Washing machine

Abstract

For example, a washing machine that is not easily damaged is provided.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes a water tub that opens toward a front side in a direction in which a central axis extends, a rotary tub that opens toward the front side in the water tub and is rotatable with respect to the water tub about the central axis, a cover that is attached to the water tub and covers a front side of an opening-side end portion of the rotary tub, and a component provided in the water tub. The cover is located inside the rotary tub when viewed from the direction in which the central axis extends, and has a convex part protruding to a back side in the direction in which the central axis extends. The component is provided on a back side of the cover and on a downstream side of the convex part in a rotation direction of the rotary tub during dewatering.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an example of a drum-type washing machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-137641 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a drum-type washing machine, clothes may fly out of the rotating tub as the rotating tub rotates. If the clothes fly out and come into contact with structures or the like arranged inside the washing machine, there is a risk of damaging the structures or the like.

[0005] One object of the present disclosure, for example, is to provide a washing machine that is less susceptible to damage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine includes a water tub that opens toward the front in a direction in which a central axis extends, a rotatable tub that opens toward the front within the water tub and is rotatable relative to the water tub about the central axis, a cover attached to the water tub and covering the front end of the open side of the rotatable tub, and a component provided within the water tub. The cover is located inside the rotatable tub when viewed from the direction in which the central axis extends and has a protrusion that protrudes toward the rear in the direction in which the central axis extends. The component is provided on the rear side of the cover, downstream of the protrusion in the direction in which the rotatable tub rotates during a spin cycle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, for example, a washing machine that is less likely to be damaged can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine with the door open. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a washing machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the water tank, the gasket, and the cover. [Figure 5] 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the door, cover, and water tank taken along line VV in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cover and the water tank taken along line VV in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the water tank and a cover. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view of a part of the water tank and the cover. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cover. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a schematic rear view of a portion of the cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A washing machine 1 (see FIG. 1, etc.) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions will be referred to by the same reference numerals, and the description will be used interchangeably. In the following description, the side of the washing machine 1 on which the door 12 (see FIG. 1) is provided will be referred to as the front side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the rear side. The front-to-rear direction will sometimes be referred to as the depth direction. The right side and left side are the directions when the washing machine 1 is viewed from the front side to the rear side. The left-to-right direction will sometimes be referred to as the width direction. The direction perpendicular to each of the depth direction and width direction will be referred to as the height direction.

[0010] In the present disclosure, the term "washing machine" refers to a general device that performs various processes, such as washing, on laundry. Examples of processes that a washing machine can perform on laundry include washing, deodorizing, and sterilizing. The laundry is not particularly limited. Examples of laundry include cloth products. Specific examples of laundry include clothing such as clothes, hats, and gloves; personal belongings such as shoes, bags, handkerchiefs, and towels; bedding such as curtains, blankets, towel blankets, and futon covers; carpets; and stuffed toys.

[0011] (Washing machine 1) Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the washing machine 1 with a door 12 open. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing machine 1.

[0012] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, washing machine 1 has housing 11. Housing 11 houses each component of washing machine 1. As shown in Fig. 3, housing 11 contains water tub 13, spin tub 14, etc.

[0013] (Aquarium 13) Water tub 13 is substantially cylindrical with one side (rear side: R side) in the direction in which central axis A extends closed. Water is poured into water tub 13 and stored therein. An outlet is connected to water tub 13, and the water stored in water tub 13 can be discharged via the outlet. Water tub 13 is swingably mounted within housing 11 by a damper, spring, etc. (not shown). Water tub 13 cannot rotate relative to housing 11. Note that in washing machine 1, central axis A is inclined diagonally upward toward the front side. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. Central axis A may extend horizontally.

[0014] Water tub 13 opens on the other side in the direction in which central axis A extends (front side: F side). Housing 11 is configured to expose the opening of water tub 13. Door 12 is rotatably attached to housing 11. Door 12 opens and closes the opening of water tub 13 that is exposed from housing 11. Door 12 has outer portion 12a located outside housing 11, and inner portion 12b that is connected to outer portion 12a and extends into water tub 13. Inner portion 12b protrudes from outer portion 12a to the R side. The R side portion of inner portion 12b is located within water tub 13.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, a packing 15 is attached to the tip of the F side of water tub 13. When door 12 is closed, packing 15 comes into contact with inner portion 12b of door 12, effectively closing the opening of water tub 13 and preventing water from leaking from water tub 13 to the F side.

[0016] (Rotating tank 14) As shown in FIG. 3, a rotatable tub 14 is disposed inside the water tub 13. Laundry is placed in the rotatable tub 14. For this reason, the rotatable tub 14 is sometimes called, for example, a washing tub. The rotatable tub 14 has a plurality of through-holes, which allow liquids such as water, detergent, and fabric softener stored in the water tub 13 to enter the rotatable tub 14. This allows water and other liquids to be supplied to the laundry placed in the rotatable tub 14.

[0017] Like water tub 13, rotating tub 14 is cylindrical with one side (R side) in the direction in which central axis A extends closed. Rotating tub 14 and water tub 13 are arranged concentrically. Rotating tub 14 and water tub 13 share a common central axis A. Rotating tub 14 is configured to have a smaller diameter than water tub 13. A rotation mechanism (not shown) is connected to rotating tub 14. The rotation mechanism is configured, for example, by a motor. Rotating tub 14 is rotated relative to water tub 13 by the rotation mechanism.

[0018] The rotation mechanism may, for example, rotate the spin tub 14 only in one direction, either clockwise or counterclockwise, about the central axis A, or may be configured to rotate in both directions, either clockwise or counterclockwise. For example, the rotation mechanism may be controlled to repeatedly perform one rotation operation that rotates the spin tub 14 in the clockwise direction and another rotation operation that rotates the spin tub 14 in the counterclockwise direction. For example, in the laundry washing process, the spin tub 14 may be rotated alternately in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. For example, in the laundry tumbling and drying processes, the spin tub 14 may be rotated at a low speed in one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. For example, in the laundry spin-drying process, the spin tub 14 may be rotated at a high speed in one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions.

[0019] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which, during the laundry dewatering process, spin tub 14 rotates at high speed in a clockwise direction when viewed from the front side (F side) to the back side (R side) in the direction of extension of central axis A. In the following description, the clockwise direction that is the rotation direction of spin tub 14 during the dewatering process is referred to as rotation direction D, and is shown in FIG. 4 and other figures.

[0020] The rotating tub 14 includes a rotating tub main body 14a and a balancer 14b. The rotating tub main body 14a is substantially cylindrical and closed at the rear end in the direction of extension of the central axis A. The bottom wall of the rotating tub main body 14a of the rotating tub 14 is connected to the rotation mechanism.

[0021] The balancer 14b is connected to the tip of the rotating tub main body 14a, more specifically, to the tip on the front side in the direction in which the central axis A extends. The balancer 14b rotates together with the rotating tub main body 14a. The balancer 14b serves as a weight to stabilize the rotation of the rotating tub 14. The balancer 14b is formed in an annular shape centered on the central axis A. The radially inner end of the balancer 14b extends further inward (toward the central axis A) than the peripheral wall of the rotating tub main body 14a. The balancer 14b faces the cover 20 in the direction in which the central axis A extends.

[0022] (Cover 20) FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of water tub 13, gasket 15, and cover 20. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of door 12, cover 20, and water tub 13 taken along line VV in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of cover 20 and water tub 13 taken along line VV in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of water tub 13 and cover 20. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of cover 20. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of cover 20. FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of cover 20. FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of cover 20. FIG. 14 is a schematic back view of cover 20. FIG. 15 is a schematic back view of a portion of cover 20.

[0023] Next, the cover 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, cover 20 is attached to water tub 13. Cover 20 is attached to the front end (F side) of water tub 13. Cover 20 is made of an annular plate. Cover 20 extends radially inward (toward central axis A) from the F side tip of water tub 13. Cover 20, which is non-rotatable with respect to water tub 13 in the direction of extension of central axis A, and balancer 14b, which forms part of rotating tub 14, face each other with a gap in between in the direction of extension of central axis A.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 10 and other figures, the cover 20 has a cover body 210 and a protrusion 220.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 7 , cover body 210 extends radially inward (toward central axis A) from an attachment portion for water tub 13. Cover 20 has an attachment portion, an intermediate portion that extends radially inward from the attachment portion in a direction perpendicular to central axis A, and a tip portion 210a that extends from the inner end of the intermediate portion toward the rear side (R side). A gap G is formed between tip portion 210a and balancer 14b. At least a portion of tip portion 210a and balancer 14b may face each other in the direction of extension of central axis A, or may be located at different positions in the radial direction when viewed from the direction of extension of central axis A. For example, tip portion 210a may be located slightly radially inward relative to balancer 14b. It is preferable that the portion of tip portion 210a closest to central axis A in the radial direction be closer to central axis A than the portion of balancer 14b closest to central axis A in the radial direction.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the cover body 210 has a door side surface 211 facing the door 12 and an opposite surface 212 opposite to the door side surface 211.

[0028] The door side surface 211 has a first surface 211a, a second surface 211b, and a third surface 211c. The first surface 211a is located on the outermost side of the door side surface 211. The first surface 211a extends in a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction in which the central axis A extends. The second surface 211b is connected to the inner end of the first surface 211a. The second surface 211b extends in a direction inclined with respect to the direction in which the first surface 211a extends. The second surface 211b extends from the connection with the first surface 211a toward the central axis A and toward the R side beyond the first surface 211a. The third surface 211c is connected to the inner end of the second surface 211b. The third surface 211c extends toward the R side along the direction in which the central axis A extends.

[0029] A gap is formed between the door side surface 211 and the door 12. In addition, a gap is also formed between the door side surface 211 and the packing 15.

[0030] 4, the cover 20 has an inner portion 210b that is provided in a portion in the circumferential direction centered on the central axis A side and that protrudes radially inward more than other portions. Specifically, the inner portion 210b is provided in a region located above the central axis A when viewed in the direction in which the central axis A extends. The inner portion 210b is provided in an arc shape centered at a center point located vertically below the central axis A when viewed in the direction in which the central axis A extends. The portion of the inner portion 210b that has the largest radial dimension is located on a vertical line that passes through the central axis A.

[0031] The opposite surface 212 faces the R side. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 11, 12, 14, and 15, a protrusion (hump) 220 protruding from the opposite surface 212 toward the rear (R side) is provided at the tip of the rotating tub 14, specifically, at a region closer to the central axis A than the tip of the balancer 14b on the central axis A side. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the protrusion 220 has an elongated shape that is elongated in the circumferential direction centered on the central axis A. Specifically, the protrusion 220 has an elongated shape that follows the inner edge of the inner portion 210b. The protrusion 220 is provided in a flat or arc shape when viewed in the direction of extension of the central axis A.

[0032] As shown in Figure 8, etc., the convex portion 220 has an approximately trapezoidal shape, having an upstream portion located at the most upstream side in the rotation direction D, where the height along the extension direction of the central axis A increases toward the downstream side, a central portion located downstream of the upstream portion, where the height along the extension direction of the central axis A is approximately constant, and a downstream portion located downstream of the central portion, where the height along the extension direction of the central axis A decreases toward the downstream side.

[0033] The cover body 210 has a guide surface that guides laundry rotating in the rotation direction D on the front side (F side) of the balancer 14b toward the protrusion 220. The guide surface has a first inclined surface 213, a second inclined surface 214, a wall surface 215, etc., as shown in FIGS.

[0034] (1st slope 213) 10, 14, and 15, the cover main body 210 has a first inclined surface 213. As shown in Fig. 14 and 15, the first inclined surface 213 is provided so as to be visible when viewed from the R side, and the visible portion thereof constitutes the opposite surface 212.

[0035] The first inclined surface 213 is located upstream of the convex portion 220 in the rotation direction D. The first inclined surface 213 extends downstream in the rotation direction D from the front side (F side) of the base end of the convex portion 220 to the base end side (rear side (R side)) of the convex portion 220 in a direction inclined with respect to the central axis A. The first inclined surface 213 is located on the F side of the convex portion 220. The first inclined surface 213 extends downstream to the R side on the F side of the convex portion 220.

[0036] (Second slope 214) As shown in Figures 11, 12, 14, and 15, the second inclined surface 214 is provided upstream of the first inclined surface 213 in the rotation direction D. The second inclined surface 214 extends radially inward (toward the central axis A) from outside the protrusion 220 toward the downstream side of the rotation direction D. When viewed in the direction in which the central axis A extends, the first inclined surface 213 and the second inclined surface 214 are substantially continuous in the circumferential direction. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, when viewed in the direction in which the central axis A extends, the first inclined surface 213 and the second inclined surface 214 may be spaced apart or overlap each other in the circumferential direction.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 , the second inclined surface 214 is provided on the door side surface 211 and is visible when viewed from the F side. The second inclined surface 214 is formed upstream of the inner portion 210b in the rotation direction D and extends radially outward from the inner end edge of the door side surface 211 toward the upstream side of the rotation direction D. The first inclined surface 213 and the second inclined surface 214 are located on an imaginary circle along which the inner end edge of the inner portion 210b extends when viewed from the direction in which the central axis A extends. As described above, the protrusion 220 is also substantially located on this imaginary circle. Therefore, the first inclined surface 213, the second inclined surface 214, and the protrusion 220 are located on the same imaginary circle when viewed from the direction in which the central axis A extends.

[0038] 10, the downstream end of the second inclined surface 214 is located further back (toward the R side) than the upstream end of the first inclined surface 213. The downstream end of the second inclined surface 214 is disposed to face the upstream end of the first inclined surface 213.

[0039] (Wall 215) 10, 14, and 15, the cover main body 210 has a wall surface 215. The wall surface 215 is located radially outward of the first inclined surface 213 and the second inclined surface 214. The wall surface 215 faces radially inward. The wall surface 215 extends toward the R side in the direction in which the central axis A extends, from the outer periphery of the door side surface 211, through the second inclined surface 214 and the first inclined surface 213, to the opposite surface 212.

[0040] (Rib 230) As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the cover main body 210 has a rib 230. The rib 230 protrudes toward the rear (R side) from an outer portion 212a (see FIGS. 14 and 15) of the opposite surface 212, which is located upstream of the protruding portion 220 and radially outward of the protruding portion 220. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the rib 230 has a first portion 231 and a second portion 232. The first portion 231 is provided in an arc shape along an imaginary circle centered on the central axis A. The second portion 232 is connected to the downstream end of the first portion 231. The second portion 232 extends in a direction inclined toward the central axis A from the connection portion with the first portion 231 toward the downstream side of the rotation direction D. The downstream end of the rib 230 (the end of the second portion 232) is spaced apart from the convex portion 220 when viewed from the direction in which the central axis A extends. Specifically, the downstream end of the rib 230 is spaced apart from the convex portion 220 in the circumferential direction and also in the radial direction. The distance between the downstream end of the rib 230 and the central axis A is longer than the distance between the upstream end of the convex portion 220 and the central axis A. The downstream end of the convex portion 220 is located on an extension of the second portion 232 of the rib 230.

[0041] (Nozzle 30) As shown in FIG. 9, washing machine 1 includes nozzle 30 as a component. Nozzle 30 is provided in water tub 13 shown in FIG. 4. This nozzle 30 is located inside washing tub 14 when viewed from the direction in which central axis A extends. Nozzle 30 is located more inward than balancer 14b when viewed from the direction in which central axis A extends. More specifically, nozzle 30 has a portion located more inward than the inner end of balancer 14b when viewed from the direction in which central axis A extends.

[0042] Nozzle 30 is a component for supplying water into washing tub 14. Nozzle 30 sprays water into washing tub 14 in a shower-like manner, for example, during the rinsing process or the washing process. In this embodiment, nozzle 30 is configured to spray water radially from the tip of nozzle 30 toward the back side.

[0043] Nozzle 30 is provided at the rear of cover 20, downstream of protrusion 220 in the direction of rotation D of spin tub 14 during spin-drying. As shown in Fig. 9, protrusion 220 is disposed at the top of an imaginary line that passes through rotation axis A of cover 20 and extends vertically.

[0044] In washing machine 1, the distance between the central axis A and the inner end of nozzle 30 on the central axis A side is longer than the distance between the inner end of convex portion 220 and central axis A. The tip of nozzle 30 is disposed on the downstream side of convex portion 220, approximately on an extension line of the extending direction of convex portion 220. In detail, the tip of nozzle 30 is positioned slightly radially outward from the inner end of convex portion 220.

[0045] 10, the nozzle 30 is embedded in the cover 20. The air outlet 30a located at the innermost side (R side) of the nozzle 30 is substantially flush with the opposite surface 212 of the cover 30. In the direction in which the central axis A extends, the base end of the convex portion 220 and the air outlet 30a located at the innermost side of the nozzle 30 are located at substantially the same position.

[0046] In washing machine 1, when spin tub 14 continuously rotates in one direction, such as during the spin cycle, laundry may be thrown out of spin tub 14 due to centrifugal force acting on the laundry in spin tub 14. If the thrown laundry is positioned between spin tub 14 and non-rotating components such as water tub 13, gasket 15, or door 12, friction may occur between the laundry and water tub 13, gasket 15, door 12, etc., potentially damaging the laundry. As described above, in washing machine 1, gaps are formed between cover 20 and door 12 or gasket 15. Gaps are also formed between balancer 14b, which forms part of water tub 13, and cover 20. If laundry gets caught in these gaps, the laundry is likely to be severely damaged.

[0047] In addition, in washing machine 1, laundry that moves to the front side of cover 20 while rotating inside rotatable tub 14 along with the rotation of rotatable tub 14 is returned to the rear side of cover 20 by first inclined surface 213 and second inclined surface 214 formed on the front and rear sides of cover 20, and wall surface 215 provided on the outer periphery of these inclined surfaces. In addition, laundry that has been returned to the rear side of cover 20 is returned to the rear side (R side) of rotatable tub 14 by convex portion 220 located in an area closer to central axis A than the tip end (balancer 14b) of rotatable tub 14. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the laundry due to friction.

[0048] Furthermore, there is a risk that laundry may come into contact with a component provided at the front end of tub 13, such as a component attached to cover 20, and the component or laundry may be damaged. In washing machine 1, nozzle 30 as a component is located downstream of convex portion 220 in rotation direction D. As described above, convex portion 220 returns the rotating laundry to side R within rotating tub 14. This prevents laundry from being located at the front end of washing tub 14 downstream of convex portion 220. This effectively prevents damage to nozzle 30 as a component or the laundry due to contact between the laundry and nozzle 30 as a component.

[0049] From the viewpoint of effectively suppressing contact between the laundry and the nozzle 30, it is preferable that the convex portion 220 and the nozzle 30 are arranged within a range of 60° or less, preferably within a range of 45° or less, preferably within a range of 30° or less, with the central axis A as the center, and it is even more preferable that the nozzle 30 is arranged so as to be substantially adjacent to the convex portion 220.

[0050] From the same viewpoint, it is preferable that the convex portion 220 and the nozzle 30 are disposed above the central axis A when viewed from the direction in which the central axis A extends. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of prioritizing prevention of contact between the laundry and the nozzle 30, it is preferable that the nozzle 30 be disposed at the apex of an imaginary line that passes through the rotation axis A of the cover 20 and extends in the vertical direction. In this case, the convex portion 220 moves upstream in the rotation direction D from the apex.

[0051] In this way, the unique arrangement of the convex portion 220 and the nozzle 30 in the washing machine 1 prevents contact between the rotating laundry and the nozzle 30. Therefore, even if the convex portion 220 and the nozzle 30 are arranged inside the balancer 14b (toward the central axis A), for example, contact between the nozzle 30 and the laundry can be suitably prevented. Furthermore, by arranging the nozzle 30 inside the balancer 14b, water can be supplied from the nozzle 30 to a wider area of ​​the washing tub 14. For example, the shower sprayed from the nozzle 30 can be sprayed over a wider area of ​​the washing tub 14. Therefore, the rinsing process can be more suitably performed while water is being supplied from the nozzle 30.

[0052] The principle by which the laundry is returned to the R side by the convex portion 220 will be described in detail below.

[0053] 8 and 10, when the rotational tub 14 is rotating in the rotational direction D, laundry moving from the upstream side toward the protruding portion 220 along the rotational direction D is guided toward the protruding portion 220 by the first inclined surface 213 and the second inclined surface 214. For example, when a part of laundry such as clothes is caught in a gap (see FIG. 5) between the door 12 or the packing 15 and the cover 20 and rotates in the rotational direction D and comes into contact with the protruding portion 220, as shown in FIG. 8, etc., the protruding portion 220 protrudes from the cover main body 210 toward the rear (R side), and therefore, a force toward the rear is applied by the protruding portion 220 to the rotating laundry. As a result, the part of the laundry that had been caught in the gap is pulled out of the gap, and the laundry is returned to the rear while rotating.

[0054] In the washing machine 1, a first inclined surface 213 and a second inclined surface 214 are provided on the cover body 210. These inclined surfaces 213, 214 suitably guide the laundry toward the convex portion 220. In detail, the second inclined surface 214, which is located upstream of the convex portion 220 and the first inclined surface 213 in the rotation direction D, faces radially inward from the radially outer side of the convex portion 220 toward the downstream side of the rotation direction D. Therefore, the laundry rotating in the rotation direction D first comes into contact with the second inclined surface 214, and is guided from the radially outer side of the convex portion 220 toward the radially inner side.

[0055] Thereafter, the laundry comes into contact with first inclined surface 213, which is located upstream of convex portion 220 in the rotation direction D and downstream of second inclined surface 214 in the rotation direction D. First inclined surface 213 is inclined with respect to central axis A from the front side (F side) of the base end of convex portion 220 toward the base end side of convex portion 220 toward the downstream side in the rotation direction D. First inclined surface 213 extends inclined from the front side (F side) of convex portion 220 toward convex portion 220 in the rotation direction D. Therefore, when the laundry is transferred from the downstream end of second inclined surface 214 to this first inclined surface 213, the laundry rotating in rotation direction D moves toward the opposite surface 212 of cover 20 in the direction in which central axis A extends, and is guided to the rear side where convex portion 220 is located. At this time, the laundry is pressed against wall surface 215 provided on the outer periphery of second inclined surface 214 by centrifugal force, and is guided to the downstream end without falling off second inclined surface 214. Since the upstream end of first inclined surface 213 is located on the near side (F side) of the downstream end of second inclined surface 214 and wall surface 215 is connected to the outer periphery of first inclined surface 213, the laundry moves smoothly to first inclined surface 213 while being pressed against wall surface 215.

[0056] Therefore, laundry that has overflowed door side surface 211 of cover 20 can be moved to opposite surface 212 of cover 20. Then, laundry that has passed first inclined surface 213 is positioned just before convex portion 220 in rotation direction D. Therefore, in washing machine 1, laundry reliably and appropriately contacts convex portion 220. Therefore, convex portion 220 pushes the laundry back toward the rear with high reliability. Therefore, laundry can be easily removed from the gap between the rotating object and the non-rotating object.

[0057] In this way, by separately providing first inclined surface 213, which moves laundry radially inward, and second inclined surface 214, which moves laundry toward the rear, even if the thickness of cover 20 along the direction in which central axis A extends is thin, laundry can be more appropriately guided to protrusion 220 and pushed back toward the rear. If cover 20 can be made thinner, the depth of water tub 13 and spin tub 14 can be increased accordingly, thereby increasing their volumes. Therefore, the washing capacity of washing machine 1 can be increased.

[0058] From this viewpoint, it is preferable that the first inclined surface 213 and the second inclined surface 214 are provided so as not to overlap in the rotation direction. In addition, it is preferable that the first inclined surface 213 and the second inclined surface 214 are provided so as to overlap partially or entirely in the direction in which the central axis A extends.

[0059] In washing machine 1, wall surface 215 is provided radially outward of first inclined surface 213. Wall surface 215 faces inward in the radial direction. Therefore, wall surface 215 effectively prevents laundry rotating in contact with first inclined surface 213 from moving radially outward again. Therefore, laundry is suitably guided by convex portion 220.

[0060] From the viewpoint of effectively guiding laundry to the convex portion 220 by the first inclined surface 213 and the second inclined surface 214, it is preferable that the downstream end of the second inclined surface 214 in the rotation direction D is located further back (towards R) than the upstream end of the first inclined surface 213.

[0061] In washing machine 1, first inclined surface 213 and second inclined surface 214 are continuous in the circumferential direction when viewed from the direction in which central axis A extends. Therefore, laundry moves smoothly between first inclined surface 213 and second inclined surface 214 and favorably toward convex portion 220. Therefore, convex portion 220 pushes the laundry back more reliably, and damage to the laundry can be more effectively suppressed.

[0062] As described above, washing machine 1 is provided with a guide surface that is configured by at least one of first inclined surface 213, second inclined surface 214, and wall surface 215, and that guides the rotating laundry toward convex portion 220. This makes it easier for convex portion 220 to push the laundry back. This more effectively prevents parts such as nozzle 30 from coming into contact with the rotating laundry and damaging nozzle 30, etc.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 15, washing machine 1 is provided with rib 230 in addition to convex portion 220, first inclined surface 213, and second inclined surface 214 that guide laundry to convex portion 220. Rib 230 protrudes from a portion of opposite surface 212 located at outer portion 212a toward the rear (R side). Second portion 232 of rib 230 extends radially inward toward convex portion 220 in rotation direction D. The downstream tip of second portion 232 is spaced apart from convex portion 220. Therefore, for example, laundry that has gotten into gap G between spin tub 14 and cover 2 as shown in FIG. 7 is ejected from gap G by rib 230. This prevents laundry from getting caught in gap G and being damaged.

[0064] From the viewpoint of more suitably returning the laundry discharged from the gap G by the rib 230 into the spin tub 14, it is preferable that the downstream end of the rib 230 is separated from the protruding portion 220 in the circumferential direction and also in the radial direction. Furthermore, it is preferable that the downstream end of the protruding portion 220 is located on an extension line of the second portion 232 of the rib 230. This is because the laundry that comes into contact with the rib 230 can be more easily discharged from the gap G without being hindered by the protruding portion 220.

[0065] In washing machine 1, rib 230 is provided upstream of protrusion 220 in rotation direction D, and therefore laundry discharged from gap G by the action of rib 230 is pushed back to the rear by protrusion 220. This effectively prevents laundry that has entered gap G from re-entering gap G and being damaged.

[0066] As described above, in the washing machine 1, the rib 230 for discharging the laundry from the gap G is provided upstream of the convex portion 220 in the rotation direction D. This effectively prevents the nozzle 30, which is disposed downstream of the rib 230 and the convex portion 220 in the rotation direction D, from coming into contact with the laundry that is being rotated while being caught in the gap G. Therefore, in the washing machine 1, damage to the nozzle 30 and other components is more effectively prevented.

[0067] (Variation) In the above embodiment, an example in which the nozzle 30 is provided as a component has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. In the present disclosure, the component is not particularly limited as long as it can be damaged by contact with the rotating laundry.

[0068] The component may be, for example, an electronic component or a light source. An example of the electronic component is, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader. By providing an RFID reader as a component, it is possible to read information stored in an IC chip attached to the laundry, for example. The light source may be, for example, an LED light source. By providing a light source, it is possible to irradiate light into washing tub 14, for example, thereby improving the visibility of the laundry in washing tub 14.

[0069] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Furthermore, configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described in this specification are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1: Washing machine 2: Cover 12: Door 13: Aquarium 14: Rotating tank 14a: Rotating tub body 14b: Balancer 15: Packing 20: Cover 30: Nozzle 210: Cover body 211: Door side 212: Opposite side 213: 1st slope 214:Second slope 215: Wall 220: Convex part 230: Rib

Claims

1. a water tank that opens toward the front in the direction in which the central axis extends; a rotating tub within the water tub, the rotating tub being open toward the front side and rotatable relative to the water tub about the central axis; a cover attached to the water tub and covering the front side of the open end of the rotating tub; A component provided in the water tank; Equipped with the cover is located inside the rotating tub when viewed from the direction in which the central axis extends, and has a protrusion that protrudes toward the back side in the direction in which the central axis extends, The part is provided on the rear side of the cover, downstream of the convex portion in the rotation direction of the spin tub during spin-drying.

2. The rotating tank is A rotating tub body, a balancer connected to a tip end of the rotatable tub body and facing the cover in the direction in which the central axis extends; and The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion and the component are located inside the balancer.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the cover has a guide surface that guides laundry rotating in front of the cover to the protrusion.

4. The washing machine of claim 1 , wherein the component is at least one of an electronic component, a nozzle, and a light source.

Images