JP2002018189A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine which is further improved in washing performance. SOLUTION: The washing performance is improved by forcibly circulating the water of a washing basket 2. The circulation is performed by a circulating mechanism 70 and air is incorporated by an air incorporating device 80 into the water circulated by the circulating mechanism 70 in a position above the washing water surface. When the air is incorporated into the circulated water, the air (air bubbles) incorporated into the water bursts open when the circulating water is poured into the washing basket 2 and this air is fragmented to the finer air bubbles. When the air bubbles burst open, ultrasonic waves are generated. These ultrasonic waves assist the separation of the dirt sticking to clothing from the clothing. Accordingly, the washing performance is enhanced by circulating the water of the washing basket 2 and the washing performance is further improved by the smooth incorporation of the air.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a fully automatic washing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a washing machine in which a stirring tub is provided in a washing tub, and washing is performed by stirring the washing water and the laundry by rotating the stirring wing. Above all, a washing tub has an outer tub for storing water and an inner tub provided coaxially with the outer tub in the outer tub, and a fully automatic washing machine in which a stirring blade is provided in the inner tub has become widespread. ing.

In such a washing machine, it is important to improve the washing performance.

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine having improved washing performance by forcibly circulating water in a washing tub.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine in which the washing performance is improved by forcibly circulating the water in the washing tub to dissolve the detergent put in the washing tub satisfactorily. .

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine having a washing tub for storing water for washing and a drain hole provided in the washing tub. A circulating mechanism for forcibly circulating the washing water by sucking the washing water of the washing tub coming out of the hole and discharging the washing water from the water inlet so as to pour the washing water into the washing tub; A washing machine characterized by having an air mixing means for mixing air into the washing water circulated by the circulation mechanism at a position above the water surface.

In the structure of the first aspect, air is mixed into the circulated water by the air mixing means. When the water into which the air is mixed is poured into the washing tub, the mixed air (bubbles) pops and is subdivided into fine bubbles. It is known that when a bubble pops, an ultrasonic wave is generated. It has been experimentally confirmed that the generated ultrasonic waves help to separate dirt attached to clothes (laundry) from the clothes. Therefore, it is possible to provide a washing machine in which the washing effect is improved by the ultrasonic waves generated when the air bubbles burst.

In particular, a washing machine in which fine bubbles are generated at the bottom of a washing tub and the washing performance is improved by ultrasonic waves generated when the bubbles burst, has already been filed by the present applicant. The present invention forcibly circulates water in a washing tub and mixes air into the circulating water, thereby causing bubbles to be included in water circulated and poured into the washing tub, and causing excessive air bubbles to burst. It uses sound waves. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a washing machine whose cleaning performance is further improved by using ultrasonic waves.

Further, air is mixed into the circulated water at a position above the water surface in the washing tub. Thus, there is no problem that air is mixed in when the water is not circulated, and the mixed air enters the pump. Further, the water in the circulating mechanism is not pushed up by the pressure of the mixed air and undesirably blown out from the water inlet.

[0010] Further, since the position where the air is mixed is located above the washing tub and far from the circulation pump, the water pressure due to the circulating water is small. Therefore, the air is smoothly mixed into the circulating water.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the washing machine of the first aspect, the circulating mechanism sucks washing water coming out of the drain port from a suction port and discharges the sucked water from a discharge port. A washing machine comprising: a circulation pump; and an outlet hose constituting a water passage from a discharge port of the circulation pump to a water injection port. According to the configuration of the second aspect, the configuration of the circulation mechanism is simple.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the washing machine of the second aspect, the air mixing means includes an air pump and an air hose for guiding air sent from the air pump. A washing machine characterized in that: According to the configuration of the third aspect, the configuration of the air mixing means is simple.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the washing machine of the third aspect, the air hose is connected to a water inlet member having the water inlet. According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, the air hose can be connected to the existing water inlet member.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the washing machine according to the fourth aspect, the washing water in the water inlet member enters the air hose at a connection portion of the air hose to the water inlet member. The washing machine is provided with a check valve for preventing the washing. According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, since water can be prevented from entering the air hose, the air can be stably supplied to the circulation mechanism.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the washing machine according to the fourth aspect, the washing tub is suspended in an inclined state so as to be inclined forward with respect to a housing frame of the washing machine. The tank has an outer tank and an inner tank provided in the outer tank, and an outer tank cover is attached to an upper opening of the outer tank, and the water inlet member is attached to the outer tank cover. A washing machine characterized by being attached.

In the washing machine according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in a washing machine in which the washing tub is inclined obliquely toward the front side, circulating water can be poured vigorously from above, and air mixed in the circulating water becomes bubbles, and The invention according to claim 7, wherein the bubbles are finely broken when poured into the tank, and ultrasonic waves are efficiently generated.
The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the air hose is wound around the outlet hose. According to the configuration of the seventh aspect, the air hose can be stably held.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the washing machine according to the second aspect, the air mixing means turns on and off an air mixing operation in synchronization with turning on and off of the circulation pump. Washing machine.

In the structure according to the eighth aspect, air is mixed only while the water is circulated. So in this regard,
The water in the circulation mechanism is not pushed up by the pressure of the mixed air and undesirably blown out from the water inlet.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a right side sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This washing machine is a washing-tub-inclination type washing machine in which a washing tub 2 capable of storing laundry and washing water is provided to be inclined to the front side in a box-shaped housing 1 having an opening 11 on the upper surface. One of the advantages of the washing tub tilt type washing machine is that the bottom of the washing tub 2 is easy for a user to see because the washing tub 2 is inclined forward, and washing into the washing tub 2 is easy. It is easy to put things in and out.

In this embodiment, a washing machine of a washing tub inclination type will be described as an example. However, in the present invention, a normal washing machine in which the washing tub is not inclined and the center axis of the washing tub extends almost vertically. It is also applicable to machines.

An opening 11 on the upper surface of the housing 1 is an opening for putting laundry into the washing tub 2 and taking out the laundry from the washing tub 2. In relation to the opening 11, a lid 12 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 1 to cover the opening 11 so that the opening 11 can be opened and closed. An operation unit 13 in which operation keys and the like are arranged is provided on the front side of the opening 11.

The washing tub 2 includes an outer tub 21 having a substantially cylindrical shape having a bottom and capable of storing washing water, and an inner tub 22 provided coaxially in the outer tub 21. Washing tub 2 is outer tub 2
1 is suspended from the housing 1 by suspension rods 31 and 32 having different lengths, so that the center axis CL of the
It is supported in a state inclined with respect to L by an angle K (for example, about 10 °). The inner tank 22 is provided rotatably in the outer tank 21, and has a plurality of small holes 22 a on its peripheral surface.
Are formed. A pulsator 23 rotatable around the central axis CL is disposed on the bottom surface of the inner tank 22.

A water supply mechanism 4 for supplying water to the washing tub 2 is provided above the washing tub 2. The water supply mechanism 4
The water supply path 41 has one end drawn out of the housing 1, a water supply valve 42 for opening and closing the water supply path 41, and a water supply port forming member 43 connected to the other end of the water supply path 41. A water supply hose (not shown) is connected to one end of the water supply passage 41 that is drawn out of the housing 1, and water required for washing can be supplied by connecting the water supply hose to a water supply or the like (not shown). It has become. The water supply port forming member 43 is
Detergent container 43a for storing detergent used for washing
A water supply port 43b for supplying the water flowing into the detergent container 43a from the water supply channel 41 into the washing tub 2 is formed on the bottom surface thereof.

Below the washing tub 2, a drive mechanism 6 for rotating and driving the inner tub 22 and the pulsator 23 is provided. The driving mechanism 6 includes a motor 6 that generates a rotational driving force.
1 and a bearing 62 that rotatably supports the inner tank 22 and the pulsator 23. The bearing portion 62 includes an inner tank shaft 622 for supporting and rotating the inner tank 22. The inner tank shaft 622 penetrates the bottom of the outer tank 21,
The upper end is connected to the bottom of the inner tank 22. The inner tank shaft 622 has a blade shaft 6 having an upper end connected to the pulsator 23.
23 is rotatably inserted.

In this embodiment, the motor 61 is connected below the bearing 62, and the motor 61, the bearing 62, the inner tank shaft 622 and the blade shaft 623 are connected to the center axis CL.
Are arranged along.

On the bottom surface of the washing tub 2, a drainage mechanism 5 for draining water from the inside of the washing tub 2 is provided. Drainage mechanism 5
Is provided at the lowest position of the washing tub 2, in other words, at the front bottom surface of the washing tub 2. By providing the drainage mechanism at this position, it is possible to drain all the water in the washing tub 2.

The drainage mechanism 5 includes a drainage hole 51 opened on the bottom of the outer tub 21, a drainage valve 53 connected to the drainage hole 51 from the outer bottom side of the outer tub 21, and a drainage extending from the drainage valve 53. A road 52 is included. The drainage channel 52 is disposed so as to gradually decrease toward the tip, and the tip is led out of the housing 1.

With this configuration, when water is supplied into the washing tub 2 with the drain valve 53 closed, the supplied water is stored in the washing tub 2 (outer tub 21). And
The water stored in the washing tub 2 can be drained out of the machine via the drain channel 52 by opening the drain valve 53.

An overflow hole 54 is formed in the upper part of the outer tank 21. The overflow hole 54 is for preventing the water level in the outer tank 21 from exceeding a predetermined height, and the water supplied beyond the predetermined height is used for the overflow hole 54.
It is overflowing from. An overflow pipe 55 is connected to the overflow hole 54, and the tip of the overflow pipe 55 is connected to a portion of the drainage channel 52 on the downstream side of drainage from the drainage valve 53. Thereby, water overflowing from the overflow hole 54 can be drained outside the machine regardless of the open / close state of the drain valve 53.

This washing machine is further provided with a circulation mechanism 70 for forcibly circulating the water in the washing tub 2. The circulation mechanism 70 includes a pump 71, and a suction port of the pump 71 is connected to a drain valve 53 by an inlet side hose 72. An outlet hose 73 is connected to a discharge port of the pump 71, and the outlet hose 73 is disposed along the outer surface of the outer tub 21, and is connected to a water inlet member 74 attached to the upper edge 24 of the outer tub 21. It is connected.

The circulation mechanism 70 takes in the water in the washing tub 2 through the drain hole 51 and the valve 53, and pours the water into the washing tub 2 from the water inlet 77 of the water inlet member 74 to circulate the water.

This washing machine is further provided with an air mixing device 80. The air mixing device 80 includes, for example, an air pump 81 disposed below the operation unit 13,
An air hose 82 for guiding air sent from the air pump 81 is provided, and the air guided by the air hose 82 is mixed into the water discharged from the circulation pump 71.

Although not shown, the air guided by the air hose 82 may be supplied to the washing tub 2 from below the outer tub 21.

2A and 2B are a front view and a partially cut-away left side view showing the structure of the drain valve 53. FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, drain valve 53
Includes a pipe portion 56 connected to the drain hole 51 (see FIG. 1). A valve seat 57 is formed in the tube portion 56,
A bellows-shaped valve body 58 is built in facing the valve seat 57. The valve element 58 is operated by a torque motor 59 (see FIG. 3) and can be displaced between a state in which the drain valve 53 is closed in close contact with the valve seat 57 and a state in which the valve 53 is opened apart from the valve seat 57. .

The pipe 56 is provided with a drain connection 46 and an overflow connection 47 projecting therefrom. The drainage channel connection portion 46 and the overflow pipe connection portion 47 project from the downstream side of the valve seat 57 in a direction crossing the pipe portion 56 when viewed in the drainage direction.
8 is provided in a state where water can be circulated irrespective of the operation of FIG. The drainage channel connection part 46 is connected to the drainage channel 52 described above, and the overflow pipe connection part 45 is connected to the lower end of the overflow pipe 55 described above.

The pipe section 56 is further provided with a circulation hose connection section 48. The circulation hose connection portion 48 is protruded in the vicinity of the valve seat 57 and at a position where water in the pipe portion 56 is not drained when the valve body 58 is in close contact with the valve seat 58. In other words, with the drain valve 53 closed,
The circulation hose connection portion 48 is arranged at the lowest position where water accumulates. The above-mentioned inlet side hose 72 is connected to the circulation hose connection portion 48. Therefore drain valve 5
The water stored in the tub 3 is sucked from the circulating hose connection portion 48 by the inlet hose 72 and circulated into the washing tub 2 by the circulating mechanism 70.

When the intake port of the water circulated by the circulation mechanism 70 is a drain valve as described above, there is an advantage that the detergent remaining in the washing tub can be dissolved.
More specifically, the detergent remaining in the washing tub 2 flows to a lower position. The lowest position in the washing tub 2 is a drain hole 51 formed in the outer tub 21, and a drain valve 53 is provided so as to project downward from the drain hole 51. Therefore, the detergent remaining undissolved finally flows into the drain valve 53. Therefore, the water of this drain valve 53 is
When circulated by the circulation mechanism 70, the undissolved detergent contained therein is also circulated, and the undissolved detergent can be dissolved by the circulation.

In order to achieve such a function, the water inlet to the circulation mechanism 70 is formed in a drain valve 53.

FIG. 3 is a view of the washing machine viewed from below,
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement relationship of various mechanisms arranged on an outer bottom surface of an outer tub 21. A motor 61 is provided at the center of the outer bottom surface of the outer tank 21.
Is arranged. In the vicinity of the motor 61, a bearing 62
A switching torque motor 611 for switching between rotating only the blade shaft 623 or rotating the inner tank shaft 622 and the blade shaft 623 with respect to (see FIG. 1) is provided.

The drain valve 53 protruding from the drain hole 51 is disposed on the outer bottom surface of the outer tank 21 on the front side (lowest position) as described above. Drain valve 53
The drainage channel 52 is connected to the drainage channel connection portion 46, and the overflow pipe 55 is connected to the overflow pipe connection portion 47. A torque motor 59 for operating the valve element 58 is provided in the outer tank 21.
It is attached to the outer bottom surface. The torque motor 59 is
The switching torque motor 611 is disposed on the opposite side of the motor 61.

One end of an inlet side hose 72 is connected to the circulation hose connection portion 48 of the drain valve 53. The other end of the inlet hose 72 is connected to a suction port 712 of the pump 71. The inlet hose 72 includes three straight portions 721 and two bellows portions 722 connecting the straight portions 721, and the entire length of the straight portion 721 is longer than that of the bellows portion 722. Inlet hose 72
Of the long straight portion 721 and the short bellows portion 7
When it is constituted by 22, the water easily flows in the inlet side hose 72, and the detergent and lint (lint) remaining in the water are dissolved.
There is an advantage that the water flows smoothly even if it is included.

The drain valve 53 and the pump 71 are arranged so as to be located on opposite sides of the motor 61. Thereby, the weight balance of each member on the outer bottom surface of the outer tub 21 is improved. Therefore, there is an effect that the shaking of the outer tub 21 during washing and particularly during dehydration can be reduced.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a part of the lower part of the outer tank 21. The motor 61, the bearing 62, and the circulation pump 71 are attached to the outer bottom surface of the outer tank 21 as described above. Rotation axis R of motor 61 and bearing portion 62
0 extends in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the outer tub 21. The rotor shaft R1 of the pump 71 is mounted so as to be substantially parallel to the rotation shaft R0 of the motor 61 and the bearing 62. The reason for such attachment is as follows.

During washing and spin-drying, particularly during spin-drying, the entire outer tub 21 vibrates finely. This vibration is a vibration in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis R0 of the motor 61 and the bearing 62.
By the way, the rotor shaft R1 of the pump 71 has such a characteristic that when vibration is applied in parallel to the rotor shaft R1 (in the thrust direction), the rotor shaft R1 makes a rattling sound due to a gap or a gap of the rotor shaft R1. is there. For this reason, if the rotor shaft R1 of the pump 71 is mounted so as to be parallel to the vibration direction of the outer tub 21, the pump 71 may generate abnormal noise during washing and spin-drying.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the pump 71 has the above-described mounting structure so that the vibration of the outer tub 21 acts in a direction crossing the rotor shaft R1 of the pump 71. The vibration of the outer tub 21 is caused by the rotation of the rotor shaft R1 of the pump 71.
If the mounting structure is such that the rotor shaft R1 of the pump 71 makes an angle of less than about 45 ° with the rotation axis R0 of the motor 61, the pump 71 Of the rotor shaft R1 caused by the vibration of the outer tub 21 can be prevented.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, circulating pump 71 has a driving source constituted by a single-phase synchronous motor.
As is well known, a single-phase synchronous motor, according to the relationship between the position of the rotor at the start of rotation and the phase of the applied AC current,
The motor rotates in either the left or right direction, and cannot basically control the rotation direction. The motor is used as the drive source of the pump 71 for the following reason.

The water circulated by the rotation of the pump 71 includes lint (filt) generated from the laundry, in addition to the detergent remaining as described above. For example, by attaching a lint filter to the drain port 51 (see FIG. 1), the lint can be prevented from entering the pump 71 from the inlet hose 72 to some extent. However, it is difficult to make the configuration such that the lint does not reach the pump 71 at all.

The circulating water inflow path to the pump 71 is attached to the outer bottom surface of the outer tank 21 as shown in FIG. 3, and is a place where it is difficult for the user to perform maintenance or the like. For this reason, even if a lint filter is incorporated in the inlet side hose 72 or the suction port 712 of the pump 71, it is difficult to clean or replace the filter.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the driving source of the pump 71 is a single-phase synchronous motor,
1 ensures that there is no hindrance to inhaling lint.

More specifically, the lint may be entangled in the pump 71 while the operation is continued. When lint is entangled with the pump 71, the load in the rotational direction increases. Thereafter, when the pump 71 is temporarily stopped and restarted, even if the pump 71 attempts to rotate in a certain direction, it is difficult to rotate in that direction due to the entangled lint. Then, the pump 71 attempts to rotate in the reverse direction. Even if the rotational load in the direction in which the lint is entangled increases, the rotation in the reverse direction often does not hinder, so the pump 71 rotates in the reverse direction. And the rotation of the pump 71 in the opposite direction loosens the entangled lint,
Acts to exhale. Therefore, lint can be automatically removed.

Since the pump 71 is driven by a single-phase synchronous motor as described above, as shown in FIG.
A suction port 712 is provided concentrically with the rotor shaft R1, and the discharge port 713 extends in a direction orthogonal to the center of the rotor shaft R1 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the pump 71 is a pump that can circulate water even when turning in either the right or left direction.

The inside diameter Din of the suction port 712 of the pump 71 is about 15 mm. This means that a coin, for example, 1
This is because even if a coin enters, it is designed to prevent the one coin from entering the pump 71. The outer diameter of one coin is about 20 mm, so that such foreign matter does not enter the pump 71 and cause the pump 71 to fail.

The outlet side hose 73 is connected to the discharge port 713 of the pump 71. The outlet hose 73 is attached along the outer surface of the outer tub 21 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a structure for attaching the outlet hose 73 to the outer tank 21. As shown in FIG.
3 is formed by a combination of a straight portion 731 and a bellows portion 732. The length of the straight portion 731 (total length of the straight portion 731) is longer than the length of the bellows portion 732 (total length of the bellows portion 732). In this way, even when the outer tub 21 vibrates, the outlet hose 73 attached to the outer tub 21 does not flutter due to the vibration, so that the occurrence of hose tapping noise can be reduced. Further, it is possible to prevent the hose 73 from being broken by vibration. Further, circulating water can flow smoothly through the outlet side hose 73.

A portion of the bellows portion 732 of the outlet side hose 73 is used as a positioning member when the bellows portion 732 is attached to the outer tank 21. As shown in FIG. 5, the outlet side hose 72 is attached to the outer surface of the outer tub 21 by the fixing stay 733. The fixing stay 733 holds the outlet side hose 73 so as to fit at a predetermined position. In this embodiment, a rib 732a at the upper end of a bellows portion 732 is used as a positioning member for the fixing stay 733. Then, in order to position the other of the fixing stay 733, a projection 731a is
Are formed.

When the outlet hose 73 is attached to the outer surface of the outer tub 21, it is preferable to fix the vicinity of the bellows portion 732 to the outer tub 21. The bellows portion 732 is flexible and can be used to direct the outlet hose 73 in a desired direction when the outlet hose 32 is disposed in the outer tank 21 or to use the outlet hose 73.
This is a necessary part for absorbing the deviation even if the lower fixing position and the upper fixing position are displaced. But,
The bellows portion 732 is also a portion that easily moves and shifts with the vibration when the outer tub 21 vibrates. Therefore, the vicinity of the bellows portion 732 is fixed to the fixing stay 733.
And fixed to the outer tub 21. Accordingly, the outlet hose 73 can be firmly fixed to the outer surface of the outer tub 21, and the bellows portion 732 does not shift or flutter due to vibration.

FIG. 6 is a partial view of only the outer tub 21 of the washing machine according to this embodiment as viewed from above. An outer tank cover 25 is attached to the outer tank 21 at the upper edge opening.

The upper edge of the outer tub 21, that is, the outer tub cover 2
5 is provided with a water inlet member 74. The water inlet member 74 is provided with an inlet hole 75 to which the upper end of the outlet side hose 73 is connected, and the upper end of the outlet side hose 73 is connected to the inlet hole 75 from below.

The water inlet member 74 is for pouring water entering from the outlet hose 73 through the inlet hole 75 into the outer tank 21 through the water inlet 74a.

The water inlet member 74 is provided so that the outer tub cover 25 is not obstructed when the laundry is taken in and out of the washing tub 2.
It is attached so that it does not protrude inward. Alternatively, the water injection port member 74 slightly protrudes inward from the outer tank cover 25, but when viewed from above, the water inlet member 74 does not protrude into the inner tank arranged concentrically in the outer tank 21. It is attached to the tank cover 25. Then, when the laundry is taken in and out of the inner tub, the water inlet member 74 does not interfere.

That is, the water inlet member 74 is attached to a predetermined position of the outer tank cover 25 having a circular planar shape, and has an arc-shaped planar shape along the outer tank cover 25. As described above, the arc-shaped water injection port member 74 hardly protrudes inward from the outer tank cover 25 and does not protrude outward from the outer tank cover 25, so that the outside of the water injection port member 74 hits the housing. There is no fear. FIG. 7A,
With reference to FIG. 7B, a specific configuration of the water inlet member 74 will be described. FIG. 7A is a plan view of the water inlet member 74, and FIG.
Is a front view. In FIG. 7A, the inside is shown partially transparent so that the inside structure can be understood. The circulating water entering through the inlet hole 75 passes through the flat passage 76 of the water inlet member 74 and flows out from the water inlet 74a. The passage 76 is provided with a guide wall 79 for guiding water entering through the inlet hole 75 in a predetermined direction and a concave curved reflecting wall 78 for repelling the guided water in the opposite direction. The water that has entered from the inlet hole 75 travels in the passage 76 in the outline arrow direction A1 by the guidance of the guidance wall 79. The part A2 is the reflection wall 78
Then, the light is bounced off the reflecting wall 78 and flows in the opposite direction as indicated by the hatched arrow A3. The height of the passage 76 formed in the water inlet member 74 in the up-down direction is set to h2 before the water inlet 74a. That is, the passage 76 has a high height h1 on the upstream side and the water inlet 74a.
The height is reduced to h2 (<h1) just before. As a result, water is discharged from the entire wide water inlet 74a. In other words, the water is substantially uniformly spread in the horizontal direction by the water injection port member 74, so that the water flows into the washing tub 2 as a gentle current having a predetermined width. In this sense, it can be said that the guiding wall 79 and the reflecting wall 78 function as rectifying members.

In this embodiment, the water inlet member 74 is a wide member along the upper edge of the outer tub 21 and the inlet hole 75 is formed at the end thereof.
And the reflection wall 78 was formed. However, depending on the position of the entrance hole 75, the shapes of the guiding wall 79 and the reflecting wall 78 are changed,
What is necessary is just to make it possible to satisfactorily and widely pour water from the water inlet 74a.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the water inlet member 74 is provided on the back side of the washing machine. Thus, the water supply port 43b is disposed above the water supply port member 74. When the circulation mechanism 70 is operated with a short delay after the start of water supply, water is supplied from the water supply port 43b and the water supply port 74a is supplied.
Therefore, the circulating water can be poured into the washing tub 2. The water supply and the circulating water that are poured at the same time allow water to be evenly poured from above onto the clothes that float in the washing tub 2 at the time of water supply, and there is an advantage that the clothes can be prevented from floating.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rear central portion of the outer tub 21 is close to the housing 1 and has a small gap.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the outlet hose 73 is connected to the outer tub 2.
The outlet side hose 7 attached to the outside surface of the outer tub 21 is attached to a position slightly shifted to the right side, not to the right side surface of the outer tub 21.
It is configured such that there is no risk that the housing 3 will come into contact with the housing 1. On the other hand, the water injection port member 74 is disposed in the center part on the back side of the outer tub 21, and the outlet side hose 73 attached at a position deviated to the right from the center on the back side is connected to the water injection side member 74 in an excellent manner. A hole 75 is formed in the right corner.

The present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and the water inlet member 74 may be arranged on the front side of the outer tub 21 (on the front side of the washing machine, left side in FIG. 1). In such a configuration, since the upper end of the back of the washing tub 2 is high, even if the circulated water is poured vigorously, the water that jumps off hits the high portion on the back side of the washing machine. There is an advantage that it does not jump out of the washing tub.

Comparing the inside diameters of the inlet hose 72 connected to the suction port 712 of the pump 71 and the outlet hose 73 connected to the discharge port 713 of the pump 71, the inside diameter of the inlet hose 72 is 20 mm, The inner diameter of the side hose 73 is 16 mm. As described above, by increasing the inner diameter of the inlet side hose 73, the pump 71 can suck water with a margin, and by reducing the inner diameter of the outlet side hose 73, the pump 71 can move from the discharge port 713. Circulating water can be discharged smoothly and without interruption.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a connection structure between the water inlet member 74 and the air hose 82 of the air mixing device 80.
The water inlet member 74 is provided with an air hose inlet hole 82a adjacent to the inlet hole 75 to which the upper end of the outlet side hose 73 is connected, and the upper end of the air hose 82 connected to the inlet hole 75 downstream of the water flow. Have been. The upper end of the air hose 82 is connected and connected to the air hose inlet hole 82a from below. In this connection, a check valve (rubber foot valve) 83 is interposed. When the check valve 83 is interposed, the water flowing in the water inlet member 74 cannot enter the air hose 82 side. If water enters the air hose 82, the air hose 82 cannot supply air stably. Therefore, the above problem is prevented by interposing the check valve 83.

Mixing air into the circulating water flowing from the air hose 82 to the outlet hose 73 has the following advantages.
The circulating water mixed with air is supplied from the water inlet 74a to the washing tub 2
When poured into the air, the air mixed with the circulating water pops out to form fine bubbles. It is known that the fine bubbles further pop and become fine, and at that time, an ultrasonic wave is generated. The generated ultrasonic waves help to separate dirt attached to the laundry from the laundry. Therefore, by including air (bubbles) in the circulating water, there is an advantage that the dirt of the laundry in the portion where the water is poured is satisfactorily removed and the washing effect is improved.

The idea of mixing air into the water stored in the washing tub 2 to generate fine air bubbles and enhancing the washing effect by the ultrasonic waves generated when the air bubbles pop out, and the idea of improving the washing effect. The realized washing machine has already been filed by the applicant of the present application and has been put to practical use. The air mixing device 80 can be configured at a low cost by sharing the air pump provided in the washing machine already proposed.

Further, the air is mixed into the circulated water at a position above the level of the washing water in the washing tub 2 (water injection port member 74). Thus, there is no problem that air is mixed when water is not circulated, and the mixed air enters the pump 71. In addition, the water in the circulation mechanism 70 (specifically, in the outlet hose 73) is not pushed up by the pressure of the mixed air, and does not undesirably blow out from the water injection port 74a.

Further, since the air mixing position is above the washing tub 2 and far from the circulation pump 71, the water pressure received from the circulating water is small. Therefore, the air is smoothly mixed into the circulating water.

Further, the air hose 82 is connected to the water inlet member 7.
It is wrapped around the outlet side hose 73 below 4 and is stably held.

Further, from the air hose 82 to the water inlet member 7
It is preferable that the supply of air to 4 is synchronized with the on / off of the pump 71. Pump 71 is on,
If air is mixed into the water inlet member 74 from the air hose 82 only while the water is circulated, the air is surely mixed into the circulated water. Therefore, also at this point, the water in the circulation mechanism 70 is not pushed by the pressure of the mixed air and undesirably blown out from the water injection port 74a.

In this embodiment, the water inlet member 74 is used.
A rectifying member such as the introduction wall 79 and the reflection wall 78 is provided in the inside, so that when the air (bubbles) mixed in the circulated water is a large bubble, the water collides with the reflection wall 78. The air bubbles burst and become fine, and the air bubbles mixed into the water poured from the water inlet 77 are relatively small.
Further, when it is poured into the washing tub 2, there is an advantage that the bubbles are subdivided and ultrasonic waves are easily generated.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another mounting structure of the circulation pump 71. As shown in FIG. 9, the pump 71 on the outer bottom surface of the outer tank 21 has a discharge port 713 of the pump 71
May be attached in such a manner as to extend obliquely upward toward the periphery of the bottom surface. In this case, the pump 7
The water sucked from the suction port 712 of the first
When the water is spouted from the outlet 3, the water is spouted smoothly, and the water flows smoothly from diagonally above to the outlet hose 73 attached to the outer peripheral edge of the outer tub 21.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various changes can be made within the scope of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a right side sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a front view showing a configuration of a drain valve, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway left side view of a drain valve.

FIG. 3 is a view of the washing tub as viewed from below, and is a diagram illustrating an arrangement relationship of various mechanisms arranged on the outer bottom surface of the outer tub.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a part of a lower portion of an outer tank.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a structure for attaching an outlet side hose to an outer tank.

FIG. 6 is a view of only the outer tub of the washing machine as viewed from above.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of a water inlet member, and FIG. 7B is a front view of the water inlet member.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a connection structure between a water inlet member and an air hose of an air mixing device.

FIG. 9 is a view showing another mounting structure of the circulation pump.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 housing 2 washing tub 5 drainage mechanism 21 outer tub 22 inner tub 24 outer tub upper edge 25 outer tub cover 48 circulation hose connection 51 drainage hole 53 drainage valve 56 pipe 57 valve seat 58 valve body 61 motor 62 bearing 70 Circulation mechanism 71 Pump 72 Inlet-side hose 73 Outlet-side hose 74 Water inlet member 74a Water inlet 78 Reflection wall 79 Guide wall 80 Air mixing device 82 Air hose 712 Suction port 713 Discharge port 721 Straight section 722 Bellows section 731 Straight section 732 Bellows section

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine having a washing tub for storing water for washing and a drain hole provided in the washing tub, wherein the washing water of the washing tub coming out of the drain hole is sucked, and A circulating mechanism for forcibly circulating the washing water by taking out water from the water inlet so as to pour water into the washing tub is circulated by the circulating mechanism at a position above the water surface in the washing tub. A washing machine comprising an air mixing means for mixing air into washing water. 2. A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein said circulating mechanism is provided with a circulating pump for sucking washing water coming out of said drain port from a suction port and discharging said sucked water from a discharge port. A washing machine characterized by including an outlet hose constituting a water passage from a discharge port of the pump to a water injection port. 3. A washing machine according to claim 2, wherein said air mixing means includes an air pump and an air hose for guiding air sent from said air pump. Machine. 4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein said air hose is connected to a water inlet member provided with said water inlet. 5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein a connection portion of the air hose to the water inlet member is provided with a reverse for preventing the washing water in the water inlet member from entering the air hose. A washing machine comprising a stop valve. 6. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the washing tub is suspended in a state in which the washing tub is inclined forward with respect to a housing frame of the washing machine. An inner tank provided in the outer tank, an outer tank cover is attached to an upper opening of the outer tank, and the water inlet member is attached to the outer tank cover. Features washing machine. 7. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the air hose is wound around the outlet hose. 8. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein said air mixing means turns on and off an air mixing operation in synchronization with turning on and off of said circulation pump.