JP2023095649A - washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a washing machine that allows an ultrasonic cleaning device to be easily housed in or withdrawn from a housing portion and suppresses washing water from scattering from the ultrasonic cleaning device when housing the ultrasonic cleaning device in the housing portion.SOLUTION: A fully automatic washing machine has an ultrasonic cleaning device 50, which has a water storage tub 210 in which washing water can be stored and removes dirt adhered to an object to be washed by applying ultrasonic wave generated by an ultrasonic generator 110 to the object to be washed immersed in the washing water in the water storage tub 210, a housing portion 17 that is provided on an upper surface plate and houses the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, a motor 91 capable of rotating in a first direction and a second direction, and a moving mechanism 92 that moves the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 housed in the housing portion 17 into an input port by rotation in the first direction of the motor 91 and moves the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 withdrawn into the input port by the rotation in the second direction of the motor 91 to the inside of the housing portion 17.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to washing machines.

A washing machine equipped with an ultrasonic cleaning device that uses ultrasonic waves to clean an object to be cleaned is described in Patent Document 1.

In the washing machine disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a storage section for storing an ultrasonic cleaning device is provided inside an upper plate having an inlet. When the cleaning operation is performed by the ultrasonic cleaning device, the ultrasonic cleaning device is pulled out from the housing into the inlet.

An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus includes a water tank in which cleaning water is stored, and an ultrasonic generator that generates ultrasonic waves. A dirty portion of the object to be cleaned is immersed in the cleaning water in the water tank. Ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic wave generator act on the dirt adhering portion penetrated by the cleaning water, and the dirt is removed from the object to be cleaned.

JP 2021-23547 A

In the washing machine described above, the ultrasonic cleaning device is manually inserted and removed from the inside of the top plate. For this reason, putting in and out of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus is likely to be troublesome for the user. In addition, when the ultrasonic cleaning device is stored in the storage section with force, there is a concern that the cleaning water in the water tank may splash and splash on the user's hand or adhere to the inside of the storage section.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine in which the ultrasonic cleaning device can be easily put in and taken out of a storage section and in which washing water is less likely to scatter from the ultrasonic cleaning device when stored in the storage section. .

A washing machine according to the present invention comprises a washing tub in which laundry is stored, an upper plate disposed above the washing tub and having an inlet for loading the laundry into the washing tub, and washing water containing at least water. An ultrasonic wave that has a water tank to store and removes dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned by applying ultrasonic waves generated by an ultrasonic wave generator to the object to be cleaned that is immersed in the cleaning water in the water tank. a cleaning device, a housing provided on the top plate for housing the ultrasonic cleaning device, a motor rotatable in a first direction and a second direction, and a motor rotating in the first direction The ultrasonic cleaning device housed in the housing portion is moved into the inlet, and the ultrasonic cleaning device pulled out into the inlet is moved into the housing portion by the rotation of the motor in the second direction. and a moving mechanism.

According to the present invention, the user does not have to manually take the ultrasonic cleaning device in and out of the storage when using it. Therefore, it becomes easy to take the ultrasonic cleaning device in and out of the storage section. In addition, the washing water in the water tank does not get on the user's hand when storing. Furthermore, since the ultrasonic cleaning device can be moved at an appropriate speed when stored, the cleaning water is less likely to scatter from the water tank.

In the washing machine according to the present invention, the moving mechanism includes a pinion fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor, and a direction for drawing out the ultrasonic cleaning device into the inlet by rotating the pinion. and a rack that linearly moves in a direction for storing in the storage portion.

According to the present invention, the rotary motion of the motor can be converted into linear motion, and the ultrasonic cleaning device can be linearly moved between the storage section and the inlet.

In the washing machine according to the present invention, a drawer detection unit that detects that the ultrasonic cleaning device has been pulled out into the inlet, and a storage detection unit that detects that the ultrasonic cleaning device has been stored in the storage unit. and a controller for controlling the motor. In this case, after rotating the motor in the first direction, the control unit stops the motor based on the fact that the drawer detection unit detects that the ultrasonic cleaning device is drawn out, and rotates the motor in the second direction. After rotating the motor, the motor may be stopped based on the fact that the housing detector detects the housing of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus.

According to the present invention, the ultrasonic cleaning device can be reliably pulled out into the inlet and housed in the housing.

Further, the present invention may further include an apparatus holding section that holds the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus drawn into the inlet with a holding force weaker than the force with which the moving mechanism moves the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus. . In this case, the drawer detection unit detects the drawer of the ultrasonic cleaning device when the ultrasonic cleaning device is pulled out to a position closer to the storage unit than the position held by the device holding unit. The control section may be configured to stop the motor after a predetermined time has elapsed since the drawer detecting section detects that the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus has been pulled out.

According to the present invention, by adjusting the predetermined time according to the actual position of the ultrasonic cleaning device when the drawer detection unit detects that the ultrasonic cleaning device has been pulled out, based on the detection of the drawer by the drawer detection unit, It is possible to accurately stop the pulled-out ultrasonic cleaning device at the position held by the device holding portion.

The washing machine according to the present invention may further include a water supply device for supplying the washing water to the water tank, and a control section for controlling the motor and the water supply device. In this case, the control unit causes the water supply device to start supplying the cleaning water while the ultrasonic cleaning device is moving toward the inlet due to the rotation of the motor in the first direction. configuration.

According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the time from the completion of the supply of cleaning water into the water tank until the operation of the ultrasonic wave generator becomes possible.

In the washing machine according to the present invention, a doorway provided in the top plate for taking the ultrasonic cleaning device into and out of the storage section, and a doorway when the ultrasonic cleaning device is stored in the storage section. and a cover that covers the doorway. In this case, the moving mechanism includes a first slider connected to the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus, a second slider connected to the cover so as to be rotatable in a direction for opening and closing the entrance, the first slider and the a holding portion that holds a second slider slidably in a drawing direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is pulled out from the storage portion and in a storage direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is stored in the storage portion; The other end side is connected to the slider and the other end side is connected to the second slider. By moving the other end side in the direction opposite to the direction in which the one end side moves, the second slider slides in the direction opposite to the direction in which the first slider slides. a link for sliding a slider, when the motor rotates in the first direction, slides the first slider in the pull-out direction and slides the second slider in the storage direction, so that the motor rotates in the second direction; and a transmission mechanism that slides the first slider in the storage direction and slides the second slider in the pull-out direction when the slider is rotated. The cover may be opened when the second slider slides in the storage direction, and closed when the second slider slides in the extraction direction.

According to the present invention, the moving mechanism opens and closes the cover in conjunction with the movement of the ultrasonic cleaning device into and out of the storage section. It is possible to simplify the configuration for realizing

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine in which the ultrasonic cleaning device can be easily put in and taken out of the storage portion, and cleaning water is less likely to scatter from the ultrasonic cleaning device when stored in the storage portion.

The effects and significance of the present invention will become clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiment is merely an example of carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the upper plate in a state of being housed in the housing portion according to the embodiment. FIGS. 2(b) and 2(c) are perspective views of main parts of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the upper plate in a state of being pulled out from the storage section according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device according to the embodiment, with the water storage portion detached from the base portion. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the front portion of the ultrasonic cleaning section according to the embodiment. 5(a) and 5(b) are perspective views of an ultrasonic cleaning device, a cover, and an automatic loading/unloading device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which an ultrasonic cleaning device and a cover are connected by a first slider, a second slider and a link according to the embodiment. Fig.7 (a) is a perspective view of the link holding member which concerns on embodiment. FIG.7(b) is a perspective view of a cover guide member based on embodiment. FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view of a cover guide member in which a motor, a rack and pinion mechanism, a storage detection switch, and a drawer detection switch are arranged according to the embodiment. FIG. 8(b) is a perspective view of the rack and connecting member viewed from the rear according to the embodiment. FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining a storage detection switch and a drawer detection switch, respectively, according to the embodiment. FIG. 10(a) is a diagram showing how the cover is opened according to the embodiment. FIG. 10B is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the device holding section according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fully automatic washing machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 12(a) is a flow chart showing control processing executed by the control unit in the cleaning operation according to the embodiment. FIG. 12(b) is a flow chart showing control processing executed by the control unit in the withdrawal/water supply process according to the embodiment. FIG. 13(a) is a flowchart showing control processing executed by the control unit in the cleaning process according to the embodiment. FIG.13(b) is a flowchart which shows the control process performed by the control part in a storage process which concerns on embodiment. 14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining the drawing operation of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 in the drawing and water supply process according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, one 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 a fully automatic washing machine 1. FIG.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 includes a housing 10 forming an outer shell. The housing 10 includes a rectangular tubular body 11 with open upper and lower surfaces, a top plate 12 covering the upper surface of the body 11 , and a footrest 13 supporting the body 11 . A laundry inlet 14 is formed in the top plate 12 . The inlet 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 controls the washing operation of the fully automatic washing machine 1 and the washing operation of the ultrasonic washing device 50 .

An outer tank 20 having an open upper surface is arranged in the housing 10 . The outer tub 20 is elastically suspended and supported by four hanging rods 21 having 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 around a vertically extending rotating shaft. A large number of dehydration holes 22a are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the washing/dehydration tub 22 along the entire circumference. A balance ring 23 is provided above 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.

The top plate 12 is arranged above the washing/drying tub 22 , and laundry is put into the washing/drying tub 22 through the inlet 14 .

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

An outer bottom portion of the outer tub 20 is formed with a drain port portion 20a. 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 tub 22 and the outer tub 20 is drained out of the machine through the drain hose 41 .

An overflow port 20b is formed in the upper portion of the outer tub 20 . When water equal to or higher than a predetermined overflow level is accumulated in the outer tank 20, the water is discharged from the overflow port 20b. A water receiving portion 25 is provided on the outer surface of the outer tank 20 so as to cover the water outlet 20b. One end of an 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 receiver 25 and then flows through the overflow pipe 26 to the drain hose 41. - 特許庁

An ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is arranged substantially in the center of the rear portion of the upper plate 12 . In the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 , a cleaning operation is mainly performed to remove dirt partially adhered to the items to be cleaned prior to washing in the fully automatic washing machine 1 .

A storage tank 60 is arranged behind the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 in the rear part of the top plate 12 , and a drainage receiving part 70 is arranged below the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 . The water containing the detergent supplied to the water tank 210 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 can be stored in the water tank 60 as cleaning water. The storage tank 60 is provided with a supply valve 61 that opens and closes an outlet for washing water from the storage tank 60 . A supply nozzle 62 connected to a supply valve 61 extends forward from the reservoir tank 60 and is arranged above the reservoir tank 210 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 .

The drainage receiver 70 has a tray shape and receives water discharged from the water tank 210 . The drainage receiving portion 70 is formed with a discharge hole 71 through which received water is discharged. One end of a drain pipe 72 is connected to the drain hole 71 . The other end of the drain pipe 72 is connected to the top of the overflow pipe 26 . The water received by the drainage receiver 70 is discharged to the drainage hose 41 through the drainage pipe 72 and the overflow pipe 26 .

A water supply device 80 is arranged at the rear of the upper plate 12 so as to surround the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 . The water supply device 80 is connected to a tap and has a function of supplying water to the washing/dehydration tub 22 . The water supply device 80 also has a detergent tank and a softener tank (not shown) in which liquid detergent and softener are stored, respectively, and also functions as an automatic input device for automatically inputting the detergent and softener into the washing/dehydrating tub 22 . do. Further, the water supply device 80 also has a function of generating washing water from the water from the tap and the detergent from the detergent tank and supplying it to the storage tank 60 .

FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the top plate 12 in a state of being housed in the housing portion 17. FIG. 2B and 2C are perspective views of essential parts of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the top plate 12 in a state of being pulled out from the storage portion 17. FIG. In FIG. 2C, illustration of the cover 19 is omitted so that the inside of the storage portion 17 can be seen. 2A and 2C, illustration of the supply nozzle 62 is omitted.

The top plate 12 is provided with a housing portion 17 in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed in the central portion of the rear portion. The top plate 12 opens as a doorway 18 in front of the storage portion 17 . The entrance/exit 18 is provided with a substantially rectangular cover 19 having light-transmitting properties.

The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 includes an ultrasonic cleaning section 100 , a water storage section 200 and a base section 300 . The ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 has an ultrasonic wave generator 110 that generates ultrasonic waves. The water storage unit 200 is provided with a water storage tank 210 positioned below the ultrasonic wave generator 110 and in which cleaning water is stored. Washing water generated by the water supply device 80 and temporarily stored in the storage tank 60 is supplied into the water storage tank 210 through the supply nozzle 62 .

As shown in FIG. 2( a ), when the cleaning operation is performed, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out from the housing portion 17 and protrudes inside the inlet 14 of the top plate 12 . On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed in the housing portion 17 when the cleaning operation is not performed. A doorway 18 of the storage portion 17 is closed by a cover 19 . At this time, the lower end of the cover 19 contacts the front end of the water reservoir 200 .

An automatic loading/unloading device 90 is provided inside the top plate 12 . The automatic loading/unloading device 90 pulls out the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 housed in the storage section 17 into the inlet 14 at the start of the cleaning operation. Further, the automatic loading/unloading device 90 stores the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 pulled out into the inlet 14 into the storage section 17 when the cleaning operation ends.

Furthermore, the automatic loading/unloading device 90 opens and closes the cover 19 in conjunction with the operation of loading/unloading the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 into/from the storage section 17 . When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored in the storage portion 17, the cover 19 moves from the storage position stored in the storage portion 17 to the closing position for closing the entrance/exit 18. As shown in FIG. That is, the cover 19 is closed. When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out from the storage portion 17, the cover 19 moves from the closed position to the storage position. That is, the cover 19 is opened. The housing portion 17 is divided into a device housing portion 17a in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed and a cover housing portion 17b adjacent above the device housing portion 17a and in which the opened cover 19 is housed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 with the water storage part 200 detached from the base part 300. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the front portion of the ultrasonic cleaning section 100. FIG. Note that FIG. 3 shows the water storage unit 200 with the drain port 211 open.

In the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50, the ultrasonic cleaning part 100 is held by the base part 300, and the water storage part 200 is detachably attached to the base part 300. As shown in FIG.

The ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 includes an ultrasonic generator 110 and a housing 120 . The ultrasonic generator 110 includes an ultrasonic transducer 111 and a vibrating horn 112 coupled to the ultrasonic transducer 111 . The ultrasonic wave generator 110 generates ultrasonic waves from the tip of the vibration horn 112 by the high frequency vibration of the ultrasonic transducer 111 .

The housing 120 extends in the front-rear direction and has an arm shape such that a distal end portion 121 thereof is bent downward. An ultrasound generator 110 is positioned at the front within the housing 120 . The tip of vibrating horn 112 is exposed through opening 122 of housing 120 .

A rear portion 123 of housing 120 is secured to the top of base portion 300 . At the rear portion of the housing 120, a square plate-shaped detected portion 124 protruding upward is provided.

A water tank 210 having a shape that follows the shape of the water storage part 200 is formed in the water storage part 200 . The water tank 210 is formed with a drain port 211 at the bottom of the rear surface. The drain port 211 is closed by a valve body 220 . A valve movable member 230 is connected to the valve body 220 . A rear portion 231 of the valve movable member 230 protrudes rearward from the water storage portion 200 . The valve movable member 230 is urged by a spring (not shown) in the rearward direction in which the valve body 220 is closed.

When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out from the housing portion 17 , the drain port 211 is closed by the valve body 220 . When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed in the housing portion 17, the valve movable member 230 contacts the rear wall of the drainage receiving portion 70 and moves forward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the valve body 220 moves forward and the drain port 211 is opened. When the drainage port 211 is opened, the wash water in the water tank 210 is discharged to the drainage receiver 70 . The valve body 220 and the valve movable member 230 are included in an automatic opening/closing mechanism that automatically opens/closes the drain port 211 according to the movement of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 into and out of the storage section 17 .

Next, the cover 19 and the automatic entrance/exit device 90 will be described in detail.

5(a) and (b) are perspective views of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the cover 19 and the automatic loading/unloading device 90. FIG. FIG. 5(a) shows a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed in the device housing portion 17a. FIG. 5(b) shows a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out from the device housing portion 17a. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the cover 19 are connected by a first slider 440, a second slider 450 and a link 460. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the link holding member 420. FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the cover guide member 430. FIG. FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view of the cover guide member 430 in which the motor 91, the rack and pinion mechanism 500, the storage detection switch 710 and the drawer detection switch 720 are arranged. FIG. 8(b) is a perspective view of rack 520 and connecting member 530 viewed from the rear.

The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is automatically taken in and out of the storage section 17 by an automatic loading/unloading device 90 . The forward direction is the pull-out direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out from the storage section 17 . The rearward direction is the accommodation direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 17 .

The automatic loading/unloading device 90 is provided around the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and includes a motor 91 and a moving mechanism 92 . The motor 91 is, for example, a motor with a speed reducer, and is rotatable forward and backward, ie, rotatable in a first direction and a second direction that are opposite to each other. The moving mechanism 92 uses the motor 91 as a power source, and rotates the motor 91 in the first direction to move the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 housed in the housing portion 17 into the inlet 14, and rotates the motor 91 in the second direction. The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 pulled out into the input port 14 is moved into the housing portion 17 by the rotation. Further, the moving mechanism 92 opens and closes the cover 19 in conjunction with the movement of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 into and out of the storage section 17 .

The movement mechanism 92 includes two left and right link mechanisms 410 , a link holding member 420 , a cover guide member 430 and a rack and pinion mechanism 500 .

5(a) to 7(b), the two link mechanisms 410 have laterally opposite shapes. Inside the top plate 12 , the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is covered with the link holding members 420 from the left-right direction and from the bottom, and covered with the cover guide members 430 from the top. A space surrounded by the link holding member 420 and the cover guide member 430 serves as the device storage portion 17a, and the space above the cover guide member 430 serves as the cover storage portion 17b. The link holding member 420 corresponds to the "holding portion" of the present invention.

Each link mechanism 410 includes a first slider 440 , a second slider 450 and a link 460 .

The first slider 440 has a substantially oval disk shape and is fixed to the lower side surface of the base portion 300 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 . The first slider 440 is provided with two cylindrical sliding portions 441 aligned in the front-rear direction between the base portion 300 and the base portion 300 . A shaft portion 442 that protrudes outward is provided on the front side of the first slider 440 .

The second slider 450 has a substantially oval disk shape. The second slider 450 is provided with two cylindrical sliding portions 451 protruding inward so as to be aligned in the front-rear direction. A cylindrical projection 452 protrudes inward from the sliding portion 451 on the rear side. Further, the second slider 450 is provided with a mounting portion 453 having a rectangular plate with an inverted U-shaped cross section between the two sliding portions 451 . A mounting hole 453 a is formed in the mounting portion 453 . Further, the second slider 450 is provided with a shaft portion 454 protruding outward at its rear end, and a boss hole 455 is formed at its front end. Further, the second slider 450 on the right side is provided with an engaging piece 456 extending outward.

Link 460 has an elongated plate shape. The link 460 is formed with an elongated oval connecting hole 461 on one end side. The shaft portion 442 of the first slider 440 is slidably fitted into the connecting hole 461 . Thereby, one end side of the link 460 is connected to the first slider 440 . A connecting boss 462 is provided at the other end of the link 460 . The shaft portion 454 of the second slider 450 is rotatably fitted into the connecting boss 462 . Thereby, the other end side of the link 460 is connected to the second slider 450 . Further, the link 460 is formed with an oblong fixing hole 463 on the other end side.

The link holding member 420 holds the two left and right link mechanisms 410 . The link holding member 420 includes a base member 471 made of metal, and left and right side members 472 and 473 made of resin. The left side member 472 and the right side member 473 have laterally opposite shapes.

The base member 471 includes a bottom surface portion 471a, and a left side surface portion 471b and a right side surface portion 471c rising from both left and right ends of the bottom surface portion 471a. A left side member 472 and a right side member 473 are attached to the outside of the left side portion 471b and the right side portion 471c, respectively. A left side portion 420a of the link holding member 420 is configured by the left side portion 471b and the left side member 472. As shown in FIG. A right side portion 420 b of the link holding member 420 is configured by the right side portion 471 c and the right side member 473 .

A drainage receiver 70 is attached to the rear side of the base member 471 . The front portion of the drainage receiving portion 70 overlaps the bottom portion 471 a of the base member 471 .

A left side portion 420a and a right side portion 420b of the link holding member 420 are formed with a first slide hole 421 and a second slide hole 422 at the lower portion and the upper portion, respectively. The first slide hole 421 and the second slide hole 422 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.

A sliding portion 441 of the first slider 440 is inserted into the first slide hole 421 . As the sliding portion 441 slides in the first slide hole 421, the first slider 440 is guided by the first slide hole 421 and can slide in the front-rear direction. A sliding portion 451 of the second slider 450 is inserted into the second slide hole 422 . As the sliding portion 451 slides in the second slide hole 422, the second slider 450 is guided by the second slide hole 422 and can slide in the front-rear direction. Thus, the first slider 440 and the second slider 450 are held by the link holding member 420 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, that is, the pull-out direction, and the rearward direction, that is, the storage direction.

A cylindrical fixed shaft 423 is formed in the center of the upper portion of the left side portion 420a and the right side portion 420b. The fixed shaft 423 is inserted into the fixed hole 463 of the link 460 . The link 460 is rotatable in the longitudinal direction around the fixed shaft 423, and when one end moves forward or backward, the other end moves backward or forward opposite to the one end.

A washer 480 having an outer diameter larger than that of the fixing hole 463 is attached to the tip of the fixing shaft 423 . The link 460 does not come off from the fixed shaft 423 because the periphery of the fixed hole 463 is stopped by a washer 480 .

Mounting bosses 424 are formed at the upper front and rear ends of the left side surface portion 420a and the right side surface portion 420b, and mounting holes 425 are formed near the mounting bosses 424 at the rear end portion. Two mounting bosses 424 and mounting holes 425 are used when mounting the cover guide member 430 to the link holding member 420 . Each mounting boss 424 is hollow and has an opening 424a inside the left side 420a and right side 420b.

Cover guide member 430 includes a top surface portion 430a, and left side surface portion 430b and right side surface portion 430c hanging from both left and right ends of top surface portion 430a.

The top surface portion 430a has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. Flat rail surfaces 431 extending rearward from the front end are formed at the left and right ends of the top surface portion 430a. A mounting boss 432 is formed behind the rail surface 431 on the top surface portion 430a so as to face outward.

A rack guide groove 433 is formed in the central portion of the top surface portion 430a so as to extend in the front-rear direction. A rectangular cover portion 433a is formed at the rear portion of the rack guide groove 433 to cover the top of the groove. A motor mounting portion 434 and a pinion support portion 435 are provided on the left and right sides of the rear portion of the rack guide groove 433 on the top surface portion 430a, respectively. The motor mounting portion 434 includes a motor support portion 434 a facing the pinion support portion 435 . The pinion support portion 435 has a support shaft 435a protruding toward the motor support portion 434a.

A first switch mounting portion 436 is provided slightly to the right of the center of the rear end portion of the top surface portion 430a, and a second switch mounting portion 437 is provided to the rear side of the center of the right end portion. The first switch mounting portion 436 is formed with a pair of claw portions 436a and a pair of pins 436b projecting upward. The second switch mounting portion 437 is formed with a pair of claw portions 437a and a pair of pins 437b projecting rightward.

Fitting bosses 438 are formed at the front and rear ends of the left side portion 430b and the right side portion 430c.

A cover guide member 430 is attached to the upper end of the link holding member 420 . At this time, the two fitting bosses 438 of the left side portion 430b of the cover guide member 430 are fitted into the two mounting bosses 424 of the left side portion 420a of the link holding member 420 from the inside. The two fitting bosses 438 of 430c are fitted inside the two mounting bosses 424 of the right side portion 420b of the link holding member 420 .

Also, the mounting boss 432 of the left side surface portion 430b of the cover guide member 430 is aligned with the mounting hole 425 of the left side surface portion 420a of the link holding member 420, and the mounting boss 432 of the right side surface portion 430c of the cover guide member 430 aligns with the mounting hole 425 of the right side portion 420b of the . On both left and right sides, the mounting bosses 424 and fitting bosses 438 are fixed with screws (not shown), and the mounting bosses 432 are fixed in the mounting holes 425 with screws (not shown).

5(a), (b) and FIGS. 8(a), (b), motor 91 is mounted on motor mounting portion 434 of cover guide member 430. Referring to FIGS. A tip portion of the motor 91 is supported by the motor support portion 434a. As shown in FIG. 5A, the motor 91 is covered with a motor cover 93 from above.

The rack and pinion mechanism 500 includes a pinion 510 , a rack 520 and a connecting member 530 , converts rotational motion of the motor 91 into linear motion and transmits the linear motion to the link mechanism 410 . Specifically, the rack and pinion mechanism 500 slides the second slider 450 in the front-rear direction as the motor 91 rotates. Rack and pinion mechanism 500 corresponds to the transmission mechanism of the present invention.

The pinion 510 is attached to the rotating shaft 91 a of the motor 91 . A support shaft 435 a of the pinion support portion 435 is inserted into a shaft hole 511 formed in the tip surface of the pinion 510 . As a result, the tip side of the pinion 510 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 435a. Rack 520 is elongated in the front-rear direction, is housed in rack guide groove 433 and meshes with pinion 510 . The cover portion 433a covers the rear side of the rack 520 from above.

The connecting member 530 is elongated in the left-right direction and includes a main body member 531 made of resin and a reinforcing member 532 made of metal. Rack 520 is formed integrally with body member 531 so as to extend rearward from the central portion of body member 531 .

The main body member 531 is provided with rectangular parallelepiped mounting bosses 533 and circular insertion holes 534 opening outward at the left and right ends. A mounting hole 533 a is formed in the mounting boss 533 . A detected portion 535 is provided inside the right end portion of the body member 531 . The detected portion 535 has a rectangular plate shape with a bulging rear end portion.

The reinforcing member 532 is fixed to the main body member 531 by three screws 536 so as to cover the front surface and upper surface of the main body member 531 . By reinforcing the main body member 531 with the reinforcing member 532, the rigidity of the connecting member 530 is increased.

Left and right ends of the connecting member 530 are attached to the left and right second sliders 450 . At this time, the left and right mounting bosses 533 of the connecting member 530 are fitted into the mounting portions 453 of the left and right second sliders 450 from below and fixed with screws (not shown). The protrusions 452 of the left and right second sliders 450 are inserted into the left and right insertion holes 534 of the connecting member 530 .

The automatic loading/unloading device 90 includes a storage detection switch 710 for detecting that the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 has been stored in the storage portion 17, and a drawer for detecting that the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 has been pulled out into the inlet 14. A detection switch 720 is provided. Storage detection switch 710 and drawer detection switch 720 are, for example, microswitches. The storage detection switch 710 corresponds to the storage detection section of the present invention, and the drawer detection switch 720 corresponds to the drawer detection section of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the storage detection switch 710 is mounted on the first switch mounting portion 436 and fixed by a pair of claws 436a and a pair of pins 436b. The drawer detection switch 720 is mounted on the second switch mounting portion 437 and fixed by a pair of claws 437a and a pair of pins 437b.

9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining the storage detection switch 710 and the drawer detection switch 720, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the storage detection switch 710 has a push button 712 projecting outward from a switch body 711 and a lever 713 that contacts the push button 712 . The storage detection switch 710 is mounted on the first switch mounting portion 436 so that the push button 712 and the lever 713 are positioned on the left side of the switch body portion 711 . When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored in the storage portion 17 , the detected portion 124 of the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 that has moved backward comes into contact with the lever 713 , and the push button 712 is pushed into the switch body portion 711 . . As a result, the storage detection switch 710 is turned on and an on signal is output.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the drawer detection switch 720 has a push button 722 projecting outward from a switch body 721 and a lever 723 that contacts the push button 722 . The drawer detection switch 720 is attached to the second switch attachment portion 437 so that the push button 712 and the lever 713 are positioned below the switch body portion 721 . When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out into the inlet 14 , the detected portion 535 of the connecting member 530 that has moved backward comes into contact with the lever 723 , and the push button 722 is pushed into the switch main body portion 721 . As a result, the drawer detection switch 720 is turned on and an on signal is output.

5A, 5B and 6, cover 19 is made of a translucent resin material. The cover 19 includes a substantially rectangular plate-shaped body portion 610 that covers the entrance/exit 18, and side portions 620 that are provided at both left and right ends of the body portion 610 and extend rearward. The rear edge of the side surface portion 620 has a recessed portion 621 recessed forward in the upper portion, and a linear portion 622 extending linearly below the recessed portion 621 .

A rotating shaft 630 that protrudes outward is provided at the upper end of each side surface portion 620 . The rotating shaft 630 is rotatably fitted in the boss hole 455 of the second slider 450 . Thereby, the upper end of the cover 19 is connected to the second slider 450 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, that is, in the direction of opening and closing the entrance 18 . A torsion spring 640 is attached to a rotation shaft 630 on the right side of the cover 19 .

The torsion spring 640 has one end engaged with the engaging body 650 attached to the rotating shaft 630 and the other end engaged with the engaging piece 456 of the second slider 450 . A torsion spring 640 biases the cover 19 in the direction in which the doorway 18 is closed.

Next, the operation of taking the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 into and out of the storage section 17 and the operation of opening and closing the cover 19 accompanying this operation will be described.

FIG. 10(a) is a diagram showing how the cover 19 is opened. FIG. 10B is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the device holding portion 428. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 10(a), the front end of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 is indicated by a dashed line for convenience.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed in the housing portion 17, that is, the device housing portion 17a, the first slider 440 is positioned at the rear end portion of the first slide hole 421. . One end of the link 460 connected to the first slider 440 is positioned rearward and the other end is positioned forward. In rack and pinion mechanism 500, connecting member 530 connected to second slider 450 is positioned foremost, and rack 520 is positioned foremost.

When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 housed in the device housing portion 17a is pulled out into the inlet 14, the motor 91 rotates in the first direction, that is, in the counterclockwise direction when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is viewed from the right side. , the pinion 510 rotates in the same direction. When the pinion 510 rotates in the first direction, the rack 520 moves backward, which is the direction for pulling out the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 into the inlet 14 . As a result, the connecting member 530 and the second slider 450 move rearward. The link 460 rotates, the other end moves backward, and the one end moves forward. The first slider 440 slides forward, and as shown in FIG. 5B, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out from the device housing portion 17a. An ultrasonic cleaning device 50 protrudes inside the inlet 14 .

As shown in FIG. 10A, when the second slider 450 starts to slide rearward, the recessed portion 621 of the side surface portion 620 of the cover 19 contacts the front end portion of the cover guide member 430 . Then, as the second slider 450 slides rearward, the cover 19 is opened and stored in the cover storage portion 17b while the concave portion 621 remains in contact with the front end portion of the cover guide member 430 . When the cover 19 is opened to a substantially horizontal state, the linear portion 622 of the side portion 620 of the cover 19 rides on the rail surface 431 and then moves rearward on the rail surface 431 .

At this time, the side surface portion 620 of the cover 19 that protrudes rearward from the body portion 610 contacts the front end portion of the cover guide member 430 . Therefore, the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 that has moved forward does not hit the main body 610 of the cover 19, and the cover 19 reaches a substantially horizontal state. Therefore, collision of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 with the body portion 610 of the cover 19 can be prevented.

In this manner, when the second slider 450 slides rearward, the side surface portion 620 of the cover 19 comes into contact with the cover guide member 430 and is guided to the cover housing portion 17b while being opened.

As shown in FIG. 5(b), when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out to the end and the first slider 440 reaches the front end of the first slide hole 421, the second slider 450 moves to the rear of the second slide hole 422. reach the end. As a result, the cover 19 is completely housed in the cover housing portion 17b. The lower end of the cover 19 slightly protrudes forward from the cover storage portion 17b.

As shown in FIG. 10(b), a pair of upper and lower protrusions 427 are provided on the left side surface portion 420a and the right side surface portion 420b of the link holding member 420 at the distal end portions of the peripheral ribs 426 surrounding the first slide hole 421. . Also, each first slider 440 is formed with a pair of concave portions 443 at the upper end and the lower end of the front portion. A pair of protrusions 427 and a pair of recesses 443 constitute a device holding portion 428 .

When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out into the inlet 14 to the end, the pair of protrusions 427 are engaged with the pair of recesses 443 . The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is held by the device holding portion 428 so as to remain in the final pulled-out position. This makes it difficult for the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 drawn into the inlet 14 to move toward the housing 17 . Note that when the front portion of the first slider 440 passes through the positions of the pair of projections 427 , the pair of projections 427 are pushed up and down by the front portion of the first slider 440 .

The holding force of the device holding portion 428 is weaker than the force with which the moving mechanism 92 moves the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 by the power of the motor 91 . Therefore, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is moved backward by the operation of the moving mechanism 92, the holding by the device holding portion 428 is released.

When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 pulled out into the inlet 14 is stored in the device storage portion 17a, the motor 91 rotates in the second direction, that is, in the clockwise direction when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is viewed from the right side. , and the pinion 510 rotates in the same direction. When the pinion 510 rotates in the second direction, the rack 520 moves forward, which is the direction for housing the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 in the housing portion 17 .

As a result, the connecting member 530 and the second slider 450 move forward. The link 460 rotates, the other end moves forward, and the one end moves rearward. The first slider 440 slides backward, and the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed in the device housing portion 17a as shown in FIG. 5(a). The cover 19 is closed and the doorway 18 is closed by the cover 19 .

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fully automatic washing machine 1. As shown in FIG.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 includes an operation unit 810, a display unit 820, and a water level sensor 830 in addition to the configuration described above.

The operation unit 810 includes a power button 811 for turning on and off the power of the fully automatic washing machine 1, a start button 812 for starting and pausing the operation, and a plurality of operation courses related to the washing operation. Various operation buttons such as a course selection button 813 for selecting a course and a cleaning button 814 for selecting a cleaning operation are included. The operation unit 810 outputs an input signal to the control unit 16 according to the operation button operated by the user.

The display unit 820 has a display element such as an LED, and performs various types of display such as display of the operation course selected by the course selection button 813, display of the progress of steps in the washing operation, display of abnormality, and the like.

The water level sensor 830 detects the water level inside the washing/dehydrating tub 22 , that is, inside the outer tub 20 , and outputs a water level signal corresponding to the detected water level to the control section 16 .

The storage detection switch 710 turns on when it detects that the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 has been stored in the storage section 17 , and outputs an ON signal to the control section 16 . The storage detection switch 710 is turned off while the storage of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is not detected, and outputs an off signal to the control unit 16 .

The drawer detection switch 720 turns on when it detects that the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 has been drawn into the inlet 14 , and outputs an on signal to the controller 16 . The drawer detection switch 720 is turned off while not detecting the drawing of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and outputs an off signal to the control unit 16 .

The control unit 16 includes a microcomputer, various drive circuits, etc., and controls the display unit 820, the drive motor 31, the clutch, etc. based on signals from the operation unit 810, the water level sensor 830, the storage detection switch 710, the drawer detection switch 720, and the like. It controls the mechanism 32a, the water supply device 80, the drain valve 40, the supply valve 61, the ultrasonic vibrator 111, the motor 91, and the like.

In the fully automatic washing machine 1, washing operations of various operation courses can be performed. In the washing operation, a washing process, an intermediate dehydration process, a rinsing process and a final dehydration process are performed in order.

In the washing process and the rinsing process, the pulsator 24 rotates rightward and leftward while water is stored in the washing/dehydrating tub 22 . The rotation of the pulsator 24 generates a water flow in the washing/dehydrating tub 22 . 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 laundry is rinsed by the generated water flow. When water is supplied in the washing process, detergent is automatically supplied into the washing/dehydrating tub 22 by the water supply device 80 . Also, during the water supply in the rinsing process, the water supply device 80 automatically feeds the softener into the washing/dehydrating tub 22 .

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

The fully automatic washing machine 1 can perform a cleaning operation using the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 .

When performing the cleaning operation, the user presses the cleaning button 814 to select the cleaning operation, and then presses the start button 812 . This starts the cleaning operation. At the start of the cleaning operation, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is housed in the housing portion 17a, that is, in the housing portion 17a.

FIG. 12(a) is a flow chart showing control processing executed by the control unit 16 in the cleaning operation.

Referring to FIG. 12(a), when the cleaning operation is started, the control unit 16 sequentially executes the extraction/water supply process, the cleaning process and the storage process (S1 to S3).

FIG. 12(b) is a flow chart showing control processing executed by the control unit 16 in the withdrawal/water supply process. FIG. 13(a) is a flow chart showing control processing executed by the control unit 16 in the cleaning process. FIG. 13(b) is a flow chart showing control processing executed by the control unit 16 in the storage process. 14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining the drawing operation of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 in the drawing and water supply process.

Referring to FIG. 12(b), when the withdrawal/water supply process is started, the control unit 16 causes the motor 91 to rotate in the first direction so that the automatic loading/unloading device 90 moves the inside of the inlet 14 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. Starting withdrawal to (S101). Next, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the storage detection switch 710 is turned off (S102).

When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is completely housed in the housing portion 17, the housing detection switch 710 is turned on by the contact of the detected portion 124, as shown in FIG. 9(a). At this time, the valve movable member 230 is in contact with the rear wall of the drainage receiving portion 70, and the drainage port 211 of the water storage tank 210 is open. When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 moves forward, that is, toward the input port 14 side, the detected portion 124 moves away, thereby turning off the storage detection switch 710 . Also, the valve movable member 230 is separated from the rear wall of the drainage receiving portion 70 , the drainage port 211 is closed by the valve body 220 , and the cleaning water can be stored in the water storage tank 210 .

When the control unit 16 determines that the storage detection switch 710 is turned off (S102: YES), it starts operating the water supply device 80 to start supplying wash water into the water tank 210 (S103). Wash water generated by the water supply device 80 is temporarily stored in the storage tank 60 . After that, the supply valve 61 is opened by the controller 16 , and the wash water in the storage tank 60 is supplied into the water storage tank 210 through the supply nozzle 62 . As a result, wash water accumulates in the water tank 210 .

As described above, after confirming that the storage detection switch 710 is turned off, that is, after confirming that the drain port 211 is in a closed state, the supply of washing water to the water tank 210 is started. , it is possible to prevent the cleaning water from being supplied while the drain port 211 is open.

Next, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the drawer detection switch 720 is turned on (S104). When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out into the inlet 14, as shown in FIG. 9B, the drawer detection switch 720 is turned on by the contact of the detected portion 535. As shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, when the drawer detection switch 720 is turned on, that is, when the drawer detection switch 720 detects that the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 has been drawn into the inlet 14, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out to the end. 14, the engagement between the pair of protrusions 427 and the pair of recesses 443 allows the device holding portion 428 to be positioned closer to the storage portion 17 than the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is held. exists in

When the control unit 16 determines that the drawer detection switch 720 has been turned on (S102: YES), it then waits for a predetermined period of time to pass (S105). Then, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed (S105: YES), the control unit 16 stops the motor 91 to stop pulling out the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 into the inlet 14 (S106).

When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 continues to move for a predetermined period of time, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. do.

When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the automatic loading/unloading device 90 are actually assembled, the position of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, that is, the first slider 440 when the drawer detection switch 720 detects the drawer is determined by the accuracy of the parts. , it is difficult to achieve the position as designed. Therefore, if the movement of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stopped at the timing when the drawer detection switch 720 detects that the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 has been pulled out, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 that has been pulled out can be accurately detected. is difficult to stop at the position held by the device holding portion 428 .

In the present embodiment, the predetermined time is adjusted according to the actual position of ultrasonic cleaning device 50 when drawer detection switch 720 detects that ultrasonic cleaning device 50 has been pulled out. As a result, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 that has been pulled out can be accurately stopped at the position where it is held by the device holding portion 428 based on the detection of the drawing by the drawer detection switch 720 .

When the withdrawal of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 into the inlet 14 is stopped in this manner, the withdrawal/water supply process is completed.

Normally, the time required to store cleaning water in the water tank 210 is longer than the time required to pull out the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 from the storage portion 17 into the inlet 14 . Therefore, when the withdrawal/water supply process ends, the supply of wash water to the water tank 210 continues.

In step S101, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is started to be drawn into the inlet 14, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the time limit has elapsed since the drawing was started (S107). The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may not move due to an abnormality in the automatic loading/unloading device 90 such as the motor 91 not rotating. In this case, the time limit elapses without the storage detection switch 710 being turned off. When the time limit elapses (S107: YES), the control unit 16 stops the cleaning operation (S108), and performs an abnormality notification by the display unit 820 (S109).

After the withdrawal/water supply step (S1) is finished, the washing step (S2) is started.

With reference to FIG. 13A, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the energization start timing for starting energization of the ultrasonic transducer 111 has arrived (S201).

For example, if the supply nozzle 62 has a configuration in which the cleaning water discharge port provided at the tip of the supply nozzle enters into the water tank 210 from above, the water level in the water tank 210 reaches the height of the lower end of the discharge port. When it rises and the discharge port is blocked with cleansing water, the water pressure of the cleansing water from inside the storage tank 60 is balanced with the atmospheric pressure, and the water supply from the storage tank 60 is stopped while the supply valve 61 remains open. Stop. In this case, after the supply valve 61 is opened, the controller 16 determines that the energization start timing has arrived when a predetermined waiting time longer than the time required for supplying the wash water to the water tank 210 has passed. do.

After cleaning water is stored in the water tank 210 and before the power supply start timing arrives, the user moves the dirty part of the object to be cleaned between the water tank 210 and the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 . is set between A dirty portion of the object to be cleaned is immersed in the cleaning water, and the cleaning water that has permeated the inside of the object to be cleaned seeps out to the surface. A thin water layer is formed on the surface of the object to be cleaned, and the vibrating horn 112 comes into contact with this water layer.

When the energization start timing arrives (S201: YES), the control unit 16 starts energizing the ultrasonic transducer 111 (S202). The ultrasonic wave generator 110 is activated and ultrasonic waves are generated from the tip of the vibrating horn 112 . Dirt is removed from the object to be cleaned by the action of ultrasonic waves. At this time, the detergency is increased by adding the force of the detergent.

When a predetermined operating time has elapsed since the ultrasonic wave generator 110 started operating (S203: YES), the control unit 16 stops energizing the ultrasonic transducer 111 (S204). Thus, the cleaning process is completed.

After the washing step (S2) is finished, the storage step (S3) is started. A storage button may be provided on the operation unit 810, and the storage process may be started when the storage button is pressed after the cleaning process is completed.

Referring to FIG. 13(b), control unit 16 rotates motor 91 in the second direction, and automatic loading/unloading device 90 starts storing ultrasonic cleaning device 50 in storage unit 17 (S301). . Next, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the storage detection switch 710 is turned on (S302).

When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is completely housed in the housing portion 17, the housing detection switch 710 is turned on by the contact of the detected portion 124, as shown in FIG. 9(a). When the control unit 16 determines that the storage detection switch 710 has been turned on (S302: YES), it stops the motor 91 to stop storing the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 in the storage unit 17 (S303). Thus, the storage process is finished.

In step S301, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 has started to be stored in the storage unit 17. The control unit 16 determines whether or not the time limit has passed since the start of storage (S304). If the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 does not move due to an abnormality in the automatic loading/unloading device 90, the time limit elapses without the storage detection switch 710 being turned on. When the time limit elapses (S304: YES), the control unit 16 stops the cleaning operation (S305), and performs an abnormality notification by the display unit 820 (S306).

When the storage step (S3) ends, the cleaning operation ends.

When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, that is, the water storage part 200 is stored in the storage part 17, the valve body 220 is separated from the drain port 211 by the operation of the valve movable member 230 to open the drain port 211. FIG. As a result, the wash water in the water tank 210 is discharged through the drain port 211 to the waste water receiver 70, flows through the drain pipe 72, the overflow pipe 26 and the drain hose 41, and is discharged out of the machine.

<Effect of Embodiment>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 92 moves the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 accommodated in the accommodating portion 17 into the inlet 14 by rotating the motor 91 in the first direction. By rotating in the second direction, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 pulled out into the inlet 14 is moved into the storage section 17 . This eliminates the need for the user to manually put the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 in and out of the storage section 17 when using it. Therefore, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 can be easily taken in and out of the storage section 17 .

In addition, the washing water in the water tank 210 does not get on the user's hand when it is stored. Furthermore, since the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 can be moved at an appropriate speed when stored, the cleaning water is less likely to scatter from the water tank 210 and the inside of the storage section 17 is prevented from being wetted with the cleaning water.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 92 meshes with the pinion 510 fixed to the rotating shaft 91 a of the motor 91 , and the rotation of the pinion 510 moves the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 into the inlet 14 . and a rack 520 that linearly moves in a direction for pulling it out and a direction for storing it in the storage portion 17 . Thereby, the rotary motion of the motor 91 can be converted into linear motion, and the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 can be linearly moved between the storage portion 17 and the inlet 14 .

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when the drawer detection switch 720 detects that the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 has been drawn into the inlet 14, the motor 91 rotating in the first direction is stopped, and the storage detection switch The motor 91 rotating in the second direction is stopped when the ultrasonic cleaning device 710 detects that the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored in the storage portion 17 . As a result, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 can be reliably pulled out into the inlet 14 and stored in the storage portion 17 .

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out to a position closer to the housing portion 17 than the position held by the device holding portion 428, the drawer detection switch 720 detects the ultrasonic cleaning device. 50 is detected, and the motor 91 is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed since the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 was detected to be pulled out. Therefore, by adjusting the predetermined time according to the actual position of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 when the drawer detection switch 720 detects the drawing of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, based on the detection of the drawing by the drawer detection switch 720, It is possible to accurately stop the pulled-out ultrasonic cleaning device 50 at the position held by the device holding portion 428 .

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, while the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is moving toward the inlet 14 due to the rotation of the motor 91 in the first direction, the supply of cleaning water by the water supply device 80 is started. . As a result, the time from the start of the cleaning operation to the completion of the supply of cleaning water into the water tank 210 and the operation of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 can be shortened.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 92 opens and closes the cover 19 in conjunction with the movement of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 into and out of the storage section 17 . As a result, it is possible to simplify the configuration for realizing the function of automatically inserting and removing the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the function of automatically opening and closing the cover 19 .

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 modified in various ways other than those described above. .

For example, in the above embodiment, moving mechanism 92 is configured to include two left and right link mechanisms 410 , link holding member 420 , cover guiding member 430 and rack and pinion mechanism 500 . However, the moving mechanism 92 moves the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 accommodated in the accommodation portion 17 into the inlet 14 by rotating the motor 91 in the first direction, and is introduced by rotating the motor 91 in the second direction. Any configuration may be employed as long as the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 pulled out into the port 14 can be moved into the storage section 17 . For example, in the moving mechanism 92, the rack 520 and the pinion 510 are arranged behind the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, and the tip of the rack 520 is connected directly or via a connecting member to the rear part of the water storage part 200 or the base part 300. It may be configured to be

In this case, the motor 91 is arranged behind the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 , and the pinion 510 is fixed to the rotating shaft 91 a of the motor 91 . Rotation of the motor 91 in the first direction causes the rack 520 to move forward, that is, in the pull-out direction, whereby the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out into the inlet 14 . moves backward, that is, in the storage direction, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored in the storage section 17 .

However, when the movement mechanism 92 is configured as in the above embodiment, the rack and pinion mechanism 500 and the motor 91 can be arranged on the top surface portion 430a that constitutes the upper portion of the storage portion 17. The size of the rear part in the longitudinal direction does not increase.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the connecting member 530 is connected to the second slider 450 so that the second slider 450 slides as the rack 520 moves. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the connecting member 530 is connected to the first slider 440 so that the first slider 440 slides as the rack 520 moves.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the drawer detection switch 720 is used as the drawer detection unit for detecting that the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is drawn into the inlet 14 , and the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is detected by the storage unit 17 . A storage detection switch 710 is used as a storage detection unit that detects that the storage device has been stored inside. However, sensors having other configurations, such as photosensors and reed switches, may be used as the drawer detection unit and storage detection unit.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the moving mechanism 92 is configured to open and close the cover 19 in conjunction with the movement of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 into and out of the storage section 17 . However, the moving mechanism 92 may be configured not to open and close the cover 19 . In this case, for example, the cover 19 is not connected to the second slider 450 but is rotatably fixed to another supporting portion, and is pushed upward by the ultrasonic cleaning section 100 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 pulled out. It can be configured to rotate and open.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the wash water generated by the water supply device 80 is temporarily stored in the storage tank 60 and then supplied from the storage tank 60 to the water storage tank 210 . However, the storage tank 60 may not be provided, and washing water may be supplied directly from the water supply device 80 to the water storage tank 210 .

Furthermore, 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 horizontal direction.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the moving mechanism 92 stores the opened cover 19 in the cover storage portion 17b. However, the moving mechanism 92 may not store the opened cover 19 in the cover storage portion 17b.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the storage section 17 is provided at the rear portion of the top plate 12, and the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled forward. However, the storage part 17 may be provided on the left or right part of the top plate 12 and the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may be pulled out rightward or leftward.

Further, the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 has a water tank 210 in which cleaning water is stored, and causes the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic wave generator 110 to act on the object to be cleaned immersed in the cleaning water in the water tank 210. The configuration may be different from the configuration of the above-described embodiment as long as it removes dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, water containing detergent is stored in water tank 210 as washing water. However, water containing no detergent may be stored in the water tank 210 as the wash water.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the fully automatic washing machine 1 including 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 addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea indicated in the scope of claims.

1 fully automatic washing machine (washing machine)
12 top plate
14 inlet
16 control unit
17 Storage part
18 doorway
19 cover
22 Washing and dehydrating tub (washing tub)
50 ultrasonic cleaner
80 Water supply equipment
90 Automatic entrance/exit device
91 motor
92 movement mechanism
110 ultrasonic generator
210 water tank
410 link mechanism
420 link holding member (holding part)
428 device holder
440 1st slider
450 second slider
460 Link
500 rack and pinion mechanism (transmission mechanism)
510 pinion
520 rack
710 storage detection switch (storage detector)
720 drawer detection switch (drawer detector)

Claims (6)

a washing tub in which the laundry is stored;
a top plate disposed above the washing tub and having an opening for loading laundry into the washing tub;
An ultrasonic wave generated by an ultrasonic wave generator acts on an object to be cleaned immersed in the cleaning water in the water tank, and adheres to the object to be cleaned. an ultrasonic cleaning device that removes dirt from the
a storage unit provided in the upper plate and storing the ultrasonic cleaning device;
a motor rotatable in a first direction and a second direction;
By rotating the motor in the first direction, the ultrasonic cleaning device stored in the storage portion is moved into the inlet, and by rotating the motor in the second direction, the ultrasonic cleaning device is pulled out into the inlet. a moving mechanism for moving the ultrasonic cleaning device into the housing;
A washing machine comprising: In the washing machine according to claim 1,
The moving mechanism is
a pinion fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor;
a rack that meshes with the pinion and linearly moves in a direction to pull out the ultrasonic cleaning device into the inlet and a direction to store the ultrasonic cleaning device in the storage unit by rotation of the pinion;
A washing machine characterized by: In the washing machine according to claim 1 or 2,
a drawer detection unit that detects that the ultrasonic cleaning device has been drawn into the inlet;
a storage detection unit that detects that the ultrasonic cleaning device has been stored in the storage unit;
a control unit that controls the motor,
The control unit
stopping the motor based on the fact that the drawer detection unit detects the drawing of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus after rotating the motor in the first direction;
After rotating the motor in the second direction, the motor is stopped based on the fact that the storage detection unit detects that the ultrasonic cleaning device is stored;
A washing machine characterized by: In the washing machine according to claim 3,
further comprising a device holding unit that holds the ultrasonic cleaning device pulled out into the inlet with a holding force weaker than the force with which the moving mechanism moves the ultrasonic cleaning device;
The drawer detection unit detects the drawer of the ultrasonic cleaning device when the ultrasonic cleaning device is pulled out to a position closer to the storage unit than the position held by the device holding unit,
The control unit stops the motor after a predetermined time has elapsed since the drawer detection unit detected that the ultrasonic cleaning device was drawn out.
A washing machine characterized by: In the washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
a water supply device for supplying the wash water to the water tank;
A control unit that controls the motor and the water supply device,
The control unit causes the water supply device to start supplying the cleaning water while the ultrasonic cleaning device is moving toward the inlet due to the rotation of the motor in the first direction.
A washing machine characterized by: In the washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
a doorway provided in the upper plate for taking the ultrasonic cleaning device into and out of the housing;
a cover that covers the entrance when the ultrasonic cleaning device is housed in the housing,
The moving mechanism is
a first slider connected to the ultrasonic cleaning device;
a second slider to which the cover is rotatably connected in a direction to open and close the entrance;
a holding portion that holds the first slider and the second slider slidably in a drawing direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is pulled out from the storage portion and in a storage direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is stored in the storage portion; ,
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 a direction opposite to the direction in which the one end side moves, thereby opposite to the direction in which the first slider slides. a link that slides the second slider in a direction;
When the motor rotates in the first direction, the first slider is slid in the pull-out direction and the second slider is slid in the storage direction. a transmission mechanism that slides the first slider in the storage direction and slides the second slider in the pull-out direction,
The cover opens when the second slider slides in the storage direction, and closes when the second slider slides in the pull-out direction.
A washing machine characterized by:

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