Treatment agent tank for washing machine and washing machine

Abstract

Provided are a treatment agent tank for a washing machine capable of inhibiting reduction of an effective volume in the treatment agent tank having a supply port formed by internal division, and a washing machine. A treatment agent tank for a washing machine, which is used in a device for automatically feeding a prescribed amount of a washing treatment agent into a tub of a washing machine during a washing operation, is capable of storing a plurality of amounts of the washing treatment agent, wherein a supply port for supplying the washing treatment agent is provided in the treatment agent tank, the supply port communicates the inside of the treatment agent tank with the outside, and a partition wall that divides the inside of the treatment agent tank to form the supply port is provided extending downward, and a hole portion or a notch portion that penetrates the partition wall in a plate thickness direction thereof is provided in the partition wall.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to a treatment agent tank for a washing machine and a washing machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, in order to improve the convenience of users, a washing machine provided with an automatic feeding device that stores a plurality of amounts of a washing treatment agent in a tank for automatic feeding in advance and automatically feeds a necessary amount from the tank to a tub at the time of a cleaning operation has been developed. In the automatic feeding device of the washing machine, the tank stores the washing treatment agent by the user replenishing the washing treatment agent from a replenishing port, and is specifically configured as follows.

[0003] That is, in the tank of the automatic feeding device, the replenishing port of the washing treatment agent is provided, for example, as an opening that is opened and closed on the upper surface side of the tank, and a form in which the inside of the tank is partitioned by a partition portion that extends downward from the periphery of the opening is formed.

[0004] In this case, the replenishing port becomes a filling port surrounded by the partition portion in the inside of the tank, so depending on the form of the partition portion (for example, if partitioned deeper by the partition portion), it is easy to fill the washing treatment agent, and it is possible to visually confirm the liquid level at the time of filling the washing treatment agent on the inner wall of the partition portion observed from the opening of the replenishing port.

[0005] However, since the replenishing port partitions the space surrounded by the partition portion in the inside of the tank and the space around it, there is a risk that even if the washing treatment agent is filled to the full tank level observed from the replenishing port, the washing treatment agent does not fill the space around it, and the effective volume of the actual tank is reduced.

[0006] Prior Art Documents:

[0007] Patent Documents:

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-37722 SUMMARY

[0009] Therefore, a treatment agent tank for a washing machine and a washing machine that can suppress a reduction in the effective volume in a treatment agent tank in which a replenishing port is divided and formed inside are provided.

[0010] The treatment agent tank for a washing machine of the embodiments is used in a device that automatically feeds a prescribed amount of a washing treatment agent into a tub of a washing machine at the time of a cleaning operation, can store a plurality of amounts of the washing treatment agent, and has a replenishing port for replenishing the washing treatment agent in the treatment agent tank, the replenishing port communicates the inside of the treatment agent tank with the outside, and a partition wall that divides and forms the replenishing port inside the treatment agent tank is provided extending downward, and a hole portion or a notch portion that penetrates in the plate thickness direction of the partition wall is provided in the partition wall. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is an appearance perspective view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 is a schematic view for explaining an internal configuration of the washing machine.

[0013] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a treatment agent tank viewed from a back side.

[0014] Figure 4 is a sectional view showing an internal configuration of the treatment agent tank.

[0015] Figure 5 is a plan view showing a portion of the treatment agent tank in which a replenishment port side is enlarged.

[0016] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the replenishment port in an open state.

[0017] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a vicinity of the replenishment port in a state in which the replenishment port is opened, which is enlarged.

[0018] Figure 8 is a sectional view showing a sealing configuration in the tank cover together with an outer peripheral rib, which is enlarged,

[0019] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a vicinity of a replenishment port of a treatment agent tank in a second embodiment, which is enlarged.

[0020] Figure 10 is a sectional view showing the vicinity of the replenishment port together with an air port, which is enlarged.

[0021] Figure 11 is a side view showing a configuration of a tank cover in a third embodiment.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] In the drawings, 1 denotes a washing machine, 5 denotes a tub, 10 denotes an automatic feeding device, 11, 11A, 11B denote a treatment agent tank, 19 denotes a replenishment port, 21 denotes a tank main body, 22, 40, 42 denote a tank cover, 25 denotes a lid, 25a denotes a shaft portion, 26, 261, 262, 262' denote an outer peripheral rib, 29 denotes a partition wall, 31 denotes a bearing portion, 37, 37' denote a reference line (index portion), 38 denotes a hole portion, and 41 denotes an air port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, based on the drawings, a plurality of embodiments in which the present application is embodied will be described. In each of the embodiments, the same reference numerals are attached to substantially the same configuration portions, and the description is omitted.

[0025] <First Embodiment>

[0026] While referring to Figures 1-8 , a first embodiment will be described. The laundry machine 1 of the present embodiment is exemplified as a laundry machine capable of performing a prescribed process on laundry as a washing object, which is a cleaning operation including at least a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydration process in this case. In addition, as shown in Figure 1 , the laundry machine 1 is a drum-type laundry machine of a so-called horizontal-axis type in which a rotational center axis of a rotating tub 4 extends in a horizontal direction or in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0027] In the laundry machine 1, an outer case 2 constituting an outer shape thereof is in a rectangular box shape. A front portion 2a of the outer case 2 is formed in an inclined shape slightly inclined downward frontward, and a door 3 that opens and closes a washing object inlet and outlet, not shown, is provided at the front portion 2a.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 , the rotating tub 4 and a water tub 5 that houses the rotating tub 4 are provided inside the outer case 2. Although not shown, the rotating tub 4 is a drum in a bottomed cylindrical shape capable of housing a washing object inside, and a well-known lifting rib for lifting the washing object is provided at an inner peripheral surface thereof. The water tub 5 is a bottomed cylindrical tank capable of storing water, and is elastically supported by a suspension, not shown.

[0029] A laundry machine motor 6, for example, constituted by a DC brushless motor, is provided at a back surface side of the water tub 5. A rotational shaft of the laundry machine motor 6 penetrates the back surface of the water tub 5 and is coupled to a back surface of the rotating tub 4, and the rotating tub 4 is directly rotationally driven by the laundry machine motor 6.

[0030] In addition, as shown in Figure 2 , the laundry machine 1 is provided with a water supply device 7 including a water supply path 7a for supplying water into the water tub 5, and a drain device 8 including a drain path 8a for draining water in the water tub 5 to the outside of the machine. The water supply device 7 is constituted by, for example, a water supply valve 7b or the like provided at a middle of the water supply path 7a extending from a water source such as a tap (not shown) to the water tub 5. In addition, the drain device 8 is constituted by a drain valve 8b or the like provided at a middle of the drain path 8a extending from a bottom portion of the water tub 5 to the outside of the machine.

[0031] In Figure 1The front part of the upper surface of the outer casing 2 shown is equipped with an operation panel 9. Although a detailed illustration is omitted, the operation panel 9 includes various operation buttons such as a power switch, a start button, and a setting button for setting the cleaning program. Furthermore, during cleaning operation, the user can select whether to automatically add detergent using the automatic dispensing device 10 (described later) or manually add a single amount of detergent using a dispensing box (not shown).

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the water supply device 7 is located, for example, on the inner left side above the water tank 5 inside the outer casing 2. Regarding the water supply device 7, a connection port 7c from a hose connected to an external water source (not shown) leads to a connection port 5a on the upper part of the water tank 5 (see reference). Figure 2 The extended water supply path 7a has a supply section 7d in the middle.

[0033] The supply section 7d is the part that supplies detergent to the washing machine by the automatic dispensing device 10. The water supply valve 7b is located between the hose connection port 7c and the supply section 7d. The water supply valve 7b is driven and controlled by a control device (not shown) that is responsible for the overall control of the washing machine 1, and opens and closes the water supply path 7a.

[0034] The automatic dispensing device 10 is a device that pre-stores multiple amounts of detergent and automatically supplies a predetermined amount of detergent to the water tank 5 during multiple washing cycles. For example... Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the automatic dispensing device 10 includes a treatment tank 11 for storing detergents, fabric softeners, and other cleaning agents, a tank housing section 12 for housing the treatment agents, a cover 14, and a dispensing pump 13.

[0035] The treatment agent tank 11 is, for example, a container made of synthetic resin, and is rectangular in shape, elongated in the front-to-back or left-to-right direction. The treatment agent tank 11 is designed to store the washing treatment agent used in multiple operations, and has a capacity of at least several hundred mL to approximately 2 L.

[0036] In addition, the treatment agent tank 11 in this embodiment is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, it consists of, for example, two treatment tanks 11A and 11B. One treatment tank 11A stores detergent as a washing treatment agent, and the other treatment tank 11B stores fabric softener as a washing treatment agent.

[0037] In addition, during normal cleaning operations, the amount of detergent consumed is greater than that of fabric softener, therefore... Figure 1The two treatment agent tanks 11A, 11B shown are larger in capacity for the treatment agent tank 11A that stores a detergent than for the treatment agent tank 11B that stores a softening agent. However, the two treatment agent tanks 11A, 11B can also be the same in capacity.

[0038] The automatic dosing device 10 has a number of dosing pumps 13A, 13B (refer to Figure 2 ) corresponding to the respective treatment agent tanks 11A, 11B.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the treatment agent tanks 11A, 11B and the dosing pumps 13A, 13B are each of a substantially identical configuration in left and right pairs, and therefore in the following Figure 2 , one is shown for each of the "treatment agent tank 11" and the "dosing pump 13" for the sake of convenience. Also, as to the treatment agent tanks 11A, 11B and the dosing pumps 13A, 13B, the portion for a detergent is labeled with the reference character "A" and the portion for a softening agent is labeled with the reference character "B", and one is referred to as a representative "treatment agent tank 11" and "dosing pump 13" and the explanation is simplified.

[0040] The dosing pump 13 is a pump 13 configured to draw and deliver a liquid by driving a piston with a promoter such as a motor, a solenoid, or the like. The dosing pump 13 has a pump connection portion 13a on the inflow side, and is connected to the treatment agent tank 11 via the pump connection portion 13a. Thus, the dosing pump 13 draws a prescribed amount of a washing treatment agent, in this case an amount used for one operation, from the treatment agent tank 11, and discharges the drawn washing treatment agent toward the supply portion 7d side of the water supply path 7a. The dosing pump 13 is driven and controlled in accordance with the different kinds of washing treatment agents by a control device that controls the cleaning operation as a drive unit.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1 , the tank housing portion 12 is rectangular box-shaped with an upper surface thereof open, near the opening 2b of the upper surface portion of the outer cabinet 2. The tank housing portion 12 is formed, for example, to a size that enables two treatment agent tanks 11 to be arranged left and right and housed inside the outer cabinet 2. The cover 14 of the tank housing portion 12 is rectangular in shape to cooperate with the opening 2b. The cover 14 is pivotally supported by a support shaft 14a provided to a rear edge portion of the opening 2b to be able to open and close the opening 2b.

[0042] Each treatment agent tank 11 can be attached to and detached from the tank housing portion 12 from the opening 2b in a state in which the cover 14 is open. Also, the treatment agent tank 11 is provided with a handle portion 16 (refer to Figure 3 ) that can hook a user's finger when the tank 11 is attached to and detached from the tank housing portion 12, and is provided with a lead-out pipe 17 for attachment and detachment with respect to the pump connection portion 13a, and as to the configuration of the tank 11 including the handle portion 16 and the lead-out pipe 17, a detailed description is given later.

[0043] With the aforementioned treatment agent tank 11 installed and housed in the tank housing section 12, its outlet pipe 17 is connected to and fitted with the pump connection section 13a (see reference). Figure 2 , Figure 3 In this state, if the water supply valve 7b is open, tap water supplied from the hose connection port 7c flows into the water supply path 7a and passes through the supply section 7d. By activating the pump 13, the required amount of detergent is automatically supplied to the supply section 7d.

[0044] Therefore, the detergent supplied to the supply section 7d is supplied with water from the water supply valve 7b, or together with the water, via the water supply path 7a into the water tank 5. In this way, the automatic dispensing device 10 automatically dispenses a predetermined amount of detergent into the water tank 5 during the washing operation.

[0045] Additionally, the treatment agent tank 11 of this embodiment is equipped with a replenishment port 19 for replenishing the detergent treatment agent, through which the user replenishes and stores the detergent treatment agent. See also... Figures 3-8 The composition of the treatment tank 11 is described in detail.

[0046] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the treatment agent tank 11 is composed of a tank body 21 having an opening 20 on the upper surface and a tank cover 22 covering the opening 20 on the upper surface.

[0047] The main body 21 of the can has a bottom wall 21a, a front wall 21b as a peripheral wall 21b to 21d, a rear wall 21c, and left and right side walls 21d. As described above, it is in the shape of a rectangular container or a cuboid with a narrow width in the left and right direction.

[0048] A forward-extending handle 16 is provided on the upper part of the front wall 21b of the can body 21. When viewed from above, the handle 16 forms a frame shape with the front wall 21b. Thus, the can body 11 can be removed from the can housing 12 by inserting a finger into the handle 16 and hooking the finger on the handle 16 from the inside, thereby lifting the can body 11 upward.

[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, the tank body 21 has a protruding portion 24 extending rearward from the lower side of the rear wall 21c. The protruding portion 24 has an outlet pipe 17 that is inserted into and connected to the pump connection portion 13a of the input pump 13.

[0050] Although a detailed illustration is omitted, the horizontal portion of the discharge pipe 17 extending inward from the rear wall 24c of the extension portion 24 as a base end side, and the vertical portion extending downward from the front end side of the horizontal portion toward the bottom wall 21a each have a cylindrical shape, and the entire shape is formed as an inverted "L" letter. Therefore, the washing treatment agent is discharged from the inner bottom side (the bottom wall 21a side) of the tank main body 21 through the discharge pipe 17.

[0051] In addition, in the tank main body 21, the above-described discharge pipe 17 and the rear wall 24c can be assembled as one body by welding as a component as one body, but the tank main body 21 including the component and the handgrip portion 16 can be integrally molded as one body.

[0052] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the tank cover 22 has an upper wall 22a which is a rectangular plate shape as a whole and is longer in the front-rear direction, and is formed to be a size to cover the upper surface opening 20 of the tank main body 21. Figure 3 Figure 4 The tank cover 22 has a lid 25 which opens and closes the supply port 19 in the upper wall 22a, and has a first outer peripheral rib 26 and a second outer peripheral rib 27 which are combined with the upper edge portion of the tank main body 21.

[0053] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the tank cover 22 has an upper wall 22a which is a rectangular plate shape as a whole and is longer in the front-rear direction, and is formed to be a size to cover the upper surface opening 20 of the tank main body 21.

[0054] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the tank cover 22 has an upper wall 22a which is a rectangular plate shape as a whole and is longer in the front-rear direction, and is formed to be a size to cover the upper surface opening 20 of the tank main body 21. Figures 5-7 As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the tank cover 22 has an upper wall 22a which is a rectangular plate shape as a whole and is longer in the front-rear direction, and is formed to be a size to cover the upper surface opening 20 of the tank main body 21.

[0055] In detail, the tank cover 22 is provided with a stepped-down portion 30 at the rear edge portion of the opening 19a of the supply port 19, and is provided with the partition wall 29 extending downward from the stepped-down portion 30. The stepped-down portion 30 is a stepped shape which is recessed by a step from the upper wall 22a of the tank cover 22.

[0056] A left and right pair of bearing portions 31, 31 for shaft-supporting the shaft portion 25a of the lid 25 are formed at the left and right end portions of the stepped-down portion 30. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the left bearing portion 31 is a portion including a semicircular cylindrical receiving portion 31a provided at the left corner portion of the stepped-down portion 30 and a protrusion portion 31b at the front side of the receiving portion 31a, and the left end portion of the shaft portion 25a is fitted between the receiving portion 31a and the protrusion portion 31b (refer to Fig. 3). Figure 9 As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the left bearing portion 31 is a portion including a semicircular cylindrical receiving portion 31a provided at the left corner portion of the stepped-down portion 30 and a protrusion portion 31b at the front side of the receiving portion 31a, and the left end portion of the shaft portion 25a is fitted between the receiving portion 31a and the protrusion portion 31b (refer to Fig. 3). Figure 7 As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the left bearing portion 31 is a portion including a semicircular cylindrical receiving portion 31a provided at the left corner portion of the stepped-down portion 30 and a protrusion portion 31b at the front side of the receiving portion 31a, and the left end portion of the shaft portion 25a is fitted between the receiving portion 31a and the protrusion portion 31b (refer to Fig. 3). Figure 5 ​The portion including the bearing portion 31b, where the right end of the shaft portion 25a is fitted between the bearing portion and the protrusion 31b. Additionally, in Figure 9 The bearing portion 31 on the left side shown is provided with an air vent 41, but it will be described as a second embodiment.

[0057] The cover 25 is a rectangular plate that mates with the opening 19a of the supply port 19, and has a shaft portion 25a on one side. The cover 25 is supported by its shaft portion 25a fitting into the bearing portions 31, 31 of the descending section 30, thereby providing support in the closed position that seals the opening 19a (see reference). Figure 3 , Figure 4 ) and the opening position that makes opening 19a open (refer to Figure 6 It can rotate between the closed and open positions. At this time, the cover 25 is configured to be a single surface with the upper surface of the can cover 22 in the closed position, and to rotate more than 90 degrees from the closed position to the open position.

[0058] like Figure 6 As shown, a retaining portion 33 for sealing member 32 is provided on the back side of the lower surface of the cover 25. The sealing member 32 is a sealing material used to seal the opening 19a of the supply port 19 when the cover 25 is in the closed position. The retaining portion 33 holds the sealing member 32 along the periphery of the cover 25.

[0059] like Figure 4 , Figure 8 As shown, both the first peripheral rib 26 and the second peripheral rib 27 are arranged to protrude downwards on the outer periphery of the can cover 22.

[0060] Among them, the second peripheral rib 27, as Figure 8 As shown, it is located on the outer edge of the can cover 22 and is in contact with the outer wall 212 side of the can body 21. The first outer peripheral rib 26 is located on the inner peripheral side relative to the second outer peripheral rib 27, separated by a gap equivalent to the thickness of the seal 34, and is in contact with the inner wall 211 side of the can body 21.

[0061] On the lower surface of the upper wall 22a in the canister 22, a sealing element 34 is held between the first outer peripheral rib 26 and the second outer peripheral rib 27 as a retaining part (see reference). Figure 4 , Figure 8 The seal 34 is used as a sealing material to seal the opening 20 on the upper surface of the can body 21 when the can cover 22 is assembled to the upper edge of the can body 21.

[0062] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, the downward protrusion length H1 in the first peripheral rib 26 is substantially greater than the downward protrusion length H2 in the second peripheral rib 27 (H1 > H2).

[0063] On the other hand, in the second peripheral rib 27 Figure 3The portion of the can cover 22 shown on the rear edge side is provided as a locking piece 35 that is set to have a protruding length H2c that is greater than the protruding length H2 outside the rear edge side (H2c > H2).

[0064] A slit-shaped hole 35a is formed in the locking piece 35, and the locking piece 35 is locked by a locking portion 36 of the rear wall 21c of the can body 21 (see Figure 4 ). In addition, when the can cover 22 is removed from the can body 21 with the finger hooked on the locking piece 35, the locking piece 35 is flexed toward the hole 35a from the locking portion 36 due to the flexibility of the locking piece 35, and the locking is released.

[0065] The protruding length of the first outer peripheral rib 26 is set to H1, and the lower end of the outer peripheral rib 26 is aligned with the lower end of the partition wall 29 to the same height (see Figure 4 、 Figure 7 、 Figure 8 ). In addition, an inclined portion 26c that decreases in protruding length toward the rear is provided on the rear end side of the first outer peripheral rib 26 shown in Figure 4 , and interference is not generated when the can cover 22 is removed.

[0066] As shown in Figures 5-7 , the supply port 19 is formed by the partition wall 29 that divides the inner side of the first outer peripheral rib 26 into front and rear, and the outer peripheral rib 26. In this case, the portion of the first outer peripheral rib 26 on the front side of the partition wall 29 that constitutes the supply port 19 is referred to as "outer peripheral rib 261", and the portion on the inner side of the partition wall 29 is referred to as "outer peripheral rib 262", and the two are distinguished (see Figure 4 ).

[0067] In this way, the supply port 19 is formed in a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape by the partition wall 29 that extends downward from the opening 19a of the can cover 22 and the outer peripheral rib 261.

[0068] In detail, the partition wall 29 is curved in a funnel shape by an inclined portion 29a that is inclined downward toward the front, and a vertical portion 29b that extends downward from the lower end side of the inclined portion 29a (see Figure 4 、 Figure 7 ). The partition wall 29 divides the inside of the treatment agent tank 11 to form the supply port 19, that is, the wall that divides the space S1 on the supply port 19 side and the space S2 on the rear side described later (see Figure 4 ).

[0069] As shown in Figures 5-7As shown, on the inclined portion 29a of the partition wall 29, as "hereinafter", a reference line 37 is provided which points to the lower end side of the inclined portion 29a with an "arrow". The reference line 37 is a so-called full tank level formed by engraving, printing, or the like, and becomes an index portion indicating the full level in the treatment agent tank 11.

[0070] The reference line 37 is formed on the easily visually confirmed inclined portion 29a in the partition wall 29, but can also be formed in alignment with the lower end of the vertical portion 29b in the partition wall 29 (see the double-dotted line shown by reference numeral 37' in the drawing). Figure 7 、 Figure 9 Alternatively, the lower end of the vertical portion 29b itself can be determined as the index portion with an "arrow" or the like. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of explanation, of the reference line or the index portion, the one set at the lower end of the vertical portion 29b will be referred to as the "reference line 37'". Also, the reference line can be formed on the outer peripheral rib 261 side, the inner wall 211 side of the tank main body 21, as long as it is an index portion capable of determining the full level, and the text and the like "hereinafter" can also be changed as appropriate.

[0071] Also, although the lower end of the outer peripheral rib 261 in the replenishment port 19 is set to the same height as the lower end of the partition wall 29, it can also be formed so as to be located upward of the lower end of the partition wall 29. That is, the lower end of the outer peripheral rib 261 can be formed so as to be located upward of the position of the double-dotted line shown by reference numeral 26x in the drawing, which is the reference line 37'. Figure 7 、 Figure 8

[0072] Also, a pair of hole portions 38, 38 which pass through in the plate thickness direction of the inclined portion 29a of the partition wall 29 are provided. As shown in Figures 5-7 the drawing, one hole portion 38 is located on the left end side of the inclined portion 29a in the partition wall 29, and the other hole portion 38 (see the drawing) is located on the right end side of the inclined portion 29a. The hole portions 38, 38 are each formed as an elongated long hole which extends from the lower end to the upper end of the inclined portion 29a. Figure 5

[0073] In this case, the lower end of each of the hole portions 38, 38 is located at a position at approximately the same height as the reference line 37, and the upper end of each is located at the position of the upper end of the inclined portion 29a. Thus, the hole portions 38, 38 of the inclined portion 29a communicate the spaces S1, S2 before and after shown by S1, S2 in the upper portion of the treatment agent tank 11 which are partitioned by the partition wall 29. Figure 4

[0074] Also, the tank cover 22 described above can be integrally molded from a synthetic resin material for each portion including the outer peripheral ribs 26, 27, the partition wall 29, and the like, in addition to the lid 25, and the hole portions 38, 38 and the reference line 37 can be formed at the time of resin molding. ​​​

[0075] Next, the function of the structure involved in the replenishment of the washing treatment agent will be described.

[0076] The replenishment of the washing treatment agent is performed as described above in a state where the treatment agent tank 11 is detached from the tank housing portion 12 or at least the cover 14 of the tank housing portion 12 is opened (refer to Figure 1 ). In addition, the lid 25 of the treatment agent tank 11 is turned to the open position (refer to Figure 6 ), and the replenishing port 19 is opened.

[0077] At this time, the user injects the washing treatment agent with the reference line 37 observed from the opening 19a of the replenishing port 19 as a reference. Thereby, the washing treatment agent injected from the opening 19a is stored in the inside of the treatment agent tank 11 through the replenishing port 19, and the replenishment is performed until the liquid level gradually rises to reach the reference line 37.

[0078] Here, in the case where the hole portions 38, 38 of the partition wall 29 are not provided unlike the present embodiment, even if the liquid level F1 indicated by the reference line 37 (refer to Figure 4 ) is reached, the liquid level F2 exceeding the lower end of the partition wall 29 does not rise in the space S2 on the inside of the partition wall 29 which becomes a dead space. That is, in this structure, when the washing treatment agent is replenished into the inside of the treatment agent tank 11, a liquid level difference (F1-F2) as shown in Figure 4 is generated in the space S1 within the replenishing port 19 and the space S2 on the inside thereof, and the washing treatment agent cannot be filled to the space S2 on the inside, and as a result, the effective volume in which the washing treatment agent can be stored is actually reduced.

[0079] In this regard, in the partition wall 29 of the present embodiment, the air of the space S2 on the inside of the partition wall 29 can escape to the inside of the replenishing port 19 by the hole portions 38, 38. Therefore, when the washing treatment agent is replenished, even if the liquid level exceeds the lower end of the partition wall 29, a liquid level difference (F1-F2) is not generated in the space S1 within the replenishing port 19 and the space S2 on the inside thereof, and the washing treatment agent can be replenished to the same liquid level F1 as the reference line 37 in the space S2 on the inside. Thereby, the washing treatment agent can be stored to the desired filled liquid level without reducing the effective volume of the treatment agent tank 11.

[0080] As described above, in the treatment agent tank 11 of the present first embodiment, the replenishing port 19 communicates the inside of the treatment agent tank 11 with the outside, and the partition wall 29 which divides the replenishing port 19 is provided extending downward in the inside of the treatment agent tank 11, and the hole portions 38, 38 which penetrate the partition wall 29 in the plate thickness direction thereof are provided in the partition wall 29.

[0081] Therefore, even if there is a space S2 inside the treatment agent tank 11 adjacent to the replenishment port 19 divided by the partition wall 29, when replenishing the washing treatment agent, the air in this space S2 can escape to the replenishment port 19 side through the holes 38, 38. As a result, the reduction of the effective volume for storing the washing treatment agent in the treatment agent tank 11 can be suppressed, and the useless space where the liquid level F2 does not rise can be eliminated.

[0082] The orifices 38, 38 are all located above an indicator section, such as the baseline 37, that indicates the liquid level in the treatment agent tank 11. Therefore, even when the treatment agent tank 11 is filled with detergent based on the indicator section, air can reliably escape from the orifices 38, 38 of the partition wall 29, ensuring the desired effective volume.

[0083] The supply port 19 is formed by a partition wall 29 and an outer peripheral rib 261. Furthermore, the lower end of the outer peripheral rib 261 in the supply port 19 is positioned at an indicator section (e.g., indicating the liquid level in the treatment agent tank 11) that shows the tank is full. Figure 7 When the double-dotted line is at the same height as the baseline 37′, or above the baseline 37′ (refer to reference numeral 26x in the figure), leakage of the detergent from the gap between the tank cover 22 and the tank body 21 can be suppressed.

[0084] That is, for example, at the lower end of the peripheral rib 261 Figure 7 When the double-dotted line is located as indicated by reference numeral 26x in the attached drawing, it can prevent the detergent stored inside from being impregnated. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the rise of the liquid level between the outer peripheral rib 261 and the inner wall 211 of the tank body 21, such as by capillary action, and to further suppress liquid leakage to the outside by interacting with the sealing function of the seal 34, etc. (or even if the sealing function is not fully utilized).

[0085] <Other Implementation Methods>

[0086] Figures 9-11 The second and third embodiments of the present invention are shown. Hereinafter, points that are substantially different from the embodiments already described will be described.

[0087] Figure 9 The can cover 40 of the second embodiment shown differs from the can cover 22 of the first embodiment in the following aspects. That is, an air vent 41 is formed in the can cover 40 by forming a bearing portion 31 located on the left side of the stepped portion 30 and cutting off a portion of the first outer peripheral rib 26 on its left side.

[0088] Specifically, regarding air vent 41, portions 41a and 41b are connected, thereby communicating between the outside and inside of the treatment agent tank 11, wherein portion 41a is... Figure 9 , Figure 10The first outer peripheral rib 26 shown is formed so as to extend through the left side of the bearing portion 31, which is a portion of the bearing portion 31 that supports the receiving portion 31a and the protruding portion 31b, and is formed in a gap between the left end of the stepped portion 30 and the inner wall 211 of the tank main body 21.

[0089] Thus, in the treatment agent tank 11 of the present second embodiment, the bearing portion 31 that supports the shaft portion 25a of the cap 25 is provided with the air port 41 that communicates the inside of the treatment agent tank 11 with the outside and becomes a passage for air when the cap 25 closes the supply port 19.

[0090] Accordingly, by the air port 41, the liquid level fluctuation in the inside of the treatment agent tank 11 due to the pressure head when the cap 25 opens and closes the supply port 19 can be suppressed, and the above-mentioned liquid leakage to the outside can be suppressed. In addition, the air port 41 can be provided in the bearing portion 31 so as not to impair the appearance of the treatment agent tank 11 and so that dust and the like from the outside can not easily infiltrate. Furthermore, for example, the inside washing treatment agent can be easily guided to the outside by the guide pipe 17, and the reduction in the suction amount of the pump 13 due to the tightness of the treatment agent tank 11 can be suppressed.

[0091] In addition, the air port 41 can also be formed by a pair of air ports 41, 41 that are provided symmetrically left and right in correspondence with the left and right pair of bearing portions 31.

[0092] In addition, the air port 41 can also be located in the vicinity of the shaft portion 25a in the stepped portion 30 of the tank cover 40 and be formed by a hole that penetrates the stepped portion 30. In this case, the hole or the notch of the air port can be provided in a portion that is hidden by the shaft portion 25a of the cap 25 when viewed from the user side, i.e., when viewed from above the treatment agent tank 11 or obliquely from above when viewed from the front of the tank 11, in such a manner as not to impair the appearance of the treatment agent tank 11.

[0093] Figure 11 is a side view showing the tank cover 42 of the third embodiment.

[0094] In the tank cover 42, a first outer peripheral rib 26' is provided in place of the first outer peripheral rib 26, and a float 43 is provided.

[0095] As shown in Figure 11 the first outer peripheral rib 26' is formed by the outer peripheral rib 261 on the supply port 19 side and the outer peripheral rib 262' on the inner side of the partition wall 29 that is provided with a protruding length H1' that is smaller than the protruding length H1 (H1 > H1') of the outer peripheral rib 261. In this case, the protruding length H1' of the outer peripheral rib 262' is located higher than the reference line 37 in the treatment agent tank 11.

[0096] Thus, in the outer peripheral rib 262' of the present third embodiment, the protruding length H1' is set to a position located above the index portion (e.g., the reference line 37) indicating the liquid level in the treatment agent tank 11.

[0097] As described above, the portion of the lower end of the first outer peripheral rib 26' located above the index portion, i.e., the position of the lower end of the outer peripheral rib 262' in the first outer peripheral rib 26' located above the reference line 37, is not impregnated with the washing treatment agent stored in the interior, and the liquid level rise between the outer peripheral rib 262' and the inner wall 211 of the tank main body 21 and the like can be suppressed, thus achieving the same effects as the above-described embodiments.

[0098] In the above-described first outer peripheral rib 26', the protruding length of the entire circumference including the outer peripheral rib 262' can be set to H1', and only the protruding length of the partition wall 29 can be set to H1. In this case, when the lower end of the first outer peripheral rib 26' is located above the reference line 37, the entire circumference of the first outer peripheral rib 26' can be impregnated with the washing treatment agent stored in the interior.

[0099] Further, the float 43 is supported so as to be swingable by a support portion 44 provided on the rear side of the lower surface of the tank cover 42. Thus, the float 43 is raised and lowered with the support portion 44 as a fulcrum in accordance with the increase and decrease of the amount of the washing treatment agent stored in the treatment agent tank 11. Although detailed illustration and description are omitted, the float 43, for example, has a permanent magnet built therein, and the amount of the washing treatment agent can be automatically detected by mounting a magnetic sensor for detecting the proximity of the permanent magnet on the treatment agent tank 11.

[0100] As for each of the above-described embodiments, it is of course possible to apply to a longitudinal axis type washing machine which is not illustrated. Further, each of the embodiments can be combined or modified and implemented.

[0101] For example, in the partition wall 29, the hole portions 38, 38 can be circular or the like, and the shape, arrangement, and number of the hole portions can be appropriately set. Such a hole portion can also be provided so that a portion thereof is located above the reference line 37 in the treatment agent tank 11, and the same effects as the above-described embodiments can be achieved.

[0102] Further, instead of the hole portions 38, 38, notched portions can be provided. Although illustration is omitted, the notched portions are formed by cutting the partition wall 29 by extending the lower end side of the hole portions 38, 38 to the lower end side of the partition wall 29, for example.

[0103] That is, the notch portion can be formed, for example, in a slit shape that is cut through in the plate thickness direction of the partition wall 29 and from the lower end side of the partition wall 29 toward the upper end side. Also, even if a part or all of the notch portion is located above the reference line 37 in the treatment agent tank 11, air and the like can escape from the notch portion, and the same effects as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0104] While the several embodiments of the present application have been described above, 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 within the scope of the gist of the application. These embodiments, modifications thereof, are included in the scope, gist of the application, and in the scope of the application and equivalents thereof recited in the claims.

Claims

1. A treatment agent tank for a washing machine, which is used in a device for automatically dispensing a prescribed amount of a washing treatment agent into a tub of the washing machine at the time of a washing operation, and which is capable of storing a plurality of amounts of the washing treatment agent, wherein a replenishing port for replenishing the washing treatment agent is provided in the treatment agent tank, the replenishing port communicates an inside of the treatment agent tank with an outside, and a partition wall that divides an upper portion of the inside of the treatment agent tank to form the replenishing port is provided so as to extend downward from an opening periphery of the replenishing port, a lower end of the partition wall is located above a bottom wall of the treatment agent tank, and a hole portion or a notch portion that penetrates the partition wall in a plate thickness direction thereof is provided in the partition wall.

2. The treatment agent tank for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a part or all of the hole portion or the notch portion is located above an index portion that indicates a full level in the treatment agent tank.

3. The treatment agent tank for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a lid that has a shaft portion and that opens and closes the replenishing port is provided, and an air port that communicates an inside of the treatment agent tank with an outside and that becomes a passage of air at the time when the replenishing port is closed by the lid is provided in a bearing portion that supports the shaft portion of the lid or a vicinity portion of the shaft portion in the treatment agent tank.

4. The treatment agent tank for a washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the treatment agent tank is constituted by a combination of a tank main body that has an upper surface opening and a tank cover that covers the upper surface opening, the tank cover has a lid that opens and closes the replenishing port and has an outer peripheral rib that combines with an inner wall of the tank main body, the replenishing port is formed by the partition wall and the outer peripheral rib in the replenishing port, and a lower end of the outer peripheral rib is located at the same height as an index portion that indicates a full level in the treatment agent tank or is located above the index portion.

5. The treatment agent tank for a washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the treatment agent tank is constituted by a combination of a tank main body that has an upper surface opening and a tank cover that covers the upper surface opening, the tank cover has a lid that opens and closes the replenishing port and has an outer peripheral rib that combines with an inner wall of the tank main body, the outer peripheral rib protrudes downward from the tank cover in a manner that combines with the inner wall of the tank main body, and a protruding length of the outer peripheral rib is set to a position that is located above an index portion that indicates a full level in the treatment agent tank.

6. A washing machine comprising: a tub; and an automatic dispensing device that is a device for automatically dispensing a prescribed amount of a washing treatment agent into the tub at the time of a washing operation, that has a treatment agent tank that is capable of storing a plurality of amounts of the washing treatment agent and a drive unit that is driven in order to dispense the washing treatment agent in the treatment agent tank into the tub, wherein a replenishing port for replenishing the washing treatment agent is provided in the treatment agent tank, the replenishing port communicates an inside of the treatment agent tank with an outside, and a partition wall that divides an upper portion of the inside of the treatment agent tank to form the replenishing port is provided so as to extend downward from an opening periphery of the replenishing port, a lower end of the partition wall is located above a bottom wall of the treatment agent tank, and a hole portion or a notch portion that penetrates the partition wall in a plate thickness direction thereof is provided in the partition wall. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 6. A laundry machine wherein, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The partition wall has a hole or a notch that penetrates the wall in the direction of its thickness. The partition wall has a hole or a notch that penetrates the wall in the direction of its thickness.

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