washing machine
The washing machine's innovative cap design automatically adjusts to prevent laundry from flying out and simplifies cap handling, addressing the inefficiencies of existing designs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHARP KK
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-08
AI Technical Summary
The existing washing machines require time and effort to attach and remove the washing cap, and there is a risk of laundry flying out during operation.
A washing machine design featuring a tub with an opening, a housing, an upper lid, and a cap with an inner lid that changes positions automatically based on the lid's opening and closing, effectively preventing laundry from flying out while simplifying cap attachment and removal.
The design prevents laundry from flying out without user intervention and simplifies the operation of attaching and detaching the cap, enhancing user convenience and safety.
Smart Images
Figure 2026114244000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a washing machine.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine provided with a washing cap. In the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of magnets are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the washing cap, and the washing cap is attached to the inner surface of the drum by the magnets.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, it takes time and effort to attach and remove the washing cap into and from the tub.
[0005] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a washing machine capable of suppressing the jumping out of laundry without bothering the user.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine includes a tub having an opening, a housing that houses the tub such that the opening of the tub is exposed, an upper lid attached to the housing and capable of opening and closing the opening of the tub, and a cap attached to the upper lid and having an inner lid capable of covering at least a part of the opening of the tub. The cap is configured such that when the upper lid is closed, the inner lid can take a first posture of covering at least a part of the opening of the tub, and when the upper lid is opened, the inner lid can take a second posture closer to the upper lid than the first posture.
Effects of the Invention
[0007] According to this disclosure, for example, it is possible to provide a washing machine that can prevent laundry from flying out without requiring any action from the user. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine. [Figure 2] This is a schematic plan view of a washing machine. [Figure 3] This is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine with the top lid removed. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side view of the top lid and cap in the closed position. [Figure 5] This is a bottom view showing the linkage mechanism of the cap. [Figure 6] This is a side view showing the linkage mechanism of the cap. [Figure 7] This is a schematic side view of the top lid and cap in the process of being opened. [Figure 8] This is a schematic side view of the top lid and cap in the process of being opened. [Figure 9] This is a schematic side view of the top lid and cap in the open position. [Figure 10] This is a bottom view showing the cap of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a schematic side view of the top lid and cap in the third embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a schematic side view of the top lid and cap in a modified example. [Figure 13] This is a schematic side view of the top lid and cap in the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] Hereinafter, a washing machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially common functions will be referred to by the same reference numerals and used in the explanation. In the following description, the side of the washing machine 1 on which the top lid 12 is provided will be referred to as the front, and the opposite side will be referred to as the rear. The front-to-back direction may be referred to as the depth direction. The right and left sides are directions when viewing the washing machine 1 from the front to the rear. The left-to-right direction may be referred to as the width direction. The direction perpendicular to the depth direction and the width direction will be referred to as the height direction.
[0010] In this disclosure, "washing machine" refers to all equipment that performs various processes on laundry. Examples of processes performed by a washing machine include washing, drying, deodorizing, and disinfecting. The laundry is not particularly limited. Examples of laundry include textile products. Specific examples of laundry include clothing such as clothes, hats, and gloves; personal belongings such as shoes, bags, handkerchiefs, and towels; bedding such as curtains, blankets, towels, and duvet covers; carpets; stuffed animals; and more.
[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the washing machine 1. Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the washing machine 1. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the washing machine 1 with the top lid 12 removed.
[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the washing machine 1 has a casing 10. As shown in Figure 3, the casing 10 houses a tub 11 into which water, detergents and other chemicals, and laundry are poured. The tub 11 is a so-called bottomed cylindrical shape with one end closed. The casing 10 houses the tub 11 so that the opening of the tub 11 is exposed.
[0013] In this embodiment, the central axis of the tub 11 extends along the vertical direction. A washing machine 1 having a tub 11 in this manner may be referred to as a vertical washing machine. However, this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. In this disclosure, the washing machine may be, for example, a so-called drum-type washing machine having a tub with a central axis along the horizontal direction or a direction inclined with respect to both the horizontal and vertical directions.
[0014] The tank 11 may be constituted by, for example, a single tank. Further, the tank 11 may be constituted by a plurality of tanks including an outer tank and an inner tank arranged concentrically, for example.
[0015] The tank 11 is open upward in the vertical direction (height direction). A balancer 13 is attached to the edge portion of the tank 11. The balancer 13 is annular in plan view. The balancer 13 is connected to the opening of the tank 11. The tank 11 and the balancer 13 are provided integrally. The tank 11 and the balancer 13 are suspended in the housing 10. The tank 11 and the balancer 13 are swingably suspended from the housing 10. The balancer 13 is a weight for suppressing the vibration and swaying of the tank 11, for example, when the tank 11 rotates at high speed and is likely to vibrate and sway, such as during dehydration.
[0016] The opening of the tank 11 exposed from the balancer 13 when viewed from above is connected to an opening 10a provided in the upper part of the housing 10. The opening 10a exposes at least a part of the opening of the tank 11 in plan view.
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an upper lid 12 is attached to the housing 10. The upper lid 12 is provided so as to be able to open and close the opening 10a. Specifically, the upper lid 12 is rotatable about a rotation axis A1 with respect to the housing 10. The rotation axis A1 extends along the width direction of the washing machine 1. The upper lid 12 is rotatable with respect to the housing 10 between a substantially horizontal posture and a standing posture in which the front portion (portion away from the rotation axis A1) is located substantially above the rotation axis A1. As mainly shown in FIG. 1, when the upper lid 12 is in the horizontal posture, the opening 10a is covered by the upper lid 12. When the upper lid 12 is in the standing posture (see, for example, FIG. 7), the opening 10a is exposed from the upper lid 12, and laundry and the like can be put into the tank 11 through the opening 10a and the balancer 13.
[0018] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the top lid 12 and cap 20 in the closed state. Figure 5 is a bottom view showing the link mechanism for opening and closing the cap. Figure 6 is a side view showing the link mechanism for opening and closing the cap. Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the top lid 12 and cap 20 in the process of being opened. Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the top lid 12 and cap 20 in the process of being opened. Figure 9 is a schematic side view of the top lid 12 and cap 20 in the open state.
[0019] The washing machine 1 is equipped with a cap 20, mainly as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The cap 20 is attached to the top lid 12. Specifically, the cap 20 is attached to the inner surface (tub 11 side) of the top lid 12. When the top lid 12 is opened and closed, the cap 20 is displaced relative to the housing 10 together with the top lid 12.
[0020] The cap 20 is a component that prevents laundry inside the tub 11 from being displaced significantly due to the rotation of the tub 11 and flying out of the tub 11. The cap 20 has an inner lid 21 that can cover at least a portion of the opening of the tub 11. More specifically, the inner lid 21 includes a disc-shaped inner lid body 21X and a support member 21Y fixed to the upper surface of the inner lid body 21X.
[0021] As shown in Figures 4 to 9, the cap 20 is designed to change its position as the top lid 12 is opened and closed. As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, when the top lid 12 is closed, the inner lid 21 covers at least a portion of the opening of the tank 11. This state shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6 is the first position of the cap 20.
[0022] The top cover 12 is opened from the state shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6 to the state shown in Figure 7, and then to the state shown in Figure 8, until finally the top cover 12 is fully open, as shown in Figure 9. In the state shown in Figure 9, the top surface of the top cover 12 is in contact with the housing 10. Therefore, the top cover 12 cannot be opened any further.
[0023] In the state shown in Figure 9, where the top lid 12 is open, the cap 20 can assume a second position. The second position is one in which the inner lid 21 is positioned closer to the top lid 12 than in the first position. Therefore, the shortest distance between the inner lid 21 and the top lid 12 in the second position is shorter than the shortest distance between the inner lid 21 and the top lid 12 in the first position.
[0024] By the way, for example, from the standpoint of preventing laundry from flying out of the tub, it is conceivable to install a disc-shaped laundry cap inside the tub. However, in this case, it is troublesome to attach and detach the laundry cap. Also, there is a risk that the laundry cap may fall out of the tub when stress is applied to it, and thus may not adequately prevent laundry from flying out.
[0025] In contrast, with the cap 20 of the washing machine 1 according to this embodiment, since it is attached to the top lid 12, the inner lid 21 is less likely to be displaced outside the tub. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the spillage of laundry. Furthermore, since it is attached to the top lid 12 and only a change in the position of the cap 20 from the second position to the first position is required, it is easy to position the cap 20 in a position that can suppress the spillage of laundry. Therefore, with the washing machine 1, the spillage of laundry outside the tub 11 can be effectively suppressed with simple operation.
[0026] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of more effectively suppressing laundry from flying out of the drum 11, it is preferable that the cap 20 is configured such that, in the first position, the lower end surface of the inner lid 21 is located below the upper end of the balancer 13, as shown in Figure 4.
[0027] In washing machine 1, the cap 20 can assume a second position where it is relatively close to the top lid 12 when the top lid 12 is open. Therefore, when the top lid 12 is open, the opening of the tub 11 is less likely to be blocked by the cap 20. Thus, the loading of laundry into the tub 11 is not hindered, and laundry can be easily loaded into the tub 11.
[0028] The configuration, operation, and posture changes of the cap 20 in this embodiment will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 4 to 9.
[0029] First, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the cap 20 has an inner lid 21, a first support member 22, and a second support member 23.
[0030] The inner lid 21 is a member that, when the top lid 12 is closed, assumes a first position that covers at least the opening of the tub 11. The inner lid 21 directly prevents laundry from flying out of the tub 11. The inner lid 21 may, for example, have a plan view shape that is substantially the same as the plan view shape of the opening of the tub 11. Specifically, the inner lid 21 may be, for example, a disc shape, or a plate shape with a plan view shape such as an oval, ellipse, or polygon. The inner lid 21 may have at least one opening that penetrates in the thickness direction. Specifically, the inner lid 21 may be, for example, a mesh shape. The inner lid 21 may be a member having a plurality of elongated openings arranged along one direction. The inner lid 21 may be a member having a plurality of elongated openings that are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction and each extends in the circumferential direction.
[0031] One end of the inner lid 21 in one direction, specifically the front-to-back direction (left-to-right direction in Figure 4), is supported by the first support member 22, and the other end is supported by the second support member 23.
[0032] The first support member 22 has a first support member piece 22a and a second support member piece 22b.
[0033] The inner lid 21 and the lower end of the first support member piece 22a are rotatably connected by a shaft 24a. The upper end of the first support member piece 22a and the lower end of the second support member piece 22b are rotatably supported by a shaft 24b. The upper end of the second support member piece 22b and the top lid 12 are rotatably supported by a shaft 24c.
[0034] A biasing member 26 is attached to the shaft 24b. This biasing member 26 is a member that applies an elastic force between the first support member piece 22a and the second support member piece 22b in the direction in which the inner lid 21 changes from a first position to a second position. Specifically, in this embodiment, the biasing member 26 applies a biasing force between the first support member piece 22a and the second support member piece 22b in the direction in which the angle between the first support member piece 22a and the second support member piece 22b decreases.
[0035] On the other hand, the second support member 23 has an oval-shaped elongated hole 23a that extends along the longitudinal direction of the second support member 23. The shaft 24d attached to the inner lid 21 is rotatably and slidably inserted into this elongated hole 23a.
[0036] Furthermore, a biasing member 27 is attached to the pivot axis 24e on the upper lid 12 side of the second support member 23. This biasing member 27 is a member that applies elastic force between the upper lid 12 and the second support member 23 so that the inner lid 21 changes from the first position to the second position. Specifically, in this embodiment, the biasing member 27 applies a biasing force between the upper lid 12 and the second support member 23 in a direction that reduces the size of the angle formed between the lower surface of the upper lid 12 and the second support member 23.
[0037] As a result, when the top lid 12 is closed, the biasing members 26 and 27 are configured such that the cap 20 assumes a first position due to the weight of the inner lid 21, etc. However, when the top lid 12 is opened, for example as shown in Figures 7 to 9, the biasing force applied by the biasing members 26 and 27 is greater than the force applied to the cap 20 due to the weight of the inner lid 21, etc. Therefore, the cap 20 can automatically or semi-automatically change position between the first position and the second position when the top lid 12 is opened and closed, due to the biasing force of the biasing member 26, the biasing force of the biasing member 27, and the weight of the inner lid 21, etc. Thus, attaching and detaching the cap 20 to and from the tub 11 is easier, and the spillage of laundry out of the tub 11 can be effectively suppressed with simple operation.
[0038] More specifically, as shown in Figure 4, when the top lid 12 is closed, the weight of the inner lid 21 is greater than the biasing force of the biasing members 26 and 27. Therefore, when the top lid 12 is closed, the inner lid 21 is in a first position, relatively far away from the top lid 12.
[0039] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, when the top lid 12 begins to open, the biasing force of biasing member 26 and biasing member 27 becomes dominant, and the cap 20 folds down. Then, as shown in Figure 7, when the top lid 12 is fully open, the cap 20 folds down to the second position. In this way, the cap 20 automatically changes position between the first and second positions in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the top lid 12, due to the biasing forces of biasing members 26 and 27. Therefore, in the washing machine 1, it is not always necessary for the user to change the position of the cap 20. Consequently, the operation of the washing machine 1 is simplified.
[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the link mechanism supporting the cap 20, namely the inner lid 21, the first support member 22, and the second support member 23, is configured to move and extend / contract in the front-to-back and up-and-down directions, thus absorbing the front-to-back shaking of the washing tub during washing and spinning.
[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, springs 28 and 29 that can expand and contract in the left-right direction are attached between the inner lid 21, the first support member 22, the second support member 23, and the upper lid 12 in order to absorb the left-right shaking of the washing tub and balancer 13 during washing and spinning. More specifically, in this embodiment, spring 28 is fitted around a pivot axis that pivots the first support member 22 and the base on the upper lid 12 side. Similarly, spring 29 is fitted around a pivot axis that pivots the second support member 23 and the base on the upper lid 12 side.
[0042] As shown in Figure 9, in the washing machine 1, when the top lid 12 is fully open, the direction in which the top lid 12 extends is diagonally upward toward the rear. The angle between the direction in which the top lid 12 extends and the horizontal direction is obtuse. Also, in the second position, the cap 20 is stored so as to follow the inner surface of the top lid 12. Therefore, the center of gravity G of the cap 20 in the second position is located behind the rotation axis A1 of the top lid 12. As a result, the weight of the cap 20 acts in the direction that maintains the second position. Thus, when the top lid 12 is open, the change in posture of the cap 20 from the second position to the first position is effectively suppressed. <Second Embodiment>
[0043] The following describes another embodiment. Components having substantially the same function as those in the above embodiment will be referred to by the same reference numerals, and the descriptions in the above embodiment will be applied accordingly.
[0044] As mentioned above, the shape of the cap 20, or inner lid 21, is not limited to a circular shape. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the cap 20 may be a square, a rectangle, an octagon, or any other polygon. <Third Embodiment>
[0045] Figure 11 is a schematic side view of the top lid 12 and cap 20 in the third embodiment. Figure 12 is a schematic side view of the top lid 12 and cap 20 in a modified example thereof.
[0046] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the inner lid 21 of the cap 20 is flat. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the inner lid 21 may be convex or concave. By making the inner lid 21 convex or concave, it is possible to more effectively suppress laundry from flying out of the tub 11 and to suppress stress concentration at specific points on the cap 20. <Fourth Embodiment>
[0047] Figure 13 is a schematic side view of the top lid 12 and cap 20 in the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 13, a seal packing 40 made of an elastic material is provided around the lower part of the cap 20 in the first position, specifically around the inner lid 21. This seal packing 40 reduces the gap between the cap 20 and the balancer 13. This prevents laundry from getting caught between the cap 20 and the balancer 13. It also prevents damage caused by collisions between the inner lid 21 and the balancer 13. Furthermore, the cap 20 and seal packing 40 can suppress vibration and oscillation of the balancer 13 and the tub 11.
[0048] The seal packing 40 may be a viscoelastic material having viscosity. The seal packing 40 may be made of, for example, rubber, a porous resin, or the like.
[0049] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included. Configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described herein are also included in the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0050] 1: Washing machine 10: Cabinet 10a: opening 11: Tank 12:Top lid 13: Balance 20: Cap 21: Inner lid 21X: Inner lid body 21Y: Support member 22: First support member 22a: First support member piece 22b: Second support member piece 23: Second support member 23a: Long hole 24a: Axis 24b: Axis 24c: shaft 24d: Axis 24e: Rotary shaft 26: Biasing member 27: Biasing member 28: Spring 29: Spring 40: Seal packing A1: Rotation axis
Claims
1. A tank having an opening, A housing that houses the tank such that the opening of the tank is exposed, A top lid is attached to the housing and is capable of opening and closing the opening of the tank, A cap attached to the upper lid, having an inner lid capable of covering at least a portion of the opening of the tank, Equipped with, The aforementioned cap is When the upper lid is closed, the inner lid may be in a first position where it covers at least a portion of the opening of the tank. A washing machine configured such that, when the top lid is open, it can assume a second posture in which the inner lid is positioned closer to the top lid than the first posture.
2. The aforementioned cap is The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting member that connects the inner lid and the upper lid so that the inner lid can change position between a first position and a second position, such that when the upper lid is closed, the inner lid takes a first position due to the weight of the inner lid.
3. The aforementioned tank opens upward, The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the top cover is positioned on the upper side of the housing and is rotatable about a rotation axis that extends along the width direction.
4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the top lid and the cap are provided such that, when the top lid is open, the overall center of gravity of the top lid and the cap is located behind the axis of rotation in the front-rear direction.
5. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one biasing member is provided for biasing the inner lid from the first position to the second position.
6. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the cap is configured to conform to the inner surface of the top lid in the second position.
7. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the inner lid is configured to be convex toward the bottom of the drum in the first position.
8. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the cap further comprises a link mechanism for moving the inner lid in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a biasing member for supporting the inner lid so that it can vibrate in the left-right direction.