Washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which has achieved commonalizing of a structure regarding a lead wire, in the washing machine where the opening / closing directions of a lid body are different.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a housing for forming an outline of the washing machine; a housing opening which is formed on the front surface of the housing, and in which laundry is inputted; a lid body constituted so as to open / close with respect to the housing opening; a lid body lock part arranged on the front surface, and constituted so as to lock the lid body in a state where the lid body is closed; a motor part controlled by inverter control; a sensor part for detecting information regarding the operation of the washing machine; a control part arranged at the front side lower part of the housing, and for controlling the motor part and the lid body lock part; a first lead wire for electrically connecting the lid body lock part and the control part; a second lead wire for electrically connecting the motor part and the control part; and a third lead wire for electrically connecting the sensor part and the control part. The second lead wire extends along the back surface of the housing, and the first lead wire and the third lead wire extend along the front surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a washing machine that stirs clothes and washing water.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a drum-type washing machine having an openable and closable lid that covers a clothes inlet. The washing machine further has a lid lock portion. The lid lock portion fixes the lid so that the lid does not open unintentionally during the operation of the washing machine. There are two types of opening and closing directions of the lid: left-opening and right-opening.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In addition, the washing machine has various electronic components in addition to the lid lock portion. The washing machine has an inverter motor component used for operation, such as a fan motor and a compressor, at the upper part of the housing, and sensor components, such as an acceleration sensor and a temperature sensor. Each electronic component is electrically connected to a control unit disposed at the lower part of the housing by a lead wire.

[0005] However, since noise is radiated from a motor wire connected to a motor component controlled by inverter control, it is required to route the motor wire separately from other lead wires. On the other hand, in the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, the arrangement of a lid lock wire connected to the lid lock portion is determined depending on whether the lid is left-opening or right-opening. A structure can be considered in which the lid lock wire is routed to one side of the front surface of the housing together with a lead wire connected to the sensor component, and the motor wire is routed to the other side of the front surface of the housing.

[0006] In this structure, it is necessary to change the position of each lead wire according to the opening and closing direction of the lid. Therefore, it is required to prepare dedicated lead wires and an assembly process according to the opening and closing direction of the lid. Accordingly, there is a problem such as an increase in the cost of the washing machine. Therefore, in the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, there is still room for improvement in terms of the commonality of the structure related to the lead wires.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to solve the above problems and provide a washing machine in which the structure related to the lead wires is made common in washing machines with different opening and closing directions of the lid.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A washing machine according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing that forms the outer shell of the washing machine, a housing opening formed in the front surface of the housing for loading laundry, a lid configured to be openable and closable with respect to the housing opening, a lid lock portion disposed on the front surface and configured to lock the lid in a closed state, a motor portion controlled by inverter control, a sensor portion that detects information related to the operation of the washing machine, a control portion disposed at the lower front side of the housing for controlling the motor portion and the lid lock portion, a first lead wire that electrically connects the lid lock portion and the control portion, a second lead wire that electrically connects the motor portion and the control portion, and a third lead wire that electrically connects the sensor portion and the control portion. The second lead wire extends along the back surface of the housing, and the first lead wire and the third lead wire extend along the front surface.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a washing machine in which the structure related to the lead wires is made common in washing machines with different opening and closing directions of the lid.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] (Embodiment) The washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0012] [Overall Configuration] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the washing machine 1. In FIG. 2, some members of the housing 2 are omitted for convenience.

[0013] The washing machine 1 of the present embodiment is a washing and drying machine (so-called drum type washing machine) having a drying function in addition to a washing function. As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 includes a housing 2, an outer tub 3, an inner tub 4, a drive unit 5, a control unit 6, a circulation hose 7, a circulation pump 8, a lid lock unit 10, a motor unit 12, and a sensor unit 14.

[0014] [Housing] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 2 is a member that forms the outer shell of the washing machine 1. On the front surface 2A of the housing 2, a housing opening 20 and an openable and closable lid 21 that covers the housing opening 20 are provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 21 is rotatable around a hinge portion 22. In the washing machine 1 shown in FIG. 2, the lid 21 opens to the left.

[0015] Here, the direction from the back surface 2B to the front surface 2A of the housing 2 is defined as the front side, and the opposite direction is defined as the back side.

[0016] [Outer Tub] Returning to FIG. 1, the outer tub 3 is a substantially cylindrical member provided inside the housing 2 and having a function of storing washing water. The outer tub 3 forms an opening 30 at a position facing the housing opening 20.

[0017] <Inner tub> The inner tub 4 is a substantially cylindrical member rotatably provided inside the outer tub 3 and accommodating laundry 18 such as clothes. The rotation axis of the inner tub 4 passes through the front surface 2A and the rear surface 2B of the housing 2. A number of through holes (not shown) are formed in the inner tub 4. The through holes communicate the inner tub 4 and the outer tub 3, enabling the movement of washing water between the inner tub 4 and the outer tub 3. The inner tub 4 forms an opening 40 at a position facing the housing opening 20. Further, the opening 40 is aligned with the opening 30 of the outer tub 3, and the center of the opening 40 may coincide with the center of the opening 30.

[0018] <Drive unit> The drive unit 5 is a member that rotationally drives the inner tub 4. The drive unit 5 has, for example, a motor that rotates the inner tub 4.

[0019] <Control unit> The control unit 6 is a controller that controls the entire washing machine 1. More specifically, the control unit 6 controls components of the washing machine 1 such as the lid lock unit 10 and the motor unit 12. The control unit 6 includes a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or an MPU that realizes a predetermined function by executing a program.

[0020] The control unit 6 is disposed at the lower part of the housing 2. Also, the control unit 6 is disposed in the housing 2 at a position closer to the lid 21 than the center. The control unit 6 is disposed, for example, in front of the inner tub 4. The control unit 6 is electrically connected to the lid lock unit 10, the motor unit 12, and the sensor unit 14.

[0021] <Circulation hose> As shown in Fig. 2, the circulation hose 7 is a tubular member connected to the upper and lower parts of the outer tub 3. The circulation hose 7 forms a flow path for the washing water introduced into the outer tub 3. The circulation hose 7 is arranged on the right side of the outer tub 3 and extends along the outer periphery of the outer tub 3. The circulation hose 7 is arranged opposite to the third lead wire 15 with the third lead wire 15 connected to the sensor unit 14 described later and the lid 21 interposed therebetween. Also, a part of the circulation hose 7 may have a bellows structure. With such a structure, the vibration of the outer tub 3 can be absorbed.

[0022] <Circulation pump> The circulation pump 8 is a pump connected to the circulation hose 7. When the circulation pump 8 is driven, in the circulation hose 7, water flows from the lower part of the outer tub 3 toward the upper part of the outer tub 3.

[0023] <Lid locking part> The lid locking part 10 is a mechanism for fixing the lid 21 in a closed state so that the lid 21 does not open unintentionally during the operation of the washing machine 1. The lid locking part 10 is provided at a position facing the hinge part 22 in the housing 2 around the housing opening 20. Fig. 2 shows the washing machine 1 when viewed from the front, where the lid locking part 10 is arranged on the right side and the lid 21 opens to the left, but it is not limited thereto. The lid locking part 10 may be arranged on the left side and the lid 21 may open to the right.

[0024] The lid locking part 10 is electrically connected to the control unit 6 by the first lead wire 11. The lead wire is, for example, a cable having connectors at both ends. The first lead wire 11 extends downward along the outer periphery of the lid 21 from the lid locking part 10. The first lead wire 11 is arranged on the front side of the outer tub 3.

[0025] <Motor part> Returning to FIG. 1, the motor unit 12 is an electronic component including a motor controlled by inverter control. The motor unit 12 includes, for example, a pump for pumping up bath water to the outer tub 3, a compressor, and a fan motor. The compressor and the fan motor, together with the heat exchanger, constitute a heat pump device for circulating warm and dry air in the outer tub 3.

[0026] The motor unit 12 is electrically connected to the control unit 6 by the second lead wire 13. The second lead wire 13 extends downward along the outer periphery of the outer tub 3. The second lead wire 13 is disposed on the rear side of the outer tub 3. The position where the second lead wire 13 is connected to the control unit 6 may be different from the position where the first lead wire 11 is connected to the control unit 6. For example, the second lead wire 13 is connected to the lower part of the control unit 6, and the first lead wire 11 is connected to the upper part of the control unit 6.

[0027] <Sensor unit> The sensor unit 14 has sensors for detecting information related to the operation of the washing machine 1. For example, the sensor unit 14 includes an acceleration sensor, a pressure sensor, and a temperature sensor. When the washing machine 1 is provided with an automatic detergent dispenser, the sensor unit 14 may include a remaining amount sensor for the detergent.

[0028] The sensor unit 14 is electrically connected to the control unit 6 by the third lead wire 15. The third lead wire 15 is a lead wire. The third lead wire 15 extends downward along the outer peripheries of the outer tub 3 and the lid body 21. The third lead wire 15 is disposed on the front side of the outer tub 3. The position where the third lead wire 15 is connected to the control unit 6 may be different from the position where the second lead wire 13 is connected to the control unit 6. For example, the third lead wire 15 is connected to the upper part of the control unit 6 together with the first lead wire 11, and the second lead wire 13 is connected to the lower part of the control unit 6.

[0029] The arrangement of the lead wires 11, 13, and 15 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the left-opening washing machine 1, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the right-opening washing machine 1.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, when the washing machine 1 opens to the left, the lid lock portion 10 is arranged on the right side, and the first lead wire 11 extends from the right side to the lower left. The third lead wire 15 extends along the left side of the front surface 2A of the housing 2. The second lead wire 13 extends along the left side of the rear surface 2B of the housing. The first lead wire 11 and the third lead wire 15 extend away from the second lead wire 13.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, when the washing machine 1 opens to the right, the lid lock portion 10 is arranged on the left side, and the first lead wire 11 extends downward on the left side. The first lead wire 11 is bent. With such wiring, regardless of the opening and closing direction of the washing machine 1, the components constituting the first lead wire 11 can be made common.

[0032] Also, the arrangements of the second lead wire 13 and the third lead wire 15 may be the same as those in the left-opening washing machine 1. Even in the arrangement of the lead wires 11, 13, and 15 shown in FIG. 4, the first lead wire 11 and the third lead wire 15 extend away from the second lead wire 13.

[0033] Here, the structures of the circulation hose 7 and the circulation pump 8 will be described in detail.

[0034] In the conventional configuration, since there was little space inside the housing 2, a part of the outer tub 3 was used as a circulation path, and it was difficult to configure a large circulation path. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the washing machine 1, since the second lead wire 13 and the third lead wire 15 are arranged on the left side in the housing 2, a space is formed on the right side in the housing 2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, a hose can be adopted as the circulation path, and the circulation hose 7 can be arranged on the right side of the lid body 21. With such a structure, a large flow rate of water can be circulated in the outer tub 3. Also, the circulation hose 7 can be extended in the vertical direction along the outer periphery of the lid body 21, and a space for connecting the circulation hose 7 to the outer tub 3 can be secured above the upper right of the lid body 21.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a washing machine 1 having a circulation hose 7. As shown in FIG. 5, the circulation hose 7 is disposed on the front side of the outer tub 3. More specifically, the circulation hose 7 is attached to a reinforcing plate 25 disposed on the front side of the outer tub 3. The reinforcing plate 25 is a metal plate disposed between the front surface 2A of the housing 2 and the outer tub 3 inside the housing 2. The reinforcing plate 25 is attached to the housing 2 and has a function of improving the strength of the housing 2. The reinforcing plate 25 forms an opening at a position facing the housing opening 20.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine 1 near the housing opening 20 as viewed from above, and the washing machine 1 is left-opening. As shown in FIG. 6, the reinforcing plate 25 is covered by the lid body 21. More specifically, the reinforcing plate 25 is disposed behind the hinge portion 22 and the lid lock portion 10 that support the lid body 21. Further, in the housing 2, the lid lock portion 10 and the hinge portion 22 are attached to a portion adjacent to the housing opening 20. The lid lock portion 10 and the hinge portion 22 may be attached to the reinforcing plate 25 via other members.

[0037] Further, the reinforcing plate 25 forms a first recess 26 by protruding rearward with respect to the housing opening 20 between the outer tub 3 and the lid lock portion 10. On the other hand, the reinforcing plate 25 forms a second recess 27 by protruding rearward with respect to the housing opening 20 between the outer tub 3 and the hinge portion 22. The first recess 26 and the second recess 27 are formed to extend in the vertical direction with the housing opening 20 interposed therebetween. The circulation hose 7 is disposed in the first recess 26, and the third lead wire 15 is disposed in the second recess 27. With such a structure, the dimensions of the washing machine 1 can be maintained smaller as compared with the case where the reinforcing plate 25 is a flat plate.

[0038] The protruding amounts of the first recess 26 and the second recess 27 may be equal. With such a structure, it is possible to suppress the lid body 21 attached to the housing 2 from tilting. Therefore, the reinforcing plate 25 can improve the rigidity of the housing 2 and the lid body 21.

[0039] An example of the operation of the washing machine 1 having the circulation hose 7 arranged as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the washing machine 1.

[0040] The operation of the washing machine 1 includes a washing step, a rinsing step, and a dehydration step. The control unit 6 may sequentially control each step.

[0041] In the washing step, the laundry 18 is placed in the inner tub 4, and water is supplied to the outer tub 3 until a predetermined water level is reached. The driving unit 5 rotates the inner tub 4 to perform the washing step of the laundry 18. Also in the rinsing step after the washing step, water is supplied to the outer tub 3 in the same manner as in the washing step, and the inner tub 4 is rotated to rinse the laundry 18. In the dehydration step, after draining the washing water to the outside of the housing 2, the driving unit 5 rotates the inner tub 4 containing the laundry 18 at a high speed to dehydrate it.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7, in the washing step and the rinsing step, in order to improve the cleaning effect, the washing water in the outer tub 3 is circulated through the outer tub 3 and the circulation hose 7. More specifically, by driving the circulation pump 8, water is re-introduced into the outer tub 3 from the upper part of the outer tub 3 via the circulation hose 7 from the lower part of the outer tub 3. The water may be introduced in a shower form. By introducing the water from the upper part of the outer tub 3, it hits more of the laundry 18 in the inner tub 4, and a higher cleaning effect can be exerted.

[0043] [Effect] According to the washing machine 1 according to the embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0044] As described above, the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment includes a housing 2, a housing opening 20, a lid body 21, a lid lock portion 10, a motor portion 12, a sensor portion 14, a control portion 6, a first lead wire 11, a second lead wire 13, and a third lead wire 15. The housing 2 forms the outer shell of the washing machine 1. The housing opening 20 is formed in the front surface 2A of the housing 2 and is an opening for loading the laundry 18. The lid body 21 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the housing opening 20. The lid lock portion 10 is disposed on the front surface 2A and is configured to be able to lock the lid body 21 when the lid body 21 is closed. The motor portion 12 includes a motor controlled by inverter control. The sensor portion 14 detects information related to the operation of the washing machine 1. The control portion 6 is disposed at the lower front portion of the housing 2 and controls the motor portion 12 and the lid lock portion 10. The first lead wire 11 electrically connects the lid lock portion 10 and the control portion 6. The second lead wire 13 electrically connects the motor portion 12 and the control portion 6. The third lead wire 15 electrically connects the sensor portion 14 and the control portion 6. The second lead wire 13 extends along the rear surface 2B of the housing 2, and the first lead wire 11 and the third lead wire 15 extend along the front surface 2A.

[0045] With such a configuration, regardless of the opening and closing direction of the lid body 21, the first lead wire 11 and the third lead wire 15 can be separated from the second lead wire 13. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of noise in the first lead wire 11 and the third lead wire 15 by the electric signal for controlling the motor portion 12. Even when the opening and closing direction of the lid body 21 is changed, the positions of the first lead wire 11 and the second lead wire 13 can be maintained. The second lead wire 13 and the third lead wire 15 can be shared in both the washing machine 1 with the left-opening lid body 21 and the washing machine 1 with the right-opening lid body 21. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the washing machine 1 can be suppressed.

[0046] Further, the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment further includes an outer tub 3, a circulation hose 7, and a circulation pump 8. The outer tub 3 is disposed inside the housing 2. The circulation hose 7 connects the upper portion and the lower portion of the outer tub 3. The circulation pump 8 circulates the washing water inside the outer tub 3 via the circulation hose 7.

[0047] With such a configuration, compared with the case where the circulation hose 7 is connected to the lower part of the outer tub 3, water can be discharged from the upper part of the outer tub 3 at a larger flow rate and applied to more laundry 18. Therefore, the cleaning effect by the circulation of the washing water can be improved.

[0048] Also, in the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the circulation hose 7 extends along the front surface 2A of the housing 2 so as to face the third lead wire 15 with the housing opening 20 interposed therebetween.

[0049] With such a configuration, the length of the circulation hose 7 can be made smaller compared with the case where the circulation hose 7 is curved. Therefore, it is possible to easily pump up the washing water to the upper part of the outer tub 3.

[0050] Also, the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment further includes a reinforcing plate 25 disposed between the front surface 2A of the housing 2 and the outer tub 3, and the circulation hose 7 is attached to the reinforcing plate 25.

[0051] With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the vibration of the outer tub 3 generated by the operation of the washing machine 1 from being transmitted to the circulation hose 7. Therefore, deterioration of the circulation hose 7 due to vibration can be suppressed.

[0052] Also, in the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the reinforcing plate 25 projects rearward on the side of the housing opening 20 to form a concave portion (first concave portion 26), and the circulation hose 7 is disposed in the concave portion.

[0053] With such a configuration, the strength of the reinforcing plate 25 can be improved. Also, by disposing the circulation hose 7 in the first concave portion 26, a space for disposing the circulation hose 7 can be secured even in the limited space inside the housing 2. Further, since the reinforcing plate 25 is disposed inside the housing 2, it is possible to suppress the design property of the washing machine 1 from being impaired by the formation of the first concave portion 26.

[0054] Further, in the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the reinforcing plate 25 is provided with a hinge portion 22 that rotatably connects the lid body 21. When viewed from the upper part of the housing 2, the circulation hose 7 is provided between the lid lock portion 10 and the reinforcing plate 25.

[0055] With such a configuration, compared with the case where the circulation hose 7 is arranged on the side of the lid lock portion 10, the space of the housing 2 can be saved while maintaining the size of the housing opening 20.

[0056] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be implemented in various other modes. Although the case where the washing machine 1 is a drum-type washing machine having a drying function has been described, it is not limited to such a case. The washing machine 1 may be a washing machine having only a washing function.

[0057] Although an example in which the circulation hose 7 is provided between the lid lock portion 10 and the reinforcing plate 25 has been described, it is not limited thereto. When the washing machine 1 opens to the right, the circulation hose 7 may be provided between the hinge portion 22 and the reinforcing plate 25.

[0058] The present disclosure is fully described in connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, but various modifications and corrections will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and corrections should be understood to be included therein as long as they do not depart from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.

Industrial Applicability

[0059] The washing machine of the present disclosure is useful as a household washing machine, a commercial washing machine, or any type of washing and drying machine (for example, a household drum-type washing machine).

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0060] 1 Washing machine 2 Housing 3 Outer tub 4 Inner tub 5 Driving part 6 Control part 7 Circulation Hose 8 Circulation Pump 10 Cover Locking Part 11 First Lead Wire 12 Motor Part 13 Second Lead Wire 14 Sensor Part 15 Third Lead Wire 20 Housing Opening 21 Cover 22 Hinge Part 25 Reinforcing Plate

Claims

1. A housing forming the outer shell of a washing machine, An outer tub disposed inside the housing, A housing opening formed on the front surface of the housing for loading laundry, A lid configured to be openable and closable with respect to the housing opening, A lid lock portion disposed on the front surface and configured to lock the lid in a state where the lid is closed, A motor unit controlled by inverter control, A sensor unit for detecting information related to the operation of the washing machine, A control unit disposed at the lower front side of the housing for controlling the motor unit and the lid lock portion, A first lead wire electrically connecting the lid lock portion and the control unit, A second lead wire electrically connecting the motor unit and the control unit, A third lead wire electrically connecting the sensor unit and the control unit, A circulation pump for circulating the washing water inside the outer tub via a circulation hose, Comprising, The second lead wire is provided to extend along the rear surface of the housing, The first lead wire and the third lead wire are provided to extend along the front surface, The circulation hose is provided to extend along the front surface of the housing at a position facing the third lead wire with the housing opening therebetween, Further comprising a reinforcing plate disposed between the front surface of the housing and the outer tub, The circulation hose is attached to the front surface of the reinforcing plate, a drum-type washing machine.

2. The reinforcing plate forms a recess by protruding rearward at the side of the housing opening, and the circulation hose is disposed in the recess. The drum-type washing machine according to Claim 1.

3. The reinforcing plate is provided with a hinge portion for rotatably connecting the lid, When viewed from above the housing, the circulation hose is provided between the lid lock portion and the reinforcing plate. The drum-type washing machine according to Claim 1 or 2.

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