JP2006061432A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine preventing overflow of wash water, rinse water and bubbles. <P>SOLUTION: This washing machine is characterized in having; a washing tub for storing laundry; a sprinkling/circulating path extending from the lower side of the washing tub for sucking the wash water and the rinse water remaining in the washing tub, to the upper side of the washing tub for sprinkling the wash water and the rinse water; a circulating pump provided in the sprinkling/circulating path; and a lint catching means provided in the sprinkling/circulating path and laid in the discharge side of the circulating pump. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a washing machine provided with a lint filter device.

  A washing machine provided with a lint filter device has, for example, a configuration as shown in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-178895).

  The washing machine shown in Patent Document 1 is provided with a circulation pump below the washing tub, a lint filter device is provided in the top cover, and the wash water rinsed up by the circulation pump is poured into the lint filter device and distributed in the washing tub. It is the composition which does.

JP-A-6-178895

  A washing machine having a lint filter device in the top cover as shown in Patent Document 1 has a difficulty in that the structure is complicated because the lint filter device is provided in a narrow space in the top cover. Further, when the filter is clogged, there is a possibility that the washing water overflows from the lint filter device. Furthermore, when washing water containing detergent is poured into the lint filter device, it touches the air and foams. There is a possibility that the bubbles overflow from the lint filter device.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine in which washing water and foam do not overflow.

  The present invention relates to a washing tub in which laundry is stored, and a cloth circulation path extending to the upper side of the washing tub that distributes the washing water from the lower side of the washing tub in which the rinsing and rinsing water collected in the washing tub is sucked. And a circulation pump provided in the distribution circulation path, and a lint collecting means provided in the distribution circulation path and placed on the discharge side of the circulation pump.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the washing machine which does not produce overflow of the water to wash and foam can be provided.

  Examples according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the outline of the washing machine will be described in order from FIG. 1 and FIG.

  The washing tub 2 installed inside the outer frame 1 of the washing machine main body is provided with a rotatable stirring wing body 4 for stirring the laundry 3 on the inner bottom portion. A balance ring 5 is provided inside the upper part of the washing tub 2. An outer tub 6 is provided on the outside of the washing tub 2 to store the rinsing water. The washing tub 2 also serves as a dehydration tub. The washing tub 2 also serving as a dewatering tub is provided with a plurality of small dewatering holes 7 (φ3 to 5 mm) through which the washing water and the rinsing water pass. It is separated and discharged from the dewatering hole 7.

  The outer tub 6 is suspended in the washing machine main body outer frame 1. The washing tub 2 is also suspended along with the outer tub 6. The suspension rod 8 that suspends the outer tub 6 is provided with a vibration isolating spring 9 to suppress vibration of the outer tub 6 that occurs during dehydration.

  The washing / dehydrating drive motor 10 is attached to the lower surface of the outer tub 6 via a reinforcing base 20. The drive motor 10 rotates the agitating blade body 4 and the washing tub 2.

  The top cover 21 is attached to the upper side of the washing machine main body outer frame 1. The top cover 21 is provided with an outer lid 22 and an inner lid 23. The outer lid 22 and the inner lid 23 are opened and closed when the laundry 3 is put in and out.

  The water injection box 24 is provided in the top cover 21. The tap water supplied from the tap hose 25 is poured into the water pouring box 24 through the water supply valve 26. The tap water flows into the washing tub 2 from the flow outlet 27 of the water injection box 24. The water injection box 24 has a detergent charging device 28.

  The operation panel 40 is provided on the upper front side of the top cover 21. An operation button 41 is provided on the upper surface of the operation panel 40, and a control circuit board 42 is provided on the lower side. The water level sensor 43 is provided in the top cover 21, and the detection tube 44 is connected to the lower side of the outer tub 6. The water level sensor 43 detects the water level 45 of the rinsing and rinsing water collected in the outer tub 6. Based on this water level detection information, the water level of the outer tub 6 is maintained / managed by the water level setting means. The water level setting means includes a water level sensor 43, a part of the control circuit board 42, and the like.

  The spreading circuit 46 is provided so as to extend from the lower side of the outer tub 6 to the upper side of the outer tub 6. The distribution circulation path 46 is provided with a circulation pump 47 and a lint collecting means 48. The spreading circuit 46 includes an outflow pipe 60 extending from the bottom side of the outer tub 6 to the suction side of the circulation pump 47, a connection pipe 61 extending from the discharge side of the circulation pump 47 to the inflow side of the lint collecting means 48, and lint collection. A rising communication pipe 62 reaching the outflow side of the collecting means 48 and a shower 63 provided on the discharge side of the rising communication pipe 62 are provided. The shower 63 is provided on the upper side of the washing tub 2 so as to face the upper opening of the washing tub 2.

  The circulation pump 47 uses a centrifugal pump. The pump runner of the circulation pump 47 is configured to suck in the axial direction and discharge in the outer peripheral direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lint collecting means 48 includes a trap case 64 and a lint collecting member 65 that can be attached to and detached from the trap case 64. The trap case 64 has an inflow port 66 and an outflow port 67 through which washing water enters and exits, and a desorption opening 68 to which the lint collecting member 65 is attached and detached.

  The trap case 64 has a cylindrical shape, and is provided so that the inlet 66 is located on the opposite side of the attachment / detachment opening 68. Since the trap case 64 is placed sideways, the inflow port 66 is provided sideways. The outlet 67 is located on the upper side of the trap case 64 and is provided upward. A downstream side of the connection pipe 61 is connected to the inflow port 66. An upstream side of the rising communication pipe 62 is connected to the outflow port 67.

  The lint collecting member 65 includes a lint filter unit 69 that collects lint and a trap cap unit 80 that supports the lint filter unit 69. A handle 81 is provided on the outer side surface of the trap cap portion 80, and this handle 81 is placed so as to face the outer surface side of the washing machine main body outer frame 1.

  The lint collecting member 65 is inserted into the trap case 64 so that the trap cap portion 80 is fitted into the attachment / detachment opening 68. An O-ring 82 as a seal member is provided on the outer periphery of the trap cap portion 80. With this O-ring 82, the lint collecting member 65 is attached to the trap case 64 so that water does not leak from the attachment / detachment opening 68.

  The lint filter unit 69 has a cylindrical shape. The tip side of the ridge has an opening and is placed so as to face the inlet 66. The rinse water containing lint enters the lint filter section 69 of the soot from the inlet 66, the lint is collected in the lint filter section 69, and the filtered rinse water flows out from the outlet 67.

  Since the circulation pump 47 is disposed at a position lower than the bottom of the outer tub 6, an air / water separation chamber is unnecessary and the structure is simple. Since there is no air-water separation chamber, the air-water separation chamber is not clogged with lint, and the operation of the circulation pump 47 is not hindered. In addition, since the air pump 47 is unlikely to generate an air lock, it is easy to wash, and there is no occurrence of poor water distribution.

  In this embodiment, the lint collecting means 48 and the circulation pump 47 are disposed at a position lower than the bottom of the outer tub 6, more specifically, in front of the rising communication pipe 62 (on the pump 47 side).

  Further, by providing the lint collecting means 48 at a position higher than the level 45 of the rinsing water that is easy to wash, the maintenance is easy and the usability is improved. That is, when the lint collection means 48 is maintained in the state where the rinse water that is easy to wash is collected in the outer tub 6, the lint collection means 48 is higher than the water level 45 of the rinse water that is easy to wash. Even if 65 is removed, the water that is easy to wash does not flow out of the desorption opening 68, and maintenance is easy.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drain pipe 90 branches from the outflow pipe 60 and extends to the outside of the washing machine main body outer frame 1. A drain valve 91 for draining or stopping drainage is provided in the middle of the drain pipe 90.

  Next, the electric circuit of the washing machine will be described with reference to FIG.

  This electric circuit is configured around a control circuit board 42.

  The control circuit board 42 includes a timer 100, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a memory 102, an input port 103, and an output port 104. The CPU (central processing unit) 101 includes a calculation unit 105 and a control unit 106. The memory 102 includes a RAM 107 and a ROM 108.

  In the control circuit board 42, data is exchanged between the CPU (central processing unit) 101 and the memory 102 through the data bus by the clock signal from the timer 100. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 is the center of the control system. The CPU 101 controls the overall flow of program processing of the washing machine, such as arithmetic operations, logical operations, read / write control of the contents of the designated address of the memory 102, input / output control to the designated addresses of the input / output ports (103, 104), etc. Is done.

  The memory 102 stores both programs and data. The memory 102 includes two types, a RAM 107 having both reading and writing functions and a ROM 108 having only a reading function.

  The RAM 107 stores data necessary for processing and is used as a work area when the program is operated on the CPU 101.

  The ROM 103 is used for storing predetermined programs and fixed data and performing the same processing at any time.

  The input port 103 and the output port 104 are circuits that mediate when data is exchanged between the CPU 101 and each input device and output device, and are generally called I / O ports.

  The input port 103 receives electrical command signals from various switches and sensors provided in the washing machine.

  For example, a power switch 120 that transmits a washing start command to the CPU 101, a water level sensor 43, a lid switch 121 that detects the open / closed state of each of the outer lid 22 and the inner lid 23, washing such as a standard course, a soft course, and a quick course Program selection switch 122 for selecting a course, start / stop switch 123 having a function of temporarily stopping operation during the operation process of washing, rinsing, draining, and dehydration in addition to starting water supply, measuring the amount of laundry A detergent guide / cloth quantity sensor 124 for selecting an approximate amount of detergent is connected.

  The output port 104 includes a washing / dehydrating drive motor 10, that is, a DC brushless motor, a water supply valve 26, a drain valve 91, a notification device 92 for notifying the operator of completion of washing or dehydration, and washing / dehydration of the washing machine. A display panel 40 and a circulation pump 47 are connected to inform the operator of the progress state.

  Then, based on information from input devices such as various sensors and switches connected to these input ports 103, the CPU 101 performs processing of the program stored in the memory 102, and each drive device via the output port 104. Issue a command to Thus, the operation of the washing machine is controlled.

  Next, based on the block diagram of FIG. 5 showing the washing process, the automatic operation process from washing to rinsing and dehydration will be described in the order of the processes.

[S201 water supply process]
When the washing machine presses the power switch 120 for instructing the start of washing, the program selection switch 122 selects, for example, a standard course, and the start / stop switch 123 is pressed, the washing is performed from the water hose 25 through the water supply valve 26. Water is supplied into the tank 2 and the outer tank 6. The water level sensor 43 detects that a specified amount of washing water has entered the washing tub 2, and information from the water level sensor 43 is sent to the CPU 101 via the input port 103. The CPU 101 stops water supply to the washing machine based on the signal from the water level sensor 43.

[S202 washing process]
After the water necessary for washing is supplied, for example, the stirring blade body 4 is rotated for a specified time programmed in advance as a standard course, and the washing operation is performed.

[S203 drainage process]
After the washing operation is completed, the drain valve 91 is opened to drain the washing water from the drain pipe 90 to the outside of the washing machine.

[S204 dehydration step]
Next, after the washing water in the outer tub 6 is completely drained, the water containing the detergent contained in the laundry 4 is dehydrated from the dewatering hole 7 by centrifugal force by the high-speed rotation of the washing tub 2. . This is the step of dehydration (1).

[S205 water supply process]
After the dehydration is completed, the drive motor 10 is stopped, the drain valve 91 is closed, and water for rinsing is supplied. The water supply control at this time is the same as the water supply before washing in S201, but in order to improve the rinsing efficiency, the water supply amount at the time of rinsing is supplied more than the water supply amount at the time of washing, and the detergent component at the time of washing is diluted. That is, the water level at the time of rinsing is also detected by the water level sensor 43, but the detection at this time is generally controlled by setting the water level higher than at the time of washing.

[S206 Rinsing Step (1)]
The driving operation of the rinsing step (1) is controlled in the same manner as the washing driving operation in S202, but the rinsing step (1) is included in the laundry 4 for the purpose of removing dirt attached to the laundry 4. The detergent is rinsed away. For this reason, the washing tub 2 is configured so as to prevent the fabric from being damaged or entangled by reducing the number of rotations and the rotation time of the right-left with a pause from the time of washing in S202.

[S207 drainage process]
In this drainage step, the rinse water in the rinse step (1) is drained outside the washing machine, and the control is the same as the drainage step in S203.

[S208 dehydration step (2)]
The dehydration step (2) is operated under the same operation as the dehydration step (1) of S204 and is controlled by dehydrating the water of the rinse water contained in the laundry 4.

[S209 rinsing step (2)]
The rinsing step (2) is operated under the same control as the rinsing step (1) of S206.

[S210 drainage process]
The draining process of S210 is operated under the same control as the draining process of S203 and S207.

[S211 final dehydration step]
In the final dehydration step, the washing tub 2 is dehydrated at high speed for a longer time than the dehydration step of S204 and S208, and the moisture contained in the laundry 4 is dehydrated, and the operation for a predetermined time programmed in advance is completed. Then, the alarm 92 shown in FIG. 4 automatically notifies the end of washing, rinses from a series of washing, and finishes the washing course leading to dehydration.

  Now, in the above washing and rinsing process, the lint out of the laundry 4 is collected by the lint collecting means 48 by the operation of the circulation pump 47. This lint collection will be described together with the washing operation.

  Washing is an operation method that is performed by the low washing and rinsing water level 45 where the upper part of the laundry 4 is exposed from the upper side of the washing and rinsing water. During the water-saving washing operation, the washing and rinsing water sucked up by the circulation pump 47 is spread on the laundry 4 by the shower 63, so that the upper part of the washing 4 is exposed above the washing and rinsing water. Despite the fact that it is washed well, it is washed well.

  The lint collecting means 48 collects lint contained in the washable rinse water flowing through the distribution circuit 46. That is, the washable rinse water discharged from the circulation pump 47 flows into the inside of the lint filter unit 69 from the opening of the lint filter unit 69 through the connection pipe 61 and the inflow port 66. Here, the lint contained in the rinse-rinsing water is collected in the entire mesh of the lint filter unit 69, and only the filtered rinse-rinsing water is passed from the outlet 67 to the rising communication pipe 62 of the distribution circuit 46. It flows and is distributed from the shower 63.

  Here, the reason why the lint collecting means 48 is provided on the discharge side of the circulation pump 47 will be described.

  One is to prevent clogging of the lint filter unit 69 and to perform water-saving washing well.

  That is, if the lint collecting means is provided on the suction side (upstream side) of the circulation pump, the filter clogging occurs while the amount of lint collected is small, and the amount of water that is easy to wash and spread over the laundry is drastically reduced. It becomes difficult to wash water. This is because when the lint collecting means is provided on the suction side of the circulation pump, the suction force of the circulation pump acts on the lint filter portion, and the lint attached to the entire mesh of the lint filter portion is sucked and does not move. For this reason, the lint filter section is directly clogged, and it is easy to wash and the flow of water becomes worse.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the lint collecting means 48 is provided on the discharge side of the circulation pump 47, so that even if lint adheres to the entire mesh of the lint filter portion 69, the discharge flow discharged from the circulation pump 47 one after another. Lint is washed away. For this reason, the clogging of the lint filter part 69 due to lint adhesion does not occur. It is easy to wash from the top of the laundry, and the water-saving wash to distribute the water is maintained well. Since the pump is a centrifugal pump, the discharge flow is strong, the clogging of the lint filter unit 69 hardly occurs, and a large amount of lint can be collected.

  The other is that the floor on which the washing machine is placed is easy to wash and is not wet with foam from water.

  If the lint filter device is provided in a narrow space in the top cover 22 as described in the above conventional example, clogging of the lint filter portion due to lint adhesion does not occur. However, in order to facilitate cleaning of cloth waste collected in the lint filter part, the upper part of the structure needs to be in an open state, and when the washing liquid is circulated, bubbles overflow from the upper part of the lint filter, In addition, if a lot of lint is collected in the lint filter and the cleaning is neglected, the filter case forming the lint filter may overflow with water that is easy to wash and may wet the floor.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, even if the lint collecting means 48 is clogged, it is easy to wash and the overflowing water does not overflow, and there is no fear of wetting the floor surface.

  The cleaning of the lint collecting means 48 will be described.

  If the lint filter unit 69 is filled with lint, the flow of rinse water and rinse water flowing through the spreading circuit 46 will deteriorate. The lint accumulation is determined by looking at the amount of lint from the shower 63. It is also possible to provide a detection means for detecting the lint accumulation amount and display the lint accumulation amount on the display panel 40.

  Cleaning of the lint collecting means 48 removes the lint collecting member 65 from the trap case 64 and shakes the lint filter part 69 with the tip side downward, so that lint is discharged from the opening of the lint filter part 69. Easy to clean.

  Further, since the handle 81 of the lint collecting member 65 is provided so as to face the outer surface side of the washing machine main body outer frame 1, the lint collecting member 65 can be easily removed from the outside of the washing machine and cleaned. Easy to do.

  Further, since the trap case 64 is placed sideways, the inflow port 66 is provided sideways at the end of the trap case 64, and the outflow port 67 is located above the trap case 64 and provided upward. It is the structure which the wash water which flows through 46 flows easily.

  The lint filter portion of the lint collecting member can be formed of a plastic bag, a net woven with fibers, or a stainless net.

  The washing water circulation means and the lint collection means 48 including the above-described distribution circulation path 46 may be applied to a drum-type washing machine having a horizontal or inclined rotating shaft.

The Example concerning embodiment of this invention is shown and it is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a washing machine. The Example which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown and it is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a washing machine except a washing machine main body outer frame. The Example concerning embodiment of this invention is shown and it is an enlarged view of a lint collection means. The Example concerning embodiment of this invention is shown and it is an electric circuit diagram of a washing machine. The Example which concerns on the embodiment of this invention is shown, and is a block diagram which shows the process of the automatic driving | operation from washing to a rinse and dehydration.

Explanation of symbols

2 ... washing tub, 46 ... distribution circuit, 47 ... circulation pump, 17 ... lint collecting means.

Claims (14)

  A washing tub in which the laundry is stored; a washing circulation path extending to the upper side of the washing tub for spreading the washing and rinsing water from a lower side of the washing tub into which washing and rinsing water are sucked into the washing tub; and A washing machine comprising: a circulation pump provided in the distribution circulation path; and a lint collecting means provided in the distribution circulation path and placed on a discharge side of the circulation pump. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein
A washing machine comprising: a water level setting means for keeping the water level of the washing and rinsing water collected in the washing tub lower than the upper position of the laundry. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the circulation pump is provided at a position lower than a water level of washing and rinsing water accumulated in the washing tub. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the lint collecting means is provided at a position higher than a level of washing and rinsing water collected in the washing tub. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein
The said lint collection means has a trap case and the lint collection member which can be attached or detached to the said trap case, The washing machine characterized by the above-mentioned. The washing machine according to claim 5,
The trap case has an inlet and an outlet through which the washing and rinsing water enter and exit, and a detachable opening through which the lint collecting member is attached and detached. The washing machine according to claim 5,
The lint collecting member includes a lint filter portion that collects lint and a trap cap portion that supports the lint filter portion. The washing machine according to claim 7,
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the trap case has a detachable opening portion from which the lint collecting member is attached and detached, and the lint collecting member is joined to the trap case in a watertight manner. The washing machine according to claim 8,
A washing machine, wherein a watertight O-ring is provided on the lint collecting member. The washing machine according to claim 7,
A washing machine, wherein a handle is provided outside the trap cap portion. The washing machine according to claim 9,
A washing machine main body outer frame in which the washing tub is placed;
The washing machine is characterized in that the handle is placed so as to face the outer surface of the outer frame of the washing machine main body. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the circulation pump is a centrifugal pump. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein
The lint collection means has a trap case and a lint collection member that can be attached to and detached from the trap case.
The trap case has an inlet and an outlet through which the washing water enters and exits, and a desorption opening from which the lint collecting member is attached and detached,
The lint collecting member has a lint filter part for collecting lint and a trap cap part for supporting the lint filter part,
The inflow port is located on the opposite side of the desorption opening and is provided sideways;
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is located above the trap case and provided upward. The washing machine according to claim 13,
The lint filter portion has a cylindrical shape and is provided with a lint opening at a position facing the inflow port.

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