JP2004105756A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine with a bathwater suction pump reducing a piping loss of the pump, reducing the cost and being rationalized by shortening the piping layout between a controller and the pump. <P>SOLUTION: This washing machine is provided with a washing tank 8 having an agitating vane 14, the bathwater suction pump 26 sucking the bathwater through a water sucking hose, and a tap water feed solenoid valve 31. The suction pump 26 is provided with a motor 26d rotating a pump runner, a steam separation chamber 26k communicating with a discharge side of the pump runner, a suction chamber 26g communicating with the suction side of the pump runner 26e, and a water suction port 26a also served as a connecting port of the bathwater suction hose. A steam separation chamber 26h is in the upper part of the suction chamber 26g. The water suction port 26a is communicating with the absorption chamber 26g via an approximately L-shaped passage opened upward to the pump upper surface, extending downward from the water absorbing port in the longitudinal direction, and having its exit side turned laterally. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine having a bath water suction pump.

残 り Conventionally, the remaining hot water in the bath is used for washing water to save tap water.

と し て As an example of the usage form, there is a type in which a throw-in type bath water suction pump is inserted into a bathtub, and water in the bathtub is absorbed into the washing tub via the pump.

使用 Also, as another usage form, there is a type in which a bath water suction pump is incorporated in a washing machine, and water in a bathtub is absorbed into the washing tub via the pump.

As a prior art for incorporating a bath water suction pump into a washing machine and for absorbing water in a bathtub into the washing tub via this pump, for example, JP-A-57-117894 and JP-A-57-117895, And JP-A-6-23190.

JP 57-117894 A

JP-A-57-117895 JP-A-6-23190

However, when using a bath water suction pump of a throw-in type, there is a drawback in that the hose and the lead wire are entangled, and both workability and storage are poor.

On the other hand, in the type in which the washing machine has a built-in bath water suction pump, a pump is generally installed below the washing machine. The length of the pipe leading to the opening of the washing tub also becomes longer, which causes an increase in cost.

In the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 57-117894 and 57-117895, a washing machine with a bath water suction pump that does not require a priming tank is proposed. It is provided below the washing machine.

洗濯 Also, the aforementioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-23190 proposes a washing machine with a bath water suction pump that does not require a priming tank.

However, the publication only discloses a very simplified diagram, and there is no specific description of which part of the washing machine the pump is incorporated in the text, and the above-mentioned publication does not. (2) As in the known example, it is unknown at all whether the pump is installed below the washing machine or at any other place, suggesting a specific effect when the pump is installed below the washing machine. No description is disclosed.

The present invention provides a fully automatic washing machine with a bath water suction pump that can reduce the piping loss of the pump, reduce the cost, shorten the wiring between the controller and the pump, and rationalize the wiring. To provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a washing tub having a stirring blade, a bath water suction pump for sucking up bath water through a water absorption hose, and a solenoid valve for tap water supply, and the solenoid valve for tap water supply. And a fully automatic washing machine for supplying water using the bath water suction pump, rotating and driving the stirring blades and the washing tub to perform washing, rinsing, and dewatering, wherein the bath water suction pump rotates a pump runner. A pump driving motor to be driven, a water / water separation chamber communicating with a discharge side of the pump runner, a suction chamber communicating with a suction side of the pump runner, and a water suction port also serving as a connection port of a bath water suction hose; The bath water absorbed from the water inlet by the rotation of the suction chamber, the runner chamber, and configured to be discharged from the discharge port through the air / water separation chamber, the air / water separation chamber is located above the suction chamber. The water inlet is open upward on the upper surface of the pump, and communicates with the suction chamber via a substantially L-shaped passage extending vertically downward from the water inlet and changing the outlet side in the horizontal direction. It is characterized by the following.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the piping loss of a pump is small, cost reduction can be attained, the wiring route between a controller and a pump can be shortened, and the fully automatic washing with a bath water suction pump can be achieved. Machine can be provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to one embodiment of the drawings. In FIG. 1, 1 is a top cover of a washing machine, 2 is a controller for controlling the operation of the washing machine, and a controller 2 is located in front of the top cover 1. And a microcomputer including a timer.

# 3 is a membrane switch for the operator to instruct the operation of the washing machine from outside.

# 4 is a lid that opens upward with the fulcrum 5 as an axis.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a laundry inlet, and 7 denotes a cover for preventing the laundry from dropping between a washing and dewatering tub (hereinafter, abbreviated as a washing tub) 8 and an outer tub 9. Have been.

# 10 is a dewatering hole formed in the wall of the washing tub 8.

# 11 is a balance ring for smoothly rotating the washing tub 8 during the spin-drying operation.

# 12 is a suspension rod which suspends the outer tub 9 via a spring 13.

# 14 is a stirring blade installed at the bottom of the washing tub 8.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a motor, which drives the power of the motor 15 through a motor pulley 16, a belt 17, a driven pulley 18, and a clutch / deceleration unit 19 to connect the agitating blades 14 for washing and rinsing, and to connect the washing tub 8 and the agitating blades 14 for dehydration. Drive together.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a leg for supporting the outer frame 21, and reference numeral 22 denotes a drain hole provided at the bottom of the outer tub 9. A drain solenoid valve 23 and a drain hose 4 that open and close according to a command from the control 2 are provided downstream of the drain hole 22. And

# 25 is a back panel.

# 26 is a bath water suction pump whose casing is formed of a synthetic resin containing an antibacterial agent, and is incorporated in the top cover 1.

# 27 is a bath water absorption hose containing an antibacterial agent, and its rear end is attached to a bath water absorption port 26a provided on the upper surface of the pump 26 via an O-ring 28.

In FIG. 2 showing the internal structure of the top panel 1 with the back panel 25 removed, FIG. 1 shows a water inlet for supplying tap water into the washing tub and a water inlet for bath water provided on the top cover 1. A common tap water inlet and bath water inlet, and a softener is also supplied from the tap water inlet and bath water inlet 1a.

4 is a lid, 26 is a pump, 26a is a bath water inlet, 26b is a bath water discharge pipe, 29 is a lid switch, 30 is a tap water tap, and 31 is a water supply solenoid valve for supplying tap water into the washing tub 8. .

In FIG. 3 in which the back panel 25 is attached to the top cover 1 of FIG. 2 and viewed from the XX direction, 1 is the top cover, 25 is the back panel, 26 is a pump, 26a is a bath water inlet of the pump 26, and 25a is The pump 26 is sandwiched between the top cover 1 and the back panel 25 via a vibration isolating rubber 32, and the top cover 1 and the back panel 25 have claws provided on the back panel 25. It is hooked on the engaging portion of the top cover 1 and fixed by screws (not shown).

In FIG. 4 showing the internal structure of the bath water suction pump 26, 26a is a bath water suction port of the pump 26, 26b is a bath water discharge pipe, 26c is a casing, 26d is a pump motor, 26e is a runner, 26f is a mechanical seal, 26g. Denotes a water absorption chamber, 26h denotes an air / water separation chamber, 26i denotes a partition plate, and a bath water inlet 26a provided on the upper surface of the pump 26 is also used as a calling water inlet.

# 26j indicates a check valve provided at the outlet of the bath water inlet 26a, and the upper end surface of the bath water inlet 26a is higher than the lower surface of the bath water outlet 26k.

The bath water absorbed in the water absorption chamber 26g of the pump 26 is conventionally sent to the air / water separation chamber 26h via the runner 26e and sent to the air / water separation chamber 26h by the same water supply method as this kind of pump. The bath water is thereafter supplied into the washing tub 8 via the bath water discharge pipe 26b.

In FIG. 5 showing an operation panel provided on the top cover 1, 33 is a power switch, 34 is a tap water start / pause button, 35 is a bath water start / pause button, and 36 is a water saving amount indication display section. In the embodiment, when a process that can save water as compared with normal operation such as bath water use and water saving rinsing is performed, the water saving amount is indicated by the water saving amount indication display unit 36 in kiloliters, for example, when the power switch 33 is turned on. To be displayed.

表示 Note that this display is cleared to zero when the counter of the display unit 36 overflows, and starts counting again.

6 is an electric circuit diagram of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart of the washing machine also shown in FIG. 1. The power switch 33 shown in FIG. 5 is turned on (step 101 in FIG. The stop button 35 is pressed to start the bath water course (step 102).

Then, first, it is detected whether or not the pump motor current Ip is equal to or greater than 1 amp (step 103). The valve 31 is turned on (step 104), an abnormality is notified by an appropriate means such as a synthesized sound or a combination of a synthesized sound and a character for 15 seconds (step 105), and then the contents of the abnormality are stored in a memory (step 106). The process shifts to a water supply process using tap water (step 107), and a series of washing processes is performed based on a normal program.

Then, when a series of washing steps is completed, the power switch 33 is automatically turned off (step 108).

When the washing machine is used next time (step 109), the power switch 33 is turned on and the abnormality of the pump motor 26d is notified again (step 110).

If it is determined in step 101 that the current of the pump motor 26d is equal to or less than 1 amp, it is detected whether the pump motor current Ip is equal to or greater than 0.3 amp (step 111).

Since the air is still entrained immediately after the start of the start of the pump motor 26d, the current is 0.3 amperes or less. In this case, in step 112, it is determined whether two minutes have elapsed since the start of the operation of the pump motor 26d. Is detected, and if two minutes have not yet passed, the process returns to step 103.

In step 112, if the pump motor current Ip is equal to or less than 0.3 amps even after 2 minutes from the start of the operation of the pump motor 26d, there is no water in the bathtub or the tip of the hose 27 is removed from the waste tank. Assuming that the hose 27 has been forgotten, the tip of the hose 27 has risen from the surface of the bathtub, or that the bath water has run out during the water absorption, the power supply to the bath water suction pump motor 26d is turned off, and the water supply for tap water supply is performed. The electromagnetic valve 31 is turned on (step 113), and the process proceeds to a water supply process using tap water (step 114).

In step 111, if the pump motor current Ip becomes 0.3 amperes or more within two minutes after the start of the operation of the pump motor 26d, it is determined in step 115 whether the water level in the washing tub 8 has reached the specified water level. If the water level has been detected and the water level has reached the specified level, the process proceeds to the washing and stirring process.

In addition, there are standard courses such as washing, drainage, dehydration, shower rinsing, drainage, dehydration, pool rinsing, drainage, and dehydration, and other handmade courses. For both the standard course and the handmade course, use bath water for “washing”. If there are two or more “rinse” steps, use tap water instead of the last “rinse”. The water saving effect can be further enhanced.

By incorporating the bath water absorption pump 26 in the top cover 1, the pipe length between the pump 26 and the opening of the washing tub 8 can be shortened as compared with a case where the pump is installed below the washing machine. The cost can be reduced.

In addition, by incorporating the pump 26 in a closed state in the top cover 1, the moisture resistance of the pump 26 is improved so that the aging of the pump motor 26d is reduced as much as possible. It is also effective in this respect.

Further, by incorporating the pump 26 in the top cover 1, the wiring between the controller 2 and the pump 26 can be shortened and streamlined as compared with the case where the pump 26 is installed below the washing machine. .

Furthermore, by mounting the pump 26 by sandwiching it between the top cover 1 and the back panel 25, the mounting work can be simplified.

れ ば If the water inlet for supplying tap water into the washing tub 8 and the water inlet for bath water supply are shared, the number of parts can be reduced accordingly.

(4) If the water inlet 26a of the pump 26 is provided on the upper surface of the top cover 1, the bath water suction hose 27 can be taken out 360 ° from the upper part of the water inlet 26a, which is excellent in usability.

If the bath water suction port 26a provided on the upper surface of the pump 26 is also used as a priming water suction port, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, a separate priming port and a cap for closing the priming port become unnecessary, and the number of parts can be reduced accordingly. it can.

If the upper end surface of the bath water suction port 26a of the pump 26 is positioned higher than the lower surface of the bath water discharge port 26k, in addition to the backflow, even if a minute water leak occurs in the check valve 26j in the pump chamber. The priming does not decrease.

If the rated current is not reached after a certain period of time from the start of operation of the pump 26, if a control means for turning off the power to the pump motor 26d is provided, the presence or absence of bath water and the water level at the tip of the water absorption hose 27 from the water surface can be reduced. Uplift etc. can be known by the current detection of the motor 26d, and the detection is compared to the conventional method of detecting the presence or absence of bath water and the uplift of the tip of the water absorption hose from the water surface during the water supply time up to a certain water level. Since the operation can be performed in a short time and the failure of the water level detection switch and the drain valve 23 can be detected, useless operation time of the pump motor 26d can be shortened as much as possible, and the life of the pump 26 can be extended.

If the rated current is not reached after a certain period of time after the operation of the pump 26 is started, the control unit that turns off the power supply to the pump motor 26d and turns on the water absorption solenoid valve 31 for supplying tap water is provided. In addition to the above effects, a series of washing steps can be performed to the end without being interrupted.

If the rated current is not reached after a certain period of time from the start of the operation of the pump 26, if a means for turning on the water-absorbing solenoid valve 31 for supplying tap water is provided while the pump motor 26d is energized, a series of washing steps can be performed. Can be performed to the end without interruption, and when the tip of the water-absorbing hose 27 once comes out of the surface of the bath water and then sinks below the water surface again, so that the bath water can be absorbed. The bath water can be used again as washing water, which helps save tap water.

If a means for turning off the power supply to the pump motor 26d is provided when the lock current of the pump motor 26d is detected, the motor burnout at the time of locking the pump motor can be prevented, and the pump motor lock detection conventionally performed by the PTC is performed. The detection can be performed instantaneously, and the life of the pump motor 26d can be extended.

When a lock current of the pump motor 26d is detected, the power supply to the pump motor 26d is turned off, and a means for turning on the water-absorbing solenoid valve 31 for supplying tap water is provided. The washing process can be performed to the end without interruption.

In addition to the above effects, if an abnormality is detected at the same time as the lock current detection of the pump motor 26d and an abnormality of the pump motor 26d is provided at the next use of the washing machine when the power switch 33 is turned on. The user is immediately notified of the locked state of the pump motor 26d, and if the user does not take any countermeasures, the user is informed again to that effect, and the pump 26 is repeatedly used in the locked state. It is possible to prevent the life of the pump motor 26d from being shortened.

If the casing 26c of the pump 26 is formed of a synthetic resin containing an antibacterial agent, even if the priming water for self-priming is notified in the pump casing 26c in a state where the remaining water remains for a long time, the remaining water will Bacteria can be prevented from growing and spoiling.

れ ば If the bath water absorption hose 27 is a rubber hose or a synthetic resin hose containing an antibacterial agent, it is possible to prevent bacteria from adhering to a hose that is used repeatedly for a long time.

If the system is implemented in a process that can save water compared to normal operation such as bath water use and water-saving rinsing, the amount of saved water can be stored and the integrated amount can be displayed. It is possible to intuitively notify the user whether the water has been saved.

According to the present embodiment, there are the following advantages.

With the automatic priming pump that has to store a large amount of priming water, it cannot be stored in the top cover due to the size of the priming tank. Although this could not be realized as an actual product, this configuration with a steam-water separation chamber became possible only as a result, and as a result, tap water and bath water were provided with a self-priming pump in the narrow space behind the top cover. It is now possible to realize a washing machine that rationally stores a device that can be used to switch between and arbitrarily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the entire internal structure showing one embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the back panel shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view when the back panel 25 is attached to the top cover 1 of FIG. 2 and viewed from the XX direction. It is a partially broken perspective view showing the internal structure of the bath water absorption pump 26. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operation display panel provided on a top cover indicated by reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1. It is an electric circuit diagram of the washing machine shown in FIG. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the washing machine similarly shown in FIG.

Explanation of reference numerals

1: top cover, 8: washing tub (washing and dewatering tub), 25: back panel, 26: bath water absorption pump.

Claims (3)

A washing tub with stirring blades, a bath water suction pump for sucking up bath water through a water suction hose, and a tap water supply solenoid valve, and water is supplied using the tap water supply solenoid valve and the bath water suction pump. A fully automatic washing machine that rotates and drives the agitating blade and the washing tub to perform washing, rinsing, and dehydration, wherein the bath water suction pump is a pump driving motor that rotationally drives a pump runner; A bath having a water / water separation chamber with which the discharge side communicates, a suction chamber with which the pump runner communicates with the suction side, and a water suction port also serving as a connection port for a bath water suction hose, and the water being absorbed from the water suction port by rotation of the pump runner. Water is discharged from a discharge port through the suction chamber, the runner chamber, and the water / water separation chamber, and the water / water separation chamber is provided above the suction chamber, and the water suction port faces upward on a pump upper surface. Fully automatic washing machine is opened, and wherein the outlet extends longitudinally downward from said water intake is communicated with the suction chamber through the shape of the passage of a substantially L to change the direction laterally. The automatic washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a check valve is disposed at an outlet of the substantially L-shaped passage communicating the water suction port and the suction chamber. 2. The tap water supply electromagnetic valve and the bath water suction pump are housed inside a top cover disposed above the washing tub, and an upper end of a hose connection port of the water suction port of the top cover faces. However, a fully automatic washing machine is provided with an opening for connecting a hose, and an upper end of a hose connection port of the bath water suction port is arranged at a position higher than the discharge port.

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