JP3443376B2 - 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 for washing laundry.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a tub capable of containing laundry and water is provided, and a water flow is generated in the tub to wash and rinse the laundry, and the tub containing the laundry is rotated at a high speed. A washing machine for dehydrating laundry is known. This type of washing machine is equipped with a drainage mechanism for draining the water accumulated in the tub, and this drainage mechanism drains the water after washing and rinsing the laundry but before dehydration. Is done. The drainage mechanism is equipped with a drainage channel through which the drainage from the tank flows, and a drainage valve interposed in the middle of this drainage channel.By opening and closing the drainage valve, the drainage from the tank and its stopping can be stopped. It can be carried out.

In the conventional washing machines, a pulsator is arranged in the tub, and the pulsator is rotated while the tub is braked, so that the water flow for washing and rinsing the laundry is increased. The configuration for generating is widely adopted. In the washing machine employing this configuration, there is a fixed relationship between the opening / closing of the drain valve and the rotation / stop of the tub. That is, at the time of washing and rinsing in which water is generated while the brake is applied and the tank is stopped, it is necessary to close the drain valve in order to store water in the tank. It is necessary to open the drain valve in order to drain the water separated from the laundry at the time of spinning and spinning.

Therefore, in such a washing machine, one end of a wire whose one end is connected to the valve body of the drain valve is connected to the torque motor, and a brake to the tub is activated / operated in the middle of the wire.
By connecting the brake lever to release, the drain valve is closed and the tank is braked when the torque motor is off, and the drain valve is opened and the tank is opened by turning on the torque motor and pulling the wire. The structure to release the brake is adopted. With this configuration,
Since it is not necessary to separately provide a mechanism for opening and closing the drain valve and a mechanism for operating the brake lever, the washing machine cost can be reduced and the washing machine can be downsized.

[0005]

However, in the washing machine having the above-mentioned structure, the tub cannot be rotated with the drain valve closed, and there is a limit in improving and changing the washing operation mode. Was occurring. By the way, as another problem in the conventional washing machine, there is a problem that the clothes in the tub may be biased when the drainage from the tub is completed. That is, when the amount of clothes stored in the tank is small or when a large number of synthetic fiber clothes with a small specific gravity are stored, the clothes are easily affected by the water flow generated along with the drainage. There may be uneven distribution of clothes in the tank when completed. If the clothes are unevenly distributed in the tank when the drainage is completed, the tank may vibrate abnormally during the subsequent dehydration.

[0006] The present invention has been made under the background as described above, and its purpose is to put clothes on at the completion of drainage.
Provide a washing machine that can be evenly dispersed
Is Rukoto.

[0007]

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a tub capable of accommodating laundry and water, and a drain for draining the water from the tub. Drainage means, rotation drive means for rotating the tub about a predetermined rotation axis , and washing products after washing from detergent
Drainage immediately before intermediate dehydration to remove water containing water
Occasionally, or shortly before the final dehydration after the rinse.
From the state that water is stored in the tank at the time of drainage,
While rotating the tank by the rotation driving means,
The water level in the tank is controlled by draining the water in the tank by drainage means.
The washing machine is characterized by including a drainage control means for lowering .

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

According to the present invention, drainage from the tank is performed while rotating the tank by the rotation driving means. This allows the water level in the tank to be lowered while keeping the clothes evenly dispersed in the tank. Therefore, when the drainage from the tank is completed, the clothes can be dispersed in the tank, and uneven distribution of the clothes in the tank can be prevented.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of abnormal vibration and noise caused by the uneven displacement of the clothes in the tank during the dehydration performed after the drainage. The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the rotation drive means has a motor as a drive source, and the on / off control of the motor causes the tank to rotate at a predetermined low speed during drainage. To claim
The washing machine described in 1 . The rotation speed of the tank in the drainage is a predetermined low speed, for example, 70 rpm or less, more specifically 30 to
About 60 rpm is preferable. A method of rotating the tank at such a low speed can be achieved by controlling the on / off of a motor as a drive source as described in claim 2 .

Alternatively, when the motor is controlled by an inverter, the number of rotations of the motor can be controlled by the inverter frequency so that the number of rotations of the tank becomes a predetermined low speed. One of the reasons why the number of rotations of the tank is 70 rpm or less is to prevent resonance in the tank. More specifically, in the case of fully automatic washing machines,
It is known that when the rotation speed of the inner tank is 70 to 100 rpm, a resonance point in the lateral direction appears and the vibration of the inner tank increases. In addition, there is a storage pocket at the top of the inner tank,
Some of the storage pockets can store a bleaching agent and a treatment agent for softening clothes. When the inner tank is rotating at 100 rpm or more,
Some of them move by centrifugal force and enter the inner tank. Therefore, it is necessary to rotate the tank at a predetermined low speed. When the tank rotates at a predetermined low speed, bubbling hardly occurs with the rotation of the tank.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the washing machine according to the first or second aspect, the rotation driving means stops the rotation of the tub before the water in the tub runs out. is there. The invention of claim 4, wherein, said rotational driving means, when the water level in the tank becomes reset water level is the lower limit water level predetermined, claim 1, characterized in that to stop the rotation of the tank Or the washing machine described in 2 .

The period during which the rotation driving means rotates the tank during drainage is preferably while water is present in the tank or until the water level in the tank reaches the reset water level which is the lower limit water level. The reset water level is the lowest water level that can be detected by the water level sensor, and water remains in the tank until the reset water level is reached. In particular, when the tank is an inner tank housed in the outer tank, water is accumulated between the outer tank and the inner tank which is the above tank. For this reason, if the tank is rotating in the presence of water, the water acts as a resistance and the number of rotations of the tank is stabilized. On the other hand, when the water runs out, the resistance decreases and the rotation of the tank tends to increase. Therefore, if the tank is rotated to the reset water level, the tank can be stably rotated at a predetermined low speed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the rotation driving means has a counting means for counting the number of times the motor is on / off controlled, and when the count value of the counting means reaches a predetermined number of times, The washing machine according to claim 2 , wherein rotation of the tub is stopped. The rotation driving means may stop the rotation of the tank when the number of on / off control of the motor reaches a predetermined number, for example, 10 times.

When the amount of water in the tub is large and the load (laundry amount) is small, the drainage time becomes long. At this time, when the rotation of the tank is performed by controlling the motor on / off, the rotation speed of the motor gradually increases, and the rotation speed of the tank also gradually increases from a predetermined low speed. This is because in the on / off control, when the motor is energized (on), the motor rotates, and when the energization is stopped (off), the motor is inertially rotated by inertial force and the rotation speed gradually decreases. Then, this is repeated. Similarly, the tank has a state in which a rotational force is applied by the motor and a state in which the rotational force is not applied but inertial rotation is caused by inertia. Then, the tank is not completely stopped, and further turning force is given by turning on the motor during inertial rotation. Therefore, if the motor on / off control is repeated, the number of rotations of the tank gradually increases.

Therefore, as in claim 5 , the upper limit of the number of times of on / off control of the motor is set, and the on / off control of the motor is not performed more than that number. As a result, the number of rotations of the tank does not exceed 70 rpm, for example. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the on / off control of the motor, the on time and the off time are set such that the off time of the motor is longer than the on time of the motor. The washing machine according to claim 2 or 5 .

By making the off time longer than the on time of the motor as in the sixth aspect , it is possible to stabilize the rotation speed of the tank at a low speed. For example, motor on time:
Set to 1.5 seconds, off time: 3.0 seconds, or motor on time: 1.0 seconds, off time: 3.0
Settings such as seconds are possible. The motor off time is a time during which the tank does not stop during that time. The invention of claim 7, wherein, in the on-off control of the motor, based on the weight of the tank, according to claim 2, characterized in that on-time and off-time is set, 5 or <br/> Or the washing machine according to item 6 .

The on time and the off time of the motor are preferably set based on the weight of the tank as described in claim 7 . This is because when the weight is light, the rise at the time of rotation is good, but the inertial force is small and it easily stops. On the other hand, when the weight is heavy, the rising is slow, but the inertial force is large and it is difficult to stop. Therefore, if the tank is light,
For example, the motor is on / off controlled with an on time of 1.5 seconds and an off time of 3.0 seconds, and when the tank is heavy, the motor is turned on with an on time of 1.0 second and an off time of 3.0 seconds. On
Off control can be performed.

The weight of the tank changes depending on whether the tank is a resin tank, a stainless tank or a resin + stainless tank, and also changes depending on the capacity of the tank. Therefore, based on the weight of the tank itself that changes depending on these materials and capacity,
The optimum on-time and off-time may be set.

[0025]

The invention of claim 8, the tank is any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the predetermined axis of rotation is provided inclined so as to be inclined with respect to the vertical line The washing machine according to the item .

In the washing machine in which the tub is inclined as in the present invention, the bottom of the tub is inclined, and the inclination of the bottom of the tub and the action of the water flow generated by the drainage. Combined with the above, the clothes in the tank may be biased toward the lowest part of the tank when the drainage is completed. However, in the washing machine of the present invention, by that structure of any one of claims 1 to 7 is employed, the deviation of the clothing caused by the tank is inclined can be prevented satisfactorily.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This washing machine is a washing tub slanting type washing machine in which a washing tub 2 capable of accommodating laundry and washing water is provided in a box-shaped housing 1 having an opening 11 on an upper surface and is inclined toward the front side. One of the merits of this washing tub tilt type washing machine is that the bottom of the washing tub 2 is easily visible to the user because the washing tub 2 is tilted, and the laundry is washed from the inside of the washing tub 2. It is easy to take out.

In this embodiment, a washing tub inclined type washing machine will be described as an example. However, in the present invention, the washing tub is not inclined, and normal washing in which the central axis of the washing tub extends in a substantially vertical direction. It can also be applied to machines. The opening 11 on the upper surface of the housing 1 is an opening for putting laundry in the washing tub 2 and taking out laundry from the washing tub 2. In relation to this opening 11, the opening 1
A lid 12 is provided to cover 1 so as to be openable and closable. Further, on the front side of the opening 11, an operation section 13 in which operation keys and the like are arranged is provided.

The washing tub 2 is provided with an outer tub 21 having a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape capable of storing washing water, and an inner tub 22 coaxially provided inside the outer tub 21. The washing tub 2 is the outer tub 2
1 is suspended from the housing 1 by the hanging rods 31 and 32 having different lengths, so that the central axis line CL is supported with an angle K (for example, 10 degrees) with respect to the vertical line VL. The inner tank 22 is rotatably provided in the outer tank 21, and a large number of small holes 22a are formed on the peripheral surface thereof. Further, a pulsator 23 rotatable around the central axis CL is arranged on the bottom surface of the inner tank 22.

A water supply mechanism 4 for supplying water into the washing tub 2 is provided above the washing tub 2. The water supply mechanism 4
The water supply passage 41 has one end drawn out of the housing 1, a water supply valve 42 that opens and closes the water supply passage 41, and a water injection port forming member 43 connected to the other end of the water supply passage 41. A water supply hose (not shown) is connected to one end of the water supply passage 41 that is drawn out of the housing 1, and the tip of this water supply hose is connected to a water supply facility such as washing water (not shown) for washing. The necessary water is supplied. The water injection port forming member 43 is provided with a detergent container 43a for containing a detergent used for washing, and the bottom surface of the detergent container 43a supplies the water flowing into the detergent container 43a from the water supply channel 41 into the washing tub 2. A water injection port 43b is formed for this purpose.

With this configuration, when the water supply valve 42 is opened, water from the water supply equipment (not shown) is supplied to the water injection port forming member 43 through the water supply passage 41. The water supplied to the water injection port forming member 43 flows into the washing tub 2 through the water injection port 43b together with the detergent contained in the detergent container 43a. Washing tub 2
The drainage mechanism 5 for draining from the inside of the washing tub 2 is provided at the bottom of the
Are connected. The drainage mechanism 5 has a drainage port 51 formed at the bottom of the outer tub 21, a drainage channel 52 connected to the drainage port 51, and a drainage valve 53 that opens and closes the drainage channel 52. The drainage port 51 is a front end portion of the bottom of the outer tank 21,
That is, it is formed at the lowest part of the inclined outer tank 21. The drainage path 52 is arranged so as to become lower as it approaches the tip, and the tip is led out of the housing 1.

With this configuration, when water is supplied into the washing tub 2 with the drain valve 53 closed, the supplied water is stored in the washing tub 2 (outer tub 21). Then, the water stored in the washing tub 2 can be drained to the outside of the machine via the drainage port 51 and the drainage channel 52 by opening the drainage valve 53. An overflow hole 54 is formed in the upper part of the outer tub 21. The overflow hole 54 is for preventing the water level in the outer tub 21 from exceeding a predetermined height, and the water supplied exceeding the predetermined height overflows from the overflow hole 54. It is like this. An overflow pipe 55 is connected to the overflow hole 54, and the overflow pipe 5
The tip of 5 is connected to a portion of the drainage path 52 that is on the downstream side of drainage with respect to the drainage valve 53. This allows the drain valve 5
Regardless of the open / closed state of 3, the water overflowing from the overflow hole 54 can be drained to the outside of the machine.

A drive mechanism 6 for rotationally driving the inner tub 22 and the pulsator 23 is provided below the washing tub 2. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the drive mechanism 6 is partially cut off and viewed from below. Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. The drive mechanism 6 includes a motor 61 that generates a rotational drive force.
And a bearing portion 62 for rotatably supporting the inner tank 22 and the pulsator 23, and a rotational driving force of the motor 61 for the bearing portion 62.
And a drive transmission mechanism 63 for transmitting the power. The drive transmission mechanism 63 includes a small pulley 631 fixed to the output shaft of the motor 61, a large pulley 632 fixed to the input shaft 621 of the bearing 62, and a belt 633 for transmitting the rotation of the small pulley to the large pulley. .

An inner tank shaft 622 for supporting the inner tank 22 is rotatably held on the bearing portion 62. Inner tank shaft 6
22 penetrates the bottom surface of the outer tank 21, and the upper end is connected to the bottom surface of the inner tank 22. A blade shaft 623, the upper end of which is connected to the pulsator 23, is rotatably inserted in the inner tank shaft 622. The blade shaft 623 is always connected to the input shaft 621 to which the rotational driving force of the motor 61 is input, and the rotational driving force of the motor 61 input to the input shaft 621 is always transmitted to the pulsator 23. ing.

Further, in the bearing portion 62, the input shaft 621 and the inner tank shaft 622 are connected to each other or separated from each other in order to transmit and cut off the rotational driving force inputted to the input shaft 621 to the inner tank shaft 622. It has a built-in clutch mechanism. This clutch mechanism includes an input shaft 621 and an inner tank shaft 622.
A clutch spring (not shown) wound around the clutch spring, a ratchet wheel 624 to which one end of the clutch spring is fixed, and a claw portion 62 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the ratchet wheel 624.
4a includes a clutch piece 625 that can be engaged / disengaged. The clutch spring has the input shaft 621 in a state in which a force in the slack direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 2) is not applied.
And the inner tank shaft 622 are tightened to connect them to each other.

The clutch piece 625 is swingably attached to a swing shaft 626. A brake lever 627 is further swingably attached to the swing shaft 626, and the brake lever 627 and the clutch piece 625 are interlocked with each other. The brake lever 627 is
The brake band 628 that restrains the inner tank shaft 622 is loosened, and is urged by a brake spring (not shown) in a direction to pull the brake band 628.

The brake lever 627 is connected in the middle of the valve operating member 64 for displacing the valve element in the drain valve 53. The tip of the valve operating member 64 is inserted into the drain valve 53. One end of a wire W for operating the valve operating member 64 is connected to the rear end of the valve operating member 64, and the other end of the wire W has a torque motor 65 capable of pulling the wire W in two stages. It is connected to the. Further, the tip of the valve operating member 64 is in a state where the wire W is most extended (a state where the brake lever 627 is displaced to the position P1) and a state where the wire W is wound for a predetermined distance L (the brake lever 627 is displaced to the position P2). The valve operating member 64 does not displace the valve element in the drain valve 53 even if the wire W is wound for a predetermined distance L or more, the valve operating member 64 drains. It is connected to the drain valve 53 so as to displace the valve element in the valve 53 and open the drain valve 53.

When the torque motor 65 is off, the elastic force of the brake spring displaces the brake lever 627 to the position shown by reference numeral P1 in FIG. 2, and the brake band 628 causes the inner tank shaft 622 to move.
Has been arrested. At this time, the clutch piece 625 is displaced to the engagement state shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, and the tip end thereof engages with the claw portion 624 a of the ratchet wheel 624. Also, drain valve 5
3 is closed. When the torque motor 65 is turned on,
When the wire W is pulled toward the torque motor 65 by the predetermined distance L, the valve operating member 64 moves by the predetermined distance L,
The brake lever 627 is displaced to the position shown by reference numeral P2 in FIG. As a result, the brake band 62
8 is loosened, the restraint of the inner tank shaft 622 is released, and the clutch piece 625 is displaced to the disengaged state shown by the phantom line in FIG. At this time, the valve operating member 64 causes the drain valve 53 to
The drain valve 53 remains closed because the valve body is not displaced.

In this state, since the ratchet wheel 624 is in a freely rotating state, no external force is applied to the clutch spring, and the clutch shaft connects the input shaft 621 and the inner tank shaft 622. Therefore, when the rotational driving force in the clutch spring tightening direction (counterclockwise direction R in FIG. 2) is input to the input shaft 621, this rotational driving force is transmitted to both the inner tank shaft 622 and the blade shaft 623, Both the inner tank 22 and the pulsator 23 rotate in the same direction R.

When the valve operating member 64 is further displaced by further pulling the wire W by the torque motor 65, the brake lever 627 is displaced to the position shown by reference numeral P3 in FIG. By the movement of the valve operating member 64, the valve body of the drain valve 53 is pulled to the torque motor 65 side, and the drain valve 53 is opened. After that, the torque motor 65
When turned off, the elastic force of the brake spring causes the brake lever 627 to return to the position shown by reference numeral P1 in FIG. 2, the brake band 628 stops the inner tank shaft 622, and the clutch piece 625 is stopped. The tip is engaged with the claw portion 624a of the ratchet wheel 624. At this time, since the clockwise force in FIG. 2 is applied to the ratchet wheel 624, even if the clutch spring is tightened, the clutch spring is loosened and the input shaft 62
The connection between 1 and the inner tank shaft 622 is released. Therefore,
The tip of this clutch piece 625 is the claw portion 624 of the ratchet wheel 624.
In the state of being engaged with a, the rotational driving force of the motor 61 is transmitted to only the pulsator 23 via the blade shaft 623, and only the pulsator 23 rotates. Further, when the brake lever 627 returns to the position indicated by reference numeral P1 in FIG. 2, the drain valve 53 is closed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the wire W can be pulled in two steps by the torque motor 65, and the valve operating member 64 (brake lever 627) can be moved to three positions P.
It can be displaced to 1, P2 and P3. Further, the tip end of the valve operating member 64 is
Even if the valve operating member 64 is moved between the position P1 and the position P2, the valve operating member 64 does not displace the valve element in the drain valve 53, and when the valve operating member 64 moves from the position P2 to the position P3, the valve operating member 64 causes the drain valve to move. It is connected to the drain valve 53 so that the valve body in 53 is displaced and the drain valve 53 is opened.

Accordingly, by displacing the valve operating member 64 to the position P1, the rotational driving force of the motor 61 can be transmitted to the pulsator 23 with the drain valve 53 closed. Further, when the valve operating member 64 is displaced to the position P2, the rotational driving force of the motor 61 can be transmitted to the inner tank 22 and the pulsator 23 with the drain valve 53 closed, and the inner tank 22 and the pulsator 23 can be driven. Both can be rotated. Further, when the valve operating member 64 is displaced to the position P3, the drain valve 53 can be opened, and the drain valve 53
The rotational driving force of the motor 61 can be transmitted to the inner tank 22 and the pulsator 23 in the open state.

Therefore, in the washing machine according to this embodiment,
In the drainage control described later, before the drainage of the outer tank 21 is started,
It is possible to rotate both the inner tank 22 and the pulsator 23. In order to enable rotation of the inner tank and pulsator with the drain valve closed, it is conceivable to provide a torque motor for opening and closing the drain valve and a torque motor for operating the brake lever separately. To be However, if the two torque motors are provided, the cost is increased and the washing machine may be upsized. On the other hand, in the washing machine according to this embodiment,
Since the drain valve 53 and the brake lever 627 are operated by one torque motor, it is possible to rotate the inner tub 22 and the pulsator 23 with the drain valve 53 closed. There is no risk of upsizing or upsizing.

3 to 5 are partial cross-sectional views showing the structure of the connecting portion between the drain valve 53 and the valve operating member 64. As shown in FIG. 3 shows a state in which the valve operating member 64 is displaced to the position P1 in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 shows the valve operating member 64 in the position P in FIG.
2 shows a state in which the valve operating member 6 is displaced.
4 shows the state displaced to the position P3 in FIG. The drain valve 53 includes a case 531 and the case 531.
It has a valve body 532 provided therein and a valve rod 533 connected to the valve body 532. The case 531 has an outer tank 2
1 (see FIG. 1) drainage inflow port 531
a and a drainage outlet 531b for letting out the drainage flowing from the drainage inlet 531a are formed. The drainage inlet 531a has a drainage outlet 51 formed in the outer tank 21.
A connection pipe 521 extending from (see FIG. 1) is connected, and one end of a drain hose 522 led out of the housing 1 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the drain outlet 531b. The surface of the case 531 facing the drainage inlet 531a is an open surface, and the open surface is covered with a cap 534.

The valve body 532 is for opening and closing the drainage inlet 531a, and is in contact with the peripheral portion of the drainage inlet 531a to liquid-tightly close the drainage inlet 531a. And a bellows portion 532b continuously provided from the peripheral edge of the closing portion 532a. The end of the bellows portion 532b has a case 531 and a cap 5
34, and the valve body 532 has a bellows portion 5
By the expansion and contraction of 32b, the closing portion 532a can be transformed into a state in which the drainage inlet 531a is closed and a state in which the drainage inlet 531a is opened.

The valve rod 533 is slidably held by the cap 534 and is inserted into the bellows portion 532b of the valve body 532. The tip of the valve rod 533 is connected to the closing portion 532 a of the valve body 532. Further, the valve rod 533 has
A coil spring 535, one end of which is in contact with the cap 534, is exteriorly mounted, and due to the elastic force of the coil spring 535,
The valve rod 533 is biased in a direction in which the closing portion 532a of the valve body 532 is pressed against the drainage inlet 531a. further,
The valve rod 533 is formed in a tubular shape, and its inner peripheral surface is
An inward flange-shaped locked portion 533a is formed.

The valve operating member 64 is a rod-shaped member integrally formed of synthetic resin, for example. The valve operating member 64 includes
A wire connecting piece 641 for connecting the wire W is formed at the rear end, and a lever connecting portion 642 for connecting the brake lever 627 is formed in the middle. Further, the tip end portion of the valve operating member 64 is inserted into the valve rod 533 of the drain valve 53, and at the most distal end thereof, an engaging surface 643a protruding in a direction substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of the valve operating member 64 is provided. The locking portion 643 that it has is formed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the valve operating member 64 is shown in FIG.
Of the valve operating member 64 in the state of being displaced to the position P1 of
The leading end of the is largely inserted into the drain valve 53. Further, the valve body 532 in the drain valve 53 is closed by the elastic biasing force of the coil spring 535 acting on the valve rod 533.
a is pressed against the drainage inlet 531a to close the drainage inlet 531a. In this state, the engaging surface 643a of the locking portion 643 and the locked portion 53 formed on the valve rod 533.
3a and the predetermined distance L or more.

When the torque motor 65 (see FIG. 2) is turned on from the state shown in FIG. 3 and the wire W is pulled toward the torque motor 65 by the predetermined distance L, as shown in FIG.
The valve operating member 64 moves by a predetermined distance L. This movement of the valve operating member 64 causes the locking portion 643 to be in the state shown in FIG.
The (engagement surface 643a) and the locked portion 533a are separated by a predetermined distance L.
If it is only separated, as shown in FIG.
3 contacts the locked portion 533a. Further, when the locking portion 643 and the locked portion 533a are separated from each other by more than the predetermined distance L in the state shown in FIG. 3, there is a gap between the locking portion 643 and the locked portion 533a. Occurs. In either case, the valve operating member 64 has a predetermined distance L from the state shown in FIG.
Even if moved, the valve rod 533 and the valve body 532 do not move, and the drainage inlet 531a is maintained in the closed state.

The state shown in FIG. 4 (the valve operating member 6
4 is moved from the state shown in FIG. 3 by a predetermined distance L, and the valve operating member 64 is displaced to the position P2 shown in FIG. 2), in order to reliably maintain the closed state of the drainage inlet 531a, In the state shown in FIG. 3, the locking portion 643 and the locked portion 5
33a is preferably designed to be separated from the predetermined distance L by a greater distance. When the wire W is further drawn by the torque motor 65 from the state shown in FIG. 4 to move the valve operating member 64 to the position P3 in FIG. 2, the valve body 532 and the valve rod 533 are displaced to the state shown in FIG. That is, in the process of movement of the valve operating member 64, the locking portion 643 of the valve operating member 64 contacts the locked portion 533a of the valve rod 533. Then, after the locking portion 643 abuts on the locked portion 533a,
Further, by moving the valve operating member 64, the valve rod 5
33 is displaced in the direction of separating from the drainage inlet 531a against the elastic biasing force of the coil spring 535, and the closing portion 532a of the valve body 532 is separated from the drainage inlet 531a. As a result, the drainage inlet 531a is opened and the outer tank 21
The water inside flows into the case 531 through the connection pipe 521, and is drained from the inside of the case 531 through the drain hose 522.

Thus, the valve rod 533 of the valve operating member 64 is
By engaging / separating the locking portion 643 formed in the portion inserted therein and the locked portion 533a formed on the inner peripheral surface of the valve rod 533, the valve body 532 causes the drainage inlet 531a. Can be displaced between a closed state and an open state. Also, the locking portion 643 and the locked portion 533.
Since a is provided in the valve rod 533, the locking portion 6
By providing 43 and the locked portion 533a, the size of the drain valve 53 does not increase in size as compared with the conventional washing machine in which the brake lever and the drain valve are interlocked. Further, the configuration of the connecting portion between the valve operating member 64 and the brake lever 627 may be the same as the configuration adopted in the conventional washing machine in which the brake lever and the drain valve are interlocked, and therefore the configuration of this part Does not become complicated or large.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of this washing machine. This washing machine is provided with a control unit 7 for controlling a series of washing operations including washing, rinsing, and dehydrating steps. The control unit 7 is, for example, a CPU, RA
It can be composed of a microcomputer including M and ROM. The control unit 7 includes a water level sensor 7 for detecting the water level in the operation unit 13 and the washing tub 2 (outer tub 21).
1 is connected, and the instruction signal from the operation unit 13 and the detection signal from the water level sensor 71 are input. As the water level sensor 71, for example, the outer tank 21
It is possible to employ a configuration in which the water level in the outer tub 21 is detected by measuring the air pressure in the air hose connected to the above through an air trap.

The control unit 7 controls the water supply valve 42, the motor 61 and the torque motor 65 based on the instruction signal input from the operation unit 13 and the detection signal input from the water level sensor 71. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the drainage control executed by the control unit 7. This drainage control is, for example, during drainage performed immediately before intermediate dehydration for splashing water containing detergent from washed laundry, or during drainage immediately before final dehydration after rinsing.

During the washing or rinsing, the torque motor 65 is turned off. As described above, the inner tank 22 is stopped by the brake band 628, and only the pulsator 23 receives the rotational driving force of the motor 61. To be
The drain valve 53 is closed. Upon completion of washing or rinsing, the torque motor 65 is turned on to release the brake (brake) of the inner tank 22 (step S).
1). At this time, the torque motor 65 is rotated by a fixed amount of rotation, and the valve operating member 64 is moved by the predetermined distance L via the wire W. As a result, the stop of the inner tank 22 is released with the drain valve 53 kept closed, and the inner tank 2 is stopped.
2 is made rotatable.

When a sufficient time (brake open time) for releasing the inhibition of the inner tank 22 has passed after turning on the torque motor 65 (YES in step S2), the motor 61 is turned on (step S3). At this time, since the inhibition of the inner tank 22 is released, the rotational driving force generated from the motor 61 is transmitted to both the inner tank 22 and the pulsator 23, and the inner tank 22 and the pulsator 23 both start to rotate. As a result, the water and clothes in the washing tub 2 are agitated, and
The centrifugal force acts on the water and the clothes, and the clothes are evenly dispersed in the washing tub 2.

After that, when the rotation speed of the motor 61 reaches a predetermined rotation speed (for example, 0.5 rps) (YES in step S4), the torque motor 65 is further rotated and the valve operating member 64 is moved to the position shown in FIG. The drain valve 53 is opened by being displaced to P3 (step S5).
As a result, drainage of the water stored in the washing tub 2 is started, and thereafter, drainage is continued while the inner tub 22 and the pulsator 23 are rotated at a constant speed.

The rotation speed of the motor 61 is
When is controlled by an inverter, it can be obtained from the inverter frequency. Further, when the motor 61 is on / off controlled, a sensor for detecting the number of rotations may be provided in association with the motor 61. Also,
The predetermined number of rotations may be appropriately set according to the detection accuracy of the water level sensor 71. For example, when the water level sensor 71 is configured to detect the water level based on the air pressure in the air hose, if the predetermined number of rotations is large, the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the inner tank 22 and the pulsator 23 may be increased. Due to the influence, the water level in the air hose and the water level in the washing tub 2 do not match, and the water level in the washing tub 2 may be erroneously detected. Therefore, in this case, the predetermined number of rotations is preferably set to, for example, 30 to 60 rpm or less.

When the water level in the washing tub 2 reaches the minimum water level (reset water level) detectable by the water level sensor 71 (YES in step S6), the motor 61 is turned off (step S7). ). Then, when a predetermined time (drainage time) elapses after the water level in the washing tub 2 reaches the reset water level (YE in step S8).
S), it is determined that the drainage is completed, and the dehydration control is subsequently started (step S9).

As described above, according to this embodiment, the water stored in the washing tub 2 is drained while the inner tub 22 and the pulsator 23 are rotated at a constant speed. As a result, the water level in the washing tub 2 can be lowered while keeping the clothes evenly dispersed in the washing tub 2. Therefore, when the drainage from the washing tub 2 is completed, the clothes in the washing tub 2 can be dispersed and the unevenness of the clothes in the washing tub 2 can be prevented.

Therefore, as in the washing machine according to this embodiment, even if the washing tub 2 is provided inclining to the front side,
When the drainage is completed, the clothes in the washing tub 2 are not biased. Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the drainage control according to the above-described embodiment, the drain valve 53 is opened after the rotation of the inner tank 22 and the pulsator 23 is started, but after the drain valve 53 is opened, the inner tank 22 and the pulsator 23 are opened. The rotation may be started.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing another example of drainage control executed by the control unit 7. In the control shown in FIG. 8, the rotation of the inner tank 22 and the pulsator 23 is started after the drain valve 53 is opened. Further, the control of FIG. 8 is performed by the motor 6 as described in claims 3 to 7.
This is a specific example of controlling ON / OFF of 1. Referring to FIG. 8, when it is determined that washing or rinsing is completed (YES in step S11), drain valve 53 is opened (step S12). When the drain valve 53 is opened, the brake of the inner tank 22 is also released. This is because the drain valve 53 is opened by the so-called two-stage pulling torque motor of the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. The same applies to the case where the pulling torque motor is used. Therefore, after the drain valve 53 is opened, the inner tank 22 and the pulsator 23 can be rotated.

Next, the motor 61 is on / off controlled (step S13). The control unit 7 (see FIG. 6) counts the number of times of control while the motor 61 is on / off controlled. That is, one control cycle in which the motor 61 is turned on for a predetermined time and the motor 61 is turned off for a predetermined time is counted as one, and the number of times of control is counted (step S13). Then, it is determined whether or not the number of times the motor 61 has been turned on and off has reached 10 (step S14). Further, it is determined whether or not the water level of the washing tub 22 has reached the reset water level (step S1).
5). When the number of times the motor 61 is turned on / off is 10 (NO in step S14), or when the water level in the washing tub 2 reaches the reset water level (step S1).
If YES, the motor 61 is turned off (step S).
17, S16).

When the number of times the motor 61 is turned on and off is 10 and the motor 61 is turned off (step S
17), wait until the water level in the washing tub 2 is reduced to the reset water level (step S18). Then, after reaching the reset water level, a predetermined drainage time, for example, one minute is counted (step S19). When the drainage time, for example, one minute, has been counted, it is determined that the drainage is finished (YES in step S20), and the dehydration control is performed (step S21).

Even when the motor 61 is turned off after the number of times the motor 61 is turned on and off is turned off, waiting for the water level in the washing tub 2 to reach the reset water level is a predetermined time after the reset water level is reached. When the drainage time of the
This is because it is determined that all the water has been completely drained, and the dehydration process is started. That is, even if the water level in the washing tub 2 reaches the reset water level, the water remains in the washing tub 2 and the drainage is not completely completed. This is because the reset water level means the lowest water level at which the water level in the washing tub 2 can be detected. Therefore, the water in the washing tub 2 is completely drained by further draining from the reset water level. The drainage time required for this purpose is set to, for example, 1 minute in this embodiment.

Therefore, by detecting the reset water level in step S18, even if the motor 61 is turned off when the number of times the motor 61 is turned on / off is 10, the dehydration process is performed after the completion of drainage. Can be done. Besides, various design changes can be made within the scope of the technical matters described in the claims.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a drive mechanism is partially removed and viewed from below.

3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a connection portion between a drain valve and a valve operating member, showing a state in which the valve operating member is displaced to a position P1 in FIG.

4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a connection portion between a drain valve and a valve operating member, showing a state in which the valve operating member is displaced to a position P2 in FIG.

5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a connection portion between a drain valve and a valve operating member, showing a state in which the valve operating member is displaced to a position P3 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the washing machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining an example of drainage control executed by a control unit.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining another example of drainage control executed by a control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

7 control unit (drainage control means) 21 Outer tank 22 Inner tank (tank) 23 Pulsator 51 drain 52 drainage 53 drain valve 61 Motor (rotational drive means) 62 Bearing part (rotational drive means) 63 Drive transmission mechanism (rotational drive means) 64 valve operation member (operation member) 65 Torque motor (operation member displacement means) 71 Water level sensor 521 Connection pipe (upstream side of drainage channel) 531 case 531a Drainage inlet 532 valve body 533 valve rod 533a Locked part (predetermined part of valve rod) 627 Brake lever (brake means) 628 Brake band (brake means) 643 Locking part L predetermined distance P1 position (first position) P2 position (second position) P3 position (3rd position) W wire

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yasushi Araki 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takehiro Nakanishi 2-chome, Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka 5 Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kiyoshi Sarada 2-5-5 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-4-53591 (JP, A) JP Flat 3-63098 (JP, A) JP 9-253387 (JP, A) Jitsuko Sho 49-1642 (JP, Y1) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 1 / 00-51/02

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A tub capable of accommodating laundry and water, drainage means for draining water from the tub, rotation drive means for rotating the tub about a predetermined rotation axis, and after washing. Intermediate removal to remove water containing detergent from laundry
When draining immediately before water or after rinsing
When the water is drained just before the final dehydration, water is collected in the above tank.
From the installed state, the rotary drive means
While rotating the tank, the water in the tank is drained by the drainage means.
And a drainage control means for draining water to lower the water level in the tub . 2. The rotation drive means is a motor as a drive source.
By controlling the motor on / off.
It is special to rotate the above tank at a specified low speed during drainage.
The washing machine according to claim 1, which is a characteristic of the washing machine. 3. The rotation driving means eliminates water in the tank.
It is characterized in that the rotation of the tank is stopped before
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. The rotation drive means is designed to predict the water level in the tank.
When the reset water level, which is the lower limit water level specified by
2. The rotation of the storage tank is stopped, wherein the rotation of the storage tank is stopped.
Is the washing machine described in 2. 5. The rotation driving means turns on the motor.
Counting means for counting the number of times OFF control is performed
When the count value of is reached a predetermined number of times,
The laundry according to claim 2, wherein the rotation is stopped.
Machine. 6. The on / off control of the motor is performed by the motor
Make the motor off time longer than the on time
The on-time and off-time are set to
The washing machine according to claim 2 or 5, which is regarded as a characteristic. 7. The on-off control of the motor, the tank
On time and off time are set based on the weight of
Wash according to claim 2, 5 or 6, characterized in that
Rinsing machine. 8. The predetermined axis of rotation of the tank is a vertical line.
Characterized by being installed so as to be inclined with respect to
Laundry according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
Machine.