washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which can suppress a liquid flowing on a surface of a control panel, and which can prevent liquid entering a circuit part for control inside the control panel.SOLUTION: A washing machine 10 includes a control panel 20 provided on a front surface of a washing machine body 11, and arranged so that a control surface is substantially in the vertical direction. The control panel 20 has a front surface glass plate 21 for covering a panel front surface. Around the front surface glass plate 21, a groove part 112 is formed. Inside the groove part 112, a protrusion part 113 is formed coming into contact with an end part on a rear surface of the front surface glass plate 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine having an operation panel provided on the front surface of a washing machine body and arranged so that the operation surface is substantially vertical. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, washing machines that use a touch panel type operation panel in the operation section have become widespread. In addition, in drum type washing machines that have a door on the front of the washing machine body, the operation panel may be provided on the upper front part of the washing machine body in consideration of design (for example, Patent Document 1). When the operation panel is provided on the front of the washing machine body, the operation panel is arranged vertically (or tilted from that). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-363 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In touch panel type operation panels, the panel surface is usually covered with a glass plate, but it is necessary to prevent liquid from entering the operation circuit section inside the operation panel from the edge of the glass plate. In conventional operation panels, the edge of the glass plate is covered with ribs or the like to prevent liquid from entering the internal operation circuit section.

[0005] However, in a configuration in which the edge of the glass plate is covered with ribs, if liquid spilled on the top surface of the washing machine flows to the front side of the washing machine, the liquid will drip onto the surface of the glass plate and cause dirt to adhere to it. In addition, there is a disadvantage that the ribs covering the edge of the glass plate make it difficult to achieve a highly designed operation panel.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a washing machine that can suppress liquid from dripping onto the surface of the operation panel and prevent liquid from entering the operation circuit section inside the operation panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the washing machine of the present invention is a washing machine having an operation panel provided on the front of the washing machine body and arranged so that the operation surface is approximately vertical, and is characterized in that the operation panel has a front light-transmitting plate covering the front surface of the panel, a groove portion is formed around the periphery of the front light-transmitting plate, and a convex portion is formed inside the groove portion that abuts against the end of the back surface of the front light-transmitting plate.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when liquid flows from above the operation panel toward the operation panel, the liquid is drawn into the inside of the washing machine from the groove when it reaches the upper end portion of the front light-transmitting plate, so that the liquid can be prevented from dripping and flowing onto the front side of the operation panel. In addition, for the liquid drawn into the inside of the washing machine from the groove, a convex portion is formed on the inside of the groove, and the end of the back surface of the front light-transmitting plate and the convex portion are brought into contact with each other, thereby preventing the liquid from entering the operation circuit portion.

[0009] In the washing machine, the end face on the upper side of the front light-transmitting plate may be configured to be inclined downward from the front side toward the rear side.

[0010] According to the above configuration, by inclining the end face on the upper edge of the front light-transmitting plate in this manner, it becomes easier to guide liquid drawn in from the upper edge of the front light-transmitting plate into the groove portion, thereby further improving the effect of preventing liquid from entering the operation circuit section of the operation panel.

[0011] In the washing machine, the end face on the lower side of the front light-transmitting plate may be configured to be inclined downward from the front side toward the rear side.

[0012] According to the above configuration, by inclining the end face on the lower side of the front light-transmitting plate in this manner, it becomes easier to guide liquid drawn in from the lower side of the front light-transmitting plate into the groove portion, thereby preventing even the front door below the operation panel from being soiled by liquid.

[0013] In the washing machine, the cross-sectional shape of the groove may be such that the groove width narrows from the front side to the rear side.

[0014] According to the above configuration, by narrowing the groove width toward the back, liquid that flows into the groove is likely to be collected at the back of the groove, which further improves the effect of preventing liquid from entering the operation circuit of the operation panel.

[0015] In the washing machine, the cross-sectional shape of the groove may be configured to be deeper at the bottom than at the top in the vertical direction.

[0016] According to the above configuration, by making the lower part of the groove deeper, if liquid that has flowed into the groove accumulates in the groove due to poor drainage or the like, it is possible to prevent the accumulated liquid from returning to the surface side of the operation panel and overflowing.

[0017] In the washing machine, the front light-transmitting plate may be configured to be attached using an adhesive member in an area inside the convex portion.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the adhesive member does not come into contact with water or detergent liquid due to water injection, etc., and the adhesive member can be prevented from being deteriorated by these liquids. As a result, the occurrence of defects such as peeling or falling of the front light-transmitting plate due to deterioration of the adhesive strength of the adhesive member can be prevented, and high reliability of the washing machine can be ensured.

[0019] In addition, in the above-mentioned washing machine, the inner surface of the convex portion is formed as an inclined surface that becomes deeper from the outside to the inside, and the abutment surface with the convex portion at the end of the back surface of the front light-transmitting plate is formed as an inclined surface parallel to the inner surface of the convex portion.

[0020] According to the above configuration, when the front light-transmitting plate is attached to the washing machine body, the inclined surfaces of the inner surface of the convex portion and the abutment surface of the front light-transmitting plate abut against each other, making it easy to position the front light-transmitting plate and enabling the front light-transmitting plate to be stably held in a fixed position. Effect of the Invention

[0021] The washing machine of the present invention has an advantageous effect of suppressing liquid from flowing over the surface of the operation panel and preventing liquid from entering the operation circuit section inside the operation panel by means of a groove formed around the periphery of the front light-transmitting plate and a convex portion formed inside the groove so as to abut the end portion of the back surface of the front light-transmitting plate. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the washing machine of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which a front glass plate is removed from the operation panel; FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing grooves and protrusions near the upper end of the front glass plate. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing grooves and protrusions near the lower end of the front glass plate. FIG. [Figure 7] 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the detergent dispenser case near the front. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the detergent dispenser case with the glass decorative panel removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a washing machine 10 according to the present embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a front view of the washing machine 10.

[0024] Washing machine 10 is a drum type washing machine with an inlet (not shown) for putting laundry in on the front of washing machine main body 11, and a front door 12 is provided to cover the inlet. A detergent dispenser case 13 and an operation panel 20 are provided on the upper front part of washing machine main body 11 (above front door 12). Detergent dispenser case 13 is structured so as to be pulled out forward relative to washing machine main body 11, and detergent and fabric softener can be refilled in this pulled-out state. Detergent dispenser case 13 and operation panel 20 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of washing machine 10.

[0025] The operation panel 20 receives operation inputs from the user to the washing machine 10, and a touch panel is used here. For this reason, the front surface of the operation panel 20 is a glass surface. The operation panel 20 is arranged so that the operation surface is in a substantially vertical direction. That is, the operation panel 20 is arranged in the vertical direction (so that the operation surface of the operation panel 20 is parallel to the vertical direction) or tilted backward from the vertical direction (so that the upper end side is located further back than the lower end side). The washing machine 10 in FIG. 1 illustrates a case where the operation panel 20 is arranged so as to be inclined backward from the vertical direction.

[0026] Next, a more detailed structure of the operation panel 20 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 6. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the operation panel 20 (a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 2). As shown in Fig. 3, the operation panel 20 includes a front glass plate (front light-transmitting plate) 21, a transparent electrode 22, a display sheet 23, a reflector part 24, and a circuit board 25. Since the transparent electrode 22 and the display sheet 23 are thin members, the transparent electrode 22 and the display sheet 23 are illustrated by a single line in a state where they are overlapped in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 3. In the present embodiment 1, the transparent electrode 22 and the circuit board 25 correspond to the operation circuit section described in the claims.

[0027] The front glass plate 21 is a front light-transmitting plate that covers the front surface of the panel. The transparent electrode 22 is an electrode portion for sensing the finger of a user operating the touch panel. The display sheet 23 is a sheet in which the base is a light-shielding portion and the letters, frames, etc. are formed in a light-transmitting portion, and displays the letters and frames at the locations where light-emitting elements (e.g., LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes): not shown) provided on the circuit board 25 are illuminated. The transparent electrode 22 and the display sheet 23 are arranged so as to be sandwiched between the front glass plate 21 and the reflector part 24.

[0028] The reflector component 24 is disposed between the front glass plate 21 and the circuit board 25, and has a number of small holes for diffusing and emitting the light emitted by the light-emitting elements provided on the circuit board 25 forward (towards the front glass plate 21, the transparent electrode 22, and the display sheet 23).

[0029] Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which front glass plate 21 is removed from operation panel 20. As shown in Fig. 4, front glass plate 21 is attached to the front of the housing of washing machine main body 11 (for example, a front panel member of washing machine main body 11) by forming recess 111 (see Fig. 3), in which an adhesive member such as double-sided tape (not shown) is used. More specifically, recess 111 has opening 111A on the inside, and transparent electrode 22, display sheet 23, and reflector part 24 are exposed in opening 111A. A bottom surface 111B of recess 111, which is a peripheral area of ​​opening 111A, is used as an attachment area for front glass plate 21.

[0030] Furthermore, in the recess 111, grooves 112 are formed at positions that will become the periphery of the front glass plate 21 to which the film is attached, and protrusions 113 are formed inside the grooves 112. Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged cross-sectional views showing the grooves 112 and protrusions 113 near the upper and lower ends of the front glass plate 21, and are enlarged views of areas B and C in Figure 3, respectively. The grooves 112 and protrusions 113 are formed in annular shapes so as to surround the entire periphery of the front glass plate 21.

[0031] 5 and 6, front glass plate 21 is disposed so that an end of its rear surface abuts against inner peripheral surface 113A of convex portion 113. End surface 21A of front glass plate 21 is disposed so as to have a gap G between it and the outer peripheral edge of concave portion 111, and groove portion 112 is formed so as to communicate with this gap G. That is, in this example, not only groove portion 112 but also this gap G corresponds to a part of the groove portion recited in the claims.

[0032] In operation panel 20 according to the first embodiment, groove portion 112 and protrusion portion 113 described above form a drainage structure that can suppress liquid from flowing on the surface of operation panel 20 and can prevent liquid from entering an operation circuit section inside operation panel 20. For example, if liquid (water, liquid detergent, fabric softener, etc.) is spilled on the top surface of washing machine 10 and flows toward operation panel 20 on the front side of washing machine 10, the flowing liquid is drawn into the inside of washing machine 10 through gap G when it reaches the upper end portion of front glass plate 21. This can suppress the liquid from dripping and flowing on the surface side of operation panel 20.

[0033] In addition, for the liquid drawn into the inside of the washing machine 10 from the gap G, the gap between the front glass plate 21 and the inner peripheral surface 113A of the protruding portion 113 can be a liquid intrusion path. The liquid intrusion from this liquid intrusion path leads to the liquid intrusion into the operation circuit section inside the operation panel 20, and therefore needs to be prevented. Therefore, in the operation panel 20, the groove portion 112 is formed further to the back side than the liquid intrusion path. As a result, the liquid drawn into the inside of the washing machine 10 from the gap G is drawn further into the groove portion 112 beyond the liquid intrusion path, and the liquid intrusion into the operation circuit section can be prevented. That is, for the liquid drawn into the inside of the washing machine from the groove portion 112, the protruding portion 113 is formed inside the groove portion 112, and the end of the back surface of the front glass plate 21 and the protruding portion 113 are brought into contact with each other, thereby preventing the liquid from intruding into the operation circuit section.

[0034] The liquid drawn into groove 112 flows downward along groove 112 formed in an annular shape, and can finally be drained to the inside (or outside) of washing machine 10. For example, washing machine 10 of this example can be structured such that at least a part of groove 112 is open to the outside on the side opposite detergent dispenser case 13 adjacent to operation panel 20, and liquid is drained from the open part of groove 112 to the inside of washing machine 10.

[0035] Moreover, the convex portion 113 is formed so as to surround the bottom surface 111B which is the attachment area of ​​the front glass plate 21. In other words, the attachment area of ​​the front glass plate 21 is formed inside the convex portion 113, that is, on the bottom surface 111B and / or the inner peripheral surface 113A. That is, the adhesive member for attaching the front glass plate 21 is provided inside the convex portion 113 and is not exposed from the front surface of the operation panel 20, and this prevents the adhesive member from coming into contact with water or detergent liquid due to pouring water or the like, and prevents the adhesive member from being deteriorated by these liquids. As a result, the occurrence of defects such as peeling or falling of the front glass plate 21 due to deterioration of the adhesive strength of the adhesive member can be prevented, and high reliability of the washing machine 10 can be ensured.

[0036] In addition, in the operation panel 20 according to the first embodiment, since it is not necessary to cover the end surface 21A of the front glass plate 21 with a rib, it is not necessary for the rib to protrude from the surface of the washing machine 10, and it is not necessary to provide a large gap G to ensure a space for arranging the rib. This makes it possible to obtain an operation panel 20 with a high design quality.

[0037] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, the basic configuration of the grooves 112 and the protrusions 113 has been described, but in the second embodiment, more preferable examples of the shapes of the grooves 112 and the protrusions 113 will be described.

[0038] As a first preferred example, the upper edge surface 21A of the front glass plate 21 is inclined downward from the front (front side) to the rear (rear side) (see FIG. 5). By inclining the upper edge surface 21A of the front glass plate 21 in this manner, liquid drawn in from the gap G can be easily guided along the upper edge surface 21A to the groove portion 112. As a result, the effect of preventing liquid from entering the operation circuit section of the operation panel 20 can be further improved.

[0039] As a second preferred example, the lower edge 21A of the front glass plate 21 is inclined downward from the front to the back (see FIG. 6). By inclining the lower edge 21A of the front glass plate 21 in this manner, if there is liquid flowing over the surface of the front glass plate 21, the liquid is easily guided from the gap G along the lower edge 21A to the groove 112. As a result, even the front door 12 below the operation panel 20 can be prevented from being soiled by liquid.

[0040] As a third preferred example, the cross-sectional shape of groove 112 is such that the groove width narrows from the front to the back (see Figs. 5 and 6). That is, by narrowing the groove width of groove 112 toward the back, liquid that has flowed into groove 112 tends to be collected at the back side of the groove. As a result, the effect of preventing liquid from entering the operation circuit section of operation panel 20 can be further improved.

[0041] As a fourth preferred example, the cross-sectional shape of groove 112 is made deeper vertically at the bottom than at the top (the groove is formed all the way to the back) (see Figs. 5 and 6). By making the bottom of groove 112 deeper in this way, if liquid that has flowed into groove 112 accumulates in groove 112 due to poor drainage or the like, the accumulated liquid can be prevented from returning to the front side of operation panel 20 and overflowing.

[0042] As a fifth preferred example, the inner peripheral surface 113A of the convex portion 113 is an inclined surface that deepens from the outside toward the inside. In addition, the abutment surface 21B with the convex portion 113 at the end of the back surface of the front glass plate 21 is also an inclined surface parallel to the inner peripheral surface 113A (see Figs. 5 and 6). As a result, when the front glass plate 21 is attached to the recess 111, the inclined surfaces of the inner peripheral surface 113A of the convex portion 113 and the abutment surface 21B of the front glass plate 21 abut against each other, making it easy to position the front glass plate 21, and the front glass plate 21 can be stably held at a fixed position. As a result, the opening dimension of the gap G around the front glass plate 21 can be stabilized, and the gap G becomes an excessively large opening dimension, which prevents the intrusion of an excessive amount of liquid and thus causes insufficient drainage, and the operating circuit unit can be reliably protected from the intrusion of liquid. In addition, no special jig is required for positioning when attaching the front glass plate 21, and the productivity of the washing machine 10 is improved.

[0043] Third Embodiment 1 and 2, the detergent dispenser case 13 and the operation panel 20 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the washing machine 10. It is not essential to the present invention to arrange the detergent dispenser case 13 side by side with the operation panel 20 in this manner. However, when the detergent dispenser case 13 is arranged side by side with the operation panel 20, a configuration similar to that of the operation panel 20 can be adopted for the detergent dispenser case 13 in order to improve the design of the washing machine 10.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 2) of the front of the detergent dispenser case 13. FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the detergent dispenser case 13 with the glass decorative plate 131 removed. The detergent dispenser case 13 has a glass decorative plate 131 attached to its front surface to ensure uniformity in design with the adjacent operation panel 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a decorative plate holder 132 is formed in the front of the detergent dispenser case 13, and the glass decorative plate 131 is attached to the decorative plate holder 132 with an adhesive member such as double-sided tape. The detergent dispenser case 13 can be pulled out and stored by electric opening and closing or a push-lock / push-open mechanism, and the front glass decorative plate 131 and the washing machine main body 11 around it do not have a handle. This allows the detergent dispenser case 13 to have uniformity in design with the adjacent operation panel 20.

[0045] A convex portion 133 is formed in an annular shape around the entire outer periphery of the decorative panel holding portion 132. The glass decorative panel 131 is arranged so that an end of its back surface abuts against an inner periphery 133A of the convex portion 133 (see FIG. 7). Since the detergent dispenser case 13 is provided so as to be removable from the washing machine 10, a gap G' is provided around the glass decorative panel 131.

[0046] In detergent dispenser case 13 as well, the end face of glass decorative panel 131 is not covered with ribs. Therefore, gap G' on the detergent dispenser case 13 side can be formed to the same width as gap G on the operation panel 20 side, and the design of adjacent detergent dispenser cases 13 and operation panels 20 can be unified. This improves the design of washing machine 10.

[0047] 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.

[0048] For example, in the above description, the front light-transmitting plate attached to the front of the operation panel 20 is the front glass plate 21, but a transparent resin plate such as acrylic or polycarbonate may be used instead of the front glass plate 21. Also, the front light-transmitting plate may be partially transparent or translucent. Of course, the detergent dispenser case 13 may also use a transparent resin plate such as acrylic or polycarbonate instead of the glass decorative plate 131. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10. Washing Machine 11 Washing machine body 111 Recess 111A Aperture 111B Bottom 112 Groove 113 Convex 113A Inner surface 12 Front Door 13 Detergent dispenser 131 Glass decorative panel 132 Decorative plate holder 133 Convex 133A Inner surface 20 Operation Panel 21 Front glass plate (front transparent plate) 21A End face 21B Contact surface 22 Transparent electrode (operation circuit) 23 Display sheet 24 Reflector parts 25 Circuit board (operation circuit)

Claims

1. A washing machine having an operation panel provided on the front surface of a washing machine body and arranged so that an operation surface is substantially vertical, the operation panel has a front light-transmitting plate covering a front surface of the panel, The washing machine is characterized in that a groove portion is formed around the periphery of the front light-transmitting plate on the front surface of the washing machine body to which the front light-transmitting plate is attached, and a convex portion is formed inside the groove portion to abut against an end portion of the rear surface of the front light-transmitting plate.

2. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, The washing machine is characterized in that the end surface of the upper side of the front light-transmitting plate is inclined downward from the front side to the rear side.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, The washing machine is characterized in that the end surface of the lower side of the front light-transmitting plate is inclined downward from the front side to the rear side.

4. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The washing machine is characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the groove portion is shaped so that the groove width narrows from the front side to the rear side.

5. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The washing machine is characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the groove portion is deeper at the bottom than at the top in the vertical direction.

6. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The washing machine, characterized in that the front light-transmitting plate is attached using an adhesive material in the area inside the convex portion.

7. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The inner circumferential surface of the protrusion is an inclined surface that becomes deeper from the outside toward the inside, A washing machine characterized in that the abutment surface with the convex portion at the end of the back surface of the front light-transmitting plate is an inclined surface parallel to the inner surface of the convex portion.

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