Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of capturing lint efficiently within a wide range of a filter.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a filter case 21 in which an inflow port 213 where water flows in and an outflow port 215 where water flows out are formed; and a lint filter 30 detachably stored in the filter case 21. In the lint filter 30, a bottom surface capturing part 33a for capturing foreign substances contained in water is provided at a filter bottom plate 33, and at an end part of the filter bottom plate 33, a curve part 33d is provided which is curved so as to go upward from the center toward the end part. When the lint filter 30 is mounted on the filter case 21, the inflow port 213 is positioned above the curve part 33d.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a washing machine using a filter. [Background technology]

[0002] Drum-type washing machines are provided with a drainage channel that drains the wash water outside the washing tub. They are also provided with a circulation channel that returns the drained wash water to the washing tub, and during washing, the wash water is circulated through the circulation channel. The drainage channel is provided with a filter that collects debris such as lint that is generated during washing. When such a washing machine is used repeatedly and debris accumulates in the filter, the fluidity of the wash water decreases, causing problems such as a deterioration in washing performance and a long time required for draining. In response to this, a washing machine that can detect the clogged state of the filter has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-149615 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A conventional washing machine is equipped with a lint capture device that captures lint from water drained from the washing tub to the outside of the machine, and the lint capture device includes a hollow filter case connected in communication with the drainage path, and a filter device attached to the filter case so as to be detachable from the outside of the machine. The filter device includes a cap member that is watertightly attached to the filter case and detachable from the outside of the machine, and a lint capture filter that is connected to the rear of the cap member and disposed at a predetermined position in the water flow path of the filter case. The filter is supported so as to be movable from a predetermined position under the flow resistance that increases as lint is captured, and has a detection means that detects the movement and displacement of the filter.

[0005] In conventional washing machines, the filter device detects clogging of the filter and notifies the user, but no consideration is given to efficiently trapping lint and preventing clogging.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a washing machine that can efficiently capture lint over a wide range of the filter by controlling the water flow to the filter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The washing machine disclosed herein is a washing machine comprising a filter case having an inlet through which water flows in and an outlet through which water flows out, and a filter that is removably housed in the filter case, wherein the filter has a collecting section on a filter bottom plate that collects foreign matter contained in the water, and a curved section is provided at the end of the filter bottom plate that curves upward as it moves from the center to the end, and when the filter is attached to the filter case, the inlet is located above the curved section.

[0008] In the washing machine according to the present disclosure, the outlet may be provided at a position facing an end of the filter bottom plate opposite the curved portion.

[0009] In the washing machine according to the present disclosure, the collection section may be formed by an opening through which water passes from one side of the filter bottom plate to the other side, and a support section that separates the opening, and the support section may be configured to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the water flow direction from the inlet to the outlet.

[0010] In the washing machine according to the present disclosure, the collection portion may be provided in a portion other than a portion directly below the inlet when the filter is attached to the filter case. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present disclosure, by directing the water flow from the inlet against the curved portion, it is possible to reduce the energy loss of the water flow and generate a strong water flow that smoothly changes direction along the curved portion. Then, the centrifugal force of the water flow generated on the curved surface pushes foreign matter toward the bottom plate of the filter, allowing the foreign matter to be efficiently captured. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the filter unit as viewed obliquely from above and from the front. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the filter unit as viewed obliquely from above and rearward. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a lint filter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a side view of the lint filter as viewed from the first filter side plate side. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a side view of the lint filter as viewed from the second filter side plate side. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a side view of the lint filter as viewed from the side of the filter rear end plate. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a filter case in which a lint filter is attached. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Washing machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is a drum type washing machine, and is configured to include a main body 100 and a door 120. Inside main body 100, washing tub 110 equipped with a rotating drum 111 is provided. Washing tub 110 has an opening on the front side of main body 100, and when door 120 is closed, the inside is liquid-tightly sealed.

[0016] The filter unit 20 is connected to the washing tub 110 via the first pipe 131 and the second pipe 132. In addition, a circulation pump 140 is provided in the middle of the second pipe 132. That is, a circulation path constituted by the first pipe 131, the second pipe 132, the filter unit 20, and the circulation pump 140 is provided outside the washing tub 110, and washing water is circulated between the washing tub 110 and the circulation path during washing. Specifically, the washing water is sent from the washing tub 110 to the filter unit 20 by the first pipe 131, and is returned from the filter unit 20 to the washing tub 110 by the second pipe 132. At this time, garbage such as lint generated during washing is collected by a filter in the filter unit 20, and the washing water from which the garbage has been removed is returned to the washing tub 110. In FIG. 1, the second pipe 132 is connected to the back side of the washing tub 110, but the connection point of the second pipe 132 to the washing tub 110 is not particularly limited.

[0017] Filter unit 20 is also connected to third pipe 133 for drainage, and third pipe 133 is provided with stop valve 151. During washing, wash water can be circulated by closing stop valve 151 on the third pipe 133 side and operating circulation pump 140 on the second pipe 132 side. During drainage, water can be drained from washing tub 110 by stopping circulation pump 140 and opening stop valve 151. Since the drained wash water also passes through filter unit 20, debris such as lint in the wash water is collected by the filter in filter unit 20, and the wash water from which the debris has been removed is drained.

[0018] Next, a specific configuration of the filter unit 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0019] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the filter unit as viewed obliquely from above the front, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the filter unit as viewed obliquely from above the rear.

[0020] The filter unit 20 is composed of a filter case 21, a lint filter 30 (an example of a filter), and a knob member 22. The filter case 21 is a cylindrical case member with a bottom, and is adapted to house the lint filter 30 therein. The filter case 21 is arranged in the washing machine 10 such that the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion faces the front-rear direction. In the following description, the orientation of the filter unit 20 refers to the orientation in which it is arranged in the washing machine 10, with the front corresponding to the front side of the washing machine 10 and the rear corresponding to the rear side of the washing machine 10.

[0021] An insertion port 211 for inserting the lint filter 30 is provided on the front side of the filter case 21, and the lint filter 30 can be attached to and detached from the filter case 21 through the insertion port 211. The lint filter 30 is attached to and detached from the filter case 21 while attached to the knob member 22. At this time, the lint filter 30 is attached to the knob member 22 by inserting the front end of the lint filter 30 into the rear end of the knob member 22. In addition, a locked portion 221 is formed on the knob member 22, and a locking portion 212 is formed on the insertion port 211 of the filter case 21. When the lint filter 30 is attached to and detached from the filter case 21, the locked portion 221 and the locking portion 212 are locked to and unlocked from each other by rotating the knob member 22.

[0022] An inlet 213 is formed on the front side of the cylindrical portion of the filter case 21, and an overflow port 214 and an outlet 215 are formed on the rear side of the cylindrical portion. The inlet 213 is provided above the filter case 21 at the front end of the longitudinal axis, and is connected to the first pipe 131. The overflow port 214 is provided above the filter case 21. The outlet 215 is provided below the filter case 21 at the rear end of the longitudinal axis, and is connected to the second pipe 132 and the third pipe 133. It is determined whether the drainage from the outlet 215 is supplied to the second pipe 132 or the third pipe 133 by opening and closing the stop valve 151.

[0023] The lint filter 30 in the filter case 21 is arranged between the inlet 213 and the outlet 215. This allows the lint filter 30 to perform a filtering function on the wash water flowing from the inlet 213 to the outlet 215 in the filter case 21. The overflow outlet 214 is provided to drain excess water supplied to the filter unit 20 in the event of an abnormal operation, and is designed not to drain water from the overflow outlet 214 during normal operation.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a lint filter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] 4, the lint filter 30 is composed of a base 31 inserted into the knob member 22, and a filter section 32 extending rearward from the base 31. The filter section 32 is generally rectangular and open at the top, and includes a filter bottom plate 33, a first filter side plate 34, a second filter side plate 35, and a filter rear end plate 36. For the sake of explanation below, the direction along the longitudinal side edge of the filter bottom plate 33 will be simply referred to as the longitudinal direction X, the direction along the lateral side edge of the filter bottom plate 33 will be referred to as the width direction Y, and the direction perpendicular to the filter bottom plate 33 will be referred to as the height direction Z.

[0026] The first filter side plate 34 extends upward from one of the end edges extending in the longitudinal direction X of the filter bottom plate 33. The second filter side plate 35 extends upward from the other end edge extending in the longitudinal direction X of the filter bottom plate 33. In other words, the first filter side plate 34 and the second filter side plate 35 extend in the longitudinal direction X so as to face each other in the width direction Y. The filter rear end plate 36 is an end edge extending in the short direction (width direction Y) of the filter bottom plate 33, and is erected from the rear end edge opposite the base 31.

[0027] As described above, the base 31, the filter bottom plate 33, the first filter side plate 34, the second filter side plate 35, and the filter rear end plate 36 are arranged to surround the bottom and sides of the filter section 32 while leaving the top open, and act as a container for temporarily storing water. For the sake of explanation below, the portion of the lint filter 30 surrounded by the base 31, the filter bottom plate 33, the first filter side plate 34, the second filter side plate 35, and the filter rear end plate 36 may be referred to as the inside of the filter section 32, and the portion facing the side opposite the inside of the filter section 32 with respect to the filter bottom plate 33, the first filter side plate 34, the second filter side plate 35, and the filter rear end plate 36 may be referred to as the outside of the filter section 32.

[0028] Next, the detailed structure of each part of the lint filter 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0029] Figure 5 is a top view of the lint filter, Figure 6 is a side view of the lint filter seen from the first filter side plate side, Figure 7 is a side view of the lint filter seen from the second filter side plate side, and Figure 8 is a side view of the lint filter seen from the filter rear end plate side.

[0030] The filter bottom plate 33, the second filter side plate 35 and the filter rear end plate 36 are provided with collection sections (bottom collection section 33a, side collection section 35a and rear end collection section 36a) that allow water to pass from one surface (the surface facing the inside of filter section 32, hereinafter abbreviated to the inside surface) to the other surface (the surface facing the outside of filter section 32, hereinafter abbreviated to the outside surface), and as water passes through the collection sections, debris such as lint contained in the water is caught in the collection sections.

[0031] Specifically, the filter bottom plate 33 is provided with a bottom collection section 33a formed by a bottom opening 33c opened to allow water to pass through and a bottom support section 33b that separates the bottom opening 33c. The second filter side plate 35 is provided with a side collection section 35a formed by a side opening 35c opened to allow water to pass through and a side support section 35b that separates the side opening 35c. The filter rear end plate 36 is provided with a rear end collection section 36a formed by an opening through which water passes and a support that separates the opening.

[0032] In the following, the detailed structure of these collection parts will be described, but in the collection parts of the present disclosure, the shapes of the openings and the supports and the ratios of each part are not limited and may be changed as appropriate, as long as a part that allows water to pass through and a part that blocks and traps water and debris are provided. For example, the collection part may be in the form of a mesh in which a plurality of small holes are arranged in a row, supports may be arranged in a lattice shape so that rectangular openings are arranged in a row, or a plurality of openings may be arranged irregularly. The shape of the collection part may be appropriately adjusted depending on the position where it is provided, taking into consideration whether cleaning ability or collection ability should be emphasized.

[0033] In the bottom collection portion 33a, the bottom openings 33c are elongated holes extending along the width direction Y, and a plurality of them are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction X. The bottom support portions 33b are arranged along the width direction Y from the vicinity of the first filter side plate 34 to the vicinity of the second filter side plate 35, and a plurality of them are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction X. That is, the bottom openings 33c and the bottom support portions 33b are arranged alternately along the longitudinal direction X. The bottom collection portion 33a is provided on the filter bottom plate 33, close to the filter rear end plate 36.

[0034] In the side collection portion 35a, the side opening 35c extends to the upper end of the second filter side plate 35. That is, the side opening 35c is formed by cutting out the second filter side plate 35 from the upper end toward the bottom. The side collection portion 35a is provided on the second filter side plate 35, close to the filter rear end plate 36 side. The side collection portion 35a is disposed slightly spaced from the filter bottom plate 33, and the lower end is provided at a position slightly higher than the filter bottom plate 33.

[0035] In the rear end collection section 36a, an opening is formed by cutting downward from the upper end of the filter rear end plate 36, and the opening is partitioned by a support pillar erected from the filter bottom plate 33. Also, in the rear end collection section 36a, a beam is provided extending along the width direction Y, and the intersecting support pillar and beam further partition the opening.

[0036] A lower contact portion 33f that protrudes downward from the surrounding area is provided on the lower surface (outer surface) of the filter bottom plate 33. When the lint filter 30 is attached to the filter case 21, the lower contact portion 33f contacts the inner surface of the filter case 21. The relationship between the lower contact portion 33f and the filter case 21 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0037] The first filter side plate 34 is a side wall portion that covers the entire filter portion 32 from the lower end to the upper end without providing any openings. In other words, water that enters the inside of the filter portion 32 does not pass through the first filter side plate 34, and so flows toward a collection portion provided in another portion. The outlet 215 of the filter case 21 is preferably formed at a position facing the outside of the first filter side plate 34 (see FIG. 2). This makes it possible to eliminate short-circuiting of the water flow by interposing the first filter side plate 34 between the inlet 213 and the outlet 215, and to prevent the water flow from concentrating at a specific location on the filter.

[0038] An outwardly protruding rib 34a is provided at the upper end of the first filter side plate 34. When the lint filter 30 is attached to the filter case 21, the rib 34a abuts against the inner surface of the filter case 21. By providing the rib 34a in this manner to fill the gap between the side wall (first filter side plate 34) and the filter case 21, it is possible to block lint that gets in through the gap between the side wall and the filter case 21.

[0039] The filter bottom plate 33 is provided with a curved portion 33d in addition to the bottom surface collection portion 33a described above. The curved portion 33d is curved upward toward the base portion 31 (the upper end in FIG. 6) (see FIG. 9 for details). That is, the upper surface of the curved portion 33d is higher near the base portion 31 and gradually lowers toward the filter rear end plate 36 along the longitudinal direction X. By providing the curved portion 33d, the direction of the water flow can be smoothly changed along the curved portion 33d, and the water flow can be prevented from stagnating in the lint filter 30, improving the lint collection performance. The water flow flowing into the lint filter 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 9, which will be described later.

[0040] The curved portion 33d is connected to the bottom collection portion 33a at an end portion where there is no inclination with the filter bottom plate 33. In other words, when looking at the positional relationship of the filter bottom plate 33 in the longitudinal direction X, the curved portion 33d and the bottom collection portion 33a are lined up in that order from the base 31 side toward the filter rear end plate 36 side.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a filter case in which a lint filter is attached.

[0042] The bottom support portion 33b is in the shape of a wide, generally flat plate, and extends in a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction X. Specifically, the bottom support portion 33b is inclined so that the side of the base 31 (the right side in FIG. 9) is located upward and the side of the filter rear end plate 36 (the left side in FIG. 9) is located downward. The multiple bottom support portions 33b are arranged at approximately the same position in the height direction Z, with a predetermined interval between them in the longitudinal direction X. The bottom openings 33c located between the bottom support portions 33b are inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction X along the bottom support portions 33b, and the positions of the openings in the longitudinal direction X differ between the inner surface (the upper surface of the filter bottom plate 33) and the outer surface (the lower surface of the filter bottom plate 33).

[0043] The extended bottom support parts 33b are arranged in a slanted state, and the ends of adjacent bottom support parts 33b overlap with each other with their positions shifted in the height direction Z. As a result, when the filter bottom plate 33 is viewed from above, the bottom opening 33c appears to be covered by the bottom support parts 33b.

[0044] Filter case 21 is attached to washing machine 10 so that the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical portion is inclined when washing machine 10 is placed on a horizontal plane (hereinafter referred to as a reference plane). Specifically, filter case 21 has a cylindrical portion inclined so that the front end side (insertion port 211 side) of the longitudinal axis is located upward and the rear end side (outlet port 215 side) of the longitudinal axis is located downward. Accordingly, the cylindrical portion of filter case 21 is attached to washing machine 10 with the bottom surface (case bottom surface 216) inclined.

[0045] When the lint filter 30 is attached to the filter case 21, the filter bottom plate 33 is inclined with respect to the washing machine 10, similar to the filter case 21. Specifically, the filter bottom plate 33 is inclined so that the side of the base 31 is located upward and the side of the filter rear end plate 36 is located downward.

[0046] The lower contact portion 33f contacts the case bottom surface 216 (the inner surface of the filter case). Since the lower contact portion 33f protruding from the filter bottom plate 33 contacts the case bottom surface 216, the lint filter 30 is attached to the filter case 21 in a state in which the filter bottom plate 33 is spaced from the case bottom surface 216. As a result, in a state in which the lint filter 30 is attached to the filter case 21, a space is formed between the lower surface of the filter bottom plate 33 and the case bottom surface 216, through which water flowing out from the outlet 215 passes.

[0047] In a state where the lint filter 30 is attached to the filter case 21, the inlet 213 is located above the curved portion 33d, and the outlet 215 is located near the filter rear end plate 36. That is, the outlet 215 is provided at a position facing the end of the filter bottom plate 33 opposite to the curved portion 33d. Therefore, the water flowing into the filter part 32 from the inlet 213 flows with force, but does not directly flow toward the bottom surface collection part 33a, but hits the curved portion 33d as shown by arrow F1, and smoothly changes direction as shown by arrow F2, and the water flow flows toward the bottom surface collection part 33a. In this way, by hitting the curved portion 33d with the water flow from the inlet 213, the generation of turbulence can be reduced, and a strong laminar flow that smoothly changes direction along the curved portion 33d can be generated. Then, the centrifugal force of the water flow generated on the curved surface draws foreign matter toward the filter bottom plate 33, and the foreign matter can be efficiently collected.

[0048] The water flow that changes direction at the curved portion 33d flows along the filter bottom plate 33 toward the outlet 215, and when passing over the bottom collection portion 33a, a part of the water flows through the bottom opening 33c and passes outside the filter portion 32. At this time, by providing the bottom support portion 33b inclined with respect to the direction of the water flow, foreign matter that is subjected to stress toward the rear and outside by centrifugal force moves toward the front end of the bottom support portion 33b from the front, and the foreign matter is easily caught by the bottom support portion 33b and collected. In addition, since the multiple bottom support portions 33b are arranged at approximately the same position in the height direction Z, they are unlikely to obstruct the water flow from the inlet 213 to the outlet 215, and the foreign matter contained in the water can be efficiently caught while smoothly passing through by suppressing the generation of turbulence.

[0049] However, if the outlet 215 is close to the inlet 213, a strong water flow will flow toward the vicinity of the outlet 215, causing a bias, and the collection performance will deteriorate. However, in this embodiment, in the direction of the water flow flowing inside the filter unit 32, the inlet 213 is provided on the upstream side, and the outlet 215 is provided on the downstream side, and the distance between the two is arranged as far as possible, so that the bottom collection unit 33a over a wide range can function efficiently. The water flow that flows along the filter bottom plate 33 while being drawn toward the filter bottom plate 33 passes through the bottom opening 33c and then moves toward the outlet 215. That is, the water flow is dispersed at the multiple bottom openings 33c and passes through. Therefore, as shown by arrows F3, F4, and F5, there is no extreme difference in the momentum of the water flow passing through the bottom collection unit 33a between the upstream side and the downstream side. Therefore, even if foreign matter is collected intensively on the upstream side (point indicated by arrow F3) of bottom collection section 33a and the water flow is difficult to pass through the nearby bottom opening 33c, the foreign matter can be collected on the downstream side (point indicated by arrows F4 and F5) because a strong water flow is formed along the filter bottom plate 33. At this time, the area of ​​bottom collection section 33a where the water flow is difficult to pass through essentially acts as an extension of curved section 33d, and there is little risk of turbulence being generated. In the configuration of the conventional technology, the filter surface on which foreign matter is collected can obstruct the water flow, causing turbulence and resulting in the foreign matter being discharged outside the filter without being collected on other filter surfaces. However, in this embodiment, it is possible to collect foreign matter on a wide range of bottom collection section 33a.

[0050] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to provide a basis for a restrictive interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but is defined based on the claims. In addition, the present disclosure includes all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10. Washing Machine 20 Filter unit 21 Filter case 213 Inlet 215 Outlet 216 Case bottom 30 Lint filter (example of a filter) 31 Base 32 Filter section 33 Filter bottom plate 33a Bottom collection part 33b Bottom support section 33c Bottom opening 33d Curved section 33f Lower contact part 34 First filter side plate 34a Rib 35 Second filter side plate 35a Side collection part 35b Side support section 35c side opening 36 Filter rear end plate 36a Rear end collection section X Longitudinal direction Y Width direction Z height direction

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising a filter case having an inlet through which water flows in and an outlet through which water flows out, and a filter removably accommodated in the filter case, The filter has a collection section on a bottom plate thereof for collecting foreign matter contained in water, The end of the filter bottom plate is provided with a curved portion that is curved upward from the center toward the end, When the filter is attached to the filter case, the inlet is located above the curved portion. A washing machine characterized by:

2. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, The outlet is provided at a position facing the end of the filter bottom plate opposite to the curved portion. A washing machine characterized by:

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, The collection section is formed by an opening through which water passes from one surface of the filter bottom plate to the other surface, and a support section that separates the opening, The support portion extends in a direction inclined with respect to a water flow direction from the inlet to the outlet. A washing machine characterized by:

4. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, The collection portion is provided in a portion other than a portion directly below the inlet when the filter is attached to the filter case. A washing machine characterized by:

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