washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of smoothly opening a foldable lid member that covers a processing agent tank and a processing agent input section on the top surface of a housing. [Solution] The drum-type washing machine comprises treatment agent tanks (150, 160) that store treatment agent for multiple wash cycles, a storage section (144) that opens on the top surface (200) side of the housing (10) and stores the treatment agent tanks (150, 160) in a removable manner, a concave treatment agent dispenser (170) that is arranged in line with the treatment agent tanks (150, 160) in the front-to-back direction and into which treatment agent for one wash cycle is dispensed, a lid member (300) with a bifold structure that can be opened and closed around its rear end as an axis and that is provided on the top surface (200) and covers the treatment agent tanks (150, 160) and the treatment agent dispenser (170), and two second recesses (230) that are provided on the top surface (200) and extend from the left and right sides of the front end of the closed lid member (300) downwards, and are finger-receivable.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A conventional washing machine includes a treatment agent tank that stores a treatment agent for multiple wash cycles and a concave treatment agent dispenser into which a treatment agent for one wash cycle is dispensed. The treatment agent tank is removably accommodated in a storage compartment that opens toward the top of the housing. The treatment agent tank and the treatment agent dispenser are aligned in the front-to-rear direction and are covered from above by a bifold lid member attached to the top of the housing. When the lid member is opened, the front side is lifted and the lid member rotates rearward while folding around its rear end. Such a washing machine is described, for example, in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-190412 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the washing machine described above, the cover member tends to be long in the front-to-rear direction in order to cover the treatment agent tank and the treatment agent dispenser, which are aligned in the front-to-rear direction, which can make it difficult to open the cover member while folding it in the front-to-rear direction.

[0005] The present invention was developed in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a washing machine that can smoothly open a bifold-type lid member that covers the treatment agent tank and the treatment agent dispenser on the top surface of the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A washing machine according to a main aspect of the present invention comprises a box-shaped housing, a washing tub arranged within the housing, a treatment agent tank in which treatment agent for multiple wash cycles is stored to be supplied to the washing tub, a storage section that opens on the top side of the housing and accommodates the treatment agent tank so that it can be inserted and removed, a concave treatment agent dispenser arranged in line with the treatment agent tank in the front-to-back direction and into which treatment agent for one wash cycle is dispensed to be supplied to the washing tub, a bifold lid member arranged on the top surface and covering the treatment agent tank and the treatment agent dispenser from above, which can be opened and closed around its rear end, and two recesses arranged on the top surface and extending from the left and right sides of the front end of the closed lid member to below the front end of the lid member, through which fingers can enter.

[0007] According to the washing machine of this aspect, when opening the lid, the user can place the index fingers of both hands in the left and right recesses and hold both sides of the lid with the thumb and index finger, allowing the user to lift the lid in a balanced manner. This allows the user to smoothly fold and open the lid. Furthermore, since uneven force is less likely to be applied to the left and right support parts of the lid, damage to the lid at the left and right support parts is less likely to occur.

[0008] In the washing machine according to this aspect, the treatment agent dispenser is disposed in front of the treatment agent tank, and the top surface may be provided with a recessed surface having a gap between the top surface and the lid member by recessing an area covered by the lid member. In this case, an inlet for dispensing the treatment agent into the treatment agent dispenser may be provided in the recessed surface. The inlet overlaps the two recessed portions in the left-right direction, and the lid member may be provided with two protrusions that protrude toward the recessed surface and block the gap between each recessed portion and the inlet.

[0009] With this configuration, even if the sound generated when water is released into the treatment agent inlet leaks out of the inlet, the sound is blocked by the left and right protrusions, making it less likely to leak out of the lid member through the recess.

[0010] In the washing machine according to this aspect, the treatment agent dispenser may be configured to have a bottom and four side surfaces (front, back, left, and right). In this case, two or more of the side surfaces may be provided with water inlets for injecting water into the treatment agent dispenser, and the bottom surface may be provided with an outlet through which the treatment agent dispensed into the treatment agent dispenser is discharged together with water.

[0011] With this configuration, water is poured into the treatment agent feed section from at least two directions, making it easier for the water to reach every corner of the treatment agent feed section. This makes it easier for the treatment agent that has been fed into the treatment agent feed section to be discharged from the discharge port together with the water, and makes it less likely for the treatment agent to remain in the treatment agent feed section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, a washing machine can be provided in which a foldable lid member that covers the treatment agent tank and the treatment agent dispenser on the top surface of the housing can be smoothly opened.

[0013] The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments, however, the following embodiments are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the drum type washing machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 3(a) and 3(b) are plan views of the vicinity of the cover member on the top surface of the housing according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Fig. 4(a) is a front cross-sectional view of the top surface of the housing cut in the left-right direction at the position of the insertion slot, and Fig. 4(b) is a side view showing the open lid, according to the embodiment. [Figure 5]Figure 5(a) is a plan view of a portion of a water supply channel member near a treatment agent inlet according to an embodiment, and Figure 5(b) is a cross-sectional plan view of a portion of a water supply channel member near a treatment agent inlet taken at the position of a water inlet according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view of a portion of the water supply channel member in the vicinity of the treatment agent input portion, taken at the position of the discharge port, according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view of the lid member according to the embodiment as seen from above and behind, and FIG. 7(b) is a perspective view of the lid member according to the embodiment as seen from below and from the front. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A drum-type washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a drum-type washing machine 1. As shown in FIG.

[0017] The drum type washing machine 1 performs a washing operation including a washing process, a rinsing process, and a spin-drying process, and washes the laundry contained in the washing tub W.

[0018] The drum type washing machine 1 has a housing 10 having a substantially rectangular box shape. A circular loading opening 11 through which laundry is loaded is formed on the front of the housing 10. The loading opening 11 is covered by a door 12 that can be opened and closed.

[0019] An outer tub 20 having a substantially cylindrical shape is disposed within the housing 10. The outer tub 20 is elastically supported by a plurality of dampers 21 and springs 22. A horizontal-axis drum 23 is rotatably disposed within the outer tub 20. The drum 23 rotates around a horizontal axis. The drum 23 has a circular opening 23a on its front surface. The drum 23 may rotate around a rotation axis that is inclined relative to the horizontal direction. The outer tub 20 and the drum 23 form a washing tub W.

[0020] The outer tub 20 has a circular opening 20a in front of the opening 23a of the drum 23. The peripheral edge of the opening 20a of the outer tub 20 and the peripheral edge of the loading port 11 of the housing 10 are connected by an annular door packing 24 made of an elastic material. The peripheral surface of the closed door 12 comes into contact with the door packing 24, and the space between the loading port 11 and the door 12 is watertight.

[0021] A large number of dewatering holes 23b are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23. In addition, a plurality of baffles 25, each having a substantially triangular prism shape, are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 23 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0022] A drive motor 30 is disposed behind the outer tub 20, generating torque for rotating the drum 23. The drive motor 30 is, for example, an outer rotor DC brushless motor. During the washing and rinsing cycles, the drive motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at a rotation speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the laundry inside the drum 23 is smaller than the gravity, causing the laundry to tumble. On the other hand, during the spin cycle, the drive motor 30 rotates the drum 23 at a rotation speed at which the centrifugal force acting on the laundry inside the drum 23 is much larger than the gravity, causing the laundry to stick to the inner circumferential surface of the drum 23.

[0023] A tubular drain outlet 20b is provided at the bottom of the outer tub 20. A drain unit 40, which drains water from the outer tub 20, is connected to the drain outlet 20b. The drain unit 40 is composed of a drain valve 41, a drain hose 42, and a drain filter 43. The drain filter 43 is connected to the lower end of the drain outlet 20b. The drain valve 41 is provided downstream of the drain filter 43 and includes, for example, a valve and a torque motor for opening and closing the valve. The drain hose 42 is connected to the drain valve 41. When the drain valve 41 is opened, water stored in the outer tub 20 is discharged outside the machine through the drain outlet 20b, the drain filter 43, and the drain hose 42. Foreign matter such as lint is captured by the drain filter 43.

[0024] A water supply device 50 is disposed at the top of the housing 10. The water supply device 50 supplies water into the outer tub 20, i.e., into the washing tub W. The water supply device 50 also functions as an automatic treatment agent dispenser, and automatically dispenses laundry treatment agents into the outer tub 20, i.e., into the washing tub W. The laundry treatment agents include liquid detergents, fabric softeners, bleaches, etc.

[0025] The water supply device 50 includes a water supply valve unit 51 , a water supply channel unit 52 , and a water injection pipe 53 .

[0026] The water supply valve unit 51 includes a water supply valve 110, a first water supply hose 120, and a second water supply hose 130. The water supply valve 110 has a first valve 111 and a second valve 112. A water supply port 113 of the water supply valve 110 is connected to a water faucet via a connecting hose (not shown).

[0027] The inlet of the first water supply hose 120 is connected to the first valve 111, and the inlet of the second water supply hose 130 is connected to the second valve 112. When the first valve 111 is opened, water flows into the first water supply hose 120, and when the second valve 112 is opened, water flows into the second water supply hose 130.

[0028] Water supply channel unit 52 includes a water supply channel member 140 , a first treatment agent tank 150 , a second treatment agent tank 160 , and a treatment agent input section 170 .

[0029] Water supply channel member 140 has first water inlet 141 and second water inlet 142 at the rear, and water outlet 143 at the front of the bottom. The outlet of first water supply hose 120 is connected to first water inlet 141, and the outlet of second water supply hose 130 is connected to second water inlet 142. One end of water injection pipe 53 is connected to water outlet 143. The other end of water injection pipe 53 is connected to outer tub 20. A water supply channel is formed inside water supply channel member 140, including a first water channel through which water flows from first water inlet 141 to water outlet 143, and a second water channel through which water flows from second water inlet 142 to water outlet 143.

[0030] Water supply channel member 140 is provided with a storage section 144 that opens to the top surface 200 side of housing 10. First treatment agent tank 150 and second treatment agent tank 160 are stored in storage section 144 so as to be removably inserted and aligned in the front-to-rear direction.

[0031] The first treatment agent tank 150 and the second treatment agent tank 160 store treatment agents for multiple wash runs to be supplied to the washing tub W. The first treatment agent tank 150 stores, for example, a liquid detergent. The second treatment agent tank 160 stores, for example, a liquid fabric softener. The first treatment agent tank 150 and the second treatment agent tank 160 correspond to the "treatment agent tanks" of this invention.

[0032] Treatment agent dispenser 170 has a concave shape, and is disposed in water supply channel member 140, in front of storage section 144, i.e., first treatment agent tank 150 and second treatment agent tank 160. Treatment agent dispenser 170 is formed integrally with water supply channel member 140, and constitutes part of the first water channel of water supply channel member 140. A treatment agent for one wash run, for example, powdered detergent, is dispensed into treatment agent dispenser 170 to be supplied to washing tub W.

[0033] When water is supplied into washing tub W, first valve 111 and second valve 112 are opened. Water supplied from first valve 111 to first water supply hose 120 and water supplied from second valve 112 to second water supply hose 130 flow through the first and second water channels of water supply channel member 140 and water injection pipe 53, and is supplied into washing tub W.

[0034] The water supply channel of water supply channel member 140 has a structure in which, when water does not flow in the first channel but does flow in the second channel, negative pressure is created in the first channel, and when water does not flow in the second channel but does flow in the first channel, negative pressure is created in the second channel. First treatment agent tank 150 is connected to the first channel, and second treatment agent tank 160 is connected to the second channel.

[0035] When a treating agent (for example, liquid detergent) in the first treating agent tank 150 is supplied into the washing tub W, the second valve 112 is opened before the first valve 111 is opened. The treating agent in the first treating agent tank 150 is discharged into the first water passage due to the action of negative pressure. Thereafter, when the first valve 111 is opened, the treating agent is swept into the washing tub W by the water flowing through the first water passage. On the other hand, when a treating agent in the second treating agent tank 160 (for example, liquid fabric softener) is supplied into the washing tub W, the first valve 111 is opened before the second valve 112 is opened. The treating agent in the second treating agent tank 160 is discharged into the second water passage due to the action of negative pressure. Thereafter, when the second valve 112 is opened, the treating agent is swept into the washing tub W by the water flowing through the second water passage.

[0036] When first treatment agent tank 150 is not in use, a user puts a treatment agent (for example, powder detergent) into treatment agent dispenser 170. When water is supplied, water flowing through the first water channel of water supply channel member 140 passes through treatment agent dispenser 170 and washes the treatment agent into washing tub W.

[0037] For example, when water is supplied for the washing process, detergent in the first treatment agent tank 150 or the treatment agent supply section 170 is supplied into the washing tub W, and when water is supplied for the rinsing process, fabric softener in the second treatment agent tank 160 is supplied into the washing tub W.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the drum-type washing machine 1. FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are plan views of the top surface 200 of the housing 10 near the lid member 300. In FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the lid member 300 is open. In FIG. 3(a), the first processing agent tank 150 and the second processing agent tank 160 are housed in the storage section 144, and in FIG. 3(b), the first processing agent tank 150 and the second processing agent tank 160 have been removed from the storage section 144. FIG. 4(a) is a front cross-sectional view of the top surface 200 of the housing 10 near the lid member 300, taken in the left-right direction at the position of the inlet 221. FIG. 4(b) is a side view showing the open lid member 300.

[0039] The housing 10 has a substantially rectangular top surface 200. The top surface 200 is formed, for example, from a resin material. An operation panel 60 is provided at the front end of the top surface 200. The operation panel 60 is provided with various operation buttons 61 for performing operations such as selecting an operation program and starting a washing operation, and a display unit 62 for displaying the selected operation program, the progress of the washing operation, etc.

[0040] A bi-foldable cover member 300 is provided on top surface portion 200 on the left side behind operation panel 60 and above water supply channel member 140 of water supply channel unit 52.

[0041] Lid member 300 covers first treatment agent tank 150 and second treatment agent tank 160 housed in housing section 144 of water supply channel member 140, and the upper part of treatment agent feed section 170 located in front of these treatment agent tanks 150, 160. Lid member 300 has a substantially rectangular plate shape that is long in the front-to-rear direction, and can be opened and closed around its rear end portion as an axis. Lid member 300 folds in two when opened.

[0042] 3(a), when the cover member 300 is opened, the first processing agent tank 150, the second processing agent tank 160, and the processing agent input section 170 are exposed to the outside. This allows the first processing agent tank 150 and the second processing agent tank 160 to be removed from the storage section 144, and the processing agent to be input into the processing agent input section 170.

[0043] The first treatment agent tank 150 and the second treatment agent tank 160 are provided with handles 151, 161 and lids 152, 162 on their top surfaces to cover the treatment agent inlets to the tanks. A user holds the handles 151, 161 when removing the treatment agent tanks 150, 160 from the storage section 144. The user also opens the lids 152, 162 to refill the removed treatment agent tanks 150, 160 with treatment agent.

[0044] The area of ​​the top surface 200 that is covered by the lid member 300 is recessed, thereby forming a first recessed portion 210 that is similar in shape to the lid member 300, i.e., a substantially rectangular shape, and a recessed surface 220 that is the bottom surface of the first recessed portion 210. Lid support surfaces 211 that extend in the front-to-rear direction along the left and right edges of the first recessed portion 210 are provided to support the closed lid member 300. The lid support surfaces 211 are higher than the recessed surface 220 and are lower than the surface surrounding the first recessed portion 210 on the top surface 200 by the thickness of the lid member 300. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the surface of the lid member 300 and the surface surrounding the first recessed portion 210 are substantially flush with each other. Furthermore, a predetermined gap S is formed between the closed lid member 300 and the recessed surface 220.

[0045] Approximately rectangular second recesses 230 are provided on the left and right edges of the front end of the first recess 210, protruding to the left and right. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the two second recesses 230 extend from the left and right sides of the front end of the closed lid member 300 to the front end of the lid member 300 and overlap below the front end. Fingers such as index fingers can be inserted into the two second recesses 230. The left corner of the left second recess 230 is formed in an arc shape, and the right corner of the right second recess 230 is also formed in an arc shape. The second recesses 230 correspond to the "recess" of the present invention.

[0046] Recessed surface 220 has a treatment agent inlet 221, which has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction, on the front side, and a rectangular opening 222, which has a rectangular shape that is long in the front-to-back direction, on the rear side. Treatment agent inlet 221 is connected to treatment agent inlet 170 from below, and storage section 144 is connected to opening 222 from below.

[0047] As shown in Figure 3(b), a first inlet 145 is provided on the front side of the bottom surface of storage section 144, and a second inlet 146 is provided on the rear side. First inlet 145 connects to the first water passage of water supply passage member 140, and second inlet 146 connects to the second water passage of water supply passage member 140. First inlet 145 is provided with a first on-off valve 147 that opens when negative pressure occurs on the first water passage side, and second inlet 146 is provided with a second on-off valve 148 that opens when negative pressure occurs on the second water passage side.

[0048] The first inlet 145 is connected to an outlet provided at the bottom of the first treatment agent tank 150. The outlet is provided with an on-off valve that opens when the outlet is connected to the first inlet 145 and closes when the outlet is separated from the first inlet 145. The second inlet 146 is connected to an outlet provided at the bottom of the second treatment agent tank 160. The outlet is provided with an on-off valve that opens when the outlet is connected to the second inlet 146 and closes when the outlet is separated from the second inlet 146.

[0049] Figure 5(a) is a plan view of the vicinity of treatment agent inlet section 170 of water supply channel member 140. Figure 5(b) is a cross-sectional plan view of the vicinity of treatment agent inlet section 170 of water supply channel member 140, taken at the position of water inlet 176. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional front view of the vicinity of treatment agent inlet section 170 of water supply channel member 140, taken at the position of outlet 177.

[0050] Treatment agent feed section 170 has a generally rectangular box shape and includes bottom section 171, front side section 172, rear side section 173, left side section 174, and right side section 175, and is open at the top. Treatment agent feed section 170 has a larger left-right dimension than its front-to-rear dimension.

[0051] A water inlet 176 is provided in the upper portion of the front side surface portion 172, the left side surface portion 174, and the right side surface portion 175. Each water inlet 176 is composed of multiple square water inlet holes 176a lined up horizontally. The left side portion 171a of the bottom surface portion 171 slopes gently downward toward the front, and the right side portion 171b slopes downward toward the left at a greater gradient than the left side portion 171a. A discharge outlet 177 is provided in the bottom surface portion 171 at the front of the left side portion 171a. The discharge outlet 177 is composed of multiple oval discharge holes 177a lined up in the left-right direction.

[0052] Water supply conduit member 140 is provided with water injection conduit 149, which is part of the first water conduit, surrounding front side surface portion 172, left side surface portion 174, and right side surface portion 175. Water injection conduit 149 extends rearward along left side surface portion 174, extends to the right along front side surface portion 172, and then extends rearward along right side surface portion 175, and is connected to three water injection ports 176. A low rib 149a is formed on the bottom surface of water injection conduit 149, for each water injection hole 176a of each water injection port 176. Each rib 149a extends obliquely from the downstream edge of each water injection hole 176a in the width direction of water injection conduit 149 and downstream direction.

[0053] Water introduced into water injection channel 149 flows through water injection channel 149 and is released into treatment agent feed section 170 from water inlets 176 in front side section 172, left side section 174, and right side section 175. Because water is poured into treatment agent feed section 170 from three directions, the front, left, and right, water tends to reach every corner of treatment agent feed section 170. This makes it easier for treatment agent such as powder detergent that has been put into treatment agent feed section 170 to be discharged from outlet 177 together with water, and is less likely to remain in treatment agent feed section 170.

[0054] 5(b), water flowing near the bottom of water injection channel 149 comes into contact with each rib 149a and is guided to each water injection hole 176a. This makes it easier for water to be released forcefully from each water injection port 176, making it even easier for the treatment agent in treatment agent inlet 170 to be discharged from outlet 177.

[0055] FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view of the lid member 300 as seen from above and behind, and FIG. 7(b) is a perspective view of the lid member 300 as seen from below and in front.

[0056] Lid member 300 is formed, for example, from a resin material, and includes front lid portion 310 and rear lid portion 320, each having a substantially rectangular plate shape. The front-to-rear dimension of rear lid portion 320 is greater than the front-to-rear dimension of front lid portion 310. Front lid portion 310 and rear lid portion 320 are connected by two hinge portions 330 on the left and right, and can be folded so that the back surfaces face each other.

[0057] A downwardly protruding claw 340 is provided at the center of the front end on the back surface of the lid member 300. When the lid member 300 is closed, the claw 340 engages with the protrusion 212 formed at the front end of the first recessed portion 210. This makes it easier to keep the lid member 300 closed.

[0058] The rear surface of the cover member 300 is provided with downwardly projecting protrusions 350 at the front left and right ends. The two protrusions 350 have a roughly rectangular plate shape extending in the front-rear direction. The front-rear length of the two protrusions 350 is approximately equal to the front-rear length of the two second recesses 230 of the top surface 200 (see FIG. 2).

[0059] The front ends 300a of the left and right edges of the lid member 300 have their lower corners cut off, so that they are recessed at an angle by approximately the same length as the protrusions 350. This prevents the fingers from being pressed against the lower corners of the lid member 300 when the user pinches both the left and right sides of the front end of the lid member 300 with their fingers.

[0060] Lid member 300 has shafts 360 that protrude outward on the left and right sides of the rear end. The left and right shafts 360 are inserted into shaft holes 213 provided on the left and right sides of the rear end of first recess 210. This makes lid member 300 attached to top panel 200 rotatable around its rear end as an axis.

[0061] 4(a), when the cover member 300 is closed, the left and right protrusions 350 protrude toward the recessed surface 220 and are substantially in contact with the recessed surface 220. As a result, the left protrusion 350 blocks the gap between the left second recessed portion 230 and the inlet 221, and the right protrusion 350 blocks the gap between the right second recessed portion 230 and the inlet 221. As a result, even if sound generated when water is released into the treatment agent inlet 170 leaks out of the inlet 221, the sound is blocked by the left and right protrusions 350, and therefore is less likely to leak out of the cover member 300 through the second recessed portion 230.

[0062] When opening the lid member 300, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the user places the index fingers of both hands into the left and right second recesses 230 and pinches the left and right sides of the lid member 300 with the thumb and index finger. The user then lifts the front of the lid member 300 and opens it while folding it in half. By holding both the left and right sides of the lid member 300, the user can lift the lid member 300 in a balanced manner. This allows the user to smoothly fold the lid member 300, which is long in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, since uneven force is less likely to be applied to the left and right pivotal support portions of the lid member 300, damage to the lid member 300 at the left and right pivotal support portions is less likely to occur.

[0063] When lid member 300 is folded open, as shown in Figure 4(b), two protrusions 350 are interposed between front lid portion 310 and rear lid portion 320, which makes it easy for a gap to form between them. This makes it easier for the user to pinch both the left and right sides of lid member 300 with their fingers when closing lid member 300.

[0064] The user can also pinch and open the lid member 300 with the fingers of one hand. In this case, since the second recessed portions 230 are provided on the left and right sides, a right-handed user can pinch the right side of the lid member 300 with his right hand, and a left-handed user can pinch the left side of the lid member 300 with his left hand.

[0065] <Effects of the embodiment> As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0066] The drum-type washing machine 1 (washing machine) comprises: treatment agent tanks 150, 160 in which treatment agent for multiple wash cycles is stored to be supplied to the washing tub W; a storage section 144 that opens on the top surface 200 side of the housing 10 and stores the treatment agent tanks 150, 160 so that they can be inserted and removed; a concave treatment agent dispenser 170 that is arranged in line with the treatment agent tanks 150, 160 in the front-to-back direction and into which treatment agent for one wash cycle is dispensed to be supplied to the washing tub W; a lid member 300 with a bifold structure that can be opened and closed around the rear end portion as an axis and that is provided on the top surface 200 and covers the treatment agent tanks 150, 160 and the treatment agent dispenser 170; and two second recesses 230 (recesses) that are provided on the top surface 200 and extend from the left and right sides of the front end of the closed lid member 300 downwardly, and are accessible by fingers.

[0067] With this configuration, when opening the lid member 300, the user can insert the index fingers of both hands into the left and right second recesses 230 and pinch both the left and right sides of the lid member 300 with the thumb and index finger, allowing the user to lift the lid member 300 in a balanced manner. This allows the user to smoothly open the lid member 300 while folding it. Furthermore, since uneven force is less likely to be applied to the left and right pivotal portions of the lid member 300, damage to the lid member 300 at the left and right pivotal portions is less likely to occur.

[0068] Furthermore, top surface 200 is provided with a recessed surface 220 having a gap S between it and lid member 300 by recessing the area covered by lid member 300, and recessed surface 220 is provided with an inlet 221 for the treatment agent to treatment agent inlet 170. Inlet 221 overlaps with two second recessed portions 230 (recessed portions) in the left-right direction, and lid member 300 is provided with two protruding portions 350 that protrude toward recessed surface 220 and block the gap between each second recessed portion 230 and inlet 221.

[0069] With this configuration, even if the sound generated when water is released into the treatment agent inlet 170 leaks out of the inlet 221, the sound is blocked by the left and right protrusions 350, making it less likely to leak out of the lid member 300 through the second recess 230.

[0070] Furthermore, the treatment agent inlet 170 has a bottom portion 171 and four side portions 172 to 175 on the front, back, left and right sides, and three of the side portions 172, 174 and 175 are provided with water inlet ports 176 for injecting water into the treatment agent inlet 170, and the bottom portion 171 is provided with an outlet port 177 through which the treatment agent introduced into the treatment agent inlet 170 is discharged together with water.

[0071] With this configuration, water is poured into treatment agent feeder 170 from three directions, which makes it easier for water to reach every corner of treatment agent feeder 170. This makes it easier for treatment agent such as powder detergent that has been fed into treatment agent feeder 170 to be discharged from outlet 177 together with water, and makes it less likely to remain in treatment agent feeder 170.

[0072] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications other than those described above are possible for the embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] For example, in the above embodiment, the processing agent supply section 170 is located in front of the first processing agent tank 150 and the second processing agent tank 160, but it may also be located behind the first processing agent tank 150 and the second processing agent tank 160.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, treatment agent input section 170 is provided integrally with water supply channel member 140 outside (in front of) storage section 144. However, treatment agent input section 170 may be a treatment agent case that is separate from water supply channel member 140 and is detachably arranged within storage section 144.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, water inlet ports 176 for injecting water into the treating agent feeding section 170 are provided on the three side surfaces 172, 174, and 175 of the treating agent feeding section 170. However, the water inlet ports 176 may be provided on two of the four side surfaces 172 to 175 of the treating agent feeding section 170. In this case, it is desirable to provide the water inlet ports 176 on the left side surface 174 and the right side surface 175 that are aligned in the left-right direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the treating agent feeding section 170. Furthermore, the water inlet ports 176 may be provided on all of the side surfaces 172 to 175 of the treating agent feeding section 170.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, first processing agent tank 150 and second processing agent tank 160 are arranged in the front-rear direction in storage section 144, but they may also be arranged in the left-right direction.

[0077] Furthermore, two treatment agent dispensers 170 may be provided in the water supply channel unit 52, aligned in the front-to-rear direction with the first treatment agent tank 150 and the second treatment agent tank 160. In this case, for example, a detergent is dispensed into one treatment agent dispenser 170, and a fabric softener is dispensed into the other treatment agent dispenser 170.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a drum-type washing machine 1 is shown. However, the present invention can also be applied to a drum-type washer-dryer with a drying function. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a fully automatic washing machine and a fully automatic washer-dryer in which a vertical washing and spin-drying tub is arranged inside an outer tub.

[0079] In addition, various modifications can be made to the embodiment of the present invention as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea set forth in the claims of the utility model registration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1. Drum type washing machine (washing machine) 10. Cabinet 150 First treatment agent tank (treatment agent tank) 160 Second treatment agent tank (treatment agent tank) 170 Processing agent input section 171 Bottom part 172 Front side part 173 Posterior side part 174 Left side part 175 Right side part 176 Water inlet 177 Outlet 200 Top section 220 Concave surface 230 Second recess (recess) 300 Lid member 350 Protrusion W Washing tub

Claims

1. A box-shaped housing, A washing tub disposed in the housing; a treatment agent tank for storing a treatment agent for multiple washing operations to be supplied to the washing tub; a storage section that opens to a top surface side of the housing and stores the processing agent tank in a removable manner; A concave treatment agent supplying portion is arranged in line with the treatment agent tank in the front-rear direction, and into which the treatment agent for one washing run is supplied to the washing tub; a lid member having a bifold structure that is provided on the top surface portion and that covers the processing agent tank and the processing agent input portion from above and that can be opened and closed about a rear end portion; two recesses, each of which is provided on the top surface and extends downward from the left and right sides of the front end of the closed lid member, into which a finger can enter; A washing machine characterized by comprising:

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, the processing agent supply section is disposed in front of the processing agent tank, The top surface portion is provided with a recessed surface having a gap between the top surface portion and the lid member by recessing an area covered by the lid member, an inlet for the treatment agent to the treatment agent inlet portion is provided in the recessed surface; The insertion port overlaps with the two recessed portions in the left-right direction, The cover member is provided with two protrusions that protrude toward the recessed surface and block the gap between each recessed portion and the insertion port. A washing machine characterized by:

3. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, The treatment agent input section has a bottom surface and four side surfaces (front, rear, left, and right), two or more of the side surfaces are provided with water inlet ports for injecting water into the treatment agent inlet, The bottom portion is provided with a discharge port through which the treatment agent introduced into the treatment agent introduction portion is discharged together with water. A washing machine characterized by:

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