JP2017074286A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a drum type washing machine capable of spraying foam-like washing water to laundry, and capable of securing an opening area of an input port for clothing.SOLUTION: A drum type washing machine includes: a housing tub 510 for housing laundry; a bubble generation part 620 provided in the housing tub 510, and for supplying the generated bubbles to the housing tub 510; a circulation water path 810 provided at the housing tub 510, and for circulating a washing liquid in the housing tub 510 to the housing tub 510; and a circulation pump 610 for supplying a detergent solution in the housing tub 510 to the bubble generation part 620 and the circulation water path 810. A water supply path 622 to the bubble generation part 620 and the circulation water path 810 are formed being overlapped in the axial direction of the housing tub 510.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that performs a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a washing machine having a function of circulating washing water in a water tank with a circulation pump and supplying washing water uniformly from a plurality of nozzles to laundry in a rotating drum is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

  As a result, the detergent can be dissolved as soon as possible in the washing step and penetrated into the clothes, and the clothes can be efficiently removed.

  Further, a washing machine is disclosed in which washing water stored in a water tank is circulated by a pump and air is introduced into a water conduit to generate bubbles (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  As a result, the dissolved washing water can be foamed and sprayed on the laundry, and as the detergent volume increases, high-concentration detergent components (mainly surfactants) can be distributed throughout the laundry. , Can effectively remove clothes stains.

JP 2011-250921 A Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-43798

  There has been a demand for a washing machine having both the function of supplying washing water described in Patent Document 1 to the laundry and the function of supplying foam described in Patent Document 2 to the laundry.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a washing machine that supplies foam and detergent liquid to the laundry in the storage tub and performs efficient laundry washing with a simple configuration. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, a drum-type washing machine according to the present invention includes a storage tank for storing laundry, a foam generation unit that is provided in the storage tank and supplies the generated foam into the storage tank, A circulation water passage provided in the storage tub for circulating the washing liquid in the storage tub into the storage tub, and a circulation pump for supplying the detergent liquid in the storage tub to the foam generating section and the circulation water passage. And a water supply channel to the bubble generating unit and the circulating water channel are formed to overlap in the axial direction of the storage tank.

  The washing machine according to the present invention can efficiently wash laundry by supplying foam and detergent liquid into the storage tub with a simple configuration.

Schematic block diagram of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Schematic perspective view of the washing machine Schematic sectional view of the washing machine Schematic perspective view of the washing machine Schematic plan view of the washing machine Schematic sectional view of the washing machine Schematic plan view of the washing machine Schematic permeation diagram of foam generator of the washing machine Schematic of casing of circulation pump of the washing machine

  1st invention is provided in the said storage tank, the foam production | generation part which is provided in the said storage tank and supplies the produced | generated foam in the said storage tank, and is provided in the said storage tank. A circulation water channel that circulates the washing liquid in the storage tank, and a circulation pump that supplies the detergent liquid in the storage tank to the foam generation unit and the circulation water channel, and a water supply path to the foam generation unit, By forming the circulation channel so as to overlap with the storage tank in the axial direction, it is possible to realize a washing machine with high cleaning power without impairing the opening area of the laundry inlet.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a holder is provided on the back surface of the outer ring wall that constitutes a part of the storage tank to form the foam generating part and the water supply channel between the outer ring wall The back surface of the outer ring wall and the holder are covered with a cover body, and the circulation channel is formed between the back surface of the outer ring wall and the cover body and between the holder and the cover body.

  According to a third invention, in the first or second invention, the foam supplied from the foam generation unit to the storage tub and the washing liquid supplied from the circulation channel to the storage tub do not collide with each other. A bubble outflow part of the foam generation part and a discharge port of the circulation water channel are formed.

  Hereinafter, an exemplary washing machine will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that terms used in the following description to indicate directions such as “up”, “down”, “left”, and “right” are merely for the purpose of clarifying the description. Therefore, these terms do not limit the principle of the washing machine. The washing machine disclosed below exemplifies a washing machine having no drying function, but may be a laundry processing apparatus having a drying function for drying laundry.

(First embodiment)
(Washing machine)
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment. The washing machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the solid line arrow shown by FIG. 1 represents the flow of water. A chain line arrow shown in FIG. 1 represents a transmission path of a control signal.

  The washing machine 100 includes a main housing 200, a controller 300, a water supply mechanism 400, a washing mechanism 500, and a circulation mechanism 600. The main housing 200 accommodates the control unit 300, the water supply mechanism 400, the washing mechanism 500, and the circulation mechanism 600. The control unit 300 controls the water supply mechanism 400, the washing mechanism 500, and the circulation mechanism 600.

  The washing machine 100 may sequentially execute a washing process for washing the laundry, a rinsing process for rinsing the laundry, and a dehydration process for dehydrating the laundry.

The washing mechanism 500 includes a storage tank 510 in which laundry is stored, and a motor 520 that drives the storage tank 510. The motor 520 drives the storage tank 510 under the control of the control unit 300. In the washing process, the storage tank 510 stirs the laundry in a liquid containing a detergent. As a result, the laundry is properly washed. In the rinsing process, the storage tub 510 agitates the laundry in water having a lower detergent concentration than the washing process. Further, in the rinsing process, water supply to the storage tank 510 and drainage from the storage tank 510 are repeated. As a result, the detergent is properly removed from the laundry. In the dehydration process, the storage tub 510 dehydrates the laundry using centrifugal force. As a result, drying of the laundry is promoted.

  The water supply mechanism 400 supplies water to the storage tank 510 in the above-described washing process and rinsing process. The water supply mechanism 400 includes a water supply port 410 connected to the faucet, a switching valve 420, and a detergent storage unit 430 in which a detergent is stored. The water supplied to the water supply port 410 reaches the switching valve 420. The switching valve 420 switches the water supply path between the first water supply path 421 in which the water goes directly to the storage tank 510 and the second water supply path 422 in which water is supplied to the storage tank 510 through the detergent storage unit 430. Switch. The first water supply path 421 may be used, for example, in a rinsing process. As a result, tap water is directly supplied to the storage tank 510. The 2nd water supply path 422 may be used for a washing process, for example. When the switching valve 420 opens the second water supply path 422, water flows into the detergent container 430. In the detergent container 430, water and detergent are mixed. As a result, water containing the detergent flows into the storage tank 510. In this embodiment, the pipe line that defines the second water supply path 422 is exemplified as a water supply pipe. The water supply mechanism 400 is illustrated as a water supply part.

  The circulation mechanism 600 includes a circulation pump 610 and a foam generation unit 620. The circulation mechanism 600 may circulate water between the circulation pump 610 and the storage tank 510 in the above-described washing process and rinsing process. In the present embodiment, the circulation mechanism 600 includes a first circulation path 611 and a second circulation path 612 for circulating water between the circulation pump 610 and the storage tank 510. When the first circulation path 611 is used, water flows into the storage tank 510 through the foam generation unit 620. When the second circulation path 612 is used, water is sent directly from the circulation pump 610 to the storage tank 510. In order to switch the water circulation path, a switching valve and other elements capable of selectively defining the water flow direction may be used. However, in the present invention, the first circulation has a simple configuration. The purpose is to supply water to the path 611 and the second circulation path 612 at the same time to efficiently supply bubbles and detergent liquid in a short time to obtain a high detergency. Further, since the water is sent to the foam generating unit 620 and the storage tank 510 by the single pump 610, the space in the main housing 200 can be used effectively, and the washing machine 100 can be manufactured at low cost. . In addition, the use of a single pump 610 results in increased flexibility in layout design within the main housing 200.

  The bubble generation unit 620 generates bubbles. The detergent liquid whose volume is increased by the bubbles is sent to the storage tank 510 and spreads over the laundry. When the detergent liquid comes into contact with the laundry and penetrates, the bubbles become a foam film covering the laundry. Since the foam film contains a high concentration of surfactant, it is possible to efficiently remove dirt on the laundry. At the same time, the detergent liquid is discharged from the second circulation path 612 to the storage tank 510 to improve the wettability of the laundry, and the detergent liquid is applied evenly to the laundry to increase the permeability of the high-concentration foam. In addition, high cleaning power can be obtained in a short time.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the washing machine 100. The washing machine 100 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The main housing 200 is opposite to the front wall 210, the rear wall 220 opposite to the front wall 210, the left wall 230 erected between the front wall 210 and the rear wall 220, and the left wall 230. And a top wall 250 surrounded by the upper edges of the front wall 210, the rear wall 220, the left wall 230 and the right wall 240, and a bottom wall 260 opposite to the top wall 250. The water supply port 410 described with reference to FIG. 1 is exposed on the top wall 250. The user can connect the water supply port 410 and the faucet (not shown) using, for example, a hose.

The washing machine 100 includes a door body 101 attached to the front wall 210. The door body 101 rotates between a closed position along the front wall 210 and an open position protruding from the front wall 210. Note that FIG.
The door body 101 shown in FIG. When the door body 101 is in the open position, the insertion port 511 defined by the storage tank 510 is exposed. The user can turn the door body 101 to the open position and put the laundry into the storage tub 510 through the insertion port 511.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing machine 100. The washing machine 100 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

  The storage tank 510 includes a rotating drum 530 in which laundry is stored, and a water tank 540 in which the rotating drum 530 is stored. The rotating drum 530 includes an inner ring wall 531 that defines the inlet 511, an inner bottom wall 532 opposite to the inner ring wall 531, and a cylindrical inner peripheral wall between the inner ring wall 531 and the inner bottom wall 532. 533. The water tank 540 includes an outer ring wall 541 disposed between the front wall 210 and the inner ring wall 531, an outer bottom wall 542 disposed between the rear wall 220 and the inner bottom wall 532, and the outer ring wall 541. And an outer peripheral wall 543 surrounding the inner peripheral wall 533 between the outer bottom wall 542 and the outer bottom wall 542. In the present embodiment, the rotating drum 530 is exemplified as an inner tank. The water tank 540 is illustrated as an outer tank.

  The motor 520 includes a main body 521 that generates a driving force, a drive shaft 522 that transmits the driving force to the rotary drum 530, and a belt 523 and a pulley 524 that transmit the rotation of the main body 521 to the driving shaft 522. The drive shaft 522 passes through the outer bottom wall 542 and is connected to the inner bottom wall 532.

  In addition to the circulation pump 610 and the foam generation unit 620 (see FIG. 1), the circulation mechanism 600 includes a drain valve 690, an upstream circulation pipe 640 that defines a path of water flowing from the water tank 540 to the circulation pump 610, and a circulation. A downstream circulation pipe 650 that defines a path of water returning from the pump 610 to the water tank 540 and a drain pipe 660 that defines a drain path to the outside of the main housing 200 are provided. The drain valve 690 is attached to the drain pipe 660. The control unit 300 (see FIG. 1) controls the drain valve 690. While water is being circulated between the storage tank 510 and the circulation pump 610, the control unit 300 closes the drain valve 690. The controller 300 opens the drain valve 690 in order to discharge the water that is no longer needed.

  The downstream circulation pipe 650 includes a first branch pipe 651 connected to the foam generation unit 620 and a second branch pipe 652 connected to the outer ring wall 541. The first branch pipe 651 defines the first circulation path 611 described with reference to FIG. The second branch pipe 652 defines the second circulation path 612 described with reference to FIG. The control unit 300 controls the rotation direction and the number of rotations of the circulation pump 610 to selectively execute the water circulation through the first branch pipe 651 and the water circulation through the second branch pipe 652. Good. In the present embodiment, the downstream circulation pipe 650 is exemplified as a branch pipe via the circulation pump 610.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the water tank 540. The washing machine 100 is further described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4.

  The outer peripheral wall 543 of the water tank 540 includes a front peripheral wall 545 to which the outer ring wall 541 is attached, and a rear peripheral wall 546 disposed between the outer bottom wall 542 and the front peripheral wall 545. The foam generation unit 620 is disposed on the front peripheral wall 545. FIG. 3 shows the rotation axis RX of the rotary drum 530 defined by the motor 520.

  In the present embodiment, the bubble generation unit 620 is disposed above the rotation axis RX, and the bubble outlet 684 that discharges high-concentration bubbles is also disposed above the rotation axis RX. The detergent liquid outlet 811 and the foam outlet 684 that are discharged simultaneously with the foam are arranged so that the high-concentration foam and the detergent liquid do not collide with each other, and the discharge amount is set.

  In the present embodiment, the first branch pipe 651 of the downstream circulation pipe 650 is exemplified as a structure that is connected to the front peripheral wall 545 of the water tank and reaches the foam generating unit 620 via an internal circulation path in the front peripheral wall 545. As a result, the space in the main housing 200 can be used effectively, and the washing machine 100 can be manufactured at low cost. In addition, this results in an increase in the degree of freedom in layout design in the main housing 200.

(Bubble generator)
5 is a plan view of the outer ring wall 541 viewed from the back side, FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the outer ring wall 541 portion, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of the upper body with the cover body 544 removed from FIG. 8 is a schematic transparent view of the bubble generating unit 620. FIG. Below, the bubble production | generation part 620 is demonstrated with reference to FIGS.

  The outer ring wall 541 of the water tank 540 is formed in a shape that bulges forward, and supplies a foam generation unit 620, a water supply path 622 to the foam generation unit 620, and washing water to the storage tank 510 on the back surface side. A circulating water channel 810 is formed. The bubble generating unit 620 and the water supply channel 622 are partitioned by a partition wall 621 that protrudes from the back surface side of the outer ring wall 541, and by bringing the holder 623 into contact with the partition wall 621, the back surface of the outer ring wall 541, the partition wall 621, and the holder 623. And is surrounded by. A watertight structure between the partition 621 and the holder 623 may be provided as necessary.

  In the water supply channel 622, an inlet 681 is formed at an end facing the bubble generation unit 620, and a discharge port 682 is formed on the other end side of the water supply channel 622 toward the bubble generation unit 620. The outlet 682 is formed in a substantially horizontal direction toward the bubble generation unit 620. Further, the discharge port 682 is formed so as to have a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the water supply channel 622, and is configured to increase the flow rate of the washing water that passes through the water supply channel 622 and is ejected toward the foam generating unit 620. Yes. In the discharge direction of the washing water discharged from the discharge port 682, a facing surface 621a formed in a substantially vertical direction at a part of the partition wall 621 is provided.

  An intake port 683 is formed on the side surface of the holder 623, and the intake port 683 is positioned approximately in the middle of the discharge port 682 and the opposed surface 621a (FIG. 8 is a plan view that passes through the holder 623, and FIG. Shows the inlet 683).

  A bubble outlet 684 is formed in the bubble generator 620 at a position facing the discharge port 682. The outer wall surface 541 constituting the bubble generating unit 620 is provided with an inclined surface 621b formed to be inclined toward the bubble outlet 684. Thereby, the washing water supplied into the foam generation unit 620 is discharged from the foam outlet 684 without remaining in the foam generation unit 620.

  The first branch pipe 651 described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 is connected to the inlet 681 through an internal circulation path in the front peripheral wall 545 of the water tank 540. . When the circulation pump 610 pumps up the detergent liquid to the foam generation unit 620, the detergent liquid that flows in from the inflow port 681 passes through the water supply path 622 and is discharged from the discharge port 682 toward the foam generation unit 620.

  In the foam generation part 620, when it discharges toward the foam production | generation part 620 from the discharge outlet 682, a detergent liquid will collide with the opposing surface 621a, will be scattered on each surface of the foam production | generation part 620, and the foam production | generation part 620 Mixing with the air inside, bubbles with high concentration are generated. Further, since the detergent liquid is discharged from the discharge port 682, a negative pressure is generated in the vicinity of the bubble generation unit 620 side of the intake port 683. Therefore, the air in the water tank 540 is sucked from the intake port 683 and the air is entrained. Bubbles are further mixed into the detergent liquid, and a larger amount of high-concentration bubbles can be generated. In addition, since the detergent liquid discharged from the discharge port 682 is configured to increase the flow velocity and collide with the facing surface 621a, bubbles can be efficiently generated inside the bubble generating unit 620.

  The detergent liquid whose volume is increased by the bubbles is sprayed uniformly on the laundry because the rotating drum 530 rotates and is sprinkled on the laundry in the storage tank from the foam outlet 684 while stirring the laundry. . The diameter of the bubble outlet 684 may be adjusted according to the amount of pumped water so that the bubble generation unit has a flow velocity at which bubbles are mixed. The flow rate may be adjusted by the number of rotations of the circulation pump.

  In the present embodiment, the partition 621 can be integrally formed with the component parts of the storage tank 510, so that the structure can be simplified and the structure can be simplified.

  In addition, the water supply path 622 should just be the structure which can supply a detergent liquid to the foam production | generation part 620, and can be comprised with a hose etc. other than this Embodiment, for example.

(Circulating water route)
5, 7, and 8 show a detergent water supply path 622 and a foam outlet 684 for high-concentration foam to the foam generation unit 620, a circulation water path 810 and a discharge port 811 for supplying the detergent liquid to the storage tank 510. The arrangement of

  An annular cover body 544 is attached to the back surface side of the outer ring wall 541 so as to cover the holder 623 and the circulating water channel 810. The circulation water channel 810 is defined by a partition wall 812 protruding from the back surface side of the outer ring wall 541, and the cover body 544 is brought into contact with the back surface of the outer ring wall 541 and the partition wall 812 via packings 545 and 546. It is formed to be surrounded by the rear surface of the annular wall 541, the partition wall 812, and the cover body 544.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view at a position where the water supply channel 622 and the circulation water channel 810 are formed. The circulation water channel 810 at this position is packed with the outer ring wall 541, the partition wall 621, and the holder 623 with packing 545, 546, 547, 548. The cover body 544 is brought into contact with the cover body 544 to be surrounded by the cover body 544 and the holder 623.

  The foam outlet 684 for high-concentration foam is disposed above the rotation axis RX and sprayed from above the laundry. In addition, the detergent liquid discharged at the same time passes through the circulation water channel 810 via the second branch pipe 652 and is discharged into the storage tank 510 from the discharge port 811. The circulation water channel 810 and the discharge port 811 are provided in front of the storage tank 510.

  In the present embodiment, when high-concentration bubbles are being discharged, the detergent water discharged from the discharge port 811 is controlled so as to be discharged only from the lower part of the rotation axis RX. This is a control for avoiding a reduction in the cleaning effect due to the foam by colliding the high-concentration foam and the detergent liquid to eliminate the foam.

  In addition, the detergent water circulation channel 810 and the discharge port 811 are arranged up to the upper part because the circulation pump 610 circulates water from the entire front of the storage tank 510 in the rotation direction B that rotates for the purpose of circulating the detergent solution. It is for discharging.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, the circulation pump 610 is disposed below the storage tank 510. The foam generation unit 620 is disposed above the rotation axis RX of the rotary drum 530 (that is, above the circulation pump 610). When the circulation pump 610 rotates, the water is pumped by the circulation pump 610 toward the foam generation unit 620 through the first branch pipe 651.

  When the circulation pump 610 rotates at a high rotation speed, the detergent liquid flows into the first branch pipe 651 or the second branch pipe 652. The first branch pipe 651 guides the foam generation unit 620. The foam generated in the foam generation unit 620 is sent out to the storage tank 510.

  When the circulation pump 610 rotates at a high rotation speed, the detergent liquid flows into the first branch pipe 651 or the second branch pipe 652. The first branch pipe 651 guides the foam generation unit 620. The foam generated in the foam generation unit 620 is sent out to the storage tank 510. The second branch pipe 652 guides water directly to the water tank 540. The inflow path of the detergent liquid is selected by controlling the rotation direction of the circulation pump 610.

(Circulating pump casing)
FIG. 9 shows the shape of the casing 900 of the circulation pump used as a driving measure for generating high-concentration foam and for supplying detergent liquid to the storage tank.
The rotation direction A of the impeller is the rotation direction when the high-concentration foam is generated and the detergent liquid is supplied downward, and the rotation direction B is the rotation direction when the detergent liquid is supplied to the entire storage tank.

  When high-concentration bubbles are generated in the rotation direction A, circulating water is discharged from the pump casing discharge port A910 and the discharge port B920 at a ratio of approximately 1: 1 so that high-concentration bubbles are generated by the bubble generation unit 620, and a detergent solution The detergent liquid is discharged from the discharge port 811 (*). At this time, at least the cross-sectional area of the discharge port has a relationship of discharge port A910 (bubble generation side) ≦ discharge port B920 (detergent liquid side). In addition, a tong shape 930 is provided in front of the discharge port of the casing to draw water in response to the rotation of the impeller.

  The principle of this embodiment is suitably used for an apparatus having a function of washing laundry using foam.

100 ... washing machine 300 ... control part 400 ... ··· Water supply mechanism 422 ············· Second water supply path 430 ······································· ······································································································ ·・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Rotating drum 540 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Water tank 600 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Circulating mechanism 610 ... Circulation pump 620 ... Foam generation part 621 ... ... Division wall 621a ..... Face 622 ... ············································································・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ First branch pipe 652 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Second branch pipe 681 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・・ ・ ・ ・ Inlet 682 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Discharge port 683 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Inlet port 684 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ Bubble outlet

Claims (3)

A storage tub for storing laundry, a foam generation unit that is provided in the storage tub and supplies the generated foam into the storage tub, and is provided in the storage tub and stores the washing liquid in the storage tub. A circulation water channel that circulates in the tank, and a circulation pump that supplies the detergent liquid in the storage tank to the foam generation unit and the circulation water channel, the water supply channel to the foam generation unit and the circulation water channel are A washing machine characterized by being formed by overlapping in the axial direction of the storage tub. A holder for forming the bubble generating part and the water supply path is provided between the outer ring wall and the outer ring wall constituting a part of the storage tank, and the outer ring wall back surface and the holder are covered by a cover body. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the circulation water channel is formed between the back surface of the outer ring wall and the cover body and between the holder and the cover body. The foam outlet of the foam generator and the outlet of the circulation water channel are arranged at positions where the foam supplied from the foam generator to the storage tank does not collide with the washing liquid supplied from the circulation water channel to the storage tank. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the washing machine is formed.

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