JP3046487B2 - Dehydration washing machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a so-called single-tank type dehydrating washing machine in which washing and dehydration are performed in the same tub, and more particularly to water level detection in a washing and dehydrating tub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Prior Art FIGS.
It will be described based on. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1 denotes a washing machine and dehydration tub (hereinafter referred to as an inner tub) in which a pulsator 2 is rotatably mounted at the center of the bottom. The shaft 5 is a dehydrating shaft through which the washing shaft 4 is inserted, 6 is a coupling connecting the dehydrating shaft 5 and the inner tub 1, 7 is a drain hole provided in a boss portion of the coupling 6,
Reference numeral 8 denotes a seal receiver disposed below the coupling 6 corresponding to the drain hole 7, reference numeral 9 denotes an oil seal fixed to the seal receiver 8, and in circumferential contact with the coupling 6, reference numeral 10 denotes a seal receiver 8 and the washing tub 3; Seal packing provided between
1 is a drainage joint connected to a drainage port 12 formed at the bottom of the washing tub 3, 13 is a drainage valve provided between one end of the drainage joint 11 and a drainage hose 14, and 15 is a drainage joint 11 An air trap connected via a pipe 17 to a pressure sensor 16 which is a water level detection unit provided on the other end of the
Reference numeral 8 denotes a water supply valve for supplying water into the inner tub 1 at the time of washing and rinsing, reference numeral 19 denotes a reduction mechanism, reference numeral 20 denotes a clutch mechanism, and reference numeral 21 denotes a drive motor for driving the pulsator 2.

Next, the operation of detecting the water level in the dehydrating washing machine having the above configuration will be described. At the same time as the washing starts, the water supply valve 18 is operated to start supplying water into the inner tub 1. The water supplied into the inner tank 1 is supplied to a drain hole 7 provided in the coupling 6 through a gap between the inner tank 1 and the pulsator 2, a seal receiver 8,
Air trap 15 through drain port 12 and drain joint 11
Is filled just before. At this time, the air in the air trap 15 and the pipe 17 is compressed by the head pressure, and the air pressure is detected by the pressure sensor 16 to detect the water level in the inner tank 1, and the water level in the inner tank 1 becomes equal to the set water level. Then, the water supply valve 18 is closed to stop water supply. The washing process is performed according to the operation program. After the washing process is completed, the washing liquid is accumulated in the inner tub 1 to enter an intermediate dewatering process for removing a washing liquid containing a detergent as a preparation process for shifting to the rinsing process. The washing liquid that has been drained is done.

Here, by opening the drain valve 13, the washing liquid is changed from a vertical direction to a horizontal direction through the drain port 12 and the drain joint 11. At this time, the washing liquid attempts to go to either the air trap 15 or the drain valve 13, but since the drain valve 13 is open and communicates with the atmosphere, as shown by the arrow A in FIGS. The washing liquid flows toward the drain valve 13. Due to the flow of the washing liquid, the pressure state to the air trap 15 changes from the pressurized state to the depressurized state, and the pressure decreases as the drainage flow rate of the washing liquid increases. For this reason, even when the water level is the same, the head pressure of the water filled immediately before the air trap 15 is reduced as compared with the time of washing and rinsing, and the air pressure in the air trap 15 and the pipe 17 at this time is detected by a pressure sensor. 1
When the detection is made by the step 6, the water level lower than the actual water level is detected by an amount corresponding to the decrease in the pressure due to the flow of the washing liquid.
As a result, even though the washing liquid still remains in the inner tub 1, it may be considered that the drainage is completed, and the process may shift to the intermediate dewatering step. As a result, a large load is applied to the drive motor 21 for driving the pulsator 2 due to the mass of the remaining washing liquid and its viscous resistance, which may cause an abnormality such as a motor lock. This also applies to drainage after the rinsing step.

In Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-47823, an annular rib is provided on the back surface of the pulsator, and the pump action due to the unevenness on the back surface of the pulsator is provided by a drain hole provided below the pulsator. Although a dehydration washing machine that attempts to minimize the load on the trap is disclosed, the air trap is set up on the drain hose at the same position as described above, so that the air trap is not drained when the washing liquid is drained. The problem in water level detection has not been solved.

Accordingly, the present applicant has filed Japanese Patent Application No. 3-2897.
No. 36 proposes a dehydration washing machine to solve the above-mentioned problems. In this dehydration washing machine, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, an L-shaped first drain pipe 32 formed by a vertical pipe 30 and a horizontal pipe 31 is connected to the drain port 12 of the washing tub 3, An air trap 33 is erected at the end of the horizontal pipe 31 opposite to the vertical pipe 30, and a second drain pipe 34 is connected orthogonally to the horizontal pipe 31, and the drain valve 13 is connected to the second drain pipe 34. It is arranged in. 2 to 5, members having the same functions as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The water supply operation is performed in the same manner as described above.
At the time of draining after the end of the washing step and the rinsing step, as shown by the arrow B in FIGS.
2 to the second drain pipe 34. At this time, since the pressure due to the inertia of the flow and the pressure drawn by the flow in the direction of the drain valve 13, that is, the dynamic pressure and the static pressure are balanced, the flow of the washing liquid at the time of drainage causes the water filled immediately before the air trap 33 to flow. Washing and rinsing (with static pressure) without reducing the water head pressure
In the same manner as described above, accurate water level detection by the pressure sensor 16 can be performed.

[0008]

However, in the dehydration washing machine of the proposed example, the slight inclination of the washing tub 3 causes
At the time of water supply before the rinsing step and before the rinsing step, an air reservoir 35 as shown in FIG. The air trap 35 is formed by the air trap 35.
3 and the compression of the air in the pipe 17 are alleviated.
Even if the internal water level reaches the set water level, the air pressure of the air trap 33 and the pipe 17 does not rise to a predetermined pressure, and when the predetermined air pressure is detected by the pressure sensor 16 and the set water level is detected, the air pressure is actually higher than the set water level. There was a risk that water was being supplied to the water level and that the water supply would not stop.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dehydrating washing machine capable of preventing occurrence of air accumulation in a drain pipe at the time of water supply and enabling accurate water level detection.

[0010]

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a means for solving the problem according to the present invention comprises a washing and dewatering tub 1 rotatably mounted in a washing tub 3 and a bottom of the washing and dewatering tub 1. A pulsator 2 rotatably mounted, a drain passage 40 provided at the bottom of the washing tub 3 and having a drain valve 13, and an air pressure in an air trap 33 connected to the drain passage 40. A water level detection unit 16 for detecting the water level of the pulsator 2, and an air suction means for rotating the pulsator 2 for a predetermined time when supplying water or an air discharging means for opening the drain valve 13 for a predetermined time when supplying water. .

The drain passage 40 is provided as shown in FIGS.
A first drain pipe 32 composed of a vertical pipe 30 vertically connected to the bottom of the washing tub 3 and a horizontal pipe 31 horizontally connected to the lower end of the vertical pipe 30, and connected orthogonally to the horizontal pipe 31; Air trap 33 is provided upright on the horizontal pipe 31, and the second drain pipe 34 is provided.
Is disposed between the vertical pipe 30 and the air trap 33.

[0012]

In the above-mentioned means for solving the problems, at the time of water supply, the pulsator 2 is rotated for a predetermined time after a predetermined time elapses from the start of water supply, and the first and second drain pipes 32 and 34 are pumped by the rotation of the pulsator 2. Up water and air. Alternatively, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of water supply, the drain valve 13 is opened for a fixed time to discharge the water and air in the first and second drain pipes 32 and 34. When the rotation of the pulsator 2 is stopped or the drain valve 13 is closed, the first and second drain pipes 32 and 34 are provided before water supply.
The air existing in the inside and the supplied water are surely replaced, and the first and second drain pipes 32 and 34 are all filled with water. The air in the air trap 33 is compressed by the head pressure of the filled water, and the water level in the washing and dewatering tub 1 is detected from the air pressure.

At the time of drainage, the washing liquid is supplied to the first drain pipe 3.
2 to the second drain pipe 34, the pressure due to the inertia of the flow and the pressure drawn by the flow in the direction of the drain valve 13, that is, the dynamic pressure and the static pressure are balanced, without affecting the pressure on the air trap 33. Water level detection can be accurately performed by the water level detection unit 16 in the same manner as during washing or rinsing (at the time of static pressure).

[0014]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) A single-tub dehydration washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Members having the same functions as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a washing machine and dehydration tub (hereinafter, referred to as an inner tub) in which a pulsator 2 is rotatably mounted in the center of the bottom, 3 is a washing tub in which the inner tub 1 is rotatably mounted, 4 is a washing shaft, 5 is a dehydrating shaft through which the washing shaft 4 is passed, 6
Is a coupling connecting the dewatering shaft 5 and the inner tub 1, 7 is a drain hole provided in the boss of the coupling 6, 8 is a seal receiver disposed below the coupling 6 corresponding to the drain hole 7. , 9 is an oil seal fixed to the seal receiver 8 and circumferentially abutting on the coupling 6, 10 is a seal packing provided between the seal receiver 8 and the washing tub 3, 18 is the inside of the inner tub 1 at the time of washing and rinsing. Water supply valve for supplying water to 1
9 is a speed reduction mechanism, 20 is a clutch mechanism, and 46 is a drive motor for driving the pulsator 2.

A drain port 12 is formed at the bottom of the washing tub 3, and a drain channel 40 is provided in the drain port 12. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the drain passage 40 has an L-shape including a vertical pipe 30 vertically connected to the bottom of the washing tub 3 and a horizontal pipe 31 horizontally connected to the lower end of the vertical pipe 30. A first drain pipe 32, a second drain pipe 34, which is orthogonal to the horizontal pipe 31 and is connected to a substantially center of the horizontal pipe 31 and in which the drain valve 13 is disposed, and a second drain pipe 34 through the drain valve 13. And a drainage hose 14 connected thereto.

At the end of the horizontal pipe 31 opposite to the vertical pipe 30, an air trap connected via a pipe 17 to a pressure sensor 16, which is a water level detection unit for detecting the water level of the inner tank 1, is provided. The first drain pipe 32, the second drain pipe 34, and the air trap 33 are integrally formed.

A pressure transmitter or the like is used as the pressure sensor 16 and is disposed in an operation panel (not shown) above the washing tub 3. On the upper part of the air trap 33, a cylindrical projection 33a for mounting the pipe 17 is formed.

Further, the dehydrating washing machine is provided with a control unit 41 for executing a washing process in accordance with a preset operation program. The control unit 41 includes a microcomputer, and is connected to a commercial AC power supply 44 via a rectifier circuit 42 and a constant voltage circuit 43, as shown in FIG.
In order to suck up the air in the first and second drain pipes 32 and 34 by the pumping action generated by the rotation of the pulsator 2 at the time of water supply, the pulsator 2 is rotated after a predetermined time clocked by the clock circuit 45 from the start of water supply. It has an air suction function that operates the drive motor 46 for a fixed time.

The operation of detecting the water level in the dehydrating washing machine having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. At the same time as the washing starts, the water supply valve 18 operates to start supplying water into the inner tub 1. The water supplied into the inner tank 1 is guided from the gap between the inner tank 1 and the pulsator 2 to the drain pipe 7, the seal receiver 8, the drain port 12, the vertical pipe 30, and the horizontal pipe 31 provided in the coupling 6. , From just before the air trap 33.

At this time, the first and second drain pipes 3 are provided before water supply.
The air present in the first and second drain pipes 3 and 2
Although the water is replaced with the water flowing into the air traps 2 and 34, the air and the water are not easily replaced in the horizontal pipe 31 communicating with the air trap 33, so that an air pool 35 as shown in FIG. 6 may be generated. On the other hand, since the water supply is performed continuously, the water level in the inner tank 1 continues to rise.

Then, a predetermined time (approximately 25
After a lapse of two seconds, the pulsator 2 is driven for a certain period of time (about 0.5
Seconds) rotate. Note that the predetermined time of about 25 seconds is a time required for the water level in the inner tank 1 to reach a water level enough to completely immerse the pulsator 2 (the minimum setting water level stored in the microcomputer 41 in advance). 0.5 seconds is the time required for the pulsator 2 to make one rotation. At this time, the water in the first and second drain pipes 32 and 34 is sucked up and the air is sucked up through the drain hole 7 and the seal receiver 8 by the pumping action of the wing 2 a on the back surface of the pulsator 2. When the rotation of the pulsator 2 stops, the water in the inner tank 1 is returned to the first and second drain pipes 32 and 34 again by its own weight. Thereby, the air pool 35 in the first and second drain pipes 32 and 34 is eliminated, and the water and the air can be exchanged reliably.
34 is filled with water.

The air in the air trap 33 and the pipe 17 is compressed by the head pressure of the filled water, and the air pressure in the inner tank 1 is detected by detecting the air pressure by the pressure sensor 16. When the water level reaches the set water level, the water supply valve 18 is closed to stop water supply. Then, the washing process is performed in accordance with the operation program, and after the washing process is completed, to enter an intermediate dehydration process of removing a washing liquid containing a detergent as a preparation process for shifting to a rinsing process,
The washing liquid accumulated in the inner tub 1 passes through the first drain pipe 32, the second drain pipe 34, the drain valve 13, and the drain hose 14 from the drain port 12 as shown by an arrow B shown in FIGS. It is discharged outside.

At this time, similarly to the above-described proposal, the pressure due to the inertia of the flow of the washing liquid and the pressure drawn by the flow in the direction of the drain valve 13, that is, the dynamic pressure and the static pressure are balanced. It is possible to accurately detect the water level by the pressure sensor 15 without affecting the head pressure of the water filled immediately before the air trap 33. Then, when all of the washing liquid in the inner tub 1 and the first and second drain pipes 32 and 34 is drained, the pressure sensor 16 detects a pressure equal to the atmospheric pressure.
Judges the completion of drainage, performs an intermediate dewatering step, and then shifts to a rinsing step and a dewatering step. In addition, the same water supply operation as described above is performed at the time of water supply before the rinsing step, and the same drainage operation as described above is performed at the time of drainage after the rinsing step.

As described above, when a predetermined time elapses from the start of water supply at the time of water supply, the pulsator 2 is rotated for a certain period of time to pump water and air in the first and second drain pipes 32 and 34 by the pump action of the pulsator 2. Therefore, even if the air pool 35 is generated in the first and second drain pipes 32 and 34, the air pool 35 can be eliminated and accurate water level detection can be performed. For this reason, it can prevent that water is supplied above a set water level, and that water supply does not stop.

A second drain pipe 34 is disposed between the vertical pipe 30 and the air trap 33, and when draining, the pressure due to the inertia of the flow of the washing liquid and the pressure drawn by the flow in the direction of the drain valve 13. That is, since the dynamic pressure and the static pressure are balanced, the flow of the washing liquid does not affect the head pressure of the water filled immediately before the air trap 33. Water level detection can be performed. For this reason, drainage completion can be accurately determined,
It is possible to prevent the washing liquid from remaining in the inner tub 1 during dehydration and applying a load to the drive motor.

(Second Embodiment) In the dehydrating washing machine according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 41 causes the drain valve 13 to turn on the drain valve 13 when a predetermined time clocked by the clock circuit 45 has elapsed since the start of water supply. It has an air discharge function that opens only for a certain period of time.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, when a predetermined time (about 25 seconds) has elapsed from the start of water supply at the time of water supply, the drain valve 13 is opened for a fixed time (about 5 seconds), and the first and second drain pipes 32 are opened. , 34, and the water in the inner tank 1 flows into the first and second drain pipes 32, 34. The first and second drainage pipes 32, 3 are provided for about 5 seconds of the fixed time at the beginning of the water supply.
4 is the time required to drain all the water and air present in

When the drain valve 13 is closed,
The replacement of water and air is reliably performed, and the first and second drain pipes 32 and 34 are all filled with water. Thereby, even if the air pool 35 is generated in the first and second drain pipes 32 and 34 at the time of supplying water, it can be eliminated and accurate water level detection can be performed. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made to the above-described embodiment within the scope of the present invention. For example, the pulsator 2 or the drain valve 1 at the time of water supply in the present embodiment.
The operation control of No. 3 is not limited to being applied to the dehydrating washing machine having the drainage flow path as in the present embodiment, and is applicable to all dehydration washing machines having the drainage flow path in which air is easily generated. This is effective because the accumulation can be eliminated.

[0031]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, when water is supplied, the pulsator is rotated for a certain period of time to pump water and air in the first and second drain pipes by the pulsator's pumping action. Since the drain valve is opened for a certain period of time to discharge water and air in the first and second drain pipes, even if air accumulation occurs in the first and second drain pipes, it can be eliminated and accurate water level detection Can be performed. For this reason, it can prevent that water is supplied above a set water level, and that water supply does not stop.

Further, since the second drain pipe is disposed between the vertical pipe and the air trap, the flow of the washing liquid does not affect the pressure on the air trap at the time of drainage, so that accurate water level detection is possible. Can be performed. For this reason,
There is an excellent effect that it is possible to accurately determine the completion of drainage and to prevent the washing liquid from remaining in the washing and dewatering tub at the time of dehydration and applying a load to the drive motor.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an operation flowchart at the time of water supply in a dehydrating washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a dehydrating washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a drain passage.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a drain passage.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a drainage direction of washing water in a drain passage.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an air pocket generated in a drain passage.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the dehydrating washing machine of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of the dehydrating washing machine of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart at the time of water supply in the dehydrating washing machine of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional dehydration washing machine.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a drain passage.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a drainage direction of washing water in a drainage channel.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing and dewatering tank 2 Pulsator 3 Washing tub 13 Drain valve 16 Water level detection part 30 Vertical pipe 31 Horizontal pipe 32 First drain pipe 33 Air trap 34 Second drain pipe 40 Drain flow path

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 33/02 D06F 39/08

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A washing and dewatering tub rotatably mounted in a washing tub, a pulsator rotatably mounted on the bottom of the washing and dewatering tub, and a drain having a drain valve provided at the bottom of the washing tub. A flow path, and a water level detection unit that detects a water level of the washing and dewatering tub from an air pressure in an air trap connected to the drainage flow path, and an air suction unit that rotates the pulsator for a predetermined time when supplying water is provided. A dehydration washing machine characterized by being performed. 2. A drainage channel comprising: a first drainage pipe comprising a vertical pipe vertically connected to the bottom of the washing tub and a horizontal pipe horizontally connected to a lower end of the vertical pipe; A second drain pipe connected orthogonally, wherein an air trap is erected on the horizontal pipe, and the second drain pipe is disposed between the vertical pipe and the air trap. The dehydrating washing machine according to claim 1, wherein 3. A washing and dewatering tub rotatably mounted in a washing tub, a pulsator rotatably mounted on the bottom of the washing and dewatering tub, and a drain having a drain valve provided at the bottom of the washing tub. A flow path, and a water level detection unit that detects a water level of the washing and dewatering tub from an air pressure in an air trap connected to the drain flow path, and an air discharge unit that opens the drain valve for a predetermined time when supplying water is provided. A dehydration washing machine characterized by being performed.