Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of suppressing a liquid agent from being discharged from a pump discharge part, in the case where the temperature increases to the state where the operation of a pump unit is stopped.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a tank for storing a liquid agent; a pump unit for sucking the liquid agent in the tank, and for discharging it to a discharge path; and a control part for controlling the operation of the pump unit. The pump unit includes: a pump chamber in which the liquid agent in the tank flows in; a movable part whose operation is controlled by the control part, and which changes the volume of the pump chamber; a pump suction part in which the liquid agent that flows into the pump chamber passes; a pump discharge part in which the liquid agent flowing out of the pump chamber passes; a first valve for opening / closing the communication in the pump suction part; and a second valve for opening / closing the communication in the pump discharge part. The first valve communicates between the tank and the pump chamber in a state where the control part stops the operation of the movable part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to washing machines. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a laundry treatment liquid supplying means, which includes a flow path forming member that forms a flow path and a pressurized space for the laundry treatment liquid, and includes a suction valve that opens and closes an intake port of the pressurized space and a discharge valve that opens and closes an exhaust port of the pressurized space, a cylinder disposed on one side of the flow path forming member in communication with the pressurized space, and a piston disposed reciprocally inside the cylinder. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2019-501722 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a washing machine that can prevent liquid from being discharged from a pump discharge portion even when the temperature rises while the operation of the pump unit is stopped. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The washing machine of the present disclosure includes a tank for storing a liquid agent, a pump unit for sucking in the liquid agent in the tank and discharging it to a discharge path, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the pump unit. The pump unit has a pump chamber into which the liquid agent in the tank flows, a movable part whose operation is controlled by the control unit and which changes the volume of the pump chamber, a pump suction part through which the liquid agent flowing into the pump chamber passes, a pump discharge part through which the liquid agent flowing out of the pump chamber passes, a first valve for opening and closing communication at the pump suction part, and a second valve for opening and closing communication at the pump discharge part. The first valve provides communication between the tank and the pump chamber when the control unit stops the operation of the movable part. Effect of the Invention

[0006] The washing machine according to the present disclosure can prevent the liquid agent from being discharged from the pump discharge portion even when the temperature rises while the operation of the pump unit is stopped. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 3] Block diagram of a washing machine in embodiment 1 [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water supply unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a pump unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first valve of a washing machine according to a first embodiment in a closed state; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first valve of a washing machine in an open state according to a first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the washing machine in a closed state of a second valve according to the first embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the washing machine in the first embodiment in a second valve open state; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] (The knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time when the inventors came up with the idea of ​​the present disclosure, there was a technique for introducing a liquid agent such as a detergent stored in a tank into a water tank by sucking and discharging the liquid agent using a pump unit. When a volumetric pump is used as the unit, when the volumetric pump is driven, the suction side check valve provided upstream of the volumetric pump and the discharge side check valve provided downstream of the volumetric pump move, and the liquid is sucked in and discharged.

[0009] However, in a washing machine, when a heating element such as a drying device is provided near the pump unit, the temperature around the pump unit increases due to the heat generated by the heating element, causing the internal pressure of the pump unit to increase, and the discharge side check valve opens, which may cause the liquid agent to leak downstream from the discharge side check valve. Therefore, it is desirable to arrange the volumetric pump away from the heating element inside the washing machine, but if the volumetric pump is arranged away from the heating element, there is a problem that it is difficult to save space in the washing machine. Therefore, the inventors have discovered a problem of arranging the volumetric pump regardless of the location of the heating element inside the washing machine, and have come to constitute the subject of the present disclosure in order to solve the problem.

[0010] In view of the above, the present disclosure provides a washing machine that can prevent liquid from being discharged from the pump discharge portion even when the temperature rises while the operation of the pump unit is stopped.

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or duplicate description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

[0012] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In the first embodiment, a washing machine 100 that is a drum type washing machine will be described as an example of a washing machine.

[0014] [1-1. Washing machine configuration] 1 and 2, the washing machine 100 includes a housing 101. The housing 101 forms the outer shell of the washing machine 100.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, inside housing 101, a cylindrical water tub 102 with a bottom, a drum 103, and a motor 111 are provided.

[0016] The water tank 102 is provided so as to be able to store water, and is elastically supported in a vibration-proof manner by a plurality of suspensions and dampers 112 .

[0017] Drum 103 is rotatably disposed within water tub 102. A wall surface of drum 103 is provided with a plurality of water passage holes 103a that allow water to pass between the inside and outside of drum 103. In addition, a plurality of baffles 103b are provided on the inner wall surface of drum 103. When drum 103 rotates at a low speed, baffles 103b can provide an agitating action by catching and lifting clothes upward and dropping them.

[0018] Motor 111 is provided near water tub 102 and is connected to drum 103 via belt 111a. Motor 111 drives drum 103 to rotate.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 101 is provided with a cover 115 and an operation display unit 116.

[0020] Lid 115 freely opens and closes housing opening 101a for inserting and removing clothes, which is provided on the front surface of housing 101. By opening lid 115, clothes can be inserted into drum 103 through housing opening 101a.

[0021] An operation display unit 116 is provided on the upper front surface of the housing 101, and receives operating instructions such as operating courses from the user.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, within the housing 101, a water supply unit 120, a drainage unit 130, and a control device 140 are provided.

[0023] Water supply unit 120 is provided in the upper interior portion of housing 101 , and includes a water supply valve 121 , a water supply path 122 , and an automatic dosing unit 150 .

[0024] Water supply valve 121 is provided at the upper rear of housing 101, and controls the inflow of water from outside housing 101. Water supply path 122 guides the water that has flowed in through water supply valve 121 to water tub 102. Automatic dosing unit 150 will be described in detail later.

[0025] The drainage unit 130 is provided in the lower interior portion of the housing 101 , and includes a drainage path 131 and a drainage valve 132 .

[0026] Drain path 131 guides the water in water tub 102 to the outside of housing 101. Drain valve 132 is provided midway along drain path 131 and controls the outflow of water to the outside of housing 101.

[0027] 3, the control device 140 is provided inside the housing 101. The control device 140 includes a control unit 141 and a storage unit 142.

[0028] The control unit 141 controls the operation of the motor 111, the water supply valve 121, the drain valve 132, and the pump motor 163 (described later) to sequentially execute a series of processes such as washing, rinsing, and spin-drying. For example, the control unit 141 classifies the laundry weight up to 12 kg into about 10 levels based on the torque current value when the motor 111 is rotated at a constant rotation speed, and determines the amount of water to be used in the washing operation according to the laundry weight determination result. The control unit 141 also calculates the amount of detergent and fabric softener to be dispensed in the washing operation based on the laundry weight determination result.

[0029] The storage unit 142 is, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory). The storage unit stores information about the detergent type and various setting information about the washing operation.

[0030] [1-1-2. Configuration of the automatic insertion unit] As shown in FIG. 4, the automatic dispensing unit 150 includes a plurality of tanks 151, a tank receiving portion 152, a discharge path 153, a detergent case 155, and a pump unit 160.

[0031] Tank 151 is provided so as to be able to store the liquid. Tank lid 151a is provided on the upper surface of tank 151 so as to be able to open and close. By closing tank lid 151a, it is possible to prevent the liquid from drying out when the liquid is stored in tank 151. Furthermore, if tank lid 151a is made of a transparent resin material such as acrylic resin or polyethylene phthalate (PET), the user can check the remaining amount of liquid in tank 151 without opening tank lid 151a. Furthermore, by disposing tank 151 and tank lid 151a at the front of washing machine 100, it is possible to prevent the liquid from spilling when the user refills the liquid.

[0032] In this embodiment, three tanks 151 are provided, and each tank can contain a detergent liquid, a fabric softener liquid, and a neutral detergent liquid. The number of tanks 151 and the liquid contained in the tanks 151 are not limited to this. For example, by containing the same type of detergent in two tanks 151, more detergent can be contained, so that the frequency of refilling the tank 151 with liquid by the user can be reduced. For example, when different types of detergent are contained in the two tanks 151, the user can select an appropriate detergent depending on the type of clothes. The liquid contained in the tank 151 may be other types of liquid required for the washing process or the rinsing process.

[0033] Tank housing section 152 detachably houses tank 151 and detergent case 155. Housing 101 is provided with tank housing section lid 101b (FIG. 1) that covers the top of tank housing section 152 in an openable and closable manner.

[0034] The user opens the tank housing part lid 101b and the tank lid 151a provided on the tank 151, and refills the liquid into the tank 151. This allows the user to refill the liquid into the tank 151 without removing the tank 151 from the tank housing part 152. When the tank housing part lid 101b is closed with the tank lid 151a open, the tank lid 151a is also closed. This makes it possible to prevent the tank lid 151a from being left open, and to prevent the liquid contained in the tank 151 from drying out.

[0035] Discharge path 153 is a path that guides the liquid agent in tank 151, which is sucked and discharged by pump unit 160, to water tank 102. In the present embodiment, discharge path 153 branches off from water supply path 122 downstream of water supply valve 121, and after the liquid agent is discharged from pump unit 160, rejoins water supply path 122.

[0036] 2, pump unit 160 is provided behind tank accommodating portion 152, and discharges the liquid agent sucked from tank 151 to discharge path 153. Pump unit 160 is inserted into an insertion hole (not shown) provided in the lower part of the rear wall of tank accommodating portion 152, and a pump suction portion 164 (described later) of pump unit 160 is located inside tank accommodating portion 152. Tank 151 is connected to pump suction portion 164. Tank 151 can be removed from pump suction portion 164.

[0037] The liquid agent discharged into the discharge path 153 is transported to the water tank 102 by the water that has flowed into the discharge path 153 from the water supply path 122 .

[0038] 4, one pump unit 160 is provided for each tank 151. This results in a structure in which the liquids sucked from the tanks 151 are not mixed in the pump unit 160. This makes it possible to suppress problems such as clogging in the pump unit 160 due to compounds generated when different types of liquids are mixed (for example, compounds generated by a chemical reaction between an anionic liquid and a cationic liquid).

[0039] [1-1-3. Pump unit configuration] As shown in FIG. 5, the pump unit 160 includes a cylinder 161, a piston 162, a pump motor 163, a pump suction portion 164, a pump discharge portion 165, a first valve 166, and a second valve 167.

[0040] The cylinder 161 is formed in a hollow, generally cylindrical shape. The piston 162 is provided in a sealed manner against the inner wall of the cylinder 161 and is slidable within the cylinder 161. The pump motor 163 is connected to the piston 162 via a cam 163a. When the pump motor 163 is driven, the rotation of the pump motor 163 is transmitted to the piston 162 via the cam 163 a, and the piston 162 reciprocates within the cylinder 161 .

[0041] In the following description of the present embodiment, a space surrounded by the cylinder 161 and the piston 162 into which the liquid agent can flow is defined as a pump chamber 161a. The internal volume of the pump chamber 161a varies as the piston 162 moves. In other words, the pump unit 160 is a reciprocating pump that can suck in and discharge the liquid agent by the reciprocating motion of the piston 162.

[0042] The pump suction section 164 is provided between the tank 151 and the pump chamber 161a, and is a path through which the liquid flows from the tank 151 to the pump chamber 161a. The pump suction section 164 is provided with a first valve 166 that restricts the flow of the liquid from the pump chamber 161a toward the tank 151. The pump suction section 164 connects the tank 151 and the cylinder 161, and is provided in a horizontal direction.

[0043] The pump discharge section 165 is provided between the pump chamber 161a and the discharge path 153, and is a path through which the liquid flows out from the pump chamber 161a to the discharge path 153. The pump discharge section 165 is provided with a second valve 167 that restricts the flow of the liquid from the discharge path 153 toward the pump chamber 161a. Note that the pump discharge section 165 is provided below the cylinder 161, and by discharging the liquid downward, the liquid in the pump chamber 161a can be discharged without remaining in the pump discharge section 165.

[0044] In this embodiment, the pump unit 160 is configured not to allow water to flow into the pump unit 160. This can prevent malfunctions of the pump unit 160 caused by compounds generated by mixing tap water and the liquid. That is, it can prevent mineral components contained in tap water and surfactants contained in the liquid from generating water-insoluble metal soaps, which can cause clogging of the first valve 166 and the second valve 167 in the pump unit 160.

[0045] [1-1-4. Configuration of the first valve and the second valve] The structure of the first valve 166 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0046] The first valve 166 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and has a pair of inclined portions 166a extending toward the tip so as to approach each other, and an opening / closing portion 166b located at the tip of the pair of inclined portions 166a. The opening / closing portion 166b is located at the tip of the inclined portions 166a on the pump chamber 161a side, and is provided so as to be openable and closable.

[0047] The inclined portion 166a is provided in the pump suction portion 164 so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path inside the first valve 166 narrows from the tank 151 side toward the pump chamber 161a side. The first valve 166 has a structure generally called a duckbill shape. The first valve 166 is made of, for example, a silicone rubber material or a fluororubber material.

[0048] When the piston 162 operates in a direction to reduce the volume of the pump chamber 161a and the inside of the pump chamber 161a becomes a positive pressure, the liquid in the pump chamber 161a tries to flow out toward the pump suction portion 164 side and the pump discharge portion 165 side. At this time, the liquid trying to flow out toward the pump suction portion 164 side presses the upper and lower inclined portions 166a of the first valve 166, so that the opening and closing portion 166b comes into contact with and closes as shown in Fig. 6. In this case, communication between the tank 151 and the pump chamber 161a is blocked, and the liquid cannot move between the tank 151 and the pump chamber 161a.

[0049] On the other hand, the piston 162 is stopped or the piston 162 is in the pump chamber 161a When the opening / closing portion 166b operates in a direction to expand the volume thereof and the pressure inside the pump chamber 161a becomes negative, the opening / closing portion 166b opens as shown in Fig. 7. In this case, the tank 151 and the pump chamber 161a communicate with each other, and the liquid agent can move between the tank 151 and the pump chamber 161a.

[0050] Next, the structure of the second valve 167 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0051] The second valve 167 has a valve movable part 167a, an O-ring 167b that is provided on the valve movable part 167a and can abut against the pump discharge part 165, and an elastic body 167c that urges the valve movable part 167a. The second valve 167 is a so-called check valve. The elastic body 167c urges the valve movable part 167a so that the O-ring 167b abuts against the inner wall 165a of the pump discharge part 165.

[0052] When the piston 162 is stopped or when the piston 162 operates in a direction to expand the volume of the pump chamber 161a and the pressure inside the pump chamber 161a becomes negative, the O-ring 167b comes into contact with the inner wall 165a as shown in Fig. 8. In this case, communication between the pump chamber 161a and the discharge path 153 is blocked, and the liquid agent inside the pump chamber 161a is not discharged from the discharge port 165b.

[0053] On the other hand, when the piston 162 operates in a direction to reduce the volume of the pump chamber 161a and the inside of the pump chamber 161a becomes positive pressure, a gap is formed between the O-ring 167b and the inner wall 165a as shown in Fig. 9. In this case, the pump chamber 161a and the discharge path 153 communicate with each other, so that the liquid agent in the pump chamber 161a is discharged from the discharge port 165b.

[0054] [1-2. Operation and Function] The operation and function of the washing machine 100 configured as above will be described below.

[0055] [1-2-1. Washing operation] In the washing operation, the control unit 141 can execute a washing process in which clothes are soaked in washing water containing detergent and dirt is removed by rotating the drum 103, a rinsing process in which the clothes soaked in the washing water are rinsed with water, a spin-drying process in which the clothes containing water are spin-dried, and a drying process in which the clothes are dried by supplying hot air into the drum 103. It is not necessary to execute all of the above processes in the washing operation.

[0056] When performing a washing operation, the user opens lid 115 and inserts clothes into drum 103 through housing opening 101a. Next, the user closes lid 115 and operates operation display unit 116 to turn on the power switch and set various washing courses including washing, rinsing, and spin-drying, as well as operating conditions.

[0057] In the washing operation, the control unit 141 determines the amount of clothes in the drum 103, and then in the washing process, drives the pump unit 160 to put detergent liquid from the tank 151 into the water tub 102 according to the amount of clothes, and opens the water supply valve 121 to supply water in an amount according to the amount of clothes into the water tub 102. Thereafter, the control unit 141 rotates the drum 103 to agitate the clothes in the drum 103.

[0058] When the washing step is completed, the control unit 141 rotates the drum 103 to perform a spin-drying step, and then performs a rinsing step. In the rinsing step, the control unit 141 opens the water supply valve 121 to supply a predetermined amount of water into the water tub 102, and then operates the pump unit 160 to pour fabric softener liquid from the tank 151 into the water tub 102 according to the amount of laundry. When the rinsing step is completed, the spin-drying step is performed, and the washing operation ends.

[0059] In the washing step and the rinsing step, the control unit 141 controls the pump motor 163 for a predetermined time to repeatedly perform the reciprocating motion of the piston 162. In this way, a predetermined amount of the liquid agent is supplied from the tank 151 to the water tank 102 via the discharge path 153.

[0060] After the detergent liquid and the fabric softener liquid are supplied, the control unit 141 supplies water to the discharge path 153 via the water supply path 122 to wash away the detergent liquid and the fabric softener liquid in the discharge path 153.

[0061] [1-2-2. Operation when temperature rises] Hereinafter, the operation when the temperature of the pump unit 160 rises will be described.

[0062] After the pump unit 160 sucks and discharges the liquid, the liquid and a small amount of air remain in the pump chamber 161a. In this state, if the temperature of the environment in which the washing machine 100 is installed rises, or if the temperature inside the washing machine 100 rises during a drying operation, the temperature inside the pump chamber 161a rises, and the pressure inside the pump chamber 161a also rises.

[0063] In addition, the liquid agent remaining in the pump chamber 161a contains a solvent, and when the temperature of the solvent rises, the partial pressure of the solvent at thermal equilibrium, i.e., the saturated vapor pressure, rises. Therefore, when the temperature inside the pump chamber 161a rises, the saturated vapor pressure of the solvent remaining in the pump chamber 161a rises, and the evaporation of the solvent progresses, causing the partial pressure of the solvent to rise.

[0064] As described above, when the temperature of the pump chamber 161a rises, the pressure of the air remaining in the pump chamber 161a and the partial pressure of the solvent rise, so that the liquid in the pump chamber 161a tries to flow out of the pump chamber 161a. In this state, when the opening / closing part 166b of the first valve 166 is in a closed state, a force is applied to the second valve 167 by the liquid in the pump chamber 161a and the pressure in the pump chamber 161a, and a gap is generated between the O-ring 167b of the second valve 167 and the inner wall of the pump discharge part 165, so that the liquid may be discharged from the pump unit 160 at a timing not intended by the user.

[0065] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the control unit 141 is not operating the piston 162, that is, when the volume inside the pump chamber 161a is not changing, the opening / closing unit 166b of the first valve 166 is in an open state. As a result, even if the temperature inside the pump chamber 161a rises and the pressure inside the pump chamber 161a rises, the liquid agent can flow back from the pump chamber 161a to the tank 151 side through the opening / closing unit 166b of the first valve 166, so that it is possible to prevent the liquid agent from being unintentionally discharged from the pump discharge unit 165 of the pump unit 160.

[0066] The increase in pressure in the pump chamber 161a due to a temperature rise is much smaller than the increase in pressure in the pump chamber 161a due to the operation of the piston 162, and the force that the first valve 166 receives from the liquid is also much smaller. Therefore, when the pressure in the pump chamber 161a rises due to a temperature rise, the opening / closing part 166b of the first valve 166 does not close and can maintain an open state, allowing the liquid to flow back from the pump unit 160 to the tank 151 side.

[0067] [1-3. Effects] As described above, in the present embodiment, the washing machine 100 includes the tank 151 for storing the liquid agent, the pump unit 160 for sucking the liquid agent in the tank 151 and discharging it to the discharge path 153, and the control unit 141 for controlling the operation of the pump unit 160. The pump unit 160 includes a pump chamber 161a into which the liquid agent in the tank 151 flows, a piston 162 whose operation is controlled by the control unit 141 and which changes the volume of the pump chamber 161a, a pump suction section 164 through which the liquid agent flowing into the pump chamber 161a passes, a pump discharge section 165 through which the liquid agent flowing out of the pump chamber 161a passes, a first valve 166 for opening and closing communication at the pump suction section 164, and a second valve 167 for opening and closing communication at the pump discharge section 165. The first valve 166 allows communication between the tank 151 and the pump chamber 161a when the control unit 141 stops the operation of the piston 162.

[0068] This allows the liquid agent to flow back from the pump unit 160 to the tank 151 while the operation of the piston 162 is stopped. Therefore, even if the temperature rises while the operation of the piston 162 is stopped, the liquid agent can be prevented from being discharged from the pump discharge portion 165.

[0069] As in this embodiment, the first valve 166 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, is located at the tip of the first valve 166, and has an opening / closing portion 166b that is arranged to be openable and closable, and a pair of inclined portions 166a that are arranged close to the opening / closing portion 166b, and the opening / closing portion 166b may be open when the control unit 141 stops the operation of the piston 162.

[0070] This makes it possible to make the first valve 166 have a simple structure and still allow the liquid agent to flow back from the pump unit 160 to the tank 151 while the operation of the piston 162 is stopped.

[0071] As in this embodiment, the opening / closing portion 166b may be closed when the control portion 141 operates the movable portion so as to reduce the volume of the pump chamber 161a.

[0072] As a result, when the liquid agent in the pump chamber 161a is discharged, the opening / closing part 166b is in a closed state, so that it is possible to prevent the liquid agent from flowing back from the pump unit 160 to the tank 151 side, and also to put the pump chamber 161a in a positive pressure state. Therefore, when the liquid agent in the pump chamber 161a is discharged, an accurate amount of the liquid agent can be discharged.

[0073] As in this embodiment, the pump suction portion 164 may connect the tank 151 and the pump chamber 161a in the horizontal direction.

[0074] This makes it easier for the liquid to flow from the tank 151 into the pump chamber 161a when the piston 162 is operating, and even when the temperature of the pump unit 160 rises when the piston 162 stops operating, causing the liquid to flow back from the pump unit 160 to the tank 151, the backflow of the liquid is not impeded.

[0075] (Other embodiments) As described above, the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made.

[0076] Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0077] In the first embodiment, the washing machine 100 configured as a drum washing machine has been described as an example of a washing machine, but the washing machine is not limited to this. The washing machine may be a vertical washing machine, a vertical washing and drying machine, a drum washing and drying machine, or a twin-tub washing machine.

[0078] In the first embodiment, the pump unit 160 having the piston 162 as a movable part has been described as an example of the pump unit, but the pump unit 160 is not limited to this as long as it is a volumetric pump. The pump unit 160 may be a bellows pump.

[0079] In the first embodiment, a pump unit provided in a washing machine 100 is used as an example of a pump unit. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the pump unit may be used in a washing machine, a washer / dryer, a dishwasher, or a dishwasher / dryer.

[0080] (Additional Note) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0081] The washing machine in a first aspect includes a tank for storing a liquid agent, a pump unit for sucking in the liquid agent in the tank and discharging it to a discharge path, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the pump unit. The pump unit has a pump chamber into which the liquid agent in the tank flows, a movable part whose operation is controlled by the control unit and which changes the volume of the pump chamber, a pump suction part through which the liquid agent flowing into the pump chamber passes, a pump discharge part through which the liquid agent flowing out of the pump chamber passes, a first valve for opening and closing communication at the pump suction part, and a second valve for opening and closing communication at the pump discharge part. The first valve provides communication between the tank and the pump chamber when the control unit stops the operation of the movable part.

[0082] As a washing machine in a second aspect, in the washing machine in the first aspect, the first valve is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and the first valve is located at a tip of the first valve, and has an opening and closing part that is openable and closable, and a pair of inclined parts that are provided so as to be close to the opening and closing part, The opening / closing unit is in an open state when the control unit stops the operation of the movable unit.

[0083] As the washing machine in a third aspect, in the washing machine in the first or second aspect, the opening and closing part is brought into a closed state when the control part operates the movable part so as to reduce the volume of the pump chamber.

[0084] As a washing machine according to a fourth aspect, in the washing machine according to the first to third aspects, the pump suction portion connects the tank and the pump chamber in the horizontal direction. [Industrial Applicability]

[0085] The present disclosure is applicable to washing machines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 100 Washing Machine 101 Case 101a Housing opening 101b Tank storage compartment lid 102 Aquarium 103 Drums 103a Water hole 103b Baffle 111 Motor 111a Belt 112 Damper 115 Lid 116 Operation display section 120 Water Supply Unit 121 Water supply valve 122 Water supply route 130 Drainage unit 131 Drainage route 132 Drain valve 140 Control device 141 Control Unit 142 Storage section 150 Automatic Insertion Unit 151 Tank 151a Tank lid 152 Tank housing 153 Discharge route 155 Detergent Case 160 Pump Unit 161 Cylinder 161a Pump Room 162 Piston (moving part) 163 Pump motor 163a Cam 164 Pump suction section 165 Pump discharge section 165a Interior wall 165b Discharge port 166 First Valve 166a Slope 166b Opening and closing section 167 Second Valve 167a Valve moving part 167b O-ring 167c Elastic body

Claims

1. A tank for storing a liquid agent; a pump unit that sucks the liquid agent in the tank and discharges it to a discharge path; A control unit for controlling an operation of the pump unit; Equipped with The pump unit includes: a pump chamber into which the liquid agent in the tank flows; a movable part whose operation is controlled by the control part and which changes the volume of the pump chamber; a pump suction portion through which the liquid agent flows into the pump chamber; a pump discharge portion through which the liquid agent flowing out from the pump chamber passes; a first valve for opening and closing communication at the pump suction portion; a second valve for opening and closing communication at the pump discharge portion; having The first valve communicates between the tank and the pump chamber when the control unit stops the operation of the movable unit. washing machine.

2. The first valve is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, The first valve comprises: an opening / closing part located at a tip of the first valve and configured to be openable and closable; A pair of inclined portions provided close to the opening / closing portion; having The opening / closing unit is open when the control unit stops the operation of the movable unit. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The opening and closing unit closes when the control unit operates the movable unit so as to reduce the volume of the pump chamber. The washing machine according to claim 2.

4. The pump suction section horizontally connects the tank and the pump chamber. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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