washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine that can suppress undissolved powder detergent residue. [Solution] The washing machine S of the present invention comprises a casing 1 that forms the outer shell, an outer tub 3 enclosed within the casing 1 and capable of storing liquid inside, a rotatable inner tub 4 provided inside the outer tub 3 into which laundry e can be placed, a powder detergent chamber 8 of a detergent case 7 into which detergent can be placed, a water supply means 16 for supplying water to the powder detergent chamber 8, and a water inlet 8i into which water is supplied to the powder detergent chamber 8. The powder detergent chamber 8 has a structure in which the supplied water generates a swirling flow from the outer periphery toward the interior, and a collision member 8t is provided downstream of the swirling flow to which the swirling flow collides.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In a washing machine for washing clothes and the like, a detergent case for introducing detergent during the washing process is provided. There is a detergent case that uses a swirling flow to prevent undissolved powder detergent (Patent Document 1). As detergent cases, the following two configurations are known. First, there is a type in which the powdered detergent put into the detergent case is spread over a wide area by the water supplied to the detergent case and then flushed out to the drain outlet of the detergent case.

[0003] Second, by providing a height difference between the water inlet and the drain outlet of the detergent case, a vertical downward velocity gt due to gravity is given to the flow (water supply), and by using a swirling flow, the powdered detergent is placed on the swirling flow and flushed out to the drain outlet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, when using a swirling flow, since it has an inclination in the horizontal direction with respect to the vertically downward direction where gravity acts, a flow velocity can be obtained. However, because a flow velocity is obtained, it is difficult for the flow to spread horizontally. Therefore, there is a problem (issue) that the amount of water for flushing the powdered detergent is insufficient, and undissolved powder detergent is likely to occur near the outside of the main flow (swirling flow). This invention was made to solve the above problems and aims to provide a washing machine that can suppress undissolved powder detergent. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems, the washing machine of the present invention comprises a casing forming an outer shell, an outer tub enclosed within the casing and capable of storing liquid inside, a rotatable inner tub provided inside the outer tub into which laundry can be placed, a powder detergent chamber of a detergent case into which powder detergent can be placed, a water supply means for supplying water to the powder detergent chamber, and a water inlet in the powder detergent chamber into which water supplied by the water supply means is supplied, wherein the powder detergent chamber has a structure that generates a swirling flow from the outer periphery toward the inside, and a collision member is provided downstream of the swirling flow into which the swirling flow collides. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine that can suppress undissolved powder detergent. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a drum-type washing machine and dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the upper left at an angle. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a central cross-sectional view of a drum-type washer-dryer, seen from the left side. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a roughly cross-sectional view of a drum-type washer-dryer, outside the view taken by the arrow in direction I. [Figure 4A] Figure 1 is a top view of the detergent case, detergent box, and siphon case of a drum-type washer-dryer with the detergent case lid removed, as seen from the direction arrow II. [Figure 4B] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the detergent case and siphon case of a drum-type washer-dryer with the lid removed, as seen from the upper right diagonal front. [Figure 5A] This is an enlarged perspective view of the powder detergent compartment of the detergent dispenser, seen from the upper right front. [Figure 5B] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 5A. [Figure 6] An enlarged top view of the detergent chamber in a top view showing the water flow by the rib. [Figure 7A] An enlarged top view of the detergent chamber in the detergent case when the rib of the embodiment is formed and the end point of the swirling flow is extended from the approximate center of the detergent chamber to form a detergent discharge hole. [Figure 7B] An enlarged perspective view seen from the upper right front representing the water flow in the detergent chamber when the rib of the embodiment is formed and the detergent discharge hole is extended from the end point of the swirling flow from the approximate center. [Figure 8A] A sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 7 of the embodiment. [Figure 8B] A sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 7 of the embodiment. [Figure 9] An enlarged top view of the detergent chamber in the detergent case in a top view showing the water flow without the rib of Comparative Example 1. [Figure 10] An enlarged top view of the detergent chamber in the detergent case when the rib of Comparative Example 2 is formed and the detergent discharge hole is provided at the approximate center of the detergent chamber.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the present invention will be described by taking a drum-type washing and drying machine as an example. However, the present invention is also applicable to a drum-type washing machine without a drying function, a vertical washing machine, and a vertical washing and drying machine.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drum-type washing and drying machine S according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed obliquely from the upper left front.

[0011] The drum-type washing and drying machine S according to the embodiment of the present invention has a frame member formed by combining side plates 1s and reinforcing members (not shown), mainly made of steel plates and resin molded products, on the upper part of a base 1b. A front cover 1z and an upper cover 1j are attached to the frame member by screwing, engaging, etc. with small round screws, and an outer casing 1 is formed.

[0012] Figure 2 is a central cross-sectional view of the drum-type washing and drying machine S of FIG. 1 as viewed from the left side. On the front cover 1z, a door 2 for taking in and out laundry e (see FIG. 2) is supported in a cantilever manner so as to be openable and closable around a substantially vertical axis inclined slightly upward.

[0013] On the front cover 1z above the door 2 shown in FIG. 1, a clock b1 with digital time display is composed of a 7-segment liquid crystal that displays the numbers 0 to 9 in a blinking manner. On the upper front part of the front cover 1z, an operation unit b2 having a power switch, an operation switch for selecting an operation course, and a display is provided. On the right central part of the upper cover 1j, a detergent case lid 7f for opening and closing the detergent case 7 is disposed so as to be openable and closable. In the detergent case 7 below the detergent case lid 7f, powder detergent, liquid detergent used in the washing process, and softener used in the rinsing process are pre-filled by the user before washing. The detergent case lid 7f is supported so as to be openable and closable behind the detergent case 7 in the upper cover 1j.

[0014] On the right rear part of the upper cover 1j, a water supply tap 1j1 connected to a water supply means 16 (see FIG. 2) for supplying water to the drum-type washing and drying machine S is provided. A female screw at one end of a water supply hose (not shown) is screwed onto the male screw of the water supply tap 1j1, and the water supply hose is connected to the water supply tap 1j1.

[0015] [[ID=#22]]<Outer tub 3 and rotating drum 4> Inside the housing 1 shown in Figure 2, there is a roughly bottomed cylindrical outer tub 3 for storing wash water and rinse water. The outer tub 3 is supported from below by a plurality of suspensions (not shown) fixed on the base 1b. The suspensions are composed of a combination of the elastic force of a compression coil spring and a damper that provides the viscous damping force (=C·dx / dt) of a fluid (air, oil, etc.). The upper part of the outer tub 3 is elastically supported by a tension coil spring (not shown) engaged with the aforementioned skeletal member. The outer tub 3 is elastically supported by the spring force kx of the tension coil spring, balancing the force and moment in the front-rear direction and preventing it from tipping over in the front-rear direction.

[0016] Inside the outer tub 3, a roughly bottomed cylindrical rotating drum (inner tub) 4 is fixed to a slightly upward-facing horizontal main shaft 4j and rotatably supported. The user opens the door 2 and puts laundry e into the rotating drum 4. The rotating drum 4 has numerous small holes (not shown) formed on its sides and back for centrifugal dewatering and ventilation. Furthermore, a fluid balancer 5 is provided on the outer circumference of the opening 4i (see Figure 2) of the rotating drum 4 to reduce the swaying vibration caused by the unbalanced laundry e during the dewatering process.

[0017] The fluid balancer 5, during the high-speed rotation of the rotating drum 4 in the dewatering process, works by moving the fluid inside to the opposite side of the uneven distribution of the laundry e, thereby balancing the centrifugal force caused by the uneven distribution and suppressing oscillating vibrations. In order to enhance the mass effect of the fluid inside the fluid balancer 5, it is composed of several radially defined annular chambers (see Figure 2), each sealed with fluid. This allows the fluid to be positioned more on the opposite side of the uneven distribution of the laundry e during the oscillating vibrations (natural vibrations) of the rotating drum 4.

[0018] Inside the rotating drum 4 shown in Figure 2, there are multiple lifters 4a that lift and drop the laundry e, performing a beating wash (removing dirt from the laundry e through physical action with the washing liquid as it falls and chemical action by the surfactants in the detergent). The rotating drum 4 is directly connected to the rotor of the drum drive motor 4m via a metal flange 4f and a main shaft 4j. The motor 4m is a brushless DC motor, and the rotor uses permanent magnets such as ferrite or ferromagnetic cobalt. Here, we illustrate the case where the rotating drum 4 is directly driven by the motor 4m, but the rotating drum 4 may also be driven indirectly. Of course, the motor 4m may also be a motor other than a DC motor, such as an induction motor. The main shaft 4j is connected to the metal flange 4f of the rotating drum 4. The metal flange 4f is made of, for example, SUS304.

[0019] A tub cover 3c is provided at the front of the outer tub 3. A bellows 3b made of elastic, flexible rubber is attached in a corrugated shape to the opening 3c1 of the tub cover 3c in order to follow the forced vibrations of the outer tub 3 during the washing process. The bellows 3b deforms flexibly due to its corrugated shape and the flexible material of the rubber, maintaining watertightness between the vibrating outer tub 3 and the door 2. The bellows 3b suppresses water leakage from the outer tub 3, which vibrates forcibly during washing, rinsing, and spinning. In addition, a water receiving section 3u (see Figure 2) is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 3.

[0020] The drum-type washer-dryer S is equipped with a drainage path 6 and an overflow path (not shown). The overflow path is a route for draining water when the water stored in the outer tub 3 exceeds a predetermined water level.

[0021] In addition, the drum-type washer-dryer S is equipped with a drain hose and a condensation water hose, which are not shown in the diagram. The drain hose drains the wash water and rinse water stored in the outer tub 3. The condensation water hose drains the condensation water that has been dehumidified by cooling condensation, which cools dry air and reduces absolute humidity in the heat pump unit Hu (see Figure 2).

[0022] <Detergent case 7, detergent box 11, and siphon case 12> Figure 3 is a roughly cross-sectional view of the drum-type washer-dryer S shown in Figure 1, outside the line of sight of the arrow in direction I. Figure 4A is a top view of the detergent case 7, detergent box 11, and siphon case 12 of the drum-type washer-dryer S shown in Figure 1, with the detergent case lid 7f removed, as seen from the direction of arrow II.

[0023] Figure 4B is a perspective view of the detergent case 7 and siphon case 12 of the drum-type washer-dryer S shown in Figure 1, with the detergent case lid 7f removed, as seen from the upper right diagonal front. Below the detergent case lid 7f shown in Figure 1, a detergent case 7 (see Figures 4A and 4B) with an upper opening 7o (see Figure 4B) is provided. As described above, powder detergent, liquid detergent, and fabric softener used in the rinsing process are pre-filled into the detergent case 7.

[0024] The detergent case 7 is fitted into the upper opening 11a (see Figure 4A) of the detergent box 11. The detergent case 7 is removable from inside the detergent box 11. The detergent box 11 receives powder detergent, detergent water containing dissolved liquid detergent, and fabric softener water containing dissolved fabric softener, and supplies them into the outer tank 3 through the box discharge hole 11o (see Figure 3). The detergent case 7 is divided from right to left into a powder detergent compartment 8, a liquid detergent compartment 9, and a fabric softener compartment 10. Each of the compartments (7, 8, and 9) of the detergent case 7 is recessed in a container-like (cup-like) shape.

[0025] The powder detergent chamber 8 and the liquid detergent chamber 9 are the chambers into which powder detergent and liquid detergent used in the washing process are added, respectively. The fabric softener chamber 10 is the chamber into which the fabric softener used in the rinsing process is added. Each of the powder detergent chamber 8, liquid detergent chamber 9, and fabric softener chamber 10 is provided with an overflow hole 8f to allow excess water to overflow. The powder detergent chamber 8 has a detergent discharge hole 8o that discharges the detergent solution into the detergent box 11.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4B, a siphon case 12 is fitted into the liquid detergent chamber 9 and the fabric softener chamber 10 of the detergent case 7 from above. The liquid detergent added to the liquid detergent chamber 9 and the fabric softener added to the fabric softener chamber 10 are supplied into the outer tub 3 using the siphon effect. Therefore, the siphon case 12 has a liquid detergent cap 12a in which a siphon channel for liquid detergent is formed inside, and a fabric softener cap 12b in which a siphon channel for fabric softener is formed inside.

[0027] The siphon case 12 is detachably attached to the detergent case 7 from above. Because the siphon case 12 and the detergent case 7 are detachably configured, users can easily clean both the siphon case 12 and the detergent case 7. The liquid detergent chamber 9 has a liquid detergent discharge hole 9o (see Figure 8B) that extends upward and has a cylindrical opening into which the liquid detergent cap 12a is fitted. The fabric softener chamber 10 has a fabric softener outlet hole 10o that extends upward and opens in a cylindrical shape, into which the fabric softener cap 12b is fitted.

[0028] A detergent water supply valve (not shown) is provided to supply water to the powder detergent chamber 8 and the liquid detergent chamber 9. Additionally, a fabric softener water supply valve (not shown) is provided to supply water to the fabric softener chamber 10. Both the detergent and fabric softener water supply valves are normally closed solenoid valves. The detergent water supply valve is opened at the start of the washing cycle. Then, water is supplied from the powder detergent water inlet 8i (see Figures 4A and 4B) to the powder detergent chamber 8 and from the liquid detergent water inlet 9i to the liquid detergent chamber 9.

[0029] The powder detergent water inlet 8i and the liquid detergent water inlet 9i shown in Figure 4B are formed adjacent to the detergent chamber partition wall 7a that defines the powder detergent chamber 8 and the liquid detergent chamber 9. The water supply valve for the fabric softener is opened at the start of the rinsing process, and water is supplied to the fabric softener chamber 10 from the fabric softener water inlet 10i shown in Figures 4A and 4B. The fabric softener water inlet 10i is formed adjacent to the fabric softener partition wall 7b that separates the liquid detergent chamber 9 and the fabric softener chamber 10. In the powder detergent chamber 8, the added powder detergent is flushed out by water supplied from the powder detergent water inlet 8i at the start of the washing process, passing through the detergent discharge hole 8o and into the detergent box 11.

[0030] In the liquid detergent chamber 9, the liquid detergent that has been added is guided into the siphon channel of the liquid detergent cap 12a by water supplied from the liquid detergent water inlet 9i at the start of the washing process, and is then dispensed into the detergent box 11 from the liquid detergent discharge hole 9o using the siphon effect. In the fabric softener chamber 10, the liquid detergent that has been added is guided into the siphon channel of the fabric softener cap 12b by water supplied from the fabric softener water inlet 10i at the start of the rinsing process, and the detergent is then poured into the detergent box 11 from the fabric softener outlet hole 10o using the siphon effect.

[0031] The detergent liquid flowing out from the detergent discharge hole 8o of the powder detergent chamber 8 and the liquid detergent discharge hole 9o of the liquid detergent chamber 9, and the fabric softener liquid flowing out from the fabric softener outlet hole 10o of the fabric softener chamber 10, are drained into the detergent box 11 and supplied into the outer tank 3 from the box discharge hole 11o (see Figure 3) of the detergent box 11. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the box discharge hole 11o and the detergent and fabric softener dispensing hole 3t of the outer tub 3 are connected by a hose 11h. As a result, the detergent solution containing powder or liquid detergent from the detergent case 7 and the fabric softener solution containing liquid fabric softener pass through the hose 11h and are dispensed into the outer tub 3 through the detergent and fabric softener dispensing hole 3t of the outer tub 3.

[0032] The detergent and fabric softener dispensing holes 3t of the outer tub 3 are located between the rotating drum 4 and the back wall 3o of the outer tub 3. This prevents the detergent and fabric softener liquids flowing in from the dispensing holes 3t from directly contacting the laundry e (see Figure 2) on the rotating drum 4, thereby preventing stains and other mottled patterns caused by detergent and fabric softener from adhering to the laundry e.

[0033] <Rib 13 inside powder detergent chamber 8> Figure 5A is an enlarged perspective view of the powder detergent compartment 8 of the detergent case 7, viewed from the upper right front. Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 5A. Figure 6 is an enlarged top view of the powder detergent chamber 8, showing the water flow guided by the rib 13.

[0034] The powder detergent chamber 8 shown in Figures 5A and 5B is provided with a concave flow path 8a extending forward from the powder detergent water inlet 8i. In the flow path 8a, the detergent chamber partition wall 7a serves as the left-side flow path wall. Additionally, as shown in Figures 5A and 6, a weir-shaped rib 13 is erected on the right side of the flow path 8a, extending from the rear to the front of the powder detergent chamber 8. As shown in Figure 6 in a top view, the tip end 13t of the rib 13 is positioned in front of the detergent discharge hole 8o. In other words, the end portion 13t of the rib 13 is positioned on the other side of the detergent discharge hole 8o relative to the powder detergent water inlet 8i on one side.

[0035] Rib 13 acts as a weir to prevent water supplied from the powder detergent inlet 8i from immediately draining from the detergent discharge hole 8o. Therefore, it can suppress the water supplied from the powder detergent inlet 8i from flowing directly into the detergent discharge hole 8o. In other words, rib 13 guides the water supplied from the powder detergent inlet 8i so that it does not flow directly towards the powder detergent inlet 8i (so that the flow does not disperse).

[0036] The rib 13 then guides the water supply in the lower part of the powder detergent chamber 8 so that it becomes a swirling flow that pushes the powder detergent away. As shown in Figure 5B, the detergent discharge hole 8o for draining the water supply is located at a lower position than the powder detergent water inlet 8i. This allows the water supplied from the powder detergent water inlet 8i to be converted from its potential energy to kinetic energy (ρSA(dh / dt)) using the difference in height. 2It can be converted to a swirling flow ( / 2). ρSA represents the unit water supply rate, and dh / dt represents the vertical velocity of the water supply. To elaborate, the velocity of the water supplied from the powder detergent inlet 8i is increased by utilizing the difference in elevation, thereby increasing the momentum of the swirling flow. In other words, the swirling flow is generated (accelerated) by utilizing the difference in elevation between the water inlet and the drain outlet.

[0037] As shown by the white arrow α11 in Figure 6, the weir-shaped rib 13 causes the water supplied from the powder detergent inlet 8i to flow almost in a straight line along the rib 13. As shown in Figure 5B, by providing the rib 13, the cross-section of the flow path from the powder detergent inlet 8i is narrowed, the flow of the water converges, and as is clear from the fluid continuity (equation for continuity of flow), the flow velocity increases. Due to the increase in the flow velocity of the water (ds / dt), the kinetic energy of the water (ρSA(ds / dt)) 2 As the ( / 2) increases, the force (kinetic energy / distance) that pushes the powder detergent away by the water supply becomes stronger. ds / dt indicates the velocity in the water supply channel 8a.

[0038] Therefore, it has the effect of improving or eliminating undissolved powder detergent. The water that flows out from the end 13t of the rib 13 then flows along the lower side wall of the powder detergent chamber 8, becoming a swirling flow within the powder detergent chamber 8 (arrows α12 and α13 in Figure 7A). In detail, the water supplied from the powder detergent inlet 8i flows over the first inclined section 8k1 and the second inclined section 8k2, guided by the rib 13, creating a swirling flow that pushes the powder detergent away (see arrows α11, α12, and α13 in Figure 7A).

[0039] <First inclined section 8k1 and second inclined section 8k2 within the powder detergent chamber 8> Figure 7A is an enlarged top view of the powder detergent chamber 8 in which the rib 13 of the embodiment is formed and the endpoint of the swirling flow is extended from approximately the center 8C of the powder detergent chamber 8 to form the detergent discharge hole 8o. Note that Figure 7A shows the case in which the siphon case 12 is not attached to the powder detergent chamber 8.

[0040] Figure 7B is an enlarged perspective view, seen from the upper right front, showing the water flow inside the powder detergent chamber 8 when the rib 13 of the embodiment is formed and the endpoint of the swirling flow is extended from approximately the center 8C of the powder detergent chamber 8, with the endpoint of the swirling flow being the detergent discharge hole 8o. Note that Figure 7B shows the case when the siphon case 12 is attached to the powder detergent chamber 8.

[0041] Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Figure 7A of the embodiment. Figure 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of Figure 7 of the embodiment. As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the powder detergent chamber 8 has a substantially container shape (cup shape) with inclined sections (first inclined section 8k1, second inclined section 8k2) formed at the bottom. The lower part of the powder detergent chamber 8 is provided with a stepped swirling flow path section 8k having two inclined sections (first inclined section 8k1, second inclined section 8k2) formed along the inner circumferential wall of the powder detergent chamber 8.

[0042] The swirling flow path section 8k has multiple inclined sections (8k1, 8k2) (see Figure 8A) that slope downward from the outer circumference to the inner circumference of the powder detergent chamber 8. Multiple inclined sections (8k1, 8k2) are formed sequentially from the outer circumference to the inner circumference, with the first inclined section 8k1 and the second inclined section 8k2 being formed in that order. The downward slope of the second inclined section 8k2 from the outer circumference to the center is greater than the downward slope of the first inclined section 8k1 from the outer circumference to the center.

[0043] The first inclined section 8k1 and the second inclined section 8k2 are formed from near the end 13t of the rib 13, almost completing a full clockwise rotation, as shown in Figure 7A in a top view, until they reach the collision wall 8t (Figure 7B). The first inclined section 8k1 is nearly horizontal with a slight downward slope towards the center. This slope of the first inclined section 8k1 is intended to prevent water supplied to the first inclined section 8k1 from remaining due to friction with the first inclined section 8k1, as well as the viscosity and surface tension of the water.

[0044] The reason why the downward slope of the second inclined section 8k2 towards the center (a slope where the center side is lower) is greater than the downward slope of the first inclined section 8k1 (a slope where the center side is lower) is to allow the water supplied from the second inclined section 8k2 to fall smoothly into the detergent discharge hole 8o (to guide it into the detergent discharge hole 8o). In other words, the gravitational force (ρSA·g) acting on the water supply on the second inclined section 8k2 overcomes the frictional force between the water supply and the second inclined section 8k2, the surface tension of the water supply, and the viscosity of the water supply, thereby guiding the water, which has been mixed and dissolved with powder detergent, to the detergent discharge hole 8o, and from the detergent discharge hole 8o into the detergent box 11.

[0045] <Collision wall 8t in powder detergent chamber 8> As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, a collision wall 8t is formed directly below the rib 13. The collision wall 8t is erected in a substantially vertical direction below the rib 13, extending in the front-to-back direction. The water supplied from the powder detergent water inlet 8i of the powder detergent chamber 8, which has become a laminar swirling flow (arrows α11, α12, α1 in Figure 7A), reaches the collision wall 8t and collides with the collision wall 8t.

[0046] In other words, the collision wall 8t is formed as a wall body to which the swirling flow that pushes the powder detergent collides. When the water supply collides with the collision wall 8t, a portion of the swirling flow becomes turbulent and remains in the powder detergent chamber 8 for a longer period. As a result of the water supply remaining in the powder detergent chamber 8, the water supply pushes away any undissolved powder detergent and can be discharged from the detergent discharge hole 8o.

[0047] <Water flow in powder detergent chamber 8> With the above configuration, as shown in Figure 7A, the water that flows into the powder detergent chamber 8 from the powder detergent water inlet 8i at the left rear of the powder detergent chamber 8 (see Figures 7A and 8B) is guided by the rib 13 and proceeds as a nearly straight flow from rear to front (arrow α11 in Figure 7A). The water that flows forward from the end 13t of the rib 13 then flows clockwise onto the first inclined section 8k1 and the second inclined section 8k2, circulating over the first inclined section 8k1 and the second inclined section 8k2 while pushing the powder detergent away (arrow α12 in Figure 7A).

[0048] Then, as shown in Figure 7B, the swirling flow (arrow α13 in Figure 7A) that has circulated on the first inclined section 8k1 and the second inclined section 8k2 collides with the collision wall 8t, and turbulence is generated from the laminar swirling flow upon collision with the collision wall 8t. A portion of the turbulent feedwater is dispersed and spread on the bottom plate 8s of the powder detergent chamber 8, and mixes or dissolves with the remaining powder detergent. In other words, at the terminal point of the swirling flow (impact wall 8t), an impact wall 8t is provided to intentionally obstruct the laminar flow so as to separate it from the flow from the powder detergent water inlet 8i. The collision of the swirling flow with the impact wall 8t generates turbulence from the laminar swirling flow. The generation of turbulence causes a portion of the water supplied to the powder detergent chamber 8 to spread onto the bottom plate 8s, intentionally making it difficult for the swirling flow to be drained from the detergent discharge hole 8o. The retention of the water then mixes the water with any undissolved powder detergent or dissolves the powder detergent. In this way, by retaining the water in the powder detergent chamber 8, the water either pushes the powder detergent away or dissolves the powder detergent in the water, which is then drained from the powder detergent water inlet 8i.

[0049] As mentioned above, a rib 13 is formed directly above the impact wall 8t. By forming the rib 13 directly above the impact wall 8t, the water supplied by the rib 13 is made to swirl around the powder detergent chamber 8 almost a full circle (clockwise) while pushing the powder detergent away. In other words, by forming the impact wall 8t directly below the rib 13, the length of the swirling flow that flows out from the end 13t of the rib 13 until it hits the impact wall 8t while pushing the powder detergent away (the length of the swirling flow) can be made longer. Then, the turbulence generated by the collision of the impact wall 8t with the swirling laminar flow of the feedwater causes a portion of the feedwater that has changed to a turbulent flow to remain in the powder detergent chamber 8. This allows the remaining or undissolved powder detergent in the powder detergent chamber 8 to be pushed out to the detergent discharge hole 8o by the feedwater. The rest of the swirling flow of the feedwater continues to flow as a swirling flow even after the generation of turbulence.

[0050] In this case, as shown by arrow α14 in Figure 7A, a portion of the swirling water flow flows down from the second inclined section 8k2 due to its inclination toward the center, pushing the powdered detergent away and flowing into the detergent discharge hole 8o. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7A, even after the collision with the collision wall 8t, there is also a flow that follows the collision wall 8t (with the detergent discharge hole 8o on the right side) (increasing the stirring effect). Thus, the detergent liquid that falls from the detergent discharge hole 8o into the detergent box 11 below flows through the hose 11h shown in Figure 3 and flows into the outer tub 3 through the detergent and fabric softener input hole 3t of the outer tub 3.

[0051] <Location of detergent discharge hole 8o> The detergent discharge hole 8o (its center) is located at a distance from the impact wall 8t that is greater than the distance to the approximate center 8C of the powder detergent chamber 8. In other words, the distance from the impact member to the drain (its center) is greater than the distance from the impact member to the center of the powder detergent chamber. Therefore, the water supply can remain in the powder detergent chamber 8 for a longer period of time while pushing the powder detergent away. The impact wall 8t is located directly below the rib 13, which extends in the front-rear direction, and extends in the same front-rear direction as the rib 13. Therefore, the distance here is a comparison of the distance (shortest distance) at the point where the impact wall 8t and the detergent discharge hole 8o (its center) are closest to each other and the distance (shortest distance) at the point where the impact wall 8t and the approximate center 8C of the powder detergent chamber 8 are closest to each other.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7A, the detergent discharge hole 8o is positioned as the endpoint of the swirling flow of the water supply, such that the length of the swirling flow (streamline) of the water supply is longer than when the detergent discharge hole is located approximately at the center 8C of the water supply chamber 8 (as shown in Figure 10 of Comparative Example 2 below, when the detergent discharge hole 108o is located approximately at the center 108C of the water supply chamber 108). Therefore, the water supplied from the powder detergent inlet 8i (see Figures 7A and 8B) into the powder detergent chamber 8 becomes a swirling flow, and the time it takes for the water to be drained from the detergent discharge hole 8o (see Figure 7A) is longer compared to the case in Comparative Example 2 shown in Figure 10 below, where the detergent discharge hole 108o is located approximately at the center 108C of the powder detergent chamber 108. In other words, the water supplied from the powder detergent inlet 8i can remain in the powder detergent chamber 8 for a longer time while pushing the powder detergent away. By remaining in the powder detergent chamber 8, more of the powder detergent adhering to the inner wall surface of the powder detergent chamber 8 can be pushed towards the detergent discharge hole 8o (see Figure 7A).

[0053] In addition, the water supply, which either pushes the powder detergent away or creates a turbulent flow, ensures that there is enough water to flush out any powder detergent remaining in the powder detergent chamber 8. As a result, the water supply can dissolve or mix the powder detergent remaining in the powder detergent chamber 8 and flush it out through the detergent discharge hole 8o. With the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the generation of undissolved powder detergent in the powder detergent chamber 8.

[0054] <Case where rib 13 of Comparative Example 1 is absent> Comparative Example 1, shown in Figure 9, differs from the embodiment (invention) in that it does not include the rib 13.

[0055] Figure 9 is an enlarged top view of the powder detergent chamber 108 in the detergent case 107, showing the water flow without the rib 13 (see Figure 6) of Comparative Example 1. In Comparative Example 1, the flow of water supplied from the powder detergent inlet 108i diffuses onto the bottom plate 108s of the powder detergent chamber 108 due to gravity because there is no rib 13. As a result, the flow velocity is slow due to the continuity of the fluid. Consequently, the force of the water pushing the powder detergent is weak. Therefore, there is a high possibility that powder detergent will remain undissolved in the powder detergent chamber 108.

[0056] In detail, the water flowing into the powder detergent chamber 108 from the powder detergent water inlet 108i diffuses (arrow α101 in Figure 9), and due to gravity acting on the water, it flows towards the lower detergent discharge hole 108o. As a result, the amount of water flowing towards the detergent discharge hole 108o is insufficient to flush out the powder detergent in the powder detergent chamber 108. Consequently, there is a risk of undissolved powder detergent remaining. In contrast, in Figures 5A and 7A of this embodiment, as described above, a rib 13 for guiding the water supply is provided near the powder detergent water inlet 8i, extending from the rear to the front of the powder detergent chamber 8. As a result, the water supplied from the powder detergent water inlet 8i becomes a swirling flow that pushes the powder detergent away, circulating within the powder detergent chamber 8 (arrows α11, α12, α13 in Figure 7A) and accumulating, pushing the powder detergent in the powder detergent chamber 8 towards the detergent discharge hole 8o.

[0057] <Case 2 where the detergent discharge hole 108o is located approximately at the center 108C of the powder detergent chamber 108> Comparative Example 2 differs from the embodiment (the present invention) in that the detergent discharge hole 108o is located approximately in the center 108C of the powder detergent chamber 108.

[0058] Figure 10 is an enlarged top view of the powder detergent chamber 108 in the detergent case 107 when the rib 103 of Comparative Example 2 is formed and the detergent discharge hole 108o is provided approximately at the center 108C of the powder detergent chamber 108. In Comparative Example 2, the bottom surface of the powder detergent chamber 108 has an annular slope 108k that is lower towards the center. A bottom plate 108s is provided at the bottom of the container-shaped (cup-shaped) powder detergent chamber 108.

[0059] A detergent discharge hole 108o for discharging detergent solution is opened approximately at the center 108C of the powder detergent chamber 108 in the bottom plate 108s. In other words, Comparative Example 2 is configured such that the endpoint of the swirling flow of water supplied to the powder detergent chamber 108 is the detergent discharge hole 108o, which is located approximately at the center 108C of the powder detergent chamber 108. The water inlet for the powder detergent chamber 108, the powder detergent water inlet 108i, is located at the right rear of the powder detergent chamber 108.

[0060] Furthermore, a weir-shaped rib 103 is erected in a convex shape upward from the left side to the front of the powder detergent water inlet 108i at the left rear of the powder detergent chamber 108, sandwiching the powder detergent water inlet 108i together with the detergent chamber partition wall 107a. The water supplied from the powder detergent inlet 108i travels through the powder detergent chamber 108 as an almost straight flow (arrow α111 in Figure 10) along the rib 103 toward the front. Subsequently, the water flows in a roughly spiral pattern through the powder detergent chamber 108 (arrow α112 in Figure 10).

[0061] Subsequently, the water flows over the bottom plate 108s (arrow α113 in Figure 10) and is discharged from the detergent discharge hole 108o located approximately in the center 108c of the powder detergent chamber 108. In Comparative Example 2, due to gravity, the water flows quickly towards the detergent discharge hole 108o at approximately the center 108c of the powder detergent chamber 108. Therefore, the amount of water supplied to the powder detergent chamber 108 may be insufficient to flush out the powder detergent. As a result, undissolved powder detergent may accumulate in the powder detergent chamber 108.

[0062] In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above in Figure 7A, the detergent discharge hole 8o, which is the endpoint of the swirling flow that pushes the powder detergent, is positioned such that the swirling flow (streamline) is longer than when it is located approximately at the center 8C of the powder detergent chamber 8. Alternatively, the distance from the detergent discharge hole 8o (its center) to the impact wall 8t is set to be greater than the distance from the impact wall 8t to approximately the center 8C of the powder detergent chamber 8. Therefore, the water supply can remain in the powder detergent chamber 8 for a longer period in the state of a swirling flow that pushes the powder detergent. Note that the length of the distance is a comparison of the distances at the closest positions (shortest distance), as described above.

[0063] Therefore, with the configuration of this embodiment, the amount of undissolved powder detergent in the powder detergent chamber 8 can be reduced as much as possible. <Effects and Effects> With the configuration of the above embodiment, most of the powder detergent is pushed away by a swirling flow to the vicinity of the detergent discharge hole 8o at the outlet. Any undissolved powder detergent is deliberately retained in the powder detergent chamber 8 by causing the supply water to collide with the collision wall 8t, and is then washed away again by the supply water rising within the powder detergent chamber 8. The turbulent flow of the supply water then pushes any remaining powder detergent towards the detergent discharge hole 8o.

[0064] Furthermore, if the wall surface of the powder detergent chamber 8 of the detergent case was damp, the powder detergent may adhere to the wall surface. However, by adopting the configuration of this embodiment (a configuration in which the water supply is made into a long swirling flow and collides with the collision wall 8t), the discharge of the powder detergent from the detergent discharge hole 8o can be promoted. As a result, undissolved powder detergent in the powder detergent chamber 8 can be suppressed.

[0065] <<Other Embodiments>> 1. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modified configurations described above, and various modified and specific forms are possible within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 cabinet 3 Outer tank 4-rotation drum (inner tub) 7. Detergent case 16 Water supply means 8i Powder detergent water inlet (water inlet) 8C Approximately center (center, center position) 8t collision wall (collision component) S Drum-type washing machine / dryer 8o Detergent discharge hole (drain) 13 Ribs 13t End portion (tip of the rib) e Laundry

Claims

1. The outer casing and The aforementioned housing includes an outer tank which stores liquid inside, A rotatable inner tub is provided inside the outer tub, into which laundry can be placed, The detergent case has a compartment for powder detergent, A water supply means for supplying water to the aforementioned powder detergent chamber, The powder detergent chamber is provided with a water inlet through which water supplied by the water supply means is supplied to the powder detergent chamber. The aforementioned powder detergent chamber has a structure that causes the supplied water to create a swirling flow from the outer periphery towards the inside. A collision member is provided downstream of the swirling flow, which the swirling flow collides with. A washing machine characterized by the following features.

2. In the washing machine according to claim 1, The aforementioned powder detergent chamber has a drain outlet which is the outlet for the water supply, The swirling flow is generated by utilizing the difference in height between the water inlet and the drain outlet. A washing machine characterized by the following features.

3. In the washing machine according to claim 2, The drain outlet is not located in the center of the powder detergent chamber. The final point of the swirling flow is positioned at a location where the length of the swirling flow is longer than when it is positioned at the center of the powder detergent chamber. A washing machine characterized by the following features.

4. In the washing machine according to claim 2, The drain outlet is not located in the center of the powder detergent chamber. The distance from the impact member to the drain outlet is greater than the shortest distance from the impact member to the center of the powder detergent chamber. A washing machine characterized by the following features.

5. In the washing machine according to claim 2, A rib is provided near the water inlet to guide the water supplied from the inlet so that it forms a swirling flow. A washing machine characterized by the following features.

6. In the washing machine according to claim 2, A rib is provided near the water inlet to guide the water supplied from the water inlet so that it does not flow directly toward the drain outlet. A washing machine characterized by the following features.

7. In the washing machine according to claim 5 or claim 6, The rib is provided above the impact member. A washing machine characterized by the following features.

8. In the washing machine according to claim 5 or claim 6, The tip of the aforementioned rib is In a top view, it is positioned in front of the drain opening. A washing machine characterized by the following features.

9. In the washing machine according to claim 5 or claim 6, The tip of the aforementioned rib is In a top view, the water inlet is located on one side, while the drain outlet is located on the other side. A washing machine characterized by the following features.

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