washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine having a waterproof mechanism for a mechanical switch, with a structure for avoiding drainage into the frame of an apparatus main body.SOLUTION: A drum type washing machine 1 has an operation button 12 of a mechanical switch 31 on the top face of an apparatus main body 10. A waterproof mechanism 50 (a waterproof cover 51 and a button shield 52) has a structure for avoiding water infiltrating between a top frame plate 104 and the operation button 12 from falling on an operation substrate 33, and discharging the infiltrated water outside the frame of the apparatus main body 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine having a mechanical switch operation button on the top surface of the device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a drum-type washing machine with improved design and operability, which is equipped with an operation panel consisting of a main power button made of a mechanical (contact type) switch and a touch switch. In other words, using touch switches in the operation panel is considered to be effective in improving design and operability, but it is preferable that only the main power button be a mechanical switch in order to reduce standby power consumption when the washing machine is not in use.

[0003] Mechanical switches used in washing machines require a waterproofing mechanism to prevent water from seeping in from around the switch and wetting the operation board. Patent Document 2 discloses a structure in which a labyrinth structure is provided around the mechanical switch to waterproof the operation board located below the switch. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-43869 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-143988 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Patent Document 2 only discloses a structure that uses a labyrinth structure to allow water that seeps in from around the mechanical switch to escape so that it does not get on the operation board, and does not consider how the escaped water is ultimately drained. In reality, the water that is allowed to escape so as not to get on the operation board is then drained into the frame of the washing machine.

[0006] However, not only the operation board but also wiring and connectors are arranged inside the frame of the washing machine, and if water gets on these, problems such as short circuits can occur. Therefore, when draining water that is released by the waterproof mechanism of the mechanical switch into the inside of the frame, it is necessary to take sufficient waterproofing measures for the electrical components of the wiring and connectors. In addition, water drained into the frame accumulates on the parts at the bottom of the device (base), and water accumulated inside the frame is difficult for users to clean, which creates hygiene problems.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a washing machine equipped with a waterproof mechanism for a mechanical switch that is configured to prevent water from being drained into the frame of the main body of the washing machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a washing machine having a mechanical switch operation button on the top surface of the device body, and having a waterproofing mechanism that prevents water that has entered around the operation button from splashing onto an operation board, and the waterproofing mechanism is configured to drain water that has entered around the operation button outside the frame of the device body.

[0009] According to the above configuration, water that seeps in from around the operation button of the mechanical switch can be discharged to the outside of the washing machine by the waterproofing mechanism, and water can be prevented from entering the inside of the washing machine. This eliminates (or reduces) the risk of water getting on the wiring, connectors, etc. around the operation board inside the washing machine. This makes it possible to omit (or simplify) waterproofing measures for the wiring, connectors, etc. In addition, it is possible to prevent drained water from accumulating on the parts (base) at the bottom of the device body, and thus solves hygiene issues when draining water inside the machine.

[0010] Further, in the above-mentioned washing machine, the waterproof mechanism includes a first member including a main bottom having an opening for exposing the mechanical switch in an internal region, a first outer frame portion standing upward relative to the main bottom so as to surround an outer edge of the main bottom, an inner frame portion standing upward relative to the main bottom so as to surround the periphery of the opening of the main bottom, and a drain portion provided adjacent to the main bottom and formed to be lower than the main bottom, and configured to guide water accumulated on the main bottom to the outside of the machine, a button bottom portion disposed above the inner frame portion of the first member so as to cover the entire inner frame portion, a second outer frame portion standing upward relative to the button bottom so as to surround the entire outer edge of the button bottom, and a drain portion provided in an internal region of the second outer frame portion. and a second member having a button protrusion portion formed to stand upward from the button bottom, the upper surface of which becomes the operation button, and a drainage hole portion formed in the internal area of ​​the second outer frame portion for draining water that accumulates on the button bottom portion directly onto the drainage portion of the first member, and the waterproofing mechanism can be configured to have a first guide path that receives water that has seeped in from around the operation button at the button bottom of the second member, then drains it from the drainage hole portion directly onto the drainage portion of the first member, and discharges it from the drainage portion to the outside of the aircraft, and a second guide path that receives water that has passed over the second outer frame portion of the second member at the main bottom of the first member, then guides it from the main bottom to the drainage portion, and discharges it from the drainage portion to the outside of the aircraft.

[0011] In the above-mentioned washing machine, the waterproofing mechanism includes a first member including a main bottom having an opening for exposing the mechanical switch in an internal region, and a drainage section that is connected to the main bottom and is formed to be lower than the main bottom and guides water accumulated on the main bottom to the outside of the machine, a button bottom disposed above the opening of the first member so as to cover the entire opening, a second outer frame disposed above the button bottom so as to surround the entire outer edge of the button bottom, and a drainage section disposed in an internal region of the second outer frame. The waterproof mechanism can be configured to have a first guide path that receives water that has seeped in from around the operation button at the button bottom of the second member, and then drains it from the drain hole portion directly onto the drain portion of the first member, and then discharges the water from the drain portion to the outside of the aircraft.The waterproof mechanism can be configured to have a second member that has a button protrusion portion formed upward from the bottom of the button, the upper surface of which becomes the operation button, and a drain hole portion formed in the internal area of ​​the second outer frame portion that drains water that has accumulated on the button bottom directly onto the drain portion of the first member, and then discharges the water from the drain portion to the outside of the aircraft.

[0012] In the above-mentioned washing machine, the waterproofing mechanism includes a first member including a main bottom having an opening for exposing the mechanical switch in an internal area, a first outer frame portion standing upward relative to the main bottom so as to surround an outer edge of the main bottom, an inner frame portion standing upward relative to the main bottom so as to surround the periphery of the opening of the main bottom, and a drainage portion provided adjacent to the main bottom and formed to be lower than the main bottom, and guiding water accumulated on the main bottom to the outside of the machine; and and a second member having a button bottom arranged to cover the entire inner frame, and a button protrusion formed to stand upward from the button bottom and whose upper surface becomes the operation button, and the waterproofing mechanism can be configured to have a second guide path that receives water that has seeped in from around the operation button at the button bottom of the second member, receives water that has flowed down from the button bottom of the second member at the main bottom of the first member, and then guides the water from the main bottom to the drainage section and discharges it from the drainage section to the outside of the aircraft.

[0013] In the washing machine, the waterproofing mechanism may be configured to drain water that has entered from around the operation button out of the frame from the front surface of the main body.

[0014] According to the above configuration, water discharged to the outside of the device by the waterproofing mechanism is discharged from the front surface of the device body, so that cleaning can be easily performed by the user. Effect of the Invention

[0015] The washing machine of the present invention has an effect of eliminating (or simplifying) waterproofing measures for wiring, connectors, etc. around the operation board inside the washing machine by discharging water that has entered from around the operation button of the mechanical switch to the outside of the washing machine using a waterproofing mechanism. In addition, it has an effect of preventing drained water from accumulating on the parts (base) at the bottom of the device body, and eliminating hygiene issues when draining water inside the machine. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a drum-type washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention with a door closed. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the drum type washing machine of FIG. 1 with a door open. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an upper frame plate is removed from a main body of the drum type washing machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a waterproof cover in a waterproof mechanism according to a second embodiment, in which (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a plan view, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in (b). [Diagram 5] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a button shield in a waterproof mechanism according to a second embodiment, in which (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a plan view, and (c) is a BB cross-sectional view in (b). [Figure 6]11 is a perspective view showing a state in which an upper frame plate has been removed from an apparatus body of a drum-type washing machine according to a second embodiment, with only a waterproof cover disposed on a base unit. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a waterproofing mechanism in the second embodiment, and is a cross-sectional side view of the waterproofing mechanism attached to the device main body. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a waterproofing mechanism in the third embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view of the waterproofing mechanism attached to the device body as viewed from the side. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a waterproofing mechanism in the fourth embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view of the waterproofing mechanism attached to the device main body as viewed from the side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of drum type washing machine 1 according to the first embodiment with door 20 closed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of drum type washing machine 1 with door 20 open. For convenience of explanation, the direction in which door 20 is provided is referred to as the front side (forward). Furthermore, drum type washing machine 1 in the present application is not limited to drum type washing machines that perform only washing, but also includes drum type washing and drying machines that can perform washing and drying. Furthermore, washing machines to which the present invention is applicable are not limited to drum type washing machines, and may be vertical washing machines as long as they have a mechanical switch operation button on the top surface of the device.

[0019] The drum type washing machine 1 includes a main body 10 and a door 20 provided on the front side of the main body 10. The outer box front surface 101 of the main body 10 has an outer box flat surface 101A and an upper inclined surface 101B. The outer box flat surface 101A extends in a substantially vertical direction. The upper inclined surface 101B extends above the outer box flat surface 101A and is inclined backward with respect to the outer box flat surface 101A.

[0020] The device body 10 has a rotating tub 11 therein, and the rotating tub 11 is open at the outer box front surface 101. This allows laundry such as clothes to be put into and taken out of the rotating tub 11 through the opening on the outer box front surface 101 side.

[0021] The door 20 is attached to the device body 10 by a hinge at one side end so as to be rotatable, and the opening of the rotating tub 11 can be opened and closed at the outer box front surface 101. In the present embodiment 1, the shape of the door 20 is not substantially circular to match the opening of the rotating tub 11, but is substantially rectangular when viewed from the front.

[0022] More specifically, the door 20 includes a door main body portion 21 and an inclined portion 22. The door main body portion 21 has a rectangular shape in a front view and extends in a substantially vertical direction. The rectangular shape of the door main body portion 21 also includes a shape in which the corner portions are rounded. The inclined portion 22 extends above the door main body portion 21 and is inclined backward with respect to the door main body portion 21. That is, the inclined portion 22 is inclined so that the upper end of the inclined portion 22 is located rearward of the door main body portion 21. Moreover, the door main body portion 21 and the inclined portion 22 in the door 20 have a positional relationship corresponding to the outer box flat portion 101A and the upper inclined portion 101B in the outer box front surface portion 101 of the device main body 10, respectively.

[0023] Almost the entire front surface of the door main body 21 is a door front panel 211 made of a light-transmitting material (for example, a glass material). A protruding closing part 212 made of a light-transmitting material (for example, a glass material) is provided on the back surface side of the door main body 21. This allows the interior of the rotating tub 11 to be viewed from the front side of the door 20 through the door front panel 211 and the protruding closing part 212 when the door 20 is closed.

[0024] In addition, when the door 20 is closed, a portion of the rear apex of the protruding closing portion 212 is inserted into the opening of the rotating tank 11, and the outer surface of the protruding closing portion 212 is in close contact with the gasket around the opening of the rotating tank 11, preventing the liquid in the rotating tank 11 from leaking to the outside.

[0025] A display operation unit 221 is disposed on the front side of the inclined portion 22 of the door 20. The display operation unit 221 is configured, for example, as a touch panel, and is capable of displaying various information such as the operating state of the drum type washing machine 1, various settings, and messages to the user, and of accepting input operations by the user.

[0026] In the drum type washing machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the rectangular door 20 including the door main body portion 21 and the inclined portion 22 is provided, and thus the following various advantages can be obtained. (a) By closing the opening of the rotating tub 11 with the rectangular door 20, unevenness is less likely to form between the front surface 101 of the outer box of the main body 10 and the door 20, making it easier to clean. (b) By disposing the display / operation unit 221 on the front side of the rearwardly inclined inclined portion 22, the area of ​​the display / operation unit 221 can be increased, and the operability and visibility of the display / operation unit 221 are improved. (c) When viewed from the front, the inclined portion 22 above the door 20 is recessed rearward, making the drum-type washing machine 1 more compact and reducing the sense of oppression. (d) By providing the display operation unit 221 on the door 20 side, there is no need to provide a display operation unit on the top surface of the device body 10, and the space above the device body 10 can be used effectively.

[0027] In addition to the display operation unit 221 consisting of a touch panel, the drum type washing machine 1 also has a main power button (operation button) 12. The main power button 12 is made of a mechanical switch, and is disposed on the upper surface 102 of the outer box of the device main body 10. By providing the main power button 12 which is a mechanical switch, it is possible to reduce standby power consumption when the drum type washing machine 1 is not in use.

[0028] Device body 10 includes, as part of the frame plates constituting its outer shell, front frame plate 103 forming part of outer box front surface portion 101, and upper frame plate 104 forming part of outer box upper surface portion 102 and outer box front surface portion 101. More specifically, front frame plate 103 is configured to include the entire outer box flat portion 101A of outer box front surface portion 101 and the lower part of upper inclined portion 101B of outer box front surface portion 101. Meanwhile, upper frame plate 104 is configured to include the entire outer box upper surface portion 102 and the upper part of upper inclined portion 101B of outer box front surface portion 101.

[0029] An opening is provided in the top frame plate 104 where the main power button 12 is located, and the top surface of the main power button 12 is exposed to the outside from this opening. This allows the user to press the main power button 12. Also, since there is a gap around the main power button 12 (between the outer surface of the main power button 12 and the inner surface of the opening in the top frame plate 104), a waterproofing mechanism is required to prevent water from seeping in through this gap from splashing onto the operation board, etc.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper frame plate 104 has been removed from the device body 10. FIG. 3 also shows a state in which the door 20 has been removed. In FIG. 3, 30 is a board unit including an operation board 33 (see FIGS. 7 to 9). Also in FIG. 3, 50 is a waterproofing mechanism for waterproofing a mechanical switch 31 (see FIGS. 6 to 9) arranged on the operation board 33. The mechanical switch 31 is turned on / off in conjunction with the operation of the main power button 12 by the user, and the main power of the drum type washing machine 1 is turned on / off in accordance with the on / off of the mechanical switch 31.

[0031] The waterproof mechanism 50 is disposed on the upper part of the board unit 30 so as to cover the mechanical switch 31, and has the function of preventing water that has entered through the gap around the main power button 12 from getting on the operation board 33, and of discharging this water to the outside of the machine (outside the frame of the device body 10). In other words, the waterproof mechanism 50 has a guide path that guides water that has entered from around the main power button 12 to the outside of the machine.

[0032] Water that seeps in from around the main power button 12 passes through a guide path provided in the waterproofing mechanism 50 and is drained from the front part 101 of the outer box of the device main body 10. More specifically, the water is drained to the outside of the frame of the device main body 10 from the gap between the front frame plate 103 and the top frame plate 104.

[0033] In drum type washing machine 1 according to the first embodiment, waterproofing mechanism 50 allows water that has entered around main power button 12 to be discharged to the outside of the machine, and prevents water from entering the inside of the machine (inside the frame of main body 10). This eliminates (or reduces) the risk of water getting on wiring, connectors, etc. around board unit 30 inside drum type washing machine 1. This makes it possible to omit (or simplify) waterproofing measures for wiring, connectors, etc.

[0034] In addition, it is possible to prevent the drained water from accumulating on the parts (base) at the bottom of the device body 10, and to solve the hygiene problem when draining water inside the device. The water discharged outside the device by the waterproof mechanism 50 is discharged from the front part 101 of the outer box of the device body 10, so that the user can easily clean it.

[0035] [Embodiment 2] In the second embodiment, a specific configuration of the waterproof mechanism 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0036] The waterproof mechanism 50 is composed of a waterproof cover (first member) 51 and a button shield (second member) 52. FIG. 4 shows the waterproof cover 51, where (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a plan view, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (b). FIG. 5 shows the button shield 52, where (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a plan view, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in (b). FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the top frame plate 104 has been removed from the device main body 10 and only the waterproof cover 51 is disposed on the board unit 30. Note that FIG. 6 shows a state in which the top cover 32 (see FIG. 3) of the board unit 30 has also been removed.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the waterproof cover 51 includes a main bottom portion 511, a first outer frame portion 512, an inner frame portion 513, a drainage portion 514, a third outer frame portion 515, and a hinge holding portion 516.

[0038] The main bottom 511 is the bottom which becomes a horizontal surface when the waterproof cover 51 is placed on the board unit 30, and its outer edge (particularly, three sides, the rear and both sides) is surrounded by the first outer frame portion 512, and has an opening in the internal area for exposing the mechanical switch 31 of the board unit 30.

[0039] The first outer frame portion 512 is erected upward relative to the main bottom portion 511, prevents water accumulated on the main bottom portion 511 from leaking outside the waterproof cover 51, and reliably guides water accumulated on the main bottom portion 511 to the drainage portion 514.

[0040] The inner frame portion 513 is erected upward from the main bottom portion 511 so as to surround the opening for exposing the mechanical switch 31, and is formed in a U-shape with only the front side open in a plan view. That is, the waterproof cover 51 is arranged so that the mechanical switch 31 of the board unit 30 is exposed in the opening surrounded by the inner frame portion 513 (see FIG. 6). In addition, the front end of the inner frame portion 513 coincides with the front end edge of the main bottom portion 511, and the front open portion of the inner frame portion 513 is directly connected to the drainage portion 514. This makes it possible to prevent water accumulated on the main bottom portion 511 from flowing around inside the inner frame portion 513 and entering the inside of the device through the opening. The plan view shape of the inner frame portion 513 is not limited to the shape with the front open as described above, and may be a shape that completely surrounds the opening (for example, a substantially rectangular shape).

[0041] The drainage section 514 is formed on the front side of the main bottom 511 so as to be lower than the main bottom 511, and guides water that accumulates on the main bottom 511 to the outside. In the example of Fig. 4, the drainage section 514 is formed in a stepped shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the drainage section 514 may have another shape, such as an inclined surface.

[0042] The third outer frame portion 515 is formed so as to be connected to the first outer frame portion 512, and is formed so as to stand upward on both side portions of the drainage portion 514. In other words, the third outer frame portion 515 prevents the water flowing through the drainage portion 514 from leaking out to the side of the drainage portion 514, and reliably guides the water to the outside of the machine.

[0043] The hinge holding portion 516 is a portion that forms a hinge in combination with a hinge portion 525 (see FIG. 5) of the button shield 52. In the example of FIG. 4, the hinge holding portion 516 is disposed on the main bottom portion 511 and behind the inner frame portion 513.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, the button shield 52 has a button bottom portion 521, a second outer frame portion 522, a button protrusion portion 523, a drainage hole portion 524, and a hinge portion 525.

[0045] When the button bottom 521 and the waterproof cover 51 form the waterproof mechanism 50, the button bottom 521 is disposed above the main bottom 511 of the waterproof cover 51, more specifically, directly above the inner frame portion 513. The button bottom 521 is formed to be wider than the inner frame portion 513 in a plan view, and the inner frame portion 513 is completely covered by the button bottom 521.

[0046] The second outer frame portion 522 is erected above the button bottom portion 521 so as to surround the entire outer edge of the button bottom portion 521, and prevents water accumulated on the button bottom portion 521 from leaking out of the button shield 52.

[0047] The button protrusion 523 is formed in an internal region of the second outer frame portion 522, standing upward from the button bottom portion 521. The upper surface of the button protrusion 523 is exposed to the outside from an opening provided in the upper frame plate 104 of the device body 10, and serves as the main power button 12. In addition, the mechanical switch 31 of the board unit 30 is disposed directly below the button protrusion 523. That is, when the user presses the main power button 12 (the button protrusion 523 exposed to the outside), the mechanical switch 31 is pressed via the button shield 52 (see FIG. 7).

[0048] The drain hole portion 524 is formed in a cylindrical shape in front of the button shield 52. The upper opening of the drain hole portion 524 is present inside the button bottom portion 521 (the internal region of the second outer frame portion 522), and water accumulated on the button bottom portion 521 flows into the drain hole portion 524. On the other hand, the lower opening of the drain hole portion 524 is located below the button bottom portion 521. Also, in the waterproof mechanism 50, the lower opening of the drain hole portion 524 is located in front of the main bottom portion 511 of the waterproof cover 51 and at a position lower than the main bottom portion 511. As a result, water that flows into the drain hole portion 524 is not discharged onto the main bottom portion 511 of the waterproof cover 51, but is directly discharged onto the drain portion 514.

[0049] The hinge portion 525 is formed on the outside of the second outer frame portion 522 (rear of the second outer frame portion 522 in the example of FIG. 5). The hinge portion 525 has a hinge shaft formed at its tip held by the hinge holding portion 516 of the waterproof cover 51. This allows the button shield 52 to be hinged to the waterproof cover 51 and to rotate around the hinge shaft. In other words, when the user presses the main power button 12 (button protrusion portion 523 exposed to the outside), the pressing force can be transmitted to the mechanical switch 31.

[0050] In this embodiment, the button shield 52 is hinged to the waterproof cover 51, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the button shield 52 may be hinged to the upper frame plate 104.

[0051] Next, a guide path in the waterproof mechanism 50 that guides water that has entered from around the main power button 12 to the outside of the device will be described. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the waterproof mechanism 50 attached to the device body 10. In the second embodiment, the waterproof mechanism 50 has two guide paths.

[0052] In the first guide path (indicated by a solid arrow in FIG. 7), water that seeps in from around the main power button 12 is first received by the button bottom 521 of the button shield 52. The water that accumulates in the button bottom 521 is prevented from leaking to the outside by the second outer frame 522, and flows into the drain hole 524. The water that has flowed into the drain hole 524 is drained directly onto the drain 514 of the waterproof cover 51, and is then discharged from the drain 514 to the outside of the device.

[0053] When the amount of water seeping in from around the main power button 12 is large and the water pooled in the button bottom 521 leaks over the second outer frame 522, the second guide path (indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 7) is used. In the second guide path, the water that leaks over the second outer frame 522 is received by the main bottom 511 of the waterproof cover 51. The water pooled in the main bottom 511 is prevented from leaking to the outside by the first outer frame 512, and is prevented by the inner frame 513 from flowing onto the board unit 30 from the opening around the mechanical switch 31. That is, all of the water pooled in the main bottom 511 is guided to the drainage section 514 and discharged from the drainage section 514 to the outside of the device.

[0054] Third Embodiment The waterproof mechanism 50 shown in the second embodiment has two guide paths (a first guide path and a second guide path) as guide paths for guiding water that has entered from around the main power button 12 to the outside of the device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, if the drainage efficiency of the first guide path is sufficiently high, the second guide path may be omitted and only the first guide path may be used.

[0055] 8 is a cross-sectional side view of waterproof mechanism 50 attached to device body 10. In the third embodiment, waterproof mechanism 50 has only a first guide path. That is, waterproof mechanism 50 according to the third embodiment is applicable to cases where the drainage efficiency in the first guide path is sufficiently high and water accumulated in button bottom portion 521 does not leak beyond second outer frame portion 522.

[0056] In this case, the configuration of the button shield 52 is the same as in the second embodiment, but the first outer frame portion 512 and the inner frame portion 513 are omitted in the waterproof cover 51. This is because if the water accumulated in the button bottom portion 521 does not exceed the second outer frame portion 522, the water will not accumulate in the main bottom portion 511 of the waterproof cover 51.

[0057] Fourth embodiment In the fourth embodiment, an example of a waterproof mechanism 50 having only the second guide path is shown. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the waterproof mechanism 50 attached to the device body 10 as viewed from the side.

[0058] In the waterproof mechanism 50 according to the fourth embodiment, the configuration of the waterproof cover 51 is the same as that of the second embodiment, but the second outer frame portion 522 and the drain hole portion 524 are omitted in the button shield 52. In this case, water that has entered from around the main power button 12 is received by the button bottom portion 521 of the button shield 52 and then flows down onto the main bottom portion 511 of the waterproof cover 51. The water that has flowed down onto the main bottom portion 511 is discharged outside the aircraft from the drain portion 514, as in the second guide path described in the second embodiment.

[0059] In the fourth embodiment, it is sufficient that the button bottom 521 of the button shield 52 is formed wider than the inner frame part 513 in a plan view, and the inner frame part 513 is completely covered by the button bottom 521. This makes it possible to prevent water flowing down from the button bottom 521 from entering inside the inner frame part 513.

[0060] 9, a fourth outer frame portion 526 may be formed to protrude downward so as to surround the outer edge of button bottom portion 521. By forming fourth outer frame portion 526, water flowing down from button bottom portion 521 can be more reliably prevented from entering inside inner frame portion 513.

[0061] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but is defined by the claims. Also, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1. Drum type washing machine 10. Device body 11 Rotating tank 12 Main power button (operation button) 20 Doors 21 Door body 22 Slope 30 Circuit Board Unit 31 Mechanical Switch 33 Operation board 50 Waterproof mechanism 51 Waterproof cover (first component) 52 Button shield (second component) 101 Front of outer box 101A Outer box flat surface 101B Upper slope 102 Outer box top 103 Front frame plate 104 Upper frame plate 221 Display operation section 511 Main bottom 512 First outer frame part 513 Inner frame 514 Drainage section 515 Third outer frame section 516 Hinge holder 521 Button bottom 522 Second outer frame part 523 Button protrusion 524 Drain hole 525 Hinge part 526 4th outer frame part

Claims

1. A washing machine having a mechanical switch operation button on the top surface of the device body, A waterproof mechanism is provided around the mechanical switch, The waterproofing mechanism includes a first member having a main bottom portion that is a horizontal surface and a drainage portion that extends forward from the main bottom portion and is formed so as to be lower than the main bottom portion; An opening is formed in the main bottom portion to expose the mechanical switch; the front surface of the device body has a flat surface extending in a vertical direction and having a laundry inlet for inserting and removing laundry, and an upper inclined surface extending above the flat surface and inclined backward with respect to the flat surface, The front end of the drainage portion is located below the upper inclined portion, A gap is provided between the flat portion and the upper inclined portion, The front surface is formed with a receiving portion extending rearward from the rear surface of the planar portion, The washing machine, characterized in that the front end of the drainage portion and the gap are positioned to overlap with the receiving portion in the front-to-back and up-down directions.

2. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, the waterproof mechanism includes a second member that covers an upper portion of the mechanical switch, A washing machine, characterized in that a front end of the second member extends above the drainage portion.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, the second member has a button bottom portion disposed above the main bottom portion, a button protrusion portion formed to extend upward from the button bottom portion and positioned directly above the mechanical switch, and an outer frame portion extending upward from the button bottom portion so as to surround an outer edge of the button bottom portion, The washing machine is characterized in that a drain hole is formed in the bottom of the button.

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