Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which has high detergency even with a small amount of water.SOLUTION: A washing machine S includes: an inner tub 4 in which laundry e is stored, and which rotates; an outer tub 3 in which washing water is stored; a circulation flow passage 9 for circulating the washing water in the outer tub 3; and a circulation pump 8a for delivering the washing water in the outer tub 3 to the circulation flow passage 9. The circulation flow passage 9 includes: an upper discharge port 10b for supplying the washing water to the laundry e from above; and a lower discharge port 10a for supplying the washing water to the laundry e from below. An opening area of the lower discharge port 10a is equal to or greater than an opening area of the upper discharge port 10b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6A

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In drum-type washing machines, the following configurations are known for improving cleaning power. A drum-type washing machine has a pump for circulating water stored in an outer tub into the inner tub, a flow path for circulating the pumped water into the inner tub, and upper and lower outlets for discharging the circulated water into the inner tub. In drum-type washing machines, the opening area of ​​the lower outlet is made smaller than that of the upper outlet, allowing circulating water to be discharged from both the top and bottom. This allows the circulating water containing detergent to penetrate the clothes efficiently, providing a high level of cleaning power when the clothes are dropped into the drum for a beating wash. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5493884 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, compared to the upper outlet, the lower outlet is more likely to have clothes piled up around it due to gravity. In particular, when there is little clothes, the water level is low, and the pump is running at a low speed, if the width of the lower outlet is narrow, the clothes will get in the way and the shower will not reach all of the clothes. In addition, if the width of the lower outlet is widened to increase the amount of water coming out of the lower shower, a large amount of water will escape from the lower outlet, reducing the flow resistance in the lower part and making it difficult to pump water to the upper outlet.

[0005] The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a washing machine that has a high cleaning power even with a small amount of water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the washing machine of the present invention comprises an inner tub in which laundry is stored and which rotates, an outer tub in which wash water is stored, a circulation flow path which circulates the wash water in the outer tub, and a circulation pump which sends the wash water in the outer tub to the circulation flow path, the circulation flow path having an upper outlet which supplies wash water to the laundry from above, and a lower outlet which supplies wash water to the laundry from below, the opening area of ​​the lower outlet being larger than or equal to the opening area of ​​the upper outlet. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a drum type washer-dryer according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above and in the front; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a central cross-sectional view of the drum type washer-dryer of FIG. 1 as viewed from the left side. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rotating drum and outer tub with the tub cover removed from the outer tub and a portion of the tub cut away. [Figure 5A] Front view of the outer tub and rotating drum. [Figure 5B] Cross-sectional view II of FIG. 5A. [Figure 5C] Enlarged view of part II in FIG. 5B. [Figure 6A] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the circulation flow path formed in the outer tank. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of part III in FIG. 6A as seen from the rear. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the circulation flow path near a lower discharge port as viewed from the front. [Figure 8] A rear view of the state of water being supplied to clothes in the rotating drum from the lower discharge port when there is a small amount of clothes in the rotating drum, as viewed from the rear. [Figure 9] A rear view of the state of water being supplied to clothes in the rotating drum from the lower and upper outlets when there is a large amount of clothes in the rotating drum, as viewed from the rear. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of a circulation flow path in a drum type washer-dryer according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the rear. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. <<First embodiment>> FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drum type washer-dryer S according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed obliquely from above and in the front.

[0010] <Case 1> The drum type washer-dryer S has a skeleton (not shown) formed on the upper part of a base 1b by combining a side plate 1s made mainly of a steel plate and a resin molded product with a reinforcing material (not shown). A front cover 1z and a top cover 1j are attached onto the skeleton to form a housing 1. A door 2 for inserting and removing laundry e is provided on the front cover 1z. A power switch and a button b for selecting an operation mode are provided on the upper front portion of the door 2.

[0011] <Outer tank 3 and rotating drum 4> FIG. 2 shows a central cross-sectional view of the drum type washer-dryer S of FIG. 1 as viewed from the left side. An outer tub 3 for storing wash water is provided inside the housing 1. The outer tub 3 is supported by a number of suspensions (not shown) fixed to the base 1b. A tension spring (not shown) that engages with the framework is attached to the upper part of the outer tub 3. The tension spring prevents the outer tub 3 from falling over.

[0012] A rotating drum (inner tub) 4 is rotatably supported inside the outer tub 3. A user opens the door 2 and places laundry e into the rotating drum 4. The rotating drum 4 has many small holes 4k (see FIG. 4) formed on the side and back for centrifugal dehydration and ventilation. In addition, a fluid balancer 5 for reducing vibrations caused by imbalance of the laundry e during spin-drying is provided on the outer periphery of the opening 4i of the rotating drum 4. The fluid inside the fluid balancer 5 moves to the opposite side of the imbalance of the laundry e to suppress vibrations.

[0013] A plurality of lifters 4a that lift up the laundry e and beat the laundry e are provided inside the rotating drum 4. The rotating drum 4 is directly connected to a drum driving motor (drive unit) 4m via a main shaft 4j. The main shaft 4j is connected to a metal flange 4f of the rotating drum 4.

[0014] A tub cover 3c is provided at the front of the outer tub 3. An elastic rubber bellows 3b is attached to an opening 3c1 of the tub cover 3c. The bellows 3b flexibly deforms to maintain watertightness between the outer tub 3 and the door 2. The bellows 3b prevents water from leaking from the outer tub 3 during washing, rinsing and spin-drying. A water receiving section 3u (see FIG. 2) is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 3. A drainage path 6 is provided below the outer tub 3.

[0015] <Drainage route 6> FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the drainage path 6. The drum type washer-dryer S includes a drainage path 6 and an overflow path 7. The drainage path 6 is a path for draining water accumulated in the outer tub 3. The overflow path 7 is a path for overflow drainage when the water accumulated in the outer tub 3 exceeds a predetermined water level.

[0016] The drainage path 6 is configured to include an internal drainage channel 6a, a water channel filter 6b, a drain valve 6c, and a drain hose 6d. The internal drainage channel 6a is connected to the bottom surface 3t (see FIG. 2) of the outer tub 3. The water channel filter 6b collects lint (lint) generated from the laundry e being drained through the internal drainage channel 6a. The lint collected by the water channel filter 6b is cleaned up by the user as appropriate.

[0017] Water can pass through and be stored in the overflow path 7. The overflow path 7 can block the flow of air by storing water, and is equipped with a trap 7a that replaces the seal water by supplying water with the rotation of the rotating drum 4. The overflow path 7 downstream of the trap 7a communicates with a drain hose 6d. A condensation water hose 7c is connected to the downstream side of the drain hose 6d for draining water (condensation water) generated by dehumidification in the heat pump unit Hu by a condensation water pump 7b. The condensation water hose 7c is elevated to a position higher than the overflow path 7 in the vertical direction in order to prevent backflow from the drain hose 6d to the heat pump unit Hu.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the outer tub 3 with the tub cover 3c removed, and the rotating drum 4 and the outer tub 3 partially cut away. FIG. 4 shows a state in which a part of the right side surface of the outer tub 3 and a part of the right side surface of the rotating drum 4 are cut away. Between the water channel filter 6b and the outer tub 3, a circulation water channel 8 for circulating the water in the outer tub 3 through a circulation flow channel 9 (see FIG. 4), and a circulation pump 8a are provided.

[0019] <Circulation flow path 9> The outer tub 3 shown in Fig. 4 is composed of a cylindrical outer tub body 3h with a bottom, and a tub cover 3c provided at a front opening 3h1 (see Fig. 4) of the outer tub body 3h. A circulation flow path 9 through which washing water pumped up by a circulation pump 8a (see Fig. 3) passes is formed in the tub cover 3c. A lower discharge port 10a is formed at the bottom of the circulation flow path 9. An upper discharge port 10b is formed at the top of the circulation flow path 9. A discharge air passage 3c2 through which dry air flows, and a discharge port 3c3 through which the dry air flows and is blown out are formed in the tub cover 3c.

[0020] A circulation water passage 8 (see Figs. 4 and 3) is connected to the circulation flow path 9. As a result, water in the outer tub 3 is supplied to the clothes (laundry e) in the rotating drum 4 by using a circulation pump 8a. The water supplied to the circulation water passage 8 is sprayed (supplied) onto the clothes (laundry e) in the rotating drum 4 from a lower discharge outlet 10a, or from both the lower discharge outlet 10a and the upper discharge outlet 10b.

[0021] 5A shows a front view of the outer tub 3 and the rotating drum 4. In FIG. 5A, the center part of the rotating drum 4 is omitted. Fig. 5B shows a cross-sectional view of II in Fig. 5A, and Fig. 5C shows an enlarged view of part II in Fig. 5B.

[0022] FIG. 6A shows a rear view of the circulation flow path 9 formed in the outer tank 3, and FIG. 6B shows an enlarged rear view of part III in FIG. 6A. 5C, the circulation flow path 9 is composed of a tank cover 3c, a circulation cover 9c, and a packing 9p. A packing 9p is provided between the tank cover 3c and the circulation cover 9c to seal the gap between the tank cover 3c and the circulation cover 9c.

[0023] The upper discharge port 10b and the lower discharge port 10a are formed by the tank cover 3c and the circulation cover 9c that constitute the circulation flow path 9. In other words, a gap that forms the lower discharge port 10a (see FIG. 6A) is provided between the tank cover 3c and the circulation cover 9c that constitute the circulation flow path 9. Similarly, a gap that forms the upper discharge port 10b (see FIG. 6A) is provided between the tank cover 3c and the circulation cover 9c that constitute the circulation flow path 9. The upper discharge port 10b and the lower discharge port 10a have the same configuration.

[0024] Here, the opening area of ​​the lower discharge port 10a is set to be larger than the opening area of ​​the upper discharge port 10b. This allows water to be supplied over a wide area to the clothes (laundry e) located under the rotating drum 4. This improves the washing performance.

[0025] FIG. 7 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the circulation flow path 9 near the lower discharge port 10a as viewed from the front. The branch wall 9a is formed to protrude downstream of the circulation flow of the circulation flow channel 9 from the center o1 of the lower outlet 10a as seen from the front. In other words, "the branch portion is disposed at a position downstream of the center o1 of the lower outlet as seen from the front." The branch wall 9a is a component (branch portion) for branching the flow in the circulation flow channel 9 to the lower outlet 10a and the flow to the upper outlet 10b at a position just before the lower outlet 10a. The branch wall 9a reduces the amount of circulating water discharged from the lower outlet 10a and increases the amount of circulating water discharged from the upper outlet 10b. Therefore, the opening area of ​​the lower outlet 10a can be made larger than the opening area of ​​the upper outlet 10b.

[0026] In addition, the branch wall 9a constituting the branch (branching portion) in the circulation flow path 9 is disposed downstream of the downstream end 10a1 of the lower outlet 10a (see FIG. 7) in the circulation flow of the circulation flow path 9 in a front view. That is, "the branch position is disposed downstream of the downstream end 10a1 of the lower outlet 10a in the circulation flow of the circulation flow path 9 in a front view." This allows the amount of circulating water discharged directly from the lower outlet 10a to be reduced, and the amount of circulating water discharged from the upper outlet 10b to be increased. Therefore, the opening area of ​​the lower outlet 10a can be made larger than the opening area of ​​the upper outlet 10b. Therefore, a portion of the water flowing through the circulation flow path 9 branches downstream of the lower discharge port center o1 of the lower discharge port 10a as viewed from the front, and is supplied from the lower discharge port 10a to the clothes (laundry e) in the rotating drum 4. On the other hand, the other portion of the water flowing through the circulation flow path 9 is not branched at the branch wall body 9a, but is supplied from the upper discharge port 10b to the clothes (laundry e) in the rotating drum 4.

[0027] With this configuration, the water discharged from the lower outlet 10a has a large resistance, so that even if the opening area of ​​the lower outlet 10a is made larger than the opening area of ​​the upper outlet 10b, it is possible to discharge circulating water from the upper outlet 10b.

[0028] <Supply of Water from the Lower Outlet 10a and the Upper Outlet 10b> FIG. 8 is a rear view showing a state in which water is being supplied from the lower discharge port 10a to the laundry e in the rotating drum 4 when the amount of laundry e in the rotating drum 4 is small, as viewed from behind. When the amount of laundry e in the rotating drum (inner tub) 4 is small, as shown in FIG. 8, the water level in the outer tub 3 is set to a low water level w1, the circulation pump 8a (see FIG. 3) is operated at a low rotation speed, and water (washing water) is supplied from the bottom to the laundry e in the rotating drum (inner tub) 4 through the lower discharge outlet 10a.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a rear view showing how water is being supplied from the lower discharge port 10a and the upper discharge port 10b to the laundry e in the rotating drum 4 when there is a large amount of laundry e in the rotating drum 4, as viewed from behind. When the amount of laundry e is large, as shown in FIG. 9, the water level in the outer tub 3 is set to high water level w2, and the circulation pump 8a (see FIG. 3) is operated at a high rotational speed to supply water (washing water) from the upper (dashed arrow in FIG. 9) and lower (dashed solid mark in FIG. 9) to the laundry e in the rotating drum (inner tub) 4 through the upper discharge outlet 10 and the lower discharge outlet 10a.

[0030] According to the first embodiment, the opening area of ​​the lower discharge port 10a can be increased, so that even when the circulation pump 8a is rotating at a low rotation speed at a low water level w1 shown in Fig. 8 where there is little laundry e, the laundry e in the rotating drum (inner tub) 4 can be showered with water over a wide area. Therefore, washing can be performed with a high detergent concentration using a small amount of wash water. On the other hand, even when the circulation pump 8a is rotating at a high speed at the high water level w2 shown in FIG. 9 where there is a lot of laundry e, sufficient wash water can be supplied from above and below the laundry e, making it possible to beat the laundry with a small amount of wash water.

[0031] Therefore, the circulating water (washing water) can be efficiently permeated into the laundry e in the rotating drum 4, and a high level of washing power can be achieved. <<Second embodiment>>

[0032] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a circulation flow path 19 in a drum type washer-dryer 2S according to the second embodiment, as viewed from the rear. In the drum type washer-dryer 2S of the second embodiment, the configuration of the branch wall body 9a of the circulation flow path 9 of the first embodiment is changed to form a circulation flow path 19 in which a flow straightening body (resistance body) 20 is formed. Other than this, the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment, so the same components are given the same reference numerals and detailed description is omitted.

[0033] As in the first embodiment, the opening area of ​​the lower outlet port 10a in the circulation flow path 19 in the second embodiment is equal to or larger than the opening area of ​​the upper outlet port 10b. A rectifying body 20 is formed just before the lower discharge port 10a in the circulation flow path 19. The rectifying body 20 acts as a resistance to the flow toward the lower discharge port 10a, and promotes the flow toward the upper discharge port 10b. In other words, the rectifying body 20 is a resistance body that acts as a resistance to the flow toward the lower discharge port 10a. In other words, the rectifying body 20 (resistance body) is configured so that the flow coming out of the lower discharge port 10a is resisted in the circulation flow path 19. The flow straightening bodies 20 are formed independently from the wall surface 19h of the circulation flow path 19. This can affect the flow in the circulation flow path 19. Note that the shape and number of the flow straightening bodies 20 in Fig. 10 are merely examples (one triangular body is arranged in Fig. 10).

[0034] The flow straightening body 20 has two flow paths, a first flow path 21a and a second flow path 21b, on the upstream and downstream sides thereof. By having a plurality of flow paths (21a, 21b), it becomes easy to adjust the discharge amount from the lower discharge port 10a. The first flow path 21a and the second flow path 21b have the following relationship. A cross-sectional area 21a1 of the first flow path 21a≦a cross-sectional area 21b1 of the second flow path 21b In the flow straightening body 20, the downstream flow passage cross-sectional area 21b1 is larger than or equal to the upstream flow passage cross-sectional area 21a1. This is to suppress the discharge amount from the upstream first flow passage 21a and ensure the circulating water discharged from the upper discharge port 10b.

[0035] Due to the presence of the flow straightening members 20, the water discharged from the lower outlet 10a encounters resistance in the circulation flow path 19, and the flow from the lower outlet 10a toward the upper outlet 10b above is promoted. The circulating water from the circulation water channel 8 flows into the circulation channel 19 from the circulation channel inlet 19a (arrow α11 in FIG. 10). Then, at the location where the flow straightening body 20 is located, the flow is branched into a flow toward the upper discharge port 10b, a flow toward the lower discharge port 10a flowing through the first flow path 21a, and a flow toward the lower discharge port 10a flowing through the second flow path 21b.

[0036] According to the second embodiment, the flow straightening body 20 is formed in front of the lower outlet 10a, so that the flow toward the lower outlet 10a is resisted and the flow toward the upper outlet 10b is promoted. Therefore, the opening area of ​​the lower outlet 10a can be made larger than the opening area of ​​the upper outlet 10b. Therefore, the washing water can be sprayed over a wide area onto the laundry e in the rotating drum 4 from below through the lower discharge port 10a.

[0037] Therefore, washing can be performed with a high detergent concentration using a small amount of washing water. Also, circulating water can be supplied to the laundry e over a wide area from the lower discharge port 10a. In the second embodiment, the case where there is one flow-regulating body 20 is illustrated, but there may be two or more.

[0038] <<Other embodiments>> 1. In the first and second embodiments, a washing machine having both a washing function and a drying function has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a washing machine having only a washing function.

[0039] 2. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modified configurations, and various modifications and specific forms are possible within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 3 Outer tank 4 Rotating drum (inner tank) 8a Circulation pump 9, 19 Circulation flow path 9a Branch wall (resistance, branch section) 10a Lower outlet 10a1 Downstream end 10b Upper outlet 19h Wall 20 Rectifier shape body (resistance shape body, resistance) 21a First flow path (multiple flow paths) 21b Second flow path (multiple flow paths) o1 Center of the lower outlet (center of the lower outlet) S, 2S drum type washer / dryer (washing machine)

Claims

1. an inner tub in which laundry is stored and which rotates; An outer tub in which wash water is stored; A circulation flow path for circulating the washing water in the outer tub; A circulation pump is provided to send the washing water in the outer tub to the circulation flow path. The circulation flow path has an upper outlet for supplying the washing water to the laundry from above, and a lower outlet for supplying the washing water to the laundry from below, The opening area of ​​the lower outlet is equal to or larger than the opening area of ​​the upper outlet. A washing machine characterized by:

2. an inner tub in which laundry is stored and which rotates; An outer tub in which wash water is stored; A circulation flow path for circulating the washing water in the outer tub; A circulation pump is provided to send the washing water in the outer tub to the circulation flow path. The circulation flow path has an upper outlet for supplying the washing water to the laundry from above, and a lower outlet for supplying the washing water to the laundry from below, A branch point between the flow toward the upper discharge port and the flow toward the lower discharge port in the circulation flow path is located downstream from the center of the lower discharge port in a front view. A washing machine characterized by:

3. an inner tub in which laundry is stored and which rotates; An outer tub in which wash water is stored; A circulation flow path for circulating the washing water in the outer tub; A circulation pump is provided to send the washing water in the outer tub to the circulation flow path. The circulation flow path has an upper outlet for supplying the washing water to the laundry from above, and a lower outlet for supplying the washing water to the laundry from below, A branch position of the flow toward the upper outlet and the flow toward the lower outlet in the circulation flow path is located downstream of the flow in the circulation flow path from a downstream end of the lower outlet in a front view. A washing machine characterized by:

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, A branch point of the flow toward the upper outlet and the flow toward the lower outlet in the circulation flow path is located downstream from the center of the lower outlet in a front view. A washing machine characterized by:

5. The washing machine according to claim 2 or 3, The opening area of ​​the lower outlet is equal to or larger than the opening area of ​​the upper outlet. A washing machine characterized by:

6. an inner tub in which laundry is stored and which rotates; An outer tub in which wash water is stored; A circulation flow path for circulating the washing water in the outer tub; A circulation pump is provided to send the washing water in the outer tub to the circulation flow path. The circulation flow path has an upper outlet for supplying the washing water to the laundry from above, and a lower outlet for supplying the washing water to the laundry from below, The lower outlet has one or more resistance shapes that provide resistance to the flow toward the lower outlet upstream of the lower outlet. A washing machine characterized by:

7. The washing machine according to claim 6, The resistance body has a flow straightening shape independent of the wall surface of the circulation flow path. A washing machine characterized by:

8. The washing machine according to claim 6, The resistance shape defines a plurality of flow paths on the upstream and downstream sides. A washing machine characterized by:

9. The washing machine according to claim 8, A first flow path and a second flow path are formed in the resistance shape, and a flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the second flow path is equal to or larger than a flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow path. A washing machine characterized by:

10. an inner tub in which laundry is stored and which rotates; An outer tub in which wash water is stored; A circulation flow path for circulating the washing water in the outer tub; A circulation pump is provided to send the washing water in the outer tub to the circulation flow path. The circulation flow path has an upper outlet for supplying the washing water to the laundry from above, and a lower outlet for supplying the washing water to the laundry from below, The washing machine is characterized in that the flow coming out of the lower discharge port is configured to receive resistance in the circulation flow path.

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