Washing machine and filter unit

Abstract

To improve ease of use in the series of operations required to extract collected lint. [Solution] The washing machine comprises a main body with an opening for loading laundry, a water tank located inside the main body, a washing tub rotatably connected to the water tank, and a filter unit having a front cover and a back cover that is detachably attached to the washing tub. The back cover is rotatable between a closed position and an open position relative to the front cover, with the hinge shaft as the pivot point. When the back cover is closed, the space between the front cover and the back cover is formed as a collection space for collecting lint, and a collection slider for gathering the lint collected in the collection space is movably supported on the back cover.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to the technical field of a washing machine having a main body, a water tank, and a washing tub, and a filter unit detachably attached to the washing tub of the washing machine. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Some washing machines are provided with a filter unit detachably attached to the washing tub, and lint, which is a floating substance such as thread waste and dust, is collected by the filter unit during washing (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). 【0003】 In Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 of Patent Document 1, a configuration is shown in which lint is taken out from the filter unit by moving the front cover and the back cover of the filter unit in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction. Further, in Embodiment 3 of Patent Document 1, a scraping member movable between the front cover and the back cover is provided, and the scraping member is moved by manually operating a picking member connected to the scraping member, and a configuration in which lint is taken out from the filter unit is shown. 【0004】 In Patent Document 2, a configuration is shown in which the front cover and the back cover of the filter unit are separable, and lint is picked out from the filter unit with a finger or the like in a state where the front cover and the back cover are separated. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0005】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent No. 6653425 【Patent Document 2】 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-09425 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0006】 Incidentally, in a configuration where the front cover and back cover move in the longitudinal direction, as described in Patent Document 1, the front cover and back cover are formed in a shape that is elongated in the direction of movement. Therefore, when the combined length of the front cover and back cover has increased due to movement in opposite directions, if an external force is applied to the front cover or back cover in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction from a hand or the like that is unintentionally gripping it, the filter unit becomes more susceptible to damage. 【0007】 Furthermore, in a configuration in which lint is removed from the filter unit with the front cover and back cover separated, as described in Patent Document 2, it becomes necessary to perform the work of separating the front cover and back cover and then, after removing the lint, reattaching the front cover and back cover to restore the original state. 【0008】 Therefore, in both the configurations described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, there is a risk that the ease of use will be impaired in the series of operations required to remove the collected lint. 【0009】 Therefore, the present invention aims to improve the ease of use in a series of operations for extracting collected lint. [Means for solving the problem] 【0010】 The washing machine according to the present invention comprises a main body having an opening for loading laundry, a water tank disposed inside the main body, a washing tub rotatably connected to the water tank, and a filter unit having a front cover and a back cover and detachably attached to the washing tub, wherein the back cover is rotatable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the front cover, the space between the front cover and the back cover is formed as a collection space for collecting lint when the back cover is closed, and a collection slider for collecting lint collected in the collection space is movably supported on the back cover. 【0011】 As a result, when the back cover, which is in the closed position, rotates to one side relative to the front cover using the hinge shaft as a pivot point, and the filter unit opens, the collection slider can gather lint and remove the lint from the filter unit. At the same time, when the back cover, which is in the open position, rotates to the other side relative to the front cover using the hinge shaft as a pivot point, the back cover can be returned to the closed position. 【0012】 The filter unit according to the present invention is a filter unit that can be attached to the washing tub of a washing machine, which comprises a main body having an opening for loading laundry, a water tank disposed inside the main body, and a washing tub rotatably connected to the water tank, and has a front cover and a back cover, the back cover being rotatable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the front cover with a hinge shaft as the pivot point, the space between the front cover and the back cover being formed as a collection space for collecting lint when the back cover is closed, and a collection slider for collecting lint collected in the collection space is movably supported on the back cover. 【0013】 As a result, when the back cover, which is in the closed position, rotates to one side relative to the front cover using the hinge shaft as a pivot point, and the filter unit opens, the collection slider can gather lint and remove the lint from the filter unit. At the same time, when the back cover, which is in the open position, rotates to the other side relative to the front cover using the hinge shaft as a pivot point, the back cover can be returned to the closed position. [Effects of the Invention] 【0014】 According to the present invention, when the back cover, which is in the closed position, is rotated to one side relative to the front cover using the hinge shaft as a pivot point, and the filter unit is opened, the collection slider can gather lint and remove the lint from the filter unit. Similarly, when the back cover, which is in the open position, is rotated to the other side relative to the front cover using the hinge shaft as a pivot point, the back cover can be returned to the closed position. This improves the ease of use in a series of operations for removing the collected lint. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0015】 [Figure 1] Figures 2 to 13 illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and this figure is a schematic cross-sectional view of a washing machine. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the filter unit. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the filter unit, shown from a different direction than in Figure 2, with the back cover in the closed position. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the filter unit, shown from a different direction than in Figure 2, with the back cover in the open position. [Figure 5] This is a disassembled perspective view of the filter unit. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the back cover. [Figure 7] This is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the filter unit. [Figure 8] This is a vertical cross-section of the filter unit. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing the lint collected when the back cover is in the open position and the collection slider is slid open. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view showing a collection slider, etc., with reinforcing ribs provided on the sliding surface side. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view showing a collection slider or similar device equipped with a peeling section. [Figure 12]It shows a configuration in which a handle part is provided on the back cover together with FIG. 13, and this figure is a perspective view showing the state where the back cover is in the closed position. [Figure 13] It is a perspective view showing the state where the back cover is in the open position. 【Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention】 【0016】 Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the washing machine and the filter unit of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 【0017】 The washing machine shown below has a filter unit that is detachably attached to the washing tub, and in the following description, the front, rear, up, down, left, and right directions will be described with the filter unit attached to the washing tub. However, the front, rear, up, down, left, and right directions shown below are for convenience of explanation, and the implementation of the present invention is not limited to these directions. 【0018】 In addition, examples of applying the present invention to a vertical washing machine and a filter unit used therein are shown below, but the present invention can also be applied to a drum washing machine, a two-tub washing machine, and a filter unit used therein. 【0019】 <Schematic Configuration of Washing Machine> The washing machine 1 has a main body 2 provided as an outer casing, a water tank 3 disposed inside the main body 2, and a washing tub 4 rotated inside the main body 2 (see FIG. 1). 【0020】 The main body 2 has a case part 5 and a lid part 6, and an opening 5a for loading and unloading laundry is formed in the upper surface part of the case part 5, and the lid part 6 is configured to open and close the opening 5a. 【0021】 The water tank 3 is supported by the main body 2 in a state of being vibration-proofed by a plurality of suspensions (not shown) arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. 【0022】 The washing tub 4 is rotatable within the water tank 3 relative to the main body 2. The washing tub 4 may also function as a spin-drying tub. Water flow holes 4a are formed on the circumferential surface of the washing tub 4. The washing tub 4 is provided with an upper engaging portion 4b and a lower engaging portion 4c above and below the water flow holes 4a, respectively. An annular fluid balancer 7 is attached to the upper end of the washing tub 4. 【0023】 A pulsator 8 is positioned at the lower end of the washing tub 4, and the rotation of the pulsator 8 generates water flow during washing. 【0024】 At the lower end of the main body 2, a clutch 9 and a motor 10 are positioned below the water tank 3, and the clutch 9 and motor 10 are connected to the pulsator 8 via a connecting shaft 11. The clutch 9 and motor 10 are operated by a control circuit (not shown). 【0025】 The clutch 9 has the function of switching between the rotation of the washing tub 4 and the rotation of the pulsator 8. The motor 10 has the function of transmitting driving force to the washing tub 4 or the pulsator 8 in response to the switching operation of the clutch 9. Therefore, during washing, the pulsator 8 is rotated by the driving force of the motor 10 in response to the switching operation of the clutch 9, and during spinning, the washing tub 4 is rotated by the driving force of the motor 10 in response to the switching operation of the clutch 9. 【0026】 A drain pipe 12 is connected to the lower end of the tank 3, and the drain pipe 12 is pulled out from the main body 2. A drain valve 13 is inserted into the drain pipe 12, and the drain valve 13 is also operated by a control circuit, similar to the clutch 9 and motor 10. 【0027】 A return water channel (not shown) is formed on the outer side of the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub 4. The return water channel is connected to a water outlet 4a formed in the washing tub 4. Therefore, the washing water flowing in the return water channel can flow into the interior of the washing tub 4 through the water outlet 4a. 【0028】 <Filter Unit Configuration> A filter unit 14 is detachably attached to the washing tub 4. The filter unit 14 is attached to the washing tub 4 by engaging with the upper engaging portion 4b and the lower engaging portion 4c of the washing tub 4. 【0029】 The filter unit 14 has a front cover 15, a back cover 16, and a collection slider 17 (see Figures 2 to 5). The front cover 15, the back cover 16, and the collection slider 17 are all made of, for example, a resin material. 【0030】 The front cover 15 is formed by integrally forming each part and has a case portion 18 having a shallow recess opening to the rear, an engaging projection 19 protruding from the upper end of the case portion 18, and a hook portion 20 protruding from the lower end of the case portion 18. 【0031】 The case portion 18 has a plate-shaped base surface portion 21 that faces approximately in the front-to-back direction and a circumferential surface portion 22 that is continuous with the outer periphery of the base surface portion 21. 【0032】 The base surface portion 21 is gently curved in the left-right direction and is formed in a curved shape that is convex forward. Multiple water passage holes 21a are formed in the base surface portion 21, except for the upper end portion. A filter (filter sheet) (not shown) is attached to the inner surface of the base surface portion 21 in the area where the water passage holes 21a are formed. Therefore, when the wash water passes through the water passage holes 21a, the wash water is filtered by the filter, and lint and other suspended matter such as threads and debris remain on the inner surface of the base surface portion 21. The filter may be integrally formed with the base surface portion 21, for example, by insert molding. 【0033】 Multiple functional protrusions 23 project backward from the inner surface of the base surface 21. The functional protrusions 23 are located above the portion where the water passage holes 21a are formed, and have the function of preventing backflow of washing water and preventing excessive dust collection of lint and other particles that are carried along with the washing water. 【0034】 The circumferential portion 22 protrudes rearward from the outer circumference of the base surface portion 21 and consists of a pair of side portions 24 positioned opposite each other on the left and right, an upper portion 26 whose left and right ends are connected to the upper ends of the pair of side portions 24, and a lower portion 27 whose left and right ends are connected to the lower ends of the pair of side portions 24. 【0035】 A pair of notches 25 are formed in the side portion 24, opening to the left, right, and rear. The notches 25 are located, for example, to the side of the water passage hole 21a formed at the uppermost position. The upper and lower surfaces forming the notches 25 are each formed as pressing surfaces 25a. 【0036】 A pair of shaft support holes 24a are formed near the lower end on the inner surface of the side portion 24. 【0037】 A stopper portion 28 is provided in the case portion 18. The stopper portion 28 is formed in the shape of a plate that protrudes rearward from the base surface portion 21 and is positioned directly above the lower portion 27, facing the lower portion 27. The left and right ends of the stopper portion 28 are each continuous with a pair of side portions 24 and are positioned between the shaft support hole 24a and the lower portion 27. 【0038】 The engaging projection 19 protrudes from the upper part 26 of the case part 18 and is located on the upper side of the case part 18. The engaging projection 19 is formed in a shape where the plate is folded back in a roughly U-shape and is elastically deformable. The tip of the engaging projection 19 is provided with a pair of claws 19a that engage with the upper engaging part 4b of the washing tub 4. The hooking part 20 protrudes downward from the lower part 27 of the case part 18 and is formed in a horizontally elongated plate shape. 【0039】 The back cover 16 is formed by integrally forming each part and has a shape with a shallow recess opening to the front (see Figures 4 to 6). The back cover 16 has a vertical width smaller than the vertical width of the case portion 18 of the front cover 15, and a horizontal width slightly smaller than the horizontal width of the case portion 18. The back cover 16 consists of a wall portion 29 facing approximately in the front-rear direction, a pair of side wall portions 30 projecting forward from both the left and right ends of the wall portion 29, an upper wall portion 31 projecting forward from the upper end of the wall portion 29, and a receiving portion 32 projecting forward from the lower end of the wall portion 29. 【0040】 The wall portion 29 is gently curved in the left-right direction and is formed in a curved shape that is convex forward. However, the wall portion 29 may be formed in a flat shape. The front surface of the wall portion 29 is formed as a curved sliding surface 29a. A pair of forward-projecting restricting protrusions 29b are provided on the front surface of the wall portion 29, and the restricting protrusions 29b are located at both the left and right ends of the lower end of the wall portion 29. 【0041】 A guide groove 30a extending vertically is formed on the outer surface of the side wall portion 30. The guide groove 30a opens outward in the left-right direction. The lower end of the side wall portion 30 is located above the receiving portion 32 and is not continuous with the receiving portion 32. 【0042】 The receiving portion 32 is provided, for example, as a curved, uneven surface, and is formed in a wavy shape with repeated irregularities in the left-right direction. The front-to-back width of the receiving portion 32 is greater than the front-to-back width of the upper wall portion 31. The receiving portion 32 may also be formed in a flat shape. 【0043】 In the back cover 16, a space is formed between the lower end of the side wall portion 30 and both left and right ends of the receiving portion 32, and this space is formed as a drainage portion 33. Therefore, drainage portions 33 are formed on both the left and right sides of the upper surface of the receiving portion 32. The drainage portions 33 are formed in the shape of notches that open to the left, right, and front. 【0044】 The back cover 16 is provided with a pair of hinge shafts 34 located on the outer side in the left-right direction of the drainage section 33. The hinge shafts 34 protrude from the lower ends of both the left and right sides of the wall surface 29 to opposite sides in the left-right direction. 【0045】 The back cover 16 is supported by the front cover 15 so as to be rotatable, with a pair of hinge shafts 34 each inserted into shaft support holes 24a from the inner surface of the side portion 24, using the hinge shafts 34 as a pivot point (see Figures 3 and 4). The back cover 16 can be manually rotated between a closed position (see Figure 3) where it is closed relative to the front cover 15 and an open position (see Figure 4) where it is fully open relative to the front cover 15. 【0046】 In addition, although the above example shows a back cover 16 with a hinge shaft portion 34 and a shaft support hole 24a formed in the front cover 15, in the filter unit 14, conversely, a shaft support hole may be formed in the back cover 16 and a hinge shaft portion may be provided in the front cover 15 so that the back cover 16 is rotatably supported by the front cover 15. 【0047】 The collection slider 17 is formed in a horizontal shape, with each part being integrally formed (see Figures 3 to 5). 【0048】 The collection slider 17 has a sliding portion 35 that extends approximately to the left and right, and a pair of supported portions 36 that protrude from both the left and right ends of the sliding portion 35. 【0049】 The sliding portion 35 is formed in a gently curved shape that is convex forward, in accordance with the shapes of the base surface portion 21 of the front cover 15 and the wall surface portion 29 of the back cover 16. Multiple reinforcing ribs 35a extending approximately left and right are provided on the sliding portion 35 in a vertical arrangement, and the reinforcing ribs 35a are provided, for example, on the front side of the sliding portion 35. The provision of multiple reinforcing ribs 35a on the sliding portion 35 ensures high strength for the collection slider 17. 【0050】 The pair of supported parts 36 not only function as being supported by the back cover 16, but also partially function as handles. The supported parts 36 are formed in a roughly U-shape and are elastically deformable. The supported parts 36 have a vertical wall portion 37 continuous with the sliding portion 35, a connecting portion 38 continuous with the vertical wall portion 37 and bent in a semi-circular arc shape, and a handle portion 39 continuous with the connecting portion 38, with the vertical wall portion 37 and the handle portion 39 positioned opposite each other in the left-right direction (see Figures 5 and 7). In the supported parts 36, the handle portion 39 is elastically deformed relative to the vertical wall portion 37. 【0051】 The inner surface of the handle portion 39 is provided with a guided projection 39a that protrudes toward the vertical wall portion 37. The outer surface of the handle portion 39 is provided with a plurality of anti-slip projections 39b. The handle portion 39 is provided with a pair of retaining projections 39c that protrude toward opposite sides in the vertical direction. 【0052】 The collection slider 17 has a pair of guided projections 39a that are inserted into guide grooves 30a formed in the side wall portion 30, and is supported by the back cover 16 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. When the collection slider 17 is supported by the back cover 16, the supported portion 36 covers the side wall portion 30 from the front and left and right. At this time, the outer surface of the handle portion 39 in the left and right direction is at approximately the same position as the outer surface of the side wall portion 30, and the handle portion 39 does not protrude outward from the side wall portion 30 in the left and right direction (see Figure 7). In addition, the rear surface 35b of the sliding portion 35 is in surface contact with the sliding surface 29a of the wall portion 29, or there is a small gap between it and the sliding surface 29a. 【0053】 <Filter Unit Operation> The filter unit 14, configured as described above, is attached to the washing tub 4 by the engagement projection 19 engaging with the upper engagement portion 4b of the washing tub 4 and the hook portion 20 engaging with the lower engagement portion 4c of the washing tub 4. When the filter unit 14 is attached to the washing tub 4, the water flow holes 4a are located on the rear side of the front cover 15 and on the upper side of the back cover 16. 【0054】 On the other hand, the filter unit 14 is removed from the washing tub 4 when the engaging projection 19 is manually elastically deformed and the engagement with the upper engaging portion 4b is released, thereby releasing the engagement with the lower engaging portion 4c of the hook portion 20. 【0055】 As described above, the filter unit 14 has a back cover 16 that can rotate between a closed position and an open position relative to the front cover 15, with the hinge shaft portion 34 as the pivot point (see Figures 2 to 4). 【0056】 When the back cover 16 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the supported portions 36 of the collection slider 17 are inserted into a pair of notches 25 formed on the side portion 24 of the front cover 15 (see Figures 2, 3, and 7). 【0057】 When the supported portion 36 is inserted into the notch 25, the back cover 16 is held in the closed position. When the back cover 16 is held in the closed position, the supported portion 36 is inserted into the notch 25 and a part of the handle portion 39 is positioned in the notch 25. At this time, the collection slider 17 is inserted with the handle portion 39 fitted into the notch 25, and the retaining projections 39c are pressed against the pressing surface 25a. 【0058】 When the back cover 16 is held in the closed position, the retaining projection 39c is pressed against the pressing surface 25a that forms the notch 25, thereby ensuring that the collection slider 17 remains stable relative to the front cover 15. 【0059】 Therefore, the collection slider 17 is held in place by the front cover 15, preventing rattling of the collection slider 17 relative to the front cover 15. 【0060】 When the back cover 16 is held in the closed position, a space is formed between the front cover 15 and the back cover 16 inside the filter unit 14, and this space is designated as the collection space 40 (see Figures 7 and 8). 【0061】 The collection space 40 is the space enclosed by the base surface 21 of the front cover 15, the wall surface 29 of the back cover 16, the pair of side wall surfaces 30 of the back cover 16, the upper wall surface 31 of the back cover 16, and the receiving portion 32 of the back cover 16. At this time, since the front-to-back width of the upper wall surface 31 is smaller than the front-to-back width of the receiving portion 32, the tip surface of the receiving portion 32 is in contact with the base surface surface 21, but the tip surface of the upper wall surface 31 is not in contact with the base surface surface 21 (see Figure 8). Therefore, a gap is created between the upper wall surface 31 and the base surface surface 21, and this gap is formed as a communication opening 40a. The space above the collection space 40 of the internal space of the filter unit 14 is formed as an inflow space 41. 【0062】 When the back cover 16 is held in the closed position and the filter unit 14 is attached to the washing tub 4, the washing water W is made able to flow into the inflow space 41 from the water flow holes 4a of the washing tub 4. The washing water W that flows into the inflow space 41 flows from the inflow space 41 through the communication port 40a into the collection space 40, and from the collection space 40 flows into the inside of the washing tub 4 through a plurality of water passage holes 21a formed in the base surface portion 21. At this time, the washing water W is filtered by the filter attached to the base surface portion 21, and lint 100, which are suspended particles such as threads and debris, remain in the collection space 40 and are collected. 【0063】 The lint 100 remaining in the collection space 40 is moved downward or adheres to the sliding surface 29a of the wall portion 29 when the wash water inside the washing tub 4 is discharged, for example, at the end of washing, as the wash water remaining in the collection space 40 is discharged through the water passage holes 21a. Furthermore, when the washing tub 4 is rotated during the subsequent dewatering process, the lint 100 also adheres to the sliding surface 29a due to the centrifugal force. In this case, since the wall portion 29 of the back cover 16 is formed in a gently curved shape, the area of ​​the sliding surface 29a is larger compared to when the wall portion 29 is formed in a flat shape. As a result, the amount of lint 100 adhering to the sliding surface 29a increases, and the lint 100 can be collected efficiently. 【0064】 In addition, the above description explains an example in which the wash water W flowing in the return water channel flows from the inlet space 41 through the communication port 40a into the collection space 40 and flows from top to bottom (vertically). However, for example, a flow hole may be formed in the side portion 24 of the front cover 15 so that the wash water W flowing in the return water channel flows into the collection space 40 from the flow hole. In this case, the wash water W flows horizontally into the collection space 40 from the flow hole in accordance with the flow direction of the wash water W which flows circumferentially during washing and rinsing, making it possible to collect lint 100 more efficiently. 【0065】 The user of the washing machine 1 can remove the lint 100 collected in the collection space 40 from the filter unit 14 as follows (see Figures 3, 4, and 9). 【0066】 The removal of lint 100 is performed with the filter unit 14 removed from the washing tub 4. With the filter unit 14 removed from the washing tub 4, first, the back cover 16 is rotated from the closed position (see Figure 3) to the open position (see Figure 4). The rotation of the back cover 16 to the open position can be done by placing fingers on the pair of handles 39 of the collection slider 17 and pulling the collection slider 17 to the opposite side of the base surface 21. 【0067】 Since the handle portion 39 is provided with an anti-slip projection 39b, the user can easily pull the collection slider 17 to the opposite side of the base surface portion 21 by placing their fingers on the anti-slip projection 39b. Furthermore, since the supported portion 36 is supported by the back cover 16 in such a way that it covers the side wall portion 30 from the front and both sides, and the direction in which the user pulls the collection slider 17 is towards the rear, when the collection slider 17 is pulled, no force is applied to the collection slider 17 in a direction that would cause it to detach from the back cover 16, thereby preventing the collection slider 17 from falling off the back cover 16. 【0068】 When the collection slider 17 is pulled to the opposite side of the base surface 21, the back cover 16 rotates around the hinge shaft 34 as a pivot point, moving toward the open position relative to the front cover 15. The back cover 16 can rotate until the rear surface of the wall surface 29 contacts the stopper portion 28 of the front cover 15, and the back cover 16 is held in the open position by contacting the stopper portion 28 (see Figure 4). When the back cover 16 is held in the open position, it has rotated by more than 90 degrees from the closed position, and the sliding surface 29a is tilted so that it faces diagonally relative to the front cover 15. At this time, the collection slider 17 is located closest to the upper wall portion 31 in the direction of movement. 【0069】 When the back cover 16 is held in the open position, a large portion of the collected lint 100 remains on the sliding surface 29a, and since the back cover 16 is rotated by more than 90 degrees from the closed position, the user can easily see the lint 100. 【0070】 Next, the collection slider 17 is manually moved (slid) toward the receiving portion 32 relative to the back cover 16 (see Figure 9). When the collection slider 17 is slid, the rear surface 35b of the collection slider 17 slides against the sliding surface 29a, and the lint 100 that was stuck to the sliding surface 29a is peeled away from the sliding surface 29a, and the lint 100 is pressed toward the receiving portion 32 by the sliding portion 35 and crushed. 【0071】 The lint 100 is gathered by the sliding part 35 and received by the receiving part 32, and accumulates in a clump between the sliding part 35 and the receiving part 32. At this time, the moisture contained in the lint 100 is discharged from the drainage parts 33 formed on both the left and right sides of the receiving part 32, and the moisture content of the accumulated lint 100 is reduced. The accumulated lint 100 is removed from the collection space 40 and discarded. 【0072】 As described above, the back cover 16 has a drainage section 33 formed in a position continuous with the receiving section 32, so that when the collection slider 17 moves relative to the back cover 16, the moisture contained in the lint 100 that is collected is discharged to the outside through the drainage section 33. 【0073】 Therefore, when removing the lint 100 from the collection space 40, the dripping of water droplets from the lint 100 can be suppressed, and lint 100 with low moisture content can be disposed of. 【0074】 Furthermore, even when the amount of lint 100 accumulated is small, the collection slider 17 is restricted from moving by contacting the pair of restricting protrusions 29b of the back cover 16. 【0075】 Therefore, the collection slider 17 does not come into contact with the receiving portion 32, preventing damage or breakage to both the receiving portion 32 and the collection slider 17. 【0076】 When the lint particles 100 are removed from the collection space 40, they are received by the receiving portion 32, which is provided as a curved, uneven surface. This allows the lint particles 100 to slide along the curved surface and be removed from the collection space 40, making the removal of the lint particles 100 from the collection space 40 easy and quick. 【0077】 Furthermore, since the lint 100 collected by the movement of the collection slider 17 relative to the back cover 16 is received by the receiving portion 32 which is provided as a curved, uneven surface, the lint 100 is less likely to stick to the receiving portion 32 compared to when the receiving portion is formed on a flat surface, making it easier and quicker to remove the lint 100 from the collection space 40. 【0078】 When the lint 100 is removed from the collection space 40, the collection slider 17 slides to the uppermost wall portion 31, the back cover 16 rotates and is held in the closed position, and the filter unit 14 is attached to the washing tub 4. 【0079】 <Other> The above shows an example in which multiple reinforcing ribs 35a are provided on the front side of the sliding portion 35 of the collection slider 17. However, in the collection slider 17, the opposite may be true: multiple reinforcing ribs 35a may be provided on the rear side of the sliding portion 35 (see Figure 10). When the reinforcing ribs 35a are provided on the rear side of the sliding portion 35, the rear end faces of the reinforcing ribs 35a slide against the sliding surface 29a of the back cover 16 during the sliding operation of the collection slider 17 against the back cover 16. 【0080】 Therefore, the contact area of ​​the collection slider 17 with the sliding surface 29a is reduced, improving its sliding properties, and ensuring smooth sliding motion of the collection slider 17 relative to the back cover 16 while maintaining high strength of the collection slider 17. 【0081】 Furthermore, in the filter unit 14, a collection slider 17X may be used instead of the collection slider 17, which has a peeling portion 42 at its lower end (see Figure 11). The collection slider 17X has a peeling portion 42 that is continuous with the lower end of the sliding portion 35, and the peeling portion 42 is formed in a shape that tapers as it goes downwards. The peeling portion 42 is formed in a shape that extends to the left and right, and has a contact surface 42a that slides against the sliding surface 29a when sliding, and an inclined surface 42b that is inclined to approach the contact surface 42a as it goes downwards. 【0082】 By using a collection slider 17X having a peeling section 42, the lint 100 adhering to the sliding surface 29a when sliding against the back cover 16 can be easily peeled off by the peeling section 42, and the lint 100 can be easily and reliably peeled off and collected by the collection slider 17X. 【0083】 <Summary> As described above, in the washing machine 1 and the filter unit 14, the back cover 16 is rotatable between a closed position and an open position relative to the front cover 15 with the hinge shaft 34 as the pivot point, and a collection slider 17 that collects lint 100 collected in the collection space 40 is movably supported on the back cover 16. 【0084】 Therefore, with the hinge shaft 34 as the pivot point, the back cover 16 can be rotated to one side relative to the front cover 15 to open it, allowing the lint 100 to be collected and removed by the collection slider 17. At the same time, with the hinge shaft 34 as the pivot point, the back cover 16 can be rotated to the other side relative to the front cover 15 to hold it in the closed position. 【0085】 This makes it possible to hold the back cover 16 in both a closed and open position without separating the back cover 16 and the front cover 15, and also allows the collection slider 17 to collect the lint 100 when the back cover 16 is rotated to the open position, thereby improving the ease of use in a series of operations for removing the collected lint 100. 【0086】 Furthermore, the filter unit 14 is provided with a handle portion 39 that is gripped when the back cover 16 rotates relative to the front cover 15, and the handle portion 39 is provided as part of the collection slider 17. 【0087】 Therefore, since the handle portion 39 is shared with the collection slider 17 that collects lint 100, the functionality of the filter unit 14 can be improved. 【0088】 <Other configurations of the filter unit> The above example shows a filter unit 14 in which the handle portion 39 is provided as part of the collection slider 17. However, it is also possible to use a filter unit 14A configured as follows instead of the filter unit 14 (see Figures 12 and 13). 【0089】 Furthermore, the filter unit 14A shown below differs from the filter unit 14 described above only in that a handle is provided on the back cover, while a handle is not provided on the collection slider. Therefore, in the description of the filter unit 14A, only the parts that differ from the filter unit 14 will be explained in detail, and the other parts will be given the same reference numerals as those used for the similar parts in the filter unit 14, and their explanation will be omitted. 【0090】 The filter unit 14A has a front cover 15, a back cover 16A, and a collection slider 17A, and a pair of handles 43 are provided on the back cover 16A. 【0091】 The back cover 16A is provided with a pair of handle portions 43. The pair of handle portions 43 are, for example, formed integrally with the side wall portion 30 as part of the back cover 16A and protrude outward from the side wall portion 30 in the left-right direction. Guide grooves 30b for guiding the collection slider 17A are formed on the inner surface side of the pair of side wall portions 30 of the back cover 16A. 【0092】 The collection slider 17A has a sliding portion 35 that extends approximately to the left and right. The collection slider 17A is provided with a pair of guided projections 35c that protrude outward from both the left and right end faces of the sliding portion 35. 【0093】 The collection slider 17A has a pair of guided projections 35c that are inserted into guide grooves 30b formed in the side wall portion 30, and is supported by the back cover 16A so as to be movable in the vertical direction. 【0094】 In the filter unit 14A, the back cover 16A can be rotated from the closed position (see Figure 12) to the open position (see Figure 13) by placing fingers on the pair of handles 43 and pulling the back cover 16A to the opposite side of the base surface 21. At this time, it is desirable that the handles 43, similar to the handle 39 of the collection slider 17, have anti-slip protrusions, although these are not shown in the figure. 【0095】 When the back cover 16A is closed, the handle portion 43 of the filter unit 14A is inserted into the notch 25 of the front cover 15. 【0096】 As described above, in the filter unit 14A, the handle portion 43 is a separate component from the collection slider 17A that collects the lint 100, thus improving the design flexibility of the collection slider 17A. 【0097】 Furthermore, in the filter unit 14A, guide grooves 30b are formed on the inner surface of the pair of side wall portions 30, and the collection slider 17A slides against the back cover 16A inside the pair of side wall portions 30. As a result, a part of the collection slider 17A does not protrude forward from the side wall portions 30, making it possible to miniaturize the filter unit 14A. 【0098】 As described above, in the filter unit 14A, similar to the filter unit 14 equipped with a handle portion 39, the back cover 16A can be rotated to one side relative to the front cover 15 using the hinge shaft portion 34 as a pivot point to open it, allowing the lint 100 to be collected and removed by the collection slider 17A. At the same time, the back cover 16A can be rotated to the other side relative to the front cover 15 using the hinge shaft portion 34 as a pivot point to hold it in the closed position. 【0099】 Therefore, it is possible to hold the back cover 16A in a closed position and an open position without separating the back cover 16A and the front cover 15, and when the back cover 16A is rotated to the open position, the lint 100 can be collected by the collection slider 17A, thereby improving the ease of use in a series of operations for removing the collected lint 100. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0100】 1. Washing machine 2 Main unit 3 Aquariums 4. Washing tub 5a aperture 14 filter units 15 Front cover 16 Back cover 17 Collection Slider 29a Sliding surface 32 Receiving part 33 Drainage section 34 Hinge shaft 35a Reinforcement Rib 39 Handle 40 Collection space 17X Collection Slider 14A Filter Unit 16A Back Cover 17A Collection Slider 43 Handle

Claims

[Claim 1] The main body has an opening for putting in laundry, A water tank is placed inside the main body, A washing tub rotatably connected to the aforementioned water tank, It comprises a front cover and a back cover, and a filter unit that is detachably attached to the washing tub, The back cover is rotatable between a closed position and an open position relative to the front cover, with the hinge shaft serving as a pivot point. When the back cover is closed, the space between the front cover and the back cover is formed as a collection space for collecting lint. A collection slider for gathering lint collected in the collection space is movably supported on the back cover. washing machine. [Claim 2] The filter unit is provided with a handle portion that is gripped when the back cover is rotated relative to the front cover. The handle portion is provided as part of the collection slider. The washing machine according to claim 1. [Claim 3] The filter unit is provided with a handle portion that is gripped when the back cover is rotated relative to the front cover. The handle portion is provided as a separate component from the collection slider. The washing machine according to claim 1. [Claim 4] The back cover is formed such that the surface on the front cover side is a sliding surface that slides against the collection slider when the collection slider moves. The collection slider is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs that slide against the sliding surface. The washing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2. [Claim 5] The back cover is provided with a receiving section for receiving lint and other materials that are collected when the collection slider is moved. The receiving portion is provided as a curved, uneven surface. The washing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2. [Claim 6] The back cover has a drainage section formed in a position continuous with the receiving section. The washing machine according to claim 5. [Claim 7] A filter unit detachably attached to the washing tub of a washing machine, the washing machine comprising a main body having an opening for loading laundry, a water tank disposed inside the main body, and a washing tub rotatably connected to the water tank, It has a front cover and a back cover, The back cover is rotatable between a closed position and an open position relative to the front cover, with the hinge shaft serving as a pivot point. When the back cover is closed, the space between the front cover and the back cover is formed as a collection space for collecting lint. A collection slider for gathering lint collected in the collection space is movably supported on the back cover. Filter unit.

Images