JP2020074985A - Vertical type washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vertical type washing machine which can prevent rising water from leaking out of an outer tub, in a constitution in which water is raised between the outer tub and a washing tub and is sprayed to laundry in the washing tub.SOLUTION: A vertical type washing machine includes an outer tub, a lid, and a washing tub arranged in the outer tub. When the washing tub rotates, water in the outer tub rises between the outer tub and the washing tub, and the water is sprayed to laundry in the washing tub from an opening of the washing tub. The outer tub includes: an outer tub body; and an outer tub cover 31 in which an entrance port 31A communicating from an upper side Z1 inside the outer tub body is formed and which is connected to the outer tub body. The lid is supported by the outer tub cover 31 in a rotatable manner, and opens/closes the entrance port 31A. The outer tub cover 31 includes: an upper member 32 having an insertion hole 32H in which a rotary shaft of the lid is inserted; and a lower member 33 which is mounted from a lower side Z2 with respect to the upper member 32. At the lower member 33, a drain hole 33J is provided for dropping the water into the outer tub from between the upper member 32 and the lower member 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a vertical washing machine.

  The washing machine described in Patent Document 1 below includes a washing machine outer frame, a water receiving tub arranged in the washing machine outer frame, a washing and dehydrating tub accommodated in the water receiving tub, and an upper part of the water receiving tub. And a water receiving tank cover provided. When the washing / dehydrating tub rotates, the washing water rises between the water receiving tub and the washing / dehydrating tub, and the water in the washing / dehydrating tub covers the laundry in the waterfall in a waterfall shape.

Japanese Patent No. 3022490

  In the structure as in the washing machine described in Patent Document 1 in which water is raised between the water receiving tub and the washing / dehydrating tub and then poured on the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub, the rising water is There is a concern that it will leak out.

  The present invention has been made under such a background, and in a configuration in which water is raised between the outer tub and the washing tub and then is poured onto the laundry in the washing tub, the rising water goes out of the outer tub. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vertical washing machine that can prevent leakage.

  The present invention has an outer tub main body having a tubular outer tub body, and an outer tub cover in which an inlet / outlet communicating from above is formed in the outer tub main body and connected to the outer tub main body, and an outer tub for storing water. A lid that is rotatably supported by the outer tub cover and that opens and closes the entrance and exit, a drive unit that generates a driving force, and a washing tub disposed in the outer tub, Has a through hole for allowing water to flow in and out, and an opening facing the entrance from below, accommodating the laundry loaded through the entrance and the opening, and receiving the driving force of the drive unit. And a washing tub that rotates by rotating the washing tub by the driving unit to raise water in the outer tub between the outer tub and the washing tub to wash the washing tub in the washing tub from the opening. The outer tub cover includes an upper member having an insertion hole into which a rotation shaft of the lid is inserted, and the outer tub and the washing tub when the washing tub rotates. A lower member provided with a guide portion for guiding rising water to the opening and attached to the upper member from the lower side, wherein the lower member includes the lower member between the upper member and the lower member. It is a vertical washing machine provided with a drain hole for dropping water into the outer tub.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the water drain hole is arranged around a rotation center portion of the lid in a plan view.

  Further, in the present invention, the upper member has an annular outer edge portion that extends downward and surrounds the lower member, and an upper end portion of an outer peripheral surface portion of the lower member is inclined toward the entrance / exit side toward the upper side. It is characterized in that the inclined portion is provided.

  According to the present invention, when the washing tub rotates, the water in the outer tub rises between the outer tub and the washing tub and is poured onto the laundry in the washing tub through the opening of the washing tub. In the outer tub, an outer tub cover in which an opening and a door facing the opening of the washing tub are formed from above is an upper member that rotatably supports a lid that opens and closes the entrance and exit, and water that rises between the outer tub and the washing tub. Is divided into a lower member provided with a guide portion for guiding the opening to the opening. Therefore, there is a gap between the upper member and the lower member. Even if the water rising between the outer tub and the washing tub invades between the upper member and the lower member, this water falls into the outer tub through the drain holes provided in the lower member. As a result, it is possible to prevent the water that has risen and entered between the upper member and the lower member from leaking out of the outer tank through the insertion hole into which the rotation shaft of the lid is inserted in the upper member.

  Further, according to the present invention, the water drain hole is arranged around the rotation center portion of the lid in plan view, that is, in the vicinity of the insertion hole into which the rotation shaft of the lid is inserted in the upper member. This allows the water that has infiltrated between the upper member and the lower member to drop into the outer tank through the drain hole before reaching the insertion hole, so It is possible to reliably prevent leakage of water to the outside.

  Further, according to the present invention, the outer tank cover is assembled by fitting the lower member from the lower side inside the annular outer edge portion of the upper member. At that time, in the lower member, the inclined portion provided on the upper end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the lower member comes into contact with the outer edge portion of the upper member at the leading end, so that the lower member is guided inside the outer edge portion of the upper member. It Therefore, the lower member is smoothly fitted inside the outer edge portion of the upper member, so that the outer tank cover can be easily assembled.

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of a vertical washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a lid included in the vertical washing machine. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an outer tub cover included in the vertical washing machine. FIG. 4 is a plan view of an upper member forming the outer tank cover. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the upper member. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a lower member forming the outer tank cover. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the lower member. FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the upper member and the lower member in a separated state. FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the upper member and the lower member in a combined state. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the completed outer tank cover. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the completed outer tank cover.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of a vertical washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The direction orthogonal to the plane of FIG. 1 is called the left-right direction X of the vertical washing machine 1, the left-right direction in FIG. 1 is called the front-back direction Y of the vertical washing machine 1, and the vertical direction in FIG. 1 is the vertical washing machine 1. Up and down direction Z. The left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y are included in the horizontal direction H. In the left-right direction X, the back side in the plane of FIG. 1 is called the left side X1, and the front side in the plane of FIG. 1 is called the right side X2. In the front-rear direction Y, the left side in FIG. 1 is called the front side Y1, and the right side in FIG. 1 is called the rear side Y2. Of the vertical direction Z, the upper side is called the upper side Z1 and the lower side is called the lower side Z2. The vertical washing machine 1 includes a housing 2, an outer tub 3 arranged in the housing 2, a washing tub 4 arranged in the outer tub 3, and a pulsator 5 arranged in the washing tub 4. It includes a drive unit 6 and a clutch 7 which are arranged on the lower side Z2 of the outer tub 3 in the housing 2.

  The housing 2 is made of metal, for example, and is formed in a box shape. An opening 2B is formed on the upper surface 2A of the housing 2 so that the inside and outside of the housing 2 communicate with each other. A door 10 that opens and closes the opening 2B is provided on the upper surface 2A. The door 10 functions as an outer lid of the vertical washing machine 1. Around the opening 2B on the upper surface 2A, a display operation unit 11 including a liquid crystal operation panel is provided. The user of the vertical washing machine 1 operates the display / operation unit 11 to select operating conditions for the washing operation performed by the vertical washing machine 1 or to operate the washing operation with respect to the vertical washing machine 1. It is possible to instruct start and stop of. Information for the user is displayed on the display operation unit 11.

  The outer tub 3 is made of resin, for example, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The outer tub 3 has a tubular, more specifically, substantially cylindrical outer tub body 30 arranged along the vertical direction Z, and an outer tub cover 31 connected to the upper end of the outer tub body 30 from the upper side Z1. The outer tub body 30 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 30A and a bottom wall 30B that is connected to the lower end of the circumferential wall 30A and closes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 30A from the lower side Z2. The upper end of the circumferential wall 30A is the upper end of the outer tub body 30. The hollow portion of the circumferential wall 30A is an internal space of the outer tank body 30. The bottom wall 30B is formed in a disk shape extending substantially horizontally, and a through hole 30C penetrating the bottom wall 30B is formed at the center position of the circle of the bottom wall 30B. The outer tub cover 31 is formed in a ring shape extending toward the center of the circle of the circumferential wall 30A along the upper end of the circumferential wall 30A. Inside the outer tub cover 31, an inlet / outlet port 31A communicating with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 30A from the upper side Z1 is formed. The entrance 31A is in communication with the opening 2B of the housing 2 from the lower side Z2 so as to face it. The outer tank cover 31 is provided with a lid 12 that opens and closes the entrance 31A. The lid 12 functions as an inner lid in the vertical washing machine 1. The lid 12 is supported by the outer tank cover 31 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis K extending in the left-right direction X. The lower surface of the outer tank cover 31 is provided with a guide surface 31B that is inclined obliquely downward while bordering the entrance / exit 31A.

  A water supply passage 13 connected to a tap water tap is connected from the upper side Z1 to a portion of the outer tub cover 31 on the rear side Y2 of the entrance 31A. A water supply valve 14 configured by, for example, an electromagnetic valve is provided in the water supply path 13. The drainage channel 15 is connected to the bottom wall 30B of the outer tub 3 from the lower side Z2. A drain valve 16 is provided in the middle of the drainage channel 15. When the water supply valve 14 is opened with the drain valve 16 closed, water is supplied from the water supply passage 13 into the outer tub 3, whereby water is stored in the outer tub 3. When the water supply valve 14 is closed, the water supply is stopped. When the drain valve 16 is opened, the water in the outer tub 3 is discharged from the drainage channel 15 to the outside of the machine.

  The washing tub 4 is made of metal, for example, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, which is slightly smaller than the outer tub 3, and can store the laundry Q therein. The washing tub 4 is coaxially arranged in the outer tub 3. The washing tub 4 accommodated in the outer tub 3 is rotatable about the axis J extending in the up-down direction Z as its central axis. The washing tub 4 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 4A arranged along the vertical direction Z, a bottom wall 4B that closes a hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A from the lower side Z2, and an upper edge of the circumferential wall 4A. It has a ring-shaped annular wall 4C protruding toward the axis J. Hereinafter, the radial direction centered on the axis J is referred to as the radial direction R, the side of the radial direction R facing the axis J is referred to as the radial inside R1, and the side away from the axis J is referred to as the radial outside R2.

  The inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A is the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub 4. The circumferential wall 4A is surrounded by the circumferential wall 30A of the outer tub 3. The bottom wall 4B is provided at the lower end of the washing tub 4. The annular wall 4C is in a state of facing the outer tank cover 31 of the outer tank 3 from the lower side Z2. An opening 4D is formed inside the annular wall 4C. The opening 4D is located at the upper end of the washing tub 4 and exposes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A to the upper side Z1. The opening 4D is in a state of facing and communicating with the entrance 31A of the outer tub 3 from the lower side Z2. The user puts the laundry Q in and out of the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1 through the opened opening 2B, the entrance 31A, and the opening 4D.

  A plurality of through holes 4E are formed in the circumferential wall 4A and the bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4, and the water in the outer tub 3 moves back and forth between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 through the through holes 4E. It is also stored in the washing tub 4. Therefore, the water level in the outer tub 3 and the water level in the washing tub 4 match. The through hole 4E may be provided only on the bottom wall 4B instead of being provided on the circumferential wall 4A.

  The bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4 is formed in a disc shape, and extends substantially parallel to the bottom wall 30B of the outer tub 3 on the upper side Z1 with a space therebetween. A through hole 4F penetrating the bottom wall 4B is formed at a center position of the circle that coincides with the axis J on the bottom wall 4B. The bottom wall 4B is provided with a tubular support shaft 17 that extends to the lower side Z2 along the axis J while surrounding the through hole 4F. The support shaft 17 is inserted into the through hole 30C of the bottom wall 30B of the outer tank 3, and the lower end portion of the support shaft 17 is located below the bottom wall 30B Z2.

  The pulsator 5 is formed in a disc shape with the axis J as the center of the circle, and is arranged on the bottom wall 4B in the washing tub 4. On the upper surface of the pulsator 5 which faces the opening 4D of the washing tub 4, a plurality of blades 5A arranged radially are provided. The pulsator 5 is provided with a rotary shaft 18 extending from the center of the circle to the lower side Z2 along the axis J. The rotary shaft 18 is inserted into the hollow portion of the support shaft 17, and the lower end of the rotary shaft 18 is located below the bottom wall 30B of the outer tank 3 on the side Z2.

  The drive unit 6 is an electric motor such as an inverter motor. The drive unit 6 is arranged on the lower side Z2 of the outer tank 3 in the housing 2. The drive unit 6 has an output shaft 19 that rotates about the axis J, and outputs the generated driving force from the output shaft 19.

  The clutch 7 is interposed between the lower ends of the support shaft 17 and the rotary shaft 18 and the upper end of the output shaft 19 protruding from the drive unit 6 to the upper side Z1. The clutch 7 selectively transmits the driving force output from the output shaft 19 by the drive unit 6 to one or both of the support shaft 17 and the rotary shaft 18. When the driving force from the driving unit 6 is transmitted to the support shaft 17, the washing tub 4 receives the driving force of the driving unit 6 and rotates about the axis J. When the driving force from the driving unit 6 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 18, the pulsator 5 receives the driving force of the driving unit 6 and rotates about the axis J. A known transmission mechanism is used as the clutch 7.

  The vertical washing machine 1 includes a control unit 21 which is configured by a CPU and a memory and is built in the housing 2. Each of the drive unit 6, the clutch 7, the display operation unit 11, the water supply valve 14, and the drain valve 16 is electrically connected to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 turns the drive unit 6 on to drive it, or turns it off to stop it. The control unit 21 controls the clutch 7 to switch the transmission destination of the driving force of the driving unit 6 to one or both of the washing tub 4 and the pulsator 5. When the user operates the display / operation unit 11 to select an operating condition or the like, the control unit 21 accepts the selection. The control unit 21 controls the display content of the display operation unit 11. The control unit 21 controls opening / closing of the water supply valve 14 and the drain valve 16.

  The control unit 21 executes the washing operation by controlling the operations of the drive unit 6, the clutch 7, the water supply valve 14, and the drain valve 16. The washing operation includes a washing step of washing the laundry Q, a rinsing step of rinsing the laundry Q after the washing step, and a dehydrating step of rotating the washing tub 4 to dehydrate the laundry Q after the rinsing step. The vertical washing machine 1 may be a washer / dryer that also executes a drying step of drying the laundry Q after the dehydration step. When the user puts the laundry Q and the detergent into the washing tub 4 and instructs the start of the washing operation by operating the display operation unit 11, the control unit 21 starts the washing process.

  With the start of the washing process, first, the control unit 21 continuously opens the water supply valve 14 with the drain valve 16 closed to supply water into the washing tub 4, and supplies water to the predetermined water level W in the washing tub 4. Collect. After that, the control unit 21 switches the clutch 7 as needed so that the driving force of the driving unit 6 is transmitted to the pulsator 5, and then drives the driving unit 6 to rotate the pulsator 5 for a predetermined time. As a result, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is washed with stirring by the rotating pulsator 5. Also, the detergent dissolved in water decomposes the stains on the laundry Q.

  After stirring and washing, the control unit 21 switches the clutch 7 so that the driving force of the driving unit 6 is transmitted to the washing tub 4, and then turns on the driving unit 6. As a result, the washing tub 4 in which water has accumulated rotates at a high speed of, for example, 200 rpm. Then, a vortex is generated in the outer tub 3, and the water surface S in the outer tub 3 is curved in a U-shape so that the central part on the axis J side becomes lower and the outer peripheral part becomes higher (thin 2 in FIG. 1). See dotted line). As a result, the water in the outer tub 3 rises between the circumferential wall 30A of the outer tub 3 and the circumferential wall 4A of the washing tub 4. The rising water passes through between the guide portions 31C provided side by side on the lower surface of the outer tub cover 31 of the outer tub 3 and spirally drops, and then falls from the opening 4D of the washing tub 4 for washing. It is bathed in the laundry Q in the tub 4 (see the thick double-dot chain line arrow in FIG. 1). At that time, the guide surface 31B of the outer tank cover 31 of the outer tank 3 guides the water passing between the guide portions 31C downward toward the opening 4D. By the water sprinkling from the upper side Z1 due to the rotation of the washing tub 4, the laundry Q on the opening 4D side can be surely washed. Such rotation of the washing tub 4 is stopped after continuing for a predetermined time, whereby the washing process is completed.

  Next, the control unit 21 rotates the washing tub 4 at a high speed with the drain valve 16 opened as a dehydration process after the washing process, that is, an intermediate dehydration process. The laundry in the washing tub 4 is dehydrated by the centrifugal force generated by this high speed rotation. The water leached from the laundry due to the dehydration is discharged from the machine through the drainage channel 15. At the end of the intermediate dehydration process, the control unit 21 closes the drain valve 16.

  Next, the control part 21 performs a rinsing process. As an example of the rinsing step, the control unit 21 intermittently opens the water supply valve 14 with the drain valve 16 open to supply water to the washing tub 4 by shower. In this state, the control unit 21 rotates the washing tub 4 at a low speed of, for example, 30 rpm so that the shower is spread all over the laundry Q. As a result, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is evenly rinsed. As another example of the rinsing step, the control unit 21 stirs and rinses the laundry Q by supplying water and then rotating the pulsator 5 as in the washing step, and then rotates the washing tub 4 to remove water. After being raised between the tub 3 and the washing tub 4, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is poured from the upper side Z1.

  The rinsing step may be performed twice or more, and in that case, the control unit 21 executes the intermediate dehydration step between the rinsing step and the next rinsing step, and after the final rinsing step, the intermediate dehydration step. Perform a final dehydration step similar to. The rotation condition of the washing tub 4 may be different between the intermediate dehydration step and the final dehydration step, and in particular, the maximum rotation speed of the washing tub 4 in the final dehydration step is higher than the maximum rotation speed of the washing tub 4 in the intermediate dehydration step. high. When the final dehydration process is completed, the washing operation is completed.

  Next, the lid 12 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lid 12. The lid 12 is configured substantially symmetrically. With reference to the closed state in which the inlet / outlet 31A of the outer tub cover 31 is closed, the lid 12 includes a plate-shaped main body 12A having a semicircular shape that bulges toward the front side Y1, and a rear end Y2 from the rear end edge of the main body 12A. And a cylindrical rotation center portion 12B that protrudes to and extends in the left-right direction X. In the left-right direction X, the rotation center part 12B is shorter than the rear end edge of the main body part 12A. Therefore, the left end of the rotation center portion 12B is located on the right side X2 of the left end of the rear end edge, and the right end of the rotation center portion 12B is located on the left side X1 of the right end of the rear end edge. The rear end portion of the body portion 12A may be regarded as a part of the rotation center portion 12B. A rotation shaft 12L protruding to the left side X1 is provided on the left end surface of the rotation center portion 12B, and a rotation shaft 12R protruding to the right side X2 is provided on the right end surface of the rotation center portion 12B. The rotation axis K of the lid 12 passes through the centers of the rotation shaft 12L and the rotation shaft 12R.

  Next, the outer tank cover 31 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the outer tank cover 31. The outer tank cover 31 is configured by combining two members, an upper member 32 and a lower member 33.

  The upper member 32 is formed in a disk shape that is substantially symmetrical (see also FIG. 4). A single or a plurality of upper connection ports 32 </ b> A to which the water supply channel 13 and the like are connected are formed in the rearward region of the upper member 32. In this embodiment, three upper connection ports 32A are provided side by side in the left-right direction X in response to the vertical washing machine 1 being a washer / dryer. In this case, the water supply passage 13 is connected to the left upper connection port 32A, and the right end upper connection port 32A has an air supply passage (not shown) for supplying hot air into the washing tub 4 during the drying process. An exhaust path (not shown) for discharging the moist air in the washing tub 4 during the drying process is connected to the upper connection port 32A in the middle. In the upper member 32, an upper opening 32B that constitutes the inlet / outlet 31A is formed on the front side Y1 of the upper connection port 32A. The upper opening 32B is formed in a semicircular shape that bulges toward the front side Y1 so as to be aligned with the main body portion 12A of the lid 12, and penetrates the upper member 32 in the vertical direction Z. When the outer tub cover 31 is incorporated in the vertical washing machine 1, the axis line J extending in the up-down direction Z in the washing tub 4 passes through the entrance 31A and coincides with the center of the circle of the outer tub cover 31.

  The inner peripheral surface portion 32C that defines the upper opening 32B in the upper member 32 includes an arc-shaped front inner peripheral surface portion 32D that bulges toward the front side Y1 and a front inner peripheral surface portion 32D that extends substantially linearly in the left-right direction X. It is formed in a semicircular shape having a rear inner peripheral surface portion 32E connecting the left and right rear ends. The front inner peripheral surface portion 32D includes an upper vertical wall 32DA extending from the boundary with the front inner peripheral surface portion 32D in the upper surface portion 32F of the upper member 32 to the lower side Z2, and a horizontal wall protruding from the lower end of the upper vertical wall 32DA to the radially inner side R1. 32DB and the lower vertical wall 32DC that extends from the end of the lateral wall 32DB on the radially inner side R1 to the lower side Z2 are integrally provided. The upper vertical wall 32DA, the horizontal wall 32DB, and the lower vertical wall 32DC are formed in an arc shape that bulges toward the front side Y1 in a plan view.

  The rear inner peripheral surface portion 32E includes an upper vertical wall 32EA extending from the boundary with the rear inner peripheral surface portion 32E on the upper surface portion 32F of the upper member 32 to the lower side Z2, and a radial inner side R1 from the lower end of the upper vertical wall 32EA, in this case. Has integrally a horizontal wall 32EB protruding to the front side Y1 and a lower vertical wall 32EC extending from the front end of the horizontal wall 32EB to the lower side Z2. The upper vertical wall 32EA extends linearly in the left-right direction X and is installed between the left and right rear ends of the upper vertical wall 32DA. The upper vertical wall 32EA and the upper vertical wall 32DA are continuous while curving in a plan view. The lateral wall 32EB extends linearly in the left-right direction X and is provided between the left and right rear ends of the lateral wall 32DB. The lateral wall 32EB and the lateral wall 32DB are continuous while curving in a plan view. The lower vertical wall 32EC extends linearly in the left-right direction X and is installed between the left and right rear ends of the lower vertical wall 32DC. The lower vertical wall 32EC and the lower vertical wall 32DC are continuous while curving in a plan view.

  In the upper surface portion 32F of the upper member 32, a concave portion 32G that extends linearly in the left-right direction X and is depressed toward the lower side Z2 is provided at a position adjacent to the central portion of the rear inner peripheral surface portion 32E from the rear side Y2. The recess 32G is recessed from the upper vertical wall 32EA of the rear inner peripheral surface portion 32E to the rear side Y2. As a result, the upper vertical wall 32EA is separated into the left portion 32EL on the left side X1 of the recess 32G and the right portion 32ER on the right side X2 of the recess 32G. The upper member 32 includes a left vertical wall 32GL extending from the right end of the left portion 32EL to the rear side Y2, a right vertical wall 32GR extending from the left end of the right portion 32ER to the rear side Y2, and the rear of the left vertical wall 32GL and the right vertical wall 32GR. It has an inner vertical wall 32GA installed between the ends and a bottom wall 32GB installed between the lower ends of the left vertical wall 32GL and the right vertical wall 32GR and connected to the lower ends of the inner vertical wall 32GA. The left vertical wall 32GL, the right vertical wall 32GR, the inner vertical wall 32GA, and the bottom wall 32GB configure an inner surface portion of the recess 32G. The recess 32G is partitioned between the left vertical wall 32GL and the right vertical wall 32GR that face each other in the left-right direction X, is partitioned from the rear Y2 by the inner vertical wall 32GA, is partitioned from the lower Z2 by the bottom wall 32GB, and is front Y1. And open to the upper side Z1.

  A pair of left and right insertion holes 32H are formed in the upper member 32. The insertion hole 32H on the left side X1 is a left insertion hole 32HL formed on the left vertical wall 32GL adjacent to the left end of the recess 32G and extending to the left side X1. The insertion hole 32H on the right side X2 is a right insertion hole 32HR formed on the right vertical wall 32GR adjacent to the right end of the recess 32G and extending to the right side X2.

  The upper member 32 has a ring-shaped, more specifically, ring-shaped outer edge portion 32I extending to the lower side Z2. On the outer peripheral surface of the outer edge portion 32I, a flange portion 32J into which a screw (not shown) for fixing the outer tub cover 31 to the outer tub body 30 is inserted, and a hook-like engagement that engages with the outer tub body 30. The merging portion 32K and a single portion or a plurality of merging portions 32K are provided, respectively.

  FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the upper member 32. A plurality of ribs 32M for reinforcing the upper member 32 are provided on the lower surface portion 32L of the upper member 32 surrounded by the outer edge portion 32I. In bottom view, the ribs 32M extend radially from the upper opening 32B, extend in the circumferential direction P around the axis J, and extend to surround the upper connection port 32A. The lower surface portion 32L is provided with a plurality of upper bosses 32N protruding toward the lower side Z2 side by side so as to surround the upper opening 32B. The upper boss 32N is also provided around the upper connection port 32A, which is separated from the upper opening 32B to the rear side Y2. A screw hole 32P extending to the upper side Z1 is formed on the lower surface of each upper boss 32N.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view of the lower member 33. The lower member 33 is formed in a substantially symmetrical disk shape. The same number of lower connection ports 33A as the upper connection ports 32A of the upper member 32 are formed in the rearward region of the lower member 33. In the lower member 33, a lower opening 33B that constitutes the entrance 31A is formed on the front side Y1 of the lower connection port 33A. The lower opening 33B is formed in a semicircular shape that bulges toward the front side Y1 so as to be aligned with the upper opening 32B of the upper member 32, and penetrates the lower member 33 in the vertical direction Z. The upper surface portion 33C of the lower member 33 is provided with an inner edge portion 33D that projects to the upper side Z1 while edging the entire area of the lower opening 33B (see also FIG. 3). The lower member 33 has a ring-shaped, more specifically, ring-shaped outer edge portion 33E. The outer edge portion 33E projects from the upper surface portion 33C of the lower member 33 to the upper side Z1 and projects from the lower surface portion 33F of the lower member 33 (see FIG. 7) to the lower side Z2. Therefore, the vertical end surface of the lower member 33 in the outer edge portion 33E and its periphery is formed in a substantially T shape (see FIG. 8). The outer peripheral surface portion 33EA of the outer edge portion 33E is the outer peripheral surface portion of the lower member 33. A plurality of cutouts 33EB are provided in an upper portion of the outer edge portion 33E protruding from the upper surface portion 33C to the upper side Z1, whereby the upper portions of the outer edge portion 33E are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction P of the outer edge portion 33E. It is divided into a plurality of ribs 33EC (see FIG. 3). In the lower portion of the outer edge portion 33E protruding from the upper surface portion 33C to the lower side Z2, a plurality of recesses 33ED opened to both the lower side Z2 and the radially outer side R2 are provided side by side in the circumferential direction P (FIG. 3). reference).

  On the upper surface portion 33C, the same number of lower bosses 33G as the upper bosses 32N of the upper member 32 are provided side by side so as to surround the lower opening 33B. An insertion hole 33H is formed in each lower boss 33G so as to penetrate the lower boss 33G in the vertical direction Z. The insertion hole 33H is opened from the upper end surface of the lower boss 33G to the upper side Z1 and from the lower surface portion 33F of the lower member 33 to the lower side Z2. Another insertion hole 33I that penetrates the lower member 33 in the up-down direction Z is provided around the lower connection port 33A that is separated from the lower opening 33B to the rear side Y2.

  In the lower member 33, a plurality of drainage holes 33J penetrating the lower member 33 in the vertical direction Z are provided at positions adjacent to the lower opening 33B from the rear side Y2. In this embodiment, eight circular drain holes 33J having a diameter of 5 mm are provided in a straight line along the rear edge 33BA extending in the left-right direction X in the semicircular lower opening 33B. These drain holes 33J are arranged symmetrically. The plurality of drain holes 33J may be arranged at equal intervals, or the intervals between adjacent drain holes 33J may be different depending on the location. In this embodiment, the interval between the drain hole 33J on the left end and the drain hole 33J on the right side thereof is narrower than the interval between the drain holes 33J adjacent on the center side. The interval between the water drainage hole 33J at the right end and the water drainage hole 33J adjacent to the left side is also narrow.

  FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the lower member 33. The lower surface 33F of the lower member 33 is provided with the plurality of guide portions 31C described above. These guide portions 31C are ribs projecting from the lower surface portion 33F to the lower side Z2, and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction P around the axis J. Each guide portion 31C extends radially inward R1 from a lower portion of the outer edge portion 33E that protrudes from the lower surface portion 33F to the lower side Z2. Specifically, each of the guide portions 31C extends inward in the radial direction R1 while curving in one direction in the circumferential direction P (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 7) from the lower portion of the outer edge portion 33E, and before reaching the inner edge portion 33D. And extends in a substantially straight line in the one direction.

  Next, the assembling of the lower member 33 to the upper member 32 will be described. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper member 32 and the lower member 33 in a separated state at one location on the circumference. The operator first arranges the lower member 33 on the lower side Z2 of the upper member 32, and raises the lower member 33 to approach the upper member 32, for example. The worker may bring the lower member 33 closer to the upper member 32 by lowering the upper member 32. In any case, first, the outer peripheral surface portion 33EA of the outer edge portion 33E of the lower member 33 is fitted inside the outer edge portion 32I of the upper member 32, specifically, the radial inner side R1, so that the lower member 33 is surrounded by the outer edge portion 32I. Be done.

  At the upper end of the outer peripheral surface portion 33EA of the outer edge portion 33E of the lower member 33, an inclined portion 33EE that is inclined toward the lower opening 33B side is provided toward the upper side Z1. When the outer tank cover 31 is fitted into the outer edge portion 32I of the upper member 32 from the lower side Z2 for assembling, the inclined portion 33EE of the lower member 33 becomes the leading edge of the outer member 32I. By contacting 32I, the outer edge portion 33E of the lower member 33 is guided to the inside of the outer edge portion 32I. Therefore, since the lower member 33 is smoothly fitted inside the outer edge portion 32I of the upper member 32, the outer tank cover 31 can be easily assembled.

  When the worker further brings the lower member 33 closer to the upper member 32 from the lower side Z2, the inner edge portion 33D of the lower member 33 is positioned outside the lower vertical wall 32DC and the lower vertical wall 32EC of the inner peripheral surface portion 32C of the upper member 32, Specifically, it fits on the radially outer side R2. Since the chamfered portion 33DA similar to the inclined portion 33EE is provided on the inner edge portion 33D, the inner edge portion 33D smoothly fits on the outer side of the lower vertical wall 32DC and the lower vertical wall 32EC. Further, a plurality of convex engaging portions 32IA are provided at the upper end portion of the inner peripheral surface portion of the outer edge portion 33E of the upper member 32, and as the lower member 33 approaches the upper member 32, the outer edge portion 33E of the lower member 33. Rides over the engaging portion 32IA.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the outer edge portion 33E of the lower member 33 contacts the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface portion 32L of the upper member 32 from the lower side Z2, and the inner edge portion 33D of the lower member 33 becomes the inner peripheral surface portion 32C of the upper member 32. The lower member 33 is attached to the upper member 32 from the lower side Z2 by contacting the lateral wall 32DB and the lateral wall 32EB of the above from the lower side Z2. In this state, each engaging portion 32IA on the inner peripheral surface portion of the outer edge portion 33E of the upper member 32 is fitted into one of the recesses 33ED (see FIG. 3) provided in the lower end portion of the lower member 33 from the lower side Z2. Thus, the upper member 32 and the lower member 33 are temporarily assembled. At this time, the lower connection port 33A of the lower member 33 communicates with the upper connection port 32A of the upper member 32 one by one from the lower side Z2 (see FIG. 10). Further, the upper end surface of the lower boss portion 33G of the lower member 33 comes into contact with the lower end surface of the corresponding upper boss portion 32N of the upper member 32 from the lower side Z2, so that the insertion hole 33H of the lower boss portion 33G and the upper boss portion 32N of the lower member boss 33G. The screw holes 32P communicate with each other (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Further, the insertion hole 33I around the lower connection port 33A of the lower member 33 communicates with the screw hole 32P of the upper boss portion 32N around the upper connection port 32A of the upper member 32.

  In a state where the upper member 32 and the lower member 33 are temporarily assembled, the operator inserts the screws B one by one into the insertion hole 33H and the insertion hole 33I (see FIG. 7) of the lower member 33 from the lower side Z2, When the upper member 32 is assembled into the corresponding screw holes 32P, the upper member 32 and the lower member 33 are fixed to each other, and the outer tank cover 31 is completed, as shown in FIG.

  Like the upper member 32 and the lower member 33, the completed outer tank cover 31 is formed in a substantially left-right symmetrical disk shape. In the outer tub cover 31, the upper opening 32B of the upper member 32 and the lower opening 33B of the lower member 33 are combined to form a doorway 31A. An inner peripheral portion of the lower surface 33F of the lower member 33, which borders the lower opening 33B, is configured as the guide surface 31B described above, which is inclined obliquely downward toward the lower opening 33B (see FIG. 9). A gap T (see FIG. 9) exists between the upper member 32 and the lower member 33, and the outer tank cover 31 is a hollow body having the gap T as a hollow portion. The left insertion hole 32HL and the right insertion hole 32HR (see FIG. 3) formed in the upper member 32 are in communication with the gap T.

  FIG. 11 is a plan view of the outer tank cover 31. The rotation center portion 12B (see FIG. 2) of the lid 12 is fitted in the recess 32G between the left insertion hole 32HL and the right insertion hole 32HR in the outer tank cover 31. The rotation shaft 12L of the rotation center portion 12B is inserted into the left insertion hole 32HL, and the rotation shaft 12R of the rotation center portion 12B is inserted into the right insertion hole 32HR (see FIG. 2). As a result, the lid 12 is supported by the upper member 32 of the outer tank cover 31 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis K (see FIG. 1). In the outer tank cover 31, the lateral wall 32EB adjacent to the front of the recess 32G of the upper member 32 and the drain holes 33J of the lower member 33 overlap each other in a plan view. Specifically, the left end drainage hole 33J is located directly below the left end of the lateral wall 32EB, the right end drainage hole 33J is located directly below the right end of the lateral wall 32EB, and all the drainage holes 33J are aligned. It is located right below the lateral wall 32EB. Such a drainage hole 33J is arranged around the rotation center portion 12B of the lid 12 fitted in the recess 32G in plan view (see FIG. 10). With the outer tub cover 31 attached to the outer tub body 30, each drainage hole 33J faces the outer tub body 30 from the upper side Z1 (see FIG. 1).

  In order to secure the necessary strength for supporting the lid 12, the outer tank cover 31 needs to be provided with a reinforcing rib 32M (see FIG. 5) on the upper member 32 that actually supports the lid 12. On the other hand, the outer tub cover 31 also needs to be provided with a guide portion 31C (see FIG. 10) for guiding water to the opening 4D of the washing tub 4. In this case, since it is difficult to form the outer tank cover 31 with only one member, it is difficult for the outer tank cover 31 to include the upper member 32 provided with the rib 32M and the lower member provided with the guide portion 31C. It is composed of two members 33. As a result, the above-mentioned gap T is generated in the outer tank cover 31.

  In the washing process and the rinsing process, the water rising between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 when the washing tub 4 rotates passes between the outer tub cover 31 and the annular wall 4C of the washing tub 4. At this time, this water is guided to the opening 4D of the washing tub 4 by the guide portions 31C provided on the lower surface portion 33F of the lower member 33 of the outer tub cover 31, and then poured on the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. Be done. A part of the water passing between the outer tub cover 31 and the annular wall 4C of the washing tub 4 is partly between the outer edge portion 33E of the lower member 33 and the outer edge portion 32I of the upper member 32, or the inner edge portion of the lower member 33. There is a risk that it may penetrate into the gap T in the outer tank cover 31 through the space between 33D and the inner peripheral surface portion 32C of the upper member 32 (see FIG. 9). However, the water that has entered the gap T falls into the outer tub 3 through the drain hole 33J. As a result, the water that has risen between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 and that has entered between the upper member 32 and the lower member 33 has the rotating shaft 12L and the rotating shaft 12R of the lid 12 in the upper member 32. It is possible to prevent leaking out of the outer tub 3 from the inserted insertion hole 32H through the recess 32G of the upper member 32.

  Further, the drain hole 33J is in the vicinity of the rotation center portion 12B of the lid 12 in plan view, that is, in the vicinity of the insertion hole 32H into which the rotation shaft 12L and the rotation shaft 12R of the lid 12 are inserted in the upper member 32. Are placed (see FIGS. 10 and 11). In this embodiment, the plurality of drainage holes 33J are linearly arranged in the left-right direction X along the rotation axis K and the recess 32G that receives the rotation center portion 12B in the upper member 32. Further, the water drain holes 33J are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the left insertion hole 32HL into which the rotation shaft 12L is inserted, and on the left and right sides of the right insertion hole 32HR into which the rotation shaft 12R is inserted. With such a configuration, before the water that has entered the gap T between the upper member 32 and the lower member 33 reaches either of the insertion holes 32H, the water is discharged from any of the drain holes 33J into the outer tank 3. Can be dropped into. This can reliably prevent water from leaking out of the outer tub 3 from the insertion hole 32H. Further, since water is prevented from remaining in the gap T between the lower member 33 and the upper member 32 by the water drain hole 33J, generation of mold and odor can be suppressed.

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

  For example, the axis J of the washing tub 4 in the vertical washing machine 1 is arranged so as to extend vertically along the vertical direction Z in the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 1), but the vertical washing machine 1 has It also includes a configuration in which the axis J is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction Z.

  The upper surface portion 33C of the lower member 33 in the outer tank cover 31 may be provided with an inclined surface 33CA that is inclined so as to descend toward the drain hole 33J (see FIG. 9). As a result, the water that has entered the gap T can be guided toward the drain hole 33J by the inclined surface 33CA, so that this water can be reliably dropped from the drain hole 33J into the outer tub 3.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vertical washing machine 3 Outer tub 4 Washing tub 4D Opening 4E Through hole 6 Drive part 12 Lid 12B Rotation center part 12L Rotation shaft 12R Rotation shaft 21 Control part 30 Outer tub body 31 Outer tub cover 31A Entrance / exit 31C Guide part 32 upper member 32H insertion hole 32I outer edge portion 33 lower member 32EA outer peripheral surface portion 33EE inclined portion 33J drain hole Q laundry Z1 upper side Z2 lower side

Claims (3)

An outer tub main body having a tubular outer tub main body, and an outer tub cover in which an inlet / outlet communicating from the upper side is formed in the outer tub main body and connected to the outer tub main body;
A lid that is rotatably supported by the outer tank cover and that opens and closes the doorway;
A drive unit that generates a drive force,
A washing tub arranged in the outer tub, having a through hole for allowing water to flow in and out of the outer tub, and an opening facing the entrance from below from the entrance and the exit. A laundry tub that receives laundry that is thrown in through it and that rotates by receiving the driving force of the drive unit,
By rotating the washing tub by the driving unit, the control unit that raises the water in the outer tub between the outer tub and the washing tub and pours the laundry in the washing tub through the opening. Including,
The outer tub cover has an upper member having an insertion hole into which the pivot shaft of the lid is inserted, and guides water rising between the outer tub and the washing tub to the opening when the washing tub rotates. A lower member provided with a guide portion and attached to the upper member from below,
The vertical washing machine, wherein the lower member is provided with a drain hole for allowing water to drop into the outer tub from between the upper member and the lower member.   The vertical washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the drainage hole is arranged around a rotation center portion of the lid in a plan view. The upper member has an annular outer edge portion that extends downward and surrounds the lower member,
The vertical washing machine according to claim 1, wherein an upper end portion of an outer peripheral surface portion of the lower member is provided with an inclined portion that is inclined toward the entrance / exit side toward the upper side.

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