JP2003275491A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure detergency and to reduce washing unevenness by making dissolved wash water into detergent bubbles, and putting them on the washing in a washing and dehydrating basket from above in a washing machine for efficiently removing stains by the action of the detergent bubbles. <P>SOLUTION: An agitating blade 21 is rotatably disposed at the center inner bottom part of the washing and dehydrating basket 15, and a cover body 22 is mounted to the upper opening part of an outer basket 14 containing the washing and dehydrating basket 15. The outer basket 14 is provided with a bubble passage 24 having opening parts at the upper and lower ends. The cover body 22 is provided with a bubble discharge part 23 opened inward into the washing and dehydrating basket 15. An air pump 28 communicates with a foam body 26 provided inside the bubble passage 24, through a hose 27. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine for efficiently removing dirt by the action of detergent foam.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a typical washing machine is one in which a stirring blade called a pulsator is rotated for washing, and the construction of this type of washing machine will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the outer tub 1 contains a washing / dehydrating tub 3 in which a stirring blade 2 is rotatably arranged at the bottom, and is suspended from a washing machine outer frame 5 by a hanging rod 4. . Motor 6
Via the V-belt 7 and the speed reduction mechanism / clutch 8
The stirring blade 2 or the washing / dehydrating tank 3 is driven. The drain valve 9 drains the wash water in the washing / dehydrating tub 3, and the water supply valve 10 supplies water in the washing / dehydrating tub 3.

The washing / dehydrating tub 3 is provided with a fluid balancer 11 for reducing vibration during dewatering.
A lid 12 is arranged on the upper part of the so as to be openable and closable. Control device 1
3 controls the motor 6, the drain valve 9, the water supply valve 10 and the like to sequentially control a series of steps such as washing, rinsing and dehydrating.

To explain the operation in the above structure, after the laundry and the dewatering tub 3 are loaded with laundry and a predetermined amount of detergent, when the operation is started, the controller 13 controls the water supply valve 10 to control the inside of the washing and dewatering tub 3. Then, a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the control unit 13 and then the control device 13 controls the motor 6 to drive the stirring blade 2. The rotation of the stirring blade 2 stirs the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 3 and the water, and the stirring gradually dissolves the detergent into washing water, which acts on the dirt of the laundry.

[0006]

However, in the case of the washing machine having this structure, the washing power is secured only by the mechanical force of stirring the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 3 by the rotation of the stirring blades 2. Since the mechanical force is easily transmitted to the laundry at the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub 3, a high washing power can be obtained, but conversely, the mechanical force is hard to be transmitted to the laundry above the washing / dehydrating tub 3. However, there is a problem in that the washing power cannot be obtained and the uneven washing becomes large.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to secure the detergency and reduce unevenness of washing by applying dissolved laundry water as detergent foam to the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub from above. It is an object.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has an agitating blade rotatably disposed at the center inner bottom of a washing / dehydrating tub, and an upper part of an outer tub enclosing the washing / dehydrating tub. The cover is attached to the opening, the outer tank is provided with a foam passage having openings at the upper and lower ends, and the cover is provided with a foam discharge portion opening inward of the washing / dehydrating tub. An air pump is connected to the provided foam through a hose.

As a result, the dissolved washing water can be turned into detergent bubbles and applied to the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub from above, the washing power can be secured, and uneven washing can be reduced.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a washing and dehydrating tub in which a stirring blade is rotatably arranged at a central inner bottom portion, and an outer tub including the washing and dehydrating tub. A cover body attached to the upper opening of the outer tub, a foam passage provided in the outer tub and having openings at the upper and lower ends, and a foam discharge opening in the washing and dehydrating tub provided in the cover body. Department,
A foam provided inside the foam passage, and an air pump communicating with the foam via a hose, wherein washing water is used as detergent foam, and washing is performed from a foam discharge unit provided in the cover body. The washing power can be enhanced by washing the laundry in the dehydration tub with detergent foam, and the washing water can be used as detergent foam to increase the volume. Detergent components can be applied to stains on the laundry in the dehydration tub, and by washing with detergent bubbles from above, it can be applied to stains on the laundry above the washing and dehydration tub. The unevenness can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the foam is provided in the vicinity of the lower end portion inside the foam passage, and less washing water is used as detergent foam. , It is possible to wash by applying detergent foam from the top, and it is possible to increase the washing power because it is possible to apply a large amount of detergent foam, that is, a large amount of detergent ingredients, to the dirt of the laundry in the washing and dehydrating tank. You can

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first or second aspect, the foam is positioned inside the foam passage such that the center of the foam is higher than the upper end surface of the opening of the lower end. Since the generated detergent foam does not escape from the foam passage, it is possible to wash more detergent foam from above and wash a large amount of detergent ingredients in the laundry and laundry in the dehydration tub. Since it can act on dirt, the cleaning power can be enhanced.

The invention according to claim 4 is the above-mentioned claim 1.
In the invention as set forth in claim 3, the foam is provided separately from the bottom surface and the inner wall in the foam passage, and the washing water is more efficiently made into the detergent foam without disturbing the generation of the detergent foam. Since it is possible to wash by applying detergent foam from it, and many detergent components can be made to act on the dirt of the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tank, the washing power can be enhanced.

The invention according to claim 5 is the above-mentioned claim 1
In the invention described in 4, the foam has a substantially spherical shape, and by making the thickness of the foam uniform, it is possible to efficiently increase the surface area of the foam in which bubbles can be generated, and to further wash water A lot of detergent foam can be washed by applying detergent foam from the top, and many detergent components can be made to act on the dirt of the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tank, so the cleaning power can be enhanced. .

The invention according to claim 6 is the above-mentioned claim 1.
In the invention described in 4, the foam has a substantially cylindrical shape, and by making the thickness of the foam substantially uniform, it is possible to efficiently increase the surface area of the foam in which bubbles can be generated, and wash water You can make more detergent foam and wash it by applying detergent foam from above, and since many detergent components can act on the dirt of the laundry in the washing and dehydration tank, you can enhance the cleaning power. it can.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the invention according to the sixth aspect, the foam having a substantially cylindrical shape supports both flat surface sides and is installed in the foam passage. Can be fixed in the foam path, the hose can be prevented from coming off from the foam, and detergent foam can be reliably generated.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the sixth or seventh aspect, holding portions are provided on both flat surface sides of the substantially cylindrical foam, and the holding is provided on the inner wall in the foam passage. Since the foamed body can be detachably fixed, the holding section can be prevented from coming off from the foamed body, and the detergent foam can be reliably generated.

The invention according to claim 9 is the above-mentioned claim 6 to
In the invention described in 8, the inside of one of the holding portions provided on both flat surface sides of the substantially cylindrical foam is hollow, one end is connected to a hose, and the other end is the foam. Since the holding part is also used as the air feeding part, the number of parts is reduced and the assembling can be simplified.

The invention according to claim 10 is the above-mentioned claim 6.
In the invention described in any one of (1) to (9), the axial direction of the substantially cylindrical shape of the substantially cylindrical foam is substantially horizontal, and less washing water is used as detergent foam, and detergent foam is applied from above to wash. Since the detergent foam having a high concentration, that is, a large amount of detergent components can be made to act on the dirt of the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tank, the detergency can be enhanced.

[0020]

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

(Embodiment 1) As shown in FIG.
Includes a washing and dehydrating tub 15 that is rotatably disposed and is hung from a washing machine outer frame 17 by a hanging rod 16. The motor 18 rotationally drives the washing / dehydrating tub 15 and the stirring blade 21 rotatably arranged on the inner bottom portion of the washing / dehydrating tub 15 via the V-belt 19 and the speed reduction mechanism 20.

The cover body 22 is provided in the upper opening of the outer tub 14 to form the bubble discharge part 23.
The opening 3 opens inward of the washing / dehydrating tub 15. The foam passage 24 is formed so as to partition a part of the outer tub 14 and be long in the vertical direction and to have openings at upper and lower ends.
The opening 25 at the lower end of the foam passage 24 communicates with the inner bottom of the outer tank 14, and the opening at the upper end of the foam passage 24 communicates with the foam discharger 23. A foam 26 is provided in the foam passage 24, and the foam 26 communicates with an air pump 28 via a hose 27.

As shown in FIG. 2, the foam 26 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the first holding portion 29 and the second holding portion 30 are inserted into the insides of both planes, respectively. The first holding portion 29 is hollow, and the end portion not inserted into the foam 26 is inserted into the hose 27.

As shown in FIG. 3, a locking portion 31 for locking the first holding portion 29 and the second holding portion 30 is provided in the foam passage 24, and the first holding portion 29 and the first holding portion 29 are provided. The foam 26 having the second holding portion 30 inserted therein is detachably attached to the locking portion 31. In addition, the locking portion 31 has the first holding portion 29 from both sides.
The second holding part 30 and the foam 26 are sandwiched between the first holding part 29 and the second holding part 30. Therefore, the first holding part 29 and the second holding part 30 do not easily come off the foam 26. Further, the foam 26 is provided at a position that does not contact the bottom surface, the inner wall, and the locking portion 31 in the foam passage 24.

As shown in FIG. 4, the foam 26 is locked at a position where the axial direction of the cylinder is substantially horizontal and the center of the foam 26 is above the upper end surface of the opening 25 at the lower end. Part 31
It is fixed by.

The water supply valve 32 supplies water into the washing / dehydrating tub 15, and the drain valve 33 drains the wash water in the outer tub 14.

The control device 34 is constructed as shown in FIG. 5, the control means 35 is constituted by a microcomputer, and the motor 18, through the power switching means 36,
The operations of the air pump 28, the water supply valve 32, the drain valve 33, and the like are controlled to sequentially control a series of steps such as washing, rinsing, and dehydrating. The input setting means 37 sets a driving course and the like, and the control means 35 inputs information from the input setting means 37 and displays it on the display means 38 based on the information to notify the user. The storage unit 39 stores data necessary for control by the control unit 35. Incidentally, 40 is a commercial power source, and 41 is a power switch.

The operation of the above structure will be described. When the laundry and detergent are put into the washing / dehydrating tub 15 and the operation is started, the control means 35 actuates the water supply valve 32 to start the water supply, and at the same time. The washing and dehydrating tub 15 starts rotating. The washing / dehydrating tub 15 is rotated until the water level in the washing / dehydrating tub 15 reaches the set water level. When water is supplied while rotating the washing / dehydrating tub 15 in this manner, the introduced detergent is dissolved by the stirring force generated by the rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub 15.

When the set water level is reached, the operation of the water supply valve 32 is stopped and the washing / dehydrating tub 15 continues to rotate. The air pump 28 is operated by the control means 35, and the foam passage 2
The foam 26 in the washing water provided in the hose 27, the first
Air is sent through the holding portion 29 of the. As a result,
As shown in FIG.
When it comes out from 6, it rises as bubbles and reaches the washing water surface to generate detergent bubbles. The detergent foam ascends through the foam passage 24 and from the foam discharge section 23 of the cover body 22 to the washing / dehydrating tank 1.
It can be hung on the laundry in 5.

By passing the detergent foam through the surface of the soiled clothes or the clothes in this manner, oil and particle soil adhered to the oil are bound and carried away.
Further, when the bubbles are broken while passing through the clothes, the high-concentration detergent liquid permeates the clothes, which also makes it easy to remove stains. In this way, clothes can be washed.

In this way, the washing water is made into foam so that the foam passes through the surface of the soiled laundry or the laundry, whereby oil and particle soil attached to the oil are combined and carried away, and foam is formed. If the foam breaks while passing through the laundry, it is possible for a high-concentration detergent liquid to soak into the laundry, and the washing power can be enhanced. In addition, since the volume of the washing water is increased by foaming the washing water, the detergent component can be made to act on the dirt of the laundry with a small amount of washing water. Since the above mechanical force can be applied to the dirt of the laundry which is difficult to be transmitted, unevenness in washing can be reduced.

Further, since the foam 26 is provided inside the foam passage 24 in the vicinity of the lower end and the axial direction of the substantially cylinder is substantially horizontal, the foam 26 is immersed in the detergent liquid with a smaller amount of water. be able to. Therefore, detergent foam can be generated with a smaller amount of water.

With this, a smaller amount of washing water can be turned into detergent foam, and the detergent foam can be applied from above to wash.
Since the detergent foam having a high concentration, that is, a large amount of detergent components can be made to act on the dirt of the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tank 15, the detergency can be enhanced.

The foam 26 has an opening 25 at the lower end.
Since the center of the foam 26 is located above the upper end surface of the foam, it is difficult for the generated bubbles to escape toward the inner bottom of the outer tub 14, and the generated bubbles can be efficiently raised to the foam passage 24. it can.

As a result, a larger amount of detergent foam can be washed from above, and a large amount of detergent components can be made to act on the dirt of the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 15, so that the washing power can be improved. Can be increased.

Further, the foam 26 is provided at a position not in contact with the bottom surface, the inner wall, and the locking portion 31 in the foam passage 24. However, as shown in FIG. If the bottom surface and the inner wall of the passage 24 are in contact with each other, the bottom surface and the inner wall become a resistance, and the foam 26 causes bubbles (
(Mark) is less likely to occur, and even if it occurs, the bubbles generated from the surface of the foam 26 will burst and become large bubbles. Therefore, the detergent foam is large, the detergent density is low, and an appropriate cleaning effect cannot be obtained.

As a result, by separating the foam from the bottom surface, the inner wall and the locking portion 31 in the foam passage 24, it is possible to more efficiently transform the washing water into detergent foam without disturbing the generation of detergent foam. It is possible to wash by applying detergent bubbles from above, and many detergent components can be made to act on the dirt of the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tank 15, so that the washing power can be enhanced.

Further, since the foam 26 has a substantially cylindrical shape, the thickness of the foam 26 is uniform, and the air sent through the hose 27 is uniformly dispersed to form bubbles from the surface of the foam 26. If the thickness of the foam is not uniform,
As shown in, the air sent through the hose 27 concentrates from the thin wall portion to form bubbles (circle), and the surface area of the foam in which bubbles can be generated is larger than that of a uniform wall thickness. It becomes narrow.

As a result, by making the foam 26 into a substantially cylindrical shape and making the thickness of the foam 26 uniform, the surface area of the foam in which bubbles can be efficiently generated can be increased, and more washing water can be obtained. Since it can be made into detergent foam and washed by applying detergent foam from above, many detergent components can be made to act on the dirt of the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tank 15,
The cleaning power can be increased.

In the foam 26, the first holding portion 29 and the second holding portion 30 are inserted inside the flat surfaces,
The first holding portion 29 is provided with a locking portion 31 that locks the first holding portion 29 and the second holding portion 30 in the foam passage 24.
The foam body 26 in which the second holding portion 30 and the second holding portion 30 are inserted is the locking portion 3
1, and the locking portion 31 is configured to sandwich the first holding portion 29, the second holding portion 30, and the foam body 26 from both sides. Therefore, the first holding portion 29 and the second holding portion The holding portion 30 is configured so as not to easily come off the foam 26.

As a result, the foam 26 is passed through the foam path 2
4, the hose 27 from the foam 26, the first holding portion 29, and the second holding portion 30.
It is possible to prevent the bubbles from coming off and to reliably generate detergent bubbles.

The first holding portion 29 is hollow, and the end portion which is not inserted into the foam 26 is inserted into the hose 27.

As a result, the first holding portion 29 also serves as the air feeding portion, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the assembling can be simplified.

(Example 2) As shown in FIG.
2 has a substantially spherical shape, and the holding portion 4 is provided inside the foam body 42.
3 is inserted. The holding portion 43 is hollow. A locking portion 45 that locks the holding portion 43 is provided in the foam passage 24, and the foam 42 is located above the opening 25 (see FIG. 1 or 4) at the lower end of the foam passage 24. Foam 42 from the end face
It is fixed by a locking portion 45 at a position where the center of the is up. Further, the foam body 42 is provided at a position not contacting the bottom surface, the inner wall, and the locking portion 45 in the foam passage 24. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The operation of the above structure will be described. Since the foam body 42 has a substantially spherical shape, the thickness of the foam body 42 becomes substantially uniform, and the air sent through the hose 27 is uniformly dispersed and the surface of the foam body 42 is dispersed. Since it becomes bubbles from the inside, it is possible to increase the surface area of the foam in which bubbles can be generated, as compared with the case where the thickness is non-uniform.

As a result, by making the foam 42 into a substantially spherical shape and making the thickness of the foam 42 substantially uniform, the surface area of the foam in which bubbles can be efficiently generated can be increased, and more washing water can be obtained. The detergent foam can be washed with the detergent foam from above, and many detergent components can be made to act on the dirt of the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tank 15, so that the washing power can be enhanced. .

[0047]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the washing / dehydrating tub in which the stirring blade is rotatably disposed in the central inner bottom portion and the washing / dehydrating tub are included. An outer tub, a cover body attached to an upper opening of the outer tub, a foam passage provided in the outer tub and having openings at upper and lower ends, and an inward direction of the washing / dehydrating tub provided in the cover body. Since the foam discharge part having an opening, the foam provided inside the foam passage, and the air pump communicating with the foam via a hose are provided, the washing water is used as detergent foam and the foam is provided on the cover body. Washing power can be increased by applying detergent foam to the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tank from the discharge part,
Also, by changing the washing water into detergent foam, the volume is increased, so that the detergent component can act on the laundry in the washing and dehydrating tub with a small amount of washing water, and by applying the detergent foam from above. Since it is possible to act on the dirt of the laundry on the washing / dehydrating tub, uneven washing can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the foam is provided in the vicinity of the lower end inside the foam passage, less washing water is used as detergent foam, and detergent foam is applied from above to wash. Since the detergent foam having a high concentration, that is, a large amount of detergent components can be made to act on the dirt of the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tank, the detergency can be enhanced.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the foam is provided in the foam passage at a position where the center of the foam is above the upper end surface of the opening of the lower end, the generated detergent foam. Since it does not escape from the foam passage, more detergent foam can be washed from the top, and many detergent components can act on the dirt of the laundry in the washing and dehydration tank, so the cleaning power Can be increased.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the foam is provided separately from the bottom surface and the inner wall in the foam passage, the generation of detergent foam is not hindered and the washing water can be more efficiently used. Detergent foam can be washed by applying detergent foam from above, and a large number of detergent components can be made to act on the dirt of the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tank, so that the detergency can be enhanced.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the foam has a substantially spherical shape, by making the thickness of the foam uniform, the surface area of the foam capable of generating bubbles efficiently can be obtained. Because it can be made large, washing water can be made into more detergent foam, and detergent foam can be applied from above to wash, and many detergent components can act on the dirt of the laundry in the washing and dehydrating tank. The cleaning power can be increased.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the foam has a substantially cylindrical shape, the surface area of the foam capable of generating bubbles efficiently by making the thickness of the foam substantially uniform. It is possible to increase the size of the washing water, make the washing water more detergent foam, and wash the laundry by applying the detergent foam from the top, and many detergent components can act on the dirt of the laundry in the washing and dehydrating tank. , The cleaning power can be increased.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the substantially cylindrical foam supports both flat surface sides and is installed in the foam passage, the foam can be fixed in the foam passage, The hose can be prevented from coming off from the foam, and detergent foam can be reliably generated.

Further, according to the invention as set forth in claim 8, the holding portions are provided on both flat surface sides of the substantially cylindrical foam body, and the holding portions for holding the holding portions on the inner wall in the foam passage. Since the foam is provided, the foam can be detachably fixed, and the holding portion can be prevented from coming off from the foam, so that the detergent foam can be reliably generated.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 9, of the holding portions provided on both flat surface sides of the substantially cylindrical foam,
Since the inside of one of the holding parts is hollow, one end is connected to the hose, and the other end is connected to the inside of the foam, the holding part is also used as the air feeding part, which reduces the number of parts.
Easy to assemble.

According to the invention described in claim 10,
Since the axial direction of the substantially cylindrical foam of the substantially cylindrical shape is substantially horizontal, less washing water can be used as detergent foam, and the detergent foam can be washed by applying detergent foam from above. Since a large amount of detergent components can be made to act on the dirt of the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tank, the washing power can be enhanced.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 (a) is a side sectional view of a foam of the washing machine. (B) Cross-sectional view of foam of the washing machine

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side sectional view of the washing machine in which foam is attached to a foam passage.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine in which foam is attached to a foam passage.

FIG. 5 is a block circuit diagram of the washing machine.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side sectional view showing a state in which the foam of the washing machine is attached in contact with a foam passage.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a foam different from the foam of the washing machine.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the foam of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention is attached to the foam passage.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

14 outer tank 15 Washing and dehydration tank 21 stirring blade 22 Cover body 23 Bubble Discharge Unit 24 Foam passage 25 openings 26 foam 27 hose 28 Air pump

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 3B155 AA11 BB08 CA06 CA08 CB06                       CB48 DB01 DB12 MA01 MA02                       MA09

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A washing / dehydrating tub in which a stirring blade is rotatably disposed at a central inner bottom portion, an outer tub containing the washing / dehydrating tub, and a cover body attached to an upper opening of the outer tub. A foam passage provided in the outer tub and having openings at the upper and lower ends, a foam discharge portion provided in the cover body and opening inward of the washing / dehydrating tub, and a foam provided inside the foam passage. And a washing machine comprising an air pump communicating with the foam through a hose. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the foam is provided inside the foam passage near the lower end. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the foam is provided in the foam passage at a position where the center of the foam is above the upper end surface of the opening at the lower end. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the foam is provided separately from the bottom surface and the inner wall in the foam passage. 5. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the foam has a substantially spherical shape. 6. The foam according to claim 1, wherein the foam has a substantially cylindrical shape.
The washing machine according to any one of 1. 7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the substantially cylindrical foam supports both flat surface sides and is mounted in the foam passage. 8. The washing machine according to claim 6 or 7, wherein holding portions are provided on both flat surface sides of the substantially cylindrical foam body, and locking portions for locking the holding portions are provided on an inner wall of the foam passage. Machine. 9. An inside of one of the holding portions provided on both flat surface sides of the substantially cylindrical foam is hollow, one end is connected to a hose, and the other end is inside the foam. The washing machine according to any one of claims 6 to 8, which is connected to the washing machine. 10. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the axial direction of the substantially cylindrical shape of the substantially cylindrical foam is substantially horizontal.