Clothes Processing Equipment

Abstract

To provide a washing machine in which a mounting structure of a communication unit has been optimized.SOLUTION: A clothing treatment device includes: an outer case; a control device provided inside the outer case; a case formed in a container-like shape recessed upward and having an opening part at a lower part, and for storing the control device inside; and a communication unit electrically connected to the control device, and having a communication device capable of wirelessly communicating with external equipment. The communication unit is stored in a communication device storage part formed inside the case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In recent years, washing machines equipped with a communication unit capable of wireless communication with external electronic devices have become known. There are various options for the location of the communication unit, such as near the top or at the bottom, inside the outer box of the washing machine. For example, it has been proposed to provide the communication unit and the control unit in close proximity to each other, taking into consideration the ease of installation, maintenance, inspection, and wiring between the communication unit and the control unit.

[0003] However, there was room for further study regarding the mounting structure of the communication unit, taking into consideration workability during manufacturing, durability during use, safety, and the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-33531 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, a washing machine with an optimized mounting structure for the communication unit is provided. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The clothing processing device of this embodiment comprises an outer box, a control device provided inside the outer box, a container-shaped case having an upward recess and an opening at the bottom for housing the control device inside, and a communication unit electrically connected to the control device and having a communication device capable of wireless communication with external devices, the communication unit being housed in a communication device housing formed inside the case. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical configuration of a network system including an example of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a communication unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a control unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a control unit of an example of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, viewed from diagonally above the front and parallel to an upper surface of a unit case; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a control unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, viewed from below in a direction perpendicular to an upper surface of a unit case; [Figure 7] An enlarged view of the ellipse X7 in Figure 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a unit case of an example of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, viewed from below in a direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the unit case; [Figure 9] An enlarged view of the ellipse X9 in Figure 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a unit cover of an example of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, viewed from diagonally above on the left; [Figure 11] An enlarged view of the ellipse X11 in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a unit cover of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, viewed from above in a direction perpendicular to a bottom surface of the unit cover; [Figure 13] An enlarged view of the ellipse X13 in FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a control unit of a washing machine according to the first embodiment taken along line X14-X14 in FIG. [Figure 15] An enlarged view of the ellipse X15 in FIG. 14. [Figure 16]FIG. 11 is a bottom view (part 1) of a communication device housing section and its periphery in a washing machine according to another embodiment with a unit cover removed; [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a second view showing the periphery of a communication device housing of an example of a washing machine according to another embodiment from below with a unit cover removed; [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the periphery of a communication device housing of an example of a washing machine according to another embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, a number of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components in each embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0009] (First embodiment) First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 15. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a washing machine 10 as a laundry processing device includes an outer box 11, a water tub 12, a rotating tub (not shown), a rotating tub motor 14, a drainage mechanism 15, an operation panel 17, a water supply mechanism 16, a control unit 20, and a communication unit 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. 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 is horizontal, or an oblique axis type inclined downward toward the rear.

[0010] The washing machine 10 may or may not have a drying function such as a heat pump or heater. The outer box 11 is generally made of a member such as steel or resin material and has a rectangular box shape, forming the outer shell of the washing machine 10. The outer box 11 has a top surface 111, a front surface 112, a front opening 113, and a front cover 114. The top surface 111 forms the upper surface of the outer box 11. The front surface 112 forms the front surface of the outer box 11. The front opening 113 is an opening formed in the lower part of the front surface 112, and communicates between the inside and the outside of the outer box 11 below the water tub 12. The front cover 114 is detachably attached to the front opening 113 from the front, and closes the front opening 113.

[0011] Water tub 12 is disposed within outer box 11 and is elastically supported by a suspension (not shown). A rotatable tub (not shown) is disposed rotatably within water tub 12. In this case, water tub 12 and the rotatable tub function as a washing tub that contains laundry. Rotatable tub motor 14 is provided outside water tub 12. Rotatable tub motor 14 is connected to the rotatable tub and is driven to rotate the rotatable tub.

[0012] Drain mechanism 15 shown in FIG. 1 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.

[0013] The water supply mechanism 16 is provided, for example, above the water tank 12 in the outer casing 11. The water supply mechanism 16 receives water from an external water supply source, such as a water tap, and supplies the water to the water tank 12. The water supply mechanism 16 has a connection port 161, a water supply path (not shown in detail), and a water supply valve 162. The connection port 161 is provided so as to be exposed at the left rear part of the top surface 111 of the outer casing 11, and is connected to the external water source via a hose, for example. The water supply path is a path that connects the connection port 161 to the water tank 12 and the rotating tank. The water supply valve 162 is an on-off valve for liquid that can be electromagnetically opened and closed.

[0014] 1, the operation panel 17 is provided on the front portion of the top surface 111 of the outer case 11. Although not shown in detail, the operation panel 17 is provided with a power switch, a start key, and various operation keys for the user to set the washing operation course, etc.

[0015] The control unit 20 includes a control device 21. The control device 21 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and is configured by mounting a microcomputer, a power supply circuit, and various electronic components on a printed circuit board (not shown in detail). The control device 21 has a CPU 211 and a storage area 212 such as a ROM, a RAM, and a rewritable flash memory, and controls the overall operation of the washing machine 10. The control unit 20 is electrically connected to the rotating tub motor 14, the drain valve 152, the water supply valve 162, the operation panel 17, and the communication unit 30, and controls the operations of these components.

[0016] The control unit 20 is disposed inside the outer box 11. In this embodiment, the control unit 20 is disposed in the front part inside the outer box 11, below the water tub 12, so as to be removable from the front opening 113, as shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the control unit 20 is disposed on one side in the left-right direction of the washing machine 10, in this case the right side. Note that in another embodiment, the control unit 20 may be configured to be disposed on the left side of the washing machine 10. Moreover, the control unit 20 is fixed inside the outer box 11 in a position inclined upward toward the front. In another embodiment, the control unit 20 may be fixed inside the outer box 11 in a position maintained horizontally.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the washing machine 10 constitutes a part of the network system 100. The washing machine 10 is communicably connected to an external server 103 via a router 101 and an external communication line 102. The router 101 is a so-called wireless access point, and is communicably connected to the washing machine 10 by a wireless communication method. The communication line 102 is, for example, the Internet or an electric line. The washing machine 10 is communicably connected to an external communication device 110 directly or via the router 101, or via the router 101 and the communication line 102. The washing machine 10 can exchange various information with an external communication device 110 connected to the communication line 102, such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone.

[0018] The communication unit 30 is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with the external communication device 110. The communication unit 30 is formed in a roughly rectangular block shape as shown in FIG. 3. The communication unit 30 is configured to include a communication device 32 in a communication device cover 31. Although not shown in detail, the communication device 32 is configured by mounting a communication unit, an antenna, a connection connector, and the like on a printed circuit board for wirelessly communicating with the external communication device 110 via a router 101 installed in a building, for example. The communication device 32 communicates with the router 101 directly or via a relay device such as a gateway device, using a wireless communication method such as so-called wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark). In addition, the communication device 32 and the external communication device 110 may be configured to directly wirelessly communicate with each other without using the external communication line 102. The communication device 32 is connected to the control device 21 by a lead wire (not shown). The communication unit 30 is provided next to the control unit 20.

[0019] The communication device cover 31 has a front portion 33, a left surface portion 34, a right surface portion 35, a rear portion 36, an upper surface portion 37, a lower surface portion 38, and a protruding portion 39. The front portion 33 forms the front surface of the communication device cover 31. The left surface portion 34 forms the left side surface of the communication device cover 31. The right surface portion 35 forms the right side surface of the communication device cover 31. The rear portion 36 forms the rear surface of the communication device cover 31. The upper surface portion 37 forms the upper surface of the communication device cover 31. The lower surface portion 38 forms the lower surface of the communication device cover 31. The protruding portion 39 is formed to protrude further downward from the lower surface portion 38. The protruding portion 39 is provided near the front portion 33 and slightly rearward of the front portion 33. A wiring for connecting the control device 21 and the communication device 32 is connected to the communication unit 30 from below. In this case, a connector portion for receiving a connector of a connection wire may be provided inside the protrusion 39 .

[0020] The configuration of the control unit 20 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the control unit 20 as seen from the front diagonally downward left. FIG. 5 is a view of the control unit 20 as seen from the front slightly diagonally upward. That is, in this embodiment, the control unit 20 is stored in the washing machine 10 with the front inclined upward, and FIG. 5 is a view of the control unit 20 as seen from a direction parallel to the inclination of the control unit 20, that is, from a slightly diagonally upward direction from the front. FIG. 6 is a view of the control unit 20 as seen from the lower slightly diagonally rear. That is, FIG. 6 is a view of the control unit 20 as seen from below, in a direction perpendicular to the inclination of the control unit 20. Note that in FIGS. 4 to 15, the arrows indicating the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-rear direction indicate the respective directions when the control unit 20 is not inclined, that is, maintained horizontally.

[0021] As shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, etc., the control unit 20 includes, in addition to the control device 21, a unit case 40 as a case and a unit cover 50 as a cover. The unit case 40 is formed in a rectangular container shape in a plan view that opens downward. The unit case 40 houses the control device 21 inside. The unit cover 50 is formed in a rectangular container shape in a plan view that opens upward. The unit cover 50 is attached to the unit case 40 from below with the control unit 20 housed in the washing machine 10, and covers the control device 21 from below.

[0022] As shown in Figs. 4 to 6 and 8, the unit case 40 has an opening 41, a front wall 42, a left wall 43, a right wall 44, a rear wall 45, and an upper surface 46. The opening 41 is formed in the lower part of the unit case 40 and is an opening that opens the unit case 40 downward. The opening 41 communicates the inside and the outside of the unit case 40. The front wall 42 forms the front surface of the unit case 40. The left and right wall portions 43, 44 form the left and right surfaces of the unit case 40. The rear wall portion 45 forms the rear surface of the unit case 40. The upper surface portion 46 forms the upper part of the unit case 40, i.e., the ceiling surface. The control device 21 is fixed to the upper surface portion 46 from the inside. The front wall portion 42, the left wall portion 43, the right wall portion 44, and the rear wall portion 45 form the outer peripheral surface of the unit case 40.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9 and the like, the unit case 40 has a control device accommodating section 401 and a communication device accommodating section 60. The control device accommodating section 401 constitutes the main part of the space inside the unit case 40, and is a space that accommodates the control device 21 inside. The communication device accommodating section 60 is provided adjacent to the control device accommodating section 401, and is a space that accommodates the communication unit 30 inside. The communication device accommodating section 60 is formed on the periphery of the unit case 40. That is, the communication device accommodating section 60 is provided not in the center of the unit case 40, but in the vicinity of the front wall section 42, the left wall section 43, the right wall section 44, or the back wall section 45 that form the outer peripheral surface of the unit case 40. In this embodiment, the communication device accommodating section 60 is provided in the vicinity of the front wall section 42 and the left wall section 43. The communication device accommodating section 60 is formed by swelling a part of the front part of the left wall section 43 outward.

[0024] Also, the communication device housing section 60 is provided near the front of the unit case 40. That is, the communication unit 30 is provided adjacent to the front of the control unit 20. Usually, washing machines are often installed near the walls of a room. Therefore, by arranging the communication unit 30 as near the front of the washing machine 10 as possible, wireless communication with the router 101 in the building or the external communication device 110 can be more reliably performed.

[0025] The unit case 40 has a front part 61, a side part 62, a back part 63, and an upper part 64 as a configuration forming the communication device accommodating part 60. The front part 61 forms the front surface of the communication device accommodating part 60. The side part 62 forms the side surface of the communication device accommodating part 60 in the direction away from the control device accommodating part 401, in this case the left side surface. The back part 63 forms the back surface of the communication device accommodating part 60. The upper part 64 forms the upper surface, i.e. the ceiling surface, of the communication device accommodating part 60. The communication device accommodating part 60 opens downward. The front part 61, the side part 62, the back part 63, and the upper part 64 form the outer surface of the communication device accommodating part 60. The front part 61, the side part 62, the back part 63, and the upper part 64 are made of a material that has a low radio wave blocking effect, i.e. that easily transmits radio waves. For example, the front part 61, the side part 62, the back part 63, and the upper part 64 are made of a non-conductive material, i.e. a non-metallic material. Specifically, the front portion 61, the side portion 62, the back portion 63, and the upper portion 64 are made of a resin material such as plastic. In this embodiment, the front portion 61, the side portion 62, the back portion 63, and the upper portion 64 are integrally made of a resin material such as plastic with the unit case 40. The upper portion 64 is formed so as to be on the same plane as the top surface portion 46, that is, so as to be flush with the top surface portion 46.

[0026] The front portion 61 and the side portion 62 are slightly inclined from a direction perpendicular to the top surface portion 46. When the unit case 40 is maintained in a position in which the top surface portion 46 is horizontal, the front portion 61 is inclined from the vertical direction so that it is positioned further forward as it goes downward. When the unit case 40 is maintained in a position in which the top surface portion 46 is horizontal, the side portion 62 is inclined from the vertical direction so that it is positioned further outside the unit case 40 (in this case, to the left) as it goes downward. The back portion 63 forms a surface that is approximately perpendicular to the top surface portion 46.

[0027] Furthermore, the unit case 40 has a partition wall portion 65. The partition wall portion 65 is provided between the control device accommodating portion 401 and the communication device accommodating portion 60, and divides the space inside the unit case 40 into the control device accommodating portion 401 and the communication device accommodating portion 60. The partition wall portion 65 protrudes from the boundary portion between the upper surface portion 46 and the upper portion 64 toward the inside of the unit case 40, i.e., downward, and forms a surface that extends in the front-rear and up-down directions, i.e., a surface perpendicular to the left-right direction. The partition wall portion 65 forms a surface that faces the side portion 62. The partition wall portion 65 forms a surface perpendicular to the upper surface portion 46.

[0028] A plurality of gripping parts 47 (four in this case) are formed on the inside of the upper surface part 46. The gripping parts 47 restrict the vertical movement of the control device 21 by sandwiching the control device 21 from above and below. The gripping parts 47 are formed protruding from the upper part of the left wall part 43 toward the center side of the control device housing part 401. The control device 21 is fixed to the upper surface part 46 by the plurality of gripping parts 47 and fixing members such as screws (details not shown). Furthermore, the control device 21 is resin-potted and fixed to the unit case 40 by a resin layer 200 such as urethane resin. This improves the water resistance, vibration resistance, and dust resistance of the control device 21.

[0029] The length of the partition wall 65 from the upper surface 46, i.e., the distance from the upper end to the lower end of the partition wall 65 when the unit case 40 is maintained in a position in which the upper surface 46 is horizontal, is set to be longer than the thickness of the resin layer 200. Therefore, when the resin is poured into the control device accommodating portion 401 to form the resin layer 200, the resin is prevented from flowing into the communication device accommodating portion 60. The length of the partition wall 65 from the upper surface 46 can be set within a range of, for example, 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the length of the tip of the side portion 62 from the upper surface 46. In this embodiment, the length of the partition wall 65 from the upper surface 46 is set to about 1 / 3 of the length of the tip of the side portion 62 from the upper surface 46.

[0030] As shown in Figures 10 and 12, the unit cover 50 has an upper opening 51, a front wall portion 52, a left wall portion 53, a right wall portion 54, a rear wall portion 55, and a bottom surface portion 56. The upper opening 51 is an opening formed in the upper portion of the unit cover 50 and opens the unit cover 50 upward. The upper opening 51 communicates between the inside and the outside of the unit cover 50. The front wall portion 52 forms the front surface of the unit cover 50. The left and right wall portions 53, 54 form the left and right surfaces of the unit cover 50. The rear wall portion 55 forms the back surface of the unit cover 50. The bottom surface portion 56 forms the bottom portion, i.e., the lower surface, of the unit cover 50. The bottom surface portion 56 forms a surface parallel to the upper surface portion 46 and the control device 21. The front wall portion 52 , the left wall portion 53 , the right wall portion 54 , the rear wall portion 55 and the bottom portion 56 together form a container shape to form the main body of the unit cover 50 .

[0031] The area of ​​the bottom surface portion 56 is set to be slightly smaller than the area of ​​the top surface portion 46 and larger than the area of ​​the board constituting the control device 21. When viewed from below, the control device 21 is covered by the bottom surface portion 56. In other words, when the control unit 20 is oriented so that the top surface portion 46 is a horizontal plane, the horizontal projection plane of the control device 21 is located within the horizontal projection plane of the bottom surface portion 56. Therefore, with the unit cover 50 attached to the unit case 40, the control device 21 is not exposed to the outside of the control unit 20.

[0032] As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the unit cover 50 is attached to the unit case 40 from below. In this case, the upper end of the unit cover 50 is located above the lower end of the unit case 40, i.e., the opening 41. That is, the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50 overlap each other in the up-down direction. In other words, the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50 overlap each other at least in the front view, the left and right side views, and the rear view. The upper end of the unit cover 50, i.e., the upper opening 51, is attached to the unit case 40 so as to be accommodated inside the unit case 40. That is, when the unit cover 50 is attached to the unit case 40, the front wall 52 is located inside the front wall 42, the left wall 53 is located inside the left wall 43, the right wall 54 is located inside the right wall 44, and the rear wall 55 is located inside the rear wall 45. Therefore, even if water or water vapor flows toward the control unit 20 from above the control unit 20, the water or water vapor is prevented from entering between the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50. This prevents the control device 21 from becoming submerged in water.

[0033] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the unit case 40 has a step 48 on its outer peripheral surface. Specifically, the step 48 is provided at the center of the front wall 42, the left wall 43, the right wall 44, and the back wall 45 in the vertical direction. The step 48 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface toward the outside of the unit case 40 and forms a surface parallel to the upper surface 46. Therefore, each of the walls 42, 43, 44, and 45 is located below the step 48 and outside the unit case 40 above the step 48. Note that the vertical center here does not necessarily mean a position half the vertical length of each of the walls 42, 43, 44, and 45, but does not mean the upper end or lower end or the vicinity thereof.

[0034] 10 and 12, the unit cover 50 has a flange 57. The flange 57 is provided so as to protrude outward from the upper end of the outer circumferential surface of the unit cover 50. Specifically, the flange 57 is provided at the upper end of each of the walls 52, 53, 54, and 55, and is formed so as to protrude forward, left, right, and rearward from the surface formed by each of the walls 52, 53, 54, and 55, respectively.

[0035] The unit case 40 has a plurality of claws 49, eight in this case. The claws 49 are provided below the step 48 of each wall 42, 43, 44, 45 and above the lower end of each wall 42, 43, 44, 45, i.e., above the opening 41. Specifically, the claws 49 are provided at positions lower than the step 48 of each wall 42, 43, 44, 45 by the vertical length dimension of the flange 57. The claws 49 clamp the upper end of the unit cover 50, in this case the flange 57, between the step 48 and the claws 49, thereby restricting the movement of the unit cover 50 in the vertical, front-rear, and left-right directions. In this case, each of the walls 42, 43, 44, 45 has at least one claw 49. This allows the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50 to be stably assembled in the entire front-rear and left-right directions.

[0036] The unit cover 50 has a notch 58 on its outer circumferential surface. In this embodiment, the notch 58 is formed on the left wall 53, i.e., the wall on the side where the communication device housing 60 is provided. The notch 58 is formed by cutting out an upper part of the left wall 53 near the front wall 42. The notch 58 is provided at a position where at least a part of the notch 58 overlaps with the communication device housing 60 in a side view. In other words, the notch 58 is provided at a position where at least a part of the notch 58 overlaps with the communication device housing 60 in at least a part of the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the notch 58 is provided over at least the entire depth dimension of the communication device housing 60. The notch 58 extends closer to the rear wall 45 than the part facing the communication device housing 60. The notch 58 functions as an outlet for drawing out wiring (not shown) connecting the control device 21 and various components from the control unit 20, closer to the rear wall 45 than the part facing the communication device housing 60.

[0037] With the unit cover 50 attached to the unit case 40, the upper end of the left wall 53, which forms the bottom of the cutout 58, is located above the lower end of the side 62 of the communication device accommodating section 60. In other words, in a side view, the side 62 and the left wall 53 in which the cutout 58 is provided are provided so that a portion of the vertical range overlaps with each other. This prevents the control device accommodating section 401 from being exposed to the outside of the control unit 20 more than necessary.

[0038] As shown in Figs. 6 to 9, 14 and 15, the unit case 40 further has one or more (two in this case) first ribs 66 and one or more (two in this case) second ribs 67. The first ribs 66 are formed so as to protrude from the partition wall 65 toward the inside of the communication device accommodating section 60, in this case to the left. The second ribs 67 are formed so as to protrude from the side portion 62 toward the inside of the communication device accommodating section 60, in this case to the right. The first ribs 66 and the second ribs 67 each form a surface that is approximately vertical to the front-rear direction. The first ribs 66 each have a left end 661 that is an inner tip with respect to the communication device accommodating section 60. The second ribs 67 each have a right end 671 that is an inner tip with respect to the communication device accommodating section 60.

[0039] When the communication unit 30 is accommodated in the communication device accommodating section 60, the communication unit 30 is sandwiched between the first rib 66 and the second rib 67 from the left and right. That is, when the communication unit 30 is accommodated in the communication device accommodating section 60, the tip portion of the first rib 66 facing the communication unit 30, i.e., the left end portion 661, contacts the surface of the communication device cover 31 facing the control device accommodating section 401, i.e., the right surface portion 35. In this case, the left end portion 661 of the first rib 66 contacts at least the upper portion of the right surface portion 35. When the communication unit 30 is accommodated in the communication device accommodating section 60, the tip portion of the second rib 67 facing the communication unit 30, i.e., the right end portion 671, contacts the surface of the communication device cover 31 facing the side portion 62, i.e., the left surface portion 34. In this case, the right end portion 671 of the second rib 67 contacts at least the upper portion of the left surface portion 34. Furthermore, the communication unit 30 contacts the inner surface of the upper portion 64 when accommodated in the communication device accommodation portion 60. That is, the top surface portion 37 of the communication device cover 31 contacts the inner surface of the upper portion 64.

[0040] As shown in Figs. 10 to 15, the unit cover 50 has one or more (two in this case) support parts 70. The support parts 70 are formed to protrude from the main body of the unit cover 50. In this embodiment, the support parts 70 are formed at positions near the front end of the left wall part 53, protruding outward from the outer surface of the left wall part 53, that is, toward the communication device accommodating part 60. The support parts 70 are provided at positions overlapping with the communication device accommodating part 60 in the front-rear direction when the unit cover 50 is assembled to the unit case 40. In other words, the support parts 70 are provided at positions overlapping with the communication device accommodating part 60 in a side view when the unit cover 50 is assembled to the unit case 40. The support parts 70 are provided below the cutout part 58.

[0041] The support section 70 has an elastic section 71 and a support surface section 72. The elastic section 71 is configured to be elastically deformable at least in the direction in which the control device accommodating section 401 and the communication device accommodating section 60 are arranged, in this case the left-right direction. That is, the elastic section 71 is configured to be able to change its length dimension in the left-right direction when subjected to an external force. In this embodiment, the elastic section 71 is formed by bending a plate-shaped member in the vertical direction, specifically, so as to be recessed upward. By pressing the free end side not connected to the left wall section 53 toward the left wall section 53, the bent shape is deformed, and the elastic section 71 functions as a leaf spring. The surface of the elastic section 71 facing the communication device accommodating section 60, that is, the left surface, of the elastic section 71 is inclined so that the closer to the support surface section 72, that is, the lower, the more it becomes toward the outside, that is, the left side, of the unit cover 50, at least in the open state.

[0042] The support surface portion 72 is formed so as to protrude outward, that is, to the left, from the free end side of the elastic portion 71. The support surface portion 72 forms a surface perpendicular to the direction in which the elastic portion 71 can be elastically deformed. The support surface portion 72 forms a surface parallel to the upper portion 64 in a state in which the unit cover 50 is assembled to the unit case 40. The support surface portion 72 also forms a surface parallel to the lower surface portion 38 in a state in which the communication unit 30 is inserted into the communication device accommodating portion 60 and the unit cover 50 is assembled to the unit case 40. When the communication unit 30 is accommodated in the communication device accommodating portion 60 in a state in which the unit cover 50 is assembled to the unit case 40, the support surface portion 72 comes into surface contact with the lower surface portion 38 of the communication device cover 31. As a result, the communication unit 30 is sandwiched by the upper portion 64 of the communication device accommodating portion 60 from above and by the support surface portion 72 of the support portion 70 from below. This prevents the communication unit 30 from falling out downward even when the communication unit 30 is inserted into the communication device housing 60 from below. Furthermore, movement of the communication unit 30 in the up and down directions is restricted.

[0043] Furthermore, in a state where no external force is applied, the position of the right end of the support surface portion 72 is set to the left of the position of the right surface portion 35 in a state where the communication unit 30 is accommodated in the communication device accommodating portion 60. Therefore, in a state where the communication unit 30 is accommodated in the communication device accommodating portion 60, a rightward force acts on the elastic portion 71 from the communication unit 30. As a result, the length dimension of the elastic portion 71 in the left-right direction is contracted and shortened compared to the natural length in a released state where the communication unit 30 is not accommodated in the communication device accommodating portion 60.

[0044] On the other hand, the communication unit 30 receives a leftward reaction force from the elastic portion 71. When the communication unit 30 is accommodated in the communication device accommodation portion 60, the outer surface 711 of the elastic portion 71 is in surface contact with the right surface portion 35 of the communication device cover 31. As a result, the left end portion 661 of the first rib 66, the right end portion 671 of the second rib 67, and the outer surface 711 of the elastic portion 71 restrict the movement of the communication unit 30 in the left-right direction. This makes it possible to prevent the communication unit 30 from losing contact with the support surface portion 72 and falling off due to the communication unit 30 being shaken by vibrations caused by the rotation of the rotating tub, etc.

[0045] Next, the assembly procedure of the control unit 20 with the communication unit 30 attached thereto will be described. The assembly work is basically performed in a position where the opening 41 of the unit case 40 faces upward. First, the control device 21 is attached to the control device housing portion 401 of the unit case 40. The periphery of the control device 21 is fixed by the gripping portion 47, and movement in the up-down, left-right, and front-rear directions is restricted. Next, resin potting is applied to the control device housing portion 401 from above the control device 21. This allows the control device 21 to be more securely fixed to the unit case 40, and improves the water resistance, vibration resistance, and dust resistance of the control device 21.

[0046] Next, the communication unit 30 is inserted into the communication device accommodating portion 60. In this case, the communication unit 30 is inserted between the first rib 66 and the second rib 67. The communication unit 30 is also inserted to a position where the upper surface portion 37 contacts the upper portion 64 of the communication device accommodating portion 60. Thereafter, lead wires (not shown) are connected to the communication unit 30.

[0047] Furthermore, the unit cover 50 is assembled to the unit case 40. As the unit cover 50 is brought closer to the unit case 40, the tip portion of the outer surface 711 of the elastic portion 71, i.e., the side opposite to the support surface portion 72, comes into contact with the lower surface portion 38 of the communication unit 30. Specifically, the periphery of the connection portion between the lower surface portion 38 and the right surface portion 35 comes into contact with the tip portion of the outer surface 711. As the unit cover 50 is further pressed in, since the outer surface 711 is inclined, the connection portion between the lower surface portion 38 and the right surface portion 35 moves in a sliding manner relatively along the inclination, and the elastic portion 71 is elastically deformed so that the length in the left-right direction becomes shorter than the natural length, and the support portion 70 accepts the communication unit 30.

[0048] With the unit cover 50 attached to the unit case 40, the flange 57 of the unit cover 50 is sandwiched between the step 48 and the claw 49 from above and below. This restricts the relative movement between the unit cover 50 and the unit case 40 in the up-down, left-right, and front-rear directions. At this time, the communication unit 30 is sandwiched between the support surface 72 of the support portion 70 and the upper portion 64 of the communication device housing portion 60 from above and below. Furthermore, the communication unit 30 is sandwiched between the outer surface 711 of the elastic portion 71, the left end 661 of the first rib 66, and the right end 671 of the second rib 67 from the left and right. This restricts the relative movement between the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50 and the communication unit 30 in the up-down and left-right directions. In this manner, the control unit 20 with the communication unit 30 attached thereto is assembled.

[0049] The assembled communication unit 30 is mounted inside the outer box 11 in an inclined position such that the unit case 40 is above the unit cover 50 and the front wall portion 42 is higher than the rear wall portion 45.

[0050] Here, it is also conceivable to further house the communication unit 30 in a waterproof case for the communication unit and fix it to the outside of the unit case 40 with fastening members such as screws. In this case, a waterproof case for the communication unit and fastening members are required, and the number of parts increases. Therefore, there is a risk that parts management during manufacturing will become complicated and that the number of assembly steps will increase. In addition, since it is necessary to drill holes in the waterproof case for the communication unit to pass the fastening members through, there is a risk that a small gap will be created and water or steam will reach the communication unit 30.

[0051] In contrast, according to the present embodiment described above, the washing machine 10 as a clothes processing device includes the outer box 11, the control device 21, the unit case 40 as a case, and the communication unit 30. The control device 21 is provided inside the outer box 11. The unit case 40 is formed in a container shape having a recess toward the top and an opening 41 at the bottom, and houses the control device 21 inside. The communication unit 30 is electrically connected to the control device 21 and is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with an external communication device 110. The communication unit 30 is housed in a communication device housing section 60 formed inside the unit case 40.

[0052] According to this, since there is no need to provide a separate waterproof case for the communication unit, the number of parts including the fastening members can be reduced. Therefore, the manufacturing cost and the complication of the manufacturing work and parts management can be suppressed, and the workability during the manufacturing of the washing machine 10 can be improved. Furthermore, since there is no need to drill holes in the waterproof case for the communication unit and fix it to the unit case 40 with fastening members, the risk of water or steam reaching the communication unit 30 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to provide a washing machine 10 in which the mounting structure of the communication unit 30 is optimized.

[0053] The washing machine 10 includes a unit cover 50 as a cover. The unit cover 50 is attached to the unit case 40 to cover at least a part of the opening 41. The communication unit 30 is inserted into the communication device housing 60, and is removably fixed in the communication device housing 60 by attaching the unit cover 50 to the unit case 40.

[0054] According to this, the communication unit 30 is fixed by at least one or both of the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50 without being fixed by a fastening member such as a screw. Therefore, the number of parts of the control unit 20 and therefore the entire washing machine 10 can be reduced.

[0055] Here, we consider a case where the unit cover 50 has a larger horizontal projection area and is configured to cover the unit case 40. In this case, if water leaks from above, for example, from the water tank 12 or water supply mechanism 16 above the control unit 20, there is a risk that water will enter the unit cover 50 through the gap between the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50. As a result, there is a risk that the control unit 20 will become submerged in water.

[0056] In contrast, the horizontal projection area of ​​the unit cover 50 is set to be smaller than the horizontal projection area of ​​the unit case 40. When the unit cover 50 is attached to the unit case 40, the communication device accommodating section 60 is located outside the unit cover 50. In other words, the communication unit 30 is accommodated inside the unit case 40 and outside the unit cover 50.

[0057] According to this, by covering the unit cover 50 with the unit case 40 located above, it is possible to achieve a configuration in which water is less likely to enter the unit case.

[0058] The communication device housing 60 is provided on the periphery of the unit case 40. The outer surface of the communication device housing 60 is formed of a material that is less effective at blocking radio waves. In this case, the front part 61, the side part 62, the back part 63, and the upper part 64 that form the outer surface of the communication device housing 60 are formed of non-conductive materials.

[0059] According to this, the outer surface of the communication device housing 60 surrounding the communication unit 30 is formed of a nonmetallic nonconductive material such as plastic, instead of a metal material that has a high shielding effect for blocking radio waves. Therefore, radio waves for wireless communication can easily travel between the communication unit 30 and the router 101, etc. In this embodiment, the front part 61, the side part 62, the back part 63, and the upper part 64 are integrally formed with the unit case 40 by a resin material such as plastic, but this is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the unit case 40 other than the outer surface of the communication device housing 60 may be formed by a metal material.

[0060] After the control device 21 is housed in the unit case 40, the control device 21 is protected from vibration, water, etc. by resin potting. If the resin flows into the communication device housing section 60, the communication unit 30 cannot be attached or detached, making maintenance, inspection, and replacement of the communication unit 30 difficult.

[0061] On the other hand, the unit case 40 has a partition wall 65 that separates the communication device accommodating section 60 from a control device accommodating section 401 that accommodates the control device 21 .

[0062] According to this, the communication unit 30 can be detached because resin does not flow into the communication device accommodating portion 60. Therefore, maintenance, inspection, and replacement of the communication unit 30 can be easily performed.

[0063] Here, a communication device storage section 60 is provided in the unit case 40 which opens downward, and if the communication unit 30 is simply inserted into the communication device storage section 60, there is a possibility that the communication unit 30 may fall downward due to, for example, vibrations caused by the rotation of the rotating tub.

[0064] In contrast, the unit cover 50 has a main body formed in a container shape and a support part 70 formed protruding from the main body to support the communication unit 30. In other words, the support part 70 is provided on the unit cover 50 which is attached to the unit case 40 from below.

[0065] According to this, by sandwiching the communication unit 30 between the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50, the movement of the communication unit 30 in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction is restricted. Therefore, the communication unit 30 is prevented from falling off from the communication device housing portion 60.

[0066] Here, because lead wires (not shown) are connected to the lower part of the communication unit 30, it is difficult to ensure that the contact area between the support surface part 72 and the lower surface part 38 of the communication unit 30 is the full width in the left-right direction of the communication unit 30. Therefore, even if the communication unit 30 is supported from below by the support surface part 72, there is still a risk that the communication unit 30 will fall off downward.

[0067] In contrast, the support portion 70 has a support surface portion 72 that supports the communication unit 30 from below, and an elastic portion 71 that is elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to the support surface portion 72. In this case, the support surface portion 72 forms a surface that extends generally parallel to the upper surface portion 46 of the unit case 40. The elastic portion 71 is elastically deformable in the left-right direction. The length of the elastic portion 71 in the direction in which it can deform, that is, in this case, the left-right direction, is shorter than its natural length when the support portion 70 supports the communication unit 30 housed in the communication device housing portion 60. In other words, in the open state in which the elastic portion 71 extends to its natural length, the position of the tip of the support portion 70 is set to be closer to the communication unit 30 than the position of the tip of the support portion 70 in the state in which the communication unit 30 is supported. In other words, the left-right length of the support portion 70 is set so that the position of the tip of the support portion 70 is on the outside of the unit cover 50, in this case, on the left side.

[0068] According to this, the elastic force of the elastic portion 71 presses the communication unit 30 from the left and right direction by the support portion 70 and the unit case 40, restricting left and right movement of the communication unit 30. Therefore, even if the contact area between the support surface portion 72 and the lower surface portion 38 is small, it is possible to effectively prevent the communication unit 30 from falling downward.

[0069] Since the outer surface of the communication device accommodating portion 60 is made of a resin material, the outer surface of the communication device accommodating portion 60 is molded with an inclination in order to facilitate removal from the molding die. As a result, the side portion 62 and the communication unit 30 cannot come into surface contact in this state, which may cause the communication unit 30 to rattle or fall off.

[0070] In contrast, the unit case 40 has a second rib 67 on the inner wall of the communication device accommodating section 60 as a restricting section that contacts the communication unit 30 and restricts movement of the communication unit 30 when the communication unit 30 is accommodated in the communication device accommodating section 60. In this case, the second rib 67 contacts the surface facing the side section 62 of the communication unit 30, i.e., the left surface section 34, and restricts movement of the communication unit 30 outward, i.e., leftward, with respect to the communication device accommodating section 60.

[0071] This makes it possible to prevent the communication unit 30 from rattling or falling off, even if the side portion 62 and the communication unit 30 are not in direct surface contact with each other.

[0072] (Other embodiments) Other embodiments will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 18. In the above embodiment, the communication unit 30 is inserted into the communication device housing 60 and then the unit cover 50 is attached to the unit case 40 to removably fix the communication unit 30 inside the communication device housing 60, but this is not limiting. For example, the communication unit 30 may be configured to be removably fixed by either the unit case 40 or the unit cover 50.

[0073] In the case of a configuration in which the communication unit 30 is fixed by the unit case 40, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of opposing claws 300 protruding from the partition wall 65 toward the communication device housing 60 may be provided. The claws 300 may be configured to pinch and hold the communication unit 30 from the front and rear. The claws 300 are, for example, integrally molded with the partition wall 65 using resin or the like. In this case, at least one claw 300 contacts the front surface 33 of the communication unit 30, and the tip 301 bends toward the opposing claw 300 toward the rear surface side in this case and contacts the left surface 34. Also, at least one claw 300 contacts the rear surface 36 of the communication unit 30, and the tip 301 bends toward the opposing claw 300 toward the front surface side in this case and contacts the left surface 34.

[0074] In another configuration, as shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of opposing claws 310 protruding from the side 62 toward the communication device housing 60 may be provided. The claws 310 may be configured to pinch and grip the communication unit 30 from the front and rear. The claws 310 are, for example, integrally molded with the side 62 using resin or the like. In this case, at least one claw 310 contacts the front surface 33 of the communication unit 30, and the tip 301 bends toward the opposing claw 300 toward the rear surface and contacts the right surface 35. In addition, at least one claw 310 contacts the rear surface 36 of the communication unit 30, and the tip 311 bends toward the opposing claw 310 toward the front surface and contacts the right surface 35.

[0075] In these embodiments, when the communication unit 30 is accommodated in the communication device accommodation section 60, the worker fixes the communication unit 30 to the unit case 40. In this case, the worker can insert the communication unit 30 by, for example, elastically deforming the claws 300 or 310 to widen the distance between the opposing claws 300 or 310. When the worker releases the claws 300 or 310, the claws 300 or 310 recover to their original shape and come into contact with the communication unit 30 to pinch the communication unit 30 from the front and rear directions. Thereafter, the worker can assemble the unit cover 50 to the unit case 40 to complete the assembly of the control unit 20.

[0076] Furthermore, in the case of a configuration in which the communication unit 30 is fixed by the unit cover 50, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of opposing claws 320 protruding from the left wall 53 toward the communication device housing 60 may be provided. The claws 320 may be configured to pinch and hold the communication unit 30 from the front and rear. The claws 300 are, for example, integrally molded with the left wall 53 using resin or the like. In this case, at least one claw 320 contacts the front surface 33 of the communication unit 30, and the tip 321 bends toward the opposing claw 320 toward the rear surface side in this case and contacts the left surface 34. Also, at least one claw 320 contacts the rear surface 36 of the communication unit 30, and the tip 321 bends toward the opposing claw 320 toward the front surface side in this case and contacts the left surface 34.

[0077] In this embodiment, when the communication unit 30 is accommodated in the communication device accommodation section 60, the worker first fixes the communication unit 30 to the unit cover 50. In this case, the worker can insert the communication unit 30 by, for example, elastically deforming the claws 320 to widen the distance between the opposing claws 320. When the worker releases the claws 320, the claws 320 recover to their original shape and come into contact with the communication unit 30 to pinch the communication unit 30 from the front and rear directions. After that, the worker assembles the unit cover 50 with the communication unit 30 fixed to the unit case 40, and the communication unit 30 is accommodated in the communication device accommodation section 60. In this manner, the assembly of the control unit 20 is completed.

[0078] According to these embodiments, the washing machine 10 as a laundry processing device includes a unit cover 50 that is attached to the unit case 40 and covers at least a part of the opening 41. The communication unit 30 is detachably fixed by either the unit case 40 or the unit cover 50.

[0079] According to this, the communication unit 30 can be fixed by either the unit case 40 or the unit cover 50 without assembling them together, which makes the assembly work easier.

[0080] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 10... washing machine (clothing treatment device), 11... outer box, 20... control unit, 21... control device, 30... communication unit, 32... communication device, 40... unit case (case), 401... control device housing section, 402... finishing agent dispenser section, 50... unit cover (cover), 60... communication device housing section, 65... partition section, 66... ​​first rib, 67... second rib (regulating section), 70... support section, 71... elastic section, 72... support surface section, 110... external communication device, 300, 310, 320... claw section (other embodiments)

Claims

1. Outer box and A control device provided inside the outer box; a case formed in a container shape having an upward recess and an opening at a lower portion, the case housing the control device therein; a communication unit electrically connected to the control device and having a communication device capable of wireless communication with an external communication device; the communication unit is accommodated in a communication device accommodation section formed inside the case, a cover attached to the case to close at least a portion of the opening, A horizontal projection area of ​​the cover is set to be smaller than a horizontal projection area of ​​the case, When the cover is attached to the case, the communication device housing is located outside the cover. Clothes treatment device.

2. An outer box, A control device provided inside the outer box; a case formed in a container shape having an upward recess and an opening at a lower portion, the case housing the control device therein; a communication unit electrically connected to the control device and having a communication device capable of wireless communication with an external communication device; the communication unit is accommodated in a communication device accommodation section formed inside the case, a cover attached to the case to close at least a portion of the opening, The cover has a main body formed in a container shape and a support portion formed protruding from the main body and supporting the communication unit. Clothes treatment device.

3. The communication unit is detachably fixed in the communication device housing by assembling the cover to the case while the communication unit is inserted in the communication device housing. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A horizontal projection area of ​​the cover is set to be smaller than a horizontal projection area of ​​the case, When the cover is attached to the case, the communication device housing is located outside the cover. The clothing treatment device according to claim 2.

5. the communication device housing is provided on the periphery of the case, The outer surface of the communication device housing is made of a material that is less effective at blocking radio waves. A clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The case has a partition wall that separates the communication device housing section from a control device housing section that houses the control device. A clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The cover has a main body formed in a container shape and a support portion formed to protrude from the main body and support the communication unit. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 .

8. the support portion has a support surface portion that supports the communication unit from below, and an elastic portion that is elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to the support surface portion, The length of the elastic portion in the deformable direction is shortened from its natural length in a state in which the support portion supports the communication unit accommodated in the communication device accommodation portion. The clothing treatment device according to claim 2 or 7.

9. The case has a restricting portion on an inner wall of the communication device housing portion, the restricting portion being in contact with the communication unit when the communication unit is housed in the communication device housing portion to restrict movement of the communication unit. A clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

10. The communication unit is removably fixed by either the case or the cover. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 or 2.

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