washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which has excellent visibility in a tub.SOLUTION: A washing machine 100 includes a tub 3, a housing 1, and a door 4. The tub 3 opens toward the front. The housing 1 stores the tub 3, and has a first opening 131 of a front surface positioned in front of the tub 3. The door 4 is mounted so as to open / close the opening with respect to the housing. The door 4 covers at least part of the front surface containing a region in which the first opening 131 is provided. The door 4 has a translucent part 4a. The translucent part 4a extends from the lower side than the first opening 131 to the upper side than the first opening 131. The translucent part 4a transmits visible light. The surface of the translucent part 4a includes an inclined part 4B10. The inclined part is positioned so as to cover the front in the opening direction of at least part of the tub 3. The inclined part 4B10 is inclined to the rear side upward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a washing machine in which a rotating tank is provided in a housing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is a desire to improve the visibility inside the tank of a washing machine.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a washing machine with excellent visibility inside the tank.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes a tank, a housing, and a door. The tank opens forward. The housing houses the tank. The housing has a front surface located in front of the tank. The door is attached to the housing so as to be able to open and close the opening. The door covers at least a part of the front surface including the region where the opening is provided. The door has a light-transmitting portion. The light-transmitting portion extends from below the opening to above the opening. The light-transmitting portion transmits visible light. The surface of the light-transmitting portion includes an inclined portion. The inclined portion is positioned to cover the front of at least a part of the opening direction of the tank. The inclined portion is inclined backward upward.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, for example, the visibility inside the washing machine drum can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic side view of the washing machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the visibility inside the washing machine tub and the effects of reflected light according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing the reflected light from a washing machine as an example. [Figure 6] This is a side view showing a door according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a side view showing a door according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a side view showing a door according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be repeated in the description.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] A washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the visibility inside the drum of the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment and the effect of reflected light.

[0011] The washing machine 100 is a device for washing laundry. The type of laundry is not particularly limited. The laundry may be, for example, clothing, shoes, bags, and other personal belongings. The washing machine 100 may be a device that has only a washing function to reduce soiling of the laundry, or it may be a device that has a washing function as well as other functions such as a drying function, a sterilization function, and a deodorizing function. The washing machine 100 is a device used, for example, to wash laundry such as clothing.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the washing machine 100 comprises a housing 1, a water tank 2 and a tub 3 (see Figure 2) that open toward the front, and a door 4. The washing machine 100 is placed on the floor.

[0013] In this invention, "opening toward the front" refers to any case where the direction of the opening faces forward, and includes, for example, opening diagonally upward toward the front. In this invention, as shown in Figure 1, when the washing machine 100 is installed, the side with the door is called the "front," the side opposite the door is called the "rear," the right is called the "right" and the left is called the "left" when viewed from the perspective of a user standing facing the door, the left-right direction is called the "width direction," the front-back direction is called the "depth direction," and the up-down direction is called the "height direction."

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, the housing 1 houses the water tank 2 and the tub 3. The housing 1 comprises a bottom portion 11, a top portion 12, a front portion 13, a rear portion 14, and a pair of side portions 15 (see Figure 1). When the washing machine 100 is installed on the floor, the bottom portion 11 faces the floor. The bottom portion 11 is located below the water tank 2 and the tub 3.

[0015] The top surface 12 faces the bottom surface 11 in the height direction. The top surface 12 is located above the water tank 2 and the tub 3. As shown in Figure 1, the top surface 12 includes a water inlet 121, a chemical case 122, and a filter device 123. The water inlet 121 is located on the rear left side of the top surface 12. The water inlet 121 is connected to a water tap via a water supply hose (not shown). The chemical case 122 is located on the front left side of the top surface 12. The chemical case 122 contains, for example, detergent, bleach, and fabric softener. The filter device 123 is located on the rear right side of the top surface 12. More specifically, the filter device 123 is located in the rear portion of the top surface 12 in the front-to-back direction, behind the center. The filter device 123 collects lint, dust, etc. from the air flowing through the circulating air passage. The filter device 123 is detachable from the washing machine 100. The user of the washing machine 100 can remove the filter device 123 from the washing machine 100 and clean it. The user then reattaches the cleaned filter device 123 to the washing machine 100. Therefore, it is preferable that the filter device 123 be positioned in a location that is easily accessible to the user.

[0016] The front section 13 is located in front of the water tank 2 and the tub 3. As shown in Figure 2, the front section 13 has a first opening 131. The first opening 131 is the opening for loading laundry. The first opening 131 penetrates the front section 13 in the front-to-back direction. More specifically, the first opening 131 penetrates the front section 13 along a direction that extends slightly diagonally upward toward the front. The first opening 131 faces the second opening 31 of the tub 3, which will be described later. In other words, the housing 1 has a first opening 131 that opens toward the tub 3. The first opening 131 and the second opening 31 are provided to be substantially continuous.

[0017] The first opening 131 has a circular shape when viewed from the front. The housing 1 is provided with a packing 132. The packing 132 is a component that ensures substantial airtightness between the door 4 and the tank 3 when the door 4 is closed. The packing 132 is made of, for example, rubber or a resin such as a soft resin. The first opening 131 may also be determined by the outer shape of the packing 132.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 4, the front surface formed by the outer surface of the front part 13 has a round shape in a side view. The front surface has a shape inclined backward upward and downward respectively from the vertex located at the most forward of the front surface. Therefore, the lower end of the front surface is located on the rear side of the vertex of the front surface.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the rear part 14 is disposed on the rear side of the water tanks 2 and 3.

[0020] The pair of side parts 15 shown in FIG. 1 are respectively disposed on the right or left side of the water tanks 2 and 3 shown in FIG. 2. The end parts in the width direction of the bottom part 11 and the end parts in the width direction of the top part 12 are connected by the side parts 15.

[0021] The water tank 2 is provided displaceably in the housing 1. The water tank 2 stores water or an aqueous solution such as washing water or rinsing water. The water tank 2 has a cylindrical shape with a closed bottom (a cylindrical shape with a bottom). An opening is formed at the front end of the water tank 2, and a bottom wall is formed at the rear end. The central axis of the water tank 2 extends obliquely upward forward. For this reason, in the water tank 2, the position of the centroid of the opening is higher than the position of the centroid of the bottom surface. The rear part of the water tank 2 is supported by a pair of left and right dampers 133. A drain duct 134 is connected to the lowermost part of the water tank 2. When a drain valve (not shown) is opened, the washing water or rinsing water in the water tank 2 is discharged outside the water tank 2 through the drain duct 134 and a drain hose (not shown).

[0022] The tub 3 is capable of holding laundry such as clothes. The tub 3 is located inside the water tank 2. The tub 3 is rotatable relative to the water tank 2. Like the water tank 2, the tub 3 is cylindrical with a closed bottom (bottomed cylinder). The diameter of the tub 3 is smaller than the diameter of the water tank 2. The tub 3 is located inside the water tank 2 and is coaxial with the water tank 2. The tub 3 is provided to be rotatable around a central axis. Therefore, the tub 3 is a rotating tub that passes through the first opening 131 and is rotatable around a rotation axis that extends diagonally upward toward the front. The rotation axis of the tub 3 is preferably inclined in the range of 3° to 10° with respect to the horizontal direction (depth direction), and more preferably in the range of 5° to 10°. Specifically, in this embodiment, the rotation axis of the tub 3 is inclined at 8° with respect to the depth direction.

[0023] The central axis of tank 3 substantially coincides with the rotation axis of water tank 2. As shown in Figure 2, tank 3 comprises a second opening 31, a bottom wall portion 32, and a plurality of baffles 33. The second opening 31 is formed at the front end of tank 3, and the bottom wall portion 32 is formed at the rear end of tank 3. In other words, tank 3 has a second opening 31 opposite to the first opening 131. A plurality of water passage holes (not shown) are formed in the circumferential wall of tank 3. A plurality of baffles 33 are formed in the inner circumferential wall of tank 3. Each of the plurality of baffles 33 extends in the front-rear direction and protrudes inward in the circumferential direction. The plurality of baffles 33 are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0024] Tank 3 is connected to motor 34 via rotating shaft 341. The torque of motor 34 is transmitted to tank 3 via rotating shaft 341, causing tank 3 to rotate.

[0025] Door 4 is attached to the housing 1. Door 4 is provided to cover the first opening 131 and is attached to the housing 1 so that the first opening 131 can be opened and closed. When door 4 is closed, it covers at least a portion of the outer surface (front) of the front portion 13 of the housing 1, including the area in which the first opening 131 is provided.

[0026] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the door 4 extends from the left of the left edge of the first opening 131 to the right of the right edge. Furthermore, the door 4 extends from below the bottom edge of the first opening 131 to above the top edge. More specifically, in the width direction, the door 4 substantially covers the entire width of the front surface of the housing 1. In the height direction, the door 4 substantially covers the entire height of the front surface of the housing 1, except for a portion located below the first opening 131. The front view shape of the door 4 is roughly rectangular, specifically, a rectangle with chamfered or rounded corners.

[0027] Door 4 is supported at either its right or left end so as to be rotatable in both directions relative to the housing 1. Door 4 is rotatable around the support point provided by the housing 1, and the opening of the tank 3 is opened and closed as door 4 rotates.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the door 4 has a permeable section 4a. The permeable section 4a extends from below the first opening 131 to above the first opening 131. The permeable section 4a covers substantially the entire front side of the first opening 131.

[0029] The transparent section 4a transmits visible light. Here, "visible light" refers to light with a wavelength of 400 nm or more and 700 nm or less. "Transmitting visible light" means transmitting at least a portion of light of at least a portion of the wavelengths of the visible light spectrum. "Transmitting visible light" includes cases where only a portion of the wavelength range within the visible wavelength range (wavelength range of 400 nm or more and 700 nm or less) is substantially transmitted. Furthermore, "transmitting visible light" includes cases where the transmittance of visible light is less than 100%. In other words, "transmitting visible light" means that the maximum transmittance of light in at least a portion of the wavelength range within the wavelength range of 400 nm or more and 700 nm or less is greater than 0%, and is preferably 10% or more, and more preferably 30% or more. In this embodiment, the transparent section 4a has a transmittance of visible light sufficient to allow the user to see inside the tank 3. Here, "visible" includes not only cases where the shape and color of all objects inside the tank 3 can be fully grasped, but also cases where the presence of objects inside the tank 3 can be confirmed.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the door 4 further has an opaque portion 4b located outside the translucent portion 4a. The opaque portion 4b is provided so as to surround the translucent portion 4a, which is provided in a substantially circular shape with a larger diameter than the first opening 131 when viewed from the front. The opaque portion 4b is a portion of the door 4 that has a light transmittance such that the part opposite to the user is substantially invisible. Specifically, the opaque portion 4b substantially does not transmit visible light.

[0031] More specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the door 4 comprises a door body 4A and a light-transmitting member 4B. The door body 4A is made of a colored, opaque resin that is substantially non-light-transmitting. The door body 4A is provided in the portion other than the portion where the translucent portion 4a is located. In other words, the door body 4A has an opening at a position corresponding to the position of the translucent portion 4a (hereinafter, the opening provided in the door body 4A at a position opposite to the position of the translucent portion 4a may be referred to as the "body opening"). The door 4 is rotatably supported by the housing 1 in the door body 4A.

[0032] The light-transmitting member 4B is a member that transmits visible light. The light-transmitting member 4B can be made of, for example, a glass member or a resin member. In this embodiment, the light-transmitting member 4B is made of one or more glass members.

[0033] The light-transmitting member 4B is attached to the front surface of the door body 4A. The light-transmitting member 4B covers substantially the entire front surface of the door body 4A. Therefore, when the washing machine 100 is viewed from the front, substantially the entire door 4 is covered by the light-transmitting member 4B.

[0034] Specifically, in this embodiment, the light-transmitting member 4B is composed of a plate-shaped first light-transmitting member 4B1 and a second light-transmitting member 4B2. The first light-transmitting member 4B1 and the second light-transmitting member 4B2 are each composed of glass.

[0035] In this embodiment, the transparent portion 4a is composed of a light-transmitting member 4B, and the door body 4A is not provided in the transparent portion 4a.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the surface (front surface) of the light-transmitting member 4B, specifically the first light-transmitting member 4B1, of the translucent portion 4a is positioned to cover at least a portion of the front of the opening of the tank 3 (more specifically, the front in the direction in which the rotation axis of the tank 3 extends). The surface of the translucent portion 4a includes an inclined portion 4B10 that slopes upward toward the rear. The inclined portion 4B10 extends below the intersection point P between the rotation axis of the tank 3 and the surface of the door 4 (more specifically, the outer surface of the door 4). In the height direction, the inclined portion 4B10 extends from the bottom of the tank 3 to substantially the upper end of the tank 3. The upper end of the inclined portion 4B10 is substantially the same as the upper end of the opening of the tank 3. In the height direction, the inclined portion 4B10 covers more than two-thirds of the entire opening of the tank 3.

[0037] The surface of door 4 (specifically, the outer surface) includes, in addition to the inclined portion 4B10, another inclined portion 4B20 and a lower portion 4B11.

[0038] The lower section 4B11 is located below the inclined section 4B10. The upper end of the lower section 4B11 is connected to the lower end of the inclined section 4B10. The lower section 4B11 is inclined downwards toward the rear. Therefore, the lower end of the lower section 4B11 is located behind the upper end of the lower section 4B11.

[0039] The inclined portion 4B10 and the lower portion 4B11 are formed by the first light-transmitting member 4B1. As shown in Figure 3, the surface of the first light-transmitting member 4B1 is arcuate. Therefore, the inclined portion 4B10 and the lower portion 4B11 are formed by a continuous curved surface, specifically, an arcuate surface having substantially the same curvature. This continuous curved surface has substantially no curvature in the width direction.

[0040] The surface of the first translucent member 4B1 has substantially no curvature in the width direction and is an arc-shaped surface with substantially uniform curvature in the height direction. As shown in Figure 3, the center of curvature C1 of the first translucent member 4B1 is located further rearward than the rear surface of the washing machine 100. In the height direction, the center of curvature C1 is located below the midpoint between the upper and lower ends of the first translucent member 4B1. Therefore, in the height direction, the distance S1 between the center of curvature C1 and the upper end of the first translucent member 4B1 is longer than the distance S2 between the center of curvature C1 and the lower end of the first translucent member 4B1. The intersection point of the straight line L1 extending horizontally through the center of curvature C1 and the surface of the first translucent member 4B1 is the vertex T of the surface of the first translucent member 4B1. The vertex T is the part of the surface of the first translucent member 4B1 that is located furthest forward in a side view.

[0041] Another inclined section 4B20 is located above the inclined section 4B10 and is inclined upward and backward. A linear portion, formed by the door body 4A, is interposed between the lower end of the other inclined section 4B20 and the upper end of the inclined section 4B10. The lower end of the other inclined section 4B20 and the upper end of the inclined section 4B10 face each other via this linear portion. The inclined section 4B10 and the other inclined section 4B20 are positioned substantially tangent to each other.

[0042] Another inclined portion 4B20 is composed of substantially the entire outer surface of the second light-transmitting member 4B2. Another inclined portion 4B20 is arcuate in shape when viewed from the side. Another inclined portion 4B20 is a curved surface that has substantially no curvature in the width direction and substantially uniform curvature in the height direction. In this embodiment, another inclined portion 4B20 is composed of a single arcuate surface. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Another inclined portion may be composed of, for example, a plurality of tangent arcuate surfaces. Another inclined portion may have a plurality of parts, including a first part having a first curvature and a second part located above the first part and having a second curvature higher than the first curvature.

[0043] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the radius of curvature r2 of another inclined section 4B20 is shorter than the radius of curvature r1 of the inclined section 4B10. The center of curvature C2 of the other inclined section 4B20 is located inside the washing machine 100 in the front-rear direction. In other words, the center of curvature C2 is located forward of the rear end of the washing machine 100 in the front-rear direction. Preferably, the center of curvature C2 is located forward of the rear end of the tub 3 in the front-rear direction, more preferably forward of the center of the tub 3 in the front-rear direction, and even more preferably substantially at the same position as the front end of the tub 3.

[0044] The center of curvature C2 is located below the lower end of another inclined section 4B20 in the height direction. The center of curvature C2 is located below the upper end of the tub 3 in the vertical direction. In a side view, the straight line passing through the midpoint of another inclined section 4B20 and the center of curvature C2 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "first straight line") has a larger angle with respect to the horizontal than the straight line passing through the midpoint of inclined section 4B10 and the center of curvature C1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "second straight line"). The first straight line and the second straight line are not parallel, and in the installed state of the washing machine 100, the angle between the first straight line and the vertical is smaller than the angle between the second straight line and the vertical. Therefore, the degree of backward tilt of the other inclined section 4B20 is greater than the degree of backward tilt of the inclined section 4B10.

[0045] Door 4 is provided with at least one of an operating unit and a display unit. Here, the operating unit is a mechanism for the user to operate the washing machine 100. Typically, the operating unit has, for example, at least one input unit, and the washing machine 100 can be controlled by the user operating the input unit. The input unit may be, for example, a button. The operating unit may be, for example, a touch panel or a mechanical button that is displaced in the direction of pressure. The display unit is, for example, a part that displays information about the washing machine 100. The display unit can be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an electroluminescent display. Specifically, in this embodiment, an operating unit 411 that combines an operating unit and a display unit is provided. The operating unit 411 is provided on another inclined unit 4B20. It is preferable that the operating unit operated by the user is provided relatively above the operating unit 411, and the display unit is provided relatively below it. In this case, the operating unit can be positioned at an angle close to horizontal, which can make it easier for the user to operate the operating unit.

[0046] As explained above, the inclined portion 4B10 included in the surface of the translucent portion 4a is positioned to cover at least a portion of the front of the opening direction of the tub 3 and is inclined upward toward the rear (rear-tilted). Therefore, visibility inside the tub 3 can be improved. Specifically, the reflectivity of light in the inclined portion 4B10 can be reduced, and the incidence of light from the user's eyes can be increased. Thus, visibility inside the tub 3 can be improved. This effect will be explained in detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the reflected light of a reference example washing machine 100A. In the explanation of the washing machine 100A depicted in Figure 5, components having substantially the same function as those of the washing machine 100 will be referred to by the same reference numerals. The washing machine 100A has substantially the same configuration as the washing machine 100 except for the door 4C. The surface of the door 4C does not have an inclined portion corresponding to the inclined portion 4B10 of the washing machine 100, and the surface of the portion located in front of the tub 3 extends vertically when the washing machine 100A is installed.

[0047] According to Snell's Law, the reflectivity of light tends to decrease as the angle of incidence of light decreases and increase as the angle of incidence of light increases. As shown in Figure 5, if the angle of incidence of light B1 when the surface extends along the vertical direction is θ1b, then as shown in Figure 4, the angle of incidence of light B1 to the inclined section 4B10, θ1a, is smaller than θ1b. Therefore, by providing the inclined section 4B10, the reflectivity of light B1 can be reduced and the transmittance can be increased. Consequently, visibility inside the tank 3 can be improved.

[0048] In this embodiment, the inclined portion 4B10, in which the reflectivity of light B1 is reduced, extends below the intersection point P between the rotation axis of the tank 3 and the surface of the door 4. Therefore, the area of ​​the tank 3 in which visibility is improved by the inclined portion 4B10 is wide. In other words, visibility over a wide area of ​​the tank 3 can be improved. From this viewpoint, it is preferable that the inclined portion 4B10 extends below the midpoint between the upper and lower ends of the tank 3 in the height direction. It is preferable that the inclined portion 4B10 is located at substantially the same position as the upper end of the tank 3 in the height direction. It is preferable that S1 shown in Figure 3 is longer than S2.

[0049] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the effect of improving visibility inside the tank 3 obtained by providing the inclined portion 4B10 is greater when the direction of the rotation axis and the inclined portion 4B10 is close to perpendicular. Therefore, as in this embodiment, it is more effective to provide the inclined portion 4B10 when the tank 3 is rotatable around a rotation axis that passes through the first opening 131 and extends diagonally upward toward the front.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, the surface of the door 4 is located below the inclined portion 4B10 and includes a lower portion 4B11 that slopes downward toward the rear. When the washing machine 100 is installed, it is conceivable that light may be reflected from the floor surface in front of the washing machine 100 and enter the door 4 from below. When such light from below is reflected off the surface of the door 4 and enters the user's eyes, it may mix with the light from inside the drum 3, potentially reducing the visibility of the inside of the drum 3.

[0051] In this embodiment, the lower section 4B11 is inclined downwards toward the rear. As a result, the angle of incidence θ2a of light B2 from below onto the lower section 4B11 is smaller than the angle of incidence θ2b shown in Figure 5. Therefore, reflected light from the lower section 4B11 does not easily reach upwards and does not easily enter the user's eyes. Thus, the reduction in visibility inside the tank 3 due to light incident from below towards the door 4 is effectively suppressed. Consequently, the visibility inside the tank 3 is further enhanced.

[0052] Furthermore, the inclined section 4B10 is provided, which positions the lower end of the door 4 towards the rear. This allows the user to stand closer to the washing machine 100. As a result, the operability of the washing machine 100 can be further improved.

[0053] Furthermore, the lower part of the front section 13 also slopes downward towards the rear. Therefore, the lower end of the front section 13 is located towards the rear. Thus, for example, even with the door 4 open, the user can stand closer to the washing machine 100. Therefore, for example, it is possible to easily load and unload laundry into the tub 3.

[0054] In the washing machine 100, the inclined section 4B10 and the lower section 4B11 are made of a single translucent plate and are composed of a continuous curved surface. Therefore, the reflected image formed by the reflected light from the inclined section 4B10 and the lower section 4B11 is less likely to be distorted. Thus, the reduction in visibility inside the drum 3 due to the reflected image is effectively suppressed.

[0055] From the viewpoint of more effectively suppressing distortion of the reflected image, it is preferable that the continuous curved surface formed by the inclined portion 4B10 and the lower portion 4B11 has no curvature in the width direction. "Having no curvature in the width direction" includes having substantially no curvature in the width direction, and specifically includes cases where the curvature is 1 / 2 or less of the curvature of the second light-transmitting member 4B2, preferably 1 / 3 or less, more preferably 1 / 5 or less, and even more preferably 1 / 10 or less.

[0056] Furthermore, the continuous curved surface formed by the inclined section 4B10 and the lower section 4B11 is convex toward the front. Therefore, light incident on the inclined section 4B10 and the lower section 4B11 from the front is diffusely reflected by the inclined section 4B10 and the lower section 4B11. As a result, the amount of incident light per unit area of ​​reflected light can be reduced, and an anti-glare effect can also be expected. Consequently, visibility inside the tank 3 can be further improved.

[0057] In the washing machine 100, the radius of curvature r2 of another inclined section 4B20 located above the inclined section 4B10 is shorter than the radius of curvature r1 of the inclined section 4B10. Therefore, the height dimension of the other inclined section 4B20 can be reduced. Thus, the height of the top surface 12 of the housing 1 can be reduced. In other words, the housing 1 can be made lower in profile. Therefore, for example, even a user with short stature can easily operate the top surface 12. In particular, maintenance of the filter device 123 located at the rear of the top surface 12 becomes easier.

[0058] From the viewpoint of further lowering the height of the top surface 12 and improving operability, it is preferable that the center of curvature of the other inclined section 4B20 is located below the lower end of the other inclined section 4B20.

[0059] In the case of a washing machine 100, where at least one of the display unit and the control unit is provided on another inclined section 4B20, reducing the radius of curvature of the other inclined section 4B20 allows for an increase in the surface area of ​​the portion where at least one of the display unit and the control unit can be placed, while suppressing an increase in the height dimension of the other inclined section 4B20. This improves the operability of the control unit and the visibility of the display unit.

[0060] From the viewpoint of further improving the operability of the control section and the visibility of the display section, it is preferable that the center of curvature of another inclined section 4B20 is located below the lower end of the other inclined section 4B20.

[0061] [Embodiment 2] Next, with reference to Figure 6, Embodiment 2 of the washing machine 100 will be described. Embodiment 2, and Embodiments 3 and 4 described later, mainly differ from Embodiment 1 in the surface shape of the door 4. Below, the differences between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 will be explained, and other descriptions of Embodiment 1 will be incorporated into Embodiment 2.

[0062] Figure 6 is a side view showing the door 4D according to the second embodiment.

[0063] As shown in Figure 6, this embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that the radius of curvature r1 of the inclined portion 4B10 and the radius of curvature r4 of the lower portion 4B11 are different. Specifically, in this embodiment, the radius of curvature r4 of the lower portion 4B11 is smaller than the radius of curvature r1 of the inclined portion 4B10. As a result, reflected light from light incident on the lower portion 4B11 from below is less likely to enter the user's eyes, and the user can position themselves closer to the washing machine.

[0064] As in this embodiment, the surface shape of the door 4D is not particularly limited as long as the inclined portion 4B10 is provided. For example, the radius of curvature r1 of the inclined portion 4B10, the radius of curvature r4 of the lower portion 4B11, and the radius of curvature r2 of another inclined portion 4B20 may be different. In this case, it is preferable that the radius of curvature r4 of the lower portion 4B11 is less than or equal to the radius of curvature r1 of the inclined portion 4B10 and greater than or equal to the radius of curvature r2 of the other inclined portion 4B20.

[0065] [Embodiment 3] Next, with reference to Figure 7, Embodiment 3 of the washing machine 100 will be described. Figure 7 is a side view showing the door 4E according to the third embodiment. Embodiments 1 and 2 described an example in which all of the inclined portion 4B10, the lower portion 4B11, and the other inclined portion 4B20 are curved. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration as long as the inclined portion 4B10 is inclined upward and backward. As shown in Figure 7, the inclined portion 4B10 may be a planar shape inclined upward and backward. The lower portion 4B11 may be a planar shape inclined downward and backward. The other inclined portion 4B20 may be a planar shape inclined upward and backward. Thus, at least one of the inclined portion 4B10, the lower portion 4B11, and the other inclined portion 4B20 may be planar. Also, some of the inclined portion 4B10, the lower portion 4B11, and the other inclined portion 4B20 may be planar, and the rest may be curved. Even in these cases, excellent visibility inside the drum 3 can be achieved as in Embodiment 1.

[0066] [Embodiment 4] Next, with reference to Figure 8, Embodiment 4 of the washing machine 100 will be described. Figure 8 is a side view showing the door 4F according to the fourth embodiment. Embodiment 1 described an example in which another inclined section 4B20 with a different radius of curvature from the inclined section 4B10 is provided above the inclined section 4B10. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0067] For example, the inclined section 4B10 and the section on which at least one of the display unit and the operation unit is provided may be made of curved surfaces with the same radius of curvature. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 8, the inclined section 4B10 and the section on which at least one of the display unit and the operation unit is provided may be provided in a planar shape that is inclined upward and backward.

[0068] The inclined portion 4B10 and the lower portion 4B11 may be provided in a planar shape that slopes backward toward the bottom. Furthermore, the lower portion 4B11, the inclined portion 4B10, and another inclined portion 4B20 may be composed of curved surfaces with the same radius of curvature, or they may be provided in a planar shape.

[0069] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in each of the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined. The drawings schematically show each component for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown may differ from the actual dimensions due to the convenience of drawing creation. Also, the material, shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible without substantially departing from the configuration of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 cabinet 3 tanks 4-door 4a Transparent part 4B1 1st transparent member 4B10 Inclined section 4B20 Another inclined section 4B11 Lower part 100 Washing Machines 411 Operation section

Claims

1. A tank that opens towards the front, A housing that houses the aforementioned tank and has a front surface located in front of the tank, A door is attached to the housing so as to be able to open and close the opening, and covers at least a portion of the front surface including the area in which the opening is provided. Equipped with, The door has a transparent portion that extends from below the opening to above the opening and transmits visible light. The surface of the permeable portion is positioned to cover at least a portion of the front of the opening direction of the tank and includes an inclined portion that slopes upward toward the rear. The surface of the door is located below the inclined portion and includes a lower portion that slopes downward toward the rear. The aforementioned transparent portion includes a light-transmitting member, The inclined portion and the lower portion are made of the light-transmitting member, and the portion of the light-transmitting member that is inclined and the portion that is lower form a continuous curved surface. The aforementioned continuous curved surface has no curvature in the width direction and has curvature in the height direction. washing machine.

2. The tank is rotatable around a rotation axis that passes through the opening, The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the inclined portion extends below the intersection point of the rotation axis and the surface of the door.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein, in the vertical direction, the distance between the foremost vertex of the continuous curved surface and the upper end of the continuous curved surface is longer than the distance between the vertex and the lower end of the continuous curved surface.

4. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the inclined portion and the lower portion are formed by a single light-transmitting plate.

5. The surface of the door further includes another inclined portion located above the inclined portion and inclined upward toward the rear, The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein, in a side view, the radius of curvature of the other inclined portion is shorter than the radius of curvature of the inclined portion.

6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein, in the vertical direction, the other inclined portion is provided such that the center of curvature of the other inclined portion is located below the lower end of the other inclined portion.

7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein at least one of a display unit and an operation unit is provided in the other inclined section.

8. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the drum is rotatable about a rotation axis that passes through the opening and extends diagonally upward toward the front.

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