JP4670511B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention performs laundry washing, rinsing and dehydration (and may be further dried) in a washing and dehydrating tub that is rotatably arranged in an outer tub elastically supported in the washing machine body. It relates to a washing machine.

  Conventionally, this type of washing machine has an air damper composed of a cylinder and a piston, and obtains a braking force by stopping the flow of air in the cylinder and making the piston difficult to move (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

  FIG. 11 shows an overall configuration of a conventional washing machine described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, a water tank 3 suspended and supported by a spring 2 in the washing machine body 1, a drum 4 rotating in the water tank 3, a driving means 5 for driving the drum, and a lower part of the water tank 3 And a damper 6 provided between the washing machine body 1 and the damper 6 includes a cylinder 7 and a piston 8 that slides in the cylinder 7. A bypass 9 is provided for communicating inside the cylinder 7 to be divided, and the bypass 9 is provided with a valve 10 for communicating and blocking air flow at an arbitrary timing.

When dehydration is performed after washing and rinsing, the drum 4 is rotated with the clothes biased to the lower part of the drum 4. At this time, the water tank 3 vibrates greatly at the time of activation due to the eccentric load by the clothing, but at this time, the valve 10 of the bypass 9 is closed, and a damper force is obtained by the air pressure generated by moving the piston 8 up and down in the cylinder 7, Suppresses large vibrations at startup. Further, when the drum 4 starts to rotate at high speed, the vibration of the water tank 3 gradually decreases with dehydration. Therefore, the valve 10 of the bypass 9 is opened so that the air pressure in the cylinder 7 is not generated. As a result, the vibration is directly transmitted to the installation floor, so that the floor is not greatly vibrated, and noise and house vibration are not caused.
JP-A-5-84390

  However, in the conventional configuration, the valve 10 of the bypass 9 is closed and the piston 8 is moved up and down in the cylinder 7 to obtain a damper force by the air pressure generated to suppress a large vibration at the time of startup. Since it is a compressible fluid, there is a problem that when the valve 10 is closed, the air in the cylinder 7 acts as an air spring and the damping effect of the damper 6 is reduced.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and maximizes the damping force of the damper and eliminates the damping force by simple switching, thereby reducing both vibration at the start of dehydration and steady state. The purpose is to provide a washing machine that achieves the above.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a washing machine of the present invention includes an outer tub supported by an elastic body provided at the bottom of a washing machine outer frame, and a washing and washing machine provided rotatably in the outer tub. A dehydrating tub and driving means for rotating the washing and dehydrating tub; and the elastic body is provided with a cylinder, a piston, a working fluid in the cylinder, and a side portion of the cylinder sandwiching the piston. The first and second discharge ports, and a communication pipe that connects the first discharge port and the second discharge port, and provided with a resistance switching means that changes flow resistance in the communication pipe, The damping force of the elastic body is configured to be variable, and the resistance switching means includes a case having a connection portion for connecting the communication pipe, a cylindrical switching body inserted into the case, and a rotation of the switching body. Rotating means for causing the switching body to have a first A through hole and a second through hole having an opening area larger than that of the first through hole are provided so as to intersect the first through hole, and the first elastic body and the second elastic body are Connected to each connecting portion provided in the case by a communication pipe, and the rotating means switches the damping force of the first elastic body and the second elastic body by one resistance switching means. It is.

In this way, the elastic vibration of the outer tub at the start of dehydration due to the eccentric load of the laundry is surely suppressed by an elastic body with a strong damping force, and in steady state to reduce vibration transmission to the outer frame of the washing machine By using an elastic body that eliminates the damping force, low vibration and low noise are realized both at the start of dehydration and during steady operation, and the elastic body is provided at the bottom of the washing machine outer frame that is less likely to vibrate. Therefore, the vibration of the outer tub transmitted through the elastic body is less likely to vibrate the washing machine outer frame, so that the vibration noise of the washing machine outer frame can be reduced.

Washing machine of the present invention, severe vibration of the outer tub during dewatering activation by the eccentric load of the wash濯物reliably suppressed by the elastic body that strongly damping force, steady state washing outside the outer tub to eliminate the damping force By reducing vibration transmission to the frame, it is possible to realize low vibration and low noise both at the start of dehydration and during steady operation. Further, the damping force of the first elastic body and the second elastic body can be switched simultaneously by one resistance switching means.

1st invention is an outer tub supported by the elastic body provided in the bottom part of the outer frame of the washing machine, a washing and dehydrating tub rotatably provided in the outer tub, and rotating the washing and dehydrating tub The elastic body includes a cylinder, a piston, a working fluid in the cylinder, and a first discharge port and a second discharge port provided on a side portion of the cylinder with the piston interposed therebetween. And a communication switching pipe connecting the first discharge port and the second discharge port, and a resistance switching means for changing flow path resistance is provided in the communication tube so that the damping force of the elastic body can be varied. The resistance switching means includes a case having a connecting portion for connecting the communication pipe, a cylindrical switching body inserted into the case, and a rotating means for rotating the switching body. The first through hole and the opening surface from the first through hole A second through-hole having a large diameter is provided so as to intersect the first through-hole, and the first elastic body and the second elastic body are respectively connected to the case by the communication pipe. The damping means of the first elastic body and the second elastic body is switched by one resistance switching means by the rotating means, so that the outer side at the start of dehydration due to the eccentric load of the laundry Dehydration start by reliably suppressing the intense vibration of the tub with an elastic body with strong damping force and, in steady state, using an elastic body with no damping force to reduce vibration transmission to the outer frame of the washing machine of the outer tub Since the elastic body is provided at the bottom of the outer frame of the washing machine, which realizes both low vibration and low noise during both normal and steady times, the washing machine is vibrated by the vibration of the outer tub that has been transmitted through the elastic body. Since it is less likely to vibrate the outer frame, It is also possible to reduce the vibration noise of the outside of the machine frame. Further, the damping force of the first elastic body and the second elastic body can be switched simultaneously by one resistance switching means.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the elastic body of the washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  1 and 2, the washing machine outer frame 30 elastically supports an outer tub 33 by four tension springs 31 and two elastic bodies 32. The washing / dehydrating tub 34 is rotatably disposed in the outer tub 33. The motor (driving means) 35 is composed of a brushless DC motor and is controlled by an inverter so that the rotational speed can be freely changed. Then, the washing / dehydrating tub 34 is directly driven. The water supply means 36 supplies water into the washing / dehydrating tub 34. The water level detection means 37 detects the washing water level in the outer basket 33. The drainage means 38 drains the washing water in the outer tub 33.

  The control device 39 is provided at the lower front portion of the washing machine outer frame 30. The control device 39 sequentially controls each step of washing, rinsing and dehydration based on the setting contents input by the operation display means 40 provided at the upper front of the washing machine outer frame 30. The power switching means (FIG. The motor 35, the water supply means 36, the drainage means 38, etc. are sequentially controlled via a not-shown).

  The elastic body 32 includes a cylinder 41, a piston 42, a piston ring 42a, and a piston rod 43. The cylinder 41 is provided with a cylinder mounting portion 41 a and is supported by a cylinder mounting base 45 via a vibration isolator 44. A piston 42 is attached to one end of the piston rod 43, and a piston rod mounting portion 43 a is provided at the other end, and is supported by the piston rod mounting base 46 via a vibration isolator 44. . The cylinder mounting base 45 is fixed to the bottom of the washing machine outer frame 30. The piston rod mounting base 46 is fixed to the bottom of the outer tub 33 so as to support the outer tub 33 from below.

  The piston ring 42a is formed of a material having a low friction coefficient and excellent wear resistance (for example, a fluororesin), and smoothly slides in the cylinder 41 while ensuring airtightness. The side wall of the cylinder 41 is provided with exhaust ports 41b on both sides of the piston 42. Air is exhausted from the exhaust port 41b in the direction in which the piston 42 moves, and air is sucked from the exhaust port 41b on the opposite side. . The exhaust resistance and suction resistance at this time are damping forces. Although either one of the exhaust ports 41b can generate a damping force, two exhaust ports 41b are provided so as to obtain a larger damping force so that there is no difference in the damping force between the compression direction and the pulling direction. Better.

  If the opening diameter of the exhaust port 41b is too large, the damping force becomes weak, and if it is too small, it acts as an air spring, and in any case, a strong damping force cannot be obtained. In the experiment, it has been found that a strong damping force is obtained when the opening diameter is 2 mm. Therefore, the opening diameter of the exhaust port 41 b is set to 2 mm. Connection portions 41 c provided on the side wall of the cylinder 41 are connected to each other by a connection tube 48 via an on-off valve 47 with the piston 42 interposed therebetween. An electromagnetic valve or the like is used as the on-off valve 48. The opening diameter of the connecting portion 41c is set to be 4 mm or more, which is sufficiently larger than the opening diameter of the exhaust port 41b. Therefore, when the on-off valve 47 is opened, the air in the cylinder 41 moves in the connection tube 48 having a low resistance, and as a result, the damping force of the elastic body 32 is lost.

  About the washing machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. First, after putting clothes and detergent into the washing and dewatering tub 34, the operation display means 40 is operated to start operation. As a result, the water supply means 36 operates, the washing water is supplied into the washing / dehydrating tub 34, and the washing / dehydrating tub 34 also starts rotating. When the specified amount of washing water is supplied, the water supply means 36 stops water supply. By the rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 34, the detergent is dissolved in the washing water and becomes a washing liquid and penetrates into the clothes. The washing and dewatering tub 34 rotates at a low speed of about 30 r / min, and performs washing for a specified time to lift and drop the clothes. After the washing is finished, the drainage means 38 is operated, and the washing liquid in which the dirt is dissolved is drained out of the outer tub 33 and a predetermined rinse is performed.

  After the drainage is completed, dewatering is performed, and the rotation of the washing and dewatering tank 34 is gradually accelerated. When the vibration frequency due to the rotation of the washing and dewatering tub 34 approaches the resonance frequency of the outer tub 33, the outer tub 33 vibrates greatly. In particular, when the load of clothes is large and the damping force of the elastic body 32 is weak, the outer tub 33 collides with the washing machine outer frame 30, and when it is severe, the washing machine outer frame 30 moves. At the time of this resonance (the rotation speed of the washing / dehydrating tub 34 is 100 to 300 r / min), the piston 42 attached to the piston rod 43 connected to the outer tub 33 also attempts to reciprocate greatly within the cylinder 41. Since the on-off valve 47 is closed, the air in the cylinder 41 is exhausted and sucked through the exhaust port 41b. Since the exhaust resistance and the intake resistance act to suppress the reciprocating motion of the piston 42, the vibration of the outer tub 33 is also suppressed. When passing through the resonance, the vibration of the outer tub 33 becomes smaller.

At this time, if the damping force of the elastic body 32 remains large, the vibration of the outer tub 33 is transmitted to the washing machine outer frame 30 via the elastic body 32 and the washing machine outer frame 30 vibrates. The number of rotations of the dewatering tub 34 is detected by a detecting means (not shown), and the number of rotations of the washing and dewatering tub 34 is 400 r / m
When in, the control means 39 opens the on-off valve 47 to eliminate the damping force of the elastic body 32, thereby reducing the vibration transmission rate of the outer tub 33 to the washing machine outer frame 30. The vibration of the washing machine outer frame 30 can be reduced.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the damping force of the elastic body 32 provided at the bottom of the washing machine outer frame 30 is configured to be variable, and is strong when the outer tub 33 resonates and weak otherwise. In addition to realizing low vibration and noise reduction from startup to steady state, since the working fluid of the elastic body 32 is air, the sliding part is less tight compared to the oil damper, so the sliding part is less worn, Durability can also be improved. Further, there is no need to consider oil leakage and no sealing parts are required, so that the number of components can be reduced.

  Although the method of detecting the rotation speed of the washing / dehydrating tub 34 has been described for the control of the on-off valve 47, it is also possible to provide a vibration sensor for detecting the vibration of the washing / dehydrating tub 34.

(Embodiment 2)
3 and 4 show cross-sectional views of the elastic body of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 3 and 4, the elastic body 32 includes a cylinder 41 and a piston 42, and a pair of first discharge ports 49 and a second discharge port 50 are sandwiched between the pistons 42 on the side of the cylinder 41. Provided. The communication pipe 51 is a pipe connecting the first discharge port 49 and the second discharge port 50, and moves the working fluid 41 d (air) in the cylinder 41 according to the movement of the piston 42. The resistance switching means 52 is provided in the communication pipe 51 and includes a valve body 52a and a drive motor 52c. The valve body 52a is provided with a large valve hole 52b and a small valve hole 52d having different opening diameters .

  The opening diameter of the large valve hole 52b is set to 6 mm or more at which no damping force is generated due to air flow resistance, and the opening diameter of the small valve hole 52d is set to 2 mm at which the maximum damping force can be obtained. The drive motor 52c is rotated to switch between the large valve hole 52b and the small valve hole 52d of the resistance switching means 52. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Thereby, the ease of movement of the piston 42 can be changed by switching the large valve hole 52b and the small valve hole 52d of the resistance switching means 52, and the damping force of the elastic body 32 can be switched with a simple structure. Further, since the working fluid 41d is not discharged to the outside of the cylinder 41, no noise is generated during exhaust or intake, and the operating noise can be reduced. The operation of the resistance switching means 52 can be performed by the same method as the control of the on-off valve 47 of the first embodiment, and the same applies to other embodiments hereinafter.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 shows a timing chart of the washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, when the outer tub 33 resonates, the resistance switching means 52 connects the small valve hole 52d to the communication pipe 51 to increase the flow resistance and increase the damping force of the elastic body 32. At 54, the drive motor 52c is operated to connect the large valve hole 52b to the communication pipe 51, thereby reducing the flow resistance and eliminating the damping force of the elastic body 32. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

  As a result, the damping force of the elastic body 32 is increased at the resonance time 53 when the vibration of the outer tub 33 is large, the vibration of the outer tub 33 is suppressed, and the elastic body 32 has a relatively small vibration at a steady time 54. The damping force can be eliminated, the vibration transmission rate of the outer tub 33 to the washing machine outer frame 30 can be reduced, and the vibration of the washing machine outer frame 30 can be reduced.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the resistance switching means of the washing machine in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the resistance switching means 52 includes a case 55, a switching body 56 inserted into the case 55, and a through hole 56 a provided in the switching body 56 with different opening diameters. The case 55 is provided with two connecting portions 55a for connecting the communication pipe 51 on the same axis. The switching body 56 slides in the case 55, and the flow path resistance is switched by matching the large through-hole 56a and the small through-hole 56b with the connecting portion 55a. The solenoid 57 is attached to the case 55, and the operating piece 57 a is fixed to one end of the switching body 56. The switching body 56 is slid by the operation of the solenoid 57. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

  Thereby, the flow path resistance of the communication pipe 51 can be switched reliably with a simple configuration.

(Embodiment 5)
7 and 8 are sectional views of resistance switching means of the washing machine in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the resistance switching means of the washing machine in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  7 to 9, the resistance switching means 52 includes a case 55, a cylindrical switching body 56 that is rotatably inserted into the case 55, a first through hole 56 b provided in the switching body 56, The second through hole 56c has a larger opening area than the one through hole 56b. The first through hole 56b and the second through hole 56c are provided so as to be orthogonal. This orthogonal accuracy is not required, and it may be about the intersection. The case 55 is provided with two connecting portions 55a for connecting the communication pipe 51 on the same axis. The switching body 56 rotates in the case 55, and the flow path resistance is switched by matching the first through hole 56b and the second through hole 56c with the connecting portion 55a. Rotating means 58 made of an electric motor for rotating the switching body 56 is fixed to the case 55 by mounting screws 59. A rotating shaft 58 a of the rotating means 58 is inserted and fixed to one end of the switching body 56. The switching body 56 is rotated by the rotating operation of the rotating means 58 to switch the channel resistance. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

  Thus, the flow resistance of the communication pipe 51 can be changed only by rotating the switching body 56 by 90 ° by the rotating means 58, and the switching operation can be stabilized with a simpler configuration.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the main part of the washing machine in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, the resistance switching means 52 includes a case 55, a cylindrical switching body 56 that is rotatably inserted into the case 55, a first through hole 56 b provided in a pair on the switching body 56, The second through hole 56c has a larger opening area than the through hole 56b. The case 55 is provided with a first connection portion 55a and a second connection portion 55b, and is connected to the first elastic body 32a and the second elastic body 32b through the communication pipe 51, respectively. The connection state will be described in detail. The discharge port 60a and the discharge port 60b of the first elastic body 32a are connected to the connection portion 55a, and the discharge port 61a and the discharge port 61b of the second elastic body 32b are connected to the connection portion 55b. ing. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

  Accordingly, the damping force of the first elastic body 32a and the second elastic body 32b can be changed by one resistance switching means 52, and the damping forces of a plurality of elastic bodies can be switched simultaneously. Moreover, since there are few component parts, the resistance switching means which is cheap and excellent in reliability can be provided.

  As described above, since the washing machine according to the present invention can switch the strength of the damping force of the elastic body, it can be applied to vibration isolation of rotating machines other than the washing machine.

Sectional drawing of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention Sectional view of the elastic body of the washing machine Sectional drawing of the elastic body of the washing machine in Embodiment 2 of this invention Sectional view of the elastic body of the washing machine Timing chart of washing machine in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Sectional drawing of the resistance switching means of the washing machine in Embodiment 4 of this invention Sectional drawing of the resistance switching means of the washing machine in Embodiment 5 of this invention Sectional view of resistance switching means of the washing machine Perspective view of resistance switching means of the washing machine Sectional drawing of the principal part of the washing machine in Embodiment 6 of this invention. Cross section of a conventional washing machine

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Washing machine outer frame 32 Elastic body 33 Outer tub 33a Center of gravity of outer tub 34 Washing / dehydration tub 35 Driving means 41 Cylinder 41d Working fluid 42 Piston 49 First outlet 50 Second outlet 51 Communication pipe 52 Resistance switching means 53 Resonance 54 Regular time 55 Case 55a Connection portion 56 Switching body 56a Through hole 56b First through hole 56c Second through hole 58 Rotating means

Claims (1)

An outer tub supported by an elastic body provided at the bottom of the outer frame of the washing machine, a washing / dehydrating tub rotatably provided in the outer tub, and a driving means for rotating the washing / dehydrating tub The elastic body includes a cylinder, a piston, a working fluid in the cylinder, a first discharge port and a second discharge port provided on the side of the cylinder with the piston interposed therebetween, and the first discharge port. has a communicating pipe connecting the outlet and the second outlet, wherein the communicating pipe is provided a resistor switching means for changing the flow path resistance configured to be variable damping force of the elastic body, the resistance switching means A case having a connecting portion for connecting the communication pipe, a cylindrical switching body inserted into the case, and a rotating means for rotating the switching body, wherein the switching body has a first through hole and The second opening area is larger than that of the first through hole. A through hole is provided so as to intersect with the first through hole, and the first elastic body and the second elastic body are connected to the connection portions provided in the case by the communication pipe, A washing machine in which the rotating means switches the damping force of the first elastic body and the second elastic body with one resistance switching means .