WO2012114753A1

WO2012114753A1 - Drum-type washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2012114753A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/001234
Authority: WO
Inventors: 伊丹　雅洋; 井上　豊
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2011-02-23
Filing date: 2012-02-23
Publication date: 2012-08-30
Also published as: EP2679717A4; JP2012170697A; CN102844489B; EP2679717A1; CN102844489A; JP6074690B2

Abstract

An air trap (74) is formed integrally with a water tank (42) in the side wall at the bottom rear of the outer circumference of the water tank (42) and has an opening (88) at the bottom. A water level detection tube (87) communicating with the air trap (74) via the opening (88) is formed integrally at one end of a drainage pipe (64) which is connected to a drainage port (85) formed at the bottom of the water tank (42). The drainage pipe (64) is connected to a case connection port (89) of a filter case (83), and by arranging the air trap (74), the water level detection tube (87), the drainage port (85), the drainage pipe (64), and the case connection port (89) essentially horizontally, the drainage flow is rectified, foreign objects such as pieces of thread contained in the wash water are less prone to flow into the air trap (74), and the water level in the water tank (42) is stabilized.

Description

Drum washing machine

The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine for washing laundry contained in a rotating drum.

Conventionally, this type of drum type washing machine is provided with a water level detection structure for detecting the water level in the water tank (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of a conventional drum-type washing machine described in Patent Document 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a water level detection unit of the drum-type washing machine.

As shown in FIG. 3, in a conventional drum type washing machine, a water tank 3 is supported in a washing machine housing 2 via a suspension structure (not shown), and a cylindrical drum with a bottom is provided in the water tank 3. 5 is rotatably arranged. A drainage path 7 for discharging the washing water in the water tank 3 is disposed at the bottom of the water tank 3. As shown in FIG. 4, a water level detection unit is configured by an air trap 100 integrally formed with the drainage path 7 and a water level sensor (not shown) connected to the air trap 100 by an air tube 104. The water level detection unit detects the water level of the washing water in the water tank 3.

In the drainage path 7, the connection part 101 of the drainage pipe 107 is connected to a drainage groove 20 formed in the water tank 3. The drain pipe 107 is formed integrally with a water level detection pipe 108 having a reduced diameter and provided with an inclined portion 109 below, and one end of the water level detection pipe 108 opens into the air trap 100. One end of the drain pipe 107 is connected to the drain outlet 102 and connected to the external drain pipe 103 via the drain valve 27.

JP 2005-137645 A

However, in the configuration of the water level detection unit in the conventional drum-type washing machine, the washing water flows toward the air trap 100 when the washing water in the water tank 3 is drained through the drainage path 7. It is easy for foreign matter such as lint to enter. If lint enters the air trap 100, an error may occur between the set water level of the water tank 3 and the actual water level.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and in the piping structure at the bottom of the aquarium, a drum-type washing machine capable of stably detecting the water level of the aquarium because foreign matter such as lint is less likely to enter the air trap. The purpose is to provide.

The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and in a drum-type washing machine, a washing machine housing, a water tank disposed in the washing machine housing, a rotating drum contained in the water tank, A filter case disposed inside the lower portion of the washing machine housing, an air trap having an opening below, a water level detection unit for detecting the water level of the water tank from the air pressure of the air trap, a drain outlet at the bottom of the water tank, and A drain pipe connected to the connection port of the filter case; and a water level detection pipe communicating the drain pipe and the opening of the air trap, wherein the water level detection pipe has an inclined portion near the lower side of the drain port. The diameter of the drainage pipe is smaller than that of the drainage pipe, and the water level detection pipe, the drainage pipe, and the connection port of the filter case are arranged substantially horizontally.

With such a configuration, when draining the wash water in the aquarium, it is possible to rectify the water flow from the drain outlet at the bottom of the aquarium to the connection port of the filter case through the drain pipe. Accordingly, foreign matters such as yarn waste contained in the washing water can be made difficult to flow into the air trap, the air pressure in the air trap is stabilized, and the water level of the water tank can be detected stably.

The drum-type washing machine of the present invention can hardly detect foreign matter such as lint in the air trap and can stably detect the water level of the water tank.

These aspects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drum type washing machine in embodiment of this invention The principal part perspective view which looked at the lower piping part of the drum type washing machine from the lower part Vertical section of a conventional drum-type washing machine Sectional drawing which shows the water level detection part of the drum type washing machine

A first aspect of the present invention is a drum-type washing machine, wherein a washing machine housing, a water tub disposed in the washing machine housing, a rotating drum contained in the water tub, and a lower inner portion of the washing machine housing. Connected to the disposed filter case, an air trap having an opening below, a water level detection unit for detecting the water level of the water tank from the air pressure of the air trap, a drain port at the bottom of the water tank, and a connection port of the filter case A drainage pipe, and a water level detection pipe communicating the drainage pipe and the opening of the air trap, and the water level detection pipe has an inclined portion in the vicinity of the lower part of the drainage port so that the drainage pipe Further, the water level detection pipe, the drain pipe, and the connection port of the filter case are arranged substantially horizontally.

Since the water level detection pipe, drain pipe and filter case connection port are arranged almost horizontally, when draining the washing water in the tank, the drain port at the bottom of the tank is connected to the filter case connection port through the drain pipe. Can be rectified. Further, in the water level detection pipe that communicates the drain pipe and the opening of the air trap, there is an inclined part near the lower part of the drain port, and the water level detection pipe is formed to be smaller in diameter than the drain pipe. The water flow can be made difficult to flow. Accordingly, foreign matters such as yarn waste contained in the washing water can be made difficult to flow into the air trap, the air pressure in the air trap is stabilized, and the water level of the water tank can be detected stably.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the drum type washing machine of the first aspect, the air trap and the drain port are further disposed substantially horizontally with the water level detection pipe, the drain pipe, and the connection port of the filter case. It is comprised so that. With such a configuration, foreign matters such as lint contained in the washing water can be more difficult to flow into the air trap, the air pressure in the air trap can be stabilized, and the water level of the aquarium can be detected stably. .

The third invention is the drum-type washing machine of the first invention or the second invention, wherein the water tank and the air trap are formed integrally from a reinforced plastic material. With such a configuration, the air pressure in the air trap can be further stabilized.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a drum type washing machine in an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a water tank 42 is disposed inside a washing machine housing 41 so as to be swingable, and a rotating drum 43 is rotatably disposed within the water tank 42. A rotation shaft (rotation center shaft) 44 arranged in the horizontal direction is provided at the rotation center of the rotary drum 43. A motor 45 attached to the rotating shaft 44 in the vicinity of the back side of the water tank 42 is connected via a belt 46. The rotational driving force of the motor 45 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 44 through the belt 46, and the rotating drum 43 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions. On the inner wall surface of the rotating drum 43, several protruding plates 47 (baffles) for stirring the laundry (clothing) are provided. The inner wall surface of the rotating drum 43 is provided with a large number of water passage holes 48 penetrating the inner and outer sides of the rotating drum 43. In the drum type washing machine of FIG. 1, the left side in the figure is the front side, and the right side in the figure is the back side.

The water tank 42, the rotating drum 43, the motor 45, and the like constitute a vibration water tank unit 49. The water tank unit 49 is supported by a plurality of spring bodies 50 from the upper portion of the washing machine housing 41 and is also supported by a plurality of vibration damping dampers 51 from the lower portion of the washing machine housing 41. Thereby, the vibration generated in the water tub unit 49 is absorbed, and transmission to the washing machine casing 41 is suppressed.

Further, the washing machine casing 41 has a casing opening 40 for putting clothes in and out, and the casing opening 40 is covered with a lid 52 so as to be freely opened and closed. Between the front surface of the water tank 42 and the opening edge of the housing opening 40, there is provided a seal packing 82 that connects both of them to act as vibration isolation and water sealing. The lid 52 can seal and open the housing opening 40 via the seal packing 82. By opening the lid 52, the laundry can be taken in and out between the outside of the washing machine housing 41 and the inside of the rotary drum 43 through the clothing entrance 53 formed on the front surface of the rotary drum 43.

In addition, this drum type washing machine has a function of automatically controlling the motor 45, the water supply path 54, the drainage path 55, and the water circulation path 56 in accordance with the mode setting and control program to perform at least a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process. is doing.

The water supply path 54 is a path for supplying water supplied from a water supply source outside the drum type washing machine into the water tank 42. In the water supply path 54, the first water supply hose 59 and the second water supply hose 60 connected to the water supply source accommodate a detergent and a soft finish and a drawer portion (not shown) that can be pulled out from the outside. Connected to the detergent container 61. The first water supply hose 59 is provided with a first electromagnetic valve 57 (first water supply part), and the second water supply hose 60 is provided with a second electromagnetic valve 58 (second water supply part). Yes. The detergent container 61 is connected to the water tank 42 through the water supply path 62. By opening the first electromagnetic valve 57 or the second electromagnetic valve 58, the water supplied from the water supply source is supplied into the detergent container 61 through the first water supply hose 59 or the second water supply hose 60. The The water supplied into the detergent container 61 is supplied into the water tank 42 through the water supply path 62 in a timely manner.

The drainage path 55 is a path for draining the washing water in the water tank 42 to the outside of the drum type washing machine. In the drainage passage 55, a drainage port 85 is provided in a recess 71 formed in the bottom of the water tank 42, and a drainage pipe 64 is connected to the drainage port 85. One end of the drain pipe 64 is connected to the case connection port 89 of the filter case 83. The filter case 83 accommodates a lint filter 65 (drainage filter) that collects lint, and the lint filter 65 can be removed from the outside of the front lower portion of the washing machine housing 41 by the filter knob 84. Yes. A drainage pump 63 is connected to the filter case 83, and a drainage hose 66 disposed from the inside of the washing machine casing 41 to the upper upper side is connected to the discharge side of the drainage pump 63. When necessary, such as at the end of the washing process or at the end of the rinsing process, the drainage pump 63 is driven to allow the washing water in the water tank 42 to pass through the drain pipe 64 connected to the recess 71 at the bottom of the water tank 42. Flows in. After passing through the lint filter 65 in the filter case 83, the washing water is drained to the outside of the drum type washing machine through the drain pump 63 and the drain hose 66.

The other end of the drain pipe 64 is connected to a water level detection pipe 87, and the drain pipe 64 and the water level detection pipe 87 are formed integrally with each other. An inclined portion 86 is provided in the vicinity of the lower portion of the drainage port 85 of the water level detection pipe 87, so that the diameter of the water level detection pipe 87 is formed smaller than the diameter of the drainage pipe 64. . One end of the water level detection pipe 87 communicates with the opening 88 of the air trap 74. The drain pipe 64 is preferably made of a soft material such as a rubber material in consideration of connectivity with other members, prevention of leakage from the connection location, and vibration absorption of the water tank unit 49 during the dehydration process.

The air trap 74 is formed integrally with the water tank 42 on the side wall portion of the outer periphery of the rear of the bottom of the water tank 42. An air pipe 75 is connected to the air trap 74, and a water level detection unit 76 that is provided inside the upper part of the washing machine housing 41 and includes a pressure sensor is connected to the air trap 74 via the air pipe 75. ing. When water is supplied into the water tank 42, the air in the air trap 74 is compressed according to the supplied water level, and the air pressure is transmitted to the water level detection unit 76 through the air pipe 75. Thereby, the water level detection part 76 can detect the water level of the multi stage in the water tank 42 from the change of an air pressure.

The filter case 83 is disposed at the lower right front of the washing machine housing 41 for the operability of the filter knob 84. Further, in order to efficiently pipe the drain pipe 64, the drain port 85 is provided on the right side of the vertical center of the water tank 42 when viewed from the front. The piping structure at the bottom will be described later with reference to FIG.

The water circulation path 56 circulates the water in the water tank 42 as necessary during the pre-washing process, the washing process, the rinsing process, etc., in order to prevent premature dissolution and bias of the detergent, and to improve the function of rinsing and rinsing. In addition, the water in the water tank 42 is circulated.

In this water circulation path 56, the drain pipe 64 and the lint filter 65 that are also used as the drain path 55 are connected to the inflow side path 68 of the circulation pump 67. The discharge side passage 69 of the circulation pump 67 is communicated with the inside of the water tank 42 at the jet outlet 70 inside the front surface of the water tank 42. By driving the circulation pump 67, the washing water in the water tank 42 is guided to the inflow side path 68 to the circulation pump 67 through the drain pipe 64 and the lint filter 65. Thereafter, the wash water is discharged into the rotary drum 43 as the circulating water from the outlet 70 through the circulation pump 67 and the discharge side passage 69 in the direction indicated by the solid line arrow. The circulating water discharged into the rotating drum 43 is used as washing water and is circulated through the water circulation path 56 again. The water tank 42 has a circular opening on the front surface, and a plurality of jets 70 are provided along the circumference of the opening edge. Circulating water enters the rotating drum 43 from all directions of the circumference of the opening edge. Discharged.

Further, a warm water heater (heating unit) 72 for heating the washing water is disposed in the recess 71 formed in the bottom of the water tank 42. As such a hot water heater 72, for example, a sheathed heater or the like is used, and is arranged so as to extend in the horizontal direction in the recess 71. As described above, the wash water in the water tank 42 heated by the hot water heater 72 is discharged into the rotary drum 43 through the plurality of spouts 70, so that the wash water is sprinkled on clothes and the wash water is circulated again. Let Since the heated washing water is sprinkled on the clothes, the molecular activity of the washing water is increased and the activation of the detergent is increased, so that the washing power can be increased and washing unevenness can be reduced. Further, in the vicinity of the hot water heater 72, a temperature detection unit 73 such as a thermistor for detecting the water temperature is provided.

Further, the upper part of the rear surface of the detergent container 61 provided on the inner side of the upper part of the washing machine housing 41 and the upper part of the water tank 42 are connected by a connecting hose 77. The connection hose 77 serves to remove air from the water tank 42 that is pressurized by the process operation.

Further, a vibration detection unit 78 that detects the vibration of the water tank unit 49 is disposed at the upper rear portion of the water tank 42. As the vibration detection unit 78, for example, a multi-axis acceleration sensor is used, and not the acceleration in one direction, but the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), as viewed from the front side of the drum type washing machine, The vibration of the three-axis direction in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) is detected to control the operation of the drum type washing machine. This is because the vibration of the actual aquarium unit 49 is not necessarily limited to one direction, and is detected with high accuracy using a multi-axis acceleration sensor.

The selection of modes and various functions such as an operation course in the operation of the drum type washing machine is performed by the user inputting to the input setting unit 80 from the operation panel 79 provided at the upper front of the washing machine housing 41. A control device 81 is disposed inside the upper part of the washing machine housing 41, and the control device 81 displays a display corresponding to information input through the input setting unit 80 on a display unit (not shown). To inform the user.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an essential part of the piping structure such as the drainage channel 55 at the bottom of the water tub 42 of the drum type washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below.

As shown in FIG. 2, when viewed from the front side of the drum type washing machine, the drainage port 85 of the water tank 42 is disposed on the right side of the vertical center of the water tank 42, and the drainage pipe 64 connected to the drainage port 85. A filter case 83 connected to one end of the washing machine housing 41 is disposed at the lower right on the front side of the washing machine housing 41. A circulation pump 67 connected to the discharge side passage 69 and a drain pump 63 connected to the drain hose 66 are arranged on the left and right sides of the filter case 83. The air trap 74 formed behind the drain port 85, the water level detection pipe 87, the drain port 85, the drain pipe 64, and the case connection port 89 of the filter case 83 are arranged substantially horizontally. .

The operation and action of the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

The water tank 42 and the air trap 74 are integrally formed from a reinforced plastic material such as glass-filled polypropylene (for example, formed by integral molding). Therefore, in the washing process and the rinsing process, the air pressure in the air trap 74 is stabilized, and variations in the water level detected by the water level detection unit 76 are suppressed.

In the drainage process, the washing water filled in the drainage passage 55 from the water tank 42 is drained from the drainage hose 66 to the outside by driving the drainage pump 63. At this time, a strong water flow from the drain port 85 to the filter case 83 is generated via the drain pipe 64. Since the air trap 74, the water level detection pipe 87, the drain port 85, the drain pipe 64, and the case connection port 89 of the filter case 83 are arranged substantially horizontally, the flow of water is rectified. It flows into the filter case 83. Further, since the inclined portion 86 is provided in the vicinity of the water level detection pipe 87 below the drain port 85, the water level detection pipe 87 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the drain pipe 64. Therefore, the water in the drain pipe 64 is suppressed from flowing into the water level detection pipe 87. Accordingly, foreign matter such as yarn waste contained in the washing water in the water tank 42 can be prevented from flowing back into the air trap 74, and the air level changes due to accumulation of yarn waste and the water level becomes unstable over time. It is suppressed.

The drain pipe 64 is preferably formed from a soft material such as a rubber material. By using a soft material for the drain pipe 64, the connection with the drain port 85, the connection with the opening 88 of the air trap 74, or the connection with the case connection port 89 is facilitated, and water leakage from the connection point is prevented. it can.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the air trap 74, the water level detection pipe 87, the drain port 85, the drain pipe 64, and the case connection port 89 of the filter case 83 are arranged substantially horizontally. Thus, when the washing water in the water tank 42 is drained, the water flow from the drain port 85 at the bottom of the water tank 42 toward the case connection port 89 of the filter case 83 through the drain pipe 64 can be rectified. Further, in the water level detection pipe 87 that connects the drain pipe 64 and the opening 88 of the air trap 74, an inclined portion 86 is provided in the vicinity of the lower part of the drain port 85, and the water level detection pipe 87 is formed to be smaller in diameter than the drain pipe 64. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the water flow to flow into the air trap 74. Therefore, foreign matters such as lint contained in the washing water can be prevented from flowing into the air trap 74, the air pressure in the air trap 74 is stabilized, and the water level detection unit 76 can stably detect the water level of the water tank 42. .

In the above description, in the drum type washing machine, the case where the rotation center of the rotating drum 43 is arranged in the horizontal direction has been described as an example. However, the rotation center of the rotating drum is arranged to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. It may be such a case.

Further, in the drainage path 55, if at least the water level detection pipe 87, the drainage pipe 64, and the case connection port 89 of the filter case 83 are arranged substantially horizontally, The water flow toward the case connection port 89 can be rectified. In addition, the effect of rectification can be enhanced by disposing the air trap 74 and the drain port 85 substantially horizontally. In addition, in the state of being arranged substantially horizontally, in addition to the state in which the respective members are arranged horizontally, the members are slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so as not to substantially affect the rectification of the water flow. It includes the state that was done.

It should be noted that, by appropriately combining arbitrary embodiments of the above-described various embodiments, the effects possessed by them can be produced.

Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included therein, so long as they do not depart from the scope of the present invention according to the appended claims.

Japanese patent application No. filed on February 23, 2011 The disclosures of the specification, drawings, and claims of 2011-036754 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

As described above, the drum type washing machine according to the present invention is difficult for foreign matter such as lint to enter the air trap and can stably detect the water level of the aquarium. Applicable for washing machine applications.

41 Washing Machine Housing 42 Water Tank 43 Rotating Drum 64 Drain Pipe 65 Lint Filter 74 Air Trap 76 Water Level Detection Unit 83 Filter Case 85 Drain Port 86 Inclined Portion 87 Water Level Detection Pipe 88 Opening 89 Case Connection Port

Claims

A washing machine housing,
A water tank disposed in the washing machine housing;
A rotating drum contained in the water tank;
A filter case disposed inside the lower portion of the washing machine housing;
An air trap having an opening below;
A water level detector for detecting the water level of the water tank from the air pressure of the air trap;
A drain pipe connected to the drain port at the bottom of the water tank and the connection port of the filter case;
A water level detection pipe communicating with the drain pipe and the opening of the air trap;
The water level detection pipe is formed to have a smaller diameter than the drain pipe by having an inclined portion near the drain port, and the water level detection pipe, the drain pipe, and the connection port of the filter case are substantially Horizontal drum-type washing machine.
The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the air trap and the drain port are further disposed substantially horizontally with the connection port of the water level detection tube, the drain tube, and the filter case.
The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water tank and the air trap are integrally formed of a reinforced plastic material.