JP2007306961A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a silent washing machine eliminating the use of a liquid such as water, and eliminating accessories such as water supply/drainage devices or pipes, and having an improved and efficient vibration suppression performance. <P>SOLUTION: A damping means 41 for damping vibration of an outer tub 33 is provided between the outer frame 30 and the outer tub 33 of the washing machine, so that vibration of the outer tub 33 is securely reduced without increasing the weight of the outer tub 33. An increased damping force of the damping means 41 responds to an eccentric load of laundry to provide the silent washing machine with an improved and efficient vibration suppression performance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is a laundry which performs washing, rinsing and dehydration of laundry (and may be further dried) in a washing and dehydrating tub rotatably provided 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. 9 shows an overall configuration of a conventional washing machine described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the main body 1, the outer tub 3 supported in the main body 1 by the suspension 2, the washing / dehydrating tub 4 rotating around the horizontal axis in the outer tub 3, and the washing / dehydrating tub 4 , A damper 6 provided between the lower portion of the outer tub 3 and the main body 1, and a vibration suppression tank 7 provided in the outer tub 3 for accumulating water according to the degree of vibration. The tank 7 is filled with water at the time of dehydration activation, and a large vibration at the time of dehydration activation 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. Further, 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, a washing machine of the present invention includes an outer tub supported by an elastic body provided at the bottom of a washing machine outer frame, and a washing and washing machine provided rotatably in the outer tub. A dehydrating tub, a driving means for rotating the washing and dehydrating tub, and an attenuating means for attenuating vibration of the outer tub, wherein the attenuating means is provided between the washing machine outer frame and the outer tub. is there.

  As a result, the attenuating means dampens the vigorous vibration of the outer tub at the start of dehydration due to the eccentric load of the laundry, and the vibration can be reliably reduced without increasing the weight of the outer tub.

  The washing machine of the present invention can reliably reduce the vibration of the outer tub without increasing the weight of the outer tub. Further, the magnitude of the eccentric load of the laundry can be dealt with by increasing the damping force of the damping means, and the vibration performance can be improved efficiently and silently.

  The first invention is an outer tub supported by an 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 the washing / dehydrating tub rotated. Drive means and damping means for damping the vibration of the outer tub, and the damping means is provided between the outer frame of the washing machine and the outer tub, thereby reliably increasing the weight of the outer tub. The vibration of the outer tub can be reduced. Further, the magnitude of the eccentric load of the laundry can be dealt with by increasing the damping force of the damping means, and the vibration performance can be improved efficiently and silently.

  In the second invention, in particular, by providing the damping means of the first invention between the upper part of the outer tub opening and the upper part of the outer frame of the washing machine, the vibration of the outer tub opening having a larger vibration is reduced. It is possible to reduce the vibration caused by the window packing that flexibly connects the laundry inlet and the outer tub opening while ensuring water tightness, and the noise caused by the vibration. Further, the durability of the window packing is also improved.

  In particular, the third invention is characterized in that the damping means of the first invention is provided between the lower part of the outer tub opening and the bottom of the outer frame of the washing machine, so that the large vibration of the outer tub has an effect on the vibration of the outer frame of the washing machine. Can be transmitted to the bottom of the outer frame of the washing machine to minimize the vibration of the outer tub and minimize the vibration of the outer frame of the washing machine.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, the damping means of any one of the first to third aspects is provided with a damping force variable means for changing the damping force in accordance with the magnitude of the vibration of the outer tank. When the vibration is high, the damping force of the damping means is increased to suppress the vibration of the outer tub, and when the vibration of the outer tub is relatively small, the damping force of the damping means is weakened to transmit the vibration to the outer frame of the washing machine. The rate can be reduced and the steady vibration of the outer frame of the washing machine can be reduced.

  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 cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an attachment state of damping means of the washing machine, and FIG. 3 shows damping means of the washing machine. It is sectional drawing.

  1 to 3, a washing machine outer frame 30 elastically supports an outer tub 33 by one tension spring 31, two 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 step of washing, rinsing and dehydration based on the setting contents input by the operation display means 40 provided at the upper front 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).

  As the damping means 41, a friction damper using sliding friction between the piston and the cylinder, a viscous damper using resistance generated when the piston moves in a viscous fluid filled in the cylinder, or the like is used. In the present embodiment, an air damper is used that uses, as a damping force, resistance generated when the air in the cylinder 43 passes through the orifice 42a provided in the piston 42 as the piston 42 moves.

  A piston 42 is fixed to the end of the rod 44 with a nut 42c. The opening 43a of the cylinder 43 is provided with a flange 43b. The bearing 45 is attached to the flange 43b so as to cover the opening 43a, and then fixed with a screw 45a. The rod 44 is slidably supported by the bearing 45. The piston ring 42b ensures airtightness between the piston 42 and the cylinder 43, and a rubber O-ring, a non-woven fabric band, or the like is used. Damping means attaching portions 46a and 46b are provided on the washing machine outer frame upper portion 30a and the outer tub upper portion 33a.

  A rod support 44a provided at the end of the rod 44 is elastically supported by the damping means mounting portion 46a. The rod support portion 44a has a ring shape, and a buffer body 44b is inserted on the inner surface. After the buffer body 47 is disposed on the damping means mounting portion 46a via the buffer body 47, the support pin 48 is connected to the damping means mounting portion 46a and the rod support portion 44a. Supports through. The support nut 48a prevents the support pin 48 from coming off. On the other hand, a cylinder support portion 43c provided at the end of the cylinder 43 is elastically supported by the damping means mounting portion 46b.

  The cylinder support 43c has a ring shape with a buffer 43d inserted on the inner surface, and after being disposed on the damping means mounting 46b via the buffer 47, the support pin 48 has the damping means mounting 46b and the cylinder support 43c. Supports through. The support nut 48a prevents the support pin 48 from coming off. Since the damping means 41 is elastically supported between the outer tub upper portion 33a and the washing machine outer frame upper portion 30a in this way, it can follow the movement of the outer tub 33, and the outer tub 33 and the washing machine outer frame 30 can be followed. There is no twisting during the period.

  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 to lift and drop 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. When there is no damping means 41, the outer tub 33 vibrates greatly as it approaches resonance. The vibration of the outer tub 33 is transmitted to the washing machine outer frame 30 through the flexible window packing 49, and the washing machine outer frame 30 vibrates greatly or generates noise. By providing the attenuating means 41, the attenuating action acts on the outer tub 33, and a large vibration at the time of resonance is reduced. Thereafter, the number of rotations of the motor 35 is increased to a specified value, and the dehydration process is completed. In this way, the dehydration process can proceed smoothly with less vibration at the start of dehydration.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the vibration of the outer tub 33 can be reliably reduced without increasing the weight of the outer tub 33. Moreover, the magnitude of the eccentric load of the laundry can be dealt with by increasing the damping force of the damping means 41, and the vibration performance can be improved efficiently and silently.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the damping means 41 is provided between the upper part 33b of the outer tub opening and the washing machine outer frame upper part 30a. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. This can reduce the vibration of the outer tub opening, which is more vibrated, and is caused by the vibration and vibration of the window packing 49 that flexibly connects the laundry inlet and the outer tub opening while ensuring water tightness. Noise can be reduced. Further, since the vibration transmitted to the window packing 49 is reduced, the durability is improved.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the attenuating means 41 is provided between the lower part 33c of the outer tub opening and the washing machine outer frame bottom 30b. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. The washing machine outer frame bottom 30b is made firmly to support the outer tub 33 and the washing machine outer frame 30 as a whole. Therefore, even if vibration is transmitted, it is difficult to vibrate. As described above, the large vibration of the outer tub 33 is transmitted to the washing machine outer frame bottom 30b that has the least influence on the vibration of the washing machine outer frame 30, and the large vibration of the outer tub 33 is reduced. Vibration can be minimized.

(Embodiment 4)
6 and 7 are sectional views of the damping means of the washing machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a timing chart of the washing machine.

  6 and 7, the damping means 41 includes a piston 42 and a cylinder 43, and a pair of first exhaust ports 50 and a second exhaust port 51 are sandwiched between the pistons 42 on the sides of the cylinder 43. Provided. The communication pipe 52 is a pipe that connects the first exhaust port 50 and the second exhaust port 51, and moves the air in the cylinder 43 back and forth according to the movement of the piston 42. The damping force varying means 53 is provided in the communication pipe 52 and includes an opening / closing valve 54 and an opening / closing valve drive motor 55.

  The on-off valve 54 is provided with a valve hole opening 54a and a valve hole closing 54b having different opening diameters. The opening diameter of the valve hole opening 54a 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 54b is set to 0.5 mm at which the maximum damping force can be obtained. The on-off valve drive motor 55 is rotated to switch between the valve hole opening 54a and the valve hole closing 54b of the on-off valve 54. Thereby, the ease of movement of the piston 42 can be changed by opening and closing the damping force varying means 53, and as a result, the damping force of the damping means 41 can be switched.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the damping force varying means 53 operates the on-off valve drive motor 55 so that it closes when the outer tub 33 resonates and opens when it is steady. Other configurations are the same as those in any one of the first to third embodiments. Accordingly, the damping force of the damping means 41 is increased at the resonance time 56 when the vibration of the outer tub 33 is large, the vibration of the outer tub 33 is suppressed, and the damping means 41 is set at the steady time 57 when the vibration of the outer tub 33 is relatively small. Can reduce the vibration transmission rate of the outer tub 33 to the washing machine outer frame 30 and reduce the vibration of the washing machine outer frame 30.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can reduce the vibration even if the weight of the washing machine is reduced by providing the damping means corresponding to the direction in which the vibration is large. It is useful for conversion.

Sectional drawing of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention The perspective view which shows the attachment state of the damping means of the washing machine Sectional view of damping means 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 Sectional drawing of the damping means of the washing machine in Embodiment 4 of this invention Sectional view of damping means of the washing machine Timing chart of the washing machine Cross section of a conventional washing machine

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Washing machine outer frame 30a Washing machine outer frame upper part 30b Washing machine outer frame bottom part 32 Elastic body 33 Outer tank 33a Upper part of outer tank opening part 33b Lower part of outer tank opening part 34 Washing / dehydration tank 35 Driving means 41 Attenuating means 53 Attenuation Force variable means

Claims (4)

An outer tub supported by an elastic body provided at the bottom of the outer frame of the washing machine, a washing and dewatering tub rotatably provided in the outer tub, a driving means for rotating the washing and dewatering tub, A washing machine comprising damping means for damping the vibration of the outer tub, wherein the damping means is provided between the washing machine outer frame and the outer tub. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the damping means is provided between the upper part of the outer tub opening and the upper part of the outer frame of the washing machine. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the damping means is provided between the lower part of the outer tub opening and the bottom of the washing machine outer frame. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the damping means is provided with a damping force variable means for changing the damping force according to the magnitude of the vibration of the outer tub.