DRUM TYPE WASHING MACHINE
A drum type washing machine of the present invention includes a cylindrical rotary drum with a bottom that has a first opening in the front side, a water tub with a second opening corresponding to the first opening, a motor for rotating the rotary drum, and a water circulating passage for pouring out washing water to a circulating passage connected to the water tub and pouring in the washing water to the rotary drum by a circulating pump so as to circulate the washing water. The rotary drum is installed in the water tub such that its rotating axis direction is set horizontal or tilted downward from the front to the back, which is the bottom part, with respect to the horizontal direction. The water circulating passage includes a headrace where the washing water passes, a nozzle provided in the headrace for discharging the washing water, and a flow path connected to the nozzle for discharging the washing water discharged from the nozzle into the rotary drum. The headrace is configured with a front wall of the water tub and a cover attached to the front wall of the water tub. The nozzle is configured between the cover and the front wall of the water tub.
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The present invention relates to drum type washing machines that include a cylindrical rotary drum with a bottom that wash the laundry in the rotary drum by rotating the rotary drum. The rotary drum is installed in a water tub such that its rotating axis direction is tilted downward from the front with an opening to the back, which is the bottom, with respect to the horizontal level or horizontal direction.
BACKGROUND ARTIn this type of washing machine, a drum type washing machine with a circulating function to circulate washing water in a water tub with a circulating pump is disclosed. (For example, PTL 1 and PTL 2.)
In PTL 1, a circulating means pours the washing water into the rotary drum from the front side toward the center of the rotary drum via multiple jet holes provided at slightly different angles on a nozzle, so as to efficiently wash a large load of laundry.
In PTL 2, a pump casing of the circulating pump has two nozzles that alternate their discharge from clockwise to counterclockwise according to the direction of rotation of the pump impellers so that direction of poured washing water changes during washing and rinsing corresponding to the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the rotary drum.
In the water circulation technology disclosed in PTL 1, however, the nozzles are attached to packing on the front face of the drum or between the front door and the drum. This tends to catch the laundry inside the rotary drum, resulting in damages to the laundry.
In the water circulation technology disclosed in PTLs 1 and 2, a hose is used as a headrace from the pump discharge to the nozzle. This increases the number of components and materials required to secure reliability against shaking of the rotary drum while rotating, caused by the hose itself or unbalanced laundry during washing, rinsing, and spin-drying. Defects also occur in vibration isolation.
PTL 1 Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication H10-127978 PTL 2 Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2008-073128 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention offers a drum type washing machine with high washing performance that adopts a highly-reliable and simple configuration. When circulating the water in a water tub using a circulating pump, the present invention increases the efficiency of discharge of circulating water from a circulating pump to laundry in a rotary drum via a discharge passage.
The drum type washing machine of the present invention includes a cylindrical rotary drum with a bottom and a first opening in the front side, a water tub with a second opening corresponding to the first opening, a motor for rotating the rotary drum, and a water circulating passage. The water circulating passage circulates the washing water in the water tub by making outflow of the washing water to a circulating passage connected to the water tub and thence inflow of the washing water to the rotary drum, driven by the circulating pump. The rotary drum is installed in the water tub such that its rotating axis is set horizontal or tilted downward from the front to the back, which is the bottom part, with respect to the horizontal direction. The water circulating passage includes a headrace through which the water passes, a nozzle provided in the headrace for discharging the washing water, and a flow path connected to the nozzle for discharging the washing water discharged from the nozzle to inside the rotary drum. The headrace is configured with a front wall of the water tub and a cover attached to the front wall of the water tub. The nozzle is positioned between the cover and the front wall of the water tub.
The drum type washing machine of the present invention has the nozzle configured with the cover and an inner wall of the water tub. This enables pouring of the washing water to the laundry inside the rotary drum without employing a nozzle with special shape or configuration that risks catching the laundry inside the rotary drum. Accordingly, the laundry can be washed highly efficiently by the jet of washing water without damaging the laundry.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to drawings. However, a scope of the present invention is not limited to the description below.
First Exemplary EmbodimentThe drum type washing machine in this exemplary embodiment is a drum type washer and dryer that automatically controls motor 6, supply system 7, drain system 8, and drying system 9 shown in
Water supply system 7 supplies water as appropriate indicated by an arrow in solid line by opening and closing a solenoid valve (not illustrated). Detergent in a detergent case (not illustrated) can also be provided to water tub 3 as appropriate by using water supply. Drain system 8 can drain water in water tub 3 as indicated by an arrow in dotted line by opening and closing drain valve 19 when required such as when the washing step or rinsing step is completed. Water circulating passage 16 repeats vacuuming up the washing water in water tub 3 and returning the washing water into water tub 3 via discharge passage 16b using circulating pump 20.
Modes such as operation courses and functions are selected by input to control panel 21 provided on the front top face of body 2. Control system 22 controls a display on control panel 21 based on information input to control panel 21, and provides information to the user by a range of indications. If an operation start is set using an input setting part of control panel 21, a water detector for detecting a water level in water tub 3 outputs data to control system 22, and driving starts. Then, control system 22 controls the operation typically of the drain valve and supply valve, and execute operations such as washing, spin-drying, and drying.
Main opening 2b is provided on the front side (left side in
Driving modes of rotary drum 4 include a forward reverse arc rotary drive mode and a forward reverse continuous rotary drive mode. The forward reverse arc rotary drive mode is a mode that alternately repeats fast forward arc rotation and fast reverse arc rotation of rotary drum 4 at a rotating angle between 90° and 180° . The forward reverse continuous rotary drive mode is a mode that alternately repeats forward and reverse continuous rotations of rotary drum 4 at a rotating speed exceeding the centrifugal force developed by the rotation of rotary drum 4 acting on own weight of laundry tossed up by the rotation of rotary drum 4.
In the washing step, or washing step and rinsing step, the forward reverse arc rotary drive mode and the forward reverse continuous rotary drive mode are executed alternately. During the forward reverse arc rotary drive mode, fast-speed arc rotation in a rotating-angle range between 90° and 180° and sudden breaking are applied to rotary drum 4. This enables lifting of the laundry at a rotating angle over 90° up to 180° . In addition, by sudden breaking at the last stage of lifting laundry, the laundry is reliably removed from the inner face of rotary drum 4 by its inertia and own weight, and dropped to the side horizontally opposite to the lifted side. Accordingly, a particularly high disentanglement effect can be applied to the laundry that is fully swollen by containing the washing water, and also loosened and slippery. Still more, a mechanical force that can be applied to the laundry increases the washing performance. Still more, the lifting position and dropping position of laundry can be switched horizontally every time during arc rotary drive by alternately repeating the fast forward arc rotation in the forward direction and the fast reverse arc rotation in the reverse direction. This can further increase the disentanglement effect while further preventing entangling of the laundry. In addition, the number of times of mechanical force applied to the laundry can be increased, improving the washing performance. Furthermore, a high disentanglement effect suppresses entangling of clothes that may occur in the course of washing and rinsing steps. Accordingly, effective beat-wash is continuously executed in the forward reverse arc rotary drive mode, so as to increase the washing effect and rinsing effect.
However, although entangling, twisting, and wrinkling of laundry can be reduced, vertical positions of laundry hardly change if only the forward reverse arc rotary drive mode is executed. Laundry at the bottom of rotary drum 4 does not move so much. This tends to cause uneven washing of laundry, but it can be improved by also executing the forward reverse continuous rotary drive mode. In other words, the forward reverse continuous rotary drive mode can change vertical positions of laundry and reduce entangling, twisting, and wrinkling of laundry. This mode can also reduce imbalanced application of mechanical force to the laundry that may occur in the forward reverse arc rotary drive mode. In other words, by using both forward reverse arc rotary drive mode and forward reverse continuous rotary drive mode, two different behaviors can be given to the laundry during washing and rinsing. More specifically, the forward reverse arc rotary drive mode reduces entangling, twisting, and wrinkling of laundry and also gives firm hand-washing behavior to the laundry. On the other hand, the forward reverse continuous rotary drive mode reduces imbalanced washing by continuously and broadly moving the laundry during washing to give a washing behavior effective for heavily and evenly soiled clothes.
Circulating pump 20 is fixed on base plate 2a. Discharge passage 16b from circulating pump 20 in water circulating passage 16 extends toward the front of body 2 where second opening 13 of water tub 3 exists. More specifically, as shown in
Water circulating passage 16 includes headrace 55b where the washing water passes, nozzle 55d provided in the headrace for discharging the washing water, and flow path 52 connected to nozzle 55d for discharging the washing water discharged from nozzle 55d into the rotary drum. As shown in
The lower end of expanded portion 3a is connected to one end of connecting part 51 extending horizontally. The other end of connecting part 51 is connected to discharge passage 16b of water circulating passage 16. The washing water can thus run from discharge passage 16b to headrace 55b.
Cover 55 also covers connecting space 51a of connecting part 51 between pipe (discharge passage 16b) from circulating pump 20 and headrace 55b. Since cover 55 also covers connecting space 51a of connecting part 51, restrictions on position or structure of connecting part 51, due to design factors or mold structure, can be easily solved.
Notch 55c without sealing structure is formed at left and right of an upper end of substantially Y-shaped cover 55, respectively. This forms nozzle 55d with opening extending in the circumferential direction between notch 55c and a corresponding rear face (inner face) of front wall 3h of water tub 3. Nozzles 55d are provided in an end part to the left and right of headrace 55b, respectively, with respect to a line passing the center of first opening 54 of rotary drum 4 that is perpendicular to an installation face.
The washing water pressurized by circulating pump 20 reaches headrace 55b from connecting part 51 via discharge passage 16b of water circulating passage 16. The washing water reaching headrace 55b is poured from nozzle 55b to between the rear face (inner face) of front wall 3h of water tub 3 and a corresponding outer face of front wall 4b of rotary drum 4. The washing water is then discharged into rotary drum 4 through flow path 52 formed by the rear face (inner face) of front wall 3h of water tub 3 and the outer face of front wall 4b of rotary drum 4.
Nozzle 55d is opened in a direction of a central rotating axis of rotary drum 4, as shown in
Front wall 3h also includes tilt face 3h1 tilted to the back of body 2 toward the inner circumferential direction of the washing machine from a position corresponding to nozzle 55d. Furthermore, guide face 52 extends in tilted manner from an end of this tilt face 3h1 at inside the washing machine (right side in
As shown in
The tilt angle described above also affects how poured washing water spreads in rotary drum 4. If the tilt angle is small, (e.g., the case of configuration shown in
In addition, as shown in
However, the opening width of nozzle 55d is not limited to above D1 or D2. Any width can be set as appropriate.
The above configuration enables pouring of water from nozzles 55d in different widths and volumes, and the washing water is discharged toward the back (bottom side of rotary drum) of rotary drum 4 along guide face 56, and through jet hole 53 and first opening 54 of rotary drum 4. Accordingly, the flow volume and spreading angle of the washing water can be set optimally in response to a capacity of laundry. The washing effect can thus be increased, and also the washing water can be efficiently supplied to the laundry to achieve water conservation.
Still more, as shown in
Furthermore, as shown in
The center of discharge (arrow d) of nozzle 55d to the left of the body (left side in
Furthermore, as shown in
Furthermore, as shown in
The above configuration enables pouring of the washing water from multiple jet holes 53 at different jet angles with respect to the central rotating axis of rotary drum 4, and also at different spreading angles for the washing water from each jet hole 53. Accordingly, an optimal jet angle of washing water can be set depending on low or high laundry load.
For example, let's say the laundry not soaked with the washing water at starting washing is voluminous and is covering jet hole 53 to the left shown in
In addition, the washing water is poured from jet hole 53 to the left in
By the above effects, detergent can effectively act on the laundry in rotary drum 4, regardless of laundry volume. Since nozzle 55d is disposed at a position not making contact with the laundry in rotary drum 4, disturbance of movement needed for washing or rinsing by catching the laundry, or damaging or tearing the laundry can be prevented. In addition, good appearance will not be degraded. The jet effect of the washing water increases by combination of vertical shuffling of laundry in the forward reverse continuous rotary drive mode and horizontal shuffling of laundry in the forward reverse arc rotary drive mode.
In the first exemplary embodiment, nozzles 55d are provided at two points to the left and right. However, it is apparent that the same effect is applicable when nozzles 55d are provided at three or more positions.
In this exemplary embodiment, one headrace 55b is provided, but multiple headraces are also acceptable.
The present invention may also include multiple headraces 55b and nozzles 55d, and those branched from circulating pump 20 may be connected to connecting part 51 of each headrace 55.
Second Exemplary EmbodimentAs shown in
The curving radius also affects spreading of spray. If the curving radius is small, a stream of washing water along tilt face 3h1 sharply changes its angle at curving of guide face 59 in an area changing from tilt face 3h1 to guide face 59. Therefore, the washing water hits against guide face 59. This condition generates a stream of water along guide face 59 and also a stream of water spreading in the circumferential direction, and thus the washing water spreads. In other words, as shown in
Accordingly, the second exemplary embodiment has an effect equivalent to that of the first exemplary embodiment.
Third Exemplary EmbodimentAs shown in
The jet angle for pouring the washing water with respect to the rotating axis of rotary drum 4 is determined by the tilt angle of guide face 61. The jet spreading angle can be determined by the curving radius of curved face 60. Therefore, the jet angle with respect to the central rotating axis and the jet spreading angle can be separately adjusted. Accordingly, the jet angle can be raised while broadening the spray spreading angle, or the jet angle can be laid while suppressing the spray spreading angle. By providing two or more shapes for curved face 60 and guide face 61, the washing water can be sprayed from each jet hole in different jet angle against the rotating axis of the rotary drum or at different spray spreading angle.
Fourth Exemplary EmbodimentAs shown in
In
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The drum type washing machine of the present invention circulates water in the water tub by the circulating pump, and discharges the water without adopting a special shape or configuration for a jet hole that may catch laundry inside the rotary drum. The washing effect can be increased by increasing the discharge efficiency of circulating water toward the laundry in the rotary drum without damaging the laundry. Accordingly, the present invention is effectively applicable typically to drum type washing machines for washing laundry in the rotary drum by rotating the cylindrical rotary drum with a bottom installed in the water tub such that its rotating axis direction is tilted downward from the front with opening to the back, which the bottom, with respect to the horizontal level or horizontal direction.
REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS
- 2 Body
- 2a Base plate
- 3 Water tub
- 3a Expanded portion
- 3h Front wall
- 3h1 Tilt face
- 4 Rotary drum
- 4b Front wall
- 5 Openable door
- 6 Motor
- 7 Water supply system
- 8 Drain system
- 9 Drying system
- 13 Second opening
- 14 Sealing material
- 16 Water circulating passage
- 16b Discharge passage
- 19 Drain valve
- 20 Circulating pump
- 20a Impeller
- 20b Pump casing
- 20c Circulating motor
- 20d Motor casing
- 20d1 Bearing rib
- 20e Motor shaft
- 21 Control panel
- 22 Control system
- 35 Attachment seat
- 51 Connecting part
- 51 a Connecting space
- 52 Flow path
- 53 Jet hole
- 54 First opening
- 55 Cover
- 55b, 55e, 55h Headrace
- 55c Notch
- 55d, 55d1, 55d2 Nozzle
- 55f Expanded portion
- 55g Welded portion
- 60, 60a, 60b, 60c Curved face
- 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 62 Guide face
- 62a, 62b Face
- 64, 64a Tilt face
- 65 Guide portion
- 66 Rib
- 67 Chamfered shape
- 68 Round shape
Claims
1. A drum type washing machine comprising:
- a cylindrical rotary drum with a bottom and a first opening in a front side;
- a water tub with a second opening corresponding to the first opening, the rotary drum being installed in the water tub such that a rotating axis direction is set horizontal or tilted downward from front to back, which is a bottom part, with respect to the horizontal level and a horizontal direction;
- a motor for rotating the rotary drum; and
- a water circulating passage for circulating washing water in the water tub by pouring out the washing water to a circulating passage connected to the water tub and pouring in the washing water to the rotary drum using a circulating pump, the water circulating passage including: a headrace where the washing water passes; a nozzle provided in the headrace for discharging the washing water; and a flow path connected to the nozzle for discharging the washing water discharged from the nozzle into the rotary drum,
- wherein
- the headrace is configured with a front wall of the water tub and a cover attached to the front wall of the water tub, and
- the nozzle is configured between the cover and the front wall of the water tub.
2. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein
- the nozzle is opened to the flow path in a predetermined circumferential range, so as to discharge the washing water toward a central rotating axis direction of the rotary drum.
3. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein
- the nozzle guides the washing water from the flow path to a jet hole for pouring the washing water into the rotary drum.
4. The drum type washing machine of claim 3, wherein
- the jet hole is formed between an outer face of a front wall of the rotary drum and an inner face of the front wall of the water tub, the jet hole pouring the washing water into the rotary drum toward a back side and a central axis direction of the rotary drum.
5. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein
- an inner face of the front wall of the water tub forming the flow path has a curved face that is curved toward the rotary drum.
6. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein
- an inner face of the front wall of the water tub forming the flow path has a tilt face that is tilted toward the rotary drum.
7. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein
- the nozzle is one of a plurality of nozzles provided in the headrace.
8. The drum type washing machine of claim 7, wherein
- at least one of the plurality of nozzles is provided in each of the left side and the right side of the headrace with respect to a line passing the center of the opening of the rotary drum, the line being perpendicular to an installation face.
9. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein the headrace and the nozzle are respective ones of a plurality of headraces and a plurality of nozzles.
10. The drum type washing machine of claim 9, wherein
- the plurality of nozzles are disposed at the left and right ends of the headrace with respect to a line passing the center of the opening of the rotary drum, the line being perpendicular to an installation face.
11. The drum type washing machine of claim 8, wherein
- the plurality of nozzles have at least two types of positional angles, respectively, with respect to a line passing the center of the opening of the rotary drum, the line being perpendicular to an installation face.
12. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein
- a rear face of the front wall of the water tub near a plurality of nozzles is configured with at least two types of shapes.
13. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein
- an expanded portion is provided on the front wall of the water tub configuring the headrace, the expanded portion protruding outward from the washing machine.
14. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein
- an expanded portion is provided on the cover configuring the headrace, the expanded portion protruding inward to the washing machine.
15. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein
- the headrace is disposed in a circumferential direction with respect to the center of a circle formed by the opening of the rotary drum.
16. The drum type washing machine of claim 15, wherein
- the headrace is disposed extending in a left and right direction, as viewed toward the opening of the rotary drum.
17. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein
- the cover covers a connecting space of a connecting part between a pipe from the circulating pump to the headrace and the headrace.
18. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein
- the headrace is configured with the cover and an inner face of the front wall of the water tub, and a sealing material in between.
19. The drum type washing machine of claim 1, wherein
- the headrace is configured by welding the cover and an inner face of the front wall of the water tub.
20. The drum type washing machine of claim 10, wherein
- the plurality of nozzles have at least two types of positional angles, respectively, with respect to a line passing the center of the opening of the rotary drum, the line being perpendicular to an installation face.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 8, 2010
Publication Date: Jul 5, 2012
Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION (Kadoma-shi, Osaka)
Inventors: Tomoyuki Kikukawa (Shiga), Jun-ichi Nawama (Hyogo), Makoto Oyama (Osaka), Tsuyoshi Murao (Shiga)
Application Number: 13/394,777
International Classification: D06F 37/04 (20060101); D06F 39/08 (20060101); D06F 37/28 (20060101);