CN115461506A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing machine (1) in which detergent or softener is put into a water injection unit (11) in a washing tub (4) together with water from a water supply path (12). The water filling unit (11) includes a case (30) and a container (31) housed in the case (30). The box (30) has a feed opening (30C) facing the interior of the washing tub (4) from the upper side (Z1) and a bottom wall (39) extending obliquely downward and connected to the feed opening (30C). The container (31) has: a detergent supply unit (15); a softener feeding part (16) arranged in parallel with the detergent feeding part (15) in the transverse direction; a partition rib (51) disposed between the detergent dispensing part (15) and the softener dispensing part (16); and a bleed groove (52) disposed between the partition rib (51) and the softener application portion (16). The bleed groove (52) has: a trough bottom (52A) extending obliquely downward toward the input opening (30C); and a bleed hole (52F) provided in the bottom (52A) of the tank at the front end (52C) on the side of the inlet (30C) and facing the bottom wall (39) of the cartridge (30) from the upper side (Z1).

Description

Washing machine Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background

The washing machine described in patent document 1 includes a washing and dehydrating tub and a water supply device for supplying detergent and the like into the washing and dehydrating tub together with water. The water supply device includes a detergent container and a device body that holds the detergent container in a withdrawable manner. The detergent container includes a tray part which is divided into a powder detergent containing part, a liquid detergent containing part and a care agent containing part in a horizontal parallel mode. The device main body comprises a box for accommodating a detergent container and a water sprinkling chamber assembled at the upper part of the inner side of the box. In the washing process of the washing machine, water is sprayed from the water spray chamber to the powder detergent containing part and the liquid detergent containing part. When the powder detergent container contains the powder detergent, the powder detergent in the powder detergent container flows out of the detergent container together with water and is supplied into the washing and dehydrating tub. When the liquid detergent container contains a liquid detergent, the liquid detergent in the liquid detergent container flows out of the detergent container together with water and is supplied into the washing and dehydrating tub. In the final rinsing process after the washing process, the care agent in the care agent containing part flows out of the detergent container together with water by sprinkling water from the water sprinkling chamber to the care agent containing part and is supplied into the washing and dehydrating tub.

The detergent container of the washing machine of patent document 1 is provided with three storage portions corresponding to the powder detergent, the liquid detergent, and the care agent, and therefore may be large in size. On the other hand, if the detergent container is made smaller, the water in the storage section spilled by the water sprinkling section may overflow to an adjacent storage section. For example, if water in the powder detergent storage part overflows to the conditioner storage part when water is sprayed to the powder detergent storage part during the washing process, the conditioner, that is, the softener in the conditioner storage part flows out, and therefore, the softener is not present during the final rinsing process at the timing when the softener should be used, and therefore, the softener cannot be supplied into the washing and dehydrating tub.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2000-342894

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of preventing a softener from being exhausted before an original use timing in a structure in which a detergent or the softener is put into a washing tub together with water.

Means for solving the problems

The present invention is a washing machine comprising: a washing tub for accommodating laundry; a water supply path for supplying water into the washing tub; and a water injection unit that injects a detergent or a softener into the washing tub together with water from the water supply path, the water injection unit including a box having an injection port that faces the inside of the washing tub from an upper side and a bottom wall that extends obliquely downward in a depth direction of the box and is connected to the injection port, and a container that is housed in the box in such a manner as to be extractable from the box, the container having: a detergent dispensing unit for containing detergent and supplied with water from the water supply path; a softener feeding part which is arranged in parallel with the detergent feeding part in the transverse direction, accommodates a softener, and is supplied with water from the water supply path; a partitioning rib disposed between the detergent supply portion and the softener supply portion and extending in the depth direction; and a drain groove disposed between the partition rib and the softener feeding portion and extending in the depth direction, the detergent feeding portion including: a first bottom wall formed with a first through hole facing the bottom wall from an upper side; and a first pipe portion protruding upward in the detergent dispensing portion in a state of surrounding the first through hole, the softener dispensing portion including: a second bottom wall formed with a second through hole facing the bottom wall from an upper side; and a second pipe portion protruding upward in the softener application portion in a state of surrounding the second through hole, the drain groove having: a tank bottom extending obliquely downward toward the input port; and a bleed hole provided at an end portion of the tank bottom on the side of the discharge port, the bleed hole facing the bottom wall from an upper side.

In the present invention, the depth direction includes a back side far from the inlet and a near side near the inlet, an end portion of the groove bottom on the back side is located on the back side of the first through hole, and an end portion of the groove bottom on the near side is located on the near side of the first through hole.

In the present invention, the first through hole is disposed on the back side in the depth direction with respect to a center of the first bottom wall, the second through hole is disposed on the back side in the depth direction with respect to a center of the second bottom wall, a portion of the first bottom wall on the near side with respect to the first through hole extends obliquely upward toward the near side, and a portion of the second bottom wall on the near side with respect to the second through hole extends obliquely upward toward the near side.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a water discharge hole opened to both upper and lower sides is provided between the softener feeding portion and the partition rib, the discharge tank has an inclined plate constituting the tank bottom, the water injection unit further includes a water spray portion having a water spray opening for receiving water from the water supply path and spraying the water from the water spray opening into the container, the water spray opening includes: a first water sprinkling opening arranged right above the detergent feeding part; the second water sprinkling opening is arranged right above the softener feeding part; and a third water sprinkling opening arranged right above the water discharging hole.

In the present invention, a rectifying rib is provided in a lower surface portion of the second bottom wall in a region closer to the detergent supply portion side than the second through hole, and the rectifying rib extends so as to approach the detergent supply portion from the rear side toward the near side.

Effects of the invention

According to the invention, the container accommodated in the box in the water injection unit of the washing machine comprises a detergent feeding part and a softener feeding part which are transversely arranged in parallel. The user can draw the container out of the box, and the detergent is contained in the detergent feeding part or the softener is contained in the softener feeding part. During washing of the washing machine, water from the water supply path is supplied to the detergent dispenser, and the water level in the detergent dispenser rises. When the water level in the detergent feeding part rises to the upper end of the first pipe part, the detergent in the detergent feeding part together with water passes through the inner space of the first pipe part and the first through hole, falls onto the bottom wall of the box and flows down to the feeding opening of the box along the inclined surface of the bottom wall, and is fed into the washing barrel from the feeding opening. In the rinsing process after the washing process, water from the water supply path is supplied to the softener dispenser, and the water level in the softener dispenser rises. When the water level in the softener feeding part rises to the upper end of the second pipe part, the softener in the softener feeding part falls down to the bottom wall of the box along with water through the inner space of the second pipe part and the second through hole, flows down to the feeding opening of the box along the inclined plane of the bottom wall, and is fed into the washing barrel from the feeding opening.

The separating rib is arranged between the detergent putting part and the softener putting part, so that water overflowing from the detergent putting part and about to reach the softener putting part is blocked by the separating rib in the cleaning process. Further, since the drain groove is disposed between the partition rib and the softener feeding portion, even if water overflowing from the detergent feeding portion passes over the partition rib, the water is contained in the drain groove. The water contained in the drain groove flows to the drain hole along the slope of the bottom of the drain groove, falls from the drain hole onto the bottom wall of the box, flows down to the input port along the slope of the bottom wall, and is input into the washing tub from the input port. As described above, since it is difficult for water in the detergent supply portion to reach the softener supply portion, the softener in the softener supply portion can be prevented from being exhausted before the rinsing process at the original use timing.

Further, according to the present invention, in the depth direction of the cartridge, the end portion of the bottom of the drain groove on the far side is located on the far side from the first through hole of the detergent dispenser, and the end portion of the bottom of the drain groove on the near side is located on the near side from the first through hole. Thus, the drain groove can accommodate water overflowing from the detergent putting part and passing over the partition rib over a wide range in the depth direction. Therefore, the water in the detergent supply portion is more difficult to reach the softener supply portion, and therefore, the softener in the softener supply portion can be further prevented from being exhausted before the original use timing.

Further, according to the present invention, in the first bottom wall in which the first through hole is formed in the detergent dispenser so as to be offset to the rear side, a portion of the detergent dispenser located on the front side of the first through hole extends obliquely upward as it goes toward the front side. Similarly, in the second bottom wall in which the second through hole is formed in the softener-applying portion so as to be inclined to the back side, a portion on the near side of the second through hole extends obliquely upward as it goes to the near side. Thus, a space that expands in the vertical direction toward the near side is secured between the near side portion of each of the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall and the bottom wall. Therefore, water falling from the detergent feeding portion and the softener feeding portion onto the bottom wall of the box can smoothly flow in the space and be supplied into the washing tub from the feeding port.

Further, according to the present invention, since the drain hole is disposed between the detergent dispenser and the partition rib, even if water overflowing from the detergent dispenser is going to travel to the partition rib, the water drops from the drain hole onto the bottom wall of the box, flows down along the inclined surface of the bottom wall to the inlet, and is dispensed from the inlet into the washing tub. Further, since the flow path for guiding the water to the inlet side is secured below the inclined plate constituting the bottom wall of the drain groove, even if the water falling from the drain hole onto the bottom wall of the cartridge fills the region on the inner side in the cartridge, the water can be prevented from entering the softener-dispensing portion from the inner side. As described above, since it is difficult for water in the detergent supply portion to reach the softener supply portion, the softener in the softener supply portion can be further prevented from being exhausted before the original use timing.

The water spray unit that receives water from the water supply path sprays water from the first water spray port to the detergent application unit and sprays water from the second water spray port to the softener application unit, but directly sprays water from the third water spray port disposed directly above the water discharge hole to the water discharge hole without spraying water to the detergent application unit and the softener application unit. That is, the water spray part discharges excess water among the water received from the water supply path to the water discharge hole, so that the water in the detergent dispenser can be prevented from overflowing to the softener dispenser. Therefore, the water in the detergent supply portion is more difficult to reach the softener supply portion, and therefore, the softener in the softener supply portion can be further prevented from being exhausted before the original use timing.

Further, according to the present invention, the flow straightening rib provided in the lower surface portion of the second bottom wall on the detergent supply portion side of the second through hole guides water flowing down from the water discharge hole between the detergent supply portion and the partition rib to the bottom wall of the box, that is, to the central side of the container, so that the water can smoothly merge with other water flowing on the bottom wall.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a water filling unit included in the washing machine.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a container included in the water filling unit.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the container with a part of the components removed.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the container as viewed from the lower side.

Fig. 6 is a top view of the container.

Fig. 7 isbase:Sub>A sectional view taken along linebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the water filling unit with parts removed.

Fig. 9 is a partial perspective view of a sprinkler portion included in the water injection unit.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the water filling unit.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along line E-E of fig. 10.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a washing machine; 4: a washing tub; 11: a water injection unit; 12: a water supply path; 15: a detergent feeding part; 15B: a first pipe portion; 16: a softener delivery part; 16B: a second pipe portion; 30: a cartridge; 30A: an opening; 31: a container; 32: a water sprinkling part; 39: a bottom wall; 51: a partition rib; 52: a relief groove; 52A: the bottom of the tank; 52B: a rear end portion; 52C: a front end portion; 52F: a bleed aperture; 55: a first bottom wall; 55A: a first through hole; 55C: a portion of the front side; 65: a second bottom wall; 65A: a second through hole; 65C: a portion of the front side; 71: a rectifying rib; 75: a water discharge hole; 77: an inclined plate; 83: sprinkling a water gap; 83A: a first water sprinkling opening; 83B: a second water sprinkling opening; 83C: a third water sprinkling opening; c1: the center of the first bottom wall 55; c2: the center of the second bottom wall 65; q: washing the article; y: a front-back direction; y1: a front side; y2: a rear side; z1: an upper side; z2: the lower side.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional right side view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The direction perpendicular to the paper surface in fig. 1 is referred to as a left-right direction X of the washing machine 1, the left-right direction in fig. 1 is referred to as a front-back direction Y of the washing machine 1, and the up-down direction in fig. 1 is referred to as an up-down direction Z of the washing machine 1. In the left-right direction X, the back side of the paper surface in fig. 1 is referred to as a left side X1, and the front side of the paper surface in fig. 1 is referred to as a right side X2. Of the front-rear direction Y, the left side is referred to as a front side Y1, and the right side is referred to as a rear side Y2. Among the vertical directions Z, the upper side is referred to as an upper side Z1, and the lower side is referred to as a lower side Z2. The left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y coincide with the horizontal direction H, and the up-down direction Z coincides with the vertical direction V.

The washing machine 1 also includes a washing and drying machine having a drying function, but the washing machine 1 will be described below by taking as an example a washing machine which omits the drying function and performs only a washing operation. The washing machine 1 includes: a box body 2; an outer tub 3 accommodated in the cabinet 2; a washing tub 4 accommodated in the outer tub 3; a rotary wing 5 accommodated in the washing tub 4; an electric motor 6 for generating a driving force for rotating the washing tub 4 and the rotary blade 5; and a transmission mechanism 7 for switching a transmission destination of the driving force generated by the motor 6.

The case 2 is made of, for example, metal and is formed in a box shape. The upper surface 2A of the case 2 is formed to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to extend toward the upper side Z1 as approaching the rear side Y2, for example. An opening 2B for communicating the inside and outside of the case 2 is formed in the upper surface 2A. A door 9 for opening and closing the opening 2B is provided on the upper surface 2A. A display operation portion 10 formed of, for example, a touch panel or the like is provided in a region on the front side Y1 of the upper surface 2A with respect to the opening 2B. The user can freely select washing conditions by operating the display operation unit 10, and instruct the washing machine 1 to start or stop the operation. The display operation unit 10 displays information related to the washing operation in a visible manner.

The outer tub 3 is made of, for example, resin and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The outer tub 3 has: a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 3A arranged along the vertical direction Z; a bottom wall 3B that blocks a hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from a lower side Z2; and an annular wall 3C that protrudes toward the center of the circumferential wall 3A while wrapping the edge of the upper side Z1 of the circumferential wall 3A. An opening 3D is formed inside the annular wall 3C. The opening 3D is disposed directly below the opening 2B of the case 2. The hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A is exposed from the opening 3D to the upper side Z1. The bottom wall 3B is formed in a disc shape extending in the horizontal direction H, and a through hole 3E penetrating the bottom wall 3B is formed at a center position of the bottom wall 3B.

The washing machine 1 further comprises: a water injection unit 11 for separately storing a detergent and a softener; a water supply path 12 connecting a faucet (not shown) to the water injection unit 11; and a bath pump 14 connected to the hose 13 immersed in bath water. The water filling unit 11 is disposed on the rear side Y2 of the opening 3D of the tub 3 on the upper side Z1 of the tub 3 in the casing 2. The water injection unit 11 includes a detergent dispenser 15 for containing a detergent and a softener dispenser 16 for containing a softener. The detergent dispenser 15 and the softener dispenser 16 are arranged side by side in the lateral direction X. The water supply path 12 is branched into a first branch 12A and a second branch 12B, and the first branch 12A and the second branch 12B are connected to the water injection unit 11, respectively. The first branch 12A is provided with an openable and closable first feed valve 17, and the second branch 12B is provided with an openable and closable second feed valve 18.

When the first water supply valve 17 is opened in a state where the second water supply valve 18 is closed, the tap water from the tap is supplied into the outer tub 3 together with the detergent in the detergent dispenser 15 after passing through the first branch 12A and flowing into the detergent dispenser 15. When no detergent is present in the detergent dispenser 15, only tap water is supplied into the tub 3. When the second water supply valve 18 is opened in a state where the first water supply valve 17 is closed, the softener in the softener dosing part 16 is supplied into the outer tub 3 together with the tap water from the tap after flowing through the second branch 12B and into the softener dosing part 16. In the case where the softener is not present in the softener dispenser 16, only the tap water is supplied into the outer tub 3.

The bath water pump 14 is connected to the water supply unit 11 via a bath water supply path 19. The bath water pump 14 is driven to suck bath water and flow the bath water into the detergent dispenser 15. Thereby, the bath water is supplied into the tub 3 through the detergent dispenser 15. The dotted arrows in fig. 1 indicate the tap water and the bath water supplied from the water filling unit 11 into the outer tub 3. The water filling unit 11, the water supply path 12, and the bath pump 14 will be described in detail later.

A drain path 20 is connected to the outer tub 3 from the lower side Z2, and water in the outer tub 3 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drain path 20. A drain valve 21 that is opened and closed to start or stop drainage is provided in the middle of the drain passage 20. When the first or second water supply valve 17 or 18 is opened or the bath pump 14 is driven in a state where the drain valve 21 is closed, water from the water filling unit 11 is supplied and stored into the tub 3.

The washing tub 4 is made of, for example, metal, has a central axis J extending in the vertical direction Z, is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape smaller than the outer tub 3 by one turn, and can accommodate the laundry Q therein. The washing tub 4 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 4A arranged in the vertical direction Z, and a bottom wall 4C closing a hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A from a lower side Z2.

The inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A is the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub 4. The upper end portion of the inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall 4A is the inlet/outlet 4B that exposes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A to the upper side Z1. The inlet/outlet 4B communicates with the opening 3D of the annular wall 3C of the tub 3 and the opening 2B of the casing 2 from the lower side Z2. The user of washing machine 1 opens door 9 to open opening 2B, opening 3D, and doorway 4B, and takes in and out laundry Q to washing tub 4 through opening 2B, opening 3D, and doorway 4B.

The washing tub 4 is coaxially accommodated in the outer tub 3 and is disposed along the vertical direction Z. The washing tub 4 accommodated in the outer tub 3 is rotatable about the central axis J. A plurality of through holes, not shown, are formed in the circumferential wall 4A and the bottom wall 4C of the washing tub 4, and water in the outer tub 3 can flow between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 through the through holes. Therefore, the water level in the outer tub 3 is identical to the water level in the washing tub 4. Further, the water from the water filling unit 11 is directly supplied into the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1 by falling through the inlet and outlet 4B of the washing tub 4.

The bottom wall 4C of the washing tub 4 is formed in a disc shape extending substantially in parallel with the top wall 3B of the outer tub 3 at an interval on the upper side Z1, and a through hole 4D penetrating the bottom wall 4C is formed in the bottom wall 4C at a position of a center point coinciding with the center axis J. The bottom wall 4C is provided with a tubular support shaft 22 surrounding the through hole 4D and extending downward Z2 along the center axis J. The support shaft 22 is inserted through the through hole 3E of the bottom wall 3B of the tub 3, and the lower end of the support shaft 22 is located below the bottom wall 3B Z2.

The rotary blade 5 is a so-called pulsator, and is formed in a disk shape with the center axis J as a center, and is disposed in the washing tub 4 along the bottom wall 4C concentrically with the washing tub 4. A plurality of blades 5A arranged in a radial pattern are provided on the upper surface of the rotary blade 5 facing the inlet 4B of the washing tub 4 from the lower side Z2. The rotary wing 5 is provided with a rotary shaft 23 extending from the center thereof to the lower side Z2 along the center axis J. The rotation shaft 23 is inserted through the hollow portion of the support shaft 22, and the lower end of the rotation shaft 23 is located on the lower side Z2 of the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3.

The motor 6 is disposed on the lower side Z2 of the tub 3 in the casing 2. The motor 6 has an output shaft 24 that rotates about the center axis J. The transmission mechanism 7 is interposed between the lower end portions of the support shaft 22 and the rotary shaft 23 and the upper end portion of the output shaft 24. The transmission mechanism 7 selectively transmits the driving force output from the output shaft 24 of the motor 6 to one or both of the support shaft 22 and the rotary shaft 23. A known clutch or the like can be used as the transmission mechanism 7.

When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the support shaft 22, the washing tub 4 rotates about the central axis J. When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 23, the rotary wing 5 rotates about the central axis J. Since the rotation direction of the output shaft 24 of the motor 6 is variable, the washing tub 4 and the rotary wing 5 can be rotated not only in one direction but also in the other direction opposite to the one direction.

The washing machine 1 further includes a control unit 25 configured by a microcomputer or the like. The control unit 25 controls the operations of the motor 6, the transfer mechanism 7, the bath water pump 14, the first water supply valve 17, the second water supply valve 18, and the drain valve 21 to perform the washing operation. The washing operation includes a washing process of washing the laundry Q in the washing tub 4, a rinsing process of rinsing the laundry Q after the washing process, and a dehydrating process of dehydrating the laundry Q after the rinsing process. The rinsing process may be performed a plurality of times, and the final rinsing process is referred to as a final rinsing process. The dehydration process includes an intermediate dehydration process performed immediately after the washing process, the rinsing process, and a final dehydration process performed at the end of the washing operation.

In the washing process, controller 25 first opens first water supply valve 17 for a predetermined time with drain valve 21 closed to supply water into washing tub 4. Thus, the detergent in detergent dispenser 15 is supplied into washing tub 4 together with the tap water from water supply path 12. At this time, the controller 25 may supply the bath water into the tub 4 by driving the bath water pump 14. When the water level in the washing tub 4 rises to a predetermined level, the controller 25 controls the motor 6 and the transmission mechanism 7 to rotate the rotary wing 5 after stopping the water supply. As a result, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is agitated or the detergent is applied to the laundry Q to decompose dirt, thereby washing the laundry Q. Finally, the control part 25 drains the washing tub 4 by opening the drain valve 21.

In the rinsing process, controller 25 first opens first water supply valve 17 for a predetermined time with drain valve 21 closed to store tap water in washing tub 4. During the final rinse, controller 25 opens second water supply valve 18, not first water supply valve 17, for a predetermined time, thereby storing tap water containing the softener in washing tub 4. Next, the control unit 25 controls the motor 6 and the transmission mechanism 7 to rotate the rotary wing 5. Thereby, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is rinsed, and the softener permeates the laundry Q. Finally, the control part 25 drains the washing tub 4.

In the dehydration process, the controller 25 controls the motor 6 and the transmission mechanism 7 to rotate the washing tub 4 at a predetermined dehydration rotation speed in a state where the drain valve 21 is opened. Thereby, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is dehydrated by the centrifugal force. It should be noted that the operation conditions may be different between the intermediate dewatering process and the final dewatering process, and as an example, the dewatering rotation speed of the final dewatering process may be higher than that of the intermediate dewatering process.

Next, the water filling unit 11 will be described in detail. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the water filling unit 11. The water filling unit 11 includes: a cartridge 30 forming a housing of the water filling unit 11; a container 31 for storing detergent and softener; and a water spray unit 32 disposed at an upper portion in the case 30, for receiving water from the water supply path 12 and spraying the water into the container 31.

The cartridge 30 is formed in a box shape slightly flattened in the up-down direction Z. The depth direction of the cartridge 30 in the present embodiment is the front-rear direction Y, but the depth direction of the cartridge 30 may be the left-right direction X. The cartridge 30 has: a left wall 35; a right wall 36; a rear wall 37 bridging between the rear ends of the left and right walls 35, 36; a top wall 38 that spans between the upper ends of the left and right walls 35, 36 and is also connected to the upper end of the rear wall 37; and a bottom wall 39 that spans between the lower ends of the left and right walls 35, 36 and is also connected to the lower end of the rear wall 37. The left wall 35 and the right wall 36 are plates extending in the front-rear direction Y and the up-down direction Z, and are arranged in parallel to each other. The rear wall 37 is a plate extending in the left-right direction X and the up-down direction Z.

The top wall 38 is a substantially rectangular plate extending in the horizontal direction H. Flange-like brackets 40 for fixing the cartridge 30 to the case 2 are provided at four corners of the top wall 38. A first link 41, a second link 42, a third link 43, and a fourth link 44 are provided on the upper surface portion of the top wall 38.

The first link 41 is tubular extending in the left-right direction X, and is disposed in the right region of the ceiling wall 38. The left end of the first link 41 is disposed substantially at the center of the ceiling wall 38 in plan view. A first through hole 38A penetrating the ceiling wall 38 in the vertical direction Z is formed in the ceiling wall 38 at a position directly below the left end portion of the first link 41. The first through hole 38A is in a state of communicating with the internal space of the first connector 41 from the lower side Z2. A first branch 12A of the water supply path 12 is connected to a right end of the first connector 41.

The second link 42 is tubular extending in the left-right direction X, is shorter than the first link 41, and is disposed adjacent to the right end of the first link 41 from the rear side Y2. A second through hole 38B penetrating the top wall 38 in the vertical direction Z is formed in the top wall 38 at a position directly below the left end portion of the second link 42. The second through hole 38B is in a state of communicating with the internal space of the second link 42 from the lower side Z2. A second branch 12B of the water supply path 12 is connected to a right end of the second connection member 42.

The third link 43 is tubular extending in the left-right direction X, and is disposed in the left region of the top wall 38. The third link 43 is disposed substantially at the center of the ceiling wall 38 in the front-rear direction Y, and is disposed on the left side X1 of the first link 41, similarly to the first link 41. A third through hole 38C that penetrates the top wall 38 in the vertical direction Z is formed in the top wall 38 at a position directly below the right end portion of the third link 43. The third through hole 38C is in a state of communicating with the internal space of the third link 43 from the lower side Z2. The left end of the third link 43 is connected to the bath water supply path 19.

The fourth link 44 is tubular extending obliquely from the left end of the first link 41 to the left side X1 and the rear side Y2, and is disposed in the rear region of the top wall 38. The internal space of the fourth link 44 is in a state of communicating with the internal space of the first link 41 from the rear side Y2. The rear end portion of the fourth link 44 is connected to the bath water pump 14 via a relay line 45.

The bottom wall 39 is a plate extending obliquely with respect to the horizontal direction H. Specifically, the bottom wall 39 extends so as to descend toward the front side Y1. The box 30 is formed with an opening 30A that is bordered by the front ends of the left wall 35, the right wall 36, the top wall 38, and the bottom wall 39, respectively. The opening 30A has a rectangular shape elongated in the left-right direction X. A space surrounded by the left wall 35, the right wall 36, the rear wall 37, the top wall 38, and the bottom wall 39 is an internal space 30B of the box 30, and the internal space 30B is exposed from the opening 30A to the front side Y1.

The lower end of the opening 30A is referred to as a feed port 30C. The bottom wall 39 extends obliquely downward in the front-rear direction Y and is connected to the inlet 30C (see also fig. 12 described later). The rear end of the inlet 30C is covered with the front end of the bottom wall 39. The inlet 30C is formed in a slit shape elongated in the left-right direction X and faces the inside of the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1 through the opening 3D of the outer tub 3 and the inlet 4B of the washing tub 4 (see fig. 1). In the front-rear direction Y, the front side Y1 is a near side close to the inlet 30C, and the rear side Y2 is a far side away from the inlet 30C. The near side and the far side are directions based on a user positioned on the front side Y1 of the washing machine 1.

The container 31 is normally housed in the box 30, but can be drawn out from the box 30 to the front side Y1 via the opening 30A. The following description is made on the premise that the container 31 is accommodated in the cassette 30. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the container 31. The container 31 has: a handle 50 exposed to the front side Y1 from the opening 30A in a state of being housed in the case 30 (see also fig. 2); the detergent supply unit 15 and the softener supply unit 16; and a partition rib 51 and a drain groove 52 disposed between the detergent dispenser 15 and the softener dispenser 16.

The handle 50 has a laterally long plate shape having almost the same size as the opening 30A of the cartridge 30, and four corners of the handle 50 are rounded in an arc shape. The handle 50 is formed with a recess 50A recessed upward Z1 from a lower end thereof (see fig. 7 described later). The user pulls out the container 31 by catching his or her finger in the concave portion 50A.

The detergent dispenser 15 and the softener dispenser 16 are each in the form of a tray, and are connected to the handle 50 from the rear side Y2. The detergent dispenser 15 is disposed on the left side X1 of the softener dispenser 16. The detergent applying portion 15 has the same size as the softener applying portion 16 in the front-rear direction Y, but is about two times larger than the softener applying portion 16 in the left-right direction X. The detergent dispenser 15 is equipped with a first cover member 53, and the softener dispenser 16 is equipped with a second cover member 54.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the container 31 in a state where the first lid member 53 and the second lid member 54 are removed. The detergent dispenser 15 includes: a first bottom wall 55 formed by a horizontal plate; a first left wall 56 rising from a left end of the first bottom wall 55 and extending in the front-rear direction Y; and a first right wall 57 rising from a right end of the first bottom wall 55 and extending in the front-rear direction Y. The detergent dispenser 15 further includes: a first rear wall 58 rising from the rear end of the first bottom wall 55 and bridging between the rear ends of the first left wall 56 and the first right wall 57; and a first front wall 59 rising from the front end of the first bottom wall 55 and bridging between the front ends of the first left wall 56 and the first right wall 57. The space surrounded by first bottom wall 55, first left wall 56, first right wall 57, first rear wall 58, and first front wall 59 is internal space 15A of detergent dispenser 15, and internal space 15A is open to upper side Z1.

The first bottom wall 55 is formed with a circular first through hole 55A penetrating the first bottom wall 55 in the vertical direction Z. The first through hole 55A is disposed on the rear side Y2 of the center C1 of the first bottom wall 55 in the front-rear direction Y. That is, the first through hole 55A is disposed at a position rearward of the first bottom wall 55. In the first bottom wall 55, a portion 55B on the rear side Y2 of the first through hole 55A extends substantially horizontally, and a portion 55C on the front side Y1 of the first through hole 55A extends obliquely upward toward the front side Y1 (see also fig. 12).

The detergent dispenser 15 further includes a first tubular portion 15B having a circular tubular shape, and the first tubular portion 15B protrudes upward Z1 in the detergent dispenser 15, that is, in the internal space 15A so as to surround the first through hole 55A. A portion 55D of the first bottom wall 55 around the first tube 15B is formed in a boss shape so as to slightly descend as it approaches the first tube 15B (see also fig. 12). The lower end of the first pipe portion 15B protrudes downward Z2 from the first bottom wall 55, and constitutes the lower end of the first bottom wall 55 (see also fig. 11 described later). The internal space of the first pipe portion 15B constitutes a first through hole 55A, and is open to both the upper side Z1 and the lower side Z2. A reinforcing rib 15C extending in the vertical direction Z and connected to the first bottom wall 55 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first pipe portion 15B.

The first lid member 53 (see fig. 3) is disposed in the detergent dispenser 15 and is fitted to the first pipe 15B. The first cover member 53 has: a first top plate 53A facing the upper end of the first pipe 15B from the upper side Z1 with a gap therebetween; and a cylindrical first tube part 53B extending from the central part of the first top plate part 53A toward the lower side Z2 and surrounding the first tube part 15B (see fig. 12). The first top plate portion 53A is a substantially rectangular flat plate extending substantially horizontally. The lower end of the first tube 53B is disposed away from the first bottom wall 55 toward the upper side Z1.

A first guide rail 60 extending linearly in the front-rear direction Y is provided at an upper end portion of the first left wall 56. The rear end of the first rail 60 is disposed on the rear side Y2 of the first rear wall 58. The first front wall 59 extends obliquely toward the front upper side. The first front wall 59 is connected to the handle 50 from the rear side Y2.

The softener application unit 16 includes: a second bottom wall 65 formed by a horizontal plate; a second left wall 66 rising from a left end of the second bottom wall 65 and extending in the front-rear direction Y; and a second right wall 67 rising from the right end of the second bottom wall 65 and extending in the front-rear direction Y. The softener delivery unit 16 further includes: a second rear wall 68 rising from the rear end of the second bottom wall 65 and bridging between the rear ends of the second left wall 66 and the second right wall 67; and a second front wall 69 rising from the front end of the second bottom wall 65 and bridging between the front ends of the second left wall 66 and the second right wall 67. The space surrounded by the second bottom wall 65, the second left wall 66, the second right wall 67, the second rear wall 68, and the second front wall 69 is an internal space 16A of the softener-applying portion 16, and the internal space 16A is open to the upper side Z1.

The second bottom wall 65 is formed with a circular second through hole 65A penetrating the second bottom wall 65 in the vertical direction Z. The second through hole 65A is disposed on the rear side Y2 of the center C2 of the second bottom wall 65 in the front-rear direction Y. That is, the second through hole 65A is disposed at a position rearward of the second bottom wall 65. In the second bottom wall 65, a portion 65B on the rear side Y2 of the second through hole 65A extends substantially horizontally, and a portion 65C on the front side Y1 of the second through hole 65A extends obliquely upward toward the front side Y1.

The softener application portion 16 further has a second pipe portion 16B having a circular pipe shape, and the second pipe portion 16B protrudes upward Z1 in the softener application portion 16, that is, in the internal space 16A, in a state of surrounding the second through hole 65A. A portion 65D of the second bottom wall 65 around the second pipe portion 16B is formed in a boss shape so as to slightly descend as it approaches the second pipe portion 16B. The lower end of the second tube portion 16B protrudes downward Z2 from the second bottom wall 65, and constitutes the lower end of the second bottom wall 65 (see fig. 11). The inner space of the second pipe portion 16B constitutes a second through hole 65A, and is open to both the upper side Z1 and the lower side Z2. A reinforcing rib 16C extending in the vertical direction Z and connected to the second bottom wall 65 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second pipe portion 16B.

The second cover member 54 (see fig. 3) is disposed in the softener-applying portion 16 and is fitted to the second pipe portion 16B. The second cover member 54 is disposed similarly to the first cover member 53. The second cover member 54 has: a second top plate 54A facing the upper end of the second pipe 16B from the upper side Z1 with a gap therebetween; and a cylindrical second tube 54B extending downward Z2 from the center of the second top plate 54A and surrounding the second tube 16B. The second top plate 54A is a substantially rectangular flat plate extending substantially horizontally. The lower end of the second tube 54B is disposed away from the second bottom wall 65 toward the upper side Z1.

Strictly speaking, the second left wall 66 is longer than the second right wall 67 at the rear side Y2, and the rear end portion 66A of the second left wall 66 is in a state of protruding to the rear side Y2 than the second rear wall 68. A second guide rail 70 extending linearly in the front-rear direction Y is provided at an upper end portion of the second right wall 67. The rear end of the second rail 70 is disposed on the rear side Y2 of the second rear wall 68. The second rear wall 68 is disposed at the same position as the first rear wall 58 of the detergent dispenser 15 in the front-rear direction Y. The second front wall 69 extends obliquely toward the front upper side. The second front wall 69 is connected to the handle 50 from the rear side Y2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the container 31 viewed from the lower side Z2. In the lower surface portion of the second bottom wall 65 of the softener application portion 16, a rectifying rib 71 protruding downward Z2 is provided in a region on the left side X1, i.e., on the detergent application portion 15 side, of the second through hole 65A. The rectifying rib 71 has: a rear end portion 71A and a front end portion 71B extending in the front-rear direction Y; and a middle portion 71C that is inclined from the rear end portion 71A toward the left side X1 and is continuous with the front end portion 71B. Therefore, the entire flow straightening rib 71 extends so as to approach the detergent dispenser 15 on the left side X1 from the rear side Y2 toward the front side Y1.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the container 31. The partition rib 51 is a vertical plate disposed between the first right wall 57 of the detergent dispensing part 15 and the second left wall 66 of the softener dispensing part 16, and extends from the handle 50 to the rear side Y2 in the front-rear direction Y. The partition rib 51 is arranged in parallel with the first right wall 57 and the second left wall 66 in plan view. The upper ends of the partition ribs 51 are disposed at positions higher than the upper ends of the first right wall 57 and the second left wall 66, respectively (see fig. 11). The rear end 51A of the partitioning rib 51 is disposed on the rear side Y2 of the first rear wall 58 of the detergent dispenser 15 and the second rear wall 68 of the softener dispenser 16. A slit-shaped drain hole 75 extending in the front-rear direction Y is provided between the partition rib 51 and the first right wall 57. The drain hole 75 is open to both the upper side Z1 and the lower side Z2. The container 31 has a plurality of connection portions 76 arranged in the drain hole 75 and extending between the first right wall 57 and the partition rib 51. These coupling portions 76 are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction Y. The rearmost joint 76 is bridged between the rear end of the first right wall 57 and the partition rib 51.

The bleed groove 52 is disposed between the partition rib 51 and the second left wall 66 of the softener-applying portion 16, and extends in the front-rear direction Y. The partition rib 51 is a side wall of the left side X1 in the drain groove 52, and the second left wall 66 is a side wall of the right side X2 in the drain groove 52. The container 31 includes a plate-shaped inclined plate 77 that extends in the front-rear direction Y between the partition rib 51 and the second left wall 66, and the inclined plate 77 constitutes the bottom 52A of the drain groove 52, and almost the entire area thereof is inclined so as to descend toward the front side Y1.

Fig. 7 isbase:Sub>A sectional view taken along linebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A of fig. 6. In the bottom 52A of the drain tank 52, the rear end portion 52B is disposed on the rear side Y2 of the first through hole 55A of the first bottom wall 55 of the detergent dispenser 15, and the front end portion 52C is disposed on the front side Y1 of the first through hole 55A. The rear end portion 52B extends in the horizontal direction H. A middle portion 52D of the groove bottom 52A connecting the rear end portion 52B and the front end portion 52C extends obliquely downward toward the front side Y1. A convex portion 52E protruding upward Z1 and extending in the left-right direction X is provided at the boundary between the rear end portion 52B and the middle portion 52D. The front end portion 52C is connected to the front end, i.e., the lower end, of the middle portion 52D. The distal end portion 52C is provided with a bleed hole 52F penetrating the inclined plate 77 in the vertical direction Z.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the water filling unit 11 with the top wall 38 of the cartridge 30 removed. The sprinkler portion 32 includes: a first water spray tray 81 disposed right above the detergent dispenser 15; and a second water spray tray 82 disposed directly above the softener application portion 16. The first water application tray 81 and the second water application tray 82 are each a substantially rectangular tray that is long in the front-rear direction Y in plan view. A plurality of water discharge ports 83 formed of through holes are formed in the bottom plate 81A of the first water discharge tray 81 and the bottom plate 82A of the second water discharge tray 82, respectively. The water spray opening 83 has: a plurality of first water spray ports 83A arranged so as to be distributed over substantially the entire area of the bottom plate 81A; a plurality of second water spray ports 83B arranged to be distributed over the entire area of the bottom plate 82A; and a plurality of third water discharge ports 83C arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction Y along the right end of the bottom plate 81A.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the first watering tray 81. The first nozzle 83A includes: a plurality of slits 83AA arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction Y; and a plurality of circular holes 83AB disposed around the slits 83 AA. Each slit 83AA is elongated in the left-right direction X. The second nozzle 83B is a plurality of circular holes (see fig. 8). Each third nozzle 83C is a rectangular hole and is disposed so as to be distant from the first nozzle 83A group toward the right side X2.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the water filling unit 11. Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 10. The water spray unit 32 is disposed above the internal space 30B of the case 30. Specifically, in the water spray part 32, the first water spray tray 81 and the second water spray tray 82 are arranged in parallel in the lateral direction in the upper part of the internal space 30B such that the first water spray tray 81 is positioned on the left side X1 of the second water spray tray 82.

The first water spray tray 81 is disposed directly above the detergent dispenser 15. In the first water spray tray 81 in this state, all the first water spray ports 83A are disposed directly above the detergent dispenser 15, but all the third water spray ports 83C located at the right end are disposed directly above the water discharge holes 75 adjacent to the right side of the detergent dispenser 15 (see also fig. 8). A pair of left and right first fixing ribs 85 are provided on the left region of the lower surface portion of the top wall 38 of the box 30 so as to sandwich the first watering tray 81. The claws 85A provided on the first fixing ribs 85 are engaged with the outer peripheral portion of the first water application tray 81 from the lower side Z2, whereby the first water application tray 81 is fixed to the top wall 38. The first through hole 38A and the third through hole 38C of the ceiling wall 38 are in a state of communicating with the inside of the first water spray tray 81 from the upper side Z1 (see fig. 2 and 8). The first watering tray 81 can be drawn out from the opening 30A of the cartridge 30.

The second water spray tray 82 is disposed directly above the softener application portion 16. In the second water spray tray 82 in this state, all the second water spray ports 83B are disposed directly above the softener feeding portion 16. A pair of right and left second fixing ribs 86 are provided on the right region of the lower surface portion of the top wall 38 across the second watering tray 82. The claws 86A provided on the second fixing ribs 86 are engaged with the outer peripheral portion of the second watering tray 82 from the lower side Z2, whereby the second watering tray 82 is fixed to the top wall 38. The second through hole 38B of the top wall 38 communicates with the inside of the second watering tray 82 from the upper side Z1 (see fig. 2 and 8). The second watering tray 82 can be withdrawn from the opening 30A of the cartridge 30. The upper end portion of the partition rib 51 is disposed between the first fixing rib 85 on the right side X2 and the second fixing rib 86 on the left side X1.

In a coupling portion of left wall 35 and top wall 38 of box 30, first guide groove 30D extending in front-rear direction Y is formed as a part of internal space 30B of box 30. A second guide groove 30E extending in the front-rear direction Y is formed as a part of the internal space 30B at a connecting portion of the right wall 36 and the top wall 38 in the case 30. In the container 31, the first guide rail 60 on the left side X1 is accommodated in the first guide groove 30D, and the second guide rail 70 on the right side X2 is accommodated in the second guide groove 30E. Thus, the container 31 is slidably supported by the cassette 30 in the front-rear direction Y, and therefore the container 31 can be drawn out from the cassette 30 as described above. Therefore, the user can draw the container 31 out of the cartridge 30, and store the detergent in the detergent dispenser 15 or store the softener in the softener dispenser 16.

The detergent contained in the detergent dispenser 15 is a liquid detergent that has been recently used by users at a high rate. The detergent dispenser 15 may contain not only the detergent but also the liquid bleaching agent. The softener supply unit 16 contains a liquid softener. Note that the "MAX" mark M displayed on the first top plate 53A of the first cover member 53 and the second top plate 54A of the second cover member 54 indicates the upper limit of the storage capacity of the detergent and softener, and therefore the user stores the detergent and softener to an extent not exceeding the mark M. In the cartridge 30 which is put back into the container 31 by the user, as shown in fig. 11, the first bottom wall 55 of the detergent dispenser 15 and the second bottom wall 65 of the softener dispenser 16 are disposed on the upper side Z1 of the bottom wall 39 of the cartridge 30 with a gap therebetween, and the first through hole 55A of the first bottom wall 55 and the second through hole 65A of the second bottom wall 65 face the bottom wall 39 from the upper side Z1.

The first guide rail 60 and the first guide groove 30D are provided with a first engaging portion 88 formed of, for example, a convex portion, and the second guide rail 70 and the second guide groove 30E are provided with a second engaging portion 89 (see fig. 8) similar to the first engaging portion 88. The first engaging portions 88 of the first guide rail 60 and the first guide groove 30D are engaged with each other, and the second engaging portions 89 of the second guide rail 70 and the second guide groove 30E are engaged with each other, whereby the container 31 in the cartridge 30 is positioned at a position where it is not freely movable toward the front side Y1. The washing operation is performed in a state where the container 31 is thus accommodated in the case 30, and the water injection unit 11 injects the detergent or softener into the washing tub 4 along with the water from the water supply path 12. That is, the water injection unit 11 selectively injects one of the detergent and the softener into the washing tub 4 when supplying water.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of fig. 10. Fig. 12 shows a vertical cross section of the water injection unit 11 in the first pipe portion 15B of the detergent dispenser 15, and the vertical cross section is almost the same as the vertical cross section of the water injection unit 11 in the second pipe portion 16B of the softener dispenser 16.

During the washing process, since the first water supply valve 17 is opened as described above, the tap water in the water supply path 12 flows into the first connector 41 through the first branch path 12A, and falls down into the first water application tray 81 of the water application part 32 from the first through hole 38A of the top wall 38 of the cartridge 30 (see also fig. 2). Thus, the first water spray tray 81 is filled with tap water and sprays water from the first water spray ports 83A into the detergent dispenser 15 immediately below. Therefore, tap water from water supply path 12 is supplied to detergent dispenser 15. Further, a part of the tap water flowing into the first connector 41 flows through the relay passage 45 and is supplied to the bath pump 14 as the starting water. When the bath water pump 14 supplied with the start water is driven, the bath water flows into the third link 43 through the hose 13 and the bath water supply path 19, and falls down into the first shower tray 81 of the shower unit 32 from the third through hole 38C of the top wall 38 of the box 30 (see also fig. 2). Thus, the first water spray tray 81 is filled with the bath water and sprays the water from the first water spray ports 83A into the detergent dispenser 15 immediately below.

During the washing process, the water level in the detergent dispenser 15 rises by supplying tap water and/or bath water into the detergent dispenser 15 in this manner. The water in the detergent dispenser 15 also enters the gap 90 between the first pipe 15B and the first cylinder 53B of the first lid member 53. When the water level in the detergent dispenser 15, that is, the water level in the gap 90 rises to the upper end of the first pipe 15B, the detergent in the detergent dispenser 15, as shown by the dotted arrow in fig. 12, drops onto the bottom wall 39 of the cartridge 30 together with the water through the inner space of the first pipe 15B and the first through hole 55A, flows down along the slope of the bottom wall 39 to the dispenser opening 30C of the cartridge 30, and is dispensed from the dispenser opening 30C into the washing tub 4 due to the siphon effect.

In the rinsing process after the washing process, specifically, in the final rinsing process, as described above, the second water supply valve 18 is opened, so that the tap water in the water supply path 12 flows into the second connection member 42 through the second branch path 12B, and falls down into the second watering tray 82 of the watering portion 32 from the second through hole 38B of the top wall 38 of the cartridge 30 (see also fig. 2). Thus, the second water application tray 82 is filled with tap water, and water is applied from the second water application ports 84 into the softener application part 16 immediately below. Therefore, tap water from the water supply path 12 is supplied to the softener-feeding portion 16.

By supplying tap water into the softener-adding portion 16 in this manner, the water level in the softener-adding portion 16 rises. The water in the softener-delivering part 16 also enters the gap 91 between the second pipe part 16B and the second cylindrical part 54B of the second cover member 54. When the water level in the softener feeding portion 16, that is, the water level in the gap 91 rises to the upper end of the second pipe portion 16B, the detergent in the softener feeding portion 16 falls onto the bottom wall 39 of the cartridge 30 together with water through the inner space of the second pipe portion 16B and the second through hole 65A as shown by the dotted arrow in fig. 12 due to the siphon effect, flows down to the feeding port 30C of the cartridge 30 along the slope of the bottom wall 39, and is fed into the washing tub 4 from the feeding port 30C.

As described above, the portion 55C of the first bottom wall 55 of the detergent dispenser 15 on the front side Y1 with respect to the first through hole 55A extends obliquely upward toward the front side Y1, and the portion 65C of the second bottom wall 65 of the softener dispenser 16 on the front side Y1 with respect to the second through hole 65A extends obliquely upward toward the front side Y1. Thus, a space 93 extending in the vertical direction Z toward the front side Y1 is ensured between each of the portions 55C and 65C and the bottom wall 39 extending obliquely downward toward the front side Y1. Therefore, water falling from the detergent dispenser 15 and the softener dispenser 16 onto the bottom wall 39 of the cartridge 30 can be smoothly supplied into the washing tub 4 from the dispenser 30C through the space 93.

During the washing operation, when the first water supply valve 17 is fully opened and both the tap water and the bath water are supplied to the detergent dispenser 15, the amount of water supplied to the detergent dispenser 15 is maximized. When the amount of water supplied to detergent dispenser 15 is the maximum, it is conceivable that water discharged from first through hole 55A in detergent dispenser 15 does not catch up with the supplied water. When the drainage is not continued to the water supply and the water in the detergent supply portion 15 has no place to flow over to the softener supply portion 16, the softener in the softener supply portion 16 flows out together with the water, and thus the required amount of softener cannot be supplied into the washing tub 4 in the final rinsing process.

Therefore, as shown in fig. 11, since the partition rib 51 is disposed between the detergent dispenser 15 and the softener dispenser 16, water (see a dotted arrow in fig. 11) overflowing from the detergent dispenser 15 and reaching the softener dispenser 16 during a washing process is blocked by the partition rib 51. The upper end portion of the partition rib 51 is disposed between the first fixing rib 85 on the right side X2 and the second fixing rib 86 on the left side X1, and thus a labyrinth structure 92 is formed around the upper end portion of the partition rib 51. Therefore, the water overflowing from the detergent dispenser 15 does not easily reach the upper end of the partitioning rib 51 and passes over the partitioning rib 51 toward the softener dispenser 16.

Further, since the drain groove 52 is disposed between the partitioning rib 51 and the softener dosing portion 16, even if water overflowing from the detergent dosing portion 15 passes over the partitioning rib 51, the water is contained in the drain groove 52. As shown in fig. 13, which is a D-D cross-sectional view of fig. 10, a groove bottom 52A of the bleed groove 52 extends obliquely downward toward the inlet 30C of the cartridge 30, and a bleed hole 52F is formed in the groove bottom 52A at a tip end 52C on the inlet 30C side, facing the bottom wall 39 of the cartridge 30 from the upper side Z1.

Therefore, as shown by the broken line arrows in fig. 13, the water contained in the drain groove 52 flows to the drain hole 52F along the slope of the bottom 52A of the drain groove 52, falls from the drain hole 52F onto the bottom wall 39 of the cartridge 30, flows down to the inlet 30C along the slope of the bottom wall 39, and is introduced into the washing tub 4 from the inlet 30C. Thus, the water in the detergent dispenser 15 is less likely to reach the softener dispenser 16. As described later, water filling the back side of the cartridge 30 can be discharged to the front side Y1 through the space 94 (see fig. 14) below the lower side Z2 of the drain groove 52. In particular, the bleed hole 52F is not provided over the entire area of the bleed groove 52 but is provided only at the leading end portion 52C on the inlet port 30C side, and thus the bleed hole 52F is disposed so as to be away from the softener inlet 16 toward the lower side Z2. Therefore, even if water flowing through the bottom wall 39 at a certain time flows up from the bleed hole 52F to the bleed groove 52, the water does not easily reach the upper end of the conditioner application portion 16 and flows into the conditioner application portion 16. The water splashed upward from the drain hole 52F to the drain groove 52 flows along the slope of the groove bottom 52A as described above, returns to the drain hole 52F, and falls to the bottom wall 39. Therefore, the softener in the softener-applying portion 16 can be prevented from being exhausted before the final rinsing process at the original use timing. Further, since only two dispensing parts, i.e., the detergent dispensing part 15 and the softener dispensing part 16, are provided in the water injection unit 11, the water injection unit 11 can be downsized.

An acute angle of inclination of the upper surface portion of the groove bottom 52A of the bleed groove 52 with respect to the horizontal direction H is referred to as an inclination angle α, and an acute angle of inclination of the upper surface portion of the bottom wall 39 of the cartridge 30 with respect to the horizontal direction H is referred to as an inclination angle β. In the present embodiment, the inclination angle α is not less than the inclination angle β, specifically, the inclination angle α is about 15 degrees and the inclination angle β is about 5 degrees, but the values thereof may be changed as appropriate. The inclination angle α may be equal to or smaller than the inclination angle β. In any case, a space 94 that is wide in the vertical direction Z is secured between the bottom wall 39 and the groove bottom 52A at the upper side Z1 of the bottom wall 39. Therefore, the water falling from the detergent dispenser 15 and the softener dispenser 16 onto the bottom wall 39 of the cartridge 30 can be smoothly supplied into the washing tub 4 from the dispenser 30C while flowing to the front side Y1 in the space 94. This ensures a flow path for guiding water to the inlet 30C at the rear end of the bottom wall 39. In order to increase the inclination angle α, the rear end portion 52B of the tank bottom 52A may be disposed near the center C3 of the internal space 15A of the detergent dispenser 15 in the vertical direction Z.

The rear end 52B of the trough bottom 52A is disposed on the rear side Y2 of the first through hole 55A of the detergent dispenser 15, and the front end 52C of the trough bottom 52A is disposed on the front side Y1 of the first through hole 55A. Specifically, the rear end portion 52B may be disposed near the rear wall 37 of the cartridge 30, and the front end portion 52C may be disposed at a position that extends from the center of the first through hole 55A toward the front side Y1 by a distance substantially equal to the distance γ in the front-rear direction Y connecting the center of the first through hole 55A and the rear end of the rear end portion 52B. Accordingly, the drain groove 52 can accommodate water overflowing from the detergent dispenser 15 and passing over the partitioning rib 51 over a wide range in the front-rear direction Y. Therefore, the water in the detergent loading portion 15 is more difficult to reach the softener loading portion 16, and therefore, the softener in the softener loading portion 16 can be further prevented from being exhausted before the original use timing.

Further, the rear end portion 52B of the groove bottom 52A and the rear end portion 51A of the partitioning rib 51 are disposed so as to protrude to the rear side Y2 from the first rear wall 58 of the detergent dispenser 15. Further, the rear end portion 66A (see fig. 4) of the second left wall 66 of the softener delivery portion 16 is also disposed so as to protrude further to the rear side Y2 than the first rear wall 58. In this case, even if the rear portion of the cartridge 30 is filled with water, the rear end portion 51A, the rear end portion 52B, and the rear end portion 66A prevent the water from entering the conditioner loading portion 16 from the second rear wall 68 of the conditioner loading portion 16.

As shown in fig. 14, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of fig. 10, a drain hole 75 is disposed between the detergent dispenser 15 and the partition rib 51. Therefore, even if the water overflowing from the detergent dispenser 15 is going to the partition rib 51, the water falls from the drain hole 75 onto the bottom wall 39 of the cartridge 30, flows down along the inclined surface of the bottom wall 39 to the inlet 30C, and is dispensed from the inlet 30C into the washing tub 4. Further, since the space 94 for guiding the water to the side of the inlet port 30C is secured as a flow path on the lower side Z2 of the inclined plate 77 constituting the groove bottom 52A of the drain groove 52, even if the water falling from the drain hole 75 onto the bottom wall 39 fills the region of the rear side Y2 in the cartridge 30, the water is prevented from entering the softener supply portion 16 from the rear side Y2 by the space 94. Therefore, since it is difficult for water in the detergent supply portion 15 to reach the softener supply portion 16, the softener in the softener supply portion 16 can be further prevented from being exhausted before the rinsing process at the original use timing.

The water spray portion 32 that receives water from the water supply path 12 sprays water from the first water spray port 83A to the detergent dispenser 15 and sprays water from the second water spray port 83B to the softener dispenser 16, but directly sprays water from the third water spray port 83C disposed directly above the water discharge hole 75 to the water discharge hole 75 between the detergent dispenser 15 and the partition rib 51 without spraying water to the detergent dispenser 15 and the softener dispenser 16 (see fig. 8 and 11). That is, the water spray part 32 discharges excess water among the water received from the water supply path 12 to the water discharge hole 75, and thus the water in the detergent dispenser 15 can be prevented from overflowing to the softener dispenser 16. Therefore, the water in the detergent dispenser 15 is more difficult to reach the softener dispenser 16, and therefore, the softener in the softener dispenser 16 can be further prevented from being exhausted before the original use timing.

Further, the flow straightening ribs 71 provided on the lower surface portion of the second bottom wall 65 of the softener dispenser 16 guide the water flowing down onto the bottom wall 39 of the cartridge 30 from the water discharge hole 75 to the space 94 on the side of the detergent dispenser 15, that is, on the center side of the container 31 in the left-right direction X, so that the water can be smoothly merged with other water flowing onto the bottom wall 39 (see also fig. 5). This prevents the water flowing down from the drain hole 75 to the bottom wall 39 from scattering to the left and right at the discharge port 30C, which may impair the appearance of the water supply.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope described in the claims.

For example, although washing machine 1 in the above-described embodiment is a vertical washing machine in which central axis J of washing tub 4 extends in vertical direction Z, that is, vertical direction V, washing tub 4 of the vertical washing machine may be disposed so that central axis J is inclined in front-rear direction Y with respect to vertical direction V.

Claims (5)

1. A washing machine, characterized by comprising:

   a washing tub for accommodating laundry;

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

   a water injection unit for injecting detergent or softener into the washing tub along with water from the water supply path,

   the water injection unit includes:

   a box having a feed opening facing the inside of the washing tub from an upper side and a bottom wall extending obliquely downward in a depth direction of the box and connected to the feed opening; and

   a container housed in the box so as to be able to be drawn out from the box, the container including: a detergent dispensing unit for receiving detergent and supplied with water from the water supply path; a softener feeding part which is arranged in parallel with the detergent feeding part in the transverse direction, accommodates the softener, and is supplied with water from the water supply path; a partitioning rib disposed between the detergent supply portion and the softener supply portion and extending in the depth direction; and a relief groove disposed between the partition rib and the softener feeding portion and extending in the depth direction,

   the detergent feeding part comprises: a first bottom wall formed with a first through hole facing the bottom wall from an upper side; and a first pipe portion protruding upward in the detergent dispensing portion in a state of surrounding the first through hole,

   the softener delivery part comprises: a second bottom wall formed with a second through hole facing the bottom wall from an upper side; and a second tube portion protruding upward in the softener-feeding portion in a state of surrounding the second through hole,

   the bleed groove has: a tank bottom extending obliquely downward toward the input port; and a bleed hole provided at an end portion on the side of the discharge port in the tank bottom, the bleed hole facing the bottom wall from an upper side.
2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1,

   the depth direction comprises an inner side far away from the throwing opening and a front side close to the throwing opening,

   an end portion of the groove bottom on the inner side is arranged on the inner side of the first through hole,

   the groove bottom has an end portion on the near side disposed closer to the near side than the first through hole.
3. A washing machine according to claim 2,

   the first through hole is disposed on the back side in the depth direction with respect to the center of the first bottom wall, the second through hole is disposed on the back side in the depth direction with respect to the center of the second bottom wall,

   a portion of the first bottom wall on the near side of the first through hole extends obliquely upward toward the near side,

   a portion of the second bottom wall on the near side of the second through hole extends obliquely upward toward the near side.
4. Washing machine according to claim 2 or 3,

   a water discharge hole opened to both upper and lower sides is provided between the softener feeding part and the partition rib,

   the tapping channel has an inclined plate constituting the bottom of the channel,

   the water injection unit further comprises a water spraying part which is provided with a water spraying port and receives water from the water supply path and sprays water into the container from the water spraying port,

   the watering opening has: a first water sprinkling opening arranged right above the detergent feeding part; the second water sprinkling opening is configured right above the softener putting part; and a third water sprinkling opening arranged right above the water discharging hole.
5. A washing machine according to claim 4,

   a rectifying rib is provided in a lower surface portion of the second bottom wall in a region closer to the detergent supply portion side than the second through hole, and the rectifying rib extends so as to approach the detergent supply portion from the rear side toward the near side.

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