CN113430787A - Clothes treating device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a clothes treatment device capable of easily performing the loading and unloading operation of a tank relative to an automatic loading part. The clothes treatment device of the embodiment comprises: a laundry treating tub for accommodating laundry; a tank storing a laundry treating agent treating laundry; and an automatic input part for inputting the clothes treating agent stored in the tank into the clothes treating barrel, wherein the automatic input part is provided with a box body, the box body is provided with a hook part for hooking a finger of a user, the box body is formed to be capable of being drawn out from the automatic input part, and the tank is accommodated in the box body.

Description

Clothes treating device

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a laundry treating apparatus.

Background

In recent years, in a washing machine as an example of a laundry treatment apparatus for performing a predetermined treatment on laundry, in response to a demand for improvement in convenience for a user, a configuration has been developed which includes an automatic supply unit for storing a laundry treatment agent such as a detergent or a softener in a tank for automatic supply a plurality of times and automatically supplying a necessary amount of the laundry treatment agent from the tank into a tub during operation (for example, see patent document 1).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017-74081

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the washing machine having such an automatic loading function, there is a demand for creative research for enabling easy loading and unloading operations of the tank to and from the automatic loading unit.

Therefore, the present embodiment provides a laundry treating apparatus capable of easily performing an operation of attaching and detaching a can to and from an automatic loading unit.

Means for solving the problems

The clothes treatment device of the embodiment comprises: a laundry treating tub for accommodating laundry; a tank storing a laundry treating agent treating laundry; and an automatic input part for inputting the clothes treating agent stored in the tank into the clothes treating barrel, wherein the automatic input part is provided with a box body, the box body is provided with a hook part for hooking a finger of a user, the box body is formed to be capable of being drawn out from the automatic input part, and the tank is accommodated in the box body.

Effects of the invention

According to the present embodiment, the operation of attaching and detaching the tank to and from the automatic loading unit can be easily performed.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side view schematically showing a configuration example of a washing machine according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a plan view schematically showing an example of the upper structure of the washing machine according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the automatic loading device and its peripheral parts according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional front view schematically showing a configuration example of the water injection cartridge according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional side view schematically showing a configuration example of the water filling cartridge according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the structure of the water supply valve unit according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view (1) schematically showing a configuration example of a rear portion of the washing machine according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view (2) schematically showing a configuration example of the rear portion of the washing machine according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the structure of the rear part of the washing machine according to the present embodiment (fig. 3).

Fig. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the structure of the rear part of the washing machine according to the present embodiment (fig. 4).

Fig. 11 is a perspective view (5) schematically showing a configuration example of the rear portion of the washing machine according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of the automatic loading device according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the structure of a case in which the can of the present embodiment is housed (fig. 1).

Fig. 14 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the structure of a case in which the can of the present embodiment is housed (fig. 2).

Fig. 15 is a plan view schematically showing a configuration example of a cartridge housing the tank body according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of the case of the present embodiment from the bottom surface side.

Fig. 17 is a side view schematically showing a part of a configuration example of the automatic loading device according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the detergent tank according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 19 is a side view schematically showing a configuration example of the detergent tank of the present embodiment.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the structure of the softener tank according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 21 is a side view schematically showing an example of the structure of the softener tank according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the detergent tank and the softener tank according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view illustrating a case where the detergent tank is attached to and detached from the case of the present embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a front view schematically showing an example of the structure of the softener box according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 25 is a vertical sectional side view schematically showing a configuration example of the tank of the present embodiment.

Fig. 26 is a vertical cross-sectional side view schematically showing an example of the structure of a refill port according to a modification of the present embodiment.

Fig. 27 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of the rear portion in the tank according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 28 is a plan view schematically showing a configuration example of the rear portion in the tank according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 29 is a side view schematically showing a configuration example of a case in which a can according to a modification of the present embodiment is housed.

Fig. 30 is a side view schematically showing a configuration example of a tank according to a modification of the present embodiment.

Fig. 31 is a front view schematically showing an example of the structure of a tank according to a modification of the present embodiment (fig. 1).

Fig. 32 is a front view schematically showing an example of the structure of a tank according to a modification of the present embodiment (fig. 2).

Description of the reference numerals

In the drawings, 1 denotes a washing machine (laundry treatment apparatus), 2 denotes an outer box, 3 denotes a tub (laundry treatment tub), 6 denotes a machine room, 100 denotes an automatic input apparatus (automatic input section), 101 denotes a cartridge housing section, 102 denotes a cartridge, 102A denotes a hook section, 103 denotes a detergent tank (tank), 104 denotes a softener tank (tank), 105 denotes a detergent metering pump (pump), 106 denotes a softener metering pump (pump), 108 denotes a mixing section, 122, 123 denotes a visual confirmation window, 125 denotes a stopper, 126 denotes a protrusion section (occlusion promoting section), 129 denotes a groove section, 130 denotes a protrusion section (locking section), 131 denotes a contact section, 132 denotes a cartridge side protrusion section (positioning section), 140, 150 denotes a tank body section, 141, 151 denotes a hood section, 142, 152 denotes a supply port, 143, 153 denotes a grip section, 144, 145 denotes a hook section, 146. 156 denotes a concave portion, 147, 157 denotes a tank-side protruding portion (positioning portion), 148, 158 denotes a pump connecting portion (connecting portion), 149, 159 denotes a cover, 160, 170 denotes a bearing portion, 160a, 170a denotes an air vent, 161, 171 denotes a seal, 164, 174 denotes a protruding portion, 164a, 174a denotes a convex portion (positioning portion), 164b, 174b denotes a claw portion (locking portion), 165, 175 denotes a check valve, 167, 177 denotes a cap portion, 167a, 177a denotes a concave portion (positioning portion), 167b, 177b denotes a claw hole portion (locking portion), 168, 178 denotes a straw portion, 200 denotes a water injection cartridge, 203 denotes a manual detergent injection portion (manual injection portion), 204 denotes a manual softener injection portion (manual injection portion), 300 denotes a water supply valve unit, 303a denotes a water supply port (water supply port for mixing portion), 304 denotes a water supply path for mixing portion, reference numeral 305 denotes a bath pump.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a laundry treatment apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. The washing machine 1 illustrated in fig. 1 is a so-called vertical axis type washing machine in which the rotation center axis of the rotary tub extends in the vertical direction. The washing machine 1 is an example of a laundry processing apparatus capable of performing predetermined processing, in this case, washing processing for washing laundry, rinsing processing for rinsing the laundry, dehydration processing for dehydrating the laundry, and the like, on the laundry, and includes a tub 3 inside an outer case 2 constituting an outer shell of an apparatus main body. The tub 3 is an example of a laundry treating tub for storing laundry, and has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open upper portion. A bottomed cylindrical rotary tub not shown having an open upper portion is rotatably provided inside the tub 3. In addition, a pulsator, not shown, for agitating laundry in the tub and water in the tub 3 is rotatably provided at the bottom of the tub. In addition, a balance ring, not shown, for suppressing vibration of the tub 3 is provided at an upper portion of the tub 3. In addition, an inner lid may or may not be provided at the upper surface opening portion of the tub 3.

The outer box 2 has a configuration in which a top cover 2B is attached to an upper portion of a substantially rectangular box-shaped outer box main body portion 2A whose upper portion is open. A clothes inlet 4 for taking in and out clothes is provided at a substantially central portion of the top cover 2B. The laundry entrance 4 is opened and closed by a rotatable lid 5 at an upper portion of the outer box 2. The washing machine 1 further includes a machine chamber 6 in a rear portion of the outer casing 2. In this case, the machine chamber 6 is provided in a space in the top cover 2B at a position rearward of the clothes inlet and outlet 4. The machine chamber 6 houses therein components of various drive systems such as the automatic loading device 100, the water filling cartridge 200, and the water supply valve unit 300. The automatic loading device 100 is an example of an automatic loading part, and is a device for automatically loading a predetermined amount of the laundry treating agent into the tub 3 together with water supplied from the water supply valve unit 300, for example, in a known washing operation for washing laundry.

Next, an example of the structure in the machine chamber 6 will be described in detail. As illustrated in fig. 2, the machine compartment 6 is formed with a laterally long space extending in the left-right direction of the outer box 2 behind the laundry entrance 4. In the machine chamber 6, an automatic loading device 100, a water filling cartridge 200, and a water supply valve unit 300 are arranged in a lateral direction of the outer box 2. In the machine chamber 6, the water supply valve unit 300 is disposed on the side of the water filling cartridge 200, in this case, on the right side when viewed from the front side of the washing machine 1. In the machine chamber 6, the water supply valve unit 300 is disposed at a position forward of the rear end of the automatic loading device 100 and the rear end of the water filling cartridge 200. In this case, the entire water supply valve unit 300 is located at a position forward of the rear end of the automatic loading device 100 and the rear end of the water filling cartridge 200. The water supply valve unit 300 may be disposed such that at least a portion thereof is positioned at the front side of the rear end of the automatic loading device 100 and the rear end of the water filling cartridge 200.

In the machine chamber 6, the water filling cartridge 200 is disposed at a position between the automatic loading device 100 and the water supply valve unit 300 in the lateral direction of the outer box 2. In other words, the water filling cartridge 200 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the automatic loading device 100 and the water supply valve unit 300 in the lateral direction of the outer case 2. A water level sensor 400 is also housed inside the machine chamber 6. In this case, the water level sensor 400 is housed in a space on the side of the water supply valve unit 300, in this case, on the right side when viewed from the front side of the washing machine 1. The water level sensor 400 is connected to an air trap, not shown, provided at a lower portion of the tub 3 through an air pipe, and can sense the water level in the tub 3 based on sensing the pressure of air in the air trap, which varies according to a change in the water level in the tub 3.

Next, a configuration example of the automatic loading device 100 will be described in detail. As illustrated in fig. 3, the automatic loading device 100 is disposed at a position on the left side of the rear portion in the top cover 2B, more specifically, on the left side in the machine room 6.

The automatic loading device 100 includes a box housing 101 having a substantially rectangular box shape with a front surface opened. The cassette housing portion 101 is firmly fixed to, for example, a metal bottom plate 6a constituting the bottom surface of the machine chamber 6 by, for example, screwing. Thereby, the cartridge housing 101 is immovable with respect to the main body of the washing machine 1. The front opening portion of the box housing portion 101 is fixed to the rear wall portion of the clothes inlet 4, and opens forward at the rear wall portion of the clothes inlet 4. Specifically, as will be described later, a substantially rectangular box-shaped casing 102 having an open upper surface is accommodated in the casing accommodating portion 101 so as to be extractable in the front-rear direction of the washing machine 1. In addition, a plurality of tanks, in this case, a detergent tank 103 and a softener tank 104, are detachably accommodated in the case 102.

In the detergent tank 103, as an example of the laundry treating agent, a detergent for washing the laundry in the tub 3 is stored. The detergent tank 103 is a treatment agent tank having a substantially rectangular container shape and a size and shape capable of storing detergent of an amount for a plurality of runs in the interior thereof. The detergent can be supplied into the detergent tank 103 by opening a supply port 142 provided in the upper part of the tank 103. On the other hand, in the softener tank 104, as an example of the laundry treating agent, a softener for performing a softening treatment on the laundry inside the tub 3 is stored. The softener tank 104 is a treatment agent tank having a substantially rectangular container shape and a size and shape capable of storing a softener amount for a plurality of runs inside. The softener can be supplied into the softener tank 104 by opening a supply port 152 provided in the upper part of the tank 104.

The automatic loading device 100 includes a detergent metering pump 105 and a softener metering pump 106 at the rear of the cassette housing portion 101. The detergent metering pump 105 is a pump configured to pump and discharge a liquid by driving a piston with an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid. The detergent metering pump 105 sucks a predetermined amount of detergent, in this case, the amount of detergent that is run once, from the detergent tank 103 housed in the box housing portion 101, and sends the sucked detergent out from the outlet 105a into the automatic feeding path 107. The outlet 105a is provided to be directed downward from the lower portion of the detergent metering pump 105.

The softener metering pump 106 is a pump configured to pump and discharge a liquid by driving a piston by, for example, a motor, a solenoid, or the like. The softener is pumped by the metering pump 106 from the softener tank 104 housed in the cassette housing portion 101 by a predetermined amount, in this case, by one operation, and the pumped-out softener is sent out from the outlet port 106a into the automatic feeding path 107. The outlet port 106a is provided downward from the lower portion of the softener metering pump 106.

The detergent metering pump 105 and the softener metering pump 106 are examples of driving mechanisms controlled by a control device, not shown, which controls the overall operation of the washing machine 1.

The automatic input path 107 constitutes a water supply path for automatic input connected to the water filling cartridge 200 from the water supply valve unit 300 via the mixing unit 108. The mixing section 108 is provided at a position below the detergent metering pump 105 and the softener metering pump 106 after the automatic loading device 100. Inside the mixing part 108, there is a space equipped as a mixing chamber for mixing the laundry treatment agent supplied from the detergent tank 103 or the softener tank 104 with water supplied from the water supply valve unit 300. In addition, a plurality of, in this case, two connection ports 108a and 108b communicating with the mixing chamber inside are provided in the upper portion of the mixing section 108. The connection ports 108a and 108b are provided to be directed upward from the upper portion of the mixing section 108.

One of the connection ports 108a is connected to the outlet port 105a of the detergent metering pump 105, and the other connection port 108b is connected to the outlet port 106a of the softener metering pump 106. Thus, the detergent discharged from the outlet port 105a of the detergent metering pump 105 is introduced into the mixing chamber from the connection port 108a, and the softener discharged from the outlet port 106a of the softener metering pump 106 is introduced into the mixing chamber from the connection port 108 b.

The mixing section 108 includes an upstream-side connecting section provided above and a downstream-side connecting section provided below. The upstream side connecting portion is connected to the water supply valve unit 300 via the upstream side connecting path 109. Further, the downstream side connection portion is connected to the water injection cartridge 200 via the downstream side connection path 110. The water supplied from the water supply valve unit 300 flows into the mixing chamber of the mixing unit 108 from the upstream connecting passage 109 via the upstream connecting portion, and then flows out into the water injection cartridge 200 from the downstream connecting portion via the downstream connecting passage 110.

In the process that the water supplied from the water supply valve unit 300 flows to the water filling cartridge 200 through the mixing part 108 in this way, the water supplied from the water supply valve unit 300 is mixed with the laundry treating agent supplied from the detergent metering pump 105 and the softener metering pump 106 in the mixing chamber of the mixing part 108. Thereby, the water supply cartridge 200 is supplied with water mixed with the laundry treating agent. Then, the water containing the laundry treating agent supplied to the water filling cartridge 200 is supplied from the water filling cartridge 200 into the tub 3.

As described above, the automatic loading device 100 is configured to be able to automatically load a predetermined amount of the laundry treating agent, which is, for example, operated once, into the tub 3 together with the water supplied from the water supply valve unit 300 during a known washing operation for washing the laundry.

Next, a configuration example of the water filling cartridge 200 will be described in detail. The water filling cartridge 200 is mainly a constituent element for filling water into the tub 3. As illustrated in fig. 4 and 5, the water filling cartridge 200 includes a cartridge housing portion 201 having a substantially rectangular box shape with an open front surface. The cassette housing portion 201 is firmly fixed to, for example, a metal bottom plate 6a constituting the bottom surface of the machine chamber 6 by, for example, screwing. The front opening portion of the box housing portion 201 is fixed to the rear wall portion of the laundry entrance 4, and opens forward at the rear wall portion of the laundry entrance 4. A substantially rectangular box-shaped casing 202 having an open upper surface is accommodated in the casing accommodating portion 201 so as to be drawn out in the front-rear direction of the washing machine 1. In addition, a plurality of manual laundry treating agent input portions, in this case, a manual detergent input portion 203 and a manual softener input portion 204, are integrally provided in the case 202.

The manual detergent input portion 203 is an example of a manual input portion for inputting a detergent manually by a user. The manual softener feeding unit 204 is an example of a manual feeding unit for feeding the softener manually by the user.

Upper surface 205 of water injection cartridge 200 is an inclined surface that is inclined so as to descend from the rear toward the front. Further, a plurality of flow paths through which water supplied from the water supply valve unit 300 flows are formed in the upper surface 205 of the water injection cartridge 200, for example, a flow path for detergent for supplying water to the manual detergent input portion 203, a flow path for softener for supplying water to the manual softener input portion 204, a flow path for bath water for flowing bath water, and the like. That is, the water supply valve unit 300 is also connected to the water injection cartridge 200, and is configured to be able to supply water to the water injection cartridge 200.

The water supplied from the water supply valve unit 300 flows through the flow path of the upper surface 205 of the water injection cartridge 200 and is supplied to the manual detergent input part 203 or the manual softener input part 204 in the water injection cartridge 200. Then, the water supplied to the manual detergent input portion 203 or the manual softener input portion 204 dissolves the detergent in the manual detergent input portion 203 or the softener in the manual softener input portion 204. Then, the water having the detergent or the softener dissolved in the water filling cartridge 200 is supplied from the water filling cartridge 200 into the tub 3. In this manner, the washing machine 1 is configured to be able to supply the laundry treatment agent, which is manually input by the user, into the tub 3 together with the water.

Next, a configuration example of the water supply valve unit 300 will be described in detail. The water supply valve unit 300 is mainly a component for supplying water to the automatic loading device 100 and the water injection cartridge 200. As also illustrated in fig. 6, the water supply valve unit 300 has a plurality of, in this case, three water supply valves 301, 302, and 303 integrally provided. These water supply valves 301, 302, and 303 are supplied with water from a water source, not shown, such as tap water.

The water supply valve 301 is a water supply valve for supplying water into the manual detergent input portion 203 of the water injection cartridge 200, and a water supply port 301a thereof is connected to a detergent flow path provided on the upper surface 205 of the water injection cartridge 200. The water supply valve 302 is a water supply valve for supplying water into the manual softener feeding portion 204 of the water injection cartridge 200, and the water supply port 302a thereof is connected to a softener flow path provided on the upper surface 205 of the water injection cartridge 200. The water supply valve 303 is a water supply valve for supplying water to the mixing unit 108, and its water supply port 303a is connected to an upstream side connecting portion of the mixing unit 108 via the mixing unit water supply passage 304 and the upstream side connecting passage 109. The water supply port 303a of the water supply valve 303 is an example of a water supply port for a mixing section.

Mixing section water supply path 304 is a component for connecting water supply port 303a of water supply valve 303 to mixing section 108. In this case, as illustrated in fig. 5, the mixing unit water supply path 304 passes through the upper surface 205 of the water injection cartridge 200 and between the manual detergent input unit 203 and the manual softener input unit 204. The mixing section water supply path 304 penetrates the water filling cartridge 200 in the lateral direction of the outer case 2. The mixing section water supply path 304 is not bent or curved inside the water filling cartridge 200, but extends linearly.

As illustrated in fig. 2 and the like, a known bath water pump 305 is provided in the vicinity of the water supply valve unit 300. The bath water pump 305 sucks bath water stored in, for example, a bathtub provided outside the washing machine 1 and supplies the bath water to the bath water flow path of the water supply cartridge 200. Then, the bath water supplied to the water filling box 200 is supplied to the manual detergent input portion 203, and dissolves the detergent in the manual detergent input portion 203. Then, the bath water in which the detergent is dissolved is supplied from the water filling box 200 into the water tub 3. In this way, the washing machine 1 can supply the laundry treatment agent, which is manually input by the user, into the water tub 3 together with the bath water.

In the machine room 6, a water supply valve unit 300 and a bath pump 305 are arranged in the front-rear direction of the cabinet 2. Further, the bath water pump 305 is disposed on the front side of the water supply valve unit 300. In this case, the entire bath water pump 305 is positioned on the front side of the water supply valve unit 300. Further, the bath water pump 305 may be disposed so that at least a part thereof is positioned on the front side of the water supply valve unit 300.

Next, a more detailed description will be given of a configuration example of the automatic loading device 100, in particular, a configuration example of the cartridge housing section 101, the cartridge 102, the detergent tank 103, and the softener tank 104. As illustrated in fig. 7 to 12, the automatic loading device 100 has a configuration in which a substantially rectangular box-shaped cassette 102 is removably accommodated in a substantially rectangular box-shaped cassette accommodating portion 101.

As illustrated in fig. 13 to 15, the case 102 includes a case body 120 having a substantially rectangular box shape with an open upper surface. A plurality of detergent tanks 103 and softener tanks 104, in this case, are configured to be able to be accommodated in the cartridge body 120. Further, the detergent tank 103 and the softener tank 104 can be housed in the box body 120 so as to be aligned in the lateral direction.

A front wall portion 121 is provided at the front portion of the case body portion 120. The upper end of the front wall 121 is higher than the upper end of the case body 120. Further, visual confirmation windows 122 and 123 are provided at both lateral end portions of the front wall portion 121. Both the visual confirmation windows 122, 123 penetrate the front wall portion 121 in the front-rear direction. In this case, the visual confirmation windows 122 and 123 have a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction. The visual confirmation window 122 is a visual confirmation window for confirming the remaining amount of the detergent, which is capable of visually confirming the remaining amount of the detergent in the detergent tank 103 housed in the cartridge body 120. On the other hand, the visual confirmation window 123 is a visual confirmation window for confirming the remaining amount of the softener, which is capable of visually confirming the remaining amount of the softener in the softener tank 104 housed in the cartridge body 120.

Further, on both lateral side surfaces of the case body 120, rail portions 124 extending linearly in the direction of pulling out the case 102 are provided. In this case, the rail portion 124 is formed linearly along the upper end of the cartridge body 120.

As also illustrated in fig. 16, the case 102 includes a hook 102A. In this case, hook portion 102A is provided at a lower portion of front wall portion 121. Further, the hook portion 102A is provided at a lateral center portion of a lower portion of the front wall portion 121. Further, hook portion 102A is formed in a rectangular concave shape that is long in the lateral direction.

Further, a plurality of, in this case, two, protruding portions 126 are provided on the bottom surface of the case 102, in this case, the bottom surface of the case body 120, on the front side. The protrusions 126 are provided on both lateral sides of the hook 102A. The front surface of the protrusion 126 is formed in a planar shape along the front wall 121. The rear side of the front surface of the protrusion 126 is an inclined portion that is inclined so as to gradually rise from the front toward the rear. In this case, the inclined portion is formed of a plurality of ribs extending in the front-rear direction. The projection 126 thus configured functions as an example of a blockage promoting portion, as described in detail later.

As illustrated in fig. 17, a stopper 125 is provided on the rail portion 124 of the case 102. In this case, the stopper 125 is provided rearward of the central portion of the rail portion 124 in the longitudinal direction. More specifically, the stopper 125 is provided on the lower side of the guide rail portion 124. The stopper 125 is provided at a position on the rear side of the rear ends of the supply ports 142 and 152 in a state where the tanks 103 and 104 are accommodated in the case 102. The stopper 125 is provided at a position on the rear side of the rear ends of the covers 149 and 159 in the closed state in the state where the tanks 103 and 104 are accommodated in the case 102. The stopper 125 is configured as a flat plate-shaped wall portion that extends in the direction in which the cartridge 102 is drawn out from the cartridge housing portion 101, in other words, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rail portion 124. The rail portion 124 of the case 102 has no stopper or a component corresponding to the stopper in a portion on the lower side thereof and on the rear side of the stopper 125.

On the other hand, a groove 129 extending linearly is provided on the inner surface of the side wall of the cassette housing 101 in the direction in which the cassette 102 is drawn out. A convex portion 130 formed to be convex upward is provided at the front end of the groove portion 129. The convex portion 130 is an example of the locking portion. When the cassette 102 is pulled out from the cassette housing part 101, the stopper 125 on the cassette 102 side is locked from the rear side to the projection 130 on the cassette housing part 101 side at a position where the amount of pulling out becomes a predetermined amount. Thus, the amount of the cassette 102 drawn out from the cassette housing portion 101 is limited by the predetermined amount at which the stopper 125 is locked to the protrusion 130.

In addition, in a locked state in which the stopper 125 is locked to the protrusion 130, in other words, in a state in which the amount of withdrawal of the cartridge 102 from the cartridge housing portion 101 becomes a predetermined amount, the tanks 103 and 104 cannot be taken out from the cartridge 102. That is, in the locked state in which the stopper 125 is locked to the convex portion 130, a part of the tanks 103 and 104, in this case, the rear portion, is accommodated in the cassette housing portion 101. In the locked state in which the stopper 125 is locked to the protrusion 130, a distance D1 from the upper end of the front portion to the lower end of the rear portion of the tanks 103 and 104 that is accommodated in the cassette accommodating portion 101 is greater than a distance D2 from the bottom surface of the cassette 102 to the upper surface of the cassette accommodating portion 101. Thus, in the locked state in which the stopper 125 is locked to the protrusion 130, when the cans 103 and 104 are to be removed from the cassette 102, the upper surfaces of the cans 103 and 104 come into contact with the upper surface of the cassette housing portion 101 to cause interference, and thus the cans 103 and 104 cannot be removed from the cassette 102.

Further, the rail portion 124 of the case 102 is provided with an abutting portion 131. In this case, the contact portion 131 is provided on the rear side of the longitudinal center portion of the rail portion 124. More specifically, the contact portion 131 is provided on the upper side of the rail portion 124. The abutting portion 131 is provided at the rearmost end of the rail portion 124. The contact portion 131 is formed to be convex upward. The contact portion 131 has a tip end portion contacting an upper surface of the groove portion 129 in a state where the guide rail portion 124 is slidably accommodated in the groove portion 129.

In particular, the contact portion 131 contacts the upper surface of the groove portion 129 even when the amount of withdrawal of the cartridge 102 from the cartridge housing portion 101 reaches a predetermined amount. This can prevent the case 102 from tilting downward in the front due to the weight of the case 102 itself and the weight of the tanks 103 and 104 housed in the case 102. Further, the cartridge 102 can be prevented from falling out of the cartridge housing portion 101 by the weight of the cartridge 102.

Here, the distance D3 between the stopper 125 on the cartridge 102 side and the contact portion 131 on the cartridge housing portion 101 side becomes longer than the distance D4 between the upper surface of the cartridge housing portion 101 and the upper surface of the groove portion 129. According to this configuration, when the cartridge 102 in a state in which the amount of withdrawal from the cartridge housing portion 101 is a predetermined amount is tilted forward, the abutment portion 131 abuts on the upper surface of the groove portion 129, and the lowering can be sufficiently resisted. This can further reliably suppress the case 102 from coming off. The washing machine 1 may not have the abutting portion 131. According to this configuration, when the amount of withdrawal from the cassette housing portion 101 reaches a predetermined amount, the cassette 102 is inclined so as to descend forward, and therefore the cassette 102 is easily removed from the cassette housing portion 101.

Next, a configuration example of the detergent tank 103 and the softener tank 104 will be described in more detail. As illustrated in fig. 18 and 19, the detergent tank 103 has a structure in which a tank body 140 and a cover 141 are combined, and the tank body 140 constitutes a body portion of the detergent tank 103 and has a substantially rectangular container shape with an open top surface as illustrated in fig. 15. A space capable of storing detergent is provided inside the tank body 140. The cover 141 is detachably attached to the upper portion of the tank body 140, and closes the upper surface opening of the tank body 140. As illustrated in fig. 22, the cover portion 141 includes a supply port 142 for supplying detergent to the interior of the detergent tank 103, more specifically, the tank main body portion 140. In this case, the supply port 142 is opened in a substantially rectangular shape on the front side of the cover portion 141.

The detergent tank 103 has a grip 143. The grip 143 is formed in a concave shape recessed inward in a semicircular shape on a surface forming the outer contour of the detergent tank 103, in this case, a side surface of the tank body 140. The grip 143 extends linearly between one end and the other end of the side surface of the tank body 140, which forms the outer contour of the detergent tank 103. More specifically, the grip 143 does not bend or curve between the upper end and the lower end of the side surface of the tank body 140, but extends linearly. In other words, the upper end of the grip 143 reaches the upper end of the side surface of the tank body 140, and the lower end reaches the lower end of the side surface of the tank body 140. The grip 143 is provided at a side of the supply port 142 provided in the cover 141. The grip 143 may be provided at a position offset from the side of the refill port 142 provided in the cover 141, for example, at a position forward or rearward of the side of the refill port 142.

The grip 143 is provided on one of the surfaces that laterally face each other, among the surfaces that form the outer shell of the tank body 140. In this case, the grip 143 is provided on the inner side, i.e., the surface on the softener tank 104 side, in a state where the detergent tank 103 is housed in the case 102. The detergent tank 103 may be provided with the grip 143 on the other of the surfaces that laterally face each other out of the surfaces that form the outer periphery of the tank body 140, i.e., on the surface that is on the outer side, i.e., the opposite side of the softener tank 104, in this case, in the state where the detergent tank 103 is housed in the case 102. The detergent tank 103 may be provided with the grip portions 143 on both surfaces of the outer periphery of the tank body 140 that face each other in the lateral direction.

As illustrated in fig. 15, the grip 143 is configured to press-fit the side surface of the tank body 140 inward without changing the plate thickness. Thus, the detergent can be stored in the tank body 140 also in the peripheral region including the front and rear of the grip 143.

Further, the detergent tank 103 includes a hook 144. In this case, the hooking portion 144 is provided in the tank body 140 constituting a part of the detergent tank 103, more specifically, in the grip portion 143 provided in the tank body 140. Hook part 144 is a component that can hook a user's finger when detergent tank 103 is removed from box 102. The hook portion 144 is formed in a flat plate shape orthogonal to the direction in which the grip portion 143 extends. The hooking portion 144 is provided at a middle portion of the grip portion 143, in this case, at a position above a central portion in the vertical direction.

As illustrated in fig. 20 and 21, the softener tank 104 has a structure in which a tank body 150 and a cover 151 are combined, and the tank body 150 constitutes a body of the softener tank 104 and has a substantially rectangular container shape with an open upper surface as illustrated in fig. 15. A space capable of storing the softener is provided inside the tank main body portion 150. The cover 151 is detachably attached to the upper portion of the tank body 150, and closes the upper surface opening of the tank body 150. As illustrated in fig. 22, the cover portion 151 includes a supply port 152 for supplying the softener to the inside of the softener tank 104, more specifically, the inside of the tank main body portion 150. In this case, supply port 152 is opened in a substantially rectangular shape on the front side of cover 151.

The softener tank 104 has a grip 153. The gripping portion 153 is formed in a concave shape recessed inward in a semicircular shape on a surface forming the outer contour of the softener tank 104, in this case, a side surface of the tank body 150. The grip portion 153 extends linearly between one end and the other end of the side surface of the tank body 150, which forms the outer contour of the softener tank 104. More specifically, the grip 153 does not bend or curve between the upper end and the lower end of the side surface of the tank body 150, but extends linearly. In other words, the upper end of the grip 153 reaches the upper end of the side surface of the tank body 150, and the lower end reaches the lower end of the side surface of the tank body 150. The grip 153 is provided on the side of the supply port 152 provided in the cover 151. The grip 153 may be provided at a position offset to the side of the refill port 152 provided in the cover 151, for example, at a position forward or rearward of the side of the refill port 152.

The grip 153 is provided on one of the surfaces that laterally face each other, among the surfaces that form the outer shell of the tank body 150. In this case, the grip 153 is provided on the inner side, that is, the surface on the side of the detergent tank 103, in a state where the softener tank 104 is housed in the case 102. The softener tank 104 may be provided with a grip portion 153 on the other of the surfaces constituting the outer shell of the tank body 150, which are opposed to each other in the lateral direction, in this case, on the outer side, that is, the surface opposite to the detergent tank 103 in the state where the softener tank 104 is housed in the case 102. The softener tank 104 may be provided with the gripping portions 153 on both surfaces of the outer periphery of the tank body 150 that face each other in the lateral direction.

As illustrated in fig. 15, the grip 153 is provided to press the side surface of the tank body 150 inward without changing the plate thickness. Thus, the softener can be stored in the tank body 150 also in the peripheral region including the front and rear of the grip 153.

The softener tank 104 is further provided with a hooking portion 154. In this case, the hook portion 154 is provided in the tank body 150 constituting a part of the softener tank 104, more specifically, in the grip portion 153 provided in the tank body 150. The hooking portion 154 is a component that can hook a user's finger when the softener tank 104 is removed from the cartridge 102. The hook portion 154 is formed in a flat plate shape orthogonal to the direction in which the grip portion 153 extends. The hooking portion 154 is provided at a middle portion of the grip portion 153, and in this case, is located above a central portion in the vertical direction.

In addition, detergent tank 103 has a concave portion 145 recessed inward in a semicircular shape at a position corresponding to an upper portion of grip portion 143 in cover portion 141. In this case, the hooking portion 144 is provided directly below the recess 145. The softener tank 104 has a concave portion 155 recessed inward in a semicircular shape at a position corresponding to the upper side of the grip portion 153 in the cover portion 151. In this case, the hooking portion 154 is provided directly below the recess 155.

In the present embodiment, the detergent tank 103 has a grip 143 and a recess 145 on a surface facing the other tank, in this case, the softener tank 104. The detergent tank 103 includes a grip 143 and a recess 145 at positions facing the grip 153 and the recess 155 of the softener tank 104 as another tank. The softener tank 104 has a grip 153 and a recess 155 on a surface facing the other tank, in this case, the detergent tank 103. The softener tank 104 includes a grip portion 153 and a recess 155 at positions facing the grip portion 143 and the recess 145 of the detergent tank 103 as another tank.

According to this configuration, in a state where the detergent tank 103 and the softener tank 104 are accommodated in the tank body 120 of the tank 102, the semicircular recessed holding portion 143 and the recessed portion 145 face the semicircular recessed holding portion 153 and the recessed portion 155, and a substantially circular space surrounded by the holding portion 143, the recessed portion 145, the holding portion 153, and the recessed portion 155 is formed. Thus, when the user removes the detergent tank 103 and the softener tank 104 from the cartridge body 120 of the cartridge 102, the user can insert fingers into the space and hook the fingers on the hook portions 144 and 154, and can easily remove the detergent tank 103 and the softener tank 104.

As illustrated in fig. 18 to 21, the detergent tank 103 and the softener tank 104 include concave portions 146 and 156 recessed inward. In this case, the concave portions 146 and 156 are provided at the lower portions of the front portions of the tank main bodies 140 and 150 constituting a part of the tanks 103 and 104. The recesses 146 and 156 are rectangular recesses. The concave portion 146 is provided inside the tank body 140, in this case, on the softener tank 104 side. The recess 156 is provided inside the tank main body 150, in this case, on the detergent tank 103 side. In a state where tanks 103 and 104 are mounted in cartridge body 120, recesses 146 and 156 are opposed to each other in the lateral direction, thereby forming a space capable of accommodating hook portion 102A of cartridge 102.

Further, the cans 103 and 104 have can- side protrusions 147 and 157 in the recesses 146 and 156. The tank- side projecting portions 147, 157 are an example of positioning portions, and in this case project linearly downward from the upper surfaces of the recessed portions 146, 156. As illustrated in fig. 23, an elastically deformable clip piece is provided at the tip end of the can-side protrusion 147. As illustrated in fig. 24, an elastically deformable clip piece is provided at the tip end of the can-side protrusion 157. The amount of projection of the tank- side projecting portions 147, 157 is smaller than the amount of depression of the recessed portions 146, 156, that is, the tank- side projecting portions 147, 157 do not project downward from the bottom surfaces of the tanks 103, 104. That is, since the cans 103 and 104 include the can- side projecting portions 147 and 157 projecting downward and the entire can- side projecting portions 147 and 157 are accommodated in the recesses 146 and 156, the bottom surfaces of the cans 103 and 104 are maintained as flat surfaces.

On the other hand, as illustrated in fig. 23, a plurality of, in this case, two cartridge side protruding portions 132 are provided inside the cartridge body 120 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the rear of the hook portion 102A. The case side protrusion 132 is an example of a positioning portion, and in this case linearly protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the case body 120. Further, a bulging portion bulging in a circular shape is provided at the tip end portion of the box-side projecting portion 132 so as to be sandwiched by the nipping piece portions of the tank- side projecting portions 147, 157.

When the cans 103 and 104 are mounted in the cartridge body 120, the hook 102A of the cartridge 102 is received in a space formed by the recesses 146 and 156 so as to fit in the space. This positions the lower portions of the front portions of tanks 103 and 104 at hook portion 102A. The cartridge side protrusion 132 on the cartridge 102 side is sandwiched by the tank side protrusions 147, 157 on the tanks 103, 104 side. Thereby, the positioning of the lower part of the front part of the tanks 103, 104 becomes more reliable.

In addition, the visual confirmation windows 122 and 123 are provided at positions avoiding the concave portions 146 and 156, in this case, at positions laterally outside the concave portions 146 and 156, in a state where the tanks 103 and 104 are accommodated in the case body 120. In the portions of tanks 103 and 104 where recesses 146 and 156 are provided, the laundry treatment agent is stored above recesses 146 and 156, and the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in tanks 103 and 104 cannot be accurately reflected and displayed. Therefore, by providing the visual confirmation windows 122 and 123 corresponding to the positions avoiding the concave portions 146 and 156, the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 103 and 104 can be accurately reflected on the visual confirmation windows 122 and 123.

As illustrated in fig. 14 and the like, in a state where the tanks 103 and 104 are housed in the case body 120, the upper end of the outer peripheral wall portion constituting the outer peripheral portion of the case body 120 is lower than the upper surfaces of the tanks 103 and 104 housed in the case body 120. The upper end of the rear wall portion 120a provided at the rear portion of the cartridge body 120 is lower than the lower ends of the pump connection portions 148 and 158 provided at the rear portions of the tanks 103 and 104. The pump connection portions 148 and 158 protrude rearward from the rear surfaces of the tanks 103 and 104 in a cylindrical shape. As described above, the cartridge housing 101 is configured to be immovable with respect to the main body of the washing machine 1. The pump connection part 148 of the detergent tank 103 is connected to a laundry treatment agent suction port, not shown, of the detergent metering pump 105 as the box 102 accommodating the detergent tank 103 is pushed into the box accommodating portion 101. The pump connection portion 158 of the softener tank 104 is connected to a not-shown laundry treatment agent suction port of the softener metering pump 106 as the cartridge 102 accommodating the softener tank 104 is pushed into the cartridge accommodating portion 101.

In this case, the rear wall portion 120a of the cartridge body portion 120 is formed to have a height such that the upper end thereof is away from the lower ends of the pump connection portions 148 and 158 of the tanks 103 and 104. The rear wall portion 120a of the cartridge body portion 120 may be configured to have a height at which the upper end thereof contacts the lower ends of the pump connection portions 148 and 158 of the tanks 103 and 104.

The detergent tank 103 and the softener tank 104 are further provided with covers 149 and 159 for opening and closing the supply ports 142 and 152. As illustrated in fig. 25, the covers 149 and 159 integrally include cover main bodies 149a and 159a and insertion portions 149b and 159 b. The cover main bodies 149a and 159a have a substantially rectangular plate shape larger than the supply ports 142 and 152. The side end portions of the cap main bodies 149a, 159a, in this case, the end portions on the side where the concave portions 145, 145 of the cover portions 141, 151 are provided, are located outside the most recessed portions of the concave portions 145, 145 in the closed state where the caps 149, 159 close the supply ports 142, 152.

Further, at the base end portions of the cover main bodies 149a and 159a, rotation shafts 149c and 159c extending in the lateral direction are provided. On the other hand, as illustrated in fig. 22, bearings 160 and 170 are provided at the rear portions of the supply ports 142 and 152. The rotating shafts 149c and 159c of the cover main bodies 149a and 159a are rotatably supported by the bearings 160 and 170. Further, the bearing portions 160 and 170 are provided with air holes 160a and 170a that penetrate the cover portions 141 and 151 and allow air to pass therethrough.

The insertion portions 149b, 159b have a substantially rectangular plate shape larger than the supply ports 142, 152 and smaller than the cover main body portions 149a, 159 a. The insertion portions 149b and 159b are portions to be inserted into the supply ports 142 and 152 in a state where the covers 149 and 159 close the supply ports 142 and 152. In the closed state in which the covers 149 and 159 close the supply ports 142 and 152, the insertion portions 149b and 159b do not directly contact the inner surfaces of the supply ports 142 and 152. Seals 161 and 171 made of, for example, a rubber material are attached around the insertion portions 149b and 159 b. The sealing materials 161 and 171 integrally include sealing material main bodies 161a and 171a formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape so as to surround the insertion portions 149b and 159b, and sealing material piece portions 161b and 171b extending outward from the sealing material main bodies 161a and 171 a.

The sealing members 161 and 171 seal gaps between the covers 149 and 159 and the supply ports 142 and 152 in a state where the covers 149 and 159 close the supply ports 142 and 152. More specifically, the sealing members 161 and 171 seal the gaps formed between the side surfaces of the insertion portions 149b and 159b and the inner surfaces of the supply ports 142 and 152 in a watertight and airtight state in a closed state in which the covers 149 and 159 close the supply ports 142 and 152.

Here, the inner surfaces of the supply ports 142 and 152 are inclined surfaces in which the upper portions extend in the vertical direction and the lower portions are inclined so as to gradually fall inward of the supply ports 142 and 152. In the closed state in which the covers 149 and 159 close the supply ports 142 and 152, the seal piece portions 161b and 171b of the seals 161 and 171 contact the upper portions of the inner surfaces of the supply ports 142 and 152, that is, the planar portions extending in the vertical direction.

As illustrated in fig. 26, the washing machine 1 may be configured such that at least a part of the inner surfaces of the supply ports 142 and 152, in this case, the rear surfaces 142a and 152a, are inclined surfaces as a whole. According to this configuration, as the covers 149 and 159 are rotated from the closed position closing the supply ports 142 and 152 to the open position opening the supply ports 142 and 152, the contact areas of the seal piece portions 161b and 171b of the seals 161 and 171 with the inclined surfaces of the supply ports 142 and 152 gradually decrease. That is, since the seal strength of the seals 161 and 171 against the supply ports 142 and 152 gradually decreases in response to the rotation of the covers 149 and 159 to the open position side, the covers 149 and 159 can be easily opened without a large force.

Although not shown in detail, in the closed state in which the covers 149 and 159 close the supply ports 142 and 152, the contact area between the seals 161 and 171 and the inner surfaces of the supply ports 142 and 152 on the side opposite to the rotating shafts 149c and 159c of the covers 149 and 159, in this case, the front side, may be smaller than the contact area between the seals 161 and 171 and the inner surfaces of the supply ports 142 and 152 on the rotating shafts 149c and 159c side of the covers 149 and 159, in this case, the rear side. With this configuration, the contact area of the seals 161 and 171 on the tip end sides of the caps 149 and 159, that is, on the rotationally free end sides, with respect to the supply ports 142 and 152 can be reduced, and the seal strength can be weakened. Therefore, the covers 149, 159 can be easily opened without applying a large force to the front end portions of the covers 149, 159. Such a configuration can be realized, for example, by providing the caps 149 and 159 with the insertion portions 149b and 159b shifted to the rear side, or by making the projection amount of the portions of the seal piece portions 161b and 171b of the seals 161 and 171 located on the front side of the insertion portions 149b and 159b smaller than the projection amount of the portions located on the rear side of the insertion portions 149b and 159 b.

As illustrated in fig. 8, etc., in a state where the cartridge 102 is drawn out from the cartridge housing portion 101 by a predetermined amount, a user can operate a plurality of tanks housed in the cartridge 102, in this case, the detergent tank 103 and the softener tank 104. Specifically, as illustrated in fig. 9, when the cartridge 102 is drawn out from the cartridge housing portion 101 by a predetermined amount, a part of the cartridge 102, in this case, the rear portion of the cartridge is housed in the cartridge housing portion 101. In this state, the detergent tank 103 and the softener tank 104 accommodated in the case 102 are in a state in which the covers 149 and 159 can be opened and closed. Thus, the user can open the covers 149 and 159 to supply the laundry treating agent to the tanks 103 and 104.

As illustrated in fig. 7, the cartridge 102 is locked in a state of being accommodated in the deepest portion of the cartridge accommodating portion 101 so as not to be accidentally drawn out due to, for example, the weight of the cartridge 102 itself or vibration during operation. As illustrated in fig. 10 and 11, the cartridge 102 can be completely removed from the cartridge housing portion 101. Next, a configuration example that can achieve this will be described. The tanks 103 and 104 can be removed from the cartridge housing 101 by completely removing the cartridge 102 from the cartridge housing 102.

As illustrated in fig. 10 and 11, a recess 172 that is recessed downward is provided in a front portion of the bottom surface of the cassette housing portion 101. When the cartridge 102 is stored in the deepest portion of the cartridge storage unit 101, the front surface of the protrusion 126 is locked to the front surface of the recess 172, and the cartridge is locked so as not to be drawn out of the cartridge storage unit 101. However, by slightly pushing up the cartridge 102 from this state, the protrusion 126 is disengaged from the recess 172, and the cartridge 102 can be pulled out from the cartridge housing portion 101. As described above, when the amount of the cassette 102 drawn out from the cassette housing portion 102 reaches the predetermined amount, the stopper 125 on the cassette 102 side is locked to the projection 130 on the cassette housing portion 101 side. Thereby, the amount of withdrawal of the cassette 102 is limited to a predetermined amount. Then, when the cartridge 102 is lifted upward from this state and the stopper 125 is disengaged from the projection 130, the cartridge 102 can be completely removed from the cartridge housing portion 101.

Then, when the cartridge 102 is mounted in the cartridge housing portion 101 again, the cartridge 102 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 101 so that the stopper 125 on the cartridge 102 side is fitted into the rear side of the projection 130 on the cartridge housing portion 101 side while the cartridge 102 is slightly lifted upward. At this time, since the rear side of the projection 126 becomes an inclined portion, the inclined portion comes into contact with the front end of the lower surface of the cartridge housing portion 101. Therefore, as the cartridge 102 is pushed into the cartridge housing 101, the inclined portion of the projection 126 travels while sliding on the front end of the lower surface of the cartridge housing 101, and thus upward pushing of the cartridge 102 can be assisted. When the cartridge 102 is further pressed into the cartridge housing portion 101, the protrusion 126 is fitted into the recess 172, and the cartridge 102 is locked in the state of being housed in the deepest portion of the cartridge housing portion 101.

By pushing the cartridge 102 into the cartridge housing 101 as described above, the cartridge 102 can be attached to the cartridge housing 101 so as to be removable. When the cartridge 102 is mounted in the cartridge housing portion 101 in this manner, if the tanks 103 and 104 are housed in the cartridge 102, the cartridge 102 is pushed upward when the cartridge 102 housing the tanks 103 and 104 is housed in the cartridge housing portion 101. Then, accompanying this, the covers 149 and 159 on the upper portions of the tanks 103 and 104 are pressed in the closing direction of the closing supply ports 142 and 152 in contact with the upper surface of the cartridge housing portion 101. That is, the closure of the supply ports 142, 152 by the caps 149, 159 is facilitated. Such a function of promoting the closing of the covers 149 and 159 is realized by pushing the case 102 upward and by providing the protrusion 126 on the bottom surface of the case 102. The projection 126 thus configured has a function of assisting the upward pushing of the case 102 as described above, and thus functions as an example of a blocking promotion portion that promotes the blocking of the supply ports 142 and 152 by the covers 149 and 159.

As illustrated in fig. 25, hollow projections 164 and 174 continuously projecting from the pump connection parts 148 and 158 toward the inside of the tank main bodies 140 and 150 are provided on the rear side inside the tanks 103 and 104. In this case, the protruding portions 164 and 174 are formed in a cylindrical shape. The protruding portions 164 and 174 are not provided as another component of the tank main bodies 140 and 150, but are provided as the same component as the tank main bodies 140 and 150. That is, the protruding portions 164 and 174 are provided integrally with the tank main bodies 140 and 150 and continuously without interruption, for example, by resin molding or the like.

The one- way valves 165 and 175 are housed inside the projections 164 and 174. Biasing members 166 and 176, which are formed of springs, for example, are housed inside the protruding portions 164 and 174. The biasing members 166 and 176 bias the check valves 165 and 175 in a direction of closing the flow paths formed in the projections 164 and 174, in this case, toward the pump connection portions 148 and 158. Thus, the check valves 165 and 175 suppress the laundry treatment agent sucked from the pump connection parts 148 and 158 toward the pumps 105 and 106 from flowing backward and returning into the tanks 103 and 104. When receiving a pressing force generated as the pistons are reciprocated by the pumps 105 and 106, the check valves 165 and 175 move in a direction of opening the flow paths formed in the protruding portions 164 and 174 against the biasing force of the biasing members 166 and 176, in this case, on the side opposite to the pump connection portions 148 and 158. Thereby, the pumps 105, 106 can suck the laundry treating agent in the tanks 103, 104. That is, according to tanks 103 and 104, as pumps 105 and 106 reciprocate the pistons, check valves 165 and 175 also reciprocate in projections 164 and 174 to open and close the flow paths. Accordingly, the laundry treatment agent in tanks 103 and 104 is sucked out in conjunction with the driving of pumps 105 and 106.

The cap portions 167, 177 are attached to the distal end portions of the projections 164, 174, that is, the open ends that open into the tank main bodies 140, 150, in a state in which the check valves 165, 175 and the biasing members 166, 176 are accommodated in the projections 164, 174. This prevents the check valves 165 and 175 and the biasing members 166 and 176 housed in the protruding portions 164 and 174 from coming off the protruding portions 164 and 174.

The cap portions 167 and 177 are integrally provided with hollow suction pipe portions 168 and 178 extending linearly and protruding downward in the tank main bodies 140 and 150. In this case, the straw portions 168 and 178 are formed in a cylindrical shape, and the lower ends thereof extend to a height slightly apart from the bottom surfaces of the tank main bodies 140 and 150.

As illustrated in fig. 27 and 28, protruding portions 164a and 174a protruding upward are provided on the upper portions of the protruding portions 164 and 174. In this case, the convex portions 164a and 174a are formed in a cylindrical shape. On the other hand, recessed portions 167a and 177a recessed in a smooth arc shape toward the front end side of the caps 167 and 177 are provided on the upper portions of the caps 167 and 177. When the caps 167, 177 are attached to the projections 164, 174, the projections 164a, 174a fit into the recesses 167a, 177 a. Thus, the cap portions 167 and 177 are positioned with respect to the protruding portions 164 and 174 in a state where the suction pipe portions 168 and 178 extend and protrude downward in the tank main bodies 140 and 150. That is, the projections 164a and 174a and the recesses 167a and 177a cooperate with each other to function as an example of positioning portions that position the caps 167 and 177 so that the suction pipe portions 168 and 178 extend and protrude downward.

The protruding portions 164 and 174 include claw portions 164b and 174b on both left and right side portions. The claw portions 164b, 174b protrude outward from the side surfaces of the protruding portions 164, 174. The cap portions 167 and 177 have claw holes 167b and 177b on both left and right sides. When the caps 167 and 177 are attached to the projections 164 and 174, the claw portions 164b and 174b are locked in the claw hole portions 167b and 177 b. This allows the caps 167 and 177 to be locked and fixed to the protrusions 164 and 174. That is, the claw portions 164b, 174b and the claw hole portions 167b, 177b cooperate with each other to function as an example of an engaging portion for engaging the cap portions 167, 177 with the protruding portions 164, 174. The claw portions 164b and 174b and the claw hole portions 167b and 177b, which function as an example of the engagement portion, are provided at positions avoiding the convex portions 164a and 174a and the concave portions 167a and 177a, which function as an example of the positioning portion.

According to the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment illustrated above, the concave gripping portions 143, 153 are provided on the surface forming the outer contour of the tanks 103, 104. According to this configuration, the user can easily grip the tanks 103 and 104 by hooking the fingers to the gripping portions 143 and 153, and thus can easily perform processing of the tanks 103 and 104, for example, an operation of attaching and detaching the tanks 103 and 104 to and from the case 102. Further, the user can grip the detergent tank 103 or the softener tank 104 with one hand, for example, and the convenience of use can be further improved.

In addition, according to washing machine 1, tanks 103 and 104 have gripping portions 143 and 153 on one of the surfaces that face each other, among the surfaces that form the outer contours of tanks 103 and 104. With this configuration, the appearance of the tanks 103 and 104 can be prevented from becoming complicated. In addition, the tanks 103 and 104 may have the gripping portions 143 and 153 on both surfaces facing each other out of the surfaces forming the outer contours of the tanks 103 and 104, and according to this configuration, the tanks 103 and 104 can be gripped more easily.

Further, washing machine 1 is detachably provided with a plurality of tanks 103 and 104. One of the tanks 103, 104 includes a grip 143, 153 on a surface facing the other tank 104, 103. One of the tanks 103, 104 has a grip 143, 153 at a position facing the grip 153, 133 of the other tank 104, 103. According to this configuration, in a state where tanks 103 and 104 are housed in case 102, a substantially circular space surrounded by grip 143 and grip 153 can be formed. Thus, when the user removes the detergent tank 103 and the softener tank 104 from the inside of the case body 120 of the case 102, the user can easily remove the detergent tank 103 and the softener tank 104 by inserting fingers into the space. Further, the grips 143, 153 provided in the respective tanks 103, 104 can be minimized, and the reduction in the space inside the tanks 103, 104, in other words, the reduction in the amount of the laundry treatment agent that can be stored, which is accompanied by the reduction in the space in which the grips 143, 153 are formed can be minimized.

Further, according to washing machine 1, grips 143 and 153 extend between one end and the other end, in this case, between the upper end and the lower end, of the surface forming the outer contour of tanks 103 and 104. According to this configuration, the gripping portions 143 and 153 can be provided to the maximum extent, and the cans 103 and 104 can be gripped more easily.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the tanks 103 and 104 are provided with the supply ports 142 and 152 for supplying the laundry treatment agent to the inside, and the holding portions 143 and 153 are provided at the sides of the supply ports 142 and 152. According to this configuration, the user can further press the caps 149 and 159 that close the supply ports 142 and 152 with the fingers gripping the gripping portions 143 and 153, and can prevent the caps 149 and 159 of the gripped tanks 103 and 104 from opening and spilling the laundry treatment agent inside.

The tanks 103 and 104 may be provided with holding portions 143 and 153 at positions offset from the sides of the supply ports 142 and 152. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to reduce the opening area of the supply ports 142, 152 with the formation of the holding portions 143, 153. Therefore, the opening area of the supply ports 142, 152 can be secured large, and the laundry treating agent can be easily supplied.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the grip portions 143, 153 have hook portions 144, 145 to which the user's fingers are hooked. According to this configuration, the user can easily take out cans 103 and 104 from case 102 by hooking the fingers to hook portions 144 and 145.

Further, according to washing machine 1, hook portions 144 and 145 are provided on tank body portions 140 and 150 constituting body portions of tanks 103 and 104. With this configuration, the user can remove the cans 103 and 104 by hooking the fingers on the main body portions of the cans 103 and 104, and can stably remove the cans 103 and 104.

In the washing machine 1, the automatic loading device 100, the water filling cartridge 200, and the water supply valve unit 300 are arranged in the lateral direction of the outer casing 2 in the machine chamber 6. In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the water supply valve unit 300 is disposed in the machine chamber 6 at a position forward of the rear end of the automatic loading device 100 and the rear end of the water filling cartridge 200. In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the water filling cartridge 200 is disposed between the automatic loading device 100 and the water supply valve unit 300 in the lateral direction of the outer cabinet 2 in the machine chamber 6.

By housing the automatic loading device 100, the water filling box 200, and the water supply valve unit 300 in the machine room 6 in a so-called lateral arrangement, it is possible to effectively utilize the limited space in the outer box 2, and it is possible to easily house a plurality of components, in this case, at least the automatic loading device 100, the water filling box 200, and the water supply valve unit 300 in a compact manner. Further, the size of the entire washing machine 1 can be suppressed from increasing.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, since the water filling box 200 and the water supply valve unit 300 are not disposed behind the automatic loading device 100, at least the depth of the automatic loading device 100 can be secured to a large extent. This makes it possible to increase the size of the tanks 103 and 104 included in the automatic loading device 100, and to increase the capacity of the tanks 103 and 104, that is, the amount of laundry treatment agent that can be stored.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, since the above-described arrangement is applied, relatively large components such as the automatic loading device 100, the water filling box 200, and the water supply valve unit 300 can be easily and compactly housed in the machine chamber 6 formed in the rear portion of the outer box 2.

Further, washing machine 1 includes a mixing unit 108 for mixing the laundry treatment agent supplied from tanks 103 and 104 with water supplied from water supply valve unit 300, at the rear of automatic loading device 100. According to this configuration, the laundry treatment agent can be supplied into the tub 3 after being mixed with water, and the washing performance of the laundry can be improved by the water in which the laundry treatment agent is uniformly dissolved. Further, by disposing the mixing section 108, which is a relatively small-sized component, at the rear of the automatic loading apparatus 100, the space within the limited machine room 6 can be effectively utilized.

In addition, according to washing machine 1, water supply valve unit 300 includes a dedicated water supply port 303a for supplying water to mixing unit 108. With this configuration, a sufficient amount of water can be reliably supplied to the mixing section 108, and water in which the laundry treatment agent is sufficiently dissolved can be supplied into the tub 3.

Further, washing machine 1 includes mixing unit water supply path 304 connecting mixing unit dedicated water supply port 303a to mixing unit 108. The mixing section water supply path 304 passes through the upper surface 205 of the water inlet cartridge 200 and between the manual detergent input section 203 and the manual softener input section 204. The mixing section water supply path 304 penetrates the water filling cartridge 200 in the lateral direction of the outer case 2. The mixing section water supply path 304 extends linearly inside the water filling cartridge 200 without being bent or curved.

That is, the mixing section water supply path 304 is configured to have a flow path resistance as small as possible. Therefore, water can be efficiently supplied from water supply valve unit 300 to mixing unit 108, and mixing of the laundry treatment agent and water can be further promoted.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the water supply valve unit 300 and the bath water pump 305 are arranged in the front-rear direction of the outer box 2. Further, the bath water pump 305 is disposed on the front side of the water supply valve unit 300. According to this arrangement, the limited space in the outer case 2 can be effectively utilized, and the bathing water pump 305 can be easily stored.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the automatic loading device 100 includes the cartridge 102 having the hook portion 102A to which the user's finger is hooked, the cartridge 102 is configured to be removable from the cartridge housing portion 101 of the automatic loading device 100, and the tanks 103 and 104 can be housed in the cartridge 102. With this configuration, operations for the plurality of tanks 103 and 104, for example, a replenishment operation of the laundry treatment agent into the tanks 103 and 104 and a loading and unloading operation of the tanks 103 and 104 can be performed at a time. That is, the user can perform various operations on the plurality of tanks 103 and 104 by pulling out one cartridge 102.

In addition, according to washing machine 1, the upper end of the outer peripheral wall portion constituting the outer peripheral portion of box body 102 is lower than the upper surfaces of tanks 103 and 104 housed in box body 102. With this configuration, the user can easily grip the upper side of tanks 103 and 104, and can easily attach and detach tanks 103 and 104 to and from case 102. In this case, the user may attach and detach the holding portions 143 and 153 of the tanks 103 and 104 by holding them, or may attach and detach the holding portions 143 and 153 by holding them.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, in a state where a part of the casing 102, in this case, the rear part is housed in the casing housing part 101 of the automatic loading device 100, the tanks 103 and 104 housed in the casing 102 are in a state where the covers 149 and 159 of the supply ports 142 and 152 can be opened and closed. Therefore, the user can supply the laundry treatment agent into the tanks 103 and 104 without completely removing the cartridge 102 from the cartridge housing section 101 of the automatic loading device 100.

In addition, according to washing machine 1, tanks 103 and 104 are provided with tank- side protrusions 147 and 157 that position tanks 103 and 104 in box body 102. With this configuration, positional displacement of the tanks 103 and 104 in the cartridge 102 can be suppressed, and the cartridge 102 in which the tanks 103 and 104 are housed can be smoothly taken out of and put into the cartridge housing portion 101.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the automatic loading device 100 includes the pumps 105 and 106 for pumping the laundry treatment agent from the tanks 103 and 104, and the tanks 103 and 104 include the pump connection parts 148 and 158 connected to the pumps 105 and 106. The upper end of the rear wall portion 120a provided at the rear portion of the case 102 is lower than the lower ends of the pump connection portions 148 and 158. According to this configuration, the pump connection portions 148 and 158 can be connected to the pumps 105 and 106 without contacting or interfering with the rear wall portion 120a of the case 102. This allows the pump connection portions 148 and 158 to be connected to the pumps 105 and 106 with high accuracy without causing positional deviation or the like.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the box body 102 is provided with the visual confirmation windows 122 and 123 through which the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 103 and 104 housed in the box body 102 can be visually confirmed. According to this configuration, the user can easily check the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 103 and 104 through the visual check windows 122 and 123 without removing the tanks 103 and 104 from the box body 102. In this case, the visual confirmation windows 122 and 123 are provided in the front wall 121 of the case 102. Therefore, the user can easily check the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 103 and 104 through the visual check windows 122 and 123 without removing the cartridge 102 from the cartridge housing 101.

In addition, according to washing machine 1, tanks 103 and 104 have concave portions 146 and 156 recessed inward in their lower portions, and tank- side protruding portions 147 and 157 are provided in concave portions 146 and 156. With this configuration, even if the positioning tank- side protrusions 147 and 157 are provided, the bottom surfaces of the tanks 103 and 104 can be maintained flat. Therefore, tanks 103 and 104 can be stably placed on a floor surface or the like, and the laundry treatment agent can be easily replenished into tanks 103 and 104.

In addition, according to washing machine 1, visual confirmation windows 122 and 123 are provided at positions avoiding the portions where recesses 146 and 156 are located in the stored state where tanks 103 and 104 are stored in box body 102. According to this configuration, the accurate amount of the laundry treatment agent can be checked through the visual check windows 122 and 123 at the positions avoiding the concave portions 146 and 156 in the tanks 103 and 104, which do not accurately show the amount of the laundry treatment agent, and the upper portions thereof. It is preferable that at least the tank main bodies 140 and 150 be made of a transparent material or a translucent material for the tanks 103 and 104. This allows the user to more easily visually confirm the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in tanks 103 and 104.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the tanks 103 and 104 include hollow protrusions 164 and 174 protruding inside the tanks 103 and 104, check valves 165 and 175 housed in the protrusions 164 and 174, and caps 167 and 177 attached to the opening ends of the protrusions 164 and 174 in a state where the check valves 165 and 175 are housed in the protrusions 164 and 174. The protruding portions 164 and 174 are formed of the same material as the tanks 103 and 104. According to this configuration, while hollow protrusions 164 and 174 protruding inside tanks 103 and 104 are provided in tanks 103 and 104, leakage of the laundry treatment agent from inside tanks 103 and 104 can be suppressed.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the cap portions 167 and 177 are provided with hollow suction pipe portions 168 and 178 extending and protruding downward in the tanks 103 and 104. According to this configuration, the cap 167, 177 having the suction pipe portion 168, 178 can be handled as a single component, and the number of components can be reduced as compared with a case where the cap and the suction pipe portion are provided separately. In addition, the assembling property can be improved.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the protruding portions 164 and 174 are configured in a cylindrical shape. The washing machine 1 further includes positioning portions for positioning the caps 167 and 177 with respect to the cylindrical protruding portions 164 and 174 so that the suction pipe portions 168 and 178 extend and protrude downward in the tanks 103 and 104. The projections 164a, 174a and the recesses 167a, 177a constituting the positioning portions are provided on the projections 164, 174 and the caps 167, 177. According to this configuration, when the caps 167 and 177 are attached to the projections 164 and 174, the positioning portions are easily visually recognized from above, and therefore, the caps 167 and 177 can be easily positioned with respect to the projections 164 and 174.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the claw portions 164b, 174b and the claw hole portions 167b, 177b constituting the locking portions that lock the cap portions 167, 177 to the protruding portions 164, 174 are disposed at positions avoiding the protruding portions 164a, 174a and the recessed portions 167a, 177a constituting the positioning portions. With this configuration, the caps 167 and 177 can be positioned with high accuracy with respect to the projections 164 and 174, and the caps 167 and 177 can be firmly fixed to the projections 164 and 174, and positional displacement of the caps 167 and 177 with respect to the projections 164 and 174 can be suppressed even after attachment.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the automatic loading device 100 includes the stopper 125 that limits the amount of withdrawal of the cartridge 102 from the cartridge housing 101 to a predetermined amount. The stopper 125 is provided at a position on the rear side of the rear ends of the supply ports 142 and 152 in the accommodated state in which the tanks 103 and 104 are accommodated in the case 102. The stopper 125 is provided at a position on the rear side of the rear ends of the covers 149 and 159 of the supply ports 142 and 152 in the accommodated state in which the tanks 103 and 104 are accommodated in the case 102. According to this configuration, the user can supply the laundry treating agent into the tanks 103 and 104 through the supply ports 142 and 152 without completely removing the cartridge 102 from the automatic loading device 100.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the tanks 103 and 104 are connected to the pumps 105 and 106 as the box 102 is pushed into the box housing 101 immovably fixed to the main body thereof. That is, according to the washing machine 1, since the cartridge housing 101 of the automatic loading device 100 including the pumps 105 and 106 is immovably and stably fixed to the main body portion of the washing machine 1, the tanks 103 and 104 can be reliably connected to the pumps 105 and 106 by pressing the cartridge 102 into the cartridge housing 101.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the cartridge housing portion 101 includes the protrusion 130 that engages with the stopper 125 when the amount of withdrawal of the cartridge 102 from the cartridge housing portion 101 of the automatic loading device 100 reaches a predetermined amount. According to this configuration, when the user pulls out the cartridge 102, the amount of pulling out can be reliably limited to a predetermined amount, and the cartridge 102 can be prevented from being unintentionally and completely pulled out from the cartridge housing portion 101.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the tanks 103 and 104 cannot be taken out from the casing 102 in the locked state in which the stopper 125 is locked to the convex portion 130. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent cans 103 and 104 from being unintentionally separated from case 102 or from falling out of case 102.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the cartridge housing portion 101 includes the groove portion 129 extending in the direction in which the cartridge 102 is drawn out, and the cartridge 102 includes the contact portion 131 contacting the upper surface of the groove portion 129. According to this configuration, in a state where the cartridge 102 is drawn out from the cartridge housing portion 101, the abutting portion 131 abuts on the upper surface of the groove portion 129, and thus the cartridge 102 can be prevented from falling out from the cartridge housing portion 101 by its own weight.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the distance D3 between the stopper 125 on the cartridge 102 side and the abutting portion 131 on the cartridge housing portion 101 side becomes longer than the distance D4 between the upper surface of the cartridge housing portion 101 and the upper surface of the groove portion 129. With this configuration, the cartridge 102 can be further prevented from being inclined by its own weight, and the cartridge 102 can be more reliably prevented from falling out of the cartridge housing portion 101.

Further, the washing machine 1 includes the sealing members 161 and 171 for sealing between the covers 149 and 159 and the supply ports 142 and 152 in a state where the covers 149 and 159 close the supply ports 142 and 152. With this configuration, the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 103 and 104 can be prevented from overflowing from the gaps between the covers 149 and 159 and the supply ports 142 and 152, or the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 103 and 104 can be prevented from solidifying due to ventilation drying that has passed through the gaps between the covers 149 and 159 and the supply ports 142 and 152.

In addition, according to washing machine 1, cover portions 141 and 151 constituting a part of tanks 103 and 104 are provided with ventilation holes 160a and 170a through which air can pass. According to this configuration, even if the gaps between the caps 149 and 159 and the supply ports 142 and 152 are sealed by the seals 161 and 171, the inside and outside of the tanks 103 and 104 can be kept ventilated, that is, the inside of the tanks 103 and 104 can be opened to the atmospheric pressure. This allows the laundry treatment agent to be smoothly sucked from the tanks 103 and 104 into the pumps 105 and 106. Further, since the air vents 160a and 170a have a minute opening area, the laundry treatment agent is hardly or not completely splashed out of the air vents 160a and 170a, and the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 103 and 104 is solidified by the drying of the air through the air vents 160a and 170 a.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the ventilation holes 160a and 170a are provided in the bearing portions 160 and 170 that rotatably support the rotating shafts 149c and 159c of the covers 149 and 159. With this configuration, the vent holes 160a and 170a can be made less conspicuous from the outside, and deterioration in the appearance of the cans 103 and 104 associated with the provision of the vent holes 160a and 170a can be suppressed. If the laundry treatment agent adheres to the back surfaces of the covers 149 and 159, the laundry treatment agent can be returned from the ventilation holes 160a and 170a to the tanks 103 and 104 when the covers 149 and 159 are opened. In addition, in the case of washing tub portions 141 and 151, since water can pass through vent holes 160a and 170a, the laundry treating agent adhering to bearing portions 160 and 170 can be easily washed away. This prevents the laundry treatment agent from sticking to the bearing portions 160 and 170 and becoming impossible to remove.

In addition, in the washing machine 1, it is preferable that at least a part of the inner surfaces of the supply ports 142 and 152 is formed as an inclined surface, and the contact area between the seal piece portions 161b and 171b of the seals 161 and 171 and the inclined surfaces of the supply ports 142 and 152 is gradually reduced as the covers 149 and 159 are rotated from the closed position closing the supply ports 142 and 152 to the open position opening the supply ports 142 and 152. Thus, the user can open the covers 149 and 159 without a large force, and convenience in use can be improved.

In the washing machine 1, in a state where the covers 149 and 159 close the supply ports 142 and 152, the contact area between the seals 161 and 171 on the side of the covers 149 and 159 opposite to the rotating shafts 149c and 159c and the inner surfaces of the supply ports 142 and 152 may be smaller than the contact area between the seals 161 and 171 on the side of the rotating shafts 149c and 159c of the covers 149 and 159 and the inner surfaces of the supply ports 142 and 152. With this configuration, the user can open the covers 149 and 159 without a large force, and convenience in use can be improved.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the bottom surface of the casing 102 is provided with the protrusion 126 functioning as a closing promoting portion for promoting the closing of the supply ports 142 and 152 by the covers 149 and 159. According to this configuration, when the cartridge 102 in which the tanks 103 and 104 are stored is stored in the cartridge storage portion 101 again, the protrusion 126 pushes the cartridge 102 upward. This allows the covers 149 and 159 to be pushed downward by the upper surface of the cassette housing portion 101, thereby facilitating the closing of the supply ports 142 and 152 by the covers 149 and 159. This can prevent the cartridge 102 from being stored in the cartridge storage portion 101 when the covers 149 and 159 do not close the supply ports 142 and 152 sufficiently, and can prevent the laundry treatment agent from spilling out of the tanks 103 and 104 in the cartridge storage portion 101. Further, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the laundry treatment agent is splashed from the tanks 103, 104 when the cartridge 102 is pulled out from the cartridge housing 101. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the caps 149 and 159 are provided with the seals 161 and 171, there is a possibility that, for example, the caps 149 and 159 may not be sufficiently closed to the supply ports 142 and 152 due to the elasticity of the seals 161 and 171. Therefore, by applying the structure for promoting the closing of the supply ports 142 and 152 by the caps 149 and 159, such a risk can be eliminated.

The present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and extensions can be made without departing from the scope of the present embodiment.

For example, as illustrated in fig. 29, the stopper 125 may be located forward of the center of gravity P of the tanks 103 and 104 in a state where the tanks 103 and 104 are accommodated in the case 102. According to this configuration, the amount of withdrawal of the cartridge 102 from the cartridge housing portion 101 can be reduced by the predetermined amount limited by the stopper 125, and the cartridge 102 can be more reliably prevented from falling off due to its own weight. Further, the center of gravity position P of tanks 103 and 104 may be a center of gravity position in a state where no laundry treatment agent is stored in tanks 103 and 104, or a center of gravity position in a state where a laundry treatment agent is stored in tanks 103 and 104. The state in which the laundry treatment agent is stored in tanks 103 and 104 may be a state in which a maximum amount of the laundry treatment agent is stored in tanks 103 and 104, or a state in which less laundry treatment agent than the maximum amount is stored.

As illustrated in fig. 30, the gripping portions 143 and 153 may be configured not to reach one end or the other end of the surface forming the outer contour of the tanks 103 and 104. The configuration example illustrated in fig. 30 is a configuration example in which the gripping portions 143 and 153 reach the upper end of the surface forming the outer shell of the tanks 103 and 104, but do not reach the lower end. The length of the gripping portions 143, 153 can be changed as appropriate, for example, the length of 1/2, which is the height of the tanks 103, 104.

As illustrated in fig. 31, the gripping portions 143 and 153 may be provided not along the height direction of the tanks 103 and 104 but along the depth direction of the tanks 103 and 104, in other words, the extraction direction of the cartridge 102. In this case, the gripping portions 143 and 153 may be configured to reach the distal ends and the other ends of the tanks 103 and 104, or may be configured to extend halfway.

As illustrated in fig. 32, the gripping portions 143 and 153 may be provided on both surfaces of the tanks 103 and 104 facing each other in the vertical direction. Although not shown, the gripping portions 143, 153 may be provided only on one of the surfaces facing each other in the vertical direction of the tanks 103, 104. In this case, the gripping portions 143 and 153 may be configured to reach the distal ends and the other ends of the tanks 103 and 104, or may be configured to extend halfway.

The tank applicable to the present embodiment is not limited to the detergent tank 103 for storing detergent and the softener tank 104 for storing softener, and various types of tanks can be appropriately used as long as they are tanks for storing a treatment agent for performing some treatment on laundry, such as a deodorant tank for storing deodorant, a bactericide tank for storing bactericide, and a bleach tank for storing bleach. The number of tanks is not limited to two, and may be one or more than three. In addition, when a plurality of tanks are provided, the plurality of tanks may be tanks storing the same kind of treatment agent or tanks storing different kinds of treatment agents.

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

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

Claims (8)

1. A clothes treatment device is characterized by comprising:

a laundry treating tub for accommodating laundry;

a tank storing a laundry treating agent treating laundry; and

an automatic input part for inputting the laundry treating agent stored in the tank into the laundry treating tub,

the automatic input part is provided with a box body which is provided with a hooking part for hooking the fingers of a user,

the cartridge is configured to be able to be drawn out from the automatic loading portion,

the tank is accommodated in the box body.

2. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1,

the cartridge body is configured to be able to accommodate a plurality of the canisters,

the plurality of cans accommodated in the cassette can be operated in a state where the cassette is drawn out from the automatic loading section.

3. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

an upper end of an outer peripheral wall portion constituting an outer peripheral portion of the case is lower than an upper surface of the tank housed in the case.

4. The laundry treating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the tank is provided with:

a supply port for supplying the laundry treating agent to the inside; and

a cover for opening and closing the supply port,

the tank accommodated in the cassette is in a state in which the lid can be opened and closed in a state in which a part of the cassette is accommodated in the automatic loading section.

5. The laundry treating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the tank is provided with a positioning portion for positioning the tank in the box body.

6. The laundry treating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the automatic input unit includes a pump for pumping the laundry treating agent from the tank,

the tank has a connection portion connected to the pump,

the upper end of the rear wall portion provided at the rear portion of the case body is lower than the lower end of the connecting portion.

7. The laundry treating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the box body is provided with a visual confirmation window which can visually confirm the surplus of the clothing processing agent in the tank accommodated in the box body.

8. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 7,

the tank is provided with:

a concave portion recessed inward; and

a positioning part which is arranged in the concave part and positions the tank in the box body,

the visual confirmation window is provided at a position avoiding the recess in a state where the can is accommodated in the case.

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