Liquid box and washing machine

Abstract

The invention provides a liquid tank and a washing machine capable of suppressing filter clogging. The liquid agent tank (20) is provided with: a discharge port (22) which is provided at the bottom of the liquid agent tank (20) and which can discharge the liquid agent to the outside; a check valve (211) that opens and closes the discharge port (22) according to the attachment / detachment of the liquid tank (20) to / from the washing machine; the filter (212) is covered on the check valve (211); and a filter cover (213) which covers the upper part of the filter (212). A space in which the filter (212) and the check valve (211) are disposed is formed inside the filter cover (213) at the upper part of the discharge port (22). A gap (G) through which the liquid can be introduced into the space is formed between the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank (20) and the lower end surface of the filter cover (213).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid agent tank provided in a washing machine and a washing machine provided with the liquid agent tank. Background Art

[0002] A fully automatic washing machine is provided with a liquid agent tank for storing liquid agents (liquid detergent, softener, etc.) which are automatically put into a washing tub.

[0003] The liquid tank is provided with a filter for removing foreign matter mixed in the tank (for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-42183). Summary of the invention Technical Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the existing liquid agent tank, there is a problem of filter clogging.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid agent tank and a washing machine capable of suppressing clogging of a filter. Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a liquid tank for a washing machine with an automatic liquid feeding function, the liquid tank comprising: a discharge port, which is arranged at the bottom of the liquid tank and can discharge the liquid to the outside; a check valve, which opens and closes the discharge port according to the loading and unloading of the liquid tank relative to the washing machine; a filter, which covers the check valve; a filter cover, which covers the top of the filter, and a space is formed inside the filter cover at the upper part of the discharge port, and the filter and the check valve are arranged in the space, and a gap is formed between the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank and the lower end surface of the filter cover so as to introduce the liquid into the space. Beneficial Effects

[0007] The liquid agent tank and the washing machine according to one aspect of the present invention have an effect of being able to suppress clogging of the filter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a washing machine. Figure 2 It is a partial perspective view showing a state where the liquid agent tank in the washing machine is taken out. Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing a portion of the outer wall cut away so that the interior of the liquid tank can be visually recognized. Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the supply unit in the liquid tank. Figure 5 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the supply section. Figure 6 is with Figure 5 Longitudinal sections of the supply section at different cross sections. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the washing machine of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in one aspect of the present invention, "washing machine" refers to all devices that perform various treatments on laundry, such as washing. The laundry treatments of the washing machine include washing, drying, deodorizing, sterilizing, and the like. The laundry is not particularly limited. Examples of the laundry include cloth products. Specific examples of the laundry include clothing such as clothes, hats, and gloves, shoes, bags, handkerchiefs, and towels, carrying items such as curtains, blankets, towels, and quilt covers, carpets, dolls, and the like. In addition, in Figure 1 In the embodiment, a vertical washing machine is exemplified, but the type of the washing machine in one aspect of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a fully automatic washing machine with an automatic liquid agent feeding function. For example, the washing machine in one aspect of the present invention may also be a drum-type washing machine.

[0010] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of the washing machine 10 of the present embodiment. In the following description, the front side, the rear side, the width direction (left-right direction), the depth direction (front-back direction), the height direction, etc. mean directions in a state where the washing machine 10 is installed. The washing machine 10 has a cover 12 covering the storage space of the liquid agent tank 20 described later, in addition to the cover 11 covering the washing tank.

[0011] Figure 2 1 is a partial perspective view showing a state where the cover 12 of the washing machine 10 is opened and the liquid agent tank 20 is taken out ( Figure 1 The dotted line encloses the part). Figure 2 As shown, in washing machine 10, liquid agent tank 20 can be loaded and unloaded with lid 12 opened. Washing machine 10 includes a detergent tank 20A storing liquid detergent and a softener tank 20B storing softener as liquid agent tank 20, which are referred to as liquid agent tank 20 when not distinguished.

[0012] The liquid agent tank 20 has a liquid agent inlet on the upper surface and has a small cover 23 for covering the liquid agent inlet. That is, the liquid agent tank 20 can be replenished from the liquid agent inlet by opening the small cover 23.

[0013] In the past, in the liquid agent tank, foreign matter (solid matter) sometimes mixes into the tank when the liquid agent is replenished, and a filter is provided to remove the foreign matter. In the case where the filter is clogged, the dischargeability of the liquid agent from the liquid agent tank is reduced. The clogging of the filter mesh is caused not only by the adhesion of foreign matter, but also by the adhesion of the liquid agent whose viscosity increases due to drying to the filter. In contrast, the liquid agent tank 20 of this embodiment has a structure that can suppress the clogging of the filter.

[0014] Figure 3 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of the outer wall cut away so that the interior of the liquid agent tank 20 can be visually confirmed. In addition, the internal structure of the liquid agent tank 20 is basically the same in both the detergent tank 20A and the softener tank 20B. Figure 3 As shown, liquid agent tank 20 has a supply portion 21 at the bottom of the tank for supplying (discharging) the liquid agent in the tank to a liquid agent supply path of washing machine 10 .

[0015] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of the supply portion in the liquid agent tank 20. Figure 5 21 is a longitudinal sectional view of the supply unit 21. Figure 4 As shown, the supply unit 21 includes a one-way valve 211 provided on the bottom surface of the liquid tank 20 , a filter 212 covering the one-way valve 211 , and a filter cover 213 covering the filter 212 .

[0016] In the supply unit 21, a discharge port 22 for discharging the liquid agent to the outside is formed at the bottom of the liquid agent tank 20 (see Figure 5 ), check valve 211 opens and closes discharge port 22 according to the loading and unloading of liquid agent tank 20 relative to washing machine 10. That is, check valve 211 closes discharge port 22 when liquid agent tank 20 is removed from washing machine 10, and opens discharge port 22 when liquid agent tank 20 is installed in washing machine 10. By providing check valve 211 at the bottom of liquid agent tank 20, leakage of liquid from discharge port 22 is prevented when liquid agent tank 20 is removed from washing machine 10.

[0017] like Figure 5 As shown, the check valve 211 has a movable pin 211a, a spring 211b and a support member 211c (see Figure 4 ). In the check valve 211, a spring 211b is arranged between the movable pin 211a and the supporting member 211c, and the movable pin 211a is subjected to a downward force by the spring 211b. In addition, the supporting member 211c also has a function of guiding the sliding movement of the movable pin 211a in the up-and-down direction.

[0018] When liquid agent tank 20 is removed from washing machine 10, movable pin 211a is pushed toward discharge port 22 by the force of spring 211b, and discharge port 22 is closed ( Figure 5 On the other hand, when the liquid agent tank 20 is installed in the washing machine 10, a protrusion (not shown) provided on the washing machine 10 side is inserted from the discharge port 22 and abuts against the movable pin 211a, and the movable pin 211a is pushed upward (slid upward) by the protrusion to overcome the force of the spring 211b. As a result, the movable pin 211a leaves the discharge port 22 and opens the discharge port 22.

[0019] When the liquid agent tank 20 is installed in the washing machine 10, the discharge port 22 is opened to connect the liquid agent tank 20 with the liquid agent supply path (not shown) of the washing machine 10. In this state, when negative pressure is generated in the liquid agent supply path of the washing machine 10, the negative pressure becomes a suction force, and the liquid agent is introduced into the liquid agent supply path from the liquid agent tank 20. The liquid supply amount in this case can be adjusted according to the time when the negative pressure is generated in the liquid agent supply path, etc.

[0020] like Figure 4 As shown, the filter 212 has a main body 212a and a protrusion 212b. The main body 212a is in the shape of a cylinder with an open bottom side, and has a filter on the side of the cylinder. The protrusion 212b is formed to protrude upward from the upper surface of the main body 212a. The filter 212 is removable relative to the liquid tank 20, and the main body 212a is covered and installed on the check valve 211. When the filter 212 is removed and installed, the protrusion 212b can be used as a knob that the user grasps with his fingers.

[0021] like Figure 4 As shown, the filter cover 213 has a main body 213a and a protrusion 213b. The main body 213a is a cylindrical shape with an open bottom. The protrusion 213b is formed in a manner of protruding upward from the upper surface of the main body 213a. The filter cover 213 is removable relative to the liquid tank 20, and the main body 213a is installed in a manner covering the filter 212. When the filter cover 213 is removed and installed, the protrusion 213b can be used as a knob that the user grasps with his fingers.

[0022] Around the check valve 211, a base portion 214 having a substantially annular shape in a plan view is formed to protrude upward from the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank 20. The radius of the base portion 214 is substantially equal to the radius of the lower end surface of the main body portion 213a of the filter cover 213. When the filter cover 213 is mounted relative to the liquid tank 20, its lower end surface is supported on the base portion 214.

[0023] In addition, the base portion 214 is not in a complete annular shape, but is in a shape in which at least a portion in the radial direction is set to be annularly discontinuous. Therefore, in the annularly discontinuous portion of the base portion 214, a gap G is formed between the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank 20 and the lower end surface of the filter cover 213 (see Figure 5 ).

[0024] In the supply unit 21 having the above-described structure, a space formed by the filter cover 213 is formed above the discharge port 22, and the filter 212 and the check valve 211 are arranged in the space. When the liquid agent is supplied (discharged) from the liquid agent tank 20 to the liquid agent supply path of the washing machine 10, the liquid agent is introduced from the gap G into the space in the filter cover 213. The liquid agent introduced from the gap G passes through the filter 212 and the check valve 211 in sequence, and is supplied from the discharge port 22 to the liquid agent supply path.

[0025] In liquid tank 20 of the present embodiment, clogging of the filter in supply section 21 can be suppressed. This is for the following reason.

[0026] In the past, filter clogging in the liquid tank was the main reason for the high adhesion of the liquid to the filter. The liquid stored in the liquid tank is prone to increase in viscosity due to dust accumulation on the surface (liquid level) of the liquid or evaporation of water. Therefore, when the liquid surface of the liquid stored in the liquid tank contacts the filter, the liquid with increased viscosity will adhere to the filter, sometimes causing filter clogging.

[0027] In contrast, in the supply unit 21 of the liquid tank 20 of the present embodiment, the liquid is introduced from the gap G at the bottom of the tank into the space in the filter cover 213, and then passes through the filter 212. In this case, the liquid having increased viscosity near the liquid surface does not contact the filter 212, and the liquid is less likely to adhere to the filter 212. As a result, clogging of the filter 212 can be suppressed.

[0028] In addition, in liquid agent tank 20 of the present embodiment, there is also an effect that the stored liquid agent can be easily drained. This is for the following reason.

[0029] As described above, the liquid agent is supplied from the liquid agent tank 20 to the washing machine 10 by the suction force from the liquid agent supply path. In the liquid agent tank 20, the suction force works well when the liquid level of the stored liquid agent is higher than the upper end of the gap G, and the liquid agent can be discharged well. Therefore, by reducing the height dimension of the gap G as much as possible (lowering the height of the base 214), even if the storage amount of the liquid agent in the liquid agent tank 20 is reduced, the liquid agent can be sucked well. In addition, the filter cover 213 covers the filter 212 and the check valve 211, and forms a closed space between the gap G and the discharge port 22. Therefore, the negative pressure of the suction force from the liquid agent supply path is efficiently transmitted to the surface of the liquid agent immersed in the filter cover 213. With this structure, even if the mounting step surface of the filter 212 or the check valve 211 is at a higher position than the bottom surface of the liquid agent tank 20, the liquid agent located at a position lower than the mounting step surface can be sucked and discharged from the gap G, so it is easy to drain the liquid agent stored in the liquid agent tank 20. Furthermore, when the dimension of the gap G in the height direction is reduced, instead of increasing the dimension of the gap G in the horizontal direction (width direction), the amount of the liquid agent introduced from the gap G can be ensured.

[0030] In addition, in the present embodiment, the filter cover 213 is placed on the base portion 214 so that the base portion 214 becomes a roughly circular ring shape in which the circular ring is interrupted at a portion, thereby forming a gap G. However, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the base portion 214 may be omitted from the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank 20, and a cutout leading to the radial direction may be provided at a portion of the lower end edge of the filter cover 213. In this case, the filter cover 213 is installed in a manner such that its lower end surface is in direct contact with the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank 20, and the cutout formed at the lower end edge of the filter cover 213 becomes the gap G.

[0031] Next, a suitable installation example of the filter cover 213 in the supply unit 21 is described. Figure 4 As shown, a plurality of (preferably three or more) crimping ribs 215 are provided along the circumferential direction around the check valve 211. Each crimping rib 215 is formed to protrude upward from the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank 20. The filter cover 213 is pressed into the crimping rib 215 from above, thereby being fixed to prevent floating relative to the liquid.

[0032] Figure 6 is with Figure 5 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the supply portion 21 in different cross-sections (including a cross-section of the crimping rib 215). Figure 6 As shown, the pressing rib 215 is arranged inside the filter case 213 so that the outer peripheral side surface of the pressing rib 215 is in contact with (pressed against) the inner side surface of the main body 213 a of the filter case 213 .

[0033] The filter cover 213 can be positioned in the horizontal direction by making the plurality of crimping ribs 215 contact the inner side surface of the main body 213a. In addition, the filter cover 213 is pressed into the crimping ribs 215, and the installation direction in the circumferential direction is not limited, so it can be easily installed.

[0034] Basically, the filter cover 213 is positioned in the vertical direction by bringing the lower end surface of the filter cover 213 into contact with the base portion 214. However, the liquid tank 20 may have a structure for more reliably positioning and holding the filter cover 213.

[0035] Specifically, if Figure 6 As shown, on the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank 20, a holding portion 216 for positioning and holding the filter cover 213 is provided at a position corresponding to a portion of the lower edge of the filter cover 213. The holding portion 216 has a groove portion 216a extending in the up-down direction and open at the top. The lower edge of the main body portion 213a of the filter cover 213 mounted on the liquid tank 20 is inserted into the groove portion 216a.

[0036] A recessed portion (engaged portion) 216b extending in the horizontal direction is formed inside the groove portion 216a. Figure 6 In the example of the filter cover 213, the outer side surface is formed with a circumferential rib (engaging portion) 213c extending in the horizontal direction along the entire circumference of the filter cover 213. When the filter cover 213 is mounted on the liquid tank 20 and positioned in the up-down direction, the circumferential rib 213c of the filter cover 213 engages with the recess 216b of the retaining portion 216, thereby preventing the filter cover 213 from falling off.

[0037] When attaching filter cover 213 to liquid tank 20, the engagement of circumferential rib 213c and recess 216b provides a snapping feeling, which allows the user to recognize that filter cover 213 is correctly attached, thereby preventing filter cover 213 from being improperly attached due to insufficient push-in by the user.

[0038] In addition, the method for fixing the filter cover 213 installed in the liquid tank 20 is not limited to the above-mentioned press-in. For example, a threaded portion (external thread and internal thread) may be formed on the lower edge of the filter cover 213 and the upper edge of the base portion 214, and the filter cover 213 may be installed and fixed by threaded fastening.

[0039] Next, a description will be given of a suitable example of mounting the filter 212 in the supply unit 21. The filter 212 is also inserted into the pressure-contact rib 215 from above. However, the filter 212 does not need to be pressed into the pressure-contact rib 215.

[0040] like Figure 6As shown, the filter 212 is arranged on the inner side of the crimping rib 215 so that the outer side surface of the main body 212a of the filter 212 contacts the inner peripheral side surface of the crimping rib 215. The filter 212 can be positioned in the horizontal direction by contacting the outer side surface of the main body 212a with the plurality of crimping ribs 215. In addition, the filter 212 is not limited to the installation direction in the circumferential direction during the insertion into the crimping rib 215, and can be easily installed. In addition, as long as the filter 212 is not pressed into the crimping rib 215, it can be easily disassembled and assembled relative to the liquid tank 20 with less force.

[0041] The vertical positioning of the filter 212 can be performed simultaneously with the assembly of the filter cover 213. Specifically, in the vertical direction, a portion of the filter 212 abuts against the filter cover 213, and the vertical position of the filter 212 is limited by the filter cover 213. Figure 6 In the example, the upper surface of the main body 212a of the filter 212 abuts against the filter cover 213, and the filter 212 is restricted from floating upward by the abutment. Thus, when the filter cover 213 is positioned in the vertical direction, the filter 212 is also positioned in the vertical direction.

[0042] In addition, the upper surface of the main body 212a of the filter 212 abuts against the filter cover 213, so the space in the filter cover 213 is separated into upper and lower parts by the abutting part. Therefore, the suction force from the liquid supply path easily acts only on the lower space in the filter cover 213, and the liquid infiltrated from the gap G can be more reliably attracted. In addition, the protrusion 212b of the filter 212 can be prevented from being immersed in the liquid agent, and the liquid agent can be prevented from slipping when the knob part used by the user to grasp with fingers during filter cleaning, etc.

[0043] The filter cover 213 may also be a transparent or translucent member. When the filter cover 213 is a transparent or translucent member, when the filter cover 213 is mounted on the liquid tank 20, the presence of the filter 212 inside can be visually confirmed, and the filter 212 can be prevented from being forgotten.

[0044] In addition, one or both of the protrusion 212b of the filter 212 and the protrusion 213b of the filter cover 213 may be omitted. In addition, the contact portion between the filter cover 213 and the filter 212 may be a rib extending from at least one side to the other side.

[0045] In addition, the filter 212 may be positioned in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by being engaged or screwed with the base portion 214. In this case, it is not necessary to have a contact portion that contacts the filter 212 when the filter cover 213 is attached.

[0046] In the liquid tank 20 of this embodiment, the supply unit 21 including the check valve 211 and the filter 212 can be arranged inside the tank. Thus, only the discharge port 22 can be seen on the outer bottom surface of the liquid tank 20, and the design of the appearance of the liquid tank 20 can be improved.

[0047] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not interpreted solely by the above-mentioned embodiments but is determined based on the description of the claims.

Claims

1. A liquid agent tank, used for a washing machine with an automatic liquid agent feeding function, wherein the liquid agent tank is characterized in that it comprises: A discharge port, which is arranged at the bottom of the liquid agent tank and can discharge the liquid agent to the outside; a check valve that opens and closes the discharge port according to the loading and unloading of the liquid agent tank relative to the washing machine; a filter covering the check valve; A filter cover is provided on the filter. A space is formed inside the filter cover at the upper portion of the discharge port, and the filter and the check valve are arranged in the space. A gap through which the liquid agent can be introduced into the space is formed between the inner bottom surface of the liquid agent tank and the lower end surface of the filter cover.

2. The liquid agent tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of press-contact ribs are provided around the check valve, and the press-contact ribs are formed to protrude upward from the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank. The filter cover can be pressed into the pressing rib from above and fixed to the pressing rib.

3. The liquid agent tank according to claim 2, characterized in that: A holding portion for positioning and holding the filter cover is provided on the inner bottom surface of the liquid agent tank at a position corresponding to a part of the lower edge of the filter cover. The filter cover has a snap-fit ​​portion. The holding portion includes an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion when the filter cover is positioned.

4. The liquid agent tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the filter cover is positioned and mounted on the liquid tank, the filter is positioned by contacting the filter cover.

5. A washing machine with an automatic liquid injection function, characterized in that , having a liquid agent tank as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

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