Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of suppressing deformation of the front plate caused by stress applied to a hinge mechanism of an opening / closing lid.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes a housing having a front plate, an opening / closing lid for openably / closably closing a body opening disposed in the front plate, and an upper hinge mechanism and a lower hing mechanism that allow the lid to be fixed to the housing at two spots including the top and bottom. At the spots of the front plate where the upper hinge mechanism and the lower hinge mechanism are fixed, drawn parts for the hinges are formed, respectively. The respective drawn parts for hinges are connected through a drawn part for connection.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine in which the door body has hinges that can be freely positioned on either the left or right side of the machine body, the front frame reinforcement plate, opening cover and door body are made up of separate parts that are approximately symmetrical on the left or right side for either the left or right position, the washing machine outer casing and front panel member are made up of the same parts in a left and right side position format, and the front frame reinforcement plate and washing machine outer casing are fixed in the same position with the minimum number of mounting screws required regardless of the left or right specification of the door body, and the strength of the washing machine outer casing is ensured while the automation of operations etc. can be easily implemented. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-95530 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a washing machine that can suppress deformation of the front panel due to stress applied to the hinge mechanism of the opening and closing lid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The washing machine of the present disclosure comprises a housing having a front panel, an opening / closing lid that can be freely opened and closed to close the main body opening provided on the front panel, and an upper hinge mechanism and a lower hinge mechanism that attach the opening / closing lid to the housing at two points, one above and one below, and hinge drawing portions are formed at the points on the front panel where the upper hinge mechanism and the lower hinge mechanism are attached, and each of the hinge drawing portions is connected via a connecting drawing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The washing machine disclosed herein can distribute stress applied to the hinge-forming portion to the connecting portion, thereby suppressing stress concentration at the hinge-forming portion, thereby suppressing deformation of the front panel due to stress applied to the hinge mechanism of the opening / closing lid. [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 main body of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a front panel with a hinge mounting base plate attached thereto according to the first embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a front panel according to the first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a front panel according to the first embodiment; [Figure 7] Cross section along line AA in Figure 6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) In conventional washing machines, it is common to apply a drawing process in the left and right directions to ensure the rigidity of the housing as a product. However, when a gravity load acting on the cover applies stress to the hinge mechanism of the cover, the rigidity against vertical stress decreases, which can cause plastic deformation in the front panel, making it impossible to properly open and close the cover.The inventors discovered this problem, and have come up with the subject matter of the present disclosure to solve this problem. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a washing machine that can suppress deformation of the front panel due to stress applied to the hinge mechanism of the opening and closing lid.

[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 main body 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 4, washing machine 1 includes a main body 10. Main body 10 includes a front panel 11, side panels 12, and a back panel 13, and is formed in a generally box shape. 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 side, i.e., the rear side, by fastening members (not shown). A front panel 14 is attached to the front of the front plate 11 so as to cover the front plate 11.

[0012] An upper cover 15 is attached to the upper surface of the main body 10. The upper cover 15 is fastened to the main body 10 by fastening members (not shown). A substantially circular main body opening 16 is formed in the front of the main body 10, and an openable / closable lid 20 that closes the main body opening 16 is provided in the front of the main body 10 so as to be able to be opened and closed.

[0013] A hinge mechanism 21 is attached to one side of the main body opening 16 . The hinge mechanism 21 comprises a hinge mounting base plate 22 attached to the front panel 11, and an upper hinge mechanism 23 and a lower hinge mechanism 24 attached to the hinge mounting base plate 22. The upper hinge mechanism 23 and the lower hinge mechanism 24 are attached to the hinge mounting base plate 22 so as to be rotatable, and the upper hinge mechanism 23 and the lower hinge mechanism 24 are fixed to one side of the opening / closing lid 20. 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 23 and the lower hinge mechanism 24 . An engagement hook 25 for locking the opening / closing cover 20 is attached to the other rear surface of the opening / closing cover 20 .

[0014] 2 and 3, a lid locking device 30 is attached to the other side of the main body opening 16 of the front panel 11. When the engaging hook 25 of the opening / closing lid 20 is engaged, the lid locking device 30 locks the engaging hook 25, thereby preventing the opening / closing lid 20 from opening.

[0015] [1-1-2. Front panel configuration] Next, the configuration of the front panel will be described. Fig. 4 is a front view showing the front plate with the hinge mounting base plate attached in embodiment 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the front plate in embodiment 1. Fig. 6 is a front view showing the front plate in embodiment 1. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 6.

[0016] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, on one side of the front panel 11, at positions corresponding to the upper hinge mechanism 23 and the lower hinge mechanism 24, a drawn portion 40 for the upper hinge and a drawn portion 41 for the lower hinge are formed, respectively. The upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41 are formed in a shape that protrudes forward on the front panel 11 by drawing the front panel 11 . By performing the drawing process in this manner, it is possible to ensure the strength of the front panel 11.

[0017] In this embodiment, the locations where the upper hinge mechanism 23 and the lower hinge mechanism 24 are attached are locations where stress from the opening / closing cover 20 is applied and where stress is concentrated when the opening / closing cover 20 is opened or closed. Therefore, by forming a drawing processed portion 40 for the upper hinge and a drawing processed portion 41 for the lower hinge at the locations corresponding to the upper hinge mechanism 23 and the lower hinge mechanism 24, strength can be ensured at the mounting locations of the upper hinge mechanism 23 and the lower hinge mechanism 24.

[0018] A connecting drawn portion 42 is formed between the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41. The upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41 are connected via the connecting drawn portion 42. The drawing depth of the connecting drawn portion 42 is shallower than the drawing depth of the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41. In other words, the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41 protrude forward from the connecting drawn portion 42. By forming the drawing depth of the linking drawn portion 42 shallow, the strength of the linking drawn portion 42 is weakened compared to the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41. Therefore, the stress concentrated on the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41 is dispersed to the linking drawn portion 42, and the stress concentration on the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41 can be suppressed.

[0019] Furthermore, by forming the drawing depth of the connection drawing portion 42 to be shallow, the protrusion height of the upper hinge drawing portion 40 and the lower hinge drawing portion 41 from the front panel 11 can be reduced. This prevents the opening / closing lid 20, the upper hinge mechanism 23 and the lower hinge mechanism 24 from coming into contact with the connecting drawn portion 42 when the upper hinge mechanism 23 and the lower hinge mechanism 24 rotate due to the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing lid 20. In this embodiment, the drawing depth of the connecting drawing portion 42 is shallower than that of the upper hinge drawing portion 40 and the lower hinge drawing portion 41, but it may also be formed to the same drawing depth as that of the upper hinge drawing portion 40 and the lower hinge drawing portion 41.

[0020] 4 and 5, a second hinge drawn portion 43 is formed below the lower hinge drawn portion 41. The drawing depth of the second hinge drawn portion 43 is greater than the drawing depth of the lower hinge drawn portion 41. In other words, the second hinge drawn portion 43 protrudes forward from the lower hinge drawn portion 41. In this way, by forming the drawing depth of the second hinge drawing portion 43 deep, it is possible to increase the strength of the lower hinge drawing portion 41 compared to the upper hinge drawing portion 40. Of the stresses applied to the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41, the stress applied to the lower hinge drawn portion 41 is greater due to gravity. Therefore, by forming the second hinge drawn portion 43, the stress applied to the lower hinge drawn portion 41 can also be received by the second hinge drawn portion 43.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, the hinge mounting base plate 22 is fastened and fixed to the upper hinge drawing portion 40 and the lower hinge drawing portion 41 by screws 26 . In this embodiment, the hinge mounting base plate 22 is fixed to the upper hinge drawing portion 40 with three screws 26 and to the lower hinge drawing portion 41 with two screws 26 . As mentioned above, by providing the second hinge drawing portion 43 in the lower hinge drawing portion 41, the strength of the lower hinge drawing portion 41 can be increased, and therefore it is possible to reduce the number of screws 26 used to fasten the lower hinge drawing portion 41.

[0022] 4 and 5, upper left and right drawn portions 44 extending in the left-right direction are formed above the main body opening 16 of the front panel 11. Lower left and right drawn portions 45 extending in the left-right direction are formed below the main body opening 16 of the front panel 11. The upper left and right drawn portions 44 are formed on both left and right end portions of the front panel 11 and over almost the entire area between the upper end portion of the front panel 11 and the main body opening 16 . The lower left and right drawn portions 45 are formed on both left and right end portions of the front panel 11 and over almost the entire area between the lower end portion of the front panel 11 and the main body opening 16 .

[0023] Furthermore, on the opposite side of the front panel 11 from the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41 across the main body opening 16, upper and lower drawn portions 46 extending vertically are formed. The lid locking device 30 is attached via an attachment member to the upper and lower drawn sections 46. Stress is applied to the lid locking device when the engaging hook 25 of the opening / closing lid 20 is inserted, but the upper and lower drawn sections 46 can withstand the stress applied to the lid locking device 30.

[0024] One end of the upper left and right drawn portions 44 is connected to the upper end of the upper hinge drawn portion 40. The other end of the upper left and right drawn portions 44 is connected to the upper end of the upper and lower drawn portions 46. One end of the lower left and right drawn portions 45 is connected to the lower ends of the lower hinge drawn portion 41 and the second hinge drawn portion 43. The other end of the lower left and right drawn portions 45 is connected to the lower ends of the upper and lower drawn portions 46.

[0025] That is, in this embodiment, the upper hinge drawing section 40, the lower hinge drawing section 41, the connecting drawing section 42, the upper left and right drawing sections 44, the lower left and right drawing sections 45, and the upper and lower drawing sections 46 are connected in the shape of a substantially square frame. As a result, the stress applied to the upper hinge drawing section 40 and the lower hinge drawing section 41 is dispersed via the connecting drawing section 42, the upper left and right drawing sections 44 and the lower left and right drawing sections 45, and further, the stress dispersed to the upper left and right drawing sections 44 and the lower left and right drawing sections 45 is dispersed to the upper and lower drawing sections 46. Therefore, the stress applied to the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41 can be dispersed over substantially the entire area of ​​the front panel 11.

[0026] [1-2. Operation] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, when stress is applied to the upper hinge drawing portion 40 and the lower hinge drawing portion 41 via the upper hinge mechanism 23 and the lower hinge mechanism 24 due to the opening and closing operation of the opening and closing lid 20, the upper hinge drawing portion 40 and the lower hinge drawing portion 41 can ensure strength at the attachment points of the upper hinge mechanism 23 and the lower hinge mechanism 24. Furthermore, since the connecting drawn portion 42 with a shallow drawing depth is formed between the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41, the stress applied to the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41 can be dispersed to the connecting drawn portion 42, and stress concentration on the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41 can be suppressed.

[0027] Furthermore, upper left and right drawn sections 44, lower left and right drawn sections 45, and upper and lower drawn sections 46 are formed on the front panel 11, and the upper hinge drawn section 40, the lower hinge drawn section 41, the connecting drawn section 42, the upper left and right drawn sections 44, the lower left and right drawn sections 45, and the upper and lower drawn sections 46 are connected, so that the stress applied to the upper hinge drawn section 40 and the lower hinge drawn section 41 is dispersed via the connecting drawn section 42, the upper left and right drawn sections 44, and the lower left and right drawn sections 45, and further the stress dispersed to the upper left and right drawn sections 44 and the lower left and right drawn sections 45 is dispersed to the upper and lower drawn sections 46, thereby suppressing the concentration of stress applied to the upper hinge drawn section 40 and the lower hinge drawn section 41.

[0028] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the washing machine 1 of embodiment 1 comprises a housing having a front panel 11, an opening / closing lid 20 that can be freely opened and closed to close the main body opening 16 provided in the front panel 11, and an upper hinge mechanism 23 and a lower hinge mechanism 24 that attach the opening / closing lid 20 to the housing at two locations, one above and one below. At the locations on the front panel 11 where the upper hinge mechanism 23 and the lower hinge mechanism 24 are attached, an upper hinge drawing portion 40 and a lower hinge drawing portion 41 (hinge drawing portion) are formed, respectively, and the upper hinge drawing portion 40 and the lower hinge drawing portion 41 are connected via a connecting drawing portion 42. This allows the stress applied to the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41 to be dispersed to the connecting drawn portion 42, thereby suppressing stress concentration in the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41. Therefore, deformation of the front panel 11 due to stress applied to the hinge mechanism of the opening / closing lid 20 can be suppressed.

[0029] In addition, in the washing machine 1 of embodiment 1, a second hinge drawing section 43 is formed below the lower hinge drawing section 41 (the hinge drawing section located below), and the drawing depth of the second hinge drawing section 43 is formed deeper than the drawing depth of the lower hinge drawing section 41. As a result, by forming the second hinge drawn portion 43 with a deep drawing depth, it is possible to increase the strength of the lower hinge drawn portion 41 compared to the upper hinge drawn portion 40, so even if the number of components such as screws that secure the hinge mounting base 22 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41 is reduced, deformation of the front panel 11 due to stress applied to the hinge mechanism can be suppressed.

[0030] In addition, in the washing machine 1 of embodiment 1, the drawing depth of the connection drawing portion 42 is formed to be shallower than the drawing depth of the upper hinge drawing portion 40 and the lower hinge drawing portion 41 (hinge drawing portion). This allows the stress concentrated on the upper hinge drawing portion 40 and the lower hinge drawing portion 41 to be dispersed to the connecting drawing portion 42, thereby suppressing the concentration of stress on the upper hinge drawing portion 40 and the lower hinge drawing portion 41.

[0031] In addition, in the washing machine 1 of embodiment 1, upper left and right drawn portions 44 and lower left and right drawn portions 45 (left and right drawn portions) extending in the left-right direction are formed on the front panel 11, and the upper left and right drawn portions 44 and lower left and right drawn portions 45 are connected to the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41 (hinge drawn portion). This allows the stress applied to the upper hinge drawing portion 40 and the lower hinge drawing portion 41 to be distributed to the upper left and right drawing portions 44 and the lower left and right drawing portions 45, thereby suppressing stress concentration in the upper hinge drawing portion 40 and the lower hinge drawing portion 41.

[0032] In addition, in the washing machine 1 of embodiment 1, upper and lower drawn portions 46 extending vertically are formed on the opposite side of the main body opening 16 from the upper hinge drawn portion 40 and the lower hinge drawn portion 41 (hinge drawn portions) of the front panel 11, and the upper and lower drawn portions 46 are connected to the upper left and right drawn portions 44 and the lower left and right drawn portions 45 (left and right drawn portions). This allows the stress that is dispersed from upper hinge drawn portion 40 and lower hinge drawn portion 41 to upper left and right drawn portions 44 and lower left and right drawn portions 45 to be further dispersed to upper and lower drawn portions 46. Therefore, the stress applied to upper hinge drawn portion 40 and lower hinge drawn portion 41 can be dispersed over substantially the entire area of ​​front panel 11, and deformation of front panel 11 can be suppressed.

[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 also 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 front panel; an opening / closing lid that can be freely opened and closed to close a main body opening provided on the front panel; and an upper hinge mechanism and a lower hinge mechanism that attach the opening / closing lid to the housing at two points, one above and one below; wherein hinge-forming drawn sections are formed at the points on the front panel where the upper hinge mechanism and the lower hinge mechanism are attached, and the hinge-forming drawn sections are connected via connecting drawn sections. This configuration allows the stress applied to the hinge-forming portion to be dispersed to the connecting portion, suppressing stress concentration in the hinge-forming portion and thus suppressing deformation of the front panel due to stress applied to the hinge mechanism of the opening / closing cover.

[0036] (Technology 2) A washing machine according to Technology 1, wherein a second hinge drawing section is formed below the lower hinge drawing section, and the drawing depth of the second hinge drawing section is deeper than the drawing depth of the lower hinge drawing section. With this configuration, by forming a second hinge drawing portion with a deep drawing depth, it is possible to increase the strength of the lower hinge drawing portion compared to the upper hinge drawing portion, so even if the number of components such as screws that secure the hinge mounting base plate 22 and the lower hinge drawing portion 41 is reduced, deformation of the front panel 11 due to stress applied to the hinge mechanism can be suppressed.

[0037] (Technology 3) The washing machine according to Technology 1, wherein the drawing depth of the connection drawing portion is formed shallower than the drawing depth of each of the hinge drawing portions. With this configuration, the stress concentrated on the hinge-forming drawn portion can be dispersed to the connection-forming drawn portion, and the concentration of stress on the hinge-forming drawn portion can be suppressed.

[0038] (Technology 4) The washing machine according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 3, wherein the front panel is formed with left and right drawn portions extending in the left-right direction, and the left and right drawn portions are connected to the hinge drawn portions. With this configuration, the stress applied to the hinge-forming drawn portion can be dispersed to the left and right drawn portions, and stress concentration in the hinge-forming drawn portions can be suppressed.

[0039] (Technology 5) A washing machine according to Technology 4, in which upper and lower drawn sections extending vertically are formed on the opposite side of the main body opening from the hinge drawn section of the front panel, and the upper and lower drawn sections are connected to the left and right drawn sections. This configuration allows the stress distributed from the hinge-forming drawn sections to the left and right drawn sections to be further distributed to the top and bottom drawn sections, so that the stress applied to the hinge-forming drawn sections can be distributed over almost the entire area of ​​the front panel, preventing deformation of the front panel. [Industrial Applicability]

[0040] As described above, the present disclosure can be suitably used as a washing machine that can suppress deformation of the front panel due to stress applied to the hinge mechanism of the opening and closing lid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 washing machine 10 Main Unit 11 Front plate 12 Side plate 13 Back plate 14 Front Panel 15 Top cover 16 Main body opening 20 Opening and Closing Lid 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Hinge mounting board 23 Upper hinge mechanism 24 Lower hinge mechanism 25 Engagement hook 26 screws 30 Lid locking device 40 Upper hinge drawing section 41 Drawing section for lower hinge 42 Drawing section for connection 43 Second hinge drawing section 44 Upper left and right drawing section 45 Lower left and right drawing section 46 Upper and lower drawing section

Claims

1. a housing having a front panel; an opening / closing cover that can be freely opened and closed to close the main body opening provided on the front panel; an upper hinge mechanism and a lower hinge mechanism that attach the opening / closing cover to the housing at two positions, upper and lower, a hinge drawing portion is formed at each of the positions of the front panel where the upper hinge mechanism and the lower hinge mechanism are attached; The hinge drawing portions are connected via connecting drawing portions. washing machine.

2. A second hinge drawing portion is formed below the lower hinge drawing portion, The drawing depth of the second hinge drawing portion is formed deeper than the drawing depth of the hinge drawing portion located below. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The drawing depth of the connection drawing portion is formed shallower than the drawing depth of each of the hinge drawing portions. The washing machine according to claim 1.

4. The front panel is formed with left and right drawn portions extending in the left and right direction, The left and right drawn portions are connected to the hinge drawn portions. The washing machine according to claim 1.

5. upper and lower drawn portions extending in the vertical direction are formed on the opposite side of the front panel from the hinge drawn portion across the main body opening, The upper and lower drawing processing portions are connected to the left and right drawing processing portions, The washing machine according to claim 4.

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