阅读说明：本技术 洗衣机 (Washing machine ) 是由 堀端裕司 河合雅弘 安藤真理子 胁田克也 池水麦平 于 2018-05-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种洗衣机(1),其包括：清洗槽(4)；加压减压部(7),其具有相对于清洗槽(4)的内部的被清洗物(2)进退自如的按压部(8)；以及膜体(41),其设于加压减压部(7)与被清洗物(2)之间,构成为能够将清洗槽(4)的内部密封。洗衣机(1)还包括用于从被清洗物(2)吸引清洗水的吸引泵(27)和用于执行洗涤工序、漂洗工序以及脱水工序的控制部(39)。洗衣机(1)在洗涤工序中通过由按压部(8)进行的按压和按压的解除来对被清洗物(2)进行按洗,在脱水工序中,利用膜体(41)按压被清洗物(2),并且利用吸引泵(27)将被清洗物(2)所含有的清洗水与清洗槽(4)的内部的空气一起吸引,从而进行被清洗物(2)的脱水。(A laundry washing machine (1) comprising: a cleaning tank (4); a pressurizing and depressurizing part (7) having a pressurizing part (8) which can freely advance and retreat relative to the object (2) to be cleaned in the cleaning tank (4); and a film body (41) which is provided between the pressurization and depressurization part (7) and the object to be cleaned (2) and is configured so as to be able to seal the interior of the cleaning tank (4). The washing machine (1) further comprises a suction pump (27) for sucking washing water from the object (2) to be washed, and a control unit (39) for executing a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dewatering process. The washing machine (1) presses and washes the washed object (2) by pressing and releasing the pressing by the pressing part (8) in the washing process, presses the washed object (2) by the membrane body (41) in the dehydration process, and sucks the washing water contained in the washed object (2) and the air in the washing tank (4) by the suction pump (27) so as to dehydrate the washed object (2).)

1. A washing machine, wherein,

The washing machine includes:

A washing tank for storing an object to be washed and washing water;

A pressing and pressure reducing section having a pressing section which is movable forward and backward with respect to the object to be cleaned in the cleaning tank;

A film body provided between the pressurizing and depressurizing unit and the object to be cleaned, and configured to seal the inside of the cleaning tank;

A suction unit for sucking the washing water from the object to be washed; and

A control part for controlling at least the pressure and pressure reducing part and the suction part to control the washing process, the rinsing process and the dewatering process,

The control unit is configured to control the operation of the motor,

in the washing step, the object to be washed is pressed and washed by the pressing part through the membrane body and releasing the pressing,

In the dehydration step, the membrane body is pressed against the object to be washed, and the washing water contained in the object to be washed is sucked together with the air inside the washing tub by the suction unit, thereby dehydrating the object to be washed.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein,

The film body has flexibility, and a convex portion is provided on an inner surface of the pressing portion side.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2,

The film body is coupled to the pressing portion and is configured to be freely advanced and retracted with respect to the object to be cleaned.

4. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

The washing machine includes an external air introduction part for introducing external air into the washing tub.

5. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

A separation mechanism for separating the cleaning water and the air sucked by the suction unit is provided between the cleaning tank and the suction unit.

Technical Field

the present disclosure relates to a washing machine for washing laundry such as clothes.

Background

As a conventional washing machine, there is a so-called pulsator washing machine which agitates laundry such as clothes in a spin basket to wash the laundry. In addition, there is a so-called drum-type washing machine that lifts laundry in a spin basket and drops the laundry from above to perform a beat-wash.

These washing machines are all washing machines that apply mechanical force to laundry to wash the laundry. In addition, the dehydration of the washed laundry is generally performed by so-called centrifugal dehydration in which moisture is separated from the laundry by a centrifugal force generated by high-speed rotation of a rotating tub (for example, see patent document 1).

These washing machines, which perform washing by applying mechanical force to the laundry, are particularly unsuitable for washing the laundry as follows: laundry which is likely to be damaged, laundry which is likely to be deformed due to entanglement and pulling of the laundry, laundry which is likely to be deteriorated in hand feeling, and the like. The laundry which is easily deteriorated in hand feeling means laundry which is usually washed by hand, for example, woollen knitwear such as sweater and lappet sweater, woolen textiles, and scarves of delicate materials made of very fine fibers. Further, centrifugal force dewatering is not suitable for dewatering the washed laundry.

Centrifugal dewatering has the advantage of high dewatering efficiency, but has the problem of large vibration and noise caused by high-speed rotation of the rotary tank. In order to reduce vibration and noise during dehydration, a washing machine and a dehydration device have been proposed which attract water from laundry and perform dehydration (see, for example, patent documents 2 to 4).

Fig. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing the structure of a conventional washing machine.

As shown in fig. 8, the full-automatic drum-type washing machine disclosed in patent document 2 sucks air in a drum 51 and also sucks moisture from laundry 52. The washing machine is provided with a suction body 54 covering the outer circumferential wall of the drum 51 and communicating with the water injection holes 53 of the drum 51, and the laundry 52 is dehydrated by sucking water contained in the laundry 52 stuck to the inner circumferential wall of the drum 51 by the suction body 54 by a suction pump 55.

Fig. 9 shows a washing machine disclosed in patent document 3. The inside of the washing and dehydrating tub 62 sealed by the inner lid 61 is depressurized to suck and dehydrate the moisture of the laundry 63. The washing machine is provided with an inner lid 61, and the inner lid 61 is movable between a door 64 of a washing and dehydrating tub 62 and laundry 63 supported on a dehydrating surface 66 provided with a dehydrating opening 65. By the suction device 67 functioning, the inner lid 61 is brought into close contact with the laundry 63, and the periphery of the laundry 63 is exhausted and drained. Thereby dehydrating the laundry 63.

in the dehydration apparatus described in patent document 4, the pressure in the lower space of the washing tank is reduced by the pressure reducing device, and the pressing portion provided at the lower end of the bellows-shaped expansion portion is moved downward. The laundry is pressed and compressed by this, and dehydration is performed.

However, the conventional washing machine described in patent document 2 has the following problems: since the moisture of the laundry 52 is sucked while the air in the drum 51 is sucked, the dehydration is not uniform. In general, in the case of suction dehydration, an air flow passes through a flow path with the least resistance. Thus, as the dehydration progresses, a short-circuit path without washing water is formed between the laundry structures, and thus the air flow is concentrated on the short-circuit path. Particularly, in the case where a thick knitted fabric (a knitted fabric of a knitting yarn, a pile fabric, or the like) having many gaps is constructed in the clothes, there is a problem that unevenness of dehydration is remarkable and it is difficult to uniformly dehydrate the whole.

In the conventional washing machine described in patent document 3, when the laundry 63 is compressed by the inner lid 61, the volume of the fibers of the laundry 63 changes, and water contained in the fibers flows out of the fibers. The water flowing out of the laundry 63 is discharged from a dewatering opening 65 provided in a dewatering surface 66 supporting the laundry 63. However, the water flowing out between the fibers remains inside the laundry 63, and thus there is a problem of low dewatering performance.

Disclosure of Invention

the present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and an object to be washed that is not suitable for washing or wringing by applying a mechanical force is preferably washed and dewatered without applying a mechanical force such as twisting.

The washing machine of the present disclosure includes: a washing tank for storing an object to be washed and washing water; a pressurizing and depressurizing unit having a pressing unit that can move forward and backward with respect to the object to be cleaned inside the cleaning tank; and a film body provided between the pressurizing and depressurizing unit and the object to be cleaned, and configured to be capable of sealing the inside of the cleaning tank. The washing machine further includes: a suction unit for sucking the washing water from the object to be washed; and a control unit for controlling at least the pressure and pressure reducing unit and the suction unit to control the washing step, the rinsing step, and the dewatering step. The control unit is configured to press and wash the object to be washed through the pressing unit via the membrane body in the washing step and release the pressing in the dewatering step, and to suck the washing water contained in the object to be washed together with the air in the washing tank by the suction unit to dewater the object to be washed.

According to this configuration, the object to be cleaned can be uniformly pressed, and the cleaning water from the object to be cleaned can be sucked together with the air inside the cleaning tank. Thus, the object to be washed, which is not suitable for washing or squeezing by applying a mechanical force, can be satisfactorily dehydrated without applying a mechanical force such as twisting. Further, the object to be cleaned can be pressed and cleaned without stirring the object to be cleaned, and the object to be cleaned which is not suitable for being cleaned by applying mechanical force can be cleaned while preventing damage to the cloth and deformation of the cloth, and improving the cleaning effect.

The washing machine of the present disclosure can satisfactorily wash and dehydrate an object to be washed which is not suitable for washing or wringing by applying a mechanical force without applying a mechanical force such as torsion.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present disclosure in a state where the cover is opened.

Fig. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present disclosure during washing.

Fig. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present disclosure during washing.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present disclosure when dehydrating.

Fig. 5 is a timing chart showing an operation at the time of spin-drying in the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an operation of the washing machine according to modification 1 of the embodiment of the present disclosure during washing.

Fig. 7A is a schematic diagram showing an operation performed when washing is performed by the washing machine according to modification 2 of the present embodiment.

fig. 7B is a schematic diagram showing an operation performed when washing is performed by the washing machine according to modification 2 of the present embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a structure of a conventional washing machine.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing another configuration of a conventional washing machine.

Detailed Description

The washing machine of the 1 st aspect of the present disclosure includes: a washing tank for storing an object to be washed and washing water; a pressurizing and depressurizing unit having a pressing unit that can move forward and backward with respect to the object to be cleaned inside the cleaning tank; and a film body provided between the pressurizing and depressurizing unit and the object to be cleaned, and configured to be capable of sealing the inside of the cleaning tank. The washing machine further includes: a suction unit for sucking the washing water from the object to be washed; and a control unit for controlling at least the pressure and pressure reducing unit and the suction unit to control the washing step, the rinsing step, and the dewatering step. The control unit is configured to press and wash the object to be washed through the pressing unit via the membrane body in the washing step and release the pressing in the dewatering step, and to suck the washing water contained in the object to be washed together with the air in the washing tank by the suction unit to dewater the object to be washed.

According to this configuration, the object to be cleaned can be pressed, and washing, rinsing, and dewatering can be performed satisfactorily without applying a mechanical force such as twisting to the object to be cleaned which is not suitable for washing or wringing by applying a mechanical force. In particular, in the dehydration step, the object to be washed is pressed and simultaneously the washing water from the object to be washed is sucked together with the air inside the washing tub, so that the object to be washed which is not suitable for washing or wringing by applying a mechanical force can be favorably dehydrated without applying a mechanical force such as torsion.

In the 2 nd embodiment, in the 1 st embodiment, the film body may have flexibility, and a convex portion may be provided on the inner surface of the pressing portion side.

according to this structure, the film body can be prevented from being worn and reduced in thickness due to contact between the film body and the pressing portion. This enables stable washing performance, rinsing performance, and dewatering performance to be maintained for a long period of time.

In the 3 rd aspect, in the 1 st or 2 nd aspect, the film body may be connected to the pressing portion and configured to be freely advanced and retracted with respect to the object to be cleaned.

According to this configuration, when the pressing portion is further contracted, the film body is also moved in a direction away from the object to be cleaned in conjunction therewith. Therefore, the expansion and contraction of the object to be cleaned in the washing step and the rinsing step can be more easily and reliably performed, and the cleaning performance can be further improved.

In embodiment 4, in any one of embodiments 1 to 3, the washing machine may include an outside air introduction unit for introducing outside air into the washing tub.

According to this configuration, the suction unit is driven to suck the washing water from the object to be washed, and the outside air can be sent into the object to be washed. This enables more efficient and effective dewatering.

In the 5 th aspect, in any one of the 1 st to 4 th aspects, a separation mechanism for separating the wash water and the air sucked by the suction unit may be provided between the wash tank and the suction unit.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the suction force from being lowered by the sucked washing water, and to maintain a high dewatering effect even in the latter half of the dewatering process.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present disclosure is not limited by these embodiments.

(embodiment mode)

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a washing machine 1 of an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment in a state where the lid is opened. Fig. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment during washing.

In fig. 1 to 3B, the washing machine 1 includes a lower water tank 6 and an upper lid 5. The water tank section 6 includes a washing tank 4 formed in a square shape with a predetermined depth. An opening 3 (see fig. 2) is formed in the upper surface of washing tub 4, and opening 3 serves as an opening for receiving laundry 2 such as laundry. The lid body 5 is rotatably attached to the upper rear edge (right side in fig. 1) of the water tank 6 by a hinge portion 6a (see fig. 2). Lid 5 has lid 5 for opening and closing opening 3 of cleaning tub 4.

The user arranges the shape of the object 2 to be washed and stores the object in the bottom 4a of the washing tub 4. In the present embodiment, the object 2 to be washed which is likely to be deformed or damaged when washed by a normal washing machine which applies a mechanical force to the object 2 to be washed is effective, and examples of the object 2 to be washed include a woolen cloth such as a sweater and a lappet sweater, and a scarf made of a delicate material made of a very thin fiber.

A handle 5a is provided on the front surface (left side in fig. 1) of the lid body 5. The user grips the handle 5a to rotate the lid 5 in the direction of the arrow R1, and the lid 5 opens and closes the opening 3. The lid 5 is configured to be held in an open state. When closing the opening 3, the lid 5 is locked by a lock device (not shown) to keep the lid 5 in a closed state. When the lid 5 is opened, the lock device is unlocked by operating the handle 5 a.

A pressurizing and depressurizing portion 7 is provided inside the lid body 5. In the present embodiment, the pressure increasing/reducing section includes the 1 st pressure increasing/reducing section 7a and the 2 nd pressure increasing/reducing section 7b in a pair. Specifically, the 1 st pressure increasing/reducing section 7a includes a pressing section 8a, a pressure pump 10a, and an opening/closing valve 11 a. The 2 nd pressure increasing/reducing section 7b includes a pressing section 8b, a pressure pump 10b, and an opening/closing valve 11 b.

The pressure increasing and reducing sections 7a and 7b include: bag-like pressing portions 8a and 8b formed of rubber, synthetic resin, or the like in a bellows shape and having flexibility; pressure pumps 10a, 10 b; and opening/closing valves 11a and 11b for discharging the fluid supplied to the pressing portions 8a and 8 b. The pressure pumps 10a and 10b communicate with the pressing portions 8a and 8b through the hoses 9a and 9b, and supply a fluid such as gas or liquid into the pressing portions 8a and 8 b.

Hereinafter, a plurality of reference numerals a and b may be omitted unless they are particularly distinguished from each other.

the pressurizing and depressurizing portions 7a and 7b are arranged inside the lid body 5 in one direction, for example, in the front-rear direction. Pressing portions 8(8a, 8b) are attached to lid body 5 on the side of cleaning tank 4, and are provided so as to be extendable and retractable by expansion and contraction. The pressing portion 8 is configured to be movable (movable toward and away from) with respect to the object 2 to be cleaned stored in the bottom portion 4a of the cleaning tank 4. The pressing portion 8 has a pressing surface 8c for pressing the object 2 to be cleaned and a bellows-shaped expansion portion 8 d. In addition, pressing portion 8 extends to such an extent that pressing surface 8c reaches bottom portion 4a of washing tub 4.

A constant pressure opening valve (not shown) is provided in the pressure increasing/reducing portion 7, and when the inside of the pressing portion 8 reaches a predetermined pressure, the constant pressure opening valve is opened to discharge the fluid to the outside. The constant pressure opening valve is for preventing the pressing portion 8 from being pressurized beyond a predetermined pressure. In the present embodiment, the fluid supplied to the interior of the pressing portion 8 will be described as air.

A film body 41 is provided at the bottom of the lid body 5 so as to cover the pressing portion 8, and the film body 41 is made of a flexible material such as rubber or soft plastic. The film body 41 includes the pressing surfaces 8c of the pressing portions 8a and 8b from below. The film body 41 includes the stretchable portions 8d of the pressing portions 8a and 8b from the outside, and the end portions thereof are fixed to the outer peripheral lower end portion of the lid portion 5 b. The liquid-tightness is secured at the fastening portion between the end portion of the film body 41 and the outer peripheral lower end portion of the lid 5 b. An open hole 42 is provided in the lid body 5 at a position not interfering with the pressing portions 8a and 8 b. The open hole 42 does not communicate with the insides of the pressing portions 8a and 8 b. When the film body 41 changes its shape, the open hole 42 releases the air in the interior surrounded by the lid body 5 and the film body 41 to the outside.

The cover 5b is provided with a hollow packing 12 which is deformable in a ring shape outside the pressing portion 8. The gasket 12 is disposed outside the fixed portion between the end portion of the film body 41 and the cover 5 b. When the lid portion 5b is closed together with the lid body 5, the gasket 12 is in close contact with the seal portion 13. Sealing portion 13 is formed in a concave shape along the peripheral edge portion of opening 3 of cleaning tub 4. Accordingly, when lid 5b is closed, the inside of washing tub 4 becomes a liquid-tight and airtight space, and water and air do not leak from opening 3 to the outside when each step of washing, rinsing, and dewatering is performed.

Lid body 5 is provided with water supply path 16 for supplying washing water to washing tub 4. A water supply valve 14 is provided in the water supply path 16, and the water supply path 16 communicates with the inside of the washing tub 4 via a detergent box 15. Water supply valve 14 is opened to supply tap water (cleaning water) into washing tub 4, and water supply valve 14 is closed to stop supply of tap water (cleaning water) into washing tub 4.

Water level detector 17 is provided to communicate with the inside of washing tub 4. The water level detection unit 17 includes: a water level detection tank 18 having an opening at the upper part; a float 19 that moves up and down according to the water level fluctuation inside the water level detection tank 18; and a water level switch 20 which detects when the float 19 rises to a predetermined position.

A drain hole 21 for draining washing water used in a washing process or the like is formed in the bottom portion 4a of the washing tub 4. The drain hole 21 communicates with a drain path 23 provided with a drain valve 22. Drain valve 22 is opened to drain the washing water inside washing tub 4, and drain valve 22 is closed to stop the drainage of the washing water inside washing tub 4.

in addition, water tub 6 is provided with overflow path 24, and overflow path 24 is used for discharging the washing water in washing tub 4 to the outside when the water level in washing tub 4 reaches a predetermined level or higher. The overflow path 24 has an overflow hole 24a at the upper portion of the washing tub 4, and is connected to the drain path 23 on the downstream side of the drain valve 22.

A check valve (not shown) is provided in the overflow path 24. The check valve is configured to open the overflow path 24 in the discharge direction and close the overflow path 24 in the inflow direction. That is, the check valve allows the washing water flowing out of the overflow hole 24a to the overflow path 24 to pass therethrough and be discharged to the outside in the washing step and the rinsing step. In the dehydration step, when air inside washing tub 4 is sucked by suction pump 27 described later, the check valve prevents the outside air from flowing through overflow path 24 and prevents the outside air from flowing into washing tub 4.

A suction port 25 is provided at a substantially central portion (including a central portion) of the bottom portion 4a of the cleaning tank 4, and when the object 2 to be cleaned is placed inside the cleaning tank 4, the suction port 25 is covered with the object 2 to be cleaned. The dehydration path 26 is provided to communicate with the suction port 25. Further, a suction pump 27 is provided in communication with the dehydration path 26. The suction pump 27 is a suction unit for sucking the washing water from the object 2 to be washed.

An outside air introduction section 28 communicating with the inside of washing tub 4 is provided in water tub section 6. External air introducing unit 28 may be provided with an opening at a position above the water level of the washing water stored in washing tub 4. In the present embodiment, the opening is provided at an upper portion of water level detection unit 17 communicating with the interior of washing tub 4. According to this configuration, when the suction pump 27 sucks the washing water from the object 2 to be washed, the air inside the washing tub 4 is also sucked. At this time, outside air is introduced from the outside of washing tub 4 into the inside of washing tub 4 by outside air introduction section 28.

The outside air introducing portion 28 is provided with an air volume adjusting valve 29. The air volume adjusting valve 29 can adjust the introduced air volume. The air volume adjusting valve 29 has a narrow air passage area in the flow passage, such as a needle valve, and can adjust the air volume sucked by the suction pump 27. The introduced external air may be directly introduced from the outside of the washing machine 1 or may be introduced through the internal space of the washing machine 1.

A gas-liquid separation unit 30 is provided between the suction pump 27 and the dehydration path 26. The gas-liquid separator 30 is a separating mechanism for separating the cleaning water and the air sucked by the suction pump 27. The gas-liquid separation section 30 separates the air inside the cleaning tank 4 from the cleaning water sucked from the object 2 to be cleaned, and stores the sucked cleaning water in the inner bottom portion. The gas-liquid separator 30 is composed of a pressure-resistant vessel, and has a secondary-side vent 31 communicating with the dehydration passage 26 at the upper part thereof, and a primary-side vent 33 communicating with the suction pump 27 through a suction passage 32.

A barrier wall 34 is provided between the primary vent 33 and the secondary vent 31. The barrier wall 34 is formed to protrude downward from the top surface of the gas-liquid separation portion 30. The blocking wall 34 prevents the washing water sucked from the secondary side vent hole 31 into the gas-liquid separation part 30 from entering the primary side vent hole 33.

A dehydration drain port 35 is provided at the bottom of the gas-liquid separation section 30. The drain outlet 35 communicates with a drain passage 36 having a drain valve 37 that can be opened and closed. An overflow detecting portion 38 is provided at a predetermined height of the side wall inside the gas-liquid separating portion 30. The overflow detecting unit 38 is configured by, for example, a pair of electrodes and detects that the washing water stored inside the gas-liquid separating unit 30 has reached a predetermined amount. When the overflow detecting unit 38 detects the washing water, the dehydration drain valve 37 is opened to drain the washing water. The overflow detecting unit 38 is provided such that a certain space exists between the lower end of the blocking wall 34 and the water surface of the washing water when the washing water is detected.

The structures and the mutual connection parts of the dehydration path 26, the suction pump 27, the gas-liquid separation unit 30, the suction path 32, the dehydration/water discharge valve 37, and the dehydration/water discharge path 36 on the upstream side of the dehydration/water discharge valve 37 are configured to be gas-tight and liquid-tight with respect to the outside of the washing tank 4.

The control unit 39 is disposed on a side surface (including a side surface) inside the lid body 5. An operation instruction unit 40 (which may be an operation display unit having a display unit) is provided on the upper surface of the control unit 39. The control unit 39 controls the pressurizing pump 10, the opening/closing valve 11, the water supply valve 14, the drain valve 22, the suction pump 27, the air volume adjusting valve 29, the dehydration drain valve 37, and the like, and performs a washing operation by sequentially controlling the washing step, the rinsing step, and the dehydration step (at least controlling the washing step and the dehydration step).

For example, the function of the control unit 39 may be realized by a microcomputer and a peripheral circuit.

the microcomputer and the peripheral circuit may be of any type as long as they perform the control described later. The control unit 39 may be constituted by an arithmetic processing unit and a storage unit for storing a control program. Examples of the arithmetic Processing Unit include an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit is exemplified by a memory. The control program recorded in the storage unit is executed by the arithmetic processing unit.

The control unit 39 may be formed of hard logic. The control unit 39 is constituted by hard logic, which is effective for improving the processing speed. Each component may be constituted by one semiconductor chip, or may be physically constituted by a plurality of semiconductor chips. When the control unit 39 is configured by a plurality of semiconductor chips, each control described later can be realized by each of the independent semiconductor chips.

The operation and action of the washing machine 1 configured as described above will be described below.

The user inputs settings such as selection of an operation program and time of each step from the operation instruction unit 40 provided on the front portion of the upper surface of the lid body 5. The control unit 39 executes the steps from washing to dewatering as a series of operations based on the setting contents. The user can arbitrarily select a process, for example, only a washing process or the like. The setting operation may be performed after the user places the object to be washed 2, which will be described later.

After the user operates the handle 5a to unlock the lock device, the user opens the lid body 5, arranges the shape of the object 2 to be washed, and places the object on the bottom 4a of the washing tub 4. In addition, the user can fold the object 2 to be washed according to the size. After the setting of the object to be washed 2 is completed and the lid 5 is closed to lock the lock device, the control unit 39 starts the operation according to the operation program set by the operation instructing unit 40.

In the first washing step of the operation program, controller 39 first performs a water supply operation. Controller 39 opens water supply valve 14 to supply tap water and detergent as washing water from water supply path 16 to the inside of washing tub 4. At this time, the washing water gradually permeates into the object 2 to be washed, and is included between fibers of the object 2 to be washed. Control unit 39 supplies washing water to the inside of washing tub 4 to a predetermined water level, and closes water supply valve 14 when it is detected by water level switch 20 of water level detection unit 17 that the water level has reached the predetermined water level.

When the water supply is finished, the control section 39 first closes the opening and closing valve 11a of the pressure increasing and reducing section 7a (1 st pressure increasing and reducing section), drives the pressure pump 10a for a predetermined time, or drives the pressure pump 10a until the inside of the pressing section 8a reaches a predetermined pressure. This causes air to be supplied into pressing portion 8a, thereby inflating pressing portion 8 a. As shown in fig. 3A, when the stretchable portion 8d is stretched to extend the pressing portion 8a toward the object 2 to be cleaned, the portion of the object 2 to be cleaned below the pressing portion 8a is pressed by the pressing surface 8c of the pressing portion 8a via the film body 41. The pressed portion of the object 2 to be cleaned is compressed and becomes thinner. At this time, the control unit 39 opens the on-off valve 11b of the pressure increasing/reducing section 7b (the 2 nd pressure increasing/reducing section), and allows the pressing section 8b to contract.

The object 2 to be cleaned is compressed by the expansion of the pressing portion 8a to change the volume of the object 2 to be cleaned, and the cleaning water contained in the object 2 to be cleaned is pushed out of the object 2 to be cleaned. As a result, water flow is generated inside the object 2 to be cleaned, and dirt adhering to the object 2 to be cleaned is separated from the fibers by the water flow and removed.

further, the washing water contained in the inside of the object to be washed 2 moves inside the object to be washed 2 from the lower side of the pressing portion 8b of the pressing portion 8a in the direction indicated by the arrow a (see fig. 3A). Then, the washing water moved in this way pushes the pressing surface 8c of the pressing portion 8b upward while expanding the portion of the object 2 to be washed below the pressing portion 8b, so that the air inside the pressing portion 8b is discharged from the open on-off valve 11b, and the pressing portion 8b is contracted.

Next, the control section 39 closes the on-off valve 11b of the pressure increasing/reducing section 7b, drives the pressure pump 10b for a predetermined time, or drives the pressure pump 10b until the interior of the pressing section 8b reaches a predetermined pressure, supplies air to the interior of the pressing section 8b, and inflates the pressing section 8 b. As shown in fig. 3B, when the stretchable portion 8d is stretched to extend the pressing portion 8B toward the object 2 to be cleaned, the portion of the object 2 to be cleaned below the pressing portion 8B is pressed by the pressing surface 8c of the pressing portion 8B via the film body 41. The pressed portion of the object 2 to be cleaned is compressed and becomes thinner. At this time, the control unit 39 opens the opening/closing valve 11a of the pressure increasing/reducing unit 7a, and allows the pressing unit 8a to contract.

The swelling of the pressing portion 8b compresses the object 2 to be cleaned, thereby changing the volume of the object 2 to be cleaned, and accompanying this, the washing water contained in the object 2 to be cleaned is pushed out of the object 2 to be cleaned. As a result, water flow is generated inside the object 2 to be cleaned, and dirt adhering to the object 2 to be cleaned is separated from the fibers by the water flow and removed.

Further, the washing water contained in the inside of the object to be washed 2 moves inside the object to be washed 2 from the lower side of the pressing portion 8a of the pressing portion 8B in the direction indicated by the arrow B (see fig. 3B). Then, the washing water moved in this way pushes the pressing surface 8c of the pressing portion 8a upward while expanding the portion of the object 2 to be washed below the pressing portion 8a, so that the air inside the pressing portion 8a is discharged from the open on-off valve 11a, and the pressing portion 8a is contracted.

In this way, in the washing step, the pressing portion 8a and the pressing portion 8b are alternately and repeatedly expanded and contracted at different timings, and the object 2 to be washed can be cleaned with a pressing effect. Here, for example, the pressurization by the expansion of the pressing portion 8a and the depressurization by the contraction of the pressing portion 8b can be performed for 1 second, the pressurization by the expansion of the pressing portion 8b and the depressurization by the contraction of the pressing portion 8a can be performed for 1 second, and the repetition time (predetermined time) of these can be set to, for example, 10 minutes.

In this way, a multidirectional water flow is generated inside the object 2 to be cleaned without applying a mechanical force due to agitation, beating, or the like to the object 2 to be cleaned, thereby removing dirt.

At this time, the film body 41 prevents the object 2 from biting into between the two pressing portions 8a and 8 b.

When an operation program from the washing step to the dehydration step is set, the control unit 39 performs the rinsing step and the dehydration step after the washing step.

In the rinsing step, for example, after the draining operation and the intermediate dewatering operation, a water accumulation rinsing operation is performed. In the draining operation, the drain valve 22 is opened to drain the washing water inside the washing tub 4 from the drain hole 21 to the outside of the machine through the drain path 23.

In the intermediate dehydration operation, the opening/closing valves 11a and 11b are closed with the drain valve 22 being opened, the pressure pumps 10a and 10b are driven, and the pressing portions 8a and 8b are expanded. As a result, the object 2 to be washed is pressed and compressed by the pressing surfaces 8c of the pressing portions 8a and 8b via the film body 41, and a part of the washing water contained in the object 2 to be washed is forcibly discharged.

In the rinsing operation with water stored, water supply valve 14 is opened to supply a predetermined amount of washing water into washing tub 4. The washing water supplied at this time contains no detergent. Thereafter, as in the washing step, the pressure pumps 10a and 10b are driven to alternately repeat the expansion and contraction of the pressing portions 8a and 8b, thereby diluting the detergent concentration of the washing water in the object 2 to be washed. This rinsing process is repeated a plurality of times (e.g., twice).

The control unit 39 performs the spin-drying process after performing the rinsing process.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment at the time of dehydration. Fig. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment during spin-drying.

In the dehydration step, a drainage operation and a final dehydration operation are performed.

First, the controller 39 performs a water discharge operation. Drain valve 22 is opened, and the washing water inside washing tub 4 is drained from drain hole 21 to the outside of the machine through drain path 23. At this time, outside air introduction portion 28 is opened to allow the inside and outside of washing tub 4 to communicate with each other, thereby smoothly discharging the washing water. Further, the air volume adjusting valve 29 is opened, both the opening and closing valves 11a and 11b are closed, and the dehydration drain valve 37 is closed.

The controller 39 performs the final dewatering operation after the completion of the draining operation.

As shown in fig. 5, both the pressurizing pumps 10a and 10b are driven in a state where the discharge valve 22 is open and both the on-off valves 11a and 11b are closed. As a result, as shown in fig. 4, air is supplied to the insides of pressing portions 8a and 8b, and pressing portions 8a and 8b expand. The object 2 to be cleaned is pressed by the expansion of the pressing portions 8a and 8b via the film body 41, and the object 2 to be cleaned is compressed. As a result, a part of the washing water contained in the object 2 to be washed is forcibly discharged, and is discharged from the drain hole 21 to the outside of the machine through the drain path 23. By the structure and action of the pressing part 8, the membrane body 41 is brought into close contact with the object 2 to be washed, and the object 2 to be washed can be uniformly pressed by the pressing surface 8c of the pressing part 8 via the membrane body 41, so that the washing water contained in the object 2 to be washed can be forcibly pushed out.

Specifically, after a predetermined time T1 (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed since the pressurization pumps 10a and 10b were driven, the pressurization pumps 10a and 10b are stopped, the drain valve 22 is closed with the object 2 to be washed pressed, and the suction pump 27 is driven to suck air and water in the washing tub 4. At this time, as shown in fig. 4, the inside of the cleaning tank 4 is depressurized compared to the atmosphere, and the film body 41 presses the object 2 to be cleaned by a pressure difference. Outside air is introduced into cleaning tank 4 from outside air introducing section 28, and the introduced outside air enters inside object 2 to be cleaned pressed by film body 41. The pressure inside the cleaning tank 4 is maintained at a predetermined pressure by, for example, a constant pressure open valve, and the object 2 to be cleaned is kept pressurized at a constant pressure by the membrane 41.

The outside air introduced from outside air introduction unit 28 into washing tub 4 is sucked by suction pump 27 together with the washing water and moves to suction port 25 while pushing out the washing water accumulated between the fibers of object 2 to be washed. The washing water carried to the suction port 25 by the outside air tends to stay in the fibers of the object 2 to be washed due to the surface tension. However, the cleaning water is separated from the fibers by the shearing force generated by the airflow, and is sent from the suction port 25 to the gas-liquid separation section 30 through the dehydration path 26.

The air sucked together with the washing water is guided from the suction port 25 to the inside of the gas-liquid separation unit 30 through the dehydration path 26 from the secondary-side vent port 31. Then, the air is sucked and discharged by the suction pump 27 from the primary side vent 33 provided above the gas-liquid separation unit 30. The washing water sucked together with the air falls from the secondary-side vent hole 31 by gravity, and is stored in the inner bottom of the gas-liquid separation section 30 without entering the primary-side vent hole 33 by the barrier wall 34 provided between the primary-side vent hole 33 and the secondary-side vent hole 31.

The cleaning water and air inside the cleaning tank 4 pass through the path of least resistance when being sucked. Therefore, if a short-circuit path not containing washing water is formed inside the object to be washed 2 while the dehydration proceeds, the flow of air is concentrated on the short-circuit path, and the suction of washing water from the object to be washed 2 cannot proceed.

However, in the present embodiment, the object 2 to be cleaned is uniformly pressurized at a constant pressure by the membrane 41 at all times due to the pressure difference generated by depressurizing the inside of the cleaning tank 4 with respect to the atmosphere. This suppresses the formation of a short-circuited air passage inside the object to be cleaned 2, and the suction and dehydration of the wash water sucked together with the outside air introduced into the interior of the washing tub 4 is promoted without stagnation. In this way, the pressing portion 8 can be expanded by the pressure pump 10, and the membrane 41 can be brought into close contact with the object 2 to be cleaned by the suction pump 27, so that the object 2 to be cleaned can be uniformly pressed, and the outside air can be introduced into the object 2 to be cleaned, thereby obtaining a predetermined dewatering performance.

Control unit 39 sucks the washing water together with the outside air introduced into washing tub 4 by suction pump 27, and stops driving of suction pump 27 after a predetermined time T2 (for example, 4 minutes) has elapsed. Thereby, the pressure inside the cleaning tank 4 is returned to the atmospheric pressure, the pressing of the object 2 to be cleaned by the membrane 41 is released, and the dehydration step is completed. After the dehydration step is completed, the control unit 39 ends execution of the operation program.

In the dehydration step, when the amount of the washing water flowing into the inner bottom of the gas-liquid separation section 30 exceeds a set amount, the controller 39 stops the suction pump 27 by detecting the overflow by the overflow detector 38, opens the closed dehydration/drainage valve 37, and discharges the washing water stored in the inner bottom of the gas-liquid separation section 30 to the outside of the apparatus through the dehydration/drainage path 36.

In the present embodiment, pressure increasing and reducing portion 7 includes a flexible pressing portion 8, a pressure pump 10 that supplies air into pressing portion 8 to expand pressing portion 8, and an on-off valve 11 that discharges air from inside pressing portion 8 to contract pressing portion 8. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, a decompression pump (not shown) may be used instead of the opening/closing valve 11 to perform decompression for contracting the pressing portion 8. Alternatively, the pressure pump 10 may be driven in reverse to be used as a pressure reducing pump. In this case, the amount of air discharged from the pressing portion 8 and the discharge speed thereof can be controlled regardless of whether the object 2 is a thin object to be cleaned such as a scarf that lacks elasticity or a thick object to be cleaned such as a knit fabric that has high elasticity. This enables the washing machine 1 to obtain stable washing performance in accordance with the state of the object 2 to be washed.

In the present embodiment, the two pressing portions 7 (pressing portions 7a and 7b) are provided and the pressing portions 8a and 8b alternately expand and contract in the washing step and the rinsing step, but three or more sets of pressing portions 7 may be provided and the plurality of pressing portions may be sequentially expanded and contracted at different timings. In this case, when at least one of the pressing portions 8 expands, the other pressing portions 8 may contract, and the order of expansion and contraction may be regular or random.

In the present embodiment, although outside air introduction unit 28 is provided to introduce outside air into washing tub 4, the outside air may be naturally introduced by suction with suction pump 27 without providing outside air introduction unit 28. However, as described above, the effect of the positively introduced outside air squeezing out the washing water accumulated between the fibers of the object 2 to be washed is large, and therefore, it is more desirable to provide the outside air introduction portion 28.

In the present embodiment, the fluid that is supplied to the inside of pressing portion 8 to inflate pressing portion 8 is air, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be other gases or liquids. In the case of gas, ambient air may be sucked by the pressure pump 10 or the like as in the present embodiment, and the restriction at the time of exhaust is small, which is convenient. In the case of a liquid, water, an aqueous solution, oil, or the like can be used. It is also desirable to provide a structure having a storage section for storing a liquid. Since the density of the liquid is higher than that of air and the elasticity is not as large as that of gas, the pressing portion 8 can be reliably expanded.

In the case of the washing machine 1 having no dewatering function, even if the film body 41 is formed of a member having no sealing property such as a net instead, the laundry can be prevented from biting into between the pressing portions 8a and 8 b.

As described above, the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment includes: a washing tank 4 for storing the object 2 to be washed and washing water; a pressurizing/depressurizing unit 7 having a pressurizing unit 8 which can freely advance and retreat with respect to the object 2 to be cleaned in the cleaning tank 4; and a film body 41 provided between the pressurization and depressurization portion 7 and the object 2 to be cleaned, and configured to be capable of sealing the inside of the cleaning tank 4. The washing machine 1 further comprises: a suction pump 27 (suction unit) for sucking the washing water from the object 2 to be washed; and a control unit 39 for controlling the pressure increasing and reducing unit 7, the suction pump 27, and the like to perform at least the washing step and the dehydration step. The control unit 39 presses and washes the object 2 to be washed by pressing and releasing the object 2 to be washed by the pressing unit 8 through the film body 41 in the washing step. In the dehydration step, control unit 39 presses object to be washed 2 with membrane 41, and sucks the washing water contained in object to be washed 2 together with the air inside washing tub 4 with suction pump 27, thereby dehydrating object to be washed 2.

According to this configuration, in the dehydration step, the object 2 to be cleaned can be pressed and the cleaning water from the object 2 to be cleaned can be sucked together with the outside air introduced into the interior of the cleaning tub 4. Thus, the object 2 to be washed, which is not suitable for washing or squeezing by applying a mechanical force, can be satisfactorily dehydrated without applying a mechanical force such as a twisting force. Further, the film body 41 prevents the object 2 from biting into between the two pressing portions 8a and 8 b.

The control unit 39 is configured to cause the object 2 to contract and expand by pressing and releasing the object 2 by the pressing portion 8 in the washing step and the rinsing step, and to generate a multidirectional water flow inside the object 2. According to this configuration, it is possible to generate a multidirectional water flow inside the object 2 to be cleaned without agitating the object 2 to be cleaned, and it is possible to suppress damage and deformation of the cloth of the object 2 to be cleaned, which is not suitable for being washed by mechanical force, and to improve the cleaning effect.

the washing machine 1 further includes a pressure and pressure reducing portion 7 having a pressing portion 8 which is movable to advance and retreat with respect to the object 2 to be washed inside the washing tub 4, and the pressure and pressure reducing portion 7 includes a plurality of pressing portions 8 (pressing portions 8a and 8b) which are expandable and contractible, a pressure pump 10 for supplying air into the pressing portions 8, and an on-off valve 11 for discharging air from the pressing portions 8. Further, the control unit 39 controls the pressure increasing and reducing unit 7 in the washing step and the rinsing step as follows: when at least one pressing portion 8a expands, the other pressing portions 8b contract, that is, the plurality of pressing portions 8 expand and contract at different timings. In the dehydration step, the control unit 39 is configured to press the object 2 to be washed with the membrane 41 that moves downward by simultaneously inflating the plurality of pressing portions 8, further press the object 2 to be washed with the membrane 41 by the pressure difference generated by driving the suction pump 27, and suck the cleaning water and the introduced outside air with the suction pump 27.

According to this configuration, the fabric of the object 2 to be cleaned, which is not suitable for washing or wringing by applying mechanical force, is prevented from being damaged or deformed, and washing and rinsing can be performed satisfactorily. Further, the object 2 can be favorably dehydrated without applying a mechanical force such as a torsion to the object.

As described above, the washing machine of the present embodiment includes external air introducing unit 28 for introducing external air into washing tub 4. With this configuration, the suction pump 27 is driven to suck the washing water from the object 2 to be washed, and the outside air can be sent into the object 2 to be washed. This enables more efficient and effective dewatering.

Further, the washing machine of the present embodiment includes a gas-liquid separation unit 30 between the washing tub 4 and the suction pump 27, and the gas-liquid separation unit 30 separates the washing water and the air sucked by the suction pump 27. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the suction force from decreasing due to the sucked washing water, and it is possible to maintain a high dewatering effect even in the latter half of the dewatering process.

(modification 1)

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an operation of the washing machine according to modification 1 of the embodiment of the present disclosure during washing.

As shown in fig. 6, the film body 41 may have a plurality of protrusions 43 on the surface (upper surface) on the pressing portion 8 side. When the pressing portion 8 expands and contracts in the washing step and the rinsing step, the pressing surface 8c of the pressing portion 8 contacts the film body 41. Thereby, there is a possibility that the surface of the film body 41 on the pressing portion 8 side is worn in the entire surface thereof. However, by providing a plurality of convex portions 43 on the surface of the film body 41 on the pressing portion 8 side, the wear of the surface of the film body 41 on the pressing portion 8 side can be concentrated on the convex portions 43. This prevents the membrane 41 from being damaged by abrasion, and can maintain stable washing performance, rinsing performance, and dewatering performance for a long period of time.

(modification 2)

Fig. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams showing the operation of the washing machine according to modification 2 of the present embodiment during washing.

As shown in fig. 7A and 7B, the film body 41 may be provided with a predetermined number of fixing portions 44 (members for fixing the film body 41 and other members), and the film body 41 and the pressing portion 8 may be coupled by the fixing portions 44 so as to be movable relative to the object 2 to be cleaned. As shown in fig. 7A and 7B, the fixing portion 44 is coupled to the pressing portion 8 by engaging an engaging portion having an L-shape in a side view with the pressing surface 8c of the pressing portion 8, for example. In this case, when the pressing portion 8 contracts, the film body 41 moves in a direction away from the object 2 to be cleaned in conjunction therewith. Therefore, the swelling and shrinking of the object 2 to be cleaned in the washing step and the rinsing step can be more easily and reliably performed, and the cleaning performance can be further improved.

In addition, at least two of the above-described embodiment and the two modifications may be combined.

Industrial applicability

As described above, according to the present disclosure, the washing machine can favorably perform washing, rinsing, and dewatering without applying a mechanical force such as twisting to an object to be washed which is not suitable for washing or wringing by applying a mechanical force.

description of the reference numerals

1. A washing machine; 2. an object to be cleaned; 3. an opening part; 4. a cleaning tank; 4a, a bottom; 5. a cover body; 5a, a handle; 5b, a cover part; 6. a water tank section (washing and dewatering tank); 6a, a hinge part; 7. 7a, 7b, a pressure increasing and reducing part; 8. 8a, 8b, a pressing part; 8c, pressing the surface; 8d, a telescopic part; 9a, 9b, a hose; 10. 10a, 10b, a pressure pump; 11. 11a, 11b, opening and closing valves; 12. a liner; 13. a sealing part; 14. a water supply valve; 15. a detergent box; 16. a water supply path; 17. a water level detection unit; 18. a water level detection tank; 19. a float; 20. a water level switch; 21. a drain hole; 22. a drain valve; 23. a drainage path; 24. an overflow path; 24a, overflow holes; 25. a suction port; 26. a dehydration path; 27. a suction pump (suction unit); 28. an outside air introduction part; 29. an air volume adjusting valve; 30. a gas-liquid separation section (separation mechanism); 31. a secondary side vent; 32. an attraction path; 33. a primary side vent; 34. a barrier wall; 35. a dewatering outlet; 36. a dewatering drainage path; 37. a dewatering drain valve; 38. an overflow detecting section; 39. a control unit; 40. an operation instruction unit; 41. a membrane body; 42. opening the hole; 43. a convex portion; 44. a fixed part.