JP7470895B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a washing machine.

Patent document 1 discloses a washing machine that uses a drain filter to capture lint and other debris.

The washing machine in Patent Document 1 includes a water tub elastically supported within the main body, a storage tub rotatably installed within the water tub, a water supply means for supplying water to the water tub, a motor for rotating the washing tub, a drainage path for discharging water from the water tub, a drainage pump installed midway along the drainage path for sucking in and discharging water, a filter case installed in the drainage path and equipped with a drainage filter for capturing foreign matter, and a circulation pump installed in the circulation path that passes through the filter case for circulating the washing water. The drainage filter filters the washing water circulating through the circulation path when driven by the circulation pump, and captures lint and other debris contained in the washing water.

JP 2016-146984 A

In the conventional washing machines, there was a risk that the drain filter would become clogged with lint and other debris, causing poor drainage. In addition, to prevent the drain filter from becoming clogged, users had to frequently clean the drain filter.

This disclosure provides a washing machine that reduces the cleaning effort required by the user by crushing dust particles trapped in the filter.

The washing machine of the present disclosure comprises a water receiving tub elastically supported within a main body and having a drain outlet , a washing and spin-drying tub rotatably provided within the water receiving tub, a water supply means for supplying water to the washing and spin-drying tub or the water receiving tub, a motor for rotating the washing and spin-drying tub, a drainage path for discharging water from the water receiving tub , a circulation path connected to the drainage path and for circulating the water in the water tub, a circulation pump provided in the circulation path for circulating the water, a drainage pump provided midway along the drainage path for sucking in and discharging water, a filter provided in the drainage path and including a filter unit for capturing foreign matter , a filter housing that houses the filter and has an inlet connected to the drain outlet, a water level detection unit for detecting the water level in the water receiving tub, and a control unit for sequentially controlling the washing cycle including washing, rinsing and spin-drying. During the washing and agitating process of the washing cycle, the control unit rotates the washing and spin-drying tub left and right and drives the circulation pump to circulate the washing water through the circulation path, and during the drainage operation by the drain pump in the washing cycle, the control unit intermittently drives the drain pump until the water level detected by the water level detection unit reaches a water level at which the inside of the washing and spin-drying tub is not submerged in water , and the filter unit is installed between the inlet and the circulation pump, and is not installed between the inlet and the drain pump .

The washing machine disclosed herein reduces the cleaning effort required by the user by pulverizing dust particles trapped in the filter.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a drum-type washing machine according to a first embodiment; A longitudinal sectional view of the drum washing machine. FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a state in which lint has accumulated on a drying filter in a drying path of the drum-type washing machine; FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a state in which the lint has been washed away from the drying filter in the drying path of the drum-type washing machine; FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a main part around the filter of the drum-type washing machine; FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a main part around the filter with the filter removed; FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram showing the flow of water in the filter of the drum-type washing machine during circulation; FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram showing the flow of water in the filter of the drum-type washing machine during drainage; Operation flow chart of the drum washing machine

The following describes the embodiments in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the attached drawings and the following description.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

(Washing machine configuration)
FIG. 1 is an exploded oblique view of a drum type washing machine in embodiment 1, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the same drum type washing machine, FIG. 3(a) is a schematic diagram of a state in which lint has accumulated on a drying filter in a drying path of the same drum type washing machine, and FIG. 3(b) is a schematic diagram of a state in which lint has been washed away from the drying filter in the drying path of the same drum type washing machine.

In Figures 1 and 2, a water tub unit 49 is provided inside the washing machine housing 41. The water tub unit 49 includes a water tub 42, a rotating drum 43, and a motor 45.

The water tub 42 is arranged inside the washing machine housing 41 so that it can swing freely, and the rotating drum 43 is arranged so that it can rotate freely inside the water tub 42. The rotating drum 43 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and the front side is open as a clothes entrance/exit 53.

A horizontally extending rotation shaft (rotation center shaft) 44 is provided at the rotation center of the rotating drum 43, and a motor 45 arranged near the rear side of the water tank 42 is connected to the rotation shaft 44 via a belt 46. The motor 45 drives the rotating drum 43 to rotate in the forward or reverse direction.

The inner wall surface of the rotating drum 43 is provided with several protruding plates 47 for agitating the laundry. In addition, the outer wall of the rotating drum 43 is provided with a number of water holes 48 for allowing water to pass between the inside and outside of the rotating drum 43.

The water tub 42 is supported in an anti-vibration manner by a number of anti-vibration dampers 51 attached to the bottom of the washing machine housing 41, and is supported in an anti-vibration manner so that it can swing freely between the top of the washing machine housing 41 and the water tub 42 by a number of springs (not shown).

The washing machine housing 41 has a housing opening 50 formed at a position opposite the clothing entrance 53 of the rotating drum 43. The lid 52 is provided to cover the housing opening so that it can be opened and closed freely. By opening the lid 52, laundry can be put in and taken out of the rotating drum 43 through the clothing entrance 53.

A control device 81 is provided at the top of the washing machine housing 41. The control device 81 is composed of a microcomputer and the like. The control device 81 controls the motor 45, the water supply valve 57 which is a water supply means, the drain pump 63, the circulation pump 67, and the like according to the mode settings and the control program, and sequentially controls the washing process including the washing process, rinsing process, and spin-drying process, and the drying process for drying the clothes.

Inside the washing machine housing 41, there are provided a water supply path 54 that supplies washing water (e.g., tap water) into the water tub 42, a drainage path 55 that drains the washing water in the water tub 42 to the outside of the washing machine housing 41, and a water circulation path 56 that circulates the washing water in the water tub 42.

The water supply path 54 is composed of a water supply hose 60, a detergent storage section 61, and a water injection hose 62.

A water supply valve 57 is connected to the water supply hose 60.

The detergent storage section 61 houses a drawer section (not shown) that contains detergent and fabric softener so that it can be pulled out from the outside. By opening the water supply valve 57, washing water flows into the water supply hose 60. The washing water that flows into the water supply hose 60 passes through the detergent storage section 61 and the water injection hose 62, and is supplied into the water tub 42.

The drainage path 55 is composed of a drainage pipe 64, a filter outer casing 82, a drainage pump 63, and a drainage hose 66.

The drain pipe 64 connects a drain outlet 95 provided at the bottom of the water tank 42 to an inlet 82a provided in the filter outer casing 82. The filter 65 is housed inside the filter outer casing 82. Details of the filter 65 and the inside of the filter outer casing 82 will be described later.

The drain pump 63 is disposed between the filter outer case 82 and the drain hose 66. The drain hose 66 is connected to an outlet 82b provided in the filter outer case 82, and extends from inside the washing machine housing 41 to the upper outside of the washing machine housing 41. When the drain pump 63 is driven, the washing water in the water tub 42 passes through the drain pipe 64, the filter outer case 82, the drain pump 63, and the drain hose 66 in that order, and is drained to the outside.

The water circulation path 56 is composed of a drain pipe 64, a filter outer casing 82, an inlet side path 68, a circulation pump 67, a discharge side path 69, and a water outlet 80.

The inlet side passage 68 is a passage that connects the filter outer casing 82 and the circulation pump 67. The discharge side passage 69 is a passage that connects the circulation pump 67 and the outlet 80. The outlet 80 is provided at the front of the water tub 42 so as to discharge the washing water passing through the outlet side passage 69 into the rotating drum 43. When the circulation pump 67 is driven, the washing water in the water tub 42 passes through the drain pipe 64, the inlet 82a, the filter outer casing 82, the filter section 65a described later, the inlet side passage 68, the circulation pump 67, the outlet side passage 69, and the outlet 80 in this order, and is discharged into the rotating drum 43 as circulating water. By circulating the washing water in this way, the detergent can be dissolved quickly, improving the washing and rinsing capabilities of the drum washing machine.

Multiple outlets 80 are arranged in a line around the circumference of the rotating drum 43, and each outlet 80 sprays circulating water toward the clothes inside the rotating drum 43.

An air trap (not shown) is formed on the side wall at the rear of the bottom of the water tub 42. The air trap is connected to an air pipe 75. The air pipe 75 is connected to a water level detection means 76 provided at the top inside the washing machine housing 41, and the water level detection means 76 is composed of, for example, a pressure sensor. The water level detection means 76 detects the water level of the wash water in the water tub 42 based on the water pressure of the wash water inside the water tub 42, i.e., the pressure inside the corresponding air trap.

As shown in FIG. 1, this drum-type washing machine is equipped with a drying function, and air heated by a drying heater 70 is sent from the water tub 42 into the rotary drum 43 through a duct 72 by a blower fan 71, and while the rotary drum 43 rotates left and right at a low speed, it sucks in moist air from the rear of the water tub 42, dehumidifies the air, and then heats it again by the drying heater and circulates it by sending it from the water tub 42 into the rotary drum 43 by the blower fan, thereby drying the clothes. On the warm air circulation path 73, there are provided a drying filter 74 for collecting lint 78 generated during drying, and a shower function 77 for washing away the lint 78 accumulated on the drying filter. As described later, the shower function is executed when water is supplied in the rinsing process, and washes away the lint (FIG. 3(a)) accumulated on the drying filter during the previous drying operation (FIG. 3(b)). Therefore, in the drum-type washing machine of this embodiment, the user does not need to care for the drying filter.

(Filter surrounding structure)
Fig. 4(a) is a perspective view of the main part around the filter of the drum type washing machine in the first embodiment, (b) is a perspective view of the main part around the filter with the filter removed, Fig. 5(a) is a schematic diagram showing the flow of water in the filter of the drum type washing machine during circulation, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the flow of water in the filter of the drum type washing machine during drainage. Connecting hoses are omitted in Figs. 4(a), (b), and 5.

The filter 65 is mainly composed of a filter portion 65a, a collision portion 65b, a support portion 65c, and a grip portion 65d. The filter 65 prevents foreign matter from being sucked into the drainage pump 63 and the circulation pump 67.

The grip portion 65d is provided on the front side of the drum washing machine. The grip portion 65d is provided so that the user can attach and detach the filter 65 to and from the filter housing 82 while holding the grip portion 65d.

The support portion 65c is formed to extend from the grip portion 65d and supports the filter portion 65a and the collision portion 65b.

The filter section 65a is located closer to the drain pump 63 than the inlet side path 68, and is formed in a roughly disk-like shape so as to block the inside of the filter outer casing 82. The filter section 65a is formed in a mesh shape, and captures lint 78 and the like contained in the wash water circulating through the water circulation path 56.

The collision portion 65b is located closer to the drainage pump 63 than the filter portion 65a, and is formed in a generally disk shape. The collision portion 65b prevents foreign objects larger than the lint scraps 78 from being sucked into the drainage pump 63. The collision portion 65b also breaks up the lint scraps 78 that have flowed in from the filter portion 65a, as described below.

The operation and function of the drum-type washing machine configured as above will be explained below.

(Laundry operation)
FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the drum type washing machine in the first embodiment.

The following describes the washing operation as an example. The user opens the lid 52, places laundry in the rotating drum 43, turns on the power switch (not shown), and then operates the start switch (not shown) of the input setting means (not shown) provided on the operation display unit 79, which starts the washing operation.

When the washing operation starts, the washing process begins (step S1). Next, the water supply valve 57 opens to supply water (step S2).

When water is supplied to the specified water level, the rotating drum 43 rotates left and right to perform washing and agitation (step S3). In washing and agitation, the circulation pump 67 is driven to circulate the washing water through the water circulation path 56. The washing water flows as shown by the arrow a in FIG. 5(a), and the filter section 65a filters the washing water flowing in from the inlet 82a and captures the lint contained in the washing water. The captured lint 78 aggregates on the drain pump 63 side of the filter section 65a and accumulates as a clump. When the washing and agitation for the specified time is completed, the process moves to the rinsing process (step S4).

In the rinsing process, drainage, intermediate spin-drying, and rinsing agitation are performed. First, the drainage pump 63 is driven, and the wash water flows as shown by the arrow b in FIG. 5(b), and the drainage operation is performed (step S5). In step S5, the drainage pump 63 performs intermittent driving, repeatedly driving and stopping in a cycle of a predetermined time.

By intermittent driving, as shown by arrow c in Figure 5 (b), a water flow is generated in the longitudinal direction inside the filter outer shell 82 in the direction of suction of the drainage pump 63 and the opposite direction. This water flow causes the lint 78 accumulated in the filter section 65a to fall off the filter section 65a and float in the water. The lint 78 that falls off the filter section 65a is sucked into the drainage pump 63 as the drainage pump 63 is driven, and collides with the collision section 65b. The lint 78a that breaks down into small pieces due to the impact of the collision is discharged outside the machine together with the water when the drainage pump 63 is driven.

Intermittent drive may be performed by repeating, for example, driving for about 2 seconds and stopping for about 1 second. This ensures a sufficient number of collisions to break down clumps of lint into small pieces before drainage is complete. In addition, by making the drive time longer than the stop time, it is possible to prevent the drainage speed from slowing down due to intermittent drive.

When the water level detection means 76 detects that the water level has dropped to the reset water level (step S6, Yes), the drain pump 63 stops intermittent operation and starts continuous operation (step S7). The reset water level is a water level at which the clothes in the rotating drum 43 are not submerged in water, and in this embodiment, the reset water level is set below the bottom end of the rotating drum 43. Finely crumbled lint 78a remaining in the filter outer casing 82 in a finely crumbled state is discharged collectively during continuous operation.

In step S7, the control device 81 performs a saturation determination to determine whether drainage is complete (not shown). For example, the saturation determination is performed by detecting the water level using the water level detection means 76 every few seconds, and determining that drainage is complete when the detected water level change is below a predetermined value. If intermittent driving is performed in the saturation determination, there is a risk that the water level will fluctuate up and down due to the intermittent driving. By continuously driving the drainage pump 63, it is possible to accurately determine whether the water level change is below a predetermined value, thereby reducing false positives in the saturation determination.

When it is determined that drainage is complete, fabric loosening and agitation is performed to ensure smooth spin start.

During fabric loosening and agitation, the rotating drum 43 rotates left and right at approximately 50 r/min for a predetermined time to straighten out the uneven distribution of clothes inside the rotating drum 43 (step S8). The drainage pump 63 is driven intermittently during fabric loosening and agitation to suppress the air entrapment phenomenon. In addition, during intermittent drive during fabric loosening and agitation, clumps of lint accumulated in the filter section 65a are also broken down and discharged outside the machine.

When the predetermined time of cloth loosening and agitation is completed, intermediate spin-drying begins (step S9). When the spin-drying speed reaches 100 r/min (step S10, Yes), the drain pump 63 switches to continuous operation. When the spin-drying speed exceeds 100 r/min, the amount of drainage increases rapidly, so by continuously operating the drain pump 63, drainage can be performed efficiently. Intermediate spin-drying continues while increasing the rotation speed even after the spin-drying speed exceeds 100 r/min (step S11).

When the intermediate spin cycle is completed, water supply begins (step S12). At this time, lint and other debris accumulated in the drying filter during the previous drying operation is washed away by the shower function into the water tank 42 or the drainage path 55. The washed-away lint and other debris remains in the water tank 42 or the drainage path 55 until the next time the drainage pump 63 is driven (step S15).

When the water level reaches the predetermined level, the rinse and agitation process begins (step S13). During the rinse and agitation process, the rotating drum 43 rotates left and right while the circulation pump 67 is driven to agitate the clothes. When the predetermined rinse and agitation period is over, the process moves to the final spin cycle (step S14).

In the final spin cycle, the drain pump 63 is driven to drain the water (step S15), and the drain pump 63 performs intermittent driving, repeatedly driving and stopping at a predetermined cycle. As with the drain operation in the rinsing cycle, the intermittent driving breaks up clumps of lint accumulated in the filter section 65a and discharges them outside the machine. Lint and other debris washed out of the drying filter is also discharged outside the machine in the same way.

As the drainage progresses and the water level drops to the reset water level (step S16), the drainage pump 63 switches from intermittent operation to continuous operation (step S17).

When drainage is complete, fabric loosening and agitation is performed (step S18). During fabric loosening and agitation, the drain pump 63 is driven intermittently to prevent air entrapment. When the predetermined time of fabric loosening and agitation is completed, spin-drying begins (step S19). When the spin-drying rotation speed reaches approximately 100 r/min (step S20, Yes), the drain pump 63 switches to continuous operation. Spin-drying continues while increasing the rotation speed even after the spin-drying rotation speed exceeds 100 r/min (step S21). When the predetermined time of spin-drying is completed, the washing operation ends.

(Action, etc.)
As described above, the drum type washing machine in this embodiment includes water tub 42 elastically supported in washing machine housing 41, rotating drum 43 rotatably provided in water tub 42, water supply valve 57 which is a water supply means for supplying water to rotating drum 43 or water tub 42, motor 45 which rotates rotating drum 43, drainage path 55 which drains water from water tub 42, drainage pump 63 provided midway through drainage path 55 to suck up and drain water, filter 65 provided in drainage path 55 to capture foreign matter, and control device 81 which sequentially controls each process such as washing, rinsing, and spin-drying. Control device 81 drives drainage pump 63 intermittently during the drainage operation by drainage pump 63.

As a result, clumps of lint and other debris captured in the filter 65 are broken down into small pieces by the water flow generated by the intermittent operation of the drain pump 63, and are discharged through the drainage path 55. This prevents poor drainage caused by clogging of the filter 65, and reduces the effort required for the user to clean the filter 65.

Also, as in this embodiment, the filter 65 may include a filter portion 65a that captures foreign matter and a collision portion 65b that is located closer to the drainage pump 63 than the filter portion 65a.

As a result, clumps of lint and other debris captured by the filter section 65a collide with the collision section 65b due to the water flow generated when the drain pump is turned on, and are finely crushed. This makes it possible to prevent poor drainage caused by clogging of the filter 65, and also reduces the effort required for the user to clean the filter 65.

Also, as in this embodiment, a water circulation path 56 that communicates with the drainage path 55 and circulates the water in the water tank 42, and a circulation pump 67 that is provided in the water circulation path 56 and circulates the water, may be provided, and the filter 65 may be provided in the filter outer shell 82, which is a position where the water circulation path 56 and the drainage path 55 overlap.

This allows the filter 65 to capture lint contained in the circulating water passing through the water circulation path 56. This makes it possible to remove lint contained in the wash water during the washing and rinsing steps, preventing the washing cycle from ending with lint adhering to the clothes.

Furthermore, as in this embodiment, a water level detection means 76 is provided to detect the water level in the water tank 42, and the control device 81 may continuously drive the drainage pump 63 during the drainage operation by the drainage pump 63 if the water level detected by the water level detection means 76 is equal to or lower than the reset water level that is below the rotating drum 43.

As a result, when determining that drainage from the water tank 42 is complete, the drainage pump 63 is driven continuously, which prevents the water level from fluctuating up and down. This prevents false positives from occurring when determining that drainage from the water tank 42 is complete.

Also, as in this embodiment, in the drainage operation by the drainage pump 63, the control device 81 may continuously drive the drainage pump 63 at or below the reset water level, and then start the rotational drive of the rotating drum 43, and drive the drainage pump 63 intermittently if the rotation speed of the rotating drum 43 is less than 100 r/min, and drive the drainage pump 63 continuously if the rotation speed of the rotating drum 43 is 100 r/min or more.

This prevents air from being trapped in the laundry when it is dehydrated using centrifugal force at low speeds, and allows for efficient drainage at speeds where the amount of water drained increases rapidly.

Other Embodiments
As described above, the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Therefore, other embodiments are given below as examples.

In the first embodiment, a drum-type washing machine has been described as an example of a washing machine. The washing machine is not limited to a drum-type washing machine as long as it is equipped with a drainage pump and a filter. The washing machine may be a top-loading washing machine or a twin-tub washing machine.

In the first embodiment, the filter 65 including the filter portion 65a and the collision portion 65b in a substantially disk shape has been described as an example of a filter. The filter may include a filter portion that captures foreign matter and a collision portion that is provided closer to the drainage pump than the filter portion. Therefore, the filter portion and the collision portion are not limited to being substantially disk-shaped. In addition, the filter 65 is not limited to a structure in which the filter portion 65a and the collision portion 65b are supported by the support portion 65c, and may be substantially box-shaped or the like. However, a structure in which the filter portion 65a and the collision portion 65b are supported by the support portion 65c has excellent cleanability because accumulated lint and the like can be easily removed.

In the first embodiment, a washing machine with a drying function has been described as an example of a washing machine. A washing machine does not have to have a drying function. However, a washing machine with a drying function generates a large amount of lint during drying operation, so that lint is likely to remain in the rotating drum 43. The remaining lint is captured by a filter provided at a position where the circulation path and the drainage path overlap in a washing operation after the drying operation. Therefore, the present disclosure is preferably used in a washing machine with a drying function. Furthermore, a washing machine with a shower function washes the lint captured by the drying filter into the drainage path, so there is a risk that a large amount of lint remains in the water tub or the drainage path. Therefore, the present disclosure is also preferably used in a washing machine with a shower function.

This disclosure is applicable to washing machines equipped with a drainage pump and a filter. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to top-loading washing machines, drum-loading washing machines, twin-tub washing machines, etc.

41 Washing machine housing 42 Water tub (water receiving tub)
43 Rotating drum (washing and spin-drying tank)
44 Rotating shaft 45 Motor 46 Belt 47 Projection plate 48 Water passage hole 49 Water tub unit 50 Housing opening 51 Anti-vibration damper 52 Lid 53 Clothes entrance/exit 54 Water supply path 55 Drain path 56 Water circulation path 57 Water supply valve (water supply means)
60 Water supply hose 61 Detergent storage section 62 Water supply hose 63 Drain pump 64 Drain pipe 65 Filter 65a Filter section 65b Collision section 65c Support section 65d Grip section 66 Drain hose 67 Circulation pump 68 Inlet side path 69 Discharge side path 70 Drying heater 71 Blower fan 72 Duct 73 Hot air circulation path 74 Drying filter 75 Air pipe 76 Water level detection means 77 Shower function 78 Lint 78a Finely crumbled lint 79 Operation display section 80 Spout 81 Control device (control section)
82 Filter outer shell 82a Inlet 82b Outlet

Claims (5)

A water receiving tank elastically supported within the main body and having a drainage port ;
A washing/spinning tub rotatably provided in the water receiving tub;
A water supply means for supplying water to the washing/spinning tub or the water receiving tub;
A motor that rotates the washing and spin-drying tub;
A drainage path for draining water from the water receiving tank;
a circulation path that communicates with the drainage path and circulates water in the water tank;
A circulation pump provided in the circulation path for circulating water;
A drainage pump provided in the drainage path for sucking and draining water;
A filter provided in the drainage path and including a filter portion that captures foreign matter;
a filter shell housing the filter and having an inlet connected to the drain;
A water level detection unit that detects the water level in the water receiving tank;
A control unit that sequentially controls a washing process including washing, rinsing, and spin-drying,
The control unit rotates the washing/spinning tub left and right in the washing/agitation step and drives the circulation pump to circulate the washing water through the circulation path, and in a drainage operation by the drain pump in the washing step , drives the drain pump intermittently until the water level detected by the water level detection unit reaches a water level at which the inside of the washing/spinning tub is not submerged in water,
The filter unit is installed between the inlet and the circulation pump, and is not installed between the inlet and the drainage pump.
washing machine. The filter includes a collision portion provided at a position closer to the drainage pump than the filter portion.
The washing machine according to claim 1. The filter is provided at a position where the circulation path and the drainage path overlap.
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2. The control unit performs the spin-drying after the water level detected by the water level detection unit reaches a water level below the washing and spin-drying tub and at which the inside of the washing and spin-drying tub is not submerged in water due to the drainage operation by the drain pump.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The control unit, in a drainage operation by the drain pump, continuously drives the drain pump at a water level below a level at which an inside of the washing and spin-drying tub is not submerged in water, and then starts rotating the washing and spin-drying tub;
When the rotation speed of the washing/spinning tub is less than 100 r/min, the drain pump is driven intermittently;
When the rotation speed of the washing/spinning tub is 100 r/min or more, the drain pump is continuously driven.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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