JP2017042327A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine capable of achieving space-saving for an installation space and improvement of rigidity in a portion for supporting a washing tub in a rotatable manner, in a structure including the washing tub rotatable so as to cross the vertical direction.SOLUTION: A washing machine 1 includes: a washing tub 3 rotatable so as to cross the vertical direction Z; a support member 13 arranged on the outside of the washing tub 3, and for supporting the washing tub 3 rotatably; a bent part 13F provided at the support member 13 and bent to the washing tub 3 side; and an elastic support member 5 provided at the bent part 13F and for elastically supporting the support member 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine.

  In the washing / drying machine described in Patent Document 1 below, an outer tub portion in which a rotating tub portion into which laundry is put is incorporated is supported by a rotation support member via an inclined rotation support shaft. A pair of rotation support members are provided so as to sandwich the outer tub portion, and each rotation support member is supported by the outer frame of the washing / drying machine via a hanging rod. A rotating wire attaching portion is provided in the outer tub portion, and a wire connected to the rotating wire attaching portion is wound around a winding drum of an inclined turning motor provided in the outer frame. As the wire moves up and down according to the rotation of the tilt rotation motor, the outer tub portion tilts and rotates around the tilt rotation support shaft. Thereby, when putting a laundry into a rotation tub part, an outer tub part can be inclined sideways, and an outer tub part can be made into a vertical shape and can be made to follow along a perpendicular direction at the time of washing easy and dehydration.

JP-A-4-166196

  In the washing / drying machine described in Patent Literature 1, the portion of each rotation support member to which the suspension bar is attached is located on the outer surface portion of the rotation support member opposite to the outer tub portion side. In this case, since the hanging rod protrudes from the outer side of the rotation support member, there is a concern about an increase in the size of the washing / drying machine. Therefore, it is difficult to save the installation space of the washing / drying machine. In addition, the rotation support member that rotatably supports the outer tub portion is desired to improve rigidity.

  The present invention has been made under such background, and in a configuration including a washing tub that can be rotated so as to intersect the vertical direction, the installation space can be saved and the washing tub can be rotated. It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine capable of improving rigidity in a supporting portion.

  The present invention includes a laundry tub that accommodates laundry and is rotatable so as to intersect the vertical direction, and a support member that is disposed outside the laundry tub and rotatably supports the laundry tub. The washing machine includes: a bent portion that is provided on the support member and is bent toward the washing tub; and an elastic support member that is attached to the bent portion and elastically supports the support member.

  In addition, the present invention includes a drive mechanism that is disposed between the support member and the washing tub and rotates the washing tub.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the drive mechanism includes a base portion that is formed by being partially bent and attached to the support member.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that a pair of the support members are provided so as to sandwich the washing tub, and include a beam member constructed between the pair of support members.

  Further, according to the present invention, a pair of the support members are provided so as to sandwich the washing tub, and integrally include a pair of the support members and a bottom member laid between the lower ends of the pair of support members. It is characterized by including a monolithic support frame.

According to the present invention, in the washing machine including the washing tub that is rotatable so as to intersect the vertical direction, the support member disposed outside the washing tub supports the washing tub so as to be rotatable.
The support member is provided with a bent portion that is bent toward the washing tub side. As a result, the rigidity of the support member can be improved. An elastic support member that elastically supports the support member is attached to the bent portion. In this case, since the elastic support member is not disposed so as to protrude outward from the opposite side of the washing tub with respect to the support member, the elastic support member is disposed on the washing tub side, that is, inside the support member. Can be planned. Thereby, space saving of the installation space of a washing machine can be achieved.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the drive mechanism for rotating the washing tub is not disposed so as to protrude outside the support member, but is disposed between the support member and the washing tub. Can be realized. Thereby, space saving of the installation space of a washing machine can be achieved.

  Further, according to the present invention, the base portion attached to the support member in the drive mechanism is formed by being partially bent, thereby improving the rigidity. Thereby, since a support member is reinforced by a base part, the further improvement in the rigidity in a support member can be aimed at.

  Moreover, according to this invention, the rigidity in each support member can be further improved by constructing a beam member between a pair of support members provided so as to sandwich the washing tub.

  Further, according to the present invention, the support member provided in a pair so as to sandwich the washing tub and the bottom member laid between the lower ends of these support members are integrated to form an integrated support frame. Therefore, the rigidity of each supporting member can be further improved.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support member in a support frame included in the washing machine. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the washing machine. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a drive mechanism included in the washing machine. FIG. 5 is a left side view of the support member and the drive mechanism. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to a modification.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The up-down direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the up-down direction Z of the washing machine 1, the left-right direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the front-rear direction Y of the washing machine 1, and the lateral direction substantially orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. The vertical direction Z is also the vertical direction. In the vertical direction Z, the upper side is referred to as the upper side Z1, and the lower side is referred to as the lower side Z2. In the front-rear direction Y, the right side in FIG. 1 is referred to as a front side Y1, and the left side in FIG. 1 is referred to as a rear side Y2. In the left-right direction X, the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 is referred to as a left side X1, and the back side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 is referred to as a right side X2.

  The washing machine 1 includes a washing machine having a drying function. Hereinafter, the washing machine 1 will be described by taking a washing machine in which the drying function is omitted and only a washing operation is performed as an example. The washing operation includes a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process. The washing machine 1 includes a housing 2, a washing tub 3 disposed in the housing 2, a support frame 4, an elastic support member 5, a rotation unit 6, a lock release mechanism 7, and a drive mechanism 8.

  The housing | casing 2 is metal, for example, and is formed in a box shape. The housing 2 is provided with a connecting surface 2C that connects the front surface 2A and the upper surface 2B. The connecting surface 2C is, for example, an inclined surface that descends toward the front side Y1. An entrance (not shown) for putting laundry in and out of the washing machine 1 is formed across the front surface 2A and the connecting surface 2C.

  The washing tub 3 includes an outer tub 10 and an inner tub 11. The outer tub 10 is made of resin, for example, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. A virtual straight line passing through the center of the circle of the outer tub 10 is the central axis J of the outer tub 10. In the washing process and the rinsing process, water is stored in the outer tub 10. A circular opening 10 </ b> A through which the laundry to be taken in and out of the washing machine 1 passes is formed at the upper end of the outer tub 10 opposite to the bottom wall (not shown). On the left and right side surfaces of the outer tub 10, one metal rotation shaft 12 protruding outward in the left-right direction X is provided. In FIG. 1, only the rotation shaft 12 of the left side X1 is shown. The pair of left and right rotating shafts 12 are arranged at the same position when viewed from the left-right direction X.

  The inner tank 11 is made of metal, for example, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is slightly smaller than the outer tank 10. The inner tub 11 stores laundry. A circular opening 11 </ b> A through which the laundry stored in the inner tub 11 passes is formed at the upper end of the inner tub 11 opposite to the bottom wall (not shown). The inner tank 11 is accommodated coaxially in the outer tank 10. Therefore, the central axis of the inner tank 11 is the central axis J described above. In a state where the inner tank 11 is accommodated in the outer tank 10, the opening 11 </ b> A of the inner tank 11 is positioned inside the opening 10 </ b> A of the outer tank 10. The opening 10 </ b> A and the opening 11 </ b> A face the entrance / exit (not shown) of the housing 2, whereby laundry can be taken in and out of the inner tub 11. A plurality of through holes 11C are formed in the circumferential wall 11B and the bottom wall of the inner tank 11, and the water in the outer tank 10 passes between the outer tank 10 and the inner tank 11 through these through holes 11C. it can. Therefore, the water level in the outer tank 10 and the water level in the inner tank 11 coincide. In the washing operation, the inner tub 11 rotates around the central axis J by receiving a driving force from a motor (not shown) provided in the housing 2.

  The support frame 4 is made of metal and includes a pair of left and right support members 13 and a beam member 14 installed between the lower ends of the support members 13. The washing tub 3 is disposed between the pair of support members 13. Therefore, the pair of support members 13 are disposed outside the washing tub 3 so as to sandwich the washing tub 3 from the left-right direction X. Each support member 13 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the left-right direction X and is formed in a thin plate shape in the left-right direction X. That is, each support member 13 has a plate thickness in the left-right direction X, which is the direction facing the washing tub 3.

  In the outer tub 10 of the washing tub 3, the rotation shaft 12 protruding to the left side X1 passes through the support member 13 on the left side X1, and can be rotated by the support member 13 on the left side X1 through a bearing (not shown). Supported. In the outer tub 10, a rotation shaft 12 (not shown) protruding to the right side X2 passes through the support member 13 on the right side X2, and can be turned by the support member 13 on the right side X2 via a bearing (not shown). Supported by Accordingly, the washing tub 3 is supported by the left and right support members 13 of the support frame 4 and can be rotated around the rotation shaft 12 so as to intersect the vertical direction Z. Specifically, as the washing tub 3 rotates, the center axis J of the outer tub 10 and the inner tub 11 is inclined in the front-rear direction Y with respect to the vertical direction Z. The rotation direction of the washing tub 3 is referred to as a rotation direction K.

  An acute intersection angle between a virtual reference axis L extending along the vertical direction Z and the central axis J is a rotation angle θ of the washing tub 3 with respect to the reference axis L. As the rotation angle θ is smaller, the washing tub 3 is closer to an upright posture, and as the rotation angle θ is larger, the opening 10A of the outer tub 10 and the opening 11A of the inner tub 11 face the front side Y1. In addition, the posture is inclined toward the front side Y1. For example, the rotation angle θ can be changed in five stages of 5 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees. In this case, as an example of operation in the washing machine 1, when the laundry is put into the washing tub 3 at the start of the washing operation, the rotation angle θ is set to 45 degrees so that the laundry can be easily put in. Thereafter, when the load amount of the laundry is detected or when water is supplied to the washing tub 3, the rotation angle θ is set to 5 degrees. And in the washing process and the rinsing process, the rotation angle θ is between 5 degrees and 60 degrees in order to promote the replacement of the position of the laundry in the inner tub 11 and realize effective washing and rinsing. Set to vary.

  In the support member 13 on the left side X1, an opening 13A that penetrates the support member 13 in the left-right direction X is formed in a region on the lower side Z2 from the rotation shaft 12. The opening 13A is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction Y. Referring to FIG. 2 which is a perspective view of the left side X1 support member 13, the rotation shaft 12 is inserted into the upper side Z1 of the opening 13A of the left side X1 support member 13 and the rotation unit 6 is positioned. A circular opening 13B and a rectangular opening 13C which is located on the front side Y1 from the opening 13B and into which the lock release mechanism 7 is fitted are formed.

  Each support member 13 is formed with an inclined portion 13D that obliquely cuts the front upper corner, and the entire area on the rear side Y2 from the inclined portion 13D at the upper end portion is opposite to the washing tub 3 side in the left-right direction X. A flange portion 13E that is bent at a substantially right angle is formed. Here, the washing tub 3 side in the left-right direction X is the inside of the support member 13, the right side X2 in the case of the left side X1 support member 13, and the left side X1 in the case of the right side X2 support member 13. is there. Conversely, in the left-right direction X, the side opposite to the washing tub 3 side is the outside of the support member 13, the left side X1 in the case of the left side X1 support member 13, and the right side X2 of the support member 13. Is the right side X2.

  Each support member 13 is integrally provided with a bent portion 13F that is bent toward the washing tub 3 side. The bent portion 13F includes a front bent portion 13G, a rear bent portion 13H, and a lower bent portion 13I. The front bent portion 13G is formed in a belt shape extending in the vertical direction Z by bending substantially the entire region on the lower side Z2 below the inclined portion 13D at the front end portion of the support member 13 to the washing tub 3 side at a substantially right angle. The rear bent portion 13H is formed in a strip shape extending in the vertical direction Z by bending substantially the entire rear end portion of the support member 13 toward the washing tub 3 at a substantially right angle. The lower bent portion 13I is formed in a belt shape extending in the front-rear direction Y by bending the entire lower end portion of the support member 13 toward the washing tub 3 at a substantially right angle.

  These bent portions 13F can improve the rigidity of the support member 13, particularly the bending rigidity in the left-right direction X. Note that the flange portion 13 </ b> E provided at the upper end portion of the support member 13 also contributes to improving the rigidity of the support member 13. Since the rigidity of the support member 13 is improved in this way, the resonance frequency of the entire support frame 4 having the support member 13 is increased. Therefore, the vibration of the support frame 4 particularly when the inner tub 11 rotates at a high speed in the dehydration process. Can be suppressed.

  In each of the front-side bent portion 13G and the rear-side bent portion 13H, the upper portion 13J has a lower portion formed by forming a notch 13K that cuts these bent portions in the vertical direction Z from the washing tub 3 side. It is thinner in the left-right direction X than the portion 13L. The notch 13K is at a position where the washing tub 3 that vibrates during the washing operation can reach. This prevents the washing tub 3 during the washing operation from coming into contact with the front bent portion 13G and the rear bent portion 13H. A plurality of large and small through holes 13M penetrating the lower portion 13L in the front-rear direction Y are formed in the upper region of the lower portion 13L. In the lower region of the lower portion 13L, the edge on the washing tub 3 side is formed so as to be inclined toward the opposite side to the washing tub 3 side toward the lower side Z2. Thereby, the lower region of the lower portion 13L becomes thinner in the left-right direction X toward the lower side Z2.

  Referring to FIG. 3, which is a perspective view of washing machine 1 as viewed from the lower side Z2, receiving portions 15 are provided in the upper region of lower portion 13L of each of front bent portion 13G and rear bent portion 13H. Fixed one by one. The receiving portion 15 is made of, for example, a resin and is formed in a box shape that is slightly long in the vertical direction Z. The receiving portion 15 is formed with a concave portion 15A that is recessed from the lower surface to the upper side Z1. The receiving portion 15 is disposed to face the lower portion 13L of the front bent portion 13G from the front side Y1, and is arranged to face the lower portion 13L of the rear bent portion 13H from the rear side Y2. Claws (not shown) provided in the receiving portion 15 are fitted into some through holes 13M (see FIG. 2) in the upper region of the lower portion 13L, whereby the receiving portion 15 is positioned in the lower portion 13L. The A bolt (not shown) passed through another through hole 13M in the upper region of the lower portion 13L is assembled to the receiving portion 15, whereby the receiving portion 15 is fixed to the lower portion 13L.

  The elastic support member 5 is also called a hanging rod, and is formed in a vertically long bar shape having a friction damper 16 at the lower end. There are four elastic support members 5, and one elastic support member 5 is disposed in each of the four corners of the housing 2 as viewed from the upper side Z <b> 1. These elastic support members 5 are in a state of being hung from the upper part of the housing 2, specifically, from a metal outer frame (not shown) constituting a part of the housing 2.

  Of the two elastic support members 5 arranged in the front-rear direction on the left side X1, the lower end portion of the elastic support member 5 on the front side Y1 is connected to a receiving portion 15 provided on the front bent portion 13G of the support member 13 on the left side X1. The lower end portion of the elastic support member 5 on the rear side Y2 is connected to a receiving portion 15 provided on the rear bent portion 13H of the support member 13 on the left side X1. Of the two elastic support members 5 arranged in the front-rear direction on the right side X2, the lower end portion of the elastic support member 5 on the front side Y1 is connected to a receiving portion 15 provided on the front bent portion 13G of the support member 13 on the right side X2. The lower end of the elastic support member 5 (not shown) on the rear side Y2 is connected to a receiving portion 15 (not shown) provided on the rear bent portion 13H of the support member 13 on the right side X2.

  The lower end portion of each elastic support member 5 is connected to the receiving portion 15 by being fitted into the concave portion 15A of the receiving portion 15 from the lower side Z2, and the front bent portion 13G and the rear bent portion are connected via the receiving portion 15. Attach to 13H. In the elastic support member 5, the bar-shaped portion on the upper side Z <b> 1 from the lower end extends through the receiving portion 15 to the upper side Z <b> 1 above the receiving portion 15 and is connected to the outer frame (not shown) described above. Thereby, the support frame 4 having the support member 13, the washing tub 3 supported by the support frame 4, and the motor (not shown) for rotating the inner tub 11 are elastically supported by the elastic support member 5.

  Thus, the elastic support member 5 attached to the front bent portion 13G or the rear bent portion 13H bent from the support member 13 to the washing tub 3 side in the left-right direction X is on the opposite side of the washing tub 3 with respect to the support member 13. It is not disposed so as to protrude outward, but is disposed on the washing tub 3 side, that is, inside the support member 13. Thereby, size reduction of the washing machine 1 in the left-right direction X can be achieved. Thereby, space saving of the installation space of the washing machine 1 can be achieved. Therefore, even if the washing machine 1 has a configuration for rotating the washing tub 3 such as the rotation unit 6, the lock release mechanism 7, and the drive mechanism 8, it is the same size as a normal washing machine that does not have such a configuration. It can be installed in a conventional waterproof pan.

  Two beam members 14 are formed in a column shape elongated in the left-right direction X, and two beam members 14 are provided. One beam member 14 is installed between the front end portions and between the rear end portions of the lower bent portion 13I of the pair of support members 13 one by one. Thereby, the rigidity of each support member 13 and the rigidity of the entire support frame 4 can be further improved. Therefore, since the twist between a pair of support members 13 can be controlled, it can control that a burden is applied to rotation axis 12 of washing tub 3 by this twist.

  The rotating portion 6 is a metal plate formed in a substantially fan shape that is thin in the left-right direction X and bulges to the front side Y1 when viewed from the left-right direction X. The rotation part 6 has an outer peripheral edge 6A that is formed in an arc shape along the rotation direction K and bulges to the front side Y1. A through hole 6 </ b> B that penetrates the turning part 6 in the left-right direction X is formed at a position that coincides with the center of curvature of the outer peripheral edge 6 </ b> A in the turning part 6. In the outer peripheral edge 6A, a plurality of, here, five concave portions 6C are formed. These recesses 6 </ b> C pass through the rotation part 6 in the left-right direction X while being recessed toward the through hole 6 </ b> B, and are arranged side by side in the rotation direction K. The interval between the adjacent recesses 6 </ b> C may be constant or may be different depending on the position of the rotation unit 6. In this embodiment, when the rotation angle θ is set to 5 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees, in the rotation unit 6 in the posture in FIG. The interval between the two recesses 6C located adjacent to the front is 10 degrees in the rotation direction K, that is, the circumferential direction centering on the through hole 6B, and the interval between the other adjacent recesses 6C is uniformly 15 degrees. is there.

  The rotation unit 6 is disposed on the left side X1 with respect to the support member 13 on the left side X1. In the outer tub 10 of the washing tub 3, the rotating shaft 12 that protrudes to the left side X <b> 1 and penetrates the support member 13 on the left side X <b> 1 is inserted into the through hole 6 </ b> B of the rotating unit 6 and fixed to the rotating unit 6. Thereby, the rotation part 6 is connected to the washing tub 3 through the rotation shaft 12 so as to be integrally rotatable.

  In the rotating part 6 in the posture shown in FIG. 3, the rear end of the outer peripheral edge 6 </ b> A is extended to the lower side Z <b> 2, specifically, outward in the radial direction R of the rotating part 6 centering on the through hole 6 </ b> B. The installation portion 6D is integrally provided. The extending portion 6D is formed in a plate shape that is long in the radial direction R and thin in the left-right direction X. In the extending portion 6D, a guide hole 6E that is long in the radial direction R and penetrates the extending portion 6D in the left-right direction X is formed. Both ends in the longitudinal direction of the guide hole 6E are in a closed state. The guide hole 6E is in the same position in the up-down direction Z as the opening 13A of the support member 13 on the left side X1. The guide hole 6E always faces the opening 13A from the left side X1 regardless of the rotation angle θ between 5 degrees and 60 degrees.

  The unlocking mechanism 7 is fixed to the left side surface of the support member 13 on the left side X1. The lock release mechanism 7 includes a main body portion 17 and a lock portion 18. The main body portion 17 is provided with an actuator (not shown) composed of a solenoid or the like. The lock portion 18 is formed in a convex shape protruding from the main body portion 17 to the rear side Y2, strictly speaking, to the rear upper side, and is supported by the main body portion 17 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction Y. When the actuator of the main body portion 17 is actuated, the lock portion 18 slides between the advanced position that has advanced to the rear side Y2 and the retracted position that has retracted to the front side Y1.

  3 is in the advanced position. When any one of the concave portions 6C and the lock portion 18 in the rotation portion 6 are in the same position in the rotation direction K, the lock portion 18 moves to the advance position, and thus is in the same position in the rotation direction K. Fit into the recess 6C. Thereby, rotation of the rotation part 6 and the washing tub 3 is locked. In this state, when the lock unit 18 is retracted to the retracted position, the lock unit 18 is released from the recess 6C, and thus the rotation unit 6 and the washing tub 3 are unlocked.

  In FIG. 3, the lock portion 18 at the advanced position is in a state of being fitted into the concave portion 6C located on the uppermost side Z1 and the frontmost side Y1. At this time, the rotation of the rotation unit 6 and the washing tub 3 is locked while the rotation angle θ (see FIG. 1) is 60 degrees. As the recess 6C into which the lock portion 18 is fitted becomes another recess 6C located on the rear side Y2, the rotation angle θ decreases, and the lock portion 18 is fitted in the recess 6C on the most rear side Y2. In the state where the rotation angle θ is 5 degrees, the rotation of the rotation unit 6 and the washing tub 3 is locked.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism 8. Referring to FIG. 4, drive mechanism 8 is a mechanism for rotating washing tub 3, and includes base portion 30, support portion 31, screw shaft 32, motor 33, coupling 34, and nut member 35. And a sensor 36.

  The base portion 30 is formed, for example, by bending a metal plate, and integrally includes a vertical wall 37 and a pair of upper and lower horizontal walls 38. The vertical wall 37 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is thin in the left-right direction X and long in the front-rear direction Y. The lateral wall 38 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is thin in the vertical direction Z and long in the front-rear direction Y. Of the pair of lateral walls 38, the lateral wall 38 on the upper side Z <b> 1 extends continuously from the entire upper end of the vertical wall 37 to the left side X <b> 1, and the lateral wall 38 on the lower side Z <b> 2 continues from almost the entire lower end of the vertical wall 37. Extends to the left side X1.

  The left end portion of each horizontal wall 38 is formed as a flange portion 38 </ b> A by being bent at a substantially right angle outward in the vertical direction Z over the entire region in the front-rear direction Y. The flange portion 38A of the lateral wall 38 of the upper side Z1 is formed by bending to the upper side Z1, and the flange portion 38A of the lateral wall 38 of the lower side Z2 is formed by bending to the lower side Z2. A screw hole 38B is formed in each flange portion 38A.

  As described above, the base portion 30 is formed such that a part thereof is bent in a crank shape at the boundary between the vertical wall 37 and the horizontal wall 38 or around the flange portion 38A. In the base portion 30, an accommodation space 30A surrounded by a vertical wall 37 and a pair of upper and lower horizontal walls 38 is formed. The support space 31, the screw shaft 32, the coupling 34, the nut member 35, and the sensor 36 are stored in the storage space 30A.

  The base portion 30 is arranged between the support member 13 on the left side X1 and the washing tub 3 so as to be aligned in the left-right direction X with respect to the washing tub 3, and a pair of upper and lower flange portions 38A are provided in the support member 13 on the left side X1. It is arranged to face the peripheral edge of the opening 13A from the right side X2 (see FIG. 1). The base 39 is attached to the support member 13 of the left side X1 by assembling the bolts 39 (see FIG. 1) assembled to the support member 13 of the left side X1 into the screw holes 38B of the respective flange portions 38A. As described above, since the base portion 30 formed by being partially bent is improved in rigidity, the support member 13 is reinforced by the base portion 30. As a result, the rigidity of the support member 13 can be further improved. The accommodation space 30A of the base portion 30 is exposed from the support member 13 on the left side X1 to the left side X1 through the opening 13A (see FIG. 1).

  A pair of support portions 31 are provided apart in the front-rear direction Y, the support portion 31 on the front side Y1 is disposed at the front end portion of the vertical wall 37 of the base portion 30, and the support portion 31 on the rear side Y2 is positioned on the vertical wall 37. Arranged at the rear end. Each support portion 31 is formed, for example, by bending a metal plate. Each support portion 31 integrally includes a main body portion 40 and a base portion 41. The main body 40 has a thin plate shape in the front-rear direction Y, and is disposed so as to protrude from the left side surface of the vertical wall 37 of the base portion 30 to the left side X1. A bearing 42 having an annular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction Y is attached to the main body 40 so as to penetrate the main body 40 in the front-rear direction Y. The base 41 has a thin plate shape in the left-right direction X. In the support portion 31 on the front side Y <b> 1, the base portion 41 extends from the lower end of the main body portion 40 to the front side Y <b> 1 and is disposed so as to overlap with the front end portion of the vertical wall 37 from the left side X <b> 1. In the support portion 31 on the rear side Y <b> 2, the base portion 41 extends from the lower end of the main body portion 40 to the rear side Y <b> 2 and is disposed so as to overlap with the rear end portion of the vertical wall 37 from the left side X <b> 1. Each support part 31 is fixed to the base part 30 by assembling the bolts 43 to the base part 41 and the vertical wall 37.

  The screw shaft 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the longitudinal direction Y, and a thread 32 </ b> A extending in a spiral shape is formed in almost the entire outer peripheral surface of the screw shaft 32. In addition, in each figure other than FIG. 4, illustration of the screw thread 32A in the screw shaft 32 is abbreviate | omitted for convenience of explanation. The front end portion of the screw shaft 32 is inserted into the annular bearing 42 in the support portion 31 on the front side Y1, and the rear end portion of the screw shaft 32 is inserted into the annular bearing 42 in the support portion 31 on the rear side Y2. In this state, the screw shaft 32 is supported at both ends by a pair of front and rear support portions 31 so as to be capable of rotating.

  The motor 33 is a general electric motor, and has an output shaft 44 that protrudes toward the rear side Y2 and is arranged coaxially with the screw shaft 32. A thin plate-like bracket 45 in the front-rear direction Y is attached to the motor 33 from the rear side Y2. The output shaft 44 is exposed from the bracket 45 to the rear side Y2. The output shaft 44 is disposed to face the front end portion of the front end portion of the screw shaft 32 from the front side Y1 with respect to a portion protruding to the front side Y1 from the main body portion 40 of the support portion 31 on the front side Y1. The upper end portion and the lower end portion at the left end portion of the bracket 45 are bent at a substantially right angle to the rear side Y2 as a pair of upper and lower flange portions 45A, and screw holes 45B are formed in the respective flange portions 45A.

  The motor 33 is disposed between the support member 13 on the left side X1 and the washing tub 3 on the front side Y1 with respect to the base portion 30, and each flange portion 45A in the bracket 45 is formed with the opening 13A in the support member 13 on the left side X1. It is arranged opposite to the peripheral edge from the right side X2 (see FIG. 1). The bolts 46 (see FIG. 1) assembled to the left X1 support member 13 are also assembled to the screw holes 45B of the respective flange portions 45A, so that the motor 33 is supported by the left X1 support member 13 via the bracket 45. Fixed to. The motor 33 in this state is exposed to the left side X1 from the support member 13 on the left side X1 through the opening 13A (see FIG. 1).

  The coupling 34 is externally fitted so as to be integrally rotatable with a cylindrical output portion 47 that is externally fitted to the rear end portion of the output shaft 44 of the motor 33 and the front end portion of the screw shaft 32. A cylindrical input unit 48, and a buffer unit 49 disposed between the output unit 47 and the input unit 48. The cylindrical output part 47 has a plurality of projecting parts 47A that are arranged in the circumferential direction and project toward the rear side Y2. The cylindrical input part 48 has a plurality of projecting parts 48A that are arranged in the circumferential direction and project toward the front side Y1. The protrusions 47A and the protrusions 48A are alternately arranged one by one in the circumferential direction of the output part 47 and the input part 48. A buffer portion 49 is disposed between the adjacent projecting portion 47A and the projecting portion 48A. The buffer 49 is made of an elastic body such as rubber or a spring. The output shaft 44 and the screw shaft 32 are coupled via a coupling 34 so as to be integrally rotatable. Therefore, when the motor 33 is driven and the output shaft 44 rotates, the screw shaft 32 rotates together with the output shaft 44.

  The nut member 35 includes a main body portion 50, a connecting portion 51, and a detected portion 52. The main body portion 50 constitutes an annular nut in which a spirally extending thread (not shown) is formed on the inner peripheral surface, and the thread and the thread 32A of the screw shaft 32 are screwed together. The screw shaft 32 is externally fitted. When the screw shaft 32 rotates in accordance with the drive of the motor 33, the entire nut member 35 moves along the axial direction of the screw shaft 32, that is, the front-rear direction Y as the screw shaft 32 rotates.

  The connecting part 51 is formed, for example, by bending a metal plate, and integrally includes a first part 51A, a second part 51B, and a third part 51C. The first part 51 </ b> A is formed in a plate shape that is thin in the front-rear direction Y and extends in the up-down direction Z, and is fixed to the main body part 50 by a bolt 53. The second portion 51B is formed in a plate shape that is thin in the left-right direction X and extends in the up-down direction Z, protrudes from the left end edge of the first portion 51A to the front side Y1, and protrudes from the accommodation space 30A of the base portion 30 to the left side X1. The main body 50 faces the left side X1 (see also FIG. 6 described later). The second part 51B is formed with a through hole 51D that penetrates the second part 51B in the left-right direction X.

  The second part 51B faces the extending part 6D of the rotating part 6 from the right side X2, and the connecting pin 54 inserted from the left side X1 into the guide hole 6E of the extending part 6D is inserted into the through hole 51D. (See FIG. 1). The connecting pin 54 cannot be removed from each of the through hole 51 </ b> D and the guide hole 6 </ b> E, and the nut member 35 is connected to the rotating portion 6 via the connecting pin 54. Therefore, when the nut member 35 moves along the front-rear direction Y along with the rotation of the screw shaft 32, the rotation part 6 rotates along with the washing tub 3 by being pulled in the front-rear direction Y by the nut member 35. To do. When the rotating part 6 rotates, the connecting pin 54 moves along the longitudinal direction of the guide hole 6E in the guide hole 6E. The third portion 51C is formed in a thin plate shape in the vertical direction Z, protrudes from the lower edge of the first portion 51A to the front side Y1, and faces the main body portion 50 from the lower side Z2.

  The detected portion 52 is formed in a thin plate shape in the left-right direction X, and integrally includes a fixed portion 52A and a tip portion 52B. The fixing portion 52A is disposed so as to overlap with the third portion 51C of the connecting portion 51 from the lower side Z2, and is fixed to the third portion 51C by the bolt 55. The distal end portion 52B is also called a dog and is formed in a lever shape extending from the front end portion of the fixed portion 52A to the right side X2.

  The sensor 36 is a sensor for detecting the rotation angle θ of the washing tub 3 from the position of the nut member 35 in the front-rear direction Y. As the sensor 36, an optical non-contact sensor such as a photo sensor can be used. . In the case of a photosensor, a groove 36A is formed on the left side surface of the sensor 36 so as to be recessed to the right side X2 and penetrate the sensor 36 in the front-rear direction Y. In the sensor 36, the detection light crosses the groove 36A in the vertical direction Z. Is in a state. The number of the sensors 36 is the same as that of the recesses 6C of the rotating portion 6, that is, five in this embodiment, and the lower side of the vertical wall 37 of the base portion 30 is such that each groove 36A overlaps when viewed from the front-rear direction Y. They are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction Y in the region. Each sensor 36 is fixed to the vertical wall 37 by a bolt 56. The interval between adjacent sensors 36 is set so as to correspond to the interval between adjacent recesses 6C. Therefore, in this embodiment, the interval between the sensors 36 adjacent to each other in the four sensors 36 on the rear side Y2 is constant, but the interval between the two sensors 36 positioned closest to the front side Y1 and the next to the rear side is another adjacent. The distance between the sensors 36 is narrower.

  When the nut member 35 moves along the front-rear direction Y along with the rotation of the screw shaft 32, the tip end portion 52B of the detected portion 52 provided in the nut member 35 passes through the groove 36A of each sensor 36. In a state where the tip portion 52B is fitted in the groove 36A, the detection light in the groove 36A is blocked by the tip portion 52B.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the state where the tip 52B of the detected part 52 is fitted in the groove 36A of the sensor 36 on the most rear side Y2, the above-described lock part 18 has the recess 6C on the uppermost Z1 and the most front Y1. At the same position in the rotation direction K, the rotation angle θ of the washing tub 3 is 60 degrees (see FIG. 1). On the other hand, in a state where the tip 52B of the detected portion 52 is fitted in the groove 36A of the sensor 36 on the frontmost Y1, the lock portion 18 is at the same position in the rotation direction K as the concave portion 6C on the rearmost Y2 in FIG. The rotation angle θ of the washing tub 3 is 5 degrees. When the rotation angle θ is 5 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, or 60 degrees, the tip 52B of the detected section 52 is fitted in the groove 36A of any one of the sensors 36. become. Therefore, the group of the five sensors 36 is any of 5 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees by detecting the detected portion 52 of the nut member 35 in a non-contact manner. Is detected.

  5 is a left side view of the support member 13 and the drive mechanism 8 on the left side X1, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. In FIG. 6, for convenience of explanation, the front bent portion 13G is illustrated by a broken line. Referring to FIG. 6, in drive mechanism 8, second portion 51 </ b> B of connecting portion 51 is disposed so as to protrude to the left side X <b> 1 from support member 13 on left side X <b> 1. It is arranged inside the support member 13, that is, between the support member 13 and the washing tub 3. Specifically, in the drive mechanism 8, most parts other than the second part 51B are located inside the contours of the front bent part 13G and the rear bent part 13H of the support member 13 on the left side X1 when viewed from the front-rear direction Y. Arranged to fit. As described above, the drive mechanism 8 is not disposed so as to protrude outside the support member 13 but is disposed between the support member 13 and the washing tub 3, so that the size of the washing machine 1 in the left-right direction X can be reduced. Can be planned. Thereby, space saving of the installation space of the washing machine 1 can be achieved.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the washing machine 1 according to the modification as viewed from the lower side Z2. In the embodiment described above, the support frame 4 includes a pair of support members 13 and a columnar beam member 14 provided between the support members 13 (see FIG. 3). Instead, as shown in FIG. 7, the support frame 4 has a U-shape integrally including a pair of support members 13 and a flat bottom member 60 installed between the lower ends of the support members 13. It may be a monolithic object. In the single support frame 4, the rigidity of each support member 13 can be improved, and the rigidity of the support frame 4 as a whole can be improved. Therefore, since the twist between a pair of support members 13 can be controlled, it can control that a burden is applied to rotation axis 12 of washing tub 3 by this twist.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  Further, if the movement of the nut member 35 in the front-rear direction Y, that is, the rotation of the washing tub 3 can be restricted when the driving of the motor 33 is stopped, the lock release mechanism 7 and the recess 6C of the rotation unit 6 are provided. It may be omitted. Thereby, the rotation angle θ can be adjusted steplessly.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing machine 3 Washing tub 4 Support frame 5 Elastic support member 8 Drive mechanism 13 Support member 13F Bending part 14 Beam member 30 Base part 60 Bottom member Z Vertical direction

Claims (5)

A laundry tub that accommodates the laundry and is pivotable to intersect the vertical direction;
A support member disposed on the outside of the washing tub and rotatably supporting the washing tub;
A bent portion provided on the support member and bent toward the washing tub;
An elastic support member attached to the bent portion and elastically supporting the support member;
Including a washing machine.   The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a drive mechanism that is disposed between the support member and the washing tub and rotates the washing tub.   The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism includes a base portion that is formed by being partially bent and attached to the support member. A pair of the support members are provided so as to sandwich the washing tub,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a beam member provided between the pair of support members. A pair of the support members are provided so as to sandwich the washing tub,
The laundry as described in any one of Claims 1-3 containing the support frame of the integral thing which has a pair of said support member and the bottom member constructed between the lower end parts of a pair of said support member integrally. Machine.

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