JP2008157339A - Balancing device and washing machine equipped therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a balancing device housing a rolling element and viscose fluid for suppressing the occurrence of abnormal vibration due to sudden movement of the viscose fluid and the rolling element housed in a race, and to provide a washing machine equipped therewith. <P>SOLUTION: The balancing device 40 is provided on a rotor mounted rotatably around a rotating shaft. It comprises the annularly-shaped race 41 provided concentrically with the rotating shaft, the rolling element 42 housed in the race 41, and the viscous fluid housed in the race 41 together with the rolling element 42. On the inner peripheral face of the race 41, a protruding portion 41C and a guide portion 41D are provided which protrudes inward from the inner peripheral face and extends to the direction of intersecting the longitudinal direction of the race 41 and which protrudes further more than the protruding portion 41C for guiding the rolling element 42 to form a gap between the rolling element 42 and the protruding portion 41C, respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a balancing device for canceling an eccentric state generated when a rotating body rotates, that is, an unbalance, and a washing machine including the balancing device.

  An example of a rotating body that generates unbalance includes a spin basket of a washing machine. In the dehydration process of the washing machine, the laundry in the spin basket is unevenly arranged along the inner periphery of the spin basket, and the unbalance occurs. When the spin basket is rotated at a high speed in this state, a biased force is applied to the rotation axis of the spin basket and a large vibration is generated.

  As a balancing device for preventing vibration due to such unbalance, a so-called liquid balancing in which an annular race concentrically provided with a spin basket and a liquid as an opposing unbalance is contained inside the race An apparatus has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this liquid balancing device, when the rotating body rotates and unbalance occurs, the liquid is disposed so as to cancel the unbalance, thereby preventing the biased force from being applied to the rotation shaft.

  Here, the amount of eccentricity (unbalanced weight) that can be canceled by the balancing device is the weight of the liquid contained in the race, and therefore the above-described liquid balancing device responds when the unbalanced weight increases. It becomes impossible to prevent vibration.

Therefore, a ball balancing device has been proposed in which a ball made of metal or the like having a large specific gravity is accommodated in a race together with a liquid (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In this ball balancing device, by storing a ball having a specific gravity greater than that of the liquid in the race, the unbalance weight that can be canceled can be increased, and the occurrence of vibration of the rotating body can be reliably prevented. Here, in the ball balancing device, the inner peripheral surface of the race is formed smoothly so as not to hinder the movement of the ball.
JP-A-2005-349208 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-43472

  By the way, in the balancing device as described above, the liquid and the ball start to move when the rotating body reaches a certain number of rotations or more. Here, in the ball balancing device, since the inner peripheral surface of the race is formed smoothly as described above, the rotational speed at which the flow starts without increasing the flow of the liquid is increased, and thus the ball moves. The number of rotations that start the operation also increases. When the ball starts to move at a high rotation speed, the ball starts to move at a stretch and faces the unbalance, so that a large vibration is generated in the rotating body when the ball moves.

  In particular, when the rotation axis is arranged substantially horizontally across the direction of gravity, the liquid and the ball in the race are positioned below by the action of gravity, and the liquid and the ball start to move. Requires a force to resist gravity, and the number of rotations at which the liquid and the ball start to move further increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and suppresses occurrence of abnormal vibration due to abrupt movement of the rolling elements accommodated in the race in the balancing device in which the rolling elements and the viscous fluid are accommodated. An object of the present invention is to provide a balancing device that can be used and a washing machine equipped with the same.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a balancing device provided in a rotating body that is rotatably mounted around a rotating shaft, an annular race provided concentrically with the rotating shaft, and the race A rolling element housed inside the raceway, and a viscous fluid housed in the race together with the rolling element, and the inner circumferential surface of the race projects inward from the inner circumferential surface. A protrusion that extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the race, and a guide that guides the rolling element such that a gap is formed between the rolling element and the protrusion by protruding one step larger than the protrusion. And is provided.

In the balancing device of this configuration, since the inner peripheral surface of the race is provided with a protrusion that protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface and extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the race, The viscous fluid accommodated in the race is pushed out in the longitudinal direction of the race by the protrusions, and the flow is promoted. As the viscous fluid flows, the movement of the rolling elements is promoted, and the movement of the viscous fluid and the rolling elements is started at a relatively low rotational speed. Thereby, a rolling element does not move at a stretch, and generation | occurrence | production of abnormal vibration can be prevented.
In addition, since the inner peripheral surface of the race is provided with a guide portion that guides the rolling element so that it protrudes one step larger than the protruding portion and a gap is formed between the rolling element and the protruding portion. Collision between the rolling element and the rolling element can be prevented, the movement of the rolling element can be made smooth and the unbalance can be surely canceled, and damage to the rolling element and the protrusion can be prevented to extend the life of the balancing device. Is possible.

  According to the present invention, the flow of the viscous fluid is promoted by the protrusion, and the rolling element starts moving at a low rotational speed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of abnormal vibration due to the rapid movement of the rolling element.

Below, the balancing device which is the 1st embodiment of the present invention is explained, referring to the attached drawing with the washing machine provided with this.
The washing machine 10 including the balancing device 40 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a drum type washing machine capable of performing a washing process and a dehydrating process. As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 10 includes a housing 11, a tab 12 disposed inside the housing 11, and a spin basket 20 (rotary body) provided rotatably inside the tab 12. And a motor 30 for rotating the spin basket 20 around the rotation axis L.

  The tab 12 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and is disposed substantially parallel to the horizontal plane so that the center axis thereof intersects the direction of gravity, and an opening is disposed on the front side (right side in FIG. 1). The tab 12 is supported inside the housing 11 by a plurality of springs 13 and dampers 14. A bearing 15 that supports a main shaft 24 of the spin basket 20 described later is provided on the bottom surface of the tab 12.

The spin basket 20 disposed inside the tab 12 has a cylindrical side plate 21 and a front plate 22 and a rear plate 23 respectively coupled to the front and rear surfaces of the side plate 21. An opening is formed in the front plate 22 so that the laundry can be taken in and out of the spin basket 20.
A main shaft 24 that allows the spin basket 20 to rotate about the rotation axis L is provided on the rear side of the rear plate 23 (left side in FIG. 1). The main shaft 24 is pivotally supported by the bearing 15 of the tab 12. Has been. Accordingly, the rotation axis L of the spin basket 20 and the center axis of the tab 12 are arranged to coincide with each other.

The side plate 21 is formed with a plurality of lifters 21A protruding toward the inner peripheral side at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The lifter 21 </ b> A scoops up the laundry inside as the spin basket 20 rotates.
Further, the side plate 21 is provided with a large number of water passage holes 21B communicating the inside of the spin basket 20 with the tab 12, and water injected into the tab 12 during washing is spun through the water passage holes 21B. The water supplied into the basket 20 is drained from the laundry to the tub 12 during dehydration.

  The motor 30 is, for example, a DC motor 30 and is configured to rotate the main shaft 24 around the rotation axis L thereof.

  The balancing device 40 according to the present embodiment is provided on each of the front plate 22 and the rear plate 23 of the spin basket 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the balancing device 40 includes an annular race 41 formed concentrically around the rotation axis L of the spin basket 20, and a plurality of balls 42 accommodated in the race 41. , And silicon oil 43 as a viscous fluid accommodated together with the ball 42. The race 41 is rotated along with the spin basket 20 along the longitudinal direction thereof, and is configured such that the rotational direction and the longitudinal direction of the race 41 coincide with each other. The ball 42 is made of a metal having a high specific gravity (for example, a steel material).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the race 41 has a substantially rectangular cross section. The race main body 41A has a U-shaped cross section and has a bottom and two side walls, and an opening of the race main body 41A. And a lid portion 41B for sealing. And on the inner peripheral surface of the bottom part of the race main body 41A, there is a protrusion 41C that protrudes inward of the race 41 and extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the race 41, and is one step larger than the protrusion 41C. A ball guide portion 41D that guides the ball 42 is provided so as to protrude and create a gap between the ball 42 and the protruding portion 41C.

  Here, FIG. 3 shows a development view in which the inner peripheral surface of the race 41 (the bottom of the race main body 41A) is developed. A ball guide portion 41D extending along the circumferential direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) is provided at the center of the race 41 in the width direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 3). A plurality of protrusions 41C are arranged on the side of the ball guide part 41D with a space therebetween in the circumferential direction to define a gap 41E. 41C and gaps 41E are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ball guide portion 41 </ b> D is an annular convex portion that protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface of the race 41 and extends in the circumferential direction. ing.

Next, the operation of the balls 42 and silicon oil 43 accommodated in the race 41 of the balancing device 40 will be described.
When the laundry is put into the spin basket 20 and the spin basket 20 is rotated, the laundry W is disposed so as to stick to a part of the inner peripheral surface of the spin basket 20. As a result, unbalance occurs in the spin basket 20.

In a state where the rotation speed of the spin basket 20 is low, the ball 42 and the silicon oil 43 are positioned below due to the action of gravity. When the rotational speed gradually increases, the silicon oil 43 that has entered the gap 41E protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the race 42 and is projected by a protrusion 41C that extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the race 41. Scooped upward along the longitudinal direction of the race 41. As a result, the silicon oil 43 starts to flow in the race 41.
When the rotational speed further increases, the ball 42 starts moving in the race 41 as the silicon oil 43 flows. When the rotational speed exceeds the natural frequency of the spin basket 20, the balls 42 and the silicon oil 43 are automatically arranged so as to face the unbalance.

  According to the balancing device 40 configured as described above, the protrusion 41C that protrudes inward of the race 41 and extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the race 41 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the race 41. Since the silicon oil 43 accommodated in the race 41 is lifted up by the protrusion 41C and the flow thereof is promoted, the flow of the silicon oil 43 is started at a relatively low rotational speed. As the silicon oil 43 flows, the ball 42 starts to move at a relatively low rotational speed, and abrupt movement of the ball 42 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent occurrence of abnormal vibration during low-speed operation.

  In the race 41, an annular convex portion is disposed as a ball guide portion 41D that guides the ball 42 so as to protrude one step larger than the protruding portion 41C and create a gap between the ball 42 and the protruding portion 41C. Therefore, the ball 42 can move smoothly, and the vibration preventing effect of the balancing device 40 can be reliably achieved. Further, the collision between the protrusion 41C and the ball 42 can be prevented, the damage to the protrusion 41C and the ball 42 can be prevented, and the life of the balancing device 40 can be extended.

  Furthermore, according to the washing machine 10 provided with such a balancing device 40, even if the laundry is stuck inside the spin basket 20 during the dehydration process and an imbalance occurs, the imbalance is canceled and the steady state is maintained. Vibration can be prevented. Moreover, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of abnormal vibration in the initial stage of the dehydration process.

Next, a balancing device that is a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component same as 1st Embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
As in the first embodiment, the balancing device 40 also includes a race 41 having an annular shape, and balls 42 and silicon oil 43 accommodated in the race 41.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the shape of the protrusion 41 </ b> C formed on the inner peripheral surface of the race 41 is different.
A ball guide portion 41D extending along the circumferential direction (vertical direction in FIG. 6) is provided at the center of the race 41 in the width direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 6). A plurality of protrusions 41C are disposed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the side of the ball guide portion 41D. The protruding height of the ball guide portion 41D is set to be one step larger than that of the protruding portion 41C.
Here, the protrusion 41C extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the race 41, and the blade is inclined so as to be directed forward in the rotational direction T of the race 41 from the ball guide portion 41D toward both ends in the width direction. It has a shape. By arranging the protrusions 41C symmetrically, the protrusions 41C and the ball guide parts 41D have a V shape that spreads toward the front side in the rotation direction T of the race 41.

  According to the balancing device 40 configured as described above, the protrusion 41C that lifts the silicon oil 43 accommodated in the race 41 and promotes the flow is formed into a blade shape, and the front side in the rotation direction T of the race 41 is the front side. Since it has a V shape that spreads toward the outside, the silicon oil 43 entering the gap 41E defined between the protrusions 41C adjacent in the circumferential direction can be efficiently flowed, and low rotation It becomes possible to start the flow of the silicon oil 43 by the number. As a result, the ball 42 also starts moving at a lower rotational speed, so that the rapid movement of the ball 42 can be suppressed, and the occurrence of abnormal vibration during low-speed operation can be reliably prevented.

Next, a balancing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component same as 1st, 2nd embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
In the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the shapes of the protrusion 41C and the ball guide 41D formed on the inner peripheral surface of the race 41 are different.

More specifically, the ball guide portion 41D is configured by a plurality of convex portions 41F that are intermittently arranged at slight intervals in the circumferential direction. The interval between the convex portions 41F in the circumferential direction is sufficiently small with respect to the outer diameter of the accommodated ball 42 so that the ball 42 does not enter. Here, the protruding height of the convex portion 41F forming the ball guide portion 41D is set to be one step larger than the protruding portion 41C.
The protrusion 41C is arranged so as to extend from the central portion of the circumferential length of the convex portion 41F toward both ends in the width direction of the race 41, that is, to extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the race 41. It is installed.

  According to the third embodiment, since the silicon oil 43 entering between the convex portions 41F constituting the ball guide portion 41D is also scooped up by the convex portions 41F, the flow of the silicon oil 43 is further promoted. Can do. Further, since the interval between the convex portions 41F is sufficiently smaller than the outer diameter of the ball 42, the movement of the ball 42 is not hindered, and the ball 42 moves smoothly so as to face the unbalance and unbalances. Balance can be negated. Further, the ball guide portion 41D can reliably prevent the collision between the ball 42 and the protruding portion 41C.

Next, a balancing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component same as 1st-3rd embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the shapes of the protrusion 41C and the ball guide 41D formed on the inner peripheral surface of the race 41 are different.

More specifically, the protrusion 41C is provided with a large gap in the circumferential direction, and both end portions in the circumferential direction of the ball guide portion 41D gradually increase in height in the circumferential direction in order to make the movement of the ball 42 smooth. It is assumed that the slope changes.
The protrusion 41C extends from the central portion of the circumferential length of the ball guide portion 41D toward both ends in the width direction of the race 41, that is, extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the race 41. It is arranged.
Here, the protruding height of at least the portion of the ball guide portion 41D where the protruding portion 41C is disposed is configured to be one step larger than the protruding portion 41C.

  According to the fourth embodiment, since the ball guide portion 41D and the projection portion 41C are arranged with a large interval in the circumferential direction, the portion protruding on the inner peripheral surface of the race 41 is reduced, and the ball 42 Thus, the vibration suppressing effect of the balancing device 40 can be reliably achieved. Further, both end portions in the circumferential direction of the ball guide portion 41D are inclined surfaces, and at least a portion of the ball guide portion 41D where the protrusion portion 41C is disposed has a protruding height that is one step higher than that of the protrusion portion 41C. Since the ball 42 moves along the ball guide portion 41D, the collision with the protrusion 41C can be reliably prevented.

As mentioned above, although the washing machine which is embodiment of this invention was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this, It can change suitably in the range which does not deviate from the technical idea of the invention.
The balancing device is not limited to the washing machine exemplified in the embodiment, and may be other industrial equipment such as a centrifuge and a ceiling fan or a consumer product.
Further, the drum-type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the spin basket is arranged substantially horizontally has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a washing machine in which the rotation axis of the spin basket is arranged vertically may be used. Good.

Furthermore, although the projection and the ball guide are described as being formed on the bottom of the race body, the projection and the ball guide are provided on at least one of the lid, the side wall, and the inner peripheral surface of the bottom. Just do it.
Further, although the race has been described as having a substantially rectangular cross section, other shapes such as a circular cross section may be used. Moreover, although demonstrated as what has the lace main body and cover part which make a U-shaped cross section, it is not limited to this, For example, even if what combined two semicircular cross sections is combined Good.

In addition, the shape and number of the guide portions and the protrusion portions are not limited to the embodiment, and may be appropriately set in consideration of the size and shape of the race, the viscous fluid accommodated therein, the shape of the rolling element, and the like. Is preferred.
Furthermore, although it demonstrated as a thing using silicone oil as a viscous fluid accommodated in a race, it is not limited to this, You may use water, another oil, etc. However, silicone oil is suitable as a viscous fluid to be accommodated in a race because it has a small viscosity variation due to temperature and flows well even in cold regions and high temperature environments.

It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the washing machine provided with the balancing apparatus which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a balancing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a development view of a race inner peripheral surface of the balancing device shown in FIG. 2. It is XX sectional drawing in FIG. It is YY sectional drawing in FIG. It is an expanded view of the race inner peripheral surface of the balancing apparatus which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded view of the race inner peripheral surface of the balancing apparatus which is the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is XX sectional drawing in FIG. It is YY sectional drawing in FIG. It is an expanded view of the race inner peripheral surface of the balancing apparatus which is the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is ZZ sectional drawing in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Washing machine 20 Spin basket 40 Balancing device 41 Race 41C Protrusion part 41D Ball guide part (guide part)
42 balls (rolling elements)
43 Silicon oil (viscous fluid)

Claims (2)

In a balancing device provided in a rotating body that is rotatably mounted around a rotation axis,
A race formed in an annular shape concentrically with the rotating shaft, a rolling element accommodated in the race, and a viscous fluid accommodated in the race together with the rolling element,
On the inner peripheral surface of the race, a protrusion that protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface and extends in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the race, and protrudes one step larger than the protrusion, and the rolling A balancing device, comprising: a guide portion that guides the rolling element such that a gap is formed between the moving member and the protrusion. A balancing device according to claim 1,
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body is a spin basket that has an internal space for storing laundry and is rotatably mounted around the rotating shaft.

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