Washing machine

Abstract

A laundry machine is provided with a function of automatically feeding a washing treatment agent, and a function of suppressing clogging due to drying and solidification of the treatment agent remaining around an injection port. The laundry machine is provided with a tub, a water supply path connected to an external water source to supply water from the external water source to the tub, a water supply valve that opens and closes the water supply path, and an automatic feeding device having a treatment agent tank and a treatment agent injection path, and capable of feeding a prescribed amount of the washing treatment agent stored in the treatment agent tank from the treatment agent injection path to the tub via the water supply path, wherein the treatment agent tank is capable of storing several times the amount of the washing treatment agent, and the treatment agent injection path connects the treatment agent tank and the water supply path to inject the washing treatment agent in the treatment agent tank to the water supply path. The water supply path has a water remaining portion in which water remains when the water supply valve is closed. An injection port that is an outlet of the treatment agent injection path is provided to the water remaining portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, to meet users' demands for greater convenience, a washing machine has been developed that pre-stores detergent, fabric softener, and other cleaning agents in multiple-use quantities in a detergent dispenser, and automatically adds the required amount to the water tank during the wash cycle. In this type of washing machine, the detergent dispenser is connected to a water supply path that supplies water to the water tank from an external water source such as a tap. Furthermore, after the cleaning agent is injected from the dispenser into the water supply path, it is added to the water tank along with the water flowing through the path.

[0003] In this situation, residual detergent may sometimes remain around the outlet of the injection path connecting the detergent tank and the water supply path—that is, around the inlet used to inject detergent into the water supply path. However, when the washing machine is not running, the water supply path is not full of water. Therefore, if the washing machine is not running for an extended period, the residual detergent around the inlet dries and hardens, sometimes causing blockage of the inlet.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-11618 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] Therefore, the present invention provides a washing machine that can suppress clogging caused by the drying and solidification of detergent residue around the inlet in a washing machine with an automatic detergent dispensing function.

[0009] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0010] The washing machine of this embodiment includes: a water tank; a water supply path connected to an external water source and supplying water from the external water source to the water tank; a water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply path; and an automatic dispensing device having a detergent tank and a detergent injection path, capable of dispensing a predetermined amount of detergent stored in the detergent tank into the water tank via the detergent injection path and the water supply path. The detergent tank is capable of storing several quantities of detergent, and the detergent injection path connects the detergent tank and the water supply path for dispensing detergent from the detergent tank into the water supply path. The water supply path has a water residue section in which water remains when the water supply valve is closed. An inlet serving as the outlet of the detergent injection path is provided in the water residue section. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a drum-type washing machine according to the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of a vertical washing machine according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a diagram conceptually illustrating the automatic dispensing device and the structure surrounding the water supply path according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a diagram conceptually illustrating the automatic dispensing device and the structure surrounding the water supply path according to the second embodiment.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a diagram conceptually illustrating the automatic dispensing device and the structure surrounding the water supply path according to the third embodiment.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a diagram conceptually illustrating the automatic dispensing device and the structure surrounding the water supply path according to the fourth embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Hereinafter, several embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, substantially the same elements are labeled with the same reference numerals in each embodiment, and descriptions are omitted. Moreover, each embodiment can also be applied to… Figure 1 The horizontal or oblique axis type drum washing machine shown and Figure 2 Any of the vertical axis type washing machines shown.

[0018] (First Implementation)

[0019] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The first embodiment will be described below.

[0020] Figure 1 The washing machine 10 shown includes an outer casing 11, a water tank 12, a swivel tray 13, a door 14, a motor 15, and a drain valve 16. Furthermore, Figure 1 The left side is set as the front side of the washing machine 10, and the left side is set as the front side of the washing machine 10. Figure 1 The right side is designated as the rear side of the washing machine 10. Furthermore, the side of the washing machine 10 with its mounting surface, i.e., the lower vertical side, is designated as the lower side of the washing machine 10, and the opposite side, i.e., the upper vertical side, is designated as the upper side of the washing machine 10. The washing machine 10 is a so-called horizontal axis type drum washing machine where the rotation axis of the rotating tub 13 is horizontal or inclined downwards towards the rear. In this case, the water tank 12 and the rotating tub 13 function as a washing tub for holding laundry.

[0021] Figure 2 The washing machine 20 shown includes an outer casing 21, a water tank 22, a swivel tray 23, an inner cover 241, an outer cover 242, a motor 25, and a drain valve 26. Furthermore, Figure 2 The left side is set as the front side of the washing machine 20, and Figure 2 The right side is designated as the rear side of the washing machine 20. Furthermore, the side of the washing machine 20 with its mounting surface (vertically lower) is designated as the lower side of the washing machine 20, and the opposite side (vertically upper) is designated as the upper side of the washing machine 20. The washing machine 20 is a vertical washing machine with the rotation axis of the rotating tub 23 facing the vertical direction. In this case, the water tank 22 and the rotating tub 23 function as a washing tub for holding laundry.

[0022] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, washing machines 10 and 20 each have a water supply path 30, a water supply valve 40, and an automatic dispensing device 50. The water supply path 30, water supply valve 40, and automatic dispensing device 50 are all located in the upper part of the outer casings 11 and 21. The water supply path 30 connects an external water source, such as a tap from a water pipe, to the sinks 12 and 22, and is used to supply water from the external water source to the sinks 12 and 22. The water supply path 30 is connected to an external water source, such as a tap from a water pipe, via the water supply valve 40, and receives water from this external water source and supplies it to the sinks 12 and 22.

[0023] In this embodiment, washing machines 10 and 20 each include a water inlet box 17 and 27. The water inlet boxes 17 and 27 are integrally formed in a container shape and are configured to hold the amount of detergent used in one wash cycle. Figure 3 As shown, a portion of the water supply path 30 passes through the interior of the water injection boxes 17 and 27. In this case, the portion of the water supply path 30 that passes through the interior of the water injection boxes 17 and 27 can be integrally formed with the water injection boxes 17 and 27, or it can be separately formed from the water injection boxes 17 and 27.

[0024] The water supply valve 40 is an electromagnetically driven on / off valve that opens and closes the water supply path 30. The opening and closing of the water supply valve 40 is controlled by a control signal from a control device (not shown) from the washing machines 10 and 20. When the water supply valve 40 is open, water from an external water source, such as a tap, flows through the water supply path 30 into the water tanks 12 and 22. At this time, if detergent and fabric softener are contained in the water inlets 17 and 27, these detergents are flushed into the water tanks 12 and 22 by the water inlets 17 and 27. Then, when the water supply valve 40 is closed, the water flow into the water tanks 12 and 22 stops.

[0025] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the water supply path 30 can also be configured to include a water injection hose 31. The water injection hose 31 is a corrugated and flexible hose that connects the water injection boxes 17 and 27 to the water tanks 12 and 22.

[0026] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, the water supply path 30 has a water residue section 32. The water residue section 32 is the portion of water remaining in the water supply path 30 when the water supply valve 40 is closed to stop the water supply to the water tanks 12 and 22. In this embodiment, after the water supply valve 40 is opened to allow water to pass through the water supply path 30, and then the water supply valve 40 is closed to stop the water supply, residual water W remains in the water residue section 32.

[0027] The water residue section 32 is constituted by a trap formed by bending a portion of the water supply path 30 into a U-shape. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the U-shape includes not only... Figure 3 The water supply path 30 shown has a right-angle bend shape, and also includes, for example, a shape that is generally smoothly bendable.

[0028] The water residue section 32 has a bottom 321 and two upright sections 322 and 323. The bottom 321 is a U-shaped portion and is located between the two upright sections 322 and 323. The upright sections 322 and 323 are located on the upstream and downstream sides relative to the bottom 321 and are configured to extend in the vertical direction. In this case, the upright sections 322 and 323 constitute the upstream end and downstream end of the water residue section 32, respectively. That is, the upright section 322 is located at the upstream end of the water residue section 32, and the upright section 323 is located at the downstream end of the water residue section 32. Moreover, the upright sections 322 and 323 extend to a position higher than the inlet 531, which will be described later. Furthermore, in this case, the upright sections 322 and 323 do not necessarily need to extend strictly in the vertical direction; for example, they can be structures that slope upwards when viewed from the bottom 321.

[0029] The automatic dispensing device 50 has the function of pre-storing several amounts of detergent and automatically supplying a predetermined amount of detergent to the water tanks 12 and 22 during several wash cycles. Furthermore, in this embodiment, detergent refers to a concept that includes liquid detergent and fabric softener. Additionally, in the case of this embodiment, as... Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the automatic dispensing device 50 is located inside the outer casings 11 and 21 and above the water tanks 12 and 22, and is positioned on one side of the washing machines 10 and 20 in the left-right direction, for example, on the left side.

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown, the automatic dispensing device 50 includes a detergent tank 51, a supply pump 52, and a detergent injection path 53. The detergent tank 51 is configured to store several amounts of detergent and can be installed and removed from the washing machines 10 and 20 by user operation.

[0031] The supply pump 52, for example, is a piston pump that draws a predetermined amount of detergent from the detergent tank 51 and injects the drawn detergent into the water supply path 30 via the detergent injection path 53. The washing machine 10, for example, can inject the detergent required for the washing operation into the water tanks 12 and 22 along with the water flowing through the water supply path 30 by activating the supply pump 52 during the washing and rinsing processes of the washing operation.

[0032] The treatment agent injection path 53 connects the treatment agent tank 51 to the water supply path 30 via the supply pump 52, and is used to inject the detergent treatment agent in the treatment agent tank 51 into the water supply path 30. The treatment agent injection path 53 is connected to the water residue section 32 in the water supply path 30. That is, the injection port 531, which becomes the outlet of the treatment agent injection path 53, is provided in the water residue section 32. In this case, the injection port 531 is located at the lowest bottom part of the water residue section 32. Therefore, when the water supply valve 40 is closed and residual water W remains in the water residue section 32, the injection port 531 is completely covered by the residual water W remaining in the water residue section 32.

[0033] Furthermore, the inlet 531 is positioned opposite to the direction of water flowing through the water supply path 30 when the water supply valve 40 is opened and water flows into the water supply path 30. That is, the inlet 531 is positioned to receive the water pressure directly from the front of the water flowing through the water supply path 30. In this embodiment, the inlet 531 is located at the bottom 321 of the water residue section 32 and is positioned on the upright section 322 facing the upstream side.

[0034] In addition, such as Figure 3As shown, washing machines 10 and 20 include a microbubble generator 60. The microbubble generator 60 is located on the water supply path 30 and is positioned upstream of the inlet 531. In this embodiment, the microbubble generator 60 is located between the water supply valve 40 and the water inlet boxes 17 and 27, and is installed in the water inlet boxes 17 and 27. The microbubble generator 60 is a device that generates microbubbles by drastically reducing the pressure of a liquid such as water as it passes through its interior, thereby causing dissolved gases, such as air, to precipitate out.

[0035] The microbubble generator 60 of this embodiment can generate microbubbles, also known as tiny bubbles, containing bubbles with a diameter of 100 μm or less, by applying pressure from a tap water pipe. Furthermore, the microbubble generator 60 of this embodiment can generate microbubbles containing ultramicrobubbles with a particle size of nanometers. In addition, bubbles with a particle size of 100 μm or less are generally referred to as microbubbles, and bubbles with a particle size of 1 μm or less, i.e., nanometers, are referred to as ultramicrobubbles.

[0036] According to the embodiments described above, washing machines 10 and 20 respectively include water tanks 12 and 22, a water supply path 30, a water supply valve 40, and an automatic dispensing device 50. The water supply path 30 is connected to an external water source such as a tap in a water pipe, for supplying water from this external source to the water tanks 12 and 22. The water supply valve 40 opens and closes the water supply path 30. The automatic dispensing device 50 includes a detergent tank 51 and a detergent injection path 53. The detergent tank 51 is configured to store several amounts of detergent. The detergent injection path 53 connects the detergent tank 51 and the water supply path 30, for injecting the detergent from the detergent tank 51 into the water supply path 30. The automatic dispensing device 50 can dispense a predetermined amount of detergent from the detergent stored in the detergent tank 51 into the water tanks 12 and 22 via the detergent injection path 53 and the water supply path 30. In addition, the water supply path 30 has a water residue section 32, in which water remains when the water supply valve 40 is closed. Furthermore, an injection port 531, which serves as the outlet of the treatment agent injection path 53, is provided in the water residue section 32.

[0037] Therefore, even when the water supply valve 40 is closed and water supply is stopped, resulting in no water flow in the water supply path 30, residual water W can still remain in the water residue section 32. Furthermore, since the inlet 531, which serves as the outlet of the treatment agent injection path 53, is located in the water residue section 32, the inlet 531 is also covered by the residual water W in the water residue section 32 even when the water supply valve 40 is closed and water supply is stopped, resulting in no water flow in the water supply path 30. Thus, even when the washing machines 10 and 20 are not operated for extended periods, the detergent residue around the inlet 531 comes into contact with the residual water W in the water residue section 32, thereby preventing the detergent residue around the inlet 531 from drying and hardening. As a result, clogging of the treatment agent injection path 53 due to the drying and hardening of the treatment agent residue around the inlet 531 can be prevented.

[0038] Furthermore, the water residue section 32 is constructed using a U-shaped collector. This allows for the storage of more residual water W in the water residue section 32, which is constructed using a U-shaped collector. Additionally, the portion of the residual water W that comes into contact with air within the water supply path 30 is the area at the ends of the upright sections 322 and 323. Therefore, the area of ​​residual water W in the water residue section 32 that comes into contact with air can be minimized, thus suppressing the evaporation of the residual water W. This allows for a further extension of the period until the residual water W evaporates, exposing the inlet 531 to air within the water supply path 30. Consequently, even when the washing machines 10 and 20 are not running for extended periods, the drying and solidification of detergent residue around the inlet 531 can be more effectively suppressed. As a result, blockage of the detergent injection path 53 caused by the drying and solidification of detergent residue around the inlet 531 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0039] Inlet 531 is positioned opposite to the direction of water flowing through water supply path 30. Therefore, inlet 531 is directly subjected to the water pressure of the water flowing through water supply path 30. Thus, even if the residual water W in water residue section 32 evaporates, causing the detergent residue around inlet 531 to dry and solidify, the solidified detergent is easily removed by the water pressure of the water flowing through water supply path 30 during the next wash cycle. As a result, even if the detergent drying and solidifying causes blockage in detergent injection path 53, the blockage can be eliminated quickly.

[0040] In this embodiment, in particular, the inlet 531 is positioned facing the upright portion 322. Therefore, the water flowing through the upright portion 322 towards the inlet 531 is subjected to both the pressure from the original water pipe and the downward force of gravity. Consequently, the water impacts the inlet 531 more violently, and the firmly solidified detergent is more likely to detach.

[0041] Furthermore, washing machines 10 and 20 are further equipped with a microbubble generator 60. The microbubble generator 60 is located on the water supply path 30, positioned upstream of the inlet 531. This microbubble generator 60 enables the water flowing through the water supply path 30 to contain microbubbles, including ultra-microbubbles.

[0042] Here, the main components of detergent, namely anionic surfactants, and the microbubbles in microbubble water, each individually possess cleaning abilities to remove dirt. However, when concentrated detergent water is infused with microbubbles, for example, by dissolving the detergent in water containing microbubbles, the surfactants in the detergent adsorb onto the microbubbles due to intermolecular attraction caused by hydrophobic interactions. This leads to surfactant aggregation, or micelle decomposition, making it easier to disperse in the water. As a result, the surfactants become readily reactable with dirt in a short time, enhancing cleaning power.

[0043] That is, by dissolving detergent in water containing microbubbles to generate a washing liquid, the interaction between the surfactant in the detergent and the microbubbles takes effect. As a result, the cleaning power is significantly improved compared to a washing liquid where detergent is simply dissolved in tap water. Furthermore, dirt is emulsified and easily dispersed in the water, thus preventing dirt from re-adhering to clothing. Therefore, for these reasons, the washing liquid of this embodiment has stronger cleaning power compared to a washing liquid where detergent is dissolved in ordinary tap water. As a result, washing machines 10 and 20 can exert a strong cleaning power.

[0044] Furthermore, in this case, the water flowing through the water supply path 30 contains microbubbles. Therefore, even if the residual water W in the water residue section 32 evaporates, causing the detergent residue around the inlet 531 to dry and solidify, the solidified detergent is easily removed by the action of the microbubbles contained in the water flowing through the water supply path 30 during the next wash cycle. As a result, even assuming that the detergent drying and solidifying causes blockage in the detergent injection path 53, the blockage can be eliminated more quickly.

[0045] (Second Implementation)

[0046] Next, refer to Figure 4 The second embodiment will be described below.

[0047] In this embodiment, the position of the inlet 531 differs from that in the first embodiment described above. In this embodiment, the inlet 531 is located on the downstream side of the U-shaped water residue section 32, specifically on the downstream upright section 323. That is, in this embodiment, the inlet 531 is located on the downstream upright section 323 of the water residue section 32 and is positioned in the space facing the bottom 321. In this case, the inlet 531 is also positioned opposite to the direction of the water flowing through the water supply path 30 when the water supply valve 40 is opened and water flows into the water supply path 30, i.e., it is positioned to be directly exposed to the water pressure flowing through the water supply path 30 from the front.

[0048] Therefore, the same effects as the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

[0049] (Third Implementation)

[0050] Next, refer to Figure 5 The third embodiment will be described below.

[0051] In this embodiment, the shape of the water residue portion 32 differs from that in the embodiments described above. That is, in this embodiment, instead of the water residue portion 32, the washing machines 10 and 20 include a water residue portion 33. The water residue portion 33 is formed such that a portion of the water supply path 30, which is formed as a straight line and extends horizontally, is recessed downwards.

[0052] Therefore, the same effects as the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

[0053] Furthermore, according to this structure, the portion of the water supply path 30 with the water residue 33 can be configured as a straight line, thereby suppressing the resistance of the water flowing through the water supply path 30. That is, according to this embodiment, by providing a water residue 33 with a complex shape, the increase in water resistance can be suppressed, and as a result, the decrease in water potential and water supply can be suppressed.

[0054] Furthermore, this embodiment can also be combined with the first embodiment described above. That is, it can be configured such that a concave water residue portion 33 of the third embodiment is further provided at the bottom 321 of the U-shaped water residue portion 32 of the first embodiment, and an inlet 531 is provided in the concave water residue portion 33. As a result, even if very little water remains in the U-shaped water residue portion 32 after evaporation, water can still remain around the inlet 531 through the concave water residue portion 33. Consequently, clogging of the inlet 531 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0055] (Fourth Implementation)

[0056] Next, refer to Figure 6 The third embodiment will be described below.

[0057] In this embodiment, the shape of the water residue section 34 also differs from that of the embodiments described above. Specifically, in this embodiment, instead of the water residue sections 32 and 33, the washing machines 10 and 20 include a water residue section 34. The water residue section 34 is shaped such that a portion of the water supply path 30, which is formed as a straight line and extends horizontally, bends upwards. Specifically, the water residue section 34 has a bottom 341 and a raised portion 342. The bottom 341 forms the base of the water residue section 34, and the raised portion 342 bends upwards from the bottom 341 and rises upwards from the bottom 341. Furthermore, an inlet 531 is provided within the water residue section 34. In this case, the inlet 531 is located on the surface of the raised portion 342 and is positioned facing the outlet of the water supply valve 40, which is also the outlet of the microbubble generator 60.

[0058] Therefore, the same effects as the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

[0059] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the water residue section 34 is more than... Figure 3 , Figure 4 The U-shaped water residue section 32 shown has a simpler, straighter structure, which further reduces the resistance of water flowing through the water residue section 34.

[0060] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the injection port 531 is positioned opposite the outlet of the microbubble generator 60. Therefore, water containing microbubbles flowing from the microbubble generator 60 can directly collide with the injection port 531. Consequently, even if the detergent adhering near the injection port 531 solidifies, the microbubbles can directly act on the detergent, resulting in the detergent being easily detached even when firmly solidified.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the injection port 531 can also be connected to... Figure 3 Similarly, in the first embodiment shown, the bottom 341 of the water residue section 34 is provided.

[0062] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the injection port 531 only needs to be formed on the water residue portions 32, 33, and 34, and does not necessarily have to be formed on the bottom or side surface of the water residue portions 32, 33, and 34. For example, the injection port 531 may also be formed on the upper surface, i.e., the top surface, of the water residue portions 32, 33, and 34.

[0063] The foregoing has described several embodiments of the present invention, but these embodiments are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments or variations thereof are included in the scope or spirit of the invention, and are included within the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents.

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising: a tub; a water supply path connected to an external water source and supplying water from the external water source to the tub; and an automatic dosing device having a treatment agent tank and a treatment agent injection path, and capable of injecting a prescribed amount of a washing treatment agent stored in the treatment agent tank from the treatment agent injection path into the tub via the water supply path, wherein the treatment agent tank is capable of storing several doses of a washing treatment agent, the treatment agent injection path connects the treatment agent tank and the water supply path for injecting the washing treatment agent in the treatment agent tank into the water supply path; the water supply path has a water remaining portion in which water remains in the case where the water supply valve is closed, an injection port that is an outlet of the treatment agent injection path is located on a bottom surface or a side surface of the water remaining portion, and is provided in the water remaining portion at a position where the injection port is covered by remaining water remaining in the water remaining portion.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water remaining portion further has a standing portion provided at a downstream end portion of the water remaining portion and extending to a position higher than the injection port.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water remaining portion is a shape in which the water supply path is recessed. a water supply valve that opens and closes the water supply path; 4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the injection port is provided at a position opposite to a direction in which water flows through the water supply path.

5. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a fine bubble generator located on the water supply path at a position more upstream than the injection port, and capable of causing water flowing through the water supply path to contain fine bubbles. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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