Drum-type washing machine
The drum washing machine employs a dual fluid balancer system with angled partition walls and controlled fluid flow to mitigate vibration and noise during dehydration, enhancing operational stability and reducing mechanical stress.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing drum washing machines experience significant vibration during the dehydration process due to unbalanced laundry, which can lead to noise and mechanical stress.
The drum washing machine incorporates a front and rear fluid balancer system with annular chambers containing viscous fluid and partition walls, where the rear balancer's partition wall is angled at 45° to the radial direction, and communication holes are strategically positioned to manage fluid flow and reduce vibration at different rotational speeds.
The system effectively reduces vibration and noise during the dehydration process by managing fluid flow to counteract unbalance, minimizing mechanical stress on the rotating shaft and reducing overall machine noise.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a drum washing machine.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine capable of reducing vibration of a housing. This washing machine includes an outer tub for storing water, a drum rotatably provided in the outer tub, a motor for rotationally driving the drum, a rear fluid balancer provided behind the drum, and a front fluid balancer provided on the front side of the drum.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] [[ID=3�]]The present disclosure provides a drum washing machine capable of reducing vibration during the dehydration process.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] The drum-type washing machine in this disclosure comprises a housing, a water tank pivotably mounted within the housing, a rotating drum rotatably mounted within the water tank with a rotating shaft supported by a bearing provided on the back of the water tank, a motor for rotationally driving the rotating drum, a first fluid balancer provided annularly on the front peripheral edge of the rotating drum, and a second fluid balancer provided annularly on the rear peripheral edge of the rotating drum, wherein the first fluid balancer is provided inside the first fluid balancer and has a first annular chamber containing fluid, and a first partition wall formed within the first annular chamber which has a plurality of first compartments and a first communication hole which is an opening through which fluid can pass, and the second fluid balancer is provided inside the second fluid balancer and has a second annular chamber containing fluid, and a second partition wall formed within the second annular chamber which has a plurality of second compartments and a second communication hole which is an opening through which fluid can pass, The first partition wall is provided radially within the first annular chamber. The second partition wall is positioned at a greater angle than the first partition wall in the radial direction relative to the direction of rotation of the rotating drum during the dewatering process. [Effects of the Invention]
[0006] The drum-type washing machine described in this disclosure can reduce vibration during the spin-drying process. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0007] [Figure 1] Configuration diagram of a drum-type washing machine in Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] Front view of the front fluid balancer of a drum-type washing machine in Embodiment 1 [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the front fluid balancer of a drum-type washing machine in Embodiment 1 [Figure 4] Front view of the rear fluid balancer of a drum-type washing machine in Embodiment 1 [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of the rear fluid balancer of a drum-type washing machine in Embodiment 1 [Figure 6] Diagram illustrating the operation of the fluid balancer during the spin-drying process of a drum-type washing machine in Embodiment 1. [Figure 7]Comparison diagram of vibration waveforms of the water tank of a drum-type washing machine in Embodiment 1 [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0008] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted.
[0009] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7.
[0010] [1-1. Structure] [1-1-1. Components of a drum-type washing machine] In Figure 1, the drum-type washing machine 100 comprises a casing 101, a water tank 102, and a rotating drum 103.
[0011] The water tank 102 is housed inside the housing 101. The water tank 102 is supported by a vibration-damping damper 111 located between the bottom surface of the housing 101 and the bottom surface of the water tank 102. The water tank 102 is also vibration-damped and supported by a spring (not shown) connecting the top surface of the housing 101 and the top surface of the water tank 102.
[0012] The rotating drum 103 is rotatably mounted within the water tank 102. The rotating drum 103 is supported by a rotating shaft 113 mounted on a bearing 114 located on the back of the water tank 102. A motor 115, also located on the back of the water tank 102, is connected to the rotating shaft 113, causing the rotating drum 103 to rotate left and right around a central axis X. The central axis X is positioned horizontally or so that the back of the drum-type washing machine 100 faces downwards from a horizontal direction.
[0013] A lid 104 is provided on the front of the housing 101 so as to be openable and closable. The lid 104 opens and closes the openings of the housing 101 and the rotating drum 103. The user opens the lid 104 and puts the laundry into the rotating drum 103.
[0014] At the upper part of the housing 101, a water supply valve 121, a water supply passage 122, and a detergent input section 123 are provided. The water supply valve 121 is provided to be openable and closable. The water supply passage 122 connects the water supply valve 121 and the water tank 102. The detergent input section 123 is provided on the water supply passage 122. The user inputs detergent and softener into the detergent input section 123. When the water supply valve 121 is opened, the water flowing in from the outside is supplied into the water tank 102 via the water supply passage 122 and the detergent input section 123.
[0015] At the lower part of the housing 101, a drain valve 125 and a drain passage 126 are provided. The drain valve 125 is provided on the drain passage 126 to be openable and closable. The drain passage 126 connects the bottom of the water tank 102 and the outside of the housing 101. When the drain valve 125 is opened, the washing water in the water tank 102 is discharged to the outside of the housing 101 via the drain passage 126.
[0016] A control device 130 is provided inside the housing 101. The control device 130 controls the washing operation of the drum washing machine 100 by controlling the rotation of the motor 115, the opening and closing of the water supply valve 121 and the drain valve 125, etc.
[0017] Fluid balancers 200 are provided at the front end peripheral portion and the rear end peripheral portion of the rotary drum 103. The fluid balancers 200 reduce vibrations caused by the uneven state (hereinafter referred to as imbalance) of the laundry in the rotary drum 103 generated during the dehydration process. The fluid balancers 200 include a front fluid balancer 210 provided at the front end of the rotary drum 103 and a rear fluid balancer 220 provided at the rear end of the rotary drum 103.
[0018] [1-1-2. Configuration of the front fluid balancer] In FIGS. 2 and 3, the front fluid balancer 210 has a first annular chamber 211 sealed with a viscous fluid enclosed therein. Five first annular chambers 211 are provided in the front fluid balancer 210 in the radial direction, and the front fluid balancer 210 has a five-layer structure.
[0019] Inside the first annular chamber 211, a first partition wall 212 is provided. The first partition wall 212 is provided in the radial direction within the first annular chamber 211. The first partition wall 212 forms a plurality of first partition chambers 213 in the circumferential direction within the first annular chamber 211.
[0020] In FIG. 3, the first partition wall 212 forms a first communication hole 214 which is an opening through which the fluid enclosed in the first annular chamber 211 can pass. The first communication hole 214 is provided in the first partition wall 212 and opens from the inner peripheral wall surface side of the first annular chamber 211 to approximately half the height of the first annular chamber 211. In the front fluid balancer 210, the first opening ratio P1, which is the ratio of the area of the first communication hole 214 to the area of the first partition wall 212, is formed to be approximately 35% (±5%).
[0021] [1-1-3. Structure of Rear Fluid Balancer] In FIGS. 4 and 5, the rear fluid balancer 220 has a second annular chamber 221 which is sealed with a viscous fluid enclosed therein. Inside the rear fluid balancer 220, three second annular chambers 221 are provided in the radial direction, and the rear fluid balancer 220 has a three-layer structure.
[0022] Inside the second annular chamber 221, a second partition wall 222 is provided. The second partition wall 222 is provided in the second annular chamber 221 at an inclination of 45° with respect to the radial direction and in the rotational direction of the rotary drum 103 in the dehydration process. The second partition wall 222 forms a plurality of second partition chambers 223 in the circumferential direction within the second annular chamber 221.
[0023] In Figure 5, the second partition wall 222 forms a second communication hole 224, which is an opening through which the fluid sealed in the second annular chamber 221 can pass. The second communication hole 224 is provided in the second partition wall 222, opening from the inner circumferential wall side of the second annular chamber 221, with a portion of it opening to the outer circumferential wall side of the second annular chamber 221. In the rear fluid balancer 220, the second opening ratio P2, which is the ratio of the area of the second communication hole 224 to the area of the second partition wall 222, is formed to be approximately 47% (±5%).
[0024] [1-2. Operation] The operation and function of the drum-type washing machine 100 configured as described above will now be explained.
[0025] [1-2-1. Operations during the dehydration process] During the washing cycle, once the washing and rinsing cycles are completed and the washing water in the water tub 102 is drained, the spin-drying cycle begins.
[0026] During the dewatering process, the control device 130 controls the motor 115 to change the rotation speed N of the rotating drum 103. In this embodiment, the rotating drum 103 rotates in the direction of arrow A (clockwise) in Figure 6. However, the rotation direction of the rotating drum 103 during the dewatering process is not limited to clockwise; it may also be rotated counterclockwise.
[0027] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the front fluid balancer 210 and rear fluid balancer 220 of the drum-type washing machine 100 in this embodiment during the dewatering process. In Figure 6, (a) shows the stopped state of the rotating drum 103 (rotation speed N is 0 r / min), (b) shows the primary resonance point of the water tank 102 (rotation speed N is approximately 100 r / min), (c) shows the secondary resonance point of the water tank 102 (rotation speed N is approximately 200 r / min), (d) shows the steady-state rotation speed of the rotating drum 103 (rotation speed N is approximately 800 r / min), and (e) shows the high-speed rotation range of the rotating drum 103 (rotation speed N is approximately 900 r / min or higher). .
[0028] Figure 7 compares the amplitude of the water tank when a 700g weight is placed inside the rear of the rotating drum as a simulated unbalance in a conventional drum-type washing machine equipped with a fluid balancer at the front edge of the rotating drum but not at the rear edge of the rotating drum, and in the drum-type washing machine 100 of this embodiment. In Figure 7, the vertical axis represents the amplitude of the water tank, and the horizontal axis represents the rotational speed N of the rotating drum.
[0029] The operation of the forward fluid balancer 210 and the rear fluid balancer 220 during the dewatering process will be explained below with reference to Figures 6 and 7.
[0030] [1-2-2. Operation of forward and rear fluid balancers during the dewatering process] As shown in Figure 6(a), when the rotating drum 103 is stopped, the liquids sealed in the first annular chamber 211 and the second annular chamber 221 are stored in the lower parts of the first annular chamber 211 and the second annular chamber 221, respectively.
[0031] When the rotational drive of the rotating drum 103 is started and the rotational speed N reaches approximately 60 r / min, the laundry inside the rotating drum 103 adheres to the inner surface of the rotating drum 103 due to centrifugal force. This causes an imbalance to occur inside the rotating drum 103. From the time the imbalance occurs inside the rotating drum 103 until the rotational speed N reaches 100 r / min and the primary resonance point of the water tank 102 is passed, the fluids inside the first annular chamber 211 and the second annular chamber 221 tend to move in phase with the imbalance, which may amplify the vibration of the water tank 102. In this case, in order to suppress the amplification of vibration at the primary resonance point of the water tank 102, it is desirable that the fluids are evenly distributed inside the first annular chamber 211 and the second annular chamber 221 at 100 r / min, the primary resonance point of the water tank 102, as shown in Figure 6(b).
[0032] The second partition wall 222 of the rear fluid balancer 220 is positioned within the second annular chamber 221 at an angle of 45° to the radial direction in the direction of rotation of the rotating drum 103 during the dewatering process. This allows the second partition wall 222 to efficiently scoop up the fluid within the second annular chamber 221, like a water turbine, and evenly distribute the fluid, thereby enabling it to smoothly pass through the primary resonance point.
[0033] As shown in Figure 6(c), when the rotational speed N becomes approximately 200 r / min, near the secondary resonance point of the water tank 102, the fluids sealed in the first annular chamber 211 and the second annular chamber 221 attempt to move in the opposite direction to the rotational direction of the rotating drum 103 (in the direction of arrow B in Figure 6) so as to move toward the opposite phase to the unbalance. At this time, if the movement of the fluid is hindered, the vibration suppression efficiency decreases, so it is desirable not to suppress the movement of the fluid.
[0034] In the forward fluid balancer 210, the first opening ratio P1, which is the ratio of the area of the first communication hole 214 to the area of the first partition wall 212, is approximately 35%, while in the rear fluid balancer 220, the second opening ratio P2, which is the ratio of the area of the second communication hole 224 to the area of the second partition wall 222, is approximately 47%. Furthermore, in the forward fluid balancer 210, the first communication hole 214 is provided opening from the inner circumferential wall side of the first annular chamber 211 to approximately half the height of the first annular chamber 211, whereas in the rear fluid balancer 220, a portion of the second communication hole 224 opens to the outer circumferential wall side of the second annular chamber 221. With this configuration, in the second annular chamber 221, the flow resistance of the fluid adhering to the outer peripheral wall surface of the second annular chamber 221 due to centrifugal force becomes smaller than the flow resistance of the fluid in the first annular chamber 211. Therefore, the fluid in the second annular chamber 221 can move more in the opposite phase to the unbalance (the ideal correction direction), and as shown in Figure 7, the amplitude of the water tank 102 near the second resonance point can be reduced.
[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6(d), until the rotational speed N reaches a steady-state rotational speed (approximately 800 r / min) and the rotating drum 103 is near a stable state, the fluids in the first annular chamber 211 and the second annular chamber 221 are in the opposite phase to the unbalance. While the fluids are in the opposite phase to the unbalance, the generation of vibrations due to the unbalance is suppressed, and the vibration of the water tank 102 can be reduced.
[0036] Furthermore, the drum-type washing machine 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a rear fluid balancer 220 in addition to the front fluid balancer 210, and a portion of the second communication hole 224 opens to the outer peripheral wall surface of the second annular chamber 221. As a result, as shown in Figure 7, the amplitude of the water tank 102 can be significantly reduced from the time the rotational speed N exceeds the secondary resonance point until it reaches the steady rotational speed.
[0037] When the rotational speed N becomes greater than the steady-state rotational speed, and reaches the high-speed rotation range (approximately 900 r / min or more), as shown in Figure 6(e), the fluids in the first annular chamber 211 and the second annular chamber 221 attempt to move in phase with the unbalance, causing the vibration of the water tank 102 to increase. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress the movement of the fluid in the high-speed rotation range. In particular, in the high-speed rotation range, the rotating drum 103 swings widely forward around the bearing 114. At this time, the forward fluid balancer 210, which is located away from the rotation axis 113, needs to suppress the movement of the fluid in the first annular chamber 211 in phase with the unbalance.
[0038] The first communication hole 214, provided in the first partition wall 212 of the forward fluid balancer 210, is located on the inner circumferential wall side of the first annular chamber 211 and does not open to the outer circumferential wall side. As a result, the flow resistance against the fluid adhering to the outer circumferential wall side of the first annular chamber 211 is large, suppressing the fluid from moving to the same phase side as the unbalance. Therefore, vibration of the water tank 102 in the high-speed rotation range can be suppressed.
[0039] Furthermore, since the rear fluid balancer 220 is located close to the rotating shaft 113, the effect of resonant vibration in the high-speed rotation range is smaller than that of the front fluid balancer 210. However, if the second aperture ratio P2 in the rear fluid balancer 220 is made too large, it will not be possible to suppress the movement of the fluid in the second annular chamber 221 to the same phase side as the unbalance in the high-speed rotation range. For this reason, in this embodiment, the second aperture ratio P2 was set to approximately 47% (±5%), but the second aperture ratio P2 is not limited to approximately 47%, and the optimal value should be determined by experimentation or CAE analysis.
[0040] In this embodiment, the rear fluid balancer 220 has three second annular chambers 221 and forms a three-layer structure, while the front fluid balancer 210 has five first annular chambers 211 and forms a five-layer structure, and the diameter of the front fluid balancer 210 is larger than the diameter of the rear fluid balancer 220. With this configuration, the first maximum correction force F1, which is the maximum unbalance weight that the front fluid balancer 210 can counteract, is set to be larger than the second maximum correction force F2, which is the maximum unbalance weight that the rear fluid balancer 220 can counteract. As a result, vibrations caused by unbalance are reduced on the front fluid balancer 210 side, which is installed away from the rotating shaft 113, and the load on the rotating shaft 113 can be reduced.
[0041] [1-3. Effects] As described above, in this embodiment, the drum-type washing machine 100 comprises a housing 101, a water tank 102 swingably mounted within the housing 101, a rotating drum 103 rotatably mounted within the water tank 102, a motor 115 for rotationally driving the rotating drum 103, a forward fluid balancer 210 annularly mounted on the front peripheral edge of the rotating drum 103, and a rear fluid balancer 220 annularly mounted on the rear peripheral edge of the rotating drum 103. The first annular chamber 211 contains a fluid, and the second annular chamber 221 contains a fluid, with the flow resistance of the second annular chamber 221 being smaller than that of the first annular chamber.
[0042] As a result, the rear fluid balancer 220 does not hinder the movement of the contained fluid after the primary resonance point (approximately 100 r / min), and the front fluid balancer 210 can suppress the movement of the contained fluid at high rotation speeds (approximately 900 r / min or higher).
[0043] Therefore, the rear fluid balancer 220 can reduce vibrations that occur at the secondary resonance point (approximately 200 r / min), and the front fluid balancer 210 can reduce vibrations during high-speed rotation. In addition, the front fluid balancer 210 and the rear fluid balancer 220 can reduce noise generated during the dewatering process.
[0044] As in this embodiment, the forward fluid balancer 210 has a first partition wall 212 that forms a plurality of first compartments 213 within a first annular chamber 211, and the first partition wall 212 has a first communication hole 214 which is an opening through which fluid can pass. The rear fluid balancer 220 has a second partition wall 222 that forms a plurality of second compartments 223 within a second annular chamber 221, and the second partition wall has a second communication hole 224 which is an opening through which fluid can pass. The second opening ratio P2, which is the ratio of the area of the second communication hole 224 to the area of the second partition wall 222, may be greater than the first opening ratio P1, which is the ratio of the area of the first communication hole 214 to the area of the first partition wall 212.
[0045] As a result, the rear fluid balancer 220 does not hinder the movement of the contained fluid after the primary resonance point (approximately 100 r / min), and the front fluid balancer 210 can suppress the movement of the contained fluid at high rotation speeds (approximately 900 r / min or higher).
[0046] Therefore, the rear fluid balancer 220 can reduce vibrations that occur at the secondary resonance point (approximately 200 r / min), and the front fluid balancer 210 can reduce vibrations during high-speed rotation. In addition, the front fluid balancer 210 and the rear fluid balancer 220 can reduce noise generated during the dewatering process.
[0047] As in this embodiment, the rear fluid balancer 220 may have a portion of the second communication hole 224 open to the outer peripheral wall surface of the second annular chamber 221.
[0048] This makes it possible to suppress the obstruction of fluid movement caused by centrifugal force that adheres to the outer circumferential wall surface of the second annular chamber 221.
[0049] Therefore, the vibration and noise of the drum-type washing machine 100 can be reduced until it passes the secondary resonance point and reaches a stable state.
[0050] As in this embodiment, the first maximum correction force F1 in the forward fluid balancer 210 may be greater than the second maximum correction force F2 in the rear fluid balancer 220.
[0051] This allows for better correction of the imbalance that occurs on the forward fluid balancer 210 side, which is located away from the rotation axis 113 of the rotating drum 103.
[0052] Therefore, vibrations caused by imbalance during the dewatering process and the load on the rotating shaft 113 can be reduced.
[0053] As in this embodiment, the number of second annular chambers 221 is less than the number of first annular chambers 211. It's not necessary.
[0054] This makes it possible to reduce the radial width of the rear fluid balancer 220 provided at the rear end of the rotating drum 103.
[0055] Therefore, the space required by the rear fluid balancer 220 around the rotating shaft 113, where many mechanisms are mounted, can be reduced.
[0056] (Other embodiments) As described above, Embodiment 1 has been explained as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted.
[0057] Therefore, other embodiments are illustrated below.
[0058] In Embodiment 1, a front fluid balancer 210 and a rear fluid balancer 220 were described as examples of fluid balancers provided at the front and rear ends of a rotating drum. The fluid balancers do not need to be anything that suppresses vibrations during the dewatering process, and are not limited to the front fluid balancer 210 and the rear fluid balancer 220. The front fluid balancer and the rear fluid balancer may be the same or different. However, in the case of the rear fluid balancer, it is desirable that the flow resistance is small so that it can smoothly pass through the primary resonance point of the water tank and suppress vibrations at the secondary resonance point. The communication holes provided in the partition wall of the rear fluid balancer do not need to open to the outer peripheral wall surface of the annular chamber of the rear fluid balancer, but it is desirable that the communication holes provided in the partition wall of the rear fluid balancer have a larger opening ratio than the communication holes provided in the front fluid balancer, and the height of the communication holes may be made higher.
[0059] Furthermore, the number of partition walls provided in the forward fluid balancer and the number of partition walls provided in the rear fluid balancer may be the same, or the number of partition walls provided in the rear fluid balancer may be less. If the number of partition walls provided in the rear fluid balancer is less than the number of partition walls provided in the forward fluid balancer, the flow resistance in the rear fluid balancer can be reduced. [Industrial applicability]
[0060] This disclosure is applicable to drum-type washing machines that have fluid balancers at the front and rear of the rotating drum. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0061] 100 Drum-type washing machines 101 cabinets 102 Aquariums 103 Rotation Drum 104 Lid 111 Vibration damper 113 Rotation axis 114 bearings 115 Motor 121 Water supply valve 122 Water supply routes 123 Detergent dispenser 125 Drain valve 126 Drainage Route 130 Control device 200 Fluid Balancer 210 Forward fluid balancer (first fluid balancer) 211 First Ring Chamber 212 First partition wall 213 First Compartment 214 First communication hole 220 Rear fluid balancer (second fluid balancer) 221 Second Ring Chamber 222 Second partition wall 223 Second compartment 224 Second communication hole
Claims
1. The casing and A water tank is provided within the housing so as to be able to swing freely, The rotating shaft is supported by a bearing provided on the back of the water tank, and a rotating drum is rotatably mounted inside the water tank, A motor that rotates the aforementioned rotating drum, A first fluid balancer is provided in an annular shape on the front peripheral edge of the rotating drum, The rotating drum comprises a second fluid balancer provided in an annular shape on the rear end peripheral edge of the rotating drum, The first fluid balancer is, A first annular chamber is provided inside the first fluid balancer and contains a fluid, The first annular chamber has a plurality of first compartments, and a first partition wall has a first communication hole formed therein, which is an opening through which fluid can pass, The second fluid balancer described above is A second annular chamber is provided inside the second fluid balancer and contains a fluid, The second annular chamber has a second partition wall in which a plurality of second compartments are formed and a second communication hole is formed, which is an opening through which fluid can pass, The first partition wall is provided radially within the first annular chamber, A drum-type washing machine wherein the second partition wall is installed at an angle to the rotation direction of the rotating drum during the dewatering process, relative to the radial direction, compared to the first partition wall.
2. The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the second partition wall is provided in the second annular chamber at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the radial direction in the direction of rotation of the rotating drum during the dewatering process.
3. The drum-type washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second fluid balancer has a portion of the second communication hole open to the outer peripheral wall surface of the second annular chamber.
4. The drum-type washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the diameter of the first fluid balancer is larger than the diameter of the second fluid balancer.
5. The drum-type washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the number of the first annular chambers is greater than the number of the second annular chambers.