JP2021171503A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which can prevent a softener from being flushed out prior to a proper timing at which it is supposed to be used through its structure which allows a detergent or the softener to dissolve in water to be sent into a washing tank.SOLUTION: A water pouring unit 11 which causes a detergent or a softener to dissolve in water sent through a water supply passage and be sent into a washing tank in a washing machine includes a case and a container 31 placed inside of the case. The case has an input opening facing from the upper side Z1 towards the inside of the washing tank and a bottom wall which extends obliquely downwards towards the input opening. The container 31 includes: a detergent input unit 15; a softener input unit 16 placed side by side with the detergent input unit 15; a partition rib 51 placed between the detergent input unit 15 and the softener input unit 16; and an escape ditch 52 situated between the partition rib 51 and the softener input unit 16. The escape ditch 52 includes: a ditch floor 52A which extends obliquely downwards towards the input opening; and an escape hole 52F which is situated in a front end 52C, which is in the input opening side, of the ditch floor 52A, and faces from the upper side Z1 towards the bottom wall of the case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

The washing machine described in Patent Document 1 below includes a washing / dehydrating tub and a water supply device for putting detergent or the like into water in the washing / dehydrating tub. The water supply device includes a detergent container and a device body that holds the detergent container in a retractable manner. The detergent container includes a tray portion in which a powder detergent accommodating portion, a liquid detergent accommodating portion, and a finishing agent accommodating portion are partitioned side by side. The device body includes a case that houses the detergent container and a sprinkler chamber that is attached to the upper inside of the case. In the washing process of the washing machine, water is sprinkled from the sprinkler chamber to the powder detergent accommodating portion and the liquid detergent accommodating portion. When the powder detergent is stored in the powder detergent storage unit, the powder detergent in the powder detergent storage unit flows out of the detergent container on water and is supplied into the washing / dehydrating tub. When the liquid detergent is stored in the liquid detergent storage unit, the liquid detergent in the liquid detergent storage unit flows out of the detergent container on water and is supplied into the washing / dehydrating tub. In the final rinsing step after the washing step, water is sprinkled from the sprinkler chamber into the finishing agent accommodating portion, so that the finishing agent in the finishing agent accommodating portion flows out of the detergent container on the water and is supplied into the washing / dehydrating tub.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-342894

Since the detergent container of the washing machine of Patent Document 1 is provided with three storage portions according to the powder detergent, the liquid detergent, and the finishing agent, there is a concern that the size may increase. On the contrary, if the size of this detergent container is reduced, there is a concern that the water in the storage portion sprinkled by the sprinkling unit overflows into the adjacent storage portion. For example, if the water in the powder detergent accommodating portion overflows during the watering of the powder detergent accommodating portion in the washing process, the finishing agent in the finishing agent accommodating portion, that is, the softener will flow out, thereby causing the softener to flow out. In the final rinsing step, which is the timing that should be used originally, the softener cannot be supplied into the washing / dehydrating tub because the softener is not present.

The present invention was made under such a background, and in a configuration in which a detergent or a softener can be placed in water and put into a washing tub, it is possible to prevent the softener from running out before the original timing of use. The purpose is to provide an opportunity.

The present invention includes a washing tub for accommodating laundry, a water supply channel for supplying water into the washing tub, and a water injection unit in which a detergent or a softener is placed on the water from the water supply channel and charged into the washing tub. A washing machine including the above, wherein the water injection unit is a case and has an inlet facing into the washing tub from above, and a bottom wall extending diagonally downward in the depth direction of the case and connecting to the inlet. And a container that is retractably housed in the case so as to be retractable from the case. A softener charging section that is arranged to accommodate the softener and supplies water from the water supply channel, and a partition rib that is arranged between the detergent charging section and the softener charging section and extends in the depth direction. , A container having a relief groove arranged between the partition rib and the softener charging portion and extending in the depth direction, and a first through hole in which the detergent charging portion faces the bottom wall from above. It has a formed first bottom wall and a first pipe portion that protrudes upward while surrounding the first through hole in the detergent charging portion, and the softener charging portion extends from the upper side to the bottom wall. It has a second bottom wall on which a second through hole is formed, and a second pipe portion that protrudes upward while surrounding the second through hole in the softener charging portion, and the relief groove is the relief groove. A washing machine having a groove bottom extending diagonally downward toward the loading port and a relief hole provided at the end of the groove bottom on the loading port side and facing the bottom wall from above.

Further, in the present invention, the depth direction includes a back side away from the insertion port and a front side approaching the insertion port, and the end portion of the groove bottom on the back side is more than the first through hole. The groove bottom is arranged on the back side, and the front end portion of the groove bottom is arranged on the front side of the first through hole.

Further, in the present invention, the first through hole is arranged on the depth side of the center of the first bottom wall in the depth direction, and the second through hole is the second bottom wall in the depth direction. The portion of the first bottom wall on the back side of the center and on the front side of the first through hole extends diagonally upward toward the front side, and the second bottom wall on the second bottom wall. The portion on the front side of the through hole extends diagonally upward toward the front side.

Further, in the present invention, the softener charging portion and the partition rib are provided with open drain holes on the upper side and the lower side, respectively, and the relief groove is inclined to form the groove bottom. The water injection unit has a plate, and the water injection unit is a watering unit having a watering port, further including a watering unit that receives water from the water supply channel and sprinkles water from the watering port into the container. A first sprinkler port arranged directly above the detergent inlet, a second sprinkler port arranged directly above the softener inlet, and a third sprinkler port arranged directly above the drain hole. It is characterized by having and.

Further, in the present invention, in the lower surface portion of the second bottom wall, the region on the detergent charging portion side of the second through hole is brought closer to the detergent charging portion from the back side toward the front side. It is characterized in that an extending rectifying rib is provided.

According to the present invention, the container housed in the case in the water injection unit of the washing machine includes a detergent charging section and a softener charging section arranged side by side. The user can pull out the container from the case to store the detergent in the detergent charging section or store the softener in the softener charging section. In the washing process of the washing machine, the water level in the detergent inlet rises because the water from the water supply channel is supplied to the detergent inlet. When the water level in the detergent inlet rises to the upper end of the first pipe, the detergent in the detergent inlet gets on the water and falls onto the bottom wall of the case through the internal space of the first pipe and the first through hole. Then, it flows down to the inlet of the case along the inclination of the bottom wall, and is charged into the washing tub from the inlet. In the rinsing step after the washing step, the water level in the softener charging section rises because the water from the water supply channel is supplied to the softener charging section. When the water level in the softener charging section rises to the upper end of the second pipe section, the softener in the softener charging section gets on the water and passes through the internal space of the second pipe section and the second through hole, and the bottom wall of the case. It falls up, flows down to the case inlet along the slope of the bottom wall, and is charged into the washing tub from the inlet.
Since the partition rib is arranged between the detergent charging section and the softener charging section, the partition rib blocks the water that overflows from the detergent charging section and tries to reach the softener charging section during the washing process. Further, since the relief groove is arranged between the partition rib and the softener charging portion, even if the water overflowing from the detergent charging portion gets over the partition rib, this water is accepted by the relief groove. The water received in the relief groove flows to the relief hole along the inclination of the groove bottom of the relief groove, falls from the relief hole onto the bottom wall of the case, flows down to the inlet along the inclination of the bottom wall, and is input. It is put into the washing tub through the mouth. As described above, since it is difficult for the water in the detergent charging section to reach the softener charging section, it is possible to prevent the softener in the softener charging section from running out before the rinsing process, which is the original timing of use.

Further, according to the present invention, in the depth direction of the case, the end on the back side of the groove bottom of the relief groove is arranged on the back side of the first through hole of the detergent charging portion, and the end on the front side of the groove bottom. The portion is arranged on the front side of the first through hole. As a result, the relief groove can receive the water overflowing from the detergent input portion and overcoming the partition rib over a wide range in the depth direction. Therefore, it is more difficult for the water in the detergent charging section to reach the softener charging section, so that it is possible to further prevent the softener in the softener charging section from running out before the original timing of use.

Further, according to the present invention, in the first bottom wall in which the first through hole is formed unevenly toward the back side in the detergent charging portion, the portion on the front side of the first through hole is obliquely upward as it goes toward the front side. Extend. Similarly, in the second bottom wall in which the second through hole is formed unevenly toward the back side in the softener charging portion, the portion on the front side of the second through hole extends diagonally upward as it goes toward the front side. As a result, a space is secured between the front side portion and the bottom wall of each of the first bottom wall and the second bottom wall, which expands in the vertical direction toward the front side. Therefore, the water that has fallen from the detergent charging section or the softener charging section onto the bottom wall of the case can be smoothly flowed in this space and supplied into the washing tub from the charging port.

Further, according to the present invention, since the drain hole is arranged between the detergent inlet and the partition rib, even if the water overflowing from the detergent inlet tries to go to the partition rib, this water will be drained. It falls on the bottom wall of the case, flows down to the loading port along the inclination of the bottom wall, and is thrown into the washing tub from the loading port. Further, even if the water that has fallen from the drain hole onto the bottom wall of the case fills the inner region of the case, this water is injected into the lower side of the inclined plate that constitutes the bottom of the relief groove. Since the flow path leading to the side is secured, it is possible to prevent this water from entering the softener charging portion from the back side. As described above, since it is difficult for the water in the detergent charging section to reach the softener charging section, it is possible to further prevent the softener in the softener charging section from running out before the original timing of use.
Then, the sprinkler section that receives the water from the water supply channel sprinkles water from the first sprinkler port to the detergent inlet and from the second sprinkler port to the softener inlet, but is arranged directly above the drain hole. 3 From the sprinkler port, sprinkle water directly on the drain hole without sprinkling water on the detergent inlet or the softener inlet. That is, since the sprinkler unit releases excess water out of the water received from the water supply channel to the drain hole, it is possible to prevent the water in the detergent input unit from overflowing to the softener input unit. Therefore, since the water in the detergent charging section is more difficult to reach the softener charging section, it is possible to further prevent the softener in the softener charging section from running out before the original timing of use.

Further, according to the present invention, the rectifying rib provided in the region on the lower surface portion of the second bottom wall on the side of the detergent charging portion with respect to the second through hole is formed from the drain hole between the detergent charging portion and the partition rib. Since the water flowing down on the bottom wall of the case is guided to the detergent inlet side, that is, the center side of the container, this water can be smoothly merged with other water flowing on the bottom wall.

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 perspective view of the water injection unit included in a washing machine. It is a perspective view of the container included in a water injection unit. It is a perspective view of the container with some parts removed. It is a perspective view which looked at the container from the lower side. It is a top view of a container. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. It is a top view of the water injection unit with some parts removed. It is a perspective view of a part of a sprinkling part included in a water injection unit. It is a top view of the water injection unit. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG.

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 left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y coincide with the horizontal direction H, and the vertical direction Z coincides with the vertical direction V.

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, an outer tub 3 housed in the housing 2, a washing tub 4 housed in the outer tub 3, a rotary wing 5 housed in the washing tub 4, and washing. It includes an electric motor 6 that generates a driving force for rotating the tank 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. The upper surface 2A of the housing 2 is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H so as to extend toward the upper side Z1 toward the rear side Y2, for example. An opening 2B is formed on the upper surface 2A 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. A display operation unit 10 composed of, for example, a touch panel is provided in the area of the upper surface 2A on the front side Y1 of the opening 2B. 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 H, and a through hole 3E penetrating the bottom wall 3B is formed at the center position of the circle of the bottom wall 3B.

The washing machine 1 includes a water injection unit 11 that separately stores detergent and a softener, a water supply channel 12 that connects a faucet (not shown) and a water injection unit 11, and a bath that is connected to a hose 13 immersed in bath water. Further includes a water pump 14. The water injection unit 11 is arranged on the rear side Y2 of the opening 3D of the outer tank 3 in the upper side Z1 of the outer tank 3 in the housing 2. The water injection unit 11 includes a detergent charging unit 15 for accommodating the detergent and a softener charging unit 16 for accommodating the softener. The detergent charging section 15 and the softener charging section 16 are arranged side by side along the left-right direction X. The water supply channel 12 branches into a first branch path 12A and a second branch path 12B, and each of the first branch path 12A and the second branch path 12B is connected to the water injection unit 11. The first branch passage 12A is provided with a first water supply valve 17 that can be opened and closed, and the second branch passage 12B is provided with a second water supply valve 18 that can be opened and closed.

When the first water supply valve 17 is opened with the second water supply valve 18 closed, tap water from the faucet flows through the first branch passage 12A and flows into the detergent charging unit 15, and then in the detergent charging unit 15. Detergent is placed and supplied into the outer tank 3. When no detergent is present in the detergent charging section 15, only tap water is supplied into the outer tank 3. When the second water supply valve 18 is opened with the first water supply valve 17 closed, tap water from the faucet flows through the second branch passage 12B and flows into the softener charging section 16, and then the softener charging section 16 The softener inside is placed and supplied into the outer tank 3. When the softener is not present in the softener charging section 16, only tap water is supplied into the outer tank 3.

The bath water pump 14 is connected to the water injection unit 11 via the bath water supply path 19. When the bath water pump 14 is driven, the bath water is sucked and flows into the detergent charging unit 15. As a result, the bath water is supplied into the outer tank 3 through the detergent charging section 15. The broken line arrow in FIG. 1 indicates tap water or bath water supplied from the water injection unit 11 into the outer tank 3. The water injection unit 11, the water supply channel 12, and the bath water pump 14 will be described in detail below.

A drainage channel 20 is connected to the outer tank 3 from the lower side Z2, and the water in the outer tank 3 is discharged from the drainage channel 20 to the outside of the machine. A drain valve 21 that opens and closes to start and stop drainage is provided in the middle of the drainage channel 20. When the first water supply valve 17 or the second water supply valve 18 is opened or the bath water pump 14 is driven while the drain valve 21 is closed, the water from the water injection unit 11 is supplied to the outer tank 3 and accumulates. ..

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 4C that closes a hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A from the lower side Z2.

The inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A is the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub 4. The upper end of the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A is an entrance / exit 4B that exposes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A to the upper side Z1. The doorway 4B is in a state of communicating with the opening 3D of the annular wall 3C 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 4B, and puts the laundry Q in and out of the washing tub 4 through the opening 2B, the opening 3D and the doorway 4B.

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 4C 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. Further, the water from the water injection unit 11 is directly supplied into the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1 by falling through the entrance / exit 4B of the washing tub 4.

The bottom wall 4C 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 the circle on the bottom wall 4C, which coincides with the central axis J. Is formed with a through hole 4D penetrating the bottom wall 4C. The bottom wall 4C is provided with a tubular support shaft 22 extending to the lower side Z2 along the central axis J while surrounding the through hole 4D. The support shaft 22 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 22 is located on the lower side Z2 of the bottom wall 3B.

The rotary blade 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 4C 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 4B of the washing tub 4 from the lower side Z2. The rotary blade 5 is provided with a rotary shaft 23 extending from the center of the circle to the lower side Z2 along the central axis J. The rotating shaft 23 is inserted through the hollow portion of the support shaft 22, and the lower end portion of the rotating shaft 23 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 24 that rotates about the central axis J. The transmission mechanism 7 is interposed between the lower ends of the support shaft 22 and the rotary shaft 23 and the upper end of the output shaft 24. The transmission mechanism 7 selectively transmits the driving force output from the output shaft 24 by the motor 6 to one or both of the support shaft 22 and the rotary shaft 23. 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 22, the washing tub 4 rotates around the central axis J. When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 23, the rotary blade 5 rotates around the central axis J. Since the rotation direction of the output shaft 24 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.

The washing machine 1 further includes a control unit 25 configured by a microcomputer or the like. The control unit 25 executes the washing operation by controlling the operations of the motor 6, the transmission mechanism 7, the bath water pump 14, the first water supply valve 17, the second water supply valve 18, and the drain valve 21. 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 25 first supplies water to the washing tub 4 by opening the first water supply valve 17 for a predetermined time with the drain valve 21 closed. As a result, the detergent in the detergent input section 15 is supplied into the washing tub 4 on the tap water from the water supply channel 12. At this time, the control unit 25 may supply the bath water into the washing tub 4 by driving the bath water pump 14. When the water level in the washing tub 4 rises to a predetermined water level, the control unit 25 rotates the rotor 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 25 drains the washing tub 4 by opening the drain valve 21.

In the rinsing step, the control unit 25 first collects tap water in the washing tub 4 by opening the first water supply valve 17 for a predetermined time with the drain valve 21 closed. In the final rinsing step, the control unit 25 opens the second water supply valve 18 instead of the first water supply valve 17 for a predetermined time to collect tap water in which the softener is dissolved in the washing tub 4. Next, the control unit 25 rotates the rotor 5 by controlling the motor 6 and the transmission mechanism 7. As a result, the laundry Q in the washing tub 4 is washed away, and the softener permeates the laundry Q. Finally, the control unit 25 drains the washing tub 4.

In the dehydration step, the control unit 25 rotates the washing tub 4 at a predetermined dehydration speed by controlling the motor 6 and the transmission mechanism 7 with the drain valve 21 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.

Next, the water injection unit 11 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the water injection unit 11. The water injection unit 11 is arranged in a case 30 forming a housing thereof, a container 31 for storing a detergent and a softener, and a water sprinkling unit arranged in the upper part of the case 30 to receive water from a water supply channel 12 and sprinkle water in the container 31. Including part 32.

The case 30 is formed in a slightly flat box shape in the vertical direction Z. The depth direction of the case 30 in this embodiment is the front-back direction Y, but there may be a configuration in which the left-right direction X is the depth direction of the case 30. The case 30 is erected between the left wall 35, the right wall 36, the rear wall 37 erected between the rear ends of the left wall 35 and the right wall 36, and the rear wall erected between the upper ends of the left wall 35 and the right wall 36. It has a top wall 38 that is also connected to the upper end of 37, and a bottom wall 39 that is erected between the lower ends of the left wall 35 and the right wall 36 and is also connected to the lower end of the rear wall 37. The left wall 35 and the right wall 36 are plates extending in the front-rear direction Y and the up-down direction Z, and are arranged in parallel with each other. The rear wall 37 is a plate extending in the left-right direction X and the up-down direction Z.

The top wall 38 is a substantially rectangular plate extending in the horizontal direction H. Flange-shaped brackets 40 for fixing the case 30 to the housing 2 are provided at the four corners of the top wall 38. A first connector 41, a second connector 42, a third connector 43, and a fourth connector 44 are provided on the upper surface of the top wall 38.

The first connector 41 has a tubular shape extending in the left-right direction X, and is arranged in the right region of the top wall 38. The left end portion of the first connector 41 is arranged substantially at the center of the top wall 38 in a plan view. A first through hole 38A that penetrates the top wall 38 in the vertical direction Z is formed at a position directly below the left end portion of the first connector 41 on the top wall 38. The first through hole 38A is in a state of communicating with the internal space of the first connector 41 from the lower side Z2. The first branch path 12A in the water supply channel 12 is connected to the first connector 41 at the right end.

The second connector 42 has a tubular shape extending in the left-right direction X, is shorter than the first connector 41, and is arranged adjacent to the right end portion of the first connector 41 from the rear side Y2. A second through hole 38B that penetrates the top wall 38 in the vertical direction Z is formed at a position directly below the left end portion of the second connector 42 on the top wall 38. The second through hole 38B is in a state of communicating with the internal space of the second connector 42 from the lower side Z2. The second branch path 12B in the water supply channel 12 is connected to the second connector 42 at the right end.

The third connector 43 has a tubular shape extending in the left-right direction X, and is arranged in the left region of the top wall 38. Like the first connector 41, the third connector 43 is arranged substantially at the center of the top wall 38 in the front-rear direction Y, and is arranged side by side with the left side X1 of the first connector 41. A third through hole 38C that penetrates the top wall 38 in the vertical direction Z is formed at a position directly below the right end portion of the third connector 43 on the top wall 38. The third through hole 38C is in a state of communicating with the internal space of the third connector 43 from the lower side Z2. A bath water supply path 19 is connected to the left end of the third connector 43.

The fourth connector 44 is a tubular extending from the left end portion of the first connector 41 toward the left side X1 and the rear side Y2, and is arranged in the rear region of the top wall 38. The internal space of the fourth connector 44 is in a state of communicating with the internal space of the first connector 41 from the rear side Y2. The rear end of the fourth connector 44 is connected to the bath water pump 14 via the relay path 45.

The bottom wall 39 is a plate that extends at an angle with respect to the horizontal direction H. Specifically, the bottom wall 39 extends so as to descend toward the front side Y1. The case 30 is formed with an opening 30A bordered by the front ends of the left wall 35, the right wall 36, the top wall 38 and the bottom wall 39, respectively. The opening 30A has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction X. The space surrounded by the left wall 35, the right wall 36, the rear wall 37, the top wall 38, and the bottom wall 39 is the internal space 30B of the case 30, and the internal space 30B is exposed from the opening 30A to the front side Y1. ..

The lower end of the opening 30A is referred to as a slot 30C. The bottom wall 39 extends diagonally downward in the front-rear direction Y and is connected to the inlet 30C (see also FIG. 12 described later). The rear end of the slot 30C is bordered by the front end of the bottom wall 39. The input port 30C has an elongated slit shape in the left-right direction X, and faces the inside of the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1 via the opening 3D of the outer tub 3 and the entrance / exit 4B of the washing tub 4 (see FIG. 1). In the front-rear direction Y, the front side Y1 is the front side approaching the insertion port 30C, and the rear side Y2 is the back side away from the insertion port 30C. The front side and the back side are directions with reference to the user located on the front side Y1 of the washing machine 1.

The container 31 is normally housed in the case 30, but can be pulled out from the case 30 to the front side Y1 through the opening 30A. Hereinafter, the description will be made on the assumption that the container 31 is housed in the case 30. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container 31. The container 31 has a handle 50 (see also FIG. 2) exposed from the opening 30A to the front side Y1 in a state of being housed in the case 30, the detergent charging section 15 and the softener charging section 16 described above, and the detergent loading section 15. It has a partition rib 51 and a relief groove 52 arranged between the softener charging portion 16 and the softener charging portion 16.

The handle 50 has a horizontally long plate shape having substantially the same size as the opening 30A of the case 30, and the four corners of the handle 50 are rounded in an arc shape. The handle 50 is formed with a recess 50A that is recessed from the lower end to the upper side Z1 (see FIG. 7 described later). The user hangs his finger on the recess 50A and pulls out the container 31.

Each of the detergent charging section 15 and the softener charging section 16 has a tray shape and is connected to the handle 50 from the rear side Y2. The detergent charging section 15 is arranged on the left side X1 of the softener charging section 16. The detergent charging section 15 has the same size as the softener charging section 16 in the front-rear direction Y, but is about twice as large as the softener charging section 16 in the left-right direction X. The first lid member 53 is attached to the detergent charging portion 15, and the second lid member 54 is attached to the softener charging portion 16.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container 31 with the first lid member 53 and the second lid member 54 removed. The detergent charging portion 15 rises from the first bottom wall 55 composed of horizontal plates, the first left wall 56 that rises from the left end of the first bottom wall 55 and extends in the front-rear direction Y, and the right end of the first bottom wall 55. It has a first right wall 57 extending in the front-rear direction Y. The detergent charging portion 15 rises from the rear end of the first bottom wall 55 and is erected between the rear ends of the first left wall 56 and the first right wall 57, and the first rear wall 58 and the front end of the first bottom wall 55. It further has a first front wall 59 erected between the front ends of the first left wall 56 and the first right wall 57. The space surrounded by the first bottom wall 55, the first left wall 56, the first right wall 57, the first rear wall 58, and the first front wall 59 is the internal space 15A of the detergent charging portion 15, and is the internal space. 15A is opened to the upper side Z1.

The first bottom wall 55 is formed with a circular first through hole 55A that penetrates the first bottom wall 55 in the vertical direction Z. The first through hole 55A is arranged on Y2 behind the center C1 of the first bottom wall 55 in the front-rear direction Y. That is, the first through hole 55A is arranged at a rearward position on the first bottom wall 55. In the first bottom wall 55, the portion 55B on the rear side Y2 of the first through hole 55A extends substantially horizontally, but the portion 55C on the front side Y1 of the first through hole 55A extends diagonally upward toward the front side Y1. Extend (see also Figure 12).

The detergent charging section 15 further has a circular tubular first tube section 15B that protrudes to the upper side Z1 in a state of surrounding the first through hole 55A in the detergent charging section 15, that is, in the internal space 15A. In the first bottom wall 55, the portion 55D around the first pipe portion 15B is formed in a tapered shape so as to slightly lower as it approaches the first pipe portion 15B (see also FIG. 12). The lower end of the first pipe portion 15B projects from the first bottom wall 55 to the lower side Z2 to form the lower end of the first bottom wall 55 (see FIG. 11 described later). The internal space of the first pipe portion 15B constitutes the first through hole 55A and is opened to each of the upper Z1 and the lower Z2. A reinforcing rib 15C extending in the vertical direction Z and connecting to the first bottom wall 55 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first pipe portion 15B.

The first lid member 53 (see FIG. 3) described above is arranged in the detergent charging portion 15 and attached to the first pipe portion 15B. The first lid member 53 extends from the central portion of the first top plate portion 53A to the lower side Z2 with the first top plate portion 53A facing the upper end portion of the first pipe portion 15B with a gap from the upper side Z1. It has a cylindrical first tubular portion 53B that surrounds the first pipe portion 15B (see FIG. 12). The first top plate portion 53A is a substantially rectangular flat plate extending substantially horizontally. The lower end of the first tubular portion 53B is arranged away from the first bottom wall 55 to the upper side Z1.

At the upper end of the first left wall 56, a first guide rail 60 extending linearly along the front-rear direction Y is provided. The rear end portion of the first guide rail 60 is arranged on Y2 on the rear side of the first rear wall 58. The first front wall 59 extends inclined to the front upper side. The first front wall 59 is connected to the handle 50 from the rear side Y2.

The softener charging portion 16 is formed from a second bottom wall 65 formed of a horizontal plate, a second left wall 66 that rises from the left end of the second bottom wall 65 and extends in the front-rear direction Y, and the right end of the second bottom wall 65. It has a second right wall 67 that stands up and extends in the front-rear direction Y. The softener charging portion 16 is a second rear wall 68 that rises from the rear end of the second bottom wall 65 and is erected between the rear ends of the second left wall 66 and the second right wall 67, and the second bottom wall 65. It further has a second front wall 69 rising from the front end and erected between the front ends of the second left wall 66 and the second right wall 67. The space surrounded by the second bottom wall 65, the second left wall 66, the second right wall 67, the second rear wall 68, and the second front wall 69 is the internal space 16A of the softener charging portion 16, and is inside. The space 16A is opened to the upper side Z1.

The second bottom wall 65 is formed with a circular second through hole 65A that penetrates the second bottom wall 65 in the vertical direction Z. The second through hole 65A is arranged at Y2 behind the center C2 of the second bottom wall 65 in the front-rear direction Y. That is, the second through hole 65A is arranged at a rearward position on the second bottom wall 65. In the second bottom wall 65, the portion 65B on the rear side Y2 of the second through hole 65A extends substantially horizontally, but the portion 65C on the front side Y1 of the second through hole 65A extends diagonally upward toward the front side Y1. Extend.

The softener charging section 16 further has a circular tubular second tube section 16B that protrudes to the upper side Z1 in a state of surrounding the second through hole 65A in the softener charging section 16, that is, in the internal space 16A. In the second bottom wall 65, the portion 65D around the second pipe portion 16B is formed in a tapered shape so as to slightly lower as it approaches the second pipe portion 16B. The lower end of the second pipe portion 16B projects from the second bottom wall 65 to the lower side Z2, and constitutes the lower end portion of the second bottom wall 65 (see FIG. 11). The internal space of the second pipe portion 16B constitutes the second through hole 65A and is opened to each of the upper Z1 and the lower Z2. A reinforcing rib 16C extending in the vertical direction Z and connecting to the second bottom wall 65 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second pipe portion 16B.

The above-mentioned second lid member 54 (see FIG. 3) is arranged in the softener charging portion 16 and attached to the second pipe portion 16B. The second lid member 54 is configured in the same manner as the first lid member 53. The second lid member 54 extends from the central portion of the second top plate portion 54A to the lower side Z2 and the second top plate portion 54A facing the upper end portion of the second pipe portion 16B with a gap from the upper side Z1. It also has a cylindrical second tubular portion 54B that surrounds the second tubular portion 16B. The second top plate portion 54A is a substantially rectangular flat plate extending substantially horizontally. The lower end of the second tubular portion 54B is arranged away from the second bottom wall 65 to the upper side Z1.

Strictly speaking, the second left wall 66 is longer than the second right wall 67 on the rear side Y2, and the rear end portion 66A of the second left wall 66 projects toward the rear side Y2 from the second rear wall 68. It is in. A second guide rail 70 extending linearly along the front-rear direction Y is provided at the upper end of the second right wall 67. The rear end portion of the second guide rail 70 is arranged on Y2 on the rear side of the second rear wall 68. The second rear wall 68 is arranged at the same position as the first rear wall 58 of the detergent charging portion 15 in the front-rear direction Y. The second front wall 69 extends inclined to the front upper side. The second front wall 69 is connected to the handle 50 from the rear side Y2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container 31 as viewed from the lower side Z2. On the lower surface of the second bottom wall 65 of the softener charging portion 16, a rectifying rib 71 projecting to the lower side Z2 is provided in the region on the left side X1 of the second through hole 65A, that is, on the detergent charging portion 15 side. The rectifying rib 71 has a rear end portion 71A and a front end portion 71B extending in the front-rear direction Y, and an intermediate portion 71C inclined from the rear end portion 71A to the left side X1 and connected to the front end portion 71B. Therefore, the rectifying rib 71 extends so as to approach the detergent charging portion 15 on the left side X1 from the rear side Y2 toward the front side Y1 as a whole.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the container 31. The partition rib 51 is a vertical plate arranged between the first right wall 57 of the detergent charging portion 15 and the second left wall 66 of the softener charging portion 16, and is rearward from the handle 50 along the front-rear direction Y. Extend to side Y2. The partition rib 51 is arranged in parallel with the first right wall 57 and the second left wall 66 in a plan view. The upper end of the partition rib 51 is arranged at a position higher than the upper ends of the first right wall 57 and the second left wall 66 (see FIG. 11). The rear end portion 51A of the partition rib 51 is arranged on the first rear wall 58 of the detergent charging portion 15 and Y2 on the rear side of the second rear wall 68 of the softener charging portion 16. A slit-shaped drain hole 75 extending in the front-rear direction Y is provided between the partition rib 51 and the first right wall 57. The drain hole 75 is opened to each of the upper Z1 and the lower Z2. The container 31 has a plurality of connecting portions 76 arranged in the drain hole 75 and erected between the first right wall 57 and the partition rib 51. These connecting portions 76 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction Y. The rearmost connecting portion 76 is erected between the rear end portion of the first right wall 57 and the partition rib 51.

The relief groove 52 is arranged between the partition rib 51 and the second left wall 66 of the softener charging portion 16, and extends in the front-rear direction Y. The partition rib 51 is the side wall of the left side X1 in the relief groove 52, and the second left wall 66 is the side wall of the right side X2 in the relief groove 52. The container 31 includes a plate-shaped inclined plate 77 that is erected between the partition rib 51 and the second left wall 66 and extends in the front-rear direction Y, and the inclined plate 77 constitutes the groove bottom 52A of the relief groove 52. It inclines so as to descend toward the front side Y1 in almost the entire area.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. In the groove bottom 52A of the relief groove 52, the rear end portion 52B is arranged on the rear side Y2 of the first through hole 55A of the first bottom wall 55 of the detergent charging portion 15, and the front end portion 52C is located on the rear side Y2 of the first through hole 55A. It is arranged on the front side Y1. The rear end portion 52B extends along the horizontal direction H. The intermediate portion 52D connecting the rear end portion 52B and the front end portion 52C at the groove bottom 52A extends obliquely downward toward the front side Y1. At the boundary between the rear end portion 52B and the intermediate portion 52D, a convex portion 52E that protrudes to the upper side Z1 and extends in the left-right direction X is provided. The front end portion 52C is connected to the front end, that is, the lower end of the intermediate portion 52D. The front end portion 52C is provided with a relief hole 52F that penetrates the inclined plate 77 in the vertical direction Z.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the water injection unit 11 with the top wall 38 of the case 30 removed. The watering unit 32 includes a first watering tray 81 arranged directly above the detergent charging unit 15 and a second watering tray 82 arranged directly above the softener charging unit 16. Each of the first sprinkler tray 81 and the second sprinkler tray 82 is a substantially rectangular tray that is long in the front-rear direction Y in a plan view. A plurality of sprinkler ports 83 formed by through holes are formed in each of the bottom plate 81A of the first sprinkler tray 81 and the bottom plate 82A of the second sprinkler tray 82. The sprinklers 83 include a plurality of first sprinklers 83A arranged so as to be distributed over almost the entire bottom plate 81A, a plurality of second sprinklers 83B arranged so as to be distributed over the entire bottom plate 82A, and a bottom plate 81A. It has a plurality of third sprinkler ports 83C arranged in the front-rear direction Y along the right end of the.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first sprinkler tray 81. The first sprinkler port 83A includes a plurality of slits 83AA arranged in the front-rear direction Y and a large number of round holes 83AB arranged around each slit 83AA. Each slit 83AA is elongated in the left-right direction X. The second sprinkler port 83B has a large number of round holes (see FIG. 8). Each third sprinkler port 83C is a rectangular hole and is arranged away from the group of first sprinkler ports 83A on the right side X2.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the water injection unit 11. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. The watering portion 32 is arranged in the upper part of the internal space 30B of the case 30. Specifically, in the sprinkler portion 32, the first sprinkler tray 81 and the second sprinkler tray 82 are arranged in the upper part of the internal space 30B so that the first sprinkler tray 81 is located on the left side X1 of the second sprinkler tray 82. Arranged side by side.

The first watering tray 81 is arranged directly above the detergent charging section 15. In the first sprinkler tray 81 in this state, all the first sprinklers 83A are arranged directly above the detergent inlet 15, but all the third sprinklers 83C located at the right end are to the right of the detergent inlet 15. It is placed directly above the adjacent drain hole 75 (see also FIG. 8). A pair of left and right first fixed ribs 85 sandwiching the first watering tray 81 are provided in the left region of the lower surface of the top wall 38 of the case 30. The first watering tray 81 is fixed to the top wall 38 by hooking the claws 85A provided on the first fixing ribs 85 on the outer peripheral portion of the first watering tray 81 from the lower side Z2. The first through hole 38A and the third through hole 38C of the top wall 38 are in a state of communicating with each other in the first sprinkler tray 81 from the upper side Z1 (see FIGS. 2 and 8). The first watering tray 81 may be drawn out from the opening 30A of the case 30.

The second watering tray 82 is arranged directly above the softener charging section 16. In the second sprinkler tray 82 in this state, all the second sprinkler ports 83B are arranged directly above the softener charging section 16. A pair of left and right second fixed ribs 86 sandwiching the second watering tray 82 are provided in the right region of the lower surface of the top wall 38. The second watering tray 82 is fixed to the top wall 38 by hooking the claws 86A provided on the second fixing ribs 86 on the outer peripheral portion of the second watering tray 82 from the lower side Z2. The second through hole 38B of the top wall 38 is in a state of communicating with the second sprinkler tray 82 from the upper side Z1 (see FIGS. 2 and 8). The second watering tray 82 may be drawn out from the opening 30A of the case 30. The upper end of the partition rib 51 described above is arranged between the first fixed rib 85 on the right side X2 and the second fixed rib 86 on the left side X1.

At the connecting portion between the left wall 35 and the top wall 38 in the case 30, a first guide groove 30D extending in the front-rear direction Y is formed as a part of the internal space 30B of the case 30. A second guide groove 30E extending in the front-rear direction Y is formed as a part of the internal space 30B at the connecting portion between the right wall 36 and the top wall 38 in the case 30. In the container 31, the first guide rail 60 on the left side X1 is received by the first guide groove 30D, and the second guide rail 70 on the right side X2 is received by the second guide groove 30E. As a result, the container 31 is slidably supported in the front-rear direction Y by the case 30, and can be pulled out from the case 30 as described above. Therefore, the user can pull out the container 31 from the case 30 and store the detergent in the detergent charging unit 15 or store the softener in the softener charging unit 16.

The detergent contained in the detergent input unit 15 is a liquid detergent that has been recently used by users at a high rate. The detergent charging unit 15 may contain not only the detergent but also a liquid bleach. A liquid softener is housed in the softener charging section 16. The "MAX" mark M displayed on the first top plate portion 53A of the first lid member 53 and the second top plate portion 54A of the second lid member 54 indicates the upper limit of the amount of detergent or softener to be accommodated. Therefore, the user stores the detergent and the softener to the extent that the mark M is not exceeded. In the case 30 returned to the container 31 by the user, as shown in FIG. 11, the first bottom wall 55 of the detergent charging section 15 and the second bottom wall 65 of the softener charging section 16 are separated by a gap. Arranged in the upper Z1 of the bottom wall 39 of 30, the first through hole 55A of the first bottom wall 55 and the second through hole 65A of the second bottom wall 65 face the bottom wall 39 from the upper Z1.

A first engaging portion 88 formed of, for example, a convex portion is provided in each of the first guide rail 60 and the first guide groove 30D, and a second engaging portion similar to the first engaging portion 88 is provided. 89 is provided in each of the second guide rail 70 and the second guide groove 30E (see FIG. 8). The first engaging portions 88 of the first guide rail 60 and the first guide groove 30D are engaged with each other, and the second engaging portions 89 of the second guide rail 70 and the second guide groove 30E are engaged with each other. The container 31 in the case 30 is positioned so as not to move to the front side Y1 without permission. In this way, the washing operation is executed with the container 31 housed in the case 30, and the water injection unit 11 puts a detergent or a softener on the water from the water supply channel 12 and puts it into the washing tub 4. That is, the water injection unit 11 selectively puts either the detergent or the softener into the washing tub 4 at the time of water supply.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. Note that FIG. 12 shows a vertical cross section of the water injection unit 11 in the first pipe portion 15B of the detergent charging section 15, and this vertical cross section is a vertical cross section of the water injection unit 11 in the second pipe section 16B of the softener charging section 16. Is almost the same as.

In the washing step, since the first water supply valve 17 is opened as described above, tap water in the water supply channel 12 flows into the first connector 41 through the first branch passage 12A, and the top wall 38 of the case 30 It falls from the first through hole 38A into the first sprinkler tray 81 of the sprinkler portion 32 (see also FIG. 2). As a result, the first sprinkler tray 81 is filled with tap water, and water is sprinkled from each first sprinkler port 83A into the detergent charging section 15 directly below. Therefore, tap water from the water supply channel 12 is supplied into the detergent input section 15. Further, a part of the tap water flowing into the first connector 41 flows through the relay path 45 and is supplied to the bath water pump 14 as priming water. When the bath water pump 14 to which the priming water is supplied is driven, the bath water flows into the third connector 43 through the hose 13 and the bath water supply path 19, and the third through hole 38C of the top wall 38 of the case 30 Drops into the first sprinkler tray 81 of the sprinkler 32 (see also FIG. 2). As a result, the first sprinkler tray 81 is filled with bath water, and water is sprinkled from each first sprinkler port 83A into the detergent charging section 15 directly below.

In the washing step, tap water and / or bath water is supplied into the detergent charging unit 15 in this way, so that the water level in the detergent charging unit 15 rises. The water in the detergent charging portion 15 also enters the gap 90 between the first pipe portion 15B and the first cylinder portion 53B of the first lid member 53. When the water level in the detergent charging section 15, that is, the water level in the gap 90 rises to the upper end of the first pipe section 15B, the detergent in the detergent filling section 15 gets on the water as shown by the broken line arrow in FIG. 12 due to the siphon effect. Then, it falls on the bottom wall 39 of the case 30 through the internal space of the first pipe portion 15B and the first through hole 55A, and flows down to the input port 30C of the case 30 along the inclination of the bottom wall 39, and then flows down to the input port 30C of the case 30. It is put into the washing tub 4 from 30C.

In the rinsing step after the washing step, specifically, in the final rinsing step, since the second water supply valve 18 is opened as described above, tap water in the water supply channel 12 passes through the second branch path 12B and the second connector 42. It flows into the water and falls from the second through hole 38B of the top wall 38 of the case 30 into the second watering tray 82 of the watering portion 32 (see also FIG. 2). As a result, the second sprinkler tray 82 is filled with tap water, and water is sprinkled from each second sprinkler port 84 into the softener charging section 16 directly below. Therefore, tap water from the water supply channel 12 is supplied into the softener input section 16.

By supplying tap water into the softener charging section 16 in this way, the water level in the softener charging section 16 rises. The water in the softener charging portion 16 also enters the gap 91 between the second pipe portion 16B and the second cylinder portion 54B of the second lid member 54. When the water level in the softener charging section 16, that is, the water level in the gap 91 rises to the upper end of the second pipe section 16B, the detergent in the softener charging section 16 is discharged by the siphon effect as shown by the broken line arrow in FIG. It falls on the bottom wall 39 of the case 30 through the internal space of the second pipe portion 16B and the second through hole 65A, and flows down to the input port 30C of the case 30 along the inclination of the bottom wall 39. It is charged into the washing tub 4 from the charging port 30C.

As described above, in the first bottom wall 55 of the detergent charging portion 15, the portion 55C on the front side Y1 of the first through hole 55A extends diagonally upward toward the front side Y1, and the second bottom wall of the softener charging portion 16 In 65, the portion 65C on the front side Y1 of the second through hole 65A extends diagonally upward toward the front side Y1. As a result, a space 93 that expands in the vertical direction Z toward the front side Y1 is secured between each of the portions 55C and 65C and the bottom wall 39 that extends diagonally downward toward the front side Y1. Therefore, the water that has fallen from the detergent charging section 15 or the softener charging section 16 onto the bottom wall 39 of the case 30 can be smoothly flowed in this space 93 and supplied into the washing tub 4 from the charging port 30C.

In the washing step, when the first water supply valve 17 is fully opened and both tap water and bath water are supplied to the detergent charging unit 15, the amount of water supplied to the detergent charging unit 15 is maximized. When the amount of water supplied to the detergent charging unit 15 is maximum, it is assumed that the drainage from the first through hole 55A in the detergent charging unit 15 cannot catch up with the water supply. If the water in the detergent input section 15 loses its place and overflows into the softener input section 16 due to the continuous state where the drainage cannot keep up with the water supply, the softener in the softener input section 16 will flow out on the water. Therefore, in the subsequent final rinsing step, the required amount of softener cannot be supplied into the washing tub 4.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, since the partition rib 51 is arranged between the detergent charging section 15 and the softener charging section 16, it overflows from the detergent charging section 15 and reaches the softener charging section 16 during the washing process. The water to be tried (see the dashed arrow in FIG. 11) is blocked by the partition rib 51. By arranging the upper end portion of the partition rib 51 between the first fixed rib 85 of the right side X2 and the second fixed rib 86 of the left side X1, a labyrinth structure 92 is formed around the upper end portion of the partition rib 51. Will be done. Therefore, it is difficult for the water overflowing from the detergent charging portion 15 to reach the upper end portion of the partition rib 51 and get over the partition rib 51 toward the softener charging portion 16.

Then, since the relief groove 52 is arranged between the partition rib 51 and the softener charging section 16, even if the water overflowing from the detergent charging section 15 gets over the partition rib 51, this water will still be in the relief groove 52. Accepted by. As shown in FIG. 13 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 10, the groove bottom 52A of the relief groove 52 extends diagonally downward toward the insertion port 30C of the case 30, and the insertion port at the groove bottom 52A. A relief hole 52F facing the bottom wall 39 of the case 30 from the upper side Z1 is formed in the front end portion 52C on the 30C side.

Therefore, as shown by the broken line arrow in FIG. 13, the water received in the relief groove 52 flows to the relief hole 52F along the inclination of the groove bottom 52A of the relief groove 52, and flows from the relief hole 52F to the bottom wall 39 of the case 30. It falls upward, flows down to the charging port 30C along the inclination of the bottom wall 39, and is charged into the washing tub 4 from the charging port 30C. As a result, it is difficult for the water in the detergent charging section 15 to reach the softener charging section 16. Further, as will be described later, the water filled in the back side of the case 30 can be released to the front side Y1 through the space 94 (see FIG. 14) of the lower side Z2 of the groove 52. In particular, the relief hole 52F is not provided in the entire area of the relief groove 52, but is provided only in the front end portion 52C on the charging port 30C side, so that the relief hole 52F is arranged away from the upper end of the softener charging portion 16 on the lower side Z2. .. Therefore, even if the water flowing on the bottom wall 39 blows up from the relief hole 52F into the relief groove 52 with some rhythm, this water reaches the upper end of the softener charging section 16 and flows into the softener charging section 16. It's difficult to do. Further, the water splashed up from the relief hole 52F into the relief groove 52 flows along the inclination of the groove bottom 52A, returns to the relief hole 52F, and falls to the bottom wall 39. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the softener in the softener charging unit 16 from disappearing before the final rinsing step, which is the original timing of use. Further, since the water injection unit 11 has only two charging units, the detergent charging unit 15 and the softener charging unit 16, the water injection unit 11 can be miniaturized.

The acute-angled inclination angle of the upper surface of the groove bottom 52A of the relief groove 52 with respect to the horizontal direction H is called the inclination angle α, and the acute-angled inclination angle of the upper surface of the bottom wall 39 of the case 30 with respect to the horizontal direction H is the inclination angle β. That is. In this embodiment, the tilt angle α is the tilt angle β or more, specifically, the tilt angle α is about 15 degrees and the tilt angle β is about 5 degrees, but these values can be changed as appropriate. .. Further, the inclination angle α may be equal to or less than the inclination angle β. In any case, a relatively wide space 94 is secured in the vertical direction Z between the bottom wall 39 and the groove bottom 52A on the upper side Z1 of the bottom wall 39. Therefore, the water that has fallen from the detergent charging unit 15 and the softener charging unit 16 onto the bottom wall 39 of the case 30 can be smoothly flowed to the front side Y1 in this space 94 and supplied from the charging port 30C into the washing tub 4. can. As a result, it is possible to secure a flow path for guiding the water that has lost its place at the rear end of the bottom wall 39 to the inlet 30C. If the inclination angle α is to be increased, the rear end portion 52B of the groove bottom 52A may be arranged near the center C3 of the internal space 15A of the detergent charging portion 15 in the vertical direction Z.

The rear end portion 52B of the groove bottom 52A is arranged on the rear side Y2 of the first through hole 55A of the detergent charging portion 15, and the front end portion 52C of the groove bottom 52A is arranged on the front side Y1 of the first through hole 55A. NS. Specifically, the rear end portion 52B is preferably arranged near the rear wall 37 of the case 30, and is a distance γ in the front-rear direction Y connecting the center of the first through hole 55A and the rear end of the rear end portion 52B. It is preferable that the front end portion 52C is arranged at a position extending from the center of the first through hole 55A to the front side Y1 by approximately the same distance as above. As a result, the relief groove 52 can receive the water that overflows from the detergent charging portion 15 and has passed over the partition rib 51 over a wide range in the front-rear direction Y. Therefore, since the water in the detergent charging section 15 is more difficult to reach the softener charging section 16, it is possible to further prevent the softener in the softener charging section 16 from running out before the original timing of use.

Further, the rear end portion 52B of the groove bottom 52A and the rear end portion 51A of the partition rib 51 are arranged so as to project toward the rear side Y2 of the first rear wall 58 of the detergent charging portion 15. Further, the rear end portion 66A (see FIG. 4) of the second left wall 66 of the softener charging portion 16 is also arranged so as to project toward Y2 on the rear side of the first rear wall 58. In this case, even if the rear portion of the case 30 is filled with water, the water penetrates into the softener charging portion 16 from the second rear wall 68 of the softener charging portion 16 at the rear end portions 51A. This can be prevented by the rear end 52B and the rear end 66A.

As shown in FIG. 14, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. 10, a drain hole 75 is arranged between the detergent charging portion 15 and the partition rib 51. Therefore, even if the water overflowing from the detergent input portion 15 tries to go to the partition rib 51, this water falls from the drain hole 75 onto the bottom wall 39 of the case 30, and the water input port is along the inclination of the bottom wall 39. It flows down to 30C and is charged into the washing tub 4 from the inlet 30C. Further, even if the water that has fallen from the drain hole 75 onto the bottom wall 39 fills the region of the rear side Y2 in the case 30, the lower Z2 of the inclined plate 77 that constitutes the groove bottom 52A of the relief groove 52 Since the space 94 for guiding the water to the inlet 30C side is secured as a flow path, the space 94 can prevent the water from entering the softener charging portion 16 from the rear side Y2. Therefore, since it is difficult for the water in the detergent charging section 15 to reach the softener charging section 16, it is possible to further prevent the softener in the softener charging section 16 from running out before the rinsing process, which is the original timing of use.

Further, the sprinkler portion 32 that receives the water from the water supply channel 12 sprinkles water from the first sprinkler port 83A to the detergent inlet 15 and from the second sprinkler 83B to the softener inlet 16, but the drain hole 75 From the third sprinkler port 83C arranged directly above, water is sprinkled directly into the drain hole 75 between the detergent inlet 15 and the partition rib 51 without sprinkling water on the detergent inlet 15 and the softener inlet 16. (See FIGS. 8 and 11). That is, since the sprinkling unit 32 releases excess water out of the water received from the water supply channel 12 to the drain hole 75, it is possible to prevent the water in the detergent charging unit 15 from overflowing to the softener charging unit 16. Therefore, it is more difficult for the water in the detergent charging section 15 to reach the softener charging section 16, so that it is possible to further prevent the softener in the softener charging section 16 from running out before the original timing of use.

Further, the rectifying rib 71 provided on the lower surface of the second bottom wall 65 of the softener charging portion 16 vigorously flows down the water from the drain hole 75 onto the bottom wall 39 of the case 30 on the detergent charging portion 15 side, that is, Since it is guided to the space 94 on the center side of the container 31 in the left-right direction X, this water can be smoothly merged with other water flowing on the bottom wall 39 (see also FIG. 5). As a result, it is possible to prevent a problem that the water flowing down from the drain hole 75 onto the bottom wall 39 is scattered to the left and right at the inlet 30C, which impairs the appearance at the time of water supply.

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 washing machine 1 in the above-described embodiment is a vertical washing machine in which the central axis J of the washing tub 4 extends in the vertical direction Z, that is, the vertical direction V, but the washing tub 4 of the vertical washing machine is the center. The axis J may be arranged obliquely so as to be inclined in the front-rear direction Y with respect to the vertical direction V.

1 Washing machine 4 Washing tub 11 Water injection unit 12 Water supply channel 15 Detergent inlet 15B 1st pipe 16 Softener inlet 16B 2nd pipe 30 Case 30A Input port 31 Container 32 Sprinkler 39 Bottom wall 51 Partition rib 52 Relief groove 52A Groove bottom 52B Rear end 52C Front end 52F Relief hole 55 1st bottom wall 55A 1st through hole 55C Front part 65 2nd bottom wall 65A 2nd through hole 65C Front part 71 rectifying rib 75 Drain hole 77 Inclined Board 83 Sprinkler 83A 1st sprinkler 83B 2nd sprinkler 83C 3rd sprinkler C1 Center of 1st bottom wall C2 Center of 2nd bottom wall Q Washing machine Y Front-back direction Y1 Front side Y2 Rear side Z1 Top side Z2 Bottom ~ side

Claims (5)

A washing tub that houses laundry and
A water supply channel for supplying water to the washing tub and
Including a water injection unit in which a detergent or a softener is placed on the water from the water supply channel and charged into the washing tub.
The water injection unit
A case having an inlet facing into the washing tub from above and a bottom wall extending diagonally downward in the depth direction of the case and connecting to the inlet.
A container that is retractably housed in the case so that it can be pulled out from the case. A partition rib that accommodates and supplies water from the water supply channel, a partition rib that is arranged between the detergent inlet and the fabric softener inlet and extends in the depth direction, and the partition rib. Including a container arranged between the softener charging portion and having a relief groove extending in the depth direction.
The detergent charging portion includes a first bottom wall formed with a first through hole facing the bottom wall from above, and a first pipe portion protruding upward while surrounding the first through hole in the detergent charging portion. And have
The softener charging portion has a second bottom wall formed with a second through hole facing the bottom wall from the upper side, and a second protruding upward while surrounding the second through hole in the softener charging portion. Has a tube and
The relief groove is a washing machine having a groove bottom extending diagonally downward toward the inlet and a relief hole provided at an end of the groove bottom on the inlet side and facing the bottom wall from above. .. The depth direction includes a back side away from the insertion port and a front side approaching the insertion port.
The back end of the groove bottom is arranged on the back side of the first through hole.
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the front end of the groove bottom is arranged on the front side of the first through hole. The first through hole is arranged on the depth side of the center of the first bottom wall in the depth direction, and the second through hole is on the depth side of the center of the second bottom wall in the depth direction. Placed in
The portion of the first bottom wall on the front side of the first through hole extends diagonally upward toward the front side.
The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the portion of the second bottom wall on the front side of the second through hole extends diagonally upward toward the front side. Between the softener charging portion and the partition rib, open drain holes are provided on the upper side and the lower side, respectively.
The relief groove has an inclined plate constituting the groove bottom, and has an inclined plate.
The water injection unit is a watering unit having a watering port, and further includes a watering unit that receives water from the water supply channel and sprinkles water into the container from the watering port.
The sprinklers are arranged directly above the first sprinkler port arranged directly above the detergent inlet, the second sprinkler port arranged directly above the softener inlet, and the drain hole. The washing machine according to claim 2 or 3, which has a third sprinkler port. In the lower surface portion of the second bottom wall, the region on the detergent charging portion side of the second through hole is provided with a rectifying rib extending from the back side toward the front side so as to approach the detergent charging portion. , The washing machine according to claim 4.

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