AU2020325449B2

AU2020325449B2 - Ultrasonic cleaning device and washing machine

Info

Publication number: AU2020325449B2
Application number: AU2020325449A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shinpei MITSUHASHI; Takaaki Yonezawa
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-05
Filing date: 2020-07-23
Publication date: 2024-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-23
Also published as: CN112626786B; CN213740112U; WO2021023014A1; CN213740117U; JP7398697B2; CN213740140U; CN213740116U; CN213708832U; CN112626788B; CN112111920A; CN213740114U; CN213740113U; CN112626787A; CN112323334B; CN213740115U; CN213708831U; CN112626788A; JP2021023547A; CN213708830U; CN112626786A

Abstract

An ultrasonic cleaning device, capable of adequately draining water from a water storage drum (210), and thus increasing the convenience for a user. The ultrasonic cleaning device (50) comprises: a drain port (211) for draining water from the water storage drum (210); a valve body (220) for closing the drain port (211); and a valve switching mechanism (230) used for switching the valve body (220) in the following manner: when an ultrasonic generator (110) and the water storage drum (210) are located in operating positions, the valve body (220) is in a closed state, and when the ultrasonic generator (110) and the water storage drum (210) are located in standby positions, the valve body (220) is in an open state. The valve switching mechanism (230) comprises an operation portion (250) for opening the valve body (220). When the ultrasonic generator (110) and the water storage drum (210) are located in the operating positions, and an opening operation is performed, the valve switching mechanism (230) switches the value body (220) from a closed state to an open state.

Description

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

ULTRASONIC CLEANING DEVICE AND WASHING MACHINE TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic cleaning device and a washing machine equipped with the ultrasonic cleaning device.

BACKGROUND

Patent Document 1 describes a washing machine in which an ultrasonic cleaning device is disposed nearby an inlet opening for laundry on an upper panel of the washing machine, for example, on a front side of the inlet opening. The ultrasonic cleaning device includes a water storage drum capable of storing water and an ultrasonic generation unit of an ultrasonic generation body directly above the water storage drum. The laundry having the dirt attachment part is placed in the water storage drum storing the water so that the cleaning operation is started. The ultrasonic energy generated by the ultrasonic generation body acts on the dirt attachment part soaked by the water so that the dirt is peeled off.

In the ultrasonic cleaning device described above, the structure described below is adopted. The water storage drum and the upper panel are formed separately, and positions of the water storage drum and the ultrasonic generation unit are switched between that the ultrasonic generation unit protrudes towards an inner side of the inlet opening in a case of a cleaning operation and that the ultrasonic generation unit is accommodated around the inlet opening in a case of a non-cleaning operation. In this case, even if the water splashes from the water storage !0 drum during the cleaning operation, the splashed water easily falls into the washing drum and does not easily fly out of the washing machine. In addition, the ultrasonic generation unit does not hamper the laundry from being put in the inlet opening in the case of the non-cleaning operation.

The water stored in the water storage drum is drained through a water draining path connected !5 to the water storage drum. A valve body capable of opening and closing the water draining port is provided on the water draining path and the water is drained from the water storage drum by opening the valve body. As described above, in the case where the structure in which the ultrasonic generation unit is switched between a case of the cleaning operation and a case of the non-cleaning operation, the user maintains the ultrasonic generation unit in the case of the cleaning operation when the cleaning operation is performed continuously after one cleaning operation ends. The water in the water storage drum can continue to be used for the cleaning operation. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the convenience to the user by adopting the structure in which the water is not drained in the case where the ultrasonic generation unit is located in a position in the case of the cleaning operation and water is drained in the case where the ultrasonic generation unit returns to a position in the case of the non-cleaning operation. In addition, the user may want to change the water in the water storage drum in the position in the case of the cleaning operation, and in this case, the user may expect to change the water easily.

Existing Art Document

Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open number 2018-68435

SUMMARY

The present invention seeks to substantially address one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide a useful alternative.

In one example, there is provided an ultrasonic cleaning device capable of improving user convenience of draining water from a water storage bucket.

In another example, there is provided a washing machine equipped with the ultrasonic cleaning device.

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, the device is mounted into a back of an upper panel of a washing machine and above an inlet opening of washing machine. The device includes an !0 ultrasonic generation body configured to generate ultrasonic waves; and a water storage bucket located below the ultrasonic generation body and capable of storing water for soaking a laundry, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning device is disposed in a predetermined disposition portion, and positions of the ultrasonic generation body and the water storage bucket are switched between an operation position when a cleaning operation is performed and a standby position when a !5 non-cleaning operation is performed. The ultrasonic cleaning device in this solution includes a water draining port configured to drain the water from the water storage bucket; a valve body configured to block the water draining port; and a valve switching mechanism configured to switch the valve body between an off state in which the valve body is off when the ultrasonic generation body and the water storage bucket are in the operation position and an on state in which the valve body is on when the ultrasonic generation body and the water storage bucket are in the standby position. The valve switching mechanism includes an operation portion configured to open an on operation of the valve body, and in the case where the ultrasonic generation body and the water storage bucket are in the operation position and the operation portion is configured to be moved forward by users, the on operation of the valve body can be manually actuated via the operation portion, and the valve switching mechanism is configured to switch the valve body from the off state to the on state.

Further speaking, the structure described below can be adopted. The valve switching mechanism includes a force application member configured to applying a force to the valve body in a blocking direction where the water draining port is blocked; and a valve movable member connected to the valve body, and the valve movable member is configured to abut against an abutment portion disposed on a side of the disposition portion when the ultrasonic generation body and the water storage bucket move from the operation position to the standby position. The valve movable member is pushed by the abutment portion to move the valve body in an opening direction in which the water draining port is opened. The on operation is configured to be a movement operation in which the operation portion moves in a predetermined direction, the valve movable member is connected to the operation portion, and when the movement operation is performed on the operation portion, the valve movable member is configured to move together with the operation portion so as to move the valve body in the opening direction.

According to the structure, the ultrasonic cleaning device cannot drain the water from the water storage bucket in a state in which the cleaning operation is performed, and can drain the water from the water storage bucket in a state in which the cleaning operation is not performed. Moreover, even in the case where ultrasonic generation body and the water storage bucket are !5 located in the operation position, it is possible to drain the water from the water storage bucket when the water in the water storage bucket needs to be replaced without making the ultrasonic generation body and the water storage bucket return to the standby position, so that the water can be well drained from the water storage bucket, and the convenience to the user can be improved.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, the washing machine includes a tank, an outer drum capable of storing water; an inner drum disposed in the outer drum and configured to accommodate a laundry, and the ultrasonic cleaning device in the first solution. The tank comprises an upper panel, and the upper panel is formed with an inlet opening. The outer drum is disposed in the tank. The ultrasonic cleaning device is mounted into a back of an upper panel and above an inlet opening.

The above structure has same effects as the ultrasonic cleaning device in the first solution.

In the washing machine, the structure describe below can be adopted. The washing machine further includes: a first water draining path for allowing water drained from a bottom of the outer drum to pass through, a water overflowing port disposed at an upper part of the outer drum; a water overflowing path configured to guide the water drained from the water overflowing port to the first water draining path; a water receiving portion configured to receive the water drained from the water draining port; and a second water draining path connected to the water receiving portion and the water overflowing path, and configured to guide the water drained from the water receiving portion to the water overflowing path.

According to the above structure, the second water draining path through which cleaning water drained from the water receiving portion passes is connected to the water overflowing path which guides the water to flow from the water overflowing port to the first water draining path, so that the second water draining path can be shortened with respect to the structure in which the second water draining path is connected to the first water draining path.

In the washing machine of this solution, the structure describe below can be adopted. The washing machine further includes: a storage portion and a supply portion. The storage portion is capable of storing water containing detergent and supplied to the water storage drum. The storage portion has a larger water storage capacity than the water storage drum. The supply portion is configured to at least supply water to the storage portion.

According to the above structure, the water containing detergent is stored in the storage portion having a larger water storage capacity than the water storage bucket and supplied to the water storage bucket from the storage portion, so that the water containing detergent does not need to be generated every time when the water in the water storage bucket is replaced, thereby improving the convenience to the user.

According to the present disclosure, the water can be well drained from the water storage bucket, and the convenience to the user can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Example embodiments should become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, of at least one preferred but non-limiting embodiment, described in connection with the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a water supply unit according to the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 (a) is a perspective view of an ultrasonic cleaning device and an upper panel in a case where an ultrasonic cleaning portion and the water storage portion are in a standby position according to the embodiment of the present application, and FIG. 3 (b) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the upper panel in a case where the ultrasonic cleaning device and the water storage portion are in an operation position according to the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device in a state in which a water storage portion is removed according to the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning portion and a main body portion according to the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of the water storage portion according to the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 (a) is a perspective view of the inverted water storage portion of the embodiment of the present application, and FIG. 7 (b) is a side sectional view of the water storage portion according to the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a rear part of the upper panel in a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is accommodated in an accommodating portion according to the embodiment of the present application;

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the rear part of the upper panel in a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is pulled out from the accommodating portion according to the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 (a) is a perspective view of a storage tank, a supply valve and a supply nozzle according to an embodiment, and FIG. 10 (b) is a perspective view of a water receiving portion according to the embodiment of the present application;

FIGS. 11 (a) to (c) are diagrams illustrating that the ultrasonic cleaning device decontaminates a laundry according to an embodiment of the present application; and

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the rear part of the upper panel in a case where an operation portion is moved in a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is pulled out from the accommodating portion according to the embodiment of the present application.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 fully automatic washing machine (washing machine)

12 upper panel

17 accommodating portion (disposition portion)

20 outer drum

20a water draining port portion (first water draining path)

20b water overflowing port

22 washing and dewatering drum (inner drum)

25 overflowing water receiving portion (water overflowing path)

26 water overflowing pipe (water overflowing path)

41 water draining hose (first water draining path)

50 ultrasonic cleaning device

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

60 storage tank (water storage portion)

70 water receiving portion

72 water draining pipe (second water draining path)

74 rib (abutment portion)

90 automatic feeding mechanism (supply portion)

100 ultrasonic cleaning portion

110 ultrasonic generation body

200 water storage portion

210 water storage bucket

211 water draining port

220 valve body

230 valve switching mechanism

240 valve movable member

250 operation portion

260 spring (force application member)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of an ultrasonic cleaning device and a washing machine in the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine 1.

!0 The fully automatic washing machine 1 includes a tank 10 forming an outer contour. The tank 10 includes a body portion 11 in square cylindrical shape whose upper and lower surfaces are

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

open, an upper panel 12 covering the upper surface of the body portion 11, and a foot stand 13 supporting the body portion 11. The upper panel 12 is formed with an inlet opening for laundry 14. The inlet opening 14 is covered by an upper cover 15 which is free to open and close. A control portion 16 is provided inside a front part of the upper panel 12. The control portion 16 controls a washing operation of the fully automatic washing machine 1 and a cleaning operation of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 described below.

The outer drum 20 having an opening on the upper surface of the outer drum 20 is elastically suspended and supported in the case 10 by four hanging rods 21 having a vibration-proof device. A washing and dewatering drum 22 having an opening on the upper surface of the washing and dewatering drum 22 is disposed in the outer drum 20. The washing and dewatering drum 22 is rotated about a rotation axis extending in a vertical direction. Multiple dewatering holes 22a are formed throughout an inner circumferential surface of the washing and dewatering drum 22. A balance ring 23 is provided at the upper part of the washing and dewatering drum 22. A impeller 24 is provided at a bottom of the washing and dewatering drum 22. Multiple blades 24a are provided radially on a surface of the impeller 24. It is to be noted that the washing and dewatering drum 22 is equivalent to an inner drum of the present disclosure.

A driving unit 30 generating a torque for driving the washing and dewatering drum 22 and the impeller 24 is disposed at an outer bottom of the outer drum 20. The driving unit 30 includes a driving motor 31 and a transmission mechanism portion 32. The transmission mechanism !0 portion 32 has a clutch mechanism 32a. A switching operation is achieved by the clutch mechanism 32a, during the cleaning and rinsing processes, the torque of the driving motor 31 is only transmitted to the impeller 24 so as to only make the impeller 24 rotate, and during the dewatering process, the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted to the impeller 24 and the washing and dewatering drum 22 so as to make the impeller 24 and the washing and dewatering !5 drum 22 rotate integrally.

A water draining port portion 20a is formed at the outer bottom of the outer drum 20. A water draining valve 40 is provided at the water draining port portion 20a. The water draining valve 40 is connected to a water draining hose 41. When the water draining valve 40 is opened, the water stored in the washing and dewatering drum 22 and the outer drum 20 is drained out of the washing machine through the water draining hose 41. It is to be noted that the first water draining path of the present disclosure is constituted by the water draining port portion 20a and the water draining hose 41.

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

A water overflowing port 20b is formed at the upper part of the outer drum 20. When water above a predetermined water overflowing level is stored in the outer drum 20, the water is drained from the water overflowing port 20b. An overflowing water receiving portion 25 is provided on the outer surface of the outer drum 20 and in a manner of covering the water overflowing port 20b. One end of a water overflowing pipe 26 is connected to a bottom of the overflowing water receiving portion 25. The other end of the water overflowing pipe 26 is connected to the water draining hose 41. After being received by the overflowing water receiving portion 25, the water drained from the water overflowing port 20b passes through the water overflowing pipe 26 and flows into the water draining hose 41. It is to be noted that the water overflowing path of the present disclosure is constituted by the overflowing water receiving portion 25 and the water overflowing pipe 26. In addition, the water draining pipe 72 is equivalent to a second water draining path of the present disclosure.

The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is provided approximately at a center of a rear part of the upper panel 12. The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 mainly performs, before the fully automatic washing machine 1 performs the washing process, a cleaning operation for removing dirt locally attached to the laundry, such as oil dirt attached to a work suit or sebum dirt attached to the cuff or neckline of a shirt.

At the rear part of the upper panel 12, a storage tank 60 is disposed behind the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, and a water receiving portion 70 is disposed below the ultrasonic cleaning !0 device 50. The storage tank 60 stores the water containing detergent to be supplied to a water storage bucket 210 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. Hereinafter, the water containing detergent is called "cleaning water".

The water receiving portion 70 is configured to receive the water drained from the water storage bucket 210. The water receiving portion 70 is formed with a water draining hole 71 for draining !5 the received water. One end of the water draining pipe 72 is connected to the water draining hole 71. The other end of the water draining pipe 72 is connected to an upper part of the water overflowing pipe 26.

A water supply unit 80 for supplying running water to the washing and dewatering drum 22 is disposed at the rear part of the upper panel 12.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the water supply unit 80.

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

The water supply unit 80 has a water supply valve 81. The water supply valve 81 is a dual valve having a main valve 82 and a sub-valve 83 as magnetic valves. A water inlet 81a of the water supply valve 81 is connected to a water faucet via a water supply hose (not shown in the figure). A main water supply path 84 is connected to an outlet of the main valve 82 of the water supply valve 81. The main water supply path 84 has a water injection port 84a located on an upper part of the washing and dewatering drum 22.

The water supply unit 80 includes an automatic feeding mechanism 90 for automatically feeding a liquid detergent for washing into the washing and dewatering drum 22. The automatic feeding mechanism 90 also has the function of supplying the cleaning water to the storage tank 60. The automatic feeding mechanism 90 is equivalent to the supply portion of the present disclosure.

The automatic feeding mechanism 90 includes a detergent box 91, a supply pipe 92, a first three-way valve 93, a sub-water-supply path 94, a supply pump 95, a detergent supply path 96, a second three-way valve 97, and a cleaning water supply path 98. The sub-valve 83 of the water supply valve 81 is also included in the automatic feeding mechanism 90.

The liquid detergent is stored in the detergent box 91 in a state of an original fluid. The supply pipe 92 guides the liquid detergent in the detergent box 91 to one inlet of the first three-way valve 93.

The sub-water-supply path 94 is connected to an outlet of the sub-valve 83 and the other inlet of !0 the first three-way valve 93.

The supply pump 95 is connected to the outlet of the first three-way valve 93, and the detergent supply path 96 is connected to the supply pump 95. The detergent supply path 96 has a supply port 96a located above the washing and dewatering drum 22. The supply pump 95 may be, for example, a piston pump.

!5 The first three-way valve 93 can be switched between a state in which the supply pipe 92 is communicated with the supply pump 95 and a state in which the sub-water-supply path 94 is communicated with the supply pump 95.

The detergent supply path 96 is provided with the second three-way valve 97. An upstream side supply path 96b of the detergent supply path 96 is connected to an inlet of the second three-way

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

valve 97, and a downstream side supply path 96c of the detergent supply path 96 is connected to one outlet of the second three-way valve 97. Moreover, one end of the cleaning water supply path 98 is connected to the other outlet of the second three-way valve 97. The other end of the cleaning water supply path 98 is connected to the storage tank 60.

The second three-way valve 97 can be switched between a state in which the upstream side supply path 96b is communicated with the downstream side supply path 96c and a state in which the upstream side supply path 96b is communicated with the cleaning water supply path 98.

Next, the structure of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the structure of the periphery of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 including the storage tank 60 and the water receiving portion 70 will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 (a) is a perspective view of an ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and an upper panel 12 in a case where the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 and the water storage portion 200 are in a standby position, and FIG. 3 (b) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the upper panel 12 in a case where the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 and the water storage portion 200 are in an operation position.

The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 includes an ultrasonic cleaning portion 100, a water storage portion 200, and a main body unit 300. The ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 includes an ultrasonic generation body 110 for generating ultrasonic waves. A main body portion 300 holds !0 the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100. The water storage portion 200 is located below the ultrasonic generation body 110, the water storage portion 200 has the water storage bucket 210 capable of storing the cleaning water, and the water storage portion 200 is assembled and connected to the main body unit 300. The water storage portion 200 can be pulled forward and then separated from the main body portion 300 by the detachment operation performed by the user.

An accommodating portion 17 for accommodating the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is disposed at a central portion of the rear part of the upper panel 12. In the upper panel 12, a front of the accommodating portion 17 serves as an exit 18. The accommodating portion 17 is equivalent to the disposition portion of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 3 (a), in a case where the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is not used to perform

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

the cleaning operation, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is in a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 and the water storage portion 200, i.e., the ultrasonic generation body 110 and the water storage bucket 210, are stored in the accommodating portion 17. In this case, the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 and the water storage portion 200 are in the standby position. As shown in FIG. 3 (b), in a case where the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is used to perform the cleaning operation, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is switched to be in a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 and the water storage portion 200 are pulled forward from the accommodating portion 17 and protrudes towards an inner side of the inlet opening 14 of the upper panel 12. In this case, the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 and the water storage portion 200 are in the operation position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 in a state in which a water storage portion 200 is removed. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 and a main body portion 300. FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of the water storage portion 200. FIG. 7 (a) is a perspective view of the inverted water storage portion 200, and FIG. 7 (b) is a side sectional view of the water storage portion.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 includes an ultrasonic generation body 110, a housing 120, and a cover 130.

The ultrasonic generation body 110 includes an ultrasonic oscillator 111 and a vibration horn 112 coupled with the ultrasonic oscillator 111. The vibration horn 112 is made of a metal !0 material having an electrical conductivity and has a shape tapering toward a tip side of the vibration horn 112. A top end surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 has an elongated rectangular shape. The ultrasonic generation body 110 generates ultrasonic waves from a top end of the vibration horn 112. A flange portion 113 is formed at an upper end part of the vibration horn 112.

!5 The housing 120 is made of a resin material and has a shape of an arm that is long in a front-rear direction and having a top end part 120a bending downward. An opening portion 121 is formed on a lower surface of the top end part 120a.

The housing 120 is formed by combining a lower member 140 with an open upper surface and an upper member 150 with an open lower surface. A reinforcement plate 160 made of metal is assembled and connected to the lower member 140. The lower member 140 is provided with a lower mounting hole 141 and a lower mounting boss 142, and the upper member 150 is

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

provided with an upper mounting boss 151 corresponding to the lower mounting hole 141 and an upper mounting hole 152 corresponding to the lower mounting boss 142. A screw 171 passing through the lower mounting hole 141 is fixed to the upper mounting boss 151 and the screw 171 passing through the upper mounting hole 152 is fixed to the lower mounting boss 142. Therefore, the lower member 140 and the upper member 150 are combined. The top end part 120a of the housing 120 is formed by the lower member 140.

In the lower member 140, mounting bosses 143 are provided at the front and rear of the opening portion 121, respectively. Further, an embedding opening portion 144 for embedding the cover 130 is formed nearby the opening portion 121 of the lower member 140.

The ultrasonic generation body 110 is assembled and connected to the lower member 140 and the flange portion 113 of the ultrasonic generation body 110 is pressed from an upper side by a frame-shaped fixing plate 180. The fixing plate 180 is disposed on the front and rear mounting bosses 143, and are fixed to the mounting bosses 143 by screws 172. Therefore, the ultrasonic generation body 110 is fixed in the housing 120. A part of the vibration horn 112 on a top end side protrudes downward from the opening portion 121 of the housing 120.

The cover 130 is detachably assembled and connected to the top end part 120a of the housing 120, and covers a part of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generation body 110 exposed out of the housing 120.

The cover 130 has a structure in which a main cover body 131 and a guide portion 132 are !0 integrally made of the resin material. The main cover body 131 has a tubular shape whose the width in the front-rear direction and the width in the left-right direction narrow downward, and covers the part of the top end side of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generation body 110 in a manner of exposing the top end part of the vibration horn 112.

The guide portion 132 is disposed at a center of a front side surface of the main cover body 131 !5 in a left-right direction in a manner of protruding forward, and the guide portion 132 has a flat shape in the left-right direction. A guide surface 133 which is inclined in a backward oblique downward direction and bent horizontally at a lower end part is disposed at a lower part of the guide portion 132. Further, a lower part of the guide portion 132 is located below a lower end of the main cover body 131.

The cover 130 is assembled and connected to the embedding opening portion 144 of the

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

housing 120 from below. In this case, protrusions (not shown in the figure) provided on left and right sides of the embedding opening portion 144 are fitted with recesses (not shown in the figure) provided on left and right sides of the main cover body 131. Therefore, the cover 130 does not fall off from the embedding opening portion 144.

As shown in FIG. 5, in a state in which the cover 130 is assembled and connected to the housing 120, and a top end part of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generation body 110 is slightly exposed out of the housing 131. Further, the lower end of the guide portion 132 of the cover 130 and the top end surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 are almost on one plane. Further, the guide surface 133 of the guide portion 132 is inclined in a manner of approaching the vibration horn 112 as the guide surface 133 approaches the water storage bucket 210. Further, in the left-right direction, that is, in a direction orthogonal to a front direction of the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100, the guide portion 132 has the same position as the top end part of the vibration horn 112.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the main body portion 300 is in an approximately square shape when viewed from the front. Guide rail portions 301 extending forward are disposed at left and right lower end parts of the main body portion 300. Further, an opening 302 for allowing a rear part of the water storage portion 200 and the supply nozzle 500 to pass through is formed on a left side of the main body portion 300, and an insertion opening 303 into which a claw portion 281 of a locking mechanism 280 is inserted is formed adjacent to a right side of the opening 302. !0 A rear part 120b of the housing 120 of the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 is fixed to an upper part of the main body portion 300 by screws (not shown in the figure).

Referring to FIGS. 4, 6, 7(a) and 7(b), the water storage portion 200 is made of the resin material and has a shape that the water storage portion 200 is slightly longer in the front-rear direction and flat in an up-down direction, and a left part of the water storage portion 200 !5 protrudes more rearward than a right part of the water storage portion 200. A handle 201 having an arc-shaped front surface and the water storage portion 200 are integrally formed on a front surface of the water storage portion 200. The user holds the handle 201 when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is allowed in and out of the accommodating portion 17 and when the water storage unit 200 is disassembled from the main body unit 300.

The water storage bucket 210 having a shape along an outer shape of the water storage portion 200 is formed on the upper surface of the water storage portion 200. An inner circumferential surface of the water storage bucket 210 is inclined in a manner of expanding upward. A circular

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

water draining port 211 is formed at a lower part of a rear surface of the water storage bucket 210. In a bottom of the water storage bucket 210, an arc-shaped groove portion 212 is formed in front of the water draining port 211 and is recessed so as to be concentric with the water draining port 211.

The water storage portion 200 is provided with a valve body 220 for blocking the water draining port 211 and a valve switching mechanism 230 for switching between an off closed state in which the valve body 220 is off closed and an on state in which the valve body 220 is on.

The valve body 220 is made of the resin material and has an approximately cylindrical shape. An O-shaped ring 221 including an elastic material is assembled and connected to a circumferential surface of a front end part of the valve body 220. Moreover, on the valve body 220, a square hole 222 is formed extending from a rear end surface of the valve body 220 to a position slightly behind the O-shaped ring 221. Further, upper and lower sides of the circumferential surface at a position on the valve body 220 which is more rearward than the O-shaped ring 221 are cut to form a flat surface 223, and right and left sides of the circumferential surface at a position on the valve body 220 which is more rearward than the O-shaped ring 221 are formed with rectangular openings 224 connected to the hole 222.

The valve switching mechanism 230 includes a valve movable member 240, an operation portion 250 and a spring 260. The valve movable member 240 and the operation portion 250 are integrally made of the resin material. The spring 260 is equivalent to the force application !0 member of the present disclosure.

The valve movable member 240 includes: a base plate portion 241 which is approximately square, an elongated square left plate portion 242 and an elongated square right plate portion 243 which are respectively erected from left and right end parts of the base plate portion 241 and extend to the rear of the base plate portion 241, an elongated square rear plate portion 244 !5 which is connected to rear ends of the left plate portion 242 and the right plate portion 243, and an elongated rod-shaped connection portion 245 which extends forward from the left end part of the base plate portion 241 and a front end of the left plate portion 242.

A mounting portion 246 having a shaft 246a extending forward is disposed on the base plate portion 241. The rear end of the spring 260 is inserted into the shaft 246a. A front part of the mounting portion 246 of the base plate portion 241 is formed in an arc shape in a manner of not interfering with the spring 260. An opening 247 which is slightly larger than the hole 222 of the

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

valve body 220 is formed at a central portion of the rear plate portion 244 which serves as a mounting position for the valve body 220, and mounting pieces 248 extending forward and having claws at top ends are formed at left and right edge parts of the opening 247 respectively. A elongated hole 249 extending in the front-rear direction is formed at a top end part of the connection portion 245.

The operation portion 250 is connected to the top end part of the connection portion 245 of the valve movable member 240. A rib 251 extending in the up-down direction are formed at a front end part of the operation portion 250. The rib 251 is a part for hooking fingers of the user when the user performs a movement operation on the operation portion 250.

The valve switching mechanism 230 is assembled and connected to the water storage portion 200 from below in a manner of being embedded in a space nearby the water storage bucket 210 formed on an inner side of the water storage portion 200. The spring 260 is accommodated in a semi-cylindrical accommodating portion 202 formed on the inner side of the water storage portion 200, and a front end of the spring 260 is in contact with a front surface of the accommodating portion 202. In addition, the elongated hole 249 of the connection portion 245 of the valve movable member 240 fits with a mounting boss 203 formed on the inner side of the water storage portion 200. A screw 270 passing through the elongated hole 249 is fixed to the mounting boss 203 in a manner of not pressing the connection portion 245. Therefore, although the connection portion 245 is fixed in the up-down and left-right directions, the connection !0 portion 245 can be moved in the front-rear direction within a length range of the elongated hole 249. Further, the operation portion 250 faces outward from the operation window 204 provided on a left side surface of the water storage portion 200.

The valve body 220 is inserted into the water draining port 211 from the inner side of the water storage bucket 210, and passes through the water draining port 211 and is assembled to the rear !5 plate portion 244 of the valve movable member 240. In this case, claws of the left and right mounting pieces 248 of the rear plate portion 244 are engaged with rear edges of left and right openings 224 of the valve body 220. A lower side of the valve body 220 is accommodated in the groove portion 212 of the water storage bucket 210 and does not interfere with the bottom of the water storage bucket 210.

The valve body 220 makes the O-shaped ring 221 tight to a circumference of the water draining port 211, and blocks the water draining port 211 from the front. In this case, the spring 260 is in a compressed state, and a force is applied to the valve body 220 rearward, i.e., in a blocking

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

direction, by the spring 260 through the valve movable member 240. In the water storage portion 200, the rear of the water storage bucket 210 is open, and a rear end part of the valve movable member 240, i.e., the rear plate portion 244 protrudes towards the rear of the water storage portion 200.

The locking mechanism 280 for fixing the water storage portion 200 assembled and connected to the main body portion 300 so as not to be departed forward is disposed at the rear of the water storage portion 200. The locking mechanism 280 has the claw portion 281 and a button 282. A force is applied to the claw portion 281 upward by the spring (not shown in the figure), so that when the button 282 is pressed, the claw portion 281 is lowered, and when the button 282 is released, the claw portion 281 returns to the original position.

The water storage portion 200 is assembled and connected to the main body portion 30 from the front. Insertion portions 205 are disposed at the right end part and the left end part on the inner side of the water storage portion 200 respectively, and left and right guide rail portions 301 of the main body portion 300 are inserted into the insertion portions 205 respectively, and thus the water storage portion 200 is guided by the guide rail portions 301. The rear part on the left side of the water storage portion 200 passes through the opening portion 302 of the main body portion 300. Further, the claw portion 281 of the locking mechanism 280 is abutted against an upper edge of the insertion opening 303 of the main body portion 300 and passes through the insertion opening 303. When the assembly and connection of the water storage portion 200 to !0 the main body portion 300 is completed, the claw portion 281 returns to the original position and engages with the upper edge of the insertion opening 303 on the inner side of the main body portion 300. As a result, the water storage portion 200 cannot be departed forward from the main body portion 300. When the water storage portion 200 is detached from the main body portion 300, the button 282 of the locking mechanism 280 is pressed, so that the claw portion !5 281 is lowered. Therefore, the engagement between the claw portion 281 and the upper edge of the insertion opening 303 is released. The water storage portion 200 is pulled out forward, the water storage portion 200 is detached from the main body portion 300.

In a state in which the water storage portion 200 is assembled and connected to the main body portion 300, a position of the top end surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generation body 110 is slightly lower than a position of the upper surface of the water storage bucket 210, and the top end part of the vibration horn 112 is in a state of slightly entering the water storage bucket 210.

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a rear part of the upper panel 12 in a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is accommodated in an accommodating portion 17. FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the rear part of the upper panel 12 in a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out of the accommodating portion 17. FIG. 10 (a) is a perspective view of a storage tank 60, a supply valve 400 and a supply nozzle 500, and FIG. 10 (b) is a perspective view of a water receiving portion 70.

In the accommodating portion 17, the storage tank 60, the supply valve 400, and the supply nozzle 500 are disposed behind the ultrasonic cleaning device 50.

The storage tank 60 is made of the resin material and has a shape of an arm that is thin in the front-rear direction and long in the left-right direction. The storage tank 60 is divided by the supply valve 400 into a left tank 61 and a right tank 62. The left tank 61 and the right tank 62 are connected by a communication portion 63 extending from an upper part of the left tank 61. In the storage tank 60, an inlet 64 is formed in a left end portion of the left tank 61. The inlet 64 is connected to a cleaning water supply path 98 of the automatic feeding mechanism 90. The cleaning water supplied from the automatic feeding mechanism 90 flows into the inlet 64 and is stored in the storage tank 60. The storage tank 60 has a larger water storage capacity than the water storage bucket 210. For example, the storage tank 60 can store water more than twice the water storage capacity of the storage tank 210. It is to be noted that the storage tank 60 is equivalent to the storage portion of the present disclosure.

!0 The supply valve 400 is a magnetic valve. An outlet of the left tank 61 and an outlet of the right tank 62 of the storage tank 60 are connected to an inlet of the supply valve 400. An outlet of the supply valve 400 is connected to an inlet of the supply nozzle 500.

The supply nozzle 500 is made of the resin material and extends forward from the supply valve 400, and a top end part 500a of the supply nozzle 500 is bent downward. A discharge outlet 501 !5 is formed on a lower surface of the top end part 500a.

As shown in FIG. 8, in a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 and the water storage portion 200 are accommodated in the accommodating portion 17, the supply nozzle 500 penetrates through the opening portion 302 of the main body portion 300, and the top end part 500a of the supply nozzle 500 is positioned at a front part of the water storage bucket 210. As shown in FIG. 9, in a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 and the water storage portion 200 are pulled out to an inner side of the inlet 14, the top end part 500a of the supply

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

nozzle 500 is positioned at the rear of the water storage bucket 210.

In the accommodating portion 17, the water receiving portion 70 is disposed below the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. The water receiving portion 70 has an approximately square dish shape in which an upper surface and a front surface are open. A bottom of the water receiving portion 70 is inclined in a manner of lowing the rear part. On a right side surface of the water receiving portion 70, the water draining hole 71 is formed at a lower end of the rear part and at the lowest position of the bottom. A water draining pipe 72 is connected to a connection pipe 73 extending to the right from the water draining hole 71.

Two ribs 74 extending in the up-down direction are disposed on a rear surface of the water receiving portion70 in a manner of being arranged in the left-right direction. Height positions of the two ribs 74 are approximately equal to a height position of the rear plate portion 244 of the valve movable member 240 of the water storage portion 200. The rib 74 is equivalent to the abutment portion of the present disclosure.

A washing operation in various operation modes is performed in the fully automatic washing machine 1. During the washing operation, a washing process, an intermediate dewatering process, a rinsing process and a final dewatering process are executed in sequence.

During the cleaning process and the rinsing process, the impeller 24 rotates in a right direction and a left direction when water is stored in the washing and dewatering drum 22. The impeller 24 rotates so that a water flow is generated in the washing and dewatering drum 22. In the !0 cleaning process, the laundry is cleaned by the generated water flow and the detergent contained in the water. In the rinsing process, the laundry is cleaned by the generated water flow.

During the intermediate dewatering process and the final dewatering process, the washing and dewatering drum 22 and the impeller 24 are integrally rotated at a high speed. The laundry is dewatered by an action of a centrifugal force generated in the washing and dewatering drum 22.

!5 When the water is supplied during the cleaning process, the liquid detergent is automatically fed into the washing and dewatering drum 22 by the automatic feeding mechanism 90. In this case, first, the first three-way valve 93 is switched to a state in which the supply pipe 92 is communicated with the supply pump 95. In addition, the second three-way valve 97 is switched to a state in which the upstream side supply path 96b is communicated with the downstream supply path side supply path 96c. When the supply pump 95 is working, the liquid detergent in

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

the detergent box 91 is drained by the action of the pump. The drained liquid detergent is sent to the detergent supply path 96 through the supply pipe 92, the first three-way valve 93, and the supply pump 95 as indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 2, and is stored in the upstream side supply path 96b of the detergent supply path 96. The supply pump 95 works for a predetermined time. Therefore, a predetermined amount of the liquid detergent is stored in the upstream side supply path 96b.

Next, the first three-way valve 93 is switched to a state in which the sub-water-supply path 94 is communicated with the supply pump 95, the sub-valve 83 is opened. As shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 2, water from the water faucet flows to the detergent supply path 96 through the sub-water-supply path 94, the first three-way valve 93 and the supply pump 95 to wash away the liquid detergent. The liquid detergent washed away by the water is fed into the washing and dewatering drum 22 together with the water from the supply port 96a of the detergent supply path 96, as shown by the single-dot dashed arrow in FIG. 2. When the feeding of the liquid detergent into the washing and dewatering drum 22 is completed, the sub-valve 83 is turned off.

Next, the water is supplied to the washing and dewatering drum 22. The main valve 82 is opened, and water from the water faucet is drained from the water injection port 84a through the main water supply path 84 and then enters into the washing and dewatering drum 22. When the water level in the washing and dewatering drum 22 reaches a predetermined cleaning water level, the main valve 82 is closed and the water supply is finished.

!0 Further, the cleaning operation is performed in the fully automatic washing machine 1 by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. When doing the laundry, such as a shirt, which has a stubborn dirt locally, the user carries out a local cleaning of the laundry by using the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 before the washing.

When the cleaning operation is performed, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the user pulls the ultrasonic !5 cleaning device 50 out of the accommodating portion 17 and moves the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 and the water storage portion 200 to the operation position. As shown in FIG. 9, the valve switching mechanism 230 applies a force to the valve body 220 in the blocking direction through the valve movable member 240 with the help of the applied force of the spring 260. Therefore, the valve body 220 blocks the water draining port 211 and the water draining port 211 is in a locked state.

The user performs a predetermined start operation to start the cleaning operation.

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

When the cleaning operation is started, the cleaning water in the storage tank 60 is initially supplied by the automatic feeding mechanism 90. That is, first, the first three-way valve 93 is switched to a state in which the supply pipe 92 is communicated with the supply pump 95. In addition, the second three-way valve 97 is switched to a state in which the upstream side supply path 96b is communicated with the cleaning water supply path 98. When the supply pump 95 is working, the liquid detergent in the detergent box 91 is drained by the action of the pump. As shown by the dotted arrow in FIG. 2, the liquid detergent drained from the detergent box 91 reaches the detergent supply path 96 and is stored in the upstream side supply path 96b of the detergent supply path 96. The supply pump 95 works for a predetermined time. Therefore, a predetermined amount of the liquid detergent is stored in the upstream side supply path 96b.

Next, the first three-way valve 93 is switched to a state in which the sub-water supply path 94 is communicated with the supply pump 95, the sub-valve 83 is opened. As shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 2, the water from the water faucet flows to the detergent supply path 96 through the sub-water-supply path 94, the first three-way valve 93 and the supply pump 95 to wash away the liquid detergent. The water is mixed with the liquid detergent to be the cleaning water. As shown by the thick line arrow in FIG. 2, the cleaning water flows into the storage tank 60 through the cleaning water supply path 98. When a predetermined supply time has elapsed after the sub-valve 83 is opened, the sub-valve 83 is turned off.

In this way, the cleaning water with a predetermined amount and a predetermined detergent !0 concentration is stored in the storage tank 60. In this embodiment, the amount of cleaning water stored in the storage tank 60 may be capable of replacing the cleaning water in the storage bucket 210 for performing the cleaning operation twice. It is to be noted that the amount of cleaning water stored in the storage tank 60 may also be capable of performing the cleaning operation more than three times.

!5 Next, the supply valve 400 is opened. The cleaning water in the storage tank 60 is drained through the supply nozzle 500 from the discharge outlet 501 and then enters into the storage bucket 210. The cleaning water is stored in the water storage bucket 210, and the water level in the water storage bucket 210 rises. As shown by the dash line in FIG. 9, when the water level in the water storage bucket 210 rises to the height of the discharge port 501 and the discharge port 501 is blocked by the cleaning water, the air pressure in the storage tank 60 is balanced with the air pressure outside. Therefore, the water supply from the storage tank 60 is stopped when the supply valve 400 is opened.

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

When the cleaning water is stored in the water storage bucket 210, the user puts a dirt attachment part of the laundry, such as a collar part of a shirt, on the water storage bucket 210 from the front direction of the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100, that is, between the water storage bucket 210 and the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generationbody 110.

In the ultrasonic washing portion 100, the guide portion 132 of the cover 130 has the same position as the top end part of the vibration horn 112 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the guide portion 132 becomes a mark and the user can easily grasp the position of the top end part of the vibration horn 112.

The user abuts the dirt attachment part such as the collar or cuff against the guide surface 133 of the guide portion 132 and moves downward and rearward along the guide surface 133 to the position of the top end surface 112a of the vibration horn 112. In this case, the lower end of the guide portion 132 extends below the lower end of the main cover body 131, and covers a front surface of the top end part of the vibration horn 112 exposed from the main cover body 131. Therefore, the dirt attachment portion guided by the guide portion 132 is not easily hooked by a corner portion of the top end part of the vibration horn 112, and is not easily damaged or the like. Further, the dirt attachment portion is positioned to a suitable height position almost in contact with the top end surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 by the guidance of the guide portion 132, and is not too far away from the top end surface 112a of the vibration horn 112.

The dirt attachment portion of the laundry is soaked in the cleaning water stored in the water !0 storage bucket 210, and the cleaning water soaked into the inside of the laundry seeps out of the surface and shows that: a thin water layer is formed on the surface of the laundry, and the vibration horn 112 is in contact with the water layer. It is to be noted that when the laundry absorbs the water and the water level in the water storage bucket 210 drops, and the discharge outlet 501 of the supply nozzle 500 is no longer blocked by the cleaning water, the water is !5 supplied to the water storage bucket 210 from the storage tank 60 until the discharge outlet 501 is blocked again by the cleaning water. Therefore, the water level, that is, the amount of water, in the water storage bucket 210, is maintained in an appropriate state.

After the supply valve 400 is opened until a predetermined standby time has elapsed, the ultrasonic oscillator 111 is not energized, and the ultrasonic generation body 110 is in a standby state. During this period, the cleaning water is stored in the water storage bucket 210, and the laundry is placed in the water storage bucket 210 storing the cleaning water. When the standby time has elapsed, the ultrasonic oscillator 111 is energized and the ultrasonic generation body

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

110 is operated.

FIGS. 11 (a) to (c) are diagrams illustrating that the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 decontaminates the laundry.

When the ultrasonic generation body 110 works, the ultrasonic waves are generated from the top end of the vibration horn 112, and the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the cleaning water inside the laundry through the cleaning water around the vibration horn 112. As shown in FIG. 11 (a), inside of the laundry, pressure reduction and pressure addition are alternately generated by the action of the ultrasonic vibration, and a vacuum cavity is generated at a part where the pressure becomes low. That is, there are many cavities in the dirt part of the laundry. Next, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), when the pressure of the cavity portion becomes high and the cavity collapses due to the pressure, a shock wave will be generated on the dirt part of the laundry. The dirt is separated from the laundry by this shock wave. As shown in FIG. 11 (c), the ultrasonic vibration from the vibration horn 112 generates a water flow from the inside of the laundry to the water storage bucket 210, and the dirt separated from the laundry is drained into the water storage bucket 210 through the above water flow. In the water storage bucket 210, a convection is generated by the above water flow, so that the dirt is easily peeled off from the laundry. Further, the dirt is easily peeled off from the laundry by the action of the detergent contained in the cleaning water, and the dirt is not easily attached to the laundry again. In this way, the dirt is removed from the laundry. As described above, the laundry is placed in the water !0 storage bucket 210 in a manner that the dirt attachment portion is not too far from the top end surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generation body 110. Therefore, the ultrasonic vibration from the vibration horn 112 effectively acts on the dirt attachment portion, and the dirt is easily to be decontaminated.

When the cleaning of the laundry is completed, the user performs a prescribed end operation to !5 end the cleaning operation. The ultrasonic generation body 110 stops working, the supply valve 400 is closed, and the cleaning operation is finished.

In a case of not performing a new cleaning operation continuously, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the user accommodates the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 in the accommodating portion 17 so as to move the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 and the water storage portion 200 to the standby position. As shown in FIG. 8, when the water storage portion 200 is moved to the standby position, in the valve switching mechanism 230, the rear plate portion 244 of the valve movable member 240 abuts against the two ribs 74 on the rear surface of the water receiving portion 70,

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

and is pushed by the ribs 74 to move forward with respect to the water storage portion 200 against the applied force of the spring 260. The valve body 220 connection to the rear plate portion 244 of the valve movable member 240 moves forward, i.e., in an opening direction, with respect to the water draining port 211 of the water storage bucket 210, and the water draining port 211 is turned on. Therefore, the cleaning water stored in the water storage bucket 210 is drained through the water draining port 211. In this case, the cleaning water passes through a gap between an inner wall surface of the water draining port 211 and upper and lower flat surfaces 223 of the valve body 220, left and right openings 224 of the valve body 220 and the hole 222. The cleaning water drained from the water draining port 211 is received by the water receiving portion 70 and drained from the water draining hole 71. The cleaning water drained from the water draining hole 71 is drained out of the washing machine through the water draining pipe 72, the water overflowing pipe 26 and the water draining hose 41.

The user may sometimes want to change the cleaning water in the water storage bucket 210 for a second cleaning operation. In this case, although the user can accommodate the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 in the accommodating portion 17 and move the water storage portion 200 to the standby position to drain the cleaning water from the water storage bucket 210, such operation is troublesome.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the user can drain the cleaning water from the water storage bucket 210 without moving the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 while maintaining the water !0 storage portion 200 at the operation position.

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the rear part of the upper panel 12 in a case where an operation portion 250 is moved in a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out of the accommodating portion 17. In FIG. 12, for ease of explanation, in the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, a rear part from the operation window 204 of the water storage portion 200 !5 in which the operation portion 250 is disposed is depicted in a sectional manner.

In a state where the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 and the water storage portion 200 are at the operation position, the user performs the movement operation to move the operation portion 250 forward as indicated by the thick line arrow in FIG. 12. Therefore, in the valve switching mechanism 230, the valve movable member 240 moves forward with respect to the water storage portion 200 as when the water storage portion 200 moves to the standby position. Therefore, the valve body 220 moves in the opening direction with respect to the water draining port 211 of the water storage bucket 210, and the water draining port 211 is opened. Therefore,

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

the cleaning water stored in the water storage bucket 210 is drained through the water draining port 211 and is received by the water receiving portion 70. Next, the cleaning water is drained out of the washing machine through the water draining pipe 72, the water overflowing pipe 26 and the water draining hose 41.

The user performs a predetermined continuing operation for continuing the cleaning operation. The second cleaning operation starts. It is to be noted that, during this cleaning operation, since the cleaning water remains in the storage tank 60, the supply valve 400 is turned on to supply the cleaning water from the storage tank 60 to the water storage bucket 210 without supplying the cleaning water into the storage tank 60. It is to be noted that in this embodiment, when the cleaning operation is performed twice, the cleaning water in the storage tank 60 is used up, and thus the operation is continued only once.

In the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100, the dirt enters the cover 130 from the opening of the cover 130 during the repeated cleaning operations, and the dirt can attach to the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generation body 110 inside the cover 130. In this embodiment, since the cover 130 is detachable from the housing 120, the user can remove the cover 130 from the housing120 to clean the vibration horn 112.

In addition, the water storage bucket 210 may be contaminated during the repeated cleaning operations. In this embodiment, since the water storage portion 200 is detachable from the main body portion 300, the user can remove the water storage portion 200 from the main body !0 portion 300 to clean the water storage bucket 210.

Effect of the embodiment:

According to this embodiment, the valve body 220 and the valve switching mechanism 230 are disposed for opening and closing the water draining port 211 of the water storage bucket 210, the valve body 220 is switched by the valve switching mechanism 230 so that the valve body !5 220 is turned off when the ultrasonic washing portion 100 and the water storage portion 200, that is, the ultrasonic generation body 110 and the water storage bucket 210 are in the operation position, and the valve body 220 is turned on when the ultrasonic washing portion 100 and the water storage portion 200 are in the standby position. Therefore, it can be achieved that the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 cannot drain the water from the water storage bucket 210 in a state in which the cleaning operation is performed, and the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 can drain water from the water storage bucket 210 in a state in which the cleaning operation is not

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

performed.

In addition, the valve switching mechanism 230 includes the operation section 250. When the on operation achieved by the operation section 250 is performed in the case where the ultrasonic generation body 110 and the water storage bucket 210 are in the operation position, the valve body 220 is switched from the off state to the on state by the valve switching mechanism 230. Therefore, even in the case where ultrasonic generation body 110 and the water storage bucket 210 are in the operation position, it is possible to drain the water from the water storage bucket 210 when the water in the water storage bucket 210 needs to be replaced without making the ultrasonic generation body 110 and the water storage bucket 210 return to the standby position.

In this way, according to this embodiment, the water can be well drained from the water storage bucket 210, and the convenience to the user can be improved.

Further, according to this embodiment, the structure in which the water draining pipe 72 through which the cleaning water drained from the water receiving portion 70 passes is connected to the water overflowing pipe 26 which guides the overflowing water to flow from the water overflowing port 20b to the water draining hose 41 is adopted. Therefore, the water draining pipe 72 can be shortened with respect to the structure in which the water draining pipe 72 is connected to the water draining hose 41. Therefore, when, for example, the outer drum 20 vibrates during the dewatering, the water draining pipe 72 does not easily come into contact with a tank 10 body, and the breakage of the water draining pipe 72 does not easily occur.

!0 Further, according to this embodiment, the structure in which the cleaning water supplied from the automatic feeding mechanism 90 is stored in the storage tank 60 having a larger water storage capacity than the water storage bucket 210 and supplied from the storage tank 60 to the water storage bucket 210 is adopted. Therefore, the cleaning water does not need to be generated every time when the cleaning water in the water storage bucket 210 is replaced, so !5 that the convenience to the user is improved.

Although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited by the above embodiment. Moreover, in addition to the above embodiment, various modifications can be made to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

For example, in the above embodiment, the structure described below is adopted. The valve switching mechanism 230 includes the spring 260 applied a force to the valve body 220 in the

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

blocking direction where the water draining port 211 is blocked; and the valve movable member 240 connected to the valve body 220 and the operation portion 250. In the case where the ultrasonic generation body 110 and the water storage bucket 210 are moved from the operation position to the standby position, the rear plate portion 244 of the valve movable member 240 abuts against the rib 74 disposed in the water receiving portion 70 and is pushed by the rib 74 to move the valve body 220 in the opening direction in which the water draining port 211 is opened, and when the operation portion 250 is moved, the valve movable member 240 moves together with the operation portion 250 to move the valve body 220 in the opening direction.

However, as long as the valve body 220 can be switched between the off state in which the valve body 220 is off in the case where the ultrasonic generation body 110 and the water storage bucket 210 are in the operation position and the on state in which the valve body 220 is on in a case where the ultrasonic generation body 110 and the water storage bucket 210 are in the standby position, and the valve body 220 can be switched from the off state to the on state after the on operation is performed on the operation portion 250 in the case where the ultrasonic generation body 110 and the water storage bucket 210 are in the operation position, the valve switching mechanism 230 may adopt other mechanisms in addition to the above structure.

Further, in the above embodiment, the water draining pipe 72 is connected to the water overflowing pipe 26. However, it may also be that the water draining pipe 72 is connected to the overflowing water receiving portion 25. However, it is desirable that the water draining pipe 72 !0 is connected to the water overflowing pipe 26 away from the water overflowing port 20b in consideration of the fact that the cleaning water drained from the water draining pipe 72 does not enter the outer drum 20 from the water overflowing port 20b.

Further, in the above embodiment, the automatic feeding mechanism 90 for supplying the cleaning water, i.e., the water containing detergent, is connected to the storage tank 60. However, as long as the cleaning water can be finally stored in the storage tank 60, the structure in which at least water is supplied to the storage tank 60 can be adopted. For example, the storage tank 60 is provided with a detergent inlet, and the water is only supplied from the water supply unit 80 to the storage tank 60 in which the detergent is previously input.

Further, in the above embodiment, the ultrasonic washing device 50 is disposed in the fully automatic washing machine 1. However, the ultrasonic washing device 50 may also be disposed in a washing machine in addition to the fully automatic washing machine 1, such as a drum-type washing machine. In addition, the ultrasonic washing device 50 may also be disposed in a fully

BY22EX0052FGPM-AU English translation of PCT/CN2020/103681

automatic washing and drying integral machine or a drum-type washing and drying integral machine which has a drying function. In the drum-type washing machine and the drum-type washing and drying integral machine, a drum is disposed in an outer drum and serves as an inner drum. Further, the ultrasonic washing device 50 may also be disposed in the disposition portion prepared by a device other than the washing machine such as a washbasin.

In addition, the embodiment of the present disclosure can be appropriately modified within the scope of the technical concepts shown in the technical solution.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An ultrasonic cleaning device for a washing machine, the device mounted into a back of an upper panel of a washing machine and above an inlet opening of washing machine and comprising:

an ultrasonic generation body configured to generate ultrasonic waves; and a water storage bucket located below the ultrasonic generation body and capable of storing water for soaking a laundry, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning device is disposed in a predetermined disposition portion, and positions of the ultrasonic generation body and the water storage bucket are switched between an operation position when a cleaning operation is performed and a standby position when a non-cleaning operation is performed; and

further comprising:

a water draining port configured to drain the water from the water storage bucket;

a valve body configured to block the water draining port; and

a valve switching mechanism configured to switch the valve body between an off state in which the valve body is off when the ultrasonic generation body and the water storage bucket are in the operation position and an on state in which the valve body is on when the ultrasonic generation body and the water storage bucket are in the standby position,

wherein the valve switching mechanism comprises an operation portion configured to open an on operation of the valve body, and in the case where the ultrasonic generation body and the water storage bucket are in the operation position and the operation portion is configured to be moved forward by users, the on operation of the valve body can be manually actuated via the operation portion, and the valve switching mechanism is configured to switch the valve body from the off state to the on state.

2. The ultrasonic cleaning device for a washing machine of claim 1, wherein the valve switching mechanism comprises:

a force application member configured to applying a force to the valve body in a blocking direction where the water draining port is blocked; and

a valve movable member connected to the valve body, wherein the valve movable member is configured to abut against an abutment portion disposed on a side of the disposition portion when the ultrasonic generation body and the water storage bucket move from the operation position to the standby position, and the valve movable member is pushed by the abutment portion to move the valve body in an opening direction in which the water draining port is opened, wherein the on operation is a movement operation in which the operation portion moves in a predetermined direction, and the valve movable member is connected to the operation portion, and when the movement operation is performed on the operation portion, the valve movable member is configured to move together with the operation portion so as to move the valve body in the opening direction.

3. A washing machine, comprising:

a tank, the tank comprises an upper panel, and the upper panel is formed with an inlet opening;

an outer drum capable of storing water;

an inner drum disposed in the outer drum and configured to accommodate a laundry, and

the ultrasonic cleaning device of claim 1 or 2 mounted into a back of an upper panel and above the inlet opening.

4. The washing machine of claim 3, further comprising:

a first water draining path for allowing water drained from a bottom of the outer drum to pass through,

a water overflowing port disposed at an upper part of the outer drum;

a water overflowing path configured to guide the water drained from the water overflowing port to the first water draining path;

a water receiving portion configured to receive the water drained from the water draining port; and

a second water draining path connected to the water receiving portion and the water overflowing !0 path, and configured to guide the water drained from the water receiving portion to the water overflowing path.

5. The washing machine of claim 3 or 4, further comprising:

a storage portion capable of storing water containing detergent and supplied to the water storage bucket, wherein the storage portion has a larger water storage capacity than the water storage bucket; !5 and

a supply portion configured to at least supply water to the storage portion.