JPS6215782B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement in a dehydration tank using a liquid as a balance weight.

Traditionally, for example, in dehydrating and washing machines,
A rotating tank, which is a washing tub and a dehydrating tank, is elastically supported by an elastic suspension mechanism through a water receiving tank inside the outer box. At the top opening of the rotating tank, a hollow annular balancer container with a rectangular cross section is filled with liquid such as a liquid as a balance weight. A liquid balancer that contains salt water is installed, and if an imbalance occurs due to uneven distribution of laundry in the rotating tub during spin-drying, the salt water in the balancer container will absorb the unbalanced centrifugal force. As a result of this action, a large amount of fluid is unevenly distributed on the side opposite to the unbalanced side, thereby suppressing vibrations during dewatering due to the unbalance of the rotating tank. Such vibration suppression during dehydration is thought to be based on the following effects. That is, the salt water in the balancer container is pressed against the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall of the balancer container by rotational centrifugal force, and the side corresponding to the inner surface of the inner peripheral wall of the balancer container becomes a vertical liquid level. Overall, the liquid level shifted toward the unbalanced side from the center of rotation (axis, or center of rotation) of the balancer container, that is, the rotating tank, by the amount that the salt water was unevenly distributed on the opposite side from the unbalanced side during the unbalanced state described above. A circle is drawn with the center of the liquid level as the center, and the center of motion determined by the equation of motion (the center of free rotation of the center of rotation) coincides with the center of the liquid level, and the center of rotation of the rotating tank is centered on the center of the liquid level. The salt water rotates synchronously with the balancer container, and the liquid level becomes stable.
As a result, the vibrational force based on the centrifugal force due to uneven distribution of the laundry and the vibrational force based on the centrifugal force due to the presence of salt water cancel each other out, and vibrations are suppressed as a whole.
However, according to the above-mentioned conventional configuration, when the laundry is uniformly present in the rotating tub and no imbalance occurs, the rotating tub generates abnormal vibrations called rhythmic vibrations or hip-shaking vibrations as described below. It has been found. The reason for this is thought to be as follows. That is, if there is no unbalance in the rotating tank, the center of the liquid level and the center of motion as described above should coincide with the center of rotation of the rotating tank, and the rotating tank will rotate stably. However, when there is no unbalance in the rotating tank like this, unlike when it is unbalanced, an unbalanced centrifugal force may act on the salt water in the balancer container, causing the flow to be unevenly distributed on the side opposite to the unbalanced side. Therefore, the salt water in the balancer container is not synchronized with the rotation of the balancer container, and flows and rotates later than the rotation of the balancer container, and as a result of this delay, a situation occurs in which the salt water is unevenly distributed in some parts. At this time, the center of the liquid level shifts from the center of rotation to the side opposite to the side where the salt water is unevenly distributed, and conversely, the center of motion shifts from the center of rotation to the side where the salt water is unevenly distributed, resulting in a difference in movement between the center of the liquid level and the side where the salt water is unevenly distributed. As a result of the deviation from the center, the liquid level corresponding to the inner surface of the inner circumferential wall of the salt water balancer container becomes unstable.
As a result, when the rotating tank is rotating at a steady speed of, for example, 900 r.Pm, the rotating tank generates rhythmic vibrations that vibrate intermittently, and the dewatering shaft, which is the rotating shaft of the rotating tank, is intermittently attached to the support such as a bearing metal. Abnormal noise will be generated periodically as if the rotating tank is unbalanced, and after the rotating tank starts rotating and before it stops rotating, the vibration of the vibration system consisting of the rotating tank, elastic suspension mechanism, etc. When rotating at 240r.Pm, there is a problem in that the resonance causes large hip swing vibrations that collide with the outer box through the water tank.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to attach a hollow annular balancer container to the upper opening of a bottomed cylindrical dehydration tank main body, store liquid in this balancer container, and A plurality of substantially L-shaped plate-shaped partition walls each having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion are arranged in the balancer container, and the upper edge, outer edge, and lower edge of the vertical portion of the partition walls are The upper wall, outer peripheral wall and bottom wall of the balancer container are connected to each other, and the lower edge and leading edge of the horizontal part are connected to the bottom wall and inner peripheral wall of the balancer container, respectively. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to not only suppress the vibrations during dehydration caused by the imbalance when there is an imbalance, but also prevent the occurrence of abnormal vibrations such as rhythmic vibrations and hip swing vibrations during normal times when there is no imbalance. It is possible to provide a dehydration tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a dehydrating and washing machine will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 is an outer box, and 2 is an elastic suspension mechanism 3 inside this outer box 1.
4 is a cylindrical rotating tank with a bottom that serves as a washing tub and a dehydration tank and is placed inside the water receiving tank 2. 5 is a stirring blade that is placed at the bottom of the rotating tank 4. be. At the bottom of the water tank 2, a drive device 8 consisting of a mechanism section 6, a drive motor 7, etc.
The dewatering shaft 9 is connected to the center of the bottom of the rotary tank 4, and the washing shaft 10 is connected to the stirring blade 5. As is well known, the washing shaft 10 stirs during washing. The blades 5 are driven to rotate in forward and reverse directions, and during dewatering, the rotating tank 4 is driven to rotate in one direction at a high speed (a steady speed of 900 r.Pm) by the dehydrating tank 9.

Now, the rotating tank 4 will be explained in detail. That is,
Reference numeral 11 denotes a rotary tank main body which is a dehydration tank main body having a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and a liquid balancer 12 is installed at the upper opening of the rotary tank main body.
are placed. This liquid balancer 12 has a structure in which a liquid such as salt water 14 as a balance weight is stored in a balancer container 13 consisting of a plastic container main part 13a on the lower side and a plastic lid part 13b on the upper side. The portion 13a connects the outer circumferential wall portion 13a ₁ , the inner circumferential wall portion 13a ₂ and their lower ends, and connects the inner circumferential wall portion 13
Bottom wall part 1 that is oriented diagonally upward as it goes toward a ₂
The lid part _13b has a hollow annular shape with a rectangular cross section, and the lid part 13b has an annular shape that liquid-tightly closes the upper opening of the main part 13a of the container.
is set to approximately one-half of the internal volume of the container main portion 13a. 15 is the vertical part 15
A plurality of partition walls, for example four partition walls, each having a substantially L-shaped plate shape and consisting of a horizontal portion 15a and a horizontal portion 15b, are arranged at equal intervals within the balancer container 13. That is, in the partition wall 15, the outer edge 15a ₁ and the lower edge 15a ₂ of the vertical portion 15a are the outer circumferential wall 13 of the container main portion 13a.
a ₁ and the bottom wall portion 13a ₃ , respectively, and the lower edge portion 15b ₁ and the leading edge portion 15b ₂ of the horizontal portion 15b are connected to the bottom wall portion 13a ₃ and the inner peripheral wall portion 13 of the container main portion 13a.
a ₂ so that they are connected to each other, and the main part 1 of the container is
3a, and the upper edge 15a3 of the vertical portion 15a is brought into contact with the lid portion _13b , which is the upper wall portion, so as to be in continuous contact with the lid portion 13b. Therefore, the inner edge 15a ₄ of the vertical portion 15a in this partition wall 15
The upper edge portion 15b ₃ of the horizontal portion 15b faces the inner peripheral wall portion 13a ₂ and the lid portion 13b, respectively, and forms a flow port 16 together with these. 17 is partition wall 1
This is a rectangular notch-shaped communication hole formed in the upper part of the outer edge 15a ₁ of the vertical portion 15a in 5, and this hole is set to have a width of about 3 mm and a length of about 15 mm, for example. Then, the lower half of the liquid balancer 12 is fitted into the upper opening of the rotating tank main body 11, and the mounting collar 18 protruding from the outer circumferential wall _13a1 of the container main part 13a is attached to the rotating tank main body 11. It is attached by screws 20 to a mounting protrusion 19 formed at the edge of the upper opening.

Next, the operation of this embodiment having the above configuration will be explained.

First, during dehydration, the rotating tank 4 is at a high steady speed.
When rotated at 900 r.Pm, the salt water 14 is pressed against the inner surface of the outer circumferential wall 13a ₁ of the container main portion 13a by the rotational centrifugal force, and the side of the salt water 14 corresponding to the inner circumferential wall 13a ₁ is vertical. The liquid level becomes 14a,
For example, when the salt water 14 rotates in synchronization with the balancer container 13, it is pressed against the outer circumferential wall portion _13a1 to have a substantially uniform thickness, and the vertical portion 15a is submerged in the salt water 14. At this time, the distance from the liquid level 14a to the inner edge _15a4 is set to be approximately 2 to 5 mm. Therefore, when the rotating tank 4 rotates at a steady speed in a normal state where there is no imbalance in the rotating tank 4, the salt water 14 flows along the outer circumferential wall 13a ₁ and the bottom wall 13a ₃ of the balancer container 13. However, in this embodiment, the vertical portion 15a of the plate-shaped partition wall 15 suppresses the flow of the salt water 14 as much as possible, and by suppressing the flow, the salt water 14 The water salt 14 rotates in synchronization with the balancer container 13, and rhythmic vibrations are prevented.
On the other hand, when the rotating tub 4 rotates at a steady speed in a state where the rotating tub 4 is unbalanced due to uneven distribution of laundry, the unbalanced centrifugal force of the salt water 14 causes the unbalanced side to rotate. A strong flowing force toward the side will act, and this flowing force will cause the flow from the inner edge 15a ₄ of the salt water 14 to the flow port 1.
The portion located on the 6 side flows in the circumferential direction toward the side opposite to the unbalanced side, and a part of the salt water 14 whose flow is suppressed by the vertical portion 15a is affected by the strong flow force. Due to this action, the water flows through the relatively small flow hole 17 and flows in the circumferential direction toward the side opposite to the unbalanced side, thereby suppressing vibrations during dewatering due to the unbalance.

Also, after the rotation (dehydration) of the rotating tank 4 starts or before the rotation (dehydration) stops, the rotation of the rotating tank 4 at 120 to 240 r.
During the rotation of Pm, the side of the salt water 14 corresponding to the inner circumferential wall 13a ₂ becomes a sloping water surface 14b because the action of rotational centrifugal force is weaker than at the steady speed. Vertical part 15
A part of the upper part of a and the tip of the horizontal part 15b are not submerged in the salt water 14. Therefore, rotating tank 4
When the rotating tank 4 rotates near the resonance point as described above in a normal state where there is _no unbalance in the If the salt water 14 attempts to flow in the circumferential direction _along
As well as being suppressed as much as possible by the horizontal portion 15b, the flow suppression prevents the salt water 14 from being partially unevenly distributed, and the salt water 14 flows into the balancer container 13. This will prevent hip swing vibrations. On the other hand, when the rotating tank 4 rotates near the resonance point in a state where the rotating tank 4 is unbalanced, the unbalanced centrifugal force causes the salt water 14 to have a strong force directed toward the side opposite to the unbalanced side. The flow force acts so that the portion of the salt water 14 located near the corner of the vertical portion 15a and the horizontal portion 15b toward the flow port 16 is directed toward the opposite side from the unbalanced side. At the same time, a part of the salt water 14, whose flow is suppressed by the vertical portion 15a, flows through the relatively small flow hole 17 due to the action of the strong fluid force, thereby eliminating the imbalance. The fluid flows in the circumferential direction toward the opposite side, suppressing vibrations during dehydration due to unbalance.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the plate-shaped partition wall 15 having a substantially L-shape and consisting of a vertical portion 15a and a horizontal portion 15b is integrally molded on the container main portion 13a of the balancer container 13 containing the salt water 14. , its vertical part 1
Since the relatively small communication hole 17 is formed in the upper part of the outer edge _15a1 of the rotating tank 5a, the rotating tank 4 is in a normal state with no imbalance.
When the rotating tank 4 rotates at a steady speed, the flow of the salt water 14 is suppressed as much as possible by the vertical portion 15a, and when the rotating tank 4 rotates at a speed near the resonance point of the vibration system, the flow of the salt water 14 is suppressed as much as possible by the vertical portion 15a.
The vertical portion 15a and the horizontal portion 15b suppress the flow of the salt water as much as possible, and as a result, the salt water 14 rotates in synchronization with the balancer container 13, causing rhythmic vibrations and vibrations near the resonance point when rotating at a steady speed. It is possible to prevent the hip-swinging vibration of the user, and also to eliminate the generation of periodic abnormal noises and the collision of the rotating tank 4 with the outer box 1 via the water receiving tank 2. Also, when an unbalance occurs in the rotating tank 4, a strong flow force acting on the salt water 14 in the direction opposite to the unbalanced side due to the unbalanced centrifugal force causes the partition wall of the salt water 14 to A portion of the salt water 14 located closer to the flow hole 16 than the body 15 is allowed to flow to the side opposite to the unbalanced side, and a portion of the salt water 14 whose flow is suppressed by the vertical portion 15a flows through the flow hole 17. This is to suppress vibrations during dewatering due to unbalance of the rotating tank 4 by allowing the fluid to flow to the opposite side to the unbalanced side.

In the above embodiment, the partition wall 15 is integrally molded with the container main part 13a, which is the lower side of the balancer container 13, but conversely, it is integrally molded with the lid part 13b, which is the upper part, and the outside of the vertical part 15a. Edge 15a ₁ ,
The lower edge 15a ₂ is connected to the outer peripheral wall 13a ₁ and the bottom wall 13a ₃
are brought into contact with each other to form a continuous state, and the horizontal portion 15b
The lower edge 15b ₁ , the leading edge 15b ₂ of the bottom wall 13a ₃ ,
They may also be brought into contact with the inner circumferential wall portions _13a2 , respectively, so as to be connected.

Further, in the above embodiment, the outer edge 1 of the partition wall body 15
Although _the rectangular notch-shaped communication hole 17 is formed in the upper part of the partition wall 15, it is sufficient to provide the communication hole in a portion of the partition wall 15 on the outer edge _15a1 side. The relationship, shape, etc. are not particularly limited, and this communication hole is connected to the partition wall 15.
It may be provided as necessary by selecting the appropriate dimensions.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings; for example, it can be applied not only to a washing machine that also serves as a dehydrator, but also to a single dehydrator or to the dehydrating tank side of a dual-tub washing machine. Of course, modifications may be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

As explained above, the present invention has a structure in which a partition wall body having a substantially L-shaped plate shape consisting of a vertical part and a horizontal part is arranged in a balancer container containing a liquid, thereby preventing unbalance. At times, the flow of liquid is suppressed as much as possible, and when there is an imbalance, the flow of liquid is allowed by the action of the unbalanced centrifugal force, so it goes without saying that vibrations during dewatering due to imbalance can be suppressed. It is possible to provide a dehydration tank that exhibits excellent effects such as being able to prevent the occurrence of abnormal vibrations during rhythmic vibrations and hip-swinging vibrations.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a washing machine with a dehydrating function, Fig. 2 is a top view of the rotating tub with the lid removed, and Fig. 3 is a top view of the rotating tub with the lid removed. A partially enlarged top view of the rotating tank in a state where
FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the main part. In the drawing, 1 is an outer box, 3 is an elastic suspension mechanism, 4 is a rotating tank (dehydration tank), 8 is a drive device, 9 is a dehydration shaft, 1
1 is the rotary tank main body (dehydration tank main body), 12 is a liquid balancer, 13 is a balancer container, 13a is the main part of the container (lower side), 13a ₁ is the outer peripheral wall part, 13a ₂ is the inner peripheral wall part, 13a ₃ is the bottom wall 13b is a lid part (upper side and upper wall part), 14 is salt water (liquid), 15 is a partition wall, 15a is a vertical part, 15a ₁ is an outer edge, 15a ₂
is the lower edge, 15a ₃ is the upper edge, 15b is the horizontal part, 1
5b ₁ is a lower edge, 15b ₂ is a leading edge, and 17 is a flow hole.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cylindrical dehydration tank body with a bottom, a hollow annular balancer container attached to the upper opening of the dehydration tank body, and a liquid serving as a balance weight housed in the balancer container. , is arranged in the balancer container and has a substantially L-shaped plate shape consisting of a vertical part and a horizontal part, and the upper edge, outer edge, and lower edge of the vertical part are the upper wall part and the outer peripheral wall of the balancer container. and a plurality of partition walls, the lower edge and the leading edge of the horizontal portion being connected to the bottom wall and the inner circumferential wall of the balancer container, respectively. A dehydration tank. 2. A patent claim characterized in that the balancer container is configured to be divided into upper and lower parts, and the partition wall body is integrally molded on one of the upper side and the lower side of the balancer container and is configured to abut on the other side. The dehydration tank according to item 1.