JP2022010810A - washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which allows a detergent tank, a softener tank and a water supply part to be used as a common component among machine models different in size of an upper surface plate from one another.SOLUTION: A fully automatic washing machine comprises a detergent tank 100, a softener tank 200, a water supply unit 300 pouring detergent and softener input from the detergent tank 100 and the softener tank 200 into a washing and dewatering tub by supplying water into the washing and dewatering tub, a detergent supply pipe connected to the detergent tank 100 and the water supply unit 300, and a softener supply pipe connected to the softener tank 200 and the water supply unit 300. The water supply unit 300 is placed in space behind an input port 14 of an upper surface plate 12. The detergent tank 100 is placed on the left of the water supply unit 300, and partially fit into space between the input port 14 and the left end of the upper surface plate 12. The softener tank 200 is placed on the right of the water supply unit 300 and partially fit into space between the input port 14 and the right end of the upper surface plate 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a washing machine capable of automatically charging a liquid detergent into a washing / dehydrating tub.

The washing machine of Patent Document 1 is provided in an outer cover and includes a detergent tank in which a liquid detergent is stored. The detergent tank has an air inlet and a liquid discharge port as well as a closed inside by closing the supply port for replenishing the detergent with the detergent tank lid. An air pump is connected to the air inlet. When the air pump operates, the air pressure in the sealed detergent tank increases, and the detergent in the detergent tank is pushed out from the liquid discharge port and put into the washing / dehydrating tank. The user does not have to put a single amount of detergent into the washing machine each time the washing operation is performed, which is convenient.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-259290

If the softener can be automatically added in addition to the detergent, the convenience of the user can be further improved.

Therefore, in addition to the detergent tank, a softener tank containing a liquid softener can be provided in the washing machine. Then, in this case, the detergent and the softener are introduced from the detergent tank and the softener tank into the water supply section that supplies the water from the tap to the washing dehydration tank, and the detergent and the softener are washed with the water flowing through the water supply section. It can be configured to be poured into a dehydration tank.

The detergent tank, the softener tank and the water supply unit can be arranged around the outer cover, that is, the inlet provided on the top plate.

By the way, in a washing machine, when the rated washing capacity changes, the size of the washing / dehydrating tub can be changed, and the size of the top plate and the input port can be changed accordingly. If the size of the top plate and the inlet is changed, the space where the detergent tank, the softener tank, and the water supply unit can be placed will change. If the three can be used as common parts, it will be easy to reduce the product cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a washing machine in which a detergent tank, a softener tank and a water supply unit can be used as common parts among models having different top plate sizes. The purpose.

The washing machine according to the main aspect of the present invention comprises a washing tub which is arranged in a housing and is used for washing laundry, a top plate which constitutes the upper part of the housing and has an input port, and a liquid detergent is stored. Detergent and softener are introduced from the detergent tank, the softener tank in which liquid softener is stored, the detergent tank and the softener tank, respectively, and the introduced detergent and softener are put into the washing tub. A water supply unit that is poured into the washing tub by the supplied water, a first pipe that is connected to the detergent tank and the water supply unit, and a second pipe that is connected to the softener tank and the water supply unit. To prepare for. Here, the water supply unit is arranged in the space behind the inlet in the inside of the upper surface plate. One of the detergent tank and the softener tank is arranged on the left side of the water supply unit, and a part thereof fits in the space between the inlet and the left end of the top plate, and the other tank. Is arranged on the right side of the water supply unit, and a part thereof fits in the space between the inlet and the right end of the top plate.

According to the above configuration, the space behind the inlet, the space between the inlet and the left end, and the space between the inlet and the right end inside the top plate are used to utilize the detergent tank and the softener tank. And a water supply unit can be placed. If the size of the top plate or inlet is changed according to the model, the distance between the detergent tank and the end of the water supply section and the distance between the softener tank and the end of the water supply section will be changed accordingly. It will be adjusted. By changing these distances, the first pipe and the second pipe can be replaced with those having different lengths, but at least the detergent tank, the softener tank and the water supply part can be used as common parts. This makes it possible to reduce the product cost of the washing machine.

In the washing machine according to the present embodiment, the water supply unit is connected to a first water channel through which water supplied to the washing tub flows and a first pipe, and a state in which detergent can flow into the first water channel and a state in which detergent cannot flow into the first water channel. A first switching unit that switches between the two, and a second switching unit that is connected to the second pipe and switches between a state in which the softener can flow into the first water channel and a state in which the softener cannot flow into the first water channel. It may be configured to include.

According to the above configuration, by switching the first switching unit, the detergent is introduced from the detergent tank into the first water channel, and then water is flowed into the first water channel to push the introduced detergent into the washing tub. Can be poured. Further, by switching the second switching unit, the softener is introduced from the softener tank into the first water channel, and then water is flowed into the first water channel, and the introduced softener is poured into the washing tub. Can be done.

In the above configuration, at least one of the first switching section and the second switching section is configured to overlap the corresponding tanks of the detergent tank and the softener tank in the vertical direction. Can be said. In this case, the bottom surface of the corresponding tank may be formed with a first recess that is recessed upward and in which the at least one switching portion is accommodated.

With such a configuration, the water supply device including the detergent tank, the softener tank and the water supply unit can be made compact in the left-right direction and the up-down direction while suppressing a decrease in the capacity of the detergent tank and / or the softener tank, and the size can be reduced. It can be easily placed inside the small top plate of.

In the case of the above configuration, the bottom surface of the corresponding tank further accommodates a pipe connected to the first recess and connected to at least one of the first pipe and the second pipe. A second recess may be formed.

With such a configuration, the first pipe and the first switching unit and / or the second pipe and the second switching unit can be smoothly connected.

As described above, when the water supply unit is configured to include the first water channel, the first switching unit, and the second switching unit, the water supply unit is further negative in the first water channel. It may be configured to include a suction portion for sucking the detergent and the softener into the first water channel by applying pressure. In this case, the first switching portion may be closer to the suction portion than the second switching portion.

With such a configuration, the detergent and the softener are sucked into the first water channel by the suction portion, so that the detergent and the softener can be satisfactorily introduced into the first water channel. Moreover, since the first switching section is closer to the suction section than the second switching section, when the suction section operates, the pressure for sucking the detergent from the detergent tank to the first water channel is the pressure to suck the softener from the softener tank to the first water channel. It is possible to better introduce the detergent, which tends to be higher than the pressure to be sucked into the fabric softener and is used more frequently than the softener, into the first water channel.

As described above, when the water supply unit is configured to include the first water channel, the first switching unit, and the second switching unit, the water supply unit is further supplied to the washing tub. It may be configured to include a second water channel through which water flows, which has a larger allowable flow rate than the first water channel.

With such a configuration, water can be supplied into the washing tub at a higher flow rate from the second water channel to the first water channel, and water is supplied from only the first water channel into the washing tub together with the addition of detergent and softener. The water supply time can be shortened compared to the case.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine in which a detergent tank, a softener tank and a water supply unit can be used as common parts among models having different top plate sizes.

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. 2A 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. 2 (b) and 2 (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. 3 is a plan view of the top plate in which the water supply device, the storage tank, and the supply nozzle are arranged according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the water supply device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the detergent tank side half of the water supply device as seen from the bottom surface side according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the softener tank side half of the water supply device as seen from the bottom surface side according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a water supply device according to an embodiment. 8 (a) and 8 (b) are diagrams for explaining the effect of 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. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the top plate 12 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 and the water storage unit 52 are in the operating position. 2 (b) and 2 (c) are perspective views of the main parts of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the top plate 12 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 and the water storage unit 52 are in the standby position. In FIG. 2C, the cover 55 is not shown so that the inside of the storage portion 17 can be seen.

With reference to FIG. 1, the fully automatic washing machine 1 includes a housing 10 constituting 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. The washing / dehydrating tub 22 corresponds to the "washing tub" of the present invention.

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 a detergent supplied to the water storage tank 52a of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored as cleaning water.

The drainage receiving unit 70 receives the water discharged from the water storage tank 52a. 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.

With reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 includes an ultrasonic cleaning unit 51, a water storage unit 52, and a main body unit 53. The ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 has an ultrasonic generator 51a that generates ultrasonic waves. The main body 53 holds the ultrasonic cleaning section 51. The water storage unit 52 is attached to the main body unit 53 and is located below the ultrasonic wave generator 51a. The water storage unit 52 is provided with a water storage tank 52a for storing wash water. Washing water is supplied to the water storage tank 52a from the supply nozzle 54 connected to the storage tank 60.

The top plate 12 is provided with a storage portion 17 in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed in the central portion of the rear portion. The top plate 12 opens in front of the storage portion 17 as an entrance / exit 17a. The doorway 17a is provided with a light-flooding, substantially square cover 55.

As shown in FIG. 2A, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is used and the cleaning operation is performed, in the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 and the water storage unit 52 move forward from the storage unit 17. It is pulled out and is in a state of projecting to the inside of the input port 14 of the top plate 12. Almost the entire cover 55 is stored in the storage unit 17. The positions of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 and the water storage unit 52 at this time are the operating positions.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, 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 51 and a water storage unit 52. And are stored in the storage unit 17. The entrance / exit 17a of the storage portion 17 is closed by the cover 55, and the front of the ultrasonic cleaning portion 51 is covered by the cover 55. The positions of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 51 and the water storage unit 52 at this time are the standby positions.

During the washing operation, the dirt-attached portion of the object to be cleaned is set between the water storage tank 52a and the ultrasonic generator 51a. The dirt-adhered portion is immersed in the washing water stored in the water storage tank 52a. When the ultrasonic wave generator 51a is activated, ultrasonic waves are generated from the tip thereof. Dirt is peeled off from the object to be cleaned by the action of ultrasonic vibration. At this time, the detergency is enhanced by the force of the detergent.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a funnel-shaped detergent spout 18 is formed on the upper surface plate 12 on the left rear side of the charging port 14, and a funnel-shaped softener spout 19 is formed on the right rear side of the charging port 14. It is formed. The opening 18a formed in the central portion of the detergent spout 18 is connected to the inlet of the detergent tank described later. The filter 110 is attached to the input port through the opening 18a. Further, the opening 19a formed in the central portion of the softener spout 19 is connected to the inlet of the softener tank described later. The filter 210 is attached to the input port through the opening 19a. The liquid detergent is charged into the detergent tank through the detergent spout 18, and the liquid softener is charged into the softener tank through the softener spout 19. When the detergent and softener are not added, the detergent spout 18 and the softener spout 19 are each covered with a cover (not shown).

A water supply device 80 is arranged at the rear of the top plate 12. The water supply device 80 has a function of connecting to a water tap and supplying water into the washing / dehydrating tank 22. The water supply device 80 also functions as an automatic charging device for automatically charging a liquid detergent and a softener into the washing / dehydrating tub 22. Further, the water supply device 80 also has a function of supplying washing water to the storage tank 60. Hereinafter, the water supply device 80 will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the top plate 12 in which the water supply device 80, the storage tank 60, and the supply nozzle 54 are arranged. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the water supply device 80. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the detergent tank 100 side half of the water supply device 80 as seen from the bottom surface side. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the softener tank 200 side half of the water supply device 80 as seen from the bottom surface side. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the water supply device 80. In FIG. 3, the top plate 12 is drawn in a transparent state for convenience.

The water supply device 80 includes a detergent tank 100, a softener tank 200, a water supply unit 300, a detergent supply pipe 400, and a softener supply pipe 500.

Liquid detergent is stored in the detergent tank 100. The softener tank 200 stores a liquid softener. The detergent and the softener are introduced into the water supply unit 300 from the detergent tank 100 and the softener tank 200, respectively. The water supply unit 300 pours the introduced detergent and fabric softener into the washing / dehydrating tub 22 with the water supplied to the washing / dehydrating tub 22.

The water supply unit 300 is arranged in the space behind the inlet 14 inside the top plate 12. The detergent tank 100 is arranged on the left side of the water supply unit 300, and the front side portion fits in the space between the inlet 14 and the left end of the top plate 12. The softener tank 200 is arranged on the right side of the water supply unit 300, and the front side portion fits in the space between the inlet 14 and the right end of the top plate 12. The detergent supply pipe 400 is connected to the detergent tank 100 and the water supply unit 300. Further, the softener supply pipe 500 is connected to the softener tank 200 and the water supply unit 300.

The water supply unit 300 corresponds to the "water supply unit" of the present invention. The detergent supply pipe 400 corresponds to the "first pipe" of the present invention, and the softener supply pipe 500 corresponds to the "second pipe" of the present invention.

Inside the top plate 12, the storage tank 60 is arranged behind the water supply unit 300. The supply nozzle 54 extends forward from the storage tank 60. Further, although not shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is arranged in a space surrounded by the water supply unit 300 on the left, right, and rear sides. As described above, since the water supply unit 300 has a concave shape so as to surround the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 when viewed from above, the water supply unit 300 can be efficiently arranged at the rear portion of the top plate 12.

The detergent tank 100 is made of, for example, a resin material and has a long box shape in the front and back. On the upper surface of the detergent tank 100, a circular input port 101 is formed on the front side. A filter 110 is attached to the slot 101. The filter 110 captures foreign matter that has entered the detergent tank 100 from the inlet 101. On the bottom surface of the detergent tank 100, a circular discharge portion 102 protruding downward is formed on the front side. A cylindrical discharge port 103 extending rearward is formed on the peripheral surface of the discharge portion 102. Further, on the bottom surface of the detergent tank 100, a first recess 104 is formed behind the discharge portion 102 and on the water supply unit 300 side. The first recess 104 has a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction, and the water supply unit 300 side is open. Further, on the bottom surface of the detergent tank 100, a substantially L-shaped second recess 105 connected to the first recess 104 is formed behind the discharge portion 102.

The softener tank 200 is made of, for example, a resin material and has a long box shape in the front-rear direction. On the upper surface of the softener tank 200, a circular input port 201 is formed on the front side. A filter 210 is attached to the slot 201. The filter 210 captures foreign matter that has entered the softener tank 200 from the inlet 201. On the bottom surface of the softener tank 200, a circular discharge portion 202 protruding downward is formed on the front side. A cylindrical discharge port 203 extending rearward is formed on the peripheral surface of the discharge portion 202. Further, on the bottom surface of the softener tank 200, a first recess 204 is formed behind the discharge portion 202 and on the water supply unit 300 side. The first recess 204 has an elongated rectangular shape in the front-rear direction, and the water supply unit 300 side is open. Further, on the bottom surface of the softener tank 200, a substantially L-shaped second recess 205 connected to the first recess 204 is formed behind the discharge portion 202.

The water supply unit 300 includes a water channel member 310, a water supply valve 320, a first three-way valve 330, a second three-way valve 340, a third three-way valve 350, and a pump 360. The first three-way valve 330 corresponds to the "first switching unit" of the present invention, the second three-way valve 340 corresponds to the "second switching unit" of the present invention, and the pump 360 corresponds to the "suction unit" of the present invention. Is equivalent to.

The water channel member 310 is formed by connecting a first water channel portion 310a, a second water channel portion 310b, and a third water channel portion 310c, each of which is made of a resin material. The first water channel 310a is located on the detergent tank 100 side, the second water channel 310b is located on the softener tank 200 side, and the third water channel 310c is the first water channel 310a and the second water channel 310b. Located in between.

The water channel member 310 is provided with a water injection chamber 311 in the first water channel portion 310a. A water injection port 311a is formed at the front end of the bottom of the water injection chamber 311. The water injection port 311a faces above the washing / dehydrating tub 22.

As shown in FIG. 7, the water channel member 310 is formed with a first water channel 312 and a second water channel 313 connected to the water injection chamber 311. The water supplied into the washing / dehydrating tub 22 flows through the first water channel 312 and the second water channel 313. The water inlet 314 to the first channel 312 and the water inlet 315 to the second channel 313 are provided in the second channel portion 310b. The average channel area of the second channel 313 is larger than the average channel area of the first channel 312, and the allowable flow rate of the second channel 313 is larger than the allowable flow rate of the first channel 312. Further, in the water channel member 310, a branch water channel 316 branching from the first water channel 312 is formed in the first water channel portion 310a for water supply into the storage tank 60. The outlet 316a of the branch channel 316 is connected to the inlet of the storage tank 60.

In the first water channel 312, a second three-way valve 340, a first three-way valve 330, a pump 360, and a third three-way valve 350 are provided in order from the upstream in the middle of the path from the inflow port 314 to the water injection chamber 311. Be placed. Therefore, the first water channel 312 is divided at the positions of the second three-way valve 340, the first three-way valve 330, the pump 360, and the third three-way valve 350, and at each position, the upstream connection port 317a, 317b, 317c. It has 317d and downstream connection ports 318a, 318b, 318c, and 318d. Also, the first three-way valve 330 is located closer to the pump 360 than the second three-way valve 340.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the first water channel portion 310a, an upstream side connection port 317b and a downstream side connection port 318b corresponding to the first three-way valve 330 are formed on the front side of the side surface on the detergent tank 100 side, and the rear side. , The upstream side connection port 317d, the downstream side connection port 318d, and the connection port 316b with the branch water channel 316 corresponding to the third three-way valve 350 are formed. Further, the first water channel portion 310a is provided with a pump accommodating chamber 319 having an open bottom surface on the front side, and an upstream side connection port 317c and a downstream side connection port 318c corresponding to the pump 360 are provided on the top surface of the pump accommodating chamber 319. Is formed.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the second water channel portion 310b, an upstream side connection port 317a and a downstream side connection port 318a corresponding to the second three-way valve 340 are formed on the front side of the side surface of the softener tank 200 side, and rear. The inlet 314 of the first channel 312 and the inlet 315 of the second channel 313 are formed on the side.

The water supply valve 320 is a so-called double valve, and has a first valve 321 and a second valve 322 having a higher rated flow rate than the first valve 321. The water inlet 323 of the water supply valve 320 is connected to the water tap via a water supply hose (not shown). In the second water channel portion 310b, the outlet 324 of the first valve 321 is connected to the inlet 314 of the first channel 312, and the outlet 325 of the second valve 322 is connected to the inlet 315 of the second channel 313. To.

The first three-way valve 330 and the second three-way valve 340 have first water inlets 331 and 341, second water inlets 332 and 342, and water outlets 333 and 343, and first water inlets 331 and 341. The state of communicating with the water outlets 333 and 343 and the state of communicating with the second water inlets 332 and 342 and the water outlets 333 and 343 can be switched. The second water inlets 332 and 342 face in the opposite direction to the first water inlets 331 and 341, and the water outlets 333 and 343 face the same direction as the first water inlets 331 and 341.

The third three-way valve 350 has an inlet 351 and a first outlet 352, and a second outlet 353, and communicates the inlet 351 and the first outlet 352, and the inlet 351 and the first. 2 It is possible to switch to a state in which the water outlet 353 is communicated. The inlet 351 and the first outlet 352 and the second outlet 353 face the same direction.

In the first waterway portion 310a, the first water inlet 331 and the water outlet 333 of the first three-way valve 330 are connected to the upstream side connection port 317b and the downstream side connection port 318b, respectively, and the water inlet 351 of the third three-way valve 350. , The first outlet 352 and the second outlet 353 are connected to the upstream connection port 317d, the downstream connection port 318d and the connection port 316b, respectively.

In the second water channel portion 310b, the first water inlet 341 and the water outlet 343 of the second three-way valve 340 are connected to the upstream connection port 317a and the downstream connection port 318a, respectively.

The pump 360 is a piston pump and includes a casing 361 with a built-in piston and a motor 362 for driving the piston. A suction port 363 and a discharge port 364 are formed in the casing 361. Further, a cover 365 is integrally formed on the casing 361. A cam 366 is provided on the shaft of the motor 362.

The casing 361 is housed in the pump storage chamber 319 of the first water channel portion 310a. The suction port 363 and the discharge port 364 of the casing 361 are connected to the upstream side connection port 317c and the downstream side connection port 318c of the top surface of the pump accommodating chamber 319, respectively. The opening at the bottom of the pump containment chamber 319 is covered by the cover 365. The motor 362 is attached to the front surface of the first water channel 310a and the cam 366 is connected to the piston.

When the detergent tank 100, the softener tank 200 and the water supply unit 300 are arranged inside the top plate 12, almost half of the first three-way valve 330 of the water supply unit 300 is the first recess 104 on the bottom surface of the detergent tank 100. And overlaps with the detergent tank 100 in the vertical direction. Further, about one-third of the second three-way valve 340 of the water supply unit 300 fits in the first recess 204 on the bottom surface of the softener tank 200 and overlaps with the softener tank 200 in the vertical direction. As a result, the water supply device 80 can be made compact in the left-right direction and the up-down direction while suppressing the decrease in the capacity of the detergent tank 100 and the softener tank 200.

One end of the detergent supply pipe 400 is connected to the second water inlet 332 of the first three-way valve 330, and the other end of the detergent supply pipe 400 is connected to the discharge port 103 of the detergent tank 100. One end side of the detergent supply pipe 400 fits in the second recess 105 on the bottom surface of the detergent tank 100. That is, the second water inlet 332 of the first three-way valve 330 housed in the first recess 104 extends to the second recess 105 and is connected to one end of the detergent supply pipe 400 in the second recess 105. This enables smooth connection between the first three-way valve 330 and the detergent supply pipe 400.

Further, one end of the softener supply pipe 500 is connected to the second water inlet 342 of the second three-way valve 340, and the other end of the softener supply pipe 500 is connected to the discharge port 203 of the softener tank 200. One end side of the softener supply pipe 500 fits in the second recess 205 on the bottom surface of the softener tank 200. That is, the second water inlet 342 of the second three-way valve 340 housed in the first recess 204 extends to the second recess 205 and is connected to one end of the softener supply pipe 500 in the second recess 205. This enables smooth connection between the second three-way valve 340 and the softener supply pipe 500.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 can perform washing operations on various driving courses. 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 detergent is automatically charged into the washing / dehydrating tub 22 by the water supply device 80. At this time, the third three-way valve 350 is switched to a state in which the water inlet 351 and the first water outlet 352 communicate with each other, and the first water channel 312 is cut off from the storage tank 60 and connected to the water injection chamber 311. ing. Further, the second three-way valve 340 is switched to a state in which the first water inlet 341 and the water outlet 343 communicate with each other, and the first water channel 312 is connected at the position of the second three-way valve 340.

First, the first three-way valve 330 is switched to a state in which the second water inlet 332 and the water outlet 333 communicate with each other. As a result, the detergent can flow into the first water channel 312. The pump 360 operates, and the air on the upstream side of the pump 360 in the first water channel 312 is sucked and the upstream side becomes a negative pressure. As a result, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 7, the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 100 is sucked into the first water channel 312 via the detergent supply pipe 400. The pump 360 operates for a predetermined time, whereby a predetermined amount of detergent is accumulated in the first water channel 312.

Next, the first three-way valve 330 is switched to a state in which the first water inlet 331 and the water outlet 333 communicate with each other. As a result, the detergent cannot flow into the first water channel 312. Further, the first water channel 312 is connected at the position of the first three-way valve 330. The first valve 321 of the water supply valve 320 is opened, and water from the tap is supplied into the first water channel 312 as shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. The water flowing in the first water channel 312 flushes out the detergent accumulated in the first water channel 312. The detergent washed away by the water flows into the water injection chamber 311 together with the water, and is charged into the washing / dehydrating tank 22 from the water injection port 311a.

Further, in the water supply valve 320, the first valve 321 is opened and the second valve 322 is opened at the same time to supply water to the washing / dehydrating tub 22. As shown by the broken line arrow in FIG. 7, water from the tap is supplied into the second water channel 313, flows through the second water channel 313, reaches the water injection chamber 311, and is discharged from the water injection port 311a into the washing / dehydrating tank 22. Will be done. At this time, the flow rate of the water flowing through the second water channel 313 is larger than the flow rate of the water flowing through the first water channel 312. When the water level in the washing / dehydrating tub 22 reaches a predetermined washing water level, the first valve 321 and the second valve 322 are closed, and the water supply is terminated.

At the time of water supply in the final rinsing step, the softener is automatically charged into the washing / dehydrating tub 22 by the water supply device 80. At this time, as in the washing step, the first water channel 312 is in a state of being connected to the water injection chamber 311. Further, the first three-way valve 330 has been switched to a state in which the first water inlet 331 and the water outlet 333 communicate with each other, and the first water channel 312 is in a state of being connected at the position of the first three-way valve 330.

First, the second three-way valve 340 is switched to a state in which the second water inlet 342 and the water outlet 343 communicate with each other. As a result, the softener can flow into the first water channel 312. The pump 360 is activated and, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 7, the liquid softener in the softener tank 200 is sucked into the first water channel 312 via the softener supply pipe 500. The pump 360 operates for a predetermined amount of time, whereby a predetermined amount of softener accumulates in the first channel 312.

Next, the second three-way valve 340 is switched to a state in which the first water inlet 341 and the water outlet 343 communicate with each other. As a result, the softener cannot flow into the first water channel 312. Further, the first water channel 312 is connected at the position of the second three-way valve 340. The first valve 321 is opened and water from the tap is supplied into the first channel 312 as shown by the solid arrow in FIG. The softener accumulated in the first water channel 312 is swept away by the water flowing in the first water channel 312 and flows into the water injection chamber 311 and is charged into the washing / dehydrating tank 22 from the water injection port 311a.

Further, as in the washing step, the second valve 322 is opened at the same time as the first valve 321 to supply water to the washing / dehydrating tub 22.

In the fully automatic washing machine 1, the washing operation by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 described above can be performed. At the time of water supply in the washing operation, the washing water is supplied into the storage tank 60 by the water supply device 80 before the water is supplied to the water storage tank 52a.

First, the third three-way valve 350 is switched to a state in which the water inlet 351 and the second water outlet 353 communicate with each other. As a result, the first water channel 312 is cut off from the water injection chamber 311 and is connected to the storage tank 60 via the branch water channel 316. Similar to the washing step, after the first three-way valve 330 is switched to a state where the detergent can flow into the first water channel 312, the pump 360 is operated and the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 100 is sucked into the first water channel 312. Will be done. The pump 360 operates for a predetermined time, whereby a predetermined amount of detergent is accumulated in the first water channel 312.

Next, the first three-way valve 330 is switched to a state in which the detergent cannot flow into the first water channel 312 and the first water channel 312 is connected at the position of the first three-way valve 330. After that, the first valve 321 of the water supply valve 320 is opened, and the water from the tap is supplied into the first water channel 312. The detergent accumulated in the first water channel 312 is washed away by the water flowing in the first water channel 312, and the detergent is mixed with the water to become cleaning water. The wash water passes through the branch water channel 316 and flows into the storage tank 60. When a predetermined amount of washing water is accumulated in the storage tank 60, the first valve 321 is closed.

<Effect of embodiment>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the space behind the input port 14, the space between the input port 14 and the left end, and the space between the input port 14 and the right end inside the top plate 12 are used. , Detergent tank 100, softener tank 200 and water supply unit 300 can be arranged.

If the pitch of the left and right spaces changes due to the size of the top plate 12 and the inlet 14 changing according to the model, the left end of the detergent tank 100 and the water supply unit 300, that is, the first three-way valve The distance to the 330 and the distance between the softener tank 200 and the right end of the water supply unit 300, that is, the second three-way valve 340 are adjusted. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the size of the top plate 12 is small and the size of the inlet 14 is reduced accordingly, the distance between the detergent tank 100 and the first three-way valve 330 of the water supply unit 300 is reduced. No longer, they are made to overlap in the vertical direction, and the distance between the softener tank 200 and the second three-way valve 340 of the water supply unit 300 is lost, and they are made to overlap in the vertical direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the size of the top plate 12 is large and the size of the inlet 14 is increased accordingly, the distance between the detergent tank 100 and the first three-way valve 330 of the water supply unit 300 becomes large. The distance between the softener tank 200 and the second three-way valve 340 of the water supply unit 300 is increased.

By changing the distance between the detergent tank 100, the softener tank 200, and the water supply unit 300 in the left-right direction, for example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the detergent supply pipe 400 and the softener supply pipe 500 are used. , The ones with different lengths will be prepared. However, the detergent tank 100, the softener tank 200, and the water supply unit 300 can be used as common parts. This makes it possible to reduce the product cost of the fully automatic washing machine 1.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the detergent is introduced from the detergent tank 100 into the first water channel 312 by switching the first three-way valve 330, and then water is flowed into the first water channel 312 to be introduced. The detergent can be poured into the washing / dehydrating tank 22. Further, by switching the second three-way valve 340, the softener is introduced from the softener tank 200 into the first water channel 312, and then water is flowed into the first water channel 312 to wash and remove the introduced softener. It can be poured into the water tank 22.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the first three-way valve 330 and the second three-way valve 340 overlap the detergent tank 100 and the softener tank 200 in the vertical direction, and the bottom surface of the detergent tank 100 and the softener tank 200 is formed on the bottom surface. It is recessed upward to form first recesses 104 and 204 in which the first three-way valve 330 and the second three-way valve 340 are accommodated. As a result, the water supply device 80 can be made compact in the left-right direction and the up-down direction while suppressing a decrease in the capacity of the detergent tank 100 and the softener tank 200, and can be easily arranged inside the small-sized top plate 12.

Further, according to the present embodiment, a second recess 105 connected to the first recess 104 and accommodating the detergent supply pipe 400 is formed on the bottom surface of the detergent tank 100, so that the detergent is supplied in the second recess 105. The pipe 400 and the first three-way valve 330 can be smoothly connected. Further, on the bottom surface of the softener tank 200, a second recess 205 is formed which is connected to the first recess 204 and accommodates the softener supply pipe 500. Therefore, in the second recess 205, the softener supply pipe 500 and the second recess 205 are formed. It becomes possible to smoothly connect to the three-way valve 340.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the detergent and the softener are sucked into the first water channel 312 by the pump 360, the detergent and the softener can be satisfactorily introduced into the first water channel 312. Moreover, since the first three-way valve 330 is closer to the pump 360 than the second three-way valve 340, when the pump 360 operates, the pressure for sucking the detergent from the detergent tank 100 to the first water channel 312 is flexible from the softener tank 200. The pressure tends to be higher than the pressure for sucking the agent into the first water channel 312, and it becomes possible to better introduce the detergent, which is used more frequently than the softener, into the first water channel 312.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the water supply unit 300 is provided with the second water channel 313 having a larger allowable flow rate than the first water channel 312, the number of the second water channel 313 to the first water channel 312 is larger than that of the first water channel 312. Water can be supplied into the washing / dehydrating tank 22 at the flow rate of the above, and the water supply time can be shortened as compared with the case where water is supplied from only the first water channel 312 into the washing / dehydrating tank 22 together with the detergent and the softener.

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 fully automatic washing machine 1 is provided with an ultrasonic cleaning device 50, and is provided with a supply nozzle 54 and a storage tank 60 for supplying water to the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. However, the fully automatic washing machine 1 may be configured not to be provided with the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the supply nozzle 54, and the storage tank 60. In this case, the water supply device 80 is not provided with the third three-way valve 350 and the branch water channel 316.

Further, in the above embodiment, the detergent tank 100 is arranged on the left side of the water supply unit 300, and the softener tank 200 is arranged on the right side of the water supply unit 300. However, on the contrary, the softener tank 200 may be arranged on the left side of the water supply unit 300, and the detergent tank 100 may be arranged on the right side of the water supply unit 300. In this case, in the water supply unit 300, the left and right positions of the first water channel portion 310a and the second water channel portion 310b of the water channel member 310 may be changed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first three-way valve 330 and the second three-way valve 340 are used to switch between the state in which the detergent and the softener can flow into the first water channel 312 and the state in which the softener cannot flow into the first water channel 312, respectively. Was done. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the detergent supply pipe 400 and the softener supply pipe 500 are each connected to the first water channel 312 via an on-off valve. In this configuration, the opening / closing of the on-off valve switches between a state in which the detergent and the softener can flow into the first water channel 312 and a state in which the softener cannot flow into the first water channel 312.

Further, in the above embodiment, a pump 360 was used to suck the detergent and the softener from the detergent tank 100 and the softener tank 200 into the first water channel 312. However, a suctionable device other than the pump 360 may be used. Furthermore, no suction device such as a pump 360 is provided, the bottom surfaces of the detergent tank 100 and the softener tank 200 are raised above the first water channel 312, and the detergent and the softener are introduced into the first water channel 312 by gravity. You may do so.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first recesses 104 and 204 are formed in both the detergent tank 100 and the softener tank 200, and the first three-way valve 330 and the second three-way valve 340 are formed in the first recesses 104 and 204. It was stored. However, a first recess 104 (204) is formed in one of the detergent tank 100 and the softener tank 200, and the first three-way valve 330 and the second three-way valve 340 are formed in the first recess 104 (204). A configuration may be adopted in which the corresponding three-way valve is accommodated. In this case, of the detergent tank 100 and the softener tank 200, the second recess 105 (205) is formed in the tank in which the first recess 104 (204) is formed. Further, both the detergent tank 100 and the softener tank 200 may be configured so that the first recesses 104, 204 and the second recesses 105, 205 are not formed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first recess 104 on the bottom surface of the detergent tank 100 is sized to accommodate a part of the first three-way valve 330, and the first recess 204 on the bottom surface of the softener tank 200 is the second three-way valve. It was sized to fit a part of the valve 340. However, the first recess 104 of the detergent tank 100 may be sized to accommodate the entire first three-way valve 330, and the first recess 204 of the softener tank 200 may be sized to accommodate the entire second three-way valve 340. May be good. With this configuration, the detergent tank 100 and the entire first three-way valve 330 can be stacked vertically, and the softener tank 200 and the entire second three-way valve 340 can be stacked vertically.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first valve 321 and the second valve 322 of the water supply valve 320 are opened at the same time during the water supply in the washing step and the rinsing step, and water is simultaneously flowed into the first water channel 312 and the second water channel 313. rice field. However, when the first valve 321 is opened and the water flowing into the first water channel 312 causes the detergent and the softener to be charged into the washing and dehydrating tank 22, the detergent and the softener are completely charged and the first valve 321 is closed. Later, the second valve 322 may be opened to allow water to flow into the second water channel 313.

Further, in the above embodiment, the water supply unit 300 is provided with the second water channel 313. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the water supply unit 300 is not provided with the second water channel 313. In this case, the water supply valve 320 is configured to include only the first valve 321.

Further, in the above embodiment, the fully automatic washing machine 1 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 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)
10 housing
12 Top plate
14 Input port
22 Washing / dehydrating tub (washing tub)
80 Water supply device
100 cleaning tank
104 1st recess
105 Second recess
200 fabric softener tank
204 1st recess
205 Second recess
300 Water supply unit (water supply section)
312 1st waterway
313 2nd waterway
330 1st three-way valve (1st switching part)
340 2nd three-way valve (2nd switching part)
360 pump (suction part)
400 Detergent supply pipe (1st pipe)
500 Softener supply pipe (second pipe)

Claims (6)

A washing tub that is placed inside the housing and where laundry is washed,
A top plate that constitutes the upper part of the housing and has a slot,
A detergent tank that stores liquid detergent and
A fabric softener tank that stores liquid fabric softener,
A detergent and a softener are introduced from the detergent tank and the softener tank, respectively, and the introduced detergent and the softener are poured into the washing tub by the water supplied to the washing tub, and a water supply unit.
A first pipe connected to the detergent tank and the water supply unit,
A second pipe connected to the softener tank and the water supply unit,
Equipped with
The water supply unit is arranged in the space behind the inlet inside the top plate.
One of the detergent tank and the softener tank is arranged on the left side of the water supply unit, a part of which fits in the space between the inlet and the left end of the top plate, and the other tank. Is arranged on the right side of the water supply unit, and a part thereof fits in the space between the inlet and the right end of the top plate.
A washing machine that features that. In the washing machine according to claim 1,
The water supply unit
The first waterway through which the water supplied to the washing tub flows,
A first switching unit connected to the first pipe and switching between a state in which detergent can flow into the first water channel and a state in which detergent cannot flow into the first water channel.
A second switching unit, which is connected to the second pipe and switches between a state in which the softener can flow into the first water channel and a state in which the softener cannot flow into the first water channel, is included.
A washing machine that features that. In the washing machine according to claim 2,
At least one of the first switching section and the second switching section overlaps the corresponding tanks of the detergent tank and the softener tank in the vertical direction.
A first recess is formed on the bottom surface of the corresponding tank, which is recessed upward and in which the at least one switching portion is accommodated.
A washing machine that features that. In the washing machine according to claim 3,
A second recess is formed on the bottom surface of the corresponding tank, which is connected to the first recess and accommodates a pipe connected to at least one of the first pipe and the second pipe.
A washing machine that features that. In the washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4.
The water supply unit further includes a suction unit that sucks the detergent and the softener into the first water channel by making the inside of the first water channel negative pressure.
The first switching unit is closer to the suction unit than the second switching unit.
A washing machine that features that. In the washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 5.
The water supply unit further includes a second water channel through which water supplied to the washing tub flows, which has a larger allowable flow rate than the first water channel.
A washing machine that features that.

Images