JP2018075120A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance a washing effect by separating a dirty substance generated by washing thereby clarifying washing water and by suppressing reattachment of the separated dirty substance to laundry.SOLUTION: The washing machine is provided that comprises: an outer tub 1 elastically supported in a housing 2; a washing tub 4 provided in the outer tub 1 in a rotatable manner; a motor 10 for rotationally driving the washing tub 4; a centrifugal separation part 21 for separating a foreign substance included in washing water in the outer tub 1; a pump 20 for circulating the washing water between the outer tub 1 and the centrifugal separation part 21; and a water supply passage 19 for connecting the outer tub 1, the pump 20 and the centrifugal separation part 21. The centrifugal separation part 21 includes a hollow cylinder 21a, and a washing water inlet 21c and a washing water outlet 21d each of which has a bore of diameter smaller than that of the hollow cylinder 21a, the inlet 21c and the outlet 21d being arranged respectively at substantially the centers of an end surfaces of the hollow cylinder 21a. The washing machine is constituted in such a manner that the washing water flows into the hollow cylinder 21a from the washing water inlet 21c while whirling around a central axis of the hollow cylinder 21a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine for washing textile products such as clothes.

  In a conventional washing machine, it is considered that impurities such as dirt and lint separated from the laundry during washing are separated from the washing water to purify the washing water and prevent reattachment to the laundry ( For example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional washing machine. As shown in FIG. 5, a cyclone separator 54 is provided in a bath water supply path constituted by a first water supply pipe 51, a second water supply pipe 52, and a third water supply pipe 53. When the bath water supply pump 55 is driven at the time of washing, the water in the drum 56 is introduced into the cyclone separator 54 from the connection pipe 57, and impurities such as dirt and lint separated from the laundry by the cyclone separator 54. Is removed. The water from which impurities are removed is returned into the drum 56 through the second water supply pipe 52 and the first water supply pipe 51.

  Moreover, in patent document 2, in what is called a vertical washing machine which set the rotating shaft of the washing tub to the vertical direction, it is considered to separate the lint and the solid substance mixed in the washing water by the cyclone lint separator. .

JP 2005-152212 A JP 2001-70694 A

  However, the conventional configuration has a problem that it is difficult to reliably separate foreign substances from the washing water and to prevent the separated foreign substances from being mixed again into the circulating washing water. That is, the foreign substances separated from the washing water include those having a specific gravity lighter than that of water, such as sebum liberated from the laundry, and fine ones. For this reason, it is difficult to separate them with a hydrocyclone. In addition, it has been difficult to keep the separated foreign matter inside the hydrocyclone and prevent re-mixing into the circulating washing water.

  Moreover, in the separation of foreign matter by a hydrocyclone, it is generally necessary to discard the foreign matter separated during operation. At that time, part of the liquid to be treated also flows out at the same time, and the washing water decreases during washing. Therefore, in order to maintain an appropriate amount of washing water supplied according to the amount of laundry at the start of operation, makeup water is required during washing, and the amount of water used during washing increases.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and separates and purifies dirt substances from washing water soiled by washing, and improves the cleaning effect by suppressing reattachment of the separated dirt substances to the laundry. An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can be used.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a washing machine of the present invention rotates an outer tub elastically supported in a casing, a washing tub rotatably provided in the outer tub, and the laundry tub. A motor, a centrifuge for separating foreign matter contained in the wash water in the outer tub, a pump for circulating the wash water between the outer tub and the centrifuge, the outer tub, the pump, and the A water supply path that connects the centrifugal separation unit, the centrifugal separation unit being disposed at a substantially center of the end surface of the hollow cylinder and a washing water inlet and a washing water outlet having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the hollow cylinder And the washing water flows into the hollow cylinder from the washing water inlet while turning around the central axis of the hollow cylinder.

  With this configuration, the washing water flows from the washing water inlet to the washing water outlet while turning around the central axis of the hollow cylinder. And when washing water flows through the inside of a hollow cylinder, the substance whose specific gravity is heavier than the washing water contained in washing water is isolate | separated toward the internal peripheral surface of a hollow cylinder by centrifugal force. For this reason, even if the dirt contained in the washing water is lighter than water, such as sand, fiber scraps, hair, keratinous dirt, etc., which is heavier than water, and oils such as sebum Items that adhere to a material having a higher specific gravity than water, such as () and lint, are removed from the washing water. Further, the washing water that fills the hollow cylinder outside the through-flow and inside the inner peripheral surface of the hollow cylinder has the inlet / outlet at both end faces of the hollow cylinder occupied by the through-flow, and goes to the inner peripheral surface from the through-flow portion. Since the centrifugal force is always applied, it hardly mixes with the wash water in the flow-through portion. For this reason, the material once centrifuged and once directed to the inner peripheral surface of the hollow cylinder does not return to the flow-through due to the mixing of the washing water, and the washing water is cleaned by the centrifugal separation portion as it circulates in the water supply path. Therefore, the washing machine provided with the centrifugal separator according to the present invention can improve the cleaning effect by preventing the separated dirt substance from reattaching to the laundry.

  The washing machine of the present invention can separate and purify the dirt substance from the washing water dirty by the washing by the centrifugal separator, and the washing effect is improved by preventing the separated dirt substance from reattaching to the laundry. be able to.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Enlarged view of the centrifugal separator of the washing machine in the present embodiment EE sectional view in FIG. Block configuration diagram of the washing machine in the present embodiment Schematic configuration diagram of a conventional washing machine

  A washing machine according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an outer tub elastically supported in a housing, a washing tub rotatably provided in the outer tub, a motor that rotationally drives the washing tub, A centrifuge that separates foreign matter contained in the wash water, a pump that circulates wash water between the outer tub and the centrifuge, and a water supply channel that connects the outer tub, the pump, and the centrifuge And the centrifugal separator is arranged at the center of the end surface of the hollow cylinder, and the washing water inlet and the washing water outlet having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the hollow cylinder are respectively provided on each of both end faces. The washing water is configured to flow from the washing water inlet into the hollow cylinder while turning around the central axis of the hollow cylinder.

  With this configuration, the washing water flows from the washing water inlet to the washing water outlet while turning around the central axis of the hollow cylinder. And when washing water flows through the inside of a hollow cylinder, the substance whose specific gravity is heavier than the washing water contained in washing water goes to the internal peripheral surface of a hollow cylinder by centrifugal force. For this reason, among dirt substances that are foreign matters contained in washing water, water such as sand, fiber scraps, hair, keratinous dirt, etc., which has a higher specific gravity than water, and fat such as sebum. Even if it is lighter, things adhering to things with a higher specific gravity than water, such as lint, are separated from the washing water and removed.

In addition, the washing water filling the hollow cylinder outside the through-flow is always subjected to centrifugal force. In addition, the inlets and outlets on both end faces of the hollow cylinder are occupied by the throughflow. As a result, the wash water outside the flow through does not have the same momentum as the wash water in the flow through portion, and the wash waters do not mix much. For this reason, the soiled substance once centrifuged and directed toward the inner peripheral surface of the hollow cylinder does not return to the flow-through due to the mixing of the washing water. Therefore, the washing machine having the centrifugal separator according to the present invention purifies the washing water by circulating it through the centrifugal separator and prevents the separated dirt substance from reattaching to the laundry, thereby enhancing the washing effect. be able to.

  In a second aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, the centrifugal separator includes a swirling flow generating section that generates a swirling flow upstream of the washing water inlet. With this configuration, a swirling flow can be caused to flow into the hollow cylinder.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the centrifugal separation unit includes a cylindrical swirl flow generation unit, and the swirl flow generation unit includes washing water along a cylindrical peripheral side surface. And an outlet formed at the center of one end surface of the cylindrical shape. With this configuration, the wash water that has flowed in from the inlet provided on the peripheral side surface of the swirling flow generating section naturally turns into a swirling flow toward the outlet provided in the center. For this reason, the swirl flow generating unit can easily impart a swirl force to the washing water without a special configuration.

  In a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the centrifugal separator is configured such that the washing water passes from bottom to top. With this configuration, even when bubbles generated by the detergent in the washing water or bubbles generated by pumping air enter the hollow cylinder, the washing water is easily discharged out of the hollow cylinder. As a result, the disturbance of the flow in the hollow cylinder caused by air bubbles lighter than water remaining in the hollow cylinder is eliminated. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent foreign matters once separated and retained from returning to the washing water due to flow disturbance.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the centrifugal separation unit is configured to hold the centrifuged foreign matter on the inner peripheral surface of the hollow cylinder during the centrifugal separation. It has been done. With this configuration, the foreign matter once separated from the washing water by centrifugal force can be prevented from returning to the washing water flowing through the hollow cylinder.

  In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the centrifugal separation unit may be configured so that the foreign matter collected on the inner peripheral surface is in a direction opposite to that when circulating through the water supply channel when draining. It is configured to be discharged out of the machine on the flow of flowing washing water. With this configuration, it is not necessary to have a configuration in which a part of the wash water to be purified is discarded during the centrifugal separation, and it does not take time to replenish the wash water during the washing process, and water saving is improved.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer tub 1 configured in a bottomed cylindrical shape is elastically supported by a plurality of suspension mechanisms 3 inside a housing 2 that forms an outer frame of the washing machine. A washing tub 4 configured in a bottomed cylindrical shape is provided in the outer tub 1. The outer tub 1 and the washing tub 4 have an opening 6 on the front side (left side in FIG. 1) through which a user puts in and out laundry 5 such as clothes.

The washing tub 4 is provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 7. A plurality of (for example, three) baffles 8 projecting inward are provided on the peripheral wall surface 4 a of the washing tub 4. Furthermore, a large number of small holes 9 are provided in the peripheral wall surface 4 a, and the inside and outside of the washing tub 4 communicate with each other through the small holes 9 in the outer tub 1. The outer tub 1, the washing tub 4, and the rotating shaft 7 are provided so as to be inclined upward by an angle θ (for example, 20 °) with respect to the horizontal.

  The washing tub 4 is configured to be rotatable forward and backward by a motor 10 provided at the rear portion of the outer tub 1. The motor 10 is, for example, a brushless DC motor, and is configured such that the rotation speed can be freely changed by inverter control of the control unit 22 described later.

  The opening 1 a of the outer tub 1 and the opening 2 a of the housing 2 are formed to face the opening 6 of the washing tub 4. The opening 1a of the outer tub 1 and the opening 2a of the housing 2 are connected to each other by securing an airtight structure by an elastic bellows-like packing 12. A door 11 that opens and closes the opening 2 a is provided on the front surface of the housing 2.

  A water supply port 13 for supplying washing water is provided on the upper rear surface of the housing 2. The water supply port 13 is connected to a tap faucet 13a. The washing water is tap water supplied from the water supply port 13. A water supply valve 14 and a detergent case 15 are provided on the downstream side of the water supply port 13. The water supply valve 14 is driven to open and close by the control unit 22 to perform water supply and stop. As indicated by an arrow A, the detergent case 15 is configured such that the detergent charging portion 15a can be pulled out from the detergent case 15 to the near side. Thereby, the user can easily put the detergent into the detergent case 15.

  The washing water supplied from the water supply port 13 flows into the detergent case 15 as indicated by an arrow B. The washing water flows into the outer tub 1 while further dissolving the detergent put in the detergent case 15.

  A drain port 16 for discharging washing water is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 1. A drainage channel 17 is connected to the drainage port 16. A drain valve 18 is provided in the drain channel 17. The drain valve 18 is opened / closed by the control unit 22, and stores or drains washing water in the outer tub 1.

  One end of the water supply channel 19 is connected to the drainage channel 17, and the other end is connected to the lower front portion of the outer tub 1 to form a circulation path. A pump 20 that circulates wash water in the outer tub 1 and a centrifugal separator 21 are connected to the water supply channel 19. The centrifugal separator 21 is provided on the downstream side of the pump 20.

  The washing water in the outer tub 1 is circulated as shown by an arrow C from the drainage channel 17 through the water supply channel 19 by the pump 20 and passes through the centrifugal separator 21. When the washing water passes through the centrifugal separator 21, foreign matters contained in the washing water are separated. The foreign matters include dirt and lint released from the laundry, and a water softener contained in the detergent dissolved in the washing water.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the centrifugal separator of the washing machine in the present embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. The centrifugal separator 21 includes a hollow cylinder 21a, a swirl flow generator 21b, a washing water inlet 21c formed substantially at the center of the lower end surface of the hollow cylinder 21a configured in the vertical direction, and an upper side of the hollow cylinder 21a. The washing water outlet 21d is formed substantially at the center of the end surface of the washing water. The washing water inlet 21c and the washing water outlet 21d are formed to have a smaller diameter than the diameter D of the hollow cylinder 21a. Thus, the centrifugal separator 21 is configured so that the washing water passes from the bottom toward the top.

The swirl flow generating portion 21b is disposed on the upstream side below the hollow cylinder 21a, and communicates with the washing water inlet 21c of the hollow cylinder 21a. The swirl flow generating portion 21b has a cylindrical shape, an inlet 21g formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical shape so that the washing water flows in along the circumferential direction of the peripheral side surface 21f, and one end surface 21h where the washing water has a cylindrical shape. And an outlet 21i formed at the center of the. Washing water is introduced into the swirl flow generator 21b from the water supply channel 19 through the inlet 21g. The outlet 21i and the washing water inlet 21c are configured to communicate linearly with the centers thereof aligned.

  The control unit 22 is provided in the lower part in the housing 2. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the washing machine in the present embodiment. The control unit 22 includes an output of a cloth amount detection unit 23 that detects the amount of the laundry 5 put in the washing tub 4 and a water amount detection unit 24 that detects the amount of washing water supplied into the outer tub 1. The output and the output of the rotation detection unit 25 that detects the rotational drive of the washing tub 4 are input. The control unit 22 controls the driving of the motor 10, the water supply valve 14, the drain valve 18, the pump 20, and the like based on the washing course set by the user through the operation display unit 26, and executes the washing operation. The washing operation includes steps such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration.

  About the washing machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. In the washing operation, the washing process is a process in which the washing water in which the detergent is dissolved is supplied into the outer tub 1 and the dirt of the laundry 5 is removed while tapping and washing by the rotation of the washing tub 4. Following the washing step, a rinsing step is performed. For example, intermediate dehydration 1, rinsing 1, intermediate dehydration 2, and rinsing 2 are performed. And finally, a dehydration process is performed.

  First, the user opens the door 11 provided on the front surface of the housing 2 and puts the laundry 5 into the washing tub 4 from the opening 6. Next, a power switch (not shown) of the operation display unit 26 provided at the upper front of the housing 2 is turned on, and a start switch (not shown) is operated to start a washing operation.

  When the washing operation is started, the control unit 22 first detects the amount of the laundry 5 put in the washing tub 4 by the cloth amount detection unit 23. The amount of the laundry 5 is detected from the amount of torque applied to the motor 10 when the washing tub 4 is rotated at a low speed, the current value of the motor 10, or the like.

  The control unit 22 sets the time for each step of washing, rinsing and dehydration and the amount of washing water according to the detected amount of the laundry 5. In addition, a detergent amount set in advance according to the amount of the laundry 5 is displayed on the operation display unit 26. The user pulls out the detergent insertion part 15 a from the detergent case 15, puts the detergent in accordance with the amount of detergent displayed on the operation display part 26, and then moves the detergent insertion part 15 a into the detergent case 15.

  The control unit 22 opens the water supply valve 14 in anticipation of the completion of the introduction of the detergent. When the water supply valve 14 is opened, the washing water flows into the detergent case 15 from the water supply port 13 and is supplied to the outer tub 1 while dissolving the supplied detergent as indicated by an arrow B. The washing water collected at the bottom in the outer tub 1 flows into the washing tub 4 through the small holes 9. Washing water collected in the outer tub 1 is detected by the water amount detection unit 24. The controller 22 closes the water supply valve 14 when a predetermined amount of washing water set in advance according to the amount of the laundry 5 is supplied.

  When the water supply is completed, the controller 22 drives the motor 10 to rotate the washing tub 4. When the washing tub 4 rotates, the laundry 5 in the washing tub 4 is lifted in the rotation direction by the baffle 8 and falls from above, and hits the laundry 5 accumulated on the bottom of the washing tub 4 or the bottom of the washing tub 4. It is done. In this way, the washing is performed by the mechanical force together with the chemical force of the detergent. The number of rotations of the washing tub 4 in which the laundry 5 is beaten and washed is 45 rpm, for example, and is reversed every predetermined time and driven forward and backward.

  When the washing process is performed for a predetermined time, the control unit 22 opens the drain valve 18 and drains the washing water in the outer tub 1 to the outside of the machine. After the drainage is completed, the rinsing step is performed, and the intermediate dehydration 1 is followed by the rinse 1. Also in the rinsing step, as in the washing step, a predetermined amount of washing water is supplied into the outer tub 1, and the laundry tub 4 is rotated to rinse the laundry 5.

  In the final dehydration step, after the drain valve 18 is opened and the washing water in the outer tub 1 is discharged outside the machine, the washing tub 4 containing the laundry 5 is rotated at a high speed by the motor 10 to perform washing. Things are dehydrated. When the dehydration process is completed, the control unit 22 ends the washing operation.

  Next, the effect | action in which the washing water is purified in the centrifuge part 21 is demonstrated.

  In the washing process, the washing water contains various foreign substances such as dirt substances. For example, the soiling substance has a higher specific gravity than water, such as sand, fiber scraps, hair, keratinous soils, etc., and even if it is lighter than water, such as fats represented by sebum, Some of them adhere to things that have a higher specific gravity than water.

  In the washing step, the control unit 22 drives the pump 20 to circulate the washing water in the outer tub 1 to the centrifuge unit 21. When the pump 20 is driven, the washing water in the outer tub 1 passes through the water supply channel 19 and reaches the centrifugal separator 21. Washing water containing dirty materials is introduced into the swirl flow generation unit 21b from the water supply channel 19 through the inlet 21g.

  The inlet 21g is formed on the side of the cylinder so that the washing water flows in along the circumferential direction of the peripheral side surface 21f. For this reason, the wash water which flowed in from the inlet 21g naturally turns into a swirling flow toward the outlet 21i provided in the center. For this reason, even if a special structure is not provided for the swirl flow generation unit 21b, swirl force can be easily applied to the washing water. Then, the washing water flows out from the outlet 21i while turning, and is introduced into the hollow cylinder 21a while maintaining the momentum of turning from the linearly communicating washing water inlet 21c.

  The washing water inlet 21c and the washing water outlet 21d of the centrifugal separator 21 are formed to have a smaller diameter than the diameter D of the hollow cylinder 21a. Then, the washing water is introduced from below into the hollow cylinder 21a through the washing water inlet 21c while turning. For this reason, the washing water flows from the bottom to the top while turning around the central axis of the hollow cylinder 21a. Then, while the washing water is swirling and flows through the hollow cylinder 21a, the foreign matter having a specific gravity greater than that of the washing water contained in the washing water moves toward the inner peripheral surface 21e of the hollow cylinder 21a by centrifugal force. In this way, dirt substances are separated from the wash water circulating in the water supply channel 19 and removed.

  On the other hand, the washing water filling the hollow cylinder 21a outside the through-flow is always subjected to centrifugal force while rotating. In addition, the washing water inlet 21c and the washing water outlet 21d on both end faces of the hollow cylinder 21a are occupied by a through flow. As a result, the wash water outside the flow through does not have the same momentum as the wash water in the flow through portion, and the wash waters do not mix much. For this reason, the foreign matter once centrifuged and once directed to the inner peripheral surface 21e of the hollow cylinder 21a does not return to the flow-through due to the mixing of the washing water.

  Moreover, in the hollow cylinder 21a of the centrifugal separator 21, the washing water passes from the bottom to the top while turning. At this time, bubbles generated by the detergent in the washing water or bubbles generated by the air from the pump 20 may enter the hollow cylinder 21a. Even in such a case, first, bubbles that are lighter than water gather at the center of the hollow cylinder 21a by the swirling flow, and further, the action of floating upward and the flow of washing water from the bottom to the top are combined, It is easily discharged from the washing water outlet 21d to the outside of the hollow cylinder 21a. This eliminates the disturbance of the flow in the hollow cylinder 21a caused by the bubbles that are lighter than water remaining in the hollow cylinder 21a. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent foreign matters once separated and retained from returning to the washing water due to flow disturbance.

Therefore, the centrifugal separator 21 can hold the foreign matter on the inner peripheral surface 21e of the hollow cylinder 21a during the centrifugal separation, and the foreign matter once separated from the washing water by the centrifugal force flows through the hollow cylinder 21a. It can prevent returning to water. Further, it is possible to prevent problems such as contamination of the laundry 5 with the soiled material, and the washing power of the washing machine is improved.

  In this way, the washing water from which foreign matters have been removed by the centrifugal separator 21 flows into the outer tub 1 through the water supply channel 19 and is further circulated between the centrifugal separator 21 and the outer tub 1 for purification. Progresses. The foreign matter collected on the inner peripheral surface 21e rides on the flow of washing water that flows in the opposite direction to the circulation direction in the water supply path 19 during drainage, and is discharged outside the machine through the drain valve 18. Thereby, it is not necessary to set it as the structure which throws away some wash water to be purified during centrifugation.

  In addition, the separation of the foreign matters contained in the washing water can be executed not only in the washing process but also in the rinsing process. By separating the foreign matter that has come out of the laundry from the laundry in the rinsing step by the centrifugal separator 21, the rinsing effect can be enhanced. At the time of rinsing, it is possible to remove zeolite having a specific gravity heavier than water among the cleaning aids contained in the detergent, and the rinsing performance is improved.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the outer tub 1 elastically supported in the housing 2, the washing tub 4 rotatably provided in the outer tub 1, and the motor that rotationally drives the washing tub 4. 10, a centrifugal separator 21 that separates foreign substances contained in the washing water in the outer tub 1, a pump 20 that circulates the washing water between the outer tub 1 and the centrifugal separator 21, and the outer tub 1 and the pump 20. And a water supply channel 19 that connects the centrifugal separator 21. The centrifuge 21 is provided with a hollow cylinder 21a and a washing water inlet 21c and a washing water outlet 21d having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hollow cylinder 21a on each of both end faces. The washing water is configured to flow from the washing water inlet 21c into the hollow cylinder 21a while turning around the central axis of the hollow cylinder 21a.

  With this configuration, the washing water flows from the washing water inlet 21c to the washing water outlet 21d while turning around the central axis of the hollow cylinder 21a. When the washing water flows through the hollow cylinder 21a, a substance having a higher specific gravity than the washing water contained in the washing water moves toward the inner peripheral surface 21e of the hollow cylinder 21a by centrifugal force. For this reason, among dirt substances that are foreign substances contained in washing water, such as sand, fiber scraps, hair, keratinous dirt, etc., whose specific gravity is heavier than water, and fats such as sebum Even if it is lighter than water, things adhering to things with a specific gravity higher than water, such as lint, are separated from the washing water and removed.

  Moreover, the centrifugal force is always applied to the washing water filling the hollow cylinder 21a outside the through-flow. In addition, the washing water inlet 21c and the washing water outlet 21d, which are the inlets and outlets on both end faces of the hollow cylinder 21a, are occupied by a through flow. As a result, the wash water outside the flow through does not have the same momentum as the wash water in the flow through portion, and the wash waters do not mix much. For this reason, the soiled substance once centrifuged and directed toward the inner peripheral surface 21e of the hollow cylinder 21a does not return to the flow-through due to the mixing of the washing water. Therefore, the separated dirt substance can be prevented from reattaching to the laundry 5 and the cleaning effect can be enhanced.

  The centrifugal separator 21 includes a cylindrical swirl flow generating unit 21b that generates a swirl flow upstream of the washing water inlet 21c. The swirling flow generating unit 21b includes an inlet 21g formed on the side so that the washing water flows along the cylindrical peripheral side surface, and an outlet 21i formed on the center of the cylindrical end surface. It has. With this configuration, the washing water that has flowed in from the inlet 21g provided on the peripheral side surface of the swirling flow generating unit 21b naturally turns into a swirling flow toward the outlet 21i provided in the center. For this reason, the swirl flow generating unit 21b can easily impart a swirl force to the washing water without a special configuration.

  In addition, the structure of the swirl | vortex flow production | generation part 21b is not restricted to the said structure. For example, a spiral tube or a structure in which a spiral wing is provided in a cylinder may be used. In short, what is necessary is just to be comprised so that a swirling flow may flow into the hollow cylinder 21a from the washing water inlet 21c.

  Further, the centrifuge 21 is configured to hold the centrifuged foreign matter on the inner peripheral surface 21e of the hollow cylinder 21a during the centrifuge. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the dirt substance once separated from the washing water by centrifugal force from returning to the washing water flowing through the hollow cylinder 21a.

  In addition, the following operational effects are also achieved. For example, since the dirt substance that has been washed off from the laundry by washing and comes into the washing water does not return once separated from the washing water, the detergent surfactant is again applied to the separated dirt substance. It can be prevented from acting and consumed, and the detergent can be used efficiently to enhance the cleaning power.

  In addition, since it is possible to prevent the dirt substance from reattaching to the laundry, it becomes possible to circulate the washing water between the washing tub 4 and the centrifugal separator 21 during the washing process. Compared with the case of passing through the centrifugal separator 21, a higher washing water purification effect can be obtained.

  Further, unlike a general liquid cyclone, it is not necessary to discard part of the water to be purified during centrifugation. For this reason, the washing water containing the detergent is not discarded during the washing operation, and it does not take time to replenish the washing water. As a result, the detergent concentration does not decrease, water saving is improved without increasing the amount of water used, and washing can be performed while purifying the washing water. Moreover, since the removal capability can be increased by the centrifugal force without depending on the inflow speed as in the liquid cyclone, it is possible to configure without requiring a large pump.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can separate and purify foreign substances such as dirt substances from the washing water dirty by washing, and suppress the reattachment of the separated dirt substances to the laundry. Since the cleaning effect can be enhanced, it is useful as a washing machine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer tub 2 Housing | casing 4 Washing tub 10 Motor 19 Water supply path 20 Pump 21 Centrifugation part 21a Hollow cylinder 21b Swirling flow generation part 21c Washing water inlet 21d Washing water outlet 21e Inner peripheral surface 21g Inlet 21i outlet

Claims (6)

An outer tank elastically supported in the housing;
A washing tub rotatably provided in the outer tub;
A motor for rotationally driving the washing tub;
A centrifuge for separating foreign substances contained in the washing water in the outer tub;
A pump for circulating wash water between the outer tub and the centrifugal separator;
A water supply path connecting the outer tank, the pump, and the centrifuge,
The centrifugal separation unit has a hollow cylinder and a washing water inlet and a washing water outlet each having a smaller diameter depending on the diameter of the hollow cylinder, each at one of both end faces. A washing machine configured to allow water to flow into the hollow cylinder from the washing water inlet while turning around a central axis of the hollow cylinder. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the centrifugal separator includes a swirl flow generating unit that generates a swirl flow upstream of the washing water inlet. The centrifugal separation unit includes a cylindrical swirl flow generation unit,
The swirl flow generating unit has an inlet formed laterally so that washing water flows along a cylindrical peripheral side surface, and an outlet formed at the center of one end surface of the cylindrical shape. Item 3. A washing machine according to item 1 or 2. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the centrifugal separator is configured such that washing water passes from bottom to top. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the centrifugal separation unit is configured to hold the centrifuged foreign matter on an inner peripheral surface of the hollow cylinder during the centrifugal separation. The centrifugal separator is configured so that foreign matter collected on the inner peripheral surface is discharged out of the machine along a flow of washing water that flows in a direction opposite to that in the circulation direction when draining. The washing machine according to any one of 1 to 5.

Images