CN111793936A

CN111793936A - Laundry treatment agent container and washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN111793936A
Application number: CN202010126263.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杉本淳一
Original assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products and Services Corp
Priority date: 2019-04-03
Filing date: 2020-02-21
Publication date: 2020-10-20
Also published as: JP2020169885A

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a laundry treatment agent storage container, including: the laundry treatment machine comprises a container body for containing liquid laundry treatment agent, and a liquid level detection device for detecting the residual amount of the laundry treatment agent in the container body, wherein the liquid level detection device is composed of an electrostatic capacitance sensor with an electrode, and the electrode is used for detecting electrostatic capacitance change. Thereby, the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the container body can be effectively detected.

Description

Laundry treatment agent container and washing machine

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a laundry treatment agent storage container and a washing machine.

Background

In recent years, in order to satisfy the demand for improving convenience of users, it is thought that: for example, a drum-type washing machine is provided with an automatic detergent supply device which stores a washing treatment agent such as a washing agent or a softener in a container in a large amount, and automatically supplies a required amount of the washing treatment agent from the container into a water tub during a washing operation (see, for example, patent document 1). In this case, it is necessary to detect a decrease in the amount of laundry treatment agent remaining in the container and notify the user to urge the user to replenish the laundry treatment agent. Patent document 1 discloses a configuration in which: a float with a magnet is provided in the container and moves up and down along with the liquid level of the laundry treatment agent, and a magnetic sensor capable of detecting that the magnet moves to a lower position is provided on the outer wall of the container, thereby detecting that the amount of the laundry treatment agent is reduced.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-11618 (paragraph [0252], FIG. 38)

However, in the case of detecting the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the laundry treatment agent storage container by using the float as described above, there are: the structure is complicated, and the float is not moved smoothly due to the adhesion of the washing processing agent with high viscosity, thereby causing a problem of erroneous detection.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a laundry treatment agent container capable of effectively detecting the remaining amount of a laundry treatment agent in a container body, and a washing machine including the laundry treatment agent container.

Disclosure of Invention

The laundry treatment agent container of the embodiment comprises: the laundry treatment machine comprises a container body for containing liquid laundry treatment agent, and a liquid level detection device for detecting the residual amount of the laundry treatment agent in the container body, wherein the liquid level detection device is composed of an electrostatic capacitance sensor with an electrode, and the electrode is used for detecting electrostatic capacitance change.

Further, the washing machine of the embodiment includes: the laundry machine includes a laundry tub provided in a washing machine main body, a laundry treatment agent container according to an embodiment, and a laundry treatment agent automatic feeding device for supplying a predetermined amount of laundry treatment agent from the laundry treatment agent container to the laundry tub.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a view showing embodiment 1, and is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a drum type washing machine.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the drum type washing machine.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the sink.

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a laundry agent container.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the laundry agent container.

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a laundry agent container showing a sensor substrate.

Fig. 7 is a drawing showing embodiment 2, and is a schematic perspective view showing a laundry agent container.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the laundry agent container.

Fig. 9 is a drawing showing embodiment 3, and is a schematic perspective view showing a laundry agent container.

Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a main part structure of the display unit.

Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a laundry agent container according to embodiment 4.

Fig. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing a laundry agent container of embodiment 5.

Fig. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing a laundry agent container according to embodiment 6.

Fig. 14 is a drawing showing embodiment 7, and is a schematic perspective view showing a laundry agent container.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the laundry agent container.

Fig. 16 is a view showing embodiment 8, and shows a state in which a sensor substrate of a detergent container is attached to a washing machine main body side.

Fig. 17 is a view showing a state in which the sensor substrate of the detergent container is removed from the washing machine main body.

Fig. 18 is a schematic perspective view showing a laundry detergent container according to embodiment 9.

Fig. 19 is a schematic perspective view showing a laundry agent container according to embodiment 10.

In the drawings, 1 denotes a washing machine main body, 6 and 47 denote display portions, 7 denotes a water tank, 8 denotes a water supply mechanism, 11 denotes an automatic detergent input device (automatic laundry treatment agent input device), 12 denotes a water injection cartridge, 13 denotes a manual storage cartridge, 14 denotes a main water supply path, 15 denotes a detergent supply portion, 17 denotes a container cartridge, 18 denotes a pump, 25 and 55 denote laundry agent containers (laundry treatment agent storage containers), 25a and 55a denote container bodies, 26 denotes a softener container (laundry treatment agent storage container), 26a denotes a container body, 27, 41, 45, 51, 56, 61, 65, 81, and 91 denote liquid level detection devices, 28, 42, 46, 57, 62, 66, and 92 denote electrostatic capacitance sensors, 28a, 42a, 46a, 57a, 62a, 66a, and 92a denote transmission electrodes, 28b, 42b, and 28a, 46b, 57b, 62b, 66b, 92b denote receiving electrodes, 29, 71 denote sensor substrates, 30 denote receiving coils, 31 denote a detection circuit, 32 denote a wireless communication device, 52, 67, 87 denote ground electrodes, 72, 74 denote connectors, 82 denote electrostatic capacity sensors, and 82a denote sensor electrodes.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, some embodiments applied to a drum type (horizontal axis type) washing machine will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same reference numerals as those in the previous embodiments are assigned to the same parts, and new drawings and redundant description are omitted.

(1) Embodiment 1

Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 6. Fig. 1 and 2 show an external appearance of an upper portion of a drum-type washing machine as a washing machine according to the present embodiment. Fig. 3 shows an external appearance structure of the water tub from which the outer casing of the drum-type washing machine is removed. Here, a main body (outer box) 1 of the drum-type washing machine has a substantially rectangular box shape, and the main body 1 is provided with, at a substantially central portion of a front surface portion thereof: a circular entrance 2 for taking out and putting in clothes is provided with a door 3 installed to be openable and closable in order to open and close the entrance 2.

The main body 1 is provided with: a power switch 4 and an operation panel 5. Although not shown, the operation panel 5 includes: the user performs various operation keys for setting a washing operation program (course) and the like. At this time, when executing the washing operation, the user can perform a selection operation on the operation panel 5 to select: the laundry detergent and the softener are automatically supplied by an automatic laundry detergent supply device 11 described later, or the laundry detergent and the softener are manually supplied 1 time by using a manual storage case 13 described later. The operation panel 5 is provided with a display unit 6. Although not shown, the display unit 6 displays the remaining amount of a detergent container and a softener container, which will be described later, or displays whether or not replenishment is necessary.

As shown in fig. 3, a water tank 7 for storing washing water is elastically supported by an elastic support mechanism (not shown) and is provided in the main body 1, and the water tank 7 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a front surface opened and communicates with the inlet and outlet 2. Although not shown in detail, the water tank 7 includes: a roller as a containing groove for containing clothes. The drum is formed in a cylindrical shape having a slightly smaller diameter than the water tank 7, and is rotatably driven by connecting a drive mechanism including a drum motor or the like to the center portion of the back surface side thereof. Further, in the main body 1, at an upper left position of the water tank 7, there are provided: a water supply mechanism 8 for supplying water into the water tank 7. The water supply mechanism 8 will be described later. Although not shown, a drain port is provided in the bottom of the rear portion of the water tank 7, and a drain pipe is connected to the drain port via a drain valve.

Although not shown, the main body 1 includes: and a drying mechanism for circulating and supplying warm air for drying into the water tank 7 (drum). The drying mechanism comprises: the drying air circulation duct is provided with a heat pump and an air blowing device which dehumidify and heat the circulation air to generate the drying air, wherein the drying air circulation duct is provided with: an air passage is formed from an air outlet 7a (see fig. 3) at a right portion of the upper surface of the water tank 7 to an air inlet at a left portion of the rear surface of the water tank 7 outside the water tank 7. A portion of the drying air circulation duct, which extends rearward from the exhaust port 7a at the right side edge portion of the upper portion in the main body 1, is provided with: a filter unit 9 (see fig. 1 and 2) for capturing lint from the drying air.

As shown in fig. 3, the water supply mechanism 8 includes: a water supply valve unit 10 provided at a rear position of an upper left portion in the main body 1, an automatic laundry agent feeding device 11 as an automatic laundry agent feeding device provided at a front position of the upper left portion in the main body 1, a water injection box 12 and a manual housing box 13 provided at intermediate positions thereof, a main water supply path 14, a water supply pipe (not shown) for supplying water from the water injection box 12 into the water tank 7, and the like. In addition, in the present embodiment, the configuration is such that: laundry detergent (liquid and powder) and softener (softener) as laundry treatment agents can be automatically and manually supplied into the water tank 7.

Although not shown in detail, the water supply valve unit 10 is configured to: a main water supply valve and a softener water supply valve which are electromagnetically opened and closed are assembled on the frame body. As shown in fig. 2, a connection port 19 is provided at the upper portion of the water supply valve unit 10 so as to be exposed to the upper surface of the main body 1, and the connection port 19 is connected to a faucet of a water pipe as a water supply source, although not shown. The connection port 19 is branched into 2 at the lower portion and connected to the inlet portion of the main water supply valve and the inlet portion of the softener water supply valve, respectively. Although not shown, the outlet of the main water supply valve is connected to the inlet of the rear end of the main water supply path 14, and the outlet of the softener water supply valve is connected to the inlet of the softener water supply path. Among them, at the right side of the water supply valve unit 10, are assembled: a water supply pump 21 for sucking up the remaining hot water in the bathtub and the like.

The water filling case 12 is formed of plastic in a rectangular box shape slightly laterally elongated when viewed from above, and the manual housing case 13 is placed on the upper surface thereof. The manual storage case 13 is made of plastic, and integrally includes, in a right-left side-by-side manner: a manual laundry detergent container part 13a and a manual softener container part 13b which are thin containers with open top surfaces. The manual detergent storage part 13a can store 1 time of amount of laundry detergent (powdered laundry detergent), for example, and the manual softener storage part 13b stores 1 time of amount of softener finishing agent (hereinafter, simply referred to as "softener") called softener, as needed.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the main body 1 includes: an opening corresponding to the upper surface of the manual storage case 13 is provided so as to be openable and closable: a cover 22 for opening and closing the opening. The user opens the cover 22 and manually holds the laundry detergent and the softener in an amount of 1 time. Although not shown, at the bottom of the manual laundry detergent storage part 13a and the manual softener storage part 13b, there are provided: a discharge hole for discharging water to the water filling cartridge 12. At this time, as shown in fig. 3, a water injection port 23 is provided at the upper front end portion of the manual detergent storage portion 13a, and a softener water injection port 24 is provided at the upper rear end portion of the manual softener storage portion 13 b.

The main water supply path 14 extends forward from an outlet portion of the main water supply valve substantially horizontally so as to pass through a left side portion of the water injection cartridge 12, and is bent downward at a substantially right angle at a position where it passes through the water injection cartridge 12, and is bent rightward at a lower end portion thereof at a substantially right angle. Further, the structure is as follows: the lower part of the water injection cartridge 12 on the front side is extended rightward, and is bent at a right end thereof at a substantially right angle to extend upward, and is connected to the water injection port 23. In addition, the rising portion of the main water supply path 14 connected to the water filling port 23 is configured to: the cross-sectional area is smaller than that of the other portions, and the feed water is raised to the water filling port 23 by the water pressure.

Thus, when the main water supply valve of the water supply valve unit 10 is opened, the tap water supplied from the connection port 19 flows into the main water supply path 14, flows forward, then flows downward, further flows rightward in the lower front portion of the water pouring box 12, and is supplied into the manual laundry detergent storage part 13a from the lifted water pouring port 23. The water supplied to the manual laundry detergent storage unit 13a is kept as it is, or when the laundry detergent is stored in the manual laundry detergent storage unit 13a, the water flows into the water pouring box 12 downward while dissolving the laundry detergent, and is supplied from the water pouring box 12 into the water tank 7 through the water supply pipe.

At this time, as shown in fig. 3, the central portion of the main water supply path 14 extending from left to right at a lower position of the front portion of the water injection box 12 is a detergent supply portion 15 of the automatic laundry detergent feeding device 11. Therefore, the detergent supply unit 15 is provided on the upstream side of the main water supply path 14, and the manual detergent storage unit 13a is provided on the downstream side thereof. As will be described later, the automatic laundry detergent supply device 11 automatically supplies a required amount of laundry detergent or softener to the laundry detergent supply unit 15.

On the other hand, the softener water supply path, not shown, extends forward from the outlet portion of the softener water supply valve, and then rises to be connected to the softener water injection port 24. Thus, when the softener supply valve of the supply valve unit 10 is opened, the tap water supplied from the connection port 19 is supplied from the softener water supply port 24 to the manual softener storage portion 13b through the softener water supply path. The water supplied to the manual softener storage portion 13b flows into the lower water injection cartridge 12 while dissolving the contained softener, and is supplied from the water injection cartridge 12 into the water tank 7 through the water supply pipe.

The automatic laundry detergent feeding device 11 will be described. As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the automatic laundry detergent feeding device 11 includes: a drawer-type container box 17 that is provided so as to be able to be taken out from and put into the main body 1 from the front surface side, and a pump 18 (see fig. 3) disposed at the rear thereof. The container box 17 is in the form of a rectangular box open at the top and long in the front-rear direction, and is supported at the upper left portion in the main body 1 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. In front of the container box 17 are provided: a front door 20 having a hand-engaging portion 20 a. The container box 17 can be taken out and put in between a storage position (see fig. 1) where the front door 20 closes the opening at the upper left portion of the front face in the main body 1 and a pull-out position (see fig. 2) where the container box is pulled out forward from the storage position.

In the container box 17, a laundry agent container 25 and a softener container 26, which are laundry treatment agent storage containers, are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and are detachably provided. Both the detergent container 25 and the softener container 26 include: for example, container bodies 25a and 26a made of plastic are formed in a rectangular box shape elongated in the front-rear direction, and a lid, not shown, is provided on an upper wall portion of each of the container bodies 25a and 26 a. Thereby, the structure is as follows: the user can take out the laundry detergent container 25 and the conditioner container 26 and open the cover to replenish the laundry detergent and the conditioner therein.

In this case, the container main body 25a of the detergent container 25 accommodates: the liquid laundry detergent, which can be used for washing laundry in multiple quantities, is contained in the container body 26a of the softener container 26: the softening finishing agent can be used for washing clothes in multiple quantities. Although not shown in detail, the pump 18 is configured to: has 2 sets of suction ports and discharge ports, and uses a motor as a driving source. The pump 18 is constituted by: the suction port through which the liquid is sucked and the discharge port through which the liquid is discharged are switched by switching the rotation direction (energization direction) of the motor.

In this case, the structure is: one suction port is connected to the detergent container 25 side, and the detergent is sucked from the container body 25a and discharged from one discharge port by rotating the motor in one direction. And is constituted as follows: the other suction port is connected to the softener container 26 side, and the softener is sucked up from the softener container body 26a and discharged from the other discharge port by rotating the motor in the other direction. The 2 discharge ports of the pump 18 are arranged on the left and right sides above the detergent supply part 15 of the main water supply path 14. The discharge amount of the detergent and the softener, that is, the supply amount to the detergent supply portion 15 is controlled by the driving time of the pump 18.

Thus, the automatic laundry detergent feeding device 11 can supply the laundry detergent contained in the laundry detergent container 25 to the laundry detergent supply unit 15 by a required amount by driving the pump 18, and can also supply the softener contained in the softener container 26 to the laundry detergent supply unit 15 by a required amount. The discharge port of the pump 18 is connected to the main water supply path 14, so that the entire supply path of the detergent becomes short, and the detergent can be prevented from sticking in the supply path.

In this configuration, if the main water supply valve is opened to supply water to the main water supply path 14 in a state where the laundry detergent or the softener is supplied from the laundry detergent supply portion 15, the water flows while dissolving the laundry detergent or the softener in the laundry detergent supply portion 15. The outlet can be flushed by supplying water, and thus the laundry detergent can be prevented from adhering to the outlet. The washing agent or the softener is supplied from the water supply port 23 to the manual washing agent storage portion 13a together with the water supply, and is supplied from the water supply box 12 into the water tank 7 through the water supply pipe.

The laundry detergent container 25 and the softener container 26 are provided with: and a liquid level detecting device 27 for detecting the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent. Fig. 4 to 6 show: hereinafter, the liquid level detection device 27 provided in the detergent container 25 will be described as a representative example of the liquid level detection device 27 provided in the detergent container 25. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, in the present embodiment, the liquid level detection device 27 is configured to: the capacitance sensor 28 is provided with a mutual capacitance type.

The capacitance sensor 28 has a transmission electrode 28a and a reception electrode 28 b. In fig. 4 and 5, for the sake of convenience of observation, the receiving electrode 28b is hatched. The transmission electrode 28a and the reception electrode 28b are each configured to: a vertically long rectangular shape slightly smaller than the height dimension of the container main body 25 a. The transmission electrode 28a and the reception electrode 28b are located: one of the peripheral wall portions constituting the four sides of the container body 25a, i.e., the front, rear, left, and right, is located on the left side wall portion, which is the side opposite to the softener container 26, and is arranged side by side on the outer surface side, i.e., along the front-rear horizontal row. The capacitance sensor 28 detects the liquid level in the container main body 25a by detecting the capacitance between the

electrodes

28a and 28b by using the change in capacitance: the difference in dielectric constant between the laundry treatment agent (laundry agent, softener) and air varies depending on the area of the portion of the

electrodes

28a and 28b adjacent to the laundry treatment agent, that is, the liquid level.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, a sensor substrate 29 is attached to an outer wall portion of the container main body 25a, and the sensor substrate 29 is actually attached with: the transmitting electrode 28a and the receiving electrode 28 b. The sensor substrate 29 is provided with: a power receiving coil 30 for receiving power supply, a detection circuit 31 for detecting the capacitance between the

electrodes

28a, 28b, and a wireless communication circuit 32. The circuit components on the sensor substrate 29 are sealed with a moisture-proof insulating material, or the entire circuit is sealed to prevent the circuit components from being wetted with a detergent or water. Although not shown, the main body 1 side is provided with: a power transmission coil for supplying power to the power receiving coil 30, a wireless communication circuit for communicating with the wireless communication circuit 32, and a signal processing circuit for processing a detection signal from the capacitance sensor 28. These power transmission coils, wireless communication circuits, and signal processing circuits are controlled by a control device described later.

Thus, even if the detergent container 25 can be pulled out of or attached to the main body 1 of the washing machine, non-contact power supply and mutual signal transmission and reception can be realized. The power supply is performed, for example, by the Qi standard. Further, the wireless communication uses standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and ZigBee. Although not shown and described in detail, the softener container 26 described above is also provided with: the same constitution as the laundry agent container 25. In this case, the electrostatic capacitance sensor 28 is provided on the container main body 26a of the softener container 26 and on the side of the peripheral wall portion (the side wall portion on the right side in the drawing) on the opposite side to the detergent container 25.

Although not shown, inside the main body 1, there are provided: for example, a control device for controlling the entire washing machine by using a microcomputer as a main body. The control device controls, based on an operation program set on the operation panel 5 by a user, input signals from the sensors and a control program stored in advance: water supply valves of the water supply valve unit 10, a pump 18 of the automatic laundry detergent feeding device 11, a drum motor, a drain valve, a drying mechanism, and the like. Thereby, automatically performing: washing operation and drying operation composed of washing process, rinsing process and dewatering process. The details of each of these washing operation and drying operation are well known, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

In the present embodiment, when the user makes the washing machine perform the washing operation, the user can select the following operations on the operation panel 5: the washing agent and the softener are automatically fed by the automatic washing agent feeding device 11, or the washing agent and the softener are manually fed 1 time by using the manual housing case 13. When the user selects the manual input, the cover 22 is opened at the start of the washing operation in advance, and a required amount of the detergent (powdered detergent) is loaded into the manual detergent storage portion 13a of the manual storage box 13. In addition, when the softener is used, a required amount of the softener is previously charged into the manual softener storage portion 13b together with the above operation.

When the automatic input of the laundry detergent and the softener is selected, the control device supplies a required amount of the laundry detergent to the laundry detergent supply part 15 through the automatic laundry detergent input device 11 before the water supply in the washing process is started, and then opens the main water supply valve to supply water. Before the final rinsing stroke, a required amount of softener is supplied to the detergent supply portion 15 by the automatic detergent supply device 11, and then the main water supply valve is opened to supply water. On the other hand, when the manual input of the laundry detergent and the softener is selected, the controller does not operate the automatic laundry detergent input device 11, but performs the water supply in the washing stroke through the main water supply valve. In addition, in the final rinsing cycle, the softener water supply valve is opened to supply water, not the main water supply valve.

At this time, the control device controls the power transmission coil and the wireless communication circuit to execute: the liquid level detection device 27 detects the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the container bodies 25a and 26 a. The detection operation is performed, for example, before the laundry treatment agent is input by the automatic laundry agent input device 11 and after the laundry operation is completed. Either one of them may be used. Then, the control device causes the display unit 6 of the operation panel 5 to display the detection result of the liquid level detection device 27. In this case, the level (remaining amount) of the laundry detergent in the laundry detergent container 25 and the level (remaining amount) of the softener in the softener container 26 are roughly displayed in a plurality of stages, respectively. When the remaining amount of the laundry detergent or softener is reduced to a level that requires replenishment, a display is provided to prompt the user to replenish the laundry detergent or softener.

Next, the operation and effect of the washing machine configured as described above will be described. As a preparation before the automatic laundry detergent feeding device 11 is used, a user stores laundry detergent in the laundry detergent container 25 and softener in the softener container 26. The operations of storing and replenishing the detergent and the softener in the detergent container 25 and the softener container 26 can be performed as follows. That is, the user pulls out the container box 17 located at the storage position to the near side by putting a finger on the hand-holding portion 20a of the front door 20 in front of the main body 1. At the pulled-out position of the container box 17, the laundry detergent container 25 or the softener container 26 is taken out upward, and: the replenishment of the

containers

25, 26 with laundry detergent and softener. After the replenishing operation, the

containers

25 and 26 are returned to the container box 17, pushed into the container box 17, and returned to the storage position.

In this case, since the automatic laundry detergent feeding device 11 is provided on the front side of the upper portion of the main body 1, the user can easily take out the laundry detergent container 25 and the softener container 26 and easily perform: the replenishment work of the laundry detergent and the softener is performed for these

containers

25 and 26. Further, the configuration may be such that: a lid is provided on the top surface of each

container

25, 26, and the container box 17 is pulled out and the lid is opened (the

containers

25, 26 are not taken out from the container box 17), whereby the laundry detergent and the softener are replenished.

When a washing operation is performed in the washing machine, a user operates the power switch 4 to turn on the power supply, and stores clothes in the drum. In addition, the operation program is selected by the operation panel 5. At this time, when the manual input of the laundry detergent and the softener is selected, the user opens the cover 22 on the upper surface of the main body 1, stores a required amount of the laundry detergent in the manual laundry detergent storage portion 13a of the manual storage box 13, and inputs a required amount of the softener into the manual softener storage portion 13b, and then starts the washing operation. When the automatic input of the washing agent and the softener is selected, the washing operation can be started directly.

When the washing operation is started, the control device controls each mechanism of the washing machine to automatically execute the washing operation composed of the known washing, rinsing and dewatering processes. In this case, in the washing stroke, first, the following steps are performed: when water is supplied to the water tank 7 up to a predetermined water level, and automatic laundry detergent input is selected, a pump 18 of the automatic laundry detergent input device 11 is controlled before the water supply is started, so that a required amount of laundry detergent is supplied to the laundry detergent supply unit 15. In the water supply operation, the main water supply valve is opened.

When the main water supply valve is opened, water from the water supply source (water pipe) flows through the main water supply path 14, passes through the detergent supply part 15, rises, and is injected into the manual-use detergent storage part 13a of the manual-use storage box 13 from the water injection port 23. When the laundry detergent is automatically supplied to the laundry detergent supply unit 15, the washing process is performed by supplying the laundry water containing the laundry detergent into the water tank 7 from the manual laundry detergent storage unit 13a through the water supply box 12 and the water supply pipe while dissolving the laundry detergent.

On the other hand, when manual input of the laundry detergent is selected, since no laundry detergent is present in the laundry detergent supply unit 15, the water flowing through the main water supply path 14 flows directly through the laundry detergent supply unit 15 and is injected into the manual laundry detergent storage unit 13a through the water injection port 23. Then, the washing water containing the washing agent is supplied into the water supply box 12 through the water supply pipe while dissolving the washing agent previously stored in the manual washing agent storage part 13a, and the washing process is executed by supplying the washing water containing the washing agent into the water tank 7 through the water supply pipe.

Thereafter, the process continues, and when the automatic laundry detergent supply is selected before the water supply in the last rinsing process is reached, the pump 18 of the automatic laundry detergent supply device 11 is driven, and the required amount of the softener is supplied to the laundry detergent supply unit 15 this time. Then, the main water supply valve is opened, and the water flowing through the main water supply path 14 flows through the detergent supply part 15 while dissolving the softener, and then is injected into the manual-use detergent storage part 13a of the manual-use storage box 13 from the water injection port 23 after rising. The washing water containing the softening and refining agent passes through the water supply box 12 and the water supply pipe in sequence, and is supplied into the water tank 7, and the final rinsing stroke is performed.

In contrast, when the manual input is selected, the water supply in the final rinsing stroke is performed by opening the softener water supply valve, not by opening the main water supply valve. When the softener water supply valve is opened, water flows through the softener water supply path and is injected from the softener water injection port 24 into the manual softener storage portion 13 b. Then, while dissolving the softener stored in advance in the manual softener storage part 13b, the washing water flows into the water injection box 12, and the washing water containing the softener is supplied into the water tank 7 through the water supply pipe, and the final rinsing process is performed.

Here, in the present embodiment, the liquid level detection device 27 is provided in each of the detergent container 25 and the softener container 26 of the automatic detergent supply device 11, and before supply of the washing treatment agent and after completion of the washing operation, the following are performed: the detection operation of the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the container bodies 25a and 26 a. Then, the detection result of the liquid level detection device 27 is displayed on the display unit 6 of the operation panel 5. In this way, the liquid level (remaining amount) in the detergent container 25 and the softener container 26 can be automatically detected and notified to the user. Thus, in the case of the automatic laundry detergent feeding device 11, the following can be prevented: the washing operation is performed in a state where the amount of the laundry detergent in the laundry detergent container 25 and the amount of the softener in the softener container 26 do not satisfy the required amounts.

In this case, in the present embodiment, the liquid level detection device 27 including the capacitance sensor 28 can detect: the level of liquid laundry treatment agent (laundry and softener) in the laundry agent container 25 and the level of liquid softener in the softener container 26, and so on. Therefore, unlike the conventional laundry treatment agent remaining amount detection device using a float, the object can be achieved with a relatively simple configuration by providing the electrostatic capacity sensor 28 on the outer wall portion of the container bodies 25a and 26a, and the liquid level detection reliability is high because the components of the liquid level detection device 27 are not impregnated with (adhered to) the laundry treatment agent in the container bodies 25a and 26 a.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in the configuration including the automatic laundry detergent feeding device 11, the liquid level detection device 27 includes: the electrostatic capacity sensor 28 for detecting the change in electrostatic capacity can reliably detect the liquid level (remaining amount) of the laundry treatment agent in the laundry agent container 25 and the softener container 26 with a simple configuration. As a result, the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the container bodies 25a and 26a can be effectively detected.

In particular, in the present embodiment, as the electrostatic capacity sensor 28, the following are adopted: the electrostatic capacitance sensor has a mutual capacitance system of a transmission electrode 28a and a reception electrode 28 b. Therefore, the liquid level can be detected with high accuracy. In this case, the transmission electrode 28a and the reception electrode 28b are arranged side by side on the peripheral wall portions of the container bodies 25a, 26 a. Accordingly, the capacitance sensor 28 can be disposed in a thin (flat) state on the peripheral wall portions of the container bodies 25a and 26a, and can be disposed without occupying a large space in the thickness direction.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the configuration is such that: the detergent container 25 and the softener container 26 are detachably attached to the main body 1, and power supply and signal transmission and reception between the main body 1 and the liquid level detection device 27 are performed by wireless communication. By making the laundry detergent container 25 and the softener container 26 detachable, the replenishing and cleaning operations of the laundry detergent and the softener by the user can be facilitated. Further, the user can perform the following reliably and without trouble with a simple configuration: the electrical connections and electrical disconnections between the laundry detergent container 25 and the softener container 26 and the washing machine body side 1.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the configuration is such that: before the laundry treatment agent is put into the automatic laundry agent putting device 11 and after the laundry operation is finished, the liquid level detection device 27 detects the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the laundry agent container 25 and the softener container 26. Thus, the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent can be detected in a state where a device such as a motor of the washing machine which is a noise generation source is not operating, and erroneous detection by noise can be prevented.

(2) Embodiment 2

Fig. 7 and 8 are drawings showing embodiment 2. The embodiment 2 is different from the embodiment 1 in that: a liquid level detection device 41 for detecting the liquid level in a container main body 25a of a laundry agent container 25 as a laundry treatment agent storage container. That is, the arrangement of the capacitance sensor 42 constituting the liquid level detection device 41 is different from that of the above-described embodiment 1.

In the present embodiment, the electrostatic capacity sensor 42 is still provided with: a mutual capacitance system having a vertically long rectangular plate-like transmission electrode 42a and reception electrode 42 b. At this time, the transmission electrode 42a and the reception electrode 42b are disposed in the peripheral wall portion of the container main body 25 a: overlap with a gap. For convenience of observation, the receiving electrode 42b is hatched. In this case, the capacitance sensor 42 is disposed on the front wall portion (or the rear wall portion) of the peripheral wall portion of the container main body 25 a. Even with such a configuration, the liquid level of the laundry treatment agent in the container main body 25a can be detected by the electrostatic capacity sensor 42.

In the embodiment 2, as in the embodiment 1, in a configuration including an automatic laundry detergent feeding device, the liquid level detection device 41 includes: and an electrostatic capacity sensor 42 for detecting a change in electrostatic capacity. Thus, it is possible to reliably detect: as a result of the liquid level (residual amount) of the laundry treatment agent in the laundry agent container 25 and the softener container 26, it is possible to obtain: the effect of effectively detecting the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the container bodies 25a and 26a is achieved. In particular, in the present embodiment, the transmission electrode 42a and the reception electrode 42b of the capacitance sensor 42 are disposed in the peripheral wall portion of the container main body 25a such that: since the capacitance sensors 42 are overlapped with a gap, when the capacitance sensors are provided on the peripheral wall portion of the container main body 25a, the arrangement area can be reduced to achieve the object, and the capacitance sensors can be arranged in a compact manner in terms of area.

(3) Embodiments 3 and 4

Fig. 9 and 10 are drawings showing embodiment 3. The embodiment 3 is different from the embodiment 1 in that: a liquid level detection device 45 for detecting the liquid level in a container body 25a of a laundry agent container 25 as a laundry treatment agent storage container. That is, as shown in fig. 9, the liquid level detection device 45 still uses the electrostatic capacity sensor 46 of the mutual capacity type, but here, the transmission electrode 46a and the reception electrode 46b arranged side by side on the outer wall of the container main body 25a are paired electrodes, and the paired electrodes are provided in a plurality of stages, for example, 4 stages in the height direction of the liquid surface.

In this case, each of the

electrodes

46a and 46b is configured to: a rectangular plate shape having a small dimension in the height direction. For convenience, when the 4 groups (4 pairs) of the transmission electrodes 46a and the reception electrodes 46B need to be distinguished from each other below, the symbols of the transmission electrodes 46a and the reception electrodes 46B are assigned with (a), (B), (C), and (D) in the order from bottom to top. For example, in the case where the liquid level (remaining amount) in the container main body 25a is about 1/4, the pair of the transmitting electrode 46a (a) and the receiving electrode 46b (a) detects the laundry treatment agent, and the remaining pair of

electrodes

46a, 46b does not detect the laundry treatment agent.

Further, for example, in the case where the liquid level (remaining amount) in the container main body 25a is about 1/2, the paired transmitting electrodes 46a (a), receiving electrodes 46b (a), and paired transmitting electrodes 46a (b), receiving electrodes 46b (b) detect the laundry treatment agent, and the remaining paired

electrodes

46a, 46b do not detect the laundry treatment agent. In this way, the liquid level in the container main body 25a can be detected in 4 stages based on the detection of the laundry treatment agent by the paired electrodes of the

electrodes

46a and 46b, and the liquid level in the container main body 25a can be detected in 5 stages including a case where the liquid level is lower than the liquid level in the transmitting electrodes 46a (a) and the receiving electrodes 46b (a).

As shown in fig. 10, a display unit 47 provided in the washing machine main body 1 is provided with: a detergent remaining amount display part 48 and a softener remaining amount display part 49. The detergent remaining amount display unit 48 is provided with, arranged in the vertical direction: 4 LEDs 48a for indicating the liquid level (residual amount) in the detergent container 25. Similarly, the softener remaining amount display portion 49 is provided with, arranged in the vertical direction: 4 LEDs 49a for indicating the level of liquid (balance) in the conditioner container 26. When the LED48a and the LED49a are distinguished from each other, the symbols (a), (B), (C), and (D) are assigned in the order from bottom to top. The controller displays the detection result (the remaining amount of the laundry processing agent) of the liquid level detector 45 on the laundry agent remaining amount display unit 48 and the softener remaining amount display unit 49 in the lighting state of the

LEDs

48a and 49 a.

In this case, the detection result of the liquid level detection device 45 in the detergent container 25 is displayed on the detergent level display unit 48, but the lighting state of the LED48a is controlled in accordance with detection or non-detection of the laundry treatment agent by the pair of

electrodes

46a and 46b of the 4 stages described above. In other words, when the paired transmission electrodes 46a (a) and reception electrodes 46B (a) are detecting the laundry treatment agent, the lowermost LED48a (a) is turned on, and when the paired transmission electrodes 46a (B) and reception electrodes 46B (B) are detecting the laundry treatment agent, the next 2 nd LED48a (B) is turned on. In the case where the pair of

electrodes

46a, 46b is not detecting, the LED48a of the corresponding segment is off. The detection result of the liquid level detection device 45 of the softener container 26 is also displayed on the softener remaining amount display unit 49 in the same manner.

According to the 3 rd embodiment, as in the 1 st embodiment, in a configuration including an automatic laundry detergent feeding device, the liquid level detection device 45 includes: an electrostatic capacitance sensor 46 for detecting a change in electrostatic capacitance. Thus, the liquid level (remaining amount) of the laundry treatment agent in the laundry agent container 25 and the softener container 26 can be reliably detected with a simple configuration, and as a result, it is possible to obtain: the effects of detecting the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the container bodies 25a and 26a, and the like, can be effectively achieved. In particular, in the present embodiment, the configuration is such that: a plurality of pairs of

electrodes

46a and 46b of the capacitance sensor 46 are provided in the peripheral wall portions of the container bodies 25a and 26a in the height direction of the liquid surface. This makes it possible to more densely detect and display the liquid level of the laundry treatment agent in the container bodies 25a, 26a in detail.

Fig. 11 shows embodiment 4, which is different from embodiment 3 in the following points. That is, the liquid level detection device 51 of the present embodiment still uses the mutual capacitance type electrostatic capacitance sensor 46, and the electrostatic capacitance sensor 46 is configured to be positioned at a position of the peripheral wall portion of the container main body 25a, and a plurality of pairs of the transmission electrode 46a and the reception electrode 46b are arranged in a height direction of the liquid surface, in this case, 4 stages. In the present embodiment, the linear ground electrode 52 is disposed so as to separate the paired

electrodes

46a and 46b of these plural stages. In this case, the ground electrode 52 is provided: the entire periphery of the paired

electrodes

46a and 46b of each segment is surrounded by a rectangular frame.

According to embodiment 4, the same effects as those of embodiment 3 can be obtained. In particular, in the present embodiment, by disposing the ground electrode 52 between the pair of

electrodes

46a and 46b adjacent to each other in the vertical direction, it is possible to prevent noise from acting on the other

adjacent electrodes

46a and 46b, and to further improve the detection accuracy of the capacitance in each of the

electrodes

46a and 46 b. In addition, the ground electrode may be configured to: along a line extending in the transverse direction so as to vertically separate the boundary portions of the paired

electrodes

46a, 46b of each segment.

(4) Embodiments 5 to 7

Fig. 12 shows embodiment 5, and points different from embodiment 3 will be described. In embodiment 5, the container body 55a of the laundry detergent container 55 as the laundry treatment agent storage container has a rectangular box shape elongated in the front-rear direction as a whole, but is formed as follows: the upper part of the front end part is lifted upwards. A rear portion on the upper surface of the container main body 55a is provided with: and an injection port 55 b. The inside of the protruding portion of the front upper portion in the container main body 55a becomes: a space not containing a laundry treatment agent (laundry detergent).

In the present embodiment, the liquid level detection device 56 for detecting the liquid level in the container main body 55a of the detergent container 55 still uses the electrostatic capacity sensor 57 of the mutual capacitance type. The pair of transmitting electrode 57a and receiving electrode 57b arranged side by side on the outer wall of the container main body 55a is located in a front portion of the side wall portion of the container main body 55a, and provided with: a multi-segment, e.g., 5-segment, electrostatic capacitance sensor 57. The pair of the transmitting electrodes 57a (e) and the receiving electrodes 57b (e) located at the uppermost stage are disposed: the portion of the container main body 55a protruding upward, that is, a position higher than the uppermost position of the liquid surface. The electrode pairs of the remaining 4 sets of electrodes 57a, 57B (a), (B), (C), (D) are configured such that: each liquid level can be detected.

With the configuration of embodiment 5, the same effects as those of embodiment 3 can be obtained. In addition, in the present embodiment, in particular, the pair of the transmitting electrode 57a (e) and the receiving electrode 57b (e) disposed at the uppermost stage can reliably detect the capacitance corresponding to the dielectric constant of air, which is the capacitance of a portion where no laundry treatment agent is present, and can use this value as a reference. Therefore, by using the reference value, whether each of the

electrodes

57a and 57b is adjacent to the laundry treatment agent or adjacent to the air can be reliably identified, and the detection accuracy of the liquid level can be further improved.

Fig. 13 shows embodiment 6, which differs from embodiment 3 in the following points. That is, the liquid level detection device 61 for detecting the liquid level in the container main body 25a of the detergent container 25 still uses the electrostatic capacity sensor 62 of the mutual capacity type. The electrostatic capacity sensor 62 is configured to: the pair of transmitting electrode 62a and receiving electrode 62b arranged side by side on the outer wall of the container main body 25a is provided at a position other than the lower end portion of the side wall portion of the container main body 25 so as to be a plurality of stages, for example, 3 stages, in the height direction of the liquid surface. That is, the following steps are performed: the transmission electrode 46a (a) and the reception electrode 46b (a) in the pair in embodiment 3 are omitted.

Accordingly, the structure is as follows: if the liquid level is not detected by the pair of transmitting electrodes 62a (b) and receiving electrodes 62b (b) disposed at the lowermost portion, the liquid level is located below the line indicated by the one-dot chain line, and thus it can be determined that the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the container main body 25 is small. Therefore, according to embodiment 6, substantially the same effects as those of embodiment 3 can be obtained, and the number of electrodes can be further reduced to achieve the object.

Fig. 14 and 15 show embodiment 7. The 7 th embodiment is different from the 3 rd embodiment in that: electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor 66 of the liquid level detection device 65 are provided at a plurality of surface points in the peripheral wall portion of the container main body 25 a. In this case, the capacitance sensor 66 is configured to: the paired transmission electrode 66a and reception electrode 66b are arranged in the left side wall portion of the container main body 25a so as to have a plurality of stages, for example, 4 stages, in the height direction of the liquid surface, and the right side wall portion on the opposite side is also arranged so as to have a plurality of stages, for example, 4 stages, in the height direction of the liquid surface. Further, as in embodiment 4, a linear ground electrode 67 is disposed so as to surround the periphery of the paired electrodes of the

electrodes

66a and 66 b.

According to embodiment 7, the same effects as those of embodiment 3 and the like can be obtained. In addition, in the present embodiment, it is possible to detect: when the liquid levels on the plurality of surfaces of the peripheral wall portion of the container main body 25a, in this case, the liquid levels on the left and right side wall portions are different from each other, it can be determined that the container main body 25a is in an inclined state for some reason. In this case, the liquid level can be detected and the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent can be reported.

(5) 8 th to 10 th embodiments and other embodiments

Fig. 16 and 17 show embodiment 8. The 8 th embodiment is different from the 1 st embodiment in that: the main body 1 side and the laundry treatment agent container are electrically connected and separated. That is, the sensor substrate 71 is attached to one side surface of the container body 25a of the detergent container 25, which is a laundry treatment agent storage container. Although not shown, the sensor substrate 71 is actually mounted with a capacitance sensor for liquid level detection, and is also actually mounted with a detection circuit for detecting capacitance, and the like. The detection circuit and the like are subjected to a treatment based on a moisture-proof material, a treatment such that the detection circuit is disposed in a closed space so as not to be contacted with a laundry detergent or water. A magnet type board-side connector 72 is attached to an upper portion of a rear end of the sensor board 71.

On the other hand, a housing portion 73 is provided on the main body 1 side, the housing portion 73 detachably houses the detergent container 25, and a magnet type main body side connector 74 is provided in the housing portion 73. The main body side connector 74 is connected to the control device via a cable 75. Thus, in the state where the detergent container 25 is attached to the housing portion 73, the board-side connector 72 is magnetically attracted to the body-side connector 74 and electrically connected thereto. When the detergent container 25 is detached from the accommodating portion 73 against the magnetic attraction, the board-side connector 72 is detached from the main-body-side connector 74.

Thus, as in the case of embodiment 1, by detachably attaching the laundry detergent container 25 to the main body 1, the user can easily perform the task of replenishing the laundry treatment agent and the task of cleaning. Further, since the sensor substrate 71 on the detergent container 25 side is electrically connected to or disconnected from the main body 1 side with the detergent container 25 attached and detached, and the electrical connection or disconnection is performed via the

magnet type connectors

72 and 74, it is possible to perform the operation reliably and without trouble for the user with a simple configuration.

Fig. 18 shows an embodiment 9 in which a self-capacitance type electrostatic capacity sensor 82 is used as a liquid level detection device 81 for detecting the liquid level in the container main body 25 a. The electrostatic capacitance sensor 82 includes: and a sensor electrode 82a for individually detecting a change in electrostatic capacitance. The sensor electrode 82a forms: a vertically long rectangular shape slightly smaller than the height dimension of the container main body 25a is disposed on the left side wall portion of the container main body 25 a. Further, a linear ground electrode 83 is disposed so as to surround the sensor electrode 82 a.

The electrostatic capacity sensor 82 is used to detect: the electrostatic capacitance between the sensor electrode 82a and the laundry treatment agent (laundry detergent) in the container body 25a is used to detect: whether or not the laundry treatment agent is present on the surface corresponding to the sensor electrode 82a in the peripheral wall portion of the container main body 25 a. According to embodiment 8, the object can be achieved with a smaller number of electrodes and with a simpler configuration than the case of using the mutual capacitance type electrostatic capacitance sensor 28 and the like as in the above-described embodiments.

Fig. 19 shows an embodiment 10. The 10 th embodiment is different from the 3 rd embodiment and the like in that: a liquid level detection device 91 for detecting the liquid level in the container body 25a of a laundry agent container 25 as a laundry treatment agent container. That is, the liquid level detection device 91 still uses the electrostatic capacity sensor 92 of the mutual capacity type. Here, the paired electrodes in which the transmission electrode 92a and the reception electrode 92B are arranged side by side on the outer wall of the container main body 25a are provided in plural stages, for example, 3 stages, along the height direction of the liquid surface so that (a), (B), and (C) are sequentially provided in this order from bottom to top. In this case, each of the electrodes 96a and 96b is configured to: a horizontally long rectangular plate shape having a small dimension in the height direction. The liquid level in the container main body 25a can be detected in a plurality of stages based on the detection of the laundry treatment agent by the pair of electrodes of the 3 sets of the transmitting electrode 92a and the receiving electrode 92 b.

Also according to embodiment 10, as in

embodiments

1 and 3 described above, the liquid level (remaining amount) of the laundry treatment agent in the laundry agent container 25 can be reliably detected with a simple configuration, and it is possible to obtain: the effect of detecting the residual amount of the laundry treatment agent in the container body 25a is effectively performed. In particular, in the present embodiment, the configuration is such that: by providing the plurality of pairs of

electrodes

92a and 92b of the electrostatic capacity sensor 92 on the peripheral wall portion of the container main body 25a in the height direction along the liquid surface, the liquid level of the laundry treatment agent in the container main body 25a can be detected densely and displayed in detail.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be modified as follows, for example, as a configuration of an automatic laundry detergent feeding device. That is, in the above embodiment, the configuration is such that: the detergent container 25 and the like may be pulled out forward and taken out: the laundry detergent container may be taken out upward, and the laundry detergent container may further include: the detergent container is made stationary and is replenished by opening the lid to inject the detergent. Although constituted: the laundry detergent container 25 and the softener container 26 are provided, but they may be configured as follows: only the laundry detergent is automatically supplied.

In the above embodiment, the information on the remaining amounts of the detergent and the softener is displayed on the

display portions

6 and 47 provided in the main body 1 of the washing machine, but the information may be configured such that: the information of the residual amount of the washing agent and the softener is sent to other devices held by the user, such as a smart phone, a computer and the like, so as to inform the user. Further, the present invention may be configured such that: when the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent is small, an alarm or the like is issued in a full state, and notification or display is performed based on the detected amount of the laundry treatment agent. In the above embodiment, although the present invention can be applied to a drum-type washing machine with a drying function, the present invention can also be applied to a so-called vertical axis type washing machine, and further, the present invention may be applied to: a washing machine without drying function. Various modifications can be made to the shape, structure, water supply path, pump configuration, and the like of the container body.

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

Claims

1. A laundry treatment agent container characterized in that,

the laundry treatment agent container includes: a container main body for storing liquid laundry treatment agent, and a liquid level detection device for detecting the residual amount of the laundry treatment agent in the container main body,

the liquid level detection device is constituted by an electrostatic capacitance sensor having an electrode for detecting a change in electrostatic capacitance.

2. A laundry treatment agent storage container according to claim 1,

the electrostatic capacitance sensor is: a mutual capacitance type electrostatic capacitance sensor having a transmission electrode and a reception electrode.

3. A laundry treatment agent storage container according to claim 2,

the transmission electrode and the reception electrode of the capacitance sensor are arranged in parallel on the peripheral wall portion of the container main body.

4. A laundry treatment agent storage container according to claim 2,

the transmission electrode and the reception electrode of the capacitance sensor are disposed on the peripheral wall portion of the container body so as to overlap with a gap.

5. A laundry treatment agent storage container according to claim 1,

the electrostatic capacitance sensor is: a self-capacitance type electrostatic capacity sensor having a sensor electrode for detecting a change in electrostatic capacity alone.

6. A laundry treatment agent container according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the electrodes of the plurality of electrostatic capacitance sensors are provided on the peripheral wall portion of the container main body so as to extend in the height direction of the liquid surface.

7. A laundry treatment agent storage container according to claim 6,

the electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor are disposed: the peripheral wall of the container body is located at a position higher than the uppermost position of the liquid surface.

8. A laundry treatment agent containment container according to claim 6 or 7,

a linear ground electrode is disposed on the peripheral wall of the container body so as to separate the electrodes of the plurality of electrostatic capacity sensors.

9. A laundry treatment agent container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein,

the electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor are disposed: a position other than the lower end portion in the peripheral wall portion of the container body.

10. A laundry treatment agent container according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor are provided with: a plurality of faces in a peripheral wall portion of the container body.

11. A washing machine is characterized in that a washing machine is provided,

the washing machine is provided with: a laundry tub provided in a washing machine main body, the laundry treatment agent container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and a laundry treatment agent automatic feeding device for feeding a predetermined amount of laundry treatment agent from the laundry treatment agent container to the laundry tub.

12. The washing machine as claimed in claim 11,

the laundry treatment agent container is detachably attached to the washing machine main body, and power supply and signal transmission and reception between the washing machine main body and the laundry treatment agent container are performed by wireless communication.

13. The washing machine as claimed in claim 11,

the laundry treatment agent container is detachably attached to the washing machine main body, and power supply and signal transmission and reception between the washing machine main body and the laundry treatment agent container are performed by a magnet type connector.

14. A washing machine according to any one of claims 11 to 13,

the liquid level detection device detects the residual amount of the laundry treatment agent in the container body, and the detection operation is executed before or after the laundry treatment agent is automatically input by the laundry treatment agent input device.