JP7323270B2 - Washing machine water injection case and washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a water injection case for a washing machine and a washing machine.

In recent years, microbubbles with diameters of several tens of nanometers to several micrometers, called microbubbles or nanobubbles, have attracted attention, and the use of microbubble water containing a large number of microbubbles in washing machines has been considered. . However, in the conventional structure, in order to generate fine air bubbles, a large-scale device was used or parts with complicated shapes were used. Conventionally, these devices and components have been configured as components different from the components originally provided in the washing machine. For this reason, for example, in the process of assembling a washing machine, work for attaching devices and parts to generate microbubbles is newly required.

JP 2018-027213 A

Therefore, a water injection case for a washing machine having a function of generating microbubbles and capable of improving assembly workability and a washing machine equipped with the water injection case are provided.

A water injection case for a washing machine according to an embodiment includes a washing agent containing portion for containing a washing agent, a water injection case main body having therein a housing space for containing the washing agent containing portion, and the above a flow path provided on the upstream side of the housing space, through which water supplied from the outside of the water injection case main body flows into the laundry detergent housing portion in the housing space; The water injection case main body has a rod-shaped collision part protruding from the bottom and is provided integrally with the water injection case main body. a micro-bubble generating part for generating bubbly water, and immediately after the micro-bubble generating part, receiving the micro-bubble water discharged from the micro-bubble generating part to temporarily retain the micro-bubble water, and then the washing agent. and a receiving portion for flowing into the containing portion . The volume of the receiving portion is set to be small enough to always fill with the microbubble water discharged from the microbubble generating portion.

Further, the washing machine of the embodiment includes the water injection case described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Sectional drawing which shows an example of schematic structure of the washing machine provided with the water injection case by 1st Embodiment. Sectional view showing an example of schematic configuration of the water injection case according to the first embodiment Sectional view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a microbubble generating portion in the first embodiment A diagram showing the collision part viewed from the direction of arrow X3 in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows an example of schematic structure of the water injection case by 2nd Embodiment Sectional drawing which shows an example of schematic structure of a micro-bubble generation part about another embodiment

A plurality of embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the substantially same element in each embodiment, and description is abbreviate|omitted.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.
A washing machine 10 shown in FIG. The installation surface side of the washing machine 10 , that is, the vertically lower side is the lower side of the washing machine 10 , and the opposite side to the installation surface, that is, the vertically upper side is the upper side of the washing machine 10 . 1 is defined as the left-right direction of the washing machine 10. As shown in FIG. The washing machine 10 is a so-called vertical axis type washing machine in which the rotating shaft of the rotating tub 14 is oriented vertically. The washing machine is not limited to the vertical axis type, but may be a horizontal axis type so-called drum type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the rotating tub is horizontal or inclined downward toward the rear.

The outer box 11 is made of, for example, a steel plate and is formed in a rectangular box shape as a whole. The top cover 12 is made of synthetic resin, for example, and is provided on top of the outer case 11 . The water tub 13 and the rotating tub 14 function as a washing tub and a spin-drying tub for storing clothes to be washed. The water tank 13 is provided inside the outer box 11 . The water tank 13 and the rotating tank 14 are configured in a container shape with an open upper surface. The rotary tub 14 has a plurality of small holes 141 through which water flows between the rotary tub 14 and the water tank 13 . Also, a drain port 131 is formed at the bottom of the water tank 13 . The water in the water tank 13 flows out from the drain port 131 and is drained to the outside through the drain valve 132 .

The motor 16 is connected to the rotating tub 14 and the pulsator 15 via a clutch mechanism (not shown). A clutch mechanism (not shown) selectively transmits rotation of the motor 16 to the rotary tub 14 and the pulsator 15 . During washing and rinsing, the motor 16 and the clutch mechanism (not shown) transmit the driving force of the motor 16 to the pulsator 15 while the rotation of the rotating tub 14 is stopped, so that the pulsator 15 is directly rotated forward and reverse at low speed. On the other hand, the motor 16 and a clutch mechanism (not shown) transmit the driving force of the motor 16 to the rotating tub 14 during dehydration or the like, and rotate the rotating tub 14 and the pulsator 15 in one direction at high speed.

The washing machine 10 has a water injection device 20 . The water injection device 20 is provided above the outer casing 11 and inside the top cover 12 . The water injection device 20 is configured to be able to contain the washing agent inside, and has a function of receiving water supplied from the outside, such as tap water or bath water, and pouring the washing agent into the water tank 13 . In addition, in this embodiment, the laundry agent is a concept including, for example, detergents such as powder detergents and liquid detergents, and finishing agents such as softeners and fragrances.

The water injection device 20 has a water supply hose connection port 21 , water supply valves 22 and 23 and a water injection case 30 . The water supply hose connection port 21 is connected to a water supply source such as a water faucet via a hose (not shown). The downstream side of the water supply hose connection port 21 is connected to the water injection case 30 via water supply valves 22 and 23 . In the case of this embodiment, as also shown in FIG. 2, the downstream side of the water supply hose connection port 21 is branched into two. One branched from the water supply hose connection port 21 is connected to the water injection case 30 through the water supply valve 22 , and the other is connected to the water injection case 30 through the water supply valve 23 .

The water supply valves 22 and 23 are liquid on-off valves that can be electromagnetically opened and closed. The inflow sides of the water supply valves 22 and 23 are connected to the water supply hose connection port 21 , and the discharge side is connected to the water injection case 30 . In this embodiment, the water supply valve 22 is called the detergent water supply valve 22, and the water supply valve 23 is called the finishing agent water supply valve 23. As shown in FIG.

The water injection case 30 is provided inside the top cover 12 and above the water tub 13 and the rotating tub 14, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the water injection case 30 has a cover member 31, a plurality of, in this case, three, laundry agent storage portions 32, 33, and 34, and a water injection case main body 40. As shown in FIG. The cover member 31 is formed in a plate shape, is provided on the upper surface side of the water injection case main body 40 , and covers the upper portion of the water injection case main body 40 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , each of the laundry detergent storage units 32 , 33 , 34 is formed in the shape of a container whose upper surface side is open, and is configured to be able to be put in and taken out of the water injection case main body 40 . The three laundry agent storage units 32, 33, 34 store powder detergent, liquid detergent, and softener, respectively.

In the case of this embodiment, the laundry detergent container 32 stores powder detergent as the laundry detergent. Moreover, the washing agent storage part 33 accommodates a liquid detergent as a washing agent. And the washing agent accommodating part 33 accommodates a liquid softening agent as a washing agent. In the following description, when distinguishing between the laundry detergent storage units 32, 33, and 34, the laundry fluid storage unit 32 that stores the powder detergent will be referred to as the powder detergent storage unit 32, and the laundry fluid storage unit 32 that stores the liquid detergent. is referred to as a liquid detergent storage portion 33, and the laundry detergent storage portion 33 that stores the finishing agent is referred to as a finishing agent storage portion 34. As shown in FIG.

The powder detergent containing portion 32 has a powder detergent outflow portion 321 . The powder detergent outflow part 321 is formed in the shape of a hole penetrating the bottom part of the powder detergent storage part 32 and communicates the inside and the outside of the powder detergent storage part 32 . The liquid detergent containing portion 33 has a liquid detergent outflow portion 331 . The liquid detergent outflow part 331 has a siphon structure provided at the bottom of the liquid detergent storage part 33, and communicates the inside and the outside of the liquid detergent storage part 33 with each other. The finishing agent container 34 has a finishing agent outlet 341 . Like the liquid detergent outlet 331, the finishing agent outlet 341 has a siphon structure provided at the bottom of the finishing agent accommodating portion 34, and communicates the inside and the outside of the finishing agent accommodating portion 34 with each other.

The water injection case main body 40 has a water injection port 41 , a partition portion 42 , an accommodation space 43 , channels 44 and 45 , channel outlets 46 and 47 , and channel inlets 48 and 49 . The water injection port 41 communicates the inside and the outside of the water injection case main body 40 . In this case, the water injection port 41 communicates the accommodation space 43 and the outside of the water injection case main body 40 . The water that has flowed into the water injection case main body 40 flows out from the water injection port 41 and is injected into the water tub 13 and the rotary tub 14 .

The partition part 42 is formed in a plate shape, and partitions the interior of the water injection case main body 40 into a storage space 43 on the lower side and a flow path 44 on the upper side. The accommodation space 43 is a space below the partition part 42 inside the water injection case main body 40 . Each of the laundry detergent containing portions 32 , 33 , 34 is housed in a housing space 43 so as to be able to be taken in and out.

The flow paths 44 and 45 are provided inside the water injection case main body 40 and upstream of the accommodation space 43 , in this case, above the accommodation space 43 . The flow paths 44 and 45 are paths for the water supplied from the outside of the water injection case 30 to flow to the respective laundry detergent containing portions 32 , 33 and 34 contained within the containing space 43 . In this embodiment, the water injection case main body 40 has two flow paths 44 and 45 .

One channel 44 of the two channels 44 and 45 is a channel for supplying water to the powder detergent storage portion 32 and the liquid detergent storage portion 33, and is called a detergent channel 44 in this embodiment. The other channel 45 of the two channels 44 and 45 is a channel for supplying water to the finishing agent container 34 and is called a finishing agent channel 45 in this embodiment.

The flow paths 44 and 45 are both located in the water injection case main body 40 and are formed in a groove shape with an open top. The groove-shaped open side, that is, the upper side of each channel 44 , 45 is covered with a cover member 31 . As a result, portions of the channels 44 and 45 other than the channel outlets 46 and 47 and the channel inlets 48 and 49 form water-tight spaces.

The flow channel outlets 46 and 47 constitute outlet portions of the flow channels 44 and 45, respectively, and one or more flow channel outlets 46 and 47 are provided for each of the flow channels 44 and 45, respectively. The channel outlet 46 is provided corresponding to the detergent channel 44 and constitutes the outlet of the detergent channel 44 . Further, the flow path outlet 47 is provided corresponding to the finishing agent flow path 45 and constitutes the outlet portion of the finishing agent flow path 45 . In the present embodiment, the channel outlet 46 provided in the detergent channel 44 is referred to as the detergent channel outlet 46, and the channel outlet 47 provided in the finishing agent channel 45 is referred to as the finishing agent channel outlet 47. called.

Each channel outlet 46 , 47 is formed in a hole shape through the partition portion 42 . In the case of this embodiment, the water injection case main body 40 has two detergent channel outlets 461 and 462 as the detergent channel outlet 46 . In this case, one of the two detergent channel outlets 461 and 462 , the detergent channel outlet 461 , corresponds to the powder detergent storage section 32 and is located above the powder detergent storage section 32 . The other detergent flow path outlet 462 of the two detergent flow path outlets 461 and 462 corresponds to the liquid detergent storage section 33 and is located above the liquid detergent storage section 33 .

In the present embodiment, of the two detergent channel outlets 461 and 462, the one corresponding to the powder detergent containing portion 32 is called the powder detergent channel outlet 461, and the one corresponding to the liquid detergent containing portion 33 is the liquid detergent. Referred to as irrigation channel outlet 462 . A part of the water that has passed through the detergent channel 44 flows out from the powder detergent channel outlet 461 into the housing space 43 and is poured into the powder detergent container 32 located below the powder detergent channel outlet 461 . escape. At this time, if powder detergent is stored in the powder detergent storage portion 32, the powder detergent is washed away by the water poured into the powder detergent storage portion 32, and the powder detergent is stored from the powder detergent outflow portion 321. It flows out of the portion 32 . Then, the powdered detergent flowing out of the powdered detergent outflow part 321 is flowed down from the water inlet 41 into the water tank 13 and the rotary tank 14 together with water.

Also, part of the water that has passed through the detergent channel 44 flows out from the liquid detergent channel outlet 462 into the housing space 43, and flows into the liquid detergent storage section 33 located below the liquid detergent channel outlet 462. poured into When a certain amount of water accumulates in the liquid detergent containing portion 33 , the water flows down from the liquid detergent outflow portion 331 to the outside of the liquid detergent containing portion 33 due to the siphon structure of the liquid detergent outflow portion 331 , and then through the water inlet 41 . Water is injected into the water tank 13 and the rotating tank 14 . At this time, if the liquid detergent is stored in the liquid detergent storage portion 33, the liquid detergent is dissolved in the water flowing out from the liquid detergent outlet portion 331 and flows into the water tank 13 and the rotary tub 14 from the water inlet 41. be dropped.

The finishing agent channel outlet 47 corresponds to the finishing agent container 34 and is positioned above the finishing agent container 34 . The water that has passed through the finishing agent channel 45 flows out from the finishing agent channel outlet 47 into the housing space 43 and is poured into the finishing agent container 34 located below the finishing agent channel outlet 47 . When a certain amount of water accumulates in the finishing agent container 34 , the water flows down from the finishing agent outlet 341 to the outside of the finishing agent container 34 due to the siphon structure of the finishing agent outlet 341 , and then from the water inlet 41 . Water is injected into the water tank 13 and the rotating tank 14 . At this time, if a liquid finishing agent is stored in the finishing agent storage portion 34, the finishing agent is dissolved in the water flowing out from the finishing agent outlet portion 341, and flows from the water inlet 41 into the water tank 13 and the rotary tub 14. washed away.

The flow channel inlets 48 and 49 constitute the inlet portions of the flow channels 44 and 45, respectively, and are provided for each of the flow channels 44 and 45, respectively. That is, the channel inlet 48 is provided at the upstream end of the detergent channel 44 corresponding to the detergent channel 44 and constitutes the inlet of the detergent channel 44 . The flow path inlet 49 is provided at the upstream end of the finishing agent flow path 45 corresponding to the finishing agent flow path 45 and constitutes the inlet of the finishing agent flow path 45 . In this case, the channel inlet 48 corresponding to the detergent channel 44 is referred to as the detergent channel inlet 48 , and the channel inlet 49 corresponding to the finishing agent channel 45 is referred to as the finishing agent channel inlet 49 .

The channel inlets 48 and 49 have connecting portions 481 and 491 and fine bubble generating portions 50 and 50, respectively, as shown in FIG. The connecting portions 481 and 491 are formed in a cylindrical shape so as to communicate with the flow paths 44 and 45 from the outside of the water injection case main body 40 . Discharge-side tip portions 221 and 231 of the water supply valves 22 and 23 can be inserted into the connecting portions 481 and 491 . As a result, the discharge-side tip portions 221 and 231 of the water supply valves 22 and 23 are detachably connected to the connection portions 481 and 491 .

In this case, the distal end portions 221 and 231 of the water supply valves 22 and 23 on the discharge side are connected to the boundary portions between the connection portions 481 and 491 and the microbubble generating portion 50, that is, the connection portions 481 and 491, through the sealing members 222 and 232, respectively. is locked to the bottom of the The sealing members 222 and 232 are O-rings made of an elastic member such as rubber, and are provided on the outer peripheral surface portions of the tip portions of the discharge portions 221 and 231 . As a result, the discharge portions 221 and 231 and the connection portions 481 and 491 are connected to each other in a watertight manner by the seal members 222 and 232 .

The microbubble generating part 50 is provided integrally with the water injection case main body 40, and locally reduces the area through which water can pass, so that the water flowing out of the flow paths 44 and 45 contains microbubbles to generate microbubbles. It is for generating water. The microbubble generating part 50 is located at any point from the start point to the end point of the flow paths 44 and 45, that is, at any point from the flow path inlets 48 and 49 to the flow path outlets 46 and 47 of the flow paths 44 and 45. is provided. In the case of this embodiment, the microbubble generators 50 are provided at the channel inlets 48 and 49 of the channels 44 and 45, respectively.

In the present embodiment, the microbubble water is water containing more nano-order microbubbles, so-called ultra-fine bubbles, after passing through the microbubble generating section 50 than before passing through the microbubble generating section 50. say. That is, in the present embodiment, microbubble water refers to water containing more nano-order microbubbles than ordinary tap water, bath water, or the like that has not undergone any treatment. The washing machine 10 of this embodiment performs a washing operation for washing the laundry in the rotating tub 14, a rinsing operation for rinsing the laundry in the rotating tub 14, or a tub cleaning operation for cleaning the tub 13 and the rotating tub 14. In doing so, microbubble water generated through the microbubble generator 50 is used.

Here, microbubbles are generally classified as follows according to the particle size of the bubbles. For example, bubbles having a particle diameter of several μm to 50 μm, that is, micro-order bubbles are called microbubbles or fine bubbles. On the other hand, bubbles with a particle size of several hundred nm to several tens of nm or less, that is, nano-order bubbles are called nanobubbles or ultrafine bubbles.

When the particle size of the bubbles is several hundred nm to several tens of nm or less, they become smaller than the wavelength of light and cannot be visually recognized, and the liquid becomes transparent. Nano-order microbubbles have characteristics such as a larger total interfacial area, a slower floating speed, and a higher internal pressure than micro-order or larger bubbles. For example, bubbles with micro-order particle diameters rise rapidly in the liquid due to their buoyancy, burst on the surface of the liquid and disappear, so that the residence time in the liquid is relatively short. On the other hand, microbubbles with a nano-order particle size have a low buoyancy and therefore stay in the liquid for a long time.

Microbubble water containing microbubbles with a particle diameter of nano-order is more stable than tap water even when the washing operation and the washing operation of the water tank 13 and the rotating tank 14 are performed without using a detergent containing a surfactant or the like. A certain degree of improvement in cleaning performance is expected. However, by mixing so-called ultra-fine bubbles with nano-order particle diameters in the cleaning liquid in which the surfactant is dissolved, cleaning is performed more efficiently than when cleaning is performed with a normal cleaning liquid that does not contain micro-bubbles. It can improve performance.

In the present embodiment, the diameter and total length of the microbubble generating portion 50 are set to approximately several millimeters to several tens of millimeters, specifically, the maximum diameter is approximately 15 mm and the length is approximately 10 mm. As shown in FIG. 3, the microbubble generating section 50 has a constricted section 51, a straight section 52, and a collision section 53. As shown in FIG. The narrowed portion 51 and the straight portion 52 are holes penetrating in the longitudinal direction of the microbubble generating portion 50 and constitute the flow path of the microbubble generating portion 50 .

The narrowed portion 51 is provided on the inflow side of the microbubble generating portion 50, that is, on the upstream side. The constricted portion 51 is formed in a so-called conical tapered tubular shape such that the cross-sectional area, ie, the inner diameter, of the flow passage gradually decreases continuously from the upstream end in the longitudinal direction of the microbubble generating portion 50 to the intermediate portion. . The straight portion 52 is provided downstream of the throttle portion 51 . The straight portion 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape, a so-called straight tubular shape, in which the inner diameter does not change, that is, the cross-sectional area of the flow path, that is, the area through which the liquid can pass does not change.

The collision portion 53 is provided at an arbitrary portion of the portion from the upstream end to the downstream end of the straight portion 52 . In the case of this embodiment, the collision portion 53 is provided at the downstream end portion of the straight portion 52 . The collision part 53 can generate microbubbles in the liquid passing through the microbubble-generating part 50 by locally reducing the cross-sectional area through which water can pass in the microbubble-generating part 50 . That is, by locally reducing the cross-sectional area of the straight portion 52 , the collision portion 53 can generate fine bubbles in the liquid passing through the straight portion 52 .

In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the collision portion 53 is composed of, for example, four rod-shaped portions with pointed ends, and the collision portion 53 is formed from the inner peripheral surface of the straight portion 52 toward the center of the cross section of the straight portion 52. protruding towards. The four collision portions 53 are arranged in a state of being spaced apart from each other at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the cross section of the straight portion 52 . In this case, the downstream side surface of each collision portion 53 is formed as a flat surface. That is, the downstream side surface of each collision portion 53 is formed on the same surface as the surfaces forming the flow paths 44 and 45 .

When the water supply valves 22 and 23 are opened and water flows into the upstream side of the microbubble generating section 50, the cross-sectional area of the flow path is narrowed by the narrowing section 51 formed to reduce into a conically tapered shape. The so-called venturi effect of hydrodynamics increases the flow velocity. Then, when the high-speed flow passes through the straight portion 52, it collides with the collision portion 53, resulting in a sudden drop in pressure. As a result, a large amount of air dissolved in the water can be precipitated as fine bubbles, and fine bubble water is supplied to the channels 44 and 45 .

In this way, the microbubble generating section 50 can generate microbubble water by adding microbubbles to the water passing through the microbubble generating section 50 without actively obtaining a gas supply from the outside. can be done. The micro-bubble water generated in each micro-bubble generator 50 passes through channels 44 and 45, respectively, and is supplied to the laundry detergent storage units 32, 33, and 34, respectively. , 34 into the water tub 13 and the rotating tub 14 through the water inlet 41 .

In this case, the microbubble generator 50 does not require a drive source such as a dedicated pump for generating microbubbles, other than normal water pressure, that is, water pressure. In addition, for example, the microbubble generating portion 50 may have a hole that communicates the inside and the outside of the narrowed portion 51 or the straight portion 52 so that the water flowing in the microbubble generating portion 50 may take in external air. . According to this, the amount of air dissolved in water can be increased, and as a result, the amount of microbubbles deposited can also be increased.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the channels 44 and 45 have receiving portions 441 and 451, respectively. The receiving portions 441 and 451 are portions for receiving the micro-bubble water discharged from the micro-bubble generating portion 50, temporarily retaining the micro-bubble water, and then flowing it downstream. In the case of this embodiment, the receiving portions 441 and 451 are part of the space on the upstream side of the flow paths 44 and 45 and are provided immediately after the microbubble generating portion 50 . That is, the surrounding wall surfaces forming the receiving portions 441 and 451 include the surface of the microbubble generating portion 50 on the downstream side of the collision portion 53 . In this case, the volume of the receiving portion 441 is set to a volume small enough to be constantly filled with the micro-bubble water discharged from the micro-bubble generating portion 50 . As a result, the amount of microbubbles contained in the microbubble water discharged from the microbubble generator 50 can be increased.

In this configuration, the washing machine 10 is, for example, a washing process for washing laundry or a rinsing process other than the final rinsing process, which is the last of a plurality of rinsing processes. To open a detergent water supply valve 22 without opening a finishing agent water supply valve 23. - 特許庁As a result, the microbubble water that has passed through the detergent channel 44 is injected into the water tub 13 and the rotary tub 14 from the water injection port 41 via the detergent containing portions 32 and 33 .

On the other hand, the washing machine 10 opens the finishing agent water supply valve 23 together with the detergent water supply valve 22, for example, when water is supplied during the final rinse step using the finishing agent. As a result, the microbubble water that has passed through the detergent flow path 44 is injected into the water tub 13 and the rotary tub 14 from the water inlet 41 through the detergent containing portions 32 and 33, and also flows through the finishing agent flow path 45. The micro-bubbled water is injected into the water tank 13 and the rotary tank 14 from the water inlet 41 through the finishing agent storage section 34 .

According to the embodiment described above, the water injection case 30 of the washing machine 10 includes the washing agent containing portions 32, 33, and 34 for containing the washing agent, the water injection case main body 40, the flow paths 44, 45, and the microbubble-generating and a portion 50 , 50 . The water injection case main body 40 has an accommodation space 43 inside which accommodates the detergent accommodation portions 32 , 33 , and 34 . The flow paths 44 and 45 are provided inside the water injection case main body 40 and upstream of the housing space 43 . Flow paths 44 , 45 allow water supplied from the outside of water injection case main body 40 to flow to laundry detergent storage sections 32 , 33 , 34 in storage space 43 . The fine bubble generating part 50 is provided integrally with the water injection case main body 40 . The micro-bubble generating section 50 can generate micro-bubble water by locally reducing the area through which water can pass so that the water flowing out of the channels 44 and 45 contains micro-bubbles.

According to this, in order to generate fine air bubbles, it is not necessary to use a large-scale device or fine parts with a complicated shape. You can get the function to let Therefore, in the process of assembling the water injection case 30 and the washing machine 10, microbubble water can be used in the washing machine 10 without generating new work for attaching devices and parts for generating microbubbles. Therefore, in the water injection case 30 and the washing machine 10 having the function of generating microbubbles, the assembling workability can be improved.

Further, the microbubble generating section 50 is provided at channel inlets 48 and 49 which are inlets of the channels 44 and 45 . That is, according to the present embodiment, the microbubble generators 50, 50 are provided at the channel inlets 48, 49 immediately after the water is discharged from the water supply valves 22, 23, which is a location where the water pressure tends to be stable. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since water with a stable water pressure is supplied to the microbubble generators 50, 50, microbubble water can be stably generated.

In addition, the water injection case 30 has the receiving portions 441 and 451 integrally with the water injection case main body 40 . The receiving portions 441 and 451 have the function of receiving the micro-bubble water discharged from the micro-bubble generating portions 50 and 50, temporarily retaining the micro-bubble water, and then flowing it downstream. According to this, the number of microbubbles contained in the microbubble water supplied from the microbubble generating units 50 and 50 to the flow paths 44 and 45 is increased, so that the cleaning effect of the microbubble water is enhanced. be able to.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the microbubble generating portions 50 and 50 are provided not at the flow channel inlets 48 and 49 but at the flow channel outlets 46 and 47 which are outlet portions of the flow channels 44 and 45 . In this case, the microbubble generating portion 50 corresponding to the detergent channel 44 is provided at least at the liquid detergent channel outlet 462 out of the powder detergent channel outlet 461 and the liquid detergent channel outlet 462. . In addition, the microbubble generating part 50 may be provided in the channel outlet 461 for powder detergent.

Further, the water injection case main body 40 has receiving portions 442 and 452 instead of the receiving portions 441 and 451 of the first embodiment. The receiving portions 442 and 452 receive the micro-bubble water discharged from the micro-bubble generating portions 50 and 50 and temporarily retain the micro-bubble water, similarly to the receiving portions 441 and 451 of the first embodiment. This is the part that flows downstream later.

In the case of this embodiment, the receiving portions 442 and 452 are configured to be surrounded by wall portions 443 and 453 extending downward from the partition portion 42 and provided integrally with the partition portion 42 . The microbubble water discharged from the microbubble generating units 50 and 50 through the flow paths 44 and 45 is received by the receiving portions 442 and 452 and stays temporarily, and then flows out from the outlets 444 and 454 of the receiving portions 442 and 452. It is poured into the washing agent containing parts 33, 34 which contain the liquid washing agent. The microbubble water poured into the detergent containing portions 33 and 34 is injected into the water tub 13 and the rotating tub 14 from the water inlet 41 together with the liquid detergent contained in the detergent containing portions 33 and 34. be.

According to the second embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Here, since the micro-bubble water discharged from each micro-bubble generating part 50, 50 has a strong force, the micro-bubble water discharged from each micro-bubble generating part 50, 50 is directly injected into the washing agent storage part 33, 34. When the water is poured, the microbubble water generates excessive bubbles, and the washing agent stored in the washing agent storage portions 33 and 34 cannot be properly drained into the water tub 13. - 特許庁

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the receiving portions 442 and 452 are provided inside the housing space 43 and immediately behind the microbubble generator 50 . That is, the receiving portions 442 and 452 of the present embodiment are provided between the microbubble generator 50 and the detergent containing portions 33 and 34 that contain the liquid detergent, respectively. According to this, the micro-bubble water discharged from the respective micro-bubble generators 50 and 50 through the flow paths 44 and 45 is received by the receivers 442 and 452, temporarily stays there, and then flows into the laundry detergent storage sections 33 and 34. poured into Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the micro-bubble water vigorously discharged from the micro-bubble generators 50 and 50 is not directly poured into the laundry detergent storage sections 33 and 34 with great vigor. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of excessive bubbles in the detergent containing portions 33 and 34 , and as a result, the detergent in the detergent containing portions 33 and 34 can be properly flushed into the water tank 13 .

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the microbubble generating portions 50 and 50 are provided at the channel outlets 462 and 47 which are outlet portions of the channels 44 and 45 . In the case of this embodiment, the microbubble generating portion 50 corresponding to the detergent channel 44 is provided at least at the liquid detergent channel outlet 462 out of the powder detergent channel outlet 461 and the liquid detergent channel outlet 462. It is

According to this, the micro-bubble water generated through the micro-bubble generating section 50 can be brought into contact with and mixed with the detergent in the detergent storage sections 33 and 34 in a relatively short period after generation. That is, the number of microbubbles in the microbubble water decreases with the lapse of time immediately after its generation, but according to the present embodiment, the microbubbles and the washing agent are separated while minimizing the decrease in the number of microbubbles. Can be mixed by contact. As a result, the effect of improving the performance of the detergent by the fine air bubbles can be sufficiently brought out.

Here, the microbubble generator 50 locally reduces the area through which water passes. Therefore, if the microbubble generator 50 is provided at all the channel outlets 461, 462, and 47, the amount of water discharged from the water inlet 41 is reduced, and as a result, for example, the water injection time during the washing operation may increase. There is

In this case, since liquid laundry agents, such as liquid detergents and softeners, are in liquid form, if they are washed down into the tub 13 and the rotating tub 14 by normal tap water before coming into contact with the microbubble water, It soaks into the clothes before it comes into contact with the microbubble water and mixes. As a result, it becomes difficult for the liquid laundry detergent and the micro-bubble water to come into contact with each other, and the effect of the micro-bubble water cannot be obtained. Therefore, it is desirable to mix the liquid detergent with microbubble water before being put into the tub 13 and the rotating tub 14 .

On the other hand, the powdered detergent is difficult to dissolve only by contact with water, and is dissolved in the water in the water tank 13 by being agitated by rotating the rotary tank 14 and the pulsator 15 after being put into the water tank 13. - 特許庁Therefore, the powder detergent does not easily permeate the clothes just by being put into the water tank 13 . Therefore, even if the powder detergent is brought into contact with the microbubble water after the powder detergent is put into the water tank 13 and the rotary tank 14, the effect of the microbubble water can be sufficiently obtained.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the microbubble generating section 50 is provided at the flow channel outlets 462, 47 corresponding to the washing agent containing portions 331, 341 for containing the liquid washing agent among the flow channel outlets 461, 462, 47. It is provided, and is not provided at the channel outlet 461 corresponding to the laundry detergent containing portion 332 containing the powdered detergent. According to this, while suppressing a decrease in the amount of water discharged from the water inlet 41, i.e., the amount of water injected into the water tank 13 per unit time, various washing agents and microbubble water are brought into contact with each other at appropriate times to produce microbubbles. The effect of water can be effectively drawn out.

(Other embodiments)
In each of the above-described embodiments, the collision portion 53 of the microbubble generating portion 50 is, for example, as shown in FIG. It may be provided in the middle portion of the straight portion 52 in the flow direction. Also by this, the same effect as each of the above embodiments can be obtained.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described above, these embodiments are provided by way of example 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 drawings, 10 is a washing machine, 30 is a water injection case, 32 is a powder detergent storage part (laundry agent storage part), 33 is a liquid detergent storage part (laundry agent storage part), 34 is a finishing agent storage part (laundry agent storage part) ), 40 is a water injection case main body, 43 is a housing space, 44 is a detergent channel (channel), 441 is a receiving portion, 45 is a finishing agent channel (channel), 451 is a receiving portion, and 46 is for detergent. Channel outlet (outlet part of channel), 461 is a powder detergent channel outlet (outlet part of channel), 462 is a liquid detergent channel outlet (outlet part of channel), and 47 is a finishing agent channel. An outlet (outlet portion of the channel), 48 is a detergent channel inlet (channel inlet portion), 49 is a finishing agent channel inlet (channel inlet portion), and 50 is a fine bubble generating portion.

Claims (4)

a washing agent containing portion for containing the washing agent;
a water injection case body having therein a housing space for housing the laundry detergent housing;
a channel provided inside the water injection case main body on the upstream side of the accommodation space, for allowing water supplied from the outside of the water injection case main body to flow into the laundry detergent storage portion in the accommodation space;
It has a rod-shaped collision part that protrudes toward the center of the cross section of the flow channel and is provided integrally with the water injection case main body, and locally reduces the area through which water can flow out of the flow channel. a micro-bubble generator for generating micro-bubble water by adding micro-bubbles to the water;
a receiving part immediately after the microbubble generating part that receives microbubble water discharged from the microbubble generating part, temporarily retains the microbubble water, and then flows the microbubble water into the washing agent containing part;
with
The volume of the receiving part is set to a volume small enough to be constantly filled with the microbubble water discharged from the microbubble generating part.
Washing machine water injection case. The microbubble generating section is provided at the inlet of the flow path,
The water injection case for a washing machine according to claim 1. The microbubble generating section is provided at the exit section of the flow path,
The water injection case for a washing machine according to claim 1. A washing machine comprising the water injection case for a washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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