JPH1157274A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] In a conventional washing machine, when a washing object is a flexible cloth, vibrations caused by ultrasonic waves are not sufficiently propagated like a rigid material and are absorbed on the cloth surface, The transmission of ultrasonic energy is poor because the cloth escapes from high parts, and if you want to obtain a sufficient cleaning effect, you must supply more power than necessary, and there is a problem that much ultrasonic energy is wasted. there were. SOLUTION: A washing tub 1 for storing laundry and washing water.
A vibrating plate 3 disposed in the washing tub 1 and having a surface to which laundry is attached; a vibrator 2 for vibrating the vibrating plate 3;
It is characterized by comprising vibrator driving means for driving the vibrator 2 and suction means 4, 5, 6, 7 for sucking the laundry to the vibration plate 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an irrigation machine for performing washing using ultrasonic waves.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional washing machine removes dirt from laundry by stirring laundry and detergent liquid with a pulsator installed on the bottom of a washing tub, for example. The pain was severe. As a conventional example for solving this problem, a washing machine using ultrasonic waves without a pulsator has been proposed.

For example, in the ultrasonic washing machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 3-060698, as shown in FIG. 6, an ultrasonic generating surface of a plurality of vibrators 23 is brought into contact with an inner surface of a dummy member 22, and the dummy member 22 is washed. It is installed in a tank 26 in which the liquid 25 is stored. In such an ultrasonic washing machine, when the clothes are hung on the dummy member 22 and the pump 23 is driven to drive the vibrator 23 while the washing liquid in the tank 30 is applied from above the clothes, the dummy member 22 The clothes hung on the member 22 are vibrated by ultrasonic waves,
, The clothes can be washed without losing their shape. In FIG. 6, 21 is a pedestal, 24 is an oscillator provided inside the pedestal 21 and supplies power to the vibrator 23, 28 is a pipe, and 29 is a liquid spraying unit.

The ultrasonic stirring device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-137792 has a structure in which a vibrating plate 32 is integrally fixed to an end face of a vibrator 31 as shown in FIG. In the apparatus, when the cloth with the contaminants is disposed so as to be located in the middle of the vibrating section, the washing liquid is agitated by a strong standing wave generated in a portion sandwiched between the two vibrating plates 32, The dirt attached to the cloth is separated from the cloth and can be washed. In FIG. 7, 33 is a support, 34 is a support clip, 35 and 36 are adjustment screws, 37 is an angle adjustment screw, and 38 is a mounting clip.

[0005]

In the above-described cleaning system using ultrasonic waves, clothes are mainly washed by cavitation and vibration.

[0006] However, when the cleaning object is a flexible cloth, the vibrations caused by the ultrasonic waves are not sufficiently propagated as in the case of the rigid material and are absorbed on the surface of the cloth, or the cloth escapes from a portion having a high sound level. Poor transmission of sound energy,
In order to obtain a sufficient cleaning effect, it is necessary to supply more power than necessary, and there is a problem that much ultrasonic energy is wasted.

Further, when ultrasonic waves are irradiated on the cloth, the bubbles generated by cavitation do not disappear and remain on the cloth surface and grow, so that transmission of ultrasonic energy is hindered and the cleaning effect is reduced. there were.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a washing machine capable of improving the transmission efficiency of ultrasonic energy to flexible laundry.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention has a washing tub for storing laundry and washing water, and a washing tub disposed inside the washing tub. A vibrating plate on which laundry is attached, a vibrator for vibrating the vibrating plate, vibrator driving means for driving the vibrator, and suction means for sucking the laundry onto the vibrating plate. It is a feature.

[0010] The washing machine according to claim 2 of the present invention comprises:
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the suction means comprises: a washing water circulation path for sucking washing water from the surface of the diaphragm and discharging the washing water to the washing tub; and a circulation means for circulating washing water in the washing water circulation path. It is characterized by having.

Furthermore, in the washing machine according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the washing machine according to the second aspect, the washing water circulation path is provided with a plurality of holes or nets provided on the surface of the diaphragm for sucking washing water. It is characterized by comprising a member.

In addition, a washing machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the washing machine according to the first aspect, wherein the control means for alternately controlling the driving and stopping of the vibrator when the laundry is washed. It is characterized by having been provided.

In addition, a washing machine according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the washing machine according to the first aspect, further comprising: a drying air circulation path that sucks air from the surface of the diaphragm and discharges the air to the washing tub. Blowing means for circulating the air in the drying air circulation path, dehumidification means for removing moisture contained in the air guided into the drying air circulation path, and heating the air dehumidified by the dehumidification means And a heating means.

According to the above construction, in the washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, when washing the laundry, the laundry is sucked into the diaphragm by the suction means, and the diaphragm is vibrated to perform the washing. be able to.

[0015] The washing machine according to claim 2 of the present invention comprises:
At the time of washing the laundry, the laundry can be sucked into the diaphragm by the suction force when suctioning the washing water from the surface of the diaphragm, and the diaphragm can be vibrated to perform washing.

Further, in the washing machine according to the third aspect of the present invention, the laundry can be reliably sucked on the surface of the diaphragm.

In addition, in the washing machine according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, air bubbles that cause a reduction in the cleaning effect can be removed by stopping the vibrator.

In addition, the washing machine according to the fifth aspect of the present invention can dry laundry.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the washing machine.

In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a washing liquid and laundry A1, A
2 and A3. An ultrasonic vibrator 2 is fixed to the bottom of the washing tub 1. The ultrasonic transducer 2
For example, a Langevin type vibrator or a ferrite type vibrator is used.

At the bottom of the washing tub 1, hollow vibration transmission fins 3 (hereinafter, simply referred to as "fins"), which are one or more vibration plates, are fixed upright. Although three fins 3 are shown in the figure, the number is not limited to this.

The vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator 2 is applied to the washing tub 1
The ultrasonic vibrator 2 is fixed to the outer surface of the bottom of the washing tub 1 and the inner surface of the bottom of the washing tub 1 is fixed to the fin 3 so as to be directly transmitted to the fin 3 via the bottom.

A large number of holes 4 are provided in the center of the side wall surface of the fin 3, and the washing liquid in the washing tub 1 can flow into the fin 3 through the hole 4. The fins 3 are all connected by a suction pipe 6, and are connected to a washing liquid circulation system including a pump 5, which is a circulation means, an upper pipe 7, and a discharge port 8. Reference numeral 9 denotes a drain valve for discharging the washing liquid in the washing tub 1 to the outside.

The fin 3 is formed by the hole 4, the hollow portion inside the fin 3, the suction pipe 6 and the upper pipe 7.
A washing water circulation path for sucking washing water from the surface and discharging the washing water to the washing tub 1 is formed, and a suction means for sucking the laundry A1, A2, A3 to the hollow vibration transmission fins 3 by the washing water circulation path and the pump 5 is constituted. doing.

When washing is performed using the washing machine configured as described above, first, the laundry A1, A2, A3
, The washing liquid is poured into the washing tub 1. And an oscillator (not shown) which is a vibrator driving means.
Is supplied with an AC voltage having a predetermined frequency, the ultrasonic vibrator 2 vibrates at a predetermined frequency, and the ultrasonic vibrator 2
Is transmitted to the fins 3, and ultrasonic waves are radiated into the washing liquid. At the same time, the pump 5 is driven, and the washing liquid filled in the washing tub 1 is sucked into the fins 3 through a number of holes 4 provided on the center of the side wall surface of the fins 3, and the pump 5, the suction pipe 6, and the upper pipe Through the washing liquid circulation system consisting of 7,
The water is discharged from the outlet 8 to the washing tub 1. In other words, the pump 5 is driven to reduce the pressure inside the fins 3 so that the laundry is stuck to the fins 3 and fixed.

By doing so, the laundry A such as cloth
The vibrations of the ultrasonic vibrator 2 are directly transmitted to the fins 3, and the vibrations of the fins 3 are not attenuated, and the laundry A1, A2, Since the vibration is transmitted to A3, the dirt on the laundry A1, A2, A3 is shaken off by the vibration acceleration of the liquid molecules.

Next, the fin 3 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 shows that the washing tub 1 is sufficiently filled with the washing liquid and the fins 3
a, cloth A1 and cloth A, respectively.
2, the state where the cloth A3 is hung.

When the power of the pump 5 is turned on, first, the washing liquid filled in the washing tub 1 is sucked from the hole 4 provided at the center of the surface of the fin 3a closest to the pump 5. Fin 3
Since the inside of a is in a state where the pressure is lower than that of the washing tub 1, the cloth A1 is fixed to the fins 3a by sticking thereto.
Next, the cloth stuck to the fin 3a becomes a resistance, the internal pressure of the fin 3b decreases, and the cloth A2 is stuck and fixed to the fin 3b. Further, the cloth A1 stuck to the fin 3a and the cloth A2 stuck to the fin 3b become resistance, and the internal pressure of the fin 3c is reduced, and the cloth A3 is stuck to the fin 3c and fixed.

As described above, the ultrasonic vibration is generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 2.
From the washing tub 1 to the cloths A1, A2, and A3 fixed to the fins 3a, 3b, and 3c, respectively, so that ultrasonic energy can be effectively used and the cleaning effect can be improved. In particular, the transmission efficiency of ultrasonic energy to flexible laundry can be improved, and the cleaning effect can be improved.

Although three fins are shown here, the number of fins is not limited, and the above situation occurs regardless of the number of fins.

The fin 3 has a structure in which a large number of holes 4 are provided in the center of the side wall surface (surface) of the fin 3 as shown in FIG. Not something. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the center of the side wall surface of the fin 3 may be formed of a net-like member.

Next, a description will be given of the ultrasonic wave start / stop control (oscillation / stop control). This start / stop control is performed by, for example, control means (not shown).

First, FIG. 4 shows an experimental result obtained by setting three patterns of the control method of ultrasonic emission and stopping and comparing only the continuous oscillation.
Shown in Experiment 1 was a continuous oscillation only, Experiment 2 was a cycle of oscillating for 58 seconds and then stopped for 2 seconds, and Experiment 3 was a cycle of 28 continuous oscillations.
Experiment 4 was a cycle of oscillating for 13 seconds and then stopping for 2 seconds, and Experiment 4 was a cycle of oscillating for 13 seconds and then stopping for 2 seconds.

FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the ultrasonic power cycle and the cleaning degree. As compared with the data of the continuous oscillation only in the experiment 1, the cleaning degree of the experiments 2, 3, and 4 was higher.

In other words, when ultrasonic waves are irradiated on laundry such as cloth, bubbles generated by cavitation grow on the surface of the laundry and hinder the transmission of ultrasonic energy. Thus, air bubbles can be removed and a decrease in detergency can be prevented.

When the data of Experiment 2, Experiment 3 and Experiment 4 were compared, it was found that the degree of cleaning in Experiment 4 was the highest and the cleaning was good. That is, in order to effectively remove air bubbles on the cloth surface and improve the cleaning effect, it is preferable to set the ultrasonic wave start / stop cycle short. Note that the oscillation time, stop time, and start / stop cycle in the above experiment are not limited to those described above, and may be other values.

FIG. 5 shows a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, only points different from the above-described first embodiment will be described.

The washing machine according to the present embodiment enables the laundry to be further dried in the washing machine according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 10 denotes a lid of the washing machine.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a circulation path for circulating drying air in the washing tub 1 and includes the following components. Reference numeral 12 denotes an inlet of the drying air circulation path, and reference numeral 12a denotes an opening / closing valve provided near the outlet of the drying air circulation path to open and close the path. 13
Is a dehumidifying means, which comprises a heat exchanger 14 and a cooling fan (not shown) for cooling the heat exchanger 14 with air. Reference numeral 15 denotes a drain hole for discharging water condensed by the dehumidifying means 13 to the outside. Reference numeral 16 denotes a blower for circulating and blowing the drying air, and is constituted by a blower fan 17. Also,
Numeral 18 denotes an air heating means for heating the drying air dehumidified by the dehumidifying means, and comprises a heater 19 whose temperature can be adjusted.

When the laundry is dried using the washing machine constructed as described above, first, the washing liquid filled in the washing tub 1 is discharged to the outside by the drain valve 9. Thereafter, the lid 10 is closed, the on-off valves 12, 12a are opened, and the blower fan 1 is opened.
7 and the switch (not shown) of the heater 19 are turned on.
When the blower fan 17 and the heater 19 operate, drying air adjusted to a predetermined temperature is blown into the washing tub 1 from the outlet 8. The drying air turns the laundry A into wet air, which is exhausted from the holes 4 on the fins 3 into the fins 3 and dehumidified by the heat exchanger 14 in the drying air circulation path 11. The drying air thus dried again,
Heated by the heater 19, the air is blown into the washing tub 1. By repeating this, the drying of the laundry A proceeds.

As described above, according to the washing machine of the present embodiment, the steps from washing to drying can be performed in the same washing tub 1 without moving the laundry A. Also,
Since the laundry is not rotated unlike the drum type dryer, there is no wrinkle and there is little damage to the cloth.

[0044]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
According to the washing machine described above, at the time of washing the laundry, the laundry can be washed by suctioning the laundry to the diaphragm, and vibrating the diaphragm to wash the laundry. The transmission efficiency of the ultrasonic energy can be improved.

Further, according to the washing machine of the second aspect of the present invention, the laundry is sucked into the diaphragm by the suction force when sucking the washing water from the surface of the diaphragm, and the diaphragm is vibrated. The laundry can be washed, and the efficiency of transmitting ultrasonic energy to the flexible laundry can be improved.

Further, according to the washing machine of the third aspect of the present invention, the laundry can be surely sucked to the surface of the diaphragm, and the transmission efficiency of the ultrasonic energy to the flexible laundry can be surely improved. can do.

In addition, according to the washing machine of the fourth aspect of the present invention, air bubbles that cause a reduction in the cleaning effect can be removed by stopping the vibrator, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

In addition, according to the washing machine of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the laundry can be dried.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hollow vibration transmission fin.

FIG. 4 is a correlation diagram between an ultrasonic wave start / stop cycle and a cleaning degree.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a conventional washing machine.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of another conventional washing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing tank 2 Ultrasonic vibrator 3 Hollow vibration transmission fin 4 hole 5 Pump 6 Suction pipe 7 Upper pipe 11 Drying air circulation path 12 Open / close valve 13 Dehumidifying means 16 Blowing means 18 Air heating means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A washing tub for storing laundry and washing water, a diaphragm arranged in the washing tub and having a surface attached to the laundry, a vibrator for vibrating the diaphragm, and a vibrator A washing machine comprising: vibrator driving means for driving; and suction means for sucking the laundry to the diaphragm. 2. A washing water circulation path, wherein the suction means sucks washing water from the surface of the diaphragm and discharges the washing water to the washing tub.
The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a circulating means for circulating the washing water in the washing water circulation path. 3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the washing water circulation path includes a plurality of holes or mesh members provided on a surface of the diaphragm for sucking washing water. 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising control means for alternately controlling driving and stopping of the vibrator when the laundry is washed. 5. A drying air circulation path for sucking air from the surface of the diaphragm and discharging the air to the washing tub, a blowing means for circulating air in the drying air circulation path, and a drying air circulation path. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a dehumidifying unit that removes moisture contained in the air guided to the unit; and a heating unit that heats the air dehumidified by the dehumidifying unit.