Washing machine

Abstract

To improve a water supply path.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a water tub where water can be stored; an automatic input device which has a detergent tank for storing a detergent which can be used for a plurality of times of washing, and a softening agent tank for storing a softening agent which can be used for a plurality of times of washing, and which can automatically supply the detergent and the softening agent to the water tub; and a storage case for manual operation which has a detergent storage part for manual operation where a detergent for one time operation is stored. The detergent discharged from the detergent tank and the softening agent discharged from the softening agent tank are both supplied to the water tub through the detergent storage part for manual operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a washing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] In a washing machine that performs an automatic washing operation, for example a drum type washing machine, a pull-out detergent storage case is generally provided at the upper front part of the main body, and the user stores the required amount of detergent and fabric softener in the detergent storage case before starting washing, so that they are supplied into the water tub together with the water supply during the washing operation. In recent years, in order to meet the demand for improved user convenience, in addition to the manual detergent storage case, it has been considered to provide an automatic detergent dispenser that stores laundry treatment agents such as detergent and fabric softener in a tank in advance for multiple washes and automatically dispenses the required amount from the tank into the water tub during the washing operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-11618 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above conventional washing machines, a manual detergent case was provided at the front of the upper part of the main body, an automatic detergent dispenser was provided at the rear of the main body, and a water supply valve was provided at the rear of the main body. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, when refilling the tank with laundry treatment agent, for example, the user had to stretch his / her arms far to the rear of the washing machine, which was inconvenient. In addition, the water supply path extended from the water supply valve at the rear of the main body to the detergent case at the front of the main body, making the water supply path relatively long. Therefore, the present invention provides a washing machine equipped with an automatic detergent dispenser, which can improve the operability for refilling detergent and can keep the water supply path relatively short. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The washing machine according to the embodiment includes a water tub for storing water, a detergent tank for storing detergent usable for multiple washes, and a fabric softener tank for storing fabric softener usable for multiple washes, and includes an automatic dispenser for automatically supplying the detergent and fabric softener to the water tub, and a manual storage case having a manual detergent storage section for storing a single dose of detergent. Both the detergent discharged from the detergent tank and the fabric softener discharged from the fabric softener tank are supplied to the water tub through the manual detergent storage section. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a drum-type washing machine according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] Top view of a drum washing machine [Diagram 3] Top view of the aquarium [Figure 4] Left side view of the tank [Diagram 5] Top view of the water supply path [Figure 6] Front view of the water supply path [Figure 7] Left side view of water supply path [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a top view of a main part showing a first water supply path according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] Top view of the main part showing the second water supply path [Figure 10] Rear view of the water supply mechanism [Figure 11] Front view of the first water supply path portion [Figure 12] Right side view of main part DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] (1) First embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment applied to a drum-type washing machine (washer / dryer) also having a drying function will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7. Figs. 1 and 2 show the external appearance of the upper part of a drum-type washing machine as a washing machine according to this embodiment. Figs. 3 and 4 show the external appearance of the water tub of the drum-type washing machine with the outer box removed.

[0008] Here, the main body (outer case) 1 of the drum type washing machine is in the shape of a substantially rectangular box, and a circular entrance 2 through which clothes are put in and taken out is provided at approximately the center of the front part of the main body 1, and a door 3 is attached so as to be able to open and close the entrance 2. A power switch 4 and an operation panel 5 are provided at the front right part of the top surface of the main body 1. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a substantially cylindrical water tub 6 with an open front, which communicates with the entrance 2 and stores wash water, is provided within the main body 1 and is elastically supported via an elastic support mechanism (not shown).

[0009] Although not shown in detail, a drum is provided within the water tub 6 as a storage tub for storing clothes. This drum is cylindrical with a diameter slightly smaller than that of the water tub 6, and its center on the back side is connected to a drive mechanism consisting of a drum motor or the like so as to be rotated. Also provided within the main body 1 is a water supply mechanism 7 located above and to the left of the water tub 6 for supplying water to the water tub 6. This water supply mechanism 7 will be described later. Although not shown in the figure, a drain port is provided at the bottom of the rear of the water tub 6, and a drain pipe is connected to this drain port via a drain valve.

[0010] Although not shown, a drying mechanism for circulating and supplying hot air for drying into the water tub 6 (drum) is provided within the main body 1. This drying mechanism includes a dry air circulation duct that forms an air passage outside the water tub 6 from an exhaust port 8 (see FIG. 3) at the top right of the water tub 6 to an air inlet at the left side of the back of the water tub 6, and is provided with a heat pump and an air blower in the middle of the duct that dehumidifies and heats the circulating air to generate dry air. A filter unit 9 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) for capturing lint from the dry air is provided retractably in the portion of the dry air circulation duct that extends from the exhaust port 8 toward the rear along the upper right side of the main body 1.

[0011] The water supply mechanism 7 will now be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7. As shown in Figs. 3 to 7, the water supply mechanism 7 includes a water supply valve unit 10 provided at the rear of the upper left part of the main body 1, an automatic detergent dispenser 11 provided at the front of the upper left part of the main body 1, a water supply case 12 and a manual storage case 13 provided between them, a main water supply path 14 connecting the water supply valve unit 10 to the water supply case 12, a water supply duct 15 for supplying water from the water supply case 12 to the water tub 6, and the like. In this embodiment, the detergent (liquid and powder) and fabric softener (softener) are configured to be able to be supplied into the water tub 6 automatically and manually.

[0012] As shown in Figures 5, 6, etc., the water supply valve unit 10 is configured by mounting a main water supply valve 16 and a fabric softener water supply valve 17, which are electromagnetically opened and closed, on the left and right sides of a frame 10a. The water supply valve unit 10 also has a duct cleaning water supply valve 18 (see Figure 7) located below the main water supply valve 16. As also shown in Figure 2, a connection port 19 is provided on the top of the water supply valve unit 10 so as to be exposed on the top surface of the main body 1, and a water faucet serving as a water supply source is connected to this connection port 19. The connection port 19 branches into two at the bottom and is connected to the inlet of the main water supply valve 16 and the inlet of the fabric softener water supply valve 17, respectively.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 5, the outlet of the main water supply valve 16 is connected to the inlet of the main water supply path 14, and the outlet of the fabric softener water supply valve 17 is connected to the inlet of the fabric softener water supply path 20. The main water supply path 14 and the fabric softener water supply path 20 will be described later. A water supply pump 21 for pumping up leftover bath water, etc. is installed on the right side of the water supply valve unit 10. The duct cleaning water supply valve 18 is for washing a part of the dry air circulation duct (near the exhaust port 8) with water.

[0014] The water injection case 12 is made of plastic and has a rectangular box shape that is slightly horizontally long when viewed from above, and the manual storage case 13 is provided on the upper surface of the water injection case 12. As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the upper end portion, which is the base end portion of the water supply duct 15, is connected to the lower end portion of the water injection case 12, and the lower end portion, which is the tip end portion of the water supply duct 15, is connected to the water supply port of the water tank 6.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 5 etc., the manual storage case 13 is made of plastic and has a manual detergent storage section 13a and a manual fabric softener storage section 13b, both of which are thin container-like with an open top, arranged side by side on the right and left. The manual detergent storage section 13a stores, for example, a single dose of detergent (powder detergent), and the manual fabric softener storage section 13b stores a single dose of fabric softener called a softener (hereinafter simply referred to as "fabric softener") as needed. In this case, the manual detergent storage section 13a is larger than the manual fabric softener storage section 13b, that is, it is configured to have a larger width and capacity.

[0016] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, an opening corresponding to the upper surface of the manual storage case 13 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 1, and a lid 22 for opening and closing the opening is provided so as to be operable to be opened and closed. A user opens the lid 22 and manually stores detergent and fabric softener for one wash. At this time, as shown in Fig. 5, a water inlet 23 is provided at the upper front end of the manual detergent storage section 13a, and a fabric softener water inlet 24 is provided at the upper rear end of the manual fabric softener storage section 13b. Although not shown in detail, drainage holes are provided at the bottoms of the manual detergent storage section 13a and the manual fabric softener storage section 13b for draining water into the water inlet case 12.

[0017] 5 to 7, the main water supply path 14 extends substantially horizontally forward from the outlet of the main water supply valve 16, passing through the left side of the water supply case 12, bending downward at a substantially right angle after passing the water supply case 12, and bending substantially right at its lower end. It then extends to the right along the lower front side of the water supply case 12, bending substantially right at its right end, and extends upward to connect to the water supply port 23. The ascending portion of the main water supply path 14 that connects to the water supply port 23 is configured to have a smaller cross-sectional area than the other portions, and is configured so that the water rises to the water supply port 23 due to water pressure.

[0018] 5 to 7, when main water supply valve 16 is opened, tap water supplied from connection port 19 flows into main water supply path 14, flows forward and then downward, flows further to the right in the lower front part of water supply case 12, rises, and is supplied into manual detergent storage section 13a from water supply port 23. The water supplied to manual detergent storage section 13a flows downward into water supply case 12 either as is, or, if detergent is contained in manual detergent storage section 13a, dissolves the detergent, and is supplied from water supply case 12 through water supply duct 15 into water tub 6.

[0019] 5 and 6, the central part of the part of the main water supply path 14 extending from left to right below the front of the water injection case 12 serves as a detergent supply section 25 of the automatic detergent dispenser 11. Therefore, the detergent supply section 25 is provided upstream of the main water supply path 14, and the manual detergent storage section 13a is provided downstream thereof. As will be described later, a required amount of detergent or fabric softener is automatically supplied to the detergent supply section 25 by the automatic detergent dispenser 11.

[0020] 5, the softener water supply path 20 extends forward from the outlet of the softener water supply valve 17, then rises and is connected to the softener water inlet 24. Thus, as shown by the outlined arrow in FIG. 5, when the softener water supply valve 17 is opened, tap water supplied from the connection port 19 is supplied to the manual softener storage unit 13b from the softener water inlet 24 through the softener water supply path 20. The water supplied to the manual softener storage unit 13b flows downward into the water inlet case 12 while dissolving the stored softener, and is supplied from the water inlet case 12 through the water supply duct 15 into the water tub 6.

[0021] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the relationship between height position A of the water inlet 23, height position B of the outlet of the main water supply valve 16, and height position C of the lower part of the main water supply path 14 (detergent supply section 25) is such that height position A is the highest, followed by height position B and height position C. In this embodiment, a water drainage path 26 is provided in the lowest part of the main water supply path 14. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the water drainage path 26 is provided as a thin conduit connecting, for example, the bottom left end of the main water supply path 14 and the lower part of the water injection case 12, so that water does not accumulate in the main water supply path 14 when the main water supply valve 16 is closed.

[0022] As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the automatic detergent dispenser 11 includes a drawer-type tank case 27 that is provided in the main body 1 so as to be removable from the front side, and a pump 28 disposed at the rear of the tank case 27. The tank case 27 is in the shape of a rectangular box that is long from front to back and is open at the top, and is supported in the upper left part of the main body 1 so as to be slidable in the front and rear directions. A front door 29 having a handle 29a is provided on the front side of the tank case 27. The tank case 27 can be removed and inserted between a storage position (see Fig. 1, etc.) where the front door 29 closes the opening at the upper left part of the front side of the main body 1, and a pull-out position (see Fig. 2) where the front door 29 is pulled out forward from the storage position.

[0023] A detergent tank 30 and a fabric softener tank 31 are removably provided side by side in the tank case 27. Although not shown in detail, the detergent tank 30 and the fabric softener tank 31 are both long and narrow tanks in the front-rear direction, and are configured so that a user can open the lid to refill the detergent and fabric softener. In this case, the detergent tank 30 contains a liquid detergent that can be used for multiple washes, and the fabric softener tank 31 contains a fabric softener that can be used for multiple washes.

[0024] Although not shown in detail, the pump 28 has two pairs of suction ports and discharge ports 28a (see FIG. 6) and is configured to use a motor as a drive source. The pump 28 is configured to switch between the suction port for sucking in liquid and the discharge port 28a for discharging liquid by switching the rotation direction (current supply direction) of the motor. At this time, one suction port is connected to the detergent tank 30 side, and the motor is configured to rotate in one direction to draw up detergent and discharge it from one discharge port 28a. The other suction port is connected to the softener tank 31 side, and the motor is configured to rotate in the other direction to draw up softener and discharge it from the other discharge port 28a. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the two discharge ports 28a of the pump 28 are arranged on the left and right above the detergent supply unit 25 of the main water supply path 14. The discharge amount of detergent and softener, i.e., the supply amount to the detergent supply unit 25, is controlled by the driving time of the pump 28.

[0025] In this way, the automatic detergent dispenser 11 can supply only the required amount of detergent contained in the detergent tank 30 to the detergent supply unit 25 by driving the pump 28, and can also supply only the required amount of fabric softener contained in the fabric softener tank 31 to the detergent supply unit 25. Since the outlet 28a of the pump 28 is connected to the main water supply path 14, the detergent supply path is shortened overall, and the detergent can be prevented from sticking in the supply path. At this time, when the main water supply valve 16 is turned on to supply water to the main water supply path 14 while the detergent or fabric softener is being supplied to the detergent supply unit 25, the water flows in the detergent supply unit 25 while dissolving the detergent or fabric softener. Since the outlet 28a can be washed away by the water supply, the detergent can be prevented from sticking at the outlet 28a. The detergent or fabric softener is supplied to the manual detergent storage section 13 a together with the water from the water inlet 23 , and is further supplied from the water inlet case 12 through the water supply duct 15 into the water tub 6 .

[0026] Although not shown, a control device, mainly composed of a microcomputer, for example, is provided in the main body 1 to control the entire washing machine. The control device controls the water supply valves 16, 17, and 18 of the water supply valve unit 10, the pump 28 of the automatic detergent dispenser 11, the drum motor, the drain valve, the drying mechanism, etc., based on input signals from each sensor and a control program stored in advance, in accordance with the operation course set by the user on the operation panel 5. In this way, a washing operation consisting of a washing step, a rinsing step, and a spin-drying step, and a drying operation are automatically performed. Details of each step of the washing operation and the drying operation are well known, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0027] In this embodiment, when executing a washing operation, the user can select on the operation panel 5 whether to automatically dispense detergent and fabric softener using the automatic detergent dispenser 11, or to manually dispense one dose of detergent and fabric softener using the manual storage case 13. If the user selects manual dispensing, the user opens the lid 22 and stores a required amount of detergent (powder detergent) in the manual detergent storage section 13a of the manual storage case 13 beforehand when starting the washing operation. If fabric softener is used, the user also dispenses a required amount of fabric softener in the manual fabric softener storage section 13b in addition to the above.

[0028] When automatic supply of detergent and fabric softener is selected, the control device supplies a required amount of detergent to detergent supply unit 25 by automatic detergent supply device 11 before starting water supply for the washing process, and then turns on main water supply valve 16 to supply water. Also, before the final rinsing process, the control device supplies a required amount of fabric softener to detergent supply unit 25 by automatic detergent supply device 11, and then opens main water supply valve 16 to supply water. On the other hand, when manual supply of detergent and fabric softener is selected, water supply for the washing process is performed by main water supply valve 16 without operating automatic detergent supply device 11. Then, when supplying water for the final rinsing process, water is supplied by opening fabric softener water supply valve 17 instead of main water supply valve 16.

[0029] Next, the operation and effect of the washing machine configured as above will be described. In preparation for using the automatic detergent dispenser 11, the user stores detergent in the detergent tank 30 and stores fabric softener in the fabric softener tank 31. The operation of storing and refilling the detergent and fabric softener in the tanks 30 and 31 can be performed as follows. That is, the user puts his / her fingers on the handle portion 29a of the front door 29 on the front surface of the main body 1 and pulls the tank case 27, which is in the storage position, toward the user. With the tank case 27 in the pulled-out position, the detergent tank 30 or the fabric softener tank 31 is removed upward, and the tanks 30 and 31 are refilled with the detergent and fabric softener. After the refilling operation, the tanks 30 and 31 are returned to the tank case 27, and the tank case 27 is pushed back to the storage position. It is also possible to provide a lid on the top surface of each tank 30 and 31, pull out the tank case 27 and open the lid (without removing the tanks 30 and 31), and perform the operation of refilling the detergent and fabric softener.

[0030] To run a washing operation in the washing machine, the user operates the power switch 4 to turn on the power and place clothes in the drum. At the same time, an operation course is selected using the operation panel 5. At this time, if manual addition of detergent and fabric softener is selected, the user opens the lid 22 on the top of the main body 1, places the required amount of detergent in the manual detergent storage section 13a of the manual storage case 13, adds the required amount of fabric softener in the manual fabric softener storage section 13b, and starts the washing operation. If automatic addition of detergent and fabric softener is selected, the washing operation can be started directly.

[0031] When the washing operation is started, the control device controls each mechanism of the washing machine to automatically execute the washing operation consisting of the well-known washing, rinsing, and spin-drying steps. At this time, in the washing step, water is first supplied to the water tub 6 up to a predetermined water level, and if automatic detergent supply is selected, a required amount of detergent is supplied to the detergent supply section 25 by controlling the pump 28 of the automatic detergent supply device 11 before the start of water supply. In the water supply operation, the main water supply valve 16 is opened.

[0032] When main water supply valve 16 is opened, as shown by thick arrows in Figures 5 to 7, water from the water supply source (tap) flows through main water supply path 14, passes through detergent supply section 25, then rises and is poured into manual detergent storage section 13a of manual storage case 13 from water inlet 23. If detergent has been automatically supplied to detergent supply section 25, the water flows while dissolving the detergent, and passes from manual detergent storage section 13a through water inlet case 12 and water supply duct 15 in this order, and wash water containing detergent is supplied into water tub 6, and the wash cycle is performed.

[0033] On the other hand, when manual detergent addition is selected, since there is no detergent in detergent supply section 25, the water flowing through main water supply path 14 passes through detergent supply section 25 and is poured into manual detergent storage section 13a from water inlet 23. The water then flows into water inlet case 12 while dissolving the detergent previously stored in manual detergent storage section 13a, and the wash water containing detergent is supplied into water tub 6 through water supply duct 15, and the wash cycle is carried out.

[0034] Thereafter, as the cycle progresses and before the water supply for the final pre-rinse cycle, if automatic detergent supply has been selected, pump 28 of automatic detergent supply device 11 is driven, and the required amount of fabric softener is then supplied to detergent supply section 25. After this, main water supply valve 16 is opened, and the water flowing through main water supply path 14 dissolves the fabric softener in detergent supply section 25, then rises and is poured from water inlet 23 into manual detergent storage section 13a of manual storage case 13. Washing water containing fabric softener is supplied into water tub 6 through water inlet case 12 and water supply duct 15 in this order, and the final pre-rinse cycle is executed.

[0035] In contrast, when manual addition is selected, water supply for the final pre-rinse cycle is performed by opening the fabric softener water supply valve 17, not the main water supply valve 16. By opening the fabric softener water supply valve 17, as shown by the outlined arrow in Fig. 5, water flows through the fabric softener water supply path 20 and is poured into the manual fabric softener-containing section 13b from the fabric softener water inlet 24. The water then flows into the water inlet case 12 while dissolving the fabric softener that was previously contained in the manual fabric softener-containing section 13b, and the wash water containing the fabric softener is supplied into the water tub 6 through the water supply duct 15, and the final pre-rinse cycle is performed.

[0036] In this embodiment, the water supply valve unit 10 (main water supply valve 16) of the water supply mechanism 7 is provided at the rear of the main body 1, the automatic detergent dispenser 11 is provided at the front of the main body 1, and a manual storage case 13 is provided between them. Since the automatic detergent dispenser 11 is provided at the front side of the upper part of the main body 1, the user can easily remove the detergent tank 30 and the fabric softener tank 31 compared to when the automatic detergent dispenser 11 is provided at the rear, and can easily refill the tanks 30, 31 with detergent and fabric softener. In particular, when the tanks 30, 31 are removed to refill the detergent and fabric softener, the tanks 30, 31 become heavy, but since the tanks 30, 31 are located at the front side, installation is relatively easy.

[0037] Since the water supply valve unit 10 is close to the manual detergent storage section 13a of the manual detergent storage case 13, the length of the water supply path therebetween can be relatively short, and at the same time, the position from the main water supply valve 16 of the water supply valve unit 10 to the detergent supply section 25 of the automatic detergent dispenser 11 can be relatively close, that is, slightly in front of the manual detergent storage case 13, so the length of the water supply path therebetween can also be short. Therefore, the overall length of the main water supply path 14 can be made relatively short. Also, the length of the fabric softener water supply path 20 can be made short.

[0038] As a result, according to this embodiment, in a machine equipped with the automatic detergent dispenser 11, the workability for refilling the tanks 30, 31 with detergent and fabric softener can be improved, and the water supply paths 14, 20 can be made relatively short overall, which is an excellent effect. In this embodiment, the detergent supply unit 25 is disposed on the rear end side of the automatic detergent dispenser 11, which eliminates the need to provide a water supply path on the side (around the side when viewed from the front) of the automatic detergent dispenser 11. This allows the automatic detergent dispenser 11 to be disposed compactly, in other words, the capacity of the detergent tank 30 and the fabric softener tank 31 can be increased.

[0039] Particularly in this embodiment, the detergent supply section 25 of the automatic detergent dispenser 11 is provided upstream of the main water supply path 14, and the manual detergent storage section 13a is provided downstream of that. This allows the main water supply path 14 to be shared by the automatic detergent dispenser 11 and the manual detergent storage section 13a, and also allows the main water supply valve 16 to be shared, making it possible to eliminate the need for a mechanism for switching the water supply path. This allows for significant simplification of the configuration and control, and reduces costs.

[0040] Furthermore, even when the manual detergent storage section 13a is used, the water passes through the detergent supply section 25, and at the same time, even when the automatic detergent dispenser 11 is used, the water passes through the manual detergent storage section 13a. This allows the detergent supply section 25 and the manual detergent storage section 13a to be cleaned every time water is supplied.

[0041] In this embodiment, the detergent supply section 25 of the automatic detergent dispenser 11 is located at a position lower than the height of the main water supply valve 16, and the main water supply path 14 is configured to rise downstream of the detergent supply section 25 and pour water from the water inlet 23 above the manual detergent storage section 13a. As a result, the detergent supply section 25 portion of the main water supply path 14 is located at a position lower than the position of the outlet portion of the main water supply valve 16, so that backflow of water to the main water supply valve 16 can be prevented. In addition, since the main water supply path 14 is configured to rise downstream of the detergent supply section 25 and pour water from above the manual detergent storage section 13a, water can be poured vigorously from above the manual detergent storage section 13a, and the powder detergent in the manual detergent storage section 13a can be effectively flushed out, that is, all of the detergent can be flushed out.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a water drainage path 26 is provided in the lowest portion of the main water supply path 14 for draining water when the main water supply valve 16 is stopped. When the main water supply valve 16 is stopped, water may accumulate in the main water supply path 14 from the outlet of the main water supply valve 16 to the detergent supply section 25, but by providing the water drainage path 26, it is possible to prevent water from accumulating in that portion. Preventing water from accumulating can prevent water from freezing in the water supply path.

[0043] (2) Second embodiment and other embodiments Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 14. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and new illustrations and detailed explanations are omitted. The following mainly describes the differences from the first embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the water supply mechanism 41, the number of water supply valves provided, and the specific configuration of the water supply path.

[0044] That is, the water supply mechanism 41 comprises a water supply valve unit 42 provided at the rear of the upper left side inside the main body 1, an automatic detergent dispenser 11 provided at the front of the upper left side inside the main body 1, a water supply case 12 and a manual storage case 43 provided between them, three water supply paths 44, 45, 46 described below connecting the water supply valve unit 42 to the water supply case 12, and a water supply duct 15 for supplying water from the water supply case 12 into the water tub 6.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 10 etc., the water supply valve unit 42 is provided with an automatic water supply valve 47, a manual water supply valve 48, a manual softener water supply valve 49, and a duct cleaning water supply valve 18, which are electromagnetically opened and closed, on a frame 42a. Although not shown in detail, a connection port to which a water supply source is connected is branched into four, and each is connected to the inlet of each water supply valve 47, 48, 49, 18. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the outlet of the automatic water supply valve 47 is connected to the inlet of the first water supply path 44, and the outlet of the manual water supply valve 48 is connected to the inlet of the second water supply path 45. The outlet of the manual softener water supply valve 49 is connected to the inlet of the softener water supply path 46.

[0046] The manual storage case 43 is placed on the top surface of the water injection case 12, and also has a manual detergent storage section 43a for storing one dose of detergent (powder detergent) and a manual fabric softener storage section 43b for storing one dose of fabric softener as needed, arranged side by side on the right and left. At this time, as shown in Fig. 9, a detergent water injection port 50 is provided at the upper rear end of the manual detergent storage section 43a, and a fabric softener water injection port 51 is provided at the upper rear end of the manual fabric softener storage section 43b.

[0047] 8 and 11, first water supply path 44 extends forward from the outlet of automatic water supply valve 47, then extends substantially horizontally forward passing through the left side of water injection case 12, bends downward at a substantially right angle after passing water injection case 12, and bends substantially right at its lower end to the right. Then, it extends rightward along the lower front side of water injection case 12 and is connected to the inside of water injection case 12 at its right end. In this case, the central part of the part of first water supply path 44 extending from left to right along the lower front side of water injection case 12 serves as detergent supply section 25 of automatic detergent dispensing device 11.

[0048] 9 and 12, the second water supply path 45 extends rightward from the outlet of the manual water supply valve 48, then bends at a right angle, extends horizontally forward, bends at a nearly right angle at the rear of the water supply case 12, extends upward, and is connected to the detergent water supply port 50. The fabric softener water supply path 46 extends forward from the outlet of the manual fabric softener water supply valve 49, bends at a nearly right angle at the rear of the water supply case 12, extends upward, and is connected to the fabric softener water supply port 51, as shown in FIG.

[0049] 8 and 11, when automatic water supply valve 47 is opened, water from the water supply source (tap) passes through first water supply path 44, and if detergent or fabric softener is supplied to detergent supply unit 25, the water flows while dissolving the detergent or fabric softener, and is supplied to water tub 6 through water injection case 12 and water supply duct 15 in that order. Therefore, when automatic detergent dispensing is selected, detergent and fabric softener are automatically dispensed into water tub 6 together with the water supply under the control of automatic detergent dispensing device 11 and automatic water supply valve 47.

[0050] 9 and 12, water from the water supply source (tap) passes through the second water supply path 45 and is forcefully poured into the manual detergent storage section 43a from the upper detergent water inlet 50. If detergent (powder detergent) is stored in the manual detergent storage section 43a, the detergent is dissolved and falls into the water inlet case 12, and is supplied to the water tub 6 through the water supply duct 15.

[0051] When the manual softener water supply valve 49 is opened, water is supplied from the softener water inlet 51 to the manual softener storage section 43b through the softener water supply path 46 as shown by the outlined arrow in Fig. 8. The water supplied to the manual softener storage section 43b flows into the water inlet case 12 below while dissolving the stored softener, and is supplied to the water tub 6 through the water supply duct 15. Therefore, when manual detergent addition is selected, the manual water supply valve 48 and the manual softener water supply valve 49 are controlled, so that the detergent and softener that the user has placed in the manual storage case 43 can be supplied to the water tub 6 together with the water supply at an appropriate time.

[0052] According to the second embodiment, the automatic detergent dispensing device 11 is disposed at the front of the main body 1, and the manual storage case 43 is disposed at the rear of it, so that, similarly to the first embodiment, the user can easily remove the detergent tank 30 and the fabric softener tank 31 and easily refill the tanks 30, 31 with detergent and fabric softener. Also, since there is no need to provide a water supply path on the side of the automatic detergent dispensing device 11 (around it when viewed from the front), the automatic detergent dispensing device 11 can be disposed compactly, in other words, the capacity of the detergent tank 30 and the fabric softener tank 31 can be increased.

[0053] In this case, the first water supply path 44 between the automatic water supply valve 47 and the detergent supply unit 25, and the second water supply path 45 between the manual water supply valve 48 and the manual detergent storage unit 43a can be connected by a short distance, respectively, simplifying the configuration and saving space. Also, in each of the detergent supply unit 25 and the manual detergent storage unit 43a, detergent can be flushed in an optimal manner, i.e., without any residual detergent.

[0054] Furthermore, although not described in detail, the configuration of the second embodiment also makes it possible to control the automatic water supply valve 47 and the manual water supply valve 48 to be opened simultaneously when supplying water to the water tank 6. This makes it possible to increase the amount of water supplied to the water tank 6 per unit time, thereby shortening the time required for water supply.

[0055] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the configuration of the automatic detergent dispenser can be modified as follows. That is, a piston pump may be used as the pump used to transport the detergent, or the detergent may be supplied by opening and closing an electromagnetic valve. Although the detergent tank 30 and the like are configured to be pulled out forward, the detergent tank may be configured to be removed upward, or the detergent tank may be fixed and the lid may be opened and the detergent poured in to refill the tank. Although the detergent tank 30 and the fabric softener tank 31 are provided, the detergent tank may be configured to automatically supply only the detergent.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a drum-type washing machine with a drying function, but it can also be applied to a so-called vertical axis washing machine, or to a washing machine without a drying function. The water drainage path 26 in the first embodiment may be provided as necessary, and the other end of the water drainage path may be connected to the middle of the water supply duct 15 or directly to the water tub 6. The shape and structure of the manual storage case, the configuration of the water supply path, etc. can also be modified in various ways.

[0057] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 13...Manual storage case, 13a...Manual detergent storage section, manual storage section, 13b...Manual fabric softener storage section, manual storage section, 14...Main water supply path, water supply path, 16...Main water supply valve, water supply valve, 17...Softener water supply valve, water supply valve, 20...Softener water supply path, water supply path, 23...Water inlet, 24...Softener water inlet, 25...Detergent supply section, supply section, 27...Tank case, 30...Detergent tank, tank, 31...Softener tank tank, 43...manual storage case, 43a...manual detergent storage section, manual storage section, 43b...automatic fabric softener storage section, manual storage section, 44...first water supply path, water supply path, 45...second water supply path, water supply path, 46...softener water supply path, water supply path, 47...automatic water supply valve, water supply valve, 48...manual water supply valve, water supply valve, 49...manual fabric softener water supply valve, water supply valve, 50...detergent water inlet, water inlet, 51...softener water inlet, water inlet

Claims

1. A tank for storing water, an automatic dispenser having a detergent tank for storing a detergent usable for multiple washes and a fabric softener tank for storing a fabric softener usable for multiple washes, the automatic dispenser being capable of automatically supplying the detergent and fabric softener to the water tub; a manual detergent container having a manual detergent container portion for containing a single dose of detergent; Equipped with The detergent discharged from the detergent tank and the fabric softener discharged from the fabric softener tank are both supplied to the water tub through the manual detergent storage section. washing machine.

2. A connection port for connection to a water supply source; A first water supply path that supplies water supplied from the connection port to the manual detergent storage section, The detergent discharged from the detergent tank and the fabric softener discharged from the fabric softener tank are both supplied to the manual detergent storage section through a common portion of the first water supply path, and then supplied to the water tub. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The manual storage case further includes a manual fabric softener storage section for storing a single dose of fabric softener; The washing machine further includes a second water supply path that is configured as a path different from the first water supply path and that supplies the water supplied from the connection port to the manual softener storage section. The washing machine according to claim 2.

4. The second water supply path is shorter than a distance from the connection port of the first water supply path to the manual detergent storage section. The washing machine according to claim 3.

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