JP2011101724A - Drum washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drum washing machine configured to agitate laundry, which has a structure of sufficiently agitating the laundry though the driving structure is simple. <P>SOLUTION: The drum washing machine includes: an agitating member 12 rotatably supported at the bottom of a bottomed cylindrical rotary tub 3 rotatably supported within a water tub 2 with the rotating axis oriented substantially horizontally, and storing the laundry 10; a motor 13 for rotating the rotary tub 3 and the agitating member 12; and clutch means 14 for selectively switching the rotation of the motor 13 between the rotary tub 3 and the agitating member 12. The clutch means 14 is selectively switched between a first mode for agitating the laundry 10 by transmitting the rotation of the motor 13 not to the rotary tub 3 but to only the agitating member 12 to rotate only the agitating member 12, and a second mode for agitating the laundry 10 by transmitting the rotation of the motor 13 both to the rotary tub 3 and to the agitating member 12 to synchronously rotate the rotary tub 3 and the agitating member 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum-type washing machine having a rotating tub that is rotatably supported with a rotational axis substantially horizontal, and a stirring member that is located in the rotating tub and stirs laundry.

  Conventionally, this type of drum-type washing machine has a configuration in which a rotating member having a rotational speed difference relative to the rotational speed of the rotating drum is provided on the inner bottom of the rotating drum (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 8 shows a conventional drum-type washing machine described in Patent Document 1. In FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, a water tank 53 is supported in a housing 52 by a suspension structure (not shown), and a rotating tank 55 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape is disposed in the water tank 53. The water tank 53 and the rotating tank 55 are supported with the opening end side being the front side of the housing 52 and the bottom surface side being the back side of the housing 52, and the rotating tank 55 is rotated by a motor 54 attached to the bottom surface of the water tank 53. Driven. A door body 58 is provided in the housing 52 so as to face the opening end side of the rotating tub 55, and the user can put laundry in and out of the rotating tub 55 by opening the door body 58.

  A plurality of protrusions 59 are provided on the inner peripheral wall of the rotating tank 55. A tank rotating shaft 51 fixed to the rotating tank 55 is directly connected to the rotor 56 of the motor 54 and is supported by a tank rotating bearing 61 attached to the water tank 53. The tank rotation shaft 51 has a hollow structure, and the rotation shaft 50 fixed to the stirring member 70 is inserted so as to coincide with the axis and supported by a bearing (not shown). A speed reducer or speed increaser 71 is attached to the rear part of the motor 54, and the rotational speed of the rotating tank 55 and the stirring member 70 is transmitted by reducing or increasing the speed of the tank rotating shaft 51 to the rotating shaft 50. A relative rotational speed difference is generated.

  In the above-described configuration, when the motor 54 is driven and the rotating tub 55 is rotated in the washing process or the drying process, the laundry is lifted upward by the protrusion 59 on the inner peripheral wall of the rotating tub 55, and then has an appropriate height. The agitating operation such as dropping by the agitating operation and the agitating operation that is swirled by the agitating member 70 that rotates with a relative rotational speed difference in the rotary tank 55 are subjected to a composite agitating operation. For this reason, compared with the conventional drum-type washing dryer which does not have the stirring member 70 and performs stirring operation only by rotation of the rotary tank 55, the ability to stir the laundry is improved, and sufficient washing ability and drying ability are obtained. Can be secured.

JP 2005-253567 A

  However, the conventional configuration requires a reduction gear or a speed increaser, which makes the configuration complicated, increases the size of the drive unit, makes it difficult to store in the drum-type washing machine body, and increases the cost. There was a problem.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and in a drum type washing machine that performs agitation by giving a relative rotational speed difference between the rotating tub and the agitation member, the laundry has a simple drive configuration. An object of the present invention is to provide a drum-type washing machine having a structure in which the agitation is sufficiently performed.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a drum-type washing machine of the present invention includes a water tank for storing washing water, and a bottomed cylinder that accommodates laundry that is rotatably supported with the rotation axis substantially horizontal in the water tank. A rotating tank having a shape, a stirring member rotatably supported on a bottom surface of the rotating tank, a motor for rotating the rotating tank and the stirring member, and a rotation of the motor selected for the rotating tank and the stirring member And a clutch means for switching the motor, and the clutch means does not transmit the rotation of the motor to the rotating tub but transmits only to the stirring member and rotates only the stirring member to stir the laundry. 1 mode and a second mode in which the rotation of the motor is transmitted to both the rotating tub and the stirring member, and the laundry is stirred by synchronously rotating the rotating tub and the stirring member. It is obtained as switched manner.

  Thus, in the washing process or the drying process, when the clutch means is set to the first mode and the motor is rotated, the laundry receives the rotational force from the stirring member in the rotating tub and receives the first stirring operation. . Further, when the clutch means is set to the second mode and the motor is rotated, the rotating tub rotates in synchronization with the stirring member, and the laundry is lifted upward and then dropped at an appropriate height. A stirring operation will be performed. By appropriately switching the clutch means between the first mode and the second mode, it is possible to give a composite agitation operation to the laundry and to make a large change in the movement of the laundry. With a simple driving configuration, the cleaning ability and the drying ability can be improved.

  According to the present invention, by appropriately switching the clutch means between the first mode and the second mode, a composite stirring operation can be given to the laundry, and the movement of the laundry can be greatly changed. The stirring effect is enhanced, and the cleaning ability and the drying ability can be improved with a simple drive configuration.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drum type washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the drum type washing machine Sectional view of the main part of the drum type washing machine in the first mode Sectional view of the main part of the drum type washing machine in the second mode The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drum type washing machine in Embodiment 2 of this invention Operation explanatory drawing of the drum type washing machine in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Operation explanatory drawing of the drum type washing machine in Embodiment 4 of the present invention Vertical section of a conventional drum-type washing machine

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water tank for storing washing water, a bottomed cylindrical rotary tank that is rotatably supported with the rotation axis substantially horizontal in the water tank, and contains the laundry, A stirring member that is rotatably supported; a motor that rotates the rotating tank and the stirring member; and a clutch unit that selectively switches the rotation of the motor between the rotating tank and the stirring member. The first mode of stirring the laundry by transmitting only the stirring member without rotating the rotation of the motor to the rotating tub and rotating only the stirring member, and rotating the motor. And a drum-type washing machine that transmits to both of the stirring members and selectively switches between the second mode of stirring the laundry by synchronously rotating the rotating tub and the stirring member. In the washing or drying process, when the clutch means is set to the first mode and the motor is rotated, the laundry receives the rotational force from the stirring member and receives the first stirring operation in the rotating tub. When the motor is rotated with the clutch means in the second mode, the rotating tub rotates in synchronization with the stirring member, and the laundry is lifted upward and then dropped at an appropriate height. 2), and by appropriately switching the clutch means between the first mode and the second mode, it is possible to give the laundry a composite agitation operation and to have a great change in the movement of the laundry. Therefore, the stirring effect is enhanced, and the cleaning ability and the drying ability can be improved with a simple drive configuration.

  In particular, according to a second invention, in the first invention, there is provided a laundry amount detection means for detecting the amount of laundry in the rotating tub, and the amount of laundry detected by the laundry amount detection means is a first predetermined value. When the amount of laundry is too small, the stirring member may not act on the laundry in the first mode when the amount of laundry is too small by using the drum type washing machine in which the clutch means is in the second mode. In such a case, by switching to the second mode, the rotating tub is rotated synchronously with the stirring member, and only the second stirring operation is given to the laundry. At this time, the amount of the laundry is small, Since the laundry can be moved greatly only by the second stirring operation, sufficient washing ability and drying ability can be ensured.

  The third aspect of the invention includes the motor load detection means for detecting the load of the motor, particularly in the first or second aspect of the invention, and when the motor is rotated with the clutch means in the first mode. When the motor load detected by the motor load detecting means is smaller than a second predetermined value, the agitating member is used in the first mode by setting the clutch means to the second mode. In order to directly detect the load applied to the laundry, it is possible to accurately detect whether or not the first agitation operation can be appropriately given to the laundry, and if not, appropriately switch to the second mode. Therefore, sufficient cleaning ability and drying ability can be ensured.

  In a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the motor load detecting means for detecting the load of the motor is provided, and the motor is rotated with the clutch means in the first mode. When the load of the motor detected by the motor load detecting means exceeds a third predetermined value, the drum type washing machine is configured to switch the clutch means to the second mode. In this case, when the rotational force applied to the laundry by the stirring member becomes too large, the laundry can be prevented from being damaged by switching to the second mode.

  The fifth invention is a drum-type washing machine provided with the bottom surface of the rotating tub inclined at a low position in any one of the first to fourth inventions, and the laundry is a stirring member located on the bottom surface of the rotating tub. Since it tends to be biased to the side by gravity, in the first mode, the stirring member can easily give the first stirring operation to the laundry, and the washing ability and the drying ability can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a drum type washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the drum type washing machine, and FIG. 3 is a first mode of the drum type washing machine. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part in the second mode of the drum type washing machine.

In FIG. 1, a water tank 2 is supported by a suspension 5 in a housing 1, and a rotating tank 3 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape is disposed in the water tank 2. The water tank 2 and the rotating tank 3 are supported so that the opening end side is the front side of the housing 1 and the bottom surface side is the back side of the housing 1 so as to be inclined downward from the horizontal direction from the front side to the back side. Has been. The housing 1 is provided with a door body 4 so as to face the opening end side of the rotating tub 3, and the user opens the door body 4 as shown in FIG. 10 can be taken in and out. A bellows 7 formed of a flexible elastic body is disposed around the laundry entrance 6 of the water tank 2, and when the door body 4 is closed, one end of the bellows 7 is in pressure contact with the inner surface of the water tank. 2 is prevented from jumping out from inside.

  As in the above configuration, the rotating tub 3 is inclined, and the door 4 is provided in the housing 1 so as to face the opening, so that the door 4 faces the face of a person standing in front of the housing 1. Thus, when the door 4 is opened and the laundry 10 is put in and out of the rotating tub 3, the degree of bending is reduced, and the laundry 10 can be put in and out easily. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure a space in front of the housing 1, and it can be installed in a narrow space such as a washroom, and is configured as a drum type washing and drying machine suitable for a narrow Japanese living environment. be able to.

  A plurality of protrusions 11 are provided on the inner peripheral wall of the rotating tub 3, and the laundry 10 can be hooked by the protrusions 11 and lifted upward by rotating the rotating tub 3 at a low speed. A stirring member 12 is provided on the back side in the rotating tub 3 so as to be rotatable with the rotating tub 3 and the rotation axis aligned.

  A drainage path 8 for draining the water in the aquarium 2 is provided below the water tank 2, and a drainage valve 9 for closing and opening the path is provided in the middle of the drainage path 8. The rotating tub 3 for storing the laundry 10 becomes a laundry room when water or detergent is stored in the water tub 2 with the drain valve 9 closed.

  Further, when the drain valve 9 is opened, water or detergent stored in the water tank 2 is drained from the drain path 8 and the rotating tank 3 is rotated at high speed, the laundry 10 is applied to the side surface of the rotating tank 3 by centrifugal force. Pressed. At this time, the moisture contained in the laundry 10 passes between the water tank 2 and the rotary tank 3 through a plurality of dewatering holes 3 a provided on the side surface of the rotary tank 3 and is drained from the drainage path 8. Thus, the rotary tank 3 also becomes a dehydration chamber.

  In addition, the rotating tub 3 has a structure in which warm air is blown by the heater 21, the air blowing means 22, and the air blowing path 23. When the hot air is blown, the rotating tub 3 also becomes a drying chamber. The flow of wind in the drying process will be described below.

  The air blown by the air blowing means 22 is heated by the heater 21 to become warm air, led to the back side of the water tank 2 and the rotary tank 3 by the air blowing path 23, and from the discharge port 24 provided on the back surface of the water tank 2 to the water tank 2 is blown into. The warm air blown into the water tub 2 passes through a hole 25 provided in the back surface of the rotating tub 3 and is blown onto the laundry 10 stored in the rotating tub 3. The air after the moisture is evaporated from the laundry 10 passes between the water tank 2 and the rotary tank 3 through the dewatering hole 3 a on the side surface of the rotary tank 3, and from the suction port 26 provided in front of the water tank 2 to the air supply path 23. It is guided and reaches the air blowing means 22 again. Although not shown, dehumidifying means for cooling and dehumidifying the air after evaporating moisture from the laundry 10 is provided in the middle of the blowing path 23 leading to the blowing means 22.

  On the bottom surface (back surface) side of the water tank 2, a motor 13 serving as a driving source for rotation of the stirring member 12 and the rotating tank 3 is provided. The clutch means 14 selectively switches the rotation of the motor 13 between the rotating tub 3 and the stirring member 12. The configuration of the clutch means 14 will be described below.

The stirring member 12 and the rotor 13b of the motor 13 are connected by a stirring member rotating shaft 27, and the rotation of the motor 13 is transmitted to the stirring member 12 as it is. As shown in FIG. 3, the stator 13 a of the motor 13 is fixed to a stationary member 15 that is fixed to the bottom surface side of the water tank 2. The stirring member rotating shaft 27 is rotatably supported by two stirring member rotating bearings 28 attached to a hollow portion of the tank rotating shaft 16 connected to the rotating tank 3. The tank rotating shaft 16 is rotatably supported by two tank rotating bearings 17 attached to the stationary member 15, and the end opposite to the rotating tank 3 is slightly separated from the rotor 13 b of the motor 13. It is opposed at a position and forms a spline 16a. The spline 16a is provided with a clutch plate 30 configured to reciprocate toward the rotor 13b side or the drum 3 side in the axial direction of the tank rotating shaft 16 while being fitted thereto.

  The clutch plate 30 is driven by an actuator (not shown) constituted by a geared motor or the like via a clutch lever 29. A plurality of claws 30a are formed on the rotor 13b side of the clutch plate 30, and a hole 31 is formed in the rotor 13b opposite to the claws 30a so as to be able to fit the claws 30a. When the clutch plate 30 moves to the rotor 13b side, the claw 30a of the clutch plate 30 engages with the hole 31 of the rotor 13b, and when the clutch plate 30 moves to the drum 3 side, the claw of the clutch plate 30 30a is comprised so that it may remove | deviate from the hole 31 of the rotor 13b.

  Next, two modes that can be switched by the clutch means 14 will be described.

  In the first mode, as shown in FIG. 3, the actuator moves the clutch plate 30 to the drum 3 side, and removes the claw 30a of the clutch plate 30 from the hole 31 of the rotor 13b. When the motor 13 is rotated in this state, the rotational driving force is not directly transmitted to the tank rotating shaft 16 and the stirring member rotating shaft 27 is rotated. For this reason, the rotation of the motor 13 is not directly transmitted to the rotating tub 3 but the stirring member 12 is rotated.

  At this time, the laundry 10 accommodated in the rotating tub 3 receives the rotational force by the stirring member 12 and receives the first stirring operation. That is, since the rotating tub 3 is in a rotation free state, the rotating tub 3 indirectly receives the rotational force of the motor 13 from the stirring member 12 through the laundry 10. However, since this rotational force changes with the state of the laundry 10, the rotation tank 3 rotates irregularly. Due to the irregular rotation of the rotating tub 3, the laundry 10 is also subjected to a stirring action such that the laundry 10 is randomly replaced.

  In the second mode, as shown in FIG. 4, the clutch plate 30 is moved to the rotor 13b side by the actuator, and the pawl 30a of the clutch plate 30 is fitted to the hole 31 of the rotor 13b. Here, when the clutch plate 30 is moved toward the rotor 13b, the rotor 13b of the motor 13 is rotated even if the rotation position of the hole 31 of the rotor 13b is not in a positional relationship facing the claw 30a. As a result, the hole 31 will eventually be in a positional relationship facing the claw 30a and can be fitted. At this time, since the rotor 13b and the tank rotating shaft 16 are connected via the clutch plate 30, when the motor 13 is rotated, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the tank rotating shaft 16 and the stirring member rotating shaft 27. For this reason, the rotating tub 3 rotates synchronously with the stirring member 12.

  At this time, the laundry 10 stored in the rotating tub 3 is hooked by the plurality of protrusions 11 and the stirring member 12 provided on the inner peripheral wall of the rotating tub 3 and lifted upward, and then the appropriate height is obtained. The second agitating operation such as dropping at the same time is received.

  With the above configuration, in the washing or drying process, by appropriately switching the clutch means 14 to the first mode or the second mode, it is possible to give a composite stirring operation to the laundry 10 and greatly change the movement of the laundry 10. Therefore, the stirring effect is enhanced, and the washing ability and the drying ability can be improved. Further, in order to give a relative rotational speed difference between the agitating member 12 and the rotating tub 3, a simple drive configuration is realized without requiring a speed reduction mechanism or a speed increasing mechanism.

  In addition, since the rotating tub 3 is provided with the bottom surface inclined at a low level, the laundry 10 is likely to be biased by gravity toward the stirring member 12 located on the bottom surface of the rotating tub 3. In addition, the stirring member 12 can easily give the first stirring operation to the laundry 10, and the stirring effect can be further improved.

  In the dehydration step, the clutch means 14 is set to the second mode as shown in FIG. 4, the motor 13 is rotated at a high speed, and the rotating tub 3 is rotated at a high speed to perform dehydration.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a drum-type washing machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the drum type washing machine according to the second embodiment, first, the clutch means 14 is set to the second mode as shown in FIG. 4 at the beginning of operation, and the motor 13 is rotated at a high speed at a predetermined rotational speed. Control is performed so as to turn off the energization. At this time, the rotating tub 3 in which the laundry 10 is stored rotates at high speed and then continues inertial rotation for a while due to inertia. The inertia rotation time becomes longer because the inertia increases as the amount of the laundry 10 stored in the rotary tub 3 increases, and the inertia decreases as the amount of the laundry 10 decreases. By detecting this inertia time by a timer (not shown), a laundry amount detection means in the rotating tub 3 is configured.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the amount of the laundry 10 in the rotating tub 3 is too small, in the first mode, the stirring member 12 may not act on the laundry 10. Sufficient stirring operation cannot be given. In order to avoid this, when the amount of the laundry 10 detected by the laundry amount detection means is less than a predetermined value, control is performed so that the clutch means 14 is set in the second mode, and the rotary tub 3 is synchronized with the stirring member 12. Rotate and give the laundry 10 only a second stirring action. At this time, since the amount of the laundry 10 is small, the laundry 10 can be moved greatly only by the second stirring operation, so that sufficient washing ability and drying ability can be ensured.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the drum type washing machine in the third embodiment of the present invention. The same configurations as those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The drum type washing machine of the third embodiment detects a torque (load) of the motor 13 by detecting a current value that flows through the stator 13a when the rotor 13b of the motor 13 is rotated. Means. When the clutch means 14 is set to the first mode as shown in FIG. 3 and the motor 13 is rotated, the stirring member 12 is rotated. At this time, the load applied to the stirring member 12 directly becomes the torque of the motor 13, and the motor addition detection means determines whether or not the first stirring operation can be appropriately given to the laundry 10 in the rotating tub 3. Can be judged well.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the amount of the laundry 10 in the rotating tub 3 is too small, the stirring member 12 does not act on the laundry 10 in the first mode. The torque T is smaller than the minimum rotational torque T1 at which the stirring member 12 acts on the laundry 10. In such a case, the clutch means 14 is switched as shown in FIG. 6, the second mode as shown in FIG. 4 is set, the motor 13 is rotated, the rotating tub 3 is rotated synchronously with the stirring member 12, and the laundry 10 is Only a second stirring action is given. At this time, since the amount of the laundry 10 is small, the laundry 10 can be moved greatly only by the second stirring operation, so that sufficient washing ability and drying ability can be ensured.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 7 shows an operation explanatory diagram of the drum type washing machine in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same configurations as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the drum type washing machine of the fourth embodiment, when the clutch means 14 is set to the first mode as shown in FIG. 3 and the motor 13 is rotated, for example, the laundry 10 in the rotating tub 3 is entangled. When it becomes tight, the load applied to the stirring member 12 increases, and the rotational torque T of the motor 13 increases.

  The larger the rotational torque T, the greater the stirring effect. However, if the rotational torque T2 exceeds the predetermined rotational torque T2, the laundry 10 may be overloaded and damaged. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 7, the clutch means 14 is switched from the first mode as shown in FIG. 3 to the second mode as shown in FIG. 3 is rotated synchronously with the stirring member 12, and only the second stirring operation is given to the laundry 10. Thereby, the laundry 10 can be loosened, the entanglement can be eliminated, and damage to the laundry 10 can be prevented.

  In addition, in the structure of this Embodiment 1-4, although it is set as the drum type washing machine which has the drying function which made the rotation tank 3 incline, it is not limited to this, The rotating shaft of the rotation tank 3 is horizontal. Whether a drum-type washing machine having a drying function as a direction or a drum-type washing machine without a drying function, the stirring effect is improved by giving a composite stirring operation to the laundry 10 The effect can be obtained similarly.

  As described above, the drum type washing machine according to the present invention can give a composite agitation operation to the laundry by appropriately switching the clutch means between the first mode and the second mode. Since a large change can be given, the stirring effect is enhanced, and it is useful as a drum-type washing machine capable of improving the washing ability and the drying ability with a simple drive configuration.

2 Water tank 3 Rotating tank 10 Laundry 12 Stirring member 13 Motor 14 Clutch means

Claims (5)

A water tub for storing washing water, a bottomed cylindrical rotating tub that is rotatably supported with a rotational axis substantially horizontal in the tub, and is rotatably supported on the bottom surface of the rotating tub. A stirring member, a motor that rotates the rotating tank and the stirring member, and a clutch unit that selectively switches the rotation of the motor between the rotating tank and the stirring member. The clutch unit rotates the motor. The first mode in which the laundry is stirred by transmitting only to the stirring member without rotating the rotating tub and rotating only the stirring member, and the rotation of the motor is both in the rotating tub and the stirring member. The drum-type washing machine is configured to selectively switch between a second mode in which the laundry is agitated by synchronously rotating the rotating tub and the agitating member. A laundry amount detection means for detecting the amount of laundry in the rotating tub is provided, and the clutch means is set to the second mode when the amount of laundry detected by the laundry amount detection means is less than a first predetermined value. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1. Motor load detecting means for detecting a motor load is provided, and the motor load detected by the motor load detecting means is a second predetermined value when the motor is rotated with the clutch means in the first mode. 3. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein when the value is smaller than the value, the clutch means is switched to the second mode. Motor load detecting means for detecting the load of the motor is provided, and the motor load detected by the motor load detecting means is a third predetermined value when the motor is rotated in a state where the clutch means is in the first mode. The drum type washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the value is exceeded, the clutch means is switched to the second mode. The drum-type washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a bottom surface of the rotating tub is inclined to a low level.

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