JP3813832B2 - Lid lock device for washing machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lid lock device for a washing machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a fully automatic one-tub type washing machine suspends an outer tub in an outer box 1 so as to be freely slidable and has a rotary blade 2 at the bottom in the outer tub. The water tub 3 is rotatably arranged, the peripheral portion of the upper opening of the outer box 1 is covered with a top cover 4, and the upper opening of the washing and dewatering tub 3 is closed with a lid 5 so as to be freely opened and closed. In the figure, reference numeral 6 denotes a water supply valve, and 7 denotes an operation panel provided at the front portion of the top cover 4 and provided with setting buttons for setting operation details and the like.
[0003]
The lid 5 uses a washing machine and a clothes dryer integrally, and in that case, since the clothes dryer is often installed above the washing machine, the lid 5 is required to have a low height. The lid 5 is divided into a front part 5a and a front part 5b, and the center hinge part is bent halfway. A handle 31 for opening and closing is attached to the front part 5b.
[0004]
In the washing machine having such a structure, the whole process of water supply, washing, rinsing, and dehydration automatically proceeds. In the dehydration process, the washing and dewatering tub 3 rotates at a high speed in order to blow away moisture of the laundry by centrifugal force. . For this reason, it is necessary to close the lid 5 and prevent the lid 5 from being easily opened during the dehydration operation.
[0005]
As a structure for that purpose, as shown in FIG. 4, a lid switch 22 for detecting the opening / closing of the lid 5 and a lid locking device 30 are provided, for example, at the center position on the operation panel 7 side of the lid front 5b. A signal is output to an operation control unit by a known microcomputer and it is confirmed that the lid 5 is closed, and then the dehydration operation is started. During the dehydration operation, the lid 5 is not opened by the lid lock device 30. Yes.
[0006]
The lid lock device 30 has a mechanical structure, for example, a combination of a locking claw 30a, a locking recess 30b, and a driving unit 30c that operates the locking claw 30a, and is integrally formed on the lid 5 side. The locking claw 30a protruding by the driving unit 30c formed on the operation panel 7 side is locked to the locking recess 30b.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Thus, in the structure in which the lid locking device 30 is provided at the central position on the operation panel 7 side of the lid front 5b, the lid locking device 30 protrudes in the direction of the clothing insertion port 8 to the washing and dewatering tub 3, so The input port 8 is narrowed, and as a result, there is a possibility that the operability such as putting in and out of clothes is deteriorated.
[0008]
In order to eliminate such inconvenience, the lid locking device 30 may be disposed on either the left or right side of the lid 5, but in this way, when the locked lid 5 is forcibly opened during the dehydrating operation. There is a risk that the side where the lid is not locked will be lifted relatively easily, and the hand may be injured in contact with the rotating washing / dehydrating tub 3 or the laundry by inserting a hand into the washing / dehydrating tub 3 from here. is there.
[0009]
Although it is conceivable to dispose the lid locking device 30 on both the left and right sides of the lid 5, not only the structure is complicated but also the cost is increased, and an electromagnetic coil or the like is used for the lid locking device. If the lid locking device on one side fails due to an electrical failure or the like, the entire lid cannot be opened and closed.
[0010]
An object of the present invention is to provide a lid lock device for a washing machine that eliminates the inconveniences of the prior art, has a simple structure, can reliably lock both sides of the lid, and can improve safety.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention firstly supports an outer tub swingably supported in an outer box, and a washing / dehydrating tub provided with a rotary blade at the bottom is rotatable in the outer tub. In a washing machine that covers and covers the top of the outer box with a top cover having a clothing inlet to the washing and dehydration tank, provides a lid for opening and closing the clothing inlet, and locks the lid so that it cannot be opened during dehydration operation. A locking mechanism that locks the lid so that it cannot be opened is provided on one side of the lid side surface of the top cover, and a shaft that penetrates from the lid side surface on the side where the locking mechanism is provided to the opposite lid side surface is slidable on the lid. The shaft is urged to the lock mechanism side by a spring and slides in conjunction with the lock pin protruding and retracting operation by the lock mechanism, and is formed on the top cover so as to be positioned on the opposite side of the lock mechanism side. the opposite side of the cover opened and inserted into the locking hole It was configured as not to be locked.
[0012]
As a result, the shaft is urged toward the lock mechanism by the spring when the lid is open, so that the tip is not inserted into the opposing engagement hole, and the opposing lid is not locked. When the lid is closed, the lock mechanism operates and when the lock pin protrudes, the shaft is pushed out to the opposite side of the lock mechanism, slides and the tip is inserted into the engagement hole on the opposite side, and the opposite side of the lid is also locked. Is done. Therefore, both sides of the lid can be securely locked with a single lid locking device and a shaft having an inexpensive and simple structure, and safety is improved.
[0013]
Secondly, by providing a lock detecting means for detecting that the shaft is inserted into a locking hole formed in the top cover and positioned opposite to the side where the lock mechanism is provided , a single lock detecting means is provided. The lock on the opposite side can also be confirmed.
[0014]
Third, since the shaft is formed with a plurality of bent portions in the middle, even if a transparent window is formed on the lid, the shaft can be arranged avoiding the position of the window. Without touching the entire design of the washing machine.
[0015]
Fourth, the shaft penetrates the inside of the opening / closing operation handle provided on the lid so that the shaft does not touch the user's eyes as in the case of claim 3 and the overall design of the washing machine is achieved. There is no loss.
[0016]
Fifth, a display window is provided in a part of the lid above the shaft, and the display is switched by the movement of the shaft, so that it can be easily confirmed whether the lid is currently locked or unlocked. In this state, it is possible to prevent the lid from being accidentally opened, and it is possible to prevent the lock mechanism from being overloaded and the shaft to bend and break down.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of a lid locking device for a washing machine of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal front view showing a second embodiment of the washing machine in which the lid locking device of the present invention is arranged. Since the overall configuration is the same as that of the conventional example shown in FIG. 3, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.
[0018]
Even in the washing machine provided with the lid locking device of the present invention, the lid 5 is divided into two parts, the front and rear 5a and the front 5b, and is folded at the center hinge part. A hollow handle 9 having a substantially U-shape for performing an opening / closing operation is attached to 5b, and a transparent window 10 is formed substantially at the center between the rear lid 5a and the front lid 5b.
[0019]
In the washing machine according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the lid lock mechanism 11 is positioned below one of the side surfaces of the lid 5, on the left side of the front lid 5 b in the illustrated example, and below the top cover 4. Arranged. The lid lock mechanism 11 is constituted by, for example, a combination of an electromagnetic coil and a plunger. By energizing the electromagnetic coil, the plunger is slid in the direction of the lid 5, and a lock pin provided at the tip of the plunger. The structure is such that 11a appears and disappears with respect to the lid 5.
[0020]
In the figure, reference numeral 12 denotes a through hole formed inside the top cover 4 and into which the lock pin 11a is inserted, and 13 denotes a through hole formed in a vertical rib formed integrally with the front lid 5b and into which the lock pin 11a is inserted.
[0021]
In the figure, reference numeral 14 denotes a shaft, which is bent halfway so that the overall shape is formed into a substantially mountain shape having a first horizontal portion 14a and second horizontal portions 14b on both sides, and the second horizontal portion 14b on the left side is formed as described above. The tip of the right second horizontal portion 14b is inserted into the through hole 15 formed in the vertical rib of the front lid 5b that functions as the shaft retainer 17 and is opposed to the distal end of the lock pin 11a. In addition to being supported on the front lid 5b by a separate shaft fixing member, it was allowed to engage and disengage in a through hole 16 formed inside the top cover 4.
[0022]
The second horizontal portion 14b on the left side facing the tip of the lock pin 11a also passes through a through hole formed in the longitudinal rib of the front lid 5b that functions as the shaft retainer 17, and is supported by the shaft retainer 17 or separately. It is supported on the front lid 5b by a body shaft fixing member. Then, a spring 18 is mounted between the vertical rib in which the through-hole 13 is formed and the vertical rib functioning as the shaft pressing member 17 of the second horizontal portion 14b, and the shaft 14 is inserted into the spring 18. The shaft 14 is urged toward the lid lock mechanism 11 by the spring 18 by passing through.
[0023]
In the figure, reference numeral 19 denotes a spring receiver attached to the tip of the second horizontal portion 14b, and the spring receiver 19 is pressed by a vertical rib in which the through hole 13 is formed.
[0024]
And the 1st horizontal part 14a was arrange | positioned on the operation panel 7 side of the lid front 5b so that the transparent window 10 might be bypassed. Similarly to the second horizontal portion 14b, the first horizontal portion 14a is also supported by the vertical rib formed on the lid 5 as a shaft presser 17.
[0025]
Further, a small display window 20 is formed in the front lid 5b at the position where the first horizontal portion 14a is arranged, and the first horizontal portion 14a is revealed in the display window 20 and the portion to be revealed is displayed. A display piece 21 is attached to the first horizontal portion 14a, and, for example, a display character “locking” is written on the display piece 21 in a lid-locked state. In the state where the lock is released, a display character of “release” may be written, but it is also possible to display nothing.
[0026]
Next, the operation will be described. When the lid 5 is not closed and is not locked, the lid locking mechanism 11 is not activated, and the lock pin 11a is in an immersive state and protrudes into the through hole 13 formed on the lid 5 side. Not. Therefore, the left side of the lid 5 is not locked. Further, in this state, the shaft 14 is not pushed by the lock pin 11 a but is urged in the direction of the lid lock mechanism 11 by the elasticity of the spring 18, so that the spring receiver 19 is a shaft holder 17 in which the through hole 13 is formed. It is pressed in the direction of
[0027]
Therefore, the right end of the shaft 14 is inserted into the through hole 15 formed in the shaft retainer 17 of the lid 5, but is not inserted into the through hole 16 formed in the top cover 4. The right side of the lid 5 is not locked.
[0028]
Then, the display window 21 displays a display piece 21 on which the display character “release” is written, or displays that nothing is displayed and locked.
[0029]
When the lid 5 is locked during the dehydrating operation or the like, the lid locking mechanism 11 is activated, and when the lock pin 11a protrudes to the right in FIG. 1, the tip of the lock pin 11a is formed through the lid 5 Insert into the hole 13 to lock the left side of the lid 5. The lock pin 11 a further presses the spring receiver 19 integral with the shaft 14 against the elasticity of the spring 18.
[0030]
As a result, the entire shaft 14 is pushed rightward in FIG. 1 and slides, and the tip of the second horizontal portion 14b on the right side is fitted into the through hole 16 formed in the top cover 4, and the shaft 14 is covered with the lid. Lock the right side of 5. Then, a lock detection means 32 such as a micro switch or a photo interrupter provided at the lower right side of the top cover 4 is actuated by the right end of the shaft 14 entering the top cover 4 from the through hole 16, and the lid is output by the output from the switch. 5 is completed by the microcomputer, and with the shaft 14 slid to the right, a display piece 21 with a display character of “locking” is displayed on the display window 20, and the lock is in progress. It is displayed that the washing and dewatering tub 3 starts rotating such as dehydration operation.
[0031]
FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment, in which the shaft 14 is arranged as a means for bypassing the transparent window 10 below the lid 5 where the window 10 is not formed in the first embodiment. Then, since the handle 9 is disposed above the window 10, the first horizontal portion 14 a of the shaft 14 penetrates the inside of the hollow handle 9.
[0032]
Also in this case, the first horizontal portion 14 a is penetrated through a through hole formed in a vertical rib functioning as a shaft pressing member 17 formed inside the handle 9 and supported by the shaft pressing member 17.
[0033]
The operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only the direction of the shaft 14 is changed by 90 degrees from the horizontal position to the vertical position, and the left and right sliding operations are the same.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the lid lock device for a washing machine according to the present invention firstly suspends the outer tub in a swingable manner in the outer box, and has a washing and wrapping machine equipped with a rotary blade at the bottom in the outer tub. A dehydrating tub is rotatably arranged, the top of the outer box is covered with a top cover that has a clothing inlet to the washing and dehydrating tub, and a lid that opens and closes the clothing inlet is provided so that the lid can not be opened during the dehydration operation. In the washing machine that locks, a lock mechanism that locks the lid so as not to be opened is provided on one side of the lid side surface of the top cover, and a shaft that penetrates from the lid side surface on the side where the lock mechanism is provided to the lid side surface on the opposite side. The shaft is slidably provided on the lid, and the shaft is urged toward the lock mechanism by a spring and slides in conjunction with the lock pin protruding and retracting operation by the lock mechanism, and is positioned on the opposite side of the side where the lock mechanism is provided. Te inserted into the locking hole formed in the top cover And configured to lock the opposing side of the lid so as not to open.
[0035]
As a result, the shaft is biased toward the locking mechanism by the spring when the lid is open, so that the tip is not inserted into the locking hole on the opposite side, and the opposite side of the lid is not locked. When the lid is closed, when the lock mechanism is operated, the shaft is pushed out to the opposite side of the lock mechanism, slides and the tip is inserted into the engagement hole on the opposite side, and the opposite side of the lid is also locked. Therefore, both sides of the lid can be securely locked with a single lid locking device and a shaft having an inexpensive and simple structure, and safety is improved.
[0036]
Second, by providing a lock detecting means for detecting that the shaft has been inserted into a locking hole formed in the top cover , located on the opposite side of the side where the lock mechanism is provided , one lock detecting means You can also check the lock on the opposite side.
[0037]
Third, since the shaft is formed with a plurality of bent portions in the middle, even if a transparent window is formed on the lid, the shaft can be arranged avoiding the position of the window. Without touching the entire design of the washing machine.
[0038]
Fourth, the shaft penetrates the inside of the opening / closing operation handle provided on the lid so that the shaft does not touch the user's eyes as in the case of claim 3 and the overall design of the washing machine is achieved. There is no loss.
[0039]
Fifth, a display window is provided in a part of the lid above the shaft, and the display is switched by the movement of the shaft, so that it can be easily confirmed whether the lid is currently locked or unlocked. In this state, it is possible to prevent the lid from being accidentally opened, and it is possible to prevent the lock mechanism from being overloaded and the shaft to bend and break down.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of a lid lock device for a washing machine of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal front view showing a second embodiment of the lid lock device of the washing machine of the present invention.
The
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a washing machine.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a washing machine provided with a conventional lid lock device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outer box 2 ... Rotary blade 3 ... Washing and dewatering tank 4 ... Top cover 5 ... Lid 5a ... After lid 5b ... Front lid 6 ... Water supply valve 7 ... Operation panel 8 ... Clothes input port 9 ... Handle 10 ... Window 11 ... Lid lock mechanism 11a ... Lock pin 12 ... Through hole 13 ... Through hole 14 ... Shaft 14a ... First horizontal portion 14b ... Second horizontal portion 15 ... Through hole 16 ... Through hole 17 ... Shaft retainer 18 ... Spring 19 ... Spring Receiving 20 ... Display window 21 ... Display piece 22 ... Lid switch 30 ... Lid lock device 30a ... Locking claw 30b ... Locking recess 30c ... Drive unit 31 ... Handle 32 ... Lock detection means

Claims (5)

The outer tub is swingably supported in the outer box, and a washing / dehydrating tub having a rotary blade at the bottom is rotatably arranged in the outer tub, and the upper part of the outer box is moved to the washing / dehydrating tub. covering a top cover having a garment inlet, a lid for opening and closing the clothes inlet, during dewatering operation in the washing machine to lock so as not to open the lid, the top cover locking mechanism for locking the disabling opening said lid Provided on one side of the lid side surface of the lid, and a shaft penetrating from the lid side surface on the side where the locking mechanism is provided to the lid side surface on the opposite side is slidably provided on the lid , and the shaft is urged toward the locking mechanism side by a spring At the same time, it slides in conjunction with the lock pin 's protruding and retracting operation by the lock mechanism, and it is positioned on the opposite side of the side where the lock mechanism is provided and inserted into the locking hole formed in the top cover, so that the opposite side of the lid cannot be opened especially that it has configured to lock in Lid locking device of a washing machine to be. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising lock detecting means for detecting that the shaft has been inserted into a locking hole formed in a top cover so as to face the side where the lock mechanism is provided. Lid lock device.   The lid lock device for a washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shaft is formed with a plurality of bent portions in the middle thereof.   3. The lid lock device for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the shaft passes through an opening / closing operation handle provided in the lid. 4.   4. The lid lock device for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a display window is provided in a part of the lid above the shaft, and the display is switched by movement of the shaft.

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