WASHING MACHINE

Abstract

 The present invention provides a washing machine, which can simply and reliably removing stains on an outer circumferential surface of a washing drum forming a dewatering drum and greatly increase the assembling efficiency and the space efficiency by reducing common used components, and does not generate abnormal noise caused by the contact of components when the dewatering is activated. The washing machine (1) includes: a closed bottomed cylindrical first washing drum (3) forming a housing of a washing machine body (2) and having an upper opening; a closed bottomed cylindrical second washing drum (4) disposed in a specified distance from an inner circumferential surface of the first washing drum (3) and inside the first washing drum (3) in a freely rotating manner and serving as a dewatering drum; a circular plate portion (5) having stirring wings (52) extending radially outwardly of the second washing drum (4) and integrally formed with the second washing drum (4); and an electric motor (61) driving the second washing drum (4) and the circular plate portion (5) to rotate together.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine capable of not only simply and reliably removing stains on an inner and outer circumferential surface of a washing drum, but also greatly increasing the assembling efficiency and the space efficiency by reducing the common used components, thereby further reducing abnormal noise.

BACKGROUND

[0002] An existing vertical washing machine includes: a main body frame forming a housing of the washing machine; an outer drum disposed inside the main body frame and storing washing fluid; a dewatering drum disposed inside the outer drum in a freely rotating manner and having an impeller at a bottom; and a suspension rod for suspending the outer drum relative to the main body frame (for example the patent document 1). Washings are thrown into the dewatering drum of the washing machine, the dewatering drum can rotate to perform washing treatment while washing water is stored in the outer drum, and to perform dewatering treatment while the washing water is discharged. When performing the treatments, the outer drum and the main body frame obtain a balance by utilizing the suspension rod, and thus can be prevented from being contacted each other, thereby reducing the noise.

Existing Technical Document

Patent document

[0003] Patent document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-275480

SUMMARY

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] However, in the existing washing machine as described above, since washing water flows to the outer drum through a plurality of water through holes formed in the dewatering drum during the washings treatment, the outer circumferential surface of the dewatering drum is in a state of being dipped in the washing water containing stains and detergent impurities attached to the washings. Since part of the stains and detergent impurities may still remain on the outer circumferential surface of the dewatering drum after the dewatering treatment and may be gradually accumulated, molds (mainly black molds) using the remaining stains and the detergent impurities as a nutritional source may be generated on the outer circumferential surface of the dewatering drum.

[0005] Therefore, although the outer circumferential surface of the dewatering drum is preferably cleaned regularly, the existing washing machine is a structure in which a hand cannot enter between the dewatering drum and the outer drum. In addition, the dewatering drum is connected with an electric motor serving as a driving unit and difficult to be removed from a washing machine body. Therefore, in the existing washing machine, it is difficult for a user to wash directly the drum such as cleaning of stains on the outer circumferential surface of the dewatering drum.

[0006] Therefore, although the stains and molds on the outer circumferential surface of the dewatering drum can be removed by virtue of chemical methods such as utilizing the drum cleaning detergent, compared with the direct drum cleaning treatment, the chemical methods have a problem of a stain removal rate.

[0007] On the other hand, the existing washing machine is considered to have the following problems, i.e., since the existing washing machine further has a suspension rod for suspending the outer drum besides a three-layer structure having the main body frame, the outer drum and the dewatering drum, the quantity of components is increased, and the assembling time during manufacture is difficult to shorten. Additionally, an invalid space is formed between the main body frame and the outer drum, and the washing capacity (the capacity of the dewatering drum) can be greatly reduced relative to the volume of the main body frame, so it is hardly to be the high space efficiency. Further, when the dewatering is activated, the outer drum suspended by the suspension rod may contact the main body frame, thereby generating abnormal noise.

[0008] For solving such problems, although various researches and developments are conducted in the past, the structure with the above three-layer structure and the suspension rod has limitations in increasing the assembling efficiency and the space efficiency and suppressing the abnormal noise. A novel structural washing machine capable of greatly increasing and improving such limitations is unknown at present.

[0009] The present invention aims at effectively solving the problems described above, and specifically aims at providing a washing machine which can simply and reliably remove stains on the outer circumferential surface of the washing drum forming the dewatering drum and greatly increase the assembling efficiency and the space efficiency by reducing the common used components, and does not generate the abnormal noise caused by the contact of components when the dewatering is activated.

Solution for solving the problems

[0010] To achieve the objectives, the present invention adopts the following solution.

[0011] The washing machine of the present invention includes a closed bottomed cylindrical first washing drum forming a housing of a washing machine body and has an upper opening; a closed bottomed cylindrical second washing drum disposed in a specified distance from an inner circumferential surface of the first washing drum and the first washing drum in a freely rotating manner and serving as a dewatering drum; a circular plate portion having stirring wings extending radially outwardly of the second washing drum and integrally formed with the second washing drum; and an electric motor for driving the second washing drum and the circular plate portion to rotate together.

[0012] In addition, in the washing machine of the present invention, preferably, at least one portion of the first washing drum is formed by a transparent member.

[0013] In the washing machine of the present invention, a side wall of the first washing drum is particularly preferably formed by a plurality of transparent glass materials connected by water sealing portions in a circumferential direction.

[0014] In the present invention, at least any one of the inner circumferential surface of the first washing drum and the outer circumferential surface of the second washing drum is further preferably provided with lifting ribs.

Technical Effects of the invention

[0015] According to the present invention described above, the washings can be thrown between the first washing drum and the second washing drum and into the second washing drum. The electric motor can be activated in a state that the first washing drum is fully filled with water to rotate the second washing drum and the circular plate portion and to generate a water flow in the first washing drum through the stirring wings, thereby cleaning the washings. In addition, in the state that the washed washings are accommodated in the second washing drum, the second washing drum is rotated while the water is discharged, thereby centrifugally dewatering the washings. In this way, the washing machine of the present invention is not only a novel structure that is not provided to date, but also can perform appropriate washing operation. It can allow a hand to enter the first washing drum from an upper side so as to directly clean the inner circumferential surface of the first washing drum and the outer circumferential surface of the second washing drum, thereby simply and reliably removing the stains and molds on the outer circumferential surface of the second washing drum serving as the dewatering drum. In addition, the first washing drum also functions as the main body frame and the outer drum of the existing washing machine, the second washing drum also serves as the dewatering drum, and the second washing drum is integrally formed with the circular plate portion. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a double-layer structure that the second washing drum is configured in the first washing drum, without the needs of arranging a three-layer structure like the existing washing machine or suspending the components by using the suspension rod. In addition, the second washing drum and the circular plate portion can be driven to rotate by one electric motor. Therefore, the washing machine of the present invention can reduce the common used components and an invalid space in the washing machine body, can greatly increase the assembling efficiency and the space efficiency during manufacture, and can eliminate the abnormal noise caused by the contact of the components when activating the dewatering.

[0016] In addition, according to the present invention, since at least one portion of the first washing drum is formed by a transparent member, the user can clearly confirmed the states of the stain on the inner circumferential surface of the first washing drum and the outer circumferential surface of the second washing drum from the outside of the washing machine body, so that the user can simply and appropriately determine when to clean the washing drum according to his/her own judgment.

[0017] Particularly, according to the present invention, since the side wall of the first washing drum is formed by a plurality of transparent glass materials, compared with a situation that the first washing drum is formed by, for example, resin, the stains are difficult to attach, and the washings are difficult to damage even if the washings are rubbed during the washing treatment. In addition, the first washing drum with a great diameter can be manufactured by connecting the plurality of transparent glass materials through the water sealing portions, without particular customization, achieving the washing machine with low cost and large one-time washing capacity.

[0018] Further, according to the present invention, since the lifting ribs are provided, the washings in the first washing drum are rubbed by the lifting ribs, increasing the washing force.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] 

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a washing machine according to embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section view illustrating the same washing machine;

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the same washing machine; and

Fig. 4 is an exploded side view illustrating the same washing machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to drawings.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a vertical washing machine 1 (hereinafter called "washing machine") according to embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section view illustrating the washing machine 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the washing machine 1. Fig. 4 is an exploded side view illustrating the washing machine 1.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, the washing machine 1 includes a washing machine body 2, an upper cover 7, a water supply unit 8, a water discharge unit 9 and a control unit 65. In addition, a top surface of such the washing machine 1 is provided with a control board (not shown) having an operation start button for example. It shall be noted that the water supply unit 8, the water discharge unit 9 and the control unit 65 are not shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, the washing machine body 2 has a first washing drum 3, a second washing drum 4, a circular plate portion 5, a driving unit 6, and a foot box 75.

[0024] The first washing drum 3 has a closed bottomed cylindrical shape with an upper opening, can store water therein, and can form the housing of the washing machine body 2 as shown in Fig. 1. In addition, the first washing drum 3 is configured in such a way that a first accommodating space S1 is formed between the first washing drum 3 and the second washing drum 4, in which the washings can be stored when opening the upper cover 7. A detailed structure of the first washing drum 3 is described later.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3, the second washing drum 4 has a closed bottomed cylindrical shape and is formed in such a manner that a length in an axial direction and a diameter are smaller than those of the first washing drum 3. Specifically, the diameter of the second washing drum 4 is configured to be about one third to half of the diameter of the first washing drum 3. In addition, the length of the second washing drum 4 in the axial direction is configured to be about half to four fifths of the length of the first washing drum 3 in the axis direction. The second washing drum 4 inside the first washing drum 3 is configured on a concentric circle of the first washing drum 3 in a freely rotating manner at a specified interval from an inner circumferential surface of the first washing drum 3.

[0026] The second washing drum 4 is configured in such a way that a second accommodating space S2 (as shown in Fig. 2) capable of accommodating the washings is formed inside the second washing drum 4 in which the washings can be stored and fetched when opening the upper cover 7. In addition, the second washing drum 4 also serves as a dewatering drum, and a plurality of water through holes 41 are disposed at its side wall. Therefore, when the second washing drum 4 rotates in a state of accommodating the wetted washings, the washings are centrifugally dewatered, and then the water flows out of the second washing drum 4 via the water through holes 41.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, the circular plate portion (impeller) 5 is integrally formed with the second washing drum 4, and has an approximately circular-plate-shaped circular plate portion body 50 extending radially outwardly from a bottom 4a of the second washing drum 4 and a plurality of (4 in the present embodiment) stirring wings 52 formed on the top surface of the circular plate portion body 50. The stirring wings 52 extend radially outwardly of the second washing drum 4 from the bottom 4a of the second washing drum 4 to the outer circumferential end portion of the circular plate portion body 50, and are disposed in a circumferential direction of the circular plate portion body 50 at equal intervals. The stirring wings 52 stir the water stored in the first washing drum 3 through the water supply unit 8 shown in Fig. 2 so as to generate a water flow.

[0028] Herein, in the existing washing machine, compared with a central portion that a plurality of blades are radially erected from the center of the dewatering drum, an outer side portion of the impeller located on the radial outer side has a greater force for stirring the water and the washings, and contributes more to wash the washings. In the present embodiment, the circular plate portion 5 of the washing machine 1 is only formed by a portion corresponding to the outer side portion of the existing impeller. The washing machine 1 generates a strong water flow in the first accommodating space S1 and can contribute a washing force which is as high as the existing washing machine.

[0029] The driving unit 6 shown in Fig. 2 includes an electric motor 61, and is configured below the first washing drum 3 and the second washing drum 4. The electric motor 61 rotates a driving shaft 60 extending and protruding towards the bottom 4a of the second washing drum 4, rotates the second washing drum 4 and the circular plate portion 5 integrally at a high speed, and applies a driving force that rotates the washings and water accommodated in the first washing drum 3 and the second washing drum 4. In the present embodiment, a direct driving motor (DDM) is used as the electric motor 61. An operation of the driving unit 6 is controlled by the control unit 65 adopting an inverter. In addition, the control unit 65 also outputs control signals Sa and Sb to control the water supply of the water supply unit 8 and the water discharge of the water discharge unit 9, respectively.

[0030] The foot box 75 is a cylindrical member having a diameter identical with the first washing drum 3, and an upper end portion of the foot box is fixed to a washing drum bottom 34 described below. The foot box 75 functions as a foot of the washing machine 1. The above driving unit 6 is accommodated in the foot box 75.

[0031] The upper cover 7 can be opened and closed relative to the washing machine body 2, as shown in Fig. 3. The upper cover 7 has a substantially circular plate shaped cover body 70, and a handrail portion 71 installed on a central portion of the top surface of the cover main body 70. When the upper cover 7 is closed, an overhang portion 72 extending downwards from an edge portion of the cover main body 70 contacts the inner circumferential surface of a top panel 33 described below, and the opening of the washing machine body 2 can be closed as shown in Fig. 1.

[0032] In the washing machine 1 of the present invention as described above, the closed bottomed cylindrical second washing drum 4 serving as the dewatering drum is configured in the closed bottomed cylindrical first washing drum 3 forming the housing of the washing machine body 2 in a freely rotating manner. The second washing drum 4 is integrally formed with the circular plate portion 5 with stirring wings 52 extending radially outwardly from the bottom portion 4a of the second washing drum 4, and is driven to rotate together with the circular plate portion 5 by the electric motor 61.

[0033] Therefore, the user can throw the washings into the first accommodating space S1 formed between the first washing drum 3 and the second washing drum 4 and the second accommodating space S2 formed inside the second washing drum 4, can activate the electric motor 61 in a state that the first washing drum 3 is fully filled with water to rotate the second washing drum 4 and the circular plate portion 5 and to generate a water flow in the first washing drum 3 through the stirring wings 52, thereby cleaning the washings. In addition, in the state that the washed washings are accommodated in the second washing drum 4, the second washing drum 4 can be rotated while the water is discharged, thereby centrifugally dewatering the washings.

[0034] In this way, the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment is not only a novel structure that is not provided to date as shown in Fig. 1, but also can perform the appropriate washing treatment. It can allow a hand to enter the first washing drum 3 from the upper side so as to directly clean the inner circumferential surface of the first washing drum 3 and the outer circumferential surface of the second washing drum, thereby simply and reliably removing stains and molds on the outer circumferential surface of the second washing drum serving as the dewatering drum.

[0035] In addition, the first washing drum 3 functions as the main body frame and the outer drum of the existing washing machine, the second washing drum 4 also serves as the dewatering drum, and the second washing drum 4 is integrally formed with the circular plate portion 5. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a double-layer structure that the second washing drum 4 is configured in the first washing drum 3, without the needs of arranging a three-layer structure like the existing washing machine or suspending the components by using the suspension rod. In addition, the second washing drum 4 and the circular plate portion 5 can be driven to rotate by one electric motor 61. Therefore, the washing machine 1 can reduce the common used components and the invalid space in the washing machine body 2, can greatly increase the assembling efficiency and the space efficiency during manufacture, and can eliminate the abnormal noise caused by the contact of the components when activating the dewatering.

[0036] Further, a strong water flow is generated by the stirring wings 52 in the first accommodating space S1 between the first washing drum 3 and the second washing drum 4. On the other hand, since the water flow generated in the second accommodating space S2 inside the second washing drum 4 is weaker than the water flow generated in the first accommodating space S1, the clothes, such as thin clothes, easy to damage can also be thrown into the second accommodating space S2to be washed separately. That is, the second washing drum 4 capable of generating a water flow different from a water flow in the first washing drum 3 can be used as a separately washing drum.

[0037] The first washing drum 3 forming the washing machine 1 as described above is described below in detail.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3, the first washing drum 3 is formed by the following portions, i.e., transparent glass materials 31 serving as a plurality of (3 in the present embodiment) transparent members, a plurality of (3 in the present embodiment) water sealing portions (columns) 32 for connecting the transparent glass materials 31, a cylindrical top panel 33 installed on the upper ends of the transparent glass materials 31 and the water sealing portions 32, and the washing drum bottom 34.

[0039] In this way, since at least one portion of the first washing drum 3 is formed by the transparent members, the user can clearly confirm the state of the stain on the inner circumferential surface of the first washing drum 3 and the outer circumferential surface of the second washing drum 4 from the outer side of the washing machine body 2, so that the user can simply and appropriately determine when to clean the washing drums 3 and 4 according to his/her own judgment. In addition, after the drum is washed, the user can simply confirm the detachment of the stains. Further, since a situation (state) of the washings being washed can be confirmed from the outside of the washing machine body 2, the user can adjust a water level when the washings are washed, and can confirm the turbidity of the water when the washings are rinsed.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 3, the transparent glass materials 31 are in a shape of a substantially rectangle bent leftwards and rightwards into an arc shape in a cross section direction. For preventing water leakage, two ends in the left-right direction and a lower end are covered by a gasket 31a.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 4, the water sealing portion 32 is a platy member with an up-down size longer than an up-down size of the transparent glass materials 31. An enlarged concave portion 32b shown in Fig. 3 is formed at both ends of the water sealing portion 32 in the left-right direction. The end portions in the left-right direction of the transparent glass materials 31 covered by the gasket 31a are inserted into the concave portions 32b. In addition, insertion holes 32a through which a fastener b such as a screw passes are formed in both ends in the up-down direction of the water sealing portion 32. An upper end of the water sealing portion 32 is fixed to the top panel 33, and a lower end of the water sealing portion 32 is fixed to the washing drum bottom 34.

[0042] The top panel 33 is configured to be a cylindrical member in such a way that the concave portion 33c (referring to Fig. 2) is formed on a lower end surface for inserting the upper end portion of the transparent glass materials 31 therein. On the outer circumferential surface of such a top panel 33, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, a plurality of (3 in the present embodiment) installation concave portions 33a facing downwards are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Fastening holes 33b such as threaded holes are formed in each installation concave portion 33a. In a state that the upper end portion of the water sealing portion 32 is embedded in the installation concave portion 33a, the fasteners b pass through the insertion holes 32a and the fastening holes 33b so that the water sealing portion 32 is fixed to the top panel 33. The above transparent glass materials 31, the water sealing portions 32 and the top panel 33 form a side wall of the first washing drum 3.

[0043] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the washing drum bottom 34 has a substantially bowl shape with a central portion sunken into a circular shape. A concave portion 34d (referring to Fig. 2) is formed in the upper end surface of the washing drum bottom 34 for inserting the lower end portion of the transparent glass materials 31 therein. In addition, fastening portions 34a are formed on the outer side surface of the washing drum bottom 34 corresponding to the installation concave portions 33a of the top panel 33, and fastening holes 34b are formed in each fastening portion 34a. In a state that the lower end of the water sealing portion 32 is overlapped with the fastening portion 34a, the fasteners b pass through the insertion holes 32a and the fastening holes 34b so that the water sealing portion 32 is fixed to the washing drum bottom 34. A water discharge hole 34c shown in Fig. 3 is formed in the washing drum bottom 34, and the washing water in the first washing drum 3 is discharged out of the apparatus through the water discharge unit 9 (referring to Fig. 2) via the water discharge hole 34c.

[0044] In this way, the side wall of the first washing drum 3 is formed in such a way that the plurality of transparent glass materials 31 are connected by the water sealing portions 32 in the circumferential direction and the upper lower ends of the transparent glass materials 31 are fixed by the top panel 33 or the washing drum bottom 34, and is manufactured by the transparent glass materials segmented into three portions.

[0045] In this way, since the side wall of the first washing drum 3 is formed by the transparent glass materials 31, compared with the situation that the side wall of the first washing drum 3 is formed by, for example, resin, the stain is difficult to attach, and the washings are difficult to damage, even if the washings are rubbed during washing treatment. In addition, the first washing drum 3 with a great diameter can be manufactured by connecting the plurality of transparent glass materials 31 through the water sealing portions 32, without particular customization, achieving the washing machine 1 with low cost and large one-time washing capacity.

[0046] It shall be noted that the specific structure of each portion is not limited to above embodiments.

[0047] For example, the following structure may also be provided, i.e., lifting ribs 10 extending in the up-down direction as shown by utilizing phantom lines in Fig. 1 are disposed on multiple positions of the outer circumferential surface of the second washing drum 4 in the circumferential direction. Or the following structure may also be provided, i.e., the lifting ribs 10 are disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the fist washing drum 3, or disposed on both the outer circumferential surface of the second washing drum 4 and the inner circumferential surface of the first washing drum 3.

[0048] If the lifting ribs 10 are disposed on at least one of the inner circumferential surface of the first washing drum 3 and the outer circumferential surface of the second washing drum 4, the lifting ribs 10 are rubbed with the washings, increasing the washing force.

[0049] In addition, in the present embodiment, although the side wall of the first washing drum 3 is formed by the plurality of transparent glass materials 31 and the water sealing portions 32, the side wall of the first washing drum 3 can also be formed by the cylindrical transparent glass materials. That is, the first washing drum 3 can also be a cylindrical integrated drum, without providing the water sealing portion 32, and improving the water leakage.

[0050] In addition, in the present embodiment, although at least one portion of the first washing drum 3 is formed by the transparent glass materials 31 serving as the transparent member, the first washing drum 3 can also be formed by a non-transparent member, and an internal structure cannot be visually observed from the outside of the washing machine. Further, the washing machine is not limited to utilize the transparent glass materials 31 as the transparent member, and can also use the transparent member such as polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET), polyethylene glycol naphthalate (PEN), and polycarbonate (PC).

[0051] Further, in the present embodiment, although the water through holes 41 are distributed almost on the whole side wall of the second washing drum 4, the water through holes 41 may be only formed in the upper portion of the second washing drum 4. In this case, during dewatering, the water naturally rises along the inner circumferential surface of the second washing drum 4 due to the rotation of the second washing drum 4 and is discharged out of the drum via the water through holes 41 only forming in the upper portion of the second washing drum 4.

[0052] Furthermore, the structure of the upper cover 7 is not limited to the above structure, and can also be a foldable cover or dual covers, for example.

[0053] Other various structures can be made without departing from a scope of a spirit of the present invention.

List of reference numerals:

[0054] 

1: washing machine;

2: washing machine body;

3: first washing drum;

4: second washing drum;

5: circular plate portion;

10: lifting ribs;

31: transparent glass material (transparent member);

32: water sealing portion;

52: stirring wing; and

61: electric motor.

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising:

a closed bottomed cylindrical first washing drum forming a housing of a washing machine body and having an upper opening;

a closed bottomed cylindrical second washing drum disposed in a specified interval from an inner circumferential surface of the first washing drum and inside the first washing drum in a freely rotating manner and serving as a dewatering drum;

a circular plate portion having stirring wings extending radially outwardly of the second washing drum and integrally formed with the second washing drum; and

an electric motor driving the second washing drum and the circular plate portion to rotate together.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein
at least one portion of the first washing drum is formed by a transparent member.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein
a side wall of the first washing drum is formed by a plurality of transparent glass materials connected by water sealing portions in the circumferential direction.

4. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein
at least one of the inner circumferential surface of the first washing drum and the outer circumferential surface of the second washing drum is provided with lifting ribs.

Drawing