Clothes Processing Equipment

Abstract

To provide a clothing treatment apparatus improved in convenience for a user and cleanness.SOLUTION: A clothing treatment apparatus according to an embodiment includes: an outer case 11 formed into a box shape; a water tub 12 provided inside the outer case 11; a storage part 31 which is provided inside the outer case 11 and has an opening part formed at a top surface part side of the outer case 11; a treatment agent case 40 which is formed into a container shape with an upper part opened and receives a washing treatment agent fed by a user for one washing operation to supply the washing treatment agent to the water tub 12; and a treatment agent tank 50 which is formed into a container shape and can reserve therein a washing treatment agent for a plurality of pieces of washing operation. The storage part 31 detachably stores the treatment agent case 40 and the treatment agent tank 50 in a state of being horizontally arranged, and has a separation wall part which at least partly separates a space for storing the treatment agent case 40 and a space for storing the treatment agent tank 50 from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a clothes treatment device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a washing machine in which a treatment agent case is provided in an outer box, and a user manually adds a laundry treatment agent to be used for each washing operation for each operation. In the case of a so-called drum-type washing machine, the treatment agent case is sometimes provided on the front part of the outer box so as to be able to be pulled out forward. In addition, in the case of a so-called vertical washing machine, the treatment agent case is sometimes provided inside the top cover so as to be able to be pulled out forward.

[0003] In recent years, washing machines have been known that are equipped with an automatic dispenser that stores a plurality of times' worth of laundry treatment agent in a treatment agent tank and automatically dispenses a predetermined amount of laundry treatment agent during a washing operation. In consideration of the convenience of users who dispense laundry treatment agent, washing machines have been developed in which the treatment agent tank and the treatment agent case are installed in the same storage section. Here, there is room for improvement in the configuration of the storage section that accommodates the treatment agent tank and the treatment agent case from the viewpoints of user convenience and cleanliness. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-011618 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, a clothing processing device that improves user convenience and cleanliness is provided. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The laundry treatment device according to the embodiment includes a box-shaped outer case, a water tub provided in the outer case, a storage section provided in the outer case and having an opening formed on the top surface side of the outer case, a treatment agent case formed in a container shape with an open top and receiving a laundry treatment agent for one washing run from a user and supplying it to the water tub, and a treatment agent tank formed in a container shape and capable of storing a laundry treatment agent for multiple washing runs inside. The storage section detachably stores the treatment agent case and the treatment agent tank in a horizontally aligned state, and has a partition section that at least partially divides a space for storing the treatment agent case from a space for storing the treatment agent tank. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a washing machine according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration around a storage section with a cover member opened in the washing machine according to the embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a storage section of a washing machine according to an embodiment with a cover member removed; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a storage section of a washing machine according to an embodiment with a cover member removed and a treatment agent case and a treatment agent tank removed; [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the storage unit taken along line AA in FIG. 5, viewed from the direction of arrow B, of the washing machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a storage unit taken along line CC in FIG. 5 in a washing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a storage section of a washing machine according to an embodiment with a treatment agent case removed and a cover member removed; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a treatment agent case of a washing machine according to an embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a treatment agent case of a washing machine according to an embodiment; [Figure 11]FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a treatment agent case of a washing machine according to an embodiment; [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a right side view showing a treatment agent case of a washing machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a storage unit of a washing machine according to an embodiment, taken along line DD in FIG. 4 with a treatment agent tank removed. [Figure 14] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a storage unit of the washing machine according to the embodiment, taken along line EE in FIG. 4 with the treatment agent tank removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a washing machine 10 as a laundry treatment device includes an outer box 11, a water tub 12, a rotating tub 13, a rotating tub motor 14, a drainage mechanism 15, an operation panel 16, a water supply mechanism 20, and a treatment agent injection mechanism 30. In Fig. 1, the installation surface side of the washing machine 10, that is, the vertically lower side, is the lower side of the washing machine 10, and the opposite side of the installation surface, that is, the vertically upper side, is the upper side of the washing machine 10. In addition, the left-right direction when the washing machine 10 is viewed from the front is the left-right direction of the washing machine 10. The washing machine 10 is, for example, a horizontal axis type in which the rotation axis of the rotating tub 13 is horizontal, or an oblique axis type inclined downward toward the rear, which is a drum type washing machine.

[0009] The washing machine 10 may or may not have a drying function, such as a heat pump type or a heater type. The outer box 11 is generally made of a member such as a steel material or a resin material, and is configured as a rectangular box shape, constituting the outer shell of the washing machine 10. In the present embodiment, the top surface 111 of the outer box 11 is formed as a flat surface. The water tub 12 is disposed in the outer box 11 and is elastically supported by a suspension (not shown). The spin tub 13 is disposed rotatably in the water tub 12. In this case, the water tub 12 and the spin tub 13 function as a washing tub that contains laundry. The spin tub motor 14 is provided outside the water tub 12. The spin tub motor 14 is connected to the spin tub 13, and rotates the spin tub 13 by driving it.

[0010] Drain mechanism 15 shown in FIG. 2 has a function of draining water stored in water tub 12 to the outside of washing machine 10. Drain mechanism 15 has drain path 151 and drain valve 152. Drain path 151 is, for example, a flexible drain hose, one end of which is connected to drain valve 152 and the other end of which is drawn out to the outside of washing machine 10. Drain valve 152 is, for example, an on-off valve for liquid that can be electromagnetically opened and closed. Drain valve 152 is provided between drain outlet 121 provided at the bottom of water tub 12 and drain path 151, and opens and closes drain path 151.

[0011] The operation panel 16 is provided on the front portion of the top surface 111 of the outer box 11 as shown in FIG. 1. Although not shown in detail, the operation panel 16 is provided with a power switch, a start key, various operation keys for the user to set the washing operation course, etc. The power switch may be provided separately from the operation panel 16. When executing the washing operation, the user can select using the operation panel 16 whether to automatically dispense the laundry treatment agent or to manually dispense one load of the laundry treatment agent. In this embodiment, the laundry treatment agent is a concept that includes liquid or powder detergent, fabric softener, and fragrance, but is not limited to these as long as it is an agent used in the washing operation.

[0012] The water supply mechanism 20 is provided, for example, above the water tank 12 in the outer casing 11. The water supply mechanism 20 receives water from an external water supply source, such as a water tap, and supplies the water to the water tank 12. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the water supply mechanism 20 has a connection port 21, a water supply path 22, and a water supply valve 23. The connection port 21 is provided so as to be exposed at the left rear part of the top surface 111 of the outer casing 11. The connection port 21 is connected to the external water source via, for example, a hose. The water supply path 22 is a path that connects the connection port 21 to the water tank 12 and the rotating tank 13. The water supply valve 23 is an on-off valve for liquid that can be electromagnetically opened and closed.

[0013] Washing machine 10 can use, for example, tap water and bath water as external water sources. Washing machine 10 has tap water connection port 211 and bath water connection port 212 as connection ports 21. Washing machine 10 also has first water supply path 221, second water supply path 222, and third water supply path 223 as water supply valves 23. Washing machine 10 also has first water supply valve 231 and second water supply valve 232 as water supply valves 23.

[0014] The tap water connection port 211 is connected to a water faucet or the like via a hose, for example, and functions as an inlet for tap water to the first water supply path 221 and the third water supply path 223. The bath water connection port 212 is connected to a bathtub in which bath water is stored via a hose and a water intake pump, for example, and functions as an inlet for bath water to the second water supply path 222.

[0015] The first water supply path 221 and the third water supply path 223 connect the tap water connection port 211 to the water tub 12 and the spin tub 13. The first water supply path 221 is a path used when adding a laundry treatment agent, such as a detergent, in the washing process. The third water supply path 223 is a path used when adding a laundry treatment agent, such as a finishing agent, in the rinsing process. The second water supply path 222 connects the bath water connection port 212 to the water tub 12 and the spin tub 13. The second water supply path 222 is a path used when adding a laundry treatment agent, such as a detergent, in the washing process.

[0016] The first water supply valve 231 is, for example, a three-way valve, and opens and closes the first water supply path 221 and the third water supply path 223. The second water supply valve 232 opens and closes the second water supply path 222. Note that a configuration may be provided in which separate water supply valves are provided to open and close the first water supply path 221 and the third water supply path 223, respectively.

[0017] The treatment agent dosing mechanism 30 is provided, for example, midway through the water supply path 22, and has the function of introducing a laundry treatment agent into the water flowing through the water supply path 22, thereby supplying water containing the laundry treatment agent into the water tub 12 and the spin tub 13. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the treatment agent dosing mechanism 30 is configured to include a storage section 31, a pump 32, a cover member 33, a treatment agent case 40, and a treatment agent tank 50.

[0018] As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the storage section 31 is made of resin or metal and has a box or container shape, and has an opening 34 that opens toward the top. As shown in Fig. 1, the storage section 31 is provided at an upper part inside the outer box 11. The storage section 31 is provided near the left and right side surfaces of the outer box 11, in this case, near the left side surface. The upper end of the storage section 31, i.e., the opening 34, is located slightly below the top surface 111. The cover member 33 fits in the space between the opening 34 and the top surface 111.

[0019] The storage section 31 constitutes a part of the water supply path 22. In this case, the outlet side of the water supply valve 23 in the water supply path 22 is directly or indirectly connected to the storage section 31. The storage section 31 is then directly or indirectly connected to the water tank 12. In this embodiment, the water supply pipe 24 extends from the outlet side of each water supply valve 231, 232 to the storage section 31. In addition, the water supply pipe 25 extends from the storage section 31 to the water tank 12. In other words, the water supply path 22 is configured to include the connection port 21, the water supply valve 23, the water supply pipe 24, the storage section 31, and the water supply pipe 25 in this order with respect to the water flow direction.

[0020] Pump 32, together with treatment agent tank 50, constitutes an automatic dispenser for automatically supplying laundry treatment agent into water tub 12 and spin tub 13 during operation. Pump 32 has the function of sucking out a predetermined amount of laundry treatment agent from treatment agent tank 50 during operation and dispensing the sucked laundry treatment agent into a midway portion of water supply path 22. As a result, the laundry treatment agent supplied midway through water supply path 22 is supplied into water tub 12 and spin tub 13 together with the water flowing through water supply path 22. In this way, washing machine 10 can automatically supply a predetermined amount of laundry treatment agent into water tub 12 and spin tub 13 during operation.

[0021] The cover member 33 is rotatably provided on the outer box 11 and opens and closes the opening 34 of the storage section 31 by rotation, and is configured to be foldable and rotatable in a folded-out state. That is, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the cover member 33 is rotatably attached to the top surface 111 of the outer box 11 and configured to be able to open and close the opening 34 of the storage section 31. In this embodiment, the cover member 33 is configured to be foldable at least in two. The cover member 33 is configured to be able to open and close the opening 34 by rotating in a folded-out state at least in two.

[0022] As shown in Figs. 4 to 9, the storage section 31 has an outer peripheral section 35, a bottom section 36, a water inlet 37, a storage section outlet 38, a water inlet passage 363, and a partition section 60. The outer peripheral section 35 forms the outer peripheral surface of the storage section 31. The bottom section 36 forms the bottom surface of the storage section 31. The water inlet 37 is an opening formed in the outer peripheral section 35, which exposes the downstream end of the water supply pipe 24 toward the storage section 31 and functions as an inlet of the water supply path 22 to the storage section 31. The storage section outlet 38 is an opening formed in the lower part of the storage section 31, to which the upstream end of the water supply pipe 25 is connected and functions as an outlet of the water supply path 22 from the storage section 31. The water inlet passage 363 is a passage for water and a laundry treatment agent provided toward the storage section outlet 38 in the downstream part of the storage section 31. The partition section 60 at least partially divides the storage section 31 into a plurality of spaces. In this case, the partition 60 separates the space into a case housing section 311 which is a space for housing the treatment agent case 40 and a tank housing section 312 which is a space for housing the treatment agent tank 50 .

[0023] The treatment agent case 40 and the treatment agent tank 50 are detachably housed in the storage section 31 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 etc. The treatment agent case 40 and the treatment agent tank 50 are arranged adjacent to each other in the storage section 31. For example, the treatment agent case 40 and the treatment agent tank 50 are arranged in a straight line in the front-to-back direction or the left-to-right direction. In this case, in the storage section 31, the case storage section 311 is arranged on the side closer to a user who stands at the front side of the washing machine 10 to operate it, and the tank storage section 312 can be arranged on the side farther from the user than the case storage section 311.

[0024] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the treatment agent case 40 and the treatment agent tank 50 are accommodated side by side in the front-to-rear direction within the accommodation section 31. The treatment agent case 40 is located in front of the treatment agent tank 50, i.e., closer to a user standing on the front side of the washing machine 10 to operate it. In other embodiments, when the treatment agent case 40 and the treatment agent tank 50 are arranged side by side in the left-to-right direction, the treatment agent case 40 can be arranged closer to the center of the washing machine 10 in the left-to-right direction, i.e., closer to a user standing on the front side of the washing machine 10 to operate it, than the treatment agent tank 50.

[0025] The treatment agent case 40 has a function of receiving the treatment agent to be used in one operation, which is manually added by the user, for example, before operation or at the start of operation, and supplying the added treatment agent to the water tank 12 and the rotating tank 13 during operation. The treatment agent case 40 is made of, for example, resin, and configured as a container having a rectangular shape that is long in the front-to-back or left-to-right direction and an open top. In this embodiment, the treatment agent case 40 is formed into a rectangular shape that is long in the left-to-right direction as a whole.

[0026] The treatment agent case 40 is formed in a container shape with a downward recess as shown in Figs. 9 to 14. The treatment agent case 40 has one or more (in this case, two) input units 401, 402. The user inputs the laundry treatment agent into the treatment agent case 40 from the upper openings of the input units 401, 402. The input units 401, 402 receive the laundry treatment agent manually input by the user. The input unit 401 receives input of, for example, a powder or liquid detergent as the laundry treatment agent. The input unit 401 receives input of, for example, a liquid finishing agent as the laundry treatment agent. The input unit 401 and the input unit 402 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the input unit 401 and the input unit 402 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, with the input unit 401 being located farther from the user, i.e., on the back side, and the input unit 402 being located closer to the user, i.e., on the front side.

[0027] The treatment agent tank 50 is configured to be able to store an amount of laundry treatment agent to be used for multiple operations. The treatment agent tank 50 is, for example, made of resin, and is configured as a rectangular hollow container that is long in the front-rear or left-right direction, and can store liquid laundry treatment agent. The treatment agent tank 50 has a capacity sufficient to store an amount of laundry treatment agent to be used for multiple operations. In this case, the capacity of the treatment agent tank 50 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to set it to at least several hundred mL to about 2 L in consideration of user convenience.

[0028] As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the treatment agent tank 50 has a tank body 51, a tank inlet 52, a cover member 53, a tank outlet 54, and the like. The tank body 51 constitutes the outer shell of the treatment agent tank 50, and is made of synthetic resin such as plastic. The tank inlet 52 is formed at the top of the tank body 51 and opens upward. The cover member 53 is rotatably attached to the tank body 51, and opens and closes the tank inlet 52. A user opens the cover member 53 and injects a laundry treatment agent into the treatment agent tank 50 through the tank inlet 52.

[0029] The tank outlet 54 is an opening provided penetrating, for example, a part of the back surface of the tank body 51, and is an opening through which the laundry treatment agent sucked out of the treatment agent tank 50 by the pump 32 passes. The pump 32 is provided outside the storage section 31, in this case, behind the storage section 31. The pump 32 has a connection section 321. The connection section 321 is formed in a tubular shape that penetrates the storage section 31, and connects the inside of the storage section 31 and the pump 32. When the treatment agent tank 50 is attached to the storage section 31, the connection section 321 is inserted into the tank outlet 54, and the pump 32 and the inside of the treatment agent tank 50 are connected.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the washing machine 10 is provided with one or more (two in this case) processing agent tanks 50. In this embodiment, the washing machine 10 is provided with a detergent tank 501 and a finishing agent tank 502 as the processing agent tank 50. The detergent tank 501 is for storing an amount of detergent used for multiple operations, in this case liquid detergent. The finishing agent tank 502 is for storing an amount of finishing agent used for multiple operations, in this case liquid finishing agent. The processing agent tank 501 and the processing agent tank 502 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the processing agent tank 501 and the processing agent tank 502 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, with the processing agent tank 501 being located farther from the axis of the water tub 12, in this case the left side, and the processing agent tank 502 being located closer to the axis of the water tub 12, in this case the right side.

[0031] As shown in Figs. 4 to 8, the outer peripheral portion 35 of the storage portion 31 includes a front portion 351, a left portion 352, a right portion 353, and a back portion 354. The front portion 351 forms the front surface of the storage portion 31. The left portion 352 and the right portion 353 form the left and right side surfaces of the storage portion 31, respectively. The back portion 354 forms the back surface of the storage portion 31. The front portion 351 has a step portion 3511. The step portion 3511 is provided at a position a predetermined distance below the opening portion 34 of the storage portion 31, and protrudes toward the inside of the storage portion 31. The step portion 3511 is formed in an elongated rectangle with the long sides extending in the left-right direction.

[0032] The step portion 3511 is provided over a part or the entire width of the storage portion 31 in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the step portion 3511 is provided over a part of the width of the storage portion 31 in the left-right direction. Specifically, the step portion 3511 is provided closer to the water pouring port 37, that is, on the right side of the storage portion 31. In other words, the step portion 3511 extends from the right side portion 353 where the water pouring port 37 is provided towards the water pouring passage 363, that is, to the left.

[0033] The left end of the step 3511 is provided at a position away from the left side portion 352. In this embodiment, the step 3511 is provided across at least the entire left-right width of the first bottom 361. The left-right width of the step 3511 can be set to, for example, at least ½ to at least ¾ of the left-right width of the storage section 31. In this embodiment, the left-right width of the step 3511 is set to approximately ⅔ of the left-right width of the storage section 31.

[0034] The height position of the step portion 3511 from the floor surface is set to be approximately constant over the entire width of the step portion 3511. In other words, the step portion 3511 forms a surface extending in a horizontal direction. The step portion 511 functions as a support portion that supports the treatment agent case 40.

[0035] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, one or more water inlets 37 (three in this case) are provided near the center in the left-right direction of the washing machine 10 in the outer peripheral portion 35 of the storage portion 31. In this embodiment, the multiple water inlets 37 are provided in a line in the front-rear direction near the front end portion of the right side portion 353. The first water inlet 371 and the second water inlet 372 face the detergent input portion 401 when the treatment agent case 40 is stored in the storage portion 31, and supply water to the detergent input portion 401. The third water inlet 373 faces the finishing agent input portion 402 when the treatment agent case 40 is stored in the storage portion 31, and supply water to the finishing agent input portion 402. The first water inlet 371 constitutes a part of the first water supply path 221. The second water inlet 372 constitutes a part of the second water supply path 222. The third water inlet 373 constitutes a part of the third water supply path 223.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the bottom 36 includes a first bottom 361, a second bottom 362, and a water injection passage 363. The first bottom 361 constitutes at least a part of the bottom of the case housing 311. In this embodiment, the first bottom 361 is provided at the front of the bottom 36. The first bottom 361 is surrounded by the front part 351 and the right side part 353. The second bottom 362 constitutes at least a part of the bottom of the tank housing 312. In this embodiment, the second bottom 362 is provided at the back of the bottom 36. The second bottom 362 is surrounded by the back part 354, the left side part 352, and the right side part 353.

[0037] The water injection passage 363 is formed between the case housing section 311 and the tank housing section 312, and forms the bottom of a part of the case housing section 311 and a part of the tank housing section 312. The water injection passage 363 is provided in a direction away from the water injection port 37 with respect to the first bottom section 361. In this embodiment, the water injection passage 363 is provided on the left side in a direction away from the center of the left-right direction of the washing machine 10 of the first bottom section 361. The water injection passage 363 extends from the front section 351 of the housing section 31 to the housing section outlet 38, and is surrounded by the front section 351 and the left side section 352. The downstream section of the water injection passage 363, that is, the back side section, protrudes toward the second bottom section 362. Therefore, the second bottom section 362 is formed in an inverted L shape with a part recessed toward the back side in a plan view in correspondence with the downstream section of the water injection passage 363.

[0038] 6 and 7, the water injection passage 363 is set at a lower height from the floor surface than the first bottom 361 and the second bottom 362. Therefore, the water injection passage 363 forms the part at the lowest height in the storage section 31. Furthermore, the water injection passage 363 is inclined so as to descend from the front end to the rear end, that is, toward the storage section outlet 38. This inclination angle can be set to, for example, 0.5° to 2°. In this embodiment, the inclination angle of the water injection passage 363 with respect to the front-rear direction is set to about 1°.

[0039] As shown in Figs. 6 to 8, a rising portion 39 is formed at the downstream portion of the water injection passage 363, that is, at the rear end. The rising portion 39 forms a surface extending in a substantially vertical direction to connect the water injection passage 363 and the second bottom portion 362. In this embodiment, the rising portion 39 is bent and is formed to include a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction and a surface that is perpendicular to the left-right direction. That is, the rising portion 39 is configured to include a portion facing the front portion 351 of the storage portion 31 and a portion facing the left side portion 352. The rising portion 39 is formed below the tank storage portion 312. That is, when the processing agent tank 50 is stored in the storage portion 31, the rising portion 39 is provided so as to be located below the processing agent tank 50 (in this case, the detergent tank 501).

[0040] The water injection passage 363 communicates with the tank housing portion 312 at its downstream portion, i.e., at its rear end portion. Therefore, for example, when a user cleans the tank housing portion 312 by pouring water into it, the water can be discharged from the housing portion outlet 38 via the water injection passage 363.

[0041] The storage section outlet 38 is an opening formed in the rising portion 39. Therefore, the storage section outlet 38 is formed below the tank storage section 312 as shown in FIG. 8. In this case, the storage section outlet 38 is provided in a portion of the rising portion 39 that forms a surface perpendicular to the front-rear direction, i.e., on a surface that is approximately perpendicular to the direction of travel of the water flowing through the water injection passage 363. The storage section outlet 38 is formed penetrating the rising portion 39 in the front-rear direction, i.e., in the thickness direction of the rising portion 39. The storage section outlet 38 is connected to the water tank 12 via the water supply pipe 25.

[0042] First bottom 361 and second bottom 362 are inclined downward from water inlet 37 toward water inlet passage 363 or storage outlet 38. In other words, first bottom 361 and second bottom 362 are inclined downward in a direction away from the center in the left-right direction of washing machine 10, in this case, toward the left. Therefore, water injected from water inlet 37 into case storage section 311 naturally reaches water inlet passage 363 along the inclination of first bottom 361. Furthermore, water inlet passage 363 is inclined toward storage outlet 38, making it easier to discharge water from storage outlet 38.

[0043] The first bottom 361 is basically set to a higher height position from the floor surface than the second bottom 362. Therefore, the difference in height between the first bottom 361 and the water injection passage 363 is greater, and water injected from the water injection port 37 into the case storage section 311 is likely to flow down into the water injection passage 363 with force. In addition, the falling height of the water that falls from the water injection port 37 onto the first bottom 361, either through the treatment agent case 40 or not, is set to be relatively low, so that excessive splashing of the water on the first bottom 361 is suppressed.

[0044] 5 to 8, the partition 60 is provided to protrude upward from between the first bottom 361 and the second bottom 362. The partition 60 prevents water poured into the case accommodating portion 311 from the water pouring port 37 from entering the tank accommodating portion 312. In this embodiment, the partition 60 extends in the left-right direction and divides the case accommodating portion 311 and the tank accommodating portion 312 in the front-rear direction.

[0045] The partition portion 60 is provided across a part or the entire width of the storage portion 31 in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the partition portion 60 is provided across a part of the width of the storage portion 31 in the left-right direction. The partition portion 60 is provided at least close to the water pouring port 37, that is, on the right side of the storage portion 31. In other words, the partition portion 60 extends from the right side portion 353 where the water pouring port 37 is provided toward the water pouring passage 363, that is, to the left.

[0046] The left end of the partition 60 is located at a position away from the left side portion 352. In this embodiment, the base portion of the left end of the partition 60, i.e., the connection portion with the bottom portion 36, generally coincides with the boundary portion between the first bottom portion 361 and the water injection passage 363. In other words, the partition 60 is provided across at least the entire width of the first bottom portion 361. The left-right width of the partition 60 can be set to, for example, at least ½ to at least ¾ of the left-right width of the storage portion 31. In this embodiment, the left-right width of the partition 60 is set to approximately ⅔ of the left-right width of the storage portion 31.

[0047] 7, the height position of the upper end 61 of the partition portion 60 from the floor surface is set to be approximately constant across the entire width of the partition portion 60. In other words, the upper end 61 of the partition portion 60 extends in a horizontal direction. The partition portion 60 functions as a support portion that supports the treatment agent case 40, similar to the step portion 3511. The partition portion 60 and the step portion 3511 are provided facing each other. In this embodiment, the width dimension in the left-right direction of the partition portion 60 and the width dimension in the left-right direction of the step portion 3511 are set to be approximately the same.

[0048] As shown in Figs. 9 to 14, etc., the treatment agent case 40 has walls 41, 42, an upper edge 43, a partition 44, a bottom 45, a bottom opening 46, a drain tube 47, and supported portions 48, 49. The walls 41, 42 form the outer periphery of the container shape of the treatment agent case 40. The upper edge 43 is formed to protrude upward from the walls 41, 42, and has a function of preventing the laundry treatment agent from overflowing or scattering from the treatment agent case 40. The partition 44 is provided between the input portion 401 and the input portion 402, and has a function of preventing the laundry treatment agent from entering or scattering into one of the input portions 401, 402 when the user inputs the laundry treatment agent into the other.

[0049] The bottom 45 forms the bottom surface of the container shape of the treatment agent case 40. The bottom opening 46 is an opening formed in the bottom surface of the detergent input section 401, and serves as an outlet from the treatment agent case 40 for the water poured into the detergent input section 401 and the detergent input. The drain tube 47 is provided protruding upward from the bottom 45 of the finishing agent input section 402. The drain tube 47, together with the cap 70, constitutes a siphon mechanism that discharges the water poured into the finishing agent input section 402 and the finishing agent input from the treatment agent case 40. Although not shown in detail, the cap 70 has a tube portion formed in a hollow, bottomed tube shape with a closed upper portion and an open lower portion, and the tube portion is configured so that the drain tube 47 can be inserted.

[0050] One or more supported parts 48, 49 (six in this case) are provided on the outer surface of the treatment agent case 40. The supported part 48 is provided on the outer surface of the treatment agent case 40 on the detergent dispenser 401 side. The supported part 49 is provided on the outer surface of the treatment agent case 40 on the finishing agent dispenser 402 side. When the treatment agent case 40 is accommodated in the accommodation section 31, the supported parts 48, 49 are supported from below by directly or indirectly contacting the step part 3511 or the upper end part 61 of the partition part 60 as a support part. In this embodiment, the supported part 48 is supported by directly contacting the upper end part 61 of the partition part 60. The supported part 49 is supported by directly contacting the upper end part 61 of the step part 3511.

[0051] The walls 41 and 42 form the outer peripheries of the detergent dispenser 401 and the finishing agent dispenser 402, respectively. The wall 41 includes a front wall 411, a left wall 412, a right wall 413, and a rear wall 414. The front wall 411 forms the front surface of the detergent dispenser 401. The left wall 412 and the right wall 413 form the left and right surfaces of the detergent dispenser 401. The rear wall 414 forms the rear surface of the detergent dispenser 401. The wall 42 includes a front wall 421, a left wall 422, a right wall 423, and a rear wall 424. The front wall 421 forms the front surface of the finishing agent dispenser 402. The left wall 422 and the right wall 423 form the left and right surfaces of the finishing agent dispenser 402. The rear wall portion 424 forms the rear surface of the finishing agent dispenser 402. The upper ends of the walls 41, 42 are located on a surface that extends generally horizontally over the entire treatment agent case 40. In other words, the height positions of the upper ends of the walls 411, 412, 413, 414, 421, 422, 423, 424 from the floor surface are set to be generally the same.

[0052] 10 to 14, each wall portion 411, 412, 413, 414 of detergent input portion 401 is inclined so as to approach bottom opening 46 as it goes downward. In other words, each wall portion 411, 412, 413, 413 is inclined so as to approach the center of detergent input portion 401 as it goes downward. This makes it easier for laundry treatment agent and water input into detergent input portion 401 to be discharged from bottom opening 46.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the surface 62 of the partition 60 on the case storage section 311 side is inclined along the inclination of the back wall 414. That is, the surface 62 forms an inclined surface that decreases toward the front. The surface 62 forms a surface that is close to and parallel to the back wall 414 over almost the entire width of the partition 60 in the left-right direction. In other words, the surface 62 forms a surface that is close to and parallel to the back wall 414 over at least the entire width of the bottom opening 46 in the left-right direction. Therefore, there is a slight gap or no gap between the surface 62 and the back wall 414 and they are in surface contact. As a result, even if the water or laundry treatment agent that has fallen from the bottom opening 46 bounces upward on the first bottom 361, it is suppressed from entering the tank storage section 312 through between the partition 60 and the treatment case 40. In this embodiment, there is a slight gap between the surface 62 and the back wall 414. In addition, in other embodiments, the surface portion 62 and the rear wall portion 414 may be in surface contact with each other.

[0054] Here, a case will be considered in which all of the water injected into the detergent input section 401 falls substantially vertically downward from the bottom opening 46 to the first bottom 361. In this case, there is a risk that the water will bounce off the first bottom 361 and splash due to the height difference from the bottom opening 46 to the first bottom 361 and the fact that the first bottom 361 forms a surface substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the water falls. In contrast, in this embodiment, the bottom opening 46 is provided above the surface 62 in an area that at least partially overlaps with the surface 62 in a plan view. In other words, the bottom opening 46 and the surface 62 at least partially overlap in the vertical direction. The surface 62 overlaps in the vertical direction with at least the rear part of the bottom opening 46, i.e., the side closer to the tank housing section 312, rather than with at least the front part of the bottom opening 46.

[0055] As a result, at least a part of the water that has passed through the bottom opening 46 does not fall directly onto the first bottom 361, but falls onto the inclined surface 62. Since the height difference between the bottom opening 46 and the surface 62 is smaller than the height difference between the bottom opening 46 and the first bottom 361, the water that has fallen onto the surface 62 is less likely to splash than if it had fallen onto the first bottom 361. Furthermore, since the surface 62 is inclined, the water that has fallen onto the surface 62 is guided further downward along the inclination of the surface 62. In this case, since the surface 62 is inclined toward the center of the case housing 311, in other words, in a direction away from the tank housing 312, the water that has fallen onto the surface 62 is guided in a direction away from the tank housing 312 as it goes downward. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the water that has fallen from the bottom opening 46 from splashing or entering the tank housing 312. Since the surface portion 62 overlaps with the side closer to the tank housing portion 312 in the vertical direction, water can be effectively prevented from entering the tank housing portion 312.

[0056] An upper end of the rear wall 414 of the detergent dispenser 401 protrudes outward, i.e., toward the rear, of the detergent dispenser 401. Also, an upper end of the front wall 421 of the finishing agent dispenser 402 protrudes outward, i.e., toward the front, of the finishing agent dispenser 402. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the treatment agent case 40 is set to be smaller at the lower end of the treatment agent case 40 than at the upper end of the treatment agent case 40 or the upper ends of the walls 41, 42.

[0057] The upper edge 43 has a front edge 431, a left edge 432, and a back edge 433. The front edge 431 extends upward from the upper end of the front wall 421 to form the front surface of the upper edge 43. The left edge 432 extends upward from the upper ends of the left walls 412 and 422 to form the left surface of the upper edge 43. The back edge 433 extends upward from the upper end of the back wall 414 to form the rear surface of the upper edge 43. The upper side of the right wall 413 and 423 faces the water inlet 37 and serves as an inlet for water to the treatment agent case 40, so the upper edge 43 is not provided. The height position of the upper end of the upper edge 43 from the floor surface is approximately the same as the height position of the opening 34 from the floor surface.

[0058] In Fig. 4, the partition wall 60 is indicated by a dashed line. When the processing agent case 40 is attached to the storage section 31, the processing agent case 40 is disposed at a position where at least a portion overlaps with the partition wall 60 in a plan view. That is, the processing agent case 40 is stored in the storage section 31 so that at least a portion overlaps with the partition wall 60 in the up-down direction. In this case, at least a portion of the back edge portion 433 and at least a portion of the upper portion of the back wall portion 414 are located above the partition wall 60. Therefore, when the processing agent case 40 is attached to the storage section 31, the upper end portion 61 of the partition wall 60 is not visible to the user.

[0059] 4, the step portion 3511 is indicated by a dashed line. When the treatment agent case 40 is attached to the storage unit 31, the treatment agent case 40 is disposed at a position where at least a portion overlaps with the step portion 3511 in a plan view. In other words, the treatment agent case 40 is stored in the storage unit 31 such that at least a portion overlaps with the step portion 3511 in the up-down direction. In this case, at least a portion of the front edge portion 431 and at least a portion of the upper portion of the front wall portion 421 are located above the step portion 3511. Therefore, when the treatment agent case 40 is attached to the storage unit 31, the step portion 3511 is not visible to the user.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 14, the height positions of the upper ends of the water inlets 371, 372, and 373 from the floor surface are set lower than the height position of the upper end of the upper edge portion 43 from the floor surface. In other words, the front edge portion 431, the left edge portion 432, and the back edge portion 433 extend higher than the water inlets 371, 372, and 373. Therefore, the water injected from the water inlets 371, 372, and 373 into each of the input portions 401 and 402 is prevented from scattering outside the treatment agent case 40. The height positions of the upper ends of the right wall portions 413 and 423 from the floor surface are set lower than the height position of the upper end of the water inlet 37 from the floor surface, and the portion surrounded by the upper ends of the right wall portions 413 and 423, the front edge portion 431, and the back edge portion 433 becomes the inlet of water into each of the input portions 401 and 402.

[0061] In this embodiment, the height position of the lower end of the first water inlet 371 and the third water inlet 373 from the floor surface is set to be equal to or higher than the height position of the upper end of the right wall portion 413, 423 from the floor surface. More specifically, the height position of the lower end of the first water inlet 371 and the third water inlet 373 from the floor surface is set to be substantially the same as the height position of the upper end of the right wall portion 413, 423 from the floor surface. Therefore, when the first water supply valve 231 is opened to the first water supply path 221 side, the water that has come to the first water inlet 371 through the water supply pipe 24 passes above the upper end of the right wall portion 413 and is poured into the input portion 401. Also, when the first water supply valve 231 is opened to the third water supply path 223 side, the water that has come to the third water inlet 373 through the water supply pipe 24 passes above the upper end of the right wall portion 423 and is poured into the input portion 402.

[0062] On the other hand, the height position of the lower end of the second water inlet 372 from the floor surface is set lower than the height positions of the upper ends of the right wall portions 413, 423 from the floor surface. In other words, when the treatment agent case 40 is contained in the storage portion 31, the second water inlet 372 is partly exposed and partly covered by the treatment agent case 40. Therefore, when the second water supply valve 232 is opened and water flows into the second water supply path 222, part of the water that has reached the second water inlet 372 through the water supply pipe 24 passes above the upper end of the right wall portion 413 and is poured into the input portion 401. The remaining part passes between the right wall portion 413 and the right side portion 353 of the storage portion 31 and flows down to the first bottom portion 361. At this time, the water that is not poured into the input section 401 from the second water inlet 372 flows along the outer surface of the right wall section 413 of the treatment agent case 40 and the outer periphery 35 of the storage section 31, spilling or overflowing from the treatment agent case 40, thereby washing away the laundry treatment agent that has adhered to the outside of the treatment agent case 40.

[0063] The partition 44 divides the upper space in the treatment agent case 40 in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction, and divides it into the input section 401 side and the input section 402 side. In this embodiment, the partition 44 extends in the left-right direction and divides the space in the treatment agent case 40 in the front-rear direction. In this case, extending in the left-right direction does not mean only extending strictly parallel to the left-right direction, but means extending in a direction that mainly includes a left-right component. In this embodiment, the partition 44 is inclined with respect to the left-right direction. For example, the partition 44 is formed so that the right end portion closer to the center in the left-right direction of the washing machine 10 is closer to the front than the left end portion closer to the outside in the left-right direction of the washing machine 10. That is, the input section 401 and the input section 402 are each formed to be approximately trapezoidal in a plan view as a whole. The bottom opening 46 is also formed to be approximately trapezoidal in a plan view as a whole.

[0064] Partition 44 extends above the upper ends of water inlets 371, 372, and 373. Therefore, partition 44 prevents water from entering finishing agent inlet 402 when water is poured into detergent inlet 401 from first water inlet 371 or second water inlet 372. Partition 44 also prevents water from entering detergent inlet 401 when water is poured into finishing agent inlet 402 from third water inlet 373.

[0065] The partition 44 is provided with a notch 441. The notch 441 functions as an overflow portion that causes water to overflow onto the input section 401 side when a large amount of water is poured into the input section 402 side at once and the drainage from the drain tube 47 cannot keep up with the water.

[0066] The bottom 45 forms the bottom surface of the container shape of the treatment agent case 40. The bottom 45 forms the bottom surface of the container shape of at least one of the input part 401 or the input part 402. In the present embodiment, the bottom 45 forms the bottom surface of the container shape of the input part 402.

[0067] Bottom opening 46 is an opening formed by penetrating the container-shaped bottom of input part 401 in the thickness direction, and communicates the inside of input part 401 with the space below input part 401. Bottom opening 46 has the function of letting the powdered or liquid laundry treatment agent and injected water poured into input part 401 flow down and flow to the outside of treatment agent case 40, i.e., the downstream part within storage part 31. Note that in this embodiment, the part corresponding to the container-shaped bottom of input part 401 is entirely open to form bottom opening 46, but in other embodiments, a bottom 45 may be provided in input part 401, and bottom opening 46 may be provided in a part of bottom 45.

[0068] The bottom opening 46 is provided closer to the water inlet 37 of the treatment agent case 40 in plan view, that is, closer to the right in this case. The left-right width of the bottom opening 46 can be set, for example, to about 1 / 3 to about 2 / 3 of the left-right width of the treatment agent case 40. In this embodiment, the left-right width of the bottom opening 46 is set to about 1 / 3 to about 2 / 3 of the left-right width of the treatment agent case 40.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 4, the end of the bottom opening 46 on the side opposite the water inlet 37, i.e., the left end in this case, is disposed at approximately the same position as the left end of the partition wall 60 in the left-right direction, or closer to the water inlet 37 than the partition wall 60, i.e., on the right side in this case. Here, the side opposite the water inlet 37 means the side away from the water inlet 37. In this embodiment, the end of the bottom opening 46 on the side opposite the water inlet 37 is disposed at approximately the same position as the left end of the partition wall 60 in the left-right direction. That is, the bottom opening 46 is located vertically above the first bottom 361. Therefore, the bottom opening 46 does not overlap the water inlet passage 363 in the up-down direction in a plan view. In other words, the bottom opening 46 is provided in an area closer to the water inlet 37 than the water inlet passage 363 in a plan view.

[0070] A part of the laundry treatment agent put into the input part 401 by the user immediately falls from the bottom opening 46 to the first bottom 361. When the first water supply valve 231 or the second water supply valve 232 is opened and water is poured into the input part 401 through the first water inlet 371 or the second water inlet 372, the water falls from the bottom opening 46 while washing away the laundry treatment agent remaining in the input part 401. The first bottom 361 forms an inclined surface that descends toward the side opposite the water inlet 37, that is, toward the left in this case. Therefore, the water or water containing the laundry treatment agent that reaches the first bottom 361 flows toward the side opposite the water inlet 37, that is, generally toward the left in this case. Then, when the water or water containing the laundry treatment agent reaches the water inlet passage 363, it flows toward the storage part outlet 38 according to the inclination of the water inlet passage 363 that descends toward the rear. In other words, the water flowing out of the bottom opening 46 or the water containing the laundry treatment agent does not flow in a straight line toward the storage section outlet 38, but flows toward the left and then turns approximately 90 degrees and flows toward the rear.

[0071] 4 and 10 to 13, the drain tube 47 is provided on the side of the treatment agent case 40 opposite the water pouring port 37, that is, in this case, toward the left, in plan view. In this embodiment, the drain tube 47 is provided to the left of the left end of the bottom opening 46. The drain tube 47 is located vertically above the water pouring passage 363.

[0072] 13 and 14, the bottom opening 46 and the lower end of the drain tube 47 are located at the lower end of the treatment agent case 40. The lower end of the treatment agent case 40 is located below the upper end 61 of the partition portion 60. The lower end of the treatment agent case 40 is also located below the step portion 3511. In other words, the depth dimension from the opening 34 of the treatment agent case 40 is set deeper than the depth dimensions from the opening 34 of the upper end 61 of the partition portion 60 and the step portion 3511.

[0073] The water or laundry treatment agent flowing out of drain tube 47 falls and reaches first bottom 361. In this case, the water or water containing laundry treatment agent flowing out of drain tube 47 falls into water injection passage 363. Thereafter, the water or water containing laundry treatment agent flows toward storage section outlet 38 according to the inclination of water injection passage 363 descending rearward.

[0074] In the downstream portion of the storage section 31, water or water containing a laundry treatment agent flows toward the storage section outlet 38 along a direction perpendicular to the long side of the treatment agent case 40. In this case, in the downstream portion of the storage section 31, water or water containing a laundry treatment agent flows toward the storage section outlet 38 along the front-to-rear direction. Here, the direction perpendicular to the long side of the treatment agent case 40 or the front-to-rear direction does not necessarily mean only a direction intersecting at an angle of 90° strictly or the front-to-rear direction, but means a direction perpendicular to the long side of the treatment agent case 40 or a direction mainly including a component in the front-to-rear direction.

[0075] As shown in Figs. 9 to 14, the multiple supported parts 48 are formed on the outer surface side of the back wall part 414, protruding downward from the upper end part protruding outward. The multiple supported parts 49 are formed on the outer surface side of the front wall part 421, protruding downward from the upper end part protruding outward. The multiple supported parts 48, 49 (six in this case) are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the left-right direction. The supported parts 48, 49 are provided in the parts facing the partition part 60 or the step part 3511 when the treatment agent case 40 is accommodated in the storage part 31. In this embodiment, the partition part 60 and the step part 3511 are provided near the water inlet 37 of the storage part 31, that is, on the right side in this case. Therefore, the supported parts 48, 49 are not provided over the entire left-right direction of the treatment agent case 40, but are provided near the water inlet 37, that is, on the right side. In other embodiments, the supported portions 48, 49 may be provided over the entire treatment agent case 40 in the left-right direction.

[0076] Each of the supported portions 48, 49 is formed in a plate shape, and the lower end portion forms a surface extending in a horizontal direction. The lower end portions of the supported portions 48, 49 each become a contact surface that comes into contact with the upper end portion 61 of the partition portion 60 and the step portion 3511 when the treatment agent case 40 is attached to the storage portion 31.

[0077] If the treatment agent case 40 is not attached in the appropriate orientation, it will not be properly accommodated in the storage unit 31. In other words, since the treatment agent case 40 is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, it is possible that the user may mistakenly attach it to the storage unit 31 in a state rotated, for example, by 180 degrees. However, if the orientation is not appropriate, at least one of the supported portions 48, 49 will interfere with the storage unit 31, and the treatment agent case 40 will not be properly accommodated in the storage unit 31.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 12, the vertical length dimension L1 of the supported portion 48 is set shorter than the vertical length dimension L2 of the supported portion 49. That is, the lower end of the supported portion 48 is located higher than the lower end of the supported portion 49. As shown in FIG. 14, the depth position D1 of the upper end 61 of the partition portion 60 from the top surface portion 111 is set shallower than the depth position D2 of the step portion 3511 from the top surface portion 111. That is, the upper end 61 of the partition portion 60 is located higher than the step portion 3511. Therefore, the installation surface of the supported portion 48 and the upper end 61 of the partition portion 60 is located higher than the installation surface of the supported portion 49 and the step portion 3511. In other words, the installation surface of the supported portion 48 with respect to the accommodation portion 31 and the installation surface of the supported portion 49 with respect to the accommodation portion 31 are set to be different in height. The difference between the length dimension L2 and the length dimension L1 is set to be equal to the difference between the depth position D2 and the depth position D1.

[0079] When the processing agent case 40 is inserted into the storage section 31 in a state where it has been rotated 180°, the supported portion 49 comes into contact with the upper end portion 61 of the partition portion 60 before the supported portion 48 comes into contact with the step portion 3511. In other words, the processing agent case 40 is restricted from moving downward in a state where it protrudes upward from the opening 34. Also, because the supported portion 48 and the step portion 3511 are not in contact with each other, the processing agent case 40 is somewhat inclined and wobbly. Therefore, the user can easily recognize that the orientation of the processing agent case 40 is not appropriate.

[0080] The space for housing the treatment agent case 40 and the space for housing the treatment agent tank 50 are located within a single housing section 31. In this case, if left as is, the laundry treatment agent put into the treatment agent case 40 by the user and the water poured into the treatment agent case 40 from the water pouring port 37 may flow or splash into the space housing the treatment agent tank 50. Since water is not actively poured into the housing space of the treatment agent tank 50 during the washing operation, if the laundry treatment agent or water containing the laundry treatment agent adheres to the outer surface of the treatment agent tank 50, it may not be washed away during the washing operation and may remain stuck there.

[0081] In contrast, according to the present embodiment described above, the washing machine 10 as a laundry treatment device includes the outer box 11, the water tub 12, the storage section 31, the treatment agent case 40, and the treatment agent tank 50. The outer box 11 is formed in a box shape. The water tub 12 is provided inside the outer box 11. The storage section 31 is provided inside the outer box 11 and has an opening 34 formed on the top surface section 111 side of the outer box 11. The treatment agent case 40 is formed in a container shape with an open top, and receives a laundry treatment agent for one washing run from the user and supplies it to the water tub 12. The treatment agent tank 50 is formed in a container shape and is configured to be able to store a laundry treatment agent for multiple washing runs inside. The storage section 31 detachably stores the treatment agent case 40 and the treatment agent tank 50 in a horizontally aligned state. The storage section 31 has a partition section 60. Partition portion 60 at least partially separates case housing portion 311 , which is a space for housing processing agent case 40 , from tank housing portion 312 , which is a space for housing processing agent tank 50 .

[0082] According to this, by providing the partition portion 60, it is possible to prevent water poured into the treatment agent case 40 from the water pouring port 37 from flowing into the treatment agent tank 50 side or splashing and entering. Therefore, the outer surface of the treatment agent tank 50 and the inside of the tank accommodation portion 312, which is the accommodation space of the treatment agent tank 50, can be kept clean, and the workload of cleaning and the like by the user can be reduced. Therefore, a washing machine 10 with improved user convenience and cleanliness is provided.

[0083] Here, a case will be considered where the height position of the upper end 61 of the partition 60 is lower than the height position of the bottom opening 46. In this case, even if the water flowing through the bottom 36 of the case housing 311 can be prevented from flowing out into the tank housing 312, there is a risk that the laundry treatment agent or water flowing down from the bottom opening 46 will pass over the partition 60 and enter the tank housing 312.

[0084] In contrast, the treatment agent case 40 has a bottom opening 46 at its bottom that communicates between the inside and outside of the treatment agent case 40. The height position of the upper end 61 of the partition part 60 from the floor surface is set higher than the height position of the bottom opening 46 from the floor surface when the treatment agent case 40 is contained in the containing part 31.

[0085] This effectively prevents the laundry treatment agent or water flowing down from the bottom opening 46 from passing over the partition 60 and entering the tank housing 312. This allows the treatment agent tank 50 and the tank housing 312 to be kept clean, reducing the burden of cleaning and other tasks on the user. This provides a washing machine 10 that is more convenient and clean for the user.

[0086] The partition portion 60 is provided at least in a region overlapping with the bottom opening 46 when viewed from a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the treatment agent case 40 and the treatment agent tank 50. In this embodiment, the partition portion 60 is provided at least in a region overlapping with the bottom opening 46 when viewed in the front-rear direction, i.e., when viewed from the front.

[0087] That is, the partition wall 60 is provided in an area that overlaps at least the right end to the left end of the bottom opening 46 in a front view in the left-right direction. This makes it possible to prevent the laundry treatment agent or water that has flowed downward from the bottom opening 46 from entering the tank housing 312. This makes it possible to keep the treatment agent tank 50 and the tank housing 312 clean, thereby reducing the burden of cleaning and other tasks on the user. This provides a washing machine 10 that is more convenient for the user and cleaner.

[0088] Here, by providing the partition 60, there is a risk that the volume of the free space in the storage section will be reduced. For example, if the partition 60 is provided on the rear side of the treatment agent case 40, that is, closer to the tank storage section 312, the tank storage section 312 will be narrowed, and the volume of the treatment agent tank 50 will be compressed. In this case, the user will need to add laundry treatment agent to the treatment agent tank 50 more frequently, and the advantage of automatic addition will not be fully realized. On the other hand, if an attempt is made to secure the volume of the treatment agent tank 50, the case storage section 311 will be narrowed, and the treatment agent case 40 will need to be made smaller. In this case, it will be difficult to add laundry treatment agent to the case storage section 311, and there is a risk that the user's operability will be deteriorated. In addition, even if the partition 60 is provided, if there is a gap between the partition 60 and the treatment agent case 40, water or laundry treatment agent splashed or scattered from the case storage section 311 may enter the tank storage section 312.

[0089] In contrast, at least a portion of the upper edge 43 of the treatment agent case 40 overlaps with the partition wall 60 in the vertical direction when the treatment agent case 40 is contained in the storage section 31. In this case, at least a portion of the back edge 433 overlaps with the partition wall 60 in the vertical direction. The partition wall 60 supports the treatment agent case 40 in a state where the treatment agent case 40 is contained in the storage section 31.

[0090] According to this, since the partition 60 is provided below the treatment agent case 40, the area of ​​the treatment agent case 40 can be secured in a plan view. Therefore, the user's operability when adding the laundry treatment agent is maintained. Furthermore, since the partition 60 and the treatment agent case 40 are in contact with each other, it is possible to prevent splashed laundry treatment agent and water from entering the tank housing section 312 through the gap between the treatment agent case 40 and the partition 60. Therefore, the treatment agent tank 50 and the tank housing section 312 can be kept clean, and the workload of the user for cleaning and the like can be reduced.

[0091] Furthermore, the surface 62 of the partition 60 which faces the treatment agent case 40 extends parallel to the wall 41 of the treatment agent case 40, in this case the rear wall 414. In this embodiment, the surface 62 on the front side of the partition 60 forms an inclined surface which follows the inclination of the rear wall 414.

[0092] This more effectively prevents the laundry treatment agent or water splashed through the gap between the treatment agent case 40 and the partition 60 from entering the tank housing 312. This provides a washing machine 10 that is more convenient for the user and more clean.

[0093] The storage unit 31 has a step 3511 formed on the outer periphery 35 (in this case, the front portion 351) facing the partition 60, which protrudes downward toward the inside of the storage unit 31 and is recessed upward toward the outside of the storage unit 31. The partition 60 and the step 3511 face each other and support the treatment agent case 40.

[0094] According to this, the storage section 31 supports the processing agent case 40 not only from the rear wall section 414 side but also from the opposing front wall section 421 side, so that the processing agent case 40 can be stably held. Therefore, rattling and tilting of the processing agent case 40 can be suppressed.

[0095] Here, the treatment agent case 40 has, for example, a finishing agent dispenser 402 on the side in front of the user and a detergent dispenser 401 on the back side. Since the treatment agent case 40 is formed in a roughly rectangular shape, even if it is rotated 180 degrees, the outer shape in a plan view does not change. Therefore, there is a possibility that the user may mistakenly rotate it 180 degrees and attach it to the storage unit 31, resulting in an inappropriate alignment of the detergent dispenser 401 and the finishing agent dispenser 402. If the treatment agent case 40 can be attached to the storage unit 31 even in an inappropriate orientation, there is a risk that the laundry operation will not be performed normally, such as the laundry treatment agent or water overflowing or not flowing, or the periphery of the storage unit 31 will become dirty.

[0096] In contrast, the height position of the upper end 61 of the partition portion 60 is set to be different from the height position of the step portion 3511. In this embodiment, the height position of the upper end 61 of the partition portion 60 is set to be higher than the height position of the step portion 3511. In other words, the height position of the lower end of the supported portion 48 closer to the partition portion 60 of the treatment agent case 40 is set to be different from the height position of the lower end of the supported portion 49 closer to the step portion 3511.

[0097] According to this, even if the treatment agent case 40 is rotated, for example, by 180° to be attached to the storage section 31, when the step portion 3511 is brought into contact with the supported portion 48 while the partition portion 60 is in contact with the supported portion 49, the treatment agent case 40 will be tilted downward toward the front side. Therefore, when the treatment agent case 40 is rotated, for example, by 180°, it cannot be attached to the storage section 31 in a normal state. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the user mistakenly rotates the treatment agent case 40 by 180° to attach it to the storage section 31, resulting in the laundry treatment agent not being dispensed normally. Thus, a washing machine 10 is provided that is more convenient for the user and more clean.

[0098] Here, water poured into the treatment agent case 40 from the water inlet 37 falls under the effect of gravity to the bottom 36 relatively close to the water inlet 37. In addition, since the bottom opening 46 is provided closer to the water inlet 37 in terms of the left-right width of the treatment agent case 40, the laundry treatment agent put in by the user and the water poured from the water inlet 37 are more likely to fall to the bottom 36 near the water inlet 37.

[0099] The storage section 31 has a water inlet 37 which serves as an inlet for supplying water from an external water source to the treatment agent case 40 when the treatment agent case 40 is stored in the storage section 31. The case storage section 311 and the tank storage section 312 are connected to each other below the treatment agent case 40 on the opposite side to the water inlet 37 of the storage section 31, that is, on the opposite side in the left-right direction in this case. Specifically, the case storage section 311 and the tank storage section 312 are connected to each other at the left side, which is the opposite side to the water inlet 37 provided on the right side of the storage section 31. In this case, the case storage section 311 and the tank storage section 312 are connected to each other at least below the treatment agent case 40. In this embodiment, the case storage section 311 and the tank storage section 312 are connected to each other over the entire height direction of the storage section 31 above a water inlet passage 363 provided on the left side of the storage section 31.

[0100] That is, the partition 60 separates the case storage section 311 and the tank storage section 312 at least in the portion close to the water inlet 37. The partition 60 is provided on the opposite side of the water inlet 37 and the communicating section with respect to the extending direction of the partition 60 (in this case, the left-right direction). That is, the water inlet 37 is provided on the right side of the storage section 31, and the communicating section is provided on the left side of the storage section 31. Therefore, even if water poured through the water inlet 37 and flows down and splashes or splashes against the bottom 36, it is prevented from entering the tank storage section 312. This makes it easier to keep the treatment agent tank 50 and the tank storage section 312 clean.

[0101] In another embodiment, case accommodating section 311 and tank accommodating section 312 may be configured to communicate with each other at a portion opposite water inlet 37 in the front-rear direction. For example, when water inlet 37 is provided in front section 351, case accommodating section 311 and tank accommodating section 312 may be configured to communicate with each other at a rear side portion of case accommodating section 311 opposite water inlet 37 in the front-rear direction.

[0102] Furthermore, the storage section 31 has a water inlet 37, a storage section outlet 38, and a water inlet passage 363. The water inlet 37 is a supply port that supplies water from an external water source to the treatment agent case 40 when the treatment agent case 40 is stored in the storage section 31. The storage section outlet 38 is connected directly or indirectly to the water tub 12 and is an outlet from the storage section 31 for water that has been poured into the treatment agent case 40. The water inlet passage 363 guides the water poured from the water inlet 37 and the laundry treatment agent put into the treatment agent case 40 by the user to the storage section outlet 38. The water inlet passage 363 communicates with the tank storage section 312 at a portion opposite the water inlet 37 of the storage section 31, in this case, at a portion opposite in the left-right direction.

[0103] In the above embodiment, the height positions of the contact surfaces between the supported parts 48, 49 and the upper end parts 61 or step parts 3511 of the partition parts 60 supporting the respective parts are set to be different, thereby preventing erroneous attachment of the treatment agent case 40, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the shapes of the contact surfaces between the supported parts 48, 49 and the upper end parts 61 or step parts 3511 of the partition parts 60 supporting the respective parts may be configured to be compatible with each other in a correct combination, but incompatible with an incorrect combination, thereby preventing erroneous attachment of the treatment agent case 40.

[0104] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This new embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 10... washing machine (clothing processing device), 11... outer box, 111... top surface, 12... water tank, 31... storage section, 311... case storage section, 312... tank storage section, 35... outer periphery, 351... front part (outer periphery), 3511... step part, 352... left side part (outer periphery), 353... right side part (outer periphery), 354... back part (outer periphery), 37... water inlet, 371... first water inlet (water inlet) , 372...second water inlet (water inlet), 373...third water inlet (water inlet), 38...accommodation section outlet, 40...treatment agent case, 43...upper edge, 431...front edge (upper edge), 432...left edge (upper edge), 433...back edge (upper edge), 46...bottom opening, 46...bottom opening, 48, 49...supported section 50...treatment agent tank, 60...partition wall, 61...upper end, 62...face

Claims

1. An outer box formed in a box shape; A water tank provided in the outer box; A storage section provided in the outer box and having an opening formed on a top surface side of the outer box; a treatment agent case formed in a container shape with an open top, receiving a laundry treatment agent for one washing operation by a user and supplying the laundry treatment agent to the water tub; The washing machine includes a treatment tank formed in a container shape and capable of storing a laundry treatment agent for multiple washing operations therein, the storage section stores the treatment agent case and the treatment agent tank in a horizontally aligned state so as to be detachable through the opening, and has a partition section that at least partially separates a space for storing the treatment agent case from a space for storing the treatment agent tank, a space for accommodating the treatment agent case and a space for accommodating the treatment agent tank are in communication with each other at least at an upper portion of the storage section; Clothes treatment device.

2. An outer box formed in a box shape; A water tank provided in the outer box; A storage section provided in the outer box and having an opening formed on a top surface side of the outer box; a treatment agent case formed in a container shape with an open top, receiving a laundry treatment agent for one washing operation by a user and supplying the laundry treatment agent to the water tub; The washing machine includes a treatment tank formed in a container shape and capable of storing a laundry treatment agent for multiple washing operations therein, the storage section detachably stores the treatment agent case and the treatment agent tank in a horizontally aligned state, and has a partition section that at least partially separates a space for storing the treatment agent case from a space for storing the treatment agent tank, the treatment agent case has a bottom opening at a bottom thereof, the bottom opening communicating the inside and the outside of the treatment agent case; a height position of an upper end of the partition portion is set to be higher than a height position of the bottom opening in a state in which the treatment agent case is accommodated in the accommodation portion, The partition wall is provided at least in a region overlapping with the bottom opening when viewed in a direction parallel to a direction in which the treatment agent case and the treatment agent tank are aligned. Clothes treatment device.

3. An outer box formed in a box shape; A water tank provided in the outer box; A storage section provided in the outer box and having an opening formed on a top surface side of the outer box; a treatment agent case formed in a container shape with an open top, receiving a laundry treatment agent for one washing operation by a user and supplying the laundry treatment agent to the water tub; The washing machine includes a treatment tank formed in a container shape and capable of storing a laundry treatment agent for multiple washing operations therein, the storage section detachably stores the treatment agent case and the treatment agent tank in a horizontally aligned state, and has a partition section that at least partially separates a space for storing the treatment agent case from a space for storing the treatment agent tank, With the treatment agent case housed in the housing section, an upper edge portion of the treatment agent case at least partially overlaps with the partition wall in the vertical direction; The partition portion supports the treatment agent case. Clothes treatment device.

4. An outer box formed in a box shape; A water tank provided in the outer box; A storage section provided in the outer box and having an opening formed on a top surface side of the outer box; a treatment agent case formed in a container shape with an open top, receiving a laundry treatment agent for one washing operation by a user and supplying the laundry treatment agent to the water tub; The washing machine includes a treatment tank formed in a container shape and capable of storing a laundry treatment agent for multiple washing operations therein, the storage section detachably stores the treatment agent case and the treatment agent tank in a horizontally aligned state, and has a partition section that at least partially separates a space for storing the treatment agent case from a space for storing the treatment agent tank, The surface of the partition wall facing the treatment agent case extends parallel to the wall of the treatment agent case. Clothes treatment device.

5. An outer box formed in a box shape; A water tank provided in the outer box; A storage section provided in the outer box and having an opening formed on a top surface side of the outer box; a treatment agent case formed in a container shape with an open top, receiving a laundry treatment agent for one washing operation by a user and supplying the laundry treatment agent to the water tub; The washing machine includes a treatment tank formed in a container shape and capable of storing a laundry treatment agent for multiple washing operations therein, the storage section detachably stores the treatment agent case and the treatment agent tank in a horizontally aligned state, and has a partition section that at least partially separates a space for storing the treatment agent case from a space for storing the treatment agent tank, the housing portion has a step portion formed on an outer periphery facing the partition portion so as to protrude downward toward the inside of the housing portion and to be recessed upward toward the outside of the housing portion, The partition wall and the step portion face each other and support the treatment agent case. Clothes treatment device.

6. The height position of the upper end of the partition portion is set to be different from the height position of the step portion. The clothing treatment device according to claim 5.

7. An outer box formed in a box shape; A water tank provided in the outer box; A storage section provided in the outer box and having an opening formed on a top surface side of the outer box; a treatment agent case formed in a container shape with an open top, receiving a laundry treatment agent for one washing operation by a user and supplying the laundry treatment agent to the water tub; The washing machine includes a treatment tank formed in a container shape and capable of storing a laundry treatment agent for multiple washing operations therein, the storage section detachably stores the treatment agent case and the treatment agent tank in a horizontally aligned state, and has a partition section that at least partially separates a space for storing the treatment agent case from a space for storing the treatment agent tank, the storage section has a water inlet serving as an inlet for supplying water from an external water source to the treatment agent case in a state in which the treatment agent case is stored in the storage section, The space for accommodating the treatment agent case and the space for accommodating the treatment agent tank are in communication with each other below the treatment agent case at a portion of the accommodating part opposite to the water inlet. Clothes treatment device.

8. the treatment agent case has a bottom opening at a bottom thereof, the bottom opening communicating the inside and the outside of the treatment agent case; The height position of the upper end of the partition is set to be higher than the height position of the bottom opening when the treatment agent case is housed in the housing portion. A clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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