CN115867699A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing machine is provided with: a detergent box (100); a conditioner box (200); a water supply unit (300) for causing the detergent and the conditioner introduced from the detergent box (100) and the conditioner box (200) to flow into the washing and dehydrating tub (22) by supplying water to the washing and dehydrating tub (22); a detergent supply pipe connected to the detergent box (100) and the water supply unit (300); and a softener supply pipe connected with the softener box (200) and the water supply unit (300). The water supply unit (300) is disposed in a space behind the inlet (14) of the upper panel (12). The detergent box (100) is arranged at the left side of the water supply unit (300) and is partially accommodated in a space between the input port (14) and the left end of the upper panel (12), and the softener box (200) is arranged at the right side of the water supply unit (300) and is partially accommodated in a space between the input port (14) and the right end of the upper panel (12).

Description

Washing machine Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background

For example, patent document 1 describes a washing machine capable of automatically feeding a liquid detergent into a washing and dehydrating tub.

The washing machine of patent document 1 includes a detergent box provided in a housing and containing a liquid detergent. The detergent box seals the inside by closing a supply port for supplying detergent by a detergent box cover, and has an air inlet and a liquid outlet. An air pump is connected to the air inlet. When the air pump works, the air pressure in the sealed detergent box rises, and the detergent in the detergent box is extruded out from the liquid outlet and is put into the washing and dewatering barrel. The user does not need to put detergent into the washing machine once during each washing operation, which is convenient.

If the softener can be automatically supplied in addition to the detergent, the convenience of the user can be further improved.

Therefore, a conditioner box containing a liquid conditioner may be provided to the washing machine in addition to the detergent box. In this case, the following structure may be adopted: the detergent and the softener are guided into a water supply part for supplying water from a water faucet to the washing and dewatering barrel from a detergent box and a softener box, and the detergent and the softener flow into the washing and dewatering barrel through the water flowing through the water supply part.

The detergent box, the softener box and the water supply part can be arranged around the input opening of the upper panel which is the outer cover.

In addition, in the washing machine, if the rated washing capacity is changed, the size of the washing and dewatering barrel is changed, and the sizes of the upper panel and the input port can be changed accordingly. If the sizes of the upper panel and the input opening are changed, the configurable spaces of the detergent box, the softener box and the water supply part are changed, and the product cost is easily reduced as long as the three parts can be used as common parts among models with different sizes of the upper panel.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2001-259290

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine in which a detergent box, a softener box, and a water supply unit can be used as common parts between models having different sizes of upper plates.

Means for solving the problems

The washing machine of the main scheme of the invention comprises: a washing tub disposed in the cabinet for washing laundry; an upper panel forming an upper portion of the case and having an inlet; a detergent box storing a liquid detergent; a softener box storing a liquid softener; a water supply part into which detergent and conditioner are introduced from the detergent box and the conditioner box, respectively, and into which the introduced detergent and conditioner flow by water to be supplied to the washing tub; a first pipe connected to the detergent box and the water supply part; and a second pipe connected with the conditioner box and the water supply part. Wherein the water supply part is disposed in a space behind the inlet in the upper panel. One of the detergent box and the softener box is disposed at the left side of the water supply part, and a part of the box is accommodated in a space between the inlet and the left end of the upper panel, and the other box is disposed at the right side of the water supply part, and a part of the box is accommodated in a space between the inlet and the right end of the upper panel.

According to the above configuration, the detergent box, the softener box, and the water supply unit can be arranged by using the space behind the inlet in the upper panel, the space between the inlet and the left end, and the space between the inlet and the right end. When the sizes of the upper panel and the inlet are changed according to the model, the distance between the detergent box and the end of the water supply part and the distance between the softener box and the end of the water supply part are adjusted accordingly. By changing these distances, the first pipe and the second pipe can be replaced with pipes having different lengths, and at least the detergent box, the conditioner box, and the water supply portion can be used as common parts. This reduces the product cost of the washing machine.

In the washing machine of the present aspect, the water supply part may adopt a structure including: a first water path through which water to be supplied to the washing tub flows; a first switching part connected to the first pipe and switching between a state in which the detergent can flow into the first water passage and a state in which the detergent cannot flow into the first water passage; and a second switching unit connected to the second pipe and configured to switch between a state in which the softener can flow into the first water passage and a state in which the softener cannot flow into the first water passage.

According to the above configuration, the first switching portion is switched to introduce the detergent from the detergent box into the first water passage, and thereafter, the water is flowed through the first water passage to flow the introduced detergent into the washing tub. Further, by switching the second switching portion, the softener is introduced from the softener box into the first water passage, and thereafter, the introduced softener is flowed into the washing tub by flowing water through the first water passage.

In the case of adopting the above-described structure, at least one of the first switching portion and the second switching portion can adopt a structure that overlaps with a corresponding one of the detergent box and the conditioner box in the up-down direction. In this case, a first recess may be formed in a bottom surface of the corresponding cartridge, and the first recess may be recessed upward to accommodate the at least one switching portion.

When such a structure is adopted, the water supply device including the detergent box, the conditioner box, and the water supply part can be made compact in the left-right direction and the up-down direction while suppressing a decrease in the capacity of the detergent box and/or the conditioner box, and the water supply device can be easily disposed inside the small-sized upper panel.

In the above-described configuration, a second recess may be formed in a bottom surface of the corresponding cassette, the second recess being continuous with the first recess and accommodating a tube connected to the at least one switching portion of the first tube and the second tube.

With such a configuration, the first tube and the first switching portion and/or the second tube and the second switching portion can be smoothly connected.

In the case where the water supply portion is configured to include the first water path, the first switching portion, and the second switching portion as described above, the water supply portion may be further configured to include a suction portion that sucks the detergent and the softener into the first water path by causing the first water path to be at a negative pressure. In this case, the first switching portion may be closer to the suction portion than the second switching portion.

In the above configuration, the suction portion sucks the detergent and the softener into the first water path, so that the detergent and the softener can be favorably introduced into the first water path. Further, since the first switching unit is closer to the suction unit than the second switching unit, it is easier to make the pressure at which the detergent is sucked from the detergent box into the first water passage higher than the pressure at which the softener is sucked from the softener box into the first water passage when the suction unit is operated, and it is possible to introduce the detergent having a higher frequency of use than the softener into the first water passage better.

In the case where the water supply unit is configured to include the first water passage, the first switching unit, and the second switching unit as described above, the water supply unit may be further configured to include a second water passage through which water to be supplied to the washing tub flows, the second water passage having a larger allowable flow rate than the first water passage.

With such a configuration, water can be supplied from the second water passage into the washing tub 22 at a flow rate greater than that from the first water passage, and the water supply time can be shortened as compared with a case where water is supplied while the detergent and the softener are introduced into the washing tub only from the first water passage.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine in which a detergent box, a softener box, and a water supply part can be used as common parts among models having different sizes of upper plates.

The effects and significance of the present invention will be further clarified by the following description of the embodiments. However, the following embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments.

Drawings

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

Fig. 2 (a) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus and the upper panel in the operating position of the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit according to the embodiment. Fig. 2 (b) and (c) are perspective views of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus and the main part of the upper panel in the standby position of the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the upper panel on which the water supply device, the storage tank, and the supply nozzle are arranged according to the embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the water supply device of the embodiment.

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the water supply device of the embodiment, as viewed from the bottom side of the half of the detergent case.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the softener cartridge side half of the water supply device of the embodiment as viewed from the bottom surface side.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the water supply device of the embodiment.

Fig. 8 (a) and (b) are diagrams for explaining the effects of the embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

1: full automatic washing machines (washing machines); 10: a box body; 12: an upper panel; 14: a throwing port; 22: a washing and dehydrating tub (washing tub); 80: a water supply device; 100: a detergent box; 104: a first recess; 105: a second recess; 200: a softener box; 204: a first recess; 205: a second recess; 300: a water supply unit (water supply portion); 312: a first waterway; 313: a second waterway; 330: a first three-way valve (first switching section); 340: a second three-way valve (second switching unit); 360: a pump (suction unit); 400: a detergent supply pipe (first pipe); 500: a softener supply tube (second tube).

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine. Fig. 2 (a) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 and the top panel 12 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 and the water storage unit 52 are located at the operating positions. Fig. 2 (b) and (c) are perspective views of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the main part of the top panel 12 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 and the water storage unit 52 are located at the standby position. In fig. 2 (c), the cover 55 is not shown in order to make the inside of the housing 17 visible.

Referring to fig. 1, a fully automatic washing machine 1 includes a casing 10 having an outer contour. The case 10 includes: a square tubular body part 11 with an open upper and lower surface, an upper panel 12 covering the upper surface of the body part 11, and a footstool 13 supporting the body part 11. An inlet 14 for laundry is formed in the upper panel 12. The inlet 14 is covered with an upper cover 15 that can be opened and closed. A control unit 16 is disposed inside the front portion of the upper panel 12. The control unit 16 is constituted by a microcomputer or the like, and controls the washing operation of the fully automatic washing machine 1 and the washing operation of the ultrasonic washing device 50 described later.

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

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

A drain port 20a is formed at an outer bottom of the outer tub 20. A drain valve 40 is provided in the drain port portion 20a. The drain valve 40 is connected to a drain hose 41. When the drain valve 40 is opened, the water accumulated in the washing and dehydrating tub 22 and the outer tub 20 is drained to the outside of the machine through the drain hose 41.

A overflow hole 20b is formed at an upper portion of the outer tub 20. When water is stored in the outer tub 20 at a predetermined overflow level or higher, the water is discharged from the overflow port 20b. An overflow receiving portion 25 is provided on an outer surface of the outer tub 20 so as to cover the overflow hole 20b. One end of an overflow pipe 26 is connected to the bottom of the overflow receiving portion 25. The other end of the overflow pipe 26 is connected to a drain hose 41. The water drained from the overflow port 20b is received by the overflow receiving portion 25 and flows to the drain hose 41 through the overflow pipe 26.

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

A storage tank 60 is disposed behind the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 at the rear of the upper panel 12, and a drain receiver 70 is disposed below the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50. The storage tank 60 stores, as washing water, water containing a detergent to be supplied to the water storage tub 52a of the ultrasonic washing apparatus 50.

The drain receiving portion 70 receives water drained from the bowl 52a. The drain receiving portion 70 is formed with a drain hole 71 through which the received water is drained. One end of a drain pipe 72 is connected to the drain hole 71. The other end of the drain pipe 72 is connected to the upper portion of the overflow pipe 26.

Referring to fig. 2 (a) to (c), the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 includes an ultrasonic cleaning unit 51, a water reservoir 52, and a main body 53. The ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 includes an ultrasonic generator 51a that generates ultrasonic waves. The main body 53 holds the ultrasonic cleaning unit 51. The water reservoir 52 is attached to the main body 53 below the ultrasound generating body 51a. The water storage portion 52 is provided with a water storage tub 52a for storing washing water. Washing water is supplied to the tub 52a from a supply nozzle 54 connected to the storage tank 60.

The upper panel 12 is provided with a storage 17 for storing the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 at the center of the rear part. The front of the housing portion 17 of the upper panel 12 is opened as an entrance 17 a. A substantially rectangular cover 55 having translucency is provided at the doorway 17 a.

As shown in fig. 2 (a), when the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 is used for the cleaning operation, the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 is in the following state: the ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 and the water reservoir 52 are drawn forward from the housing 17 and protrude inward of the inlet 14 of the upper panel 12. The nearly entire cover 55 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 17. The positions of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 and the water storage unit 52 at this time are the operation positions.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 2 (b) and (c), when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is not used and the cleaning operation is not performed, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is in a state where the ultrasonic cleaning portion 51 and the water storage portion 52 are accommodated in the accommodating portion 17. The entrance 17a of the housing 17 is closed by a cover 55, and the front of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 is covered by the cover 55. The ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 and the water storage unit 52 are at the standby position.

During the cleaning operation, a dirt adhering portion of the object to be cleaned is placed between the water storage tub 52a and the ultrasonic wave generator 51a. The dirt adhering portion is soaked in the washing water stored in the water storage tub 52a. When the ultrasonic wave generator 51a operates, ultrasonic waves are generated from the tip thereof. Dirt is peeled from the object to be cleaned by the action of the ultrasonic vibration. At this time, the cleaning power is increased by the addition of the detergent power.

As shown in fig. 2 (a), a funnel-shaped detergent inlet 18 is formed in the upper panel 12 at the left rear of the inlet 14, and a funnel-shaped softener inlet 19 is formed at the right rear of the inlet 14. An opening 18a formed in the center of the detergent inlet 18 is connected to an inlet of a detergent box described later. A filter 110 is attached to the inlet through the opening 18 a. An opening 19a formed in the center of the conditioner injection port 19 is connected to an inlet of a conditioner box described later. A filter 210 is attached to the inlet through the opening 19 a. Liquid detergent is put into the detergent box through the detergent injection port 18, and liquid softener is put into the softener box through the softener injection port 19. When the detergent and the softener are not put in, the detergent inlet 18 and the softener inlet 19 are covered with covers, not shown, respectively.

A water supply device 80 is disposed at the rear of the upper panel 12. The water supply device 80 is connected to a water tap and has a function of supplying water into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. The water supply device 80 also functions as an automatic supply device for automatically supplying the liquid detergent and the softener into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. Further, the water supply device 80 has a function of supplying washing water to the storage tank 60. The water supply device 80 will be described in detail below.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the top panel 12 on which the water supply device 80, the storage tank 60, and the supply nozzle 54 are arranged. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the water supply device 80. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the water supply device 80 in the half of the detergent box 100 side as viewed from the bottom surface side. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the water supply device 80 in the half on the conditioner cartridge 200 side as viewed from the bottom surface side. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the water supply device 80. Note that, for convenience, in fig. 3, the upper panel 12 is depicted in a transparent state.

The water supply device 80 is composed of a detergent box 100, a conditioner box 200, a water supply unit 300, a detergent supply pipe 400, and a conditioner supply pipe 500.

The detergent box 100 stores liquid detergent therein. The conditioner box 200 stores therein a liquid conditioner. The detergent and the conditioner are introduced into the water supply unit 300 from the detergent box 100 and the conditioner box 200, respectively. The water supply unit 300 flows the introduced detergent and softener into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 by the water to be supplied to the washing and dehydrating tub 22.

The water supply unit 300 is disposed in a space behind the inlet 14 in the upper panel 12. The detergent box 100 is disposed on the left side of the water supply unit 300, and the front portion thereof is accommodated in a space between the input port 14 and the left end of the upper panel 12. The conditioner cartridge 200 is disposed to the right of the water supply unit 300, and the front portion is housed in a space between the inlet 14 and the right end of the top panel 12. The detergent supply pipe 400 is connected to the detergent box 100 and the water supply unit 300. Further, the conditioner supply pipe 500 is connected to the conditioner cartridge 200 and the water supply unit 300.

The water supply unit 300 corresponds to the "water supply portion" of the present invention. The detergent supply tube 400 corresponds to the "first tube" of the present invention, and the softener supply tube 500 corresponds to the "second tube" of the present invention.

In the upper panel 12, the storage tank 60 is disposed behind the water supply unit 300. The supply nozzle 54 extends forward from the storage tank 60. Although not shown in fig. 3, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is disposed in a space surrounded by the water supply unit 300 on the left and right sides and the rear side. In this way, since the water supply unit 300 is formed in a concave shape surrounding the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 when viewed from above, the water supply unit 300 can be efficiently disposed at the rear portion of the upper panel 12.

The detergent box 100 is formed of, for example, a resin material, and has a box shape that is long in the front-rear direction. A circular inlet 101 is formed in the front of the upper surface of the detergent box 100. A filter 110 is attached to the inlet 101. The filter 110 captures foreign substances entering the detergent box 100 from the input port 101. A circular discharge portion 102 protruding downward is formed on the front side of the bottom surface of the detergent box 100. A cylindrical discharge port 103 extending rearward is formed in the circumferential surface of the discharge portion 102. Further, a first recess 104 is formed in the bottom surface of the detergent box 100 behind the discharge part 102 and on the water supply unit 300 side. The first recess 104 has a substantially square shape elongated in the front-rear direction, and the water supply unit 300 side thereof is open. Further, a second recess 105 having a substantially L-shape continuous with the first recess 104 is formed in the bottom surface of the detergent box 100 behind the discharge portion 102.

The conditioner box 200 is formed of, for example, a resin material, and has a box shape long in the front-rear direction. A circular inlet 201 is formed on the front side of the upper surface of the conditioner case 200. A filter 210 is attached to the inlet 201. The filter 210 captures foreign matter entering the conditioner case 200 from the inlet port 201. A circular discharge portion 202 protruding downward is formed on the front side of the bottom surface of the conditioner case 200. A cylindrical discharge port 203 extending rearward is formed in the circumferential surface of the discharge portion 202. Further, a first recess 204 is formed in the bottom surface of the conditioner box 200 behind the discharge portion 202 and on the water supply unit 300 side. The first recess 204 has a substantially square shape elongated in the front-rear direction, and the water supply unit 300 side thereof is open. Further, a second recess 205 of a substantially L shape continuous with the first recess 204 is formed in the bottom surface of the conditioner cartridge 200 behind the discharge portion 202.

The water supply unit 300 includes a waterway member 310, a water supply valve 320, a first three-way valve 330, a second three-way valve 340, a third three-way valve 350, and a pump 360. The first three-way valve 330 corresponds to a "first switching unit" of the present invention, the second three-way valve 340 corresponds to a "second switching unit" of the present invention, and the pump 360 corresponds to a "suction unit" of the present invention.

The water channel member 310 is formed by connecting a first water channel 310a, a second water channel 310b, and a third water channel 310c, each of which is made of a resin material. The first water channel portion 310a is located at the detergent box 100 side, the second water channel portion 310b is located at the conditioner box 200 side, and the third water channel portion 310c is located between the first water channel portion 310a and the second water channel portion 310b.

In the water channel member 310, a water filling chamber 311 is provided in the first water channel portion 310 a. A water injection port 311a is formed at the front end of the bottom of the water injection chamber 311. The water inlet 311a faces the upper side of the washing and dehydrating tub 22.

As shown in fig. 7, a first water passage 312 and a second water passage 313 connected to the water filling chamber 311 are formed in the water passage member 310. The water to be supplied into washing and dehydrating tub 22 flows through first water path 312 and second water path 313. An inflow port 314 of water heading for the first waterway 312 and an inflow port 315 of water heading for the second waterway 313 are provided in the second waterway portion 310b. The average flow path area of the second water path 313 is larger than the average flow path area of the first water path 312, and the allowable flow rate of the second water path 313 is larger than the allowable flow rate of the first water path 312. Further, in the water passage member 310, a branch water passage 316 branched from the first water passage 312 to supply water into the storage tank 60 is formed in the first water passage portion 310 a. An outlet 316a of the branch water passage 316 is connected to an inlet of the retention tank 60.

In the first water channel 312, a second three-way valve 340, a first three-way valve 330, a pump 360, and a third three-way valve 350 are arranged in this order from the upstream in the path from the inflow port 314 to the water injection chamber 311. Therefore, the first water passage 312 is blocked at the positions of the second three-way valve 340, the first three-way valve 330, the pump 360, and the third three-way valve 350, and has upstream- side connection ports 317a, 317b, 317c, and 317d and downstream- side connection ports 318a, 318b, 318c, and 318d at the respective positions. Further, the first three-way valve 330 is located closer to the pump 360 than the second three-way valve 340.

As shown in fig. 5, in the first water channel portion 310a, an upstream connection port 317b and a downstream connection port 318b corresponding to the first three-way valve 330 are formed on the front side of the side surface on the detergent box 100 side, and an upstream connection port 317d and a downstream connection port 318d corresponding to the third three-way valve 350 and a connection port 316b connected to the branch water channel 316 are formed on the rear side. Further, the first water channel portion 310a is provided with a pump housing chamber 319 having an open bottom surface on the front side, and an upstream connection port 317c and a downstream connection port 318c corresponding to the pump 360 are formed on the top surface of the pump housing chamber 319.

As shown in fig. 6, in the second water channel portion 310b, an upstream connection port 317a and a downstream connection port 318a corresponding to the second three-way valve 340 are formed on the front side of the side surface on the conditioner cartridge 200 side, and an inflow port 314 of the first water channel 312 and an inflow port 315 of the second water channel 313 are formed on the rear side.

The water supply valve 320 is a so-called double valve, and includes a first valve 321 and a second valve 322 having a higher rated flow rate than the first valve 321. The water inlet 323 of the water supply valve 320 is connected to a faucet via a water supply hose not shown. In the second water passage portion 310b, the water outlet 324 of the first valve 321 is connected to the water inlet 314 of the first water passage 312, and the water outlet 325 of the second valve 322 is connected to the water inlet 315 of the second water passage 313.

The first and second three- way valves 330, 340 have first water inlets 331, 341, second water inlets 332, 342, and water outlets 333, 343, and are switched between a state in which the first water inlets 331, 341 communicate with the water outlets 333, 343, and a state in which the second water inlets 332, 342 communicate with the water outlets 333, 343. The second water inlets 332, 342 face in the opposite direction to the first water inlets 331, 341, and the water outlets 333, 343 face in the same direction as the first water inlets 331, 341.

The third three-way valve 350 has a water inlet 351, a first water outlet 352, and a second water outlet 353, and is switched between a state in which the water inlet 351 communicates with the first water outlet 352 and a state in which the water inlet 351 communicates with the second water outlet 353. The water inlet 351, the first water outlet 352, and the second water outlet 353 face the same direction.

In the first water channel portion 310a, the first water inlet 331 and the water outlet 333 of the first three-way valve 330 are connected to the upstream connection port 317b and the downstream connection port 318b, respectively, and the water inlet 351, the first water outlet 352, and the second water outlet 353 of the third three-way valve 350 are connected to the upstream connection port 317d, the downstream connection port 318d, and the connection port 316b, respectively.

In the second water channel portion 310b, the first water inlet 341 and the water outlet 343 of the second three-way valve 340 are connected to the upstream connection port 317a and the downstream connection port 318a, respectively.

The pump 360 is a piston pump, and includes a housing 361 having a piston therein and a motor 362 for driving the piston. The casing 361 has a suction port 363 and a discharge port 364. Further, a cover 365 is integrally formed with the housing 361. A cam 366 is provided on the shaft of the motor 362.

The housing 361 is accommodated in the pump accommodation chamber 319 of the first water passage portion 310 a. The suction port 363 and the discharge port 364 of the casing 361 are connected to the upstream connection port 317c and the downstream connection port 318c, respectively, on the top surface of the pump accommodation chamber 319. The opening of the bottom surface of the pump accommodation chamber 319 is covered by a cover 365. The motor 362 is mounted on the front surface of the first water channel 310a, and the cam 366 is coupled to the piston.

In a state where the detergent box 100, the conditioner box 200, and the water supply unit 300 are disposed inside the upper panel 12, almost half of the first three-way valve 330 of the water supply unit 300 is received in the first recess 104 of the bottom surface of the detergent box 100 and overlaps the detergent box 100 in the vertical direction. Further, approximately one-third of the second three-way valve 340 of the water supply unit 300 is received in the first recess 204 of the bottom surface of the conditioner cartridge 200, and overlaps the conditioner cartridge 200 in the up-down direction. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the capacities of the detergent box 100 and the conditioner box 200 and to make the water supply device 80 compact in the left-right direction and the up-down direction.

One end of the detergent supply pipe 400 is connected to the second water inlet 332 of the first three-way valve 330, and the other end of the detergent supply pipe 400 is connected to the discharge port 103 of the detergent box 100. One end side of the detergent supply pipe 400 is received in the second recess 105 of the bottom surface of the detergent box 100. That is, the second water inlet 332 of the first three-way valve 330 received in the first recess 104 extends toward the second recess 105, and is connected to one end of the detergent supply pipe 400 in the second recess 105. This allows smooth connection between the first three-way valve 330 and the detergent supply pipe 400.

In addition, one end of the conditioner supply pipe 500 is connected to the second water inlet 342 of the second three-way valve 340, and the other end of the conditioner supply pipe 500 is connected to the discharge port 203 of the conditioner box 200. One end side of the conditioner supply pipe 500 is received in the second recess 205 of the bottom surface of the conditioner cartridge 200. That is, the second water inlet 342 of the second three-way valve 340 accommodated in the first recess 204 extends toward the second recess 205, and is connected to one end of the softener supply pipe 500 in the second recess 205. This allows the second three-way valve 340 and the conditioner supply pipe 500 to be smoothly connected.

The full automatic washing machine 1 can perform washing operations in various operation modes. In the washing operation, a washing process, an intermediate dehydration process, a rinsing process, and a final dehydration process are sequentially performed.

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

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

During the water supply in the washing process, detergent is automatically supplied into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 by the water supply device 80. At this time, the third three-way valve 350 is switched to a state in which the water inlet 351 and the first water outlet 352 are communicated with each other, and the first water passage 312 is isolated from the storage tank 60 and is connected to the water filling chamber 311. The second three-way valve 340 is switched to a state in which the first water inlet 341 and the water outlet 343 are communicated with each other, and the first water passage 312 is communicated with each other at the position of the second three-way valve 340.

First, the first three-way valve 330 is switched to a state in which the second water inlet 332 and the water outlet 333 are communicated. Thereby, the detergent can flow into the first water passage 312. The pump 360 operates, and air on the upstream side of the pump 360 in the first water passage 312 is sucked and the upstream side becomes negative pressure. As a result, as shown by the one-dot chain line in fig. 7, the liquid detergent in the detergent box 100 is sucked into the first water passage 312 through the detergent supply pipe 400. The pump 360 is operated for a predetermined time, and thus, a predetermined amount of detergent is stored in the first water path 312.

Next, the first three-way valve 330 is switched to a state in which the first water inlet 331 and the water outlet 333 are communicated. This prevents the detergent from flowing into first water channel 312. The first water passage 312 communicates with the first three-way valve 330. The first valve 321 of the water supply valve 320 is opened, as shown by the solid arrow of fig. 7, and water from the faucet is supplied into the first water path 312. The water flowing through the first water path 312 washes away the detergent stored in the first water path 312. The detergent flushed by the water flows into the water injection chamber 311 together with the water, and is introduced into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 through the water injection port 311a.

Further, in the water supply valve 320, the first valve 321 is opened and the second valve 322 is opened to supply water into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. As indicated by the broken-line arrows in fig. 7, water from the faucet is supplied into second water channel 313, flows through second water channel 313 to reach water pouring chamber 311, and is discharged from water pouring port 311a into washing and dehydrating tub 22. At this time, the flow rate of water flowing through the second water passage 313 becomes greater than the flow rate of water flowing through the first water passage 312. When the water level in the washing and dehydrating tub 22 reaches a predetermined washing water level, the first valve 321 and the second valve 322 are closed, and the water supply is terminated.

In the water supply in the final rinsing process, the softener is automatically supplied into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 by the water supply device 80. At this time, the first water channel 312 is connected to the water injection chamber 311 in the same manner as the cleaning process. The first three-way valve 330 is switched to a state in which the first water inlet 331 and the water outlet 333 communicate with each other, and the first water passage 312 communicates with each other at the position of the first three-way valve 330.

First, the second three-way valve 340 is switched to a state of communicating the second water inlet 342 and the water outlet 343. This allows the softener to flow into the first water passage 312. The pump 360 is operated, and as shown by the two-dot chain line in fig. 7, the liquid conditioner in the conditioner box 200 is sucked into the first water path 312 via the conditioner supply pipe 500. The pump 360 is operated for a predetermined time, whereby a predetermined amount of the conditioner is stored in the first water path 312.

Then, the second three-way valve 340 is switched to a state of communicating the first water inlet 341 and the water outlet 343. This prevents the softener from flowing into the first water channel 312. The first water passage 312 communicates with the second three-way valve 340. The first valve 321 is opened, and water from the faucet is supplied into the first waterway 312, as shown by the solid arrow in fig. 7. The softener stored in the first water passage 312 is flushed by the water flowing through the first water passage 312, flows into the water injection chamber 311, and is introduced into the washing/dehydrating tub 22 through the water injection port 311a.

Further, in the same manner as the washing process, the first valve 321 is opened and the second valve 322 is opened to supply water into the washing and dehydrating tub 22.

The full-automatic washing machine 1 can perform the above-described washing operation of the ultrasonic washing device 50. In the water supply during the washing operation, before the water is supplied to the water storage tub 52a, washing water is supplied into the storage tank 60 by the water supply device 80.

First, the third three-way valve 350 is switched to a state in which the water inlet 351 and the second water outlet 353 are communicated. Thus, first water passage 312 is isolated from water injection chamber 311 and is connected to storage tank 60 via branch water passage 316. After the first three-way valve 330 is switched to a state in which the detergent can flow into the first water path 312, the pump 360 is operated, and the liquid detergent in the detergent box 100 is pumped into the first water path 312, as in the washing process. The pump 360 is operated for a predetermined time, and thus, a predetermined amount of detergent is stored in the first water path 312.

Next, the first three-way valve 330 is switched to a state in which the detergent cannot flow into the first water passage 312 and the first water passage 312 communicates at the position of the first three-way valve 330. Then, the first valve 321 of the water supply valve 320 is opened, and water from the faucet is supplied into the first water path 312. The detergent stored in the first water passage 312 is washed away by the water flowing through the first water passage 312, and the detergent is mixed with the water to be washing water. The washing water flows into the storage tank 60 through the branch water passage 316. When a predetermined amount of washing water is stored in the storage tank 60, the first valve 321 is closed.

< effects of the embodiment >

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the detergent box 100, the conditioner box 200, and the water supply unit 300 can be disposed by using the space behind the inlet 14, the space between the inlet 14 and the left end, and the space between the inlet 14 and the right end in the upper panel 12.

When the distance between the left and right spaces is changed by changing the sizes of the upper panel 12 and the inlet 14 according to the model, the distance between the detergent box 100 and the first three-way valve 330, which is the left end of the water supply unit 300, and the distance between the conditioner box 200 and the second three-way valve 340, which is the right end of the water supply unit 300, are adjusted accordingly. For example, as shown in fig. 8 (a), when the size of the upper panel 12 is small and the size of the inlet 14 is accordingly small, the distance between the detergent box 100 and the first three-way valve 330 of the water supply unit 300 is lost, the two are overlapped with each other in the vertical direction, the distance between the conditioner box 200 and the second three-way valve 340 of the water supply unit 300 is lost, and the two are overlapped with each other in the vertical direction. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 8 (b), when the size of the upper panel 12 is large and the size of the inlet 14 is increased, the distance between the detergent box 100 and the first three-way valve 330 of the water supply unit 300 is increased, and the distance between the conditioner box 200 and the second three-way valve 340 of the water supply unit 300 is increased.

Since the distances in the left and right directions of the detergent box 100, the conditioner box 200, and the water supply unit 300 are changed, pipes having different lengths are prepared for the detergent supply pipe 400 and the conditioner supply pipe 500 as in, for example, (a) and (b) of fig. 8. However, the detergent box 100, the conditioner box 200, and the water supply unit 300 can be used as general components. This can reduce the product cost of the fully automatic washing machine 1.

Further, according to the present embodiment, by switching the first three-way valve 330, the detergent is introduced from the detergent box 100 into the first water passage 312, and thereafter, the introduced detergent flows into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 by flowing the water through the first water passage 312. By switching the second three-way valve 340, the softener is introduced from the softener box 200 into the first water passage 312, and then the introduced softener is flowed into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 by flowing water through the first water passage 312.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the first and second three- way valves 330 and 340 are overlapped with the detergent box 100 and the conditioner box 200 in the vertical direction, and first recesses 104 and 204 recessed upward to receive the first and second three- way valves 330 and 340 are formed at the bottom surfaces of the detergent box 100 and the conditioner box 200. This makes it possible to reduce the capacity of the detergent box 100 and the conditioner box 200, to make the water supply device 80 compact in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and to easily dispose the water supply device 80 inside the small-sized upper panel 12.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the second recess 105 connected to the first recess 104 and receiving the detergent supply pipe 400 is formed in the bottom surface of the detergent box 100, the detergent supply pipe 400 and the first three-way valve 330 can be smoothly connected to each other in the second recess 105. Further, since the second recess 205 that is continuous with the first recess 204 and receives the conditioner supply pipe 500 is formed in the bottom surface of the conditioner cartridge 200, the conditioner supply pipe 500 and the second three-way valve 340 can be smoothly connected in the second recess 205.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the detergent and the softener are pumped into the first water channel 312 by the pump 360, the detergent and the softener can be favorably introduced into the first water channel 312. Further, since the first three-way valve 330 is closer to the pump 360 than the second three-way valve 340, when the pump 360 is operated, the pressure at which the detergent is sucked from the detergent box 100 into the first water passage 312 is more easily made higher than the pressure at which the conditioner is sucked from the conditioner box 200 into the first water passage 312, and the detergent having a higher frequency of use than the conditioner can be more favorably introduced into the first water passage 312.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the second water channel 313 having a larger allowable flow rate than the first water channel 312 is provided in the water supply unit 300, water can be supplied from the second water channel 313 into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 at a flow rate larger than that from the first water channel 312, and the water supply time can be shortened as compared with the case where water is supplied while the detergent and the softener are introduced into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 only from the first water channel 312.

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

For example, in the above embodiment, the fully automatic washing machine 1 is provided with the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, and is provided with the supply nozzle 54 and the storage tank 60 for supplying water to the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. However, the fully automatic washing machine 1 may be configured without the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the supply nozzle 54, and the storage tank 60. In this case, the third three-way valve 350 and the branch water path 316 are not provided in the water supply device 80.

In the above embodiment, the detergent box 100 is disposed on the left side of the water supply unit 300, and the conditioner box 200 is disposed on the right side of the water supply unit 300. However, conversely, the conditioner box 200 may be disposed on the left side of the water supply unit 300 and the detergent box 100 may be disposed on the right side of the water supply unit 300. In this case, the water supply unit 300 may change the left and right positions of the first and second waterway portions 310a and 310b of the waterway member 310.

Further, in the above embodiment, in order to switch between a state in which the detergent and the softener can flow into the first water passage 312 and a state in which they cannot flow, the first three-way valve 330 and the second three-way valve 340 are used, respectively. However, the detergent supply pipe 400 and the softener supply pipe 500 may be connected to the first water channel 312 via an on-off valve. In this configuration, the opening and closing of the opening and closing valve switches between a state in which the detergent and the softener can flow into the first water channel 312 and a state in which the detergent and the softener cannot flow into the first water channel.

Further, in the above embodiment, the pump 360 is used to pump the detergent and the conditioner from the detergent box 100 and the conditioner box 200 into the first water passage 312. However, other than pump 360, a suction-capable device may be used. Further, the bottom surfaces of the detergent box 100 and the conditioner box 200 may be higher than the first water channel 312 without providing a pumping device such as the pump 360, and the detergent and the conditioner may be introduced into the first water channel 312 by gravity.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first recesses 104 and 204 are formed in both the detergent box 100 and the conditioner box 200, and the first three-way valve 330 and the second three-way valve 340 are housed in the first recesses 104 and 204. However, the following structure may also be adopted: a first recess 104 (204) is formed in one of the detergent box 100 and the conditioner box 200, and a corresponding one of the first three-way valve 330 and the second three-way valve 340 is received in the first recess 104 (204). In this case, of the detergent box 100 and the conditioner box 200, the second recess 105 (205) is formed on the box where the first recess 104 (204) is formed. Further, the first recesses 104 and 204 and the second recesses 105 and 205 may not be formed in both the detergent box 100 and the conditioner box 200.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first recess 104 of the bottom surface of the detergent box 100 is sized to receive a portion of the first three-way valve 330, and the first recess 204 of the bottom surface of the conditioner box 200 is sized to receive a portion of the second three-way valve 340. However, the first recess 104 of the detergent box 100 may be sized to receive the entire first three-way valve 330, and the first recess 204 of the conditioner box 200 may be sized to receive the entire second three-way valve 340. In the case of such a configuration, the entire detergent box 100 and the first three-way valve 330 can be vertically overlapped, and the entire conditioner box 200 and the second three-way valve 340 can be vertically overlapped.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first and second valves 321 and 322 of the water supply valve 320 are opened at the same time when water is supplied in the washing process and the rinsing process, and water is supplied to the first and second water paths 312 and 313 at the same time. However, the detergent and softener may be introduced into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 by the water flowing into the first water passage 312 with the first valve 321 opened, and the water may be introduced into the second water passage 313 by opening the second valve 322 immediately after the introduction of the detergent and softener is completed and the first valve 321 is closed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the water supply unit 300 is provided with the second water channel 313. However, the water supply unit 300 may not be provided with the second water passage 313. In this case, water supply valve 320 includes only first valve 321.

Further, the fully automatic washing machine 1 is shown in the above embodiment. However, the present invention can also be applied to washing machines other than the fully automatic washing machine 1, such as a fully automatic washer dryer with a drying function.

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

Claims (6)

1. A washing machine is characterized by comprising:

   a washing tub disposed in the cabinet for washing the laundry;

   an upper panel forming an upper portion of the case and having an inlet;

   a detergent box storing a liquid detergent;

   a softener box storing a liquid softener;

   a water supply part into which detergent and conditioner are introduced from the detergent box and the conditioner box, respectively, and into which the introduced detergent and conditioner flow by water to be supplied to the washing tub;

   a first pipe connected to the detergent box and the water supply part; and

   a second pipe connected with the softener box and the water supply part,

   the water supply part is arranged in a space behind the input port in the upper panel,

   one of the detergent box and the softener box is disposed at the left side of the water supply part, and a part of the box is accommodated in a space between the inlet and the left end of the upper panel, and the other box is disposed at the right side of the water supply part, and a part of the box is accommodated in a space between the inlet and the right end of the upper panel.
2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1,

   the water supply part includes:

   a first water path through which water to be supplied to the washing tub flows;

   a first switching unit connected to the first pipe and configured to switch between a state in which the detergent can flow into the first water passage and a state in which the detergent cannot flow into the first water passage; and

   and a second switching unit connected to the second pipe and configured to switch between a state in which the softener can flow into the first water channel and a state in which the softener cannot flow into the first water channel.
3. The washing machine according to claim 2,

   at least one of the first and second switching parts overlaps with a corresponding one of the detergent box and the conditioner box in an up-down direction,

   a first recess is formed in a bottom surface of the corresponding cartridge, and the first recess is recessed upward to accommodate the at least one switching portion.
4. A washing machine according to claim 3,

   a second recess is formed in a bottom surface of the corresponding cassette, the second recess being continuous with the first recess and accommodating a tube connected to the at least one switching portion of the first tube and the second tube.
5. A washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4,

   the water supply part further comprises a suction part for sucking the detergent and the softener into the first water path by making the first water path be in negative pressure,

   the first switching portion is closer to the suction portion than the second switching portion.
6. A washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5,

   the water supply part further includes a second water passage through which water to be supplied to the washing tub flows, and the second water passage has a larger allowable flow rate than the first water passage.

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