JP7244957B1 - washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A washing machine having a structure capable of reducing the risk of soiling a liquid tank container even if liquid is spilled. A washing machine includes a liquid agent tank (51) for storing liquid agent to be introduced into a washing tub, liquid agent automatic injection means for automatically injecting the liquid agent, and a liquid agent tank housing (55) for housing the liquid agent tank (51) in a housing portion (551). The water supply to the washing tub passes through the liquid agent automatic feeding means, and the liquid agent tank 51 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 551 so as to be able to be taken in and out by inserting and withdrawing in the first direction, and the liquid agent tank 51 is downwardly moved from the bottom wall portion 511a. A connecting portion 511d for connecting with the liquid agent automatic injection means is provided in the projecting portion 511b. The protrusion 511b and the recessed portion 551d extend in the first direction, and the recessed portion 551d has a communication portion 551m communicating with the water supply channel. [Selection drawing] Fig. 9

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with an automatic liquid injection means for automatically injecting liquid.

A washing machine equipped with an automatic liquid injection unit includes one or more tanks capable of storing liquid agents such as detergents and softeners, a tank tray detachably housing the tanks, and an outer tank for taking out the liquid agents from the tanks. A washing machine is known that has a liquid agent charging device for charging inside (Patent Document 1).
According to such a washing machine, the liquid agent can be introduced into the outer tub by connecting the check valve of the tank in the vertical direction to the bottom surface of the tank tray.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-003272

In the above-described washing machine, when the tank is removed from the tank tray, the liquid agent may spill from the tank around the connecting portion between the tank and the tank tray, thereby staining the tank tray.
If the tank tray is soiled with the liquid agent, the liquid agent may stick to the liquid agent and the liquid agent injection device may not operate normally.
Note that the tank tray corresponds to the liquid agent tank container in this specification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine having a structure capable of reducing the possibility of soiling a liquid agent tank container even if liquid agent is spilled.

A washing machine according to the present invention comprises a washing tub, a liquid agent tank for storing the liquid agent to be introduced into the washing tub, automatic liquid agent injection means for automatically injecting the liquid agent from the liquid agent tank into the washing tub, and the liquid agent. a liquid agent tank containing body for containing a tank in a container portion, water supplied to the washing tub passes through a water supply channel via the automatic liquid agent injection means, and the liquid agent tank is inserted and removed in the first direction; The liquid agent tank accommodated in the accommodation portion has a connecting portion for connecting to the liquid agent automatic injection means in a projecting portion projecting downward from the bottom wall portion. and a concave portion recessed downward corresponding to the protruding portion of the liquid agent tank, the protruding portion and the concave portion extending in the first direction, and the concave portion communicating with the water supply passage. It has a communicating part.

According to the above configuration, even if the liquid agent is spilled, it is possible to reduce the risk of staining the liquid agent tank container.

(a) is a top perspective view of the washing machine according to the embodiment, and (b) is a top perspective view of the state in which the upper door of the washing machine and the detergent case of the detergent loading unit are pulled out. It is the figure which looked at the cross-sectional state orthogonal to the front-back direction of a washing machine from the front. It is the figure which looked at the cross-sectional state orthogonal to the left-right direction of a washing machine from the left side. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the top wall portion of the housing of the washing machine is removed and the door of the liquid agent tank is open; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the automatic liquid agent injection unit and the detergent injection unit from which the second liquid agent tank is taken out, (a) being a view from the upper rear side, and (b) being a view from the lower rear side. It is the perspective view which looked at the detergent injection unit from the upper front side, (a) is the state which pulled out the detergent case from the detergent box, and (b) is the disassembled state. (a) is a perspective view of the automatic liquid agent injection unit as seen from the upper front side, and (b) is a perspective view of the disassembled state of the automatic liquid agent injection unit as seen from the upper front side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the liquid agent tank in a disassembled state, where (a) is a view seen from above the front side, and (b) is a view seen from below the rear side. (a) is a left side view of a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the connecting portion of the automatic liquid agent injection unit; It is the figure seen from the left side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a state in which the automatic liquid agent injection means and the upstream water channel forming body are removed from the support, (a) is a view from above the front side, and (b) is a view from below the rear side; . FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the automatic liquid injection means in an exploded state, where (a) is a view from above the front side and (b) is a view from below the rear side. (a) is a perspective view of the disassembled cylinder viewed from above the front side, (b) is a view of a cross section orthogonal to the vertical direction of the cylinder viewed from above, and (c) is the lateral direction of the cylinder. 1 is a view of a cross section orthogonal to , viewed from the left side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a state in which the liquid agent automatic injection means and the connecting member are removed from the liquid agent tank container, where (a) is a view from the rear upper side and (b) is a view from the rear lower side. (a) is a top view of a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction of the automatic liquid agent injection unit, and (b) is a perspective view of the cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction of the automatic liquid agent injection unit as seen from the rear upper side. FIG. 2 is a rear view of a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the automatic liquid agent injection unit, and an enlarged view is a perspective view of a connecting portion between an injection channel forming body and a cylinder as seen from the rear upper side, and a connecting body and the injection channel. It is the perspective view which looked at the connection part with the formation body from the rear upper side. FIG. 5 is a view for explaining how the liquid agent tank is accommodated in the accommodation portion of the liquid agent tank container. It is a figure explaining a liquid agent side water supply path. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of a door.

<Embodiment>
1. Overview As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the washing machine X includes a housing 10 in which a washing tub 11 for storing washing water and the like is housed in the washing tub 11 and laundry such as clothes is put therein. A rotary drum 12, a door 13 for opening and closing the opening of the washing tub 11, a motor 14 for rotating the rotary drum 12, a drying unit 15 for drying the laundry, and water for supplying water to the rotary drum 12. A water receiving unit 16, an operation unit 17 for operating the washing operation, etc., a control unit 18 for controlling the washing operation, etc., a drainage unit 19 for draining water from the washing tub 11, and a detergent put into the washing tub 11. and a liquid agent automatic injection unit 50 for automatically injecting the liquid agent into the washing tub 11.例文帳に追加
In the embodiment, a horizontal washing machine in which the central axis of the washing tub 11 is arranged horizontally, a so-called drum washing machine will be described. A type washing machine can be used in the same manner.
Here, the direction in which the central axis of the washing tub 11 extends is defined as the front-rear direction, the side where the door 13 exists is defined as the front side, and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction is defined as the left-right direction. Note that the right and left are based on the state in which the washing machine X is viewed while facing the door 13 .
Each part will be described below.

2. Principal Part (1) Water Receiving Unit The water receiving unit 16 includes, as shown in FIG. An opening/closing means 162 for starting and stopping water reception (hereinafter referred to simply as "water"), and a water distribution port 161 for supplying water from the connection port 161 to the detergent injection unit 30 and the liquid agent automatic injection unit 50. and a distribution unit 163 . The distribution part 163 here has four connection ports 164 . The opening/closing of the opening/closing means 162 is performed by the control unit 18 .
The water received from the water receiving unit 16 has a water supply channel for supplying water to the washing tub 11 via the detergent charging unit 30 and a water supply channel for supplying water to the washing tub 11 via the liquid agent automatic charging unit 50 . In order to distinguish between the two water supply paths, the water supply path passing through the detergent input unit 30 is referred to as the detergent side water supply path, and the water supply path via the liquid agent automatic input unit 50 is referred to as the liquid side water supply path.

(1-1) Detergent Side Water Supply Path Water flowing through the detergent side water supply path flows from the water receiving unit 16 into the washing tub 11 via the detergent input unit 30 .
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5B, the distribution portion 163 of the water receiving unit 16 and the detergent input unit 30 are connected by a connector 165, and the detergent input unit 30 and the washing tub 11 are connected by a connector. 251 is connected. The connecting bodies 165 and 251 can form a water channel inside, and can use a pipe, a hose, or the like made of a resin material, a rubber material, or the like.

(1-2) Liquid Side Water Supply Path Water flowing through the liquid side water supply path flows from the water receiving unit 16 into the washing tub 11 via the automatic liquid material injection unit 50 and the detergent injection unit 30 . Here, the downstream side of the liquid agent side water supply path joins the detergent side water supply path.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 14, the distribution portion 163 of the water receiving unit 16 and the automatic liquid agent injection unit 50 are connected by an upstream water passage forming member 166, and the automatic liquid agent injection unit 50 and the detergent injection unit are connected. 30 are connected by a connector 252 . The connection body 252 has a water channel formed therein, and a pipe, hose, or the like made of a resin material or a rubber material can be used.
That is, the liquid agent side water supply channel is configured using the water receiving unit 16, the upstream side channel forming body 166, the liquid agent automatic injection unit 50, the connector 252, the detergent injection unit 30, and the connector 251. , the liquid agent is injected by the automatic liquid agent injection means 53 of the automatic liquid agent injection unit 50 .

As shown in FIG. 17, the liquid agent side water supply passage 60 is connected to the discharge port of the cylinder 531 for discharging the liquid agent through a communication water passage 61. A lower water supply channel 602 on the downstream side, a detergent input side channel (not shown in FIG. 17) flowing through the automatic liquid agent input unit 50 and flowing into the washing tub 11, a detergent input side channel and the lower water supply channel 602 are connected. and a connecting channel 603 (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 17).
Specifically, the upper water supply channel 601 is a channel from point A to points B1 and B2, the communication channel 61 is a channel from point B to point C, and the lower water channel 602 is a channel from point C to point D. The connection channel 603 and the detergent input side channel are channels from the point D to the washing tub 11 (not shown in FIG. 17). The lower waterway 602 includes an upper waterway 604 from point C to point E, a middle waterway 605 from point E to points G,H, and a lower waterway 608 from points G,H to point D. Note that point A indicates the starting point of the upper water supply channel 601 in FIG.

Further, when there are a plurality of liquid agent automatic injection means 53 and the upper water supply passage 601 branches into a plurality of lines (here, there are two liquid agent automatic injection means 53A and 53B), the first liquid agent automatic injection means An upper water supply channel 601A on the side of means 53A includes a front side water channel 606 from point A to point F, a rear side water channel 607A from point F to point B1, and an upper water channel 601B on the side of second liquid agent automatic injection means 53B. includes a front channel 606 from point A to point F and a rear channel 607B from point F to point B2.
When there is only one liquid agent automatic injection means 53, the above-described upper water supply channel 601 does not have the point F indicating the branch point in FIG. .
The lower water supply channel 602A on the side of the first liquid agent automatic injection means 53A includes an upper water channel 604A from point C1 to point E1, a middle water channel 605A from point E1 to point G, and a lower water channel 605A from point G to point D. A lower water supply channel 602B on the side of the second liquid agent automatic injection means 53B includes an upper water channel 604B from point C2 to point E2, a middle water channel 605B from point E2 to point H, and a water channel 605B from point E2 to point H. and lower channel 608B to point D. Here, the downstream side from point G in the lower water channel 608B of the second automatic liquid agent injection means 53B coincides (merges) with the lower water channel 608A of the first automatic liquid agent injection means 53A.
If there is only one liquid agent automatic injection means 53, the lower water supply passage 602 described above does not have the point G indicating the confluence in FIG.
The upper water supply channel 601 and the lower water supply channel 602 are mainly formed by the upstream water channel forming body 166 and the liquid agent automatic injection unit 50 .
When there are a plurality of automatic liquid agent injection means 53 (two in this case), as shown in FIG. The communication channel on the side of the charging means 53B is designated as "61B".

(2) Detergent Input Unit The detergent input unit 30 is arranged in the detergent side water supply passage. As shown in FIG. 6, the detergent charging unit 30 has a detergent box 31 having an opening 31a on the front side, and a detergent case 32 slidably supported with respect to the detergent box 31. As shown in FIG.
The detergent case 32 here has a powder detergent housing portion 321 for powder detergent and a liquid detergent housing portion 322 for liquid detergent.
(2-1) Detergent Box The detergent box 31 includes a detergent box main body 33 whose front and upper sides are open, a detergent cover 34 that closes the upper side of the detergent box main body 33, and a detergent cover 35 that covers the detergent cover 34 from above. have.
As shown in FIG. 5 , a connector 251 that connects to the washing tub 11 is connected to the bottom wall portion of the detergent box main body 33 . A connector 252 that connects to the liquid agent automatic injection unit 50 is connected to the rear wall portion of the detergent box main body 33 . The water that has flowed into the detergent box main body 33 from the connector 252 does not pass through the detergent case 32 , but flows from the connector 251 to the washing tub 11 through the bottom wall portion. Thus, the bottom wall portion constitutes the channel 331 .
As shown in FIG. 6, the detergent cover 34 allows the water that has flowed in from the connection parts 341 and 342 connected to the connection body 165 (see FIG. 5(b)) to pass through the powder detergent storage part 321 of the detergent case 32 and the liquid detergent. It has guide channel portions 343 and 344 that guide to the accommodation portion 322 side. In addition, a plurality of through holes 345 are provided in the guide channel portions 343 and 344 to allow the guided water to pass therethrough.

(2-2) Detergent Case The detergent case 32 has a decorative member 36 having a handle 361 attached to its front side. The detergent case 32 has a powder detergent storage portion 321 and a liquid detergent storage portion 322 that are long in the front-rear direction and are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. The powder detergent containing portion 321 and the liquid detergent containing portion 322 are configured by concave portions, the bottom surfaces of which are slanted rearwardly, and a through hole communicating with the detergent box main body 33 is provided on the rear portion side.
Here, the powder detergent storage part 321 is detachably provided with a function imparting part 323 for imparting a washing-related function (for example, antibacterial).

(3) Liquid agent automatic injection unit The liquid agent automatic injection unit 50 is arranged above the detergent injection unit 30, as shown in FIG. As a result, the water that has passed through the liquid agent automatic injection unit 50 can be easily made to flow downward toward the detergent injection unit 30 side.
The liquid agent automatic injection unit 50 is arranged in a state in which a part or the whole overlaps with the detergent injection unit 30 in the vertical direction. The automatic liquid agent injection unit 50 has its front end positioned behind the front end of the detergent injection unit 30 . Thereby, a space is formed on the front side of the liquid agent automatic injection unit 50 and above the detergent injection unit 30, and for example, the operation unit 17 can be arranged.
The rear end of the automatic liquid agent injection unit 50 is located behind the rear end of the detergent injection unit 30 . As a result, a space is formed below the rear portion of the automatic liquid agent injection unit 50 and behind the detergent injection unit 30. For example, a connection body 252 that connects the automatic liquid agent injection unit 50 and the detergent injection unit 30 is provided. can do. In addition, the automatic liquid agent injection means 53 arranged at the rear portion of the automatic liquid agent injection unit 50 can be provided so as to protrude downward.

As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid agent automatic injection unit 50 includes a liquid agent tank 51 for storing the liquid agent to be injected into the washing tub 11, and a liquid agent automatic injection means 53 for automatically injecting the liquid agent from the liquid agent tank 51 into the washing tub 11 side. At least prepare.
The liquid agent automatic injection unit 50 includes a liquid agent tank container 55 in which the liquid agent tank 51 is accommodated in the front portion and the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 is arranged in the rear portion. The liquid agent automatic injection means 53 may be arranged directly on the liquid agent tank container 55 , but here it is provided on the liquid agent tank container 55 using a support 57 . That is, the liquid agent automatic injection unit 50 includes a support 57 that supports the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 .
Here, the liquid agent tank 51 is housed in the liquid agent tank container 55 from above.

There are one type or a plurality of types of liquid agents, and here there are two types. Therefore, there are two liquid agent tanks 51 . For convenience, one of the liquid formulations is referred to as the first liquid formulation, the other of the liquid formulations is referred to as the second liquid formulation, and the name of each configuration related to the first liquid formulation is appended with "first" and the reference numeral of the configuration is appended with "A", "Second" is added to the name of each component related to the second liquid agent, and "B" is added to the reference numeral of that component. For example, a tank that stores the second liquid agent is referred to as a "second liquid agent tank 51B", and an automatic liquid agent injection device that discharges the second liquid agent is referred to as a "second liquid agent automatic injection device 53B".
The liquid agents include detergents and softeners for clothes, fragrances, sterilizers and sterilizers, etc. For example, the first liquid agent is a detergent for clothes, and the second liquid agent is a softener for clothes.

(3-1) Liquid Tank Since the first liquid tank 51A and the second liquid tank 51B have substantially the same configuration, they will be described as the liquid tank 51. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, the liquid agent tank 51 includes at least a tank main body 511 and opening/closing means 512 for opening/closing a liquid agent outlet in accordance with opening/closing of the automatic liquid agent injection means 53 .
The tank main body 511 here is box-shaped, and the liquid agent tank 51 includes a lid 513 that covers the upper opening of the tank main body 511 .
The liquid agent tank 51 includes a float 514 that moves up and down according to the amount of liquid agent stored. This makes it possible to detect the amount of the liquid agent.
The liquid agent tank 51 has a filter 515 inside the tank body 511 . As a result, it is possible to prevent dust and the like in the tank from flowing toward the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 side.

(3-1-1) Tank Body The tank body 511 has a box shape elongated in the front-rear direction. As a result, the first liquid agent tank 51A and the second liquid agent tank 51B can be arranged in the left-right direction efficiently while securing the storage amounts of the first liquid agent and the second liquid agent.
The tank main body 511 has a protruding portion 511b that protrudes downward from the bottom wall portion 511a. The projecting portion 511b is provided on the rear portion of the tank main body 511, that is, on the side of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 side. The protruding portion 511b protrudes in a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical axis extending in the front-rear direction so that a circular opening can be formed at the rear end thereof. Inside the projecting portion 511b, the connecting portion 531e of the cylinder 531 is inserted into the rear portion of the opening/closing means 512 (see FIG. 9) accommodated inside, and the connecting portion (fitting portion) connected (fitted) with the cylinder 531 is inserted. ) 511d (see the enlarged view of FIG. 9A).
The projecting portion 511b is located between both ends in the left-right direction. The rear portion of the bottom wall portion 511a is configured such that the left and right side portions 511c of the projecting portion 511b on the inner surface (bottom surface) incline downward (lower) toward the projecting portion 511b. As a result, the liquid agent can be flowed to the opening/closing means 512 side without leaving the liquid agent.
The inner surface (bottom surface) of the bottom wall portion 511a is configured so that the front portion (the portion from the front end to the front end of the protruding portion 511b) 511d becomes lower toward the rear side (opening/closing means 512 side). As a result, the liquid agent can be flowed to the opening/closing means 512 side without leaving the liquid agent.
In the inner surface (bottom surface) of the bottom wall portion 511a, portions 511e located on the left and right sides of the projecting portion 511b, which are rear portions (portions from the rear end to the center of the projecting portion 511b in the front-rear direction), move toward the front side. designed to be low. As a result, the liquid agent can be flowed to the opening/closing means 512 side without leaving the liquid agent.
The inner surface of the bottom wall portion 511 a of the tank main body 511 also serves as a guide surface that guides the liquid agent to the inlet of the opening/closing means 512 .

The tank main body 511 has a positioned portion 511f for being accommodated in a positioned state (fixed state) when the liquid agent tank 51 is accommodated in the liquid agent tank container 55 or in a state where the liquid agent tank is accommodated. have in Thereby, the connection between the opening/closing means 512 and the connecting portion 531e of the cylinder 531 is maintained.
Here, a snap fit (positioning portion 551f of the liquid agent tank container 55) is used for positioning, and the portion to be positioned 511f is constituted by an engaging portion sandwiched (engaged) by the positioning portion 551f. The engaging portion is composed of a convex portion protruding downward from the bottom wall portion 511a, and the convex portion has a columnar or cylindrical shape.

When the liquid agent tank 51 is moved backward with respect to the liquid agent tank container 55 in order to accommodate the liquid agent tank 51 in the liquid agent tank container 55, the tank main body 511 is further moved beyond the positioning state by the positioning portion 551f. The bottom wall portion 511a has a position restricting portion 511g that restricts movement in the rearward direction. Here, the positioning portion 551f is used for position regulation, and as shown in FIG. 14(a), the position regulation portion 511g is composed of a facing portion that faces the front end of the positioning portion 551f in close proximity (contact). . The opposing portion is composed of a plate portion protruding downward from the bottom wall portion 511a, and the plate portion is composed of (a part of) a wall portion protruding in a U-shape with an open rear side.
The U-shaped position regulating portion 511g also has a protective function of protecting the positioned portion 511f. The positioned portion 511f and the position restricting portion 511g are connected by a connecting portion 511h (see FIG. 14(a)), and the positioned portion 511f is reinforced.

When storing the liquid agent tank 51 in the liquid agent tank accommodating member 55, the liquid agent tank 51 and the liquid agent tank accommodating member 55 are moved rearward after the liquid agent tank 51 is moved from the rear to the front side with respect to the liquid agent tank accommodating member 55. It is configured to be accommodated by allowing In other words, the liquid agent tank 51 is box-shaped, and the accommodation portion 551 of the liquid agent tank container 55 is open at the top, and the dimension in the direction in which the liquid agent tank 51 is moved when the liquid agent tank 51 is accommodated in the accommodation portion of the liquid agent tank 51 is equal to that of the liquid agent tank 51 . When the liquid agent tank 51 is installed in the correct position of the housing portion 551 from above, it has an interference portion (a guided portion and a guided portion to be described later) that interfere with each other. By the operation, the liquid agent tank 51 can be accommodated in the accommodation portion 551 .
The liquid agent tank 51 and the liquid agent tank container 55 have a guiding portion (562a) and a guided portion (511k) that guide the liquid agent tank 51 so as to form the above-described trajectory when the liquid agent tank 51 is accommodated. Thereby, the opening/closing means 512 and the cylinder 531 can be connected without damaging the connecting portion 531e (projecting portion 531f) of the cylinder 531. FIG.
Here, the guide portion is formed by a guide portion 562a (see FIG. 7B) provided on the upper wall portion 562 of the liquid agent tank container 55, and the guided portion is provided on the side wall portion 511j of the liquid agent tank 51. The guide portion 511k is configured by a portion 511k to be guided (see FIG. 8(b)).
The liquid agent tank 51 has a guided portion 511k on at least one of a pair of side wall portions 511j perpendicular to the left-right direction. The guided portion 511k is provided on the side wall portion 511j on the side not facing the other liquid agent tanks 51A and 51B adjacent in the left-right direction. Although the guided portion 511k and the guide portion 562a are respectively provided in the front portion, they may be provided in other portions as long as they can be guided by the track.

When the liquid agent tank 51 is moved backward with respect to the liquid agent tank container 55 in order to accommodate the liquid agent tank 51 in the liquid agent tank container 55, the tank main body 511 is moved beyond the positioning state by the positioning portion 551f. Further, the side wall portion 511j has a position restricting portion 511m that restricts rearward movement. Here, the position regulating portion 511m is configured by a rib portion projecting in the horizontal direction from the side wall portion 511j and extending in the vertical direction. The position regulating portion 511m comes close to or abuts on the stepped rib 562b (see FIG. 7B) of the upper wall portion 562 of the liquid container container 55 from the front side.

When the liquid agent tank 51 is moved backward with respect to the liquid agent tank container 55 in order to accommodate the liquid agent tank 51 in the liquid agent tank container 55, the tank main body 511 is separated from the partition wall portion 572 (FIGS. 7 and 8). ) is provided on the rear wall portion 511p. The contact portion 511n is configured by a convex portion protruding rearward. As a result, when the liquid agent tank 51 is moved rearward with respect to the liquid agent tank container 55 in order to accommodate the liquid agent tank 51 in the liquid agent tank container 55, the positioning portion 551f moves beyond the positioning state by the positioning portion 551f and moves further rearward. can be restricted from moving to Note that the partition wall portion 572 is a wall portion for partitioning the accommodating portion 551 that accommodates the liquid agent tank 51 and the automatic liquid agent injection means 53 .

The tank main body 511 has a positioning portion 511q and an engaged portion 511r for detachably attaching the lid 513 at the opening side end peripheral portion (upper end portion).

(3-1-2) Connector The opening/closing means 512 is inserted into the projecting portion 511b of the tank body 511, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 9(a).
The opening/closing means 512 includes a cylinder 512a, a movable body 512b supported movably in the cylinder axis direction in the cylinder 512a, and a spring body 512c that biases the movable body 512b toward the outflow port 512d of the cylinder 512a. have.
The movable body 512b closes the outflow port 512d when the liquid agent tank 51 is detached from the liquid agent tank container 55 (not connected to the connecting portion 531e of the cylinder 531). In the accommodated state (the state of being connected to the connection portion 531e), the projection portion 531f of the connection portion 531e of the cylinder 531 presses to open the outflow port 512d.
Accordingly, when the liquid agent tank 51 is accommodated in the liquid agent tank accommodation body 55 (connected to the cylinder 531), the liquid agent in the liquid agent tank 51 can flow toward the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 side.

(3-1-3) Lid Body The lid body 513 includes a lid body 513a, a door body 516, and a handle 517, as shown in FIG.
The lid body 513a has a plate-like shape, has an opening 513b at the front, and has a recess 513c for accommodating the handle 517 at a portion extending from the center to the rear in the front-rear direction.
The lid main body 513a has a positioned portion 513d for the positioning portion 511q of the tank main body 511 and an engaging portion 513e for the engaged portion 511r.
Here, the positioning portion 511q is configured by a convex portion that protrudes upward, and the positioned portion 513d is configured by a concave portion that is recessed in the horizontal direction from both ends in the horizontal direction. When the lid body 513 is attached to the tank main body 511, the convex portion is inserted (fitted) into the concave portion. Here, the positioned portion 513d and the positioning portion 511q are provided at both left and right ends on the rear side.
The engaging portion 513e extends downward in a plate-like shape, and the projecting portion of the engaged portion 511r of the tank body 511 fits into a through hole portion provided in the plate-like portion that is elastically deformable in the front-rear direction. It engages with the engaging portion 511r. The engaging portions 513e are provided at both front and rear ends. As a result, the inside of the tank body 511 can be cleaned by removing the cover 513 . Also, the lid body 513 can be firmly attached to the tank main body 511 .

The lid main body 513a has a support portion 513f that supports the door 516 so that it can be opened and closed, and a support portion 513g that supports the door 516 from below. The support portion 513f is configured by a bearing portion that receives the shaft portion 516b of the door 516. As shown in FIG. The shaft portion 516b extends in the left-right direction, and the shaft portion 516b and the support portion 513f (bearing portion) are provided at the rear end portion. A guide groove portion for guiding the shaft portion 516b rearward is provided on the front side of the bearing portion. As a result, the liquid agent can be refilled into the liquid agent tank 51 without removing the liquid agent tank 51 from the liquid agent tank container 55 (washing machine X).

The lid main body 513a has a support portion 513h that supports the handle 517 in a rotatable (raiseable) manner. The support portion 513 h is configured by a bearing portion that receives the shaft portion 517 b of the handle 517 . The shaft portion 517b extends in the front-rear direction, and the shaft portion 517b and the support portion 513h (bearing portion) are provided at both ends in the front-rear direction of the handle 517 and the recessed portion 513c. Thereby, the handle 517 can be accommodated in a space-saving manner. Further, the liquid agent tank 51 can be easily removed from the liquid agent tank container 55 (washing machine X).
The lid 513 has a fitting portion 513j that fits (inserts) into the opening side end portion of the tank body 511. As shown in FIG. Thereby, the sealing property in the tank can be improved.

(3-1-4) Float As shown in FIG. 8, the float 514 has a body portion 514a, an arm portion 514b, and a mounting portion 514c. is provided. As a result, when the liquid agent is reduced and the float 514 approaches the bottom wall portion 511a of the tank main body 511, detection means 557 (see FIG. 9) provided in the liquid agent tank container 55 detects it.
The float 514 is rotatably attached to the lid 513 with the left-right direction as a rotation axis. The attachment portion 514 c is attached to the attached portion 513 k of the lid 513 . The attachment portion 514c is composed of a rotation shaft provided on a pair of extension portions of the arm portion 514b, and the rotation shaft is rotatably supported by a bearing portion (mounted portion 513k) of the lid body 513a. . The rotating shaft protrudes in a columnar or cylindrical shape from the ends of the pair of extending portions to both sides in the left-right direction. The bearing portion is configured by a through hole or a recess, and here is configured by a through hole formed in the plate-shaped rib portion 513m.

(3-1-5) Filter The filter 515 has a plate shape and has a plurality of through holes 515a. The filter 515 is provided so as to cover the opening/closing means 512, as shown in FIG. 9(a). Specifically, as shown in the enlarged view, it is provided so as to straddle the bottom wall portion 511a and the rear wall portion 511s. The rear end portion of the filter 515 is supported by upper and lower support portions 511t and 511u provided on the rear wall portion 511s of the tank body 511 . A front end portion of the filter 515 is supported by the support portion 511v of the bottom wall portion 511a of the tank body 511 . As a result, it is possible to prevent dust and the like in the tank from flowing toward the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 side.

(3-2) Automatic Liquid Agent Injection Means As shown in FIG. 10, the automatic liquid agent injection means 53 consists of a first liquid agent automatic injection unit 53A for the first liquid agent and a second liquid agent automatic injection unit 53B for the second liquid agent. be. The first liquid agent automatic injection means 53A discharges the first liquid agent sucked from the first liquid agent tank 51A into the water flowing inside the upstream water passage forming body 166 . The second liquid agent automatic injection means 53B discharges the second liquid agent sucked from the second liquid agent tank 51B into the water flowing inside the upstream water passage forming body 166. As shown in FIG. In this manner, the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 functions as a pump.
The first liquid agent automatic injection means 53A and the second liquid agent automatic injection means 53B are configured so as to be individually controllable by the control unit 18 .
The first liquid agent automatic injection device 53A and the second liquid agent automatic injection device 53B are supported by a support 57, and the support 57 is attached to the liquid agent tank container 55 as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 10 has an upper door 10b on the top wall 10a for opening and closing an opening for taking in and out the liquid agent tank 51. As shown in FIG. The upper door 10b is located above the liquid agent tank 51 in the accommodated state. back side), the upper door 10b can be closed. In other words, when the upper surface of the liquid agent tank 51 is inclined more than a predetermined angle (here, 10 degrees) with respect to the horizontal direction, or when the liquid agent tank 51 is not in a normal position, the liquid agent tank 51 and the liquid agent tank container 55 are not positioned in front of the liquid agent tank 51 . When a sufficient gap 564a (see (b) of FIG. 9) cannot be formed between the wall part 564 and the convex part 10c (see (b) of FIG. 1) of the upper door 19b does not fit into the gap 564a , the upper door 10b is not closed. For example, the convex portion 10c is recessed from the surface of the upper door 10b to the back side, and the user opens and closes the upper door 10b using the recessed portion.

Since the first liquid agent automatic injection unit 53A and the second liquid agent automatic injection unit 53B have substantially the same configuration, they will be described as the liquid agent automatic injection unit 53. FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 includes a cylinder 531 having a suction port and a discharge port for the liquid agent, a piston 532 arranged in the cylinder 531, and the piston 532 inside the cylinder 531. Equipped with a motor 533 for reciprocating motion, the reciprocating motion of the piston 532 sucks and discharges the liquid agent.
Here, the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 has a base 534 that supports a motor 533 and a cylinder 531 , and the base 534 is attached to a support 57 .

(3-2-1) Cylinder The cylinder 531, as shown in FIG. 11, includes a piston accommodation portion 531a that accommodates the piston 532 so as to be able to reciprocate, and a suction passage forming portion 531b that forms a suction passage for sucking the liquid agent. and an ejection passage forming portion 531c forming an ejection passage for ejecting the liquid agent. The cylinder 531 here has a mounting portion 531 d for mounting on the base 534 .
The piston accommodating portion 531a is configured such that the piston 532 reciprocates in the horizontal direction. A horizontal direction is a front-rear direction, a left-right direction, or a direction crossing these directions. Here, the piston 532 reciprocates in the front-rear direction, and the piston accommodating portion 531a has a cylindrical shape with a cylindrical axis parallel to the front-rear direction. The inner peripheral surface shape of the cross section of the piston accommodating portion 531a is circular.

The suction path forming portion 531b has a cylindrical shape and is provided so that its cylindrical axis extends parallel to the cylindrical axis of the piston housing portion 531a. The suction path forming portion 531b is provided on the front side of the piston housing portion 531a.
The upstream end (front end) of the suction path forming portion 531b is a connecting portion 531e for detachably connecting to the protruding portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51 . The connecting portion 531e fits into the projecting portion 511b. The connecting portion 531e is provided with a packing 537 for improving sealing performance with the projecting portion 511b.
As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 9A and FIG. 12, the connecting portion 531e is formed with a projecting portion 531f that projects forward and a support portion 531g that supports the projecting portion 531f. The projecting portion 531f pushes the movable body 512b of the opening/closing means 512 of the liquid agent tank 51 when the liquid agent tank 51 is housed in the liquid agent tank housing 55 . As a result, the opening/closing means 512 is opened, and the liquid in the tank can be sucked toward the automatic liquid injection means 53 .
The support portions 531g are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the liquid agent flows through spaces 531h (see FIGS. 12B and 12C) between the adjacent support portions 531g.

The discharge passage forming portion 531c is formed in a tubular shape and communicates with the suction passage forming portion 531b. The discharge passage forming portion 531c is provided so as to extend in a state where its cylindrical axis intersects with the suction passage forming portion 531b. Here, the cylindrical axis of the discharge path forming portion 531c is perpendicular to the direction parallel to the cylindrical axis of the suction path forming portion 531b. That is, when viewed from above, it has a "T" shape. The cylindrical axis of the discharge path forming part 531c is displaced in the vertical direction with respect to the cylindrical axis of the suction path forming part 531b and the piston accommodating part 531a. That is, the cylindrical axis of the discharge path forming portion 531c is configured so as not to intersect with the cylindrical axes of the suction path forming portion 531b and the piston accommodating portion 531a.

As shown in FIG. 12, the cylinder 531 has a suction-side opening/closing means 535 that opens when the piston 532 moves backward (suction) and closes when the piston 532 moves forward (ejection). provided at the upstream end of the The cylinder 531 is provided with a discharge-side opening/closing means 536 which opens when the piston 532 advances (discharges) and closes when the piston 532 moves backward (suction) at the downstream end of the discharge path forming portion 531c. .
As a result, when the piston 532 moves backward (sucks), the suction side opening/closing means 535 is opened and the discharge side opening/closing means 536 is closed so that the liquid agent is sucked into the cylinder 531 . Conversely, when the piston 532 advances (discharges), the suction side opening/closing means 535 is closed and the discharge side opening/closing means 536 is opened, whereby the liquid agent is discharged from the cylinder 531 . The upstream end opening (the opening of the connecting portion 531e) of the suction path forming portion 531b of the cylinder 531 constitutes a suction port, and the end portion constitutes a suction portion. Further, the downstream end opening of the discharge path forming portion 531c constitutes a discharge port, and the end constitutes a discharge portion.

(3-2-2) Piston The piston 532, as shown in FIG. 12(a), has a piston body 532a and a conversion portion 532b that converts the rotational drive of the motor 533 into reciprocating linear drive. The reciprocating motion here is linear motion, and reciprocates in the front-rear direction.
The converting portion 532b uses a scotch yoke mechanism and is configured by a groove-shaped slot that accommodates the drive transmission portion 578a (see FIG. 11) on the motor 533 side. The slot extends in a direction orthogonal to the reciprocating motion of piston 532 .
The piston 532 has a protrusion 532c that moves in a groove 531j extending in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder 531 . Thereby, the reciprocating motion of the piston 532 is performed smoothly.

(3-2-3) Motor As shown in FIG. 11, the motor 533 includes a drive transmission member 578 that transmits drive for reciprocating the piston 532 . The drive transmission member 578 converts the rotary drive force of the motor 533 into a linear drive force by the scotch yoke mechanism, thereby linearly moving the piston 532 . The drive transmission member 578 here has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and has a drive transmission portion 578 a at a position eccentric to the drive shaft 533 a of the motor 533 . The drive transmission portion 578a is configured by a columnar pin projecting downward. The drive transmission member 578 is rotatably attached to the drive shaft 533a of the motor 533 with a screw 579d.

(3-2-4) Base The base 534 includes, as shown in FIG. 11, a through hole 534a for the drive shaft 533a of the motor 533, a concave portion 534b for positioning the cylinder 531, and a fixture for mounting the cylinder 531 ( Through hole 534c for screw) 579a, fixture for mounting motor 533 (
It has a boss portion 534d having a screw hole for a screw 579b, a mounting portion (engagement portion) 534e for mounting the base 534 to the support body 57, and the like. The convex portion 531k of the cylinder 531 fits into the concave portion 534b.

(3-3) Support The support 57 has a support for supporting the automatic liquid injection means 53 and a partition provided at the front end of the support. The support portion is configured by, for example, a plate-shaped support wall portion 571 . The partitioning portion is configured by, for example, a plate-like partitioning wall portion 572 . Note that the partition wall portion 572 is also a front wall portion.
The partition wall portion 572 separates the automatic liquid agent injection unit 53 side and the liquid agent tank 51 side when the liquid agent automatic injection unit 53 and the liquid agent tank 51 are arranged in the liquid agent tank container 55 . As a result, it is possible to prevent the liquid agent from adhering to the electrical equipment such as the motor 533 .
The support body 57 has side wall portions 573 that are perpendicular to the left-right direction and connected to the left and right ends of the support wall portion 571 and the partition wall portion 572 .

(3-3-1) Support Wall Portion The support wall portion 571 supports the two automatic liquid agent injection means 53A and 53B in the horizontal direction, and has a rectangular shape or a shape similar to a rectangular shape that is elongated in the horizontal direction. The support 57 supports the through hole 571a and the chipped portion 571b so that the motor 533 of the automatic liquid injection means 53 is positioned above the support wall portion 571 and the cylinder 531 is positioned below the support wall portion 571. It is provided in the wall portion 571 .
The liquid agent automatic injection means 53 is attached in a state where the base 534 is in contact with the support body 57 from below the support wall portion 571 . At least one of an engaging structure and a threaded structure using screws is employed for attachment.
In the engaging structure, the engaging portion 534e of the base 534 of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 engages the through hole 571a of the support wall portion 571 and the peripheral portion of the missing portion 571b. In one of the screwing structures, a screw (not shown) is inserted from above through the through hole 571c of the support wall portion 571 and screwed into the screw hole of the boss portion 534f of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 . In one of the screwing structures, a screw (not shown) is inserted from the front through the through hole 572c of the projecting portion 572b below the partition wall portion 572 and screwed into the screw hole 534g of the automatic liquid injection means 53. has a through hole 571d for the inlet channel forming body 168 that constitutes a part of the upstream channel forming body 166, as shown in FIG. 13(a).

(3-3-2) Partition Wall Part The partition wall part 572 has a plate-like portion 572a perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The plate-like portion 572 a extends vertically from the front end of the support wall portion 571 . The partition wall portion 572 has a mounting portion for mounting the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 on the lower side of the plate-like portion 572a. The attachment portion is composed of an overhanging portion 572b projecting downward from the lower end of the plate-like portion 572a and a through hole 572c provided in the overhanging portion 572b. A screw passing through the through-hole 572 c is screwed into a threaded hole 534 g of the base 534 of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 .

The partition wall portion 572 has a contact portion 572d that contacts the upper surface of the cylinder 531 of the automatic liquid injection means 53 on the lower side of the plate-like portion 572a. The contact portion 572 d has an arc shape corresponding to the cylindrical cylinder 531 . As a result, the cylinder 531 can be supported in a positioned state, and displacement of the cylinder 531 in the left-right direction can be restricted when connecting to the liquid agent tank 51 .

When the liquid agent tank 51 is set, the partition wall portion 572 contacts or approaches the contact portion 511n (see (b) of FIG. 8) of the liquid agent tank 51 . The partition wall portion 572 has a surrounding portion 572e surrounding the contact portion 511n of the liquid agent tank 51 in the plate-like portion 572a. The surrounding portion 572e is composed of a ridge portion that protrudes forward, and has a shape corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the contact portion 511n, here a rectangular ring shape. Thereby, the liquid agent tank 51 can be positioned.
The surrounding portion 572e has a guide portion 572f that guides the entry of the contact portion 511n. The guide portion 572f protrudes forward in a triangular shape and is formed on the lower side of the rectangular surrounding portion 572e and a plurality of sides of the left and right pieces.

The support member 57 has a fitting portion 574 that fits with the rear end portion (see FIG. 13) of the upper wall portion 562 of the liquid agent tank container 55 . The fitting portion 574 is configured by a groove portion into which the upper wall portion 562 of the liquid agent tank container 55 is inserted. The groove portion is composed of left and right end portions of the partition wall portion 572 , vertical rib portions 572 g formed inside the left and right end portions of the partition wall portion 572 , and rear end portions of the side wall portions 573 . As a result, the support member 57 is attached to the liquid agent tank containing member 55 while being positioned in the left-right direction, and the contact portion 511n of the liquid agent tank 51 cannot be fitted to the surrounding portion 572e due to misalignment. can be prevented. In addition, it is possible to prevent the liquid agent tank 51 from being unable to connect to the connection portion 531e of the cylinder 531 .

(4) Liquid Agent Tank Housing The liquid agent tank housing 55, as shown in FIG. It has an intermediate water channel 605 and a downstream water channel forming part 555 forming a lower water channel 608 (see FIGS. 7 and 17) for causing the liquid agent discharged from the tank 51 to flow out of the liquid agent automatic injection unit 50 together with water.
Here, the downstream channel forming portion 555 extends in the left-right direction, and the liquid agent tank container 55 has an accommodating portion 551, a downstream channel forming portion 555, and a support portion 553 in this order from the front side.
The liquid agent tank containing body 55 includes a bottom wall portion 561 , an upper wall portion 562 extending upward from the left and right ends of the bottom wall portion 561 , and continuing from the upper wall portion 562 and extending downward from the left and right ends of the bottom wall portion 561 . a front wall portion 564 extending upward from the front end of the bottom wall portion 561 to connect the pair of upper wall portions 562; and a rear wall portion 565 extending downward from the rear end of the bottom wall portion 561. (See FIG. 13).
The housing portion 551 includes a bottom wall portion 561 on the front side (a portion on the front side of the downstream channel forming portion 555 ), a pair of upper wall portions 562 , a front wall portion 564 , and a support for supporting the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 . It is composed of a partition wall portion (front wall portion) 572 of the body 57 and has a square shape or a rectangular shape elongated in the front-rear direction when viewed from above.
The support portion 553 is mainly configured on the rear side of the bottom wall portion 561 (the portion behind the downstream channel forming portion 555), and has a square shape or a rectangular shape elongated in the left-right direction when viewed from above.

(4-1) Storage Portion The liquid agent tank 51 is inserted into and stored in the storage portion 551 from above the front side.
A portion of the bottom wall portion 561 corresponding to the storage portion 551 (also referred to as the bottom wall portion 561 of the storage portion 551) is configured so that the upper surface (which is the storage surface) is lower on the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 (cylinder 531) side. It is In other words, the water and the liquid agent on the bottom wall portion 561 of the housing portion 551 are configured to flow backward (downstream channel forming portion 555). As a result, it is possible to prevent water and the liquid agent from accumulating on the bottom wall portion 561 .

(4-1-1) Bottom Wall Portion As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom wall portion 561 of the storage portion 551 has a first projecting portion 551b for holding the liquid agent tank 51 with its upper surface horizontal. ing. This prevents the liquid agent tank 51 from interfering with the upper door 10 b of the housing 10 . In other words, the first convex portion 551b has a function of maintaining a constant posture so that the liquid agent tank 51 placed on the inclined bottom wall portion 561 of the housing portion 551 does not interfere with the upper door 10b. The first convex portions 551b are located between the two liquid agent tanks 51A and 51B at both ends in the front-rear direction.
A bottom wall portion 561 of the accommodating portion 551 has a second convex portion 551k (see FIG. 13A) for holding the liquid agent tank 51 in a state where the upper surface is horizontal. This prevents the liquid agent tank 51 from interfering with the upper door 10 b of the housing 10 . The second convex portion 551k is the end (outer side) of the two liquid agent tanks 51A and 51B on the side opposite to the side where the other liquid agent tanks 51A and 51B exist in the left-right direction, and is the extraction side in the insertion/removal direction ( front side). The second projecting portion 551k supports the liquid agent tanks 51A and 51B together with a stepped rib 562b (to be described later) provided on the insertion side (rear side) in the insertion/removal direction. may be reversed.
The "first" and "second" of the first convex portion 551b and the second convex portion 551k are for distinguishing between the biconvex portions, and the "first" and "first" of the first liquid agent and the second liquid agent. Different from "second".

As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom wall portion 561 of the storage portion 551 has a bulging portion 551a that bulges so as to be close to the bottom wall portion 511a of the liquid agent tank 51 in the stored state. There are two bulging portions 551a corresponding to the liquid agent tanks 51A and 51B, and they are arranged in the horizontal direction (arrangement direction).
The two bulging portions 551a are spaced apart in the left-right direction, and the protruding portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51 passes between them. The protruding portion 551a on the side of the first liquid agent tank 51A is provided apart from the upper wall portion 562 facing the first liquid agent tank 51A, and the protruding portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51A passes therebetween. In other words, the bulging portion 551a also functions as a guide portion when the liquid agent tank 51 is accommodated.
As shown in FIG. 9, the liquid agent tank container 55 is provided with a detecting means 557 that detects the liquid amount of the liquid agent in the liquid agent tank 51 using the bulging portion 551a. Here, it is provided on the lower surface of the bulging portion 551a (the surface opposite to the housing surface).
Specifically, the detecting means 557 detects the detected means 518 of the float 514 in the liquid agent tank 51 . A magnet can be used as an example of the means to be detected 518 , and a magnetic sensor (for example, a read sensor) can be used as an example of the detection means 557 . Even if the liquid agent tank 51 is accommodated in a state separated from the bottom wall portion 561 by the first projecting portion 551b and the second projecting portion 551k due to the bulging portion 551a, the distance between the means to be detected 518 and the detecting means 557 is short. and the detection sensitivity can be improved.
When the liquid in the liquid tank 51 decreases, the float 514 descends, and the detecting means 557 detects the detecting means 518, the control unit 18 controls the display section 171 of the operation unit 17 (see FIG. 1(b)). to notify that the liquid agent needs to be replenished. An example of the display unit 171 is an LED.

A bottom wall portion 561 of the housing portion 551 has an upwardly extending extension plate portion 551c between the first liquid agent tank 51A and the second liquid agent tank 51B that are laterally adjacent to each other. Thereby, the left and right first liquid agent tanks 51A and the second liquid agent tanks 51B are positioned. The extension plate portions 551c are located at two locations on both ends of the liquid agent tank 51 in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction). Thereby, the first liquid agent tank 51A and the second liquid agent tank 51B are positioned. The extension plate portion 551c is provided on the first convex portion 551b.

A bottom wall portion 561 of the housing portion 551 has a recessed portion 551d that is recessed downward and extends in the front-rear direction at the rear end portion. The concave portion 551 d is provided corresponding to the projecting portion 511 b of the bottom wall portion 511 a of the liquid agent tank 51 . That is, the concave portion 551d is for the projecting portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9A, the recessed portion 551d has a front end region that is a sloped surface (slanted wall portion) 551j that rises forward, and a rear end that is connected to the downstream water channel forming portion 555 and opens. are doing. This open portion, as shown in FIG. 13, becomes a communicating portion 551m that communicates with the middle water channel 605 and the lower water channel 608 of the liquid side water supply channel 60 .
The concave portion 551d and the liquid agent tank 51 are configured so that when the liquid agent tank 51 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 551, the communicating portion 551m side of the concave portion 551d does not come into contact with the projecting portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51. That is, there is a gap 551n (see the enlarged view of FIG. 9A) between the recessed portion 551d and the projecting portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51. As shown in FIG. As a result, the liquid agent and water that have flowed into the concave portion 551d are not restricted from flowing toward the communicating portion 551m.

As shown in FIG. 13, the bottom wall portion 561 of the housing portion 551 has a standing wall portion 551e at its rear end that extends upward and constitutes the upper portion of the downstream channel forming portion 555. As shown in FIG. As a result, when water, liquid-containing water, or the like exists on the bottom wall portion 561 of the housing portion 551, it does not flow into the middle water passage 605 or the lower water passage 608 from portions other than the communicating portion 551m.
The erected wall portion 551e is positioned below the partition wall portion 572 of the support 57 and together with the partition wall portion 572 constitutes a partition wall. From this point of view, the partition wall portion 572 of the support 57 can be said to be an upper partition wall portion, and the standing wall portion 551e of the liquid agent tank container 55 can be said to be a lower partition wall portion. The upright wall portion 551e lacks a portion corresponding to the concave portion 551d. Thereby, the communicating portion 551m is formed.

The liquid agent tank container 55 has a positioning portion 551 f for positioning the liquid agent tank 51 on the bottom wall portion 561 . As shown in FIG. 14(a), the positioning portion 551f is configured by a snap fit having a pair of ribs 551g. The rib 551g is erected from the bottom wall portion 561 and extends in the front-rear direction, and the center portion 551h in the front-rear direction bulges toward the other rib 551g on the opposing surface.
When the liquid agent tank 51 is housed, the pair of ribs 551g are elastically deformed in a direction separating them from each other, and the columnar convex portion, which is an example of the positioned portion 511f of the liquid agent tank 51, enters from the front side to the rear side. . Further entry to the rear side is restricted by the contact of the front ends of the pair of ribs 551g with the position restricting portion 511g of the liquid agent tank 51 .

(4-1-2) Side Wall Portion As shown in FIG. 7B, the liquid agent tank container 55 guides the liquid agent tanks 51 to the accommodation position when accommodating the liquid agent tanks 51 facing in the left-right direction. A pair of upper wall portions 562 has a guide portion 562a. The guide portion 562a guides the liquid agent tank 51 to move rearward after moving from rear to front.
The guide portion 562a is composed of a convex portion protruding from the pair of upper wall portions 562 toward the liquid agent tank 51 side. The guide portion 562a abuts on a guided portion 511k (see FIG. 8B) that protrudes from the side wall portion 511j of the liquid agent tank 51, thereby guiding the liquid agent tank 51 to the housing position.
The guide portion 562a is provided so as to come into contact with the guided portion 511k of the liquid agent tank 51 when the projecting portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51 is inserted into the recessed portion 551d of the housing portion 551 from above. This prevents the protruding portion 531f on the suction port side of the cylinder 531 of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 from interfering with and damaging the protruding portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51 when the liquid agent tank 51 is stored.
As shown in FIG. 16, the guide portion 562a has, as its upper surface, an inclined surface 562c that moves forward as it moves downward. This makes it easier for the guided portion 511k of the liquid agent tank 51 to move forward along the inclined surface. The guide portion 562a has a horizontal surface 562d extending in the insertion/removal direction as a lower surface. As a result, when the liquid agent tank 51 tries to move upward when moving the liquid agent tank 51 in the insertion direction, the guided portion 511k of the liquid agent tank 51 contacts the guide portion 562a. That is, the liquid agent tank 51 can be easily moved in the insertion direction. Further, by moving the liquid agent tank 51 in the insertion direction while bringing the guided portion 511k of the liquid agent tank 51 into contact with the guide portion 562a, the liquid agent tank 51 can be guided to the proper position in the insertion direction.
In addition, the operation at the time of accommodation will be described later.

The upper wall portion 562 has a stepped rib 562b extending over the bottom wall portion 561 for holding (supporting) the liquid agent tank 51 with its upper surface horizontal. This prevents the liquid agent tank 51 from interfering with the upper door 10 b of the housing 10 .
Note that the stepped rib 562b and the second projecting portion 551k are arranged in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. 13(a), and there are two first projecting portions 551b spaced apart in the front-rear direction. These are below the box-shaped fluid tank 51 and may hold the fluid tank 51 together.

(4-1-3) Front Wall Part As shown in FIG. A gap 564 a is formed between the front end of the liquid agent tank 51 and the liquid agent tank 51 . The gap 564a is configured such that the front end of the liquid agent tank 51 and the front wall portion 564 are close to or abut against each other when the guided portion 511k of the liquid agent tank 51 is positioned in front of the guide portion 562a of the housing portion 551. there is Thereby, the liquid agent tank 51 can be accommodated while suppressing the dimension in the front-rear direction. Further, the clearance 564a when the liquid agent tank 51 is at the proper position on the insertion side in the insertion/removal direction is of a size in which the convex portion 10c (see FIG. 1B) of the upper door 10b of the housing 10 is fitted.

(4-2) Support Portion A portion of the bottom wall portion 561 corresponding to the support portion 553 (also referred to as the bottom wall portion 561 of the support portion 553) is recessed downward and extends in the front-rear direction, as shown in FIG. It has a recessed portion 553a. The concave portion 553a is provided corresponding to the piston accommodating portion 531a and the piston 532 of the cylinder 531 of the automatic liquid injection means 53, as shown in FIG. 14(b). That is, recessed portion 553 a is for cylinder 531 and piston 532 .
The bottom wall portion 561 of the support portion 553 has a standing wall portion 553 b extending upward to constitute the upper portion of the downstream channel forming portion 555 at the front end. The upright wall portion 553b lacks a portion corresponding to the concave portion 553a.

(4-3) Lower Channel Forming Portion As shown in FIG. 13, the downstream channel forming portion 555 is provided between the housing portion 551 and the support portion 553 in the front-rear direction so as to be recessed downward. there is Accordingly, even if the liquid agent or water exists on the bottom wall portion 561 of the storage portion 551 , there is no possibility that the liquid agent or water will flow from the storage portion 551 to the support portion 553 side. Therefore, electrical components and electrical equipment can be installed on the support portion 553 side.
The downstream channel forming portion 555 has a groove portion 555a and a cylinder portion 555b. The downstream water channel forming part 555 forms the middle water channel 605 and the lower water channel 608 of the lower water supply channel 602, as shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 14A and 15, the groove portion 555a is located below the first input channel formation body 168A and the second input channel formation body 168B. That is, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 15, the groove portion 555a is a lower portion located below the lower opening of the vertically extending inlet channel portion 168a. As a result, it is possible to receive water flowing down or dripping from the input channel portion 168a or water containing a liquid agent, and a connecting portion for connecting the input channel portion 168a and the downstream channel forming portion 555 is not required. In addition, since the downstream channel forming portion 555 is formed as a groove portion 555a, even if the liquid agent or water flows in from the accommodating portion 551 side, it will not flow out to the supporting portion 553 side in normal use.

The groove portion 555a extends in the horizontal direction, which is the direction in which the first channel-forming body 168A and the second channel-forming body 168B are arranged side by side. As a result, the length of the groove portion 555a can be shortened, and the weight of the liquid agent tank container 55 can be reduced.
As shown in FIG. 14A, the groove portion 555a is fitted with part or all of the discharge passage forming portion 531c of the cylinder 531 of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 from above. As a result, the vertical dimension of the cylinder 531 supported by the liquid agent tank container 55 can be reduced. Also, the position of the cylinder 531 is restricted by the groove portion 555a.
The groove portion 555a has a semicircular (semicylindrical) bottom portion as shown in FIG. 14(b). As shown in FIG. 15, the groove portion 555a is slanted so that the bottom portion is lowered from the upstream side to the downstream side.
A tubular portion 555b extends downwardly from the downstream end of the groove portion 555a. Here, it extends from one end (left end) in the left-right direction. A connector 252 for connecting to the detergent injection unit 30 is connected to the cylinder portion 555b (see FIG. 5).

(5) Upstream Channel Forming Body The upstream channel forming body 166 includes a connecting body 167 connected to the water receiving unit 16 and an input channel forming body 168 connected to the connecting body 167, as shown in FIG. . The input channel formation body 168 includes a first input channel formation body 168A connected to the first liquid agent automatic input means 53A and a second input channel formation body 168B connected to the second liquid agent automatic input means 53B. The liquid agent is discharged (thrown in) from the cylinder 531 of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 into the water flowing through the injection channel forming body 168 .
The upstream water channel forming body 166 is arranged on the downstream water channel forming part 555 in a portion vertically overlapping the liquid agent tank container 55 . As a result, even if water leakage occurs from the upstream water channel forming body 166 , the water flows to the middle water channel 605 and the lower water channel 608 . In addition, the space above the downstream channel forming portion 555 can be effectively used.

(5-1) Connector As shown in FIG. 13, the connector 167 is a cylindrical body having a channel portion 167a and a connection portion 167b connected to the input channel forming body 168. As shown in FIG. Although the shape of the connecting body 167 is not particularly limited, here, it has an "L" shape, and in order to connect with the two inlet channel forming bodies 168A and 168B, the two "L" It has a shape that overlaps in the direction.
As shown in FIG. 17, the connector 167 forms a part of the front side water channel 606 of the upper water supply channel 601 and the rear side water channel 607 when branching into two input water channel forming bodies 168A and 168B.
As shown in FIG. 15, the connection body 167 has a cylindrical shape, and can be, for example, a pipe or hose made of resin material or rubber material.

The water channel portion 167a has a straight pipe shape. Here, the water channel portion 167a is arranged horizontally. More specifically, the channel portion 167a is arranged to extend in the left-right direction.
A first connection portion 167Ab for the first input channel forming body 168A is provided at the downstream end of the water channel portion 167a, and a second connection portion 167Bb for the second input channel forming body 168B is provided upstream from the downstream end. ing.
The connection body 167 has a cross-sectional area of the internal space between the connecting portions of the first connection portion 167Ab and the second connection portion 167Bb in the water channel portion 167a, which is larger than other portions (for example, the inlet side of the upstream water channel forming body 166). It has a small diameter portion 167c that decreases.
The small diameter portion 167c has a small inner diameter as shown in FIG. The small-diameter portion 167c is provided at a portion closer to the first connecting portion 167Ab on the downstream side than to the second connecting portion 167Bb. More specifically, the small diameter portion 167c is provided adjacent to or close to the first connecting portion 167Ab.

When the first connection portion 167Ab and the second connection portion 167Bb need not be distinguished and explained, the connection portion 167b is used.
The connecting portion 167b is provided so as to cross the water channel portion 167a. Here, the connection portion 167b is provided in a state orthogonal to the water channel portion 167a. In other words, the connecting portion 167b is provided so as to extend downward. As a result, the water in the upstream channel forming body 166 flows smoothly.
The connecting portion 167b here is connected to the input channel-forming body 168 in a state in which the upstream end of the channel-forming body 168 is inserted therein.

(5-2) Input Channel Forming Body Since the first input channel forming body 168A and the second input channel forming body 168B have substantially the same configuration, they will be described as the input channel forming body 168. FIG.
As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 15, the input channel formation body 168 has an input channel portion 168a and a connection portion 168b for connecting the input channel portion 168a and the cylinder 531 of the liquid agent automatic input means 53. As shown in FIG. The upstream end of the inlet channel portion 168a is connected to the connecting portion 167b of the connector 167. As shown in FIG. The end of the connecting portion 168b opposite to the inlet channel portion 168a is connected to the end of the cylinder 531 on the discharge port side. From this point of view, the connecting portion 167b can be said to be a communicating portion that allows the liquid agent side water supply channel 60 (input channel) and the cylinder 531 to communicate with each other.
The input channel portion 168a extends downward, is inserted through the through hole 571d (see FIG. 13A) of the support 57 of the automatic liquid agent input means 53, and its tip (lower end) serves as the downstream channel forming portion. Located within 555. As a result, the water flowing out of the inlet channel portion 168 a flows to the downstream channel forming portion 555 . Also, the water flowing out from the inlet channel portion 168a naturally flows toward the downstream channel forming portion 555 due to gravity.
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the input water channel portion 168a forms the rear water channel 607 of the upper water supply channel 601 by the portion upstream of the connection portion 168b, and forms the lower water channel 602 by the portion downstream of the connection portion 168b. An upper channel 604 is formed. Also, the connection portion 168 b forms the communication water channel 61 .

The connection portion 168b is connected to the inlet channel portion 168a in a state of intersecting. Here, the connection portion 168b is connected in a state orthogonal to the inlet channel portion 168a. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 15, the connecting portion 168b has a horizontally extending double cylindrical shape, and the horizontally extending discharge path forming portion 531c of the cylinder 531 is inserted therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 10, the inlet channel forming body 168 and the cylinder 531 have fixing portions for fixing their connection state. An engaging structure consisting of an engaging portion and an engaged portion is used for fixing here. The cylinder 531 has a convex portion 531m, and the inlet channel forming body 168 (connecting portion 168b) has a concave portion or a through groove portion 168c. The convex portion 531m has a rib shape that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface and extends in the circumferential direction. The through groove portion 168c is provided along the circumferential direction of the outer cylindrical portion 168d of the connecting portion 168b. The inlet channel forming body 168 (connecting portion 168b) has a bulging portion 168e that guides the convex portion 531m to the through groove portion 168c when connecting to the cylinder 531. As shown in FIG.
When connecting the inlet channel forming body 168 to the cylinder 531, the convex portion 531m of the cylinder 531 is inserted from the bulging portion 168e of the connecting portion 168b to the through groove portion 168c in the cylinder axis direction of the connecting portion 168b, and then the connecting portion 168b is inserted. is rotated around the cylinder axis, the convex portion 531m is engaged with the through groove portion 168c.
10, the injection channel forming body 168 has a fixing portion 168f for fixing the upstream side channel forming body 166 to the base 534 of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53. As shown in FIG. The fixing portion 168f has an overhang through hole 168g provided in the outer cylindrical portion 168d of the connecting portion 168b. A screw 579e passing through the through hole 168g is screwed into a boss screw hole 534h (see FIG. 11B) formed in the base 534 of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53. As shown in FIG.
15 and 17, the inner cylindrical portion 168h of the connecting portion 168b forms a communication channel 61 for the water from the rear water channel 607 to return to the upper water channel 604 after flowing toward the cylinder 531. It is also a channel forming part.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 15, the input channel formation body 168 has a connection portion between the input channel portion 168a and the connection portion 168b, and the water flowing through the input channel portion 168a is connected to the connection portion (communication portion) 168b. It has a guide portion 168j that guides inward. The guide portion 168j here is provided on the inner surface facing the connection portion 168b of the inlet channel portion 168a and extends in a plate shape (rib shape) toward the connection portion 168b. In this manner, the guide portion 168j guides the water flowing through the inlet water passage portion 168a to the cylinder 531 side. For this reason, the guide portion 168j can be said to be a narrow portion that narrows the water channel flowing through the input water channel portion 168a.
The guide portion 168j extends to a diameter that is the diameter of the inlet channel portion 168a and perpendicular to the connecting portion 168b. That is, when viewed from above and below, the side opposite to the connecting portion 168b of the cylindrical inlet channel portion 168a is blocked, and a semicircular opening exists on the connecting portion 168b side. Further, the guide portion 168j is provided on the extension of the cylinder shaft of the connecting portion 168b. The guide portion 168j is provided so as to extend in a direction (here, substantially horizontal direction) perpendicular to the channel flowing through the inlet channel portion 168 .

3. Storage of liquid agent tank Description will be made with reference to FIG. 16 . Note that FIG. 16 shows a case where the liquid agent tank 51 is accommodated (attached), and when the liquid agent tank 51 is to be taken out, the reverse of the case of accommodation is performed.
Here, a cross-sectional view of the guide portion 562a of the liquid agent tank container 55 will be described so that the engagement relationship between the guide portion 562a of the liquid agent tank container 55 and the guided portion 511k of the liquid agent tank 51 can be understood.

(1) Insert the rear end portion (protruding portion 511b) of the liquid agent tank 51 into the inner side along the bottom wall portion 561 of the liquid agent tank container 55 . At this time, if the projecting portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51 is arranged from above in the concave portion 551d of the bottom wall portion 561 of the liquid agent tank container 55, as shown in FIG. The portion 511 k abuts on the guide portion 562 a of the liquid agent tank containing body 55 . As a result, the protruding portion 531f of the cylinder 531 of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 arranged in the liquid agent tank container 55 does not interfere with the liquid agent tank 51, and damage to the protruding portion 531f can be prevented.
(2) When housing the liquid agent tank 51, when the rear end of the liquid agent tank 51 is inserted into the inner side along the bottom wall portion 561 of the liquid agent tank container 55, the liquid agent tank is moved as shown in FIG. 16(a). The guided portion 511 k of the liquid container 51 abuts on the guide portion 562 a of the liquid agent tank containing body 55 .
In this state, as shown in the enlarged view, the protruding portion 531f of the cylinder 531 of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 is less likely to enter the rear end opening (connecting portion) of the protruding portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51 and be damaged. .
Then, the liquid agent tank 51 is moved forward while the portion to be guided 511k is brought into contact with or close to the inclined surface 562c located on the upper surface of the guide portion 562a.

(3) When the portion to be guided 511k is positioned in front of the guide portion 562a as shown in FIG. 16B by moving the liquid agent tank 51 forward, the front portion of the liquid agent tank 51 is moved downward. Let Even in this state, the protruding portion 531f of the cylinder 531 of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 does not interfere with the protruding portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51, as shown in the enlarged view.
(4) When the front portion of the liquid agent tank 51 is moved downward, the front portion of the liquid agent tank 51 is supported by the first projecting portion 551 b of the bottom wall portion 561 of the liquid agent tank container 55 . Then, while maintaining the supported state, the liquid agent tank 51 is moved forward. At this time, since the insertion side portion of the guided portion 511k has a pointed shape (a shape in which the insertion side is pointed when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the movement direction (insertion direction)), the liquid agent tank 51 is moved from the front side to the rear side. You can smoothly move to In addition, the upper surface of the guided portion 511k comes close to or abuts on the horizontal surface 562d located on the lower surface of the guide portion 562a, thereby restricting the liquid agent tank 51 from moving upward.
(5) When the liquid agent tank 51 is moved to the rear side, the connecting portion 531e of the cylinder 531 enters the protruding portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51, and the connecting portion 531e of the cylinder 531 of the automatic liquid agent injection means 53 moves into the protruding portion 511b. It is connected to the connection portion 511d on the rear end side. As a result, the attachment of the liquid agent tank 51 is completed, and the opening/closing means 512 in the projecting portion 511b opens the outflow port.

Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and may be modified as follows. Also, the embodiment may be combined with a modified example, or a combination of modified examples.
In addition, examples not described in the embodiments and modifications, and design changes that do not deviate from the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

<Modification>
(1) The liquid agent tank 51 has the lid 513 with the door 516 for opening and closing the opening 513b, but the lid does not have to have the opening. In this case, the liquid agent tank is removed from the washing machine, the lid is removed, and the liquid agent is replenished. It should be noted that it is more convenient to replenish the liquid agent by opening the door so that the liquid agent tank does not have to be taken out each time the liquid agent is replenished.
(2) The liquid agent is replenished to the liquid agent tank 51 using the opening 513b of the lid 513, but for example, the liquid agent container may be brought into contact with the door for replenishment. In this case, as shown in FIG. 18, a guide portion 1516a may be provided to guide the liquid agent supplied to the back surface of the door 1516 into the tank main body when the back surface of the door 1516 is in an open state. The guide portion 1516a here is composed of a pair of ribs, and is provided so that the gap between the pair of ribs becomes smaller as it moves downward.

(3) The liquid agent tank 51 has the float 514 that is rotatably supported and moves up and down according to the liquid surface. and the means to be detected 518 may be provided in the float. In addition, the accommodating portion has a groove, a chipped portion, a hole, etc., into which the liquid agent enters.
(4) The liquid agent tank 51 includes the filter 515 so as to cover the connecting portion 511d of the projecting portion 511b, but the filter may be provided in the opening 513b of the lid 513. FIG.

(5) Although the liquid agent tank 51 has the connecting portion 511d in the projecting portion 511b projecting downward, the connecting portion may be provided in the projecting portion projecting rearward from the rear wall portion, for example. The connecting portion 511d of the liquid agent tank 51 is connected to the connecting portion 531e of the cylinder 531 inserted into the protruding portion 511b, and the connecting portion of the liquid agent tank is inserted into the cylindrical portion of the cylinder and connected to the connecting portion of the cylinder. You may do so. The connection portion 511d of the liquid agent tank 51 is configured to face rearward in the front-rear direction, but may face downward. In this case, the liquid agent tank is accommodated in the liquid agent tank container by moving the tank up and down.
(6) The handle 517 of the liquid agent tank 51 extends along the insertion/removal direction (front-rear direction) in which the liquid agent tank 51 is moved when it is accommodated, but may extend in a direction intersecting the insertion/removal direction. Considering the insertion/removal operation, it is more convenient to extend in the same direction as the insertion/removal direction.

(7) The liquid agent automatic injection means 53 has a suction port for sucking the liquid agent from the liquid agent tank 51 and a discharge port for discharging the liquid agent. A pump other than the above may be used, and a gear pump, a screw pump, or the like may be used.
(8) The cylinder 531 of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 has a piston accommodating portion 531a and a suction path forming portion 531b in a straight line, and the discharge path forming portion 531c is perpendicular to the straight line. may be In other words, the cylinder 531 only needs to be able to suck and discharge the liquid agent by the action of the piston, and the direction in which the piston accommodating portion 531a and the suction path forming portion 531b are aligned may coincide with the inserting/removing direction of the liquid agent tank 51, They don't have to match. Further, the reciprocating motion of the piston 532 may be in a direction other than the longitudinal direction, for example, the reciprocating motion may be in the vertical direction.

(9) The piston 532 and the motor 533 of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 are linked by a scotch yoke mechanism, but may be linked by a cam mechanism or a crank mechanism, for example. Further, depending on the link mechanism, the motor 533 may be arranged at a position other than above the cylinder 531 .
(10) The liquid agent automatic injection means 53 has a base 534 that supports the cylinder 531 and the motor 533, and the base 534 is supported by the support 57. However, for example, the cylinder 531 and the motor 533 are directly supported by the support. may be If there are a plurality of liquid agent automatic injection means 53, they may be configured as units having the same configuration and attached to the support 57 or the liquid agent tank container. Note that the base 534 of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53 is not particularly limited as long as it can support the cylinder 531 and the motor 533 .

(11) The support 57 only needs to be able to support the liquid agent automatic injection means 53, and when focusing on the support function, the structure is not particularly limited. For example, the support 57 has a through-hole 571a and a missing portion 571b for the automatic liquid injection means 53, but the through-hole may be the missing portion, or the missing portion may be the through-hole. Further, the support 57 may not have the side wall portion 573 depending on the mounting structure to the liquid agent tank container 55 . Alternatively, the support may be attached to the housing via another member instead of being attached to the liquid agent tank container.
(12) Although the support 57 has the partition wall portion 572 that partitions the container portion 551, the partition wall portion may be constructed of a member other than the support member. may be provided integrally with the Considering the communicating portion 551m of the concave portion 551d of the liquid agent tank 51, it is preferable to provide a partition wall portion other than the liquid agent tank container 55. FIG.

(13) The liquid agent tank housing body 55 was an integrally molded product in which the housing portion 551, the support portion 553, and the downstream water passage forming portion 555 were integrally formed. good too. Considering the number of parts, an integrally molded product is preferable. In consideration of liquid leakage from the storage portion 551 of the liquid agent tank 51, it is preferable to integrally include at least the storage portion 551 and the downstream channel forming portion 555. FIG.
(14) The two liquid agent automatic injection means 53A, 53B are branched from one front side water channel 606 into two rear side water channels 607A, 607B, but may be connected by one channel forming body. . Specifically, each of the liquid agent automatic injection means 53A and 53B may be connected to the connection port 164 of the water receiving unit 16 by a connector (hose or the like).
Although the two liquid agent automatic injection means 53A and 53B are provided adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, they may be provided adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction, or may be provided adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. It may be provided in a direction intersecting with these directions.

(15) Water flows through the two automatic liquid agent injection means 53A and 53B via the upstream channel forming body 166. For example, when one liquid agent is injected, the other liquid agent automatic injection means Water may not flow into the injection means. In this case, the channel forming body connected to each liquid agent automatic injection means can be connected to each connection port of the water receiving unit 16, and the opening/closing means of the water receiving unit can be controlled by the control unit. Opening/closing means may be provided in 607A and 607B and the opening/closing may be controlled by a control unit.
(16) The input channel forming body 168 has the connection portion 168b as the communication channel 61, but for example, the discharge side opening/closing means 536 is provided in the vicinity of the input channel portion 168a, or the input channel portion 168a is made thicker. By doing so, the communication channel may be eliminated. Further, the guide portion 168j may not be provided depending on the position of the discharge side opening/closing means 536, and may not be provided depending on the extending direction of the connecting portion 168b.
(17) The connecting member 167 constituting the upstream channel forming body 166 had the small diameter portion 167c. If the distance of the channel from the water unit 16 to the second liquid agent automatic injection means 53B is substantially the same, the small diameter portion may not be provided. As such an example, the connection body has, for example, an inverted "Y" shape or "T" shape, and one side of the "Y" shape or the vertical bar side of the "T" shape is connected to the water receiving unit, This is the case where the two sides of the "Y" or the side of the horizontal bar of the "T" are connected to the first liquid agent automatic injection means and the second liquid agent automatic injection means, respectively. It should be noted that the shape is not limited to the letter "Y" or the letter "T", and may be branched from one to two so as to have the same flow path length.

(18) The container portion 551 of the liquid agent tank container 55 has a first convex portion 551b, a second convex portion 551k, and a stepped rib 562b. Although a gap is provided between them, it is not necessary to provide a step between the first projecting portion 551b, the second projecting portion 551k and the stepped rib 562b. In this case, the bulging portion 551a may not be provided either.
(19) The accommodating portion 551 of the liquid agent tank accommodating body 55 has the first convex portion 551b and the extended plate portion 551c on both end sides in the insertion/extraction direction of the liquid agent tank 51. It may have a convex portion 551b and an extension plate portion 551c. In this case, two guiding portions 562a for guiding the liquid agent tank 51 to the containing position and two guided portions 511k of the liquid agent tank 51 may be provided in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction (horizontal direction).
(20) A guide portion 562a, which is an example of a guide portion of the storage portion 551 of the liquid agent tank container 55, protrudes from the upper wall portion 562 toward the liquid agent tank 51, and is an example of a guided portion of the liquid agent tank 51. Although the portion 511k is guided to the accommodation position, the guide portion may be configured by a groove portion that guides the guided portion 511k, which is an example of the guided portion that is the protrusion of the liquid agent tank 51, for example. When the groove portion is used, the guide portion (guide portion) of the liquid agent tank container may be formed by the convex portion, and the guided portion of the liquid agent tank may be formed by the groove portion.

(21) The concave portion 551d of the housing portion 551 of the liquid agent tank container 55 is provided on the insertion side (rear side) of the bottom wall portion 561 of the housing portion 551 in the insertion/removal direction (front-rear direction). in the vicinity of the front wall portion 564 of the accommodating portion 551, the protrusion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51 may be extended to the extraction side in the insertion/extraction direction.
(22) A standing wall portion (lower partition wall portion) 551e provided at the insertion side end portion in the insertion/removal direction of the storage portion 551 of the liquid agent tank container 55 is a partition wall portion (upper partition wall portion) of the support 57. ) 572 constitutes a partition wall, but the partition wall may be constructed by further erecting upward. In this case, the communicating portion 551m may be in the shape of a groove extending upward, or may be a through hole with a closed periphery.

(23) The downstream water channel forming portion 555 of the liquid agent tank container 55 has a cylindrical portion 555b on one side in the direction (horizontal direction) in which the plurality of liquid agent tanks 51 are arranged side by side. However, for example, the cylindrical portion 555b is provided between the adjacent liquid agent tanks 51A and 51B, that is, in the middle portion in the side-by-side direction so that the middle portion in the side-by-side direction is the lowest in the groove portion. may
(24) The connecting member 252 that connects the liquid agent tank container 55 and the detergent injection unit 30 is connected to the back side (rear side) of the detergent injection unit 30, but for example, it may be connected to the side surface of the detergent box. good.
(25) The water that passes through the liquid agent automatic injection unit 50 flows into the detergent injection unit 30, but may flow directly into the washing tub.

<Invention>
1. Prior Art (1) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-003272 In this patent document, a washing machine equipped with an automatic liquid injection unit includes one or more tanks capable of storing detergent or softener liquid, and the tanks are detachably attached. It has a tank tray for storage and a liquid injection device for taking out the liquid from the tank and throwing it into the outer tank. According to such a washing machine, the liquid agent can be introduced into the outer tub by connecting the check valve of the tank in the vertical direction to the bottom surface of the tank tray.
However, with this technique, when the tank is removed from the tank tray, there is a risk that the liquid agent will spill from the tank around the connecting portion between the tank and the tank tray and stain the tank tray. If the tank tray is soiled with the liquid agent, the liquid agent may stick to the liquid agent and the liquid agent injection device may not operate normally.
In addition, in the above document, when the tank is stored in the tank tray, there are cases where the connection part may be damaged, or the lid covering the tank may be closed when the tank is not properly fitted in the tank tray. Since the pump is provided behind the tank tray, positional adjustment between the pump and the tank is complicated.
(2) JP 2020-80920
In this patent document, the water supply passage has a water residual portion in which water remains when the water supply valve is closed, and the water residual portion is provided with an injection port serving as an outlet of the treatment agent injection passage. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress clogging due to drying and solidification of the processing agent left around the injection port in the apparatus having the function of automatically charging the laundry processing agent.
However, in this technique, since water is always infiltrated into the processing agent injection path from the injection port communicating with the remaining water portion, there is a risk of becoming a breeding ground for microorganisms such as mold (which poses a hygienic problem). Moreover, due to the structure in which the processing agent is discharged from the inlet communicating with the water remaining portion to the processing agent injection path, there is a possibility that water may enter the supply pump due to gravity.

(3) JP 2019-42184
In this patent document, either one of the pump unit that sucks the liquid agent and discharges it to the washing tub, and the tap water that is supplied from the water supply port and the liquid agent (detergent and softener) that is discharged from the liquid agent tank is supplied to the pump unit. To provide a washing machine having a switching valve for switching water and a cleaning course for cleaning a water channel through which a liquid agent in a tank is supplied to the washing tub.
However, in this technique, the pump unit sucks the liquid and discharges it directly into the washing tub, so the discharge path is susceptible to vibrations of the drum (inner tub), and if the path is disconnected, there is a risk that automatic charging will not be possible. There is In addition, since the liquid agent and water are respectively sucked and discharged by the pump that sucks the liquid agent, there is a possibility that the liquid agents may be mixed with each other or water may enter the liquid agent tank side.

(4) JP 2018-11618
In this patent document, tank handles are provided on the upper surfaces of the detergent tank and the softener tank, and the detergent tank and the softener tank are accommodated in the tank container and closed by the tank cover. In this technique, the tank handle is provided so as to protrude upward, so it squeezes the storage space.

2. Invention 1
(1) First washing machine The first washing machine includes a washing tub, a liquid agent tank for storing the liquid agent to be put into the washing tub, and a liquid agent for automatically putting the liquid agent in the liquid agent tank into the washing tub. An automatic injection means and a liquid agent tank housing body for housing the liquid agent tank in a housing portion are provided, and water supplied to the washing tub passes through a water supply channel via the automatic liquid agent injection means, and the liquid agent tank is: The liquid agent tank is removably accommodated in the accommodation portion by inserting and withdrawing in a first direction, and the liquid agent tank has a connecting portion for connecting to the automatic liquid agent injection means in a protruding portion projecting downward from the bottom wall portion, The liquid agent tank containing body has a concave portion recessed downward corresponding to the projecting portion of the liquid agent tank in the containing portion, the projecting portion and the concave portion extend in the first direction, and the The concave portion has a communicating portion that communicates with the water supply channel.
As a result, the concave portion of the liquid agent tank container has a communicating portion communicating with the water supply path, and the liquid agent spilled from the liquid agent tank can flow to the communicating portion. At this time, the liquid agent may be flushed with water. Further, since the center (axis) of the connecting portion between the liquid agent tank and the liquid agent automatic injection means protrudes below the bottom wall portion of the liquid agent tank, the liquid agent remaining in the liquid agent tank can be reduced. Further, since the protruding portion protruding downward from the bottom wall portion of the liquid agent tank has a connecting portion with the automatic liquid agent injection means, the volume of the liquid agent tank can be increased. Also, the liquid agent tank and the liquid agent automatic injection means (suction portion) can be reliably connected, and the liquid agent can be stably supplied.
The first direction may be a front-rear direction, a left-right direction, an up-down direction, or a direction intersecting these directions. When the detergent input unit is provided, the water supply path may or may not pass through the detergent input unit. The water supply channel may pass through the liquid agent automatic injection means, one example of which is the liquid agent side water supply channel in the embodiment. The projecting portion may be provided on the extraction side in the first direction (the front side in the embodiment) or the insertion side in the first direction (the rear side in the embodiment) on the bottom wall portion of the liquid agent tank. may be provided in the first direction, may be provided on the intermediate side between the extraction side and the insertion side in the first direction, or may be continuous to at least two or more of the extraction side, the insertion side, and the intermediate side in the first direction may be provided as
The communicating portion may be communicated with the water supply channel, and may be configured by a notched portion or by a through hole, for example.
Note that the first washing machine focuses on the protruding portion of the liquid tank for connection to the automatic liquid injection means and the concave portion of the liquid tank containing body. The number, the storage form of the liquid agent tank in the liquid agent tank container, the structure of the automatic liquid agent injection means, the presence or absence of the liquid agent injection unit, etc. are not particularly limited.
The first washing machine may or may not have the configuration of the second to seventeenth washing machines of Invention 1.

(2) Second Washing Machine A second washing machine is the first washing machine, wherein the communicating portion is provided at the insertion side end portion in the first direction of the concave portion, and The bottom portion of the recess is slanted downward in the first direction from the extraction side toward the insertion side, and the liquid agent tank accommodates the liquid agent tank in a state in which the projecting portion does not contact the bottom portion of the recess. be done.
As a result, even if the liquid agent spills when the connection state between the liquid agent tank and the automatic liquid agent injection means is released, the liquid agent flows toward the communicating portion. Also, since the liquid agent tank does not contact the bottom portion, the flow of the liquid agent is not hindered by the liquid agent tank. In addition, even if the liquid leaks, the liquid can flow to the water supply path side, so there is no need to provide packing at the connection part of the liquid tank to prevent liquid from leaking, and the number of parts can be reduced.

(3) Third washing machine A third washing machine, in the first or second washing machine, is such that a portion of the housing surface of the housing portion located on the withdrawal side of the concave portion is positioned from the withdrawal side. It slopes downward toward the recessed portion.
As a result, even if the liquid agent spills on the storage surface when the connection state between the liquid agent tank and the automatic liquid agent injection means is released, the liquid agent can flow toward the concave portion, which facilitates maintenance.

(4) Fourth Washing Machine A fourth washing machine is any one of the first to third washing machines, wherein the inner surface of the bottom wall portion of the liquid agent tank slopes downward toward the projecting portion.
As a result, the liquid agent in the liquid agent tank can be reliably supplied (flowed) to the projecting portion. In addition, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid agent solidifies (liquid agent remains) in the liquid agent tank.

(5) Fifth washing machine A fifth washing machine is any one of the first to fourth washing machines, wherein the liquid agent tank container is configured to move the liquid agent tank with respect to the container portion in the first direction. By moving from the extraction side to the insertion side, it is accommodated in the accommodation portion, and the liquid agent tank accommodation body is moved to the insertion side after guiding the liquid agent tank to the extraction side at the time of accommodation. and the liquid agent tank has a guided portion guided by the guide portion.
As a result, when the liquid agent tank is attached or detached (inserted and removed), the connection portion of the liquid agent automatic injection means with the liquid agent tank can be protected. That is, unless the liquid agent tank is pulled out in the first direction with respect to the liquid agent tank container so that the guided portion of the liquid agent tank follows the guide portion of the liquid agent tank container, the liquid agent tank must be lifted upward. can't Also, the liquid agent tank can be accommodated in the liquid agent tank accommodating portion without damaging the projecting portion. In addition, since the guide portion and the guided portion interfere (slid) when the liquid agent tank is attached, the liquid agent tank can be reliably accommodated in the liquid agent tank accommodating portion and the accommodated state can be maintained.
In addition, although the guiding portion and the guided portion are composed of the convex portion, they may be composed of the convex portion and the groove portion.

(6) Sixth washing machine A sixth washing machine is any one of the first to fifth washing machines, wherein the liquid agent tank containing body stores the liquid agent in a state in which the liquid agent tank is accommodated in the accommodating portion. It has a support portion for supporting the liquid agent tank so that the upper surface of the liquid agent tank is horizontal or the angle between the upper surface of the liquid agent tank and the horizontal direction is 10 degrees or less.
As a result, the liquid agent tank can be stably held in the liquid agent tank accommodating portion. In addition, since the upper surface of the liquid agent tank is maintained horizontally, for example, when an upper door is provided above the liquid agent tank accommodating portion, it does not interfere with the upper door. As a result, the upper door can be closed, and design and beauty can be maintained.
An example of the "supporting part" here is the step between the first projecting part (concept including a projecting line), the second projecting part, and the stepped rib. Well, the number and shape are not particularly limited. Although the supporting portion is provided on the liquid agent tank container, it may be provided on a dedicated member such as the liquid agent tank, the liquid agent tank and the liquid agent tank container. If it is provided on the liquid agent tank side, it may be a supported portion.

(7) Seventh Washing Machine A seventh washing machine is the sixth washing machine, in which the accommodating portion is located at the first direction extraction side end of the liquid agent tank accommodated in the accommodating portion. A space is formed between the washing tubs, and the housing that accommodates the washing tub includes an openable and closable upper door for taking in and out of the liquid agent tank, and the upper door is configured to accommodate the liquid agent tank. When the upper door is housed in the upper door, the upper door can be closed by the projection of the upper door located above the liquid agent tank and projecting into the housing portion being accommodated in the space.
As a result, since the liquid agent tank is housed in the housing portion, it does not interfere with the upper door above the liquid agent tank. In addition, the upper door can be closed, and the design and appearance can be maintained. On the other hand, when the upper door cannot be closed, it means that the liquid agent tank is not correctly accommodated in the liquid agent tank container, and the user can be informed that the liquid agent tank is not properly accommodated.

(8) Eighth washing machine A tenth washing machine is the washing machine according to any one of the first to seventh washing machines, wherein the liquid agent tank comprises a box-shaped tank body having an opening, and the opening of the tank body. a lid body for covering, the lid body having a lid body having an opening, and a door body capable of opening and closing the opening of the lid body; It has a guide portion that guides the supplied solution to the tank body.
As a result, when replenishing the liquid agent to the liquid agent tank, the liquid agent can be easily replenished while the mouth of the commercially available liquid agent container is in contact with the guide portion or the rear surface of the door.
Further, for example, the guide portion can be configured by a pair of ribs, and the liquid agent can be prevented from leaking into the liquid agent tank accommodating portion or the like with a simple configuration.

(9) Ninth Washing Machine A ninth washing machine is the washing machine according to the eighth washing machine, wherein the liquid agent tank has a foldable handle on the lid.
As a result, the liquid agent tank can be easily removed by using the handle. Further, by providing the handle on the lid, it can be used even when the lid is removed from the tank body. In addition, compared to the case where the liquid agent tank itself is provided with a handle, it is possible to reduce the occupancy rate of the liquid agent tank in the accommodating portion of the liquid agent tank container.

(10) Tenth washing machine A tenth washing machine is any one of the first to ninth washing machines, wherein the liquid agent automatic injection means is supported by a support portion of the liquid agent tank container, and the liquid agent tank is supported. The containing body has the containing portion on the extraction side in the first direction, and the support portion on the insertion side in the first direction from the containing portion, and the liquid agent automatic injection means supplies the liquid agent. The suction portion of the automatic liquid agent injection means is arranged on the insertion side in the first direction in the concave portion of the accommodating portion, and the suction portion is connected to the connection portion of the liquid agent tank in the concave portion. Connecting.
As a result, the liquid agent tank container can be provided with the removable liquid agent tank and the fixed automatic liquid agent injection means, and can be unitized. In addition, since the suction portion of the liquid agent automatic injection means is connected to the liquid agent tank at the concave portion, the liquid agent flows to the communicating portion even if liquid leakage occurs.
The support portion may be formed as an integrally molded liquid agent tank container, or may be formed separately from the liquid agent tank container and attached to the liquid agent tank container.

(11) Eleventh Washing Machine An eleventh washing machine is a washing machine according to the tenth washing machine, wherein when viewed from above, the liquid agent tank containing body has the water supply path between the supporting portion and the containing portion. A suction portion for sucking the liquid agent from the liquid agent tank in the automatic liquid agent injection means extends in the first direction, and the support portion has a concave portion for the suction portion. The liquid agent automatic injection means is supported by the support portion in such a state that the connecting portion of the suction portion with the liquid agent tank is located in the concave portion of the accommodating portion beyond the water channel.
As a result, it is possible to prevent the liquid agent that has leaked into the tank accommodating portion from flowing toward the support portion that supports the automatic liquid agent injection means. In addition, it is hygienic because the liquid agent that has leaked into the container can be drained into the water channel.
An example of the "waterway" here is the middle side waterway and the lower side waterway, but these configurations are not particularly limited.

(12) Twelfth washing machine A twelfth washing machine is a washing machine according to the tenth or eleventh washing machine, wherein the supporting part is a supporting body separate from the liquid solution tank container attached to the liquid solution tank container. wherein the support has a wall perpendicular to the first direction on the extraction side in the first direction, and the housing is separated from the support by the wall of the support there is
As a result, the support section and the storage section can be separated from each other without providing a partition wall as a separate structure between the storage section and the liquid agent automatic injection means in the liquid agent tank housing. By separating the wall of the support that supports the liquid agent automatic injection means from the liquid agent tank container (separate structure), even if the container portion of the liquid agent tank container is deformed, the support will not be affected. , the positioning accuracy between the liquid agent automatic injection means and the liquid agent tank can be maintained.
An example of the wall portion is the partition wall portion of the embodiment.

(13) A thirteenth washing machine A thirteenth washing machine according to the twelfth washing machine, wherein the tank container extends upward from the container surface of the container and extends along the first direction. It has a snap fit configured by a pair of extension pieces, and the bottom wall portion of the liquid agent tank is inserted into the snap fit from the extraction side in the first direction and engaged with the pair of extension pieces. The wall portion of the liquid agent tank on the insertion side in the first direction has a contact portion that contacts the wall portion of the support.
As a result, it is possible to prevent the liquid agent tank from slipping in the vicinity of the suction portion of the automatic liquid agent injection means. In addition, the liquid agent tank can be stably held in the liquid agent tank accommodating portion. Since the engaging portion is formed to protrude outward from the bottom wall portion of the liquid agent tank, it does not press the capacity of the liquid agent tank.
An example of the pair of extending pieces is the pair of ribs of the embodiment, and an example of the engaging portion is the positioned portion.

(14) A fourteenth washing machine A fourteenth washing machine according to the twelfth or thirteenth washing machine, wherein the housing portion comprises a bottom wall portion forming a housing surface and a top and bottom portion of the housing surface in the first direction. a pair of side wall portions extending upward from both ends in a second direction perpendicular to the direction of the first direction; and the wall portion of the support, wherein the wall portion of the support and the end portion of the side wall portion of the housing portion on the insertion side in the first direction have a fitting portion that fits together. .
This makes it possible to accurately and easily align the liquid agent tank container and the support member to which the automatic liquid agent injection means is attached. That is, it is possible to easily assemble the liquid agent automatic injection means (support) to the liquid agent tank container. In addition, it is possible to prevent the cleaning water from leaking to the liquid agent automatic injection means when cleaning the liquid agent tank container.

(15) A fifteenth washing machine A fifteenth washing machine is a washing machine according to the fourteenth washing machine, wherein the end wall portion of the accommodating portion is adapted to extract the liquid agent tank accommodated in the accommodating portion in the first direction. A space is formed between the side ends.
As a result, the liquid agent tank can be easily removed from the storage portion of the liquid agent tank container. In other words, it is possible to put a hand on the extraction side of the liquid agent tank, so that the liquid agent tank can be easily removed.

(16) Sixteenth Washing Machine A sixteenth washing machine is the sixth washing machine, further comprising detection means for detecting the amount of liquid in the liquid tank containing body, wherein the detection means is , is provided on a surface opposite to the liquid agent tank in a bulging portion that bulges from the storage surface toward the liquid agent tank.
As a result, the risk of intrusion of the liquid agent, water, etc. into the detection means can be reduced compared to the case where the detection means is provided on the liquid agent tank side of the storage surface. In addition, by providing the bulging portion on the housing surface, the space generated on the back side of the housing surface can be effectively utilized. Further, even when a support portion for supporting the liquid agent tank is provided in the liquid agent tank housing body, the protruding portion can be used to shorten the distance between the detection means and the liquid agent tank (thereby increasing the detection accuracy). be able to).
The bulging portion is not particularly limited in size and shape as long as the detection means can be arranged thereon.
In addition, when the detection means is not provided, the liquid agent tank containing body does not have to have a bulging portion. In addition, when the liquid agent tank is provided with a supporting portion for leveling the liquid agent tank, the liquid agent tank is provided with a bulging portion that bulges downward, and the detection means is provided in the non-bulging portion of the liquid agent tank containing body. may be provided.

(17) Seventeenth Washing Machine A seventeenth washing machine is the sixteenth washing machine, further comprising notification means for notifying replenishment of the liquid in the liquid tank, Therefore, an operating float and a detectable means provided on the float and detected by the detecting means are provided, and the notifying means detects or detects the detectable means by the operation of the float. When it runs out, it notifies the replenishment.
As a result, the remaining amount of the liquid agent can be determined with a simple configuration. Further, a reed switch can be used as the detecting means, and a magnet can be used as the means to be detected, which can be implemented at a low cost. For example, when a Hall element is used, it becomes necessary to mount the Hall element on a substrate, which complicates the configuration.

3. Invention 2
A first washing machine includes a liquid tank for storing liquid to be put into a washing tub, automatic liquid injection means for automatically feeding the liquid from the liquid tank into the washing tub, and the liquid tank in a container. The liquid agent tank accommodating body is accommodated in the accommodating portion by moving the liquid agent tank from the extracting side to the inserting side in the first direction with respect to the accommodating portion. The liquid agent tank container has a guide portion that guides the liquid agent tank to the extraction side and then allows the liquid agent tank to move to the insertion side when accommodated, and the liquid agent tank is guided by the guide portion. It has a guided portion.
As a result, it is possible to prevent damage to the connecting portion of the automatic liquid agent injection means with the liquid agent tank and the connection portion of the liquid agent tank with the automatic liquid agent injection unit from being damaged. I can solve problems. In addition, when the first direction is the left-right direction or the front-rear direction, the connecting portion is likely to be damaged.

4. Invention 3
A first washing machine includes a liquid agent tank that stores liquid agent to be put into a washing tub, a liquid agent tank container that accommodates the liquid agent tank in a container, and detection means for detecting the amount of liquid in the liquid agent tank. The detecting means is provided on a surface opposite to the liquid agent tank in a bulging portion that bulges from the containing surface toward the liquid agent tank.
As a result, compared to the case where the detection means is provided on the liquid agent tank side of the storage surface, the risk of liquid agents, water, etc. entering the detection means can be reduced, and the problem that liquid agents and the like easily enter the detection means can be resolved. solve.
Note that when focusing on the bulging portion and the detection means, the liquid agent tank may be detachably or unremovably housed in the liquid agent tank housing body.

5. Invention 4
A first washing machine comprises a liquid agent tank for storing liquid agent to be put into a washing tub, the liquid agent tank comprising a box-shaped tank body having an opening, and a lid covering the opening of the tank body, The lid body includes a lid body having an opening and a door body capable of opening and closing the opening of the lid body. It has a guide portion that guides the liquid agent supplied onto the back surface to the tank main body.
As a result, when replenishing the liquid agent tank with the liquid agent, the mouth of the commercially available liquid agent container can be easily replenished while the mouth of the liquid agent container is in contact with the guide part or the back surface of the door. Solve difficult problems.
Note that when focusing on the replenishment of the liquid agent in the liquid agent tank, the configurations of the liquid agent tank container, the automatic liquid agent injection means, and the like are not particularly limited.

6. Invention 5
A first washing machine includes a liquid agent tank for storing liquid agent to be put into the washing tub, and a liquid agent tank container having an accommodating portion for the liquid agent tank, and the liquid agent tank is a box-shaped tank body having an opening. and a cover that covers the opening of the tank body, and the cover has a handle that can be raised and lowered.
As a result, the occupancy rate of the liquid agent tank in the storage section can be reduced, and the problem that the occupancy rate of the liquid agent tank is large when the liquid agent tank itself is provided with a handle can be solved.
In other words, it solves the problem in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-11618 that if a handle is provided on the upper surface of a detergent tank or the like, the storage space of the tank is compressed by the amount of the handle.
Note that when focusing on the removal of the liquid agent tank from the liquid agent tank container, the configuration of the liquid agent tank container is not particularly limited.

7. Invention 6
A first washing machine includes a liquid tank for storing liquid to be put into a washing tub, automatic liquid injection means for automatically feeding the liquid from the liquid tank into the washing tub, and the liquid tank in a container. and a liquid agent tank container for supporting the automatic liquid agent injection means, and water supplied to the washing tub passes through a water supply channel via the automatic liquid agent injection unit, and the liquid agent tank container is viewed from above. and a water channel forming part of the water supply channel between the support portion and the accommodation portion.
As a result, the liquid agent that has leaked into the tank housing can be prevented from flowing toward the support portion that supports the automatic liquid agent injection means, and the problem of the liquid agent flowing toward the automatic liquid agent injection means can be solved.
Here, the direction in which the liquid agent tank (accommodating portion), the automatic liquid agent injection means, and the water channel are arranged may be the first direction, or may be a direction perpendicular to the first direction, or in any of these directions. It may be in a crossing direction.
When focusing on the positional relationship between the liquid agent tank (container), the liquid agent automatic injection means, and the water channel, the configurations of the liquid agent tank, the liquid agent tank container, the liquid agent automatic injection unit, etc. are not particularly limited. The charging means may be attached directly to the liquid agent tank containing body.

8. Invention 7
A first washing machine includes a liquid tank for storing liquid to be put into a washing tub, automatic liquid injection means for automatically feeding the liquid from the liquid tank into the washing tub, and the liquid tank in a container. and a liquid agent tank container supporting the automatic liquid agent injection means.
As a result, the liquid agent automatic injection means and the liquid agent tank are brought closer to facilitate position adjustment.
In other words, it is possible to solve the problem in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-003272 that the pump is provided behind the tank tray and the positional adjustment between the pump and the tank is complicated.

9. Invention 8
A first washing machine includes a liquid agent tank that stores a liquid agent to be put into a washing tub, and a liquid agent tank container having an accommodation portion for the liquid agent tank, and the liquid agent tank is a first liquid agent with respect to the accommodation portion. The storage portion has a space formed between an end portion of the liquid agent tank stored in the storage portion on the extraction side in the first direction, and stores the washing tub. The housing has an openable and closable upper door for taking in and out of the liquid agent tank on the top wall portion, and the upper door is positioned above the liquid agent tank when the liquid agent tank is accommodated in the accommodating portion. The protruding portion of the upper door which is positioned and protrudes into the accommodating portion of the upper door is accommodated in the space, so that the upper door can be closed.
As a result, since the liquid agent tank is housed in the housing portion, it does not interfere with the upper door above the liquid agent tank. In addition, the upper door can be closed, and the design and appearance can be maintained. On the other hand, if the upper door cannot be closed, it means that the liquid agent tank is not correctly accommodated in the accommodating portion, and the user can be notified that the liquid agent tank is not properly accommodated. In other words, it is possible to solve the problem in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-003272 that the lid covering the tank is closed when the tank is not properly fitted to the tank tray.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 washing tub 51 liquid tank 53 liquid automatic injection means 55 liquid tank container 60 liquid side water supply channel (water supply channel)
511 tank main body 511a bottom wall portion 511b projecting portion 511d connecting portion 551 accommodating portion 551d concave portion 551m communicating portion

Claims (13)

a washing tub;
a liquid agent tank for storing the liquid agent to be put into the washing tub;
a liquid agent automatic injection means for automatically injecting the liquid agent from the liquid agent tank into the washing tub;
a liquid agent tank container that accommodates the liquid agent tank in a container,
The water supplied to the washing tub passes through the water supply channel via the automatic liquid agent injection means,
The liquid agent tank is accommodated in the accommodating portion so as to be put in and taken out by being inserted and removed in a first direction,
The liquid agent tank has a connecting portion for connecting to the automatic liquid agent injection means in a projecting portion projecting downward from the bottom wall portion,
The liquid agent tank container has a concave portion recessed downward corresponding to the projecting portion of the liquid agent tank in the container portion,
the protrusion and the recess extend in the first direction;
The concave portion has a communicating portion communicating with the water supply channel ,
The liquid agent tank container is accommodated in the accommodation portion by moving the liquid agent tank from the extraction side in the first direction to the insertion side with respect to the accommodation portion,
The liquid agent tank has a guided portion guided by the guide portion of the liquid agent tank container,
The guide portion has an inclined surface that descends toward the extraction side in the first direction. allowing movement of the guided portion toward the insertion side;
washing machine. The communicating portion is provided at an insertion side end portion in the first direction of the concave portion,
a bottom portion of the concave portion of the liquid agent tank container is inclined downward in the first direction from the extraction side toward the insertion side;
The liquid agent tank is accommodated in a state in which the protrusion does not contact the bottom portion of the recess.
The washing machine according to claim 1. A portion of the housing surface of the housing portion located closer to the extraction side than the concave portion is inclined downward from the extraction side toward the concave portion.
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2. the inner surface of the bottom wall portion of the liquid agent tank slopes downward toward the projecting portion;
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1-3. When the liquid agent tank is accommodated in the accommodation portion, the liquid agent tank container is in a state in which the upper surface of the liquid agent tank is horizontal or in a state in which the angle between the upper surface of the liquid agent tank and the horizontal direction is 10 degrees or less. Having a support portion that supports the liquid agent tank so that
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1-4 . a space is formed between the storage portion and an end of the liquid agent tank stored in the storage portion on the extraction side in the first direction;
The housing that accommodates the washing tub has an openable and closable upper door for taking in and out the liquid agent tank on the top wall,
The upper door is positioned above the liquid agent tank in a state in which the liquid agent tank is accommodated in the accommodation portion,
The protrusion of the upper door protruding into the accommodating section is accommodated in the space, so that the upper door can be closed.
The washing machine according to claim 5 . The liquid agent tank includes a box-shaped tank body having an opening, and a lid covering the opening of the tank body,
The lid body includes a lid body having an opening, and a door body capable of opening and closing the opening of the lid body,
The door body has a guide portion that guides the liquid agent supplied on the back surface to the tank body in the open state,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1-6 . The liquid agent tank has a handle that can be raised and lowered on the lid,
The washing machine according to claim 7 . The liquid agent automatic injection means is supported by the support portion of the liquid agent tank container,
The liquid agent tank containing body has the containing portion on the extraction side in the first direction, and has the support portion on the insertion side in the first direction from the containing portion,
The liquid agent automatic injection means sucks and discharges the liquid agent,
the suction portion of the liquid agent automatic injection means is arranged on the insertion side in the first direction in the concave portion of the storage portion;
The suction portion is connected to the connection portion of the liquid agent tank at the concave portion.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1-8 . When viewed from above, the liquid agent tank containing body has a water channel forming a part of the water supply channel between the supporting portion and the containing portion,
a suction portion for sucking the liquid agent from the liquid agent tank in the automatic liquid agent injection means extends in the first direction;
The support portion has a concave portion for the suction portion,
The liquid agent automatic injection means is supported by the support portion in a state in which a connection portion of the suction portion with the liquid agent tank is located in a concave portion of the storage portion beyond the water channel,
The washing machine according to claim 9 . The support section is configured by attaching a support separate from the liquid solution tank container to the liquid solution tank container,
the support has a wall portion perpendicular to the first direction on the extraction side in the first direction;
The housing portion is separated from the support portion by a wall portion of the support,
The washing machine according to claim 9 or 10 . The tank containing body has a snap fit configured by a pair of extending pieces extending upward from the containing surface of the containing portion and extending along the first direction,
the bottom wall portion of the liquid agent tank has an engaging portion that is inserted into the snap fit from the extraction side in the first direction and engages with the pair of extending pieces;
the wall portion of the liquid agent tank on the insertion side in the first direction has a contact portion that contacts the wall portion of the support;
A washing machine according to claim 11 . The storage portion includes a bottom wall portion forming a storage surface, a pair of side wall portions extending upward from both ends of the storage surface in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the vertical direction, and the bottom wall portion. and the pair of side wall portions, the end wall portion connecting the ends on the extraction side in the first direction, and the wall portion of the support,
The wall portion of the support and the end portion of the side wall portion of the housing portion on the insertion side in the first direction have a fitting portion that fits into each other,
A washing machine according to claim 11 or 12 .

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