JP7133796B2 - Ultrasonic cleaner and washing machine - Google Patents

Description

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

Patent Document 1 describes an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus that includes a cleaning apparatus main body that incorporates ultrasonic wave generating means including a vibrating horn, and a tray that has a water reservoir for storing water and receives an object to be cleaned. .

In the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus of Patent Document 1, the user causes the object to be cleaned to sink into the water stored in the water reservoir while 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 action of the ultrasonic energy emitted from the vibrating horn separates the contaminants adhering to the object to be cleaned from the object to be cleaned.

The cleaning device body is provided with a protective sleeve that can slide up and down so as to surround the exposed portion of the vibrating horn. When the object to be cleaned is pressed against the cleaning device main body, the protective sleeve rises and the object to be cleaned contacts the tip of the vibrating horn.

JP 2004-216244 A

On the surface of the object to be cleaned immersed in the water reservoir, a water layer is formed by the oozing water. In the above ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, ultrasonic vibrations, which are ultrasonic energy, are emitted from the vibrating horn in contact with the water layer, and the ultrasonic vibrations are propagated to the water. cavitation occurs. Due to this cavitation effect, dirt is removed from the object to be cleaned.

A user, wanting to remove dirt well, tries to press the object to be cleaned strongly against the tip of the vibration horn. However, if the object to be cleaned is strongly pressed against the vibrating horn in this way, the emission of ultrasonic vibrations from the vibrating horn is likely to be hindered. In addition, it becomes difficult for the emitted ultrasonic vibrations to propagate to the water. As a result, it becomes difficult to obtain the cavitation effect due to the ultrasonic vibration, and there is a possibility that sufficient cleaning performance for the object to be cleaned cannot be obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic cleaning device capable of improving cleaning performance, and a washing machine equipped with such an ultrasonic cleaning device.

An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an ultrasonic generator that generates ultrasonic waves, and a water tank that is arranged below the ultrasonic generator and stores water in which an object to be cleaned is immersed. and a housing that accommodates the ultrasonic wave generator. Here, a rectangular opening is formed in the front end surface of the housing, and the front end of the ultrasonic wave generator faces the water tank through the opening. Rectangular projecting portions that project downward from the tip of the ultrasonic wave generator only on the left and right sides of the opening of the housing and do not move upward with respect to the ultrasonic wave generator even when an object to be cleaned is pressed against the ultrasonic wave generator. is provided on the lower surface of the projecting portion, and a scrubbing portion having a large number of hemispherical protrusions for scrubbing the object to be cleaned is provided.
An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an ultrasonic generator that generates ultrasonic waves, and a water tank that is arranged below the ultrasonic generator and stores water in which an object to be cleaned is immersed. and a housing that accommodates the ultrasonic wave generator. Here, a rectangular opening is formed in the front end surface of the housing, and the front end of the ultrasonic wave generator faces the water tank through the opening. Only on the left and right sides of the opening of the housing, projecting portions are provided that project downward from the tip of the ultrasonic wave generator and do not move upward with respect to the ultrasonic wave generator even when an object to be cleaned is pressed against the ultrasonic wave generator. A scrubbing part having a large number of brushes for scrubbing the object to be cleaned is provided on the lower surface of the projecting part.

According to the above configuration, even if the object to be cleaned is pressed against the housing from below, the object to be cleaned is less likely to come into contact with the ultrasonic wave generator, so that the emission of ultrasonic vibrations from the ultrasonic wave generator is less likely to be hindered. , the propagation of emitted ultrasonic vibrations to water is also less likely to be blocked. Therefore, it is expected that the effect of cavitation is sufficiently exhibited, and the washing performance of the object to be washed is improved.

According to the above configuration, since the object to be washed can be scrubbed by the scrubbing portion, it is possible to promote the peeling of dirt from the object to be washed, thereby further improving the washing performance of the object to be washed. can be done.

A washing machine according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a washing tub for storing and washing laundry, and the ultrasonic cleaning device according to the first aspect or the second aspect .

According to the above configuration, it is expected that the cleaning performance of the object to be cleaned by the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus is improved, as in the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the first aspect or the second aspect .

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the washing machine provided with the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus and this ultrasonic cleaning apparatus which can improve a cleaning performance can be provided.

The effects and significance of the present invention will become clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiment is merely an example of carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the fully automatic washing machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus with the ultrasonic generation unit removed according to the embodiment. FIG. 4(a) is a side cross-sectional view of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning device cut at the position of the ultrasonic generator of the ultrasonic generator unit according to the embodiment, and FIG. 4(b) is the embodiment. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning device cut at the right attachment position of the housing of the ultrasonic generation unit to the fixing base, according to FIG. FIG. 5(a) is a front cross-sectional view of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning device cut at the position of the ultrasonic generator of the ultrasonic generator unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic generator according to the embodiment, and FIG. 5(c) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic generator attached to the holder according to the embodiment. . FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view of an ultrasonic wave generating unit viewed obliquely from below according to an embodiment, and FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view of two support poles according to an embodiment viewed obliquely from below is a perspective view of the. FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams for explaining removal of stains on an object to be cleaned by the ultrasonic cleaning device according to the embodiment. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the distal end portion of the ultrasonic wave generating unit according to Modification 1, and FIG. 8B is a plan view of the projecting member according to Modification 1. FIG. 8(c) is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion of the ultrasonic wave generating unit according to Modification 2, and FIG. 8(d) is a plan view of the overhang member according to Modification 2. FIG. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the tip portion of the ultrasonic wave generating unit according to Modification 3. FIG. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion of the ultrasonic wave generating unit according to Modification 4. FIG.

An embodiment of an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus and a washing machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

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

The fully automatic washing machine 1 includes a housing 10 that constitutes the appearance. The housing 10 includes a rectangular tubular body 11 with open upper and lower surfaces, a top plate 12 covering the upper surface of the body 11 , and a footrest 13 supporting the body 11 . A laundry inlet 14 is formed in the top plate 12 . The inlet 14 is covered with an openable and closable upper lid 15 .

In the housing 10, an outer tank 20 having an open top 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 around a vertically extending rotating shaft. A large number of dehydration holes 22a are formed in the inner peripheral surface of the washing/dehydration tub 22 along the entire circumference. A balance ring 23 is provided above 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 outer tub 20 and the washing/dehydrating tub 22 constitute the washing tub of the present invention.

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

An outer bottom portion of the outer tub 20 is formed with a drain port portion 20a. A drain valve 40 is provided in 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 drained out of the machine through the drain hose 41 .

An ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is provided in front of the upper plate 12 . The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 mainly removes stains partially attached to the object to be cleaned, such as sebum stains attached to the sleeves and collars of shirts and oil stains attached to work clothes. used for removal prior to washing in

A water supply unit 60 for supplying tap water to the inside of the washing/dehydrating tub 22 and the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is arranged at the rear of the top plate 12 . 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 the tap. When the first valve 62 is opened, tap water from the tap is supplied through the water supply passage 64 into the washing/dehydrating tub 22 . When the second valve 63 is opened, tap water is supplied to a water 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 tank of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 , the water supply unit 60 is included in the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 .

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

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the fully automatic washing machine 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the periphery of ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 with ultrasonic wave generating unit 100 removed according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4(a) is a side cross-sectional view of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 cut at the position of the ultrasonic generator 110 of the ultrasonic generator unit 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 cut at the right attachment position of the housing 130 of the ultrasonic wave generating unit 100 to the fixing base 200 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5(a) is a front cross-sectional view of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 cut at the position of the ultrasonic generator 110 of the ultrasonic generator unit 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5(c) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 attached to the holder 120 according to the present embodiment. is a perspective view of the. FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic wave generating unit 100 according to the present embodiment viewed obliquely from below, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one support pole 134; FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front frame 16 that constitutes the top plate 12 is made 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 . An upper surface 17a of the front portion 17 has a concave curved shape with a lower central portion. A 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. As shown in FIG.

The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is provided in the central portion of the front frame 16 . That is, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is provided on the front side of the inlet 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 hide the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 .

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5C, the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 includes an ultrasonic generating unit 100, a fixing base 200, a water tank 300, and a waste water tank 400. As shown in FIG.

The fixed 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 center of the upper surface 17a of the front portion 17 of the front frame 16 . The fixed base 200 has a predetermined height with respect to the water tank 300 . The fixed base 200 has a mounting surface 201 which is a top surface. Two left and right mounting bosses 202 are provided on the rear side of the mounting surface 201 in the vertical direction. An insertion hole 203 is formed in the attachment boss 202 . The front surface 18 a of the rear portion 18 of the front frame 16 is formed with openings 18 b at positions corresponding to the two mounting bosses 202 .

The water tank 300 is formed near the center of the upper surface 17 a of the front portion 17 of the front frame 16 . The water tank 300 has an arcuate rear portion. A water supply port 301 is formed in the center of the rear end portion of the bottom surface of the water tank 300 . A water supply pipe 302 connected to a water supply port 301 is formed on the outer bottom surface of the water tank 300 . A water supply pipe 303 extending from the second valve 63 is connected to the water supply pipe 302 .

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

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

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

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

The housing 130 is made of a resin material and has an arm shape elongated in the front-rear direction and having a distal end portion 130a protruding downward. A distal end portion 130a of the housing 130 is formed to be tapered, and an opening portion 131 is formed in the distal end surface.

The housing 130 is formed by combining a lower member 140 with an open top and an upper member 150 with an open bottom. The lower member 140 and the upper member 150 are provided with a lower mounting boss 141 and an upper mounting boss 151 for coupling them. These lower mounting bosses 141 and upper mounting bosses 151 are fixed by fixing screws 161 .

Inside the housing 130 , the lower member 140 is provided with a substantially rectangular cylindrical installation portion 142 extending upward from the opening 131 . A holder 120 holding the ultrasonic wave 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 surface 112 a of the vibrating horn 112 is substantially flush with the lower surface of the opening 131 . Lower support bosses 143 are formed on the left and right sides of the installation portion 142 on the lower member 140 , and upper support bosses 152 are formed on the upper member 150 just above the lower support bosses 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 . Between each lower support boss 143 and each upper support boss 152, a round bar-shaped guide shaft 170 made of a metal material is attached. 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 lower end of the guide shaft 170 is press-fitted into the lower insertion hole 144 to be fixed to the lower support boss 143 . 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 pass 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 between each mounting tab 123 and each upper support boss 152 on each guide shaft 170 . The ultrasonic generator 110 held by the holder 120 is elastically supported in the vertical direction by left and right support springs 180 . The support spring 180 is a compression spring and presses the ultrasonic 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. As shown in FIG.

On the top surface of the housing 130, a mark 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 wave generator 110 when viewed from above. The user can confirm the position of the tip surface 112 a of the vibrating horn 112 by looking at the mark portion 132 .

Furthermore, 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 an informing lamp 190 as an informing portion is accommodated in the lamp accommodating portion 154 from below. The notification lamp 190 is mounted on a base 191 and 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 through the display window 133 . The notification lamp 190 lights during the cleaning operation.

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

With the housing 130 attached to the fixed base 200 , the tip of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 accommodated in the housing 130 , that is, the tip of the vibration horn 112 faces the water tank 300 below through the opening 131 . A slight gap is formed between the tip surface 112 a of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 and the upper surface of the water tank 300 . This gap can be set to be slightly larger than the thickness of the collars and cuffs of white shirts and similar shirts that are likely to be used for cleaning by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 .

Two support poles 134 are arranged at the distal end portion 130 a of the housing 130 . The support pole 134 is formed in a cylindrical shape from an elastic member such as a rubber material, and is arranged along the front-rear direction on the left and right sides of the opening 131 . About half of the support pole 134 is embedded in the housing 130, and the rest of the support pole 134 is exposed from the housing 130 and protrudes below the tip of the ultrasonic generator 110, that is, the tip of the vibration horn 112. . The support pole 134 has a scrubbing portion 135 on its peripheral surface exposed to the outside. The scrubbing portion 135 is composed of a large number of ridges 135a extending in the front-rear direction. The support pole 134 does not move upward with respect to the ultrasonic generator 110 even when the object to be cleaned is pressed against it. The support pole 134 corresponds to the projecting portion of the present invention, and the ridge 135a corresponds to the protrusion of the present invention.

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

In the washing process and the rinsing process, the pulsator 24 rotates rightward and leftward while water is stored in the washing/dehydrating tub 22 . The rotation of the pulsator 24 generates a water flow in the washing/dehydrating tub 22 . In the washing process, the laundry is washed by the generated water flow and the detergent contained in the water. In the rinsing process, the laundry is rinsed by the generated water flow.

In the intermediate dehydration process and the final dehydration process, the washing/dehydration tub 22 and the pulsator 24 rotate together 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 washing device 50. FIG. When washing an article to be washed such as a dress shirt, if the article to be washed partially contains stubborn stains, the user may wash the article to be washed using the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 prior to washing. Do a partial wash. At this time, a detergent may be applied in advance to the soiled portion of the object to be washed.

The user sets the soiled portion of the object to be cleaned, for example, the collar of a shirt, on the water tank 300, that is, between the water tank 300 and the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic wave generator 110, and start operation.

A partial cleaning operation is started, and water is supplied into the water tank 300 through the water supply port 301 . In the water tank 300, the object to be washed is immersed in the pooled water, and the water permeating the inside of the object to be washed seeps out to the surface of the object to be washed. A thin water layer is formed on the surface of the object to be cleaned, and the tip of the vibrating horn 112 contacts this water layer. When the time for water to overflow from the water tank 300 elapses from the start of water supply, the ultrasonic vibrator 111 is energized and the ultrasonic wave generator 110 is activated.

FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c) are diagrams for explaining how the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 removes stains from the object to be cleaned according to the present embodiment.

When the ultrasonic wave generator 110 operates, ultrasonic waves are generated from the tip of the vibrating horn 112, and the ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the water inside the object to be cleaned through the water around the vibrating horn 112. As shown in FIG. 7(a), inside the object to be cleaned, pressure reduction and pressure are alternately generated by the action of ultrasonic vibration, and vacuum cavities are generated in portions where the pressure is low. In other words, a large number of cavities exist in the dirty portion of the object to be washed. As shown in FIG. 7(b), when the pressure in the cavity is increased and the cavity is crushed by this pressure and destroyed, a shock wave is generated in the dirty part of the object to be cleaned. This shock wave separates dirt from the object to be cleaned. That is, when ultrasonic vibrations are emitted from the vibrating horn 112 to the water layer on the surface of the object to be cleaned, cavitation occurs in the contained water inside the object to be cleaned. Dirt is removed.

As shown in FIG. 7(c), the ultrasonic vibration from the vibration horn 112 produces a water flow from the inside of the object to be cleaned into the water tank 300, and this water flow causes the dirt separated from the object to be cleaned to accumulate in the water. It is discharged into tank 300 . In the water tank 300, convection occurs due to the above water flow, so dirt is easily separated from the object to be washed. In this way, dirt is removed from the items to be cleaned.

During the partial washing operation, when the user presses the object to be washed against the two support poles 134 provided at the tip portion 130a of the housing 130 and moves it left and right, the dirty portion of the object to be washed is rubbed against the ridges 135a of the cleaning portion 135. rubbed with In this manner, in addition to the effect of cavitation due to the ultrasonic vibration described above, the scrubbing by the scrubbing unit 135 facilitates the removal of dirt from the object to be cleaned.

The support pole 134 protrudes below the tip of the ultrasonic generator 110 . Therefore, even if an object to be cleaned is pressed against the tip portion 130 a of the housing 130 , the object to be cleaned is less likely to come into contact with the ultrasonic wave generator 110 , and even if it does come into contact with the ultrasonic wave generator 110 , it is less likely to be strongly pressed against the ultrasonic wave generator 110 . Therefore, the emission of ultrasonic vibrations from the vibrating horn 112 is less likely to be hindered, and the propagation of the emitted ultrasonic vibrations to water is also less likely to be hindered.

When the washing of the object to be washed is completed in this manner, the user performs a predetermined stop operation. The operation of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 and the water supply to the water tank 300 are stopped, and the partial cleaning operation is terminated.

<Effects of this embodiment>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the support pole 134 projecting downward from the lower end of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 is provided at the distal end portion 130a of the housing 130, the partial cleaning operation is performed. Furthermore, even if the object to be cleaned is pressed against the tip portion 130 a of the housing 130 , the object to be cleaned is less likely to come into contact with the ultrasonic wave generator 110 . As a result, the emission of ultrasonic vibrations from the vibrating horn 112 is less likely to be hindered, and the propagation of the emitted ultrasonic vibrations to water is less likely to be hindered. Therefore, the effect of cavitation is fully exhibited, and the washing performance of the object to be washed can be improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the support pole 134 is provided with the scrubbing portion 135 composed of a large number of ridges 135a, the object to be cleaned can be scrubbed by the scrubbing portion 135. . As a result, the removal of dirt from the object to be washed can be promoted, and the washing performance of the object to be washed can be further improved.

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 those described above. .

For example, in the above embodiment, support poles 134 are arranged on both left and right sides of opening 131 of housing 130 . However, in addition to the left and right sides of the opening 131 or instead of the left and right sides, the support poles 134 may be arranged on the front and rear sides of the opening 131 .

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the housing 130 is provided with the support pole 134 as the projecting portion. However, the configuration of the projecting portion is not limited to the above. For example, as the configuration of the projecting portion, the configurations shown in FIGS. 8A to 9B described below can be mentioned.

8A is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion of the ultrasonic wave generating unit 100 according to Modification 1, and FIG. 8B is a plan view of the overhang member 136 according to Modification 1. FIG. Note that FIG. 8A does not show the projecting member 136 as a cross-sectional view.

In Modification 1, projecting members 136 are provided on both the left and right sides of the opening 131 of the housing 130 in the ultrasonic wave generating unit 100 . The protruding member 136 protrudes below the tip of the ultrasonic generator 110, that is, the tip of the vibrating horn 112, and has a scrubbing portion 137 formed by a large number of brushes 137a on its lower surface. The projecting member 136 corresponds to the projecting portion of the present invention. According to the configuration of this modified example, the projecting member 136 also makes it difficult for the object to be cleaned to come into contact with the tip of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 . Further, the object to be cleaned can be scrubbed by the scrubbing portion 137 consisting of the brush 137a.

FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion of the ultrasonic wave generating unit 100 according to Modification 2, and FIG. In addition, in FIG.8(c), the overhang member 138 is not represented as sectional drawing.

In Modified Example 2, projecting members 138 are provided on both the left and right sides of the opening 131 of the housing 130 in the ultrasonic wave generating unit 100 . The protruding member 138 protrudes downward from the tip of the ultrasonic wave generator 110, and has a scrubbing portion 139 formed of a large number of hemispherical projections 139a on its lower surface. The projecting member 138 corresponds to the projecting portion of the present invention. According to the configuration of this modified example, the projecting member 138 also makes it difficult for the object to be cleaned to come into contact with the tip of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 . Further, the object to be cleaned can be scrubbed by the scrubbing portion 139 composed of the protrusion 139a.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the tip portion of the ultrasonic wave generating unit 100 according to Modification 3. FIG.

In Modification 3, in the ultrasonic wave generating unit 100 , semi-cylindrical protrusions 130 b are formed integrally with the housing 130 on the left and right sides of the opening 131 of the housing 130 . The ridge portion 130b protrudes below the tip of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 . The ridge portion 130b corresponds to the projecting portion of the present invention. According to the configuration of this modification, the object to be cleaned is less likely to come into contact with the tip of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 due to the ridges 130b. The shape of the ridge portion 130b may be other shapes such as a triangular prism shape.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the tip portion of the ultrasonic wave generating unit 100 according to Modification 4. As shown in FIG.

In Modified Example 4, in the ultrasonic wave generating unit 100 , the peripheral edge portion 130 c of the opening 131 of the housing 130 protrudes below the tip of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 . That is, the peripheral edge portion 130c of the opening 131 functions as the projecting portion of the present invention. According to the configuration of this modification, the peripheral portion 130 c also makes it difficult for the object to be cleaned to come into contact with the tip of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 .

In addition to the left and right sides of the opening 131, or instead of the left and right sides, on the front and back sides of the opening 131, the overhanging member 136 of the above modified example 1, the overhanging member 138 of the above modified example 2, and the above modified example. Three ridges 130b may be provided.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is provided on the front side of the inlet 14 of the top plate 12. An ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may be provided as follows. In this case, since the water overflowing from the water tank 300 falls into the washing/dehydrating tank 22 through the inlet 14, the drain tank 400 may not be provided.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the ultrasonic generator 110 is elastically supported in the vertical direction by the support spring 180 within the housing 130 . However, the ultrasonic generator 110 may be fixed so as not to move up and down in the housing 130 without being elastically supported by a spring or the like.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the fully automatic washing machine 1 is provided with the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 . However, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may be provided in a washing machine other than the fully automatic washing machine 1, such as a drum type washing machine. Also, 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 washing/drying machine, a washing tub is composed of an outer tub and a drum arranged in the outer tub.

In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea indicated in the scope of claims.

1 fully automatic washing machine (washing machine)
20 Outer tub (washing tub)
22 Washing and dehydrating tub (washing tub)
50 ultrasonic cleaner
110 ultrasonic generator
130 housing
134 support pole (overhang)
135 scrubbing part 135a ridge (protrusion)
300 water tank

Claims (3)

an ultrasonic generator that generates ultrasonic waves;
a water tank arranged below the ultrasonic wave generator and storing water in which the object to be cleaned is immersed;
a housing that accommodates the ultrasonic generator,
A rectangular opening is formed in the tip surface of the housing,
the tip of the ultrasonic generator faces the water tank through the opening,
Rectangular projecting portions that project downward from the tip of the ultrasonic wave generator only on the left and right sides of the opening of the housing and do not move upward with respect to the ultrasonic wave generator even when an object to be cleaned is pressed against the ultrasonic wave generator. is provided,
The lower surface of the projecting portion is provided with a scrubbing portion having a large number of hemispherical projections and scrubbing the object to be washed.
An ultrasonic cleaning device characterized by: an ultrasonic generator that generates ultrasonic waves;
a water tank arranged below the ultrasonic wave generator and storing water in which the object to be cleaned is immersed;
a housing that accommodates the ultrasonic generator,
A rectangular opening is formed in the tip surface of the housing,
the tip of the ultrasonic generator faces the water tank through the opening,
Only on the left and right sides of the opening of the housing, projecting portions are provided that project downward from the tip of the ultrasonic wave generator and do not move upward with respect to the ultrasonic wave generator even when an object to be cleaned is pressed against the ultrasonic wave generator. be
The lower surface of the projecting portion is provided with a scrubbing portion having a large number of brushes and scrubbing the object to be cleaned.
An ultrasonic cleaning device characterized by: a washing tub for containing and washing laundry;
The ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2;
A washing machine comprising:

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