JP4007243B2

JP4007243B2 - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: JP4007243B2
Application number: JP2003107606A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 謙治寺井; 裕幸藤井; 優子大村
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp; Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2003-04-11
Filing date: 2003-04-11
Publication date: 2007-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-11
Also published as: CN1323208C; KR20040089523A; TW200420786A; TWI252884B; JP2004313233A; CN2778854Y; KR100600184B1; CN1536129A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、洗濯物の上方から泡を吐出して洗濯する洗濯機に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、代表的な洗濯機は、パルセーターと呼ばれる攪拌翼を回転させて洗濯するものであり、この種の洗濯機の構成を図９を参照しながら説明する。
【０００３】
図９に示すように、外槽３０は、底部に攪拌翼３１を回転自在に配設した洗濯兼脱水槽（内槽）３２を内包し、吊り棒３３により洗濯機外枠３４に吊り下げている。モータ３５は、Ｖベルト３６および減速機構兼クラッチ３７を介して、攪拌翼３１または洗濯兼脱水槽３２を駆動する。排水弁３８は洗濯兼脱水槽３２内の洗濯液を排水し、給水弁３９は洗濯兼脱水槽３２内に給水するものである。
【０００４】
洗濯兼脱水槽３２には脱水時の振動を低減させるための流体バランサー４０を設け、洗濯兼脱水槽３２の上部には蓋４１を配設している。制御装置４２は、モータ３５、排水弁３８、給水弁３９などを制御して、洗濯、すすぎ、脱水の一連の行程を逐次制御するものである（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
【０００５】
上記構成において動作を説明すると、洗濯兼脱水槽３２に洗濯物と所定量の洗剤を投入した後、洗濯を開始すると制御装置４２により給水弁３９を制御して洗濯兼脱水槽３２内に所定量の水を給水し、その後制御装置４２により、モータ３５を制御して攪拌翼３１を駆動する。攪拌翼３１の回転によって洗濯兼脱水槽３２内の洗濯物と水とを攪拌し、この攪拌によって洗剤を徐々に溶解して洗濯液となり、洗濯物の汚れに作用することとなる。
【０００６】
【特許文献１】
特開２００３−１７５２９３号公報
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、この構成の洗濯機の場合、攪拌翼３１の回転によって洗濯兼脱水槽３２内の洗濯物を攪拌するといった機械力のみによって洗浄力を確保しているため、洗濯兼脱水槽３２の底部にある洗濯物には機械力が伝わりやすく、高い洗浄力が得られるが、洗濯兼脱水槽３２の上部にある洗濯物には機械力が伝わりにくいため、洗浄力が得られず、洗いむらが大きくなるという問題を有していた。
【０００８】
本発明は上記課題を解決するもので、溶解した洗濯液より泡を発生させ、発生した泡が泡室に集められ循環経路を通って泡吐出部から内槽の上方より内槽内に吐出されて、内槽内の洗濯物に上方からかけられることで、高い洗浄力を確保し、洗いむらを低減することを目的としている。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は上記目的を達成するために、洗濯物を収容する内槽を外槽内に回転自在に収容し、内槽を駆動手段により回転駆動するよう構成し、外槽の内面で外槽の内底部よりも上方の位置に泡室を形成し、一端が泡室と接続され他端が内槽の上方に設けた泡吐出部と接続される循環経路を設け、通常の洗濯水位よりも低い水位で内槽を高速回転させることによって内槽と外槽の間の洗濯液に泡を発生させ、発生した泡が泡室に集められ循環経路を通って泡吐出部から内槽の上方より内槽内に吐出される泡行程を有し、泡室の外周部を構成する側板は、泡行程時の内槽の回転方向へ外槽の内面より外側に広がるように形成したものである。
【００１０】
これにより、内槽の回転によって洗濯液と空気を混合させることで、溶解した洗濯液より大量の泡を発生させ、発生した泡が泡室に集められ循環経路を通って泡吐出部から内槽の上方より内槽内に吐出されて、内槽内の洗濯物に上方からかけられることで、高い洗浄力を確保することができて、洗いむらを低減することができる。
【００１１】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の請求項１に記載の発明は、洗濯物を収容する内槽と、この内槽を回転自在に収容した外槽と、前記内槽を回転駆動する駆動手段とを備え、前記外槽の内面で前記外槽の内底部よりも上方の位置に泡室を形成し、一端が前記泡室と接続され他端が前記内槽の上方に設けた泡吐出部と接続される循環経路を設け、通常の洗濯水位よりも低い水位で前記内槽を高速回転させることによって、前記内槽と外槽との間の洗濯液に泡を発生させ、前記発生した泡が前記泡室に集められ前記循環経路を通って前記泡吐出部から前記内槽の上方より前記内槽内に吐出される泡行程を有し、前記泡室の外周部を構成する側板は、前記泡行程時の前記内槽の回転方向へ前記外槽の内面より外側に広がるように形成したものであり、内槽の回転によって洗濯液と空気を混合させることで、溶解した洗濯液より泡を発生させ、発生した泡を内槽内の洗濯物に上方からかけることで、洗浄力を高めることができて、洗いむらを低減することができる。また、発生させた泡が泡室に集められ循環経路を通って泡吐出部から内槽の上方より内槽内に吐出される単純な構成のため、信頼性を向上することができる。また、外槽の内面で外槽の内底部よりも上方の位置に泡室を形成するとともに、通常の洗濯水位よりも低い水位で内槽を高速回転させるので、洗濯液と空気の混合が加速されて大量の泡を発生させることができるとともに、低い水位で内槽を回転させるため、泡の下方にある洗濯液が上昇して大量に泡室内に入るのを防止することができ、泡の割合を増やすことができる。さらに、泡室の外周部を構成する側板は、泡行程時の内槽の回転方向へ外槽の内面より外側に広がるように形成しているので、遠心力によって泡は外側に向かって力が働くため、泡が効率的に泡室に集まり、循環経路を通って泡吐出部から内槽の上方より内槽内に吐出される泡の量を増やすことができる。
【００１２】
請求項２に記載の発明は、上記請求項１に記載の発明において、泡吐出部を、泡の吐出方向が泡行程時の内槽の回転方向と同方向になるように構成したものであり、吐出した泡と内槽または内槽内の洗濯物との速度差を小さくすることができ、落下した泡が内槽または内槽内の洗濯物に当たって、飛び跳ねるのを防ぐことができる。
【００１３】
請求項３に記載の発明は、上記請求項１に記載の発明において、泡吐出部を、吐出した泡が内槽の略中心部から外周部までかかるように構成したものであり、内槽が回転すれば泡は内槽内の洗濯物に万遍なくかかることになり、洗濯物の洗いむらを低減することができる。
【００１４】
請求項４に記載の発明は、上記請求項１記載の発明において、泡行程の前に、内槽を回転することで洗剤を溶解する洗剤溶解行程を有するものであり、溶解していない洗剤が洗濯液と一緒に泡室に集められ、泡吐出部から溶解しないまま洗濯物にかかるのを防ぐことができ、洗剤の溶け残りを防ぐことができる。
【００１５】
請求項５に記載の発明は、上記請求項１記載の発明において、泡室と外槽内部の間には、前記泡室に集まった泡が前記外槽内部に逆流するのを防止するように仕切る仕切り板を設けたものであり、泡室に集まった泡が外槽内部に逆流するのを防止することができ、泡室に集められ循環経路を通って泡吐出部から内槽の上方より内槽内に吐出される泡の量を増やすことができる。
【００１６】
請求項６に記載の発明は、上記請求項１記載の発明において、泡室の底面を構成する案内板は、泡行程時の内槽の回転方向へ上方に傾斜するように形成したものであり、泡の速度成分を水平方向から垂直方向に変換させることができ、泡室に集められ循環経路を通って泡吐出部から内槽の上方より内槽内に吐出される泡の量を増やすことができる。
【００１７】
請求項７に記載の発明は、上記請求項１記載の発明において、泡室の底面を構成する案内板は、泡行程時の内槽の回転方向へ上方に湾曲するように形成したものであり、泡の速度成分を水平方向から垂直方向に効率的に変換させることができ、泡室に集められ循環経路を通って泡吐出部から内槽の上方より内槽内に吐出される泡の量を増やすことができる。
【００１８】
請求項８に記載の発明は、上記請求項１記載の発明において、泡室上部の開口部は、外槽カバーに形成した蓋部で密閉されるとともに、循環経路は、前記蓋部内面と前記外槽カバー上面とで形成されたものであり、単純な構成にすることで、泡漏れ等を防いで信頼性を向上することができ、さらに、部品点数を減らすことでコストを削減することができる。
【００１９】
【実施例】
以下、本発明の実施例について、図面を参照しながら説明する。
【００２０】
（実施例１）
図１に示すように、外槽１は、内側に回転自在に配設した内槽２を内包し、内槽２の内底部に減速機構３を介して攪拌翼４を回転自在に配設している。外槽１の上部開口部にはパッキン５を介して外槽カバー６を設け、吊り棒７により洗濯機外枠８に吊り下げている。
【００２１】
モータ（駆動手段）９は、減速機構３を介して内槽２を回転駆動する。給水弁１０は内槽２内に水を給水するものであり、水位検知手段１１は外槽１内の水位を検知するもので、排水弁１２は外槽１内の洗濯液を排水するものである。制御装置１３は、モータ９、給水弁１０、排水弁１２などを制御して、洗い、すすぎ、脱水の各行程を逐次制御するものである。
【００２２】
外槽１の内面には、図２に示すように、外槽１の内底部１ａよりも上方に位置した泡室１４を構成しており、泡室１４の上部の開口部をパッキン５を介して外槽カバー６に形成した蓋部１５で密閉するとともに、蓋部１５の一部には循環経路１６の一部を形成しており、循環経路１６の先端に泡吐出部１７を設けている。
【００２３】
つぎに、泡室１４の外周部を構成する側板１８は、図２に示すように、回転方向に向かって外槽１の内面より外側に広がるように形成しており、また、泡室１４と外槽１の内部を仕切る仕切り板１９を備えている。泡室１４の底面を構成する案内板２０は、回転方向に向かって上方に湾曲するように形成している。
【００２４】
次に、泡吐出部１７は、図３に示すように、泡の吐出方向が内槽２の回転方向と同方向になり、かつ吐出した泡が内槽２の略中心部２ａから外周部２ｂまでかかるように構成している。
【００２５】
上記構成において動作を説明すると、内槽２に洗濯物と洗剤を投入して運転を開始すると、制御装置１３によって給水弁１０を動作し、内槽２内に水を給水する。水位検知手段１１が通常の洗濯液位よりも低い所定水位を検知すると、制御装置１３に信号を送り給水弁１０の動作を停止する。その後、洗剤を溶解させる洗剤溶解行程に移り、制御装置１３によってモータ９を駆動し、内槽２を回転する。このときの回転数は、この後の泡行程よりも低く設定しているため、洗剤を溶解する前に洗濯液が泡吐出部１７から吐出することなく、洗剤を溶解する。
【００２６】
つぎに、泡を揚水または吐出させる泡行程に移り、洗剤溶解行程よりも高い回転数で内槽２を回転させることで、内槽２と外槽１の間の洗濯液に大量の空気を送り込んで洗濯液と空気を混合させ、大量の泡を発生させる。そして、発生した大量の泡は比重が軽いため洗濯液の上部に移動し、外槽１の内側を回転しながら勢いよく泡室１４に入ってくる。
【００２７】
泡室１４に入ってきた泡は、案内板２０に沿ってその速度成分を水平方向から垂直方向に変換することで上方に揚水され、循環経路１６を通して泡吐出部１７から内槽２内にその上方より吐出する。このとき、泡吐出部１７は泡の吐出方向が内槽２の回転方向と同方向になるため、吐出した泡と内槽２または内槽２内の洗濯物との速度差を小さくすることができ、落下した泡が内槽２または内槽２内の洗濯物に当たって、飛び跳ねるのを防ぐことができる。
【００２８】
また、泡吐出部１７は吐出した泡が内槽２の略中心部２ａから外周部２ｂまでかかるように構成しているため、内槽２が回転すれば泡は内槽２内の洗濯物に万遍なくかけることができる。
【００２９】
ここで、泡について詳述する。一般に洗剤分子Ａをモデル的に表すと、図４に示すように、親水基ａと親油基ｂとからなる。そこで、洗剤を水に溶かした状態を表すと、図５に示すように、界面（水面）に洗剤分子Ａが整列し、並びきれない洗剤分子は水中に個々またはミセル（集団）として存在する。そして、界面の洗剤分子が取り除かれると、直ちに水中の洗剤分子が界面に移動し補充する働きがある。
【００３０】
したがって、例えば、図６に示すように、洗剤液に気泡Ｂを送り込むと、気泡Ｂは上昇して界面に達し、界面に整列して洗剤分子Ａをそのまま泡の膜に保持した形の泡Ｃが発生する。すなわち、洗剤分子Ａをできるだけ並べた泡Ｃとなり、洗剤濃度は高濃度である。このとき、泡として持ち去られた洗剤分子の補充には、液中の洗剤分子が移動することになり、気泡Ｂを次々送れば、泡Ｃが次々と作られることになる。このとき、この泡の膜内外に当然のことながら親油基ｂを向けている。
【００３１】
このようにして作られた泡Ｃを汚れた洗濯物の表面あるいは洗濯物を通過させることによって、親油基ｂに油および油に付着した粒子汚れを結合して持ち去ることになる。また、泡Ｃが洗濯物を通過中に破泡すると洗濯物に高濃度の洗剤液がしみ込むことになり、これによっても汚れが落ちやすい状態となる。このようにして洗濯物の洗浄が可能となる。
【００３２】
このように本実施例によれば、外槽１の内面に泡室１４を形成し、内槽２を回転させることによって内槽２と外槽１との間の洗濯液に泡を発生させ、発生した洗濯液上部の泡を泡室１４に集め、泡を上方に揚水するように構成したので、内槽２の回転によって洗濯液と空気を混合させることで、溶解した洗濯液より大量の泡を発生させることができ、この泡を内槽２の上方より洗濯物にかけて洗濯物の表面あるいは洗濯物を通過させることによって、洗浄力を高めることができる。
【００３３】
また、洗濯液を泡にすることにより、体積が増えるため、少ない洗濯液で洗濯物の汚れに洗剤成分を作用させることができる。また、発生させた泡を泡室１４に集めて上方に揚水する単純な構成のため、信頼性を向上することができ、さらに、部品点数を減らすことでコストを削減することができる。
【００３４】
また、泡室１４に接続した循環経路１６の先端に泡吐出部１７を設け、泡吐出部１７から内槽２内にその上方より泡を吐出するように構成したので、大量の泡を内槽２内の洗濯物にかけることができるため、洗浄力を高めることができる。
【００３５】
また、泡吐出部１７を、泡の吐出方向が内槽２の回転方向と同方向になるように構成したので、吐出した泡と内槽２または内槽２内の洗濯物との速度差を小さくすることができ、落下した泡が内槽２または内槽２内の洗濯物に当たって、飛び跳ねるのを防ぐことができる。
【００３６】
また、泡吐出部１７を、吐出した泡が内槽２の略中心部から外周部までかかるように構成したので、内槽２が回転すれば泡は内槽２内の洗濯物に万遍なくかかることになり、洗濯物の洗いむらを低減することができる。
【００３７】
また、泡を揚水または吐出する泡行程の前に、洗剤を溶解するために内槽２を回転する洗剤溶解行程を有するので、溶解していない洗剤が洗濯液と一緒に泡室１４に集まって揚水され、泡吐出部１７から溶解しないまま洗濯物にかかるのを防ぐことができ、洗剤の溶け残りを防ぐことができる。
【００３８】
また、泡を揚水または吐出する泡行程にて、通常の洗濯水位よりも低い水位で内槽２を高速回転するように構成したので、内槽２を高速回転するため、洗濯液と空気の混合が加速されて大量の泡を発生させることができるとともに、低い水位で内槽２を回転させるため、泡の下方にある洗濯液が上昇して大量に泡室１４内に入るのを防止することができ、揚水する泡の割合を増やすことができる。
【００３９】
また、泡室１４は外槽１の内底部よりも上方に位置するよう構成したので、泡の下方にある洗濯液が大量に泡室１４内に入るのを防止することができ、揚水する泡の割合を増やすことができる。
【００４０】
また、泡室１４の外周部を構成する側板１８を備え、この側板１８は回転方向に向かって外槽１の内面より外側に広がるように形成したので、遠心力によって泡は外側に向かって力が働くため、効率的に泡室１４に集まり、泡の揚水量を増やすことができる。
【００４１】
また、泡室１４と外槽１内部を仕切る仕切り板１９を備えたので、泡室１４に集まった泡が外槽１内部に逆流するのを防止することができ、泡の揚水量を増やすことができる。
【００４２】
また、泡室１４の底面を構成する案内板２０を備え、この案内板２０は回転方向に向かって上方に傾斜するように形成したので、泡の速度成分を水平方向から垂直方向に変換させることができ、泡の揚水量を増やすことができる。
【００４３】
また、泡室１４上部の開口部を外槽カバー６に形成した蓋部１５で密閉するとともに、蓋部１５の一部は循環経路１６の一部を形成したので、単純な構成にすることで、泡漏れ等を防止することができで信頼性を向上することができ、さらに、部品点数を減らすことでコストを削減することができる。
【００４４】
なお、本実施例では、泡を揚水または吐出する泡行程までを記載しているが、このあと水位を上昇させ、攪拌翼４を攪拌させるなどして通常の洗濯行程を行ってもよい。
【００４５】
また、泡行程では、泡だけでなく泡と洗濯液の混合したものが吐出してもよい。
【００４６】
また、本実施例では、内槽４を右回転させて泡を吐出するように構成しているが、左回転で泡を吐出するように構成してもよい。
【００４７】
（実施例２）
図７に示すように、外槽２１は、内面に外槽２１の内底部２１ａよりも上方に位置した泡室２２を構成しており、泡室２２の外周部を構成する側板２３は、回転方向に向かって外槽２１の内面より外側に広がるように形成している。泡室２２の底面を構成する案内板２４は、回転方向に向かって上方に湾曲するように形成している。他の構成は上記実施例１と同じである。
【００４８】
上記構成において動作を説明すると、泡を揚水または吐出する泡行程において、上記実施例１と同様に、内槽２を回転させることで、内槽２と外槽２１との間の洗濯液に泡を発生させ、発生した洗濯液上部の泡を泡室２２に集めて泡を上方に揚水し、循環経路１６を通じて泡吐出部１７から内槽内２にその上方より泡を吐出する。
【００４９】
このように本実施例によれば、泡室２２の底面を構成する案内板２４は、回転方向に向かって上方に湾曲するように形成したので、泡の速度成分を水平方向から垂直方向に効率的に変換させることができ、泡の揚水量を増やすことができる。
【００５０】
また、泡室２２と外槽２１内部を仕切る仕切り板１９を備えていないため、泡の揚水量は減るが泡を揚水して泡を吐出させることは可能で、これにより上記実施例１よりもさらに単純な構成にすることができる。
【００５１】
なお、本実施例では、泡室２１の外周部を構成する側板２２は、回転方向に向かって外槽２１の内面より外側に広がるように形成しているが、図８に示すように、側板２３を形成せず、泡室２２の底面を構成する案内板２４を外槽の内面に突出したリブ状案内板２５で代用してもよい。
【００５２】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明の請求項１に記載の発明によれば、外槽の内面で外槽の内底部よりも上方の位置に泡室を形成し、一端が泡室と接続され他端が内槽の上方に設けた泡吐出部と接続される循環経路を設け、通常の洗濯水位よりも低い水位で内槽を高速回転させることによって内槽と外槽の間の洗濯液に泡を発生させ、発生した泡が泡室に集められ循環経路を通って泡吐出部から内槽の上方より内槽内に吐出される泡行程を有し、泡室の外周部を構成する側板は、泡行程時の内槽の回転方向へ外槽の内面より外側に広がるように形成したから、内槽の回転によって洗濯液と空気を混合させて泡を発生させるため、大量の泡が発生させることができるとともに、発生させた泡が泡室に集められ循環経路を通って泡吐出部から内槽の上方より内槽内に吐出される単純な構成のため、信頼性を向上することができる。
【００５３】
これにより、内槽の回転によって洗濯液と空気を混合させることで、溶解した洗濯液より大量の泡を発生させ、発生した泡を内槽内の洗濯物に上方からかけることで、高い洗浄力を確保することができて、洗いむらを低減することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施例の洗濯機の縦断面図
【図２】同洗濯機の外槽の一部切欠した斜視図
【図３】同洗濯機の一部切欠した要部斜視図
【図４】洗剤分子をモデル的に表した図
【図５】洗剤分子を水に溶かした状態を表したモデル図
【図６】洗剤液中に気泡を通した場合のモデル図
【図７】本発明の第２の実施例の洗濯機の外槽の一部切欠した斜視図
【図８】同洗濯機の他の例の外槽の一部切欠した斜視図
【図９】従来の洗濯機の縦断面図
【符号の説明】
１外槽
２内槽
９モータ（駆動手段）
１４泡室[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a washing machine that performs washing by discharging foam from above a laundry.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a typical washing machine performs washing by rotating a stirring blade called a pulsator, and the configuration of this type of washing machine will be described with reference to FIG.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 9, the outer tub 30 includes a washing / dehydrating tub (inner tub) 32 having a stirring blade 31 rotatably disposed at the bottom, and is hung from a washing machine outer frame 34 by a suspension bar 33. Yes. The motor 35 drives the stirring blade 31 or the washing and dewatering tub 32 via the V belt 36 and the speed reduction mechanism / clutch 37. The drain valve 38 drains the washing liquid in the washing / dehydrating tub 32, and the water supply valve 39 supplies water to the washing / dehydrating tub 32.
[0004]
The washing / dehydrating tub 32 is provided with a fluid balancer 40 for reducing vibration during dehydration, and a lid 41 is provided on the upper portion of the washing / dehydrating tub 32. The control device 42 controls the motor 35, the drain valve 38, the water supply valve 39, etc., and sequentially controls a series of steps of washing, rinsing, and dehydration (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. After washing and a predetermined amount of detergent are put into the washing and dewatering tub 32, when washing is started, the control device 42 controls the water supply valve 39 to place the predetermined amount in the washing and dewatering tub 32. Then, the control device 42 controls the motor 35 to drive the stirring blade 31. The laundry and water in the washing and dewatering tub 32 are agitated by the rotation of the agitating blade 31, and the agitation gradually dissolves the detergent into a washing liquid, which acts on the dirt of the laundry.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-175293
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the washing machine having this configuration, the washing power is ensured only by the mechanical force of stirring the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 32 by the rotation of the stirring blade 31, so Mechanical force is easily transmitted to a certain laundry and high cleaning power is obtained, but since the mechanical power is difficult to be transmitted to the laundry in the upper part of the washing and dehydrating tub 32, the cleaning power is not obtained and washing unevenness is large. Had the problem of becoming.
[0008]
The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, to generate bubbles from dissolved washing liquid, generated foam is discharged through the collected circulation path bubble chamber in the inner tank from above of the inner tank from the bubble discharge portion Te, in Rukoto subjected from above to the laundry in the inner tub, ensuring a high detergency, it is aimed at reducing the washing unevenness.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured so that an inner tub for storing laundry is rotatably accommodated in an outer tub, and the inner tub is rotationally driven by a driving means . A foam chamber is formed at a position above the inner bottom, a circulation path is provided which is connected to the foam chamber and one end connected to the foam chamber and the other end above the inner tub, which is lower than the normal washing water level. By rotating the inner tub at high speed at the water level, foam is generated in the washing liquid between the inner tub and the outer tub, and the generated foam is collected in the foam chamber and passes through the circulation path from the foam discharge part above the inner tub . A side plate having a foam stroke discharged into the tank and constituting the outer peripheral portion of the foam chamber is formed so as to spread outward from the inner surface of the outer tank in the rotational direction of the inner tank during the foam stroke .
[0010]
Accordingly, by mixing the washing liquid and air by rotating the inner tub, a large amount of foam is generated from the dissolved washing liquid, and the generated foam is collected in the foam chamber and passes through the circulation path from the foam discharge portion to the inner tub. discharged into the inner tank from above, in Rukoto subjected from above to the laundry in the inner tub, it is possible to secure a high detergency can be reduced washing unevenness.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention includes an inner tub that accommodates laundry, an outer tub that rotatably accommodates the inner tub, and a driving means that rotationally drives the inner tub. Forming a bubble chamber at a position above the inner bottom portion of the outer tub on the inner surface of the outer tub , one end connected to the bubble chamber and the other end connected to a bubble discharge portion provided above the inner tub provided by high-speed rotation of the inner tub at a lower level than the normal wash water level, to generate bubbles in the washing liquid between the inner tub and the outer tub, the generated bubbles are collected in the foam chamber The side plate which has a foam stroke discharged from the foam discharge part through the circulation path into the inner tank from the upper part of the inner tank, and which constitutes the outer peripheral part of the foam chamber, is obtained by forming the rotational direction of the tank from the inner surface of the outer tub so as to spread outward, the washing by rotation of the inner tub And by mixing the air, dissolved washing liquid to generate bubbles from, by applying the above to the laundry in the inner tub the generated bubbles, and can increase the detergency, to reduce washing unevenness Can do. Moreover, since the generated allowed foam is simple exhaled Ru into the inner tank from above of the inner tank through the gathered circulation path bubble chamber from the bubble discharge portion configuration, it is possible to improve the reliability. In addition, a foam chamber is formed on the inner surface of the outer tub above the inner bottom of the outer tub, and the inner tub is rotated at a high speed at a lower water level than the normal washing water level, so the mixing of washing liquid and air is accelerated. As a result, a large amount of foam can be generated and the inner tub is rotated at a low water level, so that the washing liquid below the foam can be prevented from rising and entering the foam chamber in large quantities. The ratio can be increased. Further, the side plates constituting the outer peripheral portion of the bubble chamber, since the formed so as to spread outward from the inner surface of the outer tub to the rotating direction of the inner tub at the time of bubble process, bubbles by the centrifugal force towards the outside Since the force works, the bubbles are efficiently gathered in the bubble chamber, and the amount of bubbles discharged from the bubble discharge portion into the inner tank through the circulation path from above the inner tank can be increased.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1 , wherein the foam discharge portion is configured such that the foam discharge direction is the same as the rotation direction of the inner tank during the bubble stroke . The speed difference between the discharged foam and the inner tub or the laundry in the inner tub can be reduced, and the dropped foam can be prevented from splashing and splashing against the inner tub or the laundry in the inner tub.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 , wherein the foam discharge portion is configured such that the discharged foam is applied from a substantially central part of the inner tank to the outer peripheral part. If it rotates, foam will be applied to the laundry in the inner tub evenly, and washing unevenness of the laundry can be reduced.
[0014]
The invention of claim 4 is the invention according to the first aspect, before the foam process are those having a detergent dissolving step of dissolving the detergent by rotating the inner tub, detergent undissolved washing liquid and together focus on Awashitsu Merare, takes the can prevent leaving laundry does not dissolve the foam discharging unit, it is possible to prevent undissolved detergent.
[0015]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the foam collected in the foam chamber is prevented from flowing back into the outer tub between the foam chamber and the outer tub. A partition plate is provided to prevent bubbles collected in the foam chamber from flowing back into the outer tank, and collected in the foam chamber from the foam discharge section through the circulation path from above the inner tank. The amount of foam discharged into the inner tank can be increased.
[0016]
The invention of claim 6 is the invention according to the first aspect, the guide plate constituting the bottom of the bubble chamber, which has formed to be inclined upward in the rotational direction of the inner tub at the time of bubble stroke , it is possible to convert the velocity component of the foam from the horizontal to the vertical direction, increasing the amount of foam discharged through the collected circulation path bubble chamber in the inner tank from above of the inner tank from the bubble discharge portion Can do.
[0017]
The invention of claim 7 is the invention according to the first aspect, the guide plate constituting the bottom of the bubble chamber, which has formed to be curved upward in the rotational direction of the inner tub at the time of bubble stroke , can be efficiently converted to the vertical velocity component of foam from the horizontal direction, the amount of foam discharged through the collected circulation path bubble chamber in the inner tank from above of the inner tank from the bubble discharge portion Can be increased.
[0018]
Invention according to claim 8, in the invention according to the first aspect, the opening of Awashitsu top, Rutotomoni sealed with a lid formed in the outer tub cover, circulation path, and the lid portion inner surface It is formed with the upper surface of the outer tub cover. By making a simple configuration, it is possible to improve the reliability by preventing foam leakage and the like, and further reduce the cost by reducing the number of parts. Can do.
[0019]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
Example 1
As shown in FIG. 1, the outer tub 1 includes an inner tub 2 that is rotatably disposed inside, and a stirring blade 4 is rotatably disposed on the inner bottom portion of the inner tub 2 via a speed reduction mechanism 3. ing. An outer tub cover 6 is provided at the upper opening of the outer tub 1 via a packing 5, and is suspended from the washing machine outer frame 8 by a suspension bar 7.
[0021]
The motor (driving means) 9 rotates the inner tub 2 via the speed reduction mechanism 3. The water supply valve 10 supplies water into the inner tub 2, the water level detection means 11 detects the water level in the outer tub 1, and the drain valve 12 drains the washing liquid in the outer tub 1. is there. The control device 13 controls the motor 9, the water supply valve 10, the drain valve 12, etc., and sequentially controls each step of washing, rinsing and dehydration.
[0022]
On the inner surface of the outer tub 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a bubble chamber 14 located above the inner bottom portion 1 a of the outer tub 1 is configured. The lid 15 formed on the outer tank cover 6 is hermetically sealed, and a part of the circulation path 16 is formed in a part of the lid 15, and a foam discharge part 17 is provided at the tip of the circulation path 16. .
[0023]
Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the side plate 18 constituting the outer peripheral portion of the foam chamber 14 is formed so as to spread outward from the inner surface of the outer tub 1 in the rotational direction. A partition plate 19 that partitions the inside of the outer tub 1 is provided. The guide plate 20 constituting the bottom surface of the bubble chamber 14 is formed to be curved upward in the rotation direction.
[0024]
Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the foam discharge unit 17 has the foam discharge direction in the same direction as the rotation direction of the inner tank 2, and the discharged foam is from the substantially central part 2 a of the inner tank 2 to the outer peripheral part 2 b. It is configured to take up to.
[0025]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. When the laundry and detergent are put into the inner tub 2 and the operation is started, the control device 13 operates the water supply valve 10 to supply water into the inner tub 2. When the water level detection means 11 detects a predetermined water level lower than the normal washing liquid level, a signal is sent to the control device 13 to stop the operation of the water supply valve 10. Thereafter, the process proceeds to a detergent dissolving process for dissolving the detergent, and the motor 9 is driven by the control device 13 to rotate the inner tank 2. Since the rotation speed at this time is set lower than the subsequent foam stroke, the detergent is dissolved without discharging the washing liquid from the foam discharge section 17 before the detergent is dissolved.
[0026]
Next, the process moves to a foaming process for pumping or discharging the foam, and the inner tub 2 is rotated at a higher rotational speed than the detergent dissolving process, thereby sending a large amount of air into the washing liquid between the inner tub 2 and the outer tub 1. Mix the washing liquid with air to generate a large amount of foam. The large amount of foam generated has a low specific gravity, so that it moves to the upper part of the washing liquid and vigorously enters the foam chamber 14 while rotating inside the outer tub 1.
[0027]
The foam that has entered the foam chamber 14 is pumped upward by converting the velocity component from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction along the guide plate 20, and then the foam is discharged from the foam discharge portion 17 into the inner tank 2 through the circulation path 16. Discharge from above. At this time, since the foam discharge direction is the same as the rotation direction of the inner tub 2, the foam discharge portion 17 can reduce the speed difference between the discharged foam and the laundry in the inner tub 2 or the inner tub 2. It is possible to prevent the falling foam from hitting the inner tub 2 or the laundry in the inner tub 2 and jumping off.
[0028]
Moreover, since the foam discharge part 17 is comprised so that the discharged foam may be applied from the substantially center part 2a of the inner tank 2 to the outer peripheral part 2b, if the inner tank 2 rotates, a foam will be in the laundry in the inner tank 2 Can be applied universally.
[0029]
Here, the bubbles will be described in detail. In general, when the detergent molecule A is modeled, it is composed of a hydrophilic group a and a lipophilic group b as shown in FIG. Thus, when the detergent is dissolved in water, as shown in FIG. 5, the detergent molecules A are aligned at the interface (water surface), and the detergent molecules that cannot be arranged are present individually or as micelles (groups) in the water. When the detergent molecules at the interface are removed, the detergent molecules in the water immediately move to the interface and replenish.
[0030]
Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the bubbles B are fed into the detergent liquid, the bubbles B rise to reach the interface, and are aligned with the interface, and the bubbles C in the form in which the detergent molecules A are held in the foam film as they are. Occurs. That is, it becomes the foam C which arranged the detergent molecule | numerator A as much as possible, and a detergent density | concentration is high concentration. At this time, the detergent molecules in the liquid move to replenish the detergent molecules carried away as bubbles, and if bubbles B are sent one after another, bubbles C are created one after another. At this time, the lipophilic group b is naturally directed to the inside and outside of the foam film.
[0031]
By passing the foam C thus created through the surface of the laundry or the laundry, the oil and the particulate soil adhering to the oil are bonded to the lipophilic group b and carried away. Further, when the foam C breaks while passing through the laundry, a high-concentration detergent solution is soaked into the laundry, and this also makes it easy to remove dirt. In this way, the laundry can be washed.
[0032]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the foam chamber 14 is formed on the inner surface of the outer tub 1, and the foam is generated in the washing liquid between the inner tub 2 and the outer tub 1 by rotating the inner tub 2. Since the foam in the upper part of the generated washing liquid is collected in the foam chamber 14 and the foam is pumped upward, the washing liquid and air are mixed by the rotation of the inner tub 2 so that a larger amount of foam than the dissolved washing liquid is obtained. The detergency can be increased by passing the foam over the laundry from above the inner tub 2 and passing the surface of the laundry or the laundry.
[0033]
Moreover, since the volume is increased by making the washing liquid into a foam, the detergent component can act on the dirt of the laundry with a small amount of the washing liquid. Moreover, since the generated foam is collected in the foam chamber 14 and pumped upward, the reliability can be improved, and the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of parts.
[0034]
Moreover, since the foam discharge part 17 was provided in the front-end | tip of the circulation path 16 connected to the foam chamber 14, and it comprised so that foam might be discharged from the upper direction into the inner tank 2 from the foam discharge part 17, a large amount of foam is stored in the inner tank. Since it can be applied to the laundry in 2, the detergency can be increased.
[0035]
Moreover, since the foam discharge part 17 was comprised so that the foam discharge direction might become the same direction as the rotation direction of the inner tank 2, the speed difference between the discharged foam and the laundry in the inner tank 2 or the inner tank 2 is determined. It can be made small and it can prevent that the bubble which fell falls on the inner tub 2 or the laundry in the inner tub 2, and jumps up and down.
[0036]
Moreover, since the foam discharge part 17 was comprised so that the discharged foam might be applied from the substantially center part of the inner tub 2 to an outer peripheral part, if the inner tub 2 rotates, a foam will be uniformly in the laundry in the inner tub 2 As a result, uneven washing of the laundry can be reduced.
[0037]
In addition, since there is a detergent dissolving process for rotating the inner tub 2 to dissolve the detergent before the foaming process for pumping or discharging the foam, undissolved detergent gathers in the foam chamber 14 together with the washing liquid. It is possible to prevent water from being poured and applied to the laundry without being dissolved from the foam discharge part 17, and it is possible to prevent the detergent from remaining undissolved.
[0038]
In addition, since the inner tub 2 is configured to rotate at a high speed at a level lower than the normal washing water level in the foaming process for pumping or discharging the foam, the inner tub 2 is rotated at a high speed. Is accelerated to generate a large amount of foam, and the inner tub 2 is rotated at a low water level, so that the washing liquid below the foam is prevented from rising and entering the foam chamber 14 in a large amount. Can increase the proportion of foam to be pumped.
[0039]
Further, since the foam chamber 14 is configured to be positioned above the inner bottom portion of the outer tub 1, it is possible to prevent a large amount of the washing liquid below the foam from entering the foam chamber 14, and the foam to be pumped up. Can increase the percentage of
[0040]
Moreover, since the side plate 18 which comprises the outer peripheral part of the foam chamber 14 was provided and this side plate 18 was formed so that it might spread outside from the inner surface of the outer tank 1 toward the rotation direction, foam is force toward an outer side by centrifugal force. Since it works, it can gather in the bubble chamber 14 efficiently and can increase the pumping amount of a bubble.
[0041]
Moreover, since the partition plate 19 which partitions the bubble chamber 14 and the inside of the outer tub 1 is provided, it is possible to prevent bubbles collected in the bubble chamber 14 from flowing back into the outer tub 1 and to increase the amount of pumped-up foam. Can do.
[0042]
Moreover, since the guide plate 20 which comprises the bottom face of the bubble chamber 14 is provided and this guide plate 20 is formed so as to incline upward in the rotation direction, the velocity component of the bubble is converted from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction. It is possible to increase the amount of foam pumped.
[0043]
In addition, the opening at the top of the bubble chamber 14 is sealed with a lid 15 formed on the outer tank cover 6 and a part of the lid 15 forms a part of the circulation path 16, so that a simple configuration can be achieved. Further, it is possible to prevent bubble leakage and the like and improve reliability, and further, it is possible to reduce costs by reducing the number of parts.
[0044]
In the present embodiment, the process up to the foaming process for pumping or discharging the foam is described. However, the normal washing process may be performed by raising the water level and stirring the stirring blade 4 thereafter.
[0045]
In the foam stroke, not only foam but also a mixture of foam and washing liquid may be discharged.
[0046]
In this embodiment, the inner tub 4 is configured to rotate rightward to discharge bubbles, but may be configured to discharge bubbles by rotating leftward.
[0047]
(Example 2)
As shown in FIG. 7, the outer tub 21 constitutes a foam chamber 22 positioned above the inner bottom portion 21 a of the outer tub 21 on the inner surface, and the side plate 23 constituting the outer peripheral portion of the foam chamber 22 rotates. It forms so that it may spread outside from the inner surface of the outer tank 21 toward the direction. The guide plate 24 constituting the bottom surface of the bubble chamber 22 is formed so as to bend upward in the rotation direction. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0048]
In the above configuration, the operation will be described. In the foam stroke in which the foam is pumped or discharged, the inner tub 2 is rotated in the same manner as in the first embodiment, so that the washing liquid between the inner tub 2 and the outer tub 21 is foamed. The foam in the upper part of the washing liquid is collected in the foam chamber 22 and the foam is pumped upward, and the foam is discharged from the foam discharge part 17 into the inner tank 2 through the circulation path 16 from above.
[0049]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the guide plate 24 constituting the bottom surface of the bubble chamber 22 is formed so as to curve upward in the rotation direction, so that the velocity component of the bubble is efficiently increased from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction. Can be converted automatically, and the amount of foam pumped up can be increased.
[0050]
Moreover, since the partition plate 19 which partitions the bubble chamber 22 and the inside of the outer tub 21 is not provided, it is possible to pump the foam and discharge the foam, although the amount of foam pumped is reduced. Furthermore, a simple configuration can be achieved.
[0051]
In the present embodiment, the side plate 22 constituting the outer peripheral portion of the bubble chamber 21 is formed so as to spread outward from the inner surface of the outer tub 21 in the rotational direction. However, as shown in FIG. The guide plate 24 that constitutes the bottom surface of the bubble chamber 22 may be substituted by the rib-shaped guide plate 25 that protrudes from the inner surface of the outer tank.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the bubble chamber is formed on the inner surface of the outer tub above the inner bottom of the outer tub , one end is connected to the bubble chamber, and the other end is A circulation path connected to the foam discharge unit provided above the inner tub is provided, and bubbles are generated in the washing liquid between the inner tub and the outer tub by rotating the inner tub at a high speed at a level lower than the normal washing water level. And the generated foam is collected in the foam chamber, passes through the circulation path, and is discharged from the foam discharge section into the inner tank from above the inner tank. Since it was formed so as to spread outward from the inner surface of the outer tub in the direction of rotation of the inner tub during the stroke , a large amount of foam may be generated in order to generate foam by mixing the washing liquid and air by the rotation of the inner tub inner tank from above of the inner tank with the foam which is generated from through the gathered circulation path bubble chamber bubble discharge portion can Because of the discharged Ru simple configuration, it is possible to improve the reliability.
[0053]
As a result, a large amount of foam is generated from the dissolved laundry liquid by mixing the laundry liquid and air by rotation of the inner tub, and a high detergency is achieved by applying the generated foam to the laundry in the inner tub from above. to be able to secure, it is possible to reduce the washing uneven.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an outer tub of the washing machine. Perspective view [Fig. 4] Model diagram showing detergent molecules [Fig. 5] Model diagram showing detergent molecules dissolved in water [Fig. 6] Model diagram when bubbles are passed through the detergent solution [Fig. 7] A perspective view with a part cut out of the outer tub of the washing machine of the second embodiment of the present invention. [FIG. 8] A perspective view with a part cut out of the outer tub of another example of the washing machine. [FIG. Longitudinal section of washing machine 【Explanation of symbols】
1 Outer tank 2 Inner tank 9 Motor (drive means)
14 Bubble chamber

Claims

An inner tub for storing the laundry; an outer tub for rotatably storing the inner tub; and a drive means for rotationally driving the inner tub, the inner surface of the outer tub being above the inner bottom of the outer tub Forming a foam chamber at the position , provided a circulation path with one end connected to the foam chamber and the other end connected to the foam discharge part provided above the inner tub, the water level lower than the normal washing water level by the inner tub at a high speed, thereby generating bubbles in the washing liquid between the inner tub and the outer tub, said from the generated bubbles through the circulation path is collected in the bubble chamber the foam discharging unit The side plate which has a foam stroke discharged from the upper part of the inner tank into the inner tank, and which constitutes the outer peripheral portion of the foam chamber, is outside the inner surface of the outer tank in the rotational direction of the inner tank during the foam stroke. A washing machine formed to spread over .

Foam discharge portion, the washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the discharge direction of the foam is configured to be in the same direction as the rotational direction of the inner tub at the time of bubble stroke.

Foam discharge portion, the washing machine according to claim 1, wherein as constructed according to the outer periphery from a substantially central portion of the inner tank the discharged foam.

Before foam stroke, the washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a detergent dissolving step of dissolving the detergent by rotating the inner tub.

Between the internal bubble chamber and the outer tub, the washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the bubbles gathered in the bubble chamber is provided with a partition plate for partitioning to prevent back flow inside the outer tub.

Guide plate constituting the bottom of the bubble chamber, the washing machine according to claim 1 wherein formed to be inclined upward in the rotational direction of the inner tub at the time of bubble stroke.

Guide plate constituting the bottom of the bubble chamber, the washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the formation to be curved upward in the rotational direction of the inner tub at the time of bubble stroke.

Awashitsu upper opening being sealed by a lid portion formed in the outer tub cover Rutotomoni, circulation path, the washing machine according to claim 1, wherein formed between the outer tub cover the upper surface and the lid portion inner surface.