Washing machine

Abstract

The invention provides a washing machine capable of cleaning the whole exhaust pipeline. The washing machine comprises a washing tank for accommodating washings, a circulating air path for supplying air into the washing tank, a filtering device for collecting foreign matters contained in the air flowing in the circulating air path, an exhaust pipeline for connecting an exhaust port formed in the washing tank and the filtering device, and a water outlet part arranged on the inner side of the exhaust pipeline and used for spraying water. The water outlet part is provided with a blade facing a water outlet for spraying water, and the blade receives the water sprayed from the water outlet and diffuses the water along the inner wall of the exhaust pipeline.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a washing machine for washing laundry. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, washing machines and washing and drying machines having not only a washing function but also a drying function for drying washed clothes have been widely used.

[0003] During the drying process, cotton threads (thread scraps) are sometimes generated from clothes, so a filter is set on the path of air circulation to capture the cotton threads. At this time, in the pipe connecting the washing tank and the filter, since a large amount of air containing cotton threads passes through, cotton threads sometimes adhere to the pipe. If the clothes are left with cotton threads attached, the drying performance will be reduced. Therefore, a method for cleaning foreign matter such as cotton threads attached to the pipe is disclosed (for example, refer to Patent Gazette No. 6738196). Summary of the invention

[0004] The existing washing and drying machine includes a water tank, a drum, a circulating air duct, a heating device and a filtering device. The circulating air duct includes an exhaust duct having a bent portion bent into a substantially L-shape between the water tank and the filtering device, and an exhaust duct nozzle is buried in the bent portion. The exhaust duct nozzle sprays water, etc., in a shower-like manner toward the upper front portion of the longitudinally extending portion of the exhaust duct.

[0005] In the above-mentioned washing and drying machine, the part directly contacting the water discharged in the spraying manner is cleaned, but if the water force is strong, the water jumps and leaves the exhaust duct due to the water force, and other parts may not be completely cleaned.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine capable of cleaning the entire exhaust duct.

[0007] A washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a washing tub for storing laundry, a circulating air passage for supplying air into the washing tub, a filtering device for capturing foreign matter contained in the air flowing in the circulating air passage, and an exhaust duct connecting an exhaust port formed in the washing tub and the filtering device, wherein a water outlet portion for spraying water is provided on the inner side of the exhaust duct, the water outlet portion having blades provided facing the water outlet for spraying water, the blades receiving water sprayed from the water outlet so as to diffuse the water along the inner wall of the exhaust duct.

[0008] In the washing machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the exhaust duct may be formed in a shape extending upward from the exhaust port and then bending toward the filter device, and the water outlet portion may be attached to the uppermost portion of the exhaust duct.

[0009] In the washing machine according to one aspect of the present invention, a flat surface having a part of a cross section in a straight line or a gentle arc shape may be provided at the curved portion of the exhaust duct, and the blade may guide the water from the water outlet to the flat surface.

[0010] In the washing machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the water outlet portion may be mounted on a mounting portion that bulges outward from an inner wall of the exhaust duct, and only the blades may be exposed inside the exhaust duct.

[0011] In the washing machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the blade may be configured such that the blade extends at an angle with the front end thereof being downward relative to the central axis of the water outlet rather than being perpendicular.

[0012] In the washing machine according to one aspect of the present invention, the front end portion of the blade may face a portion of the inner wall of the exhaust duct at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 30 degrees.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the ejected water is allowed to contact the blades, thereby being spread over a wide range and cleaning the entire exhaust duct. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the exhaust duct viewed from obliquely above. Figure 3 It is a side view showing the exhaust duct viewed from the flat surface side. Figure 4 It is a top view showing the exhaust duct viewed from above. Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the water outlet portion viewed obliquely from below. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A side view of the water outlet is shown. Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section near the water outlet of the water outlet portion. Figure 8 Yes means Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the main parts along the section of arrow AA. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, a washing machine having both a washing function and a drying function is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention can also be applied to a drying machine having only a drying function.

[0016] Figure 1 Schematic diagram showing the structure of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 In the figure, only the structure related to the drying function of the washing machine 10 is shown, and the structure related to the washing function is omitted.

[0017] The washing machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a drum-type washing and drying machine, and a door 120 covering an opening of a front surface is provided on a main body 100, and a washing tub 110 having a rotating drum 111 provided inside is leaked out by opening the door 120. When the door 120 is closed, the inside is sealed liquid-tightly, so that water in the washing tub 110 does not leak.

[0018] Washing machine 10 performs a drying operation by supplying dry air to washing tub 110 after washing and dehydrating the clothes put into washing tub 110 (rotating drum 111). That is, when washing machine 10 functions as a dryer, washing tub 110 becomes a storage tub for storing clothes.

[0019] The washing machine 10 includes a dry air generator 130, a blower fan 140, and a filter 150 as components for a drying operation. In addition, the washing machine 10 is provided with a circulation air path 160 connected in the order of the washing tub 110, the filter 150, the dry air generator 130, and the blower fan 140, and air flows through each part through the circulation air path 160. An exhaust duct 20 is connected between an exhaust port formed in the washing tub 110 and the filter 150. In addition, in the circulation air path 160, the washing tub 110 is connected after the blower fan 140, and air circulates along the circulation air path 160.

[0020] The filter device 150 is equipped with a cotton filter to capture cotton (thread scraps) generated from clothes during the drying operation. The dry air generating unit 130 converts the humid air sent from the washing tub 110 through the filter device 150 into dry air. Specifically, in the dry air generating unit 130, the evaporator 131 and the condenser 132 in the heat pump (refrigeration cycle) are arranged in sequence from the upstream side of the air flow direction. The evaporator 131 dehumidifies the humid air (condensation of moisture in the air), and the condenser 132 heats the dehumidified air to make it dry air. In addition, the washing machine 10 has other components of the heat pump (compressor, expansion valve, etc.), but Figure 1 These components are omitted in the figure. The air supply fan 140 generates a flow of air in the circulation air path 160. In addition, the dry air generating unit 130 is not limited to a heat pump, and may be a structure composed of a dehumidifier and a heater, for example.

[0021] Figure 2is a perspective view showing the exhaust duct viewed from obliquely above. Figure 3 is a side view showing the exhaust duct viewed from the flat surface side. Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a top view showing the exhaust duct viewed from above. Figures 2 to 4 , components including a portion of the exhaust duct 20 are extracted from the washing machine 10 for illustration.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the filter device 150 is arranged above the washing tub 110 and near the back of the washing machine 10. Therefore, the exhaust duct 20 is formed in a shape that extends upward from the exhaust port (washing tub 110) and then bends toward the filter device 150. In the exhaust duct 20, a portion such as the connection portion (filter side connection portion 22) with the filter device 150 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, but a flat surface 23 is provided at the curved portion on the outer peripheral side, which makes a portion of the cross section straight or arc-shaped with a curvature radius larger than the curvature radius of the curved portion. In other words, in the exhaust duct 20, by providing the flat surface 23, the expansion of the corner on the outer peripheral side of the curved portion is suppressed, and the corner is cut off obliquely. Moreover, the cross section of the curved portion is formed in a circular shape with a portion of the outer periphery cut off, and the portion corresponding to the chord of the arc becomes the flat surface 23. In addition, in the exhaust duct 20, the connection portion (washing tub side connection portion 21) with the washing tub 110 is in an accordion shape, and expands and contracts when the washing tub 110 swings.

[0023] A water outlet 30 for spraying water toward the inside of the exhaust duct 20 is provided at the uppermost portion of the exhaust duct 20. Specifically, a mounting portion 24 that bulges outward from the inner wall is provided in the exhaust duct 20, and the water outlet 30 is inserted into the mounting portion 24. In addition, a water supply source (not shown) is connected to the water outlet 30, and water for spraying is appropriately supplied. The mounting portion 24 is provided near the upper end of the flat surface 23 near the filter side connection portion 22.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional diagram showing the water outlet viewed from obliquely below. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The side view of the water outlet is shown. Figure 7 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section near the water outlet of the water outlet. Figure 5 to Figure 7 In the figure, a portion of the water outlet 30 installed in the exhaust duct 20 is extracted and shown, and the connection portion with the water supply source and the like are omitted.

[0025] The water outlet 30 includes a cylindrical nozzle member 31 and a blade member 32 attached to the front end of the nozzle member 31. In the present embodiment, the nozzle member 31 and the blade member 32 are separate members, but the present invention is not limited thereto and the two may be formed integrally.

[0026] A water outlet 31a for spraying water is provided at the lower front end of the nozzle member 31. The blade member 32 has a blade 32a disposed facing the water outlet 31a. The blade 32a is formed in a flat plate shape, slightly away from the water outlet 31a and covers the lower part, and is formed to be slightly larger than the water outlet 31a. A cylindrical extension 31b extending toward the blade 32a is provided at the water outlet 31a. In other words, in the nozzle member 31, the water outlet 31a is formed via the extension 31b slightly extending from the hole, rather than being provided with only a hole on the circumferential surface.

[0027] The blade 32a extends at an angle downward relative to the central axis of the water outlet 31a. Figure 7 As shown, the water ejected from the water outlet 31a is in a slightly inclined direction ( Figure 7 The arrow SR1) contacts the blade 32a, and a portion of the water flows along the blade 32a toward the front end side of the blade 32a ( Figure 7 The arrow SR2) changes direction, and the remaining water flows to the side of the blade 32a (at Figure 7 In this way, by slightly tilting the blade 32a relative to the water outlet 31a, water can be widely diffused toward the tilted side. In addition, no matter how the direction of water is changed in the water outlet 30, the flow deviation of water toward the blade 32a can be suppressed by providing the extension part 31b.

[0028] Figure 8 Yes means Figure 4 A sectional view of the main parts along the section of arrow AA.

[0029] As described above, the blade 32a is inclined so that the distance from the water outlet 31a becomes wider as it moves toward the front end. Moreover, when the water outlet 30 is mounted on the mounting portion 24, the root side of the blade 32a faces the filter side connection portion 22, and the front end side faces the washing tank side connection portion 21. In other words, the front end side of the blade 32a faces the flat surface 23, and more preferably faces the upper part of the flat surface 23. Figure 8 As shown, the blade 32a receives the water sprayed from the water outlet 31a, so that the water spreads along the inner wall of the exhaust pipe 20 ( Figure 8 The water reaching the blade 32 a is guided to the flat surface 23 .

[0030] In this way, by making the ejected water hit the blade 32a, the water can be spread over a wide range, and the exhaust duct 20 can be cleaned as a whole. In addition, if the water is discharged directly to the inner wall of the exhaust duct 20, the way the water spreads will change due to the momentum, and the water will be dispersed or uneven at the contacted part. However, since the water is sprayed along the inner wall while contacting the blade 32a and spreading over a wide angle to the inner wall of the exhaust duct 20, the influence of water pressure and the like can be suppressed, and a stable range can be cleaned. In addition, by guiding the water to the flat surface 23, the water will not be locally deviated, but will be spread as a whole, so that the water can flow along the inner wall to the deepest part. In addition, by making the water flow from the uppermost part of the exhaust duct 20, the inner wall of the exhaust duct 20 can be effectively cleaned. The front end of the blade 32a is opposite to a part of the flat surface 23, preferably a part near the uppermost part, and the relative angle between them is preferably greater than 0 degrees and less than 30 degrees. Thus, the water ejected from the blade 32 a can reliably contact the flat surface 23 , and the water can be transmitted on the flat surface 23 while suppressing splashing of the water on the flat surface 23 .

[0031] The water passing along the inner wall of the exhaust duct 20 is discharged into the washing tub 110 together with the washed cotton thread and the like. The washing tub 110 is connected to a drainage path (not shown), and the cotton thread and the like are collected by a filter provided in the drainage path.

[0032] In the water outlet 30 mounted on the mounting portion 24, only the blade 32a is exposed to the inside of the exhaust duct 20. According to this structure, since the water outlet 30 is hidden in the mounting portion 24, it is possible to avoid being an obstacle to the air, and only the sprayed water can effectively hit the inner wall of the exhaust duct 20. In addition, since the blade 32a covers the water outlet 31a, it is possible to prevent cotton thread from adhering to the water outlet 31a and causing clogging.

[0033] In addition, the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all aspects and are not the basis for restrictive interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted only by the above-mentioned embodiments, but is defined based on the records of the claims. In addition, all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Claims

1. A washing machine, characterized in that: have: a washing tank, which receives washing; A circulating air passage, which supplies air into the washing tub; a filter device for collecting foreign matter contained in the air flowing in the circulating air passage; and an exhaust duct connecting the exhaust port formed in the washing tank and the filtering device, A water outlet for spraying water is provided on the inner side of the exhaust pipe. The water outlet has blades arranged facing the water outlet for spraying water. The blades receive the water sprayed from the water outlet and spread the water along the inner wall of the exhaust duct.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The exhaust duct is formed in a shape extending upward from the exhaust port and then bending toward the filter device, and the water outlet is installed at the uppermost portion of the exhaust duct.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: A flat surface having a part of a cross section in a straight line or a gentle arc shape is provided at the curved portion of the exhaust duct, and the blade guides the water from the water outlet portion to the flat surface.

4. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water outlet portion is mounted on a mounting portion that bulges outward from an inner wall of the exhaust duct, and only the blades are exposed inside the exhaust duct.

5. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The blades extend at an angle with their front ends being lower than vertical relative to the central axis of the water outlet.

6. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front end portion of the blade faces a portion of the inner wall of the exhaust duct, and the angle of the facing each other is set to be greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 30 degrees.

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