washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine that can properly fill the storage tank with water from the water inlet. [Solution] The washing machine comprises a storage tank, an automatic dispensing device, and a water filling case. The water filling case has an inlet into which mixed water flows, a flow path surface that forms part of the bottom surface of the water filling case and through which the mixed water flowing in from the inlet flows, a water inlet formed by opening the bottom surface of the water filling case and for filling the storage tank with the mixed water that has flowed along the flow path surface, a guide section located between the flow path surface and the water inlet and guiding the flow of mixed water from the flow path surface toward the water inlet, and a plurality of flow straightening members provided at predetermined intervals along the width direction of the water filling case in a region that overlaps with the guide section in a plan view, and are formed to follow the flow of mixed water flowing along the flow path surface, the upper end of the flow straightening member is located below the flow path surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to washing machines.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a washing machine, for example, mixed water in which a washing treatment agent supplied from an automatic dosing device and water from an external water source are mixed flows along the bottom surface portion of a water injection case and is then supplied into a water tank from a water injection port.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the conventional configuration, the bottom surface of the water injection case connected to the water injection port is a flat surface formed to be inclined in a direction descending from the rear to the front. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, it may be difficult to appropriately guide the mixed water to the water injection port while suppressing the remaining of the mixed water in the water injection case.

[0005] Therefore, an object is to provide a washing machine that can appropriately inject water from a water injection port into a storage tank.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The washing machine according to this embodiment comprises a storage tank for storing clothes, an automatic dispensing device for automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of laundry detergent into the storage tank, and a water filling case that receives mixed water, which is a mixture of the laundry detergent dispensed from the automatic dispensing device and water supplied from an external water source, and fills the storage tank with the mixed water. The water filling case has an inlet into which the mixed water flows, and a flow path surface that forms part of the bottom surface of the water filling case through which the mixed water that has flowed into the water filling case from the inlet flows. The water supply case has an opening at the bottom surface for pouring the mixed water that has flowed through the flow channel into the storage tank, a guide section located between the flow channel and the water supply, which guides the flow of the mixed water from the flow channel towards the water supply, and a plurality of flow straightening members provided at predetermined intervals along the width direction of the water supply case in a region that overlaps with at least the guide section in a plan view, and which are formed to follow the flow of the mixed water flowing through the flow channel, the upper end of the flow straightening member being located below the flow channel. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of a washing machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram shows an example of the water path supplied from an external water source into the water tank of a washing machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] A plan view showing the schematic configuration around the water filling case of a washing machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the schematic configuration of the water filling case along the line X4-X4 for a washing machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the schematic configuration of the water filling case along the line X5-X5 for a washing machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] A cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the area around the water inlet of a washing machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] A plan view showing another example of a flow straightening member for a washing machine according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes one embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that, for the sake of clarity, the dimensions of each component in the drawings may be enlarged as needed, and the dimensional ratios between components may not be the same as those in reality.

[0009] The washing machine 1 shown in Figure 1 is a so-called vertical-axis washing machine in which the rotation axis of the rotating drum is oriented vertically. The washing machine 1 is not limited to a vertical-axis washing machine; it may also be a so-called drum-type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the rotating drum is oriented horizontally or inclined downward toward the rear. Furthermore, the washing machine 1 may have a drying function, such as a heater type or heat pump type, or it may not have a drying function. The left side of Figure 1 is the front of the washing machine 1, and the right side of Figure 1 is the rear of the washing machine 1. The side of the washing machine 1 that is on the installation surface, i.e., the vertically downward side, is the bottom of the washing machine 1, and the side opposite the installation surface, i.e., the vertically upward side, is the top of the washing machine 1. The direction perpendicular to the front-to-back and up-to-down directions of the washing machine 1 is the left-to-right direction.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the washing machine 1 comprises a washing machine body 10, a water tank 21, a rotating drum 22, a motor 23, agitator blades 24, a drainage mechanism 25, and a water supply mechanism 30. The washing machine body 10 constitutes the outer casing of the washing machine 1. The washing machine body 10 has a box casing 11, a top cover 12, a back cover 13, and a lid 14. The box casing 11 is formed in a roughly rectangular box shape from, for example, a steel plate, and has an opening at the top. The top cover 12 is provided on the top of the box casing 11. As shown in Figure 1, the top cover 12 has an upper opening 121 that penetrates vertically in the center. The upper opening 121 connects the inside and outside of the washing machine 1.

[0011] The back cover 13 is provided on the rear end and part of the upper part of the top cover 12. The back cover 13 as a whole is a rectangular box shape that is long in the left-right direction of the washing machine 1. Part of the water supply mechanism 30 is housed inside the back cover 13. The lid 14 is provided on the upper part of the top cover 12 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction with its rear edge as the axis of rotation, and opens and closes the upper opening 121 of the top cover 12. The lid 14 is formed as a single lid body that is formed as a substantially rectangular plate as a whole.

[0012] Both the water tank 21 and the rotating tank 22 are formed in a so-called bottomed cylindrical shape, with one axial side, i.e., the upper side, open and the other side, i.e., the lower side, having a bottom. The water tank 21 and the rotating tank 22 function as storage tanks for storing clothes. The water tank 21 is located inside the box body 11 and is elastically supported by a suspension (not shown). The rotating tank 22 is rotatably installed inside the water tank 21. The rotating tank 22 is capable of storing clothes and is rotationally driven by a motor 23. With the lid 14 open, the user can put clothes in and take them out of the rotating tank 22 through the upper opening 121.

[0013] Motor 23 is located on the outside of the bottom of the water tank 21 and rotates the rotating tank 22. Motor 23 is, for example, a brushless direct-drive motor with a variable rotational speed. The agitator blade 24 is located on the inside bottom of the rotating tank 22 and is rotatable around a vertical axis. The agitator blade 24 is connected to motor 23 and is rotationally driven by motor 23. The agitator blade 24 has a blade member (not shown) on its underside for stirring up water.

[0014] The drainage mechanism 25 has the function of discharging the water stored in the water tank 21 to the outside of the washing machine 1. The drainage mechanism 25 has a drain valve 251 and a drain hose 252. The drain valve 251 is an electromagnetically operated on-off valve for liquids. The inlet side of the drain valve 251 is connected to a drain port (not shown) of the water tank 21 via a connecting hose 261. One end of the drain hose 252 is connected to the drain valve 251, and the other end is led out of the washing machine 1. When the drain valve 251 is opened, the water stored in the water tank 21 is discharged to the outside of the washing machine 1 through the drain hose 252.

[0015] The water supply mechanism 30 has the function of supplying water from an external water source, such as a water supply system, into the water tank 21 and the rotating tank 22. The water supply mechanism 30 includes a water supply valve unit 31, a water supply case 40, a water supply hose 32, a treatment agent case 33, and an automatic dispensing device 34. The water supply valve unit 31 has the function of individually opening and closing multiple water supply paths R1 and R2 that lead from an external water source to the water tank 21 via the water supply mechanism 30. As shown in Figure 2, the water supply valve unit 31 is composed of, for example, multiple water supply valves 311 and 312, including a manual water supply valve 311 and an automatic water supply valve 312. Each water supply valve 311, 312 is composed of one or more electromagnetically operable liquid shut-off valves.

[0016] The washing machine 1 is equipped with a manual water supply route R1 and an automatic water supply route R2. Both the manual water supply route R1 and the automatic water supply route R2 are routes that supply water from an external water source to the water tank 21. Each water supply route R1 and R2 is a route that goes from the water supply valve unit 31 to the water tank 21 via different paths. The manual water supply valve 311 opens and closes the manual water supply route R1. The automatic water supply valve 312 opens and closes the automatic water supply route R2. The manual water supply route R1 is a route that goes from the manual water supply valve 311 to the water tank 21 via the processing agent case 33 and through the water filling case 40. The automatic water supply route R2 is a route that goes from the automatic water supply valve 312 to the water tank 21 via the automatic dispensing device 34 and through the water filling case 40. The automatic water supply route R2 is a route that goes to the water tank 21 without going through the processing agent case 33.

[0017] The water injection case 40 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and is formed in a container shape with an open upper side. The water injection case 40 has a function of receiving water supplied from an external water source and supplying the water into the water tank 21 via the water injection hose 32. The water injection hose 32 is composed of, for example, a flexible hose. The water injection hose 32 is a part connecting the water injection case 40 and the inside of the water tank 21.

[0018] The treatment agent case 33 is detachably accommodated in the water injection case 40, for example. The treatment agent case 33 receives the input of the washing treatment agent required for one washing operation, for example. The treatment agent case 33 is used when the user manually inputs the washing treatment agent. The washing treatment agent includes, for example, detergents such as powder detergents and liquid detergents, and finishing agents such as softeners and fragrances. The treatment agent case 33 is configured to be pulled forward with respect to the water injection case 40. The treatment agent case 33 is supported from below by a support member (not shown) and is accommodated in the water injection case 40 in a state of being separated vertically from the bottom wall 401 of the water injection case 40. Also, in a state of being accommodated in the water injection case 40, the front surface 33a of the treatment agent case 33 is exposed to the outside from the water injection case 40. When the manual water supply valve 311 is opened in a state where the washing treatment agent is put into the treatment agent case 33, the water supplied to the treatment agent case 33 and the washing treatment agent are mixed in the treatment agent case 33, and then are supplied into the water tank 21 through the inside of the water injection case 40.

[0019] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the treatment agent case 33 has a plurality of, for example, three input parts 331, 332, 333. The input parts 331, 332, 333 are each formed in a container shape with an open upper side. The plurality of input parts 331, 332, 333 are provided side by side in the left - right direction. In this case, the manual water supply valve 311 has a plurality of water supply valves for individually supplying water from an external water source to the plurality of input parts 331, 332, 333. Hereinafter, the input part 331 may be referred to as the powder detergent input part 331, the input part 332 may be referred to as the liquid detergent input part 332, and the input part 333 may be referred to as the finishing agent input part 333.

[0020] The powder detergent input section 331 is located on the left among the plurality of input sections 331, 332, 333, and receives, for example, the input of powdered detergent. The powder detergent input section 331 has a plurality of communication holes 331a formed in the rearward portion of its bottom. The laundry treatment agent introduced into the powder detergent input section 331 flows down from the communication holes 331a to the bottom wall 401 of the water injection case 40 together with the water supplied into the powder detergent input section 331, and then is supplied into the water tank 21.

[0021] The liquid detergent input section 332 is located in the center among the plurality of input sections 331, 332, 333, and receives, for example, the input of liquid detergent. The finishing agent input section 333 is located on the right among the plurality of input sections 331, 332, 333, and receives, for example, the input of liquid finishing agent. The liquid detergent input section 332 and the finishing agent input section 333 each have a siphon section 332a, 333a. The mixed water in which the water and the laundry treatment agent supplied into the input sections 332, 333 are mixed flows out of the input sections 332, 333 through the siphon sections 332a, 333a.

[0022] When the water level of the mixed water in the input sections 332, 333 rises due to water supply and the mixed water fills up to above the siphon sections 332a, 333a, the mixed water starts to flow from the water passage sections 332b, 333b, and then the outflow of the mixed water toward the lower sides of the input sections 332, 333 is maintained by the principle of the siphon. Then, the mixed water flowing out from the input sections 332, 333 flows on the surface of the bottom wall 401 of the water injection case 40, and then is supplied into the water tank 21.

[0023] The automatic dispensing device 34 is capable of storing the amount of laundry detergent used for multiple wash cycles and has the function of automatically dispensing the required amount of laundry detergent into the water tank 21 as the wash cycle progresses. The automatic dispensing device 34 includes a detergent tank 341, a finishing agent tank 342, a dispensing pump 343, a mixing unit 344, and a connecting pipe 345. The detergent tank 341 and the finishing agent tank 342 function as detergent tanks. The detergent tank 341 is for storing the amount of liquid detergent used for multiple wash cycles. The finishing agent tank 342 is for storing the amount of liquid finishing agent used for multiple wash cycles. The dispensing pump 343 is, for example, a piston pump and has the function of individually pumping a predetermined amount of laundry detergent from each tank 341 and 342 and supplying them to the mixing unit 344.

[0024] The mixing unit 344 is configured, for example, as a container capable of storing a certain amount of laundry detergent. Water supplied from an external water source is also supplied to the mixing unit 344. That is, the automatic water supply path R2 is a path that passes through the mixing unit 344 and then through the water filling case 40 to the water tank 21. The mixing unit 344 temporarily holds the laundry detergent that has been put in from each tank 341 and 342 by the input pump 343 until the next water supply begins. The connecting pipe 345 is made of, for example, synthetic rubber and is formed in a tubular shape. The connecting pipe 345 connects the mixing unit 344 and the water filling case 40.

[0025] The laundry detergent introduced into the mixing unit 344 is mixed with water supplied from an external water source within the mixing unit 344, and then supplied to the water tank 21 via the connecting pipe 345 through the water supply case 40. In other words, the water supply case 40 receives the mixed water, which is a mixture of the laundry detergent introduced from the automatic dispensing device 34 and water supplied from an external water source, and pours this mixed water into the water tank 21.

[0026] Next, the details of the water filling case 40 will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the water filling case 40 is formed in the shape of a container with an open front, consisting of a bottom wall 401, a rear wall 402, side walls 403, and a front wall 404. The bottom wall 401 constitutes the bottom surface of the water filling case 40. The bottom wall 401 as a whole is formed to slope downward, for example, from rear to front. The rear wall 402 constitutes the rear surface, or rear wall, of the water filling case 40. The rear wall 402 is formed rising from the rear end of the bottom wall 401. As shown in Figure 3, a bulge 402a is formed in the middle of the rear wall 402. The bulge 402a is formed by a part of the rear wall 402 bulging forward in a roughly U-shape.

[0027] The side wall 403 constitutes the side, or left and right, side wall of the water filling case 40. The side wall 403 has a first side wall 403a and a second side wall 403b. The first side wall 403a and the second side wall 403b face each other. The first side wall 403a constitutes the left side wall of the water filling case 40, and the second side wall 403b constitutes the right side wall of the water filling case 40. As shown in Figure 3, a wall portion 405 is provided between the first side wall 403a and the second side wall 403b, facing each other with respect to the rear wall 402. The wall portion 405 connects the first side wall 403a and the second side wall 403b. The wall portion 405 curves gently from the second side wall 403b toward the center of the water filling case 40 so as to be convex forward, and extends in a straight line perpendicular to the first side wall 403a. The upper end of the wall section 405 is positioned higher than the uppermost part of the bottom wall 401.

[0028] Furthermore, in the left-right direction, multiple partition walls 406 and 407 are provided between the first side wall 403a and the second side wall 403b. The partition walls 406 and 407 are formed rising from the bottom wall 401 and are plate-shaped, extending in the front-rear direction. The height of the partition walls 406 and 407 is set slightly lower than that of the rear wall 402 and the side walls 403. The partition walls 406 and 407 each partition a portion of the internal space of the water filling case 40 in the left-right direction. One end of each partition wall 406 and 407 is connected to the rear wall 402, and the other end of each partition wall 406 and 407 extends partway along the front-rear direction of the water filling case 40. The left partition wall 406 is located slightly to the left of the center of the water filling case 40 in the left-right direction. For example, the left partition wall 406 is provided so as to connect with the left side wall of the bulging section 402a. The right partition wall 407 is located slightly to the right of the center of the water filling case 40 in the left-right direction.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the area between the first side wall 403a and the left partition wall 406 houses the powder detergent dispenser 331. The area between the left partition wall 406 and the right partition wall 407 houses the liquid detergent dispenser 332. Furthermore, the area between the right partition wall 407 and the second side wall 403b houses the finishing agent dispenser 333. The front wall 404 constitutes the front, or front, wall portion of the water filling case 40. As shown in Figure 5, the front wall 404 has a roughly Z-shaped cross-section. The front wall 404 connects the first side wall 403a and the second side wall 403b. The rear surface 404a of the front wall, which extends in the left-right direction and constitutes the rear surface of the front wall 404, is connected to the bottom wall 401.

[0030] The water injection case 40 has an inlet 41, a foam generating section 42, a flow path surface 43, a water inlet 44, a guide section 45, and a flow straightening member 46. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the inlet 41 is located at the rear of the first side wall 403a and is formed to penetrate the first side wall 403a in the thickness direction. The inlet 41 is provided in a position opposite to the bulging section 402a. The inlet 41 is the part into which mixed water flows into the water injection case 40. In this embodiment, a channel forming member 411 is provided on the first side wall 403a. The channel forming member 411 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape and is provided so as to surround the inlet 41. The channel forming member 411 extends outward from the first side wall 403a and is watertightly connected to the connecting pipe 345.

[0031] The channel forming member 411 has a channel 411a formed inside through which a mixture of laundry detergent and water that has passed through the connecting pipe 345 flows. The channel 411a is the part that connects the automatic dispensing device 34 and the inlet 41. As shown in Figure 4, the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the channel 411a gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side. The internal cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet 41 is set to be smaller than the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the channel 411a. In addition, the lowest part of the inlet 41 is at approximately the same height as the lowest part of the channel 411a. This prevents the mixture of water flowing from the channel 411a towards the inlet 41 from remaining in the channel 411a.

[0032] The foam generating section 42 is located opposite the inlet 41. The foam generating section 42 is for generating foamy mixed water by coming into contact with the mixed water that flows into the water injection case 40 from the inlet 41, for example. The foam generating section 42 is composed of a plurality of obstructions 421, a bulge 402a, and a left partition wall 406. The plurality of obstructions 421 are located between the first side wall 403a and the second side wall 403b. In this case, the plurality of obstructions 421 are located between the first side wall 403a, the bulge 402a, and the left partition wall 406. The obstructions 421 are formed in a columnar shape, for example, a cylindrical shape, and protrude upward from the bottom wall 401.

[0033] The obstruction body 421 has a corner portion 421a on its outer circumferential surface. In this embodiment, the corner portion 421a is provided at the point where the side surface and top surface of the obstruction body 421 intersect. The upper end of the obstruction body 421 is located above the inlet 41 and below the upper ends of the bulge portion 402a and the left partition wall 406. In other words, as shown in Figure 4, the upper end of the obstruction body 421 is located above the lowest part of the inlet 41. Also, as shown in Figure 5, the height positions of the upper ends of the multiple obstructions 421 are aligned to be approximately the same. As a result, the mixed water that comes into contact with the corner portion 421a of the obstruction body 421 is efficiently foamed. Note that the corner portion 421a may be configured in other ways, for example, by making a part of the side surface of the obstruction body 421 angular.

[0034] Multiple baffles 421 are arranged in multiple rows along the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The spacing between the multiple baffles 421 may be equal or unequal. Mixed water discharged from the inlet 41 collides with the multiple baffles 421, generating turbulence and foaming. The mixed water that has passed through the multiple baffles 421 is then bounced back by the bulge section 402a and the left partition wall 406, further promoting foam generation. In this embodiment, water containing laundry detergent that flows out from the communication hole 331a of the powder detergent input section 331 is configured to fall towards the multiple baffles 421. Therefore, the water falling from the communication hole 331a is mixed with detergent and water through contact with the multiple baffles 421 and bounced back from the bottom wall 401, thereby generating foam. Note that in Figure 3 and other figures, only some of the reference numerals for the multiple baffles 421 are given for clarity, and the reference numerals for the other baffles 421 are omitted.

[0035] Furthermore, the multiple rows can consist of, for example, three or more rows and be arranged in a staggered pattern on the bottom wall 401. A staggered pattern means that multiple obstructions 421 included in one row are positioned between multiple obstructions 421 included in the other row adjacent to the first row. As a result, the mixed water flowing from the inlet 41 toward the multiple obstructions 421 passes between two obstructions 421 located in the upstream row before coming into contact with one obstruction 421 located in the downstream row. Thus, the flow of water is dispersed as it passes through each of the multiple rows, which weakens the force of the mixed water coming into contact with the bulge 402a and the left partition wall 406. This prevents the mixed water discharged from the inlet 41 from overflowing outside the water inlet case 40.

[0036] The flow path surface 43 includes the portion of the bottom wall 401 located between the first side wall 403a, the bulge 402a, and the left partition wall 406 in the left-right direction. Mixed water flowing into the water filling case 40 from the inlet 41 flows through the flow path surface 43. The foam generating section 42 is located upstream of the flow path surface 43. The water inlet 44 is formed by opening the bottom wall 401 in the vertical direction and is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the water inlet 44 has a predetermined volume secured by the surrounding peripheral wall 44a. The rear surface of the front wall 404a constitutes part of the peripheral wall 44a. The water inlet 44 is connected to the water filling hose 32. The water inlet 44 is the part through which water flowing out from the inside of the water filling case 40 to the outside passes. In other words, the water inlet 44 injects the mixed water containing foam that has flowed through the flow path surface 43 into the water tank 21. The width dimension of the water inlet 44 is set to be greater than or equal to the width dimension of the flow path surface 43. The flow path surface 43 is located within the area that extends from the water inlet 44 in the front-rear direction.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3 and other figures, the water inlet 44 is divided into two sections in the front-to-back direction by the wall 405. In other words, the water inlet 44 is divided into a first water inlet 441 located behind the wall 405 and a second water inlet 442 located in front of the wall 405. For example, the opening area of ​​the first water inlet 441 is set to be greater than or equal to the opening area of ​​the second water inlet 442. Mixed water that flows along the flow path surface 43 mainly flows out from the first water inlet 441. For example, mixed water that does not flow out from the first water inlet 441 but flows in front of the wall 405 flows out from the second water inlet 442.

[0038] The guide section 45 is located between the flow path surface 43 and the water inlet 44 and guides the flow of mixed water from the flow path surface 43 toward the water inlet 44. The guide section 45 is for straightening the water flow of mixed water that flows from the flow path surface 43 toward the water inlet 44. The guide section 45 constitutes a part of the bottom wall 401. The guide section 45 is the part that connects the flow path surface 43 and the peripheral wall 44a. The guide section 45 is formed as a flat surface that slopes from rear to front, and for example, the angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal is set to be greater than that of the flow path surface 43. The width dimension of the guide section 45 is set to be greater than the width dimension of the flow path surface 43 and greater than or equal to the width dimension of the water inlet 44. The flow path surface 43 is located in the area that extends the guide section 45 toward the rear. Note that the guide section 45 is not limited to a flat surface, but may be made as a stepped surface having a step that is recessed downwards on the rear side.

[0039] The flow straightening member 46 is formed of a plate-shaped member extending in the front-rear direction and is shaped to follow the flow of mixed water flowing through the flow channel surface 43. The flow straightening member 46 has the function of straightening the water flow of mixed water flowing from the flow channel surface 43 to the water inlet 44, and also improving the appearance of the water flow as a single unit. Multiple flow straightening members 46 are provided at predetermined intervals along the width direction of the water inlet case 40 in a region that overlaps with the guide section 45 in a plan view. In this embodiment, the flow straightening members 46 are provided in a region that overlaps with the guide section 45 and the water inlet 44. The upper end of the flow straightening member 46 is located below the flow channel surface 43. This prevents the water flowing through the flow channel surface 43 from being interrupted in the width direction.

[0040] In this embodiment, the flow straightening member 46 includes a first flow straightening member 461, a second flow straightening member 462, and a third flow straightening member 463. The first flow straightening member 461 is formed rising on the guide portion 45. The front end of the first flow straightening member 461 is positioned so as not to overlap with the water inlet 44 in a plan view. The second flow straightening member 462 extends rearward from the wall portion 405. The second flow straightening member 462 is positioned at a predetermined distance from the peripheral wall portion 44a.

[0041] The third flow straightening member 463 extends rearward from the rear surface 404a of the front wall. The third flow straightening member 463 is positioned at a predetermined distance from the wall portion 405. As shown in Figure 6, the upper ends of each flow straightening member 461, 462, and 463 are aligned at approximately the same height. The lower ends of the second flow straightening member 462 and the third flow straightening member 463 are located above the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 44a. Furthermore, the lower ends of the second flow straightening member 462 and the third flow straightening member 463 are aligned at approximately the same height. This further improves the appearance of the water flow out of the water inlet 44. In addition, because the second flow straightening member 462 and the third flow straightening member 463 are located downstream in the direction in which water flows along the flow path surface 43, even a weak water flow can be combined into a single mass without dividing the water flowing out of the water inlet 44. In Figure 3, for the sake of clarity, only some of the reference numerals for the rectifier members 461, 462, and 463 are included, while the reference numerals for the other rectifier members 461, 462, and 463 are omitted.

[0042] Each of the flow straightening members 461, 462, and 463 is spaced apart from each other. That is, the flow straightening member 46 is interrupted in the area of ​​the water inlet 44 when viewed from above. As a result, it is difficult for a film of water to adhere to the area around the water inlet 44 due to surface tension. This prevents mixed water from remaining around the water inlet 44 and from dripping into the water tank 21 at unintended times.

[0043] As shown in the example in Figure 7, the flow straightening member 46 may be formed extending on both sides in the front-rear direction with the wall portion 405 as the boundary. In other words, the flow straightening member 46 can be provided connected within the area of ​​the water inlet 44 in a plan view. In this case, the flow straightening member 46 can be composed of a first flow straightening member 461a and a third flow straightening member 463a instead of the first flow straightening member 461, the second flow straightening member 462, and the third flow straightening member 463. The first flow straightening member 461a is formed with one end rising up on the guide portion 45 and the other end connected to the wall portion 405. The third flow straightening member 463a has one end connected to the wall portion 405 and the other end connected to the rear surface 404a of the front wall. The first rectifier member 461a and the third rectifier member 463a can be configured similarly to the first rectifier member 461 and the third rectifier member 463, respectively, in terms of dimensions and shape other than the length in the front-rear direction. As a result, the guide section 45 and the rectifier members 46 can rectify the flow so that the mixed water is injected evenly from the water inlet 44 into the water tank 21 and the rotating tank 22.

[0044] According to the embodiment described above, the washing machine 1 comprises a water tank 21 and a rotating tub 22 for storing clothes, an automatic dispensing device 34, and a water filling case 40. The automatic dispensing device 34 is for automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of laundry detergent into the water tank 21 and the rotating tub 22. The water filling case 40 receives mixed water, which is a mixture of the laundry detergent dispensed from the automatic dispensing device 34 and water supplied from an external water source, and fills the water tank 21 and the rotating tub 22 with the mixed water. The water filling case 40 has an inlet 41, a flow path surface 43, a water inlet 44, a guide section 45, and a flow straightening member 46. Mixed water flows into the water filling case 40 through the inlet 41. The flow path surface 43 constitutes a part of the bottom wall 401 of the water filling case 40, and the mixed water that flows into the water filling case 40 from the inlet 41 flows through it.

[0045] The water inlet 44 is formed by opening the bottom wall 401 of the water inlet case 40 and injects the mixed water that has flowed through the flow path surface 43 into the water tank 21 and the rotating tank 22. The guide section 45 is located between the flow path surface 43 and the water inlet 44 and guides the flow of the mixed water from the flow path surface 43 toward the water inlet 44. Multiple flow straightening members 46 are provided at predetermined intervals along the width direction of the water inlet case 40 in a region that overlaps with the guide section 45 in a plan view, and are formed to follow the flow of the mixed water flowing through the flow path surface 43. The upper end of the flow straightening member 46 is located below the flow path surface 43.

[0046] According to this, the guide section 45 and the flow straightening member 46 can straighten the flow so that the mixed water is injected evenly from the water inlet 44 into the water tank 21 and the rotating tank 22. This prevents the mixed water from remaining in the water inlet case 40, while allowing water to be properly injected from the water inlet 44 into the water tank 21 and the rotating tank 22.

[0047] The flow path surface 43 is located within the area that extends the guide portion 45 in the front-rear direction. This allows the mixed water flowing toward the water inlet 44 to be properly guided to the water inlet 44 via the guide portion 45.

[0048] Furthermore, the flow path surface 43 is located within the area extending in the front-rear direction from the water inlet 44. This allows the mixed water that has passed through the flow path surface 43 to be properly injected into the water tank 21 and the rotating tank 22 via the water inlet 44.

[0049] The lower end of the flow straightening member 46 is positioned above the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 44a surrounding the water inlet 44. This allows for the shape of the foamy mixed water being poured into the water tank 21 to be adjusted. As a result, foamy mixed water can be supplied evenly to the clothes in the water tank 21, ensuring stable washing performance.

[0050] The water supply case 40 further includes a foam generating unit 42 and a water channel 411a. The foam generating unit 42 is positioned opposite the inlet 41 and generates foam using the mixed water that flows into the water supply case 40. The water channel 411a connects the automatic dispensing device 34 to the inlet 41 of the water supply case 40. The internal cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet 41 is smaller than the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the water channel 411a. This allows the mixed water that has passed through the inlet 41 to come into contact with the foam generating unit 42 with force. This improves the foaming ability and foam quality of the mixed water. By using high-concentration foamy mixed water that is appropriately supplied into the water tank 21 via the guide unit 45, etc., it is possible to improve washing performance while shortening the operating time, such as the time required to wash clothes, and suppressing damage to fabrics.

[0051] The lowest part of the inlet 41 is at approximately the same height as the lowest part of the water channel 411a. This prevents mixed water from remaining in the water channel 411a. As a result, it is possible to improve cleanability while obtaining appropriate cleaning performance.

[0052] The foam generating section 42 includes a plurality of obstructions 421. The obstructions 421 are formed protruding from the bottom wall 401 of the water filling case 40. The upper ends of the obstructions 421 are located above the lowest part of the inlet 41. This allows the mixed water that has passed through the inlet 41 to be effectively brought into contact with the plurality of obstructions 421. This makes it easier to generate foamy mixed water, thereby improving cleaning performance.

[0053] The obstructing element 421 has corners 421a on its outer surface. This allows for stable foaming of the mixed water by bringing it into contact with the corners 421a of the obstructing element 421. This enables the stable generation of foamy mixed water, thereby improving cleaning performance.

[0054] The corner portion 421a is provided at the point where the side surface and top surface of the obstruction body 421 intersect. This allows the obstruction body 421 to have a simple shape while generating foamy mixed water. This makes it possible to improve cleaning performance while keeping costs down.

[0055] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1...Washing machine, 21...Water tank (storage tank), 22...Rotating tank (storage tank), 34...Automatic dispensing device, 40...Water filling case, 401...Bottom wall (bottom surface), 41...Inlet, 43...Flow path surface, 44...Water inlet, 45...Guide section, 46...Flow straightening member

Claims

1. A storage tank for storing clothing, An automatic dispensing device for automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of laundry detergent into the aforementioned storage tank, The system includes a water filling case that receives a mixture of the laundry agent dispensed from the automatic dispensing device and water supplied from an external water source, and pours the mixture into the storage tank. The aforementioned water filling case is The water filling case has an inlet through which the mixed water flows in, A part of the bottom surface of the water filling case is a flow channel surface through which the mixed water that flows into the water filling case from the inlet flows, The bottom surface of the water filling case is opened and has a water inlet formed for pouring the mixed water that has flowed through the flow path into the storage tank, A guide portion located between the flow path surface and the water inlet, which guides the flow of the mixed water from the flow path surface toward the water inlet, The device comprises a plurality of flow straightening members provided at predetermined intervals along the width direction of the water injection case in a region that overlaps with the guide portion in a plan view, and which are formed to follow the flow of the mixed water flowing through the flow channel surface, The upper end of the rectifying member is located below the flow path surface. washing machine.

2. The flow path surface is located within the region extending the guide portion in the front-rear direction. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The flow path surface is located within the region extending in the front-rear direction from the water inlet. The washing machine according to claim 2.

4. The lower end of the flow straightening member is located above the lower end of the peripheral wall portion surrounding the water inlet. The washing machine according to claim 1.

5. The water supply case further includes a foam generating unit provided at a position opposite the inlet and generating foam using the mixed water that flows into the water supply case, and a water channel connecting the automatic dispensing device and the inlet of the water supply case. The internal cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet is smaller than the internal cross-sectional area of ​​the channel. The washing machine according to claim 1.

6. The lowest part of the inlet is at approximately the same height as the lowest part of the waterway. The washing machine according to claim 5.

7. The foam generating section includes a plurality of obstructing elements formed to protrude from the bottom surface of the water filling case. The upper end of the obstruction is located above the lowest part of the inlet. The washing machine according to claim 5.

8. The aforementioned obstruction has corners provided on its outer surface. The washing machine according to claim 7.

9. The aforementioned corner is provided at the point where the side surface and top surface of the obstruction intersect. The washing machine according to claim 8.

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