Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of surely washing off lint attached to a door bellows, with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a housing which has a putting-in / taking-out port where laundry can be put in / taken out in a frontward / backward direction; a water tub stored in the housing, and having an opening opposing to the putting-in / taking-out port; an annular water tub cover which is mounted along an opening part and which is around a central axis along the frontward / backward direction; and a door bellows mounted along a circumferential direction of the water tub cover, and for connecting the putting-in / taking-out port with the water tub cover in a water-tight manner. The door bellows has a constitution in which a deflection part formed by deflecting a part frontward is formed along the circumferential direction. The water tub cover includes a jetting hole arranged at the position opposing to the deflection part, and for jetting water toward the deflection part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, washing machines have been known that clean and remove lint (debris such as thread waste generated by laundry) that accumulates on the back side of a rubber door bellows provided around the opening of an outer tub (laundry loading port) inside the washing machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-85850 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which has a simple structure and is capable of reliably removing lint adhering to a door bellows. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A washing machine according to an embodiment includes a housing having an entrance for inserting and removing laundry in a front-rear direction, a water tub housed in the housing and having an opening facing the entrance, a ring-shaped water tub cover attached along the opening and centered on a central axis along the front-rear direction, and a door bellows attached along the circumferential direction of the water tub cover and connecting the entrance and the water tub cover in a watertight manner. The door bellows has a configuration in which a bending portion formed by bending a part of the door bellows toward the front is formed along the circumferential direction. The water tub cover is located at a position facing the bending portion and has an injection hole for injecting water toward the bending portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an overall configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] 2 is a front view showing the rear surface of the water tub cover of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the water tank cover and door bellows as viewed obliquely from the front. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the door bellows of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1; [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view of an upper portion of a water tub cover of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1, seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 6] 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which cleaning water is sprayed from a spray hole provided in the water tank cover. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which cleaning water is sprayed from a spray hole provided in the water tank cover. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an upper portion of a water tub cover of a washing machine according to a modified example, seen obliquely from the front. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, the washing machine of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to components having the same or similar functions. And, duplicated descriptions of those components may be omitted. "Based on XX" means "based on at least XX" and may include the case of being based on another element in addition to XX. "Based on XX" is not limited to the case of using XX directly, but may also include the case of being based on XX that has been calculated or processed. "XX or YY" is not limited to either one of XX and YY, but may include both XX and YY. This also applies to the case of three or more selective elements. "XX" and "YY" are any element (for example, any information). In this application, "washing machine" may include a washing and drying machine.

[0008] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a washing machine 1 according to a first embodiment. The washing machine 1 is a drum type washing machine. The washing machine 1 includes, for example, a housing 11, a door 12, a water tub 13, a suspension 14, a door bellows 15, a drum 16, a drive motor 17, a balance ring 18, and a control device 100.

[0009] Washing machine 1 is installed in a vertical direction relative to a horizontal plane. Meanwhile, water tub 13, which will be described later, is formed in a cylindrical shape with a central axis O1, which is slightly tilted relative to the horizontal plane, as its center in this embodiment. In the following description, the direction along the central axis O1 of the water tub 13 is referred to as the front-rear direction Y. The front-rear direction Y may be a horizontal direction. In the drawing, the front side of the front-rear direction Y is the +Y direction, and the rear side is the -Y direction. The up-down direction intersecting the front-rear direction Y is referred to as the up-down direction Z. The up-down direction Z is a direction that is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction. In the up-down direction Z, the direction facing upward of the washing machine 1 is referred to as the upside, and the direction facing downward is referred to as the downside. In the drawing, the upside of the up-down direction Z is the +Z direction, and the downside is the -Z direction. The direction intersecting the front-rear direction Y and the up-down direction Z is defined as the left-right direction X. One side of the left-right direction X is referred to as the left side, and the other side is referred to as the right side. In the figure, the right side is the +X direction and the left side is the -X direction.

[0010] The housing 11 is a member that forms the outer shell of the washing machine 1. The housing 11 has an entrance 11a at the front side in the front-rear direction Y in which laundry is put in and taken out, through which laundry can be put in and taken out.

[0011] The entrance 11a opens in a circular shape along a plane defined by the vertical direction Z and the horizontal direction X. The housing 11 also has a water supply port 11b that is connected to a water faucet via a water supply hose.

[0012] An operation panel P is provided on the housing 11. The operation panel P is an operation reception unit that receives user operations related to the washing machine 1. The operation panel P is not particularly limited, but is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display including a display screen.

[0013] The door 12 is a member that opens and closes the entrance 11a on the front side of the housing 11. The door 12 has a circular shape similar to the entrance 11a of the housing 11. The opening and closing of the door 12 relative to the entrance 11a of the housing 11 is detected by an opening and closing detection sensor or the like provided on the housing 11.

[0014] Water tank 13 is housed in housing 11. Water tank 13 is elastically supported by a pair of suspensions 14 provided in the left-right direction X of bottom 13d of water tank 13. In this embodiment, water tank 13 has a water tank main body 21, a water tank cover 22, and a water injection cover 23.

[0015] Water tub body 21 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with a bottom on the rear side centered on central axis O1, and can store water. The bottom of water tub body 21 is bottom 13d of water tub 13. Water tub body 21 has opening 21a on the front side facing inlet / outlet 11a. Opening 21a is an example of a "water tub opening." In the following description, the central axis O1 side, which is the inner periphery side of water tub body 21, is referred to as inner periphery side P1, and the opposite side of inner periphery side P1 is referred to as outer periphery side P2. Note that central axis O1 is inclined along the front-rear direction Y of washing machine 1 so that the rear side is lower (lower) than the front side relative to the horizontal plane, in accordance with the rotation axis of drum 16 described later.

[0016] Water tank cover 22 is attached circumferentially around opening 21a on the front side of water tank body 21, and is formed in an annular shape centered on central axis O2 along front-rear direction Y. Here, in this embodiment, central axis O2 is in the same direction as central axis O1. Therefore, central axis O2 is also referred to as central axis O1. However, central axis O2 does not have to be in the same direction as central axis O1. Water tank cover 22 has a circular opening 22a in the center.

[0017] 2 is a diagram showing rear surface 22g of water tub cover 22. Rear surface 22g provided on the rear side of water tub cover 22 has circulating water inlet 13c, circulating water channel 25, multiple (two in this case) cleaning ports 26A, 26B, multiple (two in this case) jet holes 27 (27A, 27B), circulating water inlet 28, and drain port 28a. Jet hole 27 will be described in detail later.

[0018] Water (cleaning water W) circulated by a circulation pump 62 described later flows into the circulating water inlet 13c from outside the water tub 13. The circulating water inlet 13c is disposed below a center line L1 that passes horizontally through a central axis O2 of the water tub cover 22.

[0019] Circulation water channel 25 is a groove provided in rear surface 22g of water tub cover 22, and extends, for example, in an arc shape along the outer periphery of water tub cover 22. Circulation water channel 25 connects circulating water inlet 13c to multiple cleaning ports 26A, 26B. Rear surface 22g of water tub cover 22 is covered by water injection cover 23. Circulation water channel 25 is formed by a rib protruding rearward from rear surface 22g of water tub cover 22.

[0020] Cleaning ports 26A, 26B are holes that spray cleaning water W, which has flowed in from circulating water inlet 13c and flowed through circulating water channel 25, into the inside of water tub 13 in a shower-like manner. Cleaning ports 26A, 26B are formed by covering rear surface 22g of water tub cover 22 with water injection cover 23 (see FIG. 1). For example, two cleaning ports 26A, 26B are disposed above center line L1 that passes horizontally through central axis O2 of water tub cover 22, and are disposed symmetrically with respect to center line L2 that passes vertically through central axis O2 of water tub cover 22.

[0021] The circulation water path 25 has a main flow path 251 (first flow path) extending in the circumferential direction, and a pair of branch flow paths 252, 253 (second flow paths) that extend from the main flow path 251 toward the radial inside of the water tank cover 22 (toward the central axis O1) when viewed from the front-rear direction Y and have a smaller flow path cross-sectional area than the main flow path 251. The circulation water path 25 is branched from the main flow path 251 into a pair of branch flow paths 252, 253.

[0022] Branch flow paths 252, 253 are provided above center line L1 of water tub cover 22, and each of them communicates with main flow path 251. First branch flow path 252 is located upstream of main flow path 251, and second branch flow path 253 is located downstream. Washing ports 26A, 26B are located at the discharge side ends of second branch flow path 253 and first branch flow path 252, respectively. As a result, wash water W flowing in from circulating water inlet 13c flows through main flow path 251 from circulating water inlet 13c, branches into first branch flow path 252 and second branch flow path 253, and is sprayed from washing ports 26A, 26B into water tub 13. Note that wash water W is wash water for washing laundry in water tub 13, and may be room temperature water or warm water.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, water injection cover 23 is attached to rear surface 22g (see Fig. 2) on the rear side of water tank cover 22. Water injection cover 23 is fixed to rear surface 22g of water tank cover 22 by, for example, vibration welding. Note that water injection cover 23 may be fixed by, for example, screws via a packing instead of welding.

[0024] Water is introduced from cleaning path 33 into circulating water inlet 28 by water supply mechanism 30, which will be described later. Circulating water inlet 28 is disposed above center line L1, which passes horizontally through central axis O2 of water tank cover 22. Water (cleaning water W) flowing in from circulating water inlet 28 flows through circulating water passage 25 formed by water tank cover 22 and water injection cover 23 from circulating water inlet 28, and is sprayed toward door bellows 15 from spray hole 27, which will be described later.

[0025] Drain outlet 28a is a hole for draining water that has flowed into door bellows 15. The water drained from drain outlet 28a passes through drain path 28b and is drained to drain outlet 13b of water tub 13. A detachable unit-type lint filter 28c for capturing lint (filth and other debris generated from laundry) is provided midway along drain path 28b.

[0026] Fig. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of water-tub cover 22 and door bellows 15, as viewed obliquely from the front. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing door bellows 15. 1, door bellows 15 is provided between entrance 11a of housing 11 and water tub cover 22, and connects entrance 11a of housing 11 and water tub cover 22 of water tub 13. Door bellows 15 connects entrance 11a of housing 11 and water tub cover 22 in a watertight manner, for example, when door 12 is closed.

[0027] Door bellows 15, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, is a cylindrical sealing member attached along the circumferential direction of water tub cover 22 and formed around central axis O2, and is made of, for example, an elastic material such as rubber packing or an elastomer such as EPDM (ethylene-propylene rubber). Door bellows 15 exhibits a waterproof function by elastically deforming in response to vibration relative to housing 11 caused by vibration during washing operation including washing, rinsing, and spin-drying operations by washing machine 1, and an anti-vibration function that suppresses the transmission of vibration of drive motor 17 during operation shown in Figure 1 from water tub 13 to housing 11.

[0028] The door bellows 15 includes a cylindrical portion 150 , a housing mounting portion 151 , a flexible portion 152 , a water tank mounting portion 153 , and a buffer wall 154 .

[0029] The cylindrical portion 150 is a cylindrical portion formed around the central axis O2. The cylindrical portion 150 is formed to have substantially the same size as the entrance 11a of the housing 11. A cylindrical buffer member may be further provided on the outer circumferential side P2 of the cylindrical portion 150.

[0030] The housing mounting portion 151 is provided on the front side of the door bellows 15. The housing mounting portion 151 extends from the front peripheral edge of the cylindrical portion 150 to the outer circumferential side P2. The housing mounting portion 151 hooks onto the entrance 11a of the housing 11 to fix the door bellows 15 to the housing 11.

[0031] The flexible portion 152 is a shock absorbing member that is folded back in a bellows shape from the rear peripheral edge of the cylindrical portion 150 to the outer circumferential side P2 and is formed to be bent (concave) toward the front side. The cross section of the flexible portion 152 is formed into a substantially U-shape. The flexible portion 152 includes a groove portion 152h.

[0032] Groove portion 152h is formed by bending a part of door bellows 15. Specifically, groove portion 152h is an inner surface with the rear side of bending portion 152 recessed. Groove portion 152h is formed along the circumferential direction of water tub cover 22. Groove portion 152h includes inner circumferential side inner surface 152a, outer circumferential side inner surface 152b, and bottom surface 152c (innermost portion). Inner circumferential side inner surface 152a is a side surface provided on inner circumferential side P1 on the inner surface of groove portion 152h. Outer circumferential side inner surface 152b is a side surface provided on outer circumferential side P2 of the inner surface. Bottom surface 152c is a bottom surface of groove portion 152h provided on the front side of the inner surface.

[0033] The water tank mounting portion 153 extends from the peripheral edge of the outer circumferential inner surface 152b of the groove portion 152h to the outer circumferential side P2, and engages with multiple engaging portions (not shown) that the water tank cover 22 of the water tank 13 has on its front surface, thereby being attached and fixed to the water tank cover 22 of the water tank 13.

[0034] The buffer wall 154 is formed in a flange shape from the side surface of the outer circumferential side P2 of the cylindrical portion 150 toward the outer circumferential side P2. The buffer wall 154 is interposed between the flexible portion 152 and the housing 11 located in front of the flexible portion 152, and prevents the flexible portion 152 from directly contacting the housing 11 when the flexible portion 152 is elastically deformed.

[0035] Next, the configuration and action of jet holes 27 of water tub cover 22 in door bellows 15 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the upper part of water tub cover 22 seen diagonally from the front, showing a pair of jet holes 27A, 27B provided in water tub cover 22. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which cleaning water W is jetted from jet holes 27 provided in water tub cover 22. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which cleaning water W is jetted from jet holes 27 provided in water tub cover 22. In Figs. 6 and 7, cleaning water W jetted from jet holes 27 is shown by a two-dot chain line. Also, cleaning water W flowing in circulation water passage 25 is shown by an arrow.

[0036] The door bellows 15 generally uses a rubber packing. Rubber has a property that lint easily adheres to its surface due to its viscosity and oil content. In addition, the flexible portion 152 of the door bellows 15 is bent toward the front side, and lint adheres to or accumulates in the groove portion 152h of the flexible portion 152. As shown in FIG. 7, the injection hole 27 is disposed in the region between the inner circumferential side inner surface 152a and the outer circumferential side inner surface 152b of the groove portion 152h in a front view seen from the rear. That is, the hole axis 27C of the injection hole 27 is located above the lower end 152i of the bottom surface 152c of the flexible portion 152. As a result, the injection hole 27 injects the cleaning water W toward the bottom surface 152c of the flexible portion 152.

[0037] The injection hole 27 is a hole that injects the cleaning water W that has flowed in from the circulating water inlet 28 (see FIG. 2) toward the door bellows 15. The injection hole 27 penetrates the water tank cover 22 in the front-rear direction Y. The injection hole 27 communicates with the branch flow paths 252, 253 of the circulating water path 25. The injection hole 27 has a first injection hole 27A provided in the first branch flow path 252 and a second injection hole 27B provided in the second branch flow path 253. The first injection hole 27A and the second injection hole 27B are provided in the circulating water path 25 in front of the cleaning ports 26B, 26A, respectively.

[0038] The first injection hole 27A and the second injection hole 27B are provided in the rear surface 22g of the water tank cover 22, above the central axis O2 in the up-down direction Z when viewed in the front-rear direction Y.

[0039] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the injection holes 27A, 27B are arranged one on each side of the center line L2 in the left-right direction X, but the number of injection holes 27 is not limited to this. That is, at least one injection hole 27 can be provided on each side of at least the center line L2 in the left-right direction X. The hole shape of the injection hole 27 is circular. Furthermore, the size and shape of the injection hole 27 are not particularly limited and can be set arbitrarily.

[0040] 2, 6 and 7, the cleaning water W injected from the injection hole 27 flows toward the bottom surface 152c of the groove 152h of the flexible portion 152, and flows downward along the inner surface of the groove 152h. Then, the lint attached to the inner surface (i.e., the bottom surface 152c, the inner circumferential side inner surface 152a, and the outer circumferential side inner surface 152b) of the groove 152h of the flexible portion 152 above the central axis O1 of the door bellows 15 is washed away by the cleaning water W. At this time, the cleaning water W flows downward due to gravity, so that it flows along the bottom surface 152c, the inner circumferential side inner surface 152a, and the outer circumferential side inner surface 152b of the groove 152h, and can wash away the lint attached to the inner circumferential side inner surface 152a.

[0041] The wash water W that flows below the door bellows 15 flows into drain outlet 28a formed on the underside of water tub cover 22, as shown in Fig. 2. The water drained from drain outlet 28a passes through drain path 28b and is drained into drain outlet 13b of water tub 13, as shown in Fig. 1. A lint filter 28c is provided in the middle of drain path 28b, so that lint can be easily collected.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, drum 16 is provided inside water tub 13 so as to be rotatable about central axis O1 (or central axis O2) as a rotation axis, and is capable of housing laundry. A large number of holes 16a for water and air passage are provided in the peripheral and rear walls of drum 16. A plurality of baffles 16b for agitating laundry are provided on the inner surface of the peripheral wall of drum 16. Laundry in drum 16 is agitated by being caught by each baffle 16b while moving in the circumferential direction and then falling by gravity. The front surface on the front side of drum 16 has a circular opening through which laundry is inserted and removed.

[0043] Drive motor 17 is provided on rear surface 13g on the rear side of water tub 13. Drive motor 17 drives and rotates drum 16. Balance ring 18 is attached to the front end portion of drum 16. The center portion of balance ring 18 has a circular opening 18a. Balance ring 18 forms an annular front wall portion on the front surface of the front side of drum 16.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 further includes a water supply mechanism 30, a drainage mechanism 50, a circulation mechanism 60, and a drying mechanism .

[0045] The water supply mechanism 30 is a mechanism for supplying water from a water faucet to the inside of the washing machine 1 and switching the water supply location. The water supply mechanism 30 has, for example, a water supply path 31, a cleaning path 33, and a water supply switching valve 32. The water supply path 31 extends from the water supply port 11b of the housing 11 to the water supply port 13a of the water tub 13. The cleaning path 33 extends from the water supply switching valve 32 to the circulating water inlet 28 on the rear surface 22g provided on the rear side of the water tub cover 22. The water supply switching valve 32 is provided midway along the water supply path 31. The water supply switching valve 32 is switchable among a first state in which water is supplied to the water tub 13, a second state in which water is supplied to the circulating water inlet 28 via the cleaning path 33, and a third state in which water is supplied to both the water tub 13 and the circulating water inlet 28. The water supply switching valve 32 may be composed of two or more switching valves.

[0046] Drain mechanism 50 is a mechanism for draining water inside water tub 13 to the outside. Drain mechanism 50 has, for example, drain path 51 and drain valve 52. Drain path 51 extends, for example, from drain outlet 13b of water tub 13 to the outside of washing machine 1. Drain valve 52 is provided midway along drain path 51. When drain valve 52 is opened, water inside water tub 13 is drained to the outside of washing machine 1.

[0047] The circulation mechanism 60 is a mechanism for circulating the water in the washing machine 1 inside the washing machine 1. The circulation mechanism 60 has, for example, a circulation path 61 and a circulation pump 62.

[0048] The circulation path 61 extends from the drain outlet 13b of the water tub 13 to the multiple cleaning ports 26A and 26B. The circulation path 61 has an external circulation path 61a provided outside the water tub 13 and an internal circulation path 61b provided inside the water tub 13. Outside the water tub 13, the external circulation path 61a is connected from the drain outlet 13b of the water tub 13 to the circulating water inlet 13c of the water tub 13 via a circulation pump 62. A part of the external circulation path 61a (for example, a part from the drain outlet 13b of the water tub 13 to the circulation pump 62) is shared with the drain path 51. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the internal circulation path 61b extends from the circulating water inlet 13c of the water tub 13 to the cleaning ports 26A and 26B at the rear surface 22g of the water tub cover 22.

[0049] Circulation pump 62 is driven, for example, during the washing stroke or the rinsing stroke, to suck in and pump water from water tub 13, and spray the pumped water in a shower-like manner from multiple cleaning ports 26A, 26B into water tub 13. In this way, circulation mechanism 60 circulates the water in water tub 13 through circulation path 61 and sprays it in a shower-like manner into water tub 13.

[0050] A conventionally known drying mechanism can be used as the drying mechanism 70. The drying mechanism 70 supplies hot air for drying (dry air) generated by a heating device such as a heat pump or a heater, for example, from a duct provided outside the water tub 13 in the housing 11 using a blower fan, through the water tub 13, into the drum 16. Note that a lint filter may be provided in the duct.

[0051] Next, the control device 100 of the washing machine 1 will be described. The control device 100 is housed in the washing machine 1. The control device 100 is mainly configured with a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The control device 100 comprehensively controls the entire washing machine 1, and executes a washing operation including a washing operation, a rinsing operation, and a spin-drying operation by the washing machine 1, and a subsequent drying operation.

[0052] The control device 100 is connected to, for example, the water supply switching valve 32, the circulation pump 62, the drive motor 17, the drain valve 52, and the drying mechanism 70.

[0053] Water supply switching valve 32 controls the supply of water from water supply port 11b through water tub 13 and washing path 33 to circulating water inlet 28. In addition, circulation pump 62 circulates water within the washing machine. Drive motor 17 rotates drum 16 within water tub 13. Drain valve 52 controls drainage of water from inside water tub 13 to the outside. Drying mechanism 70 generates and circulates dehumidified and heated air.

[0054] These components operate based on control signals from the control device 100. In addition, an operation panel P is connected to the control device 100. On the operation panel P, various operation buttons, operation guides, warnings, etc. are displayed. By operating the operation buttons, etc. displayed on the operation panel P, the user performs input operations.

[0055] Here, the cleaning operation of the door bellows 15 executed in this embodiment will be described. The control device 100 starts operation when, for example, a user operates the operation panel P to instruct the start of an operation of the washing machine 1 (for example, a washing and drying operation). The control device 100 executes a washing operation including a washing operation, a rinsing operation, and a spin-drying operation, and then executes a drying operation.

[0056] The cleaning operation is performed simultaneously with the washing operation by the washing operation and the rinsing operation. That is, the control device 100 controls the circulation pump 62 to circulate the water in the washing machine. Then, the circulating water (cleaning water W) passes through the circulating water passage 25 provided on the rear surface 22g of the water tub cover 22 from the circulating water inlet 13c of the water tub 13. The inside of the circulating water passage 25 has a main flow path 251 and a pair of branched flow paths 252, 253 branched from the main flow path 251, and the cleaning water W flowing in from the circulating water inlet 13c flows through the circulating water passage 25 from the circulating water inlet 13c and is sprayed from the cleaning ports 26A, 26B into the inside of the water tub 13. Meanwhile, a part of the cleaning water W flowing in from the circulating water inlet 13c into each of the branched flow paths 252, 253 is sprayed from a pair of spray holes 27A, 27B toward the door bellows 15. This cleans the door bellows 15.

[0057] Next, the operation of the washing machine 1 will be described.

[0058] Washing machine 1 according to this embodiment includes housing 11 having entrance 11a through which laundry can be put in and taken out in front-rear direction Y, a water tub housed in housing 11 and having an opening facing entrance 11a, annular water tub cover 22 attached along the opening and centered on central axis O1 along front-rear direction Y, and door bellows 15 attached along the circumferential direction of water tub cover 22 and connecting entrance 11a and water tub cover 22 in a watertight manner. Door bellows 15 has bending portion 152 formed by bending a part of it toward the front, formed along the circumferential direction. Water tub cover 22 is located at a position facing bending portion 152 and includes injection hole 27 for injecting wash water W toward bending portion 152.

[0059] According to this embodiment, by spraying cleaning water W from spray hole 27 toward bending portion 152 of door bellows 15 where lint is likely to remain, cleaning water W can be made to flow along bending portion 152 of door bellows 15 at the connection portion between housing 11 and water tub 13. In this way, with a simple configuration in which spray hole 27, which is a discharge portion for cleaning water W, is provided at a position opposite bending portion 152 in the circulation path of water tub cover 22 that efficiently distributes cleaning water W in water tub 13 to laundry, lint adhering to door bellows 15 during washing of laundry in water tub 13 can be efficiently washed away and reliably removed.

[0060] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the washing water W from the laundry in the water tub 13 is sprayed from the spray holes 27 provided in the water tub cover 22, so there is no need for the user to perform maintenance to remove lint that has adhered to the door bellows 15 after the washing operation, thereby reducing the user's effort.

[0061] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the injection hole 27 is set to inject the cleaning water W toward the bottom surface 152c of the flexible portion 152, so that the cleaning water W can be injected toward the bottom surface 152c of the flexible portion 152, where lint is most likely to remain, thereby removing the lint.

[0062] Moreover, according to this embodiment, the hole axis 27C of the jet hole 27 is located above the lower end 152i of the bottom surface 152c of the flexible portion 152. With this configuration, even if the water tub 13 containing the laundry and cleaning water W sinks downward relative to the door bellows 15, the hole axis 27C of the jet hole 27 can be located at the height of the bottom surface 152c of the flexible portion 152. Therefore, the cleaning water W jetted from the jet hole 27 does not come off the bottom surface 152c of the flexible portion 152, and the lint on the flexible portion 152 can be reliably washed away regardless of the amount of laundry and cleaning water W in the water tub 13.

[0063] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the water is wash water W for washing the laundry in water tub 13, so that the wash water W can be guided to spray holes 27 provided in water tub cover 22 using a circulation path (circulation water passage 25) provided in water tub cover 22 for circulating the wash water W. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate system of piping or other paths for spraying water as in the past, and lint adhering to door bellows 15 can be removed with a simple structure. Thus, according to this embodiment, since a separate system of paths for spraying water is not required, the number of parts can be reduced, leading to cost reduction.

[0064] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the inside of water tank cover 22 is provided with circulation water channel 25 that connects circulation water inlet 28 and cleaning ports 26A, 26B. Therefore, a separate system of piping for spraying water, as in the past, is not required, and a simple structure is achieved in which spray holes 27 provided in water tank cover 22 communicate with circulation water channel 25. Thus, according to this embodiment, a separate system of paths for spraying water is not required, so the number of parts can be reduced, leading to cost reduction.

[0065] According to this embodiment, the circulation water passage 25 has a main flow passage 251 extending along the circumferential direction, and branch flow passages 252, 253 extending in a direction intersecting the main flow passage 251 as viewed from the front-rear direction Y and having a smaller flow passage cross-sectional area than the main flow passage 251. The branch flow passages 252, 253 branch off from the first flow passage 251 and are connected to the cleaning ports 26A, 26B. The injection hole 27 communicates with the branch flow passages 252, 253. Therefore, the flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the branch flow passages 252, 253 located at the injection hole 27 is smaller than the flow passage cross-sectional area of ​​the main flow passage 251, and the internal pressure becomes large, and the flow rate of the cleaning water W injected from the injection hole 27 increases, so that the cleaning performance of the door bellows 15 can be improved and lint accumulated in the door bellows 15 can be preferably removed.

[0066] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the spray hole 27 is provided in a portion of the circulation water passage 25 before the cleaning ports 26A, 26B. Therefore, the cleaning water W guided to the cleaning ports 26A, 26B can be branched off to the spray hole 27 and sprayed toward the door bellows 15. Since a stable amount of cleaning water W flows through the cleaning ports 26A, 26B, the amount of cleaning water W sprayed from the spray hole 27 can also be made constant, and lint adhering to the door bellows 15 can be washed away efficiently.

[0067] According to this embodiment, at least one injection hole 27 is provided on each of the left and right sides above the central axis O1 in the vertical direction when viewed from the front-rear direction Y. Therefore, a wide area on each of the left and right sides of the door bellows 15 can be cleaned.

[0068] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the spray direction of the spray hole 27 faces the front of the water tub 13, so that the cleaning water W spreads out in a cone shape from the spray hole 27. This increases the area of ​​the deflected portion 152 of the door bellows 15 that the sprayed cleaning water W hits, and even if the spray holes 27A, 27B are disposed on both the left and right sides of the top of the door bellows 15 as in this embodiment, the cleaning water W can be made to flow into the area between the spray holes 27A, 27B where lint is likely to remain, making it possible to clean that area.

[0069] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, a washing machine capable of reliably removing lint adhering to the door bellows 15 with a simple structure can be provided.

[0070] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These 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 of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0071] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the hole shape of the injection hole 27 is circular, but other hole shapes can be adopted. For example, as in the modified example shown in FIG. 8, it is also possible to adopt an injection hole 270 having a long hole shape that is long in the radial direction. The long hole of the injection hole 270 is arranged so that the long axis direction faces the extension direction of the branch flow paths 252, 253. By providing such an injection hole 270 having a long hole, not only is it possible to obtain injection performance equivalent to that of the above-mentioned round injection hole 27 (see FIG. 5), but it is also possible to obtain an effect of pushing out lint attached inside the injection hole 270 by the cleaning water W flowing inside the injection hole 270. That is, since the lint gets caught at the lower part of the injection hole 270 and accumulates so as to block the injection hole 270, if the injection hole 270 is round, the flow rate of the injected water is reduced by the accumulated lint, and the lint cannot be pushed out. Therefore, by making the injection hole 270 a long hole, it is possible to ensure a sufficient flow rate even if the lint starts to accumulate, and it is possible to obtain the effect of pushing out the lint. In this manner, in the modified example, clogging of the injection hole 270 can be suppressed, and the frequency of maintenance for removing the clogging can be reduced.

[0072] Furthermore, the position of injection hole 27 provided in water tank cover 22 is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, it is not limited to a configuration in which cleaning water W is injected toward bottom surface 152c (innermost part) of flexible portion 152. Furthermore, hole axis 27C of injection hole 27 is set to be located above lower end 152i of bottom surface 152c of flexible portion 152, but it may be located at a position equal to the height of lower end 152i or below lower end 152i.

[0073] In addition, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the injection holes 27A, 27B are provided at least one on each of the left and right sides above the central axis O1 when viewed from the front-rear direction Y, but this is not limited to this and the injection holes may be provided on only one of the left and right sides, or at a position near the center line L1 that passes horizontally through the central axis O1.

[0074] In addition, in this embodiment, the circulation water channel 25 is provided inside the water tank cover 22, and the injection hole 27 is connected to the circulation water channel 25, but the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the circulation water channel 25 is provided in the water tank cover 22. The configuration of the circulation water channel 25 is also not limited to the configuration in this embodiment, which has a main flow path 251 extending along the circumferential direction, and branch flow paths 252, 253 that extend in a direction intersecting the main flow path 251 when viewed from the front-rear direction and have a smaller flow path cross-sectional area than the main flow path 251, and the injection hole 27 is connected to the branch flow paths 252, 253. For example, the circulation water channel may not have the branch flow paths 252, 253, and the injection hole 27 may be provided in the main flow path 251. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1...washing machine, 11...casing, 11a...entrance / exit, 13...water tank, 13c...circulating water inlet, 15...door bellows, 150...cylindrical portion, 151...casing mounting portion, 152...flexible portion, 152h...groove portion, 152a...inner surface on inner periphery side, 152b...inner surface on outer periphery side, 152c...bottom surface (innermost portion), 152i...lower end, 21...water tank body, 21a...opening, 22...water tank cover, 23...note Water cover, 25...circulation water channel, 251...main flow path (first flow path), 252...first divided flow path (second flow path), 253...second divided flow path (second flow path), 26A, 26B...cleaning port, 27, 27A, 27B...injection hole, 27C...hole axis, 28...circulating water inlet, 30...water supply mechanism, 50...drainage mechanism, 60...circulation mechanism, 70...drying mechanism, 100...control device, O1, O2...central axis.

Claims

1. A housing having an entrance through which laundry can be put in and taken out in the front and rear directions; A water tank accommodated in the housing and having an opening facing the entrance and exit; A water tank cover that is attached along the opening and has a circular ring shape with a central axis along the front-rear direction as a center; A door bellows is attached along the circumferential direction of the water tank cover and connects the entrance and the water tank cover watertightly; Equipped with The door bellows has a bending portion formed by bending a part of the door bellows forward along the circumferential direction, The water tub cover is disposed at a position facing the bending portion and has an injection hole for injecting water toward the bending portion.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the jet hole jets the water toward an innermost portion of the flexible portion.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2 , wherein the hole axis of the injection hole is located above a lower end of the innermost part of the flexible portion.

4. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the water is wash water for washing the laundry in the water tub.

5. A circulating water channel is provided on the inside of the water tank cover, connecting the circulating water inlet and the cleaning port, The washing machine according to claim 2 , wherein the injection hole is in communication with the circulating water passage.

6. The circulating water channel is A first flow path extending along the circumferential direction; a second flow path extending in a direction intersecting the first flow path as viewed from the front-rear direction and having a flow path cross-sectional area smaller than that of the first flow path, The second flow path branches off from the first flow path and is connected to the cleaning port, The washing machine according to claim 5 , wherein the injection hole is in communication with the second flow path.

7. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the injection hole is provided in a portion of the circulating water channel immediately before the washing port.

8. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the ejection holes are provided on at least one each of left and right sides above the central axis in the vertical direction when viewed from the front-rear direction.

9. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the spray direction of the spray hole faces forward of the water tub.

Images