WO2018103578A1

WO2018103578A1 - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2018103578A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/113786
Authority: WO
Inventors: 战云飞; 川上刚史
Original assignee: 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司; Aqua株式会社
Priority date: 2016-12-06
Filing date: 2017-11-30
Publication date: 2018-06-14
Also published as: JP2018089261A; JP6944671B2

Abstract

Provided is a washing machine capable of favourably obtaining a mechanical force acting on laundry and improving the washing performance. A fully-automatic washing machine is provided with: an outer tub (20) arranged inside a casing and able to store water; a spherical inner tub (30) rotatably arranged inside the outer tub (20) by taking a transverse axis of rotation (R2) inclined from a horizontal direction as the centre, and used for accommodating the laundry; an inner tub motor (70) arranged on an outer side of the outer tub (20) to enable the inner tub (30) to rotate; a stirring body (40) arranged in the inner tub (30) on an opposite side of the inner tub motor (70), and forming a concave curved section along an inner surface of the inner tub (30); and a transmission mechanism (150) for transferring the rotation of the inner tub motor (70) to the stirring body (40), so that the stirring body (40) rotates in the direction opposite a rotational direction of the inner tub (30).

Description

washing machine

Technical field

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background technique

Conventionally, a washing machine in which a washing and dewatering bucket that accommodates laundry and is washed, rinsed, and dehydrated is formed into a spherical shape is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine including a support body that is disposed in an outer tub that can store water, and that is rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation of the support body, and a spherical shape. The washing tub is rotatably supported by the support body around the rotating shaft of the horizontal washing tub, and the washing tub can be rotated in both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent Document 1: Japanese Reissue No. 2010-055674

Summary of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The washing machine of Patent Document 1 is a washing machine that attempts to move laundry in the washing tub by horizontal rotation or vertical rotation of the washing tub, in which washings in the washing tub are difficult to perform different movements from each other, which is difficult to be good. The mechanical force acting on the laundry is obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine which can satisfactorily obtain a mechanical force acting on a laundry and can improve cleaning performance.

Solution to solve the problem

A washing machine according to a main aspect of the present invention includes: an outer tub disposed in the casing and capable of storing water; and a spherical inner tub that is rotatably disposed about a horizontal rotation axis that is inclined in a horizontal direction or a horizontal direction. Inside the outer tub and containing the laundry; an inner tub motor disposed on the outer side of the outer tub to make the Rotating the inner tub; the agitating body is disposed on the opposite side of the inner tub motor in the inner tub to be formed in a concave curved shape along the inner surface of the inner tub; and a transmitting mechanism portion for the inner tub motor Rotating to the agitating body, rotating the agitating body in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the inner tub, or in a same direction as a rotation direction of the inner tub and at a rotation speed different from a rotation speed of the inner tub Rotate.

According to the above configuration, the laundry that is in contact with the agitating body is stirred by the rotation of the agitating body, and the laundry that is away from the agitating body is tumbled by the rotation of the inner tub. At this time, due to the difference in the rotational direction or the rotational speed between the inner tub and the agitating body, it is easy to cause a difference in motion between the tumbling laundry and the agitated laundry. Thereby, it is easy to cause distortion or friction between the laundry in the washing tub, and the mechanical force acting on the laundry is easily enhanced. Therefore, it is expected to improve the cleaning performance.

Further, since the agitating body is formed in a concave curved shape, the laundry is easily stirred up by the agitating body, and the laundry is easily stirred vigorously. Thereby, the mechanical force acting on the laundry is easily further enhanced.

Further, the agitating body is disposed on the opposite side of the inner tub motor disposed in the outer tub in the inner tub, so that a weight balance can be obtained.

In the washing machine of the present aspect, the transmission mechanism unit may rotate the agitating body in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the inner tub. In this case, the inner tub motor rotates the inner tub with a centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the inner tub that is greater than the speed of gravity.

According to the above configuration, the laundry that has been raised to the upper portion of the inner tub by the rotation of the inner tub is likely to be scraped off by contact with the agitating body that rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the inner tub. Therefore, even if the inner tub is rotated with the centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the inner tub larger than the gravity, the tumbling of the laundry in the inner tub can be easily performed. As a result, compared with the conventional configuration in which the inner tub is rotated by the rotational speed of the laundry acting on the inner tub to be smaller than the gravity, the tapping washing with a large number of taps per unit time can be achieved.

In the washing machine of the present aspect, the outer tub can be rotatably disposed in the casing about a vertical rotation axis that is inclined in a vertical direction or a vertical direction. In this case, the washing machine further includes an outer tub motor that rotates the outer tub.

According to the above configuration, since the water flow can be generated in the outer tub by rotating the outer tub, it is expected that the washing performance can be further improved.

In the washing machine of the present aspect, the horizontal rotation shaft may be inclined from the horizontal direction, and the agitating body may rotate coaxially with the lateral rotation shaft.

According to the configuration described above, the agitating body rotates coaxially with the lateral rotation axis that is inclined from the horizontal direction. Therefore, if the agitating body tilts the lateral rotation axis so that the inner tub occupyes a lower position, the laundry is easily contacted with the agitating body. Therefore, it is easy to be stirred by the stirring body.

Further, when a configuration is adopted in which the inner tub and the outer tub are rotated about a vertical rotation axis orthogonal to the inclined horizontal rotation axis, the agitating body occupies a higher position in the inner tub as the inner tub rotates, and sometimes occupies Low position. Thereby, the strength of the agitating body in the agitating action of the laundry is increased, and the movement of the laundry in the inner tub becomes complicated, so that it is expected to further improve the washing performance.

Effect of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine which can satisfactorily obtain a mechanical force acting on a laundry and can improve cleaning performance.

The effects and significance of the present invention will be further clarified by the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiments are exemplified in the practice of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited by the contents described in the following embodiments.

DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a right side view of a fully automatic washing machine in which a casing is placed in a cross-sectional state according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a right side sectional view showing a portion of the fully automatic washing machine according to the embodiment after removing the casing and the vibration isolating device.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of a portion of the fully automatic washing machine of the embodiment after removing the casing and the vibration isolating device.

4(a) and 4(b) are diagrams showing the configuration of a rotation switching unit of the embodiment.

5(a) and 5(b) are diagrams showing the movement of the laundry in the inner tub during the washing process and the rinsing process of the embodiment.

6(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the washing process and the rinsing process of the embodiment, respectively, in the inner tub as the outer tub rotates, the agitating body comes to a lower position, and when it comes to a higher position. Sports Figure.

(a) and (b) of FIG. 7 are views showing a configuration of a rotation switching unit in a modified example.

Description of the reference numerals

1: fully automatic washing machine (washing machine); 10: casing; 20: outer barrel; 30: inner barrel; 40: stirring body; 70: inner barrel motor; 140: outer barrel motor; 150: transmission mechanism part; R1: vertical rotation axis ; R2: Horizontal rotation axis.

detailed description

Hereinafter, a fully automatic washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a right side view of the fully automatic washing machine 1 in a state in which the casing 10 is in a cross section according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a right side cross-sectional view of a portion of the fully automatic washing machine 1 of the present embodiment with the casing 10 and the vibration isolating device 130 removed. 3 is a rear elevational view of a portion of the fully automatic washing machine 1 of the present embodiment with the casing 10 and the vibration isolating device 130 removed. In addition, in FIG. 3, the motor gear 201, the input gear 202, and the input side coupling gear 204 which are the components of the transmission mechanism part 150 are shown in the state which abbreviate each tooth.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the fully automatic washing machine 1 is provided with a casing 10 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A circular opening portion 11 is formed in the center portion of the top surface of the casing 10. Further, on the bottom surface of the casing 10, a base 12 is provided at four corners.

The outer tub 20 is rotatably disposed in the casing 10 around a vertical rotation axis R1 that is slightly inclined forward from the vertical direction. The spherical inner tub 30 is rotatably disposed in the outer tub 20 around the horizontal rotation axis R2 that is slightly inclined forward from the horizontal direction. The inner tub 30 contains laundry. The inner tub 30 is a washing dewatering tub that washes and dehydrates the laundry. It should be noted that the vertical rotation axis R1 is orthogonal to the horizontal rotation axis R2. Further, the inclination angle of the vertical rotation axis R1 and the vertical direction and the inclination angle of the horizontal rotation axis R2 and the horizontal direction are set to, for example, about 10 to 20 degrees.

The inner tub 30 includes a tub body 31 and an inner cover 32. The tub body 31 is formed of a metal material having excellent corrosion resistance such as stainless steel. In the tub body 31, a plurality of dehydration holes 33 are formed. Further, the barrel main body 31 is provided with a circular inner insertion opening 34, and the inner insertion opening 34 is opened and closed by the inner lid 32. The inner cover 32 is made of, for example The resin is formed to have a convexly curved shape. A handle portion (not shown) that can be grasped by a finger is formed at a central portion of the inner lid 32. The portion of the inner side inlet port 34 of the tub body 31 is flat, and when the inner inlet port 34 is closed by the inner lid 32, the inner tub 30 as a whole constitutes a spherical shape.

The first inner tub shaft 35 is attached to one side of the inner tub 30, that is, the rear side in the state of FIG. 2 by screws or the like. Further, on the other side of the inner tub 30, that is, the front side in the state of FIG. 2, the second inner tub shaft 36 is attached to the opposite side of the first inner tub shaft 35 via a screw or the like via the center of the inner tub 30. An insertion hole 36a is formed in a central portion of the second inner tub shaft 36. The first inner tub shaft 35 and the second inner tub shaft 36 constitute a horizontal rotation axis R2.

In the inner tub 30, a stirring body 40 is disposed on the side of the second inner tub shaft 36, that is, on the side opposite to the inner tub motor 70 disposed outside the outer tub 20. The agitating body 40 is formed in a cross-sectional curved shape along the inner surface of the inner tub 30 and protrudes to a position near the center of the inner tub 30. The surface of the agitating body 40 has a cross-shaped blade portion 40a. It should be noted that the blade portion 40a may not be a cross shape, and may be, for example, an I-shape or a Y-shape. A stirring shaft 41 is attached to the stirring body 40. The agitating shaft 41 passes through the insertion hole 36a of the second inner tub shaft 36, and is rotatably supported by two sliding bearings 37 provided on the second inner tub shaft 36.

The outer tub 20 is formed of, for example, a resin material, and has a spherical shape that covers the inner tub 30 to more than half. In the outer tub 20, a circular outer insertion opening 21 is formed in such a manner that the upper portion thereof is cut in the horizontal direction. A circular first bearing fitting 22 and a second bearing fitting 23 are formed at positions of the outer tub 20 opposed to each other across the center thereof.

The outer tub 20 is constructed by combining the upper outer tub member 20a and the lower outer tub member 20b. The divided faces D of the upper outer tub member 20a and the lower outer tub member 20b pass through the center portion of the outer tub 20 and are not in contact with the first bearing fitting 22 and the second bearing fitting interface 23. That is, the outer tub 20 is obliquely divided with respect to the lateral rotation axis R2 so as to be positioned from the upper position of the second bearing fitting 23 toward the lower position of the first bearing fitting 22 . Thereby, the first bearing fitting 22 is formed in the upper outer tub member 20a, and the second bearing fitting 23 is formed in the lower outer tub member 20b.

A first bearing portion 51 is attached to the first bearing fitting 22 of the upper outer tub member 20a. The first bearing portion 51 includes a cylindrical bearing housing 51a and a rolling bearing 51b housed in the bearing housing 51a, and is inserted into the first bearing fitting 22 from the outside, and is fixed to the outer tub 20 by screws or the like. Further, a second bearing portion 52 is attached to the second bearing fitting 23 of the lower outer tub member 20b. The second bearing portion 52 includes a cylindrical bearing housing 52a and a rolling bearing 52b housed in the bearing housing 52a, and is inserted from the outside into the second bearing mounting interface 23 by a screw A nail or the like is fixed to the outer tub 20.

The inner tub 30 is housed in the outer tub 20 when the outer tub 20 is combined by the combination of the upper outer tub member 20a and the lower outer tub member 20b. At this time, the first inner tub shaft 35 and the second inner tub shaft 36 are inserted into the first bearing portion 51 and the second bearing portion 52, respectively. The first inner tub shaft 35 is rotatably supported by the first bearing portion 51, and the second inner tub shaft 36 is rotatably supported by the second bearing portion 52.

The outer side insertion opening 21 of the outer tub 20 is opened and closed by a transparent outer cover 60 formed of, for example, a resin material. The outer cover 60 is exposed to the upper side of the casing 10 through the opening portion 11. The outer cover 60 and the outer tub 20 are coupled by a hinge portion 61, and the outer cover 60 is rotated about the hinge portion 61. A latch portion 62 is provided at a position on the opposite side of the hinge portion 61 of the outer cover 60, and is held by the latch portion 62 in a state in which the outer cover 60 is closed. When the predetermined operation of opening the latch portion 62 is performed, the outer cover 60 is opened.

The inner tub 30 is rotationally driven by the inner tub motor 70. The inner tub motor 70 is, for example, an outer rotor type motor including a rotor 71 and a stator 72. The rotor 71 is fixed to a tip end portion of the first inner tub shaft 35 that protrudes outward of the outer tub 20, and the stator 72 is fixed to an outer surface of the first bearing portion 51.

A disk-shaped shaft attachment portion 24 is formed at the center of the bottom of the outer tub 20, and a drain port 25 is formed at the side of the shaft attachment portion 24. A mounting plate 80 having a predetermined shape is fixed to the shaft mounting portion 24, and the outer tub shaft 90 is fixed to the shaft mounting portion 24 via a mounting plate 80. The outer tub shaft 90 constitutes a longitudinal rotation axis R1. Further, in the mounting plate 80, a drain device 100 for draining water from the inside of the tub 20 is fixed. The drain device 100 includes a drain pipe 101 connected to the drain port 25 and a drain valve 102 provided to the drain pipe 101. A drain hose (not shown) is connected to the drain pipe 101.

The outer tub shaft 90 is rotatably supported by the outer tub bearing portion 110. The outer tub bearing portion 110 includes a bearing housing 111, and an upper rolling bearing 112 and a lower rolling bearing 113 that are disposed in the bearing housing 111 so as to vacate a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. The outer tub bearing portion 110 is attached to a square plate-shaped outer tub mounting plate 120 disposed at the bottom of the cabinet 10. The outer tub mounting plate 120 is elastically supported by the vibration isolating device 130 attached to its four corners.

The outer tub 20 is rotationally driven by the outer tub motor 140. The tub motor 140 is, for example, an outer rotor type motor including a rotor 141 and a stator 142. The rotor 141 is fixed to a distal end portion of the tub shaft 90 that protrudes downward from the outer tub bearing portion 110, and the stator 142 is fixed to a lower portion of the outer tub bearing portion 110.

The agitating body 40 is rotated by the transmission mechanism unit 150 to the agitating shaft 41 by the rotation of the inner tub motor 70. The transmission mechanism unit 150 is composed of an input unit 200, an output unit 300, and a rotation switching unit 400.

The input unit 200 includes a motor gear 201, an input gear 202, an input shaft 203, an input side coupling gear 204, and an input side rotation shaft 205. The motor gear 201 is attached to a tip end portion of the first inner tub shaft 35 that protrudes outward of the inner tub motor 70. The input gear 202 has the same outer diameter as the motor gear 201. An input shaft 203 is mounted to the input gear 202. The outer diameter of the input side coupling gear 204 is larger than the motor gear 201 and the input gear 202, and the motor gear 201 and the input gear 202 are coupled to each other. An input side rotation shaft 205 is attached to the input side coupling gear 204, and the input side rotation shaft 205 is rotatably supported by the first upper shaft support portion 26 provided in the outer tub 20. The input shaft 203 extends through the left side of the lower portion of the outer tub 20 to the center side of the outer tub 20 in a manner that does not interfere with the outer tub 20. The input shaft 203 is rotatably supported by the first lower shaft support portion 27 provided in the outer tub 20. When the first inner tub shaft 35 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the input shaft 203 through the motor gear 201, the input side coupling gear 204, and the input gear 202, and the input shaft 203 is in the same direction as the rotation direction of the first inner tub shaft 35. The rotation is performed at the same rotation speed as the rotation speed of the first inner tub shaft 35.

The output unit 300 includes a stirring gear 301, an output gear 302, an output shaft 303, an output side coupling gear 304, and an output side rotation shaft 305. The agitating gear 301 is attached to the tip end portion of the agitating shaft 41 that protrudes outward of the outer tub 20. The output gear 302 has the same outer diameter as the agitating gear 301. An output shaft 303 is mounted to the output gear 302. The outer diameter of the output side coupling gear 304 is larger than the agitating gear 301 and the output gear 302, and the agitating gear 301 and the output gear 302 are coupled to each other. An output side rotation shaft 305 is attached to the output side coupling gear 304, and the output side rotation shaft 305 is rotatably supported by the second upper shaft support portion 28 provided in the outer tub 20. The output shaft 303 extends through the left side of the lower portion of the outer tub 20 to the center side of the outer tub 20 in a manner that does not interfere with the outer tub 20. The output shaft 303 is rotatably supported by the second lower shaft support portion 29 provided in the outer tub 20. When the output shaft 303 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the stirring shaft 41 through the output gear 302, the output side coupling gear 304, and the stirring gear 301, and the stirring shaft 41 is in the same direction as the rotation direction of the output shaft 303, and the output shaft 303. The rotation speed is the same as the rotation speed.

The rotation switching unit 400 connects the input shaft 203 and the output shaft 303 and switches the rotation direction of the output shaft 303. The rotation switching unit 400 can be switched to two forms of the first drive mode and the second drive mode. In other words, in the first drive mode, the rotation switching unit 400 rotates the output shaft 303 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the input shaft 203 at the same number of rotations as the rotation speed of the input shaft 203, and in the second drive mode, The output shaft 303 rotates at the same rotational speed as the rotational speed of the input shaft 203 in the same direction as the rotational direction of the input shaft 203.

4(a) and 4(b) are diagrams showing the configuration of the rotation switching unit 400 of the present embodiment. Fig. 4(a) is a view of the rotation switching unit 400 as seen from the input shaft 203 side, and Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of Fig. 4(a).

The rotation switching unit 400 is composed of a reverse gear unit 410, a clutch unit 420, and a brake unit 430.

The reverse gear unit 410 includes a differential case 411 having a hollow cylindrical shape, and a differential gear mechanism 412 disposed in the differential case 411. The differential gear mechanism 412 includes two side gears 413, 414 and two pinion gears 415, 416 that mesh with the side gears 413, 414. The input shaft 203 inserted into the differential case 411 is fixed to one side gear 413, and the output shaft 303 inserted into the differential case 411 is fixed to the other side gear 414. The

pinion shafts

417 and 418 fixed to the two

pinions

415 and 416, respectively, are rotatably supported by the peripheral wall portion of the differential case 411. A cylindrical coupling port 419 that protrudes outward and encloses the input shaft 203 is formed on the end surface of the differential case 411 on the input shaft 203 side.

The clutch unit 420 includes a clutch sleeve 421, a clutch spring 422, a ratchet 423, a clutch lever 424, a drive unit 425, and a mounting plate 426.

The clutch sleeve 421 is fixed to the input shaft 203 so as to continue to the connection port 419 of the differential case 411. The clutch spring 422 is wound around the coupling port 419 and the clutch sleeve 421. The clutch spring 422 fastens the connection port 419 and the clutch sleeve 421 by the elastic force thereof, and as a result, the input shaft 203 is fixed to the differential case 411. The ratchet 423 is disposed around the clutch spring 422. One end of the clutch spring 422 is coupled to the ratchet 423. When the clutch spring 422 is twisted in the slack direction by the rotation of the ratchet wheel 423, the tightening force of the clutch spring 422 disappears, the connection between the connection port 419 and the clutch sleeve 421 is released, and the input shaft 203 is separated from the differential case 411.

The clutch lever 424 is supported by the swing shaft 427 provided on the mounting plate 426 so as to be swingable in the in-plane direction perpendicular to the input shaft 203. The clutch lever 424 has an engagement claw 424a that is engageable with the claw portion 423a of the ratchet wheel 423, and is biased by the torsion spring 428 in the engagement direction in which the engagement claw 424a engages with the claw portion 423a. The driving device 425 is, for example, a torque motor, and is coupled to the clutch lever 424 via a wire 429 to swing the clutch lever 424 in a direction opposite to the engagement direction. The mounting plate 426 is fixed to the outer tub 20.

The brake unit 430 includes a brake band 431 and a brake pad 432. The brake band 431 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the differential case 411. One end portion 431a of the brake band 431 is fixed to the mounting plate 426, and the other of the brake band 431 The end portion 431b is fixed to a position deviated from the swing shaft 427 of the clutch lever 424. The brake pad 432 is disposed inside the brake band 431 and is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the differential case 411. When the clutch lever 424 swings toward the above-described engagement direction in the direction in which the other end portion 431b of the brake band 431 is away from the differential case 411, the brake band 431 is pulled, and the brake pad 432 is strongly supported. The outer peripheral surface of the differential case 411. Thereby, the differential case 411 is fixed so as not to rotate around the axes of the input shaft 203 and the output shaft 303.

In the first drive mode, the drive unit 425 is set to the off state. The clutch lever 424 swings in the engagement direction by the elastic force of the torsion spring 428, and the engagement claw 424a is engaged with the claw portion 423a, and the ratchet wheel 423 rotates. Thereby, the clutch spring 422 is slack, the connection of the connection port 419 and the clutch sleeve 421 is released, and the input shaft 203 is separated from the differential case 411. Further, the differential case 411 is fixed by the brake unit 430. In this state, when the input shaft 203 rotates, the side gear 413 on the input shaft 203 side rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the input shaft 203 as indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. 4(b). The side gear 414 on the output shaft 303 side rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the side gear 413 on the input shaft 203 side, and therefore the output shaft 303 rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the input shaft 203. Since there is no deceleration or acceleration in the differential gear mechanism 412, the rotational speed of the output shaft 303 is equal to the rotational speed of the input shaft 203.

In the second drive mode, the drive unit 425 is set to the activated state. When the wire 429 is pulled, the clutch lever 424 swings in a direction opposite to the engagement direction, and the engagement between the engagement claw 424a and the claw portion 423a is released. The fastening force of the clutch spring 422 acts to connect the connection port 419 and the clutch sleeve 421, and the input shaft 203 is fixed to the differential case 411. Thereby, the input shaft 203, the differential case 411, and the output shaft 303 are in an integrated state. Further, since the brake band 431 is loose, the fixing of the differential case 411 by the brake unit 430 is released. In this state, when the input shaft 203 is rotated, as shown by the dotted arrow in FIG. 4(b), the output shaft 303 rotates in the same direction as the rotation direction of the input shaft 203 together with the differential case 411. . At this time, the rotation speed of the output shaft 303 is also equal to the rotation speed of the input shaft 203.

The washing operation of various operation modes is performed in the fully automatic washing machine 1. In the washing operation, the washing process, the intermediate dehydration process, the rinsing process, and the final dehydration process are sequentially performed.

During the washing process and the rinsing process, water accumulates in the outer tub 20 to a prescribed water level. The predetermined water level is a position at which the inner tub 30 is immersed in water, and can be set at a position lower than the center position of the inner tub 30. It should be noted that during the washing process, the accumulated water contains detergent.

In a state where water is stored in the outer tub 20, the tub motor 140 is driven to rotate in one direction, the outer tub 20 is rotated in one direction about the vertical rotation axis R1, and the inner tub 30 and the outer tub 20 are integrally rotated. Further, the inner tub motor 70 is driven to alternately rotate in the forward direction and the reverse direction, and the movement of the inner tub 30 and the outer tub 20 is alternately rotated alternately in the forward direction and the reverse direction about the horizontal rotation axis R2. The rotation speed of the inner tub 30 in the forward and reverse rotations is set such that the centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the inner tub 30 is less than the rotational speed of gravity, for example, 45 rpm.

When the inner tub motor 70 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the agitating body 40 by the transmission mechanism portion 150. In the washing process and the rinsing process, the rotation switching unit 400 of the transmission mechanism unit 150 takes the form of the first driving mode. Therefore, in the transmission mechanism unit 150, the output shaft 303 rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the input shaft 203. Therefore, the agitating body 40 rotates in the reverse direction when the inner tub motor 70 and the inner tub 30 rotate in the forward direction, and rotates in the forward direction when the inner tub motor 70 and the inner tub 30 rotate in the reverse direction. The rotation speed of the agitating body 40 is equal to the rotation speed of the inner tub 30.

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are diagrams showing the movement of the laundry in the inner tub 30 during the washing process and the rinsing process of the present embodiment, and are schematic views of the inner tub 30 as viewed from the front direction of the agitating body 40. 6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams showing washing in the washing process and the rinsing process of the present embodiment, respectively, as the outer tub 20 rotates, the agitating body 40 comes to a lower position, and when it comes to a higher position. The diagram of the movement in the inner tub 30 is a schematic view of the inside of the inner tub 30 as seen from the side direction of the agitating body 40.

As shown in FIG. 5(a), the laundry located on the opposite side of the agitating body 40 in the inner tub 30 is tumbling in the direction of rotation of the inner tub 30 by the rotation of the inner tub 30. On the other hand, the laundry located on the side of the agitating body 40 in the inner tub 30 is in contact with the agitating body 40, and the rotation of the agitating body 40 is opposite to the direction of rotation of the agitating body 40, that is, the direction of rolling of the laundry caused by the inner tub 30. Stir in the direction. Thereby, in the inner tub 30, it is easy to cause distortion or friction between the laundry. Thereby, the mechanical force acting on the laundry increases.

It should be noted that the agitating body 40 has a concave curved shape along the inner surface of the inner tub 30, and the blade portion 40a extends in the center direction of the inner tub 30 so as to extend along the inner surface of the inner tub 30. Therefore, the laundry is easily stirred up by the blade portion 40a, and the laundry is easily stirred vigorously.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5(b), in the case where the laundry raised by the rotation of the inner tub 30 is in contact with the agitating body 40 at the upper portion, the laundry is easily scraped off by the agitating body 40. Therefore, it is difficult to cause the laundry to be rotated while being attached to the inner surface of the inner tub 30, and the movement of the laundry is likely to become active.

Moreover, since the inner tub 30 rotates together with the outer tub 20 about the longitudinal rotation axis R1, the agitating body 40 can occupy a lower position while occupying a lower position. As shown in Fig. 6(a), when the agitating body 40 occupies a lower position, the laundry is likely to be close to the agitating body 40, and is easily stirred by the agitating body 40, so that the laundry is easily moved largely. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6(b), when the agitating body 40 occupies a higher position, it is difficult for the laundry to approach the agitating body 40, so that it is difficult to be stirred by the agitating body 40, and thus it is difficult for the laundry to move largely. Thereby, it is easy to generate strength in the movement of the laundry, and the movement of the laundry is easily complicated.

In this manner, the inner tub 30 rotates about the vertical rotation axis R1 and the horizontal rotation axis R2, and the agitating body 40 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the inner tub 30 around the horizontal rotation axis R2, whereby the laundry is easily inside the inner tub 30. Very complex and active movements are carried out, so that the mechanical forces acting on the laundry are greatly enhanced. Therefore, it is expected that the cleaning power can be greatly improved.

Further, the outer tub 20 rotates to generate a water flow generated by the accumulated water in the outer tub 20. Therefore, the cleaning force can also be enhanced by the action of the water flow.

Next, in the intermediate dehydration process and the final dehydration process, after the drainage from the outer tub 20 is performed, in a state where the outer tub motor 140 does not operate and the outer tub 20 is stopped, the inner tub motor 70 operates and the inner tub 30 is rotated by the vertical rotation axis R1. The center rotates at a high speed in one direction. In the intermediate dehydration process and the final dehydration process, the rotation switching unit 400 of the transmission mechanism unit 150 adopts the form of the second drive mode. Therefore, in the transmission mechanism unit 150, the input shaft 203 and the output shaft 303 are integrated and rotated in the same direction. Therefore, the agitating body 40 rotates at the same rotational speed as the rotational speed of the inner tub 30 in the same direction as the rotation direction of the inner tub 30. In other words, the inner tub 30 and the agitating body 40 are in a state of being integrally rotated at a high speed. A large centrifugal force acts on the laundry in the inner tub 30, so that the laundry is dehydrated.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the laundry that is in contact with the agitating body 40 is stirred by the rotation of the agitating body 40, and the laundry that is away from the agitating body 40 is tumbling by the rotation of the inner tub 30. At this time, due to the difference in the direction of rotation between the inner tub 30 and the agitating body 40, it is easy to cause a difference in motion between the tumbling laundry and the agitated laundry. Thereby, it is easy to cause distortion or friction between the laundry in the washing tub, and the mechanical force acting on the laundry is enhanced, so that it is expected to improve the washing performance.

Further, since the agitating body 40 is formed in a concave curved shape along the inner surface of the inner tub 30, Therefore, the laundry is easily stirred up by the agitating body 40, and the laundry is easily stirred vigorously. Thereby, the mechanical force acting on the laundry is easily further enhanced.

Further, the agitating body 40 is disposed in the inner tub 30 on the opposite side of the inner tub motor 70 disposed in the outer tub 20, so that a weight balance can be obtained. Thereby, it is expected to reduce the vibration of the outer tub 20 at the time of dehydration, and to reduce the vibration of the entire apparatus.

Further, by rotating the outer tub 20 about the vertical rotation axis R1, a water flow is generated in the outer tub 20, so that it is expected to further improve the washing performance.

Further, since the outer tub 20 rotates about the vertical rotation axis R1 that is inclined from the vertical direction, and the agitating body 40 rotates coaxially with the horizontal rotation axis R2 orthogonal to the vertical rotation axis R1, the inner tub is rotated. With the rotation of 30, the agitating body 40 occupies a higher position in the inner tub 30 and sometimes takes up a lower position. As a result, the agitating action of the agitating body 40 on the laundry is strong, and the movement of the laundry in the inner tub 30 becomes complicated, so that it is expected to further improve the washing performance.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications other than the above may be made in the embodiments of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, during the washing process and the rinsing process, the inner tub motor 70 rotates the inner tub 30 with the centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the inner tub 30 being less than the rotational speed of gravity. However, the inner tub motor 70 may also rotate the inner tub 30 with a centrifugal force that acts on the laundry in the inner tub 30 that is greater than the rotational speed of gravity, for example, 60 rpm. In the case where such a rotation speed is employed, even if the laundry reaches the upper portion of the inner tub 30, it is liable to become attached to the inner surface of the inner tub due to the centrifugal force. However, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the laundry reaching the upper portion is easily scraped off by the agitating body 40 that rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the inner tub 30. Therefore, it is easy to maintain the tumbling of the laundry. Therefore, the number of revolutions of the inner tub 30 is higher than that of the above-described embodiment, and accordingly, the number of times the laundry is knocked by the tumbling per unit time is increased. Therefore, it is expected that the washing performance can be further improved.

Further, in the above embodiment, the rotation speed of the agitating body 40 is set to be equal to the rotation speed of the inner tub 30. However, it is also possible to make the rotation speed of the agitating body 40 different from the rotation speed of the inner tub 30. For example, in the output portion 300 of the transmission mechanism portion 150, the gear ratio of the output gear 302 and the agitation gear 301 can be changed such that the rotational speed of the agitating body 40 is lower than when the rotational speed of the inner tub 30 is high.

Further, in the above embodiment, the transmission mechanism portion 150 is employed to the agitating body 40 toward the inner tub 30. The rotation of the inner tub motor 70 is transmitted to the agitating shaft 41 in such a manner that the rotation direction is reversed. However, the transmission mechanism unit 150 may transmit the rotation of the inner tub motor 70 to the agitating shaft 41 such that the agitating body 40 rotates at a rotational speed different from the rotational speed of the inner tub 30 in the same direction as the rotational direction of the inner tub 30. . In this case, as shown in FIGS. 7(a) and (b), the shift gear unit 450 including the gear case 451 and the planetary gear mechanism 452 may be used in the rotation switching portion 400 of the transmission mechanism portion 150 instead of including the differential case. 411 and the reversing gear unit 410 of the differential gear mechanism 412.

The gear case 451 has substantially the same configuration as that of the differential case 411, and is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and has a connection port 457 on the end surface on the input shaft 203 side. The planetary gear mechanism 452 is disposed in the gear case 451. The planetary gear mechanism 452 includes a sun gear 453, an annular internal gear 454 surrounding the sun gear 453, a plurality of planetary gears 455 sandwiched between the sun gear 453 and the internal gear 454, and rotatably holding the planetary gears 455 Planet carrier 456. The internal gear 454 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the gear case 451.

In the configuration example of FIG. 7(a), the sun gear 453 is fixed to the input shaft 203, and the carrier 456 is fixed to the output shaft 303. When the sun gear 453 rotates together with the input shaft 203, the planetary gear 455 rotates around the sun gear 453 while rotating, and the output shaft 303 and the carrier 456 are in the same direction as the rotation direction of the input shaft 203. The rotation speed lower than the rotation speed of the input shaft 203 is rotated. Therefore, in this configuration, the agitating body 40 rotates at a rotation speed lower than the rotation speed of the inner tub 30 in the same direction as the rotation direction of the inner tub 30.

In the configuration example of FIG. 7(b), the carrier 456 is fixed to the input shaft 203, and the sun gear 453 is fixed to the output shaft 303. When the carrier 456 rotates together with the input shaft 203, the planetary gear 455 rotates around the sun gear 453 while rotating, and the output shaft 303 and the sun gear 453 move in the same direction as the rotation direction of the input shaft 203. The rotation speed higher than the rotation speed of the input shaft 203 is rotated. Therefore, in this configuration, the agitating body 40 rotates at a rotation speed higher than the rotation speed of the inner tub 30 in the same direction as the rotation direction of the inner tub 30.

In the case where the agitating body 40 is rotated in the same direction as the rotation direction of the inner tub 30 at a rotation speed different from the rotation speed of the inner tub 30, the laundry that has been tumbling due to the rotation of the inner tub 30 and the agitating body 40 The rotation of the agitated laundry produces a difference in motion based on the difference in rotational speed between the inner tub 30 and the agitating body 40, and thus, it is easy to cause distortion or friction between the laundry, and the mechanical force acting on the laundry increases. Thus, it is expected to improve the cleaning performance.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, in the input unit 200 of the transmission mechanism unit 150, the rotation of the first inner tub shaft 35 is transmitted to the input shaft 203 by the motor gear 201, the input side coupling gear 204, and the input gear 202. However, it is also possible to transmit the rotation of the first inner tub shaft 35 to the input shaft 203 using a pulley and a belt. Similarly, in the output unit 300, the pulley and the belt can be used to transmit the rotation of the output shaft 303 to the agitating shaft 41.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the outer tub 20 is rotated about the vertical rotation axis R1 that is inclined from the vertical direction, and the inner tub 30 is rotated about the horizontal rotation axis R2 that is inclined from the horizontal direction. However, the outer tub 20 may be configured to rotate about a vertical rotation axis in the vertical direction. Similarly, the inner tub 30 may be configured to rotate around the horizontal rotation axis in the horizontal direction.

Moreover, in the above embodiment, the tub 20 is rotated in one direction during the washing process and the rinsing process. However, it is also possible to alternately rotate the outer tub 20 in the forward and reverse directions by rotating the outer tub motor 140 in the forward and reverse directions. Further, the rotation speed of the tub motor 140, that is, the tub 20 may be changed to change the speed of the water flow in the tub 20.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the outer tub 20 can be rotationally driven around the vertical rotation axis R1 is employed, but the outer tub 20 may not be configured to rotate. In this case, since the inner tub 30 does not rotate about the vertical rotation axis R1, the inner tub 30 is inclined such that the first inner tub shaft 35 side becomes higher and the second inner tub shaft 36 side, that is, the agitating shaft 41 side becomes lower. it is good. In this case, as shown in Fig. 6(a), since the agitating body 40 always occupies a lower position in the inner tub 30, the laundry is easily brought into contact with the agitating body 40, and the laundry is easily stirred by the agitating body 40.

Moreover, after the end of the final dewatering process, the inner tub 30 and the agitating body 40 are rotationally driven in the same manner as the washing process or the rinsing process of the above embodiment. In this case, since the laundry is actively moved in the inner tub 30, the laundry is easily unwound. Therefore, it is expected that the laundry can be easily taken out from the inner tub 30.

Further, in the above embodiment, although the outer drum motor 140 and the inner tub motor 70 are outer rotor type motors, an inner rotor type motor may be employed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the fully automatic washing machine 1 is exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to a fully automatic washing and drying machine having a drying function in addition to the washing function. In this case, during the drying process, the inner tub 30 and the agitating body 40 are also in the washing process or the rinsing process of the above embodiment. The same way is driven by rotation as well. In this case, in the inner tub 30, the movement of the laundry becomes good, and the laundry is difficult to aggregate, so that it is expected to improve the drying performance.

Further, the embodiments of the present invention can be variously modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical spirit of the claims.

Claims

A washing machine characterized by comprising:

The outer tub is disposed in the casing and can store water;

a spherical inner tub that is rotatably disposed in the outer tub centering on a horizontal rotation axis that is inclined in a horizontal direction or from a horizontal direction, and accommodates laundry;

An inner tub motor disposed on an outer side of the outer tub to rotate the inner tub;

a stirring body disposed on an opposite side of the inner tub motor in the inner tub to be formed in a concave curved shape along a surface of the inner tub;

a transmission mechanism that transmits rotation of the inner tub motor to the agitating body to rotate the agitating body in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the inner tub or in the same direction as a rotation direction of the inner tub The rotation is performed at a rotational speed different from the rotational speed of the inner tub.
A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein

The transmission mechanism unit rotates the agitating body in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the inner tub.

The inner tub motor rotates the inner tub with a centrifugal force acting on the laundry in the inner tub that is greater than a speed of gravity.
A washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

The outer tub can be rotatably disposed in the casing centering on a vertical rotation axis that is inclined in a vertical direction or from a vertical direction.

The washing machine is further provided with a tub motor that rotates the tub.
A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

The horizontal rotation axis is inclined from the horizontal direction, and

The agitating body rotates coaxially with the lateral rotation axis.