Laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus capable of opening and closing an opening and closing cover with a small force. A laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a main body having a main body opening; an opening / closing cover for closing the main body opening in an openable / closable manner; a connecting part which connects the opening and closing cover to the main body and rotatably supports the opening and closing cover; and an engagement unit which is provided to the main body and which engages with the opening / closing cover to close the opening / closing cover, the engagement unit being provided with an engagement part which is provided to the main body and is configured so as to be rotatable, the opening / closing cover being provided with: a handle member; an engaged portion configured to be capable of engaging by a rotational operation of the engaging portion; and a pressing protrusion configured so as to be able to protrude toward the rear side of the opening / closing cover by the opening operation of the handle member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clothes treating device. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a clothing processing device, which comprises: a shell having an opening for taking clothes out and putting clothes in; and a door body, which opens and closes the opening, the door body having a hinge structure, a locking mechanism and a cover opening operation part provided on a circular support frame, the cover opening operation part is constructed to have a handle part and a rotating shaft, is adjacent to the top of the locking mechanism and releases the locking mechanism with the help of a connecting part, and the handle part is formed in an asymmetric position above the shell in the width direction of the cover opening operation part in the height direction.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-051039 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] The present disclosure provides a clothes treating apparatus capable of opening and closing an opening and closing cover with a small force.

[0008] Solutions for solving problems

[0009] The clothing processing device disclosed in the present invention comprises: a main body, which has a main body opening; an opening and closing cover, which closes the main body opening freely; a connecting part, which connects the opening and closing cover to the main body and supports the opening and closing cover to be rotatable; and a locking unit, which is provided on the main body and engages with the opening and closing cover to make the opening and closing cover into a closed state, the locking unit comprises a locking part, which is provided on the main body and is rotatable, and the opening and closing cover comprises: a handle component; a locked part, which is configured to be engaged by utilizing the rotation action of the locking part; and a pressing protrusion, which is configured to be able to protrude to the back side of the opening and closing cover by utilizing the opening action of the handle component.

[0010] Effects of the Invention

[0011] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure can easily open the opening and closing cover. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the washing machine according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing a state where the access cover of the washing machine in the first embodiment is opened.

[0014] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the opening and closing cover in the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged view of the handle component and decorative panel of the opening and closing cover.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a rear view of the opening and closing cover in a state where the back plate member and the decorative plate in the first embodiment are removed.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the opening and closing cover in the state where the back plate member and the decorative plate in the first embodiment are removed, as seen from the back side.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the handle member portion of the opening and closing cover in the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the engaging member portion of the openable / closable cover in the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 9 It is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism portion of the openable / closable cover in the first embodiment.

[0021] Description of Reference Numerals

[0022] 1. Washing machine; 10. Main body; 10a. Front panel; 10b. Side panel; 10c. Back panel; 11. Top cover; 12. Opening; 14. Washing tank; 15. Filter cover; 16. Detergent cover; 17. Side handle; 20. Open / close cover; 21. Cover member; 22. Ring portion; 23. Cylindrical portion; 24. Handle opening; 25. Handle support portion; 26. Support opening; 30. Handle member; 31. Decorative panel; 32. Support protrusion; 33. Action member; 34. Cover auxiliary member; 35. Pressing protrusion; 36. Force spring; 37. Engaged member; 40. Window cover; 41. Window glass; 42. Back panel member; 43. Bulging portion; 44. Glass receiving opening; 45. Recess; 46. Opening; 47. Opening; 50. Protrusion; 51. Engaging unit; 52. Housing; 53. Engaging member; 54. Engaging groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] (Insights, etc. that form the basis of this disclosure)

[0024] When the inventors and others conceived of the present disclosure, there was a washing machine in which the cover opening operation part was constructed to have a handle and a rotating shaft, which was adjacent to the top of the locking mechanism and released the locking mechanism with the help of a connecting part, and the handle was formed in an asymmetric position above the height direction of the shell in the width direction of the cover opening operation part.

[0025] However, conventional washing machines have a structure based on the premise that a substantially L-shaped engaging member provided on a cover rotates and engages with a hole provided on a main body.

[0026] On the other hand, a washing machine in which the locking member on the cover side does not rotate is also known. This washing machine has the following structure: a substantially L-shaped protrusion formed in the locking mechanism on the main body side rotates and engages with a hole provided at the front end of the locking member fixed to the cover body, thereby retaining the cover body by elastic force.

[0027] However, washing machines in which the latching member on the lid side does not rotate are configured such that the user places their hand on the lid and applies a force greater than the elastic force in the direction resisting the elastic force of the locking mechanism, thereby disengaging the locking member and the latching member and opening the lid. Specifically, in washing machines in which the latching member on the lid side does not rotate, the inventors discovered that a user needs to exert a large operating force to open the lid, and the present disclosure was developed to address this problem.

[0028] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a clothes treating apparatus capable of opening and closing an opening and closing cover with a small force.

[0029] The following describes the embodiments in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, unnecessary detailed descriptions may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters may be omitted, or descriptions of substantially the same structures may be repeated.

[0030] In addition, the drawings and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0031] (Implementation 1)

[0032] Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In Embodiment 1, an example will be described in which the technology of the present disclosure is applied to a washing machine as a clothes processing apparatus.

[0033] [1-1. Structure]

[0034] [1-1-1. Overall structure of the washing machine]

[0035] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of washing machine 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2This is a perspective view showing a state in which access cover 20 of washing machine 1 according to Embodiment 1 is opened.

[0036] Washing machine 1 according to Embodiment 1 is a so-called drum-type washing machine having a drying function.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the washing machine 1 includes a main body 10. The main body 10 is formed into a generally box-shaped body consisting of a front panel 10a, two side panels 10b, and a back panel 10c. The back panel 10c is attached from the back side to the front panel 10a and the two side panels 10b, which are formed in a generally U-shaped Japanese character. The back panel 10c is fastened from the side, i.e., the back side, of the side panels 10b by fastening members (not shown).

[0038] An upper surface cover 11 is attached to the upper surface of the main body 10. The upper surface cover 11 is fastened to the main body 10 by a fastening member (not shown).

[0039] A substantially circular opening 12 is formed on the front surface of the main body 10 , and an opening / closing cover 20 for closing the opening 12 is provided on the front surface of the main body 10 in an openable and closable manner.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, washing tub 14 (inner tub) is rotatably housed inside main body 10. Washing tub 14 is a substantially cylindrical member for housing laundry such as clothes.

[0041] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a filter cap 15 for performing filter maintenance is detachably attached to one side (right side as an example) of the upper surface of the upper surface cover 11 .

[0042] Furthermore, a detergent cap 16 for inserting detergent, softener, bleach, etc. is attached to the other side of the upper surface of the upper surface cover 11 (for example, on the left side) in an openable and closable manner.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, a plurality of side handles 17 for moving the washing machine 1 are provided on the side of the main body 10 .

[0044] [1-1-2. Structure of the opening and closing cover]

[0045] Next, the structure of the opening and closing cover 20 will be described.

[0046] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of the opening and closing cover 20 in the first embodiment. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the handle member 30 and the decorative plate 31 of the opening and closing cover 20 . Figure 5This is a rear view of the access cover 20 in a state where the back plate member 42 and the decorative plate 31 in the first embodiment are removed. Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the openable / closable cover 20 from the rear side in a state where the back plate member 42 and the decorative plate 31 in the first embodiment are removed. Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the handle member 30 of the opening and closing cover 20 in the first embodiment. Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the engaging member 53 in the first embodiment. Figure 9 It is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism portion of the openable / closable cover 20 in the first embodiment.

[0047] like Figure 3 As shown, the opening and closing cover 20 is composed of a cover member 21 , a window cover 40 , a window glass 41 , and a back plate member 42 .

[0048] like Figure 3 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 As shown, the cover member 21 includes an annular portion 22 formed in a substantially annular shape and a cylindrical portion 23 extending rearward from the inner edge of the annular portion 22. The cover member 21 has a central opening 27 at the rear end of the cylindrical portion 23, and the front and rear sides are connected through the cylindrical portion 23.

[0049] When the cylindrical portion 23 is viewed from the front, a substantially quadrilateral handle opening 24 is formed in the upper right portion.

[0050] The handle opening 24 of the cover member 21 is provided with a handle member 30. Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, the handle member 30 is formed in a generally arcuate shape along the cylindrical portion 23. A decorative plate 31 having a substantially identical shape to the handle member 30 is attached to the back side of the handle member 30. The decorative plate 31 is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame bulging toward the rear. The decorative plate 31 is integrally attached to the rear side of the handle member 30, with a gap formed between the handle member 30 and the decorative plate 31 for the user to operate the handle member 30.

[0051] A rearwardly protruding handle support portion 25 is formed on the rear side of the cover member 21. The handle support portions 25 are formed near the outer periphery of the rear surface of the annular portion 22, with two portions provided near both circumferential edges of the handle opening 24. A support opening 26, generally in the shape of a Japanese character "コ," is formed in each handle support portion 25. Alternatively, the support opening 26 may be formed in the shape of a hole.

[0052] Support protrusions 32 inserted into the support openings 26 are provided at both ends of the handle member 30. The handle member 30 is configured to be swingable about the support protrusions 32 as axes.

[0053] On one end side of the handle member 30 (at Figure 5 An operating member 33 is protrudingly formed (in the middle is the lower side).

[0054] A cover auxiliary member 34 is swingably mounted on the back of the annular portion 22. One end of the cover auxiliary member 34 is inserted in front of the actuating member 33 of the handle member 30, and a push protrusion 35 is formed on the other end thereof to protrude rearward.

[0055] like Figure 9 As shown, a biasing spring 36 is provided between the cover auxiliary member 34 and the annular portion 22 , and the handle member 30 is held in the initial position via the cover auxiliary member 34 by the biasing force of the biasing spring 36 .

[0056] And, as Figure 7 As shown, the structure is as follows: when the user of the washing machine 1 inserts his hand from the handle opening 24 to the back side of the handle member 30 and swings the handle member 30, the force of the biasing spring 36 can be overcome and the cover auxiliary member 34 can be swung by the action member 33.

[0057] An engaged member 37 serving as an engaged portion is attached below the cover auxiliary member 34. The engaged member 37 is formed in a rectangular frame shape with an open center.

[0058] like Figure 3 As shown, a window cover 40 is disposed on the back side of the cover member 21. The window cover 40 is a substantially disk-shaped transparent member that covers the central opening 27.

[0059] A window glass 41 made of a transparent material is disposed on the back side of the window cover 40 . The window glass 41 includes a bulging portion 43 whose center portion bulges toward the rear.

[0060] A back plate member 42 is disposed on the back side of the window cover 40. The back plate member 42 is an annular member, and a glass receiving opening 44 for receiving a bulging portion 43 of the window glass 41 is formed in the center.

[0061] Central opening 27 , window cover 40 , glass receiving opening 44 , and window glass 41 constitute a window that allows the interior of sink 14 to be visually recognized when lid 20 is closed.

[0062] In addition, if Figure 8 As shown, a recess 45 recessed forward is formed at positions of the back plate member 42 corresponding to the push protrusion 35 and the engaged member 37. The recess 45 has an opening 46 for exposing the push protrusion 35 and an opening 47 for exposing the engaged member 37.

[0063] like Figure 9As shown, a convex portion 50 that enters the concave portion 45 of the back plate member 42 is formed on the front surface side of the main body 10 at a position corresponding to the engaged member 37 .

[0064] An engaging unit 51 is housed inside the convex portion 50. The engaging unit 51 includes a housing 52, and an engaging member 53 serving as an engaging portion that engages with the engaged member 37 is housed inside the housing 52. Figure 9 In the embodiment, the engaging member 53 is mounted so as to be swingable around the upper end portion.

[0065] An engagement groove 54 for receiving the front end portion of the engaged member 37 is formed below the engagement member 53 .

[0066] The engaging member 53 is configured to be retained at a receiving position of the engaged member 37 (see FIG. 1 ) by the elastic force of an elastic member (not shown). Figure 9 ) and the open position of the engaged member 37 (the position where the engaging member 53 is swung leftward in the figure).

[0067] [1-2. Action]

[0068] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

[0069] First, when the opening and closing cover 20 is closed, Figure 9 As shown, the engaged member 37 is engaged with the engaging member 53 of the engaging unit 51 , and the open / close cover 20 is held in the closed state by the engaged member 37 using the elastic force of the engaging member 53 and the engaged member 37 .

[0070] At this time, when the openable / closable cover 20 is closed, the push protrusion 35 is arranged at a position with a slight gap relative to the front surface of the convex portion 50 .

[0071] When the access cover 20 is opened, the user moves the handle member 30 forward from the handle opening 24. As a result, the handle member 30 swings about the support protrusion 32 as an axis.

[0072] As the handle member 30 swings, the actuating member 33 overcomes the biasing force of the biasing spring 36 and moves one end of the cover auxiliary member 34 forward, thereby swinging the cover auxiliary member 34. The push protrusion 35 projects from the back plate member 42 by leveraging the swinging of the cover auxiliary member 34.

[0073] The push protrusion 35 protrudes from the back plate member 42 and presses the front surface of the convex portion 50 , thereby applying a force to the open / close cover 20 in the front direction, that is, in the opening direction of the open / close cover 20 , by its reaction force.

[0074] By applying the force in the opening direction, the openable / closable cover 20 can be opened with a small force.

[0075] At this time, since the push protrusion 35 is arranged between the handle and the engaged member 37 and is near the engaged member 37, the force generated by the protruding action of the push protrusion 35 acts near the engaging unit 51, and the engaging unit 51 can be efficiently given a force to release the engagement.

[0076] [1-3. Effects, etc.]

[0077] As described above, the washing machine 1 of embodiment 1 includes: a main body 10, which has an opening formed in the front; and an opening and closing cover 20, which is rotatably arranged using a connecting portion provided on the main body 10 to open and close the opening freely, and the opening and closing cover 20 includes: a handle member 30, which is opened and closed by operation in the front and rear directions; an engaged member 37, which is provided on the opening and closing cover 20 and engages with the engaging unit 51 provided on the main body 10; and a pressing protrusion 35, which protrudes toward the rear of the opening and closing cover 20 through the opening operation of the handle member 30.

[0078] Thus, when the access cover 20 is opened, the push protrusion 35 presses the main body 10 by operating the handle member 30, thereby applying a force to release the engagement and reducing the force required to open the access cover 20. Therefore, the user can easily open the access cover 20.

[0079] Furthermore, in the washing machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the push protrusion 35 is arranged between the handle member 30 and the engaged member 37 and in the vicinity of the engaged member 37 .

[0080] As a result, the force generated by the protruding action of the push projection 35 acts on the vicinity of the engagement unit 51 , and the force for disengaging the engagement unit 51 can be efficiently applied.

[0081] In the washing machine 1 of embodiment 1, the surface of the main body 10 and the surface of the opening and closing cover 20 are formed to be substantially flush with each other, a cylindrical portion 23 recessed rearward is formed inward of the outer shape of the opening and closing cover 20 , and the handle member 30 is arranged on the cylindrical portion 23 .

[0082] Thus, by making the surface of the opening and closing cover 20 and the surface of the opening and closing cover 20 of the main body 10 substantially flush and arranging the handle member 30 on the cylindrical portion 23, the surface of the main body 10 can be made smooth and the handle member 30 can be arranged in an inconspicuous position. Therefore, a washing machine with excellent design can be obtained.

[0083] The washing machine 1 of the first embodiment includes a lid auxiliary member 34 that swings when the handle member 30 is opened and closed. One end of the lid auxiliary member 34 is located on the front side of the handle member 30 , and a push protrusion 35 is provided on the other end of the lid auxiliary member 34 .

[0084] Thus, by swinging the lid auxiliary member 34 by opening the handle member 30 , the push protrusion 35 can be protruded by leveraging the principle of leverage, and the push protrusion 35 can be efficiently protruded in conjunction with the movement of the handle member 30 .

[0085] (Other embodiments)

[0086] While Embodiment 1 has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in this application, the technology disclosed in this application is not limited thereto and can be applied to embodiments in which changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like have been made.

[0087] For example, in Embodiment 1, the technology of the present disclosure is applied to a washing machine as a clothes processing device, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto and can also be applied to a clothes drying machine as a clothes processing device.

[0088] (Note)

[0089] The following technology is disclosed by the description of the above embodiments.

[0090] (Technology 1) A clothing processing device, comprising: a main body having a main body opening; an opening and closing cover that can be opened and closed freely to close the main body opening; a connecting portion that connects the opening and closing cover to the main body and supports the opening and closing cover so that it can be rotatable; and a locking unit that is provided on the main body and engages with the opening and closing cover to make the opening and closing cover into a closed state, the locking unit comprising a locking portion, the locking portion being provided on the main body and configured to be rotatable, the opening and closing cover comprising: a handle member; a locked portion that can be engaged by utilizing the rotational action of the locking portion; and a pressing protrusion that can protrude toward the back side of the opening and closing cover by utilizing the opening action of the handle member.

[0091] According to this structure, when the access cover is opened, the push projection presses the main body due to the operation of the handle member, thereby applying a force to release the engagement and reducing the force required to open the access cover. Therefore, the user can easily open the access cover.

[0092] (Technique 2) In the clothes processing apparatus according to Technique 1, the push projection is arranged between the handle member and the engaged portion and in the vicinity of the engaged portion.

[0093] According to this configuration, the force generated by the protruding action of the push projection acts on the vicinity of the engagement unit, and thus the force for disengaging the engagement unit can be efficiently applied to the engagement unit.

[0094] (Technique 3) In the clothes processing apparatus according to Technique 1 or Technique 2, a cylindrical portion recessed rearward is formed inside the outer shape of the opening / closing cover, and the handle member is disposed on the cylindrical portion.

[0095] According to this structure, by making the surface of the opening and closing cover and the surface of the opening and closing cover of the main body substantially flush and arranging the handle member on the cylindrical portion, the surface of the main body can be made smooth and the handle member can be arranged in an inconspicuous position. Therefore, a clothes processing device with excellent design can be obtained.

[0096] (Technology 4) Based on the clothing processing device described in any one of Technologies 1 to 3, the clothing processing device also has a cover auxiliary component that utilizes the opening action of the handle component to perform a swinging action, one end side of the cover auxiliary component is located on the front side of the handle component, and the pressing protrusion is provided on the other end side of the cover auxiliary component.

[0097] According to this configuration, the lid auxiliary member is swung by the opening motion of the handle member, and the push projection is protruded by leveraging the principle of leverage. This allows the push projection to be efficiently protruded in conjunction with the motion of the handle member.

[0098] Industrial applicability

[0099] As described above, the present disclosure can be suitably utilized as a clothes processing apparatus capable of opening and closing an opening and closing cover with a small force.

Claims

1. A clothes processing device, wherein: The clothes processing device comprises: a body having a body opening; An opening and closing cover, which can open and close the main body opening freely; a connecting portion connecting the opening and closing cover to the main body and rotatably supporting the opening and closing cover; and A locking unit is provided on the main body and is engaged with the opening and closing cover to close the opening and closing cover. The engaging unit includes an engaging portion provided on the main body and configured to be rotatable. The opening and closing cover includes a handle member, an engaged portion configured to be engaged by a rotational movement of the engaging portion, and a push protrusion configured to protrude toward the back side of the opening and closing cover by an opening movement of the handle member.

2. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The push protrusion is arranged between the handle member and the engaged portion and in the vicinity of the engaged portion.

3. The clothes treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A cylindrical portion that is recessed rearward is formed at a position inside the outer shape of the opening and closing cover. The handle member is disposed on the cylindrical portion.

4. The clothes treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The laundry processing apparatus further includes a lid auxiliary member that performs a swinging motion by utilizing an opening motion of the handle member. One end side of the cover auxiliary member is located on the front side of the handle member, and the pressing protrusion is provided on the other end side of the cover auxiliary member.

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