washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine that can suppress wear on the clutch boss. [Solution] The washing machine comprises a motor 58 that rotates a storage tank containing the material to be processed PO, and a clutch boss 80 with a protrusion 84. The motor 58 comprises a stator 60 and a rotor 70 that rotates relative to the stator 60. The rotor 70 is provided with an insertion hole 75 through which the protrusion 84 is inserted and removed. On the rotor side facing surface 74, which is the surface facing the clutch boss 80, there is a rotor inclined surface portion 76, which is an inclined surface adjacent to the insertion hole 75. The rotor inclined surface portion 76 is inclined in the depth direction of the insertion hole 75 as it approaches the insertion hole 75 in a first direction R1 in the circumferential direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a washing machine. [Background Art]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine that washes, rinses and spin-dries clothes, which enables smooth switching between washing and spin-drying, eliminates abnormal noise and wear of parts, and improves durability and reliability. In this washing machine, a washing shaft for rotating a stirring blade disposed in a washing and spin-drying tub is disposed coaxially with a hollow spin-drying shaft for rotating the washing and spin-drying tub, and rotation of a motor is switched between the spin-drying shaft and the washing shaft by a clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism includes a clutch plate that holds a flange portion provided on an outer periphery of a substantially cylindrical slide plate, and a clutch lever that is pivotally supported by the clutch plate and moves up and down, and is configured to switch between washing and spin-drying by moving the slide plate up and down via the clutch plate by the clutch lever. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-113285 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a washing machine capable of suppressing wear of a clutch boss. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0005] The washing machine in this disclosure comprises a motor for rotating a storage tank in which an object to be processed is contained, and a clutch boss having a protrusion, wherein the motor comprises a stator and a rotor that rotates relative to the stator, the rotor is provided with an insertion hole through which the protrusion is inserted and removed, and on the rotor side facing surface which is the surface facing the clutch boss, a rotor inclined surface portion is provided which is an inclined surface adjacent to the insertion hole, and the rotor inclined surface portion is inclined in the depth direction of the insertion hole as it approaches the insertion hole in a first direction in the circumferential direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to this disclosure, wear on the clutch boss can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a washing machine according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Exploded perspective view of the motor [Figure 3] Rotor plan view [Figure 4] Figure 3, perspective view of section IV-IV [Figure 5] Side view of the clutch boss [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived of this disclosure, there was a technology that allowed a motor to change the object being rotated in a washing machine in which a container tank containing an object to be processed is rotated by providing a protrusion on a clutch boss that can be inserted into and removed from an insertion hole in the rotor of the motor. This made it possible to change the object being rotated by the motor in the washing machine to either a pulsator provided in the container tank, or the container tank and the pulsator together.

[0009] However, the inventors discovered a problem in that, depending on the shape of the protrusion and the through hole, the protrusion may come into contact with the rotor during the engagement operation in which the clutch boss and rotor are engaged by inserting the protrusion into the through hole, potentially causing wear or damage to the clutch boss. The subject matter of this disclosure was developed to solve this problem. This disclosure provides a washing machine that can suppress wear on the clutch boss.

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art. The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In each figure, the symbol FR indicates the front of the washing machine 1 when it is installed on the mounting surface and in normal use, the symbol UP indicates the top of the washing machine 1, and the symbol LH indicates the left side of the washing machine 1. In the following description, each direction is a direction along these directions of the washing machine 1. In the installed state of the washing machine 1, the up-down direction coincides with the vertical direction, and the front-back direction and left-right direction coincide with the horizontal direction.

[0012] [1-1. Structure] [1-1-1. Washing machine configuration] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine 1 in a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction and intersecting approximately the center of the washing machine in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 1, the washing machine 1 is an example of a garment processing device that can perform washing, rinsing, and dewatering processes on items to be processed, such as clothing PO. In this embodiment, a top-loading washing machine is exemplified as the washing machine 1.

[0013] The washing machine 1 comprises a housing 10 which is a member that accommodates each part of the washing machine 1. An upper surface portion of the housing 10 is provided with a loading opening 11 that communicates the interior and exterior of the housing 10, and a lid body 12 that openably and closably covers the loading opening 11. A water tub 20 is accommodated inside the housing 10. The water tub 20 is formed into a cylindrical shape provided with a space capable of storing washing water therein, and is arranged such that its central axis extends in the vertical direction. A water tub opening 21 is provided in the water tub 20 by an open upper end portion. A lower end portion of the water tub 20 is closed by a disc-shaped bottom surface portion 22. The water tub 20 is connected to the housing 10 via a suspension 18.

[0014] A washing tub 30 is accommodated inside the water tub 20. Similar to the water tub 20, the washing tub 30 is formed into a cylindrical shape provided with a space for accommodating an object to be processed PO therein, and is arranged such that its central axis extends in the vertical direction. A washing tub opening 31 is provided in the washing tub 30 by an open upper end portion. A lower end portion of the washing tub 30 is closed by attaching a disc-shaped pulsator 32 thereto. The pulsator 32 is provided rotatably relative to the washing tub 30 with a central axis substantially the same as that of the washing tub 30 as the rotation center. An upper surface of the pulsator 32 is provided with rib-shaped blades protruding toward the internal space of the washing tub 30. A side surface of the washing tub 30 located in the circumferential direction is provided with water passage holes 35, which are through holes penetrating in the plate thickness direction of the side surface. In the washing machine 1, when water is poured into the water tub 20, washing water can move between the internal space of the water tub 20 and the internal space of the washing tub 30 via the water passage holes 35. The washing tub 30 corresponds to the "accommodating tub" in the present disclosure.

[0015] A drive unit 50 is provided at a lower end portion of the water tub 20. The drive unit 50 rotates the washing tub 30 and the pulsator 32 relative to the water tub 20 with the central axis as the rotation axis, or rotates the pulsator 32 relative to the washing tub 30 with the central axis as the rotation axis.

[0016] A water supply valve 14 is provided at an upper portion of the housing 10. The water supply valve 14 is an opening / closing device that adjusts the amount of water supplied from the outside of the washing machine 1 to the water tub 20 by being opened and closed. A drain valve 16 is provided at a lower portion of the housing 10. The drain valve 16 is an opening / closing device that discharges washing water inside the water tub 20 to the outside of the washing machine 1 by being opened and closed.

[0017] An operation display unit 19 is provided on an upper surface of the housing 10. The operation display unit 19 may be provided with: various switches for a user to operate settings of a desired washing course, start of operation, temporary stop and the like, an input unit such as a touch panel, and a display unit that uses a light-emitting element, various displays and the like and displays progress of operation and various kinds of information.

[0018] A control device 100 is provided inside the housing 10. The control device 100 includes components such as a processor and a memory configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and the like. The control device 100 functions as a control unit that controls each part of the washing machine 1 such as a driving unit 50, the water supply valve 14, and the drain valve 16 by executing a control program stored in the memory, and causes various processes such as washing, rinsing, and dewatering to be performed.

[0019] [1-1-2. Configuration of Driving Unit] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the driving unit 50. As shown in Figure 2, the driving unit 50 includes a motor 58. The motor 58 includes a stator 60. The stator 60 is attached to the bottom surface portion 22 via, for example, a fixing member or the like. In the present embodiment, at least a lower end portion of the stator 60 is formed in a substantially disc shape. In a plan view, the center of the lower end portion of the stator 60 is disposed at substantially the same position as the central axes of the water tub 20 and the washing tub 30 and the rotation center of the pulsator 32.

[0020] In the stator 60, through-holes, or shaft holes, 61 are provided at positions that coincide with the central axes of the water tank 20 and the washing tub 30, and the rotation center of the pulsator 32, respectively, and that penetrate vertically. The washing tub shaft 52 is inserted through the shaft holes 61. The washing tub shaft 52 is formed in a long cylindrical shape, and its upper end is connected to the lower end of the washing tub 30. The connection point between the washing tub 30 and the washing tub shaft 52 is located on the central axis of the washing tub 30. The washing tub shaft 52 is rotatable relative to the stator 60 with the central axis of the washing tub 30 as its rotation center. At the lower end of the washing tub shaft 52, the outer surface is provided with engaging teeth 54 that protrude outward along the entire circumferential direction.

[0021] A pulsator shaft 56 is inserted through the washing tub shaft 52. The pulsator shaft 56 is a rod-shaped member that is longer than the washing tub shaft 52 and has both ends protruding from the washing tub shaft 52. The upper end of the pulsator shaft 56 is connected to a point corresponding to the rotation center of the pulsator 32. The pulsator shaft 56 is rotatable relative to the stator 60 with a rotation center that is approximately the same as the central axis of the water tank 20 and the washing tub 30, and the rotation center of the pulsator 32.

[0022] Figure 3 is a plan view of the rotor 70. As shown in Figure 2, the motor 58 includes a rotor 70 that covers the stator 60 from below. The rotor 70 includes, for example, permanent magnets. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rotor 70 is formed in a substantially circular shape in plan view and comprises a disc portion 72 formed in a disc shape in plan view, and an upright surface portion 79 that extends over the entire circumferential direction of the disc portion 72 toward the stator 60 and surrounds the stator 60 from the outside over the entire circumferential direction.

[0023] The disc portion 72 includes a rotor-side opposing surface 74 which faces the stator 60, and a lower surface 78 located on the opposite side of the rotor-side opposing surface 74. A fixing hole 73, which is a through-hole extending in the thickness direction, is provided approximately in the center of the disc portion 72 in a plan view. The lower end of the pulsator shaft 56 is inserted through the fixing hole 73, and the lower end of the pulsator shaft 56 and the rotor 70 are connected and fixed to each other by a fastening member 90, such as a nut.

[0024] The disc portion 72 is provided with a plurality of through holes 75. Each of the through holes 75 is formed as an arc-shaped elongated hole on the circumference of a circle smaller in diameter than the disc portion 72, with the fixing hole 73 as the center, in a plan view of the disc portion 72. Each of the through holes 75 has approximately the same length and is arranged at approximately the same distance from each other on the circumference of the circle. In this embodiment, the through-hole 75 is a through-hole that penetrates the disc portion 72 in the thickness direction. However, it is not limited to this, and the through-hole 75 may also have a shape that is recessed downward from the rotor-side opposing surface 74.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the rotor-side opposing surface 74 is provided with multiple rotor inclined surfaces 76. In a plan view of the disc portion 72, the rotor inclined surfaces 76 are formed as planes extending in an arc shape on the circumference of a circle in which each of the insertion holes 75 is located, with the fixing hole 73 as the center. Therefore, each of the rotor inclined surfaces 76 is positioned between each of the insertion holes 75 on the circumference of the circle in which each of the insertion holes 75 is located.

[0026] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Figure 3. For the sake of explanation, in Figure 4, the radial portion of the disc portion 72, from the fixing hole 73 to the inner surface of the insertion hole 75 located on the fixing hole 73 side, is omitted. As shown in Figure 4, the rotor inclined surface portion 76 is inclined in the depth direction of the insertion hole 75, or in other words, in the direction away from the stator 60, as it moves from one adjacent insertion hole 75 to the other. Each of the rotor inclined surface portions 76 is inclined in the same direction. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the direction in which the rotor inclined surface portion 76 inclins away from the stator 60 in the circumferential direction is defined as the "first direction R1," and conversely, the direction in which the rotor inclined surface portion 76 inclins towards the stator 60 is defined as the "second direction R2." In other words, in this embodiment, the direction from one adjacent insertion hole 75 toward the other insertion hole 75 is defined as the "first direction R1," and conversely, the direction from the other adjacent insertion hole 75 toward the first insertion hole 75 is defined as the "second direction R2."

[0027] Each of the rotor inclined surfaces 76 is inclined from the edge of one of the adjacent insertion holes 75. Therefore, no flat surface facing the stator 60 is provided on the circumference of the circle in which each of the rotor inclined surfaces 76 and each of the insertion holes 75 are arranged.

[0028] Furthermore, in the rotor 70, the position where the rotor inclined surface portion 76 is connected to the inner surface of the insertion hole 75 is positioned at a distance from the lower surface 78 in the thickness direction. As a result, the rotor-side contact surface portion 77, which is continuous with the rotor inclined surface portion 76 on the inner surface of the other insertion hole 75, extends for a predetermined length in the thickness direction of the disc portion 72, or in other words, in the depth direction of the insertion hole 75.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, in the motor 58, a clutch boss 80 is positioned between the stator 60 and the rotor 70. The clutch boss 80 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Engaging teeth 82 are provided on the inner surface of the clutch boss 80, extending circumferentially and projecting toward the central axis of the clutch boss 80. The clutch boss 80 is inserted through the lower end of the washing tub shaft 52. This causes the engaging teeth 54 and 82 to mesh, allowing the clutch boss 80 and the washing tub shaft 52 to rotate together.

[0030] Figure 5 is a side view of the clutch boss 80. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the clutch boss 80 is provided with a projection 84 at its lower end that protrudes downward. In a plan view, multiple projections 84 are arranged at intervals from one another along the entire circumferential direction of the clutch boss 80. The tip of each projection 84 is provided with a boss inclined surface 86, which is a facing surface that faces the rotor 70. The boss inclined surface 86 is inclined toward the rotor 70 at approximately the same angle as the inclination of the rotor inclined surface 76 in the circumferential direction of the clutch boss 80.

[0031] The boss inclined surface portion 86 is not inclined over the entire vertical direction of the protruding portion 84. The protruding portion 84 is provided with a boss-side contact surface portion 88 that is continuous with the upper end of the boss inclined surface portion 86 and extends upward for a predetermined length.

[0032] The drive unit 50 is provided with a boss drive mechanism that moves the clutch boss 80 up and down according to the control of the control device 100. When the clutch boss 80 moves downward, each of the protruding portions 84 is inserted into each of the insertion holes 75 by the boss drive mechanism, and when it moves upward, each of the protruding portions 84 is withdrawn from each of the insertion holes 75.

[0033] [1-2. Operation] In the washing machine 1, the control device 100 supplies current to the stator 60, causing the rotor 70 to rotate around the outer circumference of the stator 60. In various processes such as washing, rinsing, and spinning, the control device 100 performs an agitation operation that rotates only the pulsator 32, and a tub rotation operation that rotates the washing tub 30 and the pulsator 32 together. During the agitation operation, the rotor 70 rotates with each of the protrusions 84 withdrawn from each of the insertion holes 75. This causes the pulsator 32 to rotate via the pulsator shaft 56. Note that the washing tub 30 does not rotate during the agitation operation. On the other hand, during the tub rotation operation, each of the protrusions 84 is inserted into each of the insertion holes 75, and the rotor 70 and the clutch boss 80 are engaged, in a so-called meshed state, and the rotor 70 rotates. As a result, the washing tub 30 and the pulsator 32 rotate together at the same speed via the washing tub shaft 52 which is engaged with the clutch boss 80.

[0034] When performing a tank rotation operation after an agitation operation, during the agitation operation, each of the protrusions 84 and each of the insertion holes 75 are not engaged. Therefore, it is necessary to engage each of the protrusions 84 and each of the insertion holes 75 before performing the tank rotation operation. Therefore, the control device 100 moves the clutch boss 80 downward using the boss drive mechanism. In this case, each of the protruding portions 84 and each of the through holes 75 are not engaged, and the protruding portions 84 may come into contact with the rotor inclined surface portion 76. Therefore, the control device 100 performs a "meshing operation" which involves rotating the rotor 70 forward and / or in reverse multiple times in order to properly engage each of the protruding portions 84 and each of the through holes 75.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the control device 100 rotates the rotor 70 in the circumferential direction. The circumferential direction includes a first direction R1 in which the rotor inclined surface portion 76 and the boss inclined surface portion 86 are inclined downward, and a second direction R2 which is opposite to the first direction R1 and in which the rotor inclined surface portion 76 and the boss inclined surface portion 86 are inclined upward. In other words, the control device 100 rotates the rotor 70 in the first direction R1 and the second direction R2. During the meshing operation, the control device 100 rotates the rotor 70 in the second direction R2. At this time, in the washing machine 1, the boss inclined surface portion 86 moves along the rotor inclined surface portion 76, and each of the protruding portions 84 is guided into each of the insertion holes 75. This allows each of the protruding portions 84 to be inserted into each of the insertion holes 75.

[0036] Furthermore, in the meshing operation, by setting the direction of rotation of the rotor 70 when it starts to rotate to the second direction R2, each of the protrusions 84 can be inserted into each of the insertion holes 75 at an early stage during the meshing operation. Furthermore, the rotor inclined surface portion 76 and the boss inclined surface portion 86 are inclined in the same direction and at the same angle. For this reason, the control device 100 may be controlled to rotate the rotor 70 only in the second direction R2 during the meshing operation. This allows each of the protrusions 84 to be easily inserted into each of the insertion holes 75, and also suppresses an increase in the number of rotations.

[0037] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the washing machine 1 includes a motor 58 that rotates a washing tub 30 (container tub) in which the material to be processed PO is contained, and a clutch boss 80 with a protruding portion 84. The motor 58 includes a stator 60 and a rotor 70, and the rotor 70 is provided with an insertion hole 75 through which the protruding portion 84 is inserted and removed. On the rotor 70, the rotor 70 side facing surface, which is the surface facing the clutch boss 80, is provided with a rotor inclined surface portion 76 adjacent to the insertion hole 75, which is a surface that inclins in the depth direction of the insertion hole 75 as it approaches the insertion hole 75. According to this, the rotor inclined surface portion 76 acts as a slope guide, making it easier for the clutch boss 80 and the rotor 70 to engage. As a result, in the washing machine 1, wear of the clutch boss 80 is suppressed when the clutch boss 80 and the rotor 70 engage.

[0038] As in this embodiment, the portion of the inner surface of the insertion hole 75 that is continuous with the rotor inclined surface portion 76 may extend in the depth direction of the insertion hole 75 for a predetermined length. According to this, the contact area between the clutch boss 80 and the rotor 70 can be increased, thereby reducing surface pressure. As a result, chipping and wear of the clutch boss 80 and the rotor 70 can be prevented when the clutch boss 80 and the rotor 70 engage.

[0039] As in this embodiment, the tip of the protruding portion 84 may be provided with a boss inclined surface portion 86 that faces the rotor 70 side and is inclined at approximately the same inclination angle as the rotor inclined surface portion 76. According to this, the contact area between the rotor inclined surface 76 and the clutch boss 80 is increased. When the clutch boss 80 and rotor 70 engage, chipping and localized wear of the clutch boss 80 and rotor 70 can be prevented.

[0040] As in this embodiment, the rotor 70 is provided with a plurality of through holes 75 and a plurality of rotor inclined surfaces 76 arranged in the circumferential direction of the rotor 70, and the rotor inclined surfaces 76 are positioned between each of the adjacent through holes 75 and may be inclined in the depth direction of the through holes 75 as you move from one through hole 75 to the other over the entire circumferential direction of the rotor 70. According to this design, no flat surfaces facing the stator 60 are provided on the circumference of the circle in which each of the rotor inclined surfaces 76 and each of the insertion holes 75 are positioned. Therefore, when the clutch boss 80 and the rotor 70 engage, the clutch boss 80 and the rotor 70 do not make point contact, preventing chipping and wear of the clutch boss 80 and the rotor 70.

[0041] As in this embodiment, the rotor 70 is provided so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the rotor 70 when the protruding portion 84 is in contact with the rotor-side opposing surface 74, and the rotor inclined surface portion 76 may be inclined in the direction of the depth of the insertion hole 75 from the rotor-side opposing surface as it moves in the direction opposite to the direction in which the rotor 70 rotates when it starts to rotate, in the circumferential direction of the rotor 70. According to this, the rotor inclined surface portion 76 and the boss inclined surface portion 86 engage in a downward-facing engagement operation that allows them to easily slide against each other. This makes the engagement operation between the clutch boss 80 and the rotor 70 easier.

[0042] As in this embodiment, the rotor 70 may be provided so as to be rotatable in one direction in the circumferential direction of the rotor 70. According to this, the rotor inclined surface portion 76 and the boss inclined surface portion 86 engage in a downward-slippery engagement operation. This makes the engagement operation between the clutch boss 80 and the rotor 70 easier.

[0043] (Other embodiments) As described above, Embodiment 1 has been explained as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is possible to create new embodiments by combining the components described in Embodiment 1 above. Therefore, other embodiments are illustrated below.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, the clutch boss 80 is positioned between the rotor 70 and the stator 60. However, the clutch boss 80 is not limited to this configuration and may engage with the rotor 70 from the opposite side of the stator 60. In this case, the rotor inclined surface portion 76 is provided on the lower surface 78.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, the motor 58 is directly connected to the respective rotating shafts of the washing tub 30 and the pulsator 32. However, the motor 58 is not limited to this configuration and may be positioned at a different location on the respective rotating shafts of the washing tub 30 and the pulsator 32. In this case, a pulley may be attached to the rotating shaft, and the motor 58 may be configured to rotatably connect the pulley, the washing tub 30, and the pulsator 32 via a belt stretched over the pulley. In this case, the clutch boss 80 is mounted on the respective rotation axes of the washing tub 30 and the pulsator 32. The pulley may be provided with a structure substantially identical to that of the insertion hole 75 and the rotor inclined surface portion 76. In this way, in the washing machine 1, the clutch boss 80 can be attached to and detached from the pulley by the boss drive mechanism, and the object that the motor 58 rotates may be changed to either the pulsator 32 or the washing tub 30 and the pulsator 32.

[0046] The embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and may be modified, replaced, added, or omitted within the scope of the claims or equivalents thereof.

[0047] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0048] (Technology 1) A washing machine comprising a motor for rotating a storage tank in which a workpiece is placed, and a clutch boss having a protruding portion, wherein the motor comprises a stator and a rotor that rotates relative to the stator, the rotor is provided with an insertion hole through which the protruding portion is inserted and removed, and on the rotor side facing surface which is the surface facing the clutch boss, a rotor inclined surface portion is provided which is an inclined surface adjacent to the insertion hole, and the rotor inclined surface portion is inclined in the depth direction of the insertion hole as it approaches the insertion hole in a first direction in the circumferential direction. According to this, in a washing machine, the incline acts as a slope guide, facilitating the engagement of the clutch boss and rotor. As a result, wear on the clutch boss is suppressed when the clutch boss and rotor engage in the engagement operation in a washing machine.

[0049] (Technology 2) The washing machine according to Technology 1, wherein the portion of the inner surface of the insertion hole that is continuous with the rotor inclined surface in the first direction extends with a predetermined length in the depth direction of the insertion hole. According to this method, increasing the contact area between the clutch boss and the rotor reduces surface pressure. This prevents chipping and wear on the clutch boss and rotor during the engagement operation.

[0050] (Technical 3) The washing machine according to Technical 1 or Technical 2, wherein the tip of the protruding portion is provided with a boss inclined surface portion that faces the rotor-side opposing surface and is inclined at approximately the same angle as the rotor inclined surface portion. This design allows for an increase in the contact area between the rotor's inclined surface and the clutch boss. As a result, chipping and wear of the clutch boss and rotor can be prevented during the engagement operation.

[0051] (Technical 4) The washing machine according to Technical 3, wherein the rotor is provided with a plurality of insertion holes and a plurality of rotor inclined surfaces arranged in the circumferential direction of the rotor, the rotor inclined surfaces are positioned between each of the adjacent insertion holes, and the rotor inclined surfaces are inclined in the depth direction of the insertion holes from the rotor-side opposing surface as you move from one insertion hole to the other insertion hole over the entire circumferential direction of the rotor. This design prevents point contact between the clutch boss and the rotor. As a result, chipping and wear of the clutch boss and rotor can be prevented during the engagement operation.

[0052] (Technology 5) A washing machine according to any one of the technologies 1 to 4, comprising a control unit for controlling the operation of the motor, wherein the control unit performs a meshing operation to engage the rotor and the clutch boss by inserting the protrusion into the insertion hole, the rotor is provided so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the rotor when the protrusion is in contact with the rotor-side opposing surface, and the rotor inclined surface is inclined in the depth direction of the insertion hole as it moves in the circumferential direction of the rotor in the opposite direction to the direction in which the rotor rotates when it starts rotating in the meshing operation. According to this, the inclination of the rotor's inclined surface results in a downward engagement action where the protruding part is more likely to slide, thus facilitating the engagement action between the clutch boss and the rotor.

[0053] (Technical 6) The washing machine according to Technical 5, wherein the rotor is provided so as to be rotatable in one direction in the circumferential direction of the rotor. According to this, the inclination of the rotor's inclined surface results in a downward engagement action where the protruding part is more likely to slide, thus facilitating the engagement action between the clutch boss and the rotor. [Industrial applicability]

[0054] This disclosure is applicable to washing machines in which the parts that are rotationally driven by a motor are configurable. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to top-loading washing machines and top-loading washer-dryers. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1. Washing machine 10 cabinets 11 Inlet 12 Lid 14 Water supply valve 16 Drain valve 18 Suspension 19 Operation display section 20 aquariums 21 Aquarium opening 22 Bottom part 30 Washing tub 31 Washing machine drum opening 32 Pulseta 35 Water passage holes 50 Drive unit 52 Washing machine tub shaft 54 Engaging teeth 56 Pulsator axis 58 Motor 60 stata 61 Shaft hole 70 rotors 72. Disc section 73 Fixing hole 74 Rotor-side opposing surface 75 Through hole 76 Rotor inclined surface section 77 Rotor-side contact surface 78 Bottom side 79 Standing surface part 80 Clutch Boss 82 Engaging teeth 84 Protrusion 86 Boss Inclined Surface 88 Boss-side contact surface 90 Fastening member 100 Control device PO processed material R1 1st direction R2 2nd direction

Claims

1. A motor that rotates the container tank in which the material to be processed is placed, A clutch boss with a protruding portion, Equipped with, The motor comprises a stator and a rotor that rotates relative to the stator. The rotor is provided with an insertion hole through which the protruding portion is inserted and removed. In the rotor, the rotor-side opposing surface, which is the surface facing the clutch boss, is provided with a rotor inclined surface portion, which is an inclined surface, at a position adjacent to the insertion hole. The rotor inclined surface portion is inclined in the direction of the depth of the insertion hole as it approaches the insertion hole in the first direction in the circumferential direction. washing machine.

2. Within the inner surface of the insertion hole, the portion that is continuous with the rotor inclined surface portion in the first direction extends in the depth direction of the insertion hole by a predetermined length. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The tip of the protruding portion is provided with a boss inclined surface portion that faces the rotor-side opposing surface and is inclined at approximately the same angle as the rotor inclined surface portion. The washing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The rotor has, Multiple insertion holes, Multiple rotor inclined surfaces, These are arranged in the circumferential direction of the rotor, The rotor inclined surface portion is positioned between each of the adjacent insertion holes and, over the entire circumferential direction of the rotor, is inclined from the rotor-side opposing surface toward the depth direction of the insertion hole as you move from one insertion hole toward the other insertion hole. The washing machine according to claim 3.

5. The motor is equipped with a control unit that controls the operation of the motor, The control unit performs a meshing operation in which it inserts the protruding portion into the insertion hole to engage the rotor and the clutch boss. The rotor is provided so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the rotor when the protrusion contacts the rotor-side opposing surface. The rotor inclined surface portion is inclined in the direction of the depth of the insertion hole as it moves in the circumferential direction of the rotor, in the direction opposite to the direction in which the rotor rotates when it starts rotating during the meshing operation. The washing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. The rotor is provided so as to be rotatable in one direction in the circumferential direction of the rotor. The washing machine according to claim 5.

Images