Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which hardly causes water leakage, for example.SOLUTION: Disclosed is a washing machine equipped with a tub that opens on the front side in the direction in which the central axis extends, a door that is positioned on the front side of the tub and that can open and close the opening of the tub, and packing that is attached to the front end of the tub and that can contact the door when the door is closed. The packing includes a first portion attached to the tank, and a second portion extending from the first portion toward the central axis. The second portion includes a pressing portion configured to receive a pressure from the water toward the door side when the water is stored in the tank such that the second portion is immersed in the water, and an abutting portion located closer to the tip end side than the pressing portion and tapered from the pressing portion side toward the tip end side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an example of a drum-type washing machine that includes a door packing attached to the water tub. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3530076 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In drum-type washing machines, there is a demand for reliable prevention of water leakage from between the door and the water tub.

[0005] One object of the present disclosure is to provide, for example, a washing machine that is less likely to leak water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine includes a tub that opens toward the user in the direction of a central axis, a door located toward the user relative to the tub and capable of opening and closing the tub opening, and a gasket attached to the front end of the tub and capable of contacting the door when the door is closed. The gasket has a first portion attached to the tub and a second portion extending from the first portion toward the central axis. The second portion includes a pressure member that receives pressure from the water toward the door when the tub is filled with water so that the second portion is immersed, and a contact portion located toward the front of the pressure member and tapering from the pressure member toward the front. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, for example, a washing machine that is less likely to leak water can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine with the door open. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a washing machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the water tank and the packing. [Figure 5] 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the door, the packing, and the water tank taken along line VV in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the packing and the water tank taken along line VV in FIG. 4 (a schematic cross-sectional view of the state in which the door 12 is removed from FIG. 5). [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of a portion VII of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the packing and the door. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the packing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A washing machine 1 (see FIG. 1, etc.) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions will be referred to by the same reference numerals, and the description will be used interchangeably. In the following description, the side of the washing machine 1 on which the door 12 (see FIG. 1) is provided will be referred to as the front side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the rear side. The front-to-rear direction will sometimes be referred to as the depth direction. The right side and left side are the directions when the washing machine 1 is viewed from the front side to the rear side. The left-to-right direction will sometimes be referred to as the width direction. The direction perpendicular to each of the depth direction and width direction will be referred to as the height direction.

[0010] In the present disclosure, the term "washing machine" refers to a general device that performs various processes, such as washing, on laundry. Examples of processes that a washing machine can perform on laundry include washing, deodorizing, and sterilizing. The laundry is not particularly limited. Examples of laundry include cloth products. Specific examples of laundry include clothing such as clothes, hats, and gloves; personal belongings such as shoes, bags, handkerchiefs, and towels; bedding such as curtains, blankets, towel blankets, and futon covers; carpets; and stuffed toys.

[0011] (Washing machine 1) Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the washing machine 1 with the door 12 open. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing machine 1. Note that in this disclosure, hatching of cross sections is omitted.

[0012] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, washing machine 1 has housing 11. Housing 11 houses each component of washing machine 1. As shown in Fig. 3, housing 11 contains water tub 13, spin tub 14, etc.

[0013] (Aquarium 13) Water tub 13 is open on the front side in the direction in which central axis A extends. Water tub 13 is substantially cylindrical with one side in the direction in which central axis A extends (rear side: R side) closed. Water is supplied to and stored in water tub 13. An outlet is connected to water tub 13, and the water stored in water tub 13 can be discharged via the outlet. Water tub 13 is swingably mounted within housing 11 by a damper, spring, etc. (not shown). Water tub 13 cannot rotate relative to housing 11. Note that in washing machine 1, central axis A is inclined diagonally upward toward the front side. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Central axis A may extend horizontally.

[0014] 2 and 3, water tub 13 has a cover 20 at the front end in the direction of extension of central axis A. Cover 20 extends radially. Cover 20 faces balancer 14b (described later) in the direction of extension of central axis A.

[0015] Water tub 13 is open on the other side (front side: F side) in the direction in which central axis A extends. Housing 11 is configured so that the opening of water tub 13 is exposed.

[0016] (Rotating tank 14) As shown in FIG. 3, a rotatable tub 14 is disposed inside the water tub 13. Laundry is placed in the rotatable tub 14. For this reason, the rotatable tub 14 is sometimes called, for example, a washing tub. The rotatable tub 14 has a plurality of through-holes, which allow liquids such as water, detergent, and fabric softener stored in the water tub 13 to enter the rotatable tub 14. This allows water and other liquids to be supplied to the laundry placed in the rotatable tub 14.

[0017] Like water tub 13, rotating tub 14 is also open on the near side in the direction in which central axis A extends. Rotating tub 14 is cylindrical with one side (R side) in the direction in which central axis A extends closed. Rotating tub 14 and water tub 13 are arranged concentrically. Rotating tub 14 and water tub 13 share a common central axis A. Rotating tub 14 is configured to have a smaller diameter than water tub 13. A rotation mechanism (not shown) is connected to rotating tub 14. The rotation mechanism is configured by, for example, a motor. Rotating tub 14 is rotated relative to water tub 13 by the rotation mechanism.

[0018] The rotation mechanism may rotate only in one direction, either clockwise or counterclockwise, about the central axis A, or may be configured to rotate in both directions, either clockwise or counterclockwise. For example, the rotation mechanism may be controlled to repeatedly perform one rotation operation that rotates the spin tub 14 clockwise and another rotation operation that rotates the spin tub counterclockwise. For example, in the laundry washing process, the spin tub 14 may be rotated alternately in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. For example, in the laundry tumbling or drying process, the spin tub 14 may be rotated at a low speed in one of the clockwise or counterclockwise directions. For example, in the laundry spin-drying process, the spin tub 14 may be rotated at a high speed in one of the clockwise or counterclockwise directions.

[0019] The rotating tub 14 includes a rotating tub main body 14a and a balancer 14b. The rotating tub main body 14a is substantially cylindrical and closed at the rear end in the direction of extension of the central axis A. The bottom wall of the rotating tub main body 14a of the rotating tub 14 is connected to the rotation mechanism.

[0020] The balancer 14b is connected to the tip of the rotating tub main body 14a, specifically, to the tip on the near side in the direction of extension of the central axis A. The balancer 14b rotates together with the rotating tub main body 14a. The balancer 14b serves as a weight to stabilize the rotation of the rotating tub 14. The balancer 14b is formed in an annular shape centered on the central axis A. The radially inner end of the balancer 14b extends further inward (toward the central axis A) than the peripheral wall of the rotating tub main body 14a.

[0021] (Door 12) As shown in FIG. 2, door 12 is rotatably attached to housing 11. Door 12 is located on the front side (F side) of water tub 13. Washing machine 1 is configured so that the opening of water tub 13 can be opened and closed using door 12. More specifically, housing 11 is formed with a through-hole that exposes opening 13a. This through-hole exposes the opening of water tub 13 toward the front side in the direction in which central axis A extends. Door 12 is inserted into water tub 13 through opening 13a to close the opening of water tub 13.

[0022] Door 12 has outer portion 12a located outside housing 11 and inner portion 12b connected to outer portion 12a. Inner portion 12b is formed, for example, from an integral glass member. Inner portion 12b protrudes from outer portion 12a toward the rear in the direction in which central axis A extends. Inner portion 12b extends into water tub 13 and rotating tub 14. The rear end of inner portion 12b in the direction in which central axis A extends is located further rearward than the front ends of water tub 13 and rotating tub 14 in the direction in which central axis A extends. A gap is provided between inner portion 12b and cover 20.

[0023] (Packing 15) FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of water tub 13 and gasket 15. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of door 12 and water tub 13 taken along line VV in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 with door 12 removed. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion VII in FIG. 6 on an enlarged scale. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of gasket 15 and door 12 on an enlarged scale. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of gasket 15 on an enlarged scale.

[0024] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, packing 15 is attached around the entire periphery of the front end of water tub 13. Specifically, packing 15 is attached to cover 20 located at the front end of water tub 13. As shown in Figure 5, packing 15 can come into contact with door 12, specifically, inner portion 12b of door 12, when door 12 is closed. Packing 15 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. When water is stored in water tub 13, packing 15 comes into contact with inner portion 12b of door 12 when closed. This packing 15 seals the gap between water tub 13 and door 12 so that water cannot pass through.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 7, the packing 15 has a fixing portion 15a, a connecting portion 15b, and a tip portion 15c.

[0026] (Fixed part 15a) Fixed portion 15a constitutes a first portion attached to water tank 13. Fixed portion 15a is attached to water tank 13 in such a way that water cannot pass between fixed portion 15a and water tank 13. Fixed portion 15a and water tank 13 are fitted together. Therefore, fixed portion 15a is substantially unable to move relative to water tank 13.

[0027] (Tip 15c) 5, tip portion 15c is a portion that can come into contact with the inner surface of door 12 when door 12 is closed. Tip portion 15c constitutes a second portion that extends from fixed portion 15a, which constitutes the first portion, toward central axis A.

[0028] (Connection part 15b) As shown in Figure 7, fixed portion 15a as a first portion and tip portion 15c as a second portion are connected by connecting portion 15b. Connecting portion 15b is not directly connected to water tank 13. Connecting portion 15b is displaceable and deformable relative to water tank 13. Tip portion 15c is elastically supported relative to water tank 13 via connecting portion 15b.

[0029] In detail, the connection portion 15b has a first connection portion 15b1, a second connection portion 15b2, a third connection portion 15b3, and a fourth connection portion 15b4.

[0030] First connecting portion 15b1 is directly connected to fixed portion 15a. First connecting portion 15b1 extends from the portion connected to fixed portion 15a toward the F side. More specifically, first connecting portion 15b1 extends slightly obliquely downward toward the F side from the portion connected to fixed portion 15a.

[0031] The second connection portion 15b2 is connected to the F-side tip of the first connection portion 15b1. The second connection portion 15b2 extends substantially radially. The second connection portion 15b2 extends inward (toward the central axis A) from the connection portion with the first connection portion 15b1 in the substantially radial direction.

[0032] The third connecting portion 15b3 is connected to the inner end of the second connecting portion 15b2. The third connecting portion 15b3 extends from the connecting portion with the second connecting portion 15b2 toward the R side in a direction inclined with respect to the central axis A (specifically, radially inward). The third connecting portion 15b3, the second connecting portion 15b2, and the first connecting portion 15b1 are formed to approximately the same thickness, which is thinner than the thickness of the fixed portion 15a.

[0033] The fourth connecting portion 15b4 is connected to the inner end of the third connecting portion 15b3. The fourth connecting portion 15b4 extends from the connecting portion with the third connecting portion 15b3 toward the F side. The R-side end 15b41 of the fourth connecting portion 15b4 is located closer to the R side than the connecting portion with the third connecting portion 15b3. The end 15b41 extends toward the water tub 13 (specifically, the cover 20) side. The fourth connecting portion 15b4 and the tip portion 15c are formed to be thicker than other portions of the packing 15. Specifically, the fourth connecting portion 15b4 is configured to gradually become thicker from the end 15b41 side toward the connecting portion with the tip portion 15c (the F side). This prevents the shape of the tip portion 15c that abuts against the inner surface of the door 12 from being significantly deformed. Misalignment of water tub 13 with door 12 due to sinking or vibration is absorbed by deformation of first connecting portion 15b1, second connecting portion 15b2, and third connecting portion 15b3.

[0034] (Tip 15c) Tip portion 15c constituting the second portion is connected to the tip portion on the F side of fourth connecting portion 15b4. Tip portion 15c extends from the fixed portion 15a side toward the central axis A side (inward in the radial direction). Specifically, tip portion 15c extends from the tip portion on the F side of fourth connecting portion 15b4 toward the central axis A side. Tip portion 15c extends radially inward in a direction slightly inclined toward the R side with respect to the central axis A.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 8, tip portion 15c is a portion that comes into contact with the inner surface of door 12 to form a seal when water tub 13 is filled with water.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the tip portion 15c has a contact portion 15c1, a pressure portion 15c2, and a support portion 15c3.

[0037] The contact portion 15c1 is the portion of the tip portion 15c located closest to the tip (closer to the central axis A). The pressure portion 15c2 is located further outward than the contact portion 15c1. An outer end of the contact portion 15c1 is connected to the pressure portion 15c2. A support portion 15c3 is provided on the outer side of the pressure portion 15c2. An outer end of the pressure portion 15c2 is connected to the support portion 15c3. An outer end of the support portion 15c3 is connected to the fourth connection portion 15b4.

[0038] When water is filled in the water tub 13 so that the tip 15c serving as the second portion of the packing 15 is immersed in water, the pressure applying portion 15c2 receives pressure from the water toward the door 12. As shown in FIG. 9, the R-side surface 15c21 of the pressure applying portion 15c2 faces the R-side. The normal direction of the R-side surface 15c21 of the pressure applying portion 15c2 extends toward the R-side along a substantially horizontal direction. Therefore, when the pressure applying portion 15c2 is immersed in water, the water pressure acts on the F-side surface 15c21 along a substantially horizontal direction, which is the opposite direction to the normal direction of the surface 15c21. As a result, the tip 15c is displaced toward the F-side and pressed against the inner surface of the door 12, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 8, the contact portion 15c1 is located closer to the tip (towards the central axis A) than the pressure applying portion 15c2 and is connected to the inner end of the pressure applying portion 15c2, and is a portion that contacts the inner surface of the door 12 when the tip portion 15c is displaced. As shown in Fig. 9, the contact portion 15c1 tapers from the connection portion with the pressure applying portion 15c2 toward the tip (towards the central axis A).

[0040] R-side surface 15c11 of contact portion 15c1 extends in a direction inclined relative to R-side surface 15c21 of pressure application portion 15c2. Surface 15c21 extends in a direction inclined toward the F side from surface 15c11 toward the inside. Meanwhile, F-side surface 15c22 of pressure application portion 15c2 and F-side surface 15c12 of contact portion 15c1 extend in approximately the same direction. Therefore, contact portion 15c1 is thinner than pressure application portion 15c2 and tapers from the end on the pressure application portion 15c2 side toward the tip side (inside).

[0041] Specifically, the F-side surface 15c22 of the pressure applying portion 15c2 extends toward the R-side toward the tip (inner side) relative to the R-side surface 15c21. Therefore, the pressure applying portion 15c2 also tapers slightly toward the tip.

[0042] The contact portion 15c1 has an R-side surface 15c11 that extends inclined toward the F-side toward the tip relative to the R-side surface 15c21 of the pressure applying portion 15c2. Therefore, the contact portion 15c1 tapers more sharply than the pressure applying portion 15c2. The rate of decrease in thickness per unit length along the extension direction of the contact portion 15c1 is greater than the rate of decrease in thickness per unit length along the extension direction of the pressure applying portion 15c2. The thickness of the contact portion 15c1 at its inner tip is smaller than the thickness of the pressure applying portion 15c2 at its outer tip.

[0043] The support portion 15c3 connects the pressure portion 15c2 and the fourth connection portion 15b4. The support portion 15c3 supports the pressure portion 15c2 and the abutment portion 15c1. The thickness of the support portion 15c3 is substantially constant and is thinner than that of the pressure portion 15c2.

[0044] The support portion 15c3 has an inclined portion 15c31 connected to the pressure portion 15c2, and a base end portion 15c32 connecting the inclined portion 15c31 and the fourth connection portion 15b4.

[0045] The base end 15c32 extends radially inward from the F-side tip of the fourth connection portion 15b4. The inclined portion 15c31 extends from the inner tip of the base end 15c32 and inclines toward the R side toward the central axis A.

[0046] (Sealed by packing 15) Referring to Figure 8, when water accumulates in water tub 13 so that the lower part of annular gasket 15 is submerged, water pressure is applied to the part of the inner surface of gasket 15 that is in contact with the water. Washing machine 1 is provided with pressurizing portion 15c2 that receives water pressure directed toward door 12. As a result, pressurizing portion 15c2 and contact portion 15c1 are displaced toward door 12 (F side). As a result, contact portion 15c1 comes into contact with the inner surface of door 12, sealing the gap between door 12 and contact portion 15c1. This prevents water leakage.

[0047] In the washing machine 1, the inner surface 15c21 of the pressure applying portion 15c2 faces the R side. Specifically, the normal direction of the surface 15c21 extends toward the R side in a substantially horizontal direction. In the region where the pressure applying portion 15c2 is provided, the angle between the surface 15c22 and the surface 15c21 is smaller than the angle between the surface 15c12 and the surface 15c11 in the region where the contact portion 15c1 is provided. This makes it easier for the F-side force to be applied to the pressure applying portion 15c2. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9 , the pressure applying portion 15c2 is longer than the contact portion 15c1. The radial length t2 of the pressure applying portion 15c2 is longer than the radial length t1 of the contact portion 15c1. Thus, because the pressure applying portion 15c2, which receives the F-side force, is provided over a large area, a large force toward the F side is easily applied to the pressure applying portion 15c2. This further improves the sealing performance of the packing 15, thereby more effectively suppressing water leakage.

[0048] Moreover, the contact portion 15c1 tapers from the pressure portion 15c2 side toward the tip. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 8, the contact area between the door 12 and the contact portion 15c1 can be reduced. This increases the stress per unit area that the contact portion 15c1 presses against the door 12. This further improves the sealing performance of the packing 15.

[0049] Furthermore, since the contact area between the packing 15 and the door 12 can be reduced, for example, when the door 12 is opened from a state in which the packing 15 and the door 12 are in contact with each other, the packing 15 is less likely to wear due to friction between the tip of the packing 15 and the door 12. Therefore, the durability of the packing 15 can be improved.

[0050] 8, washing machine 1 is configured so that when tip portion 15c is in contact with the inner surface of door 12, the angle between abutment portion 15c1 and the inner surface of door 12 is an obtuse angle. Specifically, when tip portion 15c is in contact with the inner surface of door 12, the magnitude of angle θ between surface 15c11 of abutment portion 15c1 and the inner surface of door 12 is greater than 90°. This increases the stress per unit area with which abutment portion 15c1 is pressed against door 12, further improving sealing performance and more effectively suppressing wear of packing 15 due to friction between packing 15 and door 12.

[0051] Incidentally, deformation of tip portion 15c is likely to occur more severely in thinner portions. Specifically, support portion 15c3, which has a thinner thickness, is most susceptible to deformation. In washing machine 1, support portion 15c3 is longer than pressure portion 15c2 and contact portion 15c1 (t3 > t2, t3 > t1). Furthermore, support portion 15c3 is longer than the overall length of pressure portion 15c2 and contact portion 15c1 (t3 > t2 + t1). Therefore, support portion 15c3 is most susceptible to deformation among tip portions 15c. Therefore, when the inner surface of door 12 is pressed against contact portion 15c1, support portion 15c3 is primarily deformed to bend toward the R side. Furthermore, when water tub 13 vibrates, support portion 15c3 primarily elastically deforms, maintaining contact with the inner surface of door 12. In this embodiment, pressure member 15c2 is provided between support member 15c3 and contact member 15c1, and pressure member 15c2 is thicker in the front-to-rear direction than support member 15c3 and contact member 15c1. Therefore, pressure member 15c2 can bend less than support member 15c3 and contact member 15c1, and the normal direction of R-side surface 15c21 of pressure member 15c2 extends toward the R side along a substantially horizontal direction. Therefore, pressure member 15c2 maintains its posture with almost no deformation even when in contact with the inner surface of door 12 or when water tub 13 vibrates, and can stably press tip 15c toward the F side along a substantially horizontal direction. In conventional packing structures, the pressure applying portion 15c2 is not provided, and the entire packing is designed to bend, which can result in insufficient pressure being applied to the inner surface of the door 12 depending on how the packing bends. In this embodiment, as described above, the pressure applying portion 15c2 is provided between the support portion 15c3 and the contact portion 15c1, separating the bending portion from the portion that generates pressure, so that the tip portion 15c is pressed more stably against the door 12. This achieves a higher level of sealing.

[0052] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the shape of the tip portion 15c is the same around the entire circumference of the packing 15. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the configuration of the tip portion 15c may be adopted only for the portion of the packing 15 that is immersed in water when the water tank 13 is filled to the maximum water level, and may not be adopted for other portions of the packing 15.

[0053] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Furthermore, configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described in this specification are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1: Washing machine 11: Housing 12: Door 13: Aquarium 14: Rotating tank 15: Packing 15a: Fixed part 15b: Connection part 15b1: First connection part 15b2: Second connection part 15b3: Third connection part 15b4: 4th connection part 15c:Tip 15c1: Contact part 15c2: Pressure section 15c3: Support part 15c31: Inclined part 15c32: Proximal end

Claims

1. a tank that opens to the front side in the direction in which the central axis extends; a door located on the front side of the tank and capable of opening and closing an opening of the tank; a packing attached to the front end of the tank and capable of contacting the door when the door is closed; Equipped with The packing is a first portion attached to the vessel; a second portion extending from the first portion toward the central axis; and The second portion is a pressurizing unit that receives pressure from the water toward the door when the tank is filled with water so that the second portion is immersed in the water; and a contact portion located closer to the tip than the pressure applying portion and tapering from the pressure applying portion side toward the tip; Including a washing machine.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure portion is longer than the contact portion.

3. the second portion further includes a support portion connecting the pressure portion and the first portion, The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure portion is thicker than the support portion.

4. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion is configured such that, when the contact portion is in contact with the inner surface of the door, an angle between the contact portion and the inner surface of the door is an obtuse angle.

5. The second portion is the door-facing surface; a back surface facing away from the door; Including, The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the size of an angle formed between the front surface and the back surface in the region where the pressure portion is provided is smaller than the size of an angle formed between the front surface and the back surface in the region where the abutment portion is provided.

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