JPH11207082A - Vibration proof device for washing machine and washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the vibration of an outer tank at the time of passing through a resonance point without increasing the vibration and noise of an outer frame at the time of a rated operation at the time of the dehydration operation of a washing machine. SOLUTION: This vibration proof device 110 is provided with a hanging bar 111, an upper sliding element 112 and a sliding cylinder 113. A movable member 117 provided on the lower end of the hanging bar 111 slides with the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder 113 and the outer tank 102 is connected to the outer frame 101 through the sliding cylinder, the movable member and the hanging bar. At the time, a viscoelastic body 122 provided with thixotropic characteristics is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder 113.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine for performing washing by supporting a tub on an outer frame with vibration isolation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The general structure of a fully automatic washing machine will be described. There is an outer tank inside the outer frame, and the outer tank is suspended by the outer frame via a hanging rod. An inner tank is provided at a substantially concentric position inside the outer tank, and a pulsator is provided on the bottom thereof.
A changeover switch and a brake device are housed in a clutch case attached to the outer tub. A general operation method of a fully automatic washing machine will be described. During washing, the inner tub is fixed and the pulsator is rotated by the changeover switch and the brake device in the clutch case. At the time of spin-drying, by switching a changeover switch, the driving force of the motor is transmitted to the inner tank via a pulley and a belt, and the inner tank is rotated. During the dehydration operation, the inner tub vibrates together with the outer tub due to imbalance due to the bias of the clothes. This vibration is transmitted to the outer frame via the suspension rod, and noise is generated. In order to reduce the vibration and noise, a coil spring is arranged between the hanging rod and the outer tub to softly support the outer tub. In order to improve this vibration isolation structure, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 091, the nonlinear characteristic is given to the coil spring by changing the sectional area of the coil spring in a plurality of steps.

[0003]

Supporting the outer tub with a soft coil spring, as in the prior art, is effective in preventing the transmission of vibration to the outer tub and the increase in noise during rated operation. It is. However, when the rotation speed of the inner tub coincides with the natural frequency of the portion supported by the hanging rod (hereinafter, referred to as the natural frequency inside the washing machine) at the start of the spin-drying operation, the outer tub becomes large. It may vibrate at the vibration amplitude, and the outer tank may collide with the outer frame. If the damping characteristic of the suspension rod is increased in order to reduce the vibration, there is a problem that noise during rated operation is increased. JP-A-6-1
According to the Patent No. 5091, when the amplitude increases, the spring constant increases due to the effect of the non-linear coil spring, and the amplitude can be reduced. But in this case,
The effect of the damping characteristics has not been sufficiently studied.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vibration isolator for a washing machine which suppresses the vibration of the outer tub at the time of passing the resonance point without increasing the vibration and noise of the outer frame during the rated operation during the dewatering operation. To provide. Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine in which the vibration of the outer tub at the time of passing the resonance point is small without increasing the vibration and noise of the outer frame during the rated operation during the dewatering operation.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a vibration isolator for a washing machine according to the present invention has a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a sliding element. The coil spring and the slide element are disposed inside the slide cylinder, and the slide element has an outer periphery thereof in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the slide cylinder and an axial direction of the slide cylinder. The coil spring is disposed so as to be slidable, and the coil spring is arranged so as to be expanded and contracted by the relative movement of the slide cylinder and the slide element, and one end of the hanging rod is inserted inside the slide cylinder. And a viscoelastic body having thixotropic properties is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder. At this time, it is preferable to attach a lid covering the end surface of the sliding cylinder opposite to the side where the hanging rod is inserted, and to provide a convex portion on the outer peripheral portion of the slide element toward the lid. . Further, in order to achieve the above object, a vibration isolator for a washing machine of the present invention has a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a slide element, and the coil spring and the slide element. And the slide element is disposed inside the slide cylinder, and the slide element has an outer periphery in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the slide cylinder and is slidably provided in an axial direction of the slide cylinder. The coil spring is arranged so as to be expanded and contracted by the relative movement of the slide cylinder and the slide element, and one end of the hanging rod is inserted inside the slide cylinder and connected to the slide element. An elastic body having a cavity therein is disposed inside the sliding cylinder, and a substance having thixotropic properties is sealed in the cavity of the elastic body. Further, in order to achieve the above object, a vibration isolator for a washing machine of the present invention has a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a slide element, and the coil spring and the slide element. Is disposed inside the sliding cylinder, and the sliding element is provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the sliding cylinder, while an outer periphery thereof is in contact with an inner surface of the sliding cylinder, The coil spring is arranged to be expanded and contracted by the relative movement of the slide cylinder and the slide element,
One end of the hanging bar is inserted inside the sliding cylinder and connected to the sliding element, and a portion of the sliding element that is in contact with the sliding cylinder is a ring-shaped elastic body having a cavity therein. A material having a thixotropic property is sealed in the cavity of the elastic body. Further, in order to achieve the above object, a vibration isolator for a washing machine of the present invention has a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a slide element, and the coil spring and the slide element. Is disposed inside the sliding cylinder, and the sliding element is provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the sliding cylinder, while an outer periphery thereof is in contact with an inner surface of the sliding cylinder, The coil spring is arranged to be expanded and contracted by the relative movement of the slide cylinder and the slide element,
One end of the hanging rod is inserted inside the sliding cylinder and connected to the slide element, and a lid that covers this end face is provided on an end surface of the sliding cylinder opposite to the side where the hanging rod is inserted. The slide element has at least one concave portion on the outer periphery of the slide element so as to communicate two chambers separated by the slide element in the sliding direction of the slide element. A substance having dilatancy characteristics is built in the inside of the tube. Further, in order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention comprises an outer frame, an outer tub, an inner tub inside the outer tub, and support means for supporting the outer tub on the outer tub, A washing machine comprising: a driving unit that rotationally drives the inner tub; and a dehydrator that rotates and drives the inner tub, wherein the supporting unit includes a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a sliding element. And the coil spring and the slide element are disposed inside the slide cylinder, and the slide element has an outer periphery in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the slide cylinder, The coil spring is provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction, and the coil spring is arranged so as to be expanded and contracted by the relative movement of the sliding cylinder and the sliding element, and one end of the hanging bar is connected to the sliding cylinder. Is inserted inside and is connected to the slide element, The inner peripheral surface of Kisurido cylindrical viscoelastic body having thixotropic properties is applied. Further, in order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention comprises an outer frame, an outer tub, an inner tub inside the outer tub, and support means for supporting the outer tub on the outer tub, A washing machine comprising: a driving unit that rotationally drives the inner tub; and a dehydrator that rotates and drives the inner tub, wherein the supporting unit includes a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a sliding element. And the coil spring and the slide element are disposed inside the slide cylinder, and the slide element has an outer periphery in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the slide cylinder, The coil spring is provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction, and the coil spring is arranged so as to be expanded and contracted by the relative movement of the sliding cylinder and the sliding element, and one end of the hanging bar is connected to the sliding cylinder. Is inserted inside and is connected to the slide element, Inside the Kisurido tube is arranged an elastic body having a cavity therein, a substance having thixotropic properties to the cavity of the elastic body is sealed. Further, in order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention comprises an outer frame, an outer tub, an inner tub inside the outer tub, and support means for supporting the outer tub on the outer tub, A washing machine comprising: a driving unit that rotationally drives the inner tub; and a dehydrator that rotates and drives the inner tub, wherein the supporting unit includes a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a sliding element. The coil spring and the slide element are disposed inside the slide cylinder, and the slide element has an outer periphery in contact with an inner surface of the slide cylinder and an axial direction of the slide cylinder. The coil spring is disposed so as to be slidable with respect to the sliding cylinder, and is arranged so as to be expanded and contracted by the relative movement of the sliding cylinder and the sliding element, and one end of the hanging rod is provided inside the sliding cylinder. And is connected to the slide element, Said portion in contact with the sliding tube of the sliding element is constituted by a ring-shaped elastic body having a cavity therein, a substance having thixotropic properties to the cavity of the elastic body is sealed. Further, in order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention comprises an outer frame, an outer tub, an inner tub inside the outer tub, and support means for supporting the outer tub on the outer tub, A washing machine comprising: a driving unit that rotationally drives the inner tub; and a dehydrator that rotates and drives the inner tub, wherein the supporting unit includes a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a sliding element. The coil spring and the slide element are disposed inside the slide cylinder, and the slide element has an outer periphery in contact with an inner surface of the slide cylinder and an axial direction of the slide cylinder. Slidably with respect to
The coil spring is arranged so as to be expanded and contracted by the relative movement of the slide cylinder and the slide element, and one end of the hanging bar is inserted inside the slide cylinder and connected to the slide element. A lid is attached to an end surface of the sliding cylinder opposite to the side where the hanging rod is inserted, and a lid that covers the end surface is provided. At least one concave portion is provided so as to communicate the two chambers divided in the sliding direction, and a substance having a dilatancy characteristic is built in the sliding cylinder. Further, in order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention comprises an outer frame, an outer tub, an inner tub inside the outer tub, and support means for supporting the outer tub on the outer tub, A driving unit for driving the inner tub to rotate, and in the washing machine for rotating and driving the inner tub to perform dehydration, a support base is provided on a portion of the outer frame that supports the hanging rod, An upper sliding element is attached to an end of the hanging bar on the outer frame side, and the upper sliding element and the support are slidably in contact with each other. A viscoelastic body having thixotropy is applied to the contact portion of. Further, in order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention comprises an outer frame, an outer tub, an inner tub inside the outer tub, and support means for supporting the outer tub on the outer tub, A driving unit for driving the inner tub to rotate, and in a washing machine for spin-drying the inner tub, a sliding cylinder is attached to an end of the hanging bar on the outer tub side, The outer tub is provided with a slide tube receiver for receiving the slide tube, the slide tube and the slide tube receiver are slidably contacting each other, and A viscoelastic body having thixotropic properties is applied to a contact portion with the cylinder. In order to achieve the above objective,
The washing machine of the present invention has an outer frame, an outer tub, an inner tub inside the outer tub, a supporting means for supporting the outer tub on the outer tub, and a driving means for rotating at least the inner tub. In the washing machine that spin-drives the inner tub to perform dehydration, an upper sliding element is attached to an end of the hanging bar on the side of the outer frame, and supports the hanging bar of the outer frame. A support is attached to the portion where the thixotropic material is sealed between the upper sliding element and the support. Further, in order to achieve the above object, the washing machine of the present invention comprises an outer frame, an outer tub, an inner tub inside the outer tub, and support means for supporting the outer tub on the outer tub, A driving unit for driving the inner tub to rotate, and in a washing machine for spin-drying the inner tub, a sliding cylinder is attached to an end of the hanging bar on the outer tub side, The outer tank is provided with a sliding cylinder receiver for receiving the sliding cylinder, and an elastic body having a thixotropic substance sealed therein is disposed between the sliding cylinder receiver and the sliding cylinder. .

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

First, before a specific description of the embodiment,
The thixotropic substance and the dilatant substance used in each form will be described.

[0008] Certain types of colloidal solutions are usually in a gel state that does not show fluidity, but become a sol state that shows fluidity when subjected to vibration, stirring, load or deformation, etc.
This shows a phenomenon in which a substance in this state changes to a gel state again when left unattended. It is known that this phenomenon is called a thixotropy phenomenon, and a characteristic exhibiting the thixotropy phenomenon is called a thixotropy characteristic. The change of the thixotropic phenomenon from the gel state to the sol state occurs according to the shearing force applied to the colloid solution. In some cases, it does not completely change to the sol state but softens. This case is also called thixotropic property. It is also known that some energy is consumed when changing from the gel state to the sol state.

[0009] A certain kind of dispersion fluid has a property called dilatancy property. The dilatancy characteristic is a kind of non-linear viscoelasticity, and generally refers to a characteristic that the viscosity is small, but the viscosity increases rapidly as the flow speed increases. A substance having a dilatancy property is called a dilatant substance. A dramatic change in viscosity of a dilatant material occurs when the shear rate resulting from the flow of the material exceeds a certain threshold.

Next, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is a longitudinal sectional view of the entire washing machine, and FIG. 1 (b) is a longitudinal sectional view of a vibration isolator 1. .

As shown in FIG. 1A, a washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment has an outer tub 1
02, an inner tub 103 that stores laundry inside the outer tub 102, and also serves as a washing tub and a dehydrating tub,
Pulsator (stirring blade) that stirs laundry in the center of the bottom
104 and a pulsator 104 on the outer bottom of the outer tank 102.
And a motor 105 for generating a rotational driving force for the inner tank 103
And a clutch 106 that receives the driving force of the motor 105 and switches the pulsator 104 to drive the pulsator 104 during washing and rinsing, and the inner tub 103 during spin-drying. Pulleys 107 and 108 are attached to the shafts of the motor 105 and the clutch 106, respectively, and the belt 109 passed between the pulleys 107 and 108 transmits the rotational driving force of the motor 105 to the clutch side. It has become.

The outer tub 102 is provided with an outer frame 101 by a vibration isolator 110 having a hanging rod 111 which is a rod-shaped member.
Suspended. The anti-vibration device 110 includes the hanging rod 11.
1, an upper sliding element 112 provided on the upper end side thereof,
A sliding cylinder 113 provided on the lower end side. The upper sliding element 112 is provided on the outer frame 10 provided on the hanging rod 111 side.
The anti-vibration device 110 is configured to be hung by the upper sliding element 112 on a support base (suspension rod receiving portion) 114 provided on the outer frame 101 side. At this time, the lower surface of the upper sliding element 112 is slidably in contact with the upper surface of the support base 114. Also,
The sliding cylinder 113 is a bell-shaped cylindrical body with one end face opened, and a through hole through which a hanging bar penetrates is formed on the closed end face. At this time, the sliding cylinder 113 is disposed so that the end face side where the through hole is formed faces upward, and the outside of the upper end face is formed in a convex spherical shape. This spherical surface is in slidable contact with the lower surface of the sliding cylinder receiving portion 115 provided on the bottom of the side surface of the outer tank 102. Thus, the outer tub 102 is suspended from the outer frame 101 by the vibration isolator 110. For this purpose, the sliding cylinder receiving portion 11
The lower surface of 5 is formed in a concave spherical shape.

Regarding the sliding cylinder 113 of the vibration isolator 110,
This will be described with reference to FIG. A movable member 117 is provided inside the sliding cylinder 113 so as to be movable (guided) along the inner wall surface of the sliding cylinder 113. Movable member 117
A coil spring (compression spring) 116 is provided between the movable member 117 and the upper end surface 113 a of the sliding cylinder 113.
Is urged away from the upper end surface 113a. Further, a through hole 118a is provided at the center of the movable member 117, and the movable member 117 is pressed against the large diameter portion 111a at the lower end of the hanging rod 111 that has penetrated the through hole 118a.

The movable member 117 includes a spring receiver 118 having a spring receiving surface 118b for receiving a lower end portion of the coil spring 116, and a pressing element 119 in which the spring receiver 118 is fitted on the outer peripheral surface and a through hole 118a is formed. And spring support 1
The slide element 120 provided so as to be sandwiched between the holding element 18 and the holding element 119 is integrally formed.
In this embodiment, the movable member 117 is locked by providing a large-diameter portion at the lower end of the hanging rod 111. However, the lower end of the hanging rod 111 may be bent and locked.

The maximum diameter (diameter of the outermost portion) of the slide element 120 is determined by the spring support 118 and the holding element 119.
Of the slide element 120
Has a configuration in which the outer peripheral portion protrudes from the spring receiver 118 and the holding element 119. Thus, the outer periphery of the slide element 120 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder 113, and slides on the inner peripheral surface. Therefore, the movable member 117 constitutes a sliding member. Further, in this embodiment, a thixotropic viscoelastic body 122 is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder 113.

A bottom cover 121 is provided at the bottom of the sliding cylinder 113.
Is attached to the slide element 120, and the protrusion 1 protruding downward (toward the bottom lid 121) is provided on the outer periphery of the slide element 120.
20a is provided. At this time, the convex portion 120a extends below the lowermost ends of the holding element 119 and the suspension rod 111.

Next, the behavior of the washing machine during the spin-drying operation will be described.

When the dehydrating operation of the washing machine 100 is started,
The outer tub 102 vibrates as the rotation speed of the inner tub 103 increases. When the rotation speed of the motor 105 matches the natural frequency inside the washing machine, the outer tub 102 vibrates greatly. Then, the slide element 120 of the vibration isolator 110 vibrates greatly, and a large relative movement is generated between the slide element 120 and the slide cylinder 113. At this time, the slide element 120 applies a large shearing force to the thixotropic viscoelastic body 122 applied to the inner peripheral surface (inner wall surface) of the sliding cylinder 113. Then, the thixotropic viscoelastic body 122 generates a thixotropic phenomenon and consumes vibration energy. Then, the vibration is reduced by this energy consumption. Therefore, it is possible to pass the resonance speed without increasing the vibration.

When the number of rotations of the motor 105 further increases and enters the rated operation state, the number of rotations of the inner tub 103 largely deviates from the natural frequency inside the washing machine, so that the vibration of the outer tub 102 further decreases. Then, the thixotropic viscoelastic body 122 recovers to a normal state, does not consume vibration energy (in an ideal case), and the vibration isolator 110 functions as a normal vibration isolator. Therefore, the vibration of the outer tub 102 is not transmitted to the outer frame 101 in the rated operation state. Therefore, the noise does not increase in the rated operation state.

Also, when the thixotropic viscoelastic body 122 flows due to the thixotropic phenomenon,
It does not accumulate on the bottom lid 121 and leak out of the sliding cylinder 113. Further, the protrusion 1 provided on the slide element 120
At 20a, the coil spring 116 is extended and comes into contact with the bottom cover 121 when the laundry object is taken out after the washing is completed. At this time, the thixotropic viscoelastic body 122 accumulated in the bottom lid 121 adheres to the protrusion 120a. Then, when the object to be washed is put into the inner tub 103 again and the slide element 120 slides on the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder 113, the thixotropic viscoelastic body 122 is placed on the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder 113. It will be applied. Accordingly, the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder 113 is always in a state where the thixotropic substance 122 is applied at the time of starting the washing. That is, the washing machine of the present embodiment has a function of automatically supplying (applying) the thixotropic substance 122 to the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder 113 by repeating the washing operation. Thus, in the washing machine of this embodiment or the vibration isolator thereof, the reliability of the vibration damping effect can be improved.

As the thixotropy viscoelastic body 122, it is possible to use grease in which aluminum or silica fine powder is dispersed in a lubricating oil.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the vibration isolator according to the present invention.

The vibration isolator 210 has an elastic body 211 having a cavity therein, and a thixotropic substance 212 is sealed in the internal cavity of the elastic body 211. The elastic body 211 is arranged inside the coil spring 116, and is in contact with the upper inside surface of the sliding cylinder 113 and the upper surface 118 c of the spring receiver 118. In this embodiment, since the function of automatically applying the thixotropic substance is not required, the bottom cover 121 is not required.
In addition, no convex portion 120a directed downward of the slide element 120 is provided.

The behavior of the washing machine using the vibration isolator 210 having this structure during dehydration will be described. When the natural frequency inside the washing machine approaches the rotation speed of the inner tub 103, the outer tub 102 tends to vibrate significantly. Then, inside the sliding cylinder 113 of the vibration isolator 210, the spring receiver 118 and the holding element 119 are provided.
And the slide element 120 tends to vibrate greatly as a unit. Also, the coil spring 116 is deformed. Then, the elastic body 211 is also greatly deformed. Therefore, the thixotropic substance 212 inside the elastic body is also largely deformed. Then, the thixotropic substance 212 consumes energy due to the thixotropic phenomenon and reduces vibration. Further, since the thixotropic substance 212 is softened, the spring characteristic of the elastic body 211 is reduced, and the natural frequency inside the washing machine is also reduced. As a result, the outer tub 102 moves away from the resonance state, and the vibration is further reduced. In the rated operation state, the vibration of the outer tub 102 is small, so that the thixotropic substance 212 recovers to a normal state. Therefore, the vibration isolator 210 functions as a normal vibration isolator, and does not transmit vibration to the outer tub 102. Therefore, the noise does not increase.

Examples of the thixotropic substance 212 include, in addition to those described above as the thixotropic viscoelastic body 122, a suspension of aluminum hydroxide gel, bentonite, etc., a paint in which pigment particles are dispersed in a drying oil,
Castor oil derivatives, low molecular weight polyethylene derivatives and the like can be used.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment of the vibration isolator according to the present invention.

The anti-vibration device 310 replaces the slide element 120 in the above-described embodiment with a ring-shaped elastic body (elastic body container) 312 having a hollow inside, and a holding element 119.
And the spring receiver 311 for fixing. Since the slide element is constituted by the elastic body 312, the spring receiver 31 is provided.
1 is provided with a spacer portion 311a. The thixotropic substance 212 is provided in the internal cavity of the elastic body 312.
Is enclosed.

The behavior of a washing machine using the vibration isolator 310 for a washing machine having this structure during dehydration will be described. Inner tank 103
When the number of revolutions of the washing machine increases and approaches the natural frequency inside the washing machine, the outer tub 102 tends to vibrate greatly. At this time, the elastic body 312 tends to vibrate the inside of the sliding cylinder 113 greatly. Then, the elastic body 312 receives a large shearing force, and the thixotropic substance 212 inside the elastic body 312 is also deformed and receives the shearing force. Then thixotropic substance 3
3 causes a thixotropy phenomenon and reduces vibration by consuming energy. In addition, thixotropic substance 212
Is softened, the natural frequency inside the washing machine decreases, and the resonance state is quickly avoided. In the rated state, it acts as a normal vibration isolator and does not increase noise.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the vibration isolator according to the present invention. 4A is a sectional view of the vibration isolator, and FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

A bottom cover 121 is attached to the bottom of the sliding cylinder 113 of the vibration isolator 410. As the slide element, a substantially cylindrical partial slide element 411 is used. A dilatant substance 412 is built in the sliding cylinder 113.

On the side surface (outer peripheral surface) of the partial sliding element 411, a convex portion 413 and a concave portion 414 are formed. The convex portion 413 of the partial sliding element 411 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder 113 and slides on the inner peripheral surface. In this case, the recess 4
14 forms a narrow slit between the partial sliding element 411 and the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder 113.

A description will now be given of the behavior of the washing machine using the vibration damping device 410 of this configuration during dehydration. When dehydration is started, the outer tub 102 vibrates. Then, relative movement occurs between the partial sliding element 411 of the vibration isolator 410 and the sliding cylinder 113. Then, in the slit between the partial sliding element 411 and the sliding cylinder 113, a shear flow occurs in the dilatant material 412. When the rotation speed of the inner tub 103 and the natural frequency inside the washing machine become closer, the outer tub 102 tends to vibrate greatly.
At this time, if the shear rate of the shear flow generated in the dilatant substance 412 becomes higher than the critical shear rate of the dilatant substance 412, the viscosity of the dilatant substance 412 rapidly increases and the dilatant substance 412 becomes hard. Then, a large resistance is generated against the relative movement between the partial sliding element 411 and the sliding cylinder 113, and the vibration of the outer tub 102 is quickly reduced. In the rated operation state, since the vibration of the outer tub 102 is not so large, the dilatant substance 412 does not harden and maintains a low viscosity state. Therefore, the damping characteristic of the vibration isolator 410 is small, and the vibration of the outer tank 102 is reduced by the outer frame 1.
We don't tell 01. Therefore, the noise is not increased.

In the present embodiment, instead of forming the convex portion 413 and the concave portion 414 on the side surface (outer peripheral surface) of the partial sliding element 411, a convex portion and a concave portion are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder 113. Good. Generally, it is considered that forming the protrusions and the recesses on the side surfaces (outer peripheral surfaces) of the partial sliding elements 411 facilitates the processing and reduces the cost.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of the vibration isolator according to the present invention.

An upper sliding element 112 is attached to the upper end of the suspension rod 111 of the vibration isolator 510, and a support base 114 is attached to the outer frame 101 (not shown). The upper sliding element 112 is fitted on the support base 114,
The outer tub 102 (not shown) and the like are supported by a support base 114 via a suspension rod 111. The upper sliding element 112 and the support base 114 have curved surfaces with substantially the same curvature, and are configured such that these surfaces face each other.

In this embodiment, the thixotropic substance is applied between the opposing surfaces of the support 114 and the upper slide element 112, that is, between the upper surface of the support 114 and the lower surface of the upper slide element 112. Intervene.

At this time, in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, an elastic ring 511, which is an elastic container having a space inside, is arranged between the upper sliding element 112 and the support base 114. . A thixotropic substance 212 is sealed in the internal cavity of the elastic ring 511. According to the vibration damping device 510 for a washing machine having this configuration, when the outer tub 102 tries to resonate and the vibration increases, the thixotropic phenomenon of the thixotropic substance 212 consumes the vibration energy, reduces the vibration, and reduces the thixotropic substance. Due to the softening of 212, the natural frequency inside the washing machine is reduced, and the resonance state is avoided. In the rated operation state, vibration is not transmitted and noise is not increased.

Instead of using the elastic ring 511, a thixotropic viscoelastic material may be applied to the surface where the support base 114 and the upper sliding element 112 are in contact. In this case, the thixotropic viscoelastic body 122 used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 can be used.

According to the vibration damping device 510 for a washing machine having this configuration, when the outer tub resonates during dehydration and the vibration increases, the upper sliding element 112 tends to slide largely on the support base 114. Then, the thixotropic viscoelastic body 212 consumes the energy of the vibration and reduces the vibration due to the thixotropic phenomenon. In the rated operation state, vibration is not transmitted and noise is not increased.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of the vibration isolator according to the present invention.

The upper surface of the sliding cylinder 113 of the vibration isolator 610 is curved. A sliding cylinder receiving portion 1 is provided on the side of the outer tank 102.
15 is provided, and the lower surface of the sliding cylinder receiving portion 115 is in contact with the upper surface of the sliding cylinder 113 in a spherically slidable manner. At this time, in the present embodiment, between the opposing surfaces of the sliding cylinder receiving portion 115 and the sliding cylinder 113, that is, between the lower surface 115a of the sliding cylinder receiving portion 115 and the upper surface 113b of the sliding cylinder 113. , A thixotropic substance is interposed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, an elastic ring 511 having a space inside is arranged between the sliding cylinder 113 and the sliding cylinder receiving portion 115. Elastic ring 5
A thixotropic substance 212 is sealed in the internal cavity of the eleventh embodiment.

According to the vibration isolator 610 having this configuration, when the outer tank 102 tries to resonate and the vibration increases, the thixotropic phenomenon of the thixotropic substance 212 consumes the vibration energy, thereby reducing the vibration and reducing the thixotropic substance. Due to the softening of 212, the natural frequency inside the washing machine is reduced, and the resonance state is avoided.
In the rated operation state, vibration is not transmitted and noise is not increased.

Instead of using the elastic ring 511, the lower surface 115a of the
A thixotropic viscoelastic body may be applied between the upper surface 113b and the upper surface 113b. In this case, the thixotropic viscoelastic body 122 used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 can be used.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the upper sliding element 112 and the support base 114 in the case where the elastic ring 511 containing the thixotropic substance 212 is used.
(A) is a side view of the upper sliding element 112, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the support base 114.

A convex portion 701 is provided on the bottom surface (lower surface) of the upper sliding element 112 shown in the elastic ring 511 (a) in which the thixotropic substance 212 is sealed. Also, on the upper surface of the support base 114 shown in FIG.
2 are provided. Upper sliding element 112 and support base 11
When the combination 4 is used, the convex portion 701 of the upper sliding element 112 and the convex portion 702 of the support base 114 move relative to each other, so that a shear force is applied to the elastic ring 511 in which the thixotropic substance 212 is sealed. In addition, a compression force can be applied. As a result, a larger deformation can be generated in the elastic body ring 511, and the effect of suppressing vibration due to the thixotropic phenomenon can be further increased.

The projections 701 and 702 of this embodiment are
It is also possible to apply to the sliding cylinder 113 and the sliding cylinder receiving part 115.

Further, the vibration damping device of each embodiment described above is used, for example, in a drum type washing machine which executes a washing step, a dehydrating step and a drying step by rotating a rotating drum having a rotating shaft in a horizontal direction. May be. That is, in this drum-type washing machine, the vibration of the drum-type washing machine and noise due to the vibration can be reduced by supporting the rotary drum on the outer frame with vibration isolation.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By using a thixotropic substance or a dilatant substance for the vibration isolator, washing that suppresses the vibration of the outer tub when passing through the resonance point without increasing the vibration and noise of the outer frame during the rated operation during the dehydration operation It is possible to provide a vibration isolator for a machine. Further, as described above, according to the present invention, by using a thixotropic substance or a dilatant substance for the vibration isolator, during dehydration operation, without increasing the vibration and noise of the outer frame during the rated operation, It is possible to provide a washing machine in which the vibration of the outer tub when passing through the resonance point is small.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention and a vibration isolator used in the washing machine.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the vibration isolator of the washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the vibration isolator of the washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the vibration isolator of the washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the vibration isolator of the washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the vibration isolator of the washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the vibration isolator of the washing machine according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100: washing machine, 110, 210, 310, 410, 5
10, 610: anti-vibration device, 111: hanging rod, 112: upper sliding element, 113: sliding cylinder, 114: support base, 115
... Sliding tube receiver, 116 ... Coil spring, 117 ... Movable member, 118, 311 ... Spring receiver, 119 ... Pressing element,
120, 411: slide element, 121: bottom cover, 122
... thixotropic viscoelastic body, 211 ... elastic body, 212
... thixotropic substances, 412 ... dilatant substances,
413: convex portion, 414: concave portion, 511: elastic ring,
701, 702...

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued from the front page (72) Inventor Shuji Aida 502, Kandachicho, Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki Pref.

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A sliding rod comprising a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a sliding element, wherein the coil spring and the sliding element are disposed inside the sliding cylinder, The element has its outer periphery in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder and is slidably provided in the axial direction of the sliding cylinder. The coil spring is provided between the sliding cylinder and the sliding element. One end of the hanging rod is inserted into the inside of the sliding cylinder and connected to the sliding element, and the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder has a thixotropic characteristic. A vibration isolator for a washing machine, wherein the viscoelastic body is applied. 2. A vibration isolator for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a lid for covering the end surface of the slide cylinder is attached to an end surface of the slide tube opposite to the side where the hanging rod is inserted. A vibration isolator for a washing machine, wherein the slide element is provided with a convex portion on an outer peripheral portion thereof toward the lid. 3. A sliding rod comprising a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a sliding element, wherein the coil spring and the sliding element are disposed inside the sliding cylinder, and The element has its outer periphery in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder and is slidably provided in the axial direction of the sliding cylinder. The coil spring is provided between the sliding cylinder and the sliding element. One end of the hanging rod is inserted inside the sliding cylinder and connected to the sliding element, and has a cavity inside the sliding cylinder. An elastic body is provided, and a substance having thixotropic properties is sealed in a cavity of the elastic body. 4. A sliding rod comprising a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a sliding element, wherein the coil spring and the sliding element are disposed inside the sliding cylinder, The element has its outer periphery in contact with the inner surface of the sliding cylinder and is slidably provided in the axial direction of the sliding cylinder, and the coil spring is driven by relative movement of the sliding cylinder and the sliding element. One end of the hanging bar is inserted inside the sliding cylinder and connected to the sliding element, and a portion of the sliding element that is in contact with the sliding cylinder is an internal part. A vibration isolator for a washing machine, comprising a ring-shaped elastic body having a cavity therein, wherein a substance having thixotropic properties is sealed in the cavity of the elastic body. 5. A sliding rod having a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a sliding element, wherein the coil spring and the sliding element are disposed inside the sliding cylinder, The element has its outer periphery in contact with the inner surface of the sliding cylinder and is slidably provided in the axial direction of the sliding cylinder, and the coil spring is driven by relative movement of the sliding cylinder and the sliding element. One end of the hanging rod is inserted inside the sliding cylinder and connected to the slide element, and is opposite to the insertion of the hanging rod of the sliding cylinder. A lid that covers the end surface is attached to the side end surface, and at least an outer peripheral portion of the slide element communicates with two chambers divided in the sliding direction of the slide element with the slide element as a boundary. There is one recess A washing machine anti-vibration apparatus characterized by substance is incorporated with dilatancy is inside the sliding tube. 6. An outer frame, an outer tank, an inner tank inside the outer tank, support means for supporting the outer tank on the outer tank, and driving means for rotating at least the inner tank. In a washing machine for rotating and driving the inner tub to perform dehydration, the support means includes a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a slide element, and the coil spring and the slide element. And the slide element is disposed inside the slide cylinder, and the slide element has an outer periphery in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the slide cylinder and is slidably provided in an axial direction of the slide cylinder. The coil spring is arranged so as to be expanded and contracted by the relative movement of the slide cylinder and the slide element,
One end of the hanging rod is inserted inside the sliding cylinder and connected to the sliding element, and a viscoelastic body having thixotropic properties is applied to an inner peripheral surface of the sliding cylinder. And a washing machine. 7. An outer frame, an outer tank, an inner tank inside the outer tank, support means for supporting the outer tank on the outer tank, and driving means for rotating at least the inner tank. In a washing machine for rotating and driving the inner tub to perform dehydration, the support means includes a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a slide element, and the coil spring and the slide element. And the slide element is disposed inside the slide cylinder, and the slide element has an outer periphery in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the slide cylinder and is slidably provided in an axial direction of the slide cylinder. The coil spring is arranged so as to be expanded and contracted by the relative movement of the slide cylinder and the slide element,
One end of the hanging rod is inserted inside the sliding cylinder and connected to the slide element, and an elastic body having a cavity therein is disposed inside the sliding cylinder, A washing machine characterized in that a substance having thixotropic properties is enclosed in the cavity. 8. An outer frame, an outer tank, an inner tank inside the outer tank, support means for supporting the outer tank on the outer tank, and driving means for rotating at least the inner tank. In a washing machine for rotating and driving the inner tub to perform dehydration, the support means includes a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a slide element, and the coil spring and the slide element. Is disposed inside the sliding cylinder, and the sliding element is provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the sliding cylinder, while an outer periphery thereof is in contact with an inner surface of the sliding cylinder, The coil spring is arranged to be expanded and contracted by the relative movement of the slide cylinder and the slide element,
One end of the hanging bar is inserted inside the sliding cylinder and connected to the sliding element, and a portion of the sliding element that is in contact with the sliding cylinder is a ring-shaped elastic body having a cavity therein. A washing machine comprising: a material having a thixotropic property enclosed in a cavity of the elastic body. 9. An outer frame, an outer tank, an inner tank inside the outer tank, support means for supporting the outer tank on the outer tank, and driving means for rotating at least the inner tank. In a washing machine for rotating and driving the inner tub to perform dehydration, the support means includes a hanging rod, a sliding cylinder, a coil spring, and a slide element, and the coil spring and the slide element. Is disposed inside the sliding cylinder, and the sliding element is provided so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the sliding cylinder, while an outer periphery thereof is in contact with an inner surface of the sliding cylinder, The coil spring is arranged to be expanded and contracted by the relative movement of the slide cylinder and the slide element,
One end of the hanging rod is inserted inside the sliding cylinder and connected to the slide element, and a lid that covers this end face is provided on an end surface of the sliding cylinder opposite to the side where the hanging rod is inserted. The slide element has at least one concave portion on the outer periphery of the slide element so as to communicate two chambers separated by the slide element in the sliding direction of the slide element. A washing machine characterized in that a substance having a dilatancy property is built in a tube. 10. An outer frame, an outer tank, an inner tank inside the outer tank, support means for supporting the outer tank on the outer tank, and driving means for rotating at least the inner tank. In a washing machine that spins and drives the inner tub to perform dehydration, a support base is provided at a portion of the outer frame that supports the hanging bar, and an upper portion is provided at an end of the hanging bar on the outer frame side. A sliding element is attached, the upper sliding element and the support are slidably in contact with each other, and a viscoelastic body having thixotropic properties is provided at a contact portion between the upper sliding element and the support. A washing machine characterized by being coated. 11. An outer frame, an outer tank, an inner tank inside the outer tank, support means for supporting the outer tank on the outer tank, and driving means for rotating at least the inner tank. In a washing machine for spin-drying the inner tub, a sliding cylinder is attached to an end of the hanging rod on the outer tub side, and the outer tub receives the sliding cylinder. A moving cylinder receiver is provided, and the sliding cylinder and the sliding cylinder receiver are slidably in contact with each other, and a contact portion between the sliding cylinder receiver and the sliding cylinder has a viscoelasticity having a thixotropic property. A washing machine characterized in that a body is applied. 12. An outer frame, an outer tank, an inner tank inside the outer tank, support means for supporting the outer tank on the outer tank, and driving means for rotating at least the inner tank. A washing machine that rotates and drives the inner tub to perform dehydration, wherein an upper sliding element is attached to an end of the hanging bar on the side of the outer frame, and a portion of the outer frame that supports the hanging bar. A washing machine, wherein a support base is attached to the washing machine, and an elastic body filled with a thixotropic substance is disposed between the upper sliding element and the support base. 13. An outer frame, an outer tank, an inner tank inside the outer tank, support means for supporting the outer tank on the outer tank, and driving means for rotating at least the inner tank. In a washing machine for spin-drying the inner tub, a sliding cylinder is attached to an end of the hanging rod on the outer tub side, and the outer tub receives the sliding cylinder. A washing machine comprising: a moving cylinder receiver; and an elastic body having a thixotropic substance sealed therein is disposed between the sliding cylinder receiver and the sliding cylinder.