CN115867699B

CN115867699B - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN115867699B
Application number: CN202180046035.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 米泽孝昭; 佐藤弘树; 三觜绅平
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-06-29
Filing date: 2021-03-22
Publication date: 2024-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 2041-03-22
Also published as: CN115867699A; JP2022010810A; WO2022001212A1

Abstract

A washing machine is provided with: a detergent box (100); a softener box (200); a water supply unit (300) for supplying water to the washing and dehydrating tub (22) to allow the detergent and softener introduced from the detergent box (100) and the softener box (200) to flow into 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), 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 charging a liquid detergent into a washing and dehydrating tub.

The washing machine of patent document 1 includes a detergent box provided in a casing and accommodating a liquid detergent. The detergent box seals the inside by closing the supply port for supplying detergent by the 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 is operated, the air pressure in the sealed detergent box is raised, and the detergent in the detergent box is extruded from the liquid outlet and put into the washing and dewatering barrel. The user does not need to throw one amount of detergent into the washing machine during each washing operation, which is convenient.

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

Therefore, in addition to the detergent box, a softener box containing a liquid softener may be provided to the washing machine. In this case, the following structure may be adopted: the water supply part is used for supplying water from the faucet to the washing and dehydrating barrel by guiding the detergent and the softener from the detergent box and the softener box, and the detergent and the softener flow into the washing and dehydrating 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 the washing machine, when the rated washing capacity is changed, the size of the washing and dehydrating tub is changed, and the sizes of the upper panel and the inlet are changed accordingly. If the sizes of the upper panel and the input port are changed, the configurable space of the detergent box, the softener box and the water supply part is changed, and the product cost is easy to be reduced as long as the three parts can be used as common parts between the models with different sizes of the upper panel.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

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-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine in which a detergent box, a softener box, and a water supply part can be used as common components between models having different upper panel sizes.

Solution for solving the problem

The washing machine according to the main aspect of the present invention comprises: a washing barrel configured in the box body for washing the washed objects; an upper panel forming the upper part of the box body and having an input port; a detergent box for storing liquid detergent; a softener box for storing liquid softener; a water supply part into which detergent and softener are introduced from the detergent box and the softener box, respectively, and into which the introduced detergent and softener flow through 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 to the softener box and the water supply part. Wherein the water supply part is arranged in a space behind the inlet in the upper panel. The detergent box and the softener box are arranged on the left side of the water supply part, a part of the box is contained in a space between the input port and the left end of the upper panel, and the other box is arranged on the right side of the water supply part, and a part of the box is contained in a space between the input port and the right end of the upper panel.

According to the above configuration, the detergent box, the softener box, and the water supply portion can be arranged by using the space behind the inlet, the space between the inlet and the left end, and the space between the inlet and the right end in the upper panel. When the dimensions of the upper plate and the inlet are changed according to the model, the distance between the detergent box and the end of the water supply unit and the distance between the softener box and the end of the water supply unit are adjusted accordingly. By changing these distances, the first tube and the second tube can be replaced with tubes having different lengths, and at least the detergent box, the softener box, and the water supply part can be used as common components. Thus, the cost of the washing machine can be reduced.

In the washing machine of the present aspect, the water supply part may have a structure including: a first waterway for flowing water to be supplied to the washing tub; 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 channel and a state in which the detergent cannot flow into the first water channel; 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 waterway and a state in which the softener cannot flow into the first waterway.

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 caused to flow into the first water passage, thereby causing the introduced detergent to flow into the washing tub. Further, by switching the second switching portion, the softener is introduced from the softener box into the first waterway, and thereafter, the water is caused to flow into the first waterway, so that the introduced softener flows into the washing tub.

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

With such a configuration, the water supply device including the detergent case, the softener case, and the water supply portion can be made compact in the right-left direction and the up-down direction while suppressing a decrease in the capacity of the detergent case and/or the softener case, and the water supply device can be easily disposed inside the upper panel having a small size.

In the case of adopting the above-described configuration, a second recess may be formed in the bottom surface of the corresponding cassette, and the second recess may be connected to the first recess and may house a tube connected to the at least one switching unit, among the first tube and the second tube.

When such a structure is adopted, the first pipe and the first switching portion and/or the second pipe and the second switching portion can be smoothly connected.

In the case where the water supply portion has a structure including the first waterway, the first switching portion, and the second switching portion as described above, the water supply portion may further have a structure including a suction portion that sucks the detergent and the softener into the first waterway by making the interior of the first waterway negative in pressure. In this case, the first switching unit may be located closer to the suction unit than the second switching unit.

In the case of such a configuration, the detergent and the softener are sucked into the first water passage by the suction unit, and therefore the detergent and the softener can be satisfactorily introduced into the first water passage. Further, since the first switching portion is closer to the suction portion than the second switching portion, when the suction portion is operated, it is easier to make the pressure of sucking the detergent from the detergent box to the first water path higher than the pressure of sucking the softener from the softener box to the first water path, and it is possible to introduce the detergent having a higher frequency of use than the softener into the first water path.

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

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

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, a washing machine can be provided in which a detergent box, a softener box, and a water supply part can be used as common components between models having different upper panel sizes.

The effects and meaning of the present invention will be further clarified by the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiments are merely examples of the practice of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the description of 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 device and the upper panel when the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit are located at the operation position according to the embodiment. Fig. 2 (b) and (c) are perspective views of the main parts of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the upper panel when the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit are in the standby position according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the upper panel provided with the water supply device, the storage tank, and the supply nozzle 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, the half of which is on the side of the detergent box, viewed from the bottom surface side.

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the water supply device of the embodiment, the water supply device being seen from the bottom surface side to the softener case side.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing the structure of the water supply device according to 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 machine (washing machine); 10: a case; 12: an upper panel; 14: a charging port; 22: washing dehydration barrel (washing barrel); 80: a water supply device; 100: a detergent box; 104: a first concave portion; 105: a second concave portion; 200: a softener box; 204: a first concave portion; 205: a second concave portion; 300: a water supply unit (water supply part); 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 section); 360: a pump (suction unit); 400: a detergent supply pipe (first pipe); 500: a softener supply pipe (second pipe).

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying 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 device 50 and the upper panel 12 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 and the water storage unit 52 are located at the operation positions. Fig. 2 (b) and (c) are perspective views of the main parts of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the upper panel 12 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 and the water storage unit 52 are in the standby position. In fig. 2 (c), the cover 55 is omitted so that the inside of the accommodating portion 17 can be seen.

Referring to fig. 1, a fully automatic washing machine 1 includes a casing 10 that forms an outer contour. The case 10 includes: a square tubular body 11 with an open upper and lower surface, an upper panel 12 covering the upper surface of the body 11, and a foot stand 13 supporting the body 11. An inlet 14 for laundry is formed in the upper panel 12. The inlet 14 is covered with an openable and closable upper cover 15. A control unit 16 is disposed in 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.

The tub 20 having an open upper surface is elastically suspended and supported in the cabinet 10 by four suspension bars 21 having vibration-proof devices. A washing and dehydrating tub 22 having an open upper surface is disposed in the outer tub 20. The washing and dehydrating tub 22 rotates around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. A plurality of dehydration holes 22a are formed throughout the entire circumference on the inner circumferential surface of the washing and dehydrating tub 22. A balance ring 23 is provided at an upper portion 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 for generating torque for driving 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 32 includes a clutch mechanism 32a, and by switching operation of the clutch mechanism 32a, the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted to only the pulsator 24 during the washing and rinsing processes to rotate only the pulsator 24, and the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted to the pulsator 24 and the washing and dehydrating tub 22 during the dehydrating process to integrally rotate the pulsator 24 and the washing and dehydrating tub 22.

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 20a. The drain valve 40 is connected to a drain hose 41. When the drain valve 40 is opened, water stored in the wash water and dehydrating tub 22 and the outer tub 20 is discharged to the outside through the drain hose 41.

An overflow 20b is formed at an upper portion of the outer tub 20. When water above a predetermined overflow level is stored in the outer tub 20, water is discharged from the overflow port 20b. An overflow receiving portion 25 is provided on the outer surface of the outer tub 20 so as to cover the overflow port 20b. An overflow pipe 26 is connected to the bottom of the overflow receiving portion 25. The other end of the overflow pipe 26 is connected to a drain hose 41. The water discharged from the overflow 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 at a substantially center of the rear portion of the upper panel 12. The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 mainly performs a cleaning operation for removing sebum dirt adhering to the cuffs or collar portions of shirts, dirt adhering to the parts of the articles to be cleaned such as greasy dirt adhering to the clothing, and the like, before the fully automatic washing machine 1 performs washing.

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

The drain receiving portion 70 receives water drained from the water storage tub 52a. The drain receiving portion 70 has a drain hole 71 for discharging the received water. 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 device 50 includes an ultrasonic cleaning portion 51, a water storage portion 52, and a main body portion 53. The ultrasonic cleaning section 51 includes an ultrasonic wave generating body 51a that generates ultrasonic waves. The main body 53 holds the ultrasonic cleaning section 51. The water storage portion 52 is attached to the main body portion 53 and is located below the ultrasonic wave generator 51a. The water storage portion 52 is provided with a water storage tub 52a for storing washing water. The water tank 52a is supplied with washing water from a supply nozzle 54 connected to the reserve tank 60.

The upper panel 12 has a receiving portion 17 for receiving the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 at a central portion of a rear portion thereof. The front of the accommodation portion 17 of the upper panel 12 is opened as an entrance 17 a. A substantially square cover 55 having light transmittance is provided at the inlet/outlet 17 a.

As shown in fig. 2 (a), when the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 is used for cleaning operation, the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 is in the following state: the ultrasonic cleaning portion 51 and the water storage portion 52 are pulled out from the housing portion 17 forward and protrude toward the inside of the inlet 14 of the upper panel 12. The cover 55 is accommodated almost entirely in the accommodating portion 17. The positions of the ultrasonic cleaning section 51 and the water storage section 52 at this time are 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 in which the ultrasonic cleaning portion 51 and the water storage portion 52 are accommodated in the accommodating portion 17. The inlet 17a of the housing 17 is closed by the cover 55, and the front of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 is covered by the cover 55. The positions of the ultrasonic cleaning section 51 and the water storage section 52 at this time are standby positions.

During the cleaning operation, the dirt adhering portion of the object to be cleaned is placed between the water tank 52a and the ultrasonic wave generating body 51a. The dirt adhering portion is soaked with the washing water stored in the water storage tub 52a. When the ultrasonic wave generator 51a is operated, ultrasonic waves are generated from the tip thereof. Dirt is peeled from the object to be cleaned by the action of ultrasonic vibration. In this case, the cleaning force is improved by adding the force of the detergent.

As shown in fig. 2 (a), the upper panel 12 has a funnel-shaped detergent injection port 18 formed at the rear left side of the inlet 14, and a funnel-shaped softener injection port 19 formed at the rear right side 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. The opening 19a formed in the center of the softener inlet 19 is connected to a softener box inlet described later. A filter 210 is attached to the inlet through the opening 19 a. Liquid detergent is injected into the detergent box through the detergent injection port 18, and liquid softener is injected into the softener box through the softener injection port 19. When the detergent and the softener are not put in, the detergent injection port 18 and the softener injection port 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 faucet, and has a function of supplying water into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. The water supply device 80 also functions as an automatic input device for automatically inputting the liquid detergent and softener into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. The water supply device 80 further has a function of supplying the cleaning 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 upper panel 12 provided with the water supply device 80, the storage tank 60, and the supply nozzle 54. 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 of the half side of the detergent box 100 as seen from the bottom surface side. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the water supply device 80 of the softener case 200 side half viewed from the bottom surface side. Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing the structure of the water supply device 80. It should be noted 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 softener box 200, a water supply unit 300, a detergent supply pipe 400, and a softener supply pipe 500.

The detergent box 100 stores therein a liquid detergent. The softener box 200 stores therein a liquid softener. The detergent and the softener are introduced from the detergent box 100 and the softener box 200 to the water supply unit 300, respectively. The water supply unit 300 causes the introduced detergent and softener to flow into the wash water dehydration tub 22 by water to be supplied to the wash water dehydration 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 at the left side of the water supply unit 300, and the front portion is accommodated in a space between the inlet 14 and the left end of the upper panel 12. The softener case 200 is disposed on the right side of the water supply unit 300, and the front portion is housed in the space between the inlet 14 and the right end of the upper panel 12. The detergent supply pipe 400 is connected to the detergent box 100 and the water supply unit 300. The softener supply pipe 500 is connected to the softener cartridge 200 and the water supply unit 300.

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

The storage tank 60 is disposed in the rear of the water supply unit 300 in the upper panel 12. The supply nozzle 54 extends forward from the reserve 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 in the right-left direction and the rear direction. As described above, 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 long in the front-rear direction. A circular inlet 101 is formed on the front side of the upper surface of the detergent box 100. A filter 110 is attached to the inlet 101. The filter 110 captures foreign matter entering the detergent box 100 from the inlet 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 peripheral surface of the discharge portion 102. Further, a first recess 104 is formed in the bottom surface of the detergent box 100 at the rear of the discharge portion 102 and at the water supply unit 300 side. The first recess 104 has a substantially square shape long in the front-rear direction, with the water supply unit 300 side thereof being open. Further, a second concave portion 105 having a substantially L-shape is formed on the bottom surface of the detergent box 100 behind the discharge portion 102, and is connected to the first concave portion 104.

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

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 the "first switching portion" of the present invention, the second three-way valve 340 corresponds to the "second switching portion" of the present invention, and the pump 360 corresponds to the "suction portion" of the present invention.

The waterway member 310 is formed by connecting a first waterway portion 310a, a second waterway portion 310b, and a third waterway portion 310c each made of a resin material. The first water path portion 310a is located on the detergent box 100 side, the second water path portion 310b is located on the softener box 200 side, and the third water path portion 310c is located between the first water path portion 310a and the second water path portion 310b.

The water channel member 310 is provided with a water injection chamber 311 in the first water channel portion 310 a. A water filling port 311a is formed at the bottom of the water filling chamber 311 at the tip. The water filling port 311a faces upward of the washing and dehydrating tub 22.

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

In the first water path 312, a second three-way valve 340, a first three-way valve 330, a pump 360, and a third three-way valve 350 are disposed in this order from upstream in the middle of the path from the inflow port 314 to the water filling chamber 311. Accordingly, the first waterway 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, 317d and downstream side connection ports 318a, 318b, 318c, 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, the first water path portion 310a has an upstream connection port 317b and a downstream connection port 318b corresponding to the first three-way valve 330 formed on the front side of the side surface of the detergent box 100, and an upstream connection port 317d, a downstream connection port 318d, and a connection port 316b connected to the branch water path 316 formed on the rear side thereof. The first water path portion 310a is provided with a pump accommodation chamber 319 having an opening 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 accommodation chamber 319.

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

The water supply valve 320 is a so-called double valve having a first valve 321 and a second valve 322 having a rated flow greater 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 path portion 310b, the water outlet 324 of the first valve 321 is connected to the water inlet 314 of the first water path 312, and the water outlet 325 of the second valve 322 is connected to the water inlet 315 of the second water path 313.

The first three-way valve 330 and the second three-way valve 340 have first water inlets 331, 341, second water inlets 332, 342, and water outlets 333, 343, and are switched to 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 in the same direction.

In the first waterway portion 310a, the first water inlet 331 and the water outlet 333 of the first three-way valve 330 are connected to the upstream side connection port 317b and the downstream side 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 side connection port 317d, the downstream side connection port 318d, and the connection port 316b, respectively.

In the second waterway portion 310b, the first water inlet 341 and the water outlet 343 of the second three-way valve 340 are connected to the upstream side connection port 317a and the downstream side 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 case 361 has a suction port 363 and a discharge port 364. A cover 365 is integrally formed with the housing 361. A cam 366 is provided on the shaft of the motor 362.

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

In a state where the detergent box 100, the softener 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 up-down 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 softener case 200 and overlaps the softener case 200 in the up-down direction. Thereby, the water supply device 80 can be made compact in the left-right direction and the up-down direction while suppressing the capacity decrease of the detergent box 100 and the softener box 200.

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 accommodated 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. Thereby, the first three-way valve 330 and the detergent supply pipe 400 can be smoothly connected.

In addition, one end of the softener supply pipe 500 is connected to the second water inlet 342 of the second three-way valve 340, and the other end of the softener supply pipe 500 is connected to the discharge port 203 of the softener box 200. One end side of the softener supply pipe 500 is accommodated in the second recess 205 of the bottom surface of the softener case 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. Thereby, the second three-way valve 340 and the softener supply pipe 500 can be smoothly connected.

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

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

The wash and dehydration tub 22 and the pulsator 24 integrally rotate at a high speed during the intermediate dehydration process and the final dehydration process. The laundry is dehydrated by the centrifugal force generated in the washing and dehydrating tub 22.

During water supply during the washing process, detergent is automatically fed into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 through the water supply device 80. At this time, the third three-way valve 350 is switched to a state of communicating the water inlet 351 and the first water outlet 352, and the first waterway 312 is isolated from the storage tank 60 and connected to the water injection 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, and the first water passage 312 is communicated at the position of the second three-way valve 340.

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

Next, the first three-way valve 330 is switched to a state of communicating the first water inlet 331 and the water outlet 333. This makes it impossible for the detergent to flow into the first water passage 312. The first waterway 312 is in communication with the position of the first three-way valve 330. The first valve 321 of the water supply valve 320 is opened, and water from the tap is supplied into the first waterway 312 as shown by solid arrows in fig. 7. The water flowing through the first waterway 312 washes away the detergent stored in the first waterway 312. The detergent washed away by the water flows into the water injection chamber 311 together with the water, and is poured 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, so that water is supplied into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. As indicated by the broken-line arrows in fig. 7, water from the faucet is supplied into the second water channel 313, flows into the second water channel 313, reaches the water injection chamber 311, and is discharged from the water injection port 311a into the washing and dehydrating tub 22. At this time, the flow rate of the water flowing through the second waterway 313 becomes greater than the flow rate of the water flowing through the first waterway 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 ended.

At the time of water supply in the final rinsing process, the softener is automatically introduced into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 through the water supply device 80. At this time, the first water path 312 is connected to the water filling chamber 311 in the same manner as in the cleaning process. The first three-way valve 330 is switched to communicate the first water inlet 331 and the water outlet 333, and the first water passage 312 is communicated 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. Thereby, the softener can flow into the first waterway 312. The pump 360 operates, and as shown by the two-dot chain line of fig. 7, the liquid softener in the softener box 200 is sucked into the first waterway 312 via the softener supply pipe 500. The pump 360 is operated for a predetermined time, whereby a predetermined amount of the softener is stored in the first waterway 312.

Next, the second three-way valve 340 is switched to a state of communicating the first water inlet 341 and the water outlet 343. This makes it impossible for the softener to flow into the first waterway 312. The first water passage 312 is in communication with the position of the second three-way valve 340. The first valve 321 is opened, and water from the tap is supplied into the first waterway 312 as shown by solid arrows in fig. 7. The softener stored in the first water channel 312 is washed away by the water flowing in the first water channel 312, flows into the water injection chamber 311, and is poured into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 through the water injection port 311a.

Further, as in the washing process, the first valve 321 is opened and the second valve 322 is opened, so that water is supplied into the washing and dehydrating tub 22.

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

First, the third three-way valve 350 is switched to a state of communicating the water inlet 351 and the second water outlet 353. Thus, the first water passage 312 is isolated from the water filling chamber 311 and connected to the storage tank 60 via the branch water passage 316. In the same manner as in the washing process, after the first three-way valve 330 is switched to a state in which the detergent can flow into the first waterway 312, the pump 360 is operated, and the liquid detergent in the detergent box 100 is sucked into the first waterway 312. The pump 360 is operated for a predetermined time, whereby a predetermined amount of detergent is stored in the first waterway 312.

Next, the first three-way valve 330 is switched to a state in which the detergent cannot flow into the first water channel 312 and the first water channel 312 communicates with 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 tap is supplied into the first waterway 312. The detergent stored in the first waterway 312 is washed away by the water flowing through the first waterway 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 waterway 316. When a predetermined amount of the washing water is stored in the storage tank 60, the first valve 321 is closed.

Effect of the embodiments >

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the detergent box 100, the softener box 200, and the water supply unit 300 can be arranged 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.

Further, by changing the dimensions of the upper panel 12 and the inlet 14 according to the model, when the distance between the left and right spaces is changed, the distance between the detergent box 100 and the first three-way valve 330, which is the left end portion of the water supply unit 300, and the distance between the softener box 200 and the second three-way valve 340, which is the right end portion 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 smaller, the distance between the detergent box 100 and the first three-way valve 330 of the water supply unit 300 is eliminated, the two are overlapped in the vertical direction, and the distance between the softener box 200 and the second three-way valve 340 of the water supply unit 300 is eliminated, and the two are overlapped in the vertical direction. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 8 (b), when the size of the upper plate 12 is large and the size of the inlet 14 is large, the distance between the detergent box 100 and the first three-way valve 330 of the water supply unit 300 is large, and the distance between the softener box 200 and the second three-way valve 340 of the water supply unit 300 is large.

Since the distances in the left-right direction of the detergent box 100, the softener box 200, and the water supply unit 300 are changed, pipes having different lengths are prepared for the detergent supply pipe 400 and the softener supply pipe 500 as in, for example, (a) and (b) of fig. 8. However, the detergent box 100, the softener box 200, and the water supply unit 300 can be used as general-purpose parts. 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, it is possible to introduce the detergent from the detergent box 100 into the first water path 312, and thereafter, to flow the introduced detergent into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 by flowing water into the first water path 312. Further, by switching the second three-way valve 340, it is possible to introduce the softener from the softener box 200 into the first waterway 312, and thereafter, to flow the water into the first waterway 312 to flow the introduced softener into the washing and dehydrating tub 22.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the first three-way valve 330 and the second three-way valve 340 overlap the detergent box 100 and the softener box 200 in the up-down direction, and the first concave portions 104, 204 that are recessed upward and receive the first three-way valve 330 and the second three-way valve 340 are formed in the bottom surfaces of the detergent box 100 and the softener box 200. Accordingly, the water supply device 80 can be made compact in the lateral direction and the vertical direction while suppressing the capacity decrease of the detergent box 100 and the softener box 200, and the water supply device 80 can be easily disposed inside the small-sized upper panel 12.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the second recess 105 which is connected to the first recess 104 and accommodates the detergent supply pipe 400 is formed in the bottom surface of the detergent box 100, and therefore 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 concave portion 205 that is connected to the first concave portion 204 and accommodates the softener supply pipe 500 is formed on the bottom surface of the softener cartridge 200, the softener supply pipe 500 and the second three-way valve 340 can be smoothly connected to each other in the second concave portion 205.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the detergent and the softener are sucked into the first water channel 312 by the pump 360, the detergent and the softener can be satisfactorily 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, it is easier to make the pressure of sucking the detergent from the detergent box 100 to the first water channel 312 higher than the pressure of sucking the softener from the softener box 200 to the first water channel 312, and it is possible to introduce the detergent having a higher frequency of use than the softener into the first water channel 312 more favorably.

Further, 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 larger flow rate than the first water channel 312, and the water supply time can be shortened as compared with a case where water is supplied while detergent or softener is being fed into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 from only the first water channel 312.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and the like, and various modifications other than the above are possible in 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 reserve 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 waterway 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 softener box 200 is disposed on the right side of the water supply unit 300. However, the softener case 200 may be disposed on the left side of the water supply unit 300 and the detergent case 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 waterway portion 310a and the second waterway portion 310b of the waterway member 310.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first three-way valve 330 and the second three-way valve 340 are used to switch 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. 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 on-off valve is opened and closed to switch 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 softener from the detergent box 100 and the softener box 200 into the first water channel 312. However, suction-enabled devices other than pump 360 may be used. Further, the bottom surfaces of the detergent box 100 and the softener box 200 may be higher than the first waterway 312 without providing a suction device such as the pump 360, and the detergent and the softener may be introduced into the first waterway 312 by gravity.

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

Further, 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 softener 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 accommodate the entire first three-way valve 330, and the first recess 204 of the softener box 200 may be sized to accommodate 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 overlapped in the vertical direction, and the entire softener box 200 and the second three-way valve 340 can be overlapped in the vertical direction.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first valve 321 and the second valve 322 of the water supply valve 320 are simultaneously opened at the time of water supply in the washing process and the rinsing process, and water is simultaneously flowed to the first waterway 312 and the second waterway 313. However, the detergent and softener may be introduced into the washing and dehydrating tub 22 by the water flowing into the first waterway 312 by opening the first valve 321, and the second valve 322 may be opened immediately after the introduction of the detergent and softener is completed to close the first valve 321, so that the water flows into the second waterway 313.

Further, in the above embodiment, the second water path 313 is provided in the water supply unit 300. However, a structure in which the second waterway 313 is not provided in the water supply unit 300 may be employed. In this case, the water supply valve 320 has a structure including only the first valve 321.

Further, the above embodiment shows the fully automatic washing machine 1. However, the present invention can also be applied to washing machines other than the fully automatic washing machine 1, such as a fully automatic washing and drying integrated machine having a drying function.

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

Claims

1. A washing machine is characterized by comprising:

a washing barrel configured in the box body for washing the washed objects;

an upper panel forming the upper part of the box body and having an input port;

a detergent box for storing liquid detergent;

a softener box for storing liquid softener;

a water supply part into which detergent and softener are introduced from the detergent box and the softener box, respectively, and into which the introduced detergent and softener flow through 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 the space behind the input port in the upper panel,

one of the detergent box and the softener box is arranged at the left side of the water supply part, a part of the box is accommodated in a space between the input port and the left end of the upper panel, and the other box is arranged at the right side of the water supply part, and a part of the box is accommodated in a space between the input port and the right end of the upper panel;

the water supply part includes:

a first waterway for flowing water to be supplied to the washing tub;

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 channel and a state in which the detergent cannot flow into the first water channel; 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 waterway and a state in which the softener cannot flow into the first waterway;

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

a first concave portion is formed on the bottom surface of the corresponding cartridge, the first concave portion being recessed upward and accommodating the at least one switching portion;

forming a second recess in a bottom surface of the corresponding cartridge, the second recess being connected to the first recess and accommodating a tube connected to the at least one switching portion among the first tube and the second tube;

the water supply part further comprises a suction part which sucks the detergent and the softener into the first waterway by making the first waterway under negative pressure,

the first switching portion is closer to the suction portion than the second switching portion.

2. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that,

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.