JP2007054220A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine which prevents the back flow of water in a water supply route in the state that a water tub is sealed and, at the same time, prevents adverse influence on respective parts due to dew condensation of moisture contained in an exhausted gas. <P>SOLUTION: The water tub 4 is provided with an exhaust hole 4c for communicating the inside and outside of the water tub 4 separately from a water supply hole 4b, and the gas inside the water tub 4 is exhausted from the exhaust hole 4c. Also, a cap 15 is provided so as to face the exhaust hole 4c, and the moisture contained in the gas exhausted through the exhaust hole 4c is dew-condensed on the surface of the cap 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine having a water tub in which a laundry access port and a water supply hole are formed, and the interior of the water tub is substantially sealed when the access port is closed by, for example, a door. Is related to a washing machine.

  FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a drum-type washing / drying machine B having both functions of a washing machine and a drying machine described in, for example, Patent Document 1 as an example of a washing machine according to a conventional example. Hereinafter, the drum type washing / drying machine B according to the conventional example will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the drum type washing and drying machine B includes an outer box 101, a water tank 104 arranged in the outer box 101, and a rotating drum 105 arranged in the water tank 104 and containing laundry. And a motor 106 for rotationally driving the rotary drum 105, an external door 103, and a drying unit 109 for drying the laundry.

  An outer box opening 101 a is formed on the front surface of the outer box 101. The outer box opening 101a is opened and closed by an external door 103 that can be rotated by a hinge mechanism (not shown). Further, the operation panel 111 having operation keys and a display unit is provided on the front upper portion of the outer box 101. On the back side (water tank 104 side) of the operation panel 111, a control unit 102 for controlling the operation of the drum type washing and drying machine B is provided. The outer box 101 elastically supports the water tank 104 with a suspension 107 as an example of elastic support means.

  The water tank 104 has a bottomed cylindrical shape provided with a water tank opening 104a that opens to face the outer box opening 101a, and is horizontal so that its rear side (bottom side of the water tank 104) is at a low position. Inclined with respect to the direction and arranged sideways. The water tank opening 104a is watertightly connected to the outer box opening 101a by a packing 120. The outer door 103 maintains the water tank opening 104a in a water-tight state when the back surface portion of the outer door 103 and the peripheral edge of the packing 120 are in a water-tight state when closed.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the water tank 104 when viewed from the bottom of the water tank 104.
A water supply hole 104 b is formed on the outer peripheral side of the water tank 104. The water supply hole 104 b is connected to a water supply path (not shown) formed between the water tank 104 and the outer box 101. The water supply path is connected to a water supply hose (not shown) outside the outer box 101.
Tap water or bath water led from the water supply hose, or wash water generated therefrom (hereinafter simply referred to as wash water) is supplied into the water tank 104 through the water supply path and the water supply hole 104b. The The water supply path may be provided with a check valve for preventing a back flow of the tap water.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-149689

The configuration of the conventional example described above has the following problems.
As described above, the water tank 104 that holds the laundry and the washing water therein is sealed as the outer door 103 is closed. Usually, when washing water is supplied to the water tank 104 in a state where the inside of the water tank 104 is sealed, the internal pressure of the water tank 104 is increased accordingly. In this state, when further supply of washing water into the water tank 104, for example, supplementary water (water for compensating for the loss of washing water soaked in the laundry) or the like, is performed in the water supply route. There is a problem that water flows backward. In addition, when a check valve is provided in the water supply path, the backflow of the washing water is prevented, but the check valve is maintained in a closed state by the internal pressure of the water tank 104, and the washing water tank 104 There is a problem of hindering supply.
Such a problem becomes very remarkable when bubbles of the washing water are generated in the water tank 104 as the washing water is supplied.

  Therefore, since the water tank 4 is provided with an opening (referred to as an exhaust hole) different from the water supply hole 4b and the gas inside the water tank is exhausted, an increase in pressure inside the water tank 4 can be suppressed, so that smooth Water can be supplied from the water supply port 4b. However, since the gas exhausted from the exhaust hole in the drying process contains a lot of steam (moisture), the steam contained in the exhausted gas is condensed in each part inside the outer box, for example, for motor driving. There is a possibility of adverse effects on electrical components. Of course, it is conceivable to take measures to improve watertightness for such electrical components, but in this case, the cost of the washing machine is increased.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to prevent the backflow of water in the water supply path in a state where the water tank is sealed, and at the same time, the moisture contained in the exhausted gas An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that prevents adverse effects on each part due to the condensation of water.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a washing machine having a water tub in which a laundry outlet / outlet and a water supply hole for supplying tap water are formed, and the inside is sealed with the intake port closed. The water tank has exhaust holes for communicating the inside and the outside of the water tank so as to exhaust the gas in the water tank, and the wash tank is provided with a cap so as to be separated by a predetermined distance. Machine.

  According to such a washing machine, even when the inlet / outlet and the like are blocked and the inside of the water tank is substantially sealed, the gas inside the water tank is brought out of the water tank through the exhaust hole. Since it is possible to escape, the internal pressure inside the water tank is prevented from increasing. In addition, since moisture contained in the gas exhausted during the drying process or the like is condensed in the cap, adverse effects on electrical components and the like due to the moisture are reduced.

  Here, it is conceivable to provide the water tank with a pipe having a tip projecting outward from the water tank, and to provide the cap and the exhaust hole at the tip of the pipe separated by a predetermined distance. Thereby, since the gas exhausted from the exhaust hole is guided to the cap by the pipe, the efficiency of the cap to condense the moisture of the gas increases. Here, it is preferable that the predetermined distance is 10 to 30 mm, and condensation can be easily caused by the cap.

  In addition, when the exhaust hole is formed in the upper part of the water tank, it is preferable that a projection area of the cap on the horizontal plane includes a projection area of the exhaust hole on the horizontal plane. That is, by covering the exhaust hole with the cap without any problems, moisture of the exhausted gas can be effectively condensed.

  By the way, if a water storage part for storing water generated by condensation of steam by the cap is formed on the outer surface of the water tank, it is possible to cope with a case where the amount of condensed water is large. By forming the formation area of the water storage section in an area including the entire projection area from the vertically upper side of the cap, water condensed at an arbitrary portion of the cap can be received by the water storage section. Moreover, as said water storage part, the area | region enclosed by the surrounding part or all by the rib continuously provided in the outer surface of the said water tank can be utilized.

In addition, when the cap is provided in such a shape that the center of the projection area of the cap on the horizontal plane is decentered in the central direction in the upper part of the water tank with respect to the exhaust hole, the water near the end of the water tank The amount of condensation decreases. Thus, for example, even when water adhering to the cap is scattered due to vibration of the water tank, it is possible to prevent the splash from scattering to a region other than the outer peripheral surface of the water tank 4, It is possible to prevent the product from being splashed (that is, the possibility that the splash is received by the water tank is increased).
In addition, since it is not desirable to continue the state in which the condensed water is retained in the water reservoir, it is not desirable to provide a hole having a diameter smaller than the exhaust hole at the bottom of the water reservoir. Water may be returned to the inside of the water tank.

  Further, as a means for increasing the efficiency of condensation of the moisture of the gas exhausted by the cap, the cap is provided in an upwardly convex and substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape (that is, the open end portion of the pipe is provided). It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which means such as enclosing and covering the surface and the surface facing the exhaust hole is made uneven to increase the surface area.

  According to the present invention, even when the laundry entrance / exit is closed and the inside of the water tank is substantially sealed, the gas inside the water tank can escape to the outside of the water tank through the exhaust hole. Since this is possible, an increase in the internal pressure of the water tank is prevented. In addition, since moisture in the gas exhausted during the drying process or the like is condensed in the cap facing the exhaust hole, adverse effects on the electrical components and the like due to the moisture contained in the exhausted gas are reduced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: It is not the thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the drum-type washing and drying machine A is configured by an outer box 1 in appearance, and the outer box 1 includes an outer box opening 1 a on the front surface thereof. An external door 3 for opening and closing 1a is rotatably attached to the outer box 1 by a hinge mechanism (not shown). An operation panel 11 is provided on the front surface of the outer box 1.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F3-F3 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the drum-type washing and drying machine A includes an outer box 1, a water tank 4 disposed in the outer box 1, and a rotating drum 5 that is disposed in the water tank 4 and stores laundry. And a motor 6 that rotationally drives the rotary drum 5, an external door 3 that is rotatably supported by a hinge mechanism (not shown), and a drying unit 9 for drying the laundry.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a bottomed cylindrical water tank 4 is provided inside the outer box 1. The said water tank 4 is inclined and arrange | positioned horizontally with respect to a horizontal direction so that the back side (bottom side of the water tank 4) may become a low position. Moreover, the said water tank 4 is equipped with the water tank opening part 4a opened facing the outer box opening part 1a. The water tank opening 4a is watertightly connected to the outer box opening 1a by a packing 20. The outer door 3 maintains the water tank opening 4a in a water-tight state when the back surface portion of the outer door 3 and the peripheral portion of the packing 20 are in a water-tight state when closed. Here, the water tank opening 4a is an example of a laundry outlet.

  Inside the water tank 4, the bottomed cylindrical rotary drum 5 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that the rear side (bottom side of the water tank 4) is located at a low position around the rotation axis yy. And it is installed sideways to rotate freely. The rotating drum 5 includes a drum opening 5c that opens to face the water tank opening 4a. A plurality of small holes 5 a are formed in the entire cylindrical peripheral wall of the rotating drum 5. The small hole 5a is provided between the space between the water tank 4 and the rotating drum 5 and the space in the rotating drum 5 during washing water or drying water containing tap water, bath water, or detergent. Air circulating through the rotating drum 5 and the drying unit 9 is circulated. Here, the small hole 5a is arranged so as to be positioned in front of the exhaust hole 4c so as not to face the exhaust hole 4c described later. If it does in this way, the washing water discharged | emitted from the said small hole 5a in a spin-drying | dehydration process does not reach the exhaust hole 4c directly, and it can prevent the water leaking out of a water tank. A baffle 5b is provided on the inner wall surface of the rotating drum 5 so as to protrude inward in the radial direction. The baffles 5b are provided at three locations, for example, at 120 ° intervals in the circumferential direction, and the lifting and dropping of the laundry are repeated as the rotating drum 5 rotates.

  In the drum-type washing / drying machine A according to the embodiment of the present invention, the drying unit 9 is disposed at a position where the washing water supplied into the water tank 4 below the water tank 4 is submerged. Thereby, the drum type washing and drying machine A can wash the blower fan 12 and the heater (not shown) constituting the drying unit 9 in the washing step or the rinsing step. It functions to remove fine cotton dust adhering to the heater.

  FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the water tub 4 of the drum type washing and drying machine A according to one embodiment of the present invention as seen from the bottom side (right direction in FIG. 2). Hereinafter, the structure of the water tank 4 of the drum type washing / drying machine A will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when viewed from the bottom side of the water tank 4, a water supply hole 4 b for supplying washing water into the water tank 4 is provided on the upper right side of the outer periphery of the water tank 4 (left side portion described later). ing. The lower end portion of the water supply path 13 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the water supply hole 4b. Washing water is supplied to the water tank 4 through the water supply path 13.

  Further, when viewed from the bottom direction of the water tank 4, an exhaust hole 4 c that connects the inside and the outside of the water tank 4 is formed on the upper left (right side portion described later) of the outer periphery of the water tank 4. When the internal pressure of the water tank 4 rises with water supply from the water supply hole 4b or foaming in the water tank 4, the gas inside the water tank 4 is exhausted through the exhaust hole 4c. Thereby, the backflow of the washing water from the water supply path 13 is prevented.

  A cylindrical pipe 14 formed integrally with the water tank 4 extends upward from the exhaust hole 4 c on the outer peripheral side of the water tank 4.

Further, a cap 15 having a shape obtained by dividing a hollow substantially ellipsoid into two is provided. The cap 15 is arranged so as to protrude upward, and is attached to the water tank 4 so that the upper end opening 14a of the pipe is included in a substantially ellipsoidal space therein. Further, the inner surface portion of the cap 15 in which the pipe 14 is contained and the upper end opening portion 14a of the pipe 14 are arranged to face each other so as to be separated by a predetermined distance. During the drying process, the gas exhausted from the exhaust hole 4 c is blown onto the cap 15 through the pipe 14. At this time, moisture contained in the exhausted gas is condensed on the surface of the cap 15. Here, if the predetermined distance is 10 to 30 mm, condensation due to the cap can be easily generated.
The inner surface of the cap 15 in which the pipe 14 is encapsulated is subjected to uneven texture. As a result, the surface area of the inner surface of the cap 15 is increased, so that the moisture of the gas exhausted from the exhaust hole 4c is likely to condense, and the moisture of the exhausted gas is condensed near the electrical component. Can be avoided. Here, the upper end opening 14a is an example of the exhaust hole.

  FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the water tank 4 from the vertically upward direction. Hereinafter, the structure of the pipe 14, the cap 15, and the vicinity thereof will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, a vertical center plane CC that is parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating drum 5 and passes through the center of gravity of the volume of the water tank 4 is defined. In the direction orthogonal to the central plane CC, the right side when the water tank is viewed from the water tank opening 4a side is defined as the right direction, and the left side is defined as the left direction. Further, a portion on the right side of the water tank 4 with respect to the central plane CC is referred to as a right side portion, and a portion on the left side is referred to as a left side portion. Further, in the horizontal direction parallel to the central plane CC, the direction from the water tank opening 4a toward the bottom surface of the water tank 4 is defined as the rear, and the direction from the bottom surface of the water tank 4 toward the water tank opening 4a is defined as the front.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the projected area of the cap 15 onto the horizontal plane includes a projected area of the upper end opening 14 a of the pipe 14 onto the horizontal plane, and is exhausted from the upper end opening 14 a of the pipe. The gas first enters a substantially ellipsoidal space in the cap 15 and condenses on the inner surface of the textured surface.

  A water reservoir 16 (shaded area in FIG. 4) is formed on the rear right side of the outer peripheral surface of the water tank 4. The water storage section 16 is formed such that the projection area onto the horizontal plane includes the entire projection area onto the horizontal plane of the cap 15. In addition, the water storage section 16 is formed as a region surrounded by a part of the periphery of the rib 17 continuously provided on the outer peripheral surface of the water tank 4. Moisture (liquid) condensed by the cap 15 falls into the water storage unit 16 and is stored there.

  The exhaust hole 4 c is formed on the rear right side of the water tank 4. The center of the projection area of the cap 15 on the horizontal plane is decentered toward the front side of the water tank 4 with respect to the center of the projection area of the pipe 14. Due to such a shape, moisture in the gas exhausted from the pipe 14 is more condensed on the front side of the water tank 4 than on the rear side of the water tank 4. Thereby, for example, even in the case where water droplets formed on the cap 15 due to condensation at the cap 15 due to vibration of the water tank 4 are scattered, the splashes are in areas other than the outer peripheral surface of the water tank 4. It is possible to prevent scattering, and for example, it is possible to prevent a situation in which splashes are applied to the drive unit of the rotating drum 5 and the electrical components of the drying unit 9.

  By the way, a hole 18 that communicates the inside and outside of the water tank 4 is also formed at the bottom of the water reservoir 16. The hole 18 functions to return the water stored in the water storage unit 16 into the water tank 4. The hole 18 is provided so that the diameter thereof is smaller than the size of the exhaust hole 4c. Thereby, even in the case where the pressure inside the water tank 4 is high, the gas in the water tank 4 is almost exhausted from the exhaust hole 4c due to the relationship between the pressure loss in the hole 18 and the pressure loss in the exhaust hole 4c. Is done.

  Hereinafter, the formation location of the exhaust hole 4c, the pipe 14, the cap 15, and the like (hereinafter referred to as an exhaust portion) will be described.

  The rotating drum 5 rotates in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the direction of the water tank opening 4a in the water tank 4 during the dehydration process. Further, the water supply hole 4b is arranged on the upper left side of the outer periphery of the water tank 4 so that the water supply flow from the water supply hole 4b follows the rotation direction of the rotary drum 5 during the dehydration process.

  On the other hand, the exhaust part is provided on the upper right side of the outer periphery of the water tank 4 opposite to the left side of the outer periphery of the water tank 4 on the side where the water supply hole 4b is provided. This is due to the following reason. That is, the piping of the above-mentioned water supply path 13 is provided in the vicinity of the water supply hole 4b, and the position of the exhaust portion is determined so that the piping and the cap 15 do not interfere with each other. Although it is conceivable to provide the exhaust part in the central part of the water tank 4 (the above-described central plane C-C), in this case, the cap 15 interferes with the top plate portion of the outer case 1, so that the outer case Which is not always desirable.

  In the drum-type washing / drying machine A according to an embodiment of the present invention, the exhaust part is located in the vicinity of the washing water blowing-up portion accompanying the rotation of the rotating drum 5 during the dehydration process. When the exhaust part is arranged at this position, as shown in FIG. 4, during the dehydration process, the washing water splashes from the lower right direction toward the exhaust hole 4c by the rotation of the rotating drum 5. Therefore, a contact rib 19 that is a plate-like member protruding from the right edge of the exhaust hole 4c into the water tank 4 is provided. The abutment rib 19 prevents the splashes accelerated by the high-speed rotation during the dehydration process of the rotating drum 5 from entering the exhaust hole 4c, so that the water tank 4 from the exhaust hole 4c during the dehydration process can be prevented. Water leakage to the outside can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the drum-type washing / drying machine A according to an embodiment of the present invention, the exhaust hole 4c is formed in the water tank 4, and the water tank opening 4a that is a laundry outlet / outlet is closed. Even when the inside of the water tank 4 is substantially sealed, the gas inside the water tank 4 can escape to the outside of the water tank 4. Thereby, the raise of the internal pressure of the said water tank 4 is prevented, and the reverse flow of the water in the water supply path 13 is prevented.

  In the above-described embodiment, the drum-type washing / drying machine A in which the drying unit 9 is provided below the water tank 4 has been described as an example, but the scope of application of the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, regardless of the position of the drying unit 9 (or even if no drying unit is provided), backflow of water in the water supply path when the water tank 4 is sealed can occur, and the present invention is applied. There is no problem.

The perspective view of the washing machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention. The longitudinal section of the washing machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing seen from the bottom face side of the water tank which the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention has. The schematic diagram from the perpendicular upper part of the water tub which the washing machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention has. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washing machine which concerns on a prior art example. Sectional drawing seen from the bottom face side of the water tank which the washing machine which concerns on a prior art example has.

Explanation of symbols

A Washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention 1 Outer box 3 External door 4 Water tank 4a Water tank opening (an example of a laundry outlet / outlet)
4b Water supply hole 4c Exhaust hole 5 Rotating drum 12 Blower fan 13 Water supply path 14 Pipe 15 Cap 16 Water storage part 17 Rib 18 Hole part 19 Abutting rib

Claims (11)

A washing machine having a water tub in which a laundry inlet / outlet and a water supply hole connected to a predetermined water supply path are formed and the inside / outlet is closed by closing the inlet / outlet,
A cap formed in the water tank is provided so as to face the exhaust hole for communicating the inside and outside of the water tank and exhausting the gas inside the water tank so as to be separated by a predetermined distance. Washing machine.   2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a pipe having a tip projecting toward the outside of the water tank is connected to the water tank, and the exhaust hole is provided at the tip of the pipe.   The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined distance is 10 to 30 mm. The exhaust hole is formed in the upper part of the water tank;
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a projection area of the cap onto a horizontal plane includes a projection area of the exhaust hole onto a horizontal plane.   The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein a water storage part for storing a liquid generated in the cap is formed on the outer surface of the water tank.   6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the water storage section is formed such that a projection area of the water storage section onto the horizontal plane includes an entire projection area of the cap onto the horizontal plane.   The washing machine according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the water reservoir is formed as a region surrounded by a predetermined rib provided continuously or partially around the predetermined rib.   The exhaust hole is formed to be biased to either the front side or the rear side in the upper part of the water tank, and the center of the projection area on the horizontal plane of the cap is relative to the projection area on the horizontal plane of the exhaust hole. The washing machine according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the washing machine is decentered in a direction opposite to a direction in which the exhaust hole is biased forward and backward with respect to the water tank.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a hole portion having a diameter smaller than that of the exhaust hole is formed at a bottom of the water storage portion.   10. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the cap facing the exhaust hole is formed in an uneven shape. 11.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cap has a substantially U-shape and an upwardly convex cross-sectional shape.

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