Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of suppressing water that flows out of a bathwater pump flowing into an unintended place, with a simple constitution.SOLUTION: A washing machine which includes a bath water pump includes: a pump unit which includes the bath water pump; a holding member which is the holding member for holding the pump unit, and which includes a receiving part for receiving the pump unit; and a hook member which is the hook member for fixing the pump unit to the holding member in a state where the pump unit is received in the receiving part, and which is a separate member from the holding member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a washing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine equipped with a bath water pump. The washing machine of Patent Document 1 is characterized in that the bath water pump is covered with a pump holder, the pump holder is provided with a fitting part for the washing machine, a fitted part that fits with the fitting part is provided on the washing machine side, and the bath water pump is fixed to the washing machine by fitting the fitting part and the fitted part. The fitting part on the pump holder side is a convex part protruding from the main body part of the pump holder, and the fitted part on the washing machine side is a concave part provided on a water supply case arranged adjacent to the bath water pump. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-276477 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the washing machine of Patent Document 1, the water flowing out from the bath water pump may flow out to an unintended place. For example, the water flowing out from the bath water pump may flow out to the outside of the water tub of the washing machine. In addition, the configuration of Patent Document 1 is complicated in the configuration of the fitting part and the fitted part.

[0005] The present specification provides a technology that can prevent water flowing out of a bath water pump from flowing to unintended locations with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The washing machine disclosed in this specification is a washing machine equipped with a bath water pump, comprising: a pump unit equipped with the bath water pump; a holding member for holding the pump unit, the holding member having a receiving portion for receiving the pump unit; and a hook member for fixing the pump unit to the holding member while the pump unit is received in the receiving portion, the hook member being a separate member from the holding member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the washing machine of the embodiment (with the rear top cover omitted). [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion III in FIG. 2 (with some components omitted). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the configuration shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the configuration shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 3. [Figure 7] An enlarged view of part VII of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a water supply path according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a water supply path according to another modified example. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view taken along line XX in Figure 9 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] A washing machine 2 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the washing machine 2 of the embodiment includes a housing 4, a water tub 10 arranged in the housing 4, a spin tub 12 arranged in the water tub 10, and a pulsator 16 arranged in the spin tub 12. The washing machine 2 also includes a water supply path 60 and a drain path 64 connected to the water tub 10.

[0009] The housing 4 includes a front top cover 8 that covers the water tub 10 and the spin tub 12, and a rear top cover 7 that is disposed rearward of the front top cover 8. The rear top cover 7 covers a machine chamber 200 that is provided at the rear of the washing machine 2.

[0010] The front top cover 8 is provided with an openable / closable door 6. When the door 6 is opened or closed, an opening for the water tub 10 and an opening for the spin tub 12 are opened or closed. The front top cover 8 is also provided with an operation panel 102. The operation panel 102 is configured, for example, with a touch panel. The operation panel 102 is capable of displaying various pieces of information related to the washing machine 2. The operation panel 102 is also capable of receiving various user operations related to the washing machine 2.

[0011] Water tub 10 disposed within housing 4 is capable of storing water for washing. Rotary tub 12 disposed within water tub 10 is capable of containing laundry. Rotary tub 12 is disposed within water tub 10 in a rotatable state, and is driven to rotate by motor 14. Furthermore, pulsator 16 within rotary tub 12 is disposed at the bottom of rotary tub 12, and is driven to rotate by motor 14. Laundry within rotary tub 12 is washed as rotary tub 12 and pulsator 16 rotate.

[0012] The upstream end of the water supply path 60 of the washing machine 2 is connected to a water supply source (e.g., a water mains) and the downstream end is connected to the water tub 10. The water supply path 60 supplies water from the water supply source into the water tub 10. The water supply path 60 is provided with a water supply valve 62 that opens and closes the water supply path 60. When the water supply valve 62 is opened, water is supplied into the water tub 10.

[0013] The drain path 64 has an upstream end connected to the water tank 10 and a downstream end connected to a drain destination (e.g., a drain pan). The drain path 64 discharges water discharged from the water tank 10 to the drain destination. The drain path 64 is provided with a drain valve 66 that opens and closes the drain path 64. When the drain valve 66 opens, the water in the water tank 10 is discharged to the drain destination.

[0014] 2, the washing machine 2 further includes a pump unit 50 and a water injection unit 30 arranged next to the pump unit 50. The washing machine 2 may further include an automatic dispenser 90 for automatically dispensing detergent into the water tub 10. The pump unit 50, the water injection unit 30, and the automatic dispenser 90 are arranged in a machine room 200 provided at the rear of the washing machine 2.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the pump unit 50 includes a bath water pump 52 and a pump holding member 54 that holds the bath water pump 52.

[0016] Bath water pump 52 is a device that pumps up bath water stored in, for example, a bathtub and supplies the pumped up bath water into water tub 10 of washing machine 2. Bath water pump 52 draws in bath water through a bath water supply hose (not shown). The suction side of bath water pump 52 is directly or indirectly connected to the bath water supply hose. Bath water pump 52 also discharges the bath water drawn in through the bath water supply hose to water injection unit 30 through bath water supply path 15. The discharge side of bath water pump 52 is directly or indirectly connected to bath water supply path 15. Note that the technology for pumping up bath water with bath water pump 52 is already known, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0017] The pump holding member 54 that holds the bath water pump 52 has vertical ribs 58 extending vertically and horizontal ribs 56 extending horizontally. The vertical ribs 58 are provided so as to cover the surface of the bath water pump 52 facing the water injection unit 30. The vertical ribs 58 extend vertically along the bath water pump 52. The vertical ribs 58 are provided so as to stand up from the horizontal ribs 56. The lower ends of the vertical ribs 58 are fixed to the horizontal ribs 56.

[0018] The horizontal ribs 56 are provided so as to protrude laterally around the bath water pump 52. The horizontal ribs 56 protrude outward beyond the vertical ribs 58. The horizontal ribs 56 extend perpendicular to the vertical ribs 58. The horizontal ribs 56 are provided so as to extend toward the unit holding member 40, which will be described later.

[0019] Next, the water injection unit 30 will be described. The water injection unit 30 includes a water injection case 32 and a unit holding member 40 fixed to the water injection case 32. The water injection case 32 is a case for injecting washing water into the water tub 10. Bath water pumped up by the bath water pump 52 of the pump unit 50 is supplied into the water tub 10 via the water injection case 32. The water injection case 32 is disposed, for example, in the center of the washing machine 2 in the left-right direction of the washing machine 2. The water injection case 32 is disposed closer to the center of the washing machine 2 than the pump unit 50 in the left-right direction of the washing machine 2. The water injection case 32 is disposed next to the pump unit 50.

[0020] The unit holding member 40 is configured as one piece with the water injection case 32. The unit holding member 40 is fixed to the side portion 322 of the water injection case 32. The unit holding member 40 holds the pump unit 50 so as to receive the pump unit 50 from below. The unit holding member 40 is provided with a receiving portion 42 that receives the pump unit 50. The pump unit 50 is disposed in the receiving portion 42. The receiving portion 42 can receive the water flowing out from the bath water pump 52 of the pump unit 50.

[0021] The receiving portion 42 includes a bottom surface portion 44 and a plurality of (for example, four) side surfaces 46. The bottom surface portion 44 extends in the lateral direction below the pump unit 50. The bottom surface portion 44 is configured, for example, in a flat plate shape.

[0022] The multiple side surface portions 46 extend vertically around the periphery of the pump unit 50 and surround the pump unit 50. The multiple side surface portions 46 include a first side surface portion 461, a second side surface portion 462, a third side surface portion 463, and a fourth side surface portion 464. The first side surface portion 461 is formed by a portion of the side surface portion 322 of the water injection case 32.

[0023] The second side surface portion 462 and the third side surface portion 463 protrude laterally from the side surface portion 322 of the water injection case 32. An engaging protrusion 49 is provided on the outer surface of each of the second side surface portion 462 and the third side surface portion 463. Each engaging protrusion 49 protrudes laterally from the outer surface of each of the second side surface portion 462 and the third side surface portion 463. Each engaging protrusion 49 engages with a hook member 20, which will be described later. Also, a notch portion 48 is provided on the upper end portion of each of the second side surface portion 462 and the third side surface portion 463. For example, the notch portion 48 is formed by cutting the upper end portion of each of the second side surface portion 462 and the third side surface portion 463 into a rectangular shape. A hook member 20, which will be described later, is disposed in each of the notch portions 48.

[0024] The fourth side surface portion 464 of the receiving portion 42 is connected to the second side surface portion 462 and the third side surface portion 463. A fixing portion 47 is provided on the outer surface of the fourth side surface portion 464. The fixing portion 47 is fixed to another member by screwing or the like.

[0025] The unit holding member 40 further includes a water supply path 70 connected to the receiving portion 42. The water supply path 70 is connected to the bottom surface portion 44 of the receiving portion 42. The water supply path 70 is connected to the receiving portion 42 at a position closer to the center of the washing machine 2 than the notches 48 in the left-right direction of the washing machine 2. The water supply path 70 extends from the receiving portion 42 of the unit holding member 40 toward the water tub 10 of the washing machine 2. The downstream end of the water supply path 70 opens toward the water tub 10. The downstream end of the water supply path 70 may open toward the spin tub 12. The water supply path 70 sends water flowing from the bath water pump 52 to the receiving portion 42 from the receiving portion 42 into the water tub 10. The water flowing through the water supply path 70 is supplied into the water tub 10. The water supply path 70 extends in a substantially straight line. In a modified example, as shown in FIG. 8, the water supply path 70 may be bent midway along the path from the receiving portion 42 of the unit holding member 40 to the water tank 10.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 6, the washing machine 2 includes a plurality of (for example, two) hook members 20 for fixing the pump unit 50 to the unit holding member 40 of the water injection unit 30. The plurality of hook members 20 restrict the pump unit 50 from being detached from the unit holding member 40. The plurality of hook members 20 are attached to the side surface portion 46 (the second side surface portion 462, the third side surface portion 463) of the unit holding member 40. Each hook member 20 is inserted into each notch portion 48 provided in the side surface portion 46 (the second side surface portion 462, the third side surface portion 463) of the unit holding member 40. Each hook member 20 is disposed forward of the rear end portion 82 of the front top cover 8 (see FIG. 1) of the washing machine 2 in the front-rear direction of the washing machine 2. The following description focuses on the hook member 20 attached to the second side surface portion 462 of the unit holding member 40.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 7, the hook member 20 includes an inner portion 21, an outer portion 22, and an intermediate portion 23. The inner portion 21 is located on the inner side of the unit holding member 40 relative to the side portion 46 (second side portion 462) when the hook member 20 is attached to the side portion 46 (second side portion 462) of the unit holding member 40. The outer portion 22 is located on the outer side of the unit holding member 40 relative to the side portion 46 when the hook member 20 is attached to the side portion 46 (second side portion 462) of the unit holding member 40. The intermediate portion 23 is located between the inner portion 21 and the outer portion 22, and connects the inner portion 21 and the outer portion 22. The hook member 20 has a shape bent at the intermediate portion 23. The intermediate portion 23 engages with a notch portion 48 formed in the side portion 46.

[0028] When the pump unit 50 is held by the unit holding member 40, the hook member 20 faces the vertical ribs 58 and horizontal ribs 56 of the pump holding member 54. The hook member 20 is disposed in the cutout portion 48 at a position facing the vertical ribs 58 and the horizontal ribs 56. The hook member 20 faces the horizontal tip end of the vertical rib 58. The hook member 20 also faces the upper surface of the horizontal rib 56.

[0029] The inner portion 21 of the hook member 20 includes an inner extension portion 212 and an inner tip portion 214. The inner extension portion 212 extends upward from the inner tip portion 214 toward the side portion 46 (second side portion 462) of the unit holding member 40. The inner extension portion 212 extends downward from the inner end portion of the intermediate portion 23 toward the inside of the unit holding member 40. The inner extension portion 212 is inclined with respect to the horizontal. The inclination angle of the inner extension portion 212 is, for example, 15° to 75°. The inner extension portion 212 extends so as to be separated from the side portion 46 of the unit holding member 40 as it approaches the lower side. A first gap portion 216 is provided between the inner extension portion 212 and the side portion 46. The inner extension portion 212 extends so as to be closer to the vertical rib 58 of the pump holding member 54 as it approaches the lower side. A second gap 218 is provided between the inner extending portion 212 and the vertical rib 58. The inner extending portion 212 extends so as not to contact the side portion 46 of the unit holding member 40 and the vertical rib 58 of the pump holding member 54.

[0030] The inner tip 214 extends outward from the lower end of the inner extending portion 212 toward the side portion 46 (second side portion 462) of the unit holding member 40. The inner tip 214 contacts the upper surface of the horizontal rib 56 of the unit holding member 40. The hook member 20 engages with the horizontal rib 56. This restricts the pump unit 50 from moving up and down, and restricts the pump unit 50 from coming off the unit holding member 40. The inner tip 214 contacts the vertical rib 58 of the pump holding member 54. This restricts the pump unit 50 from rotating in the circumferential direction of the bath water pump 52.

[0031] The outer portion 22 of the hook member 20 includes an outer first extending portion 222, an outer intermediate portion 223, an outer second extending portion 224, and an outer tip portion 226. The outer first extending portion 222 extends downward from the outer end portion of the intermediate portion 23 along the side surface portion 46 (second side surface portion 462) of the unit holding member 40. The outer first extending portion 222 extends in a substantially vertical direction.

[0032] The outer intermediate portion 223 connects the first outer extending portion 222 and the second outer extending portion 224. The outer intermediate portion 223 extends outward from the lower end of the first outer extending portion 222 so as to be separated from the side surface portion 46 (second side surface portion 462) of the unit holding member 40.

[0033] The outer second extending portion 224 extends downward from the outer end of the outer intermediate portion 223 along the side surface portion 46 (second side surface portion 462) of the unit holding member 40. The outer second extending portion 224 extends in a substantially vertical direction. The outer second extending portion 224 covers the engaging protrusion 49 provided on the outer surface of the side surface portion 46 of the unit holding member 40.

[0034] The outer tip portion 226 extends inward from the lower end of the outer second extending portion 224 toward the side surface portion 46 (second side surface portion 462) of the unit holding member 40. The outer tip portion 226 engages with an engaging protrusion 49 provided on the side surface portion 46 of the unit holding member 40. The outer tip portion 226 engages with the engaging protrusion 49, thereby restricting the movement of the hook member 20.

[0035] The washing machine 2 of the embodiment has been described above. As described above, the washing machine 2 of the embodiment includes a pump unit 50 having a bath water pump 52, and a unit holding member 40 that holds the pump unit 50 and includes a receiving portion 42 that receives the pump unit 50. The washing machine 2 also includes a hook member 20 that fixes the pump unit 50 to the unit holding member 40 in a state in which the pump unit 50 is received in the receiving portion 42. The hook member 20 is a separate member from the unit holding member 40.

[0036] In the pump unit 50 of the washing machine 2, bath water may flow out from the bath water pump 52 during the process of pumping up bath water with the bath water pump 52. According to the above configuration, by fixing the pump unit 50 to the unit holding member 40 with the hook member 20, it is not necessary to provide a screw hole or the like for fixing the pump unit 50 in the receiving portion 42 of the unit holding member 40. As a result, since no extra hole is formed in the receiving portion 42, it is possible to prevent the water flowing out of the bath water pump 52 from flowing out to an unintended place other than the receiving portion 42. In addition, since no extra screw hole or the like is formed in the receiving portion 42, the configuration of the receiving portion 42 and the configuration of the mold for manufacturing the receiving portion 42 are simplified. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water flowing out of the bath water pump 52 from flowing out to an unintended place with a simple configuration.

[0037] The hook member 20 that fixes the pump unit 50 to the unit holding member 40 includes an inner tip 214 on the pump unit 50 side, and an inner extension 212 that extends from the inner tip 214 to the unit holding member 40 side. The inner tip 214 contacts the horizontal rib 56 of the pump unit 50. Meanwhile, the inner extension 212 extends so as not to contact the pump unit 50 and the unit holding member 40. With this configuration, water flowing out from the bath water pump 52 can be prevented from flowing out along the inner extension 212 to the outside of the receiving portion 42. Water flowing out from the bath water pump 52 can be prevented from flowing out along the inner extension 212 due to capillary action.

[0038] The pump unit 50 has a vertical rib 58 extending vertically. The unit holding member 40 has a cutout portion 48 provided in the side portion 46 of the receiving portion 42. The hook member 20 is disposed in the cutout portion 48 at a position opposite the vertical rib 58. With this configuration, the hook member 20 can restrict the movement of the pump unit 50 in the lateral direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper plane of Figures 6 and 7) and the rotation of the bath water pump 52 of the pump unit 50 in the circumferential direction.

[0039] The washing machine 2 is provided with a water supply path 70 that sends water flowing out from the bath water pump 52 to the receiving portion 42 of the unit holding member 40 from the receiving portion 42 into the water tub 10. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the water flowing out from the bath water pump 52 from flowing out of the water tub 10. This makes it possible to prevent the water from adhering to the electrical components and lead wires of the washing machine 2.

[0040] The water supply path 70 is connected to the receiving part 42 at a position closer to the center of the washing machine 2 than the hook member 20 in the left-right direction of the washing machine 2. With this configuration, the water flowing out from the bath water pump 52 can be easily sent from the receiving part 42 to the water tub 10.

[0041] The receiver 42 has four side surfaces 46 (a first side surface 461, a second side surface 462, a third side surface 463, and a fourth side surface 464) that surround the pump unit 50 from four directions. With this configuration, the water flowing out from the bath water pump 52 can be collected in the center of the receiver 42.

[0042] The hook member 20 is disposed forward of the rear end 82 of the front top cover 8 of the washing machine 2 in the front-rear direction of the washing machine 2. In a configuration in which a member for fixing the pump unit 50 to the unit holding member 40 is disposed forward of the rear end 82 of the front top cover 8, the fixing operation may be difficult. However, according to the above configuration, the pump unit can be easily fixed to the holding member by the hook member 20. Therefore, even if the hook member 20 is disposed forward of the rear end 82 of the front top cover 8, the fixing operation can be easily performed compared to a configuration in which the pump unit 50 is fixed to the unit holding member 40 by screwing, for example.

[0043] (Modification) In a modified example, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, a reinforcing rib 72 may be provided on the side of the water supply path 70. The rib 72 is fixed to the side of the water supply path 70 and extends from the upstream end of the water supply path 70 toward the downstream end to a point halfway along the water supply path 70. The rib 72 extends from the end of the unit holding member 40 on the receiving part 42 side toward the water tank 10 side along the water supply path 70. The rib 72 is provided at the end of the water supply path 70 on the receiving part 42 side (upstream end), but the rib 72 is not provided at the end of the water supply path 70 on the water tank 10 side (downstream end).

[0044] According to this configuration, the water supply path 70 can be reinforced by the ribs 72. This reduces vibration of the water supply path 70 and prevents water flowing through the water supply path 70 from splashing around due to vibration. On the other hand, since the ribs 72 are not provided at the downstream end of the water supply path 70, water flowing out from the downstream end of the water supply path 70 can be prevented from flowing along the ribs 72 to unintended locations.

[0045] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 2: washing machine, 4: housing, 6: door, 7: rear top cover, 8: front top cover, 10: water tank, 12: rotating tank, 15: bath water supply path, 20: hook member, 30: water injection unit, 32: water injection case, 40: unit holding member, 42: receiving portion, 48: notch portion, 49: engagement protrusion, 50: pump unit, 52: bath water pump, 54: pump holding member, 56: horizontal rib, 58: vertical rib, 60: water supply path, 64: drain path, 70: water supply path, 72: rib, 90: automatic insertion device, 200: machine room

Claims

1. A washing machine equipped with a bath water pump, A pump unit including the bath water pump; A holding member for holding the pump unit, the holding member including a receiving portion for receiving the pump unit; A washing machine comprising: a hook member that fixes the pump unit to the holding member while the pump unit is received in the receiving portion, the hook member being a separate member from the holding member.

2. The hook member further includes a tip portion on the pump unit side and an extension portion extending from the tip portion to the holding member side, the tip portion is in contact with a part of the pump unit, The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the extension portion extends so as not to come into contact with the pump unit and the holding member.

3. The pump unit includes a longitudinal rib extending in a longitudinal direction, The holding member includes a notch provided on a side surface of the receiving portion, The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hook member is disposed in the notch portion at a position opposite to the longitudinal rib.

4. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a water supply path for supplying water flowing out of the bath water pump into the receiving section from the receiving section into a water tub of the washing machine.

5. The washing machine according to claim 4 , wherein the water supply path is connected to the receiving portion at a position closer to a center of the washing machine than the hook member in the left-right direction of the washing machine.

6. Further, a rib is provided on a side surface of the water supply path to reinforce the water supply path, The washing machine according to claim 4 , wherein the rib extends from an upstream end of the water supply path toward a downstream end of the water supply path to a midpoint of the water supply path.

7. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving portion has four side portions surrounding the pump unit from four directions.

8. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hook member is disposed forward of a rear end of a top cover that covers a water tub of the washing machine in a front-rear direction of the washing machine.

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