CN112323334A

CN112323334A - Ultrasonic cleaning device and clothes treatment equipment

Info

Publication number: CN112323334A
Application number: CN202010779207.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 米泽孝昭; 直野浩树
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Asia Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-05
Filing date: 2020-08-05
Publication date: 2021-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2040-08-05
Also published as: CN112626786B; CN114207206A; CN112626788A; CN213708832U; CN213708831U; CN213740115U; CN112111920A; CN213740116U; CN112626787A; CN112323334B; CN112323335B; CN213740117U; CN213708830U; CN112626787B; CN112626786A; CN213740112U; WO2021023014A1; CN112323335A; JP7398697B2; CN112626788B

Abstract

The invention aims to solve the problem that an ultrasonic generator of the existing ultrasonic cleaning device is not easy to take out of a shell. The invention provides an ultrasonic cleaning device, which comprises an ultrasonic cleaning part and a water storage part provided with a water outlet, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning part comprises a shell and an ultrasonic generator, the shell comprises an upper member and a lower member, the opening of the upper member is arranged opposite to the opening of the lower member, the lower member is provided with a lower mounting hole and a lower mounting boss, the upper member is provided with an upper mounting boss corresponding to the lower mounting hole and an upper mounting hole corresponding to the lower mounting boss, a first connecting member penetrating through the lower mounting hole is fixed on the upper mounting boss and a second connecting member penetrating through the upper mounting hole is fixed on the lower mounting boss, so that the lower member is connected with the upper member, and the top end of the ultrasonic generator protrudes from an opening part formed on the lower surface of the top end part of the lower member. The invention can disassemble and open the shell, and is convenient for the maintenance and replacement of the ultrasonic generator.

Description

Ultrasonic cleaning device and clothes treatment equipment

Technical Field

The invention belongs to the technical field of ultrasonic waves, and particularly provides an ultrasonic cleaning device and clothes treatment equipment.

Background

Ultrasonic wave is a sound wave with frequency higher than 20000 hertz, and it has following characteristics: 1) can propagate in various different media and can propagate far enough distance; 2) the interaction with the sound transmission medium is moderate, and the sound transmission medium is easy to carry information about the state of the sound transmission medium for diagnosis or has effect on the sound transmission medium; 3) can be effectively transmitted in gas, liquid, solid solution and other media; 4) very strong energy can be transferred; 5) reflection, interference, superposition and resonance phenomena occur. For ultrasonic applications, it can be used for ranging, speed measurement, cleaning, welding, breaking stone, sterilization, disinfection, cutting, welding, and the like.

Taking a washing machine as an example, in order to avoid washing stubborn parts with more stains such as collars and sleeves, a better washing effect can be achieved only by increasing the dosage of a detergent, prolonging the washing time, prolonging the soaking time before washing and the like, but the wear of clothes and the damage caused by the detergent are more serious by adopting the above way. Therefore, the existing washing machine is additionally provided with an ultrasonic cleaning device, large clothes (such as coats, trousers and the like) can be pre-washed (namely, ultrasonic washing is performed on parts with more stains on the large clothes in advance before formal washing) and small clothes (such as ties, sleeves and the like) can be ultrasonically washed (namely, washing can be completed only through single ultrasonic washing), when a user washes the large clothes, the parts with more stains on the large clothes to be pre-washed can be placed in liquid of the water storage part, the large clothes can be pre-washed through the action of ultrasonic waves, when the user washes the small clothes, all or part of the small clothes can be placed in the liquid of the water storage part, and the small clothes are ultrasonically washed through the action of the ultrasonic waves. Generally, a housing for accommodating an ultrasonic generator is provided in an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, but the housing is generally provided as an integral type housing, and when the ultrasonic generator is damaged, the ultrasonic generator is not easily taken out of the housing, and it is inconvenient to replace the ultrasonic generator.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a new ultrasonic cleaning device and a laundry treating apparatus to solve the above problems.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, i.e., to solve the problems that the ultrasonic generator of the conventional ultrasonic cleaning apparatus is not easy to be taken out of the housing and the maintenance and replacement of the ultrasonic generator is not easy, the present invention provides an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus which is disposed in a predetermined disposition part, comprises an ultrasonic cleaning part and a water storage part formed with a water discharge port, the ultrasonic cleaning part comprises a housing and an ultrasonic generator capable of generating ultrasonic waves disposed in the housing, the water storage part is disposed below the ultrasonic generator, the positions of the ultrasonic generator and the water storage part can be switched between an operation position when cleaning operation is performed and a standby position when cleaning operation is not performed, the housing comprises an upper member and a lower member which are connected, the opening of the upper member is disposed opposite to the opening of the lower member, the lower member is provided with a lower mounting hole and a lower mounting boss, the upper member is provided with an upper mounting boss corresponding to the lower mounting hole and an upper mounting hole corresponding to the lower mounting boss, a first connecting member passing through the lower mounting hole is fixed to the upper mounting boss and a second connecting member passing through the upper mounting hole is fixed to the lower mounting boss, so that the lower member and the upper member are connected, and the tip of the ultrasonic generator protrudes from an opening portion formed in the lower surface of the tip portion of the lower member.

In a preferred embodiment of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, the lower member is formed with mounting structures located forward and rearward of the opening, the mounting structures are fixedly provided with fixing members, the ultrasonic generator is formed with flange portions, and the flange portions are pressed from above by the fixing members to attach the ultrasonic generator to the lower member.

In a preferred embodiment of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, the ultrasonic generator includes an ultrasonic vibrator and a vibration horn coupled to the ultrasonic vibrator, the ultrasonic vibrator is located in an internal space formed by the upper member and the lower member, a distal end of the vibration horn protrudes downward from the opening, the ultrasonic generator generates ultrasonic waves from the distal end of the vibration horn, and the vibration horn is tapered toward the distal end side of the vibration horn.

In a preferred embodiment of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, the ultrasonic cleaning unit further includes a cover capable of partially covering a portion of the distal end of the ultrasonic generator projecting downward from the opening, the opening has a fitting opening portion formed around the opening, the fitting opening portion is provided with a protrusion, and the cover is provided with a recess capable of fitting with the protrusion so that the cover is detachably attached to the fitting opening portion.

In a preferred embodiment of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, the cover includes a cover main body and a guide portion formed integrally with the cover main body, the concave portion is provided on the cover main body, the guide portion is provided on a front side surface of the cover main body so as to protrude forward, and a guide surface inclined rearward and obliquely downward is provided on a lower portion of the guide portion.

In a preferred embodiment of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, the lower member is provided with a reinforcing plate.

In a preferred embodiment of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus further includes a valve body capable of closing the water discharge port, and a valve switching mechanism capable of closing the water discharge port by closing the valve body when the ultrasonic generator and the water storage portion are located at the operating position, and opening the water discharge port by opening the valve body when the ultrasonic generator and the water storage portion are located at the standby position, and the valve switching mechanism includes an operating portion for performing an opening operation for opening the valve body, and is capable of switching the valve body from the closed state to the open state when the ultrasonic generator and the water storage portion are operated to be opened.

In a preferred embodiment of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, the valve switching mechanism further includes an urging member that is capable of urging the valve body in a closing direction in which the drain port is closed, and a valve movable member that is connected to the valve body, and when the ultrasonic generator and the water storage unit are located at the standby position, the valve movable member abuts against an abutment portion provided on the placement unit side to move the valve body in an opening direction in which the drain port is opened, the opening operation is a moving operation that moves the operation unit in a predetermined direction, the valve movable member is connected to the operation unit, and when the operation unit is moved, the valve movable member moves together with the operation unit to move the valve body in the opening direction.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus is disposed in a predetermined disposition portion, the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus includes an ultrasonic cleaning portion and a water storage portion having a water discharge opening, the ultrasonic cleaning portion includes a housing and an ultrasonic generator provided in the housing, the water storage portion is located below the ultrasonic generator, positions of the ultrasonic generator and the water storage portion can be switched between an operation position when a cleaning operation is performed and a standby position when the cleaning operation is not performed, the housing includes an upper member and a lower member connected to each other, an opening of the upper member is disposed opposite to an opening of the lower member, the lower member is provided with a lower mounting hole and a lower mounting boss, the upper member is provided with an upper mounting boss corresponding to the lower mounting hole and an upper mounting hole corresponding to the lower mounting boss, a first connecting member passing through the lower mounting hole is fixed to the upper mounting boss and a second connecting member passing through the upper mounting hole is fixed to the lower mounting boss And a lower member and an upper member connected to each other, the ultrasonic generator including an ultrasonic vibrator and a vibration horn coupled to the ultrasonic vibrator, the ultrasonic vibrator being located in an internal space formed by the upper member and the lower member, a distal end of the vibration horn protruding downward from an opening formed in a lower surface of a distal end portion of the lower member, the ultrasonic generator generating ultrasonic waves from the distal end of the vibration horn, the vibration horn being tapered as it goes toward a distal end side of the vibration horn, the lower member being formed with mounting structures located forward and rearward of the opening, the mounting structures being fixedly provided with fixing members, an upper end portion of the vibration horn being formed with a flange portion pressed from above by the fixing members to attach the ultrasonic generator to the lower member, the lower member being provided with a reinforcing plate, the ultrasonic cleaning part further including a cap capable of partially covering a portion of the distal end of the vibration horn protruding downward from the opening, the cap includes a cap body and a guide portion formed integrally, an insertion opening portion is formed around the opening portion, a protrusion is provided on the insertion opening portion, and a recess portion capable of being fitted with the protrusion is provided on the cap body so that the cap is detachably attached to the insertion opening portion.

In yet another aspect, the present invention also provides a laundry treating apparatus including the ultrasonic cleaning device of any one of the above, the laundry treating apparatus having a disposition part capable of housing the ultrasonic cleaning device.

The shell is arranged to comprise the upper component and the lower component, so that the shell can be disassembled and opened, and the maintenance and the replacement of the ultrasonic generator are facilitated.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of a full automatic washing machine of an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the water supply unit according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 (a) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the upper panel when the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit of the embodiment are located at the standby position, and fig. 3 (b) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the upper panel when the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit of the embodiment are located at the operating position.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment with the water storage unit removed.

Fig. 5 is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the main body unit according to the embodiment.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the water storage unit of the embodiment.

Fig. 7 (a) is a perspective view of the inverted water storage portion of the embodiment, and fig. 7 (b) is a side sectional view of the water storage portion of the embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the rear portion of the upper panel in a state where the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment is housed in the housing portion.

Fig. 9 is a side sectional view of the rear portion of the upper panel in a state where the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment is pulled out from the housing portion.

Fig. 10 (a) is a perspective view of the storage tank, the supply valve, and the supply nozzle of the embodiment, and fig. 10 (b) is a perspective view of the drain receiving portion of the embodiment.

Fig. 11 (a) to (c) are views for explaining the decontamination of the object to be cleaned by the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a side cross-sectional view showing a rear portion of the upper panel after the operation unit of the embodiment is moved and operated in a state where the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus is pulled out from the housing unit.

Reference numerals:

1: full automatic washing machines (washing machines); 12: an upper panel; 17: a housing section (arrangement section); 20: an outer tub; 20 a: a drain port (first drain passage); 20 b: an overflow port; 22: a washing and dehydrating tub (inner tub); 25: an overflow receiving section (overflow path); 26: an overflow pipe (overflow path); 41: a drain hose (first drain path); 50: an ultrasonic cleaning device; 60: a storage tank (storage section); 70: a drain receiving part; 72: a drain pipe (second drain passage); 74: ribs (abutting portions); 90: an automatic input mechanism (supply unit); 100: an ultrasonic cleaning section; 110: an ultrasonic generator; 200: a water storage part; 210: a water storage barrel; 211: a water outlet; 220: a valve body; 230: a valve switching mechanism; 240: a valve movable member; 250: an operation section; 260: a spring (urging member).

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are only for explaining the technical principle of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, the terms of direction or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", "front", "rear", etc. are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, which are for convenience of description only, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus, should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "disposed," "mounted," "connected," and "connected" are to be construed broadly and may be, for example, fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected; can be mechanically or electrically connected; they may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood by those skilled in the art according to specific situations.

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

The full automatic washing machine 1 includes a cabinet 10 constituting an outer shell. The casing 10 includes a rectangular tubular body 11 having an open upper and lower surface, an upper panel 12 covering the upper surface of the body 11, and a foot rest 13 supporting the body 11. An inlet 14 for laundry is formed in the upper panel 12. The inlet 14 is covered with an upper cover 15 that can be opened and closed. A control unit 16 is disposed inside the front portion of the upper panel 12. The control unit 16 controls the washing operation of the fully automatic washing machine 1 and the cleaning operation of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 described later. When the washing machine performs the ultrasonic pre-washing process, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is in a cleaning operation. When the washing machine performs a general washing course, the washing machine performs a washing process.

An outer tub 20 having an open upper surface is elastically suspended and supported in the cabinet 10 by four suspension rods 21 having a vibration preventing means. A washing and dehydrating tub 22 having an open upper surface is disposed in the outer tub 20. The washing and dewatering tub 22 rotates around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. A plurality of dewatering holes 22a are formed in the inner circumferential surface of the washing and dewatering tub 22 over the entire circumference. A balancing ring 23 is provided at the upper part of the washing and dehydrating tub 22. A pulsator 24 is disposed at the bottom of the washing and dehydrating tub 22. A plurality of blades 24a are radially provided on the surface of the pulsator 24. The washing and spin-drying tub 22 corresponds to an inner tub of the present invention.

A driving unit 30 generating a torque to drive the washing and dehydrating tub 22 and the pulsator 24 is disposed at an outer bottom of the outer tub 20. The drive unit 30 includes a drive motor 31 and a transmission mechanism portion 32. The transmission mechanism unit 32 has a clutch mechanism 32a, and by a switching operation by the clutch mechanism 32a, the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted only to the pulsator 24 to rotate only the pulsator 24 in the washing process and the rinsing process, and the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted to the pulsator 24 and the washing and dehydrating tub 22 to rotate the pulsator 24 and the washing and dehydrating tub 22 integrally in the dehydrating process.

A drain port 20a is formed at an outer bottom of the outer tub 20. A drain valve 40 is provided in the drain port portion 20 a. The drain valve 40 is connected to a drain hose 41. When the drain valve 40 is opened, the water accumulated in the washing and dehydrating tub 22 and the outer tub 20 is drained to the outside of the machine through the drain hose 41. The first drain passage of the present invention is constituted by the drain port portion 20a and the drain hose 41. Of course, the first drainage channel may be configured to include only the drainage port 20a, and those skilled in the art may flexibly configure the specific structure of the first drainage channel in practical applications, and such modifications and changes to the specific structure of the first drainage channel do not limit the present invention, and should be limited within the protection scope of the present invention.

A overflow hole 20b is formed at an upper portion of the outer tub 20. When water is stored in the outer tub 20 at a predetermined overflow level or higher, the water is discharged from the overflow port 20 b. An overflow receiving portion 25 is provided on an outer surface of the outer tub 20 so as to cover the overflow hole 20 b. One end of an overflow pipe 26 is connected to the bottom of the overflow receiving portion 25. The other end of the overflow pipe 26 is connected to a drain hose 41. The water discharged from the overflow vent 20b is received by the overflow receiving portion 25 and then flows through the overflow pipe 26 to the drain hose 41. The overflow receiving portion 25 and the overflow pipe 26 constitute an overflow passage of the present invention. Of course, the overflow path may be configured to include only the overflow tube 26, and the overflow tube 26 is directly connected to the overflow port 20b, and those skilled in the art may flexibly configure the specific structure of the overflow path in practical applications, and such adjustment and change of the specific structure of the overflow path do not limit the present invention, and should be limited within the protection scope of the present invention. The drain pipe 72 corresponds to a second drain passage of the present invention. Of course, the second drainage path may also be configured to include both the drainage pipe 72 and a valve that is disposed on the drainage pipe 72 and can control the on-off of the drainage pipe 72, and those skilled in the art may flexibly configure the specific structure of the second drainage path in practical applications, and such adjustment and change of the specific structure of the second drainage path do not limit the present invention, and should be limited within the protection scope of the present invention.

An ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is disposed substantially at the center of the rear portion of the upper panel 12. The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 mainly performs a cleaning operation for removing sebum dirt adhering to the cuff or collar portion of a shirt, dirt adhering to work clothes, and other dirt partially adhering to an object to be cleaned, before the full-automatic washing machine 1 performs washing.

A storage tank 60 is disposed behind the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 at the rear of the upper panel 12, and a drain receiver 70 is disposed below the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50. The drain receiving portion 70 is housed in the housing portion 17. Of course, the drain receiver 70 may not be provided, for example: a pipe directly communicating with the water discharge port 211 may be provided to discharge the water in the tub 210. The drain receiving portion 70 may be a drain receiving tray, a drain receiving box, etc., and those skilled in the art can flexibly set the specific structure of the drain receiving portion 70 in practical applications, and such adjustment and change of the specific structure of the drain receiving portion 70 do not limit the present invention, and should be limited within the protection scope of the present invention. The storage tank 60 stores therein water containing detergent to be supplied to the water storage tub 210 of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50. Hereinafter, the water containing the detergent is referred to as "washing water".

The drain receiving portion 70 receives water drained from the water storage tub 210. The drain receiving portion 70 is formed with a drain hole 71 through which the received water is discharged. One end of a drain pipe 72 is connected to the drain hole 71. The other end of the drain pipe 72 is connected to the upper portion of the overflow pipe 26.

A water supply unit 80 for supplying tap water into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 is disposed at the rear of the upper panel 12.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the water supply unit 80.

The water supply unit 80 has a water supply valve 81. The water supply valve 81 is a so-called double valve having a main valve 82 and a sub valve 83 as electromagnetic valves. The water inlet 81a of the water supply valve 81 is connected to a faucet through a water supply hose not shown. A main water supply line 84 is connected to an outlet of the main valve 82 of the water supply valve 81. The main water supply path 84 has a water inlet 84a located at an upper portion of the washing and dehydrating tub 22.

The water supply unit 80 includes an automatic supply mechanism 90 for automatically supplying a liquid detergent, which is a kind of liquid for washing, into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. The automatic loading mechanism 90 also has a function of supplying washing water to the storage tank 60. The automatic loading mechanism 90 corresponds to the supply unit of the present invention.

The automatic feeding mechanism comprises a detergent box 91 capable of containing liquid detergent, a first water path switching component, a second water path switching component and a first water path on-off component, wherein the first water path switching component can enable the second water path switching component to be selectively communicated with the detergent box 91 or the first water path on-off component, the second water path switching component can enable the first water path switching component to be selectively communicated with an inner barrel or a storage part, a water source is communicated or disconnected with the first water path switching component through the opening and closing of the first water path on-off component, a supply pump 95 is arranged between the first water path switching component and the second water path switching component, and the washing machine further comprises the second water path on-off component, and the water source is communicated or disconnected with the inner barrel through the opening and closing of the second water path on-off component. Of course, in practical applications, the skilled person may choose not to provide the supply pump 95, for example: the detergent in the detergent box 91 may be flowed out by gravity by setting the height of the detergent box 91 to be higher than the second water path switching assembly. The water source can adopt a faucet, a water tank containing water and the like, and a person skilled in the art can flexibly set the specific water source in practical application.

Specifically, the automatic loading mechanism 90 includes: a detergent box 91, a supply pipe 92, a first three-way valve 93, a sub-water supply path 94, a supply pump 95, a detergent supply path 96, a second three-way valve 97, and a washing water supply path 98. The sub-valve 83 of the water supply valve 81 is also included in the automatic charging mechanism 90. That is, the first waterway switching assembly may employ the first three-way valve 93. The second waterway switching assembly may employ a second three-way valve 97. The water source can adopt a faucet. The first waterway opening/closing member may employ the sub-valve 83. Of course, the first waterway on-off member may also be an independent valve instead of a sub-valve in the duplex valve, and those skilled in the art may flexibly set the first waterway on-off member in practical applications as long as the water source can be connected or disconnected with the first waterway switching assembly by opening and closing the first waterway on-off member. The main valve 82 corresponds to the second water passage opening/closing member of the present invention. Of course, the second waterway on-off member may also be an independent valve instead of a sub-valve in the duplex valve, and those skilled in the art may flexibly set the second waterway on-off member in practical application as long as the water source can be connected or disconnected with the first waterway switching assembly by opening and closing the second waterway on-off member.

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

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

The supply pump 95 is connected to an outlet of the first three-way valve 93, and the detergent supply path 96 is connected to the supply pump 95. The detergent supply path 96 has a supply port 96a located at an upper portion of the washing and dehydrating tub 22. The supply pump 95 may be a piston pump, for example.

The first three-way valve 93 is switchable between a state in which the supply pipe 92 and the supply pump 95 are communicated and a state in which the sub water supply passage 94 and the supply pump 95 are communicated.

The detergent supply path 96 is provided with a second three-way valve 97. An upstream supply path 96b of the detergent supply path 96 is connected to an inlet of the second three-way valve 97, and a downstream supply path 96c of the detergent supply path 96 is connected to one outlet of the second three-way valve 97. Further, one end of a wash water supply line 98 is connected to the other outlet of the second three-way valve 97. The other end of the cleaning water supply line 98 is connected to the storage tank 60.

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

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

Fig. 3 (a) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the top panel 12 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are located at the standby position, and fig. 3 (b) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the top panel 12 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are located at the operating position.

The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 includes an ultrasonic cleaning unit 100, a water reservoir 200, and a main body 300. The ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 includes an ultrasonic generator 110 that generates ultrasonic waves. The main body 300 holds the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100. The water storage part 200 is located below the ultrasonic generator 110, has a water storage tub 210 capable of storing washing water, and is attached to the main body 300. The water storage portion 200 can be pulled out forward by a user's detaching operation and detached from the main body 300. Of course, the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 may be configured to include only the ultrasonic cleaning part 100 and the water storage part 200, and the ultrasonic cleaning part 100 is directly disposed on the water storage part 200, and those skilled in the art may flexibly configure the specific structure of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 in practical applications, and such modifications and changes to the specific structure of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 should not be construed as limitations on the present invention, and should be construed as limitations on the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are located at the standby position, which corresponds to the ultrasonic generator 110 and the water storage unit 200 being located at the standby position, and the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are located at the operating position, which corresponds to the ultrasonic generator 110 and the water storage unit 200 being located at the operating position.

A storage portion 17 for storing the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 is provided in the central portion of the rear portion of the upper panel 12. The upper panel 12 has an opening at the front of the housing 17 as an entrance 18. The housing portion 17 corresponds to the disposition portion of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 3 (a), when the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 is not used and the cleaning operation is not performed, the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 is in a state where the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200, that is, the ultrasonic generator 110 and the water storage tank 210 are stored in the storage unit 17. The ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are at the standby position. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 3 (b), when the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 is used to perform a cleaning operation, the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 is switched to a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 and the water storage portion 200 are drawn forward from the housing portion 17 and protrude toward the inside of the inlet 14 of the upper panel 12. The positions of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 at this time are the operation positions.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 with the water reservoir 200 removed. Fig. 5 is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the main body 300. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the water storage portion 200. Fig. 7 (a) is a perspective view of the inverted water storage portion 200, and fig. 7 (b) is a side sectional view of the water storage portion 200.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 includes an ultrasonic generator 110, a housing 120, and a cover 130. Of course, the structure of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 is not limited to this, and for example: it is also possible to include only the ultrasonic generator 110 and the housing 120, and a person skilled in the art can flexibly set the specific structure of the ultrasonic cleaning part 100 in practical applications, and such adjustment and change of the specific structure of the ultrasonic cleaning part 100 should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention, and should be limited within the scope of the present invention.

The ultrasonic generator 110 includes an ultrasonic transducer 111 and a vibration horn 112 coupled to the ultrasonic transducer 111. The vibration horn 112 is formed of a metal material having conductivity, and has a shape that is tapered toward the tip end side. The distal end surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 has an elongated rectangular shape. The ultrasonic generator 110 generates ultrasonic waves from the tip of the vibrating horn 112. A flange portion 113 is formed at the upper end portion of the vibration horn 112. Of course, the structure of the ultrasonic generator 110 is not limited to this, and examples thereof include: the ultrasonic generator 110 may include only the ultrasonic transducer 111, and those skilled in the art can flexibly set the specific configuration of the ultrasonic generator 110 in practical use as long as ultrasonic waves can be generated by the ultrasonic generator 110.

The housing 120 is formed of a resin material and has an arm shape which is long in the front-rear direction and in which a distal end portion 120a is bent downward. An opening 121 is formed in the lower surface of the distal end portion 120 a.

The housing 120 is formed by combining a lower member 140 whose upper surface is opened and an upper member 150 whose lower surface is opened. A metal reinforcing plate 160 is attached to the lower member 140. The lower member 140 is provided with a lower mounting hole 141 and a lower mounting boss 142, and the upper member 150 is provided with an upper mounting boss 151 corresponding to the lower mounting hole 141 and an upper mounting hole 152 corresponding to the lower mounting boss 142. The screw 171 passing through the lower mounting hole 141 is fixed to the upper mounting boss 151, and the screw 171 passing through the upper mounting hole 152 is fixed to the lower mounting boss 142. Thereby, the lower member 140 and the upper member 150 are coupled. The top end portion 120a of the housing 120 is formed by the lower member 140. In the above-mentioned connection manner of the upper member 150 and the lower member 140, the screw 171 may be replaced by a bolt, that is, a person skilled in the art may flexibly set the specific structure of the first connection member passing through the lower mounting hole 141 and the second connection member passing through the upper mounting hole 152 in practical application, and such adjustment and change of the specific structure of the first connection member and the second connection member do not limit the present invention and shall be limited within the protection scope of the present invention. In addition, the upper member 150 and the lower member 140 may also be connected by other connection means, such as: the upper member 150 and the lower member 140 are connected by clamping, etc., and those skilled in the art can flexibly set the specific connection mode of the upper member 150 and the lower member 140 in practical applications as long as the upper member 150 and the lower member 140 can be connected by the connection mode. Further, the housing 120 may be provided as an integrally formed structure having an inner space, in addition to the combination of the upper member 150 and the lower member 140, and those skilled in the art may flexibly set the specific structure of the housing 120 in practical applications as long as the ultrasonic generator 110 can be accommodated by the housing 120.

The lower member 140 is provided with mounting bosses 143 at the front and rear of the opening 121. Further, the periphery of the opening 121 of the lower member 140 forms an insertion opening 144 into which the cap 130 is inserted.

The ultrasonic generator 110 is attached to the lower member 140, and the flange portion 113 thereof is pressed from above by the frame-shaped fixing plate 180. The fixing plate 180 is provided on the front and rear mounting bosses 143, and is fixed to these mounting bosses 143 by screws 172. Thereby, the ultrasonic generator 110 is fixed in the housing 120. As shown in fig. 5, the ultrasonic transducer 111 is disposed in the internal space of the case 120, and the distal end side portion of the vibration horn 112 protrudes downward from the opening 121 of the case 120. The mounting bosses 143 may be replaced by mounting blocks, mounting plates, etc., that is, a person skilled in the art may flexibly set the specific structures of the mounting structures disposed in front of and behind the opening 121 in practical applications, and such adjustment and change of the specific structures of the mounting structures do not limit the present invention, and should be limited within the scope of the present invention. The fixing plate 180 may be replaced by a fixing block, a fixing frame, etc., that is, a person skilled in the art may flexibly set the specific structure of the fixing member pressing the flange portion 113 from the upper side in practical applications, and such adjustment and change of the specific structure of the fixing member do not limit the present invention, and should be limited within the protection scope of the present invention. In addition, besides being fixed to the mounting structure by the screw 172, the fixing member can be fixed to the mounting structure by clamping, bonding, etc., and those skilled in the art can flexibly set the specific fixing manner of the fixing member to the mounting structure in practical applications, and such adjustment and change of the specific fixing manner of the fixing member do not limit the present invention, and should be limited within the protection scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the ultrasound generating body 110 can be attached to the housing 120 by other means than those described above, such as: the ultrasonic generator 110 is attached to the housing 120 by bonding, welding, etc., and those skilled in the art can flexibly set the specific manner of attaching the ultrasonic generator 110 to the housing 120 in practical applications, and such adjustment and change of the specific connection manner between the ultrasonic generator 110 and the housing 120 should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention, and should not be limited to the protection scope of the present invention.

The cover 130 is detachably attached to the distal end portion 120a of the housing 120, and covers a portion of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 exposed from the housing 120.

The cover 130 has a structure in which a cover main body 131 and a guide portion 132 are integrally formed of a resin material. The cover main body 131 has a cylindrical shape in which the front-rear left-right width is narrowed as it goes downward, and covers a portion of the ultrasonic generator 110 on the distal end side of the vibration horn 112 so that the distal end portion thereof is exposed. Of course, the cover 130 may include only the cover main body 131, and those skilled in the art may flexibly set the specific structure of the cover 130 in practical applications as long as the ultrasonic generator 110 can be covered to some extent by the cover 130.

The guide 132 is provided at the center of the front surface of the cover main body 131 in the left-right direction so as to protrude forward, and has a flat shape in the left-right direction. A guide surface 133 inclined in a rearwardly downward direction and bent to be horizontal at a lower end portion is provided at a lower portion of the guide portion 132. Further, the lower end of the guide portion 132 is located below the lower end of the cover main body 131.

The cover 130 is attached to the insertion port portion 144 of the housing 120 from below. At this time, the protrusions, not shown, provided on the left and right of the fitting port portion 144 are fitted into the recesses, not shown, provided on the left and right of the cap main body 131. Thereby, the cap 130 is not detached from the fitting opening portion 144. Of course, the cover 130 can be attached to the housing 120 by other means such as bonding, screwing, etc., and those skilled in the art can flexibly set the specific manner of attaching the cover 130 to the housing 120 in practical applications, and such adjustment and change of the specific connection manner between the cover 130 and the housing 120 do not limit the present invention, and should be limited within the protection scope of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 5, in a state where the cap 130 is attached to the housing 120, the tip end portion of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 is slightly exposed from the cap body 131. Further, the lower end of the guide portion 132 of the cap 130 is almost flush with the tip end surface 112a of the vibration horn 112. Further, the guide surface 133 of the guide portion 132 is inclined so as to approach the vibration horn 112 as approaching the water storage tub 210. Further, the position of the guide portion 132 coincides with the position of the distal end portion of the vibration horn 112 in the left-right direction, that is, in the direction orthogonal to the front direction of the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the body 300 has an approximately square shape when viewed from the front. The right and left lower ends of the main body 300 are provided with guide rail portions 301 extending forward. Further, the body 300 has an opening 302 formed on the left side through which the rear portion of the water storage portion 200 and the supply nozzle 500 pass, and an insertion opening 303 formed adjacent to the right side of the opening 302 into which the claw portion 281 of the lock mechanism 280 is inserted. The rear part 120b of the housing 120 of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 is fixed to the upper part of the body 300 by screws not shown.

Referring to fig. 4, 6, and 7 (a) and (b), the water storage portion 200 is formed of a resin material, and has a shape slightly longer in the front-rear direction, flat in the vertical direction, and protruding rearward from the left side portion than the right side portion. A handle 201 having an arc-shaped front surface and the water storage portion 200 are integrally formed on the front surface of the water storage portion 200. The user grips the handle 201 when putting the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 into and out of the housing portion 17 and when attaching and detaching the water storage portion 200 to and from the main body 300.

A water storage tub 210 having a shape along the outer shape of water storage unit 200 is formed on the upper surface of water storage unit 200. The inner circumferential surface of the water storage tub 210 is inclined so as to expand upward. The water storage tub 210 has a circular water discharge port 211 formed in a lower portion of a rear surface thereof. A groove 212 recessed in an arc shape concentric with the water discharge port 211 is formed in the bottom surface of the water storage tub 210 in front of the water discharge port 211. Of course, the structure of the water storage part 200 is not limited thereto, for example: the water storage portion 200 may be a water storage tank, or the like, or the water storage portion 200 may not be provided with the water discharge port 211, and a person skilled in the art may flexibly set the specific configuration of the water storage portion 200 in practical use as long as the water storage portion 200 can store the washing water.

The water storage unit 200 is provided with a valve body 220 for closing the water discharge port 211, and a valve switching mechanism 230 for switching between a closed state in which the valve body 220 is closed and an open state in which the valve body 220 is opened. Of course, the closing or opening of water discharge port 211 may be achieved by other structures than the combination of valve body 220 and valve switching mechanism 230, such as: the water outlet 211 can be closed or opened by the swing motor and the cover plate connected with the swing motor, and the swing motor can drive the cover plate to rotate, so that the cover plate can close or open the water outlet 211.

The valve body 220 is formed of a resin material and has an approximately cylindrical shape. An O-ring 221 made of an elastic material is attached to the peripheral surface of the valve body 220 at the distal end. Further, the valve body 220 is formed with a square hole 222 extending from the rear end surface to a position slightly behind the O-ring 221. Further, the valve body 220 is cut at the rear side of the O-ring 221 to form flat surfaces 223 on the upper and lower sides of the peripheral surface, and rectangular openings 224 connected to the holes 222 are formed on the right and left sides of the peripheral surface. Further, the opening 224 may be formed only on the right side of the circumferential surface, or may be formed only on the right side of the circumferential surface. Depending on the shape of the drain port 211, the valve body 220 may have other shapes, for example: when the shape of the drain port 211 is square, the valve body 220 may also be a rectangular parallelepiped; further, the valve body 220 may also be made of a material other than resin, such as: rubber is used, and in this case, the valve body 220 may be provided without attaching an O-ring 221 containing an elastic material to the circumferential surface of the front end portion of the valve body 220. Those skilled in the art can flexibly set the specific structure of the valve body 220 in practical use as long as the water discharge port 211 can be closed by the valve body 220.

The valve switching mechanism 230 includes a valve movable member 240, an operation unit 250, and a spring 260. The valve movable member 240 and the operation portion 250 are integrally formed of a resin material. The spring 260 corresponds to the urging member of the present invention. Of course, besides the spring 260, the force applying member may also be a rubber block, etc., and those skilled in the art can flexibly set the specific structure of the force applying member in practical application, and such adjustment and change of the specific structure of the force applying member do not limit the present invention, and should be limited within the protection scope of the present invention.

The valve movable member 240 includes: a substantially rectangular bottom plate portion 241, elongated rectangular left and

right plate portions

242, 243 rising from the left and right end portions of the bottom plate portion 241 and extending rearward of the bottom plate portion 241, an elongated rectangular rear plate portion 244 connected to the rear end of the left plate portion 242 and the rear end of the right plate portion 243, and an elongated rod-shaped connecting portion 245 extending forward from the left end portion of the bottom plate portion 241 and the front end of the left plate portion 242.

The bottom plate portion 241 is provided with a mounting portion 246 having a shaft 246a extending forward. The rear end of the spring 260 is inserted into the shaft 246 a. The front portion of the mounting portion 246 of the bottom plate portion 241 is formed in an arc shape so as not to interfere with the spring 260. An opening 247 slightly larger than the hole 222 of the valve body 220 is formed in the center portion of the rear plate portion 244, which is the mounting position of the valve body 220, and mounting pieces 248 having claws at the tips thereof and extending forward are formed at the left and right edges of the opening 247. A long hole 249 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the distal end portion of the connection portion 245. Of course, the valve body 220 may also be installed on the valve movable member 240 by welding, screwing, etc., and those skilled in the art may flexibly set the connection manner of the valve body 220 and the valve movable member 240 in practical applications, and such adjustment and change of the connection manner between the valve body 220 and the valve movable member 240 do not limit the present invention, and should be limited within the protection scope of the present invention.

The operation portion 250 is connected to the distal end portion of the connection portion 245 of the valve movable member 240. A rib 251 extending in the vertical direction is formed at the distal end of the operation portion 250. The rib 251 is a portion that catches a finger when the user moves the operation unit 250.

Valve switching mechanism 230 is attached to water storage unit 200 from below so as to fit into a space formed around water storage tub 210 on the back side of water storage unit 200. The spring 260 is accommodated in a semi-cylindrical accommodating portion 202 formed on the back side of the water storage portion 200, and the tip thereof abuts against the front surface of the accommodating portion 202. Further, the long hole 249 of the coupling portion 245 of the valve movable member 240 is engaged with the attachment boss 203 formed on the back side of the water storage portion 200. A screw 270 inserted through the elongated hole 249 is fixed to the mounting boss 203 so as not to press the coupling portion 245. Thus, the coupling portion 245 is fixed in the vertical and horizontal directions, but can move in the front-rear direction within the length of the long hole 249. Further, the operation unit 250 faces outward from the operation window 204 provided on the left side surface of the water storage unit 200. In the above, the valve movable member 240 and the water storage portion 200 are connected by the combination of the connection structure, i.e., the screw 270, the mounting boss 203, and the long hole 249, and besides this, the connection structure may be provided in other forms, and in one possible case, the connection structure includes a slide groove provided on the valve movable member 240, a bottom of the slide groove being located on a vertical plane, and a slider provided on the water storage portion 200 and being slidable along the bottom of the slide groove, and such an arrangement also enables the valve movable member 240 to move only forward and backward with respect to the water storage portion 200 without being movable in the up and down direction.

The valve body 220 is inserted into the water discharge port 211 from the inside of the water storage tub 210, and is fitted to the rear plate portion 244 of the valve movable member 240 through the water discharge port 211. At this time, the claws of the left and right attachment pieces 248 of the rear plate portion 244 engage with the rear edges of the left and right openings 224 of the valve body 220. The lower side of the valve body 220 is accommodated in the groove 212 of the water storage tub 210, and does not interfere with the bottom surface of the water storage tub 210.

Valve body 220 closes water outlet 211 from the front by bringing O-ring 221 into close contact with the peripheral edge of water outlet 211. At this time, the spring 260 is in a compressed state, and the valve body 220 is biased in the rearward direction, i.e., the closing direction, by the spring 260 via the valve movable member 240. In the reservoir portion 200, the rear of the reservoir 210 is open, and the rear plate portion 244, which is the rear end portion of the valve movable member 240, protrudes rearward of the reservoir portion 200.

A lock mechanism 280 for fixing the water storage portion 200 attached to the main body 300 so as not to be separated forward is provided at the rear portion of the water storage portion 200. The locking mechanism 280 has a claw portion 281 and a button 282. The claw portion 281 is biased upward by a spring, not shown, and when the button 282 is pressed, the claw portion 281 is lowered, and when the button 282 is released, the claw portion 281 returns to the original position.

The water storage portion 200 is attached to the main body portion 300 from the front. Insertion portions 205 are provided on the right and left end portions of the back side of the water storage portion 200, and the left and right guide rail portions 301 of the main body 300 are inserted into the insertion portions 205, whereby the water storage portion 200 is guided by the guide rail portions 301. Of course, insertion portions extending forward may be provided at the left and right lower ends of the main body 300, guide portions may be provided at the right and left ends, respectively, at the inner side of the water storage portion 200, and the insertion portions may be inserted into the guide portions, that is, a specific structure in which first sliding portions extending forward from the left and right sides of the lower end of the main body 300 and second sliding portions provided at the left and right ends of the water storage portion 200 may be flexibly provided in practical use by those skilled in the art, as long as the main body 300 and the water storage portion 200 can be relatively moved by the relative sliding of the first sliding portions and the second sliding portions. Further, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the above-described installation position of the first sliding portion on the main body 300 and the installation position of the second sliding portion on the water storage portion 200 are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art can adjust them according to actual situations.

The left rear portion of the water storage portion 200 passes through the opening 302 of the main body 300. The claw portion 281 of the lock mechanism 280 abuts against the upper edge of the insertion port 303 of the main body 300, is pressed, and passes through the insertion port 303. When the water storage portion 200 is completely attached to the main body 300, the claw portions 281 return to the original position and engage with the upper edge of the insertion port 303 on the back side of the main body 300. This prevents the water storage unit 200 from being separated forward from the main body 300. When the water storage unit 200 is detached from the main body 300, the button 282 of the lock mechanism 280 is pressed, and the claw portion 281 is lowered. Thereby, the engagement between the claw portion 281 and the upper edge of the insertion port 303 is released. By pulling the water storage portion 200 forward, the water storage portion 200 is detached from the main body 300.

In a state where the water storage part 200 is attached to the main body part 300, the position of the distal end surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 is slightly lower than the position of the upper surface of the water storage tub 210, and the distal end portion of the vibration horn 112 is in a state of slightly entering the water storage tub 210.

Fig. 8 is a side sectional view of the rear portion of the upper panel 12 in a state where the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed in the housing portion 17. Fig. 9 is a side sectional view of the rear portion of the upper panel 12 with the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 pulled out from the housing portion 17. Fig. 10 (a) is a perspective view of the storage tank 60, the supply valve 400, and the supply nozzle 500, and fig. 10 (b) is a perspective view of the drain receiver 70.

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

The storage tank 60 is formed of a resin material, has a shape that is thin in the front-rear direction and long in the left-right direction, and is divided into a left tank 61 and a right tank 62 with a supply valve 400 interposed therebetween. The left tank 61 and the right tank 62 are connected by a communicating portion 63 extending from an upper portion of the left tank 61. The storage tank 60 has an inlet 64 formed at the left end of the left tank 61. The inflow port 64 is connected to a cleaning water supply line 98 of the automatic charging mechanism 90. The washing water supplied from the automatic charging mechanism 90 flows in through the inflow port 64 and is stored in the storage tank 60. The storage tank 60 has a larger water storage capacity than the water storage tank 210, and can store water having a water storage capacity more than twice the water storage capacity of the water storage tank 210 in the storage tank 60. Further, the water storage capacity of the retention tank 60 may be set to be the same as the water storage capacity of the water storage tub 210. The storage tank 60 corresponds to the storage unit of the present invention. Of course, a storage tray or the like may be used as the storage unit, and those skilled in the art can flexibly set the specific configuration of the storage unit in practical use as long as the storage unit can store the water containing the detergent supplied to the water storage tub 210. As described above, the storage tank 60 includes the left tank 61 and the right tank 62, and when the storage section adopts a storage tray, a barrier may be provided in the storage tray to separate the storage tray into the left tray portion and the right tray portion, and a through port may be further provided in the barrier to communicate the left tray portion with the right tray portion, that is, the storage section includes the left storage structure and the right storage structure which communicate with each other.

Supply valve 400 is a solenoid valve. The outlet of the left tank 61 and the outlet of the right tank 62 of the retention tank 60 are connected to the inlet of the supply valve 400. The outlet of the supply valve 400 is connected to the inlet of the supply nozzle 500.

The supply nozzle 500 is formed of a resin material, extends forward from the supply valve 400, and has a distal end portion 500a bent downward. A discharge port 501 is formed in the lower surface of the distal end portion 500 a.

As shown in fig. 8, in a state where the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are housed in the housing unit 17, the supply nozzle 500 penetrates the opening 302 of the body 300, and the tip end 500a thereof is positioned at the front of the water storage tub 210. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 9, in a state where the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are pulled out to the inside of the inlet port 14, the tip end portion 500a of the supply nozzle 500 is positioned at the rear portion of the water storage tub 210. Of course, the supply nozzle 500 is only one possible structure of the water supply structure capable of supplying water into the water storage tank 210, the water supply structure can be configured as a water filling hose, and a person skilled in the art can flexibly configure the specific structure of the water supply structure in practical applications, and such adjustment and change of the specific structure of the water supply structure do not limit the present invention, and should be limited within the protection scope of the present invention.

A drain receiving portion 70 is disposed below the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 in the housing portion 17. The drain receiver 70 has an approximately square dish shape with an upper surface and a front surface opened. The bottom surface of the drain receiving portion 70 is inclined so that the rear portion becomes lower. A discharge hole 71 is formed in the right side surface of the drain receiving portion 70 at the lower end of the rear portion and at the lowest position of the bottom surface. A drain pipe 72 is connected to a connection pipe 73 extending rightward from the discharge hole 71.

Two ribs 74 extending in the vertical direction are provided on the rear surface of the drain receiver 70 so as to be aligned in the horizontal direction. The height positions of the two ribs 74 are substantially equal to the height position of the rear plate portion 244 of the valve movable member 240 of the water storage unit 200. The rib 74 corresponds to the abutment of the present invention. Of course, the abutting portion may also be a block, a plate, etc., and those skilled in the art can flexibly set the specific structure of the abutting portion in practical application, and such adjustment and change of the specific structure of the abutting portion do not constitute a limitation to the present invention, and should be limited within the protection scope of the present invention.

The full automatic washing machine 1 performs washing operations in various operation modes. In the washing operation, a washing process, an intermediate dehydration process, a rinsing process, and a final dehydration process are sequentially performed. The washing machine performs a washing process, that is, the washing machine performs a general washing course.

In the washing process and the rinsing process, the pulsator 24 rotates in the right and left directions in a state that water is stored in the washing and dehydrating tub 22. By the rotation of the pulsator 24, a water current is generated in the washing and dehydrating tub 22. In the washing process, the laundry is washed by the generated water flow and the detergent contained in the water. In the rinsing process, the laundry is rinsed by the generated water flow.

In the intermediate dehydration process and the final dehydration process, the washing-dehydration tub 22 and the pulsator 24 are integrally rotated at a high speed. The laundry is dehydrated by the centrifugal force generated in the washing and dehydrating tub 22.

When the washing machine performs a regular washing process, that is, the washing machine performs a washing process, the first waterway switching assembly is controlled to perform a first action to communicate the detergent box 91 with the second waterway switching assembly, the second waterway switching assembly is controlled to operate to communicate the first waterway switching assembly with the inner tub, the supply pump 95 is started to pump the detergent in the detergent box 91 to the downstream side of the first waterway switching assembly, and the detergent in the detergent box 91 enters the downstream side of the first waterway switching assembly; controlling the first waterway switching assembly to perform a second action to communicate the first waterway switching member with the second waterway switching assembly, thereby allowing water in a water source to wash the detergent at a downstream side of the first waterway switching assembly into the inner tub; the second waterway opening/closing member is opened to communicate the water source with the inner tub through the second waterway opening/closing member, thereby injecting water into the inner tub.

Specifically, at the time of water supply in the washing process, the liquid detergent is automatically thrown into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 by the automatic throw-in mechanism 90. At this time, first, the first three-way valve 93 is switched to a state in which the supply pipe 92 communicates with the supply pump 95. Then, the second three-way valve 97 is switched to a state in which the upstream side supply passage 96b and the downstream side supply passage 96c are communicated with each other. When the supply pump 95 is operated, the liquid detergent in the detergent box 91 is discharged by the action of the pump. The discharged liquid detergent is sent to the detergent supply path 96 through the supply pipe 92, the first three-way valve 93, and the supply pump 95, and is stored in the upstream supply path 96b of the detergent supply path 96, as indicated by the broken line arrow in fig. 2. The supply pump 95 is operated for a predetermined time, and a predetermined amount of liquid detergent is stored in the upstream supply path 96 b.

Subsequently, the first three-way valve 93 is switched to a state in which the sub water supply passage 94 communicates with the supply pump 95, and the sub valve 83 is opened. As shown by solid arrows in fig. 2, water from the faucet flows to the detergent supply path 96 through the sub-water supply path 94, the first three-way valve 93, and the supply pump 95, and washes away the liquid detergent. The liquid detergent flushed by the water is fed into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 from the supply port 96a of the detergent supply path 96 together with the water, as indicated by the one-dot chain line arrow in fig. 2. When the input of the liquid detergent into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 is completed, the sub-valve 83 is closed.

Then, water supply into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 is performed. The main valve 82 is opened, and water from the faucet flows through the main water supply path 84 and is discharged from the water inlet 84a into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. When the water level in the washing and dehydrating tub 22 reaches a predetermined washing water level, the main valve 82 is closed, and the water supply is terminated.

Further, the full-automatic washing machine 1 performs a washing operation by the ultrasonic washing device 50. When an object to be cleaned such as a shirt is washed and if the object to be cleaned partially contains stubborn dirt, the user performs partial washing of the object to be cleaned using the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 before washing.

When the cleaning operation is performed, as shown in fig. 3 (b), the user pulls out the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 from the housing 17 and moves the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 to the operation position. As shown in fig. 9, the valve switching mechanism 230 biases the valve body 220 in the closing direction via the valve movable member 240 by the biasing force of the spring 260. Thereby, the valve body 220 closes the drain port 211, and the drain port 211 is closed.

The user performs a prescribed start operation to start the washing operation.

When the washing machine executes the ultrasonic pre-washing program, that is, when the ultrasonic washing device 50 is in a washing operation, the first water path switching assembly is controlled to execute a first action to communicate the detergent box 91 with the second water path switching assembly, the second water path switching assembly is controlled to execute an action to communicate the first water path switching assembly with the storage part, the supply pump 95 is started to pump the detergent in the detergent box 91 to the downstream side of the first water path switching assembly, and the detergent in the detergent box 91 enters the downstream side of the first water path switching assembly; and controlling the first waterway switching assembly to perform a second action to communicate the first waterway switching member with the second waterway switching assembly, thereby allowing water in the water source to flush the detergent located at the downstream side of the first waterway switching assembly into the retention part.

Specifically, when the washing operation is started, the automatic loading mechanism 90 first supplies the washing water into the storage tank 60. That is, first, the first three-way valve 93 is switched to a state in which the supply pipe 92 communicates with the supply pump 95. Then, the second three-way valve 97 is switched to a state in which the upstream side supply passage 96b and the cleaning water supply passage 98 are communicated with each other. When the supply pump 95 is operated, the liquid detergent in the detergent box 91 is discharged by the action of the pump. As shown by the broken line arrows in fig. 2, the liquid detergent discharged from the detergent box 91 reaches the detergent supply path 96 and is stored in the upstream supply path 96b of the detergent supply path 96. The supply pump 95 is operated for a predetermined time, and a predetermined amount of liquid detergent is stored in the upstream supply path 96 b.

Subsequently, the first three-way valve 93 is switched to a state in which the sub water supply passage 94 communicates with the supply pump 95, and the sub valve 83 is opened. As shown by solid arrows in fig. 2, water from the faucet flows to the detergent supply path 96 through the sub-water supply path 94, the first three-way valve 93, and the supply pump 95, and washes away the liquid detergent. The water is mixed with the liquid detergent to form wash water. As shown by the thick line arrows in fig. 2, the washing water flows into the storage tank 60 through the washing water supply line 98. When a predetermined supply time has elapsed after the sub-valve 83 is opened, the sub-valve 83 is closed.

In this way, the washing water of a predetermined amount and detergent concentration is stored in the storage tank 60. In the present embodiment, the amount of the washing water stored in the storage tank 60 is an amount that can perform two washing operations in place of the washing water in the storage tub 210. The amount of the washing water stored in the storage tank 60 may be an amount that enables the washing operation to be performed three or more times.

Subsequently, the supply valve 400 is opened. The washing water in the storage tank 60 is discharged from the discharge port 501 into the water storage tub 210 through the supply nozzle 500. The washing water is stored in the water storage tub 210, and the water level in the water storage tub 210 rises. As shown by the one-dot chain line in fig. 9, when the water level in the water storage tub 210 rises to the level of the drain port 501 and the drain port 501 is blocked by the washing water, the air pressure in the storage tank 60 and the air pressure outside are balanced. Thus, in the state where supply valve 400 is opened, the supply of water from storage tank 60 is stopped.

In one possible case, the first end of the sub water supply path 94 of the automatic input mechanism is connected to the first water path opening/closing member, the first end of the supply pipe 92 of the automatic input mechanism is connected to the detergent box, the first end of the upstream side supply path 96b of the detergent supply path 96 of the automatic input mechanism is connected to the second water path switching member, the second end of the sub water supply path 94, the second end of the supply pipe 92, and the second end of the upstream side supply path 96b are communicated with each other, the first water path switching member includes a first solenoid valve, a second solenoid valve, and a third solenoid valve, the first solenoid valve is disposed on the sub water supply path 94, the second solenoid valve is disposed on the supply pipe 92, and the third solenoid valve is disposed on the upstream side supply path 96b, and when the ultrasonic pre-washing machine performs the ultrasonic pre-washing program, the step of "controlling the first water path switching member to perform the first action" specifically: closing the first solenoid valve and opening both the second solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve; the step of "controlling the first waterway switching assembly to execute the second action" specifically includes: closing the second solenoid valve and opening both the first solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve; when the washing machine executes the regular washing program, the step of controlling the first waterway switching assembly to execute the first action specifically includes: closing the first solenoid valve and opening both the second solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve; the step of "controlling the first waterway switching assembly to execute the second action" specifically includes: the second solenoid valve is closed and both the first and third solenoid valves are opened.

In one possible case, the second end of the upstream side supply path 96b of the detergent supply path 96 of the automatic input mechanism is connected to a first water path switching unit, the first end of the washing water supply path 98 of the automatic input mechanism is communicated with the storage part, the first end of the downstream side supply path 96c of the detergent supply path 96 of the automatic input mechanism is communicated with the inner tub, the first end of the upstream side supply path 96b, the second end of the washing water supply path 98, and the second end of the downstream side supply path 96c are communicated with each other, the second water path switching unit includes a first solenoid valve, a second solenoid valve, and a third solenoid valve, the first solenoid valve is provided on the upstream side supply path 96b, the second solenoid valve is provided on the washing water supply path 98, the third solenoid valve is provided on the downstream side supply path 96c, when the washing machine executes the ultrasonic pre-washing program, the step of controlling the second waterway switching assembly to act specifically comprises the following steps: closing the third solenoid valve and opening both the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve; when the washing machine executes a regular washing program, the step of "controlling the second waterway switching assembly to operate" specifically includes: the second solenoid valve is closed and both the first and third solenoid valves are opened.

As can be seen from the above two situations, those skilled in the art can flexibly set the specific structures of the first waterway switching assembly and the second waterway switching assembly in practical applications, as long as the first waterway switching assembly can enable the second waterway switching assembly to selectively communicate with the detergent box 91 or the first waterway switching member, and the second waterway switching assembly can enable the first waterway switching assembly to selectively communicate with the inner tub or the storage portion.

When the washing water is stored in the tub 210, the user places a dirt-attached portion of the object to be washed, for example, a collar portion of a shirt, on the tub 210 from the front direction of the ultrasonic cleaning part 100, i.e., between the tub 210 and the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110.

In the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100, the position of the guide 132 of the cover 130 and the position of the distal end portion of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 coincide with each other in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the guide portion 132 serves as a mark, and the user can easily grasp the position of the distal end portion of the vibration horn 112.

The user brings the dirt-attached portion such as a collar or a cuff against the guide surface 133 of the guide 132, moves downward and rearward along the guide surface 133, and reaches the position of the distal end surface 112a of the vibration horn 112. At this time, the lower end of the guide portion 132 extends below the lower end of the cover main body 131, and covers the front surface of the distal end portion of the vibration horn 112 exposed from the cover main body 131. Therefore, the dirt-adhering portion guided by the guide portion 132 is less likely to be caught by the corner portion of the distal end portion of the vibration horn 112, and is less likely to be damaged. Further, by the guidance of the guide portion 132, the dirt adhesion portion is positioned to a suitable height position almost in contact with the tip end face 112a of the vibration horn 112, not too far away from the tip end face 112a of the vibration horn 112.

The dirt adhering portion of the object to be cleaned is soaked in the cleaning water stored in the water storage tub 210, and the cleaning water permeating the inside of the object to be cleaned seeps out to the surface. The following states are presented: a thin water layer is formed on the surface of the object to be cleaned, and the vibration horn 112 is in contact with the water layer. When the water level in the storage tub 210 drops due to the water absorption of the object to be washed and the drain port 501 of the supply nozzle 500 is no longer blocked by the washing water, the washing water is supplied from the storage tank 60 into the storage tub 210 until the drain port 501 is blocked by the washing water again. Thus, the water level, i.e., the amount of water, in the water storage tub 210 is maintained in an appropriate state.

After the supply valve 400 is opened until a predetermined standby time elapses, the ultrasonic transducer 111 is not energized, and the ultrasonic generator 110 is in a standby state. During this time, the washing water is stored in the water storage tub 210, and the object to be washed is placed in the water storage tub 210 in which the washing water is stored. When the standby time elapses, the ultrasonic transducer 111 is energized, and the ultrasonic generator 110 operates.

Fig. 11 (a) to (c) are views for explaining the decontamination of the object to be cleaned by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50.

When the ultrasonic generator 110 is operated, ultrasonic waves are generated from the distal end of the vibration horn 112, and the ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the washing water inside the object to be washed via the washing water around the vibration horn 112. As shown in fig. 11 (a), inside the object to be cleaned, pressure reduction and pressurization are alternately generated by the action of ultrasonic vibration, and a vacuum cavity is generated in a portion where the pressure is reduced. That is, a portion of the object to be cleaned containing dirt has many cavities. Next, as shown in fig. 11 (b), when the pressure of the cavity portion becomes high and the cavity is broken and collapsed by the pressure, a shock wave is generated to the dirt portion of the object to be cleaned. By this shock wave, dirt is separated from the object to be cleaned. As shown in fig. 11 (c), the ultrasonic vibration from the vibration horn 112 generates a water flow heading from the inside of the object to be cleaned into the water storage tub 210, and dirt separated from the object to be cleaned is discharged into the water storage tub 210 by the water flow. In the water storage tub 210, the above-described water flow causes convection, and therefore dirt is easily peeled off from the object to be cleaned. Further, the dirt is easily peeled off from the object to be cleaned by the action of the detergent contained in the washing water, and the dirt is not easily reattached to the object to be cleaned. In this way, the dirt is removed from the object to be cleaned. As described above, the object to be cleaned is placed on the water storage tub 210 in such a manner that the dirt adhering portion is not too far away from the tip end surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110. Thus, the ultrasonic vibration from the vibration horn 112 is effectively applied to the dirt adhering portion, and the dirt is easily removed.

When the cleaning of the object to be cleaned is completed, the user performs a predetermined end operation to end the cleaning operation. The operation of the ultrasonic generator 110 is stopped, the supply valve 400 is closed, and the cleaning operation is completed.

When the new cleaning operation is not to be continued, the user stores the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 in the storage section 17 and moves the ultrasonic cleaning section 100 and the water storage section 200 to the standby position, as shown in fig. 3 (a). As shown in fig. 8, when the water storage portion 200 moves to the standby position, the valve switching mechanism 230 causes the rear plate portion 244 of the valve movable member 240 to abut against the two ribs 74 on the rear surface of the drain receiving portion 70, to be pressed by these ribs 74, and to move forward relative to the water storage portion 200 against the biasing force of the spring 260. The valve body 220 connected to the rear plate portion 244 of the valve movable member 240 moves forward, i.e., in the opening direction, with respect to the water discharge port 211 of the tub 210, and opens the water discharge port 211. Thereby, the washing water stored in the tub 210 is discharged through the drain 211. At this time, the washing water passes through the gap between the inner wall surface of the drain port 211 and the upper and lower flat surfaces 223 of the valve body 220, the left and right openings 224 of the valve body 220, and the hole 222. The washing water discharged from the drain port 211 is received by the drain receiving portion 70 and discharged from the drain hole 71. The washing water discharged from the discharge hole 71 flows through the drain pipe 72, the overflow pipe 26 and the drain hose 41 and is discharged to the outside of the machine.

The user may sometimes want to replace the washing water of the tub 210 for the second washing operation. In this case, the user can store the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 in the storage portion 17 and move the water storage portion 200 to the standby position to discharge the cleaning water from the water storage tub 210, but this operation is troublesome.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the user can discharge the washing water from the reservoir tank 210 without moving the ultrasonic washing device 50 while maintaining the reservoir portion 200 at the operating position.

Fig. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the rear portion of the top panel 12, showing how the operation unit 250 is moved and operated in a state where the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out from the housing unit 17. In fig. 12, for convenience of explanation, the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 is shown in cross section at the rear of the operation window 204 of the water storage unit 200 in which the operation unit 250 is disposed.

In a state where the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are located at the operation positions, the user performs a moving operation of moving the operation unit 250 forward as indicated by a thick arrow in fig. 12. Thus, in the valve switching mechanism 230, the valve movable member 240 moves in the forward direction with respect to the water storage portion 200, as in the case where the water storage portion 200 moves to the standby position. Thereby, the valve body 220 moves in the opening direction with respect to the water discharge port 211 of the water storage tub 210, and the water discharge port 211 is opened. Thus, the washing water stored in the water storage tub 210 is discharged through the drain port 211 and received by the drain receiving portion 70. The washing water is then discharged to the outside of the machine through the drain pipe 72, the overflow pipe 26, and the drain hose 41.

The user performs a predetermined continuation operation for continuing the washing operation. The second cleaning operation is started. In the washing operation, since the washing water remains in the storage tank 60, the supply valve 400 is opened to supply the washing water from the storage tank 60 to the water storage tub 210 without supplying the washing water to the storage tank 60. In the present embodiment, if the washing operation is performed twice, the washing water in the storage tank 60 is used up, and therefore, the operation is continued only once.

In the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100, dirt enters the cap 130 from the opening of the cap 130 during repeated cleaning operations, and the dirt can adhere to the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 inside the cap 130. In the present embodiment, since the cover 130 is detachable from the housing 120, the user can detach the cover 130 from the housing 120 to clean the vibration horn 112.

In addition, the water storage tub 210 may be soiled during repeated washing operations. In the present embodiment, since the water storage portion 200 is detachably attached to the main body 300, the user can detach the water storage portion 200 from the main body 300 to clean the water storage tub 210.

< effects of the embodiment >

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the valve body 220 and the valve switching mechanism 230 for opening and closing the water discharge port 211 of the water storage tub 210 are provided, and the valve body 220 is switched by the valve switching mechanism 230 so that the valve body 220 is closed when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200, that is, the ultrasonic generator 110 and the water storage tub 210 are located at the operation position, and the valve body 220 is opened when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are located at the standby position. This makes it possible to: when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is in a state in which the cleaning operation is possible, water cannot be discharged from the water storage tank 210, and when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is in a state in which the cleaning operation is not possible, water can be discharged from the water storage tank 210.

The valve switching mechanism 230 includes an operating unit 250, and when the operating unit 250 performs an opening operation when the ultrasonic generator 110 and the water storage tub 210 are located at the operating positions, the valve body 220 is switched from the closed state to the open state by the valve switching mechanism 230. Thus, even when the ultrasonic wave generator 110 and the water storage tub 210 are located at the operating position, the washing water can be discharged from the water storage tub 210 when the water in the water storage tub 210 needs to be replaced or the like without returning the ultrasonic wave generator 110 and the water storage tub 210 to the standby position.

As such, according to the present embodiment, water can be discharged from the water storage tub 210 well, and convenience to the user can be improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the drain pipe 72 through which the washing water discharged from the drain receiving portion 70 flows is connected to the overflow pipe 26 that guides the overflow water flowing out of the overflow port 20b to the drain hose 41, the drain pipe 72 can be shortened as compared with the structure in which the drain pipe 72 is connected to the drain hose 41. Therefore, for example, when the tub 20 vibrates during dehydration, the drain pipe 72 is less likely to contact the casing 10, and the drain pipe 72 is less likely to be damaged.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the structure is adopted in which the washing water supplied from the automatic supply mechanism 90 is stored in the storage tank 60 having a larger water storage capacity than the water storage tub 210 and is supplied from the storage tank 60 to the water storage tub 210, it is not necessary to generate washing water every time the washing water in the water storage tub 210 is replaced, and convenience to the user is improved.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications other than the above embodiments may be made to the embodiments of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the valve switching mechanism 230 includes: a spring 260 for urging the valve body 220 in a closing direction in which the water outlet 211 is closed; and a valve movable member 240 connected to the valve body 220 and the operation unit 250, wherein when the ultrasonic generator 110 and the reservoir 210 are moved from the operation position to the standby position, the rear plate 244 of the valve movable member 240 abuts against the rib 74 provided in the drain receiver 70, is pressed by the rib 74, and moves the valve body 220 in the opening direction in which the drain port 211 is opened, and when the operation unit 250 is moved, the valve movable member 240 moves together with the operation unit 250 and moves the valve body 220 in the opening direction.

However, the valve switching mechanism 230 may be configured to be other than the above as long as the valve 220 can be switched so that the valve 220 is closed when the ultrasonic generator 110 and the reservoir 210 are at the operating position and the valve 220 is opened when the ultrasonic generator 110 and the reservoir 210 are at the standby position, and the valve 220 can be switched from the closed state to the open state after the operation unit 250 is opened when the ultrasonic generator 110 and the reservoir 210 are at the operating position.

In the above embodiment, the drain pipe 72 is connected to the overflow pipe 26. However, the drain pipe 72 may be connected to the overflow receiving portion 25. However, in consideration of the fact that the washing water discharged from the drain pipe 72 does not enter the outer tub 20 from the overflow 20b, it is desirable that the drain pipe 72 is connected to the overflow pipe 26 which is distant from the overflow 20 b.

Further, in the above embodiment, the automatic supply mechanism 90 for supplying washing water, i.e., detergent-containing water is connected to the storage tank 60. However, since the washing water can be stored in the storage tank 60 at last, the following configuration may be adopted: at least water may be supplied to the storage tank 60, for example, the storage tank 60 may be provided with an inlet for detergent, and only water is supplied from the water supply unit 80 to the storage tank 60 into which detergent has been previously introduced.

Further, in the above embodiment, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is provided in the fully automatic washing machine 1. Specifically, the housing 17 is provided in the housing 17, and the housing 17 may be an arrangement portion, or a wall surface of the top panel 12 of the fully automatic washing machine 1 may be an arrangement portion. However, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may be provided in a washing machine other than the fully automatic washing machine 1, for example, a drum-type washing machine. The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may be provided in, for example, a full-automatic washing and drying machine or a drum-type washing and drying machine having a drying function. In a drum-type washing machine and a drum-type washing and drying machine, a drum is disposed as an inner tub in an outer tub. The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may be installed in a laundry processing apparatus other than a washing machine, such as a clothes dryer and a laundry care machine. Furthermore, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may be disposed in a disposition part provided in a device other than the washing machine such as a washbasin, in which case the disposition part may be a table, a wall surface, or the like, and those skilled in the art can flexibly set the specific structure of the disposition part in practical use as long as the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 can be disposed through the disposition part.

The embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

So far, the technical solutions of the present invention have been described in connection with the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings, but it is easily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Equivalent changes or substitutions of related technical features can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle of the invention, and the technical scheme after the changes or substitutions can fall into the protection scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, comprising an ultrasonic cleaning unit and a water storage unit having a water discharge port, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning unit comprises a housing and an ultrasonic generator disposed in the housing and capable of generating ultrasonic waves, the water storage unit is located below the ultrasonic generator, and the positions of the ultrasonic generator and the water storage unit are switchable between an operating position when a cleaning operation is performed and a standby position when the cleaning operation is not performed,

the shell comprises an upper component and a lower component which are connected, the opening of the upper component and the opening of the lower component are oppositely arranged, the lower component is provided with a lower mounting hole and a lower mounting boss, the upper component is provided with an upper mounting boss corresponding to the lower mounting hole and an upper mounting hole corresponding to the lower mounting boss, a first connecting component penetrating through the lower mounting hole is fixed on the upper mounting boss and a second connecting component penetrating through the upper mounting hole is fixed on the lower mounting boss, so that the lower component is connected with the upper component, and the top end of the ultrasonic generator protrudes from an opening part formed at the top end part of the lower surface of the lower component.

2. The ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein mounting structures are formed on the lower member in front of and behind the opening, a fixing member is fixedly provided on the mounting structures, and a flange portion is formed on the ultrasonic generator, the flange portion being pressed from above by the fixing member to attach the ultrasonic generator to the lower member.

3. The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic generator includes an ultrasonic vibrator and a vibration horn coupled to the ultrasonic vibrator, the ultrasonic vibrator is positioned in an internal space formed by the upper member and the lower member, a tip end of the vibration horn protrudes downward from the opening, the ultrasonic generator generates ultrasonic waves from the tip end of the vibration horn, and the vibration horn is tapered as it goes toward the tip end side of the vibration horn.

4. The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning unit further comprises a cover capable of partially covering a portion of the distal end of the ultrasonic generator projecting downward from the opening, an insertion opening is formed around the opening, a protrusion is provided on the insertion opening, and a recess capable of fitting with the protrusion is provided on the cover so that the cover is detachably attached to the insertion opening.

5. The ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the cover includes a cover main body and a guide portion formed integrally, the concave portion is provided on the cover main body, the guide portion is provided on a front side surface of the cover main body in such a manner as to protrude forward, and a lower portion of the guide portion is provided with a guide surface inclined in a rearward-obliquely downward direction.

6. An ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a reinforcing plate is provided on the lower member.

7. The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a valve body capable of closing the water discharge port, and a valve switching mechanism capable of closing the valve body to close the water discharge port when the ultrasonic generator and the water storage portion are located at the operating position, and opening the valve body to open the water discharge port when the ultrasonic generator and the water storage portion are located at the standby position,

the valve switching mechanism includes an operating portion that performs an opening operation for opening the valve body,

the valve switching mechanism is capable of switching the valve body from the closed state to the open state when the ultrasonic generator and the water storage portion are subjected to the opening operation when the ultrasonic generator and the water storage portion are located at the operating position.

8. The ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein the valve switching mechanism further includes an urging member capable of urging the valve body in a closing direction in which the drain port is closed, and a valve movable member connected to the valve body, the valve movable member abutting against an abutting portion provided on the arrangement portion side to move the valve body in an opening direction in which the drain port is opened when the ultrasonic generator and the water storage portion are located at the standby position,

the opening operation is a moving operation for moving the operation unit in a predetermined direction,

the valve movable member is connected to the operation portion, and moves together with the operation portion to move the valve body in the opening direction when the operation portion is moved.

9. An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, comprising an ultrasonic cleaning unit and a water storage unit having a water discharge port, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning unit comprises a housing and an ultrasonic generator provided in the housing, the water storage unit is located below the ultrasonic generator, and the positions of the ultrasonic generator and the water storage unit are switchable between an operating position when a cleaning operation is performed and a standby position when the cleaning operation is not performed,

the shell comprises an upper component and a lower component which are connected, the opening of the upper component is opposite to the opening of the lower component, the lower component is provided with a lower mounting hole and a lower mounting boss, the upper component is provided with an upper mounting boss corresponding to the lower mounting hole and an upper mounting hole corresponding to the lower mounting boss, a first connecting component passing through the lower mounting hole is fixed on the upper mounting boss and a second connecting component passing through the upper mounting hole is fixed on the lower mounting boss, so that the lower component is connected with the upper component,

the ultrasonic generator includes an ultrasonic vibrator and a vibration horn coupled to the ultrasonic vibrator, the ultrasonic vibrator being positioned in an internal space formed by the upper member and the lower member, a distal end of the vibration horn protruding downward from an opening formed in a lower surface of a distal end portion of the lower member, the ultrasonic generator generating ultrasonic waves from the distal end of the vibration horn, the vibration horn being tapered toward a distal end side of the vibration horn,

a mounting structure is formed on the lower member in front of and behind the opening, a fixing member is fixedly provided on the mounting structure, a flange portion is formed at an upper end portion of the vibration horn, the flange portion is pressed from an upper side by the fixing member to attach the ultrasonic wave generator to the lower member, a reinforcing plate is provided on the lower member,

the ultrasonic cleaning unit further includes a cover capable of partially covering a portion of the distal end of the vibration horn protruding downward from the opening, the cover including a cover body and a guide portion formed integrally, the opening having a fitting opening portion formed therearound, the fitting opening portion being provided with a projection, the cover body being provided with a recess capable of fitting into the projection so that the cover is detachably attached to the fitting opening portion.

10. A laundry treatment apparatus, characterized in that it comprises an ultrasonic cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, having said arrangement capable of housing said ultrasonic cleaning device.