Liquid agent tank and washing machine

Abstract

To provide a liquid agent tank capable of suppressing clogging of a filter, and to provide a washing machine.SOLUTION: A liquid agent tank 20 includes: a discharge port 22 provided at a bottom part of the liquid agent tank 20, and capable of discharging a liquid agent to the outside; a check valve 211 for opening / closing the discharge port 22 according to attachment / detachment of the liquid agent tank 20 to a washing machine; a filter 212 placed over the check valve 211; and a filter cover 213 placed further over the filter 212. The filter cover 213 forms a space where the filter 212 and the check valve 211 are arranged inside, at an upper part of the discharge port 22. Between an inner bottom surface of the liquid agent tank 20 and a lower end surface of the filter cover 213, a gap G is formed which can draw into the liquid agent in the space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A fully automatic washing machine is provided with a liquid agent tank for storing liquid agents (liquid detergent, fabric softener, etc.) that are automatically dispensed into the washing tub. The liquid agent tank is provided with a filter for removing foreign matter that has entered the tank (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-42183 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional liquid tanks have a problem of clogged filters.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide a liquid agent tank and a washing machine that can suppress clogging of a filter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the liquid tank of the present invention is a liquid tank used in a washing machine having an automatic liquid dispensing function, and is equipped with a drain outlet provided at the bottom of the liquid tank and capable of discharging the liquid to the outside, a check valve which opens and closes the drain outlet depending on whether the liquid tank is attached to or detached from the washing machine, a filter which is placed on top of the check valve, and a filter cover which is placed on top of the filter, wherein the filter cover forms a space above the drain outlet within which the filter and the check valve are disposed, and a gap which allows the liquid to be drawn into the space is formed between the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank and the lower end surface of the filter cover. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The liquid agent tank and the washing machine of the present invention have an effect of suppressing clogging of the filter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing the washing machine with the liquid agent tank removed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of an outer wall of the liquid agent tank cut away so that the inside of the liquid agent tank can be seen. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a supply section in the liquid agent tank. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the supply part taken along a cross section different from that of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the washing machine of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present invention, the term "washing machine" refers to a general device that performs various processes such as washing on the laundry. The washing machine can perform processes such as washing, drying, deodorizing, and sterilizing the laundry. The laundry is not particularly limited. Examples of the laundry include cloth products. Specific examples of the laundry include clothes, hats, gloves, and other clothing, shoes, bags, handkerchiefs, towels, and other belongings, curtains, blankets, towels, bedding, such as duvet covers, carpets, stuffed toys, and the like. In addition, although FIG. 1 illustrates a vertical washing machine, the type of the washing machine in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a fully automatic washing machine having an automatic liquid injection function. For example, the washing machine of the present invention may be a drum washing machine.

[0010] 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine 10 according to the present embodiment. In the following description, the front side, rear side, width direction (left and right direction), depth direction (front and back direction), height direction, etc. refer to directions in a state in which the washing machine 10 is installed. The washing machine 10 has, on its upper surface, a lid 11 that covers a washing tub, as well as a lid 12 that covers a storage space for a liquid agent tank 20, which will be described later.

[0011] Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view (the area enclosed by the dashed line in Fig. 1) showing the state in which the lid 12 of the washing machine 10 is opened and the liquid agent tank 20 is removed. As shown in Fig. 2, the washing machine 10 is provided with the liquid agent tank 20 in an open state of the lid 12. Note that the washing machine 10 is provided with a detergent tank 20A for storing a liquid detergent and a fabric softener tank 20B for storing a fabric softener as the liquid agent tank 20, and these will be referred to as the liquid agent tank 20 when there is no need to distinguish between them.

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

[0013] Conventionally, a liquid tank is provided with a filter to remove foreign matter (solid matter) that may get into the tank when refilling the liquid. If the filter becomes clogged, the liquid is less likely to be discharged from the liquid tank. Filter clogging occurs, for example, not only due to the adhesion of foreign matter, but also due to the liquid becoming viscous due to drying or the like and adhering to the filter. In contrast, the liquid tank 20 of this embodiment has a structure that can suppress clogging of the filter.

[0014] 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the outer wall cut away so that the inside of the liquid agent tank 20 can be seen. The internal structure of the liquid agent tank 20 is basically the same for both the detergent tank 20A and the fabric softener tank 20B. As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid agent tank 20 has a supply unit 21 at the bottom of the tank for supplying (discharging) the liquid agent in the tank to the liquid agent supply path of the washing machine 10.

[0015] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the supply unit 21 in the liquid agent tank 20. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the supply unit 21. As shown in Fig. 4, the supply unit 21 includes a check valve 211 provided on the bottom surface of the liquid agent tank 20, a filter 212 placed on the check valve 211, and a filter cover 213 placed on the filter 212.

[0016] In the supply unit 21, a discharge port 22 (see FIG. 5) for discharging the liquid agent to the outside is formed at the bottom of the liquid agent tank 20, and a check valve 211 opens and closes the discharge port 22 in response to attachment and detachment of the liquid agent tank 20 to the washing machine 10. That is, the check valve 211 closes the discharge port 22 when the liquid agent tank 20 is detached from the washing machine 10, and opens the discharge port 22 when the liquid agent tank 20 is attached to the washing machine 10. By providing the check valve 211 at the bottom of the liquid agent tank 20, leakage of the liquid agent from the discharge port 22 is prevented when the liquid agent tank 20 is detached from the washing machine 10.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 5, the check valve 211 has a movable pin 211a, a spring 211b, and a support member 211c (see Fig. 4). In the check valve 211, the spring 211b is disposed between the movable pin 211a and the support member 211c, and the movable pin 211a receives a downward biasing force from the spring 211b. In addition, the support member 211c also has a function of guiding the sliding movement of the movable pin 211a in the vertical direction.

[0018] When the liquid agent tank 20 is removed from the washing machine 10, the movable pin 211a is pressed against the discharge port 22 by the biasing force of the spring 211b, and the discharge port 22 is closed (the state of FIG. 5). On the other hand, when the liquid agent tank 20 is attached to 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 (sliding upward) by this protrusion against the biasing force of the spring 211b. As a result, the movable pin 211a is separated from the discharge port 22, and the discharge port 22 is opened.

[0019] When the liquid agent tank 20 is attached to the washing machine 10, the discharge port 22 is opened, so that the liquid agent tank 20 communicates with a 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, this negative pressure becomes a suction force, and the liquid agent is drawn from the liquid agent tank 20 toward the liquid agent supply path. In this case, the amount of liquid agent supplied can be adjusted by the time for which negative pressure is generated in the liquid agent supply path, etc.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 4, the filter 212 has a main body 212a and a protrusion 212b. The main body 212a has a cylindrical shape with an open bottom side, and has a filter on the cylindrical side. The protrusion 212b is formed so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the main body 212a. The filter 212 is detachable from the liquid agent tank 20, and is attached such that the main body 212a covers the check valve 211. The protrusion 212b can be used as a knob that the user can grasp with his / her fingers when attaching or detaching the filter 212.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 4, the filter cover 213 has a main body 213a and a protrusion 213b. The main body 213a has a cylindrical shape with an open bottom. The protrusion 213b is formed to protrude upward from the upper surface of the main body 213a. The filter cover 213 is detachable from the liquid agent tank 20, and is attached by placing the main body 213a over the filter 212. The protrusion 213b can be used as a knob that the user can grip with his / her fingers when attaching or detaching the filter cover 213.

[0022] A base portion 214 having a substantially annular shape in a plan view is formed around the check valve 211 so as to protrude upward from the inner bottom surface of the liquid agent 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 attached to the liquid agent tank 20, the lower end surface of the filter cover 213 is placed on the base portion 214.

[0023] The base portion 214 is not a complete ring shape, but has a shape in which the ring is interrupted at least partially in the radial direction. Therefore, at the portion where the ring of the base portion 214 is interrupted, a gap G (see FIG. 5) is formed between the inner bottom surface of the liquid agent tank 20 and the lower end surface of the filter cover 213.

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

[0025] In the liquid agent tank 20 of the present embodiment, clogging of the filter in the supply part 21 can be suppressed for the following reasons.

[0026] Conventionally, the main cause of filter clogging in a liquid tank is the adhesion of the liquid to the filter. The viscosity of the liquid stored in the liquid tank is easily increased due to dust accumulation or water evaporation on the surface (liquid level) of the liquid. Therefore, when the liquid level of the liquid stored in the liquid tank touches the filter, the liquid with increased viscosity may adhere to the filter, causing the filter to become clogged.

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

[0028] Further, the liquid tank 20 of the present embodiment has an advantage that the stored liquid can be easily discharged to the last drop. This is for the following reason.

[0029] As described above, the liquid is supplied from the liquid tank 20 to the washing machine 10 by the suction force from the liquid supply path. In the liquid tank 20, the suction force works well when the liquid level of the stored liquid is higher than the upper end of the gap G, and the liquid can be discharged well. Therefore, by making the height dimension of the gap G as small as possible (reducing the height of the base part 214), the liquid can be sucked well even if the amount of the liquid stored in the liquid tank 20 becomes small. In addition, the filter cover 213 covers the filter 212 and the check valve 211 to form a closed space between the gap G and the discharge port 22. Therefore, the negative pressure caused by the suction force from the liquid supply path is efficiently transmitted to the surface of the liquid that has entered inside the filter cover 213. With this configuration, even if the mounting step surface of the filter 212 or the check valve 211 is located higher than the bottom surface of the liquid agent tank 20, the liquid agent located lower than this mounting step surface can be sucked and discharged through the gap G, making it easier to discharge all the liquid agent stored in the liquid agent tank 20. Note that when the height dimension of the gap G is reduced, the amount of liquid agent drawn in from the gap G can be secured by increasing the horizontal (width) dimension of the gap G instead.

[0030] In this embodiment, the filter cover 213 is placed on the base 214, and the base 214 is formed in a generally annular shape with a portion of the ring being interrupted, thereby forming the gap G. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the base 214 may be omitted from the inner bottom surface of the liquid agent tank 20, and a notch leading in the radial direction may be provided in a portion of the lower edge of the filter cover 213. In this case, the filter cover 213 is attached so that its lower end surface is in direct contact with the inner bottom surface of the liquid agent tank 20, and the notch formed in the lower edge of the filter cover 213 becomes the gap G.

[0031] Next, a preferred example of mounting the filter cover 213 in the supply unit 21 will be described. As shown in Fig. 4, a plurality of (preferably three or more) pressure-contact ribs 215 are provided around the check valve 211 in the circumferential direction. Each pressure-contact rib 215 is formed so as to protrude upward from the inner bottom surface of the liquid agent tank 20. The filter cover 213 is pressed into the pressure-contact ribs 215 from above, and is fixed so as to be prevented from floating relative to the liquid agent.

[0032] 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the supply part 21 in a cross section (a cross section including one of the pressure contact ribs 215) different from that in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the pressure contact rib 215 is disposed inside the filter cover 213, and the outer peripheral side surface of the pressure contact rib 215 is brought into contact (pressed against) with the inner surface of the main body part 213a of the filter cover 213.

[0033] Filter cover 213 can be positioned in the horizontal direction by contacting the inner surface of main body 213a with multiple pressure-contact ribs 215. Furthermore, filter cover 213 can be easily attached since the attachment direction in the circumferential direction is not limited by press-fitting into pressure-contact ribs 215.

[0034] The filter cover 213 can basically be positioned in the up-down direction by contacting the lower end surface of the filter cover 213 with the base portion 214. However, the liquid agent tank 20 may have a configuration for more reliably positioning and holding the filter cover 213.

[0035] 6, a holding portion 216 for positioning and holding the filter cover 213 is provided on the inner bottom surface of the liquid agent tank 20 at a position corresponding to a part of the lower edge of the filter cover 213. The holding portion 216 has a groove portion 216a that extends in the vertical direction and is open at the top. The filter cover 213 to be attached to the liquid agent tank 20 has a lower edge of a main body portion 213a inserted into the groove portion 216a.

[0036] A horizontally extending recess (engaged portion) 216b is formed inside the groove portion 216a. Meanwhile, a circumferential rib (engagement portion) 213c extending horizontally along the entire circumference of the filter cover 213 is formed on a side surface (outer surface in the example of FIG. 6) of the main body portion 213a of the filter cover 213. When the filter cover 213 is attached to the liquid agent 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 holding portion 216, thereby preventing the filter cover 213 from coming off.

[0037] Furthermore, when the filter cover 213 is attached to the liquid agent tank 20, the circumferential rib 213c engages with the recess 216b, providing a clicking sensation. This clicking sensation allows the user to recognize that the filter cover 213 is attached correctly, and it is possible to prevent the filter cover 213 from being inappropriately attached due to insufficient pressure-fitting by the user.

[0038] The method of fixing the filter cover 213 attached to the liquid agent tank 20 is not limited to the above-mentioned press-fitting. For example, threaded parts (male and female threads) may be formed on the lower edge of the filter cover 213 and the upper edge of the base part 214, and the filter cover 213 may be attached and fixed by fastening the threads.

[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 from above into the pressure contact ribs 215. However, the filter 212 does not have to be press-fitted into the pressure contact ribs 215.

[0040] 6, the filter 212 is disposed inside the pressure contact rib 215, and the outer surface of the main body portion 212a of the filter 212 is in contact with the inner peripheral side surface of the pressure contact rib 215. The filter 212 can be positioned in the horizontal direction by contacting the outer surface of the main body portion 212a with the multiple pressure contact ribs 215. Furthermore, the filter 212 is easily attached since the attachment direction in the circumferential direction is not limited when it is inserted into the pressure contact rib 215. Furthermore, if the filter 212 is not pressed into the pressure contact rib 215, it can be easily attached to and detached from the liquid agent tank 20 with little force.

[0041] The positioning of filter 212 in the vertical direction can be performed at the same time as filter cover 213 is attached. Specifically, a part of filter 212 abuts against filter cover 213 in the vertical direction, and the position of filter 212 in the vertical direction is regulated by filter cover 213. In the example of Fig. 6, the upper surface of main body 212a of filter 212 abuts against filter cover 213, and this abutment regulates filter 212 from floating upward. As a result, when filter cover 213 is positioned in the vertical direction, filter 212 is also positioned in the vertical direction accordingly.

[0042] Furthermore, since the upper surface of main body 212a of filter 212 abuts against filter cover 213, the space inside filter cover 213 is divided into upper and lower parts at this abutment. Therefore, the suction force from the liquid agent supply path tends to act only on the lower space inside filter cover 213, and the liquid agent that has infiltrated through gap G can be more reliably sucked in. Also, protrusion 212b of filter 212 can be prevented from being immersed in the liquid agent, and therefore, when the protrusion 212b is used as a knob for the user to grasp with his / her fingers during filter cleaning, etc., it can be prevented from slipping due to the liquid agent.

[0043] The filter cover 213 may be a transparent or semitransparent member. When the filter cover 213 is made of a transparent or semitransparent member, the presence or absence of the filter 212 inside the filter cover 213 can be visually confirmed in a state where the filter cover 213 is attached to the liquid agent tank 20, and therefore forgetting to attach the filter 212 can be prevented.

[0044] Also, it is possible to omit one or both of protrusion 212b of filter 212 and protrusion 213b of filter cover 213. Also, the abutment portion between filter cover 213 and filter 212 may be a rib extending from at least one side to the other side.

[0045] Furthermore, filter 212 may be positioned in the horizontal and vertical directions by engaging or screwing with base portion 214. In this case, filter cover 213 does not need to have an abutment portion that abuts against filter 212 when attached.

[0046] In the liquid tank 20 of the present embodiment, the supply unit 21 including the check valve 211 and the filter 212 can be disposed inside the tank. This allows only the outlet 22 to be visible on the outer bottom surface of the liquid tank 20, improving the design of the external appearance of the liquid tank 20.

[0047] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but should be determined based on the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10. Washing Machine 20 Fluid tank 21 Supply section 211 Check valve 211a Movable pin 211b Spring 211c Support member 212 Filters 212a Main body 212b Protrusion 213 Filter cover 213a Main body 213b Protrusion 213c Circumferential rib 214 Base 215 Pressure Rib 216 Holding part 216a Groove 216b Recess 22 Outlet Gap G

Claims

1. A liquid tank for use in a washing machine having an automatic liquid dispenser function, a discharge port provided at a bottom of the liquid tank and capable of discharging the liquid to the outside; A check valve that opens and closes the outlet depending on the attachment and detachment of the liquid agent tank to the washing machine; A filter placed over the check valve; and a filter cover that is placed on the filter. the filter cover defines a space in an upper portion of the exhaust port in which the filter and the check valve are disposed, A liquid tank, characterized in that a gap capable of drawing liquid into the space is formed between an inner bottom surface of the liquid tank and a lower end surface of the filter cover.

2. The liquid tank according to claim 1, A plurality of pressure-contact ribs are provided around the check valve so as to protrude upward from an inner bottom surface of the liquid tank, The liquid agent tank according to claim 1, wherein the filter cover can be fixed to the pressure-contact rib by being pressed from above.

3. The liquid tank according to claim 2, a holder for holding the filter cover in position at a position corresponding to a part of a lower edge of the filter cover on an inner bottom surface of the liquid agent tank; The filter cover has an engagement portion, The liquid agent tank, wherein the holding portion has an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion when the filter cover is positioned.

4. The liquid tank according to claim 1, A liquid tank, characterized in that the filter is positioned by abutting against the filter cover when the filter cover is positioned and attached to the liquid tank.

5. A washing machine having an automatic liquid dispenser function, A washing machine comprising the liquid agent tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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