JP3218976B2 - 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 washing machine having a self-priming water suction pump for supplying bath water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are various types of washing machines provided with a self-priming water suction pump.

A prior art of this kind is disclosed in, for example,
57-117894, JP-A-57-117895, and JP-A-6-2
No. 3190 can be cited.

[0004]

When a pump is built into a washing machine, at the start of operation, the inside of a water suction hose communicating between the pump and the bathtub is filled with air. Suction operation is required. The time until the air in the hose completely disappears (self-priming time) and the flow characteristic during steady operation have an inversely proportional relationship.

That is, the self-priming time can be shortened by increasing the amount of water to be recirculated from the water / water separation chamber provided on the discharge side of the runner to the suction side of the runner. However, this reflux water
At the time of steady operation, the discharge water amount is reduced, and the flow characteristics are impaired. Therefore, a pump of this type, which is compact and has good storage properties, with a balance between self-priming time and flow characteristics, is required.

Further, in order to incorporate the bath water suction pump into the washing machine, it is necessary to consider the moisture resistance and to make the motor a hermetically sealed structure. Also, even if the motor insulation is reduced in a high humidity environment,
A structure that does not cause an electric shock to the user is required.

A washing machine with a bath water suction pump which does not require a priming tank is proposed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-23190, but the specific structure is not disclosed.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the moisture resistance to minimize deterioration of the pump motor over time, to extend the life of the pump motor, and to improve the safety in the event that the insulation of the motor deteriorates. Another object of the present invention is to provide a water absorption pump with an increased pressure.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a washing tub having stirring blades, a first motor provided below the washing tub and driving the stirring blades to rotate, and a washing motor provided above the washing tub. And a water-absorbing solenoid valve disposed behind the washing machine, and a pump disposed on the washing tub and behind the washing machine, and tap water is supplied to the washing tub via the water-absorbing solenoid valve. A washing machine to be supplied and bath water to be supplied to the washing tub via the pump, wherein the pump has a water inlet, a check valve, a casing, and a second provided in the casing. A motor, a volute, a runner disposed inside the volute, and a water / water separation chamber provided above the volute and the runner, wherein the second motor is washed so as to face in a lateral direction. Machine and the second motor The bath water absorbed from the water inlet by the rotation of the runner by the rotation drive is guided to the runner through the check valve, and further guided from the runner and the volute to the steam-water separation chamber, Bath water is supplied from the separation chamber to the washing tub, and a mechanical seal for preventing water leakage from the runner side to the motor side is provided between the runner and the second motor. A drain hole is provided in the hole.

According to the present invention, there is provided a pump comprising: a water inlet, a check valve, a casing, a second motor provided in the casing, a volute, and a second motor disposed inside the volute. A runner supported by a shaft of the first motor and a water / water separation chamber; the second motor is disposed in the washing machine such that the shaft is in the horizontal direction; Bath water absorbed from the water inlet is guided to the runner through the check valve, and further from the runner and volute to the air / water separation chamber, and the bath water is supplied from the air / water separation chamber to the washing tub of the washing machine. It is configured so that priming water is supplied to the pump from the water supply solenoid valve via the priming hose, and a mechanical seal is provided between the runner and the motor to prevent water leakage from the runner side to the motor side, The drain hole also in the top to bottom of pacing in which characterized in that a steam loophole.

Further, according to the present invention, a pump comprises a casing, a casing cover, a suction chamber formed in the casing cover, a water inlet, a check valve provided in the suction chamber, and a partition having a suction port. A pump runner chamber formed of a volute provided adjacent to the suction chamber via a plate, a runner provided inside the pump runner chamber, a second motor supporting the runner on a shaft, and a pump runner A discharge chamber located around the chamber and receiving water discharged from the pump runner chamber, a steam-water separation chamber formed above the discharge chamber, and a discharge port provided to communicate with the steam-water separation chamber; A priming port, the pump is further formed in the casing, and extends partway toward the second motor from the runner chamber and the motor housing chamber in which the second motor is provided. It has a cylindrical rotating member storage chamber and a mechanical seal placed in the rotation member storage chamber. The second motor is arranged so that the shaft is in the horizontal direction, and water is absorbed by the rotation of the runner by the rotation drive of the second motor. Bath water is sucked in from the mouth, passed through the check valve, further led to the runner room through the inlet of the partition plate, and from the runner room the bath water is led to the steam-water separation room through the discharge room and further to the washing tub. The mechanical seal prevents bath water from leaking to the second motor side even if it passes through the rotating member storage chamber, forms a water drain hole below the rotating member storage chamber, and releases steam upward. A hole is formed.

[0012]

If the water leaks from the mechanical seal, the water is drained from the drain hole formed below the casing, so that the insulation of the second motor is suppressed.

Further, since a drain hole is formed below the casing, even if water leaks from the mechanical seal, it is drained, so that the insulation deterioration of the second motor is suppressed.

Further, since the steam generated in the casing is exhausted from a steam vent formed above the casing, insulation deterioration of the second motor can be suppressed.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a top cover of a washing machine, and 2 denotes a controller for controlling the operation of the washing machine. The controller 2 is built in the front of the top cover 1 and includes a microcomputer having a timer function.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a membrane switch for allowing the operator to externally specify the operation of the washing machine.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a lid, which is opened upward with the fulcrum 5 as an axis, and throws laundry into the tub.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a laundry inlet, and 7 denotes a cover for preventing the laundry from falling between a washing and dewatering tub (hereinafter abbreviated as a washing tub) 8 and an outer tub 9. It is provided at the top.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a dehydration hole formed in the wall of the washing tub 8.

A balance ring 11 is fixed to the upper end of the washing tub 8 and reduces the vibration of the washing tub 8 during the spin-drying operation so that the washing tub 8 rotates smoothly.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a suspension rod extending downward from the four corners of the outer frame 21 and suspending the outer tub 9 via a spring 13.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a stirring blade which is rotatably installed at the center of the bottom of the washing tub 8 and which rotates normally and reversely in a short cycle during washing and rinsing.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a first motor for driving the stirring blade 14 and the washing tub 8, and the power of the motor 15 is
6, belt 17, driven pulley 18, clutch / reduction unit 1
9, the stirring blade 14 is driven during washing and rinsing, and the washing tub 8 and the stirring blade 14 are driven together during dehydration.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a leg provided below the outer frame 21;
Is a drain hole provided at the bottom of the outer tub 9, and on the downstream side of the drain hole 22, there is provided a drain electromagnetic valve 23 and a drain hose 24 that open and close according to a command from the controller 2.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a back panel, in which a self-priming water suction pump 26 and a water supply solenoid valve 31 to be described later are housed.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a self-priming water absorption pump whose casing is formed of a synthetic resin containing an antibacterial agent, which is incorporated in the back panel of the top cover 1.

Numeral 27 is a bath water absorption hose containing an antibacterial agent.
The connection end is detachably attached to a bath water suction port 26a provided on the upper surface of the self-priming pump 26 via an O-ring 28.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the internal structure with the back panel 25 removed. FIG. 2A shows a water supply port provided on the top cover 1 for supplying tap water into the washing tub and a water supply port for supplying bath water. The tap water inlet / bath water inlet 1a is also used, and a softener is also supplied from the tap water inlet / bath water inlet 1a.

26b is a discharge pipe of the pump, 29 is a lid switch, 30 is a hose connected to a tap water faucet, and 31 is a water supply solenoid valve for supplying tap water into the washing tub 8. As shown in FIG. 3, a part of the water discharged from the discharge port 31 a of the water supply electromagnetic valve 31 hits the wall of the priming supply port 33 and is guided to the air / water separation chamber 40 k of the pump 26 via the priming hose 34. It has become.

FIG. 4 shows the internal structure of the self-priming type water suction pump 26. A water inlet 26a is formed integrally with the casing cover 41, and a hose 27 is connected thereto.

The casing cover 41 is integrally formed with a suction chamber 41d for accommodating the check valve 46 and a partition wall 41c.

The casing 40 is formed with a long cylindrical portion 40m for housing and holding the second motor 43. A cooling water passage 40e communicating with the steam-water separation chamber 40k is formed integrally with the outer periphery of the long cylindrical portion 40m.

Inside the long cylindrical portion 40m, there is formed a small-diameter cylindrical rotating member storage chamber extending partway toward the back from the rear end of the pump runner described above. A coupling 40 and a mechanical seal 48, which will be described in detail later, are provided in the rotating member storage chamber.

Inside the long cylindrical portion 40m, a motor storage room is provided from the rear end of the rotation member storage room, and a motor 43 is installed in the motor storage room.

A drain hole 40f is formed below the coupling 45 in the rotating member storage chamber.

A drain hole 40f 'is formed below the drain hole 40f in the long cylindrical portion 40m. The drain hole 40f 'is provided below the casing 40. Water leaking from the mechanical seal 48 is discharged to the outside through the drain holes 40f and 40f '.

A coupling 45 is provided in the rotating member storage chamber.
A vapor vent hole 40g is formed above the.

A steam vent 40h is formed above the long cylindrical portion 40m. The steam vent hole 40h is provided above the casing 40. The vapor vent hole 40h is also formed at the upper end of the rear end of the motor storage chamber.

The steam generated around the coupling 45 and the motor 43 is discharged outside through the steam vent holes 40g and 40h'40g. The drain holes 40f, 40f '
Can be discharged to the outside through the steam vent holes 40g and 40h.

A partition plate 44 having a suction port is sandwiched and fixed between the casing 40 and the casing cover 41.

The pump runner shaft 49 is connected to the motor shaft 43a via a coupling 45 made of an insulating material.
Is connected. An annular projection is formed on the outer periphery of the coupling 45 at a substantially central portion thereof, and the projection prevents water leaking from the seal 48 from moving toward the motor along the shaft.

Reference numeral 47 denotes a packing for sealing the joint surface between the casing 40 and the casing cover 41.

FIG. 5 shows the casing cover 41 and the partition plate 4.
FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which the pump runner 4 is removed, and a pump runner chamber is formed by an upper volute 40a1 and a lower volute 40a2 integrally formed with a casing 40, and a pump runner 42 is provided therein.

The front surface of the pump runner 42 is the partition plate 4.
4.

Reference numerals 40b1 and 40a2 denote separation walls protruding in the direction of the runner from the middle of the upper volute and the lower volute, respectively.
Return water holes 40c1 and 40c2 communicating between the inside and outside of the volute are provided at positions close to 1 and 40b2.

The upper end of the lower volute 40a2 is extended outward in the horizontal direction to form a bubble prevention rib 40d.

An annular projection 42a is formed to surround the suction port of the pump runner 42 and project from the plane portion 42b of the runner. In FIG. 4, the gap m between the projection 42a and the partition plate 44 is 1 to 3 mm. The gap between the flat portion 42b and the partition plate 44 is set to 0.6 to 1.2 mm.

When the runner 42 rotates in the P direction, the water pressurized by the runner 42 is discharged from the discharge portion along the upper volute and the lower volute to the discharge chamber 40i, and the water and water formed at the upper part of the discharge chamber is formed. It reaches the separation chamber 40k.

As shown in FIG. 6, a discharge port 41a to which the discharge hose 26b is connected and a priming port 41b to which the priming hose 34 is connected communicate with the steam-water separation chamber 40k.

When the end of the water supply hose 27 is inserted into the bathtub, the power switch of the washing machine is turned on, and the bath water course start button is pressed, the water supply solenoid valve 31 is energized for 15 seconds to supply tap water. You.

The water discharged from the discharge port 31a of the solenoid valve 31 is
The water hits the wall of the priming supply port 33 and is supplied as priming water into the pump 26 from the priming port 41 b of the casing cover 41 through the priming hose 34. When 15 seconds have elapsed, the power supply to the water supply electromagnetic valve 31 is stopped, and power is supplied to the pump 26. When the motor 43 rotates, the motor shaft 43a,
The pump runner 42 rotates in the P direction via the coupling 45 and the pump runner shaft 49.

The rotation of the pump runner 42 causes the suction chamber 4
1d becomes negative pressure, opens the check valve 46, sucks air in the water suction hose 27 connected to the water suction port 26a, and sends out a mixture of air and water to the discharge chamber 40i. At this time, the air sucked into the runner 42 has a structure in which air and water are separated in a short time by the effects of the separation walls 40b1 and 40b2, the return water holes 40c1 and 40c2, and the bubble prevention rib 40d.

During the self-priming operation, the water discharged from the pump runner 42 is an air-water mixture containing a large amount of air. However, when the water reaches the discharge chamber 40i, the flow velocity changes due to the difference in specific gravity. And water accumulates below the discharge chamber 40i. The separation wall 40b is rotated by the rotation of the pump runner 42.
Since the pressure on the downstream side of 1 and 40b2 decreases, the water in the discharge chamber flows inside the volute through the return water holes 40c1 and 40c2, and the water flowing into the volute from the return water holes is the gaps m and n. Through the pump runner and into the suction side of the pump runner, where the air is entrapped together and pressurized again by the pump runner and discharged to the discharge chamber.

By repeating such an operation, the air in the hose 27 is moved to the discharge side of the pump, and when the hose is filled with water, the operation shifts to a steady water supply operation.

Since the fluid discharged from the upper volute contains a component in the swirling direction, and there is a possibility that air may be caught below the discharge chamber 40i, the upper end of one volute is extended to form the bubble prevention rib 40d, and the air is prevented from flowing. Reduced downward entanglement.

Although the self-priming performance improves as the amount of recirculated water separated during the self-priming operation increases, the pump performance during steady operation decreases. Has an optimal value.

According to the experimental results of the present inventors, the gap m
When 1 to 3 mm and the gap n were set to 0.6 to 1.2 mm, preferable performance was obtained.

The cooling water passage 4 communicates with the air / water separation chamber 40k.
0e is provided, so that the absorbed bath water circulates through the cooling water passage 40e to cool the motor 43,
The noise of the motor 43 is absorbed.

The rib 44a of the partition plate 44 for separating the suction chamber 41d and the discharge chamber 40i is attached to the steam-water separation chamber forming wall 41c of the casing cover 41 in a labyrinth structure.

The bath water absorbed in the steady operation is sent to the discharge chamber 40i via the runner 42, and is discharged to the discharge chamber 40i.
The bath water sent to i is a steam-water separation chamber 40k, a discharge hose
It is supplied into the washing tub 8 through 26b.

When the water supply is completed, the washing and rinsing operations are performed, but this is no different from the conventional washing machine.

[0062]

As described above, the present invention relates to a washing tub having stirring blades, a first motor provided below the washing tub and rotating the stirring blades, and the washing tub. And a pump disposed above the washing tub and behind the washing machine, and the tap water is supplied to the washing machine via the water absorbing solenoid valve. A washing machine that is supplied to a tub and bath water is supplied to the washing tub via the pump, wherein the pump is provided in the water intake, a check valve, a casing, and the casing. A second motor, a volute, a runner disposed inside the volute, and a water / water separation chamber provided above the volute and the runner, wherein the second motor faces in a lateral direction. Attached to the washing machine, The bath water absorbed from the water inlet by the rotation of the runner by the rotation drive is guided to the runner through the check valve, further guided from the runner and the volute to the steam-water separation chamber, and Bath water is supplied from the water separation chamber to the washing tub, and a mechanical seal for preventing water leakage from the runner side to the motor side is provided between the runner and the second motor. A washing machine having a drain hole provided below.

As a result, the water absorption solenoid valve and the bath water suction pump having the air / water separation function can be arranged on the rear upper side of the washing machine, and the bath water drawn from the mechanical seal provided in the rotating member storage chamber can be removed. Even if it leaks, it is drained from the drain hole formed below the rotating member storage chamber, so that insulation deterioration of the second motor can be suppressed.

According to the present invention, there is provided a pump comprising a water inlet, a check valve, a casing, a second motor provided in the casing, a volute, and a second motor disposed inside the volute. A second motor is disposed in the washing machine such that the shaft is in the horizontal direction, and water is absorbed by the rotation of the runner driven by the rotation of the second motor. Bath water sucked from the mouth is guided to the runner through the check valve, and further from the runner and volute to the steam-water separation chamber, so that the bath water is supplied from the steam-water separation chamber to the washing tub of the washing machine. In this configuration, priming water is supplied to the pump from the water supply solenoid valve via the priming hose, and a mechanical seal is provided between the runner and the motor to prevent water leakage from the runner side to the motor side. It is characterized in that under the single water drain hole also provided with a hole removing the water vapor upwardly.

Thus, the bath water suction pump having the air / water separation function can receive priming water from the water-absorbing electromagnetic valve that supplies water to the washing tub, and if the bath water sucked from the mechanical seal leaks water. Even if it drains from the drain hole formed under the casing,
Insulation deterioration of the second motor can be suppressed. In addition, the water vapor generated in the casing is exhausted from a water vapor discharging hole formed above the casing.
Inferior insulation of the motor can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an overall internal structure of a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the back panel shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of a bath water suction pump 26.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an inner view with a casing cover partition plate removed.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line YY of FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 top cover, 8 washing tub (washing and dewatering tub), 25
... back panel, 26 ... bath water suction pump, 40 ... casing, 40a1, 40a2 ... volute, 40b1, 4
0b2: Separation wall, 40c1, 40c2: Return water hole, 40d
... Bubble prevention ribs, 40e cooling water passage, 40k air / water separation chamber, 41 casing cover, 42 runner, 4
3 ... motor, 44 ... partition plate, 45 ... coupling, 40
m: long cylindrical part, 40f: drain hole, 40f ': drain hole,
40g: steam vent hole, 40h: steam vent hole.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Akira Miyao 1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Inside the Taga Headquarters, Electric Appliances Division, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Tamotsu Kamori Higashitaga, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture 1-1-1, Machi, Hitachi, Ltd.Electrical Equipment Division, Taga Headquarters (72) Inventor Shinsei Tanaka 1-1-1, Higashitagacho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi, Ltd.Electrical Equipment Division, Taga Headquarters (56 References JP-A-6-238089 (JP, A) JP-A-6-23190 (JP, A) JP-A-57-193091 (JP, U) JP-A-4-30293 (JP, U) JP-A 4-6598 (JP, U)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A washing tub provided with stirring blades, a first motor provided below the washing tub and rotating the stirring blades, and disposed on the washing tub and at the rear of the washing machine. Provided water supply solenoid valve, and a pump disposed on the washing tub and behind the washing machine, tap water is supplied to the washing tub via the water supply solenoid valve, and the bath water is A washing machine supplied to the washing tub via a pump, wherein the pump has a water suction port, a check valve, a casing, a second motor provided in the casing, a volute, A runner placed inside the volute,
A steam / water separation chamber provided above the volute and the runner, wherein the second motor is attached to the washing machine so as to face in the lateral direction, and the second motor is rotated by the runner to rotate. Bath water absorbed from the water inlet is guided to the runner through the check valve,
Further, the runner and the volute are guided to the air / water separation chamber, and bath water is supplied from the air / water separation chamber to the washing tub. A runner is provided between the runner and the second motor. Provide a mechanical seal to prevent water leakage from the motor side to the motor side,
A drain port is provided below the casing, and a discharge port and a priming port are provided so as to communicate with the steam-water separation chamber.
The discharge port and the priming port are directed toward the water supply solenoid valve.
So that water is supplied to the pump from the water supply solenoid valve.
Connect the priming hose that guides the priming water to the priming port.
A washing machine characterized in that: 2. A washing tub having stirring blades, a first motor provided below the washing tub and rotating the stirring blades, and disposed on the washing tub and at the rear of the washing machine. Water supply electromagnetic valve, and a pump disposed on the washing tub and behind the washing machine, tap water is supplied to the washing tub via the water supply electromagnetic valve, and bath water is pumped. Wherein the pump is a suction port, a check valve, a casing, a second motor provided in the casing, a volute, and an inside of the volute. And the second
A runner on the motor shaft Ru is supported, and a steam-water separating chamber, by the second motor is disposed in the washing machine so that the shaft is laterally rotational driving of the second motor Bath water absorbed from the water inlet by the rotation of the runner is guided to the runner through the check valve, further guided from the runner and the volute to the steam-water separation chamber, and from the steam-water separation chamber. Bath water is supplied to a washing tub of the washing machine, and a mechanical seal for preventing water leakage from the runner side to the motor side is provided between the runner and the second motor,
Discharge port and a call so as to communicate the drain hole below the casing also to the steam-water separating chamber steam loophole provided above
Water supply port, and this discharge port and priming port are connected to the water supply solenoid valve.
Side, and from the water supply solenoid valve to the pump
Connect a priming hose to the priming port to guide the supplied priming water
Washing machine, characterized in that allowed. 3. A washing tub having stirring blades, a first motor for rotating and driving the stirring blades, a water supply solenoid valve disposed on the washing tub and behind the washing machine, and the washing tub. A tap water is supplied to the washing tub via the water supply solenoid valve, and bath water is supplied to the washing tub by the pump, A washing machine in which the stirring blade provided in the washing tub is driven by a first motor, the pump comprising: a casing; a casing cover; a suction chamber formed in the casing cover; A pump runner chamber formed of a port, a check valve provided in the suction chamber, a volute provided adjacent to the suction chamber via a partition plate having a suction port, and an inside of the pump runner chamber. Provided in A runner, a second motor supporting the runner on a shaft, a discharge chamber positioned around the pump runner chamber to receive water discharged from the pump runner chamber, and an air chamber formed on the discharge chamber. A water storage chamber, wherein the pump is further formed in a casing, and a motor storage chamber in which the second motor is provided; and a small-diameter cylindrical member extending halfway from the runner chamber toward the second motor. a rotary member accommodating chamber, and a mechanical seal to be placed in the rotating member accommodating chamber, the second motor is arranged so that the shaft is laterally of the runner due to rotation of said second motor Bath water is sucked from the water suction port by the rotation, passes through the check valve, and is further led to the runner chamber through the suction port of the partition plate, and wind is blown from the runner chamber. Water is introduced into the steam-water separating chamber through said discharge chamber, further the washing tub being configured to be guided to the second motor side the bath water by the mechanical seal through the rotary member accommodating chamber Forming a drain hole below the rotating member storage chamber, forming a steam drain hole above, and a discharge port and a priming port so as to communicate with the steam separation chamber.
The discharge port and the priming port are directed toward the water supply solenoid valve.
So that water is supplied to the pump from the water supply solenoid valve.
Connect the priming hose that leads the priming water to the priming port.
A washing machine characterized in that: