JP2021171502A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of separately using plural types of treatment agents.SOLUTION: A washing machine 1 includes: a housing 2; a washing tub 4 for storing laundry Q; a water supply passage 20 for supplying tap water into the washing tub 4; a take-in port 35 for taking in bath water; a bath water supply passage 22 for supplying the bath water to the washing tub 4; a first treatment agent supply part 21 arranged in the housing 2 and for supplying a treatment agent for washing to the water supply passage 20; and a second treatment agent supply part 52 attachable to/detachable from the take-in port 35 from the outside of the housing 2. The second treatment agent supply part 52 includes: a treatment agent storage part 53 for storing a treatment agent; a treatment agent supply passage 54 for connecting the treatment agent storage part 53 and the take-in port 35; and an electrically-driven treatment agent supply valve 55 for opening/closing the treatment agent supply passage 54. The second treatment agent supply part 52 supplies the treatment agent in the treatment agent storage part 53 to the bath water supply passage 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

The washing machine described in Patent Document 1 below includes a housing, a drum arranged in the housing into which clothes are put, a detergent tank and a fabric softener tank built in the housing, and a detergent contained in the detergent tank. Also equipped with an automatic liquid agent charging device that automatically charges the softener contained in the softener tank into the drum each time the washing operation is performed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-42265

Recently, many types of laundry treatment agents such as detergents and fabric softeners have become available, and there is a demand that users own multiple types of treatment agents and want to use different treatment agents according to their uses. On the other hand, when the treatment agent is stored in the detergent tank or the softener tank in advance as in the washing machine of Patent Document 1, the user wants to use another kind of treatment agent, but these tanks. Another type of treatment agent cannot be used unless the treatment agent already contained in the washing machine is used up.

The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of using a plurality of types of treatment agents properly.

The present invention includes a housing, a washing tub arranged in the housing and accommodating laundry, a water supply channel for supplying tap water from a faucet into the washing tub, and a intake for taking in bath water. The inlet, the bath water supply path for supplying the bath water taken into the intake port into the washing tub, the first accommodating portion for accommodating the treatment agent for washing, the first accommodating portion and the above. A first connecting passage connecting the water supply passage and an electric first opening / closing portion for opening / closing the first connecting passage are provided in the housing, and a treatment agent in the first accommodating portion is applied to the water supply passage. A first treatment agent supply unit to be supplied, a second treatment agent supply unit that is removable from the outside of the housing to the intake port, and a second storage unit that stores the treatment agent, and the second storage unit. It has a second connecting path connecting the water and the intake port, and an electric second opening / closing section for opening / closing the second connecting path, and supplies the treatment agent in the second accommodating section to the bath water supply path. It is a washing machine including a second processing agent supply unit.

Further, in the present invention, the washing machine is electrically connected to at least the first opening / closing unit to execute a washing operation, and the control unit and the first opening / closing unit are pulled out of the housing. (2) It is characterized by including a cable for electrically connecting the opening / closing part.

Further, in the present invention, when the second processing agent supply unit is attached to the intake port, the control unit closes the first connection path by the first opening / closing unit in the washing operation. It is characterized in that the second connecting path is opened by the second opening / closing portion in the state.

According to the present invention, in the washing machine, the laundry in the washing tub can be washed using tap water supplied from the water supply channel into the washing tub. In addition, if the user connects a hose immersed in bath water to the intake port of the washing machine with an external bath water pump, the bath water flows through the bath water supply path after being taken into the intake port. Is supplied into the washing tub. As a result, the washing machine can also use the bath water to wash the laundry in the washing tub.
If the user stores the treatment agent in the first storage portion of the first treatment agent supply unit in advance, in the washing operation, the first opening / closing unit opens the first connection path in the first treatment agent supply unit. , The treatment agent in the first accommodating portion is supplied to the water supply channel from the first connection path, and then is put into the washing tub on the water flowing through the water supply channel. If the user wants to use another type of treatment agent, the second treatment agent supply unit containing the treatment agent in the second storage unit may be attached to the intake port of the washing machine. As a result, in the washing operation, in the second processing agent supply unit, the second opening / closing unit opens the second connecting path, so that the processing agent in the second accommodating unit is taken into the bath water supply path from the second connecting path. It is put into the washing tub. That is, in this washing machine, even if the treatment agent in the first storage portion is not used up, it is possible to wash using another treatment agent stored in the second storage portion, so that a plurality of types of treatment agents should be used properly. Can be done.

Further, according to the present invention, in the washing machine, the control unit opens and closes the first opening / closing unit, so that in the washing operation, the first processing agent supply unit puts the processing agent in the first storage unit into the washing tub. can do. When the user attaches the second treatment agent supply unit to the intake port of the washing machine in order to use a treatment agent different from the treatment agent in the first storage unit, the user attaches the cable to the second treatment agent supply unit. Just connect it to. As a result, the control unit and the second opening / closing unit are electrically connected. Therefore, the control unit opens / closes the second opening / closing unit, so that in the washing operation, the second processing agent supply unit is placed in the second accommodating unit. The treatment agent can be put into the washing tub.

Further, according to the present invention, when the second treatment agent supply unit is attached to the intake port of the washing machine, the control unit is in a state where the first connection path is closed by the first opening / closing unit in the washing operation. Since the second connecting path is opened by the second opening / closing portion, only the treatment agent in the second accommodating portion can be charged into the washing tub. As a result, it is possible to prevent the treatment agent in the first storage portion and the treatment agent in the second storage portion from being mixed and supplied into the washing tub.

It is a typical vertical cross-sectional right side view of the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a typical vertical cross-sectional right side view of the washing machine in the state where the 2nd processing agent supply part is attached.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional right side view of the washing machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the direction orthogonal to the paper surface is referred to as the horizontal direction X of the washing machine 1, the horizontal direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the front-rear direction Y of the washing machine 1, and the vertical direction in FIG. 1 is referred to as the vertical direction Z of the washing machine 1. Of the left-right directions X, the back side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 is referred to as the left side X1, and the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 is referred to as the right side X2. Of the front-rear direction Y, the left side is called the front side Y1 and the right side is called the rear side Y2. Of the vertical directions Z, the upper side is referred to as the upper side Z1 and the lower side is referred to as the lower side Z2.

The washing machine 1 also includes a washer / dryer having a drying function, but the washing machine 1 will be described below by taking as an example a washing machine in which the drying function is omitted and only the washing operation is performed. The washing machine 1 includes a housing 2 forming an outer shell thereof, an outer tub 3 arranged in the housing 2, a washing tub 4 housed in the outer tub 3, and a rotary wing housed in the washing tub 4. 5 includes an electric motor 6 that generates a driving force for rotating the washing tub 4 and the rotary blade 5, and a transmission mechanism 7 that switches the transmission destination of the driving force generated by the motor 6.

The housing 2 is made of metal, for example, and is formed in a box shape. An opening 2B is formed in the upper surface 2A of the housing 2 to communicate the inside and outside of the housing 2. A door 9 for opening and closing the opening 2B is provided on the upper surface 2A. On the upper surface 2A, for example, in the area Y1 on the front side of the opening 2B, a display operation unit 10 composed of a touch panel or the like is provided. By operating the display operation unit 10, the user can freely select the washing conditions and instruct the washing machine 1 to start or stop the operation. Information on the washing operation is visually displayed on the display operation unit 10.

The outer tank 3 is made of resin, for example, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The outer tank 3 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 3A arranged along the vertical direction Z, a bottom wall 3B that closes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the lower Z2, and an edge of the upper Z1 of the circumferential wall 3A. It has a ring-shaped annular wall 3C that projects toward the center of the circle of the circumferential wall 3A while edging. An opening 3D is formed inside the annular wall 3C. The opening 3D is arranged directly below the opening 2B of the housing 2. The hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A is exposed from the opening 3D to the upper Z1. The bottom wall 3B is formed in a disk shape extending along the horizontal direction, and a through hole 3E penetrating the bottom wall 3B is formed at the center position of the circle of the bottom wall 3B. As will be described later, water is stored in the outer tank 3.

A drainage channel 11 is connected to the outer tank 3 from the lower side Z2, and the water in the outer tank 3 is discharged to the outside of the machine from the drainage channel 11. A drain valve 12 that opens and closes to start and stop drainage is provided in the middle of the drainage channel 11.

The washing tub 4 is made of metal, for example, has a central axis J extending in the vertical direction Z, is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is one size smaller than the outer tub 3, and can accommodate the laundry Q inside. .. The washing tub 4 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 4A arranged along the vertical direction Z, and a bottom wall 4B that closes a hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A from the lower side Z2.

The space surrounded by the upper end of the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A is the entrance / exit 4C that exposes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A to the upper side Z1. The doorway 4C is in a state of communicating with the opening 3D of the outer tank 3 and the opening 2B of the housing 2 from the lower side Z2. The user of the washing machine 1 opens the door 9 to open the opening 2B, the opening 3D and the doorway 4C, and puts the laundry Q in and out of the washing tub 4 through the opening 2B, the opening 3D and the doorway 4C.

The washing tub 4 is coaxially housed in the outer tub 3 and arranged along the vertical direction Z. The washing tub 4 housed in the outer tub 3 is rotatable around the central axis J. A plurality of through holes (not shown) are formed in the circumferential wall 4A and the bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4, and water in the outer tub 3 travels between the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4 through the through holes. can. Therefore, the water level in the outer tub 3 and the water level in the washing tub 4 match.

The bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4 is formed in a disk shape extending substantially parallel to the bottom wall 3B of the outer tub 3 at intervals on the upper side Z1, and is located at the center of a circle on the bottom wall 4B that coincides with the central axis J. Is formed with a through hole 4D penetrating the bottom wall 4B. The bottom wall 4B is provided with a tubular support shaft 13 extending to the lower side Z2 along the central axis J while surrounding the through hole 4D. The support shaft 13 is inserted into the through hole 3E of the bottom wall 3B of the outer tank 3, and the lower end portion of the support shaft 13 is located on the lower side Z2 of the bottom wall 3B.

The rotor 5 is a so-called pulsator, is formed in a disk shape centered on the central axis J, and is arranged concentrically with the washing tub 4 along the bottom wall 4B in the washing tub 4. A plurality of blades 5A arranged radially are provided on the upper surface of the rotary blade 5 facing the entrance / exit 4C of the washing tub 4 from the lower side Z2. The rotary blade 5 is provided with a rotary shaft 14 extending from the center of the circle to the lower side Z2 along the central axis J. The rotating shaft 14 is inserted through the hollow portion of the support shaft 13, and the lower end portion of the rotating shaft 14 is located on the lower side Z2 of the bottom wall 3B of the outer tank 3.

The motor 6 is arranged in the lower Z2 of the outer tank 3 in the housing 2. The motor 6 has an output shaft 15 that rotates about a central shaft J. The transmission mechanism 7 is interposed between the lower ends of the support shaft 13 and the rotary shaft 14 and the upper end of the output shaft 15. The transmission mechanism 7 selectively transmits the driving force output from the output shaft 15 by the motor 6 to one or both of the support shaft 13 and the rotation shaft 14. A known clutch or the like is used as the transmission mechanism 7.

When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the support shaft 13, the washing tub 4 rotates around the central shaft J. When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 14, the rotary blade 5 rotates around the central axis J. Since the rotation direction of the output shaft 15 of the motor 6 can be changed, each of the washing tub 4 and the rotary blade 5 can rotate not only in one direction but also in the other direction opposite to the one direction.

In relation to the water supply to the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4, the washing machine 1 has a water supply channel 20 for supplying tap water from a faucet (not shown) into the washing tub 4 and a housing 2 inside the washing machine 2. It further includes a first treatment agent supply unit 21 that is arranged and supplies a washing treatment agent such as a detergent or a softener to the water supply passage 20, and a bath water supply passage 22 that joins the water supply passage 20 in the housing 2.

One end (not shown) of the water supply channel 20 is pulled out of the housing 2 and connected to the faucet. The other end of the water supply channel 20 is arranged in the housing 2 and faces the entrance / exit 4C of the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1 as the water supply port 20A. In the water supply channel 20, the upstream portion 20B arranged outside the housing 2 and the downstream portion 20C arranged inside the housing 2 and having the water supply port 20A may be separable. In this case, the upstream portion The 20B and the downstream portion 20C are connected by a joint (not shown). A water supply valve 23 that can be opened and closed is provided in the downstream portion 20C. The water supply valve 23 is composed of an electromagnetic valve or the like. When the water supply valve 23 is opened, tap water from the faucet flows through the water supply channel 20, is supplied into the washing tub 4 from the water supply port 20A, and is collected in the outer tub 3 and the washing tub 4. When the water supply valve 23 is closed, tap water supply is stopped.

The first treatment agent supply unit 21 is a device for automatically charging the treatment agent into the washing tub 4 via the water supply channel 20. Specifically, the first treatment agent supply unit 21 includes a detergent supply unit 21A that supplies detergent to the water supply channel 20 and a softener supply unit 21B that supplies the softener to the water supply channel 20. The detergent supply unit 21A is arranged in the housing 2 on the upper side Z1 of the washing tub 4. The detergent supply unit 21A connects the detergent storage unit 24, which stores detergent such as liquid detergent and functions as an example of the first storage unit, and the lower end of the detergent storage unit 24, and the water supply channel 20, to connect the first connection path. It has a detergent supply path 25 that functions as an example, and a detergent supply valve 26 that is provided in the detergent supply path 25 and functions as an example of a first opening / closing portion.

The detergent accommodating portion 24 is formed in a box shape or a tank shape and is fixed to the housing 2. At least the upper surface of the detergent accommodating portion 24 is exposed to the opening 2B of the upper surface 2A of the housing 2 when the user opens the door 9 of the housing 2. An openable / closable or removable lid 27 is provided on the upper surface of the detergent accommodating portion 24. When the user accesses the lid 27 from the opening 2B to open or remove the lid 27, the inside of the detergent storage unit 24 is exposed, so that the user can replenish the detergent in the detergent storage unit 24. .. In the detergent accommodating portion 24, an amount of detergent capable of carrying out a washing operation a plurality of times can be accommodated in advance. The user who has finished replenishing the detergent closes the lid 27 or attaches it to the detergent accommodating portion 24. The lid 27 may be exposed on the upper surface 2A of the housing 2, in which case the user can access the lid 27 without opening the door 9.

The detergent supply path 25 extends from the lower end of the detergent accommodating portion 24 to at least the lower side Z2, and is connected to the downstream region 20D closer to the water supply port 20A than the water supply valve 23 in the downstream portion 20C of the water supply channel 20. The detergent supply valve 26 is electric, and in this embodiment, it is configured by an electromagnetic valve or the like, and the detergent supply path 25 can be opened and closed by opening and closing the detergent supply valve 26 itself. In the detergent supply section 21A, when the detergent supply valve 26 is opened, the detergent supply path 25 is opened. Therefore, after the detergent in the detergent storage section 24 flows down the detergent supply path 25 due to its own weight, the downstream region 20D of the water supply channel 20 Is supplied to. If the water supply valve 23 is open at this time, the detergent supplied to the downstream region 20D is supplied into the washing tub 4 from the water supply port 20A on the tap water flowing through the water supply channel 20. When the detergent supply valve 26 is closed, the detergent supply path 25 is shut off, so that the supply of detergent from the detergent storage unit 24 is stopped.

The softener supply unit 21B is arranged in the housing 2 on the upper side Z1 of the washing tub 4. The softener supply unit 21B connects a softener storage unit 30 that stores a softener such as a liquid softener and functions as an example of a first storage unit, and a lower end portion of the softener storage unit 30 and a detergent supply path 25. It has a softener supply path 31 that functions as an example of the first connection path, and a softener supply valve 32 that is provided in the softener supply path 31 and functions as an example of the first opening / closing section.

The softener accommodating portion 30 is formed in a box shape or a tank shape and is fixed to the housing 2. In this embodiment, the detergent accommodating portion 24 and the softener accommodating portion 30 are arranged side by side and next to each other, but they may be arranged apart from each other. At least the upper surface of the fabric softener accommodating portion 30 is exposed to the opening 2B of the upper surface 2A of the housing 2 when the user opens the door 9 of the housing 2. An openable / closable or removable lid 33 is provided on the upper surface of the softener accommodating portion 30. When the user accesses the lid 33 from the opening 2B to open or remove the lid 33, the inside of the softener accommodating portion 30 is exposed, so that the user replenishes the softener accommodating portion 30 in the softener accommodating portion 30. be able to. In the softener accommodating unit 30, an amount of the softener that can carry out the washing operation a plurality of times can be accommodated in advance. The user who has finished replenishing the softener closes the lid 33 or attaches it to the softener accommodating portion 30. The lid 33 may be exposed on the upper surface 2A of the housing 2, in which case the user can access the lid 33 without opening the door 9.

The softener supply path 31 extends from the lower end of the softener accommodating portion 30 to at least the lower side Z2, and is connected to the downstream region 25A closer to the water supply channel 20 than the detergent supply valve 26 in the detergent supply path 25. The softener supply path 31 of this embodiment connects the softener accommodating portion 30 and the water supply channel 20 via the downstream region 25A. Alternatively, the softener supply passage 31 may be directly connected to the softener accommodating portion 30 and the water supply passage 20 by being connected to the water supply passage 20 without passing through the downstream region 25A.

The softener supply valve 32 is electric, and in this embodiment, it is configured by an electromagnetic valve or the like, and the softener supply path 31 can be opened and closed by opening and closing the softener supply valve 32 itself. In the softener supply section 21B, when the softener supply valve 32 is opened, the softener supply path 31 is opened, so that the softener in the softener storage section 30 fills the softener supply path 31 and the detergent supply path 25 by its own weight. After flowing down in order, it is supplied to the downstream region 20D of the water supply channel 20. If the water supply valve 23 is open at this time, the softener supplied to the downstream region 20D is supplied into the washing tub 4 from the water supply port 20A on the tap water flowing through the water supply channel 20. When the softener supply valve 32 is closed, the softener supply path 31 is shut off, so that the supply of the softener from the softener accommodating portion 30 is stopped.

An electric treatment agent pump 34 may be provided in the downstream region 25A of the detergent supply passage 25, strictly speaking, in the region closer to the water supply passage 20 than the connection portion with the softener supply passage 31 in the downstream region 25A. When the treatment agent pump 34 is driven, the treatment agent in the downstream region 25A is sucked in and discharged to the downstream region 20D side of the water supply channel 20. Therefore, the treatment agent, that is, the detergent in the detergent accommodating portion 24 or the softener in the softener accommodating portion 30, can be efficiently supplied to the downstream region 20D.

In relation to the bath water supply path 22, an intake port 35 for taking in bath water is provided on the upper surface 2A of the housing 2. One end 22A of the bath water supply path 22 is connected to the intake port 35, and the other end 22B of the bath water supply path 22 is connected to the downstream region 20D of the water supply channel 20. The intake port 35 is a hole exposed on the upper surface 2A, that is, the surface of the housing 2. The intake port 35 may point to a hole formed in the housing 2, or may point to an opening at one end 22A exposed from this hole.

A commercially available external bath water pump 40 can be attached to the intake port 35. The bath water pump 40 is an electric pump. The bath water pump 40 also has a hose 41 in which one end is immersed in bath water and the other end is connected to the intake port 35. When the bath water pump 40 is driven, the bath water outside the housing 2 is sucked into the hose 41 and taken into the bath water supply path 22 at the intake port 35. The bath water taken into the bath water supply channel 22 is supplied to the downstream region 20D of the water supply channel 20 and then supplied into the washing tub 4 from the water supply port 20A. When the bath water pump 40 is stopped, the water supply by the bath water is stopped.

The washing machine 1 further includes a control unit 50 configured by a microcomputer or the like, and a cable 51 connected to the control unit 50 and pulled out of the housing 2. The cable 51 includes at least one of a signal line and a power supply line. A motor 6, a transmission mechanism 7, a display operation unit 10, a drain valve 12, a water supply valve 23, a detergent supply valve 26, a softener supply valve 32, and a treatment agent pump 34 are electrically connected to the control unit 50. .. When the hose 41 of the bath water pump 40 is attached to the intake port 35, the cable 51 is connected to the bath water pump 40 by the user, so that the bath water pump 40 is also electrically connected to the control unit 50. Connected to.

The control unit 50 performs a washing operation by controlling the operations of the motor 6, the transmission mechanism 7, the drain valve 12, the water supply valve 23, the detergent supply valve 26, the softener supply valve 32, the treatment agent pump 34, and the bath water pump 40. Run. The washing operation includes a washing step of washing the laundry Q in the washing tub 4, a rinsing step of rinsing the laundry Q after the washing step, and a dehydration step of dehydrating the laundry Q after the rinsing step. The rinsing step may be performed a plurality of times, and the final rinsing step is called the final rinsing step. The dehydration step includes an intermediate dehydration step performed immediately after the washing step and the rinsing step, and a final dehydration step performed at the end of the washing operation.

In the washing step, the control unit 50 first supplies water into the washing tub 4 by opening the water supply valve 23 for a predetermined time with at least the drain valve 12 and the softener supply valve 32 closed (see the broken line arrow in FIG. 1). ). At that time, the control unit 50 opens the detergent supply valve 26 for a predetermined time and drives the treatment agent pump 34 for a predetermined time as needed to supply the detergent for one washing operation in the detergent storage unit 24 to the water supply channel 20. It is put on the tap water flowing through the washing tub 4 and supplied into the washing tub 4. The control unit 50 may supply the bath water into the washing tub 4 by driving the bath water pump 40 instead of opening the water supply valve 23 at the time of water supply. At that time, the control unit 50 puts the detergent for one washing operation on the bath water flowing through the water supply channel 20 and supplies it into the washing tub 4.

When the water level in the washing tub 4 rises to a predetermined water level, the control unit 50 rotates the rotary blade 5 by controlling the motor 6 and the transmission mechanism 7 after stopping the water supply. As a result, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is washed by being agitated or by decomposing the dirt with the detergent. Finally, the control unit 50 drains the washing tub 4 by opening the drain valve 12.

In the rinsing step, the control unit 50 first collects tap water in the washing tub 4 by opening the water supply valve 23 for a predetermined time with at least the drain valve 12 and the detergent supply valve 26 closed. Next, the control unit 50 rotates the rotary blade 5 by controlling the motor 6 and the transmission mechanism 7. As a result, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is sooted. In particular, at the time of water supply in the final rinsing step, the control unit 50 opens the softener supply valve 32 for a predetermined time and drives the treatment agent pump 34 for a predetermined time as needed to perform a washing operation in the softener storage unit 30. One dose of fabric softener is placed in tap water flowing through the water supply channel 20 and supplied into the washing tub 4. After that, as the rotary blade 5 rotates, the softener permeates the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. Finally, the control unit 50 drains the washing tub 4.

In the dehydration step, the control unit 50 rotates the washing tub 4 at a predetermined dehydration speed by controlling the motor 6 and the transmission mechanism 7 with the drain valve 12 open. As a result, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is dehydrated by the action of centrifugal force. The operating conditions may be different between the intermediate dehydration step and the final dehydration step, and as an example, the dehydration rotation speed of the final dehydration step may be higher than the dehydration rotation speed of the intermediate dehydration step.

As described above, in the washing machine 1, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 can be washed using tap water supplied from the water supply channel 20 into the washing tub 4, and the laundry can be washed using the bath water. You can also wash the Q. When bath water is not used, the hose 41 of the bath water pump 40 does not have to be attached to the intake port 35.

By the way, it is assumed that the user wants to use a different type of detergent from the detergent stored in the detergent storage unit 24 of the detergent supply unit 21A. Similarly, it is assumed that the user wants to use another softener different from the softener housed in the softener storage part 30 of the softener supply part 21B. In that case, the hose 41 of the bath water pump 40 is removed from the intake port 35 by the user, and the second treatment agent supply unit 52 shown in FIG. 2 is taken in from the outside of the housing 2 of the washing machine 1. It is attached to. The second treatment agent supply unit 52 is attached to the intake port 35 by, for example, screwing. In FIG. 2, the illustration of the upstream portion 20B (see FIG. 1), which is a part of the water supply channel 20, is omitted. The second treatment agent supply unit 52 is an accessory part included in the washing machine 1. The second treatment agent supply unit 52 mounted on the intake port 35 supplies a treatment agent of a type different from the treatment agent supplied by the first treatment agent supply unit 21 to the bath water supply path 22 from the intake port 35. do. That is, the second treatment agent supply unit 52 is an external treatment agent supply device.

The second treatment agent supply unit 52 serves as an example of a second connection path connecting the treatment agent storage unit 53 as an example of the second storage unit that stores the treatment agent, and the treatment agent storage unit 53 and the intake port 35. It has a treatment agent supply path 54 and an electric treatment agent supply valve 55 as an example of a second opening / closing unit that opens / closes the treatment agent supply path 54.

The treatment agent accommodating unit 53 in this embodiment includes a detergent accommodating unit 53A for accommodating a detergent and a softener accommodating unit 53B for accommodating a softener. Each of the detergent accommodating portion 53A and the softener accommodating portion 53B is formed in a box shape or a tank shape. An openable / closable or removable lid 56 is provided on the upper surface of each of the detergent accommodating portion 53A and the softener accommodating portion 53B. When the user opens or removes the lid 56 of the detergent accommodating portion 53A, the inside of the detergent accommodating portion 53A is exposed, so that the user can replenish the detergent in the detergent accommodating portion 53A. The detergent accommodating portion 53A can accommodate an amount of detergent capable of carrying out the washing operation a plurality of times. The user who has finished replenishing the detergent closes the lid 56 or attaches it to the detergent accommodating portion 53A. The user can replenish the softener storage unit 53B with the softener by the same procedure as the detergent storage unit 53A.

The treatment agent supply path 54 has a combined flow path 54A extending from the intake port 35 to at least the upper side Z1, and branches from the combined flow path 54A into a first branch path 54B and a second branch path 54C. The first branch path 54B extends at least to the upper side Z1 and is connected to the lower end portion of the detergent accommodating portion 53A. The second branch passage 54C extends at least to the upper side Z1 and is connected to the lower end portion of the softener accommodating portion 53B. The detergent contained in the detergent accommodating portion 53A also exists in the first branch path 54B due to its own weight. The softener contained in the softener accommodating portion 53B also exists in the second branch passage 54C due to its own weight.

The treatment agent supply valve 55 is composed of an electromagnetic valve or the like. The treatment agent supply valve 55 is provided in the confluence 54A of the treatment agent supply path 54. The treatment agent supply valve 55 in this embodiment is a multi-sided valve that is separately connected to the junction flow path 54A, the first branch path 54B, and the second branch path 54C, and is a first branch path with the second branch path 54C closed. Open 54B to allow only the detergent in the detergent accommodating portion 53A to flow into the confluence 54A, or open the second branch passage 54C with the first branch passage 54B closed to merge only the softener in the softener accommodating portion 53B. It flows on the road 54A. The treatment agent supply valve 55 may be individually provided in each of the first branch path 54B and the second branch path 54C instead of the multi-sided valve, and only the corresponding branch path may be opened and closed.

When the user attaches the second treatment agent supply unit 52 to the intake port 35, the user removes the cable 51, which had been connected to the bath water pump 40 (see FIG. 1), from the bath water pump 40. It is connected to the second treatment agent supply unit 52. As a result, the control unit 50 of the washing machine 1 and the treatment agent supply valve 55 are electrically connected. The control unit 50 operates the treatment agent supply valve 55 by sending a signal to the treatment agent supply valve 55 and energizing the treatment agent supply valve 55, that is, controlling ON / OFF of the treatment agent supply valve 55. To control.

In the washing operation when the second treatment agent supply unit 52 is attached to the intake port 35, the control unit 50 is in a state where the detergent supply path 25 is always closed by the detergent supply valve 26 in the first treatment agent supply unit 21. And, the softener supply path 31 is always closed by the softener supply valve 32. As a result, it is possible to prevent the treatment agent of the first treatment agent supply unit 21 and the treatment agent of the second treatment agent supply unit 52 from being mixed and supplied into the washing tub 4. In this state, in the washing step, the control unit 50 first supplies water to the washing tub 4 by opening the water supply valve 23 for a predetermined time with the drain valve 12 closed (see the broken line arrow in FIG. 2). At that time, the control unit 50 controls the treatment agent supply valve 55 of the second treatment agent supply unit 52, and the treatment agent supply valve 55 opens the first branch passage 54B of the treatment agent supply passage 54 for a predetermined time. As a result, in the second treatment agent supply unit 52, the first branch path 54B and the confluence 54A are opened, so that the detergent for one washing operation in the detergent accommodating unit 53A is supplied from the confluence 54A. It is supplied to the road 22. The detergent supplied to the bath water supply channel 22 is supplied into the washing tub 4 on tap water flowing in the downstream region 20D of the water supply channel 20.

When the water level in the washing tub 4 rises to a predetermined water level, the control unit 50 rotates the rotary blade 5 by controlling the motor 6 and the transmission mechanism 7 after stopping the water supply. As a result, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is washed by being agitated or by decomposing the dirt with the detergent. Finally, the control unit 50 drains the washing tub 4 by opening the drain valve 12.

In the rinsing step, the control unit 50 first collects tap water in the washing tub 4 by opening the water supply valve 23 for a predetermined time with the drain valve 12 closed. Next, the control unit 50 rotates the rotary blade 5 by controlling the motor 6 and the transmission mechanism 7. As a result, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is sooted. In particular, in the final rinsing step, the control unit 50 controls the treatment agent supply valve 55 of the second treatment agent supply unit 52, and the treatment agent supply valve 55 opens the second branch passage 54C of the treatment agent supply passage 54 for a predetermined time. .. As a result, in the second processing agent supply unit 52, the second branch path 54C and the confluence 54A are opened, so that the softener for one washing operation in the softener accommodating unit 53B is bathed from the confluence 54A. It is supplied to the water supply channel 22. The softener supplied to the bath water supply channel 22 is supplied into the washing tub 4 on tap water flowing in the downstream region 20D of the water supply channel 20. After that, as the rotary blade 5 rotates, the softener permeates the laundry Q in the washing tub 4. Finally, the control unit 50 drains the washing tub 4.

In the dehydration step, as described above, the control unit 50 rotates the washing tub 4 at a predetermined dehydration speed by controlling the motor 6 and the transmission mechanism 7 with the drain valve 12 open. As a result, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is dehydrated by the action of centrifugal force. When the washing operation is completed in response to the end of the dehydration step, the user may leave the second treatment agent supply unit 52 attached to the intake port 35, or the second treatment agent supply unit 52 may be attached to the intake port 35. It may be separated from 35.

As described above, in the washing machine 1, the treatment of the second treatment agent supply unit 52 is performed even if the detergent in the detergent storage unit 24 and the softener in the softener storage unit 30 in the first treatment agent supply unit 21 are not used up. Since it is possible to wash using another treatment agent stored in the agent storage unit 53, it is possible to use a plurality of types of treatment agents properly. Further, the other treatment agent can be put into the washing tub 4 by effectively utilizing the intake port 35 and the bath water supply path 22 which are configured to supply the bath water. In this case, the user does not have to manually put the other cleaning agent into the washing tub 4.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, the first treatment agent supply unit 21 supplies both the detergent and the softener in this embodiment, but may supply only one of the detergent and the softener, and the first treatment agent supply in that case. The unit 21 has only one of the detergent accommodating unit 24 and the softener accommodating unit 30. Similarly, the second treatment agent supply unit 52 supplies both the detergent and the softener in this embodiment, but may supply only one of the detergent and the softener, and the treatment agent storage unit in that case. 53 has only one of the detergent accommodating portion 53A and the softener accommodating portion 53B.

Further, the washing machine 1 may include a detection unit (not shown) such as a sensor that detects the attachment / detachment of the second treatment agent supply unit 52 to / from the intake port 35. In that case, the detection unit is electrically connected to the control unit 50 and inputs the detection result to the control unit 50 in real time. When the detection unit detects that the second treatment agent supply unit 52 is attached to the intake port 35, the control unit 50 automatically determines the presence of the second treatment agent supply unit 52. In response to this, the control unit 50 executes the washing operation using the detergent and the softener supplied from the second treatment agent supply unit 52. Therefore, in this washing operation, the control unit 50 uses the treatment agent supply valve 55 to close the detergent supply passage 25 and the softener supply passage 31 of the first treatment agent supply unit 21 as described above. The 54 is opened and the detergent and the softener are selectively supplied from the second treatment agent supply unit 52 to the bath water supply path 22. When the detection unit does not detect the attachment of the second treatment agent supply unit 52 to the intake port 35, the control unit 50 executes the washing operation using the treatment agent of the first treatment agent supply unit 21.

In addition, the user can select which of the first treatment agent supply unit 21 and the second treatment agent supply unit 52 is used for washing by operating the display operation unit 10. May be good. According to this selection, the control unit 50 puts the treatment agent of the first treatment agent supply unit 21 or the second treatment agent supply unit 52 into the washing tub 4.

In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 50 controls the second treatment agent supply unit 52 by being originally connected to the second treatment agent supply unit 52 via a cable 51 for the bath water pump 40. On the other hand, a dedicated cable for connecting the second processing agent supply unit 52 and the control unit 50 may be provided separately from the cable 51. Alternatively, the control unit 50 and the second processing agent supply unit 52 may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate wirelessly. In that case, the control unit 50 wirelessly connects the second processing agent supply unit 52 without using a cable. May be controlled. In this case, the second processing agent supply unit 52 may have a built-in battery and be driven by the battery.

The washing machine 1 may be provided with a mounting port for mounting the second treatment agent supply unit 52 separately from the intake port 35. In this case, the washing machine 1 may be provided with a dedicated supply path for supplying the treatment agent from the second treatment agent supply unit 52 into the washing tub 4 from the mounting port, separately from the bath water supply path 22. The bath water supply passage 22 may supply the bath water directly into the washing tub 4 without merging with the water supply passage 20.

The washing machine 1 may further include a treatment agent pump (not shown) that sucks in the treatment agent supplied from the second treatment agent supply unit 52 and discharges it to the washing tub 4 side. This treatment agent pump is provided in the treatment agent supply passage 54 or the bath water supply passage 22 of the second treatment agent supply unit 52. The control unit 50 can adjust the amount of the treatment agent supplied into the washing tub 4 by controlling the opening degree of the treatment agent supply valve 55 and the operation of the treatment agent supply pump.

In this embodiment, the washing machine 1 is a vertical washing machine in which the washing tub 4 is vertically arranged, but the central axis J of the washing tub 4 is arranged in the vertical direction Z, that is, in the vertical direction. , May be arranged at an angle with respect to the vertical direction. Further, the washing machine 1 may be a drum type washing machine in which the central axis J is horizontal.

1 Washing machine 2 Housing 4 Washing tub 20 Water supply channel 21 First treatment agent supply section 22 Bath water supply channel 24 Detergent storage section 25 Detergent supply path 26 Detergent supply valve 30 Softener storage section 31 Softener supply path 32 Softener supply Valve 35 Intake port 50 Control unit 51 Cable 52 Second treatment agent supply unit 53 Treatment agent storage unit 54 Treatment agent supply path 55 Treatment agent supply valve Q Laundry

Claims (3)

With the housing
A washing tub arranged in the housing and accommodating laundry,
A water supply channel for supplying tap water from the faucet into the washing tub, and
An intake port for taking in bath water and
A bath water supply path for supplying the bath water taken into the intake port into the washing tub, and
It has a first accommodating portion for accommodating a treatment agent for washing, a first connecting path connecting the first accommodating portion and the water supply channel, and an electric first opening / closing section for opening and closing the first connecting path. The first treatment agent supply unit, which is arranged in the housing and supplies the treatment agent in the first storage unit to the water supply channel,
A second processing agent supply unit that is removable from the outside of the housing to the intake port, and connects the second storage unit that stores the treatment agent, the second storage unit, and the intake port. It has a connecting path and an electric second opening / closing section that opens / closes the second connecting path, and includes a second treating agent supply section that supplies the treating agent in the second accommodating section to the bath water supply path. Washing machine. A control unit that is electrically connected to at least the first opening / closing unit and executes a washing operation.
The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a cable that is pulled out of the housing and electrically connects the control unit and the second opening / closing unit. When the second processing agent supply unit is attached to the intake port, the control unit opens and closes the second opening and closing in the washing operation with the first connecting path closed by the first opening and closing unit. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the second connecting path is opened by the unit.

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