JP2007130100A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact washing machine capable of soft-washing, a very gentle way of washing for the laundry, without being limited by the size of a washing tub in conventional collective washing, at home. <P>SOLUTION: The washing tub 4 of the washing machine is made of a cylindrical flexible structure, and a number of rod-like projections 15 are disposed on the inner surface on a side wall of the washing tub 4. A plurality of wires 17a, 17b and 17c for contracting or recovering the diameter of the washing tub 4 are wound around the outer surface of the washing tub 3 at prescribed intervals. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine used in general households, business hotels, and the like.

In general, a washing machine uses the action of a detergent to obtain a sufficient washing effect. In order to take advantage of the action of the detergent, mechanical force is usually applied by some means in order for the detergent to penetrate into the clothes. The mechanical force applying means is a pulsator system (Patent Document 1) for rotating a stirring blade in mainstream in Japan and Asia, and a drum system (Patent Document 2) is mainstream in Europe and North America. In South America and the like, an agitator method is used. Each of these methods has its own characteristics, and has been developed according to local customs and needs required for washing. However, either method is the same in that the laundry is washed in a batch.
JP 2005-177070 A JP 2005-254003 A

  As described above, since the conventional washing machine collectively wash the laundry, the size of the washing tub becomes a large size according to the ability to wash the laundry in a lump. In addition, some of the laundry may be tangled or rubbed with each other, which may deteriorate the texture of the laundry, making it difficult to perform a gentle washing method on the laundry.

  The present invention has been made based on these circumstances, and is compact and very gentle to laundry without being restricted by the size of the washing tub in conventional batch cleaning even in ordinary households. The purpose is to provide a washing machine that can perform the scouring.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a washing machine that performs washing on a laundry housed in a cylindrical laundry tub,
The washing tub is formed as a flexible structure in which an upper portion and a lower portion of the cylindrical body are fixed. The washing tub has a large number of rod-shaped protrusions on the inner surface of the side wall, and the diameter of the washing tub is reduced on the outer periphery of the side wall. A plurality of wires are wound at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the washing tub, and a motor is provided for reducing the diameter of the washing tub using the wires. A machine is provided.

  According to the present invention, a washing machine that can perform shampoo washing that is compact and extremely gentle to laundry without being restricted by the size of a washing tub in conventional batch cleaning even in general households. Can be realized.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, the basic concept of the washing machine of the present invention will be described. In the washing machine of the present invention, a washing tub having a flexible structure and elasticity of a cylindrical body is used. Many bar-shaped protrusions are formed on the inner surface of the side wall of the washing tub. When washing, clothes and other laundry are housed in a band from the top entrance of the washing tub and are encapsulated at the ends of a number of rod-shaped protrusions, after water and detergent are injected, the washing tub With respect to the laundry in which the bar-shaped projections on the inner surface of the laundry are contained at the tip, pressurization and pressure reduction are repeated at a predetermined cycle by the bar-shaped projections. In addition, the laundry is moved from above the washing tub to below. As a result, the laundry is applied with the same mechanical force as the hand-washing by the bar-shaped protrusions, and is washed and transferred from the upper side to the lower side of the washing tub.

  In other words, instead of washing many laundry items in the washing tub at the same time, when washing a single item or a small amount of laundry in a cylindrical washing tub, the washing part corresponding to the hand washing is gradually By moving, the laundry can be reliably washed and the laundry can be transferred from above to below inside the washing tub.

  Next, the configuration of the washing machine according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view of a washing machine. The base 1 is provided with four legs 2 on the lower surface side, and four fixed poles 3 are erected on the upper surface of the base 1 at a position corresponding to a substantially square apex. A through hole (not shown) is formed in the inner side of the base 1 surrounded by the four fixed poles 3. A washing tub 4 is placed concentrically with the through-hole on the base 1 at the top of the through-hole. The upper and bottom of the washing tub 4 are supported by a metallic rigid frame 5, and the rigid frame 5 Are fixed to four fixed poles 3. In addition, a clothes take-out net 6 that is connected to the bottom of the washing tub 4 and penetrates the through hole from the bottom of the washing tub 4 is disposed.

  A water receiving tank 7 is provided below the base 1. The four legs 2 of the base 1 are formed so as to be housed inside the water receiving tank 7, and the base 1 is arranged upright by the four legs 2 in the water receiving tank 7. Yes. A water supply / drain hose joint 8 is provided on the side wall of the water receiving tank 7.

  On the upper surface of the base 1, three motor blocks 9 are arranged in three stages parallel to the washing tub 4 at a predetermined distance from the washing tub 4.

  A water supply hose 12 connected to the circulation pump 11 is provided from the upper part of the washing tub 4 toward the inside. A water supply / drain hose 13 connected to the water supply / drain hose joint 8 on the side wall of the water receiving tank 7 is also connected to the circulation pump 11.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2 (a) and (b), the washing tub 4, the motor block 9, and its mutual relationship are demonstrated. 2A is a plan view of the washing tub 4 and the motor block 9, and FIG. 2B is a side view thereof.

  The washing tub 4 has a cylindrical shape and is a flexible structure having elasticity formed of a material such as silicon rubber. The upper and lower parts of the washing tub 4 are fixedly supported by a metallic rigid frame 5. By this fixed support, the washing tub 4 is always fixed in a state of being pulled by the rigid frame 5 and is set to have a predetermined diameter when no external force is applied.

  On the surface of the side wall 4 a inside the washing tub 4, rod-shaped projections 15 having many rounded tips are arranged and formed. The arrangement of the rod-shaped protrusions 15 is a spiral. In addition, on the outer periphery of the side wall 4a of the washing tub 4, three sets of three collars 16a, 16b, and 16c that are substantially horizontal are provided in three sets in the vertical direction. Wires 17a, 17b, and 17c are slidably inserted into the collars 16a, 16b, and 16c, respectively. Accordingly, the wires 17a, 17b and 17c are arranged in a ring shape so as to wind the washing tub 4 in close contact with the outer periphery of the side wall 4a of the washing tub 4. Both ends of the wires 17a, 17b, and 17c are connected to a pulley 18 provided in the motor block 9. Accordingly, when the pulley motor 19 connected to the rotating shaft 18a of the pulley 18 through the gear 18b rotates, the wires 17a, 17b, and 17c contract the diameter of the washing tub 4 that is a flexible structure according to the rotation direction. Or restore it. A helical gear can be used as the gear 18b. A gear mechanism 19 a is attached to the shaft of the pulley motor 19.

  For example, when the pulley motor 19 is rotating in the forward direction, the ring-shaped diameter formed by the wires 17a, 17b, and 17c is set in the direction of reduction, and when rotating in the reverse direction, the wires 17a, 17b, and 17c are formed. The direction of restoring the ring-shaped diameter is set. At that time, a force in the restoring direction is always applied to the washing tub 4 as a reaction force by being always pulled by the rigid frame 5.

  Next, the operation at the time of washing by the washing machine will be described. In addition, what was demonstrated in FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 2 is used about each part of the washing machine in the case of description.

  First, at the time of washing, the pulley motor 19 is operated according to the size of the laundry to move the wires 17a, 17b, 17c, and the inner diameter of the washing tub 4 is set to a desired dimension. In this state, the selected item is formed in a band shape and inserted into the washing tub 4. At that time, since the lowermost wire 17c is set so as to reduce the inner diameter of the washing tub 4 in advance, the laundry does not protrude from the lower portion of the washing tub 4 and fall. The laundry is stored in a standing state while being supported by the ends of a large number of rod-shaped protrusions 15 inside the washing tub 4.

  Detergent and water are supplied into the washing tub 4.

  In this state, the specific wire 17b in the traveling direction of the laundry is reduced to reduce the inner diameter of the washing tub 4, and the target portion of the laundry is supported by the bar-shaped protrusion 15. Then, the upper wire 17 a is periodically reduced by the pulse operation of the pulley motor 19. As a result of this reduction operation, the laundry at the corresponding location is periodically pressed by the tip of the bar-shaped protrusion 15 inside the washing tub 4 and washed by squeezing. At that time, since a large number of rod-shaped protrusions 15 are spirally arranged on the side wall 4a of the washing tub 4, the laundry is pressed to the tip of the rod-shaped protrusion 15 from a wide range in the traveling direction. It is washed with a massage. During washing, washing water in which detergent is mixed in the washing tub 4 is circulated and supplied by the circulation pump 11.

  Next, the reduced specific wire 17b is expanded to the first set dimension, and similarly, the wire 17b is periodically reduced by the pulse operation of the pulley motor 19. By this reduction operation, the laundry in the corresponding place is washed by squeezing.

  Thereafter, the wire 17c on the bottom side is opened and the laundry is discharged from the washing tub 4 to complete the washing.

  Next, the transfer of the laundry inside the washing tub 4 will be described with reference to the operation explanatory diagrams of FIGS.

  In the state where the laundry is inserted into the washing tub 4, first, as shown in FIG. 3A, the lower wire 17b is formed with respect to the ring-shaped inner diameter formed by the upper wire 17a. Reduce the ring-shaped inner diameter. In this state, the laundry does not progress downward. Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the ring-shaped inner diameter formed by the upper wire 17a and the ring-shaped inner diameter formed by the lower wire 17b are made equal. At this time, the rod-shaped protrusion 15 between the upper wire 17a and the lower wire 17b is displaced in the horizontal direction from the upward direction. This displacement applies a downward pulling force on the laundry. Thereby, the laundry is moved downward. Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, the diameter of the ring-shaped inner diameter formed by the lower 17b is made larger than the ring-shaped inner diameter formed by the upper wire 17a. In this state, the rod-shaped protrusion 15 between the upper wire 17a and the lower wire 17b is displaced from the horizontal direction to the downward direction. This displacement applies a downward pulling force on the laundry. Thereby, the laundry is moved further downward.

  In addition, when the operation | movement of the front-end | tip part of these rod-shaped protrusion 15 is seen from the axial direction of the rod-shaped protrusion 15, the front-end | tip of the rod-shaped protrusion 15 has drawn the locus | trajectory of the substantially elliptical motion. The movement of the tip of the rod-like protrusion 15 which draws a locus of a substantially elliptical movement can be said to be a “gut peristaltic movement” or a transport mechanism using a similar movement.

  After that, when the ring shape formed by the wires 17a, 17b, and 17c has a diameter that does not allow the washing tub 4 to be dented, the laundry is released from the bar-shaped protrusion 15 and placed on the clothes take-out net 6 from the lower part of the washing tub 4. Moving.

  Accordingly, by repeating the operations shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C as the washing progresses, the laundry can be washed evenly by transferring the laundry while washing.

  The pulley motor 19 and the circulation pump 11 are controlled by a control unit (not shown).

  FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment. In FIG. 4, the same functional parts as those in FIG. In the case of this modification, the rod-shaped protrusion 15 provided on the side wall 4a of the washing tub 4 is formed to be inclined downward. Therefore, compared with the above-mentioned embodiment, the force to transfer the laundry downward is enhanced.

  Further, since the bar-shaped protrusion 15 is formed to be inclined downward, there is a difference between the upward frictional force when the bar-shaped protrusion 15 contacts the laundry and the downward frictional force. . Therefore, the rod-shaped protrusions can be obtained by driving all the wires 17a, 17b, and 17c all at once without using the driving method of the wires 17a, 17b, and 17c as shown in FIG. 3 described in the above embodiment. It is possible to generate a force to convey the laundry in the downward direction with 15 inclinations.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, all the component colors 16a, 16b, and 16c shown in the embodiment may be deleted. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

The schematic exploded view of the washing machine concerning the embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a top view of the washing tub and motor block of the washing machine of this invention, (b) is the same side view. (A) thru | or (d) is operation | movement explanatory drawing about the transfer of the laundry in the washing tub of the washing machine of this invention. (A) is a top view of the washing tub and motor block of the washing machine of another embodiment of this invention, (b) is the same side view.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Base, 4 ... Washing tub, 4a ... Side wall, 5 ... Rigid frame, 9 ... Motor block, 11 ... Circulation pump, 15 ... Rod-shaped protrusion, 16a, 16b, 16c ... Collar, 17a, 17b, 17c ... Wire, 18 ... pulley, 18a ... gear, 19 ... pulley motor, 19a ... gear mechanism.

Claims (5)

A washing machine that performs washing on the laundry stored in a cylindrical washing tub,
The washing tub is formed as a flexible structure in which an upper portion and a lower portion of the cylindrical body are fixed. The washing tub has a large number of rod-shaped protrusions on the inner surface of the side wall, and the diameter of the washing tub is reduced on the outer periphery of the side wall. A plurality of wires are wound at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the washing tub, and a motor is provided for reducing the diameter of the washing tub using the wires. Machine.   The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein at least three wires are used.   The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rod-like protrusions have a substantially elliptical motion at a tip portion thereof as the plurality of wires sequentially reduce and restore the diameter of the washing tub.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bar-shaped protrusions are formed in a spiral pattern on an inner surface of the side wall of the washing tub.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bar-shaped protrusion is formed to be inclined in the same direction as the direction of transfer of the laundry in the washing tub.

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