JP2003326091A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To drop water of different power on different spots of the upper part of laundry. <P>SOLUTION: At a lower water inlet 19 of a circulation path 15, one water- entering angle α and the other water-entering angle γ are set to be different angles. In this case, the first water inlet angle α is formed of the distal end part 19a' of a wall surface 19a and the inner peripheral surface 11f on the side being confronted with the direction of arrow A of an agitator 13. The other water inlet angle γ is formed of the distal end part 19b' of a wall surface 19b and the inner peripheral surface 11f on the side being confronted with the direction of arrow B of the agitator 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,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 in which water in a tub is lifted from the bottom and dropped from the top into laundry by a pumping action by rotation of a stirring body.

[0002]

Conventionally, in this type of washing machine, as shown in JP-A-6-296794, an agitator having pump blades on the back surface is provided at the inner bottom of the tub, and By forming a circulation path in the vertical direction on the inner surface of this tank, the water in the tank is lifted from the lower inlet of this circulation path by the rotation of the agitator (by the rotation of the pump blades) and discharged from the upper discharge port of the laundry. It is known that it is configured to drop.

However, in this conventional structure, the drop position, the amount of water, and the strength of the circulating water are always the same, and the cleaning performance cannot be improved so much.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to enable water of different strength to be dropped at different places on the upper portion of the laundry to prevent uneven washing on the upper portion of the laundry. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of improving the overall cleaning performance.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an agitator which is provided in a tank and is driven to rotate normally and reversely at the time of washing and has a pump blade on its back surface, and an agitator which is vertically provided on an inner surface of the tank. A circulation path for pumping water in the tank from the lower water inlet and dropping it from the upper discharge opening into the tank by the pumping action of the rotation of the body, of the stirring body of the wall surfaces on both sides of the lower water inlet of the circulation path. One water inlet angle formed by the wall surface on the side facing one rotation direction and the tank inner peripheral surface, and the other formed by the wall surface on the side facing the other rotation direction of the stirring body and the tank inner peripheral surface The feature is that the water entry angle is different.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the water entry angle into the circulation path when the stirring body is rotated in one rotation direction and the water entry angle into the circulation path when the stirring body is rotated in the other direction. Therefore, as the rotating direction of the agitator changes, the strength of the water discharged from the upper discharge port also varies and the location of the water dropped on the laundry also varies. As a result, it is possible to prevent uneven cleaning in the upper part of the laundry and improve the overall cleaning performance.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, an agitator provided in the tank and driven to rotate during washing and having a pump blade on the back surface, and a plurality of vertically provided agitators on the inner surface of the tank, each of which is a pump for rotating the agitator. A circulation path for pumping the water in the tank from the lower water inlet by the action and dropping it from the upper discharge opening into the tank, and one rotation direction of the agitator of the wall surfaces on both sides of the lower water inlet of one circulation path One water inlet angle formed by the wall surface on the facing side and the tank inner peripheral surface, and the wall surface on the side facing the one rotation direction of the agitator among the wall surfaces on both sides of the lower water inlet of another circulation path It is characterized in that the other water entry angle formed by the inner peripheral surface of the tank and that of the inner peripheral surface of the tank are different.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the stirring member is rotated to one side, the strength of the water discharged from the upper discharge port of one circulation path and the strength of the water discharged from the upper discharge port of another circulation path. The strength will be different, and the places that fall on the laundry will also be different. As a result, it is possible to prevent uneven cleaning of the upper part of the laundry and improve the overall cleaning performance.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, one of the water inlet angles is set to an angle such that the water discharged from the circulation path falls substantially at the center of the laundry, and the other water inlet angle is set as follows.
The feature is that the water discharged from the circulation path is set at an angle such that the water is dropped to the peripheral portion of the laundry.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since water falls on the substantially central portion and the peripheral portion of the laundry, the water is evenly dropped on the laundry and the washing effect is further improved.

The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that a rectifying portion is provided at the lower water inlet of the circulation path. According to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent turbulent flow of water flowing into the lower water inlet, reduce water flow resistance, and prevent deterioration of pumping capacity.

The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that an adjusting plate for finely adjusting the discharge direction of water is provided at the upper discharge port of the circulation path. According to the invention of claim 5, fine adjustment of the water drop position determined by the water entry angle can be achieved, which can further contribute to the reduction of uneven cleaning. A cylindrical member formed by bending the plate into a circular shape and joining the joints, and a cover member is provided on the inner surface of the tank to form a circulation path by a gap between the inner surface of the tank and the inner surface of the tank; The member is characterized in that a brim-shaped portion that is partitioned from the circulation path and projects outward is formed, and that the brim-shaped portion of the cover member conceals the seam of the tubular portion.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the seam of the tubular portion of the tank can be hidden by the cover member so that it looks good, and the seam is not located in the circulation path portion of the cover member. Since it is concealed by the shaped part, it is possible to prevent the water passing through the circulation path from coming into contact with the joint and catching the lint as much as possible.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 2, a water tank 2 is elastically supported by an elastic suspension mechanism 3 inside an outer box 1. A mechanical unit 4 and a washing machine motor 5 are attached to the outer surface of the bottom of the water tank 2. Further, a drain port 6 is formed at the bottom of the water tank 2, and a drain valve 7 and a drain hose 8 are connected to the drain port 6.

Inside the water tank 2, a rotary tank 9 as a tank is arranged. As shown in FIG. 3, the rotary tank 9 is composed of a tubular body 10 as a tubular portion and a bottom plate 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the tubular body 10 is configured by bending a metal plate, for example, a stainless steel plate into a cylindrical shape, and joining the joint 10a by welding. The cylindrical body 10 is provided with a large number of water passage holes 10b at appropriate portions except for circulation passages 15 and 16 and a water passage 17 for capturing lint, which will be described later. Also,
The bottom plate 11 is made of synthetic resin in a shallow container shape.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a step portion 11a that is one step higher is formed on the peripheral edge portion, and a tapered peripheral wall portion 11b is formed above the step portion 11a. A balance ring 12 is attached to the upper end of the rotary tank 9.

On the bottom plate 11 of the rotary tank 9, the agitator 1
3 are arranged, and the stirring body 13 is connected to the rotating shaft 5a of the washing machine motor 5 and is driven to rotate. A pump blade 14 is formed on the back surface of the stirring body 13. A clutch (not shown) is provided in the mechanism section 4, and the rotation of the washing machine motor 5 is transmitted only to the stirring body 13 during washing, and is transmitted to the stirring body 13 and the rotary tub 9 during dehydration. It is supposed to do. In this case, the stirring body 13 is rotated in the normal and reverse directions during washing, and the stirring body 13 and the rotary tank 9 are integrally rotated at high speed during dehydration.

On the inner surface of the rotary tank 9, the circulation path 1
5, 16 and a water passage 17 for capturing lint are provided. Since the circulation paths 15 and 16 have the same configuration, one circulation path 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 to 8. The circulation path 15 includes a concave portion 11c of the bottom plate 11 and a cover member 18.

The recess 11c is formed by recessing the portion from the step 11a to the peripheral wall 11b. A portion of the recess 11c that opens toward the center of the bottom plate 11 is a lower water inlet 19. It should be noted that rib arrangement portions 11d and 11e are formed in the upper portions of both sides of the water inlet 19 in the step portion 11a. The rib engaging portions 11d and 11e are provided with insertion engaging hole portions 11d 'and 11e'.
Are formed.

Further, at the lower water inlet 19, one water inlet angle α and the other water inlet angle β are different. That is, one of the water inlet angles α corresponds to one rotation direction of the stirring body 13 at the lower water inlet 19 (see FIG. 1).
End portion 19 of the wall surface 19a on the side facing the arrow A direction)
It is an angle formed by a'and the inner peripheral surface 11f (for convenience, a tangent line) of the stepped portion 11a which is the inner peripheral surface of the tank, and is set to 95 degrees, for example. Further, the other water entering angle β is the tip portion 19b ′ of the wall surface 19b on the side facing the one rotation direction of the stirring body 13 (direction of arrow B in FIG. 1) and the step portion 11 which is the inner circumferential surface of the tank.
It is an angle formed with the inner peripheral surface 11f (a tangential line for convenience) of a, and is set to, for example, 150 degrees. Therefore, one water entry angle α is different from the other water entry angle β, and in this case, α <β.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the cover member 18
Is a lower portion 18a that covers the recessed portion 11c of the bottom plate 11 of the rotary tank 9, and the tubular portion 10 formed on the upper portion of the lower portion 18a.
And a main portion 18b forming a passage, and a rib portion 18c formed at the lower end of the lower portion 18a. The lower portion 18a and the main portion 18b have an arcuate cross section that bulges toward the opposite side of the inner circumferential surface and the circular surface of the rotary tank 9. Further, protrusions 18d are formed on the lower surfaces of both ends of the rib portion 18c. The lower portion 18a and the main portion 18b have a substantially arcuate transverse cross section.
A plurality of engaging claws 18e are formed at both ends of 8b.
Further, the upper portion of the main portion 18b is formed so as to further bulge toward the center of the rotary tank 9, and the bulging portion 18f is formed.
A horizontally long upper discharge port 20 is formed in the.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the cover member 18
Packings 21, 22, and 23 are attached to the inside of the. Collar-shaped portions 24, 2 which are separated from the above-mentioned packings 21, 23 by the circulation path 15 and project outward.
4 (see FIG. 8).

In the cover member 18, the protrusions 18d and 18d of the rib portion 18c are inserted into the insertion engaging holes 11d 'and 11e' of the rib disposing portions 11d and 11e, and the engaging claw 18e is attached to the rotary tank 9. Engagement hole 10 formed in cylindrical portion 10
It is mounted on the inner surface of the rotary tank 9 by engaging with c. As a result, among the gaps between the cover member 18 and the rotary tank 9, the gap between the packings 21 and 22 causes the circulation path 15
Is formed. The seam 10a is hidden by the one brim-shaped portion 24. The other circulation path 16 also has the same structure as this circulation path 15. Therefore, one water inlet angle γ of the lower water inlet 19 in this circulation passage 16 is the same as the one water inlet angle α, and the other water inlet angle α is the same. The angle ε is the same as the other water entry angle β. In addition, the water passage 1
7, the lint filter 17a is attached to the upper discharge port.

The above-mentioned one water entering angle α is set to an angle (in this case, 95 degrees) at which the water discharged from the upper discharge port 20 of the circulation path 15 falls to almost the center of the upper part of the laundry, and the other one. The water entry angle β is set to an angle (150 degrees in this case) at which water discharged from the upper discharge port 20 of the circulation path 15 falls on the peripheral portion of the upper part of the laundry.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. At the time of washing, water is stored in the rotary tub 9 and a detergent is added, and the agitator 13 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions with the laundry being put therein. Due to the rotation of the stirring body 13, a pump pressure is generated, water at the bottom of the rotary tank 9 is lifted from the lower water inlet 19 of the circulation passages 15 and 16 through the circulation passages 15 and 16 and discharged from the upper discharge outlet 20. And fall to the top of the laundry.

In this case, when the agitating member 13 is rotated in one direction (the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 4), the tip end portion 19a 'of the one wall surface 19a of the water inlet 19 facing the rotating direction. Angle of water, that is, the water inlet angle α,
It makes a large contribution to the pumping water pressure (pump pressure) of 16, and in this case, the pump pressure is relatively strong, and as shown in FIG. 9, the water W discharged from the upper discharge port 20 has a relatively strong water force.
It falls almost in the center of the top of the laundry. Further, when the stirring body 13 is rotated in the other direction (the direction of arrow B in FIGS. 1 and 4), the angle of the tip end portion 19b 'of the other wall surface 19b of the water inlet 19 facing the rotation direction, that is, water entry. Angle β
Is a large contribution to the pumping water pressure (pump pressure) of the circulation paths 15 and 16, and in this case, the pump pressure is relatively weak, and the water W discharged from the upper discharge port 20 as shown in FIG.
Is relatively weak and falls around the top of the laundry. In this way, the location where the water falls is different for each rotation of the stirring body 13 in one direction (forward direction) and the other direction (reverse direction). As a result, it is possible to prevent uneven cleaning in the upper part of the laundry and improve the overall cleaning performance.

Further, in this embodiment, the seam 10a of the cylindrical body 10 of the rotary tub 9 can be hidden by using the cover member 18, and the appearance is good, and the seam 10a is covered by the cover member. A collar-shaped portion 24 that is partitioned from the circulation passage 15 without being located in the circulation passage 15 (16) portion of 18
Since the seam 10a is hidden, the inner surface of the rotary tank 9 looks good and water passing through the circulation path 15 does not come into contact with the seam 10a and lint is prevented from being caught.

In the above embodiment, a plurality of circulation paths, in this case two circulation paths 15 and 16 are provided, but the number may be one. Further, in the above embodiment, the water drop position (water pumping pressure) is made different depending on the forward rotation direction (arrow A direction) and the reverse rotation direction (arrow B direction) of the agitator 13. A circulation path may be provided, and when the stirring body is rotated in one direction, the positions where the water falls may be different among the plurality of circulation paths.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. In the second embodiment, the water inlet angles γ and ε of the lower water inlet 19 of the circulation passage 16 are different from the water inlet angles α and β of the lower water inlet 19 of the circulation passage 15. That is, the lower water inlet 1 of the circulation path 15
In FIG. 9, the tip portion 19a ′ of the wall surface 19a on the side facing the one rotation direction of the stirring body 13 (direction of arrow A in FIG. 11) and the inner peripheral surface 11f (tangential line for convenience) of the stepped portion 11a that is the tank inner peripheral surface. The formed water entry angle α is set to 95 degrees,
The wall surface 19 of the lower water inlet 19 of the circulation path 16 facing the one rotation direction of the stirring body 13 (direction of arrow A in FIG. 11).
The water entry angle γ formed by the tip portion 19a ′ of a and the inner peripheral surface 11f (tangential line for convenience) of the stepped portion 11a that is the tank inner peripheral surface is set to, for example, 150 degrees. Further, the other water entry angle β of the circulation path 15 is 150 degrees, while the other water entry angle ε of the circulation path 16 is set to 95 degrees.

In the second embodiment, when the stirring body 13 is rotated in one direction (direction of arrow A), as shown in FIG. 12, the water W discharged from the upper discharge port 20 of one circulation path 15 is Strength (the strength with which water falls to the center of the top of the laundry)
And the strength of the water W discharged from the upper discharge port 20 of the other circulation path 16 (the strength with which the water falls to the peripheral portion of the upper part of the laundry) become different, and the location where it falls on the laundry also becomes different. As a result, it is possible to prevent uneven cleaning of the upper part of the laundry and improve the overall cleaning performance.

The stirrer 13 is in the other direction (arrow B direction).
As shown in FIG. 13, the water W discharged from the upper discharge port 20 of one circulation path 15 falls on the peripheral portion of the upper part of the laundry, and the water W discharged from the upper discharge port 20 of the other circulation path 16 is washed. It falls on the central part of the upper part of the object.

FIG. 14 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the lower water inlet 19 of the circulation path 15 (16) is provided with straightening portions 25, 25 made of ribs. However, it differs from the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the turbulent flow of water flowing into the lower water inlet 19 can be prevented, the water flow resistance can be reduced, and the deterioration of the pump capacity can be prevented.

FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this fourth embodiment, the circulation path 15 (1
This is different from the first embodiment in that the upper discharge port 6 of 6) is provided with adjusting plates 26, 26 for finely adjusting the discharge direction of water. In the fourth embodiment, it is possible to finely adjust the drop position of water determined by the water entry angle α or β, which can further contribute to the reduction of cleaning unevenness. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned circumstances, and for example, the water entry angle, α
The specific angles of β, γ, and ε may be variously changed and implemented according to the size of the washing machine, the size of the pump blades, and the like. Further, the portion (the tip portion in the embodiment) that determines the water entry angle on both wall surfaces of the lower water inlet may be the entire wall surface instead of a part of the wall surface.

[0033]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention can drop different strengths of water at different places on the upper part of the laundry, prevent uneven cleaning on the upper part of the laundry, and The excellent effect of being able to improve the general cleaning performance is achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a lower water inlet portion of a circulation path showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 2] Vertical side view of the entire washing machine

FIG. 3 is a side view of the circulation path portion.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bottom of the rotary tank.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lower water inlet part with a cover member removed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lower water inlet part with a cover member attached.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of the rotary tank.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional plan view of the circulation path portion.

9A is an external perspective view of the rotary tank showing how the water is discharged when the agitator rotates forward, and FIG. 9B shows the rotary tank for showing the water drop position when rotating the same normally. Schematic plan view of

FIG. 10 (a) is an external perspective view of a rotating tank showing how water is discharged when the stirring body rotates in the reverse direction, and FIG. 10 (b) shows a rotating tank for showing the water drop position when the stirring body rotates in the reverse direction. Schematic plan view of

FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a view corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an upper discharge port portion showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional side view of an upper discharge port portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

9 is a rotary tank (tank), 10 is a cylindrical body (cylindrical part), 10a is a seam, 11 is a bottom plate, 13 is a stirring body, 14 is a pump blade, 1
5, 16 are circulation paths, 17 is a lint trap water passage, 18 is a cover member, 19 is a lower water inlet, 20 is an upper outlet, 2
Reference numeral 4 denotes a collar portion, 25 a rectifying portion, and 26 an adjusting plate.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A stirrer provided in a tank, which is driven to rotate normally and reversely at the time of washing and has pump blades on the back surface, and a stirrer provided vertically on the inner surface of the tank to pump from the lower water inlet by the rotation of the stirrer. A circulation path for frying the water in the tank and dropping it from the upper discharge port into the tank, and a wall surface on a side facing one rotation direction of the stirring body among the wall surfaces on both sides of the lower water inlet of the circulation path. One of the water inlet angles formed by the inner peripheral surface of the tank and the other water inlet angle formed by the inner peripheral surface of the tank and the wall surface on the side facing the other rotating direction of the stirring body are different. And a washing machine. 2. A stirrer provided in the tank, which is driven to rotate during washing and has a pump blade on the back surface, and a plurality of vertically arranged inner surfaces of the tank, each of which has a lower water inlet port due to a pumping action by the rotation of the stirrer. With a circulation path that draws water in the tank from the upper discharge port to the inside of the tank, and of the wall surfaces on both sides of the lower water inlet of one circulation path, the wall surface facing the one rotation direction of the stirring body And the inner peripheral surface of the tank, and the inner peripheral surface of the tank on the side facing the one rotation direction of the agitator among the wall surfaces on both sides of the lower water inlet of the other circulation path. A washing machine characterized in that the other water entry angle formed by and is different. 3. One of the water inlet angles is set to an angle such that the water discharged from the circulation passage falls substantially to the center of the laundry, and the other water inlet angle is set to the water discharged from the circulation passage. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the angle is set so as to fall to a peripheral portion of the article. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a rectifying section is provided at a lower water inlet of the circulation path. 5. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an adjustment plate for finely adjusting a discharge direction of water is provided at an upper discharge port of the circulation path. 6. The tank is provided with a tubular portion formed by bending a metal plate into a cylindrical shape and joining seams thereof, and a circulation path is formed on the inner surface of the tank by a gap between the inner surface of the tank and the inner surface of the tank. A cover member to be formed is provided, and a flange-shaped portion that is partitioned from the circulation path and projects outward is formed in the cover member, and the joint portion of the cover member is concealed by the flange-shaped portion of the cover member. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.