washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of saving space in storage around a liquid dispensing device.SOLUTION: A washing machine according to the present disclosure comprises an outer tank elastically supported in a housing, a tank for storing a liquid to be supplied to the outer tank, and a liquid dispensing device having a pump for sucking the liquid through a first flow passage communicating with a discharge part for discharging the liquid from the tank and discharging the liquid to a second flow passage. The pump has a pump chamber in which the liquid is sucked, and a movable part for varying the internal pressure of the pump chamber. The liquid dispensing device has a suction side check valve for making the liquid pass in one direction from the first flow passage to the pump chamber, and a discharge side check valve for making the liquid pass in one direction from the pump chamber to the second flow passage. A flow direction in which the suction side check valve makes the liquid pass crosses a flow direction in which the discharge side check valve makes the liquid pass. The first flow passage is arranged linearly between the discharge part and the suction side check valve.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a washing machine equipped with an automatic liquid agent dispenser. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine equipped with a tank for storing a liquid agent and an automatic liquid agent dispenser for automatically supplying the liquid agent in the tank.

[0003] The washing machine described in Patent Document 1 uses a piston pump unit to suck a predetermined amount of liquid from a suction waterway into a cylinder, and then discharges the sucked liquid into a discharge waterway. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-37358 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, the suction direction into the cylinder and the discharge direction are the same. A tank is located upstream of the liquid agent dosing device, and a discharge waterway is located downstream. Therefore, in order to store the tank, liquid agent dosing device, and discharge waterway without interfering with each other, there is a problem in that either or both of the path from the tank to the liquid agent dosing device and the path from the liquid agent dosing device to the discharge waterway must be bent.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a washing machine that saves storage space around the liquid agent dosing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an outer tub elastically supported within a housing, a tank containing a liquid agent to be supplied to the outer tub, and a liquid agent supplying device having a pump that draws in the liquid agent through a first flow path that communicates with a discharge portion that discharges the liquid agent from the tank and discharges it into a second flow path. The pump has a pump chamber into which the liquid agent is drawn and a movable portion that varies the internal pressure of the pump chamber. The liquid agent supplying device has an intake-side check valve that allows the liquid agent to pass in one direction from the first flow path to the pump chamber, and a discharge-side check valve that allows the liquid agent to pass in one direction from the pump chamber to the second flow path. The flow direction of the liquid agent through the intake-side check valve intersects with the flow direction of the liquid agent through the discharge-side check valve. The first flow path is linearly arranged between the discharge portion and the intake-side check valve.

[0008] [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, a washing machine can be provided that achieves space-saving storage around a liquid agent dosing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Schematic cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Schematic front view of a washing machine [Figure 3] Perspective view of the automatic insertion unit [Figure 4] Perspective view of the automatic insertion unit [Figure 5] Top view of the automatic feeding unit [Figure 6] A perspective view of a part of the automatic feeding unit [Figure 7] Perspective view of the case [Figure 8] Partially exploded view of the tank, liquid supply device, and liquid discharge flow path [Figure 9] Exploded view of a single tank and fluid dosing device [Figure 10] Exploded view of a single tank and fluid dosing device [Figure 11] Longitudinal section of a single tank and fluid dosing device [Figure 12] Schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a liquid drug supply device [Figure 13] Perspective view of the piston [Figure 14] Exploded perspective view of the piston [Figure 15] An explanatory diagram showing the flow of suction and discharge of a liquid agent [Figure 16] An explanatory diagram showing the flow of suction and discharge of a liquid agent [Figure 17] An explanatory diagram showing the flow of suction and discharge of a liquid agent [Figure 18] An explanatory diagram showing the flow of suction and discharge of a liquid agent [Figure 19] Schematic longitudinal sectional view of a modified pump [Figure 20] Schematic longitudinal sectional view of a modified pump [Figure 21] Schematic cross-sectional view of an automatic feeding unit according to Modification 1 [Figure 22] Schematic cross-sectional view of an automatic feeding unit according to Modification 2 [Figure 23] Schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a liquid drug supply device according to Modification 2 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Embodiment 1) A washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] [Overall configuration] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a washing machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of the washing machine 1. The washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment is a washer / dryer having an automatic liquid agent dispensing function. In this specification, the liquid agent refers to a liquid agent used to wash laundry 15 such as clothes, and includes detergent, fabric softener, neutral detergent, etc.

[0013] 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, an automatic dosing unit 6, a connecting flow path 8, a water supply port 10, a drain valve 11, and a control unit (not shown).

[0014] <Case> The housing 2 is a member that forms the exterior of the washing machine 1. An opening 20 and a door 21 that covers the opening 20 and can be opened and closed freely are provided on the front surface of the housing 2.

[0015] <Outer tank> The outer tub 3 is a generally cylindrical member disposed inside the housing 2 and functions to store wash water. The outer tub 3 may also be referred to as a water tub. The outer tub 3 has a cylindrical portion 34 and a bottom portion 36 that closes one end of the cylindrical portion 34. The central axis V0 of the outer tub 3 passes through the center of the bottom portion 36. The central axis V0 is inclined relative to the horizontal. The outer tub 3 is elastically supported by a damper 30 and a coil spring (not shown), which absorb vibrations during washing and spin-drying. The outer tub 3 has an opening 31 facing the opening 20 of the housing 2, and is connected to the opening 20 of the housing 2 in a sealed manner by a bellows 32. The outer tub 3 is further provided with openings 33 and 35 for water passage. The opening 33 is an opening connected to the connecting flow path 8, and the opening 35 is a drain port for draining water from the outer tub 3 to the outside.

[0016] In the following description, the horizontal direction along the central axis V0 is referred to as the front-rear direction M (FIG. 1), and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the plane including the central axis V0 is referred to as the width direction K (FIG. 2). The front-rear direction M has a front side M1 toward the opening 31 and a rear side M2 ​​toward the bottom 36, and the width direction K has an outer side K1 away from the central axis V0 and a center side K2 toward the central axis V0.

[0017] <Inner tank> The inner tub 4 is a generally cylindrical member that is rotatable around a central axis V0 inside the outer tub 3 and that accommodates laundry 15, such as clothes. The inner tub 4 may also be referred to as a drum. The inner tub 4 has a number of through-holes 40 formed therein. The through-holes 40 connect the inner tub 4 and the outer tub 3, allowing wash water to move from the inner tub 4 to the outer tub 3 and from the outer tub 3 to the inner tub 4. The inner tub 4 further has openings 41 at positions that face the opening 20 of the housing 2 and the opening 31 of the outer tub 3.

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

[0019] <Automatic feeding unit> The automatic dosing unit 6 is a unit for automatically dosing a predetermined amount of liquid agent from a tank that stores the liquid agent into the outer tub 3. When the liquid agent is not manually dosed, the automatic dosing unit 6 dispenses an appropriate type and amount of liquid agent into the outer tub 3 during the washing process, rinsing process, etc., depending on, for example, the amount and type of laundry 15. The automatic dosing unit 6 is connected to the outer tub 3 via a connecting flow path 8 in order to supply the liquid agent to the outer tub 3.

[0020] The automatic dispensing unit 6 includes a case 61, tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C (FIG. 3), liquid agent dispensing devices 63A, 63B, and 63C (liquid agent dispensing devices 63B and 63C not shown), a liquid agent discharge flow path 64, a manual dispensing section 65, and a water supply solenoid valve 66.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic dosing unit 6 is provided inside the housing 2, diagonally above the outer tub 3. The bottom surface 55 of the case 61 has a shape that follows the outer periphery of the tubular portion 34 of the outer tub 3. The bottom surface 55 is inclined downward toward the outer side K1. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the bottom surface 55 is inclined downward toward the rear side M2. The upper part of the automatic dosing unit 6 faces an openable and closable cover 60 provided on the top surface of the housing 2.

[0022] <Connection flow path> The connection flow path 8 is a flow path for flowing the liquid agent from the automatic dispensing unit 6 to the outer tank 3. The connection flow path 8 extends downward from the liquid agent outlet 81 of the automatic dispensing unit 6 to the opening 33 of the outer tank 3.

[0023] <Water inlet> The water supply port 10 is a connection port for connecting a hose that supplies water to the outer tub 3 via the automatic dosing unit 6. The water supply port 10 is provided on the top of the housing 2.

[0024] <Drain valve> The drain valve 11 is configured to be openable and closable, and when opened, drains the water stored in the outer tub 3 through an opening 35 of the outer tub 3. The drain valve 11 is provided at the bottom of the housing 2.

[0025] <Control unit> The control unit (not shown) is a component that controls the operation of the washing machine 1. The control unit controls components of the washing machine 1, such as the drive unit 5, the liquid agent dispensers 63A, 63B, and 63C of the automatic dispenser unit 6, the water inlet 10, and the drain valve 11. The control unit may include, for example, a memory (not shown) that stores a program and a processing circuit (not shown) that corresponds to a processor such as a CPU, and function as these elements by the processor executing the program.

[0026] Next, components of the automatic feeding unit 6 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 6. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are perspective views of the automatic feeding unit 6. Fig. 5 is a top view of the automatic feeding unit 6. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a part of the automatic feeding unit 6.

[0027] <Case> 3, the case 61 is a member that houses the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C that make up the automatic dispensing unit 6, and the manual dispensing section 65. The bottom surface 55 of the case 61 is inclined outward K1 along the contour of the outer tub 3, which is schematically shown by a dotted line. The top of the case 61 is open.

[0028] Here, the surface of the front side M1 of the case 61 is referred to as the front surface 56, and the surface of the rear side M2 ​​of the case 61 is referred to as the rear surface 57. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, to the rear surface 57 of the case 61, liquid agent supply devices 63A, 63B, 63C (Figure 6), liquid agent discharge flow path 64, water supply electromagnetic valve 66 (Figure 4), and connection flow path 8 (Figure 4) are connected.

[0029] 5, a supply flow path 67 is formed in the upper part of the case 61. The supply flow path 67 forms a plurality of independent paths along the outer periphery of the case 61. Each path supplies water from a water supply electromagnetic valve 66 to the inside of the case 61.

[0030] <Tank> Case 61 accommodates three tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C arranged side by side in width direction K. Tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C are containers for storing liquid agents used in the washing and rinsing processes. Tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the longitudinal direction of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped is parallel to the front-rear direction M.

[0031] Tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C are removable from case 61. When manual dispensing unit 65 is removed from case 61, there is an empty space on front side M1 of case 61. This allows tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C to be pulled toward front side M1, removed from liquid agent dispensing devices 63A, 63B, and 63C (FIG. 6), and then removed upward.

[0032] <Liquid drug supply device> As shown in Fig. 6, liquid agent supplying devices 63A, 63B, and 63C are devices that suck out a predetermined amount of liquid agent from tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C and discharge the liquid agent into liquid agent discharge flow path 64. Liquid agent supplying devices 63A, 63B, and 63C are connected to tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C, respectively, via rear surface 57 of case 61. Liquid agent supplying device 63A is connected to tank 62A, liquid agent supplying device 63B is connected to tank 62B, and liquid agent supplying device 63C is connected to tank 62C. Liquid agent supplying devices 63A, 63B, and 63C are arranged side by side in width direction K.

[0033] The detailed structures of the case 61, the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C, and the liquid agent supply devices 63A, 63B, and 63C will be described later.

[0034] <Liquid discharge flow path> As shown in Fig. 6, the liquid agent discharge flow path 64 is a flow path member that supplies the liquid agent and water to the outer tank 3 via the case 61. The liquid agent discharge flow path 64 is provided on the back surface 57 of the case 61, and is connected to three liquid agent supply devices 63A, 63B, and 63C. The liquid agent discharge flow path 64 extends at an incline downward toward the outside K1. The fluid flowing through the liquid agent discharge flow path 64 flows in one direction according to the inclination of the liquid agent discharge flow path 64.

[0035] <Manual input section> As shown in Fig. 5, manual dispenser 65 is a mechanism that allows the user to manually dispense a single dose of laundry treatment liquid each time a washing operation is performed. The dispensed amount of liquid flows from case 61 through connecting flow path 8 (Fig. 1) into outer tub 3 (Fig. 1). The liquid dispensed into manual dispenser 65 may be in liquid or powder form. Manual dispenser 65 is removably housed in case 61 on front side M1 of tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C.

[0036] <Water supply solenoid valve> 4 and 5, the water supply electromagnetic valve 66 is composed of three electromagnetic valves, and opening and closing each valve changes the route of the supply flow path 67 (FIG. 5) to which water is supplied. Water flows into the outer tub 3 through the case 61.

[0037] Next, the structure of the case 61 of the automatic feeding unit 6 will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the case 61.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 7, the case 61 has inner bottom surfaces B1, B2, and B3. The inner bottom surfaces B1, B2, and B3 are arranged in order along the outer side K1. The inner bottom surface B1 is located directly below the tank 62A (Fig. 6), the inner bottom surface B2 is located directly below the tank 62B (Fig. 6), and the inner bottom surface B3 is located directly below the tank 62C (Fig. 6). In other words, the inner bottom surfaces B1, B2, and B3 form areas for accommodating the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C, respectively.

[0039] On the rear surface 57 of the case 61, tank connection ports 77A, 77B, 77C, a first case connection port 78, a second case connection port 79, and a liquid agent outlet 81 are formed.

[0040] Tank connection ports 77A, 77B, and 77C are openings provided for connecting tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C housed in case 61 to liquid agent supply devices 63A, 63B, and 63C arranged outside case 61.

[0041] Furthermore, the first case connection port 78 is an opening that allows water flowing from the supply flow path 67 to flow into the liquid agent discharge flow path 64. The second case connection port 79 is an opening that allows water from the liquid agent discharge flow path 64 and the automatically dispensed liquid agent to flow into the case 61. The liquid agent outlet 81 is an opening that discharges the fluid that has flowed into the second case connection port 79 case 61 and the fluid from the manual dispensing unit 65 toward the outer tank 3 through the connection flow path 8. The first case connection port 78 is provided at a higher position than the second case connection port 79.

[0042] Here, the volumes of the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C will be described. Returning to Figure 5, the top surfaces of the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C have a common shape. The dimensions of the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C in the width direction K and the front-rear direction M may be the same. Because the top surfaces have a common shape, the volumes of the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C increase along the outer side K1 according to their respective depths.

[0043] The three tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C may contain different or the same liquid agents. Taking into consideration the type of liquid agent and the capacity of the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C, the liquid agents may be stored in the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C in order of least frequently used liquid agent. For example, a neutral detergent may be stored in the tank 62A, a fabric softener may be stored in the tank 62B, and a detergent may be stored in the tank 62C.

[0044] Next, the liquid agent supply devices 63A, 63B, and 63C connected to the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a partial exploded view of the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C, the liquid agent supply devices 63A, 63B, and 63C, and the liquid agent discharge flow path 64. Fig. 9 is a rear view of the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C, the liquid agent supply devices 63A, 63B, and 63C, and the liquid agent discharge flow path 64. Here, the tank 62, the liquid agent supply device 63, and the connection part 76 will collectively refer to the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C, the liquid agent supply devices 63A, 63B, and 63C, and the connection parts 76A, 76B, and 76C, respectively.

[0045] 8, the liquid agent supply devices 63A, 63B, and 63C are lowered to the outside K1 in accordance with the change in depth of the connection portion 76 of the tank 62. The liquid agent supply devices 63A, 63B, and 63C are arranged so that a liquid agent inlet 91 (described later) of the liquid agent supply device 63 faces the connection portion 76 formed on a surface including the shorter side of the tank 62. In this embodiment, the liquid agent supply devices 63A, 63B, and 63C are arranged in a stepped manner.

[0046] Furthermore, the tank 62 includes a main body 87 and a lid 88. The top of the main body 87 is open and covered with the lid 88. The lid 88 is removably held by the main body 87. As described above, the top surfaces of the tanks 62 have a common shape, and therefore the top surfaces of the main bodies 87 also have a common shape. Furthermore, the structure for holding the lid 88 is also common. Therefore, the lids 88 of the tanks 62 can be formed in common, and the lids 88 are interchangeable. More specifically, the lid 88 of any one of the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C can also be attached to the other tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C. However, the color, pattern, letters, and other markings on the lid 88 that improve the identification of the tanks 62 may be different. The lid 88 has a small lid 88A on the front side M1 of the tank 62 that can be opened and closed relative to the lid 88.

[0047] Taking a liquid agent dosing device 63 connected to one arbitrary tank 62 as an example, the structure of one liquid agent dosing device 63 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 9, 10, and 11. Figure 9 is an exploded view of a single tank 62 and the liquid agent dosing device 63. Figure 10 is an exploded view of a single tank 62 and the liquid agent dosing device 63. Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid agent dosing device 63 as seen from the outside K1.

[0048] 9 and 10 , the liquid agent supplying device 63 is detachably connected to the rear surface 90 of the tank 62 along the front-rear direction M. In other words, the tank 62 and the liquid agent supplying device 63 connected to the tank 62 are each disposed along the front-rear direction M.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 9 , the liquid agent dispensing device 63 includes a power unit 71, a reduction gear mechanism 72, a pump 73, and a connecting member 94. The power unit 71 is an electronic component that rotates the reduction gear mechanism 72 around a rotation axis V1. The reduction gear mechanism 72 is disposed around the power unit 71 and includes multiple reduction gears (not shown) and an output shaft V2 that rotates at a slower rotation speed than the power unit 71. The output shaft V2 is parallel to the rotation axis V1. The provision of the reduction gear mechanism 72 allows a general-purpose power unit 71 to be used in the liquid agent dispensing device 63, thereby reducing the cost of the automatic dispensing unit 6. The power unit 71 and the reduction gear mechanism 72 may be collectively referred to as a motor. The output shaft V2 of the reduction gear mechanism 72, i.e., the motor, is connected to the pump 73 in the width direction K via an eccentric cam. The pump 73 is a positive displacement pump that draws up and discharges the liquid agent from the tank 62. When the rotary shaft V1 of the power unit 71 rotates, the output shaft V2 of the speed reducing mechanism 72 rotates, and a piston 83 (described later) in the pump 73 moves up and down.

[0050] The connecting member 94 is a member that connects the liquid agent supplying device 63 to the tank 62. The connecting member 94 includes therein a first flow path 85a that is a part of an inlet flow path 85 through which the liquid agent flows from the tank 62 to the pump chamber 84 of the pump 73. The inlet flow path 85 is composed of the first flow path 85a formed in the connecting member 94 and a third flow path 84f formed in the pump case 93.

[0051] One end of the connecting member 94 is fixed to the pump case 93 of the pump 73, and the other end is detachable from the connection portion 76 of the tank 62. In this way, when the connecting member 94 is directly connected to the pump case 93, the first flow path 85a can be made shorter.

[0052] The connecting member 94 has a pin 94a that moves the tank discharge valve 62d, which is disposed in the connecting portion 76 that also functions as a discharge portion for discharging the liquid agent in the tank 62, from a closed state to an open state. When the connecting member 94 is attached to the connecting portion 76 of the tank 62, the pin 94a of the connecting member 94 moves the tank discharge valve 62d, which is a check valve, toward the front surface of the tank 62. This changes the tank discharge valve 62d from a closed state to an open state, and the pressure of the liquid agent in the tank 62 causes the liquid agent to flow from the connecting portion 76 to the first flow path 85a.

[0053] The pump 73 will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 12. The pump 73 includes a piston 83, a pump chamber 84, a pump case 93, a suction-side check valve 95, and a discharge-side check valve 96.

[0054] The piston 83 is connected to the output shaft V2 of the reduction gear mechanism 72 and is a member that reciprocates within the pump chamber 84 in a first direction of movement N1 and a second direction of movement N2 as the output shaft V2 rotates. For example, the first direction of movement N1 is an upward direction, and the second direction of movement N2 is a downward direction, so the direction of reciprocating movement N of the piston 83 is a vertical direction. Furthermore, the direction of reciprocating movement N of the piston 83 is not limited to a vertical direction, but may also be a horizontal direction or an inclined direction. The reciprocating movement of the piston 83 as a movable part causes the internal pressure within the pump chamber 84 to fluctuate. The piston 83 is connected to the pump case 93 via a seal 83e.

[0055] The pump case 93 serving as the fixed part has a pump chamber 84 therein, and further has a third flow path 84f and a second flow path 86 in which a discharge-side check valve 95 is disposed. The pump chamber 84 is a space surrounded by the pump case 93 and the piston 83, and has a space S1 in which the liquid agent is sucked up, and a third flow path 84f in which a suction-side check valve 95 is disposed. The pump case 93 has a cylinder 84a facing the sliding surface 83d of the piston 83, and a bottom surface 84b facing the bottom surface 83a of the piston 83. In the pump chamber 84, the liquid agent is sucked up from the third flow path 84f into the space surrounded by the bottom surface 83a of the piston 83, the cylinder 84a, and the bottom surface 84b.

[0056] The inlet flow path 85 connects the tank 62 to the lower part of the pump chamber 84 to draw the liquid from the tank 62 through the liquid inlet 91. The liquid inlet 91 is inserted into the connection 76 of the tank 62. The second flow path 86 is a flow path extending vertically, connecting the lower part of the pump chamber 84 to the liquid discharge flow path 64 to discharge the liquid from the pump chamber 84 to the liquid discharge flow path 64. The inlet flow path 85 is arranged linearly from the connection 76 of the tank 62 to the suction-side check valve 95, thereby shortening the inlet flow path 85. In this embodiment, the inlet flow path 85 is arranged horizontally, but it may also be arranged at an inclination of several degrees. The suction-side check valve 95 allows the liquid to pass in only one direction, from the first flow path 85a to the pump chamber 84. The discharge-side check valve 96 allows the liquid to pass in only one direction, from the pump chamber 84 to the second flow path 86.

[0057] In the pump chamber 84, an intake-side opening 84c communicating with the third flow path 84f is formed in a part of the cylinder 84a and a part of the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 93. In a cross-sectional view, one end 84fa of the third flow path 84f is located between the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 93 and the bottom surface 83a of the piston 83 when the piston 83 is at the bottom dead center. In other words, the radial end of the third flow path 84f on the piston 83 side, the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 93, and the bottom surface 83a of the piston 83 when the piston 83 is at the bottom dead center are located at approximately the same height. This allows the third flow path 84f to be shortened and the suction head of the liquid agent to be reduced, thereby achieving a stable discharge amount of the liquid agent even for a highly viscous liquid agent. The term "between the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 93 and the bottom surface 83a of the piston 83 at the bottom dead center of the piston 83" also includes the position of the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 93 and the position of the bottom surface 83a of the piston 83 at the bottom dead center of the piston 83. Therefore, it also includes a case where one end 84fa of the third flow path 84f is located in the same plane as the bottom surface 84b of the piston 83 at the bottom dead center of the piston 83, and a case where one end 84fa of the third flow path 84f is located in the same plane as the bottom surface 84b of the pump chamber 84 that faces the bottom surface 83a of the piston 83.

[0058] One end 84fa of the third flow path 84f is connected to the cylinder 84a of the pump case 93, and the other end 84fb of the third flow path 84f is connected to the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 93, which faces the second movement direction N2 of the piston 83. The pump case 93 has a bent portion 84e that faces the opening / closing direction of the suction-side check valve 95. Therefore, the bent portion 84e also faces the first flow direction F1. The bent portion 84e is, for example, a curved surface, and has a connecting portion 84ea and another end 84fb as its two ends. In a cross-sectional view, the connecting portion 84ea of ​​the bent portion 84e, which connects to a surface 84g of the pump case 93 that is parallel to the first flow direction F1, has a curvature. The other end 84fb, which is also the connecting portion of the bent portion 84e and connects to the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 93, which faces the second movement direction N2 of the piston 83, also has a curvature.

[0059] Since both ends of the bent portion 84e have curvature, separation of the liquid agent flowing from the third flow path 84f toward the piston 83 can be prevented. That is, generation of vortexes at both ends of the bent portion 84e can be suppressed, and an increase in pressure loss can be reduced. Furthermore, since the bent portion 84e is formed with a curved surface, a sudden change in the cross-sectional area of ​​the path can be prevented and an increase in pressure loss can be reduced compared to when the bent portion 84e is formed with a linear slope.

[0060] A discharge-side opening 84d communicating with the second flow path 86 is formed in a portion of the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 93. In a cross-sectional view, one end 84fa of the third flow path 84f is located closer to the piston 83 than the end of the discharge-side check valve 96 on the pump chamber 84 side when the discharge-side check valve 96 is closed. This allows the one end 84fa of the third flow path 84f, the bottom surface 83a of the piston 83, and the end of the discharge-side check valve 96 on the pump chamber 84 side to be located closer to each other. This shortens the path from the outlet of the third flow path 84f to the discharge-side check valve 96, thereby reducing pressure loss of the liquid. This reduces the load on the piston 83 and stabilizes the discharge rate of the liquid. Furthermore, the suction-side opening 84c is larger than the discharge-side opening 84d, thereby reducing pressure loss when the liquid is drawn into the pump chamber 84.

[0061] The suction side check valve 95 opens when the pressure in the pump chamber becomes negative as the piston 83 rises from the bottom dead center. When the suction side check valve 95 opens, the liquid flows from the first flow path 85a into the third flow path 84f in the pump case 93 and is then sucked up into the pump chamber 84. When the piston 83 descends from the top dead center, the pressure in the pump chamber 84 becomes positive, and the suction side check valve 95 closes.

[0062] A discharge-side check valve 96 is disposed in the second flow path 86. The discharge-side check valve 96 closes when the pressure in the pump chamber 84 becomes negative as the piston 83 rises from the bottom dead center. When the piston 83 descends from the top dead center, the pressure in the pump chamber 84 becomes positive, and the discharge-side check valve 96 opens. When the discharge-side check valve 96 opens, the liquid agent sucked up into the pump chamber 84 is discharged to the liquid agent discharge flow path 64.

[0063] In the pump 73, the direction of suction of the liquid by the suction-side check valve 95 and the direction of discharge of the liquid by the discharge-side check valve 96 intersect. Therefore, the flow path bent from the suction direction of the liquid toward the piston 83 can be made shorter than if the path were bent midway through the first flow path 85a, thereby reducing the suction head of the liquid. Furthermore, if the inlet flow path 85 from the tank 62 to the pump chamber 84 and the second flow path 86 through which the liquid is discharged from the pump chamber 84 are on the same plane and the inlet flow path 85 and the second flow path 86 are not parallel, the suction-side check valve 95 can be disposed along the linear flow of the liquid from the tank 62, thereby reducing the suction head of the liquid. In this embodiment, the direction of suction of the liquid by the suction-side check valve 95 and the direction of discharge of the liquid by the discharge-side check valve 96 are perpendicular to each other.

[0064] In the open state or the closed state, a part of suction side check valve 95 is included in a projected area Ar obtained by projecting piston 83 in second movement direction N2. This makes it possible to shorten the distance between piston 83 and suction side check valve 95, and to reduce the suction lift of the liquid agent from third flow path 84f to space S1 between piston 83 and bottom surface 84b.

[0065] Next, the piston 83 will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the piston, and Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of the piston.

[0066] The piston 83 has a piston body 83b and a lid 83c. The piston body 83b has a recess 83ba at its bottom. The lid 83c is fixed so as to cover the recess 83ba. Both the piston body 83b and the lid 83c are made of resin, such as polyacetal resin (POM).

[0067] By providing recess 83ba at the bottom of piston body 83b, piston body 83b can be formed with high dimensional precision even when produced by molding. However, when piston body 83b reciprocates alone, air accumulates in recess 83ba, which is one of the causes of variation in the amount of liquid agent drawn up. Therefore, by ultrasonically welding lid 83c to recess 83ba, it is possible to close recess 83ba where air accumulates, thereby reducing variation in the amount of liquid agent drawn up.

[0068] [Operation] Next, an example of the operation of the automatic dispensing unit 6 configured as above will be described with reference to Figures 4, 6, and 15 to 18. Figures 15 to 18 are explanatory diagrams showing the flow of suction and discharge of the liquid agent.

[0069] The automatic dispensing unit 6 operates during the washing cycle and rinsing cycle of the washing machine 1. The operation of the automatic dispensing unit 6 is controlled by a control unit. The control unit controls, for example, the opening and closing of the water supply solenoid valve 66, the type of liquid agent to be dispensed, the amount to be dispensed, the timing of dispense, etc.

[0070] In the washing and rinsing processes, the automatic dispensing unit 6 supplies water and detergent to the outer tub 3. In order to perform automatic or manual detergent dispensing in the washing process, in Fig. 4, a first solenoid valve (not shown) of the water supply solenoid valve 66 is opened. In Fig. 6, water that has flowed into the case 61 flows from the detergent outlet 81 through the connecting flow path 8 into the outer tub 3.

[0071] Next, the flow of the automatically dispensed liquid will be described in detail. Based on the selected operating course, a command from the control unit drives liquid dispenser 63 connected to tank 62 containing the corresponding liquid. As shown in Fig. 12, power unit 71 in liquid dispenser 63 rotates, and the rotation of power unit 71 is slowed down via speed reduction mechanism 72 and transmitted to piston 83 of pump 73.

[0072] As shown in Figure 15, when the piston 83 is at bottom dead center P1, the suction side check valve 95 is closed due to the pressure from the liquid in the pump chamber 84, and the liquid in the first flow path 85a cannot flow from the suction side check valve 95 to the third flow path 84f.

[0073] 16, when the piston 83 rises from the bottom dead center P1 in the first direction of movement N1, the inside of the pump chamber 84 becomes negative pressure, so that the suction-side check valve 95 opens and the discharge-side check valve 96 closes. As a result, the liquid in the first flow path 85a of the connecting member 94 flows into the third flow path 84f in the pump case interior 93 and is further sucked up into the pump chamber 84 through the opening 84c. The sucked up liquid is stored in the pump chamber 84.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 17, when the piston 83 rises to the top dead center P2, the liquid agent stops being sucked up into the pump chamber 84.

[0075] 18, when the piston 83 descends from the top dead center P2 in the second movement direction N2, the inside of the pump chamber 84 becomes positive pressure, so that the suction-side check valve 95 is closed and the discharge-side check valve 96 is opened. As a result, the liquid agent sucked up into the pump chamber 84 cannot flow toward the third flow path 84f and is discharged from the pump chamber 84 through the opening 84d to the second flow path 86. The liquid agent discharged to the second flow path 86 flows to the liquid agent discharge flow path 64.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 6, the liquid agent flows along the gravity in the inclined liquid agent discharge flow path 64. The liquid agent may merge with the flowing water in the liquid agent discharge flow path 64. The liquid agent is guided from the second case connection port 79 shown in Fig. 7 through the input flow path (not shown) of the case 61 to the liquid agent outlet 81, and flows into the outer tank 3 via the connection flow path 8.

[0077] When the piston 83 of the pump 73 descends to the bottom dead center P1, the discharge of the liquid agent into the second flow path 86 stops again as shown in FIG.

[0078] Furthermore, the liquid agent to be dispensed into the outer tub 3 is determined based on the selected operating program. When the wash mode is selected as the operating program, the control unit 12 operates in the wash step to drive a liquid agent dispenser 63C (FIG. 9) connected to a tank 62C (FIG. 9) that contains a detergent. When the delicate laundry mode is selected as the operating program, a neutral detergent may be dispensed into the outer tub 3. In this case, the liquid agent dispenser 63A of the tank 62A that contains the neutral detergent is driven. In the rinsing step, the control unit operates to drive a liquid agent dispenser 63B of the tank 62B that contains the fabric softener S2.

[0079] As the washing and rinsing cycles are repeated, the amount of liquid agent stored in the tank 62 decreases. A user of the washing machine 1 can refill the tank 62 with liquid agent. When the tank 62 is placed in the case 61, the liquid agent can be refilled by opening the small lid 88A as shown in FIG. 8. On the other hand, when the tank 62 is removed from the case 61, the liquid agent can be refilled by removing the lid 88 or opening the small lid 88A.

[0080] [effect] The washing machine 1 according to the first embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0081] As described above, the washing machine 1 of this embodiment includes the outer tub 3, the tank 62, and the liquid agent dispenser 63 (automatic liquid agent dispenser). The outer tub 3 is elastically supported within the housing 2. The tank 62 contains the liquid agent to be supplied to the outer tub 3. The liquid agent dispenser 63 includes a pump 73 that sucks the liquid agent through a first flow path 85a that communicates with a connection portion 76 through which the liquid agent is discharged from the tank 62 and discharges it into a second flow path 86. The pump 73 includes a pump chamber 84 that communicates with the first flow path 85a and the second flow path 86, a suction-side check valve 95 that opens and closes communication between the first flow path 85a and the pump chamber 84 to allow the liquid agent to flow from the first flow path 85a to the pump chamber 84, and a discharge-side check valve 96 that opens and closes communication between the pump chamber 84 and the second flow path 86 to allow the liquid agent to flow from the pump chamber 84 to the second flow path 86. The pump chamber 84 is surrounded by a pump case 93 and a piston 83 that is sealably connected to the pump case 93 and reciprocates in a first movement direction N1 and a second movement direction N2 to expand and reduce the volume of the pump chamber 84. In a first relationship between a first flow direction F1 in which the liquid agent flows from the first flow path 85a to the suction-side check valve 95 and the first movement direction N1, and in a second relationship between a second flow direction F2 in which the liquid agent flows from the discharge-side check valve 96 to the second flow path 86 and the second movement direction N2, the first flow direction F1 and the first movement direction N1 in the first relationship are different.

[0082] With this configuration, by incorporating the anti-directional configuration between first flow path 85a and the movement direction of piston 83 within pump 73 itself, it is possible to save space for storing tank 62, liquid agent dosing device 63, and the path downstream of second flow path 86. Furthermore, by incorporating the anti-directional configuration within pump 73 itself, it is possible to select an optimal layout for pump 73 that reduces pressure loss of the liquid agent flowing from tank 62 through pump 73 to second flow path 86. Furthermore, by using such pump 73 for washing machine 1, it is possible to save space for storing tank 62, liquid agent dosing device 63, and the path downstream of second flow path 86.

[0083] The pump chamber 84 also has a third flow path 84f that connects the space between the piston 83 and the pump case 93 with the first flow path 85a. When the first flow direction F1 and the first movement direction N1 in the first relationship are different, one end 84fa of the third flow path 84f is connected to the cylinder 84a of the pump case 93, and the other end 84fb of the third flow path 84f is connected to the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 93 that faces the second movement direction N2 of the piston 83. The one end 84fa of the third flow path 84f is located between the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 93 that faces the second movement direction N2 of the piston 83 and the second movement direction N2 side of the piston 83 when the piston 83 is at bottom dead center.

[0084] With this configuration, the distance between suction-side check valve 95 and piston 83 or the distance between discharge-side check valve 96 and piston 83 can be shortened, thereby reducing the pressure loss of the liquid agent flowing through the flow path. This makes it possible to stabilize the amount of liquid agent discharged from liquid agent dosing device 63.

[0085] When the first flow direction F1 and the first movement direction N1 in the first relationship are different, a portion of the suction side check valve 95, in the open or closed state, is included in the projection area Ar of the piston 83 projected in the second movement direction N2.

[0086] With this configuration, the suction-side check valve 95, the bottom surface 83a of the piston 83, and the end of the discharge-side check valve 96 on the pump chamber 84 side can be located close to each other, thereby shortening the path from the outlet of the third flow path 84f to the discharge-side check valve 96 and reducing the pressure loss of the liquid. This reduces the load on the piston 83 and makes it possible to further stabilize the discharge amount of the liquid.

[0087] When the first flow direction F1 and the first movement direction N1 in the first relationship are different, the pump case 93 has a bent portion 84e that faces the first flow direction F1. A connection portion 84ea of ​​the bent portion 84e with a surface 84g of the pump case 93 that is parallel to the first flow direction F1, and another end portion 84fb that is a connection portion of the bent portion 84e with the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 93, have curvatures.

[0088] With this configuration, both ends of the bent portion 84e have curvature, which can prevent separation of the liquid agent flowing from the third flow path 84f toward the piston 83. That is, generation of vortexes at both ends of the bent portion 84e can be suppressed, and an increase in pressure loss can be reduced.

[0089] When the second flow direction F2 and the second movement direction N2 in the second relationship are the same, a discharge side opening 84d is formed in a part of the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 93, connecting the space between the piston 83 and the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 93 to the second flow path 86.

[0090] With this configuration, the second flow direction F2 and the second movement direction N2 are the same, so the distance between the discharge side check valve 96 and the piston 83 can be shortened, pressure loss can be reduced, and the discharge amount can be stabilized.

[0091] In addition, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, a suction side opening 84c that connects a third flow path 84f, in which a suction side check valve 95 is arranged, to the space S1 between the piston 83 and the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 93 is formed on a part of the surface of the pump case 93 that faces the sliding surface 83d of the piston 83 and on a part of the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 93, and a discharge side opening 84d that connects the pump chamber 84 to the second flow path 86, and the opening 84c is larger than the discharge side opening 84d.

[0092] With this configuration, the section of the third flow path 84f from the suction side check valve 95 to the pump chamber 84 can be shortened, the pressure loss on the suction side can be reduced, and the suction head of the liquid agent can be made smaller.

[0093] In addition, in the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the first flow path 85a and the third flow path 84f are arranged in a straight line from the connection portion 76 of the tank 62 to the suction side check valve 95.

[0094] This configuration can shorten the inlet flow path 85 and reduce the suction head of the liquid agent. In addition, the pressure loss from the tank 62 to the suction side check valve 95 can be reduced, and the discharge amount can be stabilized.

[0095] Furthermore, washing machine 1 of the present embodiment includes connecting member 94 having one end connected to tank 62 and the other end connected to pump 73. Connecting member 94 includes first flow path 85a, and pump case 93 includes third flow path 84f therein.

[0096] With this configuration, tank 62 and pump 73 are directly connected by connecting member 94, making it possible to shorten first flow path 85a. Furthermore, since the space of pump chamber 84 and the space in which suction side check valve 95 reciprocates are both formed by pump case 93, it is possible to shorten third flow path 84f. This makes it possible to reduce the suction head of the liquid agent.

[0097] In addition, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the tank 62 has a tank discharge valve 62d that opens and closes the connection between the connection portion 76 of the tank 62 and the first flow path 85a, and the tank discharge valve 62d opens when the connection member 94 is connected to the connection portion 76 of the tank 92.

[0098] Furthermore, in washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the attachment / detachment direction of tank 62 and the reciprocating motion direction N of piston 83 intersect perpendicularly. With this configuration, bulky piston 83 can be extended in a direction that does not increase its bulk relative to the attachment / detachment direction, and pump 73 can be made compact in the attachment / detachment direction of tank 62. This allows for space saving around the liquid agent dosing device.

[0099] In addition, in washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, piston 83 has piston body 83b including recess 83ba at the bottom, and lid 83c covering recess 83ba.

[0100] This configuration prevents air from accumulating in recess 83ba of piston 83, and stabilizes the amount of liquid agent that is sucked up.

[0101] In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the pump case 93 includes a second flow path 86 therein, and the discharge side check valve 96 opens and closes in the second flow path 86.

[0102] With this configuration, the space of the pump chamber 84 and the space in which the discharge side check valve 96 reciprocates are both formed by the pump case 93, so the second flow path 86 can be shortened, thereby reducing the pressure loss of the liquid agent.

[0103] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be embodied in various other forms.

[0104] In the first embodiment, the automatic dosing unit 6 has been described as having three tanks 62, but is not limited to this. The automatic dosing unit 6 may have two tanks 62 or four or more tanks 62.

[0105] In the first embodiment, the pump 73 is described as a piston pump, but is not limited to this. The pump 73 may be any positive displacement pump, and may be, for example, a bellows pump as shown in Figures 19 and 20.

[0106] 19 and 20 are schematic vertical cross-sectional views showing a modified pump 473. Fig. 19 shows the movable part 482 positioned at bottom dead center P1, and Fig. 20 shows the movable part 482 positioned at top dead center P2.

[0107] The pump 473 is a bellows pump. The pump 473 includes a movable part 482 that moves along a reciprocating direction N. The movable part 482 includes a rod 482a that reciprocates with rotation of the output shaft V2, a bellows-shaped bellows 483 that expands and contracts with the reciprocating motion of the rod 482a, and a surface 483a that is connected to the lower end of the rod 482a and faces the bottom surface 84b of the pump case 493. One end of the bellows 483 is connected to the surface 483a, and the other end is continuously connected to the pump case 493. The movable part 482 expands and contracts the volume of the pump chamber 484 by reciprocating in a first movement direction N1 and a second movement direction N2.

[0108] In the first embodiment, the connection direction between the tank 62 and the liquid agent supplying device 63 is described as the front-rear direction M, but this is not limiting. For example, as in Modification 1 described below, the connection direction between the tank 62 and the liquid agent supplying device 63 may be along the up-down direction.

[0109] [Variation 1] FIG. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an automatic dispensing unit 106 according to Modification 1. As shown in FIG. 21, Modification 1 differs from automatic dispensing unit 6 of Embodiment 1 in that tank 162 is removed in the vertical direction (Z direction) from case 161. In order to remove tank 162 in the vertical direction, connection part 176 connected to liquid drug dispensing device 163 is arranged on the bottom surface of tank 162. In Modification 1, liquid drug dispensing device 163 is arranged below tank 162. A connecting member 194 extending linearly downward is connected to connection part 176 arranged on the bottom surface of tank 162 and pump chamber 84 of pump 73, so that inlet flow path 185 extends downward from tank 162. Cylinder 84a of Modification 1 extends horizontally (X direction), and the first and second movement directions of piston 83 are horizontal. In Modification 1, the opening and closing direction of suction side check valve 95 is vertical, and the opening and closing direction of discharge side check valve 96 is horizontal. Even with this configuration, the suction lift can be reduced and the discharge amount of the liquid agent can be stabilized.

[0110] In the embodiment, an example in which the liquid agent supply device 63 is connected to the liquid agent discharge flow path 64 on the outlet side has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in Modification 2 described below, the liquid agent supply device 63 may be connected to the case 61 immediately below the tank 62 on the outlet side.

[0111] [Variation 2] FIG. 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an automatic dispensing unit 206 according to Modification 2. As shown in FIG. 22, Modification 2 differs from the automatic dispensing unit 6 of Embodiment 1 in that a liquid agent dispensing device 263 is directly connected to the case 261 on the outlet side. Even with this configuration, it is possible to reduce the suction lift and stabilize the amount of liquid agent discharged. Furthermore, instead of providing the liquid agent discharge flow path 64 of Embodiment 1, the inner bottom surface B200 of the case 261 directly below the tank 262 forms the liquid agent discharge flow path 264. With this configuration, the structure of the automatic dispensing unit 206 can be simplified, and the number of parts and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0112] In Modification 2, in solution supply device 263, pump 273 is disposed below tank 262. L-shaped connecting member 294 connects connecting portion 76 of tank 262 and pump chamber 284 of pump 273, so that inlet flow path 285 extends horizontally from tank 262 and further downward. The first movement direction of piston 83 in Modification 2 is downward, and the second movement direction is upward. The opening and closing direction of suction side check valve 295 in Modification 2 is vertical, and the opening and closing direction of discharge side check valve 296 is horizontal.

[0113] 23 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a solution dosing device 263 according to Modification 2. In pump 273, in a second relationship between second flow direction F2 in which the solution flows from discharge-side check valve 296 to second flow path 286 and second movement direction N2, the second flow direction F2 and the second movement direction N2 are different. With this configuration, as in Embodiment 1, by incorporating the opposite-direction configuration between second flow path 286 and the movement direction of piston 83 within pump 273 itself, it is possible to save space for storing tank 262, solution dosing device 263, and a path downstream of second flow path 286. Furthermore, by incorporating the opposite-direction configuration within pump 273 itself, it is possible to select an optimal layout for pump 273 that reduces pressure loss of the solution flowing from tank 262 through pump 273 to second flow path 286. Furthermore, by using such pump 273 for washing machine 1, it is possible to save space for storing tank 262, liquid agent dosing device 263, and the path downstream of second flow path 286.

[0114] One end 284fa of the second flow path 286 is connected to the pump case 293, and the other end 284fb of the second flow path 286 is connected to a bottom surface 284b of the pump case 293. The one end 284fa of the second flow path 286 is located between the bottom surface 284b, which serves as a first surface of the pump case 293, and the side of the piston 83 in the second direction of movement N2 when the piston 83 is at its bottom dead center.

[0115] When the second flow direction F2 and the second movement direction N2 are different, a part of the discharge-side check valve 296, in the open state or the closed state, is included in a projected area Ar obtained by projecting the piston 83 in the second movement direction N2. This makes it possible to shorten the distance between the piston 83 and the discharge-side check valve 296, and to reduce the pressure loss from the space S1 between the piston 83 and the bottom surface 284b to the discharge-side check valve 296.

[0116] Furthermore, when the second flow direction F2 and the second movement direction N2 are different, the pump case 293 has a bent portion 284e that faces the opposite direction to the second flow direction F2. The bent portion 284e has a connecting portion 284ea that connects to a surface 284g of the pump case 293 that is parallel to the second flow direction F2, and another end portion 284fb that connects to the bottom surface 284b. The connecting portion 284ea and the other end portion 284fb have a curvature.

[0117] Because both ends of bent portion 284e have curvature, separation of the liquid agent flowing from space S1 between piston 83 and bottom surface 284b to discharge-side check valve 296 can be prevented. That is, generation of vortexes at both ends of bent portion 284e can be suppressed, and an increase in pressure loss can be reduced. Furthermore, because bent portion 284e is formed with a curved surface, a sudden change in the path cross-sectional area can be prevented and an increase in pressure loss can be reduced compared to when bent portion 284e is formed with a linear slope.

[0118] When the first flow direction F1 and the first movement direction N1 in the first relationship are the same, an intake side opening 284c is formed in a part of the bottom surface 284b of the pump case 293, which connects the space in which the intake side check valve 295 is arranged (third flow path 284f) with the space S1 between the piston 83 and the bottom surface 284b of the pump case 293.

[0119] Even with this configuration, the suction head can be reduced and the discharge amount of the liquid agent can be stabilized. Furthermore, although the inlet flow path 285 is bent, the liquid agent flowing through the downward extending portion is subjected to positive pressure due to the influence of gravity. This is therefore beneficial for the suction performance of the pump 273. Furthermore, instead of providing the liquid agent discharge flow path 64 of the first embodiment, the inner bottom surface B200 directly below the tank 262 in the case 261 forms the liquid agent discharge flow path 264. This configuration simplifies the structure of the automatic dispensing unit 206 and reduces the number of parts and manufacturing costs.

[0120] Although the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom. [Industrial Applicability]

[0121] The washing machine of the present disclosure can improve the functionality of the configuration related to liquid injection, and is therefore useful as a domestic washing machine, a commercial washing machine, any type of washer-dryer (e.g., a domestic drum-type washing machine), a dishwasher, or a dishwasher-dryer. Furthermore, the pump of the present disclosure is useful for these washing machines, washer-dryer, dishwashers, and dishwasher-dryer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1 washing machine 2. Case 3 Outer tank 4 Inner tank 6 Automatic feeding unit 8 Connecting Channels 61 cases 62 Tank 63 Liquid injection device 64 Liquid discharge flow path 66 Water supply solenoid valve 71 Power section 73 Pump 76 Connection 77, 78, 79 Connection ports 83 Piston 83a bottom 83b main body 83ba recess 83c lid 84 Pump Room 84a cylinder 84b bottom 84c, 84d aperture 85 Inlet channel 85a First flow path 86 Second Channel 93 Pump case 94 Connecting member 95 Suction side check valve 96 Discharge side check valve K Width direction M Anteroposterior direction

Claims

1. an outer tank elastically supported within a housing; a plurality of tanks for storing the liquid agent to be supplied to the outer tank; the plurality of liquid agent supplying devices that suck the liquid agent from the tank through an inlet flow path that communicates with a discharge portion that discharges the liquid agent, and discharge the liquid agent into a second flow path; a liquid agent flow path through which the liquid agent discharged from the second flow path flows, The liquid agent supplying device is The pump case and a pump chamber provided in the pump case and into which the liquid agent is drawn; a movable part that varies the internal pressure of the pump chamber; a connecting member that connects to a connecting portion of the tank that functions as the discharge portion; a suction-side check valve disposed in a third flow path formed in the pump case, the check valve allowing the liquid to pass in one direction from the third flow path to the pump chamber; a discharge-side check valve that is disposed in the second flow path formed in the pump case and allows the liquid to pass in one direction from the pump chamber to the second flow path, a flow direction in which the suction-side check valve passes the liquid agent and a flow direction in which the discharge-side check valve passes the liquid agent intersect, the connecting member is fixed to the pump case, a first flow path formed in the connecting member and a third flow path in which the suction-side check valve is disposed form the inlet flow path; the inlet flow path is arranged linearly from the connecting member to the suction side check valve, a liquid agent inlet of the connecting member being inserted into the connecting portion while the connecting member is attached to the connecting portion, thereby forming a linear flow path from the connecting portion of the tank to the inlet flow path; washing machine.

2. the plurality of liquid agent dosing devices are arranged side by side in a direction (K) perpendicular to a flow direction in which the suction side check valve passes the liquid agent; the liquid agent flow path extends along the direction (K) and is connected to the second flow paths of the plurality of liquid agent supply devices; The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. The inlet flow path is arranged so that the flow direction of the liquid agent through the suction side check valve is horizontal or downward. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The tank has a tank discharge valve that is disposed in the discharge portion and opens when the connecting member is connected to the discharge portion, thereby connecting the discharge portion and the first flow path. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the movable portion is movable in a predetermined direction to vary the internal pressure of the pump chamber; The movement direction is the same as the flow direction of the liquid agent through the suction side check valve. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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