TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine capable of suppressing vibration
and noise.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the past, in an ordinary known washing machine, a bottomed quasi-cylindrical outer
tub is supported inside a box-shaped housing and a washing and dewatering tub as an
inner tub is rotatably supported at an inner side of the outer tub (for example, referring
to patent literature 1).
[0003] Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section view schematically illustrating an example of an
ordinary washing machine 101.
[0004] An outer tub 105 and an inner tub 106 are coaxially configured in an inner space
Sp of a housing 2, and a bottom plate 161 of the inner tub 106 is provided with an
agitator 63. Furthermore, a lower side of a bottom plate 151 of the outer tub 105
is provided with a driving mechanism 107 capable of selectively causing the inner
tub 106 and the agitator 63 to rotate.
[0005] A washing tub unit 104 is formed by the outer tub 105, the inner tub 106 and the
driving mechanism 107, and the washing tub unit 104 is suspended and supported inside
the housing 2 through hanger bars 103. Each hanger bar 103 is configured obliquely
at a specified angle θ, a base end 103A side is mounted at a suspending and fixing
portion 25 arranged near an upper end 24 of the housing 2; and a top end 103B side
is mounted at a suspended and supporting portion arranged at a lower portion of a
circumferential wall 152 of the outer tub 105 via a damping mechanism 31. Thus, the
washing tub unit 104 is elastically supported. Thus, excessive vibration caused by
the rotation of the inner tub 106 and the agitator 63 in a washing or dewatering process
can be inhibited.
[0006] Herein, width and depth dimensions of a place for arranging the above washing machine
101 are limited by a waterproof plate and a house layout in a family. That is, the
arrangement area of the washing machine 101 shall not be too big. Furthermore, since
the washing machine 101 is set to be capable of washing multiple washings, the washing
capacity is designed to be big as far as possible, so that the washing machine becomes
lengthwise.
[0007] Furthermore, the washing tub unit 104 which is also designed to be lengthwise like
the housing 2 exists from a position near the upper end 24 to a position near a bottom
surface 21 in a manner of occupying a majority of internal space Sp of the housing
2. Since the washing tub unit 104 is provided with the driving mechanism 107 having
a weight at the bottom plate 151 forming the outer tub 105, a center-of-gravity position
Pc is located below the center. Therefore, a height Hc0 of the center-of-gravity position
Pc0 of the washing tub unit 104 is 30% of a height Hu from an arrangement surface
F to the upper end 24 of the housing 2.
[0008] Furthermore, in order to effectively suppress the swinging rotation of the washing
tub unit 104, the hanger bar 103 is preferably mounted at a position of a generally
same height as the center-of-gravity Pc0 of the washing tub unit 104. Therefore, the
above suspended and supporting portion 53 is arranged at the lower portion of the
circumferential wall 152 of the outer tub 105. Therefore, a distance Ls0 from the
suspending and fixing portion 25 forming a supporting point for installing the hanger
bar 103 to a supporting point of the suspended and supporting portion is lengthened.
Current Technical Literature
[0009] Patent literature 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.
2011-240041
Problems to be solved by the invention
[0010] As described above, in the existing washing machine, since the center-of-gravity
position of the washing tub unit is low, but the distance between the supporting points
for suspending and supporting the washing tub unit is long, the swinging of the washing
tub unit is increased along with the rotation of the inner tub and the agitator, causing
a tendency that the vibration and the noise are increased. In addition, in order to
prevent the washing tub unit from contacting the housing during swinging rotation,
a gap is necessary to set between the circumferential wall of the outer tub and the
housing, and the gap becomes a useless space, so that the washing capacity is limited.
SUMMARY
[0011] The purpose of the present invention is to effectively solve such problem and specifically
to provide a washing machine capable of effectively suppressing vibration and noise
of a washing tub unit and capable of reducing a gap between a circumferential wall
of an outer tub and a housing so as to reduce a useless space.
Solution for solving the problems
[0012] In order to achieve related purposes, the present invention adopts the following
solution.
[0013] Namely, a washing machine of the present invention includes a housing presented in
a box shape and having an internal space opened upward; and a washing tub unit suspended
and supported in the internal space through a hanger bar, wherein the washing tub
unit has: an outer tub presented in a bottomed quasi-cylindrical shape; an inner tub
presented in a bottomed quasi-cylindrical shape, coaxially configured inside the outer
tub and rotatably supported by the outer tub; and a driving mechanism arranged at
a lower end of the outer tub and configured to drive the inner tub to rotate; a base
end side of the hanger bar is mounted near an upper end of the housing, a top end
side is mounted at a lower portion of the outer tub, and a center of gravity of the
washing tub unit is set at a position higher than a vertical height center of the
housing.
[0014] Furthermore, the hanger bar in the present invention are preferably mounted at a
predetermined angle; the top end side is mounted at a suspended and supporting portion
of the lower portion of a circumferential wall of the outer tub; and the suspended
and supported portion is set at a position higher than a vertical height center of
the housing.
[0015] Furthermore, in the present invention, preferably, the driving mechanism selectively
drives the inner tub and an agitator arranged at a bottom of the inner tub by transferring
a rotating force of a motor, and a depth of the inner tub is set to be in a range
of 50% to 70% of a diameter of the inner tub.
[0016] Moreover, in the present invention, preferably, an accommodating portion is arranged
below the washing tub unit.
[0017] Further, the accommodating portion is preferably a drawer in the present invention.
Effects of the invention
[0018] According to the present invention described above, since the washing tub unit is
suspended and supported by from the upper end of the housing with the hanger bar as
a supporting point, and the center of gravity is set at the position higher than the
vertical height center of the housing, the swinging of the inner tub when the inner
tub is driven by the driving mechanism to rotate is reduced, thereby reducing the
vibration and noise. In addition, since the swinging rotation is reduced, correspondingly
a gap between the circumferential wall of the outer tub and the housing can be narrowed,
thereby reducing a useless space. Therefore, the washing capacity can be increased
by correspondingly enlarging the diameters of the outer tub and the inner tub forming
the washing tub unit.
[0019] Furthermore, according to the present invention in which the suspended and supporting
portion where the top end side of the hanger bar is mounted is located at the position
higher than the vertical height center of the housing, in the case that the dimension
of the housing and the installation position of the hanger bars on the housing are
set to be same as a conventional case, a distance between the supporting points supporting
the washing tub unit through the hanger bars is reduced. Therefore, the swinging of
the washing tub unit can be further reduced, and the vibration and noise can be further
reduced. Furthermore, since the hanger bars are installed at the specified angle,
and the distance between the supporting points is shortened, compared with the traditional
washing machine, the circumferential wall of the outer tub can be disposed in an outer
diameter direction, thereby reducing the useless space. Furthermore, by reducing the
vibration, the gap between the outer tub and the housing and the gap between the outer
tub and the inner tub are also allowed to be reduced, so that the diameters of the
outer tub and the inner tub can be increased, and the washing capacity can be increased.
[0020] Furthermore, according to the present invention in which the depth of the inner tub
is set to be in a range of 50% to 70% of the diameter, since the obliquity of the
inner tub relative to the outer tub can be reduced without damaging the washing performance
of the washing machine, the gap between the outer tub and the inner tub can be reduced,
the washing capacity is further increased, and the amount of useless water (i.e. dead
water) injected between the outer tub and the inner tub when in washing can be reduced.
In addition, in a case of adopting the diameter the same as the traditional washing
machine, since the depth of the inner tub is reduced, the washings become easy to
take out. Furthermore, since a distance among the washings, water and agitator at
the upper portion of the inner tub is reduced, and a stirring force generated by the
agitator is easy to transfer, thereby reducing the load of a motor, and reducing manufacturing
cost and energy consumption.
[0021] Furthermore, according to the present invention in which the accommodating portion
is arranged below the washing tub unit, a space below the washing tub unit can be
effectively utilized, thereby further improving the usability.
[0022] Particularly, according to the present invention in which the accommodating portion
is the drawer, the accommodating portion can be used as an accommodating space of
detergents, softening agents, or utensils related to the washing and the like, thereby
further improving the usability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023]
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section view illustrating a washing machine of an embodiment
of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section view schematically illustrating the same washing
machine.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the same washing machine.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section view schematically illustrating an example of an
existing washing machine.
A list of reference numerals:
[0024]
1, 101: washing machine
2: housing
3, 103: hanger bar
3A, 103A: base end (of hanger bar)
3B, 103B: top end (of hanger bar)
4, 104: washing tub unit
5, 105: outer tub
6, 106: inner tub
7: driving mechanism
8: drawer (accommodating portion)
24: upper end (of housing)
51, 151: bottom plate
52, 152: circumferential wall
53: suspended and supporting portion
61, 161: bottom plate
62, 162: circumferential wall
63: agitator
72, 172: motor
73, 173: power distribution unit
Dp0, Dp1: depth (of inner tub)
Hb: height center of housing
Hc0, Hc1: height of center of gravity (of washing tub unit)
Hu: height of housing
Pc0, Pc1: center of gravity (of washing tub unit)
Sp: internal space
θ: angle (of hanger bar)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to drawings.
[0026] Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section view illustrating a washing machine 1 of embodiments
of the present invention. The washing machine 1 has a substantially quadrangular shape
in top view, and Fig. 1 illustrates a state that the washing machine 1 is sectioned
at a position of a diagonal line. Furthermore, Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a
general structure of the washing machine 1 and omitting portions unrelated to the
present invention. It shall be noted that the same reference numerals are given to
the portion in Fig. 1 same as that in the existing washing machine 101 shown in Fig.
4.
[0027] The washing machine 1 of the present embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is configured as
a called vertical type washing machine and has a housing 2 and a washing tub unit
4 suspended and supported inside the housing 2 through hanger bars 3. In addition,
the washing tub unit 4 has a bottomed quasi-cylindrical outer tub 5, a bottomed quasi-cylindrical
inner tub 6 coaxially configured inside the outer tub, and a driving mechanism arranged
at a bottom of the outer tub 5.
[0028] The housing 2 is formed by a substantially rectangular bottom surface 21 and four
wall surfaces 22 erecting from the bottom surface 21 and is formed into a box shape
having an internal space Sp opened upward. Moreover, four corners of the bottom surface
21 have feet 23. The vertical height of the housing 2 of the present embodiment refers
to a height including the feet 23 and is defined as a height from an arrangement surface
F to an upper end 24 of the housing 2. Four corners near the upper end 24 of the housing
2 are provided with hook-shaped suspending and fixing portions 25, and the suspending
and fixing portions 25 suspend base end 3A sides of the hanger bars 3 so as to function
as supporting points for hanging the hanger bars 3.
[0029] The upper portion of the housing 2 is provided with a cover 26 integrated with an
operation panel, one portion of the cover 26 is configured as an opening and closing
cover 26a, as shown in Fig. 2, and the internal space Sp can be opened and closed
by changing the opening and closing cover to be in an open state PO and a closed state
PC.
[0030] Returning to Fig. 1, the outer tub 5 forming the washing tub unit 4 is a bottomed
quasi-cylindrical member having a substantially circular bottom plate 51 in top view
for forming the bottom and a circumferential wall 52 erecting from an edge portion
of the bottom plate 51. Hook-shaped suspended and supporting portions 53 are substantially
uniformly and integrally configured at four portions of the lower portion of the circumferential
wall 52 in top view. The suspended and supporting portions 53 can be mounted at top
end 3B sides of the hanger bars 3.
[0031] The inner tub 6 is configured as a so-called washing and dewatering drum and formed
into a bottomed quasi-cylindrical shape having a substantially circular bottom plate
61 in top view for forming the bottom and a circumferential wall 62 erecting from
an edge portion of the bottom plate 61. The inner tub 6 is configured inside the outer
tub 5 coaxially with the outer tub 5, and rotatably suspended and supported by the
outer tub 5 through the driving mechanism 7. The bottom plate 61 and the circumferential
wall 62 are provided with a plurality of water through holes not shown, and water
in the inner tub 6 can be discharged through the water through holes. Furthermore,
an agitator 63 generally called an impeller is coaxially arranged right above the
bottom plate 61 of the inner tub 6.
[0032] The driving mechanism 7 includes a basal plate member 71 installed at the lower surface
of a bottom plate 51 of the outer tub 5, a motor 72 installed at the basal plate member
71, and a power distribution unit 73 including a clutch. The motor 72 and the power
distribution unit 73 respectively have a belt pulley 72a and a belt pulley 73a; and
the peripheries of the belt pulleys 72a and 73a are wounded with an annular transmission
belt 74, so that the power can be mutually transferred.
[0033] The power distribution unit 73 has two output shafts 75 and 76 coaxially assembled.
The first output shaft 75 at the inner side is connected to the center of the above
agitator 63, and the second output shaft 76 is connected to the bottom plate 61 of
the inner tub 6. The power distribution unit 73 can selectively switch an output target
of a driving force inputted from the motor 72 through the belt pulley 73a only to
the first output shaft 75 or to both the first output shaft 75 and the second output
shaft 76 according to an external instruction. Therefore, the washing machine 1 can
only enable the agitator 63 to rotate when in washing, and enables the inner tub 6
and the agitator 63 to rotate integrally when in dewatering.
[0034] Four hanger bars 3 are configured correspondingly to four corners of the housing
2. Each hanger bar 3 is slightly obliquely configured in such a manner that top ends
3B are close to each other, and the base ends 3A are suspended and fixed at the suspending
and fixing portions 25 of the housing 2. Moreover, the top end 3B is provided with
a damping mechanism 31 including a spiral spring 31A serving as an elastic member,
and the upper end 31A of the damping mechanism 31 is suspended and fixed at the suspended
and supporting portion 53 arranged at the outer tub 5. Thus, the washing tub unit
4 including the outer tub 5 is suspended and supported through four hanger bars 3.
[0035] Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section view schematically illustrating the washing machine
1. In Fig. 2, the same reference numerals are given to portions same as those in Fig.
1. Referring to Fig. 4 and Fig. 2, a dimensional relation of various portions is described
below in detail.
[0036] Firstly, a height Hu of the housing 2 is defined as a dimension in the vertical direction
from the arrangement surface F to the upper end 24 of the housing 2. In the present
embodiment, an overall dimension of the housing 2 is set to be substantially same
as that of the existing ordinary washing machine, and the height Hu of the shell 2
is set to be about 770mm which is the same as the housing of the existing washing
machine.
[0037] Moreover, the bottom plate 61 of the inner tub 6 is arranged at a position higher
than the existing washing machine, and the distance from the upper end 24 of the housing
2 to the bottom plate 61 is configured to be short.
[0038] Herein, the depth Dp1 of the inner tub 6 is defined as a dimension in the vertical
direction from the upper end 24 of the housing 2 to the lowermost portion of the upper
surface of the bottom plate 61 of the inner tub 6, and the diameter Di1 of the inner
tub 6 is defined as a maximum diameter at an inner surface of the circumferential
wall 62 of the inner tub 6. In the existing ordinary washing machine 101 (referring
to Fig. 4), in the case that the depth Dp0 and the diameter Di0 of the inner tub 106
are defined same as above, generally the depth Dp0 of the inner tub 106 is about 110%
of the diameter Di0 and is longer in a lengthwise direction.
[0039] Relative to this, in the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the depth Dp1
of the inner tub 6 is set as about 60% of the diameter Di1 and about half of the depth
of the inner tub of the existing washing machine. Therefore, the washings can be easily
taken in and out of the inner tub 6. Furthermore, since the height Hu of the housing
2 is same as that of the housing of the existing washing machine, the upper end 24
may not become too low and people do not need to bend down to take in and out the
washings.
[0040] Furthermore, since the inner tub 6 is connected with the second output shaft 76,
a height from the supported bottom plate 61 to the upper end 64 is reduced. Therefore,
even in the case of taking the washings to a limit position of the upper end 64, the
washings may also be imbalanced when in rotation, and the torque acting in a tilting
direction of the inner tub 6 is also reduced. Therefore, relative displacement between
the outer tub 5 and the inner tub 6 can be reduced, so that the gap Ci1 between the
circumferential walls 52 and 62 of the outer tub 5 and inner tub 6 is smaller than
the gap Ci0 between the circumferential walls 152 and 162 of the outer tub 105 and
the inner tub 106 of the existing washing machine. Specifically, the gap Ci1 is set
as about 80% of the existing gap CiO. Thus, the useless space can be further reduced;
and moreover, useless water, i.e. dead water, entering the gap between the outer tub
5 and the inner tub 6 when in washing can also be reduced.
[0041] Furthermore, in the case that the stirring force generated by the agitator 63 needs
to be transferred to the upper end 64 of the inner tub 6 when in washing, since the
height to the upper end 64 is reduced, the stirring force can be set to be relatively
small. Therefore, the capacity of the motor 72 can be set to be smaller than that
of the existing motor 172; and moreover, the load resistance performance of the power
distribution unit 73 is set to be smaller than that of the existing power distribution
unit 173, so that the miniaturization and cost reduction of the driving mechanism
7 can be realized. Furthermore, the electric power consumption generated by the motor
72 can also be reduced, thereby reducing the operation cost.
[0042] Furthermore, as described above, when the bottom plate 61 of the inner tub 6 is set
at a higher position, the bottom plate 51 of the outer tub 5 and the driving mechanism
7 mounted at the side of the lower surface side are also set at higher positions.
Therefore, the integral center-of-gravity position Pc of the washing tub unit 4 is
also set at a higher position.
[0043] Herein, the height Hc1 of the center Pc1 of the washing tub unit 4 is defined as
a dimension in the vertical direction from the arrangement surface F to the center
of the gravity Pc. In the existing ordinary washing machine 101 (referring to Fig.
4), in the case that the height Hc0 of the center of gravity Pc0 of the washing tub
unit 104 is defined same as above, generally the height Hc0 of the center of gravity
Pc0 is about 40% of the height Hu of the housing 2.
[0044] Relative to this, in the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the height
Hc1 of the center of gravity Pc1 of the washing tub unit 4 is greater than 50% of
the height Hu of the housing 2. That is, in the case that a half position of the height
Hu of the housing 2 is defined as a height center Hb in the vertical direction of
the housing 2, the center of gravity Pc1 of the washing tub unit 4 is higher than
the position of the height center Hb.
[0045] Therefore, in the case that the agitator 63 and the inner tub 6 are driven by the
driving mechanism 7 to rotate, and particularly during dewatering operation that the
agitator 63 and the inner tub 6 are integrally driven to rotate at high speed, even
in the case of swinging rotation of the washing tub unit 4, since the upper end 24
of the housing 2 having the supporting points for suspending and supporting the hanger
bars 2 is close to the center-of-gravity position Pc1, the swinging is reduced and
the overall vibration and noise are reduced.
[0046] Furthermore, in the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, as the bottom plate
51 of the outer tub 5 and the center-of-gravity position Pc1 of the washing tub unit
4 are set to be higher, the position of the suspended and supporting portion 53 for
installing the top end 3B side of the hanger bar 3 is also higher than the position
of the suspended and supporting portion of the existing washing machine. Specifically,
the distance Ls1 from the suspending and fixing portion 25 for installing the base
end 3A of the hanger bar 3 to the supporting point of the suspended and supporting
portion 53 for installing the top end 3B side is reduced to be about 60% of the distance
Ls0 between the supporting points of the existing washing machine. Therefore, the
swinging of the washing tub unit 4 can be further reduced, thereby further reducing
the vibration and noise.
[0047] Furthermore, the length La1 of the hanger bar 3 can also be shortened by shortening
the distance Ls1 between the supporting points. Specifically, in the case of utilizing
the damping mechanism same as before, the length La1 of the hanger bar 3 is changed
to be about 70% of the length La0 of the hanger bar 103 of the existing washing machine.
Therefore, an effect for reducing the manufacturing cost of parts and further narrowing
the useless space in the housing 2 can be achieved.
[0048] Furthermore, each hanger bar 3 is inclinedly mounted at a predetermined angle θ such
that the top end 3B sides are close to each other. Thus, a pulling force is applied
to four corners of the washing tub unit 4 through each hanger bar 3, so that the stability
of the central position of the housing 2 in top view can be improved. Specifically,
the angle θ is also set to be about 9° same as that of the existing washing machine.
[0049] In the case that the hanger bars 3 are inclined at the specified angle θ, corresponding
to the distance Ls1 between the supporting points for installing the hanger bars 3,
a gap Co1 between the wall surface 22 of the housing 2 and the circumferential wall
52 of the outer tub 5 needs to be set. In the present embodiment, as described above,
the distance Ls1 between the supporting points is set to be about 60% of the distance
Ls0 between the supporting points of the existing washing machine, and correspondingly
the circumferential wall 52 of the outer tub 5 is disposed in the outer diameter direction,
thereby narrowing the useless space, and the gap Co1 is smaller than the gap Co0 of
the existing washing machine. Specifically, the gap Co1 is set to be about 80% of
the gap Co0 of the existing washing machine, and correspondingly the diameter of the
outer tub 5 is increased.
[0050] Moreover, except that the gap Ci1 between the outer tub 5 and the inner tub 6 is
set to be smaller than the gap Ci0 of the existing washing machine, by setting the
gap Co1 between the wall surface 22 of the housing 2 and the circumferential wall
52 of the outer tub 5 to be smaller than the gap Co0 of the existing washing machine,
the diameter Di0 of the inner tub 5 is increased correspondingly. Specifically, the
diameter Di0 of the inner tub 5 is set to be about 115% of the diameter Di0 of the
inner tub 105 of the existing washing machine, and the space in the radius direction
is increased, thereby increasing the washing capacity. Therefore, the washing capacity
is not reduced proportionally to the reduction of the depth Dp1, but a sufficient
washing capacity can be ensured.
[0051] Furthermore, for the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment as described above,
the washing tub unit 4 is integrally installed at the top, so that the lower side
of the internal space Sp can be open to a large extent. Therefore, the space can be
used to install the drawer 8 as the accommodating portion.
[0052] Fig. 3 is a perspective diagram illustrating the washing machine and illustrates
a condition that the drawer 8 is drawn forwards. The lower portion of the wall surface
22 at the front side of the washing machine 1 is provided with a rectangular opening
22a which is longer in a transverse direction, and the inner side of the opening is
provided with the drawer 8. Therefore, the space below the washing tub unit 4 (referring
to Fig. 2) can be effectively utilized, thereby further narrowing the useless space.
Furthermore, the drawer 8 is used as the accommodating space for detergents, bleaching
agents and softening agents necessary for washing as well as utensils such as washing
nets and the like, so that a peripheral environment of the washing machine in a tendency
of disorder can be easily sorted and arranged, and the usability is further improved.
[0053] It shall be noted that a specific structure of each portion is not limited to the
above embodiments.
[0054] For example, in the above embodiments, the accommodating portion 8 is configured
as the drawer, and the accommodating portion can also be configured as a storage shelf
with an opening and closing door.
[0055] Furthermore, various apparatuses for increasing additional functions can also be
properly included and can be integrally configured to substitute the accommodating
portion 8.
[0056] Furthermore, the dimension of each portion of the washing machine 1 is not limited
to the above solution and can be appropriately changed.
[0057] Various variations can be made to other structures without departing from technical
spirit of the present invention.