JP7620487B2 - Clothes Processing Equipment - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a clothing processing device.

In recent years, in order to meet the needs of users for improved convenience, washing machines, which are an example of a clothing treatment device that performs a specific treatment on clothing, have been equipped with an automatic dispensing device that stores multiple doses of clothing treatment agents such as detergent and fabric softener in a tank for automatic dispensing and automatically dispenses the required amount from the tank into the water tub during operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-74081 A

As described in Patent Document 1, for example, a washing machine equipped with this type of automatic loading function is configured to not only have a tank housing section that houses the tank, but also a lid that opens and closes the opening of the tank housing section. Therefore, with conventional washing machines, the automatic loading function increases the number of parts, resulting in higher manufacturing costs.

Therefore, this embodiment provides a clothing treatment device that has an automatic clothing treatment agent dispensing function, but can suppress an increase in the number of parts, thereby avoiding an increase in manufacturing costs.

The clothing treatment device according to this embodiment comprises a device main body having an exterior surface, a clothing treatment tub provided within the device main body for storing clothing, a tank for storing a clothing treatment agent for treating the clothing, and an automatic dispensing unit for dispensing the clothing treatment agent stored in the tank into the clothing treatment tub, the tank having a supply port for replenishing the clothing treatment agent within the tank, and the surface of the tank having the supply port constitutes part of the exterior surface of the device main body.

In addition, the clothing treatment device of this embodiment comprises an apparatus main body having an external surface, a clothing treatment tub provided within the apparatus main body for containing clothing, a number of tanks for storing clothing treatment agent for treating clothing, an automatic dispensing unit for dispensing the clothing treatment agent stored in the multiple tanks into the clothing treatment tub, and a common cover unit for covering the multiple tanks, each of the multiple tanks having a supply port for replenishing the clothing treatment agent into the tank, and the common cover unit forms part of the external surface of the apparatus main body and functions as a common supply port lid for opening and closing the supply ports provided on the multiple tanks .

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration example of an upper part of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of an upper part of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, in which a tank is attached; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of an upper part of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, in which a part of the tank is removed and not attached; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an internal configuration of a tank according to a first embodiment; FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration example of a tank and its surrounding parts according to a second embodiment; FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration example of a tank and its surrounding parts according to a third embodiment; FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration example of a tank and its surrounding parts according to a fourth embodiment; FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a washing machine according to a fifth embodiment.

Below, several embodiments of the clothing processing device will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that elements that are essentially the same in several embodiments will be given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

First Embodiment
The washing machine 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a so-called vertical-axis type fully automatic washing machine in which the central axis of rotation of the rotating tub extends vertically. The washing machine 1 is an example of a clothes treatment device capable of subjecting clothes to a predetermined treatment, in this case, a washing treatment for washing clothes, a rinsing treatment for rinsing clothes, a dehydration treatment for dehydrating clothes, etc. Inside the washing machine main body 2 constituting the outer shell of the washing machine 1, a clothes treatment tub 2S capable of storing clothes is provided.

The clothing treatment tub 2S includes a water tub and a rotating tub. The water tub is cylindrical with a bottom and an open top, and water can be stored inside. The rotating tub is cylindrical with a bottom and an open top, and is provided inside the water tub so that it can rotate around a vertical axis. A pulsator for agitating the clothes and water in the rotating tub is provided at the bottom so that it can rotate around a vertical axis. A balance ring is provided at the top of the rotating tub to suppress vibration of the rotating tub. The water tub may be provided with an inner lid at its top opening, or may not be provided with an inner lid.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, one end of the washing machine main body 2, in this case the upper end, is formed by a top cover 4. A clothes entrance (not shown) is provided in approximately the center of this top cover 4 for inserting and removing clothes into the clothes treatment tub 2S. In this case, the clothes entrance is provided so as to penetrate approximately the center of the top cover 4 in the vertical direction.

The front of the clothing entrance is arc-shaped and extends smoothly forward. The rear of the clothing entrance is flat and extends left-right. The left and right sides of the clothing entrance smoothly connect the arc-shaped front and flat rear. This clothing entrance is opened and closed by an outer lid 5 that is pivotally mounted on the top of the washing machine main body 2. The outer lid 5 may be a single plate-shaped lid or a foldable lid.

The pivot shaft of the outer lid 5 is supported by a pivot shaft support part provided on the upper end surface of the top cover 4 at the rear of the clothing entrance. The part of the upper end surface of the top cover 4 forward of the pivot shaft support part forms an inclined surface part 6 that slopes upward from the front side to the rear side of the washing machine 1. The part of the top cover 4 rearward of the pivot shaft support part forms a stepped surface part 7 with a step.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 has a machine chamber 8 located in the upper rear part of the washing machine main body 2. In this case, the machine chamber 8 is located behind the clothes entrance in the space inside the top cover 4. The machine chamber 8 is also located below the step surface 7 in the space inside the top cover 4.

The interior of the machine chamber 8 contains various drive system components, such as a water injection case and a water supply valve unit (not shown). The interior of the machine chamber 8 also contains an automatic dosing device 9. The automatic dosing device 9 is equipped with a pump capable of sucking liquid, and is capable of supplying the sucked liquid, i.e., clothing treatment agent, into the clothing treatment tank 2S via the water injection case.

The washing machine main body 2 is an example of an apparatus main body that constitutes the outer shell of the main body of the washing machine 1, and has an exterior surface that is visible to the user when the washing machine 1 is installed. In this case, the washing machine main body 2 has at least a front surface 2A, a rear surface 2B, a left side surface 2C, a right side surface 2D, and a top surface 2F as exterior surfaces.

The upper surface 2F of the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2 includes the above-mentioned stepped surface portion 7. This stepped surface portion 7 includes an upper step surface portion 7A and a lower step surface portion 7B. The upper step surface portion 7A is provided in a portion of the stepped surface portion 7 that extends from the center to the front in the front-to-rear direction. The lower step surface portion 7B is provided in a portion of the stepped surface portion 7 that is rearward of the upper step surface portion 7A. The lower step surface portion 7B forms a step that is one step lower than the upper step surface portion 7A.

The washing machine 1 has a plurality of tanks 100, in this case two, on the stepped surface 7. A plurality of tank storage sections 11, in this case two, are provided on the stepped surface 7. The tanks 100 are detachably mounted in the tank storage sections 11. The tank storage sections 11 are box-shaped with an open top. In this case, the dimensions of the tank storage sections 11 in the front-rear direction of the washing machine main body 2 are longer than the dimensions in the left-right direction. The two tank storage sections 11 have almost or completely the same dimensions in the front-rear direction, but have different dimensions in the left-right direction. The tank storage section 11 with a larger dimension in the left-right direction is arranged on the central side in the left-right direction of the washing machine main body 2, and the tank storage section 11 with a smaller dimension in the left-right direction is arranged on the outer side in the left-right direction of the washing machine main body 2, in this case the left side. The tank storage section 11 does not have a lid that opens and closes its upper opening.

The washing machine 1 also has two tanks 100 of different sizes. In this case, when the two tanks 100 are housed in the tank housing 11, in other words, when they are attached to the washing machine main body 2, their front-to-rear dimensions are almost or completely the same, but their left-to-right dimensions are different. The tank 100 with the larger left-to-right dimension is located toward the center of the washing machine main body 2 in the left-to-right direction, and the tank 100 with the smaller left-to-right dimension is located on the outside of the washing machine main body 2 in the left-to-right direction, in this case, on the left side.

The tank 100 is equipped with an outlet (not shown) through which the clothing treatment agent inside flows out. When the tank 100 is housed in the tank housing section 11, the outlet is connected to the pump of the automatic dispensing device 9. This allows the automatic dispensing device 9 to suck up the clothing treatment agent inside the tank 100 using the pump.

The control device (not shown), which controls the overall operation of the washing machine 1, can drive the pump of the automatic dispenser 9 at a predetermined timing in the operation course being executed, for example, when water is dispensed during the wash cycle and when water is dispensed during the rinse cycle, thereby sucking up the clothing treatment agent stored in the tank 100 and automatically dispensing it into the clothing treatment tub 2S. In other words, the washing machine 1 is equipped with the automatic dispenser 9 as an example of an automatic dispenser.

As described above, the automatic insertion device 9 is provided inside the machine chamber 8 located at the rear of the upper part of the washing machine main body 2. In other words, when the front-to-rear direction of the washing machine main body 2 is used as a reference, the automatic insertion device 9 is provided behind the center of the washing machine main body 2 in the front-to-rear direction.

Next, an example of the configuration of the tank 100 will be described in detail. The tank 100 is capable of storing a liquid clothing treatment agent therein. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the tank 100 includes a tank main body 101 and a tank cover 102.

The tank body 101 has a box-like shape with an open top, and is capable of storing a liquid clothing treatment agent inside. In this case, the tank body 101 is large enough to store enough clothing treatment agent for multiple operations. The clothing treatment agent is used to perform a predetermined treatment on clothing, such as a detergent that washes clothing and a fabric softener that softens clothing. The detergent is an example of a first clothing treatment agent, and the fabric softener is an example of a second clothing treatment agent.

As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom of the tank body 101 is provided with an inclined bottom surface 106. The inclined bottom surface 106 is provided at the rear part of the bottom of the tank body 101 when the tank 100 is housed in the tank housing 11. The inclined bottom surface 106 forms an inclined surface that slopes upward from the front to the rear of the washing machine body 2 when the tank 100 is housed in the tank housing 11. The inclined bottom surface 106 is provided with a marker 105 for indicating the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent stored in the tank 100. In this case, the marker 105 is provided in the form of a scale consisting of multiple lines.

The tank cover part 102 is removably attached to the top opening of the tank main body part 101. The tank cover part 102 functions as a cover member that closes the top opening of the tank main body part 101. The tank cover part 102 is formed in a thin rectangular shape overall, but has a step in one part, which results in a configuration that includes an upper surface part 102A and a lower surface part 102B.

The upper surface portion 102A is provided in a portion of the tank cover portion 102 that extends from the center to the front in the front-rear direction when the tank 100 is housed in the tank housing portion 11. The lower surface portion 102B is provided in a portion of the tank cover portion 102 that is rearward of the upper surface portion 102A when the tank 100 is housed in the tank housing portion 11. The lower surface portion 102B forms a step that is one step lower than the upper surface portion 102A. The height difference between the upper surface portion 102A and the lower surface portion 102B is approximately or completely the same dimension as the height difference between the upper surface portion 7A and the lower surface portion 7B in the step surface portion 7 described above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tank cover 102 is provided with a refill port 103 for refilling the clothing treatment agent into the tank body 101. In this case, the refill port 103 has a substantially rectangular opening. The entire refill port 103 is provided on the upper surface 102A of the tank cover 102. The refill port 103 has an opening area that is slightly smaller than the area of the upper surface 102A.

The tank cover 102 also includes a refill lid 104 that opens and closes the refill port 103. In this case, the refill lid 104 is formed in a shape that corresponds to the opening shape of the refill port 103, that is, in a substantially rectangular shape. The refill lid 104 is also provided so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction with the rear edge of the refill port 103 as the center of rotation. That is, the washing machine 1 is configured so that the rotation direction of the outer lid 5 and the rotation direction of the refill lid 104 are the same. In addition, a substantially rectangular recess 104a is provided in the part of the refill lid 104 excluding the tip of the rotation and both left and right sides. The washing machine 1 may be configured so that the rotation direction of the outer lid 5 and the rotation direction of the refill lid 104 are different.

The tank cover part 102 forms the upper surface of the tank 100 when the tank 100 is housed in the tank housing part 11. The tank 100 has a supply port 103 on the tank cover part 102 that forms the upper surface when the tank 100 is housed. When the tank 100 is housed in the tank housing part 11, the surface of the tank 100 that has the supply port 103, in this case the surface formed by the tank cover part 102, forms part of the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2, in this case the step surface part 7 of the upper surface 2F. At this time, the upper step surface part 102A of the tank 100 is almost or completely flush with the upper step surface part 7A of the step surface part 7, and the lower step surface part 102B of the tank 100 is almost or completely flush with the lower step surface part 7B of the step surface part 7.

In addition, the refill port lid 104 in the closed state, which closes the refill port 103, also constitutes part of the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2, in this case, part of the stepped surface portion 7 of the top surface 2F. In this case, the refill port lid 104 in the closed state constitutes part of the upper surface portion 7A of the stepped surface portion 7. In addition, although the refill port lid 104 in the closed state protrudes slightly above the upper surface portion 7A of the stepped surface portion 7, the overall appearance is roughly flush with the upper surface portion 7A of the stepped surface portion 7.

According to the washing machine 1 exemplified above, the surface of the tank 100 having the refill port 103 constitutes part of the rear step surface 7 of the top surface 2F, which is the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2. According to this configuration example, when the tank 100 is housed in the tank housing 11, the surface of the tank 100 having the refill port 103 can function as a lid that closes the top opening of the tank housing 11. Therefore, according to the washing machine 1, it is possible to eliminate the need for the lid provided in the conventional configuration, that is, the lid for opening and closing the opening of the tank housing. Therefore, according to the washing machine 1, while having the automatic dosing function of the laundry treatment agent, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts and avoid an increase in manufacturing costs.

In addition, with the washing machine 1, the material that constitutes one surface of the tank 100 can be used as a material that constitutes the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2, further reducing the number of parts.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the refill port lid 104 in a closed state that blocks the refill port 103 also constitutes part of the rear stepped surface 7 of the top surface 2F, which is the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2. According to this configuration example, the refill port lid 104 that opens and closes the refill port 103 can also be used as a component that constitutes the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2, further suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

In addition, with the washing machine 1, the tank 100 can be attached and detached and the refill port lid 104 can be opened and closed without having to open and close the lid body provided in the conventional configuration, improving usability.

The washing machine 1 also includes a marker 105 that indicates the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent stored in the tank 100. With this configuration example, the user can easily visually check the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent stored in the tank 100 by comparing the height of the liquid level of the laundry treatment agent in the tank 100 with the line of the marker 105.

In this case, the marker 105 is provided on the rear part of the bottom of the tank body 101 when the tank 100 is housed in the tank housing 11. Therefore, a user positioned at the front of the washing machine 1 can visually check the marker 105 from the front of the washing machine 1 without removing the tank 100 from the tank housing 11, meaning that the remaining amount of laundry treatment agent in the tank 100 can be easily confirmed visually.

In addition, while the marker 105 is provided on the rear side of the bottom of the tank body 101, the refill port 103 is provided on the front side of the top of the tank 100. Therefore, a user positioned at the front of the washing machine 1 can open the refill port lid 104 while the tank 100 is still stored, and check the marker 105 from the front of the washing machine 1 through the refill port 103. In other words, the remaining amount of laundry treatment agent in the tank 100 can be easily checked visually.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the automatic dosing device 9 is provided behind the center in the front-to-back direction of the washing machine main body 2 when the front-to-back direction of the washing machine main body 2 is used as a reference. In other words, the washing machine 1 is configured such that the automatic dosing device 9 and the tank 100 are arranged together behind the center in the front-to-back direction of the washing machine main body 2. According to this configuration example, the distance between the automatic dosing device 9 and the tank 100 can be made as short as possible, and the automatic dosing device 9 can efficiently suck up the laundry treatment agent in the tank 100.

The refill lid 104 may be made of a transparent or semi-transparent material. According to this configuration example, the user can check the marker portion 105 through the refill lid 104 without opening the refill lid 104, that is, the remaining amount of the laundry treatment agent in the tank 100 can be visually confirmed. In this case, the refill lid 104 may be made entirely transparent or semi-transparent, or a part of it may be made transparent or semi-transparent. When a part of the refill lid 104 is made transparent or semi-transparent, for example, only the recessed portion 104a may be made of a transparent or semi-transparent material, or a transparent or semi-transparent material may be fitted into a window portion formed in a part of the refill lid 104. When the refill lid 104 is made entirely or partially transparent or semi-transparent, it may be colorless transparent or colorless semi-transparent, or colored transparent or semi-transparent.

The tank cover 102 of the tank 100 may be made of a material of the same or similar color as the stepped surface 7. According to this configuration example, when the tank 100 is housed in the tank housing 11, the tank cover 102 constituting the top surface of the tank 100 and the stepped surface 7 can be made to have a sense of continuity and unity, and the appearance of the washing machine main body 2, particularly the stepped surface 7, can be improved. The tank refill lid 104 may also be made of a material of the same or similar color as the stepped surface 7. When all or a part of the refill lid 104 is made of colored transparent or colored translucent, it is preferable to make it colored transparent or colored translucent in the same or similar color as the stepped surface 7.

The tank 100 may also be configured such that at least one of the tank body 101 and the tank cover 102 is colorless and transparent or colored and transparent. According to this configuration example, when the tank 100 is removed from the tank storage section 11, the remaining amount of the clothing treatment agent stored inside can be easily confirmed from the outside. The tank 100 may also be configured such that at least one of the tank body 101 and the tank cover 102 is colorless and semi-transparent or colored and semi-transparent. According to this configuration example, when the tank 100 is removed from the tank storage section 11, the remaining amount of the clothing treatment agent stored inside can be easily confirmed from the outside.

Second Embodiment
5, tank 100 includes grip portion 120. Grip portion 120 is a component that is gripped by a user when attaching or detaching tank 100 to or from tank housing portion 11, and is provided as an example of an auxiliary portion that assists in the attachment or detachment of tank 100 to or from washing machine main body 2.

The grip 120 is provided on a surface forming the outer shell of the tank 100, in this case, on the side of the tank cover portion 102, in a semicircular recess toward the supply port 103. In this case, the grip 120 is provided at a position on the side of the rear of the supply port 103. The grip 120 may be provided further forward than the side of the rear of the supply port 103. The grip 120 may also be provided at a position that is off the side of the supply port 103. The tank 100 may also be configured to have a hook below the grip 120 on which the user's fingers can be hooked. The tank 100 may also be configured to have the grip 120 on either the left or right side.

The grip portion 120 is entirely covered from above by the refill port lid 104, which closes the refill port 103. That is, when the refill port lid 104 closes the refill port 103, the grip portion 120 is not visible from the outside and cannot be grasped by the user. When the refill port lid 104 opens the refill port 103, the grip portion 120 is visible from the outside and can be grasped by the user. By opening the refill port lid 104, the user can grasp the grip portion 120 and easily store the tank 100 in the tank storage portion 11, and can easily remove the tank 100 from the tank storage portion 11.

According to the washing machine 1 exemplified above, the tank 100 is provided with a grip 120 that assists in attaching and detaching the tank 100 to and from the washing machine main body 2. According to this configuration example, the user can easily attach and detach the tank 100 by gripping the grip 120, improving convenience. According to the washing machine 1, the grip 120 is covered by the refill port lid 104 that closes the refill port 103. According to this configuration example, the grip 120 can be hidden by the refill port lid 104 except when the tank 100 is being attached or detached. Therefore, while providing the grip 120 that assists the user in attaching and detaching the tank 100, it is possible to avoid the grip 120 damaging the appearance of the washing machine 1.

Third Embodiment
6, tank 100 includes handle 130 and storage recess 131. Handle 130 is a component used by a user when attaching or detaching tank 100 to or from tank storage section 11, and is provided as an example of an auxiliary section that assists in attaching or detaching tank 100 to or from washing machine main body 2.

The handle 130 is provided at a position that is the upper rear part of the tank 100, i.e., the lower surface part 102B, when the tank 100 is housed in the tank housing part 11. The handle 130 is configured with legs 130L, 130R at both the left and right ends.

The storage recess 131 is provided in the lower surface portion 102B, which is the upper rear portion of the tank 100 when the tank 100 is stored in the tank storage portion 11. The left end portion 131L of the storage recess 131 extends from the rear surface of the tank 100 to the left side. The right end portion 131R of the storage recess 131 extends from the rear surface of the tank 100 to the right side.

The leg 130L constituting the left end of the handle 130 is pivotally supported to the left end 131L of the storage recess 131. The leg 130R constituting the right end of the handle 130 is pivotally supported to the right end 131R of the storage recess 131. This allows the handle 130 to be pivoted between a storage position stored within the storage recess 131 and a non-storage position exposed to the outside of the storage recess 131.

In other words, when the handle 130 is in a stored state in which it is stored within the storage recess 131, it cannot be grasped by the user, i.e. cannot be used. On the other hand, when the handle 130 is in a non-stored state in which it is exposed outside the storage recess 131, it can be grasped by the user, i.e. can be used. By rotating the handle 130 to the non-stored position, the user can grasp the handle 130 and easily store the tank 100 in the tank storage section 11, and can easily remove the tank 100 from the tank storage section 11.

When the handle 130 is stored in the storage recess 131, the upper end face of the handle 130 forms part of the rear step surface 7 of the top surface 2F, which is the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2. In other words, the upper end face of the handle 130 in the stored state is almost or completely flush with the step surface 7. In this case, the upper end face of the handle 130 in the stored state forms part of the lower step surface 7B of the step surface 7.

According to the washing machine 1 exemplified above, the tank 100 is provided with a handle 130 that assists in attaching and detaching the tank 100 to and from the washing machine main body 2. According to this configuration example, the user can easily attach and detach the tank 100 by gripping the handle 130, improving convenience. According to the washing machine 1, the handle 130 constitutes a part of the rear step surface 7 of the upper surface 2F, which is the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2, when the washing machine 1 is housed in the housing recess 131. According to this configuration example, the handle 130 can also be used as a member that constitutes the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2 when the tank 100 is not being attached or detached, and the number of parts can be further suppressed while improving convenience in attaching and detaching the tank 100.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the handle 130 is provided on the lower surface portion 102B of the tank 100. This lower surface portion 102B is located at the rear of the upper surface portion 102A when the tank 100 is housed in the tank housing portion 11, and is one step lower than the upper surface portion 102A. Therefore, particularly when the handle 130 is housed in the housing recess 131, it is possible to make the handle 130 difficult to see from a user located in front of the washing machine 1. In other words, the handle 130 in the housed state can be hidden by the upper surface portion 7A. Therefore, even if the handle 130 is provided, it is possible to avoid the handle 130 spoiling the appearance.

The washing machine 1 may be provided with a recess around the handle 130 in the stored state, the recess being at least large enough for the user's finger to be inserted. According to this configuration example, the user can easily insert his or her finger into this recess to remove the handle 130 from the storage recess 131, improving the operability of the handle 130. Furthermore, such a recess may be provided on the tank 100 side, on the stepped surface portion 7 side, or on both the tank 100 and the stepped surface portion 7.

Fourth Embodiment
According to the configuration example illustrated in Fig. 7, the washing machine 1 includes a plurality of tanks 400, in this case two tanks 400. A tank housing section 401 is provided on the rear step surface section 7 of the upper surface 2F, which is the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2. The tank housing section 401 has a box shape with an open top. The tanks 400 are detachably provided in the common tank housing section 401.

The tank 400 is large enough to store enough laundry treatment agent for multiple runs. The tank 400 also has a refill port 403 on the surface that is the upper side when the tank 400 is housed in the tank housing 401. The refill port 403 is an opening for refilling the laundry treatment agent into the tank 400. In this case, the refill port 403 is an opening that is roughly rectangular.

The washing machine 1 also includes a common cover part 410 that opens and closes the top opening of the tank housing part 401. The common cover part 410 is a common cover member that covers the multiple tanks 400 (in this case, two tanks 400) housed in the tank housing part 401. The common cover part 410 is provided so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction around the rear edge of the top opening of the tank housing part 401 as the center of rotation. That is, the washing machine 1 is configured so that the rotation direction of the outer lid 5 and the rotation direction of the common cover part 410 are the same. Note that the washing machine 1 may be configured so that the rotation direction of the outer lid 5 and the rotation direction of the common cover part 410 are different.

The common cover part 410 constitutes part of the rear step surface part 7 of the upper surface 2F, which is the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2, in a closed state in which the upper opening of the tank housing part 401 is closed. In other words, the surface of the common cover part 410 in a closed state in which the upper opening of the tank housing part 401 is closed, is almost or completely flush with the step surface part 7. The surface of the common cover part 410 is the surface that is on the upper side in a closed state in which the upper opening of the tank housing part 401 is closed.

The common cover part 410 also has a plurality of protrusions 411, in this case two, on its rear surface. These protrusions 411 are formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the opening shape of the supply port 403 of the tank 400. A gasket 412 is provided on the side of the protrusions 411. The protrusions 411 are adapted to fit into the supply port 403 of the tank 400 when the common cover part 410 is in a closed state where it closes the top opening of the tank storage part 401. In other words, the common cover part 410 also functions as a common supply port lid that opens and closes the supply ports 403 of the multiple tanks 400.

The tank 400 also includes a grip 420. The grip 420 is a component that is gripped by the user when attaching or detaching the tank 400 to or from the tank housing 401, and is provided as an example of an auxiliary part that assists in attaching or detaching the tank 400 to or from the washing machine main body 2.

The grip portion 420 is provided in a semicircular recess on the side surface that forms the outer shell of the tank 400 toward the supply port 403. The grip portion 420 is provided at a position on the side of the front of the supply port 403. The grip portion 420 may be provided behind the side of the front of the supply port 403. The grip portion 420 may be provided at a position that is off the side of the supply port 403. The tank 400 is also configured with a hanging portion 421 below the grip portion 420 on which the user's fingers can be hung.

In addition, when the two tanks 400 are housed in the tank housing section 401, the gripping parts 420 are provided on the opposing left and right side surfaces of each tank 400. In other words, when the two tanks 400 are housed in the tank housing section 401, the gripping parts 420 of one tank 400 and the gripping parts 420 of the other tank 400 face each other, and a substantially circular opening is formed by these two gripping parts 420.

The gripping portion 420 is entirely covered from above by the common cover portion 410, which closes the supply port 403. That is, when the common cover portion 410 closes the supply port 403, the gripping portion 420 is not visible from the outside and cannot be grasped by the user. When the common cover portion 410 opens the supply port 403, the gripping portion 420 is visible from the outside and can be grasped by the user. By opening the common cover portion 410, the user can grasp the gripping portion 420 and easily store the tank 400 in the tank storage portion 401, and can easily remove the tank 400 from the tank storage portion 401.

In the washing machine 1 exemplified above, the common cover part 410 covering the multiple tanks 400 constitutes part of the rear step surface part 7 of the upper surface 2F, which is the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2, in a closed state in which the upper opening of the tank storage part 401 is closed. According to this configuration example, the upper opening of the tank storage part 401 that stores the multiple tanks 400 can be closed with the common cover part 410, thereby suppressing an increase in the number of parts and avoiding an increase in manufacturing costs. In addition, the common cover part 410 can be used as a member that constitutes the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2, further suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the common cover part 410 also functions as a common refill port lid for opening and closing the refill ports 403 provided on the multiple tanks 400, i.e., the multiple refill ports 403. According to this configuration example, there is no need to provide dedicated refill port lids for opening and closing each of the multiple refill ports 403, and therefore the increase in the number of parts can be further suppressed.

In addition, according to the washing machine 1, the tank 400 is provided with a grip portion 420 that assists in attaching and detaching the tank 400 to and from the washing machine main body 2. According to this configuration example, the user can easily attach and detach the tank 400, improving convenience. According to the washing machine 1, the grip portion 420 is entirely covered by the common cover portion 410 that closes the upper opening of the tank storage portion 401. According to this configuration example, the grip portion 420 can be hidden by the common cover portion 410 except when the tank 400 is being attached or detached. Therefore, while providing the grip portion 420 that assists the user in attaching and detaching the tank 400, it is possible to avoid the grip portion 420 damaging the appearance of the washing machine 1.

Fifth Embodiment
According to the configuration example shown in Fig. 8, the washing machine 1 is configured to include one tank 500. The washing machine 1 also includes a setting unit 501. The setting unit 501 is provided, for example, on an operation panel (not shown) provided on the washing machine 1. The operation panel is provided, for example, on a portion of the top cover 4 that is forward of the clothing entrance/exit. The setting unit 501 is provided with at least a detergent setting button 502 and a fabric softener setting button 503. The detergent setting button 502 and the fabric softener setting button 503 are buttons that are manually operated by the user.

When the user has stored detergent in one tank 500, he or she manually operates the detergent setting button 502. When the detergent setting button 502 is operated, a control device (not shown) that controls the overall operation of the washing machine 1 sets the timing for driving the pump of the automatic dispenser 9 to, for example, "when water is supplied during the wash cycle." This causes the detergent in the tank 500 to be automatically dispensed into the clothing treatment tub 2S when water is supplied during the wash cycle.

When the user has stored fabric softener in one tank 500, the user manually operates the fabric softener setting button 503. When the fabric softener setting button 503 is operated, a control device (not shown) that controls the overall operation of the washing machine 1 sets the timing for driving the pump of the automatic dispenser 9 to, for example, "when water is supplied during the rinsing process." This allows the fabric softener in the tank 500 to be automatically dispensed into the clothing treatment tub 2S when water is supplied during the rinsing process.

According to the washing machine 1 exemplified above, it is possible to drive the automatic dispenser 9 at different times when detergent is stored in the tank 500 and when fabric softener is stored in the tank 500. According to this configuration example, the number of tanks 500 installed in the washing machine 1 can be reduced to one, further suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

In addition, with the washing machine 1, the space required to place the tank 500 can be reduced compared to a configuration with multiple tanks, and the overall size of the washing machine 1 can be prevented from increasing.

In addition, a tank for detergent and a tank for fabric softener may be prepared separately, and the control device may be configured to automatically change the timing for driving the automatic dispenser 9 depending on whether the detergent tank is installed or the fabric softener tank is installed. According to this configuration example, the dispense timing suitable for the laundry treatment agent in the tank can be automatically set without requiring manual operation by the user, improving convenience.

Note that various methods can be used to distinguish between when a detergent tank is installed and when a fabric softener tank is installed. For example, the detergent tank can be provided with an electronic tag that stores information indicating that it is a detergent tank, while the fabric softener tank can be provided with an electronic tag that stores information indicating that it is a fabric softener tank, and the control device can distinguish the installed tank based on which electronic tag it detects. Also, the position of the magnet installed in the detergent tank and the position of the magnet installed in the fabric softener tank can be made different, and the control device can distinguish the installed tank based on the position at which the magnet is detected. In addition, various other methods can be applied as long as they are capable of distinguishing the installed tank.

Other Embodiments
In addition, the present embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications and extensions can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the washing machine 1 can be configured by appropriately combining the above-mentioned embodiments.

The washing machine 1 may also be configured to include three or more tanks. In this case, the surface of each tank having a refill port may form part of the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2, or a common cover that covers the multiple tanks may form part of the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2.

The exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2 constituted by the surface of the tank having the refill port and the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2 constituted by the common cover part covering the multiple tanks is not limited to the stepped surface part 7 of the top surface 2F, and may be other parts such as the inclined surface part 6. The exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2 constituted by the surface of the tank having the refill port and the exterior surface of the washing machine main body 2 constituted by the common cover part covering the multiple tanks is not limited to the top surface 2F of the washing machine main body 2, and may be other surfaces such as the front surface 2A, rear surface 2B, left side surface 2C, and right side surface 2D.

The refill port 104 may also be flat and not have the recessed portion 104a. According to this configuration example, the flat refill port 104 without the recessed portion 104a can form part of the external surface of the washing machine main body 2, making it easier to achieve an external appearance that has a sense of continuity and unity.

The tank 100 may also be configured to include a handle 130 as exemplified in the third embodiment, instead of or in addition to the grip 120. In this case, the handle 130 in the stored state may also be configured to be covered by the refill lid 104.

The tank 400 may also be configured to include a handle 130 as exemplified in the third embodiment, instead of or in addition to the gripping portion 420. In this case, the handle 130 in the stored state may also be configured to be covered by the common cover portion 410.

Furthermore, the stepped surface portion 7 is not limited to a two-stage surface portion consisting of an upper stage surface portion 7A and a lower stage surface portion 7B, but may be a multi-stage surface portion having three or more stages. In this case, it is preferable that the surface of the tank 100 having the supply port 103 is also a multi-stage surface portion having three or more stages. This makes it possible to achieve an external appearance that has a sense of continuity and unity, similar to the above-mentioned embodiment.

The washing machine 1 may also be configured to have a stepless surface portion that has no steps instead of the step surface portion 7. In this case, the surface of the tank 100 that has the refill port 103 may also be a stepless surface portion that has no steps. This allows for an external appearance that has a sense of continuity and unity to be achieved, similar to the above-described embodiment.

Furthermore, the clothing treatment agents applicable to this embodiment are not limited to detergents and fabric softeners, and various treatment agents can be appropriately used as long as they are capable of performing some treatment on clothing, such as deodorants, odor removers, disinfectants, bleaches, etc. Furthermore, when the washing machine 1 has multiple tanks, each tank may store a different type of clothing treatment agent, or the same type of clothing treatment agent may be stored in the multiple tanks. Furthermore, when the washing machine 1 has multiple tanks, the tanks may have different capacities and shapes, or may be the same.

This embodiment can also be applied to washing machines other than vertical-axis washing machines in which the central axis of rotation of the spin tub extends vertically. This embodiment can also be applied to washing machines with a drying function. This embodiment can also be applied to washing machines without a drying function. This embodiment can also be applied to various clothing processing devices that can perform some kind of processing on clothing, such as deodorizing, removing odors, disinfecting, and bleaching clothing.

Although multiple embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a washing machine (clothing treatment device), 2 indicates the washing machine main body (device main body), 2S indicates a clothing treatment tub, 7B indicates a lower surface portion (step portion), 9 indicates an automatic dispensing device (automatic dispensing portion), 100 indicates a tank, 103 indicates a supply port, 104 indicates a supply port cover, 105 indicates a marker portion, 120 indicates a grip portion (auxiliary portion), 130 indicates a handle (auxiliary portion), 131 indicates a storage recess (storage portion), 400 indicates a tank, 403 indicates a supply port, 410 indicates a common cover portion, and 420 indicates a grip portion (auxiliary portion).

Claims (12)

a device main body having an exterior surface;
a clothing treatment tub provided in the device main body for storing clothing;
A tank for storing a clothing treatment agent for treating clothing;
an automatic dispenser that dispenses the laundry treatment agent stored in the tank into the laundry treatment tub;
Equipped with
the tank has a refill port for refilling the tank with the laundry treatment agent, and is provided with an auxiliary part for assisting in attaching and detaching the tank to and from the device main body, and a storage part for storing the auxiliary part ;
a surface of the tank having the refill port constitutes a part of an external surface of the device main body ;
A clothing processing device in which the auxiliary unit also constitutes part of the external surface of the device main body when stored in the storage unit . a device main body having an exterior surface;
a clothing treatment tub provided in the device main body for storing clothing;
A tank for storing a clothing treatment agent for treating clothing;
an automatic dispenser that dispenses the laundry treatment agent stored in the tank into the laundry treatment tub;
Equipped with
The tank has a supply port for supplying the laundry treatment agent into the tank , the supply port being provided in a tank cover portion that forms an upper surface of the tank ;
the tank cover portion includes a refill port cover that opens and closes the refill port,
A clothing processing device in which at least the portion of the tank cover portion's surface having the refill port other than the refill port cover constitutes part of the exterior surface of the device main body. a refill port cover for opening and closing the refill port,
The clothing processing device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the supply opening lid also constitutes a part of the external surface of the device main body. The clothing processing device according to claim 3 , wherein the supply opening is transparent or translucent. The tank includes an auxiliary part that assists in attaching and detaching the tank to and from the device main body,
The clothing processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the auxiliary portion is covered by the supply port cover that closes the supply port. The tank includes an auxiliary part that assists an attachment/detachment operation of the tank to/from the device main body, and a housing part that houses the auxiliary part,
The clothing processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the auxiliary unit constitutes a part of the external surface of the device main body when the auxiliary unit is housed in the housing unit. The tank has a step portion that slopes downward at an upper portion of a rear portion of the tank when the up-down direction and the front-rear direction of the device body are used as references,
The clothing processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary portion is provided on the stepped portion. a device main body having an exterior surface;
a clothing treatment tub provided in the device main body for storing clothing;
A plurality of tanks for storing a clothing treatment agent for treating clothing;
an automatic dispenser that dispenses the laundry treatment agent stored in the tanks into the laundry treatment tub;
A common cover portion for covering a plurality of the tanks;
Equipped with
Each of the tanks has a supply port for supplying the laundry treatment agent into the tank,
The common cover part constitutes part of the exterior surface of the device main body and functions as a common refill port lid for opening and closing the refill ports provided on the multiple tanks. Each of the plurality of tanks includes an auxiliary portion that assists in attaching and detaching the tank to and from the device main body,
The clothing processing device according to claim 8 , wherein the auxiliary unit is covered by the common cover unit that closes the supply port. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the tank is provided with a marker that indicates the remaining amount of clothing treatment agent stored in the tank. The tank is capable of storing a first clothing treatment agent or a second clothing treatment agent as a clothing treatment agent,
A clothing treatment device as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the timing for driving the automatic dispensing unit can be made different when a first clothing treatment agent is stored in the tank and when a second clothing treatment agent is stored in the tank . A clothing processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the automatic inserting unit is located rearward of the center of the device main body in the front-to-back direction when the front-to-back direction of the device main body is used as a reference.

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