JPH1071299A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To circulate and feed bathwater by a single pump by providing a bathwater feed path which is connected to a circulation path and feeds the bathwater to a washing tub, and a switch valve for switching the circulation an water feed. SOLUTION: A part of a circulation path 62 for connecting a water tank to a suction port of a circulation pump 20 is branched by a switch valve 60 and one is connected to a washing machine water tub. The other is set as a connecting pipe 61 forming a bathwater feed path so as to be extended to the outside the washing machine main body. A door 16 is formed of a transparent material and marks, etc., of division of the water level is provided. The switch valve 60 is set to one, however, opening/closing switch valves may be provided to the communication pipe 61, a part between the branch point of the circulation path 62 from the communication pipe 61 and the water tub respectively so as to control the switching. When a bathwater course is selected in this machine, the change valve 60 is set to the bathwater passing path 61 side so that the water is fed by the circulation pump 20 and, after completion of the water feed, the path is changed to the circulation path 62 so that the water is circulated by the circulation pump 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a washing machine capable of washing laundry using bath water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional drum type washing machine will be described with reference to FIGS.

A number of small holes 30 are provided in a drum 1 which stores and rotates laundry, and a water tub 3 which stores washing water and houses the drum 1 is provided. A horizontal rotating shaft 4 having one end fixed to the center of the drum 1 is provided at the center of the water tank 3.
Is rotatably supported, and a drum pulley 5 is fixed to the other end of the rotating shaft 4. The motor pulley 7 and the drum pulley 5 are connected to a belt 8. The water tank 3 is elastically supported by an anti-vibration mechanism 10 on the upper end of the outer tank 9. At the front of the outer tub 9, a door 16 for loading laundry is provided.
When the door 6 is closed, a bellows-like door packing 17 provided between the water tank 3 and the outer tank 9 forms a watertight structure. A control circuit 18 for controlling the operation of each step and a water supply valve 21 for automatically supplying tap water are provided above the outer tank 9, and a water supply path 50 connecting the water supply valve 21 and the water tank 3. A detergent input container 22 is provided which can be taken in and out of the container. Further, a drain pump 19 is provided at the lower part of the water tank 3.
And a circulation pump 20 for draining and circulating the washing water, respectively. In the figure, 6 is a drive motor, and 15 is a water supply hose.

In the above construction, when laundry is put into the drum 1 and the door 16 is closed to start the washing course, the door 16 is locked by a lock mechanism (not shown) and the drain pump 19 is closed.
After the residual water in the water tank 3 is drained, the amount of clothes in the drum is detected by rotating the drum 1 and the amount of water corresponding to the amount of cloth is supplied by the water supply valve 21 to start the washing process.

In the washing step, the drum 1 is rotated at a low speed by the drive motor 6. The laundry in the drum 1 is lifted by the baffle 31 by the rotation of the drum 1 and falls by its own weight, and is washed by its mechanical force, and the rinsing process is performed in the same manner as the washing process. In the dehydration step, the drum 1 is rotated at a high speed and centrifugal force is used to blow the washing water contained in the laundry through the small holes 30 to perform dehydration.

A fully automatic washing machine with a built-in bath water pump has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-129598.

[0007]

As described above, recently, users who use the remaining hot water in a bath for washing or rinsing, and fully automatic washing machines equipped with these functions are known in the world.

However, the fully automatic washing machine is provided with a separate pump for supplying water. In a washing machine in which the washing water in the water tub 3 is circulated by the pump 20 like the above-mentioned drum type washing machine, Two pumps were required.

In the above-mentioned drum type washing machine, since tap water is controlled by the water supply valve 21, water other than tap water is supplied to the water tank 3 by opening the door 16 and directly supplying the water tank 3. Only. However, when washing and rinsing, a sufficient amount of water is required up to the center of the door 16, so that even if water is supplied with the door 16 opened, sufficient water cannot be supplied. Therefore, in order to shift to the washing process, it is necessary to supply tap water with the door 16 closed, and the remaining hot water in the bath cannot be used for all the washing water.

Further, in the case of a drum type washing machine in which the drainage step is performed by the drainage pump 19, in the ordinary course, a step of draining the remaining water in the water tank 3 by the drainage pump 19 before the water supply step and then detecting the capacity is performed. Therefore, even if the control circuit 18 controls the water supply process and thereafter, the water supplied from the bath water supply port is drained without being used for washing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a washing machine capable of circulating and supplying bath water with one pump.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention has a washing tub for accommodating laundry in a main body of the washing machine, and a water tub in the washing tub. Washing water provided with a circulation path for circulating the washed water and a circulation pump disposed in the circulation path, the bath water being connected to the circulation path and supplying bath water into the washing tub. A water supply path and a switching valve for switching to the circulation or the water supply are provided.

Further, the washing machine according to claim 2 of the present invention,
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the switching valve is provided in the circulation path, and the bath water supply path is connected to the switching valve.

Further, a washing machine according to a third aspect of the present invention is the washing machine according to the first aspect, wherein a water supply port of the bath water supply path protrudes from a wall surface or a bottom surface of the main body of the washing machine. Is what you do.

In addition, a washing machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the washing machine according to the first aspect, wherein the washing tub is rotated such that a rotation axis thereof is parallel to a horizontal plane,
A lid is provided on the wall surface of the main body of the washing machine to cover an opening through which the laundry is taken in and out, and the lid is provided with a see-through portion having a scale for measuring the amount of water.

In addition, a washing machine according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the washing machine according to the first aspect, wherein the washing tub is rotated such that a rotation axis thereof is parallel to a horizontal plane,
A drain path and drain means for draining water in the washing tub, and a control circuit for controlling the drain means, the circulating pump and the switching valve are provided, and the control circuit is configured to supply the bath water and start washing. The drainage means is controlled to stop.

According to the above construction, the washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a bath water supply path connected to the circulation path for supplying bath water into the washing tub, and a switching valve for switching between circulation and water supply. With this arrangement, the circulation pump can be used to circulate the washing water in the washing tub and supply the bath water to the washing tub simply by switching the switching valve to circulation or water supply.

Further, the washing machine according to claim 2 of the present invention,
Since the switching valve is disposed in the circulation path and the bath water supply path is connected to the switching valve, it is possible to switch between circulation and water supply with one switching valve.

Further, in the washing machine according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the water supply port of the bath water supply path protrudes from a wall surface or a bottom surface of the main body of the washing machine, the height direction of the washing machine is lengthened. Can be prevented.

In addition, in the washing machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the washing tub is rotated so that a rotation axis thereof is parallel to a horizontal plane, and the laundry is put in and out of the wall surface of the washing machine main body. Is provided with a cover for covering the opening for performing the washing, and the cover is provided with a see-through portion having a scale for measuring the amount of water, so that the amount of bath water supplied into the washing tub can be easily checked from the outside.

In addition, in the washing machine according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the washing tub is rotated so that a rotation axis thereof is parallel to a horizontal plane, and a drain path for draining water in the washing tub. And drainage means, and a control circuit for controlling the drainage means, the circulation pump and the switching valve is provided, and the control circuit stops and controls the drainage means at the time of supplying the bath water and at the start of washing. It is possible to prevent the drainage of the bath water stored in the washing tub without draining the remaining water in the washing tub as in the related art.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A drum type washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

A number of small holes 30 are provided in the drum 1 which accommodates and rotates the laundry, and a water tub 3 which stores the washing water and houses the drum 1 is provided. A horizontal rotary shaft 4 having one end fixed to the center of the drum 1 is rotatably supported at the center of the water tank 3, and a drum pulley 5 is fixed to the other end of the rotary shaft 4. The motor pulley 7 and the drum pulley 5 are connected by a belt 8. The water tank 3 is elastically supported on the upper end of the outer tank 9 by an anti-vibration mechanism 10. A door 16 for loading laundry is provided on the front surface of the outer tub 9. When the door 16 is closed, a bellows-like door packing 17 provided between the water tub 3 and the outer tub 9 forms a watertight structure. A control circuit 18 for controlling the operation of each step and a tap water supply port 71 and a bath water supply port 70 provided so as not to protrude from the uppermost part of the product main body are provided at the upper part of the outer tank 9. The water supply port 71 includes a water supply path 50 and a water supply valve 21 on the water supply path, and further includes a bath water supply port 70.
Is a water supply path 51, which is connected to the water tank 3 by a communication hose 35 via a box 24 capable of storing a detergent charging container 22 which can be freely taken in and out of the two paths.
1 and a water supply path 51 for guiding water to the water tub 3. The drainage mechanism 19 and the circulation pump 20 provided at the lower part of the water tub 3 drain the washing water during dehydration and circulate the washing liquid. As the drainage mechanism 19, for example, a drainage pump, a drainage valve, or the like is used. In the figure, a drainage pump is used. In the figure, 6 is a drive motor, 15 is a water supply hose,
31 is a baffle, 52 is a bath water pump.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of the drum type washing machine according to the present embodiment. There are two water supply ports, which are connected to the box 24 by communication pipes 50 and 51, respectively. The communication pipe 50 serves as a first water supply path for automatically supplying water by controlling the water supply valve 21, and the communication pipe 51 connects to a commercially available bath water pump 52 and can supply water directly to the water tank 3. Becomes

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views showing a drum type washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The drum type washing machine differs from the drum type washing machine according to the first embodiment. Only the points to be described will be described.
The bath water inlet 23 is formed in a part of the bath water supply 2, and a commercially available bath water pump 52 is connected to the bath water inlet 23.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a drum type washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The drum type washing machine differs from the drum type washing machine according to the first embodiment. In the following, only one part of the box 24 is opened so as to receive water from a bath water inlet 80 provided at the upper end of the front surface of the washing machine main body, and a water receiving wall surrounded by a wall. A chamber is formed.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part of a drum type washing machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, which is different from the drum type washing machine according to the first embodiment. Explaining only the point, the door 16 is formed of a transparent material, and the user can visually check the water amount by engraving the indication of the water level or attaching and displaying a label or the like.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing a drum type washing machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, which is different from the drum type washing machine according to the first embodiment. Explaining only the point, the water tank 3 of the circulation path 62
The switching valve 6 connects the part connecting the suction port of the circulation pump 20 to the
The communication pipe 61, which is a bath water supply path for supplying water to the water tank 3 on one side and bath water on the other side, is extended outside the washing machine main body 100. Similarly, in the present embodiment, the door 16 is formed of a transparent material, and the user can visually check the amount of water by engraving the mark of the water level or attaching and displaying a label or the like.

In this embodiment, one switching valve is used. However, a valve for switching between opening and closing is provided at each of the communication pipe 61 and the junction between the communication pipe 61 of the circulation path 62 and the water tank 3. Switching of the opening and closing of the valve may be controlled.

When the drum type washing machine is used in a normal operation, first, the water supply hose 53 is connected to the tap water supply port 71.
Then, after the faucet is opened, the laundry is put into the drum 1 through the door 16 and the water supply valve 21 is controlled to start supplying water to the water tub 3. Since the detergent supply container 22 for storing the detergent is provided on the water supply path, the detergent also flows into the water tank 3 by the water supply. The water supply operation is continued until the predetermined water level is reached. Thereafter, when the water level reaches a predetermined level, the water supply operation ends, the drum 1 rotates at a low speed, and washing is performed by tumbling. At the time of rinsing, water is supplied again by the water supply valve 21 and rinsing is performed by tumbling like washing. The dehydration is performed by rotating the drum 1 at a high speed after draining the water by the drainage pump 19 to blow water contained in the laundry through the small holes 30.

When the remaining hot water (bath water) in the bathtub is used for washing or rinsing, in the first embodiment, the bath water pump 52 is connected to the bath water inlet 70 on the back of the drum type washing machine. Since the bath water supply path 51 is communicated with the water tank 3, when the bath water pump is operated, water is supplied to the water tank 3. The bath water pump is bundled with the product and the power supply is controlled by the main unit. When the specified water level is reached, the operation of the bath water pump automatically stops.

In the second and third embodiments, the bath water pump 52 is connected to the bath water supply ports 23 and 80, and when the bath water pump 52 is operated, water is supplied to the water tank 3. The bath water pump 52 is bundled with the product, and the power supply is controlled by the main body. When the water level reaches a specified level, the operation of the bath water pump 52 is automatically stopped.

In the fourth embodiment, since the standard of the amount of water supplied from the bath water inlet is displayed on the door 16, the water level can be easily confirmed from the outside.

In the fifth embodiment, when the bath water course is selected and started, the switching valve 60 provided at the lower part of the water tank at the time of the water supply step is operated to switch to the bath water supply path 61. The bath water supply path 61 automatically supplies water remaining in the bath to the water tank 3 from the bath tub when a water supply hose extended outside is put into the bath tub. When the set water level is reached, the switching valve 60
Operates again, switches to the circulation path 62, and shifts to the washing process. During the washing process, washing is performed while circulating the washing liquid.

In the above embodiment, when the bath water course is selected, the control circuit 18 controls so as not to perform the step of draining the remaining water in the water tank 3 before the washing step. Even if the amount of water required for washing is stored, the control circuit 18 can automatically perform washing, dehydration, and drainage without draining.

[0036]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
According to the washing machine described above, since the bath water supply path that is connected to the circulation path and supplies bath water into the washing tub and the switching valve that switches between circulation and water supply are provided, the switching valve is switched to circulation or water supply. Only by using the circulation pump, circulation of water in the washing tub and supply of bath water to the washing tub can be performed. Therefore, the circulation and the water supply can be performed by one pump.

According to the washing machine of the present invention, the switching valve is disposed in the circulation path, and the bath water supply path is connected to the switching valve. Can be switched to circulation or water supply.

Further, according to the washing machine of the third aspect of the present invention, since the water supply port of the bath water supply path projects from the wall surface or the bottom surface of the washing machine main body, the height direction of the washing machine becomes long. Can be prevented. Therefore,
It is also easy to handle housing equipment with height restrictions.

In addition, according to the washing machine of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the washing tub is rotated so that its rotation axis is parallel to a horizontal plane, and the laundry is attached to the wall surface of the washing machine main body. The lid is provided with a cover that covers the opening for taking in and out, and the lid is provided with a see-through part having a scale for measuring the amount of water, so that the amount of bath water supplied into the washing tub can be easily checked from outside. . Therefore, the bath water can be supplied according to the user's preference.

In addition, according to the washing machine of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the washing tub is rotated so that the rotation axis thereof is parallel to the horizontal plane, and drains the water in the washing tub. A drain circuit, a drain circuit, and a control circuit for controlling the drain unit, the circulation pump, and the switching valve, wherein the control circuit controls the stop of the drain unit at the time of supplying the bath water and at the start of washing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the drainage of the bath water stored in the washing tub without draining the remaining water in the washing tub as in the related art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of a washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part of a washing machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a washing machine according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front sectional view of a conventional washing machine.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of a conventional washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 washing tub 16 door 18 control circuit 20 circulation pump 60 switching valve 61 bath water supply path 62 circulation path

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A washing tub for accommodating laundry in a washing machine body, a circulation path for circulating washing water stored in the washing tub, and a circulation pump disposed in the circulation path. A washing machine comprising: a bath water supply path connected to the circulation path for supplying bath water into the washing tub; and a switching valve for switching between the circulation and the water supply. 2. The switching valve is disposed in the circulation path,
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the bath water supply path is connected to the switching valve. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a water supply port of the bath water supply path protrudes from a wall surface or a bottom surface of the washing machine body. 4. The washing tub is rotated so that a rotation axis thereof is parallel to a horizontal plane, and includes a lid that covers an opening for taking in and out the laundry on a wall surface of the washing machine main body. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a see-through portion having a scale for measuring the amount of water. 5. The washing tub is rotated so that a rotation axis thereof is parallel to a horizontal plane, and a drainage path and a drainage unit for draining water in the washing tub, the drainage unit, the circulation pump, 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a control circuit for controlling the switching valve, wherein the control circuit controls the drainage unit to stop when the bath water is supplied and when washing is started.