JP2020032256A - Washing machine and rotation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of reducing noise.SOLUTION: The washing machine comprises a washing tub 30, a water tub 20 housing the washing tub 30, a first balancer 42 and a second balancer 44 each provided rotatably around a rotary shaft 28 of the washing tub 30, and a drive part for driving the first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44. The first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44 are provided between the washing tub 30 and the water tub 20. Since the first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44 moves to negate an eccentric load, vibration of the washing tub 30 is suppressed and noise is reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine and a rotating device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Fully automatic washing machines for washing clothes have become widespread. This type of washing machine spins the washing tub at a high speed after washing the laundry to perform dehydration. If the laundry is unbalanced during dehydration, the washing tub may vibrate and generate noise. As a technique for reducing such noise, Patent Literature 1 discloses a drum-type washing machine in which eccentric loads on a drum are eliminated by two rotating portions each provided with a weight and rotating.

JP 2012-143429 A

  The noise of the washing machine is less likely to be a problem during the daytime because it is mixed with the surrounding noise, but the noise may be disturbed in the vicinity at nighttime. In apartments such as condominiums and apartments, washing at night may be prohibited. If you live alone during the day, you can't do laundry at night, so you'll have to crush your holidays and do your laundry. Under such circumstances, the present inventors have considered that there is room for improvement with respect to noise reduction of the washing machine.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of reducing noise.

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to a washing machine. The washing machine includes a washing tub, a water tub storing the washing tub, a first balancer and a second balancer provided rotatably about a rotation axis of the washing tub, and a first balancer and a second balancer. A drive unit for rotating each of the first and second balancers, and the first balancer and the second balancer are provided between the washing tub and the water tub.

  According to this aspect, the eccentric load of the washing tub can be eliminated by the first and second balancers rotating respectively. In addition, since the first balancer and the second balancer can eliminate the eccentric load at a position close to the washing tub, the vibration of the washing tub can be suppressed efficiently and the noise can be reduced.

  Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a rotating device. The rotating device includes an eccentricity detecting unit that detects an eccentric load position and an eccentricity amount of the rotating body, a driving unit that rotates each of the first balancer and the second balancer around a rotating shaft of the rotating body, a first balancer, A controller configured to rotate the second balancer at a symmetric position with respect to a line passing through the center of the rotating body and the eccentric load position, and to adjust a phase difference between the rotating bodies according to the amount of eccentricity of the rotating body; Prepare.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described components, and any replacement of the components and expressions of the present invention between methods, apparatuses, systems, and the like are also effective as embodiments of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, a washing machine capable of reducing noise can be provided.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the washing machine concerning embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the principal part of the washing machine which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view including a first balancer, a second balancer, a main motor, and a driving unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view including a first balancer, a second balancer, a main motor, and a driving unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view including a driving unit according to the embodiment. It is an upper surface schematic diagram which shows the position of each balancer at the time of the washing | cleaning of the washing machine which concerns on embodiment. It is an upper surface schematic diagram which shows the position of each balancer at the time of dehydration of the washing machine which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure showing an output of a load sensor and a weight sensor of a washing machine concerning an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a process in a control unit according to the embodiment. It is a figure showing the sectional view of the principal part of the washing machine concerning modification 1. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a process in a control unit according to a first modification. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a driving unit according to a second modification. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a driving unit according to a second modification.

  Before describing the embodiments in detail, an overview will be given. Embodiments relate to a washing machine for washing and dehydrating laundry such as clothes. The washing machine includes a washing tub, a water tub storing the washing tub, and two balancers rotating around a rotation axis of the washing tub. Each balancer is provided between the washing tub and the water tub, and includes an arm extending along a bottom surface of the washing tub and a weight attached to a tip of the arm. During dehydration, each balancer rotates at a position where the eccentric load of the washing tub due to the unevenness of the laundry is canceled. Thereby, the eccentric load is eliminated and the vibration of the washing tub is suppressed, so that the noise during dehydration is reduced. Hereinafter, the washing machine according to the embodiment will be specifically described.

  In the following description, “parallel” and “vertical” include not only perfect parallel and vertical, but also cases where deviation from the parallel and vertical is within an error range. “Abbreviated” means that they are the same in an approximate range.

  The configuration of the washing machine 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. As shown in each figure, an orthogonal coordinate system including an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis is defined. The x-axis and the y-axis are orthogonal to each other on the bottom surface of the washing machine 100. The z-axis extends in a direction perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis. The positive direction of each of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis is defined in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the negative direction is defined in the direction opposite to the arrow. The positive side of the x-axis may be referred to as “right”, and the negative side of the x-axis may be referred to as “left”. The positive side of the y-axis is "front" or "front", the negative side is "rear" or "back", the positive side of the z-axis is "upper" or "upper", and the negative side is It may be referred to as "lower" or "bottom".

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a washing machine 100 according to the embodiment. The washing machine 100 includes a water tub 20, a washing tub 30, a main motor 40, a first balancer 42, a second balancer 44, a drive unit 50, and a control unit 12 in the housing 10.

  The water tub 20 houses the washing tub 30 and is supported by the suspension 22. The suspension 22 has an upper end attached to the housing 10 and a lower end attached to the washing tub 30. The washing tub 30 is supported by a plurality of suspensions 22 (not shown). The washing tub 30 rotates with laundry. A pulsator 34 is rotatably provided inside the washing tub 30. The main motor 40 rotates the washing tub 30 and the pulsator 34 via the rotating shaft 28. The first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44 are provided between the water tub 20 and the washing tub 30 so as to be rotatable around the rotation shaft 28. The drive unit 50 is connected to the rotation shaft 28, and rotates the first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44, respectively.

  At the lower part of the water tub 20, a water distribution pipe 31 and a drain valve 32 for discharging the washing water are provided. During washing, the drain valve 32 is closed, and washing water is stored in the water tub 20 and the washing tub 30. In this state, the washing tub 30 and the pulsator 34 rotate to wash the laundry. At the time of dehydration, the drain valve 32 opens to discharge the washing water from the water tub 20 and the washing tub 30 to the outside of the machine. Further, the washing tub 30 rotates, and the washing water remaining in the laundry is discharged from the water tub 20 to the outside of the machine. The side wall of the washing tub 30 has numerous holes (not shown). The washing water that has come out of the laundry exits to the water tub 20 and is further discharged outside the machine through the water pipe 31.

  The control unit 12 includes an eccentricity detection unit 14, a balancer position detection unit 16, and a drive control unit 18. The eccentricity detecting unit 14 detects the eccentric load position and the amount of eccentricity of the washing tub 30 from the output of the load sensor 24. The load sensor 24 is provided at a connection portion between the suspension 22 as a support portion and the housing 10. The balancer position detector 16 detects the positions of the first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44 from the output of the weight sensor 26 provided on the side wall of the water tank 20. The weight sensor 26 detects a weight described later provided in each of the first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44. The drive control unit 18 controls the drive unit 50 in accordance with the detection results of the eccentricity detection unit 14 and the balancer position detection unit 16, and controls the first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44 that rotate together with the washing tub 30 Move to the position where the eccentric load of

  FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of the washing machine 100. 3 and 4 are a partial cross-sectional perspective view and a partial cross-sectional view, respectively, including the first balancer 42, the second balancer 44, the main motor 40, and the drive unit 50. 3 and 4 show cross sections of the main motor 40 and the drive unit 50.

  The first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44 include an arm 41 and a weight 43, respectively. The arm 41 extends from the rotation shaft 28 along the bottom surface of the washing tub 30 toward the side surface of the water tub 20 in parallel to the xy plane. The weight 43 is configured to include three rod-shaped members whose one ends are connected by a connecting member 45. Each bar-like member is also bent at a substantially right angle. The weight 43 has a side opposite to the connecting member 45 fixed to the arm 41, and the connecting member 45 side extends upward along the side surface of the washing tub 30. The weight 43 is attached to the lower surface side of the arm 41 of the first balancer 42. The weight 43 is attached to the second balancer 44 on the upper surface side of the arm 41. Thus, in each balancer, the vertical position of the weight 43 having the same shape can be adjusted. Also, the balance is configured using the same arm 41, and the rotation radius from the rotation shaft 28 to the weight 43 is substantially the same in each balancer. The balance between the first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44 can be easily obtained.

  An iron piece 48 is provided on the surface of the weight 43 on the water tank 20 side as a portion to be detected by the weight sensor 26. The weight sensor 26 is a magnetic sensor and detects the iron piece 48. The first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44 differ in the width of the iron piece 48 provided on the weight 43. Since the detection by the weight sensor 26 is different, it is possible to determine which of the weights 43 is to detect the position of each balancer. Note that a configuration including a first weight sensor that detects the first balancer 42 and a second weight sensor that detects the second balancer 44 may be employed. The weight sensor 26 may be an optical sensor, and the weight 43 may be provided with a reflection plate.

A wheel 46 is attached to the connecting member 45 side of the weight 43. As shown in FIG. 2, an annular member 36 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the washing tub 30 so as to contact the wheels 46 from the water tub 20 side. The annular member 36 is provided on the entire circumference of the washing tub 30 and supports the weight 43 in contact with the wheels 46. With this configuration, the load on the arm 41 can be reduced. Moreover, it can suppress that the weight 43 contacts the water tub 20 and the washing tub 30, and is damaged. The wheel 46 may be configured to be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the water tank 20.

  The rod-shaped member constituting the weight 43 is formed by embedding a member made of tungsten in a square member made of stainless steel. By covering a member having high specific gravity with a member having high corrosion resistance, the weight 43 can be reduced in size and deterioration can be suppressed. The weight 43 may be formed of a resin material. The surface of the weight 43 on the washing tub 30 side is an inclined surface 47 that is inclined with respect to the z-axis. The inclined surface 47 is formed so that the upper side is inclined toward the water tank 20. Water adhering to the weight 43 at the time of dehydration is easily removed upward due to centrifugal force. Further, a gap through which water can escape may be provided between the rod members, and a through hole may be formed in each rod member. Water that comes out of the washing tub 30 during dehydration easily passes through the weight 43. The weight 43 may be formed of a plate-like member bent along the side surface of the washing tub 30, and an inclined surface or a through hole may be formed in the plate-like member. A simpler configuration can be achieved.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view including the driving unit 50 according to the embodiment. The drive unit 50 includes a rotating shaft 28, a main shaft 52, a first balancer shaft 56, a second balancer shaft 60, a clutch 64, and a drive mechanism 70. The rotating shaft 28 extends upward from the main motor 40 in parallel with the z-axis, penetrates the water tub 20 and the washing tub 30, and a pulsator 34 is fixed to an upper end portion. A main shaft 52, a first balancer shaft 56, and a second balancer shaft 60 are coaxially attached to the rotating shaft 28 in this order from the inside. The main shaft 52, the first balancer shaft 56, and the second balancer shaft 60 are each formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The main shaft 52 passes through the first balancer shaft 56 and the second balancer shaft 60, and the first balancer shaft 56 passes through the second balancer shaft 60. A packing (not shown) for preventing washing water from leaking is attached to the upper end of each shaft.

  The main shaft 52 has a washing tub 30 fixed at the upper end and a main shaft gear 54 fixed at the lower end. The first balancer shaft 56 has the first balancer 42 fixed at the upper end and the first balancer gear 58 fixed at the lower end. The second balancer shaft 60 has a second balancer 44 fixed to an upper end and a second balancer gear 62 fixed to a lower end.

  The clutch 64 includes a first clutch 66 and a second clutch 68. The first clutch 66 is fixed to a lower end of the main shaft 52. The second clutch 68 is connected to the rotating shaft 28 and is provided so as to be able to move up and down. In the state shown in FIG. 5, the first clutch 66 and the second clutch 68 are separated, and the driving force of the main motor 40 is cut off by the clutch 64. When the main motor 40 is driven in this state, the pulsator 34 rotates with the rotating shaft 28, but the main shaft 52 does not rotate. When the second clutch 68 moves upward and meshes with the first clutch 66, the driving force of the main motor 40 is transmitted to the main shaft 52. When the main motor 40 is driven in this state, the main shaft 52 rotates together with the rotating shaft 28, and both the washing tub 30 and the pulsator 34 rotate. By switching the clutch 64, the pulsator 34 is rotated with the washing tub 30 stopped during washing, and both the washing tub 30 and the pulsator 34 are rotated during dehydration.

  The drive mechanism 70 includes a plurality of gears and motors provided between a top plate 72 fixed to the bottom surface of the water tank 20 and a bottom plate 74 connected to the top plate 72 by a plurality of columns 76. The top plate 72 includes an upper shaft hole 73 and an upper bearing 75. The upper bearing 75 is fixed to the upper shaft hole 73 and rotatably supports the second balancer shaft 60. The bottom plate 74 includes a lower shaft hole 77 and a lower bearing 78. The lower bearing 78 is fixed to the lower shaft hole 77 and rotatably supports the main shaft 52.

  The path through which the driving force of the main motor 40 is transmitted in the driving mechanism 70 is as follows. When the clutch 64 is connected and the main shaft 52 rotates together with the rotary shaft 28, the driving force is transmitted from the main shaft gear 54 in the order of the first transmission gear 82, the second transmission gear 84, the first planetary gear 86, and the first balancer gear 58. Thus, the first balancer 42 rotates together with the first balancer shaft 56. Further, the driving force is transmitted from the second transmission gear 84 to the second planetary gear 88 and the second balancer gear 62 in this order, and the second balancer 44 rotates together with the second balancer shaft 60.

  The first transmission gear 82 is rotatably attached to a gear shaft 80 connected to the top plate 72 and the bottom plate 74. The first transmission gear 82 is a two-stage gear, and the lower gear 82 a meshes with the main shaft gear 54, and the upper gear 82 b meshes with the second transmission gear 84. The first transmission gears 82 are provided at three locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 28. The first transmission gear 82 constitutes a rotation mechanism that rotates with the rotation of the washing tub 30 around a gear shaft 80 different from the rotation shaft 28.

  The second transmission gear 84 is rotatably attached to the first balancer shaft 56. The second transmission gear 84 is a three-stage gear, and an intermediate gear 84 a meshes with the first transmission gear 82. The lower gear 84 b meshes with a first planetary gear 86 provided in the first ring gear case 90, and the upper gear 84 c meshes with a second planetary gear 88 provided in the second ring gear case 94.

  The first planet gear 86 is rotatably housed in the first ring gear case 90. The first planetary gear 86 is a two-stage gear. The first upper planetary gear 86a meshes with the second transmission gear 84, and the first lower planetary gear 86b meshes with the first balancer gear 58. The second planetary gear 88 is rotatably housed in the second ring gear case 94. The second planetary gear 88 is a two-stage gear. The second lower planetary gear 88a meshes with the second transmission gear 84, and the second upper planetary gear 88b meshes with the second balancer gear 62. The first planetary gear 86 and the second planetary gear 88 are respectively provided at three positions at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 28.

  Each gear from the main shaft gear 54 to the first balancer gear 58 and the second balancer gear 62 has a gear ratio such that the input from the main shaft 52 and the output to the first balancer shaft 56 and the second balancer shaft 60 are equal. Thus, the washing tub 30, the first balancer 42, and the second balancer 44 rotate at a constant speed.

  A first outer peripheral gear 92 formed on the outer periphery of the first ring gear case 90 meshes with a first drive gear 93 of the first motor 91. A second outer peripheral gear 96 provided on the outer periphery of the second ring gear case 94 and having a value meshes with a second drive gear of a second motor (not shown in FIG. 5). The first motor 91 and the second motor are fixed to the bottom plate 74, respectively. When the first motor 91 is driven, the first ring gear case 90 rotates about the rotation shaft 28 together with the first planetary gear 86, and a phase difference occurs between the rotation of the main shaft 52 and the rotation of the first balancer shaft 56. When the second motor is driven, a phase difference is similarly generated between the rotation of the main shaft 52 and the rotation of the second balancer shaft 60. Thereby, each motor can be driven to rotate each of the first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44 with respect to the washing tub 30 at an arbitrary position with respect to the washing tub 30.

  The second transmission gear 84, the first planetary gear 86, the first ring gear case 90, and the first motor 91 connect the first transmission gear 82 and the first balancer gear 58, and rotate the washing tub 30 and the first balancer shaft. This is a first drive mechanism that forms a phase difference between the rotation of the first drive and the rotation of the first drive. The second transmission gear 84, the second planetary gear 88, the second ring gear case 94, and the second motor connect the first transmission gear 82 and the second balancer gear 62, and rotate the washing tub 30 and the second balancer shaft 60. And a second drive mechanism that forms a phase difference between the rotation of the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism.

  The operation of the first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the laundry 200 shown in FIG. 6 is washed, the first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44 are located at positions where the respective weights 43 are substantially point-symmetric with respect to the rotation center O, and the washing tub 30 is moved in a direction indicated by a broken line. Rotates with. The balance is maintained, and the influence on the rotation of the washing tub 30 is suppressed.

When the washing tub 30 starts rotating during dehydration, the laundry 200 may be biased as shown in FIG. In this case, the first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44 are positioned such that the resultant force of the centrifugal forces F _w1 and F _w2 acting on each balances the centrifugal force F _m acting on the eccentric load position m which is the center of gravity of the laundry 200. Go to Each balancer moves to a position that is symmetrical with respect to a line segment passing through the rotation center O and the eccentric load position m, and forms phase differences θ ₁ and θ ₂ according to the amount of eccentricity.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a process in the control unit 12. The control unit 12 repeatedly executes the processing illustrated in FIG. 8 at a predetermined cycle from the start to the end of dehydration. First, the eccentricity detection unit 14 of the control unit 12 detects the eccentric load position and the eccentricity amount of the laundry 200 in the washing tub 30 from the output of the load sensor 24 (S11). Further, the balancer position detection unit 16 detects the position of each balancer from the output of the weight sensor 26 (S12).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating outputs of the load sensor 24 and the weight sensor 26. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating the output of each sensor when the laundry 200 is biased after the dehydration starts. The upper side is the output of the load sensor 24, and the lower side is the output of the weight sensor 26. One cycle of the output waveform of the load sensor 24 corresponds to one rotation of the washing tub 30. The amplitude a is the amount of eccentricity of the washing tub 30 and indicates the magnitude of the eccentric load of the laundry 200. FIG. 9 shows the detection results of the weights 43 of the first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44 separately. The detected waveform of the weight 43 of each balancer has a different width due to the difference in the size of the iron piece 48 provided on the weight 43.

The eccentricity detection unit 14 detects a position at which the load sensor 24 has a local maximum value as an eccentric load position. Also, the amplitude a is detected as the amount of eccentricity. The balancer position detector 16 detects the phase differences θ ₁ and θ ₂ between the eccentric load position and the detected waveform of the weight 43 as the position of each balancer.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 8, the drive control unit 18 drives the first motor 91 and the second motor of the drive unit 50 to move each balancer relative to the rotation of the washing tub 30 (S13). The drive control unit 18 adjusts the phase differences θ ₁ and θ ₂ to be equal between 90 ° and 180 ° according to the magnitude of the amplitude a. As the amplitude a increases, the phase differences θ ₁ and θ ₂ also increase. Here, the eccentricity detecting unit 14 detects the amplitude a (S14), and determines whether or not the amplitude a is less than a predetermined value (S15). If the amplitude a is equal to or larger than the predetermined value (N in S15), the process returns to S13, and the drive control unit 18 adjusts the position of each balancer again. If the amplitude a is smaller than the predetermined value (Y in S15), the process ends.

FIG. 9B shows a sensor output in a state where the amplitude a is less than a predetermined value. When the adjustment of the phase differences θ ₁ and θ ₂ is repeated until the amplitude a becomes less than the predetermined value, the force applied to each balancer and the force applied to the laundry 200 are in a state of being balanced, and the eccentric load is canceled and the washing tub is canceled. The vibration of the washing machine 100 is suppressed, and the noise of the washing machine 100 is reduced.

  The washing machine 100 according to the embodiment has been described above. In the washing machine 100, the first balancer 42 and the second balancer 44 are provided between the water tub 20 and the washing tub 30. By providing the balancer at a position close to the washing tub 30, the eccentric load of the washing tub 30 and the balancer are prevented from swinging due to the axial displacement rotating at a position shifted in the axial direction, and the eccentric load is more efficiently eliminated. it can. In addition, the weight 43 extends upward along the side surface from the bottom surface of the washing tub 30. By setting the laundry 200 and the weight 43 at substantially the same position in the rotation axis direction at the time of dehydration, the eccentric load can be more efficiently eliminated and the vibration of the washing tub 30 can be suppressed. Since the eccentric load can be eliminated from the state in which the washing tub 30 rotates at a low speed, the noise can be reduced from the initial stage of dehydration to the end thereof.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component or each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. is there.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a main part of the washing machine 100 according to the first modification. The washing machine 100 according to the first modification includes an acceleration sensor 25 attached to the water tub 20. The eccentricity detecting unit 14 detects an eccentric load position and an eccentricity amount of the washing tub 30 from outputs of the load sensor 24 and the acceleration sensor 25.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a process in the control unit 12 according to the first modification. The control unit 12 repeatedly executes the process shown in FIG. 11 at a predetermined cycle. First, the eccentricity detection unit 14 determines whether the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 is lower than a predetermined speed (S21). The rotation speed of the washing tub 30 can be detected by a conventionally known technique. When the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 is lower than the predetermined speed (Y in S21), the eccentricity detecting unit 14 detects the eccentric load position and the eccentricity amount in the washing tub 30 from the output of the load sensor 24 (S22). When the rotation speed of the washing tub 30 is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed (N in S21), the eccentricity detecting unit 14 detects the position of the eccentric load and the amount of eccentricity in the washing tub 30 from the output of the acceleration sensor 25 (S23). In the waveform output from the acceleration sensor 25, one cycle corresponds to one rotation of the washing tub 30, and the amplitude corresponds to the magnitude of the eccentric load of the laundry 200, similarly to the output of the load sensor 24.

Next, the balancer position detector 16 detects the position of each balancer from the output of the weight sensor 26 (S24). Eccentric detector 14, a phase difference theta ₁ between the eccentric load position and the balancer detects the θ ₂ (S25). The drive control unit 18 moves each balancer so as to cancel the eccentric load (S26). The eccentricity detection unit 14 detects the amplitude a in the output of each sensor (S27), and determines whether the amplitude a is less than a predetermined value (S28). If the amplitude a is equal to or larger than the predetermined value (N in S28), the process returns to S21. If the amplitude a is smaller than the predetermined value (Y in S28), the process ends.

  The modification 1 has been described above. Since the detection sensitivity of the acceleration sensor 25 increases in proportion to the square of the rotation speed, the detection accuracy when the washing tub 30 rotates at high speed exceeds that of the load sensor 24. Therefore, by switching the sensor to be used according to the rotation speed of the washing tub 30, the eccentric load position and the eccentric amount can be detected with higher accuracy. The eccentric load can be eliminated in a short time, the vibration of the washing tub 30 can be further suppressed, and the noise of the washing machine 100 can be reduced.

(Modification 2)
12 and 13 are a cross-sectional perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a driving unit 50 according to the second modification. The drive unit 50 includes the rotating shaft 28, the main shaft 52, a first balancer shaft 57, a second balancer shaft 61, a clutch 64, and a drive mechanism 71. The first balancer shaft 57 and the second balancer shaft 61 are each formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The main shaft 52 penetrates the first balancer shaft 57 and the second balancer shaft 61, and the first balancer shaft 57 penetrates the second balancer shaft 61. At a lower end of the main shaft 52, a main shaft gear 54 and a first clutch 66 are provided. The main shaft gear 54 and the first clutch 66 are formed integrally, and rotate together with the rotating shaft 28. The first balancer 42 is fixed to the upper end of the first balancer shaft 57. The second balancer 44 is fixed to the upper end of the second balancer shaft 61.

  The drive mechanism 71 includes a first balancer connection shaft 101, a second balancer connection shaft 102, a plurality of gears provided on each shaft, and a motor (not shown). The first balancer connection shaft 101 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a first lower connection gear 112 at a lower end and a first upper connection gear 114 at an upper end. The second balancer connection shaft 102 extends parallel to the rotation shaft 28 and penetrates the first balancer connection shaft 101. The second balancer connecting shaft 102 is provided with a second lower connecting gear 124 at a lower end and a second upper connecting gear 126 at an upper end.

  An intermediate gear 104 is rotatably provided on the second balancer connecting shaft 102 above the second lower connecting gear 124. The intermediate gear 104 is connected to the main shaft gear 54 via a first belt 106, and a lower intermediate gear 108 is fixed to a lower end, and an upper intermediate gear 118 is fixed to an upper end. The lower intermediate gear 108 meshes with a first planetary gear 86 provided in the first ring gear case 90. The upper intermediate gear 118 meshes with a second planetary gear 88 provided in the second ring gear case 94. The first ring gear case 90 and the second ring gear case 94 are provided rotatably with respect to the first balancer connection shaft 101 and the second balancer connection shaft 102.

  In the second planetary gear 88, the second lower planetary gear 88a meshes with the upper intermediate gear 118, and the second upper planetary gear 88b meshes with the first lower connection gear 112 of the first balancer connection shaft 101. The first upper connection gear 114 provided at the upper end of the first balancer connection shaft 101 is connected to the first balancer shaft 57 via the second belt 116. In the first planetary gear 86, the first upper planetary gear 86a meshes with the lower intermediate gear 108, and the first lower planetary gear 86b meshes with the second lower coupling gear 124 of the second balancer coupling shaft 102. A second upper connection gear 126 provided at an upper end of the second balancer connection shaft 102 is connected to the second balancer shaft 61 via a third belt 128.

  With the above configuration, the driving force of the main shaft 52 is transmitted to the first balancer via the main shaft gear 54, the first belt 106, the intermediate gear 104, the second planetary gear 88, the first balancer connecting shaft 101, and the second belt 116. The first balancer 42 is transmitted to the shaft 57 and rotates. The second balancer shaft 61 is transmitted to the second balancer shaft 61 via the first planetary gear 86, the second balancer connecting shaft 102, and the third belt 128 to rotate the second balancer 44. Each gear has a gear ratio such that the input from the main shaft 52 and the output to the first balancer shaft 57 and the second balancer shaft 61 are equal. Thus, the washing tub 30, the first balancer 42, and the second balancer 44 rotate at a constant speed.

  The drive mechanism 71 includes a first motor and a second motor (not shown). The first motor includes a drive gear that rotates while meshing with the first outer peripheral gear 92 of the first ring gear case 90. The second motor includes a drive gear that rotates while meshing with the second outer peripheral gear 96 of the second ring gear case 94. When the first motor is driven, a phase difference occurs between the rotation of the main shaft 52 and the rotation of the first balancer shaft 57. When the second motor is driven, a phase difference is similarly generated between the rotation of the main shaft 52 and the rotation of the second balancer shaft 61. By controlling the driving of each motor, each balancer can be rotated at a position where the eccentric load of the washing tub 30 is canceled.

  The modification 2 has been described above. A simple structure around the rotation shaft 28 facilitates assembly and improves productivity.

  Although the vertical type washing machine 100 in which the rotating shaft 28 extends in the vertical direction has been described as an embodiment, the present invention is also applicable to a so-called drum type washing machine in which the rotating shaft 28 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. is there. Further, the present invention is not limited to a washing machine, and can be applied to a rotating device having a rotating body that may be eccentric.

  12 control unit, 14 eccentricity detection unit, 16 balancer position detection unit, 18 drive control unit, 20 water tank, 24 load sensor, 25 acceleration sensor, 28 rotation axis, 30 washing tub, 36 annular member, 41 arm, 42 first balancer , 43 weight, 44 second balancer, 46 wheels, 50 drive unit, 100 washing machine.

Claims (21)

A washing tub,
An aquarium storing the washing tub,
A first balancer and a second balancer provided rotatably around a rotation axis of the washing tub,
A drive unit for rotating each of the first balancer and the second balancer,
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first balancer and the second balancer are provided between the washing tub and the water tub.   The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to rotate each of the first balancer and the second balancer at a position for canceling an eccentric load of the washing tub.   The first balancer and the second balancer each include an arm extending along a bottom surface of the washing tub, and a weight extending from a tip end of the arm along a side surface of the washing tub. Item 3. The washing machine according to item 1 or 2.   The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the weight includes a wheel that contacts the washing tub or the water tub. The wheel is provided at a tip of the weight,
The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the washing tub includes an annular member that supports the wheels from the water tub side.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the weight is a plate-like member bent along a side surface of the washing tub.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the weight comprises a plurality of rod-shaped members.   The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the weight has a side surface on the washing tub side inclined with respect to a rotation axis.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the weight has a plurality of through holes.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the first balancer and the second balancer have the same rotation radius from the rotation axis to the weight.   The rotation axis of the first balancer and the rotation axis of the second balancer are provided coaxially with the rotation axis of the washing tub, and penetrate the bottom surface of the water tub together with the rotation axis of the washing tub. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10.   The rotation axis of the washing tub passes through the rotation axis of the first balancer and the rotation axis of the second balancer, and the rotation axis of the first balancer passes through the rotation axis of the second balancer. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein: The driving unit includes:
A rotation mechanism that rotates with the rotation of the washing tub around an axis different from the rotation axis of the washing tub,
A first drive mechanism that connects the rotation mechanism and the rotation axis of the first balancer, and forms a phase difference between the rotation of the washing tub and the rotation of the first balancer;
A second drive mechanism that connects the rotation mechanism and a rotation axis of the second balancer, and forms a phase difference between the rotation of the washing tub and the rotation of the second balancer;
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising: An eccentricity detection unit for detecting the position of the eccentric load of the washing tub,
A balancer position detector that detects a rotational position of each of the first balancer and the second balancer;
3. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein the control unit changes a rotational position of each of the first balancer and the second balancer according to detection results of the eccentricity detection unit and the balancer position detection unit. 4. Washing machine. An eccentricity detection unit for detecting an eccentric load position and an eccentricity amount of the rotating body,
A drive unit that rotates each of the first balancer and the second balancer about a rotation axis of the rotating body;
The first balancer and the second balancer are rotated at symmetrical positions with respect to a line passing through the center of the rotating body and the eccentric load position, and the position of each of the rotating bodies with respect to each of the rotating bodies is determined according to the amount of eccentricity of the rotating body. A control unit for adjusting the phase difference,
A rotating device comprising:   The rotation device according to claim 15, wherein the driving unit repeatedly performs the adjustment of the phase difference until the amount of eccentricity becomes smaller than a predetermined value. Further comprising a load sensor attached to a support portion that supports the rotating body,
17. The rotating device according to claim 15, wherein the eccentricity detecting unit detects an eccentric load position and an eccentricity amount from an output of the load sensor. Further comprising an acceleration sensor for detecting vibration of the rotating body,
The rotation device according to claim 17, wherein the eccentricity detection unit switches a sensor used for detecting an eccentric load position and an eccentricity amount to the load sensor or the acceleration sensor according to a rotation speed of the rotating body. .   The rotating device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising a balancer detection unit that detects the first balancer and the second balancer.   20. The rotating device according to claim 19, wherein the balancer detector includes a first detector that detects the first balancer and a second detector that detects the second balancer. The first balancer includes a first detected unit detected by the balancer detection unit,
20. The rotating device according to claim 19, wherein the second balancer includes a second detected unit that is differently detected by the balancer detection unit from the first detected unit.

Images