Washing machine

Abstract

Provided is a washing machine in which it is possible to suppress separation of members forming a lid. The washing machine comprises: a washing machine body which has provided, in an upper part thereof, an opening for linking the inside and the outside; and a lid (20) which covers the opening in an openable and closable manner. The lid (20) comprises: a lid body (22) which covers the opening; a damper which is connected to the washing machine body and serves as a rotary shaft when the lid (20) opens and closes; a connection part which connects the lid body (22) and the damper; and bonding members (80) which bond the lid body (22) and the connection part. The connection part is provided with a clamping portion (60) which holds the lid body (22) by clamping one end of the lid body (22) in the thickness direction of the lid body (22).

Description

Washing machine

[0001] This disclosure relates to a washing machine.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine with improved operability of lid opening and closing, reliability of structure, and assembly workability. This washing machine includes a damper holder provided in a space formed in the lid hinge portion of the lid body, and a rotary shock mitigation damper that attenuates the rotation of the lid body with one end loosely fitted to the damper holder and the other end pivotally supported by the lid hinge bearing. The damper holder has a configuration in which the front end is screwed and fixed to the lid body with a tapping screw, and the hook projection formed at the rear end is inserted into and fixed to a groove formed in the lid body. As a result, the lid body can open and close smoothly without a collision sound. Furthermore, since the damper holder can be temporarily fixed during assembly, productivity can be improved, and since the damper holder is securely fixed to the lid body, deformation and damage due to the impact force during damper rotation operation can be suppressed, and reliability can be improved.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-038467

[0004] This disclosure provides a washing machine that can suppress the peeling of the adhesion between the members forming the lid body.

[0005] The washing machine in this disclosure includes a washing machine main body provided with an opening at the upper part for communicating the inside and outside, and a lid body that can open and close the opening. The lid body includes a lid body main body that covers the opening, a damper that is connected to the washing machine main body and serves as a rotation axis when the lid body opens and closes, a connecting portion that connects the lid body main body and the damper, and an adhesive member that adheres the lid body main body and the connecting portion. The connecting portion is provided with a clamping portion that holds the lid body main body by sandwiching one end portion of the lid body main body from the thickness direction of the lid body main body.

[0006] According to this disclosure, separation between the members forming the lid body can be suppressed.

[0007] Perspective view of the washing machine according to an embodiment of this disclosure Exploded perspective view of the upper frame body and the lid body of the washing machine according to the embodiment Exploded perspective view of the lid body Another exploded perspective view of the lid body Plan view of the lid body Cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5 Cross-sectional view at plane VII in FIG. 2 Cross-sectional view at plane VIII in FIG. 2

[0008] (Knowledge and other information forming the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived of this disclosure, there was a technology that allowed for the formation of a lid that could be opened and closed to cover an opening that connects the inside and outside of the washing machine body by bonding multiple members together using an adhesive member. As a result, in washing machines, for example, a lid could be formed using a transparent member, thereby improving the design.

[0009] However, in such a washing machine, in order to improve the design by exposing the transparent member to the outside more, it is desirable to reduce the amount of adhesive used to bond the transparent member to other members such as resin members that support the transparent member. Therefore, the inventors discovered that in the lid of the washing machine, it is necessary to reduce the amount of adhesive used while suppressing the separation of the transparent member from other members when the lid is opened and closed, and in order to solve this problem, they arrived at the subject matter of this disclosure.

[0010] Therefore, this disclosure provides a washing machine that can suppress the separation of the components forming the lid.

[0011] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art.

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

[0013] (Embodiment) The embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In each figure, the reference numeral FR indicates the front of the washing machine 1 when it is installed on the mounting surface and in normal use, the reference numeral UP indicates the top of the washing machine 1, and the reference numeral LH indicates the left side of the washing machine 1. In the following description, each direction is a direction along these directions of the washing machine 1. In the installed state of the washing machine 1, the up-down direction coincides with the vertical direction, and the front-back direction and left-right direction coincide with the horizontal direction.

[0014] [1-1. Configuration] [1-1-1. Configuration of the washing machine] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the washing machine 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 1 shows the state in which the lid 20 is open.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the washing machine 1 of this embodiment is a top-loading washing machine capable of performing processes such as washing, rinsing, and spinning on items to be processed, such as clothing.

[0016] The washing machine 1 comprises a roughly rectangular parallelepiped housing 10 with a space inside capable of accommodating the material to be processed. An upper frame 12 is provided on the upper part of the housing 10.

[0017] The housing 10 corresponds to the "washing machine body" in this disclosure.

[0018] The upper frame 12 is provided in a rectangular shape in plan view, and an operation panel 14 is provided at the rear end. The operation panel 14 is provided with user-operable controls such as buttons and indicator lights, and can be used to input settings related to the operation of the washing machine 1 and to display the status of the washing machine 1.

[0019] In the upper frame 12, an opening 11 is provided approximately in the center of the front side of the operation panel 14, allowing communication between the inside and outside of the housing 10. In the upper frame 12, upright portions 16 are provided to the left, right, and front of the opening 11, surrounding the opening 11. The upright portions 16 rise upward as they move away from the edge of the opening 11. At the upper end of the upright portions 16, a lid receiving portion 17 is provided, which is shaped to be recessed downwards.

[0020] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the upper frame 12 and the lid 20.

[0021] In the upper frame 12, a pair of bearing portions 18 are provided behind the opening 11 and in front of the operation panel 14. The bearing portions 18 are positioned on both sides of the opening 11 in the left-right direction, and closer to the opening 11 than the cover receiving portion 17. The bearing portions 18 extend upward, and on the opposing surfaces of their respective ends, bearings 19 are provided that are recessed in the direction away from the opening 11.

[0022] The washing machine 1 includes a lid 20 that can open and close to cover the opening 11. The lid 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and its rear end is rotatably supported by each of the bearing portions 18.

[0023] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lid 20. Figure 3 is a view of the lid 20 from above. In Figure 3, for the sake of explanation, the lid body 22 is shown by a dashed line.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the lid 20 includes a lid body 22. The lid body 22 is a plate-shaped member that is substantially rectangular in plan view. In this embodiment, the lid body 22 is a transparent member formed of glass or resin material. As a result, even when the lid 20 closes the opening 11, the lid body 22 functions as a lid window that allows the opening 11 and the inside of the housing 10 to be viewed through the lid body 22.

[0025] Furthermore, the lid body 22 is not limited to a transparent material; various plate-shaped materials such as decorative panels may also be used.

[0026] Figure 4 is another exploded perspective view of the lid 20. Figure 4 is a view of the lid 20 from below.

[0027] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, a connecting member 24 is provided at the rear end of the lid body 22. The connecting member 24 is a long member having approximately the same length in the longitudinal direction as the length of the lid body 22 in the left-right direction.

[0028] The connecting member 24 corresponds to the "connecting portion" in this disclosure.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the connecting member 24 is provided with a pair of housing sections 25. The pair of housing sections 25 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 24, and are formed by the lower surface located at these points being recessed toward the upper surface.

[0030] A retaining portion 26 is provided inside the housing portion 25. The retaining portion 26 is formed in the shape of a claw or a projection.

[0031] In each of the housing sections 25, an extension hole 27 is provided on the side perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the adjacent connecting member 24, which is a through hole that connects the inside and outside of the housing section 25.

[0032] Each of the housing sections 25 houses a rotary damper 30. The rotary damper 30 comprises a main body 32 and a damper shaft 34 that protrudes from the main body 32 and is rotatable relative to the main body 32. The rotary damper 30 dampens the rotational force applied to the damper shaft 34 by a mechanism provided in the main body 32.

[0033] The rotary damper 30 corresponds to the “damper” in this disclosure.

[0034] A damper holder 40 is attached to the rotary damper 30. The damper holder 40 is formed in the shape of a shaft having a predetermined length and is attached to the main body 32 at a position opposite the damper shaft 34, with the main body 32 in between. The damper holder 40 is housed inside the housing 25 and connected to the retaining part 26. As a result, the rotary damper 30 is fixed inside the housing 25.

[0035] The rotary damper 30 is housed inside the housing 25 with the damper shaft 34 inserted through the extension hole 27.

[0036] Each of the housing sections 25 is formed with a length dimension in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 24 that is capable of accommodating the rotation damper 30 and the damper holder 40.

[0037] A pair of coverings 50 corresponding to a pair of housing sections 25 are attached to the connecting member 24. Each of the coverings 50 is a lid-shaped member that covers one of the corresponding housing sections 25. The coverings 50 may be provided with a structure capable of holding the damper holder 40.

[0038] Figure 5 is a plan view of the lid 20. For the sake of explanation, the lid body 22 is shown by a dashed line in Figure 5. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 5. In other words, this cross-sectional view is a cross-sectional view taken in a plane that is perpendicular to the left-right direction in Figure 5 and passes through the rotation damper 30.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5, a clamping portion 60 is provided at the rear end of the connecting member 24. The clamping portion 60 is provided over substantially the entire length of the connecting member 24.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, the clamping portion 60 includes an upper surface portion 62 that forms the upper surface at the rear end portion of the connecting member 24, and a clamping piece portion 64 that extends forward after rising from the rear end portion of the upper surface portion 62.

[0041] The connecting member 24 is attached to the lid body 22 by inserting the rear end portion of the lid body main body 22 between the upper surface portion 62 and the clamping piece portion 64 across substantially the entire left - right direction. When the lid body main body 22 is inserted, the upper surface portion 62 abuts against the lower surface of the lid body main body 22, and the clamping piece portion 64 abuts against the upper surface of the lid body main body 22, thereby holding the rear end portion of the lid body main body 22. That is, the connecting member 24 is attached to the lid body 22 by the clamping portion 60 clamping the rear end portion of the lid body main body 22 in the plate - thickness direction.

[0042] As a result, in the lid body 20, the connecting member 24 and the lid body main body 22 can be connected without providing an adhesive member such as double - sided tape on the upper surface side.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the clamping portion 60 is provided integrally with the connecting member 24. As a result, in the lid body 20, the rigidity of the clamping portion 60 can be improved. Therefore, in the lid body 20, it is possible to prevent the connecting member 24 and the lid body main body 22 from separating from each other.

[0044] On the upper surface of the connecting member 24, at positions overlapping each of the accommodating portions 25, a sticking surface portion 70 is provided. The sticking surface portion 70 is a flat end surface that forms a part of the upper surface of the connecting member 24. Each of the sticking surface portions 70 of the present embodiment is continuous with the upper surface portion 62 at the rear end portion in the front - rear direction and extends to the middle portion of the connecting member 24 at the front end portion. Each of the sticking surface portions 70 has a length dimension substantially the same as each of the accommodating portions 25 in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 24.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, an adhesive member 80 is attached to each of the sticking surface portions 70. The adhesive member 80 of the present embodiment is double - sided tape. Each of the adhesive members 80 has a length dimension substantially the same as each of the accommodating portions 25 in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 24.

[0046] Each of the adhesive members 80 is arranged at a position overlapping the corresponding rotary damper 30 when viewed from the front end portion of the lid body 20.

[0047] Each of the connecting members 80 is arranged at a position spaced apart from the clamping portion 60 along the front-rear direction on the bonding surface portion 70. In the present embodiment, each of the bonding members 80 is arranged at a position spaced apart from the clamping portion 60 toward the front side.

[0048] As a result, in the lid body 20, it becomes easy for the rear end portion of the lid body main body 22 to be inserted between the upper surface portion 62 and the clamping piece portion 64.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, when the clamping portion 60 sandwiches the rear end portion of the lid body main body 22 and the connecting member 24 is attached to the lid body main body 22, each of the bonding members 80 is sandwiched between the bonding surface portion 70 and the lid body main body 22. As a result, each of the bonding members 80 bonds the bonding surface portion 70 and the lid body main body 22, and the connecting member 24 is fixed to the lid body main body 22.

[0050] Note that various adhesives may be used for the bonding member 80, not limited to double-sided tape.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a gripping member 90 is provided at the front end portion of the lid body main body 22. The gripping member 90 is a long member having a dimension substantially the same as the length dimension of the lid body main body 22 in the left-right direction in the longitudinal direction.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a view showing a cross-section in the plane VII of FIG. 2. The plane VII is a plane orthogonal to the left-right direction and intersecting the gripping member 90.

[0053] The gripping member 90 includes a pair of clamping piece portions 92. Each of the clamping piece portions 92 projects rearward from the rear end of the gripping member 90. The gripping member 90 is attached to the lid body main body 22 by inserting the front end portion of the lid body main body 22 between each of the clamping piece portions 92 over substantially the entire left-right direction. The gripping member 90 is attached to the lid body main body 22 by each of the clamping piece portions 92 sandwiching the front end portion of the lid body main body 22 in the plate thickness direction.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, after the gripping member 90 is attached to the lid body main body 22, it is fixed to the lid body main body with an adhesive.

[0055] As shown in Figure 7, the front end of the gripping member 90 is provided with a gripping portion 94 that can be grasped by the user.

[0056] Figure 8 shows a cross-section of Figure 2 in plane VIII. Plane VIII is a plane that is perpendicular to the front-rear direction and intersects the upright portion 16.

[0057] The cover 20 is connected to the housing 10 in a state where it can rotate with each damper shaft 34 as its axis of rotation, by inserting each damper shaft 34 into its corresponding bearing 19.

[0058] As shown in Figure 8, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, when the lid 20 closes the opening 11, each of the edges of the lid body 22 located in the left-right direction abuts against the lid receiving portion 17. Thus, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the lid 20 is formed by a transparent lid body 22 over its entire length in the left-right direction. Therefore, in the washing machine 1, even when the lid 20 closes the opening 11, the visibility of the opening 11 and the inside of the housing 10 can be improved through the lid body 22, and the design can be improved.

[0059] [1-2. Operation] The operation of the washing machine 1 configured as described above will be explained below.

[0060] As described above, in the washing machine 1, the lid 20 is formed so as to be rotatable relative to the housing 10, with each damper shaft 34 being inserted into a corresponding bearing 19, and each damper shaft 34 being used as a pivot point.

[0061] When the lid 20 opens the opening 11, the lid 20 is rotated upward.

[0062] The inventors have found that when the lid 20 is opened, if the location where the adhesive member 80 is attached is close to the rotation damper 30, a large stress is placed on the adhesive member 80. Therefore, as described above, each of the adhesive members 80 is positioned at a location spaced forward from the clamping portion 60. This suppresses the stress placed on the location where the adhesive member 80 is attached when the lid 20 is rotated upward. As a result, when the lid 20 is rotated upward, the separation of the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24 from each other is suppressed.

[0063] When the lid 20 closes the opening 11, the lid 20 is rotated downwards.

[0064] The inventors have found that in the lid 20 and the washing machine 1, when the lid 20 is rotated downwards, the stress is most concentrated at the position where it overlaps with the rotation damper 30.

[0065] Therefore, each of the adhesive members 80 is positioned to overlap with the corresponding rotation damper 30 when viewed from the front end of the lid 20. In other words, each of the adhesive members 80 is positioned to overlap with the corresponding rotation damper 30 in the left-right direction.

[0066] As a result, the adhesive member 80 is attached to the lid 20 at the position where the greatest stress is applied when it is rotated downwards. Therefore, when the lid 20 is rotated downwards, the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24 are pressed against each other, which applies stress to the adhesive member 80 and prevents it from coming off.

[0067] In addition, in the lid 20, the clamping portion 60 grips the lid body 22, thereby connecting the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24. Therefore, in the washing machine 1, without providing an adhesive member such as double-sided tape on the upper surface of the lid 20, it is possible to prevent the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24 from separating due to the stress generated when the lid 20 is rotated in a direction that closes the opening 11.

[0068] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the washing machine 1 comprises a housing 10 having an opening 11 at the top that allows the inside and outside to communicate, and a lid 20 that covers the opening 11 so that it can be opened and closed. The lid 20 comprises a lid body 22 that covers the opening 11, a damper shaft 34 connected to the housing 10 and which serves as a rotation axis when the lid 20 is opened and closed, a connecting member 24 that connects the lid body 22 and the damper shaft 34, and an adhesive member 80 that adheres the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24. The connecting member 24 is provided with a clamping portion 60 that holds the lid body 22 by clamping one end of the lid body 22 from the thickness direction of the lid body 22.

[0069] As a result, in the washing machine 1, in addition to adhesion by the adhesive member 80, the clamping portion 60 clamps the lid body 22, thereby connecting the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24. Therefore, in the washing machine 1, the stress generated when the lid 20 is opened and closed prevents the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24 from separating from each other.

[0070] As in this embodiment, the cover 20 comprises a pair of damper shafts 34 and a pair of adhesive members 80, wherein the damper shafts 34 are arranged side by side along a predetermined direction, and each of the adhesive members 80 may be positioned so as to overlap at least a portion of the corresponding damper shaft 34 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the pair of damper shafts 34 are arranged.

[0071] As a result, the adhesive member 80 is attached to the lid 20 at the position where the greatest stress is applied when it is rotated upward. Therefore, when the lid 20 is rotated upward, the separation of the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24 from each other is suppressed.

[0072] As in this embodiment, the adhesive member 80 may be positioned at a location separated from the clamping portion 60 in the front-rear direction.

[0073] As a result, when the lid 20 is rotated upward, stress is suppressed at the point where the adhesive member 80 is attached. Therefore, when the lid 20 is rotated upward, the lid body 22 and the connecting member 24 are prevented from separating from each other.

[0074] As in this embodiment, the clamping portion 60 may be formed integrally with the connecting member 24.

[0075] As a result, the washing machine 1 can improve the strength of the lid 20 when closing it by improving the rigidity of the clamping portion 60. Therefore, the lid 20 can prevent the connecting member 24 and the lid body 22 from separating from each other.

[0076] As in this embodiment, when the lid 20 closes the opening 11, at least a part of the lid body 22 may be in contact with the lid receiving portion 17.

[0077] As a result, the lid 20 is formed by the transparent lid body 22 over its entire length in the left-right direction. Therefore, the washing machine 1 can be improved in terms of design.

[0078] (Other Embodiments) As described above, embodiments have been explained as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is possible to create new embodiments by combining the components described in the above embodiments.

[0079] The embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and may be modified, replaced, added, or omitted within the scope of the claims or equivalents thereof.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the clamping portion 60 is provided integrally with the connecting member 24. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the clamping portion 60, or the clamping piece portion 64, may be formed separately from the connecting member 24.

[0081] (Note) The above description of embodiments discloses the following technology.

[0082] (Technology 1) A washing machine comprising a washing machine body having an opening at the top that allows the inside and outside to communicate, and a lid that covers the opening so that it can be opened and closed, wherein the lid comprises a lid body that covers the opening, a damper connected to the washing machine body and acting as a rotation axis when the lid is opened and closed, a connecting part that connects the lid body and the damper, and an adhesive member that adheres the lid body and the connecting part, wherein the connecting part is provided with a clamping part that holds the lid body by clamping one end of the lid body from the thickness direction of the lid body.

[0083] As a result, in the washing machine, in addition to adhesion by the adhesive material, the clamping part grips the lid body, thereby connecting the lid body and the connecting part. Therefore, in the washing machine, the stress generated when the lid opens and closes can prevent the lid body and the connecting part from separating from each other.

[0084] (Technical 2) The washing machine according to Technical 1, wherein the lid comprises a pair of dampers and a pair of adhesive members corresponding to each of the pair of dampers, the pair of dampers are arranged in a line along a predetermined direction, and each of the pair of adhesive members is positioned such that, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the pair of dampers are arranged, at least a portion of it overlaps with the corresponding damper.

[0085] As a result, the adhesive is attached to the lid at the position where the greatest stress is applied when it is rotated upward. Therefore, when the lid is rotated upward, the separation of the lid body and the connecting part from each other is suppressed.

[0086] (Technical 3) The washing machine according to Technical 1 or Technical 2, wherein the adhesive member is positioned at a distance from the clamping portion in the direction in which one end of the lid body and the other end of the lid body located opposite to the one end of the lid body are aligned.

[0087] As a result, when the lid is rotated upward, stress is suppressed at the point where the adhesive member is attached. Therefore, when the lid is rotated upward, the lid body and the connecting part are prevented from separating from each other.

[0088] (Technical 4) The washing machine according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 3, wherein the clamping portion is integrally formed with the connecting portion.

[0089] This allows for improved rigidity of the clamping portion in the washing machine, thereby increasing the strength of the lid when it is closed. As a result, the lid can be prevented from separating from the connecting portion and the lid body.

[0090] (Technical 5) When the lid closes the opening, at least a part of the lid body is in contact with the upper part of the washing machine body, the washing machine according to any one of Technical 1 to Technical 4.

[0091] As a result, the lid is formed by a transparent lid body that extends across its entire width. This allows for improved aesthetics in washing machines.

[0092] This disclosure is applicable to washing machines. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to top-loading washing machines, top-loading washer-dryers, and the like.

[0093] 1 Washing machine 10 Housing 11 Opening 12 Upper frame 14 Operation panel 16 Standing part 17 Lid receiving part 18 Bearing part 19 Bearing 20 Lid 22 Lid body 24 Connecting member 25 Storage part 26 Holding part 27 Extension hole 30 Rotating damper 32 Body part 34 Damper shaft 40 Damper holder 50 Covering body 60 Clamping part 62 Top surface part 64 Clamping piece part 70 Attachment surface part 80 Adhesive member 90 Gripping member 92 Clamping piece part 94 Gripping part

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising: a washing machine body having an opening at the top that allows the inside and outside to communicate; and a lid that covers the opening so that it can be opened and closed, wherein the lid comprises: a lid body that covers the opening; a damper connected to the washing machine body and acting as a rotation axis when the lid is opened and closed; a connecting part that connects the lid body and the damper; and an adhesive member that bonds the lid body and the connecting part, wherein the connecting part is provided with a clamping part that holds the lid body by clamping one end of the lid body from the thickness direction of the lid body.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a pair of dampers and a pair of adhesive members corresponding to each of the pair of dampers, the pair of dampers being arranged in a predetermined direction, and each of the pair of adhesive members being positioned such that, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the pair of dampers are arranged, at least a portion of it overlaps with the corresponding damper.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adhesive member is positioned at a distance from the damper in a direction in which one end of the lid body and the other end of the lid body located opposite the one end of the lid body are aligned.

4. The washing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the clamping portion is integrally formed with the connecting portion.

5. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the lid closes the opening, at least a portion of the lid body is in contact with the upper part of the washing machine body.

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