JP2001190893A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable washing only in a washing tub/spin-dry basket of a washing machine to wash washings through application of centrifugal force to washing water and washings in the washing tub/spin-dry basket so as to save water by preventing washing water from passing through a spin-dry hole of the washing tank/spin-dry basket at the time of washing. SOLUTION: This machine is provided with a reception cylinder 2, a washing tank/spin-dry basket 3 disposed in the cylinder so as to be rotatable, a drive means 4 to drive the washing tank/spin-dry basket 3, a control means 5 to control the drive means to rotate the washing tank/spin-dry basket 3 intermittently or in a different rotational frequency for washing washings and to rotate the same at high speed for centrifugal spin dry operation. The control means 5 controls the drive means so that washing water may not pass through a spin-dry hole 6 provided at the washing tank/spin-dry basket 3 at the time of washing. The washing water, therefore, does not enter the reception cylinder 2, and washing can be made only in the washing tank/spin-dry basket 3 through changing the level of centrifugal force applied to the washing water and washings.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine for washing laundry in a washing and dewatering tub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A washing machine for washing laundry by intermittently rotating the washing and dewatering tub or changing the number of revolutions, and changing the centrifugal force applied to the washing water and the laundry in the washing and dewatering tub. Is already commonly used as a commercial product.
This washing machine has the advantage that only the force of the movement of water generated by the change in the centrifugal force applied to the washing water acts on the laundry, so that the laundry can be washed without being damaged or entangled. There is.

[0003] As shown in FIG.
And a receiving cylinder cover 47 provided on the upper part of the receiving cylinder 42, a washing and dewatering tub 43 rotatably disposed in the receiving cylinder 42, and a driving means 44 for driving the washing and dewatering tub 43, The driving means 44 rotates the washing and dewatering tub 43 to raise the washing water between the washing and dewatering tub 43 and the receiving cylinder 42, and the washing and dewatering from the receiving cylinder cover 47 and the washing and dewatering tub 43. There is a step of sprinkling water into the dehydration tub 43 and washing. Therefore, the washing and dewatering tub 43 is provided on the side of the washing and dewatering tub 43.
A plurality of holes 46 are provided for allowing the washing water to pass from the 3 into the receiving cylinder 42. In addition, this hole 46 is a dewatering hole for allowing water to pass from the washing and dewatering tub 43 into the receiving cylinder 42 when centrifugal dehydration is performed by the driving means 44 rotating the washing and dewatering tub 43 at a high rotation speed. Also functions as.

[0004]

However, in such a configuration, the water supplied to the washing and dewatering tub 43 moves into the receiving cylinder 42 through the dewatering hole 46, and after the water is supplied, the receiving cylinder 42 is always moved. It is in a state with washing water. for that reason,
There is a problem that a large amount of water is required for washing.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem of the conventional washing machine. The present invention is directed to a washing machine for washing laundry by applying a centrifugal force to washing water and laundry in a washing and spin-drying tub. An object of the present invention is to prevent the water from passing through the dehydration holes of the washing and dewatering tub, thereby performing washing only in the washing and dewatering tub to save water.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a washing and spin-drying tub is rotatably disposed in a receiving cylinder, and the washing and spin-drying tub is driven by driving means. By controlling the driving means, intermittently rotating the washing and dewatering tub, or changing the number of rotations to rotate the laundry to wash the laundry, and rotating at high speed to centrifugal dehydration, further control means,
At the time of washing, control is performed so as not to pass through a spin-drying hole provided in the spin-drying tub.

[0007] By the above means, only the force of the movement of water can be exerted on the laundry, and the laundry can be washed without being damaged or entangled. The amount can be saved.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to a receiving cylinder, a washing and dewatering tub rotatably disposed in the receiving cylinder, and a driving means for driving the washing and dewatering tub. Controlling the driving means to rotate the washing and dewatering tub intermittently or by changing the number of revolutions to wash the laundry, and perform the centrifugal dehydration by rotating the washing and dewatering tub at a high speed. The washing machine includes a control unit, and the control unit controls the washing water so as not to pass through a spin-drying hole provided in the washing and spin-drying tub during washing.

In the above embodiment, the washing water can be washed by changing the centrifugal force applied to the washing water and the laundry only in the washing and dewatering tub without entering the receiving cylinder.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a dehydration hole is provided at an upper portion of the side of the washing and dewatering tub, and the control means is driven so that the washing water does not rise to the dehydration hole. A washing machine configured to control the means.

In the above embodiment, since the control means controls the driving means so that the washing water does not rise to the dewatering hole, the washing water does not enter the receiving cylinder, but is only in the washing and dewatering tub. The laundry can be washed by changing the centrifugal force applied to the laundry.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of water in the washing and dewatering tub, and the control means controls the water amount during washing. Depending on the amount of water detected by the detection means,
A washing machine in which the number of revolutions of the washing and dewatering tub is changed so as to keep the water level lower than the dewatering hole.

In the above embodiment, since the control means changes the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub according to the amount of water detected by the water amount detecting means, the washing water is supplied to the receiving cylinder regardless of the amount of water in the washing and dewatering tub. Washing can be performed by changing the centrifugal force applied to the washing water and the laundry only in the washing / dewatering tub without entering the inside.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a water detecting means is provided below the dehydrating hole, and the control means is used for washing and the water detecting means is provided for washing. This is a washing machine in which the driving means is controlled so as to reduce the number of revolutions of the washing and dewatering tub when detecting water.

In the above embodiment, when the control means receives the signal of water detection from the water detection means, it controls the drive means so as to reduce the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub. In this case, the washing water can be washed by changing the centrifugal force applied to the washing water and the laundry only in the washing and dewatering tub without entering the receiving cylinder.

The invention described in claim 5 is the first invention.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the dewatering hole is provided with an opening / closing means, and the opening / closing means is configured to close the dewatering hole during washing and to open the dewatering hole during dewatering.

In the above embodiment, since the opening / closing means closes the spin-drying hole during washing and opens during spin-drying, the centrifugal water is applied only to the washing water and the laundry only in the washing and dewatering tub without entering the receiving cylinder. Washing can be performed with varying power, and dehydration is reliably discharged during dehydration.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the opening / closing means has a spring, and the centrifugal force generated in the opening / closing means at the time of washing at a low rotation speed is smaller than the pressing force of the spring. Although the opening / closing means is closed, the centrifugal force generated in the opening / closing means at the time of dehydration at a high rotational speed becomes larger than the pressing force of the spring, and the opening / closing means operates so as to open.

In the above embodiment, the opening / closing means provided in the dehydration hole automatically opens and closes depending on the magnitude of the centrifugal force.
Performs reliable operation with a simple configuration.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a washing machine according to an embodiment corresponding to the first to third aspects of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the receiving cylinder 2 includes a washing and spin-drying tub 3 and is suspended from the main body 1 by a suspension 7. Reference numeral 4 denotes a driving means provided on the outer bottom of the receiving cylinder 2 for rotating the washing and dewatering tub 3, and the number of rotations thereof is controlled by the control means 5. Reference numeral 6 denotes a dewatering hole provided at the upper side of the washing and dewatering tub 3. Reference numeral 9 denotes a water amount detecting means provided in the middle of a water supply passage 10 for injecting the washing water 8 into the washing and dewatering tub 3. The amount of water that has flowed into the washing and dewatering tub 3 is detected from the flow rate, and is input to the control means 5. The water amount detecting means 9 measures the amount of water flowing into the washing and dewatering tub 3 by measuring the flow rate of the water passing at the time of water supply as described above. Any structure can be used as long as it can be detected. Reference numeral 11 denotes a drain valve, which drains the washing water 8 in the washing and dewatering tub 3 into a drain hose 1.
2 to drain out of the body 1. 13 is laundry.

In the above embodiment, the driving means 4 controlled by the control means 5 rotates the washing and dewatering tub 3 intermittently or by changing the rotation speed, and acts on the washing water 8 and the laundry 13. The centrifugal force to be applied. At this time, the laundry 13 moves back and forth between the vicinity of the wall surface in the washing and dewatering tub 3 and the vicinity of the center.
Due to the difference in centrifugal force and inertia between the washing water 8 and the laundry 13, a relative speed difference occurs between the washing water 8 and the laundry 13, and the washing water 8 removes dirt components attached to the laundry 13.

In this way, the laundry 13 is washed, and the laundry 13 is not subjected to the mechanical force as in the case of stirring and washing, so that the clothes are not damaged or entangled.

When the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub 3 is further increased by the driving means 4 by the control means 5, the washing and dewatering tub 3 is rotated.
Due to the centrifugal force acting on the washing water 8 in the inside, the washing water surface of the washing water 8 becomes mortar-shaped as shown in FIG. The control means 5 controls the driving means 4 in accordance with the amount of water detected by the water amount detecting means 9, and performs washing within a range where the water level on the side surface of the washing and dewatering tub 3 is at a position below the height of the dewatering hole 6. The centrifugal force applied to the washing water 8 and the laundry 13 in the washing and dewatering tub 3 is changed intermittently or by changing the number of rotations of the tub 3.

As described above, the control by the control means 5 allows the washing water 8 to always pass through the spin-drying hole 6 from the washing and spin-drying tub 3 to the inside of the receiving cylinder 2 in the washing process in the case of any amount of water. Since washing can be performed only in the washing and dewatering tub 3, water can be saved. After the washing process is performed for a predetermined time, the drain valve 11 is opened to drain the water from the drain hose 12, and the rinsing process is performed. Then, the driving means 4 controlled by the control means 5 rotates the washing and dewatering tub 3 at a high rotation speed, and the water separated from the clothes by the centrifugal force passes through the dewatering hole 6 to be discharged from the washing and dewatering tub 3. It moves to the receiving cylinder 2 and is drained from the drain hose 12, dehydration is performed, and a series of washing operations ends.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the laundry is washed only by moving the washing water to the laundry, and no mechanical force is directly applied to the laundry, so that the laundry may be damaged or entangled. In addition, since washing can be performed only in the washing and dewatering tub corresponding to any amount of water, water can be saved.

In this embodiment, the case where the dewatering hole 6 is provided at the upper side of the washing and dewatering tub 3 and the water amount detecting means 9 is provided. It is sufficient to control so that the washing water does not move from the washing and dewatering tub 3 to the receiving cylinder 2 after passing through, and the position of the dewatering hole and the presence or absence of the water amount detecting means are irrelevant.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a washing machine according to an embodiment corresponding to the fourth aspect of the present invention. In the present invention, a water detecting means is provided below the spin-drying hole, and the control means controls the driving means so as to reduce the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub when the water detecting means detects the washing water during washing. The difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is that the same reference numerals are given to other parts having the same configuration and the same operation and effect, detailed description is omitted, and different parts will be mainly described.

Reference numeral 29 denotes a water detecting means provided immediately below the dewatering hole 6 on the upper side of the washing and dewatering tub 3. Reference numeral 25 denotes a control means. When the water detecting means 29 detects the washing water during washing, the washing and dewatering is performed. The driving means 4 is controlled so as to reduce the number of rotations of the water tank 3.

In the above embodiment, the driving means 4 controlled by the control means 5 rotates the washing and dewatering tub 3 intermittently or by changing the rotation speed, and acts on the washing water 8 and the laundry. The centrifugal force is changed, and the laundry in the washing / dewatering tub 3 is washed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. When the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub 3 is further increased by the driving means 4 by the control means 5, the washing water level of the washing water 8 is changed to the level shown in FIG. As shown, it becomes a mortar shape and reaches the highest water level on the side of the washing and dewatering tub 3. This water level rises to the position of the water detecting means 29 on the side surface of the washing and dewatering tub 23, and the water detecting means 2
When 9 detects the washing water 8, it sends a signal to the control means 25. When receiving the signal from the water detecting means 29, the control means 25 reduces the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub 3 and
The driving means 4 is controlled so that the water level on the side surface does not rise to the height of the dewatering hole 6. By doing this,
Since the washing water 8 can be always washed only in the washing and dewatering tub 3 without moving from the washing and dewatering tub 3 into the receiving cylinder 2 through the dewatering hole 6 in the washing process in the case of any water amount. , Can save water.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the laundry is washed only by moving the washing water to the laundry, and no mechanical force is directly applied to the laundry, so that the laundry may be damaged or entangled. In addition, since washing can be performed only in the washing and dewatering tub 3, water can be saved. Also,
It can handle any amount of water.

In this embodiment, the case where the dewatering hole 6 is provided on the upper side of the washing and dewatering tub 3 and the water detecting means 29 is provided is essential. It is sufficient that the control means controls the driving means so that the washing water does not move from the dewatering tub to the receiving cylinder, and the position of the dewatering hole and the presence or absence of the water detecting means are irrelevant.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a washing machine according to an embodiment corresponding to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention. The present invention is different from the invention of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the dewatering hole is provided with an opening / closing means, and the opening / closing means is configured to close the dewatering hole at the time of washing and to open it at the time of dewatering. Portions having the same effect are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and different portions will be mainly described.

Reference numeral 30 denotes an opening / closing means provided to close the dewatering hole 6 during washing and open it during dewatering. This opening / closing means 30
Since the spring 32 connected to the spring support 31 fixed to the washing and dewatering tub 3 is normally in a compressed state, the pressing force pushes the spring 32 toward the washing and dewatering tub 3 to open the dewatering hole 6. It is normally closed.

In the above embodiment, the driving means 4 controlled by the control means 5 rotates the washing and dewatering tub 3 intermittently or by changing the rotation speed, and acts on the washing water 8 and the laundry. The centrifugal force is changed, and the laundry in the washing / dewatering tub 3 is washed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In this washing step, a centrifugal force acts in such a direction as to open the opening / closing means 30 by the rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 3. Since the pressing force is set to be larger, the opening / closing means 30 is kept closed. In this manner, during the washing process, the washing water 8 does not move from the washing / dewatering tub 3 into the receiving cylinder 2 through the spin-drying hole 6 and can be always washed only in the washing / dewatering tub 3. As a result, water can be saved. After finishing the washing process and the rinsing process, a dehydration process is started and the driving means 4
When the washing and dewatering tub 3 is rotated at a rotation speed several times the rotation speed in the washing process, the centrifugal force acting on the opening / closing means 30 becomes larger than the pressing force of the spring 32, and 3 open in the direction outside. Then, the water separated from the clothes by the centrifugal force passes through the opened dewatering hole 6 and moves from the washing / dewatering tub 3 to the receiving tube 2 to perform dewatering.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the laundry is washed only by moving the washing water to the laundry, and no mechanical force is directly applied to the laundry, so that the laundry may be damaged or entangled. In addition, since washing can be performed only in the washing and dewatering tub 3, water can be saved. Also,
It is possible to design an optimal dehydration hole without limiting the position and number of the dehydration holes 6. Further, no special control means only for driving the opening / closing means 30 is required, and since the structure is simple and the number of parts is small, the cost can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the opening / closing means having a spring has been described. However, the opening / closing means may be an elastic body other than a spring, or may be realized by using an electromagnetic valve. The structure of the opening / closing means is not limited as long as the opening / closing means is closed during washing and opened during dehydration.

[0039]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the receiving cylinder, the washing and dewatering tub rotatably disposed in the receiving cylinder, and the washing and dewatering tub are provided. Driving means for driving, intermittently the washing and dewatering tub by controlling the driving means,
Or control means for rotating the laundry while changing the rotation speed to wash the laundry, and rotating the washing and dewatering tub at a high speed to perform centrifugal dehydration. It is controlled so as not to pass through the provided dehydration holes, so that the laundry can be washed without being damaged or entangled, and the amount of water required for one washing can be saved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a dehydration hole is provided at the upper side of the washing and dewatering tub, and the control means raises the washing water to the dehydration hole. Since the driving means is controlled so as not to damage the laundry, the laundry can be washed without being damaged or entangled, and the amount of water required for one washing can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or the second aspect, there is provided a water amount detecting means for detecting a water amount in the washing and dewatering tub, and the control means comprises: At the time of washing, the number of revolutions of the washing and dewatering tub is changed in conjunction with the amount of water detected by the water amount detecting means. The washing can be performed by changing the centrifugal force applied to the washing water and the laundry only in the washing and dewatering tub without entering the inside.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, water detecting means is provided below the dewatering hole, and the control means detects the water during washing. When the means detects the washing water, the driving means is controlled so as to reduce the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub.In any case of the amount of water in the washing and dewatering tub, the washing water does not enter the receiving cylinder. The washing can be performed by changing the centrifugal force applied to the washing water and the laundry only in the washing and dewatering tub.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the dewatering hole is provided with an opening / closing means, and the opening / closing means is provided with the dewatering hole. Is designed to be closed during washing and opened during spin-drying, so that the spin-drying holes can be provided on the side of the washing and spin-drying tub without restriction on the position and number of the spin-drying tubs. Can be.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the opening / closing means has a spring, and the centrifugal force generated in the opening / closing means during washing is a pressing force of the spring. The centrifugal force generated in the opening / closing means is set to be larger than the pressing force of the spring at the time of dehydration, so that no special control means only for driving the opening / closing means is required, and the structure is reduced. Since it is simple and the number of parts is small, the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a washing machine according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a washing machine according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a conventional washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Receiving cylinder 3 Washing and dehydration tub 4 Driving means 5 Control means 6 Dehydration hole 9 Water amount detecting means 29 Water detecting means 30 Opening / closing means 32 Spring

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shinichi Nakajima 1006 Kadoma, Kazuma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3B155 AA01 AA06 BA08 BA09 BB14 CA09 CA16 CB06 DC19 DC21 KA18 LB17 MA01

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A receiving cylinder, a washing and dewatering tub rotatably disposed in the receiving cylinder, a driving means for driving the washing and dewatering tub, and a washing and dewatering tub controlled by the driving means. Intermittent,
Or change the rotation speed and rotate to wash the laundry,
And a control means for rotating the washing and dewatering tub at a high speed to perform centrifugal dehydration, wherein the control means controls the washing water so as not to pass through a dehydrating hole provided in the washing and dewatering tub during washing. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a dehydration hole is provided in an upper portion of the side surface of the washing and dehydrating tub, and the control means controls the driving means so that the washing water does not rise to the dehydration hole. 3. A washing and dewatering tub comprising a water amount detecting means for detecting an amount of water in the washing and dewatering tub, wherein the control means changes the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub in conjunction with the water amount detected by the water amount detecting means during washing. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2. 4. A water detecting means is provided below the dewatering hole, and the control means controls the driving means so as to reduce the rotation speed of the washing and dewatering tub when the water detecting means detects washing water during washing. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2. 5. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein an opening / closing means is provided in the dewatering hole, and the opening / closing means is configured to close the dewatering hole during washing and to open during dehydration. . 6. The opening / closing means has a spring, and the centrifugal force generated in the opening / closing means during washing is smaller than the pressing force of the spring, and the centrifugal force generated in the opening / closing means during dehydration is smaller than the pressing force of the spring. 6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the size of the washing machine is also increased.