer tank 4 side surface. A drain valve 1 for draining washing water is provided on the bottom of the outer tub 4.
The washing water is drained out of the washing machine by a drain hose 16 connected to a drain valve.

A top cover 1 provided on the upper part of the outer frame 1
7 is an input port 17a for inputting laundry and a water tap 2
6, a water supply solenoid valve 27, a rear storage box 17b for storing the water absorption pump 28 of the present invention, a front operation box 17c for storing electric components such as a microcomputer, and the like. A lid 18 is provided on the upper surface of the inlet 17a so as to be freely opened and closed.

An operation panel 1 is provided on the upper surface of the front operation box 17c.
9a is mounted, and a control unit 19b containing a microcomputer or the like is provided below the control unit 9a. In the front operation box 17c, there is provided a water level sensor 11 for detecting whether or not water has accumulated to a specified water level by detecting the water pressure in the outer tub 4. An operation panel 19a shown in FIG. 3 includes a power switch 20, various indicators 21, various operation buttons 22, and a buzzer 2.
The user operates the washing machine with the operation button 22, and the operation state of the washing machine is indicated by the display 21 and the buzzer 2.
You can confirm it in 3. Further, a bath water washing button 25 for instructing a washing step to be performed by reusing bath water is provided.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a rear part of the rear storage box 17b in which the water-absorbing pump 28 of the present invention is incorporated (a cross section indicated by line BB in FIG. 1) when the upper lid is removed (the front side is shown). Omitted).

The rear storage box 17b is connected to a water tap 26 to which a hose from a water tap or the like is connected, followed by a water supply solenoid valve 27, a self-priming pump 28 of the present invention for absorbing bath water, and a washing tub 5. A slanted flow passage 29 for allowing the washing water to flow down is accommodated therein. On the upstream side of the inclined flow path 29, a room A30 and a room B31 opening to the flow path 29 are provided. Water supply solenoid valve 2
The discharge port 7 is connected to the room A30 of the inclined flow path 29.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the room A30 and the room B31 and piping to the self-priming pump 28. A priming water supply port 32 is provided in the upper part of the room A30, and a part of the water discharged from the discharge port of the water supply solenoid valve 27 hits a wall 33 near the priming water supply port 32 as shown by an arrow in the drawing, and a priming hose. 3
The liquid is guided to the priming port 35 of the self-priming pump 28 through the circulating pump 4. A water suction hose 37 communicating with a bathtub or the like is connected to a water suction tap 36 of the self-priming pump 28. Bath water from the discharge port 38 of the self-priming pump 28 is guided by a discharge hose 40 to a bath water supply port 39 provided beside the room B31, and the room B31.
And flows into the washing tub 5 from the mixed flow path 29.

FIG. 6 shows the internal structure of the self-priming pump 28 of the present invention. (A) is a front view, (b) is a top view. The self-priming pump 28 includes two casings (a pump casing 50 and a motor casing 51), a partition plate 52,
It comprises an impeller 53, a motor 54, a check valve 55 and the like. The two casings are inserted with the packing 56 and fastened with screws 57 provided at the four corners of the casing end face to form one casing having a sealed joint surface. A partition plate 52 is sandwiched and fixed between the pump casing 50 and the motor casing 51. Motor casing 5
A motor 54 is fitted into the cylindrical portion from the outside, and is fixed by being held down by a motor stop 51i.

FIG. 7 shows details of the pump casing 50. (A) is a front view, (b) is a front view. A priming port 3 for introducing priming water into the pump is provided in the pump casing 50.
5 and a discharge port 38 for discharging bath water, and a water tap 36 for connecting a bath water suction hose 37 communicating with a bathtub or the like are opened outside the casing. The pump casing 50 is provided therein with a suction chamber 50b formed by a suction chamber wall 50a, and the suction chamber communicates with a water faucet 36 and a subsequent water suction pipe 50k. A check valve 55 is provided at the suction-chamber-side opening 50c of the communicating water suction pipe 50k to prevent water in the pump from flowing back from the water suction hose 37 to a bathtub or the like. Further, at the time of air / water separation, a bubble prevention rib D50d and a bubble prevention rib E50 for controlling the flow of the mixed fluid of air and water.
e is provided. The other space is the front upper water separation chamber 5
0i, which constitutes the front lower air / water separation chamber 50j.

FIG. 8 shows the motor casing 51 in detail. (A) is a front view, (b) is a front view. The motor casing has a cylindrical portion 51a for holding the motor 54, a room C51c for accommodating the mechanical seal 51b, a rear air / water separation chamber 51d forming a part of the air / water separation chamber, and a cooling water passage 51e.
And are provided integrally. The motor 5 is provided in the cylindrical portion 51a.
4 is inserted, and an electric connection terminal 5 is connected to one end of the motor.
A motor shaft 54b is provided at 4a and the other end. The motor 54 inserted into the cylindrical portion 51a is fixed in the cylindrical portion 51a by a rubber packing 51j and a motor stop 51i.

Further, a drain hole 5 for draining water leaking from the mechanical seal 51b is provided in the cylindrical portion of the motor casing 51.
1f, a steam vent hole 51g for discharging steam generated around the room C and the motor, and a ground hole 51h for passing a metal wire for grounding the motor housing are provided. Cylindrical part 51a
A rib 51i is provided on the upper motor housing side, and a space 51j is formed above the motor when the motor is inserted. The steam is discharged through the space 51j through the space.
g to the outside of the pump. The reason why the steam vent hole is provided at the rear portion of the motor is to increase the volume of the rear steam separation chamber 51d, make the flow therein natural, and promote the steam separation during self-priming.

The front upper air / water separation chamber 50i and the front lower air / water separation chamber 50j in the pump casing, the rear air / water separation chamber 51d in the motor casing, and the cooling water passage 51e are integrated into a watertight air / water separation. Make up the room.

FIG. 9 shows details of the partition plate 52. (A)
Is a front view, (b) sectional view, and (c) front view. In the drawing, the outer diameter of the runner (impeller) 53 is indicated by a chain line. 5
2a is a water return hole, 52b is a separation wall, 52c is a suction chamber 5
This is a mouth ring opening at 0a. A partition wall 52b is formed on the side of the partition plate 52 that is joined to the end surface 51m of the cylindrical portion 51a shown in (a) in a direction perpendicular to the rotation surface of the runner 53, and the end surface of the separation wall is joined to the end surface 51m of the cylindrical portion 51a. This constitutes the pump runner chamber 58.

The side shown by (c) of the partition plate 52 is fitted to the suction chamber end face 50a by a frame 52d.
2c opens to the suction chamber 50b.

As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the water return hole 52a communicating with the pump runner chamber 58 has a lower volute (passage) 52e and an upper volute (passage) 52f formed by the spiral of the separation wall 52b and the outer diameter of the runner. The water return hole 52a has a width of about 1/2 of the volute width at the lowermost surface (the position where the lower volute 52e is opened to the maximum), and has a semi-lunar shape in which the width gradually decreases in accordance with the rotation direction of the runner. From about 60 degrees.

In the figure, sections A to B to C have a so-called spiral shape in which the passage width gradually increases in the circumferential direction. Water return hole 52a
Starts from the vicinity of C and gradually decreases its width toward the downstream side. C
~ D ~ E between the starting end width according to the width of the water return hole 52a,
On the downstream side, the width is gradually increased similarly to between A and C, and the flow velocity is kept almost constant. The width of the water return hole 52a is also gradually reduced in consideration of the outflow from the hole so that the flow velocity becomes substantially constant, so that the flow velocity in all the passages becomes substantially the same. The water return hole 52a is set at 60 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less in the circumferential direction, and supplies sufficient water from the outer periphery of the runner.

Further, during self-priming, the air-water mixed fluid discharged from the opening 52h at the end of the upper volute 52f contains a component in the swirling direction and may cause air to be caught below the water-water separation chamber B50i. , The upper end of the separation wall is extended to form a bubble prevention rib A52g to reduce air entrainment downward.

FIG. 10 shows the details of the runner 53.
(A) is a front view, (b) sectional drawing. The runner has an upper shroud 53b having an inlet 53a and a lower shroud 5b.
It is constituted by arranging ten straight blades 53d between 3c. A runner shaft 53e is integrally formed outward from the center of the lower shroud 53c. One end of the shaft is provided with a hole 53f at the center thereof, into which the motor shaft is inserted and fixed. This rotates in the P direction in the runner pump chamber 28 to operate as a centrifugal vortex pump. A metal cylinder 53g is fitted on the runner shaft 53e, and its end surface extends to the lower shroud 53c to reinforce the entire runner.

A runner (impeller) 53 is installed in a pump runner chamber 58 composed of a separation wall 52b of a partition plate 52 and a cylindrical end face 51e, and a runner shaft 53e has a mechanical seal 51b in a cylindrical portion 51a. Through which the motor shaft 54b is inserted and fixed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the self-priming pump 28 constructed as described above is built in the rear storage box 17b of the top cover of the main body of the washing machine, and has one end provided with an O-ring of a water-absorbing hose 37 for guiding bath water. The other end is connected to the water faucet 36 and the other end is put in a bathtub or the like.

The hose from the tap is connected to the tap 26. Tap water flows out of the water supply solenoid valve discharge port by opening and closing the water supply solenoid valve 27. And from room A47 to inclined channel 4
6, water is supplied to the outer tub 4 (the washing tub 5).

The water in the bathtub is supplied to the water suction tap 36 of the self-priming pump 28.
Pumped by a water-absorbing hose 37 connected to the First, the tap water from the water tap 26 is supplied with the electromagnetic valve 27 to open the room A3.
Through 0, a part thereof is primed from the priming port 35 to the self-priming pump 28. Thereafter, the pump motor 54 is rotated to self-prime the bath water from the water faucet 36, guide the bath water from the discharge port 38 to the inclined channel 29 through the room B 31, and
Water.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a washing machine control section mainly composed of the microcomputer 60. The microcomputer 60 is also connected to the operation button input circuit 61 and the water level sensor 11, and receives a user's button operation and an information signal of the washing water level in the washing tub. The output from the microcomputer 60 is connected to a drive circuit 62 and supplies commercial power to the self-priming pump 28, the water supply solenoid valve 27, the drain valve 13 and the like to control the opening and closing or rotation of these. Further, in order to inform the user of the operation of the washing machine, it is also connected to notification means such as a buzzer 23 and a display 21. Power supply circuit 6
3 is a microcomputer 60 that rectifies and smoothes the commercial power
Make necessary DC power supply. A current sensor 64 is inserted between the self-priming pump 28 and the drive circuit, and a current value detected by the current sensor 64 is transmitted to the microcomputer 60.

Next, the operation of the self-priming pump 28 according to the present invention will be described. When the user puts the laundry into the washing tub 5, presses the power switch 19, and operates the bath water washing button 25, the microcomputer 60 measures the amount of the laundry with a cloth amount sensor (not shown), and the measurement result. Is displayed on the display 21 to inform the user of the amount of water and the amount of detergent corresponding to.
The user puts an appropriate amount of detergent into the washing tub 5 with reference to the display.

The operation of the self-priming pump is divided into three types: priming, self-priming, and pumping. Microcomputer 60
Opens the water supply motor-operated valve 27. Tap water is a tap 26
From the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 to the room A30, and most of the water is accumulated in the outer tub 4 (the washing tub 5) from the ramp 29.
A part reaches the priming water supply port 32, and water is injected from a priming hose 34 to a priming port 35 of the self-priming pump 28. This tap water flows into and fills the inside of the casing (steam-water separation chamber) of the self-priming pump 28. Tap water is separated from a water return hole 52a of a partition plate 52 by a separation wall 52b and an end surface of a cylindrical portion 51a of a motor casing 51, and a runner 5
3 also flows into a certain pump runner chamber 28. Then, the air flows into the suction chamber 50b from the gap between the runner 53 in the pump runner chamber and the mouth ring 52c of the partition plate 52. When a predetermined time, for example, 15 seconds, elapses and the inside of the casing is filled with tap water, the microcomputer closes the feed water motorized valve 27. The above is the priming process.

Subsequently, the microcomputer operates the motor 54.
Drive. The priming water in the suction chamber is taken into the water while being stirred with air from the center of the runner, pressurized and accelerated by the runner, flows while being decelerated along the volute (passage) separated from the water-water separation chamber by the separation wall, and the volute The air is discharged from the opening 52h into the front upper air / water separation chamber 50i. The air / water separation chamber is open to the atmosphere at a discharge port 38 and a priming port 35. Air pressurized and trapped in the form of bubbles in water is separated here and discharged to the atmosphere from the discharge port and the priming port.

During self-priming, as shown in FIG. 12, a portion (indicated by A in the drawing) on the opposite side (rear side) to the rotation direction P of the blade of the runner (impeller) has a low pressure, and a part of the priming water is returned to the return hole. 52
From a, through the low pressure portion, the air reaches the runner suction port 53a, and the air near the bell mouth 52c of the partition plate is entrained, and is discharged again to the outer peripheral side of the runner in the next rotation direction (front side) of the blade. By repeating this, the air in the water-absorbing hose is discharged, and the bath water in the bathtub is sucked into the suction chamber communicating with the hose from the hose port. The above is the self-priming process.

At this time, the current of the motor is monitored by the current sensor 64. If the motor load is small (self-priming) for a predetermined time, for example, 150 seconds, the bath water cannot be absorbed (there is no bath water). Alternatively, it is determined that a hole has been formed in the water-absorbing hose or the filter at the water-absorbing tap is clogged), the power supply to the motor is stopped, and the water-supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened again to switch from water supply to water supply.

When the air in the water suction hose is discharged, the suction chamber is filled with bath water, and the pumping operation of the pump runner chamber starts the bath water pumping process. When pumping starts, the runner rotates underwater, the load on the motor increases, and the drive current increases. With the current monitoring by the current sensor 64 and the monitoring of the water level in the washing tub by the water level sensor 11, the motor drive is stopped, that is, the bath water supply is stopped.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to the washing or rinsing step.

The schematic operation of this embodiment has been described above. Next, the details of the self-priming operation will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, a discharge port 38 to which a discharge hose is connected and a priming port 35 to which a priming hose is connected communicate with the steam separator as shown in FIG. When the tip of the water-absorbing hose 37 is inserted into the bathtub, the power switch of the washing machine is turned on, and the bath water washing button 25 is pressed, the water supply solenoid valve 27 is energized for 15 seconds as described above, and tap water is supplied. You.

The water discharged from the discharge port of the solenoid valve 27 hits the wall 33 near the priming water supply port 32, and is supplied as priming water from the priming port 35 of the pump casing 51 through the priming hose 34 into the pump casing 51. The water further enters the pump runner chamber 58 through the water return hole, passes through the lower volute (passage) 52e, the upper volute (passage) 52f, and the runner 53, enters the suction chamber from the mouth ring, and eventually forms the discharge port and the priming port. The water level rises to the lower end and becomes full.

When 15 seconds have elapsed, the power supply to the water supply solenoid valve is stopped, and the motor 54 is energized. When the motor 54 rotates, the runner 53 rotates in the P direction via the motor shaft 54b and the runner shaft 53e. The water in the suction chamber is taken out at the same time as the startup. At this time, when the motor rotation is rapidly started, the opening 52 at the end of the upper volute 52f is opened.
Since the priming protrudes from the priming h, there is a possibility that a part of the priming water filling the casing with this force may be discharged to the outside through the priming port 35 and the discharge port 38. Therefore, it is preferable to gradually increase the rotation.

When the water in the suction chamber is taken out, the air in the water supply pipe 50k instead pushes the check valve 55 open and flows into the suction chamber 50b, and the water level in the same chamber drops. Eventually, the water surface reaches the mouth ring 52c, and the suction of the air stops the pumping action of the runner, and the water surface stops decreasing.
The vicinity of the inlet 53a of the runner is in a state in which water and air are mixed, and from this point on, the runner starts full-scale self-priming action.

Since almost no water is supplied from the suction port 53a of the rotating runner, the pressure on the opposite side (back side) of the blade in the rotation direction is low. The water in the front lower-water separation chamber reaches the suction port from the water return hole through the back of the blade serving as the low-pressure portion, entrains the air in the same portion, and re-starts the runner from the portion on the rotation direction side (front side) of the next blade. Released to the outer circumference.

When the runner 53 rotates in the P direction, the water accelerated by the runner 53 becomes upper and lower volutes 52f, 5f.
The water is discharged from the volute outlet 52h to the front upper air / water separation chamber 50i formed above the pump chamber along 2e.

The rotation of the runner 53 causes the suction chamber 50 to rotate.
b becomes a negative pressure, opens the check valve 55, sucks air in the suction hose 37 connected to the suction port 36, and sends out a mixture of air and water to the water / water separation chamber 50i. The air-mixed water is used as bubble prevention ribs 52g, 50d, 50e.
It is separated into air and water in a short time by the effect of.

The water discharged from the pump runner chamber 58 during the self-priming operation is an air / water mixture containing a large amount of air. Water reaches the upper part 50i of the separation chamber, and the water is
Store at 0j.

By the rotation of the runner 53, the water in the steam separation chamber 50j passes through the return water hole 52a and the volute 52j.
The water flowing into the inside of the volute from the return water hole is drawn in by the negative pressure behind the blades of the runner 53, reaches the suction chamber 50b side from the gap between the center of the runner and the mouth ring 52c, and entrains the air together. And pressurized again by the impeller surface of the impeller 53 to cause a volute (passage).
And is discharged to the steam-water separation chamber 50i.

By repeating such an operation, the hot water in the bathtub is pumped to the suction chamber while the air in the hose is exhausted. When the inside of the suction chamber 50b is filled with water, the operation shifts to a normal water supply operation.

Conventionally, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 12, a means for supplying water into the blade by locally providing a window-shaped return hole in a part of the spiral passage has been adopted. In the present embodiment, a water return hole is formed in a shape extending over a plurality of blades. On the other hand, with respect to the noise during self-priming, if the number of blades of the runner is small, the interval between the front and rear blades is too large, and water containing air bubbles stays in the middle of the space, turning and generating large self-priming noise. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the number of blades to reduce the distance between the blades. However, when the distance is reduced, the amount of return water flowing into a pair of front and rear blades is reduced, and the exhaust capability is reduced.

Conventionally, since the number of blades is four and the return hole is short in the circumferential direction indicated by the broken line, water can be supplied only to a pair of front and rear blades. The self-priming time was prolonged due to reduced exhaust capacity. Also, the spiral type passage provided on the outer periphery of the runner has a role to efficiently guide the water discharged from the runner to the outside at a substantially constant flow rate when the self-priming is completed and the operation shifts to a steady pumping operation, Since a part of the pumped water flows out of the return hole directly to the outside, the flow rate on the downstream side decreases. However, since the water passage continued to expand, the flow velocity was greatly reduced and the pumping efficiency was reduced. In this embodiment, the number of blades is increased to 10 and the water return hole is opened at 60 degrees or more in the circumferential direction, and water can be supplied to about two sets of front and rear blades. And the self-priming time is reduced. Also, because the blade spacing is narrow,
Noise during self-priming can also be reduced.

Such an effect is obtained by setting the start end and the end of the return hole in an impeller having straight blades formed linearly from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the impeller instead of opening the impeller by 60 degrees or more. It is preferable that the center angle to be connected is larger than the angle between the blades of the impeller. In the case of a blade whose blade surface is curved in the radial direction from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the impeller, the outer peripheral end angle of the impeller (the line connecting the rotation center of the impeller and the outer peripheral end of the impeller) (The angle formed between adjacent blades). That is, it is preferable to open the return hole from the start end to the end end wider than the width of the flow path formed between the two blades.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show the flow of the air-water mixed fluid during self-priming. FIG. 13A is a view of the pump casing, and FIG. 13B is a view of the motor casing.
FIG. 14A is a view from the side of the pump, and FIG.
Is a view from above the pump. At the time of self-priming, the air-water mixed fluid discharged from the opening 52h at the end of the upper volute 52f is:
Since there is a possibility that the air contains the component of the turning direction and is trapped below the front upper air / water separation chamber 50i, the partition plate 52 is provided with an air bubble prevention rib A52g by extending the upper end of the separation wall to form a bubble prevention rib A52g. Less entanglement. Further, as an extension of the bubble prevention rib A, a bubble prevention rib D50d is also provided on the pump casing side. Most of the flow guided by the bubble prevention rib A and reaching the end face of the casing is reversed here and goes to the discharge port 38. Therefore, an air bubble prevention rib E50e is also provided around the discharge port to prevent priming water from flowing out of the discharge port together with air bubbles. The flow arriving here promotes steam-water separation by collision with the ribs. Then, the separated air accumulates here, and the water flows back to the front lower air separation chamber 50j and flows back into the suction chamber from the hole.

On the other hand, a part of the flow guided by the bubble prevention rib A and reaching the end face of the casing flows to the motor casing side and draws a large circle as shown in the rear steam-water separation chamber 51d on the cylindrical portion as shown in FIG. It turns over at a dead end and returns to the pump casing side. The reason why the steam vent hole 51g is provided at the rear end of the rear steam-water separation chamber is to create the flow of the long steam-water mixed fluid. During this long flow, steam-water separation is promoted, and air stays in the upper part of the rear steam-water separation chamber 51d, and this air is gradually discharged from the discharge port to the atmosphere. The water is supplied again to the water return hole through the cooling water passage 51e communicating with the rear steam separation chamber 51d. At this time, the rear steam separation chamber 51
Since the cooling water passage 51e is provided in communication with d, the priming or absorbed bath water circulates through the cooling water passage 51e to cool the motor and absorb the motor noise.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the substantial pump width W (the air-water separation chamber width) excluding the casing screw portion is compactly built in the depth D of the rear storage box 17b. , The blade diameter D (26 mmΦ) is within twice. Conventionally, it was three times or more. Therefore, as described above, the air-water mixed fluid discharged from the opening 52h at the end of the upper volute 52f collides with the casing end face at a high flow rate, and most of the reached flow is reversed here, and the bubble prevention rib D And E and the flow is indicated by a solid arrow in the figure. If the bubble prevention rib D is not provided, as shown by the dashed arrow in the figure, most of the water-water mixed fluid flows into the front lower steam-water separation chamber and is not sufficiently separated from the water return hole by the water-water separation hole (with bubbles). )Return. For this reason, the exhaust capacity is degraded, and the self-priming time is increased. Conventionally, the above-described problem does not occur because the distance to the end face of the casing and the flow velocity decrease. Also, since the process to reach the discharge port is short,
If the bubble prevention rib D is not provided, it will hit the discharge port at a high speed, and a part of the priming water will be discharged from the discharge port together with the bubbles to the outside. According to the experiment, the width W of the air-water separation chamber was changed to the blade diameter D.
(26 mmΦ), the bubble prevention ribs A, D, and E were indispensable when it was within twice of (26 mmΦ).

In the steady operation, the bath water sucked by the centrifugal pump constituted by the impeller 53 and the pump runner chamber passes through the volute opening 52h, passes through the water / water separation chamber, and passes through the discharge port 38 through the discharge hose. It reaches room B and is supplied into washing tub 5 from inclined channel 29. When the water supply is completed, a washing and rinsing operation is performed.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the arrangement of the washing machine and the bathtub. In this case, the head H (= 1.2− (0.8−
0.6) + 0.8 = 1.8 m) to lift the water in the bathtub to the suction chamber of the self-priming pump 28.
As the self-priming progresses, the suction chamber becomes a negative pressure, and finally this negative pressure reaches −1800 mmAq in FIG. The partition plate 52 is formed of a frame 52d and a partition 50 of the suction chamber 50b.
a, and is tightly pressed by the end face of the cylindrical portion via the separation wall 52b. However, if there is any gap, the airtightness is broken by the negative pressure. In the initial stage of self-priming, the suction chamber is submerged in priming water, a small gap is filled with water, and airtight due to the capillary phenomenon. Exposed to FIG. 16 shows this state. The negative pressure in the suction chamber also increases. For this reason, air flows into the suction chamber from the above-mentioned small gap. As described above, the air in the suction chamber continues to be discharged by the water / water separation due to the rotation of the impeller, but on the other hand, this air inflow occurs. For this reason, the pressure in the suction chamber becomes constant when the amount of air discharge and the amount of air leakage in the water / water separation are balanced.
If it is attempted to self-prime with the pipe shown in FIG. 15, if the suction chamber pressure is stabilized at -1500 mmAq due to the leakage due to this gap, self-priming cannot be performed. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to increase the smoothness of the end face of the suction chamber wall 50a and the inner edge of the frame 52d abutting on the end face. If it is difficult to control this due to manufacturing tolerances, a fitting may be applied after applying a sealing material to the contact portion. Further, the fitting surface may have a labyrinth structure. A method of welding the contact portion with ultrasonic waves or the like after further fitting may be used. Such a measure is necessary to increase the self-priming stroke of the pump 28.

When the height H from the center of the blade to the discharge port shown in FIG. 13 is set to 1.4 times or more of the diameter D of the blade, the upper part of the suction chamber is exposed from the water surface even when self-priming is advanced. Can be prevented, and the same effect as described above can be obtained.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the size can be reduced without lowering the pump performance. And it can be compactly built in the rear part of the upper surface of the washing machine, the laundry inlet provided on the upper surface can be enlarged, and the usability of the user can be improved.

FIG. 17 shows another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a front view of the motor casing of FIG. The self-priming time is inversely proportional to the volume of the water / water separation chamber. That is, if the capacity of the water / water separation chamber is increased, the separation of water and water is promoted, and as a result, the self-priming time can be reduced. In the present embodiment, the capacity of the air / water separation chamber 51d of the motor casing is increased as compared with the first embodiment. As a result, steam-water separation can be performed more efficiently, and the self-priming time can be further reduced. The other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

FIG. 19 shows another embodiment of the pump casing of the present invention. The present embodiment is a case where a foam prevention rib F50f is added to the pump casing to further promote steam-water separation. FIG. 20 shows a partition plate used at this time. The partition plate 52 is further provided with another bubble prevention rib B52i in addition to the bubble prevention rib A52g. Foam prevention rib B5
2i on the extension of the pump casing foam prevention rib F50f
Is arranged. By these foam prevention ribs, the air-water mixed fluid at the time of self-priming will circulate in the front upper air-water separation chamber,
Bubbles not separated in the water return hole do not return, and the self-priming time can be further reduced.

FIG. 21 shows another embodiment of the motor casing of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a bubble prevention rib K51k and a bubble prevention rib L511 are added to the motor casing in order to further promote air-water separation. As a result, the air-water mixed fluid at the time of self-priming is circulated in the rear air-water separation chamber, so that air bubbles not separated in the water return hole do not return, and the self-priming time can be further reduced.

[0069]

According to the present invention, the self-priming pump can be made compact (especially the width and length are reduced), and the depth of the rear storage chamber can be reduced when the pump is mounted on a washing machine. The clothing slot can be widely opened, so that the user can easily put clothes in and out. Furthermore, since the pump water supply performance (flow rate) can be maintained and the self-priming time can be reduced, the total water supply time such as bath water and the washing time can be reduced. In addition, since noise during self-priming time is suppressed, washing is possible even at midnight.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a fully automatic washing machine incorporating a pump of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine incorporating a pump of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation panel diagram of the fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inside of the rear storage box.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of a water supply solenoid valve, a ramp, and a bath water suction pump pipe.

FIG. 6 is a structural view of a bath water suction pump according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a pump casing.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a motor casing.

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of a partition plate.

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of a runner (impeller).

FIG. 11 is an electrical connection diagram of a fully automatic washing machine incorporating a pump of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow between runner blades.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the flow of a gas-water mixed fluid in the pump during self-priming.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the flow of a gas-water mixed fluid in the pump during self-priming.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing piping between a fully automatic washing machine incorporating a pump of the present invention and a bathtub.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a state inside the pump during self-priming.

FIG. 17 shows another embodiment of the pump according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of the motor casing of the pump according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 shows another embodiment of the pump casing of the pump according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 shows another embodiment of the partition plate of the pump according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 shows another embodiment of the motor casing of the pump according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

17b: rear storage box, 27: water supply solenoid valve, 28: self-priming pump, 35: priming port, 36: water tap, 37: discharge port, 50: pump casing, 50b: suction chamber, 50
d: anti-foaming rib D, 50d: anti-foaming rib D, 50e: anti-foaming rib E, 50k: water absorption pipe, 50i: front upper air / water separation chamber, 50j: front lower air / water separation chamber, 50f: anti-foaming rib F, 51: motor casing, 51a: cylindrical portion, 51d
... Rear steam separation chamber, 51e. Cooling channel, 51g. Steam vent hole, 51i. Rib, 51k.
... foam prevention rib L, 52 ... partition plate, 52a ... water return hole,
52b: Separation wall, 52e: Lower volute (passage), 52
f: Upper volute (passage), 52 g: Foam prevention rib A, 5
2i: foam prevention rib B, 53: runner (impeller), 54
... motor, 55 ... check valve, 58 ... pump runner chamber.

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 2, 2000 (2008.2)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0005

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0005] However, in the self-priming pump of the prior art, no consideration is given for the self-priming operation time及beauty small-type. That is, the self-priming pump described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-135590 has a problem in replenishing return water during the self-priming operation, and has a problem that the self-priming time is long . Also, when the pump is large and it is installed in the rear panel of the washing machine top cover, it is necessary to increase the depth of the rear panel,
There is a problem in that the circular laundry insertion port juxtaposed at the center of the top cover becomes small, and it is difficult to take in and out the laundry.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

An object of the present invention is to provide a compact self-priming pump capable of shortening the self-priming time of bath water or the like, and to improve the usability of a washing machine equipped with the pump.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

At this time, the size of the opening of the return hole for the water for self-priming is adjusted to the upstream side of the water flow generated by the rotation of the impeller.
From the start end located downstream of the water flow from this start end
In this case, the flow rate of the water flowing through the volute can be made substantially constant in consideration of the water flowing out of the return hole, and the water return efficiency can be increased.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0011

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0013

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0014

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0014] In the washing machine, by providing the above-mentioned self-priming pump, the self-priming time of the self-priming pump can be shortened, so that the washing time can be shortened and the usability can be improved. Further, by Ru FIG compactness of the self-priming pump, since the washing machine can also be configured in a compact, it can be placed in a narrow space, since easily ensured even work space, thereby enhancing usability. At this time, when the self-priming pump of the present invention is arranged near the laundry inlet, the inlet can be enlarged, and the usability is improved.

[Procedure amendment 11]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0069

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0069]

According to the present invention, it can configure self-priming pump compact, and when mounted in the washing machine because it can narrow the depth of the rear storage chamber, able to widely open the clothes inlet The user's clothes can be easily taken in and out. Furthermore, since the pump water supply performance (flow rate) can be maintained and the self-priming time can be reduced, the total water supply time such as bath water and the washing time can be reduced .

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Tomohiro Okawa 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Inside the Electrification Equipment Division, Hitachi, Ltd. Inside Hitachi Mechanical Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine comprising: a washing tub for storing and washing laundry; a first water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub; and a drain means for draining water in the washing tub. , Initially acting as a vacuum pump to eliminate air in the suction pipe,
After removing the air in the suction pipe, the pump operates as a water pump, and a return hole for water for self-priming is provided in a spiral passage provided on the outer periphery of the impeller, and the size of the opening of the return hole is reduced. A self-priming pump configured to gradually decrease from a start end to a terminal end; a self-priming water priming unit configured to partially supply water by the first water supply unit with water for self-priming of the self-priming pump;
A washing machine, wherein the priming means and the self-priming pump are incorporated in a rear portion of the upper surface of the washing machine, and the priming means and the self-priming pump are controlled by the process control means. 2. A washing tub for storing laundry, a first water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub, and a drainage means for draining water in the washing tub to apply mechanical force to the laundry. In a washing machine that performs washing by first performing an operation as a vacuum pump that removes air in the suction pipe, and after removing the air in the suction pipe, operating as a water pump, and opening a return hole for water for self-priming. A washing machine comprising: a self-priming pump provided in a spiral passage provided on an outer periphery of an impeller, wherein a size of an opening of the return hole is gradually reduced from a start end to an end. 3. A washing tub for storing laundry, a first water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub, and a drainage means for draining water in the washing tub, for applying mechanical force to the laundry. In a washing machine that performs washing by first performing an operation as a vacuum pump that removes air in the suction pipe, and after removing the air in the suction pipe, operating as a water pump, and opening a return hole for water for self-priming. A self-priming pump, which is provided in a spiral passage provided on the outer periphery of the impeller, and in which the size of the opening of the return hole is gradually reduced from the start end to the end, is provided near the laundry inlet of the washing tub. A washing machine characterized in that it is provided with a washing machine. 4. A washing tub for storing laundry, a first water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub, and a drainage means for draining water in the washing tub to apply mechanical force to the laundry. In a washing machine that performs washing by first performing an operation as a vacuum pump that removes air in the suction pipe, and after removing the air in the suction pipe, operating as a water pump, and opening a return hole for water for self-priming. A self-priming pump is provided in the spiral passage provided on the outer periphery of the impeller, and the size of the opening of the return hole is gradually reduced from the start end to the end. A washing machine comprising: means for controlling driving of the pump; and means for controlling water supply to a priming port of the self-priming pump. 5. An outer frame, an outer tank supported on the outer frame by vibration isolation,
A washing tub included in the outer tub and having a rotating blade at the bottom center for washing and dehydrating, a first water supply unit for supplying water to the outer tub, and a drainage unit for draining water in the outer tub; , Washing, rinsing and dehydration in a washing tub provided with a step control means for controlling each step, initially acts as a vacuum pump to eliminate the air in the suction pipe, after removing the air in the suction pipe It operates as a water pump and provides a return hole for self-priming water in a spiral passage provided on the outer periphery of the impeller,
A self-priming pump in which the size of the opening of the return hole is gradually reduced from a start end to a terminal end, and a part of water supplied by the first water supply means for self-priming water of the self-priming pump. A washing machine comprising: a self-priming priming means; a priming means; and a self-priming pump incorporated in a rear portion of the upper surface of the washing machine, and the priming means and the self-priming pump are controlled by the process control means. 6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein when the priming means finishes priming water supply, the stroke control means gradually increases the impeller rotation speed of the pump. Washing machine.