Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of evening out the bias of laundry items in a washing tub before a dewatering operation.SOLUTION: A washing machine according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a washing tub, a rotating body, a brush holder having a shaft portion and a brush unit, a bottom protruding portion that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the rotating body and extends along a rotation direction around the axis, a side protruding portion that is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub and protrudes toward the axis, a water level detection unit that detects the water level in the washing tub, and a control unit that controls rotational driving of the rotating body. The rotation direction of the rotating body includes a first direction and a second direction that are opposite to each other. The control unit executes a first rolling process in which the rotating body is rotated relative to the washing tub in the first direction and the second direction respectively at a first rotation speed when it is detected that the water level in the washing tub has reached a first water level in a state where water in the washing tub is discharged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There is known a shoe washing machine that rubs and washes shoes put into an inner tub by rotating a brush holder provided with a brush on its outer periphery in the inner tub in which detergent and water are stored (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional shoe washing machine, since shoes, which are the objects to be washed, are solid unlike clothes, shoes are likely to be stacked inside the washing tub, and it is difficult to change the orientation of the shoes if the inside of the washing tub is narrow. Further, when a dehydration operation of rotating the washing tub at high speed is performed in a state where there is a bias in the arrangement of the shoes such as stacking of the shoes, abnormal vibration may occur in the washing tub.

[0005] Therefore, an aspect of the present invention aims to provide a washing machine that can equalize the bias in the arrangement of the objects to be washed in the washing tub, for example, before the dehydration operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A washing machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes a washing tub into which an object to be washed is placed, a rotating body disposed at the bottom of the washing tub and rotating about an axis extending in the vertical direction, a shaft portion fixed above the rotating body and rotating together with the rotating body, a brush unit extending from the shaft portion toward the inner peripheral surface side of the washing tub, a brush holder having the brush unit, a bottom protruding portion protruding upward from the upper surface of the rotating body and extending along the rotation direction centered on the axis, a side protruding portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub and protruding toward the axis, a water level detection unit for detecting the water level in the washing tub, and a control unit for controlling the rotational drive of the rotating body. The rotation direction of the rotating body includes a first direction and a second direction that are opposite to each other. When the control unit detects that the water level in the washing tub has reached a first water level in a state where the water in the washing tub is being drained, the control unit executes a first tumbling process of rotating the rotating body in the first direction and the second direction at a first rotation speed with respect to the washing tub.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, redundant descriptions are omitted, and elements not directly related to the present disclosure may be omitted from the illustration.

[0009] [Schematic Configuration of Washing Machine 1] The schematic configuration of the washing machine 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the washing machine 1. In FIG. 1, a longitudinal section with the right front part of the washing machine 1 removed is shown to illustrate the internal structure of the washing machine 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the brush holder 3 and the rotating body 13 viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the brush holder 3 and the rotating body 13. The washing machine 1 of the present embodiment exemplifies a washing and dewatering machine that washes and dehydrates the laundry shoes 9 (see FIGS. 4A, etc.) of the laundry.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 includes an outer box 10, an upper surface member 20, an upper lid 30, a base member 40, a drive mechanism 50, etc. The outer shape of the outer box 10 is a rectangular tube shape that is open at the top and bottom. The upper surface member 20 is provided on the upper side of the outer box 10, and the base member 40 is provided on the lower side of the outer box 10. The upper lid 30 can open and close an opening that penetrates the upper surface member 20 in the vertical direction. The water tank 11 is disposed inside the outer box 10 and has a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape that is open upward. A drainage portion for draining the water in the water tank 11 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 11.

[0011] In the water tank 11, a washing tub 12 into which the shoes 9 to be washed are placed is provided. The washing tub 12 is a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape that is open upward, similar to the water tank 11, and is rotatable with respect to the water tank 11. The axis O passing through the center of rotation of the washing tub 12 extends in the vertical direction. A water draining portion is formed at the bottom of the washing tub 12, and a plurality of drain holes are formed in the peripheral wall and upper end portion of the washing tub 12. Through the upper end opening of the washing tub 12, the shoes 9 are put in and taken out of the washing tub 12 from above. Along the upper end opening edge of the washing tub 12, a balance ring 14 is provided.

[0012] The washing machine 1 includes a rotating body 13 that is disposed at the bottom of the washing tub 12 and rotates about an axis extending in the vertical direction. The rotating body 13 is, for example, a disk-shaped pulsator for agitating the water in the washing tub 12. The rotating body 13 is formed in a tray shape that is recessed downward. The rotating body 13 is rotatable with respect to the washing tub 12. The axis passing through the center of rotation of the rotating body 13 substantially coincides with the axis O of the washing tub 12. Below the washing tub 12, a drive mechanism 50 for rotationally driving the washing tub 12 and the rotating body 13 is provided. A clutch 51 is provided between the drive mechanism 50, the washing tub 12, and the rotating body 13. The state in which the power of the drive mechanism 50 is transmitted to the washing tub 12 and the rotating body 13 and the state in which the power of the drive mechanism 50 is transmitted only to the rotating body 13 are switched by the clutch 51.

[0013] The washing machine 1 includes a water level detection unit 15 for detecting the water level in the washing tub 12 (see FIG. 7). The water level detection unit 15 is, for example, a hydraulic sensor that detects the water level in the washing tub 12 based on the change in water pressure in the washing tub 12. The water level detection unit 15 outputs the detected water level to a control unit 90 described later. Note that the water level detection unit 15 is not limited to a hydraulic sensor and may be a float type or optical sensor.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the washing machine 1 includes a brush holder 3. The brush holder 3 has a shaft portion 60 fixed to the upper side of the rotating body 13 and a brush unit 7 extending from the shaft portion 60 toward the inner peripheral surface 12A side of the washing tub 12, and rotates together with the rotating body 13. The axis passing through the center of rotation of the brush holder 3 passes through the center of the shaft portion 60 and substantially coincides with the axis O of the washing tub 12. Therefore, the washing tub 12, the rotating body 13, and the brush holder 3 can all rotate about the axis O.

[0015] A plurality of brush units 7 are provided on the brush holder 3. The upper end of each brush unit 7 is located below the upper end opening of the washing tub 12. The lower end of each brush unit 7 faces the upper surface of the rotating body 13 with a space from above. The tip of each brush unit 7 faces the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 with a space. In this example, two brush units 7 project from the shaft portion 60 in opposite directions in a plan view. The number, position, shape, etc. of the brush units 7 are not limited to this embodiment.

[0016] [Side protruding portion 100] Details of the side protruding portion 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the side protruding portion 100 is provided on the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 and protrudes toward the axis O. In this example, a flat mounting plate 110 that is long in the vertical direction is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 (see FIG. 1). The side protruding portion 100 is a plate-like member provided at the lower part of the mounting plate 110 and extending along the rotation direction C, and is symmetric about the axis O when viewed from the axis O.

[0017] The side protruding portion 100 is provided at a height position facing the rotating brush unit 7. In this example, as a whole, the side protruding portion 100 is at the same height as the lower part of the brush unit 7. The protruding end 100B of the side protruding portion 100 protrudes toward the axis O side from the outer periphery P of the rotating body 13 and is outside the rotation locus T (see FIG. 3). The lower part of the rotating brush unit 7 crosses the front side of the side protruding portion 100 with a space.

[0018] [Bottom protruding portion 200] The details of the bottom surface protrusion 200 will be described. FIGS. 4A and 4B are side views of the brush holder 3 and the rotating body 13. FIG. 4B shows a state in which the brush holder 3 and the rotating body 13 are rotated 180 degrees in the rotational direction C in FIG. 4A. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotating body 13 viewed obliquely from above.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the rotating body 13 has a bottom surface protrusion 200 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the rotating body 13 and extends along the rotational direction C centered on the axis O. In this example, a holder mounting portion 130, which is a circular concave portion in plan view where the shaft portion 60 is fixed, is provided at the center of the upper surface of the rotating body 13. The upper surface of the rotating body 13 is curved upward from the holder mounting portion 130 toward the radially outer side. The bottom surface protrusion 200 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the holder mounting portion 130 on the upper surface of the rotating body 13.

[0020] The above-described rotational direction C includes a first direction C1 and a second direction C2 that are opposite to each other. The first direction C1 is a clockwise direction in plan view. The second direction C2 is a counterclockwise direction in plan view. The bottom surface protrusion 200 has a first ridge line R1 that extends along the first direction C1 from the top 200A of the bottom surface protrusion 200, and a second ridge line R2 that extends along the second direction C2 from the top 200A of the bottom surface protrusion 200 and is shorter than the first ridge line R1.

[0021] In this example, the bottom surface protrusion 200 has a ridge line R that extends along the rotational direction C of the rotating body 13. The ridge line R is a virtual line that connects both ends in the extending direction of the bottom surface protrusion 200 and extends along the highest portion on the surface of the bottom surface protrusion 200. The highest position of the ridge line R is the top 200A that forms the upper end of the bottom surface protrusion 200. The ridge line R is inclined so as to gradually descend from the top 200A toward both sides of the rotational direction C.

[0022] The ridge line R includes a first ridge line R1 and a second ridge line R2 extending from the upper end of the ridge line R to both ends of the ridge line R, respectively. The first ridge line R1 extends from the top portion 200A in the first direction C1. The second ridge line R2 extends from the top portion 200A in the second direction C2. The inclination angle of the first ridge line R1 with respect to the horizontal plane is smaller than the inclination angle of the second ridge line R2 with respect to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the first ridge line R1 is longer than the second ridge line R2.

[0023] The bottom surface protrusion 200 includes a first protrusion 201 having the first ridge line R1 and a second protrusion 202 having the second ridge line R2. The first protrusion 201 is arc-shaped and extends from the top portion 200A in the first direction C1, and the protruding width from the upper surface of the rotating body 13 becomes smaller as it goes in the first direction C1. The second protrusion 202 is arc-shaped and extends along the second direction C2 from the top portion 200A to the upper surface of the rotating body 13, and the protruding width from the upper surface of the rotating body 13 becomes smaller as it goes in the second direction C2.

[0024] As described above, since the shaft portion 60 is rotationally driven integrally with the rotating body 13, the position of the brush unit 7 with respect to the rotating body 13 is fixed. That is, the position of the bottom surface protrusion 200 with respect to the brush unit 7 is fixed. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the bottom surface protrusion 200 is provided over a range of approximately 120 to 160 degrees around the axis O so as to extend across the two brush units 7 in plan view. The top portion 200A is between the two brush units 7 in plan view.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the top portion 200A of the bottom surface protrusion 200 is above the lower end of the brush unit 7. That is, in the bottom surface protrusion 200, a part of the first protrusion 201 on the first direction C1 side is disposed below a brush unit 7A described later, a part of the second protrusion 202 on the second direction C2 side is disposed below a brush unit 7B described later, and the top portion 200A protrudes downward between the brush units 7A and 7B.

[0026] Further, the top 200A of the bottom surface protruding portion 200 is provided at a height position facing the side surface protruding portion 100 (see FIG. 8). That is, the top 200A is provided below the upper end portion 100A of the side surface protruding portion 100 and above the lower end portion of the side surface protruding portion 100. In this example, the top 200A of the bottom surface protruding portion 200 is provided below the protruding end 100B of the side surface protruding portion 100.

[0027] Note that the ridge line R is not limited to the ridge line R parallel to the rotation direction C of the rotating body 13, and it may intersect the radial direction of the axis O in a plan view. For example, if the ridge line R intersects the axis O in a plan view, it may be linear, a curve with a curvature different from the rotation direction C, or a meandering shape.

[0028] [Detailed Configuration of Brush Unit 7] The detailed configuration of the brush unit 7 will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan development view of the outer peripheral surface 60A of the shaft portion 60 viewed from the radially outer side of the shaft portion 60. That is, FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the outer peripheral surface 60A viewed along the rotation direction C from the radially outer side of the shaft portion 60.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4B and FIG. 6, each of the two brush units 7 includes a plurality of brush portions 70 extending from the shaft portion 60 toward the inner peripheral surface 12A side of the washing tub 12. Each of the plurality of brush portions 70 is composed of a single or a plurality of elastic bodies. In this example, in each of the plurality of brush portions 70, a plurality of tufts of hair extending radially outward of the shaft portion 60 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface 60A. The brush portion 70 may be a sponge or a rubber product. Each of the plurality of brush portions 70 is square when viewed from the radially outer side of the shaft portion 60, but may have other shapes such as a triangular shape, a rhombus shape, or an elliptical shape.

[0030] The washing machine 1 includes a first brush unit 7 provided on the second direction C2 side of the top 200A of the bottom protrusion 200 in a plan view, and a second brush unit 7 provided on the first direction C1 side of the top 200A of the bottom protrusion 200 in a plan view. In this example, the brush unit 7B provided on the second direction C2 side of the top 200A is the first brush unit 7. The brush unit 7A provided on the first direction C1 side of the top 200A is the second brush unit 7.

[0031] In the brush units 7A and 7B, the plurality of brush portions 70 include a first brush portion 71 and a second brush portion 72 provided at different vertical positions apart from each other. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 6, in the brush unit 7A, the first brush portion 71 and the second brush portion 72 extend vertically at positions separated from each other in the rotation direction C. The first brush portion 71 is in the second direction C2 with respect to the second brush portion 72 and is offset upward with respect to the second brush portion 72.

[0032] The first region 71A extending downward from the first brush portion 71 is a space where no plurality of brush portions 70 are provided and is aligned with the second brush portion 72 in the rotation direction C. The second region 72A extending upward from the second brush portion 72 is a space where no plurality of brush portions 70 are provided and is aligned with the first brush portion 71 in the rotation direction C.

[0033] The second brush unit 7 extends stepwise upward along the second direction C2. Specifically, the brush unit 7A further includes a third brush portion 73, a fourth brush portion 74, and a fifth brush portion 75. The third brush portion 73 extends along the rotation direction C between the first brush portion 71 and the second brush portion 72 and is connected to the lower part of the first brush portion 71 and the upper part of the second brush portion 72. The fourth brush portion 74 extends in the second direction C2 from the upper part of the first brush portion 71. The fifth brush portion 75 extends in the second direction C2 from the lower part of the second brush portion 72. Thereby, the brush unit 7A extends stepwise upward along the second direction C2 when viewed from the outside in the radial direction of the shaft portion 60.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4B and 6, the brush units 7A and 7B are separated from each other in the rotational direction C. Specifically, the brush units 7A and 7B are respectively provided on the half circumferential surfaces 161 and 162 of the shaft portion 60. The half circumferential surfaces 161 and 162 are two regions that bisect the outer circumferential surface 60A of the shaft portion 60 so as to be aligned in the rotational direction C. As described above, the top 200A of the bottom surface protruding portion 200 is between the brush units 7A and 7B in plan view (see FIG. 2).

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 4B and 6, the shape of the brush unit 7B is equal to the shape obtained by rotating the brush unit 7A by 180 degrees when viewed from the radially outer side of the shaft portion 60. Therefore, in the brush unit 7B, the first brush portion 71 is in the first direction C1 with respect to the second brush portion 72. The first brush portion 71 is offset downward with respect to the second brush portion 72.

[0036] The first brush unit 7 extends upward in a stepped manner along the second direction C2. Specifically, in the brush unit 7B, the third brush portion 73 is connected to the upper part of the first brush portion 71 and the lower part of the second brush portion 72. The fourth brush portion 74 extends in the first direction C1 from the lower part of the first brush portion 71. The fifth brush portion 75 extends in the first direction C1 from the upper part of the second brush portion 72. As a result, the brush unit 7B extends upward in a stepped manner along the second direction C2 when viewed from the radially outer side of the shaft portion 60.

[0037] The step of the first brush unit 7 is above the step of the second brush unit 7. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, among the stepped brush units 7A, the third brush portion 73 forms a step that connects the first brush portion 71 and the second brush portion 72. Among the stepped brush units 7B, the third brush portion 73 forms a step that connects the first brush portion 71 and the second brush portion 72. The third brush portion 73 of the brush unit 7B is above the third brush portion 73 of the brush unit 7A.

[0038] The outline of the washing machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the washing machine 1.

[0039] The washing machine 1 includes a control unit 90, a storage unit 91, a water level detection unit 15, and a drive mechanism 50.

[0040] The control unit 90 controls the operation of the washing machine 1. The control unit 90 realizes various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 91. The control unit 90 is composed of a CPU, an MCU, an MPU, etc. The storage unit 91 stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the washing machine 1. The storage unit 91 is composed of, for example, a RAM, a ROM, etc.

[0041] In the washing machine 1, the control unit 90 controls the drive mechanism 50 to execute the operation of the washing machine 1. In the operation of this example, first, a washing operation is executed, and then a dehydration operation is executed.

[0042] [Washing operation] The outline of the washing operation will be described. In the washing operation, the shoe 9 is washed in the washing tub 12 in which the detergent and water are stored. Specifically, the drive mechanism 50 is connected to the rotating body 13 among the washing tub 12 and the rotating body 13 by a clutch 51. The power of the drive mechanism 50 is transmitted to the rotating body 13, and the rotating body 13 is rotationally driven about the axis O, and the brush holder 3 also rotates integrally with the rotating body 13. The two brush units 7 provided on the brush holder 3 also rotate in the rotational direction C about the axis O.

[0043] The rotation locus T drawn by the tip of the brush unit 7 rotating in the rotational direction C is circular about the axis O and has a smaller diameter than the outer circumference P of the rotating body 13 (see FIG. 3). The brush unit 7 rotating within the rotation locus T contacts the shoe 9 on the outer peripheral side of the shaft portion 60, so that the shoe 9 is washed. When the washing operation ends, the detergent and water are discharged from the water draining portion and the drain hole of the washing tub 12.

[0044] In the above-described washing operation, as the brush holder 3 and the rotating body 13 rotate, the brush unit 7 repeats forward and reverse rotations. During forward rotation, the brush unit 7 rotates in the first direction C1. During reverse rotation, the brush unit 7 rotates in the second direction C2. The brush unit 7 rotates relative to the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 and wipes the dirt off the shoes 9, which are the items to be washed in the washing tub 12. Since each of the brush units 7A and 7B includes a first brush portion 71 and a second brush portion 72 provided at different vertical positions spaced apart from each other, the shoes 9 can be washed in the following manner.

[0045] During forward rotation, the brush units 7A and 7B contact the shoes 9 while moving in the first direction C1. In the brush unit 7A shown in FIG. 4A, when the shoes 9 contact the second brush portion 72, the shoes 9 are likely to escape upward toward the second region 72A without brushes due to the elasticity of the second brush portion 72. The shoes 9 that have escaped to the second region 72A contact the first brush portion 71 moving in the first direction C1. Similarly, in the brush unit 7B shown in FIG. 4B, when the shoes 9 contact the first brush portion 71, the shoes 9 escape to the first region 71A without brushes and are likely to contact the second brush portion 72 moving in the first direction C1.

[0046] During reverse rotation, the brush units 7A and 7B contact the shoes 9 while moving in the second direction C2. In the brush unit 7B shown in FIG. 4B, when the shoes 9 contact the second brush portion 72, the shoes 9 are likely to escape downward toward the second region 72A without brushes due to the elasticity of the second brush portion 72. The shoes 9 that have escaped to the second region 72A contact the first brush portion 71 moving in the second direction C2. Similarly, in the brush unit 7A shown in FIG. 4A, when the shoes 9 contact the first brush portion 71, the shoes 9 escape to the first region 71A and contact the second brush portion 72 moving in the second direction C2.

[0047] In this way, in the brush units 7A and 7B, the shoes 9 in contact with each of them can be moved upward or downward, and both the first brush part 71 and the second brush part 72 separated from each other in the rotational direction C can be brought into contact with the shoes 9. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the shoes 9 from following the brush units 7A and 7B, and the shoes 9 can be washed in two steps by the two brush parts 70 separated from each other in the rotational direction C.

[0048] [Dehydration operation] The outline of the dehydration operation will be described. In the dehydration operation, the shoes 9 are dehydrated in a state where no water is stored in the washing tub 12. Specifically, the drive mechanism 50 is connected to the washing tub 12 and the rotating body 13 by a clutch 51. The power of the drive mechanism 50 is transmitted to the washing tub 12 and the rotating body 13, and the washing tub 12 and the rotating body 13 are integrally rotationally driven about the axis O. By rotating the rotating body 13 and the washing tub 12 at high speed, centrifugal force acts on the shoes 9 in the washing tub 12 to dehydrate them. The control unit 90 raises the number of rotations per unit time of the washing tub 12 and the rotating body 13 to the target value in a short time in order to suppress the dehydration time and perform efficient dehydration.

[0049] The control unit 90 is connected to a known unbalance detection device that detects abnormal vibration based on the amplitude of the washing tub 12. In the dehydration operation, when the control unit 90 detects abnormal vibration by the unbalance detection device, it determines that the unbalance of the washing tub 12 has been detected. In this case, the control unit 90 controls the drive mechanism 50 to stop the rotation of the washing tub 12 and the rotating body 13 and interrupt the dehydration operation. Then, the control unit 90 stores water in the washing tub 12 again, and by performing the same control as in the above washing operation, changes the arrangement and orientation of the shoes 9. Then, the control unit 90 discharges the water in the washing tub 12 and performs the dehydration operation again.

[0050] [Levelling process] The leveling process is a process of leveling the bias in the arrangement of the shoes 9, which are the items to be washed, in the washing tub 12. The leveling process is a process performed, for example, when the water in the washing tub 12 is being drained, such as when shifting from the washing operation to the dehydration operation. The control unit 90 executes a first rolling process P1 and a second rolling process P2 as the leveling process according to the water level in the washing tub 12. In this example, the control unit 90 detects the water level in the washing tub 12 based on the detection result of the water level detection unit 15.

[0051] [First rolling process] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, the details of the first rolling process P1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a side view of the brush holder 3, the rotating body 13, and the side protruding portion 100 showing the first water level L1. FIG. 9 is a top view of the brush holder 3, the rotating body 13, and the side protruding portion 100 in the first rolling process P1 during normal rotation. In FIG. 9, the illustration of the brush unit 7 is omitted. FIG. 10 is a top view of the brush holder 3, the rotating body 13, and the side protruding portion 100 in the first rolling process P1 during reverse rotation. In FIG. 10, the illustration of the brush unit 7 is omitted. Hereinafter, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, among the space surrounded by the washing tub 12 and the rotating body 13, in a plan view, the region where the bottom protruding portion 200 of the rotating body 13 extends is referred to as the region A1 with protrusions, and the region where the bottom protruding portion 200 of the rotating body 13 does not extend is referred to as the region A2 without protrusions.

[0052] When the control unit 90 detects that the water level in the washing tub 12 has reached the first water level L1, the control unit 90 executes the first rolling process P1 of rotating the rotating body 13 with respect to the washing tub 12 in the first direction C1 and the second direction C2 at the first rotation speed.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 8, the first water level L1 is, for example, the water level at which at least a part of the side protruding portion 100 is immersed in water. The water level at which at least a part of the side protruding portion 100 is immersed in water is the water level with the upper end portion 100A of the side protruding portion 100 as the upper limit and the lower end portion of the side protruding portion 100 as the lower limit. In this example, the first water level L1 is the water level at which the top portion 200A of the bottom protruding portion 200 is exposed. Also, at the first water level L1, it is assumed that at least a part of the shoe 9 is exposed from the water surface when the shoe 9 is placed on the rotating body 13. In the first rolling process P1, the brush holder 3 (rotating body 13) is rotated, for example, at 50 to 100 rpm.

[0054] [Behavior of the shoe in the first rolling process] In the first rolling process P1, since the rotating body 13 is rotated at a low speed, the shoe 9 floats on the water surface or sinks in the water on the rotating body 13 without moving along the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12. In the first rolling process P1, the side protruding portion 100 that relatively moves in the direction opposite to the rotation direction C of the rotating body 13 contacts the shoe 9 on the rotating body 13, thereby pushing the shoe 9 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction C. At the first water level L1, the buoyancy acts on the shoe 9, facilitating the pushing out of the shoe 9 by the side protruding portion 100. The shoe 9 pushed out in the direction opposite to the rotation direction C contacts the bottom protruding portion 200. Then, the shoe 9 can change its posture and arrangement by being pushed out by the side protruding portion 100 while in contact with the bottom protruding portion 200. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, an example of the behavior of the shoe 9 in the first rolling process P1 will be described when the rotating body 13 rotates in the first direction C1 with respect to the washing tub 12 and when the rotating body 13 rotates in the second direction C2 with respect to the washing tub 12.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 9, when the rotating body 13 rotates in the first direction C1 with respect to the washing tub 12, the side protruding portion 100 moves relatively in the second direction C2. When the side protruding portion 100 contacts the shoe 9 on the rotating body 13, the shoe 9 is in a state of being pushed toward the first protruding portion 201 of the bottom protruding portion 200 on the second direction C2 side. Some of the shoes 9 pushed in this way ride onto the first protruding portion 201 of the bottom protruding portion 200. Since the gradient of the first protruding portion 201 is gentler than that of the second protruding portion 202, the pushed-out shoe 9 easily rides onto the first protruding portion 201. The shoe 9, in a state of riding on (contacting) the first protruding portion 201, is pushed by the side protruding portion 100 moving relatively in the second direction C2, and thus easily rolls from the first protruding portion 201 toward the inner side in the radial direction. In the example shown in Fig. 9, with the sole of the shoe 9 in contact with the first protruding portion 201, the shoe 9 is pushed by the side protruding portion 100 and rolls from the first protruding portion 201 toward the inner side in the radial direction, and the posture of the shoe 9 changes so that the sole of the shoe 9 faces the outer side in the radial direction. As described above, by changing the posture of the shoe 9, the water accumulated in the shoe 9 can be effectively discharged.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 10, when the rotating body 13 rotates in the second direction C2 with respect to the washing tub 12, the side protrusion 100 moves relatively in the first direction C1. When the side protrusion 100 contacts the shoe 9 on the rotating body 13, the shoe 9 is in a state of being pushed toward the first direction C1 side toward the second protrusion 202 of the bottom protrusion 200. The shoe 9 pushed in this way may be sandwiched in the gap between the second protrusion 202 of the bottom protrusion 200 and the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12. Since the gradient of the second protrusion 202 is steeper than that of the first protrusion 201, when the shoe 9 on the rotating body 13 is pushed toward the second protrusion 202, it does not ride up on the second protrusion 202 but is easily sandwiched in the gap between the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 and the second protrusion 202. The shoe 9 is pushed out by the side protrusion 100 moving relatively in the first direction C1 in a state of being sandwiched (contacted) in the gap between the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 and the second protrusion 202, and is lifted along the steeply sloped second protrusion 202 and passes through the top 200A of the bottom protrusion 200. The shoe 9 that has passed through the top 200A of the bottom protrusion 200 falls toward the first protrusion 201 side of the bottom protrusion 200 and rolls or slides on the first protrusion 201 and moves toward the non-protrusion area A2. In the example shown in FIG. 10, with the tip portion of the shoe 9 sandwiched in the gap between the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 and the second protrusion 202, the shoe 9 is pushed out by the side protrusion 100, and while the heel portion of the shoe 9 is lifted upward, it passes through the top 200A of the bottom protrusion 200. Then, the shoe 9 that has passed through the top 200A of the bottom protrusion 200 has its heel portion fall toward the first protrusion 201 side and is pushed out onto the first protrusion 201 and rolls or slides toward the non-protrusion area A2. Thereby, while greatly changing the posture of the shoe 9, the shoe 9 can be moved from the protrusion area A1 to the non-protrusion area A2. Therefore, since the posture and arrangement of the shoe 9 change greatly, the deviation in the arrangement of the shoe 9 in the washing tub 12 can be effectively evened out.

[0057] As described above, in the first tumbling process P1, when the side protrusion 100 contacts the shoe 9 on the rotating body 13, the shoe 9 is pushed out in the direction opposite to the rotation direction C of the rotating body 13, and the shoe 9 is moved to the protruding area A1 where the bottom protrusion 200 is located. Then, with the shoe 9 in contact with the bottom protrusion 200, the shoe 9 can change its posture and arrangement by being pushed out by the side protrusion 100. As a result, the plurality of shoes 9 are easily dispersed in the washing tub 12, and the bias in the arrangement of the shoes 9 in the washing tub 12 can be evened out. Therefore, in the dehydration operation, the frequency of detecting the imbalance of the washing tub 12 can be reduced, and the time required for the dehydration operation can be shortened. Further, by changing the posture of the shoe 9, the water accumulated in the shoe 9 can be discharged, so that the dehydration effect of the shoe 9 in the dehydration operation can be enhanced.

[0058] [Rotation amount of the first tumbling process] The details of the rotation amount of the first tumbling process P1 will be described. In the first tumbling process P1, after rotating the rotating body 13 in the first direction C1 by the first rotation amount, it is rotated in the second direction C2 by a second rotation amount smaller than the first rotation amount. In the first tumbling process P1, it is preferable to alternately repeat the rotation in the first direction C1 and the second direction C2 a plurality of times. The first rotation amount is, for example, half a rotation (180 degrees) or more of the rotating body 13. The second rotation amount is, for example, less than half a rotation (180 degrees) of the rotating body 13. By making the first rotation amount during forward rotation larger than the second rotation amount during reverse rotation in this way, it is possible to prevent the shoe 9 from being damaged when the shoe 9 sandwiched between the side protrusion 100 and the bottom protrusion 200 cannot be successfully lifted along the steep second protrusion 202.

[0059] Note that the bottom protrusion 200 is configured such that the behavior of the shoe 9 is different during the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the rotating body 13 by making the first ridge line R1 and the second ridge line R2 have different lengths. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the bottom protrusion 200 may have the first ridge line R1 and the second ridge line R2 having the same length. Even in this case, the posture and arrangement of the shoe 9 can be changed by the shoe 9 in contact with the bottom protrusion 200 being pushed out by the side protrusion 100.

[0060] In the first tumbling process P1, when it is detected that the first water level L1 has been reached, it is preferable to stop the drainage operation in the washing tub 12 and then execute the first tumbling process P1. In this case, the drainage operation in the washing tub 12 may be resumed after the first tumbling process P1 is completed, or the drainage operation in the washing tub 12 may be resumed during the execution of the first tumbling process P1. Note that when it is detected that the first water level L1 has been reached, the first tumbling process P1 may be executed without stopping the drainage operation in the washing tub 12.

[0061] [Second tumbling process] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the details of the second tumbling process P2 will be described. FIG. 11 is a side view of the brush holder 3, the rotating body 13, and the side protruding portion 100 showing the second water level L2. FIG. 12 is a top view of the brush holder 3, the rotating body 13, and the side protruding portion 100 in the second tumbling process P2 during normal rotation. In FIG. 12, the illustration of the brush unit 7 is omitted.

[0062] Next, when the control unit 90 detects that the water level in the washing tub 12 has reached the second water level L2 which is lower than the first water level L1, the control unit 90 executes a second tumbling process P2 in which the rotating body 13 is rotated with respect to the washing tub 12 in the first direction C1 and the second direction C2 at a second rotation speed greater than the first rotation speed.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 11, the second water level L2 is, for example, a water level lower than the side protruding portion 100. In this example, the second water level L2 is a water level at which the upper surface of the rotating body 13 formed to be concave downward is immersed in water. In the second tumbling process P2, the brush holder 3 (rotating body 13) is rotated at a speed higher than that in the first tumbling process P1, for example, at 75 to 200 rpm which is 1.5 to 2 times. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 12, an example of the behavior of the shoe 9 in the second tumbling process P2 when the rotating body 13 rotates in the first direction C1 with respect to the washing tub 12 will be described.

[0064] [Behavior of the shoe in the second tumbling process] As shown in FIG. 12, in the second tumbling process P2, since the rotating body 13 rotates at high speed, centrifugal force acts on the shoes 9, and the shoes 9 on the rotating body 13 move radially outward. Then, the shoes 9 that have moved radially outward move along the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 as the rotating body 13 rotates. And the shoes 9 moving along the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 can greatly change the arrangement and posture of the shoes 9 by contacting and bouncing off the side protruding portion 100. In the example shown in FIG. 12, with the sole of the shoe 9 moving along the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 and contacting and bouncing off the side protruding portion 100, the posture of the shoe 9 changes so that the sole of the shoe 9 faces upward. In the second tumbling process P2, even when the rotating body 13 rotates in the second direction C2 with respect to the washing tub 12, similar to the case where the rotating body 13 rotates in the first direction C1 with respect to the washing tub 12, since the shoes 9 moving along the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 are configured to contact and bounce off the side protruding portion 100, the description is omitted.

[0065] Note that when the second tumbling process P2 is executed in a state where the water in the washing tub 12 has been completely drained, if the shoes 9 contact and bounce greatly off the side protruding portion 100 or if the shoes 9 stick to the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12, etc., the shoes 9 may contact the rotating brush unit 7 and the shoes 9 may be damaged by the brush unit 7. Therefore, by executing the second tumbling process P2 at the second water level L2, which is a water level at which a part of the shoes 9 is immersed in water, the contact friction between the shoes 9 and the brush unit 7 is reduced, and it is suppressed that the shoes 9 are damaged by the brush unit 7.

[0066] As described above, in the second tumbling process P2, as the rotating body 13 rotates, the shoe 9 moves radially outward. Then, the shoe 9 moving along the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 contacts the side protruding portion 100 and bounces, so that the arrangement and posture of the shoe 9 can be greatly changed. Therefore, even if the shoe 9 was submerged in water at the first water level L1 in the first tumbling process P1, by rotating the rotating body 13 at a higher speed in a state where the water level has dropped to the second water level L2 and the resistance of the water has been reduced, the shoe 9 can be moved close to the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 by centrifugal force and brought into contact with the side protruding portion 100 to change the posture of the shoe 9. As a result, the plurality of shoes 9 are likely to be dispersed in the washing tub 12, and the bias in the arrangement of the shoes 9 in the washing tub 12 can be evened out. Therefore, in the dehydration operation, the frequency of detecting the imbalance of the washing tub 12 can be reduced, and the time required for the dehydration operation can be shortened. Also, by discharging the water in the shoe 9, the dehydration effect of the shoe 9 in the dehydration operation can be enhanced.

[0067] Note that in the second tumbling process P2, any rotational amount that allows the rotating body 13 to rotate at a high speed may be used. The rotational amount for rotating the rotating body 13 in the first direction C1 and the rotational amount for rotating the rotating body 13 in the second direction C2 may be the same rotational amount or different rotational amounts. Also, in the second tumbling process P2, it is preferable to repeatedly rotate in the first direction C1 and the second direction C2 alternately a plurality of times.

[0068] Also, when the control unit 90 detects that the second water level L2 has been reached, it is preferable to stop the drainage operation in the washing tub 12 and then execute the second tumbling process P2. In this case, the drainage operation in the washing tub 12 may be restarted after the second tumbling process P2 ends, or the drainage operation in the washing tub 12 may be restarted during the execution of the second tumbling process P2. Note that when it is detected that the second water level L2 has been reached, the second tumbling process P2 may be executed without stopping the drainage operation in the washing tub 12.

[0069] As described above, in a state where the drainage of the washing tub 12 is being performed before the dehydration operation of the shoes 9, by changing the rotational speed of the rotating body 13 with respect to the washing tub 12 according to two different levels of water levels, the arrangement and posture of the shoes 9 can be changed in different ways. Therefore, before the dehydration operation, the bias in the arrangement of the shoes 9 in the washing tub 12 can be evened out, and the water in the shoes 9 can be drained, so that the dehydration effect of the shoes 9 can be enhanced.

[0070] In addition, in the above embodiment, it is preferable that the control unit 90 executes the first rolling process P1 and the second rolling process P2 as the leveling process. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only the first rolling process P1 may be executed, or only the second rolling process P2 may be executed.

[0071] Further, in the above embodiment, the leveling process is performed when shifting from the washing operation to the dehydration operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the case of a washing machine that repeatedly performs a washing operation for washing the object to be washed and a drainage operation for draining water during the washing operation, it may be performed during the drainage operation during the washing operation.

[0072] Also, in the above embodiment, one side surface protrusion 100 and one bottom surface protrusion 200 are provided. However, a plurality of side surface protrusions 100 may be provided, or a plurality of bottom surface protrusions 200 may be provided. The first rotation amount and the second rotation amount may be set to more suitable numerical values according to the number of the side surface protrusions 100 and the bottom surface protrusions 200. For example, when n side surface protrusions 100 and n bottom surface protrusions 200 are provided at equal intervals, the first rotation amount during normal rotation may be set to about 1 / n rotation, and the second rotation amount during reverse rotation may be set to about 1 / 2n rotation.

[0073] Also, in the above embodiment, the brush unit 7 is formed in a stepped shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any structure that can wash the shoes 9 by contacting the shoes 9 may be used, as long as it is formed to extend from the shaft portion 60 toward the inner peripheral surface 12A side of the washing tub 12.

[0074] In the above configuration, the washing machine 1 includes a washing tub 12 into which shoes 9, which are the items to be washed, are placed, a rotating body 13 disposed at the bottom of the washing tub 12 and rotating about an axis extending in the vertical direction, a shaft portion 60 fixed above the rotating body 13 and rotating together with the rotating body 13, and a brush unit 7 extending from the shaft portion 60 toward the inner peripheral surface 12A side of the washing tub 12. The washing machine 1 also includes a brush holder 3 having the above components, a bottom surface protruding portion 200 protruding upward from the upper surface of the rotating body 13 and extending along the rotation direction C centered on the axis, a side surface protruding portion 100 provided on the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 and protruding toward the axis, a water level detection unit 15 for detecting the water level in the washing tub 12, and a control unit 90 for controlling the rotational drive of the rotating body 13. The rotation direction C of the rotating body 13 includes a first direction C1 and a second direction C2 that are opposite to each other. When the control unit 90 detects that the water level in the washing tub 12 has reached the first water level L1 while the water in the washing tub 12 is being drained, the control unit 90 executes a first tumbling process P1 in which the rotating body 13 is rotated in the first direction C1 and the second direction C2 at a first rotational speed with respect to the washing tub 12.

[0075] In the above configuration, in the first tumbling process P1, when the side surface protruding portion 100 contacts the shoes 9 on the rotating body 13, the shoes 9 are pushed out in a direction opposite to the rotation direction C of the rotating body 13, and the shoes 9 are moved to the protruding region A1 where the bottom surface protruding portion 200 is located. Then, with the shoes 9 in contact with the bottom surface protruding portion 200, the shoes 9 can be pushed by the side surface protruding portion 100 to change their postures and arrangements. As a result, the plurality of shoes 9 are easily dispersed in the washing tub 12, and the bias in the arrangement of the shoes 9 in the washing tub 12 can be equalized.

[0076] Further, the top 200A of the bottom surface protruding portion 200 is provided at the height position of the side surface protruding portion 100, and the first water level L1 is a water level at which at least a part of the side surface protruding portion 100 is immersed in water. Thereby, in the first tumbling process P1, the buoyancy acting on the shoes 9 is used to facilitate the pushing out of the shoes 9 by the side surface protruding portion 100.

[0077] Further, the bottom surface protrusion 200 has a first ridge line R1 extending along the first direction C1 from the top 200A of the bottom surface protrusion 200, and a second ridge line R2 extending along the second direction C2 from the top 200A of the bottom surface protrusion 200 and shorter than the first ridge line R1. As described above, by making the first ridge line R1 and the second ridge line R2 different in length, in the first rolling process P1, the behavior of the shoe 9 can be made different when the rotating body 13 rotates in the first direction C1 and when it rotates in the second direction C2.

[0078] Further, when the control unit 90 detects that the water level in the washing tub 12 has reached the second water level L2 which is lower than the first water level L1, the control unit 90 executes a second rolling process P2 of rotating the rotating body 13 in the first direction C1 and the second direction C2 at a second rotation speed greater than the first rotation speed with respect to the washing tub 12. In the above configuration, in the second rolling process P2, as the rotating body 13 rotates, the shoe 9 moves radially outward. Then, the shoe 9 moving along the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 contacts the side surface protrusion 100 and bounces, so that the arrangement and posture of the shoe 9 can be greatly changed. As a result, the plurality of shoes 9 are likely to be dispersed in the washing tub 12, and the deviation in the arrangement of the shoes 9 in the washing tub 12 can be made uniform.

[0079] Further, the second water level L2 is lower than the side surface protrusion 100. Thereby, in the second rolling process P2, since a part of the shoe 9 is immersed in water, the contact friction between the shoe 9 and the brush unit 7 is reduced, and it is possible to suppress the shoe 9 from being damaged by the brush unit 7.

[0080] Further, the state in which the water in the washing tub 12 is being drained is a state in which the washing operation of washing the shoes 9 as the objects to be washed has shifted to the dehydration operation of dehydrating the shoes 9 as the objects to be washed. Thereby, before the dehydration operation, the deviation in the arrangement of the shoes 9 in the washing tub 12 can be made uniform. Therefore, in the dehydration operation, the frequency of detecting the imbalance of the washing tub 12 can be reduced, and thus the time required for the dehydration operation can be shortened. Further, by changing the posture of the shoe 9, the water accumulated in the shoe 9 can be drained, so that the dehydration effect of the shoe 9 in the dehydration operation can be enhanced.

[0081] [Remarks] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope indicated in the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment, new technical features can be formed.

[0082] In the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the object to be washed is not limited to the shoe 9, and any three-dimensional solid object may be used, and it is preferably a bottomed solid object.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0083] 1 Washing machine, 3 Brush holder, 7 Brush unit, 9 Shoe, 12 Washing tub, 12A Inner peripheral surface, 13 Rotating body, 15 Water level detection unit, 60 Shaft portion, 90 Control unit, 100 Side protruding portion, 200 Bottom protruding portion, 200A Top, C Rotation direction, C1 First direction, C2 Second direction, L1 First water level, L2 Second water level, P1 First rolling process, P2 Second rolling process, R1 First ridge line, R2 Second ridge line

Claims

1. A washing tub into which an object to be washed is placed, a rotating body disposed at the bottom of the washing tub and rotating about an axis extending in the vertical direction, a brush holder having a shaft portion fixed above the rotating body and rotating together with the rotating body, and a brush unit extending from the shaft portion toward the inner peripheral surface side of the washing tub, a bottom surface protruding portion protruding upward from the upper surface of the rotating body and extending along the rotation direction centered on the axis, a side surface protruding portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub and protruding toward the axis, a water level detection unit for detecting the water level in the washing tub, a control unit for controlling the rotational drive of the rotating body, and the rotation direction of the rotating body includes a first direction and a second direction which are opposite to each other, the control unit when it is detected that the water level in the washing tub has reached a first water level in a state where the water in the washing tub is being drained, a washing machine that executes a first tumbling process of rotating the rotating body in the first direction and the second direction at a first rotation speed with respect to the washing tub.

2. The top of the bottom surface protruding portion is provided at the height position of the side surface protruding portion, The first water level is a water level at which at least a part of the side surface protruding portion is immersed in water. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The bottom surface protruding portion has a first ridge line extending along the first direction from the top of the bottom surface protruding portion, and a second ridge line extending along the second direction from the top of the bottom surface protruding portion and shorter than the first ridge line. The washing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The control unit when it is detected that the water level in the washing tub has reached a second water level which is lower than the first water level, executes a second tumbling process of rotating the rotating body in the first direction and the second direction at a second rotation speed greater than the first rotation speed with respect to the washing tub. The washing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The second water level is a water level lower than the side surface protruding portion. The washing machine according to claim 4.

6. The state where the water in the washing tub is being drained is a state where a dehydration operation for dehydrating the object to be washed is being shifted from a washing operation for washing the object to be washed. The washing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

Images