Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine that allows a lid lock device to be fixed to a front plate.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes a housing having a body opening, an opening / closing lid for openably / closably closing the body opening, a lid lock device disposed on the housing, and capable of locking the opening / closing lid in a closed state, and a fixing member fixed to the front plate of the housing. The lid lock device is fixed to the fixing member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a washing machine that includes a housing that forms the outer shell of the washing machine, a tub provided inside the housing, a housing opening formed on the front of the housing for inserting laundry, a lid configured to be openable and closable relative to the housing opening, and a lid locking device disposed on the front and configured to be able to lock the lid when the lid is closed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-047664 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a washing machine that can have a lid locking device attached to the front panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The washing machine of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a main body opening, an opening / closing lid that can be freely opened and closed to close the main body opening, a lid locking device provided on the housing and configured to lock the opening / closing lid when the opening / closing lid is closed, and a mounting member attached to the front panel of the housing, and the lid locking device is attached to the mounting member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The washing machine of the present disclosure can have a lid locking device attached to the front panel. [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 a front panel of a washing machine according to a first embodiment is removed; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a housing of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a front panel according to the first embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a front panel according to the first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mounting member and a lid locking device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a mounting member and a lid locking device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the mounting member is attached to the front panel in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view of line CC in Figure 5 [Figure 10] Cross section along line AA in Figure 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) In conventional washing machines, the lid locking device is fixed directly to the front panel of the housing. However, the inventors discovered a problem in that when a large lid locking device is used as the lid locking device, it is difficult to perform drawing processes on the front panel of the housing, and it is extremely difficult to fix the lid locking device directly to the front panel.In order to solve this problem, they came up with the subject matter of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a washing machine in which a lid locking device can be attached to the front panel.

[0009] 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.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, an example in which the present invention 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 a washing machine according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an opening / closing cover of the washing machine according to embodiment 1 is open. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a housing of the washing machine according to embodiment 1.

[0011] The washing machine 1 of the first embodiment is a so-called drum type washing machine equipped with a drying function. 1 to 3, washing machine 1 includes a housing 10. Housing 10 is formed into a substantially box shape by a front panel 11, side panels 12, and a back panel 13. The rear panel 13 is attached to the front panel 11 and the side panel 12, which are configured in a substantially U-shape, from the rear side, and is fastened from the rear side by fastening members (not shown). A front panel 14 is attached to the surface of the front plate 11.

[0012] A top cover 15 is attached to the top surface of the housing 10. The top cover 15 is fastened to the housing 10 from the top side by fastening members (not shown). A substantially circular main body opening 16 is formed in the front face of the housing 10, and an openable / closable lid 20 that closes the main body opening 16 is provided so as to be freely opened and closed. The opening / closing cover 20 has a hinge mechanism 21 attached to one side of the opening / closing cover 20. The hinge mechanism 21 is made up of an upper hinge mechanism 22 and a lower hinge mechanism 23. The upper hinge mechanism 22 and the lower hinge mechanism 23 are fixed to one side of the main body opening 16 in the front panel 11. As a result, the opening / closing cover 20 is configured to be able to be opened and closed freely relative to the front panel 11 by the upper hinge mechanism 22 and the lower hinge mechanism 23 . An engagement hook 24 for locking the opening / closing cover 20 is attached to the other rear surface of the opening / closing cover 20 .

[0013] 2 and 3, a lid locking device 30 is attached to the other side of the main body opening 16 on the front panel 11. Details of the lid locking device 30 will be described later.

[0014] 2, washing tub 17 (inner tub) is rotatably housed inside housing 10. Washing tub 17 is a substantially cylindrical member that houses laundry such as clothes.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a filter lid 18 is detachably attached to one side of the top surface of the top cover 15 for performing maintenance on the filter. A detergent lid 19 for dispensing detergent, fabric softener, bleach, etc. is attached to the other side of the top surface of the top cover 15 so as to be able to be opened and closed.

[0016] [1-1-2. Lid lock device installation configuration] Next, the mounting structure of the lid locking device will be described. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the front plate in embodiment 1. Fig. 5 is a front view showing the front plate in embodiment 1. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the mounting member and lid locking device in embodiment 1. Fig. 7 is a front view showing the mounting member and lid locking device in embodiment 1. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the mounting member in embodiment 1 is attached to the front plate. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 5. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 5.

[0017] 4 to 7, the lid locking device 30 is made up of a locking mechanism 31 into which the engaging hook 24 provided on the opening / closing lid 20 is inserted, and a locking operation unit 32 that operates the locking mechanism 31 to prevent the inserted engaging hook 24 from coming loose. The locking operation unit 32 is made up of, for example, a lock switch that operates the plunger of the locking mechanism 31. The lid locking device 30 can hold the engaging hook 24 so that it does not come off by operating the lock switch of the lock operating section 32 while the engaging hook 24 is inserted into the lock mechanism section 31. The lid locking device 30 is attached to a mounting member 40 .

[0018] As shown in Figures 6 to 9, the mounting member 40 includes a mounting portion 41 having a predetermined gap between it and the front panel 11, an upper fixing portion 42 provided at the upper end of the mounting portion 41 and fixed to the front panel 11 of the housing 10, and a lower fixing portion 43 provided at the lower end of the mounting portion 41 and fixed to the front panel 11 of the housing 10. A substantially rectangular insertion hole 44 is formed in the substantially central portion in the vertical direction of the attachment portion 41. The engagement hook 24 provided on the opening / closing cover 20 is inserted into the insertion hole 44. Above and below the insertion hole 44 of the mounting portion 41, there are formed locking device fixing holes 45 into which the locking device fixing projections 33 provided on the locking mechanism portion 31 of the lid locking device 30 are inserted. The lid locking device 30 is fixed to the rear surface of the mounting portion 41 by inserting the locking device fixing projection 33 into the locking device fixing hole 45 of the mounting portion 41 .

[0019] As shown in FIG. 8, a locking device accommodating portion 50 recessed rearward is formed in a position on the front panel 11 corresponding to the rear of the lid locking device 30.

[0020] An upper engagement hole 46 is formed in the upper fixing portion 42 of the mounting member 40. A lower engagement hole 47 is formed in the lower fixing portion 43 of the mounting member 40. An upper engaging member 51 serving as an engaging portion is provided at a position corresponding to the upper engaging hole 46 of the front plate 11. The upper engaging member 51 is formed to protrude forward from the front panel 11, and has an upwardly bent locking claw 52 formed at the tip of the upper engaging member 51. The width dimension of the upper engaging member 51 is formed to be approximately the same as the opening width dimension of the upper engaging hole 46.

[0021] A lower engagement member 53 serving as an engagement portion is provided at a position corresponding to the lower engagement hole 47 of the front plate 11. The lower engagement member 53 is formed in a generally crank shape with a first portion that protrudes forward from the front plate 11 and a second portion that extends downward from the tip of the first portion. The second portion has a gap with respect to the front panel 11, and the size of the gap is formed to be substantially the same as the thickness of the lower fixing portion 43. The mounting member 40 is temporarily fixed to the front panel 11 by inserting the lower engagement hole 47 into the lower engagement member 53 from below the front panel 11, and then engaging the upper engagement hole 46 with the upper engagement member 51. In this state, the upper fixing portion 42 and the lower fixing portion 43 are fixed using screws (not shown), thereby fixing the mounting member 40 to the front panel 11.

[0022] Furthermore, a hose housing portion 60 recessed toward the rear side is formed at a position on the front panel 11 corresponding to the locking operation portion 32 of the lid locking device 30. A shower hose 61 that supplies water to washing tub 17 of washing machine 1 is disposed in hose housing 60. Shower hose 61 extends in the vertical direction of housing 10 and is disposed behind lid locking device 30.

[0023] [1-2. Operation] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. First, the locking device fixing projection 33 of the lid locking device 30 is inserted into the locking device fixing hole 45 of the mounting portion 41 , and the lid locking device 30 is fixed to the rear surface side of the mounting member 40 . Subsequently, the lower engaging hole 47 of the mounting member 40 is inserted into the lower engaging member 53 from below the front plate 11 , and then the upper engaging hole 46 is engaged with the upper engaging member 51 .

[0024] In this state, the upper engagement hole is locked by the locking claw 52 of the upper engagement member 51, and the lower engagement hole 47 is held locked by the lower engagement member 53. At this time, the dimension of the gap between the second part of the lower engaging member 53 and the front panel 11 is formed to be approximately the same as the thickness dimension of the lower fixing portion 43, so that movement of the mounting member 40 in the forward and backward directions can be restricted. Furthermore, since the width dimension of the upper engaging member 51 is formed to be approximately the same as the opening width dimension of the upper engaging hole 46, movement of the mounting member 40 in the left-right direction can be restricted when the upper engaging hole 46 is engaged with the upper engaging member 51. As a result, the mounting member 40 is temporarily fixed in a state where it is positioned at a predetermined position. Thereafter, the upper fixing portion 42 and the lower fixing portion 43 are fixed to the front panel 11 using screws.

[0025] Here, a hose housing 60 is formed behind the lid locking device 30, and a shower hose 61 is disposed in the hose housing 60. The shower hose 61 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. In this embodiment, when attaching the mounting member 40, the upper engaging hole 46 and the lower engaging hole 47 of the mounting member 40 are engaged with the upper engaging member 51 and the lower engaging member 53 of the front panel 11 to temporarily fix the mounting member 40. Therefore, when the mounting member 40 is temporarily fixed, the elasticity of the shower hose 61 can be prevented from causing the mounting member 40 to move forward.

[0026] In this embodiment, the lid locking device 30 is fixed to the rear side of the mounting member 40, so a space is formed between the rear of the lid locking device 30 and the front plate 11. This allows for greater freedom in design, such as the distance between the lid locking device 30 and the front panel 11, and the placement of the shower hose 61. As a result, by storing the shower hose 61 in the hose storage section 60, a distance is maintained between the lid locking device 30 and the shower hose 61, and the lid locking device 30 is prevented from being affected by the elasticity of the shower hose 61.

[0027] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the washing machine 1 of embodiment 1 comprises a housing 10 having a main body opening 16, an opening / closing lid 20 that can be opened and closed freely to close the main body opening 16, a lid locking device 30 provided on the housing 10 and configured to be able to lock the opening / closing lid 20 when the opening / closing lid 20 is closed, and an attachment member 40 attached to the front panel 11 of the housing 10, and the lid locking device 30 is attached to the attachment member 40. As a result, the lid locking device 30 is not fixed directly to the front plate 11, but is attached to the mounting member 40 which is fixed to the front plate 11, eliminating the need to reinforce the front plate 11. This makes it possible to form the front plate 11 from a material which is difficult to reinforce but has high yield strength. Also, because the lid locking device 30 is attached to the mounting member 40, a space can be formed between the lid locking device 30 and the front plate 11, increasing the degree of freedom in design, such as the distance between the lid locking device 30 and the front plate 11 and the positioning of the shower hose 61.

[0028] In addition, in the washing machine 1 of embodiment 1, the mounting member 40 includes a mounting portion 41 to which the lid locking device 30 is attached, and an upper fixing portion 42 and a lower fixing portion 43 (fixing portions) provided on both sides of the mounting portion 41 and fixed to the front panel 11, and the lid locking device 30 is attached to the rear side of the mounting portion 41. This allows a space to be created between the rear of the lid locking device 30 and the front panel 11, increasing the design freedom, such as the distance of the lid locking device 30 from the front panel 11 and the placement of the shower hose 61.

[0029] In addition, the washing machine 1 of embodiment 1 further includes a lower engaging member 53 (engaging portion) that protrudes forward from the front panel 11, and the lower engaging member 53 includes a first portion that extends forward and a second portion that extends from the first portion in the opposite direction to the mounting portion 41 and has a gap between it and the front panel 11, and the lower fixing portion 43 (fixing portion) is formed with a lower engaging hole 47 (engaging hole) into which the lower engaging member 53 is inserted, and when the mounting member 40 is attached to the front panel 11, the lower fixing portion 43 is positioned between the front panel 11 and the second portion. As a result, when the mounting member 40 is attached to the front panel 11, the lower fixing portion 43 is positioned between the front panel 11 and the second portion, so that the lower portion of the mounting member 40 can be temporarily fixed in a predetermined position, and the influence of the elasticity of the shower hose 61 can be suppressed.

[0030] In addition, in washing machine 1 of embodiment 1, at least one of the first portions is formed to have substantially the same width dimension as upper engagement hole 46 or lower engagement hole 47 (engagement hole). This restricts the widthwise movement of the upper engaging member 51 or the lower engaging member 53 relative to the upper engaging hole 46 or the lower engaging hole 47, and allows the mounting member 40 to be temporarily fixed in a positional state.

[0031] In addition, in washing machine 1 of embodiment 1, the dimension of the gap is formed to be approximately the same as the thickness dimension of lower fixing portion 43 (fixing portion). As a result, by forming the dimension of the gap between the second part of the lower engaging member 53 and the front panel 11 to be approximately the same as the thickness dimension of the lower fixing portion 43, movement of the mounting member 40 in the forward and backward directions can be restricted.

[0032] Furthermore, in washing machine 1 of embodiment 1, hose housing section 60 is formed on front panel 11 at a position corresponding to lid locking device 30, and is recessed on the rear side. As a result, by storing the shower hose 61 in the hose storage section 60, a distance can be secured between the lid locking device 30 and the shower hose 61, the influence of the elasticity of the shower hose 61 can be reduced, and the shower hose 61 can be prevented from coming into contact with the lid locking device 30.

[0033] (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 has been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the present disclosure can also be applied to a clothes dryer or the like as a washing machine.

[0034] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0035] (Technology 1) A washing machine comprising: a housing having a main body opening; an opening / closing lid that can be freely opened and closed to close the main body opening; a lid locking device provided on the housing and configured to be able to lock the opening / closing lid when the opening / closing lid is closed; and an attachment member attached to a front panel of the housing, wherein the lid locking device is attached to the attachment member. With this configuration, the lid locking device is not fixed directly to the front plate, but is attached to a mounting member that is fixed to the front plate, eliminating the need to reinforce the front plate. This allows the front plate to be made of a material that is difficult to reinforce but has high yield strength. Furthermore, because the lid locking device is attached to the mounting member, a space can be created between the lid locking device and the front plate, increasing design freedom in terms of the distance between the lid locking device and the placement of the shower hose.

[0036] (Technology 2) The washing machine according to Technology 1, wherein the mounting member includes a mounting portion to which the lid locking device is attached and fixing portions provided on both sides of the mounting portion and fixed to the front panel, and the lid locking device is attached to the rear side of the mounting portion. This configuration allows a space to be formed between the rear of the lid locking device and the front plate, increasing the degree of freedom in design, such as the distance of the lid locking device from the front plate and the placement of the shower hose.

[0037] (Technology 3) The washing machine according to Technology 1 or Technology 2, further comprising an engaging portion protruding forward from the front panel, the engaging portion including a first portion extending forward and a second portion extending from the first portion in the opposite direction to the mounting portion and having a gap between it and the front panel, the fixing portion having an engaging hole formed in it into which the engaging portion is inserted, and the fixing portion being positioned between the front panel and the second portion when the mounting member is attached to the front panel. With this configuration, when the mounting member is attached to the front panel, the fixing portion is positioned between the front panel and the second part, allowing the mounting member to be temporarily fixed in a predetermined position, thereby reducing the impact of the elasticity of the shower hose.

[0038] (Technical 4) The washing machine according to Technical 3, wherein at least one of the first portions is formed to have substantially the same width dimension as the engagement hole. With this configuration, it is possible to restrict movement of the engaging member in the width direction relative to the engaging hole, and it is possible to temporarily fix the mounting member in a state where it is positioned at a predetermined position.

[0039] (Technology 5) The washing machine according to Technology 3, wherein the dimension of the gap is formed to be approximately the same as the thickness dimension of the fixing part. According to this configuration, by forming the dimension of the gap between the second portion and the front panel to be substantially the same as the thickness dimension of the fixing portion, movement of the mounting member in the front-rear direction can be restricted.

[0040] (Technology 6) The washing machine according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 5, wherein a hose accommodating portion recessed on the rear side is formed at a position of the front panel corresponding to the lid locking device. With this configuration, by storing the shower hose in the hose storage section, a distance can be maintained between the lid locking device and the shower hose, and even if the shower hose is deformed by water pressure, it can be prevented from coming into contact with the lid locking device. [Industrial Applicability]

[0041] As described above, the present disclosure can be suitably used as a washing machine in which a lid locking device can be attached to the front panel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 washing machine 10. Cabinet 11 Front plate 12 Side plate 13 Back plate 14 Front Panel 15 Top cover 16 Main body opening 17 Washing machine 18 Filter lid 19 Detergent Lid 20 Opening and Closing Lid 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Upper hinge mechanism 23 Lower hinge mechanism 24 Engagement hook 30 Lid locking device 31 Locking mechanism 32 Locking operation part 33 Locking device fixing projection 40 Mounting parts 41 Mounting part 42 Upper fixing part 43 Lower fixing part 44 Insertion hole 45 Locking device fixing hole 46 Upper engagement hole 47 Lower engagement hole 50 Locking device housing 51 Upper engagement member 52 Locking claw 53 Lower engagement member 60 Hose housing 61 shower hose

Claims

1. a housing having a main body opening; an opening / closing cover that can be freely opened and closed to close the main body opening; a lid locking device provided on the housing and configured to lock the opening / closing lid when the opening / closing lid is closed; a mounting member attached to a front panel of the housing; Equipped with The lid locking device is attached to the mounting member. washing machine.

2. the mounting member includes a mounting portion to which the lid locking device is attached, and fixing portions provided on both sides of the mounting portion and fixed to the front panel; The lid locking device is attached to the rear side of the attachment portion. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. further comprising an engagement portion protruding forward from the front plate, the engaging portion includes a first portion extending forward, and a second portion extending from the first portion in a direction opposite to the mounting portion and having a gap between the first portion and the front plate, The fixing portion has an engagement hole into which the engagement portion is inserted, When the mounting member is attached to the front plate, the fixing portion is located between the front plate and the second portion. The washing machine according to claim 2.

4. At least one of the first portions is formed to have substantially the same width dimension as the engagement hole. The washing machine according to claim 3.

5. The dimension of the gap is formed to be substantially the same as the thickness dimension of the fixing portion. The washing machine according to claim 3.

6. A hose accommodating portion recessed toward the rear side is formed at a position of the front panel corresponding to the lid locking device. The washing machine according to claim 1.

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