WO2016146034A1

WO2016146034A1 - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2016146034A1
Application number: PCT/CN2016/076163
Authority: WO
Inventors: 田中启之; 土田俊之
Original assignee: 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司; 海尔亚洲株式会社
Priority date: 2015-03-18
Filing date: 2016-03-11
Publication date: 2016-09-22
Also published as: EP3272929A4; KR101957948B1; CN107407035B; JP6487241B2; EP3272929A1; US20180066392A1; CN107407035A; JP2016171943A; KR20170137734A

Abstract

Provided is a washing machine for suppressing conditions of a complex upper cover structure and upper cover operability reduction, and performing an operation via an operation button set on the upper cover by a user. A fully automatic washing machine has: an upper panel (12) having a laundry inlet (14); an operation part (16) provided at the periphery of the inlet (14) of the upper panel (12), and comprising a plurality of operation buttons and switching elements for detecting pressings on these operation buttons; an upper cover (15) openably and closably covering the inlet (14) and the operation part (16); and a second power supply button (240) and a second start button (250) provided at positions corresponding to a first power supply button (301) and a first start button (302) included in the plurality of operation buttons and on the upper cover (15), and if pressed when the upper cover (15) is in a closed state, separately pressing the first power supply button (301) and the first start button (302).

Description

washing machine

Technical field

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background technique

Conventionally, in the upper panel of the fully automatic washing machine, an operation portion is provided around the input port, for example, in front of and behind the input port. The operation unit includes a plurality of operation buttons and a switching element that detects depression of the operation buttons (see Patent Document 1). On the other hand, the fully automatic washing machine can adopt a structure in which an operation portion is provided on an upper cover that covers the input port.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-024195

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the case where the operation portion is provided in the upper cover as described above, it is necessary to perform electrical wiring from the substrate on which the switching element or the like is mounted in the inside of the upper cover, which may cause a complicated structure of the upper cover. In particular, the upper cover is often a folded structure from the viewpoint of operability, and in this case, since the electrical wiring passes through the hinge portion, wiring processing becomes difficult, and the structure of the upper cover becomes more complicated. Further, since the operation portion is provided, there is a possibility that the upper cover becomes heavy, and it is difficult to open and close the upper cover.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine which can suppress a situation in which the structure of the upper cover becomes complicated and a situation in which the operability of the upper cover is lowered, and the user can operate by an operation button provided on the upper cover.

Solution to solve the problem

A washing machine according to a main aspect of the present invention includes: an upper panel having an input port for washing; and an operation unit provided around the input port of the upper panel, including a plurality of operation buttons and a switching element that detects depression of the operation buttons An upper cover that covers the input port and the operation portion in a freely openable manner; and a second a button disposed at a position corresponding to the first button included in the plurality of operation buttons of the upper cover, and pressed when the upper cover is closed.

According to the above configuration, the upper cover can be operated in the closed state by the second button provided on the upper cover. Further, since the operation portion including the switching element is provided on the upper panel side, it is not necessary to perform the electric wiring processing inside the upper cover, and the increase in the weight of the upper cover can be suppressed. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the case where the structure of the upper cover becomes complicated and the case where the operability of the upper cover is lowered.

In the washing machine of the present aspect, the first button includes: a first power button for performing power on/off; and a first start button for starting/pausing operation. In this case, the second button includes a second power button that presses the first power button by pressing, and a second start button that presses the first start button.

According to the above configuration, since the second power button and the second start button corresponding to the first power button and the first start button having the higher operating frequency are provided on the upper cover, the operation button corresponding to the operation button having the lower operating frequency is not set on the upper button. The cover can prevent the upper cover structure from becoming complicated and the weight of the upper cover increased due to the provision of a plurality of operation buttons.

In the washing machine of the present aspect, the second button includes a button body that is made of resin and pressed by a user's finger, and a pressing body that is attached to the back surface of the button body and that is pressed by the button body Moving down and down, press the first button.

According to the above configuration, since the second button is formed as a separate member from the button body, the outer diameter of the pressing body can be increased to increase the area of the pressing surface on which the first button is pressed, and the load on the first button can be reduced. .

In addition, when the pressing body is not separately provided, but is formed integrally with the button main body by resin molding, it is difficult to increase the outer diameter of the pressing body. When the pressing body has a hollow structure, a hole continuing to the pressing body is formed on the surface of the button body. If the pressing body has a solid structure, it is easy to cause a sink mark on the surface of the button body. In either case, it is easy to lower the number. The appearance quality of the two buttons.

In the case of employing the above structure, the pressing body is formed of a material softer than the button body.

When such a configuration is adopted, it is possible to suppress damage of the button body due to the operation of the user, and it is possible to suppress damage of the first button due to the pressing body that abuts.

The washing machine of the present aspect further includes a display unit provided in the operation unit to display information related to the operation, and a display window provided at a position corresponding to the display unit on the upper surface of the upper cover; And a frame portion surrounding the edge of the display window and extending from the edge toward the display portion side. In this case, the opening of the front end of the frame portion has a size for accommodating the display portion, and the display window is designed such that at least the dimension in the front-rear direction is larger than the dimension in the front-rear direction of the opening portion. Further, an inclination of a front side wall portion of the frame portion extending from a front side edge of the display window toward a front side edge of the opening portion is designed to be closer to the opening than a rear side edge of the display window The inclination of the rear side wall portion of the frame portion in which the rear side edge of the portion extends is small.

According to the above configuration, the front side edge of the opening portion and the front and rear edges of the front side edge of the display window can be increased on the front side of the display portion. Thereby, when the user stands on the front side of the washing machine to see the display portion, it is possible to prevent the front end portion of the display portion from being hidden by the front edge portion of the display window and being invisible. Further, since the front and rear intervals of the rear side edge of the opening portion and the rear side edge of the display window can be reduced, the size of the display window is not excessively large.

Effect of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine which can suppress a situation in which the structure of the upper cover becomes complicated and a case where the operability of the upper cover is lowered, and the user can operate by an operation button provided on the upper cover.

The effects and significance of the present invention will be further clarified by the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiments are merely illustrative of the embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited by the contents described in the following embodiments.

DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the fully automatic washing machine in a state where the upper cover of the embodiment is closed.

3 is a view for explaining a configuration of an operation unit of the embodiment.

4 is a view for explaining a configuration of an operation unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a configuration of an upper cover operation unit according to an embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a view for explaining a configuration of an upper cover operation portion of the embodiment.

7 is a view showing a state in which the second power button is pressed in a state where the upper cover is closed in the embodiment, and a state in which the second start button is pressed in a state where the upper cover is closed.

Description of the reference numerals

12: upper panel; 14: input port; 15: upper cover; 16: operating part; 240: second power button; 241: button body; 242: pressing body; 242b: lower surface 250: second start button; 251: button body; 252: pressing body; 252b: lower surface; 260: display window; 260a: front edge (front edge) ; 260b: rear edge (rear side edge); 261: frame portion; 261a: front wall portion (front wall portion); 261b: rear wall portion (rear side wall portion); 262: opening portion; 262a: front edge ( Front side edge); 262b: rear edge (rear side edge); 301: first power button; 302: second start button; 306: time information display portion (display portion).

detailed description

Hereinafter, a fully automatic washing machine as an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the structure of the fully automatic washing machine 1.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 has a casing 10 constituting an appearance. The casing 10 includes a body portion 11 having a rectangular tubular shape opened upward and downward, an upper panel 12 covering the upper surface of the body portion 11, and a footrest 13 supporting the body portion 11. An input port 14 for washing is formed on the upper panel 12. The inlet 14 is covered by an upper cover 15 that is openable and closable.

In the casing 10, the outer tub 20 is elastically suspended and supported by four hanging bars (not shown). A washing and dewatering tub 21 is disposed in the outer tub 20. The outer tub 20 and the washing and dewatering tub 21 are slightly inclined forward. The washing and dewatering tub 21 is rotated about a rotation axis R that is slightly inclined forward with respect to the vertical direction. The casing 10 has a protruding portion 10a that protrudes forward correspondingly to an amount in which the upper portion of the outer tub 20 protrudes forward.

A plurality of dewatering holes 21a are formed in the inner circumferential wall of the washing and dewatering tub 21. Further, a plurality of water passing holes 21b are formed in the bottom surface of the washing and dewatering tub 21. Further, a balance ring 22 is provided at an upper portion of the washing and dewatering tub 21.

A pulsator 23 is disposed at the bottom of the washing and dewatering tub 21. A plurality of blades 23a extending radially from the center of the surface are formed on the surface of the pulsator 23. Further, a plurality of water-spreading blades 23b extending radially from the center of the back surface are formed on the back surface of the pulsator 23. These water-spreading blades 23b are disposed in the pump chamber 24 formed between the back surface of the pulsator 23 and the bottom surface of the washing and dewatering tub 21.

The circulating water passage 25 extending in the up-and-down direction along the inner circumferential surface of the washing and dewatering tub 21 is formed by the water passage forming member 26 and the inner circumferential wall of the washing and dewatering tub 21. The lower end portion of the circulating water passage 25 is connected to the pump chamber 24. In the circulating water passage 25, that is, the water passage forming member 26 constituting the circulating water passage 25, a detachable filter unit 27 is attached. The filter unit 27 traps the thread and dust from the laundry at the time of washing.

A drive unit 30 that generates a torque that drives the washing and dewatering tub 21 and the pulsator 23 is disposed at the outer bottom of the outer tub 20. The drive unit 30 includes a drive motor 31 and a transmission mechanism portion 32. The transmission mechanism portion 32 has a clutch mechanism, and by the switching operation based on the clutch mechanism, the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted only to the pulsator 23 during the washing process and the rinsing process, thereby only rotating the pulsator 23 during the dehydration process. In the middle, the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted to the pulsator 23 and the washing and dewatering tub 21 to integrally rotate the pulsator 23 and the washing and dewatering tub 21. Further, the transmission mechanism portion 32 has a speed reduction mechanism. During the washing process and the rinsing process, the pulsator 23 rotates at a rotation speed at which the rotation speed of the drive motor 31 is reduced in accordance with the reduction ratio of the speed reduction mechanism.

A drain port portion 20a is formed at the outer bottom of the outer tub 20. A drain valve 40 is provided in the drain port portion 20a. The drain valve 40 is connected to the drain hose 41. When the drain valve 40 is opened, the water stored in the washing and dewatering tub 21 and the tub 20 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drain hose 41.

A water supply unit 50 for supplying tap water into the washing and dewatering tub 21 is disposed at the rear of the upper panel 12. The water supply valve 51 is connected to the water supply unit 50, and the water supply valve 51 is connected to the tap. In the washing operation, the water supply unit 50 is charged with detergent. When the water supply valve 51 is opened, tap water is introduced into the water supply unit 50. The introduced tap water is mixed with the detergent in the water supply unit 50, and then flows out from the water supply unit 50, and is supplied into the washing dewatering tank 21.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 performs a washing operation in various operation modes. The washing operation includes a washing process, an intermediate dehydration process, a rinsing process, and a final dehydration process.

In the washing process and the rinsing process, the pulsator 23 is rotated to the right and to the left in a state where water is stored in the washing and dewatering tub 21. A water flow is generated in the washing and dewatering tub 21 by the rotation of the pulsator 23. During the washing process, the laundry is washed by the generated water stream and the detergent contained in the water. During the rinsing process, the laundry is rinsed by the generated water flow.

In the intermediate dehydration process and the final dehydration process, the washing and dewatering tub 21 and the pulsator 23 are integrally rotated at a high speed. The laundry is dehydrated by the action of the centrifugal force generated by washing the dewatering tub 21.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fully automatic washing machine 1 in a state where the upper cover 15 is closed.

The upper cover 15 is composed of a front cover 101, a rear cover 102, and a hinge portion 103 that foldably connects the front cover 101 and the rear cover 102. The front cover 101 includes a front substrate 104 in a semi-disc shape and a semi-annular front decorative panel 105 fixed to the front substrate 104. A recess 106 is formed on the front substrate 104 and below the front decorative panel 105, and the handle portion 107 is formed by the recess 106 and the front decorative panel 105. The front substrate 104 is formed of a transparent material. The back cover 102 includes a substantially square rear substrate 108 and a semi-annular rear mounting fixed to the rear substrate 108. Plaque 109. In a state where the upper cover 15 is closed, the front decorative panel 105 is connected to the rear decorative panel 109 to be annular.

On the upper panel 12, a vertically long operation portion 16 is provided on the right side of the input port 14. In the closed state, the upper cover 15 covers the insertion port 14 not only in an openable and closable manner, but also covers the operation portion 16 in an openable and closable manner. In the upper cover 15, an upper cover operation portion 200 is provided in the front cover 101. Next, the detailed structure of the upper cover operation unit 200 will be described.

3 and 4 are views for explaining the configuration of the operation unit 16. (a) of FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a main portion of the right end portion of the upper surface of the fully automatic washing machine 1 in a state in which the upper cover 15 is opened. FIG. 3(b) is a plan view of the operation panel unit 300. 4(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of FIG. 3(a), and FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of FIG. 3(a).

The operation unit 16 is composed of an operation panel unit 300 and an operation board unit 400 disposed on the back surface of the operation panel unit 300.

The operation panel unit 300 includes a first power button 301, a first start button 302, a mode button 303, a bath water button 304, a dehydration button 305, a time information display unit 306, a process information display unit 307, a mode information display unit 308, and a bath. The water information display unit 309 and the dehydration information display unit 310.

The first power button 301 is an operation button for turning on/off the power of the fully automatic washing machine 1. The first power button 301 is composed of a membrane panel M that is formed on the upper panel 12 and a pressing button 301b that is integrally formed with the upper panel 12 at a position corresponding to the pressing pad 301a.

The first start button 302 is an operation button for starting/pausing the washing operation. The first start button 302 is composed of a pressing pad 302a formed on the film panel M and a pressing button 302b integrally formed with the upper panel 12 at a position corresponding to the pressing pad 302a.

Each of the

push buttons

301b and 302b has

elastic portions

301c and 302c around it, and when pressed by the downward pressure, the

elastic portions

301c and 302c can be warped and moved downward.

The mode button 303 is an operation button for selecting an operation mode. The bath water button 304 is an operation button for selecting whether or not to use the bath water. The dehydration button 305 is an operation button for selecting to complete dehydration. The mode button 303, the bath water button 304, and the dehydration button 305 are also composed of pressing

pads

303a, 304a, and 305a and pressing buttons (not shown).

The time information display unit 306 includes a first display unit 311 for displaying the remaining time of the washing operation and a reservation time for the timer reservation, and the second display unit 312 indicating the first display unit 311 by characters and symbols. The type of time displayed. For example, if the remaining time is indicated, it is displayed by the lighting of the "remaining" text, indicating that the reservation time is displayed by the light of the timer. The first display portion 311 is composed of a square transparent time display region 311a formed on the film panel M and an opening portion 311b formed at a position of the upper panel 12 corresponding to the time display region 311a. The second display portion 312 is composed of a character or the like 312a formed on the film panel M and a light acquiring hole 312b formed at a position of the upper panel 12 corresponding to the character or the like 312a. It should be noted that, in the first display unit 311, the error information may be displayed by, for example, a Latin alphabet or a number. The time information display unit 306 corresponds to the display unit of the present invention.

The process information display section 307 displays a process or the like that is currently in progress. The process information display unit 307 is composed of a character 307a for displaying each process and a light acquisition hole (not shown). The mode information display unit 308 displays an operation mode selected by the mode button 303. The mode information display unit 308 is composed of a character 308a indicating each operation mode and a light acquisition hole (not shown). The bath water information display unit 309 displays the final process of use of the bath water and the bath water based on the selection by the bath water button 304. The bath water information display unit 309 is composed of a character 309a indicating each final process and a light acquiring hole (not shown). The dehydration information display unit 310 displays the completion of the dehydration selected by the dehydration button 305. The dehydration information display unit 310 is composed of a character 310a indicating each completion of dehydration and a light acquisition hole (not shown).

The operation board unit 400 includes a wiring board 401 and a power switch element 402 disposed on the wiring board 401; a start switch element 403; a mode button 303; a bath water button 304 and a respective switch element (not shown) for the spin button 305; 404, for displaying information such as time on the first display unit 311 of the time information display unit 306, LED elements 405 for lighting characters 312a of the second display unit 312, and mode information display unit 308; LEDs not shown The elements are used to illuminate the

characters

308a, 309a, and 310a of the bath water information display unit 309 and the dehydration information display unit 310.

The power switching element 402 is disposed directly under the first power button 301, and detects depression of the first power button 301. The start switching element 403 is disposed directly below the first start button 302, and detects depression of the first start button 302. The other switching elements are also disposed directly below the corresponding operation buttons, and the pressing of the corresponding operation buttons is detected. Further, the display element 404 is disposed directly below the first display portion 311, and the LED element 405 is disposed directly below the second display portion 312. Other LED elements are also disposed directly below the corresponding display portion.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are views for explaining the configuration of the upper cover operation unit 200. Fig. 5 (a) is an enlarged view of a main portion showing the upper cover 15 of the peripheral portion of the upper cover operation portion 200. Figure 5 (b) shows the upper The peripheral portion of the lid operation portion 200 is an enlarged view of a main portion of the upper surface of the fully automatic washing machine 1 in a state in which the upper lid 15 is closed. Fig. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C' of Fig. 5(a), and Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D' of Fig. 5(a).

The upper cover operation portion 200 includes an operation surface 210 formed on the front decorative panel 105 of the front cover 101 so as to be slightly recessed from the surroundings. On the front side of the operation surface 210, a power button mounting portion 220 and a start button mounting portion 230 are formed side by side. The power button mounting portion 220 and the start button mounting portion 230 are formed to be further recessed from the operation surface 210. The second power button 240 is attached to the power button mounting portion 220, and the second start button 250 is attached to the start button mounting portion 230. Further, a power button mounting portion 220 and a display window 260 that is squarely opened at the rear of the start button mounting portion 230 are formed on the operation surface 210.

A cover 270 formed of a transparent material is attached to the operation surface 210. The cover 270 is fixed to the operation surface 210 by the engagement of the engagement claw portion 271 formed at a plurality of portions of the outer peripheral portion of the cover 270 with the engagement hole 211 formed at a plurality of portions of the inner peripheral portion of the operation surface 210. . Further, the cover 270 is formed with an opening portion 272 through which the second power button 240 passes and an opening portion 273 through which the second start button 250 passes.

The second power button 240 includes a button body 241 that is pressed by a user's finger and a pressing body 242 that protrudes downward from the button body 241. The button body 241 is formed of a resin material and has a substantially square shape in plan view. The pressing body 242 has a cylindrical shape in which the upper surface is opened and the lower surface is closed, and a flange portion 242a is formed at the upper end portion. The pressing body 242 is fixed to the button body 241 so as to fit the upper end portion into the protrusion 241 a formed on the back surface of the button body 241 . The pressing body 242 is formed of a material softer than the button body 241, for example, a soft resin material. Further, the lower surface 242b of the pressing body 242 is formed in a convex curved surface shape, more specifically, in a spherical shape. A circular insertion hole 221 through which the pressing body 242 passes is formed at the bottom of the power button mounting portion 220, and a circular insertion hole through which the pressing body 242 passes is also formed in the front substrate 104 of the front cover 101. Hole 110.

A compression spring 281 is provided between the bottom surface of the power button mounting portion 220 and the flange portion 242a of the pressing body 242. The compression spring 281 pushes the second power button 240 upward. Engagement claw portions 241b are formed on the front side and the rear side of the back surface of the button body 241. The engagement claw portions 241b on the front side and the rear side are respectively engaged with the engagement holes 222 formed on the front side and the rear side of the power button attachment portion 220 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. When the second power button 240 is not pressed, the engaging claw portion 241b is engaged with the upper end of the engaging hole 222, and the second power button 240 can be prevented from falling upward.

The second start button 250 includes a button body 251 and a slave button body that are pressed by a user's finger. The pressing body 252 protrudes downward 251. The button body 251 is formed of a resin material and has a substantially horizontally long rectangular shape in plan view. The pressing body 252 has a cylindrical shape in which the upper surface is opened and the lower surface is closed, and a flange portion 252a is formed at the upper end portion. The pressing body 252 is fixed to the button body 251 so as to fit the upper end portion into the protrusion 251 a formed on the back surface of the button body 251 . The pressing body 252 is formed of a material softer than the button body 251, for example, a soft resin material. Further, the lower surface 252b of the pressing body 252 is formed in a curved shape, more specifically, in a spherical shape. A circular insertion hole 231 through which the pressing body 252 passes is formed at the bottom of the start button mounting portion 230, and a circular insertion hole 111 through which the pressing body 252 passes is also formed in the front substrate 104 of the front cover 101. .

A compression spring 282 is provided between the bottom surface of the start button mounting portion 230 and the flange portion 252a of the pressing body 252. The compression spring 282 pushes the second start button 250 upward. Further, an engagement claw portion and an engagement hole (not shown) are provided between the second start button 250 and the start button attachment portion 230, and the engagement claw portion is engaged with the second start button 250 in a state where the second start button 250 is not pressed. The upper end of the engaging hole is engaged, so that the second start button 250 can be prevented from falling upward.

When the second power button 240 and the second start button 250 are not pressed, the

pressing bodies

242 and 252 do not protrude downward from the bottom surface of the upper cover 15 which is the bottom surface of the front substrate 104. Therefore, even if the upper cover 15 is closed in a state where a hard foreign object or the like is placed around the first power button 301 and the first start button 302 of the operation unit 16, the

pressing bodies

242 and 252 do not collide with the foreign matter. Pressed in strongly to prevent breakage of the second power button 240 and the second start button 250.

Further, since the insertion holes 221 and 231 of the power button mounting portion 220 and the start button mounting portion 230 and the insertion holes 110 and 111 of the front substrate 104 are formed in a circular shape, for example, the cross sections of the

pressing bodies

242 and 252 are formed in a cross shape and In contrast to the case where the insertion holes 221 and 231 and the insertion holes 110 and 111 are formed in a cross shape, even if the second power button 240 and the second start button 250 are detached from the upper cover 15, the user can pass. The circular insertion holes 221 and 231 and the insertion holes 110 and 111 easily press the first power button 301 and the first start button 302.

A frame portion 261 that surrounds the edge of the display window 260 is formed on the back surface of the operation surface 210. The frame portion 261 extends from the edge of the display window 260 to the front substrate 104 side, that is, on the time information display portion 306 side below the front substrate 104 in a state where the upper cover 15 is closed. The front end of the frame portion 261 is in contact with the front substrate 104. The opening portion 262 of the front end of the frame portion 261 is formed in a shape similar to the display window 260. As shown in FIG. 5( b ), the opening 262 is located above the time information display unit 306 in a state where the upper cover 15 is closed, and is designed to be the same as the time information display unit 306, that is, the size of the storage time information display unit 306 or Slightly larger size.

The display window 260 is designed such that the dimension in the front-rear direction and the dimension in the left-right direction are larger than the dimension of the opening portion 262 in the front-rear direction and the dimension in the left-right direction. Moreover, the inclination of the front wall portion 261a of the frame portion 261 extending from the front edge 260a of the display window 260 to the front edge 262a of the opening portion 262 is designed to extend from the rear edge 260b of the display window 260 to the rear edge of the opening portion 262. The inclination of the rear wall portion 261b of the frame portion 261 of 262b is small. Further, the inclination of the left wall portion 261c of the frame portion 261 extending from the left edge 260c of the display window 260 to the left edge 262c of the opening portion 262 is designed to extend from the right edge 260d of the display window 260 to the right edge of the opening portion 262 The inclination of the right wall portion 261d of the frame portion 261 of 262d is small.

As described above, the cover 270 and the front substrate 104 are transparent. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the user can see the time information display portion 306 through the opening portion 262 and the display window 260 while the upper cover 15 is closed. Here, it is considered that the user often stands in the center of the front side of the fully automatic washing machine 1 to view the time information display portion 306. In the present embodiment, the frame portion 261 is formed such that the front wall portion 261a has a smaller inclination than the rear wall portion 261b, and the left wall portion 261c has a smaller inclination than the right wall portion 261d. Therefore, on the front side of the time information display unit 306, the front-rear gap between the front edge 262a of the opening 262 and the front edge 260a of the display window 260 can be increased, and the opening portion 262 can be enlarged on the left side of the time information display portion 306. The left edge 262c is spaced from the left and right of the left edge 260c of the display window 260. Therefore, when the user stands in the center of the front side of the fully automatic washing machine 1 and sees the time information display portion 306, the front end portion of the time information display portion 306 is blocked by the front edge portion of the display window 260 and is invisible. And the left end portion of the time information display portion 306 is hidden by the left edge portion of the display window 260 and is invisible. In addition, since the front and rear spaces of the rear edge 262b of the opening portion 262 and the rear edge 260b of the display window 260 can be reduced, the front and rear spaces of the right edge 262d of the opening portion 262 and the right edge 260d of the display window 260 can be reduced, and thus the display window 260 The size will not be larger than necessary.

A first dewatering hole 263 is formed at a front end of the front wall portion 261a of the frame portion 261, and a second dewatering hole 112 that communicates with the first dewatering hole 263 is formed in the front substrate 104. Water generated by dew condensation or the like in the chamber surrounded by the cover 270, the frame portion 261, and the front substrate 104 flows through the first dewatering hole 263 and the second dewatering hole 112 and is discharged to the outside of the upper cover 15. Since the first dewatering hole 263 is formed at the front end of the front wall portion 261a of the frame portion 261, it is difficult to see the first dewatering hole 263 from the viewpoint of the user standing in front of the fully automatic washing machine 1.

Fig. 7 (a) is a view showing a state in which the second power button 240 is pressed in a state where the upper cover 15 is closed, and Fig. 7 (b) is a view showing a second start button 250 in a state in which the upper cover 15 is closed. A diagram of the situation when pressed.

As shown in FIGS. 7(a) and (b), in a state where the upper cover 15 is closed, the first power button 301 is located directly below the second power button 240, and the first start button 302 is located at the second start button 250. Below.

As shown in FIG. 7(a), when the second power button 240 is pressed, the pressing body 242 protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the upper cover 15, the lower surface 242b of the pressing body 242 and the pressing pad 301a of the first power button 301. When the contact is made, the push button 301b of the first power button 301 is pressed. The power switch element 402 is pressed by the lowered push button 301b. Thereby, the power is turned on when the fully automatic washing machine 1 is not powered on, and is turned off when the power is turned on.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7(b), when the second start button 250 is pressed, the pressing body 252 protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the upper cover 15, the lower surface 252b of the pressing body 252 and the first start button 302. The pressing pad 302a abuts to press the pressing button 302b of the first start button 302. The switching element 403 is started to be pressed by the lowered push button 302b. Thereby, the washing operation is started when the washing operation is not performed, and the washing operation is interrupted when the washing operation is being performed.

Since the power is turned off before the washing operation in most cases, the washing operation is often performed every time, and the first power button 301 is operated. Further, the first start button 302 is operated each time the washing operation is performed. Thereby, the operating frequencies of the first power button 301 and the first start button 302 are higher than the operating frequencies of the mode button 303, the bath water button 304, and the spin button 305.

In the present embodiment, by the second power button 240 and the second start button 250 provided in the upper cover 15, the power source ON/OFF operation and the start/stop operation can be performed with the upper cover 15 closed. Further, since the operation portion 16 including the power supply switching element 402 and the start switching element 403 is provided on the upper panel 12 side, it is not necessary to perform the electric wiring processing inside the upper cover 15, and the weight increase of the upper cover 15 can be suppressed. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the case where the structure of the upper cover 15 is complicated and the case where the operability of the upper cover 15 is lowered.

Further, in the above embodiment, since the second power button 240 and the second start button 250 corresponding to the first power button 301 and the first start button 302 having a high operation frequency are provided in the upper cover 15, the operation frequency is low. Since the operation button corresponding to the operation button is not provided in the upper cover 15, it is possible to prevent the structure of the upper cover 15 from being complicated and the weight of the upper cover 15 from being increased due to the provision of the plurality of operation buttons.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the

pressing bodies

242 and 252 of the second power button 240 and the second start button 250 are formed of members separately provided to the

button bodies

241 and 251, the

pressing bodies

242 and 252 can be enlarged. The diameter can thereby increase the area of the

lower surfaces

242b, 252b, and can reduce the first electricity The load applied by the source button 301 and the second power button 302.

In addition, when the

pressing bodies

242 and 252 are not separately provided, but are integrally formed with the

button bodies

241 and 251 by resin molding, it is difficult to increase the outer diameters of the

pressing bodies

242 and 252. When the

pressing bodies

242 and 252 have a hollow structure, holes continuing to the

pressing bodies

242 and 252 are formed on the surfaces of the

button bodies

241 and 251, and if the

pressing bodies

242 and 252 have a solid structure, they are easily applied to the

button bodies

241 and 251. In any case, the appearance quality of the second power button 240 and the second start button 250 is easily lowered.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the second power button 240 and the second start button 250 are formed of the

members

241 and 252 which are softer than the

button bodies

241 and 251, it is possible to suppress the button caused by the user's operation. The

main bodies

241 and 251 are damaged, and the first power button 301 and the first start button 302 can be prevented from being damaged by the

pressing bodies

242 and 252 that are in contact with each other.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the second power button 240 and the second start button 250 form the

lower surfaces

242b and 252b of the

pressing bodies

242 and 252 in a convex curved surface shape, the first power button 301 and the second power supply can be further suppressed. The start button 302 is damaged by the abutting

pressing bodies

242, 252.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the like, and the embodiments of the present invention may be variously modified in addition to the above.

For example, in the above embodiment, the second power button 240 and the second start button 250 are provided in the upper cover operation unit 200. However, it is also possible to provide only one of the second power button 240 and the second start button 250 in the upper cover operation portion 200. Further, at least one of the second power button 240 and the second start button 250 and the operation buttons of the operation unit 16 other than the first power button 301 and the first start button 302 may be provided in the upper cover operation unit 200, for example, for An operation button of the operation mode button 303, wherein the mode button 303 is an operation button whose operation frequency is second only to the first power button 301 and the first start button 302.

Further, in the above embodiment, the operation unit 16 is provided on the right side of the input port 14 of the upper panel 12. However, the operation unit 16 may be provided in front of and to the left of the input port 14 of the upper panel 12.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the

pressing bodies

242 and 252 of the second power button 240 and the second start button 250 are formed of a material softer than the

button bodies

241 and 251. However, the

pressing bodies

242, 252 may be formed of the same material as the

button bodies

241, 251.

Further, in the above embodiment, the

lower surfaces

242b and 252b of the

pressing bodies

242 and 252 are formed. The convex curved shape is formed, but the

lower surfaces

242b and 252b of the

pressing bodies

242 and 252 may not be formed in a convex curved shape. For example, the

lower surfaces

242b, 252b of the

pressing bodies

242, 252 may have a flat shape. However, in this case, in order to suppress damage of the first power button 301 and the first start button 302, it is preferable to process the edge portions of the

lower surfaces

242b and 252b into R faces or C faces.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the frame portion 261 is formed such that the inclination of the front wall portion 261a is smaller than that of the rear wall portion 261b, and the inclination of the left wall portion 261c is smaller than that of the right wall portion 261d. However, as long as at least the front wall portion 261a is formed to be smaller than the inclination of the rear wall portion 261b, the left wall portion 261c may be formed to have the same inclination as the right wall portion 261d.

Further, in the above embodiment, the display window 260 is provided in the upper cover operation unit 200. However, the display window 260 may not be provided in the upper cover operation unit 200.

Further, in the above embodiment, the outer tub 20 and the washing and dewatering tub 21 are inclined forward, but they may not be inclined.

Further, although the fully automatic washing machine 1 of the above embodiment does not have a drying function, the present invention is also applicable to a fully automatic washing machine having a drying function.

Further, the embodiments of the present invention can be variously modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea of the claims.

Claims

A washing machine characterized by comprising:

The upper panel has an input port for washing;

An operation portion disposed around the input port of the upper panel, including a plurality of operation buttons and a switching element that detects depression of the operation buttons;

An upper cover that covers the input port and the operation portion in an openable and closable manner;

a second button disposed at a position corresponding to the first button included in the plurality of operation buttons of the upper cover, when pressed when the upper cover is closed, pressing the first Button.
A washing machine according to claim 1, wherein

The first button includes: a first power button for performing power on/off; and a first start button for starting/pausing operation,

The second button includes a second power button that presses the first power button by pressing, and a second start button that presses the first start button.
A washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

The second button has:

a button body which is made of resin and pressed by a user's finger;

The pressing body is attached to the back surface of the button body, and the button body is pressed downward to move downward, and the first button is pressed.
A washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that

The pressing body is formed of a material that is softer than the button body.
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

a display unit is provided in the operation unit to display information related to the operation;

a display window disposed at a position corresponding to the display portion of the upper surface of the upper cover;

a frame portion surrounding an edge of the display window and extending from the edge toward the display portion side

The opening of the front end of the frame portion has a size for accommodating the display portion, and the display window is designed such that at least the dimension in the front-rear direction is larger than the dimension in the front-rear direction of the opening portion.

The inclination of the front side wall portion of the frame portion extending from the front side edge of the display window toward the front side edge of the opening portion is designed to be larger than the rear side edge from the display window toward the opening portion The inclination of the rear side wall portion of the frame portion in which the rear side edge extends is small.