JP2022166353A - washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a washing machine.SOLUTION: A washing machine in the disclosure includes a case, a washing drum which is located inside the case and in which laundry is contained, a foam generation unit which generates foam from water and a detergent, a passage which is located in the downstream side of the foam generation unit and through which water and the foam pass, and a discharge unit which discharges water and the foam into the washing drum in the downstream side of the passage, and the discharge unit includes a first opening unit which is formed in a manner in which it is open on its upper and lower sides, and a second opening unit which is located in the downstream side of the first opening unit and formed in a manner in which it is open on its upper and lower sides.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present disclosure relates to washing machines.

US Pat. No. 5,300,003 discloses a washing machine that introduces foam and water into a washing tub.

The washing machine in Patent Document 1 includes a housing, a washing tub for containing laundry, a path for passing water and foam, and a discharge section downstream of the path for discharging water and foam to the washing tub. .

JP 2016-168130 A

The present disclosure provides a washing machine in which foam and water can be introduced into the washing tub in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

A washing machine according to the present disclosure includes a housing, a washing tub provided inside the housing for containing laundry, a foam generating section for generating foam with water and a chemical agent, and arranged downstream of the foam generating section, a path for passing water and foam; and a discharge part for discharging water and foam to the washing tub at a position downstream of the path. and a second opening arranged at a downstream position from the opening and formed to open vertically.

The washing machine according to the present disclosure can throw suds and water into the washing tub in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

Appearance perspective view of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 with the lid body closed Appearance perspective view of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 with the cover opened Fig. 2 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the detergent case, the detergent tank, and the softener tank are pulled out around the water supply unit of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1; Exploded perspective view around the water supply unit of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 FIG. 2 is a top view of the water supply unit of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1, excluding the flow channel lid. FIG. 2 is a top view of the water supply unit of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1, with the detergent case, detergent tank, and softening agent tank pulled out, excluding the flow channel lid. FIG. 2 is a top view of the lower portion of the flow channel of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1; Side cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the flow channel of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to allow those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter thereby.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG.

[1-1. Constitution]
[1-1-1. Configuration of washing machine]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , washing machine 100 includes housing 600 , lid 700 , and operation section 800 . Housing 600 includes a lower housing 610 and an upper housing 620 . A washing tub 500 is accommodated in the lower housing 610 . The washing tub 500 is a cylindrical body with an upper opening, and performs a washing operation for washing clothes. The washing action may be the action performed by the washing tub of various known washing machines. The principles of this embodiment are not limited to any particular cleaning action performed by washing tub 500 .

The upper housing 620 is arranged above the lower housing 610 and has an inlet 621 communicating with the washing tub 500 . The lid 700 is attached to the rear part of the upper housing 620 and covers the inlet 621 so as to be openable and closable. When the user turns lid 700 upward, washing tub 500 is exposed through inlet 621 . The user can put the laundry into the washing tub 500 through the inlet 621 .

An operation unit 800 is arranged in the rear part of the upper housing 620 at a position behind the inlet 621 . A user can operate the operation unit 800 to set various operations of the washing tub 500 .

A water supply port 200 is provided at the rear portion of the operation unit 800, and a water supply hose 210 is connected to the water supply port 200 so as to introduce tap water from a tap.

As shown in FIG. 2 , detergent tank 450 , softener tank 460 and detergent case 400 are arranged so that their front surfaces are flush with each other when housed in water supply unit 300 .

Detergent tank 450 and softening agent tank 460 are configured to be able to store an amount of agent that enables multiple operations. On the upper surfaces of the detergent tank 450 and the softener tank 460 are provided a detergent tank inlet 451 and a softener tank inlet 461 which open upward. Detergent tank input portion 451 and softener tank input portion 461 are capable of injecting liquid. Detergent tank 450 and softener tank 460 are respectively provided with a detergent tank remaining scale 450a and a softener tank remaining scale 460a made of a transparent material, so that the user can visually check the amount of detergent. can.

On the other hand, the detergent case 400 is used by the user to put in an amount of detergent necessary for one operation. Detergent case 400 will be described later.

[1-1-2. Water supply unit]
As shown in FIG. 4, the water supply unit 300 mainly includes a water supply unit housing portion 320 formed in a substantially box shape, a flow path lid portion 340 covering the upper surface of the water supply unit housing portion, and a water supply unit housing portion. and a channel lower portion 370 attached to the lower bottom portion of the unit.

As shown in FIG. 3 , a water supply valve 310 is attached to the left side of the water supply unit casing 320 as seen from the rear surface thereof so as to allow the water introduced from the water supply port 200 to pass therethrough in an openable and closable manner. Water introduced from the water supply valve 310 is introduced into the water supply unit casing 320 while the water supply valve 310 is open.

A bus pump 314 that sucks water from the outside of washing machine 100 through a hose (not shown) is arranged in the center of the rear surface of water supply unit casing 320 . The bus pump 314 is fixed to the water supply unit casing 320 with screws, and is directly connected to a first water conduit 321 to be described later via a water inlet 333 for the bus pump. The bus pump 314 can start suction and discharge operations by being supplied with water from the first water conduit 321 .

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the water supply unit housing portion 320 is formed in a substantially box-like shape that opens forward. The water supply unit housing portion 320 includes a detergent tank housing portion 360, a softener tank housing portion 365, and a detergent case housing portion 350 as internal spaces. Detergent tank accommodating portion 360 accommodates detergent tank 450 , softener tank accommodating portion 365 accommodates softener tank 460 , and detergent case accommodating portion 350 accommodates detergent case 400 so that they can be pulled out independently.

The detergent case channel portion 330 is arranged as the upper surface of the detergent case housing portion 350, and a first water guide path 321 and a second water guide path 322, which will be described later, are formed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid agent automatic injection device 301 is attached to the right portion of the water supply unit casing 320 as viewed from the back.

[1-1-3. Detergent Case, First Water Conveyance Route, Second Water Conveyance Route, Third Water Conveyance Route]
As shown in FIG. 4, the water supply valve 310 includes three on-off valves, a first water conduit 311, a second water conduit 312, and a third water conduit 313, and is configured so that each of the on-off valves can be opened and closed independently. ing.

As shown in FIG. 5, the water supply unit casing 320 is formed with a water guide path through which water introduced from the water supply valve 310 flows, and the water supply valve 310 and the water guide path are directly connected. The water conduit is branched so as to independently communicate with the first water conduit 311, the second water conduit 312, and the third water conduit 313, respectively. The flow path communicating with the first water conduit 311 is the first water conduit 321, the flow path communicating with the second water conduit 312 is the second water conduit 322, and the flow path communicating with the third water conduit 313 is the third water conduit 323. defined as

The first water conduit 321 and the second water conduit 322 guide the water supplied from the first water conduit 311 and the second water conduit 312 to the detergent case channel portion 330 and pour the water into the detergent case 400 located below. is configured as

As shown in FIG. 6, the detergent case 400 includes a manual powder detergent input unit 410, a manual liquid detergent input unit 420, and a manual softener input unit 430 to input powder detergent, liquid detergent, and softener, respectively. is provided.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the first water guide path 321 includes a powder detergent water inlet 331 formed above the manual powder detergent input portion 410 for communication between the top and bottom, and a vertical and a liquid detergent inlet 332 formed to communicate with. The second water guide path 322 is provided with a softening agent water inlet 334 that is formed above the softener water inlet 334 so as to communicate vertically.

The powder detergent manual input unit 410, the liquid detergent manual input unit 420, and the softener manual input unit 430 are each provided with a discharge port (not shown) for discharging liquid accumulated therein. The liquid discharged from the discharge port falls to the flow channel lower portion 370 .

A foam-generating water inlet 335 is provided in the first water guide path 321 . The foam-generating water inlet 335 is arranged behind the detergent case 400 housed in the detergent case housing portion 350 . As a result, the water that is poured downward from the foam-generating water inlet 335 falls into the flow channel lower portion 370 without passing through the detergent case accommodating portion 350 .

The third water guide path 323 is configured to pass through the liquid agent automatic injection device 301 and communicate with the flow path lower portion 370 . The downstream end of the liquid agent automatic injection device 301 is connected to the first channel lower path 372 in the channel lower part 370 . As a result, the liquid agent discharged from the automatic liquid agent injection device 301 passes through the third water guiding path 323 and flows into the first flow path lower path 372 (see FIG. 7).

[1-1-4. Flow path lower part]
As shown in FIG. 8, the lower flow path 370 includes a first lower flow path 372 into which the liquid that has passed through the third water guiding path 323 flows, and a second lower flow path through which the liquid discharged from the detergent case 400 passes. 373 , a foam generating portion 376 , a confluence portion 375 , and a channel lower discharge port 371 .

As shown in FIG. 7 , the foam generating section 376 is provided on the downstream side of the first flow path lower path 372 and arranged below the foam generating water inlet 335 . That is, the foam generation section 376 is provided at a position where the liquid passing through the first flow path lower path 372 and the water injected from the foam generation water injection port 335 collide. The foam generating portion 376 includes a plurality of pins 377 projecting upward, a peripheral rib 376a surrounding the periphery of the foam generating portion 376, and a foam generating portion inlet 376c serving as an entrance to the area surrounded by the peripheral rib 376a. and a foam generator outlet 376b which exits from the area surrounded by the peripheral ribs 376a.

The second flow path lower path 373 is arranged below the discharge ports provided in the powder detergent manual input section 410 , the liquid detergent manual input section 420 and the softener manual input section 430 .

A confluence section 375 is provided downstream of the first flow path lower path 372 , the second flow path lower path 373 and the bubble generation portion 376 . The confluence portion 375 slopes downward toward the flow path lower discharge port 371 . The flow path lower discharge port 371 is arranged downstream of the confluence 375 and drops the liquid into the washing tub 500 .

The flow path lower discharge port 371 is arranged between a first opening 901 arranged on the upstream side, a second opening 902 arranged on the downstream side, and between the first opening 901 and the second opening 902 . and a partition wall 903 .

The first opening 901 is mainly configured as an opening for discharging water. The first opening 901 is formed in a slit shape with a width in the front-rear direction narrower than a width in the left-right direction. A first opening partitioning rib 904 and a first opening straightening rib 905 are provided inside the first opening 901 and are formed to extend rearward from the partition wall 903 . The first opening partitioning ribs 904 partition the first opening 901 into a plurality of spaces and secure the strength of the first opening 901 . The first opening straightening rib 905 straightens the water flow passing through the first opening 901 .

The partition wall 903 is formed in the shape of a wall extending vertically and horizontally, and is provided so as to partition the first opening 901 and the second opening 902 . The partition wall 903 is formed to protrude upward from the rear end of the first opening 901 .

The second opening 902 is mainly configured as an opening for discharging foam. The second opening partition rib 906 extends forward from the partition wall 903 and ensures the strength of the second opening 902 . Moreover, since the foam containing detergent as a main component has a high viscosity, there is a risk of clogging if the opening area is narrow. Therefore, the space of the second opening 902 partitioned by the second opening partitioning rib 906 is configured to be larger than the space of the first opening 901 partitioned by the first opening partitioning rib 904 .

[1-2. motion]
The operation of washing machine 100 configured as described above will be described below.

[1-2-1. Flow of water and detergent foam in washing operation when using the automatic injection function]
Before starting the washing operation, the liquid detergent automatic injection device 301 is driven, and the liquid detergent is automatically injected.

After automatic injection of the liquid detergent by the liquid agent automatic injection device 301 is completed, the third water conduit 313 is opened, and water supply to the third water conduit 323 and the liquid agent automatic injection device 301 is started. The supplied water washes away the liquid detergent remaining in the third water guide path 323 and the liquid agent automatic injection device 301 , passes through the first flow path lower path 372 , and reaches the foam generator 376 . The detergent liquid that has reached the foam generating portion 376 is diffused by the pins 377 and stays in the area surrounded by the peripheral ribs 376a.

Subsequently, the first water conduit 311 is opened, and water supply to the first water conduit 321 is started. The water introduced into the first water guiding path 321 passes through the powder detergent inlet 331, the liquid detergent inlet 332, the bath pump inlet 333, and the foam generation inlet 335, and enters the powder detergent manual inlet 410, Liquid detergent manual input unit 420 , bath pump 314 and foam generator 376 are filled with water. The water injected into the powder detergent manual injection part 410 and the liquid detergent manual injection part 420 drops into the second flow channel lower path 373 through the discharge port.

The water injected into the foam generating section 376 collides with the detergent liquid remaining in the foam generating section 376 to generate detergent foam. Most of the generated detergent foam flows out of the foam generator 376 over the peripheral ribs 376a. Detergent liquid and water exit foam generator 376 via foam generator outlet 376b.

The liquid that has passed through the bubble generating portion 376 and the second flow channel lower path 373 flows down the confluence portion 375 and reaches the flow channel lower outlet port 371 .

Since water has a high density, it falls from the first opening 901 into the washing tub 500 . If the amount of detergent foam is small, the detergent foam drops from the first opening 901 into the washing tub 500 .

If there is a large amount of detergent foam, it may not be possible to drop all of the detergent foam from the first opening 901 . Since the detergent foam has a low density, the detergent foam that has not been dropped rises through the first opening 901 and climbs over the partition wall 903 . Detergent foam that has climbed over the partition wall 903 drops from the second opening 902 into the washing tub 500 .

[1-3. action etc.]
As described above, washing machine 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes housing 600, washing tub 500 that is provided inside housing 600 and accommodates laundry, and a foam generating unit that generates foam using water and an agent. 376, a confluence section 375 arranged downstream of the foam generation section 376 to allow water and foam to pass therethrough, and a flow path lower discharge port 371 that discharges water and the foam to the washing tub 500 at a downstream position of the confluence section 375; The flow path lower discharge port 371 includes a first opening 901 that opens vertically and a second opening that is located downstream of the first opening 901 and opens vertically. 902 and .

As a result, water falls from the first opening 901 on the upstream side, and bubbles that have not completely fallen from the first opening 901 fall from the second opening 902 .

Therefore, it is possible to prevent bubbles that have not completely dropped from the first opening 901 from leaking from other locations, for example, between the flow path lower portion 370 and the water supply unit housing portion 320 .

As in the present embodiment, the first opening 901 and the second opening 902 are arranged adjacent to each other, and the flow path lower discharge port 371 is located between the first opening 901 and the second opening 902. It may have a partition wall 903 formed vertically so as to partition the .

As a result, bubbles that have not completely fallen from the first opening 901 fall from the second opening 902 over the partition wall 903 .

Therefore, the bubbles that have not completely fallen from the first opening 901 can be efficiently discharged from the second opening 902 .

As in the present embodiment, partition wall 903 may be formed to protrude above the height at which confluence 375 reaches first opening 901 .

This makes it difficult for water with a high density to climb over the partition wall 903, and the amount of water falling from the first opening 901 increases.

Therefore, it is possible to secure the water volume of the water flow discharged from the first opening 901 and drop the water flow with good appearance.

As in the present embodiment, the first opening 901 may be arranged in front of the junction 375 and the second opening 902 may be arranged in front of the first opening 901 .

As a result, the bubbles falling from the second opening 902 are positioned ahead of the flow of water falling from the first opening 901 .

Therefore, when viewed from the front, the ejection of foam and the ejection of water appear to overlap, so the appearance from the front is good. Also, since the foam is discharged in front of the water, the foam can be visually recognized better from the front.

As in the present embodiment, the first opening 901 may be configured such that the width in the front-rear direction is narrower than the width in the left-right direction.

As a result, the water reaching the first opening 901 spreads in the longitudinal direction of the first opening 901 and falls.

Therefore, even when the amount of water is small, the appearance of the water falling from the first opening 901 is good.

As in this embodiment, the opening area of the second opening 902 may be larger than the opening area of the first opening 901 .

Thereby, the first opening 901 can be configured to suppress the water flow from being discharged from a part of the first opening 901, and the second opening 902 can be configured not to prevent the viscous foam from falling.

As a result, the water stream can drop beautifully and the bubbles can be discharged efficiently.

As in the present embodiment, the widthwise dimension of the second opening 902 may be larger than the widthwise dimension of the first opening 901 .

As a result, the first opening 901 can easily spread the water flow in the longitudinal direction of the first opening 901, and the second opening 902 can be configured so as not to prevent viscous bubbles from falling.

As a result, the water stream can drop beautifully and the bubbles can be discharged efficiently.

Washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment includes lower housing 610, washing tub 500 which is provided inside lower housing 610 and has a bottomed cylindrical shape opening upward, and disposed above lower housing 610. An upper housing 620 formed with an inlet 621 communicating with the washing tub 500, a lid body for freely opening and closing the inlet 621, and a water supply unit provided in the upper housing 620 at a position behind the inlet 621. 300, the water supply unit 300 includes a foam generating portion 376 that generates detergent foam with water and liquid detergent, a junction portion 375 that allows the water and detergent foam to pass through, and a washing tub 500 at a position downstream of the junction portion 375. and a lower channel outlet 371 for ejecting water and detergent foam, and the lower channel outlet 371 is formed as an opening penetrating vertically, and is a partition wall formed to separate the upstream side and the downstream side. 903.

As a result, water falls from the first opening 901 on the upstream side, and bubbles that have not completely fallen from the first opening 901 fall from the second opening 902 .

Therefore, in the vertical washing machine, it is possible to prevent bubbles that have not completely dropped from the first opening 901 from leaking from other locations.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, Embodiment 1 has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this.

Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

In Embodiment 1, washing machine 100, which is a vertical washing machine, has been described as an example of the washing machine. The washing machine is not limited to a vertical washing machine, and may be a drum washing machine or a two-tub washing machine.

In Embodiment 1, as an example of the foam generating unit, the foam generating unit 376 that foams the liquid agent discharged by the automatic liquid agent injection device 301 has been described. The foam generating unit is not limited to the configuration of foaming the liquid agent discharged by the automatic liquid agent injection device, and may be configured to foam the liquid agent that is manually injected. In addition, in the first embodiment, as an example of the bubble generating section, the structure in which water falling on the pin 377 collides with the liquid agent to generate bubbles has been described. The foam generating section may be configured to generate foam, and may be configured to generate foam using a driving force of a pump or the like. Moreover, the foam generating section is not limited to one whose main purpose is to generate bubbles, and may be of any type as long as it generates bubbles.

In Embodiment 1, as an example of the ejection portion, the flow path lower ejection port 371 in which the first opening and the second opening are arranged adjacent to each other has been described. The discharge part is not limited to the configuration in which the first opening and the second opening are arranged adjacent to each other. For example, the discharge part may be arranged at a position separated from the first opening and the second opening. Also, the second opening is not limited to being arranged in front of the first opening, and may be arranged at a different position.

In Embodiment 1, as an example of the first opening, the first opening partitioned by a plurality of first opening partitioning ribs has been described. The first opening is not limited to a configuration divided by a plurality of ribs. For example, the first opening may consist of a plurality of independent openings. A plurality of independent openings forming the first opening may be arranged in the horizontal direction. Thereby, the water falling from the first opening can be dropped relatively uniformly over the longitudinal direction of the first opening.

In the first embodiment, the partition wall 903 formed in a wall shape extending in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction has been described as an example of the partition section. The partition is not limited to a wall shape as long as it is provided above and below so as to partition the first opening and the second opening. For example, the partition may be formed such that the upper surface of the partition slopes upward from the first opening toward the second opening.

The present disclosure is applicable to foam and water input washing machines. Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to vertical washing machines, drum washing machines, twin-tub washing machines, and the like.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 washing machine 200 water supply port 300 water supply unit 301 liquid agent automatic injection device 310 water supply valve 311 first water conduit 312 second water conduit 313 third water conduit 314 bus pump 320 water supply unit casing 321 first water conduit 322 second water conduit Path 323 Third water supply path 330 Detergent case channel 331 Powder detergent inlet 332 Liquid detergent inlet 333 Bath pump inlet 334 Softener inlet 335 Foam generation inlet 340 Flow path cover 350 Detergent case Accommodating portion 360 Detergent tank accommodating portion 365 Softener tank accommodating portion 370 Channel lower portion 371 Channel lower discharge port 372 First channel lower channel 373 Second channel lower channel 375 Merging portion 376 Foam generating portion 376a Surrounding rib 376b Foam generating portion Outlet 376c Foam generating unit inlet 377 Pin 400 Detergent case 410 Powder detergent manual input unit 420 Liquid detergent manual input unit 430 Softener manual input unit 450 Detergent tank 460 Softener tank 461 Softener tank input unit 500 Washing tub 600 Housing 610 Bottom Housing 620 Upper housing 621 Input port 700 Lid 800 Operation unit 901 First opening 902 Second opening 903 Partition wall 904 First opening partition rib 905 First opening regulating rib 906 Second opening partition rib

Claims (8)

a housing;
A washing tub that is provided inside the housing and accommodates laundry;
a lid body that openably and closably covers a laundry inlet formed in the housing;
a foam generating unit that generates foam with water and an agent;
a path disposed downstream of the foam generating section and allowing water and the foam to pass through;
a discharge unit that discharges water and the foam into the washing tub at a position downstream of the path;
with
The discharge part is
a first opening formed by opening up and down;
a second opening arranged at a downstream position from the first opening and formed so as to open vertically;
including,
washing machine. The first opening and the second opening are arranged adjacent to each other,
The discharge part is
Having a partition formed vertically to partition between the first opening and the second opening,
The washing machine according to claim 1. The partition is formed to protrude above a height at which the path reaches the first opening,
The washing machine according to claim 2. The first opening is arranged in front of the path,
The second opening is arranged in front of the first opening,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1-3. 5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the first opening is configured such that the width in the front-rear direction is narrower than the width in the left-right direction. The opening area of the second opening is larger than the opening area of the first opening,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1-5. The widthwise dimension of the second opening is larger than the widthwise dimension of the first opening,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1-6. a lower frame;
a bottomed cylindrical washing tub provided inside the lower frame and opening upward;
an upper frame disposed above the lower frame and formed with a laundry inlet communicating with the washing tub;
a lid body that covers the laundry inlet so as to be openable and closable;
an input unit provided on the upper frame at a position behind the laundry input port;
with
The input unit is
a foam generating unit that generates foam with water and an agent;
a channel for passing water and the foam;
a discharge unit that discharges water and the foam into the washing tub at a position downstream of the flow path;
including
The discharge part is
an opening formed as an opening penetrating vertically;
a partition formed to partition the opening into an upstream side and a downstream side;
having
washing machine.

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