Clothes Processing Equipment

Abstract

To provide a clothing treatment device capable of replenishing a clothing treatment agent into a tank without removing it from an automatic input part.SOLUTION: A clothing treatment device includes: a clothing treatment tub for storing clothing; a tank for storing a clothing treatment agent for treating clothing; and an automatic input part for inputting the clothing treatment agent stored in the tank into the clothing treatment tub. The automatic input part includes: a storage part in which a tank is drawn; and a stopper for restricting the drawing amount of the tank to a predetermined amount. The position where the drawing amount of the tank is restricted by the stopper is provided further on the front than a center of gravity position of the tank.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 29

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In recent years, in order to meet the demands of users for improved convenience in washing machines, which are an example of a clothing treatment device that performs a specified treatment on clothing, a configuration has been developed that includes an automatic dispensing unit that stores multiple doses of clothing treatment agents such as detergent and fabric softener in a tank for automatic dispensing, and automatically dispenses the required amount from the tank into the water tub during operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-74081 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such a washing machine with an automatic dispensing function, the tank is housed in a case that can be pulled out from the automatic dispensing unit. However, in the past, the tank could not be refilled with the laundry treatment agent unless the case was removed from the automatic dispensing unit. Therefore, when refilling the laundry treatment agent into the tank, the user must remove the case from the automatic dispensing unit every time, which is inconvenient.

[0005] Therefore, the present embodiment provides a clothing treatment device that allows the clothing treatment agent to be replenished into the tank without removing the device from the automatic dispenser. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The clothing treatment device of this embodiment comprises a clothing treatment tub for containing clothing, a tank for storing clothing treatment agent for treating the clothing, and an automatic dispensing unit for dispensing the clothing treatment agent stored in the tank into the clothing treatment tub, the automatic dispensing unit comprising a storage unit from which the tank is pulled out and a stopper for regulating the amount of the tank that can be pulled out to a predetermined amount, and the position at which the stopper regulates the amount of the tank that can be pulled out is located forward of the center of gravity of the tank. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration example of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration example of an upper part of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of an automatic inserting device and its peripheral parts according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional front view showing a schematic configuration example of a water injection case according to the present embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing a schematic configuration example of a water injection case according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a water supply valve unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration example of a rear part of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration example of a rear part of the washing machine according to the present embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration example of a rear part of the washing machine according to the present embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration example of a rear part of the washing machine according to the present embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration example of the rear part of the washing machine according to the present embodiment; [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of an automatic insertion device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 13]FIG. 1 is a perspective view (part 1) illustrating a schematic configuration example of a case that houses a tank according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view (part 2) showing a schematic configuration example of a case that houses a tank according to the present embodiment; [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration example of a case that houses a tank main body according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a case according to the embodiment, viewed from the bottom side. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration example of an automatic inserting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a portion in cross section; [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration example of a detergent tank according to the embodiment; [Figure 19] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a schematic configuration example of a detergent tank according to the embodiment; [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration example of a fabric softener tank according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration example of a fabric softener tank according to the embodiment; [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a detergent tank and a fabric softener tank according to the embodiment; [Diagram 23] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a case in which a detergent tank is attached to and detached from a case according to the embodiment; [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration example of a fabric softener case according to the present embodiment; [Diagram 25] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing a schematic configuration example of a tank according to the present embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional side view showing a schematic configuration example of a supply port according to a modified example of the embodiment; [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration example of a rear portion of the tank according to the embodiment; [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration example of a rear portion of the tank according to the embodiment; [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a schematic configuration example of a case that houses a tank according to a modified example of the embodiment; [Diagram 30]FIG. 13 is a side view showing a schematic configuration example of a tank according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Diagram 31] FIG. 1 is a front view (part 1) illustrating a schematic configuration example of a tank according to a modified example of the present embodiment; [Diagram 32] FIG. 2 is a front view (part 2) illustrating a schematic configuration example of a tank according to a modified example of the present embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the clothes processing device will be described with reference to the drawings. The washing machine 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a so-called vertical axis type washing machine in which the rotation center axis of the rotating tub extends vertically. The washing machine 1 is an example of a clothes processing device capable of performing a predetermined process on clothes, in this case, a washing process for washing clothes, a rinsing process for rinsing clothes, a dehydration process for dehydrating clothes, etc., and is provided with a water tub 3 inside an outer box 2 constituting the outer shell of the device main body. The water tub 3 is an example of a clothes processing tub in which clothes are stored, and is a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top. Inside the water tub 3, a bottomed cylindrical rotating tub (not shown) with an open top is rotatably provided. In addition, a pulsator (not shown) for stirring the clothes in the rotating tub and the water in the water tub 3 is rotatably provided at the bottom of the rotating tub. In addition, a balance ring (not shown) for suppressing vibration of the water tub 3 is provided at the top of the water tub 3. An inner lid may or may not be provided at the top opening of the water tub 3.

[0009] The outer box 2 is configured such that a top cover 2B is attached to the upper part of an outer box main body 2A that is substantially rectangular and has an open top. A clothes opening 4 for inserting and removing clothes is provided in the substantially central part of the top cover 2B. This clothes opening 4 is opened and closed by a lid 5 that is rotatably provided on the upper part of the outer box 2. The washing machine 1 also has a machine chamber 6 located at the rear of the outer box 2. In this case, the machine chamber 6 is provided behind the clothes opening 4 in the space inside the top cover 2B. Various drive system components such as an automatic insertion device 100, a water injection case 200, and a water supply valve unit 300 are housed inside the machine chamber 6. The automatic insertion device 100 is an example of an automatic insertion unit, and is a device for automatically inserting a predetermined amount of clothes treatment agent into the water tub 3 together with water supplied from the water supply valve unit 300 during a well-known washing operation for washing clothes, for example.

[0010] Next, a detailed description will be given of an example of the configuration inside the machine room 6. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the machine room 6 forms a horizontally long space extending in the left-right direction of the outer box 2 behind the clothes inlet / outlet 4. Inside the machine room 6, the automatic insertion device 100, the water supply case 200, and the water supply valve unit 300 are arranged side by side along the horizontal direction of the outer box 2. In addition, in the machine room 6, the water supply valve unit 300 is arranged to the side of the water supply case 200, in this case, to the right as viewed from the front side of the washing machine 1. In addition, in the machine room 6, the water supply valve unit 300 is arranged to be located forward of the rear end of the automatic insertion device 100 and the rear end of the water supply case 200. In this case, the water supply valve unit 300 is entirely located forward of the rear end of the automatic insertion device 100 and the rear end of the water supply case 200. Note that the water supply valve unit 300 may be arranged in such a manner that at least a part of it is located forward of the rear end of the automatic insertion device 100 and the rear end of the water supply case 200.

[0011] In addition, in the machine room 6, the water injection case 200 is located between the automatic insertion device 100 and the water supply valve unit 300 in the lateral direction of the outer box 2. In other words, the water injection case 200 is arranged in such a manner that it is sandwiched between the automatic insertion device 100 and the water supply valve unit 300 in the lateral direction of the outer box 2. In addition, a water level sensor 400 is housed inside the machine room 6. In this case, the water level sensor 400 is housed in a space to the side of the water supply valve unit 300, in this case, to the right as viewed from the front side of the washing machine 1. The water level sensor 400 is connected to an air trap (not shown) provided at the bottom of the water tub 3 via an air tube, and is capable of detecting the water level in the water tub 3 based on detecting the air pressure in the air trap, which changes in accordance with the change in the water level in the water tub 3.

[0012] Next, a detailed description will be given of a configuration example of the automatic insertion device 100. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the automatic insertion device 100 is disposed on the left side of the rear part inside the top cover 2B, more specifically, on the left side inside the machine chamber 6.

[0013] The automatic loading device 100 includes a case storage section 101 having an approximately rectangular box shape with an open front. The case storage section 101 is firmly fixed to, for example, a metal bottom plate 6a constituting the bottom surface of the machine chamber 6, for example, by screwing. As a result, the case storage section 101 is provided immovably relative to the main body of the washing machine 1. The front open part of the case storage section 101 is fixed to the rear wall part of the clothes inlet / outlet 4, and opens forward at the rear wall part of the clothes inlet / outlet 4. As will be described in detail later, a case 102 having an approximately rectangular box shape with an open top is stored in the case storage section 101 so as to be able to be pulled out along the front-rear direction of the washing machine 1. In addition, a plurality of tanks, in this case, a detergent tank 103 and a fabric softener tank 104, are removably stored in the case 102.

[0014] The detergent tank 103 stores, as an example of a clothing treatment agent, a detergent for washing the clothes in the water tub 3. The detergent tank 103 is a treatment agent tank in the shape of a substantially rectangular container, with a size and shape that allows it to store an amount of detergent for multiple operations. Detergent can be replenished into the detergent tank 103 by opening a supply port 142 provided at the top of the tank 103. Meanwhile, the fabric softener tank 104 stores, as an example of a clothing treatment agent, a fabric softener for softening the clothes in the water tub 3. The fabric softener tank 104 is a treatment agent tank in the shape of a substantially rectangular container, with a size and shape that allows it to store an amount of fabric softener for multiple operations. Fabric softener can be replenished into the fabric softener tank 104 by opening a supply port 152 provided at the top of the tank 104.

[0015] Furthermore, the automatic dispensing device 100 is provided with a detergent metering pump 105 and a fabric softener metering pump 106 at the rear of the case storage section 101. The detergent metering pump 105 is a pump configured to draw in and discharge liquid by driving a piston with an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid. The detergent metering pump 105 draws in a predetermined amount of detergent, in this case an amount for one operation, from inside the detergent tank 103 housed in the case storage section 101, and discharges the drawn-in detergent from an outlet 105a into the automatic dispensing path 107. The outlet 105a is provided so as to face downward from the bottom of the detergent metering pump 105.

[0016] Fabric softener metering pump 106 is a pump configured to draw in and discharge liquid by driving a piston with, for example, a motor or a solenoid. Fabric softener metering pump 106 draws in a predetermined amount of fabric softener, in this case an amount for one operation, from fabric softener tank 104 housed in case housing portion 101, and discharges the drawn-in fabric softener from outlet 106a into automatic input path 107. Outlet 106a is provided from the bottom of fabric softener metering pump 106 and faces downward.

[0017] The detergent metering pump 105 and the fabric softener metering pump 106 are both examples of a driving means controlled by a control device (not shown) that controls the overall operation of the washing machine 1.

[0018] The automatic dispensing path 107 constitutes a water supply path for automatic dispensing that connects the water supply valve unit 300 to the water supply case 200 via the mixing section 108. The mixing section 108 is located behind the automatic dispensing device 100, below the detergent metering pump 105 and the fabric softener metering pump 106. The mixing section 108 has a space therein, and this space is provided as a mixing chamber for mixing the laundry treatment agent supplied from the detergent tank 103 or fabric softener tank 104 with the water supplied from the water supply valve unit 300. In addition, the upper part of the mixing section 108 is provided with a plurality of connection ports 108a, 108b, in this case two, that communicate with the internal mixing chamber. The connection ports 108a, 108b are provided from the upper part of the mixing section 108, facing upward.

[0019] Of these, one connection port 108a is connected to outlet 105a of detergent metering pump 105, and the other connection port 108b is connected to outlet 106a of fabric softener metering pump 106. Therefore, the detergent discharged from outlet 105a of detergent metering pump 105 is introduced into the mixing chamber from connection port 108a, and the fabric softener discharged from outlet 106a of fabric softener metering pump 106 is introduced into the mixing chamber from connection port 108b.

[0020] Moreover, the mixing section 108 has an upstream connection part provided above and a downstream connection part provided below. The upstream connection part is connected to the water supply valve unit 300 via an upstream connection path 109. Moreover, the downstream connection part is connected to the water injection case 200 via a downstream connection path 110. Water supplied from the water supply valve unit 300 flows into the mixing chamber of the mixing section 108 from the upstream connection path 109 via the upstream connection part, and then flows out from the downstream connection part via the downstream connection path 110 into the water injection case 200.

[0021] In this way, during the process in which the water supplied from water supply valve unit 300 flows through mixer 108 to water supply case 200, the water supplied from water supply valve unit 300 is mixed with the laundry treatment agent supplied from detergent metering pump 105 and fabric softener metering pump 106 in the mixing chamber of mixer 108. As a result, water mixed with the laundry treatment agent is supplied to water supply case 200. The water containing the laundry treatment agent supplied to water supply case 200 is then supplied from water supply case 200 into water tub 3.

[0022] As described above, the automatic dispensing device 100 is configured to automatically dispense, for example, a predetermined amount of clothing treatment agent for one operation into the water tub 3 together with water supplied from the water supply valve unit 300 during a well-known washing operation to wash clothing.

[0023] Next, a detailed description will be given of an example of the configuration of the water injection case 200. The water injection case 200 is a component that is mainly used to pour water into the water tub 3. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the water injection case 200 has a substantially rectangular box-shaped case housing 201 with an open front. The case housing 201 is firmly fixed to, for example, a metal bottom plate 6a that constitutes the bottom surface of the machine chamber 6, for example, by screwing. The front open part of the case housing 201 is fixed to the rear wall of the clothes inlet / outlet 4, and opens forward at the rear wall of the clothes inlet / outlet 4. A substantially rectangular box-shaped case 202 with an open top is housed in the case housing 201 so as to be able to be pulled out along the front-rear direction of the washing machine 1. In addition, a plurality of manual clothes treatment dispensers, in this case, a manual detergent dispenser 203 and a manual fabric softener dispenser 204, are integrally provided in the case 202.

[0024] The manual detergent dispenser 203 is an example of a manual dispenser for a user to manually dispense a detergent, and the manual fabric softener dispenser 204 is an example of a manual dispenser for a user to manually dispense a fabric softener.

[0025] The top surface 205 of the water injection case 200 is an inclined surface that slopes downward from the rear to the front. Furthermore, the top surface 205 of the water injection case 200 is formed with a plurality of flow paths for flowing the water supplied from the water supply valve unit 300, such as a detergent flow path for supplying water to the manual detergent dispenser 203, a fabric softener flow path for supplying water to the manual fabric softener dispenser 204, and a bath water flow path for flowing bath water. That is, the water supply valve unit 300 is also connected to the water injection case 200, and is configured to be able to supply water to the water injection case 200 as well.

[0026] The water supplied from water supply valve unit 300 flows through a flow path on top surface 205 of water supply case 200 and is supplied to manual detergent dispenser 203 or manual fabric softener dispenser 204 in water supply case 200. The water supplied to manual detergent dispenser 203 or manual fabric softener dispenser 204 dissolves the detergent in manual detergent dispenser 203 or the fabric softener in manual fabric softener dispenser 204. The water in which the detergent or fabric softener has been dissolved in water supply case 200 is supplied from water supply case 200 into water tub 3. In this way, washing machine 1 is configured to be able to supply a clothing treatment agent manually added by the user into water tub 3 together with water.

[0027] Next, a detailed description will be given of an example of the configuration of the water supply valve unit 300. The water supply valve unit 300 is a component that mainly supplies water to the automatic dosing device 100 and the water injection case 200. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the water supply valve unit 300 is integrally provided with a plurality of water supply valves, three in this case, 301, 302, and 303. These water supply valves 301, 302, and 303 are supplied with water from a water source (not shown), such as a water tap.

[0028] Of these, water supply valve 301 is a water supply valve for supplying water into manual detergent dispenser 203 of water supply case 200, and water supply port 301a is connected to a detergent flow path provided on top surface 205 of water supply case 200. Water supply valve 302 is a water supply valve for supplying water into manual fabric softener dispenser 204 of water supply case 200, and water supply port 302a is connected to a fabric softener flow path provided on top surface 205 of water supply case 200. Water supply valve 303 is a water supply valve for supplying water to mixer 108, and water supply port 303a is connected to the upstream connection part of mixer 108 via mixer water supply path 304 and the above-mentioned upstream connection path 109. Water supply port 303a of water supply valve 303 is an example of a mixer water supply port.

[0029] Mixing unit water supply path 304 is a component for connecting water supply port 303a of water supply valve 303 to mixing unit 108. In this case, as illustrated in Fig. 5, mixing unit water supply path 304 passes between upper surface 205 of water injection case 200 and manual detergent dispenser 203 and manual fabric softener dispenser 204. Mixing unit water supply path 304 also passes through water injection case 200 along the lateral direction of outer box 2. Mixing unit water supply path 304 also extends linearly inside water injection case 200 without bending or curving.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2 and other figures, a well-known bath water pump 305 is provided near water supply valve unit 300. Bath water pump 305 draws in bath water stored in, for example, a bathtub provided outside washing machine 1, and supplies the bath water to a bath water flow path in water supply case 200. The bath water supplied to water supply case 200 is then supplied to manual detergent dispenser 203, where it dissolves the detergent in manual detergent dispenser 203. The bath water with the detergent dissolved therein is then supplied from water supply case 200 into water tub 3. In this way, washing machine 1 can also supply a clothing treatment agent manually added by the user into water tub 3 together with the bath water.

[0031] In the machine room 6, the water supply valve unit 300 and the bath water pump 305 are arranged side by side along the front-to-rear direction of the outer box 2. The bath water pump 305 is arranged in front of the water supply valve unit 300. In this case, the entire bath water pump 305 is located in front of the water supply valve unit 300. Note that the bath water pump 305 may be arranged so that at least a part of it is located in front of the water supply valve unit 300.

[0032] Next, a detailed description will be given of an example of the configuration of the automatic dispensing device 100, particularly the case storage section 101, the case 102, the detergent tank 103, and the fabric softener tank 104. As shown in Fig. 7 to Fig. 12, the automatic dispensing device 100 is configured such that a substantially rectangular box-shaped case 102 is stored inside a substantially rectangular box-shaped case storage section 101 so that the case 102 can be pulled out.

[0033] 13 to 15, the case 102 includes a case main body 120 that is substantially in the shape of a rectangular box with an open top. The inside of the case main body 120 is configured to be able to accommodate a plurality of tanks, in this case the above-mentioned detergent tank 103 and fabric softener tank 104. The inside of the case main body 120 is also able to accommodate the detergent tank 103 and fabric softener tank 104 side by side.

[0034] A front wall 121 is provided at the front of the case body 120. The upper end of the front wall 121 is higher than the upper end of the case body 120. Viewing windows 122, 123 are provided at both lateral ends of the front wall 121. Both of the viewing windows 122, 123 penetrate the front wall 121 in the front-rear direction. In this case, the viewing windows 122, 123 have a rectangular shape that is long in the up-down direction. Of these, the viewing window 122 is a viewing window for checking the remaining amount of detergent, which allows the remaining amount of detergent in the detergent tank 103 housed in the case body 120 to be visually confirmed. On the other hand, the viewing window 123 is a viewing window for checking the remaining amount of fabric softener, which allows the remaining amount of fabric softener in the fabric softener tank 104 housed in the case body 120 to be visually confirmed.

[0035] Further, rail portions 124 are provided on both lateral sides of case body 120, and extend linearly along the direction in which case 102 is pulled out. In this case, rail portions 124 are provided linearly along the upper end of case body 120.

[0036] 16, the case 102 has a hanging portion 102A. In this case, the hanging portion 102A is provided on the lower portion of the front wall portion 121. The hanging portion 102A is provided at a position in the horizontal center of the lower portion of the front wall portion 121. The hanging portion 102A is provided in a rectangular recessed shape that is long in the horizontal direction.

[0037] Further, the bottom surface of the case 102, in this case the bottom surface of the case main body 120, is provided with a plurality of protrusions 126, in this case two protrusions 126, located on the front side. The protrusions 126 are provided on both lateral sides of the hanging portion 102A. The front surface of the protrusions 126 is formed in a flat shape along the front wall 121. The rear side of the front surface of the protrusions 126 is an inclined portion that gradually rises from the front to the rear. In this case, the inclined portion is composed of a plurality of ribs extending in the front-rear direction. The protrusions 126 thus configured function as an example of a blocking promotion portion, as will be described in detail later.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 17, the rail portion 124 of the case 102 is provided with a stopper 125. In this case, the stopper 125 is provided at a position rearward of the center of the rail portion 124 in the longitudinal direction. More specifically, the stopper 125 is provided on the lower side of the rail portion 124. The stopper 125 is provided rearward of the rear ends of the supply ports 142 and 152 when the tanks 103 and 104 are housed in the case 102. The stopper 125 is provided rearward of the rear ends of the lids 149 and 159 that are in a closed state when the tanks 103 and 104 are housed in the case 102. The stopper 125 is configured as a flat wall perpendicular to the direction in which the case 102 is drawn out relative to the case housing portion 101, in other words, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rail portion 124. It should be noted that rail portion 124 of case 102 does not include a stopper or a component equivalent to a stopper in the portion rearward of stopper 125 on the lower side thereof.

[0039] Meanwhile, a groove 129 is provided on the inner surface of the side wall of the case housing portion 101, extending linearly along the direction in which the case 102 is pulled out. A protrusion 130 formed in an upwardly protruding shape is provided at the front end of the groove 129. The protrusion 130 is an example of a locking portion. When the case 102 is pulled out from inside the case housing portion 101, the stopper 125 on the case 102 side locks with the protrusion 130 on the case housing portion 101 side from the rear side at a position where the case 102 has been pulled out a predetermined amount. This restricts the amount of pulling of the case 102 out of the case housing portion 101 to the predetermined amount at which the stopper 125 locks with the protrusion 130.

[0040] In addition, in a locked state where the stopper 125 is engaged with the protrusion 130, in other words, when the amount of the case 102 pulled out from the case housing portion 101 reaches a predetermined amount, the tanks 103, 104 cannot be removed from the case 102. That is, in a locked state where the stopper 125 is engaged with the protrusion 130, a part of the tanks 103, 104, in this case, the rear parts, are housed inside the case housing portion 101. In addition, in a locked state where the stopper 125 is engaged with the protrusion 130, a distance D1 from the upper end of the front part to the lower end of the rear part of the part of the tanks 103, 104 housed in the case housing portion 101 is greater than a distance D2 from the bottom surface of the case 102 to the upper surface of the case housing portion 101. Therefore, when stopper 125 is engaged with protrusion 130, if an attempt is made to remove tanks 103, 104 from case 102, the upper surfaces of tanks 103, 104 will abut against the upper surface of case storage portion 101, causing interference, making it impossible to remove tanks 103, 104 from case 102.

[0041] Further, the rail portion 124 of the case 102 is provided with an abutment portion 131. In this case, the abutment portion 131 is provided at a position rearward of the center of the rail portion 124 in the longitudinal direction. More specifically, the abutment portion 131 is provided on the upper side of the rail portion 124. The abutment portion 131 is provided at a position at the rear end of the rail portion 124. The abutment portion 131 is formed in an upwardly protruding shape. When the rail portion 124 is slidably accommodated in the groove portion 129, the tip portion of the abutment portion 131 abuts against the upper surface of the groove portion 129.

[0042] In particular, the abutment portion 131 abuts against the upper surface of the groove portion 129 even when the amount of the case 102 pulled out from the case housing portion 101 reaches a predetermined amount. This makes it possible to prevent the case 102 from tilting so that the front portion drops due to the weight of the case 102 itself and the weight of the tanks 103 and 104 housed in the case 102. As a result, it is possible to prevent the case 102 from falling out of the case housing portion 101 due to the weight of the case 102 itself.

[0043] Here, the distance D3 between the stopper 125 on the case 102 side and the abutment portion 131 on the case storage portion 101 side is longer than the distance D4 between the upper surface of the case storage portion 101 and the upper surface of the groove portion 129. According to this configuration, when the case 102, which has been pulled out from the case storage portion 101 to a predetermined amount, tries to tilt so as to descend forward, the abutment portion 131 abuts on the upper surface of the groove portion 129, and it is possible to sufficiently resist the descent. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the case 102 from falling off. Note that the washing machine 1 may be configured not to include the abutment portion 131. According to this configuration, when the amount of the case 102 pulled out from the case storage portion 101 reaches a predetermined amount, the case 102 tries to tilt so as to descend forward, so that the case 102 can be easily removed from the case storage portion 101.

[0044] Next, a configuration example of the detergent tank 103 and the fabric softener tank 104 will be described in more detail. As illustrated in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the detergent tank 103 is configured by combining a tank main body 140 and a cover 141. The tank main body 140 constitutes the main body of the detergent tank 103, and as illustrated in FIG. 15, has a substantially rectangular container shape with an open top. A space capable of storing detergent is provided inside the tank main body 140. The cover 141 is detachably attached to the top of the tank main body 140 and closes the top opening of the tank main body 140. As illustrated in FIG. 22, the cover 141 is provided with a supply port 142 for supplying detergent to the inside of the detergent tank 103, more specifically, to the inside of the tank main body 140. In this case, the supply port 142 opens in a substantially rectangular shape on the front side of the cover 141.

[0045] The detergent tank 103 has a grip portion 143. The grip portion 143 is provided in a semicircular recess on a surface forming the outer shell of the detergent tank 103, in this case, the side surface of the tank main body 140. The grip portion 143 extends linearly between one end and the other end of the surface forming the outer shell of the detergent tank 103, in this case, the side surface of the tank main body 140. More specifically, the grip portion 143 extends linearly between the upper end and the lower end of the side surface of the tank main body 140 without bending or curving. In other words, the upper end of the grip portion 143 reaches the upper end of the side surface of the tank main body 140, and the lower end of the grip portion 143 reaches the lower end of the side surface of the tank main body 140. The grip portion 143 is provided to the side of the supply port 142 provided in the cover portion 141. The grip portion 143 may be provided at a position away from the side of the supply port 142 provided in the cover portion 141, for example, forward or rearward of the side of the supply port 142.

[0046] The grip portion 143 is provided on one of the surfaces that face each other in the horizontal direction among the surfaces that form the outer hull of the tank main body 140. In this case, the grip portion 143 is provided on the surface that faces the inner side, that is, the softener tank 104 side, when the detergent tank 103 is housed in the case 102. Note that the detergent tank 103 may be provided with the grip portion 143 on the other of the surfaces that face each other in the horizontal direction among the surfaces that form the outer hull of the tank main body 140, that is, the surface that faces the softener tank 104 when the detergent tank 103 is housed in the case 102. Also, the detergent tank 103 may be provided with the grip portion 143 on both of the surfaces that face each other in the horizontal direction among the surfaces that form the outer hull of the tank main body 140.

[0047] 15, the grip portion 143 is provided in such a way as to push the side surface of the tank body 140 inward without changing the plate thickness. Therefore, it is possible to store detergent in the tank body 140 in the peripheral area including the front and rear of the grip portion 143.

[0048] The detergent tank 103 further includes a hanging part 144. In this case, the hanging part 144 is provided on the tank main body 140 that constitutes a part of the detergent tank 103, and more specifically, is provided inside a grip part 143 provided on the tank main body 140. The hanging part 144 is a component on which the user's fingers can be hung when removing the detergent tank 103 from the case 102. The hanging part 144 is provided in a flat plate shape perpendicular to the direction in which the grip part 143 extends. The hanging part 144 is provided in a midway part of the grip part 143, in this case, above the center in the up-down direction.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, the softener tank 104 is configured by combining a tank main body 150 and a cover 151. The tank main body 150 constitutes the main body of the softener tank 104, and as illustrated in FIG. 15, has a substantially rectangular container shape with an open top. A space capable of storing softener is provided inside the tank main body 150. The cover 151 is detachably attached to the top of the tank main body 150 and closes the top opening of the tank main body 150. As illustrated in FIG. 22, the cover 151 is provided with a supply port 152 for supplying softener to the inside of the softener tank 104, more specifically, to the inside of the tank main body 150. In this case, the supply port 152 opens in a substantially rectangular shape on the front side of the cover 151.

[0050] The softener tank 104 has a grip portion 153. The grip portion 153 is provided in a semicircular recess on the surface forming the outer shell of the softener tank 104, in this case, the side surface of the tank main body 150. The grip portion 153 extends linearly between one end and the other end of the surface forming the outer shell of the softener tank 104, in this case, the side surface of the tank main body 150. More specifically, the grip portion 153 extends linearly between the upper end and the lower end of the side surface of the tank main body 150 without bending or curving. In other words, the upper end of the grip portion 153 reaches the upper end of the side surface of the tank main body 150, and the lower end of the grip portion 153 reaches the lower end of the side surface of the tank main body 150. The grip portion 153 is provided to the side of the supply port 152 provided in the cover portion 151. The grip portion 153 may be provided at a position away from the side of the supply port 152 provided in the cover portion 151, for example, forward or rearward of the side of the supply port 152.

[0051] The grip portion 153 is provided on one of the surfaces that face each other in the horizontal direction among the surfaces that form the outer hull of the tank main body 150. In this case, the grip portion 153 is provided on the surface that faces the inside, that is, the detergent tank 103 side, when the softener tank 104 is housed in the case 102. The softener tank 104 may be provided with the grip portion 153 on the other of the surfaces that face each other in the horizontal direction among the surfaces that form the outer hull of the tank main body 150, in this case, the outside, that is, the surface opposite the detergent tank 103, when the softener tank 104 is housed in the case 102. The softener tank 104 may be provided with the grip portion 153 on both of the surfaces that face each other in the horizontal direction among the surfaces that form the outer hull of the tank main body 150.

[0052] 15, the grip portion 153 is provided in such a way as to push the side surface of the tank body 150 inward without changing the plate thickness. Therefore, in the tank body 150, fabric softener can be stored also in the peripheral area including the front and rear of the grip portion 153.

[0053] The fabric softener tank 104 further includes a hanging part 154. In this case, the hanging part 154 is provided on the tank main body 150 that constitutes a part of the fabric softener tank 104, and more specifically, is provided inside the grip part 153 provided on the tank main body 150. The hanging part 154 is a component on which the user's fingers can be hung when removing the fabric softener tank 104 from the case 102. The hanging part 154 is provided in a flat plate shape perpendicular to the direction in which the grip part 153 extends. The hanging part 154 is provided in a mid-way portion of the grip part 153, in this case, above the center in the up-down direction.

[0054] The detergent tank 103 also has a recess 145 recessed inwardly in a semicircular shape at a position of the cover part 141 corresponding to the upper part of the grip part 143. In this case, the hanging part 144 is provided directly below this recess 145. The fabric softener tank 104 also has a recess 155 recessed inwardly in a semicircular shape at a position of the cover part 151 corresponding to the upper part of the grip part 153. In this case, the hanging part 154 is provided directly below this recess 155.

[0055] In this embodiment, the detergent tank 103 has a grip portion 143 and a recess 145 on a surface facing another tank, in this case, the fabric softener tank 104. The detergent tank 103 also has the grip portion 143 and the recess 145 at positions facing the grip portion 153 and the recess 155 of the fabric softener tank 104, which is the other tank. The fabric softener tank 104 also has the grip portion 153 and the recess 155 on a surface facing another tank, in this case, the detergent tank 103. The fabric softener tank 104 also has the grip portion 153 and the recess 155 at positions facing the grip portion 143 and the recess 145 of the detergent tank 103, which is the other tank.

[0056] According to this configuration, when detergent tank 103 and fabric softener tank 104 are housed in case body 120 of case 102, grip portion 143 and recess 145, which are recessed in a semicircular shape, face grip portion 153 and recess 155, which are also recessed in a semicircular shape, forming a substantially circular space surrounded by grip portion 143, recess 145, and grip portion 153, recess 155. As a result, when removing detergent tank 103 or fabric softener tank 104 from inside case body 120 of case 102, a user can insert his or her fingers into this space and hang his or her fingers on hanging portion 144 or hanging portion 154, and thus detergent tank 103 or fabric softener tank 104 can be easily removed.

[0057] As illustrated in Figs. 18 to 21, the detergent tank 103 and the fabric softener tank 104 are provided with recesses 146, 156 recessed inward. In this case, the recesses 146, 156 are provided at the lower part of the front part of the tank main body 140, 150 constituting a part of the tank 103, 104. The recesses 146, 156 are rectangular recesses. The recess 146 is provided on the inside of the tank main body 140, in this case, on the fabric softener tank 104 side. The recess 156 is provided on the inside of the tank main body 150, in this case, on the detergent tank 103 side. When the tanks 103, 104 are attached in the case main body 120, these recesses 146, 156 face each other in the lateral direction, thereby forming a space capable of accommodating the hanging part 102A of the case 102.

[0058] The tanks 103, 104 are provided with tank-side protrusions 147, 157 in the recesses 146, 156. The tank-side protrusions 147, 157 are an example of a positioning portion, and in this case, protrude linearly downward from the upper surface of the recesses 146, 156. As illustrated in FIG. 23, the tip of the tank-side protrusion 147 is provided with an elastically deformable clamping piece. As illustrated in FIG. 24, the tip of the tank-side protrusion 157 is provided with an elastically deformable clamping piece. The protrusion amount of the tank-side protrusions 147, 157 is smaller than the recess amount of the recesses 146, 156, that is, the tank-side protrusions 147, 157 do not protrude downward from the bottom surface of the tanks 103, 104. In other words, although the tanks 103, 104 have tank-side protrusions 147, 157 that protrude downward, the entire tank-side protrusions 147, 157 are contained within the recesses 146, 156, so that the bottom surfaces of the tanks 103, 104 are maintained flat.

[0059] 23, a plurality of, in this case, two, case side protrusions 132 are provided inside the case main body 120, separated into left and right, at the rear of the hanging portion 102A. The case side protrusions 132 are an example of a positioning portion, and in this case, protrude linearly upward from the bottom surface of the case main body 120. In addition, a bulging portion that bulges out in a circular shape is provided at the tip of the case side protrusion 132 so that it can be clamped by the clamping pieces of the tank side protrusions 147, 157.

[0060] When the tanks 103, 104 are attached inside the case main body 120, the hanging portion 102A of the case 102 is fitted into the space formed by the recesses 146, 156. This positions the lower front portions of the tanks 103, 104 in position by the hanging portion 102A. Furthermore, the case side protrusion 132 on the case 102 side is sandwiched between the tank side protrusions 147, 157 on the tanks 103, 104 side. This further ensures that the lower front portions of the tanks 103, 104 are positioned.

[0061] Furthermore, the above-mentioned viewing windows 122, 123 are provided at positions that avoid the above-mentioned recesses 146, 156 when the tanks 103, 104 are housed in the case main body 120, in this case, positioned outside the recesses 146, 156 in the lateral direction. In the portions of the tanks 103, 104 where the recesses 146, 156 are provided, the clothing treatment agent is stored above the recesses 146, 156, and the remaining amount of clothing treatment agent in the tanks 103, 104 cannot be accurately reflected and displayed. Therefore, by providing the viewing windows 122, 123 at positions that avoid the recesses 146, 156, the remaining amount of clothing treatment agent in the tanks 103, 104 can be accurately reflected and displayed in the viewing windows 122, 123.

[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 14 and other figures, when the tanks 103 and 104 are housed in the case body 120, the upper end of the outer wall constituting the outer periphery of the case body 120 is lower than the upper surface of the tanks 103 and 104 housed in the case body 120. The upper end of the rear wall 120a provided at the rear of the case body 120 is lower than the lower end of the pump connection parts 148 and 158 provided at the rear of the tanks 103 and 104. The pump connection parts 148 and 158 protrude backward from the rear surfaces of the tanks 103 and 104 in a cylindrical shape. As described above, the case housing 101 is configured to be immovable relative to the main body of the washing machine 1. The pump connection part 148 of the detergent tank 103 is connected to a laundry treatment agent suction port (not shown) of the detergent metering pump 105 as the case 102 housing the detergent tank 103 is pushed into the case housing 101. In addition, the pump connection portion 158 of the fabric softener tank 104 is connected to a clothing treatment agent suction port (not shown) of the fabric softener metering pump 106 as the case 102 housing the fabric softener tank 104 is pushed into the case housing portion 101.

[0063] In this case, the rear wall 120a of the case main body 120 is configured to have a height such that its upper end is separated from the lower ends of the pump connecting parts 148, 158 of the tanks 103, 104. Note that the rear wall 120a of the case main body 120 may be configured to have a height such that its upper end contacts the lower ends of the pump connecting parts 148, 158 of the tanks 103, 104.

[0064] The detergent tank 103 and the fabric softener tank 104 further include lids 149, 159 for opening and closing the supply ports 142, 152. As illustrated in FIG. 25, the lids 149, 159 include lid main bodies 149a, 159a and insertion parts 149b, 159b integrally therewith. The lid main bodies 149a, 159a are substantially rectangular plate-shaped and larger than the supply ports 142, 152. The side end of the lid main bodies 149a, 159a, in this case the end on the side where the recesses 145, 145 of the cover parts 141, 151 are provided, is positioned outside the most recessed part of the recesses 145, 145 in a closed state where the lids 149, 159 close the supply ports 142, 152.

[0065] Furthermore, pivot shafts 149c, 159c extending laterally are provided at the base ends of the lid main bodies 149a, 159a. On the other hand, as illustrated in Fig. 22, bearings 160, 170 are provided at the rear of the supply ports 142, 152. The pivot shafts 149c, 159c of the lid main bodies 149a, 159a are rotatably supported by the bearings 160, 170. The bearings 160, 170 are provided with ventilation holes 160a, 170a that penetrate the cover parts 141, 151 and allow air to pass through.

[0066] The insertion parts 149b, 159b are generally rectangular plate-shaped, larger than the supply ports 142, 152, and smaller than the lid main body parts 149a, 159a. The insertion parts 149b, 159b are inserted into the supply ports 142, 152 when the lids 149, 159 are in a closed state in which the supply ports 142, 152 are closed. Note that when the lids 149, 159 are in a closed state in which the supply ports 142, 152 are closed, the insertion parts 149b, 159b themselves are not in direct contact with the inner surface of the supply ports 142, 152. Packings 161, 171 made of, for example, rubber material are attached around the insertion parts 149b, 159b. The packings 161, 171 are integrally provided with packing main bodies 161a, 171a formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape so as to surround the periphery of the insertion portions 149b, 159b, and packing piece portions 161b, 171b extending outward from the packing main bodies 161a, 171a.

[0067] In a closed state where the lid 149, 159 closes the supply port 142, 152, the packing 161, 171 seals the gap between the lid 149, 159 and the supply port 142, 152. More specifically, in a closed state where the lid 149, 159 closes the supply port 142, 152, the packing 161, 171 seals the gap formed between the side surface of the insertion portion 149b, 159b and the inner surface of the supply port 142, 152 so as to maintain the gap watertight and airtight.

[0068] Here, the upper part of the inner surface of the supply port 142, 152 is a flat surface extending in the vertical direction, and the lower part is an inclined surface that gradually slopes down toward the inside of the supply port 142, 152. When the lids 149, 159 are in a closed state where the supply port 142, 152 is closed, the packing pieces 161b, 171b of the packings 161, 171 are in contact with the upper part of the inner surface of the supply port 142, 152, i.e., the flat part extending in the vertical direction.

[0069] In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 26, the washing machine 1 may be configured such that at least a part of the inner surface of the supply port 142, 152, in this case, the rear surface 142a, 152a, is entirely inclined. According to this configuration, as the lid 149, 159 rotates from a closing position that closes the supply port 142, 152 to an opening position that opens the supply port 142, 152, the contact area of ​​the packing piece 161b, 171b of the packing 161, 171 in contact with the inclined surface of the supply port 142, 152 gradually decreases. That is, as the lid 149, 159 rotates to the opening position side, the seal strength of the packing 161, 171 with respect to the supply port 142, 152 gradually decreases, so that the lid 149, 159 can be easily opened without requiring a large force.

[0070] In addition, although detailed illustration is omitted, in a closed state in which the lids 149, 159 close the supply ports 142, 152, the contact area of ​​the packings 161, 171 on the side opposite the pivot shafts 149c, 159c of the lids 149, 159, that is, the front side in this case, with the inner surface of the supply port 142, 152 may be configured to be smaller than the contact area of ​​the packings 161, 171 on the side of the pivot shafts 149c, 159c of the lids 149, 159, that is, the rear side in this case, with the inner surface of the supply port 142, 152. With this configuration, the contact area of ​​the packings 161, 171 with the supply ports 142, 152 on the tip end side of the lids 149, 159, that is, the free pivot end side, can be reduced, and the seal strength can be weakened. Therefore, the lids 149, 159 can be easily opened without applying a large force to the tip end of the lids 149, 159. Such a configuration can be realized, for example, by shifting the insertion portions 149b, 159b in the lids 149, 159 to the rear, or by making the amount of protrusion of the portions of the packing pieces 161b, 171b of the packings 161, 171 located in front of the insertion portions 149b, 159b smaller than the amount of protrusion of the portions of the packing pieces 161b, 171b located in rear of the insertion portions 149b, 159b.

[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 8 and other figures, when the case 102 is pulled out from the case housing 101 to a predetermined amount, the user can operate the multiple tanks housed in the case 102, in this case, the detergent tank 103 and the fabric softener tank 104. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 9, when the case 102 is pulled out from the case housing 101 to a predetermined amount, a part of the case 102, in this case, the rear part, is housed in the case housing 101. In this state, the detergent tank 103 and the fabric softener tank 104 housed in the case 102 are in a state in which the lids 149, 159 can be opened and closed. Thus, the user can open the lids 149, 159 to supply the laundry treatment agent to the tanks 103, 104.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 7, when the case 102 is housed in the innermost part of the case housing section 101, the case 102 is locked so that it is not unintentionally pulled out due to, for example, its own weight or vibration during operation. As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the case 102 can be completely removed from the case housing section 101. Next, a configuration example that makes this possible will be described. The tanks 103 and 104 can be removed from the case 102 by completely removing the case 102 from the case housing section 101.

[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a recess 172 recessed downward is provided at the front of the bottom surface of the case housing section 101. When the case 102 is housed in the innermost part of the case housing section 101, the front surface of the protrusion 126 engages with the front surface of the recess 172, thereby locking the case 102 in the case housing section 101 so that the case 102 cannot be pulled out. However, by pushing the case 102 slightly upward from this state to remove the protrusion 126 from the recess 172, the case 102 can be pulled out from the case housing section 101. Then, as described above, when the amount of the case 102 pulled out from the case housing section 102 reaches a predetermined amount, the stopper 125 on the case 102 side engages with the protrusion 130 on the case housing section 101 side. This restricts the amount of the case 102 pulled out to a predetermined amount. Then, from this state, when case 102 is lifted upward and stopper 125 is removed from protrusion 130, case 102 can be completely removed from case storage portion 101.

[0074] Then, when the case 102 is to be attached again to the case storage section 101, the case 102 is slightly lifted upward and inserted into the case storage section 101 so that the stopper 125 on the case 102 side fits into the rear side of the convex portion 130 on the case storage section 101 side. At this time, since the rear side of the protrusion 126 is an inclined portion, this inclined portion abuts against the front end of the lower surface of the case storage section 101. Therefore, as the case 102 is pushed into the case storage section 101, the inclined portion of the protrusion 126 advances while sliding against the front end of the lower surface of the case storage section 101, which can assist in pushing the case 102 upward. Then, when the case 102 is further pushed into the case storage section 101, the protrusion 126 fits into the recess 172, and the case 102 is locked in a state where it is housed to the innermost part of the case storage section 101.

[0075] By pushing the case 102 into the case housing portion 101 as described above, the case 102 can be attached in the case housing portion 101 so as to be retractable. When the case 102 is attached to the case housing portion 101 in this manner, if the tanks 103, 104 are housed in the case 102, the case 102 is pushed upward when the case 102 housing the tanks 103, 104 is housed in the case housing portion 101. Accordingly, the lids 149, 159 on the upper parts of the tanks 103, 104 are pushed in a closing direction to abut against the upper surface of the case housing portion 101 and close the supply ports 142, 152. That is, the closing of the supply ports 142, 152 by the lids 149, 159 is promoted. Such a closing promoting action of the lids 149, 159 is realized based on the case 102 being pushed upward and based on the protrusions 126 being provided on the bottom surface of the case 102. The protrusion 126 configured in this manner has the function of assisting in pushing the case 102 upward as described above, and therefore functions as an example of a closure promoting portion that promotes the closure of the supply ports 142, 152 by the lids 149, 159.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 25, the tanks 103, 104 are provided with hollow protruding portions 164, 174 located at the rear side and protruding inwardly from the pump connecting portions 148, 158 into the tank main body portions 140, 150. In this case, the protruding portions 164, 174 are formed in a cylindrical shape. The protruding portions 164, 174 are not components provided as separate parts on the tank main body portions 140, 150, but are components provided as the same parts as the tank main body portions 140, 150. That is, the protruding portions 164, 174 are provided integrally with the tank main body portions 140, 150 and continuously, without interruption, for example, by resin molding.

[0077] Check valves 165, 175 are housed inside protruding portions 164, 174. Additionally, biasing members 166, 176 formed of, for example, a spring are housed inside protruding portions 164, 174. The biasing members 166, 176 bias the check valves 165, 175 in a direction that closes the flow path formed in protruding portions 164, 174, in this case, toward pump connecting portions 148, 158. In this way, check valves 165, 175 prevent the clothing treatment agent sucked from pump connecting portions 148, 158 toward pumps 105, 106 from flowing back into tanks 103, 104. In addition, when the check valves 165, 175 receive a pressing force generated by the reciprocating piston of the pumps 105, 106, they move against the urging force of the urging members 166, 176 in a direction to open the flow path formed in the protruding parts 164, 174, in this case, in the opposite direction to the pump connection parts 148, 158. This enables the pumps 105, 106 to suck up the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 103, 104. That is, according to the tanks 103, 104, as the pumps 105, 106 reciprocate their pistons, the check valves 165, 175 also reciprocate in the protruding parts 164, 174, opening and closing the flow path. Accordingly, the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 103, 104 is sucked out in conjunction with the driving of the pumps 105, 106.

[0078] Furthermore, cap portions 167, 177 are attached to the tips of the protruding portions 164, 174, that is, the opening ends that open into the tank main bodies 140, 150, with the check valves 165, 175 and the biasing members 166, 176 housed in the protruding portions 164, 174. This prevents the check valves 165, 175 and the biasing members 166, 176 housed in the protruding portions 164, 174 from coming off from within the protruding portions 164, 174.

[0079] The cap portion 167, 177 is integrally provided with a hollow straw portion 168, 178 that extends linearly downward within the tank body portion 140, 150. In this case, the straw portion 168, 178 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and its lower end extends to a height slightly spaced from the bottom surface of the tank body portion 140, 150.

[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, the upper portion of the protruding portion 164, 174 is provided with a convex portion 164a, 174a that protrudes upward. In this case, the convex portion 164a, 174a is formed in a cylindrical shape. On the other hand, the upper portion of the cap portion 167, 177 is provided with a recessed portion 167a, 177a that is recessed in a smooth arc shape toward the tip side of the cap portion 167, 177. When the cap portion 167, 177 is attached to the protruding portion 164, 174, the protruding portion 164a, 174a fits into the recessed portion 167a, 177a. As a result, the cap portion 167, 177 is positioned with respect to the protruding portion 164, 174 with the straw portion 168, 178 extending downward inside the tank main body portion 140, 150. In other words, the protrusions 164a, 174a and the recesses 167a, 177a cooperate with each other to function as an example of a positioning portion that positions the cap portions 167, 177 so that the straw portions 168, 178 extend downward.

[0081] Moreover, the protruding portion 164, 174 has claw portions 164b, 174b on both left and right sides. The claw portions 164b, 174b protrude outward from the side surfaces of the protruding portion 164, 174. Moreover, the cap portion 167, 177 has claw hole portions 167b, 177b on both left and right sides. When the cap portion 167, 177 is attached to the protruding portion 164, 174, the claw portions 164b, 174b are engaged with the claw hole portions 167b, 177b. This allows the cap portion 167, 177 to be engaged with the protruding portion 164, 174 and fixed. That is, the claw portions 164b, 174b and the claw hole portions 167b, 177b cooperate with each other to function as an example of an engagement portion that engages the cap portion 167, 177 with the protruding portion 164, 174. The claw portions 164b, 174b and the claw holes 167b, 177b, which function as an example of a locking portion, are provided at positions that avoid the projections 164a, 174a and the recesses 167a, 177a, which function as an example of the above-mentioned positioning portion.

[0082] According to the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment exemplified above, the surface forming the outer hull of the tank 103, 104 is provided with the concave gripping portion 143, 153. With this configuration, the user can easily grip the tank 103, 104 by hooking the fingers on the gripping portion 143, 153, and therefore the handling of the tank 103, 104, for example, the attachment / detachment operation to / from the case 102 can be easily performed. In addition, the user can grip the detergent tank 103 or the fabric softener tank 104 with, for example, one hand, further improving usability.

[0083] Moreover, according to the washing machine 1, the tanks 103, 104 have grip parts 143, 153 on one of the opposing surfaces that form the outer contours of the tanks 103, 104. This configuration can prevent the appearance of the tanks 103, 104 from becoming complicated. Furthermore, the tanks 103, 104 may have grip parts 143, 153 on both of the opposing surfaces that form the outer contours of the tanks 103, 104, and this configuration can make the tanks 103, 104 even easier to grip.

[0084] Moreover, the washing machine 1 is provided with a plurality of detachable tanks 103, 104. The tanks 103, 104 on one side are provided with grips 143, 153 on a surface facing the tanks 104, 103 on the other side. The tanks 103, 104 on one side have grips 143, 153 at positions facing the grips 153, 133 of the tanks 104, 103 on the other side. With this configuration, when the tanks 103, 104 are housed in the case 102, a substantially circular space surrounded by the grips 143 and 153 can be formed. As a result, when the user removes the detergent tank 103 or the fabric softener tank 104 from the case main body 120 of the case 102, the user can easily remove the detergent tank 103 or the fabric softener tank 104 by inserting his or her fingers into this space. In addition, the gripping portions 143, 153 provided on each tank 103, 104 can be minimized, and the reduction in space within the tanks 103, 104 resulting from the formation of the gripping portions 143, 153, in other words, the reduction in the amount of clothing treatment agent that can be stored, can be minimized.

[0085] Moreover, according to the washing machine 1, the gripping parts 143, 153 extend between one end and the other end, in this case, between the upper end and the lower end, of the surface forming the outer hull of the tanks 103, 104. According to this configuration, the gripping parts 143, 153 can be made as large as possible, making the tanks 103, 104 even easier to grip.

[0086] Moreover, according to the washing machine 1, the tanks 103, 104 are provided with replenishing ports 142, 152 for replenishing the laundry treatment agent therein, and the grips 143, 153 are provided to the sides of the replenishing ports 142, 152. With this configuration, the user can further hold the lids 149, 159 closing the replenishing ports 142, 152 with the fingers gripping the grips 143, 153, and prevent the lids 149, 159 of the gripped tanks 103, 104 from opening and spilling out the laundry treatment agent therein.

[0087] Tanks 103, 104 may be configured with grips 143, 153 provided at positions off to the sides of replenishing ports 142, 152. With this configuration, it is not necessary to reduce the opening area of ​​replenishing ports 142, 152 in order to form grips 143, 153. This makes it possible to ensure a large opening area for replenishing ports 142, 152, making it easier to refill the laundry treatment agent.

[0088] Moreover, in the washing machine 1, the gripping portions 143, 153 have hanging portions 144, 145 on which the user's fingers can be hung. With this configuration, the user can easily remove the tanks 103, 104 from the case 102 by hanging the fingers on the hanging portions 144, 145.

[0089] Moreover, according to the washing machine 1, the hanging parts 144, 145 are provided on the tank main bodies 140, 150 constituting the main bodies of the tanks 103, 104. According to this configuration, the user can hook the hands and fingers on the main bodies of the tanks 103, 104 to remove them, and the tanks 103, 104 can be removed stably.

[0090] Moreover, in the washing machine 1, the automatic insertion device 100, the water injection case 200, and the water supply valve unit 300 are arranged side by side in the lateral direction of the outer casing 2 in the machine chamber 6. Moreover, in the washing machine 1, the water supply valve unit 300 is arranged forward of the rear end of the automatic insertion device 100 and the rear end of the water injection case 200 in the machine chamber 6. Moreover, in the washing machine 1, the water injection case 200 is arranged between the automatic insertion device 100 and the water supply valve unit 300 in the lateral direction of the outer casing 2 in the machine chamber 6.

[0091] In this way, by accommodating the automatic dosing device 100, the water injection case 200, and the water supply valve unit 300 in the machine room 6 in a so-called side-by-side arrangement, it is possible to effectively utilize the limited space in the outer box 2 and naturally and compactly accommodate a plurality of components, in this case, at least the automatic dosing device 100, the water injection case 200, and the water supply valve unit 300. As a result, it is possible to prevent the washing machine 1 from becoming large as a whole.

[0092] In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the water supply case 200 and the water supply valve unit 300 are not disposed behind the automatic dispensing device 100, so that at least the depth dimension of the automatic dispensing device 100 can be made large. Therefore, the tanks 103, 104 provided in the automatic dispensing device 100 can be made larger, and the capacity of the tanks 103, 104, i.e., the amount of laundry treatment agent that can be stored, can be increased.

[0093] In addition, according to the washing machine 1, by applying the above-mentioned arrangement, relatively large components such as the automatic dispenser 100, the water injection case 200, and the water supply valve unit 300 can be comfortably and compactly accommodated inside the machine chamber 6 formed at the rear of the outer case 2.

[0094] Furthermore, the washing machine 1 is provided with a mixer 108 behind the automatic dispensing device 100, which mixes the clothing treatment agent supplied from the tanks 103, 104 with the water supplied from the water supply valve unit 300. With this configuration, the clothing treatment agent can be mixed with the water and then supplied to the water tub 3, and the water in which the clothing treatment agent is uniformly dissolved can improve the washing performance of the clothing. Furthermore, by arranging the mixer 108, which is a relatively small component, behind the automatic dispensing device 100, the limited space in the machine chamber 6 can be effectively utilized.

[0095] Moreover, in the washing machine 1, the water supply valve unit 300 includes a dedicated water supply port 303a for supplying water to the mixing section 108. With this configuration, a sufficient amount of water can be reliably supplied to the mixing section 108, and water in which the clothing treatment agent is sufficiently dissolved can be supplied to the water tub 3.

[0096] Moreover, washing machine 1 is provided with mixer water supply path 304 that connects water supply port 303a dedicated to the mixer to mixer . This mixer water supply path 304 passes between upper surface 205 of water injection case 200 and manual detergent dispenser 203 and manual fabric softener dispenser 204. Mixer water supply path 304 penetrates water injection case 200 along the lateral direction of outer box 2. Mixer water supply path 304 extends linearly inside water injection case 200 without bending or curving.

[0097] That is, the mixing section water supply path 304 is configured to minimize its flow path resistance, so that water can be efficiently supplied from the water supply valve unit 300 to the mixing section 108, and the mixing of the laundry treatment agent and water can be further promoted.

[0098] Moreover, in the washing machine 1, the water supply valve unit 300 and the bath water pump 305 are arranged side by side along the front-to-rear direction of the outer casing 2. Moreover, the bath water pump 305 is arranged in front of the water supply valve unit 300. With this arrangement, the limited space inside the outer casing 2 can be effectively utilized, and the bath water pump 305 can also be accommodated without difficulty.

[0099] Moreover, according to the washing machine 1, the automatic loading device 100 includes a case 102 having a hanging part 102A on which the user's fingers can be hung, and the case 102 is configured to be removable from the case housing part 101 of the automatic loading device 100, and the tanks 103, 104 can be housed in the case 102. With this configuration, operations on the multiple tanks 103, 104, such as replenishing the tanks 103, 104 with laundry treatment agent and removing and attaching the tanks 103, 104, can be performed at once. In other words, the user can perform various operations on the multiple tanks 103, 104 by removing one case 102.

[0100] Moreover, in washing machine 1, the upper end of the outer peripheral wall portion constituting the outer periphery of case 102 is lower than the upper surface of tanks 103, 104 housed in case 102. With this configuration, a user can easily hold the upper side of tanks 103, 104, and therefore can more easily attach and detach tanks 103, 104 to and from case 102. At this time, the user may attach and detach tanks 103, 104 by holding grip portions 143, 153 of tanks 103, 104, or may hold a portion other than grip portions 143, 153.

[0101] Furthermore, according to the washing machine 1, when a part of the case 102, in this case the rear part, is stored in the case storage section 101 of the automatic loading device 100, the tanks 103, 104 stored in the case 102 are in a state in which the lids 149, 159 of the supply ports 142, 152 can be opened and closed. Therefore, the user can supply the laundry treatment agent to the tanks 103, 104 without completely removing the case 102 from the case storage section 101 of the automatic loading device 100.

[0102] Moreover, in washing machine 1, tanks 103, 104 are provided with tank-side protrusions 147, 157 that position tanks 103, 104 in case 102. This configuration can prevent tanks 103, 104 from shifting from their original positions in case 102, and allows case 102 containing tanks 103, 104 to be smoothly inserted into and removed from case containing section 101.

[0103] According to the washing machine 1, the automatic dispenser 100 includes pumps 105 and 106 that suck the laundry treatment agent from the tanks 103 and 104, and the tanks 103 and 104 include pump connectors 148 and 158 that are connected to the pumps 105 and 106. The upper end of the rear wall 120a provided at the rear of the case 102 is lower than the lower end of the pump connectors 148 and 158. This configuration allows the pump connectors 148 and 158 to be connected to the pumps 105 and 106 without contacting or interfering with the rear wall 120a of the case 102. Therefore, the pump connectors 148 and 158 can be connected to the pumps 105 and 106 with high accuracy without causing positional deviation.

[0104] Moreover, according to the washing machine 1, the case 102 is provided with viewing windows 122, 123 through which the remaining amount of the clothing treatment agent in the tanks 103, 104 housed in the case 102 can be visually confirmed. With this configuration, the user can easily check the remaining amount of the clothing treatment agent in the tanks 103, 104 through the viewing windows 122, 123 without removing the tanks 103, 104 from the case 102. In this case, the viewing windows 122, 123 are provided in the front wall 121 of the case 102. Therefore, the user can easily check the remaining amount of the clothing treatment agent in the tanks 103, 104 through the viewing windows 122, 123 without pulling the case 102 out of the case housing section 101.

[0105] Moreover, in the washing machine 1, the tanks 103, 104 have recesses 146, 156 at their bottoms that are recessed inward, and the recesses 146, 156 are provided with tank-side protrusions 147, 157. This configuration allows the bottom surfaces of the tanks 103, 104 to be kept flat while providing the tank-side protrusions 147, 157 for positioning. Therefore, the tanks 103, 104 can be stably placed on the floor, etc., and the laundry treatment agent can be easily replenished into the tanks 103, 104.

[0106] Moreover, in the washing machine 1, the viewing windows 122, 123 are provided at positions that avoid the portions where the recesses 146, 156 are located when the tanks 103, 104 are housed in the case 102. With this configuration, the exact remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent can be confirmed through the viewing windows 122, 123 at positions that avoid the recesses 146, 156 and their upper portions in the tanks 103, 104 where the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent is not accurately indicated. It is preferable that at least the tank main body 140, 150 of the tanks 103, 104 be made of a transparent or semi-transparent material. This allows the user to more easily view the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 103, 104.

[0107] Further, according to the washing machine 1, the tank 103, 104 includes a hollow protruding portion 164, 174 protruding inwardly of the tank 103, 104, a check valve 165, 175 housed in the protruding portion 164, 174, and a cap portion 167, 177 attached to an open end of the protruding portion 164, 174 with the check valve 165, 175 housed in the protruding portion 164, 174. The protruding portion 164, 174 is provided as the same part as the tank 103, 104. According to this configuration, even if the tank 103, 104 is provided with the hollow protruding portion 164, 174 protruding inwardly of the tank 103, 104, leakage of the laundry treatment agent from the tank 103, 104 can be suppressed.

[0108] Moreover, according to the washing machine 1, the cap portion 167, 177 includes a hollow straw portion 168, 178 extending downward in the tank 103, 104. According to this configuration, the cap portion 167, 177 having the straw portion 168, 178 can be handled as a single part, and the number of parts can be reduced compared to the case where the cap portion and the straw portion are provided as separate parts. Also, the ease of assembly can be improved.

[0109] According to the washing machine 1, the protruding parts 164, 174 are cylindrically configured. The washing machine 1 is provided with a positioning part that positions the cap parts 167, 177 relative to the cylindrical protruding parts 164, 174 so that the straw parts 168, 178 extend downward in the tanks 103, 104. The convex parts 164a, 174a and the concave parts 167a, 177a that constitute the positioning part are provided on the upper parts of the protruding parts 164, 174 and the cap parts 167, 177. According to this configuration, when the cap parts 167, 177 are attached to the protruding parts 164, 174, the positioning part is easily visible from above, and therefore the positioning of the cap parts 167, 177 relative to the protruding parts 164, 174 can be easily performed.

[0110] Furthermore, according to washing machine 1, claws 164b, 174b and claw holes 167b, 177b constituting a locking portion for locking cap portions 167, 177 to protrusions 164, 174 are provided at positions avoiding convex portions 164a, 174a and concave portions 167a, 177a constituting a positioning portion. With this configuration, cap portions 167, 177 can be firmly fixed to protrusions 164, 174 while accurately positioning cap portions 167, 177 relative to protrusions 164, 174, and displacement of cap portions 167, 177 relative to protrusions 164, 174 can be suppressed even after attachment.

[0111] According to the washing machine 1, the automatic dispensing device 100 includes a stopper 125 that restricts the amount of case 102 pulled out from the case housing 101 to a predetermined amount. The stopper 125 is provided behind the rear ends of the supply ports 142, 152 when the tanks 103, 104 are housed in the case 102. The stopper 125 is provided behind the rear ends of the lids 149, 159 of the supply ports 142, 152 when the tanks 103, 104 are housed in the case 102. With this configuration, the user can supply the laundry treatment agent into the tanks 103, 104 from the supply ports 142, 152 without completely removing the case 102 from the automatic dispensing device 100.

[0112] Furthermore, according to the washing machine 1, the tanks 103, 104 are connected to the pumps 105, 106 as the case 102 is pushed into the case housing 101 which is fixed immovably to the main body of the washing machine 1. That is, according to the washing machine 1, the case housing 101 of the automatic dosing device 100 including the pumps 105, 106 is firmly fixed immovably to the main body of the washing machine 1, so that by pushing the case 102 into the case housing 101, the tanks 103, 104 can be reliably connected to the pumps 105, 106.

[0113] Moreover, according to washing machine 1, case housing section 101 has protrusion 130 with which stopper 125 engages when the amount of case 102 pulled out from case housing section 101 of automatic loading device 100 reaches a predetermined amount. With this configuration, when a user pulls out case 102, the amount of pull-out can be reliably restricted to a predetermined amount, and case 102 can be prevented from being completely removed from case housing section 101 unintentionally.

[0114] Furthermore, according to washing machine 1, when stopper 125 is engaged with protrusion 130, tanks 103, 104 cannot be removed from case 102. This configuration makes it possible to prevent tanks 103, 104 from unintentionally coming out of case 102 or falling out of case 102.

[0115] Moreover, in washing machine 1, case housing section 101 has groove section 129 extending in the direction in which case 102 is pulled out, and case 102 has abutment section 131 that abuts against an upper surface of groove section 129. With this configuration, when case 102 is pulled out from inside case housing section 101, abutment section 131 abuts against an upper surface of groove section 129, thereby preventing case 102 from falling out of case housing section 101 due to its own weight.

[0116] Moreover, in washing machine 1, distance D3 between stopper 125 on case 102 side and abutment portion 131 on case housing portion 101 side is longer than distance D4 between the upper surface of case housing portion 101 and the upper surface of groove portion 129. With this configuration, case 102 can be further prevented from tilting due to its own weight, and case 102 can be further reliably prevented from falling out of case housing portion 101.

[0117] Furthermore, the washing machine 1 includes packings 161, 171 that seal between the lids 149, 159 and the supply ports 142, 152 when the lids 149, 159 are in a closed state closing the supply ports 142, 152. This configuration can prevent the clothing treatment agent in the tanks 103, 104 from spilling out from between the lids 149, 159 and the supply ports 142, 152, and can prevent the clothing treatment agent in the tanks 103, 104 from drying out and hardening due to ventilation through the gap between the lids 149, 159 and the supply ports 142, 152.

[0118] Moreover, according to the washing machine 1, the cover parts 141, 151 constituting a part of the tanks 103, 104 are provided with the vent holes 160a, 170a through which air can pass. With this configuration, even if the gap between the lids 149, 159 and the supply ports 142, 152 is sealed by the packings 161, 171, ventilation between the inside and outside of the tanks 103, 104 can be ensured, that is, the inside of the tanks 103, 104 can be opened to atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the laundry treatment agent can be smoothly sucked from the inside of the tanks 103, 104 to the pumps 105, 106. Note that the ventilation holes 160a, 170a have a small opening area, so that the laundry treatment agent hardly or never comes out of the ventilation holes 160a, 170a, or the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 103, 104 dries and hardens due to ventilation through the ventilation holes 160a, 170a.

[0119] Moreover, according to the washing machine 1, the vents 160a, 170a are provided in the bearings 160, 170 that rotatably support the pivots 149c, 159c of the lids 149, 159. This configuration makes the vents 160a, 170a less noticeable from the outside, and prevents the tanks 103, 104 from deteriorating in appearance due to the provision of the vents 160a, 170a. If a clothing treatment agent is attached to the back surface of the lids 149, 159, the clothing treatment agent can be returned to the tanks 103, 104 through the vents 160a, 170a when the lids 149, 159 are opened. When the cover parts 141, 151 are washed, water can pass through the vents 160a, 170a, making it easier to wash away the clothing treatment agent attached to the bearings 160, 170. This makes it possible to prevent the clothing treatment agent from becoming stuck to the bearing portions 160, 170 and becoming unable to be removed.

[0120] In addition, the washing machine 1 may be configured such that at least a part of the inner surface of the supply port 142, 152 is inclined, so that the contact area of ​​the packing pieces 161b, 171b of the packings 161, 171 in contact with the inclined surface of the supply port 142, 152 gradually decreases as the lids 149, 159 rotate from a closing position that closes the supply port 142, 152 to an opening position that opens the supply port 142, 152. This allows the user to open the lids 149, 159 without requiring a large force, improving usability.

[0121] Furthermore, the washing machine 1 may be configured such that, in a closed state where the lids 149, 159 close the supply ports 142, 152, the contact area of ​​the packings 161, 171 in contact with the inner surface of the supply ports 142, 152 on the side opposite the pivot shafts 149c, 159c of the lids 149, 159 is smaller than the contact area of ​​the packings 161, 171 in contact with the inner surface of the supply ports 142, 152 on the pivot shafts 149c, 159c side of the lids 149, 159. This configuration also allows the user to open the lids 149, 159 without requiring a large force, improving usability.

[0122] Further, according to the washing machine 1, the bottom surface of the case 102 is provided with the protrusion 126 that functions as a blocking promotion part that promotes blocking of the supply ports 142, 152 by the lids 149, 159. According to this configuration, when the case 102 containing the tanks 103, 104 is accommodated in the case accommodation part 101 again, the protrusion 126 pushes the case 102 upward. As a result, the lids 149, 159 are pushed downward by the upper surface of the case accommodation part 101, and the blocking of the supply ports 142, 152 by the lids 149, 159 can be promoted. Therefore, for example, it is possible to avoid the case 102 being accommodated in the case accommodation part 101 with the supply ports 142, 152 being insufficiently blocked by the lids 149, 159, and to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the laundry treatment agent splashes out from the tanks 103, 104 in the case accommodation part 101. It is also possible to prevent the clothing treatment agent from spilling out of the tanks 103, 104 when the case 102 is pulled out from the case storage section 101. In particular, in this embodiment, since the lids 149, 159 are provided with the packings 161, 171, there is a concern that the lids 149, 159 may not be able to sufficiently close the supply ports 142, 152 due to the elasticity of the packings 161, 171. Therefore, by applying a configuration that promotes the closing of the supply ports 142, 152 by the lids 149, 159, it is possible to dispel such concerns.

[0123] It should be noted that this embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and extensions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0124] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 29, the stopper 125 may be provided to be located forward of the center of gravity P of the tank 103, 104 when the tank 103, 104 is housed in the case 102. With this configuration, the amount of the case 102 that can be pulled out from the case housing 101 can be reduced by a predetermined amount regulated by the stopper 125, and the case 102 can be more reliably prevented from falling off due to its own weight. The center of gravity P of the tank 103, 104 may be the center of gravity when no clothing treatment agent is stored in the tank 103, 104, or may be the center of gravity when clothing treatment agent is stored in the tank 103, 104. The state in which clothing treatment agent is stored in the tank 103, 104 may be the state in which the maximum amount of clothing treatment agent is stored in the tank 103, 104, or may be the state in which less than the maximum amount of clothing treatment agent is stored in the tank 103, 104.

[0125] As shown in Fig. 30, the gripping parts 143, 153 may not reach one end or the other end of the surface that forms the outer periphery of the tanks 103, 104. The example configuration shown in Fig. 30 is an example configuration in which the gripping parts 143, 153 reach the upper end of the surface that forms the outer periphery of the tanks 103, 104 but do not reach the lower end. The length of the gripping parts 143, 153 can be appropriately changed, for example, to 1 / 2 the height dimension of the tanks 103, 104.

[0126] 31, the gripping parts 143, 153 may be provided along the depth direction of the tanks 103, 104, in other words, along the direction in which the case 102 is pulled out, rather than along the height direction of the tanks 103, 104. In this case, the gripping parts 143, 153 may reach the front end and the other end of the tanks 103, 104, or may extend partway.

[0127] 32, the gripping parts 143, 153 may be provided on both of the surfaces of the tanks 103, 104 that face each other in the vertical direction. Although not shown, the gripping parts 143, 153 may be provided on only one of the surfaces of the tanks 103, 104 that face each other in the vertical direction. In this case, the gripping parts 143, 153 may reach the front end and the other end of the tanks 103, 104, or may extend partway.

[0128] In addition, the tanks applicable to this embodiment are not limited to the detergent tank 103 for storing a detergent and the fabric softener tank 104 for storing a fabric softener, and various types of tanks that store a treatment agent for performing some treatment on clothes, such as a deodorant tank for storing a deodorant, a deodorant tank for storing a deodorant, a disinfectant tank for storing a disinfectant, and a bleach tank for storing a bleach, can be appropriately adopted. In addition, the number of tanks is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more. In addition, when multiple tanks are provided, the multiple tanks may be tanks that store the same type of treatment agent, or may be tanks that store different types of treatment agents.

[0129] This embodiment can also be applied to a so-called horizontal axis type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the spin tub extends horizontally or in an inclined direction. This embodiment can also be applied to a washing machine with a drying function. This embodiment can also be applied to a washing machine without a drying function. This embodiment can also be applied to various clothing processing devices that perform some kind of processing on clothing, such as deodorizing, deodorizing, sterilizing, and bleaching.

[0130] Although the 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]

[0131] In the drawings, 1 is a washing machine (clothing treatment device), 2 is an outer box, 3 is a water tank (clothing treatment tank), 6 is a machine room, 100 is an automatic dispensing device (automatic dispensing section), 101 is a case storage section, 102 is a case, 102A is a hanging section, 103 is a detergent tank (tank), 104 is a fabric softener tank (tank), 105 is a detergent metering pump (pump), 106 is a fabric softener metering pump (pump), 108 is a mixing section, 122, 123 are viewing windows, 125 is a stopper, 126 is a protrusion (closing promotion portion), 129 is a groove portion, 130 is a convex portion (locking portion), 131 is an abutment portion, 132 is a case side protrusion (positioning portion), 140, 150 are a tank main body portion, 141, 151 are a cover portion, 142, 152 are a supply port, 143, 153 are gripping portions, 144, 145 are hook portions, 146, 156 are recesses, 147, 15 7 is a tank side protrusion (positioning portion), 148, 158 are pump connection portions (connection portions), 149, 159 are lids, 160, 170 are bearing portions, 160a, 170a are vents, 161, 171 are packings, 164, 174 are protrusions, 164a, 174a are convex portions (positioning portions), 164b, 174b are claw portions (locking portions), 165, 175 are check valves, 167, 177 are cap portions, 167a, 177a indicate recesses (positioning portions), 167b, 177b indicate claw hole portions (locking portions), 168, 178 indicate straw portions, 200 indicates a water injection case, 203 indicates a manual detergent dispenser portion (manual dispenser portion), 204 indicates a manual fabric softener dispenser portion (manual dispenser portion), 300 indicates a water supply valve unit, 303a indicates a water supply port (water supply port for mixing portion), 304 indicates a water supply path for the mixing portion, and 305 indicates a bath water pump.

Claims

1. A clothes treatment tank for storing clothes; A tank for storing a clothing treatment agent for treating clothing; an automatic dispenser that dispenses the laundry treatment agent stored in the tank into the laundry treatment tub; Equipped with The upper part of the outer box having the laundry treatment tub therein is constituted by a top cover, The top cover has a clothing entrance for inserting and removing clothing, The tank is provided behind the clothing inlet and outlet of the top cover, and includes a supply port therein for supplying a clothing treatment agent, The automatic insertion unit includes: a storage section from which the tank is drawn; a stopper that restricts the tank from being pulled forward when the supply port is pulled forward beyond the storage portion; Equipped with The tank is capable of storing a quantity of laundry treatment agent sufficient for multiple operations, The automatic dispenser dispenses the laundry treatment agent sucked from the tank by a pump into the laundry treatment tub, A clothing processing device in which the position at which the stopper restricts the tank from being pulled forward is forward of the center of gravity of the tank and rearward of the rear end of the supply port.

2. The tank includes a lid for opening and closing the supply port, The clothing processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the position at which the stopper restricts the tank from being pulled out forward is located rearward of the rear end of the lid.

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