JP4751919B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine or a washing dryer having a pulsator that applies mechanical force to laundry.

  As a conventional washing and drying machine, in the washing operation, after supplying tap water (washing water), the washing operation is performed by rotating the pulsator forward and backward to apply mechanical force to the laundry, and then tap water (rinsing water). ) And a washing operation in which mechanical force is similarly applied to the laundry, and then a spinning operation is performed to rotate the washing and dewatering tank to perform centrifugal dehydration of the rinsing water contained in the laundry. After that, while supplying warm air to the washing / dehydrating tub, rotating the washing / dehydrating tub and the pulsator integrally, or rotating the pulsator forward and reverse, the laundry is switched up and down to dry the laundry. The thing of the structure which performs a drying operation is known (for example, refer patent document 1). The wrinkles at the time of drying are generated when the drying proceeds while the posture of the laundry is fixed. In the operation of rotating the pulsator forward and backward during the drying operation, the posture is changed by moving the laundry, in addition to the function of swapping the top and bottom of the laundry and promoting the evaporation of moisture, so that the same part does not remain bent There is work to do.

  As a pulsator used in a washing machine, a pulsator provided with a flat surface obliquely intersecting with a rotating shaft facing the inside of a washing tub is known (for example, see Patent Document 2). This pulsator is smaller in size than the bottom surface of the washing tub, and is provided at one corner of the washing tub. When this pulsator is rotated around the rotation axis, a pulse is generated toward the washing tub and a blow-up water flow is generated.

  Further, as a pulsator used in a washing machine, there is known a rotary blade of a washing machine provided with a plurality of blades which are arranged at the inner bottom of the washing machine and form a fan shape substantially radially from the center toward the outer periphery ( For example, see Patent Document 3).

JP 2002-360966 A (pages 7-9) Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 35-8440 (1st page, Fig. 7) Description and drawings of Japanese Utility Model No. 55-15919 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-116972) (first page, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2)

  In a washing machine equipped with a pulsator, it is preferable to reduce fabric entanglement in order to increase the cleaning effect, such as reducing unevenness in washing or rinsing well. Furthermore, in a washing dryer having a drying function, it is necessary to reduce fabric entanglement in the washing process and the drying operation in order to realize a dry finish with little wrinkle. When the fabric entanglement occurs, the shape of the entangled portion is fixed and causes wrinkling.

  In order to reduce fabric entanglement, it is necessary to reduce the rotation angle of the pulsator (lowering the number of rotations and shortening the rotation time), but in washing, the mechanical force applied to the laundry decreases and the cleaning power decreases. Resulting in. Further, in drying, there is a problem that cloth movement and cloth change are reduced, and uneven drying and drying time are prolonged.

  Among the pulsators, those provided with a flat surface obliquely intersecting with the rotation axis facing the inside of the washing tub are used in washing machines that do not have a dehydrating function or a drying function. The size of the pulsator is smaller than the size of the bottom surface of the laundry tub, and is provided at one corner of the bottom of the laundry tub. This type of washing machine has a small amount of laundry that can be washed at one time and uses a lot of water. The bath ratio represented by (amount of water) / (amount of fabric) was also used in a larger state than the current washing machine. Therefore, in a washing machine that performs washing and dehydration with a large washing and dewatering capacity and a reduced bath ratio, and a washing and drying machine with a drying function, the fabric is entangled while effectively applying mechanical force to the laundry. There is a need to further consider the reduction.

  Further, in the case of providing a plurality of blades having a fan shape substantially radially from the center toward the outer peripheral portion, the height of the blades is formed at the same height from the central portion to the vicinity of the outer periphery. In particular, the thickness of the blade (rotational or circumferential dimension) is reduced at the center, and the blade protrudes at a steep angle from the base surface of the pulsator. Such a blade shape causes a large force to act on the laundry in the rotational direction and easily causes fabric entanglement.

  In addition, any of the above pulsators is used in a washing machine having no drying function, and no consideration is given to achieve a dry finish with little wrinkling.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of performing laundry with reduced fabric entanglement while effectively applying mechanical force to the laundry, and further providing a laundry dryer capable of reducing fabric entanglement in the drying process. is there.

  In the present invention, the rotating body provided at the bottom of the laundry tub has an inclined surface that imparts vertical movement to the laundry by the rotational movement thereof. The diameter of the rotating body is 90% or more of the inner diameter of the washing tub, and the inclined surface applies a centrifugal force to move the laundry to the outer peripheral side of the rotating body when the rotating body rotates, and the outer periphery of the rotating body. It is good to form so that an upward movement may be given to a laundry on an inclined surface by the side. In addition, when the rotating body stops rotating, the inclined surface may slide the laundry toward the lower side of the inclined surface.

  Specifically, the rotating body has an inclined surface toward the inner side of the washing tub, and the inclined surface rotates on the outer peripheral side of the rotating body between the top portion where the vertical position is higher and the lower valley portion in the circumferential direction. It is formed so that the height gradually increases from the center to the top, and the top and valley are the circumferential length from the highest part of the top to the lowest part of the valley with respect to the height difference between the top and the valley. The length is formed to be long. One to three apexes may be formed in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral side of the rotating body, and preferably two apexes. The inclined surface may be a flat surface.

  In the above rotating body, the force to carry the laundry in the rotating direction is reduced, and the laundry receives a centrifugal force by the rotation of the rotating body and easily moves from the center side of the washing tub to the peripheral wall (side wall) side. The laundry moved to the peripheral wall side is moved in the vertical direction by the undulation on the outer peripheral side of the rotating body, and mechanical force is applied. Furthermore, the laundry gathered on the peripheral wall side is broken by the up and down movement and can be replaced. In the laundry dryer, the collapse of the laundry at the time of drying works particularly effectively, and the fabric entanglement can be reduced.

  According to the washing machine or the washing / drying machine of the present invention, washing is performed by applying mechanical force to the laundry by giving the laundry a vertical movement with a simple configuration in which the pulsator is simply driven to rotate about the rotation axis. Since the force can be increased and the fabric entanglement can be reduced, uneven washing and wrinkles can be reduced.

  An inclined surface is formed on the pulsator of the washing machine or the washing / drying machine so as to form a vertical swell along the circumferential direction thereof. The inclined surface may be a flat surface or a curved surface. The pulsator is formed with a large diameter so as to cover the inner side of the bottom of the washing tub, with the rotation center shaft disposed at the center of the bottom of the washing tub. Here, covering the inside of the bottom of the washing tub does not necessarily mean covering 100% of the inside of the bottom. If the washing tub is cylindrical, the outer diameter of the pulsator may be substantially coincident with the inner diameter of the washing tub, or a space may be provided between the outer periphery of the pulsator and the peripheral wall of the washing tub. The outer diameter of the pulsator was 90% or more of the inner diameter of the washing tub. The pulsator has an apex where the peak of the undulation rises on the outer peripheral side, and the undulation height is gradually increased from the center of rotation of the pulsator toward the apex of the apex. In order to secure the height of the undulation and to make the inclination of the inclined surface smooth, the undulation is formed to have one to three peaks in the circumferential direction. In order to increase the swell height and form the slope more smoothly, it is better to have a small number of mountains, but considering the balance when the pulsator rotates, it is most desirable to use two mountains. .

  In the above pulsator, the force to carry the laundry in the rotational direction is small, and the laundry is easily moved from the center side of the washing tub to the peripheral wall (side wall) side by receiving centrifugal force by the rotation of the pulsator. The laundry moved to the peripheral wall side is moved in the vertical direction by the undulation on the outer peripheral side of the pulsator, and mechanical force is applied. Furthermore, the laundry gathered on the peripheral wall side is broken by the up and down movement and can be replaced. In the laundry dryer, the collapse of the laundry at the time of drying works particularly effectively, and the fabric entanglement can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, a washing / drying machine will be described as an example. In addition, in order to perform a spin-drying | dehydration process in the washing-drying machine of this example, the washing tub into which a laundry is put is demonstrated as a washing and dehydration tub.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a washing / drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention in a longitudinal section.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes a rectangular cylindrical outer frame constituting the outer shell. The outer frame 1 is made of a steel plate. Reference numeral 2 denotes a washing and dewatering tub, which has a small hole 2a for water passage and ventilation on its peripheral wall (side wall), a fluid balancer 3 on its upper edge, and mechanical force on the laundry inside the bottom. The pulsator 4 is rotatably installed as a rotating body that gives The pulsator 4 has a small hole 4a for water flow and ventilation. Reference numeral 5 denotes an outer tub that encloses the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and accumulates washing water and rinsing water. A driving device 6 is attached to the outside of the bottom portion by a steel plate mounting base 7, and the four corners of the upper end of the outer frame 1 are attached. The outer tub 5 is suspended from the four sides equally by the four anti-vibration support devices 8 that are locked to each other so as to be suspended from the center of the outer frame 1.

  The pulsator 4 has a large diameter (the outer diameter is 90% or more of the inner diameter of the washing / dehydrating tub) that covers most of the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub 2, and the rotation center axis thereof is that of the washing / dehydrating tub 2. It arrange | positions so that it may overlap with a rotation center axis line. The shape of the pulsator 4 will be described in detail later.

  The drive device 6 includes a drive motor, an electric operation clutch mechanism, and a planetary gear speed reduction mechanism, and rotates the pulsator 4 with the washing / dehydrating tub 2 stationary (stirring mode), and the washing / dehydrating tub 2 and the pulsator 4 Are rotated in opposite directions (washing mode), and have a selective drive function for integrally rotating the washing and dewatering tub 2 and the pulsator 4 in the same direction (dehydration / drying mode).

  The top cover 9 formed with the outer garment insertion port 9a is fitted into the opening edge so as to cover the upper opening of the outer frame 1, and is attached to the outer frame 1 together with the front panel 10 and the back panel 11 with mounting screws.

  The outer garment insertion port 9a formed on the top cover 9 is covered with an outer lid 31 attached to the top cover 9 by a hinge 31a so as to open in half (mountain fold) so as to be openable and closable. The inner clothing input port 28a formed in the tank upper cover 28 is configured to be freely opened and closed by an inner lid 32 attached to the outer tank upper cover 28 by a hinge 32a.

  A front panel box 12, which is a front storage portion formed between the top cover 9 and the front panel 10, has a power switch 13, an operation panel 14 having an input switch and a display element, and a water level in the outer tub 5. A water level sensor 15 for generating a corresponding water level signal and a control unit 16 are incorporated. These constitute a control device.

  A back panel box 17 that is a rear housing portion formed between the top cover 9 and the back panel 11 contains washing water supply means. The washing water supply means is constituted by a main water supply electromagnetic valve 20 having a water inlet side connected to a faucet connection port 18 and a water outlet side connected to a water injection port 19. Furthermore, although not illustrated, a water supply means constituted by a bath water pump in which the water inlet side is connected to the hose connection port and the water outlet side is connected to the water injection port 19 may be provided.

  A detergent dissolution container 21 for dissolving the detergent is provided between the main water supply electromagnetic valve 20 and the water injection port 19, and the detergent solution dissolved with water from the main water supply electromagnetic valve 20 is supplied to the water injection port. The detergent dissolution container 21 is provided with a finishing agent input chamber 21a. By supplying water from the auxiliary water supply electromagnetic valve 22, the flexible finishing agent supplied into the finishing agent input chamber 21d is supplied from the finishing agent input chamber 21a. It is configured to overflow and supply to the water inlet 19.

  The water injection port 19 passes through the bottom of the top cover 9 and the rear portion of the outer tub upper cover 28 of the outer tub 5 and opens into the upper opening of the washing and dewatering tub 2.

  The hot air circulation drying means is formed so as to extend vertically from the suction port 5a formed on the lower side wall of the outer tub 5 along the outer wall surface on the rear side of the outer tub 5, and enters from the suction port 5a. A water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23 that is a dehumidifying air passage section that dams the washing water, a cooling water spraying section 24 that is a water-cooled dehumidifying means that is located in the upper part of the water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23 and supplies cooling water into the duct, and a washing process A descending air duct 25 that is a descending air duct portion that is folded back at a position higher than the water level of the outer tank 5 and extends vertically toward the lower side of the outer tank 5 along the outer wall surface of the outer tank 5. A circulation fan 26 which is arranged in a lower space and sucks air from the descending air duct 25 into the suction port to generate circulating air, and is arranged along the outer wall surface of the outer tub 5 from the outlet of the circulation fan 26. Ascending wind extending perpendicular to the direction Ascending air duct duct 27 which is a part and heater (PTC heater) which is a heating means which is installed on the outer tank upper cover 28 attached to the upper end of the outer tank 5 and heats the circulating air sent from the ascending air duct 27 ) 29 is provided, and a blow-in port 30 through which heated circulating air is blown into the washing / dehydrating tub 2 is provided. The cooling water sprinkling part 24 is connected to the watering solenoid valve 24a.

  The water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23, the descending air duct 25, and the ascending air duct 27 constituting the circulation air path are arranged in the circumferential direction of the outer tank 5 on the outer wall surface on the rear side of the outer tank 5, and a part thereof is connected to the outer tank 5. The back cover 1a that is integrally molded and mounted and covers these outsides is formed into a shape that bulges outward and is screwed.

  Further, a humidity sensor 40 and a first temperature sensor 41 as humidity detecting means are installed in the descending air duct 25, and a second temperature sensor 42 is installed in the downstream air path of the heater 29 at the inlet 30. . In order to accurately detect the humidity and temperature of the circulating air dehumidified in the water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23, the humidity sensor 40 and the first temperature sensor 41 are mixed after the water-cooled dehumidified circulating air is well mixed and uniform. Therefore, the humidity sensor 40 and the first temperature sensor 41 are installed in the lower part of the descending air duct 25 far from the water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23 or in the inlet casing 26 a of the circulation fan 26. Further, the humidity sensor 40 and the first temperature sensor 41 are set at an installation position where they are exposed when the back cover 1a is removed so as to be convenient for maintenance work.

  Although not shown in the drawings, a portion from the water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23 to the descending air duct 25 is provided with yarn waste collecting means.

  A drain port 5 b formed at the bottom of the outer tub 5 is connected to a drain hose 34 via a drain electromagnetic valve 33. The air trap 5 c is connected to the water level sensor 15 through the air tube 35. At the lower end edge of the outer frame 1, a base 37 made of synthetic resin with legs 36 attached to the four corners is attached.

  Reference numeral 38 denotes a laundry put in the washing and dewatering tub 2.

  The hot air circulation drying means drains the washing water in the outer tub 5 after washing, rotates the washing and dewatering tub 2 at a high speed and spins it off, rotates at a high speed, rotates at a low speed, or pulsator 4 By operating the circulation fan 26 while reversing the raw, the wet air in the outer tub 5 and the washing / dehydrating tub 2 is sucked out from the suction port 5a, and in the process of ascending the water-cooled dehumidifying duct 23, The dehumidification duct 23 is dehumidified by cooling with cooling water supplied. Thereafter, the cooled and dehumidified air is lowered into the descending air duct 25 and sucked into the circulation fan 26, sent from the circulation fan 26 through the ascending duct duct 27 and the heater 29 to the blowing port 30, and heated by the heater 29 for washing and washing. Blow toward the center of the dehydration tank 2. The circulating air blown into the washing / dehydrating tub 2 in this way touches the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 2 to dry the laundry.

  Next, the shape of the pulsator and the cloth movement of the laundry during washing and drying will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pulsator according to an embodiment of the present invention. The surface of the pulsator 4 is a V-shape symmetrical to an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis of the pulsator 4 (indicated by a two-dot chain line BB in the figure), and an inclined plane 4b that rises from the center toward the outer periphery. It is comprised by the trough part 4c between 4b. The surface has many small holes 4a through which water during washing and warm air during drying flow. When viewed from the washing and dewatering tub 2 (fixed side), when the pulsator 4 is rotated, the surface of the pulsator 4 gradually increases from the valley 4c toward the inclined plane 4b and reaches the top. The height decreases toward the valley 4c. The point that the surface height of the pulsator 4 changes gradually is a big difference from the pulsator shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, and this plays a big role in preventing the fabric entanglement. In the present embodiment, when the pulsator 4 makes one rotation, the surface of the pulsator 4 is moved up and down twice. The amplitude of this vertical movement is larger at the outer periphery.

  Here, the pulsator of FIGS. 12 and 13 will be described.

  In the washing and drying machine provided with the pulsator, it is necessary to reduce the fabric entanglement in the washing process and the drying operation in order to realize a dry finish with little wrinkle. When the fabric entanglement occurs, the shape of the entangled portion is fixed and causes wrinkling. The pulsator 52 shown in FIG. 12 is formed in a dish-like shape by curving upward so that the peripheral edge is pushed up, and a plurality of upwardly projecting radial blades 52b are provided on the surface thereof. 52c is a large number of small holes through which washing wastewater and warm air during drying flow. Detergency is generated by the frictional action caused by the radial blades 52b rubbing the laundry 38 and the fraying action caused by deforming the laundry 38.

13 is a cross-sectional view of the pulsator 52 taken along line AA in FIG. Since the blades 52b protrude at a steep angle with respect to the base surface of the pulsator 52, when the pulsator 52 is rotated, the rotational force acts on the laundry 38 more than the centrifugal force. That is, in the portion of the protruding portion b protruding at a steep angle, the force that the laundry 38 receives from the protruding portion, that is, the surface pressure, is rapidly increased as compared with both side portions of the protruding portion in the rotation direction. . For this reason, the force with which this protrusion part carries the laundry 38 in a rotation direction is large. As shown in FIG. 13, the laundry 38 rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the pulsator 52 while being pushed by the blade 52 b or being caught by the blade 52 b while sliding or rolling on the pulsator 52. Moreover, although the blade | wing 52b also raise | generates the force which tries to lift the laundry 38, since the blade | wing 52b protrudes at a steep angle and the width | variety b is small, this force is slight, and the up-down direction of the laundry 38 is carried out. Little movement occurs. Further, the generated force is only applied to the stacked laundry in contact with or close to the pulsator 52, and is not transmitted to the laundry located in the upper layer.

  When the laundry 38 rolls on the pulsator 52, the laundry 38 is likely to be in a dumpling shape and is likely to be entangled. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, when the laundry 38 is arranged from the center to the outer periphery of the pulsator 52, the portion located on the outer peripheral part is rolled a lot due to the speed difference between the central part and the outer peripheral part of the pulsator 52, and the twist occurs (shirt). This is especially true for long clothes such as long sleeves and pants). Since the pulsator 52 repeats forward and reverse rotations, this twist is eliminated by rotating in the opposite direction. However, in reality, the laundry 38 does not rotate symmetrically forward and backward, and the twist gradually becomes tighter. This twist causes the laundry 38 to be in a thin string shape, so that it becomes more likely to be entangled with the cloth. For this reason, a pleated wrinkle is generated in the laundry 38, and the drying finish is lowered.

  In order to reduce fabric entanglement, it is necessary to reduce the rotation angle of the pulsator (lowering the number of rotations and shortening the rotation time), but in washing, the mechanical force applied to the laundry decreases and the cleaning power decreases. Resulting in. Further, in drying, there is a problem that cloth movement and cloth change are reduced, and uneven drying and drying time are prolonged.

  The movement of the laundry during washing and drying will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram in which the pulsator 4 is developed about half a circumference in the circumferential direction, and illustrates the movement of the laundry 38 on the pulsator 4. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the washing and dewatering tank 2, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the washing and dewatering tank 2 taken along the line CC in FIG.

  When the laundry 38 is in the position of the valley 4c shown in FIG. 3A, when the pulsator 4 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, the laundry 38 slides on the inclined plane 4b of the pulsator 4 while rotating the pulsator 4. And rotate in the same direction. The surface shape of the pulsator 4 is not a shape in which the blades protrude from the surface at a steep angle like the pulsator shown in FIG. 13, but the shape of the pulsator 4 changes gently, so that the laundry 38 is pushed or caught by the blades. The laundry will not be dumped or entangled. At the same time, the laundry 38 moves from the valley 4c (a) to the upper side of the inclined plane 4b along the inclined plane 4b (lifts upward) by the wedge action, reaches the uppermost part (A), and then moves downward by gravity. It moves and repeats the vertical movement that returns to the valley 4c (c) again. At this time, by appropriately selecting the rotation speed of the pulsator, the natural frequency of the vertical movement of the laundry matches the frequency of the vertical movement of the blade surface, and the vertical movement of the laundry can be given more efficiently. it can.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the laundry 38 is moved to the outer peripheral portion of the pulsator 4 by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the pulsator 4, and is arranged in the circumferential direction along the inner wall surface of the washing and dewatering tub 2. . This is because, as described above, since the surface shape of the pulsator 4 changes gently in the rotation direction, the centrifugal force acts more strongly on the laundry 38 than the force in the rotation direction. Since the outer peripheral portion has a large vertical amplitude on the blade surface, the laundry 38 can be efficiently given a large vertical movement. Then, when the rotation of the pulsator 4 stops, a movement of dropping to the valley 4c is added, so that the laundry 38 is replaced, and washing unevenness and drying unevenness do not occur. That is, the laundry 38 gathered on the outer peripheral portion of the pulsator 4 by centrifugal force is broken by the vertical movement of the laundry 38. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, since the laundry is not arranged from the center of the pulsator 4 to the outer peripheral portion, the clothes are not twisted due to the speed difference between the inner periphery and the outer periphery.

  Thus, the laundry 38 moves in the vertical direction and rotates in the washing and dewatering tub 2 in the same direction as the rotation direction of the pulsator 4. As the laundry 38 moves up and down along the inclined plane 4b, the laundry 38 is washed by the effect of tapping and pushing when washing. Further, at the time of drying, the volume of the washing / dehydrating tub 2 can be effectively utilized by the vertical movement of the laundry 38, and the laundry 38 can easily spread in the washing / dehydrating tub 2, thereby realizing drying with less wrinkles. Since the laundry 38 moves up and down while rotating in the rotational direction of the pulsator 4, a gap is generated between the laundry, and the warm air easily spreads not only on the surface of the laundry 38 but also inside the laundry 38. The evaporation of moisture from the water is promoted, and the drying time can be shortened.

  Further, the pulsator 4 has an advantage that the amount of water at the time of washing can be significantly reduced as compared with the pulsator of FIGS. In the pulsator of FIGS. 12 and 13, there is sufficient washing water in the washing and dewatering tub, and the laundry 38 is slightly lifted (separated) from the pulsator surface by buoyancy. By rotating the pulsator in this state, the blades 52b rub the laundry 38 to obtain cleaning power. When the amount of washing water is reduced with the pulsator of FIGS. 12 and 13, the laundry 38 is placed on the pulsator 52, the blades 52b bite into the laundry 38, and the blades 52b and the laundry 38 are engaged. When the pulsator 52 is rotated in this state, the laundry 38 and the pulsator 52 rotate almost integrally, no relative movement occurs, and no cleaning power is generated.

  On the other hand, in the pulsator 4, the surface shape of the pulsator 4 changes gently. For this reason, even when the amount of washing water is small and the laundry 38 is placed on the pulsator, when the pulsator is rotated, the laundry 38 slides on the pulsator and moves up and down due to the wedge action of the inclined surface 4b. Force is generated. In addition, when the amount of water is reduced, it is better to provide a washing water circulation means so that the washing water is distributed over the entire laundry so that the washing water is dropped from above the laundry.

  Even if the shape of the inclined surface is a mountain shape as shown in FIG. 6, substantially the same cloth movement as described above can be realized. The surface of the pulsator 50 is configured by a substantially chevron-shaped inclined surface 50b that is fan-shaped and increases from the center toward the outer peripheral portion, and a valley portion 50c that connects the inclined surfaces 50b. There are two apexes (tops) 50d in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the pulsator 50, and a valley 50c is formed between the apexes 50d and 50d. A ridge portion 50e whose height gradually increases from the rotation center toward the vertex 50d is formed. The inclined surface 50b differs in the direction directed on both sides in the circumferential direction of the ridge 50e. The inclined surface 50b may be a flat surface or a curved surface. 50a is a small hole through which water during washing and warm air during drying flow. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a change in the shape of the inclined surface 50b in the circumferential direction when the pulsator 50 is developed in the circumferential direction. The feature of this pulsator is that it has a chevron shape in which the inclination angle in the circumferential direction of the inclined surface 50b is gradually increased toward the apex and gradually decreases as it approaches the apex. By doing so, the skirt portion of the inclined surface 50b is smoothly connected from the valley portion 50c, and this skirt portion plays a role like a runway. The laundry 38 is efficiently splashed upward near the apex where the inclination angle becomes steep while sliding along the runway. For this reason, a larger vertical movement can be given to the laundry.

  Also, even if the radial inclination angle of the inclined surface 50b is increased and the height difference of the pulsator surface is increased, the shape change is gentle, so that the clothes are difficult to roll and move up and down without causing entanglement in the laundry. Can be given. Accordingly, the cleaning power and drying efficiency can be increased. Of course, it is natural that the central angle of the fan of the angled inclined surface is increased as much as possible (closer to 180 °), the inclined surface 50b is increased, and the valley 50c is decreased.

  The pulsator may have a shape having a single inclined surface 51b as shown in FIG. The inclined surface 51b is an inclined surface that extends from the outer peripheral portion to the other end side beyond the rotation center axis. 51c is a bottom surface connected to the lowest part of the inclined surface 51b, and 51a is a large number of small holes through which water during washing and hot air for drying flow. In the drawing, the inclined surface 51b is shown as a plane, but it may be a mountain-shaped inclined surface as shown in FIG. The inclined surface 51b has a size that occupies at least half of the pulsator 51. Of course, the entire pulsator 51 may be the inclined surface 51b (in this case, there is no bottom surface 51c). However, since the bottom surface 51c functions like a runway, the laundry is more likely to move above the inclined surface 51b when the bottom surface 51c is provided in a range of about ¼ of the diameter from the outer periphery of the pulsator 51. The feature of this shape is that the height difference of the inclined surface 51b can be increased without increasing the inclination angle of the inclined surface 51b. Compared with the pulsator having the inclined surfaces opposed to each other as shown in FIG. For this reason, the vertical movement of the laundry 38 can be further increased, and the volume of the washing and dewatering tub 2 can be used more effectively, so that the laundry 38 can easily spread during drying and wrinkles can be suppressed.

In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the number of vertices (tops) existing on the outer periphery of the pulsator is two. However, as shown in FIG. (A) is a perspective view of a pulsator, (b) is a side view, (c) is an upper surface (blade surface) view. In the pulsator 60 of FIG. 9, three troughs 60b are formed in the circumferential direction, and a top 60a is formed at the outer periphery between the troughs 60b and 60b. Between the trough part 60b and the trough part 60b, it forms so that height may become high gradually toward the top part 60a from a rotation center part. At this time, a ridge portion 60e is formed from the rotation center portion toward the top portion 60a, and inclined surfaces 60c and 60d having different directions are formed on both sides in the circumferential direction of the ridge portion 60e. The inclined surfaces 60c and 60d can be formed by a flat surface or a curved surface, and the shape is the same as that of the pulsator of FIG. 6 except for the number of apexes 60a and valleys 60b. However, as the number of vertices increases, it becomes more difficult to increase the height of the vertices and reduce the inclination of the inclined surface. In a washing machine or a washing / drying machine having a rated capacity for washing and dehydration of 6 to 10 kg and a drying capacity of about 2 to 8 kg, the number of vertices (mountains) is preferably 1 to 3. Also, if the height of the vertices is made higher and a large vertical movement is given to the laundry, the smaller the number of vertices, the better it is to reduce the inclination and smooth the inclined surface. Considering the rotational balance when the pulsator rotates, it is desirable to have two vertices.

  As described above, the pulsator of each embodiment described above moves the laundry in the vertical direction along the inclined surface by rotating the pulsator and rotates it in the same direction as the rotation direction of the pulsator. The greater the vertical movement of the laundry, the better the cleaning power, the shorter the drying time, and the reduction of drying wrinkles. In addition, since the pulsator of each embodiment mentioned above has a big slip with laundry, it is also possible to improve a cleaning power further by providing a fine unevenness | corrugation and a small blade | wing on the inclined surface.

  FIG. 10 shows a plan view (A) of the pulsator of FIGS. 2 and 6 as viewed from above (from the blade surface side) and heights (B) and (C) of the blade surface as representative examples. (B) and (C) show changes in the height of the blade surface in the circumferential direction at the radial positions where the radii from the rotation center are R1, R2, and R3, respectively, in FIG.

  (B) The figure shows the case of the pulsator 4 of FIG. 2. In this pulsator 4, the inclined surface 4b is a flat surface. If the change in the height of the blade surface in the circumferential direction is illustrated, the height at each radial position is shown in FIG. It can be seen that the highest peaks (H1, H2, H3) occur. It is understood that a ridge portion is formed by connecting these top portions in the radial direction, and the ridge portion gradually increases from the center of rotation toward the outer periphery. As described above, also in the pulsator 4 of FIG. 2, in addition to the valley portion 4c, the top portion and the ridge portion can be defined.

  (C) The figure shows the case of the pulsator 50 of FIG. In the case of the pulsator 50 of FIG. 6, it is not necessary to show the blade surface height in the circumferential direction, and the valley 50c, the top 50d, and the ridge 50e can be easily seen from the surface shape of the pulsator.

  In any case, it can be understood from FIG. 10 that the valley, the top, the ridge, and the ridge gradually increase from the rotation center toward the outer periphery. Also, at each radial position, the circumferential length (circumferential length) L (L1, L2, L3, L4) of the inclined surface with respect to the blade surface height H (H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6). L5 and L6) are respectively large, and it can be understood that a gentle inclined surface is formed with a small inclination angle.

  FIG. 11 shows qualitatively the results of an experimental investigation of the relationship between the angle of inclination of the inclined surface (angle relative to the rotation direction of the pulsator), the vertical movement of the laundry, and the fabric entanglement. The upward and downward movement of the laundry increased in proportion to the inclination angle of the inclined surface, but reached a peak at a certain angle, and decreased after that. From this, it was found that there was an optimum inclination angle. This is because if the inclination angle is too large, the laundry is pushed by the inclined surface, making it difficult to slip on the surface of the pulsator and difficult to move above the inclined surface.

  On the other hand, the fabric entanglement suddenly increases above the inclination angle at which the vertical movement of the laundry starts to decrease. This is because if the inclination angle is too large, the laundry is difficult to slip on the surface of the pulsator, and becomes a dumpling in the valleys of the inclined surface and moves like rolling.

  According to experiments, in the case of the inclined surfaces facing each other as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the inclination angle is preferably 15 to 25 °. At this time, the height difference of the inclined surface is about 0.13 to 0.22 times the pulsator diameter. In the case of a single inclined surface as shown in FIG. 8, the inclination angle is preferably 15 to 30 °.

  According to the above-described embodiment, simply by rotating the pulsator around the rotation axis, the laundry moves in the vertical direction of the washing and dewatering tub while sliding on the pulsator, and rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the pulsator. The laundry 38 does not have a dumpling shape, and the laundry 38 becomes difficult to get entangled or twisted. For this reason, the wrinkle of the laundry 38 can be suppressed and a dry finish can be improved significantly. Moreover, the occurrence of uneven drying due to entanglement can also be prevented.

  In the pulsator of Patent Document 2 described above, a flat surface obliquely intersecting with the impeller rotating shaft is provided in the washing tub in the washing tub, and the water in the washing tub is rotated by rotating the flat surface around the wing wheel shaft. It is similar to the pulsator of the above-described embodiment (FIG. 8) that the pulsator surface is inclined, but the pulsator is arranged at the bottom corner of the washing tub (pulsator Therefore, it is not possible to give the laundry a vertical movement. Naturally, even if the pulsator of Patent Document 2 is applied to a laundry dryer, since there is no water in the laundry tub during drying, only a part of the laundry moves and the laundry cannot be dried.

  The pulsator of Patent Document 3 is provided at the inner bottom portion of the washing machine, and is provided with a plurality of blades that form a fan shape substantially radially from the center toward the outer periphery. Among these blades, the height of at least one blade is high. Is higher than that of the other blades, and this high blade has an inclined portion that gradually goes downward from the position of about 2/3 from the center toward the outer periphery toward the outer periphery, and the width at the outer periphery of the higher blade. Is set to 1.5 to 2 times that of the lower blade.

  The pulsator shape of Patent Document 3 is for bringing the blade and the laundry into contact in a stepwise manner, reducing a load applied to the outer peripheral portion of the blade, and preventing an increase in torque of the motor. When viewed from above, the fan blades are similar to the pulsator (FIG. 6) of the above-described embodiment. However, when viewed from the lateral direction, the height of the blades is almost constant from the center to the outer periphery, which is different from the present invention in which the height increases toward the outer periphery. Further, since the fan-shaped spread angle is significantly smaller than that of the present invention and the size of the blade is small, the inclination of the blade in the circumferential direction is steep. That is, when the pulsator of Patent Document 3 is rotated, the movement of the laundry is similar to the pulsator described in FIG. 12, there is almost no movement of the laundry in the vertical direction, and the laundry is moved in the rotation direction of the pulsator with the blades. It is pushed and tends to form dumplings on the pulsator, and fabric entanglement is also likely to occur. Therefore, even if the pulsator of Patent Document 3 is applied to a washing / drying machine, only a dry finish similar to the pulsator described in FIG. 12 can be obtained.

It is a schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the washing dryer which becomes this invention. It is a perspective view of the pulsator which is one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the movement of the laundry on the pulsator by developing the pulsator of FIG. 2 about half a circumference in the circumferential direction. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing and dewatering tank 2. FIG. It is the top view which cut | disconnected the washing and dehydration tank 2 by the BB line of FIG. 4, and was seen from upper direction. It is a perspective view of the pulsator which is one embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which expand | deployed the pulsator of FIG. 6 about the half circumference in the circumferential direction. It is a perspective view of the pulsator which is one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the shape of the pulsator which formed three vertices. It is a figure which shows the blade | wing surface height in the circumferential direction of a pulsator. It is a figure showing the relationship between the inclination angle of the inclined surface in the pulsator of this invention, the up-down direction movement of a laundry, and cloth tangle. It is a perspective view of a pulsator for comparing shapes. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the pulsator of FIG. 12 by the AA line of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outer frame, 2 ... Washing and dewatering tank, 4 ... Pulsator, 4b ... Inclined surface, 5 ... Outer tub, 6 ... Drive apparatus, 23, 25, 27 ... Duct, 24 ... Cooling sprinkling part, 26 ... Fan, 29 ... Heater, 50
... pulsator, 50b ... inclined surface, 51 ... pulsator, 51b ... inclined surface.

Claims (1)

Washing machine comprising: a washing tub; a rotating body provided at the bottom of the washing tub; an outer tub that encloses the washing tub and stores washing water; and an electric motor that rotationally drives the washing tub and the rotating body. In
The surface of the rotating body is composed of a fan-like inclined surface having a substantially mountain shape that increases from the center toward the outer periphery, and a trough that connects the inclined surfaces.
The inclination angle in the circumferential direction of the inclined surface gradually increases toward the top and gradually increases toward the top, and the inclination angle gradually decreases toward the top.
The number of the tops is 1 to 3,
A washing water circulation means for pouring washing water from above on the laundry is provided,
The water level during washing is set so that the laundry does not float on the washing water but rests on the rotating body, and the laundry is moved up and down along the inclined surface by rotating the rotating body, and the washing water circulation means The washing machine is characterized in that the washing is performed while the washing water is poured onto the laundry from above.

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