JP2024018369A - washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve ease of maintenance and improve performance of collecting a foreign matter.

SOLUTION: A washing machine comprises: a housing; and a filter mechanism which is provided at an intermediate position in a water passage and collects a foreign matter in water. The filter mechanism comprises: a drive part which is provided inside the housing and generates driving force; a filter body which is detachably provided inside the housing and driven by the drive part to be rotatable about a central axis; an inflow port serving as a water inlet to the inside of the filer body; a plurality of passage parts which allows the passage of water flowing into the inside of the filter body through the inflow port; and a filtration member for collecting a foreign matter contained in the water passing through the passage parts.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to washing machines.

In recent years, attention has been focused on marine pollution and the effects on the human body caused by so-called microplastics, which are minute plastics less than 5 mm in size. Microplastics are contained in the washing water after washing synthetic fiber clothing such as polyester or acrylic. There is also a growing demand for reducing the outflow of microplastics from washing water drainage.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, washing machines are known that are removably equipped with a filter device that traps foreign substances in water. The filter device employs a configuration in which a plurality of protrusions are provided on the filter main body. In this case, lint, dust, etc. contained in the washing water are captured by being caught on the plurality of protrusions of the filter main body.

JP2022-44275A

However, although conventional configurations can capture foreign matter of a certain size such as lint and dust, they cannot sufficiently capture finer fibrous microplastics, so the microplastics are washed away in the washing water. along with the water being drained away. In addition, it is possible to use a sheet with a micromesh structure as a filtration filter, but even if the sheet is used as is, there is a risk that problems such as clogging will occur early and drainage efficiency will decrease. There is. In addition, the filter device is desired to have excellent maintainability in order to be able to cope with washing that is carried out on a daily basis.

Therefore, the present invention provides a washing machine that can improve maintenance performance and improve foreign matter collection performance.

The washing machine according to the present embodiment includes a casing and a filter mechanism provided in the middle of a waterway to collect foreign matter in the water, and the filter mechanism is provided inside the casing and receives driving force. a filter body that is removably provided inside the housing and is rotatable around a central axis when driven by the drive unit; and an inlet that serves as an inlet for water into the inside of the filter body. , a plurality of passage parts through which water that has flowed into the filter body through the inflow port can pass, and a filtration member that collects foreign substances contained in the water passing through the passage parts.

A perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a washing machine according to the first embodiment A perspective view schematically showing the internal structure of a washing machine according to the first embodiment A front view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the water channel of the washing machine according to the first embodiment. A side partial sectional view showing a schematic configuration around the filter device according to the first embodiment A diagram showing the filter device according to the first embodiment with the drive section, drive transmission section, and filter section removed. A perspective view schematically showing the appearance of the filter part in a state where the blade member according to the first embodiment is arranged inside the filter main body. A sectional view showing the internal structure of the filter section along the line X7-X7 in FIG. 4 with the blade member according to the first embodiment disposed inside the filter body. A block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of a control device for the washing machine according to the first embodiment. A side partial sectional view showing a schematic configuration around a filter device according to a second embodiment

Hereinafter, washing machines according to a plurality of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each embodiment, substantially the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.
A washing machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 can wash, rinse, dehydrate, dry, and perform other processes on clothes. The washing machine 10 is a drum-type washing machine with a horizontal axis or an oblique axis. The washing machine 10 may be a so-called fully automatic washing machine that is a vertical axis type washing machine. Note that the washing machine 10 may be configured without a drying function. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the washing machine 10 includes a housing 11, a door 12, a water tank 13, a rotating tank 14, a motor 15, a water supply mechanism 16, a drainage mechanism 17, a circulation mechanism 18, and a filter mechanism 20. ing. Note that in FIG. 1, the door 12 side with respect to the housing 11 is the front side of the washing machine 10. Further, the installation surface side of the washing machine 10, that is, the vertically lower side, is the lower side of the washing machine 10, and the opposite side to the installation surface, that is, the vertically upper side, is the upper side of the washing machine 10. The direction perpendicular to the front-back direction and the up-down direction of the washing machine 10 is defined as the left-right direction.

The casing 11 is formed into a hollow box shape using a combination of metal such as a stainless steel plate, resin material, and the like. The housing 11 constitutes the outer shell of the washing machine 10. The casing 11 has a clothes slot (not shown) in the center of the front side that communicates the inside and outside of the casing 11. The door 12 is provided on the front side of the housing 11 to open and close the clothes slot. With the door 12 open, the user can take clothes in and out of the rotating tub 14 through the clothes slot.

The water tank 13 and the rotating tank 14 are formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and are housed inside the housing 11. The water tank 13 is configured to be able to store water therein. The water tank 13 has a drain port 131 and a discharge port 132, as shown in FIG. The drain port 131 and the discharge port 132 communicate the inside and outside of the water tank 13. The drain port 131 is provided, for example, at the bottom of the water tank 13. The discharge port 132 is provided, for example, at the top of the water tank 13. The rotating tank 14 is rotatably provided within the water tank 13 and can accommodate clothing. The rotating tank 14 is rotationally driven by a motor 15. The central axis of the rotating tank 14 coincides with the central axis of the water tank 13.

The water supply mechanism 16 is connected to an external water source, such as a tap, and has a function of injecting water supplied from the external water source into the water tank 13 and the rotating tank 14 . The water supply mechanism 16 is provided, for example, in the upper part of the housing 11 on either side of the left or right side. The water supply mechanism 16 includes a water supply valve 161, a water injection case 162, and a processing agent case 163. The water supply valve 161 is configured to be electromagnetically openable and closable. The water supply valve 161 opens and closes a water supply path (not shown) from an external water source to the inside of the water tank 13 via the water injection case 162. The water injection case 162 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and is shaped like a container. The upstream side of the water injection case 162 is connected to the water supply valve 161, and the downstream side is connected to the water tank 13 via a water injection hose 164.

The processing agent case 163 receives, for example, a washing processing agent necessary for one washing operation. The washing operation means a series of steps including a washing step, a dehydration step, and a rinsing step. Further, the laundry treatment agent includes, for example, detergents such as powder detergents and liquid detergents, and finishing agents such as fabric softeners and fragrance agents. The processing agent case 163 is configured to be able to be pulled out forward relative to the water injection case 162, for example. The treatment agent case 163 is used when a user manually adds laundry treatment agent.

When the water supply valve 161 is opened with the laundry treatment agent placed in the treatment agent case 163, the laundry treatment agent placed in the treatment agent case 163 is mixed with water supplied from an external water source. It is supplied into the water tank 13. The washing machine 10 may be equipped with an automatic loading device. Since the automatic loading device has a well-known configuration, a detailed explanation will be omitted, but it stores the laundry processing agent necessary for multiple washing operations, and dispenses a predetermined amount of the laundry processing agent as the washing operation progresses. It has a function to automatically add it to the aquarium.

Drainage mechanism 17 has a function of discharging water stored in water tank 13 to the outside of washing machine 10 . The drainage mechanism 17 has a drainage valve 171 and a drainage hose 172, as shown in FIG. The drain valve 171 is a liquid opening/closing valve that can be opened and closed electromagnetically. The inflow side of the drain valve 171 is connected to the drain port 131 of the water tank 13 via connection hoses 191 and 192. The discharge side of the drain valve 171 is connected to the outside of the machine via a drain hose 172. The drain hose 172 is made of, for example, a flexible hose.

When the drain valve 171 is opened, the water stored in the water tank 13 is discharged to the outside of the washing machine 10 through the drain hose 172. In this embodiment, the path from the drain port 131 of the water tank 13 to the outside of the machine from the drain hose 172 via the drain valve 171 is referred to as a drain path R1. Drainage route R1 is an example of a waterway included in washing machine 10.

The circulation mechanism 18 has a function of pouring water drained from the water tank 13 into the water tank 13 again. The circulation mechanism 18 includes a circulation pump 181 and a circulation hose 182. The circulation pump 181 has a function of pumping up water in the water tank 13. The inflow side of the circulation pump 181 is connected to the drain port 131 of the water tank 13 via connection hoses 191, 192, and 193. The connection hose 193 is configured to be branched from the connection hose 192. The discharge side of the circulation pump 181 is connected to the discharge port 132 of the water tank 13 via a circulation hose 182. The circulation hose 182 is made of, for example, a flexible hose.

When the circulation pump 181 is driven with the drain path R1 closed by the drain valve 171, the circulation pump 181 pumps up the water in the water tank 13 through the drain port 131 and injects the water into the water tank 13 again from the discharge port 132. In this embodiment, the path from the drain port 131 of the water tank 13 via the circulation pump 181 to the discharge port 132 of the water tank 13 and back to the water tank 13 is referred to as a circulation path R2. The circulation route R2 is an example of a waterway included in the washing machine 10, similar to the drainage route R1.

The filter mechanism 20 is provided in the middle of the waterway and has a function of collecting foreign matter in the water. Foreign matter includes, for example, lint, lint, dust, and so-called microplastics, which are fine plastics with a diameter of 5 mm or less. The filter mechanism 20 is provided in the middle of at least one of the drainage route R1 and the circulation route R2. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the filter mechanism 20 is provided in the middle of the drainage path R1 and in the middle of the circulation path R2. In other words, the filter mechanism 20 is provided on a common waterway located in the middle of the waterway from the drain port 131 to the drain valve 171 and in the middle of the waterway from the drain port 131 to the circulation pump 181.

The filter mechanism 20 includes a filter case 30 and a filter device 40. The filter case 30 is made of synthetic resin, for example, and is shaped like a hollow box. The filter case 30 is configured to be able to store water therein. The filter case 30 is provided in the middle of the drainage route R1 and in the middle of the circulation route R2. The filter case 30 constitutes a part of the drainage route R1 and the circulation route R2. The filter case 30 has a front opening 31, an inlet 32, and an outlet 33, as shown in FIG. The front opening 31 is formed on the front 301 side of the filter case 30, and communicates the inside and outside of the filter case 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the front opening 31 is opened and closed by a lid member 111 provided on the housing 11.

The inlet portion 32 is formed to penetrate the outer peripheral surface of the filter case 30, in this case the rear surface 302, in the thickness direction. The inlet portion 32 is located near the top of the filter case 30. In this case, the inlet portion 32 is provided at a position facing the front opening 31. The outlet portion 33 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape, and is a portion through which water flowing out from the inside of the filter case 30 passes. One end of the outlet portion 33 is connected to the bottom of the filter case 30 on the rear surface 302 side, and the other end is connected to the connection hose 192. In this case, the bottom surface 303 of the filter case 30 is formed to be inclined downward from the front toward the rear. The outlet portion 33 is not limited to a configuration in which it is connected to the rear surface 302 of the filter case 30, but may be configured to be connected to the front surface 301, side surface, etc. of the filter case 30.

The filter device 40 includes a drive section 41, a drive transmission section 42, and a filter section 50, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The drive section 41 and the drive transmission section 42 are provided inside the housing 11. The drive unit 41 is provided, for example, at the rear of the filter case 30. The drive unit 41 has a function of generating driving force, and includes a filter motor 411 and a motor side gear 412. The filter motor 411 is composed of a motor such as a DC motor whose rotational speed can be adjusted. The filter motor 411 is connected to a motor side gear 412. The driving force of the filter motor 411 is transmitted to the drive transmission section 42 by a motor side gear 412.

The drive transmission section 42 is made of synthetic resin, for example, and has a generally cylindrical shape as a whole. The drive transmission section 42 is provided at a position corresponding to the inlet section 32 of the filter case 30. As shown in FIG. 4, one end of the drive transmission section 42 is located outside the filter case 30 and connected to the connection hose 191. For example, a packing (not shown) or the like is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the connection portion of the connection hose 191 with the drive transmission section 42, so that the connection hose 191 has a watertight structure. The other end of the drive transmission section 42 is located inside the filter case 30.

The drive transmission section 42 includes a transmission section main body 421, a transmission section side gear 422, and a connected section 423. The transmission section main body 421 constitutes the main body of the drive transmission section 42, and is configured to allow liquid to pass therethrough. As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission section main body 421 is connected to the connection hose 191 and has a function of guiding water supplied into the connection hose 191 from the drain port 131 of the water tank 13 into the inside of the filter case 30. An introduction port 424 is provided on the distal end side of the transmission section main body 421, that is, on the side opposite to the side connected to the connection hose 191. Water that has passed through the transmission section main body 421 flows out into the filter case 30 from the inlet 424. That is, the drive transmission section 42 has a function of introducing water into the filter case 30.

The transmission part side gear 422 is formed, for example, on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the transmission part main body 421, and is mutually fitted and engaged with the motor side gear 412. When the filter motor 411 is rotationally driven, the drive transmission section 42 is rotationally driven via the motor side gear 412 and the transmission section side gear 422. Note that the structure for transmitting the driving force of the filter motor 411 is not limited to the gears 412 and 422, and a known structure such as a pulley or a belt can be adopted. The connected portion 423 is located at the tip of the transmission portion main body 421, and is formed in, for example, an annular shape. The outer diameter of the connected portion 423 is set larger than the outer diameter of the transmission portion main body 421. The distal end surface of the connected portion 423 is formed, for example, in an uneven shape.

The filter section 50 is configured to be removable inside the housing 11 by being inserted into and removed from the filter case 30. In this case, the filter part 50 is installed in the filter case 30 by being inserted into the filter case 30, and is removed from the filter case 30 by being pulled out from the filter case 30. The direction in which the filter section 50 is inserted into and pulled out from the filter case 30 corresponds to the front-rear direction of the filter case 30.

The filter section 50 includes an operation section 51, a filter main body 52, a filter member 53, and a rotating body 54. The operating portion 51 and the filter body 52 are made of, for example, synthetic resin. A filter main body 52 is attached to the operating section 51 and is integrally configured. The operating section 51 and the filter main body 52 may be configured to be detachable. The operating section 51 is a section that is operated by the user when attaching and detaching the filter section 50 to and from the filter case 30.

The operating section 51 has a body section 511, an engaging section 512, and a knob section 513. The body portion 511 has a generally cylindrical shape as a whole. The engaging portion 512 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 511. The engaging portion 512 has a shape that allows it to engage with an engaged portion (not shown) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the front opening 31 of the filter case 30 .

The knob portion 513 is formed, for example, in a plate shape, and protrudes outward from the tip of the body portion 511, in this case to the side opposite to the filter body 52. The user can operate the operation unit 51 by pinching the knob 513 with his or her fingers. That is, when installing the filter part 50 into the filter case 30, the user inserts the filter part 50 into the filter case 30, and then pinches the knob part 513 and rotates the operating part 51 in a predetermined mounting direction, for example, clockwise. make it move. As a result, the engaging portion 512 and the engaged portion on the filter case 30 side engage with each other, and the filter portion 50 is fixed to the filter case 30.

On the other hand, when removing the filter section 50 from inside the filter case 30, the user pinches the knob section 513 and rotates the operating section 51 in a predetermined removal direction, for example, counterclockwise. As a result, the engagement between the engaging portion 512 and the engaged portion on the filter case 30 side is released. Thereafter, the user can pull out the filter section 50 from inside the filter case 30.

The filter main body 52 is formed, for example, in a lattice shape and extends long along the longitudinal direction of the filter section 50. The filter main body 52 is rotatably connected to the operating section 51. The filter main body 52 is open at the end opposite to the side connected to the operating section 51, that is, at the rear end. The filter main body 52 has a passage part 521, a shaft part 522, and a main body side connecting part 523, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. A plurality of passage portions 521 are provided so as to penetrate the outer surface of the filter main body 52 in the thickness direction. The passage portion 521 is configured to allow water to pass therethrough. In other words, the passage portion 521 is an outlet for water that has flowed into the filter body 52 . The shaft portion 522 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape, and protrudes outward from the end portion of the filter main body 52 that is connected to the operating portion 51, that is, the tip portion side.

Further, the operating portion 51 has a recessed portion 514 and a bearing 515. The recess 514 is located, for example, in the center of the body 511 and is formed by recessing the body 511 into a cylindrical shape. The hollow portion 514 is configured such that the shaft portion 522 of the filter main body 52 can be inserted therein. The bearing 515 is provided in the recessed part 514 and rotatably supports the shaft part 522 of the filter main body 52. A flange portion 522a that protrudes outward in the radial direction of the shaft portion 522 is formed at the distal end portion of the shaft portion 522. For example, the filter body 52 is prevented from coming off from the recess 514 due to the contact between the flange 522a and the bearing 515.

The main body side connecting portion 523 is provided on the rear end surface of the filter main body 52, and is formed in, for example, an uneven shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the main body side connecting portion 523 is configured to fit and engage with the connected portion 423 of the drive transmission portion 42 when the filter portion 50 is attached to the filter case 30. . That is, the drive transmission section 42 is removably connected to the filter main body 52 and has a function of transmitting the driving force from the filter motor 411 to the filter main body 52. In this case, the central axis O of the filter main body 52 coincides with the central axis of the transmission section main body 421.

When the filter part 50 is attached to the filter case 30 and the main body side connecting part 523 and the connected part 423 are connected, when the filter motor 411 is rotated in the forward or reverse rotation direction, the power is transmitted through the drive transmission part 42. The driving force of the filter motor 411 is transmitted to the filter body 52. As a result, the filter main body 52 rotates around the central axis O in the normal direction or in the reverse direction. Further, in a state where the main body side connecting portion 523 and the connected portion 423 are connected, the flange portion 522a of the shaft portion 522 of the filter main body 52 is arranged at a position where it does not come into contact with the bearing 515.

The filter member 53 collects foreign substances contained in water passing through the passage portion 521 of the filter body 52. The filter member 53 is provided at a position corresponding to the passage section 521 so as to cover the passage section 521. The filter member 53 is made of synthetic fibers such as microfibers made of polyester, nylon, etc., and has a net-like structure. The size of the gap between the meshes of the filter member 53, that is, the filtration accuracy, can be set to, for example, about 1 mm or less. The filtration accuracy of the filtration member 53 can be set as appropriate depending on the foreign matter to be collected.

The filter member 53 is, for example, insert-molded in the filter body 52. In this case, the filter member 53 is configured to be located near the inner peripheral surface of the filter body 52. The filter member 53 may be attached to the inner peripheral surface of the filter body 52. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the cross section of the filter member 53 provided in the filter main body 52 is configured to have, for example, a circular shape. The filter member 53 is not limited to a circular shape, but may be configured to have a rectangular or elliptical shape.

The rotating body 54 extends in the longitudinal direction of the filter section 50. The rotating body 54 is removably provided inside the filter body 52 and rotates as the filter body 52 rotates. The central axis of the rotating body 54 coincides with the central axis of the filter body 52. In this embodiment, the rotating body 54 has a first surface portion 541, a second surface portion 542, a blade member 543, and a rotating body side connecting portion 544, as shown in FIG. The outer peripheral surfaces of the first surface portion 541 and the second surface portion 542 are formed in a shape along the inner peripheral surface of the filter main body 52.

The first surface portion 541 is made of a rubber material having wear resistance, such as silicone rubber or nitrile rubber. The first surface portion 541 faces the front end surface of the filter body 52 with the rotating body 54 attached inside the filter body 52 . The outer diameter of the first surface portion 541 is set to be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the filter body 52 or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the filter body 52.

The second surface portion 542 is provided apart from the rear of the first surface portion 541 and is located inside the opening on the rear end side of the filter body 52 with the rotating body 54 attached inside the filter body 52. The length of the rotating body 54 is set to be slightly smaller than the length of the filter body 52. In a state where the rotary body 54 is attached inside the filter body 52, the rear end portion of the filter body 52 and the rear end portion of the rotary body 54 are arranged at substantially the same position.

The second surface portion 542 has an inlet 545, as shown in FIG. 6 and the like. The inlet 545 is located at the center of the second surface portion 542, passes through the second surface portion 542 in the thickness direction, and has a circular shape, for example. The inlet 545 is not limited to a circular shape, but may be rectangular or elliptical. The inlet 545 overlaps the inlet 424 of the drive transmission unit 42 when the filter unit 50 is attached to the filter case 30. The opening diameter of the inflow port 545 is set to be slightly larger than the opening diameter of the introduction port 424. In this case, water flowing out from the inlet 424 flows into the filter body 52 via the inlet 545. That is, the inlet 545 is an inlet of water into the interior of the filter body 52.

The blade member 543 is formed into a plate shape, for example, and extends between the first surface portion 541 and the second surface portion 542 to integrally fix the first surface portion 541 and the second surface portion 542. A plurality of blade members 543, in this case three, are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating body 54. The blade member 543 extends from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 54 toward the central axis of the rotating body 54 . The rotary body side connecting portion 544 is provided on the rear end surface of the rotary body 54, and is formed, for example, in an uneven shape. The rotating body side connecting portion 544 is configured to fit and engage with the connected portion 423 of the drive transmission portion 42 when the filter portion 50 is attached to the filter case 30. That is, the drive transmission section 42 is removably connected to the rotating body 54 and has a function of transmitting the driving force from the filter motor 411 to the rotating body 54 . The rotation of the filter body 52 and the rotary body 54 is synchronized by connecting the filter body 52 and the rotary body 54 with the drive transmission section 42 .

The washing machine 10 also includes a control device 60, as shown in FIG. The control device 60 is mainly configured with a microcomputer having a CPU (not shown), and a storage area (not shown) such as a ROM, a RAM, and a rewritable flash memory, and controls the overall operation of the washing machine 10 . The motor 15, water supply valve 161, drain valve 171, circulation pump 181, and filter motor 411 are electrically connected to the control device 60. The control device 60 controls the operations of the motor 15, water supply valve 161, drain valve 171, circulation pump 181, and filter motor 411.

The control device 60 stores a control program, and executes the washing operation by executing the control program using the CPU. The control device 60 can operate the filter motor 411 to rotate the filter body 52 and the rotating body 54 during the washing operation. Further, the control device 60 can execute a process of operating the filter motor 411 to rotate the filter main body 52 and the rotating body 54 after the washing operation ends.

Next, a state in which the washing water flowing out from the water tank 13 is filtered by the filter device 40 will be described. In this case, it is assumed that the washing operation is performed with the filter unit 50 attached to the filter case 30. When the washing operation starts, the washing water that has passed through the drain port 131 of the water tank 13 flows inside the transmission section body 421 of the drive transmission section 42 via the connection hose 191, and then flows through the inlet port 424 of the rotating body 54. It is introduced into the inlet 545. At this time, when the filter motor 411 is driven and the drive transmission section 42 is driven to rotate, the washing water that has flowed into the filter body 52 from the inlet 545 is transferred to the filter body 52 and the rotating body 54 connected to the drive transmission section 42. It is pressed against the filter member 53 by the action of centrifugal force generated by the rotation.

Furthermore, the blade member 543 of the rotary body 54 promotes agitation inside the filter body 52, and a water flow is generated inside the filter body 52. In this way, even if the filter member 53 is clogged due to the action of the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the filter body 52 and the rotating body 54 and the water flow, for example due to foreign matter adhering to the filter member 53, A decrease in the filtration efficiency of the filtration member 53 is suppressed. Therefore, a decrease in the amount of water discharged from the passage portion 521 to the outside of the filter body 52 due to clogging of the filter member 53 can be suppressed. After the foreign matter has been collected by the filter member 53, the washing water flows through the bottom surface 303 of the filter case 30, passes through the outlet portion 33, and flows out of the filter case 30. Thereafter, the washing water flows through the drainage route R1 or the circulation route R2.

The foreign matter attached to the inner peripheral surface of the filter member 53 is removed from the first surface of the rotor 54 when the user removes the filter part 50 from the filter case 30 and then pulls out the rotor 54 from inside the filter body 52. 541 and is scraped out. In this case, the first surface portion 541 functions as a scraping portion that scrapes out foreign matter adhering to the inner circumferential surface of the filter member 53. In this way, foreign matter adhering to the inner circumferential surface of the filter member 53 can be removed by a simple operation of pulling out the rotating body 54 from inside the filter body 52.

According to the embodiment described above, the washing machine 10 includes the housing 11 and the filter mechanism 20. The filter mechanism 20 is provided in the middle of the water channels R1 and R2, and collects foreign substances in the water. The filter mechanism 20 includes a drive section 41 , a filter main body 52 , an inlet 545 , a plurality of passage sections 521 , and a filter member 53 . The drive unit 41 is provided inside the housing 11 and generates a driving force. The filter main body 52 is removably provided inside the housing 11 and can be rotated around the central axis O by being driven by the driving section 41 . Inlet 545 is an inlet for water into the interior of filter body 52 . Water that has flowed into the filter body 52 through the inlet 545 can pass through the plurality of passage portions 521 . The filter member 53 then collects foreign substances contained in the water passing through the passage portion 521.

According to this, by rotating the filter body 52 around the central axis O, foreign substances such as microplastics contained in the water that has flowed into the filter body 52 can be pressed against the filter member 53. At this time, even if the filter member 53 is clogged, for example, the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the filter body 52 can suppress the decrease in filtration efficiency and release water to the outside of the filter body 52. Thereby, foreign substances contained in water can be collected without reducing the flow rate of water passing through the filter mechanism 20. Further, by making the filter body 52 detachable from the housing 11 of the washing machine 10, the filter body 52 can be easily cleaned by removing the filter body 52 from the housing 11. As a result, it is possible to improve the maintenance performance of the washing machine 10 and to improve the foreign matter collection performance.

Filter mechanism 20 further includes a drive transmission section 42 . The drive transmission section 42 is removably connected to the filter body 52 and transmits the driving force from the drive section 41 to the filter body 52 . The drive transmission unit 42 has an inlet 424 that introduces water flowing through the water channels R1 and R2 into the inlet 545 of the filter body 52. According to this, the drive transmission section 42 has both the function of transmitting the driving force to the filter body 52 and the function of introducing water into the filter body 52. Therefore, simply by disconnecting the drive transmission section 42 and the filter body 52, the drive force transmission path and the water introduction path to the filter body 52 can be separated. Thereby, the filter main body 52 can be easily removed from the housing 11, so that maintainability can be further improved.

Filter mechanism 20 further includes a rotating body 54 . The rotating body 54 is provided inside the filter body 52 and rotates as the filter body 52 rotates. The rotating body 54 has a blade member 543 extending from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 54 toward the central axis of the rotating body 54 . According to this, the blade member 543 of the rotating body 54 provided inside the filter body 52 rotates to actively stir the inside of the filter body 52 and generate a water flow inside the filter body 52. be able to. Thereby, water can easily pass through the filter member 53. Therefore, the filtration efficiency of the filter mechanism 20 can be further improved.

Further, the rotating body 54 has a first surface portion 541 formed to have an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the filter main body 52 . The rotating body 54 is removably provided inside the filter body 52. According to this, when removing the rotating body 54 from inside the filter body 52, foreign matter attached to the inner circumferential surface of the filter member 53 can be scraped out of the filter body 52 using the first surface portion 541. Thereby, the inside of the filter body 52 can be cleaned without using the user's fingers or cleaning tools, for example. Therefore, convenience can be improved.

Washing machine 10 further includes a control device 60. Control device 60 controls drive unit 41 . Then, the control device 60 can execute a process of operating the drive unit 41 to rotate the filter body 52 after the washing operation is finished. According to this, a large amount of moisture remains inside the filter body 52 after the washing operation ends. Therefore, by operating the drive unit 41 to rotate the filter body 52 after the washing operation ends, the moisture remaining inside the filter body 52 can be removed by the action of centrifugal force. Thereby, the filter main body 52 can be kept clean. As a result, the maintainability of the washing machine 10 can be improved.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. In this second embodiment, the configuration of a filter case 30 is different from the first embodiment. Specifically, in this embodiment, the filter case 30 has a housing section 34. The housing portion 34 is located on the rear side of the filter case 30. A housing space is formed between the housing portion 34 and the rear surface 302 of the filter case 30. In this embodiment, the accommodation space in the filter case 30 in which the filter section 50 is accommodated is referred to as an accommodation space S1, and the accommodation space formed between the accommodation section 34 and the rear surface 302 of the filter case 30 is referred to as an accommodation space S2. to be called.

The accommodation space S2 is configured to be able to accommodate, for example, the connecting portion between the connection hose 191 and the transmission section main body 421, the drive section 41, and the transmission section side gear 422. In this case, the connection hose 191 is inserted into the housing section 34 through an opening 341 formed on the rear surface of the housing section 34 . Note that, for example, a packing (not shown) or the like is provided at a position corresponding to the opening 341 on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting hose 191, thereby providing a watertight structure.

A through hole 302a is formed in the rear surface 302 of the filter case 30. The through hole 302a is formed to penetrate the rear surface 302 in the thickness direction, for example, at a position corresponding to the lower part of the accommodation space S2. The through hole 302a communicates the housing space S1 and the housing space S2. For example, if water leaks from the connection between the connection hose 191 and the transmission section main body 421, the water flows from the inside of the housing space S2 through the through hole 302a into the housing space S1, and then the water leaks from the bottom of the filter case 30. 303 and is discharged from the outlet section 33 to the outside of the filter case 30. Further, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the housing space S1 and the housing space S2 are partitioned by the rear surface 302, and the housing space S1 and the housing space S2 may be made into one space. In this case, the drive unit 41 and the transmission unit side gear 422 may be housed in a case (not shown).

According to the second embodiment, the connection portion between the connection hose 191 and the transmission section main body 421 is arranged within the accommodation space S2 within the filter case 30. As a result, even if water leaks from the connecting portion between the connection hose 191 and the transmission section main body 421, for example, this water leak will occur within the filter case 30. Water leaking from the connection between the connection hose 191 and the transmission section main body 421 passes through the filter case 30 and flows into the water channels R1 and R2. Therefore, even if the water leakage occurs, it is possible to prevent water from splashing on, for example, electrical components arranged inside the washing machine 10. Therefore, the safety of washing machine 10 can be improved.

Although multiple embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Washing machine, 11... Housing, 20... Filter device, 41... Drive part, 42... Drive transmission part, 424... Inlet, 52... Filter main body, 521... Passage part, 53... Filtering member, 54... Rotating body , 541...first surface part (raking part), 543...blade member, 545...inflow port, 60...control device

Claims (5)

A casing and
Equipped with a filter mechanism installed in the middle of the waterway to collect foreign matter in the water,
The filter mechanism includes a drive section that is provided inside the casing and generates a driving force, and a filter body that is detachably provided inside the casing and is driven by the drive section and rotatable around a central axis. , an inlet that serves as an inlet for water into the interior of the filter body, a plurality of passage parts through which water that has flowed into the interior of the filter body via the inlet can pass, and water passing through the passage parts. a filtration member that collects foreign matter contained;
washing machine. The filter mechanism further includes a drive transmission section that is removably connected to the filter main body and transmits the driving force from the drive section to the filter main body,
The drive transmission unit has an inlet for introducing water flowing through the waterway into the inlet of the filter main body.
A washing machine according to claim 1. The filter mechanism further includes a rotating body that is provided inside the filter body and rotates as the filter body rotates,
The rotating body has a blade member extending from an outer peripheral surface side of the rotating body toward a central axis side of the rotating body.
A washing machine according to claim 2. The rotating body has a scraping portion formed to have an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the filter body, and is removably provided inside the filter body.
A washing machine according to claim 3. further comprising a control device that controls the drive section,
The control device is capable of executing a process of operating the drive unit to rotate the filter body after the washing operation is finished.
A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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