JP2015029546A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable water to be saved while securing a water level for washing within a rotary tub during washing.SOLUTION: A lower part in a peripheral wall of a rotary tub rotatably provided within a water tub is formed so as to have no holes, and a plurality of dewatering holes are formed in an upper part in the peripheral wall. Water suction ports are formed in the bottom part of the rotary tub. In addition, a rotary vane is provided so as to be located in the vicinity of the water suction ports on the reverse side of an agitator within the rotary tub, so that water is sucked into the rotary tub through the water suction ports by the rotation of the rotary vane during washing. Further, in each water suction port, a check valve is provided so as to allow water to flow into the rotary tub through the water suction port and prevent water from flowing out of the rotary tub through the water suction port.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a washing machine.

The vertical washing machine includes a rotating tub of a dehydrating tub / washing tub having a number of dewatering holes in almost the entire area of the peripheral wall inside the water tub, and further includes a stirring body in the rotating tub. In the case of washing (detergent washing or pool rinse), water at a predetermined water level is supplied as a washing water level into the rotating tank. In this case, since the rotating tank has a dewatering hole, water of a predetermined water level is actually stored in the water tank and the rotating tank.
In this case, the water in the outer portion of the rotating tub is wasted because it is not so much used for washing.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-015288

  Therefore, a washing machine is provided that can save water while securing the washing water level in the rotating tub during washing.

  The washing machine according to the embodiment includes a water tub, a rotating tub that is rotatably provided in the water tub, and that has a lower portion of the peripheral wall formed in a non-porous shape and a plurality of dewatering holes formed in the upper portion of the peripheral wall, and the rotation A water suction port formed at the bottom of the tank, a rotatable stirring body provided near the bottom of the rotating tank inside the rotating tank, and a back side of the stirring body inside the rotating tank. A rotary vane that is positioned in the vicinity of the water suction port and is rotatably provided, and is rotated at the time of washing to suck water from the water suction port into the rotary tank, and the water suction port provided in the water suction port. And a check valve that allows water to flow into the rotating tank and prevents water from flowing out of the rotating tank through the water suction port.

Longitudinal sectional view of the washing machine according to the first embodiment Vertical section of the lower part of the rotating tank Transverse plan view of planetary gear mechanism and rotating blade part Cross-sectional plan view of water inlet Electrical configuration block diagram Flow chart showing control contents of control device (A) is a diagram showing the drive mode and water level content of the stirrer in the standard course, (b) is a diagram showing the drive mode and water level content of the stirrer in the water-saving course (A) The figure which shows operation | movement of the stirring body when the cloth amount detection result in a standard course is 1 kg or less, (b) The figure which shows the water level change in a rotation tank in case the cloth amount detection result in a standard course is 1 kg or less, (C) is a figure which shows the water level change in the rotation tank by a reference example. (A) The figure which shows operation | movement of the stirring body when the cloth amount detection result in a standard course is more than 4 kg-8 kg or less, (b) In the rotation tank when the cloth amount detection result in a standard course is more than 4 kg-8 kg or less The figure which shows a water level change, (c) is a figure which shows the water level change in the rotation tank by a reference example. (A) is a schematic block diagram for showing the water supply level when the cloth amount detection result in the standard course is 1 kg or less, and (b) shows the water level in the rotating tank when the cloth amount detection result in the standard course is 1 kg or less. Schematic configuration diagram for (A) is a schematic block diagram for showing the water supply level when the cloth amount detection result in the standard course is over 4 kg to 8 kg or less, and (b) is the case in which the cloth amount detection result in the standard course is over 4 kg to 8 kg or less. Schematic configuration diagram for showing the water level in the rotating tank (A) The figure which shows operation | movement of the stirring body when the cloth amount detection result in a water-saving course is 1 kg or less, (b) The figure which shows the water level change in a rotation tank in case the cloth amount detection result in a water-saving course is 1 kg or less (A) The figure which shows operation | movement of the stirring body when the cloth amount detection result in a water-saving course is more than 4 kg-8 kg or less, (b) In the rotation tank in the case where the cloth amount detection result in a water-saving course is more than 4 kg-8 kg or less Figure showing water level change, The figure for comparing the amount of water supply of a reference example and the amount of water supply of an embodiment according to the amount of cloth The figure which shows the water supply amount reduction ratio of embodiment with respect to the water supply amount of a reference example Longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to the second embodiment (A) is a schematic block diagram for showing the water supply water level when the cloth amount detection result in the reference example is 1 kg or less, and (b) shows the water level in the rotating tank when the cloth amount detection result in the reference example is 1 kg or less. Schematic configuration diagram for (A) is a schematic block diagram for showing the feed water level when the cloth amount detection result in the reference example is more than 4 kg to 8 kg or less, and (b) is the case where the cloth amount detection result in the reference example is more than 4 kg to 8 kg or less. Schematic configuration diagram for showing the water level in the rotating tank

  Hereinafter, the washing machine according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. The washing machine 1 is a dehydrating combined washing machine. The outer box 2 includes an outer box body 3, a base 4 disposed at a lower portion of the outer box body 3, and a top cover 5 attached to the upper portion of the outer box body 3. Although not shown, the top cover 5 has a laundry doorway. Further, the top cover 5 is provided with a lid and an operation panel (not shown) for opening and closing the laundry doorway.

The water tank 7 is suspended in the outer box 2 by a suspension rod 6a of the elastic suspension mechanism 6 so as to be swingable. The water tank 7 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a lid 7a that can be opened and closed is provided at the top opening.
The rotating tub 8 is a washing tub / dehydrating tub, and is rotatably provided inside the water tub 7. The lower region of the peripheral wall of the rotating tub 8 is formed in a non-porous shape (without holes). This non-porous peripheral wall region is referred to as a non-porous region 8a. A plurality (a large number) of dewatering holes 9 are formed in the upper region above the non-porous region 8a. A region where the dewatering holes 9 are formed is referred to as a dewatering hole forming region 8b.

In this case, the washing water level at the time of washing includes preset “low water level” H1, “medium water level” H2, and “high water level” H3, and has a relationship of H1 <H2 <H3. .
A boundary 8k between the non-porous region 8a and the dewatering hole forming region 8b in the rotary tank 8 is set at an appropriate portion between the “low water level” H1 and the “high water level” H3.
The dewatering hole 9 is set so that the diameter of the uppermost portion of the dewatering hole forming region 8b is the largest, and the diameter of the dewatering hole 9 is smaller as it is positioned below. That is, the opening area per unit area of the peripheral wall of the rotating tub 8 by the lower dewatering hole 9 is made smaller than the opening area per unit area of the peripheral wall of the rotating tub 8 by the upper dewatering hole 9.

The rotary tank 8 is formed in a slope shape having a larger diameter as the peripheral wall is directed upward. Accordingly, the non-porous region 8a also has a sloped shape that increases in diameter toward the upper side.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a plurality of, for example, two water inlets 10 are formed in the bottom of the rotating tank 8 in a point-symmetric arrangement with the center of the rotating tank 8 as a reference point. Each of these water suction ports 10 is provided with a check valve 11. The check valve 11 includes a valve body 12 made of an elastically deformable member such as a rubber plate, and a mesh member 13 as a support member made of a rigid body.

As shown in FIG. 4, the valve body 12 is attached to the water suction port 10 over the entire region, and has a plate member 12 a that is divided in the radial direction from the center.
The mesh member 13 is capable of passing water, and is provided in the water suction port 10 so as to be able to contact the valve body 12 below the valve body 12. That is, the mesh member 13 supports the valve body 12 below. The mesh member 13 allows the water suction port 10 to be opened by elastic deformation of the valve body 12 in the direction toward the inside of the rotary tub 8 (direction of arrow A in FIG. 2), and the direction of the valve body 12 toward the outside of the rotary tub 8 (counter arrow). The elastic deformation in the A direction) can be prevented and the closed state of the water suction port 10 can be maintained. In addition, since complete closure by the plate member 12a which can be elastically deformed is difficult in terms of configuration, “maintaining a closed state” does not mean complete closure. However, the use of a check valve that can be completely closed is not denied.

Inside the rotating tank 8, a stirring body 14 is rotatably provided so as to be located near the bottom of the rotating tank 8. Further, a rotary blade 15 is rotatably provided via a planetary gear mechanism 16 in a portion located inside the rotary tank 8 on the back side of the stirring body 14 and in the vicinity of the water suction port 10.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotary blade 15 has a disc portion 15a having a fitting hole 15k in the center portion, and a plurality of, for example, four pieces formed radially on the back surface of the disc portion 15a. The blade portion 15b. The rotary blade 15 has a fitting hole 15k fitted and connected to an outer ring gear 16c of a planetary gear mechanism 16 described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the planetary gear mechanism 16 includes a sun gear 16a, for example, four planetary gears 16b, and an outer ring gear 16c. The sun gear 16a is formed on a bearing 16d fixed to the inner surface of the bottom of the rotary tub 8. The planetary gear 16b is rotatably supported by a mounting boss portion 14a formed on the back surface of the stirring member 14, and meshes with the sun gear 16a and the outer ring gear 16c.

  In the planetary gear mechanism 16 described above, when the planetary gear 16b revolves around the outer periphery of the fixed sun gear 16a along with the rotation of the stirring member 14, the outer ring gear 16c and the rotating blade 15 revolves around the planetary gear 16b. It rotates more than the number of rotations. That is, the rotating blade 15 is configured to be interlocked with the stirring body 14 by receiving the rotation of the stirring body 14 at an increased speed by the planetary gear mechanism 16.

In addition, at a plurality of, for example, two locations on the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the rotary tub 8, a pumping cover 17 is mounted that forms a pumping path 17a with the inner surface of the peripheral wall.
A clutch mechanism 18 and a washing machine motor 19 are provided below the bottom of the water tank 7. The washing machine motor 19 is composed of an outer rotor type motor, and a rotating shaft 19 a of the washing machine motor 19 is connected to the agitator 14. The clutch mechanism 18 includes a hollow tank shaft 18a. The tank shaft 18 a is inserted into the water tank 7 in a watertight manner and is connected to the rotating tank 8. The rotating shaft 19a of the washing machine motor 19 is inserted through the tank shaft 18a.

  The clutch mechanism 18 connects the rotary tank 8 and the stirring body 14 by connecting the tank shaft 18a to the rotary shaft 19a during dehydration (dehydration-compatible clutch state). Thereby, at the time of spin-drying | dehydration, the rotation tank 8 and the stirring body 14 rotate at high speed integrally. At the time of washing (detergent washing and pool rinse), the tank shaft 18a is disconnected from the rotary shaft 19a and connected to the water tank 7 (washing-compatible clutch state). Thereby, the stirring body 14 can be rotationally driven in a state where the rotary tub 8 is fixed at the time of washing. The clutch mechanism 18 includes a clutch motor 18b (see FIG. 5) for switching between the above-described dewatering-compatible clutch state and the washing-compatible clutch state. Further, the clutch mechanism 18 opens the drain valve 21 when in the dewatering-compatible clutch state, and closes the drain valve 21 when in the washing-compatible clutch state.

A drain port 20 is formed at the bottom of the water tank 7, and a drain valve 21 and a drain hose 22 are connected to the drain port 20.
Next, the electrical configuration of the washing machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The control device 23 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and has a function as a control means for controlling the overall operation of the washing machine with a software configuration. Further, the control device 23 includes a cloth amount detecting means 23a and an automatic water level setting means 23b.

An operation input unit 24, a display unit 25, a water supply valve 26, a water level sensor 27, a current detection sensor 28, a rotation sensor 29, the washing machine motor 19, and the clutch motor 18b are connected to the control device 23.
The operation input unit 24 includes various switches provided on an operation panel (not shown), and sets various control elements in the washing operation (various settings such as course selection and washing time setting) on the user side. . The washing course includes a fully automatic course and a manual course. Among the fully automatic courses, there are a standard course (FIG. 7 (a)) and a water-saving course (FIG. 7 (b)).

  In the standard course, the set water level for washing in the detergent washing process, the water supply level, the rotation time of the stirrer 14 (forward rotation time, reverse rotation time), the stop time of the stirrer 14, The rotation speed of the stirring body 14 is set as shown in FIG. In the water-saving course, depending on the detection result of the cloth amount, the set water level of the washing water level in the washing process, the feed water level, the rotation time of the stirring body 14 (forward rotation time, reverse rotation time), the stop time of the stirring body 14 and stirring The rotational speed of the body 14 is set as shown in FIG.

In this case, in the standard course and the water-saving course, the stop time of the stirrer 14 of the water-saving course is set shorter than the stop time of the stirrer 14 of the standard course corresponding to each cloth amount detection result. The water supply level is set lower in the water-saving course (less water supply).
The display unit 25 is provided on the operation panel and displays course contents, setting contents, and the like. The water supply valve 26 is provided in the top cover 5 and supplies water into the water tank 7 and thus into the rotary tank 8. The water level sensor 27 detects the water level in the water tank 7. The current detection sensor 28 detects a current flowing through the washing machine motor 19. The rotation sensor 29 detects the number of rotations of the washing machine motor 19.

  Next, the control operation of the control device 23 will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that, for example, the standard course of the fully automatic course is selected and the operation is started in the state where the laundry is put in the rotating tub 8. First, in step S1, the cloth amount is detected (cloth amount detecting means 23a). In this cloth amount detection, the agitator 14 is rotated by the washing machine motor 19 for a predetermined short time, the number of pulses of the rotation sensor 29 at that time is counted, and it is determined that the capacity of the laundry is smaller as the count number is larger. (Detect). In this case, it is detected which of the three categories of the amount of cloth is 1 kg or less, 1 kg or more to 4 kg or less, 4 kg to 8 kg or less.

  In the next step S2, settings are made according to the cloth amount detection result. An example of this setting is shown in FIG. When the cloth amount detection result is 1 kg or less, the rotation time of the stirring body 14 at the time of washing is set to 0.6 seconds, the stop time is set to 0.6 seconds, and the rotation speed of the stirring body 14 is set to 100 rpm. Further, the water level (washing water level) of the rotating tub 8 at the time of washing is set to “low water level” H1 (automatic water level setting means 23b). In this case, the water supply level is the “low water level” -compatible water supply level H1k. The “low water level” H1 is also shown in FIG. 10B, and the “low water level” corresponding water supply level H1k is also shown in FIG. 10A.

  When the cloth amount detection result is more than 1 kg to 4 kg or less, the rotation time of the stirring body 14 during washing is set to 1 second, the stop time is set to 1 second, and the rotation speed of the stirring body 14 is set to 120 rpm. Further, when the cloth amount detection result is more than 4 kg to 8 kg or less, the rotation time of the stirring body 14 at the time of washing is set to 2 seconds, the stop time is set to 1.5 seconds, and the rotation speed of the stirring body 14 is set to 130 rpm. . Further, the water level (water level for washing) in the rotating tub 8 at the time of washing is set to “medium water level” H2 shown in FIG. 10B (automatic water level setting means 23b). In this case, the water supply level is the “low water level” -compatible water supply level H2k (see FIG. 10A).

  Further, when the cloth amount detection result is more than 4 kg to 8 kg or less, the rotation time of the stirring body 14 at the time of washing is set to 2 seconds, the stop time is set to 1.5 seconds, and the rotation speed of the stirring body 14 is set to 130 rpm. . Further, the water level (water level for washing) in the rotating tub 8 at the time of washing is set to “high water level” H3 shown in FIGS. 10B and 11B (automatic water level setting means 23b). In this case, the water supply level is the “high water level” -compatible water supply level H3k (see FIG. 10A and FIG. 11A).

In the next step S3, a detergent washing process is executed. In the detergent washing process, a water supply operation and a stirring operation are executed. In the water supply operation, the water supply valve 26 is opened, and the water supply valve 26 is closed when the water supply water level set in step S2 is reached (detected by the water level sensor 27). In the stirring operation, the stirring body 14 is rotationally driven so as to have the rotation time, stop time, and rotation speed set in step S2.
For example, if the cloth amount detection result is 1 kg or less, water is supplied to the “low water level” -compatible water supply level H1k (see FIG. 10A), the stirring body 14 is rotated forward for 0.6 seconds (100 rpm), 0 Rotate and drive in 6 second stop, 0.6 second reverse rotation (100 rpm) mode (see FIG. 8A).

  The planetary gear mechanism 16 operates in conjunction with the rotation of the stirring body 14, and the rotating blade 15 rotates at a rotational speed increased from the rotational speed of the stirring body 14. By the rotation of the rotary blade 15, the water in the bottom portion of the rotary tub 8 is fed in the radial direction and pumped upward from the pumping path 17a. At the same time, the valve body 12 of the check valve 11 is elastically deformed in the direction of arrow A by the water supply action (pump action) to open the water suction port 10 and the water in the bottom portion of the water tank 7 is indicated by the arrow B. As shown, it is sucked into the rotating tub 8. Thereby, the water level in the water tank 7 falls, and the water level (washing water level) in the rotating tank 8 rises.

In this case, during the period in which the stirring body 14 is stopped, the water level in the rotary tub 8 is lowered, but the water level does not become lower than the “low water level” water supply level. And the water level in the rotating tank 8 rises again by the next rotation of the stirring body 14. The average water level of the water level fluctuation in the rotary tank 8 is the “low water level” H1 (see FIG. 8B). In other words, the feed water level is set in advance as the “low water level” -corresponding feed water level H1k (H1k <H1) so as to be the “low water level” H1.
As can be seen from the above description, when the water level for washing at the time of washing is set to “low water level” H1, the water supply level is set to a water level H1k corresponding to “low water level” that is considerably lower than this “low water level” H1. be able to. As a result, the amount of water supply (amount of water used) can be reduced while ensuring the “low water level” H1 that is the washing water level, and water can be saved.

  Here, FIG. 8 (c), FIG. 17 (a) and FIG. 17 (b) show the relationship between the “low water level” H1 ′ and the water supply water level H1k ′ among the washing water levels in the reference example (conventional configuration). ing. FIG. 17A shows a state at the end of water supply, and FIG. 17B shows a state immediately after the stirring member 14 'rotates. In this reference example, the rotating tub 8 ′ has a dewatering hole 9 ′ on the entire peripheral wall, the rotating blade 15 ′ is integrated with the agitator 14 ′ (configuration without a planetary gear), and a check valve and The structure has no pumping channel. Then, when the agitator 14 'is rotated in the same rotation mode as in the case where the cloth amount is 1 kg or less in FIG. 17, even if water is sucked by the rotary blade 15', the inside and outside of the lower peripheral wall of the rotating tub 8 'are water-permeable. The water level for washing does not increase so much because it is possible and there is no check valve and there is no pumping channel. For this reason, if it is going to realize "low water level" H1 'which is the target water level for washing (this is the same water level as H1), the water supply water level H1k' is set considerably higher than the water supply water level H1k of this embodiment. There is a need to.

  In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, even if the rotary blade 15 is configured integrally with the stirring body 14 (configuration without the planetary gear), there is a non-porous region 8 a at the lower peripheral wall of the rotary tank 8, Even if the water supply level H1kα (see FIG. 17A) is lower than the water supply level H1k ′ of the reference example shown in FIG. 17 due to the presence of the check valve 11 and the pumping channel 17, the target washing water "Low water level" H1 can be obtained.

If the cloth amount detection result is more than 4 kg to 8 kg or less, water is supplied to the “high water level” water supply level H3k (see FIG. 11A), and the stirring member 14 is rotated forward for 2 seconds (130 rpm), 1 Rotate and drive in the mode of 5 second stop and 2 second reverse rotation (130 rpm) (see FIG. 9A). Then, as described above, the stirrer 14, the planetary gear mechanism 16, the rotary blade 15, and the check valve 11 operate, and the pumping path 17a exhibits a pumping action, as shown in FIGS. 11 (b) and 9 (b). Thus, the water level in the rotary tank 8 becomes the “high water level” H3 (average water level) which is the washing water level.
In this way, when the washing water level at the time of washing is set to “high water level” H3, the water supply water level can be set to the “high water level” -corresponding water supply level H3k which is considerably smaller than this “high water level” H3. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of water supply while ensuring the “high water level” H3 that is the washing water level, and to save water.

Here, as shown in FIG. 11B, in the state where the water level in the rotating tub 8 is raised to the “high water level” H3 that is the washing water level, the washing water in the rotating tub 8 forms dewatering holes. It tries to go out of the rotating tub 8 from the dewatering hole 9 existing in the region 8b. In particular, the dewatering holes 9 present in the lower part of the group of dewatering holes 9 are under high water pressure, so that the wash water is easily discharged.
However, in this embodiment, the opening area per unit area of the peripheral wall of the rotating tub 8 by the lower dewatering hole 9 is made smaller than the opening area by the upper dewatering hole 9. Even if a high water pressure is applied, the outflow of washing water in the rotating tub 8 can be reduced.

  FIG. 18 shows a reference example having the same configuration as in FIG. 17. In FIG. 18, it is attempted to realize the same “high water level” H3 ′ as the “high water level” H3 as the washing water level. Since the water suction action into the rotating tub 8 'is extremely weak, the water supply level H3k' must be increased to about "high water level" H3 '(see also FIG. 9 (c)). On the other hand, in this embodiment, in order to obtain the same “high water level” H3 as the “high water level” H3 ′, the water supply level H3k (small water supply amount) lower than the water supply level H3k ′ can be obtained.

  When the cloth amount detection result is more than 1 kg to 4 kg or less, water is supplied up to the “medium water level” water supply level H2k (see FIG. 10A), and the stirring member 14 is rotated forward (120 rpm) for 1 second. Rotation is driven in the mode of second stop, reverse rotation of 1 second (120 rpm). Then, as described above, the stirrer 14, the planetary gear mechanism 16, the rotary blade 15, and the check valve 11 operate, the pumping path 17a exhibits a pumping action, and the water level in the rotary tank 8 is the washing water level. Medium water level "H2 (see FIG. 10B). Also in this case, the water supply level can be set to the “medium water level” H2k corresponding to the “middle water level” H2, which is considerably lower than the “medium water level” H2. Less.

  When the detergent washing process described above is executed for a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S4, and the rinsing process is executed for a predetermined time. This rinsing process includes a water-dehydrating process in which water is dehydrated while pouring, and a stored rinsing process. Since the rinsing rinse process is substantially the same as the above-described detergent washing process, the rinsing rinse is performed in the same water supply mode and rotational drive mode as the water supply mode in the detergent cleaning process and the rotational drive mode of the agitator 14. Perform the washing process. Thereby, a water supply water level can be set low with respect to the water level for washing | cleaning (water level for the pool rinse washing), and water supply amount can be decreased.

  After the rinsing process, the process proceeds to step S5 and the dehydration process is executed for a predetermined time. In this dehydration process, the rotating tank 8 and the stirring body 14 are rotated together. In this case, since the non-porous region 8a in the rotating tank 8 has a slope shape that increases in diameter as it goes upward, the water in the clothing in the non-porous region 8a is raised by the slope to remove the upper dewatering hole. 9 can be discharged (dehydrated) out of the rotary tank 8.

  When the water-saving course is selected, water is supplied at the water supply level shown in FIG. 7B, and the agitator 14 is rotationally driven in the rotation drive mode of the agitator 14 shown in FIG. In the case of this water-saving course, since the stop time of the stirring body 14 is set to be shorter than in the case of the standard course in each cloth amount detection result, the water level lowering time of the water sucked into the rotating tub 8 is short. As shown in FIGS. 12 (b) and 13 (b), the minimum water levels H1u and H3u in the rotating tank 8 are compared with the case of the standard course (see FIGS. 8 (b) and 9 (b)). Then rise. As a result, when the water supply amount is the same, the washing water level rises in the water-saving course, but in this embodiment in which the washing water level is still set in both the standard course and the water-saving course, each water supply in the water-saving course The water levels H1s, H2s, H3s can be made lower than the respective water supply levels H1k, H2k, H3k of the corresponding standard course.

As a result, in the water-saving course, the amount of water supply can be further reduced and water can be saved.
As described above, in this embodiment, the lower part of the peripheral wall of the rotating tub 8 is formed in a non-porous shape, and a plurality of dewatering holes 9 are formed in the upper part of the peripheral wall. Is provided in the vicinity of the water suction port 10 and provided with a rotary blade 15 for sucking water from the water suction port 10 into the rotary tank 8 at the time of washing, and the water suction port 10 is connected to the rotary tank from the water suction port 10. A check valve 11 is provided to allow the inflow of water into the water 8 and to prevent the outflow of water from the water suction port 10 to the outside of the rotary tank 8.

  According to this, at the time of washing, water is pumped upward from the pumping path 17a by the water feeding action (pump action) in the centrifugal direction by the rotation of the rotary blade 15, and at the same time, the check valve 11 is pumped by this pump action. The valve body 12 is elastically deformed in the direction of the arrow A to open the water suction port 10 and the water in the bottom portion of the water tank 7 is sucked into the rotary tank 8. Thereby, the water level in the water tank 7 falls, and the water level (washing water level) in the rotating tank 8 rises. Accordingly, the water level in the rotary tank 8 is set by effectively using the water between the rotary tank 8 and the water tank 7 (“low water level” H1, “medium water level” H2, “high water level” H3). It can be. Thereby, waste of water between the rotary tank 8 and the water tank 7 can be reduced, and a predetermined washing water level can be ensured at the time of washing even if the water supply water level is set low. As a result, the amount of water supply can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the diameter of the dewatering hole 9 is set such that the diameter of the dewatering hole 9 located at the top is the largest, and the diameter of the dewatering hole 9 located at the bottom is smaller. ing. That is, the opening area per unit area of the peripheral wall of the rotary tub 8 by the lower dewatering hole 9 is made smaller than the opening area per unit area by the upper dewatering hole 9.

According to this, even if a high water pressure is applied to the lower dewatering hole 9 in the rotating tub 8, the outflow of washing water in the rotating tub 8 can be reduced.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 16 as the second embodiment, the diameters of the dewatering holes 9 are the same, and the formation density of the dewatering holes 9 is rough in the lower part and dense in the upper part. It is good also as a structure which makes the opening area per unit area of the rotating tank 8 surrounding wall by the hole 9 smaller than the opening area per unit area by the upper dehydration hole 9. FIG.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the pumping path 7a for pumping water to the upper part of the inner surface of the rotary tank 8 by the rotation of the rotary blade 15 is provided, so that the water can be efficiently supplied to the upper part of the rotary tank 8, and the washing water level As a result, the water supply can be reduced. In addition, this pumping path 7a may extend to the upper part of the non-porous region 8a, and in this case, a watering effect can be expected.

Further, in the present embodiment, the check valve 11 is configured to have a plurality of elastically deformable plate members 12a that are attached to the water suction port 10 over the entire region and are divided in the radial direction from the center. A valve body 12 that opens and closes the water suction port 10 by elastic deformation, and is provided in the water suction port 10 so as to be able to contact the valve body 12 below the valve body 12, and the elasticity of the valve body 12 toward the inside of the rotary tank 8. Opening of the water suction port 10 due to deformation is allowed, and the mesh member 13 that holds the closed state of the water suction port 10 while preventing elastic deformation of the valve body 12 toward the outside of the rotary tank 9 is provided.
According to this, the check valve 11 can have a relatively simple configuration. Moreover, the dimension of an up-down direction may be small and it can install in the water inlet 10 of the bottom part of the rotation tank 8 which cannot take installation space very much.

  In the present embodiment, “low water level” H1 and “high water level” H3 are set as washing water levels, and the boundary 8k between the non-porous region 8a and the dewatering hole forming region 8b in the rotary tank 8 is “ It is set between the “low water level” H1 and the “high water level” H3, and further the cloth amount detection means 23a for detecting the cloth amount, and the washing water level “low water level” according to the detection result by the cloth amount detection means 23a. And an automatic water level setting means 23b for switching the water level for washing to a water level other than the “low water level” H1 (“high water level” H3 or “medium water level” H2). Yes.

According to this, when the “low water level” H1 is automatically set, washing is performed in the non-porous region 8a portion of the rotating tank 8, that is, almost all the water sucked into the rotating tank 8 is removed. It can be used as washing water without going out of the rotating tub 8, and the use efficiency of water (ratio of the amount of washing water in the rotating tub 8 to the amount of feed water) can be improved. The water use efficiency gradually decreases in the order of “medium water level” H2 and “high water level” H3, but is much better than the reference example.
In the present embodiment, the non-porous region 8a, which is a non-porous peripheral wall portion in the rotary tub 8, is formed in a slope shape that increases in diameter toward the upper side. According to this, at the time of dehydration, the water of the clothes in the non-porous region 8a can be raised by the inclined surface and discharged from the upper dewatering hole 9 to the outside of the rotating tub 8.

  In this embodiment, the stirrer 14 is driven in a mode that repeats rotation and rest during washing, and there are a water-saving course and a standard course as washing courses, and the water-saving course has a standard rest time of the stirrer 14. The configuration is set shorter than the course. According to this, by setting the rest time of the stirrer 14 in the water-saving course to be shorter than that in the standard course, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the water level of the sucked water in the rotating tub 8, and further increase the water supply level. Even if it is lowered, the necessary washing water level can be secured, and the water supply amount can be further reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the rotating blade 15 is configured to be interlocked with the stirring body 14 by receiving the rotation of the stirring body 14 by the planetary gear mechanism 16 at an increased speed. According to this, since the rotational speed of the rotary blade 15 can be made higher than that of the stirring member 14, the pump action is strengthened, the amount of water sucked in the water tank 7 can be increased, and the use efficiency of water is improved. Can do.
In the above embodiment, even if the rotary blade 15 is provided integrally on the back surface of the stirring member 14 (no planetary gear mechanism 16 is provided), the use efficiency of water can be sufficiently increased as compared with the reference example. it can.
14 and 15 show a comparison between the amount of water used in the standard course and the water-saving course according to this embodiment and the amount of water used in the reference example. As can be seen from these figures, The standard course and the water-saving course were able to significantly reduce the amount of water used compared to the reference example.

  According to the washing machine of the embodiment described above, the lower part of the peripheral wall of the rotating tub provided rotatably inside the water tank is formed in a non-porous shape, and a plurality of dewatering holes are formed in the upper part of the peripheral wall. In addition, a water suction port was formed at the bottom of the rotating tank. Further, a rotating blade is provided on the back side of the stirring body in the rotating tank and in the vicinity of the water suction port, and water is sucked into the rotating tank from the water suction port by rotation during washing of the rotating blade. did. Further, a check valve is provided at the water suction port to allow water to flow from the water suction port into the rotating tub and to prevent water from flowing out of the rotating tub from the water suction port. According to this, the water between a rotation tank and a water tank can be effectively sucked in in a rotation tank at the time of washing, and it can save water, ensuring the washing water level in a rotation tank.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

  In the drawings, 1 is a washing machine, 7 is a water tub, 8 is a rotating tub, 9 is a dewatering hole, 10 is a water suction port, 11 is a check valve, 14 is a stirrer, 15 is a rotating blade, 16 is a planetary gear mechanism, Reference numeral 17a denotes a pumping channel.

Claims (8)

A tank,
A rotating tub that is rotatably provided inside the water tank, has a lower portion in the peripheral wall formed in a non-porous shape, and has a plurality of dewatering holes formed in the upper portion of the peripheral wall.
A water inlet formed at the bottom of the rotating tank;
A rotatable stirring body provided in the rotary tank and located near the bottom of the rotary tank;
A rotary vane that is located behind the stirring body in the inside of the rotating tank and is rotatably provided in the vicinity of the water inlet, and is rotated at the time of washing to suck water from the water inlet into the rotating tank. When,
A washing machine provided with a check valve provided at the water suction port and allowing water to flow into the rotating tub from the water suction port and preventing water from flowing out of the rotating tub from the water suction port.   The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a pumping path for pumping water to the upper part of the inner surface of the rotating tub by the rotation of the rotating blades. The check valve is
A valve body configured to have a plurality of elastically deformable plate members attached to the water suction port over the entire region and divided in a radial direction from a central portion; and opening and closing the water suction port by the elastic deformation;
The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a support member provided at the water suction port and supporting the valve body below the valve body and having water permeability. “Low water level” and “High water level” are set as washing water levels.
The boundary between the non-porous region that is a non-porous peripheral wall portion in the rotating tank and the dewatering hole forming region that is the peripheral wall portion where the dewatering holes are formed is between the “low water level” and the “high water level”. Set to
Furthermore, a cloth amount detecting means for detecting the cloth amount;
Automatic water level setting means for switching between a case where the washing water level is set to "low water level" and a case where the washing water level is set to a water level other than "low water level" according to the detection result by the cloth amount detection means. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a washing machine.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a peripheral wall portion having a non-porous shape in the rotating tub is formed in a slope shape having a diameter that increases upward. When washing, the stirrer is driven in a mode that repeats rotation and pause,
As washing course, there are water saving course and standard course,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the water-saving course is set so that the suspension time of the stirring body is shorter than that of the standard course.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the rotating blade is configured to interlock with the agitator by receiving the rotation of the agitator at an increased speed by a planetary gear mechanism. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an opening area per unit area of the rotating tank peripheral wall by the lower dewatering hole among the dewatering holes is smaller than an opening area per unit area by the upper dewatering hole. .

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