Twin-tub washing machine

Abstract

A double-tub washing machine (1) includes: an over-flow mask (21) assembled to an over-flow port (3E) on an inner surface of a washing tub (3); and a sliding member (22) supported by the over-flow mask so as to be slidable in a vertical direction (Z). The over-flow mask is provided with a longitudinal rib (57) and a plurality of transverse ribs (59) provided on the longitudinal rib and arranged side by side in the vertical direction (Z). The sliding member (22) has: a holding portion (24) that holds a telescopic portion (20A) of an over-flow path (20) for taking in water that overflows from inside the washing tub through the over-flow port; and a positioning portion (72) that positions the sliding member in the vertical direction (Z). The positioning portion has: a main body portion (72C) that is bent so as to bulge toward the longitudinal rib side and is fitted between two transverse ribs; and a supporting portion (72D) that is bent so as to bulge toward a side opposite to the longitudinal rib side and supports the main body portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a twin-tub washing machine. Background Art

[0002] The twin-tub washing machine described in Patent Document 1 below includes: a washing tub; and an overflow mask attached to a part of the side wall of the washing tub to form an overflow chamber. When the water level in the washing tub rises to a specified level, the water in the washing tub overflows into the overflow chamber and is discharged outside the machine.

[0003] Although not specifically described in Patent Document 1, a twin-tub washing machine generally includes an overflow passage for discharging the water that has overflowed from the washing tub into the overflow chamber to the outside of the machine. Such an overflow passage has a telescopic part disposed in the overflow chamber, and an inlet for taking the water in the overflow chamber into the overflow passage is provided in the telescopic part. In addition, a sliding member that can slide in the vertical direction is provided on the overflow mask. The sliding member has: a lifting handle part that protrudes into the washing tub; and a holding part that holds the telescopic part disposed in the overflow chamber. When the user pinches the lifting handle part and moves it in the vertical direction, the sliding member slides. Thus, the telescopic part held by the holding part expands and contracts in the vertical direction, and therefore the height position of the inlet is changed. Thereby, the water level in the washing tub when discharging the water in the washing tub from the overflow chamber to the outside of the machine can be adjusted.

[0004] In such a structure, a plurality of ribs arranged side by side in the vertical direction are provided on the back surface portion facing the overflow chamber in the overflow mask. The sliding member has a positioning part that engages with the ribs. When the user slides the sliding member to change the height position of the inlet of the telescopic part of the overflow passage, the positioning part overrides the ribs. When the user stops sliding the sliding member, the positioning part is inserted between two adjacent ribs in the vertical direction among the plurality of ribs, and thus the sliding member is positioned in the vertical direction. Thereby, the changed height position of the inlet is maintained.

[0005] The existing positioning part is a claw that extends parallel to the ribs of the overflow mask and has a high rigidity. On the other hand, there are certain deviations in dimensions and the like during the forming of each rib to some extent. When the interval between adjacent ribs becomes larger due to deviations or the like, the positioning of the sliding member becomes loose, and thus the sliding member slides randomly as the water level in the washing tub rises and falls. Considering such deviations, the existing positioning part is formed to be larger so as to tightly fit between adjacent horizontal ribs. Therefore, although the sliding member can be firmly positioned so as not to slide randomly, the sliding of the sliding member is stiff. Therefore, for the user who wants to slide the sliding member, the operability is poor.

[0006] Prior Art Documents

[0007] Patent Documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 7-27484 Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] The present invention is completed based on this background, and its object is to provide a twin-tub washing machine that can improve the reliability and operability of positioning a sliding member for holding a telescopic portion of an overflow water passage.

[0011] Solutions to the Problems

[0012] The present invention is a twin-tub washing machine, comprising: a washing tub having an inner surface extending in the vertical direction for washing laundry, the washing tub having an overflow port and an overflow chamber, the overflow port being provided on the inner surface, and the overflow chamber receiving water passing through the overflow port from inside the washing tub; a dehydration tub arranged side by side horizontally with the washing tub for dehydrating the laundry; an overflow mask assembled to the overflow port, provided with a longitudinal rib and a plurality of transverse ribs, the longitudinal rib protruding into the overflow chamber from the back surface portion facing the overflow chamber in the overflow mask and extending in the vertical direction, the plurality of transverse ribs being provided on the longitudinal rib and extending in the protruding direction of the longitudinal rib and being arranged side by side in the vertical direction; a drain passage connected to a portion of the washing tub below the overflow port for discharging water inside the washing tub; an overflow water passage having a telescopic portion arranged in the overflow chamber and capable of telescoping in the vertical direction, taking in water in the overflow chamber from an inlet provided in the telescopic portion and guiding it to the drain passage; and a sliding member supported by the overflow mask so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, the sliding member having: a lifting handle portion arranged on a surface portion of the overflow mask opposite to the back surface portion and exposed into the washing tub, and being operated to slide the sliding member; a holding portion arranged in the overflow chamber for holding the telescopic portion; and a positioning portion for positioning the sliding member in the vertical direction by being inserted between two horizontally adjacent transverse ribs among the plurality of transverse ribs, the positioning portion having: a main body portion bent so as to bulge toward the longitudinal rib side and inserted between the two transverse ribs; and a supporting portion bent so as to bulge toward the side opposite to the longitudinal rib side for supporting the main body portion.

[0013] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the supporting portion is provided on both sides of the main body portion in the vertical direction.

[0014] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the lifting handle portion is arranged between the positioning portion and the holding portion in the vertical direction.

[0015] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that when viewed from the vertical direction, the main body portion when inserted between the two transverse ribs is arranged so as to overlap substantially the entire area of the transverse rib in the protruding direction.

[0016] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that a notch is provided in the positioning portion to cut out the supporting portion from the back surface portion side, and the supporting portion is narrower than the main body portion in the protruding direction.

[0017] Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, when the user slides the sliding member in the vertical direction to change the height position of the inlet of the telescopic portion held by the holding portion of the sliding member in the overflow water channel, the positioning portion of the sliding member straddles a plurality of transverse ribs of the longitudinal rib provided on the back surface portion of the overflow water mask. When the user stops sliding the sliding member, the positioning portion is inserted between two adjacent ribs in the vertical direction among the plurality of transverse ribs, so that the sliding member is positioned in the vertical direction. Thereby, the changed height position of the inlet is maintained.

[0019] The positioning portion has: a main body portion that is firmly inserted between two ribs; and a supporting portion that supports the main body portion. The main body portion is bent so as to bulge toward the longitudinal rib side, and the supporting portion is bent so as to bulge toward the side opposite to the longitudinal rib side. Therefore, both the main body portion and the supporting portion can be elastically deformed. Therefore, even if the interval between the adjacent transverse ribs in the vertical direction becomes larger due to deviation or the like, the main body portion will elastically deform in a manner of stretching in the vertical direction and firmly insert between these transverse ribs. Therefore, the sliding member can be firmly positioned so as not to slide arbitrarily. On the other hand, when the user pinches the handle portion to slide the sliding member, due to the elastic deformation of both the main body portion and the supporting portion, the main body portion smoothly leaves between the adjacent transverse ribs and smoothly straddles the transverse ribs. Therefore, the user can smoothly slide the sliding member. As a result of the above, it is possible to improve the reliability and operability of the positioning of the sliding member.

[0020] In addition, according to the present invention, even if the user pinches the handle portion to slide the sliding member to either the upper side or the lower side, since the supporting portions provided on both sides of the main body portion in the vertical direction will elastically deform, the main body portion will also smoothly leave between the adjacent transverse ribs and smoothly straddle the transverse ribs. Therefore, the sliding member can be smoothly slid to either the upper side or the lower side. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the operability of the sliding member.

[0021] In addition, according to the present invention, the handle portion is disposed at a well-balanced position between the positioning portion and the holding portion in the vertical direction. Therefore, it is easy for the user to pinch the handle portion to move it. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the operability of the sliding member.

[0022] In addition, according to the present invention, when viewed from the vertical direction, the main body portion of the positioning portion when inserted between the two horizontal ribs is arranged so as to overlap substantially the entire area of the horizontal rib in the protruding direction of the vertical rib on the back surface portion of the overflow mask. Thus, the main body portion sandwiched between the two horizontal ribs comes into contact with these horizontal ribs over a large range and is more tightly inserted between these horizontal ribs, so that the sliding member can be further firmly positioned in a non-slidable manner. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the reliability of the positioning of the sliding member.

[0023] In addition, according to the present invention, by providing a notch in the positioning portion that cuts out the support portion from the back surface portion side of the overflow mask, the support portion is narrower than the main body portion in the protruding direction of the vertical rib, so that the rigidity of the root portion of the main body portion that protrudes more toward the back surface portion side than the support portion can be intentionally reduced.

[0024] When the user slides the sliding member, the positioning portion of the sliding member bends the vertical rib and the plurality of horizontal ribs while striding over the vertical rib and the plurality of horizontal ribs. At this time, in each of the vertical rib and the horizontal ribs, the front end portion on the side opposite to the base end portion on the back surface portion side bends, and the root portion of the main body portion of the positioning portion where the rigidity is set low is pushed by the base end portion of the vertical rib and bends in the direction opposite to the front end portion of the vertical rib, whereby the entire main body portion assumes a posture substantially parallel to the bent vertical rib and horizontal ribs. Thus, when the sliding member stops sliding and is sandwiched between the two horizontal ribs, the main body portion comes into contact with these horizontal ribs over a large range and is more tightly inserted between these horizontal ribs, so that the sliding member can be further firmly positioned in a non-slidable manner. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the reliability of the positioning of the sliding member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional front view of a twin-tub washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an overflow mask and a sliding member included in the twin-tub washing machine.

[0027] Figure 3 is from the same direction as Figure 2 a perspective view of the overflow mask and the sliding member observed from a different direction.

[0028] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the sliding member.

[0029] Figure 5 is a front view of the sliding member.

[0030] Figure 6 is a right view of the sliding member.

[0031] Figure 7 is a left view of the sliding member.

[0032] Figure 8 It is a rear view of an over - flow mask and a sliding member.

[0033] Figure 9 It includes Figure 8 A perspective view of the main part of the A - A sectional view.

[0034] Figure 10 It is Figure 9 An enlarged view of the main part.

[0035] Figure 11 It is Figure 8 The A - A sectional view.

[0036] Figure 12 It is Figure 11 A schematic enlarged view of the main part.

[0037] Explanation of reference numerals

[0038] 1: Twin - tub washing machine; 3: Washing tub; 3D: Inner surface; 3E: Over - flow port; 3G: Over - flow chamber; 7: Spin tub; 14: Drainage path; 20: Over - flow path; 20A: Telescopic part; 20B: Inlet; 21: Over - flow mask; 21A: Front surface part; 21B: Back surface part; 22: Sliding member; 23: Pull - up part; 24: Holding part; 57: Longitudinal rib; 59: Transverse rib; 72: Positioning part; 72C: Main body part; 72D: Supporting part; 73: Notch; L1: Laundry; L2: Laundry; R: Radial direction; Z: Up - and - down direction; Z2: Lower side. Detailed implementation mode

[0039] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 It is a schematic longitudinal sectional front view of a twin - tub washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that hereinafter, the Figure 1 up - and - down direction in it is called the up - and - down direction Z of the twin - tub washing machine 1. Among the up - and - down direction Z, the upper side is called the upper side Z1, and the lower side is called the lower side Z2. Regarding the left - and - right direction, the directions of the twin - tub washing machine 1 and the components of the twin - tub washing machine 1 are determined based on the left - and - right directions of the paper surface of each figure. Therefore, the left - and - right direction in a certain figure may sometimes be the opposite direction to the left - and - right direction in other figures.

[0040] The twin - tub washing machine 1 includes: a cabinet 2, which constitutes the outer contour of the twin - tub washing machine 1; a washing tub 3, which is arranged inside the cabinet 2; a rotary vane 4, which is accommodated inside the washing tub 3; an electric motor 5, which rotates the rotary vane 4; an outer tub 6, which is arranged inside the cabinet 2 in a side - by - side horizontal arrangement with the washing tub 3; a spin tub 7, which is arranged inside the outer tub 6; and an electric motor 8, which rotates the spin tub 7.

[0041] The cabinet 2 is made of metal, for example, and is formed in a box shape. On the upper surface 2A of the cabinet 2, a first opening 2B and a second opening 2C that communicate the inside and outside of the cabinet 2 are formed side by side horizontally in the left-right direction. The first opening 2B is arranged on the left side of the second opening 2C. A first door 9A that opens and closes the first opening 2B and a second door 9B that opens and closes the second opening 2C are provided on the upper surface 2A. A display operation unit 10 composed of a touch panel or the like is provided on the upper surface 2A inside the first opening 2B and the second opening 2C.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the washing tub 3 is arranged in the left region of the internal space of the cabinet 2. The washing tub 3 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and has: a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 3A arranged along the vertical direction Z; an annular wall 3B that projects toward the center of the circumferential wall 3A while wrapping the upper end edge of the circumferential wall 3A; and a bottom wall 3C that closes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the lower side Z2. The washing tub 3 has a central axis J that extends in the vertical direction Z through its center. The radial direction based on the central axis J is referred to as the radial direction R. Among the radial directions R, the direction away from the central axis J is referred to as the outer radial direction R1, and the direction close to the central axis J is referred to as the inner radial direction R2.

[0043] The inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall 3A is an inner surface portion 3D that extends in the vertical direction Z in the washing tub 3. An overflow port 3E is provided midway in the vertical direction Z of the inner surface portion 3D. The overflow port 3E is a longitudinally long opening. A hollow protruding portion 3F that wraps the overflow port 3E and projects laterally is provided on the circumferential wall 3A. The internal space of the protruding portion 3F is an overflow chamber 3G that is recessed laterally, specifically to the right, from the overflow port 3E. Hereinafter, the overflow chamber 3G is regarded as a space different from the inside of the washing tub 3, that is, the internal space 3H of the washing tub 3. The overflow chamber 3G is arranged in the outer radial direction R1 with respect to the internal space 3H and is in a state of being communicated with the internal space 3H via the overflow port 3E. Figure 1

[0044] An entrance / exit 3I that communicates with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the upper side Z1 is formed inside the annular wall 3B. The entrance / exit 3I is in a state of being opposed to and communicating with the first opening 2B of the cabinet 2 from the lower side Z2. A lid 11 that opens and closes the entrance / exit 3I is provided on the annular wall 3B. The user opens the first door 9A and the lid 11 to open the first opening 2B and the entrance / exit 3I, and allows the laundry L1 to enter and exit the washing tub 3. The bottom wall 3C is formed in a substantially horizontally extending circular plate shape, and a through hole 3J that penetrates the bottom wall 3C is formed at the center position of the bottom wall 3C.

[0045] The double-tub washing machine 1 further includes: a water supply path 12 connected to a faucet; a water supply valve 13 provided midway in the water supply path 12; a drain path 14 pulled out to the outside of the machine, that is, outside the cabinet 2; and a drain valve 15 provided midway in the drain path 14.

[0046] The water supply path 12 branches into a first branch path 12A and a second branch path 12B. The first branch path 12A is connected to the annular wall 3B from the upper side Z1. The second branch path 12B is connected to the outer tub 6. A switching member 16 is provided at the branching position of the first branch path 12A and the second branch path 12B in the water supply path 12. The switching member 16 causes the tap water from the faucet to flow through either the first branch path 12A or the second branch path 12B in response to the operation of a rod (not shown) disposed around the display operation unit 10 on the upper surface 2A of the cabinet 2. The tap water flowing through the first branch path 12A is supplied to the washing tub 3 and stored therein. When the water level in the washing tub 3 exceeds the lower end of the overflow port 3E of the circumferential wall 3A of the washing tub 3, the water in the washing tub 3 flows through the overflow port 3E into the overflow chamber 3G and is received therein. The water supply valve 13 is provided in the water supply path 12 at an upstream portion 12C closer to the faucet than the branching position and opens and closes to start or stop the water supply.

[0047] The drain path 14 is connected to a portion of the washing tub 3 below the overflow port 3E, specifically to the bottom wall 3C, and discharges the water in the washing tub 3 to the outside of the machine. The drain valve 15 opens and closes to start or stop the drainage of the washing tub 3.

[0048] The twin-tub washing machine 1 further includes: an overflow water path 20 for discharging the water in the overflow chamber 3G; an overflow mask 21 assembled to the overflow port 3E; and a sliding member 22 supported by the overflow mask 21 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction Z.

[0049] The overflow water path 20 has a telescopic portion 20A disposed as its upper end portion in the overflow chamber 3G. The overflow water path 20 extends downward from the telescopic portion 20A through the lower wall 3K of the protruding portion 3F of the washing tub 3 to the lower side Z2 and is connected to a portion of the drain path 14 on the downstream side closer to the outside of the machine than the drain valve 15. It should be noted that the gap between the lower wall 3K and the overflow water path 20 is sealed to prevent water leakage. The telescopic portion 20A is formed of, for example, a bellows and can be telescoped in the vertical direction Z. An inlet 20B is provided in the telescopic portion 20A. As an example, the inlet 20B is provided at the upper end of the telescopic portion 20A and is in a state of opening upward to the upper side Z1. The downstream portion 20C of the overflow water path 20 closer to the drain path 14 than the telescopic portion 20A may be formed of a bellows in the same manner as the telescopic portion 20A or may be formed of a hose having flexibility but no corrugations.

[0050] The water overflow mask 21 is formed in a longitudinally long plate shape. The water overflow mask 21 covers the water overflow chamber 3G from the radially inner side R2. In the water overflow mask 21 in this state, the surface portion 21A on the radially inner side R2 faces the inside of the washing tub 3, and the back surface portion 21B on the radially outer side R1 faces the inside of the water overflow chamber 3G. The surface portion 21A is disposed on the side of the water overflow mask 21 opposite to the back surface portion 21B. A plurality of slit-shaped water passing holes 21C that penetrate the water overflow mask 21 in the plate thickness direction, that is, the radial direction R, are formed in the water overflow mask 21. Strictly speaking, the water flowing from the inside of the washing tub 3 into the water overflow chamber 3G through the water overflow port 3E flows into the water overflow chamber 3G through the water passing holes 21C. The water overflow mask 21 will be described in detail below.

[0051] The sliding member 22 has: a handle portion 23, which is disposed on the surface portion 21A of the water overflow mask 21 and exposes into the washing tub 3; and a holding portion 24, which is disposed in the water overflow chamber 3G and holds the telescopic portion 20A of the water overflow path 20. The user reaches the sliding member 22 from the first opening 2B of the box body 2 and the entrance / exit 3I of the washing tub 3, pinches the handle portion 23, and operates it in the vertical direction Z, whereby the entire sliding member 22 can slide in the vertical direction Z. Corresponding to the sliding of the sliding member 22, the telescopic portion 20A expands and contracts in the vertical direction Z, and thus the height position of the entrance 20B of the telescopic portion 20A is changed. The sliding member 22 will also be described in detail below.

[0052] The rotary blade 4 is a so-called agitator, which is formed in a disk shape centered on the central axis J and is disposed on the bottom wall 3C of the washing tub 3. A rotary shaft 30 extending downward along the central axis J from its center is provided on the rotary blade 4. The lower end portion of the rotary shaft 30 passes through the through hole 3J of the bottom wall 3C and is located on the lower side Z2 relative to the bottom wall 3C and is connected to the motor 5. When the motor 5 operates, the driving force of the motor 5 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 30 to rotate the rotary blade 4.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the outer tub 6 is disposed in the right region of the internal space of the box body 2 and is arranged side by side with the washing tub 3 from the right side. The outer tub 6 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having an entrance / exit 6A at the upper end. The entrance / exit 6A is in a state of being opposed to and communicating with the second opening 2C of the box body 2 from the lower side Z2. A lid 31 for opening and closing the entrance / exit 6A is provided on the outer tub 6. A through hole 6B penetrating the bottom wall in the vertical direction Z is formed at the center position of the bottom wall of the outer tub 6.

[0054] The dehydrating tub 7 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is one size smaller than the outer tub 6 and is coaxially accommodated within the outer tub 6. The dehydrating tub 7 can accommodate the laundry L2 inside. An entrance / exit 7A is formed at the upper end of the dehydrating tub 7. The entrance / exit 7A is in a state of being connected to the entrance / exit 6A of the outer tub 6 and the second opening 2C of the cabinet 2 from the lower side Z2. The user opens the second door 9B and the lid 31 to open the second opening 2C, the entrance / exit 6A, and the entrance / exit 7A, allowing the laundry L2 to enter and exit the dehydrating tub 7.

[0055] The dehydrating tub 7 in a state of being accommodated within the outer tub 6 can rotate about a central axis (not shown) extending in the vertical direction Z. A plurality of through-holes 7B are formed in the dehydrating tub 7. A rotating shaft 33 extending downward along the central axis of the dehydrating tub 7 is provided on the bottom wall of the dehydrating tub 7. The lower end portion of the rotating shaft 33 passes through the through-hole 6B in the bottom wall of the outer tub 6 and is located on the lower side Z2 relative to the bottom wall and is connected to the motor 8. When the motor 8 operates, the driving force of the motor 8 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 33 to rotate the dehydrating tub 7.

[0056] The second branch 12B of the above-described water supply path 12 is connected to the upper part of the outer tub 6 from the upper side Z1 and faces the entrance / exit 7A of the dehydrating tub 7 from the upper side Z1. The bottom wall of the outer tub 6 and the portion of the drainage path 14 on the downstream side closer to the outside of the machine than the connection portion with the overflow path 20 are connected by an outflow path 32. After the tap water flowing through the second branch 12B flows into the dehydrating tub 7 from the entrance / exit 7A, it flows out of the outer tub 6 through the outflow path 32 and flows through the drainage path 14 to be discharged to the outside of the machine.

[0057] The twin-tub washing machine 1 further includes a control unit 40 composed of a microcomputer or the like. The motor 5, the motor 8, the display operation unit 10, the water supply valve 13, and the drain valve 15 are respectively electrically connected to the control unit 40. The control unit 40 executes a washing operation by controlling the operations of the motor 5, the water supply valve 13, and the drain valve 15. The washing operation includes: a cleaning process of washing the laundry L1 in the washing tub 3; and a rinsing process of rinsing the laundry L1 in the washing tub 3. In the washing operation, the cleaning process and the rinsing process can be continuously executed, or only either the cleaning process or the rinsing process can be executed. The control unit 40 executes a dehydration operation of dehydrating the laundry L2 in the dehydrating tub 7 by controlling the operations of the motor 8 and the water supply valve 13.

[0058] In the case of the washing operation, the user operates the above-described lever in advance to allow the tap water from the faucet to flow through the first branch 12A (not shown) in the water supply path 12. In the case of the dehydration operation, the user operates the lever in advance to allow the tap water from the faucet to flow through the second branch 12B in the water supply path 12.

[0059] When a user who has put the laundry L1 into the washing tub 3 and closed the first door 9A and the lid 11 operates the operation display operation unit 10 to indicate the execution of the cleaning process of the cleaning operation, the control unit 40 first supplies water into the washing tub 3 by opening the water supply valve 13 for a specified time in a state where the drain valve 15 is closed. Alternatively, at a moment before or after the water supply, the user may open the first door 9A to put the detergent into the washing tub 3.

[0060] When the water level in the washing tub 3 rises to a specified upper limit water level lower than the inlet 20B of the overflow water passage 20, after stopping the water supply by closing the water supply valve 13, the control unit 40 operates the motor 5 to rotate the rotary blade 4. A part of the water in the washing tub 3 at a position higher than the overflow port 3E has flowed into the overflow chamber 3G through the water passage holes 21C of the overflow water mask 21, and the water level in the internal space 3H of the washing tub 3 is in a state of being consistent with the water level in the overflow chamber 3G. By the rotation of the rotary blade 4, the laundry L1 in the washing tub 3 is washed by being agitated or having the dirt decomposed by the detergent. Finally, the control unit 40 drains the washing tub 3 by stopping the motor 5 and opening the drain valve 15. Thus, the cleaning process ends.

[0061] During the rinsing process, there are a "water storage rinsing process" in which the tap water is stored in the washing tub 3 up to the above-mentioned upper limit water level to rinse the laundry L1, and a "water injection rinsing process" in which the laundry L1 is rinsed while continuously supplying water from the water supply passage 12 into the washing tub 3. During the water storage rinsing process, the control unit 40 first stores the tap water in the washing tub 3 by opening the water supply valve 13 for a specified time in a state where the drain valve 15 is closed. After completing the water supply control, the control unit 40 operates the motor 5 to rotate the rotary blade 4. Thus, the laundry Q in the washing tub 3 is rinsed.

[0062] During the water injection rinsing process, the control unit 40 first supplies water to the washing tub 3 by opening the water supply valve 13 in a state where the drain valve 15 is closed. When the water level in the washing tub 3 rises to a position higher than the lower end of the overflow port 3E, the water in the washing tub 3 flows into the overflow chamber 3G through the water passage holes 21C of the overflow water mask 21. The water level in the washing tub 3 is consistent with the water level in the overflow chamber 3G. Moreover, even when the water level in the washing tub 3 rises to the inlet 20B of the overflow water passage 20, the water supply valve 13 remains in an open state. Therefore, the water flowing from the washing tub 3 into the overflow chamber 3G overflows outside the washing tub 3 by being taken into the overflow water passage 20 from the inlet 20B. The water taken into the overflow water passage 20 falls in the overflow water passage 20 and is guided to the drain passage 14. The water that falls in the overflow water passage 20 and reaches the drain passage 14 is discharged outside the machine from the drain passage 14. In this way, the height position of the inlet 20B is the height position when the water starts to overflow from the washing tub 3, which is hereinafter referred to as the "overflow height".

[0063] In this way, during the water injection and rinsing process, the water in the washing tub 3 is continuously replaced by continuously supplying water to the washing tub 3 and overflowing from the overflow water passage 20. In this state, the control unit 40 rotates the rotary blade 4 by operating the motor 5 to rinse the laundry L1 in the washing tub 3. During the water injection and rinsing process, when the amount of the laundry L1 is large, the user previously pinches the handle portion 23 of the sliding member 22 to slide the sliding member 22 upward to the side Z1, and pre-arranges the inlet 20B of the overflow water passage 20 at a high position so that all the laundry L1 is immersed in the water in the washing tub 3. When the amount of the laundry L1 is small, the user previously pinches the handle portion 23 to slide the sliding member 22 downward to the side Z2, and pre-arranges the inlet 20B of the overflow water passage 20 at a low position for water conservation. In the present embodiment, the height position of the inlet 20B, that is, the overflow height, is adjusted to three levels: the "high position" which is the highest, the "low position" which is the lowest, and the "middle position" between the high position and the low position. It should be noted that the overflow height can be adjusted stepwise other than the three levels, or can be adjusted without steps.

[0064] During any one of the water storage rinsing process and the water injection rinsing process, at the moment before, during, or after the water supply, the user can open the first door 9A to put the fabric softener into the washing tub 3. The fabric softener penetrates into the laundry L1. Finally, the control unit 40 stops the motor 5 and drains the washing tub 3.

[0065] When the user who has put the laundry L2 into the dehydration tub 7 and closed the second door 9B and the lid 31 operates the display operation unit 10 to instruct the execution of the dehydration operation, the control unit 40 rotates the dehydration tub 7 at a specified dehydration rotation speed by operating the motor 8. Thus, the laundry L2 in the dehydration tub 7 is dehydrated by the action of centrifugal force. It should be noted that the laundry L2 can also be the laundry L1 that has just completed the washing operation and has been transferred from the washing tub 3 to the dehydration tub 7 by the user. In addition, the control unit 40 can also open the water supply valve 13 during the dehydration operation to supply water into the dehydration tub 7. Thus, the laundry L2 in the dehydration tub 7 is dehydrated.

[0066] Next, the overflow water mask 21 and the sliding member 22 will be described in detail in turn. Figure 2 FIG. is a perspective view of the overflow water mask 21 and the sliding member 22 as viewed from the radially inner side R2. Claw-shaped engaging portions 50 that engage with the circumferential wall 3A of the washing tub 3 are provided at, for example, the lower end, the upper end portion of the left edge, and the upper end portion of the right edge of the overflow water mask 21. A horizontally long gripping portion 51 that protrudes radially inward R2 is provided at the upper end portion of the surface portion 21A of the overflow water mask 21. When disassembling and assembling the overflow water mask 21 to and from the overflow water port 3E, the user grabs the gripping portion 51. A vertically long concave portion 52 that is recessed radially outward R1 is provided in the substantially lower half of the surface portion 21A. A filter (not shown) that captures foreign matters such as lint removed from the laundry L1 during the washing operation is assembled in the concave portion 52.

[0067] In the upper half of the surface portion 21A, specifically, in the area between the gripping portion 51 and the recessed portion 52, a longitudinally long groove 53 is provided which is recessed toward the radially outer side R1. A slit 53B is formed at the groove bottom 53A of the groove 53, which extends slenderly in the up-down direction Z and penetrates the groove bottom 53A in the radial direction R. The above-mentioned multiple water holes 21C are arranged side by side in the up-down direction Z, thereby forming a row side by side in the up-down direction Z. A row of water holes 21C is arranged one by one on the left and right sides of the recessed portion 52 and the groove 53 arranged side by side in the up-down direction Z. Each water hole 21C is, for example, a transversely long slit. The shape and size of all the water holes 21C can be the same, or, as in the present embodiment, the water holes 21C around the recessed portion 52 are narrower than the water holes 21C around the groove 53 in the left-right direction.

[0068] In the upper half of the surface portion 21A, the marks M1 indicating the above-mentioned "high position", "middle position" and "low position" are displayed on both sides of the groove 53 in the left and right directions. In the present embodiment, the mark M1 on the left side of the groove 53 is an English mark, and the mark M1 on the right side of the groove 53 is a Japanese mark. It should be noted that a stopper 21D is provided on the back side 21B of the overflow cover 21 to contact the sliding member 22 when the overflow height is at a high position so that the sliding member 22 cannot rise further (refer to the following description). Figure 11 ).

[0069] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the overflow cover 21 and the sliding member 22 as viewed from the radially outer side R1. The upper end of the back surface 21B of the overflow cover 21 is provided with the gripping portion 51 (see FIG. Figure 2 ) and is recessed in the radial direction to the inner side R2. The recess 52 (see FIG. 2 ) is provided on the back side of the back portion 21B. Figure 2 ) and protrudes in the radial direction outward R1. The groove bottom 53A of the groove 53 is arranged substantially on the upper half of the back portion 21B, specifically, in the area between the recess 54 and the protrusion 55. In the back portion 21B, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 56 extending in the left-right direction are arranged at positions avoiding the water through hole 21C on the left and right sides of the protrusion 55 and the groove bottom 53A arranged side by side in the up-down direction Z.

[0070] A pair of parallel left and right longitudinal ribs 57 are provided on the back side 21B of the overflow cover 21. The pair of parallel left and right longitudinal ribs 57 protrude radially outward R1, that is, into the overflow chamber 3G, from the left and right edges of the groove bottom 53A of the groove 53. Figure 3 The longitudinal rib 57A located on the left side of the groove bottom 53A extends in the vertical direction Z along the left edge of the groove bottom 53A. Figure 3The longitudinal rib 57B located on the right side extends in the vertical direction Z along the right edge of the groove bottom 53A. A guide groove 58 extending in the vertical direction Z is formed between the pair of left and right longitudinal ribs 57. The groove bottom 53A of the groove 53 also serves as the groove bottom of the guide groove 58.

[0071] On the opposing surfaces of these longitudinal ribs 57 that face each other, that is, on substantially the entire regions of the right surface of the longitudinal rib 57A and the left surface of the longitudinal rib 57B, a plurality of transverse ribs 59 arranged at equal intervals in the vertical direction Z are provided. Each transverse rib 59 is disposed within the guide groove 58 and extends in the protruding direction of the longitudinal rib 57, that is, in the radially outer direction R1. The longitudinal cross-section of each transverse rib 59 provided on the right surface of the longitudinal rib 57A on the left side is formed in a semi-circular shape bulging toward the right side, and the end surface in the radially outer direction R1 of each transverse rib 59 is located in the same plane as the end surface in the radially outer direction R1 of the longitudinal rib 57A. The longitudinal cross-section of each transverse rib 59 provided on the left surface of the longitudinal rib 57B is formed in a semi-circular shape bulging toward the left side, and the end surface in the radially outer direction R1 of each transverse rib 59 is located in the same plane as the end surface in the radially outer direction R1 of the longitudinal rib 57A.

[0072] On the groove bottom 53A of the groove 53, a pair of left and right parallel guide ribs 60 protruding from the left edge and the right edge of the slit 53B toward the radially outer direction R1 are provided within the guide groove 58. Among the pair of left and right guide ribs 60, the left guide rib 60 extends in the vertical direction Z along the left edge of the slit 53B, and the right guide rib 60 extends in the vertical direction Z along the right edge of the slit 53B. The end portion in the radially outer direction R1 of each guide rib 60 is located at a position closer to the radially inner side R2 than the end portion in the radially outer direction R1 of the longitudinal rib 57.

[0073] Figure 4 It is a perspective view of the sliding member 22. The sliding member 22 has: a base portion 70, a connecting portion 71, the above-mentioned handle portion 23, a holding portion 24, and a positioning portion 72.

[0074] The base portion 70 has: a longitudinally long box-shaped main body portion 70A; a lower end portion 70B disposed at a lower side Z2 than the main body portion 70A and extending in the left-right direction; and an intermediate portion 70C connecting the main body portion 70A and the lower end portion 70B. The end surface in the radially inner direction R2 of the main body portion 70A is the surface portion 70D of the main body portion 70A. At the end surface in the radially inner direction R2 of the lower end portion 70B, one claw portion 70E protruding toward the radially inner side R2 is provided at each of the two end portions in the left-right direction. When viewed from the left-right direction, the claw portion 70E has a right-angled triangular shape that expands toward the radially inner side R2 as it approaches the upper side Z1. The intermediate portion 70C is formed in a longitudinally slender rectangular parallelepiped column shape and is bridged between the central portion in the left-right direction of the main body portion 70A and the central portion in the left-right direction of the lower end portion 70B.

[0075] The connecting portion 71 has: a flat plate portion 71A disposed radially inward R2 from the surface portion 70D of the base portion 70; and a columnar portion 71B connecting the surface portion 70D and the flat plate portion 71A. The flat plate portion 71A is disposed parallel to the surface portion 70D. On the surface of the flat plate portion 71A on the radially inner side R2, there is a mark M2 indicating the sliding direction of the sliding member 22. The columnar portion 71B is in the shape of a longitudinally elongated rectangular parallelepiped column and is spanned between the central portion of the surface portion 70D in the left-right direction and the central portion of the flat plate portion 71A in the left-right direction.

[0076] The lifting handle portion 23 is formed in a plate shape bent radially inward R2 from the lower end of the flat plate portion 71A. The holding portion 24 is connected to the upper end portion of the base portion 70 and is disposed Figure 4 so as to protrude radially outward R1 and to the right from the upper end portion of the base portion 70. The holding portion 24 is bent into a substantially C-shaped in a plan view, and its open portion 24A is disposed radially outward R1. The telescopic portion 20A of the overflow water channel 20 is inserted into the holding portion 24 from the open portion 24A. The holding portion 24 holds the telescopic portion 20A by clamping it. The inlet 20B of the telescopic portion 20A is disposed above the holding portion 24 at the upper side Z1.

[0077] Figure 5 is a front view of the sliding member 22 observed from the radially inner side R2. There are a pair of left and right positioning portions 72, and one is disposed on each of the left and right sides in the left-right direction of the middle portion 70C of the base portion 70. These positioning portions 72 are disposed symmetrically about the middle portion 70C. Among the pair of left and right positioning portions 72, Figure 5 the positioning portion 72A on the right side is spanned between the right end of the lower end surface of the main body portion 70A in the base portion 70 and the right end of the upper end surface of the lower end portion 70B in the base portion 70. Among the pair of left and right positioning portions 72, Figure 5 the positioning portion 72B on the left side is spanned between the left end of the lower end surface of the main body portion 70A and the left end of the upper end surface of the lower end portion 70B.

[0078] Each positioning portion 72 is an integrally molded resin member integrally having a main body portion 72C and a support portion 72D. Among them, the main body portion 72C is bent in a manner of bulging away from the middle portion 70C of the base portion 70 in the left-right direction, and a support portion 72D is provided on each of the two sides of the main body portion 72C in the up-down direction Z and is bent in a manner of bulging toward the middle portion 70C in the left-right direction.

[0079] The main body portion 72C is in the shape of a U-shaped bent plate and has a certain width in the radial direction R (refer to Figure 4)。The main body 72C of the positioning portion 72A on the right bulges to the right, and the main body 72C of the positioning portion 72B on the left bulges to the left. In each positioning portion 72, the main body 72C is supported by the support portions 72D through being spanned between the support portions 72D provided on both sides in the vertical direction Z.

[0080] Each support portion 72D is in the shape of a plate bent into a U shape opposite to the main body 72C. Each support portion 72D in the positioning portion 72A on the right bulges to the left, and each support portion 72D in the positioning portion 72B on the left bulges to the right. In the positioning portion 72A, the upper end of the support portion 72D above the main body 72C in the upper side Z1 is connected to the right end of the lower end surface of the main body 70A of the base portion 70, and the lower end of the support portion 72D below the main body 72C in the lower side Z2 is connected to the right end of the upper end surface of the lower end portion 70B of the base portion 70. In the positioning portion 72B, the upper end of the support portion 72D above the main body 72C in the upper side Z1 is connected to the left end of the lower end surface of the main body 70A, and the lower end of the support portion 72D below the main body 72C in the lower side Z2 is connected to the left end of the upper end surface of the lower end portion 70B.

[0081] Referring to Figure 6 which is the right view of the sliding member 22 and Figure 7 which is the left view of the sliding member 22, notches 73 are provided in each positioning portion 72 by cutting out each support portion 72D from the back surface portion 21B side of the water overflow mask 21, that is, from the radially inner side R2. Thus, the support portions 72D on the upper side Z1 and the lower side Z2 of the positioning portion 72A (refer to Figure 6 ) and the positioning portion 72B (refer to Figure 7 ) are respectively narrower than the main body 72C in the radial direction R. In addition, the above-mentioned lifting handle portion 23 is arranged between each positioning portion 72 and the holding portion 24 in the vertical direction Z, specifically, at approximately the central position in the vertical direction Z of the sliding member 22.

[0082] Figure 8 is the rear view of the water overflow mask 21 and the sliding member 22 observed from the radially outer side R1. Figure 9 is Figure 8 the main part stereogram including the A - A sectional view. In the sliding member 22 in the state supported by the water overflow mask 21, the lifting handle portion 23 and the flat plate portion 71A of the connecting portion 71 are arranged in the groove 53 of the surface portion 21A of the water overflow mask 21, and the columnar portion 71B of the connecting portion 71 is arranged in the slit 53B at the bottom 53A of the groove 53 (refer to Figure 2 and the following Figure 11)。In addition, the holding part 24, the base part 70, and the positioning part 72 are arranged on the back surface part 21B of the overflow prevention mask 21. The radially inner part R2 of the base part 70 and most of the pair of left and right positioning parts 72 are arranged in the guide groove 58 between the pair of left and right longitudinal ribs 57 on the back surface part 21B. The pair of left and right claw parts 70E on the lower end part 70B of the base part 70 are arranged with a slit 53B therebetween in the guide groove 58.

[0083] Figure 10 is Figure 9 An enlarged view of the main part surrounded by a double-dot chain line in. The middle part 70C of the base part 70 is in a state of facing the slit 53B at the bottom 53A of the groove 53 and the guide ribs 60 provided at the left and right edges of the slit 53B from the radially outer side R1. Among the pair of left and right positioning parts 72, Figure 10 the left positioning part 72A in is in a state of being adjacent to the left longitudinal rib 57A among the pair of left and right longitudinal ribs 57 from the right side, and in Figure 10 the right positioning part 72B in is in a state of being adjacent to the right longitudinal rib 57B among the pair of left and right longitudinal ribs 57 from the left side.

[0084] In the left positioning part 72A, the main body part 72C bulges toward the longitudinal rib 57A side, that is, Figure 10 bulges to the left side in, and the support parts 72D located on the upper and lower sides of the main body part 72C each bulge toward the side opposite to the longitudinal rib 57A side, that is, Figure 10 bulges to the right side in (also refer to Figure 8 ). In the right positioning part 72B, the main body part 72C bulges toward the longitudinal rib 57B side, that is, Figure 10 bulges to the right side in, and the support parts 72D located on the upper and lower sides of the main body part 72C each bulge toward the side opposite to the longitudinal rib 57B side, that is, Figure 10 bulges to the left side in (also refer to Figure 8 ).

[0085] In Figure 10 , the main body part 72C of the positioning part 72A is in a state of being embedded between two adjacent transverse ribs 59 in the vertical direction Z among the plurality of transverse ribs 59 on the longitudinal rib 57A, and the main body part 72C of the positioning part 72B is in a state of being embedded between two adjacent transverse ribs 59 in the vertical direction Z among the plurality of transverse ribs 59 on the longitudinal rib 57B (also refer to Figure 8)。Thus, the entire sliding member 22 is in a state of being positioned in the vertical direction Z. It should be noted that in this state, the portion of the sliding member 22 other than the positioning portion 72B does not contact the water overflow mask 21. However, when the water overflow height is at a high position, the stopper 21D at the upper part of the bottom of the guide groove 58 provided on the back surface portion 21B of the water overflow mask 21 contacts the claw portion 70E at the lower end portion 70B of the base portion 70 of the sliding member 22 from the upper side Z1 (refer to Figure 8 ).

[0086] Figure 11 Yes Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the line A - A of Figure 12 Yes Figure 11 is a schematic enlarged view of the main part of Figure 12 . In each of the positioning portions 72A and 72B, when viewed from the vertical direction Z, that is, the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper of Figure 12 , the main body portion 72C when being inserted between two adjacent horizontal ribs 59 in the vertical direction Z is arranged in a manner that overlaps with substantially the entire area of the horizontal rib 59 in the radial direction R that is the same as or substantially the same as the protruding direction of the vertical rib 57.

[0087] In order to change the height position of the inlet 20B of the telescopic portion 20A held by the holding portion 24 of the sliding member 22 in the water overflow path 20, when the user slides the sliding member 22 in the vertical direction Z, each positioning portion 72 of the sliding member 22 overrides a plurality of horizontal ribs 59 provided on the corresponding vertical rib 57. When the user stops sliding the sliding member 22, the positioning portion 72 is inserted between two adjacent ribs in the vertical direction Z among the plurality of horizontal ribs 59, so that the sliding member 22 is positioned in the vertical direction Z. Thus, the changed height position of the inlet 20B, that is, the above-mentioned water overflow height, is maintained.

[0088] The positioning portion 72 integrally has: a main body portion 72C, which is bent in a manner bulging toward the vertical rib 57 side and is firmly inserted between two horizontal ribs 59; and a support portion 72D, which is bent in a manner bulging toward the side opposite to the vertical rib 57 side and supports the main body portion 72C. In such a positioning portion 72, both the main body portion 72C and the support portion 72D can be elastically deformed. Therefore, even if the interval between the adjacent horizontal ribs 59 in the vertical direction Z becomes larger due to deviations or the like, the main body portion 72C will elastically deform in a manner of stretching in the vertical direction Z, absorb this deviation while firmly inserting between these horizontal ribs 59 (also refer to Figure 8 ). Therefore, even if the buoyancy of the water in the washing tub 3 acts on the sliding member 22, the restoring force generated when the telescopic portion 20A of the water overflow path 20 expands and contracts, etc., the sliding member 22 can be firmly positioned in a manner that does not slide randomly.

[0089] On the other hand, when the user pinches the carrying handle portion 23 to slide the sliding member 22, both the main body portion 72C and the support portion 72D elastically deform. As a result, the main body portion 72C can particularly slide significantly in the left - right direction. Therefore, the main body portion 72C will smoothly separate from between the adjacent horizontal ribs 59 and smoothly cross over the horizontal ribs 59. Thus, the user can smoothly slide the sliding member 22 with a certain light force. As a result of the above, the reliability of the positioning of the sliding member 22 and the operability can be improved.

[0090] In addition, even when the user pinches the carrying handle portion 23 and wants to slide the sliding member 22 to either the upper side Z1 or the lower side Z2, since the support portions 72D on both sides of the main body portion 72C provided in the up - down direction Z elastically deform, the main body portion 72C will also smoothly separate from between the adjacent horizontal ribs 59 and smoothly cross over the horizontal ribs 59. Therefore, the sliding member 22 can be smoothly slid to either the upper side Z1 or the lower side Z2, and thus the operability of the sliding member 22 can be further improved.

[0091] Moreover, the carrying handle portion 23 is disposed at a well - balanced position between the positioning portion 72 and the holding portion 24 in the up - down direction Z. Therefore, it is easy for the user to pinch and move the carrying handle portion. Therefore, the operability of the sliding member 22 can be further improved.

[0092] In addition, when viewed from the up - down direction Z, the main body portion 72C of the positioning portion 72 when sandwiched between the two horizontal ribs 59 extends to the back - face portion 21B side of the overflow - water mask 21, that is, the base - end portion 59A of the horizontal rib 59. Therefore, when viewed from the up - down direction Z, the main body portion 72C is disposed so as to overlap the entire area of the horizontal rib 59 in the protruding direction of the longitudinal rib 57 of the back - face portion 21B of the overflow - water mask 21, that is, in the radial direction R. As a result, the main body portion 72C sandwiched between the two horizontal ribs 59 is more tightly fitted between these horizontal ribs 59 by coming into contact with these horizontal ribs 59 over a large range. Therefore, the sliding member 22 can be further firmly positioned so as not to slide freely. Therefore, the reliability of the positioning of the sliding member 22 can be further improved.

[0093] In addition, by providing a notch 73 in the positioning portion 72 that cuts out the support portion 72D from the back - face portion 21B side of the overflow - water mask 21, the support portion 72D is narrower than the main body portion 72C in the protruding direction of the longitudinal rib 57. Therefore, the rigidity of the root portion 72E of the main body portion 72C that protrudes more toward the back - face portion 21B side than the support portion 72D can be intentionally reduced. It should be noted that although the rigidity of the root portion 72E can also be reduced by adjusting the thickness of the positioning portion 72, compared with adjusting the thickness of the positioning portion 72, the method of forming the notch 73 can more accurately and reliably reduce the rigidity of the root portion 72E.

[0094] When the user slides the sliding member 22, the positioning portion 72 of the sliding member 22 is asFigure 12 While flexing the longitudinal ribs 57 and the plurality of transverse ribs 59 in the left - right direction, it overrides the longitudinal ribs 57 and the plurality of transverse ribs 59. At this time, in each of the longitudinal ribs 57 and the transverse ribs 59, the front ends 57D and 59B on the side opposite to the base ends 57C and 59A on the back face portion 21B side are flexed, and the pair of left - right longitudinal ribs 57 are opened on the front end 57D side. Thus, the root portion 72E with a low rigidity set in the main body portion 72C is pushed by the base end 57C of the longitudinal rib 57 in the direction opposite to the front end 57D of the longitudinal rib 57 (refer to Figure 12 arrow Y in). Thereby, the entire main body portion 72C assumes a posture substantially parallel to the flexed longitudinal ribs 57 and transverse ribs 59.

[0095] Therefore, when the sliding member 22 stops sliding and is sandwiched between the two transverse ribs 59, the main body portion 72C comes into contact with these transverse ribs 59 over a large range and is more tightly fitted between these transverse ribs 59. Thus, the sliding member 22 can be further firmly positioned in a non - random - sliding manner. Therefore, the reliability of the positioning of the sliding member 22 can be further improved. It should be noted that the width W1 in the radial direction R of the front end portion 72F of the main body portion 72C and the width W2 in the radial direction R of the root portion 72E are preferably in a relationship of 1:1 or more and 3:2 or less so that the entire main body portion 72C assumes a posture substantially parallel to the flexed longitudinal ribs 57 and transverse ribs 59.

[0096] The present invention is not limited to the above - described embodiments, and various changes can be made within the scope described in the claims.

[0097] For example, in the above - described embodiment, the opening and closing of the water supply valve 13 or the execution of each operation is controlled by the control unit 40, but other structures are also possible. Specifically, the water supply valve 13 can be manually opened and closed by a user's operation on the display operation unit 10, or the water supply valve 13 itself can be omitted, and the water supply can be directly started or stopped by the user opening and closing a faucet (not shown). In addition, the washing operation and the dehydration operation can be executed according to a schedule specified by a mechanical timer (not shown) provided in the double - tub washing machine 1.

Claims

1. A double-barrel washing machine, characterized in that, Comprising: A washing tub having an inner surface extending in the vertical direction for washing laundry, the washing tub having an over - flow port and an overflow chamber, the overflow port being provided on the inner surface, and the overflow chamber receiving water passing through the overflow port from inside the washing tub; A dehydration tub arranged side - by - side horizontally with the washing tub for dehydrating laundry; An overflow port mask assembled to the overflow port, provided with a longitudinal rib and a plurality of transverse ribs, the longitudinal rib protruding into the overflow chamber from the back surface portion facing the overflow chamber in the overflow port mask, extending in the vertical direction, and the plurality of transverse ribs being provided on the longitudinal rib, extending in the protruding direction of the longitudinal rib and arranged side - by - side in the vertical direction; A drain path connected to a portion of the washing tub below the overflow port for draining water inside the washing tub; An overflow water path having a telescopic portion arranged in the overflow chamber and capable of telescoping in the vertical direction, taking in water in the overflow chamber from an inlet provided in the telescopic portion and guiding it to the drain path; and A sliding member supported by the overflow port mask so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, The sliding member having: A lifting handle portion arranged on the surface portion of the overflow port mask opposite to the back surface portion, exposed into the washing tub, and operated to slide the sliding member; A holding portion arranged in the overflow chamber for holding the telescopic portion; And A positioning portion, by being inserted between two horizontally adjacent transverse ribs among the plurality of transverse ribs, positioning the sliding member in the vertical direction, The positioning portion having: a main body portion bent so as to bulge toward the longitudinal rib side and inserted between the two transverse ribs; and a supporting portion bent so as to bulge toward the side opposite to the longitudinal rib side for supporting the main body portion.

2. The double-barrel washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting portion is provided on both sides of the main body portion in the vertical direction.

3. The double-barrel washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The lifting handle portion is arranged between the positioning portion and the holding portion in the vertical direction.

4. The double-barrel washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, When viewed from the vertical direction, the main body portion when inserted between the two transverse ribs is arranged so as to overlap substantially the entire area of the transverse rib in the protruding direction.

5. The double-barrel washing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, A notch is provided in the positioning portion for cutting out the supporting portion from the back surface portion side, The supporting portion is narrower than the main body portion in the protruding direction.

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