JP7290489B2 - clothing processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to clothes processing devices.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a washing machine, which is an example of a clothing processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing on clothing, a laundry processing agent is stored in advance in a tank for automatic feeding multiple times in order to meet the demand for improved convenience of users. In addition, a construction has been developed that has an automatic loading unit that automatically loads the required amount from the tank into the water tub during the washing operation. In this type of washing machine, the tank is housed in a tank housing section provided in the water supply section. Then, the tank housing portion housing the tank is closed by the tank lid portion (see Patent Document 1, for example).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-11618

In a configuration in which the tank is housed in the tank housing section, the automatic feeding section automatically feeds the laundry treatment agent in the tank in an incomplete state where the tank is not mounted at a predetermined mounting position in the tank housing section. I can't do it. Therefore, there is a demand for development of a technique for ensuring that the tank is mounted at a predetermined mounting position within the tank housing.

Therefore, the present embodiment focuses on the fact that the tank housing portion is provided with the tank lid portion, and by using this tank lid portion, the tank can be mounted at a predetermined mounting position within the tank housing portion. To provide a clothes processing apparatus configured as follows.

The laundry processing apparatus of the present embodiment includes an outer box, a clothing processing tank provided inside the outer box and containing clothes, a tank storing a clothing processing agent for processing the clothes, and a an automatic loading unit for loading the laundry treatment agent into the clothing processing tank; a tank housing unit for detachably housing the tank; a tank lid unit for closing the tank housing unit housing the tank; A contact portion provided in the tank and in contact with the tank lid portion that closes the tank housing portion, and a contact portion provided below the portion where the abutment portion abuts the tank lid portion and are housed in the tank housing portion. a lock portion for locking the tank at a predetermined mounting position ; a clothing treatment agent outflow portion provided in the tank for allowing the clothing treatment agent in the tank to flow out to the outside; and a connection provided in the tank accommodating portion. and a section , wherein the tank is mounted at a predetermined mounting position in the tank housing section, whereby the clothing processing agent outflow section is connected to the connection section, and the clothing processing agent in the tank is supplied by the automatic input section. is automatically entered .

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view schematically showing a configuration example of the washing machine according to the present embodiment; The figure which shows roughly the structural example of the water supply part which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional side view schematically showing a configuration example of the tank housing portion according to the present embodiment, showing an example of a state in which the tank lid portion is rotated to the closed position; FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a configuration example of the tank housing portion according to the present embodiment, showing an example of a state in which the tank lid portion is rotated to the open position; FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing a configuration example of the tank housing portion according to the present embodiment, showing an example state in which the tank lid portion is rotated to the open position; FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional side view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the tank housing portion according to the present embodiment, showing an example of the state when the tank is attached and detached. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a configuration example of the tank housing portion according to the present embodiment, showing an example of a state in which the tank lid portion and the refilling lid portion are rotated to the open position; FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a locking portion according to the present embodiment, showing a comparison between a locked state and an unlocked state; FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a clothing treatment agent outflow part and a connection part according to the present embodiment, showing a comparison of a connected state and a non-connected state; FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional front view schematically showing a configuration example of the tank housing portion according to the present embodiment, showing an example of a state in which the tank lid portion is rotated to the closed position; FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing a configuration example of the locking claw portion according to the present embodiment, and showing a comparison with the tank accommodating portion in a state where the tank lid portion is rotated to the closed position; FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of the locking claw portion and its peripheral portion according to the present embodiment, viewed from the lower surface side of the tank lid portion; FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional side view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the tank housing portion according to the present embodiment, showing an example of a state when the refilling lid portion in the open state is in contact with the tank lid portion.

An embodiment of a clothes processing apparatus will be described below with reference to the drawings. A washing machine 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example of a clothing processing apparatus capable of performing predetermined processing on clothing, in this case, at least washing processing, rinsing processing, and spin-drying processing. Moreover, the washing machine 1 is a so-called drum-type washing machine in which the rotation center axis of the rotating tub extends in a horizontal direction or in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

The washing machine 1 includes a washing tub 3 for washing clothes inside a rectangular box-shaped outer box 2 that constitutes its outer shell. The washing tank 3 is an example of a clothes processing tank, and has a configuration in which a bottomed cylindrical drum is rotatably provided inside a bottomed cylindrical water tank. The peripheral wall of the drum is provided with a large number of small holes, and the inner peripheral surface of the drum is provided with baffles for raking up the clothes. A front opening of the cleaning tank 3 can be opened and closed by a door 5 provided on the front surface of the outer box 2 . By opening the door 5, the user can take clothes in and out of the washing tank 3 through the front opening of the washing tank 3. As shown in FIG.

The washing machine 1 also includes a water supply section 4 for supplying water into the washing tub 3 and a drain section 6 for draining the water in the washing tub 3 to the outside of the washing machine. The water supply unit 4 includes a water supply valve unit 10 and the like, which will be described later, in the middle of a water supply path extending from a water source (not shown) such as a water supply to the cleaning tank 3 . Further, the drain section 6 has a drain valve 7 and the like in the middle of the drain path extending from the bottom of the washing tank 3 to the outside of the machine. A predetermined amount of water is accumulated in the washing tank 3 by supplying water into the washing tank 3 from the water supply unit 4 while the drain valve 7 is closed. Further, by opening the drain valve 7, the water in the cleaning tank 3 is drained out of the machine through the drain path.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the water supply unit 4 includes a water supply valve unit 10, an automatic supply unit 11, a water injection case 12, etc. in the middle of a water supply path extending from a water source (not shown) to the cleaning tank 3. . The inlet of the water supply valve unit 10 is connected to a water source (not shown) such as tap water. Moreover, the water supply valve unit 10 has at least two water supply valves 10a and 10b. The water supply valve 10a is an example of a manual water supply valve, and is connected to the water injection case 12 via a manual supply path 13a. The water supply valve 10b is an example of an automatic water supply valve, and is connected to the water injection case 12 via an automatic supply path 13b. Hereinafter, the water supply valve 10a will be referred to as the manual water supply valve 10a, and the water supply valve 10b will be referred to as the automatic water supply valve 10b. An outlet of the water injection case 12 is connected to the washing tank 3 via a water supply hose 14 .

The automatic input unit 11 has a detergent tank 15 and a softener tank 16 . Detergent tank 15 and softener tank 16 are detachably attached to water supply unit 4 . Specifically, the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 are detachably provided inside a tank housing portion 100 that constitutes the water supply portion 4 . A configuration example of the tank accommodating portion 100 and its peripheral portion will be described later.

In the detergent tank 15, it is possible to store a laundry treating agent for a plurality of operations, in this case, a detergent for washing the clothes in the washing tank 3. As shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the softening agent tank 16, it is possible to store the laundry treatment agent for a plurality of times of operation, in this case, the softening agent for applying the softening treatment to the clothes in the washing tank 3.

The detergent tank 15 is connected to the automatic supply path 13b via a detergent metering pump 17. As shown in FIG. The detergent metering pump 17 is configured, for example, to suck and deliver liquid by driving a piston with an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid. The detergent metering pump 17 sucks a predetermined amount of detergent from the detergent tank 15, in this case, the amount used for one operation, and delivers the sucked detergent into the automatic supply path 13b. The detergent sent into the automatic supply path 13b is introduced into the water injection case 12 together with the water supplied from the automatic water supply valve 10b of the water supply valve unit 10. As shown in FIG. The detergent introduced into the water injection case 12 is supplied into the washing tank 3 through the water supply hose 14 together with the water similarly introduced into the water injection case 12 . As a result, the detergent is automatically introduced into the washing tank 3 from the detergent tank 15 . Note that the detergent metering pump 17 is not limited to one that sucks liquid, and may be one that pushes out liquid, for example.

The softener tank 16 is connected to the automatic supply path 13b via a softener metering pump 18 . The softener metering pump 18 is configured to suck and deliver liquid by driving a piston with an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid. The softener metering pump 18 sucks a predetermined amount of softener from the softener tank 16, in this case, the amount used for one operation, and delivers the sucked softener into the automatic supply path 13b. . The softener sent into the automatic supply path 13b is introduced into the water injection case 12 together with the water supplied from the automatic water supply valve 10b of the water supply valve unit 10 . The softener introduced into the water injection case 12 is supplied into the washing tank 3 through the water supply hose 14 together with the water similarly introduced into the water injection case 12 . As a result, the softener is automatically introduced into the washing tank 3 from the softener tank 16 . Note that the softener metering pump 18 is not limited to one that sucks liquid, and may be one that pushes out liquid, for example.

In addition, a manual charging case 12a is accommodated in the water injection case 12 so as to be able to be put in and taken out. The manual input case 12a is provided with a manual detergent input portion (not shown) into which the detergent is manually input by the user and a manual softener input portion (not shown) into which the softener is manually input by the user. there is Detergent put into the manual detergent put-in portion or softener put into the manual softener put-in portion is together with water poured into the water pouring case 12 from the water supply valve unit 10 via the manual feed path 13a. The water is supplied into the washing tank 3 through the water supply hose 14 .

In the water supply unit 4 configured as described above, the manual supply path 13a constitutes a supply path for supplying into the washing tank 3 laundry treatment agents such as detergents and softeners that are manually introduced by the user. ing. Further, the automatic supply path 13b constitutes a supply path for supplying into the washing tank 3 laundry treatment agents such as detergents and softeners that are automatically injected by the automatic injection unit 11 .

Next, a configuration example of the tank accommodating portion 100 and its peripheral portion will be described. As exemplified in FIG. 3 , the tank housing portion 100 has a substantially rectangular box shape, and in this case, is provided integrally with the upper portion of the water injection case 12 that constitutes the water supply portion 4 . An opening 101 having a substantially rectangular shape is provided in the upper portion of the tank accommodating portion 100 . Further, the bottom of the tank housing portion 100 communicates with the inside of the water injection case 12 .

An opening 101 of the tank accommodating portion 100 is configured to be openable and closable by a substantially rectangular plate-shaped tank lid portion 102 . The tank lid portion 102 is provided so as to be rotatable between a closed position illustrated in FIG. 3 and an open position illustrated in FIG. ing. The tank lid portion 102 rotated to the closed position closes the opening portion 101 . Further, the tank lid portion 102 rotated to the open position opens the opening portion 101 . In this case, the rotatable angle of the tank lid portion 102, that is, the angle between the closed position and the open position is at least 90 degrees or more.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 are detachably accommodated inside the tank accommodating portion 100 . That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the user rotates the tank lid portion 102 to the open position to open the opening portion 101, and the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 are opened through the opening portion 101. It is possible to store the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 in the storage part 100 or take out the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 from the tank storage part 100 .

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the detergent tank 15 is provided with a detergent replenishment port 15a. In this case, the detergent replenishing port 15 a is a substantially rectangular opening provided at the front of the upper surface of the detergent tank 15 . A detergent replenishment port 15b is provided in the detergent replenishment port 15a. The detergent replenishing lid portion 15b is configured in a substantially rectangular plate shape. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the detergent replenishment lid portion 15b can rotate around a rotation shaft provided at the rear portion of the detergent replenishment port 15a in a closed position illustrated in FIG. 3 and the like and an open position illustrated in FIG. It is provided so as to be rotatable between. The detergent refill opening 15b rotated to the closed position closes the detergent refill opening 15a. Further, the detergent replenishment port 15b rotated to the open position opens the detergent replenishment port 15a.

Also, the rotatable angle of the detergent replenishment palate portion 15b, that is, the angle between the closed position and the open position is at least 90 degrees or more in this case. The rotatable angle of the detergent replenishment palate portion 15b may be the same as the rotatable angle of the tank lid portion 102, or may be different. The direction of rotation of the detergent replenishing lid portion 15b is the same as the direction of rotation of the tank lid portion 102, in this case, the front-to-rear direction of the washing machine 1, and is rotated forward to the closed position. It rotates and rotates to the open position by being rotated to the rear side.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the softener tank 16 is provided with a softener replenishing port 16a. In this case, the softener replenishing port 16a is a substantially rectangular opening provided in the front part of the upper surface of the softener tank 16. As shown in FIG. In addition, the softener replenishing port 16a is provided with a softener replenishing lid portion 16b. The softener replenishment palate portion 16b is configured in a substantially rectangular plate shape. As exemplified in FIG. 7, the softener replenishment palate portion 16b rotates around a rotation shaft provided at the rear of the softener replenishment port 16a in the closed position exemplified in FIG. It is provided so as to be rotatable between the open position. The softener replenishing palate portion 16b rotated to the closed position closes the softener replenishing port 16a. Further, the softener replenishment port 16b rotated to the open position opens the softener replenishment port 16a.

In this case, the rotatable angle of the softener replenishment palate portion 16b, that is, the angle between the closed position and the open position is at least 90 degrees or more. The rotatable angle of the softener replenishing palate portion 16b may be the same as the rotatable angle of the tank lid portion 102, or may be different. Further, the rotating direction of the softener replenishing lid portion 16b is the same direction as the rotating direction of the tank lid portion 102, in this case, the longitudinal direction of the washing machine 1, and is rotated forward to the closed position. It rotates to the open position by rotating to the rear side.

In addition, a handle portion 15c is provided at the tip of the detergent replenishment palate portion 15b, with which the user puts a hand when opening and closing the detergent replenishment palate portion 15b. In this case, the handle portion 15c is provided substantially at the center of the distal end portion of the detergent replenishment palate portion 15b, and has a flat upper surface. As illustrated in FIG. 3 and the like, the handle portion 15c projects upward by a predetermined amount from the upper surface of the detergent tank 15 when the detergent replenishment lid portion 15b is rotated to the closed position for closing the detergent replenishment port 15a. is an element.

In addition, a hand portion 16c is provided at the tip of the softener replenishing palate portion 16b for the user to put a hand on when opening and closing the softener replenishing palate portion 16b. In this case, the handle portion 16c is provided substantially in the center of the tip portion of the softener replenishment palate portion 16b, and has a flat upper surface. As illustrated in FIG. 3 and the like, the handle portion 16c moves upward from the upper surface of the softener tank 16 by a predetermined amount in a state where the softener replenishment palate portion 16b is rotated to the closing position for closing the softener replenishment port 16a. It is a prominent component.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the tank lid portion 102 closes the opening portion 101 of the tank housing portion 100, the upper surface of the handle portion 15c of the detergent tank 15 and the upper surface of the handle portion 16c of the softener tank 16 are , respectively contact the lower surface of the tank lid portion 102 . That is, both the handle portion 15c of the detergent tank 15 and the handle portion 16c of the softener tank 16 function as an example of a contact portion that contacts the tank lid portion 102 that closes the tank housing portion 100. .

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , a lock portion 200 is further provided inside the tank housing portion 100 . The lock portion 200 is provided inside the tank housing portion 100 so as to be positioned below a portion where the handle portion 15c of the detergent tank 15 and the handle portion 16c of the softener tank 16 contact the tank lid portion 102 . The concept of “below the portion where the handle 15c of the detergent tank 15 and the handle 16c of the softener tank 16 abut on the tank lid 102” means that the handle 15c of the detergent tank 15 and the softener are placed on the tank lid 102. It is intended not only for the area immediately below the portion of the tank 16 with which the handle portion 16c abuts, but for an area having a certain range. In the present embodiment, the lock portion 200 is positioned rearward by a predetermined amount from the vertical lower side of the handle portion 15c of the detergent tank 15 and the handle portion 16c of the softener tank 16 that abut against the tank lid portion 102. .

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the lock portion 200 protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the tank housing portion 100, and has a pair of lock pieces 200a at its tip. The pair of lock pieces 200a are configured to be elastically deformable to some extent. On the other hand, a locked portion 201 is provided on the lower surfaces of the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 . In this case, the locked portion 201 protrudes downward from the lower surfaces of the front sides of the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16, and is provided with a locked end portion 201a that protrudes into a substantially circular cross section at the tip portion thereof. there is Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , the front-rear dimension of the locked portion 201 is longer than the front-rear dimension of the locking portion 200 .

The detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 housed inside the tank housing portion 100 are pushed in a predetermined direction, in this case, downward in the tank housing portion 100 , so that the locked portion 201 is fitted into the lock portion 200 . be As a result, the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 are locked at predetermined mounting positions in the tank housing portion 100 .

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, at the lower rear portion of the detergent tank 15 and the lower rear portion of the softener tank 16, respectively, there are clothes treatment agent outflow portions 300 for discharging the inside clothes treatment agent to the outside. is provided. On the other hand, two connection portions 301 corresponding to the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 are provided at the lower rear portion of the tank housing portion 100 . A connection 301 corresponding to the detergent tank 15 is connected to the detergent metering pump 17 . Also, the connecting portion 301 corresponding to the softener tank 16 is connected to the softener metering pump 18 .

In addition, a filter 400 is provided inside the tanks 15 and 16 so as to be located inside the clothing processing agent outflow portion 300 . The filter 400 captures foreign matter contained in the laundry treatment agent stored in the tanks 15 and 16 and prevents the foreign matter from entering the clothing treatment agent outflow part 300 side. A float 401 is provided inside the tanks 15 and 16 inside the filter 400 . The float 401 rotates up and down according to the amount of the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 15 and 16, and has a magnet (not shown) in its tip. A control device (not shown) that controls the overall operation of the washing machine 1 detects the magnetic force of the float 401 by means of a reed switch (not shown) provided outside the tank housing portion 100, thereby determining the position of the float 401, in other words, the position of the float 401. For example, it is possible to detect the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 15 and 16 .

Next, a configuration example of the clothing treatment agent outflow portion 300 and the connection portion 301 described above will be described. As exemplified in FIG. 9, the clothing treatment agent outlet 300 includes a first outlet 302 extending vertically and a second outlet 302 extending horizontally when the tanks 15 and 16 are mounted at predetermined mounting positions. A part 303 is provided. One end of the second outflow port 303 , in this case, the end on the inner side of the tanks 15 and 16 is connected to the upper end of the first outflow port 302 . The lower end of the first outflow port 302 is slightly separated from the upper surfaces of the bottoms of the tanks 15 and 16 . The other end of the second outflow port 303 is connected to the lower part of the rear wall of the tanks 15 and 16 .

A check valve 304 is provided inside the connecting portion between the first outlet portion 302 and the second outlet portion 303 . The check valve 304 is urged toward the other end of the second outflow port 303 by, for example, a compression coil spring 305 . As a result, the check valve 304 is biased in a direction to close the outflow hole portion 306 provided in the second outflow port portion 303 .

On the other hand, the connection part 301 is provided in a substantially cylindrical shape extending linearly, and has a flow path 301a in the center thereof through which the laundry treatment agent can flow. In the process in which the tanks 15 and 16 are mounted at predetermined mounting positions in the tank housing portion 100, the connecting portion 301 is inserted into the second outlet portion 303 from the other end side of the second outlet portion 303. be done. Then, when the tanks 15 and 16 are mounted at predetermined mounting positions in the tank housing portion 100 , the check valve 304 is pushed in by the tip portion of the connecting portion 301 . As a result, the check valve 304 moves in the second outlet portion 303 toward one end side of the second outlet portion 303 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 305 , thereby opening the outlet hole portion 306 . state. As a result, the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 15 and 16 can flow out of the tanks 15 and 16 through the first outlet portion 302 and the second outlet portion 303 by receiving the suction force of the pumps 17 and 18. state.

According to the above configuration, the detergent tank 15 is mounted at a predetermined mounting position in the tank housing portion 100, so that the laundry treatment agent outflow portion 300 of the detergent tank 15 is appropriately connected to the corresponding connection portion 301. be. As a result, a state in which the detergent in the detergent tank 15 can be automatically injected by the automatic injection unit 11 can be formed. Also, by mounting the softener tank 16 at a predetermined mounting position in the tank housing portion 100 , the clothing treatment agent outflow portion 300 of the softener tank 16 is appropriately connected to the corresponding connection portion 301 . Thereby, a state can be formed in which the softener in the softener tank 16 can be automatically injected by the automatic injection unit 11 .

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the tank lid portion 102 has a lower surface when the opening portion 101 of the tank housing portion 100 is closed, that is, the upper surface of the detergent tank 15 in the tank housing portion 100 and the flexible lid portion 102 . A fitting portion 500 is provided on the surface facing the upper surface of the agent tank 16 . The fitting portion 500 is configured as a substantially rectangular recess surrounded by a wall-shaped portion 501 provided on the outer edge of the lower surface of the tank lid portion 102 . Inside the fitting portion 500, the upper portion of the detergent tank 15 and the upper portion of the softener tank 16 are fitted from below when the tank lid portion 102 closes the opening portion 101 of the tank housing portion 100. .

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 11 , the tank lid portion 102 further includes a locking claw portion 600 . The locking pawl portion 600 is an example of a locking portion, and in this case, of the left and right wall-shaped portions 501 of the tank lid portion 102, it is provided so as to be located at least toward the tip side of the central portion in the front-rear direction. . As exemplified in FIG. 12, left and right wall-like portions 501 of the tank lid portion 102 are provided with notch portions 502 that are cut out in a substantially rectangular shape. The locking claw portion 600 is provided so as to protrude downward from above in the notch portion 502, and extends along the width direction of the tank lid portion 102, in this case, along the left-right direction of the washing machine 1. It is configured to be elastically deformable.

In addition, a protruding portion 600a that protrudes outward is provided at the distal end portion of the locking claw portion 600. As shown in FIG. The locking claw portion 600 is configured to be locked to a locked portion (not shown) provided on the inner surface of the upper portion of the tank housing portion 100 when the tank lid portion 102 closes the opening portion 101 of the tank housing portion 100 . It has become. Note that the engaged portion is configured by, for example, a hole into which the projecting portion 600a of the engaging claw portion 600 can be fitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 11 , when the tank lid portion 102 closes the opening portion 101 of the tank housing portion 100 , the locking claw portion 600 is attached to the handle portion 15 c of the detergent tank 15 and the handle portion 16 c of the softener tank 16 . It is configured to be located on the front side of the In this case, not the entire locking claw portion 600 but only a front portion thereof is configured to be positioned forward of the handle portion 15c of the detergent tank 15 and the handle portion 16c of the softener tank 16. there is However, the entire locking claw portion 600 may be located forward of the handle portion 15 c of the detergent tank 15 and the handle portion 16 c of the softener tank 16 .

Further, the locking claw portion 600 is configured to be positioned forward of the lock portion 200 when the tank lid portion 102 closes the opening portion 101 of the tank housing portion 100 . In this case, the entire locking claw portion 600 is configured to be located on the front side of the locking portion 200 . However, the locking claw portion 600 may be positioned on the front side of the locking portion 200 only in part rather than in its entirety.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the tank lid 102, in this case, constitutes its body portion with two members, an outer member 102A and an inner member 102B. The side portions of the circumference of the locking claw portion 600, in this case, both ends of the tank lid portion 102 in the front-rear direction are covered with the wall surfaces formed by the outer member 102A and the inner member 102B. In addition, the rear portion of the circumference of the locking claw portion 600, in this case, the inner portion in the left-right direction of the tank lid portion 102, that is, the portion on the fitting portion 500 side is covered with the wall surface formed by the inner member 102B. there is In this way, the wall surface surrounding the locking claw portion 600, in other words, the inner wall surface of the notch portion 502 functions as an example of the cover wall portion.

In addition, in the configuration example of the washing machine 1 described above, the tank lid portion 102 is rotated toward the closed position while the detergent replenishment port 15b remains open to the detergent replenishment port 15a of the detergent tank 15. Cases can arise. Further, in the washing machine 1, the tank cover 102 may be rotated toward the closed position while the softener replenishing port 16b remains open to the softener replenishing port 16a of the softener tank 16. .

In such a case, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the tank lid 102 opens the detergent replenishing port 15a during the process of rotating the tank lid 102 in the direction to close the opening 101 of the tank housing portion 100. It abuts on the tip of the detergent replenishment palate 15b in the closed state or the tip of the softener replenishment palate 16b in the opened state of the softener replenishment port 16a. Then, when the tank lid portion 102 comes into contact with the tip of the detergent replenishment palate portion 15b with the detergent replenishment port 15a open, or the tip of the softener replenishment palate portion 16b with the softener replenishment port 16a opened. The contact angle D of is less than 90 degrees, that is, an acute angle.

As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the detergent replenishment cover 15b is preferably configured to have a size of at least half or more of the longitudinal dimension of the detergent tank 15 when the detergent replenishment port 15a is closed. . Also, the softener replenishment port 16b is preferably configured to have a size of at least half or more of the dimension of the softener tank 16 in the front-rear direction when the softener replenishment port 16a is closed.

According to the washing machine 1 described above, the lock portion 200 for locking the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 housed in the tank housing portion 100 is provided inside the tank housing portion 100 . Lock portion 200 is provided in a region below a portion of tank lid portion 102 where handle portion 15c of detergent tank 15 and handle portion 16c of softener tank 16 abut. According to this configuration, by rotating the tank lid portion 102 to the closed position, the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 in the tank housing portion 100 can be pushed downward, and the tank lid portion 102 can be rotated. It can be used to lock the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 in a predetermined mounting position. That is, it is possible to further ensure that the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 are mounted at predetermined mounting positions in the tank housing portion 100 by using the tank lid portion 102 provided in the tank housing portion 100 . can be done.

According to washing machine 1 , tank lid portion 102 includes fitting portion 500 into which detergent tank 15 and softener tank 16 are fitted while opening portion 101 of tank housing portion 100 is closed. According to this configuration, the fitting portion 500 of the tank lid portion 102 can position the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 in the tank housing portion 100 . According to this embodiment, the lower portions of the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 can be positioned by the locking portion 200, and the upper portions of the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 can be positioned by the fitting portion 500. can. That is, detergent tank 15 and softener tank 16 can be positioned both at the bottom and at the top. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 from being displaced from the predetermined mounting positions, so that the tanks 15 and 16 can be stably arranged at the predetermined mounting positions. By suppressing the tanks 15 and 16 from being displaced from the predetermined mounting positions in this manner, the automatic charging of the laundry treatment agent into the washing tank 3 by the automatic charging unit 11 can be performed more reliably.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, in the process in which the tank lid portion 102 rotates in the direction to close the opening portion 101 of the tank housing portion 100, the tank lid portion 102 is opened or opened. The contact angle when contacting the softener replenishing palate portion 16b in the state is configured to be an acute angle. According to this configuration, after the tank lid portion 102 comes into contact with the opened detergent replenishment lid portion 15b or the open softener replenishment lid portion 16b, the tank lid portion 102 is further rotated to the closed position side. Accordingly, the detergent replenishment palate portion 15b and the softener replenishment palate portion 16b can also be rotated toward the closed position side. Therefore, even if the user erroneously attempts to close the tank lid portion 102 while the detergent replenishment lid portion 15b or the softener replenishment lid portion 16b has been rotated to the open position, the tank lid portion 102 will not rotate. At the same time, the detergent replenishment palate portion 15b and the softener replenishment palate portion 16b can also be closed. In addition, it is possible to avoid applying excessive force to the opened detergent replenishment palate part 15b and the softener replenishment palate part 16b, thereby avoiding breakage of these replenishment palate parts 15b and 16b. can be done.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, when the tank lid portion 102 closes the opening portion 101 of the tank housing portion 100, the locking claw portion 600 is configured so that the hand portion 15c of the detergent tank 15 and the hand portion 15c of the softener tank 16 are closed. It is located on the front side of 16c. Further, the locking claw portion 600 is positioned forward of the lock portion 200 when the tank lid portion 102 closes the opening portion 101 of the tank housing portion 100 . According to this configuration, the tank lid portion 102 abuts on the front side of the "handle portion 15c of the detergent tank 15" and the "handle portion 16c of the softener tank 16", which are examples of abutment portions, and the abutment portions. The tank lid portion 102 can be locked to the opening portion 101 of the tank housing portion 100 on the front side of the "lock portion 200" that reliably locks the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 by coming into contact with each other. Therefore, the tank lid portion 102 can be brought into contact with the contact portion more reliably, and the locking function of the lock portion 200 accompanying the contact of the tank lid portion 102 with the contact portion can be more reliably exhibited. can be done.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the periphery of the locking claw portion 600 is covered with the inner wall surface of the notch portion 502 with a certain amount of space. According to this configuration, it is possible to protect the locking claw portion 600 by the inner wall surface of the notch portion 502, and even if the locking claw portion 600 is broken, the broken locking claw portion 600 can Contact with the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 in the tank housing portion 100 can be avoided. In addition, the inner member 102B forming part of the notch 502 is also a wall surface forming the fitting portion 500, and therefore also has a function of positioning the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a configuration in which a component having a function of protecting the locking claw portion 600 and a component having a function of positioning the detergent tank 15 and the softener tank 16 are provided as separate parts. and simplification of the configuration can be achieved.

The present embodiment is not limited to the one embodiment described above, and various modifications and extensions can be made without departing from the scope of the present embodiment. For example, the abutting portions may be the entire upper portions of the tanks 15 and 16 instead of the handle portions 15c and 16c of the replenishment palate portions 15b and 16b. Alternatively, a convex portion dedicated to contact may be used as the contact portion. Also, the number of contact portions may be one, or two or more. Moreover, when a plurality of contact portions are provided, the position, size, and shape of each contact portion may be the same or different.

Also, the fitting portion 500 may be configured such that a part of the tanks 15 and 16 is fitted instead of the entire upper portion of the tanks 15 and 16 . The fitting portion 500 may position the tanks 15 and 16 in the left-right direction, may position them in the front-rear direction, or may position them in both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. may be

Further, the locking part 200 is not limited to the fitting type structure as described above, and may be a structure such as a sliding type as long as it can lock the tanks 15 and 16 at a predetermined mounting position. Further, the locking portion is not limited to the pawl-shaped locking claw portion 600, and various structures can be applied as long as they can lock the tank lid portion 102 in the closed state. Further, the positional relationship between the locking portion, the contact portion, and the locking portion can be changed as appropriate. Further, the tank lid portion 102 may have a concave portion or a convex portion dedicated to contact in a portion with which the contact portion contacts.

Further, the contact angle when the tank lid portion 102 rotating in the closing direction contacts the replenishment palate portions 15b and 16b in the open state is determined by, for example, the size of the tank lid portion 102, the rotatable angle, and the rotation axis. and the size of the replenishment palate parts 15b and 16b, the rotatable angle, the position of the rotation shaft, and the like. Further, the size and shape of the tank lid portion 102 and the size and shape of the replenishment palate portions 15b and 16b can be appropriately changed.

In addition, the tank is not limited to the detergent tank 15 storing detergent and the softening agent tank 16 storing softening agent. Various types of tanks, such as an agent tank, can be used as appropriate as long as they are tanks that store various processing agents for applying some kind of treatment to clothes. Moreover, the plurality of tanks provided in the water supply unit 4 may be tanks that store the same type of processing agents, or may be tanks that store different types of processing agents. Moreover, the washing machine 1 may be configured to include one tank in the water supply unit 4, or may be configured to include a plurality of tanks of three or more. Further, the detergent metering pump 17 and the softener metering pump 18 are not limited to pumping liquid, and may be pumping liquid, for example.

In addition, this embodiment can also be applied to a so-called vertical axis type washing machine in which the central axis of rotation of the rotating tub extends in the vertical direction. Moreover, this embodiment can be applied to a washing machine having a drying function. Moreover, this embodiment can be applied to a washing machine that does not have a drying function. Further, the present embodiment can be applied to various clothing processing apparatuses, for example, as long as the apparatus performs some processing on clothing, such as deodorization, deodorization, and sterilization of clothing.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

In the drawing, 1 is a washing machine (clothes processing apparatus), 2 is an outer box, 3 is a washing tank (clothes processing tank), 11 is an automatic input unit, 15 is a detergent tank (tank), 15a is a detergent replenishment port (replenishment port) ), 15b is a detergent replenishment palate (replenishment palate), 15c is a handle (contact portion), 16 is a softener tank (tank), 16a is a softener replenishment port (replenishment port), and 16b is a softener replenishment palate. 16c is a handle portion (abutment portion), 100 is a tank housing portion, 102 is a tank lid portion, 200 is a lock portion, 500 is a fitting portion, and 502 is a notch portion (cover wall portion). , 600 indicate locking claws (locking portions).

Claims (5)

an outer box;
a clothes processing tank provided inside the outer box and containing clothes;
a tank for storing a clothing treatment agent for treating clothing;
an automatic input unit for inputting the clothing treatment agent stored in the tank into the clothing treatment tank;
a tank accommodating portion that detachably accommodates the tank;
a tank lid portion that closes the tank accommodating portion in which the tank is accommodated;
a contact portion provided in the tank and in contact with the tank lid portion that closes the tank accommodating portion;
a lock portion provided below a portion where the contact portion contacts the tank lid portion, the lock portion locking the tank accommodated in the tank accommodation portion at a predetermined mounting position ;
a clothing treatment agent outflow part provided in the tank for causing the clothing treatment agent in the tank to flow out to the outside;
a connecting portion provided in the tank accommodating portion;
with
By mounting the tank at a predetermined mounting position in the tank housing portion, the clothing treatment agent outflow portion is connected to the connection portion, and the automatic charging portion automatically charges the clothing treatment agent in the tank. clothes processing apparatus in which a state is created that allows 2. The clothes processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tank lid portion has a fitting portion into which the tank is fitted when the tank accommodating portion is closed. The tank is
a replenishing port for replenishing the clothing treatment agent inside;
a replenishment palate that opens and closes the replenishment port;
with
In a process in which the tank lid portion rotates in a direction to close the tank accommodating portion, a contact angle of the tank lid portion becomes an acute angle when the tank lid portion comes into contact with the refilling port lid portion in a state where the refilling port is opened. Item 3. The clothes processing apparatus according to Item 1 or 2. The tank lid portion includes a locking portion that locks to the inner surface of the tank housing portion when the tank housing portion is closed,
4. The locking portion according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking portion is positioned forward of the contact portion and the locking portion in a state where the tank lid portion closes the tank housing portion. clothes processing equipment. 5. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a cover wall portion that covers the circumference of the locking portion.

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