JP2024026813A - washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve a water feeding path.SOLUTION: A washing machine comprises: a water tank to store water; a water supply valve that is connected to a water supply source and electromagnetically performs opening and closing operation; a water feeding path for feeding water coming from the water supply valve into the water tank; and an automatic feeding device that has a tank for storing a washing treatment agent usable in multiple times of washing and a feed section disposed in the middle of the water feeding path and feeds the washing treatment agent in the tank to the feed section. When manual feeding of the washing treatment agent is selected, the feed section is washed with the water passing through the feed section during water feeding.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to washing machines.

For example, in a drum-type washing machine that automatically performs washing operations, a drawer-type detergent storage case is generally provided at the upper front part of the main body, and the user can load the required amount of detergent and fabric softener into the detergent storage case before starting washing. By storing the agents, they are supplied into the water tank along with the water supply during the washing operation. In recent years, in order to meet the demands of users for improved convenience, in addition to manual detergent storage cases, laundry processing agents such as detergent and fabric softener can be stored in tanks for multiple times in advance, and the required amount can be dispensed during washing operations. It has been considered to provide an automatic detergent dispenser that automatically dispenses detergent from a tank into an aquarium (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-11618

In the above conventional device, a manual detergent storage case was provided at the front of the upper part of the main body, an automatic detergent dosing device was provided at the rear of the case, and a water supply valve was provided at the rear of the main body. . Therefore, in the conventional configuration, when replenishing the tank with laundry treatment agent, for example, the user had to work with his/her arm fully extended to the rear of the washing machine, resulting in poor workability. Furthermore, since the water supply path extends from the water supply valve at the rear of the main body to the detergent storage case at the front of the main body, the water supply path is relatively long.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that is equipped with an automatic detergent injection device, can improve the workability for replenishing detergent, and can have a relatively short water supply route.

The washing machine of the embodiment includes a water tank in which water is stored, a water supply valve that is connected to a water supply source and opens and closes electromagnetically, a water supply path that supplies water from the water supply valve into the water tank, and a plurality of water supply channels. an automatic loading device comprising: a tank for storing a detergent treatment agent usable for washing; and a supply section provided in the middle of the water supply route, and supplying the laundry treatment agent in the tank to the supply section; Be prepared. When manual input of the laundry treatment agent is selected, the supply section is cleaned by water passing through the supply section when water is supplied.

A perspective view showing the external appearance of a drum-type washing machine, showing the first embodiment. Top view of drum type washing machine top view of aquarium Left side view of the aquarium Top view of water supply route Front view of water supply route Left side view of water supply route This shows the second embodiment, and is a top view of the main part showing the first water supply route. Top view of main parts showing the second water supply route Rear view of water supply mechanism Front view of the first water supply route Right side view of main parts

(1) First Embodiment A first embodiment applied to a drum-type washing machine (washer/dryer) that also has a drying function will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. 1 and 2 show the appearance of the upper part of a drum-type washing machine as a washing machine according to this embodiment. Moreover, FIGS. 3 and 4 show the external appearance of the water tank of the drum-type washing machine with the outer box removed.

Here, the main body (outer box) 1 of the drum-type washing machine has a substantially rectangular box shape, and the front part of the main body 1 has a circular entrance 2 located approximately in the center through which clothes are taken in and taken out. A door 3 is provided so as to be openable and closable in order to open and close the entrance 2. A power switch 4 and an operation panel 5 are provided on the front right side of the top surface of the main body 1. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, inside the main body 1, there is a water tank 6, which has a substantially cylindrical shape with an open front and which communicates with the entrance/exit port 2 and stores washing water, through an elastic support mechanism (not shown). and is elastically supported.

Although not shown in detail, a drum is provided in the water tank 6 as a storage tank in which clothes are stored. This drum has a cylindrical shape with a diameter slightly smaller than that of the water tank 6, and the center portion on the back side thereof is connected to a drive mechanism such as a drum motor and is driven to rotate. Further, inside the main body 1, a water supply mechanism 7 is provided, which is located on the upper left side of the water tank 6 and supplies water into the water tank 6. This water supply mechanism 7 will be described later. Although not shown, a drain port is provided at the rear bottom of the water tank 6, and a drain pipe is connected to this drain port via a drain valve.

Although not shown in the drawings, a drying mechanism is provided in the main body 1 for circulating and supplying drying hot air into the water tank 6 (drum). This drying mechanism includes a drying air circulation duct that forms an air path outside the water tank 6 from the exhaust port 8 (see FIG. 3) on the upper right side of the water tank 6 to the air supply port on the left side of the back side of the water tank 6. At the same time, a heat pump and a blower device are provided in the middle of the dry air to generate dry air by dehumidifying and heating the circulating air. A filter unit 9 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) for capturing lint from the drying air is installed in a portion of the drying air circulation duct that extends from the exhaust port 8 toward the right side of the upper part of the main body 1 toward the rear. is provided so that it can be taken in and taken out.

Now, the water supply mechanism 7 will be described with reference also to FIGS. 5 to 7. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the water supply mechanism 7 includes a water supply valve unit 10 provided at the rear of the upper left side of the main body 1, and an automatic detergent dispenser 11 provided at the front of the upper left side of the main body 1. , a water injection case 12 and a manual storage case 13 provided between them, a main water supply path 14 connecting from the water supply valve unit 10 to the water injection case 12, a water supply duct 15 for supplying water from the water injection case 12 to the water tank 6, etc. It is equipped with In this embodiment, the detergent (liquid and powder) and softener (softer) can be supplied into the water tank 6 automatically and manually.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, etc., the water supply valve unit 10 is constructed by assembling a main water supply valve 16 and a softener water supply valve 17, which are electromagnetically opened and closed, on the left and right sides of a frame 10a. The water supply valve unit 10 is also provided with a duct cleaning water supply valve 18 (see FIG. 7) located below the main water supply valve 16. As shown in FIG. 2, a connection port 19 is provided at the top of the water supply valve unit 10 so as to be exposed on the top surface of the main body 1, and a water faucet serving as a water supply source is connected to this connection port 19. . The connection port 19 branches into two at the bottom and is connected to an inlet of the main water supply valve 16 and an inlet of the softener water supply valve 17, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5, the outlet of the main water supply valve 16 is connected to the inlet of the main water supply route 14, and the outlet of the softener water supply valve 17 is connected to the inlet of the softener water supply route 20. has been done. The main water supply route 14 and the softener water supply route 20 will be described later. Incidentally, a water supply pump 21 for pumping up remaining hot water from the bath is incorporated on the right side of the water supply valve unit 10. Further, the duct cleaning water supply valve 18 is for washing a part of the dry air circulation duct (near the exhaust port 8) with water.

The water injection case 12 is made of plastic and has a rectangular box shape that is slightly oblong when viewed from above, and the manual storage case 13 is mounted on the top surface of the water injection case 12 . As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the upper end, which is the base end of the water supply duct 15, is connected to the lower end of the water injection case 12, and the lower end, which is the tip of the water supply duct 15, is connected to the water tank 6. connected to the water inlet.

As shown in FIG. 5 etc., the manual storage case 13 is made of plastic and has a manual detergent storage section 13a and a manual softener storage section 13b, both of which are shaped like thin containers with open tops, on the right and left sides. It is lined up and integrated. The manual detergent storage section 13a stores, for example, a single dose of detergent (powdered detergent), and the manual softener storage section 13b stores a single dose of fabric softener (hereinafter simply referred to as "softener"). ) will be accommodated as necessary. In this case, the manual detergent storage section 13a is larger than the manual softener storage section 13b, that is, it is configured to have a wider width and a larger capacity.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an opening corresponding to the upper surface of the manual storage case 13 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 1, and a lid 22 for opening and closing the opening is provided so as to be operable to open and close. ing. The user opens the lid 22 and manually stores detergent and fabric softener for one load of laundry. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, a water inlet 23 is provided at the upper front end of the manual detergent accommodating section 13a, and a water softener inlet 24 is provided at the upper rear end of the manual softener accommodating section 13b. It is provided. Further, although not shown in detail, a discharge hole for draining water into the water injection case 12 is provided at the bottom of the manual detergent storage section 13a and the manual softener storage section 13b.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the main water supply path 14 extends forward almost horizontally from the outlet of the main water supply valve 16 through the left side of the water injection case 12. Once it passes, it bends downward at an almost right angle, and at the bottom, it turns almost at a right angle to the right. The lower part of the front side of the water injection case 12 extends to the right, is bent at a substantially right angle at the right end, extends upward, and is connected to the water injection port 23 . Note that the rising portion of the main water supply path 14 that connects to the water inlet 23 is configured to have a smaller cross-sectional area than other portions, and is configured such that the water supply rises to the water inlet 23 due to water pressure.

Now, as shown by thick arrows in FIGS. 5 to 7, when the main water supply valve 16 is opened, the tap water supplied from the connection port 19 flows into the main water supply path 14 and flows forward. The water then flows downward, further flows to the right at the front lower part of the water injection case 12, rises, and is then supplied from the water injection port 23 into the manual detergent storage section 13a. The water supplied to the manual detergent storage section 13a flows into the lower water injection case 12 as it is, or while dissolving the detergent if detergent is stored in the manual detergent storage section 13a, and flows into the water injection case 12 below. 12 and is supplied into the water tank 6 through a water supply duct 15.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the central part of the main water supply path 14 extending from left to right on the lower front side of the water injection case 12 is connected to the detergent supply section 25 of the automatic detergent dispensing device 11. It is said that Therefore, the detergent supply section 25 is provided on the upstream side of the main water supply path 14, and the manual detergent storage section 13a is provided on the downstream side thereof. As will be described later, a required amount of detergent or softener is automatically supplied to the detergent supply section 25 by the automatic detergent dispenser 11.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the softener water supply path 20 extends forward from the outlet of the softener water supply valve 17, and then rises to be connected to the softener water inlet 24. As shown by the white arrow in FIG. 5, when the softener water supply valve 17 is opened, the tap water supplied from the connection port 19 passes through the softener water supply path 20 to the softener The water is supplied from the water inlet 24 to the manual softener accommodating portion 13b. The water supplied to the manual softener storage section 13b flows into the lower water injection case 12 while dissolving the stored softener, and is supplied from the water injection case 12 into the water tank 6 through the water supply duct 15. .

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the height position A of the water inlet 23, the height position B of the outlet of the main water supply valve 16, and the height of the lower part of the main water supply path 14 (detergent supply section 25) In relation to the position C, the height position A is the highest, followed by the height position B and then the height position C. Further, in this embodiment, a water drain path 26 is provided at the lowest portion of the main water supply path 14. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the water drain path 26 is provided, for example, as a thin pipe that connects the bottom of the left end of the main water supply path 14 and the lower part of the water injection case 12, so that when the main water supply valve 16 is closed, , so that water does not accumulate in the main water supply path 14.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the automatic detergent dispensing device 11 includes a drawer-type tank case 27 that can be inserted into and taken out from the front side of the main body 1, and a pump 28 that is disposed at the rear of the drawer-type tank case 27. It is equipped with The tank case 27 has a rectangular box shape with an open upper surface and long front and back, and is supported in the upper left part of the main body 1 so as to be slidable in the front and back direction. A front door 29 having a handle portion 29a is provided on the front side of the tank case 27. The tank case 27 has two positions: a storage position where the front door 29 closes the opening at the upper left of the front inside the main body 1 (see Figure 1, etc.), and a drawer position where the front door 29 is pulled out forward from the storage position (see Figure 2). It is said that it is possible to take things in and out between the two.

Inside the tank case 27, a detergent tank 30 and a softener tank 31 are removably provided side by side. Although not shown in detail, both the detergent tank 30 and the softener tank 31 have tank shapes that are elongated in the front-rear direction, and are configured so that the user can open the lids and replenish detergent and softener. In this case, the detergent tank 30 stores liquid detergent that can be used for multiple times of washing, and the softener tank 31 stores a fabric softener that can be used for multiple times of washing.

Although not shown in detail, the pump 28 has two sets of suction ports and discharge ports 28a (see FIG. 6), and is configured using a motor as a driving source. This pump 28 is configured to switch between a suction port for sucking in liquid and a discharge port 28a for discharging liquid by switching the rotational direction (current direction) of the motor. At this time, one suction port is connected to the detergent tank 30 side, and the detergent is drawn up by rotation of the motor in one direction and is discharged from one discharge port 28a. The other suction port is connected to the softener tank 31 side, and the softener is drawn up by rotation of the motor in the other direction and is discharged from the other discharge port 28a. The two discharge ports 28a of the pump 28 are arranged above the detergent supply section 25 of the main water supply path 14 on the left and right sides, as also shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. Furthermore, the amount of detergent and softener discharged, that is, the amount supplied to the detergent supply section 25 is controlled by the driving time of the pump 28.

With this, the automatic detergent dispensing device 11 can supply the required amount of detergent stored in the detergent tank 30 to the detergent supply unit 25 by driving the pump 28, and The required amount of the softener contained in the detergent supply section 25 can be supplied to the detergent supply section 25. Since the discharge port 28a of the pump 28 is connected to the main water supply path 14, the detergent supply path is shortened overall, and it is also possible to prevent detergent from sticking within the supply path. At this time, when the main water supply valve 16 is turned on and water is supplied to the main water supply path 14 while the detergent or softener is being supplied to the detergent supply section 25, the water is supplied to the detergent supply section 25 as a detergent. Or it will flow while dissolving the fabric softener. Since the discharge port 28a can be washed away by water supply, detergent can also be prevented from sticking at the discharge port 28a. The detergent or softener is supplied together with water from the water inlet 23 to the manual detergent storage section 13a, and further from the water inlet case 12 through the water supply duct 15 into the water tank 6.

Although not shown in the drawings, a control device, which is mainly composed of, for example, a microcomputer, is provided in the main body 1 to control the entire washing machine. The control device controls each of the water supply valves 16, 17, 18 of the water supply valve unit 10 based on input signals from each sensor and a control program stored in advance in accordance with the driving course set by the user on the operation panel 5. , controls the pump 28, drum motor, drain valve, drying mechanism, etc. of the automatic detergent dispenser 11. With this, a washing operation consisting of a washing process, a rinsing process, and a spin-drying process, and a drying operation are automatically executed. The details of each step of the washing operation and drying operation are well known, and therefore will not be explained here.

In this embodiment, when executing the washing operation, the user can either automatically add detergent and fabric softener using the automatic detergent injection device 11, or manually add one dose of detergent and fabric softener using the manual storage case 13. It is possible to select and operate on the operation panel 5 whether to inject the agent or not. When the user selects manual loading, the user opens the lid 22 in advance and stores the necessary amount of detergent (powdered detergent) in the manual detergent storage section 13a of the manual storage case 13 at the start of the washing operation. I'll keep it. Further, when using a softener, in addition to the above, the required amount of softener is put into the manual softener storage section 13b.

When automatic injection of detergent and fabric softener is selected, the control device supplies the required amount of detergent to the detergent supply unit 25 using the automatic detergent injection device 11 before starting water supply for the washing process, and then The water supply valve 16 is turned on to supply water. Furthermore, before the final rinsing step, the required amount of softener is supplied to the detergent supply unit 25 by the automatic detergent dosing device 11, and then the main water supply valve 16 is opened to supply water. On the other hand, when manual addition of detergent and softener is selected, the main water supply valve 16 executes water supply for the washing process without operating the automatic detergent dosing device 11. When water is supplied for the final rinsing process, the softener water supply valve 17 is opened instead of the main water supply valve 16 to supply water.

Next, the functions and effects of the washing machine having the above configuration will be described. In preparation for using the automatic detergent dispenser 11, the user stores detergent in the detergent tank 30 and stores softener in the softener tank 31. The work of storing and replenishing detergent and softener in the tanks 30 and 31 can be performed as follows. That is, the user hooks his or her finger on the handle portion 29a of the front door 29 on the front surface of the main body 1, and pulls out the tank case 27 in the storage position toward the user. At the pull-out position of the tank case 27, the detergent tank 30 or the softener tank 31 is taken out upward, and the detergent and softener are refilled into the tanks 30 and 31. After the replenishment work, the tanks 30 and 31 are returned to the tank case 27, and the tank case 27 is pushed back to the storage position. In addition, a lid is provided on the top surface of each tank 30, 31, and the detergent and fabric softener are refilled by pulling out the tank case 27 and opening the lid (without taking out the tanks 30, 31). You can also.

To perform a washing operation in the washing machine, the user operates the power switch 4 to turn on the power, and stores clothes in the drum. At the same time, a driving course is selected using the operation panel 5. At this time, when manually adding detergent and fabric softener is selected, the user opens the lid 22 on the top surface of the main body 1, stores the necessary amount of detergent in the manual detergent storage section 13a of the manual storage case 13, A required amount of softener is put into the manual softener container 13b, and a washing operation is started. When automatic injection of detergent and fabric softener is selected, the washing operation can be started immediately.

When the washing operation is started, the control device controls each mechanism of the washing machine and automatically executes the washing operation consisting of well-known washing, rinsing, and spin-drying steps. At this time, in the washing process, water is first supplied to the water tank 6 up to a predetermined water level, but if automatic detergent injection is selected, the automatic detergent injection device 11 is activated before water supply starts. By controlling the pump 28, a required amount of detergent is supplied to the detergent supply section 25. In the water supply operation, the main water supply valve 16 is opened.

When the main water supply valve 16 is opened, water from the water supply source (tap water) flows through the main water supply path 14 and rises after passing through the detergent supply section 25, as shown by thick arrows in FIGS. 5 to 7. The detergent for manual use is poured from the water inlet 23 into the manual detergent storage section 13a of the manual storage case 13. When the detergent is automatically supplied to the detergent supply section 25, the detergent flows while dissolving the detergent, passes from the manual detergent storage section 13a through the water injection case 12 and the water supply duct 15 in order, and enters the water tank 6 with detergent. Then, washing water is supplied and the washing process is executed.

On the other hand, when manual injection of detergent is selected, since there is no detergent in the detergent supply section 25, the water flowing through the main water supply path 14 passes through the detergent supply section 25 as it is, and manually enters the water from the water inlet 23. The detergent is poured into the detergent storage section 13a. Then, the detergent stored in advance in the manual detergent accommodating portion 13a flows into the water injection case 12 while dissolving the detergent, and the washing water containing the detergent is supplied into the water tank 6 through the water supply duct 15, and the washing process is executed. Ru.

Thereafter, as the process progresses and before the water supply for the final rinsing process, if automatic detergent injection is selected, the pump 28 of the automatic detergent injection device 11 is driven, and this time the detergent supply unit 25 The required amount of softener is supplied. After that, the main water supply valve 16 is opened, and the water flowing through the main water supply path 14 flows while dissolving the softener in the detergent supply section 25, rises, and enters the manual detergent storage case 13 from the water inlet 23. It is poured into the portion 13a. Washing water containing a fabric softener is supplied into the water tank 6 through the water injection case 12 and the water supply duct 15 in order, and a final rinsing process is performed.

On the other hand, when manual input is selected, the water supply for the final rinse step is performed by opening the softener water supply valve 17 instead of the main water supply valve 16. When the softener water supply valve 17 is opened, water flows through the softener water supply path 20 and is poured into the manual softener accommodating portion 13b from the softener water inlet 24, as shown by the white arrow in FIG. . Then, the washing water flows into the water pouring case 12 while dissolving the softener previously stored in the manual softener accommodating part 13b, and the washing water containing the softener is supplied into the water tank 6 through the water supply duct 15, A final rinse step is performed.

Here, in this embodiment, of the water supply mechanism 7, the water supply valve unit 10 (main water supply valve 16) is provided at the rear of the main body 1, and the automatic detergent injection device 11 is provided at the front of the main body 1. A manual storage case 13 is provided between the two. Since the automatic detergent dispenser 11 is provided on the front side of the upper part of the main body 1, the user can easily take out the detergent tank 30 and the softener tank 31 compared to a case where the automatic detergent dispenser 11 is located at the upper part of the main body 1. It is possible to easily replenish detergent and softener to 31. Particularly, when the tanks 30 and 31 are taken out and refilled with detergent and softener, the tanks 30 and 31 become heavy, but since the tanks 30 and 31 are located on the front side, installation is relatively easy.

Since the water supply valve unit 10 is close to the manual detergent storage section 13a of the manual storage case 13, the length of the water supply path therebetween is also relatively short. Since the automatic dosing device 11 can be located relatively close to the detergent supply section 25, that is, slightly in front of the manual storage case 13, the length of the water supply path therebetween can also be shortened. Therefore, the length of the main water supply path 14 as a whole can be made relatively short. Moreover, the length of the softener water supply path 20 can also be shortened.

As a result, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the workability for replenishing the detergent and softener into the tanks 30 and 31 in a device equipped with the automatic detergent injection device 11, and moreover, An excellent effect can be obtained in that the water supply paths 14, 20 can be relatively short as a whole. At this time, in the present embodiment, the detergent supply unit 25 is arranged at the rear end side of the automatic detergent dosing device 11, thereby providing a water supply path on the side (surroundings in front view) of the automatic detergent dosing device 11. It's better not to have one. Therefore, the automatic detergent dispenser 11 can be arranged compactly, and in other words, the capacities of the detergent tank 30 and the softener tank 31 can be increased.

In particular, in this embodiment, the detergent supply section 25 of the automatic detergent dispenser 11 is provided on the upstream side of the main water supply path 14, and the manual detergent storage section 13a is provided on the downstream side thereof. As a result, the main water supply path 14 can be shared by the automatic detergent dosing device 11 and the manual detergent storage section 13a, and the main water supply valve 16 can also be shared, thereby providing a mechanism for switching the water supply path. It can be made unnecessary. Therefore, it is possible to significantly simplify the configuration and control, and to reduce costs.

Further, even when the manual detergent storage section 13a is used, the water supply passes through the detergent supply section 25, and at the same time, even when the automatic detergent dispensing device 11 is used, the water supply passes through the manual detergent storage section 13a. It becomes like this. Thereby, the detergent supply section 25 and the manual detergent storage section 13a can be cleaned every time water is supplied.

In this embodiment, the detergent supply section 25 of the automatic detergent dispenser 11 is located at a position lower than the height of the main water supply valve 16, and the main water supply path 14 rises downstream of the detergent supply section 25 to accommodate manual detergent. Water is injected from the water inlet 23 above the portion 13a. As a result, the detergent supply section 25 portion of the main water supply path 14 is located at a lower position than the outlet of the main water supply valve 16, so that backflow of water to the main water supply valve 16 can be prevented. In addition, the main water supply path 14 is configured to rise downstream of the detergent supply section 25 and inject water from above into the manual detergent storage section 13a, so water is vigorously poured from above into the manual detergent storage section 13a. It is possible to pour the powder detergent in the manual detergent storage section 13a effectively, that is, to drain it without leaving any residue.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a water drain path 26 is provided at the lowest portion of the main water supply path 14 for draining water when the main water supply valve 16 is stopped. When the main water supply valve 16 is stopped, water may accumulate in the main water supply path 14 from the outlet of the main water supply valve 16 to the detergent supply section 25, but by providing the water drain path 26, water may accumulate in that area. This can prevent water from remaining stagnant. By preventing water from remaining stagnant, it is possible to prevent water from freezing within the water supply path.

(2) Second Embodiment and Other Embodiments Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 14. Note that the same parts as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, new illustrations and detailed explanations are omitted, and points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in the configuration of the water supply mechanism 41, and differs from the first embodiment in the number of water supply valves provided and the specific configuration of the water supply route. There is.

That is, the water supply mechanism 41 includes a water supply valve unit 42 provided at the rear of the upper left side of the main body 1, an automatic detergent dispenser 11 provided at the front of the upper left side of the main body 1, and an intermediate portion thereof. A water injection case 12 and a manual storage case 43, three water supply paths 44, 45, 46, which will be described later, that connect from the water supply valve unit 42 to the water injection case 12, a water supply duct 15 for supplying water from the water injection case 12 to the water tank 6, etc. We are prepared.

As shown in FIG. 10 etc., the water supply valve unit 42 includes a frame 42a, an automatic water supply valve 47 that opens and closes electromagnetically, a manual water supply valve 48, a manual softener water supply valve 49, and a duct cleaning water valve. It is equipped with 18. Although not shown in detail, the connection port to which the water supply as a water source is connected branches into four, and is connected to the inlet portion of each water supply valve 47, 48, 49, 18, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the outlet of the automatic water supply valve 47 is connected to the inlet of the first water supply route 44, and the outlet of the manual water supply valve 48 is connected to the inlet of the second water supply route 45. It is connected to the. An outlet of the manual softener water supply valve 49 is connected to an inlet of the softener water supply path 46.

The manual storage case 43 is placed on the top surface of the water injection case 12, and also includes a manual detergent storage section 43a that stores one dose of detergent (powdered detergent) and one dose of fabric softener. It has a manual softener accommodating section 43b which is housed as needed and is arranged side by side on the right and left. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, a detergent water inlet 50 is provided at the upper rear end of the manual detergent accommodating part 43a, and a softener inlet 50 is provided at the upper rear end of the manual softener accommodating part 43b. A water spout 51 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, the first water supply path 44 extends forward from the outlet of the automatic water supply valve 47, and then runs approximately horizontally forward, passing through the left side of the water injection case 12. After passing the water injection case 12, it bends downward at a substantially right angle, and at its lower end, it bends at a substantially right angle to the right. It extends rightward from the lower front side of the water injection case 12 and is connected to the inside of the water injection case 12 at its right end. At this time, a central portion of the first water supply path 44 extending from left to right on the lower front side of the water injection case 12 serves as the detergent supply section 25 of the automatic detergent dispensing device 11 .

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, the second water supply path 45 extends rightward from the outlet of the manual water supply valve 48, bends at a right angle, extends horizontally forward, and connects to the rear of the water injection case 12. It is bent at a substantially right angle, extends upward, and is connected to the detergent water inlet 50. As shown in FIG. 8, the softener water supply path 46 extends forward from the outlet of the manual softener water supply valve 49, bends at a substantially right angle at the rear of the water injection case 12, and extends upward. It is configured to be connected to a water inlet 51.

When the automatic water supply valve 47 is opened, water from the water supply source (tap water) passes through the first water supply path 44 and enters the detergent supply section 25, as shown by thick arrows in FIGS. 8 and 11. When detergent or softener is supplied, the detergent or softener flows while being dissolved and is supplied into the water tank 6 through the water injection case 12 and the water supply duct 15 in this order. Therefore, when automatic injection of detergent is selected, detergent and softener are automatically added into the water tank 6 along with water supply by controlling the automatic detergent injection device 11 and the automatic water supply valve 47.

On the other hand, when the manual water supply valve 48 is opened, water from the water supply source (tap water) passes through the second water supply path 45 and enters the manual detergent storage, as shown by the thin arrow in FIGS. 9 and 12. Water is vigorously poured into the portion 43a from the upper detergent water inlet 50. When detergent (powdered detergent) is stored in the manual detergent storage section 43a, the detergent falls into the water pouring case 12 while being dissolved, and is supplied into the water tank 6 through the water supply duct 15.

When the manual softener water supply valve 49 is opened, the water flows through the softener water supply path 46 from the softener water inlet 51 to the manual softener storage section, as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 43b. The water supplied to the manual softener storage section 43b flows into the lower water injection case 12 while dissolving the stored softener, and is supplied into the water tank 6 through the water supply duct 15. Therefore, when manual addition of detergent is selected, the manual water supply valve 48 and the manual softener water supply valve 49 are controlled to prevent the user from adding detergent into the manual storage case 43. Detergent and softener can be supplied into the water tank 6 together with water supply at appropriate timing.

According to the second embodiment, the automatic detergent dispensing device 11 is disposed at the front of the main body 1, and the manual storage case 43 is disposed at the rear thereof, so that, like the first embodiment, The user can easily take out the detergent tank 30 and the softener tank 31, and can easily replenish the tanks 30 and 31 with detergent and softener. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide a water supply path on the side (around the front view) of the automatic detergent dosing device 11, the automatic detergent dosing device 11 can be arranged compactly.In other words, the capacity of the detergent tank 30 and the softener tank 31 is can be made larger.

At this time, the first water supply path 44 between the automatic water supply valve 47 and the detergent supply section 25 and the second water supply path 45 between the manual water supply valve 48 and the manual detergent storage section 43a are connected, respectively. , can be connected over a short distance, simplifying the configuration and saving space. Further, in each of the detergent supply section 25 and the manual detergent storage section 43a, the detergent can be poured in an optimal form, that is, in a state where no detergent remains.

Furthermore, although not described in detail, in the configuration of the second embodiment, it is also possible to control the automatic water supply valve 47 and the manual water supply valve 48 to be opened simultaneously when water is supplied to the water tank 6. Thereby, the amount of water supplied to the water tank 6 per unit time can be increased, and the time required for water supply can be shortened.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and, for example, the following changes can be made to the structure of the automatic detergent dispensing device. That is, a piston pump may be used as the pump used to transfer the detergent, or a pump that supplies detergent by opening and closing a solenoid valve may be used. Although the detergent tank 30 etc. is configured to be pulled out forward and taken out, it is also possible to have a configuration in which the detergent tank is taken out upwards, or the detergent tank is fixed and refilled by opening the lid and pouring in detergent. It's okay. Although the configuration includes the detergent tank 30 and the softener tank 31, it may also be configured to automatically supply only the detergent.

In addition, although the above embodiment is applied to a drum-type washing machine with a drying function, it can also be applied to a so-called vertical axis type washing machine, or even a washing machine without a drying function. good. In the first embodiment, the water drain path 26 may be provided as necessary, and the other end of the water drain path may be connected to an intermediate part of the water supply duct 15 or directly connected to the water tank 6. You can also Various changes can be made to the shape and structure of the manual storage case, the configuration of the water supply path, etc.

Although multiple embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

13... Manual storage case, 13a... Manual detergent storage, manual storage, 13b... Manual softener storage, manual storage, 14... Main water supply route, water supply route, 16... Main water supply valve, water supply Valve, 17... Water supply valve for softener, water supply valve, 20... Water supply route for softener, water supply route, 23... Water inlet, 24... Water inlet for softener, 25... Detergent supply section, supply section, 27... Tank case , 30... Detergent tank, tank, 31... Softener tank, tank, 43... Manual storage case, 43a... Manual detergent storage section, manual storage section, 43b... Motive softener storage section, manual storage section, 44 ...First water supply route, water supply route, 45...Second water supply route, water supply route, 46...Water supply route for softener, water supply route, 47...Automatic water supply valve, water supply valve, 48...Manual water supply valve, water supply valve, 49...Water supply valve for manual softener, water supply valve, 50...Water inlet for detergent, water inlet, 51...Water inlet for softener, water inlet

Claims (5)

An aquarium that holds water,
a water supply valve that is connected to a water supply source and opens and closes electromagnetically;
a water supply path that supplies water from the water supply valve into the water tank;
An automatic feeding device comprising: a tank for storing a detergent treatment agent that can be used for multiple times of washing; and a supply section provided in the middle of the water supply route, and supplying the laundry treatment agent from the tank to the supply section; , comprising;
If manual addition of the laundry treatment agent is selected, the supply unit is cleaned by water passing through the supply unit when water is supplied;
washing machine. Further comprising a manual storage part provided in the middle of the water supply route and capable of storing one load of laundry treatment agent.
A washing machine according to claim 1. The manual storage section is provided downstream from the supply section,
A washing machine according to claim 2. The water supply route rises downstream of the supply section,
A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. a tank case in which the tank is removably provided;
further comprising a manual storage case having the manual storage section,
The water supply path is elevated between the manual storage case and the tank case.
A washing machine according to claim 2 or 3.

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