JP2022010809A - washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of achieving protection of an ultrasonic wave washing device during non-use time.SOLUTION: A full-automatic washing machine includes: an ultrasonic wave washing device 50 for removing dirt attached to an object to be washed by allowing ultrasonic waves generated by an ultrasonic wave generator to act on the object to be washed; an upper surface plate 12 having an input port 14; a device storage part 17a which is provided inside the upper surface plate 12, and in which the ultrasonic wave washing device 50 is stored in the input port 14 so as to be drawn out; an inlet/outlet 18 provided at the upper surface plate 12, and for taking out/putting in the ultrasonic wave washing device 50 with respect to the device storage part 17a; and a cover 19 for covering the inlet/outlet 18 when the ultrasonic wave washing device 50 is stored in the device storage part 17a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Patent Document 1 describes a washing machine in which an ultrasonic cleaning device is arranged around a laundry loading port on a top plate, for example, on the front side of the loading port. The ultrasonic cleaning device includes a water storage tank in which water is stored and an ultrasonic generation unit having an ultrasonic generator located directly above the water storage tank. A dirty portion of the object to be cleaned is set in the water tank in which water is stored, and the cleaning operation is started. The ultrasonic energy generated from the super sound generator acts on the part where the dirt has penetrated and the dirt is peeled off.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-68435

In the washing machine as described above, the ultrasonic cleaning device is configured so that the water storage tank is formed separately from the top plate, and the ultrasonic cleaning device is positioned by the ultrasonic generation unit and the water storage tank. It is conceivable that the position of the ultrasonic generator and the water storage tank can be switched between the position of use that overhangs the inside of the mouth and the position of non-use that is housed around the inlet. With such a configuration, even if water is scattered from the water tank during the washing operation, it is difficult for the scattered water to go out of the washing machine. Further, when the washing operation is not performed, the ultrasonic cleaning device is less likely to interfere with the laundry charged into the washing / dehydrating tub from the charging port.

However, even with the above configuration, when the laundry is loaded into the washing / dehydrating tub, a part of the laundry hits the non-use ultrasonic cleaning device located around the loading port. In such cases, it may lead to damage to the ultrasonic cleaning device.

Further, when the object to be washed put into the washing / dehydrating tub is washed, the water stored in the washing / dehydrating tub may be scattered upward. The water in the washing / dehydrating tub contains stains that have peeled off from detergents and non-washed items. If the washing machine does not have a lid on the outer tub, the water in the washing / dehydrating tub may get caught in the ultrasonic cleaning device when not in use, so there is a risk that detergent or dirt will adhere to the ultrasonic cleaning device. There is also.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of protecting the ultrasonic cleaning device when not in use.

The washing machine according to the main aspect of the present invention has an ultrasonic cleaning device for removing stains adhering to the object to be cleaned by causing the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generator to act on the object to be cleaned, and an input port. The face plate, a device storage unit provided inside the top plate and in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is retractably stored in the input port, and a device storage unit provided in the top plate and the ultrasonic wave with respect to the device storage unit. It includes an entrance / exit for taking in and out the cleaning device, and a cover that covers the entrance / exit when the ultrasonic cleaning device is housed in the device storage unit.

According to the washing machine according to this aspect, the ultrasonic cleaning device can be stored in the device storage part inside the top plate when not in use, so that the ultrasonic cleaning device can be used from contact with the laundry loaded from the loading port. Can be protected. Moreover, when the ultrasonic cleaning device is housed in the device storage unit, the entrance / exit is covered with a cover, so that the ultrasonic cleaning device can be further protected from contact with laundry.

In the washing machine according to this aspect, a configuration may be further provided in which an interlocking mechanism unit that opens and closes the cover in conjunction with the operation of inserting and removing the ultrasonic cleaning device from the device storage unit is further provided.

According to the above configuration, it is not necessary to manually open and close the cover, which improves usability.

In the case of the above configuration, a configuration may be adopted in which the cover accommodating portion provided adjacent to the device accommodating portion is further provided inside the upper surface plate. In this case, the interlocking mechanism unit may be configured to store the opened cover in the cover storage unit.

With such a configuration, the cover is less likely to get in the way when the user uses the ultrasonic cleaning device to clean the object to be cleaned.

In the case of the above configuration, in the interlocking mechanism unit, a first slider connected to the ultrasonic cleaning device and one end of the cover are rotatably connected in a direction of opening and closing the doorway. The two sliders, the first slider and the second slider can be slid in the drawing direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is pulled out from the device storage unit and the storage direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is stored in the device storage unit. The first side is connected to the first slider and the other end side is connected to the second slider, and the other end side moves in the direction opposite to the direction in which the one end side moves. A link that slides the second slider in the direction opposite to the direction in which the slider slides, and a link that abuts on the cover and opens the cover when the second slider slides in the storage direction to the cover storage portion. It may be configured to include a guide unit for guiding.

According to the above configuration, when the ultrasonic cleaning device is pulled out from the device storage portion, the first slider slides in the pull-out direction, the other end side of the link moves in the storage direction, and the second slider slides in the storage direction. The cover comes into contact with the guide portion and is guided to the cover storage portion while being opened. Further, when the ultrasonic cleaning device is stored in the device storage unit, the first slider slides in the storage direction, the other end side of the link moves in the pull-out direction, the second slider slides in the pull-out direction, and the cover stores the cover. It is closed while being taken out of the department.

In the case of the above configuration, the cover may be configured to include a main body portion that covers the doorway, and a contact portion that extends from the main body portion in the storage direction and abuts on the guide portion.

With such a configuration, the cover is opened without hitting a part of the drawn ultrasonic cleaning device. Therefore, the cover and the ultrasonic cleaning device are less likely to be damaged.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine capable of protecting the ultrasonic cleaning device when not in use.

The effects or significance of the present invention will be further clarified by the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiments are merely examples when the present invention is put into practice, and the present invention is not limited to those described in the following embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the water supply unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the top plate when the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit are in the operating position according to the embodiment. 3 (b) and 3 (c) are perspective views of the main part of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the top plate when the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit are in the standby position according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device in a state where the water storage portion is removed according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the main body portion according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an inverted water storage unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning device, the storage tank, the supply valve, the supply nozzle, and the drainage receiving unit when the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit are in the standby position according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning device, the storage tank, the supply valve, the supply nozzle, and the drainage receiving unit when the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit are in the operating position according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the storage tank, the supply valve, and the supply nozzle according to the embodiment. FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device, the cover, and the interlocking mechanism unit according to the embodiment, and FIG. 10B is the ultrasonic cleaning device, the cover according to the embodiment. , And is a perspective view of the interlocking mechanism portion in which the link holding member and the cover guide member are omitted. 11 (a) is a perspective view of the link holding member according to the embodiment, and FIG. 11 (b) is a perspective view of the cover guide member according to the embodiment. FIG. 12A is a side view showing a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning device according to the embodiment is housed in the device storage portion and the cover is closed, and FIG. 12B is a side view showing the state according to the embodiment. It is a side view which shows the state which the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus was pulled out from a device storage part, the cover was opened, and it was stored in a cover storage part. FIG. 12 (c) is a diagram showing how the cover is opened according to the embodiment. 13 (a) to 13 (c) are views for explaining the removal of stains on the object to be cleaned by the ultrasonic cleaning device according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of the fully automatic washing machine 1.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 includes a housing 10 that constitutes an outer shell. The housing 10 includes a rectangular tubular body portion 11 having open upper and lower surfaces, a top plate 12 that covers the upper surface of the body portion 11, and a pedestal 13 that supports the body portion 11. The top plate 12 is formed with a laundry loading port 14. The input port 14 is covered with an openable and closable upper lid 15. A control unit 16 is arranged inside the front portion of the top plate 12. The control unit 16 is composed of a microcomputer or the like, and controls the washing operation by the fully automatic washing machine 1 and the washing operation by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 described later.

In the housing 10, the outer tank 20 having an open upper surface is elastically suspended and supported by four suspension rods 21 having a vibration isolator. Inside the outer tub 20, a washing / dehydrating tub 22 having an open upper surface is arranged. The washing / dehydrating tub 22 rotates about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. A large number of dehydration holes 22a are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the washing / dehydrating tub 22 over the entire circumference. A balance ring 23 is provided on the upper part of the washing / dehydrating tub 22. A pulsator 24 is arranged at the bottom of the washing / dehydrating tub 22. A plurality of blades 24a are radially provided on the surface of the pulsator 24.

At the outer bottom of the outer tub 20, a drive unit 30 that generates torque for driving the washing / dehydrating tub 22 and the pulsator 24 is arranged. The drive unit 30 includes a drive motor 31 and a transmission mechanism unit 32. The transmission mechanism unit 32 has a clutch mechanism 32a, and by the switching operation by the clutch mechanism 32a, in the washing step and the rinsing step, the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted only to the pulsator 24 to rotate only the pulsator 24 and dehydrate. In the process, the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted to the pulsator 24 and the washing / dehydrating tub 22 to rotate the pulsator 24 and the washing / dehydrating tub 22 integrally.

A drainage port 20a is formed on the outer bottom of the outer tank 20. A drain valve 40 is provided in the drain port portion 20a. The drain valve 40 is connected to the drain hose 41. When the drain valve 40 is opened, the water stored in the washing / dehydrating tank 22 and the outer tank 20 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drain hose 41.

An overflow port 20b is formed in the upper part of the outer tank 20. When water above the predetermined overflow water level is stored in the outer tank 20, the water is discharged from the overflow port 20b. An overflow receiving portion 25 is provided on the outer surface of the outer tank 20 so as to cover the overflow port 20b. One end of the overflow pipe 26 is connected to the bottom of the overflow receiving portion 25. The other end of the overflow pipe 26 is connected to the drain hose 41. The water discharged from the overflow port 20b is received by the overflow receiving portion 25 and then flows through the overflow pipe 26 to the drain hose 41.

An ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is arranged substantially in the center of the rear portion of the top plate 12. In the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the fully automatic washing machine 1 mainly removes stains partially adhering to the object to be cleaned, such as sebum stains adhering to the sleeves and collar of shirts and oil stains adhering to work clothes. A washing operation is performed to remove the oil prior to washing in the washing machine.

At the rear of the top plate 12, a storage tank 60 is arranged behind the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, and a drainage receiving portion 70 is arranged below the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. In the storage tank 60, water containing detergent supplied to the water storage tank 210 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored. Hereinafter, water containing detergent is referred to as "washing water".

The drainage receiving unit 70 receives the water discharged from the water storage tank 210. A drainage hole 71 is formed in the drainage receiving portion 70 to discharge the received water. One end of the drainage pipe 72 is connected to the drainage hole 71. The other end of the drainage pipe 72 is connected to the upper part of the overflow pipe 26.

At the rear of the top plate 12, a water supply unit 80 for supplying tap water into the washing / dehydrating tub 22 is arranged.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the water supply unit 80.

The water supply unit 80 has a water supply valve 81. The water supply valve 81 is a so-called double valve, and has a main valve 82 and a sub valve 83, which are solenoid valves. The water inlet 81a of the water supply valve 81 is connected to the water tap via a water supply hose (not shown). A main water supply passage 84 is connected to the outlet of the main valve 82 of the water supply valve 81. The main water supply channel 84 has a water injection port 84a located at the upper part of the washing / dehydrating tank 22.

The water supply unit 80 includes an automatic charging mechanism 90 for automatically charging a liquid detergent, which is one of the liquids for washing, into the washing / dehydrating tub 22. The automatic charging mechanism 90 also has a function of supplying washing water to the storage tank 60.

The automatic charging mechanism 90 includes a detergent tank 91, a supply pipe 92, a first three-way valve 93, a sub water supply channel 94, a supply pump 95, a detergent supply path 96, a second three-way valve 97, and a washing water supply. The road 98 is provided. The sub valve 83 of the water supply valve 81 is also included in the automatic charging mechanism 90.

The liquid detergent is stored in the detergent tank 91 in the undiluted state. The supply pipe 92 guides the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 91 to one inlet of the first three-way valve 93.

The sub water supply channel 94 is connected to the outlet of the sub valve 83 and the other inlet of the first three-way valve 93.

The supply pump 95 is connected to the outlet of the first three-way valve 93, and the detergent supply path 96 is connected to the supply pump 95. The detergent supply path 96 has a supply port 96a located at the upper part of the washing / dehydrating tub 22. The supply pump 95 can be, for example, a piston type pump.

The first three-way valve 93 can switch between a state in which the supply pipe 92 communicates with the supply pump 95 and a state in which the sub water supply passage 94 communicates with the supply pump 95.

A second three-way valve 97 is provided in the detergent supply path 96. The upstream supply path 96b of the detergent supply path 96 is connected to the inlet of the second three-way valve 97, and the downstream supply path 96c of the detergent supply path 96 is connected to one outlet of the second three-way valve 97. .. Further, one end of the washing water supply path 98 is connected to the other outlet of the second three-way valve 97. The other end of the wash water supply path 98 is connected to the storage tank 60.

The second three-way valve 97 can switch between a state in which the upstream supply path 96b communicates with the downstream supply path 96c and a state in which the upstream supply path 96b communicates with the wash water supply path 98.

Next, the configuration of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the configuration around the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 including the storage tank 60 and the drainage receiving portion 70 will be described in detail.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the top plate 12 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are in the operating position. 3B and 3C are perspective views of the main parts of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the top plate 12 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are in the standby position. In FIG. 3C, the cover 19 is not shown so that the inside of the storage portion 17 can be seen.

The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 includes an ultrasonic cleaning unit 100, a water storage unit 200, and a main body unit 300. The ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 has an ultrasonic generator 110 that generates ultrasonic waves. The main body 300 holds the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100. The water storage unit 200 is attached to the main body unit 300 and is located below the ultrasonic wave generator 110. The water storage unit 200 is provided with a water storage tank 210 for storing wash water. The water storage unit 200 can be pulled forward from the main body 300 and detached by a detaching operation by the user.

Inside the top plate 12, a storage portion 17 for accommodating the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is provided in the central portion of the rear portion. The top plate 12 opens in front of the storage portion 17 as an entrance / exit 18. The doorway 18 is provided with a light-flooding, substantially square cover 19.

As shown in FIG. 3A, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is used and the cleaning operation is performed, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 has an ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and a water storage unit 200, that is, an ultrasonic generator 110. And the water storage tank 210 are pulled out forward from the storage portion 17 and are in a state of projecting to the inside of the input port 14 of the top plate 12. Almost the entire cover 19 is stored in the storage unit 17. The positions of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 at this time are the operating positions.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 (b) and 3 (c), when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is not used and the cleaning operation is not performed, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 has an ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and a water storage unit 200. And are stored in the storage unit 17. The doorway 18 of the storage unit 17 is closed by the cover 19, and the front of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 is covered by the cover 19. At this time, the lower end of the cover 19 comes into contact with the base end portion of the handle 201 provided in the water storage portion 200. The handle 201 projects forward from the cover 19. The positions of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 at this time are the standby positions.

Inside the top plate 12, an interlocking mechanism unit, which will be described later, is provided in order to interlock the cover 19 with the movements of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200. When the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are stored in the storage unit 17, the cover 19 moves from the storage position stored in the storage unit 17 to the closed position where the doorway 18 is closed, and the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit are stored. When the 200 is pulled out from the storage portion 17, the cover 19 moves from the closed position to the storage position. The storage unit 17 is divided into a device storage unit 17a in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored and a cover storage unit 17b in which the opened cover 19 is stored adjacent to the device storage unit 17a.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 in a state where the water storage unit 200 is removed. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the main body unit 300. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the water storage unit 200 turned inside out.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 includes an ultrasonic generator 110, a housing 120, and a cap 130.

The ultrasonic generator 110 is located above the ultrasonic vibrator 111, the vibration horn 112 coupled to the ultrasonic vibrator 111, and the vibration horn 112, and is located between the vibration horn 112 and the vibration horn 112. The head portion 113 that sandwiches the 111 is included. The vibration horn 112 is made of a conductive metal material and has a shape that gradually becomes thinner toward the tip side. The shape of the tip surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 is an elongated rectangular shape. A flange portion 112b is formed at the upper end portion of the vibration horn 112. A cushion material 114 made of rubber or the like is attached to the vibration horn 112 so as to cover the flange portion 112b. The ultrasonic vibrator 111, the vibration horn 112, and the head portion 113 are connected by a bolt 115.

The ultrasonic generator 110 generates ultrasonic waves from the tip of the vibration horn 112 by the high frequency vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator 111.

The housing 120 is made of a resin material, is long in the front-rear direction, and has an arm shape such that its tip portion 120a bends downward. An opening 121 is formed on the lower surface of the tip portion 120a.

The housing 120 is formed by connecting a lower member 140 having an open upper surface and an upper member 150 having an open lower surface. A metal reinforcing plate 160 is attached to the lower member 140. The lower member 140 is provided with a lower mounting hole 141 and a lower mounting boss 142, and the upper member 150 has an upper mounting boss 151 corresponding to the lower mounting hole 141 and an upper mounting hole 152 corresponding to the lower mounting boss 142. Is provided. The screw 171 passed through the lower mounting hole 141 is fixed to the upper mounting boss 151, and the screw 171 passed through the upper mounting hole 152 is fixed to the lower mounting boss 142. As a result, the lower member 140 and the upper member 150 are coupled. The tip portion 120a of the housing 120 is formed by the lower member 140.

The lower member 140 is provided with mounting bosses 143 in front of and behind the opening 121. Further, in the lower member 140, the periphery of the opening 121 is a fitting port 144 into which the cap 130 is fitted.

The ultrasonic wave generator 110 is attached to the lower member 140, and the flange portion 112b thereof is pressed from above by the frame-shaped fixing member 180. The fixing member 180 includes a main body portion 181 having a tubular shape corresponding to the upper portion of the ultrasonic wave generator 110, and attachment portions 182 and 183 provided on both front and rear sides of the main body portion 181. Mounting holes 182a and 183a are formed in the mounting portions 182 and 183.

The fixing member 180 is passed from above through the upper part of the ultrasonic generator 110, is installed on the front and rear mounting bosses 143, and is fixed to these mounting bosses 143 by screws 172. As a result, the ultrasonic generator 110 is fixed in the housing 120. A portion of the vibration horn 112 on the tip end side projects downward from the opening 121 of the housing 120. A cushion material 114 is interposed between the flange portion 112b of the ultrasonic generator 110 and the lower member 140 and the fixing member 180, and the propagation of vibration to the housing 120 is suppressed.

The fixing member 180 has a claw portion 182a formed on the mounting portion 182, and the claw portion 182a engages with the engaging piece 153 of the upper member 150 from above. This makes it difficult for the lower member 140 and the upper member 150 to separate on the front side of the housing 100.

The cap 130 is detachably attached to the tip portion 120a of the housing 120, and is put on the portion of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 exposed from the housing 120.

The cap 130 has a structure in which the cap main body 131 and the guide portion 132 are integrally formed of a resin material. The cap body 131 has a tubular shape whose widths in the front-rear and left-right directions become narrower toward the bottom, and covers a portion of the ultrasonic generator 110 on the tip end side of the vibration horn 112 so that the tip portion is exposed.

The guide portion 132 is provided so as to project forward at the center of the front side surface of the cap body 131 in the left-right direction, and has a flat shape in the left-right direction. At the lower part of the guide portion 132, a guide surface 133 that is inclined downward diagonally backward and curved at the lower end portion to be horizontal is provided. Further, the lower end of the guide portion 132 is located below the lower end of the cap main body 131.

The cap 130 is attached to the fitting port 144 of the housing 120 from below. At this time, protrusions (not shown) provided on the left and right of the fitting port 144 fit into recesses (not shown) provided on the left and right of the cap body 131. As a result, the cap 130 does not fall off from the fitting port 144.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the cap 130 is attached to the housing 120, the tip of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 is slightly exposed from the cap body 131. Further, the lower end of the guide portion 132 of the cap 130 and the tip surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 are substantially flush with each other. Further, the guide surface 133 of the guide portion 132 is inclined so as to approach the vibration horn 112 as it approaches the water storage tank 210. Further, in the left-right direction, that is, in the direction orthogonal to the front direction of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100, the position of the guide unit 132 and the position of the tip portion of the vibration horn 112 coincide with each other.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the main body 300 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front. Rail portions 301 extending forward are provided at the left and right lower ends of the main body portion 300. Further, the main body 300 has an opening 302 formed on the left side through which the rear portion of the water storage portion 200 and the supply nozzle 500 are passed, and the claw portion 241 of the lock mechanism 240 is inserted to the right of the opening 302. The insertion slot 303 is formed. The rear portion 120b of the housing 120 of the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 is fixed to the upper portion of the main body portion 300.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, the water storage portion 200 is formed of a resin material and has a shape that is slightly long in the front-rear direction and flat in the vertical direction so that the left side portion projects rearward from the right side portion. .. On the front surface of the water storage unit 200, a handle 201 having an arcuate front surface is integrally formed with the water storage unit 200. The user has a handle 201 when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is taken in and out of the storage unit 17 and when the water storage unit 200 is attached to and detached from the main body unit 300.

A water storage tank 210 having a shape that follows the shape of the water storage unit 200 is formed on the upper surface of the water storage unit 200. The inner peripheral surface of the water tank 210 is inclined so as to expand upward. In the water storage tank 210, a circular drainage port 211 is formed at the lower part of the rear surface.

The water storage unit 200 includes a valve body 220 that closes the drain port 211, and a valve switching mechanism 230 for switching between a closed state in which the valve body 220 is closed and an open state in which the valve body 220 is open. It will be provided.

The valve body 220 is made of a resin material and has a substantially columnar shape. The valve body 220 has an O-ring 221 on the peripheral surface, and the O-ring 221 is brought into close contact with the peripheral edge of the drain port 211 to close the drain port 211 from the front.

The valve switching mechanism 230 includes a valve movable member 231, an operation unit 232, and a spring 233. The valve movable member 231 and the operation unit 232 are integrally formed of a resin material.

The valve movable member 231 is movably arranged on the back side of the water storage unit 200 in the front-rear direction, that is, in the opening / closing direction of the valve body 220. The rear end portion 231a of the valve movable member 231 projects rearward from the water storage portion 200. On the rear side of the water storage portion 200, the valve body 220 is connected to the rear end portion 231a of the valve movable member 231.

The operation unit 232 is provided on the front end portion 231b of the valve movable member 231. The operation unit 232 faces the outside from the operation window 202 provided on the left side surface of the water storage unit 200. The spring 233 urges the valve movable member 231 to the rear, that is, in the closing direction of the valve body 220.

At the rear of the water storage unit 200, a lock mechanism 240 for fixing the water storage unit 200 attached to the main body unit 300 so as not to be detached forward is provided. The lock mechanism 240 has a claw portion 241 and a button 242. The claw portion 241 is urged above a spring (not shown), lowers when the button 242 is pushed down, and returns to the original position when the button 242 is released.

The water storage unit 200 is attached to the main body unit 300 from the front. On the back side of the water storage unit 200, insertion portions 203 are provided at the right end portion and the left end portion, respectively, and the left and right rail portions 301 of the main body portion 300 are inserted into these insertion portions 203 so that the water storage portion 200 can be railed. You will be guided to section 301. The rear portion on the left side of the water storage portion 200 passes through the opening 302 of the main body portion 300. Further, the claw portion 241 of the lock mechanism 240 abuts on the upper edge of the insertion port 303 of the main body portion 300 and is pushed down to pass through the insertion port 303. When the attachment of the water storage portion 200 to the main body portion 300 is completed, the claw portion 241 engages with the upper edge of the insertion port 303 on the back side of the main body portion 300. As a result, the water storage unit 200 cannot be detached forward with respect to the main body unit 300. When the water storage portion 200 is detached from the main body portion 300, the button 242 of the lock mechanism 240 is pushed down and the claw portion 241 is lowered. As a result, the engagement between the claw portion 241 and the upper edge of the insertion port 303 is released. When the water storage unit 200 is pulled forward, the water storage unit 200 is separated from the main body unit 300.

When the water storage unit 200 is attached to the main body 300, the position of the tip surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 is slightly lower than the position of the upper surface of the water storage tank 210, and the tip of the vibration horn 112 stores water. It will be in a state where it has entered the tank 210 a little.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the storage tank 60, the supply valve 400, the supply nozzle 500, and the drainage receiving unit 70 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are in the standby position. FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the storage tank 60, the supply valve 400, the supply nozzle 500, and the drainage receiving unit 70 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are in the operating position. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the storage tank 60, the supply valve 400, and the supply nozzle 500.

In the storage unit 17, a storage tank 60, a supply valve 400, and a supply nozzle 500 are arranged behind the ultrasonic cleaning device 50.

The supply valve 400 is a solenoid valve. The supply valve 400 has a valve casing 410 having inlets on the left and right side surfaces and an outlet on the lower surface, a valve body 420 that opens and closes the outlet of the valve casing 410, and a drive unit such as a solenoid that drives the valve body 420. 430 and. The outlet of the valve casing 410 is connected to the inlet of the supply nozzle 500.

The storage tank 60 is formed of a resin material and is divided into a first tank 61 and a second tank 62 with a supply valve 400 interposed therebetween. The left and right sizes of the first tank 61 and the second tank 62 are larger than the vertical and front and rear sizes. The left end of the first tank 61 projects forward from the other parts, and the right end of the second tank 62 projects forward from the other parts. As a whole, the storage tank 60 has a shape that is significantly larger in the left-right direction than the size in the front-rear direction, is thin in the front-rear direction, and is long in the left-right direction when viewed from above.

The first tank 61 and the second tank 62 are connected by a communication portion 63 whose upper portion extends from the first tank 61. The outlet 64 formed in the lower part of the right side surface of the first tank 61 is connected to the left inlet of the valve casing 410. The outlet 65 formed in the lower part of the left side surface of the second tank 62 is connected to the right inlet of the valve casing 410. In the first tank 61 and the second tank 62, the outlets 64 and 65 of the first tank 61 and the second tank 62 are connected to each other via the valve casing 410.

In the storage tank 60, an inflow port 66 for washing water into the storage tank 60 is formed at the left end of the first tank 61. The inflow port 66 is connected to the washing water supply path 98 of the automatic charging mechanism 90. The washing water supplied from the automatic charging mechanism 90 flows into the first tank 61 from the inflow port 66, and then flows into the second tank 62 through the valve casing 410 and the communication portion 63. As a result, the washing water is stored in the storage tank 60. The water storage capacity of the storage tank 60 is larger than the water storage capacity of the water storage tank 210, and for example, water having a water storage capacity more than twice the water storage capacity of the water storage tank 210 can be stored in the storage tank 60.

When the supply valve 400, that is, the valve body 420 is opened, wash water flows out from each of the first tank 61 and the second tank 62 of the storage tank 60 through the outlet of the valve casing 410.

The supply nozzle 500 is made of a resin material, extends forward from the supply valve 400, and its tip portion 500a bends downward. A discharge port 501 is formed on the lower surface of the tip portion 500a.

As shown in FIG. 7, in a state where the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are housed in the storage unit 17, the supply nozzle 500 penetrates the opening 302 of the main body unit 300, and the tip portion 500a thereof is a water storage tank. Located in front of 210. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are pulled out to the inside of the inlet 14, the tip portion 500a of the supply nozzle 500 is located at the rear portion of the water storage tank 210.

In the storage unit 17, a drainage receiving unit 70 is arranged below the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. The drainage receiving portion 70 has a substantially square dish shape with the upper surface and the front surface open. The bottom surface of the drainage receiving portion 70 is inclined so that the rear portion is lowered. On the right side surface of the drainage receiving portion 70, a drainage hole 71 is formed at a position at the lower end of the rear portion where the bottom surface is the lowest. The drainage pipe 72 is connected to the connection pipe 73 extending to the right from the discharge hole 71.

Next, a cover 19 that opens and closes the entrance / exit 18 of the storage unit 17 and an interlocking mechanism unit 700 that opens and closes the cover 19 in conjunction with the insertion / removal of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 from the storage unit 17 will be described in detail.

10 (a) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the cover 19, and the interlocking mechanism unit 700, and FIG. 10 (b) is the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the cover 19, and the link holding member 720. It is a perspective view of the interlocking mechanism part 700 which omitted the cover guide member 730. 11 (a) is a perspective view of the link holding member 720, and FIG. 11 (b) is a perspective view of the cover guide member 730.

Inside the top plate 12, an interlocking mechanism unit 700 is provided around the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 so as to surround the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 from the vertical and horizontal directions. The space surrounded by the interlocking mechanism unit 700 is the device storage unit 17a, and the space above the interlocking mechanism unit 700 is the cover storage unit 17b.

The interlocking mechanism unit 700 is composed of two left and right link mechanisms 710, a link holding member 720, and a cover guide member 730. The two link mechanisms 710 have opposite shapes on the left and right. The link holding member 720 corresponds to the "holding portion" of the present invention, and the cover guide member 730 corresponds to the "guide portion" of the present invention.

Each link mechanism 710 includes a first slider 740, a second slider 750, and a link 760.

The first slider 740 has a substantially elliptical shape and is fixed to the lower side surface of the main body portion 300 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. The first slider 740 is provided with two rollers 741 arranged in the front-rear direction between the first slider 740 and the main body 300. Further, on the front side of the first slider 740, a shaft portion 742 protruding outward is provided.

The second slider 750 has a substantially elliptical shape. The second slider 750 is provided with two cylindrical sliding portions 751 protruding inward so as to be arranged in the front-rear direction. The two sliding portions 751 are connected by two upper and lower ribs 752. Further, the second slider 750 is provided with a shaft portion 753 projecting outward at the rear end portion, and a boss hole 754 is formed at the front end portion. Further, the second slider 750 on the right side is provided with an engaging piece 755 extending outward.

The link 760 has an elongated plate shape. The link 760 is formed with an elongated oval connecting hole 761 on one end side. The shaft portion 742 of the first slider 740 is slidably fitted into the connecting hole 761. As a result, one end side of the link 760 is connected to the first slider 740. Further, the link 760 is provided with a connecting boss 762 at the other end. The shaft portion 753 of the second slider 750 is rotatably fitted into the connecting boss 762. As a result, the other end side of the link 760 is connected to the second slider 750.

The link 760 is formed with an oval fixing hole 763 on the other end side. A fixed shaft 764 is inserted into the fixed hole 763. The fixed shaft 764 has a head 764a slightly larger than the fixed hole 763. The link 760 is rotatable in the front-rear direction about the fixed shaft 764, and when one end side moves forward or backward, the other end side moves backward or forward opposite to the one end side.

The link holding member 720 holds two left and right link mechanisms 710. The link holding member 720 is composed of a metal base member 771, a resin left side surface member 772, and a right side surface member 773. The left side surface member 772 and the right side surface member 773 have opposite shapes on the left and right sides.

The base member 771 includes a bottom surface portion 771a, a left side surface portion 771b and a right side surface portion 771c rising from the left and right ends of the bottom surface portion 771a, and outside the left side surface portion 771b and the right side surface portion 771c, the left side surface member 772 and the right side surface, respectively. Member 773 is attached. The left side surface portion 771b and the left side surface member 772 form the left side surface portion 720a of the link holding member 720, and the right side surface portion 771c and the right side surface member 773 form the right side surface portion 720b of the link holding member 720.

The left side surface portion 720a and the right side surface portion 720b of the link holding member 720 are formed with a first slide hole 721 and a second slide hole 722 at the lower portion and the upper portion, respectively. The first slide hole 721 and the second slide hole 722 have an elongated oval shape and extend in the front-rear direction, that is, in the direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is taken in and out of the device storage portion 17a.

Two rollers 741 of the first slider 740 are inserted into the first slide hole 721. By sliding the two rollers 741 in the first slide hole 721, the first slider 740 is guided by the first slide hole 721 and can slide in the front-rear direction. Two sliding portions 751 of the second slider 750 are inserted into the second slide hole 722. By sliding the two sliding portions 751 in the second slide hole 722, the second slider 750 is guided by the second slide hole 722 and can slide in the front-rear direction. As described above, in the first slider 740 and the second slider 750, the drawing direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out from the device storage unit 17a and the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 are housed in the device storage unit 17a by the link holding member 720. It is held so that it can slide in the storage direction.

A mounting boss 723 is formed in the central portion of the upper portion of the left side surface portion 720a and the right side surface portion 720b. A fixing shaft 764 inserted into the fixing hole 763 of the link 760 is fixed to the mounting boss 723. The link 760 does not come out from the fixed shaft 764 because the peripheral edge portion of the fixed hole 763 is stopped by the head 764a of the fixed shaft 764.

On the left side surface portion 720a and the right side surface portion 720b, mounting bosses 724 are formed at the front end portion and the rear end portion at the upper portion, and mounting holes 725 are formed in the vicinity of the mounting boss 724 at the rear end portion. The two mounting bosses 724 and the mounting holes 725 are used when mounting the cover guide member 730 to the link holding member 720. Each mounting boss 724 is hollow and has an opening 724a inside the left side surface portion 720a and the right side surface portion 720b.

The cover guide member 730 includes a top surface portion 730a, a left side surface portion 730b and a right side surface portion 730c hanging from both left and right ends of the top surface portion 730a.

The top surface portion 730a has a substantially square shape when viewed from above. A flat rail surface 731 extending rearward from the front end is formed on the left and right ends of the top surface portion 730a. Further, on the top surface portion 730a, a mounting boss 732 is formed behind the rail surface 731 so as to face outward.

Fitting bosses 733 are formed on the front end portion and the rear end portion on the left side surface portion 730b and the right side surface portion 730c.

The cover guide member 730 is attached to the upper end portion of the link holding member 720. At this time, the two fitting bosses 733 of the left side surface portion 730b of the cover guide member 730 are fitted into the inside of the two mounting bosses 724 of the left side surface portion 720a of the link holding member 720 from the inside, and the right side surface portion of the cover guide member 730. The two fitting bosses 733 of the 730c are fitted from the inside into the two mounting bosses 724 of the right side surface portion 720b of the link holding member 720. Further, the mounting boss 732 of the left side surface portion 730b of the cover guide member 730 is aligned with the mounting hole 725 of the left side surface portion 720a of the link holding member 720, and the mounting boss 732 of the right side surface portion 730c of the cover guide member 730 is the link holding member 720. Aligns with the mounting hole 725 of the right side surface portion 720b of. On both the left and right sides, the mounting boss 724 and the fitting boss 733 are fastened with screws 781, and the mounting boss 732 is fastened to the mounting hole 725 with screws 782.

The cover 19 includes a substantially square plate-shaped main body portion 810 that is formed of a translucent resin material and covers the entrance / exit 18, and side surface portions 820 provided at both left and right ends of the main body portion 810 and extending rearward. The trailing edge of the side surface portion 820 has a recess 821 recessed forward at the upper portion, and a straight portion 822 extending linearly below the recess 821. The side surface portion 820 corresponds to the "contact portion" of the present invention.

A rotation shaft 830 protruding outward is provided at the upper end of each side surface portion 820. The rotation shaft 830 is rotatably fitted into the boss hole 754 of the second slider 750. As a result, the upper end portion of the cover 19 is connected to the second slider 750 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, that is, in the direction of opening and closing the doorway 18. A torsion spring 840 is attached to the rotating shaft 830 on the left side of the cover 19. One end of the torsion spring 840 engages the engaging body 850 attached to the rotating shaft 830, and the other end engages the engaging piece 755 of the second slider 750. The torsion spring 840 urges the cover 19 in the direction in which the doorway 18 is closed.

Next, the operation of the interlocking mechanism unit 700 to open and close the cover 19 in conjunction with the loading and unloading of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 (a) to 12 (c).

12 (a) is a side view showing a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed in the device storage unit 17a and the cover 19 is closed, and FIG. 12 (b) shows the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 in the device storage unit. It is a side view which shows the state which was pulled out from 17a, the cover 19 was opened, and was stored in the cover storage part 17b. FIG. 12 (c) is a diagram showing how the cover 19 is opened. In FIG. 12 (c), the front end portion of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 is shown by a broken line for convenience.

As shown in FIG. 12A, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed in the device storage unit 17a, the first slider 740 is located at the rear end of the first slide hole 721. In the link 760, one end side connected to the first slider 740 is located rearward, the other end side is located forward, and the second slider 750 connected to the other end side is located at the front end portion of the second slide hole 722. The cover 19 connected to the second slider 750 protrudes forward from the cover accommodating portion 17b, becomes substantially vertical due to its own weight and the urging force of the torsion spring 840, and closes the doorway 18.

Since the cover 19 is provided with the urging force of the torsion spring 840, it is difficult to move in the opening direction. Therefore, the water scattered from the washing / dehydrating tub 22 is unlikely to enter the device storage portion 17a from between the cover 19 and the doorway 18. Further, even if the top plate 12 vibrates during the dehydration process, the cover 19 is difficult to open and close, and noise and the like are unlikely to be generated.

When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out from the device accommodating portion 17a, the first slider 740 slides forward, that is, in the drawing direction. The link 760 rotates, one end side thereof moves in the pull-out direction, and the other end side moves backward, that is, in the storage direction. As a result, the second slider 750 slides in the retracting direction.

As shown in FIG. 12 (c), when the second slider 750 starts sliding in the retracting direction, the recess 821 of the side surface portion 820 of the cover 19 comes into contact with the front end portion of the cover guide member 730. Then, as the second slider 750 slides in the storage direction, the cover 19 opens and is stored in the cover storage portion 17b while maintaining the state in which the recess 821 is in contact with the front end portion of the cover guide member 730. When the cover 19 is opened to a substantially horizontal state, the straight portion 822 of the side surface portion 820 of the cover 19 rides on the rail surface 731, and then the rail surface 731 moves in the storage direction. At this time, in the cover 19, the side surface portion 820 projecting rearward from the main body portion 810 comes into contact with the front end portion of the cover guide member 730. Therefore, the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 that has moved forward does not hit the main body portion 810 of the cover 19, and the cover 19 reaches a substantially horizontal state. Therefore, the collision of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 with the main body 810 of the cover 19 is prevented.

In this way, when the second slider 750 slides in the storage direction, the side surface portion 820 of the cover 19 comes into contact with the cover guide member 730 and is guided to the cover storage portion 17b while being opened.

As shown in FIG. 12B, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out to the end and the first slider 740 reaches the front end of the first slide hole 721, the second slider 750 is after the second slide hole 722. To the end. As a result, the cover 19 is stored in the cover storage portion 17b until the end. The lower end of the cover 19 slightly protrudes forward from the cover storage portion 17b.

When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed in the device storage unit 17a, the first slider 740 slides in the storage direction to reach the rear end of the first slide hole 721, and the second slider 750 slides in the drawer direction. It reaches the front end of the second slide hole 722. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12A, the cover 19 is closed and the doorway 18 is closed by the cover 19.

In the fully automatic washing machine 1, washing operations of various operation courses are performed. In the washing operation, the washing step, the intermediate dehydration step, the rinsing step and the final dehydration step are executed in order.

In the washing step and the rinsing step, the pulsator 24 rotates to the right and to the left with water stored in the washing / dehydrating tub 22. A water flow is generated in the washing / dehydrating tub 22 due to the rotation of the pulsator 24. In the washing process, the laundry is washed by the generated water flow and the detergent contained in the water. In the rinsing process, the generated water stream rinses the laundry.

In the intermediate dehydration step and the final dehydration step, the washing / dehydrating tub 22 and the pulsator 24 are integrally rotated at high speed. The laundry is dehydrated by the action of the centrifugal force generated in the washing / dehydrating tub 22.

At the time of water supply in the washing process, the liquid detergent is automatically charged into the washing / dehydrating tub 22 by the automatic charging mechanism 90. At this time, first, the first three-way valve 93 is switched to a state in which the supply pipe 92 communicates with the supply pump 95. Further, the second three-way valve 97 is switched to a state in which the upstream supply path 96b communicates with the downstream supply path 96c. When the supply pump 95 is operated, the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 91 is discharged by the pumping action. As shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 2, the discharged liquid detergent is sent to the detergent supply path 96 through the supply pipe 92, the first three-way valve 93, and the supply pump 95, and is supplied to the upstream side of the detergent supply path 96. It is stored in the road 96b. The supply pump 95 operates for a predetermined time, whereby a predetermined amount of liquid detergent is accumulated in the upstream supply path 96b.

Next, the first three-way valve 93 is switched to a state in which the sub water supply passage 94 communicates with the supply pump 95, and the main valve 82 and the sub valve 83 are opened. Water from the tap flows through the main water supply channel 84 and is discharged from the water injection port 84a into the washing / dehydrating tank 22. At the same time, as shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. 2, water from the tap flows through the sub water supply passage 94, the first three-way valve 93 and the supply pump 95 to the detergent supply passage 96, and flushes the liquid detergent. As shown by the alternate long and short dash arrow in FIG. 2, the liquid detergent washed away by the water is charged into the washing / dehydrating tub 22 together with the water from the supply port 96a of the detergent supply path 96. When the water level in the washing / dehydrating tub 22 reaches a predetermined washing water level, the main valve 82 and the sub valve 83 are closed, and the water supply ends.

Further, in the fully automatic washing machine 1, a washing operation is performed by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. When washing an object to be washed such as a shirt, when the object to be washed contains partially stubborn stains, the user uses the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 prior to washing the object to be washed. Perform partial cleaning.

When performing the cleaning operation, the user pulls out the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 from the storage unit 17 and moves the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 to the operation position as shown in FIG. 3A. As shown in FIG. 8, the valve switching mechanism 230 urges the valve body 220 rearward, that is, in the closing direction via the valve movable member 231 by the urging force of the spring 233. As a result, the valve body 220 closes the drain port 211, and the drain port 211 is closed.

The user performs a predetermined start operation in order to start the washing operation.

When the washing operation is started, the washing water is first supplied into the storage tank 60 by the automatic charging mechanism 90. That is, first, the first three-way valve 93 is switched to a state in which the supply pipe 92 communicates with the supply pump 95. Further, the second three-way valve 97 is switched to a state in which the upstream supply path 96b communicates with the washing water supply path 98. Further, the supply valve 400 is closed. When the supply pump 95 is operated, the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 91 is discharged by the pumping action. As shown by the broken line arrow in FIG. 2, the liquid detergent discharged from the detergent tank 91 reaches the detergent supply path 96 and is stored in the upstream supply path 96b of the detergent supply path 96. The supply pump 95 operates for a predetermined time, whereby a predetermined amount of liquid detergent is accumulated in the upstream supply path 96b.

Next, the first three-way valve 93 is switched to a state in which the sub water supply passage 94 communicates with the supply pump 95, and the sub valve 83 is opened. As shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. 2, water from the tap flows through the sub water supply passage 94, the first three-way valve 93 and the supply pump 95 to the detergent supply passage 96, and flushes the liquid detergent. Water and liquid detergent are mixed to form cleaning water. As shown by the thick arrow in FIG. 2, the washing water passes through the washing water supply path 98 and flows into the storage tank 60.

When the water level in the storage tank 60 reaches a predetermined water supply stop water level and the water level is detected by a water level detection unit (not shown), the sub valve 83 is closed.

In this way, by supplying the washing water from the automatic charging mechanism 90, the washing water having a predetermined amount of water and a predetermined detergent concentration is stored in the storage tank 60. In the present embodiment, the amount of washing water stored in the storage tank 60 is set so that the washing water in the water storage tank 210 can be replaced to perform two washing operations. The amount of washing water stored in the storage tank 60 may be such that the washing operation can be performed three or more times.

Next, the supply valve 400 is opened. The washing water in the storage tank 60 is discharged into the water storage tank 210 from the discharge port 501 through the supply nozzle 500. Washing water is stored in the water tank 210, and the water level in the water tank 210 rises. As shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 8, when the water level in the water tank 210 rises to the height of the discharge port 501 and the discharge port 501 is blocked with the washing water, the air pressure in the storage tank 60 and the external air pressure are balanced. .. As a result, the water supply from the storage tank 60 is stopped while the supply valve 400 remains open.

When the washing water is stored in the water tank 210, the user can remove the dirt-attached portion of the object to be cleaned, for example, the collar part of the shirt, from the front direction of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 onto the water tank 210, that is, It is set between the water storage tank 210 and the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110.

The dirty portion of the object to be cleaned is immersed in the cleaning water stored in the water storage tank 210, and the cleaning water that has permeated the inside of the object to be cleaned seeps out to the surface. A thin layer of water is formed on the surface of the object to be cleaned, and the vibration horn 112 comes into contact with this layer of water. When the water level in the water storage tank 210 drops due to the water absorption of the object to be washed and the discharge port 501 of the supply nozzle 500 is not blocked by the wash water, the water is stored until the discharge port 501 is blocked by the wash water again. Washing water is replenished from the storage tank 60 into the tank 210. As a result, the water level in the water tank 210, that is, the amount of water is maintained in an appropriate state.

Until a predetermined standby time elapses after the supply valve 400 is opened, the ultrasonic vibrator 111 is not energized and the ultrasonic generator 110 is in a standby state. During this time, the washing water is stored in the water storage tank 210, and the object to be washed is set in the water storage tank 210 in which the washing water is stored. When the standby time elapses, the ultrasonic transducer 111 is energized and the ultrasonic generator 110 operates.

13 (a) to 13 (c) are views for explaining the removal of stains on the object to be cleaned by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50.

When the ultrasonic generator 110 is activated, ultrasonic waves are generated from the tip of the vibration horn 112, and the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the cleaning water inside the object to be cleaned via the cleaning water around the vibration horn 112. As shown in FIG. 13A, inside the object to be cleaned, depressurization and pressurization are alternately generated by the action of ultrasonic vibration, and a vacuum cavity is created in the portion where the pressure is low. That is, a large number of cavities are present in the dirty portion of the object to be cleaned. Next, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the pressure in the cavity portion increases and is crushed by this pressure to destroy the cavity, a shock wave is generated in the dirty portion of the object to be cleaned. The shock wave separates dirt from the object to be cleaned. As shown in FIG. 13 (c), the ultrasonic vibration from the vibration horn 112 creates a water flow from the inside of the object to be cleaned into the water storage tank 210, and the water flow causes the dirt separated from the object to be cleaned to store water. It is discharged into the tank 210. In the water storage tank 210, convection is generated by the above water flow, so that dirt is easily separated from the object to be cleaned. Further, the action of the detergent contained in the washing water also makes it easier for the dirt to be separated from the object to be cleaned, and makes it difficult for the dirt to reattach to the object to be cleaned. In this way, dirt is removed from the object to be cleaned.

When the cleaning of the object to be cleaned is completed, the user performs a predetermined termination operation in order to terminate the cleaning operation. The operation of the ultrasonic generator 110 is stopped, and the cleaning operation is completed.

When the user does not perform a new cleaning operation continuously, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored in the storage unit 17, and the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are stored as shown in FIGS. 3 (b) and 3 (c). Move to the standby position. As shown in FIG. 7, when the water storage unit 200 moves to the standby position, in the valve switching mechanism 230, the rear end portion 231a of the valve movable member 231 comes into contact with the rear surface of the drainage receiving portion 70 and is pushed by these ribs 74. , It moves forward with respect to the water storage unit 200 against the urging force of the spring 233. The valve body 220 connected to the valve movable member 231 moves forward with respect to the drain port 211 of the water storage tank 210, that is, in the opening direction, and the drain port 211 is opened. As a result, the washing water stored in the water storage tank 210 and the washing water remaining in the storage tank 60 are discharged through the drain port 211. The washing water discharged from the drain port 211 is received by the drain receiving unit 70 and discharged from the drain hole 71. The wash water discharged from the discharge hole 71 flows through the drain pipe 72, the overflow pipe 26, and the drain hose 41, and is discharged to the outside of the machine.

The user may want to replace the washing water of the water tank 210 and continue the washing operation. In this case, the user performs a movement operation to move the operation unit 232 forward. As a result, in the valve switching mechanism 230, the valve movable member 231 moves forward with respect to the water storage unit 200 and the valve body 220 moves in the opening direction in the same manner as when the water storage unit 200 is moved to the standby position. Then, the drainage port 211 is opened. The washing water stored in the water storage tank 210 is drained through the drain port 211, and is discharged to the outside of the machine via the drain receiving portion 70, the overflow pipe 26, and the drain hose 41. At the same time, new washing water is supplied from the storage tank 60 to the water storage tank 210.

In this way, the user can discharge the washing water from the water storage tank 210 while maintaining the water storage unit 200 in the operating position without moving the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, and can supply new washing water into the water storage tank 210. After that, the washing operation is continued.

In the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100, the water storage tank 210 may become dirty while the cleaning operation is repeated. In the present embodiment, since the water storage unit 200 is removable from the main body unit 300, the user can remove the water storage unit 200 from the main body unit 300 and wash the water storage tank 210.

<Effect of embodiment>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 can be stored in the device storage unit 17a inside the top plate 12 when not in use, contact with the laundry loaded from the loading port 14 and washing operation The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 can be protected from contact with water scattered from the inside of the washing / dehydrating tub 22. Moreover, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed in the device storage unit 17a, the entrance / exit 18 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 with respect to the device storage unit 17a is covered with the cover 19, so that the contact with laundry or washing water is prevented. The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 can be further protected. Further, since the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is hidden, the appearance of the fully automatic washing machine 1 is improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the interlocking mechanism portion 700 for opening and closing the cover 19 in conjunction with the operation of inserting and removing the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 with respect to the device accommodating portion 17a is provided, the cover 19 is manually opened and closed. It doesn't have to be, and it is easier to use.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the interlocking mechanism unit 700 is configured to store the opened cover 19 in the cover storage unit 17b, so that the user can use the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 to be cleaned. The cover 19 is less likely to get in the way when cleaning things.

Further, according to the present embodiment, in the interlocking mechanism unit 700, the first slider 740 connected to the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the upper end portion of the cover 19 are rotatably connected in a direction of opening and closing the entrance / exit 18. The second slider 750, the first slider 740, and the second slider 750 are stored in the drawer direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out from the device storage unit 17a and in the device storage unit 17a in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored. A link holding member 720 that is slidably held in the direction, one end side is connected to the first slider 740 and the other end side is connected to the second slider 750, and the other end side moves in the direction opposite to the direction in which the one end side moves. , The link 760 that slides the second slider 750 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the first slider 740 slides, and the cover 19 that comes into contact with the cover 19 and opens the cover 19 when the second slider 750 slides in the retracting direction. Includes a cover guide member 730 that guides to the storage portion 17b.

According to this configuration, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out from the device storage unit 17a, the first slider 740 slides in the pull-out direction, the other end side of the link 760 moves in the storage direction, and the second slider 750 moves in the storage direction. The cover 19 comes into contact with the cover guide member 730 and is guided to the cover storage portion 17b while being opened. Further, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed in the device storage unit 17a, the first slider 740 slides in the storage direction, the other end side of the link 760 moves in the pull-out direction, and the second slider 750 slides in the pull-out direction. , The cover 19 is closed while being taken out from the cover storage portion 17b.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the cover 19 includes a main body portion 810 that covers the doorway 18 and a side surface portion 820 that extends from the main body portion 810 in the storage direction and abuts on the cover guide member 730. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12 (c), the cover 19 is opened without hitting the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 of the drawn ultrasonic cleaning device 50. Therefore, the cover 19 and the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 are less likely to be damaged.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the embodiments of the present invention can be changed in various ways other than the above. ..

For example, in the above embodiment, the cover 19 is opened and closed in the vertical direction. However, the cover 19 may be opened and closed in the left-right direction.

Further, in the above embodiment, the storage portion 17 is provided at the rear portion of the upper surface plate 12, and the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out forward. However, the storage portion 17 may be provided on the left or right portion of the top plate 12, and the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may be pulled out to the right or left.

Further, in the above embodiment, the interlocking mechanism unit 700 is configured to store the opened / closed cover 19 in the cover storage unit 17b. However, the interlocking mechanism unit 700 may be configured so that the opened / closed cover 19 is not stored in the cover storage unit 17b.

Further, in the above embodiment, the interlocking mechanism unit 700 is configured to include a link mechanism 710 having a first slider 740, a second slider 750, and a link 760, a link holding member 720, and a cover guide member 730. However, the configuration of the interlocking mechanism unit 700 is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and may be any configuration as long as the cover 19 can be opened and closed in conjunction with the operation of inserting and removing the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 with respect to the device storage unit 17a. For example, the interlocking mechanism portion 700 causes the slider to which the upper end portion of the cover 19 is rotatably connected to be urged in the pull-out direction by a spring, and further, the wire extending from the slider is moved to the rear of the device storage portion 17a. It may be configured to be connected to the rear part of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 by being folded back by a pulley provided in the above. In this configuration, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out from the device storage unit 17a, the slider is pulled by the wire and slides in the storage direction, and the cover 19 is opened. When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed in the device storage unit 17a, the slider slides in the pull-out direction due to the urging force of the spring, and the cover 19 is closed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the cover 19 is provided with side surface portions 820 having a plate shape having a predetermined shape at the left and right end portions of the main body portion 810. However, the side surface portion 820 may have any shape as long as it projects in the storage direction and at least comes into contact with the cover guide member 730 when the second slider 750 slides in the storage direction. Further, the cover 19 does not have the side surface portion 820, and the back surface side of the main body portion 810 may be configured to abut on the cover guide member 730.

Further, in the above embodiment, the automatic charging mechanism 90 may be configured to be capable of automatically charging the detergent and the softener. In this case, a softener tank for accommodating the liquid softener is provided. The fabric softener tank is connected to the sub water supply channel 94 via a supply pipe and a three-way valve. During the rinsing step, the softener in the softener tank is supplied into the washing / dehydrating tank 22 by the same operation as the supply of the detergent from the detergent tank 91.

Further, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 has the configuration of the above-described embodiment as long as the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generator 110 act on the object to be cleaned to remove stains adhering to the object to be cleaned. It may have a different configuration.

Further, in the above embodiment, the fully automatic washing machine 1 provided with the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is shown. However, the present invention can also be applied to washing machines other than the fully automatic washing machine 1, for example, a fully automatic washing and drying machine having a drying function. In a fully automatic washer / dryer, the top opening of the outer tub can be covered with a lid. In this case, it is unlikely that water will be scattered from the inside of the washing / dehydrating tub to the inlet of the top plate during the washing operation. However, even in a configuration in which a lid is provided on the outer tub, by applying the present invention, it is possible to protect the ultrasonic cleaning device when not in use from contact with the laundry loaded from the charging port.

In addition, various modifications of the embodiment of the present invention can be made as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

1 Fully automatic washing machine (washing machine)
12 Top plate
14 Input port
17a Device storage
17b cover storage
18 Doorway
19 cover
50 Ultrasonic cleaning device
110 ultrasonic generator
700 interlocking mechanism
710 Link mechanism
720 Link holding member (holding part)
730 Cover guide member (guide unit)
740 1st slider
750 second slider
760 links
810 main body
820 Side surface (contact part)

Claims (5)

An ultrasonic cleaning device that removes dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned by applying the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generator to the object to be cleaned.
A top plate with a slot and
A device storage unit provided inside the top plate and in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is retractably stored in the input port.
An entrance / exit provided on the top plate for taking the ultrasonic cleaning device in and out of the device storage unit, and
A cover that covers the doorway when the ultrasonic cleaning device is housed in the device storage unit,
A washing machine characterized by being equipped with. In the washing machine according to claim 1,
Further, an interlocking mechanism unit for opening and closing the cover in conjunction with the operation of moving the ultrasonic cleaning device in and out of the device storage unit is provided.
A washing machine that features that. In the washing machine according to claim 2,
A cover storage unit provided adjacent to the device storage unit is further provided inside the top plate.
The interlocking mechanism unit stores the opened cover in the cover storage unit.
A washing machine that features that. In the washing machine according to claim 3,
The interlocking mechanism unit
The first slider connected to the ultrasonic cleaning device and
A second slider in which one end of the cover is rotatably connected in a direction of opening and closing the doorway, and
Holding the first slider and the second slider to be slidably held in the drawing direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is pulled out from the device storage unit and in the storage direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is stored in the device storage unit. Department and
One end side is connected to the first slider and the other end side is connected to the second slider, and the other end side moves in the direction opposite to the direction in which the one end side moves, which is opposite to the direction in which the first slider slides. A link that slides the second slider in the direction,
The second slider includes a guide portion that abuts on the cover and guides the cover to the cover storage portion while opening the cover when the second slider slides in the storage direction.
A washing machine that features that. In the washing machine according to claim 4,
The cover includes a main body portion that covers the doorway, and a contact portion that extends from the main body portion in the storage direction and abuts on the guide portion.
A washing machine that features that.

Images