JP2022000118A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve design property around a lid.SOLUTION: A washing machine comprises: an outer case; a top cover which is provided above the outer case, and in which an opening communicating the inside and the outside of the outer case is formed; a lid provided turnably at the top cover, and opening/closing the opening; and an operation panel provided at the upper portion of the top cover and on the front side of the lid in a closed state where the lid closes the opening. In the state where the lid is in the closed state, lid side surface portions forming right and left side surfaces of the lid and operation panel side surface portions forming right and left side surfaces of the operation panel are arranged on the same surface, and they are provided further on the central side in the right-to-left direction than top cover side wall portions forming right and left wall portions of the top cover.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a washing machine.

In a so-called vertical axis type washing machine, the lid for opening and closing the opening for entering and exiting the laundry is located on the upper surface of the washing machine, so that it is easy for the user to see. Therefore, it is considered to improve the design and produce a high-class feeling by using a glass plate on the upper surface of the lid. In this case, in a washing machine in which a glass plate is provided on the upper surface of the lid to improve the design, the step or gap generated between the lid and the top cover is aesthetically unfavorable. However, it takes time and effort to adjust the position of the lid and the top cover so as to eliminate the step and the gap generated between the lid and the top cover as much as possible.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-110645

Therefore, we provide a washing machine that can reduce the time and effort required for adjusting the lid and improve the design.

The washing machine of the embodiment is provided rotatably on the outer box, a top cover provided on the upper portion of the outer box and having an opening for communicating the inside and the outside of the outer box, and the top cover. It includes a lid that opens and closes the opening, and an operation panel provided on the front side of the lid in a closed state in which the lid closes the opening at the upper part of the top cover. When the lid is in the closed state, the lid side surface portion forming the left and right side surfaces of the lid and the operation panel side surface portion forming the left and right side surfaces of the operation panel are arranged on the same surface and It is provided on the center side in the left-right direction with respect to the side wall portion of the top cover forming the left and right wall portions of the top cover.

A perspective view showing a state in which the lid is closed for an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment. A perspective view showing a state in which the lid is opened for an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment. A side view showing a state in which the lid is closed for an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment. A plan view showing a state in which the lid is closed for an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment. An enlarged view showing an X5 portion of FIG. 4 for an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment. A cross-sectional view showing an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment along the line X6-X6 of FIG. A cross-sectional view showing an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment along the line X7-X7 in FIG. A cross-sectional view showing an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment is shown along line X8-X8 in FIG. An enlarged view showing an X9 portion of FIG. 8 for an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment. A cross-sectional view showing an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment along the line X10-X10 of FIG.

Hereinafter, the refrigerator according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The washing machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called vertical axis type washing machine in which the central axis of the water tub and the rotation axis of the rotary tub (not shown) are oriented in the vertical direction. In the following description, the user side with respect to the washing machine 10 is the front side of the washing machine 10, and the side opposite to the front side is the rear side of the washing machine 10. In the present embodiment, the front-back direction means the front-back direction when the washing machine 10 is installed on the floor surface. Further, the vertical direction of the washing machine 10 with respect to the gravity direction is the vertical direction of the washing machine 10, and the left-right direction when the washing machine 10 is viewed from the user side is the left-right direction of the washing machine 10.

The washing machine 10 includes an outer box 11, a top cover 20, an operation panel 30, and a lid 40. The outer box 11 is configured as a rectangular box as a whole. The outer box 11 and the top cover 20 form the outer shell of the washing machine 10. The outer box 11 is formed of, for example, a steel plate in a rectangular box shape. A water tub and a rotary tub as a washing tub (not shown) are housed in the outer box 11. In the present embodiment, among the wall portions constituting the periphery of the outer box 11, the front wall portion is referred to as an outer box front wall portion 111, and the left and right side wall portions are referred to as an outer box side wall portion 112.

The top cover 20 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and is formed in a thin rectangular ring whose upper surface is inclined downward toward the front. The top cover 20 is not limited to the one that is inclined downward toward the front of the washing machine 10, and may be configured to be horizontal to the floor surface. The top cover 20 is provided on the upper part of the outer box 11 and has an opening 201 in the central portion as shown in FIG. The opening 201 communicates the inside and the outside of the washing machine 10. Laundry is taken in and out through the opening 201.

In the present embodiment, among the wall portions constituting the periphery of the top cover 20, the front wall portion is referred to as a top cover front wall portion 21, and the left and right side wall portions are referred to as a top cover side wall portion 22. The top cover front wall portion 21 is provided on the same surface as the outer box front wall portion 111. The front wall portion 21 of the top cover and the front wall portion 111 of the outer box constitute the front wall portion of the washing machine 10. The top cover side wall portion 22 is provided on the same surface as the outer box side wall portion 112. The side wall portion 22 of the top cover and the side wall portion 112 of the outer box form the side wall portion of the washing machine 10.

As shown in FIG. 8, the top cover side wall portion 22 has a bent portion 221. The bent portion 221 is formed in a shape in which the upper end portion of the side wall portion 22 of the top cover is bent toward the center in the left-right direction. Further, the top cover 20 has an inclined surface portion 23. The inclined surface portion 23 forms the left and right side portions of the opening 201. The inclined surface portion 23 has a function of contacting the lid 40 and supporting the lid 40 in a state where the lid 40 closes the opening 201. The inclined surface portion 23 extends from the upper end portion of the bent portion 221 of the top cover side wall portion 22 and is inclined downward toward the center in the left-right direction, that is, the center of the opening 201. In the following description, the boundary portion between the side wall portion 22 of the top cover and the inclined surface portion 23 is referred to as the boundary portion P.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the operation panel 30 is provided on the front upper portion of the top cover 20, that is, on the front upper portion of the washing machine 10. The operation panel 30 is for input setting and displaying the contents of the washing operation of the washing machine 10, and is electrically connected to a control device (not shown). Here, the front surface of the operation panel 30 is referred to as an operation panel front surface portion 301, and the side surface of the operation panel 30 is referred to as an operation panel side surface portion 302. In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation panel front surface portion 301 is located behind the top cover front wall portion 21.

Further, the width dimension of the operation panel 30 in the left-right direction is set smaller than the width dimension of the top cover 20 in the left-right direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the operation panel side surface portion 302 constituting the left and right side surfaces of the operation panel 30 is located on the center side in the left-right direction with respect to the top cover side wall portion 22. That is, the operation panel side surface portion 302 does not project outward from the top cover side wall portion 22 in the left-right direction. The operation panel side surface portion 302 is a portion of the operation panel 30 that constitutes the outermost surface in the left-right direction. In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the operation panel side surface portion 302 is provided at a position W away from the top cover side wall portion 22 on the center side in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the operation panel 30 has an apparatus main body 31, an operation panel plate member 32, and an operation panel frame 33. The device main body 31 is configured to include, for example, an input unit capable of detecting an input operation from a user, a display unit capable of displaying various information such as operation contents and setting contents, and the like. In this case, a capacitance type touch sensor can be used for the input unit of the device main body 31, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a mechanical sensor or the like using a push button can be adopted. Further, as the input unit of the apparatus main body 31, a liquid crystal display, a display content that emerges by irradiation with light, or a mixture thereof can be adopted. The device main body 31 is provided on the back surface of the operation panel plate member 32. The user can operate the operation panel 30 by touching the surface of the operation panel plate member 32.

The operation panel plate member 32 is a member constituting the upper surface of the operation panel 30, and is composed of, for example, one flat plate member, specifically, for example, a thin plate-shaped hard glass plate having a thickness of about several mm. There is. The operation panel plate member 32 may be transparent or translucent, and may be colorless or colored. Further, the plate member 32 for the operation panel may be made of a synthetic resin such as acrylic glass.

The operation panel frame 33 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and is configured in a rectangular frame shape as a whole, and covers the outer peripheral surface of the operation panel plate member 32, and covers the apparatus main body 31 and the operation panel plate member 32. Hold. The operation panel frame 33 has an operation panel mounting portion 331 and an operation panel outer edge portion 332. The operation panel mounting portion 331 is configured in a plane shape, and the operation panel plate member 32 is mounted on the upper surface. The operation panel plate member 32 and the operation panel mounting portion 331 are adhered to each other by, for example, double-sided tape or an adhesive.

The operation panel outer edge portion 332 constitutes an outer peripheral portion of the operation panel frame 33, that is, an outer peripheral portion of the operation panel 30, and surrounds the outer peripheral portion of the operation panel plate member 32. The operation panel outer edge portion 332 is provided so as to project in the vertical direction from the edge portion of the operation panel mounting portion 331, and has a substantially T-shaped cross section. The operation panel outer edge portion 332 is provided at the outer edge portion of the operation panel mounting portion 331 so as to project in the thickness direction of the operation panel plate member 32. The lower end of the outer edge portion 332 for the operation panel is in contact with the upper surface of the top cover 20.

The outer surface of the outer edge portion 332 for the operation panel constitutes the outer peripheral surface of the operation panel 30. Of the outer surfaces of the outer edge portion 332 for the operation panel, the outer surfaces on both the left and right sides are the operation panel side surface portions 302. At least a portion of the entire frame body 33 for the operation panel that is visible to the user is subjected to decorative processing such as plating or painting. In the case of the present embodiment, at least the left and right outer surfaces of the operation panel outer edge portion 332, that is, the operation panel side surface portion 302, of the entire operation panel frame 33, is subjected to decorative processing such as plating or painting. .. In this case, the operation panel side surface portion 302 is a portion that can be visually recognized by the user, and can also be referred to as a decorative portion. The decoration is not limited to the operation panel side surface portion 302, and may be applied to the entire operation panel frame 33.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 40 is rotatably provided on the upper portion of the top cover 20. The lid 40 has a function of opening and closing the opening 201. As shown in FIG. 2, the washing machine 10 includes a rotating shaft portion 12. The rotating shaft portion 12 is provided in the rear portion of the opening 201 in the top cover 20. The lid 40 is connected to the top cover 20 via the rotating shaft portion 12, and can rotate around the rotating shaft portion 12. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the lid 40 is inclined downward toward the user side, that is, forward with the opening 201 closed. The lid 40 is not limited to the one that is inclined downward toward the front of the washing machine 10, and may be provided so as to be horizontal to the floor surface.

As shown in FIG. 8, the lid 40 is located inside the top cover side wall portion 22, that is, on the center side in the left-right direction in the closed state in which the opening 201 is closed. Here, both end faces of the lid 40 in the left-right direction are referred to as lid side surface portions 433. In this case, the lid side surface portion 433 is provided at a position separated by a distance W from the top cover side wall portion 22 on the center side in the left-right direction. Further, in the closed state where the lid 40 closes the opening 201, the lid side surface portion 433 is provided at a position overlapping the inclined surface portion 23 of the top cover 20 in a plan view.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in the closed state where the lid 40 closes the opening 201, the lower end of the lid side surface portion 433 is below the upper end of the top cover side wall portion 22, preferably more than the upper end of the top cover side wall portion 22. It is located below. In this case, the lower end of the lid side surface portion 433 is provided at the upper end of the top cover side wall portion 22 at a position separated by a distance H downward from the boundary portion P in this case. That is, the lower end of the lid side surface portion 433 is located below the upper end of the top cover side wall portion 22. As a result, in the closed state where the lid 40 closes the opening 201, the lid 40 is arranged so that there is no vertical gap between the lower end of the lid side surface portion 433 and the upper end of the top cover side wall portion 22 in a side view. The closure.

In the case of the present embodiment, the lid 40 is a so-called two-fold type configured to bend in the middle of the lid 40 in the front-rear direction. In this case, the lid 40 has a rear lid 401 and a front lid 402. The rear lid 401 constitutes the rear portion of the lid 40, and the front lid 402 constitutes the front portion of the lid 40. The rear lid body 401 and the front lid body 402 are connected to each other so as to be bendable by, for example, a hinge mechanism (not shown). The lid 40 is not limited to the two-fold type, and may be formed of one lid body having a substantially rectangular plate shape as a whole.

The rear lid body 401 and the front lid body 402 differ in detailed shape and the like, but have the same basic configuration. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the rear lid body 401 and the front lid body 402, they may be simply referred to as lid bodies 401 and 402. As shown in FIG. 8, the lids 401 and 402 have a lid plate member 41, a base member 42, and a lid frame 43, respectively.

The lid plate member 41 is a member constituting the upper surfaces of the lids 401 and 402, and is composed of, for example, one flat plate member, specifically, for example, a thin plate-shaped hard glass plate having a thickness of about several mm. ing. In the case of the present embodiment, the lid plate member 41 is made of the same material as the operation panel plate member 32. The lid plate member 41 may be transparent or translucent, and may be colorless or colored, as in the operation panel plate member 32. Further, the operation panel 30 may be made of a synthetic resin such as acrylic glass, similarly to the operation panel plate member 32. When the lid 40 is closed, that is, the closed state, the upper surface of the lid 40, that is, the surface of the lid plate member 41 and the upper surface of the operation panel 30, that is, the surface of the operation panel plate member 32 are arranged on the same surface. Will be done.

The base member 42 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, and holds the lid frame 43 together with the lid plate member 41. The base member 42 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape and constitutes the back surface of the lids 401 and 402. The back surface of the lids 401 and 402 means a surface located on the lower surface of the lid 40, that is, the inside of the outer box 11 when the lid 40 closes the opening 201. The portion of the base member 42 that overlaps with the inclined surface portion 23 of the top cover 20 when the lid 40 is closed is inclined along the inclined surface portion 23.

As shown in FIG. 8, the lid frame 43 is provided between the lid plate member 41 and the base member 42. The lid frame 43 is fixed to the base member 42 by, for example, a snap fit or a screw member. The lid frame 43 is configured in a flat plate shape as a whole, and holds the lid plate member 41. The lid frame 43 has a lid mounting portion 431 and a lid outer edge portion 432. The lid mounting portion 431 is configured in a plane shape, and the lid plate member 41 is mounted on the upper surface. The lid plate member 41 and the lid mounting portion 431 are adhered to each other by, for example, double-sided tape or an adhesive. The outer edge portion 432 for the lid constitutes an outer peripheral portion of the lid frame 43, that is, an outer peripheral portion of the lid 40, and surrounds the outer peripheral portion of the lid plate member 41.

The outer edge portion 432 for the lid is provided so as to project in the vertical direction, that is, in the thickness direction of the lid plate member 41 at the outer edge portion of the mounting portion 431 for the lid, and the cross section is formed in a substantially T shape. With the lid 40 closed, the outer edge portion 432 for the lid is located inside the side wall portion 22 of the top cover in the left-right direction. That is, the outer edge portion 432 for the lid is provided at a position where it overlaps with the inclined surface portion 23 of the top cover 20 in a plan view. Further, when the lid 40 is closed, the lower end portion of the outer edge portion 432 for the lid is separated from the inclined surface portion 23 of the top cover 20 and is located below the uppermost portion of the side wall portion 22 of the top cover, that is, the boundary portion P. is doing.

The outer surface of the outer edge portion 432 for the lid constitutes the outer peripheral surface of the lid 40. Of the outer surfaces of the outer edge portion 432 for the lid, the outer surfaces on both the left and right sides are the side surface portions 433 of the lid. At least a portion of the entire lid frame 43 that is visible to the user is subjected to decorative processing such as plating or painting. In the case of the present embodiment, at least the left and right outer surfaces of the outer edge portion 432 for the lid, that is, the side surface portion 433 of the lid, of the entire lid frame 43, is subjected to decorative processing such as plating or painting. In this case, the lid side surface portion 433 is a portion that can be visually recognized by the user, and can also be referred to as a decorative portion. The decoration is not limited to the lid side surface portion 433, and may be applied to the entire lid frame 43. Further, in the case of the present embodiment, at least the lid side surface portion 433 of the lid frame body 43 is subjected to the same decorative processing as the decorative processing applied to the operation panel side surface portion 302.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lids 401 and 402 have a support member 44. The support member 44 is provided at both ends of the base member 42 in the left-right direction on the back surface side and at positions facing the inclined surface portion 23. In this case, a plurality of support members 44 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction at the left and right side edges of the lids 401 and 402. The support member 44 is made of an elastic member such as silicon rubber or sponge, and is made of a square columnar molded product as a whole. The support member 44 is provided so as to project downward from the lower surface of the lid 40 when the lid 40 is in the closed state. The support member 44 has a function of contacting the inclined surface portion 23 of the top cover 20 to support the lid 40 when the lid 40 is in the closed state.

With this support member 44, it is possible to suppress the vertical rattling of the lid 40 in the closed state in which the lid 40 closes the opening 201 due to the elastic function of the support member 44. Further, for example, during operation, it is possible to exert a sufficient anti-vibration effect against horizontal vibration in the front-back and left-right directions. Further, since the support member 44 absorbs the impact force generated when the lid 40 is closed, the excellent durability of the lid 40 can be realized.

In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the support member 44 has a contact surface 441. The contact surface 441 is a portion that comes into contact with the inclined surface portion 23 of the top cover 20, and is inclined along the inclined surface portion 23. The contact surface 441 sufficiently secures a contact area between the support member 44 and the inclined surface portion 23, and can stably support the lid 40 in a closed state in which the lid 40 closes the opening 201. Further, since the contact surface 441 is inclined along the inclined surface portion 23, when the lid 40 is closed and the contact surface 441 comes into contact with the inclined surface portion 23, a downward force for closing the lid 40 comes into contact. Due to the inclination of the surface 441 and the inclined surface portion 23, the force in the central direction with respect to the left-right direction is efficiently converted. As a result, the lid 40 can be guided toward the center when the lid 40 is closed.

Even when the contact surface 441 is not tilted, the efficiency is lower than when the contact surface 441 is tilted, but the downward force when closing the lid 40 is converted into a force in the central direction with respect to the left-right direction. However, the lid 40 can be guided toward the center side.

In this case, the base member 42 has an accommodating portion 421 and a protruding portion 422 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The accommodating portion 421 is formed in the shape of a container that is open downward from the back surface side of the base member 42. The support member 44 is inserted into the accommodating portion 421 and detachably attached to the base member 42. In the case of the present embodiment, the accommodating portion 421 and the support member 44 are provided at a total of two locations on the tip end side of both ends in the left-right direction in the base member 42 of the front lid body 402, and both ends in the left-right direction in the base member 42 of the rear lid body 401. A total of four locations are provided on the front end side and the rear end side.

The protrusion 422 is provided in each accommodating portion 421 and is integrally formed with the base member 42. The protrusion 422 is formed in a prismatic shape, projects from one place on the inner surface of the accommodating portion 421 toward the central portion of the accommodating portion 421, and extends along the depth direction of the accommodating portion 421. In this case, the support member 44 has a groove portion 442. The groove portion 442 is formed by recessing the outer peripheral portion of the support member 44 in a shape that follows the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion portion 422, and is provided at a position corresponding to the protrusion portion 422.

The support member 44 can be inserted into the accommodating portion 421 only in a state where the protrusion 422 is aligned with the groove portion 442. That is, the protrusion 422 and the groove 442 allow the support member 44 to be inserted into the accommodation portion 421 only in a posture in which the support member 44 has a specific posture with respect to the accommodation portion 421, that is, a posture in which the protrusion 422 is fitted into the groove portion 442. Has a function. Further, the protrusion 422 also has a function as a mark indicating the insertion direction of the support member 44 with respect to the accommodating portion 421. As a result, it is possible to prevent an error in the insertion direction of the support member 44 with respect to the accommodating portion 421.

According to the embodiment described above, the washing machine 10 includes an outer box 11, a top cover 20, a lid 40, and an operation panel 30. The top cover 20 is provided on the upper part of the outer box 11 and has an opening 201 that communicates the inside and the outside of the outer box 11. The lid 40 is rotatably provided on the top cover 20 to open and close the opening 201. The operation panel 30 is provided on the front side of the lid 40 in a closed state in which the lid 40 closes the opening 201 at the upper part of the top cover 20. When the lid 40 is in the closed state, the lid side surface portion 433 forming the left and right side surfaces of the lid 40 and the operation panel side surface portion 302 forming the left and right side surfaces of the operation panel 30 are arranged on the same surface. Moreover, it is provided on the center side in the left-right direction with respect to the top cover side wall portion 22 forming the left and right wall portions of the top cover 20.

According to this, in the closed state where the lid 40 closes the opening 201, the lid side surface portion 433 and the operation panel side surface portion 302 are arranged on the same surface, so that the lid 40 and the operation panel 30 are integrated. It can give an impression and give a sense of unity in visual recognition.

Here, in order to improve the design, the lid 40 and the top are so that a step or a gap in the left-right direction does not occur between the lid 40 and the top cover 20 in the closed state where the lid 40 closes the opening 201. It is necessary to adjust the position with the cover 20.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when the lid 40 is in the closed state, the lid side surface portions 433 forming the left and right side surfaces of the lid 40 form the left and right wall portions of the top cover 20. It is provided on the center side in the left-right direction with respect to the side wall portion 22 of the top cover. According to this, it is possible to widen the allowable range of the position adjustment between the lid 40 and the top cover 20 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the adjustment between the lid 40 and the top cover 20 can be simplified and the labor can be reduced, and the assembly efficiency of the washing machine 10 can be improved.

Further, when the lid 40 is in the closed state in which the opening 201 is closed, the lower end of the lid side surface portion 433 is located below the upper end of the top cover side wall portion 22. According to this, in the closed state where the lid 40 closes the opening 201, there is no vertical gap between the lower end of the lid side surface portion 433 and the upper end of the top cover side wall portion 22. That is, when the lid 40 is viewed from the side in the closed state where the lid 40 closes the opening 201, the lower end of the lid side surface portion 433 is recessed inside the top cover 20. Therefore, from the user's point of view, the lid side surface portion 433 and the top cover side wall portion 22 appear to overlap each other. This makes it difficult for the user to recognize the gap generated between the lid 40 and the top cover 20, and as a result, the design of the washing machine 10 can be further improved.

Further, the operation panel front surface portion 301 forming the front surface of the operation panel 30 is provided on the rear side of the top cover front wall portion 21 forming the front wall portion of the top cover 20. According to this, there is no vertical gap between the operation panel front surface portion 301 and the top cover front wall portion 21. Therefore, the gap generated in the appearance of the washing machine 10 can be reduced, and the design of the washing machine 10 can be further improved.

Further, the lid side surface portion 433 and the operation panel side surface portion 302 are subjected to the same decorative processing, specifically, a decorative processing by plating or painting, for example. According to this, in the closed state where the lid 40 closes the opening 201, the lid 40 and the operation panel 30 can create a visual sense of unity and improve the design, and as a result, the washing machine 10 can be improved. You can create a sense of luxury in the exterior.

Further, the top cover 20 has an inclined surface portion 23. The inclined surface portion 23 extends downward from the side wall portion 22 of the top cover and inclines downward toward the center in the left-right direction. The lid 40 has a support member 44. The support member 44 is made of an elastic member, and in a closed state in which the lid 40 closes the opening 201, the support member 44 projects downward from the lower surface of the lid 40 and comes into contact with the inclined surface portion 23 of the top cover 20 to bring the lid 40 into contact with the inclined surface portion 23. To support.

According to this, in the closed state where the lid 40 closes the opening 201, the vibration generated in the lid 40 can be absorbed by the support member 44, so that, for example, the vibration generated in the lid 40 during operation is absorbed, thereby absorbing the vibration generated in the lid 40. For example, the sound generated by the vibration of the lid 40 can be reduced. Further, since the support member 44 can absorb the impact force generated when the lid 40 is closed, the excellent durability of the lid 40 can be realized.

Further, when the lid 40 is closed and the support member 44 comes into contact with the inclined surface portion 23, the downward force for closing the lid 40 is converted into a force in the central direction with respect to the left-right direction due to the inclination with the inclined surface portion 23. To. Therefore, when the lid 40 is closed, the lid 40 is automatically guided to the center side by the action of the support member 44 and the inclined surface portion 23. As a result, the lid 40 automatically returns to a predetermined position with respect to the top cover 20 each time it is closed, even if the lid 40 and the top cover 20 are not accurately aligned. As a result, it is possible to save the trouble of adjustment when attaching the lid 40 and improve the productivity.

Further, the upper surface of the lid 40 and the upper surface of the operation panel 30 are arranged on the same surface. According to this, since there is no step between the upper surface of the lid 40 and the upper surface of the operation panel 30, maintenance such as cleaning is easy and maintainability can be improved. Further, in the closed state where the lid 40 closes the opening 201, the lid 40 and the operation panel 30 can create a visual sense of unity and improve the design.

Further, the members constituting the upper surface of the lid 40 and the upper surface of the operation panel 30 are made of the same material. Specifically, the upper surface of the lid 40 is composed of the lid plate member 41, and the upper surface of the operation panel 30 is composed of the operation panel plate member 32. Each of them is composed of, for example, a thin plate-shaped hard glass plate having a thickness of about several mm. According to this, the lid 40 and the operation panel 30 can create a visual sense of unity and further improve the design. Further, the appearance of the washing machine 10 can be given a high-class feeling.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

10 ... Washing machine, 11 ... Outer box, 20 ... Top cover, 201 ... Opening, 21 ... Top cover front wall, 22 ... Top cover side wall, 23 ... Inclined surface, 30 ... Operation panel, 301 ... Operation panel front Part, 302 ... Operation panel side surface, 40 ... Cover, 433 ... Cover side surface, 44 ... Support member

Claims (7)

With the outer box
A top cover provided on the upper part of the outer box and having an opening for communicating the inside and the outside of the outer box,
A lid rotatably provided on the top cover to open and close the opening,
An operation panel provided on the front side of the lid in a closed state in which the lid closes the opening at the upper part of the top cover is provided.
When the lid is in the closed state, the lid side surface portion forming the left and right side surfaces of the lid and the operation panel side surface portion forming the left and right side surfaces of the operation panel are arranged on the same surface and It is provided on the center side in the left-right direction with respect to the side wall portion of the top cover forming the left and right wall portions of the top cover.
Washing machine. When the lid is in the closed state, the lower end of the side surface portion of the lid is located below the upper end of the side wall portion of the top cover.
The washing machine according to claim 1. The operation panel front surface portion forming the front surface of the operation panel is provided on the rear side of the top cover front wall portion forming the front wall portion of the top cover.
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2. The same decorative processing is applied to the side surface portion of the lid and the side surface portion of the operation panel.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The top cover has an inclined surface portion that extends from the side wall portion of the top cover and is inclined downward toward the center in the left-right direction.
The lid is made of an elastic member, and has a support member that projects downward from the lower surface of the lid in a closed state and contacts the inclined surface portion to support the lid.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4. When the lid is in the closed state, the upper surface of the lid and the upper surface of the operation panel are arranged on the same surface.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The members constituting the upper surface of the lid and the upper surface of the operation panel are made of the same material.
The washing machine according to claim 6.

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