Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine with a lint filter having improved collection performance.SOLUTION: A washing machine S of the present invention includes an outer tank 2 in which a washing liquid is reserved, an inner tub 3 rotatably installed in the outer tank 2, in which laundry is accommodated, a rotary vane 4 installed at the bottom of the inner tub 3 to be rotationally driven such that the laundry liquid is stirred, and a lint filter 33 attached to the inner tub 3 to remove the lint contained in the washing liquid, having a lateral lattice 34a1 extending in the rotation direction of the inner tub 3 and a vertical lattice 34a2 extending in a direction intersecting with the rotation direction. The lint filter 33 has a horizontal rib 34a3 formed along the rotation direction of the inner tub 3, projecting toward the central side of the inner tub 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In some vertical washing machines, where the washing tub is placed vertically, a circulation path is provided inside the inner tub to circulate the washing water from the bottom to the top of the inner tub in order to save water. During the wash cycle, lint generated by the laundry inside the inner tub is circulated from the lower to the upper part of the inner tub by the wash water flow that passes through the circulation path generated by the rotation of the agitator. To remove the lint, a lint filter is provided in the circulation path. The wash water flow passes through the lint filter, capturing the lint.

[0003] A lint filter that collects lint is installed in the inner tub. However, when washing machines become larger, two lint filters may be installed. On the other hand, in some vertical washing machines, a shower of wash water is sprayed onto the laundry inside the inner tub from the top to save water. In this case, to prevent the inner tub from swinging due to imbalance during spin-drying, the inner tub is provided with a shower of wash water flow path that is point-symmetrical around the rotation axis of the inner tub. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-134261 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when washing clothes in a vertical washing machine, gravity acts on the clothes and the wash water absorbed by the clothes, and centrifugal force acts on the clothes and the wash water absorbed by the clothes due to the rotation of the agitator blades, causing the clothes to stick to the lint filter. As a result, the clothes create resistance to the water flow through the lint filter. This reduces the lint collection performance of the lint filter. This phenomenon occurs because the effect of buoyancy on the clothes is reduced when there is a large amount of clothes and a small amount of water. Therefore, the effect of gravity acting on the clothes containing the wash water becomes greater, and the density of the clothes containing the wash water per unit volume increases. This increases the mass of the clothes containing the wash water per unit volume, and the centrifugal force per unit volume acting on the clothes containing the wash water increases. As a result, the clothes stick more to the lint filter, and the lint collection performance decreases more significantly.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has as its object to provide a washing machine in which the lint collecting performance of the lint filter is improved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the washing machine of the present invention comprises an outer tub in which washing liquid is stored, an inner tub that is rotatably arranged within the outer tub and in which laundry is stored, a rotating blade disk that is arranged at the bottom of the inner tub and is driven to rotate, stirring the washing liquid, and a lint filter that is attached to the inner tub and has a horizontal grid that extends in a direction along the rotation direction of the inner tub to remove lint contained in the washing liquid, and a vertical grid that extends in a direction intersecting the rotation direction, and the lint filter has horizontal ribs that are formed in a direction along the rotation direction of the inner tub and protrude toward the center of the inner tub. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine in which the lint collection performance of the lint filter is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a right-side vertical cross-sectional view showing the washing machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of the upper surface of the rotor blade disc. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of the underside of the rotor blade disc. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a top view of the lower part of the washing / spinning tub. [Figure 4B] Cross-sectional view II of Figure 4A. [Figure 5A] A front view of the shower case as viewed from the center of the washing and spin tub. [Figure 5B] An enlarged cross-sectional view of II-II in FIG. 5A. [Figure 5C] A rear view of the shower case as viewed from the radial outside of the washing and spin-drying tub. [Figure 5D] 1 is a perspective view of the shower case viewed from diagonally above the outer radial direction of the washing and spin-drying tub. FIG. [Figure 6A] FIG. 4 is a front view of the lint filter as viewed from the center of the washing and spin-drying tub. [Figure 6B] 6A in the direction of arrow III [Figure 6C] Rear view of the lint filter. [Figure 6D] View of the lint filter in the direction of the arrow IV. [Figure 7A] FIG. [Figure 7B] 10 is a perspective view of the lint filter in the process of attaching or detaching a thin box-shaped filter case from the lint filter. FIG. [Figure 8A] FIG. 4 is a front view of the lint filter as viewed from the center of the washing and spin-drying tub. [Figure 8B] View of the V arrow in Figure 8A [Figure 8C] Enlarged view of part VI in Figure 8B. [Figure 9A] Cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 8A. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of part VIII in FIG. 9A. [Figure 10A] A conceptual side view showing the normal operation of a lint filter. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10 is a conceptual side view of a case where an abnormality occurs in the lint filter. [Figure 10C]FIG. 4 is a conceptual side view illustrating the function of the lint filter of the present embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a graph showing the effect of the height of the horizontal rib on the amount of lint collected. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a right-side vertical cross-sectional view showing a washing machine S according to this embodiment. In the following, a vertical washing machine S capable of washing, rinsing, and spin-drying will be described as an example.

[0011] The washing machine S of the present invention can also be applied to a vertical washing / drying machine that can also perform a drying process. The washing machine S has an outer shell formed by an outer frame 1 of a housing that forms the outer shape. The outer frame 1 of the washing machine S includes an outer tub 2 for storing washing water, a washing and spin-drying tub 3 (inner tub) inside the outer tub 2, a rotating blade plate 4 that rotates at the bottom of the washing and spin-drying tub 3, and a drive motor 10 that rotates the rotating blade plate 4.

[0012] The outer frame 1 is formed into a vertically elongated cylindrical shape by pressing steel plates into a metal sheet, etc. The outer frame 1 may be formed by fastening several metal sheets together using round head screws or engagement bolts. A synthetic resin base 32 is provided as a bottom plate at the bottom of the outer frame 1. A synthetic resin top cover 6 is provided above the outer frame 1. By making the base 32 and the top cover 6 out of synthetic resin, leakage of electricity and electric shock from the washing machine S are suppressed. An operation panel 6p for a user to operate the washing machine S is provided on the upper front surface of the top cover 6. The operation panel 6p is electrically connected to a control device e provided at the lower front part inside the washing machine S. Although not shown in Fig. 1, the interior of the outer frame 1 is reinforced with reinforcing members made of rust-proof steel plates. The base 32 is also reinforced by providing lattice-shaped ribs or the like inside to increase the second moment of area.

[0013] The outer tub 2 is made of synthetic resin, for example, glass fiber-reinforced PP (Polypropylene). The outer tub 2 is approximately cylindrical with a bottom. The outer tub 2 is supported in the center of the outer frame 1 via a vibration-isolating device 2b that engages with a locking portion 2k of the outer tub 2. The vibration-isolating device 2b has a coil spring 2s formed from a spring wire with a spring constant, and elastic rubber 2g that damps vibrations through internal friction. The outer tub 2 is suspended and supported by the vibration-isolating device 2b from the upper square corners of the outer frame 1, and vibration energy of the outer tub 2 is suppressed mainly by energy consumption through elastic energy by the coil spring and damping by the elastic rubber.

[0014] Washing and spin-drying tub 3 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom and contains laundry (clothes) to be washed and spin-dried. Washing and spin-drying tub 3 is provided at the center of the interior of outer tub 2 and is supported rotatably within outer tub 2. The rotation axis O (see FIG. 1) of washing and spin-drying tub 3 is arranged in a substantially vertical direction to prevent imbalance caused by gravity acting on the laundry when it rotates at high speed during spin-drying.

[0015] The washing and spin-drying tub 3 has a large number of small through-holes 3a in its substantially cylindrical side wall for water passage and spin-drying. Note that Fig. 1 shows only a portion of the large number of small through-holes 3a in a representative manner, with the rest omitted. The washing and spin-drying tub 3 also has a plurality of through-holes 3b in its bottom wall through which wash water and rinse water pass. The upper edge of the washing and spin-drying tub 3 is also equipped with a ring-shaped fluid balancer 3c. Fluid inside the fluid balancer 3c moves to the opposite side of the laundry imbalance during high-speed rotation in the spin-drying cycle. This suppresses excessive whirling vibrations during high-speed rotation at the washing and spin-drying tub 3's natural vibration speed.

[0016] The lower part of washing / spin-drying tub 3 is formed by a shallow cylindrical bottom plate 11 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) with a bottom. Further, at the bottom of washing / spin-drying tub 3, there is rotatably provided rotary blade disc 4 which agitates the washing water and rinsing water to perform washing, rinsing, etc. Rotating blade disc 4 is rotatably installed at the center of the bottom of washing / spin-drying tub 3. Rotating blade disc 4 rotates repeatedly in forward and reverse directions during the washing and rinsing operations.

[0017] Drive motor 10 is provided within outer frame 1 and selectively drives rotary blade plate 4 and washing / spin-drying tub 3 to rotate via electromagnetic clutch 10c. Drive motor 10 is, for example, a DC brushless motor driven by direct current. The DC brushless motor is controlled by vector control using control device e. Drive motor 10 may directly drive rotary blade plate 4 and washing / spin-drying tub 3, or may indirectly drive them using a reduction mechanism such as a belt.

[0018] An outer lid 5 is provided on the top of the outer frame 1 and can be opened and closed when the user puts laundry in or takes laundry out. The rear side of the outer lid 5 is pivotally supported by a top cover 6 provided on the top of the outer frame 1. An inner lid 5u is provided below the outer lid 5 around the rear axis so that it can be opened and closed when putting laundry in or taking laundry out. In this way, laundry is put in or taken out of the washing and spin-drying tub 3 by opening and closing the outer lid 5 and inner lid 5u and through the laundry inlet 6a.

[0019] <Water supply> A water supply unit 7 that supplies wash water and rinse water is provided within the outer frame 1, behind the outer lid 5 of the top cover 6. The water supply unit 7 has a water supply box (not shown) with multiple water channels inside. The water supply unit 7 receives wash water and rinse water from a water supply hose connection port 8 that protrudes upward from the top cover 6. Specifically, tap water or bath water is supplied from the water supply hose connection port 8 and poured into the outer tub 2. A detergent and finishing agent dispenser 36 is also provided behind the top cover 6. The detergent and finishing agent dispensed into the dispenser 36 are poured between the outer tub 2 and the washing / spin tub 3 via a dispenser hose (not shown).

[0020] A drain port 54 provided at the rear bottom of the outer tub 2 communicates with a wash water drain channel 52 for draining the wash water via a normally closed drain valve 53 that is opened only during draining. Drain valve 53 is closed during the washing operation and the rinsing operation. Drain valve 53 opens when draining the wash water, and discharges the wash water and rinsing water stored in outer tub 2 from wash water drain channel 52 to the outside of washing machine S (outside the machine). Washing machine S is equipped with water level sensor 55 that detects the water levels of wash water and rinse water stored in outer tub 2. An air trap 50 is provided near the bottom of outer tub 2. An air tube 56 is connected to and communicates with air trap 50, and a water level sensor 55 is connected to the upper end of air tube 56.

[0021] <Wash water and rinse water circulation within washing and spin tub 3> Here, at the bottom of outer tub 2, circulation water channels 51a, 61a are provided for circulating wash water and rinse water inside washing / spin-drying tub 3 from the bottom to the top. Additionally, circulation water channels 51b and 61b are provided at the rear and front of washing and spin-drying tub 3, respectively, for circulating wash water and rinse water from the bottom to the top inside washing and spin-drying tub 3. Circulation water channels 51b and 61b are arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis O of washing and spin-drying tub 3. This prevents imbalance and suppresses vibration when washing and spin-drying tub 3 rotates at high speed during the spin-drying process.

[0022] The rear circulation water channel 51b and the front circulation water channel 61b form a vertical flow path for showering (arrows α03, α04, α01, α02 in FIG. 1) the washing liquid remaining in the outer tub 2 and the washing and spin-drying tub 3 from above (51c, 61c) and the center (15a1) onto the laundry in the washing and spin-drying tub 3. For this reason, the circulation water channel 51b and the circulation water channel 61b are provided to extend vertically to the rear and front of the washing and spin-drying tub 3. Further, at the center inner side of circulating water passage 51b at the front of washing / spin-drying tub 3, there is disposed lint filter 33 (details of which will be described later) for removing lint generated during washing and rinsing.

[0023] A shower case 15 (see FIG. 5A) is provided on the central inner side of the circulating water passage 61b at the front of the washing / spin-drying tub 3 to shower water onto the laundry in the washing / spin-drying tub 3 from above (arrows α01 and α02 in FIG. 1). A slit-shaped, stepless shower outlet channel 15a1 is formed in shower case 15. Wash water and rinse water stored in outer tub 2 flows from circulation channel 61a at the bottom of outer tub 2 into circulation channel 61b at the front of washing and spin-drying tub 3, and then flows upward within circulation channel 61b.

[0024] Similarly, the wash water and rinse water stored in outer tub 2 flows from circulation water channel 51a at the bottom of outer tub 2 into circulation water channel 51b at the rear of washing and spin-drying tub 3, and flows upward within circulation water channel 51b. A portion of the wash water that rises up circulation channel 51b at the rear of washing and spin-drying tub 3 has lint removed by lint filter 33 and enters washing and spin-drying tub 3 (arrow α04 in FIG. 1). The other portion of the wash water that rises up circulation channel 51b behind lint filter 33 is discharged from outlet 51c at the upper end of circulation channel 51, hits fluid balancer 3c, and is sprayed like a shower near the center of washing and spin-drying tub 3 (arrow α03 in FIG. 1).

[0025] Meanwhile, a portion of the wash water that has risen up circulation channel 61b at the front of washing and spin-drying tub 3 is sprayed in a shower-like manner from slit-shaped, stepless shower outlet channel 15a1 of shower case 15 toward the center of washing and spin-drying tub 3 (arrow α02 in FIG. 1). The other portion of the wash water that has risen up circulation channel 61b at the rear of washing and spin-drying tub 3 further rises up circulation channel 61b, is discharged from outlet 61c at the upper end of circulation channel 61b, collides with fluid balancer 3c, and is poured from above in a shower-like manner onto the laundry in washing and spin-drying tub 3 (arrow α01 in FIG. 1).

[0026] <Washing and rinsing operations> Next, the operation of the washing machine S according to the embodiment in the washing and rinsing modes will be described. In the washing step, first, the water supply unit 7 shown in FIG. 1 supplies water to the dispenser 36 into which the detergent has been dispensed, thereby supplying the detergent, tap water, etc. into the outer tub 2. In the outer tub 2, the solid detergent is dissolved in tap water or the like, while the liquid detergent is diluted with tap water or the like to produce a highly concentrated detergent solution. At this time, if necessary, the drive motor 10 may rotate the rotor disk 4 to generate a water flow by the ridges 41 of the rotor disk 4, thereby producing a highly concentrated detergent solution. The water supply unit 7 stops supplying water when the water level reaches a first water level, which is a low level that immerses the first blade 46 (see FIG. 3) and the second blade 47 (see FIG. 3) on the underside (rear surface) of the rotor disk 4. Note that the first water level is preferably a low water level that does not exceed the upper surface of the rotor disk 4, but may also be a water level that slightly exceeds the upper surface of the rotor disk 4.

[0027] When the drive motor 10 rotates the rotor disk 4 at the first water level, the high-concentration detergent solution accumulated at the bottom of the outer tub 2 flows out as follows. Specifically, the high-concentration detergent solution accumulated at the bottom of outer tub 2 flows upward from circulation water channel 51a at the rear bottom of outer tub 2 through circulation water channel 51b at the rear of washing and spin-drying tub 3, and is supplied into washing and spin-drying tub 3. Also, the high-concentration detergent solution accumulated at the bottom of outer tub 2 flows upward from circulation water channel 61a at the front bottom of outer tub 2 through washing and spin-drying tub 3 and front circulation water channel 61b, and is supplied into washing and spin-drying tub 3.

[0028] In this way, the highly concentrated detergent solution is circulated so that it drips onto the laundry from above (51c, 61c) and the center (15a1), while the rotor disk 4 is rotated alternately in forward and reverse directions, causing the ridge portion 41 to repeatedly apply an upward force to the laundry, thereby forcing it to wash (pre-wash). Thereafter, the water supply unit 7 supplies water until the water level reaches a second high level, which is higher than the first high level, and the drive motor 10 rotates the washing and spin-drying tub 3 and the rotary blade plate 4 alternately in forward and reverse directions, and washing is performed at the high water level (main wash).

[0029] In the rinsing process, similar to the washing process, rinsing water is supplied to collect at the bottom (51a, 61a) of the outer tub 2 and circulated so that it falls on the laundry from above (arrows α01, α03 in Figure 1) and the center (arrows α02, α04 in Figure 1), while the rotor blades 4 are rotated forward and backward to remove detergent components from the laundry and rinse it. In the next dehydration step, the drive motor 10 rotates the washing / dehydration tub 3 and the rotary blade 4 in one direction at high speed, so that the water contained in the laundry is dehydrated by centrifugal force (=mrω 2 The mass m of water contained in the laundry and the angular velocity ω of the washing / spin-drying tub 3 cause the laundry to be dewatered through a large number of small through-holes 3a (see FIG. 1).

[0030] <Rotorplane 4> FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the shape of the upper surface side of the rotor disc 4. As shown in FIG. The shape of the rotor disc 4 will now be described in detail. The shape of the upper surface of the rotary blade disc 4 affects the movement of the laundry during the washing and rinsing operations.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the upper surface of the rotor disk 4 is formed with a bulge 43 on the central side, a plurality of valleys 42 arranged circumferentially outside the bulge 43, and a plurality of ridges 41 extending radially between adjacent valleys 42.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the shape of the lower surface side of the rotor disc 4. As shown in FIG. The second blades 47 (see FIG. 3) formed below the ridges 41 shown in FIG. 2 contribute to the action of pushing water below the rotor disc 4 outward. The ridge portion 41 has a relatively high circumferential ridgeline and circumferential inclined surfaces 41a that are formed on both sides of the ridgeline in the circumferential direction and slope downward smoothly. Therefore, when the rotor disk 4 rotates, an upward component force is repeatedly applied to the laundry placed on the rotor disk 4 by the circumferential inclined surfaces 41a.

[0033] The valleys 42 have a relatively low concave slope (valley-shaped concave curved surface) compared to the ridges 41, and are so-called bowl-shaped, with a low radial center portion and high inner and outer diameter portions. The valleys 42 also have a large number of second through holes 42a that penetrate the rotor disc 4 from top to bottom to allow water to pass through. As shown in Figure 3, the second through holes 42a are formed between adjacent second blades 47.

[0034] During the washing process, when the rotor plate 4 shown in Fig. 2 rotates, the laundry is pushed up by the circumferentially inclined surface 41a of the ridge portion 41. At this time, the washing power is improved by the beating effect when the pushed-up laundry falls and hits the upper surface of the rotor plate 4, and the scrubbing effect caused by the friction between the rotor plate 4 rotating forward and backward and the laundry. In this embodiment, the ridges 41 and the valleys 42 are provided point-symmetrically with respect to the center of rotation. Therefore, whether the rotary blade disc 4 is rotated forward or backward, the laundry moves in the same direction, so tangling and uneven washing are less likely to occur, and uneven washing and damage to the laundry can be suppressed.

[0035] The rotor disk 4 has a bulging portion 43 that bulges upward around the center of rotation. A bearing (not shown) that supports a shaft that rotates by the power of the drive motor 10 is formed below (inside) the bulging portion 43.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, first blade 46, second blade 47, third blade 48, and fourth blade 49 are formed on the underside of rotor disk 4 as rib-like rear blades forming protrusions. Each blade (46, 47, 48, 49) on the underside of rotor disk 4 protrudes downward, and its lower end is on approximately the same plane. The rear blades (46, 47, 48, 49) shown in Figure 3 improve the strength of rotor disk 4, and first blade 46 and second blade 47 in particular also play a role in generating a swirling outward flow of water in the detergent solution and rinsing water accumulated at the bottom of washing and spin-drying tub 3 (see Figure 1) during the washing and rinsing processes.

[0037] The first blades 46 are rear blades extending in the radial direction, and are provided radially outward from the outer diameter end of the central bearing. The first blades 46 are located below the bulging portion 43, and particularly improve the strength of the bulging portion 43. Furthermore, during the washing process or the like, as the rotary blade disc 4 rotates, the first blade 46 mainly pushes outward the detergent solution and the like that has accumulated near the lower side of the bulge 43 (see FIG. 2) near the center of the bottom of the washing and spin-drying tub 3. The pushed-out detergent solution travels by its momentum (centrifugal force) through the circulating water channels 51b and 61b shown in FIG. 1 and comes into contact with the annular fluid balancer 3c, forming a shower toward the center, supplying the detergent solution and the like to the laundry in the washing and spin-drying tub 3.

[0038] Furthermore, a plurality of first through holes 43a that penetrate vertically through the rotor disk 4 are formed between circumferentially adjacent first blades 46. The first through holes 43a make it easier for detergent liquid and the like to flow into the spaces between circumferentially adjacent first blades 46 from above the rotor disk 4, and also increase the force that pushes the detergent liquid and the like outward. Therefore, the first through holes 43a contribute to increasing the circulating flow rate of the detergent liquid and the like.

[0039] 3 is a rear blade extending in the radial direction, and is provided at a position radially offset from the first blade 46, specifically, radially outward of the outer diameter end of the first blade 46. The second blade 47 improves the strength of the entire rotor disk 4. In a washing process or the like, as the rotor disk 4 shown in FIG. 1 rotates, the second blade 47 pushes the detergent solution, etc. that has accumulated near the outer diameter side of the bottom of the washing and spin-drying tub 3 and the detergent solution, etc. that has been pushed outward by the first blade 46, further outward, and with that momentum, the detergent solution, etc. passes through the circulating water channels 51b, 61b (see FIG. 1) and comes into contact with the annular fluid balancer 3c, forming a shower-like shower toward the center, thereby supplying the detergent solution, etc. to the laundry in the washing and spin-drying tub 3.

[0040] Here, the second blades 47 are provided not only below the ridges 41 shown in FIG. 2 but also below the valleys 42. Because the upper surface of the rotor disk 4 is formed higher on the outer diameter side in both the ridges 41 and the valleys 42 (see FIG. 3), the downward protrusion of the second blades 47 is greater at the outer diameter end than on the inner diameter side. Therefore, the detergent solution, etc., pushed outward by the first blades 46 is more likely to be scooped out further outward and guided to the circulation water channels 51b, 61b (see FIG. 1) shown in FIG. 1. However, the second blades 47 below the ridges 41 have a greater height dimension than the second blades 47 below the valleys 42, and therefore contribute more to the pushing out of the detergent solution, etc.

[0041] The third blades 48 are rear blades located below the bulging portion 43 and extending in the circumferential direction, and are provided in multiple concentric circles to improve the strength of the rotor disk 4. By providing the third blades 48 with the intermediate third blades 48c, the space below the bulging portion 43 is divided into smaller sections, which makes it easier to increase the flow rate of the detergent liquid, etc., and therefore increases the force with which the detergent liquid, etc. is sucked in through the first through-holes 43a and the force with which the detergent liquid, etc. is pushed out through the first blades 46. The fourth blade 49 is a rear blade that is located below the valley portion 42 or the ridge portion 41 and extends in the circumferential direction, and improves the strength of the rotor disk 4.

[0042] <Cylindrical bottom plate 11 at the bottom of the washing / spinning tub 3> FIG. 4A is a top view of the lower part of washing / spinning tub 3 seen from above. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 4A. The cylindrical bottom plate 11 has a bottom surface plate 11t that forms the bottom plate and a cylindrical side peripheral plate 11s. The bottom plate 11t is provided with a central hole 11t1 through which the central shaft of the rotary blade disc 4 passes, and a plurality of through-holes 3b around the central hole 11t1 through which the washing liquid and the like flows.

[0043] A side peripheral plate 11s of the bottomed cylindrical bottom plate 11 is recessed to form a part of the circulating water channel 51b and a part of the circulating water channel 61b. <Triangular flow straightening body 12 of circulation water channel 51b and triangular flow straightening body 13 of circulation water channel 61b>

[0044] A triangular rectifying body 12 (see FIG. 4B) having a substantially triangular pyramid shape is formed on bottom plate 11t of bottomed cylindrical bottom plate 11 at the center of inlet 51b1 of circulating water passage 51b shown in FIG. 1. Triangular rectifying body 12 has a triangular central surface 12a facing the center of washing and spin-drying tub 3, a substantially triangular first side surface 12b continuing from one side of central surface 12a, and a substantially triangular second side surface 12c continuing from the other side of central surface 12a. Ridge portions 12d formed at substantially the same height are formed on the upper edges of first side surface 12b and second side surface 12c.

[0045] The washing liquid remaining in the circulation water channel 51a (see FIG. 1) at the bottom of the outer tub 2 is caused to flow by the rotation of the rotary blade disc 4 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), causing the bottom of the washing and spin-drying tub 3 to rotate. Then, the washing liquid rotating at the bottom of the washing and spin-drying tub 3 collides with the triangular flow-regulating body 12 (see FIG. 4B) located at the lower center of the circulation water channel 51b, and is guided upward in the vertical circulation water channel 51b (see FIG. 1). This allows the washing liquid to circulate smoothly from the bottom to the top of the circulation water channel 51b.

[0046] As in Fig. 4B, triangular rectifier body 13 (see Fig. 4A) having a substantially triangular pyramid shape is formed on bottom plate 11t of bottomed cylindrical bottom plate 11 at the center of inlet 61b1 of circulating water passage 61b shown in Fig. 1. Triangular rectifier body 13 has a substantially triangular central surface 13a facing the center of washing and spin-drying tub 3, a substantially triangular first side surface 13b continuing from one side of central surface 13a, and a substantially triangular second side surface 13c continuing from the other side of central surface 13a. Ridge portions 13d formed at substantially the same height are formed on the upper edges of first side surface 13b and second side surface 13c.

[0047] The washing liquid remaining in the circulation water channel 61a (see FIG. 1) at the bottom of the outer tub 2 is caused to flow by the rotation of the rotary blade disc 4 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), causing the bottom of the washing and spin-drying tub 3 to rotate. Then, the washing liquid rotating at the bottom of the washing and spin-drying tub 3 collides with the triangular flow-regulating body 13 (see FIG. 4B) located at the lower center of the circulation water channel 61b, and is guided upward in the vertical circulation water channel 61 (see FIG. 1). This allows the washing liquid to circulate smoothly from the bottom to the top of the circulation water channel 61b.

[0048] <Width dimension of inlet 51b1 of circulation water channel 51b and width dimension of inlet 61b1 of circulation water channel 61b> As shown in Fig. 4B, width s2 of the edge of inlet 51b1 of circulation water channel 51b is larger than width s1 of circulation water channel 51b, so that the washing liquid rotating at the bottom of washing and spin-drying tub 3 due to the rotation of rotary blade disk 4 (see Figs. 2 and 3) is drawn into circulation water channel 51b of washing and spin-drying tub 3, allowing the washing liquid to flow smoothly from the bottom to the top of circulation water channel 51b.

[0049] Similarly, width s2 of the edge of inlet 61b1 of circulation water channel 61b is larger than width s1 of circulation water channel 61b, so that the washing liquid rotating at the bottom of washing and spin-drying tub 3 due to the rotation of rotary blade disk 4 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is drawn into circulation water channel 61b of washing and spin-drying tub 3, allowing the washing liquid to flow smoothly from the bottom to the top of circulation water channel 61b.

[0050] <Shower case of circulation water channel 51b> Fig. 5A is a front view of shower case 15 as viewed from the center side of washing and spin-drying tub 3. Fig. 5B is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of Fig. 5A.

[0051] Fig. 5C is a rear view of shower case 15 viewed from the radially outer side of washing and spin-drying tub 3. Fig. 5D is a perspective view of shower case 15 viewed from diagonally above the radially outer side of washing and spin-drying tub 3. As shown in FIG. 1, shower case 15 is a component for showering water onto laundry in washing and spin-drying tub 3 from above or the center. Shower case 15 is injection molded using a low-cost, heat-resistant resin such as polypropylene (PP). The material of shower case 15 is arbitrary as long as it satisfies the function, lifespan, etc. of the shower case.

[0052] The shower case 15 shown in FIG. 5A has a front plate 15a (see FIG. 5B) that has a convex curvature toward the rear, and a pair of side plates 15b (see FIG. 5D) that extend rearward from both side edges of the front plate 15a. The shower case 15 is formed with a flow path 15r (see FIG. 5D) that flows the washing liquid from bottom to top and shower outlets (15a1, 15o) (see FIG. 5C) so that water can be showered onto the laundry in the washing and spin-drying tub 3 from above (arrow α01 in FIG. 1) or from the center (arrow α02 in FIG. 1).

[0053] A pair of stepless shower outlet channels 15a1, which are vertically extending slits (long, thin holes), are formed in the center of front plate 15a shown in Fig. 5A. As shown in Fig. 5B, stepless shower outlet channels 15a1 are openings (through holes) with a slit width dimension s10 (see Fig. 5B). Front plate 15a is thickened at the outlet region of stepless shower outlet channels 15a1 on the center side of washing and spin-drying tub 3 to have a slit height dimension t11 (see Fig. 5B).

[0054] The upper ends of the pair of side plates 15b shown in FIG. 5A have a shower case width s12 that is larger than the width s11 of the front plate 15a. The upper edge of the front plate 15a is formed lower than the upper edges of the pair of side plates 15b, forming an upper shower outlet 15o.

[0055] As shown in Figure 5C, the stepless shower outflow channel 15a1 is opened near the vertically elongated rib 15a2. By opening the stepless shower outflow channel 15a1 near the vertically elongated rib 15a2, sink marks and deformation can be suppressed when the shower case 15 having the stepless shower outflow channel 15a1 is injection molded.

[0056] The shower case 15 shown in FIG. 5C has an inflow width dimension s13 of the washing liquid into the shower case 15, a stepless shower outflow path width dimension s14, and an upper shower path width dimension s15.

[0057] <Lint filter 33> Fig. 6A is a front view of lint filter 33 (see Fig. 1) as viewed from the center of washing and spin-drying tub 3. Fig. 6B is a view seen in the direction of arrow III in Fig. 6A, Fig. 6C is a rear view of lint filter 33, and Fig. 6D is a view seen in the direction of arrow IV of lint filter 33. The lint filter 33 includes a lint filter 34 having lattice-shaped filters (34a1, 34a2) formed therein, and a thin box-shaped filter case 35 for storing lint.

[0058] 7A is a perspective view of the lint filter 33, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the lint filter 33 in the middle of attaching or detaching the thin box-shaped filter case 35 from the lint filter 34. FIG.

[0059] 7A and 7B, lint filter 33 is configured so that thin box-shaped filter case 35 can be attached (arrow α11 in FIG. 7B) and detached (arrow α12 in FIG. 7B) to lint filter 34. This allows the user to discard lint collected in filter case 35 and clean lint filter 33.

[0060] Fig. 8A is a front view of lint filter 34 as viewed from the center side of washing and spin-drying tub 3. Fig. 8B is a view seen in the direction of arrow V in Fig. 8A, and Fig. 8C is an enlarged view of portion VI in Fig. 8B. 9A is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 8A, and FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of part VIII in FIG. 9A.

[0061] The lint filter 34 shown in Fig. 8A has a lattice filter portion 34a and an outer frame portion 34b. The lattice filter portion 34a has a lattice shape (34a1, 34a2) and is formed in a flat plate shape. The lattice filter portion 34a collects lint from the wash liquid by using the lattice shape (34a1, 34a2). The outer frame portion 34b is formed around the periphery of the lattice filter portion 34a to support the lattice filter portion 34a and constitutes the outer frame of the lattice filter portion 34a. The lattice filter portion 34a is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which has excellent heat resistance, and the outer frame portion 34b is made of PP (polypropylene). The lint filter 33 is molded by insert molding. The material of the lint filter 33 can be selected arbitrarily.

[0062] The grid filter portion 34a of the lint filter 34 shown in Figure 8A has horizontal grids 34a1 extending in the horizontal direction and vertical grids 34a2 extending in the vertical direction. The horizontal grids 34a1 and the vertical grids 34a2 have approximately the same dimensions. This prevents damage to the laundry and prevents wear of the horizontal grids 34a1 and the vertical grids 34a2 due to dynamic friction with the laundry.

[0063] 8B and 8C, horizontal ribs 34a3 having a height s21 (see FIG. 9B) of approximately 2 mm and a width s22 (see FIG. 9B) of approximately 2 mm are formed to protrude above horizontal lattice 34a1, i.e., toward the center of horizontal lattice 34a1 toward washing / spin-drying tub 3. It is desirable that height s21 of horizontal ribs 34a3 protrude by 1.5 mm or more from vertical lattice 34a2.

[0064] When the horizontal ribs 34a3 are made tall, the strength of the horizontal ribs 34a3 can be improved by forming reinforcing ribs that are continuous with the horizontal ribs 34a3 on the vertical lattice 34a2. The reinforcing ribs should have the same height s21 as the horizontal ribs 34a3 near the horizontal ribs 34a3, and should be formed with a concave curvature that decreases below the height s21 as they move away from the horizontal ribs 34a3. As shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, the side end portions 34a31 of the horizontal ribs 34a3 are formed with an R-shaped curvature (convex curvature) to prevent damage to the fabric.

[0065] <Effect of the horizontal rib 34a3> Here, the function and effect of the horizontal ribs 34a3 provided on the lint filter 33 will be described. Fig. 10A is a conceptual side view showing the normal operation of lint filter 133. Fig. 10B is a conceptual side view showing the state when an abnormality occurs in lint filter 133. Fig. 10C is a conceptual side view showing the operation of lint filter 33 of this embodiment (the present invention).

[0066] As shown in Fig. 10A, clothes i in washing and spin-drying tub 3 are washed and rinsed with a space (gap) of dimension s31 between them and lattice filter portion 134a of lint filter 133. In this case, because there is a space (gap) of dimension s31 between clothes i and lattice filter portion 134a of lint filter 133, the washing liquid and rinsing liquid can smoothly flow out of lint filter 133 to the outside of lattice filter portion 134a (arrow α31 in Fig. 9A), and lint contained in the washing liquid and rinsing liquid can be captured.

[0067] 10B, when there is a large amount of clothes i in the washing and spin-drying tub 3 or when there is little washing liquid or rinsing liquid, the clothes i stick to the lattice filter portion 134a of the lint filter 133. In this case, there is no gap (space) between the clothes i and the lattice filter portion 134a of the lint filter 133, so the washing liquid and rinsing liquid cannot pass through the mesh portion of the lattice filter portion 134a, and the lint collection performance decreases.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 10C, in this embodiment, horizontal ribs 34a3 are formed on the horizontal lattice 34a1. This forms a gap (space) between the garment i and the lattice filter portion 34a of the lint filter 33. This allows the wash liquid and rinse liquid to smoothly flow out of the lattice filter portion 34a of the lint filter 33 (arrow α32 in Fig. 10C), allowing lint contained in the wash liquid and rinse liquid to be smoothly collected. [Table 1]

[0069] Table 1 shows the effect of the height dimension s21 of the horizontal rib 34a3 (see FIG. 9B) on the amount of lint collected. FIG. 11 is a graph showing the effect of the height dimension s21 of the horizontal rib 34a3 (see FIG. 9B) on the amount of lint collected. The test conditions are as follows:

[0070] [Test conditions] The load was 100% cotton towels, 60% of the rated capacity of the washing machine S. The course was the standard washing course of the washing machine S. Wash time is set to 12 minutes. (Auto setting is set to 5 minutes.) No rinsing *Two times if using automatic setting. - Dehydration time is 3 minutes (6 minutes if set to automatic). Number of cycles: The average value was taken from three runs.

[0071] The reason why each value was manually specified instead of automatically setting it was to reduce test variations in the amount of lint collected and to shorten the test time. The amount of collected lint was measured using an electronic balance after the collected lint was completely dried in a thermostatic chamber. According to Table 1 and FIG. 11, when the horizontal rib 34a3 was not provided, the amount of collected lint was 0.150 g.

[0072] When the height dimension s21 of the horizontal rib 34a3 was 2 mm, the amount of collected lint was 0.210 g. When the height dimension s21 of the horizontal rib 34a3 was 4 mm, the amount of collected lint was 0.270 g. When the height s21 of the horizontal rib 34a3 was 2 mm, the triangular flow straightening body 12 shown in Figures 4A and 4B was provided, and the inlet 51b1 of the circulation water channel 51b (see Figure 4B) was widened, the amount of lint collected was 0.280 g. From the results of Table 1 and Figure 11, it was confirmed that a height dimension s21 of the horizontal rib 34a3 of 1.5 mm or more is effective in capturing lint, and that increasing the water flow in the circulation water channel 51b by widening the triangular flow straightening body 12 and the inlet 51b1 of the circulation water channel 51b (see Figure 4B) is effective in capturing lint.

[0073] If the height dimension s21 (see FIG. 9B) of the horizontal rib 34a3 is too high, the fabric may be damaged and the horizontal rib 34a3 may be worn or broken. Therefore, it is concluded that the height dimension s21 (see FIG. 9B) of the horizontal rib 34a3 is preferably about 1.5 mm to about 4.5 mm higher than the vertical lattice 34a2, and most preferably about 2 mm (1.7 mm to 2.3 mm) higher. Incidentally, the height of the horizontal rib 34a3 may be set to be high depending on the size of the inner diameter of the washing / spin-drying tub 3 and the strength of the washing liquid flow.

[0074] <Action and effect> The lint filter 33 of the embodiment is a single lint filter that is larger than the two lint filters used in the conventional art. Therefore, in order to increase the size of the lint filter 33, the area of ​​the lattice filter portion 34a, which corresponds to the outlet for the washing liquid that collects lint, was nearly doubled.In addition, the volume that is covered by the lint filter 34 and the thin box-shaped filter case 35, which is the volume that collects lint, was nearly doubled.

[0075] By adopting the large lint filter 33 of the embodiment, the number of lint filters can be reduced to one. This allows the user to clean the lint filter in one place, improving ease of cleaning. Furthermore, since only one lint filter 33 is required, the number of parts is reduced, leading to lower manufacturing costs. This improves the productivity of the washing machine S. 4B, the inlet 51b1 of the circulation water passage 51b and the inlet 61b1 of the circulation water passage 61b are widened. Also, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4A, a triangular flow straightening body 12 is provided near the inlet of the circulation water passage 51b, and a triangular flow straightening body 13 is provided near the inlet of the circulation water passage 61b.

[0076] This allows the water flow in the circulating water passages 51b and 61b to be increased. By increasing the water flow through the circulation water passage 51b, the amount of lint collected by the lint filter 33 can be increased. As described above, according to the washing machine S of the embodiment, even if the lint filter 33 is made large, the lint collecting function can be effectively performed. This reduces the amount of lint that adheres to the laundry, improving the quality of the laundry. It also reduces the amount of lint discharged into the drain 54 (see Figure 1), preventing clogging of the drain 54 and preventing microplastics from entering rivers.

[0077] <<Other embodiments>> 1. 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]

[0078] 2 Outer tank 3 Washing and spin tub (inner tub) 4 rotor blades 12, 13 Triangular flow guide body (washing liquid guide body) 12b 1st side (slope) 12c 2nd side (slope) 13b 1st side (slope) 13c 2nd side (slope) 33 Lint filter 34a1 Horizontal grid 34a2 vertical grid 34a3 horizontal rib 51b, 61b circulation waterway 51b1, 61b1 Entrance (Entrance to the Circulation Waterway) Rotation axis of inner tank S washing machine s21 Height dimension (horizontal rib protrusion dimension)

Claims

1. an outer tub in which the washing liquid is stored; an inner tub that is rotatably provided in the outer tub and that accommodates laundry; a rotary blade disc provided at the bottom of the inner tub and driven to rotate to agitate the washing liquid; a lint filter attached to the inner tub, which removes lint contained in the washing liquid, and which has a horizontal lattice extending in a direction parallel to the rotation direction of the inner tub and a vertical lattice extending in a direction intersecting the rotation direction; The lint filter is formed with horizontal ribs that are formed in a direction along the rotation direction of the inner tub and that protrude toward the center of the inner tub. A washing machine characterized by:

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, The horizontal ribs are formed to protrude from the grid toward the center of the inner tank by 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm. A washing machine characterized by:

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, a circulation channel extending along the rotation axis of the inner tub is provided on the peripheral wall of the inner tub, for circulating the washing liquid from the lower part to the upper part of the inner tub by the rotation of the rotary blade disc; The inlet of the circulating water channel in the circumferential direction of the bottom of the inner tank is formed wider than the center side of the circulating water channel. A washing machine characterized by:

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, A washing liquid guide member having an inclined surface that is wider at the bottom and narrower at the top, is provided at an inlet of the circulation water channel in the circumferential direction of the bottom of the inner tub, and guides the washing liquid from the bottom of the inner tub toward the circulation water channel. A washing machine characterized by:

5. The washing machine according to claim 4, The washing liquid guide body is formed in a substantially triangular shape when viewed from the center side of the inner tub. A washing machine characterized by:

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