Washing tub and vertical washing machine having washing tub
By forming an inner wall and an inclined protrusion inside the air reservoir of the washing tub, the adhesive is prevented from blocking the water level sensor port, thus solving the adhesive blockage problem and ensuring normal water level sensing and preventing overflow in the vertical washing machine.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MASCH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
AI Technical Summary
In upright washing machines, adhesives can easily clog the water level sensor's inlet, preventing the sensor from detecting the water level in the washing tub, which in turn leads to uninterrupted water supply and water overflow.
An inner wall is formed at the lower end of the air reservoir of the washing tub, and it is connected to the outer periphery through an inclined surface. A protrusion is formed on the upper surface of the inclined surface to prevent the adhesive from flowing and to prevent the adhesive from clogging the water level sensor port.
It effectively prevents adhesive from clogging the water level sensor's inlet, ensuring the water level sensor functions properly and preventing water supply interruptions and overflows.
Smart Images
Figure CN2026075103_30072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Washing tub and upright washing machine equipped with such washing tub Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a washing tub connected to a water level sensor and a vertical washing machine having the washing tub. Background Technology
[0002] Previously, a vertical washing machine 501 equipped with a water level sensor 520 was known. As shown in FIG12, the vertical washing machine 501 has a washing tub 502, which has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and an air reservoir 511 for sensing the water level inside the washing tub 502 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the washing tub 502 (see Patent Document 1).
[0003] The air reservoir 511 has a cylindrical shape with its upper end sealed and its lower end open. The opening at the lower end of the air reservoir 511 is sealed by a bottom plug 512. The lower end of the internal space of the air reservoir 511 is connected to the washing tub 502. Therefore, when water is added to the washing tub 502, the water level in the washing tub 502 rises and the air pressure in the internal space of the air reservoir 511 changes. Thus, the water level in the washing tub 502 can be sensed by the water level sensor 520.
[0004] The washing tub 502 is cylindrical, made of resin and molded using a mold. The air reservoir 511 is integrally formed with the washing tub 502. When assembling the vertical washing machine 501, a reducer, motor, etc., are installed at the lower part of the washing tub 502. Therefore, as shown in Figure 13, the open side of the washing tub 502 is usually oriented downwards for operation. At this time, the open portion 512a of the air reservoir 511 is not blocked by the bottom plug 512, as shown in Figure 14(a), with the open portion 512a facing upwards. In this state, as shown in Figure 14(b), adhesive T is applied to the inner circumferential surface of the open portion 512a, and as shown in Figure 14(c), the bottom plug 512 is bonded to the open portion 512a to close it.
[0005] With the open side of the washing tub 502 facing downwards, as shown in FIG15, an inner wall 530 is formed at the lower end of the internal space of the air reservoir 511. An inclined surface 532 connects to the upper end of the inner wall 530 from the outer periphery 531 of the air reservoir 511. The inclined surface 532 slopes downwards from the outer periphery 531 of the air reservoir 511 towards the upper end of the inner wall 530. The inner surface 530a of the inner wall 530 faces the inner periphery 533 of the air reservoir 511 in a separated state. A tube 515 connected to the water level sensor 520 opens into the inner surface 530a of the inner wall 530.
[0006] When adhesive T is applied to the inner circumferential surface of the air reservoir 511 with the opening 512a facing upwards, as shown in Figure 16(a), adhesive T flows downwards along the inner circumferential surface of the air reservoir 511, as shown in Figure 16(b). As shown in Figure 16(c), sometimes adhesive T may block the opening 515a of the pipe 515 connected to the water level sensor 520. In this case, the following malfunctions may occur in the vertical washing machine 501: the water level in the washing tub 502 cannot be sensed by the water level sensor 520, the water supply does not stop, and water overflows from the washing tub 502.
[0007] Existing technical documents
[0008] Patent documents
[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-180575 Summary of the Invention
[0010] The problem that the invention aims to solve
[0011] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a washing tub and a vertical washing machine having the washing tub, wherein when the bottom plug is glued to the open part of the air reservoir to close it, the opening of the tube connected to the water level sensor can be prevented from being blocked by adhesive.
[0012] Solution for solving the problem
[0013] One aspect of the present invention is a washing tub integrally formed with a cylindrical air reservoir and having a bottomed cylindrical shape. The tub is characterized in that, with the open side of the washing tub facing downwards, the open portion of the air reservoir is positioned upwards, and an inner wall is formed at the lower end of the internal space of the air reservoir. The outer periphery of the air reservoir and the upper end of the inner wall are connected by an inclined surface that slopes downwards towards the upper end of the inner wall. A tube connected to a water level sensor opens on the side of the inner wall. When viewed from above, at least a portion of the upper surface of the inclined surface corresponding to the opening of the tube has an upwardly projecting protrusion.
[0014] In this case, when the adhesive is applied to the inner circumferential surface of the open portion of the air reservoir with the open side of the washing tub facing downwards, the adhesive flow is prevented by the protrusion formed on the inclined surface, even if the adhesive flows downwards along the inner circumferential surface of the air reservoir. Therefore, when the bottom plug is glued to the open portion to close it, it is possible to prevent the adhesive from blocking the opening of the pipe connected to the water level sensor.
[0015] Preferably, the protrusion is formed in such a manner that it extends over the entire extent of the boundary between the inclined surface and the upper end of the inner wall.
[0016] In this case, even if the adhesive flows downward along the inner circumference of the air reservoir, the flow of the adhesive can be reliably stopped by the protrusion formed on the inclined surface.
[0017] The protrusion has a first side and a second side. When viewed from above, the first side is inclined from a predetermined position on the inclined surface toward one side away from the opening of the tube as it approaches the upper end of the inner wall. The second side is inclined from the predetermined position toward the other side away from the opening of the tube as it approaches the upper end of the inner wall.
[0018] In this case, even if the adhesive flows downwards along the inner circumference of the air reservoir, it can still flow on both sides of the opening of the tube formed on the side of the inner wall. Therefore, it can prevent the adhesive from blocking the opening of the tube connected to the water level sensor.
[0019] One aspect of the present invention, a vertical washing machine, is characterized by comprising: a washing tub as described in any of the preceding claims; and a water level sensor connected to the tubing.
[0020] In this case, the following adverse situation can be prevented: the adhesive will block the opening of the pipe connected to the water level sensor, so that the water level sensor cannot sense the water level in the washing tub in the vertical washing machine, the water supply will not stop, and water will overflow from the washing tub.
[0021] Invention Effects
[0022] According to the washing tub of the present invention, when the bottom plug is glued to the open portion to close the open portion, it is possible to prevent the adhesive from blocking the opening of the pipe connected to the water level sensor. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the washing tub 2 of this embodiment.
[0024] Figure 2 is a top view of the washing tub 2 in Figure 1.
[0025] Figure 3 illustrates the internal structure of a vertical washing machine 1 having the washing tub 2 shown in Figure 1.
[0026] Figure 4 illustrates the water level sensing unit 10 of the vertical washing machine 1 in Figure 3.
[0027] Figure 5 shows the state in which the open side of the washing tub 2 in Figure 3 faces downwards.
[0028] Figure 6 illustrates the method of sealing the opening 12a of the air reservoir 11 by means of the bottom plug 12.
[0029] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the air reservoir 11 with the open side of the washing tub 2 facing downwards.
[0030] Figure 8 is a top view of the inclined surface 32 in Figure 7.
[0031] Figure 9 illustrates the method of sealing the opening 12a of the air reservoir 11 by means of the bottom plug 12.
[0032] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the protrusion 118 in a modified example of this embodiment.
[0033] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating the protrusion 218 in a modified example of this embodiment.
[0034] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the internal structure of a conventional upright washing machine 501.
[0035] Figure 13 is a diagram showing the state in which the open side of the washing tub 502 in Figure 12 faces downward.
[0036] Figure 14 illustrates the conventional method of sealing the opening 512a of the air reservoir 511 by means of a bottom plug 512.
[0037] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the air reservoir 511 with the open side of the washing tub 502 facing downwards.
[0038] Figure 16 illustrates the conventional method of sealing the opening 512a of the air reservoir 511 by means of a bottom plug 512.
[0039] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures
[0040] 1: Vertical washing machine; 2: Washing tub; 11: Air reservoir; 15: Pipe; 15a: Pipe opening; 18: Protrusion; 20: Water level sensor; 30: Inner wall; 30a: Inner side of the inner wall; 31: Outer periphery of the air reservoir; 32: Inclined surface; 118: Protrusion; 118a: First side; 118b: Second side; 218: Protrusion; A: Specified position. Detailed Implementation
[0041] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the washing tub 2 of this embodiment. Figure 2 is a top view of the washing tub 2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view including line N1-N1 of Figure 2, illustrating the internal structure of the vertical washing machine 1 of this embodiment.
[0042] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the washing tub 2 of this embodiment is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape, and its material is resin, which is molded by a mold. The top of the washing tub 2 is open, and the bottom of the washing tub 2 is substantially closed by a bottom plate 2a.
[0043] An air reservoir 11 for sensing the water level inside the washing tub 2 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the washing tub 2. The air reservoir 11 is formed of resin and is integrally formed with the washing tub 2 when the washing tub 2 is molded by a mold.
[0044] As shown in FIG3, the vertical washing machine 1 of this embodiment includes: a washing tub 2; and a water level sensing unit 10 for sensing the water level in the washing tub 2. As shown in FIG4, the water level sensing unit 10 includes: an air reservoir 11 disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the washing tub 2; and a water level sensor 20 connected to the upper end of the air reservoir 11.
[0045] The air reservoir 11 has a generally cylindrical shape with the upper end sealed and the lower end open. An opening 12a is provided at the lower end of the air reservoir 11 (on the side communicating with the water reservoir 14 in the washing tub 2), and a bottom plug 12 made of resin, which is another component, is glued to the opening 12a to close it.
[0046] The lower end of the internal space of the air reservoir 11 is connected to the water storage section 14 inside the washing tub 2 via a connecting passage 13. A pipe 15 communicating with the outside is provided at the upper end of the air reservoir 11. A flexible hose 16 is fitted to one end of this pipe 15, and a water level sensor 20 is connected to the other end of the hose 16. It should be noted that the flexible hose 16 connected to the pipe 15 is a flexible, long hose, and the water level sensor 20 is positioned appropriately within the casing of the vertical washing machine 1. Therefore, when water is added to the water storage section 14 inside the washing tub 2, the water level inside the washing tub 2 rises, and the air pressure inside the air reservoir 11 changes, allowing the water level inside the washing tub 2 to be sensed by the water level sensor 20.
[0047] When assembling the vertical washing machine 1, a reducer, motor, etc., are installed at the lower part of the washing tub 2. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, the open side of the washing tub 2 is usually oriented downwards. At this time, the open portion 12a of the air reservoir 11 is not blocked by the bottom plug 12, and as shown in Figure 6(a), the open portion 12a of the air reservoir 11 is oriented upwards. In this state, as shown in Figure 6(b), adhesive T is applied to the inner circumferential surface of the open portion 12a, and as shown in Figure 6(c), the bottom plug 12 is bonded to the open portion 12a to close it. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the bottom plug 12 is pressed into the open portion 12a.
[0048] As described above, the conventional air reservoir 511 has the following technical problem: when the adhesive T is applied to the inner circumferential surface of the opening 512a, the adhesive T flows downward along the inner circumferential surface of the air reservoir 511, blocking the opening 515a of the tube 515 connected to the water level sensor 520, causing the air reservoir 511 to be unable to sense the water level in the washing tub 502. Therefore, in order to overcome this technical problem, the air reservoir 11 of this embodiment has a protrusion (rib) 18 formed to prevent the adhesive T from flowing into the opening 15a of the tube 15 formed in the inner wall 30 of the air reservoir 11.
[0049] In detail, as shown in Figure 7, when assembling the vertical washing machine 1, with the open side of the washing tub 2 facing downwards, an inner wall 30 is formed at the lower end of the internal space of the air reservoir 11. The air reservoir 11 connects to the upper end of the inner wall 30 via an inclined surface 32 from its outer periphery 31. The inclined surface 32 slopes downwards from the outer periphery 31 of the air reservoir 11 towards the upper end of the inner wall 30.
[0050] The inner surface 30a of the inner wall 30 is separated from the inner periphery 33 of the air reservoir 11. The horizontal cross-sectional area of the portion forming the inner wall 30 within the internal space of the air reservoir 11 is smaller than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the internal space above the inner wall 30. A tube 15 connected to the water level sensor 20 extends from the outer surface of the inner wall 30 to the inner surface 30a, and opens at the inner surface 30a of the inner wall 30.
[0051] Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view along line N2-N2 in Figure 7, and a top view of the inclined surface 32 in Figure 7. The protrusion 18 is a plate-like member extending upward from the upper end of the inner wall 30. As shown in Figure 8, when viewing the inclined surface 32 from above, the protrusion 18 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the inclined surface 32 at the boundary between the lower end of the inclined surface 32 and the upper end of the inner wall 30. The protrusion 18 is formed in such a manner that it covers the entire boundary between the inclined surface 32 and the upper end of the inner wall 30.
[0052] Therefore, when the adhesive T is applied to the inner circumferential surface of the air reservoir 11 with the opening 12a facing upwards as shown in FIG. 9(a), even if the adhesive T flows downwards along the inner circumferential surface of the air reservoir 11 as shown in FIG. 9(b), the protrusion 18 formed at the lower end of the inclined surface 32 will prevent the flow of the adhesive T. Therefore, even if the bottom plug 12 is bonded to the opening 12a to close it as shown in FIG. 9(c), the adhesive T can be prevented from blocking the opening 15a of the tube 15 connected to the water level sensor 20.
[0053] In the washing tub 2 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG8, the protrusion 18 is formed on the upper surface of the inclined surface 32, corresponding to the opening 15a of the tube 15. Therefore, even if the adhesive T flows downward along the inner circumferential surface of the air reservoir 11, it can prevent the adhesive T from flowing to the opening 15a of the tube 15 formed on the inner side surface 30a of the inner wall 30. It should be noted that in FIG8, the tube 15 is shown with dashed lines when the inclined surface 32 is viewed from above, but in this invention, "the portion on the upper surface of the inclined surface 32 corresponding to the opening 15a of the tube 15 when the inclined surface 32 is viewed from above" refers to the area on the upper surface of the inclined surface 32 in FIG8 enclosed by the dashed lines representing the tube 15. In this way, the protrusion of the present invention forms a flow path in the upper surface of the inclined surface 32 such that even when the adhesive T flows downward along the inner circumferential surface of the air reservoir 11, the adhesive T will flow toward the opening 15a of the tube 15 formed on the inner side surface 30a of the inner wall 30 on the upper surface of the inclined surface 32.
[0054] As described above, the washing tub 2 of this embodiment is a washing tub integrally formed with a cylindrical air reservoir 11 and having a bottomed cylindrical shape. Its characteristic is that, with the open side of the washing tub 2 facing downward, the open portion of the air reservoir 11 is arranged facing upward, and an inner wall 30 is formed at the lower end of the internal space of the air reservoir 11. The outer peripheral portion 31 of the air reservoir 11 and the upper end of the inner wall 30 are connected by an inclined surface 32 that slopes downward as it approaches the upper end of the inner wall 30. The tube 15 connected to the water level sensor 20 opens on the inner side surface 30a of the inner wall 30. When viewed from above, at least a portion of the upper surface of the inclined surface 32 corresponding to the opening of the tube 15 has an upwardly protruding portion 18.
[0055] In this case, when the adhesive T is applied to the inner circumferential surface of the open portion of the air reservoir 11 with the open side of the washing tub 2 facing downwards, even if the adhesive T flows downwards along the inner circumferential surface of the air reservoir 11, the protrusion 18 formed on the inclined surface 32 will prevent the flow of the adhesive T. Therefore, when the bottom plug 12 is bonded to the open portion 12a to close the open portion 12a, it is possible to prevent the adhesive T from blocking the opening 15a of the pipe 15 connected to the water level sensor 20.
[0056] In the washing tub 2 of this embodiment, the protrusion 18 is formed in such a way that it covers the entire range of the boundary between the inclined surface 32 and the upper end of the inner wall 30.
[0057] In this case, even if the adhesive T flows downward along the inner circumferential surface of the air reservoir 11, the flow of the adhesive T will be reliably prevented by the protrusion 18 formed on the inclined surface 32.
[0058] The vertical washing machine 1 of this embodiment includes: a washing tub 2 as described in any of the above claims; and a water level sensor 20 connected to a pipe 15.
[0059] In this case, the following adverse situation can be prevented: the adhesive T blocks the opening 15a of the pipe 15 connected to the water level sensor 20, so that the water level in the washing tub 2 cannot be sensed by the water level sensor 20 in the vertical washing machine 1, the water supply does not stop, and water overflows from the washing tub 2.
[0060] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the specific structure of each part is not limited to the embodiments described above.
[0061] For example, in the above embodiment, the protrusion 18 is a plate-like member that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the inclined surface 32, but it is not limited to this. The shape, arrangement, number, etc. of the protrusions formed on the upper surface of the inclined surface 32 can be arbitrarily changed.
[0062] For example, as shown in FIG10, the protrusion of the present invention can be a triangular prism-shaped protrusion 118 protruding upward from the upper surface of the inclined surface 32. In this case, the protrusion 118 has a first side surface 118a and a second side surface 118b. When viewed from above, the first side surface 118a is inclined to one side (upper side in FIG10) away from the opening 15a of the tube 15 from a predetermined position A on the inclined surface 32, closer to the upper end of the inner wall 30. The second side surface 118b is inclined to the other side (lower side in FIG10) away from the opening 15a of the tube 15 from the predetermined position A, closer to the upper end of the inner wall 30. In this case, even if the adhesive T flows downward along the inner circumferential surface of the air reservoir 11, the adhesive T will flow on both sides of the opening 15a of the tube 15 formed on the inner side surface 30a of the inner wall 30. Therefore, it can prevent the adhesive T from blocking the opening 15a of the pipe 15 connected to the water level sensor 20.
[0063] In the above embodiment, the plate-shaped protrusion 18 is formed in such a way that it covers the entire boundary between the inclined surface 32 and the upper end of the inner wall 30, but is not limited thereto. The shape, arrangement, number, etc. of the protrusions formed on the upper surface of the inclined surface 32 can be arbitrarily changed.
[0064] Furthermore, as shown in FIG11, the protrusion of the present invention can be a plate-shaped protrusion 218 protruding upward from the upper surface of the inclined surface 32. The protrusion 218 is formed at a portion of the boundary between the inclined surface 32 and the upper end of the inner wall 30. In this case, the protrusion 218 is also formed in the portion of the upper surface of the inclined surface 32 corresponding to the opening 15a of the tube 15, so even if the adhesive T flows downward along the inner circumferential surface of the air reservoir 11, the flow of the adhesive T is prevented by the protrusion 218 formed on the inclined surface 32. In this case, even if the adhesive T flows downward along the inner circumferential surface of the air reservoir 11, the adhesive T can flow on both sides of the opening 15a of the tube 15 formed on the inner side surface 30a of the inner wall 30. In Figure 11, for example, when the diameter of the opening 15a of the tube 15 is Na, the effect of the present invention can be obtained if the length of the protrusion 218 (the vertical length in Figure 11) is greater than or equal to Na, but preferably greater than or equal to (3 × Na). Specifically, for example, when the diameter of the opening 15a of the tube 15 is 3 mm, the length of the protrusion 218 (the vertical length in Figure 11) is preferably 10 mm to 20 mm. It should be noted that, in the case of the triangular prism-shaped protrusion 118 shown in Figure 10, it is also formed, similarly to the protrusion 218, on a portion of the boundary between the inclined surface 32 and the upper end of the inner wall 30.
[0065] In the above embodiment, the protrusion 18 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the inclined surface 32 at the boundary between the lower end of the inclined surface 32 and the upper end of the inner wall 30, but is not limited thereto. The protrusion of the present invention can be formed in at least a portion of the portion of the upper surface of the inclined surface 32 corresponding to the opening of the tube 15 when viewed from above, for example, it can also be formed at a position away from the boundary between the lower end of the inclined surface 32 and the upper end of the inner wall 30.
Claims
1. A washing tub integrally formed with a cylindrical air reservoir and having a bottomed cylindrical shape, characterized in that, With the open side of the washing tub facing downwards, the open portion of the air reservoir is positioned facing upwards, and an inner wall is formed at the lower end of the internal space of the air reservoir. With the open side of the washing tub facing downwards, the outer periphery of the air reservoir and the upper end of the inner wall are connected by an inclined surface that slopes downwards towards the upper end of the inner wall. The tube connected to the water level sensor has an opening on the inner side of the inner wall. When viewed from above, at least a portion of the upper surface of the inclined surface corresponding to the opening of the tube has an upwardly projecting protrusion.
2. The washing tub according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protrusion is formed over the entire extent of the boundary between the inclined surface and the upper end of the inner wall.
3. The washing tub according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protrusion has a first side and a second side. When viewed from above, the first side slopes away from the opening of the tube as it approaches the upper end of the inner wall, starting from a predetermined position on the slope. When viewed from above, the second side slopes away from the opening of the tube from the designated position as it approaches the upper end of the inner wall.
4. A vertical washing machine, characterized in that, have: The washing tub as described in any one of claims 1 to 3; and A water level sensor is connected to the pipe.