JP2001198392A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a washing machine that improves washing performance without increasing damage on washes as well as cleaning partial blots effectively. SOLUTION: The washing machine comprising a washing tub 2, a circulation pass 17 that circulates washing water and a pump 15 that circulates washing water in the circulation pass 17. The circulation pass 17 is equipped with an outlet 18 to discharge the washing water into the washing tub 2 in a shower-like manner as well as an ultrasonic generator 19 on the upstream of the outlet 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine used in ordinary households and to an improvement in washing performance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The structure of a conventional washing machine will be described with reference to FIG. In the drawing, 1 is a main body of a washing machine, 2 is a washing tub that stores washing water and stores laundry, 3 is a dehydration tub that is included in the washing tub 2 and has a fluid balancer 4 at the top, and 5 is a bottom portion of the dehydration tub 3 Is a washing means, that is, a pulsator, which is arranged to rotate the pulsator 5 to create a water flow and perform washing. Reference numeral 6 denotes a transmission mechanism, which includes therein a reduction gear for reducing the rotation of the pulsator 5 to a predetermined rotation during washing, a clutch for switching between rotating and driving the pulsator 5 or the dehydration tub 3 according to washing and dehydration, and a dehydration tub. It has a built-in brake that slows down the rotation of 3. Reference numeral 7 denotes a motor provided at the bottom of the washing tub 2, 8 and 9 denote a motor side pulley and a transmission mechanism side pulley, respectively.
The power of the motor 7 is transmitted via the. Reference numeral 11 denotes a water supply valve which is connected to a water supply and supplies washing water to the washing tub 2, and 12 denotes a detergent container provided on the way of supplying water to the washing tub 2.

The operation of the conventional washing machine constructed as described above will be briefly described below. The user of the washing machine first puts laundry (not shown) into the dewatering tub 3, then puts a detergent corresponding to the amount of laundry into the detergent container 12, and then pushes a start switch of the washing machine to start washing. Start. Thereafter, the water supply valve 11 is opened to start water supply, and the supplied washing water flows into the washing tub 5 through the detergent in the detergent container 12 in the middle of the water supply path. After a predetermined amount of water has been supplied, the pulsator 5 is rotated to wash the laundry.
After washing, rinsing and dehydration are performed, and washing is completed.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned conventional washing machine, it was not possible to completely wash laundry, such as shirt sleeve collar stains, in which the stains are firmly fixed partially. In addition, in order to obtain higher washing performance than the current condition, it is possible to increase the rotation speed of the pulsator and increase the rotation time to give the laundry a greater mechanical force than the current condition. -There was a problem that the entanglement became extremely large and was not practical at all.

[0005] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and improves the washing performance without increasing the mechanical force applied to the laundry, that is, without increasing the damage to the laundry, and effectively removes even partial stains. A first object is to provide a washing machine that can be washed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that reduces the mechanical force applied to the laundry to reduce damage to the laundry and improves the cleaning performance.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing tub having a washing means for storing washing water, storing laundry, and circulating the washing water. A washing machine provided with a circulation path to be circulated, a pump for circulating washing water in the circulation path, the circulation path having a discharge port for discharging washing water to a washing tub, and a foaming device provided in the circulation path. Is what you do. Further, the discharge port is configured to discharge to the washing tub in a shower shape, and the washing machine is provided with a foam generating device near the upstream of the discharge port.

[0007] A second means of the present invention comprises a washing tub having a washing means for storing washing water and storing laundry, a circulation path for circulating the washing water, and circulating the washing water in the circulation path. A pump for discharging the washing water into the washing tub, and a washing machine having an air hole for introducing air into the circulation path to introduce air into the washing water. Further, the suction hole communicating with the air hole is a washing machine provided above the washing tub. Further, the discharge port is configured to discharge to the washing tub in a shower shape, and the washing machine is provided with an air hole near the upstream of the discharge port.

[0008]

According to the first means of the present invention, since the ultrasonic wave generator is provided in the circulation path of the circulating washing water, ultrasonic waves are added to the shower-like washing water discharged to the washing tub.
When the shower to which the ultrasonic wave is added is poured into the laundry in the washing tub, the ultrasonic wave and the cavitation effect exert an extremely large detergency. The cleaning effect by the ultrasonic wave exerts a great effect because it acts locally concentratedly, and the energy of the ultrasonic wave itself is small and does not give the laundry a force that damages the laundry. The cleaning performance can be improved without increasing the damage.

Further, according to the second means of the present invention, since the foam generating device is provided in the circulation path of the circulating washing water, a large amount of foam exists in the shower-like washing water discharged to the washing tub. The foam in the washing water has a large amount of detergent components, that is, surfactants, concentrated on its surface. When the shower in which the foam is present is poured into the laundry in the washing tub, the surfactant having a high concentration on the foam surface effectively acts on the soil of the laundry and exerts a large detergency. In addition, the foam in the washing water can serve as a cushion for the laundry to reduce the damage of the laundry and improve the cleaning performance.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, components having the same configuration as the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted. 1 is the body, 2
Is a washing tub, 3 is a dehydrating tub, 4 is a fluid balancer, 5 is a pulsator, 6 is a transmission mechanism, 7 is a motor provided at the bottom of the washing tub 2, 8 is a motor side pulley, and 9 is a pulling mechanism side pulley. Reference numeral 10 denotes a belt, and 11 denotes a water supply valve. Reference numeral 12 denotes a detergent container provided on the way of supplying water to the washing tub 2. 13
Is a drain port provided at the bottom of the washing tub 2, one of which is in communication with a drain valve 14, and one of which is in communication with a pump 15. The drain valve 14 is connected to a drain hose 16 that leads outside the machine, and the pump 15 is connected to a circulation path 17 that returns washing water to the washing tub 2. The circulation path 17 is provided with a discharge port 18 for discharging the washing water to the washing tub in a shower shape. Reference numeral 19 denotes an ultrasonic generator (foam generator) provided upstream of the discharge port 18 and includes an ultrasonic vibrator 20 and an ultrasonic oscillator 21. Cavitation is caused by the ultrasonic vibrator, and a large amount of foam is generated in the washing water.

The operation of the embodiment will be described below. First, the user puts laundry in the washing tub 2 and puts a predetermined amount of detergent into the detergent container 13 according to the amount of the laundry. Thereafter, the water supply valve 11 is energized for a predetermined time, and water is supplied into the washing tub 2 together with the detergent in the detergent container 13 to store a predetermined amount of washing water.
At this time, when the pump 15 is operated, the washing water in the washing tub 2 is absorbed from the drain port 13, passes through the circulation path 17, and returns to the washing tub 2 from the discharge port 18 as a shower. Here, when the ultrasonic generator 19 is driven, the shower to which the ultrasonic wave and the foam are added is directly poured into the laundry. Since the detergent supplied together with the water supply into the washing tub 2 was not completely dissolved and stayed on the laundry, the detergent to which the ultrasonic wave was added can dissolve the detergent in an extremely short time. . As a result, the ability of the detergent can be sufficiently exhibited from the beginning of washing, and the washing performance can be greatly improved. Further, when a predetermined amount of washing water is supplied, the pulsator 5 is driven to rotate by the motor 7 and washing is performed for a predetermined time. Even during this washing, the shower to which the above-mentioned ultrasonic wave is added is applied to the laundry floating on the upper portion of the washing tub. At this time, the shower to which the ultrasonic wave is applied exerts an extremely large detergency on a local portion of the laundry hit by the ultrasonic vibration and the cavitation effect. The cleaning effect by ultrasonic waves exerts an extremely large effect because it acts locally and concentrated, and the energy of the ultrasonic waves itself is small and does not give the laundry the power to damage the laundry, so the damage of the laundry The cleaning performance can be significantly improved in combination with the above-described detergent dissolution accelerating effect without increasing the value. In addition, during the operation of the ultrasonic generator 19, the shower to which the ultrasonic wave is added is applied to the laundry to which the dirt is extremely firmly adhered, for example, the collar sleeve of the shirt, so that the ultrasonic generator 19 can be easily and extremely easily applied. Partial washing becomes possible in a short time.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description is omitted. 1 is a main body, 2 is a washing tub,
3 is a dehydration tub, 4 is a fluid balancer, 5 is a pulsator, 6 is a transmission mechanism, 7 is a motor provided at the bottom of the washing tub 2, 8 is a motor side pulley, 9 is a delivery mechanism side pulley,
Is a belt, and 11 is a water supply valve. Reference numeral 12 denotes a detergent container provided on the way of supplying water to the washing tub 2. 13 is a washing tub 2
A drain port is provided at the bottom of the pump, one of which is connected to a drain valve 14 and the other of which is connected to a pump 15. The drain valve 14 is connected to a drain hose 16 that leads outside the machine, and the pump 15 is connected to a circulation path 17 that returns washing water to the washing tub 2. The circulation path 17 is a discharge port 1 for discharging washing water to the washing tub in a shower shape.
8 are provided. Numeral 22 is a foam generator provided upstream of the discharge port 18, which is provided with an air hole 23 for introducing air, utilizing the eject effect, taking in outside air and mixing it into the cleaning liquid to generate foam during showering. I have. In order to prevent the washing water from leaking from the air holes 23,
Communicates with an intake hole 24 opened in the upper part of the washing tub 2.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. First, the user puts laundry in the washing tub 2 and puts a predetermined amount of detergent into the detergent container 13 according to the amount of the laundry. Thereafter, the water supply valve 11 is energized for a predetermined time, and water is supplied into the washing tub 2 together with the detergent in the detergent container 13 to store a predetermined amount of washing water.
At this time, when the pump 15 is operated, the washing water in the washing tub 2 is absorbed from the drain port 13, passes through the circulation path 17, and returns to the washing tub 2 from the discharge port 18 as a shower. When a predetermined amount of washing water is supplied, the pulsator 5 is rotationally driven by the motor 7 and the washing is performed for a predetermined time. here,
By the ejection action of the foam generator 22, the air holes 23
Air is introduced from the mist and fine bubbles are mixed into the water flow in the shower. When the shower to which the foam is added is directly poured into the laundry, the above-described shower to which the foam is added is applied to the laundry that has floated above the washing tub.
The foam in the shower has a large amount of detergent components, ie, surfactants, concentrated on its surface, and when the shower in which the foam is present is poured onto the laundry in the washing tub, a large amount of the surfactant on the foam surface is formed. Works effectively on the stains on the laundry and exerts great detergency. In addition, the foam diffuses widely into the washing water and acts on all stains on the laundry to further enhance the cleaning effect, and can also serve as a cushion for the laundry and reduce damage to the laundry. .

[0014]

As described above, according to the first means, since the ultrasonic wave generator is provided in the circulation path of the circulating washing water, the ultrasonic wave is applied to the shower-like washing water discharged to the washing tub. Will be added. The shower to which the ultrasonic wave is added is poured into the laundry in the washing tub, and the ultrasonic vibration and the cavitation effect can exert an extremely large detergency, and the energy of the ultrasonic wave itself is small and damages the laundry. It does not give such power to the laundry. This makes it possible to greatly improve the cleaning performance without increasing the damage of the laundry.

According to the second means, since the foam generating device is provided in the circulation path of the circulating washing water, a large amount of foam exists in the shower-like washing water discharged to the washing tub. The foam in the wash water contains a large amount of detergent components, that is, surfactants, on the surface, and a large amount of the surfactant on the foam surface can effectively act on the stains on the laundry and exert a large detergency. At the same time, the foam in the washing water can serve as a cushion for the laundry, thereby reducing damage to the laundry.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a conventional fully automatic washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Washing tub 5 Water tub 7 Motor 11 Water supply valve 12 Detergent container of the first invention 15 Pump 17 Circulation path 18 Discharge port 19 Ultrasonic generator 22 Foam generator

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Chiya Shinya 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshimi Urata 1006 Odaka Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A washing tub having a washing means for storing washing water and storing laundry, a circulation path for circulating the washing water, and a pump for circulating the washing water in the circulation path, the circulation path comprising: A washing machine having a discharge port for discharging washing water to a washing tub and having a foam generating device in the circulation path. 2. A washing tub having a washing means for storing washing water and containing laundry, a circulation path for circulating the washing water, and a pump for circulating the washing water in the circulation path, the circulation path comprising: A washing machine having a discharge port for discharging washing water to a washing tub, and having an air hole for introducing air into the circulation path, for introducing air into the washing water. 3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the suction hole communicating with the air hole is provided above the washing tub. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the discharge port is configured to discharge into a washing tub in a shower shape, and a foam generator is provided near an upstream of the discharge port. 5. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the discharge port is configured to discharge to a washing tub in a shower shape, and an air hole is provided near an upstream of the discharge port.