CN114059320A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The washing machine has an upper panel as a part of a device casing, and the upper panel is provided with an operation portion for receiving an operation from a user. The upper surface plate includes: the bending part is provided with a curved surface which is formed in front of the top surface part, smoothly connected with the flat surface of the top surface part and becomes lower in height from the back to the front. At least a part of the operation portion is disposed at the bending portion.

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

One aspect of the present invention relates to a washing machine having an operation portion such as a power button and an upper cover of a liquid agent supply unit provided on an upper surface plate.

Background

A washing machine including a liquid agent supply unit for automatically supplying a liquid agent such as a liquid detergent or a softener into a washing tub is known. In such a liquid agent charging unit, the liquid agent automatically charged into the washing tank is stored in a liquid agent tank (detergent tank, softener tank). The liquid agent supply unit includes not only an automatic supply unit for automatically supplying the liquid agent to the washing tub, but also a manual supply unit for manually supplying the detergent or softener to the user.

The following structure is disclosed in japanese patent application laid-open No. 2019-42186: a liquid agent charging unit having an automatic charging unit and a manual charging unit is disposed at the upper part of the drum-type washing machine, and a cover (upper cover) for covering the upper part of the liquid agent charging unit is provided at a part of the upper surface plate.

That is, the washing machine disclosed in japanese patent application laid-open No. 2019-42186 is configured such that the liquid agent tank in the automatic input unit can be inserted and removed by opening the upper cover of the liquid agent input unit, or the detergent or softener can be manually input to the manual input unit.

Further, an operation display unit including a power button is disposed on an upper surface of the cover of the washing machine.

In the washing machine, it is important to improve functionality and design, and in particular, it is important to improve functionality and design of the top surface plate which is easily visually recognized by a user and has a large chance of being touched by the user.

For example, in the case where the power button is disposed on the top flat portion of the upper surface plate, since the user places an object on the top flat portion or touches it with a hand, there is a possibility that the power button is pressed by mistake, and the washing machine is turned on/off unexpectedly. In particular, if the power supply is erroneously turned off during the washing operation, the time loss becomes large, for example, by clearing the remaining washing time that has been counted.

Further, in japanese patent application laid-open No. 2019-42186, since the upper cover of the liquid agent charging unit is configured to cover both the automatic charging unit and the manual charging unit with one cover, the use of a vertically elongated cover is poor in usability (the operation for opening and closing the cover is large) for the user, and the design is also low.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

One aspect of the present invention is made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine in which the functionality and design of an operation unit such as a power button provided on an upper panel of the washing machine and an upper cover of a liquid agent charging unit are improved.

Technical solution for solving technical problem

In order to solve the above problem, a washing machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes an upper panel as a part of a device casing, the upper panel being provided with an operation unit that receives an operation from a user, the upper panel including: a top surface portion formed as a horizontal flat surface; and a curved portion formed in front of the top surface portion, smoothly connected to the flat surface of the top surface portion, and having a curved surface whose height decreases from the rear toward the front, at least a part of the operation portion being disposed at the curved portion.

According to the above configuration, at least a part of the operation portion is disposed in the bent portion formed in the upper surface plate, whereby the bent portion can be effectively utilized. In particular, in order to improve the design of the washing machine, the forming area of the curved portion is relatively large when the radius of curvature of the curved surface is relatively large, but the operation portion disposed at the curved portion is directed to the front of the product which is easy to operate by the user, thereby improving the operability.

In addition, the washing machine may be configured such that: the operation unit is a power button, and a surface of the power button, which receives an operation by a user, is located below a surface of the upper surface plate.

According to the above configuration, even when an object is placed on the top surface portion, the power button disposed in the curved portion is not pressed by mistake, and accidental on/off of the washing machine can be prevented. Further, by positioning the surface of the power button that receives the user operation below the surface of the top panel, it is possible to suppress the power button from being pressed by mistake even when the user inadvertently touches the top panel with his or her hand.

The washing machine may further include a liquid agent charging unit capable of automatically charging the liquid detergent or the softener into the washing tub and manually charging the liquid detergent or the softener by a user, wherein the operation unit is at least one upper cover covering an upper portion of the liquid agent charging unit, and a front end of the upper cover is disposed to be hooked on the bent portion.

According to the above configuration, the front end of the upper cover of the liquid agent charging unit can be directed to the front of the product that can be easily handled by the user.

In addition, the washing machine may be configured such that: the upper cover includes a front cover and a rear cover arranged side by side in a front-rear direction of the washing machine, a front end of the front cover is arranged to be hooked on the bent portion, and an insertion portion for a user to insert a finger when the rear cover is opened is provided at a rear end edge portion of the front cover.

According to the above configuration, by providing the insertion portion with respect to the rear cover at the rear end portion of the front cover, the front cover and the rear cover can be disposed adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction without the upper surface plate being present between the front cover and the rear cover. This enables a plurality of covers to be provided in a narrow space.

In addition, the washing machine may be configured such that: the liquid agent input unit can automatically input liquid agent into the washing tank, and the liquid agent input unit is provided with a liquid agent tank which can be assembled and disassembled relative to a shell body of the liquid agent input unit, the liquid agent tank contains the liquid agent automatically input into the washing tank, one of upper covers covering the upper part of the liquid agent input unit covers the upper part of the liquid agent tank, a protruding part is formed on the back surface of the upper cover covering the upper part of the liquid agent tank, and the protruding part is abutted to the upper surface of the liquid agent tank when the upper cover is closed.

According to the above configuration, when the upper cover covering the upper portion of the liquid agent tank is closed in a state where the liquid agent tank is insufficiently attached to the liquid agent charging unit, the protrusion portion comes into contact with the upper surface of the liquid agent tank before the upper cover is completely closed, and the upper cover cannot be completely closed. Thus, if the upper cover is not completely closed when closed, the user can easily recognize the attachment failure of the liquid agent tank. Alternatively, the liquid agent tank can be pushed into the normal mounting position via the projection by being pushed from above so as to completely close the upper lid.

Advantageous effects

In the washing machine according to one aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the operation portion is disposed at the bent portion formed in the upper surface plate, thereby achieving an effect of improving the operability of the washing machine.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a liquid agent charging unit applied to the washing machine of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of an upper surface plate in the washing machine of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the vicinity of the power button in the upper surface plate.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the upper surface plate in the vicinity of the upper cover of the liquid agent charging unit.

Fig. 6 is a rear view of the rear cover.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a positional relationship between the rear cover and the liquid agent tank in a state where the rear cover is closed.

Detailed Description

An embodiment of one aspect of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the liquid agent charging unit 10 applied to the washing machine 1. Here, the liquid agent is a liquid agent to be put into the washing tub of the washing machine 1 from the liquid agent putting unit 10, and refers to a liquid detergent or a softener. The washing machine 1 is exemplified by a drum-type washing machine, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be a vertical washing machine, for example. Further, the washing machine may be a washing machine that performs only washing without drying, or may be a washing and drying machine that can perform washing and drying.

As shown in fig. 2, the liquid agent charging unit 10 can mount the detergent tank 110, the softener tank 120, and the manual charging case 130 to the case body 100. The detergent tank 110 and the softener tank 120 are liquid agent tanks for containing liquid agents to be automatically put into the washing tub of the washing machine 1, the detergent tank 110 contains liquid detergent, and the softener tank 120 contains softener, bleaching agent, and the like. The manual input case 130 is a case for a user to manually input the liquid agent, and includes a detergent input portion 131 and a softener input portion 132. The detergent supply unit 131 may be supplied with a powder or solid detergent.

A valve mechanism 140 is installed behind the liquid agent charging unit 10. The valve mechanism 140 has a tap water supply port 141 through which tap water supplied to the liquid agent charging unit 10 flows. Further, a plurality of electromagnetic valves are provided inside the valve mechanism 140, and tap water can be supplied to the liquid agent charging unit 10 through an appropriate water supply path by appropriately controlling the opening and closing of the plurality of electromagnetic valves.

The liquid agent charging unit 10 is disposed inside the washing machine 1 shown in fig. 1 in the vicinity of the upper left side when viewed from the front side (the side where the door 2 is disposed) of the washing machine 1. The washing machine 1 has an upper surface plate 3 as a part of a device casing, and a front cover 4 and a rear cover 5 are disposed on the upper surface plate 3. The front cover 4 and the rear cover 5 are arranged in the front-rear direction of the washing machine 1, and the front cover 4 is provided at a position forward of the rear cover 5. In addition, a power button 6 for turning on/off the power of the washing machine 1 is disposed near the front portion of the upper surface plate 3. In the washing machine 1, an operation display unit other than the power button 6 is provided on the upper front surface of the door 2 as, for example, a touch panel type operation panel 21.

In the washing machine 1, when the front cover 4 is opened, the detergent input portion 131 and the softener input portion 132 of the liquid agent input unit 10 are exposed, and a user can manually input the liquid agent, the powdered detergent, and the like. The manual feed housing 130 is not detached from the liquid agent feed unit 10. When the rear cover 5 is opened, the detergent tank 110 and the softener tank 120 are exposed, and the user can insert and remove the detergent tank 110 or the softener tank 120 into and from the washing machine 1. Thus, the user can remove the detergent tank 110 or the conditioner case 120 and replenish the liquid agent.

In addition, in a state where the liquid agent charging unit 10 is attached to the washing machine 1, the tap water supply port 141 is exposed near the rear portion of the upper surface plate 3. Thus, the tap water supply port 141 is connected to a tap water faucet through a hose, and can receive the supply of tap water.

The above is the basic shape of the washing machine 1, and next, the features of the washing machine 1 to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described in embodiments 1 to 3 below.

[ embodiment mode 1 ]

In embodiment 1, a feature point for improving the functionality of the power button 6 will be described. First, in washing machine 1 according to embodiment 1, as shown in fig. 1, top surface portion 31 of upper surface plate 3 is located higher than the upper end of door 2. The top surface portion 31 is a horizontal flat surface. Further, in the upper panel 3, a curved portion 32 is formed in front of the top surface portion 31. The curved portion 32 is formed to have a curved surface smoothly connected to the flat surface of the top surface portion 31 and having a height that decreases from the rear toward the front.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the upper surface plate 3. The curvature radius of the curved surface 32 in the upper surface plate 3 is set to be large in order to improve the design of the washing machine 1. Therefore, as shown in fig. 3, when the upper surface plate 3 is viewed from above, the formation area of the bent portion 32 on the front side of the upper surface plate 3 is relatively large. The region of the upper surface plate 3 where the bent portion 32 is formed is preferably 10% or more of the region obtained by adding the top surface portion 31 and the bent portion 32. In the present embodiment, the lower limit value is about 20%. The tip end of the curved portion 32 may be a flat surface smoothly connected from the curved surface, instead of the curved surface. In addition, in the washing machine 1, it is preferable to effectively use not only the top surface portion 31 of the upper surface plate 3 but also the bent portion 32.

In washing machine 1, power button 6 is disposed on curved portion 32 of upper surface plate 3. In this case, the power button 6 can be disposed toward the front of the product, which is easier for the user to operate, than in the case of being disposed on the top surface portion 31. Further, although there is a case where the user places an object or the like on the top surface portion 31, the power button 6 disposed in the curved portion 32 is not erroneously pressed even when the object is placed on the top surface portion 31, and accidental on/off of the washing machine can be prevented. Here, the power button 6 corresponds to an operation unit described in claims.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view (sectional view a-a in fig. 3) of the vicinity of the power button 6 in the upper surface plate 3. As shown in fig. 4, the power button 6 is disposed in a region where a curved surface is formed. The power button 6 is attached to the upper panel 3 via a hinge 61, and is biased upward by an unillustrated elastic member. A rib 62 is formed on the back surface side of the power button 6, and a contact switch (not shown) is disposed below the rib 62 of the power button 6 in a state of being held by a holder (not shown). When the user presses the power button 6 against the urging force of the elastic member, the contact switch is pressed by the rib 62, and the on/off of the washing machine 1 is switched.

As shown in fig. 4, character surface 63 (surface to be operated by the user) of power button 6 is positioned slightly below the surface of upper panel 3. The character surface 63 of the power button 6 is a concave surface recessed in the vicinity of the center than in the vicinity of the periphery. That is, character surface 63 of power button 6 is offset so as to be located below the surface of upper surface plate 3 as a whole.

By positioning the character surface 63 of the power button 6 below the surface of the upper panel 3 in this way, it is possible to suppress the power button 6 from being pressed by mistake, not only when an object is placed on the upper panel 3, but also when the user inadvertently touches the upper panel 3 with a hand. Thereby, the accidental on/off of the washing machine can be more effectively prevented.

The vicinity of the center of the character face 63 of the power button 6 is a convex surface whose center is raised upward. This makes it possible to reduce the sense of incongruity that the power button is positioned at the innermost position because the power button 6 is pressed by the user as a convex pressing surface. Further, the shape of the convex surface is preferably curved in the same manner as the curved surface of the upper surface plate 3 in the vicinity of the power button 6. Accordingly, since the power button 6 and the curved surface of the surrounding upper panel 3 are curved in the same manner, the deviation between the image reflected on the curved surface of the power button 6 and the surrounding upper panel 3 and the shadow is reduced, and the sense of unity is improved.

[ embodiment 2 ]

In embodiment 2, a feature point for improving the functionality and design of the upper covers (i.e., the front cover 4 and the rear cover 5) of the liquid agent charging unit 10 will be described.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, in the washing machine 1 according to embodiment 2, the upper cover of the liquid agent charging unit 10 is separated into two pieces, i.e., the front cover 4 and the rear cover 5. Therefore, the front cover 4 and the rear cover 5 do not need to be vertically elongated as in the case of a conventional single cover, and usability for the user is improved (the operation for opening and closing the covers can be reduced).

Of the two upper covers of the liquid agent charging unit 10, the front cover 4 disposed on the front side is disposed at a position where a part of the front side thereof is caught by the bent portion 32 of the upper panel 3. Thus, compared to the case where both the front cover 4 and the rear cover 5 are disposed on the top surface portion 31, the front end of the upper cover of the liquid agent charging unit 10 can be disposed toward the front of the product that is easy for the user to handle, by effectively utilizing the bent portion 32 of the upper surface plate 3. Here, the front cover 4 corresponds to an operation portion described in claims.

Further, the detailed structure of the upper cover of the liquid agent charging unit 10 will be described. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view B-B in fig. 3) of the upper surface plate 3 in the vicinity of the upper cover of the liquid agent charging unit 10.

As shown in fig. 5, the front cover 4 is composed of a face plate 41 and a back cover member 42 constituting the surface of the front cover 4 in consideration of design. Similarly, the rear cover 5 is composed of a face plate 51 and a rear cover member 52 constituting the front surface. The rear end portion of the front cover 4 is rotatably attached to the upper panel 3 by a hinge (not shown) and can be opened and closed from the front end side. Similarly, the rear end portion of the rear cover 5 is rotatably attached to the upper panel 3 by a hinge (not shown) and can be opened and closed from the front end side.

The front cover 4 has a front edge portion (i.e., a front edge portion of the face plate 41) formed linearly as viewed from above (see fig. 2 and 3). In addition, a recessed portion 33 as an insertion portion for a finger of the front cover 4 is formed in the upper panel 3 so as to contact the front end edge portion of the front cover 4 to the front side. The front end of the rear cover member 42 of the front cover 4 is lowered rearward from the front end of the face plate 41 at a portion corresponding to the recessed portion 33 to serve as a grip portion. Thus, when the user opens the front cover 4, the finger entering from the recessed portion 33 can be hooked on the front end portion of the face plate 41, and the front cover 4 can be pulled up.

Similarly, the front end edge portion of the rear cover 5 (i.e., the front end edge portion of the front plate 51) is formed linearly as viewed from above (see fig. 2 and 3). A recessed portion 43, which is an insertion portion for a finger of the rear cover 5, is formed so as to contact the front end edge portion of the rear cover 5 to the front side. However, the recess 43 is provided not on the upper surface plate 3 but on the rear end portion of the front cover 4. The front end of the rear cover member 52 of the rear cover 5 is lowered rearward from the front end of the front plate 51 at a portion corresponding to the recessed portion 43, and becomes a grip portion. Thus, when the user opens the rear cover 5, the finger entering from the recessed portion 43 can be hooked on the front end portion of the face plate 51, and the rear cover 5 can be lifted upward.

As described above, in the washing machine 1 according to embodiment 2, the front cover 4 and the rear cover 5 are provided as the upper covers of the liquid agent charging unit 10, and the shapes of the insertion portions with respect to these covers are made similar. Specifically, the front end edge portion of the cover is formed linearly, and the insertion portion for the cover is provided so as to contact the front end edge portion in the front direction. In this way, by making the shapes of the insertion portions with respect to the front cover 4 and the rear cover 5 similar, the design as the washing machine 1 can be improved.

Further, the thickness of the cover can be reduced by providing the insertion portion for the cover not at the front end edge portion of the cover but at a member (the upper surface plate 3 with respect to the front cover 4 and the front cover 4 with respect to the rear cover 5) in contact with the front end edge portion of the cover. This is because, when the insertion portion for the cover is provided at the leading edge portion of the cover, it is necessary to provide the bottom portion for the insertion portion at the cover. That is, if the insertion portion is provided at the front end edge portion of the lid and the bottom portion is provided at the insertion portion, the thickness of the member forming the bottom portion needs to be made to correspond to the thickness of the entire lid. As shown in fig. 5, in the front cover 4 and the rear cover 5 according to the present embodiment, the front end edge portions of the covers serving as the grip portions are only the face plates 41 and 51, and the rear cover members 42 and 52 are not present (the bottom portions of the covers are not present). This can reduce the thickness of the front cover 4 and the rear cover 5, and can increase the height of the detergent tank 110 and the softener tank 120 as much as possible (can increase the capacity) while the height of the liquid agent charging unit 10 is limited.

The recessed portion 43, which is an insertion portion for the rear cover 5, is provided not on the upper surface plate 3 but on the rear end portion of the front cover 4. Thus, the upper surface plate 3 is not present between the front cover 4 and the rear cover 5, and the front cover 4 and the rear cover 5 can be arranged adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction. This enables a plurality of covers to be provided in a narrow space.

As shown in fig. 5, the recessed portion 33 and the recessed portion 43 are formed as inclined surfaces that descend from the front toward the rear. Thus, when a user hangs a finger on the front end edge portion of the front cover 4 or the rear cover 5, the inclined surface can guide the finger, and a feeling of security can be given to the user. Further, the following structure may be adopted: when water is sprinkled on the upper surface plate 3 of the washing machine 1 and the water enters the recess 33 or the recess 43, the water can be guided to the inside of the washing machine 1 while flowing along the inclined surface. For example, in fig. 5, the water entering the recess 43 flows into the manual input housing 130 along the inclined surface of the recess 43. The water flowing into the manual input housing 130 may be discharged into the washing tub of the washing machine 1.

[ embodiment 3 ]

In embodiment 3, a feature point for improving the functionality of the rear cover 5 of the liquid agent charging unit 10 will be described. Fig. 6 is a rear view of the rear cover 5. Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing a positional relationship between the rear cover 5 and the liquid agent tank (here, the detergent tank 110) in a state where the rear cover 5 is closed.

As shown in fig. 6, a rib-shaped protrusion 53 is formed on the rear surface of the rear cover 5. When the rear cover 5 is closed in the washing machine 1, as shown in fig. 7, the protrusion 53 of the rear cover 5 abuts against the upper surface of the detergent tank 110.

A detergent supply port (not shown) for feeding detergent from the detergent tank 110 attached to the liquid agent charging unit 10 into a water supply path of the liquid agent charging unit 10 is provided at the bottom of the detergent tank 110. Further, a check valve (not shown) is provided at the detergent supply port, and when the detergent tank 110 is detached from the liquid agent charging unit 10, the check valve is closed to prevent the detergent from leaking from the detergent supply port.

In the washing machine according to embodiment 3, when the detergent tank 110 is insufficiently mounted to the liquid agent charging unit 10 (when the detergent tank 110 slightly floats from the normal mounting position), when the rear cover 5 is closed in this state, the protrusion 53 abuts against the upper surface of the detergent tank 110 before the rear cover 5 is completely closed, and the rear cover 5 cannot be completely closed (the rear cover 5 slightly floats). Thus, if the rear cover 5 is not completely closed when closed, the user can easily recognize the attachment failure of the detergent tank 110. Alternatively, the detergent tank 110 can be pressed from above so as to completely close the rear cover 5 via the projection 53, and the detergent tank 110 that has not been sufficiently mounted can be pushed into a normal mounting position. Thus, by preventing the attachment failure of the detergent tank 110, the feeding failure of the detergent from the detergent tank 110 to the liquid agent feeding unit 10 can be prevented.

When the rear cover 5 is closed, the protrusion 53 provided on the rear cover 5 abuts not only the detergent tank 110 but also the upper surface of the softener tank 120. Thus, the projections 53 can also obtain the same effect on the conditioner case 120.

In the example shown in fig. 6, the protrusion 53 is formed in a single rib shape extending in the front-rear direction, but the number, shape, and arrangement position of the protrusions 53 are not particularly limited. For example, the protruding portion 53 may be divided into a plurality of portions abutting the detergent tank 110 and a plurality of portions abutting the softener tank 120.

The protrusion 53 may be disposed near an upper portion of a liquid agent supply port in the liquid agent tank (e.g., a detergent supply port of the detergent tank 110). In this case, when the protrusion 53 is closed, a force is applied to the liquid agent supply port from above, and the liquid agent tank can be easily pressed into a normal mounting position without being inclined. Alternatively, the plurality of divided projections 53 may be arranged so as to sandwich the liquid agent supply port in the liquid agent tank.

A liquid replenishing cover (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the liquid agent tank, and when the liquid agent is replenished to the liquid agent tank detached from the liquid agent charging unit 10, the liquid replenishing cover is opened to replenish the liquid agent. In order to easily check the remaining amount in the liquid agent tank, the liquid supplement cover is a transparent member, and when pressure is applied to the liquid supplement cover, there is a possibility that deformation, discoloration, or the like may occur, and the projection 53 may be configured to abut against the upper surface of the liquid agent tank while avoiding the liquid supplement cover. This prevents deformation and discoloration due to the projection 53 coming into contact with the liquid supplement cap.

In addition, the projection 53 may be configured to contact the liquid supplement cover even when there is no concern about deformation, discoloration, or the like in the liquid supplement cover. Thus, even when the liquid replenishing lid is not completely closed in the liquid agent tank, the liquid replenishing lid can be closed by closing the rear lid 5, and deterioration of the liquid agent and the like can be prevented.

The protrusion 53 is preferably configured to be able to abut against the upper surface of the liquid agent tank at a rearward position. Therefore, when there is a poor attachment of the liquid agent tank, the amount of floating of the rear cover 5 is larger than that even if the amount of floating of the liquid agent tank is small, and therefore, the poor attachment of the liquid agent tank is easily found.

The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as restrictive. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined not by the embodiments described above but by the claims. The scope of the claims also includes all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

Claims (5)

1. A washing machine having an upper panel as a part of a device casing, the upper panel being provided with an operation unit for receiving an operation from a user, the washing machine comprising:

a top surface portion formed as a horizontal flat surface; and

a curved portion formed in front of the top surface portion, smoothly connected to the flat surface of the top surface portion, and having a curved surface whose height decreases from the rear toward the front,

at least a part of the operation portion is disposed at the bending portion.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1,

the operation part is a power supply button,

the surface of the power button, which is operated by the user, is located below the surface of the upper surface plate.

3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

comprises a liquid agent input unit which can automatically input liquid detergent or softener into the washing tank and manually input the detergent or softener by a user,

the operation portion is at least one upper cover covering an upper portion of the liquid agent charging unit, and a tip of the upper cover is disposed so as to be hooked on the curved portion.

4. A washing machine according to claim 3,

the upper cover includes a front cover and a rear cover arranged side by side in a front-rear direction of the washing machine, a front end of the front cover is arranged to be hooked on the bent portion,

an insertion portion for a user to insert a finger when the rear cover is opened is provided at a rear end edge portion of the front cover.

5. A washing machine according to claim 3 or 4,

the liquid agent charging unit is capable of automatically charging liquid agent into the washing tank, and is provided with a liquid agent tank which is detachable relative to the housing main body of the liquid agent charging unit and contains the liquid agent automatically charged into the washing tank,

one of the upper covers covering the upper part of the liquid agent input unit covers the upper part of the liquid agent tank,

a projection portion is formed on a back surface of the upper cover covering an upper portion of the liquid agent tank, and the projection portion abuts against an upper surface of the liquid agent tank when the upper cover is closed.

Images