JP6941314B2 - Ultrasonic cleaner and washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic cleaning device and a washing machine including such an ultrasonic cleaning device.

Patent Document 1 describes a cleaning device main body including an ultrasonic wave generating means including a vibration horn, and a tray having a water reservoir for storing water and receiving an object to be cleaned. There is.

In the ultrasonic cleaning device of Patent Document 1, the user causes the object to be cleaned to be submerged in the water stored in the water reservoir in a state where the tip of the vibration horn is in contact with the dirty portion of the object to be cleaned. When the ultrasonic wave generating means operates, the ultrasonic energy emitted from the vibration horn is transmitted to the object to be cleaned via water, and the dirt component adhering to the object to be cleaned is separated from the object to be cleaned.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-216244

By the way, when the amount of water existing around the vibrating horn is large, the ultrasonic energy emitted from the vibrating horn is not properly transmitted to the object to be cleaned, and it is difficult to sufficiently remove the dirt on the object to be cleaned. Therefore, in the above ultrasonic cleaning device, the user must adjust the amount of the object to be cleaned into the water in the water reservoir so that the amount of water existing around the vibrating horn is appropriate. Must be. However, such adjustments are not easy for the user. Therefore, in the above-mentioned ultrasonic cleaning device, there arises a problem that it is difficult to obtain stable cleaning performance.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic cleaning device capable of obtaining stable cleaning performance, and a washing machine provided with such an ultrasonic cleaning device.

The ultrasonic cleaning device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an ultrasonic generator that generates ultrasonic waves, a housing that houses the ultrasonic generator so that the tip of the ultrasonic generator is exposed, and a housing. The water storage tank in which water is stored, the water supply port provided in the water storage tank, and the housing are such that the housing does not move with respect to the water storage tank and the ultrasonic generator is located directly above the water storage tank. It is detected that the fixed portion fixed in the manner, the water supply portion that supplies water into the water storage tank through the water supply port, and the tip of the ultrasonic generator come into contact with the water exuded on the surface of the object to be cleaned. A contact detection unit and a control unit are provided. Here, the front Symbol fixing unit, stain the height position relative to the reservoir of the housing, the surface of the penetration to the object to be cleaned in the cleaning object placed on said water tank overflows from the reservoir The position is maintained at a height at which the tip of the ultrasonic generator comes into contact with the discharged water. The control unit controls the operation of the water supply unit, supplies water into the water storage tank so as to overflow from the water storage tank, and operates the ultrasonic generator based on the detection result of the contact detection unit. To control.

According to the above configuration, the ultrasonic vibration emitted from the ultrasonic generator is transmitted to the inside of the object to be cleaned through the water existing on the surface of the object to be cleaned, and acts on the dirt inside the object to be cleaned. Separate dirt from the wash. The user only has to set the object to be cleaned on the water tank, and unlike the conventional configuration having an ultrasonic unit separated from the water tank, the amount of water existing around the tip of the ultrasonic generator is appropriate. Therefore, it is not necessary to have the user adjust the height of the ultrasonic generator to adjust the amount of the object to be cleaned submerged in water. Therefore, stable cleaning performance can be obtained.

According to the above configuration, the ultrasonic generator is operated when the water overflowing from the water storage tank and seeping out on the surface of the object to be cleaned comes into contact with the tip of the ultrasonic generator and is ready to wash the object to be cleaned. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ultrasonic generator from being unnecessarily driven.

In the ultrasonic cleaning device according to this embodiment, a drainage tank provided around the water storage tank to receive water overflowing from the water storage tank, and a drainage port provided in the drainage tank to discharge water from the drainage tank. , Can be adopted.

According to the above configuration, the water overflowing from the water tank can be received in the drain tank. Moreover, since the water received by the drainage tank is discharged from the drainage port, the user does not have to perform the work of discarding the water in the drainage tank.

In the ultrasonic cleaning device according to this aspect, a configuration may be adopted in which a support portion provided in the housing and elastically supporting the ultrasonic generator in the vertical direction is further provided.

According to the above configuration, the tip of the ultrasonic wave generator can be moved up and down by following the vertical movement generated when the object to be cleaned is moved in the lateral direction. As a result, an excessive load is less likely to be applied to the object to be cleaned and the ultrasonic generator, and damage to the object to be cleaned and the ultrasonic generator can be prevented.

The washing machine according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a washing tub for accommodating and washing laundry, and an ultrasonic cleaning device according to the first aspect.

According to the above configuration, stable cleaning performance by the ultrasonic cleaning device can be obtained as in the ultrasonic cleaning device according to the first aspect.

In the washing machine according to this aspect, a configuration may be adopted in which a top plate having a port for putting laundry into the washing tub is further provided. In this case, the ultrasonic cleaning device is provided at a position on the upper surface plate in front of the inlet.

According to the above configuration, the user can easily perform the cleaning work of the object to be cleaned using the ultrasonic cleaning device, which is convenient for the user.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic cleaning device capable of obtaining stable cleaning performance and a washing machine provided with such an ultrasonic cleaning device.

The effects or significance of the present invention will be further clarified by the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiments are merely examples when the present invention is put into practice, and the present invention is not limited to those described in the following embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper part of the fully automatic washing machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning device in a state where the ultrasonic wave generating unit is removed according to the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a side sectional view of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning device cut at the position of the ultrasonic wave generator of the ultrasonic wave generation unit according to the embodiment, and FIG. 4B is the embodiment. It is a side sectional view of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus cut at the right side mounting position to the fixed base of the housing of the ultrasonic wave generating unit. FIG. 5A is a front sectional view of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning device cut at the position of the ultrasonic wave generator of the ultrasonic wave generation unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the ultrasonic wave generator according to the embodiment, and FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the ultrasonic wave generator attached to the holder according to the embodiment. .. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fully automatic washing machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the partial cleaning operation according to the embodiment. 8 (a) to 8 (d) are diagrams for explaining the removal of dirt on the object to be cleaned by the ultrasonic cleaning device according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the washing machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of the fully automatic washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 includes a housing 10 that constitutes the appearance. The housing 10 includes a rectangular tubular body portion 11 having open upper and lower surfaces, a top plate 12 that covers the upper surface of the body portion 11, and a pedestal 13 that supports the body portion 11. The top plate 12 is formed with a laundry inlet 14. The input port 14 is covered with an openable and closable upper lid 15.

Inside the housing 10, the outer tank 20 having an open upper surface is elastically suspended and supported by four suspension rods 21 having a vibration isolator. Inside the outer tub 20, a washing / dehydrating tub 22 having an open upper surface is arranged. The washing / dehydrating tub 22 rotates about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. A large number of dehydration holes 22a are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the washing / dehydrating tub 22 over the entire circumference. A balance ring 23 is provided on the upper part of the washing / dehydrating tub 22. A pulsator 24 is arranged at the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub 22. A plurality of blades 24a are radially provided on the surface of the pulsator 24. The washing tub of the present invention is composed of the outer tub 20 and the washing / dehydrating tub 22.

At the outer bottom of the outer tub 20, a drive unit 30 that generates torque for driving the washing / dehydrating tub 22 and the pulsator 24 is arranged. The drive unit 30 includes a drive motor 31 and a transmission mechanism unit 32. The transmission mechanism unit 32 has a clutch mechanism 32a, and by a switching operation by the clutch mechanism 32a, in the washing step and the rinsing step, the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted only to the pulsator 24 to rotate only the pulsator 24 and dehydrate. In the process, the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted to the pulsator 24 and the washing / dehydrating tub 22 to integrally rotate the pulsator 24 and the washing / dehydrating tub 22.

A drainage port 20a is formed on the outer bottom of the outer tank 20. A drain valve 40 is provided at the drain port portion 20a. The drain valve 40 is connected to the drain hose 41. When the drain valve 40 is opened, the water stored in the washing / dehydrating tub 22 and the outer tub 20 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drain hose 41.

An ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is provided on the front portion of the top plate 12. The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is mainly used to remove stubborn stains partially attached to an object to be cleaned, such as shirt sleeves and collars, prior to washing with the fully automatic washing machine 1. ..

At the rear of the top plate 12, a water supply unit 60 for supplying tap water to the washing / dehydrating tub 22 and the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is arranged. The water supply unit 60 corresponds to the water supply unit of the present invention. The water supply unit 60 has a water supply valve 61. The water supply valve 61 includes a first valve 62 and a second valve 63, and is connected to a water tap. When the first valve 62 is opened, tap water from the tap is supplied into the washing / dehydrating tank 22 through the water supply channel 64. When the second valve 63 is opened, tap water is supplied to the water storage tank (described later) of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. Since the water supply unit 60 is a water supply unit that supplies water to the water storage tank of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 includes the water supply unit 60.

Next, the configuration of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper part of the fully automatic washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 in a state where the ultrasonic wave generating unit 100 is removed according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4A is a side sectional view of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 cut at the position of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 of the ultrasonic wave generation unit 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a side sectional view. It is a side sectional view of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 cut at the right side mounting position of the housing 130 of the housing 130 of the ultrasonic wave generating unit 100 with respect to the fixing base 200 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5A is a front sectional view of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 cut at the position of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 of the ultrasonic wave generation unit 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 attached to the holder 120 according to the present embodiment. It is a perspective view of.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front frame 16 constituting the upper surface plate 12 is formed of a resin material so that the front portion 17 is one step lower than the rear portion 18, and the rear portion 18 receives the front end portion of the upper lid 15. The upper surface 17a of the front portion 17 has a concave curved shape in which the central portion is lowered. The front surface 18a of the rear portion 18 rises substantially vertically from the rear end of the upper surface 17a of the front portion 17.

The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is provided at the center of the front frame 16. That is, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is provided on the front side of the input port 14 of the top plate 12. When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is not used, the upper part of the front portion 17 of the front frame 16 can be covered with a cover (not shown) to cover the ultrasonic cleaning device 50.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 (c), the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 includes an ultrasonic generation unit 100, a fixing base 200, a water storage tank 300, and a drainage tank 400.

The fixing base 200 is integrally formed with the front frame 16 so as to be in contact with the front surface 18a of the rear portion 18 at the central portion of the upper surface 17a of the front portion 17 of the front frame 16. The fixing base 200 corresponds to the fixing portion of the present invention. The fixed base 200 has a predetermined height with respect to the water tank 300. The fixing base 200 has a mounting surface 201 which is a top surface. Two left and right mounting bosses 202 are provided in the vertical direction behind the mounting surface 201. An insertion hole 203 is formed in the mounting boss 202. An opening 18b is formed on the front surface 18a of the rear portion 18 of the front frame 16 at a position corresponding to the two mounting bosses 202.

The water storage tank 300 is formed near the center of the upper surface 17a of the front portion 17 of the front frame 16. The rear portion of the water storage tank 300 has an arc shape. On the bottom surface of the water storage tank 300, a water supply port 301 is formed in the center of the rear end portion. A water supply pipe 302 connected to the water supply port 301 is formed on the outer bottom surface of the water storage tank 300. A water supply pipe 303 extending from the second valve 63 is connected to the water supply pipe 302. Further, in the water storage tank 300, accommodating recesses 304 are formed at the upper ends of the left and right side walls, and the rod-shaped electrode body 305 is accommodated in each accommodating recess 304. A part of the electrode body 305 is exposed in the water storage tank 300.

The drainage tank 400 is a central portion of the upper surface 17a of the front portion 17 of the front frame 16 and is formed around the water storage tank 300. On the bottom surface of the drainage tank 400, a drainage port 401 is formed at a central position behind the water storage tank 300. A drainage pipe 402 connected to the drainage port 401 is formed on the outer bottom surface of the drainage tank 400. A drainage pipe 403 connected to the outer tank 20 is connected to the drainage pipe 402. The drain pipe 403 may be connected to the drain hose 41.

In the water storage tank 300, a drainage port 306 for draining water having a diameter smaller than that of the water supply port 301 is further formed at a position on the bottom surface of the water tank 300 in front of the water supply port 301. The drainage port 306 is connected to the drainage pipe 402 via the drainage pipe 307 for drainage. After using the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the water remaining in the water storage tank 300 is drained from the drainage port 206 for drainage to the drainage pipe 402.

The ultrasonic wave generation unit 100 includes an ultrasonic wave generator 110 that generates ultrasonic waves, a holder 120 that holds the ultrasonic wave generator 110, and a housing 130 that houses the ultrasonic wave generator 110. The ultrasonic generator 110 is mounted inside the housing 130 via the holder 120.

The ultrasonic generator 110 includes an ultrasonic vibrator 111 and a vibration horn 112 coupled to the ultrasonic vibrator 111. The vibrating horn 112 is made of a conductive metal material and has a shape that gradually becomes thinner toward the tip side. The shape of the tip surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 is an elongated rectangular shape. A substantially square flange portion 113 is formed at the upper end portion of the vibration horn 112.

The holder 120 has a substantially quadrangular opening 121 in the center. Grooves 122 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the opening 121 on the entire circumference. The ultrasonic wave generator 110 is passed through the opening 121, and the flange portion 113 of the vibration horn 112 is fitted into the groove portion 122 to be fixed to the holder 120. Mounting tabs 123 are formed on both the left and right sides of the holder 120. A shaft hole 124 is formed in each mounting tab 123. The holder 120 may be configured to be vertically separable at the position of the groove portion 122 in order to fit the flange portion 113 of the vibration horn 112 into the groove portion 122.

The housing 130 is made of a resin material, is long in the front-rear direction, and has an arm shape such that its tip portion 130a projects downward. The tip 130a of the housing 130 is formed so as to be tapered, and an opening 131 is formed on the tip surface thereof.

The housing 130 is formed by connecting a lower member 140 having an open upper surface and an upper member 150 having an open lower surface. The lower member 140 and the upper member 150 are provided with a lower mounting boss 141 and an upper mounting boss 151 for connecting them. The lower mounting boss 141 and the upper mounting boss 151 are fixed by the fixing screw 161.

Inside the housing 130, a substantially square cylindrical installation portion 142 extending upward from the opening 131 is provided in the lower member 140. A holder 120 holding the ultrasonic generator 110 is installed on the installation portion 142. At this time, the vibrating horn 112 is housed inside the installation portion 142, and the tip portion of the vibrating horn 112 is slightly exposed from the opening 131. The lower member 140 is formed with lower support bosses 143 on both the left and right sides of the installation portion 142, and the upper member 150 is formed with an upper support boss 152 at a position directly above the lower support boss 143. A lower insertion hole 144 is formed in each lower support boss 143, and an upper insertion hole 153 is formed in each upper support boss 152. A round bar-shaped guide shaft 170 made of a metal material is attached between each lower support boss 143 and each upper support boss 152. At this time, the inner diameter of the lower insertion hole 144 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the guide shaft 170, and the guide shaft 170 is fixed to the lower support boss 143 by press-fitting the lower end portion thereof into the lower insertion hole 144. Further, the inner diameter of the upper insertion hole 153 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide shaft 170, and the upper end of the guide shaft 170 is inserted into the upper insertion hole 153.

The left and right guide shafts 170 are passed through the shaft holes 124 of the left and right mounting tabs 123 of the holder 120 placed on the installation portion 142. A support spring 180 is inserted into each guide shaft 170 between each mounting tab 123 and each upper support boss 152. The ultrasonic generator 110 held by the holder 120 is elastically supported in the vertical direction by the left and right support springs 180. The support spring 180 is a compression spring and presses the ultrasonic wave generator 110 downward with a predetermined spring force. When the tip surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 is pushed upward by a force larger than the spring force, the support spring 180 is compressed and the ultrasonic wave generator 110 moves upward while being guided by the guide shaft 170. The support spring 180 corresponds to the support portion of the present invention.

On the top surface of the housing 130, a mark portion 132 having the same shape as the tip surface 112a is formed at the same position as the tip surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 when viewed from above. The user can confirm the position of the tip surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 by looking at the mark portion 132.

Further, a circular display window 133 is formed on the top surface of the housing 130. A cylindrical lamp accommodating portion 154 connected to the display window 133 is formed in the upper member 150, and the alarm lamp 190, which is a notification unit, is accommodated in the lamp accommodating portion 154 from below. The notification lamp 190 is mounted on the base 191 and is fixed to the lower end of the lamp accommodating portion 154 via the base 191. The notification lamp 190 is, for example, an LED lamp, and faces the outside from the display window 133.

At the rear end of the housing 130, mounting bosses 145 corresponding to the mounting boss 202 of the fixing base 200 are formed on the left and right sides of the lower member 140 side. Screw holes 146 are formed in each mounting boss 145. The rear end portion of the housing 130 is placed on the mounting surface 201 of the fixing base 200. The fixing screw 162 passed through the insertion hole 203 of the mounting boss 202 of the fixing base 200 is fixed to the screw hole 146 of the mounting boss 145 of the housing 130, so that the housing 130 is positioned at a predetermined height with respect to the water tank 300. It is fixed to the fixing base 200 so as to be.

The ultrasonic generator 110 is located directly above the water tank 300 in a state where the housing 130 is attached to the fixed base 200. Further, a predetermined gap L is formed between the tip surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 and the upper surface of the water storage tank 300. This predetermined gap L is set to a gap slightly larger than the thickness in consideration of the thickness of the collar and cuffs of shirts and similar shirts that are considered to be often used for cleaning by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. .. If the gap is too large, a thin layer of water is not formed on the surface of the object to be cleaned, and it becomes difficult to obtain stable cleaning performance. In the present embodiment, for example, a predetermined gap L can be set to 3 mm in order to secure a water layer on the surface of the object to be cleaned by about 1 mm.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fully automatic washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 includes a control unit 70, an operation unit 80, and a contact detection unit 90 in addition to the above-described configuration. The control unit 70 includes a control unit 71, a storage unit 72, a motor drive unit 73, a clutch drive unit 74, a water supply drive unit 75, a drainage drive unit 76, an oscillator drive unit 77, and a lamp drive unit 78.

The operation unit 80 includes various operation buttons such as a power button 81, a start button 82, a course selection button 83, and a wash button 84. The power button 81 is a button for turning on and off the power of the fully automatic washing machine 1. The start button 82 is a button for starting the washing operation. The course selection button 83 is a button for selecting an arbitrary driving course from a plurality of driving courses related to the washing operation. The cleaning button 84 is a button for starting and ending the partial cleaning operation by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50.

The operation unit 80 outputs an input signal corresponding to the button operated by the user from the various buttons such as the power button 81, the start button 82, the course selection button 83, and the wash button 84 to the control unit 71. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 80 can be provided, for example, on the front portion of the upper lid 15. Alternatively, an area where the operation unit 80 is provided on the front frame 16 may be secured.

The contact detection unit 90 is for detecting that the tip of the ultrasonic generator 110, that is, the tip of the vibration horn 112 comes into contact with the water exuded on the surface of the object to be cleaned, and is for detecting the ultrasonic generator 110. The vibration horn 112, the two electrode bodies 305, and the energization detection unit 91 are included. The energization detection unit 91 applies a voltage between the vibration horn 112 and the two electrode bodies 305, and when it detects that there is energization between them, outputs a detection signal to the control unit 71.

The motor drive unit 73 drives the drive motor 31 according to a control signal from the control unit 71. The clutch drive unit 74 drives the clutch mechanism 32a according to the control signal output from the control unit 71.

The water supply drive unit 75 drives the water supply valve 61, that is, the first valve 62 and the second valve 63 according to the control signal from the control unit 71. The drainage drive unit 76 drives the drainage valve 40 according to a control signal from the control unit 71.

The vibrator driving unit 77 drives the ultrasonic vibrator 111 of the ultrasonic generator 110 according to the control signal output from the control unit 71. The lamp driving unit 78 drives the notification lamp 190 according to the control signal output from the control unit 71.

The storage unit 72 includes an EEPROM, a RAM, and the like. The storage unit 72 stores a program for executing a washing operation of various operation courses and a partial cleaning operation by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. Further, the storage unit 72 stores various parameters and various control flags used for executing these programs.

The control unit 71 follows a program stored in the storage unit 72 based on each signal from the operation unit 80, the contact detection unit 90, etc., and follows the motor drive unit 73, the clutch drive unit 74, the water supply drive unit 75, and the drainage drive unit. It controls 76, the vibrator drive unit 77, the lamp drive unit 78, and the like.

In the fully automatic washing machine 1, washing operations of various operation courses are performed. In the washing operation, the washing step, the intermediate dehydration step, the rinsing step and the final dehydration step are executed in order.

In the washing step and the rinsing step, the pulsator 24 rotates to the right and to the left with water accumulated in the washing / dehydrating tub 22. A stream of water is generated in the washing / dehydrating tub 22 due to the rotation of the pulsator 24. In the washing process, the laundry is washed by the generated water stream and the detergent contained in the water. In the rinsing process, the generated water stream rinses the laundry.

In the intermediate dehydration step and the final dehydration step, the washing / dehydrating tub 22 and the pulsator 24 are integrally rotated at high speed. The laundry is dehydrated by the action of the centrifugal force generated in the washing / dehydrating tub 22.

Further, in the fully automatic washing machine 1, a partial washing operation is performed by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the partial cleaning operation according to the present embodiment. 8 (a) to 8 (d) are diagrams for explaining the removal of dirt on the object to be cleaned by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 according to the present embodiment.

When washing an object to be washed such as a shirt, when the object to be washed contains partially stubborn stains, the user uses the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 prior to washing the object to be washed. Perform partial cleaning. At this time, a detergent may be applied in advance to the dirty portion of the object to be cleaned.

The user sets a dirty portion of the object to be cleaned, for example, a shirt collar portion, on the water tank 300, that is, between the water tank 300 and the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110, and cleans the water tank 300. Press the button 84. When the cleaning button 84 is pressed, the partial cleaning operation by the control unit 71 is started.

First, the control unit 71 opens the second valve 63 and operates the contact detection unit 90 (S1). Water flows into the water tank 300 from the water supply port 301.

As shown in FIG. 8A, in the water storage tank 300, the stored water overflows from the upper surface opening of the water storage tank 300 and permeates the inside of the object to be cleaned, and the water that has passed through the object to be cleaned is the object to be cleaned. Exude from the surface. A thin layer of water is formed on the surface of the object to be cleaned, and this layer of water comes into contact with the tip of the vibration horn 112. As described above, a voltage is applied between the vibrating horn 112 and the electrode body 305, and when water from the water storage tank 300 comes into contact with the tip of the vibrating horn 112, it is between the vibrating horn 112 and the electrode body 305. A current flows through the water, and the contact detection unit 90 detects the contact of water. When the water exuded on the surface of the object to be cleaned comes into contact with the tip of the vibrating horn 112, an appropriate amount of water is present around the vibrating horn 112.

When the control unit 71 determines that water has come into contact with the tip of the vibration horn 112 based on the detection result of the contact detection unit 90 (S2: YES), the control unit 71 turns on the notification lamp 190 and energizes the ultrasonic vibrator 111. This is done to activate the ultrasonic generator 110 (S3). By lighting the notification lamp 190, the user can know that the object to be cleaned is in a state where it can be appropriately cleaned and the cleaning is started.

When the ultrasonic generator 110 operates, ultrasonic vibration is generated from the tip of the vibration horn 112, and this ultrasonic vibration, that is, ultrasonic energy is transmitted to the water inside the object to be cleaned through the water around the vibration horn 112. .. At this time, since there is not too much water around the vibrating horn 112, the ultrasonic energy is effectively propagated.

As shown in FIG. 8B, inside the object to be cleaned, decompression and pressurization are alternately generated by the action of ultrasonic energy, and a vacuum cavity is created in the portion where the pressure is low. That is, a large number of cavities are present in the dirty portion of the object to be cleaned. Next, as shown in FIG. 8C, when the pressure in the cavity portion increases and is crushed by this pressure to destroy the cavity, a shock wave is generated in the dirty portion of the object to be cleaned. The shock wave separates dirt from the object to be cleaned. As shown in FIG. 8D, the ultrasonic vibration from the vibration horn 112 creates a water flow from the inside of the object to be cleaned into the water storage tank 300, and the water flow causes the dirt separated from the object to be cleaned to store water. It is discharged into the tank 300. In the water storage tank 300, convection is generated by the above water flow, so that dirt is easily separated from the object to be cleaned.

In this way, dirt is removed from the object to be cleaned. The user removes dirt from the object to be cleaned while moving the object to be cleaned from side to side. During this movement, the object to be cleaned may move up and down. However, since the ultrasonic generator 110 is elastically supported in the vertical direction by the support spring 180, the tip of the vibration horn 112 moves up and down following the vertical movement of the object to be cleaned. As a result, an excessive load is less likely to be applied to the object to be cleaned and the ultrasonic generator 110.

The water that overflows from the water storage tank 300 to the surroundings during cleaning is received in the drainage tank 400. The water in the drainage tank 400 is discharged from the drainage port 401 and sent into the outer tank 20 through the drainage pipe 403. The water sent into the outer tub 20 may be stored in the outer tub 20 as it is and used for the washing operation, or may be discharged to the outside through the drain hose 41. Further, when water adheres to the upper surface 17a of the front portion 17 of the front frame 16 outside the drainage tank 400, the water flows through the inclined upper surface 17a and is guided to the drainage tank 400. Further, since the upper surface 17a of the front portion 17 is an arc, the user can smoothly move the object to be cleaned along the upper surface 17a.

When the user finishes partial washing of the object to be washed, the user presses the washing button 84 again. When the stop operation is performed by pressing the wash button 84 (S4: YES), the control unit 71 stops the ultrasonic wave generator 110 and turns off the notification lamp 190 (S5). Further, the control unit 71 stops the contact detection unit 90 and closes the second valve 63 (S6). In this way, the partial cleaning operation is completed.

When the contact detection unit 90 no longer detects water contact during the partial cleaning operation, the control unit 71 turns off the notification lamp 190 and generates ultrasonic waves until the contact detection unit 90 detects water contact again. Body 110 should be stopped.

<Effect of this embodiment>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the user cleans the object to be cleaned using the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the object to be cleaned is set on the water storage tank 300, and the object to be cleaned is placed as needed. By simply moving it to the left or right, dirt on the object to be cleaned can be effectively removed. That is, the user holds the ultrasonic unit separated from the water storage tank by hand, and the object to be cleaned set on the water storage tank in which water is stored is pressed by the tip of the ultrasonic generator to store the water to be cleaned. Unlike the conventional configuration in which cleaning is performed while submerging in the water in the tank, the height of the ultrasonic generator is set to the user so that the amount of water existing around the tip of the ultrasonic generator is appropriate. It is not necessary to adjust the amount of the object to be cleaned submerged in water, and stable cleaning performance can be obtained.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the water overflowing from the water storage tank 300 and seeping out on the surface of the object to be cleaned comes into contact with the tip of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110, and the preparation is ready for cleaning the object to be cleaned. Since the ultrasonic wave generator 110 is operated in the step, it is possible to prevent the ultrasonic wave generator 110 from being unnecessarily driven.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the drainage tank 400 can receive the water overflowing from the water storage tank 300. Moreover, since the water received by the drainage tank 400 is discharged from the drainage port 401, the user does not need to make the drainage tank 400 larger than necessary and does not need to perform the work of discarding the water in the drainage tank 400. ..

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the tip of the vibrating horn 112 can be moved up and down by following the vertical movement generated when the object to be cleaned moves, it is excessive for the object to be cleaned and the ultrasonic generator 110. It is difficult for a load to be applied, and damage to the object to be cleaned and the ultrasonic wave generation unit 100 can be prevented.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is provided on the front side of the input port 14 of the top plate 12, the user can perform the cleaning work of the object to be cleaned using the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. Easy to do and easy for users to use.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways other than the above. ..

For example, in the above embodiment, the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply port 301 into the water tank 300 is the same before and after the contact detection unit 90 detects the contact of water with the tip of the vibration horn 112. Will be done. However, after the contact of water is detected, the flow rate into the water tank 300 may be reduced. In this case, for example, the flow rate can be reduced by intermittently operating the second valve 63 or reducing the opening amount of the second valve 63. Further, after the contact with water is detected, the water supply to the water tank 300 may be stopped until the contact with water is no longer detected.

Further, in the above embodiment, a fixing base 200 is formed behind the drainage tank 400, and the housing 130 of the ultrasonic wave generating unit 100 is fixed to the fixing base 200. However, the housing 130 may be fixed to the front surface 18a of the rear portion 18 itself by providing a mounting boss on the front surface 18a of the rear portion 18 of the front frame 16.

Further, the contact detection unit 90 may have any configuration as long as it can detect the contact of water with the tip of the vibration horn 112. Further, the contact detection unit 90 does not necessarily have to be provided.

Further, in the above embodiment, water is supplied to the water storage tank 300 from the water supply unit 60. For example, a water storage tank for storing water is provided, and water is supplied from the water storage tank to the water storage tank 300 by a water supply pump. It may be supplied.

Further, the drainage tank 400 does not necessarily have to be provided with the drainage port 401.

Further, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may not be provided on the front side of the input port 14 of the top plate 12. For example, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may be provided at the rear of the top plate 12 so as to project from the rear into the inlet 14. In this case, since the water overflowing from the water storage tank 300 falls into the washing / dehydrating tank 22 through the inlet 14, the drain tank 400 does not have to be provided.

Further, in the above embodiment, the ultrasonic generator 110 is elastically supported in the vertical direction by the support spring 180 in the housing 130. However, the elastically supporting configuration may be realized by an elastic body other than the spring. Further, the ultrasonic generator 110 may be fixed in the housing 130 so as not to move up and down.

Further, in the above embodiment, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is provided in the fully automatic washing machine 1. However, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may be provided in a washing machine other than the fully automatic washing machine 1, for example, a drum type washing machine. Further, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may be provided in, for example, a fully automatic washing / drying machine or a drum-type washing / drying machine having a drying function. In a drum-type washing machine and a drum-type washer-dryer, a washing tub is composed of an outer tub and a drum arranged in the outer tub.

In addition, various modifications of the embodiment of the present invention can be made as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

1 Fully automatic washing machine (washing machine)
12 Top plate
14 Input port
20 Outer tub (washing tub)
22 Washing / dehydrating tub (washing tub)
60 Water supply unit (water supply unit)
50 Ultrasonic cleaning device
71 Control unit
90 Contact detector
110 Ultrasonic generator?
130 housing
180 Support spring (support part)
200 Fixed base (fixed part)
300 water tank
301 water supply port
400 drain tank
401 Drain

Claims (5)

An ultrasonic generator that generates ultrasonic waves and
A housing for accommodating the ultrasonic generator so that the tip of the ultrasonic generator is exposed, and
A water tank that stores water and
The water supply port provided in the water tank and
A fixing portion in which the housing is fixed so that the housing does not move with respect to the water tank and the ultrasonic generator is located directly above the water tank.
A water supply unit that supplies water into the water tank through the water supply port,
A contact detection unit for detecting that the tip of the ultrasonic generator comes into contact with water exuded on the surface of the object to be cleaned, and a contact detection unit.
Control unit and
With
Prior Symbol fixing portion, the height position relative to the reservoir of the housing, penetrates into the object to be cleaned placed on said water tank overflows from the reservoir exuding to the surface of the object to be cleaned water Maintained at a height where the tip of the ultrasonic generator comes into contact with the water.
The control unit controls the operation of the water supply unit, supplies water into the water storage tank so as to overflow from the water storage tank, and operates the ultrasonic generator based on the detection result of the contact detection unit. To control,
An ultrasonic cleaning device characterized by this. In the ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 1,
A drainage tank provided around the water tank and receiving water overflowing from the water tank,
A drainage port provided in the drainage tank and for discharging water from the drainage tank is further provided.
An ultrasonic cleaning device characterized by this. In the ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2.
A support portion provided in the housing and elastically supporting the ultrasonic generator in the vertical direction is further provided.
An ultrasonic cleaning device characterized by this. A washing tub for storing and washing laundry,
The ultrasonic cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A washing machine characterized by being equipped with. In the washing machine according to claim 4.
A top plate having a laundry inlet into the washing tub is further provided.
A washing machine characterized in that the ultrasonic cleaning device is provided at a position on the front side of the top plate with respect to the input port.

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