Washing machine

Abstract

To favorably perform mixing of a washing treatment agent supplied from an automatic input device and water, even in a small space, in a washing machine including the automatic input device of the washing treatment agent.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a water supply mechanism having an automatic water supply valve, and for supplying water from a water supply source to a water tub through a water pouring case; and an automatic input device having a pump for pumping up a required amount of washing treatment agent from a tank for storing the washing treatment agent, and for supplying the washing treatment agent together with water by the opening of the automatic water supply valve to the water pouring case through an automatic water supply passage. In the automatic water supply passage of the automatic input device, an inlet end part is connected to an outlet part of the automatic water supply valve, and an outlet end part is connected to the water pouring case. In the automatic water supply passage, a discharge part of the washing treatment agent by the pump is positioned in the middle part, and a bent mixing part is included positioned further on the downstream side than the discharge part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to washing machines.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in a vertical-axis fully automatic washing machine, generally, a drawer-type detergent storage case is provided at a position in the rear part of the top cover facing the laundry access opening. Before starting the washing, the user stores the detergent and fabric softener required for one wash in the detergent storage case, and during the washing operation, they are supplied into the water tank together with the water supply. In recent years, in drum washing machines, in order to meet the demand for improving user convenience, in addition to the manual detergent storage case, a plurality of wash treatment agents such as detergent and fabric softener are stored in advance in the tank for multiple times, and during the washing operation, an automatic dosing device that automatically injects the required amount from the tank into the water tank by driving a pump is considered to be provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the above automatic dosing device is provided in a vertical-axis washing machine, there is a situation where the mechanism has to be incorporated into a narrower space than in the case of a drum washing machine. Therefore, it is difficult to make the water supply path from the automatic dosing device long, and the wash treatment agent discharged from the pump of the automatic dosing device cannot be sufficiently mixed and dissolved with water, and there is a problem that the wash treatment agent remains undissolved in the water supply path.

[0005] Therefore, there is provided a washing machine equipped with an automatic detergent dispenser, which can satisfactorily mix the detergent supplied from the automatic dispenser with water even in a small space.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The washing machine according to the embodiment includes a water tank for storing washing water, a water supply mechanism having at least an automatic water supply valve for supplying water from a water supply source to the water tank through a water injection case, a tank for storing a detergent, and a pump for pumping out a required amount of the detergent from the tank. The automatic detergent dispenser supplies the detergent together with water to the water injection case through an automatic water supply path when the automatic water supply valve is opened. The automatic water supply path of the automatic detergent dispenser has an inlet end connected to the outlet of the automatic water supply valve and an outlet end connected to the water injection case. A discharge part of the detergent by the pump is located in the middle of the automatic water supply path, and a bent mixing part is provided downstream of the discharge part.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] (1) First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment applied to a so-called vertical-axis fully automatic washing machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a vertical-axis washing machine 1 according to this embodiment. The washing machine 1 includes an outer box 2 made of, for example, a steel plate and having a rectangular shape as a whole. At the bottom of this outer box 2, a base plate 4 having four legs 3 is provided. Inside the outer box 2, a water tank 5 in which washing water is stored is provided, being elastically suspended and supported by an elastic suspension mechanism 6 of a well-known configuration. Inside the water tank 5, a dehydration tank 7 is rotatably provided.

[0009] Also, a drain port 8 is formed at the bottom of the water tank 5, and a drain path 10 equipped with a motor-driven drain valve 9 is connected to this drain port 8. The dehydration tank 7 has a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, and a large number of dehydration holes 7a are formed in its peripheral wall portion. At the upper end portion of this dehydration tank 7, for example, a liquid-filled rotary balancer 12 is attached. Laundry (not shown) is to be accommodated inside the dehydration tank 7, and processes such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration of the laundry are performed. A stirring body 13 is disposed at the inner bottom portion of the dehydration tank 7. The stirring body 13 is rotated forward and backward by a drive mechanism 17.

[0010] Above the water tank 5, a water tank cover 14 is mounted. An opening 14a for putting laundry in and out is provided at approximately the center of this water tank cover 14, and an inner lid 15 for opening and closing the opening 14a is attached. A water supply port 16 for water supply is provided at the rear part of the upper surface of the water tank cover 14. And a drive mechanism 17 is disposed at the outer bottom of the water tank 5. Although detailed illustration and description are omitted, the drive mechanism 17 includes a washing machine motor composed of an outer rotor type DC three-phase brushless motor, a hollow tank shaft for rotating the dehydrator 7, a stirring shaft passing through the tank shaft for rotating the stirring body 13, and a clutch mechanism for selectively transmitting the rotational driving force of the washing machine motor to the tank shaft and the stirring shaft, etc.

[0011] The clutch mechanism is switched in conjunction with the opening and closing of the drain valve 9. Thus, when the drain valve 9 is closed during washing and rinsing, the drive mechanism 17 transmits the driving force of the washing machine motor to the stirring body 13 via the stirring shaft in a state where the dehydrator 7 is fixed, that is, stopped, and directly rotates the stirring body 13 at a low speed, and rotates it forward and backward. Also, during dehydration when the drain valve 9 is open, in a state where the tank shaft and the stirring shaft are connected, the driving force of the washing machine motor is transmitted to the dehydrator 7 via the tank shaft, and the dehydrator 7 and the stirring body 13 are directly rotated at high speed in one direction.

[0012] On the other hand, on the upper part of the outer box 2, a top cover 18 made of synthetic resin in the shape of a thin hollow box is mounted. At the center of the upper surface of this top cover 18, a substantially circular clothing inlet / outlet 18a is formed above the dehydrator 7, and a lid 19 for opening and closing the clothing inlet / outlet 18a is provided. An operation panel 20 is provided on the front upper surface part of the top cover 18. Although not shown in detail, the operation panel 20 is provided with an operation part for the user to select a washing operation course and instruct the start of operation, and a display part for displaying the washing process, the remaining time until the end of operation, the set water level, etc. Incidentally, the user can select whether to automatically or manually input a washing treatment agent, that is, a detergent and a softening agent, by setting the course on the operation panel 20.

[0013] Figures 2 and 3 show the rear part of the top cover 18 as viewed from the front side with the lid 19 removed. As also shown in Figures 1 and 4, inside the rear part of this top cover 18, a water supply mechanism 21 for supplying water into the water tank 5 is incorporated on the right side, and an automatic dosing device 22 for automatically dosing a laundry treatment agent is incorporated on the left side. In this embodiment, the automatic dosing device 22 is configured to be able to automatically dose a plurality of, for example, two types of laundry treatment agents, such as detergent and fabric softener. Further, the water supply mechanism 21 includes a manual dosing mechanism 23 for the user to manually dose the detergent and fabric softener for one wash. Hereinafter, the water supply mechanism 21 and the automatic dosing device 22 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 9 as well.

[0014] As shown in Figure 4 and the like, the water supply mechanism 21 includes a connection port 24 exposed on the upper surface of the top cover 18, a water supply valve unit 25, a water injection case 26, and a flexible water supply hose 27 (see Figure 1). As shown in Figure 1, the tip of the water supply hose 27 is connected to the water supply port 16. Further, the tip of a connection hose connected to a water supply source, for example, a faucet (not shown) of a water supply pipe, is connected to the connection port 24. Incidentally, as shown in Figure 4, a bath water pump 28 for pumping up remaining bath water or the like is incorporated near the water supply valve unit 25.

[0015] As shown in Figure 4, the water supply valve unit 25 includes a plurality of water supply valves that open and close electromagnetically. In this embodiment, an automatic water supply valve 29 and a manual fabric softener water supply valve 30 are provided side by side in the upper stage, and a manual detergent water supply valve 31 is provided in the lower stage. Although not shown in detail, the connection port 24 branches downward into three water supply paths and is respectively connected to the inlet portions of the water supply valves 29 to 31. Further, the outlet portion of the automatic water supply valve 29 is connected to the inlet portion of an automatic water supply path 32. Details of this automatic water supply path 32 will be described later.

[0016] Although not shown in detail, the outlet of the manual fabric softener water supply valve 30 is connected to the water injection case 26 via the fabric softener flow path. Similarly, the outlet of the manual detergent water supply valve 31 is connected to the water injection case 26 via the detergent flow path. The water injection case 26 is formed of plastic into a rectangular box shape having an opening at the front, and the opening faces the opening at the rear of the clothing inlet 18a. Incidentally, the bottom of the water injection case 26 gently slopes downward toward the front, and the upper end of the water supply hose 27 is connected to the front end of the lower surface thereof.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a drawer-type storage case 33 (only shown in FIG. 1), which constitutes the manual input mechanism 23, is provided in the water injection case 26 so as to be able to be taken in and out through the opening. Although not shown in detail, the storage case 33 is formed of plastic into a thin container shape with an open upper surface, and has a manual detergent storage portion and a manual fabric softener storage portion arranged side by side left and right. For example, one-time use of detergent is stored in the manual detergent storage portion, and one-time use of fabric softener is stored in the manual fabric softener storage portion as required. The storage case 33 is arranged at the upper part in the water injection case 26 in the storage position, and the front door 33a provided on the front surface thereof closes the opening. At the pull-out position of the storage case 33 pulled forward from the storage position, it is possible for the user to perform the operation of storing detergent and fabric softener in the storage case 33.

[0018] With the above configuration, the manual supply mechanism 23 is constituted. In this manual supply mechanism 23, when the water supply valve 31 for manual detergent is opened, the tap water supplied from the connection port 24 passes through the detergent flow path and is showered into the manual detergent storage section of the storage case 33 in the water injection case 26. The water supplied to the manual detergent storage section flows to the bottom of the water injection case 26 while dissolving the stored detergent, and is supplied into the water tank 5 through the water supply hose 27. Also, when the water supply valve 30 for manual fabric softener is opened, the tap water supplied from the connection port 24 passes through the fabric softener flow path and is injected into the manual fabric softener storage section of the storage case 33 in the water injection case 26. The water supplied to the manual fabric softener storage section flows into the water tank 5 through the water supply hose 27 from the water injection case 26 while dissolving the stored fabric softener.

[0019] Now, the automatic feeder 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9 as well. As shown in FIG. 4, the automatic feeder 22 includes a tank case 34 provided on the front side and a pump 35 provided at the rear thereof for pumping out the laundry treatment agent. The tank case 34 has a rectangular box shape with an open front surface, and as shown in FIG. 3, a tank support frame 36 having a front door 36a is provided so as to be pullable forward. Inside this tank support frame 36, a detergent tank 37 and a fabric softening agent tank 38, both having an elongated rectangular box shape in the front-rear direction, are accommodated side by side.

[0020] The detergent tank 37 stores a liquid detergent that can be used for multiple washes, and the fabric softening agent tank 38 stores a fabric softening agent that can be used for multiple washes. The work of the user to store and replenish the laundry treatment agent into the detergent tank 37 and the fabric softening agent tank 38 is performed with the tank support frame 36 pulled forward from the tank case 34, that is, the top cover 18. When the tank support frame 36 is pushed into the tank case 34 and stored, the detergent tank 37 and the fabric softening agent tank 38 are respectively connected to the two suction ports of the pump 35.

[0021] The pump 35 has two suction ports on the left and right facing forward, and two discharge ports 35a and 35b (see FIGS. 4, 5, etc.) on the left and right facing downward, and is configured with a motor as a drive source. This pump 35 is configured to switch the suction port for sucking in the liquid and the discharge ports 35a and 35b for discharging the liquid by switching the rotation direction of the motor, that is, the energization direction. The two discharge ports 35a and 35b of this pump 35 are arranged above the discharge part in the middle of the automatic water supply path 32 described later.

[0022] At this time, one suction port of the pump 35 is connected to the detergent tank 37 side, and the detergent in the detergent tank 37 is pumped out by the rotation of the motor in one direction and discharged from one discharge port 35a. The other suction port of the pump 35 is connected to the softener tank 38 side, and the softener in the softener tank 38 is pumped out by the rotation of the motor in the other direction and discharged from the other, that is, the right discharge port 35b. The discharge amount of the detergent and the softener, that is, the supply amount to the discharge part 40 in the middle of the automatic water supply path 32 described later, is controlled by the driving time of the pump 35.

[0023] Thus, the automatic input device 22 can pump out only the required amount of the detergent stored in the detergent tank 37 and supply it to the discharge part 40 by driving the pump 35, and can also pump out only the required amount of the softener stored in the softener tank 38 and supply it to the discharge part 40. As will be described later, when the automatic water supply valve 29 is turned on and water is supplied to the automatic water supply path 32 in a state where the detergent or the softener is supplied to the discharge part 40 by driving the pump 35, the water is mixed with the detergent or the softener in the discharge part 40 and flows while dissolving them, and is supplied into the water tank 5 through the water injection case 26 and the like.

[0024] And the automatic water supply path 32 is configured as follows. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, etc., this automatic water supply path 32 includes an upper pipe 39, an intermediate flow path unit 41 that constitutes the discharge unit 40, and a connecting pipe 42. Among them, the upper pipe 39 extends leftward from the outlet of the automatic water supply valve 29 while passing through the upper part of the water injection case 26 horizontally and descending slightly. After that, when the upper pipe 39 exits from the left side wall of the water injection case 26, that is, on the right side of the pump 35, it bends downward at a substantially right angle, and its lower end is connected to the inlet side connection port 43 (see FIG. 6, etc.) of the intermediate flow path unit 41.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the intermediate flow path unit 41 is formed in a hollow shape from a case part 41a made of a plastic material and a cover 41b arranged on its upper surface. The case part 41a has a case shape with an open upper surface that is long in the left and right directions and whose left end bulges backward. Inside, a case internal path 44 through which water flows in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 9 is provided so as to form a J shape when viewed from above. This case internal path 44 constitutes a part of the middle of the automatic water supply path 32. In addition, the case part 41a integrally has an outlet side connection port 45 that protrudes and extends to the right in the figure from the end of the case internal path 44.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the cover 41b has a plate shape that closes the case internal path 44 on the upper surface of the case part 41a. At the same time, an inlet side connection port 43 is provided at the right end of the cover 41b so as to protrude upward on the upper surface. Further, on the cover 41b, a detergent connection port 46 and a softener connection port 47 are provided horizontally above the case internal path 44. The lower end, that is, the end of the upper pipe 39, is connected to the inlet side connection port 43. The discharge port 35a of the pump 35 is connected to the detergent connection port 46, and the discharge port 35b is connected to the softener connection port 47.

[0027] Thus, the detergent discharged from the discharge port 35a of the pump 35 is discharged to the portion directly below the detergent connection port 46 in the case internal path 44, and the softener discharged from the discharge port 35b is discharged to the portion directly below the softener connection port 47. Therefore, the portions directly below the detergent connection port 46 and the softener connection port 47 in the case internal path 44 are the discharge portions 40. In this case, the discharge portions 40 for the two types of laundry treatment agents, namely, both the detergent and the softener, which are plural in number, are arranged on a single automatic water supply path 32, that is, on the case internal path 44.

[0028] At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the case internal path 44 is bent in a U shape downstream of the discharge portion 40, and the portion bent in the U shape is the bending and mixing portion 44a. Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, uneven shapes having alternating high and low portions up and down in the flow direction are provided at the bottom of the discharge portion 40 of the case internal path 44. Thereby, a part of the discharge portion 40 of the case internal path 44 has a partially reduced flow path cross-sectional area due to the convex portions of the uneven shape.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5 and the like, one end of the connection pipe 42 is connected to the outlet side connection port 45 of the intermediate flow path unit 41, and the other end is connected to the lower rear end portion of the left side wall portion of the water injection case 26. Thereby, in the automatic water supply path 32, when the automatic water supply valve 29 is opened, the tap water supplied from the connection port 24 flows through the upper pipe 39 and into the case internal path 44 of the intermediate flow path unit 41 from the inlet side connection port 43. When a detergent or a softener is supplied to the discharge portion 40, they are mixed therewith, discharged from the outlet side connection port 45 through the bending and mixing portion 44a, and flow into the lower portion in the water injection case 26 through the connection pipe 42. Then, it is supplied into the water tank 5 through the water supply hose 27.

[0030] Although not shown in the drawings, the washing machine 1 is provided with a control device mainly composed of a computer, for example, which controls the entire washing machine 1. The control device controls each water supply valve 29, 30, 31 of the water supply valve unit 25, the pump 35 of the automatic feeder 22, the drive mechanism 17, the drain valve 9, etc. based on input signals from various sensors and a control program stored in advance according to the operation course set by the user on the operation panel 20. Thus, a washing operation consisting of a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydration process is automatically executed. Details of each process of these washing operations and drying operations are well-known, so the description is omitted here.

[0031] In this case, as described above, when the user executes the washing operation, the user can select and operate on the operation panel 20 whether to automatically input the detergent and fabric softener by the automatic feeder 22 or manually input the detergent and fabric softener for one time using the storage case 33 of the manual input mechanism 23. When the user selects manual input, the user needs to store the required amount of powder detergent or liquid detergent in the manual detergent storage part of the storage case 33 in advance at the start of the washing operation. Also, when using a fabric softener, the required amount of fabric softener is put into the manual fabric softener storage part together with the above detergent.

[0032] When automatic input of the detergent and fabric softener is selected, the control device supplies the required amount of detergent to the discharge part 40 by the automatic feeder 22 before the start of water supply in the washing process, and then turns on the automatic water supply valve 29 to execute water supply. Also, before the final rinsing process, the control device supplies the required amount of fabric softener to the supply part 40 by the automatic feeder 22, and then opens the automatic water supply valve 29 to supply water. On the other hand, although detailed description is omitted, when manual input of the detergent and fabric softener is selected, the control device opens the manual detergent water supply valve 31 and the manual fabric softener water supply valve 30 to supply water without operating the automatic feeder 22.

[0033] Next, the operation of the washing machine 1 with the above configuration will be described. When executing the washing operation, the user accommodates clothes in the drum 4 and starts the washing operation by making settings such as selecting a washing course from the operation panel 20. At this time, the user selects either automatic or manual input of the detergent and softener. As described above, when the washing operation is started, the control device controls each mechanism of the washing machine and automatically executes a washing operation consisting of well-known processes such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration.

[0034] When the washing operation is started and automatic detergent input is selected, before the start of water supply in the washing process, the pump 35 of the automatic input device 22 is driven and controlled, so that the detergent in the detergent tank 37 is sucked from one suction port. By driving the pump 35 for a predetermined time, a required amount of detergent is supplied into the intermediate flow path unit 41 in the middle of the automatic water supply path 32, that is, the discharge part 40. Then, the automatic water supply valve 29 is opened, water from the water supply source is supplied to the automatic water supply path 32, and is supplied into the intermediate flow path unit 41 from the inlet side connection port 43 through the upper pipe 39.

[0035] Thus, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the water supplied from the inlet side connection port 43 of the intermediate flow path unit 41 flows through the case internal flow path 44 in the direction of arrow A. Thereby, the detergent supplied to the discharge part 40 is mixed with water and flows while dissolving, and flows into the water injection case 26 through the connection pipe 42 from the outlet side connection port 45. Then, it is supplied into the water tank 5 through the water supply hose 27. Thus, the washing water in which the detergent is dissolved in water is automatically supplied to the water tank 5, and the washing process is executed.

[0036] At this time, in the case internal flow path 44 of the intermediate flow path unit 41 that constitutes the middle part of the automatic water supply path 32, a bending mixing part 44a that is located downstream of the discharge part 40 and extends in a U-shaped curve is provided. Therefore, the flow of water is disturbed when passing through the bending mixing part 44a, and the mixing of the detergent and water is promoted well. In this case, the bending mixing part 44a can be arranged even in a narrow space, and the mixing of the detergent and water is effectively performed.

[0037] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, at the bottom of the discharge portion 40 of the in-case flow path 44, an uneven shape that curves up and down along the flow direction is provided, and the cross-sectional area of the flow path is partially reduced. As a result, in the discharge portion 40, turbulent flow is generated in the water flow due to the unevenness at the bottom, and turbulent flow is also generated in the water flow due to the fluctuation of the cross-sectional area of the flow path, so that water and detergent can be more effectively mixed. Moreover, a flow is generated in which water jumps upward due to the unevenness at the bottom, and water hits the lower outlet portions of the detergent connection port 46 and the softener connection port 47, and it can be expected that this portion will be washed away with water.

[0038] After that, as the process proceeds and before the water supply in the final rinsing process, when automatic input is selected, the pump 35 of the automatic input device 22 is driven in the reverse direction, and this time the softener in the softener tank 38 is pumped out and supplied to the discharge portion 40. By opening the automatic water supply valve 29 after this, the water flowing through the automatic water supply path 32 and thus the in-case flow path 44 flows while dissolving the softener in the discharge portion 40, and the washing water containing the softener is supplied into the water tank 5 through the water injection case 26, and the final rinsing process is executed. After that, a dehydration process or the like is executed.

[0039] Also in this case, similar to the case of the detergent described above, the water flow is disturbed when passing through the bending mixing portion 44a, and the mixing of the softener and water proceeds well. In addition, due to the uneven shape at the bottom of the in-case flow path 44, water and the softener can be more effectively mixed. Incidentally, although detailed description is omitted, when manual input of detergent and softener is selected, the user stores the detergent and softener used for one washing in the storage case 33 at the start of the washing operation. In this case, the manual detergent water supply valve 31 and the manual softener water supply valve 30 are driven and controlled, and the detergent and softener are input into the water tank 5 by the manual input mechanism 23.

[0040] According to the washing machine 1 of this embodiment in this way, the following excellent effects can be obtained. That is, in the case of being provided with the automatic feeding device 22 for automatically feeding the detergent and the fabric softener into the water tank 5, in the case internal flow path 44 of the intermediate flow path unit 41 that constitutes the middle part of the automatic water supply path 32, a U-shaped bending mixing part 44a is provided downstream of the discharge part 40. Thereby, even in a small space, the mixing of the laundry treatment agent and water supplied from the automatic feeding device 22 can be performed well.

[0041] Particularly in this embodiment, a location where the flow path cross-sectional area is partially reduced is provided at the discharge part 40 of the case internal flow path 44. Thereby, a turbulent flow is generated in the flow of water at the part where the flow path cross-sectional area changes, and the water and the laundry treatment agent can be more effectively mixed. Also in this embodiment, an uneven shape is provided at the bottom of the discharge part 40 of the case internal flow path 44. Thereby, a turbulent flow is generated in the flow of water due to the unevenness, and the water and the laundry treatment agent can be more effectively mixed. At the same time, the detergent connection port 46 and the fabric softener connection port 47 parts can be washed away with water, and the adhesion of the laundry treatment agent and the solidification while adhering can be prevented. Further in this embodiment, since the discharge parts 40 for both the detergent and the fabric softener are arranged on one case internal flow path 44, the input of a plurality of laundry treatment agents, that is, the input of the detergent and the input of the fabric softener can be performed using the same automatic water supply path 32, and the configuration can be simplified and the space can be saved.

[0042] (2) Second Embodiment FIG. 10 shows the second embodiment. The difference between this embodiment and the above-described first embodiment is that a UFB unit 51 as a fine bubble generator is provided in the water supply mechanism 21, and water containing fine bubbles can be supplied to the automatic water supply path 32. In this case, although not shown in detail, for example, the UFB unit 51 is provided at the outlet part of the automatic water supply valve 29, and when the automatic water supply valve 29 is opened, the fine bubble water obtained through the UFB unit 51 is supplied to the automatic water supply path 32.

[0043] Figure 10 shows the configuration of the UFB unit 51. This UFB unit 51 generates fine bubbles, which are microbubbles, by utilizing the principle of a Venturi tube. It is composed of two components, namely an upstream channel member 52 and a downstream channel member 53, both made of synthetic resin, combined with each other. As a whole, the UFB unit 51 has a cylindrical shape with its axial direction being the left - right direction in the figure and having a flange portion 54 at the rear end, that is, the right end in Figure 10. In its central part, a channel 55 is formed which penetrates in the left - right direction in Figure 10 and through which water flows in the direction of arrow B. In this channel 55, the opening on the right side in Figure 10 is the inlet 55a, and the opening on the left side is the outlet 55b.

[0044] And in the middle part of the channel 55, a throttle portion 55c is formed by a protruding portion 56 that protrudes toward the inner - peripheral side. The channel 55 is configured in a tapered shape where the cross - sectional area of the channel gradually decreases in the range of about 1 / 4 of the total length from the inlet 55a, and the remaining part, except for the throttle portion 55c, is configured in a straight shape with a substantially constant inner diameter. The upstream channel member 52 integrally has a protruding portion 56 that constitutes the upstream side of the channel 55 and narrows the cross - sectional area of the throttle portion 55c. The downstream channel member 53 constitutes the downstream side of the channel 55 from the protruding portion 56. The protruding portion 56 is located at four positions (only two are shown) at 90 - degree intervals and extends with a pointed tip toward the inner - peripheral side. As a result, the channel 55 is narrowed, and the portion with the smallest cross - sectional area of the throttle portion 55c is in an X - shaped, or in other words, a cross - shaped slit form.

[0045] The UFB unit 51 configured as above is fitted and fixed so as to be inserted between the outlet of the automatic water supply valve 29 and the base end of the automatic water supply path 32, that is, the upper pipe 39. Thus, tap water is supplied to the UFB unit 51 at a relatively high pressure and flows through the channel 55 from the inlet 55a in the direction of arrow B. Then, since the throttle portion 55c formed by the protruding portion 56 is provided in the middle of the channel 55, due to the so - called Venturi effect in fluid dynamics, the flow velocity is increased and the pressure is rapidly decreased. As a result, a large amount of fine bubbles can be precipitated.

[0046] This UFB unit 51 can generate a large amount of fine bubbles or nanobubbles, which are fine bubbles containing ultrafine bubbles with a diameter of about 50 nm to 1 μm and microbubbles with a diameter of about 1 μm to several hundred μm. Thus, when the automatic water supply valve 29 is opened, fine bubble water containing a large amount of fine bubbles passes through the upper pipe 39 and is supplied to the intermediate flow path unit 41. At this time, when the washing treatment agent is supplied to the discharge part 40 by the automatic dosing device 22, the fine bubble water and the washing treatment agent are mixed. Then, the fine bubble water containing the washing treatment agent is supplied to the water injection case 26 and then supplied into the water tank 5.

[0047] According to this second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, in the case of being provided with the automatic dosing device 22, even in a small space, the mixing of the washing treatment agent and water supplied from the automatic dosing device 22 can be performed well. And in addition, by supplying water containing a large amount of fine bubbles to the automatic water supply path 32, the action of the fine bubbles can make it easier to dissolve the washing treatment agent in water. Moreover, by supplying the water containing fine bubbles to the water tank 5, the washing effect can be enhanced.

[0048] (3) Third Embodiment, Other Embodiments FIG. 11 shows the third embodiment. The difference between this third embodiment and the first embodiment is that a meandering path is provided in the automatic water supply path 32 downstream of the discharge part 40. In this embodiment, the connecting pipe 61 connecting the outlet side connection port 45 of the intermediate flow path unit 41 and the water injection case 26 is configured in a meandering shape in the horizontal direction. According to this, after mixing water and the washing treatment agent in the intermediate flow path unit 41, more turbulent flow can be generated when flowing through the connecting pipe 61, so that the mixing of water and the washing treatment agent can be improved. It should be noted that the meandering direction of the meandering path can also be the vertical direction.

[0049] In the above-described embodiments, the intermediate flow path unit 41 is provided with the bent mixing portion 44a that bends in a U shape. However, as the bent mixing portion, various modifications are possible, such as providing it so that the path bends at an angle of 90 degrees in an L shape, or providing it so that it rotates in a spiral shape. When providing a portion with a small flow path cross-sectional area in the middle of the automatic water supply path, it may be provided on the downstream side of the discharge portion 40. Also, although not described in detail in the above-described second embodiment, when the UFB unit 51 is provided in the water supply path, since the water supply amount per unit time of the path decreases, in order to shorten the water supply time, it may be configured to supply water using both the automatic water supply path and the manual water supply path. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the UFB unit is provided in the manual water supply path.

[0050] The configuration of the automatic input device is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the following modifications are possible. That is, a piston pump may be adopted as the pump used for transferring the detergent, or the detergent may be supplied by opening and closing an electromagnetic valve. Although a configuration including a detergent tank and a fabric softener tank is adopted, it may be configured to automatically supply only the detergent or only the fabric softener as the laundry treatment agent. Furthermore, it can also be configured to automatically supply other laundry treatment agents, such as bleach. At this time, it may be configured to automatically supply not only two types but three or more types of laundry treatment agents. Also in this case, the discharge portions of these three types of laundry treatment agents can be arranged on one automatic water supply path. As for the configuration of the tank, its shape, and the configuration for replenishment, various modifications are possible, such as adopting a configuration in which the lid on the upper surface of the top cover is opened to replenish the laundry treatment agent or remove the tank.

[0051] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, although it has been applied to a vertical-axis washing machine, it can also be applied to a horizontal-axis drum washing machine. Various changes are possible also with respect to the overall configuration of the water supply mechanism and the water supply path and the like. Although a plurality of 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, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Signs

[0052] In the drawings, 1 is a washing machine, 2 is an outer box, 5 is a water tank, 18 is a top cover, 21 is a water supply mechanism, 22 is an automatic dosing device, 23 is a manual dosing mechanism, 25 is a water supply valve unit, 26 is a water injection case, 29 is an automatic water supply valve, 30 is a manual fabric softener water supply valve, 31 is a manual detergent water supply valve, 32 is an automatic water supply path, 33 is a storage case, 35 is a pump, 35a and 35b are discharge ports, 37 is a detergent tank, 38 is a fabric softener tank, 39 is an upper pipe, 40 is a discharge part, 41 is an intermediate flow path unit, 42 is a connecting pipe, 43 is an inlet side connection port, 44 is an in-case flow path, 44a is a bent mixing part, 45 is an outlet side connection port, 46 is a detergent connection port, 47 is a fabric softener connection port, 51 is a UFB unit (microbubble generator), and 61 is a connecting pipe (serpentine path).

Claims

1. A water tank for storing washing water, A water supply mechanism having at least an automatic water supply valve for supplying water from a water supply source to the water tank through a water injection case, An automatic dosing device having a tank for storing a washing treatment agent and a pump for pumping out a required amount of the washing treatment agent from the tank, and supplying the washing treatment agent together with water to the water injection case through an automatic water supply path when the automatic water supply valve is opened, The automatic water supply path of the automatic dosing device has an inlet end connected to the outlet of the automatic water supply valve and an outlet end connected to the water injection case, The automatic water supply path has a discharge portion of the washing treatment agent by the pump located in the middle thereof, and has a bending mixing portion located downstream of the discharge portion, The washing machine, wherein the discharge portion and the bending mixing portion are provided in an intermediate flow path unit configured in a hollow shape.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a portion where the flow path cross-sectional area is partially reduced is provided at or downstream of the discharge portion in the middle of the intermediate flow path unit.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an uneven shape is provided at the bottom of the discharge portion in the middle of the intermediate flow path unit.

4. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water supply mechanism is provided with a fine bubble generator, and water containing fine bubbles can be supplied to the intermediate flow path unit.

5. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the automatic dosing device is configured to be capable of dosing a plurality of washing treatment agents, and discharge portions of the plurality of washing treatment agents by the pump are arranged on one intermediate flow path unit.

6. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the automatic water supply path is provided with a meandering path located downstream of the discharge portion.

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