JP2012011088A - Clothing processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clothing processor provided with a locking mechanism having a structure that performs, with a series of movement, an operation of releasing a lock by the locking mechanism and an operation of rotating a cover towards an opening position.SOLUTION: A clothing processor includes: a housing having an opening for introducing and extracting clothing; a door body that rotates between a closing position closing the opening and an opening position opening the opening; a locking mechanism for locking the door body at the closing position; and a knob section used for rotating the door body between the closing position and opening position. The door body rotatably supports the locking mechanism and the knob section. The locking mechanism releases a lock on the door body at the closing position in tandem with a rotation of the knob section when the door body is rotated from the closing position to the opening position.

Description

  The present invention relates to a clothing processing apparatus including a door body that closes and opens an opening for putting in and out clothing and a lock mechanism that locks the door body at a closed position.

  A clothing processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing (washing processing, dehydration processing, rinsing processing, and drying processing) on clothing such as a washing machine, a dryer, and a washing / drying machine is generally housed in a housing and the housing. And a processing tank (washing tank, dehydration tank, and drying tank). The treatment tank performs a predetermined treatment such as washing, rinsing, dehydration and drying by rotating. The casing is formed with an opening for putting clothes into and out of the processing tank.

  The washing machines disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 include a door body that is attached to a housing so as to be rotatable between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening. The door in the open position enables the laundry to be put into and taken out of the laundry tub. The door in the closed position isolates the rotating washing tub from the user and prevents the laundry from splashing out of the housing.

  The washing machine disclosed in the above document includes a lock mechanism for locking the door body at the closed position. The lock mechanism prevents unintentional rotation of the door body from the closed position to the open position.

  After releasing the lock by the lock mechanism, the user can hold the handle attached to the outer surface of the door body and rotate the door body from the closed position to the open position.

JP 2000-279679 A JP 2009-95529 A

  As described above, in order to rotate the door body of the conventional washing machine to the open position, an operation of releasing the lock by the lock mechanism and an operation of rotating the lid toward the open position are required. Such a two-step operation makes the user feel bothersome and induces a user's erroneous operation that the user tries to turn the door body toward the open position without unlocking the lock mechanism. . If the user tries to rotate the door body toward the open position, a user's mistaken operation may cause relatively high stress on the lock mechanism, the handle connected to the door body, and / or the door body. Causes damage.

  The above-mentioned problems related to breakage of the handle part and / or the door body are common to clothing processing apparatuses such as dryers and washing dryers.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has a structure that achieves an operation of releasing the lock by the lock mechanism and an operation of rotating the lid toward the open position in a series of operations. An object of the present invention is to provide a clothing processing apparatus including a lock mechanism.

  A clothing processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is provided between a housing in which an opening for taking in and out clothing is formed, a closed position for closing the opening, and an open position for opening the opening. A rotating door body, a lock mechanism for locking the door body at the closed position, and a handle portion used for rotating the door body between the closed position and the open position, The door body rotatably supports the lock mechanism and the handle portion, and in conjunction with the rotation of the handle portion when the door body is rotated from the closed position to the open position, The locking mechanism releases the lock on the door body at the closed position.

  According to the said structure, the user can put in and take out clothes through the opening part formed in the housing | casing. The door of the clothing processing apparatus rotates between a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening. The door located in the closed position suppresses the scattering of clothing outside the housing. Moreover, the door body in the open position allows clothes to be taken in and out. A handle portion used for rotating the door body between the closed position and the open position and a lock mechanism for locking the door body at the closed position are rotatably supported by the door body. The lock mechanism unlocks the door body at the closed position in conjunction with the rotation of the handle when the door body is rotated from the closed position to the open position. Thus, since the rotation of the handle portion when the door body is rotated toward the open position and the unlocking by the lock mechanism are achieved in conjunction with each other, the user can unlock the door body without unlocking the lock mechanism. The user's erroneous operation to rotate the lens toward the open position is preferably suppressed.

  In the above configuration, the housing is formed with a lock hole for locking the door body at the closed position in cooperation with the lock mechanism, and the door body can turn the handle portion. A support portion for supporting, and the lock mechanism is inserted into the lock hole when the door body is in the closed position, and a base end portion partially disposed between the support portion and the handle portion. And a distal end portion engaged with the housing, and when the door body is rotated from the closed position to the open position, the handle portion is the base end of the lock arm. By pressing the portion, the tip end portion of the lock arm is rotated from an engagement position engaging with the housing to a release position where the engagement with the housing is released, and the door body is By rotating from the closed position to the open position, Kuamu is preferably escapes from the lock hole.

  According to the above configuration, the housing is formed with the lock hole for locking the door body in the closed position in cooperation with the lock mechanism. The door body includes a support portion that rotatably supports the handle portion. The lock mechanism includes a lock arm including a distal end portion that is inserted into the lock hole and engages with the housing when the door body is in the closed position. The base end portion of the lock arm is partially disposed between the support portion and the handle portion. Therefore, when the door body is rotated from the closed position to the open position, the handle portion presses the base end portion of the lock arm. As a result, the distal end portion of the lock arm is rotated from the engagement position where it engages with the housing to the release position where the engagement with the housing is released. Thereafter, when the user rotates the door body from the closed position to the open position, the lock arm escapes from the lock hole. Therefore, an erroneous operation of the user who tries to turn the door body toward the open position without unlocking the lock mechanism is suitably suppressed.

  In the above configuration, the lock mechanism includes a shaft that rotatably supports the base end portion of the lock arm, and the distal end portion of the lock arm includes a protruding portion that protrudes in an outer peripheral direction of the door body. The projecting portion engages with the housing at the engagement position, and the handle portion presses the base end portion of the lock arm inward of the door body rather than the shaft. It is preferable that the base end portion of the shaft rotates around the shaft and the tip end portion of the lock arm moves inward of the door body to reach the release position.

  According to the above configuration, the base end portion of the lock arm is rotatably supported by the shaft. The distal end portion of the lock arm includes a protruding portion that protrudes in the outer peripheral direction of the door body. This protrusion engages with the housing at the engagement position. When the handle portion presses the proximal end portion of the lock arm inside the door body rather than the shaft, the proximal end portion of the lock arm rotates around the shaft. As a result, the tip of the lock arm moves inward of the door body and reaches the release position. Therefore, an erroneous operation of the user who tries to turn the door body toward the open position without unlocking the lock mechanism is suitably suppressed.

  In the above-described configuration, the apparatus further includes a detection unit that detects the position of the door body, and a treatment tank accommodated in the housing, and the door body includes a detection arm that protrudes with respect to the support unit, The housing is formed with a detection hole into which the detection arm is inserted when the door body is in the closed position, and the detection arm escapes from the detection hole when the door body is in the open position. The detection unit includes a first detection element that detects the presence / absence of the detection arm in the detection hole, and a control unit that controls a rotation operation of the processing tank based on the presence / absence of the detection arm in the detection hole; The control unit preferably stops the rotation of the processing tank when the detection arm is not present in the detection hole.

  According to the said structure, a detection arm protrudes with respect to the support part of a door body. When the door is in the closed position, the detection arm is inserted into a detection hole formed in the housing. When the door body is in the open position, the detection arm escapes from the detection hole. Thus, when the first detection element detects the presence / absence of the detection arm in the detection hole, the detection unit can detect the position of the door body. The control unit of the detection unit stops the rotation of the processing tank when there is no detection arm in the detection hole. Therefore, when the door body is in the open position, the rotation of the treatment tank is stopped, so that a clothing processing apparatus having high safety is provided.

  In the above configuration, the detection unit includes a second detection element that detects the presence or absence of the lock arm in the lock hole, the detection arm does not exist in the detection hole, and the lock hole includes the detection arm. When the lock arm exists, it is preferable that the control unit outputs information regarding breakage of the lock mechanism.

  According to the above configuration, the detection unit includes the second detection element that detects the presence or absence of the lock arm in the lock hole. When the detection arm is not present in the detection hole and the lock arm is present in the lock hole, the control unit outputs information regarding the breakage of the lock mechanism. Thus, the clothing processing apparatus is suppressed from being operated while the lock mechanism is broken, and a clothing processing apparatus having high safety is provided.

  In the above configuration, the detection arm is preferably provided integrally with the lock arm.

  According to the above configuration, since the detection arm is provided integrally with the lock arm, the detection arm is placed in a dynamic environment substantially equal to the lock arm. Therefore, the detection arm can easily maintain a state in which the stress generated in the detection arm is lower than that of the lock arm that engages with the housing. Therefore, since the detection arm is prevented from being broken earlier than the lock arm, the detection accuracy for the breakage of the lock mechanism is improved. Thus, the clothing processing apparatus is suppressed from being operated while the lock mechanism is broken, and a clothing processing apparatus having high safety is provided.

  As described above, the present invention can achieve an operation of releasing the lock by the lock mechanism and an operation of rotating the lid toward the open position in a series of operations.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing / drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the washing and drying machine shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing / drying machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the door of the washing / drying machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the door body shown in FIG. 4. It is the perspective view which looked at the door body shown by FIG. 4 from the inner surface side. It is a perspective view of the attachment ring of the door body shown by FIG. It is a perspective view of the attachment ring of the door body shown by FIG. It is a rough expanded sectional view of the door body in the circumference | surroundings of the handle part of the door body shown by FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic enlarged perspective view of a door body around the handle shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a schematic enlarged perspective view of a door body around the handle shown in FIG. 9. It is a schematic diagram which shows roughly the positional relationship between the handle part shown by FIG. 9, and a locking mechanism. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lock control unit that forms a lock hole formed in a housing of the washing / drying machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which illustrates the schematic structure of the detection part of the washing / drying machine shown by FIG. 15 is a flowchart schematically showing the operation of the detection unit shown in FIG. It is a rough expanded sectional view of the circumference | surroundings of the connection part between the door part and housing | casing of the washing / drying machine shown by FIG. It is a rough expanded sectional view of the circumference | surroundings of the connection part between the door part and housing | casing of the washing / drying machine shown by FIG. It is a general | schematic expansion | deployment perspective view of the door part for left opening.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that terms used in the following description, such as “up”, “down”, “left”, “right” and the like, are merely for the purpose of clarifying the explanation and do not limit the present invention. Not what you want.

(Configuration of clothing processing equipment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing / drying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the washing / drying machine shown in FIG. 1. In the following description, a laundry dryer is exemplified as a clothing processing apparatus, but the clothing processing apparatus may be a washing machine that does not have a drying function or a dryer that does not have a washing function.

  The washing / drying machine 100 includes a housing 200 and a door body 300. The housing 200 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 200 is disposed between the front wall 210 standing up and down, the back wall 220 opposite to the front wall 210, and between the front wall 210 and the back wall 220 and standing up and down. It includes a left side wall 230 and a right side wall 240, a top wall 250 that forms the upper surface of the housing 200, and a bottom wall 260 that forms the lower surface of the housing 200.

  The front wall 210 includes a lower wall 211 disposed below, a main wall 212 disposed above the lower wall 211, and an upper wall 213 disposed above the main wall 212. The main wall 212 and the upper wall 213 are inclined while being curved so as to approach the back wall 220 as it goes upward. In the present embodiment, the outer surface of the main wall 212 illustrates the first surface. Moreover, the outer surface of the back wall 220 illustrates the second surface.

  The main wall 212 includes an annular concave surface 214 that forms a concave region that is substantially complementary to the substantially disk-shaped door body 300. The concave surface 214 surrounds the opening 215 that penetrates substantially the center of the main wall 212. The opening 215 communicates with a washing / drying tank (described later) housed in the housing 200. The user can put clothes in and out of the housing 200 through the opening 215 (clothes and similar items). In the present embodiment, the washing / drying tank is exemplified by a treatment tank. When the clothing processing apparatus is a washing machine that does not have a drying function, a washing tub that performs processing such as washing, rinsing, and / or dehydration may be used as the processing tub. When the clothing processing apparatus is a dryer that does not have a washing function, a drying tank that stirs clothes and promotes drying may be used as the processing tank.

  The washer / dryer 100 includes a hinge structure 400 that rotatably connects the door 300 to the housing 200. The hinge structure 400 allows the door body 300 to rotate between a closed position where the opening 215 is closed and an open position where the opening 215 is opened. The door body 300 rotated to the closed position is accommodated in a concave region surrounded by the concave surface 214. The door body 300 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is in the open position.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing / drying machine 100 having the door 300 at the closed position. In addition to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the whole structure of the washing-drying machine 100 is further demonstrated, referring FIG. A structure other than the structure inside the housing 200 shown in FIG. 3 may be applied to the clothing processing apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a washing / drying tank 110 is disposed inside the housing 200. The washing / drying tank 110 includes a cylindrical water tank 111 having a bottom and a bottom end that is supported in a swingable manner within the housing 200, and a rotating drum 112 having a cylindrical shape having a bottom and a bottom that is rotatably supported in the water tank 111. Including. A motor 113 that rotates the rotary drum 112 is further disposed inside the housing 200. The motor 113 is attached to the bottom outer surface of the water tank 111. The opening of the water tank 111 is formed by a substantially cylindrical tube opening 114 protruding toward the door body 300 located at the closed position. A substantially cylindrical sealing member 115 is fitted into the tube opening 114.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the door body 300 includes a transparent window 310 having a substantially one-end-bottomed conical shape and a substantially disc-shaped support frame 320 that supports the window 310. As shown in FIG. 3, when the door body 300 is disposed at the closed position, the window 310 is inserted into the opening 215 formed in the housing 200 and is attached to the seal member 115 attached to the water tank 111. Press contact. Thus, a watertight seal structure is formed between the water tank 111 and the window 310. While the door 300 is in the closed position, the user can visually recognize the clothes in the washing / drying tub 110 through the transparent window 310. The surface of the door body 300 that faces the opening 215 and / or the concave surface 214 when the door body 300 is in the closed position is referred to as an inner surface 313.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the water tank 111 is formed with a discharge port 116 for discharging the washing liquid and an inflow port 117 into which the washing liquid flows. The washing liquid used for washing is circulated between the outlet 116 and the inlet 117 for use.

  Further, a water supply system 120 for supplying water into the water tank 111, a drainage system 130 for draining or circulating the washing liquid in the water tank 111, and hot air for drying the laundry are sent into the washing / drying tank 110. Contains a drying system 140. In addition, when the clothing processing apparatus is a washing machine that does not have a drying function, the drying system 140 is not required. In addition, when the clothing processing apparatus is a dryer that does not have a washing function, the water supply system 120 and the drainage system 130 may not be used.

  The drying system 140 includes a circulation line 142 having one end connected to the exhaust port 141 of the water tank 111, a ventilation hole for sending drying air from the bottom of the water tank 111, and an inside of the circulation line 142. And a blower 143 that causes air to flow in the circulation pipe 142. The drying system 140 includes a filter that collects dust and removes dust, a dehumidifying unit that dehumidifies the introduced air after dust removal, a heating unit that heats the air after dust removal and creates dry high-temperature air as necessary. May be included.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the washing / drying machine 100 includes an operation panel 500 disposed on the upper wall 213. The operation panel 500 allows the user to select the operation course mode and various functions of the washing / drying machine 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 500 includes a control circuit unit 510. The control circuit unit 510 displays information input by the user on a display unit included in the operation panel 500. Further, when the operation start of the washing / drying machine 100 is set through the operation panel 500, for example, a light used as a liquid level sensor for detecting the liquid level in the water tank 111 and a turbidity sensor for detecting the turbidity of the washing liquid. A detection signal is received from the sensor 131 or an electrode sensor 132 used as a conductivity sensor for detecting the conductivity of the washing liquid, and based on these detection signals, an electromagnetic valve included in the water supply system 120 and a drain valve 133 included in the drain system 130. Execute control for etc. The motor 113, the water supply system 120, the drainage system 130, and the drying system 140 are automatically controlled by the control circuit unit 510 in accordance with the mode setting and control program, and can execute the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydrating process, and the drying process. .

  As schematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the washing / drying machine 100 includes a lock mechanism 600 that locks the door 300 in the closed position. The control circuit unit 510 is used as a control element that controls a lock control unit (described later) that locks the door in the closed position in cooperation with the lock mechanism 600.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply system 120 includes a water supply pipe 121 connected to the water tank 111 and a detergent storage portion 122 that stores the detergent. As shown in FIG. 1, a cover 251 that closes the detergent container 122 is attached to the top wall 250 of the housing 200.

  The water supply system 120 shown in FIG. 3 can supply water to the water tank 111 in a timely manner through the water supply pipe 121 by the opening / closing operation of the solenoid valve (see solid line arrows in FIG. 3). In addition, the washing / drying machine 100 can use the water supply of the water supply system 120 to timely introduce the detergent in the detergent container 122 disposed partially across the water supply pipe 121 into the water tank 111. it can.

  The drainage system 130 is connected to the first pipe 134 having one end connected to the outlet 116 of the water tank 111 and the other end of the first pipe 134 and drainage control for receiving the washing liquid from the water tank 111. A unit 135 and a second pipe 137 extending between the circulation pump 136 and the water tank 111 provided in the drainage control unit 135 are included. The circulation pump 136 is fixed to a base plate 138 disposed in the housing 200. One end of the second pipe 137 is connected to the discharge port of the circulation pump 136, and the other end of the second pipe 137 is connected to the inlet 117 of the water tank 111. The water tank 111, the first pipe 134, the drainage control unit 135, and the second pipe 137 form a circulation path for the washing liquid. The circulation pump 136 causes the washing liquid to flow and circulate from the discharge port 116 toward the inflow port 117 in the circulation path.

  In addition to the circulation pump 136, the drainage control unit 135 includes an optical sensor 131 used as a turbidity sensor for detecting the turbidity of the washing liquid, an electrode sensor 132 used as a conductive sensor for detecting the conductivity of the washing liquid, and the washing liquid. Drainage pipe 139 for draining water to the outside, drainage valve 133 that is disposed in the middle of drainage pipe line 139 and opens and closes drainage pipe line 139 and lint contained in the washing liquid flowing in from first pipe line 134 The filter part 191 which collects (lint etc.) is included.

  The drain valve 133 is opened as necessary, for example, at the end of the washing process or at the end of the rinsing process. As a result, the washing water that has flowed into the drainage control unit 135 from the first pipeline 134 is subjected to lint removal processing through the filter unit 191 and then discharged to the outside.

  By closing the drain valve 133 and operating the circulation pump 136, the washing liquid existing in the water tank 111 flows into the drain control unit 135 through the first pipe 134. Thereafter, the washing liquid passes through the filter unit 191 disposed in the drainage control unit 135, and the dirt component is removed. After passing through the filter unit 191, the washing liquid flows into the circulation pump 136 through the suction line 192 connected to the suction port of the circulation pump 136 and is connected to the discharge port of the circulation pump 136. It returns to the water tank 111 through 137. While performing the washing process and the rinsing process, it is possible to improve the functions of the washing process and the rinsing process by repeating the circulation of the washing liquid as necessary.

  The rotation speed of the circulation pump 136 can be made variable. When the number of revolutions of the circulation pump 136 is set high (for example, 3500 rpm), the washing liquid that has flowed into the inlet 117 of the water tank 111 moves along a locus toward the inside of the rotating drum 112 (in FIG. 3, an arrow Fi). reference). On the other hand, when the number of rotations of the circulation pump 136 is set low (for example, 1000 rpm), the washing liquid that has flowed into the inflow port 117 of the water tank 111 is in a space formed between the rotary drum 112 and the water tank 111. Head (see arrow Fo in FIG. 3).

  For example, the circulation pump 136 is rotated at a low speed at the start of at least one of a washing process and a rinsing process. As a result, it is possible to prevent the unconcentrated detergent at the end of washing or the high-concentration softening agent immediately after the softening agent from being poured into the laundry in the rotating drum 112.

  The washing liquid that has flowed into the space between the rotary drum 112 and the water tank 111 is discharged from the discharge port 116 to the drainage system 130 and returns to the inlet 117 of the water tank 111 again (circulation process in the water tank). By repeating the circulation process in the water tank, the detergent is completely dissolved, and the concentration of the softening agent is made uniform. As a result, it becomes possible to avoid problems such as stains on the laundry caused by undissolved detergent and high-concentration softening agent.

  It is preferable that the water tank circulation step is set, for example, about 10 seconds after the water supply step of the washing step and / or the rinsing step. Alternatively, for example, when a liquid level of about 40 mm is detected from the lower end of the water tank 111, the water tank circulation process is preferably started. As a result, it is possible to avoid the operation of the circulation pump 136 when the washing liquid is not sufficiently filled in the circulation pump 136. Thereby, abnormal noise such as foaming noise of the circulation pump 136, abnormal temperature of the circulation pump 136 due to an insufficient amount of washing liquid, and operation of the circulation pump 136 under the abnormal temperature can be avoided.

  The washer / dryer 100 may further include a pump for supplying bath water to the water tank 111. In this case, it is preferable that the water tank circulation step is performed after the bath water is supplied to the water tank by the bath water supply pump. As a result, the bath water supply pump and the circulation pump 136 do not operate simultaneously, and it is possible to prevent the generation of loud noise that makes the user uncomfortable.

  The washing / drying machine 100 can set a reserved operation by operating the operation panel 500. When the washing / drying machine 100 is reserved, the water tank circulation step is preferably performed, for example, for a period twice as long as normal. As a result, it is possible to sufficiently dissolve the detergent that has solidified during the reservation standby (the period from when the reservation is set to when the laundry dryer 100 actually starts operating). As a result, sufficient cleaning power can be obtained during the reserved operation, and the problem of remaining detergent can be avoided.

  The washing / drying machine 100 may include a temperature sensor as necessary. Depending on the temperature of the wash water measured using the temperature sensor, the length of the water tank circulation step may be changed. For example, when the temperature sensor detects the temperature of 5 ° C. washing water, for example, a water tank circulation step twice as long as when the temperature of 20 ° C. washing water is detected can be executed. This makes it possible to sufficiently dissolve the detergent even at a low water temperature.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the washing / drying machine 100 includes a handle 700 attached to the support frame 320 of the door body 300 adjacent to the lock mechanism 600. The user can grip the handle portion 700 protruding from the support frame 320 and rotate the door body 300 between the closed position and the open position.

(Door structure)
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the door body 300. FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the door body 300. In addition to FIG.4 and FIG.5, the door body 300 is demonstrated, referring FIG. 1 as needed.

  As described above, the door body 300 includes the window portion 310 and the support frame 320. The window 310 is made of glass and is formed in a substantially trapezoidal cone shape. The leading wall 311 inserted first into the opening 215 (see FIG. 1) when the door 300 is rotated to the closed position is the support frame 320. It is formed with a smaller diameter than the circular space surrounded by the substantially circular edge 312 connected to. As described above, the seal member 115 abuts on the substantially annular inclined wall 314 extending from the substantially circular leading wall 311 to the edge 312 (see FIG. 4).

  The support frame 320 includes a substantially annular attachment ring 321, a substantially disc-shaped cover disk 322 that covers the attachment ring 321 from the outside, and a substantially annular edge ring 323 that fits the outer periphery of the cover disk 322. The surface of the cover disk 322 has a curved surface that is substantially the same as the curved main wall 212, and is curved along the main wall 212, so that the cleaning property is excellent. In addition to the window 310, the handle 700, the lock mechanism 600, and the hinge structure 400 are attached to the attachment ring 321. The hinge structure 400 and the lock mechanism 600 are disposed at positions substantially along a horizontal line along the diameter of the door body 300. As shown in FIG. 1, the hinge structure 400 and the lock mechanism 600 are respectively disposed at substantially both ends of the diameter of the door body 300. The handle 700 is disposed adjacent to the lock mechanism 600 and above the lock mechanism 600.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the support frame 320 further includes a substantially annular holding ring 324. The holding ring 324 clamps the edge 312 of the window 310 in cooperation with the mounting ring 321. The attachment ring 321 and the pressing ring 324 are used as a support portion that supports the handle portion 700, the lock mechanism 600, and the hinge structure 400.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the holding ring 324 has a substantially L-shaped cross section. The flat surface 325 of the holding ring 324 and the surface of the leading wall 311 of the window 310 that face inward of the housing 200 when the door 300 is in the closed position form an inner surface 313 of the door 300. An inclined surface 326 extending inclined from the flat surface 325 of the pressing ring 324 toward the attachment ring 321 forms a part of the peripheral edge of the door body 300.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the concave surface 214 of the housing 200 has a connection surface 216 that faces the flat surface 325 of the holding ring 324 when the door body 300 is in the closed position, and a door surface 300 that is in the closed position. It includes an inclined surface 326 of the pressing ring 324 and an opposing surface 217 that faces the inclined surface 326. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the facing surface 217 faces the outer peripheral edge of the door body 300. As shown in FIG. 5, the hinge structure 400 includes a first connection member 410 and a second connection member 420. As shown in FIG. 1, the first connection member 410 is connected to the connection surface 216. The second connecting member 420 is connected to the surface 327 of the mounting ring 321 that faces the pressing ring 324 (see FIG. 5).

(Hinge mechanism structure)
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the door body 300 from the inner surface 313 side. Note that the holding ring 324 and the handle 700 are removed from the door body 300 shown in FIG. 7 and 8 are perspective views of the attachment ring 321 to which the hinge structure 400, the lock mechanism 600, and the handle 700 are attached. 7 and 8 are drawn from different angles. The structure of the hinge structure 400 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The hinge structure 400 includes a pair of arm pieces 430 projecting from the first rigid connection member 410 made of a substantially crescent-shaped zinc alloy attached to the connection surface 216 toward the second connection member 420, and a pair of arm pieces A support shaft portion 440 having both ends supported by 430 and a torsion coil spring 450 surrounding the support shaft portion 440 between the pair of arm pieces 430 are included. The torsion coil spring 450 exemplifies a biasing member that is penetrated by the support shaft portion 440 and biases the door body 300 toward the open position via the first connection member 410 and the second connection member 420. In addition, when the opening angle of the door body 300 is set to the closing position of 0 degrees, the door body 300 is urged toward the opening position when the opening angle is 30 degrees or more. In the range up to 30 degrees, the door body 300 is set to be in the closing direction. When the opening angle is 30 degrees or less, when the user releases the hand from the door body 300, the door body 300 is closed little by little. The door body 300 is stopped in the vicinity of the closing position, and the door body 300 is prevented from opening when the user releases the hand from the door body 300. The pair of arm pieces 430 supports the support shaft portion 440 at a position separated from the first connection member 410 attached to the connection surface 216. The second connection member 420 includes a connection piece 422 formed by bending and squeezing a galvanized steel plate and having a high rigidity and having an opening 421 that fits with the end of the support shaft 440. The stainless steel support shaft portion 440 is rotatably fitted in the opening 421 of the connection piece 422. Thus, the support shaft portion 440 rotatably supports the second connecting member 420 connected to the door body 300, so that the door body 300 is rotatably attached to the housing 200 via the hinge structure 400. It will be. Note that the arm piece 430 is preferably made of metal, and the arm piece 430 is made of metal having high steel, so that the door body 300 can be reliably held even if the hinge structure 400 is downsized. In this embodiment, the arm piece 430 is formed by casting a zinc alloy, but may be formed of other metals. Further, the second connection member is formed by bending a metal steel plate, and, in combination with the arm piece 430, reliably holds the heavy door body 300 having the glass window 310.

  The holding ring 324 is formed with a substantially rectangular notch 328 through which the arm piece 430 is inserted. Thus, the second connection member 420 disposed inside the door body 300 and the first connection member 410 disposed outside the door body 300 are suitably coupled.

(Structure of the handle)
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the outer edge region of the surface 327 of the mounting ring 321 facing the pressing ring 324 is a substantially flat limiting surface that forms a recessed region that is recessed so that the handle 700 can be accommodated. 329 and a concave side 331. When the door 300 is in the closed position, the restriction surface 329 faces the connection surface 216 (see FIG. 1) of the housing 200.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washer / dryer 100 around the handle 700. Note that the door body 300 shown in FIG. 9 exists in the closed position. The handle portion 700 will be described in conjunction with FIGS. 5 to 9 with reference to FIG. 1 as necessary.

  The handle 700 includes a first piece 710 disposed between an exterior body including the attachment ring 321, the cover disk 322, and the edge ring 323 and a connection surface 216 that forms the concave surface 214, and an opposing surface that forms the concave surface 214. And a second piece 720 curved in a direction away from the surface 217. The first piece 710 is located between the restriction surface 329 and the housing 200 while the door 300 is in the closed position. The second piece 720 includes an exposed piece 721 that appears on the outer surface of the housing 200 when the door 300 is in the closed position, and a connecting piece 722 that connects the exposed piece 721 and the first piece 710. As shown in FIG. 6, a notch 332 is formed on the periphery of the pressing ring 324. The notch 332 is recessed toward the center of the door body 300. The connection piece 722 along the periphery of the door body 300 protrudes outward of the housing 200 through the notch 332. When the door 300 is in the closed position, a gap of about 20 mm is provided between the exposed piece 721 and the housing 200 so that the user's finger can easily enter this gap. Moreover, the exposed piece 721 extends about 20 mm from the vicinity of the outer periphery of the door 300, and can rotate the handle 700 and an insertion piece 190 described later with a small force. In addition, the exposed piece 721 is easy to see from the front and easy to operate, and the first piece is located on the back side of the door body 300 and does not hide the door body 300 and the edge ring 323, so that the design is high.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of support shaft portions 711 protrude from both side edges of the first piece 710. The support shaft portion 711 is rotatably supported by the concave side surface 331. Thus, the first piece 710 is rotatably supported by the attachment ring 321. Note that the first piece 710 disposed between the attachment ring 321 and the pressing ring 324 may be rotatably supported by the pressing ring 324.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the surface 333 of the mounting ring 321 facing the first piece 710 and the edge surface 334 of the outer periphery of the mounting ring 321 facing the first piece 710 in the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the mounting ring 321 are substantially the same. The above-described limiting surface 329 is formed to be flush with each other.

  The user can pick or grip the exposed piece 721 of the second piece 720 and rotate the door body 300 from the closed position to the open position. At this time, the first piece 710 rotatably supported by the mounting ring 321 rotates so as to approach the restriction surface 329. Thereafter, the first piece 710 comes into contact with the restriction surface 329, and the rotation of the first piece 710 is restricted. For example, a torsion coil spring may be attached to the support shaft portion 711, and the handle portion 700 may be biased in a direction in which the first piece 710 is separated from the limiting surface 329.

(Lock mechanism)
10 and 11 are enlarged perspective views of the door body 300 around the lock mechanism 600. FIG. 10 and 11, the door body 300 is drawn from different angles. The locking mechanism 600 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 10, and 11 as necessary in combination with FIGS. 7 and 8.

  The lock mechanism 600 includes a lock arm 610. The lock arm 610 forms an insertion piece 190 together with the detection arm 810 provided alongside the lock arm 610. The detection arm 810 formed integrally with the lock arm 610 is used to detect the position of the door body 300. The washing / drying machine 100 can detect that the door body 300 is in the open position or the door body 300 is in the closed position by using the detection arm 810.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a substantially rectangular opening 335 is formed in the pressing ring 324. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the lock arm 610 and the detection arm 810 protrude from the support frame 320 through the opening 335 formed in the pressing ring 324.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the lock mechanism 600 includes a shaft 620 for rotatably supporting the insertion piece 190, and a torsion coil spring 630 wound around the shaft 620. The attachment ring 321 includes a pair of ribs 336 that protrude toward the pressing ring 324. A notch 337 is formed in each of the pair of ribs 336. Both end portions of the shaft 620 are inserted into the notch portion 337, and the shaft 620 is rotatably connected to the attachment ring 321. The insertion piece 190 is rotatably connected to the shaft 620 via a torsion coil spring 630. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the insertion piece 190 rotates around the shaft 620 between an engagement position and a release position. When the insertion piece 190 rotates toward the outer edge of the door body 300, the distal end of the insertion piece 190 moves toward the engagement position where the door body 300 is locked. When the insertion piece 190 rotates toward the center of the door body 300, the tip of the insertion piece 190 moves to a release position where the lock of the door body 300 is released. The torsion coil spring 630 biases the insertion piece 190 toward the engagement position.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a positional relationship between the handle portion 700 and the insertion piece 190. The locking mechanism 600 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 10 to 12 as necessary in conjunction with FIGS. 7 and 8.

  The insertion piece 190 includes a base plate 611 having a substantially rectangular plate shape. The base end plate 611 is used as a common base end portion of the lock arm 610 and the detection arm 810, and the lock arm 610 and the detection arm 810 protrude from the base end plate 611. The shaft 620 passes through the proximal end plate 611. A distal end 612 of the lock arm 610 is formed in a bowl shape and protrudes toward the outer peripheral edge of the door body 300. The width of the base end plate 611 is larger than the width of the opening 335. Even if the lock mechanism 600 is disengaged inside the door body 300, the lock mechanism 600 stays in the door body 300, and the door This prevents the lock mechanism 600 from remaining in the lock hole 218 even when the body 300 is in the open position.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the corners of the base end plate 611 (the corners closer to the center of the door 300 than the rotation center axis C1 (corresponding to the shaft 620) of the insertion piece 190) are connected to the mounting ring 321. , Between the first piece 710 of the handle 700. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the door body 300 is rotated from the closed position to the open position, the handle portion 700 is arranged so that the first piece 710 approaches the restriction surface 329 formed on the mounting ring 321. It is rotated. As a result, the corner portion of the base end plate 611 is pressed by the first piece 710 inside the door body 300 relative to the shaft 620, and the distal end portion 612 of the lock arm 610 is released from the release position (ie, the door body 300. Move inward).

  As shown in FIG. 1, a substantially rectangular lock hole 218 and a detection hole 219 are formed on the connection surface 216 of the housing 200. A lock control unit 640 is disposed inside the housing 200 (see FIG. 5). The lock control unit 640 is fixed to the inner surface of the housing 200. The lock control unit 640 incorporated in the housing 200 forms a lock hole 218 and a detection hole 219. Note that the lock hole 218 and the detection hole 219 may be formed as one opening, or may be partitioned from each other by the wall portion of the housing 200. The lock control unit 640 is controlled by the control circuit unit 510.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the lock control unit 640. 13 (a) to 13 (c) show the operation of the lock control unit 640 continuously. The right diagrams of FIGS. 13A to 13C show the lock arm 610 inserted into the lock control unit 640. The left diagrams of FIGS. 13A to 13C show the detection arm 810 inserted into the lock control unit 640. The lock control unit 640 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 10, and 11 as needed in conjunction with FIG. 13.

  As described above, the lock control unit 640 attached to the inner surface of the housing 200 forms the lock hole 218 on the housing 200. The distal end 612 of the lock arm 610 is inserted into the lock hole 218. The lock control unit 640 forms a detection hole 219 on the housing 200. When the door body 300 is in the closed position, the tip of the detection arm 810 is inserted into the detection hole 219.

  The lock control unit 640 includes a housing 641 that houses circuits and components for achieving the operation of the lock control unit 640, and a lock box 642 disposed inside the housing 641. The lock box 642 forms a common internal space that houses the distal end portion 612 of the lock arm 610 and the distal end portion of the detection arm 810 in the housing 641.

  The position of the lock box 642 shown in FIG. 13A is referred to as a permission position. When the lock box 642 is in the permission position, the lock arm 610 and the detection arm 810 can escape from the lock hole 218 and the detection hole 219, respectively, by the door body 300 being rotated from the closed position to the open position. It is. The position of the lock box 642 shown in FIG. 13C is referred to as a non-permitted position. When the lock box 642 is in the non-permitted position, the distal end portion 612 of the lock arm 610 is engaged with the housing 641 of the lock control unit 640 and / or the housing 200 of the washer / dryer 100, so 300 cannot be rotated from the closed position to the open position. The position of the lock box 642 shown in FIG. 13B is referred to as an intermediate position. When the lock box 642 is in the intermediate position, the internal space of the lock box 642 partially communicates with the lock hole 218 and the detection hole 219. When the door 300 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the distal end portion 612 of the lock arm 610 and the distal end portion of the detection arm 810 enter the internal space of the lock box 642 through the lock hole 218 and the detection hole 219. be able to. At this time, the lock box 642 instantaneously moves to the permission position shown in FIG. 13A by contacting the tip 612 of the lock arm 610. The gentle curved shape of the distal end 612 of the lock arm 610 facilitates the lock arm 610 to enter the lock box 642 and to move the lock box 642 to the permitted position instantaneously. Thereafter, the lock box 642 returns to the intermediate position by the urging force to the engagement position with respect to the lock arm 610 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). When the lock box 642 is in the intermediate position, the distal end 612 of the lock arm 610 is lightly engaged with the housing 641 of the lock control unit 640 and / or the housing 200 of the washer / dryer 100.

  The housing 641 accommodates a drive source (not shown: for example, a solenoid switch or a spring) for moving the lock box 642. The control circuit unit 510 controls, for example, a solenoid switch to move the lock box 642 in the housing 641 between the intermediate position and the non-permitted position. For example, when the user operates the operation panel 500 (see FIG. 1) and tries to rotate the washing / drying tank 110 (for example, for the washing process, the rinsing process, and the drying process), the control circuit unit 510 The lock box 642 is moved to the non-permitted position. When the washing process, the rinsing process, and the drying process are completed and the rotation of the washing / drying tank 110 is stopped, the control circuit unit 510 moves the lock box 642 to the intermediate position.

  When the lock box 642 moves from the intermediate position to the non-permitted position, the distal end portion 612 of the lock arm 610 is pushed against the inner surface of the lock box 642. As a result, the lock arm 610 rotates around the shaft 620. At this time, the detection arm 810 formed integrally with the lock arm 610 via the base end plate 611 rotates around the shaft 620 that penetrates the insertion piece 190 together with the lock arm 610. When the lock box 642 reaches the non-permitted position, the hook-like protruding portion of the distal end 612 of the lock arm 610 is completely engaged with the casing 641 of the lock control unit 640 and / or the casing 200 of the washer / dryer 100. To do. At this time, even if the user grips the second piece 720 of the handle portion 700 and tries to rotate the handle portion 700 so that the first piece 710 approaches the restriction surface 329, the lock control unit 640 is not locked. Keep the 642 disallowed position. Therefore, the user cannot rotate the door 300 to the open position. Thus, the lock hole 218 cooperates with the lock arm 610 to lock the door body 300 in the closed position.

  After the lock box 642 is moved to the intermediate position under the control of the control circuit unit 510, the user grips the second piece 720 of the handle unit 700 so that the first piece 710 approaches the restriction surface 329. When the handle portion 700 is rotated, the distal end portion 612 of the lock arm 610 moves toward the release position. At this time, the tip 612 of the lock arm 610 contacts the inner surface of the lock box 642, and the lock box 642 moves to the permitted position. Thereafter, when the door body 300 is rotated to the open position, the lock arm 610 and the detection arm 810 escape from the lock hole 218 and the detection hole 219, respectively. Thus, the lock arm 610 of the lock mechanism 600 can unlock the door body 300 in the closed position in conjunction with the rotation of the first piece 710 approaching the restriction surface 329.

(Detector)
FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of a detection unit for detecting the position of the door body 300. The detection unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 13 in conjunction with FIG.

  The detection unit 800 includes a first detection element 820 that detects the presence or absence of the detection arm 810 in the lock box 642 (that is, the detection hole 219). The first detection element 820 may be any element capable of detecting the presence or absence of a transmission type optical sensor attached to the lock box 642, a push button type switch element, or the detection arm 810 in the lock box 642. Good. When a transmission type optical sensor is used as the first detection element 820, the detection arm inserted into the lock box 642 is blocked by the optical path of the optical sensor being blocked by the detection arm 810 inserted into the lock control unit 640. 810 is detected. When a push button type switch element is used as the first detection element 820, the detection arm inserted into the lock box 642 by the detection arm 810 inserted into the lock control unit 640 pressing the switch element. 810 is detected.

  The detection unit 800 includes a second detection element 830 that detects the presence or absence of the lock arm 610 in the lock box 642 (that is, the lock hole 218). The second detection element 830 may be any element capable of detecting the presence or absence of the transmission type optical sensor attached to the lock box 642, the push button type switch element, or the lock arm 610 in the lock box 642. Good. When a transmissive optical sensor is used as the second sensing element 830, the lock arm inserted into the lock box 642 is blocked by the optical path of the optical sensor being blocked by the lock arm 610 inserted into the lock control unit 640. 610 is detected. When a push button type switch element is used as the second detection element 830, the lock arm 610 inserted into the lock control unit 640 presses the switch element, and thus the lock arm inserted into the lock box 642 is used. 610 is detected.

  The control circuit unit 510 shown in FIG. 3 may be used as a part of the detection unit 800. The control circuit unit 510 includes a determination unit 511 and a control unit 512. Detection signals from the first detection element 820 and the second detection element 830 are input to the determination unit 511. Further, the operation information input to the operation panel 500 may be output to the determination unit 511. The determination unit 511 determines the state of the door 300 based on detection signals from the first detection element 820 and the second detection element 830 and outputs the determination result to the control unit 512.

  The detection unit 800 may include a warning unit 840 for notifying the user that an abnormality (for example, breakage of the lock mechanism 600) exists in the door 300. As the warning unit 840, for example, a buzzer for notifying the abnormality of the door body 300 with sound or a lamp for notifying the abnormality of the door body 300 with light may be used. When the determination unit 511 determines that the door body 300 is abnormal, the control unit 512 outputs a signal including information regarding the abnormality of the door body 300 to the warning unit 840. Thereafter, the warning unit 840 notifies the user of the abnormality of the door body 300. The determination unit 511 further outputs a determination result regarding the position of the door 300 (closed position or open position) to the control unit 512. When the door 300 is in the closed position, the control unit 512 outputs an operation signal to the motor 113 that rotates the washing / drying tub 110 according to the operation panel 500 (see FIG. 1) by the user, and rotates the motor 113. On the other hand, when the door 300 is in the open position, the controller 512 does not output an operation signal to the motor 113 that rotates the washing / drying tub 110 regardless of the operation panel 500 (see FIG. 1) by the user. Thus, the rotation of the washing / drying tank 110 is stopped while the door 300 is in the open position. In addition, when the door 300 is in the open position, when the user performs an operation on the operation panel 500 to rotate the washing / drying tub 110, the warning unit 840 indicates that the door 300 is in the open position. A signal may be output. As a result, the warning unit 840 outputs sound and light for notifying the user that the door 300 is in the open position.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart schematically illustrating the operation of the detection unit 800. The operation of the detection unit 800 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15.

  The user inputs operation information for causing the washing / drying machine 100 to perform a desired operation through the operation panel 500 (S100). The determination unit 511 determines the position of the door 300 based on the detection signal from the first detection element 820 (S110). When the detection signal from the first detection element 820 includes information indicating that the detection arm 810 exists in the lock box 642, the determination unit 511 determines that the door 300 is in the closed position. When the detection signal from the first detection element 820 includes information indicating that the detection arm 810 is not present in the lock box 642, the determination unit 511 determines that the door 300 is in the open position.

  After determining that the door 300 is in the closed position, the determination unit 511 determines whether or not the operation information input to the operation panel 500 includes information for requesting rotation of the washing / drying tub 110 (S120). When the determination unit 511 determines that the operation information input to the operation panel 500 includes information requesting the rotation of the washing / drying tub 110, the control unit 512 operates the motor 113 based on the determination result, and according to the operation information. The washing / drying tank 110 is rotated (S130). When the determination unit 511 determines that the operation information input to the operation panel 500 does not include information requesting the rotation of the washing / drying tub 110, the control unit 512 performs an operation other than the rotation of the washing / drying tub 110 according to the operation information. Is controlled to cause the washing / drying machine 100 to execute (S140).

  After determining that the door 300 is in the open position, the determination unit 511 determines whether the detection signal from the second detection element 830 includes information indicating that the lock arm 610 is present in the lock box 642. (S150). When the detection signal from the second detection element 830 indicates that the lock arm 610 is not present in the lock box 642, the determination unit 511 indicates that the operation information input to the operation panel 500 is the rotation of the washing / drying tank 110. It is determined whether or not the information requesting is included (S160). When the determination unit 511 determines that the operation information input to the operation panel 500 does not include information requesting the rotation of the washing / drying tub 110, the control unit 512 performs an operation other than the rotation of the washing / drying tub 110 according to the operation information. Is controlled to cause the washing / drying machine 100 to execute (S140). If the determination unit 511 determines that the operation information input to the operation panel 500 includes information requesting the rotation of the washing / drying tub 110, the control unit 512 opens the door 300 instead of rotating the washing / drying tub 110. A signal including information indicating the presence of the position is output to the warning unit 840. Thereafter, the warning unit 840 notifies the user that the door 300 is in the open position, and prompts the user to rotate the door 300 to the closed position (S170). The determination unit 511 again determines the position of the door 300 (S110).

  When the determination unit 511 outputs a determination result that the detection signal from the second detection element 830 indicates that the lock arm 610 is present in the lock box 642, the control unit 512 causes the lock mechanism 600 to be damaged. A signal including information indicating this is output to the warning unit 840. Thereafter, the warning unit 840 notifies the user that the lock mechanism 600 is broken (S180). As a result, replacement of the lock mechanism 600 is prompted.

(Connection structure between door and housing)
16 and 17 are schematic enlarged views of a connecting portion between the door body 300 and the housing 200. FIG. The door 300 shown in FIG. 16 is in the closed position. The door body 300 shown in FIG. 17 exists in an open position. The connection structure between the door body 300 and the housing 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

  As described above, the door body 300 is connected to the housing 200 via the hinge structure 400. The first connection member 410 of the hinge structure 400 is made of zinc alloy and is connected to the connection surface 216 of the housing 200. The second connection member 420 is formed by bending and squeezing a galvanized steel plate, has high rigidity, and is connected to the attachment ring 321. The arm piece 430 that protrudes from the first connection member 410 toward the second connection member 420 supports the support shaft portion 440 at a position spaced from the first connection member 410 and / or the connection surface 216. The support shaft 440 made of stainless steel is held at a position protruding from the concave region formed by the concave surface 214. The outer edge of the cover disk 322 and the edge ring 323 form a curved edge portion 338 formed so as to partially surround the support shaft portion 440.

  The outer edge 423 of the second connecting member 420 is rotated by the rotation of the door body 300, and the outer edge 423 is in contact with the receiving edge 433 of the arm piece 430 to limit the rotation of the door body 300. Further, the outer edge of the arm 430 has a curved edge 431 so that the distal end portion 339 can enter as the door body 300 rotates. As shown in FIG. 16, the curved edge 431 curves toward the center of the door 300 at the closed position (that is, curves in a direction away from the facing surface 217). When the door body 300 is rotated to the open position, the leading end 339 of the curved edge 338 enters the curved edge 431. In the present embodiment, the distal end portion 339 of the curved edge portion 338 is made of resin and corresponds to the edge portion of the edge ring 323. Thus, the outer edge 423 is in contact with the receiving edge 433 of the arm piece 430, thereby restricting the rotation of the door body 300 rotated from the closed position and defining the open position at a predetermined position.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when the door body 300 is in the closed position, the distal end portion 339 of the curved edge portion 338 has an opposing surface 217 and an arm piece 430 that form raised bank portions 221 at the left and right side edges of the main wall 212. Located between and. It is preferable that the distance (shortest distance) between the front-end | tip part 339 of the curved edge part 338 and the opposing surface 217 is 5 mm or less. Therefore, the gap width between the arm piece 430 and the facing surface 217 is narrowed by the distal end portion 339 of the curved edge portion 338. Further, the distal end portion 339 of the curved edge portion 338 enters the concave region formed by the concave surface 214 and is located closer to the virtual plane P along the connection surface 216 than the support shaft portion 440.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the curved edge 431 of the arm piece 430 forms a space R for the distal end portion 339 of the curved edge portion 338 to move with the facing surface 217. When the door body 300 rotates between the closed position and the open position, the distal end portion 339 of the curved edge portion 338 moves in the space R. When the door body 300 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the distal end portion 339 of the curved edge portion 338 moves while drawing an arc locus toward the curved edge 431. When the door body 300 reaches the open position, the tip end portion 339 of the curved edge 338 does not contact the curved edge 431. Thereby, when the door body 300 reaches | attains an open position, there is no possibility that the resin front-end | tip parts 339 may contact | abut to the metal curved edge 431, and may be damaged. In the present embodiment, the distal end 339 of the curved edge 338 is brought into contact with the curved edge 431 even after the door 300 is rotated 90 ° from the closed position (for example, when the door 300 is rotated 105 ° from the closed position). First, the outer edge 423 of the second connection member 420 abuts on the receiving edge 433 of the arm piece 430 to restrict the rotation of the door body 300.

  With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 again, the connection between the door body 300 and the housing 200 will be further described.

  FIG. 2 shows a vertical line V and an inclined line L inclined from the vertical line V by an angle θ. 2 also shows a vertical line V0 passing through the center of the opening 215 formed in the housing 200. FIG. The inclined line L is an imaginary line passing through the central axis of the support shaft portion 440 of the hinge structure 400 attached to the housing 200.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the support shaft portion 440 includes a first end 441 and a second end 442 opposite to the first end 441. On the inclined line L shown in FIG. 2, the first end 441 is located above the second end 442. Further, on the inclined line L shown in FIG. 2, the second end 442 is disposed at a position closer to the vertical line V0 than the first end 441. Thus, the door body 300 in the open position tries to keep the open position by the gravitational action.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first connection member 410 of the hinge structure 400 is connected to the connection surface using, for example, a screw 411 (or other fixing device suitable for attaching the first connection member 410 to the connection surface 216). 216 is fixed. Therefore, the connection surface 216 is formed with a mounting hole extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the connection surface 216. The position of the mounting hole is such that the window 310 protruding from the holding ring 324 of the door 300 rotated 90 ° from the closed position is a central axis of the mounting hole (virtual line extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the connection surface 216). It is preferable that it is determined not to be positioned above. Thus, the door 300 is appropriately connected to the housing 200 without being obstructed by the window 310.

  FIG. 18 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a left opening door. The washing / drying machine 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17 includes a door 300 for opening right. The door for left opening will be described while comparing FIG. 18 and FIG.

  The arm piece 430 and the support shaft portion 440 supported by the arm piece 430 are preferably formed at substantially the center position of the arc drawn by the first connecting member 410. Thus, the door member 300A for left opening can share the parts other than the attachment ring 321A with the door member 300 for right opening.

  The present invention is suitably used for a washing machine, a dryer, and a laundry dryer.

100... Washing and drying machine 110... Washing and drying tank 200... ··········································································· Detecting holes 300 and 300A 512... Control unit 600... Lock mechanism 610... Lock arm 611. Base end plate 612 ... Lock arm tip 620 ... Shaft 700 ... Handle 800 ... ... Detector 810 ... Detector arm 820 ... First detector element 830 ... Second detector element

Claims (6)

A housing in which an opening for taking in and out clothing is formed;
A door that rotates between a closed position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening;
A locking mechanism for locking the door body at the closed position;
A handle portion used for rotating the door body between the closed position and the open position;
The door body rotatably supports the lock mechanism and the handle part,
In conjunction with the rotation of the handle when the door body is rotated from the closed position to the open position, the lock mechanism releases the lock on the door body at the closed position. Clothing processing equipment. In the case, in cooperation with the lock mechanism, a lock hole for locking the door body at the closed position is formed,
The door body includes a support portion that rotatably supports the handle portion,
The lock mechanism is inserted into the lock hole when the door body is in the closed position and a base end portion partially disposed between the support portion and the handle portion, and is attached to the housing. A locking arm including an engaging tip,
When the door body is rotated from the closed position to the open position, the handle portion presses the base end portion of the lock arm, so that the distal end portion of the lock arm is engaged with the housing. Rotated from the mating engagement position to the release position where the engagement with the housing is released,
The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lock arm escapes from the lock hole when the door body is rotated from the closed position to the open position. The lock mechanism includes a shaft that rotatably supports the base end of the lock arm,
The distal end portion of the lock arm includes a projecting portion projecting in the outer peripheral direction of the door body
The protrusion engages with the housing at the engagement position,
When the handle portion presses the base end portion of the lock arm inward of the door body rather than the shaft, the base end portion of the lock arm rotates around the shaft and the lock arm The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a distal end portion moves inward of the door body and reaches the release position. A detector for detecting the position of the door;
A treatment tank accommodated in the housing, and
The door body includes a detection arm that protrudes with respect to the support portion,
The housing is formed with a detection hole into which the detection arm is inserted when the door body is in the closed position.
The detection arm escapes from the detection hole when the door body is in the open position,
The detector is
A first detection element for detecting the presence or absence of the detection arm in the detection hole;
Based on the presence or absence of the detection arm in the detection hole, and a control unit for controlling the rotation operation of the processing tank,
4. The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit stops rotation of the processing tank when the detection arm is not present in the detection hole. 5. The detection unit includes a second detection element that detects the presence or absence of the lock arm in the lock hole,
The control unit outputs information related to breakage of the lock mechanism when the detection arm does not exist in the detection hole and the lock arm exists in the lock hole. 4. The clothing processing apparatus according to 4.   The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the detection arm is provided integrally with the lock arm.

Images