JP6178187B2 - Drum washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine.

  In the drum type washing machine, the rotation axis of the drum is substantially horizontal, or the rotation axis is inclined so that the opening of the drum faces obliquely upward, and clothes are put into the drum, and then a washing process, a rinsing process, In addition, a dehydration process is performed. In the washing step and the rinsing step, the drum is rotated at a low speed so that the clothes accumulated below the drum are lifted, and then a tumbling operation is performed in which the clothing falls from above the drum. By this tumbling operation, a mechanical force is applied to the garment to perform washing and rinsing. In the dehydration step, the drum rotates at a high speed, and moisture is pushed out of the clothes by this rotation, and centrifugal dehydration is performed.

  In the washing process, washing water in the washing tub (outer tub) is pumped up by a circulation pump and applied to clothes. As a result, the washing water in which the detergent is dissolved penetrates the clothing evenly. As described above, the drum type washing machine can ensure the washing performance while saving water as compared with the vertical washing machine.

  In Patent Document 1, a water tank capable of storing water, a rotary tank having a hole capable of passing water and rotatably disposed in the water tank, a water outlet and a water return port included in the water tank are disclosed. A circulation water channel communicating outside the water tank, a circulation pump provided in the middle of the circulation water channel, the circulation water channel and the circulation pump are configured, and the water in the water tank is pumped by the circulation pump. Discloses a drum type washing machine including a circulation device that sucks through the circulation channel and discharges the water from the water return port into the water tank and circulates it (see claim 1).

JP 2009-55999 A

  By the way, the invention described in Patent Document 1 aims to obtain necessary pump performance by high-speed rotation of pump blades while using small pump blades. However, if the rotational speed of the circulation pump is simply set to be high, this causes a new problem of increasing noise.

  Then, the subject of this invention is providing the drum type washing machine which can implement | achieve quietness (low noise), ensuring a large circulation flow rate.

The drum type washing machine of the present invention that solves such a problem includes an outer tub that stores water therein, a drum that is rotatably supported in the outer tub, and stores clothes, and rotationally drives the drum. A drum motor, water supply means for supplying water into the outer tub, and a circulation pump for sucking water from the outer tub and circulating water so as to sprinkle water into the drum. An impeller that rotates to send water from the outer tub toward the inside of the drum when water is sprayed into the drum, and the impeller is a plate body that is arranged radially around a rotation axis. Each of the blades is curved in a radial direction from the rotating shaft side, and the curved surface is formed by water from the outer tub toward the drum when water is sprayed into the drum. the rotating to deliver Has a convex in the rotation direction of the root wheel, the impeller includes a disk-shaped base plate, provided in the center of the base plate, and the rod-shaped vane boss as a rotation center, etc. around this blade boss A plurality of blades provided at intervals, the blades standing on the base plate, and a large blade whose maximum height from the base plate is equal to the height of the blade boss, and the base A small blade whose maximum height from the plate is lower than the height of the blade boss, and the large blade is gradually lowered from the blade boss side having the highest height toward the outside of the base plate. The small blades are arranged between the large blades adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction around the blade boss, and the large blades and the small blades are formed to extend radially from the blade boss, The outer end of the blade plate extends from the base plate. Wherein the tapered inclined farther along the axial direction so as to approach to the blade hub is formed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the drum-type washing machine which can implement | achieve quietness (low noise) can be provided, implement | achieving a large circulation flow rate.

1 is an external perspective view showing a drum-type washing / drying machine (drum-type washing machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view which removes the side plate of the housing | casing of the drum type washing-drying machine (drum type washing machine) of FIG. 1, and shows the internal structure roughly. (A) is III-III sectional drawing of FIG. 2, and explanatory drawing of the hollow part formed in the bottom part of an outer tank, (b) is the outer tank of the conventional drum type washing-drying machine (drum type washing machine). It is explanatory drawing of the hollow part formed in a bottom part. (A) is a top view which shows the circulation flow path which goes to the circulation pump from the bottom part of the outer tub in the drum type washing-drying machine (drum-type washing machine) of FIG. 1, (b) is the conventional drum type washing-drying machine (drum type) It is a top view which shows the circulation flow path which goes to a circulation pump from the bottom part of the outer tub in a washing machine. It is the elements on larger scale of the circulation pump and filter case of Fig.4 (a). (A) is a top view of an impeller, (b) is a side view of an impeller. It is a perspective view which shows the circulation pump and circulation flow path of the drum type washing-drying machine (drum type washing machine) of FIG. (A) is a perspective view which shows the circulation flow path provided in an outer tank cover, (b) is a perspective view which shows the bellows hose which connects a circulation pump and the circulation flow path provided in an outer tank cover. It is a partial expansion perspective view of the nozzle vicinity connected to the circulation flow path of an outer tank cover. It is process drawing explaining the driving | operation process of the washing operation in the drum type washing-drying machine (drum type washing machine) which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (A) is a graph showing the relationship between the circulation flow rate of the circulation pump and the cleaning ratio, and (b) is a graph showing the relationship between the rotation speed of the circulation pump and the circulation flow rate. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the circulation flow rate of a circulation pump, and the brightness variation of clothing. It is a graph which shows the static pressure-flow rate characteristic of a circulation pump. (A) is a top view of the impeller which concerns on a modification, (b) is a side view of the impeller of (a). (A) is a top view of the impeller used in Example 1, (b) is a side view of the impeller of (a). (A) is a top view of the impeller used in Example 2, (b) is the side view which looked at the impeller of (a) from the XVI direction. (A) is a top view of the impeller used in Example 3, (b) is a side view of the impeller of (a). (A) is a top view of the impeller used in Example 4, (b) is a side view of the impeller of (a). (A) is a top view of the impeller used in the comparative example 1, (b) is a side view of the impeller of (a). (A) is a top view of the impeller used in the comparative example 2, (b) is a side view of the impeller of (a).

  Next, the drum type washing / drying machine (drum type washing machine) of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The drum type washing and drying machine of the present embodiment greatly increases the circulation flow rate of the wash water by reducing the washing performance by reducing the mechanical force applied to the clothes in order to suppress the feeling of stiffness of the washed clothes. Thus, while maintaining the cleaning performance satisfactorily, it is configured to suppress an increase in noise by increasing the circulation flow rate of the washing water. Specifically, the present invention has a feature point in the structure of the impeller constituting the circulation pump.

  First, an overall configuration of the drum type washing and drying machine will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the drum type washing and drying machine of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing the internal structure of the drum type washing and drying machine of FIG. 1 with the side plate removed. The front-rear, up-down, left-right directions in the following description are based on the front-back, up-down, left-right directions shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes a housing constituting the outer shell of the drum type washing and drying machine S. The housing 1 is mounted on a base 1h, and includes left and right side plates 1a and 1b, a front cover 1c, a back cover 1d (see FIG. 2), a top cover 1e, and a lower front cover 1f. The left and right side plates 1a and 1b are connected by a U-shaped upper reinforcing member 36 (see FIG. 2), a front reinforcing member 37 (see FIG. 2), and a rear reinforcing member (not shown). A box-shaped housing 1 is formed.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes a door that closes an insertion port for putting in and out clothing provided in the approximate center of the front cover 1c, and is supported by a hinge 9c (see FIG. 2) provided in the front reinforcing member 37 so as to be opened and closed. When the door opening button 9d is pressed, a lock mechanism (not shown) is released and opened, and when the door 9 is pressed against the front cover 1c, the door is locked and closed. The front reinforcing member 37 has a circular opening for putting clothes in and out concentrically with an opening of the outer tub 2 (see FIG. 2) described later.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes an operation panel provided at the upper center of the housing 1 and includes a power switch 39, operation buttons 12 and 13, and a display 14. The operation panel 6 is electrically connected to a control device 38 (see FIG. 2) provided at the lower part of the housing 1.

  Reference numeral 19 (see FIG. 2) is a detergent container provided on the upper left side in the housing 1, and a drawer-type detergent tray 7 can be mounted from the front opening. When putting detergents, the detergent tray 7 is pulled out as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The detergent container 19 (see FIG. 2) is fixed to the upper reinforcing member 36 (see FIG. 2) of the housing 1. In addition, a water outlet 19a (see FIG. 2) is provided slightly behind the left side surface of the detergent container 19. Therefore, the bottom surface of the detergent container 19 is formed in a mortar shape such that the position of the water outlet 19a is the lowest.

  On the rear side of the detergent container 19, water supply related parts such as a water supply electromagnetic valve 16, a bath water absorption pump 17 (see FIG. 2), a water level sensor 34 (see FIG. 2), and the like are provided. The upper opening of the detergent container 19 is provided with a water supply unit 15 (see FIG. 2). The top cover 1e is provided with a water supply hose connection port 16a from a water tap and a water absorption hose connection port 17a for remaining hot water in the bath.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drum 3 as a washing and dewatering tub has a cylindrical shape and is rotatably supported. The drum 3 has a large number of through holes (not shown) for water flow and ventilation on its outer peripheral wall and bottom wall, and an opening 3a for putting clothes in and out is provided on the front end face. . A fluid balancer (not shown) integral with the drum 3 is provided outside the opening 3a. The rotation center axis of the drum 3 is inclined so that the horizontal or opening side is higher.

  Reference numeral 2 denotes a cylindrical outer tub that encloses the drum 3 coaxially, the front surface is opened, and a drum motor 4 is attached to the outer center of the rear side end surface. The drum 3 is rotated in both forward and reverse directions by the drum motor 4. The rotating shaft of the drum motor 4 passes through the outer tub 2 and is coupled to the drum 3. An outer tank cover 2 d that enables water storage in the outer tank 2 is provided at the opening on the front surface. The outer tub 2 is supported by a damper 5 whose lower side is fixed to the base 1h. Reference numeral 10 denotes a rubber bellows, and the outer tub 2 is sealed with water by closing the door 9.

A water supply port 2 a for supplying water and detergent into the outer tub 2 is provided at the rear side of the outer tub 2. The water supply port 2 a and the water outlet 19 a of the detergent container 19 are connected by a rubber bellows hose 20.
On the bottom side inner peripheral surface of the outer tub 2, a concave recess 2 f is provided so as to extend in the axial direction of the outer tub 2. The bottom surface of the recess 2f is an inclined surface that descends from the front side to the rear side, and a drain port 21 is provided on the rear side of the recess 2f. A bellows hose 22 is connected to the drain port 21 via a joint 21a. A bottom circulating water inlet 18 is provided on the front side of the recess 2f.

  Reference numeral 26 denotes a drain hose, one end of which is connected to a water outlet port 23b (see FIG. 4A) of the circulation pump 24 described later, and the other end extends outside the machine. Reference numeral 25 is a drain valve provided in the middle of the drainage hose 26 in the machine.

  3 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2, and is an explanatory view of a recess formed at the bottom of the outer tub. FIG. 3 (b) is a diagram of the outer tub in a conventional drum-type washing and drying machine. It is explanatory drawing of the hollow part formed in a bottom part.

  As shown to Fig.3 (a), the partition W continuous from the internal peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall of the outer tank 2 is formed in the upper part of the hollow part 2f so that substantially half of the width | variety of the hollow part 2f may be covered. . The partition wall W extends along the outer peripheral surface of the drum 3 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction R when the drum 3 is dehydrated. The drain port 21 and the inflow port 18 are formed at positions shifted in the rotation direction R of the drum 3 from the center in the width direction of the recess 2f. As a result, the partition wall W is disposed above the drain port 21 and the inflow port 18.

  The hollow portion 2f is a rotational force of the drum 3 when water is discharged from the through hole (not shown) of the drum 3 toward the inner peripheral surface of the outer tub 2 by centrifugal force due to the rotation of the drum 3 during dehydration. The water flowing in the same direction as R is received and guided to the drain port 21. The partition wall W exerts an effect of damming the water so that the water that has entered the recess 2f does not return to the outer tub 2 again.

While the volume of the recess 2f of the conventional drum-type washing and drying machine shown in FIG. 3B is about 1 to 1.5 L, the drum-type washing and drying according to this embodiment shown in FIG. The volume of the recess 2f of the machine S is set to be 2.5L or more.
That is, as is clear from the comparison between the recess 2f shown in FIG. 3A and the recess 2f shown in FIG. 3B, the recess 2f in the present embodiment is formed in the circumferential direction of the outer tub 2. Widely formed. You may set this hollow part 2f so that it may become 35% or more of width | variety of the internal diameter of the outer tank 2. FIG.

  Thereby, the drum type washing / drying machine S has a larger amount of water stored in the outer tub 2 than the conventional drum type washing / drying machine. By expanding the depression 2f, the rotation speed of the circulation pump, which will be described later, is increased, so that a large amount of washing water is sucked into the circulation pump, and the circulation flow rate is increased. As a result, the washing efficiency of clothes is further improved than before. To do.

  4A to be referred to next is a plan view showing a circulation flow path from the bottom of the outer tub to the circulation pump in the drum type washing and drying machine of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B is a conventional drum type washing and drying method. It is a top view which shows the circulation flow path which goes to a circulation pump from the bottom part of the outer tank in a machine.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the joint 21 a of the drain port 21 in this embodiment is formed so that the connection portion with the bellows hose 22 protrudes from the drain port 21 toward the left side. One end of the bellows hose 22 is connected to the joint 21 a, and the other end of the bellows hose 22 is connected to the water inlet port 23 a of the circulation pump 24.

  The bellows hose 22 in this embodiment constitutes a part of the circulation flow path, and the inner diameter of the bellows hose 22 is set to 35 mm or more, desirably about 37 to 50 mm. Incidentally, the inner diameter of the bellows hose 22 is defined by the bellows peak diameter (the inner diameter of the narrow portion of the bellows).

  The length of the bellows hose 22 is set to 400 mm or less, desirably about 150 to 300 mm. Incidentally, the length of the bellows hose 22 is defined by the length of the bellows hose 22 extending from the outlet of the joint 21a to the inlet of the water inlet port 23a of the circulation pump 24.

  Thus, in this embodiment, since the bellows hose 22 is connected from the side and the circulation pump 24 side to the outlet of the joint 21a, the joint 21a reaches the inlet of the water inlet port 23a of the circulation pump 24. Can be shortened, and the flow path resistance is reduced. Further, since the inner diameter of the bellows hose 22 on the upstream side of the circulation pump 24 is set to 35 mm or more, which is larger than usual, this point also leads to a decrease in flow path resistance. Therefore, as will be described in detail later, by increasing the rotational speed of the circulation pump 24, it is possible to suck in a large amount of washing water and circulate it into the drum 3.

  Incidentally, the joint 21a in the conventional drum type washing and drying machine is formed so as to protrude toward the rear side as shown in FIG. 4 (b). And the length of the conventional bellows hose 22a extended between the coupling 21a and the water inlet port 23a is about 460 mm, and the internal diameter of this conventional bellows hose 22a is about 30 mm.

  4 (a) and 4 (b), reference numeral 23b denotes a water discharge port of the circulation pump 24, and reference numeral 44 denotes a circulation passage 27 (see FIG. 8 (a)) described later on the outer tank cover 2d. Reference numeral 45 is a discharge port for discharging water from the circulation pump 24 into the outer tub 2 (recessed portion 2f).

  Returning again to FIG. 2, an air trap 2 e is provided at the bottom of the rear end face of the outer tub 2. The lower part of the air trap 2e is provided with a hole 2e1 communicating with the outer tub 2 (recessed part 2f). The upper part of the air trap 2e and the water level sensor 34 are connected by a tube 35, and the water level in the outer tub 2 is controlled. To detect. Incidentally, in the conventional drum type washing and drying machine, an air trap 2e is provided above the rear portion of the drain port 21. The circulating water flows from the drain port 21 to the bellows hose 22a (see FIG. 4B) through the lower part of the air trap 2e. The inner diameter of the bellows hose 22a is narrower than the inner diameter of the bellows hose 22 (see FIG. 4 (a)) in the present embodiment. Therefore, when the circulation flow rate is increased, the flow velocity below the hole 2e1 of the air trap 2e is increased. Due to Bernoulli's theorem, there is a problem that the pressure in the air trap 2e decreases and the water level in the outer tub 2 cannot be detected accurately. In this embodiment, since the circulating water flows from the drain port 21 toward the left side (see FIG. 4A), the flow rate of the communication hole 2e1 is small, and the water level in the outer tub 2 can be detected accurately.

A circulation pump 24, a filter case 23, and a drain valve 25 are provided between the outer tub 2 and the base 1h. The filter case 23 has a cylindrical shape having an opening on the front side, and is equipped with a removable filter (not shown) inside, and collects foreign matters and lint in the washing water. The filter case 23 can be easily attached and detached by opening the door 1g provided on the lower front cover 1f and turning the handle 23d. The filter case 23 is inclined so that the front side becomes higher.
The washing water circulation system centering on the circulation pump 24 will be described in detail later.

  Reference numeral 29 denotes a drying duct, which is arranged inside the back surface of the housing 1. The drying duct 29 is connected to an intake port provided at the rear portion of the outer tub 2 by a rubber bellows hose 29a. A water cooling / dehumidifying mechanism (not shown) is built in the drying duct 29.

  Incidentally, during the drying operation, warm air is blown into the drum 3 by a heater, a blower fan, etc. (not shown), and moisture is evaporated from the clothes. The air that has become hot and humid is sucked into the drying duct 29, cooled and dehumidified by the water-cooled dehumidifying mechanism to become low-temperature air, heated by a heater (not shown), and then blown into the drum 3. A heat pump may be used instead of the heater and the water-cooled dehumidifying mechanism.

Next, FIG. 5 to be referred to is a partially enlarged view of the circulation pump and the filter case of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the circulation pump 24 in the present embodiment includes a casing 42 formed integrally with the filter case 23, an impeller (also referred to as a runner) 46, and a circulation pump motor 47, and includes a centrifugal pump. Is configured.

The casing 42 is formed with a suction port 43, discharge ports 44 and 45, a water inlet port 23a, and a water outlet port 23b.
The suction port 43 is a substantially circular through hole that connects the filter case 23 and the casing 42, and is formed coaxially with the impeller 46 of the circulation pump 24.
That is, the circulation pump 24 constituting the centrifugal pump receives the washing water received in the casing 42 via the suction port 43 according to the rotation direction of the rotation shaft, as will be described in detail later. It discharges to either.

Next, the impeller 46 will be described.
Fig.6 (a) is a top view of an impeller, FIG.6 (b) is a side view of an impeller. In addition, the top view of Fig.6 (a) is a figure showing the postscript front which looked at the impeller 46 from the suction port 43 (refer FIG.5) side.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the impeller 46 includes a disk-shaped base plate 46b, a rod-shaped blade boss 46c that is provided at the center of the base plate 46b and serves as a rotation center, and a blade boss. And a plurality of plate-like blades 46a provided at equal intervals around 46c.

  The blade 46a is erected on the base plate 46b, and a large blade 46a1 having a maximum height a from the base plate 46b equal to the height a of the blade boss 46c, and a maximum height b from the base plate 46b is the blade boss 46c. And a small blade 46a2 lower than the height a (a> b).

The large blade 46a1 gradually decreases from the center side of the base plate 46b having the highest height toward the outside, and has a substantially trapezoidal shape.
The small blade 46a2 has a constant height b from the center side to the outside of the base plate 46b.
The six blades 46a are arranged on the base plate 46b. The large blade 46a1, the small blade 46a2, the small blade 46a2, the large blade 46a1, the small blade 46a2, and the small blade 46a2 are arranged around the blade boss 46c. Are lined up.
Incidentally, the outer diameters of the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2 in this embodiment are both equal and set to D, which is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the base plate 46b.

  According to such a blade 46a, even if the yarn waste flows so as to straddle the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2, the height of the large blade 46a1 decreases toward the outer periphery (in a substantially trapezoidal shape). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the lint from being easily splashed by the centrifugal force and entangled in the blade 46a.

  Further, the blade 46a composed of the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2 is, as shown in FIG. 6A, viewed in the left rotation direction (hereinafter referred to as the positive rotation direction) as viewed from the front (the suction port 43 side in FIG. 5), that is, It curves so that it may become convex in the direction r rotated so that wash water may be sent out to the circulation flow path 27 via the discharge port 44 (refer FIG. 5).

The curvature of the blade 46a does not need to be a constant curvature from the center of the blade boss 46c to the outer end, and the degree of curvature is set at the position of the outer end of the blade 46a.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 6A, the degree of bending in the examples of the present invention described later is based on the outer end position P of the non-curved blade (the blade 46a as Comparative Example 1 shown in FIG. 19). It is defined by the deviation width B of the position of the outer end of the curved blade 46a (the deviation width B in the tangential direction of the base plate 46b with respect to the outer end position P). Hereinafter, this deviation width B is referred to as “bending B”.

  When the impeller 46 rotates in the forward direction, the washing water flowing in from the suction port 43 is pushed out toward the inner peripheral wall of the casing 42 by the pump action by the centrifugal force of the impeller 46. Then, the washing water flows while rotating clockwise in the casing 42, but it collides with a partition wall (not shown) in which the radial gap between the casing 42 and the blades 46a (see FIG. 6A) narrows and changes the flow direction. And flows out from the discharge port 44. When the impeller 46 rotates counterclockwise (hereinafter referred to as reverse rotation), the impeller 46 collides with a partition wall (not shown) in which the radial gap between the casing 42 and the blade 46a (see FIG. 6A) narrows, and the washing direction is changed. Flows out of the discharge port 45. Thus, by changing the rotation direction of the circulation pump 24, the discharge direction of the pump can be changed without using a special flow path switching mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a circulation pump and a circulation flow path constituting the circulation mechanism of the drum type washing and drying machine of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the discharge port 44 is connected via a bellows hose 41 to a circulation flow path 27 (see FIG. 8A) described later provided on the inner peripheral wall of the outer tank cover 2 d. The bellows hose 41 and the circulation channel 27 together with the bellows hose 22 constitute a circulation channel from the bottom of the outer tank 2 to the upper part of the outer tank 2. The circulation channel 27 is connected to a later-described nozzle 27a (see FIG. 8A) provided on the upper inner side of the outer tank cover 2d.
The discharge port 45 is connected to the joint 18 a via the bellows hose 40. This joint 18a is provided in the inflow port 18 formed so as to face the recess 2f (see FIG. 3A) at the bottom of the outer tub 2.

  When the circulation pump motor 47 of the circulation pump 24 rotates forward with the drain valve 25 (see FIG. 2) closed, the washing water in the outer tub 2 flows from the drain port 21 (see FIG. 3A) to the bellows. The foreign matter passes through the hose 22 and is removed by a filter (not shown) in the filter case 23. Thereafter, the wash water enters the casing 42 (arrow F in FIG. 5) from the suction port 43 (see FIG. 5) and is discharged from the discharge port 44. Then, as described above, the washing water is fed into the circulation passage 27 shown in FIG. 8A and sprayed from the nozzle 27a into the drum 3 (see FIG. 2).

When the circulation pump motor 47 of the circulation pump 24 reversely rotates, the washing water in the outer tub 2 passes through the bellows hose 22 from the drain port 21 (see FIG. 3A) and passes through the bellows hose 22 and is filtered by a filter (not shown) in the filter case 23. Foreign matter is removed. Thereafter, the washing water enters the casing 42 from the suction port 43 (see FIG. 5), is discharged from the discharge port 45, and returns into the outer tub 2 through the bellows hose 40 and the joint 18a. When the drain valve 25 (see FIG. 2) is opened, the washing water in the outer tub 2 passes through a filter (not shown) in the filter case 23 and is drained from the drain hose 26 to the outside of the machine.
Incidentally, the circulation pump motor 47 in the present embodiment is rotatable at a rotation speed of 2300 to 4200 rpm in order to secure a circulation flow rate to be described later. This rotational speed is controlled by the control device 38 (see FIG. 2) as will be described later.

  Next, FIG. 8A to be referred to is a perspective view showing a circulation flow path provided in the outer tank cover, and FIG. 8B is a bellows hose connecting the circulation pump and the circulation flow path provided in the outer tank cover. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the bellows hose 41 having one end connected to the discharge port 44 of the circulation pump 24 is connected to the inlet port 2 g of the circulation channel 27. As shown in FIG. 8B, the inlet port 2g is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer tub cover 2d.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the circulation flow path 27 in the present embodiment is constituted by a tubular passage integrally formed on the inner peripheral wall of the resin outer tub cover 2d. The circulation flow path 27 is formed along the opening of the outer tank cover 2d, and is connected to a nozzle 27a formed on the upper part of the outer tank cover 2d. The cross-sectional shape of the circulation channel 27 is not particularly limited, and may be a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, or the like. The cross-sectional area of the circulation channel 27 is preferably equivalent to a diameter of 25 mm or more in terms of a circular shape.

According to the circulation flow path 27 of the present embodiment, since it is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the outer tub cover 2d, it is formed by a conventional polyvinyl chloride pipe or the like provided on the outer peripheral wall of the outer tub cover 2d, for example. Unlikely, the possibility of breakage is further reduced, and even if broken, the washing water does not leak to the outside of the outer tub 2. Moreover, since the circulation flow path 27 is integrally formed with the outer tub cover 2d, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the conventional one.
The nozzle 27a ejects wash water discharged from the discharge port 44 of the circulation pump 24 from the upper part of the outer tub cover 2d into the drum 3 (see FIG. 2).

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of a nozzle connected to a circulation channel provided in the outer tank cover.
As shown in FIG. 9, the nozzle 27a has an opening formed in a slit shape so that washing water can be spread and sprayed into a thin film shape, and can be spread over a wide range in the drum 3 (see FIG. 2). Can spray water. Further, since the circulation flow rate of the washing water is increased as compared with the conventional case, even if the slit width (gap width) of the nozzle 27a is set wider than the conventional case, the momentum of the injection is not weakened. Therefore, the slit width (gap width) can be set to 3 mm or more, and the blockage of the nozzle 27a due to lint or the like is more reliably prevented.

  In addition, a small hole H communicating with the circulation channel 27 (see FIG. 8A) can be formed in the outer tank cover 2d so as to be adjacent to the nozzle 27a. When the wash water is sprayed from the nozzle 27 a through the circulation channel 27, the wash water is sprayed from the small hole H toward the back side of the bellows 10. When the washing water sprayed from the small holes H flows from the upper side to the lower side of the bellows 10, it becomes possible to wash away lint and the like adhering to the back side of the bellows 10.

Next, the control device 38 (see FIG. 2) will be described.
The control device 38 includes a microcomputer, a drive circuit, and the like, and also includes an on / off signal of the operation buttons 12 and 13 shown in FIG. Further, the microcomputer receives various information signals in the operation of the user, the washing process, and the drying process. The microcomputer is connected to the drum motor 4, the water supply electromagnetic valve 16, the drain valve 25, the blower fan (not shown) and the like shown in FIG. 2 through a drive circuit, and controls the opening / closing, rotation, and energization thereof. Further, in order to inform the user of information related to the drum-type washing and drying machine S (see FIG. 1), the display 14 (see FIG. 1), a buzzer (not shown), and the like are also controlled.

Next, an example of the operation process of the drum-type washing / drying machine will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a process diagram illustrating an operation process of a washing operation (washing—rinsing—dehydration) in the drum type washing / drying machine according to the present embodiment.

  In step S <b> 1, the control device 38 receives a course selection input for the operation process of the drum type washing and drying machine S (course selection). Here, the user opens the door 9, puts clothes to be washed into the drum 3, and closes the door 9. Then, the user selects and inputs the course of the driving process by operating the operation buttons 12 and 13. By operating the operation buttons 12 and 13, the course of the selected driving process is input to the control device 38. The control device 38 reads the corresponding driving pattern from the driving pattern database based on the input driving process course, and proceeds to step S2. In the following description, it is assumed that the standard course (washing-rinsing twice-dehydration) is selected.

In step S <b> 2, the control device 38 executes a step of detecting the weight (cloth amount) of the clothes put on the drum 3 (cloth amount sensing). Specifically, the control device 38 drives the drum motor 4 to rotate the drum 3, and the clothing weight calculation unit calculates the weight (cloth amount) of the clothing before water injection.
In step S3, the control device 38 executes a process of calculating the detergent amount / operation time (determination of detergent amount operation time). Specifically, the control device 38 controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 to supply water directly to the water supply port 2 a of the outer tub 2. The conductivity measuring unit of the control device 38 detects the conductivity (hardness) of the supplied water via an electrical conductivity sensor (not shown) disposed on the inner bottom of the outer tub 2. Moreover, the temperature of the supplied water is detected by a sensor. Thereafter, the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 is controlled to end the water supply to the outer tub 2.

  The detergent amount / washing time determination unit of the control device 38 determines the amount of detergent to be put in and the operation time by map search based on the amount of cloth detected in step S2, the electrical conductivity (hardness) of water, and the temperature of water. . Then, the control device 38 displays the determined amount of detergent and operation time on the display unit 14. In addition, although it demonstrated as supplying water to the outer tank 2 and detecting the electrical conductivity (hardness) and water temperature of water, it is not restricted to this. For example, the electrical conductivity (hardness) and water temperature of water at the previous operation may be stored in a storage unit (not shown) of a microcomputer and used.

  In step S4, the control device 38 executes a detergent charging waiting process (detergent charging waiting process). For example, the control device 38 waits for a predetermined time and proceeds to step S5. The user puts detergents in the detergent tray 7 with reference to the amount of detergent displayed on the display unit 14 during standby. In addition, when the detergent tray 7 is closed after being opened by means (not shown) for detecting opening and closing of the detergent tray 7, the control device 38 proceeds to step S5 assuming that the detergent has been introduced. It may be.

  In step S5, the control device 38 executes a detergent melting process (detergent melting process). For example, the control device 38 controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 to supply water to the powder detergent charging chamber and the liquid detergent charging chamber via the water supply pipe. The detergent and water in the powder detergent charging chamber and the liquid detergent charging chamber are provided with a detergent delivery pipe, a bellows hose 20, a water supply port 2a at the upper rear side of the outer tub 2, and a water supply path formed on the inner surface of the bottom wall 52 of the outer tub 2. Then, the air flows from the outlet into the hollow portion 2f of the outer tub 2.

  When water is supplied to a predetermined amount of water, the control device 38 controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 to stop water supply. And the control apparatus 38 performs detergent melt | dissolution operation | movement (detergent melt | dissolution operation | movement). Specifically, the control device 38 controls the circulation pump 24 to discharge water and detergent sucked from the drain port 21 via the bellows hose 22 from the inlet 18 of the recessed portion 2 f via the bellows hose 40. Let

  The water and the detergent discharged from the inflow port 18 flow through the recessed portion 2f, go to the drain port 21, and circulate. Thereby, water and a detergent are stirred and a detergent is melt | dissolved in water. When a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses, the control device 38 stops the circulation pump 24 and proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the control apparatus 38 performs a rotation water supply process (rotation water supply process). Specifically, the control device 38 controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 to raise the level of the washing water in the outer tub 2. Then, the control device 38 controls the drum motor 4 to rotate the drum 3 at a predetermined rotation speed (for example, 40 rpm) and replaces clothes. Further, the control device 38 controls the circulation pump 24 to have a predetermined rotation speed (for example, 3000 rpm), and the washing water having a high detergent concentration sucked from the drain port 21 is provided at the opening of the outer tub 2. By discharging into the drum 3 from the nozzle 27a, the clothes in the drum 3 are soaked.

  And if the water level of the wash water in the outer tank 2 rises to a predetermined water level, the water supply is stopped. When a predetermined time elapses after the rotation water supply process is started, the rotation water supply process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the control apparatus 38 performs a pre-wash stirring process. Here, the pre-washing stirring step is a step in which the washing water having a high concentration of detergent generated in the detergent dissolving step is soaked in clothing. Detergency is improved by soaking clothes with high detergent concentration.

  Specifically, the control device 38 controls the circulation pump 24 to have a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 3000 rpm), and the nozzle provided in the opening of the outer tub 2 for the wash water sucked from the drain port 21. 27a is discharged into the inside of the drum 3, and the drum motor 4 is controlled to rotate the drum 3 at a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 80 rpm). Sticking and preventing mechanical force generated when dropping from above the drum is prevented.

  In addition, when the cylindrical surface of the outer tub 2 (for example, the cylindrical surface on the right side of the outer tub 2) is provided with an overflow port (not shown) for abnormal overflow, the washing water is abnormal by rotating the drum 3 forward. It is preferable that it can be prevented from flowing out from a drain outlet (not shown) for overflowing water. In the present embodiment, the drum 3 is rotated in the forward direction, but may be rotated in the reverse direction or in both the forward and reverse directions. When a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) elapses, the control device 38 ends the prewash stirring process and proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the control apparatus 38 performs a main washing stirring process. Here, the main washing process refers to a washing process in which mechanical force is applied to the clothes by lifting the clothes accumulated in the lower part of the drum 3 by the rotation of the drum 3 and dropping the clothes from the upper part in the drum 3. It is a process to do.

  Specifically, the control device 38 controls the circulation pump 24 to have a predetermined flow rate (for example, 3800 rpm), and the nozzle 27a provided in the opening of the outer tub 2 with the wash water sucked from the drain port 21. The drum 3 is discharged into the drum 3 and the drum motor 4 is controlled to rotate the drum 3 at a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 40 rpm), thereby washing the clothes inside the drum 3. When a predetermined time (for example, 6 minutes) elapses, the control device 38 ends the main washing stirring process and proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the control apparatus 38 performs a drainage process. The control device 38 stops the drum motor 4 and the circulation pump 24 and opens the drain valve 25 to drain the wash water in the outer tub 2. The water level sensor 34 continues to monitor the water level of the washing water in the outer tub 2 during drainage. When the detection value of the water level sensor 34 falls below the predetermined water level, the control device 38 ends the drainage process and proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, the control device 38 executes one dehydration process. In a state where the drain valve 25 is kept open, the control device 38 rotates the drum 3 in the reverse direction at a high speed (for example, 1250 rpm) to dehydrate the washing water contained in the clothes. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the control device 38 ends the dehydration process 1 and proceeds to Step 11.

  In step S11, the control device 38 executes a rotary shower process. The control device 38 rotates the drum 3 in the reverse direction at a medium speed (for example, 260 rpm), closes the drain valve 25, controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16, and sprays water on the clothes. The control time of the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 at this time is determined based on the cloth amount detected in step S2. When a predetermined time has elapsed, water supply is stopped. The circulation pump 24 is controlled to have a predetermined flow rate (for example, 3800 rpm), and the wash water sucked from the drain port 21 is discharged from the nozzle 27a provided in the opening of the outer tub 2 into the drum 3. When a predetermined time elapses, the circulation pump 24 is stopped, the drain valve 25 is opened, and the rinse water in the outer tub 2 is drained.

  In step S12, the control device 38 executes two dehydration processes. In a state where the drain valve 25 is kept open, the control device 38 rotates the drum 3 in the reverse direction at a high speed (for example, 1250 rpm) to dehydrate the washing water contained in the clothes. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the control device 38 ends the dehydration process 2 and proceeds to step 13.

  In step S13, the control device 38 executes a water supply process. The control device 38 closes the drain valve 25 and controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 to supply rinse water into the outer tub 2. If it rises to a predetermined water level, water supply will be stopped and the control apparatus 38 will complete | finish a water supply process, and will progress to step S14.

  In step S14, the control apparatus 38 performs a softener water supply process. The control device 38 controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 to supply rinse water containing a soft finish into the outer tub 2 and to rotate and stir the drum 3 in both forward and reverse directions. Mix the rinse water supplied with the softener and softener.

  In step S15, the control device 38 executes a rotary water supply / makeup water process. The control device 38 controls the water supply electromagnetic valve 16 (for example, opens the first electromagnetic valve and the third electromagnetic valve), and supplies water to the outer tub 2 to a predetermined water level. Further, the control device 38 controls the drum motor 4 to rotate the drum 3 and controls the circulation pump 24 to have a predetermined flow rate (for example, 3000 rpm), so that the rinse water sucked from the drain port 21 is discharged from the outer tub. 2 is discharged into the inside of the drum 3 from the nozzle 27a provided in the opening of 2 and the clothes are soaked with the soft finish.

  In step S16, the control apparatus 38 performs a rinse stirring process. The control device 38 controls the drum motor 4 to rotate the drum 3 and controls the circulation pump 24 to have a predetermined flow rate (for example, 3800 rpm), so that the rinse water sucked from the drain port 21 is stored in the outer tub 2. The clothes are rinsed by discharging into the drum 3 from the nozzle 27a provided in the opening. And when predetermined time passes, the control apparatus 38 will complete | finish a rinse stirring process, and will progress to step S17.

  In step S17, the control device 38 executes a drainage process. The control device 38 stops the drum motor 4 and the circulation pump 24 and opens the drain valve 25 to drain the rinse water in the outer tub 2. The water level sensor 34 continues to monitor the water level of the washing water in the outer tub 2 during drainage. When the detected value of the water level sensor 34 falls below the predetermined water level, the control device 38 ends the drainage process and proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, the control apparatus 38 performs a dehydration process. Specifically, the control device 38 opens the drain valve 25 and controls the drum motor 4 to rotate the drum 3 at a high speed to centrifugally dehydrate the clothes. When a predetermined time has elapsed, the control device 38 stops the drum motor 4, closes the drain valve 25, and ends the washing course (washing-rinsing-dehydration).

  The rotation speed of the drum 3 in the main washing stirring step (S8) is less than 60 rpm. By making the rotational speed of the drum 3 less than 60 rpm, the clothes collected in the lower part of the drum 3 are lifted and dropped from the upper part of the drum 3 for washing. Washing performance is obtained by dropping impact (mechanical force) applied to clothes by tapping.

  Further, the rotation speed of the drum 3 in the pre-washing stirring step (S7) is 60 rpm or more. By setting the rotational speed of the drum 3 to 60 rpm or more, the clothes in the drum 3 stick to the wall surface of the drum 3 by centrifugal force. That is, the drop impact (mechanical force) applied when the garment falls from above in the drum 3 is suppressed, and “clothing stiffness” can be suppressed. In general, a drum-type washing and drying machine drops clothes and knocks, so clothes are more likely to be stiff than a vertical washing machine, but according to this embodiment, the drop impact during the pre-washing stirring process is suppressed. Clothes are less likely to be stiff.

  On the other hand, when the mechanical force is suppressed, the cleaning performance may be deteriorated. On the other hand, the rotational speed of the circulation pump 24 in the pre-washing stirring step is 2300 rpm or more, and the circulation flow rate is higher than that of the conventional drum type washing and drying machine. Thereby, washing water with a high detergent concentration can be sufficiently infiltrated into the garment, and dirt is easily removed from the garment by the action of the surfactant or auxiliary agent contained in the detergent. Further, the drum 3 rotates at a rotational speed of 60 rpm or more, and the washing water soaked into the clothing by the centrifugal force passes through the clothing, but a part of the dirt flows when the washing water passes through the clothing. Removed from clothing by physical strength.

  In this way, in the pre-washing stirring process, washing water with a high concentration of detergent penetrates the clothes sufficiently, and the fluid force due to centrifugal force acts, so even if the time of the main washing stirring process is shortened (the mechanical force is reduced). The cleaning performance can be ensured (even if it is small).

Next, the relationship between the circulation flow rate by the circulation pump 24 and the cleaning performance will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b).
FIG. 11A is a graph showing the relationship between the circulation flow rate of the circulation pump and the cleaning ratio. Incidentally, the washing ratio is the ratio between the washing degree of the test washing machine and the washing degree of the standard washing machine, and is specified in the Japanese Industrial Standard “Performance Measurement Method for Home Electric Washing Machine (JISC9811)”. That is, the higher the cleaning ratio, the higher the cleaning performance.
In FIG. 11A, the solid line is a graph of the drum type washer / dryer S of the present embodiment, and the broken line is a conventional drum type washer / dryer and the drum type washer / dryer S of the present embodiment. It represents the value of the cleaning ratio (cleaning ratio = 1.11) when operating with the same stirring time.

FIG. 11B is a graph showing the relationship between the rotational speed of the circulation pump and the circulation flow rate.
In addition, in FIG.11 (b), a continuous line is a graph of the drum-type washing-drying machine S which concerns on this embodiment, and a broken line is a graph of the conventional drum-type washing-drying machine as a comparative example. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 11B, the drum-type washing / drying machine S according to the present embodiment uses a circulation pump having a maximum circulating flow rate as compared with the conventional drum-type washing / drying machine.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the cleaning ratio (cleaning performance) improves as the circulating flow rate increases. A cleaning ratio (cleaning performance) equivalent to that of a conventional drum-type washing / drying machine can be obtained in the vicinity of a circulation flow rate of 35 L / min. In addition, the increase in the cleaning ratio (cleaning performance) is saturated at the circulating flow rate around 60 L / min.

  Therefore, the circulation flow rate is desirably 35 L / min or more and 60 L / min or less. When the circulating flow rate is less than 35 L / min, the washing ratio is lower than that of the conventional drum type washing machine, which is not preferable. Further, even if the circulation flow rate is increased to more than 60 L / min, the increase in the cleaning ratio is slight, but the power consumption of the circulation pump 24 increases, so it is not preferable to increase the circulation flow rate more than necessary. As described above, the circulation flow rate has been described. In the circulation pump 24 of the present embodiment, referring to FIG. 11B, the rotation speed of the circulation pump is 2300 rpm or more and 3800 rpm or less.

  The rotational speed of the circulation pump 24 may not always be constant in each step. The range of the circulation pump rotation speed of 2300 rpm to 3800 rpm described above is such that the average value of the rotation speed of the circulation pump 24 in each step is within this range. It is included in. For example, even if the rotation speed of the circulation pump 24 is changed between 2000 rpm and 3400 rpm during the pre-washing stirring process in step S7 (see FIG. 10), the average value may be 2300 rpm or more. In addition, if the rotational speed of the circulation pump 24 is changed, the dispersion | spreading range of the washing water spouted from a shower will change. For this reason, washing water can be uniformly distributed on clothes.

  As described above, according to the operation process of the drum type washing / drying machine S according to the present embodiment, the circulation flow rate, which was conventionally about 20 L / min, is significantly increased to 35 L / min to 60 L / min, The washing water is sprayed from the nozzle to a wide area in the drum. When the circulation flow rate is increased, the washing ratio is improved because the clothes fall in a state where sufficient washing water penetrates the entire clothes lifted by the rotation of the drum 3, so that the washing water contained in the clothes falls. It is because it is pushed out of clothes with dirt by the impact of (tap wash).

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 11, when the circulation flow rate exceeds 60 L / min, the increase in the washing ratio is almost saturated. There is a limit to the amount of water that can be contained in clothing, and the flow rate is increased more than necessary. However, the washing water flows outside the clothing and does not contribute to washing. Moreover, since washing water permeates the entire clothing, the detergent components can be diluted efficiently even in rinsing, and the rinsing performance can be improved.

  In general, the vertical washing machine has less stuffiness because the opening of the tub is on the upper surface side, and washing is carried out by pool washing at a high water level. However, since the drum-type washing and drying machine has the opening on the front side, it is very difficult to increase the water level while preventing water leakage. Therefore, in this embodiment, the circulation flow rate is greatly increased, and plenty of washing water is included in the clothing, so that the cleaning power can be ensured even if the tapping time is shortened, and as a result, the clothing is less stiff. It becomes possible. That is, it is possible to realize washing with high detergency and less wrinkle without deteriorating the water saving characteristic of the drum type laundry dryer.

  Further, darkening occurs mainly because part of the dirt removed from the clothing again adheres to the clothing (recontamination phenomenon). The drum type washing and drying machine is characterized by less water consumption than the vertical washing machine. However, if the amount of dirt on the clothes and the cleaning power are the same, the concentration of dirt in the washing water is higher in the drum-type washer / dryer, and therefore it tends to darken. In general, a drum-type washing / drying machine uses approximately half the amount of water as compared with a vertical washing machine, and the concentration of dirt is approximately doubled. Also, the longer the washing time, the easier it is to darken.

  According to the study by the present inventors, when the washing time of the drum type washing machine and the vertical washing machine is substantially the same, the drum type washing machine is more than the difference in the amount of water (difference in the concentration of washing water). Often darkened. This is thought to be due to a difference in the way of washing. In the case of a vertical washing machine, washing is performed with clothes submerged in the wash water, whereas in a drum-type washer-dryer, the underwater clothes are lifted from the water into the air by rotating the drum to reach the water surface. Repeatedly dropping. Hydrophobic dirt removed from clothing tends to collect on the water surface. This stain reattaches to the clothing as it leaves and enters the water surface and darkening proceeds.

  In the drum type washing / drying machine S of this embodiment, since the circulation flow rate of the washing water is large, a large amount of the washing water is sprayed on the clothes that have come out in the air. For this reason, clothes will fall in water in the state covered with the film | membrane of washing water, and the stain | pollution | contamination of a water surface is hard to reattach, and there exists an effect which suppresses darkening. Furthermore, as described above, since there is also an effect of increasing the cleaning power, the time for the washing process is shortened, and hence darkening can be further suppressed.

  FIG. 12 is an example of an experimental result showing the relationship between the circulation flow rate and the brightness change (darkening). In the experiment, clothes that were coated with inorganic dirt such as artificial sebum dirt or carbon and white clothes were washed at the same time (3 kg of cloth). FIG. 12 shows data after 5 cycles of washing. The change in lightness is a value obtained by subtracting the lightness of a new article from the lightness after washing white clothing. The larger the value, the greater the darkness. As can be seen from the figure, the greater the circulating flow rate, the less the change in brightness and the less blackening occurs. Considering not only detergency but also darkening, it is preferable to increase the circulation flow rate to about 68 L / min (circulation pump rotational speed 4200 rpm), and under this experimental condition, the occurrence of darkening can be almost suppressed. That is, considering the preferable lower limit value of the circulating flow rate described above, the circulating flow rate of water in the circulation pump 24 in this embodiment is preferably 35 L / min or more and 68 L / min or less.

  As measures for increasing the circulation flow rate of the circulation pump 24, (1) increase the rotation speed of the circulation pump, (2) improve the performance of the circulation pump, (3) increase the capacity of the circulation pump (large diameter) (4) Reducing pressure loss in the circulation flow path. These will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the static pressure-flow rate characteristics of the circulation pump.
As shown in FIG. 13, the downward-sloping curve indicates the static pressure-flow rate characteristic at the rotational speed (rev1, rev2, rev3) of the circulation pump 24. A curve that rises to the right is a resistance loss curve (mainly pressure loss) of the circulation channel 27 for the washing water.

  Assuming that the rotational speed of the circulation pump 24 of the conventional drum type washing and drying machine is rev1 and the resistance loss curve 1 of the circulation flow path 27, the intersection A of the two curves is the operating point, and the flow rate Q1 and the static pressure P1. Here, if the diameter of the impeller 46 of the circulation pump 24 is increased in order to increase the circulation flow rate while maintaining the rotational speeds of the circulation flow path 27 and the circulation pump 24, for example, the flow rate-static pressure characteristic indicated by a one-dot chain line is obtained. The operating point moves to A ′ and the flow rate increases to Q1 ′. However, if the diameter of the impeller 46 is increased, the circulation pump 24 is increased in size, so that an extra space is required for mounting on the drum type washer / dryer S, and the casing 1 of the drum type washer / dryer S is also larger. It will lead to deterioration of installation at home.

  Further, when the performance of the circulation pump 24 is improved, for example, the flow rate-static pressure characteristic indicated by a two-dot chain line is obtained, and the operating point can be A 'and the flow rate can be Q1'. However, in the circulation pump 24 used in the drum-type washing / drying machine S, waste thread is contained in the wash water (circulation water). If the circulation pump 24 gives priority to efficiency, the waste thread into the circulation pump 24 is obtained. Since the possibility of clogging increases, there is a limit to high performance.

  Next, in order to increase the circulation flow rate while maintaining the circulation flow path 27 and the circulation pump 24, when the rotation speed of the circulation pump 24 is increased to rev2, the operating point becomes B, the flow rate Q2, and the static pressure P2. In this case, since the static pressure increases, it is necessary to improve the pressure resistance of the circulation flow path 27 and the bellows hose 41, and it is difficult to realize the circulation flow path 27 as it is. Moreover, since the rotational speed increases, generally the noise of the circulation pump 24 increases.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the blades 46a of the impeller 46 are curved so as to protrude in the forward rotation direction, that is, the rotation direction r so as to send the washing water to the circulation flow path 27 as described above.
Thereby, according to the drum type washing / drying machine S which concerns on this embodiment, even when it is a case where the rotational speed of the circulation pump 24 is made high and the circulation flow rate is increased as mentioned above, the noise of the circulation pump 24 is reduced. Can be reduced.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can implement with a various form.
In the above embodiment, the impeller 46 having six blades 46a (large blades 46a1: 2 and small blades 46a2: 4) has been described, but the present invention does not limit the number of the blades 46a to six. . Further, the blades 46a are not necessarily limited to the two types of large blades 46a1 and small blades 46a2.

Fig.14 (a) is a top view of the impeller which concerns on a modification, FIG.14 (b) is a side view of the impeller of Fig.14 (a).
As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, in the impeller 46 according to the modification, five large blades 46a1 are arranged at equal intervals around the blade boss 46c, and do not have the small blades 46a2.
That is, the drum type washing and drying machine S of the present invention can use the impeller 46 having two or more curved blades 46a, desirably three or more and eight or less, for the circulation pump 24.

Moreover, the blade | wing 46a of the impeller 46 can be formed only with the large blade | wing 46a1.
In FIG. 14A, the symbol B is “bending” indicating the degree of bending of the large blade 46a1, and the “bending B” defined on the basis of the outer end position P of the blade that does not bend (see FIG. 6A). ). Reference sign D is the outer diameter of the large blade 46a1. Reference numeral r denotes a direction of rotation so that the washing water is sent out to the circulation flow path 27 via the discharge port 44 (see FIG. 5). In FIG. 14B, the symbol a is the maximum height of the large blade 46a1 equal to the height of the blade boss 46c.

  In the above embodiment, the drum type washing machine S has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a drum type washing machine having no drying function.

Next, examples and comparative examples in which the effect of the drum type washing and drying machine S according to the present embodiment has been confirmed will be described.
Example 1
In this example, the following impeller 46 was incorporated in the circulation pump 24 shown in FIG. 5 and the noise when the circulation pump motor 47 was rotated forward was measured.

Fig.15 (a) is a top view of the impeller used in Example 1, FIG.15 (b) is a side view of the impeller of Fig.15 (a).
As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the impeller 46 is formed by arranging six curved plates on a base plate 46b (outer diameter 53 mm). The blades 46a1, the small blades 46a2, the small blades 46a2, the large blades 46a1, the small blades 46a2, and the small blades 46a2 are arranged at equal intervals.
Incidentally, the outer diameter D of the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2 in this embodiment is 44 mm.
The degree of curvature (the “bend B”) of the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2 is 8 mm.

As shown in FIG. 15B, the large blade 46a1 gradually decreases from the center side of the base plate 46b having the highest height toward the outside, and has a substantially trapezoidal shape. The maximum height a of the large blade 46a1 is equal to the height of the blade boss 46c and is 21 mm.
The height of the small blade 46a2 is constant from the center side to the outside of the base plate 46b, and the height b is 13.5 mm.

The noise when the circulating pump motor 47 of the circulating pump 24 incorporating such an impeller 46 was rotated forward at the rotational speed shown in Table 1 was measured. The results are shown in Table 1.
Note that the noise measurement is performed on the front side of the impeller 46 shown in FIG. 5 (left side of the arrow in FIG. 5), the left side of the impeller 46 (rear side of the arrow in FIG. 5), and the impeller 46. The measurement was performed at each position on the right side (the front side of the arrow in FIG. 5).

(Example 2)
FIG. 16A is a plan view of the impeller used in Example 2, and FIG. 16B is a side view of the impeller of FIG. 16A viewed from the XVI direction. In FIGS. 16A and 16B, the same components as those in FIGS. 14A and 14B are denoted by the same reference numerals.
As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the impeller 46 is formed by arranging six curved plates (bending B = 8 mm) on a base plate 46b (outer diameter 53 mm). Around the boss 46c, the large blade 46a1, the small blade 46a2, the small blade 46a2, the large blade 46a1, the small blade 46a2, and the small blade 46a2 are arranged at equal intervals.
As shown in FIG. 16B, the impeller 46 of the present embodiment is the same as the impeller 46 of the first embodiment, except that the outer ends of the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2 are tapered. Is formed.
The noise of the circulating pump 24 incorporating such an impeller 46 was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Example 3)
FIG. 17A is a plan view of the impeller used in Example 3, and FIG. 17B is a side view of the impeller of FIG. 17A. In FIGS. 17A and 17B, the same components as those in FIGS. 14A and 14B are denoted by the same reference numerals.
As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the impeller 46 is the impeller of the first embodiment except that the bending B of the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2 is changed from 8 mm of the first embodiment to 16 mm. It is formed similarly to 46.
The noise of the circulating pump 24 incorporating such an impeller 46 was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1.

Example 4
FIG. 18A is a plan view of the impeller used in Example 4, and FIG. 18B is a side view of the impeller of FIG. 18A. In FIGS. 18A and 18B, the same components as those in FIGS. 14A and 14B are denoted by the same reference numerals.
As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the impeller 46 changes the maximum height a of the large blade 46a1 from 21 mm of Example 1 to 18.5 mm, and implements the height b of the small blade 46a2. Except for changing from 13.5 mm in Example 1 to 11 mm, it is formed in the same manner as the impeller 46 in Example 1.
The noise of the circulating pump 24 incorporating such an impeller 46 was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 2.

(Comparative Example 1)
FIG. 19A is a plan view of the impeller used in Comparative Example 1, and FIG. 19B is a side view of the impeller of FIG. 19A. In FIGS. 19A and 19B, the same components as those in FIGS. 14A and 14B are denoted by the same reference numerals.
As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the impeller 46 is replaced by the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2 (bending) made of a flat plate instead of the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2 made of the curved plate of the first embodiment. It is formed in the same manner as the impeller 46 of Example 1 except that B = 0 mm) is used.
The noise of the circulating pump 24 incorporating such an impeller 46 was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 2.

(Comparative Example 2)
FIG. 20A is a plan view of the impeller used in Comparative Example 2, and FIG. 20B is a side view of the impeller of FIG. 20A and 20B, the same components as those in FIGS. 14A and 14B are denoted by the same reference numerals.
As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the impeller 46 is a comparative example 1 except that the impeller 46 is not composed of the small blades 46a2 in the comparative example 1 and is configured by large blades 46a1 having six flat plates. It is formed in the same manner as the impeller 46 (bending B = 0 mm).
The noise of the circulating pump 24 incorporating such an impeller 46 was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 2.

(Results of noise investigation)
As shown in Tables 1 and 2, the impeller 46 of Example 1 (see FIG. 15) has a rotational speed of the circulation pump 24 of 2000 to 4500 r / r compared to the impeller 46 of Comparative Example 1 (see FIG. 19). It was confirmed that the equivalent noise level dB (A) averaged in the three directions was low in the entire range of min.
Moreover, each of the impeller 46 (refer FIG. 16) of Example 2, the impeller 46 (refer FIG. 17) of Example 3, and the impeller 46 (refer FIG. 18) of Example 4, and the blade | wing of the comparative example 1 Also in comparison with the wheel 46 (see FIG. 19), the impeller 46 of Examples 2 to 4 has an equivalent equivalent noise level in the three directions in all the rotational speeds of the circulation pump 24 in the range of 2000 to 4500 r / min. It was confirmed that dB (A) was low.

  Further, the impeller 46 of Examples 1 to 4 (see FIGS. 15 to 17) has a rotational speed of the circulation pump 24 in the range of 2000 to 4500 r / min than the impeller 46 of Comparative Example 2 (see FIG. 20). In all cases, it was confirmed that the equivalent noise level dB (A) averaged in three directions was low.

  That is, it was confirmed that the noise of the circulation pump 24 can be reduced by using the large blades 46a1 and the small blades 46a2 made of curved plates.

  Further, the impeller 46 of Example 3 (B = 16 mm) having a large bend B has a rotational speed of the circulation pump 24 of 3000 r than the impeller 46 of Example 1 (B = 8 mm) having a smaller bend B. It was confirmed that the equivalent noise level dB (A) averaged in three directions was low in a high-speed rotation region of / min or more.

  In addition, the equivalent noise level dB (A) of the impeller 46 (see FIG. 18) of the fourth embodiment is substantially low as the equivalent noise level dB (A) of the impeller 46 (see FIGS. 15 to 16) of the first to third embodiments. This is thought to be due to the reduction in blade height.

2 Outer tank 3 Drum 4 Drum motor 15 Water supply unit (water supply means)
24 circulation pump 27 circulation flow path 38 control device 42 casing 46 impeller 46a blade 46a1 large blade 46a2 small blade 46b base plate 46c blade boss 47 circulation pump motor S drum type washing and drying machine (drum type washing machine)
r Direction of rotation of the impeller

Claims (3)

An outer tank for storing water inside,
A drum that is rotatably supported in the outer tub and in which clothing is stored;
A drum motor for rotating the drum;
Water supply means for supplying water into the outer tub;
A circulation pump for sucking water from the outer tub and circulating water so as to sprinkle water into the drum;
With
The circulation pump includes an impeller that rotates to send water from the outer tub toward the inside of the drum when water is sprayed into the drum.
The impeller has blades formed of plates arranged radially around a rotation axis,
Each of the blades curves in a radial direction from the rotating shaft side,
This curved surface is convex in the rotational direction of the impeller that rotates to deliver water from the outer tub toward the drum when watering into the drum ,
The impeller includes a disk-shaped base plate, a rod-shaped blade boss provided at the center of the base plate and serving as a rotation center, and a plurality of the blades provided at equal intervals around the blade boss,
Have
The blade is erected on the base plate, a large blade whose maximum height from the base plate is equal to the height of the blade boss, and the maximum height from the base plate is higher than the height of the blade boss. Low wings,
Consists of
The large blade is gradually lowered from the blade boss side having the highest height toward the outside of the base plate,
The small blades are arranged between the large blades adjacent in the circumferential direction around the blade boss,
The large blades and the small blades formed so as to extend radially from the blade bosses are inclined at the outer ends so as to approach the blade bosses as they move away from the base plate along the axial direction of the blade bosses. A drum-type washing machine, wherein a taper is formed . In the drum type washing machine according to claim 1,
The drum type washing machine, wherein the impeller of the circulation pump is driven at a rotational speed of 2300 rpm or more and 4200 rpm or less. In the drum type washing machine according to claim 1,
The drum-type washing machine characterized in that the circulation pump at the time of watering has a circulation flow rate of water of 35 L / min to 68 L / min.

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