JP7634616B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

One aspect of the present invention relates to a washing machine.

Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine in which a detergent tank is detachably attached inside the housing. In the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, an opening and a lid for opening and closing the opening are provided at the top of the housing. The detergent tank is attached inside the opening of the housing when the lid is open, i.e., inside the housing.

International Publication No. 2019/039140

However, in the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, the detergent tank is attached inside the housing, making it difficult for the user to remove and attach the detergent tank from the housing when refilling the detergent tank with detergent. One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a washing machine in which the detergent tank is easily attached and detached to the housing.

A washing machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes a water tub for storing wash water, a housing that houses the water tub, and at least one laundry treatment liquid tank for storing laundry treatment liquid to be supplied to the water tub. The housing includes an upper surface portion provided above the water tub, and a mounting portion recessed from the upper surface portion into the housing and mounting the at least one laundry treatment liquid tank. The at least one laundry treatment liquid tank is detachably attached to the mounting portion of the housing. The mounting portion has a bottom surface located below the at least one laundry treatment liquid tank, a front side surface located in front of the at least one laundry treatment liquid tank, and a rear side surface located behind the at least one laundry treatment liquid tank. and, the mounting portion has a tank connection portion connected to the at least one laundry treatment liquid tank, and the bottom surface includes a first inclined surface that slopes downward toward the tank connection portion, the laundry treatment liquid tank has a supply nozzle portion connected to the tank connection portion, the supply nozzle portion has a columnar portion protruding rearward from the back surface of the laundry treatment liquid tank, and the tank connection portion includes an opening formed from the surface of the rear side surface of the mounting portion to the rear, and when the supply nozzle portion is connected to the tank connection portion, the columnar portion of the supply nozzle portion is inserted into the opening and engages with the tank connection portion, and the back surface of the laundry treatment liquid tank contacts the rear side surface of the mounting portion .

1 is a perspective view of an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of the washing machine according to the embodiment. 1 is a diagram for conceptually explaining an example of a path for each of an automatic washing operation and a manual washing operation in a washing machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a configuration of a detergent tank and a fabric softener tank mounted on a mounting portion and a manual detergent dispenser in a washing machine according to an embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a configuration of a detergent tank and a fabric softener tank according to the embodiment. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which the detergent tank according to the embodiment is mounted on a mounting portion. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a detergent tank and a mounting portion according to a first modified example of an embodiment. FIG. FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating an example of a configuration of a laundry treatment liquid tank according to a second modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of the laundry treatment liquid tank illustrated in FIG. 8 . 13 is a top view showing an arrangement pattern of the laundry processing liquid tank according to the third modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a top view showing an arrangement pattern of the laundry processing liquid tank according to the fourth modified example of the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 13 is a top view showing an arrangement pattern of the laundry processing liquid tank according to the fifth modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a top view showing an arrangement pattern of the laundry processing liquid tank according to the fifth modified example of the embodiment. 13 is a top view showing an arrangement pattern of the laundry processing liquid tank according to a sixth modified example of the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 13 is a top view showing an arrangement pattern of the laundry processing liquid tank according to the seventh modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a top view showing an arrangement pattern of the laundry processing liquid tank according to Modification 8 of the embodiment. 13 is a top view showing an arrangement pattern of the laundry processing liquid tank according to a ninth modified example of the embodiment. FIG.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a washing machine according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the washing machine shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the washing machine 100 includes, for example, a housing 101, a water tub 102 housed inside the housing 101, a laundry treatment liquid tank 160 provided in the housing 101, and a manual detergent dispenser 119 provided in the housing 101.

As an example, in this embodiment, the washing machine 100 is described as being capable of performing two types of washing operations: an automatic washing operation in which the washing operation is performed automatically, and a manual washing operation in which the washing operation is performed manually. The automatic washing operation is a washing operation in which the washing machine 100 starts the washing operation without waiting for instructions from the user, for example, when a preset time is reached. On the other hand, the manual washing operation is a washing operation in which the washing operation is started after receiving instructions from the user, for example, by pressing an operation button or the like.

The housing 101 surrounds the water tank 102. The housing 101 has a top surface 101a provided above the water tank 102, a bottom surface 101b provided below the water tank 102, a front surface 101c provided in front of the water tank 102, a back surface 101d provided on the back side behind the water tank 102, and side surfaces 101e and 101f provided on both sides of the water tank 102 through the water tank 102. For example, the top surface 101a covers the top of the water tank 102, and the bottom surface 101b covers the bottom of the water tank 102. Also, for example, the front surface 101c, side surface 101e, back surface 101d, and side surface 101f are each erected relative to the bottom surface 101b and are arranged in order to cover the lateral periphery of the water tank 102.

The housing 101 also includes a mounting portion 117 for mounting the laundry treatment liquid tank 160. For example, the mounting portion 117 is recessed from the surface of the housing 101 into the housing 101. For example, the mounting portion 117 is provided on the top surface 101a of the housing 101. That is, the mounting portion 117 is provided so as to be recessed from the surface of the top surface 101a of the housing 101 into the housing 101. Note that the mounting portion 117 may be provided at a position of the housing 101 other than the top surface 101a.

In this embodiment, the laundry treatment liquid tank 160 is described as a tank for storing detergent and the like to be used during automatic laundry operation. Note that the detergent and the like stored in the laundry treatment liquid tank 160 may also be used during manual laundry operation.

The laundry treatment liquid tank 160 protrudes from the surface of the housing 101 and is removably attached to the housing 101. That is, the laundry treatment liquid tank 160 is removably mounted on the mounting portion 117. The laundry treatment liquid tank 160 contains laundry treatment liquid to be supplied to the water tub 102. The laundry treatment liquid is a chemical used in laundry, such as detergent and fabric softener.

It is sufficient for the washing machine 100 to have at least one laundry treatment liquid tank 160, but as an example, in this embodiment, the washing machine 100 is described as having at least one laundry treatment liquid tank 160, which includes a detergent tank (laundry treatment liquid tank) 162 and a fabric softener tank (laundry treatment liquid tank) 163. The detergent tank 162 has a capacity to store an amount of liquid detergent for multiple washes. The fabric softener tank 163 has a capacity to store an amount of liquid fabric softener for multiple washes.

The number of laundry treatment liquid tanks 160 (detergent tank 162 and fabric softener tank 163) in the washing machine 100 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. If the laundry treatment liquid tank 160 has multiple tanks, the capacity of each tank may be the same or different. Details of the laundry treatment liquid tank 160 will be described later. If the laundry treatment liquid tank 160 has multiple tanks, the detergent treatment liquid in each tank may be the same or different.

The manual detergent dispenser 119 is, for example, a tank for storing detergent and the like used during manual or automatic washing operation. The manual detergent dispenser 119 is housed inside the housing 101 and is detachably attached to the housing 101. The manual detergent dispenser 119 is a container provided separately from the laundry treatment liquid tank 160 for storing detergent to be supplied to the water tub 102. For example, the user puts detergent into the manual detergent dispenser 119 every time the user manually operates the washing machine 100 to wash. The detergent stored in the manual detergent dispenser 119 may be liquid or powder. Note that the manual detergent dispenser 119 may be provided as desired and may be omitted. Details of the manual detergent dispenser 119 will be described later.

The water tub 102 is a water tub for storing wash water when the washing machine 100 performs a washing operation. The wash water is a liquid in which laundry treatment liquids such as detergent and fabric softener are dissolved in water. The water tub 102 includes, for example, a large-diameter bottomed cylinder 120 having an opening 121 on the entire surface of one end, a rotating drum 103 housed in the bottomed cylinder 120, and a drain port 122 provided in the bottomed cylinder 120 for draining water inside the water tub 102. In addition, the water tub 102 is elastically supported by, for example, a plurality of support legs 123 (only one is shown) provided on the bottom surface portion 101b of the housing 101, with the opening 121 side facing upward and the axis tilted with respect to the horizontal plane (a plane parallel to the installation surface of the washing machine 100).

The rotating drum 103 is, for example, a cylinder with a slightly smaller diameter than the water tank 102 and an opening 130 on the entire surface of one end. The opening 130 of the rotating drum 103 is connected to the end of the output shaft 140 of the drum motor 104 provided at the center of the bottom of the water tank 102 so as to be approximately concentric with the opening 121 of the water tank 102. The rotating drum 103 rotates around the output shaft 140 inside the water tank 102 by driving the drum motor 104. The peripheral wall of the rotating drum 103 is formed with, for example, a large number of small holes 132 that penetrate the entire surface. Furthermore, the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the rotating drum 103 is provided with, for example, a plurality of baffles 133 that extend in the axial direction at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Note that in FIG. 2, only some of the small holes 132 and one baffle 133 are illustrated to avoid cluttering the drawing.

The drain outlet 122 is connected to a drain hose 127 via a drain pipe 124. The washing water and other wastewater in the water tub 102 after washing is drained to the outside via the drain pipe 124 and the drain hose 127. A drain valve 126 is provided between the drain pipe 124 and the drain hose 127. The storage and drainage of water in the water tub 102 is controlled by opening and closing this drain valve 126.

The housing 101 further includes, for example, an inlet 111 for inserting laundry, a door 110 for opening and closing the inlet 111, an operation panel 115 provided with operation buttons for receiving operation instructions from a user to the washing machine 100, and a water source connection port 150 for connecting to a water supply source such as a waterworks. For example, the inlet 111 and the door 110 are provided on the front part 101c of the housing 101, and when the door 110 is opened, laundry is inserted into the water tub 102 (rotating drum 103) through the inlet 111. When the door 110 is closed, the opening 121 of the water tub 102 is closed. For example, the door 110 is opened by pressing a door open button 113. In FIG. 1, an example of the door 110 having a circular shape is illustrated, but the shape of the door 110 may be a shape other than a circular shape (for example, a square shape, etc.).

The operation panel 115 is provided adjacent to the front side of the top surface 101a, for example, so that the user can easily operate it. The water source connection port 150 is provided at the rear end of the top surface 101a, opposite the direction of approach to the operation panel 115.

The operation panel 115 includes, for example, an operation section for various operations and a display section for displaying various images. In the washing machine 100, the control section 5 (see FIG. 3) controls the operation of each section in response to the operation of the operation panel 115, thereby executing a series of processes such as a washing operation and a spin-drying operation.

The water source connection port 150 is connected to the water tub 102, for example, via a second valve 151 and a main water distribution pipe 152. The second valve 151 is, for example, a multiple solenoid valve having multiple water supply outlets. The water supplied from the water supply source is supplied to the water tub 102 via the main water distribution pipe 152 together with laundry treatment liquid supplied from, for example, a detergent tank 162 and a fabric softener tank 163, by switching the water supply outlets with the second valve 151.

The washing operation of the washing machine 100 is performed, for example, by supplying washing water to the inside of the water tub 102 (rotating drum 103) in which the laundry has been placed, and driving the drum motor 104 to tumble the rotating drum 103. The laundry in the rotating drum 103 is immersed in the washing water that has entered the rotating drum 103 through the small holes 132, and is washed by being repeatedly lifted and dropped by the baffle 133 and being slammed against the inner wall of the rotating drum 103 when it falls. Note that while the washing operation of the washing machine 100 has been described, the washing machine 100 may also be equipped with a heater, a blower fan, etc., and function as a dryer to dry the laundry in the water tub.

Figure 3 is a diagram for conceptually explaining an example of the paths for automatic washing operation and manual washing operation in the washing machine 100 of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the washing machine 100 has, for example, a control unit 5 and a detergent supply mechanism 300. The detergent supply mechanism 300 has a first path 311, a first valve 302 and a pump 301 provided in the first path 311, a water supply path 321, a second valve 151 provided in the water supply path 321, and a second path 322.

At least one first valve 302 and pump 301 are provided between the detergent tank 162 and the water tub 102, and at least one second valve 151 is provided between the water source connection port 150 and the water tub 102. In this embodiment, at least one second valve 151 is provided between the water source connection port 150 and the first path 311.

The control unit 5 is an information processing device including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the operation of each part of the washing machine 100. For example, the operation of the pump 301, the first valve 302, the second valve 151, etc. is controlled by the control unit 5.

When performing an automatic washing operation, for example, when a pre-stored set time is reached, the control unit 5 controls the opening and closing of the first valve 302 and the second valve 151, and controls the operation of the pump 301. When performing a manual washing operation, the control unit 5 controls the opening and closing of the first valve 302 and the second valve 151, and controls the operation of the pump 301, based on an instruction signal obtained from the operation button.

The first path 311 is a path for supplying the laundry treatment liquid from the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163 to the water tub 102 during automatic washing operation. The first path 311 has tank connectors 312a and 312b, which are ends connected to the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163, and a water tub connector 313, which is an end connected to the water tub 102. In this embodiment, the tank connector 312a is connected to the detergent tank 162, and the tank connector 312b is connected to the fabric softener tank 163. The tank connectors 312a and 312b in the first path 311 may be provided in a number corresponding to the number of laundry treatment liquid tanks 160. The details of how the tank connectors 312a and 312b are connected to the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163 will be described later.

The water supply path 321 is a path for supplying water from a water source connected to the water source connection port 150 to the water tank 102. For example, the water supply path 321 is connected to the first path 311.

When the washing machine 100 performs an automatic wash operation, the control unit 5 controls the second valve 151 so that a water supply path 321 is formed from the water source connection port 150 through the second valve 151 to the water tub 102.

When the washing machine 100 performs an automatic wash operation, the detergent in the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener in the fabric softener tank 163 are supplied to the water tub 102 through the first path 311 via the pump 301. The pump 301, for example, draws the detergent from the detergent tank 162 or the fabric softener from the fabric softener tank 163 and supplies them to the water tub 102. The pump 301 is preferably configured to draw a predetermined amount of laundry treatment liquid from each laundry treatment liquid tank 160. For example, the amount of laundry treatment liquid can be adjusted by changing the driving time of the pump 301.

The type of laundry treatment liquid supplied to the water tub 102 is switched by the first valve 302. In the present embodiment, an example is given in which the first valve 302 is used as a valve for switching the type of laundry treatment liquid, but this is not limiting. A corresponding valve may be provided for each laundry treatment tank, and the laundry treatment liquid may be switched by opening and closing these valves.

Furthermore, the laundry treatment liquid supplied to the water tub 102 is mixed with water by connecting to a water supply path 321 that passes from a water source through the water source connection port 150 and the second valve 151 in the middle of the first path 311 from the pump 301 to the water tub 102. As a result, the laundry treatment liquid becomes diluted laundry water, which is supplied to the water tub 102 through the water tub connection part 313. In this embodiment, water is supplied downstream of the pump 301 through the water source connection port 150, but this is not limited to this, and water may be supplied upstream of the pump 301 or upstream of the first valve 302, for example. In this case, the pump 301 and the first valve 302 can be washed with water.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example is given in which a detergent tank 162 and a fabric softener tank 163 are used as tanks for storing laundry treatment liquid, but this is not limiting, and there may be one or more laundry treatment liquid tanks 160. For example, multiple types of detergent and/or fabric softener may be stored in different tanks, allowing the user to select the type of detergent and fabric softener to be used according to their preferences.

The manual detergent dispenser 119 is provided, for example, in the second path 322 leading from the second valve 151 to the water tank 102.

When the washing machine 100 performs a manual wash operation, the control unit 5 controls the second valve 151 so that a second path 322 is formed from the water source connection port 150 through the second valve 151 and the manual detergent dispenser 119 to the water tub 102.

When the washing machine 100 performs a manual wash operation, water supplied from the water source to the manual detergent dispenser 119 via the water source connection port 150 and the second valve 151 is mixed with the detergent contained in the manual detergent dispenser 119 to become wash water. The wash water is then supplied from the manual detergent dispenser 119 to the water tub 102.

In this way, as described with reference to FIG. 1 etc., in the washing machine 100, for example, the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163 protrude from the surface of the housing 101 and are detachably attached to the housing 101. Therefore, unlike the case where the washing tank is attached inside the housing such as the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, the user can easily attach and detach the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163 to the housing 101. Therefore, the user can easily attach and detach the detergent tank 162 to the housing 101 to refill the liquid detergent, and can also easily attach and detach the fabric softener tank 163 to the housing 101 to refill the fabric softener. In this way, the washing machine 100 can improve the convenience of the user.

In addition, as described above, according to the washing machine 100, the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163 are attached to the housing 101 so as to protrude from the surface of the housing 101. Therefore, unlike the case where the detergent tank is attached inside the housing such as the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to refill the detergent tank 162 with detergent without removing the detergent tank 162 from the housing 101. It is also possible to refill the fabric softener tank 163 with fabric softener without removing the fabric softener tank 163 from the housing 101. From this point of view as well, the washing machine 100 can improve the convenience for the user.

Furthermore, as described above, according to the washing machine 100, the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163 are attached to the housing 101 so as to protrude from the surface of the housing 101. Therefore, unlike a case in which the detergent tank is attached inside the housing, such as the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, the capacity of each of the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163 can be made large. Therefore, according to the washing machine 100, the user can reduce the number of times that he or she refills the detergent tank 162 with detergent and the fabric softener tank 163 with fabric softener. From this point of view as well, the washing machine 100 can improve the convenience for the user.

In addition, for example, in the washing machine 100, the housing 101 is not provided with a lid or the like to cover the portions of the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163 that protrude from the surface of the housing 101, and the portions of the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163 that protrude from the surface of the housing 101 are exposed. This allows the user to easily attach and detach the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163 to and from the housing 101 without opening and closing a lid or the like, unlike the case in which a lid is opened to remove a detergent tank provided inside the housing, such as in the washing machine described in Patent Document 1.

For example, in the washing machine 100, the housing 101 may be provided with an openable/closable lid that covers the portions of the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163 that protrude from the surface of the housing 101.

In addition, for example, in the washing machine 100, the detergent tank 162 and the softener tank 163 are attached to the housing 101 so as to protrude from the upper surface portion 101a of the housing 101. In other words, for example, the detergent tank 162 and the softener tank 163 are attached to the housing 101 so as to protrude from the surface of the housing 101 in order to increase the size of the washing machine 100 in the height direction. This makes it possible to prevent the length of the washing machine 100 in the width direction (direction from one of the side portions 101e and 101f to the other) from increasing and the length in the depth direction (direction from one of the front portion 101c and the back portion 101d to the other) from increasing, compared to when the detergent tank and the softener tank protrude from one of the two side portions of the housing and when they protrude from the front portion or the back portion. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the area required for installing the washing machine 100 and to increase convenience by making it easy to attach and detach the detergent tank 162 and the softener tank 163 from the housing 101.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the detergent tank 162 and fabric softener tank 163 mounted on the mounting part 117 and the manual detergent dispenser 119 in the washing machine 100 according to the first embodiment. Note that in Figure 4, the top surface 101a around the mounting part 117 is omitted.

1 and 4, the manual detergent dispenser 119 includes a decorative plate 119a and a manual dispenser case (container) 119b. The manual dispenser case 119b is a container for storing detergent and is open at the top. The decorative plate 119a is attached to the front end of the manual dispenser case 119b. For example, the decorative plate 119a is configured to be flush (a continuous flat surface) with the front portion 101c around the decorative plate 119a when the manual detergent dispenser 119 is stored inside the housing 101. The decorative plate 119a also has a handle that a user holds in his/her hand to store or remove the manual detergent dispenser 119 inside the housing 101. The manual detergent dispenser 119 is then, for example, slid from the front side of the housing 101, inserted into the housing 101, and attached to the housing 101.

As shown in FIG. 1, unlike the washing machine described in Patent Document 1 in which the washing tank is attached inside the housing, the washing machine 100 has the detergent tank 162 and fabric softener tank 163 attached to the housing 101 so as to protrude from the surface of the housing 101. Therefore, by having the detergent tank 162 and fabric softener tank 163 protrude from the surface of the housing 101, it is possible to secure space inside the housing 101, which is a limited space.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, for example, in the washing machine 100, the manual detergent dispenser 119 is detachably attached to the housing 101 below the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163 (in other words, below the mounting portion 117). In other words, the manual detergent dispenser 119 is attached inside the housing 101 so that the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163 and the manual detergent dispenser 119 are arranged in two levels, one above the other. This makes it possible to provide the manual detergent dispenser 119 in the housing 101 separately from the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163, without making the housing 101 larger.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the detergent tank 162 and fabric softener tank 163 according to the first embodiment. The detergent tank 162 has, for example, a main body 162a with an opening at the top, a lid 162b for closing the opening of the main body 162a, and a supply nozzle portion 162c for supplying the detergent in the main body 162a to the outside. In addition, for example, a transparent window portion 162d that transmits visible light is provided on the side of the main body 162a. The main body 162a is a container that stores the detergent filled therein by the user. It is preferable that the inside of the main body 162a is sealed by attaching the lid 162b to the main body 162a.

The supply nozzle portion 162c has, for example, a through hole penetrating the main body 162a and a check valve provided in the through hole, and is a columnar shape that protrudes outward or inward from the main body 162a. When the detergent tank 162 is mounted on the mounting portion 117, the supply nozzle portion 162c is connected to the mounting portion 117 as described below. As an example, in this embodiment, the supply nozzle portion 162c is provided so as to protrude downward and outward from the bottom surface of the main body 162a.

The fabric softener tank 163 has, for example, a main body 163a with an opening at the top, a lid 163b for closing the opening of the main body 163a, and a supply nozzle portion (not shown) for supplying the detergent in the main body 163a to the outside. In addition, for example, a transparent window portion 163d that transmits visible light is provided on the side of the main body 163a. The main body 163a is a container that stores the fabric softener filled inside by the user. It is preferable that the inside of the main body 163a is sealed by attaching the lid 163b to the main body 163a.

The supply nozzle portion (not shown) has, for example, a through hole penetrating the main body 163a and a check valve provided in the through hole, and is columnar in shape protruding outward or inward from the main body 163a. When the fabric softener tank 163 is mounted on the mounting portion 117, the supply nozzle portion 162c is connected to the mounting portion 117 as described below. As an example, in this embodiment, the supply nozzle portion (not shown) is provided so as to protrude downward and outward from the bottom surface of the main body 163a.

For example, the bottom surface of the main body 162a/163a is gradually inclined downward from the front to the rear. The shape of the main body 162a/163a may be other shapes, for example, a shape that allows the main body 162a/163a to stand on its own when it is removed from the mounting portion 117 and placed on a floor or the like.

In the detergent tank 162, the window portion 162d may be provided on at least a part of the main body 162a and the lid body 162b. In other words, it is sufficient that at least a part of the main body 162a and the lid body 162b is transparent. As a result, the entire main body 162a and the lid body 162b may be transparent.

It is also preferable that the window 162d is provided on the side of the main body 162a. In other words, it is preferable that a portion of the side of the main body 162a is transparent. This makes it easy to visually check the detergent level in the main body 162a, i.e., the remaining amount of detergent.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the window portion 162d is provided in a portion of the detergent tank 162 that protrudes and is exposed from the surface of the housing 101 when the detergent tank 162 is mounted on the mounting portion 117. In other words, it is preferable that at least a portion of the detergent tank 162 that is exposed from the surface of the housing 101 is transparent. This makes it possible to visually check the remaining amount of detergent in the detergent tank 162 when the detergent tank 162 is mounted on the mounting portion 117.

In the fabric softener tank 163, the window portion 163d may be provided on at least a part of the main body 163a and the lid body 163b. In other words, it is sufficient that at least a part of the main body 163a and the lid body 163b is transparent. As a result, the entire main body 163a and the lid body 163b may be transparent.

It is also preferable that the window 163d is provided on the side of the main body 163a. In other words, it is preferable that a portion of the side of the main body 163a is transparent. This makes it easy to visually check the level of the fabric softener in the main body 163a, i.e., the amount of fabric softener remaining.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the window portion 163d is provided in a portion of the softener tank 163 that protrudes and is exposed from the surface of the housing 101 when the softener tank 163 is mounted on the mounting portion 117. In other words, it is preferable that at least a portion of the portion of the softener tank 163 that is exposed from the surface of the housing 101 is transparent. This makes it possible to visually check the remaining amount of softener in the softener tank 163 when the softener tank 163 is mounted on the mounting portion 117.

As shown in FIG. 5, the surface of the main body 162a on which the window portion 162d is provided and the surface of the main body 163a on which the window portion 163d is provided may be different from each other. For example, in FIG. 5, the window portion 162d is provided on a side surface of the main body 162a, and the window portion 163d is provided on a front surface of the main body 163a.

As shown in FIG. 5, the window 162d is preferably provided on a surface of the main body 162a and the lid 162b that is different from the surface facing the fabric softener tank 163. As shown in FIG. 5, the window 163d is preferably provided on a surface of the main body 163a and the lid 163b that is different from the surface facing the detergent tank 162.

Each laundry treatment liquid tank 160 may further be provided with identification information, such as a QR code (registered trademark), that can identify each individual laundry treatment liquid tank 160. This allows management of each laundry treatment liquid tank 160, such as managing the type of laundry treatment liquid stored inside each laundry treatment liquid tank 160.

Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of the state in which the detergent tank 162 according to this embodiment is mounted on the mounting part 117. The state in which the detergent tank 162 is mounted on the mounting part 117 will be described using Figures 5 and 6. Note that the state in which the fabric softener tank 163 is mounted on the mounting part 117 is similar to the state in which the detergent tank 162 is mounted on the mounting part 117, and therefore the description will be omitted as appropriate.

The mounting portion 117 has, for example, a shape recessed from the surface of the upper portion 101a toward the inside of the housing. The mounting portion 117 has a bottom surface 117a, a front side surface 117b erected on the front edge of the bottom surface 117a, a rear side surface 117c erected on the rear edge of the bottom surface 117a, and both side side surfaces (not shown in FIG. 6) erected on both lateral sides of the bottom surface 117a.

Mounting portion 117 also has tank connection portion 312a that is connected to supply nozzle portion 162c of detergent tank 162 and has a shape that fits with supply nozzle portion 162c, and a tank connection portion (not shown) that is connected to supply nozzle portion (not shown) of fabric softener tank 163 and has a shape that fits with said supply nozzle portion. For example, mounting portion 117 has tank connection portions that are connected to supply nozzle portions of each laundry treatment liquid tank mounted thereon and have a shape that fits with each supply nozzle portion. For example, each supply nozzle portion such as supply nozzle portion 162c is provided on bottom surface 117a of mounting portion 117.

The bottom surface 117a is a bottom surface recessed from the surface of the upper surface portion 101a into the housing interior, and is the surface on which the laundry treatment liquid tank 160, such as the detergent tank 162, is mounted. For example, the bottom surface 117a has a shape corresponding to the bottom surface of the main body 162a of the detergent tank 162 so that the detergent tank 162 is stably installed when the detergent tank 162 is mounted.

For example, in this embodiment, the bottom surface 117a is gradually inclined downward from the front side surface 117b to the rear side surface 117c. This allows the detergent tank 162 to be stably installed on the bottom surface 117a.

In addition, by making the bottom surface 117a gradually slope downward from the front side surface 117b to the rear side surface 117c, when the user mounts the detergent tank 162 on the mounting portion 117, the detergent tank 162 can be mounted inside the mounting portion 117 by sliding the detergent tank 162 on the surface of the bottom surface 117a from the front side to the rear side inside the mounting portion 117. This allows the user to easily mount the detergent tank 162 on the mounting portion 117 even if the weight of the detergent tank 162 increases due to an increase in the capacity of the detergent tank 162.

When the detergent tank 162 is mounted on the mounting portion 117, the supply nozzle portion 162c is connected to the tank connection portion 312a. This connects the supply nozzle portion 162c in the detergent tank 162 to the first path 311. The other laundry treatment liquid tanks 160 also connect to the first path 311 by connecting their respective supply nozzle portions (not shown) to the tank connection portions (not shown) that fit with them.

For example, the shape of the fitting between the supply nozzle portion of each laundry treatment liquid tank 160 and each tank connection portion may be different for each laundry treatment liquid tank 160. This makes it possible to prevent the supply nozzle portion of the fabric softener tank 163 from being connected to the tank connection portion 312a that should be connected to the supply nozzle portion 162c of the detergent tank 162, for example, by connecting the supply nozzle portion of the fabric softener tank 163 to the tank connection portion 312a.

When the detergent tank 162 is mounted on the mounting portion 117, it is preferable that more than half of the height H1 of the detergent tank 162 is contained inside the mounting portion 117, i.e., inside the housing 101. Here, the height H1 of the detergent tank 162 is the maximum height of the main body 162a and the lid body 162b, excluding the supply nozzle portion 162c. This allows the detergent tank 162 to be stably mounted on the mounting portion 117. Similarly, it is preferable that more than half of the height of the laundry treatment liquid tanks 160 other than the detergent tank 162 is contained inside the mounting portion 117, i.e., inside the housing 101.

Figure 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of detergent tank 162A and mounting unit 117A according to the first modified example of the embodiment. Washing machine 100 (Figure 1, etc.) may be provided with detergent tank 162A in addition to detergent tank 162 (Figure 6, etc.) or instead of detergent tank 162. Washing machine 100 (Figure 1, etc.) may be provided with mounting unit 117A in addition to mounting unit 117 (Figure 6, etc.) or instead of mounting unit 117.

The detergent tank 162A is configured in such a way that the supply nozzle portion 162c is provided on the rear side of the main body 162a instead of on the bottom surface of the main body 162a. The other configuration of the detergent tank 162A is the same as that of the detergent tank 162.

Mounting section 117A is configured in such a way that the tank connection section 312a is provided on the rear side surface 117c instead of the bottom surface 117a, based on the configuration of mounting section 117. The other configuration of mounting section 117A is the same as mounting section 117.

When the detergent tank 162A and the mounting part 117A are used to insert the detergent tank 162A into the mounting part 117A from the front side of the mounting part 117A, the user can easily position the supply nozzle part 162c of the detergent tank 162A relative to the tank connection part 312a of the mounting part 117A. This allows the user to easily connect the supply nozzle part 162c of the detergent tank 162A to the tank connection part 312a of the mounting part 117A.

Figure 8 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the laundry treatment liquid tank 160B according to the second modified example. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the laundry treatment liquid tank 160B shown in Figure 8. The washing machine 100 (Figure 1, etc.) may be provided with a laundry treatment liquid tank 160B in addition to or instead of the laundry treatment liquid tank 160.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the laundry treatment liquid tank 160B has a main body 160Ba and a supply nozzle part 160Bc. The main body 160Ba is not open in any part (e.g., the top surface, etc.) other than where the supply nozzle part 160Bc is provided, and is sealed by providing the supply nozzle part 160Bc, for example.

The supply nozzle part 160Bc supplies the laundry treatment liquid inside the main body 160Ba to the outside and also functions as a lid. For example, the supply nozzle part 160Bc has a through hole penetrating the main body 160Ba and a check valve provided in the through hole, and is a column shape protruding outward from the main body 162Ba. The supply nozzle part 160Bc is shaped to fit with the tank connection part to be connected in the mounting part 117 (Figure 6, etc.). Figures 8 and 9 show an example in which the supply nozzle part 160Bc is provided on the bottom part of the main body 160Ba, but the supply nozzle part 160Bc may be provided on the side part or top part of the main body 160Ba, etc.

Figure 10 is a top view showing the layout pattern of the laundry treatment liquid tank 160 according to Modification 3. Figure 11 is a top view showing the layout pattern of the laundry treatment liquid tank 160 according to Modification 4. Figure 12 is a top view showing the layout pattern of the laundry treatment liquid tank 160 according to Modification 5. Figure 13 is a top view showing the layout pattern of the laundry treatment liquid tank 160 according to Modification 5. Figure 14 is a top view showing the layout pattern of the laundry treatment liquid tank 160 according to Modification 6. Figure 15 is a top view showing the layout pattern of the laundry treatment liquid tank 160 according to Modification 7. Figure 16 is a top view showing the layout pattern of the laundry treatment liquid tank 160 according to Modification 8. Figure 17 is a top view showing the layout pattern of the laundry treatment liquid tank 160 according to Modification 9.

As shown in Figures 10 to 17, multiple laundry treatment liquid tanks 160 may be arranged in various positions on the mounting portion 117, and for example, two or more detergent tanks 162 may be arranged, and two or more fabric softener tanks 163 may be arranged.

Also, as shown in FIG. 16, the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163 may be mounted on the mounting part 117 with a gap 167 between them, for example, for inserting a finger.Also, as shown in FIG. 17, the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163 may be mounted on the mounting part 117 with a gap 168 between them, for example, for inserting a finger, by curving the shapes of the detergent tank 162 and the fabric softener tank 163.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be replaced with a configuration that is substantially the same as the configuration shown in the above-described embodiment, a configuration that provides the same effect, or a configuration that can achieve the same purpose.

100 washing machine, 101 housing, 101a top surface, 101b bottom surface, 101c front surface, 101d rear surface, 101e side surface, 101f side surface, 102 water tank, 117, 117A mounting portion, 119 manual detergent dispenser, 119b manual dispenser case (container), 151 second valve, 160, 160A, 160B laundry treatment liquid tank, 162, 162A detergent tank (laundry treatment liquid tank), 163 fabric softener tank (laundry treatment liquid tank), 167, 168 gap

Claims (6)

A water tank for storing wash water;
A housing that houses the water tank;
at least one laundry treatment liquid tank for containing laundry treatment liquid to be supplied to the water tub;
the housing includes a top surface portion provided above the water tub, and a mounting portion recessed from the top surface portion into the housing and configured to mount the at least one laundry treatment liquid tank;
the at least one laundry treatment liquid tank is detachably attached to the mounting portion of the housing;
the mounting portion has a bottom surface located below the at least one laundry treatment liquid tank, a front side surface located in front of the at least one laundry treatment liquid tank, and a rear side surface located behind the at least one laundry treatment liquid tank,
the mounting portion has a tank connection portion connected to the at least one laundry treatment liquid tank, and the bottom surface includes a first inclined surface inclined downward toward the tank connection portion ,
the laundry treatment liquid tank has a supply nozzle portion connected to the tank connection portion,
The supply nozzle portion has a columnar portion protruding rearward from a rear surface of the laundry treatment liquid tank,
the tank connection portion includes an opening formed rearward from a surface of a rear side surface of the mounting portion,
When the supply nozzle portion is connected to the tank connection portion, the columnar portion of the supply nozzle portion is inserted into the opening and engages with the tank connection portion, and the rear surface of the laundry treatment liquid tank contacts the rear side surface of the mounting portion . The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion further comprises two side surfaces located on both sides of the at least one laundry treatment liquid tank. The at least one laundry treatment liquid tank has a main body having an opening at the top and a lid for closing the opening of the main body,
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein at least a part of the main body and the lid is transparent. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is capable of mounting three of the laundry treatment liquid tanks. The at least one laundry treatment liquid tank has a main body having an opening at the top and a lid for closing the opening of the main body,
The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein a remaining amount check portion is provided on a front side of the side portion of the main body, whereby a remaining amount of the laundry treatment liquid can be visually checked. The mounting portion is capable of mounting at least two of the laundry treatment liquid tanks side by side,
The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion has an opening through which the laundry treatment liquid can be poured between the at least two laundry treatment liquid tanks and the front side surface.

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