Washing cap

Abstract

To provide a washing cap capable of being easily attached to and detached from a washing tank.SOLUTION: A washing cap has a lateral surface facing an inner peripheral surface of a washing tank. The lateral surface has engaging claws capable of engaging with an engaged part formed on the inner peripheral surface of the washing tank.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a laundry cap. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In some washing machines, a washing cap is used to prevent laundry from jumping out of the washing tub (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-253384 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A washing cap is required to be easily attached to and detached from a washing machine.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a wash cap that is easily attached and detached from a washing machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The washing cap of the present disclosure has a side surface that contacts the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub. The side surface has an engagement claw that can engage with an engagement portion formed on the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the washing cap in the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the washing cap of FIG. 1 is attached to the washing tub. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the washing cap of FIG. 1 is attached to the washing tub. FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a washing cap in a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the washing cap of FIG. 4 is attached to the washing tub. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an engagement claw in a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an engagement claw in a fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the washing cap having the engaging claws of FIG. 7 is attached to the washing tub. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a washing cap having an engagement claw according to a modification of the fourth embodiment is attached to a washing tub. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a washing cap 10 in one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the washing cap 10 attached to a washing tub. Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the washing cap 10 attached to a washing tub. Note that the washing cap 10 can be used in both vertical washing machines and drum washing machines, but in the following description, the up-down direction is defined assuming the use in a vertical washing machine (attached to a vertical washing machine).

[0009] In this disclosure, the term "washing machine" refers to a general device that performs various processes such as washing on the laundry. The washing machine processes the laundry, for example, washing, drying, deodorizing, and sterilizing. The laundry is not particularly limited. The laundry is, for example, a cloth product. Specific examples of the laundry include clothing such as clothes, hats, and gloves, belongings such as shoes, bags, handkerchiefs, and towels, bedding such as curtains, blankets, towel blankets, and futon covers, carpets, stuffed toys, and the like.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, washing cap 10 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and has bottom portion 11 and side portion 12. Side portion 12 is a portion that faces the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub. Side portion 12 may be, for example, cylindrical with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub, and may be in partial or total contact with the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub. Side portion 12 is connected to bottom portion 11. Bottom portion 11 is supported by side portion 12. In this embodiment, side portion 12 is provided in an annular shape.

[0011] The bottom surface portion 11 is a portion that holds down the laundry to prevent it from jumping out of the washing tub. The bottom surface portion 11 of this embodiment may have a plurality of beams 111 that extend radially from the center in the circumferential direction. The beams 111 may also be in the form of blades that incline in the same direction along the circumferential direction. For example, when the washing machine has a drying function and is configured to blow hot air into the washing tub from above, if the beams 111 are in the form of blades as described above, the washing cap 10 rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the washing tub during the drying process, and the airflow generated by the rotation can draw the hot air into the washing tub.

[0012] When the washing cap 10 is attached to the washing tub, the side surface 12 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub. The side surface 12 has at least one engaging claw 121. Specifically, in this embodiment, the side surface 12 has a plurality of engaging claws 121. The plurality of engaging claws 121 are provided at equal intervals from each other along the circumferential direction. The number of engaging claws 121 that the side surface 12 has is not particularly limited, and may be one, two, four or more, but is preferably three. This is because when three engaging claws 121 are provided, the user can easily remove the washing cap 10 by operating two of the engaging claws 121 with both hands to release the remaining engaging claw 121.

[0013] The engaging claws 121 can engage with an engaged portion formed on the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub. At least one of the engaging claws 121 engages with the engaged portion formed on the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub, thereby fixing the washing cap 10 to the washing tub. The engaged portion can be formed of an uneven portion such as a step, a recess, or a protrusion. In this embodiment, an example in which the engaged portion is formed by a step 21 will be described.

[0014] The engaging claw 121 has a protrusion 1212 that can engage with the engaged portion, and a biasing portion that biases the protrusion 1212 toward the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub. In this embodiment, an example in which the biasing portion is configured by a leaf spring 1211 will be described. However, in the present invention, the biasing portion is not particularly limited as long as it can bias the protrusion.

[0015] Although engagement claw 121 is provided at at least one location on side surface portion 12, in order to stably fix washing cap 10, it is preferable that engagement claw 121 be provided at multiple locations (four locations in FIG. 1) along the circumferential direction of side surface portion 12. Furthermore, when engagement claws 121 are provided at multiple locations, they are preferably arranged at equal angular intervals along the circumferential direction.

[0016] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in this embodiment, washing cap 10 is attached to balancer 20, which is a part of the washing tub. Balancer 20 has step 21 with which engagement claw 121 can engage due to the manufacturing process, and is therefore suitable as a mounting location for washing cap 10. Also, since balancer 20 is disposed at the top of the washing tub, by mounting washing cap 10 to balancer 20, sufficient space for storing laundry can be secured below washing cap 10. However, washing cap 10 can be mounted at any location on the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub as long as there is a step with which engagement claw 121 can engage, and the mounting location of washing cap 10 is not limited to balancer 20.

[0017] Washing cap 10 can be easily attached to the washing tub (here, balancer 20) by placing washing cap 10 over the washing tub from above and pushing it in until engagement claws 121 (more specifically, protrusions 1212) engage with the engaged portion (here, step 21) in the washing tub. Fixing washing cap 10 to the washing tub in this way prevents washing cap 10 from moving or rubbing against the washing tub due to the wash water flow or pulsator behavior. As a result, washing cap 10 can be prevented from coming off the washing tub during washing, and wear of washing cap 10 caused by rubbing against the washing tub can be prevented.

[0018] Second Embodiment When removing washing cap 10 from the washing tub, the tip portion of engagement claw 121 is pulled inward to release the engagement with step 21, and washing cap 10 is lifted up. Engagement claw 121 may have a structure that makes it easier to attach and detach, that is, to engage and release the engagement. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of washing cap 10A in this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state in which washing cap 10A is attached to the washing tub.

[0019] 4 and 5, washing cap 10A of the present embodiment is configured such that engagement claws 121A are substituted for engagement claws 121 in the first embodiment. Also, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which engagement claws 121A are formed in three locations.

[0020] In plan view, engagement claw 121A has a protrusion extending radially inward from leaf spring 1211 constituting the plate-shaped portion. The protrusion may be, for example, plate-shaped. In this embodiment, this protrusion constitutes operation unit 1213. Operation unit 1213 is provided protruding toward the inner periphery of washing cap 10A near the tip (lower end side) of engagement claw 121A. Engagement claw 121A is, for example, plate-shaped with a thickness direction aligned with the up-down direction, and is shaped so that a user can easily pinch and pull it. When removing washing cap 10A from the washing tub, a user can easily disengage engagement claw 121 by pinching operation unit 1213 and pulling it in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5.

[0021] Washing cap 10A is also easily removed from the washing tub because engagement claws 121A are formed in three locations. For example, when engagement claws 121 are provided in four locations as in washing cap 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2, a user can easily use both hands to disengage two opposing engagement claws 121 (e.g., engagement claws 121 arranged on both sides in the left-right direction in Figure 2). However, in this case, the remaining two engagement claws 121 that are not disengaged (e.g., engagement claws 121 arranged on both sides in the up-down direction in Figure 2) are also in opposing positions, making it difficult to remove washing cap 10 from the washing tub even if it is lifted up.

[0022] In contrast, with washing cap 10A, which has engagement claws 121A provided at three locations, when two engagement claws 121A are disengaged, only one engagement claw 121A remains to be disengaged, so washing cap 10A can be easily lifted up and removed from the washing tub.

[0023] Third Embodiment 6 is a perspective view of engagement claw 121B which is another modified example of engagement claw 121. In engagement claw 121B, an opening 1214 and a rib 1215 are provided in operating portion 1213. Opening 1214 is formed so as to penetrate a main surface of operating portion 1213 in the up-down direction. Rib 1215 is formed so as to protrude upward from the tip (inner circumference side) of operating portion 1213.

[0024] When removing washing cap 10 having engaging claw 121B from the washing tub, the user can hook his / her fingertip on opening 1214 or rib 1215 and pull operation part 1213. This makes it easier to disengage engaging claw 121B, and makes it easier to remove washing cap 10 from the washing tub. In the example of engaging claw 121B in FIG. 6, both opening 1214 and rib 1215 are provided on operation part 1213, but only one of them may be provided.

[0025] [Fourth embodiment] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of engagement claw 121C, which is yet another modified example of engagement claw 121. Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which washing cap 10 having engagement claw 121C is attached to a washing tub. In engagement claw 121C, the shape of operation part 1213 is different from that in the second and third embodiments. Specifically, operation part 1213 in engagement claw 121C is provided so as to protrude toward the inner periphery of washing cap 10A near the lower end of engagement claw 121C and then extend further upward.

[0026] When removing washing cap 10 having engaging claw 121C from the washing tub, the user can disengage by hooking a fingertip on the tip (upper end side) of operating part 1213 and pulling operating part 1213 in the direction of arrow B. Alternatively, disengagement can be achieved by pushing the tip (upper end side) of operating part 1213 in the direction of arrow C. Thus, the user can disengage engaging claw 121C by an operation method that is easy for the user to perform.

[0027] 9, operating portion 1213 of engagement claw 121C may have a curved shape near the lower end of engagement claw 121C. Also, a rib 1216 that protrudes toward the inner circumference of washing cap 10 may be provided at the tip (upper end side) of operating portion 1213. When rib 1216 is provided at the tip of operating portion 1213, it becomes easier to apply force when operating portion 1213 is pressed in the direction of arrow C by engaging fingertips on rib 1216.

[0028] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but should be determined based on the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 10 Washing Cap 12 Side part 121 Engagement claw 1211 Leaf spring 1212 Protrusion 1213 Operation section 20. Balancer 21 Steps

Claims

1. A side surface portion facing an inner peripheral surface of the washing tub is provided, The side portion has an engaging claw that can engage with an engaged portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub.

2. 2. The washing cap of claim 1, The engaging claw has a protruding portion that can engage with the engaged portion, and a biasing portion that biases the protruding portion toward the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub.

3. 3. The washing cap of claim 2, The biasing portion is configured by a plate-shaped portion having elastic force, The washing cap, in a plan view, the engagement claw further has a protrusion extending radially inward from the plate-shaped portion.

4. A washing cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A washing cap, wherein the engaging claws are provided in a plurality along the circumferential direction of the side portion.

5. 5. The washing cap of claim 4, The washing cap is provided with three of the engaging claws.

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