Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which suppresses a tank lid not being correctly mounted on a tank body.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a liquid agent tank for storing a liquid agent; and a tank storage part for storing the liquid agent tank. The liquid agent tank includes: a tank body which has an upper surface opening in which an upper surface is opened, and which is formed in a substantially box shape; a tank lid provided detachably with respect to the tank body, and for covering the upper surface opening of the tank body; a decorative plate for covering at least part of the front surface of the tank body; a protrusion part protruding frontward from the tank lid; and an opening part which is provided opened backward on the decorative plate, and in which the protrusion part is inserted. At the protrusion part, a first inclined surface is provided inclining downward as it goes backward from a tip part of the protrusion part, and in a state where the tank lid is mounted on the tank body, the first inclined surface overlaps an upper end part of the opening part in a top view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine equipped with a liquid agent tank for storing a liquid. This washing machine includes a liquid agent tank housing portion that houses the liquid agent tank and connects to an automatic liquid agent dispenser, and the liquid agent tank is configured to be detachable from the automatic liquid agent dispenser and is provided so that the liquid agent tank can be pulled out from the liquid agent tank housing portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-59341 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a washing machine that prevents a tank lid from being improperly attached to a tank body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The washing machine of the present disclosure includes a liquid agent tank for storing a liquid agent, and a tank storage section for storing the liquid agent tank. The liquid agent tank has a tank body formed in a generally box shape with an upper opening that is open at the top, a tank lid that is detachably attached to the tank body and covers the upper opening of the tank body, a decorative panel that covers at least a portion of the front surface of the tank body, a protrusion that protrudes forward from the tank lid, and an opening that is opened rearward in the decorative panel and into which the protrusion is inserted. The protrusion is provided with a first inclined surface that slopes downward from the tip of the protrusion toward the rear, and when the tank lid is attached to the tank body, the first inclined surface overlaps the upper end of the opening in a top view. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The washing machine according to the present disclosure can prevent the tank lid from being attached to the tank body incorrectly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] Schematic cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water supply unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rear side of a water supply unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of the washing machine according to the first embodiment, with the liquid agent tank pulled out from the water supply unit; [Figure 6] Schematic cross-sectional view of a water supply unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid agent tank of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a state in which a tank lid is removed from a tank body of a liquid agent tank of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the liquid agent tank of the washing machine according to the first embodiment, with the tank lid removed from the tank body; [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a state in which a tank lid is attached to a tank body of a liquid agent tank of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to the first embodiment in a state where the tank lid is not properly attached to the tank body of the liquid agent tank; [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the water supply unit of the washing machine according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which the liquid agent tank is housed in the tank housing portion with the tank lid not properly attached to the tank body; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time when the inventors arrived at the present disclosure, there was a washing machine that included a liquid agent tank including a main body with an open top for storing a liquid agent and a lid that covers the opening of the tank main body from above, and a liquid agent tank accommodation section that accommodates the liquid agent tank, and the liquid agent tank is provided so as to be able to be pulled out forward from the liquid agent tank accommodation section. In this washing machine, with the lid attached to the main body, the liquid agent tank is accommodated in the liquid agent tank accommodation section by pushing the liquid agent tank from the front to the rear into the liquid agent tank accommodation section.

[0009] In such a washing machine, if the lid is pushed into the liquid tank housing without being properly attached to the main body, the lid will interfere with the top surface of the liquid tank housing. In such a case, a gap may be formed between the lid and the main body inside the liquid tank housing, causing the liquid to spill through the gap. Furthermore, when removing the liquid tank from the liquid tank housing, the lid may interfere with the top surface of the liquid tank housing, making it impossible to remove the liquid tank or requiring excessive force to remove it.

[0010] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a washing machine that can prevent the tank lid from being attached incorrectly to the tank body.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0012] [1-1.Configuration] [1-1-1. Washing machine configuration] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, washing machine 100 includes housing 101, outer tub 102 (FIG. 2), washing tub 103, motor 104 (FIG. 2), water supply unit 120, and a control unit (not shown).

[0013] Housing 101 is a member that forms the exterior of washing machine 100, and includes upper frame 101a and lower frame 101b located below upper frame 101a.

[0014] The outer tub 102 and the washing tub 103 are housed in the lower frame 101b. The outer tub 102 is provided so as to be able to store water. The washing tub 103 is provided so as to be able to rotate within the outer tub 102. The peripheral wall of the washing tub 103 is provided with a water passage hole 103a which connects the inside and outside of the washing tub 103 and allows water to pass through. A pulsator 107 is provided so as to be able to rotate below the washing tub 103.

[0015] The motor 104 is provided in the lower frame 101b. The motor 104 is controlled by the control unit to rotate the washing tub 103 and / or the pulsator 107.

[0016] The upper frame 101a is provided with a clothes insertion opening 105 for inserting clothes into the washing tub 103. The upper frame 101a is also provided with a lid 106 for opening and closing the clothes insertion opening 105.

[0017] The water supply unit 120 is provided on the upper frame 101a. The detailed structure of the water supply unit 120 will be described later.

[0018] [1-1-2. Water supply unit configuration] 3 and 4, water supply unit 120 includes a tank housing section 121, a water supply valve 122, a water supply path 123 (FIG. 4), and an automatic liquid agent dispenser 124. Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, tank housing section 121 houses a manual dispenser case 125 that accommodates a single dose of detergent and fabric softener, and a liquid agent tank 130 that can store multiple doses of liquid agent.

[0019] Water supply valve 122 is attached to the rear of tank housing 121. Water supply valve 122 is configured as an openable and closable electromagnetic valve, and when water supply valve 122 is opened, water is introduced into tank housing 121 from outside washing machine 100. Water supply path 123 is provided inside and behind tank housing 121. Water introduced from water supply valve 122 passes through water supply path 123 and falls into washing tub 103.

[0020] The automatic liquid agent supply device 124 is attached to the rear of the tank accommodating section 121. The automatic liquid agent supply device 124 is connected to the liquid agent tank 130, and discharges the liquid agent in the liquid agent tank 130 into the water supply path 123.

[0021] Manual dispensing case 125 is accommodated in a removable manner in tank accommodating section 121. The detergent and fabric softener in manual dispensing case 125 fall into washing tub 103 when water flows into manual dispensing case 125 from water supply path 123.

[0022] The liquid agent tank 130 includes a first tank 130a, a second tank 130b, and a third tank 130c. Although the width dimensions of the first tank 130a, the second tank 130b, and the third tank 130c are different, they have substantially the same configuration, and therefore will be hereinafter similarly described as the liquid agent tank 130.

[0023] The liquid agent tank 130 is accommodated in the tank accommodation portion 121 so as to be able to be pulled out. The liquid agent tank 130 is removed from the tank accommodation portion 121 by being pulled out forward, and is accommodated in the tank accommodation portion 121 by being pushed rearward. As shown in FIG. 6 , the liquid agent tank 130 is accommodated in the tank accommodation portion 121 by being pushed rearward relative to the tank accommodation portion 121. With the liquid agent tank 130 accommodated in the tank accommodation portion 121, the liquid agent tank 130 is connected to the automatic liquid agent dispensing device 124.

[0024] [1-1-3. Fluid tank configuration] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the liquid agent tank 130 includes a tank body 131 and a tank lid 135.

[0025] The tank body 131 is formed in a substantially box shape and is provided so as to be able to store a liquid agent. The tank body 131 has an upper surface opening 131a on the upper surface, and the upper surface opening 131a is detachably covered with a tank lid 135.

[0026] A decorative plate 132 is attached to the front surface of the tank body 131. The decorative plate 132 is made of resin or the like. A front opening 132a is provided in the decorative plate 132, and the front surface of the tank body 131 is exposed through the front opening 132a. The tank body 131 is configured to be transparent so that the interior can be seen, and the user can see the remaining amount of liquid inside the tank body 131 through the front opening 132a.

[0027] Tank lid 135 is provided with liquid agent inlet 135a that connects the inside and outside of liquid agent tank 130 when tank lid 135 is attached to tank body 131. With part of liquid agent tank 130 pulled out from tank accommodating section 121, the user can pour the liquid agent into liquid agent tank 130 through liquid agent inlet 135a.

[0028] [1-1-4. Fluid tank mounting structure] 9, tank lid 135 has a protruding portion 136 that protrudes forward from the front portion of tank lid 135, a wall portion 137 that extends downward from tank lid 135, and a bulging portion 138 that bulges upward from the entire upper surface of tank lid 135. Protruding portion 136 includes a first inclined surface 136a, a second inclined surface 136b, and a tip portion 136c formed at the tip of protruding portion 136.

[0029] The first inclined surface 136a forms the front lower surface of the protrusion 136, and is provided so as to slope downward from the tip 136c of the protrusion 136 toward the rear. In other words, the first inclined surface 136a is provided so as to slope upward from the lower surface of the protrusion 136 toward the tip 136c of the protrusion 136.

[0030] The second inclined surface 136b forms the front upper surface of the protrusion 136, and is provided so as to slope upward from the tip 136c of the protrusion 136 toward the rear. In other words, the second inclined surface 136b is provided so as to slope downward from the upper surface of the protrusion 136 toward the tip 136c of the protrusion 136.

[0031] 10, when the tank lid 135 is attached to the tank body 131, the protrusion 136 is inserted into an opening 133 that opens rearward at the top of the decorative panel 132, and the wall portion 137 faces the inner peripheral surface 131b of the tank body 131. At this time, a hook portion 139 (FIG. 6) provided at the rear of the tank lid 135 is hooked onto a hook receiving portion 131c (FIG. 6) provided on the outer surface of the rear of the tank body 131, whereby the tank lid 135 is fixed to the tank body 131.

[0032] 10, when the protruding portion 136 is inserted into the opening 133, the tip end 136c is located forward of the opening 133. When the tank lid 135 is attached to the tank body 131, the first inclined surface 136a overlaps with the opening upper end 133a of the opening 133 in a top view. Furthermore, when the tip end 136c of the protruding portion 136 is inserted into the opening 133 and the hooking portion 139 is hooked on the hooked portion 131c, the second inclined surface 136b is located forward of the opening upper end 133a of the opening 133.

[0033] [1-2. Operation] The operation and function of the first embodiment will be described below.

[0034] As described above, in order to properly attach the tank lid 135 to the tank body 131, the hooking portion 139 needs to be hooked on the hooked portion 131c with the tip 136c of the protruding portion 136 inserted into the opening 133. However, as shown in FIG. 11 , there is a risk that the user will not properly insert the tip 136c of the protruding portion 136 into the opening 133, and the hooking portion 139 will be hooked on the hooked portion 131c with the tip 136c positioned above the opening 133. If the liquid agent tank 130 is housed in the tank housing portion 121 in this state, as shown in FIG. 12 , there is a risk that the hooking portion 139 will interfere with the inner upper surface 121a of the tank housing portion 121, making it difficult to pull out the liquid agent tank 130 from the tank housing portion 121.

[0035] In this embodiment, when the tip 136c of the protruding portion 136 is positioned above the opening 133 and the hook portion 139 is hooked on the hooked portion 131c, the first inclined surface 136a is positioned above the opening upper end 133a of the opening 133. In other words, when the tank lid 135 is When attached to tank body 131 and viewed from above, first inclined surface 136a overlaps with upper opening edge 133a of opening 133. In this state, when force is applied from above to the front of the top surface of tank lid 135, first inclined surface 136a moves downward while bending the upper part of decorative panel 132, and tip 136c of protrusion 136 can be inserted into opening 133 as shown in FIG.

[0036] At this time, in addition to the first inclined surface 136a that inclines downward from the tip 136c, the protrusion 136 is provided with a second inclined surface 136b that inclines upward from the tip 136c above the first inclined surface 136a, so that the vertical length of the tip 136c can be shortened and the position of the tip 136c of the protrusion 136 can be set lower. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of vertical movement required to press down the front part of the upper surface of the tank lid 135 from above and insert the tip 136c of the protrusion 136 into the opening 133.

[0037] 11, when the user pushes the liquid agent tank 130 into the tank housing portion 121 with the tip portion 136c positioned above the opening 133, the inner upper surface 121a of the tank housing portion 121 interferes with the bulging portion 138 and pushes the tank lid 135 downward. As a result, even when the user accidentally pushes the liquid agent tank 130 into the tank housing portion 121 with the tip portion 136c positioned above the opening 133, the first inclined surface 136a moves downward, and the tip portion 136c of the protrusion 136 can be inserted into the opening 133 within the tank housing portion 121.

[0038] The bulging portion 138 is provided at the front of the upper surface of the tank lid 135. As a result, the length in the front-to-rear direction of the portion where the bulging portion 138 abuts against the inner upper surface 121a of the tank housing portion 121 is shorter than when the bulging portion 138 is provided up to the rear of the tank lid 135. When the liquid agent tank 130 is pushed into the tank housing portion 121, the upper surface of the liquid agent tank 130 and the inner upper surface 121a of the tank housing portion 121 are initially separated from each other, and when the liquid agent tank 130 is pushed up to the bulging portion 138 of the liquid agent tank 130, the bulging portion 138 interferes with the inner upper surface 121a of the tank housing portion 121. Furthermore, when the liquid agent tank 130 is pulled out from the tank housing portion 121, initially the bulging portion 138 interferes with the inner upper surface 121a of the tank housing portion 121, but after the liquid agent tank 130 is pulled out up to the bulging portion 138, the upper surface of the liquid agent tank 130 and the inner upper surface 121a of the tank housing portion 121 are separated from each other. This improves operability when pushing the liquid agent tank 130 into the tank housing portion 121 and when pulling out the liquid agent tank 130 from the tank housing portion 121.

[0039] Furthermore, when the tank lid 135 is properly attached to the tank body 131 within the tank storage section 121, the second inclined surface 136b is located forward of the upper opening end 133a of the opening 133, so that even if the tank lid 135 attempts to move upward due to vibrations that occur during operation, the protrusion 136 will not deviate from the opening 133, preventing the tank lid 135 from coming off.

[0040] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, washing machine 100 in the present embodiment includes liquid agent tank 130 that stores a liquid agent, and tank storage section 121 that stores liquid agent tank 130. Liquid agent tank 130 has top opening 131a that is open at the top, and includes tank body 131 formed in a substantially box shape, tank lid 135 that is detachably provided to tank body 131 and covers top opening 131a of tank body 131, decorative panel 132 provided on the front surface of tank body 131, protrusion 136 that protrudes forward from tank lid 135, and opening 133 that is opened rearward and is provided in decorative panel 132, and into which protrusion 136 is inserted. Protrusion 136 is provided with first inclined surface 136a that inclines downward from tip end 136c of protrusion 136 toward the rear, and When the lid 135 is attached to the tank body 131, the first inclined surface 136a overlaps with the upper opening end 133a of the opening 133 in a top view.

[0041] As a result, when a force is applied from above the tank lid 135, the first inclined surface 136a moves downward along the opening upper end 133a of the opening 133, and the tip 136c of the protrusion 136 is inserted into the opening 133. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the tank lid 135 from being incorrectly attached to the tank body 131.

[0042] As in this embodiment, the protruding portion 136 may be provided with a second inclined surface 136b above the first inclined surface 136a, which inclines upward from the tip end 136c of the protruding portion 136 toward the rear.

[0043] This allows the vertical length of tip 136c to be shortened, while positioning tip 136c lower on protrusion 136. Therefore, the amount of vertical movement required to press down the top surface of tank lid 135 from above and insert tip 136c of protrusion 136 into opening 133 can be reduced, and tank lid 135 can be prevented from being improperly attached to tank body 131.

[0044] As in this embodiment, when the tank lid 135 is attached to the tank body 131, the second inclined surface 136b may be located forward of the upper opening end 133a of the opening 133 in a top view.

[0045] This makes it possible to prevent the tip 136c of the protrusion 136 from coming off the opening 133, even when the tank lid 135 attempts to move upward due to vibrations that occur during operation, etc. Therefore, the tank lid 135 can be prevented from coming off the tank body 131.

[0046] As in this embodiment, a bulging portion 138 that bulges upward from the tank lid 135 is provided at the front of the tank lid 135, and when the liquid agent tank 130 is housed in the tank housing portion 121, the bulging portion 138 may abut against the tank housing portion 121.

[0047] As a result, even if the user accidentally pushes the liquid tank 130 into the tank storage section 121 with the tip 136c positioned above the opening 133, the first inclined surface 136a moves downward, and the tip 136c of the protrusion 136 can be inserted into the opening 133 within the tank storage section 121.

[0048] (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 also be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made.

[0049] Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0050] In embodiment 1, the inner upper surface 121a of the tank accommodating section 121 is described as an example of the inner upper surface of the tank accommodating section, but this is not limited to this, and the inner upper surface of the tank accommodating section may be formed from a single member or may be formed by combining multiple members.

[0051] In the first embodiment, as an example of a washing machine, washing machine 100, which is a vertical washing machine having a clothes inlet 105 provided in the upper frame 101a, is described, but this is not limited to this, and the washing machine may be a drum washing machine or a two-tub washing machine. [Industrial Applicability]

[0052] The present disclosure is applicable to washing machines equipped with a liquid agent tank. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 100 washing machines 101 Case 101a Upper frame 101b Lower frame 102 Outer tank 103 Washing machine tub 103a Water hole 104 Motor 105 Clothes slot 106 Lid 107 Pulsator 120 Water Supply Unit 121 Tank housing section 121a Inner top surface (inner top surface) 122 Water supply valve 123 Water Supply Route 124 Automatic liquid dispenser 125 Manual Input Case 130 Fluid Tank 130a First Tank 130b Second Tank 130c 3rd Tank 131 Tank body 131a Top opening 131b Inner surface 131c Hang part 132 Decorative Panel 132a Front opening 133 Opening 133a Opening top end 135 Tank Lid 135a Liquid inlet 136 Protrusion 136a First inclined surface 136b Second inclined surface 136c Tip 137 Wall 138 bulge 139 Hanging Department

Claims

1. The liquid agent dispenser includes a liquid agent tank that accommodates a liquid agent, and a tank accommodation portion that accommodates the liquid agent tank, The liquid agent tank includes: A tank body having an upper surface opening and formed in a substantially box shape; a tank lid that is detachably attached to the tank body and covers the top opening of the tank body; a decorative panel provided on the front surface of the tank body; a protrusion protruding forward from the tank lid; an opening provided in the decorative plate so as to open rearward and into which the protrusion is inserted; and The protruding portion is provided with a first inclined surface that inclines downward from the tip end of the protruding portion toward the rear, When the tank lid is attached to the tank body, the first inclined surface overlaps with an upper end of the opening in a top view.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the protruding portion is provided with a second inclined surface above the first inclined surface, the second inclined surface inclining upward from the tip of the protruding portion toward the rear.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the second inclined surface is located forward of an upper end of the opening in a top view when the tank lid is attached to the tank body.

4. A bulging portion that bulges upward from the tank lid is provided at the front portion of the tank lid, The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the bulging portion abuts against an inner upper surface of the tank housing portion when the liquid agent tank is housed in the tank housing portion.

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