JP2009034408A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to uniformly pour washing liquid on the whole laundry even in the case the water level in the washing and dewatering tank or the rotation number of a pulsator changes. <P>SOLUTION: The washing machine is equipped with opening sections 8 arranged at positions different in a height direction of a circulation water channel 5 and discharging the washing liquid into the washing and dewatering tank 3 and a discharge angle adjusting section 14 adjusting the discharging angle of the washing liquid discharged from the above opening sections 8, a control means 13 opens the opening section discharging the washing liquid according to the water quantity detected by a water quantity detecting means 16, controls the above discharge angle adjusting section arranged in the opening section, and discharges the washing liquid pumped up from a pump housing 7 through the circulation water channel from the opening section to the water surface of the washing and dewatering tank. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine for washing clothes by circulating a washing liquid to a washing and dewatering tank.

  In recent years, global environmental protection has become an important issue. Resource saving is also an important approach, and in the field of washing machines, water saving and the amount of detergent used are actively reduced, and various methods have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine described in Patent Document 1. Reference numeral 51 denotes a water receiving tub in which a washing / dehydrating tub 52 is rotatably included, and is elastically supported in the housing 53. A pulsator 54 is rotatably disposed on the inner bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub 52. A plurality of circulation channel covers 55 are attached to the inner surface of the washing and dewatering tub 3, and a plurality of independent circulation channels 56 are formed facing upward between the washing and dewatering tub 52.

  A lower blade 57 is integrally formed on the back surface of the pulsator 54, and a pump chamber 58 formed on the outer periphery of the lower blade 57 communicates with a plurality of independent circulation channels 56. An opening 59 opened toward the inside of the washing and dewatering tub 52 is formed in the upper part of the plurality of circulation water channels 56, and a shower nozzle 60 is provided in each opening 59. By making the opening 59 into the shape of the shower nozzle 60, the washing liquid can be made into a thin film, and can be poured evenly onto the laundry 61 by being discharged over a wide range. A lint filter 62 is provided in a part of the opening 59.

A motor 63 drives the pulsator 54 via the V-belt 64 and the speed reduction mechanism 65. The motor 63 rotates as controlled by the control means 66 in accordance with the washing liquid flow, and the pulsator 54 and the lower blades 57 are also rotated. The washing liquid pushed outward by the centrifugal force due to the rotation of the lower blades 57 is discharged in a fan shape from the opening 59 into the washing and dewatering tub 52 through the circulation water channel 56, and intersects at the approximate center of the washing and dewatering tub 52. The washing liquid can be poured into the bag.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-8680

  However, in such a conventional fully automatic washing machine, the discharge amount of the washing liquid is determined by controlling the rotational force of the pulsator 54, and the landing position of the washing liquid is determined by controlling the discharge pressure generated by this rotational force. It was. Therefore, when the opening 59 from which the washing liquid is discharged is in a predetermined position and the opening 59 is fixed, the amount of washing changes and the water level in the washing and dewatering tub 52 changes. However, there has been a problem that the range of laundry in which washing liquid can be poured evenly is narrowed.

  In addition, in order to increase the cleaning efficiency, when the rotation speed of the pulsator 54 is controlled to increase the amount of circulating water and the discharge pressure of the circulating water is increased, the washing liquid flows from the opening 59 almost horizontally. Since the discharged washing liquid does not directly hit the laundry, the washing liquid having a high discharge pressure is allowed to act on the laundry only by the laundry liquids colliding with each other in the air in the washing / dehydrating tub 52. There was a problem that it was not possible.

  This invention solves the said subject, and it aims at pouring laundry into a laundry with high discharge pressure, and improving a washing | cleaning effect.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the washing machine of the present invention includes a plurality of openings provided at different positions in the height direction of the circulating water channel and discharging the washing liquid into the washing and dewatering tub, and the opening. A discharge angle adjusting unit that adjusts a discharge angle of the washing liquid discharged from the control unit, and the control unit opens the opening for discharging the washing liquid according to the amount of water detected by the water amount detection unit, and the opening unit. The discharge angle adjusting section provided in the pump is controlled so that the washing liquid pumped up from the pump chamber through the circulation channel is discharged from the opening toward the water surface of the washing and dewatering tub.

  As a result, even if the washing liquid is discharged from the opening at a high discharge pressure, the washing liquid can be adjusted to adjust the discharge angle of the washing liquid, so that the washing liquid can be landed toward the surface of the washing liquid stored in the washing and dewatering tub. it can. In addition, even when the position of the water surface of the washing liquid changes depending on the amount of washing, the washing liquid is poured into the laundry from the opening at a position higher than the water surface of the washing liquid stored in the washing / dehydrating tub discharged from the opening. It becomes possible. At this time, by closing the opening located below the surface of the water, it is possible to suppress the pressure drop of the washing liquid when ascending the circulation channel, and to pour the washing liquid having a high discharge pressure into the laundry. The penetration of detergent can be increased. In addition, it is possible to remove unnecessary detergent and dirt from the laundry with less rinsing water by rinsing water having a strong discharge pressure directly into the laundry even in the rinsing process performed while accumulating water. It becomes.

  The washing machine of the present invention can pour the washing liquid onto the laundry with a high discharge pressure, and can enhance the washing effect with less water and detergent.

  The first invention includes a water receiving tub, a washing / dehydrating tub rotatably provided in the water receiving tub, a pulsator provided rotatably at a bottom portion in the washing / dehydrating tub, and the pulsator A motor for rotating the motor, a control means for controlling the motor, a pump chamber in which a lower blade formed on the back surface of the pulsator is disposed, and the amount of washing liquid supplied to the water receiving tub is detected. A plurality of water detection means, a circulating water channel that communicates with the pump chamber and formed upward on the side surface of the washing and dewatering tub, and a plurality of positions at different positions in the height direction of the circulating water channel are provided in the washing and dewatering tub. An opening for discharging the washing liquid and a discharge angle adjusting unit for adjusting the discharge angle of the washing liquid discharged from the opening, and the control means is configured to respond to the amount of water detected by the water amount detection means. The opening for discharging the washing liquid And the discharge angle adjusting unit provided in the opening is controlled to discharge the washing liquid pumped from the pump chamber through the circulation channel toward the water surface of the washing and dewatering tub. As a result, even if the washing liquid is discharged from the opening with high discharge pressure, the discharge angle of the washing liquid can be adjusted, so that the water can land on the surface of the washing liquid stored in the washing and dewatering tub. Can be made. Further, even when the amount of washing changes and the water level in the washing tub changes, the washing liquid can be poured evenly toward the laundry from the opening that exists at a position higher than the water level. Even if the discharge pressure of the washing liquid pumped up from the pump chamber to the circulation channel is increased by adjusting the discharge angle of the washing liquid to increase the rotation speed of the pulsator, it is directed toward the water surface in the washing and dewatering tub. The washing liquid can be poured, and even when the amount of the washing liquid is small, washing with less unevenness of washing can be performed, and unnecessary detergent and dirt can be removed from the laundry with a small amount of rinse water.

  According to the second invention, in particular, the circulation water channel of the first invention includes a plurality of branch water channels communicating with the pump chamber, a branch valve provided in the plurality of branch water channels, and a pump chamber in each of the branch water channels. The control means is set according to the amount of laundry by switching the opening for discharging the washing liquid according to the amount of water detected by the water amount detection means. Since the branch water channel to which the washing liquid is supplied is switched according to the amount of water to be supplied, the laundry liquid can be poured evenly into the laundry from the opening located at a position higher than the water level provided in the supplied branch water channel, It is not necessary to close the opening at a position lower than the water level in the washing and dewatering tub.

  In the third aspect of the invention, in particular, the control means of the first or second aspect of the invention adjusts the discharge angle of the washing liquid by the discharge angle adjusting unit according to the rotation speed of the motor, so that the discharge pressure varies. Also in this case, the landing angle can be controlled by the discharge angle adjusting unit to pour the washing liquid onto the water surface, and washing with little washing unevenness can be performed with a little washing liquid.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an internal top view of a washing and dewatering tub. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a water receiving tub that encloses a washing / dehydrating tub 3 that is rotatably provided. A pulsator 2 is rotatably provided at the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub 3. The pulsator 2 is rotationally driven by a motor 10 and transmitted through a V belt 11 and a speed reduction mechanism 12, and the motor 10 is controlled by a control means 13. Reference numeral 6 denotes a lower blade formed on the back surface of the pulsator 2 and is disposed in the pump chamber 7. Reference numeral 16 denotes a water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of the washing liquid supplied to the water receiving tank 1 and is constituted by a pressure sensor.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a circulation water channel having a lower end communicating with the pump chamber 7, and a plurality of water channels are formed upward on the side surface of the washing and dewatering tub 3. A plurality of openings 8 are provided in the circulating water channel 5 at different positions in the height direction, and the openings 8 can be opened and closed according to the amount of water supplied to the washing and dewatering tub 3. The opening 8 is provided with a valve body 8a for opening and closing the opening 8, and the discharge angle is adjusted by the discharge angle adjusting unit 14 so that the washing liquid discharged from the opening 8 is poured toward the water surface. ing. Reference numeral 9 denotes a lint filter that is detachably provided in the discharge port 5b provided in the upper part of the circulating water passage 5a that is not provided with the opening 8 that is opened and closed by the valve body 8a, and catches yarn waste or the like.

  The circulation water channel 5 having the valve body 8a and the discharge angle adjusting portion 14 in the opening 8 around the pulsator 2 and the circulation water channel 5a in which the detachable lint filter 9 is attached to the discharge port 5b are provided in the washing and dehydrating tank 3. It is arranged in a symmetrical position on the peripheral side surface. It is preferable that there is at least one circulation channel 5a to which the lint filter 9 is attached. In the present embodiment, four circulation water channels 5 and 5a are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  In addition, 15 is a water flow detection pipe for connecting a water volume detection means 16 and a water receiving tank, and 17 is a fluid balancer for suppressing the vibration of the washing and dewatering tank 3 when it rotates at a high speed.

  Next, the operation in the present embodiment will be described. When the laundry is put into the washing / dehydrating tub 3 and the start switch (not shown) of the washing machine is turned on, a predetermined amount of water is poured into the washing / dehydrating tub 3 in accordance with the input weight, for dehydration. Therefore, the poured water is also stored in the outer water receiving tank 1.

  When entering the washing process, the motor 10 is rotated by being controlled by the control device 13 in accordance with the flow of the washing liquid. The rotational movement of the motor 10 is transmitted to the washing and dewatering tub 3 and the pulsator 2 by a mechanical transmission means via the V belt 11 and the speed reduction mechanism 12. Accordingly, the pulsator 2 and the lower blade 6 of the pulsator 2 are rotated in accordance with the rotation of the motor 10, and the laundry and the washing liquid in the washing and dewatering tub 3 are agitated to wash the laundry.

  The washing liquid between the lower blade 6 of the pulsator 2 and the circulation channel cover 4 is pushed outward by centrifugal force by the rotation of the lower blade 6 according to the rotation of the pulsator 2, and passes through the circulation channels 5, 5 a. Through the discharge port 5 b with the opening 8 and the lint filter 9, it is poured intermittently into the washing and dewatering tub 3. After the washing liquid pushed out to the circulation channels 5, 5 a by the lower blade 6 of the pulsator 2, new washing liquid is supplied from below the center of the lower blade 6 of the pulsator 2.

  This is because the washing liquid existing between the water receiving tank 1 and the washing / dehydrating tank 3 is supplied, so that the water surface between the water receiving tank 1 and the washing / dehydrating tank 3 is Although it is also a cause that it becomes lower than the water level in the washing / dehydrating tub 3, the washing liquid that actually flows out from the hole for dehydration provided in the washing / dehydrating tub 3 and the gap between the pulsator 2 and the washing / dehydrating tub 3 Depending on the balance, the difference in liquid level will be kept constant.

  A water conduit 15 for detecting the amount of water is connected to the water receiving tank 1, and a pressure sensor as a water amount detecting means 16 is provided on the upper portion thereof. That is, it becomes possible to grasp the amount of water in the washing and dewatering tub 3 by detecting the change in the enclosed air pressure due to the rise in the water level in the water conduit 15. Detection information from the pressure sensor 16 is transmitted as an electrical signal to the discharge angle adjusting unit 14 via the control means 13, and the discharge angle at the opening 8 existing above the water surface of the washing and dewatering tub 3 is set. The laundry liquid pushed out to the circulation channel 5 by the rotation of the lower blades 2 is poured from the opening 8 onto the laundry present on the laundry liquid surface or in the vicinity of the water surface.

  The shape of the opening 8 is preferably one that enhances the water spray effect such as a shower nozzle. In that case, the washing liquid can be poured into a wide area as a thin film. Further, the opening 8 for discharging the washing liquid may be a single place or a plurality of places, and may be discharged simultaneously from the openings 8 having different heights from the bottom surface of the washing and dewatering tub 3. I do not care. Thus, even when the amount of the washing liquid changes, it is possible to optimally set the water landing point in the washing and dewatering tank 3 by detecting the water amount and controlling the discharge angle of the opening 8. Thus, the washing liquid can be poured evenly into the laundry in the washing and dewatering tub 3 to perform washing with little washing unevenness.

  Also, when pouring washing liquid or rinse water whose discharge pressure is increased by increasing the rotation speed of the pulsator 2 and the lower blade 6, the discharge angle adjusting unit 14 is controlled to optimally set the landing point. Therefore, washing with less water and detergent and rinsing are possible.

  The structure of the discharge angle adjusting unit 14 is not particularly limited, but the drive power supply and the output signal of the water amount detecting means 16 are transmitted in a non-contact manner between the water receiving tank 1 and the washing / dehydrating tank 3. Since the control unit 13 can respond quickly based on the output of the water amount detection unit 16, a configuration driven by an electrical signal is preferable.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an internal top view of the washing and dewatering tub. In FIGS. 3 and 4, reference numeral 18 denotes a circulating water channel provided by branching a plurality of branch water channels 19 and 20 communicating with the pump chamber 7 in the middle. The height of the branch water channels 19 and 20 from the pump chamber 7 Openings 19a and 20a are provided at different positions. A branch valve 21 can supply the washing liquid to any branch water channel 19 or 20. The point that the discharge angle adjusting unit 14 and the valve body 8a are provided in the openings 19a and 20a, and other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation in the present embodiment will be described. When the laundry is put into the washing / dehydrating tub 3 and the start switch (not shown) of the washing machine is turned on, a predetermined amount of water is poured into the washing / dehydrating tub 3 according to the input weight, and the dewatering hole ( The water poured because it is not shown) is also stored in the outer water receiving tank 1. When entering the washing process, the motor 10 is rotated by being controlled by the control means 13 in accordance with the washing liquid flow.

  The pulsator 2 and the lower blade 6 of the pulsator 2 are rotated according to the rotation of the motor 10, and the laundry and the washing liquid in the washing and dewatering tub 3 are agitated to wash the laundry. . In addition, the washing liquid between the lower blade 6 of the pulsator 2 and the circulation channel cover 4 is pushed outward by centrifugal force by the rotation of the lower blade 6 according to the rotation of the pulsator 2, and passes through the circulation channel 18. Through the opening 19 a or 20 a and the opening 5 b with the lint filter 9, it is poured intermittently into the washing and dewatering tub 3.

  A water conduit 15 for detecting the amount of water is connected to the water receiving tank 1, and a pressure sensor 16 as a water amount detecting means is provided on the upper part thereof. Based on the detection information from the pressure sensor 16, the branch valve 21 provided in the circulating water channel 18 is operated via the control means 13, and the circulating water channel is positioned higher than the bottom surface of the washing and dewatering tub 3. The lower wing 6 of the pulsator 2 is rotated by switching so that the washing liquid is supplied to the branch water channel 19 provided with the opening 19a and setting the discharge angle at the opening 19a by the discharge angle adjusting unit 14. Thus, the washing liquid pushed out to the circulation water channel 5 is poured through the branch water channel 19 from the opening 19a to the laundry present on or near the water surface.

  The shape of the openings 19a and 20a is preferably a shape that enhances the watering effect of a shower nozzle or the like. In that case, the washing liquid can be poured into a wide area as a thin film. Further, a plurality of openings 19a, 20a for discharging the washing liquid may be provided at different positions in the height direction. Depending on the position of the water surface in the washing / dehydrating tub 3, the height from the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub 3 may be increased. You may discharge simultaneously from the opening part from which length differs.

  In this way, even when the amount of the washing liquid changes, the branch water channels 19 and 20 are provided and switched to the washing water circulation channel 18 to detect and discharge the water amount, and the discharge angle of the openings 19a and 20a is controlled. This makes it possible to optimally set the water landing point in the washing / dehydrating tub 3, and the washing liquid can be poured evenly into the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 3 to perform washing with little unevenness in washing. .

  In addition, even when the discharge pressure is increased by increasing the number of rotations of the pulsator 2 and the lower blade 6, it is possible to optimally set by controlling the landing point at which the washing liquid is poured by the discharge angle adjusting unit 14, Washing with less washing unevenness can be performed with less washing liquid, and the rinsing effect can be enhanced to reduce the amount of rinse water.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can evenly pour the washing liquid into the laundry according to the water level in the washing and dewatering tub or the change in the number of rotations of the pulsator, and with less water and detergent. Since the cleaning effect can be enhanced, it is useful as a pulsator type washing machine.

Schematic sectional view of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Top view of the inside of the washing and dewatering tank of the washing machine Schematic sectional view of a washing machine in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Top view of the inside of the washing and dewatering tank of the washing machine Schematic sectional view of a conventional washing machine

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water receiving tank 2 Pulsator 3 Washing and dewatering tank 5 Circulating water path 6 Lower blade | wing 7 Pump chamber 8 Opening part 10 Motor 13 Control means 14 Discharge angle adjustment part 16 Pressure sensor (water quantity detection means)
21 Branch valve

Claims (3)

A water receiving tub, a washing and dewatering tub rotatably provided in the water receiving tub, a pulsator provided rotatably at the bottom of the washing and dewatering tub, and a motor for rotating the pulsator A control means for controlling the motor; a pump chamber provided with a lower blade formed on the back surface of the pulsator; a water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of washing liquid supplied to the water receiving tank; A circulating water channel that communicates with the pump chamber and is formed upward on the side surface of the washing and dewatering tub, and a plurality of water channels are provided at different positions in the height direction of the circulating water channel to discharge the washing liquid into the washing and dewatering tub And a discharge angle adjusting unit that adjusts a discharge angle of the washing liquid discharged from the opening, and the control unit discharges the washing liquid according to the amount of water detected by the water amount detection unit. When opening the opening The discharge angle adjusting unit controls the washing machine to which the washing water pumped through the water circulation passage so as to discharge toward the surface of the water of the washing and dewatering tank through the opening from the pump chamber to be. The circulating water channel has a plurality of branch water channels communicating with the pump chamber, a branch valve provided in the plurality of branch water channels, and an opening provided in a position at a different height from the pump chamber in each of the branch water channels. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means switches the opening for discharging the washing liquid in accordance with the amount of water detected by the water quantity detection means. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means adjusts the discharge angle of the washing liquid by the discharge angle adjusting unit in accordance with the rotational speed of the motor.

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