JP2002035477A - Powder detergent input device of washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a powder detergent input device of a washing machine which prevents a powder detergent from adhering to a detergent outlet make a plug unopenable. SOLUTION: The powder detergent input device has a hopper 13 storing a powder detergent of a plurality of batches, a detergent outlet 28 formed at the lowermost portion of the hopper 13, a plug 29 provided so as to open and close the detergent outlet 28, a coil-form detergent delivery body 22 transversely provided in the internal lower portion of the hopper 13 and transporting powder detergent to the detergent outlet 28 by rotation, and a detergent agitator 18 arranged above the coil-form detergent delivery body 22 and rotating by subsequently engaging many projections 17 with the coil-form detergent delivery body 22, and a shutter 41 is provided downwardly of the plug 29 so that it may be rotated by the same opening and closing driving device 30 following the opening and closing of the plug 29, the boundary with the plug 29 is concealed by the shutter 41 located in the lower side of the lower edge of the detergent outlet 28 when the detergent outlet 28 is closed by the plug 29.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a powder detergent input device for a washing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a powder detergent input device stores a plurality of powdered detergents in a detergent storage container, and when a laundry is started, a predetermined amount of powder detergent is supplied from the detergent storage container according to the amount of laundry. The stopper is automatically fed into the washing tub via a detergent outlet that can be opened and closed. Then, the operation of the automatic delivery of the powder detergent is performed by rotating a coiled detergent delivery body provided horizontally at the lowermost portion of the detergent storage container with the stopper opened, and dispensing a predetermined amount of the powder detergent into a washing / dehydrating tub or the like. To After putting the powder detergent into the washing and dewatering tub,
The detergent outlet was closed by a stopper.

However, in the above-mentioned prior art,
When washing, water flowing below the vicinity of the detergent outlet, for example, water flowing at the time of detergent introduction or water supply may adhere to the lower portion of the detergent outlet in particular, and water may be left attached to the detergent outlet portion. When the powder detergent is delivered, the powder detergent is moistened by the attached water, and if left undisturbed, the powder detergent is fixed to the detergent outlet. If the state in which the powder detergent is fixed to the detergent outlet is repeated, there is a possibility that the detergent outlet may not be able to be hermetically closed by the stopper.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to prevent powder detergent from sticking to a detergent outlet so that a stopper cannot be opened and closed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a powder detergent input device for a washing machine which does not hinder the progress of the washing process.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a powder detergent input device for a washing machine, comprising: a detergent reservoir for storing a plurality of doses of powder detergent; a detergent outlet formed at a lowermost portion of the detergent reservoir; A washing machine provided with a stopper provided so as to be able to open and close the detergent outlet, and a coiled detergent delivery body which is disposed horizontally below the inner part of the detergent storage container and rotates to transfer the powder detergent toward the detergent outlet. In the powder detergent introduction device, a shutter is provided below the stopper so as to rotate following the opening and closing operation of the stopper, and when the detergent outlet is closed by the stopper, a shutter positioned below the lower edge of the detergent outlet is provided. It is characterized in that the boundary between the stopper and the stopper is hidden, and further, the turning operation of the shutter and the opening and closing operation of the stopper are performed by the same drive source. Yes Further, the rotation angle of the shutter is larger than the opening / closing angle of the stopper, and the shutter is moved from below the lower edge of the detergent outlet before the stopper starts to open the detergent outlet. .

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of a main part, FIG. 3 is a vertical front view of a main part, FIG. 4 is a top view, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view seen from the side, and FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the operation of the main part. FIG. 6 (a) is a bottom view of the state where the stopper is closed and the shutter is closed, and FIG. FIG. 6 (c) is a bottom view of the open state, FIG. 6 (c) is a bottom view of the shutter open state, and FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the operation of removing the adhered detergent. FIG. Diagram showing the state,
FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a state in which the detergent has been scraped off.

1 to 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a fully automatic washing machine to which a powder detergent input device 2 is attached, and a top cover having a laundry entrance 5 which is opened and closed by an outer lid 4 at an upper end of an outer box 3. 6 and a bottom 4 at the lower end.
A leg 7 is provided at the corner. An operation panel 8 for setting washing contents and displaying a process is provided at a front portion of the top cover 6, and a back cover 9 is provided at a rear portion. The powder detergent input device 2 is attached to the back cover 9, and a water inlet 10 and a water inlet 11 are further provided.

A water tub (not shown) is elastically hung inside the outer box 3, and a washing and dewatering tub 12 is rotatably housed in the water tub. The body is arranged. The washing and dewatering tub 12 and the agitator are rotated and driven by a motor (not shown) provided at the outer bottom of the water tub, thereby performing washing.

The powder detergent input device 2 has an outer case 14 around a hopper 13 constituting a detergent storage container, and claws 15, 15 formed on the lower left and right sides of the outer case 14.
Are detachably attached by elastically engaging claw hooks 16, 16 formed on the back cover 9.
A lid 14a is provided on the upper end of the outer case 14,
3 is provided so as to be openable and closable. In the lower part of the hopper 13, a plate-like detergent agitator 18 having a star shape with a number of projections 17 projecting radially is provided.
Is rotatably mounted on a rotating shaft 19 provided so as to cross a detergent passage formed at a lower portion of the shaft.

The rotary shaft 19 is mounted coaxially with the sleeve shaft 20a by fitting the sleeve shaft 20a into the rotary shaft 19. The rotary shaft 19 has substantially the same diameter as the rotating circle of the detergent stirring body 18, and has a slit 20 at the shaft end.
A disc-shaped protection plate 20 that rotates cooperatively by engaging b with the protruding piece 18t of the detergent agitator 18 is disposed so as to provide a predetermined space between the protective plate 20 and the detergent agitator 18. By arranging the detergent agitator 18 and the protection plate 20 side by side at predetermined intervals in this manner, the interval between the detergent passages of the hopper 13 is set to, for example, a gap smaller than a predetermined dimension that is small enough to prevent human fingers from entering. It is divided and restricted to become. The protection plate 20
A hole 21 is formed in the plate surface of the protective plate 20.
A stirring piece 18a is provided upright so as to penetrate through.

Further, the hopper 1 below the detergent stirring body 18
At the lowermost part in the inside, a coil-shaped detergent delivery body 22 formed such that one end side has a small diameter and gradually increases in diameter toward the other side, and the other end has a large-diameter portion is formed on one end side. Axis 2 provided
3 is laterally provided so as to be axially supported by a bearing 24 provided at one lower end of the hopper 13 in a direction orthogonal to the rotating shaft 19.

One protrusion 17 of the detergent agitator 18 is engaged with the coil of the coil-shaped detergent delivery body 22.
When the driven gear 25 provided on the other side of the shaft 23 is rotated by the motor 27 housed in the other side of the back cover 9, the coiled detergent delivery body 22 is rotated. And the coiled detergent delivery body 2
The rotation direction of 2 is a direction in which the stored powder detergent is transferred to the detergent outlet 28 that opens to the other side of the lowermost portion of the hopper 13. It rotates in the coil screwing direction.

The detergent outlet 28 is provided with a stopper 29 for opening and closing the detergent outlet 28.
This is performed by an opening / closing drive device 30 of a driving source via an opening / closing mechanism 30a to be described later, which is arranged on the back of the vehicle. Then, by opening the stopper 29 by the opening / closing drive device 30 while rotating the coiled detergent delivery body 22, the detergent stirring body 18, and the protection plate 20, the powdered detergent is delivered little by little. By controlling the rotation time of the coiled detergent delivery body 22 and the opening time of the plug 29 in accordance with the amount of laundry, dirt, and the like, an appropriate amount of the powdered detergent is delivered.

On the other hand, a mounting case 31 provided behind the top cover 6 has a water injection case 32 and a water supply pump 3.
3. A water supply valve 34 and the like are fixed, and a motor 27 for driving the coiled detergent delivery body 22 is also attached. Further, a detergent outlet 28 of the powder detergent introduction device 2 is located above a water passage 35 provided in the water injection case 32, and the powder detergent sent out from the detergent outlet 28 is formed in the water injection case 32. Through the detergent inlet 36, it falls into the detergent receiving portion 38 of the drawer 37 which is also detachably provided in the water injection case 32, and is supplied into the flowing water channel 35. Then, the powder detergent supplied to the flowing water channel 35 is supplied into the washing and dewatering tub 12 together with the water supplied to the water injection case 32.

On the other hand, a stopper 29 for opening and closing the detergent outlet 28 is provided.
Has a short cylindrical portion 39 fitted to the cylindrical detergent outlet 28, and is configured so that an annular cushion 40 is mounted on the short cylindrical portion 39. The closing of the detergent outlet 28 by the stopper 29 is performed. , Through the cushion 40. A substantially single-edged knife-shaped shutter 41 that rotates so as to follow the opening and closing operation of the stopper 29 is provided below the stopper 29.

The plug 29 is formed with a pair of first rotating arms 42a and 42b having a bearing hole 42h constituting the opening / closing mechanism 30a, and is formed in an inverted U-shaped cross section.
The stopper 29 is provided integrally with a rotating piece 43 having a spring receiving seat 43a engraved on an outer surface on one end side opposite to the bearing hole 42h so as to extend in the same direction.

The shutter 41 is provided with a pair of second rotating arms 44a and 44b having a bearing hole 44h. Then, one second rotating arm 44a
In the extending direction of the shutter 41, and for the other second rotating arm 44b, the shutter 41 is provided in parallel with the second rotating arm 44a at the tip of a horizontal rod 44c provided to be orthogonal to the shutter 41. And are provided integrally. Further, an operating piece 45 having a cross-sectional shape formed in the shape of an inverted letter is formed integrally with the horizontal rod 44c so as to extend in the one end side opposite to the bearing hole 44h with the shutter 41. ing.

Further, a bearing member 47 having a bearing hole 47h, which also constitutes the opening / closing mechanism 30a, is provided upright on a support wall 46 provided on a lower outer surface of the hopper 13. The stopper 29 and the shutter 41 are combined so that the operation piece 45 of the shutter 41 is located outside the rotation piece 43 of the stopper 29, and the first rotation arm 42a,
42b and a second pivot arm 44a, 44b
Through the bearing holes 42h and 44h.
h, it is attached to the support wall 46 in a state of being rotatably supported by the bearing member 47.

Further, between the support wall 46 and the rotating piece 43,
A first spring 48 of a compression spring for urging the stopper 29 in the direction of the detergent outlet 28 is mounted, and a shutter 41 is provided between the spring seat 43 a of the rotating piece 43 and the operating piece 45.
A second spring 49, which is a compression spring having a smaller spring constant than the first spring 48 that urges the plug 29 in the same direction as the stopper 29, is mounted.

The opening / closing operation of the stopper 29 and the turning operation of the shutter 41 attached to the support wall 46 provided on the hopper 13 by the opening / closing mechanism 30a are as follows. That is, in the state shown in FIG.
By the urging force of the first spring 48 applied to the rotating piece 43, the detergent outlet 2 is provided so that the cushion 40 is provided therebetween.
8 is closed.

The horizontal bar 44c abuts on the inclined outer surface of the rotary piece 43 when the shutter 41 is urged in the closing direction of the plug 29 by the urging force of the second spring 49 applied to the operation piece 45. It is in the closed state where it stops at the position where movement is restricted. In this closed state, a boundary 41 between the stopper 26 and the detergent outlet 28 is hidden by a shutter 41 provided with a minute gap below the lower end edge of the detergent outlet 28 closed by the stopper 29. It is in a state of being left.

By operating the opening / closing drive device 30 mainly composed of a motor (not shown) from the state shown in FIG. 6A, the driving force is applied to the operation of the opening / closing mechanism 30a as shown in FIG. 6B. The piece 45 is added in the direction of arrow p, and the second
The spring 49 is compressed. As a result, the shutter 41 rotates around the support shaft 48 in the direction of the arrow q to be in an open state,
A boundary X below the stopper 26 and the detergent outlet 28 hidden by the shutter 41 appears. At this time, the urging force of the first spring 48 in a state where the stopper 29 is closed is
Since the second spring 49 is larger than the compressive deformation force, the plug 29 remains closed even when the boundary X appears.

Then, the driving force of the opening / closing drive device 30 continues to be applied to the operation piece 45 in the direction of arrow p, and the second spring 49
6C, the rotating piece 43 starts rotating in the direction of the arrow p against the biasing force of the first spring 48 together with the operating piece 45, as shown in FIG. As a result, the stopper 29 rotates in the direction of arrow q to the predetermined position together with the shutter 41 in the open state, and the stopper 29 is opened, and the detergent outlet 2 is opened.
8 enables the delivery of the powder detergent.

The open state of the plug 29 is continued until the delivery of the predetermined amount of the powder detergent is completed. Then, when the delivery is completed, the shutter 41 and the stopper 29 start the rotation operation opposite to the above. . This pivoting operation is performed by the first spring 4
This is a turning operation of the turning piece 43 in the direction opposite to the arrow p by the urging force of 8, and the detergent outlet 28 is closed by the turning stopper 29 in the direction opposite to the arrow q.

After the detergent outlet 28 is closed, the rotation by the urging force of the second spring 49 starts, whereby the operating piece 45 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow p. Then, the shutter 4 is moved in the direction opposite to the arrow q.
1 rotates, a scraping operation near the lower end edge of the detergent outlet 28 is performed, and the boundary X between the stopper 26 and the lower side of the detergent outlet 28 is again moved by the shutter 41 as shown in FIG. It will be hidden.

Then, in the fully automatic washing machine 1 provided with the powder detergent input device 2 configured as described above, the washing process is performed under the control of a control unit (not shown). That is, a plurality of washing powder detergents are put into the powder detergent input device 2 and the laundry is put into the washing / dewatering tub 12.
Thereafter, the washing process is started by operating the operation panel 8. The stirrer in the washing and dewatering tub 12 rotates with the start, and the amount of the laundry is detected by measuring the number of rotations.

Subsequently, the water supply valve 34 is operated, and the water inlet 11
The water is supplied from a tap of the water supply to which is connected. The supplied water flows from the water supply valve 34 through the water channel 35 of the water injection case 32 and is injected until the water level reaches a level corresponding to the amount of laundry in the washing and dewatering tub 12. At this time, in the powder detergent introduction device 2, the detergent outlet 2 closed by the stopper 29 is used.
8, the lower boundary X is hidden by the shutter 41, and water may splash when the washing and dewatering tub 12 is filled with water during the washing and rinsing steps. Even so, the water is prevented from adhering to or near the detergent outlet 28.

Subsequently, in the powder detergent input device 2,
Washing and dewatering tank 1 for powder detergent automatically by control of control unit
2 is charged. That is, the motor 27 rotates to rotate the coiled detergent delivery body 22, the detergent stirring body 18, and the protection plate 20 to agitate the powder detergent in the hopper 13. Then, while rotating the coiled detergent delivery body 22 and the detergent stirring body 18, the driving force of the opening / closing drive device 30 is changed to the opening / closing mechanism 30.
a, the shutter 41 is changed from the closed state to the open state to reveal a boundary X portion below the detergent outlet 28,
From the closed state to the open state, and this open state is continued for a predetermined time.

As a result, a small amount of the powder detergent is gradually added to the detergent outlet 2.
From 8, a predetermined amount is sent into the flowing water channel 35 of the water injection case 32, and is poured into the washing and dewatering tub 12 while being dissolved in water. The delivery amount of the powder detergent at this time is an appropriate amount according to the detected amount of laundry, the degree of laundry contamination detected by a dirt sensor (not shown), the water temperature detected by a water temperature sensor (not shown), and the like. .

After an appropriate amount of powder detergent has been delivered by opening the stopper 29 for a predetermined time, the drive by the opening / closing drive device 30 which has maintained the opening of the stopper 29 is stopped, and the opening / closing mechanism 30a is provided. First of all, the urging force of the first spring 48 and the second spring 49 causes the detergent outlet 2 by the stopper 29.
8 is closed. Then, rotate the shutter 41,
At the time of feeding, the powder detergent, water-containing powder detergent and the like adhering to the lower edge portion of the detergent outlet 28 are scraped off by the one blade portion of the shutter 41. Then, the boundary X on the lower side of the stopper 29 and the detergent outlet 28 is hidden by the shutter 41 again.

In this way, an appropriate amount of powder detergent is charged, and after the water level in the washing and dewatering tub 12 reaches a predetermined water level, the washing process is started. Then, a washing step, a rinsing step, and a dehydration step are performed under the control of the control unit, and a series of washing steps is completed.

Each time the above washing process is repeated, water is injected into the washing and dewatering tub 12 and the powder detergent input device 2
From the washing and dewatering tub 12
At the time of water injection to the stopper 41 and the detergent outlet 2 by the shutter 41
The boundary X of 8 is hidden, preventing the water flowing in and around the detergent outlet 28 from being scattered and adhering. In addition, when the powder detergent is charged, the stopper 29 is used to close the detergent outlet 28. After closing, the shutter 41 is used to scrape off the powder detergent or water-containing powder detergent attached to the lower edge portion of the detergent outlet 28 before solidifying each time the detergent input operation is performed. Does not adhere to and adhere to the detergent outlet 28 to prevent the stopper 29 from being opened and closed, and from being unable to be reliably opened and closed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), after the powder detergent has been delivered from the detergent outlet 28 and, for example, wet powder detergent Y has adhered to the lower edge of the detergent outlet 28, the stopper 29 is removed. At the time of closing, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the wet powder detergent Y is removed before being fixed by the scraping operation of the shutter 41.

[0034]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent water from adhering to the detergent outlet and the vicinity thereof, and the shutter rotates to perform the detergent operation each time the detergent input operation is performed. Because it can be removed before it hardens, there is no danger that the adhering powder detergent will remain as it is and stick to it, making it impossible to open and close the stopper, and will not hinder the progress of the washing process. Play.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a main part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional front view of a main part in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a main part according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from below.

6A and 6B are views for explaining the operation of the main part in one embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 6A is a bottom view of the state where the stopper is closed and the shutter is closed, and FIG. FIG. 6C is a bottom view in a state where the stopper is opened and the shutter is opened.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the operation of removing the attached detergent in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state where the detergent is attached, and FIG. 7B is a diagram in which the detergent is scraped off. It is a figure showing a state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Hopper 17 ... Protrusion 18 ... Detergent stirring body 22 ... Coiled detergent delivery body 28 ... Detergent outlet 29 ... Plug 30 ... Opening / closing drive device 30a ... Opening / closing mechanism 41 ... Shutter X ... Boundary

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Murakami 991 Anada-cho, Seto-shi, Aichi F-term (in reference) 3B155 AA01 AA21 BB19 CA06 CB06 GA01 GA28 GB01 GB05 GB10 MA01 MA02

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A detergent container for storing a plurality of doses of powdered detergent, a detergent outlet formed at a lowermost portion of the detergent reservoir, a stopper provided so as to open and close the detergent outlet, A powder detergent feeding device for a washing machine having a coiled detergent delivery body for transferring the powder detergent in the direction of the detergent outlet by being horizontally disposed at the lower portion of the inside of the detergent storage container and following the opening and closing operation of the plug. A shutter is provided below the stopper so as to rotate and, when the detergent outlet is closed by the stopper, the boundary between the stopper and the stopper is hidden by the shutter positioned below the lower edge of the detergent outlet. A powder detergent input device for a washing machine, characterized in that: 2. The powder detergent introduction device for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the rotating operation of the shutter and the opening and closing operation of the stopper are performed by the same drive source. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rotation angle of the shutter is larger than the opening / closing angle of the stopper, and the shutter is moved from below the lower edge of the detergent outlet before the stopper starts to open the detergent outlet. The powder detergent input device for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: