JPH06315596A - Automatic washer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an automatic washer in which vibration when dehydration is started can be remarkably reduced and furthermore, the durability of a suspension can be improved. CONSTITUTION:The suspension 18a comprised of a suspension bar 20, a spring supporting plate 23 mounted on the lower terminal of the suspension bar 20, a spring presser 21 with straight inside diameter inserted to the suspension bar 20 and to cover the spring supporting plate 23, and a compression spring 22 inserted between the spring supporting plate 23 and the spring presser 21, and an air chamber 25 communicated with the inside of an outer tub 13 on the bottom part of the outer tub 21 are provided. This washer is constituted in such a way that a side wall aperture part 24 provided on the side wall of the spring presser 21 is connected to an air chamber aperture part 26 provided at the air chamber 25 with a tube 27, and the dehydration is started when the pressure of the air chamber 25 in the stroke of drainage is high.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a household automatic washing machine, and is particularly characterized by a vibration isolator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of automatic washing machine is shown in FIGS.
The structure is as shown in. A speed reducer 2 connected to a motor 3 by a belt is fixed to the lower part of the outer tub 1 for receiving water during dehydration. The drive shaft of the speed reducer 2 has a double structure, and a washing tub 4 located inside the outer tub 1 and also serving as a dehydration tub is fixed to the outer shaft. A stirring blade 5 located inside the washing tub 4 is fixed to the inner shaft. The outer tub 1 has a washing machine body 7 through a suspension 6.
Anti-vibration is supported from the four corners. As shown in FIG. 7, the suspension 6 is attached to the suspension rod 8, the spring retainer 9, the spiral spring 10 and the flexible spring supporting disk 11, and the spring supporting disk 11, and when the suspension 6 reaches a temperature higher than the transformation temperature. The shape memory alloy ring 12 functions to reduce the outer diameter of the spring supporting disk 11 by reducing its diameter to reduce the friction with the cylindrical spring retainer 9. The spring support disk 11 is slidably fitted to the inner circumference of the lower end of the cylindrical spring retainer 9. The outer tub 1 is placed on the cylindrical spring retainer 9.

[0003]

Generally, in an automatic washing machine, when the washing tub 4 is rotated and centrifugally dehydrated, a large vibration is generated due to the cloth imbalance W caused by the deviation of the clothes. In particular, at the time of starting and when passing through the resonance point, this vibration amplitude becomes maximum. In order to suppress the vibration due to this resonance, the structure according to the conventional example described above is configured to frictionally slide the spring presser 9 and the spring supporting disk 11 to damp the vibration. When the friction damping amount is increased, the amplitude at the resonance point is reduced, but the vibration is easily transmitted to the washing machine body 7, and noise such as vibration noise and sliding noise is increased. On the contrary, if the frictional damping amount is small, the noise becomes small, but the amplitude at the resonance point becomes large. Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional example, until the washing tub 4 starts rotating and passes the resonance point after entering the dehydration process,
A sufficient amount of damping is obtained by the friction between the spring retainer 9 and the spring supporting disk 11, and after the rotational speed has passed the resonance point, the shape memory alloy ring 12 is heated due to frictional heat and is stored in the stored shape. That is, the ring diameter is reduced, and the flexible spring supporting disk 11 is contracted. As a result, the frictional force is reduced and the noise is suppressed.

However, in the above conventional structure,
Until the shape memory alloy ring 12 operates, the frictional force is large, so that the noise due to the sliding noise is large, and the shape memory alloy ring 12 uses frictional heat for its operation, so this operation is unstable. It is something. Further, there is a problem that durability of the spring retainer 9 and the spring supporting disk 11 is deteriorated.

Therefore, the present invention is to solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional structure. The sliding friction is reduced to improve the durability, and the vibration at the passage of resonance is damped by the air damper. The first purpose is to obtain the automatic washing machine. Further, in relation to the first object, the damper force of the suspension at the start of dehydration is controlled, and the damper force is strengthened at the time of startup to moderately suppress the shake of the outer tub to provide a smooth startup, The second purpose is to obtain an automatic washing machine in which the damper force is weakened to reduce the vibration of the main body to prevent the increase of noise. Further, in relation to the second object, it is a third object to obtain an automatic washing machine that further strengthens the damper force of the suspension at the start of dehydration and minimizes the shake of the outer tub to provide a smooth start. It is intended. A fourth object is to obtain an automatic washing machine that provides a smoother start-up by switching the damper force between the start-up and the steady state in a timely manner.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A first means for achieving the first object is an outer tub which is located outside a washing tub which also serves as a dehydrating tub and which receives water at the time of dehydration, and this outer tub. A suspension for elastically supporting the washing machine from the four corners,
Each of the suspensions is interposed between a suspension rod, a spring support plate attached to the lower end of the suspension rod, a spring retainer inserted through the suspension rod and covering the spring support plate, and a spring support plate and the spring retainer. A compression spring, and an air chamber communicating with the inside of the outer tub is provided at the bottom of the outer tub, and a side wall opening provided on the side wall of the spring retainer and an air chamber opening provided in the air chamber are connected to each other. However, the automatic washing machine is controlled to start dehydration during the drainage process.

A second means for achieving the second object is an outer tub which is located outside the washing tub which also serves as a dehydrating tub and which receives water at the time of dehydration, and the outer tubs which are provided at four corners of the washing machine body. Each suspension comprises a suspension rod, a spring support plate attached to the lower end of the suspension rod, a spring retainer inserted through the suspension rod to cover the spring support plate, and a spring retainer. A bottom plate provided at the bottom of the, and a compression spring interposed between the spring support plate and the spring retainer,
An air chamber communicating with the inside of the outer tank is provided at the bottom of the outer tank,
The side wall opening provided on the upper side wall of the spring restraint is connected to the air chamber opening provided on the air chamber, and the bottom opening provided on the bottom plate and the lower air chamber opening provided on the lower part of the air chamber are reversed. The automatic washing machine is connected through a stop valve and controlled to start dehydration during the drainage process.

A third means for achieving the third object is an outer tub which is located outside a washing tub which also serves as a dehydrating tub and which receives water at the time of dehydration, and which outer tubs are provided at four corners of the washing machine main body. Each suspension comprises a suspension rod, a spring support plate attached to the lower end of the suspension rod, a spring retainer inserted through the suspension rod to cover the spring support plate, and a spring retainer. Of the bottom plate of the outer tub, and a compression spring interposed between the spring support plate and the spring retainer, and the bottom of the outer tub is provided with an air chamber communicating with the inside of the outer tub. The side wall opening provided on the side wall and the bottom plate opening provided on the bottom plate are connected via an opening / closing valve, and the air chamber opening provided on the air chamber is resonated in the washing tub due to a change in air pressure of the air chamber. Close the on-off valve and open the on-off valve during steady rotation. Connected to the valve closing, it is an automatic washing machine was controlled to start dehydration in the waste water process.

A fourth means for achieving the fourth object is an outer tub which is located outside a washing tub which also serves as a dehydrating tub and which receives water at the time of dehydration, and the outer tubs which are provided at four corners of the washing machine main body. Each suspension comprises a suspension rod, a spring support plate attached to the lower end of the suspension rod, a spring retainer inserted through the suspension rod to cover the spring support plate, and a spring retainer. A bottom plate provided at the bottom of the, and a compression spring interposed between the spring support plate and the spring retainer,
A wall for generating wind from the bottom of the washing tub is provided between the bottom of the washing tub and the bottom of the outer tub, and an air chamber having an air passage for taking in the wind from the wall is provided on the side wall of the bottom of the outer tub. The side wall opening provided on the restraining side wall and the bottom plate opening provided on the bottom plate of the suspension are connected via a normally-closed on-off valve, and the air chamber opening provided on the air chamber is connected to the The automatic washing machine is connected to the on-off valve so that the on-off valve is opened by the air pressure from the air passage.

[0010]

The first means of the present invention is to start dehydration during the drainage process and suppress the upward movement of the spring supporting plate by utilizing the high pressure of the air chamber to damp the vibration of the outer tank. The drainage is completed in the steady state, and the flow of air due to the vertical movement of the spring support plate is released into the atmosphere, the damper force is reduced, and the main body vibration is also reduced.

The second means of the present invention suppresses the release of air between the spring support plate and the bottom plate by water pressure to brake the spring support plate and dampen the vibration of the outer tub, especially when the dehydration is started. To act on.

The third means of the present invention acts so as to close the on-off valve by the air pressure of the air chamber at the time of starting the dehydration, the air flow generated by the vertical movement of the spring support plate is blocked, and the damper force is strong. And acts to suppress the vibration of the outer tank. Further, in the steady state, the drainage is completed and the on-off valve is open, so the air flow generated by the vertical movement of the spring support plate reduces the damper force and acts to reduce the main body vibration. It is a thing.

In the fourth means of the present invention, the opening / closing valve is closed at the time of dehydration activation, and the flow of air generated by the vertical movement of the spring support plate is shut off. For this reason, the damper force becomes stronger and the vibration of the outer tank is suppressed. Further, when the dehydration is stationary, the rotation of the washing tub accelerates and the wall provided at the bottom of the washing tub collects air from the air passage of the air chamber into the air chamber. Therefore, the pressure in the air chamber increases, the on-off valve opens, and the vertical movement of the spring support plate causes a flow of air, which acts to weaken the damper force. In this way, the main body vibration is reduced.

[0014]

EXAMPLE An example of the first means of the present invention is shown in FIG.
A description will be given based on FIG. An outer tub 13 is located outside the washing tub 16 that also serves as a dehydrating tub and receives water at the time of dehydration. A speed reducer 14 is fixed to the lower portion of the outer tub 13. The speed reducer 14 is connected to a motor 15 fixed to the lower portion of the outer tub 13 by a belt. The drive shaft of the speed reducer 14 has a double structure, and the outer shaft is attached to the outer shaft.
A washing tub 16 located inside and also serving as a dehydrating tub is fixed. The inner shaft has a stirring blade 1 located inside the washing tub 16.
7 is fixed. Also, the outer tub 13 is a washing machine body 19
The vibration-proofing is supported from the four corners of the suspension via suspensions 18a to 18d. This suspension 18a-18d
As shown in FIG. 2, each of (18c and 18d is not shown) comprises a suspension rod 20, a cylindrical spring retainer 21, a compression spring 22, and a spring support plate 23. The inner wall of the spring retainer 21 is formed straight so that the relationship between the inner diameters D and D _{1 at} the tip and the depth is D = D ₁ .
Therefore, the frictional force with the spring support plate 23 is made small uniformly in the vertical direction. At the upper part of the spring support plate 23, the side wall opening 2
4 is provided. Also, the suspension 18a of the outer tank 13
An air chamber 25 that communicates with the inside of the outer tub 13 is provided on the bottom side wall near 18d. The air chamber 25 is provided with an air chamber opening 26 at the top thereof, and the suspension 1
8a-18d side wall opening 24 and this air chamber opening 26
And are connected by a tube 27.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, the dehydration is started from the middle of the drainage process after the washing process is completed. In other words, residual washing water remains in the outer tub 13 during the drainage process. Therefore, outer tank 1
This washing water also remains in the air chamber 25 communicating with No. 3, and the water pressure due to this washing water is applied from the tube 27 into the suspensions 18a to 18d. Therefore, even when the outer tub 13 vibrates greatly due to the cloth imbalance W at the time of starting dehydration, the movement of the suspensions 18a to 18d supporting the outer tub 13 is restricted by the water pressure, The vibration of the tank 13 is regulated. That is, the suspensions 18a to 18d operate as follows. When the outer tub 13 vibrates and moves downward, the spring support plates 23 forming the suspensions 18a to 18d try to move upward in conjunction with this movement. However, as described above, in this embodiment, the upward movement of the spring support plate 23 is restricted by the water pressure in the air chamber 25.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the air chamber 25
Since the water pressure due to the residual water in the inside is used, the damping force of the suspensions 18a to 18d is increased, and the outer tank 1 at the time of starting dehydration is
The vibration of No. 3 can be suppressed to be small. Also for the suspensions 18a to 18d, the frictional force between the spring support plate 23 and the spring retainer 21 is reduced for the same reason, and the durability can be improved.

Next, an embodiment of the second means of the present invention is shown in FIG.
It will be described based on. The suspension 18a of this embodiment
18d cover the bottom of the spring retainer 21 in a sealed state by the bottom plate 28. The bottom plate 28 also has a bottom opening 29. A tube 31 connects between the bottom opening 29 and a lower air chamber opening 30 provided in the lower portion of the air chamber 25. The tube 31 has a check valve 32 in the middle thereof. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. Also in this embodiment, the dehydration is started from the middle of the drainage process after the washing process is completed. That is, the water pressure of the wash water in the air chamber 25 that is also in communication with the outer tub 13 is used.

In this embodiment, the tube 27 and the tube 3
This water pressure is used by using the two tubes of 1. That is, the tube 27 functions to regulate the upward movement of the outer tub 13 as in the first embodiment of the present invention. Further, the tube 31 provided with the check valve 32 acts to regulate the downward movement of the outer tub 13. That is, when the outer tub 13 tries to move downward, the spring support plate 23 tries to move upward in conjunction with this movement. When the spring support plate 23 moves upward, the air between the spring support plate 23 and the bottom plate 28 is compressed and discharged to the outside through the tube 31. In the present embodiment, the water pressure of the washing water in the air chamber 25 is applied to the tube 31. Therefore, the downward movement of the outer tub 13 is also restricted. In this way, the vibration of the outer tub 13 at the start of the dehydration process is restricted in both the upper and lower directions, and is suppressed to a small vibration.

When the dehydration progresses and enters a steady state, the washing water in the outer tub 13 is completely drained. That is, no washing water remains in the air chamber 25. Therefore, the exhaust air generated by the vertical movement of the spring support plate 23 is discharged into the atmosphere. In other words, suspension 1
The damper force of 8a to 18d is small. Therefore, the vibration of the main body 19 is also reduced.

Next, an embodiment of the third means of the present invention is shown in FIG.
It will be described based on. In this embodiment, the air chamber opening 26 provided in the air chamber 25 and each suspension are connected with a simple structure. The tube 27 connects the air chamber opening 26 and the opening / closing valve 34 provided in the tube 33. The on-off valve 34 includes a shutter 35 and an operating spring 3
6, the operating cylinder 37 and the operating piston 38. A tube 33 connects between the opening / closing valve 34, the side wall opening 24 provided on the side wall of the spring retainer 21, and the bottom plate opening 29 provided on the bottom plate 28.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. Vibration of the outer tub 13 at the start of the dehydration process is damped as follows. At the start of the dehydration process, the water pressure in the air chamber 25 acts so that the operating piston 38 pushes the shutter 35. That is, the on-off valve 34 is closed. Therefore, the flow of air generated by the vertical movement of the spring support plate 23 is suppressed. In other words, each suspension has enhanced damper power. Therefore, the vibration of the outer tub 13 at the start of dehydration is suppressed. At the steady state of dehydration, the drainage of the air chamber 25 is completed. Therefore, the operating spring 36 moves the shutter 35, and the on-off valve 34 is in an open state. In other words, the damper force of each suspension is weakened. For this reason, when the spring support plate 23 moves up and down, air is released freely in response to this. That is, the vibration of the main body 19 can be suppressed to be small during the steady dehydration.

Next, an embodiment of the fourth means of the present invention is shown in FIG.
It will be described based on. 39 is the bottom of the washing tub 16 and the outer tub 1
3 is a wall for generating wind between the bottom surface of the washing tub 16 and the bottom surface of the washing tub 16. Reference numeral 40 is an air chamber having an air passage 41 provided on the bottom side wall of the outer tub 13. Reference numeral 42 is a tube that connects the side wall opening 24 provided on the side wall of the spring retainer 21 and the bottom plate opening 29 provided on the bottom plate 28. Reference numeral 43 denotes a normally-closed on-off valve provided on the tube 42, which includes a shutter 44, an operating spring 45, an operating cylinder 46, and an operating piston 47. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. At the start of dehydration, the shutter 44 of each suspension closes the opening / closing valve 43 by the urging force of the operating spring 45. Therefore, the release of air when the spring support plate 23 moves up and down is suppressed. In other words, each suspension has a stronger damper force. Therefore, the vibration of the outer tub 13 is suppressed when the dehydration is started. When the dehydration progresses and the water content of the laundry decreases and becomes lighter, the washing tub 16 rotates faster. As the rotation of the washing tub 16 increases, the pressure in the air chamber 40 increases. That is, the plurality of walls 39 provided at the bottom of the washing tub 16 allow air to flow through the air passage 41 of the air chamber 40.
It acts to collect within 0.

The pressure of the air chamber 40 thus increased acts on the operating piston 47 as air pressure. Therefore, the operating piston 47 pushes the shutter 44, and the open / close valve 43 is opened. In other words, the damper force of each suspension is weakened. For this reason, when the spring support plate 23 moves up and down, air is released freely in response to this. In this way, the vibration of the main body 19 can be suppressed to a small level during steady dehydration.

[0026]

The first means of the present invention connects the side wall opening provided on the side wall of the spring restraint of the suspension and the air chamber opening of the air chamber communicating with the outer tank to perform dehydration during the drainage stroke. As a structure for starting the operation, it is possible to realize an automatic washing machine in which sliding friction is reduced to improve durability, and vibration at the time of resonance passage can be attenuated by acting an air damper.

A second means of the present invention connects the side wall opening provided on the upper side wall of the spring of the suspension and the air chamber opening of the air chamber communicating with the outer tank, and is provided on the bottom plate of the spring suppression. The bottom opening and the lower air chamber opening provided in the lower part of the air chamber are connected via a check valve to start dehydration during the drainage process. Thus, it is possible to realize an automatic washing machine that suppresses the increase in noise by suppressing the vibration of the main body by weakening the damper force during the steady dehydration.

A third means of the present invention is to connect a side wall opening provided on a spring restraining side wall of a suspension and a bottom plate opening provided to a spring restraining bottom plate through an opening / closing valve and communicate with an outer tank. The air chamber opening of the air chamber is connected to the on / off valve so that the on / off valve is closed when the washing tub is activated by the change in the air pressure of the air chamber and the on / off valve is opened during steady rotation, and dehydration is started during the drainage stroke. As a controlled configuration, it is possible to realize an automatic washing machine in which the damper force of the suspension at the start of spin-drying is further strengthened and the shake of the outer tub can be suppressed to a very small level.

A fourth means of the present invention is to connect a side wall opening provided on a spring restraining side wall of a suspension and a bottom plate opening provided to a bottom plate of a suspension via a normally closed on-off valve, and to connect an outer tank. As a configuration in which the air chamber opening of the air chamber communicating with the air chamber is connected to the on-off valve so that the on-off valve is opened by the air pressure from the air passage of the air chamber during steady rotation,
In particular, it is possible to switch the damper force at the time of starting dehydration and at the time of steady dehydration with good timing, and since no washing water remains at the start of dehydration, there is no noise such as water splashing and low noise automatic washing is possible. Machine can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an automatic washing machine showing an embodiment of the first means of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the suspension.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a suspension showing an embodiment of the second means of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a suspension showing an embodiment of the third means of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a suspension showing an embodiment of the fourth means of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a conventional automatic washing machine.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the suspension.

[Explanation of symbols]

 13 Outer tub 16 Washing tub 18a-18d Suspension 19 Main body 21 Spring restraint 22 Compression spring 23 Spring support plate 24 Side wall opening 25 Air chamber 26 Air chamber opening 28 Bottom plate 29 Bottom opening 30 Lower air chamber opening 32 Check valve 34/43 open / close valve 39 wall 40 air chamber 41 air passage

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location F16F 15/04 H 9138-3J

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A suspension comprising an outer tub located outside a washing tub which also serves as a dehydrating tub and receiving water for dehydration, and a suspension elastically supporting the outer tub from four corners of a washing machine body. Is a suspension rod, a spring support plate attached to the lower end of the suspension rod, a spring retainer inserted through the suspension rod and covering the spring support plate, and a compression spring interposed between the spring support plate and the spring retainer. The bottom of the outer tub is provided with an air chamber communicating with the inside of the outer tub, and the side wall opening provided in the side wall of the spring retainer and the air chamber opening provided in the air chamber are connected to each other for drainage. An automatic washing machine controlled to start dehydration during the process. 2. An outer tub located outside a washing tub which also serves as a dehydrating tub to receive water for dehydration, and a suspension elastically supporting the outer tub from four corners of the main body of the washing machine. Is a suspension rod, a spring support plate attached to the lower end of the suspension rod, a spring retainer inserted through the suspension rod to cover the spring support plate, a bottom plate provided at the bottom of the spring retainer, a spring support plate and a spring. A compression spring interposed between the spring holder and an air chamber communicating with the inside of the outer tank at the bottom of the outer tank, and a side wall opening provided on the upper side wall of the spring holder and the air chamber. The air chamber opening provided in the bottom plate, and the bottom opening provided in the bottom plate and the lower air chamber opening provided in the lower part of the air chamber are connected via a check valve to start dehydration during the drainage stroke. Controlled automatic washing machine. 3. An outer tub located outside the washing tub which also serves as a dehydrating tub to receive water at the time of dehydration, and a suspension elastically supporting the outer tub from four corners of the main body of the washing machine. Is a suspension rod, a spring support plate attached to the lower end of the suspension rod, a spring retainer inserted through the suspension rod to cover the spring support plate, a bottom plate provided at the bottom of the spring retainer, a spring support plate and a spring. It is composed of a compression spring interposed between the presser, and an air chamber communicating with the inside of the outer tub is provided at the bottom of the outer tub, and a side wall opening provided on the side wall of the spring keeper and the bottom plate are provided. The bottom plate opening is connected via an on-off valve, and the air-chamber opening provided in the air chamber is closed when the washing tub is started due to the change in air pressure of the air chamber and opened during steady rotation. Connect to the on-off valve to start dehydration during the drainage process. Controlled automatic washing machine. 4. An outer tub located outside a washing tub that also serves as a dehydrating tub to receive water for dehydration, and a suspension elastically supporting the outer tub from four corners of the main body of the washing machine. Is a suspension rod, a spring support plate attached to the lower end of the suspension rod, a spring retainer inserted through the suspension rod to cover the spring support plate, a bottom plate provided at the bottom of the spring retainer, a spring support plate and a spring. A wall for generating wind from the bottom of the washing tub is provided between the bottom of the washing tub and the bottom of the outer tub, and the side wall of the bottom of the outer tub is formed from the wall. An air chamber with an air passage to take in the wind of
The side wall opening provided on the side wall of the suspension spring is connected to the bottom plate opening provided on the bottom plate of the suspension through a normally closed on-off valve, and the air chamber opening provided in the air chamber is steadily rotated. An automatic washing machine connected to an opening / closing valve so that the opening / closing valve is opened by air pressure from the air passage at the time.