Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of achieving efficient washing with suppression of jumping of clothing, even with a reduced size of a washing and dewatering tank.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 an annular fluid balancer 14 fixed to the upper part of the inner tub 3. The fluid balancer 14 has a laundry accommodation rib 16 in the upper part. The laundry accommodation rib 16 has a first stopper part 16a projecting upward and a second stopper part 16b projecting in the direction of the rotation axis O of the inner tub 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In a vertical washing machine, the washing tub is placed vertically, and during the spin cycle, the washing / spinning tub is rotated at high speed, and the water in the clothes is expelled from the spin holes of the washing / spinning tub by centrifugal force, thereby spinning the clothes. However, during the spin cycle, depending on how the clothes are piled up, the vertically upward component of the centrifugal force may cause the clothes to fly out of the washing and spin-drying tub (washing and spin-drying tub 4 + fluid balancer 20). In this case, the clothes may get caught between the tub cover and the washing and spin-drying tub, and as the pulsator and washing and spin-drying tub rotate in this state, external forces such as tension may be applied to the clothes, potentially damaging them.

[0003] In addition, in recent years, efforts have been made to reduce the size of washing and spin-drying tubs in response to customer needs, cost reductions, etc. (see paragraph 0015, etc.), making it even more likely for clothes to fly out. To prevent clothes from flying out, some washing machines are equipped with a balancer rib (24) on top of the fluid balancer (20) to absorb vibrations caused by high-speed rotation during spin-drying operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5879490 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] During spin-drying, centrifugal force is generated by the high-speed rotation of the washing / spin-drying tub, causing clothes to stick to the outer periphery of the washing / spin-drying tub. The balancing ribs (24) increase the vertical dimension of the washing / spin-drying tub, reducing the likelihood of clothes falling out of the top of the washing tub. However, clothes that stick to the periphery of the balancing ribs (24) remain stuck there even after the spin-drying cycle is completed, and they remain stuck there in subsequent cycles (e.g., second spin-drying cycle, rinsing cycle, etc.). This creates a problem in that clothes that are not placed in the washing / spin-drying tub below the fluid balancer (20) are not sufficiently rinsed in the subsequent rinsing cycle.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a washing machine that can prevent clothes from flying out and perform washing smoothly even when the washing and spin-drying tub is made small. [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 to agitate the washing liquid, and an annular fluid balancer fixed to the top of the inner tub, wherein the fluid balancer has a laundry storage rib on its top, and the laundry storage rib has a first stopper portion that protrudes upward and a second stopper portion that protrudes in the direction of the rotation axis of the inner tub. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine that can prevent clothes from flying out and perform washing smoothly even when the washing and spin-drying tub is made small. [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] This is a perspective view of the washing machine with the outer frame, top cover, outer lid, etc. removed, viewed from the front right and above. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view II of Figure 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part II in FIG. 3 . [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of part II in FIG. 3 as viewed from above. 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 a housing-like outer frame 1 that defines 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 (inner tub) 3 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] The outer tank 2 is made of synthetic resin, for example, PP (Polypropylene), a general-purpose resin containing glass fiber, and has a cylindrical shape with a bottom. An annular tub cover 2c having an opening facing the upper laundry inlet 6a is formed on the upper edge of the outer tub 2. The annular tub cover 2c prevents laundry (clothes) from getting between the outer tub 2 and the washing / spinning tub 3.

[0015] The outer tub 2 is supported in the center of the outer frame 1 via a vibration isolator 2b that engages with the locking portion 2k of the outer tub 2. The vibration isolator 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 isolator 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.

[0016] The washing and spin-drying tub 3 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom and contains laundry (clothes) to be washed and spin-dried. The washing and spin-drying tub 3 is provided at the center of the interior of the outer tub 2 and is supported so as to be freely rotatable within the outer tub 2. The rotation axis O (see FIG. 1) of the washing and spin-drying tub 3 is arranged in a substantially vertical direction to suppress imbalance caused by gravity acting on the laundry when it rotates at high speed during spin-drying. This suppresses whirling vibrations around the rotation axis O of the washing and spin-drying tub 3.

[0017] 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 provided with an annular fluid balancer 14. Fluid balancer 14 moves the fluid inside 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 natural vibration speed of the washing and spin-drying tub 3.

[0018] The lower part of washing / spin-drying tub 3 is formed by a shallow cylindrical bottom plate 11 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] <Water supply and drainage> 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).

[0022] 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 to store the wash water and the rinsing water in outer tub 2. Drain valve 53 opens when draining the wash water, and discharges the wash water and the 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.

[0023] <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 vibrations when washing and spin-drying tub 3 rotates at high speed during the spin-drying process.

[0024] Circulation water channels 51b and 61b are provided at the rear and front of washing / spin-drying tub 3, respectively, extending in the vertical direction. Circulation water channel 51b and front circulation water channel 61b form a vertical flow path for showering the washing liquid remaining in outer tub 2 and washing / spin-drying tub 3 from the upper part (51c, 61c) and the central part (15a1) onto the laundry in washing / spin-drying tub 3 (arrows α03, α04, α01, α02 in Figure 1). Further, a lint filter 33 is disposed on the inner central side of the circulating water passage 51b at the rear of the washing / spin-drying tub 3 to remove lint generated during washing and rinsing.

[0025] A shower case 15 is disposed 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 stepless shower outlet channel 15a1 with a slit-shaped cutout is formed in the shower case 15. Wash water and rinse water stored in the outer tub 2 flows from the circulation channel 61a at the bottom of the outer tub 2 into the circulation channel 61b at the front of the washing and spin-drying tub 3, and then flows upward in the circulation channel 61b.

[0026] 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 14, and is sprayed like a shower near the center of washing and spin-drying tub 3 (arrow α03 in FIG. 1).

[0027] 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 14, 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).

[0028] <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 tap water or the like containing the detergent 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 level, which is a low level that immerses the first blade (not shown) and second blade (not shown) on the underside (rear surface) of the rotor disk 4. Note that the first water level is preferably a low level that does not exceed the upper surface of the rotor disk 4, but may also be a level that slightly exceeds the upper surface of the rotor disk 4.

[0029] When the drive motor 10 rotates the rotary blade disc 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.

[0030] 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 of the rotor disk 4 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).

[0031] 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 process, the drive motor 10 rotates the washing / dehydration tub 3 and the rotary blade disc 4 in one direction at high speed, and the water contained in the laundry is dehydrated by centrifugal force through the numerous small through holes 3a (see Figure 1).

[0032] <Fluid balancer 14> 2 is a perspective view of the washing machine S with the outer frame 1, top cover 6, outer lid 5, etc. removed, viewed from the upper right front. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG.

[0033] Annular fluid balancer 14 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is fixed to the upper edge of washing and spin-drying tub 3, which has a cylindrical shape with a bottom. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part II in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of part II in FIG. 3 as viewed from above.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the fluid balancer 14 has an annular balancer case 14c with an open upper edge and an annular balancer cover 14f with an open lower edge fixed to face each other. The annular balancer case 14c and the annular balancer lid 14f are formed by injection molding, for example, by injecting glass fiber-reinforced PP (Polypropylene) into a mold. Note that other materials may be used for the balancer case 14c and the balancer lid 14f as long as they satisfy the specified conditions for the fluid balancer 14, such as strength, lifespan, and weather resistance.

[0035] The interior of the fluid balancer 14 is filled with saltwater (not shown) with an unfilled space therein. The unfilled space of the fluid balancer 14 is a space through which the saltwater moves inside the fluid balancer 14. Saltwater, which has a higher specific gravity than water, is filled in place of water to make the vibration damping effect of the fluid balancer 14 more effective. Since the specific gravity of salt crystals is 2.16 and that of water is 1, the weight of saltwater containing salt is greater than the weight of water.

[0036] Specifically, when washing and spin-drying tub 3 rotates at high speed during spin-drying and the clothes are unevenly distributed, the liquid in fluid balancer 14 moves to the opposite side of the uneven distribution of the clothes. At this time, the centrifugal force acting on the liquid in fluid balancer 14 counters the centrifugal force of the uneven distribution of the clothes, achieving balance. At this time, the greater the specific gravity of the liquid in fluid balancer 14 (∝ mass of liquid), i.e., the greater the mass of the liquid, the greater the centrifugal force acting on the liquid. Therefore, by using saltwater, which is heavier than water, as the liquid in fluid balancer 14, the vibration damping effect of fluid balancer 14 during the spin-drying process is enhanced. Note that the liquid placed in fluid balancer 14 is preferably a liquid with a high specific gravity and is not limited to saltwater.

[0037] <Balancer case 14c of fluid balancer 14> An annular balancer case 14c forming the lower part of the fluid balancer 14 shown in FIG. 4 has an annular rib 14c1 formed at approximately the center in the radial direction of the balancer case 14c. The annular rib 14c1 divides the interior of the annular balancer case 14c into an inner chamber m11 on the inner periphery and an outer chamber m12 on the outer periphery. In the inner chamber m11 on the inner periphery, a plurality of ribs r1 are provided in the radial direction of the balancer case 14c at intervals in the circumferential direction of the annular balancer case 14c. In the outer chamber m12 on the outer periphery, a plurality of ribs r2 are provided in the radial direction of the balancer case 14c at intervals in the direction of the annular balancer case 14c.

[0038] The rib r1 of the inner chamber m11 and the rib r2 of the outer chamber m12 act as baffles that prevent the liquid (salt water) in the fluid balancer 14 from moving wildly when the spin-drying process of the washing and spin-drying tub 3 starts.

[0039] <Balancer cover 14f of fluid balancer 14> The annular balancer lid 14f shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 has an annular rib 14f1 formed at approximately the center in the radial direction of the balancer lid 14f. The annular rib 14f1 divides the internal space of the annular balancer lid 14f into an inner chamber m21 on the inner periphery side and an outer chamber m22 on the outer periphery side. The annular rib 14f1 of the balancer lid 14f has substantially the same diameter as the annular rib 14c1 of the balancer case 14c below, and is formed so that the annular rib 14f1 and the annular rib 14c1 are continuous in the vertical direction.

[0040] If the interior of fluid balancer 14 is divided into inner chambers m11, m21 on the inner periphery and outer chambers m12, m22 on the outer periphery, the amount of liquid in fluid balancer 14 that moves to the opposite side of the uneven distribution of clothes when washing and spin-drying tub 3 rotates at high speed will be larger due to the shape of the interior of fluid balancer 14. Saltwater is poured into the annular balancer case 14c configured as described above, and as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the annular rib 14c1 of the annular balancer case 14c is aligned with the annular rib 14f1 of the annular balancer lid 14f, and the annular balancer lid 14f is fixed to the annular balancer case 14c containing the saltwater by welding or the like to seal it. In this way, the fluid balancer 14 with the liquid sealed inside is completed. Thereafter, the fluid balancer 14 is fixed to the top of the washing and spin-drying tub 3 by bolting or the like.

[0041] <First stopper portion 16a and second stopper portion 16b of laundry storage rib 16> A laundry receiving rib 16 extending upward is formed around the entire periphery of the fluid balancer 14 on the upper part of the annular balancer lid 14f shown in FIGS. The laundry storage rib 16 has a first stopper portion 16a that protrudes upward around the entire circumference of the fluid balancer 14, and a second stopper portion 16b that protrudes in the inner diameter direction (towards the rotation axis O of the washing and spin-drying tub 3 (see Figure 1)) around the entire circumference of the fluid balancer 14.

[0042] Incidentally, the key to preventing clothes from flying out upward from the washing and spin-drying tub 3 is to increase the vertical dimension of the inner circumferential surface of the washing and spin-drying tub 3. This is because, as the vertical dimension of the inner circumferential surface of the washing and spin-drying tub has become shorter (as the washing and spin-drying tub has become smaller), the phenomenon of clothes flying out upward from the washing and spin-drying tub has begun to be observed. Therefore, a first stopper portion 16a extending above washing / spin-drying tub 3 is provided.

[0043] In addition to first stopper portion 16a that protrudes upward, second stopper portion 16b that protrudes in the inner diameter direction (the direction of rotation axis O of washing and spin-drying tub 3 (see FIG. 1)) is provided. This makes it possible to increase the length dimension of the inner circumferential surface of washing and spin-drying tub 3, including laundry accommodating rib 16 and fluid balancer 14 main body, in the direction of rotation axis O (see FIG. 1), without increasing the height of washing and spin-drying tub 3.

[0044] Furthermore, by providing the laundry storage ribs 16 with second stopper portions 16b that protrude radially inward (toward the rotation axis O of the washing and spin-drying tub 3 (see FIG. 1)), the horizontal portion of the clothes stuck to the laundry storage ribs 16 increases, reducing the effect of static friction between the laundry storage ribs 16 and the clothes and increasing the effect of downward gravity W (= mg, where m is the mass of the clothes including the washing liquid) acting on the clothes. This has the effect of returning the clothes stuck to the laundry storage ribs 16 downward into the washing and spin-drying tub 3 at the end of the spin-drying cycle. This prevents the clothes from sticking to the laundry storage ribs 16, reducing the effect of the clothes sticking to the next washing cycle.

[0045] <Folded portion 16c of laundry storage rib 16> In addition, the inner diameter side end of the second stopper portion 16b, which protrudes in the inner diameter direction (in the direction of the rotation axis O of the washing and spin-drying tub 3 (see Figure 1)) around the entire circumference as shown in Figures 4 and 5, has a folded portion 16c extending downward around the entire circumference of the fluid balancer 14. Providing folded portion 16c on laundry storage rib 16 makes it possible to further ensure a vertical distance from the inner circumferential surface of washing and spin-drying tub 3. This further prevents clothes from jumping upward from the inner circumferential surface of washing and spin-drying tub 3. Furthermore, providing folded portion 16c extending downward all around the circumference further reduces the effect of static friction between the clothes and washing and spin-drying tub 3 including laundry storage rib 16 and fluid balancer 14 body on clothes stuck to second stopper portion 16b and folded portion 16c of laundry storage rib 16, making it possible to effectively apply downward gravity to the clothes.

[0046] Furthermore, folded portion 16c extends toward the center of fluid balancer 14 (the rotation axis O of washing / spin-drying tub 3 (see FIG. 1)). This further ensures a sufficient vertical distance on the inner circumferential surface of washing and spin-drying tub 3. This further prevents clothes from flying upward from the inner circumferential surface of washing and spin-drying tub 3. Furthermore, by providing folded portion 16c around the entire periphery of fluid balancer 14, it becomes possible to more effectively apply downward gravity to clothes stuck to laundry accommodating ribs 16.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the outer peripheral surface 16d of the laundry receiving rib 16 formed around the entire periphery is formed into a curved surface having a convex curvature. This allows the user to easily load and remove clothes into and from the washing and spin-drying tub 3 without the clothes getting caught on the laundry receiving ribs 16.

[0048] <Action and effect> According to the washing machine S of the embodiment, by providing laundry storage rib 16 around the entire periphery on the top of fluid balancer 14, it is possible to prevent clothes from flying out upward even when washing and spin-drying tub 3 is made small. Therefore, it is possible to provide a low-cost washing machine S that can prevent clothes from sticking to washing and spin-drying tub 3 including fluid balancer 14 and reduce the impact of clothes sticking on the next washing cycle.

[0049] <<Other embodiments>> 1. In the above embodiment, the laundry accommodating ribs 16 are provided around the entire circumference, but they may be provided intermittently in the circumferential direction. Even when the laundry accommodating ribs 16 are provided intermittently, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0050] 2. In the above embodiment, the folded portion 16c, the second stopper portion 16b, and the first stopper portion 16a are provided over the entire circumference, but they may be provided intermittently. Even when the folded portion 16c, the second stopper portion 16b, and the first stopper portion 16a are provided intermittently, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be achieved. Additionally, when the laundry accommodating rib 16 is provided around the entire circumference, the first stopper 16a may be provided around the entire circumference, while the second stopper portion 16b and the folded portion 16c may be provided intermittently. In addition, when the laundry accommodating ribs 16 are provided intermittently, the first stopper 16a may be present without the second stopper 16b or the like. That is, some first stoppers 16a may be provided with second stoppers 16b and some may not. Similarly, some second stoppers 16b may be provided with folded portions 16c and some may not.

[0051] 3. The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and specific forms are possible within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 2 Outer tank 3 Washing and spin tub (inner tub) 4 rotor blades 14 Fluid Balancer 16 Laundry storage rib 16a First stopper part 16b Second stopper part 16c Folded section 16d Outer surface O Rotation axis S washing machine

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; an annular fluid balancer fixed to an upper portion of the inner tank, The fluid balancer has a laundry receiving rib on an upper portion thereof, The laundry accommodating rib has a first stopper portion that protrudes upward and a second stopper portion that protrudes in the direction of the rotation axis of the inner tub. A washing machine characterized by:

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, the first stopper portion is provided around the entire circumference of the fluid balancer, The second stopper portion is provided around the entire circumference of the fluid balancer. A washing machine characterized by:

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, The inner diameter side end of the second stopper portion extending toward the rotation axis of the inner tank has a folded portion extending downward. A washing machine characterized by:

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, The folded portion extends toward the rotation axis of the inner tank. A washing machine characterized by:

5. The washing machine according to claim 3, The folded portion is provided around the entire periphery. A washing machine characterized by:

6. The washing machine according to claim 1, The outer circumferential surface of the laundry receiving rib is formed into a convex curved surface. A washing machine characterized by:

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