JP6543808B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

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

  Conventionally, there is known a washing machine having a function of circulating washing water in a water tank by a circulation pump and evenly supplying washing water from a plurality of nozzles to laundry in a rotating drum (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

  In this way, the detergent can be dissolved as quickly as possible in the washing step, and the clothes can be made to penetrate, so that the stains on the clothes can be efficiently removed.

  Moreover, the washing machine which circulates the wash water stored in the water tank with a pump, introduce | transduces air in a water channel, and produces | generates foam | foam is disclosed (for example, refer patent document 2).

  As a result, the dissolved washing water can be foamed and spread on the laundry, and the high concentration detergent component (mainly surfactant) can be distributed to every corner of the laundry as the volume of the detergent increases. Can efficiently remove clothes stains.

JP 2011-250921 A JP, 2015-43798, A

  There has been a demand for a washing machine having a function of supplying wash water to the laundry described in Patent Document 1 and a function of supplying foam described in Patent Document 2 to the laundry.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a washing machine that supplies foam and a detergent liquid to the laundry in the storage tank with a simple configuration to efficiently wash the laundry. To aim.

In order to achieve the above object, a drum-type washing machine according to the present invention includes a storage tank for storing laundry, and a foam generating unit provided in the storage tank and supplying generated foam into the storage tank. A circulation channel provided in the storage tank and circulating the washing liquid in the storage tank into the storage tank; and a circulation pump supplying the detergent liquid in the storage tank to the foam generation unit and the circulation channel. An annular holder is provided on an annular outer ring wall constituting a part of the storage tank in the axial direction of the storage tank to form a space between the outer ring wall and the holder, and the holder is annular Cover in the axial direction of the storage tank to form a space between the holder and the cover body, and the space between the outer ring wall and the holder and the holder and the cover body the space between the water supply path to the bubble creating part And said circulating water channel is obtained by forming superposed in the axial direction of the container tank.

  The washing machine according to the present invention can supply the foam and the detergent liquid into the storage tank with a simple configuration to perform efficient washing of the laundry.

Schematic block diagram of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention Schematic perspective view of the washing machine Schematic cross section of the washing machine Schematic perspective view of the washing machine Schematic plan view of the washing machine Schematic cross section of the washing machine Schematic plan view of the washing machine Schematic transparent view of the foam generator of the washing machine Schematic of the casing of the circulation pump of the washing machine

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage tank for storing a laundry, a foam generation unit provided in the storage tank, for supplying generated bubbles into the storage tank, and the storage tank. And a circulation pump for supplying detergent liquid in the storage tank to the foam generation unit and the circulation channel, and constituting a part of the storage tank. An annular holder is provided on the annular outer ring wall in the axial direction of the storage tank to form a space between the outer ring wall and the holder, and the holder is annularly extended in the axial direction of the storage tank by the annular cover body. In the space between the outer ring wall and the holder and in the space between the holder and the cover body, the cover is formed to form a space between the holder and the cover body . Of the water supply channel and the circulation channel in the axial direction of the storage tank By forming together, without impairing the opening area of the inlet of the laundry, it is possible to achieve high detergency washing machine.

In a second invention according to the first invention, the foam generating unit is located at a position where the foam supplied from the foam generating unit to the storage tank does not collide with the washing liquid supplied from the circulating water channel to the storage tank. And the outlet of the circulating water channel.

  Hereinafter, an exemplary washing machine will be described with reference to the drawings. The terms used to indicate directions such as “upper”, “lower”, “left” and “right” used in the following description are merely for the purpose of clarifying the description. Thus, these terms do not limit the washing machine principle in any way. Although the washing machine disclosed below illustrates the washing machine which does not have a drying function, it may be a laundry processing apparatus having a drying function of drying the laundry.

First Embodiment
(Washing machine)
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment. The washing machine 100 is described with reference to FIG. The solid arrows shown in FIG. 1 represent the flow of water. The dashed-dotted arrows shown in FIG. 1 represent transmission paths of control signals.

  The washing machine 100 includes a main housing 200, a control unit 300, a water supply mechanism 400, a washing mechanism 500, and a circulation mechanism 600. Main housing 200 accommodates control unit 300, water supply mechanism 400, washing mechanism 500, and circulation mechanism 600. The control unit 300 controls the water supply mechanism 400, the washing mechanism 500, and the circulation mechanism 600.

  The washing machine 100 may sequentially perform a washing process of washing the laundry, a rinsing process of rinsing the laundry, and a dewatering process of dewatering the laundry.

The washing mechanism 500 includes a storage tub 510 for storing laundry and a motor 520 for driving the storage tub 510. The motor 520 drives the storage tank 510 under the control of the control unit 300. In the washing step, the storage tank 510 stirs the laundry in the liquid containing the detergent. As a result, the laundry is properly cleaned. In the rinsing step, storage tank 510 agitates the laundry in water having a lower detergent concentration than the washing step. In addition, in the rinsing step, the water supply to the storage tank 510 and the drainage from the storage tank 510 are repeated. As a result, the detergent is properly removed from the laundry. In the dewatering process, the storage tank 510 dewaters from the laundry using centrifugal force. As a result, drying of the laundry is promoted.

  The water supply mechanism 400 supplies water to the storage tank 510 in the above-described washing and rinsing steps. The water supply mechanism 400 includes a water supply port 410 connected to the faucet, a switching valve 420, and a detergent accommodating portion 430 in which the detergent is accommodated. The water supplied to the water supply port 410 reaches the switching valve 420. The switching valve 420 has a water supply path between the first water supply path 421 in which the water is directed directly to the storage tank 510 and the second water supply path 422 in which the water is supplied to the storage tank 510 through the detergent storage portion 430. Switch. The first water supply passage 421 may be used, for example, in the rinsing step. As a result, tap water is directly supplied to the storage tank 510. The second water supply passage 422 may be used, for example, in the washing step. When the switching valve 420 opens the second water supply passage 422, the water flows into the detergent container 430. In the detergent container 430, water and detergent are mixed. As a result, water containing the detergent flows into the storage tank 510. In the present embodiment, the pipeline defining the second water supply path 422 is exemplified as a water supply pipe. The water supply mechanism 400 is illustrated as a water supply unit.

  The circulation mechanism 600 includes a circulation pump 610 and a bubble generation unit 620. The circulation mechanism 600 may circulate water between the circulation pump 610 and the storage tank 510 in the above-described washing and rinsing steps. In the present embodiment, the circulation mechanism 600 includes a first circulation path 611 and a second circulation path 612 for circulating water between the circulation pump 610 and the storage tank 510. When the first circulation path 611 is used, water flows into the storage tank 510 through the bubble generator 620. When the second circulation path 612 is used, water is sent from the circulation pump 610 directly to the storage tank 510. Although a switching valve and other elements capable of selectively defining the flow direction of water may be used to switch the water circulation path, the present invention has a simple configuration and a first circulation. It is intended to simultaneously supply the channel 611 and the second circulation channel 612 and efficiently supply the foam and the detergent liquid in a short time to obtain high detergency. In addition, since water is sent to the foam generator 620 and the storage tank 510 by a single pump 610, the space in the main housing 200 is effectively utilized, and the washing machine 100 can be manufactured inexpensively. . In addition, the use of a single pump 610 results in an increase in the freedom of layout design in the main housing 200.

  The bubble generator 620 generates bubbles. The detergent solution whose volume is increased by air bubbles is sent to the storage tank 510 and spreads over the laundry. When the detergent liquid contacts and penetrates the laundry, the air bubbles become a foam film and cover the laundry. Since the foam film contains a high concentration of surfactant, soiling of the laundry can be efficiently removed. At the same time, the wettability of the laundry is improved by discharging the detergent solution to the storage tank 510 through the second circulation path 612, and the detergent solution is evenly applied to the laundry to increase the permeability of high concentration foam. In addition, high cleaning power can be obtained in a short time.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the washing machine 100. As shown in FIG. The washing machine 100 is further described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The main housing 200 includes a front wall 210, a rear wall 220 opposite to the front wall 210, a left wall 230 erected between the front wall 210 and the rear wall 220, and an opposite to the left wall 230. It includes a right wall 240 on the side, a top wall 250 surrounded by top edges of a front wall 210, a back wall 220, a left wall 230 and a right wall 240, and a bottom wall 260 opposite to the top wall 250. The water inlet 410 described with reference to FIG. 1 is exposed on the ceiling wall 250. A user can connect the water supply port 410 and a faucet (not shown) using, for example, a hose.

The washing machine 100 includes a door 101 attached to the front wall 210. The door 101 pivots between a closed position along the front wall 210 and an open position projecting from the front wall 210. In addition, FIG.
The door 101 shown in FIG. When the door 101 is in the open position, the insertion port 511 defined by the storage tank 510 is exposed. The user can turn the door 101 to the open position, and can load laundry into the storage tank 510 through the loading port 511.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing machine 100. As shown in FIG. The washing machine 100 is further described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

  The storage tank 510 includes a rotating drum 530 in which the laundry is stored and a water tub 540 in which the rotating drum 530 is stored. The rotary drum 530 has an inner ring wall 531 defining the inlet 511, an inner bottom wall 532 opposite to the inner ring wall 531, and a cylindrical inner peripheral wall between the inner ring wall 531 and the inner bottom wall 532 And 533. The water tank 540 includes an outer ring wall 541 disposed between the front wall 210 and the inner ring wall 531, an outer bottom wall 542 disposed between the rear wall 220 and the inner bottom wall 532, and an outer ring wall 541. And an outer bottom wall 542 and an outer peripheral wall 543 surrounding the inner peripheral wall 533. In the present embodiment, the rotary drum 530 is exemplified as the inner tank. The water tank 540 is illustrated as an outer tank.

  The motor 520 includes a body portion 521 that generates a driving force, a drive shaft 522 that transmits the driving force to the rotating drum 530, and a belt 523 and a pulley 524 that transmits the rotation of the body portion 521 to the drive shaft 522. The drive shaft 522 passes through the outer bottom wall 542 and is connected to the inner bottom wall 532.

  The circulation mechanism 600 includes, in addition to the circulation pump 610 and the foam generator 620 (see FIG. 1), a drainage valve 690, an upstream circulation pipe 640 defining a path of water flowing from the water tank 540 to the circulation pump 610, and circulation. A downstream circulation pipe 650 for defining a water path from the pump 610 to the water tank 540 and a drainage pipe 660 for defining a drainage path out of the main housing 200 are provided. A drain valve 690 is attached to the drain 660. The controller 300 (see FIG. 1) controls the drain valve 690. While water is circulated between the storage tank 510 and the circulation pump 610, the controller 300 closes the drain valve 690. The controller 300 opens the drain valve 690 to drain the water that has become unnecessary.

  The downstream circulation pipe 650 includes a first branch pipe 651 connected to the bubble generation unit 620 and a second branch pipe 652 connected to the outer ring wall 541. The first branch pipe 651 defines a first circulation path 611 described with reference to FIG. The second branch 652 defines a second circulation path 612 described with reference to FIG. The control unit 300 controls the rotational direction and the number of rotations of the circulation pump 610 and selectively executes the circulation of water through the first branch pipe 651 and the circulation of water through the second branch pipe 652. Good. In the present embodiment, the downstream circulation pipe 650 is illustrated as a branch pipe via the circulation pump 610.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the water tank 540. The washing machine 100 is further described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.

  The outer peripheral wall 543 of the water tank 540 includes a front peripheral wall 545 to which the outer ring wall 541 is attached, and a rear peripheral wall 546 disposed between the outer bottom wall 542 and the front peripheral wall 545. The bubble generation unit 620 is disposed on the front peripheral wall 545. In FIG. 3, the rotation axis RX of the rotating drum 530 defined by the motor 520 is shown.

  In the present embodiment, the bubble generation unit 620 is disposed above the rotation axis RX, and the bubble outlet 684 for discharging a high concentration of bubbles is also disposed above the rotation axis RX. The discharge port 811 for the detergent solution and the foam outlet 684, which are discharged simultaneously with the foam, are disposed so that the high concentration foam and the detergent liquid do not collide, and the discharge amount is set.

  In the present embodiment, the first branch pipe 651 of the downstream circulation pipe 650 is connected to the front peripheral wall 545 of the water tank and illustrated as a structure leading to the bubble generation unit 620 via the internal circulation path in the front peripheral wall 545. Thus, the space in the main housing 200 can be effectively utilized, and the washing machine 100 can be manufactured inexpensively. In addition, this results in an increase in the degree of freedom in layout design in the main housing 200.

(Foam generation unit)
5 is a plan view of the outer ring wall 541 viewed from the back side, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the outer ring wall 541 portion, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of the upper body with the cover 544 removed from FIG. 8 is a schematic transmission view of the bubble generator 620. FIG. Below, with reference to FIGS. 3-8, the bubble generation part 620 is demonstrated.

  The outer ring wall 541 of the water tank 540 is formed in a shape bulging forward, and supplies the foam generation unit 620, the water supply path 622 to the foam generation unit 620, and the washing water to the storage tank 510 on the back side. A circulating water channel 810 is formed. The bubble generating unit 620 and the water supply passage 622 are divided by the partition 621 formed projecting from the back surface side of the outer ring wall 541, and by bringing the holder 623 into contact with the partition 621, the back surface of the outer ring wall 541, the partition 621 and the holder 623 And surrounded by A watertight structure between the partition wall 621 and the holder 623 may be provided as needed.

  In the water supply passage 622, an inlet 681 is formed at the end facing the bubble generation unit 620, and at the other end of the water supply passage 622, a discharge port 682 is formed toward the bubble generation unit 620. The outlet 682 is formed substantially horizontally toward the bubble generator 620. Further, the discharge port 682 is formed to have a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the water supply passage 622, and the flow velocity of the wash water spouted toward the bubble generation unit 620 through the water supply passage 622 is increased. There is. In the discharge direction of the washing water discharged from the discharge port 682, an opposing surface 621 a formed in a substantially vertical direction by a part of the partition wall 621 is provided.

  An intake port 683 is formed on the side surface of the holder 623, and the intake port 683 is positioned approximately halfway between the discharge port 682 and the opposing surface 621a (FIG. 8 is a plan view transmitted through the holder 623). (In the figure, an intake port 683 is shown).

  In the bubble generation unit 620, a bubble outlet 684 is formed at a position facing the outlet 682. The outer wall surface 541 constituting the bubble generating unit 620 is provided with an inclined surface 621 b which is formed to be inclined toward the bubble outlet 684. Thus, the washing water supplied into the foam generation unit 620 is discharged from the foam outlet 684 without remaining in the foam generation unit 620.

  The first branch pipe 651 described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 is connected to the inflow port 681 via an internal circulation path in the front peripheral wall 545 of the water tank 540. . When the circulation pump 610 lifts the detergent solution to the foam generation unit 620, the detergent solution flowing from the inflow port 681 passes through the water supply passage 622 and is discharged from the discharge port 682 toward the foam generation unit 620.

  In the foam generation unit 620, when discharged from the discharge port 682 toward the foam generation unit 620, the detergent solution collides with the opposing surface 621a and is scattered to each surface of the foam generation unit 620, so that the foam generation unit 620 It mixes with the air inside to generate high-density bubbles. In addition, since the detergent liquid is discharged from the discharge port 682 and a negative pressure is generated in the vicinity of the bubble generation unit 620 side of the intake port 683, the air in the water tank 540 is sucked from the intake port 683 and the air is caught. Air bubbles are further mixed into the detergent solution, which makes it possible to generate a larger amount of high concentration foam. In addition, since the detergent liquid discharged from the discharge port 682 is configured to collide with the opposing surface 621a by increasing the flow velocity, it is possible to generate bubbles efficiently in the bubble generating unit 620.

  The detergent liquid whose volume is increased by air bubbles is evenly distributed to the laundry because the rotary drum 530 is rotated and the laundry is stirred and dispersed from the foam outlet 684 to the laundry in the storage tank. . The diameter of the bubble outlet 684 may be adjusted to be the flow rate at which air bubbles are mixed in the bubble generation unit, according to the amount of pumped water. The flow rate may be adjusted by the rotational speed of the circulation pump.

  In the present embodiment, by integrally molding the partition 621 with the components of the storage tank 510, the partition can be made compact and the structure can be simplified.

  The water supply passage 622 may have any configuration as long as it can supply the detergent liquid to the foam generation unit 620, and can be configured by, for example, a hose or the like other than the present embodiment.

(Circulating water route)
5, 7 and 8 show a water supply passage 622 for detergent liquid to foam generation unit 620 and a foam outlet 684 for high concentration foam, and a circulation water passage 810 and discharge port 811 for supplying detergent liquid to storage tank 510. Indicates the placement of

  An annular cover body 544 is mounted on the back surface side of the outer ring wall 541 so as to cover the holder 623 and the circulation channel 810. The circulating water channel 810 is partitioned by a partition 812 formed protruding from the back surface side of the outer ring wall 541, and is brought out of contact by bringing the cover body 544 into contact with the back surface of the outer ring wall 541 and the partition 812 via packings 545 and 546. It is formed to be surrounded by the rear surface of the ring wall 541, the partition wall 812 and the cover body 544.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view at a position where the water supply passage 622 and the circulating water channel 810 are formed, and the circulating water channel 810 at this position is formed by packing 545, 546, 547, 548 on the outer ring wall 541, the partition 621 and the holder 623. The cover body 544 is formed so as to be surrounded by the cover body 544 and the holder 623.

  The foam outlet 684 of the high concentration foam is disposed above the rotation axis RX and scatters from above the laundry. Further, the detergent solution discharged simultaneously is discharged from the discharge port 811 into the storage tank 510 through the circulation water passage 810 via the second branch pipe 652. The circulating water channel 810 and the discharge port 811 are provided in front of the storage tank 510.

  In the present embodiment, when the high concentration foam is discharged, the detergent water discharged from the discharge port 811 is controlled so as to be discharged only from the lower side than the rotation axis RX. It is a control to avoid that the high concentration foam and the detergent liquid collide and defoam the foam and the cleaning effect by the foam is reduced.

  In addition, the circulation water channel 810 for the detergent solution and the discharge port 811 are disposed up to the top because circulating water from the entire area in front of the storage tank 510 is rotated when the circulation pump 610 rotates in the rotation direction B for the purpose of circulating the detergent solution. It is for discharging.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, the circulation pump 610 is disposed below the storage tank 510. The bubble generation unit 620 is disposed above the rotation axis RX of the rotary drum 530 (that is, above the circulation pump 610). When the circulation pump 610 rotates, the water is pumped by the circulation pump 610 through the first branch pipe 651 toward the bubble generation unit 620.

  When the circulation pump 610 rotates at a high rotation speed, the detergent liquid flows into the first branch pipe 651 or the second branch pipe 652. The first branch pipe 651 guides the foam generation unit 620. The foam generated in the foam generation unit 620 is delivered to the storage tank 510.

  When the circulation pump 610 rotates at a high rotation speed, the detergent liquid flows into the first branch pipe 651 or the second branch pipe 652. The first branch pipe 651 guides the foam generation unit 620. The foam generated in the foam generation unit 620 is delivered to the storage tank 510. The second branch pipe 652 guides the water directly to the water tank 540. The inflow path of the detergent solution controls the direction of rotation of the circulation pump 610 and is selected.

(Circulation pump casing)
FIG. 9 shows the shape of a casing 900 of a circulation pump used as a drive for generating a high concentration foam and supplying a detergent solution to a storage tank.
The rotation direction A of the impeller is the generation direction of the high concentration foam and the rotation direction when the detergent liquid is supplied downward, and the rotation direction B is the rotation direction when the detergent liquid is supplied to the entire storage tank.

  The circulating water is discharged from the pump casing discharge port A 910 and the discharge port B 920 at a ratio of about 1: 1 at the time of high concentration foam generation in the rotational direction A, and the high concentration foam is generated by the foam generation unit 620 and detergent liquid It is characterized in that the detergent liquid is discharged from the discharge port 811 (*). At this time, at least the sectional area of the discharge port is characterized by the relationship of discharge port A 910 (foam generation side) ≦ discharge port B 920 (detergent liquid side). Further, a tongue shape 930 for introducing water to the rotation of the impeller is provided in front of the discharge port of the casing.

  The principle of the present embodiment is suitably used for an apparatus having a function of washing laundry using foam.

100 ··· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · water mechanism 422 ............... second water supply path 430 ............... detergent storage unit 500 ...... ......... washing mechanism 510 ............... storage tank 511 ............... inlet 530 .. ······································································································································· Circulation mechanism 610 ········································································· ... Partition wall 621a ... ... ... ... ... facing surface 622 ... .......... water supply channel 623 ............... holder 650 ............... downstream circulation pipe 651, ··························································································· ······································································································· ........... Foam outlet

Claims (2)

A storage tank for storing laundry, a foam generation unit provided in the storage tank and supplying generated bubbles into the storage tank, and the storage tank are provided with the washing liquid in the storage tank The annular outer ring wall which comprises a circulating water channel which circulates in the tank , and a circulating pump which supplies detergent liquid in the storage tank to the foam generating unit and the circulating water channel, and which constitutes a part of the storage tank An annular holder is provided in the axial direction of the storage tank to form a space between the outer ring wall and the holder, and the holder is covered in the axial direction of the storage tank with an annular cover body to form the holder and the holder A space is formed between the cover body and the space between the outer ring wall and the holder and the space between the holder and the cover body, and a water supply passage to the foam generating portion and the circulation. It is formed by overlapping the water channel with the axial direction of the storage tank A washing machine, characterized in that was. The foam outlet of the foam generator and the outlet of the circulating water channel are located at positions where the foam supplied from the foam generator to the storage tank and the washing liquid supplied from the circulating water channel to the storage tank do not collide. washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the formed.

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