JP2020185088A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which allows a user to easily recognize an operation situation of a liquid agent input device.SOLUTION: A washing machine 100 includes a liquid agent tank 140 for storing a liquid, a liquid agent automatic input device 130 for sucking the liquid stored in the liquid agent tank 140 and for inputting it into a water tub 106 or a washing and dewatering tub 109, and a lid lock part 116 for locking a lid. Also, the washing machine 100 does not perform locking of the lid 103 by the lid lock part 116 when the automatic input operation by the liquid agent automatic input device 130 is performed. Thereby, during the automatic input operation, a user can freely open the lid to confirm how the liquid level of a detergent is gradually lowering, and can know that the automatic input operation is normally executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

The present disclosure relates to a washing machine.

Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine provided with a tank for automatically charging detergent.

The washing machine according to Patent Document 1 includes a washing machine main body, a rotatably supported cylindrical washing / dehydrating tub, a door that opens and closes when the laundry is taken in and out, and a start button for starting operation. It is equipped with an operation panel and a detachably attached tank for automatic detergent injection, and the door is locked when the start button is pressed to start operation.

JP-A-2017-169928

The present disclosure provides a washing machine in which the user can easily recognize the operating status of the liquid agent charging device.

The washing machine in the present disclosure includes a housing, a water tank arranged inside the housing, a washing / dehydrating tank formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and rotatably arranged inside the water tank, and the washing. It is provided with a lid that opens and closes the opening of the combined dehydration tank, a lid lock portion that locks the lid so that the lid does not open, and a liquid agent charging device that charges a liquid into the washing and dehydrating tank. The washing machine does not lock the lid by the lid lock portion when the liquid charging operation by the liquid agent charging device is performed.

In the washing machine of the present disclosure, the user can easily recognize the operating state of the liquid agent charging device.

Longitudinal sectional view of the washing machine according to the first embodiment External perspective view of the washing machine with the lid closed External perspective view of the washing machine with the lid open Front view of the appearance of the washing machine with the lid open FIG. 4 is a front view of the appearance of the liquid agent tank removed from the tank housing. Schematic diagram showing the position of the liquid agent automatic charging device of the washing machine An exploded perspective view of the liquid agent tank of the washing machine Vertical cross-sectional view showing the storage state of the liquid agent tank and the tank storage portion of the washing machine. Schematic diagram showing the connection between the liquid agent automatic charging device and the liquid agent tank of the washing machine (A) Front view of the filter of the liquid agent tank of the washing machine, (b) Side view of the filter of the liquid agent tank of the washing machine. Vertical cross-sectional view of the washing machine in which the drawer of the liquid agent tank is housed. Vertical cross-sectional view of the drawer of the liquid agent tank of the washing machine Front view of the appearance of the washing machine with the drawer of the liquid agent tank pulled out Schematic diagram showing the operation display of the washing machine Flow chart showing processing related to the lid lock part during the automatic loading operation of detergent in the washing machine Timing chart showing the automatic loading operation of the washing machine A flowchart showing processing related to the lid lock portion during the automatic charging operation of the softener of the washing machine. Timing chart showing the care course of the washing machine

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by the accompanying drawings and the following description.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13.

(Basic configuration of washing machine)
1 is a vertical sectional view of the washing machine according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the washing machine with the lid closed, and FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the washing machine with the lid open. It is a figure.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the washing machine 100 includes an outer frame 101, an upper frame body 102, and a lid 103. The upper frame body 102 is fixed to the upper part of the outer frame 101, and the laundry input port 104 is formed substantially in the center. The lid 103 is arranged so as to be openable and closable so as to cover the laundry input port 104 of the upper frame body 102.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water tank 106 formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape is elastically supported inside the outer frame 101. Water can be stored inside the water tank 106, and the collected water is discharged from the drain pipe (not shown) by opening the drain valve (not shown). Inside the water tank 106, the washing / dehydrating tank 109 is rotatably held. The water tank 106 and the washing / dehydrating tank 109 are collectively referred to as a tank unit (not shown).

The pulsator 110 is provided at the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub 109. By rotating the pulsator 110, the laundry inside the washing / dehydrating tub 109 can be agitated.

A motor 112 is held at the bottom of the water tank 106. The motor 112 rotates the pulsator 110 independently, or simultaneously rotates the pulsator 110 and the washing / dehydrating tub 109.

Behind the upper frame body 102, a rear space 119 for accommodating the liquid agent automatic charging device 130 and the like is provided. The rear space 119 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, an operation display unit 105 is provided on the rear side of the upper frame body 102, and the operation display unit 105 includes a display unit and an operation unit. The user confirms the information displayed on the display unit while operating the operation unit, and sets the operating conditions of the washing machine.

As shown in FIG. 3, a lid lock portion 116 is provided on the upper frame body 102 and the lid 103. The lid lock portion 116 is composed of a lid lock insertion portion 116a formed on the back surface of the lid and a lid lock engaging portion 116b provided on the upper portion of the upper frame body 102. When the lid lock engaging portion 116b is driven with the lid lock inserting portion 116a inserted into the lid lock engaging portion 116b, the lid lock portion 116 is locked. The lid lock insertion portion 116a may be provided on the upper frame body 102, and the lid lock engaging portion 116b may be provided on the lid 103.

The upper part of the water tank 106 is covered with the water tank cover 107. A part of the water tank cover 107 is opened, and the inner lid 108 is openable and closable so as to cover the opening. Before the washing operation, the user opens the inner lid 108 together with the lid 103 and puts the laundry into the washing / dehydrating tub 109.

(Parts configuration housed in the rear space)
FIG. 4 is an external front view of the washing machine in the first embodiment with the lid open, and FIG. 5 is an external front view of the liquid agent tank removed from the tank accommodating portion in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a fabric softener tank 140b, a detergent tank 140a, a detergent container 121, and a drying filter unit 117 are arranged behind the laundry inlet 104 from the left.

As shown in FIG. 5, a tank accommodating portion 131 formed in a substantially box shape that opens forward is provided on the left rear portion of the upper frame body 102. A softener tank 140b is detachably housed on the left side of the tank accommodating portion 131, and a detergent tank 140a is detachably housed on the right side of the tank accommodating portion 131. The front side of the detergent tank 140a and the softener tank 140b is exposed to the laundry inlet 104, and the user can visually recognize the detergent tank 140a and the softener tank 140b with the lid 103 open. A liquid agent automatic charging device 130 is arranged behind the softener tank 140b and the detergent tank 140a.

The detergent container 121 is retractably housed inside the detergent manual charging unit 120. The user can pull out the detergent container 121, put the detergent inside, and perform washing. The water injection hose 122 connects the detergent manual charging section 120 and the rear portion of the water tank cover, and supplies the liquid agent and water to the inside of the washing / dehydrating tank 109.

A drying device (not shown) is arranged behind the drying filter unit 117. The drying device heats the air filtered by the drying filter unit 117, and blows warm air to the laundry housed inside the washing / dehydrating tank 109 via the drying air hose 118 attached to the water tank cover 107. To do.

(Automatic liquid injection device)
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the position of the liquid agent automatic charging device of the washing machine according to the first embodiment.

The liquid agent automatic charging device 130 includes a tank accommodating portion side connecting portion 132 and an automatic charging charging driving unit (not shown) that sucks and discharges the liquid agent from the tank accommodating portion side connecting portion 132. As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid agent automatic charging device 130 is connected to the liquid agent tank 140 via the tank accommodating unit side connecting unit 132, and is also connected to the detergent manual charging unit 120. The automatic charging drive unit sucks the liquid agent stored in the liquid agent tank 140 and sends it to the detergent manual charging unit 120 through a path in the liquid agent automatic charging device 130.

(Tank housing)
The tank accommodating portion 131 is formed as a substantially box-shaped space that opens toward the laundry input port 104. On the surface of the tank accommodating portion 131 into which the detergent tank 140a and the softener tank 140b are inserted, tank accommodating portion side connecting portions 132 for detergent and softener are provided, respectively. The tank accommodating portion side connecting portion 132 is formed so as to be convex toward the front.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tank accommodating portion side connecting portion 132 is surrounded by a tubular connecting portion protecting rib 134. The connection portion protection rib 134 prevents the user from touching the tank housing portion side connection portion 132 and also prevents foreign matter from adhering to the tank housing portion side connection portion 132. Further, a protective rib notch 134a, which is a notch, is formed on the lower side of the connecting portion protective rib 134. As a result, even if the liquid agent drips from the tank housing portion side connection portion 132 when the user removes the detergent tank 140a and the softener tank 140b, the liquid liquid drips from the protective rib notch 134a to the tank housing portion 131. ..

(Appearance shape of liquid agent tank)
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid agent tank of the washing machine according to the first embodiment.

Since the configurations of the detergent tank 140a and the softener tank 140b are substantially the same, the configuration of the detergent tank 140a will be described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 7, the tank body 141 is formed in a substantially box shape in which the upper surface is opened by a transparent material such as resin. The front surface of the tank body 141 is covered with a decorative plate 142 of the same color as the upper frame body 102, giving a sense of unity in appearance. Further, an opening 143 is formed in the central portion of the decorative plate 142, and a portion exposed from the opening 143 of the tank body 141 is a transparent window 144. The user can visually recognize the inside of the tank body 141 from the transparent window 144 with the lid 103 open. The transparent window 144 and the decorative plate 142 are formed flush with the upper frame 102 in a state where the detergent tank 140a is housed in the tank housing portion 131.

A scale display 145 is engraved on the transparent window 144, and the user can check the remaining amount of detergent stored in the tank body 141 by looking at the scale display 145. The interval of the scale display 145 is configured so that it can be visually recognized that the liquid level has dropped in one washing operation. Further, the scale display 145 in the present embodiment is formed so that the capacity of one scale corresponds to the average amount of detergent consumed when the washing operation is performed twice, except for the bottom scale. There is. The bottom scale will be described later.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a storage state of the liquid agent tank and the tank storage portion of the washing machine according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, an upwardly convex claw 137 is formed on the bottom surface of the tank accommodating portion 131. On the other hand, a groove 146 is formed at the bottom of the tank body 141 at a position facing the claw 137 in a state where the detergent tank 140a is housed in the tank housing section 131. The rear surface of the claw 137 comes into contact with the groove 146 in a state where the detergent tank 140a is housed in the tank housing section 131, and locks the tank body 141 to the tank housing section 131. The engagement between the claw 137 and the groove 146 can be released only by lifting the detergent tank 140a upward.

At the lower end of the decorative plate 142, a tank body grip portion 147 projecting downward from the bottom surface of the tank body 141 is formed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the front end portion of the bottom surface of the tank accommodating portion 131 is notched, and the notched portion is used as the accommodating portion bottom surface notch 138. When removing the detergent tank 140a, the user inserts his / her hand into the notch 138 on the bottom surface of the accommodating portion from below the grip portion 147 of the tank body, and puts his / her hand on the grip portion 147 of the tank body. When the user lifts the tank body grip portion 147 upward, the engagement between the groove 146 and the claw 137 is released, and the detergent tank is removed by pulling the tank body grip portion 147 toward you.

(Liquid tank side connection and its surroundings)
9 is a schematic view showing the connection between the liquid agent automatic charging device of the washing machine and the liquid agent tank in the first embodiment, FIG. 10A is a front view of the filter of the liquid agent tank of the washing machine, and FIG. 10B. ) Is a side view of the filter of the liquid agent tank of the washing machine.

As shown in FIG. 9, on the back surface of the tank body 141, a liquid agent tank side connection portion 150 for connecting to the tank accommodation portion side connection portion 132 arranged in the tank accommodation portion 131 is provided. The liquid agent tank side connection portion 150 is formed by being bent so as to have a substantially inverted L shape having an obtuse angle as well as a tubular shape. In the state of being attached to the tank body 141, the cylinder portion 151 projects rearward from the back surface of the tank body 141, and the suction pipe portion 154 extends from the inner side surface of the tank body 141 to the inner bottom surface. A connection portion packing 153 is attached to the suction pipe portion 154, and the connection portion packing 153 seals a gap between the circular hole 148 and the suction pipe portion 154.

The tubular portion 151 is located on the end side of the central portion of the back surface of the tank body 141 and at a position higher than the bottom surface. The tubular portion 151 has a flange 158 formed at a boundary portion with the suction pipe portion 154, and is screwed to the back surface of the tank main body 141 at the flange 158. When the liquid agent tank side connection portion 150 is inserted, the tubular portion 151 positions the connection between the tank accommodating portion side connection portion 132 and the liquid agent tank side connection portion 150. A check valve 152 is provided inside the tubular portion 151. The check valve 152 is normally closed to prevent the detergent contained in the detergent tank 140a from leaking to the outside. The check valve 152 is opened only when it is pushed forward by the tank accommodating portion side connecting portion 132, and enables the detergent stored in the detergent tank 140a to be sucked into the liquid agent automatic charging device 130. ..

The suction pipe portion 154 communicates with the cylinder portion 151, and is inclined and extended toward the vicinity of the inner bottom surface of the tank body 141. The suction pipe portion 154 is provided to suck up the liquid agent when the liquid level of the liquid agent stored in the tank body 141 is lower than the connection portion 132 on the tank accommodating portion side. By providing the suction pipe portion 154, the tank body 141 can be installed below the liquid agent automatic charging device 130, and the degree of freedom in design is improved.

As shown in FIG. 9, a filter 155 is arranged on the inner bottom portion of the tank body 141 so as to cover the suction pipe portion 154. The filter 155 is formed in an inverted L shape, and is configured to abut on the inner side surface and the inner bottom surface in the lateral direction inside the tank body 141.

(Outline of liquid agent information section)
FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the state in which the drawer portion of the liquid agent tank of the washing machine is housed in the first embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the state in which the drawer portion of the liquid agent tank of the washing machine is pulled out. FIG. 13 is an external front view of the washing machine with the drawer portion of the liquid agent tank pulled out.

The liquid agent guide portion 160 is composed of a drawer portion 161 for guiding the liquid agent and a drawer receiving portion 162 which is mounted on the upper part of the tank body 141 and slides with the drawer portion 161. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the drawer portion 161 is configured to be able to be pulled out in the front-rear direction with respect to the drawer receiving portion 162, and the front surface of the drawer portion 161 accommodates the drawer portion 161 in the drawer receiving portion 162. In this state, it is flush with the upper frame 102. When the drawer portion 161 is pulled out from the drawer receiving portion 162, the sliding portion 161a provided on the drawer portion 161 and the rail portion 162b formed on the drawer receiving portion 162 slide in the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 11, a drawer portion grip portion 164 used when pulling out the drawer portion 161 is provided on the front surface of the drawer portion 161. The drawer gripping portion 164 includes an opening 165, a first inclined back surface 166b which is the back surface of the first inclined surface 166 (described later), an opening bottom surface 167 located below the opening 165, and an opening bottom surface. It includes a drain hole 168 located at the lower end of the 167, and a finger hook portion 169 provided below the opening 165.

As shown in FIG. 11, a first inclined surface 166 and a second inclined surface 170 that incline downward from the front to the rear are formed inside the drawer portion 161. The second inclined surface 170 is gentler than the inclination of the first inclined surface 166. As described above, the first inclined surface 166a is the front side of the first inclined back surface 166b, which is the upper surface of the drawer portion gripping portion 164.

Behind the second inclined surface 170, a liquid agent input port 171 that opens inside the tank body 141 is arranged, and the liquid agent input port 171 communicates the inside and outside of the tank body 141. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the second inclined surface 170 is formed so as to be narrowed from the upper part (front) to the lower part (rear), and rectifies the flowing detergent.

An upper limit display surface 172 formed vertically is formed as a part of the drawer portion 161 at a position corresponding to the rear of the liquid agent inlet 171. The upper limit display surface 172 is provided with an upper limit display 172a indicating an upper limit position of the liquid agent stored inside the tank body 141.

Further, the lowest scale provided on the scale display 145 is a lower limit display 145a. The lower limit display 145a is used as a guide when the detergent tank 140a is removed and the inside is cleaned. The lower limit display 145a is the amount of detergent consumed by executing the washing operation once when the amount of detergent remaining inside the suction pipe portion 154 and the amount of detergent stored up to the lower limit display 145a are combined. It is composed. By providing the lower limit display 145a in consideration of the amount of detergent remaining inside the suction pipe portion 154, it is possible to reduce the amount of waste when cleaning the inside of the tank body 141. Further, since the lower limit display 145a is arranged at a position higher than the lower end of the suction pipe portion 154, air does not enter from the lower end of the suction pipe portion 154.

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

(Washing operation with automatic loading operation)
The washing operation when the automatic loading function is ON will be described. The user opens the lid 103, loads the laundry into the washing / dehydrating tub 109 from the laundry loading port 104, and operates the power switch 105h to turn on the power. Subsequently, the user operates the operation display unit 105 to select various courses and start the washing operation. Hereinafter, the automatic charging operation will be described using the detergent tank 140a as an example. The automatic charging operation in the softener tank 140b is substantially the same except that the automatic charging operation is executed in the rinsing step.

First, a cloth amount detection operation for detecting the amount of the loaded laundry is performed, and the control device 114 calculates the liquid agent suction time according to the detected amount of cloth and automatically inputs the liquid agent to the liquid agent automatic charging device 130. Let's get started.

When the automatic charging operation is started, the automatic charging driving unit is driven to suck the detergent stored in the detergent tank 140a during the calculated liquid agent suction time. As described above, the check valve 152 is opened with the detergent tank 140a housed in the tank housing portion 131. Therefore, the liquid agent is sucked into the liquid agent automatic charging device 130 via the liquid agent tank side connection portion 150, passes through the path in the liquid agent automatic charging device 130, and is discharged into the detergent manual charging unit 120. The control device 114 opens the water supply valve and injects water into the path in the liquid agent automatic charging device 130 through which the discharged liquid agent has passed. The injected water flushes the path through which the liquid agent has passed, reaches the detergent manual charging unit 120, dissolves the detergent in the detergent manual charging unit 120, and is supplied to the washing / dehydrating tank 109 via the water injection hose 122. To. When the predetermined amount of water is supplied, the washing process starts. When the series of steps in the set course is completed, the washing operation is completed.

(How to set the automatic liquid injection device)
FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing an operation display unit of the washing machine.

When using the liquid agent automatic charging device 130 for the first time, or when changing the type of detergent or softener, it is necessary to set a reference charging amount per predetermined cloth amount for the liquid agent charged during the automatic charging operation. When the user presses and holds the automatic closing switch 105d, the mode shifts to the reference closing amount setting mode. The user increases or decreases the value displayed on the display unit (not shown) by operating the liquid agent amount setting switch (not shown) in the reference input amount setting mode, and automatically inputs when the target value is reached. The switch 105d is operated to determine. Then, the numerical value displayed on the display unit is set as the reference input amount per the predetermined cloth amount, and the setting mode of the reference input amount ends.

Next, when the automatic charging switch 105d is operated with the reference charging amount per predetermined cloth amount set, the automatic charging function is turned on and the automatic charging display unit 105f lights up. When the washing operation is performed with the automatic loading display unit 105f lit, the automatic loading operation is performed in a series of washing strokes.

If the automatic turn-on switch is operated when the power switch 105h is turned on while the automatic turn-on operation is set, the turn-on amount is temporarily changed. Each time the automatic on switch is operated, the lit display transitions to the automatic on display unit 105f, the automatic on display unit 105e, the automatic on display unit 105g, and the off state. The automatic charging display unit 105f, the automatic charging display unit 105e, and the automatic charging display unit 105g represent the standard input amount according to the standard input amount, the input amount larger than the standard input amount, and the input amount smaller than the standard input amount, respectively. ing. When any one of the automatic closing display unit 105f, the automatic closing display unit 105e, and the automatic closing display unit 105g is lit, the automatic closing operation is set, and when the light is off, the automatic closing operation is not set.

The liquid agent amount setting switch may be provided with a dedicated operation switch, or may be configured to function as a liquid agent amount setting switch when the switch for selecting a washing course or the like uses the reference input amount setting mode. Good.

(Processing related to lid lock when detergent is automatically added)
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing related to the lid lock portion during the automatic loading operation of the washing machine in the first embodiment, and FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing the automatic loading operation of the detergent of the washing machine.

The washing operation when the automatic loading function is ON will be described. The user opens the lid 103, loads the laundry into the washing / dehydrating tub 109 from the laundry loading port 104, operates the operation display unit 105, and turns on the power switch 105h. Subsequently, the user operates the operation display unit 105 to select various courses and start the washing operation. With the start of the washing operation, the processing related to the lid lock starts.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the washing operation is started, a cloth amount detecting operation for detecting the amount of the loaded laundry is performed (S101). Next, the control device 114 blinks the automatic charging display unit 105f, calculates the detergent charging amount according to the detected cloth amount, and causes the liquid agent automatic charging device 130 to start the automatic charging operation (S102). By notifying that the automatic closing operation is being performed by blinking the automatic closing display unit 105f, the user can easily know that the automatic closing operation is being performed. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a dedicated LED or the like, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The control device 114 determines that the automatic charging operation has ended when the discharge of the detergent is completed (S103, Yes). The control device 114 stops the operation of the liquid agent automatic charging device 130 and changes the automatic charging display unit 105f from the blinking state to the lit state (S104).

When the automatic closing operation is completed, the control device 114 detects whether or not the lid 103 is closed by the lid open / close detection unit (not shown), and if the lid 103 is in the open state, proceeds to the next operation. It does not proceed (S105, No). At this time, when the lid 103 is in the open state, the notification that the lid 103 is in the open state may be given. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to close the lid 103 and not proceeding with the washing operation.

When the lid is closed (S105, Yes), the control device 114 locks the lid with the lid lock portion 116 and lights the lock display 105i (S106). After that, the control device 114 executes all or a part of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydration process in order. When all the steps are completed, the control device 114 releases the lock by the lid lock portion 116 and turns off the lock display 105i.

As shown in FIG. 16, the lid lock portion 116 does not lock from the start of the washing operation to the end of the automatic loading operation. Therefore, the user can freely open the lid and check the transparent window 144 arranged behind the laundry loading port 104 during the automatic loading operation. The user can know that the automatic charging operation has been normally performed by confirming that the liquid level of the detergent seen from the transparent window 144 gradually decreases.

Further, the user can know that the automatic loading operation is being performed by blinking the automatic loading display unit 105f without knowing the operation order of the washing machine, and can confirm the transparent window 144.

(Processing related to lid lock when softener is automatically added)
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a process relating to the lid lock portion during the automatic charging operation of the softener of the washing machine according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 16, from the washing process to the middle of the rinsing process, the washing operation is performed with the lid 103 locked by the lid lock portion 116. The automatic charging operation of the softener is carried out in the final rinsing operation in the rinsing process. Therefore, regarding the lid lock after the washing process is completed if the rinsing process is composed of one rinsing operation and before the final rinsing operation if the rinsing process is composed of multiple rinsing operations. The process is started.

As shown in FIG. 17, the control device 114 causes the liquid agent automatic charging device 130 to start the automatic charging operation, and notifies that the automatic charging operation is being performed by blinking the automatic charging display unit 105f (S201). The control device 114 blinks the automatic charging display unit 105f until the detergent discharge is completed (S202, No), determines that the automatic charging operation is completed when the detergent discharge is completed (S202, Yes), and automatically liquids the liquid. The operation of the closing device 130 is stopped, and the automatic closing display unit 105f is changed from the blinking state to the lit state (S203).

When the automatic closing operation is completed, the control device 114 detects whether or not the lid 103 is closed by the lid open / close detection unit, and if the lid 103 is in the open state, the control device 114 does not proceed to the next operation (204, No). When the lid is closed (S204, Yes), the control device 114 locks the lid with the lid lock portion 116 and lights the lock display 105i (S205). As a result, the process related to the lid lock at the time of automatic charging of the softener is completed, and the water supply in the final rinsing operation is started.

The user can freely open the lid 103 and check the transparent window 144 during the automatic charging operation of the softener. The user can know that the automatic charging operation has been normally performed by confirming that the liquid level of the softener seen from the transparent window 144 gradually decreases. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the automatic charging of the softener has been normally performed without any trouble such as clogging in the automatic liquid charging device 130.

(Care course)
FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing a washing machine care course according to the first embodiment.

The user operates the power switch 105h to turn on the power. When the amount of the detergent tank 140a or the softener tank 140b is less than a predetermined amount (for example, when the remaining amount is one time remaining), the user can use the operation display 105 to take care of the detergent tank or the softener tank. Select a care course and start driving. Here, the care course of the detergent tank 140a will be described as an example, but the operation of the care course of the softener tank is substantially the same.

When the care course starts, a water supply process is performed in which the pulsator 110 is supplied with water to the washing / dehydrating tank 109 to a water level at which the pulsator 110 is completely submerged in water. Next, a forced discharge stroke is performed in which the control device 114 drives the automatic charging drive unit 133 for a predetermined time, and the detergent remaining in the liquid agent tank side connection portion 150 and the tank accommodating portion side connection portion 132 is sucked for washing and removal. It is discharged into the water tank 109. At this time, since the water stored in the water supply process exists in the washing / dehydrating tank 109, the discharged detergent falls on the water surface and does not adhere to the washing / dehydrating tank 109 or the pulsator 110. As a result, it is possible to prevent the discharged detergent from hitting the washing / dehydrating tub 109 and the pulsator 110 and scattering, and preventing the high-concentration detergent from adhering to the washing / dehydrating tub 109 and corroding the washing / dehydrating tub 109.

The predetermined time in the discharge operation is set so that the predetermined time of the cleaning course of the detergent tank 140a is longer than the predetermined time of the cleaning course of the softener tank 140b. This is because detergents are more viscous than fabric softeners and take longer to discharge, and detergents consume more on average in a single wash operation than fabric softeners. This is because there are many. When the predetermined time elapses, the forced discharge stroke ends, the lid 103 is locked by the lid lock portion 116, and the drainage stroke is started.

In the drainage stroke, the drain valve is opened to drain the water in the washing / dehydrating tank 109 containing the detergent discharged in the forced discharge stroke. When the drainage process is completed, the lock by the lid lock portion 116 is released, a voice notification device (not shown) notifies that the detergent has been discharged, and the user is notified that the detergent tank can be removed. The user can remove the detergent tank 140a from the tank accommodating portion 131 and clean the inside of the detergent tank 140a.

When the cleaning of the inside of the detergent tank 140a is completed, the user fills the detergent tank 140a with a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid for cleaning and inserts it into the tank accommodating portion 131. The cleaning solution for cleaning is tap water, an aqueous solution of citric acid, or the like. When the user operates the operation display unit 105 while the detergent tank 140a is housed in the tank storage unit 131, cleaning with the cleaning liquid is started.

When cleaning with the cleaning liquid is started, the control device 114 performs a cleaning liquid discharge process for driving the automatic charging drive unit 133 for a predetermined time, and the cleaning liquid for cleaning contained in the detergent tank is sucked and discharged into the washing / dehydrating tank 109. Will be done.

When the cleaning liquid discharge process is completed, the lid 103 is locked by the lid lock portion 116 to shift to the drainage process, the drain valve is opened, and the cleaning liquid for cleaning in the washing / dehydrating tank 109 is discharged. As a result, the liquid agent does not remain in the washing / dehydrating tub 109 at the next normal washing, so that the washing can be performed with an appropriate amount of detergent. When the drainage process is completed, a voice notification device (not shown) notifies that the cleaning with the cleaning liquid is completed, the lock by the lid lock portion 116 is released, and the maintenance course is completed. At the end of the care course, the user can pull out the drawer 161 to replenish the detergent tank 140a with detergent.

The action of the above care course will be explained below.

When the detergent tank 140a or the softener tank 140b is removed from the tank accommodating portion 131, the liquid agent remaining in the liquid agent tank side connection portion 150 or the tank accommodating portion side connection portion 132 may drip. By providing the forced discharge stroke, almost all the remaining liquid agent is discharged, so that liquid dripping can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to prevent the remaining liquid agent from being mixed with the cleaning liquid for cleaning that is injected later.

Further, by performing the water supply process before the forced discharge process, it is possible to prevent the discharged detergent from hitting the washing / dehydrating tank 109 and the pulsator 110 and scattering.

Further, in the maintenance course in the present embodiment, since the forced discharge stroke is included in the series of sequences, the user carries out the forced discharge stroke before removing the detergent tank 140a or the softener tank 140b. It can be done and is highly convenient.

Further, when operating in the washing / dehydrating tank 109 as in the drainage stroke, the lid 103 is locked by the lid lock portion 116, and when the liquid agent automatic charging device 130 operates as in the forced discharge stroke or the cleaning liquid discharge stroke. Is unlocked by the lid lock portion 116. The user can know that the automatic charging operation has been normally performed by opening the lid 103 during the automatic charging operation and confirming that the liquid level of the detergent seen from the transparent window 144 gradually decreases. it can.

When the remaining amount of the detergent tank 140a or the softener tank 140b is large, a forced discharge step may be provided in order to change the liquid agent inside.

(Action, etc.)
As described above, in the present embodiment, the washing machine 100 is fixed to the outer frame 101 and the upper part of the outer frame, and the laundry input port 104 for loading the laundry is opened in a substantially central portion. The upper frame 102, the lid 103 that rotatably covers the laundry input port 104, the water tank 106 arranged inside the upper frame 102, and the washing / removing rotatably arranged inside the water tank 106. A water tank 109, a liquid agent tank 140 for storing the liquid, an automatic liquid agent charging device 130 for sucking the liquid stored in the liquid agent tank 140 and charging the liquid into the water tank 106 or the washing / dehydrating tank 109, and a lid lock portion for locking the lid. 116 and. Further, the washing machine 100 does not lock the lid 103 by the lid lock portion 116 when the automatic charging operation by the liquid agent automatic charging device 130 is performed.

As a result, the lid lock portion 116 does not lock from the start of the washing operation to the end of the automatic loading operation. Therefore, the user can freely open the lid during the automatic charging operation to check how the detergent liquid level gradually drops, and know that the automatic charging operation has been normally performed.

As in the present embodiment, the washing machine 100 includes an automatic charging display unit 105f for notifying information about the liquid agent automatic charging device 130, and the automatic charging display unit 105f is subjected to an automatic charging operation by the liquid agent automatic charging device 130. During this time, it may be notified that the automatic closing operation is being performed.

As a result, the user knows that the automatic charging operation is being performed by blinking the automatic charging display unit 105f without knowing the operation order of the washing machine, and the lid is freely opened to gradually raise the detergent liquid level. You can see how it goes down to.

As in the present embodiment, in the washing machine 100, when the lid open / close detection unit that detects the open / closed state of the lid and the automatic charging operation by the liquid agent automatic charging device 130 are completed, the lid open / close detection unit is in the open state of the lid 103. When the above is detected, a notification prompting the lid 103 to be closed may be performed.

As in the present embodiment, in the washing machine 100, the liquid agent tank 140 is arranged inside the upper frame 102 so as to be exposed to the laundry inlet 104, and is exposed to the laundry inlet 104. A transparent window 144 may be provided on the surface of the liquid agent tank 140 so that the inside of the liquid agent tank 140 can be visually recognized.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the techniques in this disclosure are not limited to this.

Therefore, other embodiments will be illustrated below.

In the first embodiment, the washing machine 100, which is a vertical washing machine, has been described as an example of the washing machine. Since the washing machine may be a washing machine that uses a liquid agent for washing, it may be a two-tank washing machine.

In the first embodiment, the detergent manual charging unit 120 has been described as an example of a place where the liquid agent discharged from the automatic charging driving unit is fed. Further, it was explained that the liquid agent sent to the detergent manual charging unit 120 is poured into the washing / dehydrating tank 109 together with water via the water injection hose 122. Since the liquid agent discharged from the automatic charging drive unit only needs to finally reach the tank unit, the place where the liquid agent is delivered is not limited to the above. For example, the detergent may be fed between the washing / dehydrating tank 109 and the water tank 106 without passing through the detergent manual charging unit 120. Further, the liquid agent sent to the detergent manual charging unit 120 may be poured together with water between the washing / dehydrating tank 109 and the water tank 106.

The present disclosure is applicable to a washing machine equipped with a liquid agent charging device. Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to vertical washing machines, two-tank washing machines, and the like.

100 Washing machine 101 Outer frame 102 Upper frame body 103 Lid 104 Laundry loading port 105 Operation display 105d Automatic loading switch 105e Automatic loading display 105f Automatic loading display 105g Automatic loading display 105h Power switch 105i Lock display 106 Water tank 107 Water tank Cover 108 Inner lid 109 Washing and dehydration tank 110 Pulsator 112 Motor 114 Control device 116 Lid lock part 116a Lid lock insertion part 116b Lid lock engagement part 117 Drying filter part 118 Dry air hose 119 Rear space 120 Detergent manual charging part 121 Detergent Filling 122 Water injection hose 130 Liquid agent automatic filling device 131 Tank housing part 132 Tank housing part side connection 134 Connection part Protective rib 134a Protective rib notch 137 Claw 138 Storage part bottom notch 140 Liquid agent tank 140a Detergent tank 140b Softener tank 141 Tank Main body 142 Decorative plate 143 Opening 144 Transparent window 145 Scale display 145a Lower limit display 146 Groove 147 Tank body grip part 150 Liquid agent tank side connection part 151 Cylinder part 152 Check valve 153 Connection part packing 154 Suction pipe part 155 Filter 160 Liquid agent guide part 161 Drawer 161a Sliding part 162 Drawer receiving part 162b Rail part 164 Drawing part gripping part 165 Opening 166 First inclined surface 166a First inclined surface 166b First inclined back surface 167 Opening bottom surface 168 Drain hole 169 Finger hook Part 170 Second inclined surface 171 Liquid agent inlet 172 Upper limit display surface 172a Upper limit display

Claims (4)

An outer frame, an upper frame body fixed to the upper part of the outer frame and having a laundry input port for loading laundry in a substantially central portion, and a lid that covers the laundry input port so as to be openable and closable. , The water tank arranged inside the outer frame, the washing / dehydrating tank rotatably arranged inside the water tank, the liquid agent tank for storing the liquid, and the liquid stored in the liquid agent tank are sucked. A liquid agent charging device for charging the water tank or the washing / dehydrating tank and a lid lock portion for locking the lid are provided, and when the liquid charging operation by the liquid agent charging device is performed, the lid lock portion is used. A washing machine that does not lock the lid. It is equipped with a first notification unit that notifies information about the liquid agent charging device.
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first notification unit notifies that the liquid charging operation is being performed while the liquid charging operation is being performed by the liquid agent charging device. When the lid open / close detection unit that detects the open / closed state of the lid and the liquid charge operation by the liquid agent charging device are completed and the lid open / close detection unit detects the open state of the lid, a notification prompting the lid to be closed is issued. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second notification unit to be carried out. The liquid agent tank is arranged inside the upper frame so as to be exposed to the laundry inlet, and the liquid agent tank is exposed on the surface of the liquid agent tank exposed to the laundry input port. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is provided with a transparent window so that the inside can be visually recognized.

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