JP7554962B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a washing machine.

Patent document 1 discloses a washing machine that dispenses foam and water into a washing tub.

The washing machine in Patent Document 1 includes a housing, a washing tub that holds laundry, a passage through which water and foam pass, and a discharge unit that discharges water and foam into the washing tub downstream of the passage.

JP 2016-168130 A

The present disclosure provides a washing machine that can dispense foam and water into the washing tub in an attractive manner.

The washing machine of the present disclosure comprises a housing, a washing tub provided inside the housing for storing laundry, a foam generating section which generates foam from water and an agent, a path which is arranged downstream of the foam generating section and allows the water and foam to pass through, and a discharge section which is arranged in front of the path and discharges the water and foam into the washing tub at a downstream position, the discharge section including a first opening which is formed to open above and below, and a second opening which is arranged downstream from the first opening and is formed to open above and below, the opening area of the second opening being larger than the opening area of the first opening, and the second opening being arranged in front of the first opening .

The washing machine disclosed herein can dispense foam and water into the washing tub in a visually appealing manner.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a washing machine with a lid body closed according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a washing machine in a first embodiment with a lid body open; FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a state in which a detergent case, a detergent tank, and a fabric softener tank around a water supply unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment are pulled out; FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a water supply unit and its periphery in a washing machine according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a top view of a water supply unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, with a flow path cover portion removed; FIG. 1 is a top view of a water supply unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, with a detergent case, a detergent tank, and a fabric softener tank pulled out, excluding a flow path cover portion. FIG. 1 is a top view of a lower part of a flow path of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a lower part of a flow path of a washing machine according to a first embodiment;

Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG.

[1-1. Configuration]
[1-1-1. Configuration of washing machine]
As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the washing machine 100 includes a housing 600, a cover 700, and an operation unit 800. The housing 600 includes a lower housing 610 and an upper housing 620. The lower housing 610 accommodates a washing tub 500. The washing tub 500 is a cylindrical body with an open top, and performs a washing operation to wash clothes. The washing operation may be an operation performed by the washing tubs of various known washing machines. The principle of this embodiment is not limited to a specific washing operation performed by the washing tub 500.

The upper housing 620 is disposed above the lower housing 610, and is formed with an input port 621 that communicates with the washing tub 500. The lid 700 is attached to the rear of the upper housing 620, and covers the input port 621 in an openable and closable manner. When the user rotates the lid 700 upward, the washing tub 500 is exposed through the input port 621. The user can input laundry into the washing tub 500 through the input port 621.

The operating unit 800 is disposed at the rear of the upper housing 620, behind the input port 621. The user can operate the operating unit 800 to set various operations of the washing tub 500.

A water supply port 200 is provided at the rear of the operating unit 800, and a water supply hose 210 is connected to the water supply port 200 to introduce tap water from a water faucet.

As shown in FIG. 2, the detergent tank 450, fabric softener tank 460, and detergent case 400 are arranged so that their front surfaces are flush when stored in the water supply unit 300.

The detergent tank 450 and the fabric softener tank 460 are configured to store an amount of agent sufficient for multiple runs. The top surfaces of the detergent tank 450 and the fabric softener tank 460 are provided with a detergent tank inlet 451 and a fabric softener tank inlet 461 that open upward. The detergent tank inlet 451 and the fabric softener tank inlet 461 allow liquid to be poured into them. The detergent tank 450 and the fabric softener tank 460 are provided with a detergent tank remaining amount scale 450a and a fabric softener tank remaining amount scale 460a, respectively, made of a transparent material, allowing the user to visually check the amount of agent.

The detergent case 400, on the other hand, is used by the user to add the amount of detergent required for one operation. The detergent case 400 will be described later.

[1-1-2. Water supply unit]
As shown in Figure 4, the water supply unit 300 is mainly composed of a water supply unit housing portion 320 formed in an approximately box shape, a flow path cover portion 340 covering the upper surface of the water supply unit housing portion, and a flow path lower portion 370 attached to the lower bottom portion of the water supply unit housing portion.

As shown in FIG. 3, a water supply valve 310 that can be opened and closed to allow water introduced from the water supply port 200 to pass through is attached to the left side of the water supply unit housing 320 when viewed from the back. When the water supply valve 310 is open, the water introduced from the water supply valve 310 is introduced into the water supply unit housing 320.

A bath pump 314 that draws water from outside the washing machine 100 via a hose (not shown) is disposed in the center of the back surface of the water supply unit housing 320. The bath pump 314 is fixed to the water supply unit housing 320 with screws, and is directly connected to a first water guide path 321 (described later) via a bath pump water inlet 333. The bath pump 314 can start drawing and discharging operations by receiving water from the first water guide path 321.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the water supply unit housing 320 is formed in a generally box-like shape that opens to the front. The water supply unit housing 320 has an internal space including a detergent tank storage section 360, a fabric softener tank storage section 365, and a detergent case storage section 350. The detergent tank storage section 360 stores the detergent tank 450, the fabric softener tank storage section 365 stores the fabric softener tank 460, and the detergent case storage section 350 stores the detergent case 400, each of which can be pulled out independently.

The detergent case flow path section 330 is disposed on the upper surface of the detergent case storage section 350, and has a first water guide path 321 and a second water guide path 322, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, an automatic liquid agent dispenser 301 is attached to the right side of the water supply unit housing 320 when viewed from the back.

[1-1-3. Detergent case, first water guide path, second water guide path, third water guide path]
As shown in FIG. 4, the water supply valve 310 includes three on-off valves, a first water guide barrel 311, a second water guide barrel 312, and a third water guide barrel 313, and is configured so that each on-off valve can be opened and closed independently.

As shown in FIG. 5, the water supply unit housing 320 is formed with a water guide path through which water introduced from the water supply valve 310 flows, and the water supply valve 310 and the water guide path are directly connected. The water guide path is formed to branch out so as to be independently connected to the first water guide tube 311, the second water guide tube 312, and the third water guide tube 313. The flow path connected to the first water guide tube 311 is defined as the first water guide path 321, the flow path connected to the second water guide tube 312 as the second water guide path 322, and the flow path connected to the third water guide tube 313 as the third water guide path 323.

The first water guide path 321 and the second water guide path 322 are configured to guide the water supplied from the first water guide tube 311 and the second water guide tube 312 to the detergent case flow path section 330 and pour the water into the detergent case 400 located below.

As shown in FIG. 6, the detergent case 400 is provided with a powder detergent manual dispenser 410, a liquid detergent manual dispenser 420, and a fabric softener manual dispenser 430 inside so that powder detergent, liquid detergent, and fabric softener can be dispensed, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first water guide path 321 is provided with a powder detergent inlet 331 formed above the powder detergent manual dispenser 410 to allow vertical communication, and a liquid detergent inlet 332 formed above the liquid detergent manual dispenser 420 to allow vertical communication. The second water guide path 322 is provided with a fabric softener inlet 334 formed above the fabric softener inlet 334 to allow vertical communication.

The powder detergent manual dispenser 410, the liquid detergent manual dispenser 420, and the fabric softener manual dispenser 430 each have an outlet (not shown) that discharges liquid accumulated inside to the bottom. The liquid discharged from the outlet falls into the lower part of the flow path 370.

The first water guide path 321 is provided with a foam-generating water inlet 335. The foam-generating water inlet 335 is disposed rearward of the detergent case 400 housed in the detergent case storage section 350. As a result, water injected downward from the foam-generating water inlet 335 falls into the lower part of the flow path 370 without passing through the detergent case storage section 350.

The third water guide path 323 is configured to pass through the automatic liquid agent dosing device 301 and communicate with the lower flow path 370. The downstream end of the automatic liquid agent dosing device 301 is connected to the first flow path lower path 372 in the lower flow path 370. As a result, the liquid agent discharged from the automatic liquid agent dosing device 301 passes through the third water guide path 323 and flows into the first flow path lower path 372 (see FIG. 7).

[1-1-4. Lower part of flow path]
As shown in Figure 8, the lower flow path 370 includes a first lower flow path 372 into which liquid that has passed through the third water guide path 323 flows, a second lower flow path 373 through which liquid discharged from the detergent case 400 passes, a foam generating section 376, a junction section 375, and a lower flow path outlet 371.

As shown in FIG. 7, the foam generating section 376 is provided downstream of the first flow path lower passage 372 and is disposed below the foam generating water inlet 335. That is, the foam generating section 376 is provided at a position where the liquid passing through the first flow path lower passage 372 collides with the water injected from the foam generating water inlet 335. The foam generating section 376 includes a plurality of pins 377 formed to protrude upward, a peripheral rib 376a surrounding the periphery of the foam generating section 376, a foam generating section inlet 376c which is an inlet to the area surrounded by the peripheral rib 376a, and a foam generating section outlet 376b which is an outlet from the area surrounded by the peripheral rib 376a.

The second flow path lower path 373 is disposed below the outlets provided in the powder detergent manual dispenser 410, the liquid detergent manual dispenser 420, and the fabric softener manual dispenser 430.

A junction 375 is provided downstream of the first flow path lower path 372, the second flow path lower path 373, and the foam generating section 376. The junction 375 is inclined downward toward the flow path lower outlet 371. The flow path lower outlet 371 is located downstream of the junction 375 and drops the liquid into the washing tub 500.

The flow path lower outlet 371 includes a first opening 901 located on the upstream side, a second opening 902 located on the downstream side, and a partition wall 903 located between the first opening 901 and the second opening 902.

The first opening 901 is configured as an opening mainly for discharging water. The first opening 901 is formed in a slit shape with a width in the front-to-rear direction narrower than the width in the left-to-right direction. The first opening partition rib 904 and the first opening straightening rib 905 are provided inside the first opening 901 and are formed extending rearward from the partition wall 903. The first opening partition rib 904 divides the first opening 901 into multiple spaces and ensures the strength of the first opening 901. The first opening straightening rib 905 straightens the water flow passing through the first opening 901.

The partition wall 903 is formed as a wall extending vertically and horizontally, and is provided to separate the first opening 901 and the second opening 902. The partition wall 903 is formed to protrude upward beyond the rear end of the first opening 901.

The second opening 902 is configured as an opening for mainly discharging foam. The second opening partition rib 906 is formed by extending forward from the partition wall 903, and ensures the strength of the second opening 902. In addition, since foam mainly composed of detergent has high viscosity, there is a risk of clogging if the opening area is small. Therefore, the space of the second opening 902 divided by the second opening partition rib 906 is configured to be larger than the space of the first opening 901 divided by the first opening partition rib 904.

[1-2. Operation]
The operation of the washing machine 100 configured as above will be described below.

[1-2-1. Flow of water and detergent foam during washing operation when using the automatic dispensing function]
Before the start of the washing operation, the automatic liquid agent dispenser 301 is driven to automatically dispense liquid detergent.

After the automatic liquid agent dispenser 301 has finished automatically dispensing the liquid detergent, the third water guide tube 313 is opened and water supply to the third water guide path 323 and the automatic liquid agent dispenser 301 begins. The supplied water washes away any liquid detergent remaining in the third water guide path 323 and the automatic liquid agent dispenser 301, passes through the first flow path lower path 372, and reaches the foam generating section 376. The detergent liquid that reaches the foam generating section 376 is diffused by the pins 377 and accumulates in the area surrounded by the peripheral ribs 376a.

Then, the first water guide tube 311 is opened and water supply to the first water guide path 321 is started. The water introduced into the first water guide path 321 passes through the powder detergent water inlet 331, the liquid detergent water inlet 332, the bath pump water inlet 333, and the foam generation water inlet 335, and is injected into the powder detergent manual injection part 410, the liquid detergent manual injection part 420, the bath pump 314, and the foam generation part 376. The water injected into the powder detergent manual injection part 410 and the liquid detergent manual injection part 420 falls through the discharge port into the second flow path lower path 373.

The water injected into the foam generating section 376 collides with the detergent liquid remaining in the foam generating section 376, generating detergent foam. Most of the generated detergent foam passes over the surrounding ribs 376a and flows out of the foam generating section 376. The detergent liquid and water flow out of the foam generating section 376 through the foam generating section outlet 376b.

The liquid that passes through the foam generating section 376 and the second flow path lower section 373 flows down the confluence section 375 and reaches the flow path lower outlet 371.

Because water has a high density, it falls from the first opening 901 into the washing tub 500. When the amount of detergent foam is small, it falls from the first opening 901 into the washing tub 500.

When a large amount of detergent foam is present, it may not be possible to allow all of the detergent foam to fall through the first opening 901. Because detergent foam has a low density, the detergent foam that cannot fall rises through the first opening 901 and overcomes the partition wall 903. The detergent foam that overcomes the partition wall 903 falls through the second opening 902 into the washing tub 500.

[1-3. Actions, etc.]
As described above, washing machine 100 in embodiment 1 comprises housing 600, washing tub 500 provided inside housing 600 and containing laundry, foam generating section 376 which generates foam from water and an agent, junction 375 which is arranged downstream of foam generating section 376 and allows the water and foam to pass through, and lower flow path outlet 371 which discharges water and the foam into washing tub 500 downstream of junction 375, and lower flow path outlet 371 includes first opening 901 formed to open above and below, and second opening 902 which is arranged downstream of first opening 901 and formed to open above and below.

As a result, the water falls from the first opening 901 on the upstream side, and any bubbles that do not fall from the first opening 901 fall from the second opening 902.

This prevents bubbles that do not fall through the first opening 901 from leaking out from other locations, for example, between the lower flow path 370 and the water supply unit housing 320.

As in this embodiment, the first opening 901 and the second opening 902 are arranged adjacent to each other, and the flow path lower outlet 371 may have a partition wall 903 formed above and below to separate the first opening 901 and the second opening 902.

As a result, any bubbles that do not fall through the first opening 901 will pass over the partition wall 903 and fall through the second opening 902.

As a result, any bubbles that do not fall through the first opening 901 can be efficiently expelled through the second opening 902.

As in this embodiment, the partition wall 903 may be formed to protrude above the height at which the junction 375 reaches the first opening 901.

This makes it difficult for high density water to overcome the partition wall 903, increasing the amount of water that falls through the first opening 901.

This ensures a sufficient amount of water to be discharged from the first opening 901, allowing the water to fall in an attractive manner.

As in this embodiment, the first opening 901 may be located in front of the junction 375, and the second opening 902 may be located in front of the first opening 901.

This ensures that the bubbles falling from the second opening 902 are positioned ahead of the flow of water falling from the first opening 901.

As a result, when viewed from the front, the foam and water ejection appear to overlap, giving a good appearance from the front. Also, because the foam is ejected in front of the water, it can be seen better from the front.

As in this embodiment, the first opening 901 may be configured so that its width in the front-to-rear direction is narrower than its width in the left-to-right direction.

As a result, the water that reaches the first opening 901 spreads out in the longitudinal direction of the first opening 901 and falls.

Therefore, even if the amount of water is small, the water falling from the first opening 901 looks good.

As in this embodiment, the opening area of the second opening 902 may be larger than the opening area of the first opening 901.

As a result, the first opening 901 can be configured to suppress the water flow from being ejected from a portion of the first opening 901, and the second opening 902 can be configured not to impede the falling of viscous bubbles.

This allows the water to fall beautifully and the bubbles to be efficiently removed.

As in this embodiment, the dimension of the second opening 902 in the short side direction may be larger than the dimension of the first opening 901 in the short side direction.

This allows the first opening 901 to easily spread the water flow in the longitudinal direction of the first opening 901, while the second opening 902 can be configured not to impede the fall of viscous bubbles.

This allows the water to fall beautifully and the bubbles to be efficiently removed.

The washing machine 100 in this embodiment includes a lower housing 610, a cylindrical washing tub 500 with a bottom that is opened upward and is provided inside the lower housing 610, an upper housing 620 that is disposed above the lower housing 610 and has an inlet 621 that communicates with the washing tub 500, a lid that can freely open and close the inlet 621, and a water supply unit 300 that is provided in the upper housing 620 at a rear position of the inlet 621. The water supply unit 300 includes a foam generating section 376 that generates detergent foam from water and liquid detergent, a junction section 375 that allows water and detergent foam to pass through, and a flow path lower outlet 371 that discharges water and detergent foam into the washing tub 500 downstream of the junction section 375. The flow path lower outlet 371 is formed as an opening that penetrates vertically and has a partition wall 903 formed to separate the upstream side from the downstream side.

As a result, the water falls from the first opening 901 on the upstream side, and any bubbles that do not fall from the first opening 901 fall from the second opening 902.

As a result, in a vertical washing machine, foam that does not fall through the first opening 901 can be prevented from leaking out from other locations.

Other Embodiments
As described above, the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Therefore, other embodiments are given below as examples.

In the first embodiment, the washing machine 100, which is a vertical washing machine, has been described as an example of a washing machine. The washing machine is not limited to a vertical washing machine, and may be a drum washing machine or a twin-tub washing machine.

In the first embodiment, the foam generating unit 376 that foams the liquid agent discharged by the automatic liquid agent dispenser 301 has been described as an example of a foam generating unit. The foam generating unit is not limited to a configuration that foams the liquid agent discharged by the automatic liquid agent dispenser, and may be a configuration that foams a manually dispensed liquid agent. In addition, in the first embodiment, a configuration in which foam is generated by collision between water that has fallen onto the pin 377 and the liquid agent is described as an example of a foam generating unit. The foam generating unit may be configured to generate foam, and may be configured to generate foam using a driving force such as a pump. In addition, the foam generating unit is not limited to a unit whose main purpose is to generate foam, and may be a unit that generates foam.

In the first embodiment, the flow path lower outlet 371 in which the first opening and the second opening are arranged adjacent to each other has been described as an example of an outlet portion. The outlet portion is not limited to a configuration in which the first opening and the second opening are arranged adjacent to each other. For example, the outlet portion may be arranged in a position in which the first opening and the second opening are separated from each other. In addition, the second opening is not limited to a configuration in which it is arranged in front of the first opening, and may be arranged in a different position.

In the first embodiment, the first opening divided by a plurality of first opening partition ribs has been described as an example of the first opening. The first opening is not limited to a configuration divided by a plurality of ribs. For example, the first opening may be composed of a plurality of independent openings. The plurality of independent openings constituting the first opening may be arranged in the left-right direction. This allows the water falling from the first opening to fall relatively uniformly along the longitudinal direction of the first opening.

In the first embodiment, the partition wall 903 formed in a wall shape extending in the vertical and horizontal directions has been described as an example of the partition. The partition is not limited to a wall shape as long as it is provided above and below to separate the first opening and the second opening. For example, the partition may be formed so that the upper surface of the partition is inclined upward from the first opening toward the second opening.

This disclosure is applicable to washing machines that dispense foam and water. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to top-loading washing machines, drum-loading washing machines, twin-tub washing machines, and the like.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 100 Washing machine 200 Water supply port 300 Water supply unit 301 Automatic liquid agent dispenser 310 Water supply valve 311 First water guide tube 312 Second water guide tube 313 Third water guide tube 314 Bath pump 320 Water supply unit housing 321 First water guide channel 322 Second water guide channel 323 Third water guide channel 330 Detergent case flow channel 331 Powder detergent water inlet 332 Liquid detergent water inlet 333 Bath pump water inlet 334 Fabric softener water inlet 335 Foam generating water inlet 340 Flow channel cover 350 Detergent case storage section 360 Detergent tank storage section 365 Fabric softener tank storage section 370 Flow channel lower section 371 Flow channel lower outlet 372 First flow channel lower channel 373 Second flow channel lower channel 375 Confluence 376 Foam generating section 376a Surrounding rib 376b Foam generating section outlet 376c Foam generating section inlet 377 Pin 400 Detergent case 410 Powder detergent manual input section 420 Liquid detergent manual input section 430 Fabric softener manual input section 450 Detergent tank 460 Fabric softener tank 461 Fabric softener tank input section 500 Washing tub 600 Housing 610 Lower housing 620 Upper housing 621 Input port 700 Lid 800 Operation section 901 First opening 902 Second opening 903 Partition wall 904 First opening partition rib 905 First opening straightening rib 906 Second opening partition rib

Claims (6)

A housing and
A washing tub provided inside the housing for accommodating laundry;
A lid that freely opens and closes a laundry insertion port formed in the housing;
A foam generating unit that generates foam using water and an agent;
a passage disposed downstream of the foam generating section for passing water and the foam;
A discharge part is disposed in front of the path and discharges water and the foam into the washing tub at a downstream position;
Equipped with
The discharge unit is
A first opening formed to open at the top and bottom;
a second opening portion disposed downstream of the first opening portion and opening upward and downward;
Including,
The opening area of the second opening is larger than the opening area of the first opening,
The second opening is disposed in front of the first opening.
washing machine. The first opening and the second opening are disposed adjacent to each other,
The discharge unit is
The first opening and the second opening are separated by vertically formed partitions.
The washing machine according to claim 1. The partition portion is formed to protrude upward from a height at which the path reaches the first opening portion.
The washing machine according to claim 2. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the first opening is configured so that a width in a front-rear direction is narrower than a width in a left-right direction. The dimension of the second opening in the short side direction is larger than the dimension of the first opening in the short side direction.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . A lower frame;
A washing tub is provided inside the lower frame and has a cylindrical shape with a bottom that opens upward;
an upper frame disposed above the lower frame and having a laundry inlet opening communicating with the washing tub;
A lid body that covers the laundry insertion port in an openable and closable manner;
an input unit provided on the upper frame at a rear position of the laundry input opening;
Equipped with
The input unit includes:
A foam generating unit that generates foam using water and an agent;
a flow path for passing water and said bubbles;
A discharge part is disposed in front of the flow path and discharges water and the foam into the washing tub at a downstream position;
Including,
The discharge unit is
An opening formed as an opening penetrating vertically;
A partition portion formed to separate the opening into an upstream side and a downstream side;
having
a second opening which is the opening on the downstream side separated by the partition portion is disposed in front of a first opening which is the opening on the upstream side separated by the partition portion,
The opening area of the second opening is larger than the opening area of the first opening.
washing machine.