TWI540235B - Drum washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Drum washing machine

The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine.

In the drum type washing machine, the rotation axis of the drum is substantially horizontal, or the rotation axis is inclined so that the opening portion of the drum faces obliquely upward, and after the clothes are put into the drum, the washing process, the washing process, and the dewatering work are performed. In the laundry and washing works, the clothes stacked under the drum are picked up by the drum rotating at a low speed, and then the roll is rolled down from above the drum. By this rolling, the clothing is given mechanical strength to be washed and washed. In the dewatering process, the drum is rotated at a high speed, and by this rotation, centrifugal dewatering is performed from the clothes.

Further, in the laundry process, the washing water in the washing tub (outer tank) is sucked up by the circulation pump to the clothes. Thereby, the washing water after the lotion is dissolved penetrates into the clothing. In this way, the drum type washing machine can save water while ensuring the washing function as compared with the vertical type washing machine.

Patent Document 1 discloses a drum type washing machine which is provided with: a water tank capable of storing water; a hole having water passage possible, and rotatably a rotary groove disposed in the water tank; a circulation water passage that communicates with the water outlet port and the water return port of the water tank outside the water tank; a circulation pump provided in the middle of the circulation water passage; and a circulation device The circulation water passage and the circulation pump are configured to be configured, and the pump in the circulation pump sucks water in the water tank through the circulation water passage, and discharges water in the water tank from the water return port to the water tank to circulate it. (Refer to request item 1).

[prior technical literature] [Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-55999

However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is intended to obtain the necessary pump performance by high-speed rotation of the pump blade even when a small pump blade is used. However, since the rotational speed of the circulation pump is simply set to be fast, there is a new problem that noise is increased.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a drum type washing machine capable of achieving quietness (low noise) even when a large circulating flow rate is secured.

A drum type washing machine of the present invention which solves such problems, The utility model is characterized in that: an outer tank for internally storing water; a drum that is rotatably supported in the outer tank; and a drum that accommodates clothing; a drum motor that rotationally drives the drum; and a water supply means that supplies water to the outer tank; And a circulation pump that takes in water from the outer tank and circulates water in the drum, and the circulation pump includes a water that is sprayed from the outer tank toward the drum when water is sprayed into the drum. In the impeller, the impeller is a blade formed by a plate body arranged in a radial arrangement around a plurality of rotating shafts, and each of the blades is curved from a rotating shaft side toward a radial direction, and the curved surface faces the aforementioned The direction of rotation of the impeller is convex.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a drum type washing machine which achieves quietness (low noise) even when a large circulation flow rate is realized.

2‧‧‧ outer trough

3‧‧‧Roller

4‧‧‧Roller motor

15‧‧‧Water supply unit (water supply means)

24‧‧‧Circulating pump

27‧‧‧Circular flow path

38‧‧‧Control device

42‧‧‧ casing

46‧‧‧ Impeller

46a‧‧‧ leaves

46a1‧‧‧ Large blades

46a2‧‧‧Small leaves

46b‧‧‧Substrate

46c‧‧‧blade wheels

47‧‧‧Circulating pump motor

S‧‧‧Drum type washing and drying machine (drum type washing machine)

r‧‧‧Rotation direction of the impeller

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a drum type washing and drying machine (drum type washing machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing a side structure of a casing in which the drum type washing and drying machine (drum type washing machine) of FIG. 1 is removed.

[ Fig. 3] (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of Fig. 2, that is, an explanatory view of a depressed portion formed at the bottom of the outer tank, and (b) is a conventional drum type washing and drying machine (drum type washing machine). The depression of the bottom of the outer groove An illustration of the department.

[ Fig. 4] (a) is a plan view showing a circulation flow path from the bottom of the outer tub of the drum type washing and drying machine (drum type washing machine) of Fig. 1 toward the circulation pump, and (b) shows a conventional drum type laundry dryer. The bottom of the outer tank of the machine (drum type washing machine) faces the top view of the circulation flow path of the circulation pump.

Fig. 5 is a partially enlarged view of the circulation pump and the filter cartridge of Fig. 4(a).

[Fig. 6] (a) is a plan view of the impeller, and (b) is a side view of the impeller.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a circulation pump and a circulation flow path of the drum type washer-dryer (drum type washing machine) of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 (a) is a perspective view showing a circulation flow path provided in the outer tank cover, and Fig. 8 (b) is a perspective view showing the bellows tube connecting the circulation pump and the circulation flow path provided in the outer tank cover.

Fig. 9 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of a nozzle connected to a circulation flow path of the outer tank cover.

(Fig. 10) is a drawing showing the operation of the washing operation of the drum type washing and drying machine (drum type washing machine) according to the first embodiment.

[Fig. 11] (a) is a graph showing the relationship between the circulation flow rate of the circulation pump and the washing ratio, and (b) is a graph showing the relationship between the number of revolutions of the circulation pump and the circulation flow rate.

Fig. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the circulation flow rate of the circulation pump and the amount of change in the brightness of the clothing.

Fig. 13 is a graph showing the static pressure-flow characteristics of the circulation pump.

Fig. 14 (a) is a plan view of an impeller according to a modification, and Fig. 14 (b) is a side view of the impeller.

Fig. 15 (a) is a plan view of the impeller used in the first embodiment, and (b) is a side view of the impeller of (a).

Fig. 16 (a) is a plan view of the impeller used in the second embodiment, and Fig. 16 (b) is a side view of the impeller (a) viewed from the XVI direction.

Fig. 17 (a) is a plan view of the impeller used in the third embodiment, and (b) is a side view of the impeller of (a).

[Fig. 18] (a) is a plan view of the impeller used in the fourth embodiment, and (b) is a side view of the impeller of (a).

19] (a) is a plan view of the impeller used in the comparative example 1, and (b) is a side view of the impeller of (a).

20] (a) is a plan view of the impeller used in the comparative example 2, and (b) is a side view of the impeller of (a).

[Formation for carrying out the invention]

Next, a drum-type washer-dryer (drum type washing machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to an appropriate drawing. The drum-type washer-dryer of the present embodiment is configured to suppress the deterioration of the washing performance by reducing the mechanical force applied to the clothes in order to suppress the rough feeling of the washed clothes, and to increase the circulating flow rate of the washing water. The washing performance is maintained satisfactorily. On the other hand, the circulation flow rate of the washing water is increased to suppress the noise from becoming large. Specifically, the present invention is There are feature points in the construction of the impeller constituting the circulation pump.

First, the overall configuration of the drum type washer-dryer will be mainly described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 . Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a drum-type washer-dryer according to the embodiment. Fig. 2 is a side view schematically showing a side structure of a casing of the drum-type washer-dryer of Fig. 1 with the internal structure removed. In the following description, the front, rear, left, and right directions are based on the front, rear, left, and right directions shown in FIG. 1 .

Reference numeral 1 is a casing constituting the periphery of the drum type washing and drying machine S. The casing 1 is mounted on the base 1h and is composed of: left and right side plates 1a, 1b; front cover 1c; rear cover 1d (refer to Fig. 2); upper cover 1e; lower front cover 1f Composition. The left and right side panels 1a, 1b are The upper reinforcing material 36 (see FIG. 2) of the shape, the front reinforcing material 37 (see FIG. 2), and the rear reinforcing material (not shown) are combined, and the base 1h is included to form the box-shaped casing 1.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a door leaf that is placed in the center of the front cover 1c and that is taken out from the insertion opening for the clothing, and is hingedly supported by the hinge 9c (see Fig. 2) provided in the front reinforcing member 37. The latch mechanism (not shown) is turned off by pressing the door open button 9d, and the door leaf 9 is pushed toward the front cover 1c to be latch-closed. The front reinforcing member 37 is a circular opening portion for taking out clothes for clothing, which is concentric with the opening of the outer tub 2 (see FIG. 2) to be described later.

Reference numeral 6 is an operation panel provided at the center of the upper portion of the casing 1, and is provided with a power switch 39, operation buttons 12 and 13, and a display 14. The operation panel 6 is a control device 38 provided at a lower portion of the casing 1. (Refer to Figure 2) Electrical connection.

Reference numeral 19 (see Fig. 2) is a lotion container provided on the upper left side in the casing 1, and forms a drawer-type lotion holder 7 that can be pulled out from the front opening. When the lotion is placed, the lotion holder 7 is pulled out as indicated by the 2-point chain line in Fig. 1. The lotion container 19 (see Fig. 2) is fixed to the upper reinforcing member 36 of the casing 1 (see Fig. 2). Further, a water outlet 19a (see FIG. 2) is provided slightly behind the left side surface of the lotion container 19. Therefore, the bottom surface of the lotion container 19 has a shape in which the position at which the water outlet 19a is formed is the lowest.

On the rear side of the lotion container 19, water supply related parts such as a water supply solenoid valve 16, a bath water suction pump 17 (see Fig. 2), a water level sensor 34 (see Fig. 2), and the like are provided. The water supply unit 15 is provided in the upper opening of the lotion container 19 (see Fig. 2). The upper cover 1e is provided with a water supply hose connection port 16a from the tap water tap and a water suction hose connection port 17a of the remaining hot water of the bath.

As shown in Fig. 2, the drum 3 as a washing and dewatering tank has a cylindrical shape and is rotatably supported. The drum 3 has a plurality of through holes (not shown) for water passage and ventilation on the outer peripheral wall and the bottom wall, and an opening portion 3a for taking out the clothing is provided on the front end surface. A fluid balancer (not shown) integrated with the drum 3 is provided outside the opening 3a. Further, the rotation center axis of the drum 3 is horizontal or inclined to increase the opening side.

Reference numeral 2 is a cylindrical outer groove, and the drum 3 is enclosed in a coaxial shape, and the front surface is opened, and a drum horse is attached to the outer center of the rear end surface. Up to 4. The drum 3 is rotated in both the forward and reverse directions by the drum motor 4. The rotating shaft of the drum motor 4 penetrates the outer tub 2 and is coupled to the drum 3. An outer tank cover 2d is provided in the front opening, and water can be stored in the outer tank 2. The outer tub 2 is rotatively supported by a damper 5 that fixes the lower side to the base 1h. Reference numeral 10 is a bellows made of rubber, that is, the watertight outer groove 2 is closed by closing the door leaf 9.

At the rear side of the side surface of the outer tub 2, a water supply port 2a for supplying water, a lotion, or the like into the outer tub 2 is provided. The water supply port 2a and the water outlet 19a of the lotion container 19 are connected by a rubber bellows tube 20.

A concave recessed portion 2f is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the bottom side of the outer tub 2 and extends in the axial direction of the outer tub 2. The bottom surface of the recessed portion 2f is an inclined surface which is formed to descend from the front side toward the rear side, behind the recessed portion 2f. A drain 21 is provided on the side. A bellows tube 22 is connected to the drain port 21 via a joint 21a. An inflow port 18 for circulating water at the bottom is provided on the front side of the recessed portion 2f.

Reference numeral 26 is a drain hose, and one end of the water discharge port 23b (see Fig. 4(a)) of the circulation pump 24 to be described later is connected, and the other end side thereof is extended to the outside of the machine. Reference numeral 25 is a drain valve provided in the middle of the drain hose 26 extending in the machine.

Fig. 3 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of Fig. 2, that is, an explanatory view of a depressed portion formed at the bottom of the outer tub, and Fig. 3 (b) is formed at the bottom of the outer tub of the conventional drum type washer-dryer; An illustration of the depressed portion.

As shown in Fig. 3 (a), a partition wall W continuous from the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall of the outer tub 2 is formed in the upper portion of the recessed portion 2f, and the recessed portion is covered. About half of the width of 2f. The partition wall W is extended along the outer peripheral surface of the drum 3 in the direction in which the rotation direction R with respect to the dehydration of the drum 3 opposes. The drain port 21 and the inflow port 18 are formed at positions deviated from the center in the width direction of the recess portion 2f toward the rotation direction R of the drum 3. Thereby, the partition wall W is formed in the upper part of the drain port 21 and the inflow port 18.

The recessed portion 2f is a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the water by the drum 3 during dehydration, and catches the rotation to the drum 3 when it exits from the through hole (not shown) of the drum 3 toward the inner peripheral surface side of the outer tub 2. The water in the same direction R is directed to the drain port 21. The partition wall W has an effect of preventing the water entering the recessed portion 2f from returning to the outer tub 2 again.

The drum type washing machine D of the present embodiment shown in Fig. 3(a) has a volume of about 1 to 1.5 L with respect to the recessed portion 2f of the conventional drum type washer-dryer shown in Fig. 3(b). The volume of the depressed portion 2f is set to 2.5 L or more.

That is, as can be seen from the comparison between the depressed portion 2f shown in Fig. 3(a) and the depressed portion 2f shown in Fig. 3(b), the depressed portion 2f of the present embodiment is formed in the circumferential width of the outer groove 2 width. The recessed portion 2f may be set to have a width of 35% or more of the inner diameter of the outer tub 2.

Thereby, the amount of water stored in the outer tub 2 of the drum type washer-dryer S is larger than that of the conventional drum type washer-dryer. When the rotation speed of the circulation pump to be described later is increased by the expansion of the recessed portion 2f, the large-flow washing water is sucked into the circulation pump to increase the circulation flow rate, and as a result, the washing efficiency of the clothes is further improved than in the related art.

Figure 4 (a), which is next referred to, shows the drum type washing from Figure 1. The top view of the outer tank of the clothes dryer is a plan view of the circulation flow path of the circulation pump, and FIG. 4(b) is a top view of the circulation flow path from the bottom of the outer tank of the conventional drum type washer-dryer toward the circulation pump.

As shown in Fig. 4 (a), in the joint 21a of the drain port 21 of the present embodiment, the connection portion formed with the bellows 22 protrudes from the drain port 21 toward the left side. Further, one end of the bellows 22 is connected to the joint 21a, and the other end of the bellows 22 is connected to the water inlet 23a of the circulation pump 24.

The bellows tube 22 of the present embodiment is a part of the circulation flow path, and the inner diameter of the bellows tube 22 is set to 35 mm or more, and is preferably set to about 37 mm to 50 mm. Further, the inner diameter of the bellows tube 22 is defined by the mountain diameter of the bellows (the inner diameter of the narrow portion of the bellows).

Further, the length of the bellows tube 22 is set to 400 mm or less, and it is desirable to set it to about 150 mm to 300 mm. Moreover, the length of the bellows 22 is defined by the length of the bellows tube 22 extending between the outlet of the joint 21a and the inlet of the inlet bowl 23a of the circulation pump 24.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the outlet of the bellows 22 with respect to the joint 21a is connected from the lateral direction and from the side of the circulation pump 24, the length from the joint 21a to the inlet of the water inlet 23a of the circulation pump 24 can be shortened. The flow path impedance becomes small. Moreover, since the inner diameter of the bellows tube 22 located on the upstream side of the circulation pump 24 is set to 35 mm or more, it is larger than usual, and this point is also connected to the reduction of the flow path impedance. Therefore, as will be described in detail later, by increasing the rotational speed of the circulation pump 24, it is possible to suck a large amount of washing water and circulate it into the drum 3.

Moreover, in the joint of the conventional drum type washer-dryer 21a is formed to protrude toward the rear side as shown in Fig. 4(b). Further, the length of the conventional bellows tube 22a extending between the joint 21a and the water inlet bowl 23a is about 460 mm, and the inner diameter of the conventional bellows tube 22a is about 30 mm.

In (a) and (b) of FIG. 4, the symbol 23b is the water discharge port of the circulation pump 24, and the reference numeral 44 is a discharge port for discharging the water toward the circulation flow path 27 (see Fig. 8(a)) which will be described later on the outer tank cover 2d. Reference numeral 45 is a discharge port that feeds water into the outer tub 2 (recessed portion 2f) from the circulation pump 24.

Returning to Fig. 2, a gas trap 2e is provided at the lowermost portion of the rear end surface of the outer tub 2. A hole 2e1 communicating with the outer tub 2 (recessed portion 2f) is provided at a lower portion of the air trap 2e, and the upper portion of the air trap 2e and the water level sensor 34 are connected by a pipe 35 to detect the water level in the outer tub 2. Further, in the conventional drum type washer-dryer, a gas trap 2e is provided above the rear portion of the drain port 21. The circulating water flows into the bellows tube 22a from below the gas trap 2e from the drain port 21 (see Fig. 4(b)). Since the inner diameter of the bellows 22a is narrower than the inner diameter of the bellows 22 (see Fig. 4(a)) of the present embodiment, the flow velocity at the lower portion of the hole 2e1 of the air trap 2e becomes higher when the circulation flow rate is increased, according to Bernu. The law of Lee will have a problem that the pressure in the air trap 2e is lowered and the water level in the outer tank 2 cannot be correctly detected. In the present embodiment, since the circulating water flows from the drain port 21 toward the left side (see FIG. 4(a)), the flow velocity of the communicating hole 2e1 portion is small, and the water level in the outer tub 2 can be accurately detected.

A circulation pump 24, a filter cartridge 23, and a drain valve 25 are provided between the outer tub 2 and the base 1h. The filter cartridge 23 has a cylindrical shape having an opening on the front side, and has a detachable filter body (not shown) attached thereto, and is trapped. Foreign matter and lint in the washing water. The filter cartridge 23 is a door leaf 1g that is opened to the lower front cover 1f, and the handle 23d is rotated to easily attach and detach the filter (not shown). The filter cartridge 23 is inclined to increase the front side.

The circulation of the washing water centering on the circulation pump 24 will be described in detail later.

Reference numeral 29 is a drying passage and is disposed inside the back surface of the casing 1. The drying duct 29 is connected to a suction port provided at the rear of the outer tub 2 by a rubber bellows tube 29a. A water-cooling dehumidification mechanism (not shown) is provided in the drying duct 29.

Further, during the drying operation, warm air is blown into the drum 3 by a heater (not shown) by a blower or the like to evaporate water from the clothes. The high-temperature and high-humidity air is sucked into the drying duct 29, and the water-cooling/dehumidifying mechanism is cooled and dehumidified to become low-temperature air, and is heated in a heater (not shown) and then blown into the drum 3. In addition, a heat pump can be used instead of a heater or a water-cooling dehumidification mechanism.

Next, Fig. 5 referred to is a partially enlarged view of the circulation pump and the filter cartridge of Fig. 4 (a).

As shown in Fig. 5, the circulation pump 24 of the present embodiment includes a sleeve 42 integrally formed with the filter cartridge 23, an impeller (also referred to as a "runner" 46), and a circulation pump motor 47. Centrifugal pump.

An intake port 43 is formed in the sleeve 42; the discharge ports 44, 45 are introduced into the water tank 23a, and the water discharge port 23b.

The suction port 43 is a substantially circular through hole connecting the filter case 23 and the sleeve 42, and is coaxial with the impeller 46 of the circulation pump 24.

In other words, the circulation pump 24 constituting the centrifugal pump is formed as described later in detail, and the washing water received into the sleeve 42 via the suction port 43 is discharged to the discharge ports 44 and 45 in accordance with the rotation direction of the rotary shaft.

Next, the impeller 46 will be described.

Fig. 6(a) is a plan view of the impeller, and Fig. 6(b) is a side view of the impeller. In addition, the plan view of FIG. 6( a ) is a front view which will be described later when the impeller 46 is viewed from the side of the suction weir 43 (see FIG. 5 ).

As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the impeller 46 has a disk-shaped substrate 46b, a rod-shaped blade hub 46c which is provided at the center of the substrate 46b and has a center of rotation, and a blade hub. 46c is a plurality of plate-shaped blades 46a which are provided at equal intervals in the center.

The blade 46a is constituted by the large blade 46a1 standing on the substrate 46b, the maximum height a from the substrate 46b and the height a of the blade hub 46c being equal, and the maximum height b from the substrate 46b being lower than the height a of the blade hub 46c. The small vanes 46a2 are formed (a>b).

The large blade 46a1 is gradually lowered from the center side of the highest height substrate 46b toward the outside, and has a substantially trapezoidal shape.

The small vane 46a2 has a height which is formed at a constant height b from the center side of the substrate 46b toward the outside.

Further, the vane 46a is arranged on the substrate 46b in six pieces, and is arranged in the order of the large vane 46a1, the small vane 46a2, the small vane 46a2, the large vane 46a1, the small vane 46a2, and the small vane 46a2 around the vane hub 46c.

Further, in the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2 of the present embodiment The outer diameters are all equal and are set to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the substrate 46b.

According to such a blade 46a, even if the wire flows in across the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2, since the height of the large blade 46a1 becomes lower toward the outer circumference (because the substantially trapezoidal shape is formed), the wire is easily flung by the centrifugal force. It is possible to prevent the wire from being wound around the blade 46a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the blade 46a formed of the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2 is bent toward the left rotation direction (later, the positive rotation direction) as viewed from the front side (the suction side 43 side of FIG. 5). The convex shape, that is, the direction r in which the washing water is sent to the circulation flow path 27 via the discharge port 44 (see FIG. 5) is curved in a convex shape.

The curvature of the blade 46a does not necessarily have a certain curvature from the center to the outer end of the blade hub 46c, and the degree of bending is set by the position of the outer end of the blade 46a.

Further, the degree of bending of the embodiment of the present invention to be described later is as shown in Fig. 6(a), and the outer end position P of the blade (the blade 46a of Comparative Example 1 shown in Fig. 19) which is not curved is The reference is defined by the offset width B of the position of the outer end of the curved blade 46a (the offset width B of the tangential direction of the substrate 46b based on the outer end position P). Hereinafter, the offset width B is referred to as "bend B".

When the impeller 46 is rotating, the washing water flowing in from the suction weir 43 is pushed out toward the inner peripheral wall of the sleeve 42 by the pumping action of the centrifugal force of the impeller 46. In addition, the washing water flows while rotating rightward in the sleeve 42. However, the partition wall (not shown) that collides with the gap between the sleeve 42 and the vane 46a (see FIG. 6(a)) in the radial direction is changed to change the flow direction. And it flows out from the spit. When the impeller 46 is rotated to the left (later, reverse rotation), the washing water collides with the partition wall (not shown) in which the gap between the sleeve 42 and the vane 46a (see FIG. 6(a)) is narrowed to change the flow direction. Spit out 埠45 out. Thus, by changing the rotation direction of the circulation pump 24, the discharge direction of the pump can be changed without using a special flow path switching mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a circulation pump and a circulation flow path constituting a circulation mechanism of the drum-type washer-dryer of Fig. 1;

As shown in Fig. 7, the discharge port 44 is connected to a circulation flow path 27 (hereinafter referred to as Fig. 8(a)) which is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the outer tank cover 2d via the bellows 41. Further, the bellows tube 41 and the circulation flow path 27 constitute a circulation flow path from the bottom of the outer tub 2 to the upper portion of the outer tub 2 together with the bellows tube 22 described above. The circulation flow path 27 is connected to a nozzle 27a (hereinafter referred to as FIG. 8(a)) which is provided on the upper inner side of the outer tank cover 2d.

The spout 45 is connected to the joint 18a via the bellows tube 40. The joint 18a is an inflow port 18 formed in a recessed portion 2f (see Fig. 3a) facing the bottom of the outer tub 2.

When the circulation pump motor 47 of the circulation pump 24 is rotating in a state where the above-described drain valve 25 (see FIG. 2) is closed, the washing water in the outer tub 2 passes through the bellows 22 from the drain port 21 (see FIG. 3(a)). The foreign matter is removed by a filter (not shown) in the filter cartridge 23. Thereafter, the washing water is discharged from the discharge port 44 from the suction port 43 (see FIG. 5) into the sleeve 42 (arrow print F in FIG. 5). Further, the washing water is sent to the circulation flow path 27 shown in Fig. 8(a) as described above, and is sprayed from the nozzle 27a into the drum 3 (see Fig. 2).

When the circulation pump motor 47 of the circulation pump 24 is reversely rotated, the washing water in the outer tub 2 is removed from the drain port 21 (see FIG. 3(a)) through the filter (not shown) in the filter cartridge 23 through the bellows tube 22. foreign matter. Thereafter, the washing water enters the sleeve 42 from the suction port 43 (see FIG. 5), is discharged from the discharge port 45, and returns to the outer tub 2 via the bellows tube 40 and the joint 18a. When the drain valve 25 (see FIG. 2) is opened, the washing water in the outer tub 2 is drained from the drain hose 26 to the outside of the machine through a filter (not shown) in the filter cartridge 23.

Further, the circulation pump motor 47 of the present embodiment is configured to be rotatable at a rotational speed of 2,300 rpm to 4,200 rpm in order to secure a circulating flow rate to be described later. This rotation speed is controlled by the control device 38 (see Fig. 2) as will be described later.

Next, Fig. 8(a) referred to is a perspective view showing a circulation flow path provided in the outer tank cover, and Fig. 8(b) is a perspective view showing the bellows pipe connected to the circulation pump and the circulation flow path provided in the outer tank cover.

As shown in Figs. 8(a) and 8(b), the bellows tube 41, which has one end connected to the discharge port 44 of the circulation pump 24, is an inlet port 2g that connects the other end thereof to the circulation flow path 27. The inlet 埠 2g is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the outer tank cover 2d as shown in Fig. 8(b).

The circulation flow path 27 of the present embodiment is constituted by a tubular passage integrally formed on the inner peripheral wall of the resin outer cover 2d as shown in Fig. 8(a). The circulation flow path 27 is formed along the opening of the outer tank cover 2d, and is connected to the nozzle 27a formed in the upper portion of the outer tank cover 2d. The cross-sectional shape of the circulation flow path 27 is not particularly limited and can be made into a circle Shape, ellipse, polygon, etc. It is desirable that the cross-sectional area of the circulation flow path 27 is converted into a circular shape having a diameter of 25 mm or more.

Since the circulation flow path 27 of the present embodiment is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the outer tank cover 2d, it is different from the conventional one formed by a vinyl chloride tube or the like provided on the outer peripheral wall of the outer tank cover 2d. The concern is further reduced, and even if it is broken, there is no case where the washing water leaks to the outside of the outer tub 2. Further, since the circulation flow path 27 is integrally formed with the outer groove cover 2d, the number of parts can be made smaller than in the past.

The nozzle 27a ejects the washing water discharged from the discharge port 44 of the circulation pump 24 from the upper portion of the outer tank cover 2d toward the drum 3 (see Fig. 2).

Fig. 9 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of a nozzle which is connected to a circulation flow path provided in the outer tank cover.

As shown in Fig. 9, the nozzle 27a has a slit formed in a wide slit shape, and is formed so that the washing water can be ejected in a film form and sprinkled into the drum 3 (see Fig. 2). Further, since the circulating flow rate of the washing water is increased as compared with the prior art, the force of the slit width (gap width) of the nozzle 27a is not weakened even if it is wider than the conventional one. Therefore, the slit width (gap width) can be set to 3 mm or more, and clogging of the nozzle 27a due to swarf or the like can be more reliably prevented.

Further, the outer tank cover 2d is formed with a small hole H that communicates with the circulation flow path 27 (see FIG. 8(a)), and is adjacent to the nozzle 27a. When the washing water is sprayed from the nozzle 27a through the circulation flow path 27, the wave is directed from the small hole H toward the wave The inside of the tube 10 is sprayed with washing water. When the washing water sprayed from the small hole H flows from the upper portion toward the lower portion on the back side of the bellows 10, the wire scraping or the like adhering to the back side of the bellows 10 can be washed away.

Next, the control device 38 (see FIG. 2) will be described.

The control device 38 includes a microcomputer, a drive circuit, and the like, and also includes an open/close signal of the operation buttons 12 and 13 shown in FIG. 1, an input circuit for output signals from various sensors, and the like. In addition, the microcomputer accepts the user's operation; various information signals in the washing and drying projects. The microcomputer is connected to the drum motor 4, the water supply solenoid valve 16, the drain valve 25, the blower fan (not shown), and the like shown in FIG. 2 via a drive circuit, and controls such opening, closing, rotation, and energization. Further, in order to inform the user of the information on the drum-type washer-dryer S (see FIG. 1), the display 14 (see FIG. 1), a buzzer (not shown), and the like are also controlled.

Next, an example of the operation of the drum type washer-dryer will be described with reference to FIG. 10 with reference to the symbols of the respective portions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

Fig. 10 is a view showing the operation of the washing operation (laundry-washing-dehydration) of the drum-type washer-dryer according to the embodiment.

In step S1, the control device 38 accepts the input of the stroke selection (stroke selection) of the operation of the drum type washer-dryer S. Here, the user opens the door leaf 9, puts the washed clothes into the inside of the drum 3, and closes the door leaf 9. Then, the user selects the stroke of the operation project to input by operating the operation buttons 12 and 13. By operating the operation buttons 12, 13, The stroke of the selected operational project is input to the control device 38. The control device 38 reads the operation mode from the operation mode database in accordance with the stroke of the input operation project, and proceeds to step S2. In addition, in the following description, the standard stroke (washing - washing 2 times - dehydration) is selected.

In step S2, the control device 38 performs a process (amount of cloth detection) for detecting the weight (amount of cloth) of the clothes to be fed into the drum 3. Specifically, the control device 38 drives the drum motor 4 to rotate the drum 3, and the clothing weight calculating unit calculates the weight (clothing amount) of the clothes before water injection. In step S3, the control device 38 executes a process of calculating the washing dose ‧ the operation time (the calculation of the washing dose operation time). Specifically, the control device 38 controls the water supply solenoid valve 16 to directly supply water to the water supply port 2a of the outer tub 2. The conductivity measuring unit of the control device 38 detects the conductivity (hardness) of the supplied water via a conductivity sensor (not shown) disposed at the inner bottom of the outer tank 2. Further, the temperature of the supplied water is detected by an inductor. Thereafter, the water supply solenoid valve 16 is controlled to end the water supply to the outer tank 2.

The washing dose ‧ laundry time determining unit of the control device 38 determines the amount of washing to be charged by image search based on the amount of cloth detected in step S2, the conductivity (hardness) of water, and the temperature of water. With running time. Control device 38 then displays the determined wash dose ‧ run time on display 14 . In addition, although the electric conductivity (hardness) and the water temperature of the water supplied to the outer tank 2 are described, it is not limited to this. For example, the conductivity (hardness) and water temperature of the water during the previous operation are stored in the memory unit (not shown) of the microcomputer, and use this.

At step S4, the control device 38 executes the lotion input waiting process (the lotion input waiting for the project). For example, when the control device 38 waits for a predetermined time, it proceeds to step S5. The user refers to the washing amount displayed on the display 14 during standby, and puts the lotion into the lotion holder 7. Further, the control device 38 may be configured to sense the opening and closing of the lotion holder 7 (not shown), and when it is closed after the lotion holder 7 is opened, it is regarded as having a lotion, and the process proceeds to step S5. .

At step S5, the control device 38 performs a lotion dissolution process (lotion dissolution process). For example, the control device 38 controls the water supply solenoid valve 16 to supply water to the powder detergent supply chamber and the liquid detergent supply chamber via the water supply pipe. The lotion and water in the powder lotion-input chamber and the liquid lotion-input chamber are via a lotion delivery tube, a bellows tube 20, a water supply port 2a located at an upper portion of the rear side of the outer tub 2, and a bottom wall 52 formed in the outer tub 2 The water supply path of the inner surface flows into the recessed portion 2f of the outer tank 2 from the outlet thereof.

When the water is supplied to the predetermined amount of water, the control unit 38 controls the feed water solenoid valve 16 to stop the feed water. Then, the control device 38 performs a lotion dissolution operation (lotion dissolution action). Specifically, the control device 38 controls the circulation pump 24 to discharge water and the lotion from the drain port 21 through the bellows tube 22 through the bellows tube 40 from the inflow port 18 of the recessed portion 2f.

The water and the lotion which are discharged from the inflow port 18 are formed in the recessed portion 2f and circulate toward the drain port 21. Thereby, the water and the lotion are stirred to form a lotion dissolved in the water. When a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses, the control device 38 causes the circulation pump 24 to stop to proceed to step S6.

At step S6, the control device 38 executes a rotary water supply project (rotary water supply project). Specifically, the control device 38 controls the water supply solenoid valve 16 to raise the water level of the washing water in the outer tub 2. Further, the control device 38 controls the drum motor 4 to rotate the drum 3 at a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 40 rpm) to perform the inversion of the clothes. In addition, the control device 38 controls the circulation pump 24 to have a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 3000 rpm), and the washing water having a high concentration of the lotion sucked from the drain port 21 is provided from the nozzle 27a provided in the opening of the outer tub 2. It is discharged to the inside of the drum 3, whereby it is allowed to infiltrate into the clothes inside the drum 3.

Further, when the water level of the washing water in the outer tub 2 rises to a predetermined water level, the water supply is stopped. When the rotation of the water supply project is started, the rotation of the water supply project is terminated when the predetermined time elapses, and the process proceeds to step S7.

At step S7, the control device 38 executes the pre-washing agitation project. Here, the pre-washing and stirring process refers to a process in which the washing water having a high concentration of the lotion generated by the lotion dissolution process is infiltrated into the clothes. The washing power is increased by allowing the washing water having a high concentration of the lotion to penetrate into the clothes.

Specifically, the control device 38 controls the circulation pump 24 to have a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 3000 rpm), and discharges the washing water sucked from the drain port 21 from the nozzle 27a provided in the opening of the outer tub 2 to the drum. The inside of the 3, and the drum motor 4 is controlled to rotate the drum 3 at a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 80 rpm), whereby the inner garment of the drum 3 can be prevented from being attached to the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall of the drum by centrifugal force, and the clothes are applied. A mechanical force generated when falling from above the drum.

Also, on the cylindrical surface of the outer tank 2 (for example, the right side of the outer tank 2) When the overflow surface (not shown) for the abnormal overflow is provided, it is desirable to prevent the drum 3 from rotating forward and causing the washing water to flow out from the drain (not shown) for abnormal overflow. In the present embodiment, although the drum 3 is rotated in the forward direction, it may be rotated in the reverse direction or in both the forward and reverse directions. When a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) elapses, the control device 38 ends the pre-washing agitation process and proceeds to step S8.

At step S8, the control device 38 performs a formal laundry agitation project. Here, the official laundry process means that the clothes accumulated under the drum 3 are picked up by the rotation of the drum 3, and are dropped from the upper side of the drum 3, thereby imparting mechanical force to the clothes to perform the laundry. engineering.

Specifically, the control device 38 controls the circulation pump 24 to have a predetermined flow rate (for example, 3800 rpm), and discharges the washing water sucked from the drain port 21 from the nozzle 27a provided in the opening of the outer tub 2 to the drum 3. The inside of the drum motor 3 is controlled to rotate the drum 3 at a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 40 rpm), whereby the clothes inside the drum 3 are tapped and washed. When a predetermined time (for example, 6 minutes) elapses, the control device 38 ends the formal laundry agitation work to step S9.

At step S9, the control device 38 performs a drainage project. The control device 38 stops the drum motor 4 and the circulation pump 24, and opens the drain valve 25 to drain the washing water in the outer tub 2. The water level sensor 34 continuously monitors the water level of the wash water in the outer tank 2 in the drain. The control device 38 terminates the drainage process to step S10 when the sensed value of the water level sensor 34 is lower than the predetermined water level.

In step S10, the control device 38 performs the dehydration work. Cheng. The control device 38 rotates the washing water contained in the clothes by rotating the drum 3 at a high speed in the reverse direction (for example, 1250 rpm) while maintaining the valve opening of the drain valve 25. When the predetermined time elapses, the control device 38 ends the dehydration 1 project and proceeds to step 11.

At step S11, the control device 38 performs a spin-watering project. The control unit 38 rotates the drum 3 at a medium speed in the reverse direction (for example, 260 rpm), and closes the drain valve 25, and controls the water supply solenoid valve 16 to spread water to the clothes. The control time of the water supply solenoid valve 16 at this time is determined based on the amount of cloth sensed in step S2. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the water supply is stopped. The circulation pump 24 is controlled to have a predetermined flow rate (for example, 3,800 rpm), and the washing water sucked from the drain port 21 is discharged from the nozzle 27a provided in the opening of the outer tub 2 to the inside of the drum 3. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the circulation pump 24 is stopped, and the drain valve 25 is opened to drain the washing water in the outer tub 2.

At step S12, the control device 38 performs the dehydration 2 project. The control device 38 rotates the washing water contained in the clothes by rotating the drum 3 at a high speed in the reverse direction (for example, 1250 rpm) while maintaining the valve opening of the drain valve 25. When the predetermined time elapses, the control device 38 ends the dehydration 2 project and proceeds to step 13.

At step S13, the control device 38 executes the water supply project. The control device 38 closes the drain valve 25 and controls the water supply solenoid valve 16 to supply the washing water into the outer tank 2. The control device 38 stops the water supply when the water level rises to a predetermined water level, and ends the water supply project to proceed to step S14.

At step S14, the control device 38 executes the softener water supply project. The control device 38 controls the water supply solenoid valve 16, supplies the washing water containing the softening agent in the outer tub 2, and rotates the drum 3 in both the forward and reverse directions, and the washing water supplied to the outer tub 2 is supplied in step S13. Mix with softener.

At step S15, the control device 38 executes the rotary feed water ‧ make-up water project. The control device 38 controls the water supply solenoid valve 16 (for example, opens the first electromagnetic valve and the third electromagnetic valve), and supplies the outer tank 2 to a predetermined water level. Further, the control device 38 controls the drum motor 4 to rotate the drum 3, and controls the circulation pump 24 to have a predetermined flow rate (for example, 3000 rpm), and the washing water sucked from the drain port 21 is provided from the opening portion provided in the outer tub 2. The nozzle 27a is discharged to the inside of the drum 3, and the softener is allowed to permeate into the clothes.

At step S16, the control device 38 performs a washing and agitating process. The control device 38 controls the drum motor 4 to rotate the drum 3, and controls the circulation pump 24 to have a predetermined flow rate (for example, 3,800 rpm), and the washing water sucked from the drain port 21 is provided from the nozzle provided in the opening of the outer tub 2. 27a is discharged into the inside of the drum 3, and the clothes are washed. Then, when a predetermined time elapses, the control device 38 ends the washing and stirring work to proceed to step S17.

At step S17, the control device 38 performs a drainage project. The control device 38 stops the drum motor 4 and the circulation pump 24, and opens the drain valve 25 to drain the washing water in the outer tub 2. The water level sensor 34 continuously monitors the water level of the wash water in the outer tank 2 in the drain. Control device 38, When the sensed value of the water level sensor 34 is lower than the predetermined water level, the end of the drainage process proceeds to step S18.

At step S18, the control device 38 performs a dehydration process. Specifically, the control device 38 controls the drum motor 4 to rotate the drum 3 at a high speed while the drain valve 25 is opened, thereby performing centrifugal dewatering of the clothes. Then, when a predetermined time elapses, the control device 38 stops the drum motor 4, closes the drain valve 25, and ends the washing course (laundry-washing-dehydration).

The rotation speed of the drum 3 of the official laundry mixing process (S8) becomes less than 60 rpm. By controlling the rotation speed of the drum 3 to less than 60 rpm, the clothes that are piled up under the drum 3 are smashed and washed from above the drum 3. The washing performance is obtained by tapping the laundry by applying a drop impact (mechanical force) applied to the clothes.

Further, the rotational speed of the drum 3 in the pre-washing and stirring process (S7) is 60 rpm or more. By setting the rotation speed of the drum 3 to 60 rpm or more, the clothes in the drum 3 are attached to the wall surface direction of the drum 3 by centrifugal force. In other words, it is possible to suppress the "roughness of the clothes" by suppressing the drop impact (mechanical force) applied when the clothes are dropped from the upper side in the drum 3. In general, the drum-type washer-drying machine is designed to allow the clothes to fall, and the clothes are easy to be rough compared with the vertical type washing machine. However, according to the embodiment, it is possible to suppress the falling impact in the pre-washing and stirring process and the clothes are not easily changed. Rough.

On the other hand, by suppressing the mechanical force, there is a concern that the cleaning performance is lowered. In contrast, the pre-washing and mixing engineering circulating pump The rotation speed of 24 is 2300 rpm or more, and the circulation flow rate becomes more than that of the conventional drum type washer-dryer. Thereby, the washing water having a high lotion concentration can be sufficiently infiltrated into the clothes, and the dirt can be easily dropped from the clothes by the action of the surfactant, the auxiliary agent, and the like contained in the lotion. Further, the drum 3 is rotated at a rotation speed of 60 rpm or more, and the laundry water permeating the clothes is passed through the clothes by the centrifugal force thereof, but a part of the dirt is removed from the clothes by the fluid force when the laundry water passes through the clothes.

In this way, in the pre-washing and stirring process, the washing water having a high lotion concentration is sufficiently infiltrated into the clothes, and because of the fluid force acting by the centrifugal force, the cleaning performance can be ensured even if the time of the official laundry mixing process is shortened (even if the mechanical force is reduced). .

Next, the relationship between the circulation flow rate of the circulation pump 24 and the cleaning performance will be described with reference to FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b).

Fig. 11 (a) is a graph showing the relationship between the circulation flow rate of the circulation pump and the washing ratio. In addition, the washing ratio is a ratio of the washing degree of the test washing machine to the washing degree of the standard washing machine, and is defined by the Japanese Industrial Standard "Measurement Method for Performance of Household Electric Washing Machines (JISC9811)". That is, the higher the washing ratio, the higher the washing performance.

In addition, in FIG. 11(a), the solid line is a graph of the drum-type washer-dryer S of this embodiment, and the broken line shows the drum which operates the same with the drum-type washer-dryer S of this embodiment with the same stirring time. The washing ratio of the washing machine (washing ratio = 1.11).

Fig. 11 (b) is a graph showing the relationship between the rotational speed of the circulation pump and the circulating flow rate.

In addition, in FIG. 11(b), the solid line is a graph of the drum-type washer-dryer S of this embodiment, and the broken line is a figure of the conventional drum type washer-dryer of a comparative example. Further, as shown in Fig. 11 (b), the drum-type washer-dryer S of the present embodiment uses a circulation pump having a maximum circulation flow rate larger than that of the conventional drum type washer-dryer.

As shown in Fig. 11 (a), the more the circulation flow rate, the higher the washing ratio (washing performance). A washing ratio (cleaning performance) equivalent to that of the conventional drum type washer-dryer can be obtained in the vicinity of the circulating flow rate of 35 L/min. Further, the circulation flow rate was saturated at a rising ratio (washing performance) of around 60 L/min.

Therefore, it is desirable that the circulation flow rate is 35 L/min or more and 60 L/min or less. When the circulation flow rate is less than 35 L/min, the washing ratio is lower than that of the conventional drum type washing machine. Further, even if the circulation flow rate is more than 60 L/min, the increase in the washing ratio is small, but since the power consumption of the circulation pump 24 is greatly increased, it is not preferable to increase the circulating flow rate as necessary. In the above, the circulation pump 24 of the present embodiment is referred to as FIG. 11(b), and the number of rotations of the circulation pump is 2,300 rpm or more and 3,800 rpm or less.

The rotation speed of the circulation pump 24 may not always be constant in each step, and the range of the circulation pump rotation speed of 2300 rpm or more and 3800 rpm or less means that the average value of the rotation speed of the circulation pump 24 in each step is included in the range. . For example, in the pre-washing agitation process of step S7 (refer to FIG. 10), even if the rotational speed of the circulation pump 24 is changed between 2000 rpm and 3400 rpm, the average value may be 2300 rpm or more. In addition, the rotational speed of the circulation pump 24 is changed. At the time, the dispersion range of the washing water sprayed from the shower changes. Therefore, the wash water can be uniformly dispersed in the clothes.

As described above, according to the operation of the drum-type washer-dryer S of the present embodiment, the circulation flow rate of about 20 L/min is increased to 35 L/min or more and 60 L/min or less, and the washing water is sprinkled from the slit-like nozzle. A wide range of water into the drum. When the circulation flow rate is increased, the reason why the cleaning ratio is increased is that the laundry is soaked in the state in which the entire washing clothes are picked up by the rotation of the drum 3, so that the laundry water contained in the clothes falls under the impact of falling. The dirt is pushed out from the clothing (slap the laundry).

Further, as shown in Fig. 11, when the circulation flow rate exceeds 60 L/min, the increase in the washing ratio is almost saturated because the amount of water which can be contained in the clothes is limited, and even if the flow rate is increased more than necessary, the washing water is in the clothes. The lateral flow does not help with washing. Further, since the washing water is impregnated into the entire clothes, the lotion component can be efficiently diluted even after washing, and the washing performance is also improved.

In general, in a vertical type washing machine, since the opening portion of the groove is on the upper side, the washing is performed by the accumulated water washing by the high water level, and the roughness is reduced. However, since the drum type washing and drying machine has the opening portion on the front side, it is extremely difficult to prevent water leakage and increase the water level. Here, in the present embodiment, the circulation flow rate is greatly increased, and the laundry contains sufficient washing water, and the washing power can be ensured even when the time for washing the laundry is shortened. As a result, the roughness of the clothes can be reduced. That is, the water-saving performance of the characteristics of the drum-type washer-dryer is not deteriorated, and the high-cleaning power can be used to achieve roughness. Less washing.

Further, the blackening is mainly caused by the fact that a part of the dirt removed from the clothes is again attached to the clothing (recontamination phenomenon). The drum type washer-dryer is characterized by a smaller amount of water than a vertical type washing machine. However, when the amount of dirt of the clothes is together with the detergency, since the concentration of the dirty water of the washing water is higher than that of the drum type washing and drying machine, it tends to be black. In general, the drum type washer-dryer uses about half the amount of water compared to the vertical type washing machine, and the concentration of the dirt is about twice. Moreover, the longer the washing time, the more likely it becomes black.

According to the review by the inventors of the present invention, when the washing time of the drum type washing and drying machine and the vertical type washing machine are set to be substantially the same, the drum type washing and drying machine becomes larger than the difference in the amount of water (the difference in the dirty concentration of the washing water). There are many black cases. This is conceivable because of the different factors of the way the laundry is formed. The vertical washing machine washes in a state where the clothes sink in the washing water, whereas the washing of the drum type washing and drying machine uses the rotation of the drum to repeatedly smash the clothes in the water from the water to the air to fall to the The state of the water surface is washed. The hydrophobic dirt removed from the clothing is easily concentrated on the water surface. The dirt is attached to the clothes again when the clothes enter the water surface from the water surface, and the blackening is deepened.

In the drum-type washer-dryer S of the present embodiment, since the circulating flow rate of the washing water is large, a large amount of washing water can be blown to the clothes that are in the air. Therefore, the state in which the clothing is covered with the film of the washing water falls down to the water, and the dirt on the water surface is less likely to adhere again, and the effect of suppressing blackening is obtained. Furthermore, as described above, since it also has an effect of improving the detergency, Since the time of the laundry process is shortened, the blackening can be further suppressed.

Fig. 12 is an example of experimental results showing the relationship between the circulating flow rate and the change in brightness (blackening). In the experiment, clothes which adhere to inorganic sebum such as artificial sebum dirt and carbon, and white clothes (washing amount: 3 kg) were simultaneously applied. Figure 12 is the data after washing 5 times. The change in brightness is a value of the brightness of the brightness reduction product after washing of the white clothing, and the larger the value, the larger the blackening. As can be seen from the figure, the more the circulating flow rate, the less the brightness changes and the less black. When the cleaning power is considered to be black, the circulation flow rate is increased to about 68 L/min (the number of circulating pump rotations is 4,200 rpm), and the occurrence of blackening can be almost suppressed under the experimental conditions. In other words, in consideration of the above-described ideal lower limit value of the circulating flow rate, the circulation flow rate of the water of the circulation pump 24 of the present embodiment is preferably 35 L/min or more and 68 L/min or less.

In order to increase the circulation flow rate of the circulation pump 24, (1) increase the rotation speed of the circulation pump; (2) increase the performance of the circulation pump; (3) increase the capacity of the circulation pump (large diameter) (4) Reduce the pressure loss of the circulation flow path and the like. This will be explained using FIG.

Figure 13 is a graph showing the static pressure-flow characteristics of the circulation pump.

As shown in FIG. 13, the curve falling to the right is a static pressure-flow characteristic indicating the rotational speeds (rev1, rev2, rev3) of the circulation pump 24. The curve rising to the right is the impedance loss curve (mainly pressure loss) of the circulation flow path 27 of the wash water.

When the rotation speed of the circulation pump 24 of the conventional drum type washer-dryer is the curve rev1 and the impedance loss curve 1 of the circulation flow path 27 is a curve, the intersection point A of the two curves is an operation point, and the flow rate becomes Q1, the static pressure becomes P1. When the circulation speed of the circulation flow path 27 and the circulation pump 24 increases the circulation flow rate in this state and the diameter of the impeller 46 of the circulation pump 24 is increased, for example, the flow rate-static pressure characteristic indicated by the one-point chain line is obtained. The action point moves to A' traffic increases to Q1'. However, when the impeller 46 is formed to have a large diameter, since the circulation pump 24 is increased in size, it is more necessary to actually mount the drum type washer-dryer S, and the casing 1 of the drum type washer-dryer S is also enlarged. Furthermore, the suitability of the home is deteriorated.

When the circulation pump 24 is made to have high performance, for example, the flow rate-static pressure characteristic shown by the two-point chain line is used, and the operating point can be set to A' and the flow rate can be set to Q1'. However, the circulation pump 24 used in the drum-type washer-dryer S contains the chips in the wash water (circulating water), and is set to the efficiency-prioritized circulation pump 24 because the chips are plugged into the circulation pump 24 The possibility of increase is limited, so performance is limited.

Next, when the circulation flow path 27 and the circulation pump 24 increase the circulation flow rate in this state and raise the rotation speed of the circulation pump 24 to the curve rev2, the operating point becomes B, the flow rate becomes Q2, and the static pressure becomes P2. At this time, since the static pressure rises, it is necessary to increase the pressure resistance of the circulation flow path 27 and the bellows 41, and the circulation flow path 27 is difficult in this state. Further, since the rotation speed increases, the noise of the circulation pump 24 generally rises.

Here, in the present embodiment, the blade of the impeller 46 is provided. The direction 46a is curved in a convex shape in the direction r which is rotated in the direction in which the washing water is sent to the circulation flow path 27 as described above.

As a result, according to the drum-type washer-dryer S of the present embodiment, even if the rotation speed of the circulation pump 24 is increased to increase the circulation flow rate, the noise of the circulation pump 24 can be reduced.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms.

In the above-described embodiment, the impeller 46 of the six blades 46a (the large blades 46a1: two, the small blades 46a2: four) will be described. However, the present invention does not limit the number of the blades 46a to six. Further, the blade 46a is not necessarily limited to two types of the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2.

Fig. 14 (a) is a plan view of an impeller according to a modification, and Fig. 14 (b) is a side view of the impeller of Fig. 14 (a).

As shown in FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b), the impeller 46 according to the modification is such that five large blades 46a1 are disposed at equal intervals around the blade hub 46c, and the small blades 46a2 are not provided.

In other words, in the drum-type washer-dryer S of the present invention, the blade 46a having two or more bends can be used in the circulation pump 24, and it is desirable to have three or more and eight or less impellers 46.

Further, the vane 46a of the impeller 46 can be formed only by the large vane 46a1.

In Fig. 14(a), the symbol B indicates the bending course of the large blade 46a1. The "bending" of the degree is synonymous with the "bending B" (see FIG. 6(a)) defined by the outer end position P of the blade which is not bent. Symbol D is the outer diameter of the large blade 46a1. The symbol r is a direction in which the washing water is sent to the circulation flow path 27 via the discharge port 44 (see FIG. 5). In Fig. 14 (b), the symbol a is the maximum height of the large blade 46a1 which is equal to the height of the blade hub 46c.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the drum type washing and drying machine S has been described, but the present invention is applied to a drum type washing machine which does not have a drying function.

[Examples]

Next, an example and a comparative example in which the effects of the drum-type washer-dryer S of the present embodiment are confirmed will be described.

(Example 1)

In the present embodiment, the next impeller 46 is assembled to the circulation pump 24 shown in Fig. 5, and the noise when the circulation pump motor 47 is rotated is measured.

Fig. 15 (a) is a plan view of the impeller used in the first embodiment, and Fig. 15 (b) is a side view of the impeller of Fig. 15 (a).

As shown in Figs. 15(a) and 15(b), the impeller 46 is formed by arranging six curved plates on the substrate 46b (outer diameter 53 mm), and has large blades 46a1 and small blades 46a2 around the blade hub 46c. The small vanes 46a2, the large vanes 46a1, the small vanes 46a2, and the small vanes 46a2 are arranged at equal intervals.

Further, the outer diameter D of the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2 of the present embodiment is 44 mm.

The degree of bending of the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2 (the aforementioned "bending B") is 8 mm.

As shown in Fig. 15 (b), the large blade 46a1 is gradually lowered toward the outer side from the center side of the substrate 46b having the highest height, and has a substantially trapezoidal shape. The maximum height a of the large blade 46a1 is 21 mm equal to the height of the blade hub 46c.

The height of the small vane 46a2 is constant from the center side of the substrate 46b toward the outside, and its height b is 13.5 mm.

The noise at the time when the circulation pump motor 47 of the circulation pump 24 to which the impeller 46 of this type is mounted was rotated was measured by the rotation speed shown in Table 1. The results are shown in Table 1.

Further, the measurement of the noise is on the front side of the impeller 46 (the left side of the arrow mark in FIG. 5) shown in FIG. 5, the left side surface of the impeller 46 (the rear side of the arrow printed in FIG. 5), and the impeller 46. Each position of the right side (the front side of the arrow print of FIG. 5) is performed.

(Example 2)

Fig. 16 (a) is a plan view of the impeller used in the second embodiment, and Fig. 16 (b) is a side view of the impeller of Fig. 16 (a) viewed from the XVI direction. In FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b), the same components as those in FIGS. 14(a) and (b) are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in Figs. 16(a) and (b), the impeller 46 is formed by arranging six curved plates (bending B = 8 mm) on the substrate 46b (outer diameter: 53 mm), and large blades around the blade hub 46c. The 46a1, the small blade 46a2, the small blade 46a2, the large blade 46a1, the small blade 46a2, and the small blade 46a2 are arranged at equal intervals.

The impeller 46 of the present embodiment is formed in the same manner as the impeller 46 of the first embodiment except that the tapered portion T is formed at the outer end of the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2 as shown in Fig. 16 (b).

The noise was measured in the same manner as in the first embodiment with respect to the circulation pump 24 in which such an impeller 46 was assembled. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Example 3)

Fig. 17 (a) is a plan view of the impeller used in the third embodiment, and Fig. 17 (b) is a side view of the impeller of Fig. 17 (a). In addition, in FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b), the same components as those in FIGS. 14(a) and (b) are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in Figs. 17(a) and (b), the impeller 46 is changed from the 8 mm of the first embodiment except for the bending B of the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2. The other than 16 mm is formed in the same manner as the impeller 46 of the first embodiment.

The noise was measured in the same manner as in the first embodiment with respect to the circulation pump 24 in which such an impeller 46 was assembled. The results are shown in Table 1.

(Example 4)

Fig. 18 (a) is a plan view of the impeller used in the fourth embodiment, and Fig. 18 (b) is a side view of the impeller of Fig. 18 (a). In addition, in FIGS. 18(a) and (b), the same components as those in FIGS. 14(a) and (b) are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in Figs. 18(a) and (b), the impeller 46 is changed from 21 mm to 18.5 mm in the first embodiment, and the height b of the small vane 46a2 is 13.5 in the first embodiment except that the maximum height a of the large vane 46a1 is changed from 21 mm to 18.5 mm. The mm was changed to 11 mm, and was formed in the same manner as the impeller 46 of the first embodiment.

The noise was measured in the same manner as in the first embodiment with respect to the circulation pump 24 in which such an impeller 46 was assembled. The results are shown in Table 2.

Comparative example 1

Fig. 19 (a) is a plan view of the impeller used in Comparative Example 1, and Fig. 19 (b) is a side view of the impeller of Fig. 19 (a). In FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b), the same components as those in FIGS. 14(a) and (b) are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in Figs. 19(a) and (b), the impeller 46 is a large blade 46a1 formed by using the curved plate formed in the first embodiment except that the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2 (bending B = 0 mm) formed of a flat plate are used. The small vanes 46a2 are formed in the same manner as the impeller 46 of the first embodiment.

The noise was measured in the same manner as in the first embodiment with respect to the circulation pump 24 in which such an impeller 46 was assembled. The results are shown in Table 2.

Comparative example 2

Fig. 20 (a) is a plan view of the impeller used in Comparative Example 2, and Fig. 20 (b) is a side view of the impeller of Fig. 20 (a). In FIGS. 20(a) and (b), the same components as those in FIGS. 14(a) and (b) are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIGS. 20(a) and (b), the impeller 46 is configured similarly to the impeller 46 of Comparative Example 1 except that the small vane 46a2 is not used in Comparative Example 1, and the large vane 46a1 having six flat plates is used. Formed (bending B = 0 mm).

The noise was measured in the same manner as in the first embodiment with respect to the circulation pump 24 in which such an impeller 46 was assembled. The results are shown in Table 2.

(Results of noise review)

As shown in Tables 1 and 2, it can be confirmed that the impeller 46 (see FIG. 15) of the first embodiment has an equivalent sound level averaged in all three directions in the range of the rotational speed of the circulation pump 24 of 2000 to 4500 r/min (equivalent). The sound level) dB (A) is lower than the impeller 46 (refer to FIG. 19) of Comparative Example 1.

Further, the impeller 46 (see FIG. 16) of the second embodiment, the impeller 46 (see FIG. 17) of the third embodiment, and the impeller 46 (see FIG. 18) of the fourth embodiment; and the impeller 46 of the comparative example 1 (see FIG. Referring to Fig. 19), it is also possible to confirm that the rotational speed of the circulation pump 24 is in the range of 2,000 to 4,500 r/min, and the impellers 46 of the second to fourth embodiments have the equivalent sound level in the three directions (dB). low.

Further, it can be confirmed that the impellers 46 (see FIGS. 15 to 17) of the first to fourth embodiments are averaged over the entire three directions of the range of the rotational speed of the circulation pump 24 of 2000 to 4500 r/min, compared with the impeller 46 (see FIG. 20) of the comparative example 2. The equivalent sound level is lower (dB).

That is, it is confirmed that the noise of the circulation pump 24 can be reduced by using the large blade 46a1 and the small blade 46a2 formed of the curved plate.

Further, it was confirmed that the impeller 46 of the third embodiment (B=16 mm) having the large bending B was smaller than the bending B by the impeller 46 of the first embodiment (B=8 mm) at the rotational speed of the circulation pump 24 of 3000 r/min or more. The equivalent sound level dB(A) of the 3-direction average of the high-speed rotation region is lower.

Further, the equivalent sound level dB(A) of the impeller 46 (refer to FIG. 18) of the fourth embodiment is approximately equal to the equivalent sound level dB(A) of the impeller 46 (see FIGS. 15 to 16) of the first to third embodiments. For reasons of low, it is conceivable that the blade height is reduced.

46b‧‧‧Substrate

46a2‧‧‧Small leaves

D‧‧‧Outer diameter of large blades

46a1‧‧‧ Large blades

46c‧‧‧blade wheels

46a‧‧‧ leaves

46‧‧‧ Impeller

B‧‧‧ offset amplitude (bending)

P‧‧‧Outside position

r‧‧‧Rotation direction

b‧‧‧Maximum height from the substrate

a‧‧‧The maximum height of the large blade equal to the height of the blade hub

Claims (4)

A drum type washing machine comprising: an outer tank in which water is stored inside; a drum rotatably supported in the outer tank; and a drum that accommodates the clothes; a drum motor that rotationally drives the drum; and the outer tank a water supply means for supplying water; and a circulation pump for taking in water from the outer tank and circulating water to the drum, wherein the circulation pump is provided from the outer tank toward the drum when water is sprayed into the drum An impeller that rotates water, and the impeller has a disk-shaped substrate; a rod-shaped blade hub that is provided at a center of the substrate and has a center of rotation; and is provided at equal intervals around the blade hub The plurality of blades are formed by a plurality of plates arranged in a radial shape around a plurality of rotating shafts, and each of the blades is curved from a rotating shaft side toward a radial direction, and the curved surface faces the aforementioned The direction of rotation of the impeller is convex. The drum type washing machine according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the impeller of the circulation pump is driven at a rotation speed of 2300 rpm or more and 4200 rpm or less. A drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein The circulating pump at the time of watering has a circulating flow rate of water of 35 L/min or more and 68 L/min or less. The drum type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the blade is a vertical blade that is erected on the substrate, and has a maximum height from the substrate and a height of the blade hub, and a maximum height ratio from the substrate. The blade hub is formed by a small blade having a lower height, and the large blade is formed such that its height gradually decreases from the highest blade hub side toward the outer side of the substrate.