JP5593640B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that performs washing, rinsing, and dewatering of laundry.

  In general, in a recent drum type washing machine, as shown in FIG. 12, a water tank 52 is supported in a casing 51 by a suspension mechanism (not shown), and a drum 53 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape is freely rotatable in the water tank 52. Is provided. The drum 53 is directly connected to a motor 54 provided on the bottom surface of the water tank 52 via a drum rotation shaft 55, and rotates in a forward and reverse direction at an arbitrary rotational speed by driving the motor 54 to rotate. A plurality of protrusions 56 and a plurality of small holes 57 are provided on the inner peripheral wall of the drum 53 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  When there is a washing process, the washing water containing the detergent is added to the water tank 52, and the motor 54 is rotated at a high speed to rotate the drum 53 at a high speed. Since the washing water is agitated at a high speed, the detergent dissolves well and fine bubbles can be generated, so that washing water that fully exhibits the ability of the detergent can be created. In some cases, the motor 54 is driven to rotate forward and reverse at a low speed, and the drum 53 is rotated forward and reverse at a low speed. At this time, the laundry is washed by receiving mechanical force by being caught by the protrusion 56 on the inner peripheral wall of the drum 53, lifted upward, and then dropped at an appropriate height.

  After the washing process, the drain valve 58 is opened to drain the water, and this time, without adding detergent, water is supplied with the drain valve 58 closed, and the rinse process is performed. When there is a rinsing process, the motor 54 is driven to rotate forward and reverse at a low speed, and the drum 53 is rotated in the normal direction at a low speed. At this time, as in the washing process, the laundry is hooked by the protrusion 56 on the inner peripheral wall of the drum 53, lifted upward, and then subjected to an agitation operation such as dropping at an appropriate height, thereby Under the force, the adsorbed detergent components are peeled off and rinsed. When there is a rinsing process, the motor 54 is driven to rotate at a high speed to rotate the drum 53 at a high speed, so that the rinsing water can be evenly distributed between the drum 53 and the water tank 52 by the centrifugal force. The foam remaining between the water tank 52 can be removed and the inside of the water tank 52 can be washed.

  In the dehydration process, the drain valve 58 is opened to drain the rinse water in the drum 53, and then the motor 54 is driven to rotate at high speed to rotate the drum 53 at high speed. At this time, the laundry is affixed to the inner peripheral wall of the drum 53 by centrifugal force, but moisture contained in the laundry escapes to the water tank 52 through the small hole 57 by centrifugal force. Dehydration is performed. Naturally, in the process until the drum 53 is rotated at a high speed, since the rotation of the drum is gradually increased, the laundry is caught by the protrusions 56 until the laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral wall of the drum 53. After being lifted upward, it is subjected to a stirring operation such as dropping at an appropriate height.

  As described above, since it is necessary to rotate the drum 53 at a low speed or at a high speed as necessary in the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process, an inverter device (not shown) is provided in the motor 54. The provided brushless motor is used. When the drum 53 is rotated at a low speed so that the laundry does not stick to the inner peripheral wall of the drum 53 due to the centrifugal force, the laundry that sufficiently contains water is lifted, and the impact of dropping is received. Since the action is applied to the drum 53, the motor 54 is required to have an operating characteristic of low speed and high torque.

Further, when the drum 53 is rotated at a high speed at a rotational speed at which the laundry adheres to the inner peripheral wall of the drum 53 due to centrifugal force, the drum 53 rotates even with a small rotational torque. Operating characteristics are required. The critical point of whether or not the laundry sticks to the inner peripheral wall of the drum 53 is, for example, about 60 r / min as the drum rotation speed if the inner diameter of the drum is about 500 mm.

  As described above, the required operating characteristics of the motor 54 vary greatly depending on whether the laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral wall of the drum 53 due to centrifugal force, but the motor 54 is designed to cover this.

JP 2006-75479 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, since the drum and the motor are directly connected via the drum rotation shaft, when rotating the drum at a low speed so that the laundry does not stick to the inner peripheral wall of the drum, a high-torque motor Characteristics are required. In general, the higher the torque of the motor, the larger the size of the motor, so the conventional drum type washing machine has a problem that the motor is expensive and the machine body is large.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can cope with a low-speed rotation of a drum from a high-speed rotation with a small motor and can be saved at low cost.

In order to solve the conventional problems, a rotatable drum for storing laundry, a motor for driving the drum to rotate, and a fixed gear rotating to decelerate the input from the motor and output to the drum a reduction gear unit to, said at a state of fixing the rotation fixing gear to release the connection between the input and output of the reduction gear unit, the rotation of the motor at low speed and high torque into the drum by the reduction gear unit The transmission of the rotation of the motor to the drum is cut off by releasing the connection between the input and output of the reduction gear unit in a state in which the rotation of the fixed gear is released and the first mode of transmission to the drum is released. by connecting the second mode, the input and output of the reduction gear unit in a state of releasing the fixation of rotation of said stationary gear, year reduction gear rotation of the motor Thereby enabling constructed switching between third mode for transmitting without decelerating knit, with the drive and the first mode of the motor, second mode, and control means for performing control for switching the third mode, the control The means is configured to switch in the order of the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode in a state in which the laundry exceeds the rotation speed of the drum that adheres to the inner peripheral wall of the drum.

By this, when rotating the drum at a low speed so that the laundry does not stick to the inner peripheral wall of the drum, the rotation of the high-speed and low-torque motor is reduced by the reduction gear unit and output by setting the first mode, Since the drum is rotated by increasing the torque at a low speed, the motor can be reduced in size. In addition, when rotating the drum at a high speed with the rotation speed at which the laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral wall of the drum, the rotation of the high-speed, low-torque motor is directly transmitted to the drum by setting the third mode so that the drum can be rotated at a high speed. And noise caused by gears can also be prevented. Also, in the process of starting up the drum from low speed rotation to high speed rotation, when the mode is suddenly switched from the first mode in which the drum is rotated while being decelerated with respect to the motor to the third mode in which the motor and the drum are rotated at the same speed. The rotation of the drum suddenly increases and it is difficult to realize a smooth rotation of the drum. However, the transmission of the rotation of the motor to the drum is cut between the first mode and the third mode. In this state, by providing a state in which the motor is turned off and the rotational force of the motor is eliminated, smooth switching can be realized without abruptly changing the rotation of the drum. Then, after switching, it is only necessary to start energization of the motor again and gradually increase the rotational speed of the drum. The switching from the first mode to the second mode described above is performed in a state where the laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral wall of the drum and the rotational torque of the drum is sufficiently small, and the laundry is applied to the inner peripheral wall of the drum by inertial rotation. Since the mode is switched to the third mode during the sticking, the mode transition can be surely performed without causing a motor torque shortage or the like.

  The washing machine of the present invention can realize low-speed and high-torque motor characteristics with a small motor, and can reduce the size of the machine body by saving space.

Sectional drawing of the washing machine of Embodiment 1 of this invention Perspective view showing the appearance of the washing machine Cross section of the main part of the washing machine in the first mode Cross section of the main part of the washing machine in the second mode Cross section of the main part of the washing machine in the third mode Operation explanatory diagram at low speed rotation of the washing machine Operation explanatory diagram at high speed rotation of the washing machine Operation explanatory drawing at the time of high-speed rotation of the washing machine of Embodiment 2 of the present invention Operation explanatory drawing at the time of high-speed rotation of the washing machine of Embodiment 3 of the present invention Sectional drawing of the principal part of the washing machine of Embodiment 4 of this invention Sectional drawing of the principal part of the washing machine of Embodiment 5 of this invention Cross section of a conventional washing machine

  A first aspect of the present invention is a rotary drum that accommodates laundry, a motor that rotationally drives the drum, and a reduction gear unit that decelerates an input from the motor and outputs it to the drum when the rotation of a fixed gear is fixed And a first mode for releasing the connection between the input and output of the reduction gear unit with the rotation of the fixed gear fixed, and an input and an output of the reduction gear unit with the rotation fixed of the fixed gear released. And a third mode for connecting the input and output of the reduction gear unit in a state in which the fixed rotation of the fixed gear is released, and the motor drive and the Control means for performing control to switch between the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode, and the control means rotates the drum on which the laundry adheres to the inner peripheral wall of the drum. When the drum is rotated at a low speed so that the laundry does not stick to the inner peripheral wall of the drum by switching in the order of the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode in the state where the speed is exceeded, the first mode By setting the mode, the rotation of the high-speed and low-torque motor is decelerated and output by the reduction gear unit, and the low-speed and high-torque is rotated to rotate the drum. Therefore, the motor can be reduced in size. In addition, when rotating the drum at a high speed with the rotation speed at which the laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral wall of the drum, the rotation of the high-speed, low-torque motor is directly transmitted to the drum by setting the third mode so that the drum can be rotated at a high speed. And noise caused by gears can also be prevented. Also, in the process of starting up the drum from low speed rotation to high speed rotation, when suddenly switching from the first mode in which the drum is rotated while being decelerated with respect to the motor to the third mode in which the motor and the drum are rotated at the same time, The rotation of the drum suddenly increases and it is difficult to realize a smooth rotation of the drum. However, the transmission of the rotation of the motor to the drum is cut between the first mode and the third mode. In this state, by providing a state in which the motor is turned off and the rotational force of the motor is eliminated, smooth switching can be realized without abruptly changing the rotation of the drum. Then, after switching, it is only necessary to start energization of the motor again and gradually increase the rotational speed of the drum. Further, the switching from the first mode to the second mode described above is performed in a state where the laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral wall of the drum and the rotational torque of the drum is sufficiently small, and the laundry is applied to the inner peripheral wall of the drum by inertial rotation. Since the mode is switched to the third mode during the sticking, the mode transition can be surely performed without causing a motor torque shortage or the like.

  In the second aspect of the invention, in particular, in the washing machine of the first aspect of the invention, in the second mode, the control means switches to the third mode after braking the motor in the second mode. Since the rotation of the motor is not transmitted to the drum, and the drum rotates in inertia, the rotation speed of the motor can be brought close to the rotation speed of the drum, so the difference in rotation speed between the motor and the drum can be reduced. The input and output of the reduction gear unit can be smoothly connected when switching from the second mode to the third mode.

  In the third invention, in particular, in the washing machine of the first or second invention, the control means stops the rotation of the motor in the second mode, then increases the rotation speed, and then switches to the third mode. As a result, it is usually easier to control the rotational speed of the motor while applying a voltage to increase the rotational speed than to perform the rotational speed control while applying a brake. Can be brought close to the rotational speed of the drum, and the input and output of the reduction gear unit can be smoothly connected when switching from the second mode to the third mode.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, the washing machine according to any one of the first to third aspects includes a drum rotation speed detection unit that detects a rotation speed of the drum. Since the rotation speed is made closer to the rotation speed of the drum, in the second mode, the rotation speed of the motor can be made closer to the rotation speed of the drum while monitoring the actual rotation speed of the drum. The rotation speed difference can be further reduced, and the input and output of the reduction gear unit can be more smoothly connected when switching from the second mode to the third mode.

  In the fifth invention, in particular, in the washing machine according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, when the control means switches from the second mode to the third mode, the input and output of the reduction gear unit are generated by frictional force. By adopting the coupling configuration, in the second mode, even if the difference in rotational speed between the motor and the drum is not sufficiently small, when the mode is switched to the third mode, the coupling between the input and output of the reduction gear unit is made frictional. Since it is performed while absorbing the rotational speed difference by force, it can be performed more smoothly.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, the washing machine according to any one of the first to fifth aspects includes a motor rotational speed detecting means for detecting the rotational speed of the motor, and the control means is configured such that the laundry is the inner peripheral wall of the drum. In the state where the rotational speed of the motor stuck to the motor is exceeded, the first mode is switched to the second mode, so that the rotational speed of the drum determined from the rotational speed of the motor exceeds a predetermined value. Since it can be estimated that the object has stuck to the inner peripheral wall surface of the drum and the rotational torque has been reduced, the mode can be shifted reliably without the occurrence of motor torque shortage or the like.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in particular, the washing machine according to any one of the first to sixth aspects includes a motor load detection unit that detects a motor load, and the control unit has a motor load greater than or equal to a predetermined amount of change. When it decreases, it is possible to directly detect that the laundry has stuck to the inner peripheral wall surface of the drum and the rotational torque is reduced by switching from the first mode to the second mode. It is possible to perform the mode transition more reliably without occurrence of.

  In the eighth aspect of the invention, in particular, the control means of any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention is the dehydration step, wherein the laundry exceeds the rotational speed of the drum attached to the inner peripheral wall of the drum. By switching to the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode in this order, when the dehydration is started in the dehydration process, the first mode is operated, and when the drum is rotated at high speed for efficient centrifugal dehydration, the third mode is used. By operating, a small motor with high speed and low torque can be effectively used even in the dehydration process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a drum type washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external view thereof. A water tank 2 is supported in a housing 1 by a suspension 5, and a drum 3 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape is disposed in the water tank 2. The water tank 2 and the drum 3 are supported so as to be inclined downward from the horizontal direction from the front side to the back side, with the open end side being the front side of the case 1 and the bottom side being the back side of the case 1. Has been. The door 4 is provided in the housing 1 so as to face the opening end side of the drum 3, and the user can put the laundry in and out of the drum 3 by opening the door 4. A bellows 7 formed of a flexible elastic body is disposed around the opening 6 of the water tub 2 where the laundry is taken in and out of the drum 3. Are in pressure contact with each other and seal between the water tank 2 and the door body 4 in a watertight manner.

  The drum 3 is inclined forward and inclined, and the door 4 is provided on the housing 1 so as to face the opening 6, so that the door 4 faces the face of a person standing in front of the housing 1. When the door 4 is opened and the laundry is taken in and out of the drum 3, the degree of bending is reduced, and the laundry can be taken in and out easily. Therefore, it is not necessary to secure a space in front of the housing 1, and it can be installed in a narrow space such as a washroom, and is configured as a drum type washing and drying machine suitable for a narrow Japanese living environment. be able to.

  A drainage path 8 for draining the water in the aquarium 2 is provided below the water tank 2, and a drainage valve 9 for opening and closing the path is provided in the middle of the drainage path 8. The drum 3 for storing the laundry becomes a washing room when water or detergent is stored in the water tank 2 with the drain valve 9 closed. Further, when the drain valve 9 is opened, water or detergent stored in the water tank 2 is drained from the drain path 8 and the drum 3 is rotated at a high speed, the laundry is pressed against the inner peripheral wall surface of the drum 3 by centrifugal force. It is done. At this time, the moisture contained in the laundry passes between the water tank 2 and the drum 3 through the plurality of small holes 10 provided on the inner peripheral wall surface of the drum 3 and is drained from the drainage path 8. Thus, the drum 3 also becomes a dehydration chamber.

  Although not shown, the drum 3 has a structure in which warm air is blown by a heating means, a blowing means, a duct, and the like. Become. A plurality of protrusions 11 are provided on the inner peripheral wall of the drum 3, and the laundry is hooked by the protrusions 11 by rotating the drum 3 at a low speed, and then dropped at an appropriate height. Agitating action such as allowing the clothes to be agitated during the washing, rinsing and drying steps.

  A motor 13 serving as a driving source of the drum 3 is provided on the bottom surface side of the water tank 2, and the rotation of the motor 13 is transmitted to the drum 3 by the transmission means 14. The motor 13 and the transmission means 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. A drum rotating shaft 16, one end of which is connected to the drum 3, is rotatably supported by two drum rotating bearings 17 provided on a stationary member 15 fixed to the bottom surface side of the water tank 2, and a part thereof is hollow. Is formed. The two drum rotary bearings 17 are provided at a certain distance in the axial direction in order to rotatably support the drum 3 via the drum rotary shaft 16.

In the hollow portion of the drum rotation shaft 16, a reduction gear unit 18 configured by a planetary gear reduction mechanism is provided. The sun gear 21 of the planetary gear reduction mechanism is connected to the rotor 13 b of the motor 13 to form a rotation input shaft to the reduction gear unit 18, and is input by an input bearing 24 provided in the hollow portion of the drum rotation shaft 16. It is supported rotatably. Around the rotor 13 b of the motor 13, a stator 13 a of the motor 13 that rotates the rotor 13 b by generating a rotating magnetic field is disposed, and the stator 13 a is attached to the stationary member 15.

  The planet gear 19 of the planetary gear reduction mechanism meshes with a sun gear 21 and an internal gear (fixed gear) 23. When the sun gear 21 is rotated while the rotation of the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 is fixed, the planet gear 19 rotates while the sun gear 21 is engaged with the sun gear 21 and the internal gear (fixed gear) 23. Revolve around 21.

  A planet gear center shaft 20 is provided at the center of rotation of the planet gear 19, and the planet gear center shaft 20 is integrated with the drum rotation shaft 16 described above. The carrier 22 of the planetary gear speed reduction mechanism configured to rotate integrally with the revolution movement of the planet gear 19 includes the planet gear center shaft 20 and the drum rotation shaft 16 described above. Generally, in the planetary gear speed reduction mechanism, the carrier 22 rotates in a state of being decelerated from the sun gear 21.

  With the above configuration, when the rotation of the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 is fixed, the reduction gear unit 18 decelerates the input from the rotor 13 b of the motor 13 and outputs it to the drum 3 via the drum rotation shaft 16. Composed. Here, when the number of teeth of the sun gear 21 is Za, the number of teeth of the planet gear 19 is Zb, and the number of teeth of the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 is Zc, the sun gear 21, the planet gear 19, the internal gear (fixed gear) 23) The rotational speed ratio of the carrier 22 is as shown in Table 1. For example, if Za = 15, Zb = 45 and Zc = 105 are set and applied to the rotation speed ratio shown in Table 1, the reduction ratio of the carrier 22 to the sun gear 21 is 1/8. That is, with respect to the rotation of the rotor 13b of the motor 13, the rotation of the drum 3 is reduced to 1/8, and the torque is increased eight times.

  Next, a method for fixing or releasing the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 is formed with a gear that meshes with the planet gear 19 on the inner peripheral side, and at least one or more gears are formed on the outer peripheral side. A recess 23a is provided. The stationary member 15 in the vicinity of the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 is provided with a first actuator 28 composed of a solenoid or the like, and when energized, the pin 25 is moved to the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 side. When the pushing and the rotation position of the concave portion 23a are at a position facing the pin 25, the pin 25 is inserted into the concave portion 23a, and the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 is fixed.

Even if the rotational position of the recess 23a is not in a positional relationship facing the pin 25 in the initial energization of the first actuator 28, the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 is rotated by rotating the rotor 13b of the motor 13 so that the planet gear It rotates by receiving the rotational force of 19, and the rotational position of the recess 23a is in a positional relationship facing the pin 25. For this reason, the pin 25 is inserted into the recess 23a, and the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 is fixed. When the first actuator 28 is not energized, the pin 25 is configured to move in the opposite direction to the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 by a spring or the like (not shown), and the insertion into the recess 23a is released. The fixation of the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 is released.

  Next, a method for connecting or releasing the input and output of the reduction gear unit 18 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, one end of the drum rotation shaft 16 serving as the output of the reduction gear unit 18 is connected to the drum 3, but the other end protrudes toward the rotor 13 b of the motor 13. And is located slightly away from the rotor 13b. A spline 16 a is formed at the end of the drum rotating shaft 16 on the rotor 13 b side. The spline 16a is provided with a clutch plate 26 configured to reciprocate to the rotor 13b side or the drum 3 side in the axial direction of the drum rotating shaft 16 while being fitted thereto.

  The clutch plate 26 is driven via a clutch lever 29 by a second actuator composed of a not shown geared motor or the like. A plurality of claws 26a are formed on the rotor plate 13b side of the clutch plate 26, and a hole 27 is formed in the rotor 13b facing the claws 26a so as to be able to fit the claws 26a.

  When the clutch plate 26 moves to the rotor 13b side by driving the second actuator, the claw 26a of the clutch plate 26 is configured to be fitted to the hole 27 of the rotor 13b. At this time, since the rotor 13b and the drum rotating shaft 16 are connected via the clutch plate 26, the input and output of the reduction gear unit 18 are connected.

  Even if the rotation position of the hole 27 of the rotor 13b is not in a positional relationship facing the claw 26a at the initial time when the clutch plate 26 is moved to the rotor 13b side, the hole is obtained by rotating the rotor 13b of the motor 13. 27 is in a positional relationship that opposes the claw 26a, and is fitted and the input and output of the reduction gear unit 18 are connected.

  Further, when the clutch plate 26 moves to the drum 3 side, the claw 26a of the clutch plate 26 is configured to be disengaged from the hole 27 of the rotor 13b. At this time, since the connection between the rotor 13b and the drum rotation shaft 16 is released, the connection between the input and output of the reduction gear unit 18 is released.

  Next, three modes that can be switched by the operations of the first actuator 28 and the second actuator will be described. In the first mode, as shown in FIG. 3, by energizing the first actuator 28, the pin 25 is inserted into the recess 23a and the rotation of the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 is fixed. Further, the clutch plate 26 is moved to the drum 3 side by the second actuator, and the connection between the rotor 13b of the motor 13 and the drum rotating shaft 16 is released. In this state, when the rotor 13b of the motor 13 is rotated, the rotation of the drum 3 is reduced to 1/8 and the torque is increased by 8 times with respect to the rotation of the rotor 13b by the planetary gear reduction mechanism.

In the second mode, as shown in FIG. 4, the first actuator 28 is turned off, the insertion of the pin 25 into the recess 23a is released, and the rotation of the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 is released. Further, the clutch plate 26 is moved to the drum 3 side by the second actuator, and the connection between the rotor 13b of the motor 13 and the drum rotating shaft 16 is released. In this state, even if the rotor 13b of the motor 13 is rotated, the fixed rotation of the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 is released, so that the planet gear 19 rotates idly and only rotates and does not revolve. The rotational force is not transmitted to the drum rotation shaft 16 constituting the carrier 22. That is, the rotation of the rotor 13 b of the motor 13 is in a free state where it is not transmitted to the drum 3.

  In the third mode, as shown in FIG. 5, the first actuator 28 is turned off, the insertion of the pin 25 into the recess 23a is released, and the rotation of the internal gear (fixed gear) 23 is released. Further, the clutch plate 26 is moved to the rotor 13b side by the second actuator, and the rotor 13b and the drum rotating shaft 16 are connected. When the rotor 13b of the motor 13 is rotated in this state, the rotation of the rotor 13b is directly transmitted to the drum rotation shaft 16. At this time, the drum rotation shaft 16, the sun gear 21, the planet gear 19, the internal gear (fixed) The gear) 23 rotates as a unit.

  As another configuration, the stator 13a of the motor 13 is provided with a motor rotation speed detection means 30 for detecting the rotation speed of the rotor 13b, and information on the motor rotation speed detection means 30 or the like is input to the stator 13a. 13 and a control means 31 for controlling the drive of the first actuator 28 and the second actuator.

  For example, when there is a cleaning process, the control unit 31 adds washing water containing detergent into the water tank 2 and the laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral wall of the drum 3 by centrifugal force as shown in FIG. The drum 3 is rotated at a rotational speed S1 lower than the rotational speed SR. The laundry is washed by receiving mechanical force by being caught by the protrusion 11 on the inner peripheral wall, lifted upward, and then dropped at an appropriate height.

  At this time, the drum 3 receives an impact of lifting and dropping the moisture-containing laundry, and the drum rotation torque of T1 is required to rotate the drum 3 against this. At this time, the control means 31 controls the first actuator 28 and the second actuator to select the first mode, and the rotational speed of the rotor 13b of the motor 13 is 8 × S1, and the rotational torque is Will be T1 / 8.

  Further, when there is a washing process, as shown in FIG. 7, the rotation speed of the drum 3 is increased in a state where washing water containing a detergent is added. It is rotated at a rotational speed S2 that is considerably higher than the rotational speed SR attached to the inner peripheral wall. As a result, the washing water is agitated at high speed between the aquarium 2 and the drum 3, so that the detergent dissolves well and fine bubbles can be generated, so that the washing water that sufficiently exhibits the ability of the detergent is produced. be able to. Until the rotational speed of the drum 3 is increased to S2, the control means 31 performs control as described below.

  First, the control means 31 controls the first actuator 28 and the second actuator to start the rotation of the rotor 13b of the motor 13 and raise the rotation speed of the drum 3 in the state where the first mode is selected. Go. If the rotational speed of the drum 3 is SR or less, the drum 3 is subjected to an impact of dropping the moisture-containing laundry and dropping it. Drum rotational torque is required, but here, the rotational torque of the rotor 13b of the motor 13 is T1 / 8.

  When the rotational speed of the drum 3 increases and exceeds SR, the rotational torque of the drum 3 extremely decreases from T1 to T2. This is because the laundry sticks to the inner peripheral wall of the drum 3, and therefore the required rotational torque of the drum 3 is only required to rotate the drum 3 against the rotational resistance of the drum rotation bearing 17. At this time, the rotational torque of the rotor 13b of the motor 13 is T2 / 8.

When the rotation speed of the drum 3 further increases and reaches S3, the control means 31 detects that the rotation speed of the rotor 13b is 8 × S3 by the motor rotation speed detection means 30, and switches to the second mode. In addition, the power supply to the motor 13 is turned off, and the rotational force of the motor 13 is eliminated. At this time, since no rotational driving force is applied to the rotor 13b and the drum 3, both the rotor 13b and the drum 3 rotate in inertia and the rotational speed gradually decreases, but the rotational speed of the drum 3 is less than the rotational speed SR. In the meantime, the control means 31 switches to the third mode. At this time, the claw 26a of the clutch plate 26 is fitted into the hole 27 of the rotor 13b of the motor 13, but the drum 3 containing the laundry has a large weight, so the inertia to continue to rotate is large. On the other hand, since the rotor 13b of the motor 13 is lightweight, its inertia is small, and the rotational speed of the rotor 13b drops to the rotational speed of the drum 3 at the moment of engagement. For this reason, the rotational speed of the drum 3 can be smoothly switched without rapidly changing. When the mode is switched to the third mode, the laundry is still attached to the inner peripheral wall of the drum 3, so that the required rotational torque of the drum 3 is T2, and the rotational torque of the rotor 13b of the motor 13 is T2. It becomes.

  Thereafter, the control means 31 resumes energization of the motor 13, increases the rotational speed of the rotor 13b of the motor 13 and increases the rotational speed of the drum 3 to S2, but the required rotational torque of the drum 3 is Since it is only the torque that rotates the drum 3 against the rotational resistance of the drum rotary bearing 17, it does not change much from T2.

  Considering the contents described above, when the rotor 13b of the motor 13 and the drum rotating shaft 16 are directly connected as in the conventional drum type washing machine, a torque of T1 or more is required as the necessary torque of the motor 13. On the other hand, in the drum type washing machine of the present invention, the required torque of the motor 13 may be T1 / 8 or T2 or more, so the motor 13 can be downsized. In addition, when the drum 3 is rotated at a high speed at a rotation speed at which the laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral wall of the drum 3, the rotation of the motor 13 with high speed and low torque is directly transmitted to the drum 3 by setting the third mode. 3 can be rotated at high speed, and noise caused by the gear of the reduction gear unit 18 can be prevented.

  Further, in the process of starting up the drum 3 from the low speed rotation to the high speed rotation, the third mode in which the motor 13 and the drum 3 are rotated in the same manner from the first mode in which the drum 3 is rotated while being decelerated with respect to the motor 13. If the switch is suddenly changed, the rotation of the drum 3 rises rapidly and it is difficult to realize a smooth rotation of the drum 3, but the second mode, that is, the rotation of the motor 13 is between the first mode and the third mode. In a state where the transmission to the drum 3 is cut off, the motor 13 is turned off and the rotational force of the motor 13 is eliminated, so that the rotation of the drum 3 can be smoothly switched without abrupt change. Can be realized.

  Further, the switching from the first mode to the second mode described above is performed by detecting the rotational speed of the motor 13 by the motor rotational speed detecting means 30 to detect the rotational speed of the drum 3, and the laundry is the drum 3. Since it can be estimated that the rotational torque has been reduced by sticking to the inner peripheral wall surface, and the mode is shifted to the third mode as it is, the mode can be reliably shifted without causing a torque shortage of the motor 13 or the like. . Although the above effect has been described only in the case of the cleaning process, the same effect can be obtained by performing the same control in the rinsing process and the drying process.

In the configuration of the present embodiment, the drum-type washing / drying machine is configured such that the drum 3 is inclined upward and forward. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the drum-type drum 3 has a horizontal axis of rotation. Even if it is a washing / drying machine or a drum type washing machine having no drying function, the same effect can be obtained. Further, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the motor 13 and the drum rotation shaft 16 are arranged on the same rotation shaft, and when the drum 3 rotates at high speed, the rotation of the motor 13 is directly connected to the drum 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and instead of the rotor 13b of the motor 13, a pulley is used. The motor is located at a different position, and the pulley and the motor are coupled via a belt. Similar effects can be obtained even with a drum-type washing machine.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 shows the operation of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The feature of the second embodiment is that, as shown in FIG. 8, the control means 31 switches to the third mode after braking the motor 13 in the second mode. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. The same constituent elements as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the first embodiment is referred to for the detailed description.

  In the second mode, the control means 31 controls the motor 13 to brake the rotor 13b and bring the rotational speed of the rotor 13b closer to the rotational speed of the drum 3. At this time, since the rotor 13b is in a free state where it is not transmitted to the drum 3, the rotation speed can be easily reduced. In the second mode, since the rotational force is not transmitted from the motor 13 to the drum 3, the drum 3 is rotated by inertia, and the rotational speed gradually decreases. However, until the rotational speed of the drum 3 falls below the rotational speed SR. Then, the above operation is completed, and the control means 31 switches to the third mode. At this time, the claw 26a of the clutch plate 26 is fitted into the hole 27 of the rotor 13b of the motor 13, but the rotational speed difference between the clutch plate 26 and the rotor 13b rotating integrally with the drum 3 is small. The impact when the claw 26a and the hole 27 are fitted can be reduced, a fitting failure can be prevented, and the input and output of the reduction gear unit 18 can be smoothly connected. it can.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 9 shows the operation of the washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the feature 3 of the present embodiment is that, when the control unit 31 switches from the second mode to the third mode, the motor 31 is braked and once the rotational speed is reduced to 0, It is to increase the rotational speed again to approach the rotational speed of the drum 3. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. The same constituent elements as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the first embodiment is referred to for the detailed description.

  Usually, it is easier to control the rotational speed of the motor 13 while increasing the rotational speed by applying a voltage than to perform the rotational speed control while applying a brake. For this reason, in the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment, the rotational speed of the motor 13 can be easily brought close to the rotational speed of the drum 3, and the input of the reduction gear unit 18 when switching from the second mode to the third mode. And the output can be smoothly connected.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a washing machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the fourth embodiment is characterized in that the stationary member 15 has a drum rotation speed detection means 32 that detects the rotation speed of the drum 3 by detecting the rotation speed of the drum rotation shaft 16. It is to be prepared. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. The same constituent elements as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the first embodiment is referred to for the detailed description.

  The controller 31 monitors the rotational speed of the drum 3 in the second mode, switches the rotational speed of the motor 13 to the rotational speed of the drum 3, and then switches to the third mode. Thereby, since the rotational speed difference between the motor 13 and the drum 3 can be further reduced, the input and output of the reduction gear unit 18 can be more smoothly connected when switching from the second mode to the third mode. Can do.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 11: is principal part sectional drawing of the washing machine of the 5th Embodiment of this invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the fifth embodiment is characterized in that a friction member 33 having elasticity is provided on a part of the clutch plate 26 on the rotor 13b side of the motor 13, and the clutch plate 26 is on the rotor 13b side. This is because the friction member 33 is configured to come into contact with the rotor 13b when moved to. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. The same constituent elements as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the first embodiment is referred to for the detailed description.

  Even if the rotational speed difference between the motor 13 and the drum 3 is not sufficiently small in the second mode, the rotation of the rotor 13b and the drum rotating shaft 16 while the friction member 33 is compressed when the mode is switched to the third mode. The speed difference is absorbed by the frictional force, and can be fitted when the claw 26a of the clutch plate 26 and the hole 27 of the rotor 13b face each other. Connection with the output can be performed more smoothly.

(Embodiment 6)
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The feature 6 of the present embodiment is that the motor 13 includes motor load detection means (not shown) for detecting the rotational torque applied to the rotor 13b from the current flowing in the winding of the stator 13a. When the detected rotational torque of the rotor 13b of the motor 13 decreases by a predetermined amount or more, the first mode is switched to the second mode. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. The same constituent elements as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the first embodiment is referred to for the detailed description.

  As a result, it is possible to directly detect that the laundry is stuck to the inner peripheral wall surface of the drum 3 due to the centrifugal force and the rotational torque is reduced. This can be done more reliably.

(Embodiment 7)
A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The feature of the seventh embodiment is that, in the dehydration step, the control means 31 is in the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode in a state where the laundry exceeds the rotational speed of the drum 3 that adheres to the inner peripheral wall of the drum 3. That is, the mode is switched in order. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. The same constituent elements as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the first embodiment is referred to for the detailed description.

  Accordingly, when the dehydration is started in the dehydration process, the first mode is operated, and when the drum 3 is efficiently rotated for high speed rotation, the drum 3 is operated in the third mode. A small motor can be used effectively.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can be realized as a low-speed and high-torque motor characteristic with a small motor, and the machine body can be miniaturized with space saving. is there.

3 Drum 13 Motor 18 Reduction gear unit 23 Internal gear (fixed gear)
30 motor rotation speed detection means 31 control means 32 drum rotation speed detection means

Claims (8)

A rotatable drum for storing laundry; a motor for rotating the drum; a reduction gear unit for decelerating an input from the motor when the rotation of the fixed gear is fixed; A first mode in which the rotation of the motor is transmitted to the drum at a low speed and a high torque by the reduction gear unit by releasing the connection between the input and the output of the reduction gear unit in a state where the rotation is fixed; A second mode in which the rotation of the motor is cut off from being transmitted to the drum by releasing the connection between the input and output of the reduction gear unit with the fixed rotation of the fixed gear being released, and the rotation of the fixed gear. by while releasing the fixed connecting the input and output of the reduction gear unit, transfer without slowing down the rotation of the motor by the reduction gear unit And a control means for controlling the driving of the motor and switching between the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode, the control means comprising: A washing machine in which the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode are switched in this order in a state in which the rotational speed of the drum that adheres to the inner peripheral wall of the drum is exceeded. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means switches to the third mode after braking the motor in the second mode. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to switch to the third mode after increasing the rotation speed after stopping the rotation of the motor in the second mode. 4. The drum rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the drum is provided, and the control means makes the rotation speed of the motor close to the rotation speed of the drum in the second mode. Washing machine. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control means is configured to connect the input and the output of the reduction gear unit by friction force when switching from the second mode to the third mode. Motor rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the motor is provided, and the control means switches from the first mode to the second mode in a state where the laundry exceeds the rotation speed of the motor attached to the inner peripheral wall of the drum. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. A motor load detecting means for detecting a motor load, wherein the control means switches from the first mode to the second mode when the motor load decreases by a predetermined amount or more. The washing machine according to item. The control means switches in the order of the first mode, the second mode, and the third mode in a state in which the laundry exceeds the rotational speed of the drum attached to the inner peripheral wall of the drum in the dehydration step. The washing machine according to any one of the above.

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