JP3688896B2 - Washing machine tank suspension device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tank body suspension device for a washing machine that suspends a tank body from an outer box of a washing machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, in a dehydrating washing machine, a tank body is suspended by a suspension mechanism provided with a hanging rod at the four corners of an outer box, and the inside of the tank body serves as a washing tub and a dehydration tank. A tank is provided.
[0003]
FIG. 9 shows a conventional structure of the suspension mechanism portion, and support plates 2 having recesses 2a are respectively provided at four corners (illustrated as one representative) of the upper portion of the outer box 1 in the washing machine. On the other hand, a lower support portion 4 having an insertion hole 4 a is integrally provided on the outer peripheral portion of the lower portion of the tank body 3 disposed in the outer box 1.
[0004]
The lower part of the suspension bar 5 is inserted through the insertion hole 4 a of the lower support part 4. A spring support 7 is attached to the lower end of the suspension bar 5 through a washer 6 so as to prevent it from coming off. A compression coil spring 8, a damper case 9, and a rubber damper member are disposed above and below the spring receiver 7. 10 and the lower receiving member 11 are mounted in a state of being inserted through the suspension rod 5, and the lower receiving member 11 located at the uppermost portion of the lower receiving member 11 abuts on the lower surface of the lower support portion 4 so as to be slidable from below. It is like that.
[0005]
On the other hand, an upper receiving member 12 is mounted on the upper end of the suspension bar 5, and the upper receiving member 12 is slidably abutted on and supported by the recess 2 a of the support plate 2. The upper receiving member 12 is formed with a hole 13 through which the suspension rod 5 passes. The diameter of the hole 13 is larger than the diameter of the suspension rod 5, for example, the diameter of the suspension rod 5 is 5 [mm]. On the other hand, the diameter of the hole 13 is 5.1 to 5.2 [mm].
[0006]
Thus, the suspension mechanism 5 is constituted by the suspension rod 5, the upper receiving member 12, the lower receiving member 11, the damper member 10, the damper case 9, the compression coil spring 8, the spring receiving member 7, and the washer 6. The tank body 3 is suspended from the outer box 1 by four sets of suspension mechanisms 14.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the case of the above-described conventional one, a large load is applied to the suspension bar 5 of the suspension mechanism 14 that suspends the tank body 3 at the time of washing or rinsing at a high water level and at the start of dehydration. For example, when the tank body 3 is greatly shaken due to the shake of the inner tub due to the deviation of the laundry, the balance of the load is lost, and the direction and magnitude of the load applied to the suspension bar 5 change. On the other hand, there is some friction between the upper receiving member 12 at the upper end of the suspension bar 5 and the support plate 2, but there is some friction, and the upper end of the suspension bar 5 is attached together with the upper receiving member 12. It seems to be restrained.
[0008]
Therefore, when the direction and magnitude of the load applied to the suspension bar 5 are changed as described above, the suspension bar 5 repeatedly bends or restores from the deflection below the upper end, and each of them is restored. By the way, the upper receiving member 12 is vibrated by hitting and hitting the inner peripheral portion of the hole 13 of the upper receiving member 12 having a diameter larger than that of the hanging rod 5 and having a sufficient dimension between the hanging rod 5. This vibration is transmitted from the support plate 2 to the outer case 1, and abnormal sound is generated by vibrating the outer case 1.
[0009]
Conventionally, as a countermeasure against this, vibration of the upper receiving member 12 is suppressed by applying grease between the suspension bar 5 and the hole 13 of the upper receiving member 12. However, this grease application measure has led to an increase in assembly man-hours and an increase in cost.
[0010]
Further, the gap between the suspension bar 5 and the hole 13 of the upper receiving member 12 is small, and it is difficult to sufficiently apply the grease there, and the productivity is poor.
Furthermore, if the applied grease becomes insufficient due to long-term use, the vibration of the upper receiving member 12 cannot be suppressed, and the generation of abnormal noise cannot be prevented.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and therefore the object thereof is not to increase the number of man-hours for assembly or increase the cost, without causing difficulty in manufacturing, The present invention provides a washing machine tank body suspension device that can reliably prevent the generation of abnormal noise due to restoration, and further provides a washing machine tank body suspension apparatus that can maintain good assembly. .
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a tank body suspension device for a washing machine according to the present invention includes an upper support portion provided at an upper portion of an outer box in the washing machine, and an outer periphery of the tank body disposed in the outer box. A lower support portion provided on the lower portion, a suspension rod disposed between the lower support portion and the upper support portion, and a lower portion of the suspension rod provided to slide relative to the lower surface of the lower support portion. A lower receiving member, and an upper receiving member provided on the upper part of the suspension bar so as to slide with respect to the upper surface of the upper support part, with the suspension bar, the lower receiving member, and the upper receiving member interposed therebetween. And a suspension mechanism for suspending the tank body, wherein the upper receiving member is made of plastic and has a hole through which the suspension rod passes, and the hole has a radial direction from the diameter of the suspension rod. a small portion, the inner peripheral portion of the partially-hole in the axial direction of the upper receiving member Formed by projecting towards, characterized by being larger in the radial direction than the diameter of the rod hanging other portions in the axial direction (the invention of claim 1).
[0013]
According to this, the upper receiving member is always in contact with the suspension rod at a portion of the hole through which the suspension rod passes, which is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter of the suspension rod. In this state, the suspension rod is in contact with the suspension rod as described above. When bending or restoring, the upper receiving member moves together with the hanging rod, and the hanging rod does not hit the inner periphery of the hole of the upper receiving member. Thus, without applying grease between the suspension bar and the hole of the upper receiving member, the vibration of the upper receiving member and further the vibration of the outer box are suppressed, and the generation of abnormal noise is prevented.
In this case, the upper receiving member is partially in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the suspension rod, and contact between the upper receiving member and the outer peripheral portion of the suspension rod is avoided in other portions. In addition, while suppressing the vibration of the upper receiving member based on the restoration, the insertion of the suspension bar into the upper receiving member can also be prevented from being greatly hindered by the portion of the hole of the upper receiving member that is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter of the suspension bar. It becomes like this.
[0018]
The above-described portion of the hole of the upper receiving member that is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter of the suspension rod may be formed in the lower portion of the upper receiving member (invention of claim 2 ).
In this case, while exhibiting the same effects as described above , the upper receiving member partially contacts the suspension bar at a position where the deflection and restoration of the suspension rod to be bent and restored are centered on the upper end portion. Therefore, the vibration of the upper receiving member based on the deflection and restoration of the suspension rod can be most effectively suppressed.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
First, FIG. 5 shows an overall configuration of a washing machine (dehydrating and washing machine) 21, and an outer tub 23 as a tub body is suspended inside the outer box 22 by a suspension mechanism 24. It is arranged. In this case, although only one set of the suspension mechanism 24 is illustrated, there are four sets, each of which corresponds to each of the four corners of the outer box 22 that forms a rectangular parallelepiped box shape.
[0022]
An inner tub 25 serving as a washing tub and a dewatering tub is rotatably disposed in the outer tub 23, and an agitator 26 for generating a water flow is disposed at the bottom of the inner tub 25. A motor 27 is disposed on the outer bottom portion of the outer tub 23, and a driving mechanism portion 29 that rotationally drives the inner tub 25 and the stirrer 26 by transmitting the rotational force of the motor 27 via the belt 28 is disposed. ing.
[0023]
Although detailed explanation is omitted, the stirrer 26 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions in the washing and rinsing strokes by the motor 27 and the drive mechanism 29, and the inner tub 25 in the dehydration and shower rinsing strokes. Is rotated at high speed in one direction together with the stirring member 26. A balance ring 30 is attached to the upper end portion of the inner tub 25, and a dewatering hole 31 is formed to drain water from the inner tub 25 through the balance ring 30 during dehydration.
[0024]
Here, the above-described suspension mechanism 24 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, metal support plates 32 constituting the upper support portion are attached to the four corners in the upper portion of the outer box 22. The support plate 32 is formed with a spherical recess 33 that opens upward, and an insertion hole 34 is formed in the center of the recess 33, and further, the insertion hole 34 leads to the inside of the outer box 22. A notch 35 is formed.
[0025]
On the other hand, the outer tub 23 is made of, for example, plastic, and four lower support portions 36 corresponding to the above-described support plate 32 are integrally provided at the lower portion of the outer peripheral portion thereof. The lower support 36 has a spherical recess 37 that opens downward symmetrically with the recess 33 of the support plate 32, and an insertion hole 38 is formed at the center of the recess 37.
[0026]
The suspension bar 39 is made of metal and has a lower end portion inserted through the insertion hole 38 of the lower support portion 36 and an upper end portion inserted through the insertion hole 34 of the support plate 32. It penetrates the lower support part 36.
For example, a plastic lower receiving member 40, an elastic rubber damper member 41, a damper case 42 for accommodating the damper member 41, a compression coil spring 43, The spring receiving member 44 and the washer 45 are mounted in a state of being inserted through the suspension rod 39, and a retaining portion 39a for retaining them is formed at the lower end portion of the suspension rod 39.
[0027]
The lower receiving member 40 has a portion having a spherical portion 46 on the upper surface as a main portion 47, and has a cylindrical portion 48 above the central portion of the main portion 47, and the cylindrical portion through which the suspension rod 39 penetrates. In a state in which 48 is inserted from below into the insertion hole 38 of the lower support portion 36, the spherical portion 46 of the main portion 47 is slidably brought into contact with the recess 37 of the lower support portion 36.
[0028]
The damper member 41 has a cylindrical shape in which a part of the inner peripheral portion is pressed against the outer surface of the hanging rod 39 and exerts an appropriate frictional force for damping the vibration of the outer tub 23. A flange portion 49 that contacts the lower surface of the main portion 47 of the lower receiving member 40 is provided on the outer peripheral portion. Further, the damper case 42 has a cylindrical shape larger in diameter than the damper member 41, and has a flange portion 50 on the outer peripheral portion of the upper portion thereof, and the flange portion 50 and the spring receiving member 44 are connected to each other. A compression coil spring 43 that elastically supports the outer tub 23 is disposed therebetween.
[0029]
State On the other hand, the upper end of the suspension rod 39, in order from the bottom, a plastic-made upper receiving member 51, a rubber damper member 52 having elasticity, and the washer 53, is inserted likewise hanging rod 39 And a retaining portion 39b for retaining them is formed at the upper end of the suspension bar 39.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 3, the upper receiving member 51 has a main portion 55 having a spherical portion 54 on the lower surface, a cylindrical portion 56 below the central portion of the main portion 55, and an annular wall 57 at the upper portion. 4 (see FIG. 4), a hook portion 58 is provided on the side, and as shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical portion 56 through which the suspension bar 39 penetrates is inserted from the cutout portion 35 of the support plate 32, and the insertion hole 34 is inserted. The spherical surface portion 54 of the main body portion 55 is slidably received in the concave portion 33 in a state where the hook portion 58 is positioned in the notch portion 35. The outer tub 23 is suspended by a suspension mechanism 24 comprising a damper member 41, a damper case 42, a compression coil spring 43, a spring receiving member 44, a washer 45, an upper receiving member 51, a damper member 52, and a washer 53. ing.
[0031]
In addition, until the upper receiving member 51 is assembled to the support plate 32 as described above, the hook 58 is temporarily engaged with the upper end of the outer tub 23 to temporarily assemble the suspension mechanism 24 to the outer tub 23. It is used for Further, the damper member 52 disposed on the upper surface side of the upper receiving member 51 has a short cylindrical shape shorter than the above-described damper member 41 in the vertical direction, and is disposed in the annular wall 57.
[0032]
In the above configuration, the upper receiving member 51 further has a hole 59 through which the suspension rod 39 penetrates over the entire length from the inside of the cylindrical portion 56 to the center portion of the main body portion 55. A portion 60 smaller than the diameter D of the suspension bar 39 in the radial direction is formed as shown in FIG. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the portion 60 is formed by partially projecting the inner peripheral portion of the hole 59, for example, in three locations, and each projecting portion thereof. Is a planar protrusion 61.
[0033]
In this case, the diameter of the circle (inscribed circle) in contact with each inner surface of the protrusion 61 is d1, which is smaller than the diameter D of the suspension bar 39 (d1 <D). Specifically, the diameter D of the suspension bar 39 is, for example, 5 mm, and the portion 60 of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 that is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension bar 39 is an inscribed circle. The diameter d1 is 4.9 to 4.95 [mm].
[0034]
In addition, the portion 60 of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 that is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension bar 39 partially includes the lower end portion of the upper receiving member 51, particularly in the axial direction of the hole 59. The length in the axial direction is L, for example 10 [mm]. Further, the other portion 62 in the axial direction of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 is larger in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension bar 39, and has a diameter d2 (for example, 5.1 to 5.2 [mm]). (D2> D).
[0035]
In addition, the inner edge of the lower end, which is the outer end of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51, which is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension rod 39, has a beveled chamfered portion over the entire circumference. 63 is formed.
[0036]
In the case of the structure as described above, the suspension bar 39 is inserted into the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 in a portion 60 that is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension rod 39. Thus, the upper receiving member 51 is always in contact with the suspension bar 39 at the portion 60. In this state, even if the suspension bar 39 bends or restores as the outer tub 23 shakes, the upper receiving member 51 moves together with the suspension bar 39, and the suspension bar 39 is moved from the conventional upper support. As in the case of the suspension bar 5 with respect to the member 12, the inner peripheral portion of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 is not hit.
[0037]
Thus, the vibration of the upper receiving member 51 and the vibration of the outer box 22 can be suppressed, and the generation of abnormal noise can be prevented. Therefore, in the above configuration, it is no longer necessary to apply grease like the conventional one between the suspension bar 39 and the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51, and the number of assembly steps and cost due to the application of the grease are no longer required. As a result, there is no problem in manufacturing, and there is no problem of grease breakage even for long-term use. Can be reliably prevented for a long time.
[0038]
In this case, the portion 60 of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 that is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension rod 39 may be formed by projecting the entire inner peripheral portion of the hole 59 inward over the entire length. . However, simply doing so makes the portion 60 come into contact with the entire outer periphery of the suspension bar 39 in a long range, making it difficult for the suspension bar 39 to be inserted into the upper receiving member 51 and improving the assembly. Not good.
[0039]
On the other hand, in the structure described above, the portion 60 of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 that is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension bar 39 is the inner portion of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 in the circumferential direction. Since the peripheral portion is formed by partially projecting inward, the upper receiving member 51 is partially in contact with the outer peripheral portion of the suspension bar 39 and is suspended from the upper receiving member 51 in other portions in the circumferential direction. Contact with the outer periphery of the bar 39 is avoided. Therefore, the insertion of the suspension bar 39 into the upper receiving member 51 can be performed without being obstructed by the portion 60 of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 that is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension bar 39. Good maintainability.
[0040]
In addition, in this case, even though the contact between the upper receiving member 51 and the suspension bar 39 is partial, the contact sufficiently suppresses the vibration of the upper receiving member 51 based on the deflection and restoration of the suspension bar 39. It is possible to prevent the generation of abnormal noise for a long time.
[0041]
Furthermore, in that case, the protruding portion of the inner peripheral portion of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 may be a rib-like shape or the like, but is a flat protruding portion 61. By doing so, the mold for molding the upper receiving member 51 can be easily manufactured, and the strength of the protruding portion can be secured high, and the upper receiving member based on the deflection and restoration of the suspension bar 39 can be secured. Since the vibration of 51 can continue to be more reliably suppressed for long-term use, the occurrence of abnormal noise can be reliably prevented for a long time.
[0042]
In addition, a portion 60 of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 that is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension bar 39 is also partially formed in the axial direction, and the other part in the axial direction is made the diameter of the suspension bar 39. It is formed larger in the radial direction than D. Also by this, the upper receiving member 51 comes in partial contact (axial direction) with the suspension bar 39, and contact between the upper receiving member 51 and the suspension bar 39 is avoided in other portions in the axial direction. While the deflection of the rod 39 and the vibration of the upper receiving member 51 based on the restoration can be suppressed, the insertion of the hanging rod 39 into the upper receiving member 51 is more radial than the diameter D of the hanging rod 39 in the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51. Therefore, the smaller portion 60 can be made without being obstructed, and the assemblability can be maintained well.
[0043]
Further, a portion 60 of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 that is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension bar 39 is formed in the lower portion of the upper receiving member 51. By doing in this way, the upper receiving member 51 comes into contact with the suspension rod 39 at a position where the deflection of the suspension rod 39 to be restored and restored is bent and the restoration is large, the deflection of the suspension rod 39, The vibration of the upper receiving member 51 based on the restoration can be most effectively suppressed, and the occurrence of abnormal noise can be more reliably prevented.
[0044]
A chamfered portion 63 is formed on the inner edge of the lower end portion (outer side end portion) of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 where the portion 60 smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension rod 39 exists. By doing in this way, insertion of the suspension bar 39 with respect to the upper receiving member 51 is a part of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 at a portion at the beginning of insertion with respect to a portion 60 that is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension bar 39. It is facilitated by being guided by the chamfer 63. Therefore, the assemblability can be maintained better.
[0045]
6 to 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted, and only different parts are described. .
In this case, the portion 71 of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 that is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension bar 39 is the hole 59a of that portion, and an ellipse whose short diameter d3 is smaller than the diameter D of the suspension rod 39. It is formed by taking a shape.
[0046]
Even in this case, the upper receiving member 51 comes into contact with the suspension bar 39 at the short diameter d3 portion of the elliptical hole 59a, and the other portions (particularly the long diameter d4 portion) are suspended from the upper receiving member 51. Since the contact with the bar 39 is avoided, the suspension bar 39 can be inserted into the upper receiving member 51 hole 59 while the vibration of the upper receiving member 51 based on the deflection and restoration of the hanging bar 39 can be suppressed. As a result, the portion 71 smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension bar 39 can be prevented from being hindered, and the assemblability can be maintained well.
[0047]
Further, in this case, a notch 72 is provided at the lower end of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51, which is an outer side end where a portion 71 smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension rod 39 exists, for example, 1 It is formed at a place with a length of 2 to 3 [mm].
By doing in this way, insertion of the suspension bar 39 with respect to the upper receiving member 51 is a part of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 at a portion where the insertion starts at a portion 71 smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension bar 39. This is facilitated by opening the upper receiving member 51 by the cut portion 72. Therefore, also in this case, the assemblability can be maintained better.
[0048]
In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings. For example, the protrusion 61 of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 of the first embodiment is not limited to three places. There may be only one place, and conversely, there may be more than three places.
Further, the portions 60 and 71 of the hole 59 of the upper receiving member 51 that are smaller in the radial direction than the diameter D of the suspension rod 39 may be present only in the middle or upper portion of the hole 59.
Further, the chamfered portion 63 may be a curved surface instead of a sloped shape, and the cutout portions 72 may be formed in more than one place.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is as described above and has the following effects.
According to the tank body suspension device of the washing machine according to claim 1, the upper receiving member is always in contact with the hanging rod at a portion of the hole through which the hanging rod passes is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter of the hanging rod. Without applying grease between the rod and the hole of the upper receiving member, it is possible to suppress the deflection of the hanging rod, vibration of the upper receiving member based on restoration, without increasing the assembly man-hours and cost, The production of abnormal noise can be prevented for a long time without any difficulty in manufacturing. In addition, since the suspension rod can be inserted into the upper receiving member without being obstructed by the portion of the hole of the upper receiving member that is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter of the suspension rod, assemblability can be maintained well. .
[0052]
By the tank body lifting device of the washing machine according to claim 2 lever, while exhibit the above same effect, further deflection of the suspension rods, made most effectively suppress the vibration of the upper receiving member based on a restoration, abnormal Generation of sound can be prevented more reliably.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 2, showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of part A in FIG. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part with a part omitted. FIG. 5 is a cutaway side view of the whole washing machine. FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing a second embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 8, taken along line DD in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the portion C in FIG. 6. FIG. Omitted exploded perspective view [Explanation of symbols]
21 is a washing machine, 22 is an outer box, 23 is an outer tub (tank), 24 is a suspension mechanism, 32 is a support plate (upper support), 36 is a lower support, 39 is a suspension bar, and 40 is a lower support. Member 51, upper receiving member 59, hole 59, 60 smaller in the radial direction than the diameter of the suspension rod, 61 projecting portion, 62 other portions in the axial direction, 63 chamfered portion, 71 suspension rod A portion 72, which is smaller in the radial direction than the diameter, is a cut portion.

Claims (2)

An upper support provided on the outer box of the washing machine;
A lower support provided on the outer periphery of the tank body disposed in the outer box;
A suspension rod disposed between the lower support portion and the upper support portion, a lower receiving member provided at the lower portion of the suspension rod so as to slide relative to the lower surface of the lower support portion, A suspension that has an upper receiving member provided to slide relative to the upper surface of the upper support portion at the upper portion, and suspends the tank body through the suspension rod, the lower receiving member, and the upper receiving member. In what comprises a mechanism,
The upper receiving member is made of plastic and has a hole through which the suspension rod penetrates. A portion smaller than the diameter of the suspension rod in the radial direction is partially formed in the hole in the axial direction of the upper receiving member. A tank body suspension device for a washing machine, wherein the peripheral portion is formed by projecting inwardly, and the other portion in the axial direction is formed larger in the radial direction than the diameter of the suspension rod . An upper support provided on the outer box of the washing machine;
A lower support provided on the outer periphery of the tank body disposed in the outer box;
A suspension rod disposed between the lower support portion and the upper support portion, a lower receiving member provided at the lower portion of the suspension rod so as to slide relative to the lower surface of the lower support portion, A suspension that has an upper receiving member provided to slide relative to the upper surface of the upper support portion at the upper portion, and suspends the tank body through the suspension rod, the lower receiving member, and the upper receiving member. In what comprises a mechanism,
The upper receiving member is made of plastic and has a hole through which the suspension rod passes. A portion smaller than the diameter of the suspension rod in the radial direction is formed in this hole, and an inner peripheral portion of the hole in the lower portion of the upper receiving member is partially formed. A tank suspending device for a washing machine, characterized in that it is formed by projecting inwardly .

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