washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine that improves convenience by flexibly utilizing the water supply route while ensuring appropriate washing performance. [Solution] The washing machine comprises a water tank, a rotating tub, and a water supply valve connected to an external water source, which opens and closes a water supply path that supplies water from the external water source into the water tank and the rotating tub. The water supply path branches into a first branch path and a second branch path downstream of the water supply valve. The first branch path includes a mixing section where the water flowing through the first branch path is mixed with a laundry detergent, and an injection section that sprays the mixed water, which has passed through the mixing section and is a mixture of the water flowing through the first branch path and the laundry detergent, into the rotating tub.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for improving detergency by permeating detergent throughout laundry is known. In Patent Document 1, in a drum washing machine, detergent is dissolved in water supplied from a water injection hose connected to a water supply solenoid valve, flows through a flexible hose, and is introduced into the interior of a washing drum tank through an injection port provided at the upper part of an outer tank.

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 prior art, the water passage from the water supply solenoid valve to the water injection port is only used for the purpose of spraying the washing treatment agent into the washing drum tank. If the water passage can be used for another purpose while improving detergency by spraying the washing treatment agent into the washing drum tank, convenience can be improved.

[0005] Therefore, there is provided a washing machine that can flexibly utilize a water supply path to improve convenience while appropriately ensuring washing performance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The washing machine of the embodiment comprises a water tank, a rotating tub provided in the water tank and capable of holding clothes, and a water supply valve connected to an external water source and opening and closing a water supply path that supplies water from the external water source into the water tank and the rotating tub, wherein the water supply path branches into a first branch path and a second branch path downstream of the water supply valve, and the first branch path has a mixing section where the water flowing through the first branch path and a laundry detergent are mixed, and an injection section which injects the mixed water, which has passed through the mixing section and is mixed with the laundry detergent, into the inside of the rotating tub. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional side view showing an example of a washing machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic front view showing an example of the positional relationship between the water tank, the rotating drum, and the spray unit of a washing machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram shows an example of the water supply path from an external water source for the washing machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a washing machine according to the first embodiment in which a flow rate adjustment unit is provided in the second branch path. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a washing machine according to the first embodiment in which an on-off valve is provided in the second branch path. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a washing machine according to the second embodiment in which a three-way valve is provided at the branching point of the water supply path. [Figure 7] A schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an example of a washing machine according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] A schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a venturi mechanism for a washing machine according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Several embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted. Furthermore, in each embodiment, the terms "first," "second," etc., attached to the components are merely for distinguishing similar components and do not imply any superiority or inferiority between components or any temporal elements.

[0009] (First Embodiment) First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The washing machine 10 shown in Figure 1 is, for example, a drum-type washing machine in which the rotation axis Ra of the rotating drum 14 is horizontal or inclined downward toward the rear. The washing machine 10 is equipped with a washing function and is capable of performing a washing operation including the processes of washing, rinsing, and spinning. The washing machine 10 may also be equipped with a drying function, for example, a heater type or a heat pump type.

[0010] The washing machine 10 comprises an outer casing 11, a door 12, a water tank 13, a rotating drum 14, a motor 15, a drainage mechanism 16, a circulation mechanism 17, and a water supply mechanism 20. In Figure 1, the side of the washing machine 10 facing the installation surface, i.e., the vertically downward side, is considered the bottom of the washing machine 10, and the side opposite the installation surface, i.e., the vertically upward side, is considered the top of the washing machine 10. Also, the left side of Figure 1, i.e., the side of the door 12 relative to the outer casing 11, is considered the front of the washing machine 10, and the right side of Figure 1, i.e., the side opposite the door 12 relative to the outer casing 11, is considered the rear of the washing machine 10.

[0011] The outer casing 11 is formed as a rectangular hollow box by a combination of metal materials such as stainless steel plates or resin materials. The outer casing 11 constitutes the outer shell of the washing machine 10. The outer casing 11 also has an opening 111 on its front side that connects the inside and outside of the outer casing 11. The door 12 is provided on the front side of the outer casing 11 and opens and closes the opening 111. With the door 12 open, the user can put clothes in and take them out of the rotating tub 14 through the opening 111. Both the water tank 13 and the rotating tub 14 are formed as bottomed cylindrical shapes. The water tank 13 is capable of storing water inside. The water tank 13 is elastically supported by a suspension (not shown) located inside the outer casing 11. The water tank 13 has a drain port 131. The drain port 131 connects the inside and outside of the water tank 13. The drain port 131 is provided, for example, at the bottom of the water tank 13 and is the part that discharges the water inside the water tank 13 to the outside.

[0012] The rotating tub 14 is capable of holding clothes inside and is rotatably positioned within the water tank 13 around a rotation axis Ra. The rotating tub 14 is rotationally driven by a motor 15. The rotating tub 14 also has baffles (not shown). Multiple baffles are provided on the inner circumferential wall of the rotating tub 14 and have the function of agitating and stirring the clothes contained inside the rotating tub 14 when the tub 14 rotates. The motor 15 is located on the outside of the bottom of the water tank 13 and has the function of rotationally driving the rotating tub 14 relative to the water tank 13. The motor 15 is, for example, a brushless direct-drive motor with a variable rotation speed. The center line between the water tank 13 and the rotating tub 14 coincides with the rotation axis Ra of the rotating tub 14. In this embodiment, the direction in which the rotation axis Ra extends coincides with the front-to-back direction of the washing machine 10.

[0013] The drainage mechanism 16 is for draining water from the water tank 13 to the outside of the washing machine 10. The drainage mechanism 16 can be configured with a drain valve 161 and a drain hose 162. The drain valve 161 is configured to be electromagnetically openable and closable. The inlet side of the drain valve 161 is connected to the drain port 131 of the water tank 13 via a connecting hose 181. One end of the drain hose 162 is connected to the drain valve 161, and the other end is led out of the washing machine 10. When the drain valve 161 is opened while water is stored in the water tank 13, the water stored in the water tank 13 is drained to the outside of the washing machine 10 through the drain hose 162. In other words, the drain valve 161 opens and closes a drainage path for draining water stored in the water tank 13 to the outside.

[0014] The circulation mechanism 17 has the function of reinjecting water that has flowed out of the water tank 13 back into the water tank 13. The circulation mechanism 17 includes a circulation pump 171, a circulation hose 172, and a water discharge section 173. The circulation pump 171 has the function of pumping water from the water tank 13. The inlet side of the circulation pump 171 is connected to the drain port 131 of the water tank 13 via connecting hoses 181 and 182. The discharge side of the circulation pump 171 is connected to the water discharge section 173 via the circulation hose 172. The circulation hose 172 is made of, for example, a flexible hose. The water discharge section 173 is provided, for example, at the top of the water tank 13 and discharges water into the water tank 13.

[0015] When the circulation pump 171 is driven with the drain valve 161 closed, the circulation pump 171 pumps water from the tank 13 through the drain port 131 and refills the tank 13 through the discharge port 173. The circulation path 174 is formed by the route from the drain port 131 of the tank 13, through the circulation pump 171, and back to the tank 13 through the discharge port 173. The circulation path 174 is located outside the tank 13 and is a path for returning water that has flowed out of the tank 13 back into the tank 13. The circulation pump 171 then circulates the water in the tank 13 through the circulation path 174.

[0016] The water supply mechanism 20 is for injecting water supplied from an external water source into the water tank 13. The water supply mechanism 20 includes a water supply valve 21, a water injection case 22, a detergent tank 23, a charging pump 24, a detergent mixing section 25, a check valve 26, a jetting section 27, and a fine bubble generator 28. The water supply valve 21 is connected to an external water source such as a faucet of a water supply. The water supply valve 21 is an on-off valve for a liquid that can be opened and closed electromagnetically. The water supply valve 21 has a function of opening and closing a water supply path 31 leading to the inside of the water tank 13. The water injection case 22 is made of, for example, resin and has a space formed inside. The water injection case 22 can be formed in a hollow box shape extending along the front-rear direction of the washing machine 10. The water injection case 22 has a function of receiving water supplied from an external water source and supplying the water into the water tank 13.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, a finishing agent case 221 is provided inside the water injection case 22. The finishing agent case 221 is composed of, for example, a resin container and is configured to be able to accommodate a finishing agent such as a softener or a bleaching agent in an amount used for one washing operation inside. The finishing agent case 221 is detachably accommodated in the water injection case 22, for example. The finishing agent case 221 receives the input of the finishing agent by the user through a finishing agent input port 221a. The finishing agent input port 221a is formed by opening the upper surface of the finishing agent case 221, for example. The finishing agent put into the finishing agent case 221 is mixed with the water supplied from the external water source that has flowed into the water injection case 22 in the water injection case 22, and then is supplied into the water tank 13 and the rotary tank 14 through a water injection pipe 222. The water injection pipe 222 is formed of a tubular member and connects the finishing agent case 221 and the inside of the water tank 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the water injection pipe 222 is provided at a position where the liquid flowing out of the finishing agent case 221 hits the outer peripheral surface of the rotary tank 14. That is, the water passing through the water injection pipe 222 is supplied between the water tank 13 and the rotary tank 14.

[0018] The detergent tank 23 is made of, for example, resin and is configured to store the liquid detergent required for multiple washing operations. The detergent tank 23 functions as a treatment agent tank. The washing machine 10 may include a finishing agent tank for storing an amount of liquid finishing agent used for multiple operations. The input pump 24 automatically supplies the detergent stored in the detergent tank 23 into the water tank 13 and the rotating tub 14 during operation. The input pump 24 is composed of, for example, a piston pump and has a function of sucking a predetermined amount of detergent individually from the detergent tank 23 and injecting it into the detergent mixing section 25 provided inside or outside the water injection case 22. In this embodiment, the detergent mixing section 25 is provided inside the water injection case 22.

[0019] The detergent mixing section 25 is configured, for example, in a container shape capable of storing a certain amount of detergent inside. The detergent mixing section 25 functions as a mixing section. Also, water supplied from an external water source is supplied to the detergent mixing section 25. The detergent sucked from the detergent tank 23 by the input pump 24 temporarily stays in the detergent mixing section 25 until the next water supply starts. Then, the detergent previously injected from the input pump 24 into the detergent mixing section 25 is dissolved and mixed with the water subsequently supplied from the external tap water source into the detergent mixing section 25, and then can be directly supplied to the dry clothes in the water tank 13 and the rotating tub 14 before water supply through the injection section 27 capable of widely spraying in a shower shape by the tap water pressure. When the washing machine 10 includes a finishing agent tank, the detergent mixing section 25 can be configured to also serve as a finishing agent mixing section where the finishing agent sucked from the finishing agent tank by the input pump 24 and the water supplied from the external water source are mixed.

[0020] The check valve 26 is provided between the input pump 24 and the detergent mixing section 25. The check valve 26 has a function of allowing the liquid flowing from the input pump 24 toward the detergent mixing section 25 to pass through, but blocking the liquid flowing from the detergent mixing section 25 toward the input pump 24. Thereby, when tap water pressure is applied to the water passage connected to the detergent mixing section 25, it is possible to prevent the water supplied from the external water source to the detergent mixing section 25 from flowing into the input pump 24 side.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the spray unit 27 is located downstream of the detergent mixing unit 25 and is connected to the detergent mixing unit 25 via a water supply hose 261. The water supply hose 261 is formed in a tubular shape from, for example, a pressure-resistant synthetic resin or synthetic rubber. One end of the water supply hose 261 is connected to the detergent mixing unit 25, and the other end is connected to the spray unit 27. The spray unit 27 is configured either integrally with or separately from the water supply hose 261 by a nozzle having one or more small holes at its outlet that are sufficiently smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the water channel of the water supply hose 261. The mixed water, which is a mixture of detergent put into the detergent mixing unit 25 and water supplied to the detergent mixing unit 25 from an external water source, is supplied to the spray unit 27 through the water supply hose 261. The spray unit 27 is used to spray the mixed water of detergent and water onto the clothes inside the water tank 13 and the rotating tank 14 in a shower-like manner, using, for example, the water pressure from a tap water source, which is an external water source. "Shower-like" is synonymous with "spray-like," and refers to a state in which water, under pressure from a water source, is dispersed and sprayed out.

[0022] The spray unit 27 is located outside the rotating tank 14, in a position overlooking the inside of the rotating tank 14 from above. The spray unit 27 is located, for example, around the inner circumferential surface of the water tank 13, above the rotation axis Ra. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the spray unit 27 is located directly above the rotation axis Ra. That is, the spray unit 27 is located in a position that includes the left-right center of the water tank 13. The water sprayed from the spray unit 27 is sprayed towards the clothes rotating inside the rotating tank 14. The spray unit 27 may also be located at a position offset circumferentially from directly above the rotation axis Ra, for example, at a position offset to the left or right in a front view.

[0023] The microbubble generator 28 has the function of generating microbubbles containing ultrafine bubbles in a liquid, such as water supplied from an external water source, as the liquid passes through the inside of the microbubble generator 28. Ultrafine bubbles are bubbles with a particle size of 50 nm to less than 1,000 nm. Because of their small particle size, ultrafine bubbles can penetrate even into intricate parts, such as deep within the fibers of clothing, and can exhibit a cleaning effect that can remove dirt from objects that cannot be completely removed by other microbubbles, such as microbubbles, which have a larger particle size than ultrafine bubbles, due to their low penetration ability. In addition, ultrafine bubbles have the properties of having a nano-order particle size, low buoyancy, and high hydrophobicity, making them difficult to dissolve in water, resulting in a long residence time in liquids.

[0024] The microbubble generator 28 is located downstream of the water supply valve 21 and outside the water injection case 22. The microbubble generator 28 is formed in the shape of a truncated cone tapered tube, where the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path, i.e., the inner diameter, continuously decreases from the upstream end to the middle section. Furthermore, a collision section (not shown) is provided downstream of the microbubble generator 28 to locally reduce the cross-sectional area through which water can pass in the microbubble generator 28.

[0025] When water flows upstream of the microbubble generator 28, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path is narrowed, which increases the flow velocity based on Bernoulli's principle in fluid dynamics, and cavitation occurs due to the reduced pressure. Then, the shear force acting on the high-speed flow as it collides with the impact section, and the negative pressure generated in the negative pressure region formed near the downstream end face of the impact section (for example, below -1.0 MPa), subdivides the flow into microbubbles. As a result, the microbubble generator 28 generates a large amount of dissolved air as microbubbles from the water passing through it, and can supply microbubbled water containing a larger amount of microbubbles than the water before it passed through the microbubble generator 28.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the water supply path 31 branches into a first branch path 311 and a second branch path 312 downstream of the water supply valve 21 and downstream of the microbubble generator 28. In other words, the microbubble generator 28 is located downstream of the water supply valve 21 and upstream of the branching point 31a between the first branch path 311 and the second branch path 312. The microbubble generator 28 is provided in common to both the first branch path 311 and the second branch path 312. Each branch path 311 and 312 flows into the water supply case 22 from the water supply valve 21 via different paths and then through the water supply case 22 to reach the water tank 13. The first branch path 311 and the second branch path 312 then supply water containing microbubbles, mainly nano-order microbubbles, specifically ultrafine bubbles, generated after passing through the microbubble generator 28, to the water tank 13 using tap water pressure. The water supply path 31 may be configured without the microbubble generator 28. Furthermore, the washing machine 10 may be configured to include other water supply paths in addition to the water supply path 31 for supplying water from an external water source into the water tank 13.

[0027] The first branching path 311 is a path that runs from the water supply valve 21 through the microbubble generator 28, the detergent mixing unit 25, and the spray unit 27 to the water tank 13. The spray unit 27 constitutes the outlet of the first branching path 311. That is, the mixed water supplied to the spray unit 27 contains detergent and microbubble water. Therefore, the water supply path 31 mixes the water supplied from the outside with the entire amount of detergent used in one washing cycle downstream of the branching unit 31a. In addition, when the water supply valve 21 is opened while no detergent has been added to the detergent mixing unit 25, the spray unit 27 sprays detergent-free microbubble water into the water tank 13 and the rotating tub 14 in a shower-like manner using tap water pressure. The first branching path 311 is a path for directly supplying mixed water, which is a mixture of water supplied from an external water source and detergent, or water supplied from an external water source, to the clothes in the rotating tub 14 via the spray unit 27.

[0028] For example, during the washing cycle of a washing machine, the operation of the water supply valve 21 and the water supply pump 24 is controlled by a control unit (not shown), and a mixture of detergent and microbubble water containing ultrafine bubbles is sprayed from the spray unit 27 onto the clothes in the rotating tub 14. In this washing cycle, the mixture of detergent and water is sprayed onto the dry clothes before the water supply cycle via the first branch path 311, allowing a higher concentration of detergent water to be directly supplied to the clothes over a wide area and deep into the fibers, thus making it easier to remove dirt attached to the clothes, similar to the effect of soaking, and as a result, a significant improvement in washing performance can be achieved. Furthermore, during the rinsing cycle of a washing machine, the control unit controls the water supply valve 21, and microbubble water is sprayed from the spray unit 27 onto the clothes in the rotating tub 14. In this rinsing cycle, compared to, for example, simply spraying tap water onto the clothes, the ultrafine bubbles contained in the microbubble water are delivered deep into the fibers, efficiently removing detergent components that remain deep within the fibers, thus improving rinsing performance.

[0029] The second branching path 312 is a path that runs from the water supply valve 21 through the microbubble generator 28, the finishing agent case 221, and the water injection pipe 222 to the water tank 13. In this case, the water injection pipe 222 constitutes the outlet of the second branching path 312. The second branching path 312 is a path that supplies water from an external water source between the water tank 13 and the rotating tank 14 via the water injection pipe 222. The second branching path 312 is not limited to being used to supply water into the water tank 13, but can also be used for other purposes, such as a door cleaning path that runs water over the door 12 to clean it, or a duct cleaning path that cleans the drying duct through which drying air flows for drying clothes.

[0030] Here, the first branch path 311 has an outlet formed by the injection unit 27, resulting in a relatively large pressure loss. As a result, water that has passed through the water supply valve 21 mainly flows into the second branch path 312 of the water supply path 31, and there is a risk that the first branch path 311 may not be able to supply enough mixed water.

[0031] Therefore, the washing machine 10 can be configured to include a flow rate adjustment unit 41 in the second branch path 312, as shown in the example in Figure 4. The flow rate adjustment unit 41 is composed of, for example, a mass flow controller or an orifice, and adjusts the flow rate of water flowing through the second branch path 312. By adjusting the flow rate of water flowing through the second branch path 312 in this way, water can be supplied appropriately to the first branch path 311. Note that the flow rate adjustment unit 41 may also be provided in the first branch path 311 in addition to the second branch path 312.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in the example in Figure 5, the washing machine 10 may be configured to include an on-off valve 41a in the second branch path 312. The on-off valve 41a is an on-off valve for liquids that can be opened and closed electromagnetically. By opening the water supply valve 21 with the on-off valve 41a closed, the flow of water to the second branch path 312 can be restricted, and water can be supplied from the first branch path 311. This allows water to be supplied appropriately using the first branch path 311.

[0033] According to the embodiment described above, the washing machine 10 comprises a water tank 13, a rotating tub 14, and a water supply valve 21. The rotating tub 14 is located inside the water tank 13 and is capable of holding clothes. The water supply valve 21 is connected to an external water source and opens and closes a water supply path 31 that supplies water from the external water source into the water tank 13 and the rotating tub 14. The water supply path 31 branches into a first branch path 311 and a second branch path 312 downstream of the water supply valve 21. The first branch path 311 includes a detergent mixing section 25 where the water flowing through the first branch path 311 is mixed with a laundry detergent, and an injection section 27 which injects the mixed water, which has passed through the detergent mixing section 25 and is mixed with the laundry detergent, into the rotating tub 14.

[0034] According to this, even if the water supply route 31 is configured to branch according to multiple purposes, a predetermined amount of laundry detergent can be sprayed from the spray unit 27 into the rotating tub 14. This makes it possible to improve convenience by flexibly utilizing the water supply route 31 while ensuring appropriate washing performance.

[0035] The washing machine 10 further includes a treatment tank 23 capable of storing laundry treatment agent, and a dispensing pump 24 that pumps a predetermined amount of laundry treatment agent from the treatment tank 23 onto the first branch path 311. With this configuration, a predetermined amount of laundry treatment agent can be appropriately supplied to the first branch path 311 in a closed path including the treatment tank 23 and the dispensing pump 24.

[0036] The washing machine 10 is further equipped with a flow rate adjustment unit 41 located in the second branch path 312, which adjusts the flow rate of water flowing through the second branch path 312. This allows for the appropriate supply of mixed water from the first branch path 311 by adjusting the flow rate of water flowing through the second branch path 312.

[0037] Furthermore, the laundry treatment agent stored in the treatment agent tank 23 is detergent. In this case, if, for example, fabric softener, which is a type of finishing agent, is sprayed onto the clothes in the rotating tub 14 via the spray unit 27, and a high concentration of fabric softener adheres to a part of the clothes, there is a risk that the adhered part will become uneven. Also, unevenness may occur when bleach is used as a finishing agent. Therefore, by limiting the laundry treatment agent supplied from the first branching path 311 to detergent, the above-mentioned problems can be avoided, and the convenience can be improved by making various use of the water supply path 31.

[0038] Furthermore, the washing machine 10 is equipped with a microbubble generator 28. The microbubble generator 28 is located downstream of the water supply valve 21 and upstream of the branching point 31a between the first branching path 311 and the second branching path 312, and generates microbubble water by incorporating microbubbles into the water passing through it. This allows for high washing performance to be obtained due to the penetrating power of the microbubble water into the fibers.

[0039] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6. In this second embodiment, the configuration of the water supply path 31 differs from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, in this second embodiment, the washing machine 10 is equipped with a three-way valve 42 at the branch section 31a. The three-way valve 42 can be switched between a state in which the second branch path 312 side is closed and the first branch path 311 side is open, and a state in which the first branch path 311 side is closed and the second branch path 312 side is open. In other words, the three-way valve 42 switches the flow of water from the water supply path 31 to either the first branch path 311 or the second branch path 312. The three-way valve 42 functions as a valve.

[0040] According to this second embodiment, the same effects and advantages as those of the first embodiment are achieved. Furthermore, the water flow from the first branching path 311 or the second branching path 312 can be selectively switched. As a result, for example, there is no backflow between the branching paths 311 and 312, making it unnecessary to have a flow rate adjustment unit 41 in the second branching path 312 as shown in the example in Figure 4. This allows for more flexible use of the water supply path 31 while ensuring more appropriate cleaning performance.

[0041] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. In this third embodiment, the washing machine 10 has a detergent case 223 as a processing agent case instead of the detergent tank 23 of the first embodiment. The detergent case 223 is provided inside the water supply case 22 and is detachably housed inside the water supply case 22. The detergent case 223 is made of, for example, a resin container and is configured to hold, for example, a liquid detergent in an amount used for one washing cycle. The detergent case 223 receives detergent from the user through a detergent inlet 223a. The detergent inlet 223a is formed, for example, by opening the top surface of the detergent case 223. The detergent put into the detergent case 223 is supplied to the water tank 13 and the rotating tub 14 via the first branching path 311.

[0042] For example, the detergent case 223 and the water supply hose 261 are connected by a connecting section 224. The connecting section 224 is made of a tubular member and is configured to allow detergent flowing out of the detergent case 223 to pass through it. One end of the connecting section 224 is formed integrally with the detergent case 223, and the other end of the connecting section 224 is formed integrally with or separately from the water supply hose 261. When the connecting section 224 and the water supply hose 261 are configured separately, the connecting section 224 is watertightly connected to the water supply hose 261 via, for example, a packing.

[0043] The detergent placed in the detergent case 223 is mixed with the water flowing through the first branch path 311 in the region including the connection portion with the outlet side of the communication portion 224 in the water supply hose 261, and then sprayed into the rotating tub 14 from the spray unit 27. The water supply hose 261 functions as a mixing unit. In this embodiment, the washing machine 10 can be configured without the dispensing pump 24 and the detergent mixing unit 25. In this case, the first branch path 311 consists of a path from the water supply valve 21 through the microbubble generator 28, the water supply hose 261, and the spray unit 27 to the water tank 13.

[0044] In this embodiment, the water supply hose 261 is provided with a venturi mechanism 262 at the connection point with the outlet side of the communication section 224. The venturi mechanism 262 draws in the detergent introduced into the detergent case 223 through the communication section 224 due to the negative pressure created when water flows through the first branch path 311. Therefore, the supply of detergent from the detergent case 223 to the first branch path 311 occurs when the water supply valve 21 is open and water from an external water source is flowing through the first branch path 311.

[0045] As shown in Figure 8, the Venturi mechanism 262 has an inlet 262a, an outlet 262b, and a throttling section 262c. The inlet 262a and the outlet 262b are formed to have approximately the same inner diameter. The inlet 262a is the part into which water flowing through the first branching path 311 flows into the Venturi mechanism 262. The outlet 262b is the part into which water flows out of the Venturi mechanism 262. The throttling section 262c is the part that locally reduces the inner diameter of the Venturi mechanism 262. The inner diameter of the throttling section 262c is set to be smaller than the inner diameters of the inlet 262a and the outlet 262b.

[0046] The constricted section 262c has an opening 262d. The opening 262d is the part through which the detergent that has passed through the communication section 224 flows into the venturi mechanism 262. The opening 262d is located midway along the length of the constricted section 262c. As shown by the white arrow in Figure 8, the detergent that has flowed into the communication section 224 is drawn into the constricted section 262c by the negative pressure created when water flowing from the inlet 262a to the outlet 262b of the venturi mechanism 262c passes through the constricted section 262c, and is mixed with water downstream of the constricted section 262c. In addition, to promote the outflow of detergent from the detergent case 223, it may be configured to supply water from an external water source into the detergent case 223 via a route separate from the water supply route 31.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, a check valve 225 can be provided in the middle of the communication section 224. The check valve 225 has the function of allowing liquid to pass from the detergent case 223 to the water supply hose 261, but blocking liquid from flowing from the water supply hose 261 to the detergent case 223. This prevents water supplied to the water supply hose 261 from an external water source from flowing back into the detergent case 223 when water pressure is applied to the first branch path 311. As a result, detergent can be supplied from the detergent case 223 to the spray section 27 in one direction. This allows detergent to be properly supplied from the first branch path 311 into the rotating tank 14.

[0048] This third embodiment also produces the same effects and advantages as the first embodiment described above. Furthermore, if the washing machine 10 is equipped with a detergent case 223 and the user manually adds detergent during each wash cycle, the venturi mechanism 262 can be used to efficiently drain the detergent from the detergent case 223. Alternatively, the connecting section 224 may be omitted, and the detergent case 223 and the water supply hose 261 may be molded as a single unit.

[0049] Furthermore, it is also possible to implement the above-described embodiments in any combination. Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples only 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]

[0050] 10...Washing machine, 13...Water tub, 14...Rotating tub, 21...Water supply valve, 25...Detergent mixing unit (mixing unit), 27...Spray unit

Claims

1. A fish tank and A rotating tank capable of accommodating clothing is provided within the aforementioned water tank, It includes a water supply valve that is connected to an external water source and opens and closes a water supply path that supplies water from the external water source into the water tank and the rotating tank, The water supply route branches into a first branch route and a second branch route downstream of the water supply valve. The first branching path includes a mixing section where the water flowing through the first branching path and the laundry treatment agent are mixed, and an injection section where the mixed water, which has passed through the mixing section and is a mixture of the water flowing through the first branching path and the laundry treatment agent, is injected into the inside of the rotating tub. washing machine.

2. A treatment tank capable of storing the aforementioned laundry treatment agent, The system further includes an input pump that pumps a predetermined amount of the laundry treatment agent from the treatment agent tank onto the first branch path. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. A processing agent case having an inlet for receiving the laundry processing agent used in one cycle, The system further comprises a communication section that connects the processing agent case and the mixing section, The mixing unit has a venturi mechanism that uses the negative pressure created when water flows through the first branch path to draw the laundry treatment agent introduced into the treatment agent case through the communication unit. The washing machine according to claim 1.

4. The communication section is further provided with a check valve to prevent backflow of water from the first branch path to the processing agent case. The washing machine according to claim 3.

5. The second branch path is further provided with a flow rate adjustment unit that adjusts the flow rate of water flowing through the second branch path. The washing machine according to claim 1.

6. The system further includes a valve that switches the flow of water from the water supply route to the first branch route or the second branch route. The washing machine according to claim 1.

7. The aforementioned laundry treatment agent is a detergent. The washing machine according to claim 1.

8. The system further includes a microbubble generator, which is provided downstream of the water supply valve and upstream of the branching point between the first branch path and the second branch path, and which generates microbubbled water by incorporating microbubbles into the water passing through it. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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