washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine which can secure an arrangement space and capacity of a liquid agent tank, and which can attach / detach the liquid agent tank easily.SOLUTION: A washing machine 1 includes a detergent tank 20 and a softening agent tank 21 including an automatic input function of a liquid agent (liquid detergent and softening agent) into a washing tub, and for storing the liquid agent to be automatically inputted. The detergent tank 20 and the softening agent tank 21 have a laterally long shape with the width direction of the washing machine 1 being the longer direction, and they are arranged in a tank storage region Rt formed across the whole width of the width direction of the washing machine 1. Also, at the back of the tank storage region Rt, a water supply hose region Rh is provided having a water supply hose connection port 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine having an automatic liquid supply function for supplying a liquid agent (such as a liquid detergent or a softener) to a washing tub, and including a liquid agent tank for storing the liquid agent to be automatically supplied.

Background Art

[0002] Washing machines equipped with a function of automatically supplying liquid agents such as liquid detergents and softeners to a washing tub are known. Such washing machines are provided with a detachable liquid agent tank (detergent tank or softener tank), and the liquid agent to be automatically supplied to the washing tub is stored in the liquid agent tank.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine in which the liquid agent tank is disposed on the rear side (back side) of the washing tub. In the case of a vertical washing machine, in order to dispose the washing tub closer to the front of the washing machine, it is preferable that the liquid agent tank be disposed on the rear side of the washing machine.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when the liquid agent tank is disposed on the rear side of the washing tub, there is a problem that it is difficult to secure the arrangement space and capacity of the liquid agent tank because there are also connection parts for connecting a water supply hose, a bath water hose, etc. at the rear of the washing machine. In addition, there is room for improvement in the detachable operability of the liquid agent tank with respect to the washing machine for the liquid agent tank disposed on the rear side of the washing tub.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine in which the arrangement space and capacity of the liquid agent tank can be secured, and the liquid agent tank can be easily attached and detached. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, a washing machine according to one aspect of the present invention has an automatic liquid dispensing function into the washing tub and is equipped with a liquid tank for storing the automatically dispensed liquid, wherein the liquid tank has a horizontally elongated shape with the width direction of the washing machine as its longitudinal direction, and is arranged in a tank storage area formed over the entire width of the washing machine, the tank storage area is provided behind the top lid that covers the laundry opening of the washing machine, and the connection port to the liquid tank provided at the bottom of the tank storage area is supported from below. The liquid tank comprises two liquid tanks, the connection port comprises two connection ports, the two connection ports are positioned towards the center in the width direction of the washing machine, and further comprises a dispensing case into which detergent and fabric softener can be manually dispensed, an external case that supports the dispensing case so that it can be pulled out, and a connecting part that connects the two connection ports in the width direction of the washing machine, the connecting part having a portion that overlaps with the external case in the vertical direction. It is characterized by the following.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the liquid tank has a horizontal shape with the width as the longitudinal direction, and the tank storage area extends across the entire width of the washing machine. Therefore, the dimensions of the tank storage area in the front-to-back direction of the washing machine can be reduced. As a result, even if a water supply hose connection is provided at the rear of the tank storage area, space for the liquid tank can be secured while suppressing an increase in the overall dimensions of the washing machine in the front-to-back direction. In addition, by increasing the width of the liquid tank, sufficient liquid capacity is ensured, and not only the depth but also the height dimension can be suppressed. This makes it easier for the user to insert and remove the liquid tank when attaching and detaching it from the washing machine.

[0009] Furthermore, in the washing machine described above, the tank storage area can be configured to be located behind the top lid that covers the laundry loading opening of the washing machine.

[0010] With the above configuration, the dimensions of the tank storage area, the size and weight of the top lid can be reduced, and it becomes easier for the user to open and close the top lid.

[0011] Furthermore, the washing machine may be equipped with multiple liquid tanks, and the multiple liquid tanks may be arranged side by side in the tank storage area.

[0012] Furthermore, the washing machine may have a sheet metal member in front of the tank storage area, and the hinge shaft of the top lid may be attached to the sheet metal member.

[0013] According to the above configuration, when the top lid is opened and closed, the load on the hinge shaft is absorbed by the sheet metal member, and deformation of the liquid tank storage area in the washing machine casing due to the load on the hinge shaft can be suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The washing machine of the present invention has the effect of securing space for the liquid tank while suppressing an increase in the overall dimensions of the washing machine in the front-to-back direction, by making the liquid tank horizontally elongated and forming the tank storage area to extend across the entire width of the washing machine. Furthermore, by making the liquid tank wider, sufficient liquid capacity is ensured and the height is kept from increasing, which also makes it easier for the user to insert and remove the liquid tank. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the upper part of a washing machine, illustrating one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a top view of the washing machine. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the detergent tank. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the detergent dispenser. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the external case of the detergent dispenser, seen from the front and slightly below. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram illustrating the automatic dispensing method for liquid detergents in a washing machine, as well as the manual dispensing method for liquid or powder detergents. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of a sheet metal component used in a washing machine. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] 〔Embodiment 1〕 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration near the upper part of the washing machine 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a top view of the washing machine 1. The outer casing of the washing machine 1 is configured to be divided into an upper surface plate 10 and a lower casing as shown in FIG. 1. Although a washing tub and the like are arranged inside the lower casing, this part has a known configuration, so detailed description thereof is omitted here.

[0017] The upper surface plate 10 is provided with an upper lid 11 that covers the upper surface of the washing machine 1 (that is, covers the laundry inlet). The upper lid 11 is connected to the upper surface plate 10 via a hinge on the rear end side (the back side of the washing machine 1), and the front end side of the upper lid 11 can be opened and closed by rotating it in the vertical direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, in the washing machine 1, a tank storage area Rt is provided behind the upper lid 11, and a water supply hose area Rh is provided further behind the tank storage area Rt and at the rearmost part of the upper surface of the washing machine 1.

[0018] In the tank storage area Rt, as a liquid agent tank, a detergent tank 20 and a softener tank 21 can be stored. The tank storage area Rt is covered with a lid 12 (see FIG. 1), and the upper surfaces of the detergent tank 20 and the softener tank 21 are exposed by opening the lid 12. Similar to the upper lid 11, the lid 12 is connected to the upper surface plate 10 via a hinge on the rear end side, and the front end side of the lid 12 can be opened and closed by rotating it in the vertical direction. In FIG. 2, the illustration of the lid 12 is omitted so that the storage states of the detergent tank 20 and the softener tank 21 can be visually recognized.

[0019] By separating the upper lid 11 and the lid 12, the size and weight of the upper lid 11 can be reduced by the dimensions of the tank storage area Rt, making it easier for the user to open and close the upper lid 11. Also, since the lid 12 can be made to protrude above the rear end of the upper lid 11, the liquid agent tank can be easily made large-capacity without complicating the structure of the upper lid 11 or degrading its design. In cases where it is not necessary to make the capacity of the liquid agent tank large, the lid 12 may be integrated with the upper lid 11 so that the upper lid 11 also covers the tank storage area Rt.

[0020] In the water supply hose area Rh, a water supply hose connection port (water supply hose connection part) 13 is provided, and it is configured to connect a hose from a faucet. Also, in the water supply hose area Rh, a bath water hose insertion port 14, and (when the washing machine 1 to which the present invention is applied is a washing and drying machine) an exhaust port 15 for the drying unit, etc. may be provided. Incidentally, the bath water hose insertion port 14 may be covered with a lid 16 (see FIG. 1, not shown in FIG. 2) when not in use.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a detergent tank 20, which is an example of a liquid agent tank. The detergent tank 20 has a dimension in the width direction that is sufficiently longer than the dimension in the depth direction (the width direction is the longitudinal direction), and is in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is short in the front-rear direction and horizontally long. In the description here, the dimension directions of the detergent tank 20 are made to coincide with the respective directions of the washing machine 1 when housed in the washing machine 1. Also, the shape of the fabric softener tank 21 is substantially left-right symmetric with respect to the shape of the detergent tank 20.

[0022] The tank storage area Rt extends across the entire width in the width direction of the washing machine 1 and is formed, and the detergent tank 20 and the fabric softener tank 21 are arranged side by side in the tank storage area Rt. And since the detergent tank 20 and the fabric softener tank 21 are in a horizontally long shape that is short in the front-rear direction, the dimension of the tank storage area Rt in the front-rear direction of the washing machine 1 can also be made small. For this reason, even if a water supply hose area Rh is further provided behind the tank storage area Rt, an increase in the front-rear dimension of the entire washing machine 1 can be suppressed.

[0023] Furthermore, the detergent tank 20 and fabric softener tank 21 have sufficient liquid capacity by increasing their width, thus not only reducing their depth but also preventing them from increasing in height. This makes it easier for the user to insert and remove the detergent tank 20 and fabric softener tank 21 from the washing machine 1.

[0024] Furthermore, the washing machine 1 according to this embodiment 1 allows for manual dispensing of liquid detergents and fabric softeners, as well as liquid and powder detergents. Therefore, it has a detergent dispensing case 30 as shown in Figure 4. The detergent dispensing case 30 is located approximately in the center of the washing machine 1 in the width direction. The detergent dispensing case 30 is also located below the detergent tank 20 and the fabric softener tank 21.

[0025] The detergent dispenser 30 comprises an external case 31 and a pull-out manual dispenser 32. Figure 4 shows the manual dispenser 32 pulled out relative to the external case 31. The front of the manual dispenser 32 is exposed to the outside when the top lid 11 is open, allowing the user to pull the manual dispenser 32 forward and refill it with detergent (liquid or powder detergent) or fabric softener.

[0026] The manual dispensing case 32 includes a liquid detergent dispenser 32a, a powder detergent dispenser 32b, and a fabric softener dispenser 32c. The outer case 31 is provided with the aforementioned water supply hose connection port 13, so that when the detergent dispensing case 30 is attached to the washing machine 1, the water supply hose connection port 13 is exposed on the top surface of the washing machine 1. The detergent dispensing case 30 is also equipped with a valve mechanism 33 (see Figure 6), which will be described later. The valve mechanism 33 switches the water supply path of the tap water supplied from the water supply hose connection port 13, allowing water to be supplied to the manual dispensing case 32 via the desired water supply path. The water supplied to the manual dispensing case 32 dissolves the detergent or fabric softener and is discharged to the outside of the detergent dispensing case 30 through a water inlet 34 located at the bottom of the outer case 31, and supplied to the washing tub of the washing machine 1.

[0027] Figure 5 shows the interior of the outer case 31 with the manual dispensing case 32 removed, and is a perspective view of the outer case 31 from the front and diagonally below. As shown in Figure 5, the top surface of the space in the outer case 31 where the manual dispensing case 32 is housed is provided with a shower hole outlet 31a for detergent and a shower hole outlet 31b for fabric softener. The shower hole outlet 31a is located above the liquid detergent dispenser 32a and the powder detergent dispenser 32b when the manual dispensing case 32 is installed, and is used when dispensing detergent into the washing tub. The shower hole outlet 31b is located above the fabric softener dispenser 32c when the manual dispensing case 32 is installed, and is used when dispensing fabric softener into the washing tub. In this way, water is supplied to the manual dispensing case 32 in a shower-like manner from the shower hole outlet 31a or 31b to prevent undissolved detergent and fabric softener.

[0028] Furthermore, if the washing machine 1 has a bath water hose connection port 14, the external case 31 may be provided with a hose connection port 35 (see Figure 4) that communicates with the bath water hose connection port 14. This allows the bath water hose to be inserted into the hose connection port 35 to receive the bath water when using bath water for laundry. The bath water supplied from the hose connection port 35 can be supplied to the washing tub from the water inlet 34. However, in this case, the bath water does not need to pass through the manual water supply case 32.

[0029] Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating the automatic dispensing of liquids and the manual dispensing of liquids or powder detergents in the washing machine 1. As shown in Figure 6, tap water supplied from the water supply hose connection port 13 is subject to switching of the water supply path by a five-valve mechanism 33 having water supply valves V1 to V5.

[0030] The water supply valves V1 and V2 are used when automatically dispensing liquids from the liquid tanks (detergent tank 20 and fabric softener tank 21) (when liquids are automatically dispensed, water supply valves V3 to V5 are closed). Water supply valve V1 is connected to the detergent exchange chamber 42a via a negative pressure pipe 41a. Water supply valve V2 is connected to the fabric softener exchange chamber 42b via a negative pressure pipe 41b. The negative pressure pipes 41a and 41b are connected by a connecting water supply path 43, and the negative pressure pipes 41a and 41b can generate negative pressure in the connecting water supply path 43 by the Venturi effect. Furthermore, a flow meter 44 is located in the connecting water supply path 43.

[0031] A detergent tank 20 is connected to the detergent exchange chamber 42a via a check valve 45a, and a fabric softener tank 21 is connected to the fabric softener exchange chamber 42b via a check valve 45b. Furthermore, a float valve 46a is provided downstream of the detergent exchange chamber 42a, and a float valve 46b is provided downstream of the fabric softener exchange chamber 42b. The water supply paths from the float valves 46a and 46b onward merge and are connected to the washing tub 50 via the detergent dispenser case 30.

[0032] First, we will explain the automatic dispensing operation when a specified amount of liquid detergent is automatically dispensed from the detergent tank 20. In the first stage of the automatic liquid detergent dispensing operation, water is supplied from the water supply hose connection port 13 while both water supply valves V1 and V2 are opened. This water supply causes water to flow through the water supply path via water supply valve V1, negative pressure pipe 41a, detergent exchange chamber 42a, and float valve 46a, and through the water supply path via water supply valve V2, negative pressure pipe 41b, fabric softener exchange chamber 42b, and float valve 46b. In other words, at this time, the tap water pushes up the float valves 46a and 46b, respectively, opening them.

[0033] In this first stage of operation, the detergent exchange chamber 42a and the fabric softener exchange chamber 42b are filled with tap water. However, both check valves 45a and 45b are closed, so no liquid flows from the detergent tank 20 and the fabric softener tank 21 into the detergent exchange chamber 42a and the fabric softener exchange chamber 42b. In addition, there is almost no flow in the connecting water supply path 43.

[0034] Once the detergent exchange chamber 42a and fabric softener exchange chamber 42b are filled with tap water as a result of the first stage of operation, the water supply valves V1 and V2 are temporarily closed, and the float valves 46a and 46b lower and close.

[0035] In the second stage, only the water supply valve V2 is opened to supply water from the water supply hose connection port 13. This creates a water flow in the water supply path via the water supply valve V2, negative pressure pipe 41b, fabric softener exchange chamber 42b, and float valve 46b, generating negative pressure in the negative pressure pipe 41b. This negative pressure causes tap water to flow from the negative pressure pipe 41a to the negative pressure pipe 41b in the connected water supply path 43. Meanwhile, since both the water supply valve V1 and the float valve 46a are closed, negative pressure is also created inside the detergent exchange chamber 42a. This negative pressure opens the check valve 45a, drawing liquid detergent from the detergent tank 20 into the detergent exchange chamber 42a.

[0036] In the second stage of operation, the same amount of liquid detergent as the tap water flowing through the connected water supply path 43 is drawn from the detergent tank 20 into the detergent exchange chamber 42a. Therefore, in the second stage, the flow rate of the tap water flowing through the connected water supply path 43 is measured by the flow meter 44, and when the measured value of the flow meter 44 reaches a specified value, the water supply valve V2 is closed to end the operation of the second stage. At the end of the second stage, the liquid detergent drawn from the detergent tank 20 remains only in the detergent exchange chamber 42a and does not flow into the connected water supply path 43.

[0037] In the subsequent third stage, water is supplied from the water supply hose connection port 13 while both water supply valves V1 and V2 are opened again. As a result, a mixture of tap water and liquid detergent is sent from the detergent exchange chamber 42a to the washing tub 50, and tap water is sent from the fabric softener exchange chamber 42b to the washing tub 50. In other words, the liquid detergent that was drawn into the detergent exchange chamber 42a in the second stage described above is put into the washing tub 50 in the third stage. Once a sufficient amount of water has been supplied to replace all of the water in all water supply paths with tap water, water supply valves V1 and V2 are closed, and the automatic liquid detergent dispensing operation ends.

[0038] The automatic dispensing operation for dispensing a specified amount of fabric softener from the fabric softener tank 21 can be performed in the same way as the automatic dispensing operation for liquid detergent. However, in the automatic dispensing operation for fabric softener, only the water supply valve V1 is opened in the second stage. As a result, in the automatic dispensing operation for fabric softener, negative pressure is generated on the fabric softener exchange chamber 42b side, the check valve 45b opens, and fabric softener is drawn from the fabric softener tank 21 into the fabric softener exchange chamber 42b.

[0039] Furthermore, although the above explanation states that the water supply path in the automatic detergent or fabric softener dispensing operation passes through the detergent dispenser case 30, it does not pass through the manual dispenser case 32 (i.e., the liquid detergent dispenser 32a, the powder detergent dispenser 32b, and the fabric softener dispenser 32c). This prevents liquid detergent or fabric softener from remaining, drying, and accumulating around the edge of the shower hole outlet 31a or 31b. Also, it is not essential that the water supply path in the automatic detergent or fabric softener dispensing operation passes through the detergent dispenser case 30.

[0040] Next, the manual dispensing operation for detergent or fabric softener will be described. When dispensing detergent manually, a predetermined amount of detergent is poured into the manual dispensing case 32 by the user. Specifically, liquid detergent is poured into the liquid detergent dispensing section 32a, and powder detergent is poured into the powder detergent dispensing section 32b. Water is supplied at this time by opening the water supply valve V3. The water supply valve V3 is connected to the shower hole outlet 31a and can dissolve the detergent poured into the liquid detergent dispensing section 32a or the powder detergent dispensing section 32b while pouring it into the washing tub 50.

[0041] When manually adding fabric softener, the user puts a predetermined amount of fabric softener into the fabric softener dispenser 32c of the manual dispenser case 32. Water is supplied at this time by opening the water supply valve V4. The water supply valve V4 is connected to the shower hole outlet 31b and can dissolve the fabric softener put into the fabric softener dispenser 32c while pouring it into the washing tub 50.

[0042] The water supply valve V5 is a water supply valve for supplying shower-type water to the washing tub 50. While shower-type water supply to the washing tub 50 can be used when filling the washing tub 50 with water or during the rinsing process of laundry, it is not an essential component in this invention.

[0043] The washing machine 1 according to this embodiment 1 has a detergent dispenser case 30 as shown in Figure 4, and the external case 31 of the detergent dispenser case 30 is configured with a water supply path that includes automatic dispensing of liquid detergent and manual dispensing of liquid or powder detergent. This eliminates the need for piping between units when the automatic dispensing function of liquid detergent is implemented by adding another unit, which is expected to reduce manufacturing costs and improve durability.

[0044] Furthermore, in the detergent dispensing case 30 according to this embodiment 1, the connection ports 36a and 36b to the detergent tank 20 and the fabric softener tank 21 are positioned towards the center in the width direction and are connected to each other in the width direction by a connecting portion 37. The connecting portion 37 is located above the top surface 38 of the water supply path where the shower hole outlets 31a and 31b are formed, and the connecting portion 37 and the top surface 38 are connected via a connecting portion 39. With this configuration, the top surface 38 of the water supply path, the connecting portion 39, and the connecting portion 37 can all be used to reinforce the connection ports 36a and 36b to the detergent tank 20 and the fabric softener tank 21. As shown in Figure 6, check valves 45a and 45b are provided at the connection ports 36a and 36b, respectively, and the valves open and close according to the pressure in the detergent exchange chamber 42a and the fabric softener exchange chamber 42b. Therefore, if the shape of the connecting portion 37 is distorted, there is a risk that the check valves 45a and 45b will not function properly. On the other hand, gaskets and the like are provided at connection ports 36a and 36b to maintain watertightness with the detergent tank 20 and fabric softener tank 21, so stress is easily applied when attaching or detaching the liquid tanks. In the detergent dispensing case 30, the top surface 38 of the water supply path supports the connecting part 37 from below, so deformation of the connecting part 37 can be prevented from being subjected to vertical stress when attaching or detaching the liquid tanks.

[0045] [Embodiment 2] The washing machine 1 described above has a sheet metal member 60 in front of the tank storage area Rt, as shown in Figure 7. The sheet metal member 60 has its longitudinal direction in the width direction of the washing machine 1 and has hinge mounting portions 61 on both sides in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, a mounting portion 62 for attachment to the top plate 10 is provided at the lower end of the sheet metal member 60 that extends downward from the hinge mounting portion 61. In other words, in the washing machine 1, the hinge shaft of the top lid 11 that covers the laundry loading opening is attached to the hinge mounting portion 61 of the sheet metal member 60, and the mounting portion 62 of the sheet metal member 60 is fixed to the top plate 10 of the washing machine 1.

[0046] As a result, when the top lid 11 is opened and closed, the load on the hinge shaft is absorbed by the sheet metal member 60, which is arranged across the width of the washing machine 1, and the stress in the left-right and torsional directions is absorbed. Therefore, it is less likely that different stresses will be applied to the mounting portion 62 of the sheet metal member 60 on the left and right sides, thus preventing uneven load application to the top plate 10, which is made of resin. Consequently, deformation of the top plate 10 due to the load on the hinge shaft can be suppressed, and even if the tank storage area Rt for the detergent tank 20 and fabric softener tank 21 is arranged across the entire width of the washing machine 1, deformation of the storage areas for the detergent tank 20 and fabric softener tank 21 on the top plate 10 can be suppressed.

[0047] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be restrictive. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not construed solely by the embodiments described above, but is defined by the claims. This includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 1. Washing machine 10 Top plate 11 Top lid 12 Lid 13. Water supply hose connection port (water supply hose connection part) 20 Detergent tank (liquid tank) 21 Fabric softener tank (liquid tank) 30 detergent dispensers 31 External Case 31a, 31b Shower hole outlet 32 Manual Input Cases 32a Liquid detergent dispenser 32b Powder detergent dispenser 32c Fabric softener dispenser 33 Valve mechanism 34 Water inlet 41a, 41b Negative pressure pipe 42a Detergent exchange room 42b Fabric Softener Exchange Room 43. Water supply connection routes 44 Flow meter 45a, 45b Check valve 46a, 46b Float valve 50 Washing tub 60 Sheet metal components 61 Hinge mounting section Rt Tank Storage Area Rh water supply hose area V1~V5 Water Inlet Valve

Claims

1. A washing machine having an automatic liquid dispensing function into the washing tub and equipped with a liquid tank for storing the automatically dispensed liquid, The aforementioned liquid tank has a horizontally elongated shape with the width of the washing machine as its longitudinal direction, and is positioned in a tank storage area that extends across the entire width of the washing machine. The tank storage area is located behind the top lid that covers the laundry loading opening of the washing machine. The connection port to the liquid tank, located at the bottom of the tank storage area, is supported from below. The aforementioned liquid tank consists of two liquid tanks. The aforementioned connection port consists of two connection ports, The two connection ports are positioned towards the center in the width direction of the washing machine. A dispenser that allows manual dispensing of detergent and fabric softener, An external case that supports the aforementioned input case so that it can be pulled out, The washing machine further comprises a connecting portion that connects the two connection ports in the width direction, The washing machine is characterized in that a part of the connecting portion overlaps with the outer case in the vertical direction.

2. A washing machine according to Claim 1, A washing machine wherein the upper surface of the external case is provided with a plurality of detergent shower hole outlets for supplying water to the detergent dispensing section of the dispensing case, and a plurality of fabric softener shower hole outlets for supplying water to the fabric softener dispensing section of the dispensing case.

3. A washing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned liquid tank has a storage section for containing the liquid, When the portion of the liquid tank located at the end of the washing machine in the width direction is defined as one end, and the portion of the liquid tank located at the center of the washing machine in the width direction is defined as the other end, The liquid tank has a shape that follows the outer circumference of the storage section at one end of the storage section, and has legs that protrude downward from the bottom surface of the storage section. A washing machine in which the legs are formed such that the portion of the outer circumference of the housing that corresponds to the side of the housing is cut out upward.

4. A washing machine according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, A washing machine wherein the two liquid tanks are arranged side by side in the width direction of the washing machine within the tank storage area.

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