CN110344212B

CN110344212B - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN110344212B
Application number: CN201910182741.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 长井智; 根岸昭博
Original assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Priority date: 2018-04-02
Filing date: 2019-03-12
Publication date: 2022-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-12
Also published as: JP2019180471A; CN110344212A; JP7025267B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a washing machine, which can exert the effect of fine bubble water. The washing machine is provided with: an outer box; the cylindrical water containing barrel is arranged inside the outer box and is provided with a bottom; a water bucket cover arranged at the end part of the water bucket and provided with an opening part for communicating the inside and the outside of the water bucket; a rotary tub rotatably provided inside the water tub; at least one fine bubble water supply path connected to at least one of the water tub cover, the circumferential wall of the water tub, and the bottom of the water tub to communicate with the inside of the water tub, and capable of supplying fine bubble water containing fine bubbles into the water tub; and at least one fine bubble generator provided in the fine bubble water supply path, for generating fine bubble water by partially reducing the fine bubble water supply path so that water passing through the fine bubble water supply path contains fine bubbles.

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a washing machine.

Background

In recent years, fine bubbles having a size of several tens of nm to several μm, which are called micro bubbles or nano bubbles, have been drawing attention, and it is considered that fine bubble water containing many fine bubbles is used in a washing machine. However, in the conventional structure, the effect of the fine bubble water cannot be sufficiently utilized.

Prior art documents:

patent documents:

patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2012-40448

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, the washing machine capable of utilizing the effect of the fine bubble water is provided.

The washing machine of the embodiment comprises: an outer box; the cylindrical water containing barrel is arranged inside the outer box and is provided with a bottom; a water bucket cover arranged at the end part of the water bucket and provided with an opening part for communicating the inside and the outside of the water bucket; a rotary tub rotatably provided inside the water tub; at least one fine bubble water supply path connected to at least one of the tub cover, the peripheral wall of the tub, and the bottom of the tub, communicating with the inside of the tub, and capable of supplying fine bubble water containing fine bubbles into the tub; and at least one fine bubble generator provided in the fine bubble water supply path, and generating fine bubble water by partially narrowing the fine bubble water supply path so that water passing through the fine bubble water supply path contains fine bubbles.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional front view showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine according to a first embodiment;

fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a fine bubble generator according to the first embodiment;

fig. 3 is a sectional view showing an example of a fine bubble water supply path connected to a tub cover in relation to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 shown with respect to the first embodiment;

fig. 5 is a sectional view showing an example of a fine bubble water supply path connected to a tub peripheral wall portion with respect to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 shown with respect to the first embodiment;

fig. 7 is a sectional view showing an example of a fine bubble water supply path connected to the bottom of the tub with respect to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exploded cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 shown with respect to the first embodiment;

fig. 9 is a cross-sectional plan view along line X9-X9 of fig. 1 showing the positional relationship of the outer box, tub, and fine-bubble water supply path with respect to the first embodiment;

fig. 10 is a vertical sectional front view showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine according to another embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, substantially the same elements in the respective embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

(first embodiment)

The first embodiment will be described below with reference to fig. 1 to 6.

The washing machine 10 shown in fig. 1 is provided with an outer case 11, a top cover 12, a tub 13, a drain valve 14, a tub cover 15, a spin basket 16, a balance ring 17, a pulsator 18, and a motor 19. The vertical lower side, which is the installation surface side of washing machine 10, is set to the lower side of washing machine 10, and the vertical upper side, which is the opposite side to the installation surface, is set to the upper side of washing machine 10. The left-right direction of the drawing sheet of fig. 1 is the left-right direction of the washing machine 10. The washing machine 10 is a so-called vertical axis type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the tub 16 is oriented in the vertical direction. The embodiment of the washing machine is not limited to the vertical axis type, and may be a horizontal axis type so-called drum-type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the tub is horizontal or inclined downward toward the rear.

The outer box 11 is formed in a rectangular box shape as a whole, for example, from a steel plate, that is, in a rectangular shape in plan view as shown in fig. 9. As shown in fig. 1, the top cover 12 is made of, for example, synthetic resin, and is provided on the upper portion of the outer case 11. The water tub 13 and the rotary tub 16 function as a washing tub and a spin-drying tub for storing laundry to be washed. The tub 13 is provided inside the outer case 11. The tub 13 has a tub peripheral wall portion 131 and a tub bottom 132, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with an upper opening. The tub peripheral wall portion 131 constitutes a cylindrical portion of the tub 13 having a bottomed cylindrical shape. The tub bottom 132 constitutes a bottom portion of the tub 13 having a bottom cylindrical shape.

In addition, the tub 13 has a drain opening 133. The drain port 133 is provided at the tub bottom 132, and communicates the inside of the tub 13 with the outside via the drain valve 14. The drain valve 14 is constituted by, for example, a solenoid valve. The washing machine 10 can store water in the water tub 13 by closing the drain valve 14, and can discharge the water stored in the water tub 13 to the outside of the machine from the drain port 133 by opening the drain valve 14.

The tub cover 15 is made of, for example, synthetic resin or steel plate, and is provided at an upper end of the tub 13, i.e., at an opening side of the tub 13. The tub cover 15 is formed in a plate shape as a whole and has a tub opening 151. The tub opening 151 is formed to penetrate the tub cover 15 in a circular or substantially circular shape in a thickness direction, and the tub opening 151 communicates the inside of the tub 13 with the outside.

The rotary tub 16 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical container shape having an upper opening. The tub 16 is rotatably provided inside the tub 13. The rotary tub 16 has a rotary tub peripheral wall 161 and a rotary tub bottom 162, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with an upper portion opened. The tub peripheral wall 161 constitutes a cylindrical portion of the tub 16 having a bottomed cylindrical shape. The rotary tub bottom 162 constitutes a bottom portion of the rotary tub 16 having a bottomed cylindrical shape. In addition, the tub 16 has a plurality of small holes 163, and water is shuttled between the tub 13 and the tub 16 through the small holes 163.

The balance ring 17 is formed in a ring shape and is provided at an upper end portion of the rotary tub 16, i.e., on a side opposite to the rotary tub bottom 162. The balance ring 17 is configured to seal an aqueous solution such as saline water in an annular inner portion thereof, and to maintain the balance of the rotor 16 during rotation of the rotor 16. The annular inner side of the balance ring 17 constitutes a drum opening 171. The laundry is taken out of and put into the tub 16 through the tub opening 151 and the tub opening 171.

The pulsator 18 is provided inside the tub 16 and near the bottom 162 of the tub. The motor 19 is provided at an outer side surface of the tub bottom 132 of the tub 13. The motor 19 is constituted by, for example, a brushless direct drive motor capable of changing the rotation speed. The motor 19 is connected to the rotary tub 16 and the pulsator 18 via a clutch mechanism not shown. A clutch mechanism, not shown, selectively transmits rotation of the motor 19 to the rotary tub 16 and the pulsator 18. Thereby, the motor 19 can rotate the tub 16 integrally or relatively with the pulsator 18.

The washing machine 10 includes a tap water supply path 20 and at least one, in this case three fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50. The tap water supply path 20 is a water supply path for receiving water supply from an external water source such as tap water and filling the water into the water tub 13 and the tub 16. In the present embodiment, the tap water supply path 20 is configured to include a connection port 21, a tap water inlet valve 22, a water filling box 23, and a water filling port 24.

The connection port 21 is connected to an external water supply source such as a tap of tap water via a pipe not shown. In the present embodiment, the downstream side of the connection port 21 is branched into four, i.e., one main stream and three sub-streams. Further, the main stream side of the four branch destinations of the connection port 21 is connected to the tap water supply path 20, and the remaining three sub-stream sides of the four branch destinations are connected to the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50, respectively. That is, in the case of the present embodiment, the connection port 21 for connecting the tap water supply path 20 to the external water supply source serves also as a connection port for connecting the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 to the external water supply source.

The tap water inlet valve 22 is a liquid on-off valve that can be opened and closed electromagnetically. The inlet valve 22 for tap water is connected to the connection port 21 on the inflow side and connected to the water filling box 23 on the discharge side. The water filling box 23 is formed in a synthetic resin container shape, for example, and is provided above the water tub 13 and the rotary tub 16 in the top cover 12.

The water filling cartridge 23 receives water supplied from the connection port 21, and discharges the received water from the water filling port 24 to fill the water tub 13 and the tub 16 with water. In this case, although not shown in detail, a detergent box and a softener box are provided inside the water injection box 23 so as to be removable in a drawer manner, for example. When the detergent is contained in the detergent box or when the softener is contained in the softener box, the detergent and the softener are dropped into the water tub 13 and the water tub 16 by the water passing through the water injection box 23.

The fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 are connected to at least one of the tub cover 15, the tub peripheral wall portion 131, and the tub bottom portion 132 to communicate with the inside of the tub 13. These fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 each have a fine bubble generator 60 shown in fig. 2 at a position within the tub 13 from the start point of the path, i.e., the connection port 21, to the end point, i.e., the end point, and can supply fine bubble water containing fine bubbles into the tub 13. In the case of the present embodiment, each of the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, 50 can supply the fine bubble water between the tub 13 and the tub 16. In the present embodiment, the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 receive water from an external water source such as tap water, and supply fine bubble water containing fine bubbles into the water tub 13, for example, between the water tub 13 and the tub 16.

In the present embodiment, the fine bubble water is water containing many fine bubbles of nanometer order, that is, so-called ultrafine fine bubbles, by the fine bubble generator 60 than before by the fine bubble generator 60. That is, in the present embodiment, the fine bubble water refers to water containing many fine bubbles of nanometer order as compared with ordinary tap water, bath water, or the like that has not been subjected to any treatment. The washing machine 10 of the present embodiment appropriately uses the fine bubble water supplied from the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 when performing a washing operation for washing the laundry in the tub 16, a rinsing operation for rinsing the laundry in the tub 16, a tub cleaning operation for cleaning the tub 13 and the tub 16, and the like.

Here, generally, the fine bubbles are classified as follows according to the particle size of the bubbles. For example, bubbles having a particle size of about several μm to 50 μm, i.e., in the order of micrometers, are called microbubbles or microbubbles. On the other hand, the nano-sized bubbles having a particle diameter of several hundred nm to several tens nm or less are called nano-bubbles or ultrafine micro-bubbles.

If the particle size of the bubbles is several hundred nm to several tens nm or less, the bubbles are shorter than the wavelength of light and cannot be visually recognized, and the liquid becomes transparent. Further, the nano-sized fine bubbles have characteristics of a larger total interface area, a slower floating speed, a larger internal pressure, and the like, as compared with the micro-sized or larger bubbles. For example, bubbles having a particle size of the order of micrometers rapidly rise in a liquid by virtue of their buoyancy, break at the surface of the liquid, and disappear, and therefore the residence time in the liquid is relatively short. On the other hand, fine bubbles having a particle size of the order of nanometers have a long residence time in the liquid because of small buoyancy.

The fine-bubble water containing fine bubbles having a particle size of nanometer order is expected to have a certain degree of improvement in cleaning performance as compared with tap water even when the washing operation and the cleaning operation of the water tub 13 and the rotary tub 16 are performed without using a detergent containing a surfactant or the like. However, by mixing fine bubbles having a particle size of nanometer order, so-called ultrafine bubbles, into the cleaning liquid in which the surfactant is dissolved, the cleaning performance can be improved more efficiently than in the case of cleaning with a normal cleaning liquid not containing fine bubbles.

Next, the fine bubble generator 60 will be explained. In the present embodiment, the washing machine 10 includes three fine bubble generators 60. Each fine bubble generator 60 is formed of a separate member from the water tub 13 and the water tub cover 15. As shown in fig. 3, 5 and 7, the three fine bubble generators 60 are respectively installed on the tub peripheral wall portion 131, the tub bottom 132 and the tub cover 15.

The fine bubble generator 60 is made of, for example, resin, and as shown in fig. 2 and the like, is formed in a stepped cylindrical shape having a flange portion 61 as a whole. In the present embodiment, the diameter and the overall length of the fine bubble generator 60 are about several mm to several tens mm, and specifically, the diameter is set to about 15mm at the maximum and the length is set to about 10 mm.

As shown in fig. 2 to 4, the fine bubble generator 60 includes a flange 61, a throttle portion 62, a straight portion 63, and an impact portion 64. The orifice 62 and the through-hole 63 are holes that penetrate in the longitudinal direction of the fine bubble generator 60, and constitute a flow path of the fine bubble generator 60.

The throttle part 62 is provided on the upstream side, which is the inflow side of the fine bubble generator 60. The orifice 62 is formed in a conical pipe shape having a so-called conical shape in which the inner diameter, which is the cross-sectional area of the flow path, gradually decreases continuously from the upstream end to the middle of the fine bubble generator 60 in the longitudinal direction. The through portion 63 is provided on the downstream side of the throttle portion 62. The through portion 63 is formed in a cylindrical shape, so-called a through pipe shape, in which the inner diameter does not change, that is, the cross-sectional area of the flow path, that is, the passable area of the liquid does not change.

The protruding portion 64 is provided at any position in the portion from the upstream end to the downstream end of the through portion 63. In the present embodiment, the protruding portion 64 is provided at the end portion on the downstream side of the through portion 63. The flush protrusion 64 can generate fine bubbles in the liquid passing through the fine bubble generator 60 by locally reducing the cross-sectional area through which water can pass in the fine bubble generator 60. That is, the protruding portion 64 can generate fine bubbles in the liquid passing through the through portion 63 by locally reducing the cross-sectional area of the through portion 63.

In the present embodiment, the collision portion 64 is formed of, for example, 4 rod-shaped members having sharp distal ends, and protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the through portion 63 toward the center of the cross section of the through portion 63. The 4 collision portions 64 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the cross section of the through portion 63.

When water flows into the upstream side of the fine bubble generator 60, the cross-sectional area of the flow path in the throttle portion 62 formed to be tapered decreases, and the flow velocity is increased by the so-called venturi effect of the fluid mechanics. When the high-speed flow passes through the through portion 63, the high-speed flow collides with the collision portion 64, and the pressure is rapidly reduced. This makes it possible to deposit a large amount of air dissolved in water as fine bubbles. In this way, the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 can generate fine bubble water by including fine bubbles in water passing through the fine bubble generator 60 without actively, i.e., actively taking in supply of gas from the outside.

In this case, the fine bubble generator 60 does not need a drive source such as a dedicated pump for generating fine bubbles, other than the normal water pressure, i.e., the pressure of the tap water. For example, the fine bubble generator 60 may have a hole for communicating the inside of the throttle part 62 or the through part 63 with the outside, and the air from the outside may be taken into the water flowing through the fine bubble generator 60. This can increase the amount of air dissolved in water, and as a result, can increase the amount of fine bubbles deposited.

Next, the respective fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 will be explained.

As shown in fig. 1 and 3, the first fine bubble water supply path 30 is a water supply path connected to the tub cover 15 and communicating with the inside of the tub 13, for supplying fine bubble water containing fine bubbles from the upper portion of the tub 13 through the tub cover 15 into the tub 13, for example, between the tub 13 and the tub 16. As shown in fig. 1, the first fine bubble water supply path 30 includes a first fine bubble water inlet valve 31 and a first pipe member 32, in addition to the connection port 21 common to the tap water supply path 20 and the fine bubble generator 60. The first fine bubble water inlet valve 31 is an opening/closing valve for liquid that can be opened and closed electromagnetically, as in the tap water inlet valve 22. The first fine bubble water inlet valve 31 has an inflow side connected to the connection port 21 and a discharge side connected to the first pipe member 32.

The first pipe member 32 is used to supply water introduced into the outer case 11 from the connection port 21 through the first fine bubble water inlet valve 31 into the water tub 13. The base end portion, which is the upstream end portion of the first pipe member 32, is connected to the discharge side of the first fine bubble water inlet valve 31. Further, a downstream end portion, i.e., a front end portion of the first pipe member 32 is connected to an upper surface portion of the tub cover 15. The first pipe member 32 may be, for example, a metal pipe or a resin pipe having no flexibility, that is, having rigidity, or may be a flexible pipe, for example, a resin hose or a metal pipe formed in a bellows shape. The first pipe member 32 has an edge 321 provided on the front end side of the first pipe member.

In this case, the first fine bubble water supply path 30 is a water supply path from the connection port 21 to the inside of the tub 13 via the tub cover 15. As shown in fig. 3, the fine bubble generator 60 is provided in the first fine bubble water supply path 30. The fine-bubble generator 60 provided in the first fine-bubble water supply path 30 can generate fine-bubble water by partially reducing the size of the first fine-bubble water supply path 30 so that water passing through the first fine-bubble water supply path 30 contains fine bubbles.

The second fine bubble water supply path 40 is, as shown in fig. 1 and 5, a water supply path connected to the tub peripheral wall portion 131 to communicate with the inside of the tub 13, for supplying fine bubble water containing fine bubbles from the outside of the tub peripheral wall portion 131 through the tub peripheral wall portion 131 into the tub 13, for example, between the tub 13 and the tub 16. In the present embodiment, the second fine bubble water supply path 40 is provided below the gimbal 17. That is, the second fine bubble water supply path 40 can supply the fine bubble water to a position between the tub 13 and the tub 16 below the balance ring 17.

The second fine bubble water supply path 40 includes a second fine bubble water feed valve 41 and a second pipe member 42 in addition to the connection port 21 common to the city water supply path 20 and the fine bubble generator 60. The second fine bubble water inlet valve 41 is a liquid on-off valve that can be opened and closed electromagnetically, as in the tap water inlet valve 22. The inflow side of the second fine bubble water inlet valve 41 is connected to the connection port 21, and the discharge side is connected to the second pipe member 42.

The second pipe member 42 is used to supply water introduced into the outer case 11 from the connection port 21 through the second fine bubble water inlet valve 41 into the tub 13. The base end portion of the upstream end of the second pipe member 42 is connected to the discharge side of the second fine bubble water inlet valve 41. Further, an end portion on the downstream side of the second pipe member 42, i.e., a front end portion, is connected to a side surface portion of the tub peripheral wall portion 131. The second pipe member 42 is made of the same material as the first pipe member 32. The second pipe member 42 has an edge 421 provided on the front end side of the second pipe member 42, similarly to the first pipe member 32.

In this case, the second fine bubble water supply path 40 is a water supply path from the connection port 21 to the inside of the tub 13 via the tub peripheral wall portion 131. As shown in fig. 5, the fine bubble generator 60 is provided in the second fine bubble water supply path 40. The fine bubble generator 60 provided in the second fine bubble water supply path 40 can generate fine bubble water by partially reducing the size of the second fine bubble water supply path 40 so that water passing through the second fine bubble water supply path 40 contains fine bubbles.

The third fine bubble water supply path 50 is, as shown in fig. 1 and 7, a water supply path connected to the tub bottom 132 to communicate with the inside of the tub 13, for supplying fine bubble water containing fine bubbles from the outside of the tub bottom 132 through the tub bottom 132 into the tub 13, for example, between the tub 13 and the tub 16. The third fine bubble water supply path 50 includes a third fine bubble water feed valve 51 and a third pipe member 52, in addition to the connection port 21 common to the city water supply path 20 and the fine bubble generator 60. The third fine bubble water inlet valve 51 is a liquid on-off valve that can be opened and closed electromagnetically, as in the tap water inlet valve 22. The inflow side of the third fine bubble water inlet valve 51 is connected to the connection port 21, and the discharge side is connected to the third pipe member 52.

The third pipe member 52 is used to supply water introduced into the outer case 11 from the connection port 21 through the third fine bubble water inlet valve 51 into the tub 13. The base end of the third pipe member 52 on the upstream side is connected to the discharge side of the third fine bubble water inlet valve 51. Further, an end portion on the downstream side of the third pipe member 52, i.e., a front end portion, is connected to a side surface portion of the tub peripheral wall portion 131. The third pipe member 52 is made of the same material as the first pipe member 32 and the second pipe member 42. The third pipe member 52 has an edge 521 provided on the distal end side of the third pipe member 52, similarly to the first pipe member 32 and the second pipe member 42.

In this case, the third fine bubble water supply path 50 is a water supply path from the connection port 21 to the inside of the tub 13 via the tub bottom 132. As shown in fig. 7, the fine bubble generator 60 is provided in the third fine bubble water supply path 50. The fine bubble generator 60 provided in the third fine bubble water supply path 50 can generate fine bubble water by partially reducing the size of the third fine bubble water supply path 50 so that water passing through the third fine bubble water supply path 50 contains fine bubbles.

As shown in fig. 3 to 8, washing machine 10 includes mounting portion 70 and fixing member 80. In the case of the present embodiment, the washing machine 10 includes three sets of the mounting portions 70 and the fixing members 80 corresponding to the three fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50. The mounting portion 70 and the fixing member 80 are used to mount the micro-bubble generator 60 on the respective micro-bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, 50.

The mounting portion 70 may be formed separately from the tub 13 or the tub cover 15, or may be formed integrally with the tub 13 or the tub cover 15. In the case of the present embodiment, one of the three mounting portions 70 is configured independently of the tub 13 or the tub cover 15, and is provided to the tub cover 15, as shown in fig. 3 and 4. In addition, the other one of the three mounting portions 70 is integrally provided to the tub peripheral wall portion 131 as shown in fig. 5 and 6. Also, the remaining one of the three mounting portions 70 is integrally provided to the tub bottom 132. The fine bubble generators 60 provided on the respective fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, 50 are built in the mounting parts 70 provided on the tub cover 15, the tub peripheral wall part 131 and the tub bottom 132, respectively.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 3 to 8, the mounting portion 70 is configured to protrude outward of the tub 13 from the tub cover 15, the tub peripheral wall portion 131, and the tub bottom portion 132, respectively. In the case of the present embodiment, each of the mounting portions 70 does not protrude toward the inside of the tub 13 with respect to the inner surfaces of the tub cover 15, the tub peripheral wall portion 131, and the tub bottom 132.

Each mounting portion 70 has a receiving portion 71, a receiving portion 72, and a supply port 73. The receiving portion 71, the receiving portion 72, and the supply port 73 are formed to penetrate in a cylindrical shape toward the thickness direction of the tub cover 15, the tub peripheral wall portion 131, and the tub bottom 132, i.e., from the outside toward the inside of the tub 13, and communicate with the inside of the tub 13. In this case, the inner diameters of the receiving portion 71, the accommodating portion 72, and the supply port 73 become smaller in order. Thus, the supply port 73, the receiving portion 72, and the receiving portion 71 are formed in a cylindrical shape with a step as a whole.

The receiving portion 71 is configured to allow insertion of a tip portion, which is a downstream end portion of each of the

pipe members

32, 42, 52. The receiving portion 72 is configured to be able to receive the fine bubble generator 60 in a state where the through portion 63 of the fine bubble generator 60 is directed to the downstream side, i.e., the inside of the tub 13. The supply port 73 communicates the through part 63 of the fine bubble generator 60, i.e., the outlet part of the fine bubble generator 60, with the inside of the tub 13.

The supply port 73 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a constant inner diameter, which is the cross-sectional area of the flow path, so-called a straight pipe shape. In this case, the inner diameter of the supply port 73 is set to be equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the through portion 63 of the fine bubble generator 60. The supply port 73 may be formed in a conical pipe shape having a so-called conical shape in which the inner diameter is continuously and gradually enlarged from the upstream side toward the downstream side, i.e., from the fine bubble generator 60 side toward the inside of the tub 13. That is, the supply port 73 may have a shape symmetrical to the throttle portion 62 with respect to the flow direction of water. In this case, the inner diameter of the upstream side of the supply port 73, that is, the inner diameter of the boundary portion between the receiving portion 72 and the supply port 73 is set to be equal to or smaller than the inner diameter of the through portion 63.

As shown in fig. 3, 5, and 7, the downstream end portions of the

respective tube members

32, 42, and 52, that is, the distal end portions thereof are inserted into the receiving portion 71. Thereby, the tip end portions of the

respective tube members

32, 42, 52 are detachably connected to the mounting portion 70. In this case, the tip end portions of the

respective tube members

32, 42, 52 are locked to the bottom portion of the receiving portion 71, which is the boundary portion between the receiving portion 71 and the accommodating portion 72, via the seal member 91. The sealing member 91 is an O-ring made of an elastic member such as rubber, and is provided on the outer peripheral surface portion of the distal end portion of the

tube members

32, 42, 52. Thereby, the

pipe members

32, 42, 52 and the receiving portion 71 are connected to each other in a watertight state by the seal member 91.

The fine bubble generator 60 is housed in the housing portion 72. In this case, the flange portion 61 is locked to a stepped portion provided in the middle of the housing portion 72 via the seal member 92. The seal member 92 is an O-ring made of an elastic member such as rubber, for example, and is provided on the outer peripheral surface portion of the fine bubble generator 60, similarly to the seal member 91. Thus, the fine bubble generator 60 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 72 in a watertight state by the seal member 92. In this case, as shown in fig. 3, 5 and 7, the fine bubble generators 60 provided in the respective fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40 and 50 are provided outside the inner surface of the tub 13 and do not protrude toward the inside of the tub 13.

In addition, the mounting portion 70 has a threaded portion 74. The threaded portion 74 is an internal thread or an external thread provided on the outer surface of the mounting portion 70. The fixing member 80 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom portion as a whole, that is, a so-called cap shape. The fixing member 80 has a hole 81 and a threaded portion 82.

The hole 81 is formed in a circular shape penetrating the bottom of the cylindrical shape. The inner diameter of the hole 81 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the

tube members

32, 42, 52, and is sufficiently smaller than the outer diameter of the

edge portions

321, 421, 521 of the

tube members

32, 42, 52. The threaded portion 82 is a male or female thread provided on the inner surface of the mounting portion 70. The screw portion 82 corresponds to the screw portion 74 of the mounting portion 70, and is configured to be fittable to the screw portion 74.

When mounting the fine bubble generator 60 and the

respective tube members

32, 42, and 52 to the respective mounting portions 70, the operator first inserts the distal end portions of the

respective tube members

32, 42, and 52 into the receiving portions 71 of the mounting portions 70 in a state where the fine bubble generator 60 is housed in the housing portion 72. Thereafter, the operator inserts the fixing member 80 so as to cover the mounting portion 70, and rotates the fixing member 80 in a direction in which the threaded portion 74 of the mounting portion 70 is fastened to the threaded portion 82 of the fixing member 80. Thus, the fine bubble generator 60 is pressed against the distal end portions of the

respective tube members

32, 42, 52 and fixed in the accommodating portion 72, and the

respective tube members

32, 42, 52 are fixed to the mounting portion 70 by the fixing member 80.

When the fine bubble generator 60 and the

respective pipe members

32, 42, and 52 are detached from the attachment portion 70, the operator performs the procedure reverse to the above procedure. That is, the operator rotates the fixing member 80 in a direction to loosen the screw portion 74 of the mounting portion 70 and the screw portion 82 of the fixing member 80. Thereby, the fixing of the

respective tube members

32, 42, 52 to the mounting portion 70 is released, and the fine bubble generator 601 and the distal end portions of the

respective tube members

32, 42, 52 can be detached from the respective mounting portions 70.

In the present embodiment, among the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, 50, the

respective tube members

42, 52 pass between the corner 111 of the outer box 11 and the tub 13 as shown in fig. 9, in the fine bubble

water supply paths

40, 50 reaching below the tub cover 15, that is, passing through the side of the tub 13. In this case, in the second fine bubble water supply path 40 connected to the tub peripheral wall portion 131, a portion of the second pipe member 42 extending in the axial direction of the tub 13, i.e., the up-down direction, is set to be located on a virtual line L connecting the rotation center O of the tub 16 and the corner portion 111 of the outer box 11. Also, in the third fine bubble water supply path 50 connected to the tub bottom 132, a portion of the third pipe member 52 extending in the axial direction of the tub 13, i.e., the up-down direction, is provided on the virtual line L described above.

According to the embodiments described above, the effect of the fine bubble water can be effectively utilized as described below. That is, the washing machine 10 includes at least one fine bubble

water supply path

30, 40, 50 connected to at least one of the tub cover 15, the tub peripheral wall portion 131, and the tub bottom portion 132, communicating with the inside of the tub 13, and capable of supplying fine bubble water containing fine bubbles into the tub 13.

Accordingly, each of the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 can supply the fine bubble water containing a large amount of fine bubbles into the tub 13. In addition, the washing machine 10 can improve the washing performance and the rinsing performance as compared with the case of using normal tap water by performing the washing operation and the tub cleaning operation using the cleaning liquid generated by mixing the fine bubble water and the detergent, or performing the rinsing operation using the fine bubble water, for example.

The washing machine 10 further includes at least one fine bubble generator 60 provided in the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50, and generating fine bubble water by partially reducing the size of the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 so that water passing through the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 contains fine bubbles. In this case, the fine bubble generator 60 does not need to actively obtain the supply of the gas from the outside of the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50.

Therefore, since the washing machine 10 does not need to be provided with a suction valve, a driving mechanism, or the like for obtaining external air, the structure for generating fine bubble water can be simplified. As a result, according to the washing machine 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve a simple configuration and to improve the cleaning performance and the rinsing performance. Further, the generation of fine bubbles does not require power other than the pressure of the tap water, and therefore energy is saved.

Further, since the washing machine 10 is not provided with a suction valve, a driving mechanism, and the like for obtaining the external air, adjustment of the suction valve, the driving mechanism, and the like is not necessary, and adjustment of the fine bubble generator 60 is also not necessary. As a result, according to the washing machine 10 of the present embodiment, the assembly work is facilitated, and adjustment and maintenance after assembly are facilitated.

In the present embodiment, the washing machine 10 includes three fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 having different supply destinations. In this case, the first fine bubble water supply path 30 is connected to the tub cover 15 as shown in fig. 1 and 3, and can supply fine bubble water containing fine bubbles into the tub 13, in this case, between the tub 13 and the tub 16, from above the tub cover 15, i.e., the upper portion of the tub 13. Accordingly, the first fine bubble water supply path 30 can supply high-concentration fine bubble water to the upper portion of the tub 13. Therefore, for example, by injecting fine bubble water from above the laundry during the washing operation and the rinsing operation, fine bubbles can be easily diffused throughout the entire tub 13, and as a result, the washing performance and the rinsing performance can be improved.

In addition, the second fine bubble water supply path 40 is connected to the tub peripheral wall portion 131 as shown in fig. 1 and 5, and can supply fine bubble water containing fine bubbles from the outside of the tub peripheral wall portion 131, i.e., from the side portion of the tub 13 into the tub 13, in this case, between the tub 13 and the tub 16. Accordingly, the second fine bubble water supply path 40 can supply the high-concentration fine bubble water to the side of the rotary tub 13, that is, the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface.

In this case, a part of the high-concentration fine bubble water supplied from the second fine bubble water supply path 40 enters the rotary tub 16 through the small holes 163 provided in the rotary tub peripheral wall 161. Therefore, for example, in the water injection during the washing operation and the rinsing operation, even for the laundry located near the inner surface of the peripheral wall 161 of the tub, which is difficult to be distributed by the water injection from above the tub 13, the high-concentration fine bubble water can be efficiently supplied. This makes it easier to distribute the high-concentration fine-bubble water throughout the entire laundry, and as a result, further improvement in cleaning performance and rinsing performance can be achieved.

Further, since the second fine bubble water supply path 40 supplies the fine bubble water of high concentration to the vicinity of the tub peripheral wall 161, the inner surface of the tub peripheral wall 131 and the outer peripheral surface of the tub peripheral wall 161 can be effectively cleaned with the fine bubble water of high concentration, for example, during the tub cleaning operation.

Also, the third fine bubble water supply path 50 is connected to the tub bottom 132 as shown in fig. 1 and 7, and supplies fine bubble water containing fine bubbles from the outside of the tub bottom 132, i.e., from below the tub 13, into the tub 13, in this case, between the tub 13 and the tub 16. Accordingly, the third fine bubble water supply path 50 can efficiently supply the high-concentration fine bubble water to the lower side of the rotary tub 13, that is, the vicinity of the back surface of the pulsator 18.

In this case, a part of the high-concentration fine bubble water supplied from the third fine bubble water supply path 50 enters the tub 16 from the small hole 163 provided in the tub bottom 132. Therefore, for example, in the water injection during the washing operation and the rinsing operation, the high-concentration fine bubble water can be supplied to the laundry located near the bottom 162 of the tub, which is difficult to be distributed in the water injection from the upper side and the side of the tub 13. This makes it easier to distribute the high-concentration fine-bubble water throughout the entire laundry, and as a result, further improvement in cleaning performance and rinsing performance can be achieved.

Further, since the third fine bubble water supply path 50 supplies the high-concentration fine bubble water to the vicinity of the drum bottom 162, the drum bottom 162 and the back surface of the pulsator 18 can be efficiently washed with the high-concentration fine bubble water during, for example, the drum cleaning operation.

Here, the collision part 64 of the fine bubble generator 60 is applied with a high water pressure. In this case, for example, when water containing a large amount of rust or the like is used, the piercing portion 64 may be worn or deformed by long-term use. Therefore, the fine bubble generator 60 is a component that can be replaced according to the usage environment.

In contrast, according to the present embodiment, the fine bubble generator 60 is configured by a member different from the tub 13, the tub cover 15, and the mounting portion 70 provided to the tub 13 and the tub cover 15. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the fine bubble generator 60 can be easily replaced, and as a result, the maintenance performance of the fine bubble generator 60 is improved.

The washing machine 10 further includes a mounting portion 70 for mounting the fine bubble generator 60. The mounting portion 70 is provided at the tub cover 15, the tub peripheral wall portion 131, and the tub bottom 132. The attachment portion 70 is connected to the

pipe members

32, 42, 52 in a state where the fine bubble generator 60 is accommodated on the downstream side of the distal end portions of the

pipe members

32, 42, 52, whereby the fine bubble generator 60 can be attached to the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, 50. In this case, the worker can mount the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 by connecting the

pipe members

32, 42, and 52 to the mounting portion 70 with the fine bubble generator 60 housed in the mounting portion 70. Therefore, the worker can easily attach the fine bubble generator 60, and as a result, the workability of attaching the fine bubble generator 60 can be improved.

In recent years, there is a demand for a user to increase the washing capacity and save space as a whole of the washing machine. In order to increase the washing capacity, the size of the rotary tub 16 needs to be increased, and in order to save space, the size of the water tub 13 needs to be decreased. Therefore, in recent washing machines, there is a tendency to reduce the gap between the tub and the tub. In this case, if the fine bubble generators 60 provided on the tub peripheral wall portion 131 and the tub bottom portion 132, for example, protrude toward the inside of the tub 13, there is a possibility that the tub 16 collides with the fine bubble generators 60 when the tub 16 vibrates. Therefore, if the fine bubble generator 60 protrudes toward the inside of the tub 13, the effective space inside the tub 13 will be reduced. Therefore, in this case, in order to avoid collision of the tub 16 with the fine bubble generator 60, it is necessary to miniaturize the tub 16 or to enlarge the tub 13.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the fine bubble generator 60 is provided outside the tub peripheral wall 131 and the tub bottom 132, which are inner surfaces of the tub 13, and does not protrude into the tub 13. In this case, the mounting portion 70 does not protrude toward the inside of the tub 13. Accordingly, an effective space within the tub 13 can be largely secured. Therefore, even if the fine bubble generator 60 is provided, the collision between the rotary tub 16 and the fine bubble generator 60 can be prevented without reducing the size of the rotary tub 16 or increasing the size of the water tub 13.

In order to save space of the washing machine 10, it is necessary to suppress an increase in size of the casing 11. In this case, as for the second and third fine-bubble

water supply paths

40 and 50, which are portions of the respective fine-bubble

water supply paths

30, 40 and 50 passing by the side of the tub 13, the

pipe members

42 and 52 constituting the fine-bubble

water supply paths

40 and 50 are opened between the corner 111 of the outer box 11 and the tub 13. In this case, a space between the corner 111 of the outer box 11 and the tub 13 is likely to be an unnecessary space where no structure is present. Therefore, since the

pipe members

42 and 52 can be disposed by effectively utilizing the dead space in the housing 11, the second fine bubble water supply path 40 and the third fine bubble water supply path 50 can be provided without increasing the size of the housing 11.

(other embodiments)

In the above embodiment, each of the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 is configured to receive water supply from an external water supply source such as tap water, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in fig. 10, each of the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, 50 may be configured as a circulation water path circulating in the tub 13.

In this case, washing machine 10 includes circulation pump 93. The inflow side of the circulation pump 93 is connected to the drain port 133, and the discharge side of the circulation pump 93 is branched into three and connected to the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50. This also provides the same operational effects as those of the above embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the washing machine 10 has the configuration in which the three fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 are provided at the same time, but at least one of the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 may be provided.

The washing machine 10 has the fine bubble

water inlet valves

31, 41, and 51 provided individually for the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50, but is not limited to this configuration, and the fine bubble

water inlet valves

31, 41, and 51 may be shared. That is, the washing machine 10 may be provided with a common water inlet valve in each of the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 instead of the fine bubble

water inlet valves

31, 41, and 51 provided individually for each of the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50.

In the above embodiment, the fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 are configured to supply the fine bubble water between the tub 13 and the tub 16 in the tub 13, but are not limited thereto. The fine bubble

water supply paths

30, 40, and 50 may be configured to spray the laundry supplied into the rotary tub 16, for example.

The fine bubble generator 60 shown in the above embodiment is an example of a device for generating fine bubble water, and the specific configuration thereof is not limited to the above, and can be appropriately changed.

For example, the fine bubble generator 60 may be integrally formed with the mounting portion 70.

Further, the fine bubble generator 60 may be divided into two or more parts,

in the above embodiments, the collision portion 64 is not limited to being formed integrally with the fine bubble generator 60. For example, a plurality of screws may be screwed from the outside toward the inside of the through-hole 63 of the fine bubble generator 60, and the tips of the screws may be made to protrude into the through-hole 63, thereby performing the same function as the collision part 64.

In the above embodiments, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are not intended to indicate any order of priority, and are used for distinguishing between the items that are conveniently labeled to represent the same functional elements.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Claims

1. A washing machine is provided with:

an outer box;

the cylindrical water containing barrel is arranged inside the outer box and is provided with a bottom;

a water bucket cover arranged at the end part of the water bucket and provided with an opening part for communicating the inside and the outside of the water bucket;

a rotary tub rotatably provided inside the water tub;

at least one fine bubble water supply path connected to at least one of the tub cover, the peripheral wall of the tub, and the bottom of the tub, communicating with the inside of the tub, and capable of supplying fine bubble water containing fine bubbles into the tub;

at least one fine bubble generator provided in the fine bubble water supply path, for generating fine bubble water by partially narrowing the fine bubble water supply path so that water passing through the fine bubble water supply path contains fine bubbles; and

a mounting part provided on at least one of a peripheral wall portion of the water tub, a bottom of the water tub, and the water tub cover, and housing the fine bubble generator,

the fine bubble generator is composed of a component different from the water containing barrel and the water containing barrel cover, and is installed on at least one of the water containing barrel cover, the peripheral wall part of the water containing barrel and the bottom of the water containing barrel by being accommodated in the installation part,

the washing machine further having a fixing part for mounting the fine bubble generator to the fine bubble water supply path,

the fine bubble water supply path has a pipe member,

the mounting part is provided with a containing part for containing the fine bubble generator,

when the fixing member is fixed to the mounting portion in a state where the fine bubble generator is housed in the housing portion, the fine bubble generator is pressed against the distal end portion of the pipe member and fixed to the mounting portion, and the pipe member is fixed to the mounting portion by the fixing member; when the fixing of the fixing member to the mounting portion is released, the fine bubble generator and the tube member can be detached from the mounting portion.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

the fine bubble generator is attached to the fine bubble water supply path by connecting a distal end portion of a pipe member constituting the fine bubble water supply path to the attachment portion in a state in which the fine bubble generator is accommodated in the attachment portion.

3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

the fine bubble generator is disposed outside the inner surface of the tub and does not protrude toward the inside of the tub.

4. The washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3,

the outer box is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view,

in a case where the fine bubble water supply path passes by a side of the tub, a pipe member constituting the fine bubble water supply path is opened between a corner of the outer box and the tub.