JP7117431B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to washing machines.

A so-called vertical-axis washing machine, in which the axis of rotation of the washing tub is in the vertical direction, is provided with an opening for loading and unloading laundry and a lid for opening and closing the opening. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, in this type of vertical shaft type washing machine, a spring member that biases the lid in a direction to open the opening is attached to a hinge portion that rotatably supports the lid. is considered.

JP-A-6-315597

This embodiment provides a washing machine capable of avoiding the spring member from interfering with the cover member when the lid provided with the cover member rotates.

The washing machine according to this embodiment includes a washing machine main body, an opening for loading and unloading laundry, a lid, a spring member, and a cover member. An opening for loading and unloading laundry is provided in the washing machine main body. The lid is rotatably provided on the washing machine body and opens and closes the opening. A spring member urges the lid in a direction to open the opening. A cover member covers the opening side of the lid. The cover member is provided separately from the member forming the opening side of the lid, the spring member has a main body side portion held on the washing machine main body side, and the cover member has a avoiding portion that avoids the body-side portion of the spring member.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the washing machine showing a configuration example of the washing machine according to the present embodiment, showing a closed state in which the lid is closed; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the washing machine showing an example of the configuration of the washing machine according to the present embodiment, showing an open state with the lid open. Side view of washing machine in closed state Perspective view of the lid in an unfolded state seen from the front side Perspective view from the back side of the lid in an unfolded state FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a washing machine showing a state in which a cover member is removed in an open state in which the lid is open; Perspective view of cover member Vertical cross-sectional front view showing the rotation shaft portion of the lid and its peripheral portion A longitudinal front view showing a modification, showing a rotation shaft portion of the lid and its peripheral portion.

An embodiment of a washing machine will be described below with reference to the drawings. The washing machine 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a so-called vertical axis type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the washing tub is in the vertical direction. The width of the lid 3 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the width of the washing machine main body 2 in the left-right direction. In addition, hereinafter, "substantially the same size" includes the case where the two dimensions are completely the same, and also includes the case where the two dimensions are slightly different enough to be regarded as the same.

The washing machine main body 2 includes a rectangular box-shaped outer case 4 made of steel, for example, and a top cover 5 made of synthetic resin, for example. A top cover 5 is provided on top of the outer casing 4 . That is, the top cover 5 constitutes the upper portion of the washing machine main body 2 . Inside the outer box 4, a water tank (not shown) for storing washing water is elastically supported by an elastic suspension mechanism. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a washing tub 6 in which laundry is stored is rotatably provided inside the tub. A rotation axis of the washing tub 6 is a vertical axis extending in the vertical direction of the washing machine main body 2 .

The top cover 5 has a thin hollow box shape with an open lower surface and an upper surface that slopes down toward the front. An opening 7 for loading and unloading laundry is provided in the center of the top cover 5 above the washing tub 6 . The opening 7 has an arc shape on the front side and a rectangular shape on the rear side. The front and side surfaces of the opening 7 are slanted toward the inside of the opening 7 toward the bottom, so that the opening area of the opening 7 decreases toward the bottom. Further, the opening 7 has a vertical wall at its rear surface. A detergent case 8 into which detergents are put is provided in the central portion in the left-right direction of the rear surface portion of the opening 7 . Detergents case 8 is provided so as to be put in and taken out along the front-rear direction of washing machine 1 . In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the upper surface of the top cover 5 slopes down toward the front. Therefore, the depth of the opening 7 is deeper on the rear side than on the front side.

A lid 3 for opening and closing the opening 7 is provided on the upper surface of the top cover 5 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction. As will be described later, the top surface of the top cover 5 is flat without steps. A rotating shaft portion 9 extending in the left-right direction is provided at the base end portion of the lid 3 . The rotating shaft portion 9 rotatably supports the lid 3 with respect to the washing machine main body 2 . The rotating shaft portion 9 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the lateral direction of the lid 3 at the base end portion of the lid 3 .

On the other hand, a recessed portion 10 extending in the left-right direction of the top cover 5 is provided in the upper portion of the top cover 5 directly above the rear surface portion of the opening 7 . The concave portion 10 has a concave shape with an arcuate cross section so as to correspond to the shape of the cylindrical rotating shaft portion 9 . The width of the concave portion 10 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the width of the top cover 5 in the left-right direction, in other words, the width of the washing machine main body 2 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the concave portion 10 is not closed at both ends in the left-right direction, and is exposed toward the side of the washing machine main body 2 . The rotating shaft portion 9 of the lid 3 is accommodated in the concave portion 10 on the side of the washing machine main body 2 . Thereby, the lid 3 is rotatably supported on the upper part of the washing machine main body 2 .

A lid supporting portion 11 that supports the lid 3 with the opening 7 closed is provided on the upper portion of the top cover 5 , in other words, the upper portion of the washing machine main body 2 . The lid support portion 11 is provided in a planar shape around the opening portion 7 . In this case, the lid supporting portion 11 is formed so as to surround the opening 7 except for the front end portion of the opening 7 .

An operation panel 12 for inputting various operations to the washing machine 1 is provided on the upper front portion of the top cover 5 , in other words, on the upper front portion of the washing machine main body 2 . The operation panel 12 is provided on the front portion of the lid support portion 11 so as to be continuous with the lid support portion 11 . The upper surface of the lid support portion 11 and the upper surface of the operation panel 12 are flush with each other. As a result, the periphery of the opening 7 is in a state of being surrounded by a continuous plane portion without steps, which is composed of the top surface of the lid support portion 11 and the top surface of the operation panel 12 . A central portion of the rear portion of the operation panel 12 is provided with a recessed portion 13 that is recessed in an arc along the shape of the opening on the front side of the opening portion 7 .

As exemplified in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lid 3 has a so-called two-fold structure, and includes a body portion 21 and a tip portion 22 . The main body portion 21 of the lid 3 has a configuration in which a glass attaching member (not shown) is provided between a back side member 23 and a front side member 24 . The back side member 23 is made of, for example, a crystalline synthetic resin material. The back surface side member 23 constitutes the back surface of the body portion 21 of the lid 3, that is, the surface on the opening portion 7 side. The back surface of the body portion 21 of the lid 3 is the bottom surface when the lid 3 closes the opening 7 as illustrated in FIGS. In the open state where 7 is opened, it is the front surface.

Inclined surface portions 23a are provided at both end portions of the back surface side member 23 in the left-right direction. The inclined surface portions 23 a form both lateral end portions of the body portion 21 of the lid 3 . Since the inclined surface portion 23a is inclined, both lateral end portions of the main body portion 21 of the lid 3 are chamfered. Further, a tip support portion 23b for rotatably supporting the tip portion 22 is provided on the tip portion side of the back side member 23 . In addition, projecting portions 23 c that form both ends of the rotation shaft portion 9 in the left-right direction are provided at both end portions in the left-right direction on the base end portion side of the back side member 23 . The protruding portion 23c protrudes in a substantially semicircular shape.

The glass attachment member is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material and attached to the front side of the back side member 23 . The surface side member 24 is made of, for example, a hard glass plate having a thickness of about 5 mm, and has a rectangular thin plate shape. The surface-side member 24 may be colored or transparent. The surface-side member 24 is attached to the upper surface of the glass attachment member via a double-sided adhesive tape (not shown). The tip of the surface side member 24 is held down by the holding member 25 . The width of the holding member 25 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the width of the main body 21 in the left-right direction. The surface-side member 24 constitutes the surface of the body portion 21 of the lid 3 . The surface of the body portion 21 of the lid 3 is the upper surface when the lid 3 closes the opening 7 as illustrated in FIGS. In the open state where 7 is opened, it is the rear surface.

A tip portion 22 of the lid 3 has a rectangular plate shape smaller than the body portion 21 . The width in the left-right direction of the tip portion 22 of the lid 3 is substantially the same as the width in the left-right direction of the body portion 21 of the lid 3 . The tip portion 22 of the lid 3 includes a back side member 31 and a front side member 32 . Like the back side member 23 of the main body 21, the back side member 31 is made of, for example, a crystalline synthetic resin material. Inclined surface portions 31a are provided at both ends of the back side member 31 in the left-right direction. The inclined surface portions 31 a form both lateral end portions of the distal end portion 22 of the lid 3 . Since the inclined surface portion 31a is inclined, both ends in the left-right direction of the tip portion 22 of the lid 3 are in a so-called chamfered state.

The surface-side member 32 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material. The synthetic resin material forming the surface-side member 32 may be a crystalline synthetic resin material, or may be another synthetic resin material. Further, the surface side member 32 is provided with a handle portion 33 for the user to put a finger on when opening and closing the lid 3 .

The tip portion 22 of the lid 3 is configured by combining a back side member 31 and a front side member 32 . The distal end portion 22 of the lid 3 is rotatably supported by the distal end portion support portion 23b of the body portion 21 at its base end portion. The back surface side member 31 of the lid 3 constitutes the back surface of the tip portion 22 of the lid 3, that is, the surface on the opening portion 7 side. The back surface of the tip 22 of the lid 3 is the bottom surface when the lid 3 closes the opening 7 as illustrated in FIGS. In the open state in which 7 is opened, it faces the rear surface of main body 21 .

That is, in this case, the lid 3 has a so-called foldable lid structure consisting of two independent parts, the body part 21 and the tip part 22 . Therefore, in the closed state in which the lid 3 closes the opening 7, the main body 21 and the tip 22 of the lid 3 are flush with each other as shown in FIGS. close. On the other hand, when the lid 3 opens the opening 7, the main body 21 of the lid 3 stands substantially vertically above the recess 10, as shown in FIG. is folded downward from the upper end of the body portion 21 . That is, the lid 3 is in a state in which the back side member 23 of the body portion 21 and the back side member 31 of the tip portion 22 face each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 , a protrusion 41 is provided on the rear surface of the lid 3 . The convex portion 41 is formed in an arc shape on the distal end portion 22 side corresponding to the opening shape of the opening portion 7, and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape on the base end side on the main body portion 21 side. When the lid 3 closes the opening 7 , the protrusion 41 fits into the opening 7 . As a result, sound leakage from inside the washing machine main body 2 can be prevented, and foreign matter such as dust can be prevented from entering the inside of the washing machine main body 2 through the opening 7 .

Next, the internal configuration of the rotating shaft portion 9 will be described. That is, the surface of the lid 3 on the side of the opening 7 includes the back side member 23 of the main body 21, the back side member 31 of the tip portion 22, and the cover member 51 which is separate from the back side members 23 and 31. , provided. The cover member 51 covers a portion of the rear surface of the lid 3 that constitutes the rotation shaft portion 9 . As illustrated in FIG. 6, on the surface of the lid 3 on the side of the opening 7, without removing the lid 3 from the washing machine main body 2 and without removing the back side members 23 and 31 from the lid 3, Only the cover member 51 can be removed while the lid 3 is open. Then, when the cover member 51 is removed from the lid 3, the inside of the rotating shaft portion 9, that is, the inside of the portion that rotatably supports the lid 3 with respect to the washing machine main body 2 is exposed.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the cover member 51 includes a portion of the cylindrical rotation shaft portion 9 , in this case, a semi-cylindrical portion 52 that constitutes the portion on the back side of the lid 3 and a back side member 23 . and a planar portion 53 fitted to the base end portion. The semi-cylindrical portion 52 protrudes toward the rear surface side of the lid 3 . A plurality of locking claws 54 that are locked to the base end of the back side member 23 are provided at the distal end of the planar portion 53 . A pair of holding state maintaining portions 55 are provided inside the semi-cylindrical portion 52 of the cover member 51 .

The holding state maintaining portion 55 is provided in an elongated planar shape protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the semi-cylindrical portion 52 . The plane of the holding state maintaining portion 55 is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the cover member 51 . The held state maintaining portion 55 has a rib 55 a that reinforces the held state maintaining portion 55 on a plane inside the cover member 51 in the longitudinal direction. It should be noted that the holding state maintaining portion 55 does not have projections such as ribs on the outer plane of the cover member 51 in the longitudinal direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a base portion 61, a shaft 62, and a spring member 63 are provided inside the rotating shaft portion 9. As shown in FIG. The base portion 61 is made of metal and extends in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft portion 9 . The base portion 61 is fixed to the back side of the base end portion of the back side member 23 that constitutes the body portion 21 of the lid 3 . Shaft holding portions 64 are provided at both ends of the base portion 61 in the left-right direction so as to protrude toward the back side of the lid 3 . The shaft holding portion 64 has a pair of holding piece portions 64a facing each other along the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft portion 9. As shown in FIG. A holding hole for holding the shaft 62 is provided in the holding piece portion 64a. The holding hole is positioned inside a portion of the rotating shaft portion 9 that bulges toward the back side of the lid 3 . Therefore, the shaft 62 held in the holding hole, that is, the rotation center of the lid 3 is provided in the portion of the lid 3 that bulges toward the back side.

The shaft 62 is made of metal and has an elongated cylindrical shape. The shaft 62 serves as the rotation center of the lid 3 inside the lid 3 , specifically inside the rotation shaft portion 9 . In this case, two shafts 62 are provided at both ends of the rotation shaft portion 9 in the left-right direction. and. One shaft 62 is held by one shaft holding portion 64 of the base portion 61 , and the other shaft 62 is held by the other shaft holding portion 64 of the base portion 61 .

Out of both end portions of the shaft 62 , the end portion located outside in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft portion 9 is inserted into and supported by the shaft support portion 2 a provided on the upper portion of the washing machine main body 2 . On the other hand, of the both end portions of the shaft 62 , the inner end portion of the rotating shaft portion 9 in the longitudinal direction abuts on the holding state maintaining portion 55 of the cover member 51 . As a result, the holding state maintaining section 55 prevents the shaft 62 from slipping out of the shaft holding section 64 and maintains the state where the shaft 62 is held by the shaft holding section 64 . That is, the holding state maintaining portion 55 functions as a so-called stopper for the shaft 62 .

The spring member 63 is made of metal and is wound in a coil shape. The spring member 63 urges the lid 3 in the direction of opening the opening 7 inside the lid 3 , specifically, inside the rotating shaft portion 9 . In this case, two spring members 63 are provided at both ends of the rotation shaft portion 9 in the left-right direction. One spring member 63 is held by the shaft holding portion 64 with one shaft 62 inserted therethrough, and the other spring member 63 is held by the shaft holding portion 64 with the other shaft 62 inserted therethrough. It is

6, the spring member 63 has a lid-side portion 63a held on the lid 3 side and a body-side portion 63b held on the washing machine body 2 side. Both the lid-side portion 63a and the body-side portion 63b extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the shaft 62 extends, but the directions in which they extend are different.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the lid-side portion 63 a is held by a holding portion provided on the base portion 61 . On the other hand, as exemplified in FIG. 8, the main body side portion 63b is held by the upper portion of the top cover 5 of the washing machine main body 2, more specifically, by the holding portion 5a provided on the bottom portion of the recess 10. As shown in FIG. The holding portion 5a is a cylindrical portion that extends downward from the bottom of the recess 10 . In this case, the holding portion 5a is integrally provided as a part of the top cover 5. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the main body side portion 63b is directly held by the top cover 5, in other words, the washing machine main body 2 without interposing a metal reinforcing portion or the like. Also, the bottom of the holding portion 5a is closed. A configuration in which the bottom portion of the holding portion 5a is open is also permitted.

The holding portion 5 a extends along the vertical direction of the washing machine main body 2 . Therefore, the main body side portion 63b held by the holding portion 5a is always held along the vertical direction of the washing machine main body 2. As shown in FIG. On the other hand, since the lid-side portion 63a is supported by the lid 3, its extending direction changes as the lid 3 rotates. Therefore, as the lid 3 rotates, the angle formed by the lid-side portion 63a and the body-side portion 63b changes. In the closed state where the lid 3 is closed, the angle formed by the lid side portion 63a and the main body side portion 63b becomes small. In this state, the spring member 63 generates a force to separate the two portions 63a and 63b, that is, a force to open the lid 3. As shown in FIG. However, the force generated at this time is weaker than the force enough to open the lid 3, so the lid 3 will not be opened only by the force generated by the spring member 63. When the user puts his/her hand on the handle portion 33 to open the lid 3 from the closed state in which the lid 3 is closed, the body portion 21 rotates upward and the distal end portion 22 is folded. When the lid 3 is opened, the force generated by the spring member 63 acts in a direction to open the body portion 21 of the lid 3, so that the opening operation of the lid 3 by the user can be assisted.

Further, when the lid 3 rotates, the body-side portion 63b of the spring member 63 is maintained in a state of being held by the holding portion 5a with respect to the rotation shaft portion 9 that rotates together with the lid 3 . That is, when the lid 3 rotates, the position of the body-side portion 63b of the spring member 63 does not change. Therefore, the cover member 51 is provided with a avoidance portion 56 for avoiding the body-side portion 63b of the spring member 63 whose position does not change. The avoidance portion 56 is provided in a slit shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation shaft portion 9 . A body-side portion 63 b of the spring member 63 is inserted through the avoidance portion 56 . As the body portion 21 of the lid 3 rotates, the position of the body side portion 63b relative to the cover member 51 changes. The avoidance portion 56 is for allowing the relative positional change of the main body side portion 63b.

According to the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the cover member 51 is provided separately from the back side members 23 and 31 that constitute the surface of the lid 3 on the opening 7 side. According to this configuration, the base portion 61, the shaft 62, and the spring member 63 are provided without removing the lid 3 from the washing machine main body 2 and without removing the back side members 23 and 31 from the lid 3. That is, the portion that rotatably supports the lid 3 with respect to the washing machine main body 2 can be exposed, and maintenance of the portion can be easily performed.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, most of the spring member 63 is stored inside the cover member 51, and only the main body side portion 63b is held on the washing machine main body 2 side. The cover member 51 on the lid 3 side corresponds to the main body side portion 63b of the spring member 63 held on the washing machine main body 2 side, that is, the element whose position does not change as the lid 3 rotates. has an avoidance unit 56 for avoiding As a result, it is possible to prevent the body-side portion 63b of the spring member 63 from interfering with the cover member 51 when the lid 3 rotates.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the body-side portion 63b of the spring member 63 extends in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the shaft 62, which is stored inside the cover member 51 along the longitudinal direction of the cover member 51, extends. Therefore, the main body side portion 63b of the spring member 63 can be projected toward the washing machine main body 2 from the peripheral surface of the semi-cylindrical cover member 51, and the main body side portion 63b of the spring member 63 can be directly directed to the washing machine main body 2. It becomes easier to hold.

In addition, in the configuration in which the main body side portions of the spring member protrude from both longitudinal end portions of the rotating shaft portion, the main body side portion of the spring member cannot face the washing machine main body. Therefore, it is necessary to interpose a member for connecting these elements between the main body side portion of the spring member and the washing machine main body, which complicates the structure. According to the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to interpose a member between the main body side portion 63b of the spring member 63 and the washing machine main body 2, and the main body side portion 63b of the spring member 63 is attached to the washing machine main body 2. can be held directly to

Further, according to the washing machine 1 , the cover member 51 has the holding state maintaining portion 55 that maintains the state where the shaft 62 is held by the shaft holding portion 64 . According to this configuration, by attaching the cover member 51, it is possible to maintain the state in which the shaft 62 is prevented from coming off. Further, by removing the cover member 51, the retaining state by the holding state maintaining unit 55 is released, so that the shaft 62 can be removed at the same time as the cover member 51 is removed, which facilitates maintenance. It can be performed.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , the washing machine 1 may have a configuration in which a reinforcing plate 71 is provided inside the washing machine main body 2 . The reinforcing plate 71 is made of metal and reinforces the upper portion of the washing machine main body 2, particularly the concave portion 10. As shown in FIG. The reinforcing plate 71 holds the holding portion 5a and reinforces the holding portion 5a. The reinforcing plate 71 also functions as a bearing for the shaft 62 , particularly as a bearing for the end inserted into the washing machine main body 2 .

Moreover, the washing machine 1 may be configured to include a single rectangular plate-like lid instead of the so-called two-fold lid 3 . In addition, the washing machine 1 may have the surface of the lid made of, for example, a resin material or a metal material instead of the glass plate material.

Moreover, the avoidance part is not limited to the slit-like one, and the shape thereof can be appropriately changed. In other words, the shape of the opening of the avoiding portion may be any shape as long as it can avoid a portion of the spring member whose position does not change even if the lid rotates.

Moreover, the holding state maintaining portion 55 is not limited to a structure that protrudes in a planar shape. The holding state maintaining portion may be configured by, for example, recessing the central portion of the cover member 51 in the longitudinal direction toward the surface side of the lid 3 . Moreover, the washing machine 1 may have a configuration in which a damper is provided in the central portion of the rotating shaft portion 9 . The damper may absorb the force that rotates the lid 3 in the opening direction, or absorb the force that rotates the lid 3 in the closing direction. It can be.

According to the washing machine according to the present embodiment, the cover member that covers the portion of the opening side surface of the lid where the shaft and the spring member are provided is separate from the member that constitutes the opening side surface of the lid. located on the body. According to this configuration, the portion that rotatably supports the lid with respect to the washing machine body is exposed without removing the lid from the washing machine body and without removing the member forming the opening side surface of the lid. It is possible to carry out maintenance of the part concerned easily.

It should be noted that this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

In the drawings, 1 is a washing machine, 2 is a washing machine main body, 3 is a lid, 7 is an opening for loading and unloading laundry, 51 is a cover member, 55 is a holding state maintaining part, 56 is a avoiding part, 62 is a shaft, 63 denotes a spring member, 63b denotes a main body side portion, and 64 denotes a shaft holding portion.

Claims (7)

washing machine body,
an opening for loading and unloading laundry provided in the washing machine body;
a lid rotatably provided on the washing machine body for opening and closing the opening;
a spring member that biases the lid in a direction to open the opening;
a cover member covering the opening side of the lid;
with
The cover member is provided separately from a member forming the opening side of the lid,
The spring member has a main body side portion held on the washing machine main body side,
The washing machine, wherein the cover member has a avoidance portion that avoids the body-side portion of the spring member. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the avoidance portion is formed from an end portion of the cover member. 3. The avoiding portion according to claim 1, wherein the avoidance portion is formed from an end portion of the cover member located on the base end side of the lid in a state where the cover member covers the opening portion side of the lid. washing machine. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the body-side portion of the spring member is directly held by the washing machine body. further comprising a shaft serving as a rotation center of the lid,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body-side portion of the spring member extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the shaft extends. further comprising a shaft holding portion that holds the shaft;
The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the cover member has a holding state maintaining portion that maintains a state in which the shaft is held by the shaft holding portion. a rotating shaft portion that rotatably supports the lid with respect to the washing machine body;
a damper provided in the central portion of the rotating shaft;
with
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the spring member is provided between the lateral end of the rotating shaft portion and the damper.

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