JP2019042184A - Washing machine and control method of washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which suppresses a liquid agent remaining and adhering in a liquid agent supply water passage.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a bottomed water tub 105 elastically supported in a housing 101 in a vibration-isolated manner; a bottomed drum 106 rotatably provided in the water tub 105; a detergent tank 117 provided above the water tub 105; a water supply port formed in the housing 101 and for supplying city water; a water supply valve 101a for controlling the flow of the city water supplied from the water supply port; a tank storage case 114 for storing a detergent tank 117; a pump unit 111 for sucking a detergent liquid and discharging it to the drum 106; and a three-way valve unit 113 for supply one out of the city water supplied by passing the water supply valve 110a and the detergent liquid discharged from the detergent tank 117 to the pump unit 111. The washing machine has a cleaning course which cleans a liquid agent supply water passage in which the detergent liquid in the detergent tank 117 is supplied to the drum 106.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 38

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with an automatic solution charging device and a control method of a washing machine equipped with an automatic solution charging device.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine for automatically supplying a solution such as a detergent solution or a softener solution to a washing tub.

  The washing machine includes a housing forming an outer shell, a water tank supported in the housing, a washing tank rotatably supported in the water tank, a fixed body fixedly coupled to the upper portion of the housing, and a fixed body. A detachable body which is detachably coupled, a liquid container which is detachably coupled to the drawer body and which contains a liquid therein, an automatic pumping means which is fixed to the rear of the fixed body and which feeds the liquid in the liquid container to the washing tub; Equipped with

  By driving the automatic pumping means, it is possible to supply a solution corresponding to the amount of laundry into the washing tub.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-524995 gazette

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the liquid agent may remain in the connection portion between the liquid container and the fixed body or in the liquid agent supply channel such as an automatic pumping means, and the amount of liquid agent discharged from the liquid container may be reduced. In addition, when the liquid agent is continuously supplied, calcium and magnesium contained in tap water combine with the fatty acid contained in the liquid agent to precipitate metal soap and adhere to the water supply channel, which may reduce the discharge amount.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine which prevents liquid agent from remaining and adhering to a liquid agent supply channel.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, a washing machine according to the present invention comprises a case forming an outer shell, a water tub supported in the case, a washing tub rotatably supported in the water tub, and A water supply port formed in a housing for supplying tap water, a water supply valve for controlling the flow of tap water supplied from the water supply port, a tank storage unit for storing a liquid tank, and suction of liquid to the washing tank A pump unit for discharging, a switching valve for supplying one of the tap water supplied from the water supply port and the liquid discharged from the liquid tank to the pump unit, the water supply valve, the pump unit and the switching valve And the like, and a controller for controlling the like, and is configured to have a care course for cleaning the water channel in which the liquid in the tank is supplied to the washing tub.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent the liquid agent from remaining and adhering to the liquid agent supply channel by the maintenance course.

In the washing machine of the present invention, the liquid agent can be prevented from remaining and adhering to the liquid agent supply channel.

An external appearance perspective view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Longitudinal section of washing machine in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention An exploded perspective view of the main part of the washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention A plan view of a liquid agent automatic feeding device for a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Right side view of automatic solution charging device for washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention Left side view of automatic solution charging device for washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention Left-side cross-sectional view of automatic liquid agent charging device for washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention Front sectional view of the automatic liquid agent charging device for a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention An exploded perspective view of a main part of a liquid agent automatic feeding device for a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention (A) A schematic view of a three-way valve unit for supplying tap water of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, (b) When supplying detergent liquid of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention to a water tank (C) A schematic view of the three-way valve unit when supplying the softener liquid of the washing machine to the water tank in the first embodiment of the present invention Sectional view of a pump unit of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Bottom view of detergent tank and softener tank Sectional view of the tank storage case with the detergent tank and softener tank attached Enlarged view of E1 part of FIG. 13 Rear sectional view of tank storage case with detergent tank and softener tank attached FF sectional drawing of FIG. 15 Top view of the detergent tank and detergent tank lid of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention (A) A GG sectional view in a state where the float portion is not attached to the lower surface of the detergent tank lid in FIG. 17, (b) GG in a state where the float portion is attached to the lower surface of the detergent tank lid in FIG. Cross section The H-H cross section in the state where the filter material of FIG. 17 is not attached Detergent tank sectional view showing the line of sight when users with different heights of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of the present invention peep the inside of the detergent tank from the opening respectively The principal part expanded sectional view of the detergent tank and detergent side three-way valve of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention The perspective view of the filter material of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention (A) JJ sectional drawing of FIG. 22, (b) Enlarged view of E2 part of FIG. Block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention Top view of the automatic liquid agent charging device of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention K-K cross section of FIG. 25 An exploded perspective view of a detergent tank, a detergent tank lid, and a float portion of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention A lower exploded perspective view of the detergent tank lid and the float portion of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention The perspective view of the detergent tank of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention Relationship between the magnetic flux density received by the linear Hall element and the output voltage of the linear Hall element Schematic of the lower surface of the detergent tank lid to which the float part of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention was attached. The schematic sectional side view which shows the positional relationship of the float part and linear Hall element of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention A schematic side sectional view showing the positional relationship between the float portion and the linear Hall element when the water level of the detergent solution is lower than that in FIG. Schematic side sectional view showing the positional relationship between the float portion and the linear Hall element when the water level of the detergent solution is lower than that in FIG. 33 FIG. 34 is a schematic side sectional view showing the positional relationship between the float portion and the linear Hall element when the water level of the detergent solution is lower than in FIG. Relationship between the remaining amount of detergent in the detergent tank of the washing machine and the output voltage of the linear Hall element according to the first embodiment of the present invention A flowchart for performing the determination of the remaining amount of detergent remaining in the washing machine and the determination of the malfunction of the detergent tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention The time chart which shows the state of the detergent side coil in the "care mode" of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention, a softener side coil, a drive motor, a 1st water supply valve, and a drainage pump.

  The washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a case forming an outer shell, a water tank supported in the case, a washing tub rotatably supported in the water tank, and tap water formed in the case. A water supply port for supplying water, a water supply valve for controlling the flow of tap water supplied from the water supply port, a tank storage portion for storing a liquid tank, a pump unit for sucking liquid and discharging it to the washing tub, the water supply A switching valve for supplying, to a pump unit, any one of tap water supplied from a mouth and liquid discharged from the liquid tank; and a controller for controlling the water supply valve, the pump unit, the switching valve, etc. It is comprised so that it may have a care course which comprises and the waterway in which the liquid in the said tank is supplied to the said washing tank wash | cleans.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent the liquid agent from remaining and adhering to the liquid agent supply channel by the maintenance course.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in the washing machine according to the first aspect of the invention, in particular, when the maintenance course is selected, the controller controls the switching valve to flow the liquid discharged from the liquid tank to the pump unit. A first step and a second step of controlling the switching valve so as to flow the supplied tap water to the pump unit while opening the water supply valve are controlled to be performed at least once. As a result, the liquid agent can be prevented from remaining and adhering to the liquid agent supply channel.

  According to a third invention, in particular, in the washing machine of the second invention, when the maintenance course is selected, the controller performs control so as to alternately execute the first step and the second step. As a result, the liquid agent can be prevented from remaining and adhering to the liquid agent supply channel.

  According to a fourth invention, in particular, in the washing machine of the second or third invention, the controller controls to execute the second step at the end of the maintenance course. Finally, the liquid supply channel can be washed away with tap water, so that the liquid agent can be prevented from remaining and sticking to the liquid supply channel.

  According to a fifth invention, in particular, in the washing machine according to the second to fourth inventions, the controller is configured to drive the pump unit in the first step. Thereby, the force of the water flow of the liquid discharged from the tank can be strengthened, and the inside of the liquid supply channel can be efficiently cleaned.

  According to a sixth invention, in particular, in the washing machine according to the second to fifth inventions, the controller is configured to drive the pump unit in the second step. As a result, the momentum of the water flow of the tap water flowing from the water supply valve can be enhanced, and the inside of the liquid agent supply channel can be efficiently cleaned.

  A seventh aspect of the invention is the washing machine according to the first to sixth aspects of the invention, in which the controller is configured to control the amount of liquid discharged from the tank in the step of washing the laundry from the tank in the care course. Control is performed to increase the amount of liquid to be discharged. As a result, the inside of the liquid supply channel can be efficiently cleaned with a large amount of liquid.

  According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the washing machine according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the maintenance course is executed in a state where the acidic aqueous solution is stored in the liquid tank. Thereby, the metal soap adhering to the detergent liquid supply channel can be washed away while being dissolved by the acidic aqueous solution.

  A control method of a washing machine according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is formed in a housing forming an outer shell, a water tank supported in the housing, a washing tank rotatably supported in the water tank, and the housing A water supply port for supplying tap water, a water supply valve for controlling the flow of tap water supplied from the water supply port, a tank storage portion for storing a liquid tank, and a pump unit for sucking liquid and discharging it to the washing tank A switching valve for supplying, to a pump unit, any one of tap water supplied from the water supply port and liquid discharged from the liquid tank, and a controller for controlling the water supply valve, the pump unit, the switching valve, etc. And controlling the switching valve so as to cause the liquid discharged from the liquid tank to flow to the pump unit, and the water supply valve being opened to supply water from the water supply port. A second step of controlling the switching valve so as to flow tap water into the pump unit which is configured to perform at least once. As a result, the liquid agent can be prevented from remaining and adhering to the liquid agent supply channel.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, the detailed description may be omitted if necessary. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters and redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[table of contents]
1. Embodiment 1
1-1. Configuration 1-1-1. Configuration of washing machine 1-1-2. Configuration of Liquid Agent Automatic Feeding Device 1-1-3. Configuration of bath water pump 1-1-4. Configuration of remaining amount detecting means 1-2. Operation, action 1-2-1. Laundry operation 1-2-2. Water supply method and liquid agent supply method using an automatic liquid agent feeder 1-2-3. Supplying detergent and softener to the water tank by manual input 1-2-4. Operation of backflow prevention device 1-2-5. Cleaning of the connection between the detergent tank and the automatic solution feeder 1-2-6. Method of detecting shortage of remaining amount in detergent tank 1-2-7. Detergent tank failure detection method 1-2-8. Connection point between the tank and the automatic feeding device, and maintenance of the liquid supply channel 1-3. Effects, etc. Other Embodiments (First Embodiment)
The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[1-1. Constitution]
[1-1-1. Composition of washing machine]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a bottomed cylindrical water tank 105 is elastically supported by a plurality of suspensions (not shown) and dampers 163 in a housing 101 which is an outer shell of the washing machine 100. There is. In the water tank 105, a bottomed cylindrical drum 106 (washing tank) is rotatably disposed. A plurality of baffles 106 a are provided on the inner wall surface of the drum 106. By rotating the drum 106 at a low speed, the baffle 106a can provide an agitation action such as catching the clothes, lifting it up and dropping it. In the circumferential surface of the drum 106, a plurality of small holes (not shown) are formed. At the bottom of the water tank 105, a tank rotation motor (not shown) for driving the drum 106 to rotate is disposed.

  On the front surface of the housing 101, a clothes inlet / outlet 103 opened for taking in and out clothes is formed. A lid 102 is provided on the front of the housing 101. The lid 102 covers the clothes inlet / outlet 103 in an openable / closable manner. By opening the lid 102, clothes can be loaded into the drum 106 from the clothes loading / unloading port 103.

  Above the water tank 105 of the housing 101, an automatic solution charging device 109 is provided. About the structure of the liquid agent automatic injection apparatus 109, [1-1-2. Configuration of Liquid Agent Automatic Feeding Device].

  As shown in FIG. 1, an openable / closable lid 114 a is provided at the top of the housing 101. The lid 114a is opened, and the detergent tank 117 (liquid tank) and the softener tank 126 (liquid tank) can be detachably attached.

  An operation display unit 104 including an operation unit for operating a drive and a display unit for displaying an operation state is disposed on the top of the lid 102.

  The housing 101 is provided with a controller (not shown) that controls a tank rotation motor and the like and sequentially executes a series of processes such as washing, rinsing, and dewatering. The controller has a cloth amount determination unit (not shown) and a liquid agent input amount calculation unit (not shown). The cloth amount determination unit provides, for example, a function of classifying the laundry of up to 10 kg into about 10 stages according to the torque current value when the tank rotation motor is rotated at a constant rotation number. In addition, the amount of water used for washing is determined in accordance with the determination result of the amount of clothes. The liquid agent input amount calculation unit calculates the detergent input amount and the flexible seat input amount from the cloth amount detected by the cloth amount determination unit.

  The washing machine 100 is provided with a storage unit (not shown). The storage unit is made of, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory). The storage unit stores various setting information on the washing operation, including a detergent type storage unit (not shown) that stores information on the type of detergent.

[1-1-2. Configuration of Liquid Agent Automatic Feeding Device 109]
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the automatic liquid agent charging device for the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a right side view of the automatic solution charging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a left side view of the automatic solution charging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of an automatic solution feeder for a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of the automatic solution feeder for a washing machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a three-way valve unit for supplying a softener liquid of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. (C) is when supplying the detergent liquid of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention 9 is a schematic view of a three-way valve unit, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a pump unit of a washing machine in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 10 (a) is tap water of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 10 (b) is a schematic view of the three-way valve unit when the detergent liquid of the washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention is supplied to the water tank, FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the three-way valve unit when supplying the softener liquid of the washing machine to the water tank in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a cross section of the pump unit of the washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a back view of the detergent tank and the softener tank, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the tank storage case with the detergent tank and the softener tank attached, and FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of E1 in FIG. Figure, Figure 15 is a detergent tank and flexible 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F-F in FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 is a detergent tank and detergent tank lid of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 18 (a) is a GG cross-sectional view of FIG. 17 without the float attached to the lower surface of the detergent tank lid, and FIG. 18 (b) is a float on the detergent tank lid lower surface of FIG. G-G cross section in the attached state, FIG. 19 is H-H cross section in the state where the filter of FIG. 17 is not attached, FIG. 20 is the height of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of the present invention 21 is a cross-sectional view of the detergent tank showing different lines of sight when the user looks at the inside of the detergent tank from the opening respectively, and FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the detergent tank and the detergent side three-way valve of the washing machine Sectional view, FIG. 23 (a) is a JJ cross-sectional view of FIG. 22, FIG. 23 (b) is an enlarged view of a portion E2 of FIG. 22, FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 25 is a top view of the automatic liquid agent charging device for the washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of a detergent tank, a detergent tank lid, and a float of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The liquid medicine automatic feeding device 109 is provided above the water tank 105 of the housing 101. The liquid medicine automatic feeding device 109 includes a water supply unit 110, a pump unit 111, a three-way valve unit 113 (switching valve), and a tank storage case 114 (tank storage unit) to which the detergent tank 117 and the softener tank 126 are mounted. Be done.

(Water supply 110)
The water supplier 110 is provided at the top of the housing 101, and includes a water supply path 110c, a first water supply valve 110a (water supply valve), and a second water supply valve 110b.

  One end of the water supply path 110c is in communication with the faucet via a water supply hose (not shown). By controlling the opening and closing of the first water supply valve 110a and the second water supply valve 110b, it is possible to control the water channel through which the tap water flows. The channel of tap water will be described in (Configuration of water injection case 116 and configuration of channel).

(Three-way valve unit 113)
The three-way valve unit 113 is a unit that selectively discharges, to the piston pump unit 112, the liquid agent of the detergent tank 117 and the liquid agent of the softener tank 126 which are attached to the tank accommodation case 114.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the three-way valve unit 113 includes a detergent-side three-way valve 113a, a softener-side three-way valve 113b, a detergent-side coil 113d, and a softener-side coil 113i.

As shown in FIG. 10, a water channel 124 for flowing the detergent liquid and the softener liquid to the pump unit 111 is provided. The three-way valve unit 113 can control the flow of water in the water channel 124. The water channel 124 communicates with the detergent-side cylindrical portion 111 b communicating with the detergent tank 117 and the softener-side cylindrical portion 111 f communicating with the softener tank 126 on the front side. The water channel 124 also communicates with the second water channel 182 and the suction water channel 112 h of the piston pump unit 112.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the detergent-side three-way valve 113a selectively switches the flow of tap water flowing through the second water channel 182 and the flow of detergent solution flowing from the detergent tank 117, and either one is a softener-side three-way valve It is configured to be supplied to 113 b.

  The detergent-side three-way valve 113a will be described with reference to FIG. The detergent-side three-way valve 113a includes a detergent-side cylinder 113l, a detergent-side plunger 113e provided in the detergent-side cylinder 113l and reciprocated back and forth, and a detergent-side valve 113f provided at the front end of the detergent-side plunger 113e; The detergent-side spring 113c has one end located on the rear wall of the detergent-side cylinder 113l and the other end located on the rear end of the detergent-side plunger 113e. The detergent-side cylinder 113l has an opening a formed at its front end. A detergent side coil 113d is provided around the detergent side cylinder 113l.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (c), when the detergent side coil 113d is not energized, the detergent side plunger 113e receives an urging force forward from the detergent side spring 113c, and the detergent side valve The body 113f is configured to close the opening b formed at the rear end of the detergent-side tubular portion 111b. For this reason, the flow of the detergent solution from the detergent tank 117 is blocked by the detergent-side valve 113 f. Further, since the opening a is open, the tap water flowing into the water passage 124 in the second water passage 182 in the direction of the arrow X1 passes through the inside of the opening a (arrow X2) and flows to the softener side three-way valve 113b (Arrow X3).

  As shown in FIG. 10B, when the detergent side coil 113d is energized, a magnetic field is generated in the detergent side coil 113d. For this reason, the detergent-side plunger 113e moves rearward against the biasing force of the detergent-side spring 113c by the electromagnetic force received from the magnetic field. Thereby, the opening b is opened. Therefore, the detergent liquid in the detergent tank 117 flows through the opening b to the softener-side three-way valve 113b as indicated by the arrows X5 and X6. Further, since the opening a is closed by the detergent-side valve 113 f, the flow of tap water flowing through the second water channel 182 is blocked by the detergent-side valve 113 f.

  As described above, the detergent-side three-way valve 113 a switches the flow of tap water from the second water channel 182 and the detergent solution from the detergent tank 117, and selectively supplies the softener-side three-way valve 113 b it can.

  The softener-side three-way valve 113 b selectively switches the flow of the liquid flowing from the detergent-side three-way valve 113 a and the flow of the softener liquid flowing from the softener tank 126, and either one to the suction channel 112 h of the piston pump unit 112 It is configured to supply.

  The softener-side three-way valve 113b is also the softener-side cylinder 113m, the softener-side plunger 113j provided in the detergent-side cylinder 113l and reciprocated back and forth, and the front end of the softener-side plunger 113j. And the softener-side valve 113k provided at one end and the softener-side spring 113h having one end located on the back wall of the softener-side cylinder 113m and the other end located on the rear end of the softener-side plunger 113j Ru. The softener-side cylinder 113m is configured to receive the liquid from the detergent-side three-way valve 113a. The softener-side cylinder 113m has an opening c at its front end. A softener-side coil 113i is provided around the softener-side cylinder 113m so as to cover the softener-side plunger 113j.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, in a state where the softener-side coil 113i is not energized, the softener-side plunger 113j receives a biasing force of the softener-side spring 113h to the front. As a result, the opening d formed at the rear end of the softener-side cylindrical portion 111f is closed by the softener-side valve body 113k. For this reason, the flow of the softener liquid from the softener tank 126 is blocked by the softener-side valve body 113k that blocks the opening d. Further, since the opening c is opened, the detergent liquid or tap water supplied from the detergent side three-way valve 113a to the softener side three-way valve 113b is a piston pump from the opening c as shown by arrow X4 or arrow X7. It flows to the suction channel 112 h of the unit 112.

  As shown in FIG. 10C, when the softener-side coil 113i is energized, the softener-side plunger 113j moves rearward against the biasing force of the softener-side spring 113h by the electromagnetic force received from the magnetic field. Thereby, the opening d is opened. Accordingly, the softener liquid in the softener tank 126 flows from the opening d to the suction water passage 112 h of the piston pump unit 112 as indicated by the arrows X 8 and X 9. Further, since the opening c is closed by the softener-side valve 113k, the flow of liquid from the detergent-side three-way valve 113a is blocked by the softener-side valve 113k.

  As described above, the flow of the liquid from the detergent-side three-way valve 113a and the flow of the softener liquid from the softener tank 126 can be switched by the softener-side valve 113k and selectively supplied to the suction channel 112h. it can.

  With the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the detergent side coil 113d and the softener side coil 113i are both deenergized, the tap water in the second water channel 182 passes through the three-way valve unit 113. Is supplied to the piston pump unit 112. Further, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), when the detergent side coil 113d is energized and the softener side coil 113i is deenergized, the detergent solution in the detergent tank 117 passes through the three-way valve unit 113 and the piston pump unit 112 Supplied to Further, as shown in FIG. 10C, when the detergent side coil 113d is deenergized and the softener side coil 113i is energized, the softener liquid of the softener tank 126 passes through the three-way valve unit 113 and the piston The pump unit 112 is supplied.

(Pump unit 111)
The pump unit 111 is a unit for sucking the detergent solution in the detergent tank 117 or the softener solution in the softener tank 126 and discharging it to the water tank 105.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the pump unit 111 includes an outer frame 111a and a piston pump unit 112 provided in the outer frame 111a.

  The outer frame 111a is made of resin and encloses and protects the piston pump unit 112. As shown in FIG. 6, the outer frame 111 a is disposed between the water supplier 110 and the tank storage case 114.

  As shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 21, the detergent-side tubular portion 111b is formed to extend forward and backward below the front surface of the outer wall of the outer frame 111a. The front end of the detergent-side tubular portion 111b is inserted into a tubular portion 123 formed on the lower rear wall of the detergent tank 117, as shown in FIG. A plurality of spaced apart packings 111c are provided on the front outer peripheral surface of the detergent-side cylindrical portion 111b. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 21, a protruding rib 111 e extending in the front direction is formed in front of the detergent-side cylindrical portion 111 b. The rear end of the detergent-side tubular portion 111b is connected to the water channel 124, as shown in FIG. The water channel 124 communicates with the suction channel 112 h of the pump unit 111.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a softener-side tubular portion 111f extending forward and backward is formed below the front surface of the outer wall of the outer frame 111a. The softener-side tubular portion 111 f extending forward of the outer frame 111 a is inserted into a tubular portion (not shown) formed on the lower rear wall of the softener tank 126. As shown in FIG. 10, the rear end of the softener-side tubular portion 111f is connected in communication with the water channel 124.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the piston pump unit 112 is provided in a cylinder 112d, a suction water passage 112h in which the liquid agent flows into the cylinder 112d, a discharge water passage 112g in which the liquid is discharged from the cylinder 112d, and a cylinder 112d. It has a piston 112e capable of reciprocating up and down, and a drive motor 112f for driving the piston 112e.

  The cylinder 112 d is formed in a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape, and a piston 112 e is disposed in the cylinder 112 d so as to be capable of reciprocating in the vertical direction. The piston 112 e is coupled to the drive motor 112 f via a link 112 a and a cam 112 b. With the above configuration, the rotation of the drive motor 112f is transmitted to the piston 112e via the link 112a and the cam 112b, and the piston 112e moves up and down.

  A suction passage 112h and a discharge passage 112g are attached to a lower portion of the cylinder 112d in communication with each other. By disposing the suction water channel 112h and the discharge water channel 112g below the piston 112e, the liquid agent discharged by the piston 112e is vigorously discharged downward.

  The suction water passage 112h communicates with the discharge port e of the water passage 124, and is a water passage through which the liquid discharged from the softener-side three-way valve 113b is sucked into the storage portion 112c in the cylinder 112d.

  A suction side check valve 164 is provided in the suction passage 112 h. In the suction side check valve 164, a convex portion 164a is formed at the lower portion. A spring 164b is disposed in the suction passage 112h to bias the suction side check valve 164 downward. Thus, the convex portion 164a contacts the inner wall surface 112i of the suction water passage 112h, so the suction side check valve 164 moves upward but does not move downward more than the inner wall surface 112i of the suction water passage 112h. It has become.

  The discharge channel 112g is a channel through which the liquid in the cylinder 112d is discharged, and is connected to the branch channel 129a of the connection hose 129, as shown in FIG.

  A discharge check valve 165 is provided in the discharge water passage 112g. The discharge side check valve 165 has a convex portion 165 a formed on the top. A spring 165b is disposed in the discharge channel 112g to bias the discharge check valve 165 upward. Therefore, since the convex portion 165a contacts the inner wall surface 112j of the discharge water passage 112g, the discharge side check valve 165 moves downward, but does not move upward more than the inner wall surface 112j of the discharge water passage 112g. ing.

  When the piston 112 e moves upward, the inside of the accommodation portion 112 c of the cylinder 112 d is under negative pressure, and an upward force is applied to the suction side check valve 164. If the upward force generated in the suction side check valve 164 due to the negative pressure is larger than the combined force of the gravity of the suction side check valve 164 and the elastic force of the spring 164 b, the suction side check valve 164 moves upward, A gap is generated between the convex portion 164a and the inner wall surface 112i of the suction water passage 112h. As a result, the liquid that has passed through the three-way valve unit 113 flows from the gap through the suction water channel 112 h and flows into the cylinder 112 d.

When the piston 112 e moves downward, the inside of the storage portion 112 c in the cylinder becomes positive pressure, and a downward force is applied to the discharge side check valve 165. The combined force of the gravity related to the discharge side check valve 165 and the downward force generated in the discharge side check valve 165 due to the downward movement of the piston 112 e is the elasticity of the upward spring 165 b related to the discharge side check valve 165 If it is larger than the force, the discharge check valve 165 moves downward. Thereby, the inner wall surface 11 of the convex portion 165a and the discharge water channel 112g
Since a gap is generated between 2j and 2j, the liquid in the storage portion 112c in the cylinder flows from the gap through the discharge channel 112g and is discharged.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the discharge water passage 112 g is connected in communication with the branch water passage 129 a of the connection hose 129. The connection hose 129 is a hose that connects the water discharge port 114 c of the tank housing case 114 and the water tank 105. Thus, when the piston 112e moves downward, the liquid agent in the storage portion 112c in the cylinder is discharged from the discharge water passage 112g to the water tank 105 via the connection hose 129.

  As described above, when the piston 112 e repeats the vertical movement, the detergent solution of the detergent tank 117 and the softener solution of the connecting hose 129 can be sucked into the pump unit 111 and discharged to the water tank 105.

  Further, the suction water passage 112h, the discharge water passage 112g, and the branch water passage 129a are formed substantially in the vertical direction.

(Tank accommodation case 114)
The tank storage case 114 is a container having a storage portion whose upper surface is open. As shown in FIG. 4, the detergent tank 117 and the softener tank 126 are detachably attached to the rear of the storage portion of the tank storage case 114. A detergent case 115 is removably attached to the front of the storage portion of the tank storage case 114.

  As shown in FIG. 21, an insertion hole 114 d is formed in the lower rear wall of the tank storage case 114. The detergent-side cylindrical portion 111b of the pump unit 111 is inserted into the insertion hole 114d.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, linear hall elements 136 are provided on the left and right side walls of the tank storage case. The linear Hall element 136 is configured in an analog manner.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, a lower water injection port 114 g is formed at the lower side wall of the tank storage case 114. The lower water injection port 114g is in communication with a bypass water passage 184 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a drain port 114 c is formed at the bottom of the tank housing case 114. The outlet 114 c is connected to one end of the connection hose 129. The other end of the connection hose 129 is swingably connected to the water tank 105. As shown in FIG. 5, in the connection hose 129, a branch water channel 129a branches in the vertical direction halfway through. The branch water passage 129 a communicates with the discharge water passage 112 g of the pump unit 111.

(Detergent tank 117, softener tank 126)
The detergent tank 117 and the softener tank 126 are containers having a top opening 118 at the top.

  As shown in FIG. 27, a detergent tank lid 119 which covers the top opening 118 so as to be able to open and close the top opening 118 is attached to the upper peripheral edge of the detergent tank 117 at the top of the detergent tank 117 where the packing 117f is provided. When the detergent tank lid 119 is attached to the top of the detergent tank 117, the packing is crushed and can be watertightly fixed. As a result, even when the detergent tank 117 is turned to the side, it is possible to prevent the internal detergent liquid from spilling. The packing may be provided not on the detergent tank 117 side but on the detergent tank lid 119 side.

As shown in FIG. 27, the detergent tank lid 119 has an opening 139 formed in the front. Further, the detergent tank lid 119 is provided with a small window 119 b which covers the opening 139 so as to be able to open and close.

  As shown in FIG. 21, a cylindrical portion 123 extending inward (forward) is formed below the rear wall 117 a of the detergent tank 117. A check valve 123 b is attached to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 123. The check valve 123b is biased rearward by a spring (not shown). In the natural state, since the check valve 123b presses the inner peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion 123 and no gap is generated, the detergent liquid in the detergent tank 117 is prevented from leaking out of the cylindrical portion 123.

  When the detergent tank 117 is attached to the tank housing case 114, the detergent-side tubular portion 111 b of the liquid medicine automatic feeding device 109 is inserted into the tubular portion 123. At this time, when the protruding rib 111e of the detergent-side tubular portion 111b pushes the check valve 123b forward, a gap is generated between the check valve 123b and the inner wall of the tubular portion 123, as shown by arrow I in FIG. The detergent liquid can be discharged from the cylindrical portion 123 to the three-way valve unit 113. In addition, when the detergent tank 117 is pulled out from the tank storage case 114, the check valve 123b is biased rearward by a spring, and there is no gap between the check valve 123b and the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 123. Thereby, even when the tank housing case 114 is pulled out from the detergent tank 117, it is possible to prevent the detergent solution from leaking from the detergent tank 117.

  Further, when the detergent tank 117 is attached to the tank housing case 114, the cylindrical portion 123 and the detergent-side cylindrical portion 111b are held in a watertight manner by the packing 111c. As a result, when the detergent tank 117 is attached, the detergent liquid does not leak from the cylindrical portion 123 of the detergent tank 117 to the tank storage case 114, and the detergent liquid having a desired amount of water can be discharged.

  As shown in FIG. 27, a grip portion 117 g is formed on the front outer wall surface of the detergent tank 117. The gripping portion 117 g is provided at a distance from the wall surface of the detergent tank 117. The user can pull out the detergent tank 117 from the inside of the tank storage case 114 by grasping the gripping portion 117g and pulling the detergent tank 117 to the front. In addition, the user can insert a finger from above into the gap between the grip portion 117g and the detergent tank 117, or from below. In addition, by inserting a finger from above into the gap between the gripping portion 117g and the detergent tank 117 and also from below, the gripping portion 117g can be grasped.

  If it is necessary to put the wrist in the narrow space of the detergent case 115 accommodating part when the detergent tank 117 inserted in the accommodating part of the tank accommodating case 114 is grasped from the bottom and pulled out from the bottom, the wrist becomes cramped . On the other hand, by inserting a finger from above into the gap between the grip portion 117g and the detergent tank 117, the detergent tank 117 can be easily pulled out without the wrist being in a tight posture.

  As shown in FIG. 12, on the bottom surface behind the detergent tank 117, a recess 117k that is recessed upward is formed. At the periphery of the recess 117k on the outer bottom surface of the detergent tank 117, a receiving portion 117h extending rearward is formed. The receiving portion 117 h includes an extending portion 117 i extending backward and a protrusion 117 j formed at a rear end of the extending portion 117 i. Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, on the bottom surface 120 of the tank storage case 114, two guide ribs 114h are formed at positions sandwiching the receiving portion 117h in a state where the detergent tank 117 is mounted.

  When the detergent tank 117 is attached to the tank housing case 114, the detergent tank 117 is pushed backward while being placed in the housing portion of the tank housing case 114. Then, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the projection 117j of the receiving portion 117h gets into the space between the guide ribs 114h in the guide rib 114h, and the receiving portion 117h and the guide rib 114h are fitted and fixed.

If the detergent tank 117 can not be completely attached to the tank housing case 114, the detergent solution leaks from the cylindrical portion 123 and the detergent side cylindrical portion 111b. As a result, the desired amount of detergent can not be supplied to the water tank 105, which adversely affects the washing performance.

  In the present embodiment, the detergent tank 117 can be securely attached to the tank housing case 114 by fitting the receiving portion 117 h into the two guide ribs 114 h. In addition, when the user mounts the detergent tank 117 on the tank housing case 114, it is necessary to force the detergent tank 117 backward since the projections 117j pass between the guide ribs 114h. When the protrusion 117j passes between the guide ribs 114h, the sense of resistance when pushing the detergent tank 117 is weakened. The user can grasp that the receiving portion 117h is reliably inserted into the guide rib 114h by the click feeling, so that leakage of the detergent solution from the cylindrical portion 123 or the detergent side cylindrical portion 111b can be suppressed, and a desired amount of The detergent solution can be supplied to the water tank 105. The guide ribs 114h also play a role in positioning when the detergent tank 117 is inserted.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the detergent tank 117 and the tank storage case 114 are fixed by the receiving portion 117h and the two guide ribs 114h sandwiching the receiving portion 117h has been described, but the present invention is limited thereto. I can not. By pushing the detergent tank 117 backward, it may be attached to the tank holding case 114 by snap fitting. For example, the tank accommodation case 114 may be formed with a ring-shaped stopper that fits with the receiver 117h.

  As shown in FIG. 18, on the inner wall surface of the detergent tank 117, a first longitudinal rib 138a, a second longitudinal rib 138b, and a third longitudinal rib 138c extending upward from the bottom are formed apart from each other. The second longitudinal rib 138b is located rearward of the first longitudinal rib 138a and has a short length. The third longitudinal rib 138c is located rearward of the second longitudinal rib 138b and has a short length.

  The user confirms the length of the detergent solution in the detergent tank 117 and the upper end of the first longitudinal rib 138a, the second longitudinal rib 138b, and the third longitudinal rib 138c. We can grasp the large remaining amount of detergent solution. In addition, depending on how many vertical ribs can be seen, it is possible to easily grasp the remaining amount of detergent. For example, if all of the first longitudinal rib 138a, the second longitudinal rib 138b, and the third longitudinal rib 138c can be seen, it can be grasped that the remaining amount of detergent in the detergent tank 117 is large, and only the third longitudinal rib 138c If it can not be seen, it can be grasped that the remaining amount of detergent is likely to be insufficient.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the float portion 130a is formed with a gap in the left-right direction with respect to the first longitudinal rib 138a, the second longitudinal rib 138b, and the third longitudinal rib 138c. Further, the float portion 130a is configured not to pivot forward than the third vertical rib 138c. Thus, when the user looks through the opening 139 in a state where the user opens the small window 119b, the first vertical rib 138a, the second vertical rib 138b, and the third vertical rib 138c can not be seen by the float portion 130a. To prevent that.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the first vertical rib 138a, the second vertical rib 138b, and the third vertical rib 138c are aligned with the line of sight when the user in front of the washing machine looks in the detergent tank 117 from the small window 119b. The length of the front side is long and the back side is short. Thereby, when the user looks in the opening 139 from the front in a state where the small window 119b is opened, the upper end of the first vertical rib 138a, the second vertical rib 138b, and the third vertical rib 138c is viewed from the small window 119b. it can. In addition, the upper end portions of the first vertical rib 138a, the second vertical rib 138b, and the third vertical rib 138c can be visually recognized by both a short person (the sight line is a one-dot chain line) and a tall person (the sight line is a broken line). .

  Since the softener tank 126 has the same configuration as the detergent tank 117, the description will be omitted.

(Filter 122)
As shown in FIG. 27, the filter 122 is detachably provided in the detergent tank 117. The filter 122 is made of resin, and through holes (not shown) penetrating the front and back are formed in a mesh shape. The detergent solution in the detergent tank 117 is filtered by the filter 122, so that it is possible to suppress the sticking of the detergent solution and the like from being clogged in the cylindrical portion 123 and the detergent-side cylindrical portion 111b.

  Further, since the detergent solution is generally high in viscosity, if the filter 122 is disposed horizontally inside the detergent tank 117, the detergent solution may not pass through the through holes of the filter 122, and may remain on the surface of the filter 122 for sticking. If the detergent solution remains or adheres to the surface of the filter 122, an appropriate amount of detergent solution may not be discharged from the detergent tank 117. Further, since the detergent liquid blocks the through hole of the filter 122, an air pool is generated in the space below the filter 122 inside the detergent tank 117, and the pump unit 111 runs idle, and the desired amount of detergent liquid can not be discharged. There is a risk.

  In the present embodiment, the filter 122 is installed obliquely to the detergent tank 117. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the filter 122 is attached to the detergent tank 117 and has a plurality of longitudinal ribs 122e formed in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal plane and a back surface of the longitudinal ribs 122e. A plurality of transverse ribs 122f disposed and intersecting the longitudinal ribs 122e are configured in a lattice. According to the above configuration, the detergent liquid attached to the surface of the filter 122 flows toward the bottom surface 120 of the detergent tank 117 in the direction along the longitudinal rib 122 e. As a result, it is possible to prevent the detergent liquid from remaining and adhering to the surface of the filter 122. In addition, the detergent liquid that has passed through the through hole of the filter 122 flows downward through the lateral rib 122f, and falls from the tip of the lateral rib 122f. As a result, the detergent solution adhering to the filter 122 can be prevented from blocking the through hole of the filter 122.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the filter 122 is formed by bending the lower end 122 d in a state of being attached in the detergent tank 117. Further, on the back surface of the filter 122, an engaging claw 122g is formed. The engaging claw 122g is formed of an extending rib 122b extending in the back direction of the filter 122, and a convex portion 122c formed in a convex shape toward the rear on a tip end portion of the extending rib 122b.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the hook portion 121 is formed on the bottom surface 120 of the detergent tank 117. The hooking portion 121 is engaged with the lower end 122 d of the filter 122. The rear wall 117 a of the detergent tank 117 is formed with a protruding portion 117 b protruding to the inside of the detergent tank 117. The protrusion 117 b is engaged with the protrusion 122 c of the filter 122. By the above configuration, the filter 122 can be engaged and fixed in an oblique direction.

  Hereinafter, how to attach and detach the filter 122 and the detergent tank 117 will be described.

  When the filter 122 is mounted in the detergent tank 117, with the lower end 122d of the filter 122 engaged with the hook portion 121 of the detergent tank 117, the filter 122 is pushed back in FIG. The engagement claw 122g and the protrusion 117b are engaged. Thus, the filter 122 is held in the detergent tank 117.

  When the filter 122 is removed from the detergent tank 117, the engagement between the engaging claw 122g and the projecting portion 117b is released by pushing the filter 122 to the rear in FIG. 18, and the filter 122 is pulled out from the detergent tank 117. it can.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 22, a lower extending rib 122 a is formed below the filter 122. As shown in FIG. 21, a lower recessed portion 117c is formed in the vicinity of the cylindrical portion 123 at the bottom of the detergent tank 117 so that the detergent solution can be discharged even if the remaining amount of the detergent solution is small. The lower extending rib 122a is configured to prevent foreign matter such as liquid agent adhering matter from entering the lower recessed portion 117c.

(Detergent case 115)
As shown in FIG. 4, a detergent case 115 is detachably provided in front of the detergent tank 117 and the softener tank 126 of the tank housing case 114. As shown in FIG. 7, the detergent case 115 is in contact with the detergent tank 117 and the softener tank 126. Therefore, by attaching the detergent case 115, the detergent case 115 pushes the detergent tank 117 and the softener tank 126 backward. When the detergent tank 117 is pushed backward, the detergent-side tubular portion 111b can be reliably inserted into the tubular portion 123, and the detergent solution can be prevented from leaking. Similarly, the softener tank 126 can be reliably mounted in the tank housing case 114 by being pushed backward by the detergent case 115, and the softener leakage can be prevented.

  The detergent case 115 is a container whose upper surface is open, and a partition wall 115 a is formed. The storage portion of the detergent case 115 is divided into the detergent storage portion 115 b and the softener storage portion 115 c by the partition wall 115 a. The user manually throws the powder detergent into the detergent storage portion 115b and manually loads the softener into the softener storage portion 115c.

  At the bottom of the detergent case 115, an outlet (not shown) is formed. The liquid agent flowing from the discharge port is supplied to the water tank 105 via the tank housing case 114 and the connection hose 129. As shown in FIG. 11, when washing away the powder detergent introduced into the detergent container 115b, the first water supply valve 110a is opened. Thereby, the tap water supplied from the faucet flows through the first water channel 181 and the water injection channel as shown by arrow A1 in FIG. 11, and is injected from the first upper water injection port 116b into the detergent storage portion 115b.

  The softener accommodating portion 115 c is provided with a conventionally known siphon mechanism. When flowing the softener liquid introduced into the softener accommodating portion 115c, the second water supply valve 110b is opened. As a result, as shown by arrow A3 in FIG. 24, the tap water flows through the third water channel 183 and is injected from the second upper water injection port 116c to the softener containing portion 115c. Then, the water level in the softener containing portion 115c rises, and the siphon effect by the siphon mechanism allows the water to completely flow into the water tank 105 without leaving the softener liquid supplied to the softener containing portion 115c.

(Configuration of water injection case 116 and configuration of water channel)
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a water injection case 116 through which tap water flows is disposed at the top of the tank storage case 114. The claw portion 116 a of the water injection case 116 engages with the engagement portion 114 m of the tank storage case 114 to fix the water injection case 116 and the tank storage case 114.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the water injection case 116 is in communication with a water injection channel in communication with the first water supply valve 110 a and a water injection channel in communication with the second water supply valve 110 b. Further, in the water injection case 116, a first upper water injection port 116b and a second upper water injection port 116c are formed in the front. The first upper water injection port 116b and the second upper water injection port 116c communicate with the water injection channel. Moreover, the third upper water injection port 116 d is formed at the rear of the water injection case 116.

As shown in FIG. 24, in the first water channel 181, the water flowing in from the first water supply valve 110a flows through the water injection channel of the water injection case 116 and enters the detergent storage portion 115b of the detergent case 115 from the first upper water injection port 116b. It is a waterway to be injected. When the controller opens the first water supply valve 110a, tap water flows through the first water channel 181 and is injected from the first upper water supply port 116b into the detergent storage portion 115b.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the first water passage 181 branches off from the second water passage 182 on the upstream side of the water injection case 116. The second water channel 182 is a water channel that flows into the branch water channel 129 a of the connection hose 129 via the three-way valve unit 113 and the pump unit 111.

  In the second water passage 182, the bypass water passage 184 branches downward on the upstream side of the three-way valve unit 113. The bypass water passage 184 is in communication with the lower water injection port 114 g of the tank storage case 114. If the detergent-side three-way valve 113a is clogged with foreign substances or the detergent-side three-way valve 113a deteriorates with age, the opening / closing portion of the detergent-side three-way valve 113a does not close and detergent liquid in the detergent tank 117 flows in the second water passage 182 Even in the case of backflow, the backflowing liquid flows into the bypass water passage 184, so that backflow to the water tap can be prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 24, in the third water channel 183, the tap water flowing in from the second water supply valve 110b flows through the water injection channel of the water injection case 116, and the softener containing portion 115c of the detergent case 115 from the second upper water injection port 116c. It is a waterway that is filled with water. When the controller opens the second water supply valve 110b, the tap water flows through the third water channel 183 and is injected from the second upper water supply port 116c into the softener containing portion 115c.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the third water channel 183 branches from the branch water channel 185 at the third branch point 183a. The branch water channel 185 communicates with the third upper water injection port 116 d. A portion of the tap water flowing through the third water channel 183 flows through the branch water channel 185, and is injected from the third upper water injection port 116d toward the inclined surface 114j in the direction of arrow D in FIG. The injected water flows on the inclined surface 114 j toward the cylindrical portion 123 and the detergent-side cylindrical portion 111 b.

(Backflow prevention device 170)
FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the backflow prevention device of the automatic liquid agent charging device of the washing machine in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 24, a backflow prevention device 170 is provided upstream of the first branch point 181 a of the first water channel 181. Even when the detergent solution in the detergent tank 117 and the softener solution in the softener tank 126 flow backward due to a power failure or water shortage, the backflow prevention device 170 prevents the solution from flowing backward to the water tap it can.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the upper lid 177 covers the upper portion of the outer frame 111a. As shown in FIG. 26, a water passage 171 is formed in a space surrounded by the upper portion of the outer frame 111a and the upper lid 177. The water having passed through the first water supply valve 110 a from the water supply passage 110 c flows from the rear to the front of the water passage 171.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 26, the aspirator 172 is disposed in the water passage 171. The aspirator 172 is fixed by welding to the lower side of the upper lid 177. The aspirator 172 has a substantially rectangular cross section, and is formed so that the inner diameter is expanded forward and backward.

In the water passage 171, there are an inlet water channel 173 on the upstream side of the aspirator 172, a negative pressure generating portion 174 which is a water channel formed in the aspirator 172 and having a narrow inner diameter, and a negative pressure generating portion 174 on the downstream side of the aspirator 172. An outlet channel 175 with a larger inner diameter is formed. The height dimension L1 of the inlet channel 173 is, for example, 12.12 mm, the height dimension L2 of the negative pressure generating portion 174 is, for example 1.9 mm, and the height dimension L5 of the outlet channel 175 is, for example, 15 mm. The inner diameter of the portion 174 is smaller than the inner diameter of the inlet channel 173 and the inlet channel 173. According to the above configuration, the water flowing through the water passage 171 has a high flow velocity at the negative pressure generating portion 174 having a narrow water passage diameter due to the Venturi effect.

  An intake hole 174 a is formed in the negative pressure generating portion 174 of the aspirator 172. The diameter L3 of the intake hole 174a is, for example, 2.5 mm. The upper cover 177 is formed with a projection 177a having a cavity 177d inside so as to surround the intake hole 174a. As shown in FIG. 25, the projecting portion 177a is formed with a connecting portion 177b which is internally penetrated. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the opening 177 c formed at the end of the connection portion 177 b is connected to one end of the air introduction hose 176. The other end of the air introduction hose 176 is in communication with the upper portion of the tank storage case 114 at a connection port 176a. The tank storage case 114 is open to the atmosphere. With the above configuration, the negative pressure generating portion 174 communicates with the tank storage case 114 via the intake hole 174a. Therefore, the negative pressure generating unit 174 is open to the atmosphere.

  As shown in FIG. 26, in the aspirator 172, the height of the inner peripheral upper portion of the water channel on the downstream side of the intake hole 174a is higher than that of the water channel on the upstream side of the intake hole 174a. Thus, a step m is formed between the downstream water channel of the intake hole 174a and the upstream water channel of the intake hole 174a. In the present embodiment, the height dimension of the step m is 0.9 mm.

  As shown in FIG. 26, a chamfer 174 b is formed on the periphery of the suction hole 174 a of the negative pressure generating portion 174. The chamfered portion 174 b is formed such that its diameter decreases from the projecting portion 177 a side to the negative pressure generating portion 174 side.

[1-1-3. Composition of bath water pump]
As shown in FIG. 3, a bath water pump 140 that absorbs bath water is disposed behind the tank storage case 114. The bath water in the bathtub is drawn up by the bath water pump 140 via the bath water hose and supplied to the water tank 105.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the first water channel 181 is branched at the second branch point 181 b in the water injection case 116, and the water injection case hole (not shown) on the back wall of the water injection case 116 is one end of the auxiliary hose 141 It is communicated. The other end of the auxiliary hose 141 is in communication with the suction port (not shown) of the bath water pump 140. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the discharge port (not shown) of the bath water pump communicates with one end of the discharge hose 142, and the other end of the discharge hose 142 is formed on the rear wall of the tank storage case 114. It is in communication with the hole 114k.

  Thereby, at the time of a washing process, the water which flows through the 1st waterway 181 flows through the auxiliary hose 141 from the 2nd branch point 181b, and becomes the auxiliary water of the bath water pump 140. Further, when the inside of the bath water pump is filled with the auxiliary water, the bath water is absorbed, and flows into the tank accommodation case 114 from the hole 114k through the discharge hose 142 (arrow A in FIG. 3). It flows in the direction of arrow B of 3 and arrow E in FIG.

  The auxiliary hose 141 and the discharge hose 142 can be shortened by arranging the bath water pump 140 at the position where the water injection case hole and the hole 114k face each other.

[1-1-4. Configuration of remaining amount detecting means]
FIG. 28 is a lower exploded perspective view of the detergent tank lid and the float of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the detergent tank of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the magnetic flux density received by the linear Hall element and the output voltage of the linear Hall element.

  In the solution automatic feeding device 109, a first remaining amount detecting means 130 for detecting the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 117, and a second remaining amount detecting means for detecting the amount of softener in the softener tank 126 (not shown) ) Is provided.

  The first remaining amount detection means 130 is composed of a float portion 130 a and a linear Hall element 136. The second remaining amount detecting means has the same configuration as that of the first remaining amount detecting means 130, so the description will be omitted.

(Float part 130a)
As shown in FIG. 28, the lower surface of the detergent tank lid 119 is formed parallel to the position where the first bearing portion 119 c and the second bearing portion 119 e are separated. A first hole 119d is formed in the first bearing portion 119c, and a second hole 119f is formed in the second bearing portion 119e.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the float portion 130 a includes a link 133, a pivot shaft 131 provided at the upper end of the link 133, and a magnet box 135 provided at the lower end of the link 133. The pivot shaft 131 includes a first pivot shaft 131a pivotably inserted into the first hole 119d, and a second pivot shaft 131b pivotably inserted into the second hole 119f. . The float portion 130a is rotatably provided on the lower surface of the detergent tank lid 119 by inserting the first rotation shaft 131a into the first hole 119d and inserting the second rotation shaft 131b into the second hole 119f. be able to.

  The second hole 119 f is configured to have a diameter larger than that of the first hole 119 d. The first pivot shaft 131a is configured to fit the first hole 119d, and the second pivot shaft 131b is configured to fit the second hole 119f.

  As a result, it is possible to suppress that the user erroneously inserts the first rotation shaft 131a into the second hole 119f and inserts the second rotation shaft 131b into the first hole 119d.

  The height of the first bearing portion 119c is configured to be higher than the height of the second bearing portion 119e. In addition, a stopper rib 132 is formed in the vicinity of the second rotation shaft 131b of the float portion 130a. When the first pivot shaft 131a is inserted into the second hole 119f and the second pivot shaft 131b is inserted into the first hole 119d, the stopper rib 132 abuts on the first bearing portion 119c, so the float portion 130a Does not rotate. As a result, it can be grasped that the user erroneously attached the float portion 130a.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the magnet box 135 is configured so as to be hollow inside, and the magnet box 135 is a closed hollow container. In the magnet box 135, a first magnet 134a and a second magnet 134b are provided. The first magnet 134 a and the second magnet 134 b are covered in a sealed state by the magnet box 135 and the cover 135 a so that the detergent solution does not adhere to the magnet 134. In the magnet box 135, holding ribs (not shown) for holding the first magnet 134a and the second magnet 134b are formed. Further, since the inside of the magnet box 135 is hollow, the magnet box 135 itself has buoyancy. For this reason, the float portion 130a floats on the liquid surface of the detergent liquid in the detergent tank 117, and is configured to rotate in accordance with the change in the water level of the detergent liquid.

As shown in FIG. 28, a U-shaped receiving portion 135 b is provided below the magnet box 135. Further, on the inner bottom surface of the detergent tank 117, a magnet stopper 137 is provided so as to abut on the receiving portion 135b with the amount of detergent water judged to be insufficient in the detergent remaining amount. The contact portion of the magnet stopper 137 with the receiving portion 135b is rounded according to the U-shaped receiving portion 135b.

  When the water level of the detergent solution in the detergent tank 117 falls, the float portion 130a pivots downward, but when the receiving portion 135b abuts on the magnet stopper 137, the float portion 130a turns below the magnet stopper 137. It is possible to prevent movement. As a result, even when the liquid level drops further from the predetermined amount of detergent water determined to be insufficient for the detergent liquid in the detergent tank 117, the magnet box 135 does not rotate downward, and the output of the linear Hall element 136 The voltage does not change.

  The U-shaped receiving portion 135 b can be supported by the magnet stopper 137 such that the receiving portion 135 b rattles back and forth and right and left by abutting on the surface with the magnet stopper 137. In addition, even when the float portion 130a is shifted to the left and right, the U-shaped receiving portion 135b is an invitation to the magnet stopper 137, and the magnet box 135 is guided to a desired position.

(Linear Hall element 136)
As shown in FIG. 5, the linear Hall elements 136 are respectively provided at lower portions of the left and right side wall outer surfaces of the tank housing case 114. The linear Hall element 136 outputs a voltage according to the detected magnetic flux density.

  In general, the linear Hall element 136 has the characteristics as shown in FIG. The horizontal axis in FIG. 30 is the magnetic flux density detected by the linear Hall element 136, and the vertical axis in FIG. 30 is the output voltage value of the linear Hall element 136.

  When the magnetic flux density detected by the linear Hall element 136 is close to 0 Wb / m 2, the linear Hall element 136 outputs 1⁄2 Vdd (V) which is half of the maximum output voltage Vdd (V). When the magnetic substance whose magnetic property is N pole approaches the linear Hall element 136, the linear Hall element 136 strongly detects the magnetic force of the N pole, and the output voltage becomes larger than 1/2 Vdd (direction of arrow O in FIG. 30). . On the other hand, when the magnetic substance whose magnetic property is N pole approaches the linear Hall element 136, the linear Hall element 136 strongly detects the magnetic force of the S pole, and the output voltage becomes smaller than 1/2 Vdd (arrow N direction in FIG. 30). ).

  Since the linear hall element 136 is provided at the lower part of the side wall outer surface of the tank housing case 114, the distance between the linear hall element 136 and the magnet box 135 approaches when the liquid detergent level in the detergent tank 117 decreases. The output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 changes.

  If the linear hall element 136 is disposed on the outer bottom surface side of the detergent tank 117, the detergent is accumulated on the outer bottom surface of the detergent tank 117, so that it can not be detected that the detergent liquid in the detergent tank 117 has decreased. On the other hand, when the linear Hall element 136 is provided on the side wall of the tank housing case 114, the detergent flows down along the outer surface of the side wall, so that the above erroneous detection can be prevented.

[1-2. Operation, action]
The operation and action of the washing machine in the above configuration will be described below.

[1-2-1. Laundry operation operation]
The operation of the washing operation in Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.

The washing operation of the washing machine 100 is performed by soaking clothes in washing water and removing dirt by rotating the drum 106 “washing process”, washing clothes soaked with detergent water with water “rinsing process”, clothes containing water Dewatering process of dewatering, drying process of supplying warm air to the drum 106 to dry clothes in the drum 106, and the like.

  The user feeds the detergent solution to the detergent tank 117 and the softener solution to the softener tank 126 prior to washing.

  When the detergent tank 117 is replenished with the detergent solution, the lid 114 a is opened and the detergent tank 117 is removed. Next, the detergent tank lid 119 is opened, and the detergent solution is poured into the detergent tank 117.

  Similarly, when replenishing the softener solution in the softener tank 126, the lid 114a is opened and the softener tank 126 is removed. Next, the softener tank lid 128 is opened, and the softener liquid is poured into the softener tank 126.

  The lid 114a, the detergent tank lid 119, and the softener tank lid 128 are configured to be opened and closed while being pivoted up and down by a hinge. For this reason, the detergent tank lid 119 and the softener tank lid 128 can also be closed by closing the lid 114a in a state where the detergent tank lid 119 and the softener tank lid 128 are open.

  At the time of washing, the user opens the lid 102 and inserts the clothes into the drum 106 from the clothes inlet / outlet 103. Next, the operation display unit 104 is operated to turn on the power switch, and various washing courses and washing conditions such as washing, rinsing, and dewatering are set. The washing courses that can be set are "wash only", "rinse only", "dehydration only" and the like.

  Hereinafter, the driving operation in the "washing course" will be described.

  In the "washing course", the controller controls to sequentially execute the cloth amount determination process, the water supply process, the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dewatering process. In the cloth amount determination step, the cloth amount determination unit measures the torque current value when the tank rotation motor is repeatedly rotated in the forward rotation direction and the reverse direction at a constant rotation speed in the cloth amount detection. Detect the amount of Next, the pump unit 111 is driven, and the amount of detergent liquid calculated by the liquid agent charge amount calculation unit is supplied from the detergent tank 117 into the drum 106. Thereafter, the first water supply valve 110a is opened, and a water supply step of supplying the tap water having a water amount corresponding to the cloth amount into the drum 106 is executed.

  After completion of the water supply process, the tank rotation motor is driven to rotate the drum 106, thereby performing the washing process for agitating the laundry in the drum 106. After completion of the washing process, the controller executes the rinsing process after performing the dewatering. In the rinsing step, after the first water supply valve 110a is opened and a predetermined amount of tap water is supplied into the water tank 105, the pump unit 111 is driven to soften the softener liquid of the amount calculated by the liquid agent input amount calculation unit. The water is supplied from the agent tank 126 into the water tank 105. In addition, after the detergent solution and the softener solution are supplied, tap water is supplied to wash out the waterway of the detergent and the softener solution.

  When the rinsing process is completed, the dewatering process is performed and the washing course is completed.

1-2-2. Water supply method and liquid agent supply method using an automatic liquid agent injection device]
Hereinafter, a method of supplying water and a method of supplying the liquid agent to the water tank 105 will be described.

  First, in the washing step, tap water is supplied to the water tank 105.

As shown in FIG. 24, when supplying tap water, the controller opens the first water supply valve 110a and closes the second water supply valve 110b. Further, the detergent-side coil 113d, the softener-side coil 113i, and the drive motor 112f are deenergized. Thereby, the tap water supplied from the faucet flows through the first water channel 181 and is supplied to the water tank 105.

  After the water supply is completed, the detergent solution in the detergent tank 117 is supplied to the water tank 105. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the controller turns on the detergent side coil 113d and the drive motor 112f, and turns off the softener side coil 113i. As a result, the detergent tank 117 and the suction water passage 112 h of the pump unit 111 communicate with each other. Since the check valve 123b moves backward, the detergent liquid in the detergent tank 117 is transferred from the cylinder portion 123 to the pump unit 111 via the detergent-side cylinder 111b, the detergent-side three-way valve 113a, and the softener-side three-way valve 113b. It flows into the suction channel 112h.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the piston 112e reciprocates up and down in the cylinder 112d by the driving force of the driving motor 112f. Thereby, negative pressure and positive pressure are repeated inside the cylinder 112d. When the piston 112e moves upward, the inside of the cylinder 112d becomes negative pressure, the suction side check valve 164 moves upward, and the detergent liquid is in the cylinder 112d from the gap between the suction side check valve 164 and the suction water passage 112h. It flows into the housing portion 112c. When the piston 112 e moves downward, the inside of the cylinder 112 d becomes positive pressure, and the discharge side check valve 165 moves downward. For this reason, the detergent in the accommodation portion 112c in the cylinder is discharged from the gap between the discharge side check valve 165 and the inner wall surface 112j of the discharge water passage 112g to the branch water passage 129a directly downward (arrow in FIG. 7). C direction). The discharged detergent liquid flows through the branch water passage 129 a of the connection hose 129 and is supplied to the water tank 105.

  As described above, the predetermined amount of detergent liquid can be supplied to the water tank 105 by the piston 112 e repeating the vertical movement for a predetermined time.

  Here, the second water channel 182 communicates with the water tank 105, but when the lid 102 is open, the inside of the water tank 105 is open to the atmosphere. For this reason, there is a possibility that the liquid agent may be dried, fixed, and accumulated in the water channel of the liquid agent from the piston pump unit 112 to the water tank 105.

  In the present embodiment, the discharge water channel 112g of the pump unit 111 is connected to the branch water channel 129a of the connection hose 129, so it does not pass through the water injection channel of the water injection case 116, but freely falls toward the water tank 105 directly downward. Is discharged (arrow C in FIG. 7). Thereby, the distance of the discharge water channel is short, and the water channel is not complicated, so that the fixing of the detergent liquid can be suppressed.

  After the detergent solution is completely fed, as shown in FIG. 10A, the controller deenergizes the detergent side coil 113d and the softener side coil 113i and opens the first water supply valve 110a for a predetermined time. Thus, the water that has flowed from the first water channel 181 to the second water channel 182 flows into the three-way valve unit 113 and the pump unit 111. As a result, the detergent liquid remaining on the three-way valve unit 113, the pump unit 111, and the connection hose 129 can be washed away.

  Further, since the momentum of water is weak at the start of water supply, the suction side check valve 164 and the discharge side check valve 165 may not move and the flow of water supplied may be interrupted. Therefore, the drive motor 112f may be driven for a predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds) after the first water supply valve 110a is opened. With the above configuration, the piston 112 e reciprocates up and down, and the inside of the storage portion 112 c in the cylinder is in a state where the positive pressure and the negative pressure are repeated. Therefore, the suction side check valve 164 and the discharge side check valve 165 moves to allow tap water to flow into the pump unit 111. Therefore, the detergent liquid remaining on the three-way valve unit 113, the pump unit 111, and the connection hose 129 can be washed away.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the discharge water passage 112 g of the pump unit 111 communicates with the water tank 105 via the connection hose 129 without passing through the tank storage case 114. Therefore, the liquid agent can be prevented from remaining and adhering to the water passage from the pump unit 111 to the water tank 105.

  As shown in FIG. 10C, when the softener liquid is supplied from the softener tank 126, the softener-side coil 113i and the drive motor 112f are turned on and the detergent-side coil 113d is turned off. Do. The method of supplying the softener liquid is the same as the method of supplying the detergent liquid, so the description will be omitted.

  In addition, when foreign matter bites into the opening and closing portion of the detergent-side three-way valve 113a, there is a possibility that a gap may be generated at the opening and closing portion of the detergent-side three-way valve 113a. With the first water supply valve 110a open, when a power failure or water interruption occurs, the detergent solution in the detergent tank 117 flows through the opening of the detergent-side three-way valve 113a and the second water channel 182 is directed to the water tap There is a risk of backflow.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 24, in the second water channel 182, the bypass water channel 184 is branched downward, and the lower water injection port 114g which is the water outlet of the bypass water channel 184 is positioned below the detergent tank 117. doing. For this reason, the detergent solution flowing back from the detergent tank 117 flows to the bypass water passage 184 and flows to the water tank 105 via the tank housing case 114 and the connection hose 129 (arrow A4). Therefore, the detergent liquid in the detergent tank 117 can flow back to the faucet, and the malfunction of the faucet can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the tap water flowing in the bypass water channel 184 flows into the tank storage case 114, it can also be used to wash away the detergent liquid fixed to the tank storage case 114 when water is supplied.

  The same applies to the case where the softener in the softener tank 126 flows backward, so the description will be omitted.

1-2-3. Manual feed of detergent and softener to water tank]
Hereinafter, in the case where manual loading of the detergent is set, a method of supplying the water tank 105 with the powder detergent and the softener manually loaded into the detergent case 115 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 24, when supplying the detergent supplied to the detergent case 115 to the water tank 105, the first water supply valve 110a is opened and the second water supply valve 110b is closed. As a result, as shown by arrow A1 in FIG. 24, the tap water supplied from the faucet flows through the first water channel 181, and is injected from the first upper water injection port 116b toward the detergent storage portion 115b of the detergent case 115. The powder detergent in the detergent container 115 b flows through the connection hose 129 from the drain port 114 c and is supplied into the water tank 105. Further, the tap water supplied to the first water channel 181 is made from the second water channel 182 at the first branch point 181 a. The tap water flowing in the second water channel 182 flows in the bypass water channel 184 as shown by arrow A4 in FIG. 24, and is supplied with water from the lower water injection port 114g toward the inner bottom surface of the tank storage case 114. By the water supplied from the upper side and the water supplied from the lower side, the powder detergent can be flushed to the connecting hose 129 without remaining in the tank housing case 114.

When the softener introduced into the detergent case 115 is supplied to the water tank 105, the first water supply valve 110a is controlled to close and the second water supply valve 110b is controlled to open. Thereby, the tap water supplied from the faucet flows through the third water channel 183 as shown by arrow A3 in FIG. 24 and is injected from the second upper water injection port 116c toward the softener containing portion 115c of the detergent case 115. . Then, the water level in the softener storage portion 115c rises, and the siphon effect of the siphon mechanism allows the softener liquid to flow out to the tank storage case 114 without leaving the softener liquid introduced into the softener storage portion 115c. The softener liquid that has flowed out into the tank storage case 114 flows through the connection hose 129 from the drain port 114 c and is supplied into the water tank 105.

1-2-4. Operation of backflow prevention device]
Hereinafter, the operation of the backflow prevention device 170 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the negative pressure generating portion 174 is formed such that the inner diameter of the water passage is narrower than that of the inflow passage 173 and the outflow passage 175. When the tap water passes through the negative pressure generating part 174, the flow velocity becomes high, so the inside of the negative pressure generating part 174 is in a negative pressure state as compared with the inlet channel 173 and the outlet channel 175 due to the Venturi effect.

  Here, when the atmospheric pressure is P0 (N / m 2) and the water pressure when the tap water flows in the inflow channel 173 is P + P 0 (N / m 2), the tap water flows largely in the negative pressure generating portion 174. When the resulting dynamic pressure becomes P (N / m 2) or more, the static pressure in the negative pressure generating portion 174 becomes equal to or less than the atmospheric pressure P 0 (N / m 2). Further, since the tank housing case 114 is open to the atmosphere, the pressure on the air introduction hose 176 side relative to the intake hole 174a is P0 (N / m 2).

  Since the fluid flows from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, when the water passage diameter of the aspirator 172 is designed so that the static pressure in the negative pressure generating part 174 is equal to or less than the atmospheric pressure P0 (N / m2), the water passage 171 The tap water flowing therethrough flows into the outlet channel 175 without flowing out from the air inlet hole 174a to the projection 177a of the upper lid 177. On the other hand, since air is introduced into the negative pressure generation unit 174 from the air intake hole 174a opened to the atmosphere, the tap water flowing through the outlet channel 175 is in a gas-liquid mixed state.

  When the water supply path is under negative pressure due to a power failure, water cut, etc., there is a possibility that the detergent solution in the detergent tank 117 and the softener solution in the softener tank 126 may flow back to the faucet side. In this case, the communication of the tap water between the inflow passage 173 and the outflow passage 175 can be blocked by introducing air from the intake hole 174a into the negative pressure generation unit 174 via the air introduction hose 176 opened to the atmosphere. Thus, the tap water in the water passage 171 can be separated from the inlet hole 174a to the inlet channel 173 side and from the inlet hole 174a to the outlet channel 175, so that the detergent solution of the detergent tank 117 downstream of the outlet channel 175 The softener liquid in the softener tank 126 can be prevented from flowing back to the water supply.

  Further, in the negative pressure generating portion 174, a step m is formed such that the inner diameter of the water passage on the downstream side of the intake hole 174a is wider than the water passage on the upstream side of the intake hole 174a. As a result, the tap water flowing through the water passage 171 collides with the periphery of the intake hole 174a, and turbulent flow occurs in the flow of the tap water, thereby suppressing the flow from the intake hole 174a into the cavity 177d of the protrusion 177a.

  In addition, a chamfered portion 174 b whose diameter is narrowed toward the negative pressure generating portion 174 is formed on the periphery of the intake hole 174 a. As a result, even when water splashes from the air intake hole 174a to the air introduction hose 176 at the time of water flow, the water droplets flow down on the chamfer 174b toward the negative pressure generating portion 174, so that clogging of the air intake hole 174a can be suppressed.

  Also, the aspirator 172 is configured of one part. Thereby, since the backflow prevention device 170 can be configured with a simple structure, performance deterioration due to assembly variation can be prevented. Moreover, the risk of occurrence of failure due to continuing use of the backflow prevention device 170 can be reduced.

[1-2-5. Cleaning the connection between the detergent tank and the automatic solution feeder]
When the detergent containing portion 115b is manually loaded with the powder detergent, the softener containing portion 115c is manually loaded with the softener, and the laundry is performed in the manual washing mode, the detergent and the softener are drained from the water outlet 114c of the tank containing case 114 Supplied to At this time, even after washing, detergent and softener,
It may remain in the tank storage case 114. Here, when the detergent or softener adheres to and adheres to the cylindrical portion 123 or the detergent side cylindrical portion 111b, which is a connection portion between the detergent tank 117 and the solution automatic feeding device 109, when the detergent tank 117 is pulled out from the tank storage case 114. An adherent substance adhering to the cylindrical portion 123 or the detergent-side cylindrical portion 111b may enter the detergent supply water channel of the liquid medicine automatic feeding device 109 from the cylindrical portion 123, resulting in pressure loss in the water channel. In addition, there is a possibility that a fixed substance such as a liquid agent adheres to the packing 111c of the cylindrical portion 123 and the detergent-side cylindrical portion 111b, and the water tightness of the connection portion is impaired. As described above, the necessary amount of detergent liquid can not be discharged from the necessary amount of detergent tank 117, which may lower the washing performance and the rinse performance. For this reason, regular cleaning of the detergent tank 117 and the automatic solution feeder 109 is required. However, as shown in FIG. 3, since the water injection case 116 is provided at the top of the tank storage case 114, the tank It is difficult to clean the cylindrical portion 123 and the detergent-side cylindrical portion 111b near the rear wall of the housing case 114, which causes a burden on the user.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 24, when water is supplied in the washing step, the water flowing through the first water channel 181 flows into the auxiliary hose 141 at the first branch point 181 a and the bath water pump 140 is discharged. The fluid flows through the hose 142 and flows into the tank housing case 114 from the hole 114 k behind the tank housing case 114 as shown by arrow A in FIG. 3. The water injected from the hole 114k to the tank storage case 114 flows through the inclined surface 114j on the rear side of the tank storage case 114 as shown by arrow B in FIG. 3 and arrow E in FIG. It flows toward the cylinder part 123 which is a connection part of the injection device 109 and the detergent side cylinder part 111b.

  With the above configuration, the water injected from the hole 114k can wash out the dirt at the connection portion between the detergent tank 117 and the automatic liquid medicine charging device 109 every time the water is supplied, so that regular cleaning of the user becomes unnecessary. In addition, since the dirt attached to the packing 111c can be washed away, the water tightness of the connection portion between the cylindrical portion 123 and the detergent-side cylindrical portion 111b can be maintained, and the necessary amount of detergent can be discharged to the water tank 105 without leaking detergent liquid. In addition, since it is possible to prevent the residue from entering the detergent side cylindrical portion 111b, it is possible to prevent the loss of the pressure in the water channel, and it is possible to stably discharge the necessary amount of detergent liquid. In addition, the water injected from the hole 114k is supplied from the drainage port 114c to the water tank 105 through the connection hose 129, so using the water used in the washing step, around the cylindrical portion 123 and the detergent side cylindrical portion 111b You can take care of it. In addition, since a dedicated water supply valve for flushing dirt on the rear side of the tank housing case 114 and hoses constituting the water channel are also unnecessary, costs can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 24, at the time of water supply in the rinse step, the water flowing through the third water channel 183 flows into the branch water channel 185 at the third branch point 183 a. The water flowing through the branch water channel 185 flows from the third upper water injection port 116d to the rear of the tank storage case 114, as indicated by arrow D in FIG. It flows toward the cylindrical portion 123 and the detergent-side cylindrical portion 111b, which are the connection portion between the tank housing case 114 and the automatic liquid medicine feeding device 109 while flowing on the inclined surface 114j on the rear side surface of the tank housing case 114. It becomes possible to wash away the part 111b periphery. Thereby, the same effect as the water supply at the time of a washing process can be acquired.

When “bath water course” for supplying water to the water tank 105 in the washing step is selected, the bath water pump 140 operates after the automatic detergent input is completed, and is supplied from the first water supply valve 110 a to the first water channel 181 Part of the water flows from the auxiliary hose 141 into the bath water pump 140 at the second branch point 181 b. When water flows into the bath water pump 140, one end communicates with the bath water pump 140, and the other end fills the hose (not shown) placed in the bath water of a bath (not shown) with tap water. When the bath water pump 140 is driven in this state, the bath water in the bath flows through the hose and is absorbed into the bath water pump. The bath water absorbed in water flows into the tank accommodation case 114 from the hole 114 k at the rear of the tank accommodation case 114 via the discharge hose 142 as shown by arrow A in FIG. 3. The bath water having flowed into the tank storage case 114 flows on the inclined surface 114 j and flows toward the cylindrical portion 123 and the detergent-side cylindrical portion 111 b, which are connection portions between the detergent tank 117 and the automatic liquid medicine feeder 109. Thereby, the residue of the detergent liquid adhering around the cylinder part 123 and the detergent side cylinder part 111b can be washed away.

  In addition, a “tank storage case maintenance course” may be provided in which the rear wall of the tank storage case 114 and the periphery of the detergent-side cylindrical portion 111b are cleaned while the detergent tank 117 is removed from the tank storage case 114. When "tank storage case maintenance course" is selected, the first water supply valve 110a is opened for a predetermined time. Thereby, the tap water flows through the first water channel 181, flows through the auxiliary hose 141, the bath water pump 140 and the discharge hose 142 at the second branch point 181b and flows into the tank storage case 114 from the hole 114k. The water that has flowed into the tank housing case 114 can flow in the direction of the arrow B in the direction of the arrow B to wash away the back of the tank housing case 114 and the periphery of the detergent-side tubular portion 111b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the tap water injected into the tank housing case 114 from the hole 114k flows along the inclined surface 114j as indicated by the arrow F1, and the guide rib 114h for fixing the detergent tank 117 and the tank housing case 114 It is also possible to clean the receiving portion 117h and the guide rib 114i and the receiving portion 126h for fixing the softener tank 126 and the tank storage case 114. As a result, the liquid agent adheres between the guide rib 114h and the receiving portion 117h and the detergent tank 117 can be easily removed from the tank housing case 114, so that the detergent liquid can be prevented from leaking from the cylindrical portion 123 or the detergent side cylindrical portion 111b. .

[1-2-6. How to determine the remaining amount in the detergent tank]
Hereinafter, a method of determining the remaining amount of detergent in the detergent tank 117 will be described. The same applies to the softener amount shortage determination in the softener tank 126.

  As in the TH line of FIG. 36, a threshold voltage (for example, 2.1 V) for determining that the remaining amount of detergent is insufficient is stored in the storage unit.

  When the detergent solution is discharged from the detergent tank 117, the water level of the detergent tank 117 falls, and the float portion 130a pivots downward. As a result, the distance between the magnet and the linear Hall element 136 changes, so the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 also changes. When the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 is less than the threshold voltage, it is determined that the detergent remaining amount is insufficient, and the operation display unit 104 displays that effect.

  Further, in the present embodiment, two magnets consisting of the first magnet 134a and the second magnet 134b are disposed at a position along the rotation direction of the float portion 130a in the magnet box 135. The first magnet 134 a points the N pole to the linear Hall element 136, and the second magnet 134 b points the S pole to the linear Hall element 136. Therefore, the linear Hall element 136 detects different polarities from the first magnet 134a and the second magnet 134b.

  32 to 35 are schematic views showing the positional relationship between the magnet and the linear Hall element at each detergent water level in the detergent tank.

  FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a relationship between the remaining amount of detergent in the detergent tank of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and the output voltage of the linear Hall element.

  Hereinafter, the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 with respect to each water level of the detergent liquid of the detergent tank 117 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 32, in the state where the detergent solution is filled, the linear Hall element 136 receives the magnetism of the N pole from the first magnet 134a. As a result, the output voltage of the magnetic force sensor is as shown by a1 in FIG. When the detergent liquid is discharged from the detergent tank 117 in the state of FIG. 32, the liquid level of the detergent tank 117 falls and the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 rises.

  As shown in FIG. 33, when the first magnet 134a is rotated to the height position of the linear Hall element 136, the linear Hall element 136 has a maximum voltage as indicated by a2 in FIG.

  When the detergent solution in the detergent tank 117 is discharged from the state shown in FIG. 33, the float portion 130a rotates. As the distance between the linear Hall element 136 and the first magnet 134a increases, and the distance between the linear Hall element 136 and the linear Hall element 136 decreases, the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 decreases. When the float portion 130a pivots to the position of FIG. 34, the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 becomes as shown by a3 in FIG. When the detergent solution in the detergent tank 117 is further discharged, the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 is reduced. When the float portion 130a pivots to the height position of the second magnet 134b, the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 is as shown by a4 in FIG.

  As described above, after the first magnet 134a approaches (section a1 to a2 in FIG. 36), the second magnet 134b approaches while flowing from the first magnet 134a (section a2 to a3 in FIG. 36), the second magnet Away from 134b (section a3 to a4 in FIG. 36).

  Here, when the float portion 130a rotates from FIG. 33 to FIG. 35 (sections a2 to a4 in FIG. 36), the distance between the linear Hall element 136 and the first magnet 134a increases, and the linear Hall element 136 and the linear hall The distance to the element 136 approaches. As a result, the magnetic flux density received by the linear Hall element 136 is reduced in the N pole component and increased in the S pole component. Therefore, in the section a2 to a4 in FIG. 36, the magnetic property received by the linear Hall element 136 changes more than in the case where one magnet is disposed in the magnet box 135, so the linear Hall element for the detergent discharge amount The amount of change of the output voltage of 136 becomes large. Therefore, the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 can increase the determination accuracy of the remaining amount of detergent as compared with the case where one magnet is disposed in the magnet box 135.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 28, on the lower surface of the detergent tank lid 119, a partition rib 119a is formed around the pivot shaft 131 of the float portion 130a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 32, even when the detergent tank 117 is filled with the detergent liquid, an air pool is present inside the area surrounded by the partition rib 119a, so the detergent liquid does not flow in, It is possible to prevent the detergent solution from adhering to the pivot shaft 131 of the float portion 130a. Even when the detergent tank lid 119 is inclined with the detergent tank lid 119 removed from the detergent tank 117, the liquid adhering to the lower surface of the detergent tank lid 119 flows to the pivot shaft 131 of the float portion 130a. It can be intercepted by the rib 119a. Therefore, it can suppress that the rotational axis 131 adheres with detergent liquid and the measurement precision of the detergent residual quantity deteriorates.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 29, the magnet stopper 137 is disposed on the inner bottom surface of the detergent tank 117 so as to contact the receiving portion 135b of the magnet box 135 with the amount of detergent water determined to be insufficient. As a result, even when the liquid agent is discharged in a state where the liquid agent remaining amount is insufficient, it is possible to prevent the float portion 130a from rotating downward. Therefore, the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 changes when the amount of remaining detergent is insufficient, and erroneous detection that the amount of remaining detergent is not insufficient can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, the linear Hall element 136 is arranged to receive the magnetism of the N pole from the first magnet 134a and the magnetism of the S pole from the second magnet 134b. The present invention is not limited to this, and the linear Hall element 136 may be configured to receive the magnetism of the S pole from the first magnet 134a and receive the magnetism of the N pole from the second magnet 134b. In this case, the waveform of the output voltage received by the linear Hall element 136 is upside down with the waveform of FIG.

  Even if three or more magnets are alternately provided at different positions along the rotation direction of the float portion 130a in the magnet box 135 so that the magnetism given to the linear Hall element 136 is different, the same function and effect as the present invention can be obtained. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, when the washing machine is manufactured, the voltage of the linear Hall element 136 in a state (M1 section in FIG. 36) in which the detergent tank 117 is filled with the detergent liquid in a state where the liquid medicine automatic feeding device 109 is attached. The output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 in a state where the detergent liquid is not replenished into the detergent tank 117 (section M2 in FIG. 34) is measured and stored in the storage unit. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce an error in the determination of the remaining amount of detergent due to the manufacturing variation of the remaining amount detection for each device, the variation of the installation of the linear Hall element 136, or the like.

  The output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 when the magnet box 135 abuts on the magnet stopper 137 may be determined to be insufficient in the remaining amount of detergent. As a result, the magnet box 135 can be compared with the output voltage value in the M2 section stored in the storage unit in the magnet stopper 137, so that the variation error in the determination of the remaining amount of detergent for each device can be reduced.

[1-2-7. Tank fault detection method]
If the automatic solution dosing device 109 is not used for a long time, there is a possibility that the detergent solution in the detergent tank 117 may stick. When the fixed detergent liquid is clogged in the cylindrical portion 123 which is the discharge port in the detergent tank 117 or the detergent side cylindrical part 111b of the automatic solution feeder 107, the detergent tank 117 may not discharge the desired amount of detergent liquid. . In addition, when the detergent solution is fixed to the rotation shaft 131 of the float portion 130a, the float portion 130a does not rotate even though the detergent solution is discharged from the detergent tank 117, and the detection accuracy of the remaining amount of detergent decreases. There is a risk of

  Therefore, the controller according to the present embodiment is provided with a defect determination unit (not shown) that determines whether the above-described defect has occurred due to the detergent solution adhering to the inside of the detergent tank 117. Hereinafter, the defect determination method by the defect determination unit will be described.

  When the detergent solution is discharged from the detergent tank 117, the water level of the detergent tank 117 falls, and the float portion 130a pivots downward. As a result, the distance between the magnet 134 and the linear Hall element 136 changes, so the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 also changes. However, when the fixed detergent liquid or the like is clogged in the rotary shaft 131 or the cylindrical part 123 of the float part 130a, even if the detergent liquid is discharged from the detergent tank 117, the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 does not change sufficiently.

  Therefore, the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 when the cumulative amount of detergent discharged from the detergent tank 117 exceeds a predetermined value (for example, 30 ml) and the cumulative amount of detergent discharged from the previous detergent tank 117 are predetermined When the difference value with the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 at the time when it exceeds the value is less than the predetermined value (0.1 V), the float portion 130 a is discharged although the detergent liquid is discharged from the detergent tank 117 Since it has not rotated, it determines with the said malfunction having arisen in the detergent tank 117. As shown in FIG. If it is determined that the detergent tank 117 has a problem, the controller displays that effect on the operation display unit 104 to notify the user. As a result, it is possible to detect a defect in the detergent tank 117 at an early stage, and prevent problems such as not being aware that the desired amount of detergent solution is not discharged, and not being aware of the shortage of detergent solution. Can.

  On the other hand, as in section M1 of FIG. 36, when the detergent solution in the detergent tank 117 is filled, the distance between the first magnet 134a and the second magnet 134b and the linear Hall element 136 is large, and the first magnet Magnetic lines of force from the 134 a and the second magnet 134 b may not reach the linear Hall element 136. In such a case, even when the detergent solution is discharged from the detergent tank 117 and the float portion 130a is rotated downward, the magnetic lines of force from the first magnet 134a and the second magnet 134b do not reach the linear Hall element 136, The output voltage of the Hall element 136 may not change. That is, in the section M1 of FIG. 36, there is a possibility that the malfunction detection unit erroneously detects that a malfunction has occurred even though the above-mentioned malfunction does not occur in the detergent tank 117.

  For this reason, in the output voltage (for example, 2.7 V to 2.9 V) of the linear Hall element 136 in the state where the detergent liquid in the detergent tank 117 is filled, control is performed so that the fault determination unit does not perform the fault determination. ing.

  FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a method of detecting the remaining amount of detergent in the detergent tank 117 and a method of detecting a malfunction of the detergent tank 117. Hereinafter, a specific determination method of failure detection of the detergent tank 117 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the washing machine of the present embodiment, a detergent discharge amount storage unit (not shown) that accumulates and stores the calculated values of the liquid agent remaining amount calculation unit, and a first storage unit (not shown) that stores the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136. And a second storage unit (not shown).

  When the detergent liquid is discharged from the detergent tank 117 (step S0), the controller determines whether the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 is less than 2.1 V (step S1). When the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 is less than 2.1 V (step S1: Yes), it is determined that the detergent remaining amount in the detergent tank 117 is insufficient, and the detergent remaining amount insufficient message of the operation display unit 104 is displayed (Step S2). After confirming the detergent residual amount message in the operation display unit 104, the user takes out the detergent tank 117 from the housing portion of the tank housing case 114 and refills the detergent tank 117 with the detergent liquid. As a result, the detergent liquid level in the detergent tank 117 rises, and the float portion 130a pivots upward. In this state, the detergent tank 117 is mounted again on the storage portion of the tank storage case 114. When the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 becomes larger than 2.1 V which is the threshold voltage, the controller determines that the detergent liquid has been replenished in the detergent tank 117, and cancels the agent remaining amount shortage message in the operation display unit 104. .

  When the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 is 2.1 V or more (step S1: No), the calculated value of the liquid agent remaining amount calculation unit is added to the value X stored in the detergent discharge amount storage unit (step S3) It is determined whether the value X of the detergent discharge amount storage unit after addition is larger than 30 ml (step S4). When the value X of the detergent discharge amount storage unit is 30 ml or less (step S4: No), the failure detection determination is not performed because the predetermined amount of detergent liquid is not discharged yet.

When the value X of the detergent discharge amount storage unit is larger than 30 ml (step S4: Yes), the defect determination unit performs the defect determination. First, 30 (ml) is subtracted from the value X of the detergent discharge amount storage unit (step S5), and the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 is stored in the first storage unit (step S6). Next, it is determined whether the stored value Y of the first storage unit is in the range of 2.7 V to 2.9 V (step S7). If the storage value Y of the first storage unit is within the range of 2.7 V to 2.9 V (step S7: Yes), it is determined that the detergent liquid is filled in the detergent tank 117, and the detergent tank 117 is Without performing the defect determination of 117, the storage value Y of the first storage unit is stored in the second storage unit (step S10). When the stored value Y of the first storage unit is out of the range of 2.7 V to 2.9 V (Step S7: No), the defect determining unit stores the stored value Y of the first storage unit and the stored value of the second storage unit. It is determined whether the absolute value of the difference with Y-1 is less than 0.1 V (step S8). When the absolute value of the difference between the storage value Y of the first storage unit and the storage value Y-1 of the second storage unit is less than 0.1 V (step S8: Yes), the detergent liquid is discharged from the detergent tank 117 Although the float portion 130a is not sufficiently rotated despite the presence of the liquid, the malfunction judging unit judges that the liquid agent is adhered to the detergent tank 117, and the detergent tank 117 causes a malfunction in the operation display unit. It indicates that there is (step S9). Thereafter, the stored value Y of the first storage unit is stored in the second storage unit (step S10). When the absolute value of the difference between the storage value Y of the first storage unit and the storage value Y-1 of the second storage unit is 0.1 V or more (step S8: Yes), the malfunction determination unit It is determined that a defect such as the detergent liquid is not sticking has occurred, and the stored value Y of the first storage unit is stored in the second storage unit (step S10).

  The failure detection method of the softener tank 126 is also similar to the failure detection method of the detergent tank 117. In addition, the supply amount of the softener liquid to the drum 106 in the washing process is smaller than the supply of the detergent liquid. For this reason, it is preferable that the discharge amount of the predetermined softener liquid in step S4 be smaller than the predetermined discharge amount of the detergent.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present embodiment is provided with a failure determination unit that detects a failure in the detergent tank 117 or the softener tank 126. When the difference value of the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 is less than 0.1 V before and after the predetermined amount of liquid agent injection from the detergent tank 117, the malfunction judging portion judges that the liquid agent is stuck to the detergent tank 117 and the display portion To that effect. As a result, since a defect in the detergent tank 117 can be detected at an early stage, problems such as not being aware that the desired amount of detergent liquid is not discharged or not being aware of the shortage of detergent liquid can be avoided. Can be prevented.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 is the output voltage (for example, 2.7 V to 2.9 V) in the state where the solution is filled in the detergent tank 117, the controller The defect determination of 117 is not performed. As a result, even if the detergent liquid is not fixed in the detergent tank 117, it is possible to prevent the malfunction detection unit from erroneously detecting that a malfunction has occurred.

  Further, by providing a plurality of magnets in the magnet box 135 at a position along the rotation direction of the float portion 130a, the linear Hall element 136 can be extended in a wide range with respect to the rotation of the float portion 130a. Can detect the magnetic force of the magnet. For this reason, compared with the case of one magnet, even if the detergent residual amount of the detergent tank 117 is large, it is possible to detect a defect in the detergent tank 117.

  In the present embodiment, in step S8, the absolute value of the difference between the stored value Y of the first storage unit and the stored value Y-1 of the second storage unit and the predetermined threshold voltage (0.1 V) The configuration for determining whether or not a problem has occurred in the detergent tank 117 has been described in comparison. The present invention is not limited to this, and the threshold voltage may be varied according to the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136. As shown in FIG. 36, since the amount of change in the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 with respect to the amount of change in detergent in the detergent tank 117 is not constant, set an appropriate threshold voltage according to the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 Thus, the accuracy of the defect determination of the detergent tank 117 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the float portion 130a pivots is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and if the float portion 130a floats on the liquid surface of the detergent liquid in the detergent tank 117, the pivot Even if it is the structure which does not have, the same effect can be acquired. For example, the float portion 130a may be configured to move up and down according to the water level change while floating on the liquid surface.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration for detecting the liquid medicine remaining amount in the detergent tank 117 by measuring the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an optical sensor may be used.

  In the present embodiment, when it is determined by the malfunction detection unit that an abnormality has occurred in the detergent tank 117, a configuration for notifying the user by displaying the fact on the operation display unit 104 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured to transmit from the washing machine to the server through the Internet, to transmit from the server to the smartphone, and to display on the screen of the smartphone that an abnormality has occurred in the detergent tank 117. Alternatively, the user may be notified by transmitting a voice from the washing machine.

  In the present embodiment, in order to determine the failure of the detergent tank 117, the configuration has been described in which the difference value of the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 before and after the discharge of a predetermined amount (for example, 30 ml) of the detergent solution is calculated. The present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 after discharging the detergent liquid from the detergent tank 117 and the output voltage of the linear Hall element 136 after discharging the detergent liquid from the detergent tank 117 last time And the difference value between the

  Further, in step S8 of FIG. 37, the absolute value of (Y− (Y−1)) is compared with 0.1 V. This can prevent false detection due to the polarity of the magnet. Further, since it is not necessary to produce the magnet box 135 in consideration of the directionality of magnetism of magnet, it is possible to reduce the man-hours required for the production of the magnet box 135 and the man-hours required for the confirmation inspection and to suppress the manufacturing cost.

1-2-8. Connection point between detergent tank and automatic dosing device, and maintenance of water supply channel]
FIG. 38 is a time chart showing each state of the detergent side coil 113d, the softener side coil 113i, the drive motor 112f, the first water supply valve 110a, and the drainage pump in the “care course”.

  When the detergent solution is repeatedly discharged from the detergent tank 117, metals such as magnesium and calcium contained in the tap water are combined with the fatty acid contained in the detergent solution, and the metal soap is precipitated. The deposited metal soap is, as shown in FIG. 24, a cylindrical portion 123, a detergent side cylindrical portion 111b, a detergent side three-way valve 113a, a softener side three-way valve 113b, an intake water passage 112h, an accommodation portion 112c, an outlet water passage 112g, a branch water passage 129a adheres to a water channel (hereinafter referred to as a detergent liquid supply channel) which flows until the detergent liquid of the detergent tank 117 is supplied to the water tank 105, such as 129a and the connecting hose 129. Thereby, the metal soap adhering to the detergent liquid supply channel becomes a resistance to the flow of the detergent liquid discharged from the detergent tank 117 and the tap water supplied. For this reason, there is a possibility that discharge amount of detergent liquid may fall or the force of running water may weaken. In addition, metal soap may intrude into the drum 106 and adhere to the laundry.

  Therefore, in order to suppress the above problems, it is necessary to periodically wash away the metal soap adhering to the detergent solution supply channel.

  When the user cleans the detergent solution supply channel, the user removes the detergent tank 117 from the housing portion of the tank housing case 114, cleans the inside of the detergent tank 117, and refills the detergent tank 117 with citric acid water. Thereafter, the detergent tank 117 is attached again to the storage portion of the tank storage case 114, and the "maintenance mode" is selected on the operation display unit 104.

When the "maintenance mode" is selected, the controller operates the drainage pump (not shown) and alternately executes the following two steps.

  First step: a step of closing the first water supply valve 110a, turning on the detergent side coil 113d, and turning off the softener side coil 113i.

  Second step: a step of opening the first water supply valve 110a and putting the detergent side coil 113d and the softener side coil 113i in the non-energized state.

  By performing the first step, the citric acid water in the detergent tank 117 flows through the detergent liquid supply channel and is supplied to the water tank 105. Since the metal soap has the property of being dissolved by the acidic aqueous solution, the acidic citric acid aqueous solution can wash away the metal soap adhering to the detergent liquid supply channel while dissolving the metal soap. The metal soap washed away is supplied to the water tank 105 together with the citric acid water, and is drained from the housing 101 by flowing through a drainage hose (not shown) from a drainage port (not shown) by the driving force of the drainage pump. .

  By performing the second step, as shown in FIG. 24, the tap water supplied from the water tap flows in the first water channel 181 from the first water supply valve 110 a. Part of the tap water flowing in the first water channel 181 flows to the second water channel 182 as shown by arrow A2 in FIG. 24, and the detergent-side three-way valve 113a, the softener-side three-way valve 113b, the suction water channel 112h, the housing portion It is supplied to the water tank 105 by flowing through 112 c, the outlet water channel 112 g, the branch water channel 129 a, and the connection hose 129. Thereby, the citric acid water remaining in the detergent liquid supply channel in the first step can be washed away.

  Hereinafter, the control when the "care mode" is executed will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  When the user selects the "care mode", the controller energizes the detergent side coil 113d (time T0). Thereby, the first step is started, and as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the detergent-side plunger 113e and the detergent-side valve 113f move rearward, and the citric acid water in the detergent tank 117 becomes the detergent-side tubular portion 111b. The fluid flows into the water channel 124 from the opening b formed at the rear of the valve and flows toward the suction water channel 112 h of the piston pump unit 112.

  After 0.5 seconds from time T0 (time T1), the drive motor 112f and the drainage pump are driven. The piston 112e reciprocates up and down by the driving force of the driving motor 112f, and the inside of the housing portion 112c becomes a positive pressure state or a negative pressure state. As shown in FIG. 11, when the piston 112e moves upward, the housing portion 112c is in a negative pressure state, and the suction side check valve 164 moves upward against the biasing force of the spring 164b. As a result, citric acid water flows from the suction water passage 112 h into the housing portion 112 c. Next, when the piston 112e moves downward, the housing portion 112c is in a positive pressure state, and the discharge side check valve 165 moves downward against the urging force of the spring 165b. Thereby, the citric acid water in the accommodation portion 112 c flows through the outlet water passage 112 g, the branch water passage 129 a, and the connection hose 129 and is supplied to the water tank 105. By repeating the above operation, citric acid water flows while dissolving the metal soap in the detergent liquid supply channel. Further, the citric acid water in the water tank 105 flows from the drainage port to the drainage hose and is drained out of the housing 101 by the driving force of the drainage pump.

  Further, since the drive motor 112f is driven, the detergent side valve body 113f can not be moved rearward even though the detergent side coil 113d is energized, so that the detergent can be removed at time T0. The drive motor 112f is controlled to be driven 0.5 seconds after the start of energization of the side coil 113d.

In the present embodiment, the discharge amount of citric acid water in the detergent tank 117 (for example, 200 ml)
Is controlled to be larger than the maximum discharge amount of the detergent solution (for example, 120 ml) in the washing step and the maximum discharge amount of the softener in the rinse step (for example, 100 ml).

  After 55 seconds from time T1 (time T2), the controller stops driving the drive motor 112f. After 0.5 seconds from time T2 (time T3), the detergent-side coil 113d is deenergized. Thereby, as shown to Fig.10 (a), the detergent side plunger 113e and the detergent side valve body 113f move ahead, and the opening part b formed in the back of the detergent side cylinder part 111b by the detergent side valve body 113f becomes a It is blocked. Therefore, the flow of citric acid water from the detergent tank 117 is blocked by the detergent-side valve 113 f. The second step ends at time T3. Also, by preventing the detergent-side valve body 113f from being moved forward due to the drive motor 112f being driven, the detergent-side valve 113f can not move forward even though the detergent-side coil 113d is in the non-energized state. The detergent-side coil 113d is deenergized 0.5 seconds after the drive motor 112f is de-energized at T2.

  After 0.5 seconds from time T3 (time T4), the controller drives the drive motor 112f and opens the first water supply valve 110a. Thereby, the second step is started. As shown in FIG. 10A, the supplied tap water flows through the second water passage 182, flows from the opening a into the water passage 124 of the three-way valve unit 113, and flows toward the suction water passage 112h of the piston pump unit 112. Thereby, the citric acid water remaining in the three-way valve unit 113, the piston pump unit 112, etc. can be washed away. In addition, since the force of running water is weak at the start of water supply, the suction side check valve 164 of the piston pump unit 112 in FIG. 11 is moved upward or the discharge side check valve 165 is moved downward only with the water pressure of tap water. There is a possibility that it can not be done. Therefore, by driving the drive motor 112 f in the second step, tap water can reliably pass through the piston pump unit 112.

  In addition, after 0.5 seconds (time T4) from the start of energization (time T3) of the detergent-side coil 113d, the movement of the detergent-side valve body 113f of the three-way valve unit 113 is not impeded by the driving force of the drive motor 112f. Control is performed to drive the drive motor 112 f.

  After 5 seconds from time T4, the controller stops driving the drive motor 112f and controls the first water supply valve 110a to close (time T5). Thus, the second step is completed.

  After 0.5 seconds from time T5 (time T6), the same control as at time T0 is executed, and the first step is started. Thereafter, at time T6 to time T11 and time T12 to time T17, the same control as that at time T0 to time T5 is executed. 40 seconds after the end of the second process at T17 (time T18), the drive of the drainage pump is stopped. Thereby, the citric acid water and tap water remaining in the drum 106 can be drained.

  In addition, since the maintenance mode of the softener tank 126 is also the same, the description will be omitted.

[1-3. Effect etc]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when the “care course” for cleaning the supply channel of the detergent solution discharged from the detergent tank 117 is selected, the controller is configured so that the citric acid water discharged from the detergent tank 117 is a piston A first step of controlling the three-way valve unit 113 to be supplied to the water tank 105 via the pump unit 112 and tap water supplied by opening the first water supply valve via the piston pump unit 112 The second step of controlling the three-way valve unit 113 supplied to 105 is repeatedly performed a plurality of times. Thereby, the metal soap and detergent liquid which were stuck to the detergent liquid supply channel can be washed away.

Further, in the “care mode” of the present embodiment, control is performed so that the second step is finally performed. Finally, by executing the second step, the "care mode" can be ended in a state where the citric acid remaining in the detergent solution supply channel is washed away with the tap water.

  Further, in the "care mode" of the present embodiment, the drive motor 112f of the piston pump unit 112 is driven during the second step. As a result, even when the force of running water at the start of water supply is weak, the force of running tap water can be intensified by the driving force of the drive motor 112f, and the cleaning effect of metal soap and detergent solution fixed to the detergent solution supply channel It can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the amount of liquid discharged from the detergent tank 117 is controlled to be larger in the maintenance course than in the washing step and the rinsing step. Thereby, the cleaning effect of the detergent solution supply channel can be improved.

  In addition, when the user does not use washing using the solution automatic injection device 109 for a long time (for example, three months), the cylinder portion 123 of the detergent tank 117 or the detergent side cylinder portion 111b of the solution automatic injection device 109, three-way valve The detergent liquid remaining in the detergent liquid supply channel such as the unit 113 and the piston pump unit 112 is fixed. If the detergent solution adheres to the solution supply channel, the discharge amount of the detergent solution in the washing step and the discharge amount of the softener solution in the rinsing step may be reduced, which may adversely affect the washing performance. Here, when the automatic solution feeder is not used for a long time, the detergent tank 117 and the automatic solution feeder 109 are replenished by replenishing the detergent tank 117 with citric acid water or tap water and executing the "care course". It is possible to wash away the detergent solution that has been fixed to the connection part or the solution supply channel.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, examples of the technology disclosed in the present application have been described. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which changes, replacements, additions, omissions, and the like have been made.

  Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration is described in which the drive motor 112 f of the piston pump unit 112 is driven during the second process, but the drive motor 112 f may not be performed during the second process.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the water supply valve 110a is in the closed state is described in the first step, but the water supply valve 110a may be in the open state also during the first step.

  In this embodiment, the flow of tap water from the first water supply valve 110a to the piston pump unit 112 and the flow of citric acid water from the detergent tank 117 to the piston pump unit 112 are performed using the detergent side three-way valve 113a. The configuration to switch is described. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, even if the flow of tap water and citric acid water is switched using a four-way valve or the like, the same function and effect can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, in the "maintenance mode", the configuration in which the first step and the second step are repeatedly performed three times each has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the same action and effect can be obtained by performing control so that the first step and the second step are performed at least once each and finally the first step is performed. For example, the first step and the second step may be repeated once or may be repeated four times. Also, like the first step, the first step, and the second step, the same action and effect can be obtained without repeatedly executing the first step and the second step.

In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the drainage pump is kept operating during the "care course" has been described. The configuration of the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient if tap water or citric acid water does not remain in the water tank 105 at the end of the “care course”. For example, even if the configuration is such that the drainage pump is driven immediately before the end of the "care course", the same effect can be obtained.

  Although the present embodiment describes the configuration in which the detergent tank 117 is replenished with citric acid water to execute the "care course", the present invention is not limited to this, and the detergent tank 117 is replenished with tap water etc. You may run a "Care Course" at.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can prevent the liquid agent from remaining and adhering to the liquid agent supply channel.

101 Case 106 Drum (Washing Tank)
105 water tank 109 automatic liquid feeder 110a first water supply valve (water supply valve)
111 Pump unit 113 Three-way valve unit (switching valve)
114 Tank storage case (tank storage unit)
117 Detergent Tank (Liquid Tank)
126 Softener tank (liquid tank)

Claims (9)

A housing forming an outer shell, a water tank supported in the housing, a washing tank rotatably supported in the water tank, a water supply port formed in the housing and supplying tap water, and the water supply port A water supply valve for controlling the flow of tap water supplied from the water tank, a tank storage unit for storing a liquid tank, a pump unit for sucking liquid and discharging it to the washing tank, tap water supplied from the water supply port, A switching valve for supplying one of the liquids discharged from the liquid tank to the pump unit, and a controller for controlling the water supply valve, the pump unit, the switching valve, and the like;
A washing machine having a cleaning course for cleaning a water channel in which a liquid in the tank is supplied to the washing tank. When the maintenance course is selected, the controller controls the switching valve to flow the liquid discharged from the liquid tank to the pump unit, opens the water supply valve, and supplies tap water supplied with water. And a second step of controlling the switching valve so as to flow to the pump unit at least once. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein when the maintenance course is selected, the controller performs control so as to alternately execute the first step and the second step. The washing machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the controller controls to execute the second step at the end of the maintenance course. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the controller drives the pump unit in the first step. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the controller drives the pump unit in the second step. The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the controller controls the amount of liquid discharged from the tank in the maintenance course to be larger than the amount of liquid discharged from the tank in the step of washing the laundry. The washing machine described in 1 or 2. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the maintenance course is performed in a state where the acidic aqueous solution is stored in the liquid tank. A housing forming an outer shell, a water tank supported in the housing, a washing tank rotatably supported in the water tank, a water supply port formed in the housing and supplying tap water, and the water supply port A water supply valve for controlling the flow of tap water supplied from the water tank, a tank storage unit for storing a liquid tank, a pump unit for sucking liquid and discharging it to the washing tank, tap water supplied from the water supply port, A control method for a washing machine, comprising: a switching valve for supplying one of the liquids discharged from a liquid tank to a pump unit; and a controller for controlling the water supply valve, the pump unit, the switching valve, and the like.
Controlling the switching valve to flow the liquid discharged from the liquid tank to the pump unit;
The control method of the washing machine which performs the 2nd step of controlling the switching valve so that the tap water supplied from the water supply port may be opened by opening the water supply valve and performing the switching valve at least once.