JP5911239B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a washing machine.

  Conventionally, in a washing machine for home use, particularly a washing machine with a drying function, a water tank cover having a water injection port and a hot air supply port is provided at the top of the water tank, and disposed at the rear of the upper end of the main body of the washing machine. The water injection case unit and the heater unit, and the water injection port and hot air supply port of the water tank cover are connected to each other via a bellows-shaped duct. In this case, the leading ends of the ducts respectively led out from the water injection case unit and the heater unit are connected to a cylindrical connecting portion provided on the upper surface of the water tank cover. A structure is adopted in which the front end of the duct is placed on the outer periphery of the connecting portion and tightened with a fastening bracket from the outer periphery.

  The fastening bracket has a configuration in which a metal wire having spring property is shaped into a loop shape and both ends are crossed to provide a knob portion. The operator inserts a fastening bracket in the middle of the outer periphery of the duct in advance, covers the end of the duct against the connection, and then pinches the knob to increase the diameter of the fastening bracket. The connection work is performed by moving the outer periphery and bringing the fastening bracket into a tightened state at an appropriate position at the end of the duct.

JP 2002-159792 A

  However, since the above-described duct connection structure uses a tightening bracket, the connection workability is inferior due to a narrow space for mounting the tightening bracket. In addition, the reliability of the connection is insufficient, such as the fastening metal fitting being attached obliquely. Therefore, it is desired to improve the connection workability when the leading end portion of the duct is connected to the connecting portion on the washing machine main body side.

The washing machine according to the embodiment is configured such that the leading end portion of the duct having flexibility is connected to the connecting portion provided on the washing machine body side, and is attached to the outer periphery of the leading end portion of the duct. And a fixing means for fixing the fixing device to the connecting portion, and a flange portion extending in an outer peripheral direction is integrally provided at a distal end portion of the duct. The portion is characterized in that it is configured to be sandwiched in the axial direction between the fixture and the connecting portion .

The 1st Embodiment is shown and the vertical section side view of a washing machine The perspective view of the principal part of the connection state (a) of a duct, and the state (b) before a connection Exploded perspective view of connecting part, fixture, duct Perspective view from above of fixture (a) and perspective view from below (b) The exploded perspective view which shows the positional relationship of the latching | locking part of a connection part, and the to-be-latched part of a fixing tool. The exploded perspective view which shows the positional relationship of the engagement hole of a connection part, and the engagement nail | claw of a fixing tool. Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part showing the connection of the connecting part, the fixture, and the duct with respect to the position (a) where the locking part does not exist and the position (b) where the locking part exists The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the mode (a) before a to-be-latched part is latched with respect to a latching part, and the mode (b) latched FIG. 7 (a) equivalent view showing the second embodiment FIG. 7A equivalent view showing the third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, with reference to FIG. 1, the whole structure of the washing machine 1 (dehydration combined washing machine) of this embodiment is described briefly. An outer box 2 constituting the outer shell of the washing machine 1 has a rectangular box shape, a leg 3 is provided at the bottom, and a top cover 4 made of synthetic resin is attached to the top. The top cover 4 has a rectangular frame shape having a substantially circular laundry entrance 4a at the center, and has a thin hollow box shape.

  A water tank 5 having a bottomed cylindrical shape is disposed in the outer box 2 so as to be swingable through an elastic support mechanism 6 as a vibration isolator in a vertical axis state (the axial direction is the vertical direction). Yes. As shown in FIG. 1, only one elastic support mechanism 6 is mainly composed of four suspension rods 6a and springs 6b provided at the four corners of the outer box 2, and the water tank 5 is made elastic. It is configured to be supported by hanging.

  A water tank cover 7 is attached to the upper part of the water tank 5. The water tank cover 7 is provided with an opening 7a for entering and exiting the laundry located substantially at the center (below the laundry entrance 4a) except for the rear side, and an inner lid for opening and closing the opening 7a. 8 is attached. The inner lid 8 has a rear end portion (right side in FIG. 1) rotatably attached to the water tank cover 7 via a hinge portion 9, and has a handle 8 a at the center of the front portion. As will be described in detail later, as shown in FIG. 2, the arcuate portion at the rear of the water tank cover 7 includes a water injection case unit (water supply device) 10 disposed in the machine chamber 4 b at the rear side of the top cover 4 and A plurality of ducts 12, 13, and 14 of the heater case unit (warm air supply device) 11 are connected to a duct mounting plate portion 15.

  Inside the water tank 5, a rotating tank 16 is disposed so as to be rotatable in a vertical axis state (the axial direction is the vertical direction). The rotary tank 16 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a liquid-sealed rotary balancer 20 is attached to the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion, for example. A number of dewatering holes / ventilating holes 21 are formed in the peripheral wall portion of the rotating tank 16. Laundry (not shown) is accommodated in the rotating tub 16, and the laundry is washed, rinsed, dehydrated, and dried.

  A stirring body 22 is rotatably disposed at the bottom of the rotary tank 16. Although not shown in detail, a drive unit 24 mainly composed of a motor is disposed below the bottom of the water tank 5. The drive unit 24 has a clutch, stops the rotating tank 16 at the time of washing and rinsing, and rotates the agitator 22 alternately in both forward and reverse directions at a low speed by a motor. 22 is rotated in one direction at a high speed. A drain port 25 is formed at the bottom of the water tank 5, and a drain pipe 27 is connected to the drain port 25 via a drain valve 26.

  A bi-fold type lid 17 for opening and closing the laundry doorway 4a is provided on the top surface of the top cover 4. A machine room 4 b bulging upward is provided at the rear side of the top cover 4. An operation panel 18 having a plurality of operation switches and a display unit is provided on the front portion of the top cover 4, and a display control unit 19 is provided on the back side of the operation panel 18. The display control unit 19 is mainly composed of a computer, has a function of controlling the display unit of the operation panel 18, and is a main control device disposed at the lower part of the rear part in the outer box 2. 23, and a function to exchange signals. The main control device 23 is mainly composed of a computer and controls the entire washing machine 1.

  Here, the water injection case unit 10 and the heater case unit 11 disposed on the left and right sides in the machine room 4b of the top cover 4 will be described with reference to FIG. Among them, the water injection case unit 10 is for supplying water from a water supply source (for example, water supply) into the rotary tank 16 (in the water tank 5). The water injection case 28 and the water supply valve 29 (shown only in FIG. 1), A water supply duct 12 and the like are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the water supply valve 29 has a water supply pipe 29a, and a tip end portion of a connection hose connected to a water tap (not shown) is connected to the water supply pipe 29a. In addition, although not shown, a storage case for storing a detergent and a laundry aid is provided in the water injection case 28 so that it can be taken in and out from the laundry entrance / exit 4a. The water supply duct 12 is provided so as to extend from the water injection case 28 to the front lower portion. The duct 12 is made of, for example, a material having flexibility (softness) such as rubber, and the tip side portion is configured in a bellows shape.

  The heater case unit 11 is for supplying warm air into the rotary tank 16 during a drying operation. As shown in FIG. 2, the heater case unit 11 includes a heater and a fan device (not shown) built in the heater case 30. ing. The heater case 30 is connected to a suction duct 14 that is located on the right side and extends downward, and is connected to a duct 13 for blowing hot air that is located on the left side and also extends downward. These ducts 14 and 13 are also made of a flexible material such as rubber, and the middle part has a bellows shape. The fan device sucks air from the suction duct 14 and discharges the air toward the hot air blowing duct 13, and the heater heats the suction air to generate hot air. It is supposed to be.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2 (b) and FIG. 3, the duct mounting plate portion 15 at the rear of the water tank cover 7 which is the main body side of the washing machine 1 is connected in this case in the left-right direction with three connections. Portions 31, 32, and 33 are provided. Of these, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the connecting portion 31 has a cylindrical convex portion 34 protruding upward, and the water supply of the water injection case unit 10 is covered with the outer periphery of the cylindrical convex portion 34. The distal end portion of the duct 12 is connected via a fixture 37 as will be described later. The cylindrical convex portion 34 is formed in a hollow shape penetrating in the vertical direction, and a lower surface opening portion thereof is a water supply port 40 (see FIG. 3 and the like) positioned on the inner upper side of the rotating tub 16.

  Thus, when the water supply valve 29 of the water injection case unit 10 is opened, the water supplied from the water supply passes through the water injection case 28 and the water supply duct 12 from the water supply port 40 to the rotary tank 16 (and the water tank 5). Supplied in. On the lower surface side of the water tank cover 7, a water supply guide member 43 is provided at a portion corresponding to the lower side of the water supply port 40. By this water supply guide member 43, water supplied from the water supply port 40 is poured into the rotary tank 16 in a shower shape.

  The central connection portion 32 has a cylindrical convex portion 35 protruding upward, and covers the outer periphery of the cylindrical convex portion 35 so that the hot air blowing duct 13 of the heater case unit 11 is covered. As will be described later, the distal end portion is connected via a fixture 38. The cylindrical convex portion 35 is formed in a hollow shape penetrating in the vertical direction, and a lower surface opening thereof is a hot air supply port 41 (see FIG. 3) located on the inner upper side of the rotating tub 16.

  Further, the right connection portion 33 has a cylindrical convex portion 36 protruding upward, and the tip of the suction duct 14 of the heater case unit 11 is covered with the outer periphery of the cylindrical convex portion 36. The parts are connected via a fixture 39 as will be described later. The cylindrical convex part 36 is comprised in the hollow shape penetrated to an up-down direction, and the suction opening 42 (FIG. 3) where the lower surface opening part is located above the outer side of the rotation tank 16 (between the inner peripheral part of the water tank 5). See).

  Thus, when the heater case unit 11 (fan device and heater) is driven, the air located between the rotary tank 16 and the water tank 5 is sucked into the heater case 30 from the suction port 42 through the suction duct 14. Be turned. At the same time, the warm air heated by the heater is supplied from the warm air supply port 41 into the rotary tank 16 through the hot air blowing duct 13. The laundry accommodated in the rotating tub 16 is dried by the circulation of the warm air.

  Now, the connection structure of the ducts 12, 13, and 14 to the connecting portions 31, 32, and 33 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a plurality of (three) ducts 12, 13, and 14 are fixed to a plurality of (three) connection portions 31, 32, and 33 provided on the duct mounting plate portion 15, respectively. The tools 37, 38, and 39 are used for connection.

  At this time, the plurality of connection portions 31, 32, and 33 (cylindrical convex portions 34, 35, and 36) have different sizes (diameter dimensions), and the plurality of ducts 12, 13, and 14 are different from each other. Also, depending on the connecting portions 31, 32, 33, at least the diameters of the tip portions are different from each other. The plurality of fixtures 37, 38, and 39 used for connecting the ducts 12, 13, and 14 are similarly sized (diameter dimensions) in accordance with the diameter dimensions of the distal ends of the ducts 12, 13, and 14. Are different from each other. This prevents the wrong duct from being connected to each connecting portion (cylindrical convex portion).

  As described above, the connection structure of the ducts 12, 13, and 14 in the three connection parts 31, 32, and 33 has the same connection structure except that the size (mainly the diameter dimension) of each part is different. Therefore, here, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the connection structure of the duct 12 to the connection portion 31 for water supply will be described as a representative. First, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the fixing member 37 is made of plastic as a whole in a ring shape, and is attached to the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the duct 12.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the fixture 37 includes an inner peripheral wall portion 37a having a relatively small thin cylindrical shape and an outer peripheral wall portion 37b having a slightly larger thin cylindrical shape. And a ring plate-like upper wall portion 37c that connects them on the upper surface. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the inner diameter dimension of the inner peripheral wall portion 37a is substantially equal to the outer diameter dimension of the duct 12, and slightly smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the cylindrical convex portion 34 (by the thickness of the duct 12). ) Largely structured. Further, the outer peripheral wall portion 37b is configured to have a slightly smaller length in the axial direction than the inner peripheral wall portion 37a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 (a), FIG. 6, and the like, the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 37 a of the fixture 37 is positioned in the circumferential direction with respect to the distal end portion of the duct 12. A concave groove portion 44 is formed as a positioning portion extending in the vertical direction (axial direction). In this embodiment, the concave groove 44 is formed at two positions on the front and rear sides of the inner peripheral wall portion 37a, but is slightly different from the asymmetrical position of the inner peripheral wall portion 37a in the circumferential direction, that is, at an interval of 180 degrees. It is formed at two positions (positions where the rear-side concave groove 44 is slightly shifted counterclockwise when viewed from above).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, FIG. 5, FIG. 7B, etc., the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 37a of the fixture 37 is positioned at two substantially symmetrical left and right positions. The locked portion 45 constituting a part of the fixing means is integrally formed. As shown in FIG. 8, these locked portions 45 are formed so as to project from the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 37 a in a U-shape, and are provided on the connection portion 31 side as will be described later. Each of the two locking portions is locked.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the outer peripheral wall portion 37 b of the fixture 37 is integrally provided with a bulging portion 46 that is located on the front right side and bulges in a frame shape that is long in the circumferential direction in the outer peripheral direction. An engaging claw 47, which is an engaged portion that constitutes a part of the fixing means, is integrally formed at the upper surface portion inside the bulging portion 46. The engaging claw 47 extends in the bulging portion 46 in the clockwise direction (circumferential direction) when viewed from above from the base end side which is the fixed side toward the free distal end side, and the claw portion 47a on the lower surface of the distal end. (See FIG. 4B). The engaging claw 47 can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction.

  As will be described later, the engaging claw 47 moves in the circumferential direction along the upper edge of the outer ring-shaped wall provided on the connecting portion 31 side, and engages with an engaging hole as an engaging portion. It is supposed to be. From the above-described locked portion 45 and locking portion, and the engaging claw 47 and the engaging hole, the fixing tool 37 is fixed to the connection portion 31 in a state where the fixing device 37 is fitted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical convex portion 34. The fixing means to be configured is configured. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2-6, the non-slip | skid part 48 used as an anti-slip | skid when an operator rotates is integrally formed in the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall part 37b of the fixing tool 37. As shown in FIG. In this case, the anti-slip part 48 is formed in a number of ribs extending in the vertical direction.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the end portion of the duct 12 is closely fitted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical convex portion 34 and is closely fitted to the inner periphery of the fixture 37. A thin cylindrical shape that fits together is formed, and at its tip (lower end), a retaining flange portion 12a that extends in the outer peripheral direction is integrally provided. Furthermore, as shown also in FIG. 8, it extends upwards so that it may return from the outer peripheral part of the flange part 12a, and the return | turnback part 12b for detachment prevention is provided integrally.

  Further, as shown only in part (one piece) in FIG. 3, the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the duct 12 is fitted into the concave groove portion 44 of the fixture 37 and is circumferentially connected to the fixture 37. Two ribs 49 are integrally provided as positioning portions for positioning in the direction. Although not shown in detail, the ribs 49 are formed to extend in the vertical direction at positions corresponding to the two recessed groove portions 44 (asymmetric positions in the circumferential direction).

  Thus, when the fixture 37 is fitted into the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the duct 12, the circumferential positioning is performed so that the ribs 49 and the concave groove portions 44 are fitted. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, in a state where the fixture 37 is fitted on the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the duct 12, the flange portion 12 a is positioned so as to contact the lower end edge of the inner peripheral wall portion 37 a of the fixture 37, The folded portion 12b is positioned so as to cover the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 37a. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 7 (b), the folded portion 12b is notched at the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 37a of the fixture 37 where the locked portion 45 is provided. It is in the state.

  And the said connection part 31 is comprised as follows. That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 to 7, the connecting portion 31 is concentrically positioned on the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical convex portion 34, and the outer ring-shaped wall portion 50 is provided with the duct mounting plate portion. It extends upward from 15 and is integrally formed. As shown in FIG. 7, the outer ring-shaped wall portion 50 is formed at a position along the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 37 b of the fixture 37 slightly lower than the height of the cylindrical convex portion 34. In a state where the fixture 37 is fitted to the connection portion 31 (the outer circumference of the cylindrical convex portion 34), the inner circumference of the outer circumferential wall portion 37b of the fixture 37 is fitted into the outer circumference of the outer ring-shaped wall portion 50. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the outer ring-shaped wall portion 50 is positioned at two locations on the left and right sides, and the locked portion 45 of the fixture 37 is engaged in a state of being prevented from being pulled upward. A locking portion 51 for stopping is integrally formed so as to protrude to the inner peripheral side. As shown in FIG. 8, these locking portions 51 are configured in such a shape that the letter “he” is turned upside down when viewed in the diameter direction.

  At this time, as will be described later, when the fixture 37 (duct 12) is connected to the connecting portion 31, first, as shown in FIG. An operation of inserting the locking portion 51 at a position slightly shifted in the circumferential direction (counterclockwise direction) is performed. The position of the fixture 37 is referred to as an insertion position. Thereafter, the work of rotating the fixing tool 37 in the clockwise direction (arrow A direction) from the insertion position (shifting in the circumferential direction) is performed, so that FIG. 8B and FIG. ), The fixture 37 is locked in the axially (upward) retaining state so that the peak of the locked portion 45 rides over the peak of the locking portion 51. The position of the fixture 37 is referred to as a locking position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the outer ring-shaped wall portion 50 has a slope on the front-right side portion corresponding to the engaging claw 47 of the fixture 37 so as to cut out the upper portion of the wall portion. The part 52 and the engaging hole 53 which is an engaging part are formed. Of these, the slope portion 52 is configured so as to rise gently in the clockwise direction (arrow A direction) when viewed from above, and the engagement hole 53 is formed so as to fall suddenly from the top of the slope portion 52. ing.

  In this case, in a state where the fixing tool 37 is inserted in the insertion position with respect to the connection portion 31, the engagement claw 47 (the lower end of the claw portion 47 a) is the lowest of the inclined surface portion 52 of the outer ring-shaped wall portion 50. It arrange | positions so that it may be mounted in a part. Then, when the fixture 37 is rotated in the direction of the arrow A, the engaging claw 47 (the lower end of the claw portion 47 a) gradually rises up the slope portion 52, and is engaged at the locking position of the fixture 37. The claw 47 (the lower end of the claw portion 47 a) is engaged with the engagement hole 53. Thereby, the positioning fixing of the circumferential direction with respect to the connection part 31 (outer ring-shaped wall part 50) of the fixing tool 37 is made.

  Although detailed description is omitted, as described above, the cylindrical protrusions 35 and 36 and the outer ring-shaped wall portions 54 and 55 are also connected to the connection portions 32 and 33 of the remaining two ducts 13 and 14. (Refer to FIG. 3) The same connection structure is provided only in the size (diameter dimension) of each part in the fixtures 38, 39 and the like. The connection work described in the following description of the operation is performed in the same manner at the three connection portions 31, 32, and 33.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the washing machine 1 is assembled, the duct 12 of the water injection case unit 10, the ducts 13, 14 of the heater case unit 11, and the connection portions 31, 32, 33 of the duct mounting plate portion 15 (main body side) of the water tank cover 7. The connection work is performed as follows. That is, to describe the duct 12 as a representative, first, a fixing tool 37 is attached to the tip of the duct 12 in advance.

  The fixing device 37 is attached to the duct 12 by fitting the inner peripheral portion of the fixing device 37 into the outer periphery of the end portion of the duct 12. At this time, the inner periphery of the inner peripheral wall portion 37 a of the fixing device 37 is used. By positioning the two ribs 49 formed on the outer surface of the front end of the duct 12 in the two recessed grooves 44 formed on the surface, the circumferential positioning of the fixture 37 with respect to the duct 12 is achieved. Made. Thereby, alignment of the circumferential direction (rotation direction) between the duct 12 and the fixture 37 can be performed easily, and prevention of the shift | offset | difference of a rotation direction can be aimed at. In this case, since the concave groove 44 and the rib 49 are provided at two positions that are asymmetric in the circumferential direction, positioning can be performed more reliably and more effectively.

  Further, in this attached state, the flange portion 12a at the tip of the duct 12 is positioned so as to contact the lower end edge portion of the inner peripheral wall portion 37a, and the folded portion 12b covers the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 37a. . Thereby, it is possible to prevent the fixture 37 from being easily pulled out from the distal end portion of the duct 12 with a simple configuration, and the fixture 37 can be securely attached to the duct 12. Connection reliability can be improved.

  When connecting the duct 12 to the connecting portion 31, the operator holds the outer peripheral portion of the fixture 37 in the hand, and first, the inner peripheral side of the inner peripheral wall portion 37 a (the tip portion of the duct 12) is a cylindrical convex portion. It fits so that it may fit in the outer periphery of 34, and the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall part 37b may cover the outer periphery of the outer side ring-shaped wall part 50. FIG. At this time, the fixture 37 (the tip side portion of the duct 12) is slightly twisted counterclockwise when viewed from above, and the claw portion 47a of the engagement claw 47 is inclined to the inclined surface 52 of the outer ring-shaped wall portion 50. Alignment in the circumferential direction is performed so as to come to (be placed on) the bottom portion of the bracket, and the fixture 37 is fitted into the insertion position.

  Subsequently, the operator rotates (shifts) the fixture 37 in the clockwise direction (arrow A direction) as seen from above so as to return the twist. As shown in FIG. 8, the two locked portions 45 provided on the fixture 37 are locked to the locking portions 51 of the outer ring-shaped wall portion 50 by the rotation operation of the fixing device 37. Thus, the fixture 37 and the duct 12 are fixed to the connecting portion 31 in the axially prevented state.

  At the same time, the claw portion 47a of the engagement claw 47 rises on the inclined surface 52, and the claw portion 47a of the engagement claw 47 engages with the engagement hole 53 at the locking position of the fixing tool 37, and is fixed. The tool 37 and the duct 12 are positioned and fixed in the circumferential direction with respect to the connecting portion 31. At this time, when the engagement claw 47a is engaged with the engagement hole 53, a click feeling is obtained and an engagement sound is generated, so that the operator can easily confirm that the connection operation has been completed. I can know. In addition, since the anti-slip | skid part 48 is provided in the outer peripheral part of the fixing tool 37, the operator can perform reliably the operation | work which rotates the fixing tool 37, without slipping.

  In this connected state, as shown in FIG. 7, the leading end of the duct 12 is sandwiched in the radial direction between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical convex portion 34 and the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 37 a of the fixture 37. The flange portion 12a is sandwiched in the axial direction between the fixture 37 and the connection portion 31 (the upper surface of the duct mounting plate portion 15). Thereby, the front-end | tip part of the duct 12 comes to be reliably and firmly fixed to the connection part 31 via the fixing tool 37, for example, even if the duct 12 may be pulled upwards, it does not come out. . Moreover, in the connection part of the duct 12 and the connection part 31, sufficient airtightness can be maintained and it can prevent beforehand that water and warm air (air) leak.

  When it is necessary to remove the duct 12 (fixing tool 37) fixed as described above from the connecting portion 31, the engaging claw 47 is forcibly lifted upward using a tool or the like to engage the engaging hole. If the engagement with 53 is released and the fixing member 37 is rotated counterclockwise in this state to release the engagement between the locked portion 45 and the locking portion 51, the fixing device 37 and the duct 12 can be removed upward. That is, the duct 12 (fixing tool 37) is detachably provided to the connection portion 31.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the plastic ring-shaped fixtures 37, 38, 39 are attached to the outer circumferences of the distal ends of the ducts 12, 13, 14, and the locked portion 45, the locking portion 51, and the like. Since the fixing means including the engaging claw 47 and the engaging hole 53 is provided, the fixing members 37, 38, 39 are fitted on the outer circumferences of the cylindrical convex portions 34, 35, 36 of the connecting portions 31, 32, 33. The ducts 12, 13, and 14 can be connected to the connecting portions 31, 32, and 33 by a simple operation that is simply performed.

  In this case, it is only necessary to insert and rotate the fixtures 37, 38, and 39, so that the work in a narrow place becomes easy, and the ends of the ducts 12, 13, and 14 are connected to the water tank cover 7. The connection workability when connecting to the parts 31, 32, 33 can be greatly improved. In addition, the connection can be made stably and reliably, and the reliability of the connection can be improved, as compared with the case where the fastening hardware is used. In addition, the number of parts required for connection can be reduced simply by providing plastics 37, 38, 39, and the cost can be reduced.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the fixing means includes a locked portion 45 provided in the fixtures 37, 38, and 39 and a locking portion 51 provided in the connection portions 31, 32, and 33. Therefore, a necessary function can be achieved with a simple configuration, and the operator's work is facilitated. Furthermore, since the engaging claw 47 provided in the fixtures 37, 38, 39 and the engaging hole 53 provided in the connecting portions 31, 32, 33 are included as fixing means, a click feeling is obtained. Engagement error can be generated, and errors such as insufficient alignment of the fixing members 37, 38, 39 in the rotational direction can be prevented, and the fixing operation can be performed reliably.

  FIG. 9 shows the second embodiment, and the configuration of the connecting portion 61 provided on the duct mounting plate portion 15 on the washing machine main body side (water tank cover 7) is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, in this connection portion 61, a circular water supply port 62 is formed on the plate surface of the duct mounting plate portion 15. And it replaces with providing the cylindrical convex part 34, and is located in the outer peripheral side (inner peripheral side rather than the outer side ring-shaped wall part 50) of the said water supply port 62, and the cylindrical convex part 63 with a slightly low height dimension is provided. Is formed.

  Also in this case, the fixture 37 is attached to the outer periphery of the front end portion of the duct 12 and is fitted into the connection portion 61 from above in that state. At this time, the folded portion 12 b of the duct 12 is sandwiched between the inner peripheral wall portion 37 a of the fixture 37 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical convex portion 63. The fixing tool 37 is fixed to the connecting portion 61 by a fixing means (not shown), so that the duct 12 is connected in a retaining state. Even with this configuration, the same operation and effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 10 shows the third embodiment, and the configuration of the connecting portion 64 is further different. That is, the connecting portion 64 does not have the cylindrical convex portion 34 but has an outer ring-shaped wall portion 50 on the outer periphery of the circular water supply port 62. In this configuration, the fixing member 37 fitted to the distal end portion of the duct 12 is fixed to the connection portion 64 by fixing means (not shown), whereby the flange portion 12a is fixed to the fixing device 37 (the lower end of the inner peripheral wall portion 37a). And the connecting portion 64 (the upper surface of the duct mounting plate portion 15), the duct 12 is connected to the retaining state while being sandwiched in the axial direction. According to such a configuration, it is possible to obtain the same operations and effects as in the first embodiment, and it is possible to more simply complete the configuration of the connection portion 64.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where a plurality of (three) ducts of the water injection case unit and the heater case unit are connected to a plurality (three) of connecting portions provided on the water tank cover has been described as an example. The connecting portion and the duct may be provided with one set or two sets, and further four sets or more. Further, the present invention is not limited to the case where the duct is connected to the water tank cover, and can be applied to all cases where the end of the duct is connected to the washing machine main body side. The positioning portion for positioning between the duct and the fixture may be provided only at one place.

  Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which provides only one set about a to-be-latched part and a latching | locking part. Moreover, an engaging claw (engaged part) is provided in the connection part side, and an engagement hole (engaging part) is provided. Various modifications can be made to the structure of the fixing means, such as providing the fixing means. In addition, the present invention can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range that does not depart from the gist, such as being applicable to a horizontal axis type drum-type washing and drying machine.

  In the drawings, 1 is a washing machine, 7 is a water tank cover, 10 is a water injection case unit, 11 is a heater case unit, 12, 13 and 14 are ducts, 12a is a flange portion, 12b is a folded portion, 15 is a duct mounting plate portion, 28 is a water injection case, 30 is a heater case, 31, 32, 33, 61 and 64 are connecting portions, 34, 35, 36 and 63 are cylindrical convex portions, 37, 38 and 39 are fixing tools, and 37a is an inner peripheral wall portion. 37b is an outer peripheral wall portion, 37c is an upper wall portion, 44 is a recessed groove portion (positioning portion), 45 is a locked portion, 47 is an engaging claw (engaged portion), 48 is a non-slip portion, and 49 is a rib. (Positioning portion) 50, 54, 55 are outer ring-shaped wall portions, 51 is a locking portion, 52 is a slope portion, and 53 is an engagement hole (engagement portion).

Claims (7)

In the washing machine in which the tip of the duct having flexibility is connected to the connecting portion provided on the washing machine main body side,
With a ring-shaped fixture attached to the outer periphery of the tip of the duct,
A fixing means for fixing the fixing tool to the connecting portion ;
A flange portion that extends in the outer peripheral direction is integrally provided at the tip of the duct,
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the flange portion is configured to be sandwiched between the fixture and the connection portion in an axial direction . 2. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the flange portion is integrally provided with a turn-back portion for preventing detachment with respect to the fixture extending from the outer peripheral edge portion . The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a positioning portion for positioning in a circumferential direction is provided between a front end portion of the duct and the fixture . The washing machine according to claim 3 , wherein the positioning portion is provided at two positions asymmetric in the circumferential direction . The connecting portion has a cylindrical convex portion into which a front end portion of the duct is fitted,
The fixing means includes a locked portion provided in the fixture,
A locking portion that is provided in the connecting portion and locks the locked portion in the axially retained state by rotating the fixing tool into the cylindrical convex portion and then rotating in the circumferential direction. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by comprising: The fixing means further includes an engaging portion provided on one of the connecting portion and the fixture,
Positioned in the circumferential direction with respect to the connecting portion by engaging with the engaging portion at the locking position of the locked portion by the locking portion, provided at the other of the connecting portion and the fixing tool. The washing machine according to claim 5 , further comprising an engaged portion that performs the operation. The washing machine according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein an anti-slip portion is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the fixing device to prevent the slip when the fixing device is rotated .

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