Clothing treatment device

Abstract

To provide a clothing treatment device capable of opening / closing an opening / closing lid with a small force.SOLUTION: A clothing treatment device includes: a body having a body opening; an opening / closing lid for closing the body opening in an openable / closable manner; a connection part for connecting the opening / closing lid to the body, and for supporting the opening / closing lid in a rotatable manner; and an engagement unit provided in the body, and for bringing the opening / closing lid into a closed state being engaged with the opening / closing lid. The engagement unit includes an engagement part provided in the body, and constituted in a rotatable manner. The opening / closing lid includes: a handle member; a part to be engaged constituted so as to be engaged by the rotation operation of the engagement part; and a pushing protrusion constituted so as to protrude to the rear side of the opening / closing lid by the opening operation of the handle member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clothing treatment device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a clothing processing device that includes a housing with an opening through which clothing is put in and taken out, and a door body that opens and closes the opening, the door body having a hinge structure, a locking mechanism, and a lid opening operation part that is attached to a circular support frame, the lid opening operation part having a handle part and a pivot shaft, and configured to be adjacent to the top of the locking mechanism and release the locking mechanism via a connecting part, the handle part being formed in an asymmetric position in the width direction of the lid opening operation part, towards the top of the housing in the height direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-051039 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a clothing processing device whose opening and closing lid can be opened and closed with little force. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The clothing processing device of the present disclosure comprises a main body having a main body opening, an opening / closing lid that can be opened and closed freely to close the main body opening, a connecting portion that connects the opening / closing lid to the main body and supports the opening / closing lid so that it can be rotated freely, and an engagement unit that is provided on the main body and engages with the opening / closing lid to bring the opening / closing lid into a closed state, the engagement unit comprising an engagement portion that is provided on the main body and configured to be rotatable freely, and the opening / closing lid comprising a handle member, an engaged portion that is configured to be engageable by the rotational movement of the engagement portion, and a push protrusion that is configured to protrude to the back side of the opening / closing lid by the opening movement of the handle member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The clothing treatment device of the present disclosure has an opening / closing lid that can be easily opened. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the opening / closing lid of the washing machine according to the first embodiment is open; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an opening / closing cover according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Enlarged view of the handle and decorative panel in Figure 3 [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a rear view of the opening / closing cover with the back plate member and decorative plate removed according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the opening / closing cover from the rear side with the back plate member and decorative plate removed according to the first embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handle member according to the first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an engaging member portion according to the first embodiment; [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism according to the first embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors came up with the idea for this disclosure, there were washing machines in which the lid-opening operation part had a handle and a pivot shaft, and was configured to be adjacent to the top of the locking mechanism and release the locking mechanism via a connecting part, and the handle was formed in an asymmetrical position, higher in the height direction of the housing in the width direction of the lid-opening operation part. However, conventional washing machines are designed with the premise that a generally L-shaped engaging member provided on the cover rotates and engages with a hole provided on the main body.

[0009] Meanwhile, washing machines in which the engaging member on the lid does not rotate are also known. In these washing machines, an approximately L-shaped protrusion formed within the locking mechanism on the main body rotates and engages with a hole at the tip of the engaging member fixed to the lid, and the lid is held in place by elastic force. However, in washing machines in which the engaging member on the lid does not rotate, the user must place their hand on the lid and apply a force that is strong enough to resist the elastic force of the locking mechanism and exceed the elastic force, thereby disengaging the locking member from the engaging member and opening the lid. In other words, the inventors discovered a problem in washing machines in which the engaging member on the lid does not rotate, in that the user must exert a large amount of force to open the lid. In order to solve this problem, they have come to constitute the subject matter of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a clothing processing device whose opening and closing lid can be opened and closed with little force.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in some cases, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. 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.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, an example in which the laundry processing device is applied to a washing machine will be described. [1-1.Configuration] [1-1-1. Overall configuration of the washing machine] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the washing machine according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the washing machine according to embodiment 1 with the opening / closing cover open.

[0012] The washing machine 1 of the first embodiment is a so-called drum type washing machine equipped with a drying function. As shown in Fig. 1, washing machine 1 includes main body 10. Main body 10 is generally box-shaped and includes front panel 10a, side panels 10b, and rear panel 10c. Rear panel 10c is attached to front panel 10a and side panels 10b, which are generally U-shaped, from the rear side, and fastened to them laterally, i.e., from the rear side, with fastening members (not shown). An upper cover 11 is attached to the upper surface of the main body 10. The upper cover 11 is fastened to the main body 10 by fastening members (not shown). A substantially circular opening 12 is formed in the front of the main body 10, and an openable / closable lid 20 that closes the opening 12 is provided on the front of the main body 10 so as to be able to be opened and closed.

[0013] 2, a washing tub 14 (inner tub) is rotatably housed inside the main body 10. The washing tub 14 is a substantially cylindrical member that houses laundry such as clothes.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a filter lid 15 for performing maintenance of the filter is detachably attached to one side of the top surface of the top cover 11. A detergent lid 16 for dispensing detergent, fabric softener, bleach, etc. is attached to the other side of the top surface of the top cover 11 so as to be able to be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of side handles 17 for moving the washing machine 1 are provided on the side of the main body 10.

[0015] [1-1-2. Configuration of the opening and closing cover] Next, the configuration of the opening / closing cover 20 will be described. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the opening / closing lid in embodiment 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the handle member and decorative panel portion of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a rear view of the opening / closing lid in embodiment 1 with the back plate member and decorative panel removed. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the opening / closing lid in embodiment 1 with the back plate member and decorative panel removed, viewed from the rear side. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the handle member portion in embodiment 1. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the engagement member portion in embodiment 1. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism portion in embodiment 1.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the opening / closing cover 20 is made up of a cover member 21, a window cover 40, a window glass 41, and a back plate member . 3, 5, and 6, the lid member 21 includes an annular portion 22 formed in a substantially annular shape, and a cylindrical portion 23 extending rearward from the inner edge of the annular portion 22. The lid member 21 has a central opening 27 at the rear end of the cylindrical portion 23, and is communicated with the front and rear via the cylindrical portion 23. A substantially rectangular handle opening 24 is formed at the upper right of the cylindrical portion 23 when viewed from the front.

[0017] A handle member 30 is provided in the handle opening 24 of the cover member 21. As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 7, the handle member 30 is formed in a generally arc shape along the tubular portion 23. A decorative plate 31 having a generally similar outline to the handle member 30 is attached to the rear side of the handle member 30. The decorative plate 31 is formed in a rectangular frame shape that bulges out toward the rear. The decorative plate 31 is attached integrally to the rear side of the handle member 30, and a gap is formed between the handle member 30 and the decorative plate 31 to allow the user to operate the handle member 30. A handle support portion 25 that protrudes rearward is formed on the rear side of the cover member 21. The handle support portion 25 is formed near the outer periphery of the rear surface of the annular portion 22, and is provided in two locations near both edges in the circumferential direction of the handle opening 24. Each handle support portion 25 has a substantially U-shaped support opening 26 formed therein. Note that the support openings 26 may be formed in the shape of a hole. Support protrusions 32 that are inserted into the support holes 26 are provided on both ends of the handle member 30. The handle member 30 is configured to be able to swing freely around the support protrusions 32 as an axis.

[0018] An operating member 33 is formed to protrude from one end side (the lower side in FIG. 5) of the handle member 30. A lid auxiliary member 34 is attached so as to be able to swing freely to the back surface of the annular portion 22. One end of the lid auxiliary member 34 is inserted into the front side of the operating member 33 of the handle member 30, and the other end of the lid auxiliary member 34 is formed with a pushing projection 35 that projects rearward. As shown in Figure 9, a biasing spring 36 is provided between the lid auxiliary member 34 and the annular portion 22, and the biasing force of the biasing spring 36 is configured to hold the handle member 30 in its initial position via the lid auxiliary member 34. As shown in Figure 7, the user of the washing machine 1 can insert his or her hand into the back side of the handle member 30 through the handle opening 24 and swing the handle member 30, thereby swinging the lid auxiliary member 34 via the operating member 33 against the biasing force of the biasing spring 36. An engaged member 37 as an engaged portion is attached below the lid auxiliary member 34. The engaged member 37 is formed in the shape of a square frame with an opening in the center.

[0019] A window cover 40 is disposed on the rear side of the lid member 21. The window cover 40 is a transparent member that is substantially disc-shaped and covers the central opening 27. A window glass 41 made of a transparent material is arranged on the rear side of the window cover 40, and the window glass 41 has a bulging portion 43 in the center that bulges rearward. A back plate member 42 is disposed on the rear side of the window cover 40. The back plate member 42 is an annular member, and a glass receiving opening 44 for receiving a bulging portion 43 of the window glass 41 is formed in the center. Central opening 27, window cover 40, glass receiving opening 44, and window glass 41 form a window that allows the inside of washing tub 14 to be seen when opening / closing lid 20 is closed. 8, a recess 45 recessed toward the front side is formed at a position of the back plate member 42 corresponding to the pushing protrusion 35 and the engaged member 37. An opening 46 for exposing the pushing protrusion 35 and an opening 47 for exposing the engaged member 37 are formed in the recess 45.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 9, a protrusion 50 that fits into the recess 45 of the back plate member 42 is formed on the front side of the main body 10 at a position corresponding to the engaged member 37. An engagement unit 51 is housed inside the protrusion 50. The engagement unit 51 has a casing 52, and an engagement member 53 serving as an engagement portion that engages with the engaged member 37 is housed inside the casing 52. In Figure 9, the engagement member 53 is attached so as to be able to swing freely around its upper end. An engagement groove 54 for receiving the tip of the engaged member 37 is formed below the engaging member 53 . The engaging member 53 is configured to be able to be held in an accepting position for the engaged member 37 (see Figure 9) and an releasing position for the engaged member 37 (a position where the engaging member 53 is swung to the left in the figure) by the elastic force of an elastic member not shown.

[0021] [1-2. Operation] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. First, when the opening / closing lid 20 is closed, as shown in Figure 9, the engaged member 37 is engaged with the engaging member 53 of the engaging unit 51, and the elastic force of the engaging member 53 holds the opening / closing lid 20 in the closed state via the engaged member 37. At this time, when the opening / closing cover 20 is in the closed state, the pushing projection 35 is positioned at a position with a small gap from the front surface of the convex portion 50 .

[0022] When opening the opening / closing cover 20, the user moves the handle member 30 toward themselves through the handle opening 24. This causes the handle member 30 to swing around the support protrusion 32 as an axis. The pivoting movement of the handle member 30 causes the operating member 33 to move one end of the lid auxiliary member 34 forward against the biasing force of the biasing spring 36, thereby pivoting the lid auxiliary member 34. This pivoting of the lid auxiliary member 34 causes the pushing projection 35 to protrude from the back plate member 42 due to the principle of leverage.

[0023] When the pushing protrusion 35 projects from the back plate member 42 and pushes the front surface of the convex portion 50, the reaction force exerts a force on the opening / closing cover 20 in the forward direction, i.e., in the opening direction of the opening / closing cover 20. By applying this force in the opening direction, it becomes possible to open the opening / closing cover 20 with less force. At this time, since the push protrusion 35 is positioned between the handle and the engaged member 37 and in the vicinity of the engaged member 37, the force generated by the protruding action of the push protrusion 35 acts in the vicinity of the engagement unit 51, thereby efficiently applying a force to disengage the engagement unit 51.

[0024] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the washing machine 1 of embodiment 1 comprises a main body 10 with an opening formed at the front, and an opening / closing lid 20 that is rotatably attached by a connecting part provided on the main body 10 and that closes the opening so that it can be opened and closed freely.The opening / closing lid 20 comprises a handle member 30 that opens and closes the opening / closing lid 20 by operating it in the forward and backward directions, an engaged member 37 that is provided on the opening / closing lid 20 and engages with an engaging unit 51 provided on the main body 10, and a push protrusion 35 that protrudes rearward from the opening / closing lid 20 when the handle member 30 is operated to open it. As a result, when opening the opening / closing lid 20, the push projection 35 presses the main body 10 by operating the handle member 30, applying a disengagement force and reducing the force required to open the opening / closing lid 20. This allows the user to open the opening / closing lid 20 easily.

[0025] In addition, in washing machine 1 of embodiment 1, pushing protrusion 35 is disposed between handle member 30 and engaged member 37, in the vicinity of engaged member 37. As a result, the force generated by the protruding movement of the pushing projection 35 acts on the vicinity of the engaging unit 51, and a force for releasing the engagement can be efficiently applied to the engaging unit 51.

[0026] In addition, in the washing machine 1 of embodiment 1, the surface of the main body 10 and the surface of the opening / closing lid 20 are formed on approximately the same plane, and a cylindrical portion 23 is formed that is recessed rearward and inward from the outer shape of the opening / closing lid 20, and the handle member 30 is arranged on the cylindrical portion 23. As a result, the surface of the opening / closing lid 20 and the surface of the opening / closing lid 20 of the main body 10 are substantially flush with each other, and by arranging the handle member 30 in the cylindrical portion 23, the surface of the main body 10 can be made smooth and the handle member 30 can be arranged in an inconspicuous position. This makes it possible to obtain a washing machine with excellent design.

[0027] In addition, the washing machine 1 of embodiment 1 is provided with a lid auxiliary member 34 that swings in response to the opening and closing movement of the handle member 30, and one end side of the lid auxiliary member 34 is located on the front side of the handle member 30, and a push protrusion 35 is provided on the other end side of the lid auxiliary member 34. As a result, by swinging the lid auxiliary member 34 through the opening operation of the handle member 30, the push protrusion 35 can be protruded using the principle of leverage, and the push protrusion 35 can be efficiently protruded in conjunction with the operation of the handle member 30.

[0028] (Other embodiments) Note that 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. For example, in the first embodiment, an example in which the present disclosure is applied to a washing machine as a clothing treatment device has been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the present disclosure can also be applied to a clothing dryer or the like as a clothing treatment device.

[0029] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0030] (Technology 1) A clothing processing device comprising: a main body having a main body opening; an opening / closing lid that can be opened and closed freely to close the main body opening; a connecting part that connects the opening / closing lid to the main body and supports the opening / closing lid so that it can be rotated freely; and an engagement unit that is provided on the main body and engages with the opening / closing lid to bring the opening / closing lid into a closed state, wherein the engagement unit comprises an engagement part that is provided on the main body and configured to be rotatable; and the opening / closing lid comprises a handle member, an engaged part that can be engaged by the rotational movement of the engagement part, and a push protrusion that can protrude to the back side of the opening / closing lid by the opening movement of the handle member. With this configuration, when opening the cover, the handle member is operated so that the pushing protrusion presses the main body, applying a disengaging force and reducing the force required to open the cover, allowing the user to open the cover easily.

[0031] (Technology 2) The clothing processing device according to Technology 1, wherein the pushing protrusion is disposed between the handle member and the engaged portion and in the vicinity of the engaged portion. With this configuration, the force generated by the protruding movement of the pushing protrusion acts on the vicinity of the engaging unit, so that a force for releasing the engagement can be efficiently applied to the engaging unit.

[0032] (Technology 3) A clothing processing device according to Technology 1 or Technology 2, in which a cylindrical portion recessed rearward is formed inside the outer shape of the opening / closing lid, and the handle member is arranged on the cylindrical portion. With this configuration, the surface of the lid and the surface of the main body are roughly flush with each other, and the handle is located on the cylindrical portion, which allows the surface of the main body to be smooth and the handle to be located in an inconspicuous position, resulting in a clothing disposal device with excellent design.

[0033] (Technology 4) A clothing processing device described in any one of Technology 1 to Technology 3, which is provided with a lid auxiliary member that swings when the handle member is opened, one end side of the lid auxiliary member being located on the front side of the handle member, and the pushing protrusion being provided on the other end side of the lid auxiliary member. With this configuration, the opening operation of the handle member causes the lid auxiliary member to swing, which allows the push protrusion to protrude using the principle of leverage, and the push protrusion can be efficiently protruded in conjunction with the operation of the handle member. [Industrial Applicability]

[0034] As described above, the present disclosure can be suitably used as a clothing disposal device that can open and close the opening / closing lid with little force. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 washing machine 10 Main Unit 10a Front plate 10b Side plate 10c back plate 10 Side plate 11 Top cover 12 aperture 14 Washing machine 15 Filter lid 16 Detergent Lid 17 Side handle 20 Opening and Closing Lid 21 Cover member 22 Annular part 23 Cylindrical part 24 Handle opening 25 Handle support 26 Support hole 30 Handle parts 31 Decorative Panel 32 Support protrusion 33 Operating member 34 Lid support member 35 Push-motion protrusion 36 bias spring 37 Engaged member 40 Window Coverings 41 Window Glass 42 Back plate material 43 Bulge 44 Aperture 45 recess 46 Aperture 47 Aperture 50 convex part 51 Engagement unit 52 Casing 53 Engagement member 54 Engagement groove

Claims

1. a body having a body opening; an opening / closing cover that can be freely opened and closed to close the main body opening; a connecting portion that connects the opening / closing cover to the main body and supports the opening / closing cover so that it can rotate freely; an engagement unit provided on the main body and engaging with the opening / closing cover to place the opening / closing cover in a closed state, The engagement unit includes an engagement portion that is provided on the main body and configured to be rotatable, The opening and closing lid is The device is provided with a handle member, an engaged portion configured to be engageable by a rotational movement of the engaging portion, and a push projection configured to be protruded to the back side of the opening / closing cover by an opening movement of the handle member. Clothes treatment device.

2. The pushing protrusion is disposed between the handle member and the engaged portion and in the vicinity of the engaged portion. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

3. A cylindrical portion recessed rearward is formed inside the outer shape of the opening / closing lid, The handle member is disposed on the cylindrical portion. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

4. A lid auxiliary member is provided which swings in response to the opening operation of the handle member, One end side of the lid auxiliary member is located on the front side surface of the handle member, and the pushing protrusion is provided on the other end side of the lid auxiliary member. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

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