washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which suitably changes the arrangement and direction of an object to be washed in a washing tub.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a washing tub; a rotation body rotating around an axis line extending vertically; a shaft part rotating together with the rotation body; a brush unit extending from the shaft part; and a control part. The rotation body has a bottom surface protrusion part protruding upward from an upper surface of the rotation body, and extending along a rotation direction around the axis line. The bottom surface protrusion part includes: a first ridge line extending along a first direction from an apex of the bottom surface protrusion part; and a second ridge line extending along a second direction from the apex of the bottom surface protrusion part and shorter than the first ridge line. The control part executes, at predetermined timing, rolling control in which the rotation body is rotated in the first direction with a first rotation amount, and then, it is rotated in the second direction with a second rotation amount smaller than the first rotation amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A shoe washing machine is known in which a brush holder, which has brushes attached to its outer periphery, is rotated in an inner tub containing detergent and water, thereby scrubbing and washing shoes placed in the inner tub with the brushes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-151861 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional shoe washing machines, shoes, which are the items to be washed, are solid, unlike clothes, so the shoes tend to pile up in the inner tub, and if the inner tub is narrow, it is difficult to change the orientation of the shoes. Therefore, for example, when dehydrating or drying shoes after washing, the shoes may not be dehydrated or dried sufficiently.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a washing machine that can appropriately change the arrangement and orientation of items to be washed in a washing tub. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A washing machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a washing tub in which an article to be washed is placed, a rotor arranged at the bottom of the washing tub and rotating around an axis extending in a vertical direction, a shaft portion fixed to an upper side of the rotor and rotating together with the rotor, a brush unit extending from the shaft portion toward an inner circumferential surface of the washing tub, and a control unit that controls the rotational drive of the rotor, wherein the rotor has a bottom protrusion portion that protrudes upward from an upper surface of the rotor and extends along a rotation direction centered on the axis, the rotation direction including a first direction and a second direction that are opposite to each other, the bottom protrusion portion has a first ridge line that extends from a top of the bottom protrusion portion along the first direction, and a second ridge line that extends from the top of the bottom protrusion portion along the second direction and is shorter than the first ridge line, and the control unit executes a rolling control at a predetermined timing to rotate the rotor in the first direction by a first rotation amount and then rotate the rotor in the second direction by a second rotation amount smaller than the first rotation amount. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the brush holder and the rotating body as viewed obliquely from above. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the brush holder and the rotating body. [Figure 4A] FIG. [Figure 4B] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rotating body 13 as viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 6] 4 is a schematic planar development of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion as viewed from the radial outside of the shaft portion. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart of a dehydration operation. [Figure 8A] FIG. 4 is a schematic planar development of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion during rolling control during normal rotation. [Figure 8B] FIG. 4 is a schematic planar development of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion during rolling control during normal rotation. [Figure 9A]FIG. 13 is a schematic planar development of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion during rolling control at the time of inversion. [Figure 9B] FIG. 13 is a schematic planar development of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion during rolling control at the time of inversion. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart of a drying operation in a first modified example. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart of a drying operation in a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0009] [Outline of washing machine 1] The schematic configuration of the washing machine 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the washing machine 1. FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross section with the right front portion of the washing machine 1 removed in order to illustrate the internal structure of the washing machine 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the brush holder 3 and the rotating body 13 as viewed diagonally from above. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the brush holder 3 and the rotating body 13. The washing machine 1 of this embodiment is an example of a washing and drying machine that washes and spin-dries shoes 9 (see FIG. 4A, etc.) to be washed.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 includes an outer box 10, an upper surface member 20, a top cover 30, a base member 40, a drive mechanism 50, and the like. The outer shape of the outer box 10 is a square cylinder that opens at the top and bottom. The top surface member 20 is provided on the upper side of the outer box 10, and the base member 40 is provided on the lower side of the outer box 10. The top cover 30 can open and close an opening that penetrates the top surface member 20 in the vertical direction. The water tub 11 is disposed inside the outer box 10 and is a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom that opens upward. A drainage section is provided at the bottom of the water tub 11 to drain the water in the water tub 11.

[0011] A washing tub 12 is provided within the water tub 11, into which shoes 9, which are the articles to be washed, are placed. The washing tub 12, like the water tub 11, is generally cylindrical with a bottom that opens upward, and is rotatable relative to the water tub 11. An axis O passing through the center of rotation of the washing tub 12 extends in the vertical direction. A water drainage section is formed at the bottom of the washing tub 12, and multiple drainage holes are formed in the peripheral wall and upper end of the washing tub 12. Shoes 9 are put in and taken out of the washing tub 12 from above through the upper opening of the washing tub 12. A balance ring 14 is provided along the edge of the upper opening of the washing tub 12.

[0012] The washing machine 1 includes a rotor 13 disposed at the bottom of the washing tub 12 and rotating about an axis extending in the vertical direction. For example, the rotor 13 is a disk-shaped pulsator for agitating the water in the washing tub 12. The rotor 13 is rotatable relative to the washing tub 12. An axis passing through the rotation center of the rotor 13 is approximately aligned with the axis O of the washing tub 12. A drive mechanism 50 is provided below the washing tub 12 for driving the washing tub 12 and the rotor 13 to rotate. A clutch 51 is provided between the drive mechanism 50 and the washing tub 12 and the rotor 13. The clutch 51 switches between a state in which the power of the drive mechanism 50 is transmitted to the washing tub 12 and the rotor 13 and a state in which the power of the drive mechanism 50 is transmitted only to the rotor 13.

[0013] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, washing machine 1 includes brush holder 3. Brush holder 3 has shaft portion 60 fixed to the upper side of rotor 13 and brush unit 7 extending from shaft portion 60 toward inner circumferential surface 12A of washing tub 12, and rotates together with rotor 13. An axis passing through the center of rotation of brush holder 3 passes through the center of shaft portion 60 and substantially coincides with axis O of washing tub 12. Therefore, washing tub 12, rotor 13, and brush holder 3 are all rotatable about axis O.

[0014] A plurality of brush units 7 are provided in the brush holder 3. The upper end of each brush unit 7 is located below the upper end opening of the washing tub 12. The lower end of each brush unit 7 faces the upper surface of the rotor 13 from above with a gap therebetween. The tip of each brush unit 7 faces the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12 with a gap therebetween. In this example, the two brush units 7 protrude in opposite directions from the shaft portion 60 in a plan view. The number, position, shape, etc. of the brush units 7 are not limited to this embodiment.

[0015] The washing machine 1 includes a control unit 90 for controlling the operation of the washing machine 1 (see FIG. 1). The control unit 90 is a controller including a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., but may be an MCU, MPU, etc. The control unit 90 controls the drive mechanism 50, whereby the washing machine 1 performs an operation. In the operation of this example, a washing operation is performed first, and then a spin-drying operation is performed, the details of which will be described later.

[0016] [Side protrusion 100] The side protrusion 100 will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 2, the side protrusion 100 is provided on the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12 and protrudes toward the axis O. In this example, a flat mounting plate 110 that is long in the vertical direction is fixed to the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12 (see Fig. 1). The side protrusion 100 is a plate-like member that is provided below the mounting plate 110 and extends along the rotation direction C, and is symmetrical when viewed from the axis O.

[0017] The side protrusion 100 is provided at a height position facing the rotating brush unit 7. In this example, the side protrusion 100 as a whole is at the same height as the lower part of the brush unit 7. The protruding end 100B of the side protrusion 100 protrudes toward the axis O beyond the outer periphery P of the rotor 13 and is outside the rotation locus T (see FIG. 3). The lower part of the rotating brush unit 7 crosses the front side of the side protrusion 100 with a gap therebetween.

[0018] [Bottom protrusion 200] The bottom surface protrusion 200 will be described in detail. Figures 4A and 4B are side views of the brush holder 3 and the rotating body 13. Figure 4B shows the brush holder 3 and the rotating body 13 rotated 180 degrees in the rotation direction C in Figure 4A. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the rotating body 13 as viewed obliquely from above.

[0019] As shown in Figs. 2 to 5, the rotating body 13 has a bottom surface protrusion 200 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the rotating body 13 and extends along a rotation direction C centered on the axis O. In this example, a holder mounting portion 130, which is a circular recess in a plan view to which the shaft portion 60 is fixed, is provided in the center of the upper surface of the rotating body 13. The upper surface of the rotating body 13 curves upward from the holder mounting portion 130 toward the outside in the radial direction. The bottom surface protrusion 200 is provided on the outer circumferential side of the holder mounting portion 130 on the upper surface of the rotating body 13.

[0020] The rotation direction C includes a first direction C1 and a second direction C2, which are opposite to each other. The first direction C1 is a clockwise direction in a plan view. The second direction C2 is a counterclockwise direction in a plan view. The bottom protrusion 200 has a first ridge R1 extending from the apex 200A of the bottom protrusion 200 along the first direction C1, and a second ridge R2 extending from the apex 200A of the bottom protrusion 200 along the second direction C2 and shorter than the first ridge R1.

[0021] In this example, the bottom surface protrusion 200 has a ridgeline R that extends along the rotation direction C of the rotating body 13. The ridgeline R is an imaginary line that connects both ends of the bottom surface protrusion 200 in the extension direction and extends along the highest part of the surface of the bottom surface protrusion 200. The highest point of the ridgeline R is the apex 200A that forms the upper end of the bottom surface protrusion 200. The ridgeline R slopes gradually downward from the apex 200A toward both sides in the rotation direction C.

[0022] The ridgeline R includes a first ridgeline R1 and a second ridgeline R2 extending from the upper end of the ridgeline R to both ends of the ridgeline R. The first ridgeline R1 extends in a first direction C1 from the apex 200A. The second ridgeline R2 extends in a second direction C2 from the apex 200A. The inclination angle of the first ridgeline R1 with respect to the horizontal plane is smaller than the inclination angle of the second ridgeline R2 with respect to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the first ridgeline R1 is longer than the second ridgeline R2.

[0023] The bottom surface protrusion 200 includes a first protrusion 201 having a first ridgeline R1 and a second protrusion 202 having a second ridgeline R2. The first protrusion 201 is an arc extending from the top 200A in a first direction C1, and the protrusion width from the top surface of the rotating body 13 decreases toward the first direction C1. The second protrusion 202 is an arc extending from the top 200A to the top surface of the rotating body 13 along a second direction C2, and the protrusion width from the top surface of the rotating body 13 decreases toward the second direction C2.

[0024] As described above, the shaft portion 60 is rotationally driven integrally with the rotating body 13, so that the position of the brush unit 7 relative to the rotating body 13 is fixed. In other words, the position of the bottom surface protrusion 200 relative to the brush unit 7 is fixed. In this example, as shown in Fig. 3, the bottom surface protrusion 200 is provided over a range of approximately 180 degrees around the axis O so as to extend across the two brush units 7 in a plan view. The top portion 200A is located between the two brush units 7 in a plan view.

[0025] 4A and 4B, the top 200A of the bottom surface protrusion 200 is located above the lower end of the brush unit 7. That is, in the bottom surface protrusion 200, the first direction C1 side of the first protrusion 201 is disposed below the brush unit 7A described below, the second direction C2 side of the second protrusion 202 is disposed below the brush unit 7B described below, and the top 200A protrudes from below between the brush units 7A and 7B.

[0026] The ridgeline R is not limited to being parallel to the rotation direction C of the rotor 13, but may intersect with the radial direction of the axis O in a plan view. For example, the ridgeline R may be straight, may be a curve with a curvature different from the rotation direction C, or may be a meandering shape, as long as it intersects with the axis O in a plan view.

[0027] [Detailed configuration of Brush Unit 7] The detailed configuration of the brush unit 7 will be described. Fig. 6 is a schematic planar development of the outer peripheral surface 60A of the shaft portion 60 as viewed from the radial outside of the shaft portion 60. That is, Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the outer peripheral surface 60A as viewed along the rotation direction C from the radial outside of the shaft portion 60.

[0028] As shown in Figs. 2 to 4B and 6, each of the two brush units 7 includes a plurality of brush parts 70 extending from the shaft part 60 toward the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12. Each of the plurality of brush parts 70 is composed of a single or a plurality of elastic bodies. In this example, in each of the plurality of brush parts 70, a plurality of bristle bundles extending radially outward from the shaft part 60 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface 60A. The brush part 70 may be a sponge or a rubber product. Each of the plurality of brush parts 70 is quadrangular when viewed from the radially outward side of the shaft part 60, but may be other shapes such as triangular, rhombus, or elliptical.

[0029] Washing machine 1 includes a first brush unit 7 provided on the second direction C2 side of top 200A of bottom protrusion 200 in plan view, and a second brush unit 7 provided on the first direction C1 side of top 200A of bottom protrusion 200 in plan view. In this example, brush unit 7B provided on the second direction C2 side of top 200A is the first brush unit 7. Brush unit 7A provided on the first direction C1 side of top 200A is the second brush unit 7.

[0030] In the brush units 7A and 7B, the multiple brush parts 70 include a first brush part 71 and a second brush part 72 that are spaced apart from each other and disposed at different positions in the up-down direction. As shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 6, in the brush unit 7A, the first brush part 71 and the second brush part 72 extend in the up-down direction at positions spaced apart from each other in the rotation direction C. The first brush part 71 is located further in the second direction C2 than the second brush part 72 and is shifted upward relative to the second brush part 72.

[0031] A first region 71A extending downward from the first brush portion 71 is a space where the multiple brush portions 70 are not provided, and is aligned with the second brush portion 72 in the rotation direction C. A second region 72A extending upward from the second brush portion 72 is a space where the multiple brush portions 70 are not provided, and is aligned with the first brush portion 71 in the rotation direction C.

[0032] The second brush unit 7 extends upward in a stepped manner along the second direction C2. Specifically, the brush unit 7A further includes a third brush portion 73, a fourth brush portion 74, and a fifth brush portion 75. The third brush portion 73 extends along the rotation direction C between the first brush portion 71 and the second brush portion 72, and is connected to the lower portion of the first brush portion 71 and the upper portion of the second brush portion 72. The fourth brush portion 74 extends in the second direction C2 from the upper portion of the first brush portion 71. The fifth brush portion 75 extends in the second direction C2 from the lower portion of the second brush portion 72. As a result, the brush unit 7A extends upward in a stepped manner along the second direction C2 when viewed from the radial outside of the shaft portion 60.

[0033] 2 to 4B and 6, the brush units 7A, 7B are spaced apart from each other in the rotation direction C. In detail, the brush units 7A, 7B are provided on semi-circumferential surfaces 161, 162, respectively, of the shaft portion 60. The semi-circumferential surfaces 161, 162 are two regions obtained by equally dividing the outer circumferential surface 60A of the shaft portion 60 so as to be aligned in the rotation direction C. As described above, the top 200A of the bottom surface protrusion 200 is between the brush units 7A, 7B in a plan view (see FIG. 2).

[0034] 4B and 6, the shape of the brush unit 7B is equivalent to the shape of the brush unit 7A rotated 180 degrees when viewed from the radial outside of the shaft portion 60. Therefore, in the brush unit 7B, the first brush portion 71 is located further in the first direction C1 than the second brush portion 72. The first brush portion 71 is shifted downward with respect to the second brush portion 72.

[0035] The first brush unit 7 extends upward in a stepped manner along the second direction C2. Specifically, in the brush unit 7B, the third brush portion 73 is connected to an upper portion of the first brush portion 71 and a lower portion of the second brush portion 72. The fourth brush portion 74 extends in the first direction C1 from the lower portion of the first brush portion 71. The fifth brush portion 75 extends in the first direction C1 from an upper portion of the second brush portion 72. As a result, the brush unit 7B extends upward in a stepped manner along the second direction C2 when viewed from the radial outside of the shaft portion 60.

[0036] The step of the first brush unit 7 is higher than the step of the second brush unit 7. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, in the stepped brush unit 7A, the third brush portion 73 forms a step connecting the first brush portion 71 and the second brush portion 72. In the stepped brush unit 7B, the third brush portion 73 forms a step connecting the first brush portion 71 and the second brush portion 72. The third brush portion 73 of the brush unit 7B is higher than the third brush portion 73 of the brush unit 7A.

[0037] [Washing operation details] The washing operation will now be described in detail. In the washing operation, shoes 9 are washed in the washing tub 12 containing detergent and water. Specifically, the drive mechanism 50 is connected to the washing tub 12 and the rotor 13 by the clutch 51. The power of the drive mechanism 50 is transmitted to the rotor 13, so that the rotor 13 is rotated about the axis O, and the brush holder 3 also rotates integrally with the rotor 13. The two brush units 7 provided on the brush holder 3 also rotate in the rotation direction C about the axis O.

[0038] The rotation locus T drawn by the tip of the brush unit 7 rotating in the rotation direction C is a circle centered on the axis O, and has a smaller diameter than the outer periphery P of the rotor 13 (see FIG. 3). The brush unit 7 rotating within the rotation locus T comes into contact with the shoes 9 on the outer periphery side of the shaft 60, thereby washing the shoes 9. When the washing operation is completed, the detergent and water are discharged from the drainage section and drain hole of the washing tub 12.

[0039] During the above washing operation, the brush unit 7 repeatedly rotates forward and backward as the brush holder 3 and the rotor 13 rotate. During forward rotation, the brush unit 7 rotates in a first direction C1. During reverse rotation, the brush unit 7 rotates in a second direction C2. The brush unit 7 rotates relative to the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12, and wipes away dirt from the shoes 9, which are the items to be washed, in the washing tub 12. Each of the brush units 7A, 7B includes a first brush portion 71 and a second brush portion 72 that are spaced apart from each other and disposed at different positions in the up-down direction, and therefore the shoes 9 can be washed in the following manner.

[0040] During forward rotation, the brush units 7A and 7B come into contact with the shoe 9 while moving in the first direction C1. In the brush unit 7A shown in FIG. 4A, when the shoe 9 comes into contact with the second brush portion 72, the elasticity of the second brush portion 72 causes the shoe 9 to easily move upward toward the second region 72A where there is no brush. The shoe 9 that has moved to the second region 72A comes into contact with the first brush portion 71 moving in the first direction C1. Similarly, in the brush unit 7B shown in FIG. 4B, when the shoe 9 comes into contact with the first brush portion 71, the shoe 9 easily moves into the first region 71A where there is no brush and comes into contact with the second brush portion 72 moving in the first direction C1.

[0041] When reversing, the brush units 7A and 7B come into contact with the shoe 9 while moving in the second direction C2. In the brush unit 7B shown in FIG. 4B, when the shoe 9 comes into contact with the second brush part 72, the elasticity of the second brush part 72 causes the shoe 9 to easily move downward toward the second region 72A where there is no brush. The shoe 9 that has moved to the second region 72A comes into contact with the first brush part 71 moving in the second direction C2. Similarly, in the brush unit 7A shown in FIG. 4A, when the shoe 9 comes into contact with the first brush part 71, the shoe 9 moves to the first region 71A and comes into contact with the second brush part 72 moving in the second direction C2.

[0042] In this way, the brush units 7A and 7B can move the shoe 9 in contact with each of them upward or downward, so that both the first brush portion 71 and the second brush portion 72, which are spaced apart from each other in the rotation direction C, come into contact with the shoe 9. This makes it possible to prevent the shoe 9 from following the brush units 7A and 7B, and allows the shoe 9 to be cleaned in two stages by the two brush portions 70 spaced apart in the rotation direction C.

[0043] The first brush portion 71 and the second brush portion 72 can move from a state separated from the shoe 9 in the rotation direction C toward the rotation direction C and come into contact with the shoe 9. This makes it easier for the tips of the first brush portion 71 and the second brush portion 72 to come into contact with the shoe 9, increasing the contact friction applied to the shoe 9 and making it easier to obtain strong cleaning power. Furthermore, by moving the shoe 9 to the first area 71A or the second area 72A where there are no brushes, the orientation and posture of the shoe 9 can be easily changed, and the outer surface of the shoe 9 can be evenly cleaned by the first brush portion 71 and the second brush portion 72.

[0044] In each of the brush units 7A, 7B, the third brush portion 73 extends between the first brush portion 71 and the second brush portion 72 along the rotation direction C. Therefore, when a shoe 9 moving in the rotation direction C comes into contact with the third brush portion 73, the shoe 9 receives a large reaction force from the third brush portion 73 and is likely to move to the first region 71A or the second region 72A where there is no brush. This allows the shoe 9 to be reliably moved upward or downward, and the shoe 9 can be washed in two stages by the first brush portion 71 and the second brush portion 72 that are separated from each other in the rotation direction C. When multiple shoes 9 are washed or dehydrated at the same time, the shoes 9 can be distributed so that they do not overlap with each other, improving the washing and dehydration effects.

[0045] Furthermore, during the washing operation, as the brush holder 3 and the rotor 13 rotate, the shoes 9 move along the inner circumferential surface 12A and come into contact with the side protrusions 100. When the shoes 9 come into contact with the side protrusions 100 and bounce, the orientation and posture of the shoes 9 change significantly. This allows the brush unit 7 to come into contact with the outer surface of the shoes 9 evenly, improving the cleaning power. Also, when the shoes 9 sink in the stored water in the washing tub 12, they come into contact with the bottom protrusions 200 that rotate with the rotor 13, and are then bounced upward. This allows the brush unit 7 to come into reliable contact with the shoes 9, improving the cleaning power.

[0046] [Details of dehydration operation] The spin-drying operation will now be described in detail. Fig. 7 is a flow chart of the spin-drying operation. The control unit 90 of the washing machine 1 executes rolling control for changing the arrangement and orientation of the shoes 9 in the washing tub 12 when no water is stored in the washing tub 12. In this embodiment, the rolling control is executed during the spin-drying operation when no water is stored in the washing tub 12.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 7, in S701, the control unit 90 controls the drive mechanism 50 to start spin-dry rotation. Specifically, the drive mechanism 50 is connected to the washing tub 12 and the rotor 13 by the clutch 51. The power of the drive mechanism 50 is transmitted to the washing tub 12 and the rotor 13, and the washing tub 12 and the rotor 13 are rotated integrally about the axis O. As the rotor 13 and the washing tub 12 are rotated at high speed, centrifugal force acts on the shoes 9 in the washing tub 12, causing them to be dehydrated. In order to reduce the spin-dry time and perform efficient spin-drying, the control unit 90 increases the rotation speeds per unit time of the washing tub 12 and the rotor 13 to target values ​​in a short time.

[0048] Next, in S703, the control unit 90 judges whether an imbalance in the washing tub 12 has been detected. In this embodiment, the control unit 90 is connected to a known imbalance detection device that detects abnormal vibrations based on the amplitude of the washing tub 12. If the imbalance detection device detects abnormal vibrations, the control unit 90 judges that an imbalance in the washing tub 12 has been detected. In this case, in S705, the control unit 90 controls the drive mechanism 50 to stop the spin-drying rotation. This causes the rotation of the rotor 13 and the washing tub 12 to decelerate and stop.

[0049] Next, in S707, the control unit 90 controls the drive mechanism 50 to rotate the rotor 13 in the first direction C1 by a first rotation amount, and then executes rolling control to rotate the rotor 13 in the second direction C2 by a second rotation amount smaller than the first rotation amount. In the rolling control, the brush unit 7 is rotated relative to the washing tub 12 in the same manner as in the washing operation, but the number of rotations per unit time is smaller than in the washing operation.

[0050] In this way, the control unit 90 executes the tumbling control when an imbalance in the washing tub 12 is detected during the spin-drying operation to spin the laundry. In S707, the tumbling control needs to be executed at least once, and may be executed a predetermined number of times, or may be executed repeatedly until the imbalance in the washing tub 12 is no longer detected. Thereafter, the process returns to S701, and the control unit 90 starts the spin-drying rotation. As a result, the position and orientation of the shoes 9 have changed, and the spin-drying rotation can be resumed with the imbalance in the washing tub 12 eliminated, so that the shoes 9 can be efficiently spin-dried.

[0051] If the control unit 90 does not detect an imbalance in S703, it determines in S709 whether the end condition for the spin-drying operation is satisfied. For example, the control unit 90 determines that the end condition for the spin-drying operation is satisfied when the number of rotations or execution time of the spin-drying rotation reaches a specified value. In this case, in S711, the control unit 90 controls the drive mechanism 50 to stop the spin-drying rotation and terminate the spin-drying operation. If the end condition for the spin-drying operation is not satisfied, the control unit 90 returns the process to S703.

[0052] [Behavior of Shoe 9 by Rolling Control] The behavior of the shoe 9 under the above-mentioned rolling control will be described. Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B are schematic planar developments of the outer peripheral surface 60A of the shaft portion 60 under rolling control during forward rotation. Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B are schematic planar developments of the outer peripheral surface 60A of the shaft portion 60 under rolling control during reverse rotation. Fig. 8A and Fig. 9A illustrate a case where the side protrusion 100 does not affect the behavior of the shoe 9. Fig. 8B and Fig. 9B illustrate a case where the side protrusion 100 affects the behavior of the shoe 9.

[0053] In the above-mentioned rolling control, the shoes 9 on the rotating body 13 are moved along the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12 where no water is stored, with the rotation of the rotating body 13 or by being pushed by the rotating brush unit 7. Even if the shoes 9 are stuck to the inner circumferential surface 12A and are difficult to move, when the shoes 9 come into contact with the bottom surface protrusion 200 that rotates together with the rotating body 13, they are peeled off from the inner circumferential surface 12A.

[0054] In this example, the steps of the brush units 7A and 7B are at different heights. Specifically, in the brush unit 7A, the third brush portion 73 forming the step is located at a relatively low position, so the second brush portion 72 on the lower side is short in the vertical direction, and the first brush portion 71 on the upper side is relatively long in the vertical direction. In the brush unit 7B, the third brush portion 73 forming the step is located at a relatively high position, so the second brush portion 72 on the upper side is short in the vertical direction, and the first brush portion 71 on the lower side is relatively long in the vertical direction. With this structure, the shoe 9 is likely to behave as follows during rolling control.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 8A, when the rotating body 13 rotates forward, the brush unit 7 and the bottom surface protrusion 200 move in the first direction C1. When the shoe 9 on the rotating body 13 is on the first direction C1 side of the brush unit 7A, the shoe 9 first comes into contact with the second brush part 72 of the brush unit 7A. At this time, the shoe 9 can easily climb over the second brush part 72 that is short in the vertical direction, so it moves upward toward the second area 72A where there is no brush, and climbs up onto the third brush part 73 that forms a step. The shoe 9 that climbs up onto the third brush part 73 comes into contact with the first brush part 71 that moves in the first direction C1. The shoe 9 has difficulty climbing over the first brush part 71 that is long in the vertical direction, so it passes across the first brush part 71 in the second direction C2. The shoe 9 that has passed the brush unit 7A further comes into contact with the first brush part 71 of the brush unit 7B that is on the second direction C2 side. At this time, the shoe 9 comes into contact with the upper end of the first brush portion 71, so that the shoe 9 moves upward toward the first area 71A where there is no brush, and rides onto the third brush portion 73 forming a step of the brush unit 7B.

[0056] On the other hand, when the shoe 9 on the rotating body 13 is on the first direction C1 side of the brush unit 7B, the shoe 9 first comes into contact with the first brush part 71 of the brush unit 7B, but since the first brush part 71 is long in the vertical direction, it is difficult to get over it. Therefore, in this example, in order to assist the shoe 9 to move to a higher position, a bottom surface protrusion 200 is provided on the first direction C1 side of the brush unit 7B. In the bottom surface protrusion 200, the first ridgeline R1 extending from the top 200A to the first direction C1 side has a smaller inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane than the second ridgeline R2 extending from the top 200A to the second direction C2 side. In other words, since the first protrusion 201 has a gentler inclination than the second protrusion 202, the shoe 9 on the rotating body 13 easily gets over and rolls.

[0057] As a result, when the rotor 13 rotates forward, the shoe 9 on the first direction C1 side of the brush unit 7B climbs up on the first protruding portion 201 and rolls obliquely upward. Furthermore, the shoe 9 is released obliquely upward from the apex 200A of the bottom surface protruding portion 200 toward the brush unit 7B. Since the apex 200A is higher than the fourth brush portion 74 at the lower end of the brush unit 7B, the shoe 9 released from the apex 200A comes into contact with the first brush portion 71 without interfering with the fourth brush portion 74. Furthermore, the shoe 9 moves upward along the first brush portion 71, and moves from the first region 71A onto the third brush portion 73. Therefore, even if the first brush portion 71 of the brush unit 7B is long in the vertical direction, the shoe 9 climbs over this first brush portion 71 and climbs onto the third brush portion 73 that forms a step of the brush unit 7B.

[0058] 9A, when the rotating body 13 reverses, the shoe 9 placed on the brush unit 7A falls from the third brush part 73 in the first direction C1 and moves onto the rotating body 13. The shoe 9 placed on the brush unit 7B falls from the third brush part 73 in the first direction C1 and further rolls on the first protruding part 201 of the bottom surface protruding part 200 and moves onto the rotating body 13.

[0059] In this way, in the rolling control, the shoes 9 are moved to a higher position along the stepped brush units 7A, 7B by the forward rotation and moved to a lower position along the stepped brush units 7A, 7B by the reverse rotation, thereby greatly displacing the shoes 9 in the rotation direction C and the up-down direction. This causes a large change in the posture and orientation of the shoes 9, and also changes the arrangement of the multiple shoes 9 so that they are dispersed within the washing tub 12, improving the dewatering effect in the subsequent dewatering rotation.

[0060] Furthermore, when the rotor 13 rotates in the forward direction, the shoe 9 may be sandwiched between the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12 and the brush unit 7, or between the inner circumferential surface 12A and the bottom surface protrusion 200. In such a case, the sandwiched shoe 9 can be released in the first direction C1 by reversing the rotor 13. Fig. 9A shows a state in which the shoe 9 sandwiched between the brush unit 7B and the inner circumferential surface 12A has been released in the first direction C1 from the first brush portion 71.

[0061] In addition, when the side protrusion 100 provided on the washing tub 12 comes into contact with the shoe 9 during forward and reverse rotation of the rotor 13, the behavior of the shoe 9 may differ from the above. As shown in Fig. 8B, during forward rotation of the rotor 13, the side protrusion 100 moves relatively in the second direction C2 in accordance with the rotation of the brush unit 7 and the bottom protrusion 200.

[0062] When the side protrusion 100 comes into contact with the shoe 9 on the first direction C1 side of the brush unit 7B, the shoe 9 is relatively pushed toward the brush unit 7B. As a result, the shoe 9 is sent out diagonally upward as in Fig. 8A, or pressed against the first brush part 71 of the brush unit 7B. In the latter case, since the first brush part 71 is long in the vertical direction, the shoe 9 passes across the first brush part 71 in the second direction C2 without being interfered with by the third brush part 73 at the upper end of the first brush part 71.

[0063] Furthermore, when the side protrusion 100 comes into contact with the shoe 9 on the first direction C1 side of the brush unit 7A, the shoe 9 is relatively pushed toward the brush unit 7A. Some of the shoes 9 pushed in this way pass under the lower part of the brush unit 7A (below the third brush part 73) in the second direction C2 and move onto the bottom protrusion 200.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 9B, when the rotor 13 is reversed, the side protrusion 100 moves relatively in the first direction C1 with the rotation of the brush unit 7 and the bottom protrusion 200. When the side protrusion 100 comes into contact with the shoe 9 on the second direction C2 side of the brush unit 7B, it is pressed against the first brush part 71 of the brush unit 7B. Since the first brush part 71 is long in the vertical direction, the shoe 9 passes across the first brush part 71 in the first direction C1 without being interfered with by the third brush part 73 at the upper end of the first brush part 71. At this time, the shoe 9 sandwiched between the side protrusion 100 and the bottom protrusion 200 passes through the first brush part 71 so as to be lifted along the steeply inclined second protrusion 202.

[0065] Furthermore, when the side protrusion 100 comes into contact with the shoe 9 on the second direction C2 side of the brush unit 7A, the shoe 9 is relatively pushed toward the brush unit 7A. Some of the shoes 9 pushed in this way pass under the lower part of the brush unit 7A (below the third brush part 73) in the first direction C1.

[0066] In this way, in the rolling control, the side protrusions 100 come into contact with the shoes 9, which significantly changes the posture and direction of the shoes 9 resting on the rotor 13, and allows multiple shoes 9 to be dispersed in different directions or for the shoes 9 to pass through the brush unit 7. This further improves the dewatering effect during the dewatering rotation.

[0067] [Rotation amount for rolling control] The details of the rotation amount in the rolling control will be described. The action during normal rotation that lifts the shoes 9 to a high position is less likely to occur than the action during reverse rotation that drops the shoes 9 to a low position. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the rolling control of S707, the rotating body 13 is rotated in the first direction C1 by a first rotation amount, and then rotated in the second direction C2 by a second rotation amount smaller than the first rotation amount. In this way, by making the first rotation amount during normal rotation larger than the second rotation amount during reverse rotation, both the actions during normal rotation and reverse rotation can be exhibited in a well-balanced manner.

[0068] In this embodiment, in order to reliably perform the function of lifting the shoe 9 to a high position during normal rotation, the first rotation amount is set to a relatively large amount, for example, the first rotation amount is equal to or greater than half a rotation (180 degrees) of the rotor 13. On the other hand, if the rotation amount during reverse rotation is too large, the shoe 9 that has fallen from one brush unit 7 may be caught in another brush unit 7 and damaged, or the shoe 9 may be damaged if it is pinched between the side protrusion 100 and the bottom protrusion 200 and is not lifted well along the steeply inclined second protrusion 202. For this reason, the second rotation amount is set to a relatively small amount, for example, the second rotation amount is less than half a rotation (180 degrees) of the rotor 13.

[0069] In this embodiment, two brush units 7A, 7B are provided, and since these brush units 7A, 7B have different shapes, the amount of shoe 9 lifted by each brush unit 7A, 7B during forward rotation differs. Therefore, a structure is adopted in which inter-brush movement in which the shoe 9 passes across the brush unit 7 is appropriately generated, making it easy for the shoe 9 to be lifted by both brush units 7A, 7B.

[0070] Specifically, the shoe 9 that gets stuck between the rotation trajectory T of the brush unit 7 and the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12 is less likely to be interfered with by the inner circumferential surface 12A and the brush unit 7, and is less likely to change its position or posture. Therefore, by providing a side protrusion 100 on the inner circumferential surface 12A, the shoe 9 moving together with the rotor 13 is brought into moderate contact with the side protrusion 100 rotating in the rotation direction C. As a result, the shoe 9 that comes into contact with the side protrusion 100 is moved in the rotation direction C, facilitating the movement between the brushes. At this time, the shoe 9 rolls toward the axis O, so that the posture of the shoe 9 is also changed.

[0071] 8B and 9B, since the upper end 100A of the side protrusion 100 is located above the top 200A of the bottom protrusion 200, even if the shoe 9 climbs onto the bottom protrusion 200 and moves together with the rotating body 13, the side protrusion 100 moving in the rotation direction C can come into contact with the shoe 9. This allows the shoe 9 to move in the rotation direction C, facilitating movement between the brushes.

[0072] From the above, in one aspect of the rolling control of S707, the first rotation amount is set to about one rotation of the rotating body 13 so that the shoes 9 are given about one opportunity to be lifted or moved between the brushes during forward rotation. For example, the control unit 90 rotates the rotating body 13 forward in the first direction C1 by 2 / 3 rotation (240 degrees) to 4 / 5 rotation (288 degrees) as the first rotation amount. In addition, in order to appropriately disperse the shoes 9 lifted or caught on the side protrusions 100 during forward rotation and to suppress damage to the shoes 9 caused by the above-mentioned over-rotation, the rotation amount during reverse rotation is set to be smaller than that during forward rotation. For example, the control unit 90 rotates the rotating body 13 backward in the second direction C2 by 1 / 3 rotation (120 degrees) to 2 / 5 rotation (144 degrees) as the second rotation amount.

[0073] In the above embodiment, one each of the side surface protrusion 100 and the bottom surface protrusion 200 is provided, but a plurality of side surface protrusions 100 may be provided, or a plurality of bottom surface protrusions 200 may be provided. The first rotation amount and the second rotation amount may be set to more suitable values ​​depending on the quantity of the side surface protrusions 100 and the bottom surface protrusions 200. For example, when n each of the side surface protrusions 100 and the bottom surface protrusions 200 are provided at equal intervals, the first rotation amount during forward rotation may be set to about 1 / n rotation, and the second rotation amount during reverse rotation may be set to about 1 / 2n rotation.

[0074] [remarks] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The technical scope of the present invention also includes embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

[0075] The washing machine 1 of the present embodiment is exemplified as a washing and spin-drying machine, but may be capable of at least one of washing and spin-drying. For example, the laundry is not limited to shoes 9, and may be any solid object having a three-dimensional shape. The rolling control is not limited to being performed during spin-drying operation, and may be performed at other times.

[0076] The washing machine 1 may include a known hot air machine (e.g., a fan heater) that blows hot air into the washing tub 12. In this case, the control unit 90 may perform a drying operation after a spin-drying operation in the operation, and execute the rolling control during the drying operation. Fig. 10 is a flowchart of the drying operation in the first modified example. Fig. 11 is a flowchart of the drying operation in the second modified example.

[0077] In the drying operation of the first modified example, the control unit 90 alternately executes a spin rotation in which the rotor 13 and the washing tub 12 rotate together and a rolling control during the drying operation in which warm air is blown into the washing tub 12. In the washing machine 1 of this example, an exhaust port, which is a gap that connects the inside of the washing tub 12 to the outside of the washing machine 1, is provided between the top surface member 20 and the upper lid 30.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 10, in S1001, the control unit 90 executes the heater ON to start blowing hot air by the fan heater. Next, in S1003, the control unit 90 executes the above-mentioned dehydration rotation until a predetermined time or rotation speed is reached. Next, in S1005, the control unit 90 executes the rolling control similarly to S707. Next, in S1007, the control unit 90 judges whether the end condition is satisfied. The end condition may be, for example, by detecting the temperature or humidity of the exhaust port, and the end condition may be satisfied when the temperature or humidity is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature or equal to or lower than a predetermined humidity. Also, the end condition may be satisfied when a predetermined time has elapsed. If the end condition is not satisfied, the control unit 90 returns the process to S1003. If the end condition is satisfied, in S1009, the control unit 90 executes the heater OFF to end the blowing of hot air by the fan heater, and ends the drying operation.

[0079] According to the first modification, by changing the posture and orientation of the shoes 9 by the rolling control during the drying operation, the water accumulated in the shoes 9 can be discharged evenly. In addition, the hot air can be applied evenly to the entire surface of the shoes 9. In addition, the problem of the degree of dehydration decreasing when the sole of the shoes 9 faces the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12 can be solved by changing the posture and orientation of the shoes 9. Furthermore, by eliminating the overlap of multiple shoes 9 by the rolling control during the drying operation, the hot air can be applied evenly to all the shoes 9. In this way, by executing the rolling control during the drying operation, the drying performance of the washing machine 1 can be improved. In addition, by executing the dehydration rotation during the drying operation, the humid air in the washing tub 12 can be discharged from the exhaust port, and the drying performance of the washing machine 1 can be further improved.

[0080] In the drying operation of the second modified example, the control unit 90 performs rolling control at the beginning of the drying operation in which hot air is sent into the washing tub 12, and then performs a dehydration operation in which the rotating body 13 and the washing tub 12 rotate together. As shown in FIG. 11, in S1101, the control unit 90 performs the heater ON as in S1001. Next, in S1103, the control unit 90 performs the rolling control as in S1005. Next, in S1105, the control unit 90 performs the dehydration operation in which the rotating body 13 and the washing tub 12 rotate together. Next, in S1107, the control unit 90 determines whether the end condition is satisfied as in S1007. If the end condition is not satisfied, the control unit 90 returns the process to S1105. If the end condition is satisfied, in S1109, the control unit 90 performs the heater OFF to end the drying operation.

[0081] According to the second modification, the rolling control is executed at the beginning of the drying operation, and then the dehydration operation is executed in which the rotor 13 and the washing tub 12 rotate together. This allows the shoes 9 to be dried while reducing the sliding contact between the shoes 9 and the brushes. The second modification is preferably executed at the end of the drying operation, for example, following the drying operation according to the first modification. In addition, the dehydration operation according to the second modification is preferably executed at a lower rotation speed than the other dehydration operations described above. In the drying operation according to the second modification, the main purpose is to dry the shoes by heating rather than to drain the water from the shoes, so that the high rotation speed prevents hot air from being discharged from the washing tub.

[0082] In addition, the rolling control may be executed once or twice during the dehydration operation in the second modified example. For example, the temperature and humidity of the exhaust port are detected during the dehydration operation, and if the degree of dryness is low, the dehydration is determined to be insufficient, the dehydration operation is interrupted, and the rolling control is executed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 washing machine, 7 brush unit, 12 washing tub, 13 rotating body, 60 shaft portion, 90 control portion, 100 side protrusion portion, 200 bottom protrusion portion

Claims

1. A washing tub into which the laundry is to be placed; A rotor arranged at the bottom of the washing tub and rotating about an axis extending in the vertical direction; A shaft portion fixed to an upper side of the rotating body and rotating together with the rotating body; A brush unit extending from the shaft portion to an inner peripheral surface side of the washing tub; A control unit that controls the rotational drive of the rotating body; Equipped with the rotating body has a bottom surface protrusion protruding upward from an upper surface of the rotating body and extending along a rotation direction around the axis, the rotation directions include a first direction and a second direction that are opposite to each other; the bottom surface protrusion has a first ridge line extending from a top of the bottom surface protrusion along the first direction, and a second ridge line extending from the top of the bottom surface protrusion along the second direction and shorter than the first ridge line, The control unit executes a rolling control at a predetermined timing to rotate the rotating body by a first rotation amount in the first direction and then rotate the rotating body by a second rotation amount in the second direction which is smaller than the first rotation amount. washing machine.

2. The control unit executes the tumbling control in a state where water is not stored in the washing tub. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The control unit executes the rolling control when an imbalance in the washing tub is detected during a dehydration operation for dehydrating the laundry. The washing machine according to claim 2.

4. The control unit alternately executes a dewatering rotation in which the rotating body is rotated at a higher speed than the rolling control during a drying operation in which hot air is blown into the washing tub, and the rolling control. The washing machine according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The brush unit includes a first brush unit provided on the second direction side from a top of the bottom surface protrusion in a plan view, The first brush unit extends upward in a stepped manner along the second direction.

5. The washing machine according to claim 1 .

6. The brush unit includes a second brush unit provided on the first direction side from a top of the bottom surface protrusion in a plan view, the second brush unit extends upward in a stepped manner along the second direction, and a step of the first brush unit is higher than a step of the second brush unit; The washing machine according to claim 5.

7. A side protrusion is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the washing tub and protrudes toward the axis, The upper end of the side protrusion is higher than the top of the bottom protrusion. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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