washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine with a simpler structure that can suppress contact of foreign objects with the circuit board. [Solution] The washing machine comprises a panel member provided on the washing machine body and having an opening, a housing member positioned on the back of the panel member and housing a circuit board inside, a first operating member exposed to the outside of the washing machine body through the opening and operating electrical components mounted on the circuit board, and a second operating member provided inside the first operating member and exposed to the outside of the washing machine body through the opening and operating other electrical components mounted on the circuit board, wherein at least the portion of the opposing surface of the housing member that faces the panel member that overlaps with the opening is inclined downward toward either edge of the opposing surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a washing machine.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine that can prevent the operating feeling of an operating member from deteriorating and can achieve waterproofing measures with a low-cost configuration. In this washing machine, an enclosure wall is provided on a substrate support member disposed on the back side of a panel member so as to surround a dial, and a drain port is provided at a lower portion inside the enclosure wall. When water enters the back side of the panel member from a gap between the inner peripheral portion of the opening of the panel member and the outer peripheral portion of the dial, the water is guided to the drain port by the enclosure wall and discharged from the drain port to the back side of the substrate support member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a washing machine with a simple structure that can suppress foreign matter from contacting a substrate.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The washing machine in the present disclosure includes a panel member provided on a washing machine body and having an opening, a housing member disposed on the back side of the panel member and housing a substrate therein, a first operation member that is exposed from the opening and operates a first electrical component mounted on the substrate, and a second operation member that is provided inside the first operation member, exposed to the outside of the washing machine body from the opening, and operates a second electrical component mounted on the substrate. At least a portion of the opposing surface of the housing member that faces the panel member and overlaps with the opening is inclined downward. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to this disclosure, it is possible to suppress contact of foreign matter with the substrate with a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of this disclosure [Figure 2] Exploded perspective view of the control unit [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view in Plane III of Figure 1 [Figure 4] Exploded perspective view of the control unit [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived of this disclosure, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, there was a technology that provided a water channel and a drain hole inside a covering member that covers the circuit board in the operating section of a washing machine equipped with switches, etc., thereby draining the water that had flowed into the operating section. This suppressed water from adhering to the circuit board.

[0009] The washing machine control panel of Patent Document 1 has a structure in which a first circuit board equipped with electrical components that are rotated by a dial, which is an operating member, is connected to a second circuit board via wiring. The control panel has a structure in which a surrounding wall is provided between the first circuit board and the second circuit board, so that water that has entered the first circuit board side is discharged from a drain located inside the surrounding wall. In other words, there is a problem that the structure cannot be simplified by integrating the first circuit board and the second circuit board, and because a drain is required, there is a risk that moisture and insects may enter the inside of the control panel from the outside and cause a malfunction. The inventors discovered this problem and came to form the subject of this disclosure in order to solve this problem. Therefore, this disclosure provides a washing machine with a simple structure that can suppress contact of foreign matter with the substrate.

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art. The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In this description, unless otherwise specified, directions such as front, back, left, right, and up and down refer to the same directions relative to the washing machine 1 when it is installed and in use on a mounting surface. In each figure, the symbol LH indicates the left side of the washing machine 1 when it is installed and in use, the symbol FR indicates the front of the washing machine 1, and the symbol UP indicates the top of the washing machine 1. In this installed state, the up and down direction coincides with the vertical direction, and the front, back, left, and right directions coincide with the horizontal direction.

[0012] [1-1. Structure] [1-1-1. Washing machine configuration] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 1, for convenience of explanation, the processing unit 2 is shown by a dashed line. As shown in Figure 1, washing machine 1 is an example of a garment processing device that performs processes such as washing, rinsing, spinning, and drying on clothes. Washing machine 1 is a drum-type washer-dryer in which the axis of rotation of the rotating drum extends in a direction that intersects the vertical and horizontal directions, or extends approximately parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0013] The washing machine 1 comprises a casing 100. The casing 100 forms the exterior of the washing machine 1 and is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The housing 100 includes a front panel 102 that forms the upper part of the front surface, an operation module 104, side panels 106 and 108 that form the left and right side surfaces, a rear panel 110 that forms the rear surface, a top panel 112 that forms the top surface, and a base plate 114 that forms the bottom surface.

[0014] The front panel 102 is provided with a housing opening 101 that communicates the inside and outside of the housing 100. A door 200 that opens and closes to cover the housing opening 101 is provided on the front surface of the housing 100. The operation module 104 is provided at a location positioned at the corner formed by the front surface and the top surface of the housing 100. The operation module 104 includes operation parts such as switches and display parts such as a display panel 42.

[0015] Inside the housing 100, a processing unit 2 is housed. The processing unit 2 is formed by connecting a plurality of units that perform each of the processes of storing, washing, rinsing, dehydrating, and drying clothes. The processing unit 2 includes a water tank that stores the washing water supplied from the outside of the washing machine 1 in a drainable manner, a rotating drum that stores clothes inside and rotates to perform washing of the clothes, and the like. The housing 100 and the processing unit 2 correspond to the "washing machine main body" of the present disclosure.

[0016] [1-1-2. Configuration of the operation unit] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the operation module 104. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation module 104 includes a panel member 10. The panel member 10 is a member that forms a surface connecting the front surface and the top surface of the housing 100. The panel member 10 is formed in a long shape extending along the left-right direction and is a plate-like member bent into a mountain shape that protrudes upward and forward at the middle part in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the panel member 10 is formed of a resin material. In the following description, the upper surface side of the panel member 10 is referred to as the front side, and the lower surface side of the panel member 10 is referred to as the back side.

[0017] The panel member 10 includes a top surface portion 12 and an operation surface portion 14. Both the top surface portion 12 and the operation surface portion 14 are provided over the entire longitudinal direction of the panel member 10. The top surface portion 12 is formed in a flat plate shape having a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 1, an edge portion located at the rear end is connected to the front end portion of the top plate 112. The top surface portion 12 is flush with the top plate 112 to form the top surface of the housing 100.

[0018] The operation surface portion 14 is formed in an inclined surface shape that slopes downward as it extends forward from the front end portion of the top surface portion 12. An edge portion located at the front end is connected to the upper end portion of the top plate 112. A transparent portion 16 that allows light to pass through is formed in the operation surface portion 14. In the present embodiment, the transparent portion is integrally formed in the operation surface portion 14. Note that the transparent portion 16 may be formed by providing a through hole penetrating in the plate thickness direction in the panel member and fitting a transparent member into the through hole.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, an opening portion 15, which is a through hole penetrating in the plate thickness direction, is provided in the operation surface portion 14. In the present embodiment, the opening portion 15 is formed in a circular shape in a plan view and is provided at a position adjacent to the transparent portion 16.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a view of the cross section in plane III of FIG. 1 as viewed from the left. Plane III is a plane orthogonal to the left - right direction and intersects the tact switch 48. As shown in FIG. 3, a bottom surface rib 18 is provided on the bottom surface 14B of the operation surface portion 14. The bottom surface rib 18 is formed in a cylindrical shape that stands up from the peripheral edge portion of the opening portion 15 so as to surround the opening portion 15 on the bottom surface 14B and extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 14B.

[0021] A projection 19 is provided at the tip of the lower rib 18, extending further along the direction in which the lower rib 18 stands upright. The projection 19 is formed over the entire circumference of the lower rib 18 and has a cylindrical shape. The outer surface of the projection 19 is continuous with the outer surface of the lower rib 18, and the inner surface of the projection 19 is located further outward than the inner surface of the lower rib 18. In other words, the inner diameter of the projection 19 is formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the lower rib 18.

[0022] The edge of the opening 15 is provided with an inclined surface 17 that extends circumferentially and slopes downward as it moves inward towards the inside of the opening. The inclined surface 17 is a continuous surface with the upper surface 14A of the operating surface 14 and the inner circumferential surface of the lower rib 18.

[0023] [1-1-3. Configuration of the containment facility] As shown in Figure 2, the operating module 104 includes a housing 20. The housing 20 is formed in the shape of a box in which a circuit board 40 is housed. The housing 20 is attached to the back side of the operating surface 14 of the panel member 10 and is housed inside the casing 100. The housing 20 is formed to accommodate at least the substrate 40 and electrical and electronic components mounted on the substrate 40. In this embodiment, the housing 20 is formed to be elongated in the left-right direction. The containment body 20 corresponds to the “containment member” in this disclosure.

[0024] The housing 20 comprises a lower housing 22 that covers the substrate 40 from below and an upper housing 30 that covers the substrate 40 from above. The lower housing 22 is formed in a box shape with an open top and includes a bottom portion 24 that forms a rectangular bottom surface in plan view, and side portions 28 that rise from each side of the bottom portion 24.

[0025] The substrate 40 is an electronic circuit board, and in this embodiment, the substrate 40 is a printed circuit board. The substrate 40 is placed on the bottom surface 24. In this embodiment, a display panel 42, a rotary encoder 46, and a tact switch 48 are mounted on the top surface of the substrate 40. In the washing machine 1, the rotary encoder 46 and the tact switch 48 may be collectively referred to as a switch unit. The display panel 42 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display panel 42 protrudes from the top surface of the substrate 40 to a predetermined height.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the rotary encoder 46 functions as a rotation angle sensor that acquires rotational angle information of an operating element such as a connected keytop or button. The rotary encoder 46 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is provided so that its longitudinal direction extends upward from the mounting surface of the substrate 40. The rotary encoder 46 comprises a mounting part 50 attached to the mounting surface of the substrate 40 and a rotating part 52 attached to the mounting part 50.

[0027] The mounting portion 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is mounted on the substrate 40 such that its longitudinal direction extends substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface of the substrate 40. The rotating portion 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape and the mounting portion 50 is inserted through its interior. The rotating portion 52 is rotatably supported by the mounting portion 50. The tact switch 48 is positioned inside the mounting section 50 and mounted on the circuit board 40. The tact switch 48 is pressed from the direction in which the mounting section 50 extends, thereby energizing a predetermined electrical circuit mounted on the circuit board 40. On the substrate 40, a screw hole 53 is provided adjacent to the rotary encoder 46, extending through the thickness direction and through which a fastening member such as a screw member can be inserted.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the upper housing 30 is formed in a box shape with an open bottom and comprises an upper surface portion 32 that is substantially rectangular in plan view and side portions 34 that rise from each side of the upper surface portion 32. The housing 20 is formed when the lower housing 22 fits inside the upper housing 30 and is fitted together. The upper surface portion 32 is provided with a display opening 31, which is a through-hole that penetrates in the thickness direction of the plate. The display opening 31 is formed to be substantially the same shape as the display panel 42 when viewed from above. The upper surface portion 32 corresponds to the "opposing surface" in this disclosure.

[0029] The upper housing 30 is provided with a switch recess 33. The switch recess 33 is formed by the upper surface portion 32 being recessed toward the lower surface of the upper housing 30. The upper surface 33A of the switch recess 33 is formed as a substantially flat surface. In this embodiment, the switch recess 33 is formed as a substantially rectangular shape in plan view and is provided over the entire direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the upper surface portion 32. The switch recess 33 is provided at a position adjacent to the display opening 31.

[0030] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the operation module 104. In Figure 4, the area around the switch recess 33 is shown in detail, and the panel member 10 is omitted. As shown in Figure 4, the switch recess 33 is provided with a through-hole 35 that penetrates in the thickness direction of the plate. The through-hole 35 is formed to be larger than the rotary encoder 46 in a plan view. In this embodiment, the through-hole 35 is formed to be substantially circular in a plan view.

[0031] A first upright portion 36 is provided in the switch recess 33. The first upright portion 36 is formed in a cylindrical shape on the upper surface 33A of the switch recess 33, surrounding the insertion hole 35, and extending upright from the peripheral edge of the insertion hole 35 in the entire circumferential direction. The first upright portion 36 extends substantially vertically from the upper surface 33A of the switch recess 33, and its tip is located below the upper surface portion 32. Once the circuit board 40 is placed inside the housing 20, the rotary encoder 46 is inserted through the insertion hole 35 and positioned inside the first upright section 36.

[0032] The switch recess 33 is provided with a second upright portion 38 that rises substantially vertically from the upper surface 33A of the switch recess 33. The second upright portion 38 is formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds the insertion hole 35 and the first upright portion 36 from the outside, over substantially the entire circumferential direction, in a plan view of the upper surface 33A of the switch recess 33. The second upright portion 38 is formed along the radial direction of the first upright portion 36, at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the first upright portion 36, in a plan view of the upper surface 33A of the switch recess 33.

[0033] A notch 37 is provided in the second upright portion 38. The notch 37 is formed by cutting out the entire length of the second upright portion 38 in the direction in which it stands upright, that is, from the tip of the second upright portion 38 to the upper surface 33A. In a plan view, the second upright portion 38 is located on the front end side of the upper surface portion 32 and is formed with a predetermined width dimension in the circumferential direction of the second upright portion 38. In this way, the notch 37 is provided in the second upright portion 38, creating a gap in the circumferential direction. As a result, the switch recess 33 is provided with a flow path P, which is a space surrounded by the first upright portion 36, the second upright portion 38, and the upper surface 33A, and communicates with the outside of the second upright portion 38 via the notch 37.

[0034] Multiple screw holes 39 are provided in the switch recess 33. The screw holes 39 are through holes that penetrate the plate thickness direction of the switch recess 33. Each of the screw holes 39 is located outside the second upright portion 38 in a plan view of the upper surface 33A. A fastening member, such as a screw, is inserted through the screw hole 39. In this embodiment, the screw is inserted, for example, from the back side of the substrate 40 through the screw hole 53 and the screw hole 39 of the substrate 40 and screwed into a boss provided on the back side of the operating surface 14. As a result, the substrate 40 and the housing 20 are fixed to the back side of the panel member 10.

[0035] [1-1-4. Configuration of Operating Components] The operation module 104 includes a first operating member 62 and a second operating member 80. The first operating member 62 and the second operating member 80 are connected to the rotary encoder 46 and the tact switch 48, and function as keytops and buttons for the user to operate the rotary encoder 46 and the tact switch 48. The first operating member 62 and the second operating member 80 may be collectively referred to as the operating member. As shown in Figure 3, the first operating member 62 is formed by connecting the first operating member body 61 and the operating surface member 69. The first operating member body 61 comprises a connecting cylindrical portion 64 and a covering portion 66. The connecting cylindrical portion 64 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The covering portion 66 extends from the outer surface of one end of the connecting cylindrical portion 64 toward the other end, covering the connecting cylindrical portion 64 from the outside over its entire circumference.

[0036] The first operating member body 61 includes a housing cylindrical portion 70 that covers the covering portion 66 from the outside. The housing cylindrical portion 70 extends in substantially the same direction as the connecting cylindrical portion 64, and in the direction in which the connecting cylindrical portion 64 extends, it extends upward from one end of the connecting cylindrical portion 64.

[0037] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the housing cylindrical portion 70 and the covering portion 66 are connected to each other by a plurality of beam portions 72. Each beam portion 72 extends radially from the outer surface of the covering portion 66 and is connected to the lower side of the inner surface of the housing cylindrical portion 70. A plurality of communication openings 73, which are gaps between the beam portions 72, are formed between the housing cylindrical portion 70 and the covering portion 66. A connecting flange 74 is provided at the upper end of the housing cylindrical portion 70, extending from the outer surface of the housing cylindrical portion 70 over its entire circumference.

[0038] The connecting flange 74 is covered by the operating surface member 69. The operating surface member 69 is a disc-shaped member with a circular through-hole 69A in its approximate center when viewed from above. The operating surface member 69 functions as a dial operated by the user. The first operating member 62 can be formed with a smaller diameter by connecting the first operating member body 61 and the operating surface member 69.

[0039] The second operating member 80 is housed in the first operating member 62. The second operating member 80 is formed by connecting the second operating member body 82 and the front member 84. The second operating member body 82 comprises a pressing portion 86 formed in a columnar shape extending for a predetermined length, and a connecting flange 88 provided at one end of the pressing portion 86 in the longitudinal direction. The connecting flange 88 extends from the outer surface of the pressing portion 86 over its entire circumference.

[0040] The front member 84 is formed in a circular lid shape in plan view and covers the entire connecting flange 88 from the opposite side of the pressing portion 86. This allows the front member 84 to cover, for example, the material removal portion 81 provided when the second operating member body 82 is formed in the second operating member 80. In other words, the front member 84 can cover the shape of the operating portion provided on the second operating member body 82 in the second operating member 80. Therefore, the design of the second operating member 80 can be improved in the operating module 104.

[0041] When the second operating member 80 is housed in the first operating member 62, the pressing portion 86 is inserted inside the connecting cylindrical portion 64 of the first operating member 62. The connecting flange 88 and the surface member 84 are housed inside the insertion opening 69A and the housing cylindrical portion 70. The peripheral edges of the connecting flange 88 and the surface member 84 are positioned between the housing cylindrical portion 70 and the covering portion 66, and in a plan view, they are positioned to overlap with the multiple beam portions 72 and the communication opening 73. The upper surface of the surface member 84 is positioned to be substantially flush with the upper surface of the connecting flange 74.

[0042] [1-1-5. Assembly configuration of the operation module] As described above, the circuit board 40 is housed inside the housing 20, and the rotary encoder 46 is inserted through the insertion hole 35 and positioned inside the first upright section 36.

[0043] The first operating member 62 and the second operating member 80 are attached to the housing by inserting the connecting cylindrical portion 64 into the first upright portion 36. When the connecting cylindrical portion 64 is inserted into the first upright portion 36, the rotating portion 52 of the rotary encoder 46 is inserted into the connecting cylindrical portion 64. The outer surface of the rotating portion 52 abuts against the inner surface of the connecting cylindrical portion 64, thereby connecting the first operating member 62 to the rotary encoder 46 and attaching it to the housing 20. When the user rotates the connecting flange 74 of the first operating member 62 in the circumferential direction, the rotating part 52 rotates in accordance with the user's rotational operation. In this way, the first operating member 62 functions as an operating member for the rotary encoder 46.

[0044] When the first operating member 62 is attached to the housing 20, the upper end of the first upright portion 36 is positioned between the connecting cylindrical portion 64 and the covering portion 66 in the radial direction of the first upright portion 36. The multiple beam portions 72 and the communication opening 73 are positioned in a plan view between the first upright portion 36 and the second upright portion 38, that is, in a position that overlaps with the flow path P.

[0045] When the first operating member 62 is attached to the housing 20, the pressing portion 86 of the second operating member body 82 is inserted into the mounting portion 50 and contacts the tact switch 48. When the user presses the front member 84, the pressing portion 86 moves downward in accordance with the user's pressing operation and presses the tact switch 48. In this way, the second operating member 80 functions as an operating member for the tact switch 48.

[0046] The housing 20 is fixed to the back side of the operating surface 14 of the panel member 10 by inserting screw members through screw holes 53 and 39 of the substrate 40 and screwing them into bosses provided on the back side of the operating surface 14. In this case, the upper surface 32 and the upper surface 33A of the switch recess 33 are positioned opposite each other and are substantially parallel to the plane of the operating surface 14. As described above, the operating surface 14 is formed in a sloping shape that slopes downward as it extends forward. For this reason, the upper surface 32 and the upper surface 33A of the switch recess 33 are positioned as sloping surfaces that slope downward as they extend forward.

[0047] When the housing 20 is attached to the panel member 10, the tip of the second upright portion 38 fits inside the protruding portion 19 and contacts the tip of the lower rib 18. Furthermore, the connecting flange 74 is inserted into the opening 15, and the connecting flange 74 and the front member 84 are exposed to the front side of the operating surface 14, in other words, to the outside of the housing 100, through the opening 15. This allows the user to operate the first operating member 62 and the second operating member 80 in the washing machine 1.

[0048] In this case, the upper end of the second upright portion 38 is positioned to overlap with the gap between the connecting flange 74 and the opening 15 in a plan view. The connecting flange 74 is positioned at a predetermined distance from the upper end of the second upright portion 38 in the direction in which the second upright portion 38 extends. When a pressing force is applied to the connecting flange 74 in a direction intersecting the connecting flange 74, the connecting flange 74 is supported by contacting the tip of the second upright portion 38. In this way, by extending the second upright portion 38 to a position close to the back side of the operating surface portion 14, deformation of the first operating member 62 and the second operating member 80 can be suppressed.

[0049] As described above, an inclined surface 17 is provided on the edge of the opening 15. This ensures that even if misalignment occurs between the first operating member 62 and the second operating member 80 inside the opening 15 due to dimensional tolerances or the like, the upper surface of the operating surface 14 and the connecting flange 74 are aligned via the inclined surface 17, thereby suppressing a decrease in aesthetic appeal.

[0050] [1-2. Operation] The operation of washing machine 1, configured as described above, will be explained below. When a user uses the washing machine 1, moisture such as splashes of wash water may enter the gap between the panel member 10 and the first operating member 62, or the gaps between the first operating member 62 and the second operating member 80.

[0051] When moisture enters through the gap between the connecting flange 74 and the opening 15, it flows through the gap between the upper end of the second upright portion 38 and the connecting flange 74, and enters the space between the first upright portion 36 and the second upright portion 38. After this, the moisture flows along the slope of the upper surface 33A through the flow path P and flows out to the outside of the flow path P through the notch 37. After this, the moisture flows further forward of the upper housing 30 and is discharged downward from the front end of the switch recess 33 to the housing 20.

[0052] When moisture enters through the gap between the connecting flange 74 and the surface member 84, it enters between the first upright portion 36 and the second upright portion 38 through the communication opening 73. After this, the moisture flows through the flow path P along the slope of the upper surface 33A and flows out of the flow path P through the notch 37. After this, the moisture flows further forward of the upper housing 30 and is discharged downward from the front end of the switch recess 33 to the housing 20.

[0053] Thus, in the washing machine 1, when moisture enters the gap between the panel member 10 and the first operating member 62, or the gaps between the first operating member 62 and the second operating member 80, the moisture flows over the upper surface 33A of the upper housing 30 and is discharged from the upper housing 30. In addition, the housing 20 has screw holes 39, which are through holes for fastening to other members, provided outside the flow path P. Therefore, in the washing machine 1, the reach of electrical components such as the circuit board 40, rotary encoder 46, and display panel 42 is suppressed.

[0054] Furthermore, in the washing machine 1, water adhering to the container 20 can be discharged without providing a water channel for flowing water inside the container 20 or an outlet for discharging water by connecting the inside and outside of the container 20. Therefore, the washing machine 1 can prevent foreign matter other than water, such as dirt and dust, from entering the inside of the container 20. [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the washing machine 1 includes an operating module 104 provided in the housing 100. The operating module 104 includes a panel member 10 with an opening 15, a housing 20 arranged on the back side of the panel member 10 and housing a circuit board 40 inside, and a rotary encoder 46 and a tact switch 48 that are exposed to the outside of the housing 100 through the opening 15 and mounted on the circuit board 40. The operating module 104 includes a first operating member 62 for operating the rotary encoder 46, and a second operating member 80 provided inside the first operating member 62, exposed to the outside of the housing 100 through the opening 15 and for operating another tact switch 48 mounted on the circuit board 40. The upper surface 33A of the switch recess 33 of the housing 20 is inclined downward as it is directed forward.

[0055] As a result, in the washing machine 1, when moisture enters the gap between the panel member 10 and the first operating member 62, or the gaps between the first operating member 62 and the second operating member 80, the moisture flows over the upper surface 33A of the upper housing 30 and is discharged from the upper housing 30. Therefore, in the washing machine 1, moisture adhering to the housing 20 can be discharged without providing an outlet to connect the inside and outside of the housing 20 and prevent foreign matter other than moisture, such as dirt and dust, from entering the inside of the housing 20.

[0056] As in this embodiment, the first operating member 62 is provided with a connecting cylindrical portion 64 connected to the rotary encoder 46, and the second operating member 80 is provided with a pressing portion 86 connected to the tact switch 48. The housing 20 may be provided with an insertion hole 35 through which the connecting cylindrical portion 64 and the pressing portion 86 are inserted, a first upright portion 36 that rises from the periphery of the insertion hole 35 toward the panel member 10 and surrounds the insertion hole 35, and a second upright portion 38 that rises from the surface in which the insertion hole 35 is provided and extends along the circumferential direction of the opening 15. As a result, in the washing machine 1, if moisture enters the gap between the panel member 10 and the first operating member 62, or the gaps between the first operating member 62 and the second operating member 80, the moisture can be directed into the flow path P, which is the space enclosed by the first upright portion 36, the second upright portion 38, and the upper surface 33A. Therefore, the washing machine 1 can prevent moisture from entering the interior of the container 20.

[0057] As in this embodiment, the second operating member 80 may be formed by connecting a second operating member body 82 on which a pressing portion 86 is provided, and a front member 84 that covers the second operating member body 82 and is exposed from the first operating member 62. As a result, the shape of the operating part provided on the second operating member body 82 of the second operating member 80 can be covered by the surface member 84. Therefore, the design of the second operating member 80 can be improved in the operating module 104.

[0058] As in this embodiment, the portion of the first operating member 62 that is exposed from the opening 15 is formed flush with the surface of the panel member 10, and the tip of the second upright portion 38 may be provided in an upright position until it approaches the first operating member 62. As a result, when a pressing force is applied to the connecting flange 74, the connecting flange 74 is supported by contacting the tip of the second upright portion 38. Therefore, deformation of the first operating member 62 and the second operating member 80 can be suppressed in the washing machine 1.

[0059] As in this embodiment, the second upright portion 38 may be provided with a notch 37, which is a gap, at a location in the circumferential direction where the upper surface 33A of the switch recess 33 is inclined. As a result, the washing machine 1 can discharge water to the outside of the flow path P through the notch 37. Therefore, the washing machine 1 can prevent water from entering the inside of the container 20. In addition, the washing machine 1 can discharge water flowing into the flow path P to the outside from the upper surface 33A of the upper container 30. Therefore, the washing machine 1 can prevent water from entering the inside of the container 20.

[0060] As in this embodiment, the peripheral edge of the opening 15 may be provided with an inclined surface 17 that slopes toward the interior of the housing 100 as it moves toward the inside of the opening 15. As a result, even if the first operating member 62 and the second operating member 80 are misaligned inside the opening 15 due to dimensional tolerances or the like in the washing machine 1, the upper surface of the operating surface 14 and the connecting flange 74 are aligned via the inclined surface 17, thereby suppressing a decrease in aesthetic appeal.

[0061] As in this embodiment, the substrate 40 may extend along the panel member 10 and be formed to mount a display panel 42, which is an electronic component different from the rotary encoder 46 and tact switch 48, connected to the first operating member 62 and the second operating member 80, respectively. As a result, in the washing machine 1, the rotary encoder 46 and tact switch 48 can be connected to other electrical and electronic components without providing any connection structures such as wiring outside the circuit board 40 for connecting the rotary encoder 46 and tact switch 48 to other electrical and electronic components. In addition, the washing machine 1 provides a housing 20 to waterproof the rotary encoder 46 and tact switch 48 to the other electrical and electronic components.

[0062] (Other embodiments) As described above, Embodiment 1 has been explained as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is possible to create new embodiments by combining the components described in Embodiment 1 above. Therefore, other embodiments are illustrated below.

[0063] In the embodiment described above, the housing 20 is positioned so as to be inclined downwards towards the front end. However, the housing 20 is not limited to this configuration, and may be positioned so that its upper surface 32 is a substantially vertical surface perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0064] Alternatively, for example, the housing 20 may be formed such that its bottom surface 24 is a substantially horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. In this case, the entire top surface 32, or the top surface 33A of the switch recess 33, may be formed as an inclined surface that slopes downward towards the front end.

[0065] In the embodiment described above, the first operating member 62 is formed by connecting the first operating member body 61 and the operating surface member 69, and the second operating member 80 is formed by connecting the second operating member body 82 and the surface member 84. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the first operating member 62 and the second operating member 80 may be formed from a single member.

[0066] In the embodiment described above, the housing 20 is assumed to house the circuit board 40. However, the housing 20 is not limited to this, and may house other circuit boards separate from the circuit board 40, such as a communication module on which a communication unit is mounted, as well as electronic components and electrical components. In this case, the circuit board 40 and the other circuit boards, electronic components, and electrical components may be connected to each other by wiring or the like inside the housing 20. As a result, in the washing machine 1, the waterproof structure for the circuit board 40 allows for waterproofing of circuit boards separate from the circuit board 40, as well as electronic components and electrical components.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment 1, a drum-type washing machine 1 was used as an example, but the washing machine 1 may also be a top-loading type.

[0068] The embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and may be modified, replaced, added, or omitted within the scope of the claims or equivalents thereof.

[0069] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0070] (Technical 1) A washing machine comprising: a panel member provided on the washing machine body and having an opening; a housing member disposed on the back side of the panel member and housing a circuit board inside; a first operating member exposed from the opening and operating a first electrical component mounted on the circuit board; and a second operating member provided inside the first operating member and exposed to the outside of the washing machine body through the opening and operating a second electrical component mounted on the circuit board, wherein at least the portion of the opposing surface of the housing member facing the panel member that overlaps with the opening is inclined downward. As a result, in the washing machine, when moisture enters the gap between the panel member and the first operating member, or the gaps between the first and second operating members, the moisture flows over the surface of the storage member and is discharged from the storage member. Therefore, the washing machine can discharge moisture adhering to the storage member without providing an outlet to connect the inside and outside of the storage member and can prevent foreign matter other than moisture, such as dirt and dust, from entering the inside of the storage member.

[0071] (Technology 2) The washing machine according to Technology 1, wherein each of the first operating member and the second operating member is provided with a connecting portion connected to the first electrical component and each of the second electrical components, and the housing member is provided with an insertion hole through which each of the connecting portions is inserted, a first upright portion that rises from the periphery of the insertion hole toward the panel member and surrounds the insertion hole, and a second upright portion that rises from the surface in which the insertion hole is provided and extends along the circumferential direction of the opening. As a result, in the washing machine, if moisture enters the gap between the panel member and the first operating member, or the gaps between the parts of the first and second operating members, the moisture can be directed into the space surrounded by the first and second upright parts. Therefore, the washing machine can prevent moisture from entering the interior of the storage member.

[0072] (Technical 3) The washing machine according to Technical 2, wherein the second operating member is formed by connecting a second operating member body on which the connecting portion is provided and a surface member that covers at least a part of the second operating member body and is exposed from the first operating member. As a result, in the second operating member, the shape of the operating part provided on the main body of the second operating member can be covered by the surface member. Therefore, in washing machines, the design of the second operating member can be improved.

[0073] (Technical 4) The washing machine according to Technical 2 or Technical 3, wherein the portion of the first operating member exposed from the opening is formed flush with the surface of the panel member, and the tip of the second upright portion is provided to be upright until it approaches the first operating member. As a result, when a pressing force is applied to the first operating member, the first operating member is supported by contacting the tip of the second upright portion. Therefore, deformation of the first operating member can be suppressed in a washing machine.

[0074] (Technical 5) The washing machine according to any one of Technical 2 to Technical 4, wherein a gap is provided in the second upright portion at a location in the circumferential direction in which the opposing surfaces are inclined. This allows the washing machine to discharge moisture adhering to the surface of the storage component to the outside of the storage component. Therefore, the washing machine can prevent moisture from entering the inside of the storage component.

[0075] (Technical 6) The washing machine according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 5, wherein the periphery of the opening is provided with an inclined surface that slopes toward the inside of the washing machine body as it moves toward the inside of the opening. As a result, even if misalignment occurs between the first and second operating members inside the opening of the washing machine due to dimensional tolerances, etc., a decrease in design quality can be suppressed.

[0076] (Technical 7) The washing machine according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 6, wherein the substrate extends along the panel member and is formed so as to be mountable the first electrical component connected to each of the first operating member and the second operating member, and electrical components different from each of the second electrical components. As a result, in a washing machine, the first electrical component or the second electrical component can be connected to other electrical components or electronic components without providing any connection structures such as wiring outside the circuit board for connecting the first electrical component or the second electrical component to other electrical components or electronic components. [Industrial applicability]

[0077] This disclosure is applicable to garment processing equipment that processes clothes using wash water delivered internally. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to drum-type washer-dryers and clothes dryers. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 1. Washing machine 2 Processing Units 10 Panel members 12 Top section 14 Operation surface 14A Top 14B Bottom 15 Opening 16 Transparent part 17 Slope 18 Bottom Ribs 19 Protrusion 20 containment units 22 Lower containment 24 Bottom part 28 Side part 30 Upper containment 32 Top part 33 Switch recess 33A Top 34 Side part 35 Through hole 36 1st standing section 37 Notch 38 Second standing section 39 screw holes 40 circuit boards 42 Display Panel 46 Rotary Encoders 48 Tactile switches 50 Implementation Section 52 Rotating part 53 screw holes 61. First operating member body 62 First operating member 64 Connecting cylindrical section 66 Covered cylindrical part 69 Operation surface member 70 Containing cylindrical section 72 Beam section 73 Communication opening 74 Connecting flange 80 Second operating member 82 Second operating member body 84 Table member 86 Pressing part 88 Connecting flange 100 cabinets 101 Housing opening 102 Front plate 104 Operation Module 106, 108 side plate 110 Back plate 112 Top plate 114 Base plate 200 doors P channel

Claims

1. A panel member provided on the washing machine body, having an opening, A housing member is positioned on the back side of the panel member and houses the substrate inside, A first operating member that is exposed from the opening and operates a first electrical component mounted on the substrate, A second operating member is provided inside the first operating member, is exposed to the outside of the washing machine body through the opening, and operates a second electrical component mounted on the circuit board, Equipped with, Of the opposing surfaces of the housing member that face the panel member, at least the portion that overlaps with the opening is inclined downward. washing machine.

2. Each of the first operating member and the second operating member is provided with a connecting portion that is connected to each of the first electrical component and the second electrical component. The aforementioned housing member includes: Each of the aforementioned connecting parts has an insertion hole through which it is inserted, A first upright portion that rises from the periphery of the insertion hole toward the panel member and surrounds the insertion hole, A second upright portion rises from the surface on which the insertion hole is provided and extends along the circumferential direction of the opening, A will be established. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The second operating member is, The second operating member body on which the connecting portion is provided, A surface member that covers at least a portion of the second operating member body and is exposed from the first operating member, They are connected and formed The washing machine according to claim 2.

4. The portion of the first operating member that is exposed from the opening is formed flush with the surface of the panel member. The second upright portion is provided with its tip raised to a position close to the first operating member. The washing machine according to claim 2 or claim 3.

5. The second upright portion is provided with a gap in the circumferential direction at a location where the opposing surface is inclined. The washing machine according to claim 2 or claim 3.

6. The periphery of the opening is provided with an inclined surface that slopes inward toward the inside of the washing machine body as it moves inward toward the inside of the opening. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The substrate extends along the panel member and is formed to allow mounting of the first electrical component connected to the first operating member and the second operating member, as well as electrical components different from each of the second electrical components. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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