Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which suppresses breakage of a lead wire and which has improved workability.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a housing; a water tub supported so as to oscillate in the housing; a washing tub provided in the water tub so as to rotate around a rotary shaft which is in the horizontal direction or which is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction; a motor provided on the back surface of the washing tub, and rotationally driving the washing tub; a control part provided inside the housing, and controlling the motor; a lead wire for connecting the motor and the control part; and a lead wire mounting part fixed to a base at the bottom part of the housing, and mounting the lead wire. The lead wire mounting part includes: a first portion fixed to the base; and a second portion extending upward from the first portion, and supporting the lead wire in a state of being along the vertical direction. The base includes a first wall part for supporting the second portion in a state where the second portion of the lead wire mounting part is erected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to washing machines. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine that prevents breakage of lead wires connected to a motor. In the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, a drive motor provided in a washing tub with a vertical rotation axis has multiple wires connected to it, which are bundled into a single lead wire in the horizontal direction and routed to the housing side and fixed horizontally to a base at the bottom of the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-178954 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a washing machine that can prevent lead wire breakage and improve workability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing, a water tub supported within the housing so as to be swingable, a washing tub provided within the water tub so as to be rotatable about a horizontal or tilted axis relative to the horizontal, a motor provided on the rear side of the washing tub to rotate the washing tub, a control unit provided within the housing to control the motor, lead wires connecting the motor and the control unit, and a lead wire attachment unit fixed to a base at the bottom of the housing and for attaching the lead wires. The lead wire attachment unit has a first portion fixed to the base and a second portion extending upward from the first portion to support the lead wires in a vertically aligned state. The base has a first wall portion that supports the second portion of the lead wire attachment unit when it is upright. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The washing machine of the present disclosure can prevent breakage of lead wires and improve workability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, seen from diagonally forward; [Figure 2] Overall perspective view of the washing machine seen from diagonally behind [Figure 3] Side view of the main parts of the washing machine with the side cover removed [Figure 4] Rear view of the washing machine with the back cover removed [Figure 5] Enlarged view of part of Figure 4 [Figure 6] A perspective view of the lead wire attachment area from the rear with the lead wire removed [Figure 7] Perspective view of lead wire attachment part [Figure 8] A perspective view of the support part with the lead wire attachment part removed, seen from diagonally behind [Figure 9] Plan view of the support part with the lead wire attachment part removed DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0009] (Embodiment) A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0010] [Overall configuration] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen diagonally from the front. Figure 2 is an overall perspective view of the washing machine 1 as seen diagonally from the rear. Figure 3 is a side view of the main parts of the washing machine 1 with the side cover 22 removed. The washing machine 1 according to this embodiment is a so-called drum-type washing machine in which the rotation axis Vo of the washing tub 4 is horizontal or inclined from the horizontal. In the following description, the lid 5 side of the washing machine 1 is defined as the front, and the opposite side as the rear. Furthermore, the right and left sides of the washing machine 1 are determined when the lid 5 of the washing machine 1 is viewed from the front.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, washing machine 1 includes housing 2, water tub 3, washing tub 4, lid 5, drive unit 6, lead wires 27, lead wire attachment unit 28, and control board 29.

[0012] The housing 2 is a component that forms the exterior of the washing machine 1. The housing 2 includes a front cover 21 that covers the front of the washing machine 1, a side cover 22 that covers the side of the washing machine 1, a rear cover 23 that covers the rear of the washing machine 1, a top cover 24 that covers the top of the washing machine 1, and a base 25 that is connected to the lower ends of the side cover 22 and the rear cover 23 and supports each cover. The side cover 22 and the rear cover 23 are made of, for example, metal, and the base 25 is made of, for example, resin. The front cover 21 is provided with a lid 5 that can be opened and closed freely. The front cover 21 and the rear cover 23 may each be made of a single component or multiple components.

[0013] Next, reference will be made to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 4 is a rear view of the washing machine 1 with the rear cover 23 removed. Figure 5 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 4.

[0014] The water tub 3 is provided inside the housing 2 and is a roughly cylindrical member with one end closed so as to store wash water. The water tub 3 may also be called an outer tub.

[0015] Washing tub 4 is a generally cylindrical member rotatably provided inside water tub 3 and used to store laundry such as clothes. Washing tub 4 can communicate with the outside when lid 5 of housing 2 is opened, and laundry is placed into washing tub 4. Washing tub 4 may also be referred to as a drum or inner tub. Washing tub 4 is rotatable about rotation axis Vo as its central axis. Rotation axis Vo may be tilted forward and upward from the horizontal, or may be extended horizontally. The tilt angle θ of rotation axis Vo is, for example, between 0 degrees and 45 degrees.

[0016] A drive unit 6 that drives and rotates the washing tub 4 is provided inside the housing 2. The drive unit 6 includes a pulley 7 connected to the washing tub 4 and rotating together with the washing tub 4, a motor 8 that generates a rotational drive force, a motor-side pulley 9 connected to the motor 8 and rotating together with the motor's rotary shaft, and a rotating belt 10 that is wound around the pulleys 7 and 9 and transmits the rotational drive force of the motor 8 from the motor-side pulley 9 to the pulley 7. The pulley 7, the motor 8, and the motor-side pulley 9 are each attached to the oscillating water tub 3.

[0017] Motor 8 is connected to wiring for transmitting control signals to control motor 8 and wiring for supplying power. These wirings are bundled together to form lead wire 27, which is supported on the surface of the case of motor 8. Lead wire 27 extends from motor 8 to the left of washing machine 1 and is fixed to lead wire attachment part 28 fixed to base 25. Lead wire 27 then extends from the rear of water tub 3 to the front and is connected to control board 29 located at the front of housing 2. Lead wire 27 is routed left and right along motor 8, extends upward with inverted U-shaped slack portion 27a, and extends downward and is attached to lead wire attachment part 28. Lead wire 27 has slack portion 27a, which allows stress due to pulling or bending to be relaxed by the slack, thereby preventing lead wire 27 from breaking due to fluctuations in the distance between motor 8 and lead wire attachment part 28.

[0018] Control board 29 controls the operation of washing machine 1. Control board 29 may include, for example, a memory (not shown) that stores a program and a processing circuit (not shown) corresponding to a processor such as a CPU, and function as these elements by the processor executing the program. Control board 29 also includes a power supply board that adjusts the voltage and current applied to the motor.

[0019] Water tank 3 is supported on base 25 via suspension 30 so as to be able to swing freely. Suspension 30 reduces the transmission of vibrations of water tank 3 to base 25.

[0020] [Lead wire mounting configuration] Next, the configuration of the lead wire attachment portion 28 and the support portion 31 that supports the lead wire attachment portion 28 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 9. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the periphery of the lead wire attachment portion 28 when the lead wire 27 has been removed, as viewed obliquely from behind. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the lead wire attachment portion 28. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the support portion 31 when the lead wire attachment portion 28 has been removed, as viewed obliquely from behind. Figure 9 is a plan view of the support portion 31 when the lead wire attachment portion 28 has been removed.

[0021] The lead wire attachment portion 28 is attached to a support portion 31 that is integrated with the base 25. The support portion 31 is disposed on the rear side of the base 25. As shown in FIG. 7 , the lead wire attachment portion 28 has a first portion 32 that is fixed to the support portion 31, and a second portion 33 that extends upward from the first portion 32 and supports the lead wire 27 in a vertically aligned state.

[0022] The lead wire attachment portion 28 is formed, for example, by bending a flat metal plate into an L-shape. The first portion 32 has holes 35 into which screws 34 for fixing the lead wire attachment portion 28 to the support portion 31 are inserted. The lead wire attachment portion 28 also has wall portions 36 formed by bending both left and right end portions of the first portion 32 upward. Note that the lead wire attachment portion 28 is not limited to an L-shape and may be, for example, an inverted T-shape in which the first portion 32 extends further forward than the second portion 33. Alternatively, instead of using a screw structure to fix the lead wire attachment portion 28 to the support portion 31, a claw may be formed on the support portion 31 and the lead wire attachment portion 28 may be fixed to the support portion 31 by fitting the first portion 32 into the claw.

[0023] The second portion 33 has holes 37 and 38 to which a first cable tie 39 and a second cable tie 40 are respectively attached for attaching the lead wire 27 to the second portion 33. A distance Lg1 from the first portion 32 to the hole 38 is shorter than a distance Lg2 between the holes 37 and 38. Furthermore, a width Wd1 of the first portion 32 in the left-right direction is shorter than a width Wd2 of the second portion 33 in the left-right direction.

[0024] The lead wire attachment portion 28 is a flame-retardant material, which can further suppress the spread of fire caused by breakage of the lead wire 27. In addition to sheet metal, the lead wire attachment portion 28 may be made of, for example, metal, glass, ceramic, mica, or flame-retardant resin. In this specification, "flame-retardant" refers to a material that meets the criteria of a flammability test based on the UL94 standard, and corresponds to grades HB, V-2, V-1, V-0, 5VB, and 5VA.

[0025] Lead wire 27 is most likely to break at lead wire attachment part 28, which secures lead wire 27, which moves with the movement of water tank 3, to base 25 of housing 2. Even at lead wire attachment part 28, stress may concentrate near first cable tie 39 attached to upper hole 37, potentially causing the wire to break. Therefore, first cable tie 39 is also made of a flame-retardant resin.

[0026] Next, the support portion 31 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. The support portion 31 includes a first wall portion 41 and a second wall portion 42. The first wall portion 41 is roughly U-shaped when viewed from above and supports the second portion 33 of the lead wire attachment portion 28 when the second portion 33 is upright. The first wall portion 41 is located on the opposite side of the first portion 32 of the lead wire attachment portion 28 from the second portion 33, and therefore can prevent the second portion 33 from tipping over toward the opposite side (forward) from the first portion 32. By pressing the second portion 33 against the first wall portion 41, the lead wire attachment portion 28 can be positioned in the front-to-rear direction and can also be made to stand on its own.

[0027] The first wall portion 41 has a notch 45 in a central portion 44 of an upper edge 43. The notch 45 is, for example, semicircular in shape. The notch 45 is positioned so as to overlap with the hole 38 of the lead wire attachment portion 28, so that the first wall portion 41 does not get in the way when attaching the second binding band 40 to the hole 38.

[0028] In the first wall portion 41, both side portions 46 of the upper edge 43 are higher than the notch 45. This increases the contact area between the first portion 32 of the lead wire attachment portion 28 and the back surface 41a of the first wall portion 41, improving stability so that the first portion 32 does not tip over. Furthermore, since the side portions 46 can be made higher and the holes 38 can be made lower, the distance Lg2 between the holes 37 and 38 can be increased. This prevents the fire from spreading to the support portion 31 even if the lead wire 27 breaks down near the first cable tie 39 and ignites.

[0029] The second wall 42 positions the lead wire attachment portion 28 in the left-right direction. The second wall 42 has a first side wall 51 that comes into contact with either one of the left-right sides of the first portion 32 of the lead wire attachment portion 28. By pressing the side of the first portion 32 against the first side wall 51 while the second portion 33 of the lead wire attachment portion 28 is in an upright position, the lead wire attachment portion 28 can be positioned in the left-right direction.

[0030] The second wall 42 further includes a second side wall 52 that contacts the other left-right side of the first portion 32. The first side wall 51 and the second side wall 52 face each other, and sandwich the first portion 32 of the lead wire attachment portion 28 between the first side wall 51 and the second side wall 52, thereby preventing the lead wire attachment portion 28 from shifting left-right until it is fixed to the support portion 31, and further improving positioning accuracy.

[0031] Furthermore, since each wall portion 36 bent from both sides of the first part 32 of the lead wire mounting portion 28 comes into surface contact with the first side wall portion 51 and the second side wall portion 52 of the second wall portion 42, it becomes easier to position the lead wire mounting portion 28.

[0032] The second wall 42 is disposed on the rear side of the housing 2 relative to the first wall 41. This allows the work of attaching the lead wire attachment portion 28 to the support portion 31 to be performed from the rear side of the housing 2, which is a shorter approach compared to working from the front side of the housing 2, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0033] The second wall 42 has a wall 53 that faces the back surface 41a of the first wall 41. Therefore, by sandwiching the lead wire attachment portion 28 in the front-to-rear direction between the wall portions 53 of the first wall 41 and the second wall 42, it is possible to prevent the lead wire attachment portion 28 from shifting in the front-to-rear direction before it is fixed to the support portion 31, thereby further improving positioning accuracy. A screw hole 54 is arranged between the first wall 41 and the wall portion 53 of the second wall 42, and a screw 34 that fixes the lead wire attachment portion 28 to the support portion 31 is screwed into this screw hole 54.

[0034] The wall portion 53 has a notch 55 in the center. This improves visibility of the area surrounded by the first wall portion 41 and the second wall portion 42 of the support portion 31, and the worker can easily check whether the lead wire attachment portion 28 is screwed to the support portion 31 by looking at the screw head of the screw 34 screwed into the screw hole 54. Visibility can be further improved if the notch 55 is formed up to about the height of the screw head of the fixed screw 34. Both side portions of the wall portion 53 are connected to the rear end of the first side wall portion 51 and the rear end of the second side wall portion 52, respectively.

[0035] The second wall 42 has a third side wall 56 and a fourth side wall 57 that respectively face the left-right side portions 33a of the second portion 33 of the lead wire attachment portion 28. The left-right width Wd2 of the second portion 33 of the lead wire attachment portion 28 is greater than the left-right width Wd1 of the first portion 32 (see FIG. 7), and the distance Lg3 between the third side wall 56 and the fourth side wall 57 is greater than the distance Lg4 between the first side wall and the second side wall.

[0036] In the lead wire attachment portion 28 that is inserted between the first wall portion 41 and the wall portion 53 of the second wall portion 42, the width Wd1 of the first portion 32 and the width Wd2 of the second portion 33 are different lengths. Corresponding to the difference in length, the distance Lg3 between the third side wall portion 56 and the fourth side wall portion 57 and the distance Lg4 between the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion are different. Therefore, when the second portion 33 of the lead wire attachment portion 28 is located behind the first portion 32, it cannot be inserted between the first wall portion 41 and the wall portion 53 of the second wall portion 42, so assembly errors by the worker can be prevented.

[0037] Furthermore, in the second wall portion 42, the front end of the first side wall portion 51 and the rear end of the third side wall portion 56 are connected with a step, and the front end of the second side wall portion 52 and the rear end of the fourth side wall portion 57 are connected with a step. Therefore, the second portion 33 of the lead wire attachment portion 28 can be sandwiched between the first wall portion 41 and the front end of the first side wall portion 51 and the front end of the second side wall portion 52, and the lead wire attachment portion 28 can be prevented from falling over before being fixed to the support portion 31.

[0038] [effect] The washing machine 1 according to the embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0039] As described above, washing machine 1 of this embodiment includes housing 2, water tub 3 swingably supported within housing 2, washing tub 4 provided within water tub 3 and rotatable about a horizontal or tilted rotation axis Vo, motor 8 provided on the rear side of washing tub 4 to rotate washing tub 4, control unit 11 provided within housing 2 to control motor 8, lead wire 27 connecting motor 8 and control unit 11, and lead wire attachment portion 28 fixed to base 25 at the bottom of housing 2 and to which lead wire 27 is attached. Lead wire attachment portion 28 has first portion 32 fixed to base 25 and second portion 33 extending upward from first portion 32 to support lead wire 27 aligned vertically. Base 25 has first wall portion 41 that supports second portion 33 of lead wire attachment portion 28 when the second portion 33 is upright.

[0040] Since second portion 33 of lead wire attachment portion 28 supports lead wire 27, which is connected to motor 8 that rotates washing tub 4, which is rotatable about rotation axis Vo that is horizontal or inclined relative to the horizontal, in a state where lead wire 27 is aligned vertically, slack portion 27a can be formed in lead wire 27 between motor 8 and second portion 33, reducing stress generated in lead wire 27 and preventing lead wire 27 from breaking. Furthermore, base 25 has first wall portion 41 that supports second portion 33 of lead wire attachment portion 28 in an upright state, so that lead wire attachment portion 28 can stand on its own when fixed to base 25. This improves the efficiency of the work of fixing lead wire attachment portion 28 to base 25, making it possible to provide washing machine 1 that prevents lead wire 27 from breaking and improves workability. Furthermore, since the second portion 33 can support the lead wire 27 at a position above and away from the base 25, the location where there is a risk of fire due to breakage of the lead wire 27 can be separated from the base 25.

[0041] Furthermore, because first wall 41 is higher than second wall 41, the stability of supporting lead wire attachment portion 28 can be improved, allowing for the placement of higher lead wire attachment portion 28. This allows for the distance between base 25 and the point where lead wire 27 is attached to be increased, making it possible to further prevent a fire caused by a break in lead wire 27 from spreading to base 25.

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0043] A washing machine according to a first aspect includes a housing, a water tub supported within the housing so as to be swingable, a washing tub provided within the water tub so as to be rotatable about a horizontal or tilted axis relative to the horizontal, a motor provided on the rear side of the washing tub to rotate the washing tub, a control unit provided within the housing to control the motor, lead wires connecting the motor and the control unit, and a lead wire attachment unit fixed to a base at the bottom of the housing and for attaching the lead wires. The lead wire attachment unit has a first portion fixed to the base and a second portion extending upward from the first portion to support the lead wires in a vertically aligned state. The base has a first wall portion that supports the second portion of the lead wire attachment unit when it is upright.

[0044] The lead wire connected to the motor that rotates the washing tub, which can rotate around a horizontal axis or an axis tilted relative to the horizontal, is supported by the second portion of the lead wire attachment portion in a state where the lead wire is aligned vertically, thereby reducing stress on the lead wire and preventing the lead wire from breaking. Furthermore, the base has a first wall portion that supports the second portion of the lead wire attachment portion in an upright state, so the lead wire attachment portion can stand on its own when fixed to the base. This improves the efficiency of the work of fixing the lead wire attachment portion to the base, preventing lead wire breakage and improving workability.

[0045] As a second aspect of the washing machine, in the washing machine of the first aspect, the base is provided with a second wall portion having a first side wall portion that contacts at least one of the left and right sides of the first portion when the second portion of the lead wire attachment portion is upright.

[0046] A third aspect of the washing machine is the washing machine of the second aspect, wherein the second wall portion faces the first side wall portion and has a second side wall portion that contacts the other side portion in the left-right direction of the first portion.

[0047] A fourth aspect of the washing machine is the washing machine of the first aspect, wherein the first wall portion has a notch in the center of the upper edge, and both sides of the upper edge are higher than the notch.

[0048] A fifth aspect of the washing machine is the washing machine according to the second or third aspect, wherein the first wall is higher than the other walls including the second wall.

[0049] A sixth aspect of the washing machine is the washing machine according to the second or third aspect, wherein the second wall is disposed on the rear side of the housing relative to the first wall.

[0050] A seventh aspect of the washing machine is the washing machine according to the sixth aspect, wherein the second wall portion has a wall portion facing the first wall portion.

[0051] In an eighth aspect, the washing machine is the washing machine of the seventh aspect, wherein the second wall portion has a notch in a wall portion facing the first wall portion.

[0052] In a ninth aspect, the washing machine is the washing machine of the fourth aspect, wherein the second wall has a third side wall and a fourth side wall that respectively face left and right sides of the second portion of the lead wire attachment portion. The left and right length of the second portion of the lead wire attachment portion is greater than the left and right length of the first portion, and the distance between the third side wall and the third side wall is greater than the distance between the first side wall and the second side wall.

[0053] In a tenth aspect of the washing machine, in the washing machine according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the lead wire attachment member is a flame-retardant member.

[0054] Although the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom. [Industrial Applicability]

[0055] The washing machine of the present disclosure is applicable to washing machines in which the washing tub rotates horizontally or around a rotation axis inclined relative to the horizontal, and therefore the present disclosure can be applied to drum-type washing machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 washing machine 2. Case 3. Aquarium 4 Washing machine 5 Lid 6 Drive unit 7 Pulley 8 motors 9 Motor side pulley 10 rotating belt 11 Control section 21 Front cover 22 Side cover 23 Rear cover 24 Top cover 25 Foundation 27 Lead wire 27a Loose part 28 Lead wire attachment part 29 Control board 30 Suspension 31 Support part 32 Part 1 33 Part 2 34 screws 35 holes 36 Wall 37 holes 38 holes 39 First cable tie 40 Second cable tie 41 1st wall 41a back 42 2nd wall section 43 Upper edge 44 Central part 45 Notch 46 Side 51 First side wall 52 Second side wall 53 Wall 54 screw holes 55 Notch 56 Third side wall 57 Fourth side wall

Claims

1. The housing and a water tank supported within the housing so as to be swingable; A washing tub provided inside the water tub so as to be rotatable around a horizontal or tilted rotation axis; a motor provided on the rear side of the washing tub to rotate the washing tub; a control unit provided inside the housing and controlling the motor; a lead wire connecting the motor and the control unit; a lead wire attachment portion fixed to a base at the bottom of the housing and for attaching the lead wire; the lead wire attachment portion has a first portion fixed to the base and a second portion extending upward from the first portion to support the lead wire in a vertically aligned state; the base has a first wall portion that supports the second portion of the lead wire attachment portion in an upright state. washing machine.

2. the base is provided with a second wall portion having a first side wall portion that comes into contact with at least one side portion in the left-right direction of the first portion when the second portion of the lead wire attachment portion is upright; The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. the second wall portion has a second side wall portion facing the first side wall portion and in contact with the other side portion of the first portion in the left-right direction; The washing machine according to claim 2.

4. The first wall portion has a notch in the center of an upper edge, and both side portions of the upper edge are higher than the notch. The washing machine according to claim 1.

5. The first wall portion is higher than the second wall portion. The washing machine according to claim 2.

6. the second wall portion is disposed on the rear side of the housing relative to the first wall portion; The washing machine according to claim 2.

7. The second wall portion has a wall portion facing the first wall portion. The washing machine according to claim 6.

8. a notch formed in a wall portion of the second wall portion facing the first wall portion; The washing machine according to claim 7.

9. the second wall portion has a third side wall portion and a fourth side wall portion that respectively come into contact with left and right side portions of the second portion of the lead wire attachment portion, a width in the left-right direction of the second portion of the lead wire attachment portion is larger than a width in the left-right direction of the first portion, The distance between the third side wall portion and the fourth side wall portion is longer than the distance between the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion. The washing machine according to claim 3.

10. The lead wire attachment member is a flame-retardant material.

10. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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