WO2014129363A1

WO2014129363A1 - Washing machine, washing method, and washer dryer

Info

Publication number: WO2014129363A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/053238
Authority: WO
Inventors: 章平福本; 高木　真也
Original assignee: シャープ株式会社
Priority date: 2013-02-20
Filing date: 2014-02-13
Publication date: 2014-08-28

Abstract

A washing machine is provided with: a water tank (20); a dewatering tank (30) rotatably provided within the water tank (20) and having an air supply hole (62) in the bottom; a pulsator (33) disposed at the bottom of the dewatering tank (30); a water discharge duct (61) connecting to the air supply hole (62) and discharging wash water; an air pump (80) for supplying air into the dewatering tank (30); and an air supply passage member (81) for delivering the air, which is supplied from the air pump (80), to the dewatering tank (30) through the water discharge duct (61).

Description

Washing machine, washing method and washing dryer

The present invention relates to a washing machine having a bubble washing function, a washing method thereof, and a washing dryer.

As shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 19, the conventional vertical washing machine using bubbles has a bottomed cylindrical water tank (outer tank) 20 that opens upward in the outer box 10 that forms the outline of the washing machine 1. In the water tank 20, a washing / dehydrating tank 30 (hereinafter referred to as a dehydrating tank) having a large number of small holes 30a in the peripheral surface and opening air supply holes to be described later at the bottom is rotatably mounted. ing. A pulsator 33 is rotatably disposed at the bottom of the dewatering tank 30.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower part of the washing machine described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 20, the air supply path member (air supply pipe) 81 is a pipe for sending air that generates bubbles into the water tank 20, and one end of the air supply path member (air supply pipe) 81 is provided on the air pump 80 provided at the upper part of the outer box 10. The other end is connected to an opening (bubble outlet) 20 c provided at the bottom of the water tank 20.

Further, the bottom surface of the dewatering tank 30 facing the bottom of the water tank 20 is formed with a recess 21 whose center part protrudes upward, and the side surface allows water to pass and air from the opening 20c. A plurality of air supply holes 62 (insertion holes) are provided. The air supply hole 62 is disposed above the opening 20c. A portion of the air from the opening 20 c passes through the space between the water tank 20 and the dehydrating tank 30 instead of passing directly to the air supply hole 62.

In such a configuration, when the laundry is put into the dewatering tank 30 and the washing operation is started, water is supplied and stored in the water tank 20 and the dewatering tank 30, and the laundry is stirred and washed by the rotation of the pulsator 33. The

At this time, the air pump 80 is driven, and the air supplied through the air supply path member 81 is supplied into the water tank 20 from the opening 20c. The air supplied into the water tank 20 becomes bubbles and partly flows upward from the bottom surface of the water tank 20 into the recess 21 and is sent into the dehydration tank 30 through the air supply holes 62.

In addition, the air that has passed through the air supply hole 62 is agitated and refined by the rotation of the back blade 33 b formed on the back surface of the pulsator 33, and through the through hole 74 (bubble discharge hole) in which the fine bubbles are formed in the pulsator 33. The inside of the dehydration tank 30 will rise through. When these fine bubbles come into contact with the laundry, they burst and generate ultrasonic waves, and the ultrasonic vibrations promote the peeling of dirt components such as oil components entangled with the laundry.

The fine bubbles are refined to an average of about 0.5 mm with a diameter of about 10 μm to 2 mm in order to improve the cleaning effect. In addition, since the bubbles are generated almost uniformly in the dehydration tank 4 from the through holes 74 formed in the pulsator 33, the bubbles are not biased to a part of the laundry, and the entire laundry is uniformly distributed. Bubbles come around.

Further, as shown in the schematic cross-sectional views of FIGS. 21 and 22, the conventional washing / drying machine 101 is provided with a drying unit 50 at the rear of the outer box 10. The drying unit 50 includes a blower 50a and a heater 50b. At the time of the drying process, the drying unit 50 blows down the warm air downward from the outlet 51 d that opens upward facing the dehydrating tank 30 toward the inside of the dehydrating tank 30. 21 is a so-called “no hole” type in which a plurality of dewatering holes (not shown) are provided only at the upper end of the peripheral wall 30b, and there is no other opening for allowing liquid to pass therethrough. . Further, the dewatering tank 30 of FIG. 22 is a so-called “hole-provided” type in which a plurality of dewatering holes (not shown) are provided on the entire peripheral wall 30b.

In the drying process of FIG. 21, in the drying process, warm air is blown into the dehydration tank 30 from the outlet 51 d, takes a moisture effect on the laundry, and a part of the hot air thereafter is From the gap between the pulsator 33 and the dehydration tank 30, it flows out through a drain hole (not shown) to a drain duct (not shown). The warm air that has flowed into the drainage duct flows into the circulation path 100 and returns to the drying unit 50.

22 is blown into the interior of the dehydration tank 30 and has a drying action on the laundry after dehydration in the same manner as the laundry dryer 101 of FIG. Then, a part of the hot air escapes from the plurality of dewatering holes (not shown) provided in the peripheral wall 30b of the dewatering tank 30 to the water tank 20 side, passes through the circulation path (air duct) 100, and the drying unit 50. Return to.

JP 2000-107482 A JP 2003-311064 A JP 2010-11924 A JP 2007-236641 A

However, according to the conventional washing machine, first, some of the bubbles generated in the water tub 20 rise due to the buoyancy released from the opening 20c and flow into the bottom of the dewatering tub 30 and are negative due to the rotation of the pulsator 33. It is sent into the dehydration tank 30 by pressure and buoyancy. Therefore, the physical effect that substantially promotes the stirring operation of the laundry can hardly be expected from the fine bubbles. For this reason, the washing operation is performed by stirring the laundry mainly with the water flow generated by the rotation of the pulsator 33, and the bubbles supplied into the dehydration tank 30 are merely used as auxiliary to improve the cleaning power. Absent.

Therefore, the fine bubbles not only have a washing assist effect, but also do not have a buoyancy effect that can prevent direct contact between the laundry and the pulsator, so that the laundry is twisted in the direction of rotation of the water flow by the stirring of the pulsator 33. Or the laundry rubs against each other and damages the laundry.

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of suppressing at least the occurrence of damage to the laundry and improving the washing performance, and a washing method thereof.

In addition, according to the conventional washing and drying machine, the laundry after the dehydration process sticks in a dehydrated state mainly from the bottom surface of the dehydration tank 30 to the wall surface due to the centrifugal force due to the rotation of the dehydration tank 30 and the gravity after the rotation is stopped. . For this reason, the warm air sent into the inside of the dehydration tank 30 from the outlet 51d is blown to the surface of the laundry, and it is difficult for the warm air to reach the back surface of the laundry stuck to the dehydration tank 30 side. Therefore, since the surface of the laundry is preferentially dried and the degree of drying is different between the front and back surfaces of the laundry, there is a problem that it takes time to dry the front and back surfaces sufficiently.

The present invention aims to dry laundry while suppressing the difference in the degree of drying of the laundry.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a water tank, a dewatering tank that is rotatably arranged in the water tank and has an air supply hole at the bottom, a pulsator disposed at the bottom of the dewatering tank, and the air supply hole. A drainage duct for draining wash water, an air pump for supplying air into the dewatering tank, and an air supply path member for sending air from the air pump to the dewatering tank via the drainage duct. It is characterized by that.

According to this configuration, most of the air discharged by the air pump is directly supplied into the dehydration tank through the air supply passage member and the drainage duct through which the washing water is drained. The supplied air is blown out as bubbles based on the air supply pressure in the dehydration tank. The laundry in the dewatering tank is agitated by the bubbles and is washed by the collision of the bubbles. That is, not only the ultrasonic cleaning that occurs when the bubbles disappear, but also the mechanical cleaning effect due to the collision of the bubbles also has a main cleaning effect, which can suppress the occurrence of damage due to twisting of the laundry. . It is also possible to select a course (bubble cleaning course) in which the laundry is washed only with bubbles without using a stirring operation by a pulsator.

Further, the washing machine of the present invention has a course in which the pulsator and the air pump are driven and the laundry is stirred and washed by the air blown from the rotation of the pulsator and the air supply hole (combined washing course) in the above configuration. It may be provided. When the combined cleaning course is started, the pulsator and the air pump are driven. The laundry in the dewatering tank is agitated by the bubbles blown out from the air supply holes and the rotation of the pulsator. Thereby, the laundry is washed by the vertical stirring operation by the bubbles and the twisting operation in the circumferential direction by the pulsator, and the washing by the collision of the bubbles is performed. Furthermore, even when the amount of laundry is large and the washing load becomes large, the cloth thrownness of the laundry can be improved by the bubbles. Thereby, unevenness in cleaning can be reduced. Concentrated foam is formed by bubbles finely crushed by the rotation of the pulsator and a detergent dissolved in water. When this concentrated foam adheres to the laundry, the washing effect of the laundry can be improved.

The washing machine of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the pulsator is provided so as to cover the air supply hole and a through hole is formed at a position corresponding to the air supply hole.

Further, the washing machine of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described configuration, a throttle part for reducing a flow area of the air flow guided to the air supply hole is provided.

Moreover, the washing machine of the present invention is provided with an opening / closing valve that closes a part of the air supply hole when the dewatering tank is drained through the air supply hole and is supplied by the air pump. It is characterized by that.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the washing machine having the above-described configuration, the pulsator is temporarily rotated at a predetermined time interval after the bubble cleaning course is started.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the washing machine configured as described above, the pulsator is driven at the start of the combined cleaning course and the air pump is driven after a predetermined time has elapsed.

In the washing method, the present invention provides a water tank, a dehydration tank rotatably disposed in the water tank and having an air supply hole at the bottom, a pulsator disposed at the bottom of the dehydration tank, and the air supply hole. And an air pump for supplying air into the dewatering tub, receiving air supply pressure of the air pump, and supplying air directly from the air supply holes into the dewatering tub to wash the laundry. .

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the washing method configured as described above, the pulsator and the air pump are driven, and the laundry is stirred and washed by the rotation of the pulsator and the air blown from the air supply holes.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a washing and drying machine for supplying an air to the bottom of an outer box, a water tank stored in the outer box, and a water tank rotatably disposed in the water tank. A dehydration tank having a plurality of air supply holes, a pulsator disposed at the bottom of the dehydration tank, and an air supply device for supplying at least air into the dehydration tank through the air supply holes, and supplying the air in a drying step The air is blown out from the air supply hole by driving a container.

According to this configuration, when the drying process is started, air is blown out from the air supply hole at the bottom of the dehydrating tank toward the inside of the dehydrating tank by the air supply unit, and drying is performed while the laundry attached to the dehydrating tank or the pulsator is lifted up. Done. That is, the air passes through the bottom surface of the laundry and a part of the air passes through the inside of the laundry (the cloth texture of the laundry) to promote drying. Also, the laundry flutters due to the airflow. As a result, the laundry is mechanically moved to further accelerate drying. Accordingly, the laundry is brought into contact with the air on both the front and back surfaces, and the drying is promoted, so the difference in the degree of drying between the front and back surfaces is reduced and the drying is promoted. In addition, even if the air blown out from the air supply holes is at room temperature, drying by air blowing is promoted. It is also possible to select a course (bottom air drying course) for drying the laundry only with the air blown out from the air supply holes.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the washing and drying machine having the above-described configuration, an air heating heater is provided in an air supply path that connects the air supply unit and the air supply hole.

In the above-described configuration, the washing and drying machine of the present invention includes a blower and a heater in a blowout duct that is led out from a blowout opening that opens above the dewatering tank, and is driven by driving the blower and the heater in a drying process. The heated air is blown out from the outlet into the dehydration tank.

Further, the washing / drying machine of the present invention is the washing / drying machine having the above-described configuration, wherein the air heated by the heater is branched from the blowing duct and the venturi effect is used to supply the air by the air supply pressure of the air supply unit. It sends out to the said air supply hole, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

Further, the washing / drying machine of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described configuration, the air supply device is driven to blow out air from the air supply holes in the washing process. According to this configuration, the washing water is stored in the dehydrating tank in the washing process, and the air discharged by the air supply unit is supplied into the dehydrating tank through the air supply holes. The supplied air is blown out as bubbles in the dehydration tank. The laundry in the dewatering tank is stirred by bubbles and is washed by the collision of bubbles. Thereby, the mechanical scrubbing effect by the collision of bubbles produces the main cleaning effect, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of damage due to twisting of the laundry.

Further, the washing and drying machine of the present invention, in the above-described configuration, includes a drainage duct that drains the dehydration tank through the air supply hole and covers the air supply hole and closely contacts the bottom surface of the dehydration tank, The drainage duct and the air supply unit are connected via an air supply path member. According to this configuration, most of the air discharged by the air supplier is directly supplied from the air supply hole into the dehydration tank via the air supply path member and the drainage duct. For this reason, the supplied air is blown out in the dehydration tank based on the air supply pressure of the air supplier.

Further, the washing / drying machine according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described configuration, a throttle part for reducing a flow area of an air flow guided to the air supply hole is provided in the drainage duct.

Further, the washing / drying machine of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the pulsator is provided so as to cover the air supply hole and a through hole is formed at a position corresponding to the air supply hole.

According to the present invention, washing can be performed by stirring with bubbles without applying twisting action to the laundry. Accordingly, the laundry can be prevented from being damaged. Further, the laundry is washed by colliding with bubbles, and a high detergency can be maintained.

According to the present invention, in the drying process, the air supply device is driven and air is blown out from the air supply hole into the dehydrating tub so that the laundry stuck to the dehydrating tub or the pulsator can be sprayed from below. Both the front and back surfaces come into contact with air and are encouraged to dry. Therefore, the difference in the degree of drying between the front and back surfaces of the laundry is reduced, and drying is promoted.

Side surface sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the washing machine which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which expands and shows the lower part of the washing machine which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which expands and shows partially the lower part of the washing machine which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view of the pulsator of the washing machine which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The top view which expands and shows the center part of the pulsator of the washing machine which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which looked at the air supply duct part of the washing machine which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention from upper direction. The perspective view which looked at the air supply duct part of the washing machine which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention from the downward direction. The schematic sectional side view which expands and partially shows the lower part of the washing machine which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The schematic sectional side view which expands and partially shows the lower part of the washing machine which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. The schematic sectional side view which expands and partially shows the lower part of the washing machine which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. The schematic sectional side view which expands and partially shows the lower part of the washing machine which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention. The schematic sectional side view which expands and partially shows the lower part of the washing machine which concerns on 8th Embodiment of this invention. Side surface sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the washing-drying machine concerning 9th Embodiment of this invention Side surface sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the washing-drying machine which concerns on 10th Embodiment of this invention. Side surface sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the washing-drying machine concerning 11th Embodiment of this invention Schematic which expands and shows the venturi pipe of the washing-drying machine which concerns on 11th Embodiment of this invention. Side surface sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the washing-drying machine which concerns on 12th Embodiment of this invention. Side surface sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the washing-drying machine which concerns on 13th Embodiment of this invention. Side sectional view showing a schematic structure of a conventional washing machine Sectional drawing which expands and shows the lower part of the conventional washing machine Side sectional view showing the schematic structure of a conventional washing and drying machine Side cross section showing the schematic structure of a conventional washing and drying machine

<First Embodiment>
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the left side is the front surface and the right side is the back surface.

The washing machine 1 is a vertical fully automatic washing machine capable of performing washing, dehydration and drying operations, and includes an outer box 10 serving as an outer shell as in a conventional washing machine. Inside the outer box 10 is housed a dewatering tank 30 and a water tank 20 that houses the dewatering tank 30, and an air pump 80 is provided on the upper front side of the outer box 1, and a drying unit 50 is provided on the back side. The outer box 10 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an upper surface plate 11 is disposed on the upper surface. An operation unit 71 for operating the washing machine 1 is provided on the front side of the top plate 11, and a back panel 14 is mounted on the back side of the top plate 11.

Further, a control unit (not shown) is provided below the operation unit 71. The control unit receives input from the operation unit 71 and controls operations of the drive unit 40 that drives the pulsator 33, the dewatering tank 30, and the like, a water supply valve (not shown), and a drain valve 63.

In the central portion of the top plate 11, a laundry input port 11a for inputting the laundry into the washing machine 1 is provided. The laundry input port 11a is opened and closed by a lid portion 15 pivotally supported by a hinge portion 15a provided at the front end portion of the back panel 14. By rotating the lid portion 15 up and down to open and close the laundry input port 11 a, the laundry can be input into the dehydration tank 30 and the laundry can be taken out from the dehydration tank 30. A hanger hook 15 a is provided on the back surface of the lid portion 15. The hanger hook 15a can be hanger-dried by hanging a hanger with clothes on it.

Further, the upper surface plate 11 is provided with an extending portion 16 extending downward from the periphery of the laundry input port 11a. The extending portion 16 has a substantially vertical vertical portion 16a formed in an annular shape and a horizontal portion 16b extending substantially horizontally from the lower end of the vertical portion 16a to the back side. An annular bellows-like elastic body 17 is attached to the lower surface of the horizontal portion 16b. The extending portion 16 and the upper surface of the water tank 20 are connected by the elastic body 17, and the vibration of the water tank 20 due to the rotation of the dewatering tank 30 or the like is absorbed.

Further, the extending portion 16 and the elastic body 17 constitute a shielding portion that shields between the periphery of the laundry input port 11 a and the upper surface of the water tank 20. A sealed space is formed between the water tub 20 and the laundry inlet 11a by the shielding portion. Thereby, the inner cover which opens and closes the upper surface of the water tank 20 is not required, and the lid 15 can be closed to perform washing and drying. Details of the drying unit 50 and the drying process will be described later.

Further, a water supply valve (not shown) that electromagnetically opens and closes is disposed in the space in the back panel 14. A water supply hose (not shown) for supplying tap water such as tap water is connected to a connection pipe (not shown) connected to the upstream side of the water supply valve and protruding upward through the upper surface plate 11. Further, the downstream side of the water supply valve is connected to a water inlet (not shown) for pouring water into the dewatering tank 30 disposed at a position facing the inside of the dewatering tank 30. The water inlet is configured to be able to inject bath water pumped up through a bath water pump (not shown).

The water tank 20 is suspended from the outer box 10 by a suspension member (not shown) as in the prior art. Suspension members are provided at a total of four locations in such a manner that the lower part of the outer surface of the water tank 20 and the inner corner part of the outer box 10 are connected to support the water tank 20 so that it can swing within the horizontal part.

The dewatering tank 30 has a peripheral wall 30b that extends in a tapered shape upward from the bottom surface 30a. The peripheral wall 30b is provided with a plurality of dewatering holes 31 arranged in an annular shape only at the upper end portion, and there is no opening for allowing liquid to pass therethrough. That is, the dewatering tank 30 is formed in a so-called “no hole” type, and can store water in which detergent is dissolved or water for rinsing (hereinafter collectively referred to as “washing water”). An annular balancer 32 is attached to the edge of the upper opening of the dewatering tub 30 to suppress vibration when the dewatering tub 30 is rotated at a high speed for dewatering the laundry. A pulsator 33 for causing the washing water to flow in the dewatering tank 30 is rotatably disposed at the bottom of the dewatering tank 30.

The drive unit 40 is attached to the lower surface of the water tank 20. The drive unit 40 includes a motor 41, a belt transmission mechanism 42 that transmits the rotational output of the motor 41, and a clutch / brake mechanism 43, and a dehydrating shaft 44 (see FIG. 2) projects upward from the center thereof.

(Dehydration tank and air supply structure)
2 and 3 are cross-sectional views showing the lower part of the washing machine 1 in an enlarged manner. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dewatering shaft 44 and the pulsator shaft 45 have a double shaft structure, and the dewatering shaft 44 is disposed on the outside and the pulsator shaft 45 is disposed on the inside. The dewatering shaft 44 passes through the water tank 20 and has an upper end fixed to the bottom surface of the dewatering tank 30 via a mounting plate 44 a, and the dewatering shaft 44 pivotally supports the dewatering tank 30. The mounting plate 44 a is fixed to the bottom surface of the dehydrating tank 30 and protects the dehydrating tank 30. The pulsator shaft 45 passes through the water tank 20 and the dewatering tank 30 and is connected to the pulsator 33 to support the pulsator 33. Seal members (not shown) for preventing water leakage are disposed between the dehydrating shaft 44 and the water tank 20 and between the dewatering shaft 44 and the pulsator shaft 45, respectively.

A plurality of air supply holes 62 are provided around the dewatering shaft 44 on the same circumference on the bottom surface 30 a of the dewatering tank 30. An air supply duct 91 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) having a U-shaped cross section that covers the air supply hole 62 is provided on the bottom surface 30 a of the dehydration tank 30. The air supply duct 91 is fixed to a mounting plate 44a provided on the bottom surface 30a of the rotating dewatering tank 30 with screws.

In the air supply duct 91, an opening 92c provided corresponding to the air supply hole 62 is opened on the outer peripheral side of the dewatering shaft hole 92a through which the dewatering shaft 44 (see FIG. 2) is inserted (see FIG. 6). Further, the air supply duct 91 is located in the drainage duct 61, and the drainage duct 61 drains the washing water of the dewatering tank 30. That is, when the air supply duct 91 is attached so as to cover the air supply hole 62 formed around the dehydrating shaft 44, the air supply hole 62 and the inside of the air supply duct 91 communicate with each other through the opening 92c. As a result, the washing water in the dewatering tank 30 passes through the air supply duct 91 from the air supply hole 62 and is directly drained from the drainage hose 60 via the drainage duct 61 and the drainage valve 83.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper end 61a of the partition wall 61b constituting the drainage duct 61 formed between the air supply duct 91 and the bottom of the water tank 20 is the outer peripheral surface of the air supply duct 91 or the mounting member 44a. It is pressure-bonded to the packing 61b. As a result, the upper end 61 a of the drainage duct 61 is slidably in close contact with the air supply duct 91 and the dewatering tank 30. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the air being supplied and the washing water in the washing process from leaking from the supply duct 91 to the water tank 20 side. The drainage duct 61 is a flow passage for drainage, and the lower end portion of the partition wall 610 is fixed to the bottom portion (bottom surface) of the dewatering tank 20. Thereby, the space area including the air supply duct 91 surrounded by the partition wall 610 and the bottom surface of the dewatering tank 20 constitutes the drainage duct 61.

One end of an air supply path member (air supply pipe) 81 made of a flexible tube is communicated with the drainage duct 61, and an air pump 80 and an air supply hole 62 are connected to the air supply path member 81, the drainage duct 61, and the air supply duct 61. They are connected by an air supply path including the air duct 91. Accordingly, the drainage duct 61 also serves as a drainage path for draining the washing water of the dewatering tank 30 and an air supply path for supplying air. Further, the air supply path member 81 communicates with a drain pipe 20 b provided integrally with the bottom of the water tank 20 that communicates with the drain duct 61. The downstream side of the drain pipe 20b communicates with the drain valve 63. The drain pipe 20b upstream of the drain valve 63 is provided with the air supply member (air supply pipe) 81 to communicate therewith. It is.

As described above, the drainage duct 61 is provided with the drainage valve 63 on the drainage path, penetrates the back surface of the outer box 10 and is connected to the drainage hose 60. Thus, when the drain valve 63 is opened, the washing water in the dehydrating tub 30 is drained from the air supply hole 62 through the air supply duct 91, the drain duct 61 and the drain hose 60. In addition, a drain port 20a is provided at the bottom of the water tank 20 in addition to the drain pipe 20b that directly communicates with the drain hose 60 (see FIG. 1). Thereby, the washing water which flowed out in the water tank 20 is drained directly to the drainage hose 60 through the drainage port 20a. The drain port 20 a is arranged at the lowest position of the water tank 20 so that the washing water does not stay in the water tank 20.

On the other hand, the air pump 80 is generally a small, low noise electromagnetic diaphragm air pump or the like. The air pump 80 discharges air at a maximum of 25 to 100 L / min to obtain a discharge pressure of a maximum of 36 kPa. When the air pump 80 is driven, the air discharged from the air pump 80 flows into the drainage duct 61 via the air supply path member 81. The air that has flowed into the drainage duct 61 is supplied from the air supply duct 91 into the dehydration tank 30 through the air supply holes 62. At this time, the air supply duct 91 is in close contact with the mounting plate 44 a provided on the bottom surface 30 a of the dehydration tank 30, and air is circulated into the water tank 20 by the packing 61 b provided in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the air supply duct 91. It is possible to supply air directly into the dehydration tank 30 without causing it. For this reason, a decrease in the flow rate of the supply air to the dehydration tank 30 can be suppressed.

4 is a perspective view of the pulsator 33, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged top view showing the center of the pulsator 33. FIG. The pulsator 33 has a disc shape, and has a shaft hole 76 through which the tip of the pulsator shaft 45 is inserted, and is fixed to the pulsator shaft 45. A plurality of (four) blade portions 73 arranged radially are formed on the upper surface (front surface) of the pulsator 33 so as to protrude. During washing, the blade portion 73 generates a flow of washing water, which is a fluid, in the dewatering tank 30 by the rotation of the pulsator 33.

Further, around the shaft hole 76 of the pulsator 33, a plurality of (four corresponding to the four air supply holes 62) through-holes 74 arranged to face the air supply holes 62 are provided. Each through hole 74 is fitted with a rectifying member 74a formed in a honeycomb shape by arranging small holes having a hexagonal shape or a circular cross section. The lower end of the rectifying member 74 a extends to the vicinity of the air supply hole 62. The diameter of the small holes is preferably 10 mm or less, and most preferably about 3 mm. By setting it to 10 mm or less, it is possible to prevent a hairpin or accessory accessory that has fallen from the pocket of clothing from passing.

Since the through hole 74 is disposed opposite to the air supply hole 62, the air sent from the air supply hole 62 to the dehydration tank 30 is smoothly guided to the through hole 74 and blown out from the through hole 74. Thereby, the leakage of air from the periphery of the pulsator 33 and the bottom surface 30a of the dewatering tank 30 is reduced, and a decrease in the flow rate of the air blown out from the through hole 74 can be suppressed. Moreover, the airflow rectified from the through-hole 74 by the rectifying member 74a is blown upward, so that a decrease in flow rate due to turbulent flow can be suppressed and noise can be reduced.

6 is a perspective view of the air supply duct 91 of the washing machine 1 described above as viewed from above, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the air supply duct 91 as viewed from below. Details of the air supply duct 91 will be described below. Partly overlaps with the contents described above. The air supply duct 91 is a cylindrical body having a peripheral wall 91a, one end is open, and the other end has an upper surface portion 92 formed with a plurality of holes. A dewatering shaft hole 92 a through which the dewatering shaft 44 (see FIG. 2) is inserted is provided at the center of the upper surface portion 92. On the outer peripheral side of the dewatering shaft hole 92a, four concentric circular screw holes 92b are provided. The screw hole 92b is provided to screw the air supply duct 91 to the mounting plate 44a fixed to the bottom surface 30a of the dewatering tank 30. A seal member (not shown) for preventing air leakage is disposed between the upper surface portion 92 and the bottom surface 30a of the dehydration tank 30.

Openings 92c are provided at four locations on the same circumference as the air supply holes 62 (see FIG. 2) on the further outer peripheral side of the screw holes 92b. Thus, when the air supply duct 91 is fixed to the bottom surface 30a of the dehydrating tank 30 via the mounting plate 44a, each air supply hole 62 provided in the dehydrating tank 30 and each opening 92c provided in the air supply duct 91 are provided. And communicate. Each opening 92c is formed in a cylindrical shape having a peripheral wall 92d extending in the vertical direction. The inside of the air supply duct 91 and the air supply hole 62 (see FIG. 2) communicate with each other through the opening 92c.

A plate-like on-off valve 93 pivoted at one end is provided at the lower end of the opening 92c. The on-off valve 93 is suspended by its own weight to open the opening 92c, and when the air supply duct 91 is supplied with air, the opening 92c is closed by the air flow.

Further, a vent hole 93a is provided for one on-off valve 93. When air is supplied to the air supply duct 91, the air is guided to the air supply hole 62 through the air holes 93a. At this time, the vent hole 93a constitutes a throttle portion that reduces the flow area of the air flow guided to the air supply hole 62. An airflow having an increased flow velocity can be blown out from the through-hole 74 (see FIG. 5) by the throttle portion including the vent hole 93a. In the present embodiment, by providing the air supply duct 91, a throttle portion that increases the flow velocity of air is configured. The air supply duct 91 may be omitted. In this case, air is directly supplied from the drainage duct 61 to the dehydrating tank 30 through the air supply holes 62 provided in the dehydrating tank 30.

In the washing machine 1 configured as described above, the laundry is put into the dehydration tank 30 from the laundry input port 11a, and the lid portion 15 is closed. When a washing condition is selected by the operation unit 71 and a start of washing is instructed, a washing process is executed.

In the washing process, when the drain valve 63 is closed, the water supply valve (not shown) is opened and water is poured to a predetermined water level, the water supply valve is closed and the washing operation is started. When bath water is used as washing water instead of tap water, the bath water pump is driven to inject the bath water. In this washing process, a bubble cleaning course and a combined cleaning course are provided.

In the bubble cleaning course, the pulsator 33 is stopped and the air pump 80 is driven to agitate the laundry in the wash water with the air blown from the through hole 74 to perform the washing operation and the rinsing operation. In this case, there is an operation in which a detergent is introduced into the washing water or an aspect in which no detergent is introduced. In the embodiment in which no detergent is added, the rinsing process can be completed once. Further, in the combined washing course, the pulsator 33 and the air pump 80 are driven, and the laundry is stirred by the rotation of the pulsator 33 and the air blown out by the air pump 80 to perform the washing operation and the rinsing operation.

Specifically, in the bubble cleaning course, the air discharged by driving the air pump 80 is sent to the drainage duct 61 via the air supply path member 81. The air sent to the drainage duct 61 increases in flow velocity through the vent hole 93 a of the air supply duct 91 and is sent out from the air supply hole 62 to the inside of the dehydration tank 30.

The air sent into the dehydration tank 30 is guided to a through hole 74 formed in the pulsator 33, and is blown out from the through hole 74 above the dehydration tank 30. As a result, the laundry is raised by the bubbles blown out from the through-hole 74, and when the bubbles are removed, the laundry is lowered and stirred. At this time, the discharge flow rate of the air pump 80 is increased (for example, 15 L / min) so that the laundry is sufficiently stirred by the bubbles. Thereby, it can wash | clean by stirring with air bubbles, without adding twist operation | movement with respect to washings, such as a fragile fiber. Accordingly, the laundry can be prevented from being damaged. Also, the bubbles blown out from the through-hole 74 collide with the laundry, and a mechanical operation such as tapping on the laundry works. Thereby, the above-described tapping washing is performed by the impact when the laundry collides with bubbles and bounces, and a high detergency can be maintained.

In the bubble cleaning course, bubbles blown out from the through holes 74 may accumulate in the laundry, and the laundry may not drop due to buoyancy, and stirring may be insufficient. For this reason, after starting the bubble cleaning course, the pulsator 33 may be temporarily rotated at a predetermined time interval (for example, 60 rpm for 2 seconds at 1 minute intervals). Thereby, the air bubbles accumulated in the laundry can be discharged by the circumferential water flow by the pulsator 33, and the laundry can be lowered and stirred. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the cleaning power from being lowered.

Although the explanation will be described later, the correspondence relationship between the air supply hole 62 and the through hole 74 of the pulsator 33 is deviated by the rotation of the pulsator 33, but this corresponds to every rotation of about 90 degrees. When the rotation of the pulsator 33 is stopped, the pulsator 33 is stopped so that the corresponding positional relationship between the through hole 74 and the air supply hole 62 can be maintained. The corresponding positional relationship does not need to be a one-to-one (100%) relationship in which both are completely coincident with each other, and the air bubbles from the air supply holes 62 can pass through the through holes 74 by half or more, preferably 60% or more. It's okay. The rest is sent to the dehydration tank 30 through another through hole 74. Therefore, substantially most of the air bubbles are sent out from the through holes 74 of the air bubbles from the air supply holes 62.

On the other hand, in the combined cleaning course, the power of the motor 41 is transmitted to the pulsator 33 through the belt transmission mechanism 42 and the pulsator shaft 45, and the pulsator 33 is operated alternately in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. In accordance with the operation of the pulsator 33, the laundry and the washing water in the dewatering tank 30 are agitated, and the washing of the laundry proceeds.

When the pulsator 33 rotates, a water flow is generated in the circumferential direction. Most of the air discharged by driving the air pump 80 blows upward from the bottom of the dewatering tank 30 through the through-hole 74 of the rotating pulsator 33 and collides with the laundry. Accordingly, a twisting operation by a rotating water flow that is a circumferential water flow acts on the laundry, and a mechanical operation by the collision of bubbles simultaneously. Thereby, the washing effect of laundry improves. Moreover, the washing | cleaning effect of a laundry improves because the bubble which was finely crushed by rotation of the pulsator 33 and the concentrated foam formed with the detergent melt | dissolved in washing water adheres to a laundry.

Further, it is preferable to drive the air pump 80 after a predetermined time has elapsed after the pulsator 33 is driven at the start of the combined cleaning course. With the rotation of the pulsator 33, the laundry that has been poured to the predetermined water level and floated on the water surface is loosened and lowered. If the laundry that sinks to the bottom of the dewatering tank 30 is floated by air bubbles before the washing operation by the rotation of the pulsator 33 is started, the mechanical operation by the pulsator 33 is not easily transmitted to the laundry. The air pump 80 may be driven intermittently to adjust the buoyancy of the laundry.

When the predetermined time has elapsed since the washing operation of the bubble washing course or the combined washing course is started, the air pump 80 and the pulsator 33 are stopped and the drain valve 63 is opened. Thereby, the water in the dehydration tank 30 passes through the air supply duct 91 through the air supply hole 62 and the opening 92 c, and is drained to the drainage hose 60 through the drainage duct 61. At this time, since the on-off valve 93 provided in the opening 92c of the air supply duct 91 is opened more by its own weight, it can be efficiently drained without impeding drainage of the washing water in the dewatering tank 30. .

Next, the dehydrating shaft 44 is connected to the motor 41 by the clutch / brake mechanism 43. Thereby, the dehydrating tank 30 is rotated at a high speed by the drive of the motor 41 and the dehydrating operation is performed. The water splashed from the laundry by the high-speed rotation of the dewatering tank 30 is guided to the water tank 20 through the dewatering hole 31 and is drained from the drainage hose 60 via the drainage port 20a provided at the bottom of the water tank 20. The washing water flowing out from the air supply hole 62 is guided to the drainage duct 61 through the air supply duct 91 and drained from the opened drainage valve 63 through the drainage hose 60.

When the predetermined time has elapsed after starting the dehydrating operation, the motor 41 is stopped, the drain valve 63 is closed, and the water supply valve (not shown) is opened. When a predetermined amount of water accumulates in the dewatering tank 30, a water supply valve (not shown) is closed. Next, similarly to the washing operation, a rinsing operation is performed according to the bubble washing course and the combined washing course.

すると When a predetermined time has elapsed after starting the rinsing operation, the above dehydration operation is performed again. When the dehydrating operation is performed for a predetermined time, the washing / dehydrating process is finished.

(Drying unit 50)
Next, a drying mechanism for drying the laundry that has been dehydrated will be described. A drying unit 50 for drying the laundry in the dewatering tub 30 is installed on the extended portion 16 at the rear of the outer box 10. The drying unit 50 is provided with a blower (not shown) and a heater (not shown). In the drying unit 50, a suction port 51 is opened in the vertical portion 16a of the extending portion 16, and a blowout port 51d is opened in the horizontal portion 16b. The air outlet 51d is arranged so as to blow out hot air along the inner peripheral wall of the dewatering tank 30 downward.

Further, the suction port 51 and the air outlet 51d are connected by a circulation duct 54, and a blower (not shown) and a heater (not shown) are arranged in the circulation duct 54. An outside air introduction duct 55 communicating with the outside air is connected to the circulation duct 54 upstream of the blower. The outside air introduction duct 55 is provided with an opening / closing member (not shown). The vertical portion 16a is provided with an exhaust port (not shown), and the exhaust port is led to an exhaust duct 53 that is open to the outside air. Note that the exhaust port and the circulation duct 54 do not communicate with each other.

(Drying process)
When the washing / dehydrating process is completed, a drying process is performed. The drying process is provided with an inside air circulation period and an outside air introduction period. During the inside air circulation period, the outside air introduction duct 55 that connects the circulation duct 54 and outside air is shut off, and the blower (not shown) and the heater (not shown) are driven. Thereby, the air in the water tank 20 circulates through the circulation duct 54. During the outside air introduction period, the outside air introduction duct 55 is opened to the outside air to drive the blower and the heater. Thereby, the outside air flowing in from the outside air introduction duct 55 is heated in the circulation duct 54 and sent out into the water tank 20, and the air in the water tank 20 is exhausted from the exhaust duct 53. At this time, the air pump 80 may be driven. Thereby, the laundry can be dried from below by the air blown out from the through hole 74.

Specifically, when the drying process is started, the air in the water tank 20 flows into the circulation duct 54 through the suction port 51 during the inside air circulation period by driving the blower. The air that has flowed into the circulation duct 54 is heated by the heater and is sent into the water tank 20 from the outlet 51d. Thereby, the air in the water tank 20 is heated.

During the inside air circulation period, since warm air does not go out of the washing machine 1, heat is confined inside the water tank 20. Moreover, since the dehydration tank 30 is a holeless type, the amount of air leaking out from the dehydration tank 30 is small, and air hardly convects in the space between the dehydration tank 30 and the water tank 20. For this reason, the space in which the air circulates and circulates is almost limited to the inside of the dehydration tank 30, the convection and the circulation proceed efficiently, and the temperature in the dehydration tank 30 rises quickly.

When the temperature inside the dewatering tank 30 rises, moisture evaporates from the laundry, and the air in the inside air circulation in the water tank 20 contains a lot of moisture. When it is detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) that the internal temperature of the dehydration tank 30 has increased to a predetermined value, the period is switched to the outside air introduction period. In addition, you may switch to an external air introduction period, when it detects that the internal humidity of the dehydration tank 30 rose to the predetermined value with the humidity sensor (not shown).

Note that not all the air in the dehydration tank 30 is exhausted from the exhaust duct 53, and a part of the air circulates through the circulation duct 54 via the suction port 51. Thereby, the high-temperature state inside the dehydration tank 30 can be maintained and the water evaporation rate from the laundry can be kept high.

When the humidity detected by the dehydration tank 30 is lowered below a predetermined value by a humidity sensor (not shown) while the outside air introduction period is continued, the blower 50 and the heater (not shown) are stopped. Then, the fact that the washing operation and the drying process have been completed is notified by display of a display unit (not shown), voice, or the like.

(Operation and Effect in Washing Machine Washing / Dehydration Process in this Embodiment)
According to this embodiment, the air discharged by the air pump 80 is directly supplied into the dehydration tank 30 from the air supply holes 62 for draining the wash water via the air supply path member 81 and the drainage duct 61. The supplied air is blown out as bubbles based on the air supply pressure in the dehydration tank 30. The laundry in the dewatering tank 30 is agitated by the bubbles and is washed by the collision of the bubbles. Thereby, it can wash | clean by stirring with air bubbles with respect to laundry, such as a fragile fiber. It is also possible to select a course (bubble cleaning course) in which the laundry is washed only with bubbles without using a stirring operation by a pulsator. According to this washing method, since the pulsator 33 does not rotate, it is not necessary to increase the amount of water in the dewatering tank 30 to prevent the laundry and the pulsator 33 from sliding. Accordingly, the amount of water in the dewatering tank 30 can be reduced and the water can be stirred and washed with bubbles, so that water can be saved.

In addition, the pulsator 33 and the air pump 80 are driven so that the pulsator 33 rotates and the laundry is stirred and washed with the air blown out by the air pump 80, so that the pulsator 33 rotates and rotates into the dehydration tank 30. Directional fluid flow occurs. According to this washing method, the laundry is washed by the vertical stirring operation by the bubbles and the twisting operation in the circumferential direction by the pulsator 33, and the washing by the collision of the bubbles is performed. Therefore, the cleaning effect is improved. Further, a concentrated foam is formed by bubbles finely crushed by the rotation of the pulsator 33 and a detergent dissolved in water. Since the concentrated foam adheres to the laundry, the washing effect of the laundry can be further improved.

Further, since the pulsator 33 is provided so as to cover the air supply hole 62 and the through hole 74 is formed at a position corresponding to the air supply hole 62, the air sent from the air supply hole 62 to the dehydration tank 30 is smoothly transferred to the through hole 74. It is guided and blown out from the through hole 74. Thereby, the leakage of air from the periphery of the pulsator 33 and the bottom surface 30a of the dewatering tank 30 is reduced, and a decrease in the flow rate of the air blown out from the through hole 74 can be suppressed.

In addition, by providing a throttle portion that reduces the flow area of the airflow guided to the air supply hole 62, the airflow whose flow velocity has been increased by the throttle portion can be sent to the dehydration tank 30.

Further, the drainage of the dehydration tank 30 is performed through the air supply hole 62, and when the air pump 80 supplies air, an opening / closing valve 93 that closes a part of the air supply hole 62 is provided. As a result, the air flow having an increased flow velocity can be blown out from the through hole 74.

In addition, by temporarily rotating the pulsator 33 at predetermined time intervals after the start of the bubble cleaning course, bubbles accumulated in the laundry are discharged by a circumferential water flow by the pulsator 33, and the laundry is lowered and stirred. be able to. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the cleaning power from being lowered.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 8 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a partially enlarged lower part of the washing machine according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the position of the end of the air supply path member 81 is different from that of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the air supply path member 81 is connected to the drain pipe 20b. However, in the second embodiment, the end of the air supply path member 81 protrudes from the bottom surface of the water tank 30. Specifically, in FIG. 8, the end portion of the air supply path member 81 is protruded upward from the bottom surface of the water tank 20 corresponding to the left air supply hole 62 (the left air supply hole 62 in FIG. 1). Further, in the case of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 6, the opening / closing valve 93 is provided in each of the four openings 92c, but in the second embodiment, the opening / closing valve 93 is not provided. Further, the diameter of the end portion of the air supply path member 81 is formed to be approximately the same size as the vent hole 93a. Accordingly, the end portion of the air supply path member 81 can be formed to extend upward from the lower end of the peripheral wall 91a of the air supply duct 91 without being blocked by the on-off valve 93. As a result, the end portion of the air supply path member 81 is opposed and installed near the opening 92 c corresponding to the left air supply hole 62. The air supply duct 91 rotates together with the dehydration tank 30 during dehydration, but the lower part of the air supply duct 91 is opened as shown in FIG. 6, and the air supply path member 81 is in direct contact with the air supply duct 91 or Since they are not connected, there is no problem in the rotation of the dewatering tank 30. Moreover, the partition wall 61a for constituting the exhaust duct 61 is fixed to the water tank 20 side and is pressed against the dehydration tank 30 side. For this reason, even if the end of the air supply path member 81 is provided near the air supply hole 62, there is no problem.

With this configuration, in the washing process, air from the air pump 80 is directly jetted from the air supply path member 81 only to the opening 92c corresponding to the left air supply hole 62. As a result, air is sent out from the opening 92 c into the dehydration tank 30 through the left air supply hole 62. In other words, the air discharged from the end of the air supply path member 81 rises and flows into the opening 92c almost directly above, and does not flow into the other opening 92c. Therefore, since the remaining three openings 92c of the air supply duct 91 do not need to be used as openings for supplying air, it is necessary to provide the opening / closing valve 93 as shown in FIG. 7 in the three openings 92c. Absent. Also, the air discharged from the end of the air supply path member 81 is formed by making the diameter of the end of the air supply path member 81 substantially the same size as the vent hole 93a and making it smaller than the diameter of the opening 92c. Can surely flow up into the opening 92c. When entering the washing process, it is necessary to control the opening 92 c corresponding to the left air supply hole 62 that rotates together with the dehydrating tub 30 to stop at a position corresponding to the end of the air supply path member 81.

Further, a check valve (not shown) may be provided at the end of the air supply path member 81. This check valve is set to close with water pressure in the dewatering tank 30 and to be opened with pressure-fed air from the air supply path member 81 during drainage. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the washing water from entering the air supply path member 81. Further, even if some intrusion occurs, the washing water that has intruded when the next air is pumped can be discharged into the dewatering tank 30.

<Third Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, a so-called “no hole” type is used for the dewatering tank 30, but in the third embodiment, a “with hole” type having a large number of small holes on the peripheral wall 30 b of the dewatering tank 30 is used. In the third embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, an air supply duct 91 and a drainage duct 61 are provided at the bottom of the dewatering tank 30, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. To do. In the third embodiment, the drain port 20a provided at the bottom of the water tank 20 is not directly connected to the drain hose 60, but is downstream (lower position) than the connection part of the air supply path member 81 connected to the drain pipe 20b of the water tank 20. ) And upstream of the drain valve 63 is connected to the drain pipe 20b.

With this configuration, the air from the air supply path member (air supply pipe) 81 sent from the air pump 80 rises in the wash water in the drainage duct 61 and enters the dehydration tank 30 from the vent hole 93a through the air supply hole 62. Discharged. For this reason, it is possible to prevent air from leaking into the water tank 20 via the drain port 20a that opens downstream. Further, if necessary, a check valve may be provided at the drain port 20a to prevent the inflow of air.

Further, since the drain valve 63 is closed in the washing process, the water in the dewatering tank 30 and the water tank 20 is not drained directly to the drain pipe 60 through the drain port 20a at the bottom of the water tank 20. As described above, even in the “hole” type, air can be directly sent from the drainage duct 61 to the dehydration tank 30 through the air supply hole 62. Therefore, the same washing effect as the “no hole” type can be obtained.

<Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a schematic side sectional view showing a partially enlarged lower part of the washing machine according to the fourth embodiment. As in the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment uses a “perforated” type dewatering tank having a large number of small holes in the peripheral wall 30b. However, the air supply duct 91 and drainage provided at the bottom of the dewatering tank 30 are used. The duct 61 is different from the third embodiment in that the duct 61 is used as a dedicated duct for supplying air.

That is, the “perforated” type dewatering tank 30 is in communication between the water tank 20 and the dewatering tank 30 through a large number of small holes provided in the peripheral wall 30b. Therefore, a common drain port 20 d is provided at an appropriate position on the bottom surface of the water tank 20 for draining the washing water in the dewatering tank 30 and the water tank 20. The washing water can be drained through the drain port 20d. Further, a drain hose 60 is connected to the downstream side of the drain port 20d via a drain valve 63.

In addition, the air supply duct 91 provided on the bottom surface of the dehydrating tank 30 constitutes the on-off valve 93 as a check valve. That is, unlike the air supply duct 91 of the first embodiment, the opening 92c is closed when water pressure is applied, and is opened when air pressure is applied. Further, the on-off valve 93 is not provided with a vent hole 93a (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Thereby, the washing water in the dehydration tank 30 is not drained from the air supply duct 91 to the drainage duct 61 side. Further, only the end of the air supply path member 81 is connected to the drain pipe 20b, and the drain valve 63 and the drain hose 60 are not connected. According to this configuration, in the washing process in which the drain valve 63 is closed, the water pressure by the washing water is applied to the on-off valve 93, and the on-off valve 93 is closed. When air is pumped by the air pump 80 in this state, the air filled in the drain pipe 20b and the drain duct 61 opens the on-off valve 93 with air pressure and passes through the opening 92c. This air is directly ejected from the bottom surface of the dehydration tank 30 to generate bubbles. Further, in the dehydration process, the drainage valve 63 is opened so that the washing water flows out from the drain outlet provided at the bottom of the water tank 20 to the drain pipe 60. Note that the air supply duct 91 may not be provided with the on-off valve 93 constituted by a check valve. In this case, at the time of washing, the washing liquid enters the drainage duct 61 and reaches the air supply path member 81. However, by driving the air pump 80, the air is discharged to the dehydrating tank 30 side by the air pressure. , Bubbles can be formed in the dehydration tank 30.

<Fifth Embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a partially enlarged lower part of the washing machine according to the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, a “with holes” type dehydration tank 30 is used. However, unlike the fourth embodiment, members corresponding to the air supply duct 91 and the drainage duct 61 are not used. In the fifth embodiment, a dedicated air hole 20e for supplying air is provided at a position corresponding to the air supply hole 62 on the bottom of the water tank 20 and on the bottom surface of the dehydration tank 30. Hereinafter, the case where the number of the air supply holes 62 is one will be described. The dedicated air hole 20e has substantially the same opening area as the vent hole 93a provided in the on-off valve 93 used in the air supply duct 91 of the first embodiment, and the opening area of the corresponding air supply hole 62 is larger than that of the dedicated air hole 20e. Is also big. The end of the air supply path member 81 is directly connected to the dedicated air hole 20e.

According to this configuration, the air sent out by the air pump 80 passes from the dedicated air hole 20e provided at the bottom of the water tank 20 via the air supply path member 81 to the air supply hole 62 of the stationary dehydration tank 30. It is supplied into the dehydration tank 30. The dedicated air hole 20 e of the water tank 20 and the air supply hole 62 of the dewatering tank 30 are provided at positions corresponding to each other in the vertical direction, and the air supplied into the water tank 20 is between the bottom surface of the water tank 20 and the bottom surface of the dewatering tank 30. And is blown out as bubbles based on the air supply pressure into the dehydration tank 30 through the air supply holes 62. The dedicated air hole 20e provided at the bottom of the water tank 20 may be formed by arranging a plurality of small holes. Thereby, the discharge pressure of the air pump 80 can be increased, and bubbles generated from the small holes of the dedicated air holes 20e can be combined to form large bubbles.

In addition, the air that has passed through the air supply holes 62 of the dehydration tank 30 rises and passes through a large number of through holes 74 formed in the pulsator 33, and is ejected as large bubbles from the surface of the pulsator 33. At this time, small holes corresponding to the through holes 74 may be formed side by side as the air supply holes 62. As a result, the vertical length of the air supply holes 62 is increased by the thickness of the bottom plate of the dehydration tank 30 and the flow resistance is slightly increased, but air is smoothly blown into the dehydration tank 30.

<Sixth Embodiment>
In the sixth embodiment, the end of the air supply path member 81 is directly connected to the dedicated air hole 20e of the fifth embodiment from the bottom surface side, and a check valve (not shown) is provided. This check valve is closed by water pressure and opened by air pressure.

According to this configuration, bubbles generated from the dedicated air holes on the bottom surface of the water tank 20 enter the through-holes 74 of the pulsator 33 that rotate via the air supply holes 62 on the bottom surface of the dehydrating tank 30, and from the top surface of the pulsator 33. Generates large cleaning bubbles. In addition, by increasing the air pressure ejected from the dedicated air hole 20e provided on the bottom surface of the water tank 20, bubbles extending from the bottom surface of the water tank 20 to the bottom surface of the dehydration tank 30 can be increased. As a result, the dedicated air hole 20 e on the bottom surface of the water tank 20 and the air supply hole 62 of the dehydration tank 30 are substantially directly communicated with each other through the air passage, and air pressure is applied to the inside of the dehydration tank 30 through the air supply hole 62 of the dehydration tank 30. Therefore, it is possible to supply air into the dehydration tank 30 while preventing the air supply pressure from the air pump 80 from decreasing.

In the prior art of FIG. 22, the air supply hole 62 is on the outer peripheral side of the pulsator 33 and is not formed near the rotation axis of the pulsator 33. Moreover, the air sent out from the opening 20c is a small bubble, and rises in the state of the bubble and passes through the air supply hole 62. The bubbles that have passed through the air supply holes 62 become finer bubbles as the pulsator 33 rotates. Thereby, the bubbles discharged upward from the through hole 74 of the pulsator 33 are fine bubbles and do not form large bubbles. Rather, it is a technology that actively generates many fine bubbles and actively uses the cavitation action of the bubbles.

On the other hand, in the sixth embodiment, large bubbles are formed in the washing water in the dewatering tank 30 from the through holes 74 of the pulsator 33 as continuous large bubbles from the dedicated air holes 20e on the bottom surface of the water tank 20. As a result, mechanical vibration (for example, hitting) can be positively applied to produce a cleaning effect that cannot be obtained by cavitation.

<Seventh embodiment>
FIG. 11 is a schematic side sectional view showing a partially enlarged lower part of the washing machine according to the seventh embodiment. In the seventh embodiment, a “with hole” type dehydration tank 30 is used, and a shielding ring 22 extending up to the bottom surface of the dehydration tank 30 is erected on the outer peripheral side of the dedicated air hole 20e of the fifth and sixth embodiments. Prevents air coming out from the dedicated air holes from spreading to the side. According to this configuration, larger bubbles can be generated from the upper surface of the pulsator 33 of the dewatering tank 30.

<Eighth Embodiment>
FIG. 12 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a partially enlarged lower part of the washing machine according to the eighth embodiment. The eighth embodiment uses the “with holes” type dehydration tank 30 and eliminates the dedicated drain hole (for example, 20d) in the configuration in which the dedicated air hole 20e is provided at the bottom of the water tank 20 of the fifth embodiment. A part of the air hole 20e is also used for drainage. That is, a plurality of, for example, four dedicated air holes 20e are provided uniformly around the rotation shaft 44 at the bottom of the water tank 20. Further, an air supply duct 91 having an opening 92c corresponding to the dedicated air hole 20e on the lower side of the bottom surface of the water tank 20 and having the same configuration as that of FIGS. 6 and 7 is fixed. A drainage duct 61 that covers the air supply duct 91 is attached to the bottom of the bottom of the water tank 20. In addition, the air supply duct 91 of this embodiment is also formed by the same structure as the opening 92c, the on-off valve 93, and the vent hole 93a of FIGS.

The lower part of the drainage duct 61 is formed in a cylindrical shape and connected to the drainage hose 60 via the drainage valve 63. Furthermore, the lower end of the drain duct 61 is connected to the end of the air supply path member 81. The mounting relationship between the air supply duct 91 and the drainage duct 61 and the bottom surface of the water tank 20 is the same as the mounting relationship between the air supply duct 91 and the drainage duct 61 and the bottom surface of the dewatering tank 30 according to the first embodiment.

According to this configuration, in the washing process, the four on-off valves 93 of the air supply duct 91 are opened, and the washing water flows into the drainage duct 61. However, since the drain valve 63 is closed, the washing water is stored in the water tank 20 without the washing water flowing out from the drain hose 60. In this state, when air is sent from an air pump (not shown) through the air supply path member 81, the air is filled into the drainage duct 61 by air pressure, and all the on-off valves 93 of the air supply duct 91 are closed to allow passage. Only the air holes 93a communicate with the dedicated air holes 20e.

Accordingly, the air jetted into the water tank 20 through the dedicated air hole 20e corresponding to the vent hole 93a passes through the air supply hole 62 of the dehydration tank 30 and the through hole 74 of the pulsator 33, and is used for a large washing at the upper part of the pulsator 33. It becomes a bubble. This operation is as described above.

Conversely, when draining, when the drain valve 61 is opened, the on-off valve 93 is opened by water pressure, and the dedicated air hole 20 e formed in the bottom surface of the water tank 20 communicates with the drain duct 61. Thus, the washing water is drained from the dedicated air supply hole 20 e on the bottom surface of the water tank 20 through the air supply duct 91, the drainage duct 61, the drainage valve 63, and the drainage hose 60.

<Ninth Embodiment>
The ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 13 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the washing and drying machine according to the ninth embodiment, in which the left side is the front surface and the right side is the back surface.

The washing / drying machine 101 is a vertical fully automatic washing / drying machine capable of performing washing, dehydration and drying operations, and the same parts as those in the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The washing / drying machine 101 of the ninth embodiment is executed by the same operation as the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment in the washing / dehydrating process. Moreover, the washing / drying machine 101 of the ninth embodiment has further features in the drying process. In the washer / dryer 101, an air pump 80 used for a bottom surface drying course is provided in a space between the outer box 10 and the water tank 20 on the upper front side of the outer box 10. This air pump 80 is an example of an air supply device of the present invention. A drying unit 50 used for the combined drying course is provided on the back side of the outer box 10.

Further, a heater 81b for air heating is provided in the middle of the air supply member 81. Thereby, the air discharged from the air pump 80 can be sent to the air supply holes 62 after being heated by the heater 81b as necessary (for example, 50 ° C. or more).

In the washing / drying machine 101, the laundry is put into the dehydration tank 30 from the laundry input port 11a, and the lid portion 15 is closed. When the operation unit 71 selects a washing condition and is instructed to start washing, a washing process similar to that of the first embodiment is executed, and a drying process is executed after the washing and dehydrating process.

In the bubble cleaning course, the pulsator 33 is stopped, the air pump 80 is driven without driving the heater 81b, and the laundry in the washing water is stirred by the room temperature air blown from the through hole 74 to perform the washing operation and the rinsing operation. Do.

The drying process has a combined drying course and a bottom air drying course. The combined drying course is performed by the combined use of air supply by the air pump 80 and warm air blowing by the drying unit 50. Here, the drying process by the drying unit 50 is provided with an inside air circulation period and an outside air introduction period.

During the inside air circulation period, since warm air does not go out of the washing / drying machine 101, heat is confined inside the water tank 20. At this time, since the evaporation of water from the laundry becomes active at 50 ° C. or higher, the inside of the dewatering tank 30 is raised to 50 ° C. or higher during the inside air circulation period. Since the pressure in the water tank 20 increases due to the temperature rise, a part of the air is exhausted to the outside through the exhaust duct 53.

When the temperature inside the dewatering tank 30 rises, moisture evaporates from the laundry, and the air in the inside air circulation in the water tank 20 contains a lot of moisture. For this reason, if it detects that the internal temperature of the dehydration tank 30 rose to the predetermined value, it will switch to an external air introduction period.

Also, the air pump 80 is driven during the inside air circulation period and the outside air circulation period. When the air pump 80 is driven, air containing hot air leaked between the water tank 20 and the outer box 10 is removed from the air supply hole 62 provided in the lower part of the dehydration tank 30 via the air pump 80 and the air supply path member 81. 30 is blown out.

Specifically, in the inside air circulation period and the outside air circulation period, part of the heated air leaks into the space between the outer box 10 and the water tank 20, and this air is supplied by the air pump 80 to a predetermined pressure. To discharge. The discharged air is sent to the drainage duct 61 via the air supply path member 81. The air sent to the drainage duct 61 passes through the vent hole 93 a of the air supply duct 91 and is sent out from the air supply hole 62 to the inside of the dehydration tank 30. Note that the air sent to the drainage duct 61 can be further heated by driving the heater 81b. Thereby, the temperature of the air heated by the heater 81b can be adjusted, and the warm air having the same temperature as the warm air blown from the drying unit 50 can be blown out to the laundry collected at the bottom of the dewatering tank 30. .

The air sent into the dewatering tank 30 is mainly guided to the through hole 74 and blown out from the through hole 74 to above the dewatering tank 30. As a result, the dehydrated laundry collected at the bottom of the dewatering tank 30 is lifted from the dewatering tank 30 and an air passage is formed between the laundry and the dewatering tank 30. The heated air passes through the air passage, and the back side of the laundry is promoted to dry (back side drying). In addition, the laundry itself is vibrated by the airflow flowing through the air passage to accelerate drying. Further, a part of the air blown out from the through hole 74 dries the back surface of the laundry and at the same time passes through the cloth of the laundry and blows out to the front side. Thereby, the inside of the laundry is also promoted to dry (internal drying). Therefore, the drying efficiency of the laundry is improved by a synergistic effect of the drying of the surface by the warm air blown from the air outlet 51d on the surface of the laundry, the drying of the back surface of the laundry by the air blown from the air supply holes 62, and the internal drying. To do. Moreover, the difference in the dryness of the laundry is reduced. Further, since vibration due to the airflow is applied to the laundry, the drying is further effectively performed. Note that the discharge flow rate of the air pump 80 is increased to promote drying of the laundry (for example, 15 L / min).

In addition, you may blow off the air from the air supply hole 62 intermittently. As a result, when the air pressure blown from the air supply hole 62 is high, the air sent downward from the air outlet 51d and the air sent upward from the air supply hole 62 collide with each other in the dehydrating tank 30, and turbulent flow is generated. Can be prevented. Further, the dewatering tank 30 may be intermittently rotated at a rotation speed lower than the rotation speed at the time of dehydration so that warm air is uniformly applied to the laundry in the drying process. Further, the pulsator 33 may be rotated intermittently. Even when the laundry is hung on the hanger 15a for drying, drying of the lower part of the laundry can be promoted by blowing hot air from the through hole 74 to the upper side of the dehydrating tank 30.

Further, when the amount of laundry is small, the laundry can be tumbled in the dewatering tank 30 by increasing the discharge flow rate of the air pump 80 and increasing the pressure of the air blown from the through hole 74. Thereby, warm air hits the lower surface and the upper surface of the laundry evenly, and the laundry can be dried evenly.

<Bottom wind drying course>
In the bottom air drying course, warm air is not blown by the drying unit 50, and drying is performed only by air supply by the air pump 80. This bottom wind drying course is preferably performed on laundry such as lingerie or a small amount of laundry. When the drying process is started in the bottom air drying course, the air pump 80 and the heater 80b are driven and hot air is blown out from the air supply holes 62 provided at the bottom of the dewatering tank 30. Thereby, the laundry stuck to the dehydration tank 30 by centrifugal force in the dehydration process is lifted from the surface of the dehydration tank 30 or the pulsator 33 side. Accordingly, the surface area of the laundry such as lingerie is increased, and the air passing through the back surface and the fabric can be effectively dried without causing a great difference in the degree of drying of the front and back surfaces of the laundry. In particular, by increasing the discharge pressure of the air pump 80, drying of the lower portion can be promoted while loosening the laundry by the air pressure from below.

Also, the warm air blown out from the bottom of the dehydration tank 30 is discharged from the exhaust duct 53 through the exhaust port (not shown) of the vertical portion 16a. In addition, while providing the front surface suction port (not shown) in the vertical part 16a, you may provide the circulation path (not shown) which connects a front surface suction port and the air pump 80. FIG. Thereby, the warm air blown out from the bottom of the dehydration tank 30 flows into the front suction port, is collected by the air pump 80 through the circulation path, and is then sent again to the bottom of the dehydration tank 30 by the air pump 80. Thereby, power consumption can be suppressed by using warm air efficiently.

In addition, when drying laundry using fibers that are susceptible to high temperatures, drying may be performed by driving only the air pump 80 without driving the heater 81b. In this case, when the drying process is started, room-temperature air blows upward from the air supply holes 62 provided in the bottom of the dehydration tank 30. Thereby, the laundry is effectively dried without being exposed to high temperature.

(Operations and effects in this embodiment)
According to the present embodiment, in the drying process performed by supplying air heated by the heater to the dehydration tank 30, the air pump 80 (air supply device) is driven to supply air to the air supply holes 62 provided at the bottom of the dehydration tank 30. The laundry stuck to the dehydration tank 30 or the pulsator 33 is lifted from the dehydration tank 30 by the air blown from the air supply holes and vibrated by the air flow. Therefore, both the front and back surfaces of the laundry are brought into contact with the air supplied from the air pump 80 to promote drying, and thus the drying is promoted while the difference in the degree of drying between the front and back surfaces is reduced. In addition, even if the air blown out from the air supply holes is at room temperature, drying by air blowing is promoted.

In addition, a blowout duct 54 that is led out from a blowout opening 51d that opens above the dehydrating tank 30 and is provided with a blower (not shown) and a heater (not shown) (the blowout duct 54 in the ninth embodiment is the first implementation). Temperature corresponding to the circulation duct 54 in the embodiment), and air blown from the blower outlet 51d to the dehydration tank 30 in the drying step is blown from the blower outlet 51d to the laundry surface. The drying efficiency of the laundry is improved by a synergistic effect of the surface drying by the wind, the back surface drying of the laundry by the air blown from the air supply holes 62, and the internal drying. Moreover, the difference in the dryness of the laundry is reduced.

In addition, the effect | action and effect at the time of washing using the air pump 80 are the same as that of 1st Embodiment. That is, in the washing process, the air pump 80 is driven to blow air upward from the air supply holes 62, whereby the laundry in the dewatering tub 30 is agitated by the air bubbles and is washed by the collision of the air bubbles. Thereby, it can wash | clean by stirring with air bubbles with respect to laundry, such as a fragile fiber. Further, it is possible to select a course (bubble cleaning course) in which the laundry is washed only with bubbles without using the stirring operation by the pulsator 33.

Further, the pulsator 33 and the air pump 80 are driven to stir the laundry with the rotation of the pulsator 33 and the air blown out by the air pump 80, so that the rotation of the pulsator 33 generates a fluid flow in the rotation direction in the dehydrating tub 30. To do. According to this washing method, the laundry is washed by the vertical stirring operation by the bubbles and the twisting operation in the circumferential direction by the pulsator 33, and the washing by the collision of the bubbles is performed. Therefore, the cleaning effect is improved. Further, a concentrated foam is formed by bubbles finely crushed by the rotation of the pulsator 33 and a detergent dissolved in water. Since the concentrated foam adheres to the laundry, the washing effect of the laundry can be further improved.

In addition, the dewatering tank 30 is drained through the air supply hole 62 and includes a drainage duct 61 that covers the air supply hole 62 and is in close contact with the bottom surface of the dewatering tank 30, and includes a drainage duct 61 and an air pump (air supply device) 80. Are connected via an air supply path member 81. Thereby, the air discharged by the air pump 80 is directly supplied into the dehydration tank 30 from the air supply hole 62 via the air supply path member 81 and the drainage duct 61. The supplied air is blown out as bubbles based on the air supply pressure in the dehydration tank 30.

Further, by providing the throttle part for reducing the flow area of the air flow guided to the air supply hole 62 in the drain duct 61, it is possible to send the air stream whose flow rate has been increased by the throttle part to the dehydration tank 30.

Further, the pulsator 33 is provided so as to cover the air supply hole 62 and the through hole 74 is formed at a position corresponding to the air supply hole 62, so that the air sent from the air supply hole 62 to the dehydrating tank 30 can be smoothly passed. And is blown out from the through hole 74. Thereby, the leakage of air from the periphery of the pulsator 33 and the bottom surface 30a of the dewatering tank 30 is reduced, and a decrease in the flow rate of the air blown out from the through hole 74 can be suppressed.

<Tenth Embodiment>
FIG. 14 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a washing / drying machine according to a tenth embodiment. Note that the same parts as those of the ninth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the tenth embodiment, the heater 81 b is not provided in the air supply path member 81 that connects the air pump 80 and the drainage duct 61. Thereby, the heater 81b can be omitted and the manufacturing cost of the washing / drying machine 101 can be reduced.

<Eleventh embodiment>
FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a washing and drying machine according to the eleventh embodiment. Note that the same parts as those of the ninth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In contrast to the ninth embodiment, in the eleventh embodiment, a branching member 54 a branched from the blowing duct 54 is connected to the air supply path member 81. Further, the branching member 54a and the air supply path member 81 are connected via a venturi tube 54b. FIG. 16 is an enlarged schematic view showing the venturi tube 54b. In the venturi tube 54b, the tip of the air supply path member 81 is formed with a throttle portion 81a that reduces the flow area of the airflow (arrow A). . As a result, when the compressed air from the air pump 80 passes through the venturi pipe 54b from the air supply path member 81, the flow rate in the pipe is reduced and the pressure decreases, so the air (arrow B) from the branch member 54a is reduced. It is sucked into the drainage duct 61 side and merges with the compressed air from the air pump 80 (arrow C).

As a result, the air discharged from the air pump (air supply device) 80 flows into the drainage duct 61 through the air supply path member 81 and a part of the warm air circulating in the blowout duct 54 is separated from the branch member 54a to the venturi pipe 54b. Flows into the drainage duct 61. The warm air that has flowed into the drainage duct 61 passes through the air supply duct 91 and is supplied from the air supply hole 62 into the dehydration tank 30.

Therefore, the air heated by the driving of the heater can be branched from the blowing duct 54 and sent out using the venturi effect by the air supply pressure of the air pump 80. Thereby, the warm air branched from the blowing duct 54 can be sent directly from the air supply hole 62 to the dehydration tank 30. For this reason, the high temperature air heated by the heater is blown from below the laundry to promote the drying of the lower part of the laundry. Thereby, a laundry can be dried more efficiently. Moreover, since it is not necessary to provide the heater 81b in the air supply path member 81 unlike the second embodiment, the manufacturing cost of the washing / drying machine 101 can be reduced.

In the case of the bottom air drying course, no air is blown from the branching member 54a of the blowout duct 54. However, by driving the air pump 80, normal temperature air is supplied from the throttle portion 81a to the drainage duct 61 so that the bottom portion of the dehydration tank 30 is obtained. The laundry can be dried by blowing air at room temperature. In the washing process, air is not blown from the branching member 54a of the blowing duct 54. However, by driving the air pump 80, air can be supplied from the throttle portion 81a to the drainage duct 61 to perform bubble cleaning.

<Twelfth embodiment>
FIG. 17 is a schematic side sectional view of a washing / drying machine according to a twelfth embodiment. Note that the same parts as those of the ninth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In the twelfth embodiment, instead of the drying unit 50 and the air pump 80 of the ninth embodiment, a heater pump 85 for drying the laundry is provided at the lower portion of the outer box 10. The heater pump 85 is provided with an air pump (not shown) and a heater (not shown) in the air duct 84. An air pump (not shown) in the heater pump 85 is an example of the air supply device of the present invention. An outside air introduction duct 55 communicating with outside air is connected upstream of the air pump. Further, the downstream side of the air pump is connected to the drainage duct 61 via an air supply valve 86.

In the drying process of the heater pump 85, the air supply valve 86 is opened, the drain valve 63 is closed, and the heater and the air pump are driven. As a result, the heated air flows from the air supply duct 84 into the drainage duct 61, passes through the air supply duct 91, and is supplied into the dehydration tank 30 from the air supply hole 62. The air supplied into the dewatering tank 30 dries the laundry after dehydration, and then rises and is discharged from the exhaust port 51b to the exhaust duct 53 opened to the outside air.

That is, the hot air blown out from the air supply holes 62 causes the laundry after dehydration to rise from the dehydration tank 30 and dry the laundry by the above-described operation. Since the laundry is dried by warm air passing through the bottom surface and inside and passing to the front side, the difference in the degree of drying between the front and back surfaces is reduced and coupled with the mechanical movement of the laundry itself. Drying is further promoted. Thereby, the laundry can be dried from the lower part only with the warm air from the air supply hole 62 provided in the bottom part of the dewatering tank 30. In addition, while the air supply valve 86 is opened in the drying process and the drain valve 63 is closed, it is possible to prevent the warm air from the heater pump 85 from passing through the exhaust valve 63. Thereby, warm air can be efficiently sent into the dehydration tank 30 from the lower part of the pulsator 33. Further, by closing the intake valve 86 and opening the drain valve 63 during drainage, water can be prevented from entering the heater pump 84 during drainage.

<13th Embodiment>
FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a washing / drying machine according to a thirteenth embodiment. Note that the same parts as those of the ninth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. In 13th Embodiment, the branch duct 84a branched from the ventilation duct 84 of the drying unit 50 of 12th Embodiment is provided. The other end of the branch duct 84a is connected to an outlet 51d that opens above the dehydration tank 30. Thereby, by driving the heater and the blower of the heater pump 85, the heated air can be efficiently fed from above and below in the dewatering tank 30, and the laundry can be dried more efficiently.

The present invention can be used for a washing machine and a washing / drying machine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing machine 10 Outer box 11 Top plate 11a Laundry input port 15 Cover part 16 Extension part 16a Vertical part 16b Horizontal part 20 Water tank

20a Drain outlet

20b Drain pipe

20c Opening part

20d Drain outlet 20e Dedicated air hole 22 Shielding ring 30 Desorption Water tank 30a Bottom surface 30b Peripheral wall 31 Dewatering hole 32 Balancer 33 Pulsator 40 Drive unit 41 Motor 42 Belt transmission mechanism 43 Clutch / brake mechanism 44 Dehydration shaft 45 Pulsator shaft 51 Suction port 51d Outlet 53 Exhaust duct 54 Circulation duct (outlet duct)
55 Outside air introduction duct 60 Drain hose 61 Drain duct 62 Air supply hole 63 Drain valve 71 Operation part 73 Blade part 74 Through hole 74a Rectification member 76 Shaft hole 80 Air pump 81 Air supply path member 91 Air supply duct 91a Peripheral wall 92 Upper surface part 92a Dehydration shaft Hole 92b Screw hole 92c Opening 92d Peripheral wall 93 On-off valve 93a Vent 101 Washing and drying machine

Claims

A tank,
A dehydration tank that is rotatably arranged in the water tank and has an air supply hole at the bottom;
A pulsator disposed at the bottom of the dehydration tank;
A drainage duct communicating with the air supply holes and draining washing water;
An air pump for supplying air into the dehydration tank;
A washing machine comprising: an air supply path member that sends out air from the air pump to the dehydration tank through the drainage duct.
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the pulsator is provided so as to cover the air supply hole and a through hole is formed at a position corresponding to the air supply hole.
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a throttle portion that reduces a flow area of the air flow guided to the air supply hole.
A tank,
A dehydration tank that is rotatably arranged in the water tank and has an air supply hole at the bottom;
A pulsator disposed at the bottom of the dehydration tank;
An air pump for supplying air into the dehydration tank through the air supply hole,
A washing method for washing laundry by receiving air supply pressure of the air pump and supplying air directly from the air supply hole into the dehydration tank.
The washing method according to claim 4, wherein the pulsator and the air pump are driven to wash the laundry by stirring the laundry with the rotation of the pulsator and the air blown from the air supply holes.
An outer box, a water tank housed in the outer box, a dewatering tank rotatably disposed in the water tank and having an air supply hole for supplying air to the bottom, and a pulsator disposed at the bottom of the dewatering tank And an air supply device that supplies at least air into the dewatering tank through the air supply holes, and the air supply device is driven to blow out air from the air supply holes in a drying process. Dryer.
The washing / drying machine according to claim 6, wherein a heater for air heating is provided in an air supply path connecting the air supply unit and the air supply hole.
A blower and a heater are provided in a blow-out duct led out from a blow-out opening that opens above the dehydration tank, and air heated by driving the blower and the heater in a drying process is supplied from the blow-out opening into the dehydration tank. The washing / drying machine according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the washing / drying machine is blown out.
9. The washing according to claim 8, wherein air heated by the heater is branched from the blowout duct and sent to the air supply hole by an air supply pressure of the air supply device using a venturi effect. Dryer.
The washing and drying machine according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein in the washing step, the air supply unit is driven to blow out air from the air supply holes.