Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine having improved dewatering performance with reduced noise.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes a water tank disposed in a housing, a washing tub 12 rotatably disposed in the water tank, and having a drainage hole in the inner peripheral surface through which a liquid is discharged to the water tank, and a water-permeable material 21 disposed to cover at least a part of the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub 12, and having water permeability.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine having a washing tub. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a technique for improving dewatering performance by providing a container (dewatering bucket) having drainage holes in a dewatering tub (for example, reference 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Publication No. 61-067691 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned washing machine, when the dewatering bucket is rotated in the dewatering tub, the dewatering bucket may become eccentric or deform due to centrifugal force, causing it to collide with the dewatering tub, resulting in noise. The present invention provides a washing machine capable of improving the spin-drying performance while reducing noise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The washing machine of the present invention comprises a water tub arranged within a housing, a washing tub rotatably arranged within the water tub and having a dehydration hole on its inner surface for discharging liquid into the water tub, and a water-permeable material arranged to cover at least a portion of the inner surface of the washing tub and having water permeability. The water-permeable material according to the present invention is placed in a washing tub of a washing machine. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the above configuration, it is possible to improve the dewatering performance while reducing noise. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] This is a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction as viewed from the right side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the front-rear direction as viewed from the front side. [Figure 4] This is a photograph of the washing machine drum (without water-permeable material) with the door open. [Diagram 5] This is a photograph of the lifter of a washing machine drum (which does not have a water-permeable material). [Figure 6] This is a photograph showing a water-permeable material placed in a washing machine tub. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the attachment attached to the washing tub. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the attachment attached to the washing tub. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the function of a water-permeable material. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a modified attachment attached to a washing tub.

[0008] <Embodiment> The first embodiment of the washing machine includes a water tub arranged in a housing, a washing tub rotatably arranged in the water tub and having dehydration holes on its inner circumferential surface for discharging liquid into the water tub, and a water-permeable material arranged to cover at least a part of the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub and having water permeability. This reduces the contact area between the laundry and the inner surface of the washing tub, making it difficult for liquid that accumulates between the dehydration holes of the washing tub to come into contact with the laundry, thereby improving the dehydration performance. In addition, the water-permeable material is simply arranged on the inner surface of the washing tub, and can be easily implemented while suppressing noise. In the second embodiment of the washing machine, in the first washing machine, the water-permeable material has a water-permeable layer, which can increase the water permeability. A third embodiment of the washing machine is the first or second washing machine, in which the water-permeable material has a three-dimensional mesh structure or lattice structure, thereby improving water permeability. In a fourth embodiment of the washing machine, in the first to third washing machines, the water-permeable member is made of a water-absorbent material, which can absorb liquid in the laundry and improve the spin-drying performance.

[0009] In the fifth embodiment, the washing machine is configured as any one of the first to fourth washing machines, such that a plurality of protrusions having the spin-drain holes are provided at intervals in the rotation direction of the washing tub on the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub, and the water-permeable material is engaged with the spin-drain holes of each of the plurality of protrusions by a fastener, thereby making it easy to provide the water-permeable material in the washing tub. In a sixth embodiment of the washing machine, in the fifth embodiment, a first fastener of the frame is fastened to a spin hole of a first protrusion of the plurality of protrusions while a second fastener of the frame is fastened to a spin hole of a second protrusion of the plurality of protrusions with a frame inserted through the water-permeable material, thereby making it possible to easily provide the water-permeable material in the washing tub. In the seventh embodiment, the washing machine is the fifth washing machine, and in a state in which the water-permeable material is covered from the inside with a covering member, a first fastener of the covering member is engaged with a spin-drain hole of a first protrusion among the plurality of protrusions, and a second fastener of the covering member is engaged with a spin-drain hole of a second protrusion among the plurality of protrusions, thereby making it possible to easily provide the water-permeable material in the washing tub.

[0010] 1. Overview The schematic structure of a washing machine X according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. The washing machine X has at least a washing function and a spin-drying function, and further has a drying function here. Washing machine X includes at least water tub 11 disposed in housing 10, and washing tub 12 rotatably disposed within water tub 11 and having dewatering holes on its inner circumferential surface for discharging liquid into water tub 11. Washing machine X is a so-called drum type (horizontal type) in which the central axis (rotation axis) of washing tub 12 is disposed horizontally. Note that in FIG. 2, the dewatering holes on the circumferential surface of washing tub 12 are not shown. Here, the direction in which the central axis of washing tub 12 extends is defined as the front-rear direction, the side where door 13 for loading and unloading laundry is present is defined as the front side, and the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and front-rear direction is defined as the left-right direction. Note that right and left are based on the state in which washing machine X is viewed facing door 13. Note that the central axis of washing tub 12 is not limited to being horizontal, and may be inclined downward from the front side to the rear side.

[0011] Specifically, washing machine X is provided with: water tub 11 for storing wash water etc.; washing tub 12 provided inside water tub 11 and housing laundry such as clothes; door 13 for opening and closing the opening of water tub 11; a motor (driving means) for rotating washing tub 12; a drying unit 14 for drying the laundry; a water supply unit 15 for supplying water to water tub 11; an operation unit 16 for operating washing and drying operations etc.; a control unit 17 for operating washing and drying operations etc.; a drainage unit 18 for draining water tub 11; 6, the washing machine X includes a water-permeable material 21 provided so as to cover at least a part of the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub 12. Note that the water-permeable material 21 is not shown in FIGS.

[0012] 2. Washing tub As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, washing tub 12 includes washing tub body 121 and a plurality of lifters 123 (e.g., three lifters) provided on the inner circumferential surface of washing tub body 121 at intervals in the rotational direction (circumferential direction). The lifter 123 is a protrusion that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface toward the central axis and extends along the extension direction of the central axis. 5, a plurality of dewatering holes 121a are provided on the inner circumferential surface of washing tub body 121. Lifter 123 is also provided with a plurality of dewatering holes 123a. The dewatering holes 123a of the lifter 123 also function as attachment parts (locking holes) for removably attaching the water-permeable material 21.

[0013] 3.Water-permeable material The water-permeable material 21 has water permeability. The water-permeable material 21 has a structure that allows liquid to pass from at least one of two opposing main surfaces to the other main surface. Note that the water-permeable material 21 may have a structure that allows liquid to pass from an end face to the other main surface in addition to the main surface on one side. One main surface of the water-permeable material 21 faces the laundry (clothing, etc.), and the other main surface faces the washing tub 12. The water-permeable material 21 may be disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub 12, or may be disposed in the washing tub 12 as a water-permeable device provided with, for example, a mounting fixture 23 or the like. When the water-permeable material 21 has a plate shape (flat shape), it may have a structure having one or more layers having water permeability. Specifically, the water-permeable material 21 has a three-dimensional mesh structure, a lattice structure, a porous structure, or a honeycomb structure.

[0014] The mesh structure is made of chemical fibers, natural fibers, metal fibers, or a combination of these. The mesh structure is not particularly limited. Examples of the mesh structure include a mesh cushion body (e.g., Airy (registered trademark)) made of continuous random loops of chemical fibers having rubber elasticity, a woven structure in which adjacent fibers are spaced apart, a nonwoven fabric body using fibers, and a foam net body made by extrusion foam molding. In addition, the weight of the water-permeable material 21 is preferably lighter in consideration of the load on the motor during rotation, and a mesh structure is preferable. The thickness of the water-permeable material 21 is preferably thinner in consideration of the volume of the washing tub 12 (the amount of laundry that can be put in), and a mesh structure is preferable. The water-permeable material 21 may have a multi-layer structure in which multiple mesh materials having a mesh structure are stacked on top of each other. In this case, it is preferable to stack the multiple mesh materials with a shift in the main surface direction so that the meshes do not overlap in the thickness direction.

[0015] The lattice structure has a structure in which a plurality of rod-shaped bodies made of metal, resin, etc., extending in a first direction are arranged at intervals in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Note that a plurality of rod-shaped bodies extending in the second direction may be arranged at intervals in the first direction and connected. From the viewpoint of weight reduction, resin is preferable. The first direction may be a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the washing tub 12, a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, or a direction intersecting the rotation axis. The porous structure may be a foam using resin, and an open-cell type is preferable. The water-permeable material 21 only needs to have water permeability, and may or may not have water absorbency. Examples of water-absorbent materials include sponges.

[0016] 4. Water passage device The water-permeable tool includes a water-permeable material 21 and attachments 23, 24 for attaching the water-permeable material 21 to the washing tub 12. By configuring the water-permeable material 21 to be detachably attached to the attachments 23, 24, the water-permeable material 21 can be dried (hanged out to dry) and can be used hygienically. As shown in FIG. 7, the mounting fixture 23 includes a frame 231 and locking devices 233A and 233B provided on the frame 231, and the locking devices 233A and 233B removably engage with locking devices 125A and 125B provided on the lifters 123A and 123B. Frame 231 is made of, for example, a metal wire (linear metal member), and for example, locking devices 233A and 233B may be attached to both ends of a single metal wire, or locking devices 233A and 233B may be attached to a frame formed of metal wire into a rectangular, square, lattice, or other shape. Frame 231 is not limited to a metal wire, and may be a plate (sheet) molded from resin. The first fastener 233A of the frame 231 engages with the first fastener 125A of the first lifter 123A, and the second fastener 233B engages with the second fastener 125B of the second lifter 123B. The fastener 125 on the lifter 123 side is attached by utilizing the dewatering hole 123a of the lifter 123.

[0017] 8, the mounting device 24 includes a frame 241 and locking devices 243A and 243B provided on the frame 241, and the locking devices 243A and 243B detachably engage with the dewatering holes 123a provided on the lifters 123A and 123B. The frame 241 is formed of, for example, a metal wire (linear metal member), and, for example, the locking devices 243A and 243B may be attached to both ends of a single metal wire, or the locking devices 243A and 243B may be attached to a frame formed of a metal wire in a rectangular, square, lattice, or other shape. The first fastener 243A of the frame 241 engages with the dewatering hole 123a of the first lifter 123A, and the second fastener 243B engages with the dewatering hole 123a of the second lifter 123B.

[0018] The frames 231, 232 of the mounting fixtures 23, 24 may be linear metal members each formed of an expandable coil body or an elastically deformable (expandable) linear rubber body. The metal wires of the frames 231, 241 of the fittings 23, 24 are inserted through the inside of the water-permeable material 21. This allows the water-permeable material 21 to be attached to the frames 231, 241 in a detachable (removable) manner.

[0019] 5.Use (1) When there is no water-permeable material FIG. 9(a) shows a spin-drying process in a state where the water-permeable material 21 is not placed in the washing tub 12, and liquid (water) in the clothes moves outward as shown by the arrows due to the rotation of the washing tub 12. Some of the liquid moving inside the clothes is discharged from the dewatering holes 121a to the outside of the washing tub 12, but some of the liquid remains inside the clothes in the portions located between the dewatering holes 121a of the washing tub 12, and is difficult to be discharged to the outside of the washing tub 12. This makes it difficult for liquid to be discharged to the outside of the washing tub 12 from the clothes stuck to the washing tub 12.

[0020] (2) When there is a water-permeable material FIG. 9(b) shows a spin-drying process in a state where the water-permeable material 21 is placed in the washing tub 12, and liquid (water) in the clothes moves outward as shown by the arrows due to the rotation of the washing tub 12. The liquid moving to the outside moves from the clothes to the water-permeable material 21 side, and the liquid inside the water-permeable material 21 moves to the outside due to the rotation of the washing tub 12. A portion of the liquid moving within the water-permeable material 21 is discharged to the outside of the washing tub 12 through the dewatering holes 121a, while a portion of the liquid remains inside the water-permeable material 21 in the portions located between the dewatering holes 121a of the washing tub 12, making it difficult for the liquid to be discharged to the outside of the washing tub 12. In this way, when the water-permeable material 21 is present, the centrifugal force causes the water in the clothes to move to the water-permeable material 21, and the amount of liquid in the clothes decreases. In other words, the dehydration rate of the clothes can be increased.

[0021] <Modification> Although the embodiments have been described, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and may be modified as follows, for example. In addition, the embodiments and the modified examples, or the modified examples may be combined with each other. Furthermore, the present invention also includes examples that are not described in the embodiments and modified examples, and design changes that do not deviate from the gist of the invention.

[0022] (1) The washing tub 12 may be a so-called vertical type, in which the central axis is disposed in the vertical direction. In the case of the vertical type, the attachments 23, 24, and 25 are detachably attached by utilizing the dewatering hole 121a of the washing tub 12. The washing machine X includes a washing tub 12 and a dehydration tub, and a water-permeable material 21 may be disposed in the dehydration tub. (2) Although the mounting fixtures 23, 24 (, 25) were made of metal wires, they may be formed, for example, of a resin frame and attached by sliding them from above into a groove portion extending in the vertical direction formed in the lifter 123, or by elastically deforming them. (3) Although mounting fixtures 23, 24 are adapted to be detachably attached utilizing spin hole 123a of lifter 123, as shown in FIG. 10, first fastening device 253A of mounting fixture 25 may be detachably engaged with spin hole 121a of washing tub 12 adjacent to first lifter 123A, and second fastening device 253B may be detachably engaged with spin hole 121a of washing tub 12 adjacent to lifter 123B.

[0023] (4) The mounting fixtures 23, 24, 25 may have any structure as long as they can detachably mount the water-permeable material 21 to the washing tub 12, and may, for example, include a covering member that covers the water-permeable material 21 so that both sides of the water-permeable material 21 are exposed from the opening (of the covering member), and a plurality of fasteners provided on the covering member, in which the first fastener engages with the spin hole 123a of the first lifter 123A or the spin hole 121a of the washing tub 12 near the first lifter 123A, and the second fastener engages with the spin hole 123a of the second lifter 123B or the spin hole 121a of the washing tub 12 near the second lifter 123B. In this case, the laundry such as clothes comes into contact with the water-permeable material 21, improving the spin-drying rate. As an example of another attachment, for example, a recess is provided on one main surface of the elastically deformable water-permeable material 21, and a covering member is inserted into the recess to be covered from the inside by the water-permeable material 21, and a plurality of fasteners are provided on the covering member, and the first fastener is engaged with the spin hole 123a of the first lifter 123A or the spin hole 121a of the washing tub 12 near the first lifter 123A, and the second fastener is engaged with the spin hole 123b of the second lifter 123B or the spin hole 123a of the washing tub 12 near the second lifter 123B. In this case, the laundry such as clothes and the water-permeable material 21 come into contact with each other, thereby improving the spin-drying rate. It is preferable that the covering member has a through hole in the thickness direction of the water-permeable material 21. Other examples of mounting fixtures may include, for example, "S"-shaped fasteners 233, 243, 253, one fastener portion of which may be engaged with the water-permeable material 21 and the other fastener portion of which may be engaged with the spin-drying hole 121a of the washing tub 12, the spin-drying hole 123a of the lifter 123, or these spin-drying holes 121a, 123a.

[0024] (5) The number of fasteners 233, 243, 253 of the mounting fixtures 23, 24, 25 may be any number that allows the mounting fixtures 23, 24, 25 to be stably attached to the washing tub 12. For example, when the water-permeable material 21 has a square or rectangular shape, at least four corners of the water-permeable material 21 may be fixed. Also, the water-permeable material 21 may be fixed at one or more points between both ends of a side portion parallel to the rotation axis of the washing tub 12. Similarly, the water-permeable material 21 may be fixed at one or more points between both ends of a parallel side portion intersecting (orthogonal to) the rotation axis of the washing tub 12. Also, the water-permeable material 21 may be fixed at an intersection of diagonals of the quadrangular water-permeable material 21 or at a peripheral portion thereof. (6) The mounting fixtures 23, 24, and 25 are detachably attached to the washing tub 12, but may be fixed to the washing tub 12 by a fastener such as a screw. In this case, the water-permeable material 21 may be detachably or non-detachably attached to the fastener. (7) In the water-permeable material 21, the fasteners 233, 243, 253 of the mounting fixtures 23, 24, 25, etc. are attached using the dewatering holes 121a, 123a, etc., but the washing tub 12 may have through holes, grooves, or holes for attachment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] X washing machine 12 Washing tub 21 Water-permeable material 23 Mounting fixture 24 Mounting fixture 25 Mounting fixture

Claims

1. A water tank disposed within the housing; a washing tub rotatably provided in the water tub and having a dehydration hole on an inner circumferential surface for discharging liquid into the water tub; A water-permeable material that is provided so as to cover at least a part of the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub and has water permeability; Equipped with washing machine.

2. The water-permeable material has a water-permeable layer. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The water-permeable material has a three-dimensional mesh structure or lattice structure. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The water-permeable member is a water-absorbent material. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A plurality of protrusions having the dewatering holes are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub at intervals in the rotation direction of the washing tub, The water-permeable material is fastened to the dewatering holes of each of the plurality of protrusions by a fastener. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2.

6. With the frame inserted into the water-permeable material, a first fastener of the frame is fastened to a dewatering hole of a first protrusion of the plurality of protrusions, and a second fastener of the frame is fastened to a dewatering hole of a second protrusion of the plurality of protrusions. The washing machine according to claim 5.

7. In a state in which the water-permeable material is covered from the inside with a covering member, a first fastener of the covering member is engaged with a dewatering hole of a first protrusion portion among the plurality of protrusion portions, and a second fastener of the covering member is engaged with a dewatering hole of a second protrusion portion among the plurality of protrusion portions. The washing machine according to claim 5.

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