JP7489145B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with an automatic liquid agent dispensing means for automatically dispensing liquid agents.

A washing machine equipped with an automatic liquid agent dispensing unit has been proposed, which "has a water tub, a water supply path connected to an external water source for supplying water from the external water source to the water tub, a water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply path, a treatment agent tank capable of storing multiple loads of laundry treatment agent, and a treatment agent injection path connecting the treatment agent tank and the water supply path for injecting the laundry treatment agent in the treatment agent tank into the water supply path, and is equipped with an automatic dispensing device that can dispense a predetermined amount of the laundry treatment agent stored in the treatment agent tank from the treatment agent injection path via the water supply path into the water tub" (for example, Patent Document 1).
This washing machine uses a single pump to dispense detergent, fabric softener, and water.

JP 2020-80920 A

In the above-mentioned washing machine, detergent, fabric softener, and water are discharged using a single pump, so there is a risk that these liquids may mix together inside the pump.
An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine having a structure capable of preventing liquid agents from mixing with each other.

The washing machine according to the present invention comprises a washing tub, a water supply channel for supplying water to the washing tub, and an automatic liquid agent dispenser unit for dispensing liquid agent into the washing tub. The automatic liquid agent dispenser unit includes a first automatic liquid agent dispenser means for dispensing a first liquid agent into the water supply channel, and a second automatic liquid agent dispenser means for dispensing a second liquid agent into the water supply channel. The water supply channel includes a first water channel that communicates with the first automatic liquid agent dispenser means, and a second water channel that communicates with the second automatic liquid agent dispenser means.

The above configuration prevents the liquids from mixing together.

1A is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment, seen from above, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the washing machine with an upper door and a detergent case of a detergent dispenser unit pulled out, seen from above. FIG. 2 is a front view of a cross section perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the washing machine. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine perpendicular to the left-right direction, as viewed from the left side. 1 is a perspective view of the washing machine from above with the top wall of the housing removed and the door of the liquid agent tank open. FIG. 11A and 11B are perspective views of the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit and the detergent dispensing unit with the second liquid agent tank removed, where FIG. 11A is a view from above the rear side, and FIG. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the detergent dispenser unit as viewed from above the front side, in which FIG. 4A shows the detergent case pulled out from the detergent box, and FIG. 4B shows the detergent dispenser unit in a disassembled state. 1A is a perspective view of an automatic liquid drug dispensing unit as viewed from above the front side, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the automatic liquid drug dispensing unit in an exploded state as viewed from above the front side. 4A and 4B are perspective views of a liquid agent tank in a disassembled state, in which FIG. 4A is a view from above the front side, and FIG. 4B is a view from below the rear side. 1A is a view from the left side of a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the connection part of the automatic liquid drug dispensing unit, and FIG. 1B is a view from the left side of a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction at the bulging part of the automatic liquid drug dispensing unit. 13A and 13B are perspective views of the state in which the automatic liquid agent dosing means and the upstream water channel formation body have been removed from the support body, where (a) is a view from above the front side, and (b) is a view from below the rear side. 1A and 1B are perspective views of an automatic liquid drug dispenser in an exploded state, in which FIG. 1A is a view from above the front side, and FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the disassembled cylinder from above the front, FIG. 1B is a view of the cross-section of the cylinder perpendicular to the up-down direction from above, and FIG. 1C is a view of the cross-section of the cylinder perpendicular to the left-right direction from the left side. 1A and 1B are perspective views of the liquid tank container with the automatic liquid supply means and the connector removed, where FIG. 1A is a view from the upper rear side, and FIG. 1B is a view from the lower rear side. 1A is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the vertical direction of the automatic liquid drug dispensing unit as viewed from above, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a cross section perpendicular to the horizontal direction of the automatic liquid drug dispensing unit as viewed from above the rear side. This is a view from the rear of a cross section perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the automatic liquid agent dosing unit, and the enlarged view is an oblique view of the connection part between the dosing water channel forming body and the cylinder from above on the rear side, and an oblique view of the connection part between the connector and the dosing water channel forming body from above on the rear side. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating the placement of the liquid tank in the container of the liquid tank container; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a liquid agent side water supply channel. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the door body.

<Embodiment>
1. Overview As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the washing machine X has, in a housing 10, a washing tub 11 for storing washing water and the like, a rotating drum 12 that is stored in the washing tub 11 and into which laundry such as clothes is loaded, a door 13 for opening and closing an opening of the washing tub 11, a motor 14 for rotating the rotating drum 12, a drying unit 15 for drying the laundry, a water receiving unit 16 for receiving water to be supplied to the rotating drum 12, an operation unit 17 for operating the washing operation and the like, a control unit 18 for controlling the washing operation and the like, a drainage unit 19 for draining the washing tub 11, a detergent loading unit 30 for loading detergent into the washing tub 11, and an automatic liquid loading unit 50 for automatically loading a liquid into the washing tub 11.
In the embodiment, a horizontal washing machine, a so-called drum type washing machine, in which the central axis of the washing tub 11 is arranged horizontally will be described, but the present invention can be similarly implemented in an inclined drum type washing machine or a vertical washing machine in which the central axis of the washing tub 11 is inclined.
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 is present is defined as the front side, and the direction perpendicular to the up-down 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 facing the door 13.
Each part will be explained below.

5, the water receiving unit 16 includes a connection port 161 connected to, for example, a tap of tap water or the like via a hose (not shown), an opening/closing means 162 for starting and stopping the reception of water such as tap water (hereinafter simply referred to as "water"), and a distribution section 163 for distributing the water from the connection port 161 to be supplied to the detergent dispensing unit 30 and the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50. The distribution section 163 here has four connection ports 164. The opening and closing of the opening/closing means 162 is controlled by the control unit 18.
The water received from the water receiving unit 16 has a water supply channel that supplies water to the washing tub 11 via the detergent dispenser unit 30, and a water supply channel that supplies water to the washing tub 11 via the automatic liquid agent dispenser unit 50. In order to distinguish between the two water supply channels, for convenience, the water supply channel that passes through the detergent dispenser unit 30 is referred to as a detergent-side water supply channel, and the water supply channel that passes through the automatic liquid agent dispenser unit 50 is referred to as a liquid agent-side water supply channel.

(1-1) Detergent Side Water Supply Channel Water flowing through the detergent side water supply channel flows from the water receiving unit 16 through the detergent dispenser unit 30 into the washing tub 11.
5B, the distributor 163 of the water receiving unit 16 and the detergent dispenser unit 30 are connected by a connector 165, and the detergent dispenser unit 30 and the washing tub 11 are connected by a connector 251. The connectors 165 and 251 form water channels inside, and pipes, hoses, etc. made of resin or rubber material can be used.

(1-2) Liquid Agent Water Supply Channel The water flowing through the liquid agent water supply channel flows from the water receiving unit 16 through the automatic liquid agent dispenser unit 50 and the detergent dispenser unit 30 into the washing tub 11. Here, the downstream side of the liquid agent water supply channel merges with the detergent water supply channel.

5 and 14, the distribution section 163 of the water receiving unit 16 and the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 are connected by an upstream water channel forming body 166, and the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 and the detergent dispensing unit 30 are connected by a connector 252. The connector 252 forms a water channel therein, and a pipe, hose, or the like made of a resin material, rubber material, or the like can be used.
That is, the liquid agent side water supply channel is constructed using a water receiving unit 16, an upstream water channel forming body 166, an automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50, a connector 252, a detergent dispensing unit 30, and a connector 251, and liquid agent is dispensed midway through the water supply channel by the automatic liquid agent dispensing means 53 of the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50.

As shown in Figure 17, the liquid agent side water supply passage 60 is connected to the discharge port of the cylinder 531 that discharges the liquid agent via a communicating water passage 61, and includes an upper water supply passage 601 upstream of the communicating water passage 61, a lower water supply passage 602 downstream of the communicating water passage 61, a detergent dispensing side water passage (not shown in Figure 17) that passes through the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 and flows into the washing tub 11, and a connecting water passage 603 (shown by a dotted line in Figure 17) that connects the detergent dispensing side water passage and the lower water supply passage 602.
Specifically, the upper water supply passage 601 is a passage from point A to points B1 and B2, the communication passage 61 is a passage from point B to point C, the lower water supply passage 602 is a passage from point C to point D, and the connection passage 603 and the detergent-inlet passage are passages from point D to the washing tub 11 (not shown in FIG. 17). The lower water supply passage 602 includes an upper water passage 604 from point C to point E, a middle water passage 605 from point E to points G and H, and a lower water passage 608 from points G and H to point D. Note that point A indicates the starting point of the upper water supply passage 601 in FIG. 17, and the actual starting point of the upper water supply passage 601 in this embodiment may be the connection port 164 of the water receiving unit 16.

Furthermore, when there are multiple automatic liquid agent dispensing means 53 and the upper water supply channel 601 branches into multiple channels (here, when there are two automatic liquid agent dispensing means, 53A and 53B), the upper water supply channel 601A on the first automatic liquid agent dispensing means 53A side includes a front water channel 606 from point A to point F and a rear water channel 607A from point F to point B1, and the upper water supply channel 601B on the second automatic liquid agent dispensing means 53B side includes a front water channel 606 from point A to point F and a rear water channel 607B from point F to point B2.
When there is only one automatic liquid drug supply means 53, the upper water supply channel 601 described above does not have point F indicating the branch point in Figure 17, and the leading line therefrom is an arrow to distinguish it from upper water supply channels 601A and 601B.
Further, the lower water supply passage 602A on the first automatic liquid agent dispensing means 53A side includes an upper water passage 604A from point C1 to point E1, a middle water passage 605A from point E1 to point G, and a lower water passage 608A from point G to point D, and the lower water supply passage 602B on the second automatic liquid agent dispensing means 53B side includes an upper water passage 604B from point C2 to point E2, a middle water passage 605B from point E2 to point H, and a lower water passage 608B from point H to point D. Here, the downstream side of point G in the lower water passage 608B of the second automatic liquid agent dispensing means 53B coincides (merges) with the lower water passage 608A of the first automatic liquid agent dispensing means 53A.
When there is one automatic liquid agent injection means 53, the above-mentioned lower water supply channel 602 does not have point G indicating the junction in FIG.
The upper water supply passage 601 and the lower water supply passage 602 are mainly formed by the upstream water passage formation body 166 and the automatic liquid agent dosing unit 50.
When there are multiple (here, two) automatic liquid drug dispensing means 53, as shown in Figure 17, the communicating water channel on the side of the first automatic liquid drug dispensing means 53A is designated "61A", and the communicating water channel on the side of the second automatic liquid drug dispensing means 53B is designated "61B".

(2) Detergent Dispensing Unit The detergent dispensing unit 30 is disposed in the detergent-side water supply passage. As shown in Fig. 6, the detergent dispensing unit 30 has a detergent box 31 having an opening 31a on the front side, and a detergent case 32 supported slidably relative to the detergent box 31.
The detergent case 32 here has a powder detergent storage section 321 for powder detergent and a liquid detergent storage section 322 for liquid detergent.
(2-1) Detergent Box The detergent box 31 has a detergent box main body 33 that is open at the front and top, a detergent lid body 34 that covers the top of the detergent box main body 33, and a detergent cover 35 that covers the detergent lid body 34 from above.
5, a connector 251 connected to the washing tub 11 is connected to the bottom wall side of the detergent box main body 33. A connector 252 connected to the automatic liquid dispenser unit 50 is connected to the rear wall of the detergent box main body 33. Note that water that flows into the detergent box main body 33 from the connector 252 passes through the bottom wall without passing through the detergent case 32, and flows from the connector 251 to the washing tub 11. In this manner, the bottom wall forms a flow path 331.
6, the detergent lid body 34 has guide flow passage parts 343, 344 that guide water flowing in from connection parts 341, 342 that connect to the connector 165 (see FIG. 5(b)) toward the powder detergent storage part 321 and the liquid detergent storage part 322 of the detergent case 32. The guide flow passage parts 343, 344 are provided with a plurality of through holes 345 to pass the guided water.

(2-2) Detergent Case The detergent case 32 has a decorative member 36 having a handle 361 attached to the front side. The detergent case 32 has a powder detergent storage section 321 that is long in the front-rear direction and a liquid detergent storage section 322 that are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. The powder detergent storage section 321 and the liquid detergent storage section 322 are formed by recesses with their bottom surfaces inclined downward toward the rear and have a through-hole on their rear side that communicates with the detergent box main body 33.
Here, a function imparting section 323 for imparting a washing-related function (e.g., antibacterial properties) is removably provided in a powder detergent containing section 321 .

(3) Automatic Liquid Agent Dispensing Unit As shown in Fig. 5, the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 is disposed above the detergent dispensing unit 30. This allows water that has passed through the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 to easily flow downward toward the detergent dispensing unit 30.
The automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 is disposed so as to overlap partially or entirely in the up-down direction with the detergent dispensing unit 30. The front end of the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 is located rearward of the front end of the detergent dispensing unit 30. This forms a space in front of the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 and above the detergent dispensing unit 30, where, for example, an operation unit 17 can be disposed.
The rear end of the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 is located rearward of the rear end of the detergent dispensing unit 30. As a result, a space is formed below the rear of the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 and behind the detergent dispensing unit 30, and for example, a connector 252 that connects the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 and the detergent dispensing unit 30 can be disposed therein. In addition, the automatic liquid agent dispensing means 53 disposed at the rear of the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 can be provided so as to protrude downward.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 at least includes a liquid agent tank 51 for storing the liquid agent to be dispensed into the washing tub 11, and an automatic liquid agent dispensing means 53 for automatically dispensing the liquid agent from the liquid agent tank 51 into the washing tub 11.
The automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 includes a liquid agent tank housing 55 that houses a liquid agent tank 51 in the front portion and has an automatic liquid agent dispensing means 53 disposed in the rear portion. The automatic liquid agent dispensing means 53 may be disposed directly in the liquid agent tank housing 55, but here, the automatic liquid agent dispensing means 53 is provided in the liquid agent tank housing 55 by utilizing a support body 57. In other words, the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 includes a support body 57 that supports the automatic liquid agent dispensing means 53.
In this embodiment, the liquid tank 51 is accommodated in the liquid tank accommodation body 55 from above.

There is one or more types of liquid, and here there are two types. Therefore, there are two liquid tanks 51. For convenience, one of the liquids is referred to as the first liquid, the other liquid is referred to as the second liquid, and the name of each component related to the first liquid is given the suffix "first" and the reference number "A", and the name of each component related to the second liquid is given the suffix "second" and the reference number "B". For example, the tank that stores the second liquid is referred to as the "second liquid tank 51B", and the automatic liquid supply means that discharges the second liquid is referred to as the "second liquid supply automatic means 53B".
The liquid agents are laundry detergents, fabric softeners, fragrances, disinfectants, and the like. For example, the first liquid agent is a laundry detergent, and the second liquid agent is a laundry softener.

(3-1) Liquid Tank The first liquid tank 51A and the second liquid tank 51B have substantially the same configuration, and therefore will be described as the liquid tank 51.
As shown in FIG. 8 , the liquid agent tank 51 includes at least a tank body 511 and an opening/closing means 512 that opens and closes the liquid agent outlet port in accordance with the opening and closing of the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53 .
The tank body 511 here is box-shaped, and the liquid agent tank 51 is provided with a lid 513 that covers the opening at the top of the tank body 511 .
The liquid tank 51 includes a float 514 that moves up and down depending on the amount of liquid stored therein, thereby making it possible to detect the amount of liquid.
The liquid agent tank 51 includes a filter 515 in the tank body 511. This can prevent dust and the like in the tank from flowing toward the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53.

(3-1-1) Tank Body The tank body 511 has a box shape that is long in the front-rear direction. This allows the first liquid agent tank 51A and the second liquid agent tank 51B to be efficiently arranged in the left-right direction while ensuring the storage amounts of the first liquid agent and the second liquid agent.
The tank body 511 has a protruding portion 511b protruding downward from the bottom wall portion 511a. The protruding portion 511b is provided at the rear portion of the tank body 511, that is, on the side of the automatic liquid agent injection means 53. 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. The inside of the protruding portion 511b is a connecting portion (fitting portion) 511d (see the enlarged view of (a) in FIG. 9) that connects (fits) with the cylinder 531, with a connecting portion 531e of the cylinder 531 being inserted into the rear portion of the opening/closing means 512 (see FIG. 9) housed therein.
The protruding 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 protruding portion 511b are inclined downward (become lower) toward the protruding portion 511b on the inner surface (bottom surface). This allows the liquid agent to flow toward the opening/closing means 512 without being left behind.
The bottom wall 511a is configured such that the front portion 511d (portion from the front end to the front end of the protruding portion 511b) becomes lower on the inner surface (bottom surface) as it approaches the rear side (the opening/closing means 512 side). This allows the liquid agent to flow to the opening/closing means 512 side without being left behind.
The bottom wall 511a is configured such that the rear portion (portion from the rear end to the center of the protruding portion 511b in the front-rear direction) of the bottom wall 511a and portions 511e located on both the left and right sides of the protruding portion 511b become lower as they approach the front side. This allows the liquid agent to flow toward the opening/closing means 512 without being left behind.
The inner surface of the bottom wall portion 511 a of the tank body 511 also serves as a guide surface that guides the liquid agent to the inlet of the opening/closing means 512 .

The tank body 511 has a positioning portion 511f on the bottom wall portion 511a for being accommodated in a positioned state (fixed state) when the liquid tank 51 is accommodated in the liquid tank accommodation body 55 or in a accommodated state. This maintains the connection between the opening/closing means 512 and the connection portion 531e of the cylinder 531.
Here, a snap fit (positioning portion 551f of the liquid agent tank container 55) is used for positioning, and the positioned portion 511f is configured with an engaging portion that is clamped (engaged) by the positioning portion 551f. The engaging portion is configured with a convex portion that protrudes downward from the bottom wall portion 511a, and the convex portion has a columnar or cylindrical shape.

The tank body 511 has a position restricting portion 511g on the bottom wall portion 511a, which restricts the liquid tank 51 from moving further backward beyond the positioning state determined by the positioning portion 551f when the liquid tank 51 is moved backward relative to the liquid tank housing body 55 in order to house the liquid tank 51 in the liquid tank housing body 55. Here, the position restricting portion 551f is used for the position restriction, and as shown in Fig. 14(a), the position restricting portion 511g is composed of a facing portion that faces closely (in contact with) the front end of the positioning portion 551f. The facing portion is composed of a plate portion that protrudes downward from the bottom wall portion 511a, and the plate portion is composed of (a part of) a wall portion that protrudes in a U-shape with an open rear side.
The U-shaped position restriction portion 511g also has a protection function for protecting the positioned portion 511f. The positioned portion 511f and the position restriction portion 511g are connected to each other by a connecting portion 511h (see FIG. 14A), thereby reinforcing the positioned portion 511f.

The liquid tank 51 and the liquid tank housing 55 are configured so that, when the liquid tank 51 is housed in the liquid tank housing 55, the liquid tank 51 is housed by moving it from the rear to the front with respect to the liquid tank housing 55 and then moving it rearward. That is, the liquid tank 51 is box-shaped, and the housing section 551 of the liquid tank housing 55 is box-shaped with an open upper portion and a dimension in the direction in which the liquid tank 51 is moved when housed in the housing section of the liquid tank 51 that is larger than that of the liquid tank 51, and when the liquid tank 51 is to be placed in the correct position of the housing section 551 from above, there are interference sections (a guiding section and a guided section, which will be described later) that interfere with each other, and the liquid tank 51 can be housed in the housing section 551 by the above-mentioned operation.
The liquid tank 51 and the liquid tank container 55 have a guide portion (562a) and a guided portion (511k) that guide the liquid tank 51 to follow the above-mentioned path when the liquid tank 51 is contained. This allows the opening/closing means 512 and the cylinder 531 to be connected without damaging the connection portion 531e (protruding portion 531f) of the cylinder 531.
Here, the guiding portion is constituted by a guide portion 562a (see FIG. 7(b)) provided on the upper wall portion 562 of the liquid tank container 55, and the guided portion is constituted by a guided portion 511k (see FIG. 8(b)) provided on the side wall portion 511j of the liquid tank 51.
The liquid tank 51 has a guided portion 511k on at least one of a pair of side walls 511j perpendicular to the left-right direction. The guided portion 511k is provided on the side wall 511j on the side that does not face the other liquid tanks 51A, 51B adjacent in the left-right direction. Although the guided portion 511k and the guide portion 562a are each provided in the front portion, they may be provided in other positions as long as they can be guided by the above-mentioned track.

When the tank body 511 is moved rearward relative to the liquid tank container 55 in order to accommodate the liquid tank 51 in the liquid tank container 55, the tank body 511 has a position restricting portion 511m on the side wall portion 511j that restricts the liquid tank 51 from moving further rearward beyond the positioning state set by the positioning portion 551f. Here, the position restricting portion 511m is composed of a rib portion that protrudes in the left-right direction from the side wall portion 511j and extends in the up-down direction. The position restricting portion 511m approaches or abuts against the stepped rib 562b (see FIG. 7B) of the upper wall portion 562 of the liquid tank container 55 from the front side.

The tank body 511 has an abutment portion 511n on the rear wall portion 511p that abuts (comes close to) the partition wall portion 572 (see Figures 7 and 8) when the liquid tank 51 is moved rearward relative to the liquid tank container 55 to accommodate the liquid tank 51 in the liquid tank container 55. The abutment portion 511n is configured as a convex portion that protrudes rearward. This makes it possible to restrict the liquid tank 51 from moving further rearward beyond the positioning state determined by the positioning portion 551f when the liquid tank 51 is moved rearward relative to the liquid tank container 55 to accommodate the liquid tank 51 in the liquid tank container 55. The partition wall portion 572 is a wall portion that separates the container portion 551 that accommodates the liquid tank 51 from the automatic liquid dispenser 53.

The tank body 511 has a positioning portion 511q and an engaged portion 511r around the open end (upper end) for removably attaching the lid 513.

(3-1-2) Connector The opening/closing means 512 is inserted into the protruding portion 511b of the tank body 511, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG.
The opening/closing means 512 has a cylindrical body 512a, a movable body 512b supported within the cylindrical body 512a so as to be movable in the cylindrical axial direction, and a spring body 512c which biases the movable body 512b toward the outlet 512d of the cylindrical body 512a.
When the liquid tank 51 is removed from the liquid tank container 55 (when not connected to the connection part 531e of the cylinder 531), the movable body 512b blocks the outlet 512d, and when the liquid tank 51 is contained in the liquid tank container 55 (when connected to the connection part 531e), the movable body 512b is pressed against the protruding part 531f of the connection part 531e of the cylinder 531 to open the outlet 512d.
As a result, when the liquid tank 51 is accommodated in the liquid tank accommodation body 55 (connected to the cylinder 531 ), the liquid in the liquid tank 51 can flow toward the automatic liquid supply means 53 .

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

The lid body 513a has a support portion 513f that supports the door body 516 so that it can be opened and closed, and a support portion 513g that supports the door body 516 from below. The support portion 513f is composed of a bearing portion that receives the shaft portion 516b of the door body 516. 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. A guide groove portion is provided on the front side of the bearing portion to guide the shaft portion 516b rearward. This allows the liquid agent to be refilled into the liquid agent tank 51 without removing the liquid agent tank 51 from the liquid agent tank housing 55 (washing machine X).

The cover body 513a has a support portion 513h that supports the handle 517 so that it can be rotated (raised and lowered). The support portion 513h is composed of a bearing portion that receives the shaft portion 517b 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 of the handle 517 and the recess 513c in the front-rear direction. This allows the handle 517 to be stored in a space-saving manner. In addition, the liquid agent tank 51 can be easily removed from the liquid agent tank storage body 55 (washing machine X).
The cover 513 has a fitting portion 513j that fits (is inserted) into the opening end of the tank body 511. This can improve the airtightness of the inside of the tank.

(3-1-4) Float As shown in Fig. 8, the float 514 has a main body 514a, an arm 514b, and an attachment 514c, and detection means 518 (see Fig. 9) is provided inside the main body 514a. As a result, when the liquid agent becomes low and the float 514 approaches the bottom wall 511a of the tank main body 511, it is detected by detection means 557 (see Fig. 9) provided in the liquid agent tank container 55.
The float 514 is attached to the lid body 513 so as to be rotatable around the left-right direction as a rotation axis. The attachment portion 514c is attached to the attachment portion 513k of the lid body 513. The attachment portion 514c is configured with a rotation axis provided on a pair of extension portions of the arm portion 514b, and the rotation axis is rotatably supported by a bearing portion (attachment portion 513k) of the lid main body 513a. The rotation axis protrudes in a columnar or cylindrical shape from the ends of the pair of extension portions on both sides in the left-right direction. The bearing portion is configured with a through hole or a recess, and here is configured with a through hole formed in the plate-shaped rib portion 513m.

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

(3-2) Automatic Liquid Supply Means As shown in Fig. 10, the automatic liquid supply means 53 includes a first automatic liquid supply means 53A for the first liquid supply and a second automatic liquid supply means 53B for the second liquid supply. The first automatic liquid supply means 53A discharges the first liquid supply sucked from the first liquid supply tank 51A into the water flowing in the upstream water channel formation body 166. The second automatic liquid supply means 53B discharges the second liquid supply sucked from the second liquid supply tank 51B into the water flowing in the upstream water channel formation body 166. In this way, the automatic liquid supply means 53 functions as a pump.
The first automatic liquid agent supplying means 53A and the second automatic liquid agent supplying means 53B are configured so as to be individually controllable by the control unit 18.
The first automatic liquid agent supplying means 53A and the second automatic liquid agent supplying means 53B are supported by a support body 57, and the support body 57 is attached to a 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, which can open and close an opening for inserting and removing the liquid tank 51. The upper door 10b is located above the liquid tank 51 in a contained state, and can be closed when the upper surface of the liquid tank 51 is at an angle of 10 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal direction and the liquid tank 51 is in a normal position in the insertion/removal direction (at the back side in the insertion direction). In other words, when the upper surface of the liquid tank 51 is inclined at a greater angle than a predetermined angle (10 degrees here) with respect to the horizontal direction, or when the liquid tank 51 is not in a normal position and a sufficient gap 564a (see Fig. 9B) cannot be formed between the liquid tank 51 and the front wall 564 of the liquid tank container 55, and the convex portion 10c (see Fig. 1B) of the upper door 19b does not fit into the gap 564a, the upper door 10b is not closed. The protrusion 10c is recessed, for example, from the front surface of the upper door 10b to the rear side, and the user opens and closes the upper door 10b by utilizing the recessed portion.

The first automatic liquid drug supplying means 53A and the second automatic liquid drug supplying means 53B have substantially the same configuration, and therefore will be described as automatic liquid drug supplying means 53.
As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the automatic liquid drug supplying means 53 includes a cylinder 531 having a suction port and a discharge port for the liquid drug, a piston 532 arranged in the cylinder 531, and a motor 533 that causes the piston 532 to reciprocate within the cylinder 531, and the liquid drug is sucked in and discharged by the reciprocating motion of the piston 532.
Here, the automatic liquid drug supplying means 53 includes a base 534 that supports a motor 533 and a cylinder 531 , and the base 534 is attached to a support 57 .

11, the cylinder 531 has at least a piston accommodating portion 531a that accommodates the piston 532 so as to be capable of reciprocating motion, a suction path forming portion 531b that forms a suction path for sucking in the liquid agent, and a discharge path forming portion 531c that forms a discharge path for discharging the liquid agent. The cylinder 531 here has an attachment portion 531d for attachment to a base 534.
The piston accommodating portion 531a is configured so that the piston 532 reciprocates in the horizontal direction. The horizontal direction is the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, or a direction intersecting these directions. Here, the piston 532 reciprocates in the front-rear direction, and the piston accommodating portion 531a is cylindrical with its cylinder axis parallel to the front-rear direction. The inner circumferential 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 such that its cylindrical axis extends parallel to the cylindrical axis of the piston accommodating portion 531a. The suction path forming portion 531b is provided on the front side of the piston accommodating portion 531a.
The upstream end (front end) of the suction path forming portion 531b is a connection portion 531e for detachably connecting to the protruding portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51. The connection portion 531e fits into the protruding portion 511b. The connection portion 531e is provided with a packing 537 for improving the sealing performance with the protruding portion 511b.
As shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 9(a) and Fig. 12, the connecting portion 531e is formed with a protruding portion 531f that protrudes forward and a support portion 531g that supports the protruding portion 531f. When the liquid tank 51 is accommodated in the liquid tank accommodation body 55, the protruding portion 531f pushes in the movable body 512b of the opening/closing means 512 of the liquid tank 51. This opens the opening/closing means 512, allowing the liquid in the tank to be sucked into the automatic liquid supply means 53.
The support portions 531g are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the liquid flows through spaces 531h (see FIGS. 12(b) and 12(c)) between adjacent support portions 531g.

The discharge path component 531c is cylindrical and is formed in a state of communication with the suction path component 531b. The discharge path component 531c is provided so that its cylinder axis extends in a state of intersecting with the suction path component 531b. Here, the cylinder axis of the discharge path component 531c is perpendicular to the direction parallel to the cylinder axis of the suction path component 531b. In other words, when viewed from above, it has a "T" shape. The cylinder axis of the discharge path component 531c is vertically offset from the cylinder axes of the suction path component 531b and the piston accommodating portion 531a. In other words, the cylinder axis of the discharge path component 531c is configured so as not to intersect with the cylinder axes of the suction path component 531b and the piston accommodating portion 531a.

12, the cylinder 531 is provided at the upstream end of the suction path forming portion 531b with a suction side opening/closing means 535 that is opened when the piston 532 moves backward (suction) and is closed when the piston 532 moves forward (discharge). The cylinder 531 is provided at the downstream end of the discharge path forming portion 531c with a discharge side opening/closing means 536 that is opened when the piston 532 moves forward (discharge) and is closed when the piston 532 moves backward (suction).
As a result, when the piston 532 moves backward (suction), the suction side opening/closing means 535 opens and the discharge side opening/closing means 536 closes, and the liquid agent is sucked into the cylinder 531. Conversely, when the piston 532 moves forward (discharge), the suction side opening/closing means 535 closes and the discharge side opening/closing means 536 opens, and the liquid agent is discharged from the cylinder 531. Note that the upstream end opening (opening of the connection part 531e) of the suction path forming part 531b of the cylinder 531 constitutes the suction port, and the end constitutes the suction part. Also, the downstream end opening of the discharge path forming part 531c constitutes the discharge port, and the end constitutes the discharge part.

12A, the piston 532 has a piston body 532a and a conversion part 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 conversion portion 532b utilizes a Scotch yoke mechanism and is configured with a groove-like slot that accommodates a drive transmission portion 578a (see FIG. 11) on the motor 533 side. The slot extends in a direction perpendicular to the reciprocating motion of the piston 532.
The piston 532 has a protrusion 532c that moves within a groove 531j that extends in the front-rear direction of the cylinder 531. This allows the piston 532 to smoothly reciprocate.

(3-2-3) Motor As shown in Fig. 11, the motor 533 includes a drive transmission member 578 that transmits the drive to reciprocate the piston 532. The drive transmission member 578 converts the rotational drive force of the motor 533 into a linear drive force by a Scotch yoke mechanism to linearly move the piston 532. The drive transmission member 578 here is cylindrical with a bottom, and has a drive transmission part 578a at a position eccentric to the drive shaft 533a of the motor 533. The drive transmission part 578a is configured with a cylindrical pin that protrudes downward. The drive transmission member 578 is rotatably attached to the drive shaft 533a of the motor 533 by a screw 579d.

(3-2-4) Base As shown in FIG. 11, the base 534 has a through hole 534a for the drive shaft 533a of the motor 533, a recess 534b for positioning the cylinder 531, a through hole 534c for a mounting fixture (screw) 579a for mounting the cylinder 531, and a mounting fixture (
The base 534 has a boss portion 534d having a screw hole for a screw (screw) 579b, and an attachment portion (engagement portion) 534e for attaching the base 534 to the support body 57. The protrusion 531k of the cylinder 531 fits into the recess 534b.

(3-3) Support The support 57 has a support portion that supports the automatic liquid drug dispenser 53, and a partition portion provided at the front end of the support portion. The support portion is formed, for example, by a plate-shaped support wall portion 571. The partition portion is formed, for example, by a plate-shaped partition wall portion 572. The partition wall portion 572 also serves as the front wall portion.
The partition wall portion 572 separates the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53 side from the liquid agent tank 51 side when the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53 and the liquid agent tank 51 are disposed in the liquid agent tank container 55. This makes it possible to prevent the liquid agent from adhering to electric devices such as the motor 533.
The support body 57 has a side wall portion 573 that is perpendicular to the left-right direction and connects to both left and right ends of the support wall portion 571 and the partition wall portion 572 .

(3-3-1) Support Wall The support wall 571 supports the two automatic liquid drug supplying means 53A, 53B in the left-right direction, and has a rectangular shape or a shape similar to a rectangle that is long in the left-right direction. The support body 57 has a through hole 571a and a cutout portion 571b in the support wall 571 so that the motor 533 of the automatic liquid drug supplying means 53 is located above the support wall 571, and the cylinder 531 is located below the support wall 571.
The automatic liquid agent supplying means 53 is attached with the base 534 abutting against the support body 57 from below the support wall portion 571. For attachment, at least one of an engagement structure and a screw-type structure using a screw is adopted.
In the engagement structure, an engagement portion 534e of a base 534 of the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53 engages with a through hole 571a or a peripheral portion of a cutout portion 571b of the support wall portion 571. In one of the screwing structures, a screw (not shown) is inserted from above through a through hole 571c of the support wall portion 571 and screwed into a screw hole of a boss portion 534f of the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53. In one of the screwing structures, a screw (not shown) is inserted from the front through a through hole 572c of a protruding portion 572b below the partition wall portion 572 and screwed into a screw hole 534g of the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53. As shown in FIG. 13A, the support body 57 has a through hole 571d for a supply water channel forming body 168 constituting a part of an upstream water channel forming body 166.

(3-3-2) Partition Wall Partition wall 572 has a plate-like portion 572a that is perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Plate-like portion 572a extends vertically from the front end of support wall 571. Partition wall 572 has a mounting portion for mounting automatic liquid drug dispenser 53 below plate-like portion 572a. The mounting portion is composed of overhanging portion 572b that overhangs downward from the lower end of plate-like portion 572a, and through-hole 572c provided in overhanging portion 572b. A screw that passes through through-hole 572c screws into screw hole 534g of base 534 of automatic liquid drug dispenser 53.

The partition wall 572 has an abutment portion 572d on the lower side of the plate-shaped portion 572a, which abuts against the upper surface of the cylinder 531 of the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53. The abutment portion 572d has an arc shape corresponding to the cylindrical cylinder 531. This allows the cylinder 531 to be supported in a positioned state, and prevents the cylinder 531 from shifting left and right when connecting to the liquid agent tank 51.

When the liquid tank 51 is set, the partition wall 572 comes into contact with or is close to the abutment portion 511n (see FIG. 8(b)) of the liquid tank 51. The partition wall 572 has a surrounding portion 572e in the plate-shaped portion 572a that surrounds the periphery of the abutment portion 511n of the liquid tank 51. The surrounding portion 572e is composed of a protruding portion that protrudes forward, and has a shape that corresponds to the outer peripheral shape of the abutment portion 511n, here a square ring shape. This allows the liquid tank 51 to be positioned.
The surrounding portion 572e has guide portions 572f that guide the contact portions 511n when they enter. The guide portions 572f protrude forward in a triangular shape and are formed on the lower side and multiple sides of the left and right pieces of the rectangular surrounding portion 572e.

The support 57 has a fitting portion 574 that fits with the rear end of the upper wall portion 562 of the liquid tank container 55 (see FIG. 13). The fitting portion 574 is formed of a groove portion into which the upper wall portion 562 of the liquid tank container 55 is inserted. The groove portion is formed of both left and right ends of the partition wall portion 572, vertical rib portions 572g formed on the inside of both left and right ends of the partition wall portion 572, and the rear end of the side wall portion 573. This allows the support 57 to be attached in a state where it is positioned in the left and right direction relative to the liquid tank container 55, and prevents the abutment portion 511n of the liquid tank 51 from being unable to fit with the surrounding portion 572e due to misalignment. It also prevents the liquid tank 51 from being unable to connect to the connection portion 531e of the cylinder 531.

(4) Liquid agent tank container As shown in FIG. 7(b), the liquid agent tank container 55 has a container section 551 for accommodating the liquid agent tank 51, a support section 553 for supporting the automatic liquid agent dispensing means 53, and a downstream water channel forming section 555 for forming a middle water channel 605 and a lower water channel 608 (see FIGS. 7 and 17) for causing the liquid agent discharged from the liquid agent tank 51 to flow out of the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit 50 together with water.
Here, the downstream water channel forming portion 555 extends in the left-right direction, and the liquid agent tank housing 55 has, from the front side, a housing portion 551, a downstream water channel forming portion 555, and a support portion 553 in this order.
The liquid tank container 55 has a bottom wall portion 561, an upper wall portion 562 extending upward from both left and right ends of the bottom wall portion 561, a lower wall portion 563 that is continuous with the upper wall portion 562 and extends downward from both left and right ends of the bottom wall portion 561, a front wall portion 564 that extends upward from the front end of the bottom wall portion 561 and connects the pair of upper wall portions 562, and a rear wall portion 565 (see Figure 13) that extends downward from the rear end of the bottom wall portion 561.
The storage section 551 is composed of the front side of the bottom wall section 561 (the portion forward of the downstream water channel forming section 555), a pair of upper wall sections 562, a front wall section 564, and a partition wall section (front wall section) 572 of the support body 57 supporting the automatic liquid agent dosing means 53, and has a square shape or a rectangular shape that is long in the front-to-rear direction when viewed from above.
The support portion 553 is mainly formed on the rear side of the bottom wall portion 561 (the portion rearward of the downstream water channel forming portion 555), and has a square shape or a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction when viewed from above.

(4-1) Storage Section The liquid agent tank 51 is inserted into the storage section 551 from above on the front side thereof and stored therein.
The portion of bottom wall 561 corresponding to storage section 551 (also referred to as bottom wall 561 of storage section 551) is configured so that its upper surface (storage surface) is lower on the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53 (cylinder 531) side. In other words, water and liquid agent on bottom wall 561 of storage section 551 are configured to flow backward (downstream water channel forming section 555). This makes it possible to prevent water and liquid agent from accumulating on bottom wall 561.

(4-1-1) Bottom Wall The bottom wall 561 of the storage section 551 has a first convex portion 551b for holding the liquid tank 51 with the upper surface horizontal, as shown in Fig. 7. This can prevent the liquid tank 51 from interfering with the upper door 10b of the housing 10. In other words, the first convex portion 551b has a function of maintaining a constant posture of the liquid tank 51 placed on the inclined bottom wall 561 of the storage section 551 so that the liquid tank 51 does not interfere with the upper door 10b. The first convex portions 551b are located between the two liquid tanks 51A and 51B, and are located at both ends in the front-rear direction.
The bottom wall 561 of the storage section 551 has a second convex portion 551k (see FIG. 13A) for holding the liquid tank 51 with the upper surface horizontal. This prevents the liquid tank 51 from interfering with the upper door 10b of the housing 10. The second convex portion 551k is at the end of the two liquid tanks 51A, 51B on the opposite side (outer side) from the side where the other liquid tanks 51A, 51B are present in the left-right direction, and is on the removal side (front side) in the insertion/removal direction. The second convex portion 551k supports the liquid tanks 51A, 51B together with a stepped rib 562b described later that is provided on the insertion side (rear side) in the insertion/removal direction, but the positions of the second convex portion 551k and the stepped rib 562b in the insertion/removal direction may be reversed.
It should be noted that the "first" and "second" of the first convex portion 551b and the second convex portion 551k are intended to distinguish the two convex portions, and are different from the "first" and "second" of the first liquid agent and the second liquid agent.

7, the bottom wall 561 of the storage section 551 has a bulging portion 551a that bulges out so as to approach the bottom wall 511a of the liquid tank 51 in the stored state. There are two bulging portions 551a corresponding to the liquid tanks 51A and 51B, and they are located in the left-right direction (the installation direction).
The two bulging portions 551a are provided at a distance from each other in the left-right direction, and the protruding portion 511b of the liquid tank 51 passes between them. The bulging portion 551a on the first liquid tank 51A side is provided at a distance from the upper wall portion 562 facing the first liquid tank 51A, and the protruding portion 511b of the liquid tank 51A passes between them. In other words, the bulging portion 551a also functions as a guide portion when the liquid tank 51 is stored.
9, the liquid agent tank container 55 is provided with a detection means 557 that utilizes the bulging portion 551a to detect the amount of liquid agent in the liquid agent tank 51. Here, the detection means 557 is provided on the lower surface (the surface opposite to the container surface) of the bulging portion 551a.
Specifically, the detection means 557 detects the detected means 518 of the float 514 in the liquid tank 51. A magnet can be used as an example of the detected means 518, and a magnetic sensor (e.g., a reed sensor) can be used as an example of the detection means 557. Even if the liquid tank 51 is housed in a state where it is separated from the bottom wall portion 561 by the first convex portion 551b and the second convex portion 551k, the bulging portion 551a reduces the distance between the detected means 518 and the detection means 557, thereby increasing the detection sensitivity.
When the amount of the liquid in the liquid tank 51 decreases, the float 514 drops, and the detection means 557 detects the detected means 518, the control unit 18 causes the display section 171 (see FIG. 1(b)) of the operation unit 17 to notify that the liquid needs to be replenished. An example of the display section 171 is an LED.

The bottom wall portion 561 of the storage section 551 has an extension plate portion 551c extending upward between the first liquid tank 51A and the second liquid tank 51B adjacent to each other on the left and right. This positions the first liquid tank 51A and the second liquid tank 51B on the left and right. The extension plate portions 551c are located at two locations, one on each end of the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction) of the liquid tank 51. This positions the first liquid tank 51A and the second liquid tank 51B. The extension plate portion 551c is provided on the first convex portion 551b.

The bottom wall 561 of the storage section 551 has a recessed portion 551d at its rear end, which is recessed downward and extends in the front-rear direction. The recessed portion 551d is provided to correspond to the protruding portion 511b of the bottom wall 511a of the liquid agent tank 51. In other words, the recessed portion 551d is for the protruding portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51. As shown in FIG. 9A, the front end region of the recessed portion 551d is a front-upward inclined surface (inclined wall portion) 551j, and the rear end is connected to the downstream water channel forming portion 555 and opened. This open portion becomes a communication portion 551m that communicates with the middle water channel 605 and the lower water channel 608 of the liquid agent side water supply channel 60, as shown in FIG. 13.
The recessed portion 551d and the liquid agent tank 51 are configured so that the recessed portion 551d does not come into contact with the protruding portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51 on the communicating portion 551m side when the liquid agent tank 51 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 551. In other words, a gap 551n (see the enlarged view in FIG. 9A) exists between the recessed portion 551d and the protruding portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51. This prevents the liquid agent or water that has flowed into the recessed portion 551d from flowing toward the communicating portion 551m side.

13, the bottom wall 561 of the storage section 551 has at its rear end a standing wall portion 551e which extends upward and constitutes the upper portion of the downstream water channel forming section 555. As a result, when water or water containing a liquid agent is present on the bottom wall 561 of the storage section 551, it will not flow into the middle water channel 605 or the lower water channel 608 from any portion other than the communication portion 551m.
The standing wall portion 551e is located below the partition wall portion 572 of the support body 57, and constitutes a partition wall together with the partition wall portion 572. From this point of view, the partition wall portion 572 of the support body 57 can be said to be an upper partition wall portion, and the standing wall portion 551e of the liquid agent tank housing body 55 can be said to be a lower partition wall portion. The standing wall portion 551e is missing a portion corresponding to the recessed portion 551d. This forms a communication portion 551m.

The liquid agent tank container 55 has a positioning portion 551f for positioning the liquid agent tank 51 on the bottom wall portion 561. As shown in Fig. 14A, the positioning portion 551f is configured by a snap fit having a pair of ribs 551g. The ribs 551g stand upright from the bottom wall portion 561 and extend in the front-rear direction, and on the opposing surface, a central portion 551h in the front-rear direction bulges toward the other rib 551g.
When the liquid tank 51 is stored, the pair of ribs 551g elastically deform in a direction away from each other, and a cylindrical protrusion, which is an example of a positioned portion 511f of the liquid tank 51, advances from the front side to the rear side. Further advancement to the rear side is restricted by the front ends of the pair of ribs 551g coming into contact with the position restriction portion 511g of the liquid tank 51.

7B, when accommodating the liquid tanks 51 facing each other in the left-right direction, the liquid tank accommodation body 55 has guide portions 562a in the pair of upper wall portions 562 for guiding the liquid tanks 51 to the accommodation position. The guide portions 562a guide the liquid tanks 51 so that they move rearward after moving from the rear to the front.
The guide portion 562a is configured by a convex portion protruding toward the liquid tank 51 from the pair of upper wall portions 562. The guide portion 562a abuts against a guided portion 511k (see FIG. 8B ) protruding from a side wall portion 511j of the liquid tank 51, thereby guiding the liquid tank 51 to the storage position.
The guide portion 562a is provided so as to come into contact with the guided portion 511k of the liquid tank 51 when the protruding portion 511b of the liquid tank 51 is to be inserted from above into the recessed portion 551d of the storage portion 551. This makes it possible to prevent the protruding portion 531f on the suction port side of the cylinder 531 of the automatic liquid supply means 53 from interfering with and being damaged by the protruding portion 511b of the liquid tank 51 when the liquid tank 51 is stored.
As shown in FIG. 16, the guide portion 562a has an inclined surface 562c as an upper surface, which moves forward as it moves downward. This allows the guided portion 511k of the liquid tank 51 to easily 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. This allows the guided portion 511k of the liquid tank 51 to abut against the guide portion 562a when the liquid tank 51 moves upward when moving the liquid tank 51 in the insertion direction of the insertion/removal direction. That is, it allows the liquid tank 51 to be easily moved in the insertion direction. Also, by moving the liquid tank 51 in the insertion direction while the guided portion 511k of the liquid tank 51 abuts against the guide portion 562a, the liquid tank 51 can be guided to the correct position in the insertion direction.
The operation for storing the device will be described later.

The upper wall portion 562 has a stepped rib 562b for holding (supporting) the liquid tank 51 with the upper surface being horizontal, straddling the bottom wall portion 561. This makes it possible to prevent the liquid tank 51 from interfering with the upper door 10b of the housing 10.
13A, the stepped rib 562b and the second convex portion 551k are arranged in the front-rear direction, and the first convex portions 551b are arranged in two parts spaced apart in the front-rear direction. These are arranged below the box-shaped liquid agent tank 51, and may hold the liquid agent tank 51.

(4-1-3) Front Wall The front wall 564 is configured to have a gap 564a between the front end of the liquid tank 51 and the front wall 564 when the liquid tank 51 is accommodated in the accommodation section 551 (when the liquid tank 51 is connected to the automatic liquid supply means 53), as shown in FIG. 9. This gap 564a is configured so that the front end of the liquid tank 51 and the front wall 564 are close to or in contact with each other when the guided portion 511k of the liquid tank 51 is located in front of the guide portion 562a of the accommodation section 551. This allows the liquid tank 51 to be accommodated while keeping the dimensions in the front-rear direction small. In addition, the gap 564a when the liquid tank 51 is in the normal position on the insertion side in the insertion/removal direction is large enough to fit the protrusion 10c (see FIG. 1B) of the upper door 10b of the housing 10.

(4-2) Supporting Part The part of bottom wall part 561 corresponding to supporting part 553 (also referred to as bottom wall part 561 of supporting part 553) has recessed part 553a recessed downward and extending in the front-rear direction as shown in Fig. 13. Recessed part 553a is provided corresponding to piston accommodating part 531a and piston 532 of cylinder 531 of automatic liquid drug dosing means 53 as shown in (b) of Fig. 14. That is, recessed part 553a is for cylinder 531 and piston 532.
The bottom wall 561 of the support portion 553 has at its front end a standing wall portion 553b which extends upward and constitutes the upper portion of the downstream water channel forming portion 555. The standing wall portion 553b is missing a portion corresponding to the recessed portion 553a.

13, the downstream water channel forming section 555 is provided between the storage section 551 and the support section 553 in the front-rear direction so as to be recessed downward. This prevents the liquid or water from flowing from the storage section 551 to the support section 553 even if the liquid or water is present on the bottom wall section 561 of the storage section 551. Therefore, electrical components and electrical equipment can be installed on the support section 553 side.
The downstream water channel forming portion 555 has a groove portion 555a and a cylindrical portion 555b. The downstream water channel forming portion 555 forms a middle water channel 605 and a lower water channel 608 of the lower supply channel 602, as shown in Figs.
The groove portion 555a is located below the first input water channel forming body 168A and the second input water channel forming body 168B, as shown in (a) of FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. That is, the groove portion 555a is a lower portion located below the lower opening of the input water channel portion 168a extending vertically, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 15. This allows the input water channel portion 168a to receive water or water containing a liquid agent flowing down or dripping, and does not require a connection portion connecting the input water channel portion 168a and the downstream water channel forming portion 555. In addition, by making the downstream water channel forming portion 555 into the groove portion 555a, even if the liquid agent or water flows in from the storage portion 551 side, it does not flow out to the support portion 553 side in normal use.

The groove portion 555a extends in the left-right direction, which is the direction in which the first input water channel formation body 168A and the second input water channel formation body 168B are arranged side by side. This allows the length of the groove portion 555a to be shortened, and the liquid agent tank housing body 55 to be made lighter.
14A, a part or the whole of the discharge path forming portion 531c of the cylinder 531 of the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53 is fitted from above into the groove portion 555a. This makes it possible to reduce the vertical dimension of the cylinder 531 in a state in which the cylinder 531 is supported by the liquid agent tank accommodation body 55. In addition, the position of the cylinder 531 is regulated by the groove portion 555a.
The bottom portion of the groove portion 555a is semicircular (semi-cylinder-shaped) as shown in Fig. 14(b) and is inclined such that the bottom portion of the groove portion 555a descends downward from the upstream side to the downstream side as shown in Fig. 15.
The cylindrical portion 555b extends downward from the downstream end of the groove portion 555a. In this embodiment, it extends from one end in the left-right direction (the left end). A connector 252 for connecting to the detergent dispenser unit 30 is connected to the cylindrical portion 555b (see FIG. 5).

(5) Upstream Water Channel Forming Body As shown in Fig. 10, the upstream water channel forming body 166 includes a connector 167 that connects to the water receiving unit 16, and an input water channel forming body 168 that is connected to the connector 167. The input water channel forming body 168 includes a first input water channel forming body 168A that connects to the first automatic liquid agent input means 53A, and a second input water channel forming body 168B that connects to the second automatic liquid agent input means 53B. The liquid agent is discharged (input) from a cylinder 531 of the automatic liquid agent input means 53 into the water flowing inside the input water channel forming body 168.
The upstream water channel forming body 166 is disposed above the downstream water channel forming portion 555 in the portion where it vertically overlaps with the liquid agent tank housing body 55. As a result, even if water leakage occurs from the upstream water channel forming body 166, the water flows into the middle water channel 605 or the lower water channel 608. In addition, the space above the downstream water channel forming portion 555 can be effectively utilized.

13, the connector 167 is a cylindrical body having a water channel portion 167a and a connection portion 167b that connects to the input water channel forming body 168. The shape of the connector 167 is not particularly limited, but here, it is "L" shaped, and has a shape like two "L" letters stacked in the left-right direction in order to connect to the two input water channel forming bodies 168A, 168B.
As shown in FIG. 17, the connector 167 forms a front water channel 606 of the upper water supply channel 601, and, if it branches into two input water channel forming bodies 168A, 168B, a part of the rear water channel 607.
As shown in FIG. 15, the connector 167 has a cylindrical shape, and may be, for example, a pipe or a hose made of a resin or rubber material.

The water channel portion 167a has a straight pipe shape. Here, the water channel portion 167a is disposed in the horizontal direction. More specifically, the water channel portion 167a is disposed so as to extend in the left-right direction.
A first connection portion 167Ab for the first input water channel formation body 168A is provided at the downstream end of the water channel portion 167a, and a second connection portion 167Bb for the second input water channel formation body 168B is provided upstream of the downstream end.
The connector 167 has a small diameter portion 167c between the connection portion of the first connector 167Ab and the second connector 167Bb in the water channel portion 167a, where the cross-sectional area of the internal space is smaller than that of other portions (e.g., the inlet side of the upstream water channel forming body 166).
As shown in Fig. 15, the small diameter portion 167c has a small inner diameter. The small diameter portion 167c is provided at a location closer to the first connection portion 167Ab on the downstream side than to the second connection portion 167Bb. More specifically, the small diameter portion 167c is provided adjacent to or close to the first connection portion 167Ab.

When there is no need to distinguish between the first connecting portion 167Ab and the second connecting portion 167Bb, they will be referred to as connecting portion 167b.
The connecting portion 167b is provided so as to intersect with the water channel portion 167a. Here, the connecting portion 167b is provided so as to be perpendicular to the water channel portion 167a. In other words, the connecting portion 167b is provided so as to extend downward. This allows the water in the upstream water channel formation body 166 to flow smoothly.
The connection portion 167b here is connected to the input water channel formation body 168 with the upstream end of the input water channel formation body 168 inserted inside.

(5-2) Input Water Channel Forming Body The first input water channel forming body 168A and the second input water channel forming body 168B have approximately the same configuration, so they will be described as input water channel forming body 168.
As shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 15, the input water channel formation body 168 has an input water channel section 168a and a connection section 168b that connects the input water channel section 168a to the cylinder 531 of the automatic liquid agent input means 53. The upstream end of the input water channel section 168a is connected to a connection section 167b of the connector 167. The end of the connection section 168b opposite the input water channel section 168a is connected to the end of the discharge port side of the cylinder 531. From this point of view, the connection section 167b can be said to be a communication section that communicates the liquid agent side water supply channel 60 (input water channel) and the cylinder 531.
The input water channel section 168a extends downward and passes through the through hole 571d (see (a) of Figure 13) of the support 57 of the automatic liquid agent input means 53, with its tip (lower end) positioned within the downstream water channel forming section 555. As a result, water flowing out from the input water channel section 168a flows into the downstream water channel forming section 555. In addition, the water flowing out from the input water channel section 168a naturally flows toward the downstream water channel forming section 555 due to gravity.
15 and 17, the input water channel section 168a forms a rear water channel 607 of the upper water supply channel 601 with a portion upstream from the connection part 168b, and forms an upper water channel 604 of the lower water supply channel 602 with a portion downstream from the connection part 168b. In addition, the connection part 168b forms the communication water channel 61.

The connection part 168b is connected to the input water channel part 168a in a crosswise manner. Here, the connection part 168b is connected to the input water channel part 168a in a perpendicular manner. As shown in the enlarged view of Figure 15, the connection part 168b has a double cylindrical shape extending horizontally, and the discharge channel component part 531c of the cylinder 531 extending horizontally is inserted between them.

As shown in FIG. 10, the input water channel forming body 168 and the cylinder 531 have a fixing portion that fixes the connection state. An engagement structure consisting of an engaging portion and an engaged portion is used for the fixation. The cylinder 531 has a convex portion 531m, and the input water channel forming body 168 (connecting portion 168b) has a concave portion or a through groove portion 168c. The convex portion 531m is rib-shaped, protruding radially outward from the outer peripheral surface and extending 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 input water channel forming body 168 (connecting portion 168b) has a bulge portion 168e that guides the convex portion 531m to the through groove portion 168c when connecting with the cylinder 531.
When connecting the input water channel forming body 168 to the cylinder 531, the convex portion 531m of the cylinder 531 is inserted from the bulge portion 168e of the connection portion 168b in the cylindrical axis direction of the connection portion 168b to the through groove portion 168c, and then the connection portion 168b is rotated around the cylindrical axis so that the convex portion 531m engages with the through groove portion 168c.
As shown in Fig. 10, the input water channel forming body 168 has a fixing portion 168f for fixing the upstream water channel forming body 166 to the base 534 of the automatic liquid agent input means 53. The fixing portion 168f has a through hole 168g in a protruding portion provided on the outer tubular portion 168d of the connecting portion 168b. A screw 579e passing through the through hole 168g is screwed into a screw hole 534h (see Fig. 11(b)) of a boss formed on the base 534 of the automatic liquid agent input means 53.
In addition, the inner cylindrical portion 168h of the connection portion 168b is also a communicating water passage forming portion that forms the communicating water passage 61 through which water from the rear water passage 607 flows toward the cylinder 531 and then returns to the upper water passage 604, as shown in Figures 15 and 17.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 15, the input water channel formation body 168 has a guide portion 168j at the connection portion between the input water channel portion 168a and the connection portion 168b, which guides the water flowing in the input water channel portion 168a to the inside of the connection portion (communication portion) 168b. The guide portion 168j here is provided on the inner surface of the input water channel portion 168a facing the connection portion 168b, and extends in a plate (rib) shape toward the connection portion 168b. In this way, the guide portion 168j guides the water flowing in the input water channel portion 168a to the cylinder 531 side. For this reason, the guide portion 168j can also be said to be a narrowing portion that narrows the water channel flowing in the input water channel portion 168a.
The guide portion 168j extends to a position of the diameter of the input water channel portion 168a that is perpendicular to the connecting portion 168b. In other words, when viewed from the top-bottom direction, the cylindrical input water channel portion 168a is closed on the side opposite the connecting portion 168b, and a semicircular opening is present on the connecting portion 168b side. The guide portion 168j is provided on an extension of the cylindrical axis of the connecting portion 168b. The guide portion 168j is provided so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the water channel that flows through the input water channel portion 168 (here, approximately horizontal).

3. Storage of the Liquid Tank This will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 shows a case where the liquid tank 51 is stored (attached), and when removing the liquid tank 51, the storage can be performed in the reverse order.
Here, a cross-sectional view of the guide portion 562a of the liquid tank container 55 will be described so that the engagement relationship between the guide portion 562a of the liquid tank container 55 and the guided portion 511k of the liquid tank 51 can be understood.

(1) The rear end (protruding portion 511b) of the liquid tank 51 is inserted toward the rear side along the bottom wall portion 561 of the liquid tank housing 55. At this time, when the protruding portion 511b of the liquid tank 51 is to be disposed from above into the recessed portion 551d of the bottom wall portion 561 of the liquid tank housing 55, as shown in (a) of Fig. 16, the guided portion 511k of the liquid tank 51 abuts against the guide portion 562a of the liquid tank housing 55. This prevents the protruding portion 531f of the cylinder 531 of the automatic liquid dosing means 53 disposed in the liquid tank housing 55 from interfering with the liquid tank 51, and prevents damage to the protruding portion 531f.
(2) When storing the liquid tank 51, when the rear end of the liquid tank 51 is inserted toward the rear side along the bottom wall portion 561 of the liquid tank container 55, the guided portion 511k of the liquid tank 51 abuts against the guide portion 562a of the liquid tank container 55, as shown in (a) of Figure 16.
In this state, as shown in the enlarged view, there is little risk that the protruding portion 531f of the cylinder 531 of the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53 will enter the rear end opening (connection portion) of the protruding portion 511b of the liquid agent tank 51 and be damaged.
Then, with the guided portion 511k in contact with or close to the inclined surface 562c located on the upper surface of the guide portion 562a, the liquid agent tank 51 is moved forward.

(3) When the guided portion 511k is positioned forward of the guide portion 562a as a result of the forward movement of the liquid tank 51, as shown in (b) of Fig. 16, the front portion of the liquid tank 51 is moved downward as it is. Even in this state, as shown in the enlarged view, the protruding portion 531f of the cylinder 531 of the automatic liquid supply means 53 does not interfere with the protruding portion 511b of the liquid tank 51.
(4) When the front part of the liquid tank 51 is moved downward, the front part of the liquid tank 51 is supported by the first convex part 551b of the bottom wall part 561 of the liquid tank container 55. Then, while maintaining this supported state, the liquid tank 51 is moved forward. At this time, since the insertion side part of the guided part 511k has a pointed shape (a shape in which the insertion side is pointed when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the moving direction (insertion direction)), the liquid tank 51 can be moved smoothly from the front side to the rear side. In addition, the upper surface of the guided part 511k is close to or abuts against the horizontal plane 562d located on the lower surface of the guide part 562a, and the liquid tank 51 can be restricted from moving upward.
(5) When the liquid tank 51 is moved rearward, the connection part 531e of the cylinder 531 enters the protruding part 511b of the liquid tank 51, and the connection part 531e of the cylinder 531 of the automatic liquid supply means 53 connects with the connection part 511d on the rear end side of the protruding part 511b. This completes the installation of the liquid tank 51 and causes the opening/closing means 512 in the protruding part 511b to open 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, for example. In addition, the embodiment and the modified examples may be combined, or the modified examples may be combined.
Furthermore, the present invention also includes examples that are not described in the embodiments and modifications, and design changes that do not deviate from the gist of the invention.

<Modification>
(1) The liquid agent tank 51 has the door 516 that allows the opening 513b of the lid 513 to be opened and closed, but the lid does not have to have an opening. In this case, the liquid agent tank is removed from the washing machine and the lid is removed to refill the liquid agent. Note that it is more convenient to be able to refill the liquid agent with the door open, since it is not necessary to remove the liquid agent tank every time the liquid agent is refilled.
(2) The liquid tank 51 is refilled with the liquid by using the opening 513b of the lid 513, but for example, the liquid container may be abutted against the door to refill the liquid. In this case, as shown in Fig. 18, a guide portion 1516a may be provided to guide the liquid supplied to the back surface of the door 1516 into the tank body when the back surface of the door 1516 is in an open state facing upward. The guide portion 1516a here is formed of a pair of ribs, and is provided so that the distance between the pair of ribs becomes smaller as it moves downward.

(3) The liquid agent tank 51 is provided with the float 514 that is supported rotatably and moves up and down depending on the liquid level of the liquid agent, but for example, a container that contains the float so that it can move up and down may be provided in the wall of the tank body 511, and the detection means 518 may be provided inside the float. Note that the container has a groove, a notch, a hole, or the like that allows the liquid agent to enter inside.
(4) The liquid agent tank 51 includes the filter 515 to cover the connection portion 511 d of the protrusion 511 b . However, a filter may be provided in the opening 513 b of the lid 513 .

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

(7) The automatic liquid supply means 53 has a suction port for sucking in the liquid from the liquid tank 51 and a discharge port for discharging the liquid, and can perform suction and discharge in response to instructions from the control unit. The automatic liquid supply means 53 may be a pump other than one having a cylinder and a piston, and a gear pump, a screw pump, or the like may be used.
(8) The cylinder 531 of the automatic liquid agent supplying 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 this straight line, but other configurations are also possible. 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 or may not match the insertion and removal direction of the liquid agent tank 51. In addition, the reciprocating motion of the piston 532 may be in a direction other than the front-rear direction, and may be, for example, up-down.

(9) The piston 532 and the motor 533 of the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53 are linked by a Scotch yoke mechanism, but may be linked by, for example, a cam mechanism or a crank mechanism. Depending on the link mechanism, the motor 533 may be located at a position other than above the cylinder 531.
(10) Although the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53 includes a base 534 supporting the cylinder 531 and the motor 533, and the base 534 is supported by the support body 57, for example, the cylinder 531 and the motor 533 may be directly supported by the support body. When there are a plurality of automatic liquid agent supplying means 53, they may be configured as a unit having the same configuration and attached to the support body 57 or the liquid agent tank container. The base 534 of the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53 only needs to be able to support the cylinder 531 and the motor 533, and the configuration thereof is not particularly limited.

(11) The support 57 is not particularly limited in configuration as long as it can support the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53, and the support function is the focus. For example, the support 57 has a through hole 571a and a cutout 571b for the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53, but the through hole may be the cutout, or the cutout may be the through hole. Furthermore, the support 57 may not have a side wall 573 depending on the mounting structure to the liquid agent tank housing 55. Furthermore, the support may be attached to the housing via another member without being attached to the liquid agent tank housing.
(12) Although the support 57 has the partition wall 572 that partitions the storage section 551, the partition wall may be formed of a member separate from the support, and may be provided integrally with the liquid agent tank storage body 55, for example. In addition, in consideration of the communication portion 551m of the recessed portion 551d of the liquid agent tank 51, it is preferable to provide the partition wall outside the liquid agent tank storage body 55.

(13) The liquid agent tank housing 55 is an integrally molded product in which the housing portion 551, the support portion 553, and the downstream water channel forming portion 555 are molded as one unit, but these may be formed as separate members and then joined together. In consideration of the number of parts, an integrally molded product is preferable. In addition, in consideration of the possibility of liquid leakage from the housing portion 551 of the liquid agent tank 51, it is preferable to have at least the housing portion 551 and the downstream water channel forming portion 555 integrally formed.
(14) The two automatic liquid agent supplying means 53A, 53B are branched into two rear water channels 607A, 607B from one front water channel 606, but may be connected by one water channel forming body. Specifically, each of the automatic liquid agent supplying means 53A, 53B may be connected to the connection port 164 of the water receiving unit 16 by a connector (such as a hose).
The two automatic liquid drug dispensing means 53A, 53B are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, but they may also be arranged adjacent to each other in the front-to-back direction, or adjacent to each other in the up-down direction, or may be arranged in a direction intersecting these directions.

(15) Although water flows through both of the two automatic liquid agent dosing means 53A, 53B via the upstream water channel forming body 166, for example, when dosing one of the liquid agents, water may be prevented from flowing through the other automatic liquid agent dosing means. In this case, this can be implemented by connecting the water channel forming bodies connected to each automatic liquid agent dosing means to each connection port of the water receiving unit 16 and controlling the opening and closing of the opening and closing means of the water receiving unit by a control unit, or opening and closing means may be provided in each of the rear water channels 607A, 607B and controlled to be opened and closed by a control unit.
(16) The input water channel forming body 168 has the connection part 168b as the communication water channel 61, but the communication water channel may be eliminated by, for example, providing the discharge side opening/closing means 536 close to the input water channel part 168a or by making the input water channel part 168a wider. Also, the guide part 168j may not be provided depending on the position of the discharge side opening/closing means 536 or depending on the extension direction of the connection part 168b.
(17) The connector 167 constituting the upstream water channel forming body 166 has the small diameter portion 167c, but for example, when the distance of the water channel from the water receiving unit 16 to the first automatic liquid agent dispenser 53A and the distance of the water channel from the water receiving unit 16 to the second automatic liquid agent dispenser 53B are approximately equal, the small diameter portion may not be included. An example of such a case is when the connector is in an inverted "Y" or "T" shape, with one side of the "Y" or the vertical bar of the "T" connected to the water receiving unit, and the second side of the "Y" or the horizontal bar of the "T" connected to the first automatic liquid agent dispenser and the second automatic liquid agent dispenser, respectively. Note that the shape is not limited to a "Y" or "T" shape, and it is sufficient that one branch is branched into two branches with the same flow path length.

(18) The storage section 551 of the liquid agent tank storage body 55 has the first convex portion 551b, the second convex portion 551k, and the stepped rib 562b, and a gap is provided between the upper surface (storage surface) of the bottom wall portion 561 and the liquid agent tank 51, but the steps between the first convex portion 551b, the second convex portion 551k, and the stepped rib 562b may not be provided. In this case, the bulging portion 551a may not be provided either.
(19) The storage section 551 of the liquid tank storage body 55 has the first convex portion 551b and the extension plate portion 551c on both ends in the insertion/removal direction of the liquid tank 51, but may have the first convex portion 551b and the extension plate portion 551c over the entire length in the insertion/removal direction. In this case, two guide portions 562a that guide the liquid tank 51 to the storage position and two guided portions 511k of the liquid tank 51 may be provided in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction (left/right direction).
(20) The guide portion 562a, which is an example of a guiding portion of the accommodation portion 551 of the liquid tank accommodation body 55, protrudes from the upper wall portion 562 toward the liquid tank 51 to guide the guided portion 511k, which is an example of a guided portion of the liquid tank 51, to the accommodation position, but, for example, the guide portion may be constituted by a groove portion that guides the guided portion 511k, which is an example of a guided portion that is a protrusion of the liquid tank 51. When a groove portion is used, the guide portion (guide portion) of the liquid tank accommodation body may be constituted by a convex portion, and the guided portion of the liquid tank may be constituted by a groove portion.

(21) The recess 551d of the storage section 551 of the liquid tank storage body 55 is provided on the insertion side (rear side) of the bottom wall portion 561 of the storage section 551 in the insertion/removal direction (front-to-back direction), but may extend to the removal side in the insertion/removal direction so that the protrusion 511b of the liquid tank 51 fits into it when the liquid tank 51 is brought close to the front wall portion 564 of the storage section 551.
(22) The upright wall portion (lower partition wall portion) 551e provided at the end portion on the insertion side in the insertion/removal direction of the storage portion 551 of the liquid agent tank storage body 55 constitutes a partition wall together with the partition wall portion (upper partition wall portion) 572 of the support body 57, but may be erected further upward to constitute a partition wall. In this case, the communication portion 551m may be 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 tank container 55 has a cylindrical portion 555b on one side in the parallel arrangement direction (left-right direction) in which the multiple liquid tanks 51 are lined up, and the groove portion 555a is configured so that one side is lower. However, for example, the cylindrical portion 555b may be provided between adjacent liquid tanks 51A, 51B, that is, in the middle part in the parallel arrangement direction, and the groove portion may be configured so that the middle part in the parallel arrangement direction is the lowest.
(24) The connector 252 connecting the liquid tank housing 55 and the detergent dispenser unit 30 is connected to the back (rear) side of the detergent dispenser unit 30, but may also be connected to, for example, the side side of the detergent box.
(25) The water that has passed through the automatic liquid agent dispenser unit 50 flows into the detergent dispenser unit 30, but may also flow directly into the washing tub.

<Invention>
1. Prior Art (1) JP2020-80920
In this patent document, a water remaining section where water remains when the water supply valve is closed is provided in the water supply path, and an injection port that serves as an outlet for the treatment agent injection path is provided in the water remaining section. With this configuration, in a machine with a function for automatically injecting laundry treatment agent, it is possible to prevent the treatment agent remaining around the injection port from drying and solidifying to cause clogging.
However, with this technology, water constantly seeps into the treatment agent injection path from the inlet communicating with the residual water portion, which may become a breeding ground for mold and other microorganisms (a hygiene problem). In addition, because the treatment agent is discharged from the inlet communicating with the residual water portion into the treatment agent injection path, there is a risk that water may seep into the supply pump due to gravity.

(2) JP2019-42184A
This patent document provides a washing machine having a pump unit that sucks in liquid and discharges it into a washing tub, a switching valve that supplies either tap water supplied from a water supply port or liquid (detergent and fabric softener) discharged from a liquid tank to the pump unit, and a maintenance course that cleans the water channel through which the liquid in the tank is supplied to the washing tub.
However, in this technology, since the pump unit sucks up the liquid and discharges it directly into the washing tub, the discharge path is easily affected by the vibration of the drum (inner tub), and there is a risk that automatic dispensing will not be possible if the path becomes dislodged, etc. In addition, since the pump that sucks up the liquid sucks up and discharges the detergent, fabric softener, and water separately, there is a risk that the liquids will mix together or that water will get into the liquid tank.

(3) JP 2021-003272 A This patent document describes a washing machine equipped with an automatic liquid agent dispensing unit, which includes a plurality of tanks capable of storing detergent or fabric softener liquid, a tank tray for detachably storing the plurality of tanks, and a liquid dispensing device for removing the liquid from the tanks and dispensing it into an outer tub. According to this washing machine, the detergent can be dispensed into the outer tub by connecting the check valve of the detergent tank to the bottom surface of the tank tray in the vertical direction.
However, with this technique, when the tank is removed from the tank tray, there is a risk that the detergent or fabric softener liquid will spill from the tank around the connection portion between the tank and the tank tray, causing damage to the tank tray.
Furthermore, if the tank tray becomes soiled with detergent or the like, the detergent or the like may stick to the tank tray, causing the liquid injection device to malfunction.

2. Invention 1

(1) First Washing Machine The first washing machine comprises a washing tub, a liquid tank for storing a liquid to be dispensed into the washing tub, and an automatic liquid dispenser for automatically dispensing the liquid from the liquid tank into the washing tub. The automatic liquid dispenser comprises a cylinder having a suction port and a discharge port for the liquid, a piston disposed within the cylinder, and a motor for reciprocating the piston within the cylinder. The cylinder is disposed with a tubular portion having the discharge port extending horizontally.
This prevents the discharge port from being constantly subjected to pressure from water or liquid, and reduces the load on the part having the discharge port (which is also the discharge part) compared to when the discharge port is facing upward. However, if the load is large, there is a problem that the parts constituting the injection port must be made of highly durable materials.
Here, an example of the "cylindrical portion" is the discharge passage component.
In addition, the first washing machine focuses on the arrangement of the tubular part having the discharge port in the cylinder, and the number of automatic liquid agent dispensing means, the position of the motor, the method of driving the piston, the shape of the cylinder, etc. are not particularly limited.
The discharge port may be provided so as to be perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical portion, or may be inclined at an angle of 45 degrees or less from the perpendicular state.

(2) Second Washing Machine In the second washing machine, in the first washing machine, water supplied to the washing tub passes through a water supply passage that passes through the automatic liquid agent dispenser means, the discharge port of the cylinder is connected to the water supply passage through a communicating water passage, and the communicating water passage is connected to the water supply passage in a state that crosses the water supply passage horizontally, and the water supply passage includes at least an upper water supply passage upstream of the communicating water passage and a lower water supply passage downstream of the communicating water passage, and water that enters the communicating water passage from the upper water supply passage flows toward the discharge port and then flows out into the lower water supply passage.
This prevents the liquid agent from remaining or solidifying because the liquid agent is introduced into the communicating water channel that communicates (connects) with the water supply channel. In addition, when water is being supplied, the discharge port is exposed to the water flowing through the communicating water channel regardless of whether the liquid agent is being discharged, so that the discharge port and its surroundings are washed, and a hygienic and preferable state is obtained.
An example of the "water supply channel" here is a liquid agent side water supply channel, and an example of the "water supply channel formation body" includes an input water channel formation body.
The second washing machine focuses on the connection state between the water supply passage and the communicating passage, and does not particularly limit the configuration of the water supply passage other than the connecting portion with the communicating passage. In other words, the water passage itself through which water flows is the focus, and the configuration of the members constituting the water passage is not particularly limited. For example, in the embodiment, the member forming the connecting portion between the water supply passage and the communicating passage is constituted by an input water passage forming body (integral molding) having an input water passage part forming the connecting portion of the water supply passage and a connecting part forming the communicating passage as one body, but the input water passage part and the communicating water passage part (the part constituting the communicating passage) may be constituted separately, or the input water passage forming body may be connected to the discharge port via another member (including the cylindrical part of the cylinder) to constitute the communicating passage by the connecting part and another member.
In addition, in the embodiment, the input water channel section which forms the connection part of the water supply channel is arranged to extend in the vertical direction, but it is sufficient that the water supply channel can be formed within a virtual plane perpendicular to the central axis of the connection part, and it may be in a direction which intersects with the vertical direction.
The communicating water passage is configured so that water that enters the communicating water passage from the upper water supply passage passes through (comes into) a part or all of the discharge port.

(3) Third Washing Machine In the third washing machine, in the second washing machine, a connection portion forming portion that forms a connection portion in the water supply passage to which the communicating water passage is connected has a guide portion that guides water flowing from the upper water supply passage to the communicating water passage side.
This ensures that water flows into the communicating water channel, maintaining a good sanitary condition. In addition, the outlet and its surroundings are cleaned every time water is dispensed, improving sanitary conditions.
An example of a "connection part" here is the part where the extension line of the rear water channel, the extension line of the upper water channel, and the extension line of the connecting water channel intersect, and an example of a "connection part forming part" is the input water channel part of the input water channel forming body.
In addition, the guide portion need only be able to guide water to the communicating water channel, and its shape is not particularly limited; for example, it may be composed of a bulge (a state in which the thickness is constant and the bulge is large) or a protrusion (a state in which only the inner surface bulges and the thickness is not constant), or it may be composed of a rib extending into a plate shape.

(4) Fourth Washing Machine In the fourth washing machine, in the third washing machine, the guide portion is a narrow portion in the connection portion forming portion that protrudes from a portion facing the communicating water channel toward the communicating water channel to narrow the water supply channel.
This ensures that water flows through the communicating water channel, maintaining favorable sanitary conditions. Furthermore, narrow sections can be easily provided. For example, narrow sections can be easily provided by forming an integrally molded product (one example is the input water channel forming body of the embodiment) in which the water channel forming part forming the downstream side of the upper water supply channel, the water channel forming part forming the upstream side of the lower water supply channel, and the forming part forming the communicating water channel are integrated. Furthermore, in the case of an integrally molded product, the assembly process and the number of parts can be reduced.

(5) Fifth Washing Machine The fifth washing machine is any one of the second to fourth washing machines, further comprising a lower member below the automatic liquid agent dosing means, and the upstream side of the lower water supply channel is formed inside a tubular portion extending downward, the lower water supply channel being a channel including an upper water channel formed inside the tubular portion and a lower water channel formed by a lower portion of the lower member located below the tubular portion, and the lower portion slopes downward toward the downstream side of the lower water supply channel.
As a result, water that has passed through the communicating water passage flows out from the lower end of the tubular portion into the lower water passage below, preventing the water that has passed through the communicating water passage from remaining on the upstream side of the lower water supply passage. Also, because the lower member is located on the lower side of the tubular portion, water can flow to the lower water passage without providing a member that connects the water passage inside the tubular portion to the lower water passage. Also, because the lower portion is inclined, water can flow more easily.
An example of a "lower member" here is a liquid agent tank container, an example of a "tubular portion extending downwardly" is a tubular portion at the lower part of the input water channel forming body, and an example of a "lower part" is a groove portion.
The fifth washing machine focuses on the water passage formed by the tubular portion and the lower part of the lower member, and does not particularly limit the configuration of the tubular portion and the lower member.
For example, in the embodiment, the "cylindrical portion extending downward" is a cylindrical portion at the lower part of the input water channel forming body, but may be a cylindrical portion of another member, and the "lower member" is a liquid agent tank housing, but may be another member. Examples of other members include a support that supports the automatic liquid agent input means, and a member in which the downstream water channel forming portion in the liquid agent tank housing in the embodiment is configured as a single independent member.

(6) The sixth washing machine is the fifth washing machine, further comprising a detergent dispensing unit arranged downstream of the lower member in the lower water supply passage for dispensing detergent into the washing tub, and a connector connecting the lower member and the detergent dispensing unit, the lower member being a liquid agent tank housing for housing the liquid agent tank, the water supply passage including a detergent dispensing side water passage that passes through the detergent dispensing unit and flows into the washing tub, and a connecting water passage connecting the lower water supply passage and the detergent dispensing side water passage, the connecting water passage being formed inside the connector, and the connector being arranged rearward of the detergent dispensing unit.
This allows the space behind the detergent dispenser to be utilized, making the machine smaller overall. When a water supply passage is provided to supply water to the washing tub via the detergent dispenser unit rather than via the automatic liquid dispenser, this water supply passage can be utilized, reducing the number of assembly steps and parts required for the water supply passage via the automatic liquid dispenser.

(7) Seventh Washing Machine The seventh washing machine is the sixth washing machine, wherein the liquid tank is accommodated in the front part of the liquid tank container, the automatic liquid dispenser means is provided in the rear part of the liquid tank container, the detergent dispenser unit is below the liquid tank container and overlaps it in the vertical direction, and the front end of the detergent dispenser unit is located forward of the front end part of the liquid tank container when viewed from above.
This provides the following effects: A space can be provided behind the detergent dispensing unit, and for example a connector can be provided that connects the detergent dispensing unit and the liquid agent tank housing. Since the liquid agent tank housing and the detergent dispensing unit are stacked vertically, the space in the left-right direction can be effectively utilized. The direction of water flowing from the automatic liquid agent dispensing means to the detergent dispensing unit can be unidirectional, making it unnecessary to provide means or structure for regulating backflow. A structure can be obtained in which the automatic liquid agent dispensing means and the washing tub are not directly connected, making the automatic liquid agent dispensing means less susceptible to the effects of vibrations caused by the rotation of the rotating drum.

(8) Eighth Washing Machine The eighth washing machine is any one of the second to seventh washing machines, wherein the liquid includes a first liquid and a second liquid, the upper water supply channel has a front channel before branching, and a first rear channel for the first liquid and a second rear channel for the second liquid, which branch off from the front channel, and a first rear channel forming portion forming the first rear channel or a second rear channel forming portion forming the second rear channel has a small diameter portion whose inner diameter is smaller than other portions.
This increases the water pressure in the small diameter portion, ensuring that water is supplied to the first rear water passage and the second rear water passage.
As an example here, the "first rear water channel forming portion" and the "second rear water channel forming portion" are formed in the connecting body of the upstream water channel forming body, and the "small diameter portion" is formed in the first rear water channel forming portion.
In the embodiment, the "small diameter portion" is provided on the connector of the upstream water passage forming body that forms the upper water supply passage, but it may be provided on any member that forms the upper water supply passage, and may be provided on any other member. In addition, taking into consideration the length of the rear water passage, it is preferable that the small diameter portion is provided close to the connecting water passage.

(9) Ninth Washing Machine The ninth washing machine is any one of the second to eighth washing machines, wherein the liquid tank includes at least a first liquid tank for a first liquid agent and a second liquid tank for a second liquid agent, and the timing of ejection of the first liquid agent and the second liquid agent can be set individually.
This allows the liquid in the liquid tank to be fed into the water supply passage at a desired timing according to the application. Also, the first liquid and the second liquid can be discharged at the same timing, which widens the range of application.

(10) Tenth Washing Machine The tenth washing machine is the ninth washing machine, wherein the automatic liquid agent dispensing means includes first automatic liquid agent dispensing means for dispensing the first liquid agent and second automatic liquid agent dispensing means for dispensing the second liquid agent, and a motor of the first automatic liquid agent dispensing means and a motor of the second automatic liquid agent dispensing means are configured to be able to be driven separately.
This allows the liquid in the liquid tank to be fed into the water supply passage at a desired timing according to the application. Also, the first liquid and the second liquid can be discharged at the same timing, which expands the range of application.

(11) Eleventh Washing Machine The eleventh washing machine is any one of the second to tenth washing machines, further comprising a control unit that performs control related to washing, and the control unit supplies water to the water supply channel in a washing process and a rinsing process.
This allows the discharge port of the cylinder and its surroundings to be washed with running water when water is supplied.

(12) Twelfth Washing Machine The twelfth washing machine is the eleventh washing machine, wherein the control unit dispenses the liquid agent after starting the water supply and before ending the water supply.
This allows the liquid to be supplied to the water supply passage while being mixed and diluted with water after the liquid is discharged, and also prevents the liquid from solidifying at or near the discharge port of the cylinder.

3. Invention 2
The first washing machine comprises a water supply channel forming body that forms a water supply channel to a washing tub, and an automatic liquid agent dosing means that automatically doses liquid agent from a discharge outlet into the water supply channel formed by the water supply channel forming body, the water supply channel including a water channel that flows downward, and the automatic liquid agent dosing means doses liquid agent into the water channel.
As a result, even if the water supply is stopped, the water in the waterway flows down, making it difficult for water to accumulate around the outlet through which the liquid agent is dispensed and the surrounding area, thereby preventing mold and other growth around the outlet. In other words, this solves the problem of the risk of mold and other growth as described in JP 2020-80920 A.
An example of a "supply channel" here is a liquid supply channel, an example of a "supply channel formation body" includes an input channel formation body, and an example of a "channel" is a rear channel and an upper channel.
In addition, the first washing machine focuses on the water channel for discharging the liquid agent, and the number and structure of the automatic liquid agent dispenser are not particularly limited.
For example, in the embodiment, the member forming the water supply channel (the water supply channel forming body) is configured by the input water channel forming body, but it may be configured by other members. Also, the water channel and the discharge port are connected by a communicating water channel in the embodiment, but they may be directly connected.

4. Invention 3
(1) First washing machine The first washing machine comprises a washing tub, a water supply channel formation body that forms a water supply channel for supplying water to the washing tub, and a liquid agent discharge means that discharges a liquid agent into the water supply channel, the discharge port of the liquid agent discharge means being connected to the water supply channel via a communicating water channel, the communicating water channel being connected to the water supply channel in a state that crosses the water supply channel horizontally, the water supply channel including at least an upper water supply channel upstream of the communicating water channel and a lower water supply channel downstream of the communicating water channel, and water that enters the communicating water channel from the upper water supply channel flows toward the discharge port and then flows out into the lower water supply channel.
This allows the liquid agent to be discharged into the communicating water passage that is connected to the water supply passage, and prevents the discharged liquid agent from remaining or solidifying. In addition, when water is being supplied, the discharge port is exposed to water flowing through the communicating water passage regardless of the discharge of the liquid agent, and the discharge port and its surroundings are cleaned, resulting in a hygienic and preferable state. In other words, this solves the problem of the risk of mold and the like occurring in JP 2020-80920 A.
An example of the "liquid discharge means" here is an automatic liquid supply means, an example of the "water supply channel" is a liquid side water supply channel, and an example of the "water supply channel formation body" includes an input water channel formation body.
In the first washing machine, attention is focused on the connection state of the communication water passage to the water supply passage, and the number of liquid agent discharge means, the structure of the liquid agent discharge means, etc. are not particularly limited.
For example, in an embodiment, the member forming the connection part between the supply water channel and the communicating water channel is configured as an input water channel forming body (one-piece molded product) that integrally has an input water channel section that forms the connection part of the supply water channel and a connection section that forms the communicating water channel, but the input water channel section and the communicating water channel section (which are parts that form the communicating water channel) may be configured as separate bodies, or the input water channel forming body may be connected to the discharge outlet via another member (including the cylindrical part of a cylinder) to form a communicating water channel by the connection section and the other member.
In addition, in the embodiment, the input water channel section which forms the connection part of the water supply channel is arranged to extend in the vertical direction, but it is sufficient that the water supply channel can be formed within a virtual plane perpendicular to the central axis of the connection part, and it may be in a direction which intersects with the vertical direction.
The communicating water passage is configured so that water that enters the communicating water passage from the upper water supply passage passes through (comes into) a part or all of the discharge port.

(2) Second Washing Machine The second washing machine is a washing machine similar to the first washing machine, except that the communicating water channel side of the upper water supply channel is configured so that water enters the communicating water channel from above, and the communicating water channel side of the lower water supply channel is configured so that water exits from the communicating water channel downward.
This makes it difficult for water to accumulate in the communicating water passage after the water supply is stopped, and the outlet and its surroundings are cleaned, resulting in a hygienic and preferable state. In addition, the outlet and its surroundings are cleaned every time water is supplied, improving the hygienic state.

(3) Third Washing Machine The third washing machine is configured in such a manner that in the first or second washing machine, the water passage extending from the discharge port to the lower water supply passage within the communicating water passage descends downward as it approaches the lower water supply passage.
This makes it difficult for water to accumulate in the communicating water passage after the water supply is stopped, and the outlet and its surroundings are cleaned, resulting in a hygienic and preferable state. In addition, the outlet and its surroundings are cleaned every time water is supplied, improving the hygienic state.

5. Invention 4
The first washing machine comprises a washing tub, a water supply channel forming body which forms a water supply channel for supplying water to the washing tub, and a liquid agent discharge means which discharges liquid agent into the water supply channel, the discharge outlet of the liquid agent discharge means being connected to the water supply channel via a communicating water channel, the water supply channel including at least an upper water supply channel upstream of the communicating water channel and a lower water supply channel downstream of the communicating water channel, water flowing from the upper water supply channel into the communicating water channel flows toward the discharge outlet and then flows out into the lower water supply channel, and the communicating channel slopes downward as it moves from the discharge outlet toward the lower water supply channel.
This allows the water (which may contain the liquid agent) in the communicating water passage to naturally flow toward the lower water supply passage, preventing the discharged liquid agent from remaining behind or solidifying.
An example of the "water supply channel" here is a liquid agent side water supply channel, and an example of the "water supply channel formation body" includes an input water channel formation body.
In addition, the first washing machine focuses on the water supply passage of the communicating water passage, and the number, structure, etc. of the liquid agent discharge means are not particularly limited. In addition, an example of the "liquid agent discharge means" is an automatic liquid agent dosing means, and the focus is on the discharge function.
For example, in an embodiment, the member forming the communicating water channel is composed of an input water channel forming body (an integrally molded product) that integrally has an input water channel section that forms the connection part of the water supply channel and a connection section that forms the communicating water channel, but the input water channel section and the communicating water channel section (which are parts that constitute the communicating water channel) may be constructed separately and connected together.
In addition, in the embodiment, the input water channel section which forms the connection part of the water supply channel is arranged to extend in the vertical direction, but it is sufficient that the water supply channel can be formed within a virtual plane perpendicular to the central axis of the connection part, and it may be in a direction which intersects with the vertical direction.
The communicating water passage is configured so that water that enters the communicating water passage from the upper water supply passage passes through (comes into) a part or all of the discharge port.

6. Invention 5
(1) First Washing Machine The first washing machine is a washing machine including a washing tub, a water supply channel for supplying water to the washing tub, an automatic liquid agent dispensing unit for dispensing liquid agent into the washing tub, and a detergent dispensing unit for dispensing detergent into the washing tub. Water flowing through the water supply channel passes through the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit and then flows into the washing tub through the detergent dispensing unit.
This simplifies the water supply path, and water containing the liquid agent and detergent can be supplied to the washing tub. In other words, when the liquid agent automatic dispenser is directly connected to the water tub (outer tub) as in JP 2019-42184 A, for example, there is a risk that the connected part will break as the drum (inner tub) rotates during the spin-drying operation. In this case, the problem that the automatic dispenser cannot be used unless the broken part is repaired is solved.
The first washing machine focuses on the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit, the detergent dispensing unit, and the path of the water supply passage, and the configurations of the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit and the detergent dispensing unit are not particularly limited.

(2) Second Washing Machine In the second washing machine, in the first washing machine, the water supply channel includes a liquid agent-side water supply channel that flows into the washing tub via the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit and the detergent dispensing unit, and a detergent-side water supply channel that flows into the washing tub via the detergent dispensing unit without passing through the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit, and the liquid agent-side water supply channel merges with the detergent-side water supply channel after passing through the automatic liquid agent dispensing unit.
This allows the detergent water supply passage to be used as part of the liquid agent water supply passage, thereby reducing the number of assembly steps and parts.

7. Invention 6
(1) First Washing Machine The first washing machine is a washing machine including a washing tub, a water supply channel which supplies water to the washing tub, and an automatic liquid agent dispensing unit which dispenses liquid agent into the washing tub, wherein the automatic liquid agent dispensing means includes first automatic liquid agent dispensing means which dispenses a first liquid agent into the water supply channel, and second automatic liquid agent dispensing means which dispenses a second liquid agent into the water supply channel, and the water supply channel includes a first water channel which communicates with the first automatic liquid agent dispensing means, and a second water channel which communicates with the second automatic liquid agent dispensing means.
This allows the first and second liquid agents to be dispensed separately. In other words, this solves the problem that when detergent, fabric softener, and water are dispensed with a single pump as in JP 2020-80920 A, these liquid agents may be mixed together inside the pump. In addition, this solves the problem that when the liquid agents flow back from the pump, undesirable situations may occur, such as mixing of the liquid agents with each other or dilution due to mixing of the liquid agents with water. An example of the "first water channel" here is the upper water supply channel (601A), and an example of the "second water channel" is the upper water supply channel (601B).

(2) Second Washing Machine The second washing machine is the first washing machine, wherein the second water passage branches off at a branching position of the first water passage upstream of the first automatic liquid agent dispensing means, and the first water passage has a small diameter portion downstream of the branching position and upstream of the first automatic liquid agent dispensing means, the inner diameter of which is smaller than other portions.
This increases the water pressure in the small diameter portion, ensuring that water is supplied to the first and second water passages. In addition, by setting the size of the small diameter portion, it is also possible to make the amount of water supplied to the first and second water passages approximately the same.
In the embodiment, the small diameter portion is provided on the connector of the upstream water passage forming body that forms the upper water supply passage 601A, but it may be provided on any other member as long as it is on a member that forms the upper water supply passage. In addition, considering the length of the rear water passage, it is preferable that the small diameter portion is close to the connecting water passage.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Housing 11 Washing tub 16 Water receiving unit 18 Control unit 30 Detergent dispenser unit 50 Automatic liquid dispenser unit 53 Automatic liquid dispenser means 60 Water supply channel 61 Communication channel 601 Upper water supply channel 602 Lower water supply channel

Claims (3)

A washing tub and
A water supply channel for supplying water to the washing tub;
and an automatic liquid agent supplying unit for supplying a liquid agent to the washing tub,
the automatic liquid agent supply unit includes a first automatic liquid agent supplying means for supplying a first liquid agent to the water supply passage, and a second automatic liquid agent supplying means for supplying a second liquid agent to the water supply passage,
the water supply passage includes a first water passage communicating with the first automatic liquid agent supplying means and a second water passage communicating with the second automatic liquid agent supplying means;
the water supply channel branches at a branching position upstream of the first automatic liquid agent dispenser,
the first water passage includes a front water passage upstream of the branching position, and a first rear water passage downstream of the branching position and upstream of the first automatic liquid agent supplying means,
the second water passage includes a front water passage upstream of the branching position, and a second rear water passage downstream of the branching position and upstream of the second automatic liquid agent dosing means,
The washing tub is supported in a housing so that a central axis is in a horizontal direction or inclined with respect to the horizontal direction,
a discharge port of the first automatic liquid agent supplying means connected to the first water passage via a first communication water passage;
The discharge port of the second liquid agent automatic supplying means is connected to the second water passage via a second communication water passage,
The first communication channel is connected to the first channel while extending in the horizontal direction, and the second communication channel is connected to the second channel while extending in the horizontal direction,
The water supply passage includes a first upper water supply passage upstream of the first communication water passage as the first water passage, and includes at least a first lower water supply passage downstream of the first communication water passage;
The water supply passage includes a second upper water supply passage upstream of the second communication water passage as the second water passage, and includes at least a second lower water supply passage downstream of the second communication water passage;
The water that has entered the first communication water passage from the first upper water supply passage flows toward the discharge port of the first automatic liquid agent dispenser and then flows out into the first lower water supply passage,
The water that has entered the second communication water passage from the second upper water supply passage flows toward the discharge port of the second automatic liquid agent dispenser and then flows out into the second lower water supply passage .
washing machine. A washing tub and
A water supply channel for supplying water to the washing tub;
and an automatic liquid agent supplying unit for supplying a liquid agent to the washing tub,
the automatic liquid agent supply unit includes a first automatic liquid agent supplying means for supplying a first liquid agent into a first water passage of the water supply passage, and a second automatic liquid agent supplying means for supplying a second liquid agent into a second water passage of the water supply passage,
the water supply passage includes the first water passage communicating with the first automatic liquid agent supplying means and the second water passage communicating with the second automatic liquid agent supplying means;
the water supply channel branches at a branching position upstream of the first automatic liquid agent dispenser,
the first water passage includes a front water passage upstream of the branching position, and a first rear water passage downstream of the branching position and upstream of the first automatic liquid agent supplying means,
the second water passage includes a front water passage upstream of the branching position, and a second rear water passage downstream of the branching position and upstream of the second automatic liquid agent supplying means,
The water supply system includes a front water channel, a first rear water channel, and a second rear water channel, and is provided with a tubular connector that branches at the branching position,
the connector has a small diameter portion at a portion corresponding to the first rear water channel, the small diameter portion having an inner diameter smaller than other portions,
In the connector, a cylindrical portion that forms the front water passage and the water passage from the branching position to the small diameter portion has a straight pipe shape .
washing machine. the automatic liquid agent supply unit has a downstream water channel forming portion for causing the liquid agent discharged from the liquid agent tank to flow out of the automatic liquid agent supply unit together with water,
The downstream water channel forming portion forms a water channel that slopes downward from the upstream side to the downstream side,
In the inclined waterway, the first liquid agent discharged by the first automatic liquid agent supplying means and the second liquid agent discharged by the second automatic liquid agent supplying means join together.
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2 .

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