washing machine

Abstract

To prevent clothing and the like from entering an outer peripheral side from a gap between a water tub opening part and a rotary tub opening part, and to detach the clothing and the like that have entered from the gap at an early stage.SOLUTION: A washing machine 1 includes: a water tub supported by a housing having an opening part on a front surface; and a rotary tub provided rotatably in the water tub, wherein the rotary tub opening part of the rotary tub is arranged by providing a gap across the whole periphery between itself and the water tub opening part of the water tub. At an outer peripheral side of the gap, a partition wall 6 is provided which is overlapped in a rotary shaft direction of the rotary tub with respect to the gap. The partition wall 6 includes: a continuous part 61 provided continuously along a circumferential direction; and a cutout part 62 communicating with the outer peripheral side by being removed at a fixed length in the circumferential direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine having a water tub and a spin tub. [Background technology]

[0002] Drum-type washing machines are widely known as washing machines that wash laundry such as clothes stored in a rotating tub by rotating a rotating tub (rotating drum) disposed inside the water tub. In addition to drum-type washing machines of this type in which the rotation axis of the rotating tub is horizontal, inclined drum-type washing machines in which the opening of the water tub is tilted at a predetermined angle so that it faces upward have also been proposed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine in which a rotating tub with a clothes inlet on the front side and a water tub that houses the rotating tub are arranged in a housing tilted upward from the horizontal. Because the rotation of the rotating tub causes it to oscillate up and down and left and right during washing and spin-drying operations, the water tub is supported in a vibration-damping manner within the housing so that it can oscillate, and a gap is provided between the clothes inlet of the rotating tub and the water tub opening.

[0004] The rotating tub rotates at high speed, especially during the spin cycle, and centrifugal force acts on the clothes inside the rotating tub, causing some of the clothes to become caught in the gap between the clothes inlet and the water tub opening. Because the frictional heat can damage the water tub and clothes if the clothes become caught, Patent Document 1 proposes providing a ring-shaped metal cover member at the front end of the water tub opening, which faces the clothes inlet of the rotating tub. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-54813 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] According to the configuration of the washing machine of the above-mentioned conventional example, the annular covering member is made of a material such as stainless steel that has a low heat generation rate and high thermal conductivity, so frictional heat is easily dissipated, potentially reducing the risk of clothes melting or tearing.

[0007] However, as shown in Figure 2 of the aforementioned Patent Document 1, there is still a gap between the inner periphery of the clothes insertion opening of the spin tub and the annular cover member, and it is possible that clothes could get caught in that gap, and if the spin tub continues to rotate at high speed with clothes trapped inside, the clothes could get further into the outer periphery or come into contact with surrounding members, which could also damage the clothes. Therefore, it was desired to have a structure that not only narrows gaps and other gaps into which clothes could get caught, but also prevents clothes from getting further into the outer periphery through those gaps and allows clothes that have gotten caught in the gaps to be removed quickly.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a washing machine that can prevent laundry from getting into the outer periphery through the gap between the water tub opening and the rotating tub opening, and can quickly remove any laundry that has gotten in through the gap, thereby washing the laundry without damaging it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The solution of the present invention to achieve the above-mentioned object is a washing machine comprising a housing having an opening on the front, a water tub supported within the housing and having a water tub opening that opens toward the opening, and a rotating tub rotatably arranged within the water tub, wherein the rotating tub has a bottomed cylindrical shape with a rotating tub opening that opens toward the opening, the rotating tub opening is arranged with a gap around its entire circumference between it and the water tub opening, and a partition wall is provided on the outer periphery of the gap that overlaps with the gap in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotating tub, and the partition wall has a continuous portion that is provided continuously along the circumferential direction and a cutout portion that is removed at a certain length in the circumferential direction and communicates with the outer periphery.

[0010] In addition, in a washing machine having the above configuration, it is preferable that the partition wall has a guide surface that is inclined from the outer periphery to the inner periphery so that the inner diameter narrows, forward of the cutout portion in the rotation direction of the rotating tub.

[0011] In addition, in the washing machine having the above-described configuration, it is preferable that the water tub opening is provided with an annular cover portion having a curved wall in a generally funnel shape whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the front side.

[0012] Further, in a washing machine having the above configuration, the partition wall may be integrally formed with the annular cover portion on the outer periphery side of the curved wall, and the gap may be formed between the curved wall and the rotating tub opening.

[0013] In addition, in the washing machine having the above configuration, it is preferable that at least one notch is provided in a range of an upper half of the circumferential direction of the gap. At least one notch may be provided on an upward side in the rotation direction of the rotating tub. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent laundry from entering the outer periphery through the gap between the water tub opening and the rotating tub opening, and it is possible to remove the laundry from the gap early. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention with the door closed; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the washing machine with the door open. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a water tub provided inside the washing machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the water tank and the annular cover portion. [Figure 5] 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing a main part on the front side of the water tank, which is a cross-sectional view equivalent to cross-section II in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 6A] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a main part of the annular cover portion as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 6B] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of the annular cover portion as viewed from the inner peripheral side. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the upper part of the water tank. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 taken along line B-B. [Figure 10] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 7. [Figure 11] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 7. [Figure 12] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the exterior of washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with Fig. 1 showing a state in which door 3 is closed and Fig. 2 showing a state in which door 3 is open. For ease of explanation, the side of washing machine 1 on which door 3 is provided will be referred to as front side F and the opposite side as rear side R in the following description, but this does not limit the installation or usage of washing machine 1.

[0017] (Housing) Washing machine 1 is provided with door 3 on front side F of housing 10, and opening 111 of housing 10 is exposed when door 3 is opened. Housing 10 has front portion 101 where door 3 is provided, back portion 102 on the opposite side facing front portion 101, top portion 103 above front portion 101, and side portions 104 on both the left and right sides of front portion 101. Two lids 21 and 22 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction on top portion 103, and a detergent dispensing unit (not shown) that can manually and automatically dispense detergent and the like is provided below lids 21 and 22.

[0018] A water inlet 23 for introducing tap water is provided near the lid 22 on the top surface 103. Tap water can be supplied to the detergent dispenser unit by appropriately controlling the opening and closing of a plurality of electromagnetic valves (not shown) provided inside the water inlet 23. The top surface 103 also has an airflow filter device 24 that collects foreign matter such as lint and dust contained in the moist air, a power button 25, and the like.

[0019] 1, the door 3 integrally comprises a door main body 31 having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and an inclined upper part 32 provided so as to incline rearward from the top of the door main body 31. The inclined upper part 32 is provided with a display operation unit and the like for selecting and inputting instructions for driving operations and displaying driving statuses.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 111 through which laundry is put in and taken out is provided in front portion 101 of housing 10. Door 3 is rotatably provided on hinge portion 33, allowing opening and closing of opening 111 in front portion 101. A gasket 112 made of an elastic material such as rubber or soft resin is provided around the periphery of opening 111, and when door 3 is closed, a substantially truncated cone-shaped window member 34 provided on door 3 comes into close contact with gasket 112, maintaining a liquid-tight and airtight seal. A water tub 4 and a spin tub 7, which will be described later, are provided inside housing 10 and open toward opening 111.

[0021] (Water tank and rotating tank) FIG. 3 is a front view of water tub 4 provided inside housing 10, with housing 10 and its peripheral members omitted, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing water tub 4 and annular cover portion 5. As shown in FIG.

[0022] Housing 10 contains water tub 4 and rotating tub 7, which is a cylindrical rotating drum with a bottom. As shown in FIG. 3, water tub 4 has water tub opening 41 on front side F. Water tub opening 41 opens toward opening 111 in front portion 101 of housing 10 described above. Water tub 4 is elastically supported within housing 10 by a plurality of dampers and the like (not shown).

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, an annular cover portion 5 is attached to the front side F of the water tub 4 via a water tub front cover (not shown), forming a water tub opening 41. The water tub front cover is an annular member designated by reference numeral 42 in FIG. 5 (described later), and is attached to the front side F of the water tub 4 to cover the outer periphery of the annular cover portion 5. The annular cover portion 5 is formed in an annular shape and has a curved wall 51 that is generally funnel-shaped and whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the front side F toward the rear side R. This curved wall 51 is attached to the inner periphery of the annular cover portion 5. The end of the inner periphery (rear side R) of the curved wall 51 forms an inner periphery 52 of the annular cover portion 5, and this inner periphery 52 is configured with a smaller diameter than the outer periphery 53 of the annular cover portion 5.

[0024] In washing machine 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, rotation axis X of rotatable tub 7 provided in water tub 4 is provided at an inclination angle θ with respect to the horizontal direction so that front side F is higher than rear side R (so that it faces diagonally upward toward the front). Note that rotatable tub 7 may be disposed so that rotation axis X is approximately parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0025] Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing a main part of the front side F of the water tub 4, and corresponds to cross section II in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 5, the spin tub 7 in the water tub 4 has a spin tub opening 71 on the front side F that is open for loading and unloading laundry such as clothes.

[0026] A water-tub front cover 42 is provided on the front side F of the water tub 4, and annular cover portion 5 is attached via this water-tub front cover 42. Annular cover portion 5 has a curved wall 51 that protrudes inward, and its outer periphery is covered by water-tub front cover 42. Rotating tub 7 has a slightly smaller diameter than water tub 4, and is rotated within water tub 4 by a drum motor (not shown) provided on the rear side R of water tub 4.

[0027] The rotary tub opening 71 is provided with a throttle portion 72 having a generally funnel-shaped curved surface whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the rear side R toward the front side F, and is also provided with an annular fluid balancer 73 along the circumferential direction. The end of the throttle portion 72 on the front side F is provided opposite the inner peripheral edge 52 of the annular cover portion 5.

[0028] Fluid balancer 73 is composed of a hollow annular shell and a liquid such as salt water sealed inside. Fluid balancer 73 prevents rotational tub 7 from swinging too much when rotating tub 7 by moving the liquid inside. Fluid balancer 73 itself has weight, so the rotational balance of rotational tub 7 can be improved.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, rotating tub opening 71 of rotating tub 7 is disposed with gap G provided around the entire periphery between it and water tub opening 41. More specifically, gap G is formed between inner peripheral edge 52 of annular cover portion 5 provided on water tub opening 41 and inner peripheral edge 721 of throttle portion 72 provided on rotating tub opening 71. Gap G is formed in an annular shape around the entire periphery of water tub 4 and rotating tub 7.

[0030] In washing machine 1, water tub 4, which is supported by housing 10 and does not rotate, supports rotating tub 7 therein. As a result, a gap exists between water tub 4 and rotatable tub 7. In particular, gap G, which is formed between water tub opening 41 and rotatable tub opening 71 on front side F of washing machine 1, is subject to contact with laundry such as clothes as rotatable tub 7 rotates, and in some cases may even enter gap G.

[0031] As explained in the conventional washing machine, if the spin tub continues to rotate at high speed while a part of the clothes is stuck in a gap, the centrifugal force may cause the clothes to move further to the outer periphery or come into contact with surrounding components, potentially damaging the clothes. Therefore, in addition to narrowing the gap into which the clothes may get stuck as much as possible, it is desirable to have a structure that prevents the clothes from moving further to the outer periphery through the gap and allows the clothes that have gotten stuck in the gap to easily escape.

[0032] In washing machine 1 according to this embodiment, gap G formed between water tub opening 41 and rotatable tub opening 71 is narrowed by inner peripheral edge 52 of curved wall 51 extending inward in annular cover 5 and inner peripheral edge 721 of narrowed portion 72 extending inward in rotatable tub 7. This structure makes it difficult for clothes and the like to get caught in gap G.

[0033] However, for example, clothes made of thin fabrics may enter the gap G as they rotate inside the spin tub 7. In particular, during the spin-drying operation, the spin tub 7 rotates at high speed, and centrifugal force acts on the clothes, making them more likely to enter the gap G. In response to this, in the washing machine 1 according to this embodiment, a partition wall 6 is provided on the outer periphery of the gap G to prevent laundry from entering the gap G and continuing to rotate.

[0034] (Partition wall configuration) 5, partition wall 6 is provided so as to overlap gap G in the circumferential direction and in the axial direction of rotation axis X. Partition wall 6 is disposed inside the inner peripheral surface of water tub 4, on the outer peripheral side of gap G, and is provided so as to face gap G. In the illustrated embodiment, partition wall 6 is provided on the outer peripheral side of inner peripheral edge 52 of annular cover portion 5.

[0035] Figures 6A and 6B show a portion of the partition wall 6, with Figure 6A being a plan view of the annular cover portion 5 as viewed from the rear side R, and Figure 6B being an enlarged perspective view of the same portion of the annular cover portion 5 as viewed from the inner peripheral side. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the water tank opening 41 as viewed diagonally upward, Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 7, Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 7, Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Figure 7, Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in Figure 7, and Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in Figure 7. Note that Figure 6A shows the back side of the curved wall 51 of the annular cover portion 5 (the rear side R in Figure 4).

[0036] 6A, the partition wall 6 is disposed on the back surface 51a of the curved wall 51 between the inner peripheral edge 52 and the outer peripheral edge 53 of the annular cover portion 5 along the circumferential direction at a position closer to the inner peripheral edge 52 than the outer peripheral edge 53, and is erected integrally with the annular cover portion 5. In addition to the partition wall 6, the back surface 51a of the curved wall 51 is also provided with ribs or recesses for installing nozzles for spraying water toward the inside of the rotating tub 7, LED lighting devices for illuminating the inside of the rotating tub 7, and appropriate flanges for ensuring strength.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 6B, the partition wall 6 has a continuous portion 61 that extends continuously along the circumferential direction on the rear surface 51a, on the outer circumferential side of the inner circumferential edge 52. The continuous portion 61 of the partition wall 6 protrudes in a generally cylindrical shape that is concentric with the inner circumferential edge 52 of the rotating tub 7 and the annular cover portion 5. The continuous portion 61 of the partition wall 6 does not extend along the entire periphery, but has a notch 62 that is removed at a fixed length in the circumferential direction. In other words, the partition wall 6 is configured to include the continuous portion 61 that extends upright in the circumferential direction and the notch 62 that is formed so as to penetrate from the inner circumferential side to the outer circumferential side.

[0038] The inner peripheral edge 52 of the annular cover portion 5 and the continuous portion 61 of the partition wall 6 are disposed radially in a double layer, inner and outer, with the continuous portion 61 of the partition wall 6 protruding toward the rotating tub 7 (rear side R) beyond the inner peripheral edge 52. The cutout portion 62 is also provided so as not to protrude toward the rotating tub 7 (rear side R) beyond the inner peripheral edge 52. In this embodiment, the cutout portion 62 is provided so that the entire protruding amount of the continuous portion 61 protruding from the rear surface 51 a of the annular cover portion 5 is cut out.

[0039] The partition wall 6 has a guide surface 63, which is inclined from the outer periphery to the inner periphery so that the inner diameter gradually narrows, located forward of the cutout 62 in the rotation direction P of the rotating tub 7. The guide surface 63 is provided so as to gently continue from the connecting portion 61 of the partition wall 6 to the inner periphery 52 of the annular cover portion 5.

[0040] In this embodiment, an attachment portion 521 for an injection nozzle 74 that injects water into the rotational tub 7 is provided on the front side of the cutout portion 62 in the rotation direction P of the rotational tub 7. The injection nozzle 74 is arranged facing the inner periphery of the annular cover portion 5, as shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 6B, at the attachment portion 521 for the injection nozzle 74, the amount of protrusion of the inner periphery 52 of the annular cover portion 5 and the continuous portion 61 of the partition wall 6 is reduced to form a recess, and the injection nozzle 74 is fitted into this recess. As a result, the injection nozzle 74 is installed so that it is not higher than the inner periphery 52 of the annular cover portion 5.

[0041] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6B, a recess 54 is provided on the inner peripheral side of guide surface 63. Recess 54 is formed by removing a portion of inner peripheral edge 52 of annular cover portion 5, and is recessed toward curved wall 51 (front surface side F). As described above, gap G between water tub opening 41 and rotating tub opening 71 is formed in the circumferential direction along inner peripheral edge 52 of annular cover portion 5. Therefore, the width of gap G is increased by recess 54.

[0042] The cutout length of the cutout portion 62 is preferably set to be equal to or less than the inner peripheral edge 52 of the annular cover portion 5. The circumferential length of the cutout portion 62 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the start end of the cutout portion 62 be set to start from the mounting portion 521 of the injection nozzle 74. By arranging the continuous portion 61 of the partition wall 6, the cutout portion 62, and the mounting portion 521 of the injection nozzle 74 in this manner, the number of divisions in the continuous portion 61 can be reduced.

[0043] 7 and 8, the positional relationship between the gap G provided around the entire circumference and the partition wall 6 including the continuous portion 61 and the cutout portion 62 is such that the partition wall 6 overlaps the gap G on the outer periphery side in the axial and circumferential directions of the rotation axis X. The partition wall 6 is also disposed radially with a gap interposed between them. In this case, the continuous portion 61 extends from the front side F toward the rear side R on the outer periphery side of the gap G. The continuous portion 61 also overlaps the outer periphery side of the gap G or extends to a range that covers the gap G. However, the edge of the continuous portion 61 is disposed closer to the front side F than the inner circumferential edge 721 of the narrowed portion 72.

[0044] 9 corresponds to a cross section taken along the line BB of the partition wall 6 at the position of the notch 62. As shown in the figure, the partition wall 6 does not have the continuous portion 61 but has the notch 62. A gap is formed by the notch 62 on the rear surface 51a side of the curved wall 51 of the annular cover portion 5.

[0045] 7 and 9, the notch 62 of the partition wall 6 is disposed in the upper half of the gap G in the circumferential direction. The notch 62 is disposed on the upward side in the rotation direction P of the rotating tub 7. The continuous portion 61 and the guide surface 63 of the partition wall 6 connected to the notch 62 are also disposed in the upper half of the gap G in the circumferential direction, on the upward side in the rotation direction P.

[0046] The CC cross section shown in Fig. 10 shows a position forward of the notch 62 in the rotation direction P of the rotating tub 7, and corresponds to a cross section at the position of the continuous portion 61 adjacent to the notch 62. As with the AA cross section shown in Fig. 8, the continuous portion 61 of the partition wall 6 is provided so as to overlap the outer periphery of the gap G. In the CC cross section of Fig. 10, the provision of the continuous portion 61 of the partition wall 6 makes the back surface 51a side of the curved wall 51 of the annular cover portion 5 narrower than in the BB cross section shown in Fig. 9.

[0047] The DD cross section shown in Fig. 11 shows a position forward in the rotation direction P from the continuous portion 61 shown in Fig. 10. A recess 54 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the continuous portion 61 of the partition wall 6, where the inner peripheral edge 52 of the annular cover portion 5 is removed. The distance between the recess 54 and the inner peripheral edge 721 of the throttle portion 72 is larger than the width of the gap G shown in Fig. 10.

[0048] The E-E cross section shown in FIG. 12 shows a position further forward in the rotation direction P of the rotating tub 7 than in FIG. 11, and corresponds to a cross section at the position of guide surface 63 connected to the continuous portion 61. Guide surface 63 is inclined so that its inner diameter narrows toward the front in the rotation direction P, and is disposed more inward than the continuous portion 61 shown in FIG. 11. A recess 54 is provided on the inner peripheral side of guide surface 63. The distance between recess 54 and the inner peripheral edge 721 of the throttle portion 72 is formed to be larger than the width of gap G, as in FIG. 11.

[0049] (Action of partition wall) As described above, gap G between water tub opening 41 and rotatable tub opening 71 is formed in the circumferential direction along inner peripheral edge 52 of annular cover portion 5. Therefore, when part of the laundry enters gap G, it is assumed that it enters from inner peripheral edge 52 shown in FIG. 6B. Since rotatable tub 7 rotates in rotation direction P in the figure, the laundry also moves in rotation direction P.

[0050] During the spin-drying operation, as the rotation speed starts to increase and laundry begins to stick to the inner circumferential surface of the spin tub 7, there is a possibility that laundry moving near the gap G will enter the gap G due to centrifugal force and be pushed out to the outer circumferential side. If laundry enters the outer circumferential side from the gap G, it may continue to rotate while being caught in the gap G, creating resistance to the rotation of the spin tub 7 and causing unstable rotation. It is also thought that the laundry may rub against the gap G, causing damage.

[0051] In contrast, in the washing machine 1 according to this embodiment, even if laundry enters the gap G, the partition wall 6 is provided so as to overlap the outer periphery of the gap G, so that the laundry comes into contact with the partition wall 6 and is restricted from entering further outward than the partition wall 6. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B , laundry (end of laundry) Q1 that has entered the gap G moves in the rotation direction P along the inner periphery 52 of the annular cover portion 5. Referring to FIG. 8 , laundry Q1 that has entered the gap G is blocked by the continuous portion 61 of the partition wall 6 and moves further without entering further outward.

[0052] Returning to FIG. 6B, as the rotation of the rotary tub 7 progresses, the laundry Q1 slides along the connecting portion 61 of the partition wall 6 and moves in the rotation direction P, and reaches the notch 62. The laundry Q1 that was in contact with the connecting portion 61 is no longer restricted by the connecting portion 61 and is more likely to stretch outward. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, at the notch 62, the laundry Q1 is stretched further outward than the position where the connecting portion 61 was located, due to the action of centrifugal force. The laundry Q1 continues to move in the rotation direction P.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 6B , a continuous portion 61 of the partition wall 6 is provided again forward of the cutout 62 in the direction of rotation P. The laundry Q1 stretched at the cutout 62 reaches the continuous portion 61 and abuts against the starting end of the continuous portion 61. By rotating while sliding on the continuous portion 61, the laundry Q1 not only abuts against the continuous portion 61 as shown in FIG. 8 , but also, even if the laundry Q1 is bent in the front-to-rear direction at the gap G, as shown in FIG. 9 , it is once stretched outward at the cutout 62, making it more likely to abut against the continuous portion 61 adjacent to the cutout 62.

[0054] 6B, a guide surface 61a that slopes from the outer periphery to the inner periphery is provided at the start end of the continuous portion 61, which is located forward of the cutout portion 62 in the rotation direction P. By providing the guide surface 61a, the stretched laundry Q1 first comes into contact with the guide surface 61a of the continuous portion 61 and is easily guided to the inner periphery of the continuous portion 61, thereby preventing the laundry Q1 from getting caught on the start end of the continuous portion 61.

[0055] After passing through the notch 62, the laundry Q2 changes its stretched shape due to the impact of contact with the continuous portion 61 (guide surface 61a). As shown in Fig. 10, the laundry Q2 changes shape upon contact with the continuous portion 61, for example, its ends become rounded, and it is guided by the guide surface 61a and pulled into the inner periphery of the continuous portion 61. As a result, the laundry Q2 moves along the inner periphery of the continuous portion 61. Furthermore, the laundry Q2 is blocked by the continuous portion 61 and moves without going any further into the outer periphery.

[0056] In this state, the laundry Q2 reaches the guide surface 63 of the partition wall 6, as shown in Fig. 11. Since the recessed portion 54 is provided on the inner periphery of the guide surface 63, the laundry Q2 is less likely to get caught and is easily moved toward the inner periphery. As shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, the laundry Q2 is guided by the guide surface 63 and moves toward the inner periphery.

[0057] Since the guide surface 63 is inclined from the outer periphery side to the inner periphery side, as shown in FIG. 12 , the guide surface 63 is positioned even closer to the inner periphery edge 721 of the narrowed portion 72 and the recessed portion 54 of the annular cover portion 5. As described above, the continuous portion 61 and the guide surface 63 are disposed in the upper half of the circumferential direction of the gap G, on the upward side in the rotational direction P. Therefore, coupled with the action of gravity on the laundry Q2, the laundry Q2 is likely to fall to the inner periphery side (in this case, downward in the up-down direction). Therefore, the laundry Q2 that has been moved by the partition wall 6 without entering the outer periphery side is guided from the recessed portion 54 to the inner periphery side along the guide surface 63, and can slip out from between the annular cover portion 5 and the narrowed portion 72 by its own weight and leave the gap G.

[0058] In this way, even if laundry enters gap G, partition wall 6 prevents it from entering the outer periphery. Furthermore, due to the action of notch 62, continuous portion 61, and guide surface 63 arranged on the upward side of rotation direction P, the laundry can be quickly removed from gap G without continuing rotation with the laundry remaining in gap G.

[0059] As a result, laundry such as clothes is prevented from getting caught in gap G and continuing to rub against it, allowing the laundry to be washed without being damaged and stabilizing the rotation of spin tub 7. Also, an LED lighting device or the like for illuminating the inside of spin tub 7 may be provided at an upper position in the circumferential direction of water tub opening 41, and by releasing the laundry from gap G on the upward side in rotation direction P, it is possible to prevent the laundry from getting caught in devices provided at such an upper position.

[0060] In washing machine 1, it is preferable that at least one notch 62 of partition wall 6, and connecting portion 61 and guide surface 63 connected thereto are provided in the upper half of the circumferential direction of gap G where laundry can easily escape from gap G, or on the upward side in rotation direction P of rotatable tub 7, and they may be provided in multiple locations around the entire periphery of gap G. In addition, gap G between water tub opening 41 and rotatable tub opening 71 is not limited to being formed between inner peripheral edge 52 of annular cover portion 5 and inner peripheral edge 721 of narrowing portion 72 as illustrated, and water tub opening 41 and rotatable tub opening 71 may have any configuration.

[0061] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims. Furthermore, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 washing machine 10. Cabinet 101 Front part 102 Back section 103 Top part 104 Side part 111 Opening 112 Gasket 21, 22 Lid 23 Water inlet 24 Airflow filter device 25 Power button 3-door 31 Door body 32 Upper slope 33 Hinge part 34 Window components 4. Aquarium 41 Aquarium opening 42 Tank front cover 5 Annular cover 51 Curved wall 52 inner periphery 521 Mounting part 53 Outer edge 54 Recess 6 Partition wall 61 Continuous section 61a Guide surface 62 Notch 63 Guide surface 7 Rotating tank 71 Rotating tub opening 72 Constriction section 721 Inner edge 73 Fluid Balancer 74 Injection Nozzle G Gap

Claims

1. a housing having an opening on the front surface; a water tank supported within the housing and having a water tank opening facing the opening; A washing machine comprising a rotating tub rotatably provided in the water tub, the rotating tub has a bottomed cylindrical shape and a rotating tub opening that opens toward the opening, and the rotating tub opening is disposed with a gap provided around the entire periphery between the rotating tub opening and the water tub opening; a partition wall is provided on the outer circumferential side of the gap so as to overlap the gap in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotary tub; The partition wall has a continuous portion provided continuously along the circumferential direction and a notch portion removed at a certain length in the circumferential direction and communicating with the outer periphery.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, The partition wall has a guide surface inclined from the outer periphery to the inner periphery so that the inner diameter narrows, further forward in the rotation direction of the rotating tub than the notch.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, The washing machine is characterized in that the water tub opening is provided with an annular cover portion having a curved wall in a generally funnel shape whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the front side.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, the partition wall is integrally provided with the annular cover portion on the outer circumferential side of the curved wall, The washing machine, wherein the gap is formed between the curved wall and the opening of the rotating tub.

5. In the washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The washing machine is characterized in that at least one notch is arranged in the range of an upper half of the circumferential direction of the gap.

6. In the washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The washing machine is characterized in that at least one notch is provided on an upward side in a rotation direction of the spin tub.

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