washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of changing the direction of articles to be washed moving along the inner peripheral surface of a washing tub while suppressing damage to the articles to be washed.SOLUTION: A washing machine comprises a washing tub 12 to accommodate articles to be washed, a rotor 13 disposed at the bottom of the washing tub 12, and a projection at the bottom face 200 which projects upward from the top face of the rotor 13, having a ridge line extending along the rotation direction of the rotor 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] For example, in the shoe washer described in Patent Document 1, a brush shaft is rotated in a washing tub containing detergent and water, and shoes placed around the brush shaft are washed with the brush. The shoe washer then performs a spin-drying operation in which the washing tub is drained and rotated at high speed. The shoe washer temporarily stops the spin-drying operation, and the brush shaft is reversed so that the brush rubs against the shoes, changing the orientation of the shoes. The shoe washer then performs the spin-drying operation again. This prevents insufficient spin-drying of shoes caused by the soles touching the wall of the washing tub. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 62-41634 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the shoe washer described in Patent Document 1, if the sole of a shoe is in contact with the wall of the tub when the brush shaft is rotated, friction between the sole of the shoe and the wall of the tub is large, so the orientation of the shoe may not change even if the brush rubs against the shoe. If a brush with long bristles is used, the shoe can be washed evenly, but the brush has low rigidity, so there is a high possibility that the orientation of the shoe will not change even if the brush rubs against the shoe. On the other hand, if the brush's rigidity is increased by shortening the bristles, the shoe that rubs against the brush may be damaged, or the brush may spin free without reaching the shoe that is in contact with the wall of the tub.

[0005] An aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a washing machine that can change the direction of an article to be washed that is moved along the inner surface of a washing tub while suppressing damage to the article to be washed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A washing machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a washing tub in which articles to be washed are placed, a rotating body disposed at the bottom of the washing tub, and a bottom protrusion protruding upward from an upper surface of the rotating body and having a ridge extending along the rotational direction of the rotating body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the washing tub and a driving mechanism. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view of a rotor, a shaft, a brush, and a side protrusion. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a front view of the side protrusion portion as viewed from the shaft side during a washing operation. FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the configuration shown in FIG. 4 taken along a vertical plane passing through the axis and the top of a side protrusion during a washing operation. [Figure 7A] 13 is an enlarged plan view of the periphery of the side protrusion during a washing operation. FIG. [Figure 7B] 13 is an enlarged plan view of the periphery of the side protrusion during a washing operation. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 7 is a perspective view of the rotor, shaft, brush, and side protrusions in FIG. 6, with the rotor rotated 180 degrees. [Figure 12A] FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the periphery of the side protrusion during a rolling operation. [Figure 12B] FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the periphery of the side protrusion during a rolling operation. [Figure 13A] 13 is an enlarged front view of the periphery of the bottom protrusion during a rolling operation. FIG. [Figure 13B]13 is an enlarged front view of the periphery of the bottom protrusion during a rolling operation. FIG. [Figure 14] 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the periphery of a bottom protrusion during a rolling operation. FIG. [Figure 15A] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the periphery of an outer protrusion during a rolling operation. [Figure 15B] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the periphery of an outer protrusion during a rolling operation. [Figure 16A] 13 is an enlarged front view of a side protrusion and a bottom protrusion in a modified example. FIG. [Figure 16B] 13 is an enlarged front view of a side protrusion and a bottom protrusion in a modified example. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the modified side protrusion portion of FIG. 6. 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] A schematic configuration of a washing machine 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the washing machine 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a washing tub 12 and a drive mechanism 50. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the washing tub 12. In the following description, the up-down direction in FIG. 1 is the up-down direction of the washing machine 1. The washing machine 1 of this embodiment is exemplified as a washing and drying machine that washes and spin-dries shoes 9 (see FIG. 5, etc.), which are items to be washed.

[0010] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, 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 21 that penetrates the top surface member 20 in the vertical direction. The water tub 11 is disposed in the outer box 10 and is a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom that opens upward. The upper end opening of the water tub 11 is connected to the opening 21. A drainage section for draining water from the water tub 11 is provided at the bottom of the water tub 11.

[0011] A washing tub 12 is provided within the water tub 11, in 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 a plurality of drainage holes are formed in the peripheral wall of the washing tub 12. A balance ring 14 is provided on the upper edge of the washing tub 12. An opening that penetrates the balance ring 14 in the vertical direction is an inner opening 22 for inserting and removing shoes 9 into and from the washing tub 12 from above.

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

[0013] Washing machine 1 includes shaft 60 extending upward from the bottom of washing tub 12, and brush 61 extending from shaft 60 toward inner circumferential surface 12A of washing tub 12. In this example, shaft 60 is cylindrical and extends upward from the center of the upper surface of rotor 13, and is rotatable together with rotor 13. Brush 61 is an elongated brush that extends from the outer circumferential surface of shaft 60 toward inner circumferential surface 12A and is composed of multiple bristle bundles aligned in the vertical direction.

[0014] The upper end of the brush 61 is disposed below the inner opening 22. The lower end of the brush 61 faces the upper surface of the rotor 13 from above with a gap therebetween. The bristles of the brush 61 face the inner circumferential surface 12A with a gap therebetween. In this example, two brushes 61 are provided on the shaft portion 60 at an interval of 180 degrees, and extend in opposite directions to each other. The number, position, shape, etc. of the brushes 61 are not limited to this embodiment.

[0015] An overview of the operation of the washing machine 1 will be described. The washing machine 1 includes a control unit 90 for controlling the operation of the washing machine 1. The control unit 90 is a controller including a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., but may also be an MCU, MPU, etc. The control unit 90 controls the drive mechanism 50, so that the washing machine 1 performs the following operation.

[0016] First, in the washing operation, shoes 9 are washed in washing tub 12 containing detergent and water. Specifically, drive mechanism 50 is connected to washing tub 12 and rotor 13 by clutch 51. Power of drive mechanism 50 is transmitted to rotor 13, so that rotor 13 is rotated about axis O, and shaft 60 also rotates integrally with rotor 13. Two brushes 61 provided on shaft 60 also rotate about axis O.

[0017] The direction of rotation about axis O is approximately parallel to circumferential direction C of washing tub 12. Rotation locus T described by the tip of brush 61 rotating in circumferential direction C is a circle centered on axis O, and has a smaller diameter than outer periphery P of rotor 13 (see FIG. 3). Brush 61 rotating within rotation locus T comes into contact with shoes 9 on the outer periphery side of shaft 60, thereby washing shoes 9. Then, detergent and water are discharged from the drainage section and drain hole of washing tub 12.

[0018] After the above washing operation, the following spin-drying operation is performed. Specifically, first, in the washing tub 12 into which the detergent and water have been discharged, a rolling operation is performed to rotate the rotor 13 and the brush 61 in the same manner as in the washing operation. In the rolling operation of this example, the rotor 13 and the brush 61 are rotated forward and backward alternately for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times. As a result, the shoes 9 are peeled off from the washing tub 12 and dispersed, as will be described in detail later.

[0019] Next, a tub rotation operation is performed to rotate the washing tub 12 from which the detergent and water have been discharged. In the tub rotation operation, the drive mechanism 50 is connected to the washing tub 12 out of 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 washing tub 12 is driven to rotate about the axis O. Centrifugal force acts on the shoes 9 in the washing tub 12, and the shoes 9 are dewatered. Note that in the tub rotation operation, the drive mechanism 50 may be connected to the washing tub 12 and the rotor 13, and both the washing tub 12 and the rotor 13 may be driven to rotate.

[0020] [Side protrusion 100] The side protrusion 100 will be described in detail. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the rotor 13, the shaft 60, the brush 61, and the side protrusion 100. Fig. 5 is a front view of the side protrusion 100 as viewed from the shaft 60 side. Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the configuration shown in Fig. 4 cut along a vertical plane passing through the axis O and the top 101A of the side protrusion 100. Figs. 7A and 7B are enlarged plan views of the periphery of the side protrusion 100 during a washing operation. In the following description, the state in which the side protrusion 100 is viewed from the axis O side is taken as a front view of the side protrusion 100.

[0021] As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the side protrusion 100 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12 toward the center of the washing tub 12. The center side of the washing tub 12 is synonymous with the axis O side. For example, the side protrusion 100 is a plate-like member fixed to the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12 and slightly elongated in front view. The surface of the side protrusion 100 exposed inside the washing tub 12 can come into contact with the shoes 9 during the above-mentioned washing operation and spin-drying operation.

[0022] In this example, the surface of the side protrusion 100 is formed to have a higher friction coefficient than the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12. Specifically, the surface of the side protrusion 100 is roughened so that the friction coefficient is higher than that of the inner circumferential surface 12A. Alternatively, the surface or the entire side protrusion 100 may be formed of a material having a higher friction coefficient than that of the inner circumferential surface 12A, for example, an elastic body such as rubber.

[0023] 4 and 5, the side protrusion 100 of this example is symmetrical when viewed from the shaft portion 60 side. In other words, the side protrusion 100 has a shape symmetrical with respect to the circumferential direction C of the washing tub 12. The surface of the side protrusion 100 includes a front surface 101 facing the shaft portion 60 side and an upper surface 102 facing upward.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7A, the side protruding portion 100 includes a right portion 111 and a left portion 112 that are portions that have a large protruding width from the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12 toward the shaft portion 60 side along the circumferential direction C of the washing tub 12. In this example, the thickness of the side protruding portion 100 in a plan view continuously rises toward the shaft portion 60 side as it moves from both ends of the circumferential direction C toward the center. The front surface 101 includes the right portion 111 and the left portion 112 with the center position of the circumferential direction C as a boundary. The circumferential direction C includes a clockwise direction C1 (the right direction in FIG. 5) and a counterclockwise direction 2 (the left direction in FIG. 5) in a plan view. The right portion 111 has a large protruding width from the inner peripheral surface 12A toward the shaft portion 60 side along the counterclockwise direction C2. The left portion 112 has a large protruding width from the inner peripheral surface 12A toward the shaft portion 60 side along the clockwise direction C1.

[0025] As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the side protrusion 100 includes a lower portion 113, which is a portion closer to the center of the washing tub 12, at its upper side than at its lower side. In this example, the thickness of the side protrusion 100 in a side view continuously rises toward the shaft portion 60 as it moves from both ends in the vertical direction toward the center. The front surface 101 includes a lower portion 113 and an upper portion 114, with a boundary slightly above the vertical center. The lower portion 113 is inclined so that its surface faces downward, so that its upper portion is closer to the center of the washing tub 12 than its lower portion. The upper portion 114 is inclined so that its surface faces upward, so that its lower portion is closer to the center of the washing tub 12 than its upper portion.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the side protrusion 100 includes an upper right surface 121 and an upper left surface 122 that are portions that incline downward from the upper end 102A along the circumferential direction C of the washing tub 12. In this example, the center position of the upper surface 102 in the circumferential direction C (left and right direction in FIG. 5) is the upper end 102A of the side protrusion 100. The upper surface 102 inclines upward from both ends of the circumferential direction C toward the upper end 102A. The upper surface 102 has an upward arc shape when viewed from the front, but may have, for example, an upward triangular shape. The upper surface 102 includes the upper right surface 121 and the upper left surface 122 with the upper end 102A as a boundary. The upper right surface 121 inclines downward along the clockwise direction C1. The upper left surface 122 inclines downward along the counterclockwise direction C2.

[0027] 4 and 6, at least a portion of the side protrusion 100 is provided below the upper end of the brush 61 and above the lower end of the brush 61. In other words, the vertical range of the side protrusion 100 and the vertical range of the brush 61 overlap each other. In this example, the upper end 102A of the side protrusion 100 is lower than the vertical center of the brush 61. The lower end of the side protrusion 100 is at approximately the same height as the lower end of the brush 61. Therefore, when the tip of the rotating brush 61 crosses the front side of the side protrusion 100, it faces approximately the entire front surface 101 with a gap therebetween.

[0028] Upper end 102A of side protrusion 100 is located at a position lower than the water level stored in washing tub 12 which rotates during washing. In this example, during washing operation, water is supplied to washing tub 12 up to a water level higher than the vertical center of brush 61. Therefore, during washing operation, upper end 102A is lower than the water level stored in washing tub 12. Shoes 9 are washed with the entire side protrusion 100 positioned under the water surface.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the side protrusion 100 protrudes toward the center of the washing tub 12 from the outer periphery P of the rotor 13. In this example, the apex 101A of the side protrusion 100 is a position where the ridgeline forming the boundary between the right part 111 and the left part 112 intersects with the ridgeline forming the boundary between the lower part 113 and the upper part 114. The apex 101A is the part of the side protrusion 100 that has the largest protruding width from the inner circumferential surface 12A to the shaft part 60 side, in other words, it is the part closest to the center of the washing tub 12. In the side protrusion 100, at least the apex 101A protrudes toward the center of the washing tub 12 from the outer periphery P. However, since the apex 101A is outside the rotation locus T, the rotating brush 61 does not come into contact with the side protrusion 100.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the rotating body 13 has a bottom surface protrusion 200 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the rotating body 13. The upper end 102A of the side surface protrusion 100 and the upper end 200A of the bottom surface protrusion 200 are at different heights. In this example, the upper end 102A of the side surface protrusion 100 is located at a higher position than the upper end 200A of the bottom surface protrusion 200. The upper end 200A of the bottom surface protrusion 200 is slightly lower than the top 101A of the side surface protrusion 100. The bottom surface protrusion 200 will be described in detail later.

[0031] [Bottom protrusion 200] The details of the bottom surface protrusion 200 will be described. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the rotor 13. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the rotor 13. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 9.

[0032] 4, 8, and 9, the upper surface of the rotor 13 includes a second reference surface 13B, which is a slope that slopes downward from the outer periphery P side of the rotor 13 toward the center side of the washing tub 12. In this example, a recess 130 that is circular in plan view and to which the shaft portion 60 is fixed is provided in the center of the upper surface of the rotor 13. The upper surface of the rotor 13 includes a first reference surface 13A and a second reference surface 13B on the outer periphery side of the recess 130.

[0033] The first reference surface 13A is a horizontal surface extending along the outer periphery of the recess 130. The first reference surface 13A is the lowest surface portion of the upper surface of the rotating body 13, and is located inside the rotation locus T in a plan view. The second reference surface 13B is an inclined surface extending downward from the outer periphery P side of the rotating body 13 to the outer periphery of the first reference surface 13A. For example, the second reference surface 13B is a curved surface whose inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane increases toward the outer periphery P side of the rotating body 13. The second reference surface 13B extends from the inner side to the outer side of the rotation locus T in a plan view.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, the bottom surface protrusion 200 has a ridgeline R that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the rotor 13 and extends along the rotation direction of the rotor 13. In this example, the bottom surface protrusion 200 protrudes upward from the first reference surface 13A and the second reference surface 13B. The bottom surface protrusion 200 extends in an arc shape on the outer periphery of the recess 130 within a range of approximately 180 degrees centered on the axis 0. In other words, the bottom surface protrusion 200 extends approximately 180 degrees from one of the two brushes 61 to the other in a plan view on the upper surface of the rotor 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 on the surface of the bottom surface protrusion 200.

[0035] The ridgeline R extending along the rotation direction of the rotor 13 is not limited to the ridgeline R parallel to the rotation direction of the rotor 13, but may be any ridgeline R that intersects with the radial line L (see FIG. 10) of the rotor 13 in a plan view. For example, the ridgeline R may be straight, may be a curve with a curvature different from the rotation direction of the rotor 13, or may be a meandering shape, so long as it intersects with the radial line L in a plan view.

[0036] The ridge line R includes two partial ridge lines R1 and R2 extending from the upper end of the ridge line R to both ends of the ridge line R, respectively. The two partial ridge lines R1 and R2 have different inclination angles with respect to the horizontal plane. In this example, the upper end of the ridge line R is synonymous with the upper end 200A of the bottom surface protrusion 200. The ridge line R includes a partial ridge line R1 extending from the upper end 200A in the clockwise direction C1 and a partial ridge line R2 extending from the upper end 200A in the counterclockwise direction C2.

[0037] The bottom surface protrusion 200 includes a first protrusion 201 having a partial ridgeline R1 and a second protrusion 202 having a partial ridgeline R2. The first protrusion 201 is an arc extending from the upper end 200A in the clockwise direction C1 within a range of angle θ1 about the axis 0. The protrusion width of the partial ridgeline R1 from the upper end 200A to the upper surface of the rotor 13 decreases as it moves in the clockwise direction C1 from the upper end 200A to the upper surface of the rotor 13, and the further away it is from the axis O.

[0038] The second protruding portion 202 has an arc shape extending in a counterclockwise direction C2 from the upper end 200A to the upper surface of the rotating body 13 within a range of an angle θ2 about the axis 0. The partial ridge line R2 protrudes less from the upper surface of the rotating body 13 and approaches the axis O as it moves in the counterclockwise direction C2 from the upper end 200A.

[0039] In this example, the angle θ1 of the first protruding portion 201 is approximately 120 degrees, and the angle θ2 of the second protruding portion 202 is approximately 60 degrees. Therefore, the partial ridge line R1 of the first protruding portion 201 is longer than the partial ridge line R2 of the second protruding portion 202. The inclination angle of the partial ridge line R1 with respect to the horizontal plane is smaller than the inclination angle of the partial ridge line R2 with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0040] The bottom protrusion 200 is provided at a position where at least a portion of the ridge line R vertically overlaps with the rotation locus T of the brush 61. In this example, the entire ridge line R vertically overlaps with the rotation locus T (see FIG. 3).

[0041] Bottom surface protrusion 200 includes inner slope 211 that slopes downward from ridgeline R toward the center of washing tub 12, and outer slope 212 that slopes downward from ridgeline R toward inner circumferential surface 12A of washing tub 12. In this example, the length of inner slope 211 extending from ridgeline R to the top surface of rotor 13 is longer than the length of outer slope 212 extending from ridgeline R to the top surface of rotor 13. Therefore, the inclination angle of inner slope 211 with respect to the horizontal plane is smaller than the inclination angle of outer slope 212 with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0042] The rotor 13 is provided with an outer protrusion 220. The outer protrusion 220 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the rotor 13, and is provided on the inner circumferential surface 12A side of the rotation locus T of the brush 61. In this example, two outer protrusions 220 that are symmetrical with respect to the axis O are provided on the rotor 13. Each outer protrusion 220 protrudes upward continuously from the outer circumferential end of the second reference surface 13B, and has an arc shape extending along the outer periphery P of the rotor 13. Each outer protrusion 220 is located outside the rotation locus T in a plan view.

[0043] As described above, the shaft portion 60 is rotationally driven integrally with the rotor 13, and therefore the positions of the two brushes 61 relative to the rotor 13 are fixed. For example, two outer protrusions 220 are provided corresponding to the two brushes 61, respectively. Each outer protrusion 220 extends on both sides in the circumferential direction C from a position facing each brush 61 with a gap therebetween in a plan view. Note that instead of providing a plurality of outer protrusions 220 along the outer periphery P of the rotor 13, a single outer protrusion 220 may be provided along a part or all of the outer periphery P.

[0044] The outer protrusion 220 is provided closer to the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12 than the ridge line R of the bottom protrusion 200. The upper end of the outer protrusion 220 is located lower than the upper end 200A of the bottom protrusion 200. In this example, the distance from the axis O to the outer protrusion 220 is greater than the distance from the axis O to the ridge line R. Therefore, the outer protrusion 220 is closer to the inner circumferential surface 12A than the ridge line R.

[0045] As an example, the radial length of the rotating body 13 is about 210 mm. The height of the bottom surface protrusion 200 is about 85 mm, and the height of the bottom surface protrusion 200 is the distance from the first reference plane 13A to the upper end 200A. Thus, in this example, the height of the bottom surface protrusion 200 is designed to be ⅓ or more of the radial length of the rotating body 13, but the height of the bottom surface protrusion 200 is not limited to this.

[0046] 6, the upper end 200A of the bottom surface protrusion 200 is located at a higher position than the lower end of the brush 61. In contrast, the upper end of the outer protrusion 220 is located at approximately the same height as the lower end of the brush 61. Therefore, the upper end of the outer protrusion 220 is lower than the upper end 200A of the bottom surface protrusion 200.

[0047] Two agitating blades 140 are provided on the upper surface of rotor 13, on the opposite side of bottom surface protruding portion 200 across recess 130. Each agitating blade 140 protrudes slightly upward from the upper surface of rotor 13 and extends linearly from the outer periphery of recess 130 toward outer periphery P of rotor 13. The upper end of each agitating blade 140 is located lower than outer protruding portion 220. Each agitating blade 140 agitates the water in washing tub 12 during washing operation.

[0048] [One aspect of washing operation] One mode of the washing operation of the washing machine 1 will be described. As described above, in the washing operation, water and detergent are stored in the washing tub 12, and the rotor 13 and the brush 61 repeatedly rotate forward and backward in the circumferential direction C (see Figs. 3 and 6). The rotor 13 and the brush 61 rotate relative to the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12. The rotating brush 61 wipes off dirt from the shoes 9 placed in the washing tub 12.

[0049] In this example, the brush 61 and the agitator blade 140 generate a water flow along their rotation direction in the washing tub 12. The shoes 9 put into the washing tub 12 are urged to move around the shaft 60 by the water flow, and are also urged radially outward from the axis O by the centrifugal force of the washing operation. Therefore, the shoes 9 are moved along the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12. Furthermore, since the agitator blade 140 extends in a radial direction intersecting with the circumferential direction C, the contact pressure with the water in the washing tub 12 during rotation in the circumferential direction C is relatively large. The agitator blade 140 generates a vortex water flow that rotates along its rotation direction, i.e., a ring-shaped vortex water flow when viewed from the axis O side.

[0050] On the other hand, because bottom protrusion 200 extends along circumferential direction C, the contact pressure with the water in washing tub 12 during rotation in circumferential direction C is relatively small. Bottom protrusion 200 generates a vortex water flow that rotates crosswise to the rotation direction, that is, a ring-shaped vortex water flow when viewed from circumferential direction C, on both sides of inner inclined surface 211 and outer inclined surface 212. Such water flow and vortex water flow cause shoes 9 to roll in various directions in washing tub 12, so brush 61 can contact and wash the entire surface of shoes 9 evenly.

[0051] As shown in Figures 5 to 7B, during a washing operation, the shoe 9 moving along the inner circumferential surface 12A comes into contact with the side protrusion 100. At this time, the behavior of the shoe 9 differs depending on, for example, the contact position of the shoe 9 on the side protrusion 100, the posture of the shoe 9 contacting the side protrusion 100, the water flow acting on the shoe 9, and the like.

[0052] 5 and 6 show an example in which the shoe 9 moving along the inner circumferential surface 12A comes into contact with the upper surface 102 that slopes upward from both ends in the circumferential direction C. In detail, the shoe 9 moving in the clockwise direction C1 comes into contact with the left upper surface 122 that slopes downward along the counterclockwise direction C2. In this case, the shoe 9 moving in the clockwise direction C1 is guided upward along the left upper surface 122 to the vicinity of the upper end 102A.

[0053] During the washing operation in this example, since the stored water level is higher than the side protrusion 100, the shoes 9 are likely to move upward along the upper left surface 122 due to the action of buoyancy in the water. Furthermore, the side protrusion 100 can bounce the shoes 9 upward along the upper left surface 122. At this time, only the part of the shoes 9 close to the inner circumferential surface 12A is urged from below by the upper left surface 122. Therefore, the shoes 9 are bounced obliquely upward from the side protrusion 100 so as to move toward the axis O side opposite the inner circumferential surface 12A.

[0054] For example, when multiple shoes 9 are washed at the same time, it is assumed that the multiple shoes 9 will interfere with each other, making it difficult for the shoes 9 to change their orientation, and that the shoes 9 will be more likely to get caught in the rotating body 13, etc. In this example, the shoes 9 that come into contact with the side protrusions 100 are pushed upward, so that the shoes 9 move away from the rotating body 13 and a distance can be secured even when multiple shoes 9 are washed. This makes it possible to prevent the shoes 9 from getting caught in the rotating body 13, etc. Furthermore, the multiple shoes 9 are dispersed in water and the orientation of each shoe 9 is significantly changed, improving the cleaning power of the shoes 9.

[0055] In this example, the side protrusion 100 has a larger coefficient of friction than the inner circumferential surface 12A, so the shoe 9 comes into contact with the upper surface 102 and tends to move upward. Note that, although Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show an example in which the rotating body 13 and the brush 61 rotate in the clockwise direction C1, the shoe 9 moves along the upper right surface 121 of the side protrusion 100 even when the rotating body 13 and the brush 61 rotate in the counterclockwise direction C2, and the same effect as above is achieved.

[0056] Here, in order to maximize the cleaning power of the brush 61, it is preferable that the shoes 9 are positioned at the vertical center of the rotation locus T. In this example, the upper end 102A of the side protrusion 100 is lower than the vertical center of the brush 61. This makes it easier for the shoes 9 bounced up from the side protrusion 100 to be moved to the vertical center of the rotation locus T.

[0057] 7A and 7B illustrate a case where the shoe 9 moving along the inner circumferential surface 12A comes into contact with the front surface 101 inclined toward the axis O from both ends of the circumferential direction C. In detail, the example of FIG. 7A illustrates a state where the shoe 9 moving in the counterclockwise direction C2 gets caught on the right part 111 extending continuously from the inner circumferential surface 12A, and the movement is temporarily stopped. In this case, the rotating brush 61 moves so as to press the shoe 9 against the inner circumferential surface 12A. If the shoe 9 moves following the rotation of the brush 61, the frictional force generated between the brush 61 and the shoe 9 becomes small, and the cleaning power of the shoe 9 decreases. In this example, a relatively large frictional force is generated between the rotating brush 61 and the stopped shoe 9, and the cleaning power of the shoe 9 can be improved.

[0058] The example in FIG. 7B shows a state in which the shoe 9, moving in the counterclockwise direction C2, rides up on the side protrusion 100 along the right part 111 that extends continuously from the inner circumferential surface 12A. In this state, the shoe 9 is biased toward the axis O side from the inner circumferential surface 12A by the amount that the shoe 9 rides up on the side protrusion 100. The rotating brush 61 moves so as to sandwich the shoe 9 between itself and the side protrusion 100. At this time, the shoe 9 comes into contact with the brush 61 at a position closer to the axis O than the inner circumferential surface 12A, so that the frictional force generated between the brush 61 and the shoe 9 increases, and the cleaning power of the shoe 9 can be improved.

[0059] In this example, the side protrusion 100 has a larger coefficient of friction than the inner circumferential surface 12A, so the shoe 9 is likely to get caught on or ride up the front surface 101. Note that, although Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B illustrate the case where the rotating body 13 and the brush 61 rotate in the counterclockwise direction C2, the shoe 9 gets caught on or rides up the left portion 112 of the side protrusion 100 even when the rotating body 13 and the brush 61 rotate in the clockwise direction C1, and the same effect as above is achieved.

[0060] In this example, a non-protruding portion 230 is provided on the upper surface of the rotating body 13, on the opposite side to the bottom surface protruding portion 200 across the shaft portion 60 (see Figs. 4 and 9). The non-protruding portion 230 is a portion that extends horizontally from the outer circumferential end of the second reference surface 13B toward the outer periphery P between the two outer protruding portions 220, and is lower in height than the outer protruding portions 220.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 11, centrifugal force acting during the washing operation may cause the upper side of the non-protruding portion 230 of the shoe 9 to come into contact with the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12. In this case, when the non-protruding portion 230 approaches the side protruding portion 100 as the rotor 13 rotates, the shoe 9 rides up onto the side protruding portion 100. At this time, when the shoe 9 rises due to buoyancy in water, the shoe 9 is guided toward the axis O along the lower portion 113 which is inclined upward toward the axis O. This changes the orientation of the shoe 9 and moves the shoe 9 toward the rotation locus T, improving the cleaning power of the shoe 9.

[0062] In this example, the side protrusion 100 protrudes toward the center of the washing tub 12 further than the outer periphery P of the rotor 13. Therefore, the shoes 9 guided toward the axis O along the lower portion 113 tend to move toward the axis O further than the outer periphery P. This prevents the shoes 9 from being caught between the washing tub 12 and the rotor 13.

[0063] During the washing operation, the shoes 9 may sink in the washing tub 12 due to their own weight. When the shoes 9 sink in the washing tub 12, they come into contact with the bottom protrusion 200, which rotates together with the rotor 13 of the bottom protrusion 200, and are bounced upward. In this example, at least a part of the ridgeline R of the bottom protrusion 200 is provided at a position that overlaps in the vertical direction with the rotation trajectory T of the brush 61. Therefore, the bottom protrusion 200 bounces the sunken shoes 9 upward so as to return them to within the rotation trajectory T. This ensures that the shoes 9 come into contact with the brush 61, improving the cleaning power of the shoes 9.

[0064] [One aspect of dehydration operation] An embodiment of the spin-drying operation of the washing machine 1 will be described. Figures 12A and 12B are enlarged plan views of the periphery of the side protrusion 100 during the rolling operation. Figures 13A and 13B are enlarged front views of the periphery of the bottom protrusion 200 during the rolling operation. Figure 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the periphery of the bottom protrusion 200 during the rolling operation. Figures 15A and 15B are vertical cross-sectional views of the periphery of the outer protrusion 220 during the rolling operation.

[0065] As described above, in the spin-drying operation, the tumbling action is performed after the washing tub 12 is drained. At this time, even if the friction between the shoes 9 and the washing tub 12 is large, for example, when the soles of shoes wet from washing are stuck to the inner circumferential surface 12A of the washing tub 12, the shoes 9 can be peeled off from the washing tub 12 and dispersed as follows.

[0066] 12A and 12B, during the rolling operation, the shoes 9 on the rotating body 13 are moved in the circumferential direction C along the inner circumferential surface 12A as the rotating body 13 rotates or are pushed by the rotating brush 61. When the moving shoes 9 come into contact with the side protrusions 100, the behavior of the shoes 9 differs depending on the contact friction, etc., as in the case of the washing operation.

[0067] 12A and 12B illustrate an example in which the rotor 13 and the brush 61 rotate in the counterclockwise direction C2. The example in Fig. 12A shows a state in which a shoe 9 moving along the inner circumferential surface 12A collides with the right portion 111 of the side protrusion 100. Unlike during a washing operation, there is no influence of water pressure during the rolling operation, and therefore the shoe 9 is easily peeled off the inner circumferential surface 12A and rolls toward the axis O due to the impact of colliding with the right portion 111.

[0068] 12B shows a state in which the shoe 9 moving along the inner circumferential surface 12A rides up onto the side protrusion 100 along the right part 111 that extends continuously from the inner circumferential surface 12A. In this case as well, since there is no effect of water pressure during the rolling motion as described above, the shoe 9 rides up onto the side protrusion 100 and changes its position, so that it is easy for the shoe 9 to be peeled off from the inner circumferential surface 12A and roll toward the axis O.

[0069] In this way, the shoes 9 come into contact with the side protrusions 100, and the shoes 9 are separated from the washing tub 12 and multiple shoes 9 are dispersed so as not to overlap. In this embodiment, the side protrusions 100 have a larger friction coefficient than the inner circumferential surface 12A, so that the shoes 9 are likely to collide with or ride up the side protrusions 100. In addition, when the rotating body 13 and the brush 61 rotate in the clockwise direction C1, the shoes 9 collide with the left portion 112 of the side protrusions 100 or ride up the side protrusions 100 from the left portion 112, thereby achieving the same effect as above.

[0070] During the rolling operation, as shown in Fig. 13A and Fig. 13B, the bottom surface protrusion 200 also moves in the circumferential direction C with the rotation of the rotor 13. In Fig. 13A and Fig. 13B, the bottom surface protrusion 200 viewed from the axis O side is shown typically by a ridge line R for ease of understanding (the same applies to Fig. 16A and Fig. 16B described later). For example, if the sole of the shoe is strongly attached to the inner peripheral surface 12A of the washing tub 12, the shoe 9 may not move relative to the inner peripheral surface 12A even if the rotor 13 and the brush 61 rotate.

[0071] The example of Fig. 13A shows a case where the rotating body 13 rotates in the clockwise direction C1 while the shoe 9 is stuck to the inner peripheral surface 12A and does not move. In this case, the first protrusion 201 of the bottom surface protrusion 200 moving in the clockwise direction C1 comes into contact with the shoe 9 stuck to the inner peripheral surface 12A. At this time, the shoe 9 rides up the first protrusion 201 along the partial ridgeline R1 that slopes upward at a small gradient from the upper surface of the rotating body 13, and the orientation of the shoe 9 is likely to change obliquely upward. This change in the orientation of the shoe 9 causes the adhesion between the sole and the inner peripheral surface 12A to be released, and the shoe 9 is likely to be peeled off from the inner peripheral surface 12A and roll toward the axis O due to its own weight.

[0072] The example of Fig. 13B shows a case where the rotating body 13 rotates in the counterclockwise direction C2 while the shoe 9 is stuck to the inner peripheral surface 12A and does not move. In this case, the second protrusion 202 of the bottom surface protrusion 200 moving in the counterclockwise direction C2 comes into contact with the shoe 9 stuck to the inner peripheral surface 12A. At this time, the shoe 9 is caught by a partial ridge R2 that slopes upward at a large gradient from the upper surface of the rotating body 13, and the shoe 9 is likely to move in the counterclockwise direction C2 relative to the inner peripheral surface 12A as if being pushed by the second protrusion 202. This movement of the shoe 9 releases the sticking between the sole and the inner peripheral surface 12A, and the shoe 9 is likely to be peeled off from the inner peripheral surface 12A and roll toward the axis O due to its own weight.

[0073] In this way, the shoes 9 come into contact with the bottom protrusions 200, so that the shoes 9 can be separated from the washing tub 12 and multiple shoes 9 can be dispersed so as not to overlap. Furthermore, during the rolling operation, as shown in FIG. 14, the shoes 9 rolling in the washing tub 12 may climb onto the bottom protrusions 200. At this time, the shoes 9 tend to roll along the inner slope 211 that slopes downward from the ridgeline R toward the axis O, or along the outer slope 212 that slopes downward from the ridgeline R toward the inner circumferential surface 12A. In this way, the bottom protrusions 200 roll the shoes 9 inside and outside the washing tub 12, so that the shoes 9 can be changed in orientation and multiple shoes 9 can be dispersed.

[0074] In this example, the outer protrusion 220 is provided closer to the inner circumferential surface 12A than the ridge line R, and the upper end of the outer protrusion 220 is lower than the upper end 200A of the bottom surface protrusion 200. This makes it possible to prevent the outer protrusion 220 from hindering the shoe 9 from rolling along the outer slope 212 toward the inner circumferential surface 12A.

[0075] In addition, as shown in FIG. 15A, during the rolling operation, the shoes 9 on the first reference surface 13A tend to roll toward the outer periphery P along the second reference surface 13B that curves upward toward the inner periphery surface 12A due to the centrifugal force G. When the shoes 9 move toward the outer periphery P beyond the second reference surface 13B, the shoes 9 tend to climb onto the outer protrusion 220 and become unstable. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15B, for example, when switching between forward and reverse rotation during the rolling operation, if the rotation of the rotating body 13 is temporarily stopped, the shoes 9 tend to fall off the outer protrusion 220 and further roll toward the axis O along the second reference surface 13B. In this way, the second reference surface 13B and the outer protrusion 220 also roll the shoes 9 inside and outside the washing tub 12, changing the direction of the shoes 9 and dispersing the multiple shoes 9.

[0076] As described above, the tub rotation operation for rotating the washing tub 12 is performed while the shoes 9 peeled off from the washing tub 12 are dispersed, so that the shoes 9 can be effectively dewatered. Therefore, even if the bristles of the brush 61 are not shortened, it is possible to prevent insufficient dewatering of the shoes 9 caused by the soles being in contact with the washing tub 12. The rolling operation is not limited to being performed before the tub rotation operation, and may be performed at least once during the tub rotation operation.

[0077] During the tub rotation operation, the shoes 9 rotating together with the washing tub 12 move relative to the stationary brush 61 and rotor 13. Every time the tub rotation operation repeats forward and reverse rotation, the shoes 9 roll inside and outside the washing tub 12 due to the second reference surface 13B and the outer protrusion 220, just like during the rolling operation. This causes the shoes 9 to be dispersed when the direction of the shoes 9 changes, allowing the shoes 9 to be dehydrated more effectively.

[0078] [remarks] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, 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.

[0079] For example, although the washing machine 1 of this embodiment is exemplified as a washing and drying machine, it may be capable of at least one of washing and spin-drying. The article to be washed is not limited to shoes 9, and may be any tangible object having a three-dimensional shape. The washing machine 1 does not have to have at least one of the side protrusion 100 and the bottom protrusion 200. The washing machine 1 does not have to have the outer protrusion 220. The surface of the side protrusion 100 may have the same friction coefficient as the inner circumferential surface 12A.

[0080] The quantity, size, shape, etc. of the side protrusions 100 and the bottom protrusions 200 are not limited to the above embodiment. Figures 16A and 16B are enlarged front views of the side protrusions 100 and the bottom protrusions 200 in a modified example. Figure 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view in which a modified side protrusion 100 is provided in Figure 6. In the modified examples shown in Figures 16A to 17, the shape of the side protrusions 100 is different from that in the above embodiment.

[0081] The side protrusion 100 of the modified example has the same structure as that of the above embodiment (see FIG. 4), but is different in that it is a vertically long plate-like member when viewed from the front. In addition, the front surface 101 of the side protrusion 100 extends from the lower end of the side protrusion 100 to the upper surface 102, and is an inclined surface that slopes upward toward the axis O. The upper end 102A of the side protrusion 100 is higher than the center in the vertical direction of the brush 61 and is higher than the water level stored in the washing tub 12 that is rotated during washing. The shoes 9 are washed with a part of the side protrusion 100 positioned below the water surface.

[0082] During the washing operation, as in the above embodiment (see Figs. 7A and 7B), the shoe 9 on the rotating body 13 is moved in the circumferential direction C along the inner circumferential surface 12A. In this example, when the rotating body 13 and the brush 61 rotate in the clockwise direction C1, the shoe 9 may behave as follows. In the example shown in Fig. 16A, as in Fig. 7A, the shoe 9 gets caught on the left part 112 extending continuously from the inner circumferential surface 12A, and the rotating brush 61 moves so as to press the shoe 9 against the inner circumferential surface 12A.

[0083] 16B, the bottom surface protrusion 200, rotating in the clockwise direction C1, approaches the shoe 9 caught on the side surface protrusion 100. At this time, the shoe 9 climbs onto the first protrusion 201 and is guided upward along the partial ridge R1, as in FIG. 13A. As shown in FIG. 17, the shoe 9 climbs onto the side surface protrusion 100 and is guided upward along the front surface 101. While being guided upward, the shoe 9 tilts toward the axis O and rolls from the side surface protrusion 100 toward the axis O. As a result, the orientation of the shoe 9 changes and the shoe 9 is moved toward the rotation locus T so as to approach the vertical center of the brush 61, improving the cleaning power of the shoe 9. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 washing machine, 9 shoes, 12 washing tubs, 12A inner peripheral surface, 13 rotating body, 60 shaft portion, 61 brush, 100 side protrusion, 200 bottom protrusion, 220 outer protrusion

Claims

1. A washing tub into which the laundry is to be placed; A rotating body arranged at the bottom of the washing tub and rotating around a rotation axis located at the center of the washing tub; a bottom surface protrusion that protrudes upward from an upper surface of the rotating body, has a ridge line that extends along a rotation direction of the rotating body, and extends in an arc along the ridge line; Equipped with At least an end portion of the bottom surface protrusion in the rotation direction of the rotor is located away from the outer periphery of the rotor toward the rotor shaft, and has a shape that tapers toward the rotation direction of the rotor when the rotor is viewed in the axial direction of the rotor shaft, A washing machine, wherein, when viewed from the axial direction of the rotating shaft, the distance between the ridge line on one side of the rotation direction of the rotating body and the inner surface of the washing tub, and the distance between the ridge line on the other side of the rotation direction of the rotating body and the inner surface of the washing tub are shorter than the distance between the ridge line and the inner surface of the washing tub between the other side and the one side in the rotation direction of the rotating body.

2. the upper surface of the rotor includes a slope extending along an outer periphery of the rotary shaft and inclining downward from the outer periphery of the rotor toward the rotary shaft, The bottom surface protrusion is provided on the upper surface of the rotating body at a position away from the outer circumferential end of the inclined surface toward the rotating shaft. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The ridge line includes two partial ridge lines extending from an upper end of the ridge line to both ends of the ridge line, The two partial ridge lines have different inclination angles with respect to a horizontal plane. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The bottom surface protrusion includes an inner inclined surface inclined downward from the ridge line toward the rotation shaft side, and an outer inclined surface inclined downward from the ridge line toward the inner circumferential surface side of the washing tub, The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. An outer protrusion protruding upward from the upper surface of the rotating body and provided on the inner circumferential surface side of the washing tub relative to the ridge line of the bottom protrusion, The upper end of the outer protrusion is located lower than the upper end of the bottom protrusion.

5. The washing machine according to claim 1 .

6. A washing machine comprising: a washing tub into which the laundry is placed; A rotating body arranged at the bottom of the washing tub and rotating around a rotation axis located at the center of the washing tub; A bottom surface protrusion portion protruding upward from the upper surface of the rotating body and having a ridge line extending along the rotation direction of the rotating body, and extending in an arc along the ridge line; A shaft portion provided on the rotating body and extending upward from the bottom of the washing tub; A brush extending from the shaft portion to an inner peripheral surface side of the washing tub; Equipped with At least an end portion of the bottom surface protrusion in the rotation direction of the rotor is located away from the outer periphery of the rotor toward the rotor shaft, and has a shape that tapers toward the rotation direction of the rotor when the rotor is viewed in the axial direction of the rotor shaft, The upper end of the bottom surface protrusion is located between the upper end and the lower end of the brush in the vertical direction, The bottom surface protrusion is provided at a position where at least a part of the ridge line overlaps with a rotation trajectory of the brush in the up-down direction. washing machine.

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