JP7557673B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a washing machine.

Patent document 1 discloses a washing machine equipped with an automatic liquid dispenser.

The washing machine in Patent Document 1 includes a liquid agent tank that contains a liquid agent, an automatic liquid agent dispenser that automatically supplies the liquid agent from the liquid agent tank into the washing tub, and a water supply valve that communicates with the automatic liquid agent dispenser via a waterway. After the automatic liquid agent dispenser is driven to supply the liquid agent into the washing tub, the water supply valve is opened to supply water into the automatic liquid agent dispenser.

International Publication No. 2019/039140

This disclosure provides a washing machine that efficiently mixes liquid discharged from an automatic liquid dispenser with water.

The washing machine according to the present disclosure includes a housing, a washing tub provided inside the housing for accommodating laundry, an outer tub rotatably housing the washing tub, a water guide path for supplying water introduced from a water supply valve to the washing tub or the outer tub, a liquid tank for storing a liquid therein, and an automatic liquid agent dosing device for injecting the liquid stored in the liquid agent tank into the water guide path , the water guide path including a first water passage for supplying water to the washing tub or the outer tub without passing through the automatic liquid agent dosing device, a second water passage for passing the liquid injected from the automatic liquid agent dosing device and supplying the water and the liquid agent to the washing tub or the outer tub , a retention section disposed downstream of the second water passage in which the liquid supplied from the second water passage accumulates, and a water inlet provided in the first water passage for injecting water into the retention section to generate foam, and after the automatic liquid agent dosing device is driven to inject the liquid, water is supplied to the retention section via the first water passage and the water inlet after a predetermined time has elapsed.

The washing machine disclosed herein efficiently mixes the liquid agent discharged from the automatic liquid agent dispenser with water.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a washing machine with a lid body closed according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a washing machine in a first embodiment with a lid body open; FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a state in which a detergent case, a detergent tank, and a fabric softener tank around a water supply unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment are pulled out; FIG. 1 is a rear view of the water supply unit and its surroundings of the washing machine according to the first embodiment; FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a water supply unit and its periphery in a washing machine according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a top view of a water supply unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, with a flow path cover portion removed; FIG. 1 is a top view showing a flow of water in a water supply unit housing of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; 8 is a cross-sectional view of the water supply unit shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line F-F. FIG. 1 is a top view of a water supply unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, with a detergent case, a detergent tank, and a fabric softener tank pulled out, excluding a flow path cover portion. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of the water supply unit shown in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the water supply unit shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line E-E. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of the water supply unit shown in FIG. 7 . 8 is a cross-sectional view of the water supply unit shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line AA. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D of the water supply unit shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the main part around the connection part for automatic detergent dispensing when the detergent tank is stored in the detergent tank storage part; FIG. 1 is a top view of a lower part of a flow path of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a top view showing a flow of water in a lower part of a flow path of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; Timing chart of washing operation of the washing machine in the first embodiment

Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[1-1. Configuration]
[1-1-1. Configuration of washing machine]
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the washing machine 100 includes a housing 600, a cover 700, and an operation unit 800. The housing 600 includes a lower housing 610 and an upper housing 620. The lower housing 610 accommodates a washing tub 500. The washing tub 500 is a cylindrical body with an open top, and performs a washing operation to wash clothes. The washing tub 500 is rotatably contained within an outer tub (not shown) that stores water. The washing operation may be an operation performed by the washing tubs of various known washing machines. The principle of this embodiment is not limited to a specific washing operation performed by the washing tub 500.

The upper housing 620 is disposed above the lower housing 610, and is formed with an input port 621 that communicates with the washing tub 500. The lid 700 is attached to the rear of the upper housing 620, and covers the input port 621 in an openable and closable manner. When the user rotates the lid 700 upward, the washing tub 500 is exposed through the input port 621. The user can input laundry into the washing tub 500 through the input port 621.

The operating unit 800 is disposed at the rear of the upper housing 620, behind the input port 621. The user can operate the operating unit 800 to set various operations of the washing tub 500.

A water supply port 200 is provided at the rear of the operating unit 800, and a water supply hose 210 is connected to the water supply port 200 to introduce tap water from a water faucet.

As shown in FIG. 2, the detergent tank 450, fabric softener tank 460, and detergent case 400 are arranged so that their front surfaces are flush when stored in the water supply unit 300.

3, the detergent tank 450 and the fabric softener tank 460 are configured to be able to store an amount of agent sufficient for multiple runs, and are provided with a detergent tank inlet 451 and a fabric softener tank inlet 461 that are open at the top so that liquid can be poured in. The detergent tank 450 and the fabric softener tank 460 are provided with a detergent tank remaining amount scale 450a and a fabric softener tank remaining amount scale 460a, respectively, made of a transparent material, so that the user can visually check the amount of agent.

The detergent case 400 is used by the user to dispense the amount of detergent required for one operation, and is provided with a powder detergent manual dispenser 410, a liquid detergent manual dispenser 420, and a fabric softener manual dispenser 430 so that powder detergent, liquid detergent, and fabric softener can be dispensed, respectively.

The lid 700 is partially transparent. This allows the user to visually check the detergent tank remaining level scale 450a and the fabric softener tank remaining level scale 460a even when the lid 700 is closed, and to confirm the remaining levels of detergent stored in the detergent tank 450 and fabric softener tank 460.

[1-1-2. Water supply unit]
As shown in Figure 5, the water supply unit 300 is mainly composed of a water supply unit housing portion 320 formed in an approximately box shape, a flow path cover portion 340 covering the upper surface of the water supply unit housing portion, and a flow path lower portion 370 attached to the lower bottom portion of the water supply unit housing portion.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a water supply valve 310 that can be opened and closed to allow water introduced from the water supply port 200 to pass through is attached to the left side of the water supply unit housing 320 when viewed from the back. When the water supply valve 310 is open, the water introduced from the water supply valve 310 is introduced into the water supply unit housing 320.

A bath pump 314 is disposed in the center of the back of the water supply unit housing 320, which draws in water from outside the washing machine 100 via a hose (not shown). The bath pump 314 is fixed to the water supply unit housing 320 with screws, and is directly connected to a first water guide path 321 (described below) via a bath pump water inlet 333. The bath pump 314 can begin its suction and discharge operations when water is supplied from the first water guide path 321.

As shown in FIG. 5, the water supply unit housing 320 is formed in a generally box-like shape that opens to the front. The water supply unit housing 320 has an internal space including a detergent tank storage section 360, a fabric softener tank storage section 365, and a detergent case storage section 350. The detergent tank storage section 360 stores the detergent tank 450, the fabric softener tank storage section 365 stores the fabric softener tank 460, and the detergent case storage section 350 stores the detergent case 400, each of which can be pulled out independently.

The detergent case flow path section 330 is disposed on the upper surface of the detergent case storage section 350, and has a first water guide path 321 and a second water guide path 322, which will be described later.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, an automatic liquid agent dispenser 301 is attached to the right side of the water supply unit housing 320 when viewed from the back. The automatic liquid agent dispenser 301 will be described later.

[1-1-3. Water conduction route]
As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the water supply valve 310 includes three on-off valves, namely, a first water guide barrel 311, a second water guide barrel 312, and a third water guide barrel 313, and is configured so that each on-off valve can be opened and closed independently.

6 to 10, a water guide path through which water introduced from water guide valve 310 flows is formed in water supply unit housing 320, and water supply valve 310 and the water guide path are directly connected. The water guide path is branched so as to be independently connected to first water guide barrel 311, second water guide barrel 312, and third water guide barrel 313. The flow path connected to first water guide barrel 311 is defined as first water guide path 321, the flow path connected to second water guide barrel 312 as second water guide path 322, and the flow path connected to third water guide barrel 313 as third water guide path 323.

[1-1-4. Detergent case, first water guide path, second water guide path]
As shown in Figures 3 and 6 to 9, the first water guide path 321 and the second water guide path 322 are configured to guide water supplied from the first water guide barrel 311 and the second water guide barrel 312 to the detergent case flow path portion 330, and pour the water into the detergent case 400 located below.

Inside the detergent case 400, there are provided a powder detergent manual dispenser 410, a liquid detergent manual dispenser 420, and a fabric softener manual dispenser 430. The powder detergent manual dispenser 410, the liquid detergent manual dispenser 420, and the fabric softener manual dispenser 430 are configured so that the user can dispense the respective agents.

The first water guide path 321 is provided with a powder detergent inlet 331 formed above the powder detergent manual dispenser 410 to allow vertical communication, and a liquid detergent inlet 332 formed above the liquid detergent manual dispenser 420 to allow vertical communication. The second water guide path 322 is provided with a fabric softener inlet 334 formed above the fabric softener inlet 334 to allow vertical communication.

The powder detergent manual dispenser 410, the liquid detergent manual dispenser 420, and the fabric softener manual dispenser 430 each have an outlet (not shown) that discharges liquid accumulated inside to the bottom. The liquid discharged from the outlet falls into the lower part of the flow path 370.

The first water guide path 321 is provided with a foam-generating water inlet 335. The foam-generating water inlet 335 is disposed rearward of the detergent case 400 housed in the detergent case housing 350. As a result, water injected downward from the detergent case housing 350 falls into the flow path lower portion 370 without passing through the detergent case housing 350.

[1-1-5. Automatic insertion device, third water channel]
11 , the third water guide path 323 is formed in a substantially horizontal direction along the rear surface of the water supply unit housing 320, and opens on the rear surface side at a cleaning path water guide port 324. The cleaning path water guide port 324 is connected to an internal path 325 of the automatic dispensing device, which will be described later, and communicates the third water guide path 323 with the automatic liquid agent dispensing device 301. The automatic liquid agent dispensing device 301 is disposed on the rear surface side of the detergent tank housing 360 and the fabric softener tank housing 365, and is connected to the detergent tank 450 and the fabric softener tank 460 housed in the detergent tank housing 360 and the fabric softener tank housing 365, respectively, as will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 15, the detergent tank 450 has a detergent tank insertion port 302 on the rear side, and the detergent tank insertion port 302 has a detergent tank check valve 302a inside, which opens when pushed in. Similarly, the softener tank 460 has a softener tank insertion port 303 and a softener tank check valve 303a on the rear side, which opens when pushed in. The detergent tank 450 is configured so that, when attached to the detergent tank storage section 360, an automatic detergent insertion port 452 (described later) is inserted, the detergent tank check valve 302a is opened, and liquid detergent can be supplied. Similarly, the softener tank 460 is configured so that, when attached to the softener tank storage section 365, an automatic softener insertion port 462 (described later) is inserted, the softener tank check valve 303a is opened, and softener can be supplied.

An automatic detergent dispensing connection part 360a and an automatic fabric softener dispensing connection part 365a are provided on the inner back surface of the detergent tank housing part 360 and the fabric softener tank housing part 365, respectively. The automatic detergent dispensing connection part 360a and the automatic fabric softener dispensing connection part 365a are configured to surround the automatic detergent dispensing insertion port 452 and the automatic fabric softener dispensing insertion port 462 of the automatic liquid agent dispensing device 301.

The automatic detergent dispenser port 452 and the automatic fabric softener dispenser port 462 are formed to protrude forward, and are connected to the detergent tank 450 and the fabric softener tank 460 when the detergent tank 450 and the fabric softener tank 460 are stored in the detergent tank storage section 360 and the fabric softener tank storage section 365, respectively.

A reservoir 363 is provided on the inner bottom surface of the detergent tank housing 360. The reservoir 363 is a recess capable of storing liquid, and is configured as a gap that separates the bottom surface of the detergent tank 450 from the inner bottom surface of the detergent tank housing 360.

A drop port 364 that communicates with the flow path lower portion 370 is formed on the inner bottom surface of the detergent tank storage portion 360 at a position adjacent to the storage portion 363. The drop port 364 is disposed at a position below the detergent tank insertion port 302 when the detergent tank 450 is stored in the detergent tank storage portion 360. The drop port 364 allows liquid detergent that has leaked from the detergent tank insertion port 302 or the automatic detergent insertion port 452 to flow down to the cleaning path 319.

The automatic liquid dispenser 301 includes an automatic detergent dispenser port 452, an automatic fabric softener dispenser port 462, a three-way valve 380 that switches the paths of the liquid detergent, fabric softener, and water, a pump unit 390 that draws in and discharges the liquid, and a path 325 within the automatic dispenser that connects the three-way valve 380 and the pump unit 390.

The three-way valve 380 includes a detergent three-way valve 381 and a fabric softener three-way valve 382 that can be independently controlled to open and close. The detergent three-way valve 381 is arranged to communicate with the washing path water inlet 324, the automatic detergent insertion port 452, and the fabric softener three-way valve 382, and the fabric softener three-way valve 382 is arranged to communicate with the detergent three-way valve 381, the automatic fabric softener insertion port 462, and the automatic insertion device internal path 325. The downstream side of the three-way valve 380 is connected to the pump unit 390 via the automatic insertion device internal path 325. In this way, the three-way valve 380 is connected to the automatic insertion device internal path 325, the automatic detergent insertion port 452, the automatic fabric softener insertion port 462, and the pump unit 390, and the detergent three-way valve 381 and/or the fabric softener three-way valve 382 are switched between open and closed to control the flow of detergent, fabric softener, and water.

The pump unit 390 includes a pump internal flow path 391 provided between the pump unit inlet 392a and the pump unit outlet 392b, a cylinder 397 provided midway through the pump internal flow path 391, and a piston 395 that moves up and down due to the rotational driving force of a motor (not shown).

An inlet check valve 393 and an outlet check valve 394 are provided at the pump unit inlet 392a and the pump unit outlet 392b, respectively.

The inlet check valve 393 is configured to open when the piston 395 is operated under negative pressure, and the outlet check valve 394 is configured to open when the piston 395 is operated under positive pressure.

The automatic dosing device internal path 325 is connected to the lower part of the flow path 370 via the cleaning path outlet 326 downstream of the pump unit 390.

[1-1-6. Lower part of flow path]
As shown in FIG. 16, the flow passage lower portion 370 includes a first flow passage lower portion path 372 that communicates with the cleaning passage outlet 326, a cleaning passage 319 provided below the drop port 364, and a detergent case 400.
The second flow path includes a second lower path through which liquid discharged from the second flow path passes, and a flow path lower outlet.

The cleaning path 319 is provided with a cleaning path inlet 318 that introduces liquid from the first flow path lower path 372, and a cleaning path outlet 374 that allows liquid to flow out into the first flow path lower path 372. The cleaning path inlet 318 is provided upstream of the point where the liquid falls from the drop port 364, and the cleaning path outlet 374 is provided downstream of the point where the liquid falls from the drop port 364. Since the cleaning path inlet 318 is configured to be smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of the first flow path lower path 372, the amount of water passing through the cleaning path 319 is relatively small. This makes it possible to prevent the water passing through the cleaning path 319 from overflowing upward from the drop port 364 and entering the detergent tank storage section 360.

The foam generating section 376 is provided downstream of the first flow path lower passage 372 and is disposed below the foam generating water inlet 335. That is, the foam generating section 376 is provided at a position where the liquid passing through the first flow path lower passage 372 and the water injected from the foam generating water inlet 335 collide. The foam generating section 376 includes a plurality of pins 377 formed to protrude upward, a peripheral rib 376a surrounding the periphery of the foam generating section 376, a foam generating section inlet 376c which is an inlet to the area surrounded by the peripheral rib 376a, and a foam generating section outlet 376b which is an outlet from the area surrounded by the peripheral rib 376a.

The first flow path lower path 372 communicates with the second flow path lower path 373 at the junction 375. The flow path lower outlet 371 is provided downstream of the junction 375 and opens downward to allow the liquid to fall into the washing tub 500.

[1-2. Operation]
The operation of the washing machine 100 configured as above will be described below.

[1-2-1. Water flow during washing operation when using the automatic water dispense function]
6, 8, 10 to 14, and 17, the flow of water supplied from the first water guide barrel 311 is defined as X, the flow of water supplied from the second water guide barrel 312 is defined as Y, and the flow of water supplied from the third water guide barrel 313 is defined as Z.

As shown in FIG. 18, before the start of the wash operation, the automatic liquid dispenser 301 is driven to automatically dispense the liquid. First, with the third water guide barrel 313 closed, the detergent three-way valve 381, which is part of the three-way valve 380, is opened, and the detergent tank 450 and the pump unit 390 are connected to each other. The pump unit 390 rotates the motor 396 and moves the piston 395 up and down to suck in an appropriate amount of liquid detergent from the pump unit inlet 392a and discharge it from the pump unit outlet 392b. The discharged detergent flows into the first flow path lower path 372 via the wash path outlet 326.

The pump unit 390 intermittently draws in and discharges the liquid. While the piston 395 is stopped, the detergent delivery operation is performed. The piston 395 is driven and the detergent delivery operation is performed alternately.

When the detergent delivery operation starts, the detergent three-way valve 381 closes, blocking the path between the detergent tank 450 and the pump unit 390, and opening the path from the third water guide barrel 313 to the automatic liquid agent dispenser 301. Next, with the first water guide barrel 311 closed, the third water guide barrel 313 is opened. As a result, the water introduced from the water supply valve 310 is not divided between the first water guide path 321 and the third water guide path 323, but is supplied only to the third water guide path 323. Therefore, the water supply valve 310 can supply a sufficient amount of water to the third water guide path 323.

Like the water flow Z, the water introduced from the third water guide tube 313 passes through the third water guide path 323 and reaches the automatic dispenser internal path 325 via the cleaning path water guide port 324, and passes through the pump internal path 391. In this way, in the detergent delivery operation, water is supplied to the three-way valve 380 and the pump unit 390, and detergent remaining inside the three-way valve 380 and the pump unit 390 is delivered to the flow path lower part 370. The detergent liquid that flows into the first flow path lower path 372 via the cleaning path outlet 326 reaches the foam generating part 376 downstream of the cleaning path outlet 374. The detergent liquid that reaches the foam generating part 376 is diffused by the pins 377 and accumulates in the area surrounded by the surrounding ribs 376a.

Then, the first water guide tube 311 is opened and water supply to the first water guide path 321 is started. Like the water flow X, the water introduced into the first water guide path 321 passes through the powder detergent water inlet 331, the liquid detergent water inlet 332, the bath pump water inlet 333, and the foam generation water inlet 335, and is injected into the powder detergent manual injection part 410, the liquid detergent manual injection part 420, the bath pump 314, and the foam generation part 376. The water injected into the powder detergent manual injection part 410 and the liquid detergent manual injection part 420 flows down through the outlet to the lower part of the flow path 370, dissolves the liquid detergent in the lower part of the flow path 370, and is then injected into the washing tub 500.

When the first water guide tube 311 is open, the foam generation water inlet 335 injects water into the foam generating section 376. The injected water collides with the detergent liquid remaining in the foam generating section 376, generating detergent foam. Most of the generated detergent foam passes over the peripheral rib 376a and flows out of the foam generating section 376. The detergent liquid and water flow out of the foam generating section 376 via the foam generating section outlet 376b. The detergent foam, detergent liquid, and water pass through the first flow path lower path 372, merge with the second flow path lower path 373, and are poured into the washing tub 500 from the flow path lower outlet 371.

Liquid detergent and detergent liquid have higher viscosity than water, so the flow rate is smaller when passing through the first flow path lower path 372. Therefore, the washing machine 100 in this embodiment is configured to provide a waiting time t between the driving of the piston 395 and the detergent delivery operation when the driving time of the automatic liquid agent dispenser 301 is a predetermined time or more. That is, when the amount of liquid agent discharged by the automatic liquid agent dispenser 301 is a predetermined amount or more, the washing machine 100 starts the detergent delivery operation when the waiting time t has elapsed after the driving of the piston 395 has stopped. The waiting time t is set as the time for the detergent remaining in the first flow path lower path 372 to reach the foam generating section 376. As a result, the detergent remaining in the first flow path lower path 372 reaches and remains in the foam generating section 376, and is diluted by the water poured from the foam generating water inlet 335. Therefore, even if the automatic liquid dispenser 301 dispenses a large amount of liquid, the liquid and water can be reliably mixed, and the undiluted liquid detergent can be prevented from adhering to the clothes contained in the washing tub 500.

Next, the path cleaning is performed. In the path cleaning, the first water guide tube 311 is closed and the third water guide tube 313 is opened. As a result, the water introduced from the water supply valve 310 is not divided into the first water guide channel 321 and the third water guide channel 323, but is supplied only to the third water guide channel 323. The water that has passed through the automatic dispensing device internal channel 325 flows down through the cleaning channel outlet 326 to the channel lower portion 370, and is dispensed from the channel lower portion 370 into the washing tub 500.

Path cleaning reliably washes away any detergent remaining in the automatic liquid dispenser 301 and the lower part of the flow path 370, and sends it to the washing tub 500. This prevents the remaining detergent from mixing with the fabric softener that is dispensed in the final rinse process, and suppresses the deposition of foreign matter that occurs when detergent and fabric softener are mixed. Furthermore, even if foreign matter is present, path cleaning can remove it with a strong water flow.

In the final rinse step, fabric softener three-way valve 382, which is a part of three-way valve 380, is opened, and the paths of fabric softener tank 460 and pump unit 390 are connected. Pump unit 390 rotates motor 396 and moves piston 395 up and down to suck in an appropriate amount of fabric softener from pump unit inlet 392a and discharge it from pump unit outlet 392b. The fabric softener discharged from pump unit outlet 392b reaches lower flow path 370.

Before or while the piston 395 is driven, the second water guide tube 312 is opened, and water starts to be supplied to the second water guide path 322. As shown by the water flow Y, the water introduced into the second water guide path 322 passes through the softener water inlet 334 and is injected into the manual softener dispenser 430, and flows down from the outlet of the manual softener dispenser 430 to the lower flow path 370, dissolving the softener accumulated in the lower flow path 370 and being poured into the washing tub 500.
Before or while the piston 395 is driven, the second water guide tube 312 is opened and water supply to the second water guide passage 322 begins.

Next, the three-way softener valve 382 closes, blocking the path between the softener tank 460 and the pump unit 390, while opening the path from the third water guide barrel 313 to the automatic liquid agent dispenser 301. The third water guide barrel 313 is then opened, and a path cleaning is performed to wash away the softener inside the three-way valve 380 and the pump unit 390. This path cleaning prevents the remaining softener from mixing with the detergent that will be dispensed in the next wash run, and suppresses the deposition of foreign matter that occurs when detergent and softener are mixed. Furthermore, even if foreign matter is present, the path cleaning can remove the foreign matter with a strong water flow.

[1-3. Actions, etc.]
As described above, washing machine 100 in embodiment 1 includes housing 600, washing tub 500 provided inside housing 600 and accommodating laundry, an outer tub rotatably housing washing tub 500, a water conducting path for supplying water introduced from water supply valve 310 to washing tub 500 or the outer tub, detergent tank 450 for storing detergent therein, automatic liquid agent dosing device 301 for injecting detergent stored in detergent tank 450 into the water conducting path , and a control unit. The water guide path includes a first water guide path 321 that supplies water to the washing tub 500 and the water tub without passing through the automatic liquid agent dispenser 301, a second water guide path 322 that passes the detergent injected from the automatic liquid agent dispenser 301 and supplies water and detergent to the washing tub 500 and the outer tub, a foam generating section 376 that is disposed below the first water guide path 321 and downstream of the third water guide path 323 and in which the detergent liquid supplied from the third water guide path 323 accumulates, and a foam generating water inlet 335 that is provided in the first water guide path 321 and injects water into the foam generating section 376 to generate detergent foam . In addition, the washing machine 100 supplies water to the foam generating section 376 via the first water guide path 321 and the foam generating water inlet 335 after a standby time t has elapsed after driving the automatic liquid agent dispenser 301 to inject the detergent.

As a result, after the waiting time t has elapsed, which is the time it takes for the detergent to reach the foam generating unit 376, water is poured from the first water guide path 321 toward the foam generating unit 376, so that the poured water mixes with the stagnant detergent.

As a result, the detergent dispensed from the automatic liquid dispenser 301 can be efficiently mixed with water, and the detergent liquid produced by the mixing can be supplied to the washing tub 500.

As in this embodiment, if the amount of detergent dispensed from the automatic liquid dispenser 301 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, water may be supplied to the foam generating unit 376 via the first water guide path 321 after the waiting time t has elapsed.

This ensures that the water and liquid agent are mixed in the foam generating section 376 even if a large amount of detergent is dispensed and it takes time for the detergent to reach the foam generating section 376.

As in the present embodiment, after automatic detergent dispensing is performed by driving the automatic liquid agent dispensing device 301 to inject the detergent, the third water guide barrel 313 may be opened with the first water guide barrel 311 closed, and water supply to the third water guide path 323 may begin.

As a result, after liquid is supplied to the third water guide path 323 and the first flow path lower path 372, water is supplied only to the third water guide path 323 and the first flow path lower path 372.

This ensures a sufficient flow rate of water flowing through the third water guide path 323 and the first flow path lower path 372, and allows the liquid remaining in the third water guide path 323 and the first flow path lower path 372 to be sent to the foam generating section 376.

As in this embodiment, the foam generating section 376 may be provided with a number of pins 377 that protrude upward.

As a result, the detergent, water, and detergent solution that reach pin 377 remain near pin 377.

This prevents the detergent, water, and detergent liquid that reach the foam generating section 376 from being washed away immediately, allowing detergent liquid to be supplied to the washing tub 500 for a long period of time.

Other Embodiments
As described above, the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Therefore, other embodiments are given below as examples.

In the first and second embodiments, the washing machine 100, which is a vertical washing machine, has been described as an example of a washing machine. The washing machine is not limited to a vertical washing machine, and may be a drum washing machine or a twin-tub washing machine.

In the first embodiment, as an example of a configuration in which the water supply unit is driven to supply water to the first water passage and the automatic liquid agent dispenser is driven to dispense the liquid agent, an operation of supplying water to the first water passage 321 and driving the automatic liquid agent dispenser 301 to dispense the liquid agent has been described. The first water passage is not limited to the first water passage 321 as long as it is a water passage that supplies water to the washing tub or outer tub without passing through the automatic liquid agent dispenser, and may be, for example, the second water passage 322. In the first embodiment, as an example of a configuration in which the automatic liquid agent dispenser is driven to dispense the liquid agent, an operation of dispensing liquid detergent has been described. The liquid agent is not limited to liquid detergent and may be, for example, fabric softener.

In the first embodiment, the foam-generating water inlet 335 that injects water into the lower part of the flow path 370 without passing through the detergent case 400 has been described as an example of a foam-generating water inlet. The foam-generating water inlet is not limited to the foam-generating water inlet 335, as long as it injects water toward the merging water channel. The foam-generating water inlet may be configured to inject water into the lower part of the flow path through the detergent case, or may be configured to serve as a powder detergent inlet, a liquid detergent inlet, or a fabric softener inlet.

This disclosure is applicable to washing machines equipped with an automatic liquid agent dispenser. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to vertical washing machines, drum washing machines, twin-tub washing machines, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Washing machine 200 Water supply port 300 Water supply unit 301 Automatic liquid dispenser 302 Detergent tank insertion port 303 Softener tank insertion port 310 Water supply valve 311 First water guide tube 312 Second water guide tube 313 Third water guide tube 314 Bath pump 318 Washing path inlet 319 Washing path 320 Water supply unit housing 321 First water guide path (first water channel)
322 Second water channel (first waterway)
323 Third Waterway (Second Waterway)
324 Cleaning path water inlet 325 Path inside automatic dispenser 326 Cleaning path outlet 330 Detergent case flow path 331 Powder detergent water inlet 332 Liquid detergent water inlet 333 Bath pump water inlet 334 Fabric softener water inlet 335 Foam generator water inlet 340 Flow path lid 350 Detergent case storage 360 Detergent tank storage 360a Connection for automatic detergent dispense 363 Storage 364 Drop port 365 Fabric softener tank storage 365a Connection for automatic fabric softener dispense 370 Lower part of flow path (confluence channel)
371 Flow path lower outlet 372 First flow path lower path 373 Second flow path lower path 374 Cleaning path outlet 375 Confluence 376 Foam generation section 376a Surrounding rib 376b Foam generation section outlet 376c Foam generation section inlet 377 Pin 380 Three-way valve 381 Detergent three-way valve 382 Fabric softener three-way valve 390 Pump unit 391 Pump internal flow path 392a Pump unit inlet 392b Pump unit outlet 393 Inlet check valve 394 Outlet check valve 395 Piston 396 Motor 397 Cylinder 400 Detergent case 410 Powder detergent manual input section 420 Liquid detergent manual input section 430 Fabric softener manual input section 450 Detergent tank (liquid agent tank)
450a Detergent tank remaining amount scale 451 Detergent tank input section 452 Detergent automatic input insertion port 460 Fabric softener tank (liquid agent tank)
460a: Softener tank remaining amount scale 461: Softener tank input section 462: Softener automatic input port 500: Washing tub 600: Housing 610: Lower housing 620: Upper housing 621: Input port 700: Lid 800: Operation section

Claims (4)

A housing and
A washing tub provided inside the housing for accommodating laundry;
An outer tub that rotatably contains the washing tub;
A water guide path that supplies water introduced from a water supply valve to the washing tub or the outer tub;
A liquid tank for storing a liquid therein;
an automatic liquid agent supplying device that supplies the liquid agent stored in the liquid agent tank to the water conducting path ;
Equipped with
The water guide path is
A first water passage for supplying water to the washing tub or the outer tub without passing through the automatic liquid agent dispenser;
A second waterway that passes the liquid poured from the automatic liquid feed device and supplies the water and the liquid to the washing tub or the outer tub; and a retention section that is disposed downstream of the second waterway and in which the liquid supplied from the second waterway is retained;
a water inlet provided in the first water passage and injecting water into the retention portion to generate bubbles;
Including,
The washing machine supplies water to the retention section through the first water passage and the water inlet after a predetermined time has elapsed after the automatic liquid agent dispenser is driven to inject the liquid agent. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein if the amount of liquid agent discharged from the automatic liquid agent dispenser is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, water is supplied to the retention section via the first water channel after the predetermined time has elapsed. the water supply valve starts supplying water to the second water passage while not supplying water to the first water passage ;
the second water passage allows the water supplied from the water supply valve and the liquid medicine injected from the automatic liquid medicine injection device to reach the retention section ;
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the retention section is provided with multiple pins that protrude upward.