JP3920578B2 - Drum washing machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a drum-type washing machine, and more particularly to a drum-type washing machine suitable for washing a futon.
[0002]
[Prior art]
By using a large drum-type washing machine installed in a cleaning store or a large-scale coin laundry store, it is possible to wash the futons and the like. However, when a Japanese futon or mattress filled with futon cotton in a large futon leather (outer bag-like cloth) is placed in the drum and washed, the futon cotton moves within the futon leather. , So-called ball state. On the other hand, the present applicant has proposed a novel drum type washing machine capable of solving the above problems in Japanese Patent Application No. 10-221180 (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-51563).
[0003]
In this drum type washing machine, the futon is spread and accommodated on the inner peripheral wall surface of the drum, and at the start of washing, the futon in the drum is accelerated to a rotational speed such that it is attached to the inner peripheral wall surface of the drum and rotated by centrifugal force. Thereafter, water is supplied to a predetermined water level, a predetermined amount of washing liquid is stored in the outer tub, and washing is performed so that the futon passes through the detergent water stored at the bottom of the drum while sticking to the inner peripheral wall surface of the drum. . As a result, the futon does not roll inside the drum, and the futon cotton does not move within the duvet skin, so that it does not lose its shape. In addition, since the work of arranging the futon into a roll shape, which has been performed for washing the futon before that, is unnecessary, there is an advantage that the labor of the futon washing can be greatly reduced.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the drum type washing machine as described above, when the rotational speed of the drum during the washing operation is relatively high, strong centrifugal force acts on the water stored in the outer tub, and the water accumulates at the bottom of the outer tub. Instead, it collects in the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the outer tub and the outer peripheral surface of the drum, enters the drum through the front opening of the drum from the gap between the front edge of the outer tub and the front edge of the drum, and moves the futon from the inside to the outside. After passing, it goes out of the drum through the water hole. For this reason, among the futons arranged in the drum, the washing liquid is easily applied to the portion located on the front side of the drum, whereas the washing liquid is less likely to be applied to the portion located on the rear side of the drum. There is.
[0005]
Also, even if it is generally referred to as a futon, there is a considerable difference in thickness and weight between a mattress or winter comforter and a summer comforter or blanket. As the position rises, it tends to peel off from the inner wall of the drum side peripheral surface due to buoyancy. For this reason, the futon may move undesirably in the drum, causing a loss of shape.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a drum-type washing machine capable of washing futons without deformation and without unevenness.
[0007]
[Means for solving the problems and effects]
The drum-type washing machine according to the first aspect of the invention made to solve the above-described problems is
a) an outer tub for storing washing liquid;
b) A drum which is rotatably arranged around the horizontal axis or the inclined axis inside the outer tub, and has a clothing input opening on the front end face and a plurality of liquid passage holes perforated on the side peripheral face and the rear end face. When,
c) a motor for rotationally driving the drum;
d) In order to rotate the drum at a rotational speed such that the laundry stored in the drum sticks to the inner peripheral wall of the drum and rotates with the washing liquid stored in the outer tub. In a drum type washing machine provided with operation control means for washing and / or rinsing the laundry by controlling a motor,
It is a pocket shape provided at the rear end surface of the drum and having an inlet opening toward the shaft side so as to cover at least a part of the liquid passage hole, and the drum is rotated at the rotational speed. At this time, water entering the inside through the inlet opening is pressed against the bottom side by centrifugal force to be applied with a strong pressure, and is provided with a liquid holding portion that ejects water into the drum through the water passage hole .
[0008]
Here, when the drum type washing machine performs washing using water, the washing liquid is washing water (water in which a detergent is dissolved) or ordinary water, and a solvent (petroleum solvent, etc.) ) Is used to wash the laundry, the washing solution is a solvent in which the soap is dissolved or not dissolved.
[0009]
In this drum type washing machine, when washing is too easy, the laundry sticks to the inner wall of the drum side peripheral surface by centrifugal force and rotates, and the centrifugal force similarly acts on the washing liquid stored in the outer tub. Therefore, the washing liquid is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the outer tub, and the washing liquid that has escaped to the front of the drum passes through the gap between the front edge of the outer tub and the front edge of the drum and enters the drum from the clothing input opening on the front surface of the drum. And spout. On the other hand, the washing liquid that has escaped to the rear of the drum enters the liquid holding portion in the gap between the drum rear end face and the outer tub rear face, and is pushed out into the drum through the liquid passage hole due to the centrifugal force acting therein. That is, the liquid holding part semi-forcefully ejects from the drum end rear surface into the drum. The washing liquid spouted from the front and rear end surfaces of the drum to the inside of the drum falls on the inner peripheral surface of the laundry attached to the inner wall of the drum side peripheral surface. Passes out to the outer peripheral side and flows out to the outer tank side through the liquid passage hole on the drum side peripheral surface. Thus, when the laundry liquid passes through the laundry, the dirt adhering to the laundry is peeled off and dissolved in the laundry liquid.
[0010]
Therefore, according to the drum-type washing machine according to the first aspect of the invention, since water uniformly falls on the inner peripheral side of the laundry, it is difficult to cause uneven washing and excessive unevenness, and can exhibit high washing performance and rinsing performance. . In addition, since the laundry itself is not agitated or rubbed against each other, the occurrence of out of shape and fabric damage is reduced. For example, even when washing the futon, the futon cotton will not be displaced inside the duvet skin, so it can be prevented that the duvet cotton is in a ball state, and there is no need for prior preparation such as wrapping the futon and tying it with a string as before become. Furthermore, in the conventional drum type washing machine, since there is no circulation of the washing liquid from the drum rear end face side, the washing liquid accumulated in the gap between the drum rear end face and the rear end face of the outer tub is hardly replaced, and contributes to washing. I did not. On the other hand, in the drum type washing machine according to the first aspect of the invention, since the entire washing liquid passes through the laundry while circulating smoothly, the washing liquid is used effectively, and this also achieves high washing performance. In addition, since the entire washing liquid can be used effectively, it is not necessary to undesirably increase the detergent concentration in the washing liquid, the amount of detergent used can be suppressed, operation costs can be reduced, and environmental pollution can be reduced. In addition, the amount of water used can be suppressed, and the operating cost can be reduced in this respect.
[0011]
By providing a plurality of liquid holding portions around the shaft, the washing liquid is ejected almost continuously from the rear side into the drum, so that the effect can be further enhanced.
[0012]
In addition, by providing a drainage opening in the liquid holding part toward the outer peripheral side, the washing liquid remaining in the liquid holding part can be efficiently discharged at the time of dehydration after being easily washed, and It is possible to prevent dust from accumulating at the bottom of the liquid holding unit.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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 a side sectional view showing a schematic structure of the interior of a drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a rear view of the drum of this drum type washing machine, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion A in FIG. is there.
[0018]
First, the internal structure of the washing machine will be described with reference to FIG. Inside the outer box 1, a substantially cylindrical outer tank 2 whose rear end face (right side in FIG. 1) is closed is suspended and supported by a spring 3 and a damper 4 so as to be swingable. A drum 5 for accommodating laundry is supported by a main shaft 6. The main shaft 6 is rotatably supported by a bearing 7 mounted on the rear surface of the outer tub 2, and a main pulley 8 is attached to the tip of the main shaft 6. A motor 9 is installed below the outer tub 2, and the rotational driving force of the motor 9 is transmitted to the main pulley 8 via the motor pulley 10 and the V belt 11, thereby rotating the drum 5. A door 12 is attached to the front surface of the outer box 1 so that it can be opened and closed. When the door 12 is closed, the front opening of the outer tub 2 is closed.
[0019]
A water supply pipe 13 that is opened and closed by a water supply valve 14 is connected to the rear surface of the outer tank 2, while a drain pipe 15 that is opened and closed by a drain valve 16 is connected to the bottom of the outer tank 2. When the water supply valve 14 is opened while the drain valve 16 is closed, the water supplied through the water supply pipe 13 is stored in the outer tub 2. The drum 5 has a large number of water passage holes 511 on the side peripheral surface, and the water stored in the outer tub 2 flows into the drum 5 through the water passage holes 511. Further, after rinsing and rinsing are completed, the drain valve 16 is opened, and the water in the outer tub 2 is discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 15.
[0020]
The drum 5 includes a cylindrical body 51, a front plate 52 having a clothing input port attached to the front end surface of the body 51, and a rear plate 53 attached to the rear end surface of the body 51. As shown in FIG. 2, in order to fix the main shaft 6 to the rear surface plate 53 of the drum 5, a main shaft fixing portion 17 having three arms extending radially is attached to the periphery thereof. As a characteristic configuration, in this drum type washing machine, the rear plate 53 of the drum 5 is also provided with a large number of water passage holes 531 on the outer peripheral side thereof. Further, water holding members 18 are respectively attached so as to be bridged between the three arms of the main shaft fixing portion 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the water holding member 18 is a metal plate whose cross section is bent in an L shape, the L shape portion is on the outer peripheral side, and the rear plate 53 of the drum 5 and a predetermined plate It is attached to keep the gap. As a result, a pocket is formed between the water holding member 18 and the rear plate 53 of the drum 5, which has a water inlet opening 181 that is largely opened on the inner peripheral side and a drain opening 182 that is opened small on the outer peripheral side. Here, the inner peripheral side edge of the water holding member 18 is processed into an arc shape that is substantially coaxial with the drum portion 51 of the drum 5, and the outer peripheral side is linear in order to facilitate bending, It is not limited to such a shape.
[0021]
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electric system of the drum type washing machine. The control unit 20 is mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, a timer, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and an operation unit 21, a display unit 22, a water level sensor 23, a motor drive unit 24, a valve drive unit 25, and the like are connected thereto. Yes. The operation unit 21 includes various switches operated by the user, and is for performing various settings related to washing. The display unit 22 includes a numerical display and the like for displaying the setting status and the progress of washing. The water level sensor 23 has a configuration in which a pressure sensor is connected to the other end of a pressure hose having one end connected near the bottom of the outer tub 2, and a pressure hose when water is stored in the outer tub 2. The water level in the outer tub 2 is detected by detecting the air pressure inside. In the control unit 20, the CPU receives an input operation signal from the operation unit 21 and a water level detection signal from the water level sensor 23 in the process of executing the operation program stored in advance in the ROM, and performs predetermined calculation processing. The motor drive unit 24 and the valve drive unit 25 are controlled.
[0022]
In this drum type washing machine, there are operation keys capable of selecting a normal washing mode in which the laundry is tapped and washed in a conventional washing machine and a futon washing mode in which a washing operation suitable for washing of the futons is performed. Provided in the operation unit 21. Furthermore, when the futon washing mode is selected, a thick laundry mode suitable for washing thick bedding (hereinafter simply referred to as “thick”) such as mattresses and winter comforters, as well as summer comforters and blankets, etc. As described above, the operation unit 21 is also provided with an operation key capable of selecting any one of the thin laundry modes suitable for washing thin bedding (hereinafter simply referred to as “thin”).
[0023]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the washing process in this drum type washing machine, and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the futon accommodated in the drum. A washing procedure in the washing machine of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0024]
When washing two futons, as shown in FIG. 6A, the user spreads and accommodates one futon 30 a along the wall surface of the bottom of the drum 5, and puts the other futon 30 b into the drum 5. It is housed in a state of being folded to a minimum in the upper space inside. When the user selects the futon washing mode with the operation unit 21 and further selects either the thick laundry mode or the thin laundry mode and gives an instruction to start washing, the control unit 20 receives this instruction and performs predetermined operation control. Start operation according to the program. First, the water supply valve 14 is opened via the valve drive unit 25, and water supply into the outer tub 2 is started through the water supply pipe 13 (step S1). When the water is supplied, by passing water through the detergent charging box, the detergent stored in the detergent charging box in advance is dissolved in water and becomes detergent water when water enters the outer tub 2. To be.
[0025]
Thereafter, the motor 9 is activated via the motor drive unit 24, and the rotational speed of the drum 5 is rapidly increased to a rotational speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the drum 5 surpasses gravity. Specifically, the rotation speed at this time (hereinafter referred to as “washing rotation speed”) is 80 rpm in the thick laundry mode and 90 rpm in the thin laundry mode (step S2). When the drum 5 is accelerated from the stopped state to the rotational speed in this way, the futon in the drum 5 quickly sticks to the inner surface of the drum portion 51 of the drum 5 by centrifugal force and rotates together with the drum 5. . Here, the reason why the rotational speed is set higher in the thin laundry mode is that the thin article is less sticking to the inner surface of the body 51 than the thick article, and is particularly likely to float when the water level rises.
[0026]
The controller 20 repeatedly determines whether or not the water level detected by the water level sensor 23 has reached a predetermined water level (step S3). If the water level has reached the predetermined water level, the water supply valve 14 is closed and water supply is stopped (step S4). The water level at this time is about 7 to 9 in terms of water depth (the height from the bottom to the center of the outer tub 2 is divided into 10 equal parts, the center being 10 and the bottom being 0), and the washing operation in the normal washing mode. It is set higher than the washing water level at the time (water depth of about 5). Furthermore, for the reasons described later, appropriate washing can be performed by changing the predetermined water level between the thick laundry mode and the thin laundry mode.
[0027]
When the drum 5 is rotated at the washing rotational speed, the two futons 30a and 30b stick to the inner surface of the drum portion 51 of the drum 5 as shown in FIG. 6B, but are stored in the outer tub 2. Water is also pushed out from the drum 5 through the water passage hole 511 to the outer tub 2 side by centrifugal force, and between the outer surface of the drum portion 51 of the drum 5 and the inner surface of the drum portion 201 of the outer tub 2 over almost the entire circumference of the drum 5. Fill the gap. However, since the gap is narrow and water further flows out from the inside to the outside of the drum 5 due to centrifugal force, the water moves forward and through the gap between the drum portion 51 of the drum 5 and the drum portion 201 of the outer tub 2. Around the rear, in the front, the drum 5 is sprayed from the clothing inlet to the inside of the drum 5 through the gap between the edge of the front plate 52 around the clothing inlet and the inside of the door 12 (see FIG. 1). ).
[0028]
On the other hand, at the rear of the drum 5, the water passes through the gap between the rear plate 53 of the drum 5 and the rear plate 202 of the outer tub 2, and passes between the rear plate 53 of the drum 5 and the water holding member 18 from the inlet opening 181. It enters into the pocket to be formed (see arrows L1 and L2 in FIG. 3), and is then pressed against the bottom side of the pocket by centrifugal force. There is a drain opening 182 at the bottom, but the amount of water that can flow out of the drain opening 182 is much smaller than the amount of water entering from the inlet opening 181, so the water in the pocket is strong due to centrifugal force Pressure is applied. Thus, water is ejected into the drum 5 through the water passage holes 531 provided in the rear plate 53 of the drum 5 (see arrows L3 in FIGS. 1 and 3).
[0029]
Inside the drum 5, the two futons 30 a and 30 b rotate with the rotation while sticking to the inner surface of the drum portion 51 of the drum 5, and the volume is reduced by containing water. A large space is formed. The water spouted from the front and rear to the inside of the drum 5 just jumps into this space and falls on the inner peripheral surface of the futon. After that, water tends to move in the outer circumferential direction due to centrifugal force. Therefore, the water passes through the inside of the futon, that is, through the futon skin or the futon cotton, and exits to the inner surface side of the drum portion 51 of the drum 5. After that, it scatters to the outer tank 2 side. When the detergent water passes through the interior of the futon, dirt and fine dust attached to the duvet skin and duvet cotton are carried away by the pressure. Since water sprays evenly on the futon when water spouts from both the front and rear sides of the drum 5, high washing performance can be obtained. Moreover, since water circulates through the path | route which goes forward from the trunk | drum 51 outer surface side of the drum 5, respectively, and the path | route which goes back, all the water supplied in the outer tub 2 circulates smoothly, Used for cleaning. Therefore, since there is no stagnation of detergent water generated in the conventional drum type washing machine, high washing performance can be achieved even if the amount of detergent used is reduced.
[0030]
In this way, the washing operation is performed while maintaining the washing rotational speed, and if the predetermined washing time has elapsed (“Y” in step S6), the drain valve 16 is opened while the drum 5 continues to rotate (step S6). S7). As a result, the detergent water in the outer tub 2 is discharged to the outside and the washing operation ends. Thereafter, if an appropriate time has elapsed since the drainage valve 16 was opened, the rotational speed of the drum 5 is increased, intermediate dehydration is performed, and the detergent water that has permeated into the futons 30a and 30b is scattered. Then, the first rinsing is performed in the same manner as in the above-described steps S1 to S7, and after repeating this three times, the final dewatering is performed by increasing the rotational speed of the drum 5 to the maximum dewatering rotational speed. Thus, the drum 5 always rotates in the same direction from the start of the washing operation to the end of the final dehydration, and the rotation speed is maintained within a range of rotation speed where the centrifugal force acting on the laundry is superior to gravity. Therefore, the futons 30a and 30b attached to the inner surface of the drum portion 51 of the drum 5 by the centrifugal force are not detached from the inner wall until the end, and the futon cotton is not displaced. The water remaining in the pocket formed by the rear plate 53 of the drum 5 and the water holding member 18 is completely discharged through the drainage opening 182 (see arrow L4 in FIG. 3), and mixed into the water at that time. Since dust such as lint that is flowing out also flows out, it does not collect at the bottom of the pocket.
[0031]
Here, the reason why the predetermined water level is changed between the thin laundry mode and the thick laundry mode will be described with reference to FIG. In the futon washing mode in the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment, when the centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the drum 5 rotates at such a rotational speed as to overcome gravity, the water level in the outer tub 2 is a predetermined water level. It is determined whether or not. The water level sensor 23 detects the water level by pressure, and even if the water storage amount is the same as shown in FIG. 7A, the pressure increases as the rotational speed of the drum 5 increases. It is recognized that the water level is higher at 90 rpm (that is, the water level sensor 23 outputs a water level detection signal indicating a high water level). Since the determination of the water level is performed by comparing the water level detection signal with predetermined reference data, the reference data is adjusted in consideration of such a difference in rotational speed.
[0032]
On the other hand, when washing thick items, the amount of water absorbed by the futon is large, and the amount of water that can actually circulate in the outer tub 2 and contribute to washing tends to be small. On the other hand, when washing thin objects, the amount of water absorbed by the futon is small, and if the amount of water is large and the water level rises too much, the buoyancy will overcome the centrifugal force and the duvet will not stick firmly to the drum 5 and will move. There is a problem. Therefore, when washing thick items, it is desirable to increase the amount of water stored in the outer tub 2 than when washing thin items. That is, although the amount of water is determined as shown in FIG. 7 (b), it is also necessary to consider the deviation in water level detection due to the difference in rotational speed as described above. Determine the criteria data for water level detection.
[0033]
Since it is determined whether or not the predetermined water level has been reached using the determination criterion data thus determined, more water is used in the thick laundry mode than in the thin laundry mode as shown in FIG. Can be washed while being stored in the outer tub 2. Therefore, in the thick laundry mode, high washing performance can be obtained by washing with a sufficient amount of detergent water. On the other hand, in the thin laundry mode, the futon is unlikely to peel off from the inner surface of the drum portion 51 of the drum 5, and displacement due to movement can be avoided. In addition, it is possible to save water and detergent while maintaining high washing performance.
[0034]
It should be noted that the above embodiment is merely an example, and it is obvious that changes and modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a drum type washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the drum of the drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of a part A in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electric system of the drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a washing process in the drum type washing machine according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state of a futon housed in a drum in the drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the amount of water stored during washing in the drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment and the water level detected by the water level sensor.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outer box 2 ... Outer tank 201 ... Body part 202 ... Rear surface plate 5 ... Drum 51 ... Body part 511, 531 ... Water flow hole 52 ... Front surface plate 53 ... Rear surface plate 6 ... Main shaft 7 ... Bearing 8 ... Main pulley 9 ... Motor 10 ... Motor pulley 11 ... V belt 12 ... Door 13 ... Water supply pipe 14 ... Water supply valve 17 ... Main shaft fixing part 18 ... Water holding member 181 ... Water inlet 182 ... Drainage opening 20 ... Control part 21 ... Operation part 22 ... Display part 23 ... Water level sensor 24 ... Motor drive 25 ... Valve drive

Claims (3)

a) an outer tub for storing washing liquid;
b) A drum which is rotatably arranged around the horizontal axis or the inclined axis inside the outer tub, and has a clothing input opening on the front end face and a plurality of liquid passage holes perforated on the side peripheral face and the rear end face. When,
c) a motor for rotationally driving the drum;
d) In order to rotate the drum at a rotational speed such that the laundry stored in the drum sticks to the inner peripheral wall of the drum and rotates with the washing liquid stored in the outer tub. In a drum type washing machine provided with operation control means for washing and / or rinsing the laundry by controlling a motor,
It is a pocket shape provided at the rear end surface of the drum and having an inlet opening toward the shaft side so as to cover at least a part of the liquid passage hole, and the drum is rotated at the rotational speed. And a liquid holding unit that causes water entering the inside of the inlet opening to be pressed against the bottom side by centrifugal force to be applied with a strong pressure and ejects water into the drum through the water passage hole. Type washing machine.   The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the liquid holding portions are provided around the shaft.   The drum type washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid holding part has a drain opening toward an outer peripheral side.

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