Vertical washing machine

Abstract

To provide a vertical washing machine having a twofold top cover without losing maintenance property for the top cover.SOLUTION: A vertical washing machine has an enclosure 2 and a top cover 10 capable of opening and closing the enclosure 2. The top cover 10 is longitudinally divided into two parts, a rear part 20 and a front part 30. The top cover comprises: the rear part 20 having a flat top face; the front part 30 having a flat top face; a hinge to connect the rear part 20 and the front part 30 so as to be folded in two; and a grip part 40 disposed at least on a portion of a front end of the front part 30. The grip part 40 has a flat top face, a rotary axis extending in right-left direction on a rear side of the top face of the grip part 40, and a grip 44 disposed at a rear end behind the rotary axis on the rear side of the top face of the grip part 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a top load washing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] There are two types of top lids for vertical washing machines: a single-piece type and a bi-fold type (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] The one-piece top cover is made up of a single part that is continuous in the front-to-rear direction. A known configuration of the one-piece top cover is that a handle is provided on the underside of the front end portion for a user to place their hand on to push up the top cover.

[0004] The bi-fold type top cover is configured by dividing the top cover into two parts, a rear part and a front part, connected by a hinge. In order to facilitate folding the top cover in half when opening it, a handle is provided on the top surface of the front part near the hinge, and a recess is provided on the top surface of the front part near the handle for a user to place their hand on the handle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-202439 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-089458 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the case of a single-piece lid, since the handle is not disposed on the top surface of the lid, the top surface of the lid is flat, and it is easy to clean the top surface of the lid from dirt, etc. On the other hand, since the single-piece lid does not fold in half when opening, it is necessary to secure a relatively large space above the washing machine in order to open the lid.

[0007] In the case of a bi-fold type top cover, since it is folded in half when opening, the space above the washing machine for opening the top cover can be made relatively small. On the other hand, in the case of a bi-fold type top cover, since the handle and the recess are located on the top surface of the top cover, it is difficult to adequately clean these parts, and the ease of cleaning the top surface of the top cover is impaired.

[0008] The present disclosure aims to provide a vertical washing machine equipped with a bi-fold type top lid that does not impair the ease of cleaning the top lid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) A vertical washing machine according to the present disclosure is a vertical washing machine including a housing and a top cover that can be opened and closed relative to the housing, the top cover being divided into two parts in the front-rear direction, a rear part and a front part, the rear part having a flat upper surface and the front part having a flat upper surface, a hinge that connects the rear part and the front part so that the rear part can be folded in half, and a handle part disposed on at least a part of a front end part of the front part. The handle part has a flat upper surface, a pivot shaft extending in the left-right direction on the back side of the top surface of the handle part, and a handle disposed on the back side of the top surface of the handle part at the rear end part rearward of the pivot shaft.

[0010] According to the vertical washing machine of the present disclosure, when the top lid is closed, the handle disposed at the rear end of the handle portion can be hidden and the top surface of the handle portion can be made flat. As a result, the top surfaces of the rear portion, the front portion, and the handle portion are flat, so that the top surface of the top lid is easy to clean.

[0011] On the other hand, when opening the top cover, the handle portion can be rotated about the pivot shaft to expose the handle on the rear end face of the handle portion. This allows the rear and front portions to be folded in half at the hinge by placing one's hand on the handle and lifting it up, just like a conventional bi-fold top cover with a handle and a recess on the top face.

[0012] Specifically, the user can open the top lid by placing the four fingers other than the thumb on the handle of the handle portion, placing the thumb on the top surface of the handle portion, lifting up the front and rear portions, and pushing the front portion rearward, thereby folding the rear and front portions in half at the hinge.

[0013] (2) In the vertical washing machine described in (1), in a pre-rotation state before the handle portion rotates about the pivot shaft, the upper surface of the handle portion is flat along the upper surface of the front portion, and the handle at the rear end of the handle portion is hidden, and in response to a force applied from above and below to the handle portion forward of the pivot shaft, the handle portion rotates about the pivot shaft, and the handle at the rear end of the handle portion becomes exposed, and the handle portion may further have a spring member for returning the handle portion to the pre-rotation state.

[0014] This configuration allows the handle portion to return to its natural position.

[0015] (3) In the vertical washing machine according to (1) or (2), at least a portion of at least one of the rear portion and the front portion may be made of a transparent material.

[0016] According to this configuration, the state of the laundry inside the washing tub can be safely checked during the washing operation without opening the top lid. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present disclosure, in a vertical washing machine equipped with a bi-fold type top lid, ease of maintenance of the top lid is not compromised. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the top-loading washing machine according to the embodiment of the present disclosure from the right side. [Diagram 2]2 is a perspective view showing the top lid of the vertical washing machine shown in FIG. 1 in a closed state, from above, front and right. [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view showing a top lid of the vertical washing machine shown in FIG. 1 in an open state, from above, front and right. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the housing shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 3 is a perspective view showing the upper cover shown in FIG. 2 from the back side. [Figure 6] 6 is a perspective view showing a rear portion of the top cover shown in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 6 is a perspective view showing a front portion of the upper cover shown in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 8] 6 is a perspective view showing a handle portion of the upper cover shown in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 9] 3 is a perspective view of the top cover shown in FIG. 2, showing the top cover from above, the back and the right side with the handle of the handle portion exposed. FIG. [Figure 10] 1A to 1C are side views showing the opening and closing operations of a top lid of a vertical washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1A to 1C are side views showing the opening and closing operations of a top lid of a vertical washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 1A to 1C are side views showing the opening and closing operations of a top lid of a vertical washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a vertical washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from the right side, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the top lid of the vertical washing machine shown in FIG. 1 in a closed state from the top, front and right sides, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the top lid of the vertical washing machine shown in FIG. 1 in an open state from the top, front and right sides. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the housing shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the top lid shown in FIG. 2 from the back side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the rear part of the top lid shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the front part of the top lid shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the handle part of the top lid shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the top lid shown in FIG. 2 in a state where the handle part of the handle is exposed from the top, back and right sides. In addition, in Figs. 1 to 9, the upper, lower, right side, left side, right side, front side and rear side of the vertical washing machine are referred to as the upper, lower, right side, left side, right side, front side and rear side.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, the vertical washing machine 1 includes a housing 2 with an opening formed on the upper side, and a top lid 10 disposed at the upper opening of the housing 2. The top lid 10 can be opened and closed relative to the housing 2 by rotating upward relative to the housing 2. The top lid 10 is a bi-fold type top lid that can be folded in half in the front-rear direction when opened.

[0022] 2 to 9, the top cover 10 is divided in the front-rear direction into a rear portion 20 and a front portion 30. The top cover 10 also includes a handle portion 40, a first hinge 51, a second hinge 52, and a third hinge 53.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, the top cover 10 has a flat upper surface when closed. This makes it easy to clean the top surface of the top cover 10. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 3, the top cover 10 is folded in half when opened. This makes it possible to make the space above the washing machine for opening the top cover relatively small.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rear portion 20 has a flat plate member 22, a frame 24, and connecting portions 26R and 26F.

[0025] The flat plate member 22 is disposed on the upper surface of the rear portion 20. As a result, the upper surface of the rear portion 20 is flat. The flat plate member 22 may be made of a non-transparent material, or may be made of a transparent material. Examples of non-transparent materials include resin, etc. Examples of transparent materials include glass, etc.

[0026] Frame 24 is disposed around flat plate member 22 on the rear side of flat plate member 22. Examples of materials for frame 24 include resin. When flat plate member 22 is made of a transparent material, the inside of washing machine 1 can be seen from the inner region of frame 24 even when top lid 10 is closed. This allows the state of laundry in the washing tub to be safely checked during washing operation without opening top lid 10.

[0027] A connecting portion 26R is disposed at the rear end of the frame 24. The connecting portion 26R is rotatably connected to a connecting portion 2R (FIG. 4) of the housing 2. The connecting portion 26R at the rear end of the rear portion 20 and the connecting portion 2R of the housing 2 form a first hinge 51. As a result, the top cover 10 rotates at the first hinge 51 to open and close.

[0028] A connecting portion 26F is disposed at the front end portion of the frame 24. The connecting portion 26F is connected to a connecting portion 36R at the rear end portion of the front portion 30, which will be described later.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the front portion 30 has a flat plate member 32, a frame 34, and connecting portions 36R and 36F.

[0030] The flat plate member 32 is disposed on the upper surface of the front portion 30. As a result, the upper surface of the front portion 30 is flat. The flat plate member 32 may be made of a non-transparent material, or may be made of a transparent material. Examples of non-transparent materials include resin, etc. Examples of transparent materials include glass, etc.

[0031] Frame 34 is disposed around flat plate member 32 on the rear side of flat plate member 32. Examples of materials for frame 34 include resin. When flat plate member 32 is made of a transparent material, the inside of washing machine 1 can be seen through the inner region of frame 34 even when top lid 10 is closed. This allows the state of laundry in the washing tub to be safely checked during washing operation without opening top lid 10.

[0032] A connecting portion 36R is disposed at the rear end of the frame 34. The connecting portion 36R is rotatably connected to a connecting portion 26F at the front end of the rear portion 20. The connecting portion 36R at the rear end of the front portion 30 and the connecting portion 26F at the front end of the rear portion 20 form a second hinge 52. This allows the upper cover 10 to be folded in half at the second hinge 52, with the rear portion 20 and the front portion 30 being folded in half.

[0033] A connecting portion 36F is disposed at the front end portion of the frame 34. The connecting portion 36F is connected to a connecting portion 46 of the handle portion 40, which will be described later.

[0034] 5 and 8, the handle portion 40 is disposed at the front end portion of the front portion 30. The handle portion 40 has a flat plate member 42, a handle 44, a connecting portion 46, and a spring member 48.

[0035] The flat plate member 42 has a flat upper surface, so that the rear portion 20, the front portion 30 and the handle portion 40, i.e., the top cover, all have flat upper surfaces.

[0036] A connecting portion 46 is disposed on the rear side of the flat plate member 42. The connecting portion 46 is rotatably connected to the connecting portion 36F at the front end of the front portion 30. The connecting portion 46 of the handle portion 40 and the connecting portion 36F at the front end of the front portion 30 form a third hinge 53. As a result, the handle portion 40 has a rotation shaft 47 that extends in the left-right direction along the connecting portion 46 and the connecting portion 36F of the third hinge 53. The handle portion 40 is rotatable forward along the rotation shaft 47.

[0037] A handle 44 is disposed on the rear side of the flat plate member 42 at the rear end portion rearward of the connecting portion 46, i.e., the pivot shaft 47. The handle 44 is configured such that a space is formed below the flat plate member 42 where the user can place his / her hand.

[0038] In a pre-rotation state before the handle portion 40 rotates about the pivot axis 47, for example when the top cover 10 is closed and open, the upper surface of the handle portion 40 is flat along the upper surface of the front portion 30, and the handle 44 at the rear end of the handle portion 40 is hidden.

[0039] On the other hand, in response to a downward force applied to the front side of the pivot shaft of the handle portion 40, the handle portion 40 pivots forward about the pivot shaft 47, and the handle 44 at the rear end of the handle portion 40 becomes exposed, as shown in Fig. 9. This allows the user to place his or her hand on the handle 44 and open the top lid 10.

[0040] The spring member 48 is disposed in the connecting portion 46. The spring member 48 acts to return the handle portion 40 to the state before the rotation.

[0041] Next, opening and closing operations of the top lid 10 of the vertical washing machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 12. Fig. 10 to Fig. 12 are side views showing opening and closing operations of the top lid of the vertical washing machine according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] First, as shown in Fig. 10, when the top cover 10 is closed and the handle portion 40 is in a pre-rotation state before it rotates, the user pushes the front side of the handle portion 40 downward. Then, as shown in Fig. 11, in response to a downward force applied to the front side of the rotation shaft 47 of the handle portion 40, the handle portion 40 rotates forward about the rotation shaft 47, and the handle 44 at the rear end of the handle portion 40 is exposed.

[0043] Next, as shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12(a), the user places his / her hand on the handle 44 and lifts it up. Specifically, the user places the four fingers other than the thumb on the handle 44 and places the thumb on the upper surface of the handle portion 40. By holding the handle 44 in this manner, the user can lift the front portion 30 and the rear portion 20 and push the front portion 30 rearward, as shown in Fig. 12(b) and (c). This allows the top lid 10 to be opened by folding the rear portion 20 and the front portion 30 in half at the second hinge 52.

[0044] 12(d), when the top cover 10 is in the open state, the user releases the handle 44. Then, the spring member 48 causes the handle portion 40 to return to the state before the rotation. That is, the upper surface of the handle portion 40 is flat along the upper surface of the front portion 30, and the handle 44 at the rear end of the handle portion 40 is hidden.

[0045] As described above, according to the vertical washing machine 1 of this embodiment, when the top lid 10 is closed, the handle 44 arranged at the rear end of the handle portion 40 is hidden, and the top surface of the handle portion 40 can be made flat. As a result, the top surfaces of the rear portion 20, the front portion 30, and the handle portion 40 are all flat, so that the ease of cleaning the top surface of the top lid 10 is not impaired.

[0046] On the other hand, when opening the top cover 10, the handle portion 40 can be rotated about the rotation shaft 47 to expose the handle 44 on the rear end surface of the handle portion 40. As a result, the rear portion 20 and the front portion 30 can be folded in half at the second hinge 52 by placing a hand on the handle 44 and lifting it up, just like a conventional bi-fold type top cover having a handle and a recess on the top surface.

[0047] Specifically, the user can open the top cover 10 by placing the four fingers other than the thumb on the handle 44 of the handle portion 40, placing the thumb on the top surface of the handle portion 40, lifting up the front portion 30 and the rear portion 20, and pushing the front portion 30 rearward, thereby folding the rear portion 20 and the front portion 30 in half at the second hinge 52.

[0048] Although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various changes and modifications are possible. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a form in which the handle portion 40 is disposed over the entire front end portion of the front part 30 in the left-right direction is exemplified. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the handle portion 40 may be disposed in at least a part of the front end portion of the front part 30, for example, in the center of the front end portion of the front part 30 in the left-right direction.

[0049] In the above embodiment, it has been described that both the rear portion 20 and the front portion 30 may be made of a transparent material. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and at least a part of at least one of the rear portion 20 and the front portion 30 may be made of a transparent material. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Top-loading washing machine 2. Chassis 2R connection part 10 Top lid 20 Rear part 22 Flat plate members 24 Frames 26R,26F connection part 30 Front part 32 Flat plate members 34 Frames 36R,36F connection part 40 Handle part 42 Flat plate members 44 Toride 46 Connecting part 47 Rotating shaft 48 Spring material 51 First hinge 51 52 Second hinge 52 53 3rd hinge

Claims

1. A vertical washing machine having a housing and a top cover that can be opened and closed relative to the housing, The upper cover is a rear portion and a front portion divided into two in a front-rear direction, the rear portion having a flat upper surface and the front portion having a flat upper surface; a hinge that connects the rear portion and the front portion so as to be foldable in two; a handle portion disposed on at least a portion of a front end of the front portion; Equipped with The handle portion is It has a flat upper surface, A rotation shaft extending in the left-right direction is provided on the back side of the upper surface of the handle portion, A handle is provided on the rear end of the handle portion at a rear side of the pivot shaft. Vertical washing machine.

2. In a pre-rotation state before the handle portion rotates about the rotation shaft, an upper surface of the handle portion is flat along an upper surface of the front portion, and the handle at the rear end portion of the handle portion is hidden; In response to a downward force applied to the handle portion on a front side of the pivot shaft, the handle portion pivots about the pivot shaft, and the handle at the rear end of the handle portion is exposed; The handle portion further includes a spring member for returning the handle portion to the pre-rotation state.

2. The top load washing machine according to claim 1.

3. 3. The vertical washing machine according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of at least one of the rear portion and the front portion is made of a transparent material.

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