JP7126067B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a washing machine for washing textile products such as clothes.

In conventional washing machines, it is considered to separate foreign matter such as dirt released from the laundry during washing, purify the washing water, and prevent the separated foreign matter from adhering to the laundry again. (See Patent Document 1, for example).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional washing machine. As shown in FIG. 11 , a cyclone separator 54 is provided in a bath water supply path composed of a first water supply pipe 51 , a second water supply pipe 52 and a third water supply pipe 53 . When the bath water supply pump 55 is driven during washing, the water in the drum 56 is introduced from the connecting pipe 57 into the cyclone separator 54, where the dirt, lint, etc. released from the laundry is removed. Impurities are removed. The water from which impurities have been removed is returned into the drum 56 through the second water supply pipe 52 and the first water supply pipe 51 .

In addition, in a so-called vertical washing machine in which the rotation axis of the washing tub is set in the vertical direction, it is considered to separate lint and solid substances mixed in the washing water with a cyclone lint separator (for example, , see Patent Document 2).

In addition, a conventional washing machine is generally provided with a temporary stop switch that temporarily stops the operation in the middle of the washing operation and enables the addition or removal of the laundry (for example, see Patent Document 3).

In general, dirt adhering to the laundry includes dirt and sebum of the human body, mud, spilled food and drink, and the like. During the washing operation, these different kinds of dirt are separated from the laundry and mixed with the washing water as foreign matter. Foreign substances contained in the washing water include fine substances and substances having a specific gravity lighter than water, such as sebum separated from the laundry.

However, it is difficult to separate these with a hydrocyclone. Moreover, even if the foreign matter can be separated, it is difficult to retain the separated foreign matter inside the liquid cyclone in order to prevent the foreign matter from being re-mixed into the circulating washing water.

JP 2005-152212 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-70694 JP-A-10-235078

The present disclosure purifies the washing water by separating foreign substances such as dirt substances from the washing water soiled by the washing operation, and avoids the separated foreign substances from adhering to the laundry again, thereby improving the washing performance. provide a washing machine.

Specifically, the washing machine according to the present disclosure includes a housing, an outer tub elastically supported within the housing, a washing tub rotatably provided within the outer tub, and a washing tub that rotates. a first motor, a water channel for circulating the washing water in the outer tub, a centrifugal separation unit provided in the water channel for separating foreign substances contained in the washing water flowing in the water channel, and a centrifugal separator provided in the water channel for circulating the washing water. It comprises a pump section for circulating between the outer tub and the centrifugal separation section, a drainage channel for draining washing water in the outer tub, and a control section for controlling the washing operation. The centrifugal separator has a case connected to the water channel, a rotary cylinder rotatably provided in the case through which washing water passes, and a second motor for rotating the rotary cylinder, The control unit is configured to drain the washing water in the centrifugal separation unit through the drainage channel while the washing operation is temporarily stopped.

With such a configuration, the high-speed swirling flow generated by the centrifugal separation unit can separate foreign matter such as dirt released from the laundry from the washing water, and remove the foreign matter from the washing water.

In addition, since the separated foreign matter such as contaminants is subjected to a strong centrifugal force in the centrifugal separation section, it is suppressed from being drawn into the circulating flow passing through the centrifugal separation section and returning to the outer tank. Therefore, foreign matter separated from the wash water is prevented from adhering to the laundry again.

Furthermore, when a temporary stop operation is performed during the washing operation, the foreign matter separated from the washing water and accumulated in the centrifugal separation unit is discharged to the outside of the washing machine together with the washing water in the centrifugal separation unit. Therefore, when the washing operation is restarted, the separated foreign matter is prevented from flowing into the outer tub together with the circulating washing water and adhering to the laundry again, thereby improving the washing performance of the washing machine.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the centrifugal separation section of the washing machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the centrifugal separator shown in FIG. 2 taken along line DD. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the centrifugal separation section shown in FIG. 2 taken along line EE. FIG. 5 is a block configuration diagram of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the operation of the washing machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the centrifugal separation section of the washing machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the operation of the washing machine according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the operation of the washing machine according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional washing machine.

(Findings on which this disclosure is based)
In order to further improve the cleaning performance of the washing machine, the inventors have made extensive studies and obtained the following findings.

In the washing machine disclosed in Patent Document 3, the washing operation is stopped when the temporary stop switch is operated.

Here, when adopting a configuration in which foreign matter in the washing water is separated by a centrifugal separation unit, for example, as in the washing machine described in Patent Document 3, when the washing operation is temporarily stopped and the circulation of the washing water is stopped. , the centrifugally separated and accumulated foreign matter is considered to be peeled off and released into the washing water.

Therefore, when the washing operation is restarted or the circulation pump is re-driven, the foreign matter released in the washing water returns to the outer tub as the washing water circulates, and re-adheres to the laundry. I found

Based on these new findings, the present inventors have made the following disclosure.

A washing machine according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing, an outer tub elastically supported in the housing, a washing tub rotatably provided in the outer tub, and a first a water channel for circulating the washing water in the outer tub; a centrifugal separator provided in the water channel for separating foreign matter contained in the washing water flowing in the water channel; and a centrifugal separation unit, a drainage channel for draining the washing water in the outer tub, and a control unit for controlling the washing operation. Further, the centrifugal separation unit has a case connected to the water channel, a rotating cylinder rotatably provided in the case, and a second motor for rotating the rotating cylinder, and the control unit controls the washing operation. is temporarily stopped, washing water in the centrifugal separation unit is drained through the drainage channel.

With such a configuration, the high-speed swirling flow generated by the centrifugal separation unit can separate foreign matter such as dirt released from the laundry from the washing water, and remove the foreign matter from the washing water.

In addition, since the separated foreign matter such as contaminants is subjected to a strong centrifugal force in the centrifugal separation section, it is suppressed from being drawn into the circulating flow passing through the centrifugal separation section and returning to the outer tank. Therefore, foreign matter separated from the wash water is prevented from adhering to the laundry again.

Furthermore, when a temporary stop operation is performed during the washing operation, the foreign matter separated from the washing water and accumulated in the centrifugal separation unit is discharged to the outside of the washing machine together with the washing water in the centrifugal separation unit. Therefore, when the washing operation is restarted, the separated foreign matter is prevented from flowing into the outer tub together with the circulating washing water and adhering to the laundry again, thereby improving the washing performance of the washing machine.

A washing machine according to another aspect of the present disclosure may be further configured to replenish washing water when the control unit restarts the washing operation from a state in which the washing operation is temporarily stopped.

With such a configuration, it is possible to compensate for the decrease in washing water that has been drained together with the foreign matter. Therefore, the washing operation can be continued with the optimum amount of water set according to the amount of laundry when the washing operation is started.

A washing machine according to another aspect of the present disclosure may further be configured such that the control unit rotationally drives the rotating cylinder while the washing operation is temporarily stopped.

With such a configuration, a water flow in a state different from that at the time of centrifugal separation can be applied to the foreign matter separated from the washing water by the centrifugal force and deposited on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating cylinder. As a result, the foreign matter accumulated on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating cylinder is easily peeled off from the inner peripheral surface, and the ejection of the foreign matter is facilitated.

In a washing machine according to another aspect of the present disclosure, while the control unit suspends the washing operation, the pump unit causes the washing water to flow in a direction opposite to that when the foreign matter is separated, and of washing water may be drained.

With such a configuration, the foreign substances in the rotary cylinder are quickly discharged out of the washing machine together with the washing water by the pump action of the pump part.

In a washing machine according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the drainage channel further includes the first on-off valve and a second on-off valve provided downstream of the first on-off valve, and the water channel A drainage channel is connected between the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve, and the control unit closes the first on-off valve and opens the second on-off valve while the washing operation is temporarily stopped. The valve may be opened to allow wash water in the centrifugal separation unit to drain through the second on-off valve of the drain.

With such a configuration, when the foreign matter separated from the washing water and deposited on the rotating cylinder is discharged from the rotating cylinder together with the washing water to the outside of the washing machine, the washing water in the outer tub is prevented from being drained. can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent washing water from being drained from the outer tub while the washing operation is suspended.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
[1-1. Constitution]
[1-1-1. Overall configuration of the washing machine]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The left side in FIG. 1 indicates the front side of washing machine 100 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 100 includes a housing 2 forming an outer frame of the washing machine 100, an outer tub 1 provided inside the housing 2, and a washing machine provided inside the outer tub 1. a tank 4;

A control unit 22 is provided in the washing machine 100 . An operation display unit 26 is provided on the upper front side (left side in FIG. 1) of the washing machine 100 .

The outer tub 1 and the washing tub 4 are configured in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The outer tub 1 is elastically supported inside the housing 2 by a plurality of suspension mechanisms 3 . A front side of the washing tub 4 is provided with an inlet 6 for a user to put in and take out textile products such as clothes (hereinafter referred to as laundry 5).

The washing tub 4 is rotatably provided around a tub rotating shaft 7 . The washing tub 4 accommodates laundry 5 . A plurality of (for example, three) baffles 8 protruding inward are provided on the inner peripheral wall surface of the washing tub 4 . A large number of small holes 9 are further provided on the side surface of the inner circumference. Inside the outer tub 1 , the inner side and the outer side of the washing tub 4 are communicated through a small hole 9 .

The outer tub 1, the washing tub 4, and the tub rotating shaft 7 are provided with their front sides tilted upward by an angle θ (for example, 20°) with respect to the horizontal. The washing tub 4 is configured to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions by a motor (first motor) 10 provided on the back side of the outer tub 1 . The motor 10 is composed of, for example, a brushless DC motor, and is configured such that its rotational speed can be freely changed by inverter control of the controller 22 .

A front side of the housing 2 is provided with a door 11 for opening and closing a loading port 6 into which the laundry 5 is loaded and unloaded. The door 11 has a substantially circular shape when viewed from the front side. The opening 1 a of the outer tub 1 and the opening 2 a of the housing 2 are formed to face the inlet 6 of the washing tub 4 . The opening 1a of the outer tub 1 and the opening 2a of the housing 2 are connected in an airtight configuration by a packing 12 having flexible elastic accordion-like shape.

A water supply port 13 is arranged above the rear portion of the housing 2, and the water supply port 13 is connected to a water faucet 13a. A water supply valve 14 is provided on the downstream side of the water supply port 13, and the water supply is stopped by opening and closing the water supply valve 14. As shown in FIG. The washing water (tap water) supplied from the water supply port 13 flows like an arrow A into the detergent case 15, and flows into the outer tub 1 while dissolving the detergent put into the detergent case 15.例文帳に追加

As indicated by an arrow B, the detergent input portion 15a of the detergent case 15 is configured to be pulled out from the detergent case 15 toward the front side. Thereby, the user can easily put the detergent into the detergent case 15 .

A drain port 16 for discharging washing water is provided in the lower portion of the outer tub 1 . A drainage channel 18 is connected to the drainage port 16 . A drain valve 17 is provided in the drain channel 18 . By driving the drain valve 17 to open and close by the control unit 22, the washing water in the outer tub 1 is drained and stopped.

A water channel 19 is connected to the drainage channel 18 . The drainage channel 18 is configured in a pipe shape.

A water channel 19 is provided for circulating the washing water in the outer tub 1 . One end of the channel 19 is connected to the drain channel 18 between the drain port 16 and the drain valve 17 . The other end of the water channel 19 is connected to the front lower portion of the outer tank 1 . Water channel 19 extends in the front-rear direction of washing machine 100 below outer tub 1 at a portion near the other end of water channel 19 .

The water channel 19 is provided with a later-described centrifugal separation section 20 provided below the outer tank 1 . The water channel 19 includes a first water channel 19a through which the washing water in the outer tub 1 flows into the centrifugal separation unit 20, and a second water channel 19b through which the washing water that has passed through the centrifugal separation unit 20 flows into the outer tub 1. have.

The outer tub 1, the centrifugal separator 20, a portion of the drainage channel 18, and the water channel 19 constitute a circulation path for washing water. Washing water circulates between the outer tub 1 and the centrifugal separation section 20 .

The washing water in the outer tub 1 flows from the drain port 16 through the drain channel 18 and the water channel 19. - 特許庁

As the wash water passes through the centrifugal separator 20, foreign substances contained in the wash water are separated from the wash water, as will be described later. Contaminants include dirt and lint released from the laundry, water softeners contained in detergents dissolved in the wash water, and the like.

[1-1-2. Centrifuge]
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the centrifugal separation section of the washing machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the centrifugal separator shown in FIG. 2 taken along line DD. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the centrifugal separation section shown in FIG. 2 taken along line EE.

As shown in FIG. 2, the centrifugal separation unit 20 includes a case 20a, a rotating cylinder 20b rotatably provided in the case 20a, and a rotating cylinder motor (second motor) 20c for rotating the rotating cylinder 20b. ,have.

The rotary cylinder 20b is cylindrical and hollow. 20 d of inner peripheral surfaces of the rotating cylinder 20b are cylindrical. The rotating cylinder 20b has a washing water inlet 20e through which the washing water flows into the rotating cylinder 20b from the first water channel 19a, and a washing water outlet 20f through which the washing water flows out from the rotating cylinder 20b to the second water channel 19b. is doing. 20 g of rotating shafts of the rotating cylinder 20b are arrange|positioned along the vertical direction.

The washing water in the outer tub 1 flows through the first water channel 19a into the rotating cylinder 20b from the washing water inlet 20e provided at the center of the bottom surface of the rotating cylinder 20b. The washing water that has flowed into the rotating cylinder 20b flows out from a washing water outlet 20f provided at the top of the rotating cylinder 20b. At this time, by driving the rotating barrel motor 20c, the rotating barrel 20b rotates, and the washing water in the rotating barrel 20b receives centrifugal force. Due to this centrifugal force, foreign matter is centrifuged from the washing water and directed toward the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotating cylinder 20b.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the washing water inlet 20e of the centrifugal separator 20 is below the washing water outlet 20f. That is, the washing water flowing into the centrifugal separator 20 is configured to flow upward along the direction of the rotating shaft 20g in the rotating cylinder 20b. The centrifugal separator 20 is configured such that the washing water introduced into the rotary cylinder 20b is swirled inside the rotary tube 20b to generate a high-speed swirling flow inside the rotary tube 20b. The diameter of the inner peripheral surface 20d centered on the rotating shaft 20g of the rotary cylinder 20b is larger than the maximum diameter of the washing water inlet 20e and the maximum diameter of the washing water outlet 20f.

The centrifugal force acting on the washing water is stronger toward the inner peripheral surface 20d from the rotating shaft 20g, which is the center of the rotating cylinder 20b. Therefore, the foreign matter separated from the washing water passing through the rotary cylinder 20b by the centrifugal force receives a greater centrifugal force as it approaches the inner peripheral surface 20d.

Therefore, the separated foreign matter is held on the inner peripheral surface 20d by a strong centrifugal force. Therefore, the foreign matter separated from the washing water by the centrifugal force is drawn into the circulating flow of the washing water passing through the rotary cylinder 20b and can be prevented from adhering to the laundry 5 again, thereby improving the washing performance of the washing machine. can be improved.

In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the swirling flow generating section 20h is provided on the inflow side of the washing water in the centrifugal separation section 20. As shown in FIG. The swirl flow generator 20h is formed integrally with the case 20a.

A first water channel 19a is connected to the swirling flow generating section 20h. The first water channel 19a is provided along the tangential direction of the outer periphery of the swirling flow generating section 20h when the rotary cylinder 20b is viewed from below, and is connected to the swirling flow generating section 20h (see FIG. 4). ). With such a configuration, the washing water smoothly flows from the first water channel 19a into the swirling flow generating section 20h while swirling. Therefore, the washing water also flows into the rotating cylinder 20b with a swirl component, and a swirl flow is generated more efficiently.

The centrifugal separation unit 20 is provided with a pump unit 21 on the downstream side of the centrifugal separation unit 20, that is, on the outflow side of the washing water passing through the case 20a. The pump portion 21 is provided with pump vanes 21a integrally formed with the rotating cylinder 20b. A second water channel 19b is connected to the pump portion 21 (see FIG. 2).

Further, the second water channel 19b is provided along the tangential direction of the outer circumference of the pump portion 21 when the rotary cylinder 20b is viewed from above (see FIG. 3). With such a configuration, the wash water smoothly flows out to the second water passage 19b along the swirling flow, so that the rotary cylinder 20b is smoothly rotated.

In this embodiment, the pump portion 21 is provided on the outflow side of the case 20a, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be configured to swirl and flow from the portion 21 into the rotary cylinder 20b.

When the rotating cylinder motor 20c is driven, the pump blades 21a rotate together with the rotating cylinder 20b. The washing water in the outer tub 1 flows through the first water channel 19a and passes through the centrifugal separator 20 by the pump action of the pump blades 21a. The washing water circulates as indicated by arrow C (see FIG. 1). That is, the rotation of the rotary cylinder 20b causes the blades of the pump portion 21 to rotate and the wash water to circulate.

With such a pump unit 21, the function of a pump for circulating washing water can be achieved with a simple configuration.

The rotating barrel 20b is rotationally driven by a rotating barrel motor 20c. The rated rotation speed a of the rotating cylinder 20b is the rotation speed at which the washing water is circulated and foreign matter is centrifuged in the washing process or the rinsing process. In this embodiment, it is set to 3500 rpm, for example. Note that the rated rotation speed a is not limited to one, and may be set in multiple stages.

The flow rate of the washing water flowing through the water channel 19 is determined by the pumping capacity of the pump section 21 . The pumping capacity of the pump unit 21 is determined by the number of pump blades 21a (four in this embodiment), the shape, and the like, in addition to the number of rotations of the pump blades 21a. Therefore, the flow rate of the washing water flowing through the water channel 19 is set to a desired value by adjusting the pumping capacity of the pump section 21 .

In the present embodiment, the flow velocity of the circulating flow when the washing water flows through the water channel 19 becomes a circulating flow and passes through the centrifugal separator 20 is V1, and the swirling flow when the washing water circulates in the rotary cylinder 20b. The pumping capacity of the pump unit 21 is set so that the flow velocity V2 of the swirling flow is greater than the flow velocity V1 of the circulating flow, that is, V2>V1.

As a result, foreign matter is efficiently centrifuged in the centrifugal separation section 20, and the separated foreign matter is reliably retained on the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotary cylinder 20b.

Further, in the centrifugal separation unit 20, the washing water passes through the rotary cylinder 20b from below to above in the direction of the rotary shaft 20g while swirling. At this time, air bubbles generated by the detergent contained in the washing water or air bubbles in the water channel 19 may enter the rotary cylinder 20b together with the washing water.

Even in such a case, since these bubbles are lighter than water, they are collected at the center of the rotating cylinder 20b by the swirling flow. Further, the action of the air bubbles to float upward and the action of the wash water flowing upward from the bottom facilitate the discharge of these air bubbles from the wash water outlet 20f to the outside of the rotary cylinder 20b.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent an imbalance in the distribution of water and air bubbles in the rotary shell 20b caused by the air bubbles remaining in the rotary shell 20b, and to avoid the rotation shake of the rotary shell 20b caused by the imbalance.

Thereby, centrifugation can be continued with a desired centrifugal force. In addition, since fluctuations in the torque required to rotationally drive the rotary barrel 20b can be minimized, fluctuations in the rotational speed of the rotary barrel 20b can be prevented. In addition, since the rotational shake of the rotating cylinder 20b is suppressed, the rotating cylinder 20b can be made larger, and the performance of the centrifugal separator 20 can be improved.

[1-1-3. control unit]
Washing machine 100 has control unit 22 . As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 22 is provided, for example, in the lower part of the housing 2 .

FIG. 5 is a block configuration diagram of the washing machine according to this embodiment.

The control unit 22 controls driving of the motor 10, the water supply valve 14, the drain valve 17, the rotary cylinder motor 20c, etc. based on the washing course set by the user through the operation display unit 26, and executes the washing operation. The washing operation includes a washing process, a rinsing process, a dewatering process, and the like.

Further, the control unit 22 controls the rotating barrel motor 20c to rotate the rotating barrel 20b at a predetermined number of revolutions.

The control unit 22 receives the output of the laundry amount detection unit 23 for detecting the amount of the laundry 5 put into the washing tub 4 and the output of the water amount detection unit 24 for detecting the amount of washing water supplied to the outer tub 1. , and the output of the rotation detector 25 for detecting the rotation of the washing tub 4 and the like are inputted.

The washing process in the washing operation is a process in which washing water in which detergent is dissolved is supplied into the outer tub 1, and the laundry 5 is beat-washed by the rotation of the washing tub 4 to remove stains on the laundry 5. .

The washing process is followed by a rinsing process. In the rinsing step, for example, each step of first intermediate dehydration, first rinsing, second intermediate dehydration, and second rinsing is performed in order. After the rinsing process is completed, the dehydration process is finally performed.

[1-2. motion]
The operation and action of the washing machine 100 configured as described above will be described below.

[1-2-1. Washing operation]
First, the user opens the door 11 provided on the front side of the housing 2 and puts the laundry 5 into the washing tub 4 from the inlet 6 . Next, the user turns on the power switch of the operation display unit 26 provided on the upper front side of the housing 2, and operates the start switch to start the washing operation.

When the washing operation is started, the washing process is started. In the washing process, the control unit 22 first detects the amount of the laundry 5 put into the washing tub 4 by the laundry amount detection unit 23 . The amount of the laundry 5 is detected by the amount of torque applied to the motor 10 or the current value of the motor 10 when the washing tub 4 is rotated.

The control unit 22 sets the time and the amount of washing water for each process such as the washing process, the rinsing process, and the spin-drying process, according to the detected amount of the laundry 5 . Further, the control unit 22 causes the operation display unit 26 to display the amount of detergent preset according to the amount of the laundry 5 (see FIG. 5).

The user pulls out the detergent loading portion 15a from the detergent case 15, loads the detergent according to the amount of detergent displayed on the operation display portion 26, and then moves the detergent loading portion 15a into the detergent case 15 (see FIG. 1). reference).

The control unit 22 opens the water supply valve 14 after the time for completing the injection of the detergent has passed. When the water supply valve 14 is opened, washing water flows from the water supply port 13 into the detergent case 15 . Washing water is supplied to the outer tub 1 as indicated by an arrow A while dissolving the detergent that has been introduced. The washing water collected at the bottom of the outer tub 1 flows into the washing tub 4 through the small holes 9 (see FIG. 1).

The amount of washing water accumulated in the outer tub 1 is detected by a water amount detecting portion 24. - 特許庁The control unit 22 closes the water supply valve 14 when a predetermined amount of washing water preset according to the amount of the laundry 5 is supplied.

When the water supply is completed, the controller 22 drives the motor 10 to rotate the washing tub 4 . When the washing tub 4 rotates, the laundry 5 in the washing tub 4 is lifted in the rotating direction by the baffle 8 and falls from above, hitting the bottom of the washing tub 4 or the laundry 5 accumulated at the bottom of the washing tub 4. be done.

In this way, the laundry 5 is beat-washed by mechanical force in combination with the chemical force of the detergent. The rotation speed of the washing tub 4 when the laundry 5 is beat-washed is, for example, 45 rpm. By reversing the rotation direction of the motor 10 at predetermined time intervals, the washing tub 4 is rotationally driven in both forward and reverse directions.

[1-2-2. Centrifugal Separation of Foreign Matter]
Next, the cleaning of washing water by the centrifugal separator 20, that is, the operation of centrifuging foreign matter will be described with reference to FIG.

In the washing process, the control unit 22 drives the rotary cylinder motor 20c to rotate the rotary cylinder 20b and the pump blades 21a. The washing water in the outer tub 1 flows through the first water passage 19a into the swirling flow generating portion 20h by the pumping action of the rotation of the pump blades 21a.

The washing water is imparted with a swirling component by flowing into the swirling flow generating portion 20h from the tangential direction, and flows into the rotating cylinder 20b from the washing water inlet 20e.

The wash water that has flowed into the rotary cylinder 20b flows toward the second water channel 19b. At this time, the rotating barrel 20b is rotationally driven by the rotating barrel motor 20c. Therefore, a high-speed swirling flow of washing water is generated in the rotary cylinder 20b.

The washing water flows in from the washing water inlet 20e, passes through the rotary cylinder 20b, and flows out from the washing water outlet 20f. At this time, the foreign substances contained in the washing water and having a higher specific gravity than the washing water and the foreign substances adhering thereto are directed toward the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotating cylinder 20b by the strong centrifugal force caused by the high-speed swirling flow. As a result, dirt contained in the washing water that has a higher specific gravity than water (sand, hair, keratin, etc.), and even if it has a lower specific gravity than water, such as oil represented by sebum, Foreign matter such as dirt attached to heavy objects (such as lint) is separated from the wash water. Therefore, it is possible to separate the foreign substances contained in the washing water.

Also, the foreign matter separated from the washing water receives a strong centrifugal force and adheres to the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotary cylinder 20b in a film-like manner.

Here, the washing water in the rotating barrel 20b flows as a circulating flow in the vicinity of the rotary shaft 20g of the rotating barrel 20b, and the circulating flow occupies the vicinity of the washing water inlet 20e and the washing water outlet 20f of the rotating barrel 20b. there is In addition, the high-speed swirling flow causes the washing water outside the circulating flow and filling the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotating barrel 20b to move strongly in the direction from the rotation center of the rotating barrel 20b toward the inner peripheral surface 20d. Centrifugal force is acting.

Therefore, foreign matter such as dirt separated from the washing water by the centrifugal force is not drawn into the circulation flow passing through the rotary cylinder 20b and returned to the circulation flow. For this reason, it is possible to prevent foreign substances such as soiled substances once separated from adhering to the laundry 5 again, so that the washing performance of the washing machine 100 can be improved.

Washing water from which foreign matter such as dirt is separated in the rotating cylinder 20b flows out to the pump portion 21 from the washing water outlet 20f. The washing water that has flowed into the pump portion 21 flows into the outer tub 1 through the second water passage 19b due to the pump action of the pump blades 21a. Thus, the washing water in the outer tub 1 circulates between the outer tub 1 and the centrifugal separation section 20 through the water channel 19 due to the pumping action of the pump section 21 . This purifies the wash water.

Note that the timing at which the foreign matter contained in the wash water is separated is not limited to the washing process described above, and may be performed in the rinsing process. If foreign matter is separated in the rinsing process, the rinsing effect can be improved. In the rinsing step, it is possible to remove, for example, zeolite, which has a higher specific gravity than water, among cleaning aids contained in the detergent.

[1-2-3. Pausing and resuming the washing operation]
Next, the case where the washing operation is suspended and the circulation of washing water is stopped will be described.

During the washing operation, the user may stop the washing operation in order to add the laundry 5 to the washing tub 4 or take out the laundry 5 from the washing tub 4 . In this case, the user turns ON the temporary stop switch 26a provided on the operation display section 26 . As a result, the progress of the series of washing operation operations set at the start of the washing operation is temporarily stopped.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the operation of the washing machine according to this embodiment.

At T1, when the user turns on the temporary stop switch 26a, the washing operation is temporarily stopped. Specifically, the motor 10 that drives the washing tub 4 is turned off. In order to stop the washing tub 4 rotating by inertia, the control unit 22 operates a braking device (not shown).

After the rotation of the washing tub 4 is stopped, the lock device (not shown) that keeps the door 11 closed is released. Therefore, when the door 11 is opened by the user, the rotation of the washing tub 4 is stopped, and the user can safely perform operations such as loading the laundry 5 into the washing tub 4. - 特許庁

When the washing operation is temporarily stopped, the controller 22 opens the drain valve 17 . As a result, the washing water in the centrifugal separation unit 20 flows through the first water channel 19a and is drained through the drainage channel 18. As shown in FIG. That is, the washing water in the centrifugal separation unit 20 flows through the channel 19 in the direction opposite to that during the centrifugal separation. At this time, the foreign matter held on the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotating cylinder 20b is discharged to the outside of the washing machine 100 through the drain valve 17 together with the washing water in the centrifugal separation section 20. As shown in FIG.

The drain valve 17 is kept open from T1 to T2. The period during which the drain valve 17 is open may be set to, for example, a period longer than the time until the washing water in the centrifugal separation unit 20 is completely drained. The period during which the drain valve 17 is open is, for example, several seconds.

Further, when the washing operation is temporarily stopped, the control unit 22 may control the rotating cylinder motor 20c to rotate the rotating cylinder 20b at a first rotation speed, which will be described later. When the rotating cylinder 20b is rotationally driven at a first rotational speed, which will be described later, a centrifugal force of such magnitude that the foreign matter collected on the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotating cylinder 20b is held on the inner peripheral surface 20d is applied to the foreign matter. does not work. Therefore, the foreign matter can be detached from the inner peripheral surface 20d. Specifically, the control unit 22 changes the rotation speed of the rotary cylinder 20b from the rated rotation speed a (eg, 3500 rpm) during centrifugation to the rotation speed b (eg, 50 to 100 rpm) as the first rotation speed. can be lowered to The rotary cylinder 20b may be rotated at the first rotation speed during the temporary stop time T of the washing operation.

Rotating the rotary cylinder 20b at the rotational speed b causes the washing water flowing into the centrifugal separation unit 20 to generate a swirling flow. On the other hand, the centrifugal force acting on the accumulated foreign matter adhering to the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotary cylinder 20b is small. Therefore, the shearing force generated by the swirling flow is greater for the foreign matter deposited on the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotary cylinder 20b. Therefore, the foreign matters accumulated on the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotary barrel 20b are easily peeled off and can be detached from the rotary barrel 20b.

Further, the control unit 22 may control the rotating barrel motor 20c to rotate the rotating barrel 20b in both forward and reverse directions. For example, forward rotation for 1 second and reverse rotation for 1 second may be alternately repeated.

Furthermore, the rotating barrel 20b may be intermittently driven to rotate. For example, forward rotation for 1 second and stopping for 1 second may be alternately repeated. In this case, the rotation direction of the rotary barrel 20b may be one direction, or may be reversed between forward rotation and reverse rotation. As a result, a turbulent stream of water is generated in the rotating barrel 20b, and foreign matter adhering to the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotating barrel 20b is more easily peeled off.

That is, the number of revolutions and the direction of rotation of the rotary cylinder 20b are determined by the shear force acting on the foreign matter due to the swirling flow rather than the centrifugal force acting on the foreign matter adhering to the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotary tube 20b during drainage. may be set to be larger. By rotationally driving the rotary cylinder 20b in this manner, the foreign matter can be removed from the rotary cylinder 20b.

The number of rotations of the first rotation is not limited to one, and may be set in multiple stages.

As shown in FIG. 6, at T2, when the drain valve 17 is closed, the rotating cylinder 20b is rotated at the rated rotation speed a by the rotating cylinder motor 20c.

When the work such as putting the laundry 5 into the washing tub 4 is finished, the user closes the door 11 and turns off the temporary stop switch 26a at T3. As a result, the door 11 is locked closed and the washing operation is restarted. The temporary stop time T of the washing operation when the laundry 5 is additionally loaded is usually relatively short, for example, about 10 seconds.

In the present embodiment, the foreign matter in rotary cylinder 20b is discharged to the outside of washing machine 100 together with the washing water while the washing operation is temporarily stopped. Therefore, when the washing operation is restarted, the separated foreign matter is prevented from flowing into the outer tub 1 together with the circulating washing water and adhering to the laundry 5 again. Thereby, the washing performance of the washing machine 100 can be improved.

In addition, if the foreign matter accumulated in the centrifugal separation unit is discharged together with the washing water as described above every time the user performs the operation to temporarily stop the operation, the foreign matter separation performance of the centrifugal separation unit is improved. , is maintained over a long period of time.

The timing for closing the drain valve 17 may be slightly delayed from the timing for rotating the rotary cylinder 20b at the rated rotation speed a. As a result, the rotating cylinder 20b is driven to rotate at the rated rotation speed a, so that the foreign matter accumulated on the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotating cylinder 20b is easily peeled off from the inner peripheral surface 20d. is closed, the discharge of foreign matter is facilitated.

In FIG. 6, when the user turns off the temporary stop switch 26a before T2, the control unit 22 immediately rotates the rotary cylinder 20b at the rated rotation speed a, The drain valve 17 is closed, and the water supply valve 14 is opened. Then, the controller 22 drives the washing tub 4 to restart the washing operation.

As shown in FIG. 6, at T3, when the washing operation is restarted, the controller 22 may open the water supply valve 14 . In this case, based on the output of the water amount detection unit 24, the decrease amount of the washing water discharged together with the foreign matter is calculated. Then, during the period from T3 to T4, water is supplied in an amount corresponding to the decrease in washing water. Thus, at the start of the washing operation, the washing operation is continued with the optimum amount of water set according to the amount of laundry.

The washing water is drained, for example, at the following timings. Also at the timing of these drains, the foreign substances deposited on the rotating cylinder 20b may be discharged to the outside of the washing machine 100 together with the drained washing water, as in the case described above.

After the washing process has been performed for a predetermined period of time, the rinsing process is started. In the rinsing process, first, the washing water supplied in the washing process is drained. At this time, foreign matter collected in the washing process is discharged. Then, a first intermediate dehydration is performed. As a result, the washing water contained in the laundry 5 is drained.

After the first intermediate dehydration is performed in the rinsing process, a predetermined amount of washing water is supplied into the outer tub 1 and the first rinsing is performed in the same manner as in the washing process. Then, the washing tub 4 is controlled to rotate forward and backward, and the laundry 5 is rinsed. It is then drained to remove debris collected in the first rinse. Then, a second intermediate dehydration is performed, whereby the wash water contained in the laundry 5 is drained.

At the time of draining water in the rinsing process, the water used for rinsing can be flowed from the outer tank 1 to the centrifugal separation section 20 to wash the inside of the centrifugal separation section 20 . Since the washing water discharged from the outer tub 1 in the rinsing process has less dirt than the washing water discharged in the washing process, the inside of the centrifugal separation section 20 is cleaned more effectively.

Further, in the dehydration step performed at the end of the washing operation, the washing water supplied in the second rinsing is drained and the foreign matters are discharged. Thereafter, the washing tub 4 containing the laundry 5 is rotated at high speed by the motor 10, and the laundry 5 is dehydrated. After the dehydration process ends, the washing operation ends.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a centrifugal separation section of washing machine 200 according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 7, the washing machine 200 of the present embodiment has a pump section 27 provided separately from the centrifugal separation section 20, and the centrifugal separation section 20 includes the pump blades 21a and the pump section. 21 is different from the washing machine 100 of the first embodiment.

Other configurations are the same as those of the washing machine 100 of Embodiment 1, and the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the pump section 27 is provided in the middle of the water channel 19 . In this embodiment, the pump section 27 is provided on the upstream side of the centrifugal separation section 20, that is, in the middle of the first water channel 19a. As the pump unit 27, for example, an electric pump unit 27 is used.

When the pump unit 27 is driven, the washing water in the outer tub 1 flows from the drain port 16 through the drain channel 18 into the first water channel 19a, and flows out into the outer tub 1 through the centrifugal separation unit 20. do. Thereby, the washing water circulates between the outer tub 1 and the centrifugal separation section 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 7).

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the operation of washing machine 200 in this embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which the user turns on the temporary stop switch 26a at T5 during the washing operation, and turns off the temporary stop switch 26a at T7.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the temporary stop switch 26a is turned on at T5, the power to the motor 10 driving the washing tub 4 is turned off. At this time, a braking device (not shown) is activated to stop the washing tub 4 rotating by inertia.

After the rotation of the washing tub 4 is stopped, the lock device (not shown) that keeps the door 11 closed is released. Therefore, when the door 11 is opened by the user, the washing tub 4 is in a stopped state, and the user can safely carry out operations such as loading the laundry 5 into the washing tub 4 .

Further, at T5, the control unit 22 causes the pump unit 27 to feed the washing water in the centrifugal separation unit 20 so as to flow in the direction opposite to that during centrifugation. Specifically, the pump unit 27 is controlled from the normal rotation state to the reverse rotation state. As a result, the foreign matter held on the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotating cylinder 20b flows along with the washing water in the centrifugal separation section 20 in the direction of the arrow F through the first water passage 19a, and is quickly discharged from the washing machine 200 through the drain valve 17. Discharged to the outside.

This prevents the separated foreign matter from flowing into the outer tub 1 together with the circulating washing water and adhering to the laundry 5 again when the washing operation is restarted. Therefore, the washing performance of washing machine 200 can be improved.

The pump unit 27 is driven in reverse from T5 to T6 when the drain valve 17 is open. Note that the period during which the pump unit 27 is driven in the reverse state may be set longer than, for example, the period until the washing water in the centrifugal separation unit 20 is completely drained. The period during which the drain pump is driven in reverse is, for example, several seconds.

In addition, the pump unit 27 may alternately repeat the reverse rotation state and the forward rotation state from T5 to T6 when the drain valve 17 is in the open state. As a result, a turbulent stream of water is generated inside the rotating barrel 20b, and foreign matter is easily peeled off from the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotating barrel 20b.

In addition, when the foreign matter accumulated on the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotary cylinder 20b is discharged to the outside of the washing machine 200 together with the washing water in the centrifugal separation unit 20, the rotary cylinder 20b is moved to the first may be rotationally driven at a number of revolutions of By changing the rotational speed of the rotating cylinder 20b in this way, a water flow in a state different from that during centrifugal separation can be applied to the foreign matter deposited on the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotating cylinder 20b. As a result, the foreign matter deposited on the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotary cylinder 20b is easily peeled off from the inner peripheral surface 20d, and the ejection of the foreign matter is facilitated.

The timing for closing the drain valve 17 may be slightly delayed from the timing for normal rotation of the pump portion 27 . As in the first embodiment, this makes it easier for the foreign matter deposited on the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotary cylinder 20b to come off from the inner peripheral surface, and then the drain valve 17 is closed to discharge the foreign matter. is promoted.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, at T7, when the washing operation is restarted, the control unit 22 may open the water supply valve 14 . In this case, based on the output of the water amount detection unit 24, the decrease amount of the washing water discharged together with the foreign matter is calculated. During the period from T7 to T8, an amount corresponding to the decreased amount of washing water is replenished. Thus, at the start of the washing operation, the washing operation is continued with the optimum amount of water set according to the amount of laundry.

In FIG. 8, when the user turns off the temporary stop switch 26a before T6, the control unit 22 immediately rotates the pump unit 27 forward and closes the drain valve 17. state, and the water supply valve 14 is opened. Then, the controller 22 drives the washing tub 4 to restart the washing operation.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the operation of the washing machine according to the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the configuration of the washing machine 300 of the present embodiment is different from that of the washing machine of the first embodiment in that the drainage channel 18 is provided with the first on-off valve 28 and the second on-off valve 29 . Different from 100.

Other configurations are the same as those of the washing machine 100 of Embodiment 1, and the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, the drainage path 18 has a first on-off valve 28 and a second on-off valve 29 provided downstream of the first on-off valve. That is, the first on-off valve 28 is arranged upstream of the second on-off valve 29 (on the drain port 16 side).

One end of the first water channel 19 a is connected to the drainage channel 18 between the first on-off valve 28 and the second on-off valve 29 .

FIG. 10 shows an example in which the user turns on the temporary stop switch 26a at T9 during the washing operation, and turns off the temporary stop switch 26a at T11. That is, the washing operation is suspended during the period from T9 to T11.

As shown in FIG. 10 , in a state where the washing operation is suspended, the control unit 22 closes the first on-off valve 28 and opens the second on-off valve 29 . As a result, the washing water in the centrifugal separation unit 20 flows in the direction indicated by arrow F, which is the opposite direction to that during centrifugation. Therefore, the foreign substances held on the inner peripheral surface 20d of the rotating cylinder 20b are discharged to the outside of the washing machine 300 through the second on-off valve 29 together with the washing water in the centrifugal separation section 20. FIG.

This prevents the separated foreign matter from flowing into the outer tub 1 together with the circulating washing water and adhering to the laundry 5 again when the washing operation is restarted. Therefore, the washing performance of the washing machine 300 can be improved.

Moreover, since the first on-off valve 28 is closed when the foreign matter is discharged, the amount of washing water discharged from the outer tub 1 can be reduced when the washing operation is temporarily stopped.

In addition, since the washing water in the centrifugal separation unit 20 flows out to the drainage channel 18 through the water channel 19, it is drained together with the foreign matter floating in the water channel 19 due to the temporary stop of the washing operation, and the foreign matter is removed from the washing machine 300. is discharged to the outside of the

In FIG. 10, when the user turns off the temporary stop switch 26a before T10, the control unit 22 immediately closes the second on-off valve 29 and turns off the water supply valve. 14 is opened. Then, the controller 22 drives the washing tub 4 to restart the washing operation.

Also in washing machine 200 of the second embodiment, drain path 18 may be provided with first on-off valve 28 and second on-off valve 29 as in the third embodiment. Then, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 8 , the control unit 22 causes the pump unit 21 to send the washing water in the direction opposite to the foreign matter separation in a state where the washing operation is temporarily stopped, so that the centrifugal separation is performed. Control may be performed to drain the wash water in the section 20 through the drainage channel 18 .

Note that the contents described in Embodiments 1, 2, and 3 may be practicably combined.

The washing machine according to the present disclosure separates foreign substances such as dirt substances from the washing water that has become dirty during the washing operation, and prevents the separated foreign substances from reattaching to the laundry, thereby improving the washing performance of the washing machine. Therefore, it is useful as a washing machine or the like.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 outer tub 1a opening 2 housing 2a opening 3 suspension mechanism 4 washing tub 5 laundry 6 inlet 7 tub rotating shaft 10 motor (first motor)
11 Door 12 Packing 13 Water Supply Port 13a Faucet 14 Water Supply Valve 15 Detergent Case 15a Detergent Input Part 16 Drainage Port 17 Drainage Valve 18 Drainage Channel 19 Waterway 19a First Waterway 19b Second Waterway 20 Centrifugal Separating Part 20a Case 20b Rotating Tube 20c Rotating barrel motor (second motor)
20d inner peripheral surface 20e washing water inlet 20f washing water outlet 20g rotary shaft 20h swirling flow generating section 21, 27 pump section 21a pump blade 22 control section 23 cloth amount detection section 24 water amount detection section 25 rotation detection section 26 operation display section 26a temporary Stop switch 28 First on-off valve 29 Second on-off valve 100, 200, 300 Washing machine

Claims (5)

a housing;
an outer tank elastically supported in the housing;
a washing tub rotatably provided in the outer tub;
a first motor that rotationally drives the washing tub;
a water channel for circulating washing water in the outer tub;
a centrifugal separation unit provided in the water channel for separating foreign substances contained in the washing water flowing through the water channel;
a pump unit provided in the water channel for circulating the washing water between the outer tub and the centrifugal separation unit;
a drainage channel for draining the washing water in the outer tub;
and a control unit that controls the washing operation,
The centrifugal separator includes a case connected to the water channel, a rotating cylinder rotatably provided in the case through which the washing water passes, and a second motor rotating the rotating cylinder. , has
The control unit is configured to drain the washing water in the centrifugal separation unit through the drainage channel while the washing operation is temporarily stopped.
washing machine. The control unit is configured to replenish the washing water when the washing operation is resumed from a state in which the washing operation is temporarily stopped.
The washing machine according to claim 1. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit is configured to rotationally drive the rotary cylinder while the washing operation is temporarily stopped. While the washing operation is temporarily stopped, the control unit causes the pump unit to feed the washing water in a direction opposite to the direction in which the foreign matter is separated, so that the washing water in the centrifugal separation unit is configured to drain through a drainage channel;
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1-3. The drainage channel has a first on-off valve and a second on-off valve provided downstream of the first on-off valve,
the water channel is connected to the drainage channel between the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve;
The control unit closes the first on-off valve and opens the second on-off valve in a state in which the washing operation is temporarily stopped, so that the washing water in the centrifugal separation unit is configured to drain through the second on-off valve of the drain channel,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1-4.

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