Washing machine drainage system

Abstract

To provide a washing machine drainage device that improves the durability of the drain valve mechanism. [Solution] The washing machine drainage device has a valve mechanism 54 connected to a drainage channel 53. The valve mechanism 54 includes a valve case 62, an opening / closing part 62C formed as part of the valve case and displaceable between a closed position that closes the opening of the drainage channel and an open position, an operating lever 65 made of a longitudinal elastic body with a roller 66 rotatably attached to its tip, and the base end rotating around a rotation axis, causing the roller to elastically press the opening / closing part from the outside to close and open it, and a motor 63 that rotates the operating lever in one direction around the rotation axis. The control unit 80 controls the rotation of the motor so that the rotation of the operating lever stops when the roller is in the closed position of the opening / closing part.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A general washing machine includes a washing tub for storing water, a drainage passage for discharging the water in the washing tub, and a valve mechanism for opening and closing the drainage passage. In a commercial washing machine installed in a coin laundry, since shortening the washing operation time is required so that many customers can use it, the drainage passage and the valve mechanism are configured to be able to discharge a large amount of water in a short time.

[0003] In FIG. 1, a conventional drainage passage 1 and a valve mechanism 2 used in a commercial washing machine are shown. A part of the drainage passage 1 is constituted by a pipe portion 3 extending vertically. An opening 3A is provided at the lower end of the pipe portion 3. The valve mechanism 2 includes a frame 4 that supports the pipe portion 3, a rubber case 5 attached to the lower end of the pipe portion 3, an operation shaft 6 that extends vertically through a partition wall 4A in the middle of the frame 4, and a motor 8 fixed to the frame 4 having an output shaft 7 disposed below the operation shaft 6 and a substantially semi-circular cam 9 fixed to the output shaft 7.

[0004] The case 5 integrally has a deformed portion 5A that is a vertically flattened hollow body and a cylindrical portion 5B that extends horizontally from the deformed portion 5A. The internal space of the deformed portion 5A and the internal space of the cylindrical portion 5B are connected to each other and constitute a part of the drainage passage 1. The deformed portion 5A is disposed in the space above the partition wall 4A in the frame 4 and fixed to the lower end of the pipe portion 3. In the deformed portion 5A, an opening / closing portion 5C forming the bottom thereof faces the opening 3A of the pipe portion 3 from below. In the case 5, at least the deformed portion 5A is elastically deformable so that the opening / closing portion 5C can move up and down.

[0005] The valve mechanism 2 further includes a pair of upper and lower bearings 10 attached to the partition wall 4A to support the operating shaft 6, a spring 11 attached to the upper end of the operating shaft 6 to contact the opening / closing section 5C from below, and a microswitch 12 arranged around the output shaft 7 of the motor 8 on the frame 4. As shown in Figure 2, when the cam 9 is in a position away from the operating shaft 6, the opening / closing section 5C is in an open position away from the opening 3A of the pipe section 3, and the pipe section 3 and the case 5 are connected through the opening 3A, so the drainage channel 1 is open and the water in the washing tub flows through the drainage channel 1 and is discharged outside the machine.

[0006] When the motor 8 is energized while the opening / closing section 5C is in the open position, the output shaft 7 and cam 9 rotate half a turn (see the thick arrow in Figure 2), causing the cam 9 to push up the operating shaft 6. This push force from the cam 9 is transmitted to the opening / closing section 5C via the spring 11, causing the opening / closing section 5C to be lifted to the closed position shown in Figure 3, closing the opening 3A from below. This separates the pipe section 3 and the case 5, blocking the drainage channel 1 at the opening 3A, thus stopping the drainage of the washing tub. The half-turned cam 9 also turns on the microswitch 12, stopping the power supply to the motor 8. Subsequently, when the motor 8 is energized, the microswitch 12 turns off, and the cam 9 rotates another half turn, moving away from the operating shaft 6 downwards, causing the opening / closing section 5C to descend to the open position due to its own weight and the weight of the water in the pipe section 3 (see Figure 2). [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In commercial washing machines, the valve mechanism 2 operates more frequently than in household washing machines. Therefore, the parts of the cam 9 and operating shaft 6 that come into contact with each other are prone to wear. As wear progresses, even when the cam 9 rotates, the amount the operating shaft 6 pushes up decreases. As a result, the opening / closing section 5C of the case 5 cannot reach the closed position, and the opening 3A of the pipe section 3 cannot be completely closed. This reduces the water seal force of the drain channel 1 by the valve mechanism 2, potentially causing water to leak unexpectedly from the washing tub even when drainage has stopped. Furthermore, conventional valve mechanisms 2 have a large number of parts. In particular, a spring 11 is provided to allow the opening / closing section 5C to rise to the closed position even if the rubber case 5 deteriorates, making an increase in the number of parts in the valve mechanism 2's configuration for raising and lowering the opening / closing section 5C unavoidable. A large number of parts makes the valve mechanism 2 complex, raising concerns about malfunctions.

[0008] This invention was made against this background, and aims to provide a washing machine drainage device that can improve the durability of the drain valve mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention relates to a washing machine drainage device comprising: a drainage channel having an opening for discharging water from inside the washing machine; a valve mechanism connected to the drainage channel, wherein the valve mechanism includes: a valve case connected to the opening and guiding the water discharged from the opening to a drainage channel downstream of the drainage channel; an opening / closing part formed as part of the valve case and displaceable between a closed position in contact with the opening and closing the opening, and an open position away from the opening and opening the opening; an operating lever made of a longitudinal elastic body, with a roller rotatably attached to its tip, and the base end rotating around a rotation axis, so that the roller elastically presses the opening / closing part from the outside to set the opening / closing part to the closed position, and the roller moves away from the opening / closing part to set the opening / closing part to the open position; a motor that rotates the operating lever in one direction around the rotation axis; and a control unit that controls the rotation of the motor so that the rotation of the operating lever stops when the roller sets the opening / closing part to the closed position.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention includes a detection switch provided on the outside of the opening / closing section, which, when in the ON state, detects that the roller is elastically pressing against the opening / closing section, and the control unit stops supplying power to the motor based on the timing when the detection switch switches from OFF to ON and a preset delay time.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, after stopping the power supply to the motor, the control unit measures a predetermined closed state maintenance time, and if the detection switch remains ON after the closed state maintenance time has elapsed, it determines that the opening / closing unit is in the closed position and completes the rotation control of the motor.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the control unit measures a predetermined closed state maintenance time after stopping the supply of power to the motor, and if the detection switch is turned off before the closed state maintenance time has elapsed, it stops measuring the closed state maintenance time and corrects the predetermined delay time.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the control unit starts powering the motor at the same time as starting measurement with the delay correction timer, detects the measurement time of the delay correction timer at the timing when the detection switch switches from off to on, and if the measurement time of the timer is longer than a predetermined time, corrects the delay time by shortening it by a predetermined time, and if the measurement time of the timer is shorter than a predetermined time, corrects the delay time by lengthening it by a predetermined time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, the operation to close the opening / closing part is performed by rotating the operating lever, and this is achieved by rotational contact between a roller attached to the tip of the operating lever and the opening / closing part. Therefore, there is no sliding contact as in the conventional technology, and there are no parts that wear down, so there is no decrease in water sealing force. Furthermore, the durability of the parts is improved.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the opening and closing part formed as part of the valve case is displaced to the closed position by the elastic force (springiness) of the operating lever, so even if the valve case deforms due to aging or other reasons, the water seal force of the opening and closing part is maintained.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the present invention, even if the motor that rotates the operating lever, particularly the geared motor, experiences variations in its inertial rotation due to aging or other factors, the opening / closing part is reliably maintained in the closed position without being affected by the amount of inertial rotation of the motor. Therefore, the closing control of the opening / closing part can be performed appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a conventional valve mechanism. [Figure 2] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional valve mechanism. [Figure 3] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional valve mechanism. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]It is a perspective view of a drainage channel and a valve mechanism included in a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view of a case included in a valve mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a longitudinal sectional view of a drainage channel and a valve mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a longitudinal sectional view of a drainage channel and a valve mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a longitudinal sectional view of a drainage channel and a valve mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view of a drainage channel and a valve mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a longitudinal sectional view of a drainage channel and a valve mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a longitudinal sectional view of a drainage channel and a valve mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a valve mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] It is a flowchart showing an example of closing control of a valve mechanism performed by a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] It is a flowchart showing an example of delay time correction control of a geared motor performed by a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a washing machine 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vertical direction in FIG. 4 is referred to as the vertical direction Z of the washing machine 50. Among the vertical direction Z, the upper side is referred to as the upper side Z1, and the lower side is referred to as the lower side Z2. Note that the vertical direction Z may be a vertical direction or a direction slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

[0019] The washing machine 50 includes drum-type washing machines, top-loading washing machines, twin-tub washing machines, and washer-dryers with drying functions, but below, the washing machine 50 will be described using a drum-type washing machine that only performs washing operations and omits the drying function as an example. The washing machine 50 is for commercial use and is installed and used in places such as coin laundries. The washing machine 50 includes a box-shaped casing 51 that forms its outer shell, a washing tub 52 located inside the casing 51, a drainage channel 53 that extends downward Z2 from the washing tub 52 inside the casing 51 and then laterally, for example, to the rear, and a valve mechanism 54 that opens and closes the drainage channel 53. The washing tub 52 is a water tank in which water is stored. The washing tub 52 houses a rotating drum (not shown). The user can open a door 55 provided on the front of the casing 51 to put laundry in and take it out of the drum.

[0020] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the drainage channel 53 and valve mechanism 54. Part of the drainage channel 53 is made up of a rubber pipe section 60 that extends vertically, i.e., in the vertical direction Z. The pipe section 60 is an intermediate part of the drainage channel 53. The pipe section 60 integrally has a bellows section 60A, a cylindrical upper section 60B that extends upward Z1 from the bellows section 60A, and a cylindrical lower section 60C that extends downward Z2 from the bellows section 60A. A circular opening 60D is provided at one end of the pipe section 60, that is, at the lower end of the lower section 60C.

[0021] The valve mechanism 54 is located inside the housing 51 on the lower side Z2 of the washing tub 52 (see Figure 4). The valve mechanism 54 includes a frame 61 that supports the pipe section 60, a valve case 62 attached to the lower end of the pipe section 60, an electric motor 63 fixed to the frame 61, an operating lever 65 fixed to the output shaft 64 of the motor 63, and a roller 66 attached to the tip of the operating lever 65.

[0022] The frame 61 has a pair of parallel vertical plates 61A and a horizontal plate 61C that is installed between the upper ends 61B of these vertical plates 61A. At least one lower end 61D of the pair of vertical plates 61A is bent into an L shape and fixed to the housing 51. The upper ends 61B of the pair of vertical plates 61A are bent so as to be closer to each other and fixed to the horizontal plate 61C by fastening members (not shown), such as bolts. The horizontal plate 61C may be arranged to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. A circular through hole 61E is formed in the horizontal plate 61C. The space enclosed by the pair of vertical plates 61A and the horizontal plate 61C is the inner space 61F of the frame 61. The lower cylindrical portion 60C of the pipe portion 60 is fitted into the through hole 61E and fixed to the frame 61 such that the opening 60D at its lower end is positioned in the inner space 61F.

[0023] The valve case 62 integrally comprises a deformable section 62A, which is a hollow body flattened in the vertical Z direction, and a cylindrical section 62B, which extends diagonally downward from the deformable section 62A, and is mostly made of rubber. The internal spaces of the deformable section 62A and the cylindrical section 62B are connected to each other and constitute a part of the drainage channel 53, specifically an intermediate section of the drainage channel 53. The deformable section 62A is positioned diagonally along the lower surface of the horizontal plate 61C in the inner space 61F of the frame 61. The orientation of the deformable section 62A is not limited to diagonal; it can be horizontal or vertical, and accordingly, the mounting angle of the entire valve mechanism 54 can be arbitrarily changed. Therefore, the pipe section 60 may extend in the front-to-back direction or left-to-right direction, and the opening 60D may be provided at the front end or left end of the pipe section 60.

[0024] The lower cylindrical portion 60C of the pipe portion 60 is connected to the upper surface of the deformable portion 62A. The opening 60D at the lower end of the lower cylindrical portion 60C is positioned to face the internal space of the deformable portion 62A from above Z1. The peripheral edge 60E of the opening 60D in the lower cylindrical portion 60C is positioned to protrude into the internal space of the deformable portion 62A (see Figure 7). The lower cylindrical portion 60C is divisible into a first portion 60CA above the horizontal plate 61C of the frame 61 Z1, a second portion 60CB below the horizontal plate 61C Z2, and an inner cylindrical portion 60CC surrounded by the first portion 60CA and the second portion 60CB, and the second portion 60CB may be part of the deformable portion 62A (see Figure 7). The inner cylindrical portion 60CC is made of resin, for example. Therefore, the inner cylinder portion 60CC has higher rigidity than the rubber first portion 60CA and the second portion 60CB, and reinforces the first portion 60CA and the second portion 60CB.

[0025] In the deformable portion 62A, the opening / closing portion 62C, which forms its bottom, is positioned facing the opening 60D of the pipe portion 60 from below. In the valve case 62, at least the deformable portion 62A is elastically deformable so that the opening / closing portion 62C can move up and down. The cylindrical portion 62B has a connecting portion 62BA that extends outwards from the inner space 61F of the frame 61 while expanding vertically Z from the deformable portion 62A, and a cylindrical portion 62BC that is inserted into the opening 62BB on the opposite side of the connecting portion 62BA from the deformable portion 62A. The connecting portion 62BA is made of rubber, while the cylindrical portion 62BC is made of, for example, resin and has higher rigidity than the connecting portion 62BA. The cylindrical portion 62B may extend directly downward from the deformable portion 62A.

[0026] The motor 63 is a so-called geared motor and is fixed to the outer surface of one of the pair of vertical plates 61A of the frame 61, on the side opposite to the inner surface facing the inner space 61F. A through hole 61G is formed in this vertical plate 61AA through which the output shaft 64 of the motor 63 is inserted. Weight-reducing holes 61H may be formed in each vertical plate 61A. The output shaft 64 is positioned in the inner space 61F below the opening / closing part 62C of the deformation part 62A, that is, away from the opening 60D, and extends in a first lateral direction X which is the opposing direction of the pair of vertical plates 61A. The first lateral direction X is one of the lateral directions that is perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. A second lateral direction Y is also one of the lateral directions that is perpendicular to both the first lateral direction X and the vertical direction Z. The first lateral direction X may be the left-right direction and the second lateral direction Y may be the front-back direction, or the first lateral direction X may be the front-back direction and the second lateral direction Y may be the left-right direction. The lateral direction may be horizontal or slightly inclined relative to the horizontal. The motor 63 operates when power is supplied, causing the output shaft 64 to rotate.

[0027] The operating lever 65 is made of, for example, spring steel and is elastic. The operating lever 65 has an overall shape that is bow-shaped or curved L-shaped. The operating lever 65 integrally has a curved portion 65A that is curved in an arc, a base portion 65B that extends from the curved portion 65A and is connected to the output shaft 64 of the motor 63, and a tip portion 65C that extends from the curved portion 65A in a direction different from the base portion 65B. The base end of the base portion 65B, which is furthest from the curved portion 65A, is formed in an annular shape that surrounds the output shaft 64 and is fixed to the output shaft 64 by a number of small bolts 67. When the output shaft 64 rotates in response to the operation of the motor 8, the operating lever 65 rotates integrally with the output shaft 64 around the output shaft 64.

[0028] At the tip portion 65C, a U-shaped holder 65D is integrally provided at the end furthest from the bent portion 65A. The holder 65D has a pair of branched portions 65E that branch out and are aligned in the first lateral direction X. The shaft portion 68A of the bolt 68 (see Figure 7) extends in the first lateral direction X and is installed between the pair of branched portions 65E. The tip of the shaft portion 68A protrudes from between the pair of branched portions 65E. A projection 69 is assembled to the tip of the shaft portion 68A.

[0029] The roller 66 is a cylindrical body, positioned between a pair of branched portions 65E of the holder 65D with its central axis aligned with the first transverse direction X. The roller 66 is supported by the operating lever 65 via the bolt 68, through which the shaft portion 68A of the bolt 68 is inserted into the center of the roller 66. In this state, the roller 66 is able to roll freely around the bolt 68. Rolling of the roller 66 means that the roller 66 rotates on its own axis. Also, when the output shaft 64 rotates in response to the operation of the motor 8, the roller 66 rotates around the output shaft 64 together with the output shaft 64 and the operating lever 65.

[0030] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the valve case 62 as seen from below Z2. A reinforcing plate 70 may be provided on the lower surface portion 62CA of the opening / closing portion 62C of the valve case 62. The reinforcing plate 70 can be formed from a metal disc positioned concentrically with the lower cylindrical portion 60C of the pipe portion 60. The lower surface portion 62CA is provided with a cylindrical lower protrusion 62CB that is flattened in the vertical direction Z and has the same shape as the reinforcing plate 70. The reinforcing plate 70 is integrated with the lower protrusion 62CB, for example, by insert molding. The outer edge portion 62CD on the opposite side of the opening / closing portion 62C from the cylindrical portion 62B side is formed in an arc shape concentric with the lower protrusion 62CB.

[0031] The lower surface portion 70A of the reinforcing plate 70 may be provided with a guide groove 70B extending linearly along the second transverse direction Y and a positioning groove 70C extending linearly along the first transverse direction X. The guide groove 70B is longitudinal in the second transverse direction Y and has a constant depth for most of its length. The positioning groove 70C is longitudinal in the first transverse direction X and has an arc-shaped groove bottom. The guide groove 70B and the positioning groove 70C are arranged in a cross shape so as to intersect at their respective centers. The intersection of the guide groove 70B and the positioning groove 70C coincides with the center of the circular reinforcing plate 70. At the intersection of the guide groove 70B and the positioning groove 70C, the positioning groove 70C may be slightly deeper than the guide groove 70B. The guide groove 70B functions as a rail that serves as the track for the roller 66. The positioning groove 70C functions as a stopping position that maintains the state in which the roller 66 presses the opening / closing portion 62C from the outside (bottom).

[0032] In this embodiment, it is also possible to omit the guide groove 70B and the positioning groove 70C.

[0033] A detection switch 71 for detecting the position of the roller 66 is mounted on the lower surface 70A of the reinforcing plate 70. An example of a detection switch 71 is a microswitch. The detection switch 71 has a small lever-shaped actuation piece 71A. The actuation piece 71A is located, for example, near the end of the positioning groove 70C. The washing machine 50 includes a control unit 80 configured with a microcomputer or the like (see Figure 4). The control unit 80 performs the washing operation in the washing machine 50. The detection result of the detection switch 71 is input to the control unit 80. As part of the washing operation, the control unit 80 controls the power supply to the motor 63 to perform drainage processing to discharge water from the washing tub 52.

[0034] Next, the operation of the valve mechanism 54 will be described. Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drainage channel 53 and the valve mechanism 54. As shown in Figure 7, when the roller 66 is in a standby position away from the opening / closing part 62C of the valve case 62 to the lower Z2, the opening / closing part 62C is in an open position, away from the opening 60D of the pipe section 60 to the lower Z2, with the opening 60D open. At this time, the pipe section 60 and the valve case 62 are connected through the open opening 60D, and the drainage channel 53 is open. Therefore, during drainage, the water in the washing tub 52 flows through the drainage channel 53 and is discharged outside the machine.

[0035] When the motor 63 is energized and activated with the opening / closing section 62C in the open position, the roller 66, which was previously in a standby position, rotates together with the operating lever 65 around the output shaft 64 in response to the operation of the motor 63. In Figure 7, the output shaft 64, operating lever 65, and roller 66 rotate in a clockwise direction. At this time, the operating lever 65 rotates so that the bent portion 65A is downstream in the direction of rotation, i.e., at the front, of the base portion 65B and tip portion 65C. Then, as shown in Figure 8, as the operating lever 65 rotates in one direction clockwise, the roller 66 presses against the opening / closing section 62C of the valve case 62 from below Z2. Specifically, the roller 66 contacts the lower surface 70A of the reinforcing plate 70 on the lower surface 62CA of the opening / closing section 62C, and while rolling, pushes up the opening / closing section 62C due to the elastic force of the operating lever 65. As a result, the opening / closing section 62C approaches the opening 60D of the pipe portion 60 from below Z2.

[0036] Then, as the operating lever 65 rotates further around the output shaft 64, the roller 66 is received in the guide groove 70B of the lower surface portion 70A of the reinforcing plate 70 and guided in the second lateral direction Y. As the roller 66 received in the guide groove 70B rolls and pushes up the reinforcing plate 70, it moves toward the center of the guide groove 70B. Then, as shown in Figure 9, when the roller 66 received in the guide groove 70B fits into the positioning groove 70C of the lower surface portion 70A, the opening / closing part 62C is pushed up to the upper closed position and comes into close contact with the entire peripheral portion 60E of the opening 60D of the pipe portion 60, thereby closing the opening 60D from below Z2. As a result the drainage channel 53 is blocked, and the drainage of the washing tub 52 can be stopped. The upper surface of the opening / closing part 62C is provided with a conical upper protrusion 62CE that enters into the opening 60D.

[0037] In this manner, the roller 66 rotates around the output shaft 64 together with the output shaft 64 and the operating lever 65 in response to the operation of the motor 63, moving the opening / closing section 62C from the open position to the closed position. At that time, as shown in Figure 10, the positioning groove 70C may receive the roller 66 that has moved the opening / closing section 62C to the closed position and position it in the first lateral direction X and the second lateral direction Y, respectively.

[0038] Furthermore, when the opening / closing section 62C rises to the closed position, a projection 69 attached to the bolt 67 supporting the roller 66 contacts the operating piece 71A of the detection switch 71, turning the detection switch 71 ON. As a result, the control unit 80 (see Figure 4) stops supplying power to the motor 63. In this way, the detection switch 71 detects that the roller 66 has displaced the opening / closing section 62C to the closed position, and in response to the detection by the detection switch 71, the power supply to the motor 63 is stopped. Therefore, even when the power supply to the motor 63 is stopped, the closed position of the opening / closing section 62C, that is, the drainage of the washing tub 52 is stopped, can be maintained, thus reducing the power consumption of the washing machine 50. In this way, while the opening / closing section 62C rises from the open position to the closed position, the operating lever 65 rotates approximately half a turn clockwise around the output shaft 64.

[0039] In the vertical plate 61AA on the frame 61 to which the motor 63 is attached, the lower part 61AB to which the motor 63 is actually attached is bent in a crank shape so that it is closer to the operating lever 65 than the upper part 61AC. The vertical plate 61AA also has an intermediate part 61AD that connects the upper end of the lower part 61AB and the lower end of the upper part 61AC and extends in the first lateral direction X. The inner space 61F of the frame 61 is an inverted L shape in which the upper region 61FA is wider in the first lateral direction X than the lower region 61FB, with the deformed part 62A of the valve case 62 located in the upper region 61FA and the output shaft 64 and operating lever 65 located in the lower region 61FB.

[0040] When the opening / closing section 62C of the deformation section 62A is in the closed position, the motor 63 is activated by energizing it in accordance with the control unit 80, causing the operating lever 65 to rotate clockwise around the output shaft 64. This causes the roller 66 to disengage from the positioning groove 70C. Then, as shown in Figure 11, the roller 66 moves along the guide groove 70B while rolling, moving away from the opening / closing section 62C to the lower Z2. As a result, the opening / closing section 62C moves from the closed position to the lower Z2 due to its own weight and the weight of the water in the pipe section 60. Then, when the operating lever 65 rotates approximately half a turn clockwise around the output shaft 64 from the closed position, the opening / closing section 62C is positioned to the open position, which is lower Z2 than the closed position, i.e., away from the opening 60D (see Figure 7). In this way, the opening / closing section 62C is displaceable between the open position and the closed position in accordance with the rotation of the operating lever 65 and roller 66 accompanying the operation of the motor 63.

[0041] Since the roller 66 rolls when pushing up the opening / closing section 62C, even if the valve mechanism 54 is operated frequently, the parts of the opening / closing section 62C and the roller 66 that come into contact with each other are less likely to wear down. Therefore, the durability of the drain valve mechanism 54 can be improved.

[0042] Furthermore, even if the valve case 62 deteriorates due to aging, the elastic operating lever 65 raises the opening / closing section 62C to the closed position with its elastic biasing force, thus preventing water leakage at the opening 60D of the pipe section 60 when drainage is stopped. In this case, compared to the conventional valve mechanism 2, the valve mechanism 54 can be made simpler by omitting the aforementioned bearing 10 and spring 11, thereby reducing the number of parts and suppressing failure of the valve mechanism 54. This further improves the durability of the valve mechanism 54. In addition, the reduction in the number of parts reduces the cost of the valve mechanism 54 and improves productivity.

[0043] Furthermore, in the opening / closing section 62C, the reinforcing plate 70 actually comes into contact with the roller 66, thus preventing wear on the opening / closing section 62C itself. This further improves the durability of the valve mechanism 54. In addition, on the lower surface portion 70A of the reinforcing plate 70, the guide groove 70B guides the roller 66, and the positioning groove 70C positions the roller 66, so that the roller 66 can be accurately moved so that the opening / closing section 62C can reach the closed position.

[0044] The operation of the valve mechanism 54 described above can be summarized as follows:

[0045] (1) When the motor 63 is energized, the operating lever 65 begins to rotate in one direction (clockwise (right rotation)). (See Figure 7)

[0046] (2) When the roller 66 begins to contact the opening / closing section 62C that forms the bottom of the valve case 62, it pushes up the opening / closing section 62C of the valve case 62. This pushing up is done by the elastic force of the operating lever 65. (See Figure 8)

[0047] (3) When the roller 66 reaches just before the top, the projection 69 of the operating lever 65 turns on the detection switch 71. (See Figures 9 and 10) After the control unit 80 detects that the detection switch 71 has been turned on, it stops the power supply to the motor 63 after a preset delay time has elapsed.

[0048] (4) During drainage, the control unit 80 energizes the motor 63, causing the motor 63 to rotate the operating lever 65 in one direction (clockwise (right rotation)). When the detection switch 71 is turned off, the control unit 80 stops the power supply to the motor 63. (See Figure 11)

[0049] Incidentally, in this embodiment, a geared motor is used for motor 63. It is known that the amount of inertial rotation after power is stopped varies depending on aging, ambient temperature, power supply voltage, power supply frequency, etc., of a geared motor. For this reason, it is necessary to correct the delay time based on the individual amount of inertial rotation of the geared motor.

[0050] More specifically, we will explain this by referring to the longitudinal cross-sectional view of the drainage channel and valve mechanism shown in Figure 12.

[0051] In this embodiment, the valve mechanism 54 is configured such that the detection switch 71 turns on when the roller 66 is in position A in Figure 12. After the detection switch 71 turns on, a preset delay time TD elapses before the power to the geared motor 63 is cut off. However, even after the power is cut off, the geared motor 63 continues to rotate by inertia, and then stops rotating. The amount of inertial rotation of the geared motor 63 varies depending on aging, ambient temperature, power supply voltage, power supply frequency, etc. Therefore, if the delay time TD is constant, the roller 66 may stop before the correct stopping position C (position B) or advance past it (position D).

[0052] By the way, the valve mechanism 54 according to this embodiment has the following two characteristic operations. If the roller 66 stops at position B, the force exerted by the valve case 62 (its opening / closing section 62C) pushing the roller 66 back toward the output shaft 64 causes the operating lever 65 to rotate counterclockwise in the reverse direction. If the roller 66 stops at position D, the force exerted by the valve case 62 (or its opening / closing section 62C) pushing the roller 66 back toward the output shaft 64 causes the operating lever 65 to rotate further clockwise, resulting in an overrun.

[0053] Therefore, the delay time is corrected by utilizing the two features described above. First, if the operating lever 65 rotates in reverse or overruns because the roller 66 did not stop at position C, the detection switch 71 switches from on to off. Then, if power is immediately supplied to the geared motor 63 after detecting that the detection switch 71 has turned off, the operating lever 65 rotates clockwise. At this time, depending on whether the operating lever 65 is rotating in reverse or overrunning, the following time differences occur before the detection switch 71 is turned on again. • When rotating in reverse: The detection switch 71 immediately turns back on. • In case of overrun: The operating lever 65 rotates 1 full turn clockwise and the detection switch 71 is turned back on.

[0054] Therefore, the above time difference makes it possible to determine whether to apply a negative or positive correction to the delay time TD.

[0055] Figure 13 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the valve mechanism 54 according to this embodiment.

[0056] Referring to Figure 13, the valve mechanism 54 is controlled by the control unit 80, which controls the energization of the motor 63 based on the signal from the detection switch 71. The control unit 80 is equipped with a delay time table 81 for storing a preset delay time, a motor delay timer T1, a closed state maintenance timer T2, and a delay correction timer T3 for controlling the energization of the motor 63. The motor delay timer T1, the closed state maintenance timer T2, and the delay correction timer T3 may be configured by software.

[0057] Figures 14 and 15 are flowcharts showing examples of closing control of the valve mechanism 54 and delay time correction control of the motor 63 performed by the control unit 80.

[0058] Following the processing procedure shown in Figure 14, and with reference to Figures 12 and 13, the closing control of the opening / closing section 62C in the valve mechanism 54 of this embodiment will be explained.

[0059] In drain valve closing control (closing control of the opening / closing section 62C), first, as an initial process, the motor delay timer T1=0 and the closed state maintenance timer T2=0 are reset (step S1), and power is supplied to the geared motor (motor) 63 (step S2). Then, power is supplied to the geared motor 63 until the microswitch (detection switch) 71 is turned on (step S3), and once the microswitch (detection switch) 71 is turned on, the motor delay timer T1 starts counting (step S4). Then, it is determined whether the count value T1 of the motor delay timer T1 has exceeded a predetermined delay time TD set in the delay time table 81 (this delay time TD is set to, for example, 300 msec at the time of factory shipment) (step S5). If T1 > TD is determined, power is stopped from the geared motor (motor) 63 (step S6). In this way, once power is supplied to the geared motor (motor) 63, power is supplied to it until the delay time TD has elapsed, even after the microswitch (detection switch) 71 has been turned on.

[0060] Then, the motor delay timer T1 is reset to 0, and the count-up stops (step S7).

[0061] Next, the closed state maintenance timer T2 starts counting (step S8), and when the microswitch (detection switch) 71 is ON and the count value T2 of the closed state maintenance timer T2 measures, for example, 3 seconds, in other words, if the microswitch (detection switch) 71 remains ON for 3 seconds (YES in step S9, YES in step S10), the drain valve closing control is completed.

[0062] On the other hand, if the microswitch (detection switch) 71 is turned off before the closed state maintenance timer T2 measures 3 seconds (NO in step S9), the closed state maintenance timer T2 is reset to 0 to stop counting up (step S11), and the system proceeds to motor delay time correction control.

[0063] Referring to the flowchart of motor 63 delay time correction control shown in Figure 15, in motor delay time correction control, first, as an initial process, the delay correction timer T3 is reset to T3=0 (step S21), the count-up of the delay correction timer T3 begins (step S22), and the geared motor (motor) 63 is energized (step S23). When the geared motor (motor) 63 is energized, it rotates the operating lever 65 clockwise, and the position of the roller 66 attached to the tip of the operating lever 65 moves. Then, the time until the roller 66 re-turns on the microswitch (detection switch) 71 due to the rotation of the operating lever 65 is determined (YES in step S24, step S25).

[0064] The time until the microswitch (detection switch) 71 is turned on again is measured by the delay compensation timer T3, so it is determined whether the time until it is turned on again T3 is, for example, 1 second or more (step S25). If the time until it is turned on again T3 is 1 second or more, it is determined that the operating lever 65 (roller 66) has overrun, and if the time until it is turned on again T3 is less than 1 second, it is determined that the operating lever 65 (roller 66) has reversed direction.

[0065] The basis for this judgment is as described above. Specifically, if the operating lever 65 rotates in reverse or overruns, the detection switch 71 switches from on to off. Then, if power is immediately supplied to the geared motor 63 after detecting that the detection switch 71 is off, the operating lever 65 rotates clockwise. At this time, depending on whether the operating lever 65 is rotating in reverse or overrunning, if it is rotating in reverse, the detection switch 71 immediately turns back on. If it is overrunning, the operating lever 65 rotates 1 full turn clockwise and the detection switch 71 turns back on.

[0066] Therefore, the above time difference makes it possible to determine whether to apply a negative or positive correction to the delay time TD.

[0067] In the event of an overrun, the delay time TD is corrected to TD-25msec, and the delay time TD in the delay time table 81 is rewritten to TD-25msec (step S26).

[0068] In addition, in the case of reverse rotation, the delay time TD is corrected to TD+25msec, and the delay time TD in the delay time table 81 is rewritten to TD+25msec (step S27).

[0069] Then, the delay correction timer T3 is reset to 0, and the count-up stops (step S28). Then, the process moves on to the drain valve closing control from step S4.

[0070] An example of the closing control and delay time correction control of the valve mechanism of the present invention is as described above, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 50 Washing Machines 52 Washing tub 53 Drainage Channel 54 Valve mechanism 60 Pipe section 60D aperture 62 Valve Case 62C Opening / Closing Section 62CA bottom part 63. Motor (Geared Motor) 64 Output shafts 65 Operating lever 66 Laura 70 Reinforcement plate 70A Bottom part 70B Guide groove 70C Positioning groove 71. Detection switch (microswitch) 80 Control Unit

Claims

1. A drain channel with an opening for draining water from inside the washing machine, It has a valve mechanism connected to the drainage channel, The valve mechanism is A valve case connected to the opening, which guides the water discharged from the opening to a drainage channel downstream of the drainage channel, An opening / closing part formed as part of the valve case, which is displaceable between a closed position in which it abuts against the opening and closes the opening, and an open position in which it is separated from the opening and opens the opening, An operating lever comprising a longitudinal elastic body, with a roller rotatably attached to its tip, and whose base rotates around a pivot axis, causing the roller to elastically press against the opening / closing section from the outside to close it, and the roller to move away from the opening / closing section to open it, and A motor that rotates the aforementioned operating lever in one direction around the rotation axis, A washing machine drainage device, comprising: a control unit that controls the rotation of the motor such that the rotation of the operating lever stops when the roller is in the closed position of the opening / closing part.

2. It has a detection switch located on the outside of the opening / closing section, which detects when the roller is elastically pressing against the opening / closing section when it is in the ON state, The drainage device for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops supplying power to the motor based on the timing at which the detection switch switches from off to on and a preset delay time.

3. The drainage device for a washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the control unit measures a predetermined closed state maintenance time after stopping the power supply to the motor, and if the detection switch remains ON after the closed state maintenance time has elapsed, it determines that the opening / closing unit is in the closed position and completes the rotation control of the motor.

4. The drainage device for a washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the control unit measures a predetermined closed state maintenance time after stopping the power supply to the motor, and if the detection switch is turned off before the closed state maintenance time has elapsed, it stops measuring the closed state maintenance time and corrects the predetermined delay time.

5. The drainage device for a washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the control unit starts powering the motor at the same time as starting measurement with the delay correction timer, detects the measurement time of the delay correction timer at the timing when the detection switch switches from off to on, and if the measurement time of the timer is longer than a predetermined time, corrects the delay time by shortening it by a predetermined time, and if the measurement time of the timer is shorter than a predetermined time, corrects the delay time by lengthening it by a predetermined time.

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