WO2018221259A1

WO2018221259A1 - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2018221259A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/019214
Authority: WO
Inventors: 裕司堀端; 雅弘河合; 真理子安藤; 脇田　克也; 池水　麦平
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2017-05-31
Filing date: 2018-05-18
Publication date: 2018-12-06
Also published as: CN110573669A; JP2018201642A; JP7029583B2; CN110573669B

Abstract

Provided is a washing machine (1) comprising: a washing drum (4); a pressure-applying and pressure-releasing part (7) having a compressing part (8) that can advance and retract toward and away from laundry (2) in the washing drum (4); and a film (41) that is provided between the pressure-applying and pressure-releasing part (7) and the laundry (2), and is configured so as to be capable of sealing the interior of the washing drum (4). The washing machine (1) also comprises a suction pump (27) for suctioning washwater from the laundry (2), and a controller (39) for executing a washing step, a rinsing step, and a water-removing step. The washing machine (1) washes the laundry (2) under pressure by applying and releasing pressure using the compressing part (8) in the washing step; and removes water from the laundry (2) in the water-removing step by applying pressure to the laundry (2) using the film (41), and suctioning out washwater in the laundry (2) along with air inside the washing drum (4) using the suction pump (27).

Description

Washing machine

The present disclosure relates to a washing machine for washing laundry such as clothes.

As a conventional washing machine, there is a so-called vertical washing machine in which laundry such as clothes is agitated and washed inside a rotating tub. There is also a so-called drum-type washing machine in which laundry is lifted inside a rotating tub, dropped from above and beaten.

All of these washing machines perform washing by applying mechanical force to the laundry. And the dehydration of the laundry after washing is generally performed by so-called centrifugal dehydration in which water is separated from the laundry by centrifugal force due to high-speed rotation of the rotating tub (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

These washing machines, which are washed by applying mechanical force to the laundry, are particularly susceptible to fabric damage, laundry that tends to lose shape due to the laundry being entangled and pulled, and the texture is degraded. It is not suitable for easy laundry. Laundry whose texture tends to deteriorate is generally hand-washed, and includes, for example, knitted yarns such as sweaters and cardigans, woolen fabrics, and delicate scarves made of ultrafine fibers. Also, with respect to the dehydration of the laundry after washing, centrifugal dehydration is not suitable for the above-described laundry.

遠心 Centrifugal dehydration has the advantage of high dehydration efficiency, but has the problem of high vibration and noise due to the high-speed rotation of the rotating tank. In order to reduce vibration and noise during dehydration, a washing machine and a dehydrating apparatus have been proposed in which moisture is sucked from the laundry and dehydrated (see, for example, Patent Document 2 to Patent Document 4).

8 and 9 are diagrams showing the configuration of a conventional washing machine.

The drum type fully automatic washing machine described in Patent Document 2 sucks moisture from the laundry 52 together with the air in the drum 51, as shown in FIG. The washing machine is provided with a suction body 54 that covers the outer peripheral wall of the drum 51 and communicates with the water passage hole 53 of the drum 51, and sucks water contained in the laundry 52 attached to the inner peripheral wall of the drum 51. Thus, the laundry 52 is dehydrated by suction through the suction body 54.

Moreover, the washing machine described in Patent Document 3 is shown in FIG. The inside of the washing and dewatering tub 62 sealed with the inner lid 61 is depressurized, and the moisture of the laundry 63 is sucked and dehydrated. The washing machine is provided with an inner lid 61 that is movable between the door 64 of the washing and dewatering tub 62 and the laundry 63 supported on the dewatering surface 66 provided with the dewatering opening 65. . By causing the suction device 67 to function, the inner lid 61 comes into close contact with the laundry 63 and the area around the laundry 63 is exhausted and drained. Thereby, the laundry 63 is dehydrated.

Also, the dehydrating apparatus described in Patent Document 4 depressurizes the lower space of the washing tub with a decompression device, and moves down the pressing portion provided at the lower end of the bellows-shaped expansion and contraction portion. Thereby, the laundry is pressed and compressed and dehydrated.

However, the conventional washing machine described in Patent Document 2 has a problem that the dehydration is biased because the moisture in the laundry 52 is sucked together with the air in the drum 51. Generally, in the case of suction dehydration, the airflow passes through the flow path with the least resistance. Accordingly, when dehydration proceeds and a short-circuit air passage that does not include washing water is formed between the clothing structures, the air flow is concentrated in the short-circuit air passage. In particular, in the case of thick knits (knitted wool, woolen fabrics, etc.) having many gaps in the garment structure, there is a problem that the unevenness of dehydration is remarkable and it is difficult to dehydrate the whole without unevenness.

Further, in the conventional washing machine described in Patent Document 3, when the laundry 63 is compressed by the inner lid 61, the water contained in the fibers is removed from the fibers by the volume change of the fibers of the laundry 63. To leak. The water that has flowed out of the laundry 63 is drained from a dewatering opening 65 provided on a dewatering surface 66 that supports the laundry 63. However, since the water that flows out between the fibers is held inside the laundry 63, there is a problem that the dewatering performance is low.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-201988 JP 7-222894 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-387 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-21097

The present disclosure solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and ishes without applying mechanical force such as torsion to an object to be cleaned that is not suitable for washing or squeezing by applying mechanical force, And a washing machine capable of performing good dehydration.

A washing machine according to the present disclosure includes a washing tub that accommodates an object to be cleaned and cleaning water, a pressurizing and depressurizing unit that has a pressing part that can move forward and backward with respect to the object to be cleaned in the cleaning tub, A film body provided between the object to be cleaned and configured to seal the inside of the cleaning tank is provided. The washing machine also includes a suction unit that sucks the washing water from the object to be cleaned, a control unit that controls at least the pressurizing and depressurizing unit, and the suction unit to control the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process. ing. In the washing process, the control unit pushes the object to be cleaned by pressing and releasing the pressed object through the film body by the pressing unit, and in the dehydration process, presses the film body against the object to be cleaned. The cleaning unit is configured to suck the cleaning water contained in the object to be cleaned together with the air inside the cleaning tank to dehydrate the object to be cleaned.

With this configuration, the object to be cleaned can be pressed uniformly, and the cleaning water from the object to be cleaned can be sucked together with the air inside the cleaning tank. Therefore, dehydration can be performed satisfactorily without applying mechanical force such as torsion to an object to be cleaned that is inappropriate to be washed or squeezed by applying mechanical force. In addition, the object to be cleaned can be pushed and washed without stirring the object, and it is possible to suppress damage to the cloth and deformation of the object to be cleaned which is inappropriate to be washed by applying mechanical force. The effect can be enhanced.

The washing machine of the present disclosure can perform washing and dewatering satisfactorily without applying mechanical force such as twisting to an object to be washed that is inappropriate to be washed or squeezed by applying mechanical force. it can.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the lid of the washing machine in the embodiment of the present disclosure is opened. FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation during washing of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation during washing of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine at the time of dewatering according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a time chart illustrating an operation during dehydration of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation during washing of the washing machine according to the first modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram showing an operation at the time of washing of the washing machine in the second modified example of the present embodiment. FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram showing an operation during washing of the washing machine in the second modification example of the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional washing machine. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another configuration of a conventional washing machine.

The washing machine according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a washing tub that accommodates an object to be cleaned and cleaning water, a pressurizing and depressurizing unit that has a pressing portion that can move forward and backward with respect to the object to be cleaned inside the cleaning tank, A film body is provided between the pressurizing and depressurizing unit and the object to be cleaned, and is configured to be able to seal the inside of the cleaning tank. Furthermore, the washing machine includes a suction unit that sucks cleaning water from the object to be cleaned, and a control unit that controls at least the pressure-reducing unit and the suction unit to control the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process. . In the washing process, the control unit pushes the object to be cleaned by pressing and releasing the pressed object through the film body by the pressing unit, and in the dehydration process, presses the film body against the object to be cleaned. The suction unit is configured to suck the cleaning water contained in the object to be cleaned together with the air inside the cleaning tank to dehydrate the object to be cleaned.

With this configuration, the object to be cleaned can be pressed, and the object to be cleaned that is inappropriately washed or squeezed by applying mechanical force is washed and rinsed without applying mechanical force such as twisting. And dehydration can be performed satisfactorily. In particular, in the dehydration process, at the same time as pressing the object to be cleaned, the cleaning water from the object to be cleaned is sucked together with the air inside the cleaning tank, so that it can be washed or squeezed by applying mechanical force. Dehydration can be performed satisfactorily on an inappropriate object to be cleaned without applying mechanical force such as twisting.

The second aspect may be that in the first aspect, the film body has flexibility, and a convex part is provided on the inner surface on the pressing part side.

Further, according to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the film body from being worn and thinned by the contact between the film body and the pressing portion. Therefore, stable washing performance, rinsing performance and dewatering performance can be maintained for a long period of time.

The third aspect may be configured such that, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the film body is connected to the pressing portion and is movable forward and backward with respect to the object to be cleaned.

According to this configuration, when the pressing portion is further contracted, the film body is also moved in a direction away from the object to be cleaned. For this reason, expansion and contraction of the object to be cleaned during the washing process and the rinsing process can be performed more easily and reliably, and the cleaning performance can be further improved.

The fourth aspect may be provided with an outside air introduction part for introducing outside air into the cleaning tank in any of the aspects from the first aspect to the third aspect.

According to this configuration, it is possible to send outside air into the object to be cleaned simultaneously with the suction of the cleaning water from the object to be cleaned by driving the suction unit. Thereby, more efficient and effective dehydration can be performed.

According to a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a separation mechanism that separates the cleaning water and the air sucked by the suction unit between the cleaning tank and the suction unit. You may have.

According to this configuration, it is possible to further prevent a reduction in suction force due to the sucked washing water, and to maintain a high dehydration effect even in the latter half of the dehydration step.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited by these embodiments.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment with the lid opened. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic diagrams showing operations during washing of the washing machine 1 in the present embodiment.

1 to 3B, the washing machine 1 is composed of a lower water tank 6 and an upper lid 5. The water tank unit 6 includes a cleaning tank 4 having a predetermined depth and formed in a square shape. An opening 3 (see FIG. 2) is formed on the upper surface of the cleaning tank 4, and is an opening for receiving an object 2 to be cleaned such as clothes. The lid 5 is rotatably attached to the rear edge (right side in FIG. 1) of the upper side of the water tank portion 6 by a hinge portion 6a (see FIG. 2). The lid 5 has a lid 5 that opens and closes the opening 3 of the cleaning tank 4.

The object to be cleaned 2 is accommodated in the bottom 4a of the cleaning tank 4 in a shape by the user. In the present embodiment, the object to be cleaned 2 has a mechanical force acting on the object to be cleaned 2 such as a woolen fabric such as a sweater and a cardigan, and a delicate scarf made of fine fibers. When washing with a typical washing machine, it is easy to lose shape and be effective.

A handle 5a is provided on the front surface of the lid 5 (left side in FIG. 1). The lid 5 opens and closes the opening 3 when the user holds the handle 5a and rotates the lid 5 in the direction of arrow R1. The lid 5 is configured to be held in an open state. When the opening 3 is closed, the lid 5 is locked by a lock device (not shown) and held in a closed state. When the lid 5 is opened, the lock device is unlocked by operating the handle 5a.

A pressurizing and depressurizing unit 7 is provided inside the lid 5. In the present embodiment, the pressurizing / decompressing unit includes a pair of a first pressurizing / decompressing unit 7a and a second pressurizing / decompressing unit 7b. Specifically, the 1st pressurization pressure reduction part 7a contains the press part 8a, the pressurization pump 10a, and the on-off valve 11a. The second pressurizing / decompressing unit 7b includes a pressing unit 8b, a pressurizing pump 10b, and an on-off valve 11b.

The pressurizing and depressurizing

parts

7a and 7b are formed in a bellows shape with rubber or synthetic resin and have flexible bag-like

pressing parts

8a and 8b, pressurizing

pumps

10a and 10b, and pressing parts 8a, The on-off

valves

11a and 11b are configured to discharge the fluid supplied to 8b. The pressurizing pumps 10a and 10b communicate with the

pressing portions

8a and 8b through the

hoses

9a and 9b, and supply fluid such as gas or liquid into the

pressing portions

8a and 8b.

Hereinafter, the symbols a and b indicating a plurality may be abbreviated unless otherwise required.

The pressurizing and depressurizing

sections

7a and 7b are arranged inside the lid 5 in one direction, for example, in the front-rear direction. The pressing part 8 (8a, 8b) is attached to the cleaning tank 4 side of the lid 5 and is provided so as to expand and contract by expanding and contracting. The pressing portion 8 is configured to be movable back and forth (accessible and disengageable) with respect to the object to be cleaned 2 accommodated in the bottom portion 4 a of the cleaning tank 4. The pressing portion 8 includes a pressing surface 8c that presses the article to be cleaned 2 and a bellows-like expansion / contraction portion 8d. The pressing portion 8 extends to the extent that the pressing surface 8 c reaches the bottom portion 4 a of the cleaning tank 4.

The pressurizing and depressurizing unit 7 is provided with a constant pressure release valve (not shown) that is opened to discharge the fluid to the outside when the inside of the pressing unit 8 reaches a predetermined pressure. The constant pressure release valve prevents the pressing portion 8 from being pressurized beyond a predetermined pressure. In the present embodiment, the fluid supplied to the inside of the pressing portion 8 will be described as air.

A film body 41 made of a flexible material such as rubber and soft plastic is provided at the bottom of the lid 5 so as to enclose the pressing portion 8. The film body 41 includes the pressing surfaces 8c of the

pressing portions

8a and 8b from below. The film body 41 encloses the expansion / contraction part 8d of each of the

pressing parts

8a and 8b from the outside, and its end part is fixed to the outer peripheral lower end part of the lid part 5b. The tightness between the end of the film body 41 and the lower end of the outer periphery of the lid 5b is ensured to be watertight. The lid 5 is provided with an open hole 42 at a position where it does not interfere with the

pressing portions

8a and 8b. The open hole 42 does not communicate with the inside of the

pressing portions

8a and 8b. When the film body 41 changes its shape, the opening 42 allows the air inside the lid body 5 and the film body 41 to escape to the outside.

The lid portion 5b is provided with a deformable hollow packing 12 in an annular shape outside the pressing portion 8. The packing 12 is disposed outside the fixed portion between the end portion of the film body 41 and the lid portion 5b. The packing 12 comes into close contact with the seal portion 13 when the lid portion 5 b is closed together with the lid body 5. The seal portion 13 is formed in a concave shape along the peripheral edge portion of the opening 3 of the cleaning tank 4. Thus, when the lid portion 5b is closed, the inside of the cleaning tank 4 becomes a watertight and airtight space, and when the steps of washing, rinsing and dehydration are performed, water and air are opened to the opening. No leakage from 3 to the outside.

The lid 5 is provided with a water supply path 16 for supplying cleaning water to the cleaning tank 4. A water supply valve 14 is provided in the water supply path 16, and the water supply path 16 communicates with the inside of the cleaning tank 4 through a detergent case 15. By opening and closing the water supply valve 14, tap water (cleaning water) is supplied and stopped to the inside of the cleaning tank 4.

Further, a water level detection unit 17 is provided in communication with the inside of the cleaning tank 4. The water level detection unit 17 detects when a water level detection tank 18 having an opening on the upper side, a float 19 that moves up and down according to fluctuations in the water level inside the water level detection tank 18, and when the float 19 rises to a predetermined position. And a water level switch 20 is provided.

A drain hole 21 for discharging the washing water used in the washing process or the like is formed in the bottom 4a of the washing tank 4. The drain hole 21 communicates with a drain path 23 provided with a drain valve 22. By opening and closing the drain valve 22, the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 4 is drained and stopped.

Further, the water tank section 6 is provided with an overflow path 24 for draining the cleaning water inside the cleaning tank 4 to the outside when the water level inside the cleaning tank 4 becomes a predetermined level or more. The overflow path 24 has an overflow hole 24 a in the upper part of the cleaning tank 4, and is connected to the drain path 23 on the downstream side of the drain valve 22.

In the overflow channel 24, a check valve (not shown) is provided. The check valve is configured to open the overflow path 24 in the discharge direction and seal it in the inflow direction. That is, the check valve allows the wash water that has flowed out of the overflow hole 24a to the overflow path 24 to pass through and is discharged outside in the washing step and the rinsing step. In the dehydration process, the check valve prevents passage of the outside air from the overflow path 24 when the air inside the washing tank 4 is sucked by a suction pump 27 described later, and moves the outside air into the washing tank 4. To prevent inflow.

A suction port 25 that is covered with the object to be cleaned 2 when the object to be cleaned 2 is set inside the cleaning tank 4 is provided at a substantially central part (including the central part) of the bottom 4 a of the cleaning tank 4. Yes. The dewatering path 26 is provided in communication with the suction port 25. Further, a suction pump 27 is provided in communication with the dehydration path 26. The suction pump 27 is a suction unit that sucks cleaning water from the object to be cleaned 2.

An outside air introduction part 28 communicating with the inside of the cleaning tank 4 is provided in the water tank part 6. The outside air introduction unit 28 only needs to be provided with an opening above the level of the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank 4. In the present embodiment, this opening is provided in the upper part of the water level detection unit 17 communicating with the inside of the cleaning tank 4. With this configuration, when cleaning water is sucked from the object to be cleaned 2 by the suction pump 27, air inside the cleaning tank 4 is also sucked. At that time, outside air is introduced into the cleaning tank 4 from the outside of the cleaning tank 4 by the outside air introduction unit 28.

The outside air introduction unit 28 is provided with an air volume adjustment valve 29. The air volume adjusting valve 29 can adjust the air volume introduced. The air volume adjusting valve 29 has a narrow air path area in the flow path, such as a needle valve, and can adjust the air volume sucked by the suction pump 27. The introduced outside air may be introduced directly from the outside of the washing machine 1 or may be introduced via the internal space of the washing machine 1.

A gas-liquid separator 30 is provided between the suction pump 27 and the dehydration path 26. The gas-liquid separation unit 30 is a separation mechanism that separates cleaning water and air sucked by the suction pump 27. The gas-liquid separation unit 30 separates the air inside the cleaning tank 4 and the cleaning water sucked from the object to be cleaned 2, and stores the sucked cleaning water in the inner bottom portion. The gas-liquid separation unit 30 is configured by a pressure vessel, and has a secondary side ventilation port 31 communicating with the dehydration path 26 and a primary side ventilation port 33 communicating with the suction pump 27 through the suction path 32. ing.

A barrier 34 is provided between the primary side vent 33 and the secondary side vent 31. The barrier 34 is formed so as to protrude downward from the top surface of the gas-liquid separator 30. The barrier 34 prevents the cleaning water sucked into the gas-liquid separator 30 from the secondary side vent 31 from entering the primary side vent 33.

A dewatering drain 35 is provided at the bottom of the gas-liquid separator 30. The dewatering drain 35 communicates with a dewatering drain path 36 having a dewatering drain valve 37 that can be freely opened and closed. An overflow detection unit 38 is provided on the side wall inside the gas-liquid separation unit 30 at a predetermined height. The overflow detection unit 38 is constituted by, for example, a pair of electrodes and the like, and detects that the washing water stored in the gas-liquid separation unit 30 has reached a predetermined amount. When the overflow detection unit 38 detects washing water, the dewatering drain valve 37 is opened and the washing water is drained. The overflow detection unit 38 is provided so that a certain space exists between the lower end of the barrier 34 and the surface of the cleaning water when the cleaning water is detected.

The dehydration path 26, the suction pump 27, the gas-liquid separator 30, the suction path 32, the dewatering drain valve 37, and the dewatering drain path 36 on the upstream side of the dewatering drain valve 37 and the connecting portions thereof are washed. The outside of the tank 4 is configured to be airtight and watertight.

The control part 39 is arrange | positioned at the side part inside a cover body 5 (a side surface is included). An operation instruction unit 40 (which may be an operation display unit having a display unit) is provided on the upper surface of the control unit 39. The control unit 39 controls the pressurizing pump 10, the on-off valve 11, the water supply valve 14, the drain valve 22, the suction pump 27, the air volume adjustment valve 29, the dewatering drain valve 37, and the like, and the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydration process ( The washing operation is executed by sequentially controlling at least the washing step and the dehydration step.

The function of the control unit 39 may be realized by a microcomputer and a peripheral circuit as an example.

It should be noted that the microcomputer and the peripheral circuit may be in any form as long as they perform control described later. The control unit 39 may include an arithmetic processing unit and a storage unit that stores a control program. Examples of the arithmetic processing unit include an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and a CPU (Central Processing Unit). A memory is exemplified as the storage unit. The control program recorded in the storage unit is executed by the arithmetic processing unit.

Also, the control unit 39 may be configured with hard logic. If configured with hard logic, it is effective in improving the processing speed. Each component may be composed of one semiconductor chip or physically composed of a plurality of semiconductor chips. When the control unit 39 is configured by a plurality of semiconductor chips, each control described later can be realized by a different semiconductor chip.

About the washing machine 1 comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

The user inputs operation course selection and setting contents such as the time of each process from the operation instruction unit 40 provided on the front upper surface of the lid 5. The control unit 39 executes the steps from washing to dehydration as a series of operations based on the set content. The user can arbitrarily select a process such as performing only the washing process. This setting operation may be performed after the user sets an object to be cleaned 2 described later.

The user operates the handle 5 a to unlock the locking device, then opens the lid 5, and sets the object 2 to be cleaned on the bottom 4 a of the cleaning tank 4 in a uniform shape. The user may fold and set the object to be cleaned 2 depending on the size. When the setting of the article to be cleaned 2 is completed and the lid 5 is closed and the lock device is locked, the control unit 39 starts driving according to the driving course set by the operation instruction unit 40.

In the first washing process of the operation course, the control unit 39 first performs a water supply operation. When the control unit 39 opens the water supply valve 14, tap water and detergent are supplied as cleaning water from the water supply path 16 to the inside of the cleaning tank 4. At this time, the washing water gradually permeates the article to be cleaned 2 and enters a state of being included between the fibers of the article to be cleaned 2. The control unit 39 closes the water supply valve 14 when the cleaning water is supplied to the inside of the cleaning tank 4 up to a predetermined water level and the water level switch 20 of the water level detection unit 17 detects that the water level has reached a predetermined level.

When the water supply is finished, the control unit 39 first closes the on-off valve 11a of the pressurizing / decompressing unit 7a (first pressurizing / decompressing unit), and keeps the pressurizing pump 10a for a predetermined time or inside the pressing unit 8a. Until the pressure reaches a predetermined pressure. Thereby, air is supplied into the inside of the press part 8a, and the press part 8a is expanded. As shown in FIG. 3A, when the expansion / contraction part 8 d extends and the pressing part 8 a extends toward the object to be cleaned 2, the object to be cleaned 2 below the pressing part 8 a passes through the film body 41 to press the part to be cleaned. It is pressed by the pressing surface 8c of 8a. The pressed portion of the article to be cleaned 2 is compressed and thinned. At this time, the control unit 39 opens the on-off valve 11b of the pressurizing / decompressing unit 7b (second pressurizing / decompressing unit) to enable the pressing unit 8b to contract.

As the object to be cleaned 2 is compressed and volume changes due to the expansion of the pressing portion 8a, the cleaning water contained in the object to be cleaned 2 is pushed out from the object to be cleaned 2. As a result, a water flow is generated inside the object to be cleaned 2, and the dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned 2 is removed away from the fibers by the water flow.

Further, the cleaning water contained in the object to be cleaned 2 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow A (see FIG. 3A) from the lower part of the pressing part 8a to the lower part of the pressing part 8b in the object to be cleaned 2. . Then, the washing water moving in this way pushes up the pressing surface 8c of the pressing portion 8b while expanding the article 2 to be cleaned below the pressing portion 8b, and from the open on-off valve 11b to the pressing portion 8b. The internal air is discharged and the pressing portion 8b is contracted.

Next, the control unit 39 closes the on-off valve 11b of the pressurizing / depressurizing unit 7b, and drives the pressurizing pump 10b for a predetermined time or until the inside of the pressing unit 8b reaches a predetermined pressure. Air is supplied into the inside of 8b, and the press part 8b is expanded. As shown in FIG. 3B, when the expansion / contraction part 8 d extends and the pressing part 8 b extends toward the object to be cleaned 2, the object to be cleaned 2 below the pressing part 8 b passes through the film body 41 to the pressing part. It is pressed by the pressing surface 8c of 8b. The pressed portion of the article to be cleaned 2 is compressed and thinned. At this time, the control unit 39 opens the on-off valve 11a of the pressurizing / decompressing unit 7a to allow the pressing unit 8a to contract.

As the object to be cleaned 2 is compressed and its volume changes due to the expansion of the pressing portion 8b, the cleaning water contained in the object to be cleaned 2 is pushed out from the object to be cleaned 2. As a result, a water flow is generated inside the object to be cleaned 2, and the dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned 2 is removed away from the fibers by the water flow.

Also, the cleaning water contained in the object to be cleaned 2 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B (see FIG. 3B) from the lower part of the pressing part 8b to the lower part of the pressing part 8a in the object to be cleaned 2. . And the washing water which moves in this way pushes up the pressing surface 8c of the pressing portion 8a while expanding the article 2 to be cleaned below the pressing portion 8a, and from the open on-off valve 11a to the pressing portion 8a. The internal air is discharged and the pressing portion 8a is contracted.

As described above, in the washing process, the pressing part 8a and the pressing part 8b are alternately expanded and contracted at different timings, thereby exerting the pressing washing effect on the article to be cleaned 2. it can. Here, for example, pressurization due to expansion of the press part 8a and decompression due to contraction of the press part 8b can be set to 1 second, and pressurization due to expansion of the press part 8b and decompression due to contraction of the press part 8a are 1 The repetition time (predetermined time) can be, for example, 10 minutes.

In this way, dirt can be removed by generating a multi-directional water flow inside the object to be cleaned 2 without mechanical force acting on the object 2 to be cleaned such as stirring and tapping.

At this time, by providing the film body 41, it is possible to prevent the object to be cleaned 2 from being caught between the two

pressing portions

8a and 8b.

When an operation course that consistently executes from the washing process to the dehydration process is set, the control unit 39 executes the rinsing process and the dehydration process following the washing process.

In the rinsing process, for example, a rinsing operation is performed after the draining operation and the intermediate dehydrating operation. In the draining operation, the drain valve 22 is opened, and the cleaning water inside the cleaning tank 4 is drained from the drain hole 21 to the outside through the drain path 23.

In the intermediate dehydration operation, with the drain valve 22 opened, the on-off

valves

11a and 11b are closed, the pressure pumps 10a and 10b are driven, and the

pressing portions

8a and 8b expand. As a result, the object to be cleaned 2 is pressed and compressed by the pressing surfaces 8c of the

pressing portions

8a and 8b through the film body 41, and a part of the cleaning water contained in the object to be cleaned 2 is forced. To be discharged.

In the rinse operation, the water supply valve 14 is opened, and a predetermined amount of cleaning water is supplied into the cleaning tank 4. The washing water supplied at this time does not include a detergent. Thereafter, as in the washing step, the pressure pumps 10a and 10b are driven, and the expansion and contraction of the

pressing portions

8a and 8b are alternately repeated to dilute the detergent concentration of the washing water inside the article 2 to be cleaned. . This rinsing process is repeated a plurality of times (for example, twice).

The control unit 39 executes the dehydration process after executing the rinsing process.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine 1 in the present embodiment at the time of dehydration. FIG. 5 is a time chart showing an operation during dehydration of the washing machine 1 in the present embodiment.

In the dehydration process, a draining operation and a final dehydrating operation are performed.

First, the control unit 39 performs a draining operation. The drain valve 22 is opened, and the cleaning water inside the cleaning tank 4 is drained out of the machine from the drain hole 21 through the drain path 23. At this time, the outside air introduction part 28 is opened, the inside and outside of the cleaning tank 4 are communicated, and the cleaning water is discharged smoothly. The air volume adjusting valve 29 is open, the on-off

valves

11a and 11b are both closed, and the dewatering drain valve 37 is closed.

The control unit 39 performs a final dehydration operation after the drainage operation is completed.

As shown in FIG. 5, both the pressure pumps 10a and 10b are driven in a state where the drain valve 22 is opened and both the on-off

valves

11a and 11b are closed. Thereby, as FIG. 4 shows, air is supplied into the inside of the

press parts

8a and 8b, and the

press parts

8a and 8b expand | swell. Due to the expansion of the

pressing portions

8a and 8b, the article to be cleaned 2 is pressed through the film body 41 and compressed. As a result, part of the cleaning water contained in the article to be cleaned 2 is forcibly discharged and drained out of the machine through the drain hole 21 through the drain path 23. By such a configuration and action of the pressing portion 8, the film body 41 is brought into close contact with the object to be cleaned 2, and the object to be cleaned 2 is uniformly pressed by the pressing surface 8 c of the pressing portion 8 through the film body 41. The cleaning water contained in the object to be cleaned 2 can be forcibly pushed out.

Specifically, after a predetermined time T1 (for example, 1 minute) after the pressurization pumps 10a and 10b are driven, the pressurization pumps 10a and 10b are stopped, and the drain valve 22 is pressed while the object to be cleaned 2 is pressed. Is closed, the suction pump 27 is driven, and the air and water inside the cleaning tank 4 are sucked. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the inside of the cleaning tank 4 is depressurized more than the atmosphere, and the film body 41 presses the object 2 to be cleaned by the pressure difference. Outside air is introduced into the cleaning tank 4 from the outside air introduction section 28, and the outside air introduced into the object to be cleaned 2 pressed by the film body 41 enters. The pressure inside the cleaning tank 4 is maintained at a predetermined pressure by, for example, a constant pressure release valve or the like, and the object to be cleaned 2 is maintained in a state of being pressurized by the film body 41 at a constant pressure.

The outside air introduced into the inside of the washing tank 4 from the outside air introduction unit 28 is sucked by the suction pump 27 together with the washing water while pushing out the washing water staying between the fibers of the article 2 to be washed, and the suction port 25. Move to. The washing water carried to the suction port 25 by the outside air tries to stay on the fibers of the article to be washed 2 due to the surface tension. However, the washing water is separated from the fibers by the shearing force due to the airflow, and is carried from the suction port 25 to the gas-liquid separation unit 30 through the dehydration path 26.

The air sucked together with the washing water is guided from the suction port 25 through the dehydration path 26 to the inside of the gas-liquid separation unit 30 from the secondary side ventilation port 31. Then, air is sucked and discharged by the suction pump 27 from the primary side vent 33 provided at the upper part of the gas-liquid separator 30. The washing water sucked together with the air falls due to gravity from the secondary side vent hole 31, and enters the primary side vent hole 33 by the barrier 34 provided between the primary side vent hole 33 and the secondary side vent hole 31. The water is stored in the inner bottom portion of the gas-liquid separation unit 30 without entering.

Wash water and air inside the cleaning tank 4 pass through the path with the least resistance when sucked. Accordingly, when dehydration proceeds and a short circuit path that does not include cleaning water is formed inside the object to be cleaned 2, air flow concentrates on the short circuit path, and suction of cleaning water from the object to be cleaned 2 does not proceed. .

However, in the present embodiment, the object to be cleaned 2 is always uniformly pressurized at a constant pressure by the film body 41 due to a pressure difference caused by the pressure in the cleaning tank 4 being reduced from the atmosphere. This suppresses the formation of a short-circuit air path inside the object to be cleaned 2, and along with the outside air introduced into the cleaning tank 4, the suction dehydration of the cleaning water proceeds without stagnation. In this way, the pressing portion 8 can be expanded by the pressurizing pump 10, and the film body 41 can be brought into close contact with the object to be cleaned 2 by the suction pump 27 to uniformly press the object to be cleaned 2. In addition, outside air can be introduced into the object to be cleaned 2 to obtain a predetermined dewatering performance.

The control unit 39 sucks the cleaning water together with the outside air introduced into the cleaning tank 4 by the suction pump 27, and stops driving the suction pump 27 when a predetermined time T2 (for example, 4 minutes) elapses. As a result, the pressure inside the cleaning tank 4 returns to atmospheric pressure, and the object 2 to be cleaned is released from being pressed by the film body 41 and the dehydration process is completed. When the dehydration process ends, the control unit 39 ends the execution of the operation course.

During the dehydration process, when the cleaning water flows into the inner bottom portion of the gas-liquid separation unit 30 in excess of the set amount, the control unit 39 detects this with the overflow detection unit 38 and stops the suction pump 27. Then, the dewatering drain valve 37 which has been closed is opened, and the washing water stored in the inner bottom portion of the gas-liquid separation unit 30 is drained out of the machine from the dewatering drainage path 36.

In the present embodiment, the pressurizing / decompressing unit 7 includes a flexible pressing unit 8, a pressurizing pump 10 that supplies air to the inside of the pressing unit 8 and expands the inside, and the inside of the pressing unit 8. It is comprised with the on-off valve 11 which discharges | emits air and shrinks. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pressure reduction for contracting the pressing portion 8 may be performed by a pressure reduction pump (not shown) instead of the on-off valve 11. Further, the pressurization pump 10 may be driven in reverse to be used as a decompression pump. In this case, even if the article to be cleaned 2 is a thin thing such as a scarf that is poor in elasticity or a thick thing such as a knit that is rich in elasticity, The discharge speed can be controlled. Thereby, the washing machine 1 can obtain a stable cleaning performance in accordance with the state of the article to be cleaned 2 and the like.

In the present embodiment, two pressurizing / depressurizing units 7 (pressurizing / decompressing

units

7a and 7b) are provided so that the

pressing units

8a and 8b alternately expand and contract in the washing process and the rinsing process. Although it is configured, it may be configured such that three or more sets of the pressure reducing / depressurizing unit 7 are provided and are expanded and contracted sequentially at different timings. In this case, it suffices that the other pressing part 8 contracts when at least one pressing part 8 expands, and the order of expansion and contraction may be either regular or random.

Further, in the present embodiment, the outside air introduction portion 28 for introducing outside air into the cleaning tank 4 is provided, but the outside air introduction portion 28 is not provided, and the outside air is naturally sucked by the suction pump 27. It is good also as a structure made to introduce. However, as described above, since the external air positively introduced has a large effect of pushing out the cleaning water remaining between the fibers of the article to be cleaned 2, it is more desirable to provide the external air introduction section 28. .

In the present embodiment, the fluid supplied to the inside of the pressing portion 8 and expanding the pressing portion 8 is air. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other gases or liquids may be used. In the case of gas, as in the present embodiment, ambient air may be sucked with the pressurizing pump 10 or the like, and there are few restrictions when exhausting, which is convenient. In the case of a liquid, water, an aqueous solution, oil, or the like can be used. Further, it is desirable to have a configuration having a reservoir for storing liquid. Since the liquid has a higher density than air and is not as elastic as a gas, the pressing portion 8 can be reliably expanded.

In the case of the washing machine 1 that does not have a dewatering function, the clothing 41 between the

pressing portions

8a and 8b can be used even if the film body 41 is formed of a non-sealing material such as a net. Dust can be prevented.

As described above, the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment includes the cleaning tank 4 that stores the object to be cleaned 2 and the cleaning water, and the pressing portion 8 that is movable forward and backward with respect to the object to be cleaned 2 inside the cleaning tank 4. The pressure reduction part 7 which has, and the film body 41 which is provided between the pressure reduction part 7 and the to-be-cleaned object 2, and comprises the inside of the washing tank 4 so that sealing is possible is provided. Further, the washing machine 1 controls at least the washing step and the dehydration step by controlling the suction pump 27 (suction unit) for sucking the washing water from the article 2 to be cleaned, the pressurizing / decompressing unit 7, the suction pump 27, and the like. And a control unit 39. In the washing process, the controller 39 presses and washes the object to be cleaned 2 by pressing and releasing the object to be cleaned 2 via the film body 41 by the pressing unit 8. In the dehydration process, the control unit 39 presses the object to be cleaned 2 with the film body 41 and sucks the cleaning water contained in the object to be cleaned 2 together with the air inside the cleaning tank 4 by the suction pump 27. The object 2 to be cleaned is dehydrated.

With this configuration, in the dehydration process, the object to be cleaned 2 can be pressed and the cleaning water from the object to be cleaned 2 can be sucked together with the outside air introduced into the cleaning tank 4. Therefore, dehydration can be performed satisfactorily without applying mechanical force such as twisting to the object to be cleaned 2 that is inappropriate to be washed or squeezed by applying mechanical force. Further, since the film body 41 is provided, it is possible to prevent the object to be cleaned 2 from being caught between the two

pressing portions

8a and 8b.

Further, in the washing process and the rinsing process, the control unit 39 contracts and expands the object to be cleaned 2 by pressing and releasing the object to be cleaned 2 by the pressing unit 8, and multidirectional water flows are generated inside the object to be cleaned 2. It is configured to occur. With this configuration, it is possible to generate a multi-directional water flow inside the object to be cleaned 2 without stirring the object 2 to be cleaned, and the object 2 to be cleaned that is inappropriate to be washed by applying mechanical force. It is possible to suppress fabric damage and shape loss and enhance the cleaning effect.

The washing machine 1 further includes a pressure reducing unit 7 having a pressing unit 8 that can move forward and backward with respect to the object 2 to be cleaned in the cleaning tank 4. It has the press part 8 (press

part

8a, 8b), the pressurization pump 10 which supplies air to the inside of the press part 8, and the on-off valve 11 which discharges | emits the air inside the press part 8. FIG. And the control part 39 controls the pressurization pressure reduction part 7 so that the other press part 8b may shrink | contract at the time of expansion | swelling of at least 1 press part 8a in the washing | cleaning process and a rinse process, ie, it may expand and contract at different timing. To do. In the dehydration process, the control unit 39 uses the pressure difference generated by driving the suction pump 27 by pressing the object to be cleaned 2 with the film body 41 that is simultaneously expanded and moved downward by the plurality of pressing units 8. The object to be cleaned 2 is further pressed by the film body 41, and the cleaning water and the introduced outside air are sucked by the suction pump 27.

With this configuration, it is possible to perform washing and rinsing satisfactorily while suppressing cloth damage and deformation of the article to be cleaned 2 that are inappropriate to be washed or squeezed by applying mechanical force. Further, the object to be cleaned 2 can be dehydrated satisfactorily without applying mechanical force such as twisting.

Also, as described above, the washing machine of the present embodiment includes the outside air introduction unit 28 that introduces outside air into the inside of the washing tub 4. With this configuration, it becomes possible to send outside air into the object to be cleaned 2 simultaneously with the suction of the cleaning water from the object to be cleaned 2 by driving the suction pump 27. Thereby, more efficient and effective dehydration can be performed.

Further, the washing machine of the present embodiment includes a gas-liquid separation unit 30 that separates cleaning water and air sucked by the suction pump 27 between the cleaning tank 4 and the suction pump 27. . With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a reduction in suction force caused by the sucked washing water, and it is possible to maintain a high dehydration effect even in the latter half of the dehydration step.

(First modification)
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation during washing of the washing machine according to the first modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

6, the film body 41 may have a plurality of convex portions 43 on the surface (upper surface) on the pressing portion 8 side. When the pressing portion 8 expands and contracts in the washing step and the rinsing step, the pressing surface 8c of the pressing portion 8 and the film body 41 come into contact with each other. As a result, the surface of the film body 41 on the pressing portion 8 side may be worn on the entire surface. However, since a plurality of convex portions 43 are provided on the surface of the film body 41 on the pressing portion 8 side, wear on the surface of the film body 41 on the pressing portion 8 side can be concentrated on the convex portion 43. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the film body 41 from being broken due to wear, and to maintain stable washing performance, rinsing performance, and dewatering performance over a long period of time.

(Second modification)
FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are schematic diagrams showing an operation during washing of the washing machine in the second modification of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the film body 41 includes a predetermined number of fixing portions 44 (members for fixing the film body 41 and other members), and the film body 41 and the pressing portion 8 are connected by the fixing portion 44. In addition, it may be configured to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the object 2 to be cleaned. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the fixing portion 44 is engaged with the pressing surface 8c of the pressing portion 8 and connected to the pressing portion 8 by an L-shaped engaging portion in a side view, for example. In this case, when the pressing part 8 contracts, the film body 41 also moves in a direction away from the article 2 to be cleaned. For this reason, the to-be-cleaned object 2 is expanded and contracted more easily and reliably during the washing step and the rinsing step, and the washing performance can be further improved.

It should be noted that at least two of the above-described embodiments and two modifications can be combined.

As described above, according to the present disclosure, washing, rinsing, and dehydration are performed without applying mechanical force such as torsion to an object to be washed that is inappropriate to be washed or squeezed by applying mechanical force. Therefore, it is useful as a washing machine or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing machine 2 To-be-washed object 3 Opening part 4 Washing tank 4a Bottom part 5 Lid body 5a Handle 5b Lid part 6 Water tank part (washing and dehydration tank)

6a Hinge portion

7, 7a, 7b Pressurizing / decompressing

portion

8, 8a, 8b Pressing portion 8c Pressing surface

8d Stretching portion

9a,

9b Hose

10, 10a,

10b Pressurizing pump

11, 11a, 11b Open / close valve 12 Packing 13 Seal portion 14 Water supply valve 15 Detergent case 16 Water supply path 17 Water level detection part 18 Water level detection tank 19 Float 20 Water level switch 21 Drain hole 22 Drain valve 23 Drain path 24 Overflow path 24a Overflow hole 25 Suction port 26 Dehydration path 27 Suction pump (suction part)
28 Outside air introduction part 29 Air volume adjustment valve 30 Gas-liquid separation part (separation mechanism)
31 Secondary Ventilation Port 32 Suction Route 33 Primary Side Ventilation Port 34 Barrier 35 Dewatering Drainage Port 36 Dewatering Drainage Route 37 Dewatering Drainage Valve 38 Overflow Detection Unit 39 Control Unit 40 Operation Instruction Unit 41 Film Body 42 Open Hole 43 Convex 44 Fixed Part

Claims

A cleaning tank for storing objects to be cleaned and cleaning water;
A pressurizing and depressurizing unit having a pressing unit that is movable back and forth with respect to the object to be cleaned inside the cleaning tank;
A film body provided between the pressurizing and depressurizing unit and the object to be cleaned, and configured to be able to seal the inside of the cleaning tank;
A suction part for sucking the cleaning water from the object to be cleaned;
A control unit that controls at least the pressurizing and depressurizing unit and the suction unit to control a washing step, a rinsing step, and a dehydrating step;
The controller is
In the washing step, the object to be cleaned is pressed and washed by pressing and releasing of the object to be cleaned through the film body by the pressing unit,
In the dehydration step, the film body is pressed against the object to be cleaned, and the cleaning water contained in the object to be cleaned is sucked together with the air inside the cleaning tank by the suction unit, so that the object to be cleaned is sucked. A washing machine configured to dehydrate the laundry.
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the film body has flexibility, and a convex portion is provided on an inner surface of the pressing portion side.
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the film body is connected to the pressing portion and configured to be movable forward and backward with respect to the object to be cleaned.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an outside air introduction unit that introduces outside air into the cleaning tank.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a separation mechanism that separates cleaning water and air sucked by the suction unit between the cleaning tank and the suction unit.