Clothing processing device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a clothing processing device with which the amount of deformation when a decorative plate unit is receiving a load can be suppressed, and with which the generation of waviness and sink marks on a front plate can be suppressed. This clothing processing device comprises an outer box containing an accommodation tank. The outer box includes: a front plate constituting at least a part of a front surface of the outer box; a reinforcing plate that is provided behind the front plate, and that reinforces the outer box; and a decorative plate unit constituting at least a part of an upper surface of the outer box. The decorative plate unit is provided between the front plate and the reinforcing plate. A front part of the decorative plate unit is held by the front plate, and a rear part of the decorative plate unit is fixed to the reinforcing plate.

Description

Clothes treatment equipment

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clothing treatment device.

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a washing machine comprising an outer box that houses a clothing storage tub, a front panel that forms the front part of the outer box, and a decorative panel unit that is provided on the top of the front panel and has an operation display area that allows input by pressing down on the operating section.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-039391

[0004] The present disclosure provides a washing machine in which, when the operating part is pressed down and the decorative plate unit is subjected to a load, the amount of deformation of the decorative plate unit is suppressed, stabilizing the pressing force of the operating part, the mold structure used when manufacturing the front plate is simplified, and differential shrinkage due to heat is suppressed when molding the front plate, thereby reducing waviness on the design surface and suppressing the occurrence of sink marks.

[0005] The clothing treatment device of the present disclosure comprises an outer box containing a storage tub, the outer box including a front panel that forms at least a portion of the front surface of the outer box, a reinforcing plate that is provided behind the front panel and reinforces the outer box, and a decorative plate unit that forms at least a portion of the top surface of the outer box, the decorative plate unit being provided between the front panel and the reinforcing plate, with the front portion of the decorative plate unit being held by the front panel and the rear portion of the decorative plate unit being fixed to the reinforcing plate.

[0006] The washing machine of the present disclosure can suppress the amount of deformation of the decorative plate unit when it receives a load, and can also suppress the occurrence of waviness or sink marks on the front panel.

[0007] a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment; an exploded perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment; a view of an outer box of a washing machine according to an embodiment from above; an exploded perspective view of a decorative plate unit of a washing machine according to an embodiment; a perspective view of an upper structure of the decorative plate unit from above; a perspective view of the upper structure from below; a perspective view of a lower support of the decorative plate unit; a top view of the lower support; a top view of the front of the outer box; a view showing the mounting structure of the decorative plate unit; an enlarged view of the front of the upper structure; a view showing the mounting structure of a side of the upper structure; an enlarged view of the rear of the upper structure; an enlarged view of the rear of the upper structure.

[0008] (Knowledge that forms the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors came up with the idea for this disclosure, washing machines were known that had a receiving shape on the top of the front panel for placing a decorative plate unit, and the decorative plate unit and receiving shape were arranged at an angle to the horizontal.

[0009] The inventors of the present invention discovered a problem: when attempting to provide a decorative plate unit substantially horizontally to give the washing machine an appearance closer to a cubic form, it becomes difficult to form a support shape on the upper part of the front plate. More specifically, when attempting to provide a substantially horizontal support shape on the upper part of the front plate, the mold structure becomes complicated, and heat accumulation at the base of the support shape causes differential shrinkage, making it easy for waviness and sink marks to occur on the design surface during molding of the support shape. The inventors have come up with the subject matter of the present disclosure to solve this problem.

[0010] The present disclosure provides a clothing processing device that suppresses the amount of deformation of the decorative plate unit when the decorative plate unit is subjected to a load, thereby stabilizing the pressing force of the operating part, and also simplifies the mold structure during manufacturing, suppressing the occurrence of differential thermal shrinkage during molding, thereby reducing waviness on the design surface and suppressing the occurrence of sink marks.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in some cases, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

[0012] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0013] [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] [1-1-1. Configuration of Washing Machine] One embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, unless otherwise specified, the directions such as front, back, left, right, and up and down are the same as the directions front, back, left, right, and up and down when viewing the washing machine in FIG. 1 from the front. The directions "FR", "UP", and "R" shown in the drawings indicate the front, top, and right, respectively. The washing machine 1 is an example of a laundry treatment device.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the washing machine 1.

[0015] 1 includes a clothes storage tub (storage tub) including a water tub and a rotating tub (not shown) housed within an outer casing 10. Washing machine 1 is a so-called drum-type washing machine in which the rotation axis of the rotating layer is slightly inclined relative to the horizontal.

[0016] The outer box 10 constitutes the exterior of the washing machine 1 and is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The outer box 10 includes a base 11, a front panel 21, outer box side panels 16 and 17 (hereinafter referred to as the outer box left panel 16 and the outer box right panel 17), an outer box rear panel 45, an outer box top panel 55, and a decorative plate unit 100. The base 11 constitutes the bottom of the outer box 10. The outer box right panel 17 and the outer box left panel 16 are rectangular flat panels that are elongated in the vertical direction. The outer box right panel 17 and the outer box left panel 16 are respectively disposed at the left and right ends of the upper surface of the base 11. The decorative plate unit 100 is provided above the front panel 21. The decorative plate unit 100 and the outer box top panel 55 constitute an upper surface 59 of the washing machine 1. The upper surface 59 is formed flush. The upper surface 59 may be partially inclined, or may have an uneven portion, for example, the rear portion of the upper surface 59 may not be flush.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, an opening (hereinafter referred to as round hole 13) is provided in the center of the front plate 21, and a lid 15 is provided to openably and closably cover the round hole 13. An upper reinforcing member 70 is provided to straddle the upper parts of the left and right outer box plates 16, 17. The upper reinforcing member 70 is formed by bending a metal plate into a generally L-shape. The upper reinforcing member 70 has a bridging portion 72 and stay portions 71R, 71L, and is supported by the upper ends of the left and right outer box plates 16, 17 via the stay portions 71R and 71L, respectively.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a top view of the outer box 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper reinforcing member 70 is located behind the bisector A-A in the front-to-rear direction of the outer box 10, i.e., toward the rear of the outer box 10 in the front-to-rear direction. A reinforcing plate 80 is located inside the outer box 10, near the front, connecting the outer box right panel 17 and the outer box left panel 16 to reinforce the outer box 10. The reinforcing plate 80 is a metal plate-shaped unit with a hole through which a washing tub (not shown) passes. The reinforcing plate 80 is composed of a reinforcing portion that rises approximately perpendicular to the base 11 and a reinforcing plate-side support portion 82 that bends horizontally at the upper end of the reinforcing portion toward the rear of the washing machine 1. The reinforcing plate-side support portion 82 includes a left support portion 82b and a right support portion 82c formed at both left and right ends, and a center portion 82d formed in the center of the left and right direction. The left support portion 82b, the right support portion 82c, and the center portion 82d of the reinforcing plate side support portion 82 each have a fastening hole 82a, and the decorative plate unit 100 is fixed to the reinforcing plate side support portion 82.

[0019] A first notch 85 is formed between the left support portion 82b and the central portion 82d. A second notch 86 is formed between the central portion 82d and the right support portion 82c.

[0020] [1-1-2. Configuration of the Decorative Plate Unit] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the decorative plate unit 100. As shown in FIG.

[0021] The decorative plate unit 100 includes a control board 116, a box-shaped lower support body 130 that supports the control board 116, an upper structure 110, and a membrane sheet 150 made of a polyethylene terephthalate resin film that is provided on the upper part of the upper structure 110. The upper structure 110 is fastened together with the lower support body 130 to the reinforcing plate side support part 8 with screws (fastening members) 101 (see FIG. 10 described later).

[0022] The decorative plate unit 100 includes an operation display area 200 having various settings related to the operation of the washing machine 1 and various operation sections used by the user when operating the washing machine 1. The operation display area 200 may extend over the entire top surface of the decorative plate unit 100.

[0023] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the upper structure 110 as seen from above. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the upper structure 110 as seen from below.

[0024] The upper structure 110 has a rectangular, flat top plate 111 and side plate portions 114 extending downward substantially perpendicularly from the top plate portion 111. The side plate portions 114 are slightly smaller than the outer periphery of the top plate portion 111 and have a shape that surrounds it on all four sides. A plurality of hook-shaped mating claws 120 are provided at equal intervals on the side plate portion 114a on the front side. The mating claws 120 extend downward and have protrusions at their lower ends that protrude toward the front surface.

[0025] The top plate 111 has downwardly extending retaining ribs 121 at both ends and the front end. The top plate 111 also has downwardly extending closing ribs 122 between the retaining ribs 121 provided at the left and right ends of the top plate 111 and the left and right side plate portions 114b, 114c. The top plate 111 also has second engaging claws 123 between the retaining ribs 121 provided at the left and right ends of the top plate 111 and each closing rib 122.

[0026] The second mating claw 123 extends downward and has a protrusion at its lower end that projects to the front surface.

[0027] 6, a plurality of position restriction ribs 125 extending rearward and upward from the upper structure 110 are provided on the rear portion of the back surface of the upper structure 110. The position restriction ribs 125 are formed integrally with the rear side plate portion 114d and the back surface of the top plate portion 111.

[0028] The upper structure 110 has recesses 113 formed at both ends on the rear surface thereof, into which the lower supports 130 are fitted.

[0029] A substantially U-shaped rear support portion 126 is provided at the rear of the rear surface of the upper structure 110, between some of the position restriction ribs 125 that are provided side by side. The rear support portions 126 are provided at both ends and the center of the upper structure 110.

[0030] A connection hole 126 a is provided on the bottom surface of the rear support portion 126 .

[0031] A gutter-shaped drain groove 127 is formed on the surface of the upper structure 110 between the rear side plate portion 114d and the rear end 111a of the top plate portion 111. The drain groove 127 is formed in the left-right direction and is continuously formed across between the rear support portions 126 provided side by side.

[0032] When the decorative plate unit 100 is arranged, the drain groove 127 is located above the wiring arrangement portion 87 so as to cover the wiring arrangement portion 87 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the decorative plate unit 100 according to this embodiment has the effect of preventing water from splashing on the electronic components located below the center of the housing, even if water splashes on the washing machine 1 from the outside.

[0033] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the lower support 130. Fig. 8 is a top view of the lower support 130.

[0034] The lower support 130 has a rectangular, flat bottom plate 131 and a side plate 135 provided along the outer periphery of the bottom plate 131. A first protrusion 133 extending forward is formed on the side plate 135. A plurality of insertion ribs 137 extending downward are provided at equal intervals on the first protrusion 133. By providing equal intervals between the insertion ribs 137, the occurrence of gaps can be suppressed. Note that some of the insertion ribs 137 may be provided at unequal intervals.

[0035] Convex portions 131 b that fit into concave portions 113 provided in the upper structure 110 are formed to protrude upward from both ends of the bottom plate portion 131 of the lower support body 130 .

[0036] The bottom plate portion 131 is provided with a wiring hole 131a through which a cable can be routed. A connector is inserted into the wiring hole 131a. A first fixing portion 141 for fixing the cable and a second fixing portion 143 for fixing the cable, which is provided rearward of the first fixing portion 141, are provided at the rear end of the bottom plate portion 131. Fixing holes 141a and 143a are formed in the first fixing portion 141 and the second fixing portion 143, respectively. Fixing devices (not shown) are fixed to the fixing holes 141a and 143a, and multiple cables extending from the control means provided at the bottom of the outer casing to the vibration detection means (3D sensor) provided above the storage tank are fixed together via the fixing devices (not shown).

[0037] The rear end of the bottom plate portion 131 is provided with receiving portions 140. The receiving portions 140 are provided at both ends and the center portion. The receiving portions 140 are provided with positioning restriction holes 140a.

[0038] When the upper structure 110 and the lower support 130 are connected to each other, a rear support portion 126 provided on the upper structure 110 is fastened to the receiving portion 140 .

[0039] When the upper structure 110 and the lower support 130 are connected, the side plate portions 114 of the upper structure 110 fit inside the lower support 130. In other words, the top surface of the decorative plate unit 100 is formed by the top plate portion 111 of the upper structure 110, and the side and bottom surfaces of the decorative plate unit 100 are formed by the side plate portions 135 and bottom plate portion 131 of the lower support 130.

[0040] [1-1-3. Arrangement of Decorative Plate Unit] FIG. 9 is a top view of the front part of the outer box 10. As shown in FIG.

[0041] A decorative plate unit 100 (see also FIG. 4) is attached to the front of the outer casing 10. The decorative plate unit 100 has an operation display area 200 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) that has an operation unit 118 made up of buttons and a display panel 117 made up of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) or a liquid crystal panel, and the operation unit 118 and the display panel 117 are connected to a control board 116 (see FIG. 4) by wiring cables (not shown).

[0042] Figure 10 shows the mounting structure of the decorative plate unit 100. Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the front of the upper structure 110.

[0043] Decorative plate unit 100 includes a control board 116, which is sandwiched between upper structure 110 and lower support 130. A membrane sheet 150 is disposed on the upper part of upper structure 110. An operating unit 118 is supported on upper structure 110, and pressing down operating unit 118 enables input to control board 116, which in turn enables input to a control device (not shown) of washing machine 1.

[0044] A front panel support portion 30 extending inward of the outer box 10 is provided at the upper front portion of the front panel 21. A horizontally bent reinforcing plate support portion 82 is formed at the upper end of a reinforcing plate 80 that reinforces the outer box 10. The front panel support portion 30 is provided at a position higher than the reinforcing plate support portion 82 at the upper end of the reinforcing plate 80. The front panel support portion 30 protrudes inward from the front panel 21 in a direction perpendicular to the front panel 21.

[0045] The lower support 130 has a first support piece 132 extending upward from its front end. A first protruding piece 133 protruding toward the front panel 21 is formed on the upper portion of the first support piece 132, slightly below the upper end of the first support piece 132.

[0046] The first protrusion 133 is placed on the front panel support part 30 of the front panel 21, and the upper structure 110 is placed over it. As shown in Figure 10, a mating claw 120 is formed in the front part of the upper structure 110, and a mating hole 30a into which the mating claw 120 fits is formed in the front panel support part 30 at the front of the front panel 21. The front part of the decorative plate unit 100 is fixed to the front panel support part 30 at the front of the front panel 21 by a so-called snap fit, in which the mating claw 120 engages with the mating hole 30a.

[0047] A retaining rib 121 extending downward is formed on the front portion of the upper structure 110. When the front portion of the decorative plate unit 100 is attached to the front panel support portion 30 of the front panel 21 by so-called snap fit, a so-called labyrinth structure is formed by the retaining rib 121 and the protrusion 134 of the first support piece 132, which prevents insects and the like from entering from outside.

[0048] 10 , the receiving portion 140 provided on the lower support body 130 is placed on the reinforcing plate-side supporting portion 82 of the reinforcing plate 80. The upper structure 110 is provided with a third support piece 136 that extends downward from the rear end, bends at the lower end, and extends horizontally. The third support piece 136 is fastened to the reinforcing plate 80 with screws 101, sandwiching the receiving portion 140 therebetween.

[0049] FIG. 12 shows the mounting structure of the side of the decorative plate unit 100.

[0050] Although not shown, a plurality of front panel support portions 30 are provided on the left and right sides of the front panel 21, each having substantially the same configuration as the front panel support portions 30 (see FIG. 10 ) at the front of the decorative plate unit. The front panel support portions 30 are provided with fitting holes 30a. As shown in FIG. 6 , second fitting claws 123 that fit into the fitting holes 30a are provided on the left and right sides of the upper structure 110. As shown in FIG. 12 , the left and right sides of the decorative plate unit 100 are fixed to the front panel support portions 30 on the left and right sides of the front panel 21 by a so-called snap fit, in which the second fitting claws 123 engage with the fitting holes 30a, in the same manner as the front portion.

[0051] 13 and 14 are enlarged views of the rear of the upper structure 110 of FIG.

[0052] 13 and 14, the outer box upper plate 55 is provided with a downwardly extending front-rear restricting rib 60 and a vertical restricting rib 61. A substantially V-shaped front-rear position restricting rib 125A (position restricting rib 125) is formed at the rear of the upper structure 110. A step 125a of the front-rear position restricting rib 125A abuts against the front-rear restricting rib 60, thereby preventing the outer box upper plate 55 from shifting forward or backward.

[0053] 14 , the outer box upper plate 55 is provided with a vertical restriction rib 61 having a protruding end 61a at its lower end. In addition, a downward protrusion 62 is provided at the front end of the outer box upper plate 55. A generally L-shaped vertical position restriction rib 125B (position restriction rib 125) is formed at the rear of the upper structure 110. The vertical position restriction rib 125B engages above the protruding end 61a of the vertical restriction rib 61 and below the protrusion 62 of the outer box upper plate 55, thereby preventing the outer box upper plate 55 from shifting up and down.

[0054] [1-2. Function etc.] The assembly and installation of the decorative plate unit 100 will be described.

[0055] The decorative plate unit 100 is assembled by accommodating the control board 116 in the box-shaped lower support 130 and fitting the protrusion 131b of the lower support 130 into the recess 113 of the upper structure 110. At this time, the rear support 126 provided on the upper structure 110 is fastened to the receiving portion 140 of the lower support 130.

[0056] After assembling the decorative plate unit 100, the rear of the decorative plate unit 100 is supported at the reinforcing plate side support portion 82 of the reinforcing plate 80, while the engaging claw 120 of the upper structure 110 provided at the front of the decorative plate unit 100 and the second engaging claw 123 of the upper structure 110 provided at the side of the decorative plate unit 100 are fixed to the front plate side support portion 30 of the front plate 21.

[0057] Next, the front portion of the outer box upper plate 55 is fitted into the position restricting rib 125 provided at the rear portion of the upper structure 110 of the decorative plate unit 100 .

[0058] After the decorative plate unit 100 is attached to the washing machine 1, the user presses the operating unit 118 provided on the decorative plate unit 100 at the top of the washing machine 1 to set up or operate the washing machine 1. At this time, the load exerted by the user pressing the operating unit 118 also applies a load to the decorative plate unit 100. The decorative plate unit 100, which is made of resin or the like, tends to deform due to the load from the user, but because the lower part is supported by the reinforcing plate 80, deformation of the decorative plate unit 100 is suppressed. This stabilizes the pressing force of the operating unit 118 provided on the decorative plate unit 100.

[0059] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the washing machine 1 of this embodiment includes an outer box 10 that houses a storage tub, and the outer box 10 includes a front panel 21 that forms at least a part of the front surface of the outer box 10, a reinforcing plate 80 that is provided behind the front panel 21 and reinforces the outer box 10, and a decorative plate unit 100 that forms at least a part of the top surface of the outer box 10, and the decorative plate unit 100 is provided between the front panel 21 and the reinforcing plate 80, and the front part of the decorative plate unit 100 is held by the front panel 21 and the rear part of the decorative plate unit 100 is fixed to the reinforcing plate 80.

[0060] This reduces the amount of deformation of the decorative plate unit 100 when it is subjected to a load, and also prevents waviness and sink marks from occurring in the front plate 21.

[0061] In addition, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, a front panel side support portion 30 formed horizontally is provided on the upper part of the front panel 21, and a reinforcing plate side support portion 82 formed horizontally is provided on the reinforcing plate 80, and the decorative plate unit 100 is placed on the front panel side support portion 30 and the reinforcing plate side support portion 82.

[0062] This makes it possible to suppress the amount of deformation of the decorative plate unit 100 when it is subjected to a vertical load.

[0063] In addition, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the outer box 10 further includes an outer box upper plate 55 that forms at least a part of the upper surface of the outer box 10, the upper end of the front plate 21 is located at approximately the same height as the outer box upper plate 55, and the upper surface of the decorative plate unit 100 is formed approximately horizontally.

[0064] This improves the design and allows the upper surface of the outer box 10 to have a substantially horizontal portion.

[0065] In addition, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the decorative plate unit 100 includes a control board 116, a lower support body 130 that supports the control board 116, and an upper structure 110, and the upper structure 110 is fastened to the reinforcing plate side support portion 82 together with the lower support body 130 by screws (fastening members) 101.

[0066] This allows the decorative plate unit 100 to bear a vertical load.

[0067] In addition, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the reinforcing plate side support portion 82 is provided at a position lower than the front plate side support portion 30 .

[0068] This allows the reinforcing plate 80, which is provided inside the outer box 10 and at a position lower than the top surface of the outer box 10, to be used as a member for fixing the decorative plate unit 100.

[0069] In addition, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the front part of the decorative plate unit 100 is inserted into the front plate 21 or held by a claw engagement, and the rear part of the decorative plate unit 100 is fastened to the reinforcing plate 80 with a screw (fastening member) 101.

[0070] This avoids the need to provide a separate fastening member at the front of the decorative plate unit 100 that forms the front end of the outer box 10, and instead fastens the rear of the decorative plate unit 100 with a screw (fastening member) 101, ensuring strength against vertical loads.

[0071] In addition, according to the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the decorative plate unit 100 is formed with an engaging claw 120, and the front panel side support portion 30 is formed with an engaging hole 30a into which the engaging claw 120 fits, and the decorative plate unit 100 is fixed to the front panel side support portion 30 by fitting the engaging claw 120 into the engaging hole 30a.

[0072] This allows the decorative plate unit 100 to be easily fixed to the front panel support part 30 at the front of the front panel 21 by a so-called snap fit in which the fitting claws 120 are engaged with the fitting holes 30a.

[0073] In addition, according to the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the mating claw 120 and the second mating claw 123 are formed on the front and both sides of the decorative plate unit 100, and the front plate side support portion 30 and the mating hole 30a are formed on the front and both sides of the front plate 21.

[0074] This allows the front and both side edges of the decorative plate unit 100 to be easily fixed to the ribs on the front and both side edges of the front panel 21 by a so-called snap fit, in which the mating claws 120 and second mating claws 123 are engaged with the mating holes 30a.

[0075] Furthermore, according to the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the decorative plate unit 100 comprises a lower support 130 and an upper structure 110 that sandwich the control board 116, the lower support 130 comprises a first support piece 132 extending upward, and the upper part of the first support piece 132 comprises a first protrusion 133 that protrudes toward the front panel 21 at a position slightly below the upper end of the first support piece 132, the first protrusion 133 being placed on the front panel side support portion 30 of the front panel 21, the upper structure 110 comprises a retaining rib 121 extending downward, and when the decorative plate unit 100 is placed on the front panel side support portion 30 of the front panel 21, a labyrinth structure is formed by the retaining rib 121 and the protrusion 134 of the first support piece 132.

[0076] According to this, a labyrinth structure is formed by the retaining rib 121 and the protrusion 134 of the first support piece 132, which prevents insects and the like from entering.

[0077] In addition, according to the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the outer box upper plate 55 of the outer box 10 has a front-to-rear regulating rib 60 extending downward, and the decorative plate unit 100 has a front-to-rear position regulating rib 125A that engages with the front-to-rear regulating rib 60.

[0078] As a result, the front-rear position restricting rib 125A of the decorative plate unit 100 engages with the front-rear restricting rib 60 of the outer box upper plate 55, thereby preventing the outer box upper plate 55 from shifting forward or backward.

[0079] In addition, according to the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the outer box upper plate 55 of the outer box 10 has an upper and lower regulating rib 61 extending downward, and the decorative plate unit 100 has an upper and lower position regulating rib 125B that engages with the upper and lower regulating rib 61.

[0080] As a result, the vertical position regulating rib 125B of the decorative plate unit 100 engages with the vertical regulating rib 61 of the outer box upper plate 55, thereby preventing the outer box upper plate 55 from shifting vertically.

[0081] In addition, according to the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the decorative plate unit 100 is provided with a control board 116, and the control board 116 is sandwiched between a lower support body 130 that supports the control board 116 and an upper structure 110 that holds the operating unit 118, and the front end of the lower support body 130 is fixed to the front plate side support portion 30, and the rear end of the lower support body 130 is fixed to the upper end of the reinforcing plate 80.

[0082] This allows the pressing force of the operating part of the decorative plate unit 100 to be stabilized with a simple configuration even when the upper structure 110 and the lower support 130 are two members.

[0083] (Other Embodiments) As described above, the above-mentioned embodiments have been described as examples disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above-mentioned embodiments to create new embodiments.

[0084] Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, the upper reinforcing member 70 is provided near the rear of the washing machine 1 in a top view. However, the upper reinforcing member 70 may be provided near the front.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the decorative plate unit 100 is provided with a button-type operation unit 118. However, the operation unit may be, for example, a touch-type operation unit that senses the user's finger and accepts input. In this case, there is no need to press the operation unit, but there is still a possibility that a load will be applied to the decorative plate unit, and therefore the effects of the technology disclosed herein are similarly achieved.

[0087] Furthermore, for example, a decorative plate unit without an operating part may be used. In this case, since there is no operating part, there is no need to press it, but since there is still a possibility that a load will be applied to the decorative plate unit due to the user's actions, etc., the effect of the technology of the present disclosure is similarly achieved.

[0088] In the embodiment described above, the decorative plate unit 100 is composed of the upper structure 110 and the lower support 130, the first protrusion 133 of the lower support 130 is fixed to the front panel side support part 30 of the front panel 21, and the receiving part 140 of the lower support 130 is fixed to the support part 82 of the reinforcing plate 80. However, the lower support 130 may be divided into a plurality of parts, for example, two parts: a part that holds the control board 116 on the lower support 130, and a part that is fixed to the front panel side support part 30 of the front panel 21 and to the support part 82 of the reinforcing plate 80.

[0089] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0090] (Additional Notes) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0091] (Technology 1) A clothing processing device comprising an outer box containing a storage tub, the outer box including a front panel that forms at least a portion of the front surface of the outer box, a reinforcing plate provided behind the front panel to reinforce the outer box, and a decorative plate unit that forms at least a portion of the top surface of the outer box, the decorative plate unit being provided between the front panel and the reinforcing plate, with the front part of the decorative plate unit being held by the front panel and the rear part of the decorative plate unit being fixed to the reinforcing plate.

[0092] This reduces the amount of deformation of the decorative plate unit when it receives a load, and also prevents waviness and sink marks from occurring on the front panel.

[0093] (Technology 2) A clothing processing device as described in Technology 1, in which a front plate side support portion formed horizontally is provided on the upper part of the front plate, a reinforcing plate side support portion formed horizontally is provided on the reinforcing plate, and the decorative plate unit is placed on the front plate side support portion and the reinforcing plate side support portion.

[0094] This makes it possible to suppress the amount of deformation of the decorative plate unit when it is subjected to a vertical load.

[0095] (Technology 3) The clothing processing device described in Technology 1 or Technology 2, wherein the outer box further includes an outer box top plate that constitutes at least a part of the upper surface of the outer box, the upper end of the front plate is located at approximately the same height as the outer box top plate, and the upper surface of the decorative plate unit is formed approximately horizontally.

[0096] This improves the design and allows a substantially horizontal portion to be formed on the top surface.

[0097] (Technology 4) A clothing processing device described in Technology 2 or Technology 3, wherein the decorative plate unit includes a control board, a lower support body that supports the control board, and an upper structure, and the upper structure is fastened to the reinforcing plate side support portion together with the lower support body by a fastening member.

[0098] This allows the decorative plate unit to bear a vertical load.

[0099] (Technology 5) The clothing processing device according to any one of Technology 2 to Technology 4, wherein the reinforcing plate side support portion is provided at a lower position than the front plate side support portion.

[0100] With this, the reinforcing plate provided inside the outer box at a position lower than the top surface of the outer box can be used as a member for fixing the decorative plate unit.

[0101] (Technology 6) A clothing processing device described in any one of Technology 1 to Technology 5, wherein the front part of the decorative plate unit is inserted into the front plate or held by a claw engagement, and the rear part of the decorative plate unit is fastened to the reinforcing plate by a fastening member.

[0102] This avoids the need to provide a separate fastening member at the front of the decorative plate unit that forms the front end of the outer box, and instead provides fastening with a fastening member at the rear of the decorative plate unit, ensuring strength against vertical loads.

[0103] The present disclosure is applicable to a washing machine that has a decorative plate unit on the top surface of the washing machine body.

[0104] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing machine (clothing processing device) 10 Outer box 15 Lid 16 Outer box left plate 17 Outer box right plate 21 Front plate 30 Front plate side support portion 30a Fitting hole 55 Outer box upper plate 60 Front-rear regulating rib 61 Up-down regulating rib 62 Downward protrusion 70 Upper reinforcement member 80 Reinforcement plate 82 Support portion 82a Fastening hole 100 Decorative plate unit 110 Upper structure 116 Control board 117 Display panel 118 Operation unit 120 Fitting claw 121 Retaining rib 123 Second fitting claw 125 Position regulating rib 125A Front-rear position regulating rib 125B Up-down position regulating rib 126 Rear support portion 127 Drain groove 130 Lower support 131a Wiring hole 132 First support piece 133 First protruding piece 134 Protruding portion 136 Third support piece 140 Receiving portion 150 Membrane sheet 200 Operation display area

Claims

1. A clothing processing device comprising an outer box containing a storage tub, the outer box including: a front plate that forms at least a part of the front surface of the outer box; a reinforcing plate that is provided behind the front plate and reinforces the outer box; and a decorative plate unit that forms at least a part of the top surface of the outer box, the decorative plate unit being provided between the front plate and the reinforcing plate, the front part of the decorative plate unit being held by the front plate, and the rear part of the decorative plate unit being fixed to the reinforcing plate.

2. A clothing processing device as described in claim 1, wherein a front plate side support portion formed horizontally is provided on the upper part of the front plate, a reinforcing plate side support portion formed horizontally is provided on the reinforcing plate, and the decorative plate unit is placed on the front plate side support portion and the reinforcing plate side support portion.

3. The clothing processing device according to claim 1, wherein the outer box further includes an outer box top plate that constitutes at least a part of the upper surface of the outer box, the upper end of the front plate is located at approximately the same height as the outer box top plate, and the upper surface of the decorative plate unit is formed approximately horizontally.

4. A clothing processing device as described in claim 2, wherein the decorative plate unit includes a control board, a lower support member that supports the control board, and an upper structure, and the upper structure is fastened to the reinforcing plate side support portion together with the lower support member by a fastening member.

5. The clothing processing device according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing plate side support portion is located at a lower position than the front plate side support portion.

6. A clothing processing device as described in claim 1, wherein the front part of the decorative plate unit is inserted into the front plate or held by a claw engagement, and the rear part of the decorative plate unit is fastened to the reinforcing plate by a fastening member.

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