JP3773932B2 - Drum washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum-type washing machine having a drum that rotates about a horizontal axis or an inclined axis.

  The drum type washing machine has a configuration in which a cylindrical bowl-shaped drum is rotatably arranged inside an outer tub with a horizontal axis or an inclined axis as a center. Wash the laundry by rotating it in the tub. In such a general drum-type washing machine, a door body for putting clothes on the front surface of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer box is provided sideways, and when opening the door body, through the opening provided in the outer tub, It is comprised so that the clothing input port provided in the end surface of the drum may be peeped.

One of the major consumer dissatisfaction with such drum-type washing machines is that it is difficult to put clothes in and out. That is, in the drum type washing machine having the above-described configuration, the clothes insertion port is at a low position, and even when the washing machine is placed on a dedicated table, the difficulty of putting clothes is completely eliminated. It will not be resolved. In order to deal with such dissatisfaction, conventionally, some commercially available drum-type washing machines have an inclined shaft with a clothing input port of the drum slightly inclined upward. Attempts have also been made to make the clothes slot as large as possible. However, even with such a configuration, it is not necessarily satisfactory in terms of usability for those who are accustomed to the operability of the spiral washing machine.
JP-A-11-342287

  One possible way to eliminate the above-mentioned inconvenience in drum-type washing machines is to place the laundry input port on the top instead of the front of the outer box, as in the case of the conventional spiral washing machine. Is to provide. However, in the case where a laundry inlet is provided on the upper surface of the outer box in a drum type washing machine, the outer tub disposed immediately below the laundry inlet and the drum accommodated in the outer tub are respectively opened. There are various problems that are different from those of the conventional spiral washing machine and drum washing machine.

  For example, if an attempt is made to provide a laundry inlet on the upper surface of the outer box, it becomes difficult to arrange various members in the space between the upper surface of the outer box and the upper part of the outer tub. It is difficult to suspend and support the outer tub with a strong spring. Therefore, there is a demand for a structure that supports the outer tub stably and absorbs vibrations transmitted to the outer box as much as possible.

  Further, in such a drum type washing machine, when the drum is rotated at a high speed during the dehydrating operation, a strong air flow is generated in the gap between the outer tub and the drum, and such an air flow is opened in the outer tub. If it flows backward to the water supply pipe from the water supply port, the detergent or soft finish contained in the detergent container connected to the end of the water supply pipe may be pushed up. In addition, when such an air flow opens into the outer tub and enters the drying air passage from the air outlet at the time of drying operation, fine water droplets flow into the drying air passage and enter the drying air passage. It is likely to cause corrosion of the installed heater.

  In such drum-type washing machines, vibration during dehydration is often a problem, but such vibration not only causes noise but also contributes to the failure of the washing machine itself. easy. Therefore, there is a demand for a structure that suppresses vibration and has high reliability with less occurrence of failure.

  The present invention has been made to solve various problems related to the drum-type washing machine, including the problems described above.

The invention according to claim 1 made to solve the above problems is provided in the outer box, an upper lid for opening and closing a laundry input port formed on the upper surface of the outer box, and the outer box. An outer tub, an outer tub opening formed on a peripheral surface of the outer tub, below the laundry input port, and provided inside the outer tub so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis or an inclined axis . In a drum-type washing machine comprising a drum and a drum door that opens and closes a drum opening formed on the peripheral surface of the drum,
The outer tub body member is an integrally formed product made of plastic in which a cylindrical body portion in which the outer tub opening is formed and an end surface portion that closes one end surface of the body portion are integrally formed. And an end surface cover attached to the outer tub body member so as to close the open side end surface of the outer tub body member,
The end face side of the outer tub body member is characterized in that so as to provide a motor which is directly coupled to the shaft of the drum so as to rotate driving the drum.

  It should be noted that providing a motor “on the end surface portion side of the outer tub body member” includes, of course, directly attaching the motor to the end surface portion of the outer tub body member, and a bearing member fixed to the end surface portion. The motor may be fixed to other members such as.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the drum-type washing machine according to claim 1, in which heated air is fed into the outer tub to dry the laundry accommodated in the drum, and from the laundry. It further comprises a drying air passage for taking out the air containing water vapor to be discharged out of the outer tank and dehumidifying it, and then heating and circulating it again, and the drying air passage is provided on the end cover side. To do.

  Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the drum type washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer tub is balanced at a portion of the body of the outer tub body member that is close to the end surface cover. The weight for providing is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the drum-type washing machine according to the first aspect, the water supply pipe portion for supplying water into the outer tub through a detergent container in which the detergent is accommodated The direction of the water flow that flows into the outer tub during the supply of air to the air flow generated in the circumferential direction in the gap between the drum and the outer tub when the drum is rotationally driven at high speed to perform dehydration operation. It is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the outer tub so as to have an acute angle.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the drum-type washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the outer tub body member communicates with the inside of the outer tub, and wet air is discharged from the outer tub during a drying operation. an exhaust outlet, characterized in that the open end surface until the tubular conduit from the exhaust outlet to extend in the horizontal axis direction is formed as part of the drying air duct.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outer box, an upper lid for opening and closing a laundry input port formed on the upper surface of the outer box, an outer tub disposed in the outer box, and the laundry input. An outer tub opening formed in a peripheral surface of the outer tub, a drum provided inside the outer tub so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis or an inclined axis, and a peripheral surface of the drum In the drum type washing machine having a drum door that opens and closes the drum opening formed in
The outer tank includes an outer tank body member integrally formed with a cylindrical body part in which the outer tank opening is formed and an end surface part that closes one end surface of the body part, and the outer tank body member An end face cover mounted on the outer tank body member to close the open side end face,
Provided on the end face portion side of the outer tub body member is a motor directly connected to the shaft of the drum to rotationally drive the drum;
In order to dry the laundry stored in the drum, heated air is sent into the outer tub, and air containing water vapor discharged from the laundry is taken out of the outer tub and dehumidified, and then heated and circulated again. Further comprising a drying air path for providing the drying air path on the end cover side,
The outer tub body member communicates with the inside of the outer tub and has an exhaust outlet through which moist air is discharged from the outer tub during a drying operation, and extends from the exhaust outlet in the horizontal axis direction to the open side end face. A tubular duct is formed as part of the drying air path,
The direction of the exhaust outlet is such that the air flow generated when the drum is rotationally driven at high speed for performing the dehydration operation is prevented from proceeding with respect to the straight component of the circulating air flow. characterized in that it was.

Further, the invention according to claim 7 is directed to an outer box, an upper lid that opens and closes a laundry input port formed on the upper surface of the outer box, an outer tub disposed in the outer box, and the laundry input. An outer tub opening formed in a peripheral surface of the outer tub, a drum provided inside the outer tub so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis or an inclined axis, and a peripheral surface of the drum In the drum type washing machine having a drum door that opens and closes the drum opening formed in
The outer tank includes an outer tank body member integrally formed with a cylindrical body part in which the outer tank opening is formed and an end surface part that closes one end surface of the body part, and the outer tank body member An end face cover mounted on the outer tank body member to close the open side end face,
Provided on the end face portion side of the outer tub body member is a motor directly connected to the shaft of the drum to rotationally drive the drum;
In order to dry the laundry stored in the drum, heated air is sent into the outer tub, and air containing water vapor discharged from the laundry is taken out of the outer tub and dehumidified, and then heated and circulated again. Further comprising a drying air path for providing the drying air path on the end cover side,
An exhaust outlet for air from the outer tub in the dry air passage is provided on a peripheral surface of the outer tub trunk and at a position higher than the bottom surface of the trunk .

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outer box, an upper lid for opening and closing a laundry inlet formed on the upper surface of the outer box, an outer tub disposed in the outer box, and the laundry inlet. An outer tub opening formed on the peripheral surface of the outer tub, a drum provided inside the outer tub so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis or an inclined axis, and formed on the peripheral surface of the drum In a drum type washing machine having a drum door that opens and closes the opened drum opening,
The outer tank includes an outer tank body member integrally formed with a cylindrical body part in which the outer tank opening is formed and an end surface part that closes one end surface of the body part, and the outer tank body member An end face cover mounted on the outer tank body member to close the open side end face,
Provided on the end face portion side of the outer tub body member is a motor directly connected to the shaft of the drum to rotationally drive the drum;
In order to dry the laundry stored in the drum, heated air is sent into the outer tub, and air containing water vapor discharged from the laundry is taken out of the outer tub and dehumidified, and then heated and circulated again. Further comprising a drying air path for providing the drying air path on the end cover side,
In the outer tub, overflow water for discharging the water of a certain level or higher supplied to the outer tub to the outside at a position lower than the hot air supply port in the drying air passage that sends heated air to the outer tub It is characterized by having a mouth.

  In the outer tub body member of the outer tub in the drum type washing machine according to claim 1, since the cylindrical body portion and the end surface portion act as beams, the end surface cover is simply a substantially plate-shaped member. It has high structural strength. In general, the motor that directly drives the drum is considerably heavy, but since this motor is mounted on the outer tank body member side instead of the end cover, the mounting strength is increased, and even if abnormal vibration occurs, it is highly resistant to damage. Sex can be achieved. In addition, if a slight deviation occurs when the outer tank body member and the end surface cover are fixed, the shaft centers of the two will be displaced. However, by attaching a motor to the outer tank body member, the shaft and drum of the drum Since it becomes easy to match | combine with the axial center of a part, the clearance gap between a drum outer peripheral surface and an outer tank inner peripheral surface can be equalize | homogenized around an axis | shaft.

  Further, as in the drum type washing machine according to claim 2, when a drying air passage is disposed outside the outer tub in order to dry the laundry, the drying air passage is sandwiched between the outer tubs. By attaching to the end cover side opposite to the motor, the weight balance of the outer tub can be improved.

  Of course, in the configuration in which the motor is provided on the end surface portion side of the outer tank body member, even in the configuration in which the drying air path is further provided on the end surface cover side, the motor is heavier than the drying air path. The weight balance in the axial direction is often not good. Therefore, preferably, if a weight for balancing the outer tub is provided in the body portion of the outer tub body member and close to the end surface cover, the axial balance of the outer tub is improved. It is easy to install the outer tub horizontally, which is advantageous for reducing vibration when the drum rotates at high speed. Moreover, since the depth of the water stored in the outer tub becomes uniform, unevenness in washing and rinsing is reduced. Furthermore, the end surface cover is structurally inferior in strength to the outer tank body member, but if a weight is provided on the outer tank body member, the weight load on the end surface cover can be reduced.

  According to the drum type washing machine of the fourth aspect, the air flow generated in the gap between the drum and the outer tub when the drum is rotated at high speed during the dehydration operation is opened toward the outer tub. It is difficult to enter the water supply pipe portion from the opening of the water supply pipe portion. Therefore, even when a detergent container is connected to the upstream side of the water supply pipe section, a strong air flow does not flow backward to the detergent container, and the detergent and softener contained in the detergent container Etc. can be prevented from being pushed up. In addition, for example, even when it is desired to supply a small amount of water into the outer tub while dehydrating in order to suppress foaming of detergent water during intermediate dehydration after the washing operation, the air flow backflows through the water supply pipe as described above. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water from being pushed back. On the contrary, since the air flow generated by the high-speed rotation of the drum causes negative pressure in the water supply pipe, particularly in the vicinity of the opening to the outer tank, the water supplied to the water supply pipe has a force that is sucked into the outer tank. Acts and can smoothly flow into the outer tub.

In the drum type washing machine according to the sixth aspect , the air flow generated in the gap between the drum and the outer tub when the drum is rotated at a high speed during the dehydration operation enters the drying air passage from the exhaust outlet. Hateful. For this reason, it is possible to prevent fine water droplets generated from the water droplets discharged from the laundry during the dehydration operation and scattered on the outer tub side or bubbles from the detergent water from entering the drying air passage. Therefore, it is possible to alleviate failures such as bubbles filling the dry air passage and fine water droplets reaching the heater installed in the dry air passage and corroding the heater.

Further, in the drum type washing machine according to claim 7 , since the exhaust outlet from the outer tub is provided at a position higher than the bottom surface of the outer tub trunk, the outer tub is used during washing and when taking in and out the laundry. Even if foreign matter falls into the inside, the foreign matter does not enter the exhaust outlet. Therefore, for example, as long as the drum is provided with an opening that can be opened and closed so that the bottom of the outer tub can be looked at, the foreign matter dropped on the bottom of the outer tub can be easily picked up through the opening.

  Further, in the drum type washing machine according to claim 8, even when the water supply cannot be stopped due to, for example, an abnormal opening / closing of the water supply valve, the water of a certain level or higher supplied into the outer tub is discharged from the overflow port to the outside. Will be. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from reaching the hot air supply port provided above the overflow port, and prevent the heater installed in the dry air passage from getting into water and causing failure such as corrosion. can do.

  In addition, it is preferable to provide the said overflow port in the end surface of this outer tank on the side close | similar to the drain port provided in the bottom part of the outer tank. Since drainage means such as a drainage valve and drainage pump are installed in the immediate vicinity of the drainage port, if the overflow port is provided at a position close to the drainage port, the length of the hose connected to the overflow port is shortened, and The space required for arrangement can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, a drum type washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment, and FIG. In this drum type washing machine, the outer box is formed in an inclined shape in which a corner between the upper surface portion 1a and the front surface portion 1b is slightly rounded and is lowered forward. A large laundry inlet 3 is opened from the inclined portion 1c to the rear upper surface portion 1a, and the upper lid 2 for opening and closing the laundry inlet 3 extends horizontally in the lateral direction as shown in FIG. The shafts 2a and 2b can stand up in a folded state behind the laundry insertion port 3.

  A detergent container 4 that can be pulled forward is provided on the left side of the upper lid 2, and an operation panel 5 is provided on the right side so as to extend in the front-rear direction. The operation panel 5 has various operation keys for setting the driving course, reservation time, etc., and lights according to these settings, notifies the progress of the washing process, or the remaining time for reservation and driving Various displays for displaying such as are appropriately distributed. Since almost the entire operation panel 5 is oriented obliquely upward, when the user looks down obliquely downward while standing in front of the present washing and drying machine, the surface of the operation panel 5 is perpendicular to the line of sight. Consideration is given that the display is close, the display is easy to see, and the operation keys are easy to press.

  Next, based on FIGS. 3-7, the internal structure of this drum type washing machine is demonstrated roughly. 3 is a front longitudinal sectional view of the main part inside the washing machine, FIG. 4 is also a left side view of the interior, FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the right side of the interior, FIG. 6 is a right side view of the interior, and FIG. It is the front longitudinal cross-sectional view drawn centering on the dry air path.

  Inside the outer box 1, the outer tub 10 whose peripheral surface is substantially cylindrical and whose both end surfaces are substantially closed is suspended from the upper left and right sides with the end faces facing the left and right side surfaces of the outer box 1. The two springs 11 to be supported and the one front-side and two rear-side dampers 12a, 12b, and 12c that support the lower portion of the outer tub 10 in the front-rear direction are held to be moderately swingable. Inside the outer tub 10, as an inner tub for storing laundry, a horizontal drum 13 in which both end surfaces of a substantially cylindrical peripheral surface with a large number of water passage holes are substantially closed. Is provided so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis C extending in the left-right direction.

  The main shaft 14 fixed to the center of the left end surface of the drum 13 is supported by a bearing 17 held by a first bearing case 16 fixed to the left end surface of the outer tub 10. On the other hand, the auxiliary shaft 15 fixed to the center of the right end surface of the drum 13 is supported by a second bearing 19 held by a second bearing case 18 fixed to the right end surface of the outer tub 10. The main axis 14 and the auxiliary axis 15 form the horizontal axis C. The rotor 20b of the outer rotor type motor 20 is fixed to the tip of the main shaft 14 projecting sideways from the left end surface of the outer tub 10, while the stator 20a of the motor 20 is fixed to the first bearing case 16 that also serves as a motor base. Is fixed. That is, the drum 13 is configured to be directly driven by the motor 20. When a drive current is supplied to the stator 20 a from a control circuit (not shown), the rotor 20 b rotates thereby, and the same as the rotor 20 b via the main shaft 14. The drum 13 is rotationally driven at a rotational speed of.

  On the other hand, on the right outside of the outer tub 10, heated air is supplied into the drum 13 during drying, and air containing a large amount of water vapor taken from the laundry is cooled, and the water is condensed and liquefied and removed. A drying air path is provided that circulates to reheat the air. The configuration of the drying air path will be described in detail later.

  An outer tub opening 100a for putting in and out the laundry is provided at a position coinciding with the laundry input port 3 of the outer box from the upper part of the outer peripheral surface of the outer tub 10 to the diagonally forward direction. It can be freely opened and closed by an outer tub door 102 provided so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the direction. A drum opening 130 for taking in and out the laundry is also provided on the peripheral surface of the drum 13, and the drum opening 130 is opened and closed by a drum door 131 including two door bodies 131a and 131b having a double door structure in the front-rear direction. It is free. However, since the drum 13 is rotatable, a drum position fixing device 21 is provided below the stator 20a so that the drum 13 maintains a stopped state at a position where the drum opening 130 coincides with the outer tank opening 100a in the radial direction. The engaging projection protruding from the drum position fixing device 21 and the engaging recess formed in the rotor 20b mesh with each other when the drum 13 is stopped, and the stop position of the drum 13 is determined.

  Furthermore, a drain outlet 100d is provided at the right bottom of the outer tub 10, and the drain outlet 100d is connected to an external drain groove through a drain hose (not shown) through a drain valve 22 that is opened and closed by the operation of the torque motor 23. Yes.

  Next, characteristic components of the drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  First, the support structure of the outer tub 10 that is one of the features will be described. As described above, in the drum type washing machine, the outer tub 10 is a total of one front damper 12a and two rear dampers 12b and 12c with respect to the pedestal portion 6 constituting the bottom of the outer box 1. Supported by three dampers. The upper part of the outer tub 10 is suspended and supplementarily supported by a spring 11, but the force by this suspension is weak, and it is the damper that substantially supports the outer tub 10.

  When the three dampers 12a, 12b, and 12c are fixed to the outer tub 10, the apex of a substantially isosceles triangle is seen from above. Thus, the outer tank 10 is stably supported on the base part 6 by supporting the bottom part of the outer tank 10 by the three dampers 12a, 12b, and 12c. Further, when the laundry is put into the drum 13 from the laundry insertion port 3 located obliquely forward, a larger force is applied to the rear side, but the rear side is supported by the two dampers 12b and 12c. Therefore, the shaking in the left-right direction is small and the laundry can be easily taken in and out. Furthermore, when the front plate of the outer box 1 is removed for repair / inspection, etc., there is only one damper 12a on the front side.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged side sectional view showing the periphery of the front damper 12a. This damper is a so-called hydraulic damper, and includes a cylindrical cylinder 120 in which oil is sealed, and a rod 121 connected to a piston (not shown) that is slidable in the axial direction inside the cylinder 120. And a coil spring 122 sandwiched between a spring receiving plate 123 fixed to the rod 121 and the upper end of the cylinder 120. A flange 124 and a thread groove 125 are formed on the upper portion of the rod 121, and a flange 127 and a thread groove are similarly formed on a shaft 126 projecting downward from the cylinder 120 opposite to the projecting direction of the rod 121. 128 is formed.

  On the other hand, a damper mounting plate 200 is firmly fixed with screws 201 at the front side at the approximate center in the left-right direction of the outer tub 10. The upper end of the rod 121 of the damper 12a has a rubber annular cushion member 203 interposed between the washer 202 and the damper mounting plate 200, which are locked by the flange 124, and the screw groove 125. Another cushion material 206 is inserted between the washer 204 fixed by the screwed nut 205 and the damper mounting plate 200 so as to be fixed to the outer tub 10. Similarly, the lower end of the shaft 126 of the damper 12a is similarly inserted with a cushion member 210 between a washer 209 locked by the flange 127 and the damper mounting plate 207, and a nut 212 screwed into the screw groove 128. The other cushioning material 213 is inserted between the washer 211 and the damper mounting plate 207 that are fixed at, so that the base 6 is fixed. Accordingly, the cushion materials 203 and 206 are crushed as the upper end nut 205 is tightened, and the cushion materials 210 and 223 are crushed as the lower end nut 212 is tightened more strongly.

  The two rear dampers 12b and 12c are also fixed to the rear side near the left and right ends of the outer tub 10 by the same mounting configuration as the front damper 12a.

  In the above configuration, the smaller the crushing distance of the cushion material determined by the tightening degree of the nuts 205 and 212 (and the equivalent nuts in the rear dampers 12b and 12c) (that is, the crushing is weaker), the more elastic the rubber is. The vibration absorbing effect is easily increased. Therefore, there is an advantage that the vibration of the outer tub 10 is difficult to propagate to the pedestal portion 6 and the vibration suppressing effect of the outer box 1 is high. On the other hand, the outer tub 10 is easy to swing, and there is a disadvantage that the outer tub 10 fluctuates when the laundry is put in and out, and it becomes difficult to put in and out. Therefore, in the configuration of the drum type washing machine, while obtaining a sufficient vibration suppressing effect of the outer box 1, the outer tub 10 is prevented from shaking so as to make it difficult to put in and out the laundry. Since the two dampers 12b and 12c are one, the crushing margin of the cushion material is relatively smaller than that of the damper 12a on the front side, which is less stable. Thereby, while suppressing the vibration of the outer case 1 as much as possible, the shaking of the outer tub 10 at the time of putting in the laundry is moderately suppressed.

  In addition to adjusting the elastic force of the rubber by the size of the crushing margin of the cushion material, the same effect can be achieved by using rubbers having different hardnesses. That is, the rear two dampers 12b and 12c may have a lower rubber hardness (that is, soft rubber is used) than the front one damper 12a.

  The spring constant of the coil spring 122 of the front damper 12a is set to be approximately the same as the sum of the spring constants of the coil springs 122 of the two rear dampers 12b and 12c. As described above, the fixing positions of the three dampers 12a, 12b, and 12c to the outer tub 10 form a substantially isosceles triangle. The point is the perpendicular line drawn between the center of the above isosceles triangle (that is, the line connecting the fixed positions of the two rear dampers 12b and 12c) and the center of the base to the fixed position of the front damper 12a. The center point of support in the left-right direction is also near the center of the left and right of the isosceles triangle. Therefore, the center point of support in the front-rear and left-right directions substantially matches the position of the center of gravity of the outer tub 10. By comprising in this way, even when water is stored in the outer tub 10, the entire outer tub 10 can sink substantially uniformly.

  Furthermore, the front damper 12a supports the substantially central portion of the outer tub 10 in the left-right direction, while the rear dampers 12b and 12c support portions close to the end face of the outer tub 10. Therefore, when the laundry is deviated in the drum 13, a large load is applied to the rear damper 12b or 12c. Therefore, the rear dampers 12b and 12c are configured so that the damping force is set larger than that of the front damper 12a so that the vibration to the outer case 1 is not easily transmitted.

  Next, the configuration of the outer tub 10 will be described. The outer tub 10 includes an outer tub body member 100 in which one end surface of a substantially cylindrical body is substantially closed, and an end surface cover 101 that is mounted so as to substantially close an open end surface of the outer tub body member 100. FIG. 9 is a front longitudinal sectional view of the outer tank body member 100.

  The outer tank body member 100 is an integrally molded product made of plastic, and has a lower opening 100b that communicates with the inside of the outer tank 10 at a substantially central lower part in the horizontal axis C direction, and extends from the lower opening 100b in the horizontal axis C direction. A cylindrical pipe line 100c extending to the right open end surface is integrally formed. The lower opening 100b serves as an outlet through which damp air is discharged from the outer tub 10 during the drying operation (therefore, this opening will be referred to as an exhaust outlet 100b in the following description), and the cylindrical pipe line 100c is provided with dry air. Become part of the road.

  A circular opening 101 a is formed at a position corresponding to the open end surface of the tubular pipe line 100 c in the end surface cover 101 that substantially closes the right open end surface of the outer tank body member 100. The end face cover 101 has a dehumidifying pipe 30 covering the opening 101a as a member constituting a dry air passage, and an opening 18a formed in the second bearing case 18 (hereinafter, referred to as a hot air supply port 18a for reasons described later). The heater cover 32 covering the fan casing 31 is fixed to the outside of the outer tub 10 from the exhaust outlet 100b of the outer tub 10 to the hot air supply port 18a together with the cylindrical pipe line 100c. A dry air passage is formed. In this air passage, in order from the exhaust outlet 100b, a dehumidifying part 33 for dehumidifying the moist air discharged from the outer tub 10 and a motor 34 are rotationally driven by the motor 34 to generate an air flow in the air passage. A fan 35 and a heater 36 made of a sheathed wire for heating the air flow are disposed.

  In the above configuration, when the fan 35 is rotationally driven by the motor 34, the fan 35 discharges air sucked from the rear side toward the side. Therefore, an air flow from the fan casing 31 into the heater cover 32 is formed, and the air heated by the heater 36 while passing through the heater cover 32 is sent into the outer tub 10 through the hot air supply port 18a. . The end surface of the drum 13 has a plurality of openings 13 b around the auxiliary shaft 15, and heated air mainly flows into the drum 13 from the openings 13 b. When wet laundry is stored in the drum 13, the heated air passes through the gap between the laundry and the gap between the fibers of the laundry, and at that time, takes away moisture from the laundry. The air containing moisture mainly passes through the water passage holes and exits to the outside of the drum 13, and then passes through the gap between the drum 13 and the outer tub 10 toward the exhaust outlet 100 b.

  The air containing a large amount of water vapor taken out from the exhaust outlet 100b to the outside of the outer tub 10 reaches the dehumidifying section 33 through the cylindrical pipe line 100c and is rapidly cooled. As a result, the water vapor contained in the air is condensed into water, and the dehumidified dry air returns to the fan casing 31 and is circulated so as to be heated by the heater 36 again. In addition, the water condensed in the dehumidification part 33 flows down the inner wall of the dehumidification pipe 30, and is discharged | emitted from the drain hole which is not shown in figure with the water which arose by condensation.

  Thus, the motor 20 is provided on the end face side formed in the outer tub body member 100, and the above-described drying air passage is provided in the end face cover 101 which is the other end face facing the motor 20. In terms of weight, the motor 20 is much heavier than the dry air passage, but the end surface (left end surface) formed on the outer tank body member 100 has higher strength, so the motor 20 should be stably attached. Can do. In addition, since the end surface cover 101 is configured to be fitted to the outer tank body member 100 and fixed with screws, the center of the shaft may be slightly shifted due to backlash, whereas the outer tank body member 100 has an axis of the shaft. Since the center accuracy is high, it is advantageous for making the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the outer tub 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the drum 13 uniform in the circumferential direction.

  In addition, a weight 27 having a predetermined weight is attached to the right end bottom portion of the outer tub body member 100 so as to compensate for an imbalance in weight in the left-right direction caused by the motor 20 and the drying air passage. Thereby, the weight balance in the left-right direction of the outer tub 10 is improved, the inclination of the entire outer tub 10 is eliminated, and vibration during dehydration operation is also suppressed. In particular, by providing the weight 27 at the bottom of the outer tub body member 100, the center of gravity of the outer tub 10 is lowered, thereby reducing vibration.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, in the vicinity of the rear end of the outer tank body member 100, a water supply pipe portion 100e to which one end of the water supply pipe line is connected from above is formed so as to protrude right above, not shown. When the water supply valve is opened or the bath water pump is operated, tap water or bath water is supplied through the detergent container. FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram showing the relationship between the flow of water supplied to the outer tub 10 through the water supply pipe portion 100e and the air flow generated in the outer tub 10 when the drum 13 is rotated at a high speed. It is.

  When the drum 13 is rotationally driven at a high speed, such as during a dehydrating operation, an air flow is generated in the same direction as the rotation of the drum 13 in the gap between the drum 13 and the outer tub 10. However, since the water supply pipe portion 100e is connected to the outer tank body member 100 so that the merge angle θ forms an acute angle, a strong air flow is unlikely to enter the water supply pipe portion 100e. Therefore, air does not flow backward in the water supply pipe line, and it is possible to prevent the air flow reaching the detergent container from pushing out the detergent or the soft finish previously stored in the detergent container.

  In addition, in the intermediate dehydration process after the washing operation, a large amount of foam may be generated by stirring the detergent water discharged from the laundry, and in order to suppress this foam, a small amount of water is used while performing the dehydration operation. There is a case where a pouring control is performed. Even in that case, since the air flow generated by the high-speed rotation of the drum 13 does not easily flow backward to the water supply pipe portion 100e, the air flow does not hinder the supply of water into the outer tub 10, and the outer tub 10 It is possible to reliably suppress the foaming of the detergent water.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the end surface cover 101 is provided with an overflow port 101 b, and the overflow port 101 b is connected to the outlet side of the drain valve 22 via the overflow hose 28. When the water supplied in the outer tub 10 is stored in the outer tub 10 and the water level rises and reaches the overflow port 101b, the water flows out from the overflow port 101b to the outside through the overflow hose 28. Therefore, for example, even when the water supply valve is not closed due to a failure or the like, it is possible to prevent the water level in the outer tub 10 from rising abnormally and leaking out of the machine. The overflow port 101b is provided at a position lower than the hot air supply port 18a. Therefore, even if the water level in the outer tub 10 rises and reaches a level at which it begins to flow out of the overflow port 101b, it is possible to prevent water from flowing into the heater cover 32 from the hot air supply port 18a and the heater 36 from getting wet. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a step is provided so that the lower end of the exhaust outlet 100 b opened in the outer tub 10 is higher than the bottom of the inner peripheral surface of the outer tub 10 by a height d. As a result, even if some foreign matter falls into the outer tub 10, the foreign matter that has fallen to the bottom of the outer tub 10 stays there due to the step, and the foreign matter is less likely to enter the tubular conduit 100c. Yes.

  The drum body 13a, which is the bottom when the drum 13 is stopped, is provided with a foreign matter outlet 13c that can be opened and closed by a lid 25 that is detachable from the inside of the drum 13. If a user (or a service person) removes the lid 25 from the inner peripheral side of the drum 13 when foreign matter is dropped in the gap between the outer tub 10 and the drum 13, the outer tub 10 is passed through the foreign matter outlet 13c. Therefore, it is possible to easily pick up the foreign matter staying at the step by inserting a finger or the like.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the position and direction of the exhaust outlet 100b are such that the water supply pipe portion 100e is connected to the outer tank body member 100 so that the air flow generated when the drum 13 rotates at high speed is difficult to flow. Similar to the direction, it is provided so as to prevent the advancement of the straight component of the circulating air flow. Therefore, it is difficult for the air flow to flow into the cylindrical pipe line 100c, and thereby, it is difficult for fine water droplets scattered from the laundry during the dehydration operation and bubbles from the detergent to enter the dry air path. As a result, it is possible to prevent the dry air passage from being filled with bubbles, and water droplets from adhering to the heater 36 to be easily corroded.

  Furthermore, FIG. 11 is a front longitudinal sectional view of a main part in the vicinity of the drain outlet 100d at the bottom of the outer tank body member 100. A drain valve casing 22a integrally formed with an air trap 26 is attached to the drain port 100d, and the bottom opening of the air trap 26 is closed with a bottom plug 26a. A valve body 22b is provided in the valve casing 22a so as to advance and retract by driving the torque motor 23. A pressure sensor is connected to the upper hole of the air trap 26 through an air hose (not shown) so that the water level in the outer tub 10 can be detected by the pressure sensor. It is possible to detect a lower water level as the air trap 26 is provided at a lower position with respect to the outer tub 10, but by providing the air trap 26 in the drain valve casing 22a, the lowest position in the outer tub 10 is provided. An air trap 26 can be arranged on the front side. Of course, in order to obtain the same effect, the air trap and the drain valve casing may be formed separately, and the air trap may be connected to the drain valve casing later.

  The above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention, and it is obvious that changes and modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

1 is an external perspective view of a drum type washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The side longitudinal cross-sectional view of the upper part of the drum type washing machine of a present Example. The front longitudinal cross-sectional view of the principal part inside the drum type washing machine of a present Example. The left view inside the drum type washing machine of a present Example. The right side longitudinal cross-sectional view inside the drum type washing machine of a present Example. The right view inside the drum type washing machine of a present Example. The front longitudinal cross-sectional view drawn centering on the drying air path inside the drum type washing machine of a present Example. The enlarged view of the front side damper periphery in the drum type washing machine of a present Example. The front longitudinal cross-sectional view of the outer tank trunk | drum in the drum type washing machine of a present Example. In the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment, the relationship between the flow of water supplied to the outer tub through the water supply pipe section and the air flow generated in the outer tub when the drum is rotated at high speed is shown in a simplified manner. Figure. The front longitudinal cross-sectional view of the principal part near the drain outlet in the drum type washing machine of a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outer box 3 ... Laundry inlet 6 ... Base part 10 ... Outer tank 100 ... Outer tank trunk | drum 100a ... Outer tank opening 100b ... Exhaust outlet (lower opening)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100c ... Cylindrical pipe line 100d ... Drain port 100e ... Water supply pipe part 101 ... End surface cover 101a ... Opening 101b ... Overflow port 102 ... Outer tank door 12a, 12b, 12c ... Damper 120 ... Cylinder 121 ... Rod 123 ... Spring receiving plate 124 127 ... Flange 125 ... Screw groove 126, 128 ... Shaft 13 ... Drum 20 ... Motor 200, 207 ... Damper mounting plate 201 ... Screws 202, 204, 209, 211 ... Washers 203, 206, 210, 213 ... Cushion material 205, 212 ... Nut 22 ... Drain valve 22a ... Drain valve casing 22b ... Valve body 23 ... Torque motor 26 ... Air trap 27 ... Weight 28 ... Overflow hose 30 ... Dehumidification pipe 31 ... Fan casing 32 ... Heater cover 33 ... Dehumidification part 34 ... Motor 35 ... Fan 36 ... Heater

Claims (8)

An outer box, an upper lid for opening and closing a laundry input port formed on the upper surface of the outer box, an outer tub disposed in the outer box, and below the laundry input port, the outer tub An outer tub opening formed on the peripheral surface of the drum, a drum provided inside the outer tub so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis or an inclined axis, and a drum for opening and closing the drum opening formed on the peripheral surface of the drum In a drum-type washing machine equipped with a door,
The outer tub body member is an integrally formed product made of plastic in which a cylindrical body portion in which the outer tub opening is formed and an end surface portion that closes one end surface of the body portion are integrally formed. And an end surface cover attached to the outer tub body member so as to close the open side end surface of the outer tub body member,
The end face side of the outer tub body member, a drum type washing machine is characterized in that so as to provide a motor which is directly coupled to the shaft of the drum so as to rotate driving the drum. In order to dry the laundry stored in the drum, heated air is sent into the outer tub, and air containing water vapor discharged from the laundry is taken out of the outer tub and dehumidified, and then heated and circulated again. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a drying air passage for causing the air to flow, and the drying air passage is provided on the end cover side. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a weight for balancing the outer tub is provided in a portion of the outer tub body member close to the end surface cover. . A water supply pipe portion for supplying water into the outer tub through a detergent container in which the detergent is stored has a direction in which water flows into the outer tub when the water is supplied. The outer circumferential surface of the outer tub is connected so as to have an acute angle with respect to the air flow generated in the circumferential direction in the gap between the drum and the outer tub when driven to rotate at high speed. 2. A drum-type washing machine according to 1. The outer tub body member communicates with the inside of the outer tub and has an exhaust outlet through which moist air is discharged from the outer tub during a drying operation, and extends from the exhaust outlet in the horizontal axis direction to the open side end face. drum-type washing machine according to claim 2, the tubular conduit is characterized in that it is formed as part of the drying air duct. An outer box, an upper lid for opening and closing a laundry input port formed on the upper surface of the outer box, an outer tub disposed in the outer box, and below the laundry input port, the outer tub An outer tub opening formed on the peripheral surface of the drum, a drum provided inside the outer tub so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis or an inclined axis, and a drum for opening and closing the drum opening formed on the peripheral surface of the drum In a drum-type washing machine equipped with a door,
The outer tank includes an outer tank body member integrally formed with a cylindrical body part in which the outer tank opening is formed and an end surface part that closes one end surface of the body part, and the outer tank body member An end face cover mounted on the outer tank body member to close the open side end face,
Provided on the end face portion side of the outer tub body member is a motor directly connected to the shaft of the drum to rotationally drive the drum;
In order to dry the laundry stored in the drum, heated air is sent into the outer tub, and air containing water vapor discharged from the laundry is taken out of the outer tub and dehumidified, and then heated and circulated again. Further comprising a drying air path for providing the drying air path on the end cover side,
The outer tub body member communicates with the inside of the outer tub and has an exhaust outlet through which moist air is discharged from the outer tub during a drying operation, and extends from the exhaust outlet in the horizontal axis direction to the open side end face. A cylindrical pipe line is formed as part of the dry air path,
The direction of the exhaust outlet is such that the air flow generated when the drum is rotationally driven at high speed for performing the dehydration operation is prevented from proceeding with respect to the straight component of the circulating air flow. Drum-type washing machine characterized by that. An outer box, an upper lid for opening and closing a laundry input port formed on the upper surface of the outer box, an outer tub disposed in the outer box, and below the laundry input port, the outer tub An outer tub opening formed on the peripheral surface of the drum, a drum provided inside the outer tub so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis or an inclined axis, and a drum for opening and closing the drum opening formed on the peripheral surface of the drum In a drum-type washing machine equipped with a door,
The outer tank includes an outer tank body member integrally formed with a cylindrical body part in which the outer tank opening is formed and an end surface part that closes one end surface of the body part, and the outer tank body member An end face cover mounted on the outer tank body member to close the open side end face,
Provided on the end face portion side of the outer tub body member is a motor directly connected to the shaft of the drum to rotationally drive the drum;
In order to dry the laundry stored in the drum, heated air is sent into the outer tub, and air containing water vapor discharged from the laundry is taken out of the outer tub and dehumidified, and then heated and circulated again. Further comprising a drying air path for providing the drying air path on the end cover side,
A drum in the drying air passage, wherein an exhaust outlet for air from the outer tub is provided on a peripheral surface of the outer tub barrel and at a position one step higher than the bottom surface of the barrel. Type washing machine. An outer box, an upper lid for opening and closing a laundry input port formed on the upper surface of the outer box, an outer tub disposed in the outer box, and below the laundry input port, the outer tub An outer tub opening formed on the peripheral surface of the drum, a drum provided inside the outer tub so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis or an inclined axis, and a drum for opening and closing the drum opening formed on the peripheral surface of the drum In a drum-type washing machine equipped with a door,
The outer tank includes an outer tank body member integrally formed with a cylindrical body part in which the outer tank opening is formed and an end surface part that closes one end surface of the body part, and the outer tank body member An end face cover mounted on the outer tank body member to close the open side end face,
Provided on the end face portion side of the outer tub body member is a motor directly connected to the shaft of the drum to rotationally drive the drum;
In order to dry the laundry stored in the drum, heated air is sent into the outer tub, and air containing water vapor discharged from the laundry is taken out of the outer tub and dehumidified, and then heated and circulated again. Further comprising a drying air path for providing the drying air path on the end cover side,
In the outer tub, overflow water for discharging the water of a certain level or higher supplied to the outer tub to the outside at a position lower than the hot air supply port in the drying air passage that sends heated air to the outer tub drum-type washing machine characterized in that a mouth.