JP2002331188A - Washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid an accident such that a hone makes contact with a human body, burn it or break the body tissue in a washing device provided with the ultrasonically vibrating hone. SOLUTION: This washing device 10 comprises an ultrasonic generating means 20 and the hone 23 for amplifying the generated ultrasonic wave. A pressure sensing means 40 for sending the pressure applied from the direction where laundry 60 is present is provided on a guard part 14 surrounding the hone 23. When the pressure sensed by the pressure sensing means 40 exceeds a set value, the ultrasonic generation by the ultrasonic generating means 20 is stopped or reduced in output. When the pressure is recovered lower than the set value after the stop or reduction in output of the ultrasonic generating means 20, the output of the ultrasonic generating means 20 is returned to the original with a time-lag. A saddle 30 for supporting the laundry 60 is arranged in the position opposite to the tip 28 of the tone 23.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing device which can be used as a partial washing device to be combined with an ordinary washing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a washing machine (electric washing machine) puts laundry into a washing tub and flows it in a washing tub together with water in which a detergent is dissolved (to form a spiral, stirring). Wash) or rotate the washing tub itself. Thereby, the laundry put in the washing tub is washed at once, and a uniform washing effect is exerted on each part of the laundry. However, some places in the laundry that are very dirty, such as the collar or cuffs of a cutter shirt, or the spots where stains are formed, or even cotton socks may not be sufficiently cleaned by the simultaneous washing described above. In such a case, it was necessary to partially wash the hands. However, hand washing in this manner is troublesome, and the fabric is damaged due to rubbing.

Therefore, an attempt has been made to add a partial washing device capable of partially washing laundry to a washing machine in addition to a normal washing tub. For example, in a washing machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-224793, a spray nozzle for spraying a cleaning liquid by ultrasonic waves is disposed above a washing tub, and a dirty portion of an object to be cleaned is held below the spray nozzle. By going, partial washing can be performed. In addition, JP
JP-A-00-24362 describes a cleaning device that can be used as a partial cleaning device. The structure of this cleaning device will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 101 denotes an ultrasonic oscillator,
Reference numeral 102 denotes a cone connected to the ultrasonic transducer 101 for transmitting vibration, and reference numeral 103 denotes a horn for amplifying the vibration amplitude of the cone 102. Reference numeral 104 denotes a guard unit having a slit unit 106 into which an object to be cleaned 105 is inserted. The tip of the horn 103 is exposed on the ceiling of the slit 106. Reference numeral 107 denotes a water supply pipe, and reference numeral 108 denotes a cleaning liquid supply guide for uniformly flowing down the cleaning liquid supplied from the water supply pipe 107 along the horn 103. A through-hole 109 for draining the cleaning liquid is provided at the bottom of the slit 106.

In the above configuration, when the ultrasonic transducer 101 vibrates according to the drive signal, the vibration is amplified by the horn 103. When the object to be cleaned 105 is passed through the slit portion 106 while supplying the cleaning liquid from the water supply pipe 107, the object to be cleaned 105 receives an ultrasonic wave having a high energy density, and is supplied on the outer surface or in the fiber of the water to be cleaned and retained therein. Strong cavitation occurs and the dirt is removed very effectively.

In the above cleaning apparatus, the tip of the horn 103 is ultrasonically vibrated at a high energy density (several tens of W / cm ² ), and when ultrasonic waves of such a high energy density are irradiated on human body tissue. Risk of burns and tissue destruction. In order to prevent danger to the human body, the slit portion 106 is designed to have a size that is difficult for a finger to enter. However, a thin finger of a woman or a child may reach the horn 103 in some cases. Also, if the finger sandwiched between the slits 106 cannot be pulled out, the ultrasonic waves will be locally concentrated and irradiated for a long time, which is very dangerous.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a cleaning apparatus having a horn that vibrates ultrasonically and has a structure capable of avoiding an accident in which a human body comes into contact with the horn to cause burns or destroy human tissue. The purpose is to:

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ultrasonic wave generating means and a horn for amplifying the generated ultrasonic wave, and allows the laundry to approach or contact the tip of the horn. In the cleaning apparatus for performing the cleaning, the horn or the guard portion surrounding the horn is provided with pressure-sensitive means for sensing pressure applied from the direction in which the laundry is present, and the pressure sensed by the pressure-sensitive means exceeds a set value. When hit, the generation of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic generation means is stopped or the output is reduced.

With this configuration, when the human body (especially a finger) approaches the horn or the guard surrounding the horn and a pressure exceeding a normal level is applied to the horn or the guard, the pressure change is sensed. The output of the ultrasonic wave generating means can be stopped or the output can be reduced to such an extent that the human body is not affected.

Further, in the present invention, when the pressure returns to a set value or less after the ultrasonic generating means stops or the output decreases, a time lag is provided until the output of the ultrasonic generating means recovers its original state. Thereby, when the human body contact which has caused the stop of the ultrasonic wave generating means or the output decrease is released, the normal level ultrasonic wave irradiation is not immediately restarted, so that the human body can be slowly and safely retracted. .

Further, in the present invention, the guard surrounding the horn is displaceably mounted on the immovable portion, and the pressure sensing means is disposed between the guard and the immovable portion. Thereby, it is possible to receive heavy laundry and still ensure safety.

Further, in the present invention, a saddle for supporting the laundry is disposed at a position facing the tip of the horn. Thereby, even with heavy laundry, partial washing can be easily performed.

In the present invention, the guard is urged by the spring in the direction of the saddle. Thus, the gap between the guard portion and the saddle is kept narrow except when necessary, and the entry of a finger can be prevented.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cleaning apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic wave generating means; and a horn for amplifying the generated ultrasonic wave. The guard part to be housed is divided into a plurality of parts, and each of the divided guard parts is provided with a pressure sensing means for sensing a pressure applied from a direction in which the laundry exists, and is urged by a spring in a direction in which the laundry exists. In this case, the plurality of divided guard portions are displaced by the laundry, and the ultrasonic waves are generated only when the respective pressure sensing means senses the pressure change due to the displacement.

According to such a configuration, an ultrasonic wave is generated only when the laundry is lifted up with both hands and attracted to the horn, and the basic precautions of keeping fingers away from the horn are naturally protected. Become.

In the present invention, a strain sensor is used as the pressure sensing means. As a result, a highly reliable pressure sensing means having a simple configuration can be realized.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 3 show a first embodiment. 1 is a washing machine main body, and 10 is a washing device added to the washing machine main body 1 as a partial washing device. The cleaning device 10 has an inverted L-shaped base 11. The vertical column 12 of the base 11 is fixed to the upper surface of the main body 1 of the washing machine, and from the upper end of the vertical column 12, a horizontal overhang 13 is placed on a washing tub (not shown) in the main body 1 of the washing machine. It overhangs in a protruding form. As shown in FIG. 2, the overhang portion 13 has a U-shape with an open lower surface, into which a guard portion 14 in the form of a closed casing is inserted from below.

The guard portion 14 is vertically displaceable inside the overhang portion 13. Slots 15 and 16 in the vertical direction are provided on the front surface and the rear surface of the guard portion 14 (the surface facing the tip direction of the overhang portion 13 is the front surface, and the surface on the opposite side is the rear surface). The guide pins 17 and 18 projecting from the vertical column portion 12 are passed through the elongated holes 15 and 16 to determine the upper and lower limits of the displacement.
Two guide pins 17 and 18 are arranged in the vertical direction, respectively, to prevent the guard portion 14 from rotating around the horizontal axis. The guard portion 14 is constantly urged downward by the compression coil spring 19 inserted between the overhang portion 13 and the ceiling surface.

The guard portion 14 has an ultrasonic wave generating means 20 inside.
To accommodate. The ultrasonic wave generating means 20 includes a vibration unit 21 including a vibration element 22 and an L-shaped horn 23 attached to the vibration unit 21. Projections 24 project symmetrically from the left and right side surfaces of the horn 23. The protrusion 24 is provided at a position corresponding to a non-vibration region of vibration transmission.

The ultrasonic wave generating means 20 has an L-shaped horn 23
Is supported in the guard portion 14 in a state in which is turned over. The support is made by a projection 24 and a flange 25 formed on the vibrating part 21.
And so on. A rib 26 with which the projection 24 engages and a rib 27 with which the flange 25 engages are formed on the inner surface of the guard portion 14. The tip 28 of the horn 23 projects slightly outside from an opening 29 formed at the lower end of the guard 14.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a saddle that is arranged below and parallel to the guard portion 14. Saddle 30 is vertical column part 1
2 and does not move up and down. As shown in FIG. 2, the saddle 30 has a chevron-shaped cross section, and a top portion thereof faces the lower end of the guard portion 14. Note that the lower end of the guard portion 14 has a downwardly angled cross section symmetrically with respect to the saddle 30. A fixed interval is maintained between the top of the saddle 30 and the lower end of the guard 14 (and the horn tip 28) even when the guard 14 descends most.

A water supply pipe 31 is provided on one side of the guard portion 14.
, And a cleaning liquid supply guide 32 is continuously provided. The cleaning liquid supply guide 32 has substantially the same width as the horn tip 28, and functions to spread the cleaning liquid supplied from the water supply pipe 30 uniformly over the entire horn tip 28.

A pressure sensing means 40 is disposed between the overhang portion 13 and the guard portion 14. The pressure sensing means 40 includes a strain sensor 42 supported by a bracket 41 protruding from a vertical inner wall of the overhang portion 13, and a pressing projection 43 formed on the upper surface of the guard portion 14. The pressure sensing means 40 senses the pressure applied from the direction in which the laundry exists, that is, the pressure applied from the direction in which the saddle 30 exists.

A control circuit 50 controls the operation of the ultrasonic wave generating means 20. The pressure sensing means 40 is connected to the control circuit 50 and transmits pressure information. The control circuit 50 includes a delay circuit 51
Contains.

Next, the operation of the cleaning device 10 will be described. When performing partial washing of the laundry, first, the washing liquid is supplied from the water supply pipe 31. The cleaning liquid is dropped on the saddle 30 through the opening 29 while traveling along the horn tip 28. Here, the control circuit 5
When 0 works and the vibration unit 21 oscillates, the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the horn 23. The ultrasonic vibration is amplified by the horn 23 and transmitted to the cleaning liquid. In this state, as shown in FIG.
When the laundry 60 is inserted into the gap between the washing machine 60 and the saddle 29, the washing liquid falls on the laundry 60.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the laundry 60 is lifted with both hands, and is moved right and left while approaching or in contact with the horn tip 28. Laundry soaked with cleaning liquid 6
Strong cavitation is generated by the ultrasonic energy on the outer surface of the fiber and inside the fiber, and the dirt floats. The dirt is effectively removed in conjunction with the fact that the vibration of several tens KHz whose amplitude is amplified by the horn 23 is physically transmitted to the laundry 60. Since the degree of dirt removal can be visually checked, partial washing may be continued until a satisfactory level is reached. The laundry 60 after the partial washing is put into a washing tub and washed and rinsed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the guard portion 14 and the saddle 3
When the finger 61 is interposed between the guard portion 14 and the zero, the guard portion 14 is lifted against its own weight and the pressure of the compression coil spring 19.
When the guard portion 14 is lifted, the pressing protrusion 43 formed on the upper surface contacts the strain sensor 42 supported on the immovable portion, in this case, the overhang portion 13 of the base 11, and pushes it. When the pressure sensed by the strain sensor 42 exceeds the set value, the control circuit 50 stops the generation of the ultrasonic wave by the ultrasonic wave generating means 20 or lowers the output of the ultrasonic wave to a level that does not affect the human body. Therefore, a person holding the finger 61 can pull out the finger without suffering any injury.

When the finger 61 comes out to some extent, the guard portion 14
Even if the pressure drops and the sensing pressure of the pressure sensing means 40 returns to or below the set value, the ultrasonic wave generating means 20 does not immediately restart the ultrasonic oscillation at the normal output level. Delay circuit 5
Since 1 works, the output of the ultrasonic output means 20 recovers its original state after a certain time lag. Therefore, the finger 61
Can be pulled out slowly and safely.

When the laundry 60 is brought into close contact with the horn tip portion 28 to perform partial washing, the guard portion 14 is necessarily lifted. In consideration of this, the ultrasonic oscillation of the normal output is continued until an upward force of about 100 gf is applied to the guard portion 14 through the laundry 60. Upward force is about 100
When the value exceeds the set level of gf, the generation of the ultrasonic wave is stopped or the output is reduced. As for the output, the output can be reduced in inverse proportion to the pressure.

FIG. 9 shows experimental data in the case where partial washing is performed by ultrasonic waves. In this experiment,
An artificially stained cloth (simulated collar stain) was prepared according to JIS C 9606 (electric washing machine), and this artificially stained cloth was used as a test cloth to determine the degree of cleaning by a reflectance method. The formula for calculating the degree of cleaning is as follows. Degree of washing (%) = 100 × (Reflectance after washing−Reflectance before washing) / (Reflectance of original cloth−Reflectance before washing)

The experimental conditions were as follows: the ultrasonic wave was 35 KHz, the input was 40 W, and the washing liquid was tap water at 20 ° C. A commercially available detergent for partial washing was directly applied to the test cloth in advance. The cleaning time was from 5 seconds to 10 seconds. From FIG. 9, it can be seen that an extremely high degree of cleaning can be obtained in a short time by the ultrasonic partial washing compared with the partial washing by the brush or hand fir.

In this embodiment, the guard portion 14 completely surrounds the horn 23.
Since the upper part of the upper part is inserted into the overhang portion 13, the upper surface may be open. When the upper surface of the guard portion 14 is opened as described above, the pressure sensing means 40 is provided between the horn 23 and the overhang portion 13. Specifically, a tall pressing protrusion 43 may be fixed to the upper surface of the horn 23, and the bracket 41 may be extended to a position where the strain sensor 42 reaches the pressing protrusion 43.

Although the washing device 10 is used in combination with the washing machine main body 1, it can be configured to be used in a stand-alone manner.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. Note that, in the following description of the embodiment including the second embodiment, in order to avoid the description from being duplicated and complicated, components common to the first embodiment are the same as those used in the first embodiment. The reference numerals are used and the description is omitted.

In the washing apparatus 10a shown in FIG. 4, the guard portion 14a is attached to a pedestal 70 fixed to the upper surface of the main body 1 of the washing machine so as to be rotatable in a vertical plane by a shaft 71. A bracket 72 projects from the rear end of the guard portion 14a, and a compression coil spring 73 inserted between the bracket 72 and the washing machine main body 1 applies a counterclockwise rotational urging force to the guard portion 14a in the drawing. ing. The stopper 74 formed on the pedestal 70 is the rotation limit of the guard 14a. The saddle 30 is fixed to the main body 1 of the washing machine.

A post 75 stands up on the upper surface of the washing machine main body 1 at a position facing the bracket 72. A pressing projection 43a is formed on the upper surface of the post 75 which is an immovable part, and a strain sensor 42a is fixed on the lower surface of the bracket 72 facing the pressing projection 43a.
Constitute the pressure sensing means 40a.

In the cleaning device 10a, when pressure is applied to the guard portion 14a from the direction in which the laundry is present, that is, from the direction of the saddle 30, the guard portion 14a is rotated about the shaft 71 against the urging force of the compression coil spring 73. Rotate clockwise. As a result, the strain sensor 42a hits the pressing protrusion 43a and emits a signal. Based on this signal, the ultrasonic wave generation means 20 stops the generation of the ultrasonic wave or lowers the output of the ultrasonic wave to a level that does not affect the human body.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the rotating pedestal 80 is disposed on the upper surface of the washing machine main body 1. The rotating pedestal 80 is a vertical shaft 8 fixed to the washing machine body 1.
It rotates in a horizontal plane around 1. This rotating base 80
Next, the cleaning device 10a according to the second embodiment is placed in its entirety. The saddle 30 is also attached to the side of the rotating base 80.

The direction in which the laundry exists, that is, saddle 3
When pressure is applied to the guard portion 14a from the direction of 0, the guard portion 14a rotates clockwise around the shaft 71 against the urging force of the compression coil spring 73, and the strain sensor 42a hits the pressing protrusion 43a to generate a signal. Accordingly, the ultrasonic generation means 20 stops the generation of the ultrasonic waves or lowers the output of the ultrasonic waves to a level that does not affect the human body.
This is the same as the embodiment. In the third embodiment, since the cleaning device 10a and the saddle 30 are supported by the rotary pedestal 80, after the partial washing is completed, the rotary pedestal 80 is rotated to retract the cleaning device 10a from above the washing tub, and 10a can be prevented from obstructing the loading and unloading of laundry. In order to prevent the position of the cleaning device 10a from being changed on its own, a stopper is attached to the rotating pedestal 80, and the cleaning device 10a is set at an angle position protruding above the washing tub and an angle position retracting from the washing tub. Make sure you can hold it.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the above embodiments, the generation of the ultrasonic wave is stopped or the output is reduced when the guard portion is displaced. However, in the fourth embodiment, the ultrasonic wave is not generated unless the guard portion is displaced. It is characterized by the following points. However, it does not mean that the guard part just needs to be displaced,
A particular mode of displacement must be realized. This will be described below.

In the cleaning device 10b of the fourth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a guard portion 14b is displaceably attached to an overhang portion 13b of a base 11b fixed to the main body 1 of the washing machine. However, this time guard part 14b
7, is symmetrically divided into two by a vertical plane including the center line of the ultrasonic wave generating means 20. Each of the left divided guard portion 14bL and the right divided guard portion 14bR is supported by the base 11b by a combination of the elongated holes 15, 16 and the guide pins 17, 18, and can be vertically displaced independently of each other. The compression coil spring 19 and the pressing protrusion 43 of the pressure sensing means 40 are provided on the left and right divided guard portions 14bL and 14bR, respectively.

The guard section 14b does not support the ultrasonic wave generating means 20. The base 11 b supports the ultrasonic wave generating means 20 via the flange 25. Since the height of the ultrasonic wave generating means 20 does not change, the guard parts 14bL and 14bR are divided into right and left parts.
When the horn moves up and down, the horn tip 28 enters and exits through the opening 29.

Next, the operation of the cleaning device 10b will be described. The left and right split guard portions 14bL and 14bR are normally lowered to the positions shown in FIG. 7, and the horn tip 28 is hidden in the opening 29. When washing the laundry partially, the water supply pipe 31
The flow of the cleaning liquid is the same as in the first embodiment, but at this time, the ultrasonic wave generating means 20 does not generate ultrasonic waves yet. Here, when the laundry 60 is placed on the saddle 30 and the laundry 60 is lifted with both hands, the left and right divided guard portions 14bL and 14bR start to be displaced upward. FIG.
Put both sides of the laundry 60 diagonally upwards like
When the laundry 60 is attracted to the horn tip 28, the pressing protrusion 43 pushes the strain sensor 42 in the left and right divided guard portions 14bL and 14bR, and the strain sensor 42 emits a signal.

When the left and right strain sensors 42 emit signals, the control circuit 50 determines that the left and right divided guard portions 14bL and 14bR have been lifted by the laundry 60, and the ultrasonic generation means 20 starts generating ultrasonic waves. You. The laundry 60 is lifted while the left and right guard parts 14bL and 14bR are raised.
, The different parts of the laundry 60 are sequentially washed.

When the laundry 60 is lowered or the tension is loosened, if either of the right and left divided guard portions 14bL and 14bR is lowered and the pressing projection 43 is separated from the strain sensor 42, the generation of the ultrasonic wave is stopped. In this case, since the generation of the ultrasonic wave may be stopped immediately, the control circuit 50 is not provided with the delay circuit as in the first embodiment.

In the case of the fourth embodiment, even if the finger is caught between the left and right split guard portions 14bL, 14bR and the saddle 30, the finger is not as wide as laundry, so that it is almost certain that the finger can be lifted. Left and right divided guard portions 14bL, 1
Only one of 4bR. Left and right split guard portion 14bL,
Even if only one of the 14bRs operates the pressure sensing means 40, no ultrasonic wave is generated, so there is no danger to the finger.

In each of the above embodiments, the saddle 30
Is not necessary for the partial washing operation, but it is convenient to rest the hand holding the laundry 60 or to check the dirty portion of the laundry 60 or the degree of washing, so that it is provided. Things.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, what has been described so far is merely an example of the configuration of the present invention, and does not prevent the present invention from being modified and implemented. For example, a microswitch, a proximity switch, an optical sensor, or the like can be used instead of the strain sensor as the pressure sensing means. In short, it is only necessary to monitor the displacement caused by the change in the pressure without measuring the pressure itself. In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0050]

The present invention has the following effects.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cleaning apparatus comprising an ultrasonic wave generating means and a horn for amplifying the generated ultrasonic wave, wherein the horn or the horn is used for washing by bringing a laundry close to or in contact with the tip of the horn. A pressure sensing means for sensing a pressure applied from the direction in which the laundry exists, and when the pressure sensed by the pressure sensing means exceeds a set value, the ultrasonic wave generation means of the ultrasonic wave generation means When the human body (especially a finger) approaches the horn or the guard surrounding the horn and a pressure exceeding a normal level is applied to the horn or the guard, the pressure change is sensed, Either stop the ultrasonic wave generation of the ultrasonic wave generation means,
Alternatively, the output can be reduced to a level that does not affect the human body, and there is no concern that the human body will suffer burns or tissue damage.
Therefore, the cleaning can be strongly promoted by using the high-output ultrasonic wave generating means.

Further, in the present invention, when the pressure returns to the set value or less after the ultrasonic generating means stops or the output decreases, a time lag is provided until the output of the ultrasonic generating means recovers to its original state. When the contact of the human body, which has caused the stop of the ultrasonic generating means or the decrease in output, is released, the ultrasonic irradiation at the normal level is not immediately restarted, so that the human body can be slowly and safely retracted. There is no injury from hitting your hand somewhere due to hastily withdrawing your hand.

Further, according to the present invention, the guard portion surrounding the horn is displaceably mounted on the immovable portion, and the pressure sensing means is disposed between the guard portion and the immovable portion. Although it is possible, safety can still be ensured.

According to the present invention, the saddle for supporting the laundry is disposed at a position facing the tip of the horn.
If the laundry is heavy, you can leave it to the support and do a partial wash easily. It is also possible to easily check the stained portion and check the cleaning degree by using the saddle.

Further, in the present invention, since the guard is urged by the spring in the direction of the saddle, the gap between the guard and the saddle is kept narrow except when necessary, and the entry of a finger can be prevented.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cleaning apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic wave generating means; and a horn for amplifying the generated ultrasonic wave. The guard part to be housed is divided into a plurality of parts, and each of the divided guard parts is provided with a pressure sensing means for sensing a pressure applied from a direction in which the laundry exists, and is urged by a spring in a direction in which the laundry exists. The laundry is displaced by a plurality of divided guard portions, and ultrasonic waves are generated only when each pressure-sensitive means detects a pressure change due to this displacement. Only when the horn is attracted to the horn, an ultrasonic wave is generated, and the basic precaution of keeping a finger away from the horn is naturally protected.

In the present invention, since a strain sensor is used as the pressure sensing means, a highly reliable pressure sensing means having a simple structure can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a first embodiment of a cleaning apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the cleaning device according to the first embodiment, which is cut in a direction perpendicular to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing different operating states;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing a second embodiment of the cleaning apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing a third embodiment of the cleaning apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the cleaning apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a cleaning apparatus according to a fourth embodiment, taken in a direction perpendicular to FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 7, showing different operating states;

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the effect of the ultrasonic cleaning device.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional cleaning device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing machine main body 10, 10a, 10b Cleaning apparatus 11, 11b Base 12, 12b Vertical column part 13, 13b Overhang part 14, 14a, 14b Guard part 14bL Left division guard part 14bR Right division guard part 15, 16 Slot 17 , 18 Guide pin 19 Compression coil spring 20 Ultrasonic wave generating means 21 Vibration part 22 Vibrating element 23 Horn 24 Projection 25 Flange 26, 27 Rib 28 Horn tip part 29 Opening 30 Saddle 31 Water pipe 32 Cleaning liquid supply guide 40, 40a Means 41 Bracket 42, 42a Strain sensor 43, 43a Pressing projection 50 Control circuit 51 Delay circuit 60 Laundry 61 Finger 70 Pedestal 71 Axis 72 Bracket 73 Compression coil spring 74 Stopper part 80 Rotating pedestal 81 Vertical axis

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Ichiro Oshima 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka F-term (reference) 3B155 AA02 BA01 BB05 BB08 CA11 CB03 MA01 MA02 3B201 AA46 AB47 BB21 BB43 BB92 CD41

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A cleaning apparatus, comprising: an ultrasonic wave generating means; and a horn for amplifying generated ultrasonic waves, wherein the horn or the horn is surrounded by a cleaning device for performing washing by approaching or contacting a tip of the horn with laundry. The guard unit is provided with pressure sensing means for sensing pressure applied from the direction in which the laundry is present, and when the pressure sensed by the pressure sensing means exceeds a set value, the generation of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic generation means is stopped or A cleaning device characterized by lowering the output. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the pressure returns to a set value or less after the stop of the ultrasonic wave generating means or the decrease in output, a time lag is provided until the output of the ultrasonic wave generating means recovers to its original state. Item 7. The cleaning device according to Item 1. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein a guard portion surrounding the horn is displaceably attached to the immovable portion, and a pressure sensing means is arranged between the guard portion and the immovable portion. Cleaning equipment. 4. The cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein a saddle for supporting the laundry is disposed at a position facing the tip of the horn. 5. The cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the guard portion is biased by a spring in a saddle direction. 6. A cleaning device comprising: an ultrasonic wave generating means; and a horn for amplifying generated ultrasonic waves, wherein the washing device approaches and contacts a tip of the horn for washing, wherein a guard portion surrounding the horn. Is divided into multiple
Each of the divided guard portions is provided with a pressure sensing means for sensing a pressure applied from a direction in which the laundry exists, and is urged by a spring in a direction in which the laundry exists. Is displaced, and only when each pressure sensing means senses a pressure change due to this displacement,
A cleaning device characterized in that ultrasonic waves are generated. 7. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a strain sensor is used as the pressure sensing means.