WO2022230664A1

WO2022230664A1 - Centrifugal separator and washing machine provided with centrifugal separator

Info

Publication number: WO2022230664A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/017634
Authority: WO
Inventors: 一繁中村; 敏之倉掛
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2021-04-28
Filing date: 2022-04-12
Publication date: 2022-11-03
Also published as: CN116848298A; JPWO2022230664A1

Abstract

This centrifugal separator (200) comprises a drive unit (240), a centrifugal separation unit (204), and a swirl flow generation unit (205). The swirl flow generation unit (205) includes a fluid inflow part (250) and a cylindrical part (270). The fluid inflow part (250) has a first peripheral wall portion (252) in which an inlet (285) that allows washing water to flow in is formed, and which guides the washing water such that the washing water that has flowed into an inner inflow space (261) swirls. The cylindrical part (270) introduces the washing water swirled at the fluid inflow part (250) to the centrifugal separation unit (204) while swirling the washing water. The centrifugal separator (200) is configured such that a portion of the washing water swirled inside the cylindrical part (270) is inhibited from flowing into at least the inlet (285) of the fluid inflow part (250).

Description

Centrifuges and washing machines with centrifuges

The present disclosure relates to a centrifuge and a washing machine equipped with a centrifuge.

A centrifuge is sometimes used to separate and remove foreign matter from liquid fluids such as wash water, bath water, and organic wastewater (see, for example, Patent Document 1). FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a conventional centrifuge 300 disclosed in Patent Document 1, and FIG. 8 schematically shows the configuration of the conventional centrifuge 300 viewed from below. It is a sectional view showing. As shown in FIG. 7, the centrifugal separator 300 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a swirling flow generating section 320 and a swirling flow generating section 320 that turns washing water into a swirling flow before flowing into the centrifugal separation section 310. It has an introduction pipe 330 for introducing washing water.

As shown in FIG. 8, the swirling flow generating portion 320 has an annular peripheral wall portion 322 formed with an inlet 321 through which washing water flows from the introduction pipe 330 . In the swirling flow generating portion 320, the wash water flowing from the inlet 321 flows along the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 322, thereby generating a swirling flow flowing in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the centrifugal separation unit 310 has a rotating cylinder 311 arranged in a case 340, and a pump part 312 composed of a plurality of pump blades integrally formed with the rotating cylinder 311. is doing. The rotating cylinder 311 and the pump section 312 are arranged coaxially with the circular space surrounded by the peripheral wall section 322 of the swirling flow generating section 320 . A driving portion 350 is arranged outside the case 340 to drive the rotating barrel 311 and the pump portion 312 .

When the drive unit 350 drives the pump unit 312, the washing water flowing out of the washing tub of the washing machine sequentially passes through the introduction pipe 330, the swirling flow generating unit 320 and the rotating cylinder 311 as indicated by the arrows in FIG. When the wash water flows into the swirl flow generator 320 through the introduction pipe 330 , the wash water flows along the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 322 . Therefore, the wash water becomes a swirling flow within the peripheral wall portion 322 . The swirling flow of wash water then flows from the swirling flow generator 320 into the rotating cylinder 311 . Since the rotating cylinder 311 is rotationally driven by the drive unit 350, the angular velocity of the swirl flow is increased by the rotation of the rotating cylinder 311, and the centrifugal force acting on the foreign matter contained in the swirling flow increases. As a result, the foreign matter is centrifuged in the rotating cylinder 311 .

JP 2018-183277 A

In the conventional centrifuge 300 , the washing water is pressurized by the pump part 312 , so the pressure of the washing water at the discharge port 315 of the centrifugal separation part 310 is increased by the pressure of the washing water at the opening 345 at the lower end of the case 340 . is greater than the pressure of Due to this pressure difference, part of the washing water flowing from rotating cylinder 311 toward discharge port 315 flows back to opening 345 from between case 340 and the outer peripheral surface of rotating cylinder 311 . Furthermore, the washing water that flows back into the opening 345 at the lower end of the case 340 may flow back up to the swirl flow generator 320 .

This backflowing washing water may interfere with the flow of washing water flowing from the introduction pipe 330 at the inlet 321 of the swirling flow generating section 320. In this case, the swirling flow in the swirling flow generating section 320 is disturbed. put away. As a result, the angular velocity of the swirling flow may decrease, and the centrifugal force acting on the foreign matter in the centrifugal separation section 310 may decrease.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides a centrifugal separator configured to suppress a decrease in centrifugal force acting on foreign matter in the centrifugal separation section, and a washing machine equipped with the centrifugal separator.

The centrifugal separator in the present disclosure is a centrifugal separator that separates foreign substances contained in a liquid fluid, and includes a drive unit that generates a driving force, a centrifugal separation unit, and a swirling flow generator that is coupled to the centrifugal separation unit. and The centrifugal separator has a case and a rotating cylinder arranged in the case and rotated by the driving force of the driving part, and centrifuges foreign matter from the fluid in the rotating cylinder. The swirling flow generating section includes a fluid inlet section and a cylindrical section. The fluid inflow portion has a first peripheral wall portion formed with an inlet for inflowing the fluid, the first peripheral wall portion guiding the fluid flowing into the inflow space inside the first peripheral wall portion so as to swirl. . The cylindrical portion is positioned between the fluid inflow portion and the centrifugal separation portion with a predetermined axial length, and introduces the fluid swirled in the fluid inflow portion into the centrifugal separation portion while swirling the fluid. The centrifugal separator is configured such that part of the fluid swirling within the cylindrical portion is suppressed from flowing into at least the fluid inflow portion.

The centrifugal separator in the present disclosure is a centrifugal separator that separates foreign substances contained in a liquid fluid, and includes a drive unit that generates a driving force, a centrifugal separation unit, and a swirling flow generator that is coupled to the centrifugal separation unit. and The centrifugal separator has a case and a rotating cylinder arranged in the case and rotated by the driving force of the driving part, and centrifuges foreign matter from the fluid in the rotating cylinder. The swirling flow generating portion includes a fluid inflow portion, a cylindrical portion, and an inflow preventing portion. The fluid inflow portion has a first peripheral wall portion formed with an inlet for inflowing the fluid, the first peripheral wall portion guiding the fluid flowing into the inflow space inside the first peripheral wall portion so as to swirl. . The cylindrical portion is positioned between the fluid inflow portion and the centrifugal separation portion, and causes the fluid swirled in the fluid inflow portion to be swirled and introduced into the centrifugal separation portion. The inflow preventing portion prevents a part of the fluid swirling within the cylindrical portion from flowing into the fluid inflow portion.

A washing machine according to the present disclosure includes the centrifugal separator described above and a washing tub in which laundry is washed. A centrifuge is connected to the wash tub such that fluid in the wash tub flows into the centrifuge.

The centrifugal separator and the washing machine equipped with the centrifugal separator described above can suppress a decrease in the centrifugal force acting on the foreign matter in the centrifugal separation section when the fluid flows backward from the centrifugal separation section to the swirling flow generating section.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of the washing machine of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a centrifugal separator mounted on the washing machine. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the centrifuge viewed from below. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the centrifuge of the second embodiment. FIG. 5A is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a centrifugal separator of a modified example of the second embodiment. FIG. 5B is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a centrifugal separator of a modified example of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the centrifuge of the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a conventional centrifuge. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a conventional centrifuge viewed from below.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Duplicate descriptions of the configuration may be omitted. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to allow those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter thereby.

(First embodiment)
The washing machine of the first embodiment of the present disclosure is configured as a rotating drum type washing machine 100 as shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of washing machine 100. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, a rotating drum type washing machine will be described as an example of a washing machine, but the washing machine of the present disclosure is not limited to this. In short, the washing machine of the present disclosure may be a washing machine that uses washing water to wash laundry. That is, the present disclosure includes a configuration that performs beating washing like a rotating drum type washing machine, a configuration that performs stirring washing like a vertical washing machine, or a configuration that performs push washing or shower washing in a storage case. It is applicable to washing machines of any configuration. Further, in this embodiment, the vertical direction in the state where the washing machine 100 is installed as shown in FIG. 1 may be described as the vertical direction. Also, the left side in FIG. 1 may be described as the front side of washing machine 100 and the right side in FIG.

(Washing machine overall structure)
Washing machine 100 includes housing 110 formed with an inlet for inserting laundry 101 , and door portion 111 for opening and closing the inlet of housing 110 . Specifically, the inlet is formed in the front wall of the housing 110, and the door portion 111 is attached to the front wall of the housing 110 so as to be openable and closable. Housing 110 houses various internal devices for carrying out the washing, rinsing and dehydration processes.

A washing tub 115 for washing the laundry 101 is provided inside the housing 110 . The washing tub 115 includes a water tub 112 having an opening facing the closed door portion 111 and a rotating drum 120 rotatably provided within the water tub 112 . Note that the laundry 101 may be clothes, or other products that can be washed with the washing machine 100, such as textiles other than clothes.

The water tank 112 is provided to store washing water (which is an example of the liquid fluid of the present disclosure) in the washing process and the rinsing process. Water tank 112 is elastically supported by a suspension mechanism 114 fixed to the bottom wall of housing 110 .

A sealing member 113 is provided at the opening of the water tank 112 to suppress leakage of washing water from the opening of the water tank 112 . The seal member 113 is compressed by the door portion 111 when the door portion 111 closes the inlet.

A water inlet 116 is provided in the upper part of the peripheral wall of the water tank 112 to allow washing water to flow in during the washing process and the rinsing process. In addition, an outlet 117 for discharging the washing water used in the washing process and the rinsing process of the laundry 101 and an inlet 118 for allowing the washing water discharged from the outlet 117 to return to the water tank 112 are provided in the water tank. 112 is provided below.

The rotating drum 120 is arranged in the water tank 112 in a posture inclined upward toward the front. Rotating drum 120 opens toward the inlet (closed door portion 111 ) of housing 110 , and laundry 101 is accommodated inside rotating drum 120 through the opening of rotating drum 120 . A large number of small holes 124 are formed in the peripheral wall and the rear wall of the rotating drum 120, and washing water flows into and out of the rotating drum 120 through these small holes 124 during the washing process and the rinsing process.

A baffle portion 123 is arranged inside the rotating drum 120 . A drive unit 121 for rotating the rotating drum 120 and the baffle unit 123 is attached to the outer surface of the rear wall of the water tank 112 . As the rotating drum 120 and the baffle portion 123 rotate, the laundry 101 held within the rotating drum 120 can be moved.

The baffle part 123 protrudes from the center of the rear wall of the rotary drum 120 toward the opening of the rotary drum 120 . The baffle portion 123 is rotatably provided together with the rotary drum 120, and the rotation of the baffle portion 123 agitates or flips the laundry 101 in the rotary drum.

The drive unit 121 may be a motor (for example, a brushless DC motor) configured to rotate forward and backward. The shaft of this motor protrudes into the water tank 112 through a through hole provided in the rear wall of the water tank 112 and is connected to the rotating drum 120 and the baffle portion 123 . The drive unit 121 is configured to be able to change the rotational speeds of the rotary drum 120 and the baffle unit 123 under inverter control.

A water supply unit 139 for supplying washing water to the laundry 101 in the rotating drum 120 is provided above the water tub 112 . The water supply unit 139 includes a water supply path 130 arranged above the water tank 112 , and a water supply valve 131 and a detergent box 132 provided in the water supply path 130 .

The upstream end of the water supply path 130 is exposed on the outer surface of the housing 110 and configured to be connectable to a hose (not shown) extending from the water faucet 102 . A downstream end of the water supply path 130 is connected to the water supply port 116 of the water tank 112 .

The water supply valve 131 is configured to be able to open and close the water supply path 130 , and is arranged on the upstream side of the detergent box 132 in the flow direction of the wash water in the water supply path 130 . Detergent box 132 is configured to accommodate detergent. Also, the detergent box 132 is configured to allow washing water to pass through the detergent box 132 when the water supply valve 131 is opened.

A circulation path 143 having both ends connected to an outlet 117 and an inlet 118 of the water tank 112 is provided below the water tank 112 . A centrifugal separator 200 configured to centrifuge foreign matter (such as fibers) from the washing water flowing through the circulation path 143 is provided on the circulation path 143 . The circuit 143 has a drain line 144 extending between the centrifuge 200 and the outlet 117 and a return line 145 extending between the centrifuge 200 and the inlet 118 . Drainage line 144 and return line 145 can be constructed by common hose members having a circular cross-section.

A drain path 140 branches off from the drain pipe 144 . The drain path 140 is provided with a drain valve 142 for opening and closing the drain path 140 .

A control unit 170 is provided to control the drive unit 121, the water supply valve 131, the drain valve 142, and the centrifuge 200 described above. Control unit 170 is arranged near the lower portion of the front wall of housing 110 . The control unit 170 is electrically connected to the drive unit 121 , the water supply valve 131 , the drain valve 142 and the centrifuge 200 .

In addition to the control unit 170, a plurality of gauges (not shown) are provided to detect the torque applied to the drive unit 121, the number of revolutions of the drive unit 121, and the amount of wash water supplied to the water tub 112. . These gauges are connected to the controller 170 . Detected values of these instruments are used for control by the control unit 170 .

For example, the control unit 170 may be configured by a microcomputer and peripheral circuits, may be configured by an arithmetic processing unit and a storage unit that stores a control program, or may be configured by a hard logic circuit. Alternatively, it may be configured by a combination of these. When the control unit 170 is composed of an arithmetic processing unit and a storage unit, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used as the arithmetic processing unit. A memory in which a control program is stored can be used as the storage unit. A control program stored in the memory is executed by the arithmetic processing unit. If the control unit 170 is configured with a hard logic circuit, it becomes possible to improve the processing speed. The hard logic circuit may be composed of one semiconductor chip, or may be composed of a plurality of semiconductor chips.

(Centrifuge structure)
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the configuration of centrifuge 200 mounted in washing machine 100. As shown in FIG. Centrifuge 200 is configured to centrifuge foreign matter contained in the washing water flowing through circulation path 143 . As shown in FIG. 2, the centrifugal separator 200 includes a centrifugal separation unit 204 for centrifuging foreign substances in the washing water, a driving unit 240 for generating driving force for driving the centrifugal separation unit 204, and a centrifugal separation unit 204. and a swirling flow generation section 205 that is arranged on the lower side and generates a swirling flow. Centrifuge 200 is mounted in washing machine 100 so that the rotation axis of the swirling flow is substantially vertical. An inflow portion 260 connected to the drain pipe 144 is connected to the lower portion of the swirling flow generating portion 205 .

The swirling flow generating part 205 includes a fluid inflow part 250 that inflows and swirls the washing water from the inflow part 260 , and a fluid inflow part 250 that is disposed above the fluid inflow part 250 and discharges the swirling washing water toward the centrifugal separation part 204 . a cylindrical portion 270;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the centrifuge 200 viewed from below. As shown in FIG. 3, the fluid inflow portion 250 has an annular first peripheral wall portion 252 formed with an inlet 285 through which washing water flows. As shown in FIG. 2, the inflow space 261 surrounded by the first peripheral wall portion 252 includes a bottom wall portion 251 that blocks the lower side of the inflow space 261 (bottom side of the centrifuge 200), and a bottom wall portion 251 A facing wall portion 253 is provided so as to face in the vertical direction (rotational axis direction of the swirling flow). The opposing wall portion 253 is connected to the lower end of the cylindrical portion 270 (on the fluid inflow portion 250 side). In the inflow space 261 surrounded by the first peripheral wall portion 252, the bottom wall portion 251, and the opposing wall portion 253, a swirling flow is generated that flows in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. The end portion of the first peripheral wall portion 252 on the upstream side in the flow direction of the swirl flow is referred to as an "upstream end 282" in the following description. The end of the first peripheral wall portion 252 opposite to the upstream end 282 is referred to as the "downstream end 257" in the following description. That is, it can be said that the downstream end 257 is positioned downstream from the upstream end 282 along the first peripheral wall portion 252 in the flow direction of the swirling flow. Inlet 285 is defined as the space between upstream end 282 and downstream end 257 .

The first peripheral wall portion 252 includes a first arcuate wall portion 255 and a second arcuate wall portion 254 that are continuously connected to each other. The first arcuate wall portion 255 is provided on the downstream side with respect to the second arcuate wall portion 254 in the flow direction of the swirling flow indicated by arrow A. As shown in FIG.

The first arcuate wall portion 255 forms a downstream end 257 of the first peripheral wall portion 252 and extends from the downstream end 257 in a curved manner with a constant radius of curvature. The first arcuate wall portion 255 encloses approximately half of the circular space 256 shown in FIG. The circular space 256 has a center that coincides with the center of curvature of the first arcuate wall portion 255 and has a radius that is equal to the radius of curvature of the inner peripheral surface of the first arcuate wall portion 255 .

The second arcuate wall portion 254 forms an upstream end 282 of the first peripheral wall portion 252 and is connected to the first arcuate wall portion 255 . The second arcuate wall portion 254 has a larger radius of curvature than the first arcuate wall portion 255 . , is curved so that the radius of curvature gradually increases.

At the connecting portion 258, the directions of the tangential lines of the inner peripheral surfaces of the second arcuate wall portion 254 and the first arcuate wall portion 255 match each other. Therefore, the inner peripheral surfaces of the second arcuate wall portion 254 and the first arcuate wall portion 255 are continuous. Also, the direction of the tangent to the inner peripheral surface of the second arcuate wall portion 254 at the upstream end 282 is substantially parallel to the direction of the tangent to the circular space 256 at the position where the downstream end 257 is formed.

Since the second arcuate wall portion 254 is curved with a radius of curvature larger than that of the first arcuate wall portion 255 , there is no curvature outside the circular space 256 in the radial direction of the circular space 256 along the outer periphery of the circular space 256 . A curved space 283 is formed. That is, the above-described inflow space 261 in which the swirling flow is generated is composed of the curved space 283 and the circular space 256 .

The curved space 283 has a shape that gradually narrows from the upstream end 282 of the second arcuate wall portion 254 toward the connecting portion 258 between the second arcuate wall portion 254 and the first arcuate wall portion 255 in bottom view. . The curved space 283 is provided so that the wash water that has flowed into the first peripheral wall portion 252 through the inlet 285 gradually joins the swirling flow inside the first peripheral wall portion 252 .

The bottom wall portion 251 has a shape that combines the circular space 256 and the curved space 283 in bottom view, and completely closes the inflow space 261 of the fluid inflow portion 250 . On the other hand, the facing wall portion 253 has a shape equal to the shape of the curved space 283 in bottom view. The opposing wall portion 253 is arranged to face the bottom wall portion 251 at the position where the curved space 283 is formed, and closes the curved space 283 on the side opposite to the bottom wall portion 251 . Opposing wall 253 and bottom wall 251 form a rectangular inlet 285 with an upstream end 282 of second arcuate wall 254 and a downstream end 257 of first arcuate wall 255, as shown in FIG. is doing. That is, the inlet 285 is located radially outside the circular space 256 .

As shown in FIG. 3, the opposing wall portion 253 and the first arcuate wall portion 255 form a circular opening 284 coaxial with the circular space 256 above the fluid inflow portion 250 (on the cylindrical portion 270 side). there is The wash water that has swirled in the fluid inflow portion 250 flows out of the fluid inflow portion 250 through the opening 284 .

The inflow portion 260 has an inner wall portion 268 connected to the downstream end 257 of the first peripheral wall portion 252 of the fluid inflow portion 250 and an outer wall portion connected to the upstream end 282 of the first peripheral wall portion 252 of the fluid inflow portion 250 . 267, an inlet upper wall and an inlet lower wall. The inner wall portion 268 extends toward the drainage pipe 144 in the tangential direction of the circular space 256 at the position of the downstream end 257 of the first peripheral wall portion 252 . The outer wall portion 267 extends tangentially to the second arcuate wall portion 254 at the upstream end 282 of the first peripheral wall portion 252 . Since the tangential direction of the second arcuate wall portion 254 at the upstream end 282 of the second arcuate wall portion 254 coincides with the tangential direction of the circular space 256 at the position where the downstream end 257 is formed, the outer wall portion 267 and the inner wall portion 268 is extended parallel to the In other words, the inflow portion 260 is a channel formed by an inner wall portion 268, an outer wall portion 267, an inflow portion upper wall, and an inflow portion lower wall.

A hose member forming the drain pipe 144 is connected to the inflow portion 260 . For this reason, the inflow part 260 is formed so that the cross-sectional shape gradually changes from circular to rectangular from the drain pipe 144 to the inlet 285 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the cylindrical portion 270 extends vertically upward (centrifugal A second peripheral wall portion 271 having a predetermined axial length is formed on the separating portion 204 side). That is, the lower end of the cylindrical portion 270 is connected to the fluid inflow portion 250, and the upper end of the cylindrical portion 270 is connected to a case 210 of the centrifugal separation portion 204, which will be described later. The axial length of the cylindrical portion 270 is preferably 50% or more of the diameter of the inlet 285 (the axial dimension of the cylindrical portion 270), more preferably 100% or more. As a result, the swirling flow contains an upward component and becomes a more stable and powerful flow.

A columnar internal space 272 is formed in the cylindrical portion 270 by the second peripheral wall portion 271 . The internal space 272 has an inner diameter equal to the diameter of the circular space 256 , and the internal space 272 is coaxial with the circular space 256 of the fluid inlet 250 . Since the inlet 285 of the fluid inflow portion 250 is positioned radially outside the circular space 256 of the fluid inflow portion 250 , the inlet 285 is positioned radially outside the internal space 272 . Therefore, the flow of washing water flowing in from the inlet 285 smoothly joins the washing water swirling in the circular space 256 to generate a swirling flow along the first peripheral wall portion 252 of the fluid inflow portion 250 . can. Furthermore, the vortex center of the swirling flow flowing inside the fluid inflow portion 250 can be approximately aligned with the central axis of the cylindrical portion 270 and the rotation axis of the rotating cylinder 220 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the centrifugal separation section 204 is configured to receive the swirl flow generated by the fluid inflow section 250 and to separate foreign matter from the inflow swirl flow. The centrifugal separation unit 204 has a case 210 , a rotating cylinder 220 that rotates within the case 210 , and a pump unit 230 that sucks up the swirling washing water in the fluid inlet 250 through the rotating cylinder 220 .

The case 210 is connected to the upper end of the cylindrical portion 270 (on the side of the centrifugal separation portion 204), and the internal space of the case 210 communicates with the circular space 256 inside the fluid inflow portion 250 through the internal space 272 of the cylindrical portion 270. ing.

The case 210 includes a cylinder accommodating portion 211 connected to the upper end of the cylindrical portion 270 and a pump accommodating portion 212 connected to the cylinder accommodating portion 211 on the side opposite to the cylindrical portion 270 . The tube accommodating portion 211 is a cylindrical portion having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 270 . The pump housing portion 212 is a dish-shaped portion that forms an internal space that opens toward the cylinder housing portion 211 side. The pump accommodating portion 212 includes a cylindrical third peripheral wall portion 213 and an end wall portion 214 that closes the inner space surrounded by the third peripheral wall portion 213 on the side opposite to the cylinder accommodating portion 211 . I'm in. As shown in FIG. 1 , a discharge pipe 216 is connected to the third peripheral wall portion 213 to flow the washing water in the pump accommodating portion 212 to the return pipe line 145 .

The rotating cylinder 220 rotates within the cylinder accommodating portion 211 and is provided for centrifugally separating foreign matter contained in the washing water swirling within the rotating cylinder 220 . The rotary cylinder 220 is arranged in the cylinder housing portion 211 of the case 210 so as to be coaxial with the circular space 256 of the fluid inlet portion 250 and the internal space 272 of the cylindrical portion 270 . Between the case 210 and the outer peripheral surface 225 of the rotary cylinder 220, a gap is formed that communicates the pump accommodating portion 212 and the cylindrical portion 270, as indicated by the arrow B in FIG.

The rotating cylinder 220 includes a fourth peripheral wall portion 221 , an annular plate portion 222 and an annular plate portion 223 . The annular plate portion 222 protrudes radially inward from the end portion of the fourth peripheral wall portion 221 on the cylindrical portion 270 side. The annular plate portion 223 protrudes radially inward from the end portion of the fourth peripheral wall portion 221 on the pump accommodating portion 212 side. The inner peripheral surface of the fourth peripheral wall portion 221 is a portion to which centrifugally separated foreign matter adheres.

The annular plate portion 222 is provided to increase the contact area between the rotating cylinder 220 and the wash water that has flowed into the cylinder accommodating portion 211 . That is, by providing the annular plate portion 222, it is possible to increase the rotational force of the rotary cylinder 220 that is transmitted to the washing water in the cylinder accommodating portion 211. As shown in FIG. The opening of the annular plate portion 222 is formed coaxially with the cylindrical portion 270 so that the washing water, which has swirled in the circular space 256 inside the fluid inlet portion 250, flows into the rotary cylinder 220 through the cylindrical portion 270. there is

The annular plate portion 223 is provided to prevent foreign matter adhering to the fourth peripheral wall portion 221 from flowing out into the pump accommodating portion 212 . In addition, like the annular plate portion 222 , the annular plate portion 223 serves to increase the rotational force of the rotating cylinder 220 that is transmitted to the washing water in the cylinder accommodating portion 211 . A central opening of the annular plate portion 223 is provided to allow the wash water in the rotary cylinder 220 to flow out to the pump accommodating portion 212 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the pump portion 230 has a plurality of pump vanes 231 integrally formed with the outer surface of an annular plate portion 223 facing the pump accommodating portion 212 and a side opposite to the annular plate portion 223. and a mounting plate portion 232 connected to these pump vanes 231 at the .

The plurality of pump blades 231 are arranged radially within the pump accommodating portion 212 as shown in FIG. In the pump section 230 , due to the rotation of the plurality of pump blades 231 , a pressure difference is generated between the rotating cylinder 220 side and the discharge pipe 216 side of the pump section 230 . As a result, the wash water in the rotary cylinder 220 is sucked into the pump housing portion 212 and the wash water in the pump portion 230 is discharged to the discharge pipe 216 . Here, the rotation direction of the pump blades 231 when the washing water flows from the rotary cylinder 220 to the discharge pipe 216 through the pump accommodating portion 212 is called "forward rotation direction".

The mounting plate portion 232 is provided to transmit the driving force of the driving portion 240 to the plurality of pump blades 231 and the rotary cylinder 220.

The drive unit 240 is composed of a motor. That is, the drive unit 240 includes a motor body 241 arranged outside the case 210 and a drive shaft 242 protruding from the motor body 241 into the pump housing portion 212 of the case 210 and connected to the mounting plate portion 232 . contains. The motor main body 241 is configured to rotate the drive shaft 242 forward under the control of the control section 170 .

(Description of operation)
The operation of washing machine 100 will be described below. Washing machine 100 sequentially performs a washing process, a rinsing process, and a spin-drying process under the control of control unit 170, as described below.

When the washing process starts, the controller 170 controls the water supply valve 131 and the drain valve 142 to open the water supply path 130 and close the drain path 140 . When the water supply valve 131 opens the water supply path 130 , washing water flows through the water supply path 130 and flows into the detergent box 132 . The washing water dissolves the detergent in the detergent box 132 and flows out from the detergent box 132 . After that, the washing water containing the detergent flows into the water tank 112 through the water supply port 116 of the water tank 112 . Since the drain valve 142 is closed at this time, washing water is accumulated in the water tank 112 .

When a predetermined amount of washing water is accumulated in the water tank 112, the control section 170 controls the drive section 121 to rotate the rotary drum 120 and the baffle section 123. As a result, the laundry 101 is washed by being agitated within the rotating drum 120 .

While the laundry 101 is being washed in the rotating drum 120, centrifugal separation of foreign matter is performed by the centrifuge 200. That is, the control unit 170 controls the driving unit 240 of the centrifuge 200 to rotate the pump unit 230 and the rotating cylinder 220 of the centrifuge 200 in the normal direction. The washing water in the water tank 112 flows out to the drain pipe 144 through the outlet 117 of the water tank 112 by rotating the pump part 230 . This washing water contains foreign matter such as fibers and sebum separated from the laundry 101 during the washing process. Washing water containing foreign matter flows into the inflow part 260 of the centrifuge 200 through the drain pipe 144 . The wash water passes through the drain pipe 144 and the inlet 285 in sequence at the inlet 260 .

The wash water that has passed through the inlet 285 flows into the curved space 283 . In the curved space 283 , washing water flows through the curved space 283 along the inner peripheral surface of the second arcuate wall portion 254 and flows into the circular space 256 . Washing water that has flowed into the circular space 256 flows along the inner peripheral surface of the first arcuate wall portion 255 . As a result of flowing along the inner peripheral surfaces of the second arcuate wall portion 254 and the first arcuate wall portion 255 in this way, a swirling flow is generated in the fluid inflow portion 250 .

The swirling flow of wash water in the fluid inflow portion 250 is sucked up by the suction force of the pump portion 230 and flows into the cylindrical portion 270 . Cylindrical portion 270 is coaxial with circular space 256 and has an inner diameter equal to the diameter of circular space 256 . Therefore, the wash water flows into the cylindrical portion 270 while substantially maintaining the state of the swirling flow generated within the circular space 256 . After that, the swirling flow passes through the cylindrical portion 270 and flows into the rotating cylinder 220 . At this time, the center opening of the annular plate portion 222 of the rotating barrel 220 is coaxial with the cylindrical portion 270, and the washing water can flow into the rotating barrel 220 while maintaining the swirl flow state.

At this time, since the rotating cylinder 220 is rotationally driven by the drive unit 240, the rotational force of the rotating cylinder 220 is transmitted to the washing water forming the swirling flow. As a result of the rotational force of the rotating cylinder 220 being transmitted to the washing water, the angular velocity of the swirling flow increases, and the centrifugal force acting on the foreign matter contained in the swirling flow increases. Therefore, the foreign matter moves toward the fourth peripheral wall portion 221 of the rotating cylinder 220 due to the centrifugal force and is pressed against the fourth peripheral wall portion 221 . As a result, the washing water in the rotary cylinder 220 is in a state in which the foreign substances are separated by centrifugation.

When the rotating cylinder 220 is driven to rotate, the washing water is pressurized by the pump part 230 , so that the pressure of the washing water at the discharge port 215 of the pump accommodating part 212 is increased to wash the washing water at the opening 219 at the lower end of the case 210 . greater than the pressure of water. Due to this pressure difference, part of the washing water flowing from the rotating cylinder 220 toward the discharge port 215 flows from between the case 210 and the outer peripheral surface 225 of the rotating cylinder 220 to the inner space 272 of the cylindrical part 270 through the opening 219. Backflow may occur. The backwash water that has flowed into the internal space 272 in this way may join the swirling flow of the cylindrical portion 270 and flow further downward to disturb the swirling flow. However, the backflow washing water that has flowed into the internal space 272 is again guided to the rotary cylinder 220 by the swirling flow including the upward component in the internal space 272 and does not flow into the circular space 256 of the fluid inlet 250 . That is, even if the swirling flow in the cylindrical portion 270 is disturbed by the backflow washing water, at least the backflow washing water, which is part of the swirling washing water, does not flow into the circular space 256, and the fluid inflow portion At 250, a swirl flow can be generated without disturbing the swirl of the wash water.

Also, the inlet 285 of the fluid inflow portion 250 is formed outside the circular space 256 . Therefore, the incoming wash water is less likely to be affected by the reverse wash water, and a swirling flow can be generated without disturbing the incoming wash water at the inlet 285 of the fluid inflow portion 250 . Furthermore, the vortex center of the swirling flow flowing in the fluid inflow portion 250 can be approximately aligned with the central axis of the cylindrical portion 270 and the rotation axis of the rotating cylinder 220, and the washing water maintains the swirling flow state. It can flow into the cylindrical portion 270 .

The washing water from which the foreign substances have been centrifuged flows into the pump accommodating portion 212 through the opening of the annular plate portion 223 due to the suction force of the pump portion 230 . At this time, the foreign matter pressed against the fourth peripheral wall portion 221 of the rotary cylinder 220 can also receive the suction force of the pump portion 230 , but the annular plate portion 223 prevents the foreign matter from flowing into the pump accommodating portion 212 .

The wash water that has flowed into the pump housing portion 212 is discharged from the pump portion 230 and flows into the return pipe line 145 through the discharge pipe 216 connected to the pump housing portion 212 . The wash water returns to water tub 112 through return conduit 145 . That is, the centrifuge 200 can return the washing water from which the foreign matter has been removed to the water tank 112 .

During the washing process described above, the washing machine 100 may perform an intermediate dehydration process (a dehydration process performed in the washing process). At this time, the controller 170 controls the drain valve 142 to open the drain path 140 . Further, the control unit 170 controls the driving unit 121 so that the rotational speed of the rotating drum 120 is increased, and the moisture contained in the laundry 101 is centrifuged.

During the intermediate dehydration process, the control unit 170 controls the drive unit 240 of the centrifuge 200 to stop the pump unit 230 and the rotary cylinder 220. As a result, the centrifugal force acting on the foreign matter is eliminated, so the foreign matter adhering to the fourth peripheral wall portion 221 of the rotary cylinder 220 can be easily peeled off.

By opening the drain path 140, the control unit 170 causes the washing water to flow in the opposite direction to when the centrifugal separator 200 performs centrifugal separation of foreign matter. That is, the washing water in the case 210, together with the foreign matter separated from the fourth peripheral wall portion 221 of the rotating cylinder 220, is sequentially passed through the cylindrical portion 270, the fluid inlet portion 250, the inlet portion 260, and the drain pipe 144 by gravity. . Also, the washing water and foreign matter passing through the drain line 144 may be discharged out of the washing machine 100 through the drain path 140 .

In the rinsing process, control is performed to store a predetermined amount of water in the water tank 112, as in the washing process. After a predetermined amount of water is stored in water tub 112, drive unit 121 for rotary drum 120 is controlled by control unit 170 so that laundry 101 in rotary drum 120 is agitated. After the laundry 101 has been agitated for a length of time sufficient to remove the detergent from the laundry 101 , the controller 170 controls the drain valve 142 to open the drain path 140 . An intermediate dehydration process similar to that performed in the washing process may also be performed between the rinsing processes. Also, in the rinsing process, centrifugation of foreign matter by the centrifuge 200 can be performed in the same manner as in the washing process.

After the rinsing process, the control unit 170 controls the driving unit 121 for the rotating drum 120 so that the washing machine 100 performs the dehydration process. In the dewatering process, the controller 170 controls the driving part 121 so that the rotation speed of the rotary drum 120 is higher than the rotation speed of the rotary drum 120 in the washing process and the rinsing process. As a result, water is centrifuged from the laundry 101 on the rotating drum 120 .

In the centrifuge 200 configured in this manner, the cylindrical portion 270 is formed to have a predetermined axial length from the opening 284 of the fluid inflow portion 250 toward the centrifugal separation portion 204 . Since the cylindrical portion 270 has a predetermined axial length, the swirling flow includes an upward component and becomes a smoother and vigorous flow.

Therefore, the centrifugal separator 200 can exert an upward force on the washing water even when the washing water flows back into the cylindrical portion 270 from between the case 210 and the outer peripheral surface 225 of the rotating cylinder 220 . Thereby, the centrifugal separator 200 can suppress the inflow of backwash water from the cylindrical portion 270 to the fluid inflow portion 250 . As a result, the centrifugal separator 200 can generate a swirl flow in the swirl flow generator 205 without disturbing the swirl of the wash water.

In addition, the fluid inlet 250 is provided with an inlet 285 and a curved space 283 outside the circular space 256 . flow into The curved space 283 gradually narrows downstream in the flow direction of the swirling flow in the fluid inflow portion 250 . Therefore, the wash water flowing into the curved space 283 gradually joins the wash water swirling in the circular space 256 . As a result, a swirl flow can be generated along the first peripheral wall portion 252 of the fluid inflow portion 250 , and the vortex center of the swirl flow flowing in the fluid inflow portion 250 is aligned with the central axis of the cylindrical portion 270 and the rotation tube 220 . can be roughly matched to the axis of rotation of the Therefore, even if the washing water flows back into the cylindrical portion 270 from between the case 210 and the rotating cylinder 220, the washing water flowing from the inflow portion 260 is not easily affected by the backflow washing water, and the swirling flow in the circular space 256 is prevented. It is difficult to disturb. As a result, the centrifugal separator 200 can generate a swirl flow without disturbing the swirl of the wash water in the fluid inflow part 250 .

Various modifications or improvements may be made to the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment.

For example, in the present embodiment, the centrifuge 200 has been described by combining the cylindrical portion 270 having a predetermined axial length and the fluid inlet portion 250 in which the inlet 285 is formed outside the circular space 256. However, the configuration may include only one configuration. As a result, the centrifugal separator 200 can generate a swirling flow without disturbing the swirl of the washing water in the swirling flow generating section 205, and the centrifugal force acting on the foreign matter in the centrifugal separating section 204 can be reduced. Decrease can be suppressed. By combining the two configurations as in the present embodiment, the centrifugal separator 200 can more effectively suppress the decrease in the centrifugal force acting on the foreign matter in the centrifugal separation section 204 .

For example, the centrifugal separator 200 is mounted inside the washing machine 100 so that the rotational axis of the swirling flow is substantially vertical, but this is not the only option. That is, centrifuge 200 may be mounted in washing machine 100 such that the rotation axis of the swirling flow is substantially horizontal.

A centrifuge 200 according to one aspect of the first embodiment is configured to separate foreign matter contained in washing water (corresponding to an example of liquid fluid in the present disclosure). The centrifugal separator 200 includes a drive section 240 that generates driving force, a centrifugal separation section 204 , and a swirling flow generation section 205 coupled to the centrifugal separation section 204 . The centrifugal separation unit 204 has a case 210 and a rotating cylinder 220 that is arranged in the case 210 and rotated by the driving force of the driving unit 240 , and centrifuges foreign substances from the washing water in the rotating cylinder 220 . The swirling flow generating portion 205 includes a fluid inflow portion 250 and a cylindrical portion 270 . The fluid inflow part 250 is a first peripheral wall part 252 having an inlet 285 for inflowing washing water, and guides the washing water flowing into the inflow space 261 inside the first peripheral wall part 252 to swirl. It has a first peripheral wall portion 252 . The cylindrical portion 270 has a second peripheral wall portion 271 with a predetermined axial length between the fluid inlet portion 250 and the centrifugal separation portion 204, and rotates the washing water swirling in the fluid inlet portion 250. It is introduced into the centrifugal separation section 204 . Centrifuge 200 is configured such that part of the wash water swirling within cylindrical portion 270 is prevented from flowing into fluid inflow portion 250 .

According to the above configuration, the swirling flow generating section 205 is configured to suppress the inflow of washing water from the cylindrical section 270 to the fluid inflow section 250 . Therefore, even if part of the washing water in the centrifugal separation part 204 flows back to the cylindrical part 270 from between the case 210 and the outer peripheral surface 225 of the rotating cylinder 220, the Inflow of backwash water into the inflow portion 250 can be suppressed. As a result, the centrifugal separator 200 is turbulent in the swirling flow in the fluid inlet 250 due to the inflow of the reverse wash water from the cylindrical portion 270 into the washing water that flows from the inlet 260 into the fluid inlet 250 through the inlet 285 . can be suppressed. Therefore, the centrifugal separator 200 can suppress a decrease in the centrifugal force acting on the foreign matter in the centrifugal separation section 204 .

Further, the centrifuge 200 according to one aspect of the first embodiment is configured to separate foreign matter contained in washing water (corresponding to an example of liquid fluid in the present disclosure). The centrifugal separator 200 includes a drive section 240 that generates driving force, a centrifugal separation section 204 , and a swirling flow generation section 205 coupled to the centrifugal separation section 204 . The centrifugal separation unit 204 has a case 210 and a rotating cylinder 220 that is arranged in the case 210 and rotated by the driving force of the driving unit 240 , and centrifuges foreign substances from the washing water in the rotating cylinder 220 . The swirling flow generating portion 205 includes a fluid inflow portion 250 and a cylindrical portion 270 . The fluid inflow part 250 is a first peripheral wall part 252 having an inlet 285 for inflowing washing water, and guides the washing water flowing into the inflow space 261 inside the first peripheral wall part 252 to swirl. It has a first peripheral wall portion 252 . The cylindrical part 270 has a second peripheral wall part 271 between the fluid inflow part 250 and the centrifugal separation part 204, and introduces the washing water swirled in the fluid inflow part 250 into the centrifugal separation part 204 while swirling it. . Inlet 285 of fluid inlet 250 may be defined as the space between upstream end 282 and downstream end 257 . The upstream end 282 is located on the upstream side of the first peripheral wall portion 252 in the flow direction of the swirling flow. The downstream end 257 is located on the side opposite to the upstream end 282 in the flow direction of the swirling flow. The first peripheral wall portion 252 may have a first arcuate wall portion 255 and a second arcuate wall portion 254 . The first arcuate wall portion 255 curves with a predetermined radius of curvature from the downstream end 257 . The second arcuate wall portion 254 extends from the upstream end 282 while curving in an arc with a radius of curvature larger than a predetermined radius of curvature, and is connected to the first arcuate wall portion 255 . The second arcuate wall portion 254 may be configured to be located radially outside the second peripheral wall portion 271 of the cylindrical portion 270 .

According to the above configuration, the inlet 285 of the fluid inflow portion 250 is formed radially outside the second peripheral wall portion 271 of the cylindrical portion 270 by the first arcuate wall portion 255 and the second arcuate wall portion 254 . be done. As a result, the centrifugal separator 200 of the first embodiment is less likely to be affected by the inlet 285 of the fluid inflow portion 250 even when washing water flows back into the cylindrical portion 270 from between the case 210 and the rotating cylinder 220 . As a result, the centrifugal separator 200 of the first embodiment can generate a swirl flow without disturbing the swirl of the wash water in the fluid inflow part 250 .

A washing machine 100 according to another aspect of the embodiment described above includes the centrifuge 200 described above and a washing tub 115 in which the laundry 101 is washed. Centrifuge 200 is connected to washing tub 115 such that washing water in washing tub 115 flows into centrifuge 200 .

According to the above configuration, the washing machine 100 of the first embodiment can suppress a decrease in the centrifugal force acting on the foreign matter in the centrifugal separation section 204 of the centrifuge 200 of the first embodiment. can be effectively separated in the centrifuge 200. And the washing machine 100 of 1st Embodiment can suppress that the separated foreign material adheres to the laundry 101 again, and can improve a washing effect.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the centrifuge 200 of the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the cylindrical portion 270 is formed to have a second peripheral wall portion 271 on the vertical upper side (centrifugal separation portion 204 side) from the opening 284 of the fluid inflow portion 250 toward the centrifugal separation portion 204. ing. Alternatively, the cylindrical portion 270 may have a tapered second peripheral wall portion 271 as shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, a centrifugal separator 200 in which a second peripheral wall portion 271 of a cylindrical portion 270 is tapered will be described. The structure of the centrifuge 200 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is the same as the structure of the centrifuge 200 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 except for the cylindrical portion 270 .

As shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical portion 270 of the swirling flow generating portion 205 has an inner diameter that gradually decreases from the lower end (the cylindrical portion 270 side) of the case 210 toward the upper end (the cylindrical portion 270 side) of the fluid inflow portion 250. It is formed to extend like this. That is, the second peripheral wall portion 271 of the cylindrical portion 270 is tapered such that the inner diameter increases toward the upper side (toward the centrifugal separation section 204) and decreases toward the lower side (toward the fluid inlet section 250).

In the centrifugal separator 200 configured as described above, when the washing water swirling in the cylindrical portion 270 reaches the vicinity of the second peripheral wall portion 271 inclined so as to spread upward, the second peripheral wall portion 271 A swirling flow including an upward component is generated in the vicinity, as indicated by arrow C in FIG. That is, when the rotary cylinder 220 is rotationally driven, in the vicinity of the second peripheral wall portion 271, the centrifugal force acting radially outward of the cylindrical portion 270 due to the swirling acts on the washing water. 2 applies an upward force (toward the centrifugal separation section 204). As a result, in the vicinity of the second peripheral wall portion 271, a swirl flow including an upward component as indicated by arrow C in FIG. 4 is generated. As a result, the swirling flow contains an upward component and becomes a more stable and powerful flow.

An arrow B in FIG. 4 indicates washing water flowing back into the cylindrical portion 270 from between the case 210 and the outer peripheral surface 225 of the rotating cylinder 220 . At this time, the centrifugal separator 200 of the second embodiment exerts an upward force (toward the centrifugal separation portion 204) on the washing water in the vicinity of the second peripheral wall portion 271, thereby causing the fluid inflow portion 250 to move from the cylindrical portion 270 to the fluid inflow portion 250. It is possible to suppress the inflow of backflow washing water to. As a result, the centrifugal separator 200 of the second embodiment can generate a swirl flow without disturbing the swirl of the wash water in the swirl flow generator 205 .

The second peripheral wall portion 271 has a tapered shape extending from the lower end (the cylindrical portion 270 side) of the case 210 toward the upper end (the cylindrical portion 270 side) of the fluid inflow portion 250 so that the inner diameter gradually decreases. However, it is not limited to this. 5A and 5B are vertical cross-sectional views showing the configuration of a centrifugal separator 200 according to a modified example of the second embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, second peripheral wall portion 271 may include cylindrical portion 274 and tapered portion 273 . The cylindrical portion 274 is formed by extending vertically downward from the lower end of the case 210 to the intermediate portion of the second peripheral wall portion 271 . The tapered portion 273 is formed by extending from the lower side of the cylindrical portion 274 (on the side of the fluid inflow portion 250 ) toward the upper end of the fluid inflow portion 250 such that the inner diameter gradually decreases. As a result, an upward force acts on the swirling washing water in the vicinity of the tapered portion 273 . Therefore, the centrifugal separator 200 according to this modification suppresses the inflow of washing water from the cylindrical portion 270 to the fluid inflow portion 250 even when the washing water flows back into the cylindrical portion 270 through the space between the case 210 and the rotating cylinder 220. can.

Alternatively, the second peripheral wall portion 271 may include two

cylindrical portions

274 and 275 and a tapered portion 273, as shown in FIG. 5B. The two

cylindrical portions

274 and 275 are connected to the lower end of the case 210 (on the side of the cylindrical portion 270) and the upper end of the fluid inflow portion 250 (on the side of the cylindrical portion 270), respectively. A tapered portion 273 is a portion that connects two

cylindrical portions

274 and 275 . The tapered portion 273 extends from a cylindrical portion 274 connected to the lower end of the case 210 toward a cylindrical portion 275 connected to the upper end of the fluid inflow portion 250 such that the inner diameter gradually decreases. formed. As a result, an upward force acts on the swirling washing water in the vicinity of the tapered portion 273 . Therefore, the centrifugal separator 200 according to this modification suppresses the inflow of washing water from the cylindrical portion 270 to the fluid inflow portion 250 even when the washing water flows back into the cylindrical portion 270 through the space between the case 210 and the rotating cylinder 220. can.

A centrifuge 200 according to one aspect of the second embodiment is configured to separate foreign matter contained in washing water (corresponding to an example of liquid fluid in the present disclosure), as in the first embodiment. It is The centrifugal separator 200 includes a drive section 240 that generates driving force, a centrifugal separation section 204 , and a swirling flow generation section 205 coupled to the centrifugal separation section 204 . The centrifugal separator 204 has a case 210 and a rotating cylinder 220 that is arranged in the case 210 and rotated by the driving force of the driving part 240 , and centrifugally separates foreign substances from the washing water in the rotating cylinder 220 . Swirling flow generating portion 205 includes a fluid inflow portion 250 and a cylindrical portion 270 . The fluid inflow part 250 is a first peripheral wall part 252 having an inlet 285 for inflowing washing water, and guides the washing water flowing into the inflow space 261 inside the first peripheral wall part 252 to swirl. It has a first peripheral wall portion 252 . The cylindrical part 270 has a second peripheral wall part 271 between the fluid inflow part 250 and the centrifugal separation part 204, and introduces the washing water swirled in the fluid inflow part 250 into the centrifugal separation part 204 while swirling it. . The centrifugal separator 200 according to one aspect of the second embodiment is configured such that part of the washing water swirling within the cylindrical portion 270 is suppressed from flowing into at least the fluid inflow portion 250. .

In the above configuration, the inlet 285 of the fluid inflow portion 250 may be defined as the space between the upstream end 282 and the downstream end 257, as in the first embodiment. The upstream end 282 is located on the upstream side of the first peripheral wall portion 252 in the flow direction of the swirling flow. The downstream end 257 is located on the side opposite to the upstream end 282 at a position that has made one turn along the first peripheral wall portion 252 in the flow direction of the swirling flow. The first peripheral wall portion 252 may have a first arcuate wall portion 255 and a second arcuate wall portion 254 . The first arcuate wall portion 255 curves with a predetermined radius of curvature from the downstream end 257 . The second arcuate wall portion 254 extends from the upstream end 282 while curving in an arc with a radius of curvature larger than a predetermined radius of curvature, and is connected to the first arcuate wall portion 255 . The inlet 285 may be provided outside the circular space 256 by positioning the second arcuate wall portion 254 radially outside the second peripheral wall portion 271 of the cylindrical portion 270 .

In the above configuration, the second peripheral wall portion 271 may be formed such that at least a portion of the cylindrical portion 270 in the axial direction is tapered such that the diameter gradually decreases from the case 210 toward the fluid inflow portion 250 .

According to the above-described configuration, the taper-shaped second peripheral wall portion 271 exerts a centrifugal force outward in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 270 due to the swirling, and the washing water is directed upward (toward the centrifugal separation portion 204). force acts. As a result, in the vicinity of the tapered second peripheral wall portion 271 , a swirl flow including an upward component along the tapered second peripheral wall portion 271 is generated. Therefore, even if the washing water in the centrifugal separation unit 204 flows back into the cylindrical portion 270 from between the case 210 and the outer peripheral surface 225 of the rotating cylinder 220, an upward force (toward the centrifugal separation unit 204) is applied to the washing water. can be made As a result, the centrifuge 200 of the second embodiment can prevent backflow washing water from flowing into the fluid inflow portion 250 from the cylindrical portion 270 . As a result, the centrifugal separator 200 of the second embodiment can generate a swirl flow without disturbing the swirl of the wash water in the fluid inflow part 250 .

In addition, since the inlet 285 is provided outside the circular space 256, even if the washing water flows back into the cylindrical portion 270 from between the case 210 and the rotating cylinder 220, it can The wash water that has flowed in is less likely to be affected by the backwash water, and the centrifugal separator 200 can generate a swirl flow without disturbing the swirl of the wash water in the swirl flow generator 205 .

A washing machine 100 according to another aspect of the above-described embodiment includes the above-described centrifuge 200 and a washing tub 115 in which laundry 101 is washed, as in the first embodiment. Centrifuge 200 is connected to washing tub 115 such that washing water in washing tub 115 flows into centrifuge 200 .

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a centrifuge 200 of the third embodiment. In the first and second embodiments, the axial length or tapered shape of the second peripheral wall portion 271 of the cylindrical portion 270, or the inlet of the fluid inflow portion 250 arranged outside the second peripheral wall portion 271 The inflow of washing water into the fluid inflow part 250 is suppressed by the swirl flow including the upward component due to the configuration of 285 . Alternatively, the swirling flow generating section 205 may include an inflow prevention section 290 for inhibiting washing water from flowing into the fluid inflow section 250 . In the third embodiment, a centrifugal separator 200 including a swirling flow generating section 205 including an inflow preventing section 290 will be described. The structure of the centrifuge 200 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is the same as that of the centrifuge 200 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the cylindrical portion 270 is formed such that the inner diameter of the lower end of the cylindrical portion 270 (on the side of the fluid inflow portion 250 ) is larger than the diameter of the circular space 256 of the fluid inflow portion 250 . The opposing wall portion 253 of the fluid inflow portion 250 is positioned higher than the lower end (fluid inflow portion 250 side) of the second peripheral wall portion 271 of the cylindrical portion 270 so as to cover the upper side of the curved space 283 (the side of the cylindrical portion 270). , extending radially inward of the circular space 256 . That is, the portion of the opposing wall portion 253 where the internal space 272 of the cylindrical portion 270 and the curved space 283 of the fluid inflow portion 250 overlap functions as an inflow suppressing portion 290 that separates the internal space 272 and the curved space 283 from the top view. . At this time, the inflow prevention portion 290 of the opposing wall portion 253 is arranged to protrude radially inward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 270 (on the fluid inflow portion 250 side).

Since the inflow suppressing portion 290 separates the inner space 272 and the curved space 283, even if the washing water flows backward from the centrifugal separation portion 204 to the cylindrical portion 270, it will flow from the inner space 272 of the cylindrical portion 270 to the fluid inflow portion 250. The inflow of the backflow washing water is effectively suppressed. Therefore, the centrifugal separator 200 of the third embodiment can suppress the disturbance of the swirling flow due to the backflow washing water flowing into the cylindrical portion 270 . As a result, in the fluid inflow portion 250, a swirling flow can be generated without disturbing the swirl of the washing water.

In addition, the cylindrical portion 270 is formed to extend from the upper surface (the cylindrical portion 270 side) of the opposing wall portion 253 toward the lower end (the cylindrical portion 270 side) of the case 210, but is not limited to this. As in the second embodiment, for example, the cylindrical portion 270 has a tapered shape extending from the upper surface of the opposing wall portion 253 toward the lower end of the case 210 (the cylindrical portion 270 side) so as to gradually increase in diameter. good too.

A centrifuge 200 according to one aspect of the third embodiment is configured to separate foreign substances contained in washing water (corresponding to an example of liquid fluid in the present disclosure). The centrifugal separator 200 includes a driving section 240 that generates a driving force, a centrifugal separation section 204 , and a swirling flow generating section 205 coupled to the centrifugal separation section 204 . The centrifugal separation unit 204 has a case 210 and a rotating cylinder 220 that is disposed in the case 210 and rotated by the driving force of the driving unit 240 , and centrifuges foreign substances from the washing water in the rotating cylinder 220 . The swirling flow generating portion 205 includes a fluid inflow portion 250 , a cylindrical portion 270 and an inflow preventing portion 290 . The fluid inflow part 250 is a first peripheral wall part 252 having an inlet 285 for inflowing washing water, and guides the washing water flowing into the inflow space 261 inside the first peripheral wall part 252 to swirl. It has a first peripheral wall portion 252 . The cylindrical part 270 has a second peripheral wall part 271 between the fluid inflow part 250 and the centrifugal separation part 204, and introduces the washing water swirled in the fluid inflow part 250 into the centrifugal separation part 204 while swirling it. . The inflow inhibiting portion 290 inhibits the backflow washing water flowing backward from the washing water swirling in the cylindrical portion 270 from flowing into the fluid inflow portion 250 .

According to the above configuration, the cylindrical portion 270 of the swirling flow generating portion 205 is provided with the inflow preventing portion 290 that prevents the washing water from flowing into the fluid inflow portion 250 from the cylindrical portion 270 . For this reason, the centrifugal separator 200 of the third embodiment can suppress the backflow of washing water from the cylindrical portion 270 to the fluid inflow portion 250 even when the washing water flows backward from the centrifugal separation portion 204 to the cylindrical portion 270 .

In the above configuration, the inflow prevention portion 290 may protrude inward from at least the end of the cylindrical portion 270 on the side of the fluid inflow portion 250 at the inlet 285 on the side of the cylindrical portion 270 .

According to the above configuration, the inflow prevention portion 290 formed to protrude radially inward from the end portion of the cylindrical portion 270 inhibits the inflow of backwash water from the cylindrical portion 270 to the fluid inflow portion 250 . be.

In the above configuration, the inlet 285 of the fluid inflow portion 250 may be defined as the space between the upstream end 282 and the downstream end 257. The upstream end 282 is located on the upstream side of the first peripheral wall portion 252 in the flow direction of the swirling flow. The downstream end 257 is located on the side opposite to the upstream end 282 in the flow direction of the swirling flow. The first peripheral wall portion 252 may have a first arcuate wall portion 255 and a second arcuate wall portion 254 . The first arcuate wall portion 255 curves with a predetermined radius of curvature from the downstream end 257 . The second arcuate wall portion 254 extends from the upstream end 282 while curving in an arc with a radius of curvature larger than a predetermined radius of curvature, and is connected to the first arcuate wall portion 255 .

According to the above configuration, the first arcuate wall portion 255 and the second arcuate wall portion 254 form the inlet 285 and the curved space 283 outside the circular space 256 in the fluid inflow portion 250 . Therefore, the washing water flowing from the inlet 260 through the inlet 285 flows into the curved space 283 before flowing into the circular space 256 . The curved space 283 gradually narrows toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the swirling flow in the fluid inflow portion 250 , so that the washing water flowing into the curved space 283 becomes the washing water swirling in the circular space 256 . merge gradually. Therefore, the wash water that has flowed in from the inflow portion 260 is less likely to disturb the swirling flow in the circular space 256 . Furthermore, since the inflow prevention portion 290 separates the inner space 272 and the curved space 283, even if the washing water flows back from the centrifugal separation portion 204 to the cylindrical portion 270, the fluid inflow portion 290 flows from the inner space 272 of the cylindrical portion 270 to the fluid inflow portion. The inflow of backwash water to 250 is suppressed.

In the above-described configuration, as in the second embodiment, at least a portion of the cylindrical portion 270 in the axial direction is tapered such that the diameter gradually decreases from the case 210 toward the fluid inflow portion 250. A second peripheral wall portion 271 may also be included.

As in the first and second embodiments, the washing machine 100 according to another aspect of the above embodiment includes the centrifuge 200 of the third embodiment and the washing tub 115 in which the laundry 101 is washed. and have. The centrifuge 200 of the third embodiment is connected to the washing tub 115 so that the wash water in the washing tub 115 flows into the centrifuge 200 of the third embodiment.

In the first, second and third embodiments, the centrifugal separator 200 is installed in the rotating drum type washing machine 100 to centrifuge foreign matter (such as fibers) separated from the laundry 101. used for Alternatively, centrifuge 200 may be mounted on a vertical washing machine. Alternatively, the centrifugal separator 200 is not limited to being used in various washing machines, and may be used in a device for cleaning bathtub water or organic waste water.

It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all changes within the meaning and scope of equivalence to the scope of claims.

(effects, etc.)
The centrifuge 200 and the washing machine 100 according to the above-described embodiments have the following features and the following effects.

The centrifugal separator according to one aspect of the embodiment described above is configured to separate foreign matter contained in liquid fluid. A centrifugal separator includes a driving section that generates a driving force, a centrifugal separation section, and a swirling flow generating section coupled to the centrifugal separation section. The centrifugal separation unit has a case and a rotating cylinder arranged in the case and rotated by the driving force of the driving unit, and centrifugally separates foreign substances from the fluid in the rotating cylinder. The swirling flow generating section includes a fluid inlet section and a cylindrical section. The fluid inflow portion has a first peripheral wall portion formed with an inlet for inflowing the fluid, the first peripheral wall portion guiding the fluid flowing into the inflow space inside the first peripheral wall portion so as to swirl. . The cylindrical portion is positioned between the fluid inflow portion and the centrifugal separation portion with a second peripheral wall portion having a predetermined axial length, and causes the fluid swirled in the fluid inflow portion to be swirled and introduced into the centrifugal separation portion. . The centrifugal separator is configured such that part of the fluid swirling within the cylindrical portion is suppressed from flowing into at least the fluid inflow portion.

According to the configuration described above, the centrifugal separator according to one aspect of the embodiment described above is configured such that the inflow of fluid from the cylindrical portion to the fluid inflow portion is suppressed. For this reason, in the centrifuge according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment, even if part of the fluid in the centrifugal separation unit flows back from between the case and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating cylinder to the cylindrical part, the backflow fluid This suppresses the disturbance of the swirling flow in the cylindrical portion, and suppresses the inflow of backflow fluid from the cylindrical portion to the fluid inflow portion. Thus, in the centrifugal separator according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment, the counterflow fluid from the cylindrical portion flows into the fluid that flows into the fluid inflow portion from the inflow portion through the inlet, thereby creating a swirling flow in the fluid inflow portion. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of turbulence in Therefore, the centrifugal separator according to one aspect of the embodiment described above can suppress a decrease in the centrifugal force acting on the foreign matter in the centrifugal separation section.

The centrifugal separator according to one aspect of the embodiment described above is configured to separate foreign matter contained in liquid fluid. A centrifugal separator includes a driving section that generates a driving force, a centrifugal separation section, and a swirling flow generating section coupled to the centrifugal separation section. The centrifugal separation unit has a case and a rotating cylinder arranged in the case and rotated by the driving force of the driving unit, and centrifugally separates foreign substances from the fluid in the rotating cylinder. The swirling flow generating section includes a fluid inlet section and a cylindrical section. The fluid inflow portion has a first peripheral wall portion formed with an inlet for inflowing the fluid, the first peripheral wall portion guiding the fluid flowing into the inflow space inside the first peripheral wall portion so as to swirl. . The cylindrical portion has a second peripheral wall portion positioned between the fluid inlet and the centrifugal separation portion, and introduces the fluid swirled in the fluid inlet portion into the centrifugal separation portion while swirling the fluid. Further, the inlet of the fluid inflow portion is an upstream end positioned upstream in the flow direction of the swirl flow and a downstream end positioned opposite to the upstream end in the flow direction of the swirl flow in the first peripheral wall portion. may be defined as the space between The first peripheral wall portion includes a first arcuate wall portion curved with a predetermined curvature radius from the downstream end, and a first arcuate wall portion extending from the upstream end while curving in an arc with a curvature radius larger than the predetermined curvature radius. and a second arcuate wall portion connected to the portion. The second arcuate wall portion may be arranged radially outward of the second peripheral wall portion of the cylindrical portion.

According to the above configuration, the inlet of the fluid inflow portion is formed radially outside the second peripheral wall portion of the cylindrical portion by the first arcuate wall portion and the second arcuate wall portion. Thereby, the centrifugal separator according to one aspect of the above embodiment can generate a swirl flow along the first peripheral wall portion of the fluid inflow portion, and the vortex center of the swirl flow flowing in the fluid inflow portion can be substantially coincident with the central axis of the cylindrical portion and the rotational axis of the rotating barrel. Therefore, even if the fluid flows back into the cylindrical portion from between the case and the rotating cylinder, the fluid flowing from the inflow portion is less likely to be affected by the backflow fluid, and the swirl flow in the circular space is less likely to be disturbed. As a result, the centrifugal separator according to one aspect of the above embodiment can generate a swirl flow without disturbing the swirl of the fluid in the fluid inflow part. Therefore, the centrifugal separator according to one aspect of the embodiment described above can suppress a decrease in the centrifugal force acting on the foreign matter in the centrifugal separation section.

The centrifugal separator according to one aspect of the embodiment described above is configured to separate foreign matter contained in liquid fluid. A centrifugal separator includes a driving section that generates a driving force, a centrifugal separation section, and a swirling flow generating section coupled to the centrifugal separation section. The centrifugal separator has a case and a rotating cylinder arranged in the case and rotated by the driving force of the driving part, and centrifuges foreign matter from the fluid in the rotating cylinder.

The swirling flow generating portion includes a fluid inflow portion, a cylindrical portion, and an inflow preventing portion. The fluid inflow portion has a first peripheral wall portion formed with an inlet for inflowing the fluid, the first peripheral wall portion guiding the fluid flowing into the inflow space inside the first peripheral wall portion so as to swirl. . The cylindrical portion is positioned between the fluid inflow portion and the centrifugal separation portion, and causes the fluid swirled in the fluid inflow portion to be swirled and introduced into the centrifugal separation portion. The inflow preventing portion prevents a part of the fluid swirling within the cylindrical portion from flowing into the fluid inflow portion.

According to the above configuration, the swirling flow generating section is provided with the inflow suppressing section that suppresses the inflow of the fluid from the cylindrical section to the inlet of the fluid inflow section. For this reason, the centrifugal separator according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment can suppress the inflow of backflow fluid from the cylindrical portion to the fluid inflow portion even when the fluid flows backward from the centrifugal separation portion to the cylindrical portion. That is, the centrifugal separator according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment can suppress a decrease in the centrifugal force acting on the foreign matter in the centrifugal separation section.

In the above configuration, the inflow preventing portion may protrude inward from at least the cylindrical portion side of the inlet from the end portion of the cylindrical portion on the side of the fluid inflow portion.

According to the above configuration, the inflow suppressing portion formed so as to protrude radially inward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion suppresses the inflow of backflow fluid from the cylindrical portion to the fluid inflow portion.

In the above configuration, the inlet of the fluid inflow portion is positioned on the upstream side of the first peripheral wall portion in the flow direction of the swirling flow, and on the opposite side of the upstream end in the flow direction of the swirling flow. may be defined as the space between the downstream end where the The first peripheral wall portion includes a first arcuate wall portion curved with a predetermined curvature radius from the downstream end, and a first arcuate wall portion extending from the upstream end while curving in an arc with a curvature radius larger than the predetermined curvature radius. and a second arcuate wall portion connected to the portion.

According to the above configuration, the curved space is formed outside the circular space in the fluid inflow portion by the first arcuate wall portion and the second arcuate wall portion. Therefore, the fluid that has flowed from the inflow portion through the inlet flows into the curved space before flowing into the circular space. The curved space gradually narrows toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the swirling flow in the fluid inlet, so the fluid flowing into the curved space gradually joins the fluid swirling in the circular space. Therefore, the fluid that has flowed in from the inflow portion is less likely to disturb the swirling flow in the circular space.

In the above configuration, the cylindrical portion may include a second peripheral wall portion in which at least a part of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction is tapered so that the diameter gradually decreases from the case toward the fluid inflow portion. .

According to the above-described configuration, due to the tapered second peripheral wall portion, an upward force (toward the centrifugal separation portion) acts on the fluid that is exerting a centrifugal force outward in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion due to swirling. . As a result, in the vicinity of the tapered second peripheral wall portion, a swirl flow including an upward component along the tapered second peripheral wall portion is generated. Therefore, in the centrifugal separator according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment, even if the fluid in the centrifugal separation part flows back to the cylindrical part from between the case and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating cylinder, the fluid flows upward (centrifugal separation direction) can be applied. For this reason, the centrifugal separator according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment can suppress the inflow of backflow fluid from the cylindrical portion into the fluid inflow portion. As a result, the centrifugal separator according to one aspect of the above embodiment can generate a swirl flow without disturbing the swirl of the fluid in the fluid inflow part.

A washing machine according to another aspect of the above-described embodiment includes the above-described centrifuge and a washing tub in which the laundry is washed. A centrifuge is connected to the wash tub such that fluid in the wash tub flows into the centrifuge.

According to the above-described configuration, the washing machine according to another aspect of the above-described embodiment can suppress a decrease in the centrifugal force acting on the foreign matter in the centrifugal separation section of the above-described centrifugal separator. Contaminants contained therein can be effectively separated in a centrifuge. In addition, the washing machine according to another aspect of the above-described embodiment can suppress reattachment of the separated foreign matter to the laundry and enhance the washing effect.

The present disclosure is suitably used for various devices that remove foreign matter in fluid.

100 washing machine 101 laundry 102 faucet 110 housing 111 door 112 water tub 113 sealing member 114 suspension mechanism 115 washing tub 116 water supply port 117 discharge port 118 inlet 120 rotating drum 121 drive unit 123 baffle unit 124 small hole 130 water supply path 131 Water supply valve 132 Detergent box 139 Water supply unit 140 Drain path 142 Drainage valve 143 Circulation path 144 Drainage pipeline 145 Return pipeline 170 Control unit 200 Centrifuge 204 Centrifugal separation unit 205 Swirling flow generation unit 210 Case 211 Cylinder storage unit 212 Pump storage Part 213 Third peripheral wall portion 214 End wall portion 215 Discharge port 216 Discharge pipe 219 Opening 220 Rotating cylinder 221 Fourth peripheral wall portion 222 Annular plate portion 223 Annular plate portion 225 Peripheral surface 230 Pump portion 231 Pump blade 232 Mounting plate portion 240 drive unit (drive unit included in the centrifuge)
241 Motor body 242 Drive shaft 250 Fluid inflow part 251 Bottom wall part 252 First peripheral wall part 253 Opposing wall part 254 Second arcuate wall part 255 First arcuate wall part 256 Circular space 257 Downstream end 258 Connection part 260 Inflow part 261 Inflow Space 267 Outer wall portion 268 Inner wall portion 270 Cylindrical portion 271 Second peripheral wall portion 272 Internal space 273 Tapered portion 274 Cylindrical portion 275 Cylindrical portion 282 Upstream end 283 Curved space 284 Opening 285 Inlet 290 Inflow prevention portion 300 Centrifugal Separator 310 Centrifugal Separating Section 311 Rotating Tube 312 Pump Section 315 Discharge Port 320 Swirling Flow Generating Section 321 Inlet 322 Peripheral Wall Section 330 Introduction Pipe 340 Case 345 Opening 350 Driving Section

Claims

A centrifuge for separating foreign substances contained in a liquid fluid,
a driving unit that generates a driving force;
a centrifugal separation unit having a case and a rotating cylinder arranged in the case and rotated by the driving force of the driving unit, the centrifuging unit centrifuging foreign matter from the fluid in the rotating cylinder;
a swirling flow generator coupled to the centrifugal separation unit;
The swirling flow generating section is
A fluid having a first peripheral wall portion formed with an inlet for inflowing the fluid, the first peripheral wall portion guiding the fluid flowing into an inflow space inside the first peripheral wall portion so as to swirl. an inflow part;
A second peripheral wall portion is positioned between the fluid inflow portion and the centrifugal separation portion with a predetermined axial length, and the fluid swirled in the fluid inflow portion is swirled and introduced into the centrifugal separation portion. a cylindrical portion that allows
A centrifugal separator configured such that part of the fluid swirling within the cylindrical portion is prevented from flowing into the fluid inflow portion.
A centrifuge for separating foreign substances contained in a liquid fluid,
a driving unit that generates a driving force;
a centrifugal separation unit having a case and a rotating cylinder arranged in the case and rotated by the driving force of the driving unit, the centrifuging unit centrifuging foreign matter from the fluid in the rotating cylinder;
a swirling flow generator coupled to the centrifugal separation unit;
The swirling flow generating section is
A fluid having a first peripheral wall portion formed with an inlet for inflowing the fluid, the first peripheral wall portion guiding the fluid flowing into an inflow space inside the first peripheral wall portion so as to swirl. an inflow part;
a cylindrical portion having a second peripheral wall portion positioned between the fluid inflow portion and the centrifugal separation portion, and causing the fluid swirled in the fluid inflow portion to be swirled and introduced into the centrifugal separation portion. ,
The inlet of the fluid inflow portion is located on the upstream side of the first peripheral wall portion in the flow direction of the swirl flow, and on the side opposite to the upstream end in the flow direction of the swirl flow. defined as the space between the downstream ends of
The first peripheral wall portion includes a first arcuate wall portion curved with a predetermined curvature radius from the downstream end, and an arcuately curved wall portion extending from the upstream end with a curvature radius larger than the predetermined curvature radius. a second arcuate wall portion connected to the first arcuate wall portion;
The centrifugal separator, wherein the second arcuate wall portion is positioned radially outward of the second peripheral wall portion of the cylindrical portion.
A centrifuge for separating foreign substances contained in a liquid fluid,
a driving unit that generates a driving force;
a centrifugal separation unit having a case and a rotating cylinder arranged in the case and rotated by the driving force of the driving unit, the centrifuging unit centrifuging foreign matter from the fluid in the rotating cylinder;
a swirling flow generator coupled to the centrifugal separation unit;
The swirling flow generating section is
A fluid having a first peripheral wall portion formed with an inlet for inflowing the fluid, the first peripheral wall portion guiding the fluid flowing into an inflow space inside the first peripheral wall portion so as to swirl. an inflow part;
a cylindrical portion having a second peripheral wall portion positioned between the fluid inflow portion and the centrifugal separation portion, and causing the fluid swirled in the fluid inflow portion to be swirled and introduced into the centrifugal separation portion;
a centrifugal separator, comprising: an inflow prevention section that inhibits a portion of the fluid swirling within the cylindrical section from flowing into the fluid inflow section.
The centrifugal separator according to claim 3, wherein the inflow preventing portion protrudes inward from at least the cylindrical portion side of the inlet from the end portion of the cylindrical portion on the fluid inflow portion side.
The inlet of the fluid inflow portion is located on the upstream side of the first peripheral wall portion in the flow direction of the swirl flow, and on the side opposite to the upstream end in the flow direction of the swirl flow. defined as the space between the downstream end of
The first peripheral wall portion includes a first arcuate wall portion curved with a predetermined curvature radius from the downstream end, and an arcuately curved wall portion extending from the upstream end with a curvature radius larger than the predetermined curvature radius. a second arcuate wall portion connected to the first arcuate wall portion;
A centrifuge according to claim 3 or 4.
The cylindrical portion includes the second peripheral wall portion formed in a tapered shape in which at least a part in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion is tapered such that the diameter gradually decreases from the case toward the fluid inlet portion. Item 6. The centrifuge according to any one of items 1 to 5.
A centrifuge according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
and a washing tub in which the laundry is washed,
The washing machine, wherein the centrifuge is connected to the washing tub such that fluid in the washing tub flows into the centrifuge.