JP6937465B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine that performs washing, rinsing, and dehydrating processes.

Conventionally, in this type of washing machine, a circulating water channel is formed in the washing / dehydrating tub, the washing liquid in the washing / dehydrating tub is circulated using the circulating water channel, and the washing liquid is applied to clothes from the upper part of the washing / dehydrating tub. A configuration has been proposed in which the washing performance is improved by washing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the conventional washing machine described in Patent Document 1.

In FIG. 7, a plurality of circulating water channel covers 56 are attached to the inner surface of the washing / dehydrating tank 53, and a plurality of circulating water channels 57a and 57b are formed between the circulating water channel cover 56 and the washing / dehydrating tank 53. ..

Further, a blade 58 is integrally provided on the back surface of the stirring blade 52, and a pump chamber 59 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the blade 58 to communicate the pump chamber 59 with the circulation water channels 57a and 57b. At the upper portions of the circulation water channels 57a and 57b, openings 60 are formed that are open toward the inside of the washing / dehydrating tub 53, respectively. A watering nozzle 61 is provided in the opening 60 of the circulation water channel 57b, and a lint filter 62 is attached to the opening 60 of the circulation water channel 57a.

The motor 63 drives the stirring blade 52 via the V-belt and the reduction mechanism 65. The water level sensor 66 is connected to the lower part of the water receiving tank 51 to detect the water level in the washing / dehydrating tank 53 and input the output to the control device 67.

With the above configuration, in the washing process, the stirring blade 52 is rotated by the rotation of the motor 63, and the laundry 73 and the washing liquid in the washing / dehydrating tub 53 are stirred. The blades 58 rotate together with the stirring blades 52, and the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the blades 58 pushes the washing liquid between the stirring blades 52 and the washing / dehydrating tub 53 to the outside. The washing liquid extruded to the outside passes through the circulation water channels 57a and 57b, and is sprinkled into the washing / dehydrating tub 53 from the watering nozzle 61 and the lint filter 62. As a result, a large amount of washing liquid is sprinkled on the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 53 from above.

However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the washing liquid is sprinkled only on a part of the laundry and does not spread on the entire laundry.

A washing machine that solves the problem of Patent Document 1 has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a conventional washing machine described in Patent Document 2 in which a circulating water channel is viewed from the front.

In FIG. 8, a T-shaped circulation water channel cover 72 is provided on the side wall of the washing / dehydrating tub 71, and a circulation water channel 73 is formed between the washing / dehydrating tub 71 and the circulation water channel cover 72. The circulation water channel 73 is composed of a side water channel 79 and an upper water channel 80, and a central discharge port 74, a left discharge port 75, and a right discharge port 76 are formed in the upper water channel 80. When the pulsator 77 at the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub 71 rotates, the washing water circulates in the circulation water channel 73, and the washing liquid rises in the side water channel 79 and flows to the upper water channel 80 to the central discharge port 74 and the left discharge port 75. Then, water is sprinkled from the right discharge port 76 toward the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 71.

When the washing step starts, the washing liquid in which the detergent is dissolved is pushed out from the pump chamber 78 by the centrifugal force due to the rotation of the blades at the lower part of the pulsator 77, and flows into the circulation water channel 73. The washing liquid rises in the side water channel 79, flows to the upper water channel 80, and is sprinkled from the central discharge port 74, the left discharge port 75, and the right discharge port 76 toward the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 71.

A large number of through holes 81 are formed on the side surface of the washing / dehydrating tub 71, and a fluid balancer 82 is provided on the upper peripheral edge.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-31785 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-097233

However, in the configuration of Patent Document 2, the washing liquid is applied to the entire laundry, but when the laundry located above the water surface stays on the water surface, uneven washing may occur. Further, it is necessary to arrange a circulation water channel below the fluid balancer, which increases the volume of parts, increases the cost, and has a problem that it is not suitable for increasing the diameter of the washing / dehydrating tub.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent uneven washing at low cost and improve cleaning performance.

In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the washing machine of the present invention includes a washing / dehydrating tub, a pulsator rotatably arranged at the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub, and blades provided at the bottom of the pulsator. , The pump chamber formed on the outer periphery of the blades of the pulsator, the washing / dehydrating tub and the circulation water channel cover, and the washing liquid is circulated from the pump chamber as the pulsator rotates to the washing / dehydrating tub. It is provided with a circulation channel having a discharge port for discharging and a large number of holes formed in the pulsator and guiding washing water to the lower part of the pulsator, and the total area of the holes of the pulsator is minimized in the flow path of the circulation channel. It is set larger than the area.

Thereby, the stirring efficiency of the laundry can be improved, the washing unevenness can be improved, and the washing performance can be improved.

The washing machine of the present invention has effects such as improving the stirring efficiency of laundry, improving uneven washing, and improving washing performance.

Longitudinal sectional view of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Perspective view of the pulsator of the washing machine Top view showing the surface of the circulation water channel cover of the washing machine Top view showing the back side of the circulation water channel cover of the washing machine Top view showing the main part of the surface of the circulation water channel cover of the washing machine Top view showing the main part of the back surface of the circulation water channel cover of the washing machine Longitudinal sectional view of a conventional (Patent Document 1) washing machine Cross-sectional view of a main part of a conventional (Patent Document 2) washing machine

The first invention is formed on a washing / dehydrating tub, a pulsator rotatably arranged at the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub, a blade provided at the lower part of the pulsator, and an outer periphery of the blade of the pulsator. A circulating water channel formed by a pump chamber, the washing / dehydrating tub and a circulating water channel cover, and having a discharge port that circulates washing liquid from the pump room as the pulsator rotates and discharges the washing liquid to the washing / dehydrating tub. It is formed in the pulsator and includes a large number of holes for guiding the washing water to the lower part of the pulsator, and the total area of the holes in the pulsator is set to be larger than the minimum cross-sectional area in the flow path of the circulation channel.

As a result, the water flow for drawing the laundry is increased, and the stirring efficiency for drawing the laundry below the water surface is increased. In addition, since the drawn water flow is drawn into the circulating water channel following the water flow that was previously pumped into the circulating water channel, it is possible to continuously apply the washing liquid to the laundry that newly appears on the water surface. Is.

In the second invention, in particular, the minimum cross-sectional area of the circulation channel of the first invention is set to be smaller than the area of the discharge port.

As a result, the drawn water flow is drawn into the circulating water channel following the water flow that was previously pumped into the circulating water channel, so even for laundry that newly appears on the water surface, the pressure loss in the middle path is minimized. It is possible to apply the washing liquid continuously to the limit.

In the third invention, in particular, the flow path of the circulation water channel of the first or second invention has the upstream position of the discharge port set to a cross-sectional area smaller than the area of the discharge port.

As a result, it is possible to spray the washing liquid over a wide range by narrowing the length in the direction to be expanded immediately before.

In the fourth invention, in particular, the flow path at the upstream position of the discharge port of the circulation path of the third invention has a length in the longitudinal direction of the discharge port, and the width of the flow path at the upstream position of the discharge port. Is b, and 4> (ab) / h> 2 is set, where h is the distance between the discharge port and the flow path having a small cross-sectional area at the upstream position of the discharge port.

This makes it possible to eject the washing liquid over a wide range. If it is larger than 4, there is a problem that the spouted water cracks or the distance decreases.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pulsator of the washing machine, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the surface of the circulation water channel cover of the washing machine, and FIG. Is a plan view showing the back surface of the circulation water channel cover of the washing machine, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a main part of the surface of the circulation water channel cover of the washing machine, and FIG. 6 is a back surface of the circulation water channel cover of the washing machine. It is a top view which shows the main part of.

In FIG. 1, a water tank 3 is swingably supported by an anti-vibration spring 2 in the housing 1. In the water tank 3, a washing / dehydrating tank 7 for accommodating laundry is rotatably supported. The washing / dehydrating tub 7 is rotatably supported around the washing / dehydrating shaft 4, and a pulsator 8 having a large number of holes 13 is rotatably supported at the inner bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub 7. The hole 13 penetrates the pulsator 8 and communicates the upper side and the lower side of the pulsator 8.

The washing / dehydrating tub 7 is provided with a large number of dehydration holes 5 on the side wall, and an annular fluid balancer 6 for reducing dehydration vibration is attached to the upper portion. The washing / dehydrating tub 7 is provided with a pair of circulating water channel covers 14 at positions facing each other on the side walls, and a circulating water channel 10 is formed between the side surface of the washing / dehydrating tub 7 and the circulating water channel cover 14. Two circulation water channels 10 are formed by attaching a pair of circulation water channel covers 14 to the washing / dehydrating tank 7. The circulation water channel 10 is preferably formed to have the same shape in order to suppress the occurrence of imbalance during rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub 7, but the shape may be different if necessary.

A motor 9 is arranged at the bottom of the water tank 3, and the motor 9 has a built-in clutch mechanism and a brake mechanism. At the time of washing, the motor 9 brakes the dehydration shaft of the washing / dehydrating shaft 4 to drive the washing shaft of the washing / dehydrating shaft 4 and rotationally drives the pulsator 8. At the time of dehydration, the braking of the dehydration shaft is released, the drain valve 26 is opened, the washing / dehydrating tank 7 is rotationally driven, and the washing liquid or the rinsing liquid in the water tank 3 is drained from the drain port 25 to the drain valve 26. Drain to the outside of the machine through.

The blades 18 are integrally formed in the lower part of the pulsator 8, and when the motor 9 rotates the pulsator 8, the washing water is pushed out to the outer peripheral side by the centrifugal force of the blades 18 to circulate in the circulation water channel 10 for washing. The washing liquid is discharged and sprinkled into the washing / dehydrating tank 7 from the discharge port 11 of the circulation water channel 10 located at the upper part of the combined dehydration tank 7.

An operation display unit 23 is arranged on the upper part of the front surface of the housing 1, and a control device 24 is provided at a position below the operation display unit 23 in the housing 1. The control device 24 includes a control means (not shown) including a microcomputer, controls a motor 9, a water supply valve 22, a drain valve 26, and the like, and sequentially controls a series of washing, rinsing, and dehydrating processes. A water supply valve 22 for supplying water into the washing / dehydrating tank 7 is provided at the rear of the housing 1.

Next, the circulation water channel 10 and the circulation water channel cover 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the circulation water channel cover 14 is formed with a discharge port 11 at a position corresponding to an upper portion and an intermediate portion of the washing / dehydrating tub 7. The discharge port 11 may be formed only at a position corresponding to the upper part of the washing / dehydrating tub 7.

A rib 12 is formed on the back surface of the circulation water channel cover 14 toward the washing / dehydrating tub 7, and the rib 12 is brought into contact with the inner surface of the washing / dehydrating tub 7 to form a section of the circulation water channel 10. The flow rate and the flow velocity of the circulation channel 10 can be adjusted by changing the width of the rib 12 or the width of the circulation channel cover 14 in the depth direction.

In each circulation channel 10, the minimum cross-sectional area in the flow path is made larger than the area of the discharge port 11 located above to suppress the pressure loss, and the washing liquid ejected from the discharge port 11 located above is suppressed. The discharge range can be widened.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, each circulation channel 10 has an area of the discharge port 11 located above the cross-sectional area of the flow path at the upstream position immediately before reaching the discharge port 11 located above. It is formed narrower. In each circulation channel 10 at the upstream position of the discharge port 11 located above, the width of the flow path is shorter than the length in the longitudinal direction of the discharge port 11 (the length shown by a in FIG. 6) (in FIG. 6). The length shown by b) is formed, and the position formed shorter than the length of the discharge port 11 in the longitudinal direction and the discharge port 11 are brought close to each other (the length shown by h in FIG. 6).

As a result, each circulation channel 10 forms a flow path having a cross-sectional area smaller than the area of the discharge port 11 located above at the upstream position of the discharge port 11, while suppressing the pressure loss.
It is configured to spread the water ejected from the discharge port 11 located above in a wide angle.

The difference (ab) between the width a in the longitudinal direction of the discharge port 11 and the width b of the narrow flow path on the upstream side of the discharge port 11 is set large, and the length from the discharge port 11 to the narrow flow path is further set. By bringing h close to each other, the washing liquid can be ejected over a wide range.

In order to efficiently supply the washing liquid to the laundry by ejecting the washing liquid from the discharge port 11 located above over a wide range, the flow rate of the circulating washing liquid and the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the circulating water channel 10 are optimized. Must be set.

If the difference (ab) between the width a in the longitudinal direction of the discharge port 11 and the width b of the narrow flow path on the upstream side of the discharge port 11 is too large, the water ejected from the discharge port 11 may crack. , The distance discharged from the discharge port 11 is reduced.

If the difference (ab) between the width a in the longitudinal direction of the discharge port 11 and the width b of the narrow flow path on the upstream side of the discharge port 11 is too small, the washing liquid discharged from the discharge port 11 is sufficient. Does not spread to a wide discharge range.

If the length h from the discharge port 11 to the narrow flow path is too long, the effect of narrowing the cross-sectional area of the flow path cannot be exhibited, and the distance discharged from the discharge port 11 decreases.

If the length h from the discharge port 11 to the narrow flow path is too short, the washing liquid discharged from the discharge port 11 does not spread to a sufficient discharge range.

As a result of various experiments, it was found that the washing liquid can be ejected over a wide range by setting the lengths a, b, and h described above to be 4> (ab) / h> 2.

If the above formula is set to be larger than 4, the water ejected from the discharge port 11 will crack or the distance discharged from the discharge port 11 will decrease. On the contrary, if it is set to be smaller than 2, the washing liquid discharged from the discharge port 11 does not spread to a sufficient discharge range.

In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the flow path is changed by adjusting the width of the flow path, but by adjusting the distance between the circulation water channel cover 14 of the flow path and the washing / dehydrating tank 7. The cross-sectional area may be changed, or the cross-sectional area of the flow path may be changed by adjusting both of them.

The operation and operation of the washing machine configured as described above will be described below.

In the washing step, when the laundry is put into the washing / dehydrating tank 7 and started, the water supply valve 22 operates to allow water to enter a predetermined height, and the pulsator 8 rotates to start washing.

When washing starts, the rotation of the pulsator 8 causes the washing water to rise from the pump chamber 19 to the circulating water channel 10 by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the blades 18, and water is sprinkled from the discharge port 11 toward the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 7. Will be done.

At this time, the washing water is pushed toward the outer periphery by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the blades 18 of the pulsator 8, and the washing water is pumped up into the circulation water channel 10. As a result, the washing water in the washing / dehydrating tub 7 is drawn into the back side of the pulsator 8 through the holes 13 of the pulsator 8.

In the present embodiment, the total area of the holes 13 formed in the pulsator 8 is set to be larger than the total area of the minimum cross-sectional areas in the flow paths of the two circulation channels 10. Therefore, the water flow from the hole 13 of the pulsator 8 to the back surface side of the pulsator 8 increases, the water flow for drawing in the laundry increases, and the effect of drawing the laundry under the water surface increases.

In addition, since the convection of the washing water in the washing / dehydrating tub 7 is increased, the convection efficiency of the laundry is improved, and the washing liquid is continued even for the laundry newly appearing on the water surface due to the convection of the washing water. Can be sprinkled with water. In particular, in the case of a course that has a function of raising the water temperature and the washing process is performed with warm water, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the temperature of the laundry on the water surface and reduce uneven washing.

In the conventional configuration, it is conceivable to increase the rotation speed of the pulsator, but in this configuration, the vortex water flow due to the rotation of the pulsator becomes stronger than the water flow drawn to the back surface side of the pulsator. Therefore, the water flow that draws the laundry below the water surface and pushes it up above the water surface is weak, and the efficiency of sprinkling the washing liquid on the laundry is reduced.

From the above, in the present embodiment, the laundry in the washing / dehydrating tub 7 can be agitated while sprinkling the washing liquid evenly from above, so that uneven washing is suppressed and the washing performance is improved. can do.

As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can suppress uneven washing and improve the washing performance, so that it can be applied to a washer / dryer, and is also applicable not only to household use but also to commercial use. can do.

1 Housing 3 Water tank 7 Washing and dehydration tank 8 Pulsator 9 Motor 10 Circulation water channel 11 Discharge port 12 Rib 14 Circulation water channel cover 18 Blade 19 Pump room

Claims (4)

Washing and dehydration tub and
A pulsator that is rotatably arranged at the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub,
The blades provided at the bottom of the pulsator and
A pump chamber formed on the outer circumference of the blades of the pulsator, and
A circulating water channel formed by the washing / dehydrating tub and a circulating water channel cover, and having a discharge port that circulates washing liquid from the pump chamber as the pulsator rotates and discharges the washing liquid to the washing / dehydrating tub.
It is formed in the pulsator and has a large number of holes for guiding the washing water to the lower part of the pulsator.
A washing machine characterized in that the total area of the holes of the pulsator is set to be larger than the minimum cross-sectional area in the flow path of the circulation channel. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the minimum cross-sectional area in the flow path of the circulation water channel is set to be smaller than the area of the discharge port. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flow path of the circulation water channel is set to an upstream position of the discharge port so as to have a cross-sectional area smaller than the area of the discharge port. The flow path at the upstream position of the discharge port of the circulation water channel has a length in the longitudinal direction of the discharge port a, a width of the flow path at the upstream position of the discharge port b, and an upstream position of the discharge port and the discharge port. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein 4> (ab) / h> 2 is set, where h is the distance from the flow path having a small cross-sectional area.

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