TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a front-loading-type washing machine that washes
laundry contained within a rotary drum.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In the related art, front-loading-type washing machines that improve washing performance
by discharging washing water to laundry are suggested (for example, refer to PTL 1).
[0003] Hereinafter, the configuration of a front-loading-type washing machine of the related
art shown in PTL 1 will be described using Fig. 4.
[0004] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the front-loading-type washing machine of the
related art.
[0005] As shown in Fig. 4, the front-loading-type washing machine of the related art is
equipped with at least drum 21, water-receiving tub 23 that is a water tub, heater
36, and a circulation device.
[0006] Drum 21 is provided inside water-receiving tub 23 so as to be rotatable in the horizontal
direction. Lid 31 that allows laundry, such as clothing, to be taken into and out
of drum 21, is openably and closably provided in the front surface of the water-receiving
tub 23 so as to face an opening portion of the front surface of drum 21.
[0007] Heater 36 that is a heating portion that heats the washing water stored within water-receiving
tub 23 is provided on the bottom side of water-receiving tub 23.
[0008] The circulation device is constituted by circulating pump 37 that suctions the washing
water from opening portion 34 provided at the bottom of water-receiving tub 23, circulation
hose 38 that is connected to a discharge port side of circulating pump 37, and discharge
port 39 that is connected to one end side of circulation hose 38.
[0009] Discharge port 39 is provided on upside of drum 21 at a position that faces a front
opening portion of drum 21, and as shown by B in the drawing, discharges the washing
water toward the central portion of drum 21.
[0010] The front-loading-type washing machine of the related art configured as described
above lifts the laundry contained within drum 21 by the rotation of drum 21, and stirs
the laundry within drum 21. At this time, the washing water heated by heater 36 can
be jetted onto the laundry within drum 21 by circulating pump 37, thereby enhancing
the cleaning effect on the laundry.
[0011] However, the front-loading-type washing machine of the related art causes the washing
water to be jetted from one discharge port 39 of upside of drum 21. Therefore, when
the laundry has fallen within drum 21 due to its own weight, the washing water can
be sprayed onto the laundry. However, in a case where the laundry sticks to drum 21
and is rotating, the washing water is not easily sprayed onto the laundry. As a result,
the washing water cannot be uniformly sprayed onto the laundry within the water tub,
and a stable cleaning effect is not easily obtained.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0012] PTL 1 Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No.
9-215893
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The invention provides a front-loading-type washing machine including a rotary drum
that is formed in the shape of a bottomed cylinder; a water tub that rotatably includes
the rotary drum; a motor that rotationally drives the rotary drum; a filter case that
communicates with the water tub via a drain pipe connected to the bottom of the water
tub and has a filter provided therein; a circulating pump that communicates with the
filter case via a circulating water suction pipe connected to the filter case; a channel
that communicates with the circulating pump via a circulating water discharge pipe
connected to the circulating pump, and is formed on the front inner side of the water
tub; a plurality of jetting ports that are provided on the inner peripheral side of
the channel and discharge washing water into the water tub; and a control device that
controls at least steps of washing, rinsing, and spin-drying. The opening area of
the jetting port provided at the farthest position from a connecting portion between
the circulating water discharge pipe and the channel is larger than the opening area
of the jetting port provided at the nearest position from the connecting portion.
[0014] Thereby, the jetting amounts of the washing water from the individual jetting ports
are made almost equal, and the washing water is uniformly jetted onto laundry within
the water tub. As a result, the front-loading-type washing machine with stable washing
performance can be realized.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015]
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a front-loading-type washing machine in an embodiment
of the invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view when the front of the rotary drum of the front-loading-type
washing machine is viewed from the inside.
Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of main portions of the front-loading-type
washing machine.
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a front-loading-type washing machine of the related
art.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described, referring to the drawings.
The invention is not limited by the present embodiment.
(Embodiment)
[0017] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a front-loading-type washing machine in the embodiment
of the invention.
[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the front-loading-type washing machine of the embodiment is equipped
with rotary drum 43, water tub 42, motor 45, filter case 83 that communicates with
water tub 42, circulating pump 67 that communicates with filter case 83, channel 85
that communicates with circulating pump 67, jetting ports 70, and control device 81.
[0019] Water tub 42 is swingably provided inside main body 41, and rotary drum 43 is rotatably
provided inside water tub 42. Rotary drum 43 is rotated in normal and reverse directions
around rotating shaft 44 that is provided in the horizontal direction and is a rotation
center shaft that is coupled via belt 46 to motor 45 attached to a lower portion of
water tub 42 on the back side.
[0020] The inner wall surface of rotary drum 43 is provided with a plurality of, for example,
projection plates 47 that stir laundry, and a number of water passing holes 48 that
communicate with the inside of water tub 42.
[0021] Water tub unit 49 is constituted by the above-described water tub 42, rotary drum
43, motor 45, and belt 46. Water tub unit 49 is supported in a vibration-absorbing
manner by a plurality of spring bodies 50 from an upper portion of main body 41, and
by a plurality of vibration-absorbing dampers 51 from a lower portion of main body
41.
[0022] An upper rear portion of water tub 42 is provided with vibration detector 78 including,
for example, an acceleration sensor or the like, which detects the vibration of water
tub unit 49. Vibration detector 78 detects vibration in triaxial directions of front
and rear, left and right, and upper and lower. The operation of water tub unit 49
is controlled on the basis of the vibration information detected by vibration detector
78. Since the vibration of water tub unit 49 is not necessarily in one direction,
the vibration of water tub unit 49 is detected with high precision by using a multiaxial
acceleration sensor as vibration detector 78.
[0023] Openable and closable lid body 52 is provided at the front surface of main body 41
so as to face main body opening portion 40 of rotary drum 43. Lid body 52 seals water
tub 42 via seal packing 82 that connects a front portion of water tub 42 and main
body opening portion 40 for vibration-absorbing and water sealing.
[0024] Control device 81 is provided above water tub 42. A front upper portion of main body
41 is equipped with operation panel 79 having input setting unit 80a and display unit
80b.
[0025] If a control method is input via input setting unit 80a of operation panel 79, the
input information is displayed on display unit 80b of operation panel 79. A control
unit (not shown) of control device 81 automatically controls motor 45, water supply
device 54, drainage device 55, and water circulation device 56 according to input
setting information or a control program. Thereby, control device 81 controls a series
of steps, such as washing, rinsing, and spin-drying.
[0026] First water supply valve 57, second water supply valve 58, first water supply pipe
59, second water supply pipe 60, water level detector 76, detergent supply device
61, water supply connecting pipe 62, water tub air vent pipe 77, and control device
81 are provided above water tub 42.
[0027] Detergent supply device 61 stores, for example, detergents and a fabric softener
and houses detergent case 61a therein that is drawable from main body 41. In a rear
upper portion of detergent supply device 61, water tub air vent pipe 77 constituted
by a flexible hose is connected to detergent supply device 61. For example, during
a washing step, the air within water tub 42 pressurized by the formation of bubbles
is released via water tub air vent pipe 77.
[0028] Water supply device 54 timely supplies water into water tub 42 from water supply
connecting pipe 62 via detergent supply device 61 through first water supply pipe
59 or second water supply pipe 60 by the opening and closing of first water supply
valve 57 or second water supply valve 58.
[0029] Drain pipe 64, filter case 83, drain pump 63, circulating pump 67, and drain hose
66 are provided at the bottom of water tub 42.
[0030] Filter case 83 houses filter 65 that traps, for example, lint or the like. Filter
65 is detachably provided from main body 41 by knob 84 provided at filter 65.
[0031] Filter case 83 communicates with water tub 42 via drain pipe 64 connected to the
bottom of water tub 42. Drain pump 63 communicates with filter case 83 via drainage
suction pipe 90 connected to filter case 83. Circulating pump 67 communicates with
filter case 83 via circulating water suction pipe 68 connected to filter case 83.
Circulating pump 67 further communicates with channel 85 annularly (including a circular-arc
shape) formed on the front inner side of water tub 42 via circulating water discharge
pipe 69 connected to circulating pump 67.
[0032] At the time of the completion of the washing step, at the time of the completion
of a rinsing step, or the like, the washing water within water tub 42 is drained via
drainage device 55 if necessary. Specifically, drainage device 55 passes the washing
water within water tub 42 through filter 65 within filter case 83 via drain pipe 64
by the driving of drain pump 63, sends the washing water into drain pump 63 via drainage
suction pipe 90, and then drains the washing water to the exterior of the front-loading-type
washing machine via drain hose 66.
[0033] In a prewashing step, the washing step, the rinsing step, or the like, the washing
water within water tub 42 circulates via water circulation device 56 if necessary.
Specifically, water circulation device 56 passes the washing water within water tub
42 through filter 65 within filter case 83 via drain pipe 64 by the driving of circulating
pump 67, and further sends the washing water into circulating pump 67 via circulating
water suction pipe 68. Thereafter, the washing water sent into circulating pump 67
is sent into channel 85 via circulating water discharge pipe 69. The washing water
sent into channel 85 is jetted into rotary drum 43, as shown by arrow A in Fig. 1,
from jetting ports 70 provided on the inner peripheral side of channel 85 that faces
clothing entrance 53 of rotary drum 43. At this time, the washing water is jetted
from jetting ports 70 to rotary drum 43, for example in predetermined directions,
such as a radial direction and in a predetermined shape by jetting guide plate 86
provided on the front inner surface side of water tub 42. The details will be described
below using Fig. 2.
[0034] Thereby, a detergent loaded into water tub 42 is quickly dissolved in the washing
water, biasing of the detergent that comes into contact with laundry is prevented,
and the detergent is activated. As a result, the washing or rinsing performance is
improved.
[0035] Heating heater 72 including, for example, a sheathed heater or the like is provided
in the horizontal direction in recess 71 formed at the bottom within water tub 42
to heat the washing water within water tub 42. For example, a temperature detector
73, such as a thermistor, which detects the water temperature of the washing water
within water tub 42, is provided in the vicinity of heating heater 72.
[0036] The washing water within water tub 42 heated by heating heater 72 is circulated via
water circulation device 56 and discharged into rotary drum 43 by the aforementioned
circulating pump 67. At this time, the washing water is heated and the activity of
water molecules increases. The washing performance of the front-loading-type washing
machine is improved by scattering the washing water containing the activated detergent
onto laundry.
[0037] A rear side wall of the bottom of the outer periphery of water tub 42 is formed with
air trap 74 that communicates with drain pipe 64. Air trap 74 is connected to water
level detector 76 including, for example, a pressure sensor or the like, by air pipe
75. Water level detector 76 detects water levels at a plurality of steps by the hydraulic
pressure of the washing water supplied into water tub 42.
[0038] Hereinafter, channel 85 and its peripheral structure of the embodiment will be described
using Fig. 2, referring to Fig. 1.
[0039] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view when the front of the rotary drum of the front-loading-type
washing machine in the embodiment of the invention is viewed from the inside.
[0040] As shown in Fig. 2, jetting ports 70 are constituted by a plurality of jetting ports
70a to 70e provided on the inner peripheral side of annular (including a circular-arc
shape) channel 85. Jetting ports 70a to 70e are provided, for example, in a circle
shape at regular angles in the circumferential direction with respect to rotating
shaft 44 of rotary drum 43.
[0041] At this time, jetting port 70a and jetting port 70b are provided with the equal opening
area, at positions where the distances within channel 85 from connecting portion 69a
that connects a lowermost portion of channel 85 and circulating water discharge pipe
69 are equal, in the vertical direction of Fig. 2, at almost the same (including the
same) height in the vertical direction of channel 85. Here, the opening area means
the area of the inflow surface of the washing water that passes through jetting ports
70 by operating circulating pump 67.
[0042] Similarly, jetting ports 70c and 70d at higher positions than jetting port 70a and
jetting port 70b are also provided with the equal opening area, at positions where
the distances within channel 85 from connecting portion 69a are equal, at almost the
same (including the same) height in the vertical direction. Jetting port 70e is provided
at an uppermost portion in the vertical direction. That is, jetting port 70a and jetting
port 70b, jetting port 70c, jetting port 70d, and jetting port 70e are provided in
this order so as to be away from connecting portion 69a.
[0043] At this time, the opening area of jetting port 70e provided at the farthest position
from connecting portion 69a is formed so as to be larger than the opening areas of
jetting ports 70a and 70b provided at the nearest position from connecting portion
69a. Thereby, the jetting amounts of the washing water from individual jetting ports
70 are made almost equal, and the washing water is uniformly jetted onto laundry within
water tub 42. As a result, the front-loading-type washing machine with stable washing
performance can be realized.
[0044] The opening area of jetting ports 70a and 70b, the opening area of jetting ports
70c and 70d, and the opening area of jetting port 70e are formed so as to be larger
than the latter one in this order. That is, the opening area of jetting port 70e is
formed so as to be the largest among a plurality of jetting ports 70a to 70e provided
on the inner peripheral side of channel 85, and jetting ports 70 are formed so that
the opening area becomes larger as being away (provided on the upper side in the vertical
direction) from connecting portion 69a. Thereby, the jetting amounts of the washing
water from individual jetting ports 70 are efficiently made almost equal, and the
washing water is uniformly jetted onto laundry within water tub 42. As a result, the
front-loading-type washing machine with more stable washing performance can be realized.
[0045] The "distances within channel 85 are equal" means that the distance from circulating
water discharge pipe 69 to jetting port 70a in the clockwise direction within channel
85 and the distance from circulating water discharge pipe 69 to jetting port 70b in
the counterclockwise direction are equal, with respect to a straight line that connects
circulating water discharge pipe 69 and rotating shaft 44.
[0046] Although it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape of jetting ports 70 in the
horizontal direction has, for example, a circle shape, the invention is not limited
to this. For example, the jetting port may be formed in a substantially triangular
shape (including a triangular shape) or in a substantially quadrangular shape (including
a quadrangular shape). Thereby, the washing water is jetted into water tub 42 from
jetting ports 70.
[0047] The washing water discharged from circulating pump 67 is sent into channel 85 formed
on the front inner side of water tub 42 from the bottom side of water tub 42 via circulating
water discharge pipe 69. The washing water sent into channel 85 is radially jetted
into rotary drum 43 from all directions of the circumference of annular (including
a circular-arc shape) channel 85, from a plurality of jetting ports 70 formed in channel
85.
[0048] As described above, the jetting amounts from individual jetting ports 70a to 70e
provided at almost equal angles (including equal angles) in the circumferential direction
can be made almost equal by changing the opening areas of jetting ports 70a to 70e.
Although the flow velocity of the washing water decreases as it goes to the upper
side of channel 85, a decrease in the flow rate of the washing water jetted from jetting
ports 70 is prevented by this configuration. As a result, the washing performance
of the front-loading-type washing machine can be stabilized.
[0049] Hereinafter, filter case 83 and its peripheral structure of the embodiment will be
described using Fig. 3.
[0050] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of main portions of the front-loading-type
washing machine in the embodiment of the invention.
[0051] As shown in Fig. 3, drain pump 63 is connected to an upper side portion of filter
case 83 connected to drain pipe 64, via drainage suction pipe 90. Circulating pump
67 is connected to the other side portion of filter case 83 via circulating water
suction pipe 68.
[0052] Filter 65 provided within filter case 83 is equipped with a plurality of opening
portions 89. Opening portions 89 of filter 65 are constituted by a plurality of drain-side
opening portions 88a sectioned by ribs of drain-side rib portion 88 that is a grid-like
rib structure that is provided on drain pump 63 side, and a plurality of circulation-side
opening portions 87a sectioned by ribs of circulation-side rib portion 87 that is
a grid-like rib structure that is provided on circulating-pump 67 side. At this time,
it is preferable that drain-side opening portions 88a be formed to be larger than
circulation-side opening portions 87a. Thereby, for example, lint or foreign matter
can be removed from the washing water circulated into water tub 42, and the cleaning
effect can be further enhanced.
[0053] If drain pump 63 is driven during drainage, the washing water that has flowed into
filter case 83 via drain pipe 64 from water tub 42 passes through drain-side rib portion
88 of filter 65, passes through drain pump 63, and is drained from drain hose 66.
Here, lint or the like within the washing water that is larger than the openings of
drain-side opening portions 88a is trapped by meshes formed by drain-side rib portion
88 and drain-side opening portions 88a, and lint or the like that is smaller than
the openings of drain-side opening portions 88a is discharged to the exterior of the
front-loading-type washing machine.
[0054] If circulating pump 67 is driven during circulation, the washing water that has flowed
into filter case 83 via drain pipe 64 from water tub 42 passes through circulation-side
rib portion 87 of filter 65, and is sent to circulating pump 67 from circulating water
suction pipe 68. Thereafter, the washing water is jetted into rotary drum 43 from
jetting ports 70a to 70e via circulating water discharge pipe 69. Here, lint or the
like within the washing water that is larger than the openings of circulation-side
opening portions 87a is trapped by the meshes formed by circulation-side rib portion
87 and circulation-side opening portions 87a.
[0055] Then, as a user rotates knob 84 of filter 65 to detach the filter from the outside,
the lint or the like trapped in filter 65 can be discarded, and filter 65 can be cleaned.
[0056] At this time, the individual opening areas of jetting ports 70a to 70e provided on
the inner peripheral side of channel 85 are made larger than any of individual opening
portions 89 that constitute the aforementioned filter 65 through which the washing
water passes when circulating through water circulation device 56. Thereby, the lint
or the like that has passed through the meshes of circulation-side rib portion 89
is reliably trapped by filter 65, and jetting ports 70a to 70e are prevented from
being clogged. As a result, the individual jetting amounts of the washing water from
jetting ports 70a to 70e are continuously kept almost equal, and decline in washing
efficiency is prevented.
[0057] In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the opening area of jetting ports
70a and 70b, the opening area of jetting ports 70c and 70d, and the opening area of
jetting port 70e be formed so as to be larger in this order. However, the invention
is not limited to this. As long as the size of the opening area of at least jetting
port 70e is the largest, the opening areas of jetting ports 70a to 70d may have arbitrary
sizes if necessary. That is, for example, the opening area of jetting port 70e may
be made to be the largest, and the opening areas of jetting ports 70a, 70b 70c, and
70d other than jetting port 70e may be made to have the same size. Also, for example,
the opening areas of jetting ports 70c, 70d, and 70e may be made to have the same
size, and the opening areas of jetting ports 70a and 70b may be made to be smaller
than that of jetting ports 70c, 70d, and 70e. This raises the degree of freedom in
design.
[0058] Although an example in which jetting ports 70 are provided in five locations at equal
angles in the circumference direction has been described in the embodiment, the invention
is not limited to this. For example, an arbitrary number of jetting ports may be arranged
depending on the internal diameter, shape, or the like of water tub 42. Thereby, the
same effects are obtained.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0059] As described above, since the front-loading-type washing machine of the invention
can exhibit stable washing performance by virtue of the configuration of the water
circulation device, this washing machine is useful for applications of other washing
machines that have the function to circulate washing water.
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS
[0060]
41: MAIN BODY
42: WATER TUB
43: ROTARY DRUM
44: ROTATING SHAFT (ROTATION CENTER SHAFT)
45: MOTOR
46: BELT
47: PROJECTION PLATE
48: WATER PASSING HOLE
49: WATER TUB UNIT
50: SPRING BODY
51: VIBRATION-ABSORBING DAMPER
52: LID BODY
53: CLOTHING ENTRANCE
54: WATER SUPPLY DEVICE
55: DRAINAGE DEVICE
56: WATER CIRCULATING DEVICE
63: DRAIN PUMP
64: DRAIN PIPE
65: FILTER
66: DRAIN HOSE
67: CIRCULATING PUMP
68: CIRCULATING WATER SUCTION PIPE
69: CIRCULATING WATER DISCHARGE PIPE
70, 70a TO 70e: JETTING PORT
81: CONTROL DEVICE
83: FILTER CASE
85: CHANNEL
86: JETTING GUIDE PLATE
87: CIRCULATION-SIDE RIB PORTION
87a: CIRCULATION-SIDE OPENING PORTION
88: DRAIN-SIDE RIB PORTION
88a: DRAIN-SIDE OPENING PORTION
89: OPENING PORTION
90: DRAINAGE SUCTION PIPE