washing machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a washing machine that can prevent the separation of the components forming the lid. [Solution] The washing machine 1 comprises a washing machine body having an opening at the top that allows the inside and outside to communicate, and a lid 20 that covers the opening 11 in an openable and closable manner. The lid 20 comprises a lid body 22 that covers the opening 11, a damper connected to the washing machine body and acting as a rotation axis when the lid 20 is opened and closed, a connecting part that connects the lid body 22 and the damper, and an adhesive member 80 that adheres the lid body 22 and the connecting part. The connecting part is provided with a clamping part 60 that holds the lid body 22 by clamping one end of the lid body 22 from the thickness direction of the lid body 22.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine with improved operability for lid opening / closing, structural reliability, and assembly workability. This washing machine includes: a damper holder provided in a space formed in a lid hinge portion of a lid body; and a rotary shock-absorbing damper, one end of which is loosely fitted to the damper holder and the other end of which attenuates rotation of the lid body pivotally supported by a lid hinge bearing. The damper holder is configured such that a front end thereof is screwed and fixed to the lid body with a tapping screw, and a hooking protrusion formed at a rear end thereof is inserted into and fixed to a groove formed in the lid body. With this configuration, the lid body can be opened and closed smoothly without collision noise. Furthermore, since the damper holder can be temporarily fixed during assembly, productivity can be improved, and since the damper holder is reliably fixed to the lid body, deformation and damage caused by impact force during the rotational operation of the damper can be suppressed, and reliability can be improved. [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.2018-038467 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a washing machine capable of suppressing peeling of adhesion between members forming a lid body. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0005] The washing machine in this disclosure comprises a washing machine body having an opening at the top that allows the inside and outside to communicate, and a lid that covers the opening so that it can be opened and closed, the lid comprising a lid body that covers the opening, a damper connected to the washing machine body and acting as a rotation axis when the lid is opened and closed, a connecting portion connecting the lid body and the damper, and an adhesive member that bonds the lid body and the connecting portion, the connecting portion being provided with a clamping portion that holds the lid body by clamping one end of the lid body from the thickness direction of the lid body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to this disclosure, it is possible to suppress the separation of the members that form the lid. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of this disclosure [Figure 2] Deconstructed perspective view of the upper frame and lid. [Figure 3] Deconstructed perspective view of the lid [Figure 4] Deconstructed perspective view of the lid [Figure 5] Plan view of the lid [Figure 6] Figure 5, section VI-VI [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view in Plan VII of Figure 2 [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view in Plane VIII, Figure 2 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived of this disclosure, there was a technology that allowed for the formation of a lid that could be opened and closed to cover an opening that connects the inside and outside of the washing machine body, by bonding multiple components together using an adhesive member. This allowed for the formation of a lid in a washing machine using, for example, a transparent material, thereby improving the aesthetic design.

[0009] However, in such a washing machine, in order to improve the design by exposing the transparent member to the outside more, it is desirable to reduce the amount of adhesive used to bond the transparent member to other members such as resin members that support the transparent member. Therefore, the inventors discovered that in the lid of the washing machine, it is necessary to reduce the amount of adhesive used while suppressing the separation of the transparent member from other members when the lid is opened and closed, and in order to solve this problem, they arrived at the subject matter of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure provides a washing machine that can suppress the separation of the components forming the lid.

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

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In each figure, the symbol FR indicates the front of the washing machine 1 when it is installed on the mounting surface and in normal use, the symbol UP indicates the top of the washing machine 1, and the symbol LH indicates the left side of the washing machine 1. In the following description, each direction is a direction along these directions of the washing machine 1. In the installed state of the washing machine 1, the up-down direction coincides with the vertical direction, and the front-back direction and left-right direction coincide with the horizontal direction.

[0012] [1-1. Structure] [1-1-1. Washing machine configuration] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the washing machine 1. Figure 1 shows the lid 20 in the open position. As shown in Figure 1, the washing machine 1 of this embodiment is a top-loading washing machine capable of performing processes such as washing, rinsing, and spinning on items to be processed, such as clothing. A washing machine 1 comprises a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 10 provided with a space capable of accommodating objects to be processed inside. An upper frame 12 is provided on an upper portion of the casing 10. The casing 10 corresponds to the "washing machine main body" in the present disclosure.

[0013] The upper frame 12 is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, and an operation panel 14 is provided at a rear end portion thereof. The operation panel 14 is provided with operating members such as buttons operable by a user and a display portion such as a lamp, and is capable of inputting settings related to the operation of the washing machine 1 and displaying the state of the washing machine 1.

[0014] In the upper frame 12, an opening 11 that communicates the inside and outside of the casing 10 is provided at a substantially central portion on a front side relative to the operation panel 14. In the upper frame 12, on the left side, the right side, and the front side of the opening 11, upright portions 16 surrounding the opening 11 are provided. The upright portions 16 rise upward as they are spaced apart from the edge of the opening 11. A cover receiving portion 17 having a shape recessed downward is provided at an upper end portion of each upright portion 16.

[0015] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the upper frame 12 and a cover body 20. In the upper frame 12, a pair of bearing portions 18 are provided behind the opening 11 and in front of the operation panel 14. Each of the bearing portions 18 is arranged on both sides of the opening 11 in the left-right direction at a position closer to the opening 11 than the cover receiving portion 17. Each of the bearing portions 18 extends upward, and a bearing 19 recessed in a direction away from the opening 11 is provided on mutually opposing surfaces of tip end portions thereof.

[0016] The washing machine 1 comprises a cover body 20 that openably and closably covers the opening 11. The cover body 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and a rear end portion thereof is rotatably supported by each of the bearing portions 18.

[0017] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cover body 20. Fig. 3 is a view of the cover body 20 seen from above. In Fig. 3, for convenience of description, the cover body main body 22 is shown by a two-dot chain line. As shown in Figure 3, the lid 20 includes a lid body 22. The lid body 22 is a plate-shaped member that is substantially rectangular in plan view. In this embodiment, the lid body 22 is a transparent member formed from glass, resin, or the like. As a result, even when the lid 20 closes the opening 11, the lid body 22 functions as a lid window that allows the opening 11 and the inside of the housing 10 to be viewed through the lid body 22. Furthermore, the lid body 22 may be made of various plate-like materials, such as decorative panels, rather than just a transparent material.

[0018] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the lid 20. Figure 4 is a view of the lid 20 from below. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, a connecting member 24 is provided at the rear end of the lid body 22. The connecting member 24 is a long member having approximately the same length in the longitudinal direction as the length of the lid body 22 in the left-right direction. The connecting member 24 corresponds to the "connecting portion" in this disclosure.

[0019] As shown in Figure 4, the connecting member 24 is provided with a pair of housing sections 25. The housing sections 25 are provided at each of the ends in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 24, and are formed by the lower surface located at these points being recessed toward the upper surface. A retaining portion 26 is provided inside the housing portion 25. The retaining portion 26 is formed in the shape of a claw or a projection. In each of the housing sections 25, an extension hole 27 is provided on the side perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the adjacent connecting member 24, which is a through hole that connects the inside and outside of the housing section 25.

[0020] Each of the housing sections 25 houses a rotary damper 30. The rotary damper 30 comprises a main body 32 and a damper shaft 34 that protrudes from the main body 32 and is rotatable relative to the main body 32. The rotary damper 30 attenuates the rotational force applied to the damper shaft 34 by a mechanism provided in the main body 32. The rotary damper 30 corresponds to the “damper” in this disclosure.

[0021] A damper holder 40 is attached to the rotary damper 30. The damper holder 40 is formed in a shaft shape with a predetermined length and is attached to the main body 32 at a position opposite the damper shaft 34, with the main body 32 in between. The damper holder 40 is housed inside the housing 25 and connected to the retaining part 26. As a result, the rotary damper 30 is fixed inside the housing 25. The rotary damper 30 is housed inside the housing section 25 with the damper shaft 34 inserted through the extension hole 27. Each of the housing sections 25 is formed with a length dimension in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 24 that is capable of accommodating the rotation damper 30 and the damper holder 40.

[0022] A pair of coverings 50 are attached to the connecting member 24. Each of the coverings 50 is a lid-shaped member that covers each of the housing sections 25. The coverings 50 may be provided with a structure capable of holding the damper holder 40.

[0023] Figure 5 is a plan view of the lid 20. In Figure 5, for ease of explanation, the lid body 22 is shown by a dashed line. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 5. In Figure 5, the cross-sectional view is taken in a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction and passing through the rotating damper 30. As shown in Figure 5, a clamping portion 60 is provided at the rear end of the connecting member 24. The clamping portion 60 is provided over substantially the entire length of the connecting member 24. As shown in Figure 6, the clamping portion 60 comprises an upper surface portion 62 that forms the upper surface of the rear end of the connecting member 24, and a clamping piece portion 64 that extends forward after rising from the rear end of the upper surface portion 62.

[0024] The connecting member 24 is attached to the lid body 22 by inserting the rear end of the lid body 22 between the upper surface portion 62 and the clamping piece portion 64 over substantially the entire length in the left-right direction. When the lid body 22 is inserted, the upper surface portion 62 abuts against the lower surface of the lid body 22, and the clamping piece portion 64 abuts against the upper surface of the lid body 22, thereby holding the rear end of the lid body 22. In other words, the connecting member 24 is attached to the lid body 22 by the clamping portion 60 gripping the rear end of the lid body 22 from the thickness direction. As a result, the lid 20 can connect the connecting member 24 and the lid body 22 without requiring any adhesive material such as double-sided tape on the upper surface.

[0025] In this embodiment, the clamping portion 60 is integrally provided with the connecting member 24. This improves the rigidity of the clamping portion 60 in the lid 20. As a result, the lid 20 can prevent the connecting member 24 and the lid body 22 from separating from each other.

[0026] On the upper surface of the connecting member 24, adhesive surfaces 70 are provided at positions that overlap each of the housing portions 25. The adhesive surfaces 70 are flat end surfaces that form a part of the upper surface of the connecting member 24. In this embodiment, each adhesive surface 70 has a rear end that is continuous with the upper surface portion 62 in the front-rear direction, and a front end that extends to the middle of the connecting member 24. Each adhesive surface 70 has approximately the same length dimension as each of the housing portions 25 in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 24.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, an adhesive member 80 is attached to each of the adhesive surfaces 70. In this embodiment, the adhesive member 80 is double-sided tape. Each of the adhesive members 80 has approximately the same length dimension as each of the housing portions 25 in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 24. Each of the adhesive members 80 is positioned to overlap each of the rotation dampers 30 when viewed from the front end of the cover 20.

[0028] Each of the adhesive members 80 is positioned on the bonding surface 70 at a distance from the clamping portion 60 in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, each of the adhesive members 80 is positioned at a distance from the clamping portion 60 toward the front. This makes it easier for the rear end of the lid body 22 to be inserted between the upper surface portion 62 and the clamping piece portion 64 of the lid 20.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3, 5, and 6, when the connecting member 24 is attached to the lid body 22 by the clamping portion 60 gripping the rear end of the lid body 22, each of the adhesive members 80 is sandwiched between the adhesive surface portion 70 and the lid body 22. As a result, each of the adhesive members 80 adheres to the adhesive surface portion 70 and the lid body 22, and the connecting member 24 is fixed to the lid body 22. Furthermore, the adhesive member 80 may be any type of adhesive other than double-sided tape.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a gripping member 90 is provided at the front end of the lid body 22. The gripping member 90 is a long member having approximately the same length in the longitudinal direction as the length of the lid body 22 in the left-right direction.

[0031] Figure 7 shows a cross-section in plane VII of Figure 2. Plane VII is a plane that is perpendicular to the left-right direction and intersects the gripping member 90. The gripping member 90 comprises a pair of clamping pieces 92. Each of the clamping pieces 92 protrudes rearward from the rear end of the gripping member 90. The gripping member 90 is attached to the lid body 22 by inserting the front end of the lid body 22 between each of the clamping pieces 92 over substantially the entire length in the left-right direction. The gripping member 90 is attached to the lid body 22 by each of the clamping pieces 92 gripping the front end of the lid body 22 from the thickness direction. As shown in Figure 4, the gripping member 90 is attached to the lid body 22 and then fixed to the lid body with adhesive.

[0032] As shown in Figure 7, the front end of the gripping member 90 is provided with a gripping portion 94 that can be grasped by the user.

[0033] Figure 8 shows a cross-section in plane VIII of Figure 2. Plane VII is a plane that is perpendicular to the front-rear direction and intersects the upright portion 16. The cover 20 is connected to the housing 10 in a state where each of the damper shafts 34 can rotate around the axis of rotation, by inserting each of the damper shafts 34 through each of the bearings 19. As shown in Figure 8, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, when the lid 20 closes the opening 11, each of the edges of the lid body 22 located in the left-right direction abuts against the lid receiving portion 17. Thus, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the lid 20 is formed by a transparent lid body 22 over its entire length in the left-right direction. Therefore, in the washing machine 1, even when the lid 20 closes the opening 11, the visibility of the opening 11 and the inside of the housing 10 can be improved through the lid body 22, and the design can be improved.

[0034] [1-2. Operation] The operation of washing machine 1, configured as described above, will be explained below. As described above, in the washing machine 1, the lid 20 is formed so as to be rotatable relative to the housing 10, with each of the damper shafts 34 being inserted through each of the bearings 19, so that each of the damper shafts 34 is used as a pivot point.

[0035] When the lid 20 opens the opening 11, the lid 20 is rotated upward. The inventors have found that when the lid 20 is opened, if the location where the adhesive member 80 is attached is close to the rotation damper 30, a large stress is placed on the adhesive member 80. Therefore, as described above, each of the adhesive members 80 is positioned at a location spaced forward from the clamping portion 60. This suppresses the stress placed on the location where the adhesive member 80 is attached when the lid 20 is rotated upward. As a result, when the lid 20 is rotated upward, the separation of the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24 from each other is suppressed.

[0036] When the lid 20 closes the opening 11, the lid 20 is rotated downwards. The inventors have found that in the lid 20 and the washing machine 1, the greatest stress is concentrated at a particular point when the lid 20 is rotated downwards. Therefore, each of the adhesive members 80 is positioned to overlap with each of the rotation dampers 30 when viewed from the front end of the lid 20. In other words, each of the adhesive members 80 is positioned to overlap with each of the rotation dampers 30 in the left-right direction. As a result, the adhesive member 80 is attached to the lid 20 at the position where the greatest stress is applied when it is rotated downwards. Therefore, when the lid 20 is rotated downwards, the separation of the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24 from each other is suppressed. In addition, in the lid 20, the clamping portion 60 grips the lid body 22, thereby connecting the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24. Therefore, in the washing machine 1, without providing adhesive material such as double-sided tape on the upper surface of the lid 20, when the lid 20 is opened and closed by rotating in the direction that closes the opening 11, the stress generated can prevent the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24 from separating from each other.

[0037] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the washing machine 1 comprises a housing 10 having an opening 11 at the top that allows the inside and outside to communicate, and a lid 20 that covers the opening 11 so that it can be opened and closed. The lid 20 comprises a lid body 22 that covers the opening 11, a damper shaft 34 connected to the housing 10 and which acts as a rotation axis when the lid 20 is opened and closed, a connecting member 24 that connects the lid body 22 and the damper shaft 34, and an adhesive member 80 that bonds the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24. The connecting member 24 is provided with a clamping portion 60 that holds the lid body 22 by clamping one end of the lid body 22 from the thickness direction of the lid body 22.

[0038] As a result, in the washing machine 1, in addition to adhesion by the adhesive member 80, the clamping portion 60 clamps the lid body 22, thereby connecting the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24. Therefore, in the washing machine 1, the stress generated when the lid 20 is opened and closed prevents the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24 from separating from each other.

[0039] As in this embodiment, the cover 20 comprises a pair of damper shafts 34 and a pair of adhesive members 80, wherein the damper shafts 34 are arranged side by side along a predetermined direction, and each of the adhesive members 80 may be positioned so as to overlap at least a portion of each of the damper shafts 34 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the pair of damper shafts 34 are arranged. As a result, the adhesive member 80 is attached to the lid 20 at the position where the greatest stress is applied when it is rotated upward. Therefore, when the lid 20 is rotated upward, the separation of the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24 from each other is suppressed.

[0040] As in this embodiment, the adhesive member 80 may be positioned at a location separated from the clamping portion 60 in the front-rear direction. As a result, when the lid 20 is rotated upward, stress is suppressed at the point where the adhesive member 80 is attached. Therefore, when the lid 20 is rotated upward, the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24 are prevented from separating from each other.

[0041] As in this embodiment, the clamping portion 60 may be formed integrally with the connecting member 24. As a result, the washing machine 1 can improve the strength of the lid 20 when closing it by improving the rigidity of the clamping portion 60. Therefore, the lid 20 can prevent the connecting member 24 and the lid body 22 from separating from each other.

[0042] As in this embodiment, when the lid 20 closes the opening 11, at least a portion of the lid body 22 may be in contact with the lid receiving portion 17. As a result, the lid 20 is formed by the transparent lid body 22 over its entire length in the left-right direction. Therefore, the washing machine 1 can be improved in terms of design.

[0043] (Other embodiments) As described above, Embodiment 1 has been explained as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is possible to create new embodiments by combining the components described in Embodiments 1 and 2 above.

[0044] The embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and may be modified, replaced, added, or omitted within the scope of the claims or equivalents thereof.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, the clamping portion 60 is provided integrally with the connecting member 24. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the clamping portion 60, or the clamping piece portion 64, may be formed separately from the connecting member 24.

[0046] (Note) Based on the above description of embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0047] (Technology 1) A washing machine comprising a washing machine body having an opening at the top that allows the inside and outside to communicate, and a lid that covers the opening so that it can be opened and closed, wherein the lid comprises a lid body that covers the opening, a damper connected to the washing machine body and acting as a rotation axis when the lid is opened and closed, a connecting portion that connects the lid body and the damper, and an adhesive member that adheres the lid body and the connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion is provided with a clamping portion that holds the lid body by clamping one end of the lid body from the thickness direction of the lid body. As a result, in the washing machine, in addition to adhesion by the adhesive material, the clamping part grips the lid body, thereby connecting the lid body and the connecting part. Therefore, in the washing machine, the stress generated when the lid opens and closes can prevent the lid body and the connecting part from separating from each other.

[0048] (Technical 2) The washing machine according to Technical 1, wherein the lid comprises a pair of dampers and a pair of adhesive members, the dampers being arranged in a predetermined direction, and each of the adhesive members being positioned such that at least a portion of it overlaps each of the dampers when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the pair of dampers are arranged. As a result, the adhesive is attached to the lid at the position where the greatest stress is applied when it is rotated upward. Therefore, when the lid is rotated upward, the separation of the lid body and the connecting part from each other is suppressed.

[0049] (Technical 3) The washing machine according to Technical 1 or Technical 2, wherein the adhesive member is positioned at a distance from the clamping portion in the direction in which one end of the lid body and the other end of the lid body located opposite to the one end of the lid body are aligned. As a result, when the lid is rotated upward, stress is suppressed at the point where the adhesive member is attached. Therefore, when the lid is rotated upward, the lid body and the connecting part are prevented from separating from each other.

[0050] (Technical 4) The washing machine according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 3, wherein the clamping portion is integrally formed with the connecting portion. This allows for improved rigidity of the clamping portion in the washing machine, thereby increasing the strength of the lid when it is closed. As a result, the lid can be prevented from separating from the connecting portion and the lid body.

[0051] (Technical 5) When the lid closes the opening, at least a part of the lid body is in contact with the upper part of the washing machine body, the washing machine according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 4. As a result, the lid is formed by a transparent lid body that extends across its entire width. This allows for improved aesthetics in washing machines. [Industrial applicability]

[0052] This disclosure is applicable to washing machines. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to top-loading washing machines, top-loading washer-dryers, and the like. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 1. Washing machine 10 cabinets 11 Opening 12 Upper frame 14. Control Panel 16 Standing part 17 Lid receiving part 18 Bearing section 19 Bearings 20 Lid 22 Lid body 24 Connecting member 25 Storage Unit 26 Holding part 27 Extension hole 30 rotation damper 32 Main body 34 Damper shaft 40 Damper holder 50 Covering 60 Clamping part 62 Top part 64 Clamping piece 70 Adhesive surface 80 Adhesive material 90 Gripping member 92 Clamping piece 94 Gripping part

Claims

1. A washing machine body having an opening at the top that allows communication between the inside and outside, A lid that can open and close to cover the aforementioned opening, Equipped with, The aforementioned cover is A lid body that covers the opening, A damper connected to the washing machine body, which acts as a rotation axis when the lid opens and closes, A connecting portion that connects the lid body and the damper, An adhesive member for bonding the lid body and the connecting portion, Equipped with, The connecting portion is provided with a clamping portion that holds the lid body by clamping one end of the lid body from the thickness direction of the lid body. washing machine.

2. The aforementioned cover is A pair of the aforementioned dampers, A pair of the aforementioned adhesive members, Equipped with, The dampers are arranged in a line along a predetermined direction, Each of the adhesive members is positioned such that, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the pair of dampers are aligned, at least a portion of it overlaps each of the dampers. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The adhesive member is positioned at a location spaced apart from the damper in the direction in which one end of the lid body and the other end of the lid body located opposite to the one end of the lid body are aligned. The washing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The clamping portion is integrally formed with the connecting portion. The washing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. When the cover closes the opening, At least a portion of the lid body is in contact with the top of the washing machine body The washing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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