US20040083774A1 - Washing machine - Google Patents
Washing machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040083774A1 US20040083774A1 US10/472,186 US47218603A US2004083774A1 US 20040083774 A1 US20040083774 A1 US 20040083774A1 US 47218603 A US47218603 A US 47218603A US 2004083774 A1 US2004083774 A1 US 2004083774A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- liquid holding
- washing machine
- drum
- inner drum
- machine according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
- D06F34/16—Imbalance
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
- D06F37/04—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums adapted for rotation or oscillation about a horizontal or inclined axis
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/20—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations
- D06F37/22—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations in machines with a receptacle rotating or oscillating about a horizontal axis
- D06F37/225—Damping vibrations by displacing, supplying or ejecting a material, e.g. liquid, into or from counterbalancing pockets
Definitions
- the present invention relates to washing machines wherein the vibration of a drum to be produced by an unbalanced condition of laundry can be suppressed.
- a washing machine 10 wherein an inner drum 30 is provided with a plurality of liquid holding boxes 35 , 35 on a closed wall thereof as shown in FIG. 10.
- the washing machine 10 has a water conduit 60 for supplying tap water to the liquid holding boxes 35 , and water is supplied to the boxes 35 via the conduit 60 to alter the amounts of water to be held in the boxes 35 in accordance with the degree of eccentricity of the laundry and to restrain the drum from rotating eccentrically.
- the liquid holding boxes 35 are arranged at one end of the drum 30 and therefore limited in size. This entails the problem that the amount of water to be accommodated in the liquid holding box is limited to impose limitations on the eccentric loads to be held in balance.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which is adapted to overcome the problems due to a great eccentric load and which is diminished in eccentricity even if the laundry is positioned toward one side unevenly in the drum.
- the present invention provides a washing machine comprising an inner drum having a rotatably supported axis and a closed wall at at least one end thereof, and a plurality of liquid holding boxes provided on the closed wall of the inner drum externally thereof and each having an opening facing toward the axis.
- the periphery of the inner drum is provided with hollow liquid holding tubes communicating with the respective liquid holding boxes.
- liquid holding tubes are provided in the washing machine of the invention in communication with the respective liquid holding boxes, a liquid can be held in the tubes, and a greater amount of liquid can be accommodated in the machine than in the prior art.
- the washing machine is therefore operable even in the presence of a great eccentric load.
- the use of the liquid holding tubes makes it possible to bring the inner drum into weight balance not only at one end of the drum where the liquid holding boxes are provided on the closed wall of the drum but also over the length of the inner drum. Accordingly, the drum exhibits an outstanding vibration attenuating effect even if the laundry is unevenly positioned at one end of the drum opposite to the closed wall provided with the liquid holding boxes.
- FIG. 1 is a side elevation in section showing the overall construction of a washing machine of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a view in section taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1 and showing an inner drum.
- FIG. 3 is a side elevation in section and showing the washing machine while bringing the drum into weight balance.
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electric system of the washing machine of the invention.
- FIG. 5 is a side elevation in section showing the overall construction of a washing machine as a different embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 6 is a view in section taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5 and showing an inner drum.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the shapes of a liquid holding box and a liquid holding tube.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a liquid holding box and a liquid holding tube which have a water passage hole of altered shape.
- FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of air vent member.
- FIG. 10 is a side elevation in section of a conventional washing machine.
- a washing machine 10 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
- FIG. 1 is a side elevation in section showing the overall construction of the washing machine 10 of the invention.
- the washing machine 10 of the invention comprises a cabinet 12 serving as an enclosing frame and a washtub 20 housed in the cabinet for washing and rinsing laundry and extracting water therefrom.
- the washtub 20 comprises an inner drum 30 for placing laundry thereinto, and an outer tub 40 enclosing the inner drum 30 therein.
- the inner drum 30 has an opening 31 formed in one end thereof for placing laundry into the drum therethrough and a closed wall at the other end thereof.
- a rotation shaft 32 is attached to the outer side of the closed wall centrally thereof.
- An inner drum is also available which has an opening formed in the peripheral wall thereof for placing laundry into the drum therethrough and is closed at opposite ends thereof. The present invention is applicable also to a washing machine comprising such an inner drum.
- the drum 30 has its rotation shaft 32 rotatably supported by the outer tub 40 .
- the drum 30 has its rotation shaft 32 supported substantially horizontally or as inclined.
- the shaft 32 extends through the outer tub 40 to the outside and is provided with a pulley 33 at the outer end thereof.
- the inner drum 30 has a plurality of drain holes (not shown) formed in an inner peripheral wall thereof and a plurality of projecting baffles 34 , 34 arranged in parallel to its axis for scraping up the laundry as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
- Each of the baffles 34 of the illustrated embodiment has a generally triangular cross section and is provided with a hollow liquid holding tube 37 inside thereof.
- the tube 37 is in communication with a liquid holding box 35 to be described below.
- the baffles 34 and liquid holding tubes 37 are not limited to those of the illustrated embodiment with respect to the shape, size and number.
- the inner drum 30 is provided at the closed end thereof with liquid holding boxes 35 , 35 as positioned in corresponding relation with the respective liquid holding tubes 37 , 37 within the baffles 34 , 34 .
- Each liquid holding box 35 has an opening facing toward the rotation shaft 32 .
- the box 35 communicates with the corresponding tube 37 through a water passage hole 36 formed in the closed end wall of the drum 30 .
- the outer tub 40 is a cylinder which has an opening at the same end as the drum 30 .
- the opening is provided with an openable closure 41 for closing the outer tub 40 .
- the outer tub 40 is supported by being suspended from the top of the cabinet 12 by springs 42 , 42 , and is supported at its bottom by dampers 43 , 43 so as to attenuate the vibration to be produced with the rotation of the drum 30 .
- the outer tub 40 is further provided with a water injection pipe (not shown) for supplying washing water to the drum 30 and a drain pipe (not shown) for draining the drum. These pipes are each provided with a valve.
- a motor 50 is attached to the outer periphery of the outer tub 40 and coupled to the pulley 33 of the drum 30 by a belt 51 . When rotated, the motor 50 rotates the drum 30 inside the outer tub 40 .
- a water conduit 60 for supplying a liquid (i.e., water in the present embodiment) to the liquid holding box 35 extends into the outer tub 40 to a position slightly below the rotation shaft 32 . Water is discharged from the conduit or stopped under the control of a water supply valve 61 .
- the water conduit 60 extends outward from the cabinet 12 and is connected to a faucet of a water supply pipe. Inside the outer tub 40 , the outer end of the water conduit 60 is bent downward to supply tap water as indicated at W 1 to the liquid holding box 35 as positioned under the conduit 60 as shown in FIG. 1.
- the water W supplied to the box 35 partly flows through the water passage hole 36 into the liquid holding tube 37 .
- the washing machine 10 is provided with a sensor for detecting an unbalanced condition or eccentricity of the laundry inside the inner drum 30 .
- An encoder 53 serving as the sensor is mounted on the rotation shaft 32 of the drum 30 for detecting irregularities involved in the rotation of the drum 30 .
- the sensor to be used may be a vibration sensor (not shown) for detecting the vibration of the outer tub 40 .
- the vibration sensor can be provided by a magnetostrictive sensor or load cell.
- the washing machine 10 of the above construction has an electric system, which will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 4.
- the control means 7 which is disposed in a suitable portion of the washing machine 10 , consists mainly of a microcomputer 70 .
- the microcomputer 70 includes a CPU, memories, calculating circuit, etc. and has connected thereto a motor drive circuit 71 for controlling the rotation of the motor 50 , a valve control circuit 72 for controlling a water injection valve 44 , drain valve 45 and the water supply valve 61 , a sensor circuit 73 for detecting trigger pulses of an encoder 53 , etc.
- the microcomputer 70 calculates the rotational angular velocity of the drum 30 from trigger pulses input from the sensor circuit 73 to detect the position of eccentricity of the laundry.
- the microcomputer 70 has incorporated therein a memory (not shown) having laundering programs stored therein, and a memory having stored therein positions of eccentricity of laundry and optimum quantities of water in the liquid holding boxes 35 and liquid holding tubes 37 .
- a manual unit 74 to be manipulated by the user for giving instructions and a display unit 75 for displaying the state of the washing machine 10 , results of manipulations, progress of laundering operation, remaining periods of time, suitable amounts of detergent, etc.
- the washing machine 10 of the above construction is operated for washing and rinsing the laundry, draining the drum and thereafter extracting water from the laundry.
- the drum 30 is rotated with the drain valve opened.
- the extraction of water can be conducted by the preliminary step of extracting water, step of correcting weight balance and main step of extracting water.
- the inner drum 30 is rotated with the drain valve left open and with the speed of rotation set at a medium value (a speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the water W is greater than the gravity acting thereon, e.g., 100 rpm) for preliminary extraction of water from the laundry S.
- a medium value a speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the water W is greater than the gravity acting thereon, e.g., 100 rpm
- the quantities of water W in the liquid holding tube 37 and the liquid holding box 35 corresponding to the position of eccentricity are reduced to bring the drum substantially into weight balance.
- the amounts of water in the box 35 and tube 37 can be reduced by slowing down the motor 50 when the box 35 corresponding to the position of eccentricity moves past the upper side and decreasing the speed of rotation of the drum 30 (for example, to 40 rpm).
- the motor 50 as slowed down permits the water W 2 to fall off from the box 35 moving past the upper side to reduce the amounts of water in the box 35 and tube 37 .
- the motor 50 is so controlled as to drain the corresponding box 37 and tube 35 of water until substantially uniform weight balance is attained with reference to pulses of the encoder 53 .
- the motor 50 is speeded up to rotate the drum 30 at a high speed (e.g., 1000 rpm).
- a high speed e.g. 1000 rpm.
- the high-speed rotation of the drum 30 releases the water of the laundry into the outer tub 40 through the drain holes for the extraction of water. Because of the corrected weight balance, the vibrations to be produced with the rotation of the drum 30 are also attenuated.
- the motor 50 is brought out of rotation, permitting the drum 30 to rotate through inertia as decelerated gradually, so that the water falls off from all the boxes 35 and tubes 37 and is discharged.
- the liquid holding tube 37 of this embodiment is so inclined that one end thereof toward the closed end wall of the inner drum 30 is positioned closer to the axis of the drum 30 .
- the baffle 34 is also so inclined that one end thereof toward the closed drum end wall is positioned closer to the axis of the drum 30 .
- one end of the tube 37 where the water passage hole 36 is formed is positioned closer to the axis of the drum 30 , whereby the liquid can be caused to flow into and out of the liquid holding tube 37 efficiently. Accordingly, the adjustment for bringing the drum 30 into weight balance can be made within a shorter period of time than is the case with Embodiment 1.
- liquid holding box 35 which has a desirable shape and a water passage hole 36 of preferred shape.
- the liquid holding box 35 can be so shaped as to be tapered toward the axis of the drum 30 as shown in FIG. 7.
- an opening 35 a of the box is partly provided with a lid 35 b so as to prevent water from falling off from the box 35 in an excessive amount.
- the lid 35 b is positioned preferably toward the direction of rotation of the drum 30 , and can be L-shaped for example.
- the opening of the liquid holding box 35 is provided with a cutout 35 c , whereby the box 35 can be drained of water with an improved efficiency.
- the water passage hole 36 for holding the box 35 and the tube 37 in communication with each other can be provided by a pipe member 37 a.
- FIG. 8 shows a liquid holding tube 37 having one end which is almost entirely opened, and an opening 35 d corresponding to the opening 37 a of the tube 37 is formed in the portion of the box 35 to be connected to the tube.
- the openings 37 a , 35 d of the tube 37 and the box 35 can then be caused to communicate with each other directly. In this case, a larger amount of liquid can be caused to flow between the box 35 and the tube 37 than when the pipe member is used. Accordingly, the adjustment for bringing the inner drum 30 into weight balance can be made within a shorter period of time.
- a silencer plate 38 be provided in the interior of the liquid holding box 35 as shown in FIG. 7 so as to reduce the noise to be produced when the liquid flows into or out of the box 35 .
- the silencer plate 38 can be provided by a plate having a plurality of holes 38 a , 38 a .
- the silencer plate 38 can be disposed, for example, below the lid 35 b so as not to interfere with the flow of liquid into or out of the box 35 .
- the silencer plate 38 serves to abate the noise to be produced by the flow of liquid when an adjustment is made to bring the drum 30 into weight balance.
- the liquid holding tube 37 be provided with an air vent member 39 extending from inside thereof to the outside as shown in FIG. 9 so as to permit the liquid to flow into the tube 37 with a higher efficiency.
- the air vent member 39 can be provided by a tubular member as shown in FIG. 9.
- the tubular member can be made from a flexible material.
- the tubular member is so disposed that one end thereof is in communication with the interior of the tube 37 , with the other end thereof extending outward from the opening 35 a of the box 35 .
- the air vent member may be provided between the closed side of the tube 37 and the outside.
- the air inside the liquid holding tube 37 is discharged through the air vent member 39 when the liquid flows into the tube 37 . This eliminates the likelihood that the air will remain inside the tube 37 to interfere with the inflow of the liquid. Further the tube 37 can be drained of the liquid also efficiency since air is sent into the tube 37 through the vent member 39 when the liquid is discharged from inside the tube 37 .
- the liquid holding tube 37 is provided inside the baffle 34 according to the foregoing embodiments, whereas the tube 37 can be provided on the outer periphery of the inner drum 30 .
- the baffle 34 may be formed when required.
- the liquid holding tube 37 is provided over at least one half of the length of the drum 30 .
- the tube 37 is provided over the entire length of the drum.
- water is exemplified as the liquid to be placed into the liquid holding boxes 35 and liquid holding tubes 37
- other liquid can be used alternatively.
- the weight balance of the drum can be controlled more effectively in this case by using, for example, an aqueous solution of calcium chloride (1.3 in specific gravity) which is greater than water in specific gravity.
- the present invention provides a useful washing machine operable even in the presence of a great eccentric load and having an outstanding vibration attenuating effect.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
- Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
- Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)
Abstract
The invention provides a washing machine (10) operable even in the presence of a great eccentric load and exhibiting an outstanding vibration attenuating effect by suppressing eccentricity even if laundry in a drum (30) is in an unbalanced position. The washing machine (10) comprises an inner drum (30) having a rotatably supported axis and a closed wall at at least one end thereof, and a plurality of liquid holding boxes (35) provided on the closed wall of the inner drum (30) externally thereof and each having an opening facing toward the axis. The periphery of the inner drum (30) is provided with hollow liquid holding tubes (37) communicating with the respective liquid holding boxes (35).
Description
- The present invention relates to washing machines wherein the vibration of a drum to be produced by an unbalanced condition of laundry can be suppressed.
- With washing machines wherein an inner drum for placing laundry therein is positioned to face toward a horizontal direction, the drum is likely to rotate for the extraction of water, with the laundry in an unbalanced condition inside the drum owing to a centrifugal force. The inner drum is then brought out of balance under gravity, producing vibration or noise with the rotation of the drum.
- Accordingly, a
washing machine 10 is proposed wherein aninner drum 30 is provided with a plurality ofliquid holding boxes washing machine 10 has awater conduit 60 for supplying tap water to theliquid holding boxes 35, and water is supplied to theboxes 35 via theconduit 60 to alter the amounts of water to be held in theboxes 35 in accordance with the degree of eccentricity of the laundry and to restrain the drum from rotating eccentrically. - The
liquid holding boxes 35 are arranged at one end of thedrum 30 and therefore limited in size. This entails the problem that the amount of water to be accommodated in the liquid holding box is limited to impose limitations on the eccentric loads to be held in balance. - Further if laundry S is positioned toward the opening end of the
drum 30 as shown in FIG. 10, the laundry S is axially away from theliquid holding boxes 35, so that even if the amounts of water in theboxes 35 are altered, the axis of thedrum 30 will deflect to result in the problem that the eccentricity can not be fully suppressed. - An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which is adapted to overcome the problems due to a great eccentric load and which is diminished in eccentricity even if the laundry is positioned toward one side unevenly in the drum.
- To fulfill the above object, the present invention provides a washing machine comprising an inner drum having a rotatably supported axis and a closed wall at at least one end thereof, and a plurality of liquid holding boxes provided on the closed wall of the inner drum externally thereof and each having an opening facing toward the axis. The periphery of the inner drum is provided with hollow liquid holding tubes communicating with the respective liquid holding boxes.
- Since the liquid holding tubes are provided in the washing machine of the invention in communication with the respective liquid holding boxes, a liquid can be held in the tubes, and a greater amount of liquid can be accommodated in the machine than in the prior art. The washing machine is therefore operable even in the presence of a great eccentric load.
- Further the use of the liquid holding tubes makes it possible to bring the inner drum into weight balance not only at one end of the drum where the liquid holding boxes are provided on the closed wall of the drum but also over the length of the inner drum. Accordingly, the drum exhibits an outstanding vibration attenuating effect even if the laundry is unevenly positioned at one end of the drum opposite to the closed wall provided with the liquid holding boxes.
- FIG. 1 is a side elevation in section showing the overall construction of a washing machine of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a view in section taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1 and showing an inner drum.
- FIG. 3 is a side elevation in section and showing the washing machine while bringing the drum into weight balance.
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electric system of the washing machine of the invention.
- FIG. 5 is a side elevation in section showing the overall construction of a washing machine as a different embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 6 is a view in section taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5 and showing an inner drum.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the shapes of a liquid holding box and a liquid holding tube.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a liquid holding box and a liquid holding tube which have a water passage hole of altered shape.
- FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of air vent member.
- FIG. 10 is a side elevation in section of a conventional washing machine.
- <Embodiment 1>
- A
washing machine 10 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. - FIG. 1 is a side elevation in section showing the overall construction of the
washing machine 10 of the invention. Thewashing machine 10 of the invention comprises acabinet 12 serving as an enclosing frame and awashtub 20 housed in the cabinet for washing and rinsing laundry and extracting water therefrom. - The
washtub 20 comprises aninner drum 30 for placing laundry thereinto, and anouter tub 40 enclosing theinner drum 30 therein. - The
inner drum 30 has anopening 31 formed in one end thereof for placing laundry into the drum therethrough and a closed wall at the other end thereof. Arotation shaft 32 is attached to the outer side of the closed wall centrally thereof. An inner drum is also available which has an opening formed in the peripheral wall thereof for placing laundry into the drum therethrough and is closed at opposite ends thereof. The present invention is applicable also to a washing machine comprising such an inner drum. - The
drum 30 has itsrotation shaft 32 rotatably supported by theouter tub 40. Preferably, thedrum 30 has itsrotation shaft 32 supported substantially horizontally or as inclined. Theshaft 32 extends through theouter tub 40 to the outside and is provided with apulley 33 at the outer end thereof. - The
inner drum 30 has a plurality of drain holes (not shown) formed in an inner peripheral wall thereof and a plurality of projectingbaffles baffles 34 of the illustrated embodiment has a generally triangular cross section and is provided with a hollowliquid holding tube 37 inside thereof. Thetube 37 is in communication with aliquid holding box 35 to be described below. Thebaffles 34 andliquid holding tubes 37 are not limited to those of the illustrated embodiment with respect to the shape, size and number. - As shown in FIG. 1, the
inner drum 30 is provided at the closed end thereof withliquid holding boxes liquid holding tubes baffles liquid holding box 35 has an opening facing toward therotation shaft 32. Thebox 35 communicates with thecorresponding tube 37 through awater passage hole 36 formed in the closed end wall of thedrum 30. - The
outer tub 40 is a cylinder which has an opening at the same end as thedrum 30. The opening is provided with anopenable closure 41 for closing theouter tub 40. - The
outer tub 40 is supported by being suspended from the top of thecabinet 12 bysprings dampers drum 30. - The
outer tub 40 is further provided with a water injection pipe (not shown) for supplying washing water to thedrum 30 and a drain pipe (not shown) for draining the drum. These pipes are each provided with a valve. - A
motor 50 is attached to the outer periphery of theouter tub 40 and coupled to thepulley 33 of thedrum 30 by abelt 51. When rotated, themotor 50 rotates thedrum 30 inside theouter tub 40. - A
water conduit 60 for supplying a liquid (i.e., water in the present embodiment) to theliquid holding box 35 extends into theouter tub 40 to a position slightly below therotation shaft 32. Water is discharged from the conduit or stopped under the control of awater supply valve 61. Thewater conduit 60 extends outward from thecabinet 12 and is connected to a faucet of a water supply pipe. Inside theouter tub 40, the outer end of thewater conduit 60 is bent downward to supply tap water as indicated at W1 to theliquid holding box 35 as positioned under theconduit 60 as shown in FIG. 1. The water W supplied to thebox 35 partly flows through thewater passage hole 36 into theliquid holding tube 37. - When the
drum 30 is rotated at a low speed so that gravity acts more strongly than a centrifugal force acting on the water W, theliquid holding box 35 passing the upper side and the correspondingliquid holding tube 37 can be drained of water W as indicated at W2 as shown in FIG. 3. - The
washing machine 10 is provided with a sensor for detecting an unbalanced condition or eccentricity of the laundry inside theinner drum 30. Anencoder 53 serving as the sensor is mounted on therotation shaft 32 of thedrum 30 for detecting irregularities involved in the rotation of thedrum 30. The sensor to be used may be a vibration sensor (not shown) for detecting the vibration of theouter tub 40. The vibration sensor can be provided by a magnetostrictive sensor or load cell. - The
washing machine 10 of the above construction has an electric system, which will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 4. - All control operations for the
washing machine 10 are conducted by control means 7. The control means 7, which is disposed in a suitable portion of thewashing machine 10, consists mainly of amicrocomputer 70. Themicrocomputer 70 includes a CPU, memories, calculating circuit, etc. and has connected thereto a motor drive circuit 71 for controlling the rotation of themotor 50, avalve control circuit 72 for controlling awater injection valve 44,drain valve 45 and thewater supply valve 61, asensor circuit 73 for detecting trigger pulses of anencoder 53, etc. Themicrocomputer 70 calculates the rotational angular velocity of thedrum 30 from trigger pulses input from thesensor circuit 73 to detect the position of eccentricity of the laundry. - The
microcomputer 70 has incorporated therein a memory (not shown) having laundering programs stored therein, and a memory having stored therein positions of eccentricity of laundry and optimum quantities of water in theliquid holding boxes 35 andliquid holding tubes 37. - Also connected to the
microcomputer 70 are other units, i.e., amanual unit 74 to be manipulated by the user for giving instructions, and adisplay unit 75 for displaying the state of thewashing machine 10, results of manipulations, progress of laundering operation, remaining periods of time, suitable amounts of detergent, etc. - With laundry placed into the
inner drum 30, thewashing machine 10 of the above construction is operated for washing and rinsing the laundry, draining the drum and thereafter extracting water from the laundry. - For the extraction of water, the
drum 30 is rotated with the drain valve opened. - The extraction of water can be conducted by the preliminary step of extracting water, step of correcting weight balance and main step of extracting water.
- Preliminary Step of Extracting Water
- The
inner drum 30 is rotated with the drain valve left open and with the speed of rotation set at a medium value (a speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the water W is greater than the gravity acting thereon, e.g., 100 rpm) for preliminary extraction of water from the laundry S. At this time, thewater supply valve 61 on thewater conduit 60 is left open at the same time to fill water W1 into theliquid holding boxes 35 and theliquid holding tubes 37 as shown in FIG. 1. - When the
inner drum 30 is rotated, the laundry is centrifugally adhered to the inner surface of thedrum 30. The position of eccentricity of the laundry S is detected by detecting the pulses of theencoder 53. If the unbalanced condition of the laundry is within a permissible range, the subsequent step may be omitted. - Step of Correcting Weight Balance
- After the position of eccentricity of the laundry S has been detected, the quantities of water W in the
liquid holding tube 37 and theliquid holding box 35 corresponding to the position of eccentricity are reduced to bring the drum substantially into weight balance. The amounts of water in thebox 35 andtube 37 can be reduced by slowing down themotor 50 when thebox 35 corresponding to the position of eccentricity moves past the upper side and decreasing the speed of rotation of the drum 30 (for example, to 40 rpm). Themotor 50 as slowed down permits the water W2 to fall off from thebox 35 moving past the upper side to reduce the amounts of water in thebox 35 andtube 37. - The
motor 50 is so controlled as to drain thecorresponding box 37 andtube 35 of water until substantially uniform weight balance is attained with reference to pulses of theencoder 53. - When the
inner drum 30 is brought generally into weight balance, extraction of water follows. If the drum can not be substantially brought into balance even if the correspondingtube 37 andbox 35 have been completely drained of water, thedrum 30 maybe brought out of rotation once to resume the preliminary water extraction step, or an error display is presented on thedisplay unit 75 to discontinue the extraction of water. - Main Step of Extracting Water
- After the
drum 30 is brought into corrected weight balance, themotor 50 is speeded up to rotate thedrum 30 at a high speed (e.g., 1000 rpm). The high-speed rotation of thedrum 30 releases the water of the laundry into theouter tub 40 through the drain holes for the extraction of water. Because of the corrected weight balance, the vibrations to be produced with the rotation of thedrum 30 are also attenuated. - After the completion of water extraction, the
motor 50 is brought out of rotation, permitting thedrum 30 to rotate through inertia as decelerated gradually, so that the water falls off from all theboxes 35 andtubes 37 and is discharged. - <Embodiment 2>
- A different embodiment of liquid holding
tube 37 will be described. - With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the
liquid holding tube 37 of this embodiment is so inclined that one end thereof toward the closed end wall of theinner drum 30 is positioned closer to the axis of thedrum 30. In conformity with the inclination of thetube 37, thebaffle 34 is also so inclined that one end thereof toward the closed drum end wall is positioned closer to the axis of thedrum 30. - Thus, one end of the
tube 37 where thewater passage hole 36 is formed is positioned closer to the axis of thedrum 30, whereby the liquid can be caused to flow into and out of theliquid holding tube 37 efficiently. Accordingly, the adjustment for bringing thedrum 30 into weight balance can be made within a shorter period of time than is the case with Embodiment 1. - <Embodiment 3>
- A description will be given of an embodiment of
liquid holding box 35 which has a desirable shape and awater passage hole 36 of preferred shape. - Shape of Liquid Holding Box
- The
liquid holding box 35 can be so shaped as to be tapered toward the axis of thedrum 30 as shown in FIG. 7. Preferably, an opening 35 a of the box is partly provided with a lid 35 b so as to prevent water from falling off from thebox 35 in an excessive amount. The lid 35 b is positioned preferably toward the direction of rotation of thedrum 30, and can be L-shaped for example. - Further as shown in FIG. 7, the opening of the
liquid holding box 35 is provided with acutout 35 c, whereby thebox 35 can be drained of water with an improved efficiency. - Shape of Water Passage Hole
- With reference to FIG. 7, the
water passage hole 36 for holding thebox 35 and thetube 37 in communication with each other can be provided by apipe member 37 a. - FIG. 8 shows a
liquid holding tube 37 having one end which is almost entirely opened, and anopening 35 d corresponding to theopening 37 a of thetube 37 is formed in the portion of thebox 35 to be connected to the tube. Theopenings tube 37 and thebox 35 can then be caused to communicate with each other directly. In this case, a larger amount of liquid can be caused to flow between thebox 35 and thetube 37 than when the pipe member is used. Accordingly, the adjustment for bringing theinner drum 30 into weight balance can be made within a shorter period of time. - Provision of Silencer Plate
- It is desired that a
silencer plate 38 be provided in the interior of theliquid holding box 35 as shown in FIG. 7 so as to reduce the noise to be produced when the liquid flows into or out of thebox 35. With reference to FIG. 7, thesilencer plate 38 can be provided by a plate having a plurality ofholes silencer plate 38 can be disposed, for example, below the lid 35 b so as not to interfere with the flow of liquid into or out of thebox 35. - The
silencer plate 38 serves to abate the noise to be produced by the flow of liquid when an adjustment is made to bring thedrum 30 into weight balance. - Provision of Air Vent Member
- It is desired that the
liquid holding tube 37 be provided with anair vent member 39 extending from inside thereof to the outside as shown in FIG. 9 so as to permit the liquid to flow into thetube 37 with a higher efficiency. Theair vent member 39 can be provided by a tubular member as shown in FIG. 9. The tubular member can be made from a flexible material. Preferably, the tubular member is so disposed that one end thereof is in communication with the interior of thetube 37, with the other end thereof extending outward from the opening 35 a of thebox 35. The air vent member may be provided between the closed side of thetube 37 and the outside. - The air inside the
liquid holding tube 37 is discharged through theair vent member 39 when the liquid flows into thetube 37. This eliminates the likelihood that the air will remain inside thetube 37 to interfere with the inflow of the liquid. Further thetube 37 can be drained of the liquid also efficiency since air is sent into thetube 37 through thevent member 39 when the liquid is discharged from inside thetube 37. - The
liquid holding tube 37 is provided inside thebaffle 34 according to the foregoing embodiments, whereas thetube 37 can be provided on the outer periphery of theinner drum 30. In this case, thebaffle 34 may be formed when required. - Preferably, the
liquid holding tube 37 is provided over at least one half of the length of thedrum 30. Most preferably, thetube 37 is provided over the entire length of the drum. - Although water is exemplified as the liquid to be placed into the
liquid holding boxes 35 andliquid holding tubes 37, other liquid can be used alternatively. The weight balance of the drum can be controlled more effectively in this case by using, for example, an aqueous solution of calcium chloride (1.3 in specific gravity) which is greater than water in specific gravity. - The embodiments described above are intended to illustrate the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention set forth in the appended claims or reducing the scope thereof. The machine of the invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments in construction but can be modified variously within the technical scope defined in the claims.
- The present invention provides a useful washing machine operable even in the presence of a great eccentric load and having an outstanding vibration attenuating effect.
Claims (10)
1. A washing machine comprising an inner drum having a rotatably supported axis and a closed wall at at least one end thereof, and a plurality of liquid holding boxes provided on the closed wall of the inner drum externally thereof and each having an opening facing toward the axis,
the washing machine being characterized in that the inner drum is provided at a periphery thereof with hollow liquid holding tubes communicating with the respective liquid holding boxes.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1 wherein the liquid holding tubes are provided in parallel to the axis of the inner drum.
3. The washing machine according to claim 1 wherein each of the liquid holding tubes is so inclined that one end thereof toward the closed wall is positioned closer to the axis of the inner drum.
4. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein an inner peripheral wall of the inner drum is provided with baffles in parallel to the axis for scraping up laundry, and the liquid holding tubes are formed inside the respective baffles.
5. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the liquid holding tubes are each provided with an air vent member for assisting a liquid to flow into or out of the liquid holding tube.
6. The washing machine according to claim 5 wherein the air vent member is a tubular member having one end in communication with inside of the liquid holding tube and the other end extending outward from the opening of the corresponding liquid holding box.
7. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein each of the liquid holding boxes has a lid provided over a portion of the opening facing toward the axis of the inner drum.
8. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein each of the liquid holding boxes communicates with the corresponding liquid holding tube through a pipe member.
9. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein each of the liquid holding tubes has one end positioned close to the closed wall and entirely opened, and each of the liquid holding boxes has an opening to be held in communication with the entire opening of the corresponding liquid holding tube, these two openings being in direct communication with each other to cause the liquid holding tube to communicate with the liquid holding box.
10. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the liquid holding boxes are each provided inside thereof with a silencer plate for reducing the noise to be produced by a flow of liquid.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2001092354 | 2001-03-28 | ||
JP2001-92354 | 2001-03-28 | ||
JP2002022865A JP2002355491A (en) | 2001-03-28 | 2002-01-31 | Washing machine |
JP2002-22865 | 2002-01-31 | ||
PCT/JP2002/003022 WO2002079560A1 (en) | 2001-03-28 | 2002-03-27 | Washing machine |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040083774A1 true US20040083774A1 (en) | 2004-05-06 |
Family
ID=26612334
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/472,186 Abandoned US20040083774A1 (en) | 2001-03-28 | 2002-03-27 | Washing machine |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20040083774A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2002355491A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20040058106A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1509359A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002079560A1 (en) |
Cited By (16)
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ITTO20080848A1 (en) * | 2008-11-18 | 2010-05-19 | Vittorio Carlo Salvatore Scialla | SELF-BALANCING BASKET FOR WASHING MACHINES |
US20100251778A1 (en) * | 2006-04-13 | 2010-10-07 | Bsh Bosch Und Siemens Hausgerate Gmbh | Machine for Washing and/or Drying Laundry |
WO2010077088A3 (en) * | 2008-12-30 | 2010-12-09 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Washing machine |
WO2012089444A2 (en) | 2010-12-27 | 2012-07-05 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | Washing machine wherein the unbalanced load is balanced |
US20130031939A1 (en) * | 2009-12-31 | 2013-02-07 | Ali Levent Hasanreisoglu | Washing machine wherein the unbalanced load is balanced |
US20130061639A1 (en) * | 2010-05-20 | 2013-03-14 | Ali Levent Hasanreisoglu | Washing machine wherein the unbalanced load is balanced |
US20130061638A1 (en) * | 2010-05-20 | 2013-03-14 | Ali Levent Hasanreisoglu | Washing machine wherein the unbalanced load is balanced |
US8695383B2 (en) | 2010-12-08 | 2014-04-15 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance with balancing system |
US8701451B2 (en) | 2010-12-08 | 2014-04-22 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance with balancing system |
US8713977B2 (en) | 2010-12-08 | 2014-05-06 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance with balancing system |
US8991223B2 (en) | 2010-12-08 | 2015-03-31 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance with balancing system |
US9003838B2 (en) | 2010-12-08 | 2015-04-14 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance with balancing system |
US20150167224A1 (en) * | 2013-12-18 | 2015-06-18 | Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation | Washing machine |
CN106894183A (en) * | 2017-04-21 | 2017-06-27 | 桐乡市新时代环保科技有限公司 | Perforated cylinder dyeing machine |
EP3754090A1 (en) * | 2019-06-19 | 2020-12-23 | Haier Deutschland GmbH | Washing machine and method for compensating for unbalance caused by washing |
EP4202107A4 (en) * | 2020-08-27 | 2024-01-24 | Wuxi Little Swan Electric Co., Ltd. | Inner drum assembly and laundry treatment apparatus |
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WO2016180371A1 (en) * | 2015-05-13 | 2016-11-17 | 海尔亚洲株式会社 | Washing machine |
WO2015176536A1 (en) * | 2014-05-19 | 2015-11-26 | 海尔亚洲国际株式会社 | Washing machine |
JP6736807B2 (en) * | 2015-12-24 | 2020-08-05 | 青島海爾洗衣机有限公司QingDao Haier Washing Machine Co.,Ltd. | Washing machine |
CN108797022B (en) * | 2017-04-28 | 2022-08-30 | 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 | Drainage structure and drainage method of washing machine |
CN109898272A (en) * | 2019-04-24 | 2019-06-18 | 王亮 | A kind of inner tank of washing machine automatic balancing arrangement and balance method |
JP2022010784A (en) * | 2020-06-29 | 2022-01-17 | 青島海爾洗衣机有限公司 | washing machine |
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- 2002-03-27 WO PCT/JP2002/003022 patent/WO2002079560A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-03-27 CN CNA028102339A patent/CN1509359A/en active Pending
- 2002-03-27 KR KR10-2003-7012514A patent/KR20040058106A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
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US3066522A (en) * | 1958-12-31 | 1962-12-04 | Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie | Laundering machine for washing and centrifugal drying |
US3235082A (en) * | 1962-04-23 | 1966-02-15 | Whirlpool Co | Laundry machine and method |
US4991247A (en) * | 1988-05-30 | 1991-02-12 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | Method of balancing a container which rotates about an essentially horizontal axis |
US5709109A (en) * | 1994-12-07 | 1998-01-20 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Drum type clothes washer having a fluid balancing mechanism |
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Cited By (24)
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US20100251778A1 (en) * | 2006-04-13 | 2010-10-07 | Bsh Bosch Und Siemens Hausgerate Gmbh | Machine for Washing and/or Drying Laundry |
US8250690B2 (en) | 2006-04-13 | 2012-08-28 | Bsh Bosch Und Siemens Hausgeraete Gmbh | Machine for washing and/or drying laundry |
ITTO20080848A1 (en) * | 2008-11-18 | 2010-05-19 | Vittorio Carlo Salvatore Scialla | SELF-BALANCING BASKET FOR WASHING MACHINES |
US9127397B2 (en) | 2008-12-30 | 2015-09-08 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Washing machine having suspension mounted motor |
WO2010077088A3 (en) * | 2008-12-30 | 2010-12-09 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Washing machine |
US9187858B2 (en) * | 2009-12-31 | 2015-11-17 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | Washing machine wherein the unbalanced load is balanced |
US20130031939A1 (en) * | 2009-12-31 | 2013-02-07 | Ali Levent Hasanreisoglu | Washing machine wherein the unbalanced load is balanced |
US20130061639A1 (en) * | 2010-05-20 | 2013-03-14 | Ali Levent Hasanreisoglu | Washing machine wherein the unbalanced load is balanced |
US20130061638A1 (en) * | 2010-05-20 | 2013-03-14 | Ali Levent Hasanreisoglu | Washing machine wherein the unbalanced load is balanced |
US9303352B2 (en) * | 2010-05-20 | 2016-04-05 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | Washing machine wherein the unbalanced load is balanced |
US9175430B2 (en) * | 2010-05-20 | 2015-11-03 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | Washing machine wherein the unbalanced load is balanced |
US9003838B2 (en) | 2010-12-08 | 2015-04-14 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance with balancing system |
US8713977B2 (en) | 2010-12-08 | 2014-05-06 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance with balancing system |
US8991223B2 (en) | 2010-12-08 | 2015-03-31 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance with balancing system |
US8701451B2 (en) | 2010-12-08 | 2014-04-22 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance with balancing system |
US8695383B2 (en) | 2010-12-08 | 2014-04-15 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance with balancing system |
WO2012089444A3 (en) * | 2010-12-27 | 2012-11-08 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | Washing machine wherein the unbalanced load is balanced |
WO2012089444A2 (en) | 2010-12-27 | 2012-07-05 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | Washing machine wherein the unbalanced load is balanced |
CN103270208A (en) * | 2010-12-27 | 2013-08-28 | 阿塞里克股份有限公司 | Washing machine wherein the unbalanced load is balanced |
US20150167224A1 (en) * | 2013-12-18 | 2015-06-18 | Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation | Washing machine |
US9644302B2 (en) * | 2013-12-18 | 2017-05-09 | Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation | Washing machine |
CN106894183A (en) * | 2017-04-21 | 2017-06-27 | 桐乡市新时代环保科技有限公司 | Perforated cylinder dyeing machine |
EP3754090A1 (en) * | 2019-06-19 | 2020-12-23 | Haier Deutschland GmbH | Washing machine and method for compensating for unbalance caused by washing |
EP4202107A4 (en) * | 2020-08-27 | 2024-01-24 | Wuxi Little Swan Electric Co., Ltd. | Inner drum assembly and laundry treatment apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2002079560A1 (en) | 2002-10-10 |
KR20040058106A (en) | 2004-07-03 |
JP2002355491A (en) | 2002-12-10 |
CN1509359A (en) | 2004-06-30 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD., JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KINOUCHI, TAKAO;YAMAMOTO, HIROSHI;YOKOI, YASUHIKO;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:014890/0437 Effective date: 20030916 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |