CN116194631A

CN116194631A - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN116194631A
Application number: CN202180065884.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 川瀬尚希; 曵野裕; 小立徹
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-10-01
Filing date: 2021-09-02
Publication date: 2023-05-30
Also published as: WO2022070754A1; TW202217112A; BR112023004244A2

Abstract

The washing machine of embodiment 1 of the present disclosure includes a washing tub, a detergent container (450), an automatic liquid agent feeding device, and a detergent container housing unit. The washing tank accommodates laundry. The detergent container (450) stores a liquid detergent, and a detergent container input part (451) is provided on the upper surface in the installed state. The automatic liquid adding device adds the liquid detergent stored in the detergent container (450) to the washing tank. The detergent container housing part houses a detergent container (450), and connects the detergent container (450) and the automatic liquid agent feeding device. The detergent container (450) is configured to be detachable from the automatic liquid agent charging device, and the detergent container (450) is locked to the detergent container housing portion when the detergent container charging portion (451) is at the 1 st position when the detergent container charging portion is opened to the outside.

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a washing machine.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses a washing machine provided with a washing treatment liquid charging device for automatically charging an appropriate amount of washing treatment liquid.

The washing machine of patent document 1 includes a washing treatment liquid input device, a container for storing a plurality of amounts of washing treatment liquid, and a case for storing the container, and the container has a structure that can be detached and attached to the case by being moved in the up-down direction.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2019-181023

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure provides a washing machine which can easily replenish liquid agent to a liquid agent container for storing liquid agent and inhibit the periphery of the liquid agent container from being polluted.

The washing machine comprises a washing tank, a liquid agent container, an automatic liquid agent input device and a liquid agent container accommodating part. The washing tank accommodates laundry. The liquid container stores liquid, and has an opening on an upper surface thereof in an installed state. The automatic liquid agent feeding device feeds the liquid stored in the liquid agent container into the washing tank. The liquid container housing unit houses a liquid container, and connects the liquid container to the liquid automatic input device. The liquid agent container is configured to be detachable from the automatic liquid agent charging device, and is locked to the liquid agent container housing portion when the liquid agent container is at the 1 st position when the opening is opened to the outside.

The washing machine of the present disclosure is easy to replenish liquid agent to the liquid agent container storing liquid agent, and can inhibit the periphery of the liquid agent container from being polluted.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a cover of the structure of the washing machine of embodiment 1 is closed.

Fig. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a cover of the structure of the washing machine of embodiment 1 is opened.

Fig. 3 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a detergent box, a detergent container, and a softener container are pulled out, which are a water supply unit and a peripheral structure of the water supply unit of the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a rear view showing the configuration of a water supply unit and its periphery of the washing machine of embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a water supply unit and its periphery in the washing machine of embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of a water supply unit and its periphery of the washing machine of embodiment 1 with the flow path cover removed.

Fig. 7 is a plan view illustrating a water supply unit and a cross section of the periphery thereof of the washing machine of embodiment 1 in which a flow path cover portion is removed in a state in which a detergent case, a detergent container, and a softener container are removed.

Fig. 8 is a F-F sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a configuration of a water supply unit and a periphery thereof of the washing machine of embodiment 1 in which a flow path cover portion is removed in a state where a detergent case, a detergent container, and a softener container are pulled out.

Fig. 10 is a B-B sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is an E-E sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 12 is a C-C sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view A-A of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 14 is a D-D sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 15 is an external front view showing a state in which a detergent box, a detergent container, and a softener container are removed, which are configured as a water supply unit of the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 16 is an external perspective view showing the structure of a detergent container of the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 17A is a plan view illustrating a water supply unit of the washing machine of embodiment 1 with a flow path cover portion removed in a state where a detergent container is stored, and a cross section of the periphery thereof.

Fig. 17B is a plan view illustrating a water supply unit of the washing machine of embodiment 1 with a flow path cover portion removed in a state where a detergent container is pulled out, and a cross section of the periphery thereof.

Fig. 18 is a G-G sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 17A.

Fig. 19 is a K-K cross-sectional view of the water supply unit shown in fig. 17B and its periphery.

Fig. 20 is an H-H cross-sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 17A.

Fig. 21 is a J-J cross-sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 17B.

Fig. 22 is a plan view showing a structure of a lower portion of a flow path of the washing machine of embodiment 1.

Fig. 23 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a cover of the structure of the washing machine of embodiment 2 is closed.

Fig. 24 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a cover of the structure of the washing machine of embodiment 2 is opened.

Fig. 25 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a detergent box, a detergent container, and a softener container are pulled out, which are configured in the water supply unit and the periphery of the water supply unit of the washing machine according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 26 is a rear view showing the configuration of the water supply unit and the periphery of the water supply unit in the washing machine according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 27 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a water supply unit and its periphery in the washing machine of embodiment 2.

Fig. 28 is a plan view showing a configuration of a water supply unit and its periphery of the washing machine of embodiment 2 with a flow path cover portion removed.

Fig. 29 is a plan view illustrating a water supply unit and a cross section of the periphery thereof of the washing machine of embodiment 2 in which a flow path cover portion is removed in a state in which a detergent case, a detergent container, and a softener container are removed.

Fig. 30 is a Q-Q sectional view of the water supply unit shown in fig. 29 and its periphery.

Fig. 31 is a plan view showing the configuration of the water supply unit and the periphery thereof of the washing machine of embodiment 2 in which the flow path cover is removed in a state in which the detergent box, the detergent container, and the softener container are pulled out.

Fig. 32 is an M-M cross-sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 29.

Fig. 33 is a P-P sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 29.

Fig. 34 is an N-N cross-sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 29.

Fig. 35 is an L-L sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 29.

Fig. 36 is an O-O sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 29.

Fig. 37 is an external front view showing the structure of the water supply unit of the washing machine according to embodiment 2, in which the detergent case, the detergent container, and the softener container are removed.

Fig. 38 is an external perspective view showing the structure of a detergent container of the washing machine according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 39A is a plan view illustrating a water supply unit of the washing machine of embodiment 2 with a flow path cover portion removed in a state where a detergent container is stored, and a cross section of the periphery thereof.

Fig. 39B is a plan view illustrating a water supply unit of the washing machine of embodiment 2 with a flow path cover portion removed in a state where a detergent container is pulled out, and a cross section of the periphery thereof.

Fig. 40 is an R-R sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 39A.

Fig. 41 is a U-U cross-sectional view of the water supply unit shown in fig. 39B and its periphery.

Fig. 42 is an S-S sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 39A.

Fig. 43 is a T-T sectional view of the water supply unit and its periphery shown in fig. 39B.

Fig. 44 is a plan view showing a structure of a lower portion of a flow path of the washing machine of embodiment 2.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiment 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the drawings and the following description are provided to fully understand the present disclosure by those skilled in the art, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims thereby.

(embodiment 1)

Hereinafter, a washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 22.

[1-1. Structure ]

[1-1-1. Structure of washing machine ]

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a cover 700 of the structure of the washing machine 100 of embodiment 1 is closed, and fig. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the cover 700 of the structure of the washing machine 100 is opened. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, in embodiment 1, the vertical direction in the state where the washing machine 100 is installed (corresponding to the installation state of the present disclosure) may be described as the vertical direction. In embodiment 1, the side of the washing machine 100 in fig. 1 and 2 where the operation unit 800 is present is described as the rear side, and the opposite side is described as the front side. That is, a user normally stands in front of the washing machine 100 to input laundry such as laundry into the washing machine 100, and performs various operations for operating the washing machine 100. The laundry of the present disclosure is not limited to clothing, and refers to, for example, clothing or leather products such as bedding, curtains, carpets, shoes, and other articles that can be washed in various known washing machines.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the washing machine 100 includes a casing 600, a cover 700, and an operation unit 800, and is a so-called vertical washing machine capable of putting laundry therein from above the casing 600 in an installed state. The case 600 includes a lower case 610 and an upper case 620. The washing tub 500 is accommodated in the lower case 610. The washing tub 500 is formed in a cylindrical shape (i.e., a bottomed cylindrical shape) that is opened upward, and accommodates laundry therein and performs a washing operation for washing the laundry. The washing operation may be performed in a washing tub of various known washing machines. The principle of embodiment 1 is not limited to a specific washing operation performed by the washing tub 500.

The upper case 620 is disposed above the lower case 610, and an inlet 621 for laundry communicating with the washing tub 500 is formed in the upper case 620. The cover 700 is attached to the rear of the upper case 620 and covers the inlet 621 to be openable and closable. When the user rotates the cover 700 upward, the washing tub 500 is exposed through the inlet 621. The user can input laundry into the washing tub 500 through the input port 621.

An operation unit 800 is disposed at the rear of the upper case 620 and at a position behind the inlet 621. The user can set various operations of the washing tub 500 by operating the operation unit 800. In addition, the washing machine 100 includes a control device, not shown, in the casing 600, and controls the operation of the whole washing machine 100 in addition to the control of the water supply valve 310 and the three-way valve 380, for example, in response to the operation of the operation unit 800 by the user. The control device has a computer system with a processor and a memory. The processor executes a program stored in the memory, and the computer system functions as a control device. The program executed by the processor is recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system, but may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided by a telecommunication line such as the internet.

A water supply port 200 is provided at the rear of the operation portion 800, and a water supply hose 210 is connected to the water supply port 200 to introduce tap water from a tap.

As shown in fig. 2, the detergent container 450, the softener container 460, and the detergent box 400 are disposed so that the front surfaces are flush with each other when housed in the water supply unit 300.

Fig. 3 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the detergent box 400, the detergent container 450, and the softener container 460 of the water supply unit 300 and the peripheral structure thereof are pulled out. As shown in fig. 3, the detergent container 450 and the softener container 460 are configured to be capable of storing a liquid in an amount that can perform a plurality of operations. Specifically, the detergent container 450 stores liquid detergent, and the softener container 460 stores softener. The detergent container 450 is provided with a detergent container insertion portion 451 for injecting the stored liquid detergent, and the softener container 460 is provided with a softener container insertion portion 461 for injecting the stored softener. The upper surfaces of the detergent container insertion part 451 and the softener container insertion part 461 are opened to enable injection of liquid.

The detergent container 450 is provided with a detergent container allowance scale 450a, and the softener container 460 is provided with a softener container allowance scale 460a. The detergent container balance scale 450a and the softener container balance scale 460a are each made of a transparent material, and the user can visually confirm the balance of the liquid.

On the other hand, the detergent box 400 is used for the user to put in the amount of the detergent required for one operation. The detergent box 400 is provided with a powder detergent manual-feeding portion 410 for feeding a powder detergent, a liquid detergent manual-feeding portion 420 for feeding a liquid detergent, and a softener manual-feeding portion 430 for feeding a softener.

A part of the cover 700 is formed transparent. Thus, the user can visually confirm the remaining amounts of the liquid stored in the detergent container 450 and the softener container 460 by visually confirming the remaining amounts of the detergent container 450a and the softener container 460a even in a state where the cover 700 is closed.

[1-1-2. Water supply Unit ]

Fig. 4 is a rear view showing the structure of the water supply unit 300 and the periphery thereof, and fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the water supply unit 300 and the periphery thereof. As shown in fig. 5, the water supply unit 300 mainly includes a water supply unit housing 320 formed in a box shape, a flow path cover 340 covering the upper surface of the water supply unit housing 320, and a flow path lower portion 370 attached to the lower bottom of the water supply unit housing 320.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, a water supply valve 310 for passing water introduced from the water supply port 200 is installed at the left part so as to be openable and closable when viewed from the rear of the water supply unit housing part 320. In a state where the water supply valve 310 is opened, the water introduced from the water supply valve 310 is introduced into the water supply unit housing part 320.

A bus pump 314 is disposed in the center of the rear surface of the water supply unit housing 320, and the bus pump 314 sucks water from the outside of the washing machine 100 through a hose (not shown). The bus pump 314 is fixed to the flow path cover 340 by screw fixation, and is directly connected to a first water guide path 321 described later through the bus pump water injection port 333. The bus pump 314 can start the suction and discharge operation by supplying water from the first water guide path 321.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the water supply unit housing 320 is formed in a box shape that is open to the front. The water supply unit housing portion 320 includes a detergent container housing portion 360, a softener container housing portion 365, and a detergent box housing portion 350 as an internal space. The detergent container housing portion 360 is configured to be able to independently pull out the detergent container 450 to house the detergent container 450, the softener container housing portion 365 is configured to be able to independently pull out the softener container 460 to house the softener container 460, and the detergent box housing portion 350 is configured to be able to independently pull out the detergent box 400 to house the detergent box 400. The detergent container housing part 360 includes a detergent container housing part claw part 361 described later and a stopper 368 described later. The shape of the water supply unit housing 320 shown in fig. 5 and 6 is an example, and may be any shape as long as it is formed in a box shape so as to house the detergent container 450, the softener container 460, and the detergent box 400 therein. The shapes of the detergent container housing part 360 and the softener container housing part 365 shown in fig. 5 and 6 are also an example. The detergent container housing portion 360 and the softener container housing portion 365 are formed in a box shape that opens toward the inlet 621, and may have any shape as long as the detergent container housing portion 360 can house the detergent container 450 and the softener container housing portion 365 can house the softener container 460. That is, the shapes of the water supply unit housing 320, the detergent container housing 360, and the softener container housing 365 are not limited to a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a substantially cubic shape, and may be a substantially polygonal shape, or a circular or elliptical shape with an arc.

The detergent box flow path 330 is disposed as an upper surface of the detergent box housing 350, and a first water guide path 321 and a second water guide path 322 described later are formed in the detergent box flow path 330.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the automatic liquid agent feeding device 301 is attached to the right part when viewed from the back of the water supply unit housing 320. The automatic liquid agent feeding device 301 will be described later.

[1-1-3. Water guide Path ]

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the water supply valve 310 includes three on-off valves, i.e., a first water guide tube 311, a second water guide tube 312, and a third water guide tube 313, and is configured to be able to independently open and close each on-off valve.

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of the water supply unit 300 and its periphery with the flow path cover 340 removed. Fig. 7 is a plan view illustrating a cross section of the water supply unit 300 and the periphery thereof with the flow path cover 340 removed in a state where the detergent box 400, the detergent container 450, and the softener container 460 are removed. Fig. 8 is a F-F sectional view of the water supply unit 300 shown in fig. 7 and its periphery. Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the configuration of the water supply unit 300 and the periphery thereof with the flow path cover 340 removed in a state where the detergent box 400, the detergent container 450, and the softener container 460 are pulled out. Fig. 10 is a B-B sectional view of the water supply unit 300 and its periphery shown in fig. 7.

As shown in fig. 6 to 10, a water guide path through which water introduced from the water supply valve 310 flows is formed in the water supply unit housing portion 320, and the water supply valve 310 is directly connected to the water guide path. The water guide path is branched so as to communicate with the first water guide tube 311, the second water guide tube 312, and the third water guide tube 313 independently. The flow path communicating with the first water guide tube 311 is defined as a first water guide path 321, the flow path communicating with the second water guide tube 312 is defined as a second water guide path 322, and the flow path communicating with the third water guide tube 313 is defined as a third water guide path 323.

[1-1-4. Detergent box, first Water guide Path, second Water guide Path ]

As shown in fig. 3 and 6 to 9, the first water guide path 321 and the second water guide path 322 guide the water supplied from the first water guide tube 311 and the second water guide tube 312 to the detergent box flow path 330, and inject the water into the detergent box 400 located below.

As described above, the powder detergent manual input unit 410, the liquid detergent manual input unit 420, and the softener manual input unit 430 are provided in the detergent box 400, and the user can input each of the detergents.

The first water guide path 321 is provided with a powder detergent water injection port 331 formed above the powder detergent manual input unit 410 so as to communicate vertically and a liquid detergent water injection port 332 formed above the liquid detergent manual input unit 420 so as to communicate vertically. The second water guide path 322 is provided with a water injection port 334 for softener formed above the manual softener input part 430 so as to communicate vertically.

The powder detergent manual input unit 410, the liquid detergent manual input unit 420, and the softener manual input unit 430 are each provided with a discharge port (not shown) for discharging the liquid stored therein to the lower part. The liquid discharged from the discharge port falls down to the flow path lower portion 370. The flow path lower portion 370 is configured as a discharge portion, and discharges the liquid to the washing tub 500.

[1-1-5. Automatic input device, third Water guide Path ]

Fig. 11 is an E-E sectional view of the water supply unit 300 shown in fig. 7 and the periphery thereof, and fig. 12 is a C-C sectional view of the water supply unit 300 shown in fig. 7 and the periphery thereof. Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the water supply unit 300 and the periphery thereof shown in fig. 7, and fig. 14 is a sectional view of the water supply unit 300 and the periphery thereof shown in fig. 7, which are shown in a D-D view. Fig. 15 is an external front view showing a state in which the detergent box 400, the detergent container 450, and the softener container 460 of the water supply unit 300 are removed.

As shown in fig. 6 and 10 to 15, the third water guide path 323 is formed along the rear surface of the water supply unit housing 320 in a substantially horizontal direction, and opens to the rear surface side at the cleaning path water guide port 324. The cleaning path water guide port 324 is connected to an automatic pouring device internal path 325 described later, and communicates the third water guide path 323 with the automatic pouring device 301. The automatic liquid agent feeding device 301 is disposed on the rear surface side of the detergent container housing portion 360 and the softener container housing portion 365. As will be described later, the automatic liquid agent feeding device 301 is connected to the detergent container 450 and the softener container 460 stored in the detergent container storage unit 360 and the softener container storage unit 365, respectively. That is, the detergent container housing unit 360 houses the detergent container 450, connects the detergent container 450 and the automatic liquid agent charging device 301, and the softener container housing unit 365 houses the softener container 460, and connects the softener container 460 and the automatic liquid agent charging device 301.

As shown in fig. 9, a detergent container insertion port 302 is provided on the back surface side of the detergent container 450, and a detergent container check valve 302a (see fig. 20) which is opened by pushing in is provided inside the detergent container insertion port 302. Similarly, a softener container insertion port 303 and a softener container check valve (not shown) that opens by pushing in are provided on the back surface side of the softener container 460. The detergent container 450 is constructed as follows: in a state of being attached to the detergent container housing part 360, a detergent automatic-input insertion port 452, which will be described later, is inserted into the detergent container insertion port 302, and the detergent container check valve 302a is opened to enable supply of liquid detergent. Likewise, the softener container 460 is constructed in the following manner: in a state of being attached to the softener container housing 365, a softener automatic insertion port 462, which will be described later, is inserted into the softener container insertion port 303, and the softener container check valve is opened to supply the softener.

The detergent container housing portion 360 and the softener container housing portion 365 are provided with a detergent automatic-feeding connection portion 360a and a softener automatic-feeding connection portion 365a on the inner rear surface thereof, respectively. The automatic detergent loading connection portion 360a and the automatic softener loading connection portion 365a are configured to surround the automatic detergent loading port 452 and the automatic softener loading port 462 of the automatic liquid loading device 301.

The liquid automatic dispensing device 301 includes an automatic detergent dispensing port 452, an automatic softener dispensing port 462, a three-way valve 380, a pump unit 390, and an automatic dispensing device internal path 325. The three-way valve 380 switches the paths of liquid detergent, softener and water. The pump unit 390 attracts and ejects liquid. An automatic plunge into device path 325 connects the three-way valve 380 with a pump unit 390. In embodiment 1, the detergent container housing unit 360 and the softener container housing unit 365 are not included in the automatic liquid agent charging device 301, but may be included in the automatic liquid agent charging device 301. That is, the automatic liquid agent charging device 301 may be formed in a box shape that opens toward the charging port 621, and may include an automatic detergent charging port 452, an automatic softener charging port 462, a detergent container housing portion 360, and a softener container housing portion 365. The automatic liquid agent feeding device 301 having the detergent container housing portion 360 and the softener container housing portion 365 may have any shape as long as it is formed in a box shape so as to house the detergent container 450 and the softener container 460. That is, the shape of the automatic liquid agent feeding device 301 is not limited to a substantially rectangular parallelepiped or a substantially cubic shape, and the cross section may be a substantially polygonal shape or a circular arc shape such as a circle or an ellipse. The automatic liquid agent feeding device 301 may have at least one of a detergent container housing portion 360 and a softener container housing portion 365.

As shown in fig. 9, the detergent automatic-feeding insertion port 452 and the softener automatic-feeding insertion port 462 are formed so as to protrude forward. In a state where the detergent container 450 and the softener container 460 are respectively stored in the detergent container storage part 360 and the softener container storage part 365, the detergent automatic-input insertion port 452 is connected to the detergent container 450, and the softener automatic-input insertion port 462 is connected to the softener container 460.

The three-way valve 380 includes a detergent three-way valve 381 and a softener three-way valve 382 configured to be independently openable and closable. The three-way detergent valve 381 is disposed so as to communicate with the cleaning path water guide port 324, the automatic detergent supply port 452, and the three-way softener valve 382. The softener three-way valve 382 is disposed so as to communicate with the detergent three-way valve 381, the softener automatic-feeding inlet 462, and the automatic-feeding device internal passage 325. As shown in fig. 13, the downstream side of the three-way valve 380 is connected to the pump unit 390 via the automatic in-device path 325. Thus, the three-way valve 380 is connected to the automatic-feeding-in-device path 325, the automatic detergent feeding-in port 452, the automatic softener feeding-in port 462, and the pump unit 390. The washing machine 100 can control the flow of the detergent, the softener, and the water by opening and closing the detergent three-way valve 381 and the softener three-way valve 382.

The pump unit 390 includes a pump inner passage 391, a cylinder 397, and a piston 395. The pump-in flow path 391 is provided between the pump unit inlet 392a and the pump unit outlet 392 b. The cylinder 397 is provided midway in the pump flow path 391. The piston 395 moves up and down by a rotational driving force of a motor (not shown).

An inlet check valve 393 is provided at the pump unit inlet 392a and an outlet check valve 394 is provided at the pump unit outlet 392 b.

The inlet check valve 393 is configured to open by the negative pressure action of the piston 395, and the outlet check valve 394 is configured to open by the positive pressure action of the piston 395.

The automatic feeding path 325 is connected to the flow path lower portion 370 via the purge path outflow port 326 at the downstream of the pump unit 390.

1-1-6 detergent container and container storage portion

Hereinafter, a detergent container 450 will be described as an example of a liquid agent container. The softener container 460 has the same structure as the detergent container 450.

Fig. 16 is an external perspective view showing the structure of the detergent container 450. As shown in fig. 16, the detergent container 450 includes a detergent container housing 456 formed in a box shape and a detergent container input part 451 provided at an upper portion of the detergent container housing 456.

The detergent container loading section 451 has a substantially central opening, and loading inclined sections 464 provided at the front, right and left sides, and the rear. The insertion inclined portion 464 is formed to be inclined downward toward the opening of the detergent container insertion portion 451, and guides the liquid formulation to the detergent container insertion portion 451 and flows down into the detergent container housing 456.

Fig. 17A is a plan view illustrating a cross section of the water supply unit 300 and the periphery thereof with the flow path cover 340 removed in a state where the detergent container 450 is housed. Fig. 17B is a plan view illustrating a cross section of the water supply unit 300 and the periphery thereof with the flow path cover 340 removed in a state where the detergent container 450 is pulled out. Fig. 18 is a G-G cross-sectional view of the water supply unit 300 and its periphery shown in fig. 17A, and fig. 19 is a K-K cross-sectional view of the water supply unit 300 and its periphery shown in fig. 17B. Fig. 20 is an H-H cross-sectional view of the water supply unit 300 shown in fig. 17A and its periphery, and fig. 21 is a J-J cross-sectional view of the water supply unit 300 shown in fig. 17B and its periphery.

As shown in fig. 18, a locking lever 454 is provided at the bottom of the detergent container housing 456. The lock lever 454 is engaged with a detergent container housing claw 361 provided on an inner bottom surface of the detergent container housing 360 in a state where the detergent container 450 is housed in the detergent container housing 360. A lock lever grip 454a is provided at a front end of the lock lever 454. The lock lever grip 454a is disposed in the vicinity of a detergent container case grip 456a formed by extending the lower part of the front surface of the detergent container case 456.

As shown in fig. 18 to 21, a filter 470 for filtering liquid is provided inside the rear surface side of the detergent container housing 456. The filter 470 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape so as to abut against the inner side wall of the detergent container housing 456, and is provided so as to be inclined downward from the rear surface toward the front.

A spring mechanism 455 is provided at a substantially central position of a lower rear surface of the detergent container housing 456. The spring mechanism 455 includes a spring 455a disposed at a position below the filter 470. The spring 455a biases the detergent container housing 456 toward the front. A detergent container accommodating portion contact surface 362 is provided behind the spring mechanism 455. The detergent container housing portion contact surface 362 contacts the spring mechanism 455, and the spring 455a is made to rest in a compressed state. The detergent container insertion port 302 is disposed on the side of the spring mechanism 455.

The upper surface of the detergent container housing portion 360 is constituted by the flow path cover portion 340. The flow path cover 340 covers the upper side of the detergent container loading part 451, and serves as a cover for suppressing the contamination of foreign matters from the detergent container loading part 451.

As shown in fig. 18 and 19, a stopper 368 is provided at the front of the inner upper surface of the detergent container housing part 360. The stopper 368 is configured to be engageable with a container projection 457 provided on an upper surface of the detergent container 450.

As shown in fig. 20 and 21, a drop-down port 364 communicating with the flow path lower portion 370 is formed in the inner bottom surface of the detergent container housing portion 360. The drop-down port 364 is disposed at a position below the detergent container insertion port 302 in a state where the detergent container 450 is accommodated in the detergent container accommodating section 360. Further, a storage unit 363 is provided on the inner bottom surface of the detergent container housing unit 360. The storage unit 363 is a recessed portion capable of storing liquid, and is configured as a gap separating the bottom surface of the detergent container 450 and the inner bottom surface of the detergent container housing unit 360.

[1-1-7. Lower part of flow passage ]

Fig. 22 is a plan view showing the structure of the flow path lower portion 370. As shown in fig. 21 and 22, the flow path lower portion 370 includes a first flow path lower portion 372, a purge path 319, a second flow path lower portion 373, and a flow path lower portion discharge port 371. The first flow path lower path 372 communicates with the purge path outflow port 326. The cleaning path 319 is provided below the drop port 364. The second channel lower path 373 allows the liquid discharged from the detergent box 400 to pass therethrough.

The purge path 319 is provided with a purge path inlet 318 through which the liquid is introduced from the first flow path lower path 372 and a purge path outlet 374 through which the liquid flows out to the first flow path lower path 372. The cleaning path inlet 318 is provided upstream of the liquid falling from the falling port 364, and the cleaning path outlet 374 is provided downstream of the liquid falling from the falling port 364. The purge path inlet 318 is configured to have a smaller flow path cross-sectional area than the first flow path lower path 372, so that the amount of water passing through the purge path 319 becomes relatively small. Accordingly, the washing machine 100 can prevent water passing through the washing path 319 from overflowing upward from the drop-down port 364 and entering into the detergent container housing portion 360.

The first channel lower path 372 communicates with the second channel lower path 373 at a junction 375. The flow path lower outlet 371 is provided downstream of the merging portion 375, and is formed to be opened downward so that the liquid falls down to the washing tank 500.

[1-2. Action ]

The operation of the washing machine 100 configured as described above will be described below.

[1-2-1. Liquid preparation replenishing operation of detergent Container ]

The user checks the remaining amount of the detergent by observing the remaining amount scale 450a of the detergent container, and performs the liquid replenishment operation when the remaining amount of the detergent is small. Hereinafter, the position of the detergent container 450 when the stopper 368 engages with the container projection 457, which is an example of the 1 st engaging portion of the present disclosure, is defined as a position P (the state of fig. 17B and 19) (an example of the 1 st position of the present disclosure). That is, the position P is a position when the detergent container loading part 451, which is an example of the opening part of the present disclosure, is opened to the outside.

When the detergent container 450 is at a position (an example of the 2 nd position of the present disclosure) when it is stored in the detergent container storage part 360, the detergent automatic-feeding/insertion port 452 is inserted into the detergent container insertion port 302. In this position, the detergent container 450 is fixed to the detergent container housing portion 360 by the locking lever 454, which is an example of the 2 nd engaging portion of the present disclosure, engaging with the detergent container housing portion claw 361. That is, when the detergent container 450 is at the 2 nd position, it communicates with the automatic liquid agent charging device 301 and engages with the detergent container housing portion 360. In other words, the detergent container 450 is engaged with the detergent container housing part 360 in a state of being connected to the detergent automatic-feeding insertion port 452. The spring mechanism 455 has an elastic force that urges the detergent container 450 toward the front surface side, but is stationary in a state where the lock lever 454 is engaged with the detergent container housing portion claw 361.

When the user grips the lock lever grip 454a and the detergent container housing grip 456a and lifts the lock lever 454 upward, the engagement between the lock lever 454 and the detergent container housing claw 361 is released. When the engagement between the lock lever 454 and the detergent container housing claw 361 is released, the detergent container 450 is pushed forward by the elastic force of the spring mechanism 455. The detergent container 450 may be moved to the position P by the elastic force of the spring mechanism 455, or may be stationary at a position behind the position P. The user may also pull out the stationary detergent container 450 to position P.

The detergent container 450 reaching the position P is locked to the detergent container accommodating section 360 by the stopper 368 coming into contact with the container projection 457. Thereby, the stopper 368 suppresses the detergent container 450 from falling down to the washing tub 500.

When the detergent container 450 is positioned at the position P, the detergent container 450 protrudes from the plane where the front surfaces of the detergent box 400 and the softener container 460 in the stored state are located, and the detergent container input part 451 and the container side surface 459 of the detergent container housing 456 are exposed to the outside. Since the dedicated cover for covering the detergent container insertion portion 451 is not provided on the detergent container insertion portion 451, the user can pull out the detergent container 450 and immediately insert the detergent. The detergent container housing 456 is composed of a transparent material, so that a user can visually confirm the liquid level of the detergent inside from the container side 459 of the exposed detergent container housing 456. In fig. 16, only the right container side 459 of the detergent container housing 456 is shown, but the user can visually confirm the liquid level of the detergent inside from the left container side 459 that is exposed. In embodiment 1, the entire detergent container housing 456 is made of a transparent material, but a part of the detergent container housing 456 may be made of a transparent material, for example, at least the detergent container margin portion 450a and the container side surface 459.

The user inputs a commercially available detergent loaded into the container to the detergent container input part 451 along the input inclined part 464. When the height of the user is low, the detergent may overflow to the front, rear, left and right of the detergent container input part 451. Since the front, left and right sides, and rear of the detergent container loading unit 451 according to embodiment 1 are all covered with the loading inclined portion 464, it is possible to prevent the user from spilling the detergent. The front, left and right sides, and rear of the insertion tilting part 464 of embodiment 1 are tilted downward toward the substantially central opening, respectively. Thus, the injection inclined portion 464 guides the injected detergent to the opening of the detergent container injection portion 451 at any of the front, left and right sides, and rear.

1-2-2 liquid leakage at the junction of a detergent Container and an automatic liquid agent feeding device

When the detergent container 450 is pulled forward, the detergent automatic-feeding port 452 is pulled out from the detergent container port 302, the detergent container check valve 302a is closed, and detergent remains in the detergent container port 302. In this state, the remaining detergent flows down from the detergent container insertion port 302 and flows down toward the detergent container storage part 360. In this way, in the washing machine 100, when the detergent container 450 is pulled out forward, there is a risk that the detergent container housing portion 360 may be contaminated due to leakage of liquid at the connection portion between the detergent container 450 and the automatic liquid agent feeding device 301.

The detergent container housing part 360 of embodiment 1 includes a drop-down port 364 and a storage part 363. Accordingly, the detergent flowing back from the detergent container insertion port 302 is stored in the storage unit 363, and therefore does not adhere to the bottom surface of the detergent container 450, and the detergent container storage unit 360 is not contaminated. When the amount exceeds a predetermined amount, the detergent stored in the storage unit 363 is discharged downward from the drop port 364, and drops down to the cleaning path 319 formed in the flow path lower portion 370.

When the automatic detergent supply port 452 is pulled out from the detergent container port 302, detergent remains on the automatic detergent supply port 452 side. The remaining liquid agent passes through the drop port 364 and reaches the cleaning path 319 formed in the flow path lower portion 370.

The detergent reaching the washing path 319 is dissolved in the water passing through the washing path 319, and is put into the washing tub 500 to be used for washing operation. The flow of water in the lower portion 370 of the flow path will be described later.

If the washing machine 100 is configured to supply water to the inside of the detergent container housing part 360 to wash the detergent, there is a possibility that water flows out from the opening on the front surface side of the detergent container housing part 360. In contrast, in the washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1, the drop port 364 and the storage unit 363 are provided, so that it is not necessary to supply water to the inside of the detergent container housing unit 360 to wash the detergent. That is, the washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1 can prevent the contamination of the detergent container housing portion 360 due to the leakage of the liquid from the detergent automatic-feeding insertion port 452 and the detergent container insertion port 302.

[1-2-3. Flow of Water in washing operation Using automatic input function ]

In fig. 6, 8 and 10 to 15, the flow of water supplied from the first water guide tube 311 is defined as X, the flow of water supplied from the second water guide tube 312 is defined as Y, and the flow of water supplied from the third water guide tube 313 is defined as Z.

Before the start of the washing operation, the automatic liquid detergent supply device 301 is driven to automatically supply the liquid detergent. Specifically, first, in a state where the third water guide tube 313 is closed, the three-way valve 381, which is a part of the three-way valve 380, is opened, and the detergent container 450 communicates with the path of the pump unit 390. The pump unit 390 rotates the motor to move the piston 395 up and down, thereby sucking a proper amount of liquid detergent from the pump unit inlet 392a and discharging the liquid detergent from the pump unit outlet 392 b.

Next, path cleaning of the washing agent in the flushing three-way valve 380 and the pump unit 390 is performed. The three-way valve 381 for the detergent is closed, the path of the detergent container 450 and the pump unit 390 is blocked, and the path from the third water guide tube 313 to the automatic liquid formulation input device 301 is communicated. Next, the third water guide drum 313 of the water supply valve 310 is opened. Like the flow Z of water, the water introduced from the third water guide tube 313 passes through the third water guide channel 323, reaches the automatic charging device internal channel 325 via the cleaning channel water guide port 324, and fills the pump internal channel 391 with water (see fig. 11 and 13). The pump unit 390 rotates the motor to move the piston 395 up and down, and the filled water is discharged from the pump unit outlet 392b to flush out the liquid detergent and foreign matters existing in the pump inner flow path 391. The water flowing out of the automatic pouring device internal passage 325 flows down to the flow path lower portion 370 through the cleaning path outflow port 326, and is poured into the washing tub 500 from the flow path lower portion 370 (see fig. 14).

In this way, the washing machine 100 performs path washing after the liquid detergent is put in during automatic liquid detergent input. The path cleaning suppresses mixing of the remaining detergent with the softener added in the final rinsing step, and suppresses precipitation of foreign matters generated when the detergent is mixed with the softener.

As shown in fig. 22, the water having passed through the washing passage outflow port 326 flows into the first passage lower passage 372. A part of the water flowing into the first channel lower path 372 flows into the washing channel 319 from the washing channel inlet 318, and washes out the liquid detergent or softener adhering to the washing channel 319. The water having passed through the washing passage 319 merges with the first flow passage lower passage 372 through the washing passage outlet 374. The water having passed through the first channel lower path 372 merges with the second channel lower path 373 at a merging portion 375, and is introduced into the washing tub 500 from the channel lower discharge port 371.

After the automatic liquid detergent feeding is completed, or simultaneously with the automatic liquid detergent feeding, the first water guide tube 311 is opened, and water is supplied to the first water guide path 321 (see fig. 8). Like the flow X of water, the water introduced into the first water guide path 321 passes through the powder detergent water injection port 331, the liquid detergent water injection port 332, and the bus pump water injection port 333. Then, water having passed through the powder detergent water injection port 331, the liquid detergent water injection port 332, and the bus pump water injection port 333 is injected into the powder detergent manual input unit 410, the liquid detergent manual input unit 420, and the bus pump 314 (see fig. 6, 9, and 15). The water injected into the powder detergent manual input unit 410 and the liquid detergent manual input unit 420 flows down to the flow path lower portion 370 through the discharge port, and the liquid detergent stored in the flow path lower portion 370 is dissolved and input into the washing tub 500.

In the final rinsing process, the softener three-way valve 382, which is a part of the three-way valve 380, is opened, and the softener container 460 communicates with the path of the pump unit 390. The pump unit 390 rotates the motor to move the piston 395 up and down, thereby sucking an appropriate amount of softener from the pump unit inlet 392a and discharging the softener from the pump unit outlet 392 b.

Next, the softener three-way valve 382 is closed, the path of the softener container 460 and the pump unit 390 is blocked, and the path from the third water guide tube 313 to the liquid agent automatic input device 301 is communicated. Thereafter, the third water guide tube 313 is opened, and the path cleaning of the detergent in the flushing three-way valve 380 and the pump unit 390 is performed.

In this way, the washing machine 100 also performs path washing after the softener is introduced. The path cleaning suppresses mixing of the remaining softener with the detergent to be added in the next washing operation, and suppresses precipitation of foreign matters generated when the detergent is mixed with the softener.

After a proper amount of softener is discharged from the pump unit outlet 392b and flows into the water supply unit housing 320 and the flow path lower portion 370, the second water guide tube 312 is opened, and water is supplied to the second water guide path 322 (see fig. 8). Like the flow Y of water, the water introduced into the second water guide path 322 is injected into the softener manual input unit 430 through the softener injection port 334. Then, the water injected into the softener manual input unit 430 flows down from the outlet of the softener manual input unit 430 to the flow path lower portion 370, dissolves the softener stored in the flow path lower portion 370, and inputs the softener into the washing tub 500 (see fig. 6, 9, and 15).

[1-3. Action etc. ]

As described above, the washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1 includes the washing tub 500, the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460, the automatic liquid agent feeding device 301, and the detergent container housing part 360 or the softener container housing part 365. The washing tub 500 accommodates laundry. The detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 is an example of the liquid agent container of the present disclosure, stores a liquid, and has a detergent container input part 451 or a softener container input part 461 as an example of the opening of the present disclosure on the upper surface in the set state. The automatic liquid agent charging device 301 charges the washing tub 500 with the liquid stored in the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460. The detergent container housing portion 360 or the softener container housing portion 365 is an example of the liquid agent container housing portion of the present disclosure, and houses the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460, and connects the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 and the liquid agent automatic dispensing device 301. The detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 is configured to be detachable from the automatic liquid agent charging device 301. The detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 is locked to the detergent container housing part 360 or the softener container housing part 365 at a position P (an example of the 1 st position of the present disclosure) when the detergent container input part 451 or the softener container input part 461 is opened to the outside.

Thus, the user can inject the liquid formulation into the detergent container insertion portion 451 or the softener container insertion portion 461 with the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 held by the detergent container accommodation portion 360 or the softener container accommodation portion 365.

Accordingly, the user can easily replenish the liquid detergent or softener to the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460. As a result, the washing machine 100 can suppress contamination of the surroundings of the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 with the liquid detergent or the softener.

As in the washing machine 100 of embodiment 1, the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 may be configured as follows when being placed in the detergent container accommodating portion 360 or the softener container accommodating portion 365 (an example of the 2 nd position of the present disclosure). That is, the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 may be connected to the automatic liquid agent charging device 301, and may be engaged with the detergent container housing portion 360 or the softener container housing portion 365.

Thus, the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 supplies the liquid detergent or the softener to the automatic liquid agent charging device 301 in a state of being stored in the detergent container storage part 360 or the softener container storage part 365.

On the other hand, the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 is pulled out forward, and does not supply the liquid detergent or the softener to the automatic liquid agent supply device 301.

Accordingly, the washing machine 100 can restrain the liquid stored in the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 from flowing out to the outside in a state that the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 is pulled out.

As in the washing machine 100 of the present embodiment, the automatic liquid agent supply device 301 may include an automatic detergent supply port 452 or an automatic softener supply port 462 and a flow path lower portion 370. The automatic detergent supply port 452 or the automatic softener supply port 462 is an example of a connection portion of the present disclosure, and is connected to the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460, so that the inside of the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 is communicated with the automatic liquid agent supply device 301. The flow path lower portion 370 is an example of a liquid supply path of the present disclosure, and is disposed below the detergent container housing portion 360 or the softener container housing portion 365 to supply liquid to the washing tub 500. Further, a drop-down port 364 communicating with the flow path lower portion 370 may be formed in the inner bottom surface of the detergent container housing portion 360 or the softener container housing portion 365 below the detergent automatic-feeding insertion port 452 or the softener automatic-feeding insertion port 462.

Accordingly, the liquid detergent or softener leaked from the detergent automatic-input insertion port 452 or the softener automatic-input insertion port 462 falls down to the cleaning path 319 provided in the flow path lower portion 370 through the falling port 364, and is input to the washing tub 500 through the cleaning path 319.

Therefore, the washing machine 100 can prevent the adhesion of the liquid detergent or the softener leaked from the detergent automatic-input insertion port 452 or the softener automatic-input insertion port 462, and the contamination of the detergent container housing portion 360 or the softener container housing portion 365.

As in the washing machine 100 of embodiment 1, a storage unit 363 may be formed on the inner bottom surface of the detergent container housing unit 360 or the softener container housing unit 365, and the storage unit 363 may store a predetermined amount of liquid and drop the liquid exceeding the predetermined amount to the drop port 364.

Thus, the storage unit 363 functions as a gap between the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 and the detergent container housing unit 360 or the softener container housing unit 365. Therefore, in the washing machine 100, it is possible to make it difficult for the liquid detergent or softener to adhere to the bottom surface of the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460.

As in the washing machine 100 of embodiment 1, the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 may include the detergent container insertion port 302 or the softener container insertion port 303 connected to the detergent automatic insertion port 452 or the softener automatic insertion port 462. Further, the storage 363 may be formed from the drop port 364 to a position below the detergent container insertion port 302 or the softener container insertion port 303 in a state where the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 is locked in the position P. The detergent container insertion port 302 or the softener container insertion port 303 is an example of the container side connection portion of the present disclosure.

Accordingly, the washing machine 100 can receive the liquid detergent or softener leaked from the detergent container insertion port 302 or the softener container insertion port 303 by the storage unit 363 and drop the liquid detergent or softener into the drop port 364.

As in the washing machine 100 of embodiment 1, the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 may be formed of a transparent material, and the container side surface 459, which is one example of the side surface of the present disclosure, may be exposed in a state of being pulled out to the position P.

Thus, the user can visually confirm the inside of the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 from the container side 459 exposed in a state in which the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 is pulled out.

As in the washing machine 100 of embodiment 1, the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 may have the detergent container insertion port 302 or the softener container insertion port 303 and the detergent container check valve 302a or the softener container check valve. The detergent container insertion port 302 or the softener container insertion port 303 is an example of the container side connection portion of the present disclosure. The detergent container check valve 302a or the softener container check valve is an example of the opening/closing valve of the present disclosure, and is provided inside the detergent container insertion port 302 or the softener container insertion port 303. The automatic liquid agent supply device 301 may have an automatic detergent supply port 452 or an automatic softener supply port 462 connected to the detergent container port 302 or the softener container port 303 when the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 is located at the 2 nd position. The detergent container check valve 302a or the softener container check valve may be opened in a state where the detergent container insertion port 302 or the softener container insertion port 303 is connected to the detergent automatic insertion port 452 or the softener automatic insertion port 462.

Thus, the washing machine 100 can reliably supply the detergent or the softener to the automatic liquid agent supply device 301 in a state where the detergent container insertion port 302 or the softener container insertion port 303 is connected to the automatic liquid agent supply device 301.

The washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1 is a washing machine capable of loading laundry from above the casing 600 to inside in a set state. The washing machine 100 of embodiment 1 includes a lower case 610, a washing tub 500, an upper case 620, a detergent container 450 or a softener container 460, and an automatic liquid agent feeding device 301. The lower case 610 constitutes the case 600. The washing tub 500 is provided in the lower case 610 and is formed in a bottomed cylinder shape that is opened upward. The upper case 620 constitutes a case 600, is disposed at an upper portion of the lower case 610, and has a laundry inlet 621 communicating with the washing tub 500. The detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 is an example of the liquid agent container of the present disclosure, and stores liquid therein, and the detergent container input part 451 or the softener container input part 461 is provided on the upper surface thereof as an example of the opening of the present disclosure. The automatic liquid agent charging device 301 charges the washing tub 500 with the liquid stored in the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460. The automatic liquid agent feeding device 301 is formed in a box shape that opens to the feeding port 621, and includes a detergent container housing portion 360 or a softener container housing portion 365, and a detergent automatic feeding insertion port 452 or a softener automatic feeding insertion port 462. The detergent container housing portion 360 or the softener container housing portion 365 is an example of the liquid agent container housing portion of the present disclosure, and houses the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460. The automatic detergent supply port 452 or the automatic softener supply port 462 is an example of a connection portion of the present disclosure, and is detachably connected to the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460. Further, the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 includes a container protrusion 457 and a locking lever 454. The container projection 457 is an example of the 1 st engaging portion of the present disclosure, and engages with the stopper 368 when the detergent container insertion portion 451 or the softener container insertion portion 461 is at the position P at which the detergent container insertion portion 451 or the softener container insertion portion 461 is opened to the outside. The lock lever 454 is an example of the 2 nd engaging portion of the present disclosure, and engages with the detergent container housing claw 361 in a state of being connected to the detergent automatic-feeding insertion port 452 or the softener automatic-feeding insertion port 462.

Thus, the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 is stationary in a state protruding toward the inlet 621, and the detergent container inlet 451 or the softener container inlet 461 is exposed to the outside.

Therefore, the user can easily inject the liquid detergent or the softener from the front, right or left of the detergent container input part 451 or the softener container input part 461. As a result, the washing machine 100 can suppress contamination of the surroundings of the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 with the liquid detergent or the softener.

In addition, in [1-3 action, etc. ], it is described that the washing machine 100 includes the detergent container 450 or the softener container 460 as an example of the liquid agent container of the washing machine of the present disclosure. However, a structure including both the detergent container 450 and the softener container 460 is also included in an example of the structure of the washing machine of the present disclosure. This applies to the following structure. That is, the same applies to the detergent container housing part 360 or the softener container housing part 365, which is an example of the liquid agent container housing part of the present disclosure, and the detergent container input part 451 or the softener container input part 461, which is an example of the opening part of the present disclosure. The same applies to the automatic detergent insertion port 452 or the automatic softener insertion port 462, which are examples of the connection portion of the present disclosure, and the automatic detergent insertion port 302 or the automatic softener insertion port 303, which are examples of the container-side connection portion of the present disclosure. The same applies to the detergent container check valve 302a or the softener container check valve, which is an example of the opening/closing valve of the present disclosure.

(modification of embodiment 1)

As described above, embodiment 1 is described as an example of the technology of the present disclosure. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Therefore, a modification of embodiment 1 is exemplified below.

In embodiment 1, a washing machine 100, which is a vertical washing machine, is described as an example of the washing machine of the present disclosure. The washing machine of the present disclosure is not limited to the vertical washing machine, and may be a drum type washing machine or a twin tub type washing machine.

In embodiment 1, a drop port 364 that opens downward is described as an example of a drop port of the present disclosure that suppresses contamination of a liquid agent container of the present disclosure due to liquid leakage at a connection portion of the present disclosure. The drop outlet of the present disclosure is not limited to the drop outlet 364 which opens downward, as long as it is provided with a member for discharging the liquid agent leaked from the liquid agent to the outside. For example, the drop port of the present disclosure may be a groove provided below the connection portion of the present disclosure. The tank may be configured to communicate with the liquid supply path of the present disclosure on the downstream side and supply water to the inside of the tank. Accordingly, the liquid that has fallen downward due to the liquid leakage is discharged to the liquid supply path of the present disclosure by the running water flowing through the inside of the tank, and is put into the washing tank of the present disclosure.

(embodiment 2)

The present disclosure relates to a washing machine.

The present disclosure provides a washing machine capable of mounting a liquid agent container to an automatic liquid agent feeding device with high reliability.

The washing machine of the present disclosure includes: a washing tank for accommodating the washing; a liquid agent container for storing a liquid; a liquid container housing part formed in a box shape for housing a liquid container; and an automatic liquid agent feeding device for feeding the liquid stored in the liquid agent container into the washing tank. The liquid agent container is connected to the automatic liquid agent charging device at the 2 nd position when stored in the liquid agent container storage unit, is fixed to the liquid agent container storage unit by the locking unit, and is locked to the liquid agent container storage unit at the 1 st position before the 2 nd position in a state where the fixation by the locking unit is released.

The washing machine can connect the liquid agent automatic input device with the liquid agent container with high reliability.

Embodiment 2 will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the drawings and the following description are provided to fully understand the present disclosure by those skilled in the art, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims thereby.

Hereinafter, a washing machine 1100 according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to fig. 23 to 44.

[2-1. Structure ]

[2-1-1. Structure of washing machine ]

Fig. 23 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a cover 1700 of the structure of the washing machine 1100 of embodiment 2 is closed, and fig. 24 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the cover 1700 of the structure of the washing machine 1100 is opened. In embodiment 2, as shown in fig. 23 and 24, the vertical direction in the state where the washing machine 100 is installed (corresponding to the installation state of the present disclosure) may be described as the vertical direction. In embodiment 2, the side of the washing machine 1100 in fig. 23 and 24 where the operation unit 1800 is present is described as the rear side, and the opposite side is described as the front side. That is, a user normally stands in front of the washing machine 1100 to input laundry such as laundry into the washing machine 1100, and performs various operations for operating the washing machine 1100. The laundry of the present disclosure is not limited to clothing, and refers to, for example, clothing or leather products such as bedding, curtains, carpets, shoes, and other articles that can be washed in various known washing machines.

As shown in fig. 23 and 24, the washing machine 1100 includes a casing 1600, a cover 1700, and an operation unit 1800, and is a so-called vertical washing machine capable of putting laundry therein from above the casing 1600 in an installed state. Housing 1600 includes a lower housing 1610 and an upper housing 1620. A washing tub 1500 is housed in the lower casing 1610. The washing tub 1500 is formed in a cylindrical shape (i.e., a bottomed cylindrical shape) that is opened upward, and accommodates laundry therein and performs a washing operation for washing the laundry. The washing operation may be performed in a washing tub of various known washing machines. The principle of embodiment 2 is not limited to the specific washing operation performed by the washing tub 1500.

The upper case 1620 is disposed above the lower case 1610, and a laundry inlet 1621 communicating with the washing tub 1500 is formed in the upper case 1620. The cover 1700 is attached to the rear of the upper case 1620 and covers the inlet 1621 in a freely openable and closable manner. When the user rotates the cover 1700 upward, the washing tub 1500 is exposed through the inlet 1621. The user can input laundry into the washing tub 1500 through the input port 1621.

An operation unit 1800 is disposed at a position behind the inlet 1621 and behind the upper case 1620. The user can set various operations of the washing tub 1500 by operating the operation unit 1800. In addition, the washing machine 1100 is provided with a control device, not shown, in the casing 1600, and controls the operation of the whole washing machine 1100 in addition to the control of the water supply valve 1310 and the three-way valve 1380, for example, in response to the operation of the operation unit 1800 by the user. The control device has a computer system with a processor and a memory. The processor executes a program stored in the memory, and the computer system functions as a control device. The program executed by the processor is recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system, but may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, or may be provided by a telecommunication line such as the internet.

A water supply port 1200 is provided at the rear of the operation portion 1800, and a water supply hose 1210 is connected to the water supply port 1200 to introduce tap water from a tap.

As shown in fig. 24, the detergent container 1450, the softener container 1460, and the detergent box 1400 are disposed so that the front surfaces thereof are flush with each other when housed in the water supply unit 1300.

Fig. 25 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the detergent box 1400, the detergent container 1450, and the softener container 1460 of the water supply unit 1300 and the peripheral structure thereof are pulled out. As shown in fig. 25, the detergent container 1450 and the softener container 1460 are configured to be capable of storing a liquid in an amount capable of performing a plurality of operations. Specifically, the detergent container 1450 stores liquid detergent, and the softener container 1460 stores softener. A detergent container input portion 1451 for injecting the stored liquid detergent is formed in the detergent container 1450, and a softener container input portion 1461 for injecting the stored softener is formed in the softener container 1460. The upper surfaces of the detergent container input part 1451 and the softener container input part 1461 are opened to enable injection of liquid.

The detergent container 1450 is provided with a detergent container balance mark 1450a, and the softener container 1460 is provided with a softener container balance mark 1460a. The detergent container remaining portion 1450a and the softener container remaining portion 1460a are each made of a transparent material, and the user can visually confirm the remaining portion of the liquid agent.

On the other hand, the detergent box 1400 is used for the user to put in the amount of detergent required for one operation. The detergent box 1400 is provided with a powder detergent manual-feeding portion 1410 for feeding a powder detergent, a liquid detergent manual-feeding portion 1420 for feeding a liquid detergent, and a softener manual-feeding portion 1430 for feeding a softener.

A part of the cover 1700 is formed transparent. Thus, the user can visually confirm the remaining amounts of the liquid stored in the detergent container 1450 and the softener container 1460 by visually confirming the remaining amounts of the detergent container 1450a and the softener container 1460 even in a state where the cover 1700 is closed.

[2-1-2. Water supply Unit ]

Fig. 26 is a rear view showing the structure of the water supply unit 1300 and the periphery thereof, and fig. 27 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the water supply unit 1300 and the periphery thereof. As shown in fig. 27, the water supply unit 1300 is constituted by a water supply unit housing 1320, a flow path cover 1340, and a flow path lower portion 1370. The water supply unit housing 1320 is mainly formed in a box shape. The flow path cover 1340 covers the upper surface of the water supply unit housing 1320. The flow path lower portion 1370 is installed at the lower bottom of the water supply unit housing portion 1320.

As shown in fig. 25 and 26, a water supply valve 1310 for passing water introduced from the water supply port 1200 is attached to the left part so as to be openable and closable when viewed from the back of the water supply unit housing 1320. In a state where the water supply valve 1310 is opened, water introduced from the water supply valve 1310 is introduced into the water supply unit housing part 1320.

A bus pump 1314 is disposed in the rear center of the water supply unit housing 1320, and the bus pump 1314 sucks water from the outside of the washing machine 1100 through a hose (not shown). The bus pump 1314 is fixed to the flow path cover 1340 by screw fixation, and is directly connected to a first water guide path 1321 described later via a bus pump water injection port 1333. The bus pump 1314 can start the suction and discharge operation by supplying water from the first water guide path 1321.

As shown in fig. 27 and 28, the water supply unit housing 1320 is formed in a box shape that is opened forward. The water supply unit housing portion 1320 includes a detergent container receiving portion 1360, a softener container receiving portion 1365, and a detergent box receiving portion 1350 as internal spaces. The detergent container receiving portion 1360 receives the detergent container 1450 such that the detergent container 1450 can be pulled out independently, the softener container receiving portion 1365 receives the softener container 1460 such that the softener container 1460 can be pulled out independently, and the detergent box receiving portion 1350 receives the detergent box 1400 such that the detergent box 1400 can be pulled out independently. The detergent container receiving portion 1360 includes a detergent container receiving portion claw portion 1361 described later and a stopper 1368 described later. The detergent container 1450 includes a locking bar 1454 described later.

The shape of the water supply unit housing 1320 shown in fig. 27 and 28 is an example, and may be any shape as long as it is formed in a box shape so as to house the detergent container 1450, the softener container 1460, and the detergent box 1400 therein. The shapes of the detergent container receiving part 1360 and the softener container receiving part 1365 shown in fig. 27 and 28 are also an example. The detergent container receiving portion 1360 and the softener container receiving portion 1365 are formed in a box shape that opens toward the inlet 1621. The shape of the softener container storing portion 1365 may be arbitrary as long as the detergent container storing portion 1360 can store the detergent container 1450 and the softener container 1460 can be stored. That is, the shapes of the water supply unit housing 1320, the detergent container receiving portion 1360 and the softener container receiving portion 1365 are not limited to a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, a substantially cubic, and a substantially polygonal cross section, a circular arc shape such as a circle or an ellipse, may be used.

The detergent box flow path 1330 is disposed as an upper surface of the detergent box housing portion 1350, and a first water guide path 1321 and a second water guide path 1322 described later are formed in the detergent box flow path 1330.

As shown in fig. 25 and 26, the automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301 is attached to the right part when viewed from the back of the water supply unit housing 1320. The automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301 will be described later.

[2-1-3. Water guide Path ]

As shown in fig. 26 and 27, the water supply valve 1310 includes three on-off valves, i.e., a first water guide tube 1311, a second water guide tube 1312, and a third water guide tube 1313, and is configured to be able to independently open and close each on-off valve.

Fig. 28 is a plan view showing the configuration of the water supply unit 1300 and its periphery with the flow path cover 1340 removed. Fig. 29 is a plan view illustrating a cross section of the water supply unit 1300 and the periphery thereof with the flow path cover 1340 removed in a state where the detergent box 1400, the detergent container 1450, and the softener container 1460 are removed. Fig. 30 is an F-F sectional view of the water supply unit 1300 shown in fig. 29 and its periphery. Fig. 31 is a plan view showing the configuration of the water supply unit 1300 and the periphery thereof with the flow path cover 1340 removed in a state where the detergent box 1400, the detergent container 1450, and the softener container 1460 are pulled out. Fig. 32 is a B-B sectional view of the water supply unit 1300 shown in fig. 29 and its periphery.

As shown in fig. 28 to 32, a water guide path through which water introduced from the water supply valve 1310 flows is formed in the water supply unit housing 1320, and the water supply valve 1310 is directly connected to the water guide path. The water guide path is branched so as to communicate with the first water guide tube 1311, the second water guide tube 1312, and the third water guide tube 1313 independently. The flow path communicating with the first water guide tube 1311 is defined as a first water guide path 1321, the flow path communicating with the second water guide tube 1312 is defined as a second water guide path 1322, and the flow path communicating with the third water guide tube 1313 is defined as a third water guide path 1323.

[2-1-4. Detergent box, first Water guide Path, second Water guide Path ]

As shown in fig. 25 and 28 to 31, the first water guide path 1321 and the second water guide path 1322 guide the water supplied from the first water guide tube 1311 and the second water guide tube 1312 to the detergent box flow path section 1330, and inject the water into the detergent box 1400 located below.

As described above, the powder detergent manual input unit 1410, the liquid detergent manual input unit 1420, and the softener manual input unit 1430 are provided in the detergent box 1400, and the user can input each of the detergents.

The first water guide path 1321 is provided with a powder detergent water injection port 1331 formed above the powder detergent manual input portion 1410 so as to communicate vertically and a liquid detergent water injection port 1332 formed above the liquid detergent manual input portion 1420 so as to communicate vertically. The second water guide path 1322 is provided with a water injection port 1334 for the softener, which is formed above the manual softener input section 1430 so as to communicate vertically.

The powder detergent manual input unit 1410, the liquid detergent manual input unit 1420, and the softener manual input unit 1430 are each provided with a discharge port (not shown) for discharging the liquid stored therein to the lower part. The liquid discharged from the discharge port falls down to the flow path lower portion 1370. The flow path lower portion 1370 is configured as a discharge portion, and discharges the liquid to the washing tub 1500.

[2-1-5. Automatic input device, third Water guide Path ]

Fig. 33 is an E-E sectional view of the water supply unit 1300 shown in fig. 29 and the periphery thereof, and fig. 34 is a C-C sectional view of the water supply unit 1300 shown in fig. 29 and the periphery thereof. Fig. 35 is a sectional view of the water supply unit 1300 and the periphery thereof shown in fig. 29, and fig. 36 is a sectional view of the water supply unit 1300 and the periphery thereof shown in fig. 29, and D-D. Fig. 37 is an external front view showing the structure of the water supply unit 1300 in a state in which the detergent box 1400, the detergent container 1450, and the softener container 1460 are removed.

As shown in fig. 28 and 32 to 37, the third water guide path 1323 is formed along the rear surface of the water supply unit housing 1320 in a substantially horizontal direction, and opens to the rear surface side at the cleaning path water guide port 1324. The cleaning path water guide port 1324 is connected to an automatic inlet device internal path 1325 described later, and communicates the third water guide path 1323 with the automatic inlet device 1301. The automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301 is disposed on the back side of the detergent container receiving portion 1360 and the softener container receiving portion 1365. As will be described later, the automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301 is connected to the detergent container 1450 and the softener container 1460 stored in the detergent container storing portion 1360 and the softener container storing portion 1365, respectively. That is, the detergent container receiving portion 1360 receives the detergent container 1450, connects the detergent container 1450 and the automatic liquid formulation feeding device 1301, and the softener container receiving portion 1365 receives the softener container 1460, and connects the softener container 1460 and the automatic liquid formulation feeding device 1301.

As shown in fig. 31, a detergent container insertion port 1302 is provided on the back surface side of a detergent container 1450, and a detergent container check valve 1302a (see fig. 42) that opens by pushing in is provided inside the detergent container insertion port 1302. Similarly, a softener container insertion port 1303 and a softener container check valve (not shown) that opens by pushing in are provided on the back surface side of the softener container 1460. The detergent container 1450 is constructed in the following manner: in a state of being attached to the container receiving section 1360, a detergent automatic-input insertion port 1452 described later is inserted into the detergent container insertion port 1302, and the detergent container check valve 1302a is opened to enable supply of liquid detergent. Similarly, the softener container 1460 is configured as follows: in a state of being attached to the softener container receiving portion 1365, a softener automatic input port 1462 described later is inserted into the softener container insertion port 303, and a softener container check valve is opened to supply a softener.

The detergent container receiving portion 1360 and the softener container receiving portion 1365 are provided with a detergent automatic-feeding connecting portion 1360a and a softener automatic-feeding connecting portion 1365a, respectively, on the inner rear surface thereof. The automatic detergent-feeding connection portion 1360a and the automatic softener-feeding connection portion 1365a are configured to surround the automatic detergent-feeding insertion port 1452 and the automatic softener-feeding insertion port 1462 of the automatic liquid-feeding device 1301.

The liquid automatic dispensing device 1301 includes a detergent automatic dispensing inlet 1452, a softener automatic dispensing inlet 1462, a three-way valve 1380, a pump unit 1390, and an automatic dispensing device internal passage 1325. The three-way valve 1380 switches the paths of liquid detergent, softener and water. The pump unit 1390 attracts and ejects liquid. An automatic plunge-in-device path 1325 connects the three-way valve 1380 and the pump unit 1390. In embodiment 2, the detergent container storage part 1360 and the softener container storage part 1365 are not included in the automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301, but may be included in the automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301. That is, the automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301 may be formed in a box shape that opens toward the feeding port 1621, and may include an automatic detergent feeding port 1452, an automatic softener feeding port 1462, a detergent container receiving portion 1360, and a softener container receiving portion 1365. The automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301 having the detergent container receiving portion 1360 and the softener container receiving portion 1365 may have any shape as long as it is formed in a box shape so as to receive the detergent container 1450 and the softener container 1460. That is, the shape of the automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301 is not limited to a substantially rectangular parallelepiped or a substantially cubic shape, and the cross section may be a substantially polygonal shape or a circular arc shape such as a circle or an ellipse. The automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301 may have at least one of a detergent container receiving portion 1360 and a softener container receiving portion 1365.

As shown in fig. 31, the detergent automatic-feeding inlet 1452 and the softener automatic-feeding inlet 1462 are formed so as to protrude forward. In a state where the detergent container 1450 is stored in the detergent container storing portion 1360, the detergent automatic-feeding insertion port 1452 is connected to the detergent container 1450. In addition, in a state where the softener container 1460 is stored in the softener container storing portion 1365, the softener automatic input insertion port 1462 is connected to the softener container 1460.

The three-way valve 1380 includes a detergent three-way valve 1381 and a softener three-way valve 1382 which are configured to be opened and closed independently. The three-way detergent valve 1381 is disposed so as to communicate with the cleaning path water guide 1324, the automatic detergent inlet 1452, and the three-way softener valve 1382. The softener three-way valve 1382 is disposed so as to communicate with the detergent three-way valve 1381, the softener automatic-feeding inlet 1462, and the automatic-feeding device internal passage 1325. As shown in fig. 35, the downstream side of the three-way valve 1380 is connected to the pump unit 1390 via an automatic feeding path 1325. In this way, the three-way valve 1380 is connected to the automatic-feeding-in-device path 1325, the automatic detergent feeding inlet 1452, the automatic softener feeding inlet 1462, and the pump unit 1390. The washing machine 1100 can control the flow of the detergent, the softener, and the water by opening and closing the detergent three-way valve 1381 and the softener three-way valve 1382.

The pump unit 1390 includes a pump flow path 1391, a cylinder 1397, and a piston 1395. The pump inner flow path 1391 is provided between the pump unit inlet 1392a and the pump unit outlet 1392 b. The cylinder 1397 is provided midway in the pump flow path 1391. The piston 1395 moves up and down by a rotational driving force of a motor (not shown).

An inlet check valve 1393 is provided at the pump unit inlet 1392a, and an outlet check valve 1394 is provided at the pump unit outlet 1392 b.

The inlet check valve 1393 is configured to be opened by a negative pressure operation of the piston 1395, and the outlet check valve 1394 is configured to be opened by a positive pressure operation of the piston 1395.

The automatic loading device internal passage 1325 is connected to the flow passage lower portion 1370 via the purge passage outflow port 1326 downstream of the pump unit 1390.

2-1-6 detergent Container, container

Hereinafter, a detergent container 1450 will be described as an example of a liquid agent container. The softener container 1460 has the same structure as the detergent container 1450.

Fig. 38 is an external perspective view showing the structure of the detergent container 1450. As shown in fig. 38, the detergent container 1450 includes a detergent container case 1456 formed in a box shape and a detergent container input part 1451 provided at an upper portion of the detergent container case 1456.

The detergent container loading portion 1451 is provided with a loading incline portion 1464 at the front, left and right sides, and rear thereof. The input inclined portion 1464 is formed to be inclined downward toward the opening of the detergent container input portion 1451, and guides the liquid formulation to the detergent container input portion 1451 and flows down into the inside of the detergent container case 1456.

Fig. 39A is a plan view illustrating a cross section of the water supply unit 1300 and the periphery thereof with the flow path cover 1340 removed in a state where the detergent container 1450 is housed. Fig. 39B is a plan view illustrating a cross section of the water supply unit 1300 and the periphery thereof with the flow path cover 1340 removed in a state where the detergent container 1450 is pulled out. Fig. 40 is an R-R sectional view of the water supply unit 1300 and its periphery shown in fig. 39A, and fig. 41 is a U-U sectional view of the water supply unit 1300 and its periphery shown in fig. 39B. Fig. 42 is an S-S cross-sectional view of the water supply unit 1300 shown in fig. 39A and the periphery thereof, and fig. 43 is a T-T cross-sectional view of the water supply unit 1300 shown in fig. 39B and the periphery thereof.

As shown in fig. 40, a locking bar 1454 is provided at the bottom of the detergent container case 1456. The lock lever 1454 engages with a detergent container storing portion claw portion 1361 provided on an inner bottom surface of the detergent container storing portion 1360 in a state where the detergent container 1450 is stored in the detergent container storing portion 1360. A locking bar holding portion 1454a is provided at a front end portion of the locking bar 1454. The locking bar holding portion 1454a is disposed in the vicinity of the detergent container case holding portion 1456a formed by extending the lower portion of the front surface of the detergent container case 1456. That is, the locking bar gripping portion 1454a, which is an end portion of the locking bar 1454, is disposed in the vicinity of the detergent container case gripping portion 1456a that is capable of gripping the detergent container 1450.

As shown in fig. 40 to 43, a filter 1470 for filtering liquid is provided inside the rear surface side of the detergent container case 1456. The filter 1470 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape so as to abut against the inner side wall of the detergent container case 1456, and is provided so as to be inclined downward from the rear surface toward the front.

A spring mechanism 1455 is provided at a substantially central position of a rear lower portion of the detergent container case 1456. The spring mechanism 1455 includes a spring 1455a disposed below the filter 1470. The spring 1455a biases the detergent container case 1456 forward. A detergent container accommodating portion contact surface 1362 is provided behind the spring mechanism 1455. The detergent container receiving portion contact surface 1362 is in contact with the spring mechanism 1455, and the spring 1455a is made to rest in a compressed state. The detergent container insertion port 1302 is disposed laterally of the spring mechanism 1455. As shown in fig. 40 and 41, the lock lever 1454 and the detergent container storing portion claw portion 1361 are disposed in the vicinity of the line of action of the force applied by the spring mechanism 1455. The line of action of the force applied by the spring mechanism 1455 is a line directed forward (rightward to leftward in fig. 40) in the drawing direction of the detergent container 1450 with the point at which the spring mechanism 1455 contacts the detergent container accommodating portion contact surface 1362 as the point of action.

The upper surface of the detergent container receiving portion 1360 is formed of a flow path cover 1340. The flow path cover 1340 covers the upper side of the detergent container input unit 1451, and serves as a cover for suppressing the contamination of foreign matters from the detergent container input unit 1451.

As shown in fig. 40 and 41, a stopper 1368 is provided in front of the inner upper surface of the detergent container receiving part 1360. The stopper 1368 is configured to be engageable with a container protrusion 1457 provided on the upper surface of the detergent container 1450.

As shown in fig. 42 and 42, a drop port 1364 communicating with the flow path lower portion 1370 is formed in the inner bottom surface of the detergent container receiving portion 1360. The drop port 1364 is disposed at a position below the detergent container insertion port 1302 in a state where the detergent container 1450 is accommodated in the detergent container accommodation portion 1360. Further, a storage portion 1363 is provided on an inner bottom surface of the detergent container receiving portion 1360. The storage portion 1363 is a recessed portion capable of storing liquid, and is configured as a gap separating the bottom surface of the detergent container 1450 and the inner bottom surface of the detergent container receiving portion 1360.

[2-1-7. Lower part of flow passage ]

Fig. 44 is a plan view showing the structure of the flow path lower portion 1370. As shown in fig. 43 and 44, the flow path lower portion 1370 includes a first flow path lower portion path 1372, a purge path 1319, a second flow path lower portion path 1373, and a flow path lower portion discharge port 1371. The first flow path lower path 1372 communicates with the purge path outflow port 1326. A purge path 1319 is provided below the drop port 1364. The second flow path lower path 1373 passes the liquid discharged from the detergent box 1400.

The purge path 1319 is provided with a purge path inlet 1318 through which liquid is introduced from the first flow path lower path 1372, and a purge path outlet 1374 through which liquid flows out to the first flow path lower path 1372. The cleaning path inlet 1318 is provided upstream of the point where the liquid falls from the falling port 1364, and the cleaning path outlet 1374 is provided downstream of the point where the liquid falls from the falling port 1364. The cleaning path inlet 1318 is configured to have a smaller flow path cross-sectional area than the first flow path lower path 1372, so that the amount of water passing through the cleaning path 1319 becomes relatively small. Accordingly, the washing machine 1100 can prevent water passing through the washing passage 1319 from overflowing upward from the drop port 1364 and entering into the detergent container receiving section 1360.

The first flow path lower path 1372 communicates with the second flow path lower path 1373 at the junction 1375. The flow path lower discharge outlet 1371 is provided downstream of the junction 1375, and is formed so as to open downward to allow the liquid to fall down to the washing tub 1500.

[2-2. Action ]

The operation of the washing machine 1100 configured as described above will be described below.

[2-2-1. Liquid preparation replenishing operation of detergent Container ]

The user checks the remaining amount of the detergent by observing the remaining amount scale 1450a of the detergent container, and performs the liquid replenishment operation when the remaining amount of the detergent is small. Hereinafter, the position of the detergent container 1450 when the stopper 1368 is engaged with the container protrusion 1457 is defined as a position P1 (the state of fig. 39B and 41) (an example of the 1 st position of the present disclosure). That is, the position P1 is a position before a storage position described later.

When the detergent container 1450 is in the storage position (an example of the 2 nd position of the present disclosure) when stored in the detergent container storage part 1360, the detergent automatic-feeding insertion port 1452 is inserted into the detergent container insertion port 1302. In this storage position, the detergent container 1450 is fixed to the detergent container storing portion 1360 by the locking bar 1454 engaging with the detergent container storing portion claw portion 1361. Further, the lock lever 1454 and the detergent container receiving portion claw portion 1361 are an example of the lock portion of the present disclosure. The detergent container receiving portion claw portion 1361 is an example of the engaging portion of the present disclosure, and is provided in the detergent container receiving portion 1360. The lock lever 1454 is an example of a lever of the present disclosure, and is provided in the detergent container 1450 and is configured to be engageable with the detergent container accommodating portion claw portion 1361. That is, the detergent container 1450 is connected to the automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301 when it is at the storage position at the time of being stored in the detergent container storing portion 1360, and is fixed to the detergent container storing portion 1360 by the lock lever 1454 and the detergent container storing portion claw portion 1361. The spring mechanism 1455 has an elastic force that urges the detergent container 1450 toward the front surface side, but is stationary in a state where the lock lever 1454 is engaged with the detergent container accommodating portion claw portion 1361.

When the user grips the locking bar grip 1454a and the detergent container housing grip 1456a and lifts the locking bar 1454 upward, the engagement between the locking bar 1454 and the detergent container housing claw 1361 is released. When the engagement between the lock lever 1454 and the detergent container accommodating portion claw portion 1361 is released, the detergent container 1450 is pushed forward by the elastic force of the spring mechanism 1455. The detergent container 1450 may be moved to the position P1 by the elastic force of the spring mechanism 1455, or may be stationary at a position behind the position P1. That is, the spring mechanism 1455, which is an example of the biasing portion of the present disclosure, biases the detergent container 1450 toward the position P1. The user may also pull the stationary detergent container 1450 out to position P1.

The detergent container 1450 reaching the position P1 is locked to the detergent container receiving portion 1360 by the stopper 1368 abutting the container protrusion 1457. Thereby, the stopper 1368 suppresses the detergent container 1450 from falling down toward the washing tub 1500.

When the detergent container 1450 is located at the position P1, the detergent container 1450 protrudes from a plane in which the front surface of the detergent box 1400 and the softener container 1460 in the stored state are located. At this time, the detergent container input part 1451 and the container side 1459 of the detergent container case 1456 are exposed to the outside. Since a dedicated cover for covering the detergent container input unit 1451 is not provided on the detergent container input unit 1451, a user can pull out the detergent container 1450 and immediately input the detergent. The detergent container case 1456 is formed of a transparent material, so that a user can visually confirm the liquid level of the detergent inside from the container side 1459 of the exposed detergent container case 1456. In fig. 38, only the right container side surface 1459 of the detergent container case 1456 is shown, but the user can visually confirm the liquid level of the detergent inside from the left container side surface 1459 that is exposed. In embodiment 2, the entire detergent container case 1456 is made of a transparent material, but a part of the detergent container case 1456 may be made of a transparent material, for example, at least the detergent container balance mark 1450a and the container side 1459.

The user inputs a commercially available detergent loaded in the container to the detergent container input unit 1451 along the input tilt unit 1464. When the height of the user is low, the detergent may overflow to the front, rear, left, and right of the detergent container input part 1451. Since the front, left and right sides, and rear of the detergent container input unit 1451 of embodiment 2 are all covered with the input tilting portion 1464, it is possible to prevent the user from spilling the detergent. The front, left and right sides, and rear of the insertion tilting part 1464 of embodiment 2 are tilted downward toward the substantially central opening, respectively. Thus, the input sloped portion 1464 guides the injected detergent to the opening of the detergent container input portion 1451 at any of the front, left and right sides, and rear.

When the liquid replenishment work is completed, the user pushes the detergent container 1450 toward the rear surface side and stores it in the detergent container storing section 1360. The detergent container 1450 is fixed to the detergent container receiving portion 1360 by engagement of the locking bar 1454 with the detergent container receiving portion claw portion 1361 in a state where the detergent automatic insertion port 1452 is completely inserted into the detergent container insertion port 1302. When the user stops pushing the detergent container 1450 to the rear surface side before the user completely inserts the detergent automatic insertion port 1452 into the detergent container insertion port 1302, the following will be described. That is, the detergent container 1450 is pushed forward by the elastic force of the spring mechanism 1455, and protrudes from the plane in which the front surface of the detergent box 1400 and the softener container 1460 in the stored state are located. Thus, the user can recognize that the connection between the detergent container insertion port 1302 and the detergent automatic insertion port 1452 is not completed, and can prevent the use of the liquid agent automatic insertion device 1301 in a state where the detergent container 1450 is not properly mounted.

[2-2-2. Flow of Water in washing operation Using automatic input function ]

In fig. 28, 30, and 32 to 37, the flow of water supplied from the first water guide tube 1311 is defined as X1, the flow of water supplied from the second water guide tube 1312 is defined as Y1, and the flow of water supplied from the third water guide tube 1313 is defined as Z1.

Before the start of the washing operation, the automatic liquid detergent supply device 1301 is driven to automatically supply the liquid detergent. Specifically, first, in a state where the third water guide tube 1313 is closed, the three-way valve 1381 of the detergent, which is a part of the three-way valve 1380, is opened, and the detergent container 1450 communicates with the path of the pump unit 1390. The pump unit 1390 rotates the motor to move the piston 1395 up and down, thereby sucking a proper amount of liquid detergent from the pump unit inlet 1392a and discharging the liquid detergent from the pump unit outlet 1392 b.

Next, path cleaning of the washing agent in the flushing three-way valve 1380 and the pump unit 1390 is performed. The three-way valve 1381 for the detergent is closed, the path of the detergent container 1450 and the pump unit 1390 is blocked, and the path from the third water guide tube 1313 to the automatic liquid formulation feeding device 1301 is communicated. Next, the third water guide cylinder 1313 of the water supply valve 1310 is opened. Like the flow Z1 of water, the water introduced from the third water guide tube 1313 passes through the third water guide channel 1323, reaches the automatic charging device internal channel 1325 via the cleaning channel water guide port 1324, and fills the pump internal channel 1391 with water (see fig. 33 and 35). The pump unit 1390 rotates the motor to move the piston 1395 up and down, and the filled water is discharged from the pump unit outlet 1392b to flush out the liquid detergent and foreign matters existing in the pump flow path 1391. The water flowing out of the automatic pouring device internal passage 1325 flows down to the flow path lower portion 1370 through the cleaning flow path outflow port 1326, and is poured into the washing tub 1500 from the flow path lower portion 1370 (see fig. 36).

In this way, the washing machine 1100 performs path washing after the liquid detergent is put in during automatic input of the liquid detergent. The path cleaning suppresses mixing of the remaining detergent with the softener added in the final rinsing step, and suppresses precipitation of foreign matters generated when the detergent is mixed with the softener.

As shown in fig. 44, the water having passed through the washing passage outflow port 1326 flows into the first passage lower passage 1372. A part of the water flowing into the first flow path lower path 1372 flows into the cleaning path 1319 from the cleaning path inlet 1318, and washes out the liquid detergent or softener adhering to the cleaning path 1319. The water having passed through the washing path 1319 passes through the washing path outlet 1374 and merges with the first flow path lower path 1372. The water having passed through the first channel lower path 1372 merges with the second channel lower path 1373 at a merging portion 1375, and is introduced into the washing tub 1500 from the channel lower discharge outlet 1371.

After the automatic liquid detergent feeding is completed, or simultaneously with the automatic liquid detergent feeding, the first water guide tube 1311 is opened, and water is supplied to the first water guide path 1321 (see fig. 30). Like the flow X1 of water, the water introduced into the first water guide path 1321 passes through the powder detergent water injection port 1331, the liquid detergent water injection port 1332, and the bus pump water injection port 1333. Then, water passing through the powder detergent water injection port 1331, the liquid detergent water injection port 1332, and the bus pump water injection port 1333 is injected into the powder detergent manual input unit 1410, the liquid detergent manual input unit 1420, and the bus pump 1314 (see fig. 28, 31, and 37). The water injected into the powder detergent manual input unit 1410 and the liquid detergent manual input unit 1420 flows down to the flow path lower portion 1370 through the discharge port, and the liquid detergent stored in the flow path lower portion 1370 is dissolved and input into the washing tub 1500.

In the final rinsing step, the softener three-way valve 1382, which is a part of the three-way valve 1380, is opened, and the softener container 1460 communicates with the path of the pump unit 1390. The pump unit 1390 rotates the motor to move the piston 1395 up and down, thereby sucking an appropriate amount of softener from the pump unit inlet 1392a and discharging the softener from the pump unit outlet 1392 b.

Next, the softener three-way valve 1382 is closed, the path between the softener container 1460 and the pump unit 1390 is blocked, and the path from the third water guide tube 1313 to the automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301 is communicated. Thereafter, the third water guide tube 1313 is opened, and the path cleaning of the detergent in the flushing three-way valve 1380 and the pump unit 1390 is performed.

After a proper amount of softener is discharged from the pump unit outlet 1392b and flows into the water supply unit housing 1320 and the flow path lower portion 1370, the second water guide tube 1312 is opened, and water is supplied to the second water guide path 1322 (see fig. 30). Like the flow Y1 of water, the water introduced into the second water guide passage 1322 is injected into the softener manual input part 1430 through the softener injection port 1334. Then, the water injected into the softener manual input unit 1430 flows down from the outlet of the softener manual input unit 1430 to the flow path lower portion 1370, and the softener stored in the flow path lower portion 1370 is dissolved and input into the washing tub 1500 (see fig. 28, 31, and 37).

[2-3. Action etc. ]

As described above, the washing machine 1100 of embodiment 2 includes the washing tub 1500, the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460, the detergent container receiving portion 1360 or the softener container receiving portion 1365, and the liquid agent automatic inputting device 1301. The washing tub 1500 accommodates laundry. The detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 is an example of the liquid agent container of the present disclosure, and stores a liquid. The detergent container receiving portion 1360 or the softener container receiving portion 1365 is an example of the liquid agent container receiving portion of the present disclosure, and is formed in a box shape to receive the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460. The automatic liquid agent charging device 1301 charges the washing tank 1500 with the liquid stored in the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460. The detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 is connected to the automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301 at a storage position (an example of the 2 nd position of the present disclosure) when stored in the detergent container storage part 1360 or the softener container storage part 1365. Further, the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 is fixed to the detergent container receiving portion 1360 or the softener container receiving portion 1365 by a locking bar 1454 and a detergent container receiving portion claw portion 1361, which are examples of the locking portion of the present disclosure, when in the receiving position. The detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 is locked to the detergent container storing portion 1360 or the softener container storing portion 1365 at a position P1 before the storing position in a state where the fixation by the locking bar 1454 and the detergent container storing portion claw portion 1361 is released. The position P1 is an example of the 1 st position of the present disclosure.

Thus, the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 stored in the storage position when stored in the detergent container storage part 1360 or the softener container storage part 1365 is fixed in a state of being connected to the automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301. The detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 pulled out to the position P1 is held in the detergent container receiving portion 1360 or the softener container receiving portion 1365.

Therefore, the user can safely pull out the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 from the detergent container receiving part 1360 or the softener container receiving part 1365. Further, the washing machine 1100 can reliably connect the liquid agent automatic feeding device 1301 and the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460. That is, the washing machine 1100 can connect the automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301 to the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 with high reliability.

As in the washing machine 1100 of embodiment 2, the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 may be provided with a spring mechanism 1455 as an example of the biasing portion of the present disclosure for biasing the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 toward the position P1.

Thus, the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 is biased toward the position P1 by the spring mechanism 1455 when the fixation by the locking bar 1454 and the detergent container storing portion claw 1361 is released.

Accordingly, the user can easily pull out the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 to the position P1.

The washing machine 1100 of embodiment 2 may include the detergent container accommodating portion claw portion 1361 and the lock lever 1454 as an example of the lock portion of the present disclosure. The detergent container storing portion claw portion 1361 is an example of the engaging portion of the present disclosure, and is provided in the detergent container storing portion 1360 or the softener container storing portion 1365. The lock lever 1454 is an example of the lever of the present disclosure, and is provided in the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460, and is configured to be engageable with the detergent container accommodating portion claw portion 1361.

Thereby, the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 pulled out to the position P1 is held in the detergent container receiving portion 1360 or the softener container receiving portion 1365.

Therefore, the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 is locked to the detergent container receiving portion 1360 or the softener container receiving portion 1365 by the engagement of the locking bar 1454 with the detergent container receiving portion claw portion 1361, and thus can be firmly connected.

Like the washing machine 1100 of embodiment 2, the lock lever 1454 and the detergent container storing portion claw portion 1361 may be disposed in the vicinity of the line of action of the elastic force applied by the spring mechanism 1455.

Thereby, the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 is biased in the pulling-out direction when the fixation by the locking bar 1454 and the detergent container storing portion claw portion 1361 is released.

Therefore, the user can pull out the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 without shaking when the fixation by the locking bar 1454 and the detergent container receiving portion claw 1361 is released. Further, the inclination of the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 due to the biasing force of the spring mechanism 1455 can be suppressed in the state of being stored in the detergent container storing portion 1360 or the softener container storing portion 1365.

Like the washing machine 1100 of embodiment 2, the lock lever 1454 and the spring mechanism 1455 may be arranged on a virtual line parallel to the attachment/detachment direction and serving as a center line that bisects the left and right sides of the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460.

Accordingly, the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 is biased in the pulling-out direction when the fixation by the locking bar 1454 and the detergent container accommodating portion claw portion 1361 is released, and thus, no rotational moment is generated.

Therefore, the user can pull out the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 without shaking when the fixation by the locking bar 1454 and the detergent container receiving portion claw 1361 is released. Further, when the user attaches the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460, the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 can be prevented from being inclined and not correctly stored by the biasing force of the spring mechanism 1455.

As in the washing machine 1100 of embodiment 2, the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 may include a detergent container case grip 1456a, which is an example of the grip of the present disclosure, capable of gripping the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460. Further, a locking lever grip 1454a, which is an example of an end of the lever of the present disclosure, is disposed in the vicinity of the detergent container housing grip 1456a.

Thereby, the user can grasp the detergent container case holding portion 1456a and grasp the locking bar holding portion 1454a to operate the locking bar 1454.

Accordingly, the user can pull out the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 by releasing the fixation by the locking bar 1454 and the detergent container receiving portion claw portion 1361 by one operation.

Like the washing machine 1100 of embodiment 2, the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 may include a spring mechanism 1455, the detergent container insertion port 1302 or the softener container insertion port 1303, and the detergent container check valve 1302a or the softener container check valve. The spring mechanism 1455 is provided at the bottom of the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460. The detergent container insertion port 1302 or the softener container insertion port 1303 is an example of a container connection portion of the present disclosure, and is provided at the bottom of the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460, and connected to the automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301. The detergent container check valve 1302a or the softener container check valve is an example of the opening/closing valve of the present disclosure. The detergent container check valve 1302a or the softener container check valve is provided inside the detergent container insertion port 1302 or the softener container insertion port 1303, and is opened only when the detergent container insertion port 1302 or the softener container insertion port 1303 is connected to the automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301. The detergent container insertion port 1302 or the softener container insertion port 1303 may be disposed laterally of the spring mechanism 1455.

Thus, the washing machine 1100 can provide the spring mechanism 1455 and the detergent container insertion port 1302 or the softener container insertion port 1303 to the bottom of the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460.

As in the washing machine 1100 of embodiment 2, the washing machine 1100 may include the washing agent container 1450 and the softener container 1460, and the washing agent container inlet 1302 and the softener container inlet 1303 of the washing agent container 1450 and the softener container 1460 may be disposed so as to be located in the vicinity of each other.

Accordingly, even when two liquid agent containers such as the detergent container 1450 and the softener container 1460 are disposed adjacently, the washing machine 1100 can compactly configure the liquid agent automatic feeding device 1301.

The washing machine 1100 of embodiment 2 is a washing machine capable of putting laundry therein from above the casing 1600 in an installed state. The washing machine 1100 of embodiment 2 includes a lower casing 1610, a washing tub 1500, an upper casing 1620, a detergent container 1450 or a softener container 1460, and an automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301. The lower housing 1610 constitutes the housing 1600. The washing tub 1500 is provided in the lower casing 1610 and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is opened upward. The upper case 1620 constitutes the case 1600, is disposed above the lower case 1610, and has a laundry inlet 1621 communicating with the washing tub 1500. The detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 is an example of the liquid agent container of the present disclosure, and stores a liquid therein. The automatic liquid agent charging device 1301 charges the washing tank 1500 with the liquid stored in the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460. The automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301 is formed in a box shape that opens to the feeding port 1621, and includes a detergent container receiving portion 1360 or a softener container receiving portion 1365 and an automatic detergent feeding port 1452 or an automatic softener feeding port 1462. The detergent container receiving portion 1360 or the softener container receiving portion 1365 is an example of the liquid agent container receiving portion of the present disclosure, and receives the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460. The automatic detergent insertion port 1452 or the automatic softener insertion port 1462 is an example of the connection portion of the present disclosure, and is detachably connected to the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460. The detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 includes a lock lever 1454, and the lock lever 1454 is engaged with the detergent container accommodating portion claw portion 1361 in a state where the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 is connected to the detergent automatic-feeding insertion port 1452 or the softener automatic-feeding insertion port 1462.

Thus, the washing machine 1100 can reliably connect the automatic liquid agent charging device 1301 to the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460. That is, the washing machine 1100 can connect the automatic liquid agent feeding device 1301 to the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 1460 with high reliability.

In addition, in [2-3 action, etc. ], it is described that the washing machine 1100 includes the detergent container 1450 or the softener container 460 as an example of the liquid agent container of the washing machine of the present disclosure. However, a structure including both the detergent container 1450 and the softener container 1460 is also included in an example of the structure of the washing machine of the present disclosure. This applies to the following structure. That is, the same applies to the detergent container storing part 1360 or the softener container storing part 1365 as an example of the liquid container storing part of the present disclosure, and the detergent container inputting part 1451 or the softener container inputting part 1461 as an example of the opening of the present disclosure. The same applies to the automatic detergent insertion port 1452 or the automatic softener insertion port 1462, which are examples of the connection portion of the present disclosure, and the automatic softener insertion port 1302 or the automatic softener insertion port 1303, which are examples of the container connection portion of the present disclosure. The same applies to the detergent container check valve 1302a or the softener container check valve, which is an example of the opening/closing valve of the present disclosure.

(modification of embodiment 2)

As described above, embodiment 2 is described as an example of the technology of the present disclosure. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Therefore, a modification of embodiment 2 is exemplified below.

In embodiment 2, a washing machine 1100, which is a vertical washing machine, is described as an example of the washing machine of the present disclosure. The washing machine of the present disclosure is not limited to the vertical washing machine, and may be a drum type washing machine or a twin tub type washing machine.

In embodiment 2, a spring mechanism 1455 provided in a detergent container 1450 (a detergent container case 1456) is described as an example of the biasing portion of the present disclosure. The biasing portion of the present disclosure may be configured to bias the liquid agent container of the present disclosure toward the 1 st position, and therefore the spring mechanism 1455 is not limited to a structure provided in the detergent container 1450 (the detergent container case 1456). The spring mechanism 1455 may be provided in the detergent container receiving portion 1360. That is, the biasing portion of the present disclosure may be provided in the liquid agent container of the present disclosure or the liquid agent container housing portion of the present disclosure.

In embodiment 2, a spring mechanism 1455 provided in a lower portion of a rear surface of a detergent container case 1456 is described as an example of the biasing portion of the present disclosure. Since the biasing portion of the present disclosure may be disposed on a substantially central line in the attachment/detachment direction, the spring mechanism 1455 is not limited to a structure provided at a lower portion of the rear surface of the detergent container 1456, and may be provided at an upper portion of the rear surface of the detergent container 1456. That is, the biasing portion of the present disclosure is not limited to the lower back surface portion of the liquid agent container of the present disclosure, and may be provided at the upper back surface portion. In the case where the spring mechanism 1455 is provided on the upper portion of the rear surface of the detergent container 1456, it is preferable that the lock lever grip 1454a is provided on the upper portion of the front surface of the detergent container 1456. That is, in the case where the biasing portion of the present disclosure is provided at the upper rear surface of the liquid agent container of the present disclosure, it is preferable that the end portion of the lever of the present disclosure is provided at the upper front surface of the liquid agent container of the present disclosure.

In embodiment 2, a lock lever 1454 provided in a detergent container 1450 and a softener container 1460 is described as an example of the lever of the present disclosure. The lever of the present disclosure may be provided so as to be engaged with the engagement portion of the present disclosure, and thus is not limited to the structure provided on the liquid container side of the present disclosure, and may be provided on the liquid container storage portion side of the present disclosure.

In embodiment 2, as an example of the container connecting portion of the present disclosure, the detergent container insertion port 1302 and the softener container insertion port 1303 disposed on the side of the spring mechanism 1455 are described. The container connecting portion of the present disclosure is not limited to the structure disposed laterally of the biasing portion of the present disclosure, and may be disposed in the vicinity of each other at the container connecting portion of the present disclosure.

For example, in the case where two liquid agent containers of the present disclosure are arranged vertically, a container connecting portion of the present disclosure of the liquid agent container arranged above is provided at the lower back surface of the liquid agent container of the present disclosure. Further, it is preferable that the container connecting portion of the present disclosure of the liquid agent container disposed below is provided at an upper portion of the back surface of the liquid agent container of the present disclosure.

In addition, in the case of four liquid agent containers of the present disclosure disposed above and below two liquid agent containers of the present disclosure, a container connecting portion of the present disclosure of the two liquid agent containers of the present disclosure disposed above and below the back surface of the liquid agent container of the present disclosure. Further, it is preferable that the container connecting portion of the present disclosure of two adjacent liquid agent containers disposed below is provided at an upper portion of the back surface of the liquid agent container of the present disclosure. In this case, the container connecting portions of the present disclosure of two adjacent liquid agent containers are preferably arranged so that the container connecting portions of the present disclosure are located in the vicinity of each other. In the case where the detergent container 1450 and the softener container 1460 are two adjacent to each other as in embodiment 2, the detergent container case holding part 1456a and the spring mechanism 1455 are provided at the lower center of the detergent container 1450, the following arrangement is preferable. That is, the detergent container insertion opening 1302 is preferably arranged laterally of the spring mechanism 1455. The same arrangement is also preferable for the softener container 1460.

That is, in the case where the washing machine of the present disclosure includes two adjacent liquid agent containers of the present disclosure, in the case where the grip portion of the liquid agent container of the present disclosure and the urging portion of the present disclosure are provided in the lower center of the liquid agent container of the present disclosure, the following arrangement is preferable. That is, the container connecting portion of the present disclosure is preferably disposed laterally to the biasing portion of the present disclosure.

Industrial applicability

The present disclosure can be applied to a washing machine provided with an automatic liquid agent input device. Specifically, the present disclosure can be applied to a vertical washing machine, a drum type washing machine, a twin tub type washing machine, and the like.

Description of the reference numerals

100. A washing machine; 200. a water supply port; 210. a water supply hose; 300. a water supply unit; 301. an automatic liquid agent input device; 302. detergent container insertion port (container side connection part); 302a, a detergent container check valve (on-off valve); 303. a softener container insertion port (container side connection part); 310. a water supply valve; 311. a first water guide tube; 312. a second water guide tube; 313. a third water guide tube; 314. a bus pump; 318. a purge path inlet; 319. a cleaning path; 320. a water supply unit housing part; 321. a first water guide path; 322. a second water guide path; 323. a third water guide path; 324. cleaning a path water guide port; 325. automatically putting into the device path; 326. a cleaning path outflow port; 330. a detergent box flow path part; 331. a water injection port for powder detergent; 332. a water injection port for liquid detergent; 333. a water injection port for a bus pump; 334. a water injection port for the softener; 340. a flow path cover part; 350. a detergent box accommodating part; 360. a detergent container housing part (liquid container housing part); 360a, a connection part for automatically inputting the detergent; 361. a detergent container accommodating portion claw portion; 362. a detergent container receiving portion contact surface; 363. a storage section; 364. a drop port; 365. a softener container housing part (liquid container housing part); 365a, a connection part for automatically throwing the softener; 368. a stopper; 370. a lower part of the flow path (liquid supply path); 371. a lower outlet of the flow path; 372. a first flow path lower path; 373. a second flow path lower path; 374. a cleaning path outlet; 375. a junction; 380. a three-way valve; 381. a detergent three-way valve; 382. a softener three-way valve; 390. a pump unit; 391. an in-pump flow path; 392a, pump unit inlet; 392b, pump unit outlet; 393. an inlet check valve; 394. an outlet check valve; 395. a piston; 397. a cylinder; 400. a detergent box; 410. a manual powder detergent input part; 420. a manual liquid detergent input part; 430. a softener manual input part; 450. detergent container (liquor container); 450a, detergent container balance scale; 451. a detergent container input part (opening part); 452. an automatic detergent feeding inlet (connecting part); 454. a lock lever (2 nd engaging portion); 454a, a locking lever grip; 455. a spring mechanism; 455a, springs; 456. a detergent container housing; 456a, a detergent container housing grip; 457. a container convex portion (1 st engaging portion); 459. container sides (sides); 460. softener container (liquid container); 460a, softener container balance scale; 461. a softener container input part (opening part); 462. the softening agent is automatically put into the inserting port (connecting part); 464. a pouring-in inclined part; 470. a filter; 500. a washing tank; 600. a housing; 610. a lower housing; 620. an upper housing; 621. a charging port; 700. a cover body; 800. an operation unit; 1100. a washing machine; 1200. a water supply port; 1210. a water supply hose; 1300. a water supply unit; 1301. an automatic liquid agent input device; 1302. detergent container insertion port (container connection part); 1302a, a detergent container check valve (on-off valve); 1303. a softener container insertion port (container connection part); 1310. a water supply valve; 1311. a first water guide tube; 1312. a second water guide tube; 1313. a third water guide tube; 1314. a bus pump; 1318. a purge path inlet; 1319. a cleaning path; 1320. a water supply unit housing part; 1321. a first water guide path; 1322. a second water guide path; 1323. a third water guide path; 1324. cleaning a path water guide port; 1325. automatically putting into the device path; 1326. a cleaning path outflow port; 1330. a detergent box flow path part; 1331. a water injection port for powder detergent; 1332. a water injection port for liquid detergent; 1333. a water injection port for a bus pump; 1334. a water injection port for the softener; 1340. a flow path cover part; 1350. a detergent box accommodating part; 1360. a detergent container housing part (liquid container housing part); 1360a, a connection part for automatically throwing the detergent; 1361. a detergent container accommodating portion claw portion (locking portion) (engaging portion); 1362. a detergent container receiving portion contact surface; 1363. a storage section; 1364. a drop port; 1365. a softener container housing part (liquid container housing part); 1365a, a connection part for automatically throwing a softener; 1368. a stopper; 1370. a lower part of the flow path; 1371. a lower outlet of the flow path; 1372. a first flow path lower path; 1373. a second flow path lower path; 1374. a cleaning path outlet; 1375. a junction; 1380. a three-way valve; 1381. a detergent three-way valve; 1382. a softener three-way valve; 1390. a pump unit; 1391. an in-pump flow path; 1392a, pump unit inlet; 1392b, pump unit outlet; 1393. an inlet check valve; 1394. an outlet check valve; 1395. a piston; 1397. a cylinder; 1400. a detergent box; 1410. a manual powder detergent input part; 1420. a manual liquid detergent input part; 1430. a softener manual input part; 1450. detergent container (liquor container); 1450a, detergent container balance scale; 1451. a detergent container input part (opening part); 1452. an automatic detergent feeding inlet (connecting part); 1454. a lock lever (lock section) (lever); 1454a, locking bar holding portion (end of bar); 1455. a spring mechanism (urging portion); 1455a, springs; 1456. a detergent container housing; 1456a, a detergent container housing grip (grip); 1457. a container protrusion; 1459. a container side; 1460. softener container (liquid container); 1460a, softener container balance scale; 1461. a softener container input part (opening part); 1462. the softening agent is automatically put into the inserting port (connecting part); 1464. a pouring-in inclined part; 1470. a filter; 1500. a washing tank; 1600. a housing; 1610. a lower housing; 1620. an upper housing; 1621. a charging port; 1700. a cover body; 1800. an operation unit; x, water flow; x1, flowing of water; y, water flow; y1, flowing of water; z, water flow; z1, flow of water.

Claims

1. A washing machine, wherein,

the washing machine includes:

a washing tank for accommodating the washing;

a liquid agent container for storing liquid, wherein an opening is provided on the upper surface of the liquid agent container in an installed state;

an automatic liquid agent charging device for charging the liquid stored in the liquid agent container into the washing tank; and

a liquid container housing part for housing the liquid container, connecting the liquid container and the liquid automatic input device,

the liquid agent container is configured to be detachable from the liquid agent automatic loading device, and is locked to the liquid agent container housing portion when the liquid agent container is at a 1 st position when the opening is opened to the outside.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein,

the liquid agent container is configured to communicate with the liquid agent automatic loading device and to engage with the liquid agent container housing section when the liquid agent container is at the 2 nd position when housed in the liquid agent container housing section.

3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the automatic liquid agent input device comprises:

a connection unit which is connected to the liquid agent container and communicates the interior of the liquid agent container with the liquid agent automatic loading device; and

A liquid supply path which is arranged below the liquid container receiving portion and supplies liquid to the washing tank,

a drop port communicating with the liquid supply path is formed below the connection portion on an inner bottom surface of the liquid container housing portion.

4. A washing machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein,

a storage portion that stores a predetermined amount of liquid and drops the liquid exceeding the predetermined amount toward the drop port is formed on the inner bottom surface of the liquid container housing portion.

5. The washing machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein,

the liquid agent container comprises a container side connecting part connected with the connecting part,

the storage portion is formed from the drop port to a position below the container-side connecting portion in a state where the liquid agent container is locked in the 1 st position.

6. The washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein,

the liquid formulation vessel is formed of a transparent material,

the liquid agent container is exposed laterally in a state of being pulled out to the 1 st position.

7. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein,

the liquid agent container has a container side connecting part and an opening/closing valve arranged in the container side connecting part,

The automatic liquid agent feeding device is provided with a connecting part connected with the container side connecting part when the liquid agent container is positioned at the 2 nd position,

the opening/closing valve is opened in a state where the container-side connecting portion is connected to the connecting portion.

8. A washing machine capable of throwing washings from the upper part of a shell to the inner part in an installation state, wherein,

the washing machine includes:

a lower case constituting the case;

a washing tank provided in the lower case and having a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens upward;

an upper case which constitutes the case and is disposed on the upper part of the lower case, and which has an inlet for the laundry, which communicates with the washing tank;

a liquid agent container for storing liquid therein, the liquid agent container having an opening on an upper surface thereof; and

an automatic liquid agent feeding device for feeding the liquid stored in the liquid agent container into the washing tank,

the automatic liquid agent feeding device is formed in a box shape facing the feeding opening,

the automatic liquid agent feeding device comprises:

a liquid container housing part for housing the liquid container; and

a connection part detachably connected to the liquid agent container,

The liquid formulation container comprises:

a 1 st engaging portion that engages with the liquid agent container housing portion when the opening portion is at a position where the opening portion is opened to the outside; and

and a 2 nd engaging portion that engages with the liquid container housing portion in a state where the liquid container is connected to the connecting portion.

9. A washing machine, wherein,

the washing machine includes:

a washing tank for accommodating the washing;

a liquid agent container for storing a liquid;

a liquid container housing part formed in a box shape for housing the liquid container;

the liquid agent container is connected with the liquid agent automatic input device when being at the 2 nd position when being stored in the liquid agent container storage part, and is fixed on the liquid agent container storage part by a locking part,

the liquid agent container is locked to the liquid agent container storage portion at a 1 st position before the 2 nd position in a state where the locking portion is released from the fixation.

10. The washing machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein,

the liquid agent container or the liquid agent container housing portion is provided with a biasing portion that biases the liquid agent container toward the 1 st position.

11. The washing machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein,

the locking portion includes:

an engaging portion provided in the liquid container housing portion; and

and a lever provided in the liquid container and configured to be engageable with the engagement portion.

12. The washing machine as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein,

the lock portion is disposed in the vicinity of a line of action of the force applied by the force applying portion.

13. The washing machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein,

the lever and the biasing portion are disposed on a center line parallel to a loading and unloading direction and dividing the liquid agent container into two.

14. The washing machine as claimed in claim 11 or 13, wherein,

the liquid agent container comprises a holding part capable of holding the liquid agent container,

the end of the lever is disposed in the vicinity of the grip portion.

15. The washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein,

the liquid formulation container comprises:

the force application part is arranged at the bottom of the liquid agent container;

a container connection part provided at the bottom of the liquid agent container and connected to the liquid agent automatic input device; and

an opening/closing valve provided in the container connection part and opened only when the container connection part is connected to the automatic liquid agent feeding device,

The container connecting portion is disposed laterally of the urging portion.

16. The washing machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein,

the washing machine comprises two liquid agent containers,

the container connection portions of the two liquid agent containers are disposed so as to be located in the vicinity of each other.

17. A washing machine capable of throwing washings from the upper part of a shell to the inner part in an installation state, wherein,

the washing machine includes:

a lower case constituting the case;

a liquid agent container for storing a liquid therein; and

the automatic liquid agent feeding device comprises:

a liquid container housing part for housing the liquid container; and

a connection part detachably connected to the liquid agent container,

The liquid agent container includes a lever that engages with the liquid agent container accommodating portion in a state where the liquid agent container is connected to the connecting portion.