JP2015100596A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve detergency of a washing machine by getting high bubbling ability with a relatively simple structure.SOLUTION: A bubbling container 201 of a washing machine comprises an air stream inlet 211 where air flows into, a laundry water inlet 212 where laundry water flows into, and a bubble solution outlet 213 discharging bubble solution and supplying it into a washing tub (or comprises a liquid mixture inlet where a liquid mixture of the air and the laundry water flows into, and a bubble solution outlet discharging bubble solution and supplying it into a washing tub). The top edge of the bubble solution outlet 213 of the bubbling container 201 is set at a position lower than a highest water level of the laundry water accumulated in the bubbling container 201.

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine having a function of generating foam in washing water.

  Conventionally, it is known that when a washing machine is operated, the washing effect can be enhanced by generating bubbles in the washing water. Therefore, a technique is known in which a foam is provided in the washing water flow path, air is supplied to the foam from an air pump to generate bubbles, and the foam is supplied to the washing tub (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . There is also known a technology in which a foam generation pump and an air pump are provided, and compressed air and washing water sent from the air pump are agitated by the foam generation pump to generate bubbles and supplied to the washing tub (for example, (See Patent Document 2).

JP 2003-275491 A JP 2003-311064 A

  However, in the foam for generating bubbles as described above, a large number of minute holes and nozzles are easily clogged due to fixing of detergent or lint, and it is difficult to stably generate bubbles. Further, when a foam generating pump is used, there is a problem that the foaming apparatus tends to be a large scale in order to obtain a high foaming capacity.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this point, The objective is to obtain high foaming capability with a comparatively simple structure, and to raise the detergency of a washing machine.

The first invention is
A washing tub,
A foam container;
A washing water pump for supplying washing water to the foam container;
An air pump for supplying air to the foam container;
With
The foam container has an air inlet through which air flows in, a washing water inlet through which washing water flows in, and a foaming liquid outlet through which the foaming liquid is discharged and supplied into the washing tub. A mixed liquid inlet into which the mixed liquid flows, and a foamed liquid outlet for discharging the foamed liquid and supplying it into the washing tub;
The upper end of the foaming liquid discharge port of the foaming container is set at a position lower than the maximum water level of the washing water accumulated in the foaming container.

  As a result, when the washing water and air are supplied into the foam container, the surface of the wash water in the foam container is pushed down by the supplied air. When the water level becomes lower than the upper end of the foaming liquid discharge port, the air in the foaming container is suddenly discharged together with the washing water. At that time, the discharged air is mixed into the washing water while being finely broken at the foaming liquid discharge port, and a large amount of fine bubbles are generated. Therefore, the laundry in the washing tub can be washed with high detergency due to the action of foam.

The second invention is
The washing machine of the first invention,
The washing tub has a foaming liquid inlet into which the foaming liquid discharged from the foaming container flows,
The foaming liquid discharge port of the foaming container and the foaming liquid inlet of the washing tub are in direct communication with each other.

  Thereby, the foam generated at the foaming liquid discharge port of the foaming container is immediately supplied into the washing tub.

The third invention is
The washing machine of the first invention or the second invention,
The lower end of the foaming liquid discharge port of the foaming container is set at the lowest position of the bottom wall of the foaming container.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the washing water from remaining in the foaming container after the washing is completed.

The fourth invention is:
A washing machine according to any one of the first to third inventions,
The foaming liquid discharged from the foaming container is configured to be supplied near the surface of the washing water in the washing tub.

  Thereby, air on the surface of the washing water is entrained by the water flow of the foaming liquid discharged from the foaming container, and it becomes easy to further increase the amount of foam by the entrained air.

The fifth invention is:
A washing machine according to any one of the first to fourth inventions,
Furthermore, a rotating drum having a rotation center axis in a substantially horizontal direction or in a substantially oblique direction where the front side is high is provided rotatably in the washing tub,
The foaming liquid is configured to flow in the gap between the rotating drum and the washing tub in the rotation center axis direction toward the front side.

  Thereby, a large amount of foaming liquid can be easily supplied into the inside from the opening on the front side of the rotating drum.

The sixth invention is:
A washing machine according to any one of the first to fifth inventions,
The washing machine is configured to be operated with the washing tub sealed, and
The air pump is configured to suck air from the inside of the washing tub.

  Thereby, the outflow of the foam to the exterior from the clearance gap etc. of a detergent container by the increase in the pressure in a washing tub can be prevented.

The seventh invention
A washing machine according to any one of the first to sixth inventions,
A check valve is provided on the discharge side of the air pump.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the washing water from flowing backward from the foaming container to the air pump and damaging the air pump.

The eighth invention
A washing machine according to any one of the first to seventh inventions,
When the washing water pump supplies washing water to the foaming container, the air pump is controlled to supply air to the foaming container.

  Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the washing water from flowing back from the foaming container to the air pump and damaging the air pump.

The ninth invention
A washing machine according to any one of the first to eighth inventions,
The foam container is provided inside a washing tub.

  Thereby, the freedom degree of installation of a foam container can be raised.

The tenth invention is
A washing machine according to any one of the first to ninth aspects,
The washing water pump also serves as a circulation pump for circulating the washing water in the washing tub.

  Thereby, reduction of a number of parts and manufacturing cost can be aimed at easily.

The eleventh invention is
A washing machine according to any one of the first to tenth inventions,
The foam container has a substantially cylindrical shape or a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

  Thereby, a foaming container can be formed easily.

  In the present invention, a high foaming ability can be obtained with a relatively simple configuration, and the washing power of the washing machine can be increased.

It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of the washing machine of Embodiment 1 typically. It is a top view which shows the structure of the foaming container of Embodiment 1. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of the foaming container of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a graph which shows the example of a relationship between the distance of an air inflow port and a foaming liquid discharge port, and foaming amount. It is a top view which shows the structure of the foaming container of the modification of Embodiment 1. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of the foaming container of the modification of Embodiment 1. It is a graph which shows the example of a relationship between the internal diameter of a foaming liquid discharge port, and the amount of foaming. It is a graph which shows the example of a relationship between a wash water flow volume and foaming amount. It is a graph which shows the example of a relationship between an air flow rate and foaming amount. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of the washing machine of Embodiment 2 typically. It is a top view which shows the structure of the foaming container of Embodiment 2. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of the foaming container of Embodiment 2. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the structure of the washing machine of Embodiment 3 typically.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments, components having functions similar to those of the other embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

Embodiment 1 of the Invention
(Structure of washing machine)
As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 101 according to the first embodiment includes a washing tub 103 in which washing water is stored inside an outer box 102. Inside the washing tub 103, a rotating drum 104 into which the laundry is put is provided so as to be rotatable around a rotation center axis 106 in a substantially horizontal direction by a motor 105. The washing tub 103 and the rotating drum 104 have a washing tub opening 103a or a rotating drum opening 104a on the front side of the washing machine 101, respectively. The washing tub opening 103a is closed by the front lid 107 during washing.

  A foam container 201 is attached to the rear side of the washing tub 103. The foam container 201 is supplied with air sucked from an air suction port 122 at the top of the washing tub 103 via a check valve 123 by an air pump 121. Further, the washing water sucked from the washing water suction port 124 at the bottom of the washing tub 103 is supplied by the washing water pump 125. Here, for example, when the check valve 123 does not perform foaming but only circulates the washing water, the washing water flows backward from the foaming container 201 to the air pump 121 and the air pump 121 is damaged. It is provided to prevent this. The position where the check valve 123 is provided is not limited to the piping from the air pump 121 to the foaming container 201, but may be provided in the air pump 121 itself or the foaming container 201 itself. Further, the washing water pump 125 may be provided exclusively for foam generation, and may also serve as a washing water circulation pump to send washing water in the washing tub 103 to the circulation path and supply it to the foam container 201. You may do it.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the foam container 201 has an air inlet 211 into which air supplied from the air pump 121 flows, and a washing water inlet 212 into which washing water supplied from the washing water pump 125 flows. , And a foaming liquid outlet 213 through which the foaming liquid is discharged. The horizontal distance between the air inlet 211 and the foaming liquid outlet 213 is set to a predetermined distance L1 as described later.

  Further, the upper end of the foam liquid discharge port 213 is set at a position lower than the maximum water level of the washing water accumulated in the foam container 201. As a result, as described later, bubbles can be generated with a high foaming ability. On the other hand, the lower end of the foam liquid discharge port 213 is set at the lowest position of the bottom wall of the foam container 201. This makes it difficult for washing water to remain in the washing machine 101 after washing is completed, and it is easy to keep it hygienic.

  The foaming liquid discharge port 213 communicates directly with the foaming liquid inlet 103 b of the washing tub 103. That is, the container wall of the foaming container 201 in which the foaming liquid discharge port 213 is formed is in contact with the tank wall of the washing tub 103 in which the foaming liquid inflow port 103b is formed, and the foaming liquid discharged from the foaming liquid discharge port 213 is discharged. It immediately flows into the washing tub 103 from the foaming liquid inlet 103b. In addition, although connecting the foaming liquid discharge port 213 and the foaming liquid inflow port 103b via piping etc. is considered, the air in the foaming container 201 is more directly connected as mentioned above, and the foaming liquid discharge port 213 is. And a large amount of fine bubbles are generated when passing through the foaming liquid inlet 103b, and it is easy to spread within the 103, which is more preferable.

  The position of the foaming liquid inlet 103b in the washing tub 103 is such that, for example, the inflowing foaming liquid flows in the circumferential gap between the washing tub 103 and the rotary drum 104 from the rear side of the washing machine 101 toward the front side. Set to position. By setting in this way, a large amount of foaming liquid can be easily supplied to the inside from the rotating drum opening 104 a of the rotating drum 104. In FIG. 1, the foaming liquid inlet 103 b is drawn near the lowest position of the washing tub 103, but is near the water surface of the washing water in the washing tub 103 rotated around the rotation center axis 106. In the case where it is arranged at a position where the air on the surface of the washing water is easily caught by the water flow of the foaming liquid ejected from the foaming liquid inflow port 103b, the amount of foam is further increased by the entrained air. It becomes easy to make.

(Operation when foaming)
In the washing machine 101 configured as described above, when the washing water is supplied from the washing water inlet 212, the washing water flows out from the foaming liquid discharge port 213, but when the supply amount is larger than the outflow amount, Washing water accumulates inside the foam container 201 and the water surface tends to rise. On the other hand, when air is supplied from the air inlet 211 at a predetermined pressure or higher, the water level of the washing water is pushed down, and when the water level becomes lower than the upper end of the foaming liquid discharge port 213, the air in the foaming container 201 together with the washing water. Is suddenly discharged. At that time, the discharged air is mixed into the washing water while being finely broken at the foaming liquid discharge port 213, and a large amount of fine bubbles are generated. That is, due to the pressure of the air in the foaming container 201, the air and the washing water are mixed and the bubbles are subdivided simultaneously and intermittently, and the washing water is discharged as the foaming liquid.

  The foaming liquid discharged from the foaming liquid discharge port 213 in this way flows into the washing tub 103 from the foaming liquid inlet 103 b of the washing tub 103, and for example, bubbles accumulated near the lower portion of the washing tub 103 are Stirring by rotation further increases the amount of foaming. Foam filled between the washing tub 103 and the rotating drum 104 flows into the rotating drum 104 from a large number of holes (not shown) formed in the rotating drum 104, and between the washing tub 103 and the rotating drum 104. It flows to the front side through the gap and flows into the inside of the rotating drum 104 from the rotating drum opening 104a. Therefore, the laundry in the rotating drum 104 can be washed with high detergency due to the action of foam.

(Other matters)
The distance L1 between the air inlet 211 and the foaming liquid outlet 213 is preferably set to be somewhat long, for example, 80 mm or more. This is because if the distance L1 is too short, it is difficult for the air pressure in the foaming container 201 to be uniformly applied to the entire water surface of the washing water, so that only the water surface near the foaming liquid discharge port 213 is constantly discharged. This is considered to be because the washing water and the air continuously flow out from the foaming liquid discharge port 213 each lower than the upper end of the outlet 213, and mixing with the washing water due to the sudden discharge of the air is less likely to occur. These are as the test results shown in FIG. The test in FIG. 4 is a trial of washing 6 kg of clothing with 20 l of soft water, and was performed using a circulation pump (washing liquid flow rate 20 l) and an air pump (air flow rate 10 l) of the washing machine. Foaming containers were made using a 200 cc cubic model with air inlets at each distance. As can be seen from this figure, when the distance L1 is up to 80 mm, the increase rate of the foaming amount is large, and when the distance L1 exceeds 80 mm, the increase rate of the foaming amount becomes slow. From this, it is more effective to increase the distance L1 as much as possible because the amount of foaming increases. However, even when considering downsizing of the apparatus, the effect of increasing the foaming amount is diminished if the distance of about 80 mm is not taken. The distance L1 in the foaming liquid discharge direction as shown in FIG. 2 is not only increased, but the distance L2 in the direction perpendicular to the foaming liquid discharge direction is increased as shown in FIG. The distance H in the height direction may be increased as shown in FIG. Moreover, you may combine these.

  Further, it can be seen from the experimental results of FIG. 7 that the foaming amount increases as the inner diameter of the foaming liquid discharge port 213 decreases. The test of FIG. 7 has the same conditions as the test of FIG. The foam container was made using a 1000 cc cylindrical model with holes drilled at each inner diameter. From this result, the smaller the inner diameter, the larger the amount of foaming. However, if the inner diameter is too small, the lint and the detergent are fixed. Accordingly, it is preferable to set the inner diameter to a minimum diameter at which the lint can pass through and the detergent does not stick, for example, about 5 to 8 mm in diameter.

  Further, the ratio of the flow rate of the washing water supplied to the foaming container 201 and air (normal temperature and normal pressure) is preferably about 1: 2 as shown in FIGS. The tests in FIGS. 8 and 9 are the same as the test conditions in FIG. The test in FIG. 8 was performed while the air pump (air flow rate 10 l) was left as it was and the flow rate of the circulation pump (detergent liquid flow rate 20 l) was reduced. In contrast to the test of FIG. 8, the test of FIG. 9 was performed while the circulation pump (detergent liquid flow rate 20 l) was left as it was and the air pump (air flow rate 10 l) was throttled. Looking at these results, of course, the amount of foaming increases when both flow rates are increased. However, when considering mounting in a washing machine, there is a restriction on the size of the pump and the like. Therefore, when looking at the experimental results of FIGS. 8 and 9, the rate of increase in the amount of foaming is smaller when the air flow rate is increased than when the flow rate of the detergent liquid is increased. The air pump itself generally tends to be larger than the water pump when the flow rate is increased. Considering these things, the ratio of the air flow rate and the washing liquid flow rate is generally about 1: 2 from the viewpoint of mounting in the washing machine.

  In the above example, the foam container 201 as described above is provided in the washing machine 101 in which the rotation center shaft 106 is provided horizontally. May be provided in a substantially oblique direction with a high front side. In the case of these so-called drum type washing machines, the washing tub opening 103a is closed by the front lid 107 and the washing tub 103 is hermetically sealed during washing, so the air pump 121 takes in the air inside the washing tub 103. By doing so, the outflow of the foam to the outside from the gap of the detergent container due to the increase of the pressure in the washing tub 103 is prevented.

  Further, the foam container 201 is not limited to a drum type washing machine, and may be provided in a so-called vertical washing machine having a vertical rotation center axis. In this case, since the washing tub is not sealed as in the drum type washing machine, the air pump 121 may take in air from anywhere.

<< Embodiment 2 of the Invention >>
The air flowing into the foaming container 201 and the washing water may be supplied separately as in the first embodiment, but as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the air pump 121 and the washing water pump 125 Air and washing water may be mixed in the pipe leading to the foaming container 201 and supplied from the common mixed liquid inlet 221. Even in this case, the air and the washing water flowing into the foaming container 201 are easily separated inside the foaming container 201 as shown in FIG. 12, so that bubbles are generated with high foaming ability as in the first embodiment. Can do.

  Here, when air and washing water are mixed in the piping leading to the foam container 201 as described above, in order to prevent the washing water from flowing back to the air pump 121, as shown in the first embodiment. If a check valve is used, it may be provided between the air pump 121 and the junction of the pipes. However, backflow can be prevented by controlling the operation of the air pump 121 and the washing water pump 125. In other words, the water pump 121 and the washing water pump 125 are interlocked to start and stop at the same time, or the air pump 121 is started before the washing water pump 125 and / or stopped after the washing water. When the pump 125 supplies the washing water to the foaming container 201, the air pump 121 may be controlled to supply air to the foaming container 201 to prevent the backflow of the washing water.

  In addition, in the case where the check valve is not used as described above, or in the case of a rinsing process, in order to allow only the washing water to be circulated by the washing water pump 125, the air pump 121 and the piping from the washing water pump 125 are connected. A switching valve 131 may be provided on the side of the washing water pump 125 from the merging point so that the wash water to be circulated is supplied from the washing water discharge port 132 above the rotating drum 104 so that shower water supply or the like is performed. .

<< Embodiment 3 of the Invention >>
The foam container 201 is not limited to being provided on the rear surface side of the washing tub 103, and may be provided inside the washing tub 103 as shown in FIG. Even in such a case, bubbles can be generated with a high foaming ability as in the first and second embodiments, so that the degree of freedom in disposing the foam container 201 can be easily increased.

  Note that the components described in the above embodiments and modifications may be variously combined as long as they are logically possible. Specifically, for example, the switching valve 131 as shown in the second embodiment (FIG. 10) is applied to the washing machine 101 in which air and washing water are separately supplied to the foaming container 201 as in the first embodiment. Alternatively, the foam container 201 as in the first embodiment may be provided inside the washing tub 103 as in the third embodiment (FIG. 13).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Washing machine 102 Outer box 103 Washing tub 103a Washing tub opening 103b Foaming liquid inlet 104 Rotating drum 104a Rotating drum opening 105 Motor 106 Rotation center shaft 107 Front cover 121 Air pump 122 Air inlet 123 Check valve 124 Washing water inlet 125 Washing water pump 131 Switching valve 132 Washing water discharge port 201 Foaming container 211 Air inlet 212 Washing water inlet 213 Foaming liquid outlet 221 Mixed liquid inlet

Claims (11)

A washing tub,
A foam container;
A washing water pump for supplying washing water to the foam container;
An air pump for supplying air to the foam container;
With
The foam container has an air inlet through which air flows in, a washing water inlet through which washing water flows in, and a foaming liquid outlet through which the foaming liquid is discharged and supplied into the washing tub. A mixed liquid inlet into which the mixed liquid flows, and a foamed liquid outlet for discharging the foamed liquid and supplying it into the washing tub;
The washing machine, wherein an upper end of the foaming liquid discharge port of the foaming container is set at a position lower than a maximum water level of the washing water accumulated in the foaming container. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein
The washing tub has a foaming liquid inlet into which the foaming liquid discharged from the foaming container flows,
A washing machine, wherein a foaming liquid discharge port of the foaming container and a foaming liquid inlet of the washing tub are in direct communication. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2,
A washing machine, wherein a lower end of a foaming liquid discharge port of the foaming container is set at a lowest position of a bottom wall of the foaming container. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A washing machine characterized in that the foaming liquid discharged from the foaming container is supplied to the vicinity of the surface of the washing water in the washing tub. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Furthermore, a rotating drum having a rotation center axis in a substantially horizontal direction or in a substantially oblique direction where the front side is high is provided rotatably in the washing tub,
The washing machine, wherein the foaming liquid is configured to flow toward the front side in a gap between the rotating drum and the washing tub in the rotation center axis direction. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The washing machine is configured to be operated with the washing tub sealed, and
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the air pump is configured to suck air from the inside of the washing tub. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A washing machine, wherein a check valve is provided on a discharge side of the air pump. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A washing machine, wherein the air pump is controlled to supply air to the foaming container when the washing water pump supplies the washing water to the foaming container. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A washing machine, wherein the foam container is provided inside a washing tub. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The washing machine, wherein the washing water pump also serves as a circulation pump for circulating the washing water in the washing tub. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The foaming container has a substantially cylindrical shape or a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

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