JP7217880B2 - Ultrasonic cleaner and washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic cleaning device and a washing machine equipped with such an ultrasonic cleaning device.

Patent Document 1 describes a washing machine in which an ultrasonic cleaning device is arranged around a laundry inlet in an upper plate, for example, in front of the inlet. An ultrasonic cleaning apparatus includes a water tank in which water is stored, and an ultrasonic generator unit having an ultrasonic generator positioned right above the water tank. A dirty portion of an object to be cleaned is set in a water tank filled with water, and the cleaning operation is started. Ultrasonic energy generated from the ultrasonic generator acts on the dirt adhering portion where the water permeates, and the dirt is peeled off.

JP 2018-68435 A

In the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus as described above, the water tank is formed separately from the top plate, and the position of the unit consisting of the water tank and the ultrasonic wave generating unit is such that the unit protrudes inside the inlet during the cleaning operation. A configuration may be employed in which the unit is switched to be housed around the inlet during non-cleaning operation. With such a configuration, even if water scatters from the water tank during the washing operation, the water that scatters easily falls into the washing tub and is less likely to flow out of the washing machine. Moreover, when the washing operation is not performed, the unit does not easily interfere with the laundry to be put in through the inlet.

The water stored in the water tank is drained through a drainage channel connected to the water tank. The drainage path is provided with an openable and closable valve body that closes the drainage port, and the water storage tank is drained by opening the valve body. As described above, when the position of the unit is switched between the cleaning operation and the non-cleaning operation, the user, even after finishing one cleaning operation, can perform the cleaning operation continuously. Keep the unit in the scrubbing position. The water in the reservoir can also be used for subsequent cleaning operations. Therefore, it is convenient for the user that the water is not drained when the unit is in the cleaning operation position, and the water is drained when the unit is returned to the non-cleaning operation position. desirable for improvement.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides an ultrasonic cleaning device that can improve convenience for users by enabling appropriate drainage from a water tank, and such an ultrasonic cleaning device. An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine equipped with

A first aspect of the present invention includes an ultrasonic generator that generates ultrasonic waves, and a water tank that is disposed below the ultrasonic generator and stores water in which an object to be cleaned is immersed. and the positions of the ultrasonic wave generator and the water tank are switched between an operating position when the cleaning operation is performed and a standby position when the cleaning operation is not performed. It relates to cleaning equipment. In the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to this aspect, a drain port through which water is discharged from the water tank, a valve body that closes the drain port, the ultrasonic wave generator, and the water tank are in the operating position. a valve body switching mechanism for switching the valve body so that the valve body is closed when the ultrasonic generator and the water tank are in the standby position, and the valve body is opened when the ultrasonic generator and the water tank are in the standby position; , provided.

According to the above configuration, when the ultrasonic cleaning device is in a state where the cleaning operation can be performed, the water is not drained from the water tank, and the ultrasonic cleaning device is in a state where the cleaning operation is not performed. In addition, the reservoir can be drained. Therefore, it is possible to properly drain the water from the water tank, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

In the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to this aspect, the valve body switching mechanism is an interlocking member that reciprocates in conjunction with the movement of the ultrasonic generator and the water tank moving back and forth between the operating position and the standby position. It can be configured to include In this case, the reciprocating motion of the interlocking member causes the valve body to move between a closed position in which the drainage port is closed and an open position in which the drainage port is opened.

According to the above configuration, the water in the water tank can be drained in conjunction with the movement of switching the positions of the ultrasonic wave generator and the water tank from the operating position to the standby position. Therefore, the user can easily drain the water from the water tank.

The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to this aspect has an ultrasonic cleaning unit having the ultrasonic generator, a main body supporting the ultrasonic cleaning unit, and the water tank, and is detachably attached to the main unit. and a water storage portion.

According to the above configuration, the user can remove the water reservoir from the main body and wash the water reservoir.

In the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to this aspect, a water supply tank for storing water to be supplied to the water tank, and a position of the water supply tank are set to a water stop position where water does not flow out from the water supply tank and a position where water does not flow out from the water supply tank. and a tank switching mechanism for switching between the outgoing water outlet position. In this case, the tank switching mechanism switches the water supply tank from the water stop position to the water discharge position both when the ultrasonic generator and the water tank are at the operating position and when the water tank is at the standby position. can be switched.

According to the above configuration, when the water supply tank is switched to the water discharge position while the ultrasonic wave generator and the water tank are in the standby position, water comes out of the water supply tank and is drained from the drain port. Thereby, the user can discard the water remaining in the water supply tank without removing the water supply tank from the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus.

In the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to this aspect, a water supply tank that stores water to be supplied to the water tank and is movable between a water stop position where water is not discharged and a water discharge position where water is discharged; A configuration may be adopted in which an ultrasonic wave generator and a detection unit for detecting whether or not the water tank is in the operating position and the water supply tank is in the water discharge position are further provided. In this case, the ultrasonic wave generator operates when the ultrasonic wave generator and the water tank are in the operating position and the water supply tank is in the water discharge position.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the cleaning operation from being started before preparations for the cleaning operation have been completed.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a washing machine. A washing machine according to this aspect includes a washing tub for storing and washing laundry, a top plate having an inlet for loading the laundry into the washing tub, and a first and an ultrasonic cleaning device according to the aspect. Here, the ultrasonic generator and the water tank protrude into the inlet when at the operating position, and are housed in a storage section provided around the inlet when at the standby position.

According to the above configuration, the same effects as those of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the first aspect can be obtained.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the washing machine provided with the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus and this ultrasonic cleaning apparatus which can improve the convenience for a user by enabling suitable drainage from a water tank can be provided.

The effects and significance of the present invention will become clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiment is merely an example of carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the left side surface of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the top plate before the ultrasonic cleaning device is installed according to the embodiment. FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the top plate when the ultrasonic cleaning part and the water storage part are at standby positions, and FIG. 3(b) is the embodiment. 2 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the top plate when the ultrasonic cleaning part and the water reservoir are in the operating position according to FIG. FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning device, the left side portion of the top plate, and the drainage unit, cut at the center position of the main body, according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning device cut at the center position of the main body according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a main part of the ultrasonic cleaning device cut at the center position of the ultrasonic cleaning section. FIGS. 7A and 7B are front cross-sectional views of the ultrasonic cleaning unit according to the embodiment, with the upper member of the housing omitted. FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view of the cap according to the embodiment, and FIG. 8(b) is a bottom view of the cap according to the embodiment. FIG. 9(a) is a perspective view of the water reservoir according to the embodiment, and FIG. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA' of FIG. 9(a). 10(a) and 10(b) are perspective views of a valve body switching mechanism and a water reservoir according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the water supply tank according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a front cross-sectional view of the peripheral portion of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment when the ultrasonic cleaning section and the water storage section are in the operating position and the water supply tank is in the water discharge position. FIGS. 13(a) to 13(c) are diagrams for explaining removal of stains on an object to be cleaned by the ultrasonic cleaning device according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a front cross-sectional view of the peripheral portion of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment when the ultrasonic cleaning section and the water storage section are at the standby position and the water supply tank is at the water discharge position.

An embodiment of an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus and a washing machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine 1 according to this embodiment.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 includes a housing 10 that constitutes the appearance. The housing 10 includes a rectangular tubular body 11 with open upper and lower surfaces, a top plate 12 covering the upper surface of the body 11 , and a footrest 13 supporting the body 11 . A laundry inlet 14 is formed in the top plate 12 . The inlet 14 is covered with an openable and closable upper lid 15 . A control unit 16 is arranged inside the front portion of the top plate 12 . The control unit 16 controls the washing operation of the fully automatic washing machine 1 and the washing operation of the ultrasonic washing device 50, which will be described later.

In the housing 10, an outer tank 20 having an open top is elastically suspended and supported by four suspension rods 21 having a vibration isolator. Inside the outer tub 20, a washing/dehydrating tub 22 having an open upper surface is arranged. The washing/dehydrating tub 22 rotates around a vertically extending rotating shaft. A large number of dehydration holes 22a are formed in the inner peripheral surface of the washing/dehydration tub 22 along the entire circumference. A balance ring 23 is provided above the washing/dehydrating tub 22 . A pulsator 24 is arranged at the bottom of the washing/dehydrating tub 22 . A plurality of blades 24a are radially provided on the surface of the pulsator 24 . The outer tub 20 and the washing/dehydrating tub 22 constitute the washing tub of the present invention.

A driving unit 30 for generating torque for driving the washing/dehydrating tub 22 and the pulsator 24 is arranged at the outer bottom of the outer tub 20 . The drive unit 30 includes a drive motor 31 and a transmission mechanism section 32 . The transmission mechanism part 32 has a clutch mechanism 32a, and in the washing process and the rinsing process, the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted only to the pulsator 24 to rotate only the pulsator 24 by the switching operation by the clutch mechanism 32a. In the process, the torque of the driving motor 31 is transmitted to the pulsator 24 and the washing/dehydrating tub 22 to integrally rotate the pulsator 24 and the washing/dehydrating tub 22 .

An outer bottom portion of the outer tub 20 is formed with a drain port portion 20a. A drain valve 40 is provided in the drain port portion 20a. The drain valve 40 is connected to the drain hose 41 . When the drain valve 40 is opened, the water stored in the washing/dehydrating tub 22 and the outer tub 20 is drained out of the machine through the drain hose 41 .

An ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is provided on the left side portion 12 a of the top plate 12 . The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 mainly removes stains partially attached to the object to be cleaned, such as sebum stains attached to the sleeves and collars of shirts, and oil stains attached to work clothes. A washing operation is performed to remove prior to washing in the air.

A water supply unit 60 for supplying tap water to the washing/dehydrating tub 22 is arranged at the rear of the top plate 12 . The water supply unit 60 has a water supply valve 61 . A water inlet 61a of the water supply valve 61 is connected to a tap. When the water supply valve 61 is opened, tap water from the tap is supplied through the water supply passage 62 into the washing/dehydration tub 22 .

A drainage unit 70 is provided on the outer bottom surface of the top plate 12 at a position corresponding to the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 . The drainage unit 70 includes a drainage receiver 71 for receiving drainage from the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and a hose 72 connected to the drainage receiver 71 . The hose 72 is connected to the drain port portion 20a.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the left side portion 12a of the top plate 12 before the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is installed. FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the top plate 12 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are in the standby position, and FIG. 3(b) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100. 3 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the top plate 12 when the water reservoir 200 is in the operating position. FIG.

The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 includes an ultrasonic cleaning section 100 , a water storage section 200 , a body section 300 and a water supply tank 400 . The ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 has an ultrasonic wave generator 110 that generates ultrasonic waves. The body portion 300 holds the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100 . The water storage part 200 is positioned below the ultrasonic wave generator 110 and has a water storage tank 210 in which water is stored. The water storage part 200 can be pulled forward and removed from the main body part 300 by a user's removal operation. The water supply tank 400 is set on the upper part of the main body part 300 and stores water to be supplied to the water tank 210 . In the present embodiment, the water stored in water supply tank 400 and supplied to water tank 210 is water containing detergent. The water containing the detergent is hereinafter referred to as "wash water".

The left side surface portion 12a of the upper plate 12 is provided with an installation portion 80 in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is installed. The installation portion 80 includes a mounting portion 81 having a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom, and a storage portion 82 formed in front of the mounting portion 81 by recessing the left side portion 12a. The mounting portion 81 has a housing portion 83 formed in a shape corresponding to the main body portion 300 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 . A recessed portion 84 that is slightly recessed from the surroundings is formed on the bottom surface of the housing portion 83 . A circular drainage hole 85 is formed in the bottom surface of the recess 84 . Furthermore, a horizontally long opening 86 connected to the housing portion 83 is formed in the front lower portion of the mounting portion 81 .

The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is attached to the attachment portion 81 so that the body portion 300 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 83 , and the water storage portion 200 protrudes outside the attachment portion 81 through the opening 86 . The body portion 300 is attached to the attachment portion 81 with the water storage portion 200 removed. The water storage part 200 is attached through the opening 86 to the main body part 300 attached to the attachment part 81 .

As shown in FIG. 3A, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is not used and no cleaning operation is performed, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 includes an ultrasonic cleaning part 100 and a water reservoir 200, that is, an ultrasonic wave generating part. The body 110 and the water tank 210 are stored in the storage portion 82 . The positions of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 at this time are the standby positions. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is used and the cleaning operation is performed, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is such that the ultrasonic cleaning part 100 and the water storage part 200 are located on the top plate 12. It is switched to a state of protruding inside the inlet 14.例文帳に追加The positions of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 at this time are the operating positions.

Next, each configuration of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 will be described in detail.

FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the left side portion 12a of the top plate 12, and the drainage unit 70 cut at the central position of the main body portion 300. FIG. FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 cut at the center position of the main body 300. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a main part of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 cut at the center position of the ultrasonic cleaning section 100. FIG. 7A and 7B are front cross-sectional views of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 with the upper member 150 of the housing 120 omitted. In FIG. 7A, the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 is cut at the position of the LED 145 provided on the lower member 140, and in FIG. and the fitting portion of the recess 134 of the cap 130 .

5 to 7B, the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 includes an ultrasonic generator 110, a housing 120, and a cap . The housing 120 and the cap 130 form an exterior body 100a, and the ultrasonic generator 110 is housed inside the exterior body 100a.

The ultrasonic generator 110 includes an ultrasonic transducer 111 and a vibrating horn 112 coupled to the ultrasonic transducer 111 . The vibrating horn 112 is made of a conductive metal material and has a shape that gradually tapers toward the tip side. The tip surface 112a of the vibrating horn 112 has an elongated rectangular shape. The ultrasonic wave generator 110 generates ultrasonic waves from the tip of the vibrating horn 112 . A flange portion 113 is formed at the upper end portion of the vibrating horn 112 . A cushion material 114 is attached to the ultrasonic generator 110 so as to cover the flange portion 113 .

The housing 120 is made of a resin material and has an arm shape elongated in the front-rear direction and having a downwardly bent distal end portion 120a. An opening 121 is formed in the lower surface of the tip 120a.

The housing 120 is formed by combining a lower member 140 with an open top and an upper member 150 with an open bottom. The upper member 150 is integrally formed with the case 500 forming the main body portion 300 . The lower member 140 and the upper member 150 are provided with a lower mounting boss 141 and an upper mounting boss 151 for coupling them. These lower mounting boss 141 and upper mounting boss 151 are fixed by screws 161 . A distal end portion 120 a of the housing 120 is formed by a lower member 140 .

The lower member 140 is provided with an installation portion 142 above the opening 121 , and mounting bosses 143 are provided in front and rear of the installation portion 142 . Further, the lower member 140 is provided with a recess 144 in front of the opening 121 . The concave portion 144 is concaved upward so as to have a shape corresponding to the light receiving portion 133 of the cap 130 . Left and right LEDs 145 are arranged in the recess 144 (see FIG. 7A). Further, the lower member 140 has a fitting opening 146 around the opening 121 into which the cap 130 is fitted, and protrusions 147 are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the fitting opening 146 (FIG. 7B). )reference).

The flange portion 113 of the ultrasonic generator 110 covered with the cushion material 114 is installed on the installation portion 142 of the housing 120 . A frame-shaped fixing plate 170 is attached above the flange portion 113 . The fixing plate 170 is fixed to the mounting boss 143 with screws 162 . The flange portion 113 is sandwiched between the installation portion 142 and the fixing plate 170 to fix the ultrasonic generator 110 inside the housing 120 . A distal end portion of the vibrating horn 112 protrudes downward from the opening 121 of the housing 120 .

The cap 130 is detachably attached to the distal end portion 120 a of the housing 120 and covers the portion of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 exposed from the housing 120 .

8A is a perspective view of the cap 130, and FIG. 8B is a bottom view of the cap 130. FIG. In addition, in FIG. 8B, for the sake of convenience, the tip surface 112a of the vibrating horn 112 is indicated by a dashed line.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, cap 130 has a configuration in which cap main body 131, guide portion 132, and light receiving portion 133 are integrally formed of a translucent resin material. The cap main body 131 has a cylindrical shape whose front, rear, left, and right widths narrow in three stages as it goes downward, and includes a substantially track-shaped upper portion 131a and substantially square-shaped intermediate portions 131b and lower portions 131c in a plan view. . An upper portion 131 a of the cap main body 131 is formed with recesses 134 having shapes corresponding to the projections 147 of the housing 120 on the left and right inner surfaces. The cap main body 131 covers the tip side portion of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 so that the tip portion thereof is exposed.

The guide portion 132 is provided in the center of the front side surface of the cap main body 131 in the left-right direction so as to protrude forward, and has a flat shape in the left-right direction. The lateral width of the guide portion 132 is slightly larger than the lateral width of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 . The upper portion of the guide portion 132 has a shape that fits the outer surface of the distal end portion 120 a of the housing 120 . In addition, a guide surface 135 is provided at the lower portion of the guide portion 132 so as to be inclined rearwardly and obliquely downward, curved at the lower end portion, and becoming horizontal. Furthermore, the lower end of the guide portion 132 is located below the lower end of the cap body 131 .

The light receiving portion 133 is provided at the front upper end portion of the cap main body 131 . The light receiving portion 133 is elongated in the left-right direction and slightly curved along the front upper end portion of the cap main body 131 . Circular holes 136 corresponding to the LEDs 145 of the housing 120 are formed on the left and right sides of the light receiving portion 133 .

Returning to FIGS. 5 to 7B, the cap 130 is attached to the fitting opening 146 of the housing 120 from below. As shown in FIG. 7B, the left and right protrusions 147 of the housing 120 and the left and right recesses 134 of the cap 130 are fitted. At this time, the protrusion 147 protrudes slightly outside the inner surface of the upper portion 131a of the cap body 131, but when the cap body 131 is attached, the upper portion 131a of the cap body 131 hits the protrusion 147 and is pushed and spread in the left-right direction. , is fitted into the fitting opening 146 . As shown in FIG. 7A , the light receiving portion 133 of the cap 130 is fitted into the recess 144 of the housing 120 , and the left and right LEDs 145 of the recess 144 are fitted into the left and right holes 136 of the light receiving portion 133 . Thereby, the two LEDs 145 are connected to the light receiving portion 133 , ie, the cap 130 . When the left and right LEDs 145 emit light, the light is guided into the cap 130 through the light receiving portion 133, and the entire cap 130 emits light.

As shown in FIG. 6 , when the cap 130 is attached to the housing 120 , the tip of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 is slightly exposed from the cap body 131 . Also, the lower end of the guide portion 132 of the cap 130 and the tip surface 112a of the vibrating horn 112 are substantially flush with each other. Furthermore, the guide surface 135 of the guide portion 132 is inclined so as to approach the vibrating horn 112 as the water tank 210 is approached. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, the position of the guide part 132 and the position of the tip of the vibration horn 112 are aligned in the left-right direction, that is, in the direction perpendicular to the front direction of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 .

As shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the left and right side surfaces of the tip portion 120a of the housing 120 are inclined so that the width of the tip portion 120a narrows downward. The cap 130 also has a tapered shape such that the left and right widths become narrower downward. As a result, the user usually looks at the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 installed on the upper plate 12 from an oblique direction, and at that time, the position of the tip of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 is Easy to check.

As shown in FIG. 6, the position of the tip surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 is slightly lower than the position of the upper surface of the water tank 210, and the tip of the vibration horn 112 slightly enters the water tank 210. state.

9(a) is a perspective view of the water reservoir 200, and FIG. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA' of FIG. 9(a).

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, water storage portion 200 is made of a resin material, is elongated in the front-rear direction, and has a shape in which the rear portion is bent rightward. Moreover, the water storage part 200 has arcuate front and rear ends. A water storage tank 210 elongated in the front-rear direction is formed in the front portion of the water storage section 200 . The water tank 210 has a mortar shape, and its inner peripheral surface is gently inclined. A circular water supply tank 220 is formed at the rear of the water reservoir 200 . The water supply tank 220 is connected to the water tank 210 by a water supply groove 230 . The bottom surface of the water tank 210 and the bottom surface of the water supply groove 230 gently incline toward the water supply tank 220 .

A drain port 221 is formed in the center of the bottom surface of the water supply tank 220 . A boss 222 having a hole 222a is provided at the center of the drain port 221 . Both sides of the boss 222 are connected to the inner periphery of the drain port 221 by two ribs 223 . A cylindrical rib 201 surrounding a drain port 221 is formed on the outer bottom surface of the water storage part 200 so as to protrude downward.

The water supply tank 220 is provided with a drainage mechanism 240 for draining water through the drainage port 221 . The drainage mechanism 240 includes a valve body 241 , an operating member 242 and a coil spring 243 .

The valve body 241 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and closes the drain port 221 from below. The operation member 242 is made of a resin material and includes a cylindrical hub portion 244 with a closed top surface, a columnar projection 245 projecting upward from the center of the top surface of the hub portion 244, and a hub portion. A shaft portion 246 extending downward from the center of the back surface of the top surface portion of 244 and four arm portions 247 extending in four directions from the peripheral surface portion of the hub portion 244 are included. The shaft portion 246 is passed through the hole portion 222a of the boss 222 so as to be vertically movable. A valve body 241 is attached to the lower end portion of the shaft portion 246 . Each arm portion 247 extends substantially horizontally outward from the peripheral surface of the hub portion 244, is bent substantially vertically and extends upward, and then is further bent substantially vertically and extends substantially horizontally outward. The coil spring 243 is arranged between the hub portion 244 of the operating member 242 and the two ribs 223 . The coil spring 243 is in a compressed state and biases the operation member 242 in the direction in which the valve body 241 closes the drain port 221 .

4 and 5, body portion 300 includes a case 500, a valve body switching mechanism 600, and a tank switching mechanism 700. As shown in FIG. The body portion 300 is housed in the housing portion 83 of the mounting portion 81 provided on the top plate 12 .

The case 500 is made of a resin material and has a cylindrical shape with a closed bottom surface and an open top surface. An insertion port 501 is formed in the lower part of the case 500 on the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 side. The insertion port 501 is aligned with the opening 86 of the mounting portion 81 . Inside the case 500 , a storage chamber 502 is provided behind the insertion port 501 . The housing chamber 502 is composed of a peripheral wall 503 rising from the bottom surface of the case 500 and a fixing plate 510 covering the upper surface of the peripheral wall 503 . The fixing plate 510 is fixed to a plurality of mounting bosses 504 provided on the peripheral wall 503 with screws (not shown). The fixed plate 510 is provided with a circular opening 511 in the center. Two ribs 512 extending in the circumferential direction are provided on the peripheral edge of the opening 511 at positions opposed to each other.

An opening 505 is formed inside the housing chamber 502 on the bottom of the case 500 . The water supply tank 220 of the water reservoir 200 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 502 through the insertion port 501 . When the water supply tank 220 is housed in the housing chamber 502 , the ribs 201 on the outer bottom surface of the water reservoir 200 are fitted into the openings 505 . A U-shaped slit 506 is formed around the opening 505 in the bottom surface of the case 500 , and the inside of the slit 506 including the opening 505 allows the water reservoir 200 to enter and exit the storage chamber 502 . When it is pressed, it can be bent downward by being pushed by the ribs 201 . The bent portion enters the recess 84 of the accommodation portion 83 .

The drain hole 85 of the housing portion 83 is positioned directly below the drain port 221 of the water storage portion 200 and the opening 505 of the case 500 . An inflow port 73 provided in the drainage receiver 71 of the drainage unit 70 is connected to the drainage hole 85 .

The valve body switching mechanism 600 is arranged inside the case 500, and when the ultrasonic cleaning part 100 and the water storage part 200 are in the operating position, the valve body 241 of the drainage mechanism 240 is closed, and the ultrasonic cleaning part 100 and the water storage part 200 are in a closed state. The position of the valve body 241 is switched so that the valve body 241 is in an open state when the water storage part 200 is at the standby position.

10(a) and 10(b) are perspective views of the valve body switching mechanism 600 and the water reservoir 200. FIG. FIG. 10(a) shows a state in which the water storage unit 200 is in the standby position, and FIG. 10(b) shows a state in which the water storage unit 200 is in the operating position.

4, 5, 10(a) and (b), the valve body switching mechanism 600 includes a cam member 610 and a holding member 620 that holds the cam member 610 and moves it up and down. Cam member 610 and holding member 620 are made of a resin material. Cam member 610 corresponds to the interlocking member of the present invention.

The cam member 610 is formed substantially cylindrical. The cam member 610 has a stepped portion 611 in its intermediate portion, and the outer diameter below the stepped portion 611 is smaller. Two cutouts 612 are formed in the cam member 610 at positions facing each other below the stepped portion 611 . These cutouts 612 are engaged with the corresponding ribs 512 of the fixed plate 510, so that the cam member 610 can move vertically on the fixed plate 510 without being able to move in the circumferential direction with respect to the fixed plate 510. are connected as follows. Four shafts 613 protruding outward are formed at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion of the cam member 610 . When the water tank 220 of the water reservoir 200 is housed in the housing chamber 502 of the case 500 , the lower end of the cam member 610 contacts the four arm portions 247 of the operating member 242 arranged in the water tank 220 .

The holding member 620 has a substantially cylindrical frame portion 621 , and a disk-shaped holding portion 622 is integrally formed in the upper portion of the frame portion 621 . A lower portion of the frame portion 621 is open at a portion through which the water storage portion 200 is passed. Mounting bosses 623 are provided at three locations on the lower surface of the holding portion 622 . The mounting boss 623 extends downward along the inner surface of the frame portion 621 and slightly protrudes from the lower end portion of the frame portion 621 .

A circular opening 624 is formed in the central portion of the holding portion 622 . Four elevating units 625 are provided on the upper surface of the holding unit 622 along the periphery of the opening 624 . When the cam member 610 is inserted into the opening 624 , each shaft 613 of the cam member 610 is arranged on the lifter 625 . The upper surface of the elevating portion 625 has a slope shape that allows the shaft 613 to ascend and descend when the cam member 610 moves in the circumferential direction. The upper surface of the holding portion 622 is provided with four cylindrical guide portions 626 extending upward, and a claw portion 627 projecting upward is provided on the rear side. Further, the holding portion 622 is provided with a detection hole 628 on the front side.

The bottom of the case 500 has three oval openings 507 curved along the circumferential direction. The three mounting bosses 623 of the holding member 620 are fixed to the bottom surface of the housing portion 83 through the corresponding openings 507 . As a result, the holding member 620 cannot rotate with respect to the mounting portion 81, and the ultrasonic cleaning portion 100, the water storage portion 200 and the case 500 are positioned between the standby position and the operating position with respect to the mounting portion 81 and the holding member 620. It becomes possible to rotate with Moreover, since the cam member 610 is connected to the fixed plate 510 of the case 500 , it rotates together with the fixed plate 510 .

The rotational range of ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 , water storage unit 200 and case 500 is defined by the circumferential length of opening 507 of case 500 . One end of the opening 507 is in contact with the mounting boss 623 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 , the water storage unit 200 and the case 500 are in the standby position. When the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100, the water storage unit 200 and the case 500 move to the operating position, the other end of the opening 507 comes into contact with the mounting boss 623, preventing further rotation.

The tank switching mechanism 700 is arranged above the valve body switching mechanism 600 inside the case 500 . The tank switching mechanism 700 switches the position of the water tank 400 between a water stop position where water is not discharged from the water tank 400 and a water discharge position where water is discharged from the water tank 400 . Inside the case 500, the water stop position is located above the water discharge position. The tank switching mechanism 700 also does not rotate with respect to the mounting portion 81 similarly to the valve body switching mechanism 600 .

4 and 5, tank switching mechanism 700 includes an upper receiving member 710, a lower receiving member 720, a coil spring 730, and a lock device 740. As shown in FIG. The upper receiving member 710 has a cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the water supply tank 400, and has an open top surface and a bottom surface. The lower receiving member 720 has a circular inverted dish shape with an open center and is attached to the outer bottom surface of the upper receiving member 710 . The lower receiving member 720 is provided with guide holes 721 that are inserted into the four guide portions 626 of the holding member 620 . The lower receiving member 720 is guided by the guide portion 626 when it moves up and down.

The coil spring 730 is arranged between the lower receiving member 720 and the stepped portion 611 of the cam member 610 . The coil spring 730 pushes up the upper receiving member 710 and the lower receiving member 720 to the water stop position by its elastic force.

The locking device 740 is attached to the rear side of the lower receiving member 720 so as to face downward. A claw portion 627 of the holding member 620 is positioned directly below the locking device 740 . The lock device 740 includes a rod 741 having holding pieces on both sides of its tip, a housing 742 into which the rod 741 moves and moves, and an alternate mechanism (not shown).

When the upper receiving member 710 and the lower receiving member 720 are pushed down to the water outlet position against the elastic force of the coil spring 730, the holding piece of the rod 741 of the locking device 740 abuts against the claw portion 627 of the holding member 620 from above. , the claw portion 627 pushes the rod 741 into the housing 742 . The claws 627 are caught by the holding pieces of the rod 741 from both sides, and the rod 741 is held inside the housing 742 by the action of the alternate mechanism. As a result, the claw portion 627 is prevented from coming off the locking device 740, and the upper receiving member 710 and the lower receiving member 720 are locked at the water discharge position.

From this state, when the rod 741 is pushed again by the claw portion 627, the holding is released by the action of the alternate mechanism. a piece opens. Thereby, the lock device 740 is disengaged from the claw portion 627 . The upper receiving member 710 and the lower receiving member 720 are pushed up to the water stop position by the elastic force of the coil spring 730 .

A downwardly extending sensor mounting portion 722 is provided on the front side of the lower receiving member 720 at a position corresponding to the detection hole 628 of the holding member 620 . A reed switch 801 is attached to the tip of the sensor attachment portion 722 . On the other hand, a magnet 802 is attached to the fixed plate 510 of the case 500 . A detection unit 800 is configured by the reed switch 801 and the magnet 802 .

The magnet 802 of the fixing plate 510 is at a position displaced from the detection hole 628 of the holding member 620 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are at the standby position, and the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are at the operating position. When moved, it moves directly under detection hole 628 . The reed switch 801 is inserted into the detection hole 628 when the upper receiving member 710 and the lower receiving member 720, that is, the water supply tank 400 are lowered to the water outlet position. At this time, if the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are in the operating position, the reed switch 801 is brought close to the magnet 802 . As a result, an ON signal is output from reed switch 801 to control unit 16, and control unit 16 can detect that ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and water storage unit 200 are in the operating position and water supply tank 400 is in the water outlet position.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the water supply tank 400. As shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 11, water supply tank 400 includes tank body 410 and cap 420 . Tank main body 410 and cap 420 are formed of a resin material. The cap 420 is provided with an on-off valve mechanism 430 .

The tank main body 410 is a substantially cylindrical transparent container, and an upper container 411 with an open bottom surface and a lower container 412 with an open top surface are joined by a screw method with a water-sealing packing 441 interposed therebetween. It is formed. The tank main body 410 has a step at its upper portion, and the outer diameter is reduced below the step. A water inlet/outlet 413 is formed in the center of the bottom surface of the tank body 410, and a cylindrical connection port 414 is provided around the inlet/outlet 413 so as to protrude downward.

The cap 420 is attached to the connection port portion 414 by a screw method to cover the entrance/exit 413 . A water-sealing packing 442 is interposed between the cap 420 and the connection port portion 414 . An outflow port 421 is formed in the bottom surface of the cap 420 . A boss 422 having a hole 422a is provided in the center of the outflow port 421 . Both sides of the boss 422 are connected to the periphery of the outlet 421 by two ribs 423 .

The on-off valve mechanism 430 includes a valve body 431 , a pin 432 and a coil spring 433 . The valve body 431 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The pin 432 is made of a metal material or a resin material and is passed through the hole 422a of the boss 422 so as to be vertically movable. A valve body 431 is attached to the upper end of the pin 432 . A lower end portion of the pin 432 has a larger outer diameter than other portions to form a flange portion 432a, and a coil spring 433 is arranged between the flange portion 432a and the boss 422. The coil spring 433 is in a compressed state, the pin 432 is pushed downward by the coil spring 433 , and the valve body 431 closes the outflow port 421 .

A cylindrical discharge port 424 is formed on the outer bottom surface of the cap 420 so as to surround the pin 432 . The outlet of the outlet portion 424 serves as the final water outlet 401 in the water supply tank 400 .

As shown in FIG. 4, the water tank 400 is set on the upper receiving member 710 of the tank switching mechanism 700 from above. The outlet portion 424 of the cap 420 is exposed downward from the opening of the lower surface of the upper receiving member 710 and enters the inside of the cam member 610 .

In the fully automatic washing machine 1, washing operations of various operation courses are performed. In the washing operation, a washing process, an intermediate dehydration process, a rinsing process and a final dehydration process are performed in order.

In the washing process and the rinsing process, the pulsator 24 rotates rightward and leftward while water is stored in the washing/dehydrating tub 22 . The rotation of the pulsator 24 generates a water flow in the washing/dehydrating tub 22 . In the washing process, the laundry is washed by the generated water flow and the detergent contained in the water. In the rinsing process, the laundry is rinsed by the generated water flow.

In the intermediate dehydration process and the final dehydration process, the washing/dehydration tub 22 and the pulsator 24 rotate together at high speed. The laundry is dehydrated by the action of the centrifugal force generated in the washing/dehydrating tub 22 .

Furthermore, in the fully automatic washing machine 1, a cleaning operation is performed by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. FIG. When washing an article to be washed such as a dress shirt, if the article to be washed partially contains stubborn stains, the user may wash the article to be washed using the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 prior to washing. Do a partial wash.

When the cleaning operation is not performed, as shown in FIG. 3A, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is in a state where the ultrasonic cleaning part 100 and the water storage part 200 are in the standby position. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the water supply tank 400 is held at the water stop position by the tank switching mechanism 700 . The valve body 431 is closed, and the wash water is not discharged from the water supply tank 400 . Further, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the cam member 610 of the valve body switching mechanism 600 moves to the lowest position by positioning the four shafts 613 at the lowest points of the corresponding elevating sections 625. ing. As shown in FIG. 4, in the water reservoir 200, the operation member 242 of the drainage mechanism 240 is pushed downward by the cam member 610, the valve body 241 is separated from the drainage port 221, and the drainage port 221 is opened.

When performing the cleaning operation, if there is no cleaning water in the water tank 400 , the user takes out the water tank 400 to the outside, turns it upside down, and opens the lower container 412 . The user puts water and liquid detergent into the water tank 400, closes the lower container 412, and shakes the water tank 400 lightly to mix the liquid detergent and water. Thereby, washing water is generated in the water supply tank 400 . After that, the user inserts the water tank 400 into the main body 300 again.

Further, the user rotates the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 toward the inlet 14 to move the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 to the operating position as shown in FIG. 3(b). After that, the user pushes the water tank 400 downward. The water supply tank 400 descends and reaches the water outlet position. The water supply tank 400 is held at the water outlet position by the tank switching mechanism 700 .

FIG. 12 is a front cross-sectional view of the peripheral portion of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 when the ultrasonic cleaning section 100 and the water storage section 200 are in the operating position and the water supply tank 400 is in the water discharge position.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the water tank 400 descends to the water outlet position, the pin 432 of the water tank 400 collides with the protrusion 245 of the operating member 242 and is pushed up against the pressing force of the coil spring 433 . As a result, the valve body 431 is separated from the outflow port 421 to open the outflow port 421 , and the wash water in the water supply tank 400 is discharged from the discharge port 401 . At this time, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the cam member 610 of the valve body switching mechanism 600 moves to the highest position by positioning the four shafts 613 at the highest points of the corresponding elevating sections 625. ing. Therefore, in the water storage section 200 , the operation member 242 of the drainage mechanism 240 is released from the pressure by the cam member 610 and pushed up by the elastic force of the coil spring 243 . As a result, the valve body 241 closes the drain port 221 and the drain port 221 is closed.

The wash water discharged from the water supply tank 400 is received by the water supply tank 220 and sent to the water tank 210 through the water supply groove 230 . When flushing water accumulates in the water tank 210, the water level in the water tank 210 and the water level in the water supply tank 220 rise. 12, when the water level in the water supply tank 220 rises to the height of the discharge port 401 of the water supply tank 400 and the discharge port 401 is blocked by the cleaning water, the air pressure in the water supply tank 400 and the external Water supply from the water supply tank 400 stops while the valve body 431 remains open due to the balance with the air pressure.

When the cleaning water is stored in the water tank 210, the user wipes the dirty part of the object to be cleaned, for example, the collar of a dress shirt, from the front of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 on the water tank 210, i.e., It is set between the water tank 210 and the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 .

At this time, in the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100, the position of the guide part 132 of the cap 130 coincides with the position of the tip of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic wave generator 110 in the front-rear direction. It is easy to grasp the position of the tip of the vibrating horn 112 as a mark. On the other hand, since the user usually looks at the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 installed on the upper plate 12 from above, it is difficult to check the gap between the ultrasonic generator 110 and the water tank 210 .

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the user puts a dirty portion such as a collar or cuffs against the guide surface 135 of the guide portion 132 and moves it downward and rearward along the guide surface 135 to move the vibrating horn 112. reaches the position of the tip surface 112a. At this time, the lower end of the guide portion 132 extends downward from the lower end of the cap main body 131 so as to cover the front of the tip portion of the vibrating horn 112 exposed from the cap main body 131 . Therefore, the dirt adhered portion guided by the guide portion 132 is less likely to be caught by the corner portion of the tip portion of the vibrating horn 112 and is less likely to be damaged. Also, the guide portion 132 guides the dirt adhering portion to an appropriate height position where it almost contacts the front end surface 112a of the vibration horn 112, and does not leave the front end surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 too far.

The dirty portion of the object to be cleaned is soaked with the cleaning water stored in the water tank 210, and the cleaning water permeating the inside of the object to be cleaned seeps out to the surface. A thin water layer is formed on the surface of the object to be cleaned, and the vibrating horn 112 comes into contact with this water layer. When the object to be washed absorbs water, the water level in the water tank 210 drops, the water level in the water supply tank 220 drops, and the outlet 401 of the water tank 400 is no longer blocked by the cleaning water. Washing water is replenished from the water supply tank 400 into the water supply tank 220, that is, the water tank 210, until the water supply tank 220 is filled with the washing water again. As a result, the water level in the water tank 210, that is, the amount of water, is maintained at an appropriate level.

The user performs a predetermined start operation to start the cleaning operation.

When the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are in the operating position and the water supply tank 400 is in the outflow position, this state is detected by the detection unit 800, and the reed switch 801 of the detection unit 800 turns on the control unit 16. A signal is output. In this case, the control unit 16 energizes the ultrasonic transducer 111 to operate the ultrasonic generator 110 . This starts the cleaning operation.

At least when the water supply tank 400 is in the rest position or the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are in the standby position, that is, when the cleaning water is not supplied from the water supply tank 400 or even if the cleaning water is supplied, the drain port 221 When the water is drained from the reed switch 801, the ON signal is not output. Therefore, the control unit 16 does not energize the ultrasonic transducer 111 and does not operate the ultrasonic generator 110 . Therefore, the cleaning operation is not started unless preparations for the cleaning operation have been completed.

When the cleaning operation is started and the ultrasonic wave generator 110 is activated, the two LEDs 145 of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 are turned on by the control unit 16 . Thereby, the entire cap 130 emits light. Thereby, the user can easily grasp that the ultrasonic wave generator 110 is operating, that is, that the cleaning operation is being performed.

FIGS. 13A to 13C are diagrams for explaining how the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 removes stains from the object to be cleaned.

When the ultrasonic wave generator 110 operates, ultrasonic waves are generated from the tip of the vibration horn 112, and the ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the cleaning water inside the object to be cleaned through the cleaning water around the vibration horn 112. FIG. As shown in FIG. 13(a), inside the object to be cleaned, pressure reduction and pressure are alternately generated by the action of ultrasonic vibration, and vacuum cavities are generated in portions where the pressure is low. In other words, a large number of cavities exist in the dirty portion of the object to be washed. Next, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the pressure in the cavity is increased, and when the cavity is crushed by this pressure and destroyed, a shock wave is generated in the dirty part of the object to be cleaned. Dirt is separated from the object to be cleaned by this shock wave. As shown in FIG. 13(c), the ultrasonic vibration from the vibrating horn 112 produces a water flow from the inside of the object to be cleaned into the water tank 210, and this water flow causes the dirt separated from the object to be cleaned to be stored. It is discharged into tank 210 . In the water tank 210, convection occurs due to the water current, so dirt is easily separated from the object to be cleaned. Furthermore, the action of the detergent contained in the washing water also makes it easier to separate dirt from the object to be washed, and makes it difficult for the dirt to reattach to the object to be washed. In this way, dirt is removed from the items to be cleaned.

When the washing of the object to be washed is completed, the user performs a predetermined end operation to end the washing operation. The operation of the ultrasonic generator 110 is stopped by the control unit 16, and the cleaning operation ends.

As described with reference to FIG. 6, by setting the dirt adhering portion of the object to be cleaned so as not to be too far away from the tip surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic wave generator 110, the ultrasonic vibration from the vibration horn 112 is minimized. Effectively acts on the part where dirt adheres, and improves dirt removal.

The user presses the water supply tank 400 slightly downward with his or her finger when not performing a new cleaning operation in succession. When the finger is released from the water tank 400, the locking device 740 is disengaged from the claw portion 627, and the water tank 400 moves together with the upper receiving member 710 to the water stop position. The pin 432 moves downward, the outflow port 421 is closed by the valve body 431, and the water supply from the water supply tank 400 is stopped.

After that, the user rotates the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 toward the installation unit 80 to move the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 to the standby position as shown in FIG. 3(a). As described above, at the standby position, the drain port 221 of the water reservoir 200 is opened (see FIG. 4). As a result, the wash water stored in the water tank 210 and the water supply tank 220 is drained through the drain port 221 . Drainage from the drainage port 221 is discharged to the drainage port portion 20 a of the outer tank 20 through the drainage receiving portion 71 and the hose 72 of the drainage unit 70 .

The user may want to discard the cleaning water remaining in the water supply tank 400 after the cleaning operation is finished. In this case, the user can remove the water supply tank 400 from the main body 300, carry it to a disposal site such as a washstand, remove the cap 420, and discharge the wash water in the water supply tank 400 to the disposal site. It is troublesome.

In this embodiment, the user can discard the cleaning water in the water tank 400 without removing the water tank 400 from the main body 300 . For this purpose, the user pushes down the water supply tank 400 at the water stop position to reach the water discharge position while the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are at the standby position.

FIG. 14 is a front cross-sectional view of the peripheral portion of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 when the ultrasonic cleaning section 100 and the water storage section 200 are at the standby position and the water supply tank 400 is at the water discharge position.

As shown in FIG. 14, when the water tank 400 is lowered to the water outlet position, the pin 432 of the water tank 400 collides with the protrusion 245 of the operating member 242 and is pushed up against the pressing force of the coil spring 433 . As a result, the valve body 431 is separated from the outflow port 421 to open the outflow port 421 , and the wash water in the water supply tank 400 is discharged from the discharge port 401 . Note that when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are at the standby position, the operating member 242 is pushed down by the cam member 610, so that the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 protrude more than when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are at the operating position. The position of the portion 245 is lowered. Therefore, compared to when water is supplied to the water tank 210, the amount of movement of the pin 432 is reduced, so the gap between the valve body 431 and the outflow port 421 is reduced, and the flow rate from the discharge port 401 is reduced. The wash water discharged from the water supply tank 400 is received by the water supply tank 220 and discharged from the drainage port 221 to flow to the drainage unit 70 .

In this manner, the user can discard the wash water remaining in the water supply tank 400 without removing the water supply tank 400 from the main body 300 .

In the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100, while the cleaning operation is repeated, dirt may enter the cap 130 through the opening of the cap 130 and adhere to the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 inside the cap 130. . In this embodiment, the cap 130 is detachable from the housing 120 , so that the user can remove the cap 130 from the housing 120 to clean the vibrating horn 112 .

Moreover, while the cleaning operation is repeated, the water tank 210 and the water supply tank 220 may become dirty. In the present embodiment, since water storage unit 200 is detachable from main unit 300, the user can remove water storage unit 200 from main unit 300 and wash water storage tank 210 and water supply tank 220. . It should be noted that the water storage unit 200 cannot be removed from the main body unit 300 because the water storage unit 200 is stored in the storage unit 82 when it is in the standby position. Therefore, when the user removes water storage section 200 from main body section 300 , water storage section 200 is moved to a position away from storage section 82 , for example, the operating position.

<Effect of Embodiment>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, valve element 241 for opening and closing drain port 221 through which cleaning water is drained from water tank 210 and valve element switching mechanism 600 are provided, and ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and water storage unit 200 are provided. That is, the valve body 241 is closed when the ultrasonic wave generator 110 and the water tank 210 are at the operating position, and is open when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water reservoir 200 are at the standby position. Thus, the position of the valve body 241 is switched by the valve body switching mechanism 600 . As a result, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is in a state where the cleaning operation can be performed, water is not drained from the water tank 210, and when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is in a state where the cleaning operation is not performed. , the reservoir 210 can be drained. Therefore, it is possible to properly drain the water from the water tank 210, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the valve element switching mechanism 600 includes a cam member 610 that moves up and down in conjunction with the movement of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 that move back and forth between the operating position and the standby position. By reciprocating the cam member 610, the valve body 241 moves between a closed position where the drainage port 221 is closed and an open position where the drainage port 221 is opened. As a result, the cleaning water in the water tank 210 can be drained in conjunction with the switching of the positions of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 from the operating position to the standby position. Therefore, the user can easily drain water from the water tank 210 .

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, water reservoir 200 is detachably attached to main body 300 , so that the user can remove water reservoir 200 from main body 300 and wash water reservoir 210 .

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, water tank 400 can be switched to the water outlet position even when ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and water storage unit 200 are in the standby position, and when water tank 400 is switched to the water outlet position, Water is discharged from the water supply tank 400 and drained from the drain port 221 . Thereby, the user can discard the cleaning water remaining in the water supply tank 400 without removing the water supply tank 400 from the main unit 300 , that is, the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 50 .

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the ultrasonic wave generator 110 operates when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are at the operating position and the water supply tank 400 is at the water discharge position. As a result, it is possible to prevent the cleaning operation from being started before preparations for the cleaning operation have been completed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways other than those described above. .

For example, in the above embodiment, valve body switching mechanism 600 is configured to automatically open valve body 241 when ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and water storage unit 200 are switched to the standby positions. However, when the valve body switching mechanism 600 switches the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 to the standby position, the valve body 241 can be opened, and the valve body 241 is opened by a subsequent predetermined water discharge operation. It may be configured to be

Further, in the above embodiment, the valve element switching mechanism 600 holds the cam member 610 and the cam member 610, and moves the cam member 610 up and down in conjunction with the movement of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200. It is composed of a holding member 620 . However, in the valve body switching mechanism 600, the valve body 241 is closed when the ultrasonic cleaning part 100 and the water storage part 200 are in the operating position, and the valve body 241 is closed when the ultrasonic cleaning part 100 and the water storage part 200 are in the standby position. A mechanism other than the above may be used as long as the valve body 241 can be switched so that the valve body 241 is in an open state.

Further, in the above embodiment, the drain mechanism 240 has the valve body 241 closing the drain port 221 by the biasing force of the coil spring 243, and when the cam member 610 pushes down the operation member 242, the valve body 241 closes the drain port 221. It was configured to be separated from However, in the drainage mechanism 240, the urging force of the coil spring 243 separates the valve body 241 from the drainage port 221, and when the cam member 610 pushes down the operation member 242, the valve body 241 drains water. It may be configured to close the mouth 221 . In this configuration, the valve body 241 closes the drain port 221 from above.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the tank switching mechanism 700 is composed of the upper receiving member 710 , the lower receiving member 720 , the coil spring 730 and the locking device 740 . However, if the tank switching mechanism 700 can switch the position of the water supply tank 400 between the water stop position where water does not flow out from the water supply tank 400 and the water flow position where water flows from the water supply tank 400, the configuration other than the above can be used. may be

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the detection unit 800 alone detects whether the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are at the operating position and the water supply tank 400 is at the water discharge position. However, the above detection includes a first detection unit that detects whether the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are at the operating position, and a second detection unit that detects whether the water supply tank 400 is at the water discharge position. A configuration may also be adopted in which the detection is performed by a detection unit consisting of two detection units. In this case, the detection unit corresponds to the detection section of the present invention.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the fully automatic washing machine 1 is provided with the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 . However, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may be provided in a washing machine other than the fully automatic washing machine 1, such as a drum type washing machine. Also, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may be provided in, for example, a fully automatic washing/drying machine or a drum-type washing/drying machine having a drying function. In a drum-type washing machine and a drum-type washing/drying machine, a washing tub is composed of an outer tub and a drum arranged in the outer tub.

In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea indicated in the scope of claims.

1 fully automatic washing machine (washing machine)
12 top plate
14 inlet
20 Outer tub (washing tub)
22 Washing and dehydrating tub (washing tub)
50 ultrasonic cleaner
80 installation part
82 storage unit
100 ultrasonic cleaning unit
110 ultrasonic generator
200 reservoir
210 water tank
221 drain
241 valve body
300 body
400 water tank
600 valve body switching mechanism
610 cam member (interlocking member)
700 tank switching mechanism
800 detector

Claims (6)

An ultrasonic wave generator that generates ultrasonic waves, and a water tank that is arranged below the ultrasonic wave generator and stores water in which an object to be cleaned is immersed, is installed in a predetermined installation part, and An ultrasonic cleaning device in which the positions of the ultrasonic generator and the water tank are switched between an operating position when the cleaning operation is performed and a standby position when the cleaning operation is not performed,
a drain port through which water from the water tank is discharged;
a valve body that closes the drain port;
When the ultrasonic wave generator and the water tank are at the operating position, the valve body is closed, and when the ultrasonic wave generator and the water tank are at the standby position, the valve body is open. A valve body switching mechanism for switching the valve body so that
An ultrasonic cleaning device comprising: In the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to claim 1,
The valve body switching mechanism includes an interlocking member that reciprocates in conjunction with the movement of the ultrasonic wave generator and the water tank moving back and forth between the operating position and the standby position,
By reciprocating the interlocking member, the valve body moves between a closed position in which the drainage port is closed and an open position in which the drainage port is opened.
An ultrasonic cleaning device characterized by: In the ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2,
an ultrasonic cleaning unit having the ultrasonic generator;
a main body supporting the ultrasonic cleaning unit;
A water storage unit having the water storage tank and detachably attached to the main body,
An ultrasonic cleaning device characterized by: In the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
a water supply tank in which water to be supplied to the water tank is stored;
a tank switching mechanism for switching the position of the water supply tank between a water stop position where water does not flow out of the water supply tank and a water out position where water flows out of the water supply tank;
The tank switching mechanism switches the water supply tank from the water stop position to the water discharge position both when the ultrasonic generator and the water tank are at the operating position and when the water tank is at the standby position. enable
An ultrasonic cleaning device characterized by: In the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
a water supply tank that stores water to be supplied to the water tank and is movable between a water stop position where water does not flow out and a water flow position where water flows;
a detection unit for detecting whether the ultrasonic generator and the water tank are in the operating position and the water supply tank is in the water discharge position;
The ultrasonic generator operates when the ultrasonic generator and the water reservoir are in the operating position and the water tank is in the flush position.
An ultrasonic cleaning device characterized by: a washing tub for containing and washing laundry;
a top plate having an opening for loading laundry into the washing tub;
and the ultrasonic cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is mounted on the upper plate,
The ultrasonic wave generator and the water tank protrude into the inlet when in the operating position, and are housed in a storage section provided around the inlet when in the standby position,
A washing machine characterized by:

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