JP7624575B2 - 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

The present disclosure provides a washing machine that improves the detergent liquid supply performance when using a liquid dispenser.

The washing machine according to the present disclosure includes an outer tub, a washing tub rotatably provided within the outer tub, a first water supply means provided so as to be openable and closable, a second water supply means provided so as to be openable and closable independently of the first water supply means, a first path for directing water introduced from the first water supply means to the outer tub and/or the washing tub, a second path provided independently of the first path for directing water introduced from the second water supply means to the outer tub and/or the washing tub, a liquid agent tank for storing a liquid agent therein, and a liquid agent dispenser for discharging the liquid agent stored in the liquid agent tank to the first path. The detergent dispenser includes a dosing device and a flow path section connected to the first path downstream of the liquid agent dosing device, the first path having a first water injection section provided above the flow path section and injecting water toward the flow path section , and the second path having a second water injection section injecting water toward the flow path section, and in the flow path section, a fall position of water injected from the second water injection section is located upstream of a fall position of water injected from the first water injection section, and the second water injection section injects water from the downstream side toward the upstream side of the flow of detergent liquid in the flow path section .

The washing machine disclosed herein improves the detergent liquid supply performance when using the liquid dispenser.

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 water supply unit of a washing machine in a state where a detergent case, a detergent tank, and a fabric softener tank are pulled out in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a rear view of a water supply unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a water supply unit of the washing machine according to the first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a top view of a water supply unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment with a water supply unit lid removed; FIG. 2 is a top view of an upper portion of a flow path of a water supply unit of the washing machine according to the first embodiment; 5 is a cross-sectional view of the water supply unit shown in FIG. 4 taken along the line AA. An enlarged view of region P shown in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of the water supply unit shown in FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of the water supply unit shown in FIG. 6. An enlarged view of an area Q1 shown in FIG. An enlarged view of an area Q2 shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is a rear view of the water supply unit of the washing machine in the first embodiment with a relay section cover removed; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the automatic insertion device shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E of the water supply unit and the automatic water supply device shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is a top view of a lower part of a flow path of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F-F of the lower part of the flow passage shown in FIG. Timing chart of the washing process of the washing machine in the first embodiment

Below, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or duplicate explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

The accompanying 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. Washing machine]
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the washing machine 100 includes a housing 101, a cover 150, and an operation unit 160. The housing 101 includes a lower housing 110 and an upper housing 130. An outer tub (not shown) and a washing tub 112 are housed in the lower housing 110. The outer tub is elastically supported in the lower housing 110 and is arranged to be able to store water. The washing tub 112 is a cylindrical body with an open top and is arranged to be able to rotate in the outer tub. In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the left and right are defined as the left and right when the washing machine 100 is viewed from the front in an installed state.

The upper housing 130 is disposed above the lower housing 110, and is formed with an input port 131 that communicates with the washing tub 112. The lid 150 is attached to the rear of the upper housing 130, and covers the input port 131 in an openable and closable manner. When the user rotates the lid 150 upward, the washing tub 112 is exposed through the input port 131. The user can input laundry into the washing tub 112 through the input port 131.

An operating unit 160 is provided on the upper housing 130 at a position behind the input port 131. A user can operate the operating unit 160 to set various operations of the washing tub 112.

A water supply port 170 is provided at the rear of the operating unit 160, and a water supply hose 171 is connected to the water supply port 170 to introduce tap water from a water faucet.

As shown in FIG. 2, a water supply unit 200 is provided at the rear of the upper housing 130. The water supply unit 200 is configured to accommodate a detergent case 600, a detergent tank 650, and a fabric softener tank 660. The detergent tank 650, the fabric softener tank 660, and the detergent case 600 are arranged so that their front surfaces are flush when stored in the water supply unit 200.

3, the detergent tank 650 and the fabric softener tank 660 are configured to store an amount of liquid agent sufficient for multiple runs. On the other hand, the detergent case 600 is used by the user to add an amount of agent required for one run, and is provided with a powder detergent manual input section 610, a liquid detergent manual input section 615, and a fabric softener manual input section 620 so that powder detergent, liquid detergent, and fabric softener can be added, respectively.

The washing machine 100 is provided with a control device (not shown) that controls the execution of a series of washing operations including a washing step, a rinsing step, and a spin-drying step. The control device controls the operation of at least the washing tub 112 and a motor (not shown) for rotating the agitating blade (not shown) provided in the washing tub 112, the water supply valve unit 210 (described later), and the automatic liquid agent dispenser 500 (described later).

[1-1-2. Water supply unit]
As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the water supply unit 200 mainly includes a water supply unit housing section 220 formed in an approximately box shape, a water supply unit lid section 260 covering the upper surface of the water supply unit housing section 220, a flow path lower section 300 attached to the lower section of the water supply unit housing section 220, a water supply valve unit 210, a relay section 270, and a bus pump 290.

The water supply valve unit 210 is provided at the rear right of the water supply unit 200. The water supply valve unit 210 includes a first water supply valve 211, a second water supply valve 212, and a third water supply valve 213. The first water supply valve 211, the second water supply valve 212, and the third water supply valve 213 are each provided so as to be able to open and close independently, and when in the open state, water introduced from the water supply port 170 is introduced into the water supply unit housing part 220.

The bath pump 290 is disposed in the center of the back surface of the water supply unit housing 220. The bath pump 290 draws water from outside the washing machine 100 via a hose (not shown). The bath pump 290 is fixed to the water supply unit lid 260 with screws, and is directly connected to the first water supply path 410 (described later) via the bath pump water inlet 291. The bath pump 290 can start its suction and discharge operations by receiving water from the first water supply path 410.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, an automatic liquid drug dispenser 500 is connected to the rear left side of the water supply unit housing 220. The automatic liquid drug dispenser 500 will be described in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 5, the water supply unit housing 220 is formed in a generally box-like shape with an opening at the front. The water supply unit housing 220 has a detergent case storage section 221 and a tank storage section 222 as internal spaces. The detergent case storage section 221 stores the detergent case 600 so that it can be pulled out. The tank storage section 222 stores the detergent tank 650 and the fabric softener tank 660 so that they can be pulled out. The detergent tank 650 and the fabric softener tank 660 are connected to the automatic detergent insertion port 505 (described later) and the automatic fabric softener insertion port 506 (described later) of the automatic liquid agent dispenser 500 with the detergent tank 650 and the fabric softener tank 660 stored in the tank storage section 222. This allows the detergent tank 650 and the fabric softener tank 660 to communicate with the automatic liquid agent dispenser 500. This allows the liquid stored in the detergent tank 650 and fabric softener tank 660 to be supplied to the automatic liquid dispenser 500.

The water supply unit housing 220 is provided with an upper flow path 230 so as to cover the upper side of the detergent case storage section 221. The upper flow path 230 is formed with a first water guide path 410 (described later), a second water guide path 420 (described later), and a part of a third water guide path 430 (described later).

Relay section 270 is disposed on the back surface of water supply unit housing 220. Relay section 270 includes a relay section main body 274 attached to water supply unit housing 220, and a relay section cover 275 that covers relay section main body 274. A relay path 271, which will be described later, is provided within relay section 270, and relay path 271 connects a third water guide path 430 provided within water supply unit housing 220 to an internal path 510 (described later) within automatic liquid agent dosing device 500.

[1-1-3. Water conduction route]
As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the water supply unit housing 220 is provided with a water guide path 400 through which the water introduced from the water supply valve unit 210 flows. The water guide path 400 includes a first water guide path 410, a second water guide path 420, and a third water guide path 430. The first water guide path 410, the second water guide path 420, and the third water guide path 430 are respectively connected to the first water supply valve 211, the second water supply valve 212, and the third water supply valve 213. When the first water supply valve 211 is opened, water is introduced into the first water guide path 410. When the second water supply valve 212 is opened, water is introduced into the second water guide path 420. When the third water supply valve 213 is opened, water is introduced into the third water guide path 430.

[1-1-4. First water guide path, second water guide path, detergent case]
6 and 7 , the first water guide path 410 and the second water guide path 420 guide the water supplied from the first water supply valve 211 and the second water supply valve 212 to the flow path upper portion 230. The first water guide path 410 and the second water guide path 420 are configured to inject water into the detergent case 600 and the flow path lower portion 300 located below the flow path upper portion 230.

7, in the upper flow path 230, the first water guide path 410 is provided with a powder detergent water injection section 411, a liquid detergent water injection section 412, and a first flow path lower path water injection section 413. The powder detergent water injection section 411 is provided above the powder detergent manual input section 610, and injects water flowing through the first water guide path 410 into the powder detergent manual input section 610. The liquid detergent water injection section 412 is provided above the liquid detergent manual input section 615, and injects water flowing through the first water guide path 410 into the liquid detergent manual input section 615. As shown in FIG. 10, the first flow path lower path water injection section 413 is provided above the first flow path lower path 301 (described later). The first flow path lower path water injection section 413 injects water flowing through the first water guide path 410 into the first flow path lower path 301. Arrow Z in FIG. 10 indicates the direction of water injected from the first flow path lower path water injection section 413 into the first flow path lower path 301. As shown by arrow Z, the water injected from the first flow path lower path water injection section 413 is injected toward the first flow path lower path 301 at an angle to the left relative to the vertical direction.

In the upper flow passage 230, the second water guide path 420 is provided with a fabric softener water injection section 421. The fabric softener water injection section 421 is connected vertically above the fabric softener manual injection section 620.

The powder detergent manual dispenser 610, the liquid detergent manual dispenser 615, and the fabric softener manual dispenser 620 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 300.

[1-1-5. Third water channel, relay channel, automatic insertion device]
6 to 9, the third water guide path 430 is provided near the back surface of the water supply unit housing 220. Hereinafter, the third water guide path 430 is defined as a path including the relay path 271 and an internal path 510 of the automatic dosing device (described later).

The third water guide path 430 is provided with a third water guide path branching section 432. The third water guide path branching section 432 branches the water flowing through the third water guide path 430 downstream of the third water supply valve 213 into a path that leads to the foam generating nozzle 431 and a path that leads to the relay path 271.

As shown in Figures 11 to 13, the foam generating nozzle 431 is provided above the foam generating section 320 (described later). Arrow Y in Figure 12 indicates the direction of water injected from the foam generating nozzle 431 into the foam generating section 320. As shown by arrow Y, the foam generating nozzle 431 is tilted forward with respect to the vertical direction and injects water toward the foam generating section 320.

As shown in FIG. 9, the third water guide path outlet 435 is provided as an opening on the rear side of the water supply unit housing 220. The third water guide path outlet 435 is connected to the relay path inlet 272 of the relay path 271, and connects the relay path 271 to the third water guide path 430 in the water supply unit housing 220.

As shown in Figures 5, 9, and 14, the relay path 271 is a path provided between the relay path inlet 272, which is the upstream end, and the relay path outlet 273, which is the downstream end. The relay path inlet 272 is provided downstream of the third water guide path 430, and connects the third water guide path 430 in the water supply unit housing 220 to the relay path 271. The relay path outlet 273 is connected to the automatic insertion device internal path inlet 511 of the automatic insertion device internal path 510 described below, and connects the relay path 271 to the automatic insertion device internal path 510. As a result, the relay path 271 connects the third water guide path 430 in the water supply unit housing 220 to the automatic insertion device internal path 510.

As shown in Figures 3 to 6, 15, and 16, the automatic liquid drug dosing device 500 is disposed on the rear side of the tank housing section 222 of the water supply unit housing section 220. The automatic liquid drug dosing device 500 includes an internal path 510 of the automatic liquid drug dosing device, a three-way valve 520, and a pump unit 530.

The automatic dispensing device internal path 510 has an automatic dispensing device internal path inlet 511 at its upstream end and an automatic dispensing device internal path outlet 512 at its downstream end. The automatic detergent dispensing port 505 and the automatic fabric softener dispensing port 506 are provided protruding forward from the automatic liquid agent dispensing device 500 and are provided to communicate with the automatic dispensing device internal path 510. The automatic detergent dispensing port 505 and the automatic fabric softener dispensing port 506 are connected to the detergent tank 650 and the fabric softener tank 660, respectively, when the detergent tank 650 and the fabric softener tank 660 are respectively housed in the tank housing section 222.

The three-way valve 520 includes a detergent three-way valve 525 and a fabric softener three-way valve 526 that can be independently controlled to open and close. The detergent three-way valve 525 is arranged to communicate with the automatic dispenser internal path inlet 511, the automatic detergent dispenser plug 505, and the fabric softener three-way valve 526. The fabric softener three-way valve 526 is arranged to communicate with the detergent three-way valve 525, the automatic fabric softener dispenser plug 506, and the pump unit 530 (described later). In this way, the three-way valve 520 is connected to the automatic dispenser internal path 510, the automatic detergent dispenser plug 505, the automatic fabric softener dispenser plug 506, and the pump unit 530, and the detergent, fabric softener, and water flows are controlled by switching the opening and closing of the detergent three-way valve 525 and/or the fabric softener three-way valve 526.

The downstream side of the three-way valve 520 is connected to the pump unit 530 via an internal path 510 of the automatic dosing device. The pump unit 530 includes an internal path 531 of the pump provided between a pump unit inlet 532 and a pump unit outlet 533, a cylinder 534 provided midway along the internal path 531 of the pump, a piston 535 that moves up and down within the cylinder 534, and a pump motor 536 that drives the piston 535.

The pump unit inlet 532 and the pump unit outlet 533 are provided with an inlet side check valve 532a.
and an outlet side check valve 533a are provided.

The inlet check valve 532a is configured to open when the piston 535 is operated under negative pressure, and the outlet check valve 533a is configured to open when the piston 535 is operated under positive pressure.

The automatic dosing device internal pathway outlet 512 is provided downstream of the pump unit 530 and discharges the liquid flowing through the automatic dosing device internal pathway 510 to the lower flow path 300.

In this embodiment, the pump internal path 531 is considered to be part of the automatic insertion device internal path 510.

[1-1-6. Lower part of flow path]
The configuration of the lower flow passage portion 300 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 17, the lower flow path 300 includes a first lower flow path 301, a second lower flow path 302, a junction 340, and an outlet 350.

The first flow path lower path 301 is a path through which liquid discharged from the automatic dispenser internal path outlet 512 and liquid overflowing from the rear end of the powder detergent manual dispenser 610 and the liquid detergent manual dispenser 615 flows. The first flow path lower path 301 includes a foam generating unit 320 provided downstream of the first flow path lower path 301.

As shown in FIG. 18, the portion of the first flow path lower path 301 upstream of the foam generating section 320 is inclined downward from upstream to downstream. This allows the detergent liquid to flow down the first flow path lower path 301 under its own weight. In this embodiment, the detergent liquid is defined as a liquid containing detergent and/or water.

The foam generating section 320 is provided so that its bottom surface is approximately horizontal in the left-right direction. The foam generating section 320 is provided with a plurality of pins 321 that protrude vertically upward from its bottom surface. The foam generating section 320 is provided in a recessed shape in the lower flow path 300, and a foam generating section peripheral wall 322 is formed at the right end of the foam generating section 320 as viewed from the front. The foam generating section peripheral wall 322 and a second wall section 312 described below determine the direction in which the detergent liquid flows in the foam generating section 320.

Returning to FIG. 17, the second flow path lower path 302 is a path through which the liquid discharged from the powder detergent manual dispenser 610, the liquid detergent manual dispenser 615, and the fabric softener manual dispenser 620 flows.

The confluence 340 is provided downstream of the first flow path lower path 301 and the second flow path lower path 302. At the confluence 340, the liquid flowing through the first flow path lower path 301 and the liquid flowing through the second flow path lower path 302 merge.

The outlet 350 is provided above the washing tub 112 and is an opening that connects the top and bottom. The outlet 350 discharges the liquid flowing through the junction 340 into the washing tub 112. The outlet 350 includes a main outlet 351 and a sub outlet 352. The main outlet 351 is located upstream of the outlet 350, and the sub outlet 352 is located downstream of the main outlet 351.

The lower flow path portion 300 is provided with a first wall portion 311, a second wall portion 312, a third wall portion 313, and a fourth wall portion 314, which extend vertically upward from the bottom surface of the lower flow path portion 300.

The first wall portion 311 is provided in front of the upstream portion of the first flow path lower path 301 and defines the first flow path lower path 301 .

The second wall portion 312 extends upward from the bottom surface of the lower flow path 300 between the right end of the lower flow path 300 as viewed from the front and the foam generating section 320. The second wall portion 312 separates the foam generating section 320 from the second lower flow path 302. The second wall portion 312 is provided with a second wall portion first portion 312a that is inclined forward from the upstream side to the downstream side of the first lower flow path 301, in front of the foam generating section 320.

The third wall portion 313 is provided in the foam generating section 320. The third wall portion 313 determines the direction in which the liquid flows in the foam generating section 320.

A gap 319 is provided between the first wall portion 311 and the third wall portion 313. The gap 319 allows some of the liquid flowing through the first flow path lower path 301 to flow to the junction portion 340 without passing through the foam generating portion 320. This prevents residual water in the first flow path lower path 301 and prevents the water level in the first flow path lower path 301 from rising and causing liquid to flow back into the tank storage portion 222 provided above the first flow path lower path 301 when a large amount of liquid flows through the first flow path lower path 301.

The fourth wall portion 314 is provided in front of the second flow path lower path 302 and the main outlet 351. A part of the fourth wall portion 314 is located between the main outlet 351 and the sub-outlet 352. The fourth wall portion 314 is provided so that, of the liquid flowing through the confluence portion 340, water is discharged from the main outlet 351 to the washing tub 112, and detergent foam flowing through the confluence portion 340 is discharged from the sub-outlet 352.

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

[1-2-1. Washing operation when using the automatic loading function]
9, 10 and 12, arrow X represents the flow of detergent liquid in the first flow path lower path 301, arrow Y represents the flow of water injected from the foam generating nozzle 431, and arrow Z represents the flow of water injected from the first flow path lower path water injection section 413.

Figure 19 is a diagram explaining the operation during the wash step of a washing run when the automatic liquid detergent dispensing function is used.

When the washing process starts, the control device controls the automatic liquid dispenser 500 to automatically dispense liquid detergent from the detergent tank 650. The control device opens the detergent three-way valve 525, and while the detergent tank 650 and the pump unit 530 are in communication with each other, the control device rotates the pump motor 536 to move the piston 535 up and down, sucking liquid detergent from the pump unit inlet 532 and discharging it from the pump unit outlet 533. The liquid detergent discharged from the pump unit outlet 533 is discharged from the automatic dispenser internal route outlet 512 to the first flow path lower route 301 of the flow path lower part 300. After operating the piston 535 for a predetermined time, the control device closes the detergent three-way valve 525 and blocks the path between the detergent tank 650 and the pump unit 530.

The control device then opens the third water supply valve 213 to introduce water into the third water conduit 430. At the third water conduit branch 432, the water flowing through the third water conduit 430 is divided into water flowing out of the third water conduit outlet 435 and water injected into the foam generating section 320 from the foam generating nozzle 431.

The water flowing out from the third water guide path outlet 435 flows into the relay path 271 from the relay path inlet 272 and flows out from the relay path outlet 273. The water flowing out from the relay path outlet 273 flows into the automatic insertion device internal path 510 through the automatic insertion device internal path inlet 511, flows through the pump internal path 531, and is discharged from the automatic insertion device internal path outlet 512 to the first flow path lower path 301. The water discharged to the first flow path lower path 301 flows down the first flow path lower path 301 as shown by the arrow X, and reaches the foam generating unit 320. The water that reaches the foam generating unit 320 contains the detergent remaining in the automatic insertion device internal path 510 and the detergent discharged to the first flow path lower path 301. The foam generating unit 320 is formed as a recess in the flow path lower portion 300, and is provided with a plurality of pins 321 that protrude vertically from the bottom surface. As a result, the detergent liquid that has flowed into the foam generating section 320 remains in the foam generating section 320 .

The water flowing into the foam generating nozzle 431 from the third water guide path branch 432 is poured into the foam generating section 320 with great force. The water poured with great force from the foam generating nozzle 431 collides with the detergent liquid stored in the foam generating section 320, generating a large amount of detergent foam. The detergent liquid containing the detergent foam generated in the foam generating section 320 flows down the junction 340 and falls into the washing tub 112 from the discharge port 350. If the detergent liquid flowing down the junction 340 contains a small amount of detergent foam, the water and detergent foam fall into the washing tub 112 from the main discharge port 351. On the other hand, if the detergent liquid flowing down the junction 340 contains a large amount of detergent foam, some of the detergent foam is not discharged from the main discharge port 351 because the density of the detergent foam is lower than that of water, and falls into the washing tub 112 from the sub discharge port 352 after climbing over the fourth wall portion 314.

When a predetermined time has elapsed since the third water supply valve 213 was opened, the control device closes the third water supply valve 213 and opens the first water supply valve 211 to start supplying water to the first water supply path 410. The control device may also close the third water supply valve 213 after opening the first water supply valve 211.

During part or all of the time that the first water supply valve 211 is open, the control device drives the automatic liquid agent dispenser 500 to dispense liquid detergent from the detergent tank 650. Details will be described later, but while the automatic liquid agent dispenser 500 is being driven, water is injected from the first flow path lower path water injection section 413 into the first flow path lower path 301, causing the detergent liquid attempting to flow down the first flow path lower path 301 to accumulate upstream of the foam generation section 320.

After the control device operates the piston 535 for a predetermined time, it stops the operation of the automatic liquid agent dispenser 500 and closes the first water supply valve 211. After this, the control device stops the water supply from the water supply valve unit 210 for a predetermined time (time T). This causes the detergent liquid that has been retained due to the water injection from the first flow path lower path water injection section 413 to flow down the first flow path lower path 301 and move to the foam generation section 320. The length of time T can be determined experimentally, but it is desirable that the time for the detergent liquid to move to the foam generation section 320 is 5 seconds or more. More preferably, time T is 10 seconds or more.

When the time T has elapsed, the control device opens the third water supply valve 213, causing the liquid detergent remaining in the automatic dispenser internal path 510 and the first flow path lower path 301 to flow downstream, and also foams the detergent liquid in the foam generating section 320 by injecting water from the foam generating nozzle 431.

When the control device opens the third water supply valve 213 and a certain time has elapsed, it closes the third water supply valve 213 and opens the first water supply valve 211 to start supplying water from the first water supply path 410. When the water level in the outer tub reaches a predetermined water level, the control device closes the first water supply valve 211 and ends the water supply during the washing process. Note that water may be supplied to the outer tub up to the predetermined water level by the third water supply valve 213, or by both the first water supply valve 211 and the third water supply valve 213.

[1-2-2. Water injection using a foam generating nozzle]
The flow of water when it is injected from the foam generating nozzle 431 into the foam generating section 320 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 12 .

The foam generating nozzle 431 is arranged to inject water vertically forward, as indicated by arrow Y. Near the water injection position from the foam generating nozzle 431, the detergent liquid flowing through the foam generating section 320 flows in a direction from rear to front, as indicated by arrow X. As indicated by arrow Y, the foam generating nozzle 431 injects water from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow of detergent liquid flowing through the foam generating section 320 indicated by arrow X. In other words, the foam generating nozzle 431 injects water in a direction that follows the direction of the flow of detergent liquid flowing through the foam generating section 320.

If the foam generating nozzle 431 is provided to inject water vertically or against the flow of the detergent liquid, the waves generated by the water injected from the foam generating nozzle 431 push the detergent liquid back upstream, preventing the detergent liquid from reaching the injection position from the foam generating nozzle 431, and there is a risk that a sufficient amount of detergent foam will not be generated. Therefore, in this embodiment, the foam generating nozzle 431 is provided to inject water in a direction along the direction in which the detergent liquid flows, so that the detergent liquid can be prevented from being pushed back upstream by the injection of water from the foam generating nozzle 431. Therefore, new detergent liquid can be sent to the injection position from the foam generating nozzle 431, and detergent foam can be efficiently generated in the foam generating unit 320.

9, in front of the water pouring position from the foam generating nozzle 431, the second wall first portion 312a is provided so as to move forward from the right to the left as viewed from the front. In other words, the second wall first portion 312a is provided at an incline with respect to the direction of the water poured from the foam generating nozzle 431. When the foam generating section 320 has a narrow front-to-rear width, if the second wall first portion 312a is provided perpendicular to the direction of the water poured from the foam generating nozzle 431, the water poured from the foam generating nozzle 431 may bounce off the second wall first portion 312a and hinder the flow of detergent liquid in the foam generating section 320. In this embodiment, the second wall first portion 312a is provided at an incline with respect to the direction of the water poured from the foam generating nozzle 431, so that the detergent liquid can be efficiently flowed downstream.

In this embodiment, the foam generating nozzle 431 is provided in the third water supply path 430. By supplying water to the foam generating nozzle 431 and water to send the liquid detergent discharged by the automatic liquid agent dispenser 500 to the foam generating section 320 from the third water supply valve 213, it is possible to apply a greater tap water pressure to the third water supply path 430 than when water is supplied from another water supply valve. Furthermore, the first water supply path 410 has many openings that communicate with the atmosphere, such as the powder detergent water supply section 411, the liquid detergent water supply section 412, and the first flow path lower path water supply section 413, while the third water supply path 430 communicates with the atmosphere downstream of the third water supply valve 213 at two openings, the automatic dispenser internal path outlet 512 and the foam generating nozzle 431.

As a result, a greater tap water pressure can be applied to the third water conduit 430 than to the first water conduit 410. Therefore, by providing the foam generating nozzle 431 to the third water conduit 430, water can be poured from the foam generating nozzle 431 with greater force than when provided to the first water conduit 410.

In addition, by providing the foam generating nozzle 431 in the third water guide path 430, new detergent liquid that has not yet been foamed can be continuously sent to the position where the water injected from the foam generating nozzle 431 falls.

This allows water to be injected with great force from the foam generating nozzle 431 into new detergent liquid that has not yet been foamed in the foam generating section 320. Therefore, a large amount of detergent foam can be efficiently generated in the foam generating section 320.

[1-2-3. Water injection through the first flow path lower route water injection part]
The flow of water when it is injected from the first flow path lower path water injection section 413 into the foam generating section 320 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first flow path lower path water injection section 413 is arranged so that the water injection position from the first flow path lower path water injection section 413 is located upstream of the water injection position from the foam generation nozzle 431.

The first flow path lower path water injection section 413 is arranged to inject water vertically to the left, as indicated by arrow Z. Near the water injection position from the first flow path lower path water injection section 413, the detergent liquid flowing through the foam generating section 320 flows in a direction from left to right, as indicated by arrow X. As indicated by arrow Z, the first flow path lower path water injection section 413 injects water from the downstream side to the upstream side of the flow of detergent liquid flowing through the foam generating section 320 indicated by arrow X. In other words, the foam generating nozzle 431 injects water in a direction against the direction of the flow of detergent liquid flowing through the foam generating section 320.

As a result, the water injected from the first flow path lower path water injection section 413 pushes the liquid detergent discharged from the automatic liquid agent dispenser 500 back upstream, allowing the liquid detergent to remain upstream of the water injection position from the first flow path lower path water injection section 413. This prevents the detergent liquid from passing through the water injection position from the foam generation nozzle 431 and being discharged into the washing tub 112 before it is foamed by the water injected from the foam generation nozzle 431.

[1-3. Effects]
As described above, in this embodiment, the washing machine 100 includes an outer tub, a washing tub 112 rotatably provided in the outer tub, a third water supply valve 213 provided so as to be openable and closable, a third water supply path 430 for guiding water introduced from the third water supply valve 213 to the outer tub and/or the washing tub 112, a detergent tank 650 for storing a liquid agent therein, an automatic liquid agent dispenser 500 for discharging the liquid agent stored in the detergent tank 650 into the third water supply path 430, and a lower flow path 300 provided downstream of the automatic liquid agent dispenser 500 and communicating with the third water supply path 430. The third water supply path 430 includes a foam generating nozzle 431 provided above the lower flow path 300 and for injecting water toward a foam generating section 320 of the lower flow path 300.
This allows detergent liquid to be continuously fed into the foam generating section 320, and then water to be forcefully poured into the fed detergent liquid from the foam generating nozzle 431, thereby generating a large amount of detergent foam.

This improves the cleaning efficiency when using the automatic liquid drug dispenser 500.

As in this embodiment, the foam generating nozzle 431 may be configured to inject water from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow of detergent liquid in the foam generating section 320.

This prevents the detergent liquid flowing through the foam generating section 320 from being pushed back upstream of the foam generating section 320 by the water injected from the foam generating nozzle 431.

This allows the detergent liquid to be more reliably delivered to the position where the water falls when it is injected from the foam generating nozzle 431.

As in the present embodiment, the washing machine 100 includes a first water supply valve 211 that is provided so as to be able to be opened and closed independently of the third water supply valve 213, and a third water guide path 430 that is provided independently of the first water supply valve 211.
and a first water guide path 410 that guides the water introduced from the first flow path lower path water injection section 413 that injects water toward the flow path lower section 300, and in the flow path lower section 300, the fall position of the water injected from the first flow path lower path water injection section 413 may be located upstream of the fall position of the water injected from the foam generating nozzle 431.

As a result, even if liquid is dispensed from the automatic liquid dispenser 500 while water is being introduced from the first water supply valve 211, the detergent liquid can be retained upstream of the falling position of the water dispensed from the foam generating nozzle 431.

This prevents the detergent liquid from flowing into the outer tub or washing tub 112 without being foamed.

As in this embodiment, the washing machine 100 includes a control device (not shown) that controls the first water supply valve 211, the third water supply valve 213, and the automatic liquid agent dispenser 500, and the control device may open the first water supply valve 211 to supply water to the first water conduit 410 while driving the automatic liquid agent dispenser 500 to inject the liquid agent, close the first water supply valve 211 to stop the supply of water to the first water conduit 410, and then open the third water supply valve 213 to start the supply of water to the third water conduit 430.

This prevents the detergent liquid flowing through the lower part 300 of the flow path from flowing into the outer tub or washing tub 112 before water is poured from the foam generating nozzle 431, and then by starting the supply of water from the third water guide path 430, the stagnant detergent liquid can be foamed and supplied to the outer tub or washing tub 112.

Therefore, the detergent liquid flowing through the lower part of the flow path 300 can be foamed before being supplied to the outer tub or washing tub 112.

As in this embodiment, the control device may close the first water supply valve 211 to stop the water supply to the first water supply path 410, wait for a time T4, and then open the third water supply valve 213 to start the water supply to the third water supply path 430.

This allows the detergent liquid to be forcefully injected from the foam generating nozzle 431 after waiting until the detergent liquid that has been accumulated due to the injection from the first flow path lower path water injection section 413 moves to the falling position of the water injected from the foam generating nozzle 431.

This allows the detergent liquid to be foamed efficiently in the lower part of the flow path 300.

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 to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. In addition, it is also possible to combine the components described in the first embodiment to create a new embodiment.

Therefore, other embodiments are given below as examples.

In the first embodiment, the lower flow path 300 including the first lower flow path path 301 has been described as an example of a flow path portion. The flow path portion is not limited to the lower flow path 300 as long as it is a path that is provided so as to be able to foam the liquid detergent discharged from the automatic liquid agent dispenser. For example, the flow path portion may be configured so that water is poured from above into a path through which the detergent liquid flows down.

In the first embodiment, an automatic liquid agent dosing device 500 in which a pump unit 530 is provided in a path 510 in the automatic dosing device through which water passes has been described as an example of a liquid agent dosing device. The liquid agent dosing device is not limited to the automatic liquid agent dosing device 500 as long as it can discharge a predetermined amount of liquid agent stored in a liquid agent tank. For example, a pump unit may be provided downstream of the liquid agent tank, and the liquid agent discharged from the pump unit may be discharged into a path through which water passes (path in the automatic dosing device). The pump unit may be provided downstream of both the detergent tank and the fabric softener tank. The liquid agent tank may include not only a detergent tank and a fabric softener tank, but also a neutral detergent tank in which a neutral detergent is stored.

In the first embodiment, the first flow path lower path water injection section 413 provided in the first water guide path 410 has been described as an example of the second water injection section. The second water injection section is not limited to the first flow path lower path water injection section 413 as long as it injects water into the flow path section. The second water injection section may be provided in the path (second water guide path 420) that supplies water to the manual softener injection section, or may be provided in a dedicated path that supplies water only to the second water injection section.

This disclosure is applicable to washing machines.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Washing machine 101 Housing 110 Lower housing 112 Washing tub 130 Upper housing 131 Inlet 150 Lid 160 Operation unit 170 Water supply port 171 Water supply hose 200 Water supply unit 210 Water supply valve unit 211 First water supply valve (second water supply means)
212 Second water supply valve 213 Third water supply valve (first water supply means)
220 Water supply unit housing 221 Detergent case storage section 222 Tank storage section 230 Flow path upper section 260 Water supply unit lid section 270 Relay section 271 Relay path 272 Relay path inlet 273 Relay path outlet 274 Relay section main body 275 Relay section lid 290 Bath pump 291 Bath pump water inlet 300 Flow path lower section (flow path section)
301 First flow path lower path (flow path section)
302 Second flow path lower passage 311 First wall portion 312 Second wall portion 312a Second wall portion first part 313 Third wall portion 314 Fourth wall portion 320 Foam generating portion (flow path portion)
321 Pin 322 Bubble generating section peripheral wall 340 Confluence section 350 Outlet 351 Main outlet 352 Sub-outlet 410 First water guide path (second path)
411: Powder detergent water injection section 412: Liquid detergent water injection section 413: First flow path lower path water injection section (second water injection section)
420: Second water guide path 421: Softener water injection section 430: Third water guide path (first path)
431 Foam generating nozzle (first water injection part)
432 Third water guide path branching portion 435 Third water guide path outlet 500 Automatic liquid agent injection device (liquid agent injection device)
505 Automatic detergent dispenser inlet 506 Automatic fabric softener dispenser inlet 510 Pathway within automatic dispenser 511 Pathway inlet within automatic dispenser 512 Pathway outlet within automatic dispenser 520 Three-way valve 525 Three-way valve for detergent 526 Three-way valve for fabric softener 530 Pump unit 531 Pathway within pump 532 Pump unit inlet 532a Inlet-side check valve 533 Pump unit outlet 533a Outlet-side check valve 534 Cylinder 535 Piston 600 Detergent case 610 Manual powder detergent dispenser 615 Manual liquid detergent dispenser 620 Manual fabric softener dispenser 650 Detergent tank (liquid agent tank)
660 Fabric softener tank

Claims (4)

The outer tank and
A washing tub rotatably provided in the outer tub;
A first water supply means that is provided so as to be openable and closable;
A second water supply means that can be opened and closed independently of the first water supply means;
A first passage for guiding water introduced from the first water supply means to the outer tub and/or the washing tub;
A second path that is provided independently of the first path and guides the water introduced from the second water supply means to the outer tub and/or the washing tub;
A liquid tank for storing a liquid therein;
a liquid supply device that discharges the liquid stored in the liquid tank to the first path;
a flow path portion provided downstream of the liquid drug supply device and communicating with the first path;
Equipped with
The first path is provided with a first water injection section that is provided above the flow path section and injects water toward the flow path section ,
A second water injection section that injects water toward the flow path section is formed in the second path,
In the flow path section, a falling position of the water injected from the second water injection section is located upstream of a falling position of the water injected from the first water injection section,
The second water injection section injects water from a downstream side to an upstream side of a flow of the detergent liquid in the flow path section.
washing machine. The first water injection section is formed to inject water from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow of the detergent liquid in the flow path section.
The washing machine according to claim 1. A control unit is provided to control the first water supply means, the second water supply means, and the liquid agent supplying device, the control unit being
The second water supply means is opened to supply water to the second path while the liquid agent injection device is driven to inject the liquid agent;
and closing the second water supply means to stop the supply of water to the second path, and then opening the first water supply means to start the supply of water to the first path.
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2 . the control unit closes the second water supply means to stop the supply of water to the second path, waits for a predetermined time, and then opens the first water supply means to start the supply of water to the first path.
The washing machine according to claim 3 .