CN111411485A - Clothes treatment device and washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a clothes treatment device which can supply a clothes treatment agent into a washing barrel on the basis of fully mixing the clothes treatment agent with water. The clothes treatment device of the embodiment comprises: a washing tub for washing laundry; a water supply path for supplying water into the washing tub; a laundry treating agent supply path for supplying the laundry treating agent into the washing tub, the laundry treating agent supply path being connected to a middle of the water supply path; and a mixing part provided at a portion of the water supply path to which the laundry treating agent supply path is connected, and mixing water supplied through the water supply path and the laundry treating agent supplied through the laundry treating agent supply path.

Description

Clothes treatment device and washing machine

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a laundry treatment apparatus and a washing machine.

Background

In the field of washing machines, a structure for introducing a laundry treatment agent such as a detergent into a washing tub for washing laundry has been developed. For example, patent document 1 discloses a configuration in which two kinds of cleaning agents are supplied into a cleaning tank while being switched.

In addition, for example, in a drum type washing machine, a drawer type detergent storage box is generally provided in an upper front portion of a main body, and a user stores a necessary amount of detergent or softening agent in the detergent storage box before washing is started, and supplies the detergent or softening agent into a tub together with water supply during washing operation. In recent years, in response to the desire of users to improve convenience, it has been considered to provide an automatic loading device which stores a washing treatment agent such as a detergent or a softening agent in a tank in advance in an amount of several times, and automatically loads a necessary amount from the tank into a tub by driving a pump during a washing operation, in addition to a storage box for a manual detergent or the like (see, for example, patent document 2).

Prior art documents:

patent documents:

patent document 1: japanese Kohyo publication (Kohyo publication) No. 2017-509464

Patent document 2: international publication No. 2019/039140

Disclosure of Invention

However, for example, when a laundry treatment agent such as a detergent is put into the washing tub, it is preferable to supply the laundry treatment agent into the washing tub after sufficiently mixing the laundry treatment agent with water. This is because, by supplying water in which the laundry treatment agent is sufficiently mixed into the washing tub, the laundry treatment agent can be easily impregnated into the laundry together with the water, and the effect of the laundry treatment agent can be easily exhibited.

In addition, in the conventional automatic loading device, the detergent and the softening agent are directly discharged to the middle part of the water passage extending from the outlet of the water supply valve for automatic loading. In this case, if the detergent or softening agent remains in the water passage, the detergent or softening agent may enter the water supply valve side with the backflow of water, and deteriorate the seal or the like.

Accordingly, the present embodiment provides a laundry treatment apparatus capable of supplying a laundry treatment agent into a washing tub after being sufficiently mixed with water.

In addition, the washing machine is provided with an automatic feeding device of the washing treatment agent and can prevent the washing treatment agent from flowing back to the water supply valve side.

The clothes treatment device of the embodiment comprises a cleaning barrel, a water supply path, a clothes treatment agent supply path and a mixing part. The washing tub is a tub for washing laundry. The water supply path is a path for supplying water into the washing tub. The laundry treating agent supply path is a path for supplying the laundry treating agent into the washing tub, and is connected to a middle portion of the water supply path. The mixing part is provided at a portion of the water supply path to which the laundry treating agent supply path is connected, and mixes water supplied through the water supply path and the laundry treating agent supplied through the laundry treating agent supply path.

In addition, the washing machine of the present embodiment includes: a water containing barrel disposed in the main body and storing washing water; a water supply mechanism having at least an automatic water supply valve for supplying water from a water supply source to the tub through the water filling cartridge; and an automatic loading device having a tank for storing a washing treatment agent and a pump for pumping out a required amount of the washing treatment agent from the tank, wherein the washing treatment agent is supplied together with water to the water injection cartridge through an automatic water supply path by opening the automatic water supply valve, an inlet end of an automatic water supply path of the automatic loading device is connected to an outlet of the automatic water supply valve, an outlet end of the automatic water supply path is connected to the water injection cartridge, a discharge portion for the washing treatment agent by the pump is disposed in a middle portion of the automatic water supply path, and the discharge portion is disposed at a position lower than the inlet end.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional side view schematically showing a configuration example of a washing machine according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the water supply unit according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a control system of a washing machine according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart schematically showing an example of the water supply operation of the washing machine according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing an example of the water supply operation of the washing machine according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the mixing section in the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional side view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the mixing section in the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional plan view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the mixing section in the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional side view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the mixing section in the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional plan view schematically showing a configuration example of a mixing section of the sixth embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional side view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the mixing section in the sixth embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a water supply unit according to a seventh embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a drum type washing machine according to an eighth embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a left side view of the water supply mechanism portion.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the water supply mechanism shown in the state where the storage case is drawn out.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the water injection cartridge portion from the right in a cut-away state.

Fig. 17 is a longitudinal rear view of the automatic loading device portion.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a first tab portion.

Fig. 19 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration.

Fig. 20 is a timing chart showing the state of on/off control of each water supply valve at the time of starting water supply when manual input of the washing treatment agent is set.

Detailed Description

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

(first embodiment)

The washing machine 1 illustrated in fig. 1 is an example of a laundry treatment apparatus capable of performing a predetermined treatment on laundry, and in this case, at least a washing treatment, a rinsing treatment, and a spin-drying treatment. The washing machine 1 is a so-called drum-type washing machine in which the rotation center axis of the tub extends in the horizontal direction or in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

The washing machine 1 includes a washing tub 3 for washing laundry in a rectangular box-shaped casing 2 constituting an outer periphery thereof. The washing tub 3 is configured such that a drum having a cylindrical shape with a bottom is rotatably provided inside a water tub having a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The peripheral wall of the drum is provided with a plurality of small holes, and the inner peripheral surface of the drum is provided with lifting ribs for lifting clothes.

The washing machine 1 includes a water supply unit 4 for supplying water into the washing tub 3 and a drain unit, not shown, for draining water in the washing tub 3 to the outside of the machine. The water supply unit 4 is configured to include a water supply valve 11 and the like in a water supply path 10 extending from a water source, not shown, such as tap water to the washing tub 3. The drain unit is configured to include a drain valve and the like in a middle of a drain path extending from the bottom of the washing tub 3 to the outside of the washing machine.

Next, a configuration example of the water supply unit 4 will be described in more detail. As illustrated in fig. 2, the water supply unit 4 includes a water supply valve 11, a mixing unit 12, a water filling cartridge 13, a water filling pipe 14, and the like in a water supply path 10 extending from a water source, not shown, to the washing tub 3. The water supply valve 11 is constituted by, for example, a liquid on-off valve that can be opened and closed electromagnetically. The drain valve provided in the drain unit is also constituted by, for example, a liquid on-off valve that can be opened and closed electromagnetically. The mixing section 12 is formed into a substantially rectangular box shape.

The water supply path 10 is a path for supplying water from an external water source into the washing tub 3, and in this case, is configured by mainly connecting the water source side path 10A, the mixing section 12, the washing tub side path 10B, the water filling cartridge 13, and the water filling pipe 14 in this order from the upstream side.

The upstream end of the water source side passage 10A is connected to an external water source, and the downstream end is connected to the mixing section 12. That is, the water source side path 10A extends from an external water source and is connected to the mixing section 12. The upstream end of the cleaning tub side path 10B is connected to the mixing section 12, and the downstream end is connected to the water injection cartridge 13. That is, the cleaning-tub-side path 10B extends from the mixing section 12 and is connected to the water injection cartridge 13. The water injection cartridge 13 is connected to the washing tub 3 via a water injection pipe 14.

In this case, the water supply valve 11 is provided in the water supply path 10 at a middle portion of the source-side path 10A. Therefore, water supply valve 11 is located upstream of mixing unit 12 in water supply path 10.

The water supply unit 4 further includes an automatic detergent supply unit 15. The automatic detergent feeding unit 15 includes a detergent supply path 17 connecting the detergent tank 16 and the mixing unit 12, and a metering pump 18 provided in the middle of the detergent supply path 17. The detergent supply path 17 is an example of a laundry treating agent supply path. The detergent supply path 17 is a path for supplying the detergent contained in the detergent tank 16 into the washing tub 3, and has a downstream end connected to a middle of the water supply path 10, in this case, to the mixing portion 12 provided in the middle of the water supply path 10. That is, washing machine 1 has a configuration in which mixing unit 12 is provided in a portion of water supply path 10 to which detergent supply path 17 is connected.

The metering pump 18 is configured to suck and send the liquid by driving a piston by an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid. The metering pump 18 sucks a predetermined amount of detergent, in this case, an amount used for one operation, from the detergent tank 16, and sends the sucked detergent into the mixing unit 12 through the detergent supply path 17. Thereby, a predetermined amount of detergent is automatically fed into mixing unit 12.

Washing machine 1 is configured such that water source-side passage 10A constituting a part of water supply passage 10 is connected to mixing unit 12 on the upstream side of the portion connected to detergent supply passage 17. Washing machine 1 has a structure in which washing tub side passage 10B constituting a part of water supply passage 10 is connected to mixing unit 12 below the part to which water source side passage 10A is connected. The mixing section 12 is a component having a space with a certain volume, unlike the source-side path 10A or the cleaning-tub-side path 10B which is simply configured as a water path through which water flows. Specifically, the cross-sectional area of the mixing section 12, which is orthogonal to the direction connecting the upstream side to which the water source-side path 10A is connected and the downstream side to which the cleaning tub-side path 10B is connected, is larger than the cross-sectional area of the water source-side path 10A, which is orthogonal to the extending direction, and the cross-sectional area of the cleaning tub-side path 10B, which is orthogonal to the extending direction. The mixing section 12 is a component having a width wider than that of the source-side path 10A and the cleaning-tub-side path 10B so that water flows in the mixing section 12 with some degree of diffusion, rather than flowing straight.

Next, a configuration example of the control system of the washing machine 1 will be explained. The control device 30 illustrated in fig. 3 is mainly composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and controls the overall operation of the washing machine 1 based on a control program. The control device 30 is connected to the water supply valve 11 and the metering pump 18, and also connected to a motor for rotating the drum in the washing tub 3, a drain valve of a drain unit, and the like. The controller 30 is configured to control the operations of the components of the drive system, thereby performing various operations including a known washing process for washing the laundry in the washing tub 3, a known rinsing process for rinsing the laundry in the washing tub 3, a known dehydrating process for dehydrating the laundry in the washing tub 3, and the like.

Next, an example of the water supply operation of the washing machine 1 configured as described above will be described. Here, an example of an operation of supplying water into the washing tub 3 together with the detergent during the washing process will be described. When the water supply operation is started, controller 30 of washing machine 1 opens water supply valve 11 to supply water from an external water source into washing tub 3 through water supply path 10. Further, controller 30 drives metering pump 18 to feed a predetermined amount of detergent from inside detergent tank 16 into mixing unit 12.

As a result, water supplied from an external water source and the detergent supplied from the detergent tank 16 coexist in the mixing unit 12. Then, water is continuously supplied from an external water source in the mixing section 12, and a flow of water is generated. Thereby, the water and the detergent are mixed in the mixing portion 12. The water mixed with the detergent in the mixing unit 12 flows from the washing tub side passage 10B into the water injection box 13, and further flows from the water injection box 13 into the washing tub 3 through the water injection pipe 14. Thus, water containing the detergent sufficiently mixed in the mixing portion 12 is supplied into the washing tub 3.

According to the washing machine 1, the mixing part 12 is provided in the portion of the water supply path 10 to which the detergent supply path 17 is connected, and the mixing part 12 sufficiently mixes the water supplied through the water supply path 10 and the detergent supplied through the detergent supply path 17 before supplying the water and the detergent into the washing tub 3. Thus, the detergent can be supplied into the washing tub 3 after being sufficiently mixed with the water, and the washing effect of the detergent on the laundry can be sufficiently exhibited. In addition, according to washing machine 1, mixing unit 12 is not simply a water path through which the supply water flows, but is provided as a component having a space with a certain volume. Therefore, the water supplied into the mixing section 12 flows in the mixing section 12 with a certain width, and thereby the mixing of the water and the detergent can be further promoted. The mixing section 12 is not limited to a rectangular shape as long as it has a cross-sectional area larger than at least the water source side passage 10A and the washing tub side passage 10B, and may be formed in various shapes such as a cylindrical shape.

In addition, according to washing machine 1, water supply path 10 is configured such that water source side path 10A and washing tub side path 10B are connected to mixing unit 12. That is, since the mixing portion 12 is provided in the middle of the water supply path 10, the water and the detergent can be mixed in the mixing portion 12 while the water flows through the water supply path 10, and the mixing efficiency of the water and the detergent can be improved by the flow of the water flowing through the water supply path 10.

In addition, according to washing machine 1, water source side path 10A is connected to mixing unit 12 at the upstream side of the portion connected to detergent supply path 17. That is, water source side passage 10A for supplying water into mixing section 12 is connected to the upstream side of detergent supply passage 17 for supplying detergent into mixing section 12. Therefore, the detergent supplied into the mixing unit 12 can be efficiently discharged from the inside of the mixing unit 12 to the washing tub 3 side by the water supplied into the mixing unit 12.

In addition, according to washing machine 1, washing tub side path 10B is connected to mixing unit 12 below the portion to which water source side path 10A is connected. That is, the outlet of water from the mixing section 12 is provided at a position lower than the inlet of water into the mixing section 12. Therefore, the water flowing into the mixing section 12 is easily discharged to the outside of the mixing section 12, and the water flowing into the mixing section 12 can be suppressed from flowing back to the upstream side temporarily. In addition, by providing the inlet of water into the mixing section 12 at a relatively high position, the water flowing into the mixing section 12 flows in a falling manner in the mixing section 12, and the mixing of the detergent and the water can be further promoted by the flow of the falling water.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the detergent supply path 17 includes the automatic detergent supply portion 15 that automatically supplies detergent. According to this configuration, the detergent can be automatically supplied, and the burden on the user can be reduced as compared with a washing machine in which the user manually supplies the detergent. The automatic detergent dispenser 15 is configured to dispense a predetermined amount of detergent by metering the detergent by a metering pump 18. Therefore, the amount of detergent put in at one run can be made accurate compared to a washing machine in which a user puts in detergent manually.

(second embodiment)

This embodiment is an embodiment relating to an example of control of supply of water and detergent into the washing tub 3. As illustrated in fig. 4, when controller 30 of washing machine 1 starts the washing process, first, the weight of the laundry accommodated in washing tub 3 is detected (a 1). In addition, the weight detection process of detecting the weight of the laundry can appropriately adopt, for example: known methods include a method of determining the weight of laundry based on a variation in the current value of the motor when the drum in the washing tub 3 is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed for weight detection, and a method of determining the weight using a physical weight measuring device that measures the variation in the weight of the entire washing tub 3 including the drum.

When the weight detection process is finished, controller 30 determines the amount of detergent to be put in based on the detected weight of the laundry (a 2). Thus, the amount of the detergent to be fed by one detergent feeding operation of the metering pump 18 is set.

Next, control device 30 performs an automatic detergent supply operation via detergent supply path 17 by driving metering pump 18 (a 3). Thereby, a predetermined amount of detergent is put into mixing unit 12 constituting a part of water supply path 10. Then, controller 30 opens water supply valve 11 to start the water supply operation through water supply path 10 (a 4). Thereby, water is supplied to the mixing portion 12 constituting a part of the water supply path 10. In the mixing section 12, water is mixed with the detergent and supplied into the washing tub 3.

Then, controller 30 closes water supply valve 11 after the open state of water supply valve 11, that is, the operation of supplying water and detergent into washing tub 3, is continued for a predetermined time (a 5). Thereby, the supply of water and detergent into the washing tub 3 is stopped. The predetermined time for maintaining water supply valve 11 in the open state can be set by appropriately changing the time.

After the closing state of water supply valve 11, that is, the state in which the supply operation of water and detergent into washing tub 3 is stopped continues for a predetermined time, controller 30 repeats the above-described processes of steps A3 to a5 again. The predetermined time for maintaining water supply valve 11 in the closed state can be set by appropriately changing the time. The number of times the processing of steps A3 to a5 is repeated can be set by appropriately changing the number of times.

According to the second embodiment, the washing machine 1 is configured to alternately perform the water supply operation through the water supply path 10 and the automatic detergent supply operation through the detergent supply path 17 by the metering pump 18. According to this configuration, water and detergent are alternately supplied into the mixing section 12, and mixing of the water and detergent in the mixing section 12 can be further promoted.

(third embodiment)

This embodiment is also an embodiment relating to an example of control of supply of water and detergent into the washing tub 3. As illustrated in fig. 5, control device 30 of washing machine 1 alternately repeats a process of opening water supply valve 11(a 4) and a process of closing water supply valve 11(a5) after performing a weight detection process of laundry in washing tub 3 (a1), a determination process of an amount of detergent input based on the detected weight (a2), and an automatic supply process of detergent through detergent supply path 17 by metering pump 18 (A3). Thus, a predetermined amount of detergent is put into mixing unit 12, and then water is intermittently supplied. The number of times of repeating the process of opening the water supply valve 11(a 4) and the process of closing the water supply valve 11(a5) can be set by appropriately changing the number of times.

According to the third embodiment, the washing machine 1 is configured to intermittently perform the water supply operation through the water supply path 10 after the automatic detergent supply operation through the detergent supply path 17 by the metering pump 18. According to this configuration, the detergent and water supplied into the mixing unit 12 can be efficiently mixed by the flow of the water to be supplied later and supplied into the washing tub 3. In addition, by intermittently supplying water after the detergent is supplied into the mixing section 12, the flow of water supplied into the mixing section 12 can be changed, and the mixing efficiency of water and detergent can be further improved. Further, the detergent supplied into the mixing section 12 can be efficiently discharged to the washing tub 3 side by the subsequently supplied water.

(fourth embodiment)

This embodiment is an embodiment relating to a configuration example in the mixing section 12. As illustrated in fig. 6 and 7, the mixing section 12 includes a mixing promotion section 40 including a plurality of protrusions 40 a. The plurality of protrusions 40a are arranged in a plurality of rows on the bottom surface of the mixing section 12. Further, the plurality of protrusions 40a are provided on the bottom surface of the mixing section 12 at a portion not facing the detergent supply path 17. Thus, the protrusion 40a is not provided at the portion of the bottom surface of the mixing unit 12 facing the detergent supply path 17. In this case, the plurality of protrusions 40a are all provided at the same height. The water source-side path 10A and the cleaning tub-side path 10B are connected to the mixing section 12 at positions shifted in the lateral direction of the mixing section 12.

According to the fourth embodiment, the water supplied from the water source-side passage 10A into the mixing section 12 flows toward the washing tub-side passage 10B while colliding with the plurality of projections 40A. Therefore, the water flowing through the mixing portion 12 is likely to generate turbulence, and the mixing of the water and the detergent can be further promoted.

The mixing acceleration part 40 may also have a configuration in which the protrusion 40a is provided at a portion of the bottom surface of the mixing part 12 that faces the detergent supply path 17. According to this configuration, the detergent supplied from the detergent supply path 17 can be cut off by the protrusion 40a, and the mixing of the detergent and the water in the mixing portion 12 can be further promoted. The mixing promotion unit 40 may be configured such that a plurality of protrusions 40a are arranged at random positions on the bottom surface of the mixing unit 12.

The mixing acceleration part 40 may be configured such that the plurality of protrusions 40a have different heights. In this case, by lowering the height of the projection 40A on the upstream side, i.e., the water source side path 10A side, in the mixing section 12, it is possible to suppress the water supplied from the water source side path 10A into the mixing section 12 from rebounding back to the projection 40A and flowing back to the water source side path 10A side, and to stably carry out the flow of the water in the mixing section 12 from the upstream side, i.e., the water source side path 10A side, to the downstream side, i.e., the washing tub side path 10B side.

The water source-side path 10A and the cleaning tub-side path 10B are connected to the mixing section 12 at positions shifted in the lateral direction of the mixing section 12. According to this configuration, since the water supplied into the mixing section 12 flows diagonally from the upstream side to the downstream side in the mixing section 12, the flow path in the mixing section 12 can be made longer, and the mixing of the water and the detergent can be further promoted.

(fifth embodiment)

This embodiment also relates to an example of the configuration in the mixing section 12. As illustrated in fig. 8 and 9, the mixing section 12 includes a mixing promotion section 50 including a rotary blade 50 a. The rotary wing 50a is provided at the center of the bottom surface of the mixing section 12 in this case. In addition, at least the central portion of the rotary wing 50a is provided at a portion on the bottom surface of the mixing section 12 not opposed to the detergent supply path 17. Thus, at least the central portion of the rotary wing 50a is not provided in the portion of the bottom surface of the mixing section 12 facing the detergent supply path 17. The rotary wing 50a may be rotated by a drive source such as a motor, or may be rotated by the flow of water in the mixing section 12.

According to the fifth embodiment, water flowing from the upstream side, i.e., the water source side passage 10A side to the downstream side, i.e., the washing tub side passage 10B side, can be stirred by the rotary blades 50A in the mixing section 12, and the flow thereof can be disturbed. This can further promote mixing of water and the detergent.

The mixing promotion unit 50 may be provided in a portion other than the central portion of the bottom surface of the mixing unit 12. The mixing promotion unit 50 may be configured to include a plurality of rotary blades 50a in the mixing unit 12, for example. In this case, by appropriately adjusting the arrangement positions of the plurality of rotary wings 50a, the mixing efficiency of water and detergent can be further improved.

(sixth embodiment)

This embodiment also relates to an example of the configuration in the mixing section 12. As illustrated in fig. 10 and 11, the mixing section 12 includes a mixing promotion section 60 formed of a plurality of wall sections 60 a. The plurality of wall portions 60A are disposed on the bottom surface of the mixing portion 12 so as to alternately extend from the upstream side, i.e., the water source side passage 10A side toward the downstream side, i.e., the washing tub side passage 10B side. Thus, a serpentine flow path, a so-called labyrinth flow path, which is connected from the upstream side to the downstream side, is formed by the plurality of wall portions 60a on the bottom surface of the mixing section 12. Further, the wall portion 60a on the most upstream side among the plurality of wall portions 60a is provided at a portion facing the detergent supply path 17 on the bottom surface of the mixing portion 12. Further, the plurality of wall portions 60a are provided at different heights, respectively. In this case, the wall 60a on the most upstream side among the plurality of walls 60a has a lower height, and the wall 60a on the downstream side has a higher height.

According to the sixth embodiment, the water supplied from the water source-side passage 10A into the mixing section 12 flows along the winding flow path formed by the plurality of wall portions 60A toward the cleaning tub-side passage 10B. Therefore, the flow path in the mixing section 12 can be made longer, and the mixing of water and detergent can be further promoted in the process of flowing through such flow path. In the mixing section 12, the height of the plurality of wall portions 60a decreases toward the upstream side. Therefore, the water supplied from the water source-side passage 10A into the mixing section 12 is prevented from rebounding on the wall portion 60A and flowing back toward the water source-side passage 10A, and the flow of the water in the mixing section 12 can be stabilized from the upstream side, i.e., the water source-side passage 10A, toward the downstream side, i.e., the washing tub-side passage 10B.

In addition, according to the sixth embodiment, a wall portion 60a is provided at a portion of the bottom surface of the mixing portion 12 that faces the detergent supply path 17. According to this configuration, the detergent supplied from the detergent supply path 17 can be cut off by the wall portion 60a, and the mixing of the detergent and the water in the mixing portion 12 can be further promoted. The mixing acceleration unit 60 may be configured such that the wall 60a is not provided at a portion of the bottom surface of the mixing unit 12 facing the detergent supply path 17. The mixing acceleration portion 60 may be configured such that the wall portions 60a have the same height.

(seventh embodiment)

This embodiment is an embodiment in which a predetermined function is provided to the water supplied into the mixing section 12 and the washing tub 3. As illustrated in fig. 12, the water supply unit 4 further includes a fine bubble generating device 70 in the water supply path 10. In this case, the fine bubble generating device 70 is provided in a portion downstream of the water supply valve 11 in the water source side passage 10A constituting a part of the water supply passage 10.

The fine bubble water generator 70 is internally passedAnd a device for generating fine bubble water by containing fine bubbles in water. Although not shown in detail, the fine bubble water generator 70 includes a flow path having a throttle portion and a protrusion portion. The water flowing through the flow path is throttled when passing through the throttle portion, and the flow velocity and pressure gradually increase, and the water collides with the protrusion portion in a state of high flow velocity and high pressure. When water having a high flow velocity and a high pressure collides with the projection and passes through the projection, the pressure of the water is rapidly reduced. By cavitation effects produced by this sharp pressure drop, a plurality of, e.g. 10, are produced in the water⁶More than one fine bubble having a diameter of several tens nm to several μm, for example, 50 μm or less.

The fine bubbles thus generated are called microbubbles, nanobubbles, ultra-fine microbubbles, and the like. Here, generally, the fine bubbles are classified as follows according to the particle diameters of the bubbles. For example, bubbles having a particle diameter of about several μm to 50 μm, in other words, on the order of micrometers are called microbubbles or microbubbles. On the other hand, bubbles having a particle diameter of several hundred nm to several tens of nm or less, in other words, nano-sized bubbles are called nano-bubbles, ultrafine micro-bubbles, or the like.

If the particle size of the bubbles is several hundred nm to several tens nm or less, the bubbles are smaller than the wavelength of light, and therefore, the bubbles cannot be visually confirmed any more, and the liquid becomes transparent. Further, the nano-scale fine bubbles have characteristics such as a large total surface area, a slow floating speed, and a large internal pressure, as compared with the micro-scale or higher bubbles. For example, bubbles having a particle size of the order of micrometers rapidly rise in the liquid due to their buoyancy, break at the surface of the liquid and disappear, so that the residence time in the liquid is relatively short. On the other hand, fine bubbles having a particle size of nanometer order have a long retention time in the liquid because of small buoyancy.

Water containing such fine bubbles has an excellent surface active action, and contributes to the improvement of the cleaning performance of the laundry, particularly the cleaning performance of grease dirt such as sebum dirt. That is, the fine bubble water generated by the fine bubble water generator 70 has a function of improving the cleaning performance by using the fine bubbles.

In addition, the anionic surfactant, which is a main component of the detergent, in other words, the anionic surfactant and the fine bubbles in the fine bubble water have cleaning ability to remove dirt alone. However, for example, when a detergent or the like is dissolved in fine bubble water to provide the fine bubble water to concentrated detergent water, the surfactant in the detergent is adsorbed to the fine bubbles by an interaction called a hydrophobic interaction which acts on an attractive force between molecules, and thus, the surfactant aggregates, that is, micelles are easily broken and dispersed in water. As a result, the surfactant is likely to react with dirt in a short time, and the cleaning ability is improved.

That is, the detergent is dissolved in the fine bubble water to generate the cleaning solution, and the surfactant in the detergent and the fine bubbles in the fine bubble water are brought into interaction with each other, so that the cleaning performance can be remarkably improved as compared with a simple cleaning solution in which the detergent is dissolved only in tap water or a simple fine bubble water. Further, since the dirt is emulsified and easily dispersed in water, an effect of preventing the dirt from being attached to the clothes again can be expected.

According to the seventh embodiment, the fine bubble water having the above-described effect can be supplied into the mixing section 12 and mixed with the detergent. Therefore, the detergent can be mixed with water while improving the dispersibility thereof, and a mixed liquid of water and the detergent with higher cleaning performance can be supplied into the cleaning tub 3.

(eighth embodiment)

Fig. 13 shows an external appearance of a drum type washing machine as a washing machine of the present embodiment. Here, a main body 101 constituting an outer casing of the drum type washing machine has a substantially rectangular box shape, a circular entrance 102 for entrance and exit of laundry is provided at a substantially central portion of a front surface of the main body 101, and a door 103 is openably and closably attached to open and close the entrance 102.

A power switch 104 and an operation panel 105 are provided in the right front portion of the upper surface portion of the main body 101. Although not shown in detail, the operation panel 105 is provided with various operation keys such as a start key and a program for setting a washing operation by a user. At this time, when the user performs the cleaning operation, the user can select on the operation panel 105 whether to automatically input the detergent and the softener, which are the cleaning treatment agents, by the automatic input device 117 described later, or to manually input the detergent and the softener in one amount by using the manual supply mechanism 119. The operation panel 105 is provided with a display unit 106. Although not shown, the display unit 106 displays a necessary cleaning program, cleaning operation time, and the like of the cleaning operation to be executed.

Although not shown, a tub having a substantially cylindrical shape with a front surface opened, communicating with the inlet/outlet 102, and storing wash water is elastically supported in the main body 101 via an elastic support mechanism. A drum as a receiving tub receiving laundry is provided in the tub. The drum is formed in a cylindrical shape having a slightly smaller diameter than the tub, and is rotatably driven with its rear center portion connected to a driving mechanism including a drum motor 107 and the like as illustrated in fig. 19. In addition, a water supply mechanism 108 is provided in the main body 101 at the upper left portion of the tub for supplying water into the tub. The water supply mechanism 108 will be described later. A drain port is provided at the bottom of the tub, and a drain pipe is connected to the drain port via a drain valve 109 illustrated in fig. 19.

Although not shown, a drying mechanism for circulating and supplying warm air for drying into the tub and the drum is provided in the main body 101. The drying mechanism includes a dry air circulation duct forming an air passage outside the tub, and a drying unit 110 illustrated in fig. 19 that dehumidifies and heats the circulation air to generate dry air is provided in a middle portion thereof. The drying unit 110 is configured by, for example, incorporating a heat pump and an air blower in a casing. Various sensors 111 illustrated in fig. 19 including a water level sensor for detecting a water level in the tub, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in the drum, a rotation sensor for detecting a rotation position of the drum motor 107, and the like are also provided in the main body 101.

Here, the water supply mechanism 108, the automatic charging device 117, and the manual charging mechanism 119 will be described. As shown in fig. 14 to 16, the water supply mechanism 108 includes a water supply valve unit 112 provided in the rear portion of the left upper portion of the main body 101, a water filling box 113 provided in the front portion of the left upper portion of the main body 101, an automatic water supply path 114 and a manual water supply path 115 connected from the water supply valve unit 112 to the water filling box 113, a water supply pipe 116 for supplying water from the water filling box 113 into the tub, and the like.

An automatic feeding device 117 for automatically feeding a liquid detergent as a washing treatment agent and a softening agent into the water tub through the water feed box 113 is provided in the upper left portion of the main body 101 together with the water supply mechanism 108. Further, a manual input mechanism 119 is incorporated, and when a user inputs a single amount of liquid detergent or powder detergent as a washing treatment agent and a softening agent into the storage case 118 as a manual storage portion in advance, the manual input mechanism 119 supplies the detergent and the softening agent into the water tub together with the water supply.

As shown in fig. 14 and 15, the water supply valve unit 112 includes a plurality of water supply valves that are electromagnetically opened and closed on a frame 112 a. In the present embodiment, the automatic water supply valve 121 and the manual detergent water supply valve 122 are provided at the left and right sides of the upper stage of the frame 112a as illustrated in fig. 15, and the manual softener water supply valve 120 is provided at the lower stage as illustrated in fig. 14. As shown in fig. 13, a connection port 123 is provided on the upper portion of the water supply valve unit 112 so as to be exposed on the upper surface of the main body 101, and a tap of tap water as a water supply source is connected to the connection port 123. Although not shown in detail, the connection ports 123 are branched into three at the lower side and connected to the inlet portions of the water supply valves 120 to 122, respectively.

An outlet portion of the automatic water supply valve 121 is connected to an inlet portion of the automatic water supply path 114. The outlet of the manual detergent water supply valve 122 is connected to the inlet of the detergent flow path in the manual water supply path 115, and the outlet of the manual softener water supply valve 120 is connected to the inlet of the softener flow path in the manual water supply path 115. The automatic water supply path 114 and the manual water supply path 115 will be described later. As shown in fig. 15, a bathing water pump 124 for pumping surplus hot water for bathing is attached to the right side of the water supply valve unit 112.

As shown in fig. 14 and 15, the water filling box 113 is formed of plastic in a rectangular box shape having an open upper surface, and is disposed at the left end portion of the upper front surface side in the main body 101. A flow path forming member 125 constituting the manual water supply path 115 is disposed at an upper surface opening of the water filling cartridge 113. In addition, although not shown in fig. 15, the upper surface of the flow passage forming member 125 is covered with a cover member. As shown in fig. 16, the bottom of the water filling box 113 is inclined to be gradually lowered toward the rear, the front end of the water supply pipe 116 is connected to the lower portion of the rear end thereof, and the rear end of the water supply pipe 116 is connected to a water supply port of a water tub, not shown. An opening through which the storage case 118 is inserted and removed is provided in the front surface of the water pouring case 113, and the opening is close to the opening in the upper left portion of the front surface in the main body 101.

As shown in fig. 15, the storage case 118 integrally includes a manual detergent storage portion 118a and a manual softener storage portion 118b, which are formed of plastic and have a thin container shape with an open top surface and a slightly long front-rear direction. The manual detergent storage portion 118a stores, for example, a single amount of detergent, i.e., liquid detergent or powder detergent, and the manual softener storage portion 118b stores, as necessary, a single amount of softening agent called "soft extract" (softer). As shown in fig. 16, the rear end of the manual detergent storage 118a is open and serves as a detergent discharge unit. Although not shown in detail, the manual softener storage portion 118b has a so-called siphon type discharge portion.

The storage case 118 is of a so-called draw-out type that is provided in the water filling case 113 so as to be able to be drawn in and out from the front surface side. At this time, a front door 126 having a hand 126a is connected to the front end of the storage box 118. The storage box 118 is provided to be capable of entering and exiting between a storage position illustrated in fig. 13 where the front door 126 closes the opening portion on the upper left of the front surface in the main body 101 and an extraction position illustrated in fig. 15 where the storage position is extracted forward. As shown in fig. 16, the storage case 118 is disposed at an upper portion in the water pouring case 113 at its storage position.

As shown in fig. 15, the manual water supply path 115 extends from the front of the water supply valve unit 112 to the right, extends forward while bypassing the right side of the tank portion of the automatic loading device 117 described later, and then bends to the left to reach the upper portion of the water filling box 113. As described above, the manual water supply path 115 is configured to have two flow paths, i.e., the detergent flow path 127 and the softener flow path 128, by partitioning the upper surface of the plastic flow path forming member 125 with ribs.

The inlet 127a of the flow path 127 for detergent is connected to the outlet of the manual detergent supply valve 122, and the flow path 127 for detergent has a plurality of small-diameter water spray holes 127b extending to the left side of the upper portion of the water pouring box 113, i.e., above the manual detergent storage portion 118a of the storage box 118, and arranged in front and rear rows at the left and right portions. The inlet 128a of the softener flow path 128 is connected to the outlet of the manual softener supply valve 120, and the softener flow path 128 has three slightly larger water injection holes 128b arranged in tandem extending to the right side of the upper part of the water injection cartridge 113, i.e., above the manual softener storage portion 118b of the storage cartridge 118.

With the above configuration, the manual supply mechanism 119 is configured. In the manual supply mechanism 119, when the manual detergent supply valve 122 is opened, the tap water supplied from the connection port 123 is supplied in a shower-like state from the water spray hole 127b to the manual detergent storage portion 118a of the storage box 118 through the detergent flow path 127 of the manual detergent supply path 115. The water supplied to the manual detergent container 118a flows toward the bottom of the water filling box 113 while dissolving the contained detergent, and is supplied into the water tub through the water supply pipe 116.

In the manual supply mechanism 119, when the manual softener supply valve 120 is opened, the tap water supplied from the connection port 123 passes through the softener flow path 128 of the manual water supply path 115 and is supplied from the water supply hole 128b to the manual softener storage portion 118b of the storage case 118. The water supplied to the manual softener storage portion 118b is supplied from the water injection box 113 into the water tub through the water supply pipe 116 while dissolving the contained softener.

The automatic loading device 117 will be described. As shown in fig. 14, 15, and the like, the automatic loading device 117 includes a tank case 129 provided behind the water filling tank 113, and a pump 130 provided behind the tank case. The tank case 129 has a box shape with an open upper surface and slightly long front and rear, and as shown in fig. 13, a detergent tank 131 and a softening agent tank 132, both of which are rectangular box-shaped and elongated in the front-rear direction, are provided in the tank case 129 side by side so as to be removable upward.

In this case, a liquid detergent usable for a plurality of times of washing is stored in the detergent tank 131, and a soft processing agent usable for a plurality of times of washing is stored in the soft processing agent tank 132. As shown in fig. 13, an access opening 133 corresponding to the upper surface of the can 129 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 101, and a cover 134 for opening and closing the access opening 133 is provided. The user can perform the work of replenishing the detergent and the softening agent by opening the lid 134 and taking out the detergent tank 131 and the softening agent tank 132 upward.

The pump 130 has two left and right suction ports 130a and 130b illustrated in fig. 18 facing forward, and two left and right discharge ports 130c and 130d illustrated in fig. 17 facing downward, and is configured to use a motor as a drive source. The pump 130 is constituted as follows: the rotation direction of the motor, that is, the direction of current flow, is switched to switch between the suction ports 130a and 130b for sucking the liquid and the discharge ports 130c and 130d for discharging the liquid. As shown in fig. 17, the 2 discharge ports 130c and 130d of the pump 130 are disposed above a discharge portion in the middle of the automatic water supply path 114, which will be described later.

At this time, the left suction port 130a, which is one side of the pump 130, is connected to the detergent tank 131, and the detergent in the detergent tank 131 is sucked up by the rotation of the motor in one direction and discharged from the left discharge port 130c, which is one side. The right suction port 130b on the other side of the pump 130 is connected to the softening agent tank 132, and is configured to suck up the softening agent in the softening agent tank 132 by rotation of the motor in the other direction and discharge the softening agent from the right discharge port 130d on the other side. The discharge amount of the detergent or softener, that is, the supply amount to the discharge portion in the middle of the automatic water supply path 114 is controlled by the drive time of the pump 130.

Thus, the automatic loading device 117 can supply only a required amount of the detergent contained in the detergent tank 131 to the discharge portion by driving the pump 130, and can supply only a required amount of the softening agent contained in the softening agent tank 132 to the discharge portion. As will be described later, when the automatic water supply valve 121 is opened to supply water to the automatic water supply path 114 in a state where the detergent or the soft processing agent is supplied to the discharge part by driving of the pump 130, the water is supplied into the tub through the water filling box 113 or the like while being mixed with the detergent or the soft processing agent in the discharge part to dissolve the detergent or the soft processing agent.

The automatic water supply path 114 is configured as follows. That is, as shown in fig. 14 and the like, the automatic water supply path 114 includes a first joint member 135, a second joint member 136, and a connection pipe 137 connecting these members. The first joint member 135 is located at a lower portion between the water supply valve unit 112 and the tank case 129, and as shown in fig. 18, includes a case portion 135a in the form of a rectangular box which is slightly laterally long in the left-right direction and is thin in the up-down direction, an inlet pipe 135b, and an outlet pipe portion 135 c.

At this time, as shown in fig. 17, the discharge ports 130c and 130d of the pump 130 are connected to the upper surface of the cartridge part 135a, and the inside of the cartridge part 135a where the washing treatment agent falls is a discharge portion, which is defined as a mixing space 138 where the washing treatment agent is mixed with water. As shown in fig. 18, the inlet pipe 135b extends upward from the rear end portion on the right side of the upper surface of the box portion 135a, and the inlet end portion of the automatic water supply path 114, which is the upper end portion thereof, is connected to the outlet portion of the automatic water supply valve 121. The outlet pipe portion 135c is provided to protrude forward from the front left end portion of the box portion 135 a.

Thus, the mixing space 138 of the cartridge unit 135a, which is a discharge unit for the washing treatment agent by the pump 130, is disposed at a position lower than the inlet end of the upper end of the inlet pipe 135 b. In the present embodiment, the outlet pipe portion 135c is configured to have a larger flow passage diameter than the inlet pipe 135 b. Although not shown in detail, the inner bottom of the box section 135a gradually descends toward the outlet tube section 135c at the left front portion, and the liquid in the mixing space 138 is entirely discharged from the outlet tube section 135 c.

The second coupling member 136 is formed in an L shape when viewed from the top, and one end thereof is connected to a connection hole 113a illustrated in fig. 16 provided at a lower portion of a left side wall portion which is a peripheral wall portion of the water injection box 113 to form an outlet end portion of the automatic water supply path 114. as shown in fig. 16, the connection hole 113a is located below the storage box 118, the other end side of the second coupling member 136 is disposed rearward along a side wall of the water injection box 113, and as shown in fig. 14, the outlet tube portion 135c of the first coupling member 135 and the other end side of the second coupling member 136 are connected by the connection tube 137. the connection hole 113a is provided at a position slightly lower than the outlet tube portion 135c, and the connection tube 137 is inclined downward gradually toward the front.

Thus, in the automatic water supply path 114, when the automatic water supply valve 121 is opened, the tap water supplied from the connection port 123 flows into the mixing space 138, which is the cartridge section 135a, from the inlet pipe 135b of the first joint member 135, and is mixed with the detergent or the softening agent when the detergent or the softening agent is supplied to the discharge section. The mixed washing water is discharged from the outlet pipe portion 135c, passes through the connection pipe 137, passes through the second joint member 136, and flows into the lower portion of the inside of the water injection cartridge 113 from the connection hole 113 a. Then, the water flows backward under the storage case 118 and is supplied into the tub through the water supply pipe 116.

As shown in fig. 19, a control device 141, which is mainly composed of a microcomputer and controls the entire washing machine including the water supply mechanism 108, is provided in the main body 101. The control device 141 controls the water supply valves 121, and 122 of the water supply valve unit 112, the pump 130 of the automatic charging device 117, the drum motor 107, the drain valve 109, the drying unit 110, and the like based on input signals from the various sensors 111 and a control program stored in advance, in accordance with an operation program set by a user on the operation panel 105. Thus, the washing operation and the drying operation composed of the washing process, the rinsing process and the dehydrating process are automatically executed. The details of each process of the washing operation and the drying operation are well known, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted here.

In the present embodiment, when executing the cleaning operation, the user can select, on the operation panel 105, the operation of: the detergent and the softening agent are automatically fed by an automatic feeding device 117, or the detergent and the softening agent are manually fed once by using a storage case 118 of a manual feeding mechanism 119. When the user selects the manual input, a necessary amount of the powder detergent or the liquid detergent is stored in the manual detergent storage portion 118a of the storage box 118 at the start of the cleaning operation. When the softening agent is used, a required amount of the softening agent is put into the manual softener storage portion 118b together with the detergent.

When the automatic input of the detergent and the softening agent is selected, the controller 141 supplies a required amount of the detergent to the discharge unit by the automatic input device 117 before starting the water supply in the washing process, and then opens the automatic water supply valve 121 to supply the water. Before the final rinsing step, a required amount of the softening agent is supplied to the supply portion by the automatic loading device 117, and then the automatic water supply valve 121 is opened to supply water. In addition, water supply is performed based on the result of the cloth amount detection in the drum such that the water level in the tub corresponds to the cloth amount.

On the other hand, when the manual input of the detergent and the softening agent is selected, the controller 141 does not operate the automatic input device 117 and performs the water supply in the washing process by using the manual detergent water supply valve 122. In addition, at the time of water supply in the final rinsing process for the stored water, the manual softener water supply valve 120 is opened to supply water. In this case, in the present embodiment, as described in detail in the following operational description, the following control is performed: when the water supply in the washing process is started, the automatic water supply valve 121 is first opened, and then, for example, after 2 seconds have elapsed, the manual detergent water supply valve 122 is opened. After a predetermined time, for example, 18 seconds has elapsed from the opening of the manual detergent water supply valve 122, the automatic water supply valve 121 is closed, and water is supplied only by the manual detergent water supply valve 122.

Next, the operation and effect of the washing machine configured as described above will be described with reference to fig. 20. As a preparation for using the automatic loading device 117, the user stores the detergent in the detergent tank 131 and stores the softening agent in the softening agent tank 132. When the washing machine performs a washing operation, the user operates the power switch 104 to turn on the power supply, and receives laundry into the drum. Then, the operation program is selected by the operation panel 105.

At this time, when the manual input of the detergent and the soft processing agent is selected, the user pulls out the drawer-type storage box 118, stores a necessary amount of the detergent in the manual detergent storage portion 118a, inputs a necessary amount of the soft processing agent into the manual softener storage portion 118b, and starts the cleaning operation after closing the front door 126. In contrast, when the automatic feeding of the detergent and the softening agent is selected, the washing operation can be started as it is.

When the washing operation is started, controller 141 controls each mechanism of the washing machine to automatically execute a known washing operation including each process of washing, rinsing, and spin-drying. At this time, during washing, water supply to the tub up to a predetermined water level is first performed, but when automatic detergent supply is selected, a required amount of detergent is supplied to the mixing space 138, which is a discharge part in the automatic water supply path 114, by controlling the pump 130 of the automatic supply device 117 before the water supply is started. During the water supply operation, the automatic water supply valve 121 is opened.

When the automatic water supply valve 121 is opened, water from the water supply source is supplied to the automatic water supply path 114. At this time, the detergent flows into the mixing space 138 of the cartridge unit 135a from the inlet tube 135b of the first joint member 135, and is mixed with the detergent supplied to the discharge unit. The mixed washing water flows from the outlet pipe portion 135c through the connection pipe 137 and the second joint member 136, and flows into the lower portion of the water injection cartridge 113 through the connection hole 113 a. And, the water flows backward under the storage case 118 and is supplied into the tub through the water supply pipe 116. Thereby, the washing water in which the detergent is dissolved in the water is automatically supplied to the tub, and the washing process is performed.

On the other hand, when the manual input of the detergent is selected, the controller 141 supplies water using both the manual detergent water supply valve 122 and the automatic water supply valve 121 as shown in fig. 20 during the water supply in the washing process. That is, when the time is 0 second, that is, when water supply is started, the automatic water supply valve 121 is first opened, and after 2 seconds have elapsed, that is, when the time is 2 seconds, the automatic water supply valve 121 is kept opened, and the manual detergent water supply valve 122 is opened. Thereafter, both the automatic water supply valve 121 and the manual detergent water supply valve 122 are kept open until the time reaches 20 seconds, and when the time reaches 20 seconds, the automatic water supply valve 121 is closed and the manual detergent water supply valve 122 is kept open.

Thus, by opening the automatic water supply valve 121, first, only water from the water supply source flows into the lower portion of the inside of the water filling box 113 from the connection hole 113a through the automatic water supply path 114. Then, by opening the manual detergent supply valve 122, water from the water supply source passes through the detergent flow path 127 of the manual water supply path 115, and is supplied in a shower-like manner from the water spray hole 127b to the manual detergent storage portion 118a of the storage box 118. The water flows to the bottom of the water filling box 113 as washing water while dissolving the powdered detergent contained in the manual detergent containing part 118a, and is supplied into the water tub through the water supply pipe 116 together with the water from the automatic water supply path 114.

At this time, water flowing through the automatic water supply path 114 flows below the storage case 118, i.e., at the bottom of the water pouring case 113, and a barrier due to water flow is provided. Therefore, the powdered detergent flowing down from the rear portion of the manual detergent storage portion 118a of the storage case 118 does not travel to the front side of the inner bottom of the water injection case 113, but flows without adhering to and remaining on the inner wall of the water injection case 113 or the outer bottom surface of the storage case 118. Thereafter, as shown in fig. 20, at time 42 seconds, the manual detergent water supply valve 122 is temporarily closed, and the same control as in the first case is performed from time 47 seconds. After 49 seconds, the water supply is performed with the automatic water supply valve 121 and the manual detergent water supply valve 122 opened, and if water supply to a predetermined water level in the tub is performed, the automatic water supply valve 121 and the manual detergent water supply valve 122 are closed to perform a washing process, although not shown.

Thereafter, when the process is advanced to the time before the water supply of the final rinsing process for retaining water, if the automatic detergent supply is selected, the pump 130 of the automatic supply device 117 is driven, and the required amount of the softening agent is supplied to the mixing space 138 this time. Thereafter, the automatic water supply valve 121 is opened, the water flowing through the automatic water supply path 114 flows while dissolving the soft processing agent in the mixing space 138, the washing water containing the soft processing agent is supplied into the water tub through the water filling box 113, and the final rinsing process for retaining water is performed.

On the other hand, when the manual input is selected, the water supply in the final rinsing process for retaining water is performed by opening the manual softener water supply valve 120. When the manual softener supply valve 120 is opened, water is supplied from the water supply hole 128b to the manual softener storage portion 118b of the storage case 118 through the softener flow path 128 of the manual water supply path 115. The water supplied to the manual softener storage portion 118b is supplied from the water supply box 113 into the water tub through the water supply pipe 116 while dissolving the contained softener. If the water supply of the prescribed water level is completed, the final water storage rinsing process is performed.

In the present embodiment, in the automatic water supply path 114, the mixing space 138, which is a discharge portion of the detergent by the pump 130, is disposed at a position lower than an inlet end portion of the upper end of the inlet pipe 135b connected to the outlet portion of the automatic water supply valve 121. Therefore, the flow of water from the discharge portion toward the inlet end portion side and the automatic water supply valve 121 side is not easily caused, and even if the washing treatment agent remains in the automatic water supply path 114, the washing treatment agent can be prevented from flowing backward toward the automatic water supply valve 120 side. As a result, according to the present embodiment, when the automatic washing treatment agent supply device 117 is provided, the washing treatment agent can be prevented from flowing backward toward the automatic water supply valve 121, and the negative influence on the automatic water supply valve 121 can be prevented in advance.

In this case, in the present embodiment, a mixing space 138 in which the washing treatment agent pumped by the pump 130 and the water flowing from the automatic water supply valve 121 are mixed is provided in the discharge portion in the middle of the automatic water supply path 114. Thus, the washing treatment agent is mixed with water in the mixing space 138 in the middle of the automatic water supply path 114, and can be supplied to the water tub 113 and the tub as a washing liquid in which the washing treatment agent is well dissolved in water. The detergent capacity can be sufficiently exhibited, and the detergent remaining in the automatic water supply path 114 can be suppressed. Further, since the discharge ports 130c and 130d of the pump 130 can be flushed by supplying water to the mixing space 138, the detergent and the softening agent can be prevented from adhering to the discharge ports 130c and 130 d.

In the present embodiment, the second joint member 136, which is the outlet end of the automatic water supply path 114, is connected to the connection hole 113a at the lower portion of the peripheral wall portion of the water pouring box 113, and water is allowed to flow downward of the storage box 118. Thus, even if the detergent, particularly the powder detergent, remains in the lower part of the water pouring box 113 or the outer bottom of the storage box 118 during manual input, the water can be made to flow to the lower part of the storage box 118 during automatic input, and the adhered detergent can be discharged from the water pouring box 113.

In the present embodiment, the control device 141 is configured to perform the following control: when the detergent is supplied by the manual supply mechanism 119, the automatic water supply valve 121 is first opened and then the manual water supply valve 122 is opened at the start of water supply. Accordingly, the detergent in the storage case 118 by the manual supply mechanism 119 can be flowed through the lower portion of the water filling case 113 while the water from the automatic water supply path 114 is flowed through the lower portion, and thus the detergent, particularly the powdery detergent, can be effectively prevented from remaining in the lower portion of the water filling case 113.

In the present embodiment, the first joint member 135 constituting the automatic water supply path 114 is configured such that the diameter of the flow path of the outlet pipe portion 135c and the diameter of the flow path of the connecting pipe 137 and the second joint member 136 are larger than the diameter of the flow path of the inlet pipe 135 b. Accordingly, the flow path diameter on the outlet side of the automatic water supply path 114 is relatively large, and therefore, the washing treatment agent and water are easily discharged. Further, since the diameter of the flow path on the inlet side of the automatic water supply path 114 is relatively small, the flow velocity of the water flowing through the inside of the first joint member 135 can be increased, the washing treatment agent can be effectively mixed, and the washing treatment agent can be favorably washed away.

In the above embodiment, when the detergent is supplied by the manual supply mechanism 119, the automatic water supply valve 121 and the manual water supply valve 122 are controlled as shown in fig. 20 when the water supply is started, but the control in fig. 20 may be performed only by the manual water supply valve 122 as long as necessary. The automatic water supply valve 121 may be opened 20 seconds later. The time shown in fig. 20 is merely an example, and can be changed as appropriate. Various modifications can be made to the specific configuration of the automatic water supply path and the manual water supply path.

The configuration of the automatic loading device is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be changed as follows. That is, a piston pump may be used as a pump for transferring the detergent, and the detergent may be supplied by opening and closing an electromagnetic valve. Although the structure having the detergent tank and the softening agent tank is adopted, the structure may be adopted in which only the detergent as the washing treatment agent is automatically supplied or only the softening agent is automatically supplied. In addition, although the above embodiment is applied to a drum-type washing machine with a drying function, the present invention may be applied to a so-called vertical axis type washing machine, and may be a washing machine without a drying function. The shape and structure of the storage box, the structure of the water supply path, and the like can be variously modified.

(other embodiments)

The present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and extensions can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the above embodiments may be combined as appropriate. The laundry treatment agent supplied into the mixing section 12 is not limited to a detergent, and can be appropriately used as long as it is a variety of treatment agents for performing some treatment on laundry, such as a softener, a deodorant, and a bactericide. The washing machine 1 may be configured to include a plurality of mixing units 12 in the water supply path 10.

The present embodiment can also be applied to a so-called vertical washing machine in which the rotation center axis of the rotary tub extends in the vertical direction. In addition, the present embodiment can also be applied to a washing machine having a drying function. In addition, the present embodiment can also be applied to a washing machine having no drying function. The present embodiment can be applied to various kinds of clothes treatment apparatuses as long as the clothes are subjected to some kind of treatment such as deodorization, and sterilization.

The present embodiment is provided as an example, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in other various ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The present embodiment and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope and equivalents of the invention described in the claims.

Claims (15)

1. A clothes treatment device is provided with:

a washing tub for washing laundry;

a water supply path for supplying water into the washing tub;

a laundry treating agent supply path for supplying the laundry treating agent into the washing tub, the laundry treating agent supply path being connected to a middle of the water supply path; and

and a mixing part provided at a portion of the water supply path to which the laundry treating agent supply path is connected, and mixing the water supplied through the water supply path and the laundry treating agent supplied through the laundry treating agent supply path.

2. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1,

the water supply path is configured to include:

a water source-side path extending from the water source; and

a cleaning tub side path extending to the cleaning tub,

the mixing unit is connected to the water source side path and the cleaning tub side path.

3. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 2,

the water source side path is connected to the mixing part at an upstream side of a portion to which the laundry treating agent supply path is connected.

4. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 2,

the cleaning barrel side path is connected to the lower side of the portion of the mixing section to which the water source side path is connected.

5. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1,

the laundry treating agent supply path is provided with an automatic input part for automatically inputting the laundry treating agent.

6. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 5,

the supplying operation of supplying water through the water supply path and the automatic supplying operation of automatically supplying the laundry treating agent through the laundry treating agent supply path by the automatic input part are alternately performed.

7. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 5,

and an automatic supply operation of supplying water through the water supply path after the automatic supply operation of automatically supplying the laundry treating agent through the laundry treating agent supply path by the automatic input unit.

8. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 7,

and an automatic supply unit for supplying the laundry treating agent to the laundry treating agent supply path via the water supply path, and for supplying the laundry treating agent to the laundry treating agent supply path via the water supply path.

9. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1,

the mixing part is provided with a mixing promotion part which promotes the mixing of the water and the clothes treating agent supplied to the mixing part.

10. The laundry treating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

the water supply path is provided with a fine bubble generating device which generates fine bubble water by including fine bubbles in water passing through the inside.

11. A washing machine is provided with:

a water containing barrel disposed in the main body and storing washing water;

a water supply mechanism having at least an automatic water supply valve for supplying water from a water supply source to the tub through the water filling cartridge; and

an automatic feeding device having a tank for storing a washing treatment agent and a pump for pumping out a required amount of the washing treatment agent from the tank, wherein the washing treatment agent is supplied to the water injection cartridge through an automatic water supply path together with water by opening the automatic water supply valve,

an inlet end of an automatic water supply path of the automatic loading device is connected to an outlet of the automatic water supply valve, an outlet end thereof is connected to the water injection cartridge,

a discharge portion of the washing treatment agent by the pump is disposed in a middle portion of the automatic water supply path, and the discharge portion is disposed at a position lower than the inlet end portion.

12. The washing machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein,

a mixing space for mixing the washing treatment agent pumped by the pump and the water flowing from the automatic water supply valve is provided at a discharge part in the middle of the automatic water supply path.

13. The washing machine according to claim 11 or 12,

a manual supply mechanism which is provided with a manual storage part for storing a washing treatment agent used for cleaning once on the upper part of the water injection box, and water flows in from the upper part of the manual storage part through the opening of a manual water supply valve and flows down into the water injection box together with the washing treatment agent inside to be supplied,

the outlet end of the automatic water supply path is connected to the lower part of the peripheral wall of the water injection box, and is configured to allow water to flow to the lower part of the manual accommodating part.

14. The washing machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein,

a control device for controlling the water supply mechanism is provided,

when the washing treatment agent is supplied by the manual supply mechanism, the control device controls the automatic water supply valve to be opened first and then the manual water supply valve to be opened when water supply is started.

15. The washing machine according to claim 11 or 12,

the automatic water supply path is configured such that the diameter of the outlet end is larger than the diameter of the inlet end.

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