JP2006334262A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine in which vibration performance is improved efficiently and quietly by eliminating accessaries such as a water supply and drainage apparatus, piping without using liquid such as water. <P>SOLUTION: An outer tub 33 is supported by: a first elastic body 32 provided at the bottom of a washing machine outer frame 30; and a second elastic body 41 where an attenuation direction 42 is set to be nearly parallel to the rotary shaft 34a of a washing and dehydration tub. Thus, the vertical component of the thumping vibration of the outer tub 33 in the case of starting dehydration due to the eccentric load of laundry articles is deadened by the first elastic body 32, and the horizontal component is deadened by the second elastic body 41 to reduce the vibration of the outer tub 33 efficiently and quietly. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is a laundry for washing, rinsing and dewatering (may be further performed until drying) in a washing and dehydrating tub rotatably disposed in an outer tub elastically supported in the washing machine body. Related to the machine.

  Conventionally, in this type of washing machine, the weight of the outer tub is increased in order to suppress a large vibration of the outer tub at the time of dehydration activation due to the eccentric load of the laundry (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

FIG. 18 shows an overall configuration of a conventional washing machine described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 18, the main body 1, the outer tub 3 supported by the suspension 2 in the main body, the washing / dehydrating tub 4 rotating around the horizontal axis in the outer tub, and the washing / dehydrating tub 4 are driven. Washing machine provided with a motor 5 that performs, a damper 6 provided between the lower part of the outer tub 3 and the main body 1, and a tank 7 for vibration suppression that is provided in the outer tub 3 and accumulates water according to the degree of vibration. The tank 7 is filled with water at the start of dehydration, and a large vibration at the start of dehydration can be suppressed by the weight of the water filled in the tank 7.
JP-A-5-131075

  However, the conventional configuration requires a water supply device for filling the tank 7 with water and a drainage device for draining, which is expensive. In addition, piping for water supply and drainage generated noise due to vibration during dehydration. Furthermore, even when the vibration suppression effect is obtained by using the vibration energy of the water without filling the tank 7, the vibration noise of the water in the tank 7 has been a problem. Moreover, when the eccentric load of the laundry is large, it is necessary to enlarge the tank 7 to increase the amount of water, and there is a limit to the eccentric load of the laundry that can be handled in a limited space.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a washing machine that does not use liquids such as water, eliminates accessories such as water supply / drainage devices and piping, and has improved vibration performance efficiently and silently. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the washing machine of the present invention includes a first elastic body provided with an outer tub at the bottom of the outer frame of the washing machine, and a damping direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the washing and dewatering tub. It is set as the structure supported by the 2nd elastic body set to (2).

  As a result, the vertical component of the intense vibration of the outer tub at the start of dehydration due to the eccentric load of the laundry is damped by the first elastic body, and the lateral component is damped by the second elastic body. Can be reliably reduced.

  The washing machine of the present invention can reliably reduce the vibration of the outer tub without increasing the weight of the outer tub by providing the second elastic body that dampens the horizontal component of the vibration of the outer tub. In addition, the magnitude of the eccentric load of the laundry can be dealt with by increasing the damping force of the second elastic body, and the vibration performance can be improved efficiently and silently.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outer tub supported by a first elastic body provided at a bottom portion of a washing machine outer frame, a washing and dehydrating tub rotatably provided in the outer tub, and the washing and detaching By providing the driving means for rotating the water tub and the second elastic body whose damping direction is set substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the washing and dewatering tub, the outer tub can be reliably secured without increasing the weight of the outer tub. Vibration can be reduced. In addition, the magnitude of the eccentric load of the laundry can be dealt with by increasing the damping force of the second elastic body, and the vibration performance can be improved efficiently and silently.

  In particular, the second invention is characterized in that the second elastic body of the first invention is disposed between the rear part of the outer tub and the outer frame of the washing machine facing the rear part of the outer tub. The vibration in the front-rear direction among the components can be reduced.

  In particular, the third invention is characterized in that one end of the second elastic body of the first invention or the second invention is attached at a position away from the center of the rotating shaft of the washing and dewatering tub, The vibration in the front-rear direction around the rotation axis can be efficiently reduced.

  In the fourth invention, in particular, by attaching one end of the second elastic body of the first invention or the second invention on a horizontal line perpendicular to the rotation axis of the washing and dewatering tub, It is possible to efficiently reduce vibrations in which the left part alternately fluctuates.

  In the fifth invention, in particular, the upper and lower parts of the outer tub are attached by attaching one end of the second elastic body of the first or second invention on a vertical line perpendicular to the rotation axis of the washing and dewatering tub. It is possible to efficiently reduce vibrations that alternately move back and forth.

  In the sixth invention, in particular, one end of the second elastic body of the first invention or the second invention is attached to the horizontal line and the vertical line perpendicular to the rotation axis of the washing and dewatering tank, thereby It is possible to efficiently reduce both the vibration in which the right part and the left part are alternately moved back and forth and the vibration in which the upper and lower parts of the outer tank are alternately moved back and forth.

  In the seventh invention, in particular, the second elastic body according to any one of the first to sixth inventions is configured so that the strength of the damping force can be switched. The damping force of the elastic body is increased to suppress the vibration of the outer tub, and the vibration transmission rate of the outer tub to the washing machine outer frame is reduced by reducing the damping force of the second elastic body at a steady time when the vibration of the outer tub is relatively small. The stationary vibration of the washing machine outer frame can be reduced.

  In the eighth aspect of the invention, in particular, the second elastic body of the first to seventh aspects of the invention has both ends pivotally attached to the outer tub and the washing machine outer frame, and corresponds to the lateral displacement of the outer tub. By making it movable, an effective vibration control posture can be maintained even if the stationary position of the outer tub moves up and down depending on the amount of laundry and washing water.

  In the ninth aspect of the invention, in particular, the second elastic body of the first to eighth aspects of the invention is set so that the damping direction is substantially parallel to the rotation axis in a state in which the laundry and a predetermined amount of washing water are placed. Thus, an optimal vibration control posture can be obtained in an actual use state in which the stationary position of the outer tub is moved downward with the laundry or a predetermined amount of washing water.

  In the tenth aspect of the invention, in particular, the second elastic body of the first to ninth aspects of the invention has an inclination angle when the outer tub is displaced to the lowest position within a range substantially parallel to the rotation axis. Even if the stationary position of the outer tub moves to the lowest position depending on the amount of laundry or washing water, a good vibration control posture can be maintained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a graph showing the dehydration vibration level of the outer tub of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a washing machine outer frame 30 elastically supports an outer tub 33 by one tension spring 31, two first elastic bodies 32, and a compression spring 32a. The washing / dehydrating tub 34 is rotatably disposed in the outer tub 33, and the rotating shaft 34a is inclined upward. The inclination angle is set to 20 to 30 ° in consideration of operability, and the inclination angle is maintained by the tension spring 31.

  The motor (driving means) 35 is composed of a brushless DC motor and is controlled by an inverter so that the rotational speed can be freely changed. Then, the washing / dehydrating tub 34 is directly driven. The water supply means 36 supplies water into the washing / dehydrating tub 34. The water level detection means 37 detects the washing water level in the outer basket 33. The drainage means 38 drains the washing water in the outer tub 33.

  The control device 39 is provided at the lower front portion of the washing machine outer frame 30. The control device 39 sequentially controls each process of washing, rinsing and dehydration based on the setting contents inputted by the operation display means 40 provided on the upper front surface of the washing machine outer frame 30. The power switching means (FIG. The motor 35, the water supply means 36, the drainage means 38, etc. are sequentially controlled via a not-shown).

  The second elastic body 41 is fixed between the outer tub rear portion 33a and the washing machine outer frame rear surface 30a. As the second elastic body 41, a friction damper using sliding friction between the piston 41a and the cylinder 41b, a viscous damper using resistance generated when the piston 41a moves in a viscous fluid filled in the cylinder 41b, and the like are used. Has been. The piston 41a is attached to the outer tub rear portion 33a, and the cylinder 41b is attached to the washing machine outer frame rear surface 30a. The attachment positional relationship between them is substantially parallel to the rotating shaft 34a. The substantially parallel range at this time is −15 ° to + 15 ° with respect to the vibration damping direction 42.

  About the washing machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. First, after putting laundry and detergent into the washing and dewatering tub 34, the operation display means 40 is operated to start operation. As a result, the water supply means 36 operates, the washing water is supplied into the washing / dehydrating tub 34, and the washing / dehydrating tub 34 also starts rotating. When the specified amount of washing water is supplied, the water supply means 36 stops water supply. By the rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 34, the detergent is dissolved in the washing water and becomes a washing liquid and penetrates into the clothes. The washing and dewatering tub 34 rotates at a low speed of about 30 r / min, and performs washing for a specified time of lifting and dropping the laundry.

  After the washing is finished, the drainage means 38 is operated, and the washing liquid in which the dirt is dissolved is drained out of the outer tub 33. After the drainage is completed, the rotation of the washing and dewatering tank 34 is gradually increased. As shown in FIG. 2, the resonance point of vibration of the outer tub 33 is in the horizontal direction at 180 r / min and in the vertical direction at 300 r / min. The horizontal resonance point of the outer tub 33 is represented by the total mass of the outer tub 33, the washing / dehydrating tub 34 and the motor 35, and the natural frequency of the vibration system formed by the tension spring 31. The vertical resonance point of the vibration of the outer tub 33 is expressed by the total mass of the outer tub 33, the washing / dehydrating tub 34 and the motor 35, and the natural frequency of the vibration system formed by the tension spring 31 and the compression spring 32a. Is done.

  Comparing the strength of the tension spring 31 for maintaining the posture of the outer tub 33, the outer tub 33, the washing and dewatering tub 34 and the compression spring 32a that supports the heavy load of the motor 35, the compression spring 32a is about 2 .8 times stronger. In terms of natural frequency, this is about 1.7 times higher, and the vertical direction is 300 r / min with respect to 180 r / min in the horizontal direction.

  When the laundry load is large, the outer tub 33 vibrates greatly in the horizontal direction because the washing / dehydrating tub 34 approaches the horizontal resonance point when the rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub 34 reaches 180 r / min. The rotating shaft 34a of the washing and dewatering tub 34 is inclined forward and the centrifugal force due to the unbalanced load of the laundry also acts in the front-rear direction of the outer tub 33, so that the outer tub 33 vibrates greatly back and forth. Become.

  The vibration of the outer tub 33 is transmitted to the washing machine outer frame 30 through the flexible window packing 43, and the washing machine outer frame 30 vibrates greatly or generates noise. Due to the vibration, the amount of change in the relative displacement between the piston 41a and the cylinder 41b also increases, the damping action of the second elastic body 41 acts on the outer tub 33, and the vibration in the front-rear direction is reduced.

  When the rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub 34 reaches 300 r / min, the outer tub 33 vibrates greatly in the vertical direction because it approaches the vertical resonance point. This vibration is reduced by the first elastic body, and the washing machine outer frame 30 passes through the resonance point without greatly vibrating. Thereafter, the number of rotations of the motor 35 is increased to a specified value, and the dehydration process is completed. Thus, the dehydration process can proceed smoothly from the start of dehydration to the steady state with little vibration.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the second elastic body 41 that suppresses the horizontal vibration of the outer tub 33 is provided, so that the outer tub 33 is reliably increased without increasing the weight thereof. Vibration can be reduced. Further, the magnitude of the eccentric load of the laundry can be dealt with by increasing the damping force of the second elastic body 41, and the vibration performance can be improved efficiently and silently.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the second elastic body 41 is disposed between the outer tub rear portion 33a and the washing machine outer frame 30b facing the outer tub rear portion 33a. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. As a result, the damping force of the second elastic body 41 efficiently acts on the vibration in the front-rear direction of the outer tub 33, and the front-rear vibration of the outer tub 33 can be effectively reduced.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a washing machine in the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the second elastic body 41 has one end 41c of the second elastic body attached to the lower end vicinity 33b which is a position away from the center of the rotating shaft 34a of the washing / dehydrating tub 34 of the outer tub rear portion 33a. . Other configurations are the same as those in the first or second embodiment. The vibration of the outer tub 33 is a combination of horizontal vibration and rotational vibration about the center of gravity 44 of the hanging portion. Here, the hanging portion refers to a unit of the outer tub 33, the washing / dehydrating tub 34, and the motor 35. The vibration damping effect can be increased by attaching the second elastic body to the vicinity 33b of the lower end of the outer tank rear portion 33a where the rotational vibration appears more greatly.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 5 shows a rear view of a washing machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the second elastic body 41 has one end 41c attached on a horizontal line 45 orthogonal to the rotation axis 34a of the washing and dewatering tub. Other configurations are the same as those in the first or second embodiment. Thereby, the vibration which the right part 33c and the left part 33d of the outer tank 33 alternately back and forth can be reduced efficiently.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the washing machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the second elastic body 41 has one end 41c attached on a vertical line 46 perpendicular to the rotation axis 34a of the washing and dewatering tub. Other configurations are the same as those in the first or second embodiment. The vibration which the upper part 33e and the lower part 33f of the outer tank 33 alternately back and forth can be reduced efficiently.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the washing machine according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the second elastic body 41 has one end 41c attached on a horizontal line 45 and a vertical line 46 perpendicular to the rotation axis 34a of the washing and dewatering tub. Other configurations are the same as those in the first or second embodiment. It is possible to efficiently reduce both the vibration in which the right portion 33c and the left portion 33d of the outer tub 33 are alternately moved back and forth and the vibration in which the upper portion 33e and the lower portion 33f of the outer tub 33 are alternately moved back and forth.

(Embodiment 7)
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a washing machine according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 9 and 10 are sectional views of essential parts of the washing machine according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. The timing chart of the washing machine in the 7th Embodiment of invention is shown.

  8 to 10, the second elastic body 41 is composed of a piston 41a and a cylinder 41b, and a pair of first exhaust ports 47 and second exhaust ports sandwiching the piston 41a between the side portions of the cylinder 41b. 48 is provided. The communication pipe 49 is a pipe connecting the first exhaust port 47 and the second exhaust port 48, and causes the air in the cylinder 41b to move back and forth according to the movement of the piston 41a. The opening / closing means 50 is provided in the communication pipe 49 and includes an opening / closing valve 51 and an opening / closing valve drive motor 52. The on-off valve 51 is provided with a valve hole opening 51a and a valve hole closing 51b having different opening diameters.

  The opening diameter of the valve hole opening 51a is set to 4 mm or more at which no damping force is generated due to air flow resistance, and the opening diameter of the valve hole closing 51b is set to 0.5 mm at which the maximum damping force can be obtained. The on-off valve drive motor 52 is rotated to switch between the valve hole opening 51a and the valve hole closing 51b of the on-off valve 51. Thereby, the ease of movement of the piston 41a can be changed by opening / closing the opening / closing means 50, and as a result, the damping force of the second elastic body 41 can be switched. As shown in FIG. 11, the opening / closing means 50 operates the opening / closing valve drive motor 52 so that it closes when the outer tub 33 resonates and opens when the outer tub 33 resonates. Other configurations are the same as those in any of the first to sixth embodiments.

  As a result, the damping force of the second elastic body 41 is strengthened at the resonance time 53 when the vibration of the outer tub 33 is large, the vibration of the outer tub 33 is suppressed, and the vibration of the outer tub 33 is relatively small at the steady time 54. The damping force of the second elastic body 41 can be weakened to reduce the vibration transmissibility of the outer tub 33 to the washing machine outer frame 30, thereby reducing the vibration of the washing machine outer frame 30.

(Embodiment 8)
12 to 14 are cross-sectional views of the main part of the washing machine according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the second elastic body of the washing machine according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. A perspective view is shown.

  11 to 15, the second elastic body 41 has both ends pivoted to the outer tub 33 and the washing machine outer frame 30, and is movable in accordance with the horizontal and vertical displacement of the outer tub 33. The connecting portion 55 is provided in the outer tub 33 and the washing machine outer frame 30 and has a hemispherical concave portion 55a. A mounting portion 56 is provided at one end of the piston 41a and the cylinder 41b of the second elastic body 41. The attachment portion 56 is formed in a spherical shape, is fitted into the recess 55a, and is rotatably held. With this structure, the second elastic body 41 can move in accordance with the vertical and horizontal displacements of the outer tub 33.

  Further, the connecting portion 55 is constituted by a fixing screw 58 and a fixture 59 supported by an elastic body 57 such as rubber, and the attaching portion 56 is constituted by a support ring 61 in which an elastic ring 60 for buffering is inserted on the inner periphery, Even when the support ring 61 is rotatably supported by the support hole 59 a and the support rod 62 provided in the fixture 59, the second elastic body 41 can be moved in accordance with the vertical and horizontal displacements of the outer tub 33. . Other configurations are the same as those in the first to seventh embodiments.

  With this configuration, the second elastic body can maintain the optimal damping posture even when the stationary position of the outer tub 33 moves in the vertical direction depending on the amount of laundry or washing water, or even in the horizontal direction due to vibration. it can. Further, when the connecting portion 55 is constituted by the fixing screw 58 and the fixing tool 59 supported by the elastic body 57, the elastic body 57 has an effect of exhibiting a damping action and reducing horizontal vibration. Furthermore, since the elastic body 57 and the elastic ring 60 are used for the connection portion 55 and the attachment portion 56, noise at the connection portion 55 of the second elastic body 41 is also reduced.

(Embodiment 9)
FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing a main part of a washing machine according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 16, the second elastic body 41 is set so that the damping direction is substantially parallel to the rotation axis 34a in a state where the laundry and a predetermined amount of washing water are put. Other configurations are the same as those in the first to eighth embodiments. An optimal vibration control posture can be obtained in an actual use state in which the stationary position of the outer tub 33 is moved downward with the laundry or a predetermined amount of washing water.

(Embodiment 10)
FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a main part of a washing machine according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 17, the second elastic body 41 sets an inclination angle 41d when the outer tub 33 is displaced to the lowest position within a range substantially parallel to the rotation shaft 34a. Other configurations are the same as those in the first to ninth embodiments. With this configuration, even when the stationary position of the outer tub 33 moves to the lowest position with the amount of laundry or washing water, a good vibration damping posture can be maintained.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention supports the outer tub with a plurality of elastic bodies and provides an elastic body corresponding to the vibration direction, thereby reducing vibration even if the weight of the washing machine is reduced. Can be used to reduce the weight of the washing machine.

Sectional drawing of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention Graph showing dehydration vibration level of outer tub of the washing machine Sectional drawing of the washing machine in Embodiment 2 of this invention Sectional drawing of the washing machine in Embodiment 3 of this invention The rear view of the washing machine in Embodiment 4 of this invention The rear view of the washing machine in Embodiment 5 of this invention The rear view of the washing machine in Embodiment 6 of this invention Sectional drawing of the washing machine in Embodiment 7 of this invention Sectional drawing of the 2nd elastic body of the washing machine Sectional drawing of the 2nd elastic body of the washing machine Timing chart of the washing machine Sectional drawing of the principal part of the washing machine in Embodiment 8 of this invention. Sectional view of the main part of the washing machine Sectional view of the main part of the washing machine The exploded perspective view of the 2nd elastic body of the washing machine Sectional drawing of the principal part of the washing machine in Embodiment 9 of this invention. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the washing machine in Embodiment 10 of this invention. Cross section of a conventional washing machine

Explanation of symbols

30 Washing machine outer frame 30b Washing machine outer frame facing the rear part of the outer tub 32 First elastic body 33 Outer tub 33a Outer tub rear part 34 Washing / dehydration tub 34a Rotating shaft 35 Driving means 41 Second elastic body 41c Second One end of elastic body 42 Damping direction 45 Horizontal line 46 Vertical line

Claims (10)

An outer tub supported by a first elastic body provided at the bottom of the outer frame of the washing machine, a washing / dehydrating tub provided rotatably in the outer tub, and a driving means for rotating the washing / dehydrating tub And a second elastic body having a damping direction set substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the washing / dehydrating tub. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the second elastic body is disposed between a rear part of the outer tub and a washing machine outer frame facing the rear part of the outer tub. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one end of the second elastic body is attached to a position away from the center of the rotation axis of the washing and dewatering tub. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one end of the second elastic body is attached on a horizontal line orthogonal to the rotation axis of the washing and dewatering tub. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one end of the second elastic body is attached on a vertical line perpendicular to the rotation axis of the washing and dewatering tub. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one end of the second elastic body is attached on a horizontal line and a vertical line perpendicular to the rotation axis of the washing and dewatering tub. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second elastic body is configured to be capable of switching the strength of the damping force. The second elastic body according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein both ends of the second elastic body are pivotally attached to an outer tub and a washing machine outer frame, and the second elastic body is movable corresponding to a displacement in the left-right and up-down directions of the outer tub. The washing machine described. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second elastic body is set so that the damping direction is substantially parallel to the rotation axis in a state in which the laundry and a predetermined amount of washing water are placed. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second elastic body has an inclination angle when the outer tub is displaced to the lowest position within a range substantially parallel to the rotation axis.