JPH09276589A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide adjustability for the length of a hose with which bath water is to supplied the washing vessel of a washing machine using a bath water supplying pump. SOLUTION: A hose 5 is coupled with the suction side of a bath water supply pump 4 furnished in the body 1 of a washing machine, and a filter 7 attached to the tip of the hose 5 is immersed in the water prepared in a bathtub. When the pump 4 is operated in this condition, the bath water is sucked through the hose 5 and supplied into the washing vessel in the washing machine. The hose 5 is equipped with a bellows part 8 which can be expanded and contracted, with the contracted condition capable of being held, and the legth of the hose 5 can be adjusted in compliance with the distance between the washing machine and bathtub by expanding and contracting the part 8.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine equipped with a bath water supply pump for supplying water in a bathtub to a washing tub via a hose.

[0002]

Some recent washing machines have a bath water supply pump so that the remaining hot water in the bath (bath water) can be used for washing. In this one,
It is equipped with a hose for supplying bath water from the bathtub to the washing machine. After washing, the hose is removed and stored in another place.

However, the hose of the bath water supply pump usually has a total length of about 5 m in order to connect the washing machine and the bathtub.
It is relatively long, and even if the hose is coiled during storage, it is quite bulky. Therefore, a large space is required to store the hose, and there is a problem that the storage location is troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine capable of shortening the total length of a hose for supplying bath water to a washing tub by a bath water supply pump. There is.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a washing machine equipped with a bath water supply pump for supplying water from a bathtub to a washing tub via a hose, the hose being expandable and contractible when compressed. It is characterized in that a bellows-like portion capable of holding the reduced form is provided. According to this structure, the entire length of the hose can be shortened by compressing the bellows portion of the hose. Therefore, even when the hose is removed from the washing machine and stored when not in use, a large space is not required.

In this case, it is preferable that the hose has a total length when the bellows-like portion is compressed to be approximately one third to one fifth of the total length in the stretched state. This makes it possible to adopt a configuration in which the hose is hung and held along the side surface of the main body of the washing machine when not in use,
It is possible to configure so that the hose does not have to be removed from the washing machine one by one.

According to the present invention, a straight portion can be provided in the middle of the bellows portion of the hose. In this way, if the hose is too long, the hose can be cut at the straight portion before use. In this case, it is preferable that the straight portion is formed to have the same diameter as the tip portion on the bathtub side. With this arrangement, even if the hose is cut, the filter that is connected to the tip on the side that is cut off and discarded, etc. Can be used as is. Further, in the present invention, the hose can be formed of a material containing an antibacterial agent in order to suppress the growth of bacteria and mold.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a fully automatic washing machine (a washing machine for both dehydration) will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 1 is constructed by mounting a top cover 3 on an upper part of an outer box 2, and although not shown, a water receiving tank is freely swingable in the outer box 2 as is well known. The water receiving tank accommodates a rotating tank that also serves as a washing tank and a dehydrating tank.

A bath water supply pump 4 is provided inside the rear portion of the top cover 3, and the bath water absorption pump 4 is controlled by a controller (not shown) to select a washing course using bath water. It is designed to be operated at the time of water supply for detergent washing and rinsing.
Then, the bath water supply pump 4 is operated by the hose 5 during its operation.
The water in the bathtub is sucked through and is supplied to the rotary bath (not shown).

A detachable pipe joint 6 is attached to one end of the hose 5 as shown in FIG. 2. When the detachable pipe joint 6 is inserted into the insertion hole 3a formed in the top cover 3, The removable pipe joint 6 is connected to the pipe-shaped suction port of the bath water supply pump 4. Therefore, the hose 5 is detachably connected to the suction port of the bath water supply pump 4 via the detachable pipe joint 6, and when the detachable pipe joint 6 is pulled up with the hand 6a held, The pipe joint 6 can be removed from the suction port of the bath water supply pump 4.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a filter 7 to be immersed in water in the bath is attached to the bath-side end which is the other end of the hose 5. The filter 7 is integrally provided with a hook 7a as a hooking portion, so that the hook 7a can be hooked and held in a hooking hole 3b as a hooked portion formed in a side portion of the top cover 3 of the main body 1, for example. Has become. It is also possible to form an engaging hole (engaging portion) on the filter 7 side and provide a hook (engaged portion) on the main body 1 side.

As shown in FIG. 4, the hose 5 is formed in a bellows shape, leaving both end portions and an intermediate portion, for example, a central portion. As shown in FIG. 5, the bellows-shaped portion 8 has slopes 8a and 8b on both sides of the mountain portion with different angles α and β. The sloped surface 8a is shorter than the sloped surface 8b on the small inclination angle side.

A hose 5 having such a bellows-like portion 8.
Can be expanded or contracted by pressing or contracting the bellows-like portion 8. As described above, when the lengths L1 and L2 of both slopes 8a and 8b of each mountain of the bellows-like portion 8 are different from each other, the bellows-like portion 8 is compressed and contracted. The state will be retained.

That is, when the bellows-like portion 8 is compressed, the short-side slope 8a bends in an arc shape from the state shown in FIG. 5A to the peak of the mountain as shown in FIG. 5B. The vertical line L is passed to the side of the long inclined surface 8b. Then, the slope 8a is biased in the direction of arrow A by its own restoring force and rotates in the same direction around the apex of the mountain, and overlaps the slope 8b on the long side as shown in FIG. . In this contracted state, the sloped portion 8a does not rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow A unless an external force in the extension direction is applied any longer, and as a result, the bellows-like portion 8 is compressed. It keeps a good condition.

The hose 5 is formed of a heat-resistant plastic such as polypropylene mixed with an antibacterial agent, for example, Amorden TS-205 (trade name) manufactured by Daiwa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. in order to suppress bacteria, mold, odor and the like. ing. The overall length of the hose 5 is set to, for example, approximately 5 m when the bellows-shaped portion 8 is in an expanded state.
In the state that the whole of is compressed, it is about 1/3 to 1/5
Is set to be about 1 to 1.6 m.

On the other hand, both end portions and the central portion of the hose 5 are pipe-shaped straight portions 9a to 9c. In this case, the diameters of the straight portions 9a and 9c at both ends are set to be the same, and the diameter of the straight portion 9b at the center portion is also set to be the same as the diameter of the straight portions 9a and 9c at both ends. It should be noted that each straight portion 9a to 9c is formed with a bulging portion 9d having a semicircular cross section so that the straight portions 9a to 9c are reinforced so as not to be crushed.

In the above structure, when the bath water is used as washing water, the detachable pipe joint 6 of the hose 5 is connected to the suction port of the bath water water supply pump 4, and the hose 5 is placed along the floor. And the filter 7 at the tip is immersed in the water in the bath. At this time, if the hose 5 is too long compared to the distance between the washing machine and the bathtub, the bellows-like portion 8 may be partially compressed or the whole bellows-like portion 8 may be compressed to shorten the length of the hose 5. Adjust the height.

When a washing course using bath water is selected and a washing operation is carried out, the bath water supply pump 4 is operated at the time of supplying water for detergent washing and rinsing, and the water in the bathtub is passed through the hose 5. And suction it and supply it into a rotary tank (not shown). At this time, since the bellows-like portion 8 of the hose 5 is reinforced by its own shape and the straight portion 9b at the center is reinforced by the bulging portion 9d, the inside of the hose 5 becomes negative due to the water supply operation of the bath water supply pump 4. Even if the pressure is applied, the hose 5 will not be crushed and the conduit resistance will not increase.

After the washing is completed, the removable pipe joint 6 is removed from the suction port of the bath water supply pump 4, and the bellows-like portion 8 is compressed to shorten the total length of the hose 5. Then, the hose 5 is wound in a coil shape and stored in an appropriate place. At this time, since the length of the hose 5 is short, it is not so bulky,
It can be stored even in a small space.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is not particularly necessary to store the hose 5 in another place. That is, the removable pipe joint 6
Stay connected to the inlet of the bath water supply pump 4,
The entire bellows-like portion 8 is pressed and contracted to make the overall length of the hose 5 about 1/3 to 1/5 of the length when the hose 5 is extended, and the hook 7a of the filter 7 is hooked and retained in the engaging hole 3b of the top cover 3. By doing so, the hose 5 can be hung and held in a state of being hung in a U shape along the side surface of the main body 1 as shown in FIG.

Here, the height dimension of the main body 1 is usually set to about 85 cm in consideration of the ease of loading and unloading laundry. Therefore, if the entire length of the hose 5 is reduced to about 1/3 to 1/5 of that when it is extended by compressing the entire bellows-like portion 8, even if the total length of the hose 5 is 5 m when it is extended,
Since it is about 1 to 1.6 m, as described above, the hook 7
By hooking a on the engaging hole 3b, the hose 5 can be hung and held in a state of being hung in a U shape along the side surface of the main body 1.

Then, in the case of washing again in the washing course using bath water, the hook 7a is removed from the hooking hole 3b,
Then, the bellows-like portion 8 is appropriately stretched to adjust the length of the hose 5 in accordance with the distance between the washing machine and the bath, while the filter 7 is immersed in the water in the bath to start the washing operation.

By extending and contracting the bellows-like portion 8 in this manner, the length of the hose 5 can be adjusted according to the distance between the washing machine and the bath tub, so it is necessary to cut the hose 5 before use. Absent. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the problem that the hose 5 is cut to fit the house in which it currently lives, and the hose 5 becomes too short to be used in a new house when the house is moved.

By the way, depending on the house, the hose 5 may still be too long even if the whole bellows-like portion 8 is compressed. In this case, since the straight portion 9b is provided at the center of the hose 5, the straight portion 9b at the center can be cut and used. At this time, the diameter of the straight portion 9b is equal to that of the straight portions 9a, 9 at both ends.
Since the diameter is set to be the same as that of c, the detachable pipe joint 6 or the filter 7 can be attached to the cut end regardless of which of the two hoses 5 is used.

If the user reattaches the removable pipe joint 6 to the cut end, it is difficult to reliably prevent water leakage, and water leaks from between the hose 5 and the removable pipe joint 6 during use. Therefore, it is preferable that the detachable pipe joint 6 is used so that the detachable pipe joint 6 side is used when the detachable pipe joint 6 cannot be removed from the hose 5 and is cut at the straight portion 9b. In this case, the straight portions 9a, 9 at both ends
The diameter of b may be changed so that the diameter of the central straight portion 9b is set to be the same as the diameter of the straight portion 9c at the end on the filter 7 side which is the bath side.

Further, the straight portion 9b provided in the middle of the hose 5 may be provided not only in the central portion but also in a portion deviated to one end side. Further, the straight portion 9b may be provided not only in one place but in a plurality of places. FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the hose of the present invention. The hose 10 of this embodiment is different from the hose 5 of the above embodiment in the bellows portion. That is, the hose 5 shown in the above embodiment
The bellows-like portion 8 has a shape in which a large number of independent peaks (peaks around the hose 5) are arranged in parallel, but the bellows-like portion 11 of the hose 10 of this embodiment has a spiral peak. It is formed in a continuous shape. The straight portions are indicated by reference numerals 12a to 12c.

Also in this case, the slope portions 11a on both sides of the mountain portion,
The length of 11b is different in length, and when it is compressed,
The compressed state can be held. Then, in the bellows-like portion 12 in which the mountain portion is formed in a spiral shape, when both sides thereof are held in both hands and twisted in the winding direction of the mountain portion, a compressed state is obtained as in FIG. 5C, and from this state When twisted in the direction opposite to the winding direction of the mountain part, Fig. 5 (a)
It will be in a stretched state like. Therefore, the operability for expanding and contracting the hose 10 is excellent.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings. For example, not only a washing machine incorporating a bath water supply pump but also an external type washing machine, that is, bath water supply It can be applied to a washing machine of the type in which bath water is supplied by immersing the pump for bath water in the bathtub and connecting the hose connected to the discharge port of the bath water supply pump to the water supply port of the washing machine. Various modifications can be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the length of the hose can be shortened by compressing the bellows-like portion, a large space is not required even when the hose is removed from the washing machine and stored.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the hose can be hung and held on the side surface of the main body. In the invention according to claim 3, when the hose is too long, it can be cut at the straight portion. In the invention according to claim 4, it is possible to remount the cut hose with the filter and the like previously mounted. In the invention of claim 5, the antibacterial agent can suppress the growth of bacteria and mold in the hose.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a hose is connected to a suction port of a bath water supply pump.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure in which a hose tip is engaged with a main body.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the hose shown with a part cut away.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a process of contracting the bellows-like portion of the hose.

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the figure, 1 is a main body, 4 is a bath water supply pump, 5 is a hose, 6 is a removable pipe joint, 7 is a filter, 7a is a hook, 8
Is a bellows part, 9 is a trace part, 10 is a hose, 1
Reference numeral 1 is a bellows-like portion, and 12a to 12c are straight portions.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine equipped with a bath water supply pump for supplying water from a bathtub to a washing tub via a hose, wherein the hose is expandable and contractible and can retain its contracted form when compressed. A washing machine characterized by having a shape portion. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the hose has a total length when the bellows-like portion is compressed to be approximately 1/3 to 1/5 of the total length in the stretched state. 3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a straight portion is provided in the middle of the bellows portion of the hose. 4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the straight portion is formed to have the same diameter as that of the front end portion on the bathtub side. 5. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the hose is made of a material containing an antibacterial agent.