washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of connecting a drain hose without protruding from a side surface of a washing machine, while maintaining a drain trap.SOLUTION: A washing machine 1 includes: an internal drain hose 110A which is arranged inside a washing machine body 10, and in which a downstream side in the drain flow direction is raised and a drain trap Tr is formed; an external drain hose 110B for connecting between the internal drain hose 110A and a drain port; and a fixing component 111 capable of fixing the internal drain hose 110A to a bottom base 100 which is a lower housing of the washing machine body 10. The fixing component 111 can fix a downstream side end part of the internal drain hose 110A in a state where the drain trap Tr is formed. The external drain hose 110B is connected to the internal drain hose 110A inside the bottom base 100 by the fixing component 111, and can be drawn out below the washing machine body 10 from a lower surface hose insertion hole 101 provided on a lower surface of the bottom base 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine having a drain trap. [Background technology]

[0002] A washing machine is installed with a drain hose connected to the drain outlet to drain water after washing, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses that in order to prevent odors from rising from the drain outlet, the drain hose is raised on the side of the washing machine body (side of the base) and water is collected in the hose, forming a drain trap. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-42115 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which an internal drain hose and an external drain hose are provided as drain hoses, the downstream end of the internal drain hose is raised at the outlet on the side of the washing machine body to form a drain trap, and the outlet and the drain outlet are connected by the external drain hose. In this configuration, because the external drain hose is connected to the internal drain hose at the outlet on the side of the washing machine body, even if the drain outlet is directly below the washing machine, the drain hose will protrude from the side of the washing machine.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a washing machine that can connect a drain hose to a drain outlet without protruding from the side of the washing machine while maintaining a drain trap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the washing machine of the present invention has an internal drain hose that is arranged inside the washing machine body and has a downstream side in the drain flow direction raised to form a drain trap, an external drain hose that connects the internal drain hose to a drain outlet, and a fixing part that can fix the internal drain hose to the base, which is the lower casing of the washing machine body, and the fixing part can fix the downstream end of the internal drain hose with the drain trap formed, and the external drain hose is connected to the internal drain hose inside the base and can be pulled out below the washing machine body through a bottom hose insertion hole provided on the underside of the base.

[0007] According to the above configuration, even if the washing machine is installed with a drain outlet directly below the washing machine body or there is not enough space on both sides of the washing machine body to route the external drain hose, the drain hose can be connected to the drain outlet by connecting the internal drain hose and the external drain hose inside the washing machine body and pulling the external drain hose out of the washing machine body through the underside hose insertion hole on the underside of the base. Also, because the internal drain hose is fixed with the fixing part with the drain trap formed in it, the trapping performance of the drain trap can be stably ensured.

[0008] In the washing machine, the base may have a side hose insertion hole on a side surface thereof, through which the internal drain hose can be pulled out laterally.

[0009] In the above configuration, if the drain outlet is located outside the installation location of the washing machine body or if there is sufficient space on the side of the washing machine body, it is possible to connect the internal drain hose and the external drain hose outside the device by pulling the internal drain hose out through the side hose insertion hole on the side of the base, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0010] In addition, in the above-mentioned washing machine, when the internal drain hose is attached to the side hose insertion hole and the internal drain hose and the external drain hose are connected through the side hose insertion hole, the fixing part does not fix the internal drain hose, but can be configured to have its attachment position movable so as to block the lower hose insertion hole.

[0011] In the above configuration, in situations where it is not necessary to fix the internal drain hose with a fixing part and to insert the external drain hose into the lower hose insertion hole, it is possible to block the lower hose insertion hole with the fixing part, thereby preventing users from inserting their hands or fingers into the device through the lower hose insertion hole and touching electrical components when cleaning, etc. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The washing machine of the present invention has the advantage that the drain trap is maintained by a fixed part, the internal drain hose and the external drain hose are connected within the washing machine body, and the external drain hose is pulled out from the underside of the base to the outside of the washing machine body, so that the drain hose can be connected to the drain outlet without protruding from the side of the washing machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a washing machine to which the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] This is an oblique view showing the base base with the drain hose pulled out from the underside of the base base. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view corresponding to the base of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a bottom view corresponding to the base of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the base of FIG. 2. [Figure 6A] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a procedure for connecting a drain hose when installing a washing machine. [Figure 6B] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a procedure for connecting a drain hose when installing a washing machine. [Figure 6C]10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a procedure for connecting a drain hose when installing a washing machine. [Figure 6D] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a procedure for connecting a drain hose when installing a washing machine. [Figure 6E] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a procedure for connecting a drain hose when installing a washing machine. [Figure 7] This is an oblique view showing the base base with the internal drain hose pulled out from the side of the base base. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a top view corresponding to the base of FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] First Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a washing machine 1 to which the present invention is applied. The washing machine 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a drum-type washing machine, but the type of washing machine in the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be a vertical washing machine or a washer-dryer.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, washing machine 1 includes washing machine main body 10 and drain hose 110 (see FIGS. 2 to 5) for draining water from a washing tub (not shown). Door 11 is provided on the front side of washing machine main body 10. Furthermore, washing machine main body 10 includes base 100 as a lower housing. Washing machine 1 according to the first embodiment is designed so that drain hose 110 can be pulled out from the underside of base 100 when there is a drain outlet directly below washing machine main body 10 or when there is insufficient space on both sides of washing machine main body 10 to route drain hose 110. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing base 100 with drain hose 110 pulled out from the underside of base 100. FIG. 3 is a top view corresponding to base 100 in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of base 100 corresponding to base 100 in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of base 100 corresponding to base 100 in FIG. 2 (cross-sectional view taken along AA in FIGS. 3 and 4). 2 to 5 also show various components attached to the base 100.

[0016] The washing machine 1 requires a drain hose 110 for draining water from the washing tub (not shown). The base 100 is designed to be attached to the drain hose 110 while forming a drain trap. The drain hose 110 is divided into an inner drain hose 110A and an outer drain hose 110B. Specifically, the inner drain hose 110A has an upstream end (relative to the direction of drainage flow) connected to the washing tub drain valve unit 140 (see FIG. 5), and a downstream end connected to the outer drain hose 110B. The outer drain hose 110B connects the inner drain hose 110A to a drain outlet, and its downstream end is connected to a drain outlet provided in, for example, a waterproof pan. As will be described in more detail later, configuring the drain hose 110 to be separable into the inner drain hose 110A and the outer drain hose 110B in this way facilitates installation of the washing machine 1.

[0017] The drain trap in drain hose 110 is formed midway through internal drain hose 110A. That is, as shown in Fig. 5, internal drain hose 110A is first bent laterally below base 100 and then bent upward again to form a curved portion, which serves as drain trap Tr. Drain trap Tr prevents odors from rising from the drain outlet by leaving a portion of the drainage water from the washing tub in the curved portion.

[0018] Next, the operation of connecting drain hose 110 when the drain outlet is located directly below washing machine body 10 during installation of washing machine 1 will be described with reference to Figures 6A to 6E. Note that the following connection operation can be easily performed inside the front of washing machine body 10, for example, when door 11 of washing machine 1 is open and front lower panel 120 (see Figure 1) is removed from washing machine body 10.

[0019] First, as a preliminary step to installing the washing machine 1, the downstream end of the external drain hose 110B is connected to the drain outlet, and the upstream end of the external drain hose 110B is pulled out to the front (see FIG. 6A). After connecting the external drain hose 110B to the drain outlet, the washing machine body 10 is installed in a predetermined position (installation space).

[0020] Inside washing machine body 10, fixing part 111 for fixing the downstream end of internal drain hose 110A to base base 100 is temporarily removed from base base 100. Note that fixing part 111 is fixed to base base 100 by screwing or fitting, and can be removed from base base 100 by removing the screws or fitting. Next, the removed fixing part 111 is attached to internal drain hose 110A. Fixing part 111 is also attached to internal drain hose 110A by screwing. For this reason, internal drain hose 110A has flange portion 112 at the downstream end, which can be screwed in a state where flange portion 112 overlaps with the frame portion of fixing part 111 (see FIG. 6B). Note that instead of screwing, flange portion 112 and fixing part 111 may be configured to be engageable with each other.

[0021] Meanwhile, the upstream end of external drain hose 110B is pulled into washing machine main body 10 through lower hose insertion hole 101 provided near the front of the bottom surface of base base 100 (see FIG. 6C). Then, inside the front of washing machine main body 10, the downstream end of internal drain hose 110A is connected to the upstream end of external drain hose 110B (see FIG. 6D). At this time, it is preferable to fix the connection between internal drain hose 110A and external drain hose 110B with a hose clip or the like. Finally, fixing part 111 is fixed to base base 100 again, thereby fixing drain hose 110 to base base 100, and the connection work of drain hose 110 is completed (see FIG. 6E). Note that, when fixed to base base 100, fixing part 111 fixes internal drain hose 110A at a position higher than drain trap Tr.

[0022] The fixing part 111 is fixed to the flange part 112 of the internal drain hose 110A with screws, so that the internal drain hose 110A can be fixed without grabbing the thin-walled part of the hose 110A. Compared to a structure in which the hose is simply hooked onto a hook, this structure can prevent the hose from breaking when being routed. Furthermore, if the hose is not fixed in the first place, there is a concern that the hose may come into contact with surrounding internal parts or that the trap height may not be sufficiently ensured. However, by fixing the internal drain hose 110A with the fixing part 111, the hose is prevented from coming into contact with internal parts, and the trap performance of the drain trap Tr can be stably ensured.

[0023] In washing machine 1 according to Embodiment 1, even if the installation location of washing machine 1 has a drain outlet directly below washing machine body 10 or there is not enough space on both sides of washing machine body 10 to route external drain hose 110B, internal drain hose 110A and external drain hose 110B can be easily connected inside the front of washing machine body 10 (i.e., at a location that is easy for an operator to reach). Furthermore, internal drain hose 110A can be fixed to base base 100 at a position higher than drain trap Tr by fixing part 111, making it easy to form drain trap Tr. Furthermore, external drain hose 110B is pulled out of the device through lower hose insertion hole 101 provided on the underside of base base 100, so drain hose 110 does not protrude from the side of washing machine 1.

[0024] The connection point between the internal drain hose 110A and the external drain hose 110B is preferably in a space with few other internal components. For example, the base 100 shown in FIG. 2 has the drain filter 130 located on the left side when viewed from the front. In such a case, it is preferable to connect the internal drain hose 110A and the external drain hose 110B on the opposite side of the drain filter 130 (the right side when viewed from the front). By connecting the internal drain hose 110A and the external drain hose 110B in a space that is easily reachable by the worker and with few other components, the hose connection and routing can be easily performed. This can prevent water leakage due to improper connection work and hose breakage due to incorrect hose routing.

[0025] Furthermore, it is desirable to locate the intake port (i.e., lower surface hose insertion hole 101) of external drain hose 110B in base 100 near the center in the left-right direction at the front of washing machine body 10. In this way, by locating the intake port of external drain hose 110B near the center, external drain hose 110B can be easily routed while suppressing hose slack regardless of the position of the drain outlet (regardless of whether it is in the left or right position). Also, the length of external drain hose 110B can be reduced.

[0026] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment described above, when a drain outlet is located directly below washing machine body 10 or when there is insufficient space on both sides of washing machine body 10 to route external drain hose 110B, internal drain hose 110A and external drain hose 110B are connected inside the front of washing machine body 10, and external drain hose 110B can be pulled out from the underside of base 100. However, when a drain outlet is located outside the installation location of washing machine body 10 or when there is sufficient space on the side of washing machine body 10, it is preferable to enable connection of internal drain hose 110A and external drain hose 110B even on the side of washing machine body 10. Washing machine 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 has a configuration that enables connection of internal drain hose 110A and external drain hose 110B even on the side of washing machine body 10. In the second embodiment, a method for connecting internal drain hose 110A and external drain hose 110B on the side of washing machine body 10 will be described.

[0027] Washing machine 1 has side hose insertion hole 102 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) on the side of washing machine body 10 (more specifically, on the side of base 100), and the downstream end of internal drain hose 110A can be pulled out to the outside of washing machine body 10 through side hose insertion hole 102 (or the downstream end of internal drain hose 110A can be attached to side hose insertion hole 102). By attaching and pulling out internal drain hose 110A to the side of washing machine body 10 in this way, internal drain hose 110A and external drain hose 110B can be connected outside the machine (through side hose insertion hole 102). In this case, internal drain hose 110A and external drain hose 110B can be connected without removing front lower panel 120 from washing machine body 10, improving convenience for the user.

[0028] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the base 100 with the internal drain hose 110A pulled out from the side of the base 100. Fig. 8 is a top view corresponding to the base 100 in Fig. 7. Note that Figs. 7 and 8 also show various components attached to the base 100, but do not show the external drain hose 110B.

[0029] 7, an internal hose insertion hole 103 is provided inside washing machine body 10 (more specifically, inside base 100). Side hose insertion hole 102 and internal hose insertion hole 103 are provided in area 150 partitioned from the inside of base 100, with side hose insertion hole 102 opening toward the outside of washing machine body 10 and internal hose insertion hole 103 opening toward the inside of base 100.

[0030] When connecting the internal drain hose 110A and the external drain hose 110B inside the front of the washing machine main body 10 as in embodiment 1, the downstream end of the internal drain hose 110A is inserted into the internal hose insertion hole 103 and pulled into the inside of the base 100, and is connected to the external drain hose 110B by the fixing part 111, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0031] On the other hand, when the internal drain hose 110A is pulled out from the side hose insertion hole 102, the downstream end of the internal drain hose 110A is pulled out into the side hose insertion hole 102. That is, by switching the direction in which the downstream end of the internal drain hose 110A is pulled out in the area 150, the connection point between the internal drain hose 110A and the external drain hose 110B is changed.

[0032] At this time, the area 150 in which the side hose insertion hole 102 and the internal hose insertion hole 103 are formed is partitioned off from the inside of the base base 100, so that when the direction in which the downstream end of the internal drain hose 110A is pulled out is changed, the internal drain hose 110A is prevented from unnecessarily entering the inside of the base base 100, and interference between the equipment installed inside the base base 100 and the internal drain hose 110A can be prevented.

[0033] When the internal drain hose 110A is pulled out from the side hose insertion hole 102, the flange portion 112 of the internal drain hose 110A is screwed to the frame of the base 100 at the downstream end of the internal drain hose 110A. For this screwing, the same screws and screw holes as when attaching the internal drain hose 110A to the fixing part 111 can be used. Also, instead of screwing, the flange portion 112 and the frame may be configured to be able to fit together. The side hose insertion hole 102 is configured to fix the internal drain hose 110A at a position higher than the drain trap Tr.

[0034] On the other hand, when the internal drain hose 110A is pulled out from the side hose insertion hole 102, it is not necessary to use the fixing part 111 to fix the internal drain hose 110A. Also, because the external drain hose 110B is connected to the internal drain hose 110A outside the device, it is not necessary to pass the external drain hose 110B through the bottom hose insertion hole 101. For this reason, when the internal drain hose 110A is pulled out from the side hose insertion hole 102, it is preferable to remove the fixing part 111 from the internal drain hose 110A and make its attachment position movable so as to block the bottom hose insertion hole 101 (see FIG. 8). Blocking the bottom hose insertion hole 101 with the fixing part 111 can prevent, for example, a user from inserting their hand or finger into the device through the bottom hose insertion hole 101 and touching electrical components during cleaning, etc.

[0035] When the configuration of the second embodiment is adopted in washing machine 1, the state in which internal drain hose 110A is attached to side hose insertion hole 102 may be the initial state (product shipping state). In this case, if there is enough space on the side of washing machine main body 10 to route external drain hose 110B, internal drain hose 110A and external drain hose 110B can be connected immediately. Then, if there is not enough space on the side of washing machine main body 10 to route external drain hose 110B, internal drain hose 110A can be replaced. That is, internal drain hose 110A is removed from side hose insertion hole 102, and fixing part 111 is removed from bottom hose insertion hole 101, and the removed fixing part 111 is attached to internal drain hose 110A (resulting in the state shown in FIG. 6B described in the first embodiment). Thereafter, the drain hose 110 can be connected according to the procedures shown in FIGS. 6C to 6E described in the first embodiment.

[0036] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims. Furthermore, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 washing machine 10 Washing machine body 11 Doors 100 base 101 Bottom hose insertion hole 102 Side hose insertion hole 103 Internal hose insertion hole 110 Drainage hose 110A internal drainage hose 110B External drain hose 111 Fixing parts 112 flange 120 Front lower panel Tr drain trap

Claims

[Claim 1] an internal drain hose that is disposed inside the washing machine body and has a downstream side in the direction of drainage lifted to form a drain trap; an outer drain hose connecting the inner drain hose and a drain outlet; a fixing part that can fix the internal drain hose to a base that is a lower housing of the washing machine body, The fixing component is capable of fixing the downstream end of the internal drain hose in a state where the drain trap is formed, The outer drain hose is connected to the inner drain hose inside the base and can be pulled out below the washing machine body through a lower hose insertion hole provided on the underside of the base, The base has a side hose insertion hole on a side surface through which the internal drain hose can be pulled out sideways, When the internal drain hose is attached to the side hose insertion hole and the internal drain hose and the external drain hose are connected through the side hose insertion hole, the fixing part does not fix the internal drain hose, but can be moved to an attachment position so as to block the lower hose insertion hole.

Images