Washing machine

Abstract

The laundry machine according to the present application is provided with a water tub for accommodating laundry and an automatic feeding device for automatically feeding a prescribed amount of a washing treatment agent into the water tub. The automatic feeding device is provided with a tank for storing a quantity of washing treatment agent for multiple cleaning operations and having an opening portion opened to the outside, a discharge portion provided in the tank for communicating the inside of the tank with the outside and capable of discharging the washing treatment agent stored in the tank to the outside of the tank, and a filter member provided in the tank in a manner capable of being attached and detached without using a tool, for separating a region on the discharge portion side from a region on the opening portion side and capable of removing foreign matter contained in the washing treatment agent when the washing treatment agent fed from the opening portion flows to the discharge portion side. The filter member is provided with a plurality of permeation portions capable of allowing the washing treatment agent to permeate therethrough and a handle portion capable of being hooked by a user's finger from the region on the opening portion side.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to a washing machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, a washing machine having an automatic input portion that stores a plurality of amounts of a laundry treatment agent such as a detergent or a softener in a tank for automatic input in advance and automatically inputs a necessary amount from the tank into a tub during operation has been developed.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-74081 SUMMARY

[0006] In the tank for automatic input, a raw liquid of the laundry treatment agent is stored for a relatively long period of time. Therefore, the laundry treatment agent is sometimes concentrated due to evaporation of moisture and solidified at the bottom of the tank. The solidified laundry treatment agent cannot be simply removed by simply rinsing the tank with water.

[0007] Therefore, a washing machine provided with a treatment agent tank for automatic input that is easy for a user to clean is provided.

[0008] The washing machine of the embodiment is provided with a tub that accommodates laundry inside and an automatic input device that automatically inputs a prescribed amount of a laundry treatment agent into the tub. The automatic input device has a tank that can store a plurality of amounts of the laundry treatment agent for cleaning operation and has an opening portion that is open to the outside, a discharge portion that is provided to the tank, communicates the inside of the tank with the outside, and can discharge the laundry treatment agent stored in the tank to the outside of the tank, and a filter member that is provided in the tank in a manner that can be attached and detached without using a tool, separates a region of the discharge portion side from a region of the opening portion side, and can remove foreign matter contained in the laundry treatment agent when the laundry treatment agent input from the opening portion flows to the discharge portion side. The filter member has a plurality of permeation portions through which the laundry treatment agent can permeate and a handle portion through which a user's finger can be hooked from the region of the opening portion side.

[0009] EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0010] According to the washing machine of the embodiment, the treatment agent tank for automatic input is easy for a user to clean. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of one example of a washing machine of the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a part of a constitution of an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of a top cover of an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a constitution of a tub of an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a plan view of the tub of an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 6 FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the tub of an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment, indicated along A-A of FIG. 4. Figure 5

[0017] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing X7 of FIG. 5, enlarged, of an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment. Figure 7 Figure 6 FIG. 7 is a diagram showing X8 of FIG. 5, enlarged, of an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 8 FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the tub of an example of a washing machine according to another embodiment, indicated along A-A of FIG. 4. Figure 6

[0019] Figure 9 Figure 5

[0020] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0021] 1... washing machine, 11... tub, 40... automatic feeding device, 60... tub, 611... discharge portion, 614... back wall portion, 615... bottom portion, 616... opening portion, 70... filter member, 71... upper face portion, 72... side face portion, 74... permeation portion, 75... rib, 76... handle portion, 81... first restriction portion, 82... second restriction portion, region on opening portion side... Al, region on discharge portion side... A2 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] First, an outline of a constitution of the washing machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The washing machine 1 is provided with a washing machine main body 10, a tub 11, a rotating tub 12, a motor 13, a drain valve 14, a water filling device 30, and an automatic feeding device 40. In addition, the left side of FIG. 1 is set as the front side of the washing machine 1, and the right side of FIG. 1 is set as the rear side of the washing machine 1. Figure 1 Figure 1 Figure 1 ​​​​​​The right side is designated as the rear side of washing machine 1. In this case, it is assumed that the user is usually located in front of washing machine 1. Furthermore, the side of washing machine 1 with its mounting surface, i.e., the lower vertical side, is designated as the lower side of washing machine 1, and the side opposite to the mounting surface, i.e., the upper vertical side, is designated as the upper side of washing machine 1. Moreover, the direction perpendicular to the front-back direction and the up-down direction of washing machine 1 is designated as the width direction of washing machine 1, i.e., the left-right direction.

[0024] The washing machine 1 in this embodiment is a so-called vertical axis type washing machine where the rotation axis of the drum 12 is oriented vertically. However, the washing machine 1 is not limited to a vertical axis type; it can also be a drum type where the rotation axis of the drum is horizontal or inclined. Furthermore, the washing machine 1 may or may not have a drying function.

[0025] Washing machine body 10 Figure 1 As shown, the washing machine 1 has an outer casing 21, a top cover 22, a main body cover 23, and a rear cover 24. The outer casing 21 constitutes the outer shell of the washing machine 1. The outer casing 21 is formed into a generally rectangular box shape, for example, using a steel plate, and has an opening on the top. The water tank 11 is housed inside the main body 10 of the washing machine, i.e., inside the outer casing 21. The rotating drum 12 is housed inside the water tank 11. The water tank 11 is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape with an opening on the top.

[0026] Top cover 22 Figure 1 As shown, the washing machine 1 has a top cover opening 221, which is a rectangular ring. The top cover 22 is located on the upper part of the outer casing 21. The main cover 23 is located on the top cover 22 and opens and closes the top cover opening 221. The rear cover 24 is a rectangular shape that is longer in the left-right direction of the washing machine 1. The rear cover 24 is located at the rear end of the upper part of the top cover 22.

[0027] The electric motor 13 is located on the outside of the bottom of the water tank 11, passes through the water tank 11 and is connected to the rotating drum 12. The electric motor 13 is, for example, an external rotor type DC brushless motor. The electric motor 13 causes the rotating drum 12 to rotate.

[0028] The drain valve 14 is an electromagnetically actuated liquid-operated valve, driven and controlled by a control device (not shown). The input side of the drain valve 14 is connected to the water tank 11, and the output side is connected to the outside of the washing machine 1. The drain valve 14 opens and closes the drain path to drain water stored in the water tank 11 to the outside of the washing machine 1. When the drain valve 14 is closed, the water tank 11 is in a state where water can be stored. Conversely, when the drain valve 14 is open, the water stored in the water tank 11 can be drained to the outside of the machine.

[0029] The water inlet device 30 is located on the upper rear side of the washing machine body 10, and is inside the top cover 22. The water inlet device 30 is as follows: Figure 2As shown, it includes a water supply valve 31, a water injection box 32, a treatment agent box 33, and a water injection hose 34. The water injection device 30 is connected via the water supply hose 100 to an external water source, such as a tap in a water pipe (not shown).

[0030] The water supply valve 31 is an electromagnetically actuated liquid-operated on / off valve, driven and controlled by a control device (not shown). The input side of the water supply valve 31 is connected to an external water source such as a tap water pipe, and the output side of the water supply valve 31 is connected to a water filling box 32. The water supply valve 31 opens and closes the water supply path for supplying water from an external water source such as a tap water pipe to the water tank 11 via the water filling box 32.

[0031] The water injection box 32 forms the outer shell of the water injection device 30, for example, made of resin and formed in a box shape. The upstream side of the water injection box 32 is connected to the water supply valve 31, and the downstream side of the water injection box 32 is connected to the water tank 11 via the water injection hose 34.

[0032] The detergent dispenser 33 is, for example, a resin container, configured to hold the amount of detergent and fabric softener used in a single wash cycle. The detergent dispenser 33 is configured to be able to be pulled forward from inside the top cover 22. When housed within the water tank 32, the detergent dispenser 33 is positioned to receive water supplied to the water tank 32 via the water supply valve 31. When the user manually adds detergent to the water tank 11, the detergent and fabric softener are added to the detergent dispenser 33 while it is being pulled forward. The detergent stored in the detergent dispenser 33 flows into the water tank 11 along with the water injected into the water tank 11 via the water filling device 30.

[0033] The automatic dispensing device 40 is pre-stored with a detergent amount sufficient for multiple wash cycles, and has the function of automatically supplying a predetermined amount of detergent to the water tank 11 during multiple wash cycles. In this embodiment, the automatic dispensing device 40, as... Figure 3 As shown, it is located inside the outer casing 21 and above the water tank 11, on the left or right side of the washing machine 1.

[0034] Automatic input device 40 Figures 1-3 As shown, the washing machine includes a supply pump 41, a tank housing 50, and a tank 60. The tank housing 50 is located on the washing machine body 10 and can be detachably housed in the tank 60. The tank 60 is configured to store multiple amounts of detergent and can be loaded and unloaded from the tank housing 50 by the user.

[0035] Tank containment section 50 Figure 2As shown, the can housing 50 has a connecting portion 51 that communicates with the interior and exterior of the can housing 50. The can 60 has a discharge portion 611 that communicates with the interior and exterior of the can 60. Furthermore, when the can 60 is inserted into the correct position in the can housing 50, the discharge portion 611 is connected to the connecting portion 51 of the can housing 50 at the insertion end of the can 60. Thus, the detergent stored in the can 60 can flow out to the exterior of the can 60 and the can housing 50 through the discharge portion 611 and the connecting portion 51.

[0036] The supply pump 41, for example, is a piston pump, located outside the tank housing 50 and connected to the connecting part 51. With the tank 60 housed in the tank housing 50 and the discharge part 611 connected to the connecting part 51, the supply pump 41 draws a predetermined amount of detergent from the tank 60 and introduces the drawn detergent into the aforementioned water supply path. The washing machine 1 operates the supply pump 41, for example, during the washing or rinsing cycle of a washing operation, thereby adding the detergent required for the washing operation to the water flowing through the water supply path and introducing it into the water tank 11. Alternatively, the supply pump 41 can be located either inside the tank 60 or inside the tank housing 50.

[0037] Next, the can receiving section 50 and the can 60 will be described in detail. Furthermore, in the following description, the front-back, up-down, left-right, or width directions of the can receiving section 50 and the can 60 are based on the assumed position where the user typically stands when using the washing machine 1. That is, the front-back, up-down, left-right, or width directions of the can receiving section 50 and the can 60 do not necessarily need to be consistent with the front-back, up-down, left-right, or width directions of the washing machine 1, but in this embodiment, for ease of explanation, they are made consistent with the definitions of each direction of the washing machine 1.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the can housing 50 has a housing body 52 and a sliding box body 53. The housing body 52 constitutes the outer shell of the can housing 50. The housing body 52 is formed into a generally rectangular box shape, with one side being an opening at the front. Although not shown in detail, a connecting part 51 is provided on the side opposite to the opening of the housing body 52, i.e., at the rear.

[0039] The slide case 53 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape with an upper portion open, and is housed inside the housing portion main body 52 in a drawable manner. The direction of movement of the slide case 53 when being drawn out of or inserted into the housing portion main body 52 is referred to as the insertion and extraction direction of the slide case 53 or the tank 60. In the case of the present embodiment, the insertion and extraction direction of the slide case 53 or the tank 60 is the front-rear direction. Also, the direction of movement of the slide case 53 when being drawn out of the housing portion main body 52 is referred to as the extraction direction of the slide case 53 or the tank 60. In addition, the direction of movement of the slide case 53 when being pushed back into the housing portion main body 52 is referred to as the insertion direction of the slide case 53 or the tank 60.

[0040] The housing portion main body 52 has a receiving portion 54. The receiving portion 54 is formed in a groove shape in which the inner walls on the left and right of the housing portion main body 52 are recessed toward the outside of the housing portion main body 52, and extends in a straight line in the insertion and extraction direction of the slide case 53. The slide case 53 has guide rails 55. The guide rails 55 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the slide case 53, and extend in a straight line in the insertion and extraction direction of the slide case 53, i.e., the front-rear direction in this case. The guide rails 55 are housed in the receiving portion 54 of the housing portion main body 52, and are able to slide in the insertion and extraction direction of the slide case 53, i.e., the front-rear direction in this case. The housing portion main body 52, the slide case 53, and the guide rails 55 are, for example, all made of resin.

[0041] The slide case 53 is able to house a plurality of, in this case two, tanks 60 inside. In the case of the present embodiment, the two tanks 60 are housed inside the slide case 53 in a row in the left-right direction.

[0042] The tank 60 is, for example, made of synthetic resin, is composed of a hollow container in a rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction, and is able to store a liquid detergent. In this case, the tank 60 has a sufficient capacity in order to store a detergent used in a plurality of cleaning operations. In this case, the capacity of the tank 60 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to be at least several hundred mL to about 2 L, taking into account the convenience of the user. In the case of the present embodiment, the automatic feeding device 40 has two tanks 60. In this case, one of the two tanks 60 is used to store a detergent as a cleaning agent. In addition, the other of the two tanks 60 is used to store a softening agent as a cleaning agent. In addition, the capacities of the two tanks 60 can be the same or different.

[0043] The tank 60 has, as shown in FIG. 1, a tank main body 61, a lid member 62, a suction pipe 63, and a leakage prevention valve 64. The tank main body 61 constitutes the housing of the tank 60. Figure 4

[0044] In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the tank main body 61 has a tank body 61a, a lid member 62, a suction pipe 63, and a leakage prevention valve 64. The tank body 61a is a hollow container in a rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction, and is able to store a liquid detergent. In this case, the tank body 61a has a sufficient capacity in order to store a detergent used in a plurality of cleaning operations. In this case, the capacity of the tank body 61a is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to be at least several hundred mL to about 2 L, taking into account the convenience of the user. In the case of the present embodiment, the tank 60 has two tank bodies 61a. In this case, one of the two tank bodies 61a is used to store a detergent as a cleaning agent. In addition, the other of the two tank bodies 61a is used to store a softening agent as a cleaning agent. In addition, the capacities of the two tank bodies 61a can be the same or different. Figure 3 Figure 4 ,​​Figure 6 As shown, the can body 61 is generally formed into a cuboid shape, having a front wall portion 612, a side wall portion 613, a back wall portion 614, and a bottom portion 615. The front wall portion 612 forms the front of the can body 61. The side wall portion 613 forms the side of the can body 61. The back wall portion 614 forms the back of the can body 61. The bottom portion 615 forms the bottom surface of the can body 61. In addition, the can body 61 has an opening portion 616. The opening portion 616 is an opening provided in the upper part of the can body 61, that is, an opening formed by the front wall portion 612, the side wall portion 613, and the back wall portion 614, exposing the interior of the can body 61 to the exterior.

[0045] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the cover member 62 is formed into a generally rectangular plate shape and can be detachably mounted on the upper part of the can body 61 to seal the opening 616. The cover member 62 has a cover member body 621, an inlet 622, and an opening / closing cover 623. The cover member body 621 constitutes the outer shell of the cover member 62. The cover member body 621 is formed into a generally rectangular plate shape and has an inlet 622 in one part. The inlet 622 is the opening for the user to add detergent when storing detergent in the can 60. In this case, the inlet 622 is provided in the portion of the cover member body 621 near the end in the extraction direction, i.e., the front end. The opening / closing cover 623 is rotatably provided on the cover member body 621 via a hinge 624 to open and close the inlet 622. The hinge 624 is provided on the insertion direction side of the inlet 622.

[0046] When the user injects detergent into tank 60, firstly, as Figure 3 As shown, the can is pulled out from the can housing 50 by sliding the housing 53. Then, the opening and closing cap 623 is opened, and detergent is added to the can 60 through the inlet 622. After the user has added the prescribed amount of detergent, the opening and closing cap 623 is closed, and the can 60 is pushed back into the can housing 50 by sliding the housing 53 again. Alternatively, the user can remove the cap part 62 from the can body 61 and add detergent through the opening 616.

[0047] Discharge section 611 Figure 4 As shown, a back wall portion 614 is located at the rear of the can body 61. A suction pipe 63 is connected to the discharge portion 611 and extends vertically downwards to near the bottom 615 of the can body. The lower end of the suction pipe 63 is positioned slightly spaced from the bottom 615 of the can body 61. Furthermore, the inner surface of the can body 61 at the bottom 615 is inclined relative to both the front-rear and left-right directions. That is, the bottom 615 is slightly inclined downwards towards the rear. Additionally, it is inclined left-right in a downward direction relative to the lower end of the suction pipe 63. This allows the detergent to easily flow to the position opposite the lower end of the suction pipe 63.

[0048] A leak prevention valve 64 is provided between the discharge portion 611 and the suction pipe 63. The leak prevention valve 64 has a function of preventing the washing treatment agent stored in the tank main body 61 from leaking outside from the discharge portion 611 in a case where the tank 60 is removed from the tank housing portion 50 and the discharge portion 611 is not connected to the connection portion 51. The leak prevention valve 64 opens the path between the discharge portion 611 and the suction pipe 63 in a case where the connection portion 51 is connected to the discharge portion 611. Thus, the supply pump 41 can suck the washing treatment agent stored in the tank main body 61. On the other hand, the leak prevention valve 64 closes the path between the discharge portion 611 and the suction pipe 63 in a case where the connection portion 51 is not connected to the discharge portion 611, thereby preventing the washing treatment agent in the tank main body 61 from flowing outside from the discharge portion 611.

[0049] Further, as shown in Figure 4 , the tank 60 also has a filter member 70. The filter member 70 is provided in the tank main body 61, as shown in Figure 6 , to divide a region Al on the opening portion 616 side and a region A2 on the discharge portion 611 side where the suction pipe 63 is provided, in the internal space of the tank main body 61. Thus, the filter member 70 has a function of capturing foreign matter such as dust contained in the washing treatment agent poured into the tank main body 61 from the pouring inlet 622 when the washing treatment agent is sucked into the supply pump 41 from the suction pipe 63.

[0050] The filter member 70 is formed in a shape in which a plate material is bent into an L shape. Thus, the filter member 70 has an upper surface portion 71 and a side surface portion 72. The upper surface portion 71 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape extending in the horizontal direction, and constitutes the upper surface of the filter member 70. The side surface portion 72 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape extending in the vertical direction, and constitutes the side surface, in this case, the front surface, of the filter member 70. The rear end portion of the upper surface portion 71, that is, the end portion on the insertion direction side also substantially abuts the inner surface of the back wall portion 614 of the tank main body 61, as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 . Specifically, the rear end portion of the upper surface portion 71 substantially abuts a position on the upper side of the center portion in the vertical direction of the back wall portion 614 of the tank main body 61, and on the lower side of the upper end portion of the back wall portion 614. The lower end portion of the side surface portion 72 also substantially abuts the vicinity of the center portion in the front-rear direction of the bottom portion 615 of the tank main body 61, as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 8 . Specifically, the lower end portion of the side surface portion 72 substantially abuts the vicinity of the center portion in the front-rear direction of the bottom portion 615. Note that, in the present specification, "substantially abuts" does not necessarily mean complete abutment, but allows some clearance.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4As shown, the filter member 70 has a frame portion 73 and a plurality of, in this case, four, through portions 74. The frame portion 73 constitutes the outer shell of the filter member 70 over the entire surface of the upper surface portion 71 and the side surface portion 72. In addition, the frame portion 73 forms a lattice shape in which a plurality of rectangles are connected in a ring shape over the entire surface of the upper surface portion 71 and the side surface portion 72 of the filter member 70. In this case, the frame portion 73 forms four lattices in the upper surface portion 71 and four lattices in the side surface portion 72, for a total of eight lattices.

[0052] The plurality of through portions 74 are provided so as to cover the inside of the plurality of lattices of the frame portion 73, respectively. Each through portion 74 has a plurality of small holes 741 that allow the passage of the washing treatment agent but hinder the passage of foreign matter. Thus, the plurality of through portions 74 enable the filter member 70 to capture foreign matter.

[0053] In addition, the filter member 70 has one or a plurality of ribs 75, as shown. Figure 4 The ribs 75 are provided so as to protrude in the vertical direction from the upper surface portion 71 or the side surface portion 72. In this case, the ribs 75 protrude with respect to the filter member 70 toward the region Al on the side of the opening portion 616. That is, the ribs 75 protrude from the upper surface portion 71 toward the upper side or from the side surface portion 72 toward the front side, that is, the extraction direction. In addition, the ribs 75 are provided along the frame portion 73. That is, the ribs 75 are provided at positions that avoid the through portions 74.

[0054] In the present embodiment, four ribs 75 are provided in the upper surface portion 71 of the filter member 70 and four ribs 75 are provided in the side surface portion 72. Three of the ribs 75 provided in the upper surface portion 71 extend in parallel with the front-rear direction, that is, the insertion-extraction direction, and one extends in parallel with the left-right direction. The rib 75 provided in the upper surface portion 71 that extends in parallel with the insertion-extraction direction is provided along the frame portion 73 at the left and right end portions and the central portion in the left-right direction of the upper surface portion 71. The rib 75 provided in the upper surface portion 71 that extends in parallel with the left-right direction is provided along the frame portion 73 at the central portion in the insertion-extraction direction of the upper surface portion 71.

[0055] Furthermore, three of the ribs 75 provided in the side surface portion 72 extend in parallel with the up-down direction and one extends in parallel with the left-right direction. The rib 75 provided in the side surface portion 72 that extends in parallel with the up-down direction is provided along the frame portion 73 at the left and right end portions and the central portion in the left-right direction of the side surface portion 72. The rib 75 provided in the side surface portion 72 that extends in parallel with the left-right direction is provided along the frame portion 73 at the central portion in the up-down direction of the side surface portion 72. In addition, in the present embodiment, the three ribs 75 provided in the upper surface portion 71 that extend in parallel with the insertion-extraction direction and the three ribs 75 provided in the side surface portion 72 that extend in parallel with the up-down direction are connected at the portions where they are provided in the upper surface portion 71 and the side surface portion 72, but in other embodiments, they can not be connected.

[0056] The ribs 75 function to reinforce the filter member 70. That is, since a plurality of small holes 741 are provided in the permeation portion 74, the mechanical strength, rigidity of the filter member 70 with respect to a load, bending stress is inferior compared to a case where there are no small holes. The ribs 75 increase the mechanical strength of the filter member 70 and make it less likely to deform.

[0057] Next, the assembly mechanism of the filter member 70 to the can body 61 will be described. The can body 61 also has a recessed portion 65, a ridge portion 66, a groove portion 67, and a support member 68. The recessed portion 65 is formed by recessing a portion of the end portion side of the rear side in the left and right side wall portions 613, that is, the end portion side in the insertion direction, toward the center side of the can body 61. In this case, the recessed portion 65 extends from a position at which the bottom portion 615 is continuous to a position that is above the central portion in the vertical direction of the left and right side wall portions 613 and below the upper end portion of the left and right side wall portions 613. The ridge portion 66 is formed with a ridge that protrudes from the left and right side wall portions 613 toward the center side of the can body 61 and extends in a straight line in the vertical direction. The ridge portion 66 is provided slightly spaced apart from the front end portion of the recessed portion 65, that is, the end portion on the extraction direction side.

[0058] The groove portion 67 is formed between the step of the left and right side wall portions 613 and the ridge portion 66 at the front end portion of the recessed portion 65, and is formed in a groove shape that opens toward the center side of the can body 61. That is, the groove portion 67 is formed in a straight line that extends in the vertical direction, and is provided on a surface that extends in the vertical direction of the can body 61, in this case, the left and right side wall portions 613. In this case, the groove portion 67 is provided near the central portion in the front and rear direction, that is, the insertion and extraction direction, of the side wall portions 613.

[0059] The groove portion 67 slidably accommodates the left and right end portions of the side surface portion 72 of the filter member 70 inside. That is, when the filter member 70 is attached to the can body 61, the left and right end portions of the side surface portion 72 of the filter member 70 slide toward the lower side inside the groove portion 67. Also, in a state in which the filter member 70 is attached to the can body 61, the left and right end portions of the side surface portion 72 are accommodated in the groove portion 67. In this case, the upper surface portion 71 is formed on the step of the left and right side wall portions 613 from the upper side so as to substantially abut the upper end portion of the recessed portion 65.

[0060] The support member 68 is formed in a long rectangular shape that extends in the horizontal direction, and protrudes from the back wall portion 614 toward the center side of the can body 61 below the filter member 70. The support member 68 abuts the lower side of the upper surface portion 71 of the filter member 70 in a state in which the filter member 70 is attached to the can body 61.

[0061] As Figures 6-8As shown, the can body 61 also has a first restriction portion 81 and a second restriction portion 82. The first restriction portion 81 is provided on a surface of the can body 61 extending in the up-down direction, in this case, the back wall portion 614. In addition, the first restriction portion 81 is provided near the central portion in the up-down direction of the back wall portion 614. Specifically, the first restriction portion 81 is provided at a position of the back wall portion 614 that is higher than the central portion in the up-down direction and lower than the upper end portion of the back wall portion 614. In addition, the first restriction portion 81 is provided at the central portion in the left-right direction of the back wall portion 614. The first restriction portion 81 has a function of restricting upward movement of the filter member 70 by being caught on the upper surface portion 71 of the filter member 70. Specifically, the first restriction portion 81 is caught on the rear end portion of the upper surface portion 71 of the filter member 70, that is, the end portion on the insertion direction side. In the case of the present embodiment, the first restriction portion 81 catches the rear end portion of the upper surface portion 71 of the filter member 70 by so-called snap fit.

[0062] In this case, the first restriction portion 81 forms a protrusion extending in a linear shape in the left-right direction and protruding from the back wall portion 614 toward the central side of the can body 61. The first restriction portion 81 abuts on the upper side of the upper surface portion 71 of the filter member 70 in a state in which the filter member 70 is installed to the can body 61.

[0063] Furthermore, the can body 61 has one or a plurality of, in this case, three guide portions 69. The guide portion 69 is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the up-down direction and is provided protruding forward from the back wall portion 614 above the first restriction portion 81. The guide portion 69 is formed so as to be inclined upward as it goes forward in the front-rear direction, that is, the insertion direction, as shown in FIG. 6. Figure 4 Figure 7 As shown, an inclination is provided on the upper portion. That is, the length dimension in the front-rear direction, that is, the insertion direction, of the guide portion 69, that is, the depth, changes in a manner in which the depth is smaller on the upper portion and larger on the lower portion. The depth of the lower end portion of the guide portion 69 is set to be the same as the length dimension in the front-rear direction, that is, the insertion direction, of the first restriction portion 81, that is, the depth. The upper end portion of the guide portion 69 is smoothly connected to the back wall portion 614, and the lower end portion of the guide portion 69 is smoothly connected to the upper surface of the first restriction portion 81. That is, the first restriction portion 81 and the guide portion 69 are provided integrally.

[0064] ​The guide portion 69 functions as a guide for making the rear end portion of the filter member 70 easily pass over the first restriction portion 81 when the filter member 70 is set to the can body 61. That is, the surface of the rear end portion of the upper face portion 71 of the filter member 70 on the front side of the guide portion 69 slides from above to below, and thus the filter member 70 pushes the guide portion 69 and the back wall portion 614 toward the rear, that is, the insertion direction, and therefore the back wall portion 614 is bent toward the rear. Thus, the upper face portion 71 easily passes over the first restriction portion 81. The guide portion 69 is provided at the central portion in the left-right direction of the back wall portion 614, and thus the back wall portion 614 is easily bent when the filter member 70 is attached. In addition, the first restriction portion 81, the guide portion 69, the protrusion portion 66, and the support member 68 are integrally formed with the can body 61.

[0065] The second restriction portion 82 is provided at the bottom portion 615 of the can body 61. The second restriction portion 82 is caught at the side face portion 72 of the filter member 70, and restricts the movement of the filter member 70 in the direction along the bottom portion 615. Specifically, the second restriction portion 82 restricts the movement of the filter member 70 in the front-rear direction, that is, the insertion and extraction direction. The second restriction portion 82 is caught at one end portion of the filter member 70, in this case, the lower end portion of the side face portion 72. In this case, the second restriction portion 82 has a straight-line-shaped groove shape extending in the left-right direction, in which the bottom portion 615 is recessed toward the lower side and is opened toward the upper side. Further, the second restriction portion 82 sandwiches the lower end portion of the side face portion 72 of the filter member 70 inside the groove shape.

[0066] The filter member 70 also has a handle portion 76. The handle portion 76 is provided at the frame portion 73, and is protruded or recessed from the frame portion 73. The handle portion 76 is configured to be capable of hooking the fingers of the user from the region Al on the opening portion 616 side. That is, the handle portion 76 has a function of easily being hooked by the fingers of the user when the user takes out the filter member 70 from the can body 61, and thus is easily operated.

[0067] In the case of the present embodiment, the handle portion 76 is protruded from the frame portion 73 toward the region Al on the opening portion 616 side. In this case, the handle portion 76 is protruded from the upper face portion 71 or the side face portion 72 toward a direction at a right angle to the upper face portion 71 or the side face portion 72. In the present embodiment, the handle portion 76 is protruded toward the upper side from the upper face portion 71. In other embodiments, the handle portion 76 may, for example, be formed so as to protrude the side face portion 72 toward the front, that is, the extraction direction.

[0068] In this case, the handle portion 76 is provided in the center of the four through portions 74 in the upper surface portion 71. Specifically, the handle portion 76 is provided integrally with the ribs 75 provided to the frame portion 73. Further, the handle portion 76 has a first portion 761 formed in a plate shape extending in parallel with the back wall portion 614 and a second portion 762 formed in a plate shape extending in parallel with the side wall portion 613, forming a T shape in plan view. Thus, the rear side of the first portion 761 is formed flat, ensuring a region for hooking a finger, so the user can easily hook a finger to the first portion 761 from the rear, for example, to operate. At this time, the finger hooked to the first portion 761 can be one or two or more. In this case, the second portion 762 has a function of supporting a load applied to the first portion 761 and preventing damage to the first portion 761.

[0069] Further, in the present embodiment, the second portion 762 is not provided to the rear of the first portion 761, but in other embodiments, the second portion 762 can be provided to the front and rear of the first portion 761 to form the handle portion 76 in a cross shape in plan view. Further, in yet another embodiment, the second portion 762 can be provided to the rear of the first portion 761 to form the handle portion 76 in a T shape in plan view. Further, the user can operate by pinching the second portion 762 with two or three fingers, for example.

[0070] A case in which the user removes the filter member 70 from the can body 61 for cleaning the can 60 or the like will be described. First, the user takes out the can 60 from the can housing portion 50. Then, the user removes the cover member 62 from the can body 61. Next, the user can hook a finger to the handle portion 76 to remove the filter member 70 from the can body.

[0071] At this time, first, the user hooks a finger to the handle portion 76. Then, the user pulls the handle portion 76 forward, elastically deforming the filter member 70 to release the rear end portion of the upper surface portion 71 from the engagement of the first restriction portion 81. At this time, the user can hook a finger to the first portion 761 from the rear, for example. Further, the user can hook a finger that is not hooked to the first portion 761 to the front side of the first portion 761, and it can be said that the first portion 761 is pulled forward by pinching it with these fingers. Further, the user can hook a finger that is not hooked to the first portion 761 to the side surface portion 72 of the filter member 70, or can not hook it to any position.

[0072] After that, the user pulls the filter member 70 upward to release the lower end portion of the side surface portion 72 from the engagement of the second restriction portion 82. The both end portions of the side surface portion 72 slide in the groove portion 67, and the user can remove the filter member 70 from the can body 61. In this way, the user can remove the filter member 70 from the can body 61 without using a tool.

[0073] Then, after the inside of the tank main body 61 is cleaned, the filter member 70 is installed to the tank main body 61 by the reverse order of the above. In this case, first, the user inserts the both end portions of the side portion 72 into the groove portion 67 so as to slide downward in the groove portion 67. The user presses the filter member 70 downward until the lower end of the side portion 72 is inserted into the second restriction portion 82.

[0074] After this or at the same time, the user presses the upper portion 71 downward until the rear end portion of the upper portion 71 passes over the first restriction portion 81 by the guide portion 69. At this time, the user can also pull the upper portion 71 toward the front, i.e., the extraction direction, with the fingers hooked to the handle portion 76, or can not pull it. As described above, the rear end portion of the upper portion 71 slides on the inclined surface of the guide portion 69 so that the back wall portion 614 is deflected, and thus the rear end portion of the upper portion 71 easily passes over the first restriction portion 81. Further, the rear end portion of the upper portion 71 passes over the first restriction portion 81, and thus the rear end portion of the upper portion 71 is caught by the first restriction portion 81. In this way, the user catches the rear end portion of the upper portion 71 by the first restriction portion 81 and catches the lower end portion of the side portion 72 by the second restriction portion 82, and thus can fix the filter member 70 to the tank main body 61.

[0075] Here, for example, when the automatic feeding device 40 is not used for a long time, the washing treatment agent remaining in the tank main body 61 is sometimes concentrated and solidified at the bottom portion 615. Further, as described above, in order to collect the washing treatment agent around the suction pipe 63, the bottom portion 615 is inclined so as to descend toward the suction pipe 63. Therefore, if the remaining amount of the washing treatment agent in the tank main body 61 is small, the washing treatment agent is easily accumulated in the region A2 on the side of the discharge portion 611, i.e., the region having the suction pipe 63, with the result that it is more likely to dry and solidify around the suction pipe 63. However, the region A2 on the side of the discharge portion 611 is normally separated from the region Al on the side of the opening portion 616 by the filter member 70, and thus it is difficult to clean the solidified washing treatment agent without removing the filter member 70 from the tank main body 61.

[0076] On the other hand, since the filter member 70 is firmly assembled to the tank main body 61 so as not to be detached due to vibration at the time of cleaning operation or the like, it is difficult to remove it even if the user wants to clean the region A2 on the side of the discharge portion 611 of the tank main body without a special tool.

[0077] On the other hand, the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment described above is provided with a tub 11 that houses laundry inside and an automatic dispensing device 40 that automatically dispenses a predetermined amount of a washing treatment agent into the tub 11. The automatic dispensing device 40 has a tank 60, a discharge portion 611 provided to the tank 60, and a filter member 70 provided inside the tank 60 in a manner that can be attached to and detached from the tank 60 without using a tool. The tank 60 can store a quantity of washing treatment agent for multiple cleaning operations and has an opening portion 616 that is open to the outside. The discharge portion 611 can communicate the inside of the tank 60 with the outside and discharge the washing treatment agent stored in the tank to the outside of the tank.

[0078] The filter member 70 separates a region A2 on the side of the discharge portion 611 from a region Al on the side of the opening portion 616 and can remove foreign matter contained in the washing treatment agent when the washing treatment agent poured from the opening portion 616 flows to the side of the discharge portion 611. The filter member 70 has a plurality of permeation portions 74 through which the washing treatment agent can permeate and a handle portion 76 by which a user's finger can be hooked from the region Al on the side of the opening portion 616.

[0079] Accordingly, by hooking the finger to the handle portion 76, the filter member 70 can be easily removed without using a special tool, and thus the user's convenience at the time of tank cleaning can be improved.

[0080] In addition, the handle portion 76 protrudes from the filter member 70 toward the region Al on the side of the opening portion 616. Accordingly, the handle portion 76 protrudes toward the side where the user is located, and thus the user can easily operate and further can easily remove the filter member 70 from the tank body 61.

[0081] Further, the filter member 70 has an upper face portion 71 that extends horizontally and a side face portion 72 that extends in the vertical direction. The tank 60 has a first restriction portion 81 and a second restriction portion 82. The first restriction portion 81 is provided to the side face portion 72 of the tank 60 and is engaged with the upper face portion 71 of the filter member 70, and restricts the movement of the filter member 70 upward. The second restriction portion 82 is provided to the bottom portion 615 of the tank 60 and is engaged with the side face portion 72 of the filter member 70, and restricts the movement of the filter member 70 in the direction along the bottom portion 615. The handle portion 76 is provided to at least one of the upper face portion 71 or the side face portion 72.

[0082] Accordingly, the handle portion 76 is provided to the side, i.e., the upper face portion 71 or the side face portion 72, which is closer when viewed from the user and which is easily accessible by the user. Thus, the user can easily hook the finger to the handle portion 76, and the user's convenience is further improved.

[0083] Further, the first restriction portion 81 is provided protruding from a surface of the tank 60 extending in the up-down direction, that is, the back wall portion 614, and has a function of catching the end portion of the upper surface portion 71. Accordingly, the rear end portion of the upper surface portion 71 is caught by the first restriction portion 81 and is restricted from moving upward. In contrast, the user can move the filter member 70 upward after pulling the handle portion 76 provided in the upper surface portion 71 forward to release the restriction of the first restriction portion 81. In this way, the convenience of the user when cleaning the tank 60 can be improved with a relatively simple configuration.

[0084] Further, the second restriction portion 82 is formed by recessing the bottom portion 615 of the tank 60 into a groove shape, and has a function of catching the lower end portion of the side surface portion 72 on the inner side of the groove shape. Accordingly, the movement of the filter member 70 in the forward-backward direction, that is, the insertion and extraction direction, can be restricted by the second restriction portion 82, and thus the filter member is sufficiently fixed to the tank main body 61 even if there is vibration or the like during cleaning operation.

[0085] The filter member 70 does not have a configuration for mounting to the tank 60 other than the filter member 70, and the end portion of the filter member 70 is directly caught by the first restriction portion 81 and the second restriction portion 82. Accordingly, since the filter member 70 itself is not provided with a claw portion or the like, the filter member 70 can be smoothly detached if the filter member 70 is released from the caught state by the first restriction portion 81 and the second restriction portion 82 of the tank. In addition, since the shape of the filter member 70 can be simplified, the manufacturing performance of the filter member 70 and the manufacturing performance of the washing machine 1 can be improved.

[0086] The filter member has a rib 75 provided at a position avoiding the permeation portion 74, and the rib 75 has a function of reinforcing the filter member 70. The handle portion 76 is provided integrally with the rib 75. Accordingly, since the handle portion 76 is provided integrally with the rib 75 for reinforcement, the reinforcing effect of the rib 75 can be further improved. Further, since the handle portion 76 is provided at a position avoiding the permeation portion 74, the case where the permeation portion 74 reduces the filtering function of the washing treatment agent can be suppressed.

[0087] Further, in other embodiments, the filter member 70 can have a handle portion 77 instead of the handle portion 76 as shown in Figure 9 The handle portion 77 can also be formed by recessing the upper surface portion 71 or the side surface portion 72 toward the region A2 of the discharge portion 611. That is, the handle portion 77 can be formed by recessing the upper surface portion 71 toward the lower side or the side surface portion 72 toward the rear side, that is, the insertion direction. In Figure 9In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the handle portion 77 is provided to the upper surface portion 71 so as to form a recess in the upper surface portion 71 toward the lower side. In this case, the user is also able to easily remove the filter member 70 from the can body 61 by hooking a finger on the handle portion 77, and thus the same effect as described above can be obtained.

[0088] In addition, the first restriction portion 81 and the second restriction portion 82 are not necessarily both required, and can be configured so that only one of them is provided. In this case, the user is also able to easily remove the filter member 70 from the can body 61 by hooking a finger on the handle portion 76.

[0089] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the first restriction portion 81 restricts the movement of the filter member 70 by snap fit, but the movement restriction method is not limited thereto. For example, the first restriction portion 81 can be a concave shape or a convex shape that is formed in correspondence with a convex shape or a concave shape provided to the end portion of the upper surface portion 71 of the filter member 70, and restricts the upward movement of the filter member 70 by fitting with each other.

[0090] Furthermore, it can also be a method in which, instead of the first restriction portion 81, a protruding shape that protrudes toward the lower side is provided to the lid member 62, and the upper surface portion 71 of the filter member 70 is pressed toward the lower side by the protruding shape, thereby restricting the upward and downward movement of the filter member 70.

[0091] In addition, the drawings are depicted so as to be easily understood when referred to together with the above-described description, and thus are not necessarily represented with a fixed scale, accurate angles.

[0092] The above-described various embodiments of the present application have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the application. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the gist of the present application. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope, gist of the present application, and are included in the scope of the present application and equivalents thereof recited in the claims.

Claims

1. A laundry washing machine, wherein, Possessing: a water tub that houses laundry inside; and an automatic input device that automatically inputs a prescribed amount of a washing treatment agent into the water tub, the automatic input device has: a tank that can store the washing treatment agent in an amount for multiple cleaning operations, and has an opening portion that is open to the outside; an ejection portion that is provided to the tank, communicates the inside of the tank with the outside, and can eject the washing treatment agent stored in the tank to the outside of the tank; and a filter member that is provided in the tank in a manner that can be attached and detached without using a tool, separates a region on the ejection portion side from a region on the opening portion side, and can remove foreign matter contained in the washing treatment agent when the washing treatment agent that is input from the opening portion flows to the ejection portion side, the filter member has a plurality of permeation portions that can allow the washing treatment agent to permeate, and a handle portion that can be hooked by a user's finger from the region on the opening portion side, the tank has a first restriction portion and a second restriction portion that restrict movement of the filter member, and is configured so that, when the filter member is removed, the handle portion is pulled forward, the filter member is elastically deformed, the rear end portion of the upper surface portion of the filter member is released from the engagement of the first restriction portion, and then the filter member is pulled upward, the lower end portion of the side surface portion of the filter member is released from the engagement of the second restriction portion.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the handle portion protrudes from the filter member toward the region on the opening portion side.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the filter member has an upper surface portion that extends horizontally and a side surface portion that extends in the vertical direction, the first restriction portion is provided to a surface of the tank that extends in the vertical direction, engages with the upper surface portion of the filter member, and restricts upward movement of the filter member, the second restriction portion is provided to the bottom portion of the tank, engages with the side surface portion of the filter member, and restricts movement of the filter member in a direction along the bottom portion, the handle portion is provided to at least one of the upper surface portion or the side surface portion.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the first restriction portion is provided protruding from the surface of the tank that extends in the vertical direction, and has a function of engaging with the end portion of the upper surface portion.

5. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the second restriction portion is formed by recessing the bottom portion of the tank into a groove shape, and has a function of engaging with the end portion of the side surface portion by sandwiching the end portion of the side surface portion on the inside of the groove shape.

6. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the filter member does not have a configuration for mounting to the tank other than the filter member, and the end portion of the filter member directly engages with the first restriction portion and the second restriction portion.

7. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the filter member has a rib that is provided at a position that avoids the permeation portions, and has a function of reinforcing the filter member, the handle portion is provided integrally with the rib. ​

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