JP6037710B2 - Drum washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine having a configuration in which an outer tub containing a drum is supported on an outer frame by a vibration isolator having at least a suspension means.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of the structure of a conventional drum type washing machine. FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional drum-type washing machine viewed from the right side, and FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view when viewed from above in the vertical direction.

  A conventional drum-type washing machine has a clothing insertion opening that opens in front of the outer frame 201, and the door 202 opens and closes the opening. There is an opening in front of the outer tub 203 for storing water, and the opening in front of the outer frame 201 is connected to a bellows 203a, which is a rubber packing, to seal the inside of the outer tub 203 with water. The lower part of the outer tub 203 is supported by a pair of suspensions 204, and the suspension 204 includes a spring 204a and a damper 204b. The upper part of the outer tub 203 is supported by a pair of suspension means 205 in the front-rear direction, and prevents the body from falling in the front-rear direction. Thus, the outer tank 203 is elastically supported by the outer frame 201 at the lower part, the front part, and the upper part. A drum 206 indicated by a broken line in the drawing is rotatably connected in the outer tub 203 and is connected to a motor 207 installed on the back surface of the outer tub 203 via a shaft. A one-dot chain line in the figure indicates a rotation axis of the drum 206. In addition, the center of gravity G of the vibrating part, which is a suspended part constituted by the outer tank 203, the drum 206, the motor 207 and the like suspended by the suspension means 205 is shown in the figure.

  When clothes or water is put into the drum 206, the suspension 204 contracts and the outer tub 203 sinks. At this time, since the center of gravity of the clothes and water is at a position different from the center of gravity G of the vibrating part constituted by the outer tub 203 and the drum 206, the outer tub 203 may fall in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the structure described in Patent Document 1 is applied to the drum-type washing machine as an example described above, the first suspension means 205a of the outer tub 203 suspends the front at the front upper part, and the rear of the outer tub 203 is the second. The suspension means 205 has a suspension means 205 that is suspended at the rear upper part by the suspension means 205b. Thereby, even when clothes and water are put into the drum, it is possible to suppress the outer tub from falling in the front-rear direction.

  FIG. 2 shows a general relationship between vibration displacement and transmission force when centrifugal force generated due to imbalance with respect to the rotation shaft becomes an excitation force as in a drum type washing machine. 2A shows the relationship between the rotational speed and the vibration displacement, and FIG. 2B shows the relationship between the rotational speed and the transmission force. As the spring constant increases, the rigidity of the vibration system increases, and the resonance rotational speed increases. Further, since the centrifugal force is proportional to the square of the rotation speed, the higher the resonance rotation speed, the greater the excitation force at that time. As shown in FIG. 2A, the displacement gradually increases as the rotational speed increases, reaches a maximum during resonance, and then gradually decreases. When the spring constant is large, when the rotational speed is lower than the resonance rotational speed, the vibration displacement becomes smaller than when the spring constant is small. However, in the vicinity of the resonance rotational speed or higher, the vibration displacement increases as the spring constant increases. In particular, the maximum value of the vibration displacement increases as the spring constant increases. Similarly, in the transmission force shown in FIG. 2B, the maximum value of the transmission force increases as the spring constant increases. Thus, the smaller the spring constant of the spring that supports the vibration unit, the more the vibration displacement and transmission force can be reduced.

  Further, when the structure described in Patent Document 2 is applied to the drum-type washing machine as an example described above, the structure shown in the right side schematic view in which the internal structure of FIG. 3 is visible is obtained. By setting it as such a structure, the fall of the outer tank 203 to the front-back direction like patent document 1 can be prevented. Furthermore, since the first suspension means 305a and the second suspension means 305b can be disposed close to the connection position to the outer frame 201, the space required for connection on the outer frame 201 side can be reduced. it can.

JP 2006-136448 A JP 2008-200179 A

  In the drum type washing machine, resonance in a plurality of vibration modes occurs in the process of increasing to the rotational speed at which dehydration is performed. FIG. 4 shows an example of the vibration of the drum type washing machine. FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view when viewed from the right side surface, and shows the rotational vibration about the axis perpendicular to the paper surface as the outer tub 203 passes through the fastening portion with the suspension 204. FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view when viewed from above in the vertical direction, and shows rotational vibration about an axis that passes through the center of gravity G and is substantially perpendicular to the paper surface.

  Here, FIG. 5 shows the positional relationship between the outer tub 203 and the suspension means 205 when the vibration shown in FIG. 4A occurs in the drum-type washing machine incorporating the suspension means described in Patent Document 1. The dotted line shown in the figure indicates the position when the outer tub 203 vibrates upward. Since the outer tub 203 vibrates around an axis perpendicular to the paper surface around the vicinity of the connection position with the suspension 204, the front of the outer tub 203 vibrates upward. At this time, the vertical displacement of the front upper portion of the outer tub 203 becomes larger than the vertical vibration near the center in the front-rear direction of the outer tub. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer tub 203 and the suspension means 205 interfere with each other. When such interference occurs, the vibration displacement that can be tolerated when it vibrates is small, or the size of clothing that can be tolerated is reduced. If the allowable size of the clothing is reduced, the probability of restarting the dehydration is increased, which causes an increase in the dehydration time.

  On the other hand, the supporting method shown in Patent Document 2 is shown in FIG. FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic views when viewed from above in the vertical direction. FIG. 6A shows a stationary state and FIG. 6B shows a vibrating state. The dotted line in FIG. 6B shows the position of the outer tub 203 when vibration is generated. In Patent Document 2, the first suspension means 305a suspends the front of the outer tub 203 on the rear upper part, and the second suspending means 305b suspends the rear of the outer tub 203 on the front upper part. When the first suspension means and the second suspension means are supported in a letter C (reverse V-shape) when viewed from the side as in Patent Document 2, the first suspension means or the second suspension means At least one of the ends connected to the outer tub is far from the rotation center of vibration. Since the spring constant in the rotational direction is proportional to the distance from the center of rotation, supporting a position far from the center of rotation increases the vibration displacement at resonance. Further, since the position far from the center of rotation has a large displacement, supporting the position increases the transmission force.

  In this way, when one end of the suspension means is connected to the front panel and the rear panel of the outer frame 201 as in Patent Document 1, the allowable amount of shift of the clothing is reduced, while in the outer tank 203 as in Patent Document 2, Supporting the front-rear end causes an increase in vibration displacement during resonance and an increase in transmission force to the outer frame.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a drum type washing machine that suppresses vibration during operation and prevents a prolonged dehydration time.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes an outer frame having an opening in the front, an outer tank disposed in the outer frame, a drum rotatably disposed in the outer tank, A driving mechanism for rotationally driving the drum; a damping mechanism for elastically supporting the outer tub on the outer frame to suppress vibration of the outer tub; and at least two sets of suspension means for supporting the upper portion of the outer tub in the front-rear direction. The first suspension means suspends the outer tub forward and upward, and the connecting portion of the first suspension means to the outer frame is from the front end surface of the drum. The second suspension means suspends the outer tub rearward and upward, and the connecting portion of the second suspension means with the outer frame is more than the rear end surface of the drum. located in front, the connecting portion between the outer tub before Symbol first suspension means and the second suspension means before It is in the same position of the front and rear direction of the drum.

  According to the present invention, the suspension means supports the portion of the outer tub where the vibration displacement is small, and prevents the tilting in the front-rear direction and the transmission force to the outer frame is reduced. Furthermore, when the outer tub vibrates, the outer tub and the suspension means do not interfere with each other, so that the distance between the outer tub and other members can be increased. Accordingly, since the size of the clothing that can be tolerated is increased, the probability that the activation is re-executed due to the large clothing displacement is reduced.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the conventional drum type washing machine. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between a displacement and rotational speed in case an exciting force is a centrifugal force, and a transmission force and rotational speed. It is a right side schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the drum type washing machine described in Patent Document 2. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the vibration mode of the conventional drum type washing machine. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the vibration mode of the up-down direction of the conventional drum type washing machine. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the vibration mode of the left-right direction of the conventional drum type washing machine. 1 is an external perspective view of a drum type washing and drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram of the right side surface center cross section which shows the internal structure of the drum type washing machine shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the right side surface which shows the internal structure of the drum type washing machine shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the vibration mode of the up-down direction in the drum type washing machine of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the vibration mode of the left-right direction in the drum type washing machine of another embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic diagram which expanded the upper part in order to show the connection method by the side of the outer tub of the suspension means in the drum type washing machine of another embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic diagram which expanded the upper part in order to show the connection method by the side of the outer frame of the suspension means in the drum type washing machine of another embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 7 is an external view of a drum type washing and drying machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the right-side center cross-section for showing the internal structure, and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the right-side view shown by cutting a part of the outer frame to show the internal structure.

  An outer frame 1 that forms an outer shell and has an opening at the front is mounted on a base 1a, and includes left and right side plates 1b and 1c, a front cover 1d, a back cover 1e, a top cover 1f, and a lower front cover 1g. Has been. The left and right side plates 1b and 1c are connected by a U-shaped upper reinforcing material 1h, a front reinforcing material 1i, and a rear reinforcing material 1j, and a box-shaped outer frame 1 including a base 1a. And has sufficient strength as an outer frame.

  The door 2 is for closing a slot for putting in and taking out clothes provided in the approximate center of the front cover 1d, and is supported by a hinge (not shown) provided in the front reinforcing member 1i so as to be opened and closed. When the door release button 2a is pressed, the lock mechanism (not shown) is released and the door is opened, and when the door is pressed against the front cover 1d, the door is locked and closed. The front reinforcing material 1i has a substantially circular opening for putting clothes in and out, which is concentric with the opening of the outer tub described later.

  The operation / display panel 3 provided in the upper center of the outer frame 1 includes a power switch 4, an operation switch 5, and a display 6. The operation / display panel 3 is electrically connected to a control device 7 provided at the lower part of the outer frame 1.

  The drum 8 shown in FIG. 8 is rotatably supported, has an outer peripheral wall and a bottom wall with a large number of through holes for water flow and ventilation, and has an opening 8a for putting clothes in and out on the front end face. It is provided. A fluid balancer 8b integrated with the drum 8 is provided outside the opening 8a. A plurality of lifters 8c extending in the axial direction are provided inside the outer peripheral wall. When the drum 8 is rotated during washing and drying, the clothes are lifted along the outer peripheral wall by the lifter 8c and centrifugal force and fall by gravity. Repeat the movement. The rotation center axis of the drum 8 is inclined so that the horizontal or opening 8a side becomes higher.

  A cylindrical outer tub 10 disposed in the outer frame 1 encloses the drum 8 coaxially, the front surface is opened, and a motor 11 is attached as a drive mechanism at the center of the rear end surface. Moreover, the outer tank 10 can be divided | segmented into the front-back direction in the tank cover 10a which has an opening part, and the water tank 10b to which a motor is attached. The front part of the outer tank 10 is a tank cover 10a, and the rear part of the outer tank 10 is a water tank 10b. A rotation shaft 11 a of the motor 11 passes through the outer tub 10 and is coupled to the drum 8.

  The opening of the outer tub 10 and the opening provided in the front reinforcing member 1i are connected by a rubber bellows 10c, and the outer tub 10 is water-sealed by closing the door 2. A drain outlet 10d is provided at the bottom bottom of the outer tub 10, and a drain hose 10e is connected thereto. A drainage valve is provided in the middle of the drainage hose 10e. Water is stored in the outer tub 10 by closing the drainage valve and supplying water, and the drainage valve is opened to discharge the water in the outer tub 10 to the outside of the machine.

  The outer tub 10 is supported in an anti-vibration manner by a pair of left and right suspensions 12 whose lower side is fixed to the base 1a. The suspension 12 includes a coil spring 12 a that is elastically supported by the outer tub 10 and the outer frame 1, and a damper 12 b that is a damping mechanism that suppresses vibration of the outer frame 10. The upper side of the outer tub 10 is supported by suspension means 13 attached to the upper reinforcing member 1h to prevent the outer tub 10 from falling in the front-rear direction. The suspension means 13 includes a first suspension means 13a that pulls the outer tub 10 upward and forward, and a second suspension means 13b that pulls the outer tub 10 backward and upward. A vibration sensor 14 is installed in the lower part of the outer tub 10, and the rotational speed of the drum is controlled from the output of the vibration sensor 14.

  Next, the installation method of the suspension means 13 concerning this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10 (a), the first suspension means 13a extending in the front-rear direction is placed on the outer frame 1 side at the rear side of the front end of the outer tub 10, and the second suspension means extends in the front-rear direction. The installation position of 13b on the outer frame 1 side is set to the front side of the rear end of the outer tub 10. In this way, even when vibration as shown in FIG. 6 occurs, the outer tub 10 and the suspension means 13 do not come into contact before the outer tub 10 and the outer frame 1 collide. The gap between the tank 10 and the outer frame 1 can be utilized as a vibration space to the maximum. Accordingly, since the dehydration can be started even when the clothing offset is large, it is possible to reduce the probability of re-dehydration due to the large clothing offset.

  In general, the front end of the outer tub 10 has a smaller outer diameter than other portions. As shown in the side sectional view of FIG. 8, since the portion behind the front end of the drum 8 contains the drum 8, the inner diameter needs to be larger than the outer diameter of the drum 8. This is because the drum 8 and the outer tub 10 do not interfere with each other in the front part, so that the outer diameter can be reduced. Accordingly, the outer diameter of the outer tub 10 is the largest, and the frontmost portion is near the front end of the drum 8. Therefore, the connection position of the first suspension means 13a with the outer frame 1 side is more reliably set behind the surface (surface A1) including the front end of the drum 8 and perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 8. Contact between the outer tub 10 and the suspension means 13 can be prevented. Similarly, the connection position of the second suspension means 13b to the outer frame 1 side is set to the front of the surface (surface A2) that includes the rear end of the drum 8 and is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 8. Also, contact with the second suspension means 13b can be prevented.

  Thus, since the suspension means 13 is installed in the range A between the plane A1 and the plane A2, the outer tank 10 and the suspension means 13 do not interfere with each other, so the distance between the outer tank 10 and other members is increased. can do. As a result, even if a larger garment shift occurs, it can be activated.

  Further, by sharing the first suspension means 13a and the second suspension means 13b, there are advantages such as prevention of misassembly during manufacturing and cost reduction by sharing parts. In order to make the force in the front-rear direction generated in the first suspension means 13a and the second suspension means 13b approximately equal, the angle θ1 formed by the horizontal line when viewed from the right side and the first suspension means 13a. And the angle θ2 formed by the second suspension means 13b must be substantially equal. Here, in the case of a drum-type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the drum 8 is inclined as in the present embodiment, the vertical distance between the outer frame 1 and the outer tub 10 is different between the front side and the rear side of the outer tub 10. Therefore, if the connection positions of the two suspension means 13 on the outer tub 10 side are separated, at least the installation angle or the installation length changes, so that it is difficult to balance the front and rear.

  Therefore, when viewed from the side, the first suspension means 13a and the second suspension means 13b are installed so as to have a reverse letter C (V-shape), and the connection positions of the two suspension means 13 on the outer tank 10 side. It is easy to make the installation length and the angle formed by the horizontal plane and the suspension means 13 the same, and the springs of the first suspension means 13a and the second suspension means 13b can be shared. It becomes.

  Next, the connection method to the outer tank 10 of the suspension means 13 concerning this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 11A is a schematic right side cross-sectional view showing a connection method of the suspension means 13 of the drum type washing machine of the present invention, and FIG. 11B is a schematic top view showing the internal structure. FIG. 11B shows the position of the outer tub 10 by dotted lines when vibration occurs around the center of gravity G in the outer tub 10. Note that the center of gravity G in the present embodiment means the center of gravity of a vibrating portion that is a suspended portion configured by the outer tub 10, the drum 8, the motor 11, and the like. As shown in FIG. 11, the suspension means 13 of the present embodiment has a connection portion between the two suspension means 13a and 13b with the outer tub 10 and a surface (surface B2) that includes the center of gravity G of the vibration portion and is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 8. ) And behind the dividing surface (surface B1) of the outer tub 10. Here, the dividing surface of the outer tub 10 is a drum cover 10a (outer tub front) having an opening in the front and a water tub 10b in which a drive mechanism is installed in the rear and stores water in the front-rear direction. A plane perpendicular to the rotation axis. Although the vibration mode of the rotational motion of the outer tub 10 varies depending on the center of gravity G of the vibration part and the support method of the outer tub 10, the vicinity of the center of gravity G of the vibration part is the center of rotation. Further, when clothes or water is put into the drum 8, the center of the drum 8 is in front of the center of gravity G of the vibrating part. It is in front of the center of gravity G of the vibration part before being thrown in. Therefore, by installing the suspension means 13a and 13b in the outer tub 10 in front of the surface perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 8 including the center of gravity G of the vibration part, a portion where the displacement of the outer tub 10 is small is supported. Thus, the transmission force to the outer frame 1 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since the suspension means 13 also plays a role of maintaining the posture of the vibration part, if the suspension means 13 is removed during maintenance or assembly, the vibration part cannot maintain the posture. Therefore, it is desirable that the two suspension means 13 be connected even when the tank cover 10a is removed during maintenance or assembly. Therefore, it is desirable that the suspension means 13 is connected to the rear side of the outer tank 10, that is, the water tank 10b.

  For this reason, the connection to the outer tub 10 is installed in a water basin after the dividing surface (surface B1) of the outer tub 10, and further includes a center of gravity G of the vibration part and a surface perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum 8. It is desirable to install in the range of B in the figure which is ahead of (surface B2).

  FIG. 12 shows an enlarged right side cross-sectional view of the connection portion of the suspension means 13 to the outer tub 10. Since the connection position on the outer tub 10 side of the first suspension means 13a and the second suspension means 13b is at the same position in the front-rear direction, it can be installed in a portion with a smaller vibration displacement. By suspending the suspension means 13 in the left-right direction, the suspension means 13 can be installed at substantially the same position. However, since it is not symmetrical with respect to an axis perpendicular to the ground, a moment is generated in the initial state. Furthermore, when the outer tub 10 sinks due to the clothing or water entering the drum 8, the moment increases, and the opening of the outer tub 10 and the opening on the outer frame 1 side shift in the left-right direction. Thus, it is desirable that the connection position of the first suspension means 13a and the second suspension means 13b on the outer tank 10 side supports the center of the outer tank 10 in the left-right direction. If the front and rear direction and the left and right direction are the same position, the suspension means interfere with each other. Therefore, at least the outer tank 10 side fixture 13c of the first suspension means 13a and the outer tank 10 side of the second suspension means 13b in the front and rear direction. It is necessary to make the distance L1 of the fixture 13b larger than the size L2 of the hook portions of the first suspension means 13a and the second suspension means 13b.

  Further, according to the prior art, a method in which the suspension means 13 is constituted by three or more springs has been proposed. By setting it as such a structure, even if the quantity of clothing and water changes, the attitude | position of the outer tank 10 can be maintained. However, as the elastic body connecting the outer tub 10 and the outer frame 1 increases, the force transmission path increases, the vibration of the outer frame 1 increases, and the transmission force to the floor also increases. Therefore, by configuring the suspension means 13 with two springs, it is possible to reduce the transmission force to the outer frame 1 and realize a quiet operation.

  Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13 showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the connecting portion on the outer frame 1 side of the suspension means. FIG. 13A shows a support method of a conventional structure, and FIG. 13B shows a support method of this embodiment. The conventional first suspension means 101 and second suspension means 102 are each connected to the upper reinforcing member 103. The first holder 104 for attaching the first suspension means 101 to the upper reinforcing member 103 and the second holder 105 for attaching the second suspension means 102 to the upper reinforcing member 103 are the longitudinal direction of the upper reinforcing member 103. It is installed in front of the center. In such a structure, since a downward force is generated only in front of the upper reinforcing member 103, the upper reinforcing member 103 is twisted counterclockwise.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13B, the support system of the present embodiment connects the first suspension means 111 to the front side of the upper reinforcing member 113 in the front-rear direction via the first holder 114, The second suspension means 112 is installed via the second holder 115 behind the center of the upper reinforcing member 113 in the front-rear direction. By installing in this way, even if force is applied to the upper reinforcing member 113 by the first suspension means 111 and the second suspension means 112, the force is balanced against the axis perpendicular to the paper surface. 113 becomes difficult to twist.

  Furthermore, the upper reinforcement member 113 can be prevented from being twisted more by making the first holder 114 and the second holder 115 substantially symmetric with respect to the center of the upper reinforcement member 113 in the front-rear direction.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer frame 1h Upper reinforcement member 2 Door 7 Control apparatus 8 Drum 10 Outer tank 13 Suspension means 13a First suspension means 13b Second suspension means

Claims (4)

An outer frame having an opening in the front, an outer tub disposed in the outer frame, a drum rotatably disposed in the outer tub, a drive mechanism for rotationally driving the drum, and the outer tub In the drum-type washing machine having a damping mechanism that elastically supports the outer frame and suppresses vibration of the outer tub, and at least two sets of suspension means that support the upper portion of the outer tub in the front-rear direction.
The first suspension means suspends the outer tub forward and upward, and the connection portion of the first suspension means with the outer frame is located behind the front end surface of the drum, the suspension means is suspended toward the outer tub backward and upward, connecting portions between the outer frame of said second suspension means is located in front of the plane of the rear end of the drum, front Symbol first The drum-type washing machine, wherein the connection portions of the first suspension means and the second suspension means with the outer tub are at the same position in the front-rear direction of the drum. In the drum type washing machine according to claim 1,
The outer tub can be divided into a water tank and a tank cover in a front-rear direction on a surface substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum, the tank cover has a front part having an opening in the front, and the water tank has a drive mechanism in the rear. The connecting portion of the first suspension means and the second suspension means to the outer tank is located in the water tank that is behind the dividing surface of the outer tank. A drum-type washing machine. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1 or 2,
Of the second suspension means, the connecting portion with the outer tub is located in front of the surface perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drum including the center of gravity of the suspended portion suspended by the suspension means inside the outer frame. A drum type washing machine. In the drum type washing machine according to claim 1,
The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the suspension means comprises only the first suspension means and the second suspension means.