JP7633122B2 - Clothes Processing Equipment - Google Patents

Description

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

In recent years, washing machines equipped with a communication unit capable of wireless communication with external electronic devices have become known. There are various options for the location of the communication unit inside the outer box of the washing machine, such as near the top or at the bottom. For example, it has been proposed to place the communication unit and the control unit in close proximity to each other, taking into consideration the ease of installation, maintenance, and inspection, as well as the ease of wiring between the communication unit and the control unit.

However, there was room for further consideration regarding the mounting structure of the communication unit, taking into account workability during manufacturing, durability during use, safety, etc.

JP 2015-33531 A

Therefore, we provide a washing machine with an optimized mounting structure for the communication unit.

The clothing processing device of the embodiment includes an outer box, a control device provided inside the outer box, a container-shaped case with an upward recess and an opening at the bottom to house the control device inside, and a communication unit electrically connected to the control device and having a communication device capable of wireless communication with an external device, the communication unit being housed in a communication device housing formed inside the case.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical configuration of a network system including an example of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a communication unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a control unit of a washing machine according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a control unit of an example of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, viewed from diagonally above the front and parallel to an upper surface of a unit case; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a control unit of an example of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, viewed from below in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of a unit case; FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the ellipse X7 in FIG. 6 . FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a unit case of an example of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, viewed from below in a direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the unit case; FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the ellipse X9 in FIG. 8 . FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a unit cover of an example of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, viewed from diagonally above on the left; FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the ellipse X11 in FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a unit cover of a washing machine according to a first embodiment, viewed from above in a direction perpendicular to a bottom surface of the unit cover; FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the ellipse X13 in FIG. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a control unit of a washing machine according to the first embodiment taken along line X14-X14 in FIG. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the ellipse X15 in FIG. FIG. 13 is a bottom view (part 1) of a communication device housing portion and its periphery in a washing machine according to another embodiment with a unit cover removed; FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing the periphery of a communication device housing of an example of a washing machine according to another embodiment from below with a unit cover removed; FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the periphery of a communication device housing of an example of a washing machine according to another embodiment;

Several embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components in each embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted.

First Embodiment
First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 15. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a washing machine 10 as a laundry treatment device includes an outer box 11, a water tub 12, a rotating tub (not shown), a rotating tub motor 14, a drainage mechanism 15, an operation panel 17, a water supply mechanism 16, a control unit 20, and a communication unit 30. In Fig. 1, the installation surface side of the washing machine 10, i.e., the vertically lower side, is the lower side of the washing machine 10, and the opposite side of the installation surface, i.e., the vertically upper side, is the upper side of the washing machine 10. The left-right direction when the washing machine 10 is viewed from the front is the left-right direction of the washing machine 10. The washing machine 10 is, for example, a horizontal axis type in which the rotation axis of the rotating tub is horizontal, or an oblique axis type inclined downward toward the rear, which is a drum type washing machine.

The washing machine 10 may or may not have a drying function, such as a heat pump or heater. The outer box 11 is made of, for example, steel or resin material and has a rectangular box shape as a whole, forming the outer shell of the washing machine 10. The outer box 11 has a top surface 111, a front surface 112, a front opening 113, and a front cover 114. The top surface 111 forms the upper surface of the outer box 11. The front surface 112 forms the front surface of the outer box 11. The front opening 113 is an opening formed in the lower part of the front surface 112, and communicates between the inside and outside of the outer box 11 below the water tub 12. The front cover 114 is detachably attached to the front opening 113 from the front, and closes the front opening 113.

The water tub 12 is disposed within the outer box 11 and is elastically supported by a suspension (not shown). The rotating tub (not shown) is disposed rotatably within the water tub 12. In this case, the water tub 12 and the rotating tub function as a washing tub that contains laundry. The rotating tub motor 14 is provided outside the water tub 12. The rotating tub motor 14 is connected to the rotating tub and is driven to rotate the rotating tub.

The drain mechanism 15 shown in FIG. 1 has a function of draining water stored in the water tub 12 to the outside of the washing machine 10. The drain mechanism 15 has a drain path 151 and a drain valve 152. The drain path 151 is, for example, composed of a flexible drain hose, one end of which is connected to the drain valve 152 and the other end of which is pulled out to the outside of the washing machine 10. The drain valve 152 is, for example, composed of an opening/closing valve for liquid that can be electromagnetically opened and closed. The drain valve 152 is provided between the drain outlet 121 provided at the bottom of the water tub 12 and the drain path 151, and opens and closes the drain path 151.

The water supply mechanism 16 is provided, for example, above the water tank 12 inside the outer casing 11. The water supply mechanism 16 receives water from an external water source, such as a water tap, and supplies the water to the water tank 12. The water supply mechanism 16 has a connection port 161, a water supply path (not shown in detail), and a water supply valve 162. The connection port 161 is provided so as to be exposed at the left rear part of the top surface 111 of the outer casing 11, and is connected to an external water source via, for example, a hose. The water supply path is a path that connects the connection port 161 to the water tank 12 and the rotating tank. The water supply valve 162 is an opening/closing valve for liquid that can be electromagnetically opened and closed.

The operation panel 17 is provided on the front part of the top surface 111 of the outer box 11 as shown in FIG. 1. Although not shown in detail, the operation panel 17 is provided with a power switch, a start key, and various operation keys for the user to set the washing operation course, etc.

The control unit 20 includes a control device 21. The control device 21 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and is configured by mounting a microcomputer, a power supply circuit, and various electronic components on a printed circuit board (not shown in detail). The control device 21 has a CPU 211 and a memory area 212 such as ROM, RAM, and a rewritable flash memory, and controls the overall operation of the washing machine 10. The control unit 20 is electrically connected to the rotating tub motor 14, the drain valve 152, the water supply valve 162, the operation panel 17, and the communication unit 30, and controls the operation of these.

The control unit 20 is disposed inside the outer case 11. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 20 is disposed inside the outer case 11 at the front, below the water tub 12, so as to be removable from the front opening 113. In this embodiment, the control unit 20 is disposed on one side in the left-right direction of the washing machine 10, in this case the right side. Note that in another embodiment, the control unit 20 may be configured to be disposed on the left side of the washing machine 10. The control unit 20 is fixed inside the outer case 11 in a position inclined upward at the front. In another embodiment, the control unit 20 may be fixed inside the outer case 11 in a position maintained horizontally.

As shown in FIG. 2, the washing machine 10 constitutes a part of the network system 100. The washing machine 10 is communicatively connected to an external server 103 via a router 101 and an external communication line 102. The router 101 is a so-called wireless access point, and is communicatively connected to the washing machine 10 by a wireless communication method. The communication line 102 is, for example, the Internet or an electric line. The washing machine 10 is communicatively connected to an external communication device 110 directly or via the router 101, or via the router 101 and the communication line 102. The washing machine 10 can exchange various information with an external communication device 110 connected to the communication line 102, such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone.

The communication unit 30 is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with the external communication device 110. The communication unit 30 is formed in a roughly rectangular block shape as shown in FIG. 3. The communication unit 30 is configured to include a communication device 32 in a communication device cover 31. Although not shown in detail, the communication device 32 is configured by mounting a communication unit, an antenna, a connection connector, etc., which wirelessly communicate with the external communication device 110 via a router 101 installed in a building, for example, on a printed circuit board. The communication device 32 communicates with the router 101 via a relay device such as a gateway device or directly using a wireless communication method such as a so-called wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark). In addition, the communication device 32 and the external communication device 110 may be configured to directly wirelessly communicate with each other without using the external communication line 102. The communication device 32 is connected to the control device 21 by a lead wire (not shown). The communication unit 30 is provided next to the control unit 20.

The communication device cover 31 has a front portion 33, a left surface portion 34, a right surface portion 35, a rear portion 36, an upper surface portion 37, a lower surface portion 38, and a protrusion portion 39. The front portion 33 forms the front surface of the communication device cover 31. The left surface portion 34 forms the left side surface of the communication device cover 31. The right surface portion 35 forms the right side surface of the communication device cover 31. The rear portion 36 forms the rear surface of the communication device cover 31. The upper surface portion 37 forms the upper surface of the communication device cover 31. The lower surface portion 38 forms the lower surface of the communication device cover 31. The protrusion portion 39 is formed to protrude further downward from the lower surface portion 38. The protrusion portion 39 is provided near the front portion 33 and slightly rearward of the front portion 33. The connection wiring between the control device 21 and the communication device 32 is connected to the communication unit 30 from below. In this case, a connector portion for receiving the connector of the connection wiring may be provided inside the protrusion 39.

The configuration of the control unit 20 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the control unit 20 as seen from the front, diagonally downward to the left. FIG. 5 is a view of the control unit 20 as seen from slightly above the front. In other words, in this embodiment, the control unit 20 is stored in the washing machine 10 with the front inclined upward, and FIG. 5 is a view of the control unit 20 as seen from a direction parallel to the inclination of the control unit 20, that is, from slightly above the front. FIG. 6 is a view of the control unit 20 as seen from the bottom, slightly diagonally backward. In other words, FIG. 6 is a view of the control unit 20 as seen from below, perpendicular to the inclination of the control unit 20. Note that in FIGS. 4 to 15, the arrows indicating the up-down, left-right, and front-rear directions indicate the respective directions when the control unit 20 is not inclined, that is, maintained horizontally.

As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the control unit 20 includes, in addition to the control device 21, a unit case 40 as a case and a unit cover 50 as a cover. The unit case 40 is formed in a rectangular container shape in a plan view that opens downward. The unit case 40 houses the control device 21 inside. The unit cover 50 is formed in a rectangular container shape in a plan view that opens upward. The unit cover 50 is attached to the unit case 40 from below when the control unit 20 is housed in the washing machine 10, and covers the control device 21 from below.

As shown in Figs. 4 to 6 and 8, the unit case 40 has an opening 41, a front wall 42, a left wall 43, a right wall 44, a back wall 45, and a top surface 46. The opening 41 is formed in the lower part of the unit case 40 and is an opening that opens the unit case 40 downward. The opening 41 connects the inside and outside of the unit case 40. The front wall 42 forms the front surface of the unit case 40. The left and right wall portions 43, 44 form the left and right surfaces of the unit case 40. The back wall portion 45 forms the back surface of the unit case 40. The top surface portion 46 forms the upper part of the unit case 40, i.e., the ceiling surface. The control device 21 is fixed to the top surface portion 46 from the inside. The front wall portion 42, the left wall portion 43, the right wall portion 44, and the back wall portion 45 form the outer peripheral surface of the unit case 40.

As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, the unit case 40 has a control device accommodating section 401 and a communication device accommodating section 60. The control device accommodating section 401 constitutes the main part of the space inside the unit case 40 and is a space that accommodates the control device 21 inside. The communication device accommodating section 60 is provided adjacent to the control device accommodating section 401 and is a space that accommodates the communication unit 30 inside. The communication device accommodating section 60 is formed on the periphery of the unit case 40. In other words, the communication device accommodating section 60 is not provided in the center of the unit case 40, but in the vicinity of the front wall section 42, left wall section 43, right wall section 44, or back wall section 45 that form the outer peripheral surface of the unit case 40. In this embodiment, the communication device accommodating section 60 is provided in the vicinity of the front wall section 42 and the left wall section 43. The communication device accommodating section 60 is formed by bulging a part of the front part of the left wall section 43 outward.

The communication device housing 60 is provided near the front of the unit case 40. In other words, the communication unit 30 is provided adjacent to the front of the control unit 20. Typically, washing machines are often installed near the walls of a room. Therefore, by placing the communication unit 30 as close to the front of the washing machine 10 as possible, wireless communication with the router 101 in the building or the external communication device 110 can be more reliably achieved.

The unit case 40 has a front portion 61, a side portion 62, a back portion 63, and an upper portion 64 as a configuration that forms the communication device housing portion 60. The front portion 61 forms the front surface of the communication device housing portion 60. The side portion 62 forms the side surface of the communication device housing portion 60 in the direction away from the control device housing portion 401, in this case the left side surface. The back portion 63 forms the back surface of the communication device housing portion 60. The upper portion 64 forms the upper surface, i.e. the ceiling surface, of the communication device housing portion 60. The communication device housing portion 60 opens downward. The front portion 61, the side portion 62, the back portion 63, and the upper portion 64 form the outer surface of the communication device housing portion 60. The front portion 61, the side portion 62, the back portion 63, and the upper portion 64 are made of a material that has a low radio wave blocking effect, i.e. that easily transmits radio waves. For example, the front portion 61, the side portion 62, the back portion 63, and the upper portion 64 are made of a non-conductive material, i.e. a non-metallic material. Specifically, the front portion 61, the side portion 62, the back portion 63, and the upper portion 64 are made of a resin material such as plastic. In this embodiment, the front portion 61, the side portion 62, the back portion 63, and the upper portion 64 are integrally made of a resin material such as plastic with the unit case 40. The upper portion 64 is formed so as to be on the same plane as the top surface portion 46, that is, so as to be flush with the top surface.

The front portion 61 and the side portion 62 are slightly inclined from the direction perpendicular to the top surface portion 46. When the unit case 40 is maintained in a position where the top surface portion 46 is horizontal, the front portion 61 is inclined from the vertical direction so that it is positioned further forward as it goes downward. When the unit case 40 is maintained in a position where the top surface portion 46 is horizontal, the side portion 62 is inclined from the vertical direction so that it is positioned further outside the unit case 40 (in this case, to the left) as it goes downward. The back portion 63 forms a surface that is roughly perpendicular to the top surface portion 46.

The unit case 40 further has a partition 65. The partition 65 is provided between the control device housing 401 and the communication device housing 60, and divides the space inside the unit case 40 into the control device housing 401 and the communication device housing 60. The partition 65 protrudes from the boundary between the upper surface 46 and the upper portion 64 toward the inside of the unit case 40, i.e., downward, and forms a surface that extends in the front-rear and up-down directions, i.e., a surface perpendicular to the left-right direction. The partition 65 forms a surface that faces the side portion 62. The partition 65 forms a surface perpendicular to the upper surface 46.

A number of gripping parts 47 (four in this case) are formed on the inside of the top surface 46. The gripping parts 47 restrict the control device 21 from moving in the vertical direction by clamping it from above and below. The gripping parts 47 are formed to protrude from the upper part of the left wall part 43 toward the center of the control device housing part 401. The control device 21 is fixed to the top surface 46 by the gripping parts 47 and fixing members such as screws (details not shown). Furthermore, the control device 21 is resin-potted and fixed to the unit case 40 by a resin layer 200 such as urethane resin. This improves the water resistance, vibration resistance, and dust resistance of the control device 21.

The length of the partition 65 from the top surface 46, i.e., the distance from the top end to the bottom end of the partition 65 when the unit case 40 is maintained in a position in which the top surface 46 is horizontal, is set to be longer than the thickness of the resin layer 200. Therefore, when resin is poured into the control device accommodating section 401 to form the resin layer 200, the resin is prevented from flowing into the communication device accommodating section 60. The length of the partition 65 from the top surface 46 can be set within a range of, for example, 1/4 to 1/2 the length from the top surface 46 of the tip of the side section 62. In this embodiment, the length of the partition 65 from the top surface 46 is set to about 1/3 the length from the top surface 46 of the tip of the side section 62.

As shown in Figures 10 and 12, the unit cover 50 has an upper opening 51, a front wall portion 52, a left wall portion 53, a right wall portion 54, a rear wall portion 55, and a bottom surface portion 56. The upper opening 51 is an opening formed in the upper portion of the unit cover 50 and opens the unit cover 50 upward. The upper opening 51 connects the inside and outside of the unit cover 50. The front wall portion 52 forms the front surface of the unit cover 50. The left and right wall portions 53, 54 form the left and right surfaces of the unit cover 50. The rear wall portion 55 forms the back surface of the unit cover 50. The bottom surface portion 56 forms the bottom portion, i.e., the lower surface, of the unit cover 50. The bottom surface portion 56 forms a surface parallel to the upper surface portion 46 and the control device 21. The front wall 52, left wall 53, right wall 54, back wall 55, and bottom 56 together form a container shape and form the main body of the unit cover 50.

The area of the bottom surface portion 56 is set to be slightly smaller than the area of the top surface portion 46 and larger than the area of the substrate that constitutes the control device 21. When viewed from below, the control device 21 is covered by the bottom surface portion 56. In other words, when the control unit 20 is oriented so that the top surface portion 46 is a horizontal plane, the horizontal projection plane of the control device 21 is located within the horizontal projection plane of the bottom surface portion 56. Therefore, the control device 21 is not exposed to the outside of the control unit 20 when the unit cover 50 is attached to the unit case 40.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the unit cover 50 is attached to the unit case 40 from below. In this case, the upper end of the unit cover 50 is located above the lower end of the unit case 40, i.e., the opening 41. That is, the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50 overlap in the vertical direction. In other words, the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50 overlap at least in part when viewed from the front, left and right sides, and back. The upper end of the unit cover 50, i.e., the upper opening 51, is attached so as to fit inside the unit case 40. In other words, when the unit cover 50 is attached to the unit case 40, the front wall 52 is located inside the front wall 42, the left wall 53 is located inside the left wall 43, the right wall 54 is located inside the right wall 44, and the back wall 55 is located inside the back wall 45. Therefore, even if water or water vapor flows toward the control unit 20 from above, it is prevented from entering between the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50. This prevents the control device 21 from becoming flooded.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the unit case 40 has a step 48 on its outer periphery. Specifically, the step 48 is provided at the center of the front wall 42, left wall 43, right wall 44, and back wall 45 in the vertical direction. The step 48 protrudes from the outer periphery toward the outside of the unit case 40 and forms a surface parallel to the upper surface 46. Therefore, each wall 42, 43, 44, 45 is located below the step 48 and outside the unit case 40 above the step 48. Note that the vertical center here does not necessarily mean a position half the vertical length of each wall 42, 43, 44, 45, but does not mean the upper end or lower end or the vicinity thereof.

The unit cover 50 has a flange 57 as shown in Figs. 10 and 12. The flange 57 is provided so as to protrude outward from the upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the unit cover 50. Specifically, the flange 57 is provided at the upper end of each of the walls 52, 53, 54, and 55, and is formed so as to protrude forward, left, right, and rearward from the surface formed by each of the walls 52, 53, 54, and 55, respectively.

The unit case 40 has a plurality of claws 49, eight in this case. The claws 49 are provided below the step 48 of each wall 42, 43, 44, 45 and above the lower end of each wall 42, 43, 44, 45, i.e., above the opening 41. Specifically, the claws 49 are provided at a position lower than the step 48 of each wall 42, 43, 44, 45 by the vertical length dimension of the flange 57. The claws 49 restrict the movement of the unit cover 50 in the vertical, front-rear, and left-right directions by sandwiching the upper end of the unit cover 50, in this case the flange 57, between the step 48 and the claws 49. In this case, each of the walls 42, 43, 44, 45 has at least one claw 49. This allows the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50 to be stably assembled in the entire front-rear and left-right directions.

The unit cover 50 has a cutout 58 on its outer periphery. In this embodiment, the cutout 58 is formed in the left wall 53, i.e., the wall on the side where the communication device housing 60 is provided. The cutout 58 is formed by cutting out a portion of the upper part of the left wall 53 near the front wall 42. The cutout 58 is provided at a position where at least a portion of the cutout overlaps with the communication device housing 60 in a side view. In other words, the cutout 58 is provided at a position where at least a portion of the cutout overlaps with the communication device housing 60 in at least a portion of the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the cutout 58 is provided over at least the entire depth dimension of the communication device housing 60. The cutout 58 extends closer to the rear wall 45 than the portion facing the communication device housing 60. The cutout 58 is located closer to the rear wall 45 than the portion facing the communication device housing 60, and functions as an outlet for pulling out wiring (not shown) that connects the control device 21 to various components from the control unit 20.

When the unit cover 50 is attached to the unit case 40, the upper end of the left wall 53, which forms the bottom of the cutout 58, is located above the lower end of the side 62 of the communication device housing 60. In other words, in a side view, the side 62 and the left wall 53 in which the cutout 58 is provided are arranged so that a portion of the vertical range overlaps with each other. This prevents the control device housing 401 from being exposed to the outside of the control unit 20 more than necessary.

As shown in Figs. 6 to 9, 14 and 15, the unit case 40 further has one or more (two in this case) first ribs 66 and one or more (two in this case) second ribs 67. The first ribs 66 are formed so as to protrude from the partition wall 65 toward the inside of the communication device housing 60, in this case to the left. The second ribs 67 are formed so as to protrude from the side portion 62 toward the inside of the communication device housing 60, in this case to the right. The first ribs 66 and the second ribs 67 each form a surface that is approximately vertical in the front-rear direction. The first ribs 66 each have a left end 661 that is an inner tip with respect to the communication device housing 60. The second ribs 67 each have a right end 671 that is an inner tip with respect to the communication device housing 60.

When the communication unit 30 is accommodated in the communication device accommodation section 60, it is sandwiched from the left and right by the first rib 66 and the second rib 67. That is, when the communication unit 30 is accommodated in the communication device accommodation section 60, the tip portion of the first rib 66 facing the communication unit 30, i.e., the left end portion 661, contacts the surface facing the control device accommodation section 401 of the communication device cover 31, i.e., the right surface portion 35. In this case, the left end portion 661 of the first rib 66 contacts at least the upper portion of the right surface portion 35. When the communication unit 30 is accommodated in the communication device accommodation section 60, the tip portion of the second rib 67 facing the communication unit 30, i.e., the right end portion 671, contacts the surface facing the side portion 62 of the communication device cover 31, i.e., the left surface portion 34. In this case, the right end portion 671 of the second rib 67 contacts at least the upper portion of the left surface portion 34. Furthermore, when the communication unit 30 is housed in the communication device housing 60, it comes into contact with the inner surface of the upper portion 64. In other words, the upper surface portion 37 of the communication device cover 31 comes into contact with the inner surface of the upper portion 64.

As shown in Figs. 10 to 15, the unit cover 50 has one or more (in this case, two) support parts 70. The multiple support parts 70 are formed to protrude from the main body of the unit cover 50. In this embodiment, the multiple support parts 70 are formed at positions near the front end of the left wall part 53, protruding outward from the outer surface of the left wall part 53, that is, toward the communication device storage part 60. The multiple support parts 70 are provided at positions overlapping with the communication device storage part 60 in the front-rear direction when the unit cover 50 is assembled to the unit case 40. In other words, the multiple support parts 70 are provided at positions overlapping with the communication device storage part 60 in a side view when the unit cover 50 is assembled to the unit case 40. The multiple support parts 70 are provided below the cutout part 58.

The support section 70 has an elastic section 71 and a support surface section 72. The elastic section 71 is configured to be elastically deformable at least in the direction in which the control device accommodating section 401 and the communication device accommodating section 60 are aligned, in this case the left-right direction. In other words, the elastic section 71 is configured to be able to change its length dimension in the left-right direction when subjected to an external force. In this embodiment, the elastic section 71 is formed by bending a plate-shaped member in the vertical direction, specifically, so as to be recessed upward. By pressing the free end side that is not connected to the left wall section 53 toward the left wall section 53, the bent shape is deformed, and the elastic section 71 functions as a leaf spring. The outer surface 711, which is the surface of the elastic section 71 facing the communication device accommodating section 60, i.e., the left surface, is inclined so that the closer it is to the support surface section 72, i.e., the lower it is, the more it becomes toward the outside, i.e., the left side, of the unit cover 50, at least in the open state.

The support surface portion 72 is formed so as to protrude outward, that is, to the left, from the free end side of the elastic portion 71. The support surface portion 72 forms a surface perpendicular to the direction in which the elastic portion 71 can be elastically deformed. The support surface portion 72 forms a surface parallel to the upper portion 64 when the unit cover 50 is assembled to the unit case 40. The support surface portion 72 also forms a surface parallel to the lower surface portion 38 when the communication unit 30 is inserted into the communication device housing portion 60 and the unit cover 50 is assembled to the unit case 40. When the communication unit 30 is housed in the communication device housing portion 60 with the unit cover 50 assembled to the unit case 40, the support surface portion 72 comes into surface contact with the lower surface portion 38 of the communication device cover 31. As a result, the communication unit 30 is sandwiched by the upper portion 64 of the communication device housing portion 60 from above and by the support surface portion 72 of the support portion 70 from below. This prevents the communication unit 30 from falling out downward even when the communication unit 30 is inserted into the communication device housing 60 from below. Furthermore, the movement of the communication unit 30 in the vertical direction is restricted.

Furthermore, when not subjected to external force, the position of the right end of the support surface portion 72 is set to the left of the position of the right surface portion 35 when the communication unit 30 is housed in the communication device housing portion 60. Therefore, when the communication unit 30 is housed in the communication device housing portion 60, a rightward force acts from the communication unit 30 on the elastic portion 71. As a result, the length dimension of the elastic portion 71 in the left-right direction shrinks and becomes shorter compared to the natural length in the released state when the communication unit 30 is not housed in the communication device housing portion 60.

Meanwhile, the communication unit 30 receives a leftward reaction force from the elastic portion 71. When the communication unit 30 is housed in the communication device housing portion 60, the outer surface 711 of the elastic portion 71 is in surface contact with the right surface portion 35 of the communication device cover 31. As a result, the left and right movement of the communication unit 30 is restricted by the left end portion 661 of the first rib 66, the right end portion 671 of the second rib 67, and the outer surface 711 of the elastic portion 71. This prevents the communication unit 30 from losing contact with the support surface portion 72 and falling off due to vibrations caused by the rotation of the rotating tub, etc.

Next, the assembly procedure for the control unit 20 with the communication unit 30 will be described. The assembly work is basically performed with the opening 41 of the unit case 40 facing upward. First, the control device 21 is attached to the control device housing section 401 of the unit case 40. The periphery of the control device 21 is fixed by the gripping section 47, and movement in the up-down, left-right, and front-back directions is restricted. Next, resin potting is applied from above the control device 21 to the control device housing section 401. This more securely fixes the control device 21 to the unit case 40, and improves the water resistance, vibration resistance, and dust resistance of the control device 21.

Then, the communication unit 30 is inserted into the communication device housing 60. In this case, the communication unit 30 is inserted between the first rib 66 and the second rib 67. The communication unit 30 is also inserted to a position where the upper surface portion 37 contacts the upper portion 64 of the communication device housing 60. After that, lead wires (not shown) are connected to the communication unit 30.

The unit cover 50 is then attached to the unit case 40. As the unit cover 50 is brought closer to the unit case 40, the tip of the outer surface 711 of the elastic part 71, i.e., the side opposite the support surface 72, comes into contact with the bottom surface 38 of the communication unit 30. Specifically, the periphery of the connection between the bottom surface 38 and the right surface 35 comes into contact with the tip of the outer surface 711. When the unit cover 50 is further pressed in, since the outer surface 711 is inclined, the connection between the bottom surface 38 and the right surface 35 slides relatively along the inclination, and the elastic part 71 elastically deforms, shortening its length in the left-right direction from its natural length, and the support part 70 accepts the communication unit 30.

When the unit cover 50 is attached to the unit case 40, the flange 57 of the unit cover 50 is sandwiched between the step 48 and the claw 49 from above and below. This restricts the relative movement between the unit cover 50 and the unit case 40 in the up-down, left-right, and front-rear directions. At this time, the communication unit 30 is sandwiched from above and below by the support surface 72 of the support 70 and the upper part 64 of the communication device housing 60. Furthermore, the communication unit 30 is sandwiched from the left and right by the outer surface 711 of the elastic part 71, the left end 661 of the first rib 66, and the right end 671 of the second rib 67. This restricts the relative movement between the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50 and the communication unit 30 in the up-down and left-right directions. In this manner, the control unit 20 with the communication unit 30 attached thereto is assembled.

The assembled communication unit 30 is mounted inside the outer box 11 in an inclined position such that the unit case 40 is above the unit cover 50 and the front wall 42 is higher than the rear wall 45.

Here, it is also possible to further house the communication unit 30 in a waterproof case for the communication unit and fix it to the outside of the unit case 40 with fastening members such as screws. In this case, a waterproof case for the communication unit and fastening members are required, which increases the number of parts. This may make parts management more complicated during manufacturing and may increase the number of assembly steps. In addition, it is necessary to drill holes in the waterproof case for the communication unit to pass the fastening members through, which may leave small gaps and allow water or steam to reach the communication unit 30.

In contrast, according to the present embodiment described above, the washing machine 10 as a clothing processing device includes an outer box 11, a control device 21, a unit case 40 as a case, and a communication unit 30. The control device 21 is provided inside the outer box 11. The unit case 40 is formed in a container shape with a recess toward the top and an opening 41 at the bottom, and houses the control device 21 inside. The communication unit 30 is electrically connected to the control device 21 and is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with an external communication device 110. The communication unit 30 is housed in a communication device housing section 60 formed inside the unit case 40.

This eliminates the need to provide a separate waterproof case for the communication unit, and therefore the number of parts, including the fastening members, can be reduced. This reduces manufacturing costs and the complexity of manufacturing operations and parts management, and improves workability during manufacturing of the washing machine 10. Furthermore, since there is no need to drill holes in the waterproof case for the communication unit and fasten it to the unit case 40 with fastening members, the risk of water or steam reaching the communication unit 30 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to provide a washing machine 10 with an optimized mounting structure for the communication unit 30.

The washing machine 10 is provided with a unit cover 50 as a cover. The unit cover 50 is attached to the unit case 40 and covers at least a part of the opening 41. The communication unit 30 is inserted into the communication device housing 60 and removably fixed in the communication device housing 60 by assembling the unit cover 50 to the unit case 40.

With this, the communication unit 30 is fixed to at least one or both of the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50 without being fixed with fastening members such as screws. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts in the control unit 20 and therefore the entire washing machine 10.

Now consider the case where the unit cover 50 has a larger horizontal projection area and is shaped to cover the unit case 40. In this case, if water leaks from above, for example from the water tank 12 or water supply mechanism 16 above the control unit 20, there is a risk that water will get into the unit cover 50 through the gap between the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50. As a result, there is a risk that the control unit 20 will become flooded.

In contrast, the horizontal projection area of the unit cover 50 is set to be smaller than the horizontal projection area of the unit case 40. When the unit cover 50 is attached to the unit case 40, the communication device housing section 60 is located outside the unit cover 50. In other words, the communication unit 30 is housed inside the unit case 40 and outside the unit cover 50.

As a result, by covering the unit cover 50 with the unit case 40 located at the top, it is possible to make it difficult for water to enter the unit case.

The communication device housing 60 is provided on the periphery of the unit case 40. The outer surface of the communication device housing 60 is formed from a material that is less effective at blocking radio waves. In this case, the front 61, side 62, back 63, and top 64 that form the outer surface of the communication device housing 60 are formed from non-conductive materials.

According to this, the outer surface of the communication device housing 60 surrounding the communication unit 30 is formed of a non-metallic non-conductive material such as plastic, rather than a metal material that has a high shielding effect for blocking radio waves. This makes it easier for radio waves for wireless communication to travel between the communication unit 30 and the router 101, etc. In this embodiment, the front part 61, the side part 62, the back part 63, and the upper part 64 are integrally formed with the unit case 40 from a resin material such as plastic, but this is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the unit case 40 other than the outer surface of the communication device housing 60 may be formed from a metal material.

After the control device 21 is housed in the unit case 40, the control device 21 is protected from vibration, water, etc. by resin potting. If the resin flows into the communication device housing section 60, the communication unit 30 cannot be attached or detached, making maintenance, inspection, and replacement of the communication unit 30 difficult.

In contrast, the unit case 40 has a partition wall 65 that separates the communication device housing section 60 from the control device housing section 401 that houses the control device 21.

This prevents resin from flowing into the communication device housing 60, making the communication unit 30 removable. This makes it easier to perform maintenance, inspection, and replacement of the communication unit 30.

Here, a communication device housing section 60 is provided in the unit case 40 that opens downward, and if the communication unit 30 is simply inserted into the communication device housing section 60, there is a possibility that the communication unit 30 may fall downward due to, for example, vibrations caused by the rotation of the rotating tub.

In contrast, the unit cover 50 has a main body formed in a container shape and a support part 70 that supports the communication unit 30 and protrudes from the main body. In other words, the support part 70 is provided on the unit cover 50, which is attached to the unit case 40 from below.

By sandwiching the communication unit 30 between the unit case 40 and the unit cover 50, the movement of the communication unit 30 in the vertical and/or horizontal directions is restricted. Therefore, the communication unit 30 is prevented from falling out of the communication device housing section 60.

Here, because lead wires (not shown) are connected to the bottom of the communication unit 30, it is difficult to ensure that the contact area between the support surface 72 and the bottom surface 38 of the communication unit 30 is the full width of the communication unit 30 in the left-right direction. Therefore, even if the communication unit 30 is supported from below by the support surface 72, there is still a risk that the communication unit 30 will fall off downwards.

In contrast, the support section 70 has a support surface section 72 that supports the communication unit 30 from below, and an elastic section 71 that can elastically deform in a direction perpendicular to the support surface section 72. In this case, the support surface section 72 forms a surface that extends generally parallel to the upper surface section 46 of the unit case 40. The elastic section 71 can elastically deform in the left-right direction. The length of the elastic section 71 in the direction in which it can deform, that is, the left-right direction in this case, is shorter than its natural length when the support section 70 supports the communication unit 30 housed in the communication device housing section 60. In other words, in the open state in which the elastic section 71 has extended to its natural length, the position of the tip of the support section 70 is set to be closer to the communication unit 30 than the position of the tip of the support section 70 in the state in which the communication unit 30 is supported. In other words, the left-right length of the support section 70 is set so that the position of the tip of the support section 70 is on the outside of the unit cover 50, in this case, on the left side.

Accordingly, the elastic force of the elastic portion 71 causes the support portion 70 and the unit case 40 to press the communication unit 30 from the left and right, restricting the movement of the communication unit 30 in the left and right direction. Therefore, even if the contact area between the support surface portion 72 and the lower surface portion 38 is small, the communication unit 30 can be effectively prevented from falling downward.

The outer surface of the communication device housing 60 is made of a resin material, and is molded with an inclination to facilitate removal from the mold. As a result, the side portion 62 and the communication unit 30 cannot make surface contact as is, and there is a risk of the communication unit 30 rattling or falling off.

In contrast, the unit case 40 has a second rib 67 on the inner wall of the communication device housing 60, which serves as a restricting portion that contacts the communication unit 30 and restricts movement of the communication unit 30 when the communication unit 30 is housed in the communication device housing 60. In this case, the second rib 67 contacts the surface facing the side 62 of the communication unit 30, i.e., the left surface 34, and restricts movement of the communication unit 30 outward, i.e., to the left, with respect to the communication device housing 60.

This prevents the communication unit 30 from rattling or falling off, even though there is no direct surface contact between the side portion 62 and the communication unit 30.

Other Embodiments
Other embodiments will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 18. In the above embodiment, the communication unit 30 is inserted into the communication device housing 60 and then the unit cover 50 is attached to the unit case 40 to removably fix the communication unit 30 inside the communication device housing 60, but this is not limiting. For example, the communication unit 30 may be configured to be removably fixed by either the unit case 40 or the unit cover 50.

When the communication unit 30 is fixed by the unit case 40, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of opposing claws 300 protruding from the partition 65 toward the communication device housing 60 can be provided. The claws 300 may be configured to pinch and grip the communication unit 30 from the front and rear. The claws 300 are, for example, integrally molded with the partition 65 using resin or the like. In this case, at least one claw 300 contacts the front surface 33 of the communication unit 30, and the tip 301 bends toward the opposing claw 300 toward the rear surface and contacts the left surface 34. Also, at least one claw 300 contacts the rear surface 36 of the communication unit 30, and the tip 301 bends toward the opposing claw 300 toward the front surface and contacts the left surface 34.

In another configuration, as shown in FIG. 17, multiple opposing claws 310 protruding from the side 62 toward the communication device storage section 60 can be provided. The claws 310 may be configured to pinch and grip the communication unit 30 from the front and rear. The claws 310 are, for example, integrally molded with the side 62 using resin or the like. In this case, at least one claw 310 contacts the front surface 33 of the communication unit 30, and the tip 301 bends toward the opposing claw 300, in this case toward the rear surface, and contacts the right surface 35. In addition, at least one claw 310 contacts the rear surface 36 of the communication unit 30, and the tip 311 bends toward the opposing claw 310, in this case toward the front surface, and contacts the right surface 35.

When storing the communication unit 30 in the communication device storage section 60 in these embodiments, the worker fixes the communication unit 30 to the unit case 40. In this case, the worker can insert the communication unit 30 by, for example, elastically deforming the claw portion 300 or the claw portion 310 to widen the distance between the opposing claw portions 300 or the claw portions 310. When the worker releases the claw portion 300 or the claw portion 310, the claw portion 300 or the claw portion 310 recovers to its original shape and comes into contact with the communication unit 30, sandwiching the communication unit 30 from the front and rear directions. The worker can then assemble the unit cover 50 to the unit case 40 to complete the assembly of the control unit 20.

Furthermore, in the case of a configuration in which the communication unit 30 is fixed by the unit cover 50, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, multiple opposing claws 320 protruding from the left wall 53 toward the communication device housing 60 can be provided. The claws 320 may be configured to pinch and grip the communication unit 30 from the front and rear. The claws 300 are, for example, integrally molded with the left wall 53 using resin or the like. In this case, at least one claw 320 contacts the front surface 33 of the communication unit 30, and the tip 321 bends toward the opposing claw 320 toward the rear surface and contacts the left surface 34. Also, at least one claw 320 contacts the rear surface 36 of the communication unit 30, and the tip 321 bends toward the opposing claw 320 toward the front surface and contacts the left surface 34.

When storing the communication unit 30 in the communication device storage section 60 in this embodiment, the worker first fixes the communication unit 30 to the unit cover 50. In this case, the worker can insert the communication unit 30 by, for example, elastically deforming the claws 320 to widen the distance between the opposing claws 320. When the worker releases the claws 320, the claws 320 recover to their original shape and come into contact with the communication unit 30, sandwiching it from the front and rear. After that, the worker assembles the unit cover 50 with the communication unit 30 fixed to the unit case 40, and the communication unit 30 is stored in the communication device storage section 60. In this manner, assembly of the control unit 20 is completed.

According to these embodiments, the washing machine 10 as a clothing treatment device includes a unit cover 50 that is attached to the unit case 40 and covers at least a portion of the opening 41. The communication unit 30 is removably fixed by either the unit case 40 or the unit cover 50.

This allows the communication unit 30 to be fixed using either the unit case 40 or the unit cover 50 without having to assemble them, making assembly easier.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications 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.

10...Washing machine (clothing processing device), 11...Outer box, 20...Control unit, 21...Control device, 30...Communication unit, 32...Communication device, 40...Unit case (case), 401...Control device housing, 402...Finishing agent dispenser, 50...Unit cover (cover), 60...Communication device housing, 65...Partition, 66...First rib, 67...Second rib (regulating portion), 70...Support portion, 71...Elastic portion, 72...Support surface portion, 110...External communication device, 300, 310, 320...Claw portion (other embodiments)

Claims (10)

Outer box and
A control device provided inside the outer box;
a case formed in a container shape having an upward recess and an opening at a lower portion, the case housing the control device therein;
a communication unit electrically connected to the control device and having a communication device capable of wireless communication with an external communication device;
the communication unit is accommodated in a communication device accommodation section formed inside the case ,
a cover attached to the case to close at least a portion of the opening,
A horizontal projection area of the cover is set to be smaller than a horizontal projection area of the case,
When the cover is attached to the case, the communication device housing is located outside the cover.
Clothes treatment device. Outer box and
A control device provided inside the outer box;
a case formed in a container shape having an upward recess and an opening at a lower portion, the case housing the control device therein;
a communication unit electrically connected to the control device and having a communication device capable of wireless communication with an external communication device;
the communication unit is accommodated in a communication device accommodation section formed inside the case,
a cover attached to the case to close at least a portion of the opening,
The cover has a main body formed in a container shape and a support portion formed protruding from the main body and supporting the communication unit.
Clothes treatment device. The clothing processing device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the communication unit is detachably fixed in the communication device housing by assembling the cover to the case while the communication unit is inserted in the communication device housing. A horizontal projection area of the cover is set to be smaller than a horizontal projection area of the case,
The clothing processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the communication device housing is located outside the cover when the cover is attached to the case. the communication device housing is provided on the periphery of the case,
The clothing processing device according to claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the communication device housing portion is formed of a material that is less effective at blocking radio waves. The clothing processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the case has a partition wall that separates the communication device housing section from a control device housing section that houses the control device. The clothing processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the cover has a main body formed in a container shape and a support portion formed protruding from the main body and supporting the communication unit. the support portion has a support surface portion that supports the communication unit from below, and an elastic portion that is elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to the support surface portion,
The clothing processing device according to claim 2 or 7, wherein a length of the elastic portion in a deformable direction is shortened from a natural length when the support portion supports the communication unit housed in the communication device housing portion. The clothing processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the case has a restricting portion on an inner wall of the communication device housing portion that contacts the communication unit when the communication unit is housed in the communication device housing portion and restricts movement of the communication unit. The clothing processing device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the communication unit is detachably fixed to either the case or the cover.

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