JP2008267357A - Pump and liquid circulating device with this - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact pump having a plurality of delivery functions such as a circulating function and a discharge function and capable of achieving highly efficient pump characteristics, and a liquid circulating device equipped with this. <P>SOLUTION: In the pump 10, two centrifugal impellers 28, 29 stored in a pump chamber 30 are rotation-driven by a reversible motor 20. The impeller 28 is in a wing shape of which head force or flow rate of the liquid during regular rotation are larger than those during reverse rotation and the other impeller 29 is in a wing shape of which head force or flow rate of the liquid during reverse rotation are larger than those during regular rotation. Water supplied to the pump chamber 30 is delivered from a discharge port 24c near the impeller 28 by regularly rotating the motor 20 and is delivered from another discharge port 24d near the other impeller 29 by reversely rotating the motor 20. In the liquid circulating device, the liquid is delivered to two kinds of flow passages by using the pump 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pump having two discharge ports for realizing two kinds of discharge functions such as a circulation function and a discharge function, and a liquid circulation device (for example, a washing machine and a dishwasher) equipped with this pump.

  As a liquid circulation device having a structure for circulating a liquid using a pump, there are a washing machine and a dishwasher. In the washing machine, washing and rinsing are performed by supplying water to the washing tub in which the laundry is put, but the washing power during washing is improved, dirt and lint from the laundry collected in the water supply part in the washing machine, etc. The water in the washing tub is circulated in the washing machine using a pump in order to remove foreign matters and save water in the washing water (see Patent Document 1). Furthermore, there is a washing machine having a function of forcibly discharging using a pump in order to shorten the discharging time when used washing water is discharged outside the washing machine. Therefore, a washing machine having such a circulation function and a discharge function requires two pumps for circulation and discharge.

  On the other hand, some pumps can realize a plurality of discharge functions for discharging water, such as the circulation function and the discharge function of the washing machine, with a single pump. When such a pump is applied to the above washing machine, it is possible to reduce the number of pumps by one. Therefore, compared to the case of using two pumps, the installation space, weight, and cost for installing pumps and pipes connected to the pumps are reduced. And man-hours for manufacturing can be reduced.

  As a pump having such a plurality of discharge functions, for example, there is a pump described in Patent Document 2.

  The conventional pump of Patent Document 2 is provided with two impellers for forward rotation and reverse rotation in a motor capable of rotating forward and backward, and each impeller has two independent pumps each having a water suction port and a discharge port. Each room is housed. The forward impeller has a shape that pushes out water at the time of motor forward rotation and does not push out at the time of motor reversal depending on the curved surface angle of each blade, and the reverse impeller has a shape that acts in the opposite direction to the forward impeller. Therefore, the water discharge side can be changed by switching the rotation direction of the motor.

  In the pump of Patent Document 3, one impeller provided in one irreversible motor is accommodated in one pump chamber having one water intake port and two discharge ports, and two by a switching valve. The discharge side of the discharge port is selectively switched.

JP 2002-85894 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-46709 Japanese Utility Model Publication 1-145364

  By the way, a recent liquid circulation device such as the washing machine is desired to be further downsized while suppressing an increase in cost. Along with this, downsizing of the pump mounted thereon is also desired, but it is difficult for the conventional pump as described above to meet the demand for downsizing without impairing each of these functions. It was.

  That is, the pump of Patent Document 2 requires a total of four water intake / discharge ports such as a water intake port and a discharge port that communicate with the inside and outside of the pump chamber. Etc. becomes complicated and the apparatus size becomes large. Moreover, since two independent pump chambers are required, the pump itself becomes large. Since the pump of Patent Document 3 requires a switching valve, a structure for installing the switching valve and a structure for countermeasures against water leakage from the switching valve are necessary, which is not suitable for downsizing and the pump itself is expensive. And it becomes a complicated structure.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pump capable of realizing a small and highly efficient pump characteristic while having a plurality of discharge functions such as a circulation function and a discharge function. It is providing the liquid circulation device provided with.

  The pump of the present invention is used to discharge liquid to the first and second flow paths of the liquid circulation device, and the first discharge mode for discharging liquid to the first flow path and the liquid to the second flow path The operation is performed in at least two types of discharge modes including a second discharge mode for discharging water.

  In this pump, two centrifugal impellers housed in one pump chamber are rotationally driven by one reversible motor. One impeller has a blade shape in which the pushing force for pushing the liquid radially outward at the time of forward rotation is larger than that at the time of reversal, and the other impeller pushes the liquid at the time of reversing radially outward. The blade shape is larger than that during forward rotation. The pump chamber is provided with discharge ports corresponding to both impellers with respect to a common water intake port. The water supplied to the pump chamber can be discharged from one discharge port in the vicinity of one impeller by rotating the motor forward, and the other in the vicinity of the other impeller by reversing the motor. It is possible to discharge from the discharge port. Therefore, by switching the rotation direction of the motor while one discharge port is connected to the first flow path and the other discharge port is connected to the second flow path, the liquid can be selectively discharged to any flow path. In the liquid circulation device of the present invention, the above pump is used to discharge the liquid in the first and second flow paths.

  More specifically, the pump according to claim 1 is used in a liquid circulation device including first and second flow paths through which liquid flows, and the first discharge mode for discharging liquid into the first flow path, and the first A reversible motor that operates in two discharge modes consisting of a second discharge mode that discharges liquid into two flow paths, and that normally rotates during the first discharge mode and reverses during the second discharge mode. And a centrifugal first impeller that has a blade shape that pushes liquid outward in the radial direction during normal rotation and has a larger blade shape than that during reversal, and rotates by the motor. A centrifugal type second impeller that has a blade shape larger than the pushing force during forward rotation and is rotated by the motor, a first storage chamber that houses the first impeller, and the second A second storage chamber for storing the impeller, and the first A pump chamber having a communication chamber communicating with the second storage chamber, a water inlet for guiding liquid outside the pump chamber to the pump chamber, and being connected to the first flow path and taken into the pump chamber. The first discharge port that guides the liquid from the first storage chamber to the first flow path and the second flow path connected to the second flow path and the liquid taken into the pump chamber from the second storage chamber. A second discharge port for guiding to the path, and the lift force or flow rate of the liquid discharged from the first discharge port in the first discharge mode is the lift force of the liquid discharged from the second discharge port Alternatively, the lift force or flow rate of the liquid discharged from the second discharge port in the second discharge mode is larger than the lift force or flow rate of the liquid discharged from the first discharge port. It is characterized by that.

  In the pump according to claim 2, the first storage chamber is a spiral space that extends in the forward rotation direction of the motor around the rotation shaft of the motor, and the first discharge port is located at a position away from the rotation shaft. The second storage chamber is a spiral space that extends in the direction of reversal of the motor around the rotation axis of the motor, and the second discharge port is provided at a site away from the rotation axis, and the communication The chamber is a cylindrical space located around the rotation axis of the motor and between the first and second storage chambers, and is provided so that the water inlet opens in the antigravity direction. It is characterized by being.

  The pump according to claim 3, wherein the first impeller is provided radially on the plane of the first disc portion and the first disc portion provided coaxially with the rotation shaft of the motor. A plurality of first main wings, wherein the first main wing is directed to the outer diameter side when the impeller is reversed, and a first liquid pushing portion that pushes the liquid to the outer diameter side when the impeller rotates forward. A first main liquid restraining part that restrains the flow of the liquid, and the second impeller is provided on the second disk part coaxially with the rotating shaft of the motor, and the plane of the second disk part A plurality of second main wings provided radially about the rotation axis, and the second main wings, a second liquid extrusion unit that pushes the liquid to the outer diameter side when the impeller is reversed, A second main liquid suppression unit that suppresses the flow of liquid toward the outer diameter side when the impeller rotates forward. , Characterized by having a.

  In the pump according to claim 4, the first main wing has a first wing inner diameter portion that approaches the rotation shaft side in a forward rotation direction when the impeller rotates forward, and the first liquid extrusion portion is The second main wing is formed on the outer surface of the first blade inner diameter portion, and the second main blade has a second blade inner diameter portion that approaches the rotating shaft side in a reversing direction when the impeller is reversed, The two-liquid extruding part is formed on the outer surface of the second blade inner diameter part.

  6. The pump according to claim 5, wherein the first main wing has a first wing outer diameter portion extending in a circumferential direction about the rotation axis from an outer diameter end of the first wing inner diameter portion, and the first main wing. The static liquid suppressing portion is formed on the inner surface of the blade outer diameter portion, and the second main wing extends from the outer diameter end of the second blade inner diameter portion in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis. It has an outer diameter part, and the 2nd main liquid control part is formed in the inner surface of the blade outer diameter part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In the pump according to claim 6, the first disk portion is provided with a first auxiliary liquid suppressing portion that suppresses the flow of liquid toward the outer diameter side of the first main wing when the first impeller is reversed. The second disc portion is provided with a second auxiliary liquid suppressing portion that suppresses the flow of liquid toward the outer diameter side of the second main wing during the forward rotation of the second impeller. And

  8. The pump according to claim 7, wherein the first auxiliary liquid suppression portion is a surface formed in a circumferential direction centering on the rotation axis, and the second auxiliary liquid suppression portion is centered on the rotation axis. The surface is formed in the circumferential direction.

  9. The pump according to claim 8, wherein the motor and the pump chamber are respectively disposed at one end side and the other end side of the rotation shaft of the motor, and a shaft positioned coaxially with the rotation shaft is disposed on the fixed portion of the motor. And an end of the shaft opposite to the fixed portion is held in the pump chamber.

  The pump according to claim 9, wherein the first discharge mode is a mode in which liquid is circulated in the first flow path, and the second discharge mode is to discharge the liquid in the second flow path to the outside of the liquid circulation device. It is a mode to perform.

  The liquid circulation device according to claim 10, wherein the first flow path through which the liquid flows, the second flow path through which the liquid flows, the water storage section connected to the first and second flow paths, and the water suction port are the first and second flow paths. The pump according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the pump is connected to a second flow path, the first discharge port is connected to the first flow path, and the second discharge port is connected to the second flow path. The liquid circulating apparatus includes: a liquid that can selectively flow through one of the first and second flow paths by switching a rotation direction of the motor of the pump.

  The pump or the liquid circulation device of the present invention can realize a small and highly efficient pump characteristic without cost as much as possible while having a plurality of discharge functions such as a circulation function and a discharge function.

  An embodiment of a pump according to the present invention and a liquid circulation device including the pump will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the liquid circulation device of the present embodiment is a washing machine.

[Basic structure and operation of washing machine]
A washing machine 50 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a washing tub 52 having a large number of small holes for storing laundry in a washing machine main body 51, and an outer tub 53 for storing the washing tub 52 inside and storing water. ing. The water stored in the outer tub 53 is also stored in the washing tub 52 through a large number of small holes in the washing tub 52. The outer tub 53 and the washing tub 52 are supported by the washing machine body 51 via a vibration isolation mechanism (not shown). The washing tub 52 is rotatably supported in the outer tub 53 by a rotating shaft mechanism 54 fixed at the center. The rotating shaft mechanism 54 is connected to the motor (M). The outer tub 53 is provided with a water supply pipe 56 provided with a water supply valve 55 for supplying tap water. In addition, an operation panel 57 containing a control circuit centering on a microcomputer for controlling the operation of each washing process is provided on the exterior front surface of the washing machine main body 51.

  The washing machine 50 has a function of supplying tap water to the washing tub 52, and circulates water stored in the washing tub 52 and the outer tub 53 during the washing in the washing machine main body 51, thereby dissolving the detergent into the laundry. A circulation function for removing foreign matters such as adhered dirt and lint, and a discharge function for forcibly discharging the water in the washing tub 52 and the outer tub 53 to the outside of the machine are provided. In this case, the circulation function corresponds to a washing process and a rinsing process in the washing machine, and the discharge function corresponds to a draining process and a dehydrating process. And the pump 10 of this invention mentioned later is applied as a circulation and discharge | emission pump which performs these circulation functions and discharge | emission functions, and is provided in the bottom part back surface side of the outer tub 53 in the washing machine main body 51. FIG.

  In the circulation function of the washing machine 50, as indicated by an arrow r1 in FIG. 1, the water in the outer tub 53 including the washing tub 52 is converted into the first circulation pipe 58 and the second circulation pipe 59 by the circulation function of the pump 10. Then, it is supplied again to the outer tank 53 (corresponding to the first flow path). In the discharge function of the washing machine 50, the water in the outer tub 53 including the washing tub 52 is passed through the first circulation pipe 58 and the discharge pipe 60 by the discharge function of the pump 10, as indicated by an arrow r2 in FIG. And discharged to the outside of the machine (corresponding to the second flow path).

[Structure and operation of motor section]
The centrifugal pump 10 shown in FIG. 2 is a centrifugal type, and has a circulation function for circulating water in a washing machine as in a washing and rinsing process, and forcibly drains water in a device as in a drainage or dehydration process. Used to perform the discharge function. The pump 10 is configured by integrating a motor unit 20 and a pump chamber 30, and has one water suction port and two discharge ports provided in one pump chamber. By switching the direction, the operation is performed in two discharge modes including a first discharge mode in which water is discharged from one discharge port and a second discharge mode in which water is discharged from the other discharge port. Further, the pump 10 has a centrifugal impeller, which will be described later, disposed in one pump chamber 20 and rotated forward and backward by the motor unit 20.

  The motor unit 20 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the first casing 21 formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, and is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the first casing 21. And a rotating unit 27 that rotates freely around a predetermined rotation axis J1. The rotating part 2 of the motor unit 20 is disposed in a space that communicates with the pump chamber 30, the rotating part 27 is disposed in a space that communicates with the pump chamber 30, and the fixed part 22 is a member such as the first casing 21. A pump arranged so as to be disconnected from the chamber 30 is called a can pump. In addition, let the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft J1 be an axial direction.

  The fixed portion 22 is disposed on the stator core 22a formed by laminating a plurality of electromagnetic steel plates on a stator core with an insulator interposed between the stator 22a and the stator 22a. And a circuit board 22b whose end is electrically connected. In addition to the circuit board 22b, a control IC for detecting and controlling the rotational position of the rotating portion 27 by detecting a counter electromotive force generated by the coil of the energized stator 22a, a connector for connecting to an external power source, etc. Has been implemented. The fixed portion 22 forms a bottomed cylindrical molded resin body by molding the stator 22a and the circuit board 22b with a resin substantially without a gap, thereby providing water resistance and electrical resistance of the motor portion 20. Insulation can be improved.

  Further, the first casing 21 includes a bottomed cylindrical portion 21a attached to the center inner peripheral surface of the fixed portion 22, a boss portion 21b that rises at the center bottom portion of the bottomed cylindrical portion 21a, and a bottomed cylindrical portion 21a. And a flange portion 21c extending to the open end. A concave portion 21b1 is provided on the upper surface of the boss portion 21b, and a lower end portion of a cylindrical shaft 23 coaxial with the rotation axis J1 is fitted therein. The upper end of the shaft 23 is fitted in a recess 25a of a third casing 25 that forms a pump chamber 30 together with the first casing 21 and a second casing 24 described later. Therefore, both ends of the shaft 23 are fixed to the first and third casings 21 and 25, respectively, and pass through the pump chamber 30. When both ends of the shaft 23 are held in this way, the axial rigidity of the pump 10 is improved, and the rotating portion 27 and two impellers described later can be stably rotated.

  The rotating portion 27 includes a substantially cylindrical rotor magnet 27a facing the inner peripheral surface of the stator 22a, a lower sleeve bearing member 27b that is rotatably fitted while sliding on the lower outer peripheral surface of the shaft 23, And a rotor holder portion 27c for integrally holding these members by insert molding. The rotor holder portion 27c further includes a first impeller 28 that is integrally formed as a part thereof. The first impeller 28 has a second impeller 29 disposed on the upper side thereof, and is connected by an engaging portion 289 in which both are engaged. The second impeller 29 integrally holds an upper sleeve bearing member 27d that is rotatably fitted while sliding on the upper outer peripheral surface of the shaft 23 by insert molding.

  As described above, the rotating portion 27 including the first and second impellers 28 and 29 is rotatably supported in the pump chamber 30 with respect to the shaft 23 via the upper and lower sleeve bearing members 27d and 27b. Yes. In addition, annular thrust members 23a and 23b made of a highly-lubricating material are fitted to both ends of the shaft 23, and are respectively attached to the lower end surface of the lower sleeve bearing member 27b and the upper end surface of the upper sleeve bearing member 27d. By abutting slidably, the movement of the rotating portion 27 in the axial direction is restricted. The rotating portion 27 generates a rotational torque due to the interaction between the magnetic flux generated from the stator 22a when the coil is energized and the magnetic flux of the rotor magnet 27a, and rotates around the rotation axis J1. By changing the method, it is possible to rotate in either the forward direction or the reverse direction. Such a motor rotating in both directions is called a reversible motor or a reversible motor.

[Pump chamber structure]
The pump chamber 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a cross-sectional view seen from the motor unit 20 side when cut along the cutting line Y1-Y1 in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a view seen from the motor unit 20 side when cut along the cutting line Y2-Y2 in FIG. FIG.

  The second casing 24 includes a cylindrical portion 24a that is combined with the flange portion 21c of the first casing 21, a partition wall portion 24b that divides the internal space of the cylindrical portion 24a vertically into a substantially intermediate portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 24a, Is provided. An engaging portion 289 that connects the first and second impellers 28 and 29 together with the shaft 23 is inserted into the partition wall portion 24b, and a communication portion 24b1 that connects the upper space and the lower space of the cylindrical portion 24a. Is provided. The space formed by the lower surface of the partition wall portion 24b (the surface on the motor portion 20 side), the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 24a, and the inner surface of the bottomed cylindrical portion 21a of the first casing 21 is a first impeller 28. And the 1st storage chamber 30a which accommodates the rotation part 27 is comprised. On the contrary, the space formed by the upper surface of the partition wall portion 24b, the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 24a, and the lower surface of the third casing 21 constitutes a second storage chamber 30b that stores the second impeller 28. Furthermore, the space formed by the communication portion 24b1 constitutes a communication chamber 30c. The pump chamber 30 including the first and second storage chambers 30a and 30b and the communication chamber 30c constitutes one closed space that communicates with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first storage chamber 30a is a spiral space that extends clockwise around the rotation axis J1, and the first accommodation chamber 30a communicates with the external space of the cylindrical portion 24a at a position farthest from the rotation axis J1. One discharge port 24c is provided. The first discharge port 24c has a pipe shape that is orthogonal to the rotation axis J1 and that is inclined upward with respect to the right side in the horizontal direction in FIG. 3, and is connected to a second circulation pipe 59 that forms a circulation function in the washing machine. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the second storage chamber 30b is a spiral space that spreads counterclockwise around the rotation axis J1, and is located at a position farthest from the rotation axis J1 with the external space of the cylindrical portion 24a. A second discharge port 24d that communicates is provided. The second discharge port 24d has a pipe shape orthogonal to the rotation axis J1 and inclined upward with respect to the left side in the horizontal direction in FIG. 4, and is connected to a discharge pipe 60 that performs a discharge function in the washing machine.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the communication chamber 30c is provided with a water inlet 24e that communicates with the external space of the cylindrical portion 24a. As shown in FIG. 3, the water suction port 24 e has a pipe shape that is orthogonal to the rotation axis J <b> 1 and extends upward in FIG. 3, and is connected to a first circulation pipe 58 in the washing machine. Therefore, the pump 10 is arranged such that the rotation axis J1 is oriented in the horizontal direction and the water inlet 24e is opened in the antigravity direction.

  The water taken into the pump chamber 30 is a gap formed by the inner peripheral surface of the lower sleeve bearing member 27b of the motor unit 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 23, and the inner peripheral surface of the upper sleeve bearing member 27d and the shaft 23. A gap formed by the outer peripheral surface, a gap formed by the lower end surface of the lower sleeve bearing member 27b and the upper surface of the thrust member 23a, and an upper surface of the upper sleeve bearing member 27d and the lower surface of the thrust member 23b. It also intervenes in the gap. Therefore, water acts as a lubricating fluid, and lubricity between the upper and lower sleeve bearing members 27d and 27b and the shaft 23 and the thrust members 23a and 23b is improved.

[Impeller structure]
The first and second impellers 28 and 29 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 is a plan view of the first impeller 28 viewed from the opposite side of the motor unit 20, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of the second impeller 29 viewed from the opposite side of the motor unit 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the first impeller 28 has a disc portion 28a (corresponding to the first disc portion) having a cylindrical insertion hole 28a1 through which the shaft 23 is inserted in the center which is coaxial with the rotation axis J1. And six main wings 28b (corresponding to the first main wings) arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the insertion hole 28a1 on one plane of the disk portion 28a and the radial direction between the adjacent main wings 28b. The centrifugal impeller includes six auxiliary blades 28c arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer side, and pushes water absorbed in the center outward in the radial direction. The main wing 28b has a plate shape curved in a letter “V” in a plan view in FIG. 5, and has an arcuate blade inner diameter portion 28b1 approaching the rotation axis J1 toward the rotation direction of the arrow CCW, and the rotation axis It consists of an arcuate blade outer diameter portion 28b2 along the circumferential direction of a circle C1 centered on J1.

  When the first impeller 28 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 5 (the direction of the arrow CCW, the forward rotation direction of the motor unit 20), the blade inner diameter portion 28b1 of the main wing 28b is formed in a direction intersecting the circle C1. Therefore, the outer surface of the blade inner diameter portion 28b1 scrapes water to the outer diameter side. That is, the outer surface of the blade inner diameter portion 28b1 constitutes a first liquid extrusion portion that pushes water to the outer diameter side. The water thus scraped out also acts as a centrifugal force and is pushed out from the main wing 28b to the outer diameter side (see arrow f1). Following this flow, the water on the inner diameter side of the main wing 28b is absorbed by the main wing 28b. The water absorption or pushing action of the main wing 28b is performed by each main wing 28b, whereby the first impeller 28 has a pumping action of sucking water from the center and pushing it radially. At this time, the blade outer diameter portion 28b2 and the auxiliary wing 28c of the main wing 28b are shaped along the circumferential direction of the circle C1, so that the resistance to water is small and there is almost no action of scavenging water. Further, the auxiliary wing 29c is provided at a position deviating from the traveling direction of the water scraped from the main wing 28b (the auxiliary wing 29c is not provided near the tip of the arrow f1 in FIG. 5). The flow of water extruded from the main wing 28b is not obstructed.

  On the other hand, when the first impeller 28 rotates clockwise (in the direction of the arrow CW, the reversal direction of the motor unit 20), the inner side surface of the blade inner diameter portion 28b1 of the main wing 28b acts to scrape water to the outer diameter side. However, since the inner side surface of the blade outer diameter portion 28b2 of the main wing 28b is formed along the circumferential direction, the water toward the outer diameter side returns from the circumferential direction to the inner diameter side (see arrow f2). That is, the inner surface of the blade outer diameter portion 28b2 constitutes a first main liquid suppressing portion that suppresses the flow of water toward the outer diameter side. Even if the water does not return to the inner diameter side and passes through the blade outer diameter portion 28b2 of the main wing 28b, it is blocked by the auxiliary wing 28c, so that there is almost no water pushed out from the impeller. That is, the inner side surface of the auxiliary wing 28c constitutes a first auxiliary liquid suppressing portion that suppresses the flow of water toward the outer diameter side. That is, the clockwise first impeller 28 is configured to prevent the flow of water toward the outer diameter side by the main wing 28b and the auxiliary wing 28c. Therefore, the first impeller 28 has an extremely small amount of water that is pushed outward in the radial direction in the clockwise direction as compared with the counterclockwise direction (that is, the first impeller 28 has a lifting force during the forward rotation). Or the flow rate is larger than when reversing.)

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the second impeller 29 has substantially the same configuration as the first impeller 28 except that the upper sleeve bearing member 27d is included in the central insertion hole. For convenience of explanation, the reference numerals of the respective parts of the second impeller 29 are denoted by the disc part 29a (corresponding to the second disc part), the insertion hole 29a1, the main wing 29b (corresponding to the second main wing), the blade inner diameter part 29b, and the outside of the wing. The diameter portion 29b2 and the auxiliary blade 29c are used. The outer surface of the blade inner diameter portion 29b is the second liquid extrusion portion, the inner surface of the blade outer diameter portion 29b is the second main liquid suppression portion, and the inner surface of the auxiliary wing 29c is the second auxiliary liquid suppression portion. Equivalent to.

  The first and second impellers 28 and 29 are connected so that the end portions of both insertion holes 28a1 and 29a1 constitute an engaging portion 289 so that the surfaces provided with the blades face each other. Therefore, although the first and second impellers 28 and 29 rotate in the same direction as the rotating unit 27, the arrangement direction of the main wing 29 b and the auxiliary wing 29 c of the second impeller 29 is reversed with respect to that of the first impeller 29. Therefore, the pumping action of the second impeller 29 shows the same tendency as the first impeller 28, but the presumed rotational direction is opposite (that is, the second impeller 29 is pushed outward in the radial direction when counterclockwise. (The amount of water extrusion is extremely small compared to the clockwise direction, and the lifting force or flow rate during reversal is greater than during forward rotation.)

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the pump 10 is installed so that the rotation axis J1 is directed horizontally and the water suction port 24e faces the antigravity direction, and water is taken into the pump chamber 30, When the motor unit 20 rotates in the forward direction, the first impeller 28 actively scrapes water, so that the scraped water flows along the inner peripheral surface of the first storage chamber 30a and is discharged from the first discharge port 24c. . At this time, the water in the second storage chamber 30b hardly discharges from the second discharge port 24c due to the water absorption action of the first impeller 28 in addition to the fact that the second impeller 29 has almost no pumping action. Therefore, in the pump 10 during normal rotation of the motor unit 20, the pump characteristic of the first discharge port 24c is extremely larger than that of the second discharge port 24d.

  On the other hand, when the motor unit 20 is reversed under the same conditions, the behavior of water is opposite to that described above, and the water is discharged from the second discharge port 24d and hardly discharged from the first discharge port 24c. Therefore, in the pump 10 when the motor unit 20 is reversed, the pump characteristic of the second discharge port 24d is extremely larger than that of the first discharge port 24c.

  In this way, the pump 10 can switch the water taken into the pump chamber 30 via the water suction port 24e to any one of the first and second discharge ports 24c and 24d only by switching the rotation direction of the motor unit 20. Only one can be selected and discharged.

  On the other hand, the centrifugal impeller 100 used in the conventional reversible pump has an arc shape in which the main wing 71 approaches the rotation axis J1 in the rotation direction of the arrow CCW, as shown in FIG. When the impeller 100 rotates counterclockwise (CCW), water is pushed out by the outer surface of the main wing 71 and flows radially outward (see f10). When the impeller 100 rotates clockwise (CW), the main wing 71 Water is pushed out by the inner surface of the gas and flows outward in the radial direction (f11). That is, although there is a difference in the pushing force that pushes water outward in the radial direction when the main wing 71 rotates forward or reverse, it is pushed out from the main wing 71 in the radial direction even if it rotates in any direction, As in the present invention, the flow of water going outward in the radial direction cannot be suppressed. When such an impeller 100 is applied to the pump 10, water is pushed out regardless of the direction of rotation and discharged from both the discharge ports 24 c and 24 d.

  Incidentally, the first and second impellers 28 and 29 are also devised as follows. Hereinafter, since the blade arrangement of both the impellers 28 and 29 is substantially the same, the description will be made using the first impeller 28.

  In FIG. 5, the inner diameter end of the blade inner diameter portion 28b1 of the main wing 28b in the first impeller 28 and the outer diameter end of the blade outer diameter portion 28b2 of the other main wing 28b adjacent to the outer diameter side of the blade inner diameter portion 28b1 are as follows. It is substantially located on a straight line L1 extending in the radial direction from the rotation axis J1.

  With such a configuration, the flow of water during normal rotation and reverse rotation of the first impeller 28 can be smoothly flowed to both. That is, when at least one of the inner diameter end of the blade inner diameter portion 28b1 of the main wing 28b and the outer diameter end of the blade outer diameter portion 28b2 of the main wing 28b adjacent thereto is formed longer and intersects the straight line L1, A gap 32 formed by the blade inner diameter portion 28b1 of the main wing 28b and the blade outer diameter portion 28b2 of the main wing 28b adjacent thereto is narrowed. Therefore, when the impeller rotates counterclockwise, when water absorbed from the center side flows radially outward (arrow f1), resistance to flowing water passing through the gap 32 increases, and the amount of water extrusion is increased. Decrease. Further, when the impeller rotates clockwise, water that attempts to return to the center side by the inner side surface of the blade outer diameter portion 28b2 of the main wing 28b (arrow f2), and other adjacent to the inner diameter side of the blade outer diameter portion 28b2 It is hindered by the outer surface of the blade inner diameter portion 28b1, and is difficult to return to the center side. On the other hand, in the configuration in which the inner diameter end of the blade inner diameter portion 28b1 of the main wing 28b is separated from the straight line L1 (the configuration in which the blade inner diameter portion 28b1 is shortened), the working surface as the liquid extruding portion is reduced. In the configuration in which the pushing force pushed outward in the radial direction is weak and the blade outer diameter portion 28b2 is away from the straight line L1 (the configuration in which the blade outer diameter portion 28b2 is shortened), the working surface as the first liquid suppressing portion is Because it decreases, the action of returning water to the center side when clockwise is weakened.

  Further, the front end of the auxiliary wing 28c in the counterclockwise direction is located slightly intersecting with the same straight line L1. If the front end of the auxiliary wing 28c is formed longer, the flow (f1) of water that has passed through the outer surface of the blade outer diameter portion 28b2 may be hindered when the impeller rotates counterclockwise. Further, the front end of the auxiliary wing 28c in the counterclockwise direction exceeds a tangent line T1 defined when the inner diameter end of the outer surface 28b2 of the blade adjacent to the inner diameter side of the auxiliary wing 28c is viewed in plan view. Located in no range. When counterclockwise, most of the water flow (f1) extruded from the outer surface of the main wing 28b is pushed out along the outer surface of the blade inner diameter portion 28b1, and therefore flows in the counterclockwise front of the tangent T1. Therefore, if the counterclockwise front end of the auxiliary wing 28c does not exceed the tangent line T1, the flow of water (f1) extruded from the main wing 28b during the counterclockwise rotation is less likely to be hindered by the auxiliary wing 28c. Flows smoothly.

  On the other hand, if the front end of the auxiliary wing 28c is formed so as not to cross the straight line L1, the flow of water (f3) that has passed through the outer diameter portion 28b2 of the impeller when the impeller rotates clockwise is the same as that of the auxiliary wing 28c. It flows out of the impeller through the gap between them, and the flow of water outward in the radial direction cannot be sufficiently suppressed (that is, the function as the second liquid suppressing portion is reduced).

  Further, if the rear end of the auxiliary wing 28c in the counterclockwise direction is formed longer, the flow (f1) of water pushed out from the blade inner diameter portion 28b1 in the counterclockwise direction of the impeller may be hindered. The rear end is preferably within a range that does not exceed the tangent line T2 defined when the outer diameter end of the outer surface of the blade outer diameter portion 28b2 adjacent to the inner diameter side of the auxiliary blade 28c is viewed in plan view. On the other hand, if the rear end is formed shorter, the flow of water (f3) flowing through the blade outer diameter portion 28b2 and flowing to the outer diameter side when the impeller is rotated clockwise cannot be sufficiently suppressed (that is, The action as the second liquid suppressing portion is reduced.)

  Thus, in the first impeller 28, the pushing force for pushing water to the outer diameter side when rotating in the forward direction is extremely smaller than the pushing force for water when rotating in the reverse direction, and the second impeller 29 is The main wings 28b, 29b and the auxiliary wings 28c, so that the pushing force for pushing water outward in the radial direction during rotation in the reverse direction is extremely smaller than the pushing force for water during rotation in the forward rotation direction. The position and length relationship of 29c is optimized. Even if the positional relationship between the adjacent main wings 28b and the positional relationship between the main wings 28b and the auxiliary wings 28c are deviated, the effects of the present invention are exhibited.

[Relationship between pump and washing machine]
The pump 10 is installed on the bottom rear surface side of the outer tub 53 of the washing machine 50 so that the rotation axis J1 faces in the horizontal direction and the water suction port 24e faces in the antigravity direction, and the water suction port 24e is first circulated. Pipe 58, first discharge port 24c is connected to second circulation pipe 59, and second discharge port 24d is connected to discharge pipe 60. Therefore, the water in the outer tub 53 is supplied to the pump chamber 30 through the first circulation pipe 58 and the water inlet 24e by its own weight.

  When the circulation function is executed in the washing machine 50, the motor unit 20 of the pump 10 is rotated forward to discharge water from the first discharge port 24c (corresponding to the first discharge mode). Then, the water in the outer tub 53 of the washing machine 50 is supplied from the first circulation pipe 58 to the pump chamber 30 through the water inlet 24e of the pump 10, and further from the first discharge port 24c to the second circulation pipe. It is supplied again to the outer tub 53 via 59 (see arrow r1 in FIG. 1). On the other hand, when executing the discharge function, the motor unit 20 of the pump 10 is reversed and water is discharged from the second discharge port 24d (corresponding to the second discharge mode). Then, the water in the outer tub 53 of the washing machine 50 is supplied from the first circulation pipe 58 to the pump chamber 30 via the water suction port 24e of the pump 10, and further, the discharge pipe 60 is supplied from the second discharge port 24d. Through the apparatus (see arrow r2 in FIG. 1).

[Features of pump and washing machine]
Since the pump 10 solves a plurality of discharge functions such as a circulation function and a discharge function by a single motor unit 20 which is a reversible motor having two impellers 28 and 29, a motor is provided for each impeller. The pump itself can be reduced in size as compared with the case where a pump provided with a pump or two pumps is used.

  In addition, the pump 10 discharges one discharge port by the first and second impellers 28 and 29 and uses it as a circulation function or a discharge function (from one discharge port). When water is discharged), a discharge mode in which almost no water is discharged from the other discharge port can be realized.

  Further, in order to realize a plurality of discharge functions such as a circulation function and a discharge function, three water suction / discharge ports (water suction port 24e and discharge ports 24c, 24d) are required for one pump chamber 30, so that the pump The structure of the pump chamber 30 in the pump 10 as compared with a pump having four water intake / discharge ports each having one water intake port and one discharge port in each pump chamber divided into two chambers. Can be simplified and miniaturized. With respect to the structure of the pump chamber 30, a switching valve for switching between two discharge ports is not required, and the structure can be simplified because a switching valve is not required or a structure for measures against water leakage from the switching valve is not required. And it can be downsized.

  Further, in this pump 30, since the communication chamber 30c is located between the first and second storage chambers 30a and 30b, the water taken in from the water inlet 24e quickly flows into any of the storage chambers. It is possible to smoothly perform various selective discharge forms.

  Furthermore, by installing the pump 10, the washing machine 50 can be reduced in size by reducing the number of pipes connecting the washing tub, the drainage unit, and the pump in addition to downsizing the pump itself. In addition, since the washing machine 50 performs the switching of the water flow for executing the circulation and discharge functions by the pump 50, a switching valve for switching the water flow to each pipe connected to the pump 50 becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the washing machine 50 can be reduced in size and weight, and the cost can be reduced by assembling the washing machine and reducing the number of parts.

[Other Embodiments]
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, although a washing machine is illustrated as the liquid circulation device, the liquid circulation device can be applied to other liquid circulation devices such as a dishwasher as long as the liquid circulation device allows liquid to flow through two flow paths. Although the pump 10 illustrated the canned pump, it can also be realized by a type of pump (for example, a magnet pump) in which a motor unit is disposed outside the pump chamber. In the pump 10, the shaft 23 is configured as a part of the fixed part 21, but may be configured as a part of the rotating part 27. The two impellers of the pump 10 are not limited to the first and second impellers 28 and 29, and may have other blade arrangements as long as they have extrusion characteristics depending on the rotation direction. Moreover, although the several discharge function of the pump 10 illustrated the structure applied to the circulation function and discharge function of a washing machine, you may apply in order to implement | achieve the discharge function for another objective.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an embodiment of a liquid circulation device according to the present invention. Sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of the pump which concerns on this invention. The side view seen from the motor part side when the 2nd casing of the pump shown in FIG. 2 is cut | disconnected by the cutting line Y1-Y1. The side view seen from the motor part side when the 2nd casing of the pump shown in FIG. 2 is cut | disconnected by the cutting line Y2-Y2. The top view which shows the 1st impeller of the pump shown in FIG. The top view which shows the 2nd impeller of the pump shown in FIG. The top view which shows the conventional centrifugal impeller.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Pump 20 Motor part 21 First casing 22 Fixed part 23 Shaft 24 Second casing 24c First discharge port 24d Second discharge port 24e Water intake port 25 Third casing 27 Rotating unit 28 First impeller 29 Second impeller 30 Pump chamber 30a First storage room 30b Second storage room 30c Communication room 50 Washing machine

Claims (10)

A first discharge mode for discharging liquid to the first flow path, and a second discharge mode for discharging liquid to the second flow path, which are used in a liquid circulation device including first and second flow paths through which liquid flows. A pump that operates in two types of discharge modes consisting of:
A reversible motor that rotates forward during the first discharge mode and reverses during the second discharge mode;
A centrifugal-type first impeller that has a blade shape that pushes liquid outward in the radial direction during forward rotation and has a larger blade shape than that during reversal, and is rotated by the motor;
A centrifugal second impeller that has a blade shape that pushes liquid outward in the radial direction during reversal and has a blade shape that is larger than that during forward rotation, and is rotated by the motor;
A pump chamber having a first storage chamber for storing the first impeller, a second storage chamber for storing the second impeller, and a communication chamber communicating the first and second storage chambers;
A water inlet for guiding liquid outside the pump chamber to the pump chamber;
A first discharge port connected to the first flow path and guiding the liquid taken into the pump chamber from the first storage chamber to the first flow path;
A second discharge port connected to the second flow path and guiding the liquid taken into the pump chamber from the second storage chamber to the second flow path;
With
The liquid guided to the pump chamber is mainly discharged from the first discharge port in the first discharge mode, and is discharged mainly from the second discharge port in the second discharge mode. The first storage chamber is a spiral space that extends in the forward rotation direction of the motor around the rotation axis of the motor, and the first discharge port is provided at a site away from the rotation axis,
The second storage chamber is a spiral space that extends in the direction of reversal of the motor around the rotation axis of the motor, and the second discharge port is provided at a site away from the rotation axis,
The communication chamber is a cylindrical space located around the rotation axis of the motor and between the first and second storage chambers, and the water inlet is opened in the antigravity direction. The pump according to claim 1, wherein the pump is provided. The first impeller includes a first disk portion provided coaxially with the rotation shaft of the motor, and a plurality of first main wings provided radially on the rotation shaft in the plane of the first disk portion. Have
The first main wing includes a first liquid extruding unit that pushes liquid to the outer diameter side when the impeller rotates forward, and a first main liquid suppression that suppresses the flow of liquid toward the outer diameter side when the impeller is reversed. And
The second impeller includes a second disk portion provided coaxially with the rotation shaft of the motor, and a plurality of second main wings provided radially on the rotation shaft in the plane of the second disk portion. Have
The second main wing includes a second liquid push-out portion that pushes the liquid to the outer diameter side when the impeller reverses, and a second main liquid suppression that suppresses the flow of the liquid toward the outer diameter side when the impeller rotates forward. The pump according to claim 1, further comprising: a portion. The first main wing has a first blade inner diameter portion that approaches the rotary shaft side in a normal rotation direction when the impeller rotates in the forward direction, and the first liquid pushing portion is the first blade inner diameter portion. Formed on the outer surface of the
The second main wing has a second wing inner diameter portion that approaches the rotating shaft side in a reversing direction when the impeller is reversed, and the second liquid pushing portion is outside the second wing inner diameter portion. The pump according to claim 3, wherein the pump is formed on a side surface. The first main wing has a first wing outer diameter portion extending in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis from an outer diameter end of the first wing inner diameter portion, and the first main liquid suppressing portion is Formed on the inner surface of the wing outer diameter part,
The second main wing has a second wing outer diameter portion extending in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis from an outer diameter end of the second wing inner diameter portion, and the second main liquid suppressing portion is The pump according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the pump is formed on an inner surface of the blade outer diameter portion. The first disc portion is provided with a first auxiliary liquid suppression portion that suppresses the flow of liquid toward the outer diameter side of the first main wing when the first impeller is reversed.
The second disc portion is provided with a second auxiliary liquid suppression portion that suppresses the flow of liquid toward the outer diameter side of the second main wing during the forward rotation of the second impeller. The pump according to any one of claims 3 to 5. The first auxiliary liquid suppression portion is a surface formed in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis,
The centrifugal impeller according to claim 6, wherein the second auxiliary liquid suppressing portion is a surface formed in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis. The motor and the pump chamber are respectively disposed on one end side and the other end side of the rotation shaft of the motor,
2. The fixed portion of the motor has a shaft positioned coaxially with the rotating shaft, and an end portion of the shaft opposite to the fixed portion is held in the pump chamber. The pump in any one of thru | or 7.   The first discharge mode is a mode for circulating liquid in the first flow path, and the second discharge mode is a mode for discharging the liquid in the second flow path to the outside of the liquid circulation device. The pump according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A first flow path through which liquid flows;
A second flow path through which the liquid flows;
A water reservoir connected to the first and second flow paths;
10. The water suction port is connected to the first and second flow paths, the first discharge port is connected to the first flow path, and the second discharge port is connected to the second flow path. A liquid circulation device comprising the pump according to any one of
A liquid circulation apparatus characterized in that a liquid can be selectively flowed into one of the first and second flow paths by switching the rotation direction of the motor of the pump.

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