JP7645469B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a washing machine.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine that detects when liquid has solidified in the tank.

The washing machine described in Patent Document 1 includes a tank that contains the liquid agent, a detection part that floats on the surface of the liquid agent in the tank, and a detection part that detects the detection part. The detection value of the detection part after the liquid agent is discharged from the tank is stored, and it is determined that the liquid agent has adhered to the tank depending on the difference in the detection value of the number of consecutive discharges.

JP 2019-42185 A

However, in washing machines having automatic dispensing units including liquid agent tanks of different depths , there is a demand for a standardized float for detecting the remaining amount of liquid agent in the tank .

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to solve the above problem and to provide a washing machine that realizes a common float for detecting the remaining amount of liquid in liquid tanks of different depths .

A washing machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an outer tub elastically supported within a housing, a tank that contains a liquid agent to be supplied to the outer tub, a float that is rotatable around a rotation axis located at the top of the tank, and a sensor that detects a detectable part, the float including a floating part that has buoyancy relative to the liquid agent and a detectable part, and the detectable part is located closer to the sensor than an imaginary line connecting the floating part and the rotation axis.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a washing machine in which a float for detecting the remaining amount of liquid agent can be standardized in liquid agent tanks of different depths .

Schematic cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Schematic front view of a washing machine Perspective view of the automatic insertion unit Perspective view of the automatic insertion unit Top view of the automatic feeding unit FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an automatic insertion unit; Case perspective view Perspective cross-sectional view of the automatic insertion unit A perspective view of a tank and a liquid supply device Exploded view of the tank Perspective view of the lid Tank cross section Schematic cross-section of the tank Enlarged cross-section of the tank A graph showing the relationship between the distance between the magnet and the sensor and the output voltage value Graph showing the relationship between the remaining amount of liquid and the output voltage value Schematic diagram of electronic components associated with the float Cross-sectional view showing the operation of the float Cross-sectional view showing the operation of the float Cross-section of another tank Cross-section of another tank Cross-section of another tank Cross-section of another tank Schematic cross-section of the tank

(Embodiment)
A washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[Overall configuration]
Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of the washing machine 1. The washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment is a washing and drying machine having an automatic liquid dispenser function. In this specification, the liquid is a liquid used for washing laundry 15 such as clothes, and includes detergent, fabric softener, neutral detergent, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 includes a housing 2, an outer tub 3, an inner tub 4, a drive unit 5, an automatic dosing unit 6, a connection flow path 8, a water supply port 10, and a drain valve 11.

<Case>
The housing 2 is a member that forms the external appearance of the washing machine 1. An opening 20 and a door 21 that covers the opening 20 and can be opened and closed are provided on the front surface of the housing 2.

<Outer tank>
The outer tub 3 is provided inside the housing 2 and is a roughly cylindrical member having the function of storing wash water. The outer tub 3 may be called a water tub. The outer tub 3 has a tubular portion 34 and a bottom portion 36 that closes one end of the tubular portion 34. The central axis V0 of the outer tub 3 passes through the center of the bottom portion 36. The central axis V0 is inclined with respect to the horizontal. The outer tub 3 has an opening 31 at a position facing the opening 20 of the housing 2, and is connected to the opening 20 of the housing 2 in a sealed manner by a bellows 32. The outer tub 3 is further provided with openings 33 and 35 for passing water. The opening 33 is an opening connected to the connection flow path 8, and the opening 35 is a drain port for draining the water in the outer tub 3 to the outside.

In addition, in the following description, the horizontal direction along the central axis V0 is referred to as the front-rear direction M (Fig. 1), and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the plane including the central axis V0 is referred to as the width direction K (Fig. 2). The front-rear direction M has a front side M1 toward the opening 31 and a rear side M2 toward the bottom 36, and the width direction K has an outer side K1 away from the central axis V0 and a center side K2 toward the central axis V0.

<Inner tank>
The inner tub 4 is a generally cylindrical member that is rotatable around a central axis V0 inside the outer tub 3 and that contains laundry 15, such as clothes. The inner tub 4 may also be referred to as a drum. The inner tub 4 is formed with a large number of through holes 40. The through holes 40 communicate the inner tub 4 with the outer tub 3, allowing the wash water to move from the inner tub 4 to the outer tub 3. The inner tub 4 further has an opening 41 at a position facing the opening 20 of the housing 2 and the opening 31 of the outer tub 3.

<Drive unit>
The drive unit 5 is a member that drives the inner tub 4 to rotate around the central axis V0. The drive unit 5 has, for example, a motor that rotates the inner tub 4.

<Automatic insertion unit>
The automatic dosing unit 6 is a unit that automatically dispenses a predetermined amount of liquid agent from a tank that stores the liquid agent into the outer tub 3. The automatic dosing unit 6 dispenses an appropriate amount of an appropriate type of liquid agent into the outer tub 3, for example, depending on the amount and type of laundry 15, during a washing process, a rinsing process, etc. The automatic dosing unit 6 is connected to the outer tub 3 via a connecting flow path 8 in order to supply the liquid agent to the outer tub 3.

The automatic dosing unit 6 includes a case 61, tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C (tanks 62B and 62C not shown), liquid dosing devices 63A, 63B, and 63C (liquid dosing devices 63B and 63C not shown), a liquid discharge flow path 64, and a manual dosing section 65.

As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic insertion unit 6 is disposed inside the housing 2, diagonally above the outer tub 3. The automatic insertion unit 6 faces an openable and closable cover 60 disposed on the top surface of the housing 2. The automatic insertion unit 6 has a shape that follows the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 34 of the outer tub 3.

<Connection flow path>
The connection flow path 8 is a flow path for supplying the liquid agent from the automatic dispensing unit 6 to the outer bath 3. The connection flow path 8 extends downward from the automatic dispensing unit 6 to the opening 33 of the outer bath 3.

<Water supply port>
1, the water supply port 10 is a connection port for connecting a hose that supplies water to the outer tub 3 via the automatic dosing unit 6. The water supply port 10 is provided on the upper part of the housing 2.

<Drain valve>
The drain valve 11 is configured to be openable and closable, and when opened, drains water stored in the outer tub 3 through an opening 35 of the outer tub 3. The drain valve 11 is provided in the lower part of the housing 2.

<Control Unit>
The control unit (not shown) is a member that controls the operation of the washing machine 1. The control unit controls components of the washing machine 1, such as the drive unit 5, the liquid agent dosing devices 63A, 63B, and 63C of the automatic dosing unit 6, the water inlet 10, and the drain valve 11. The control unit may include, for example, a memory (not shown) that stores a program, and a processing circuit (not shown) that corresponds to a processor such as a CPU, and function as these elements by the processor executing the program.

Next, the components of the automatic insertion unit 6 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 6. Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the automatic insertion unit 6. Fig. 5 is a top view of the automatic insertion unit 6. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the automatic insertion unit 6.

<Case>
3, the case 61 is a member that houses the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C that constitute the automatic feeding unit 6, and the manual feeding part 65. The bottom surface 55 of the case 61 has an inclined shape along the outer periphery of the tube part 34 that is diagrammatically shown by a dotted line.

Here, the surface of the front side M1 of the case 61 is the front surface 56 (Fig. 3), and the surface of the rear side M2 of the case 61 is the rear surface 57 (Fig. 4). As shown in Fig. 4, the liquid agent injection devices 63A, 63B, and 63C (Fig. 6), the liquid agent discharge flow path 64, the connection flow path 8, and the sensor 90 are connected to the rear surface 57 of the case 61.

<Tank>
As shown in Fig. 5, the case 61 accommodates three tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C arranged in the width direction K. The tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C are containers for storing liquid agents used in the washing process and the rinsing process. For example, the tank 62A stores a neutral detergent, the tank 62B stores a fabric softener, and the tank 62C stores a detergent. The tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C are removable from the case 61. The tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C can be pulled forward M1 to be removed from the liquid agent supplying devices 63A, 63B, and 63C (Fig. 6), and then taken out upward.

<Manual input section>
The manual input unit 65 is a mechanism for a user to manually input a single dose of laundry treatment liquid. The manually input liquid flows from the case 61 through the connecting flow path 8 (FIG. 1) into the outer tub 3 (FIG. 1) in the input amount. The manually input liquid may be in liquid or powder form. The manual input unit 65 is removably housed in the case 61.

<Liquid injection device>
6, the liquid agent supplying devices 63A, 63B, and 63C are devices that suck up a predetermined amount of liquid agent from the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C and discharge the liquid agent into the liquid agent discharge flow path 64. The liquid agent supplying devices 63A, 63B, and 63C are connected to the tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C in the front-rear direction M via the rear surface 57 of the case 61. The liquid agent supplying device 63A is connected to the tank 62A, the liquid agent supplying device 63B is connected to the tank 62B, and the liquid agent supplying device 63C is connected to the tank 62C. The liquid agent supplying devices 63A, 63B, and 63C are arranged side by side in the width direction K.

<Liquid material discharge flow path>
As shown in Fig. 6, the liquid agent discharge flow path 64 is a flow path member that supplies the liquid agent and water to the outer tank 3 (Fig. 1) via the case 61. The liquid agent discharge flow path 64 is provided on the back surface 57 of the case 61, and is connected to three liquid agent input devices 63A, 63B, 63C. The liquid agent discharge flow path 64 extends at an incline downward toward the outside K1. In other words, the liquid agent discharge flow path 64 extends from upstream to downstream at an incline downward with respect to the horizontal plane. The fluid (e.g., water W0) flowing through the liquid agent discharge flow path 64 flows in one direction according to the inclination of the liquid agent discharge flow path 64.

Next, the structure of the case 61 of the automatic insertion unit 6 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the case 61.

As shown in FIG. 7, the case 61 has inner bottom surfaces B1, B2, and B3. The inner bottom surfaces B1, B2, and B3 are arranged in order along the outer side K1. The inner bottom surface B1 is a surface located directly below the tank 62A (FIG. 6), the inner bottom surface B2 is a surface located directly below the tank 62B (FIG. 6), and the inner bottom surface B3 is a surface located directly below the tank 62C (FIG. 6).

The rear surface 57 of the case 61 is formed with tank connection ports 77A, 77B, and 77C, a first case connection port 78, a second case connection port 79, and a liquid agent outlet 81.

Tank connection ports 77A, 77B, and 77C are openings provided for connecting tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C housed in case 61 to liquid agent supply devices 63A, 63B, and 63C arranged outside case 61.

The first case connection port 78 and the second case connection port 79 are openings that connect the liquid agent discharge flow path 64 to the case 61. The liquid agent outlet 81 is an opening that discharges the fluid that has flowed into the case 61 from the liquid agent discharge flow path 64 and the fluid that flows from the manual input unit 65 to the connection flow path 8.

The state in which tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C are attached to case 61 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a perspective cross-sectional view of automatic dosing unit 6.

As shown in FIG. 8, tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C have depths L1, L2, and L3, respectively. Depths L1, L2, and L3 are the distances from the top surface to the deepest part of tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C, respectively. Depths L1, L2, and L3 of tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C increase in order. Depth L2 of tank 62B is deeper than depth L1 of tank 62A, and depth L3 of tank 62C is deeper than depth L2 of tank 62B. In addition, because the top surfaces of tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C have a common shape, the volumes of tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C increase in order according to depths L1, L2, and L3.

As described above, tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C store a neutral detergent, fabric softener, and detergent, respectively. Taking into consideration the type of liquid and the volume of tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C, the liquids may be stored in tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C in order of least frequently used liquid. Also, tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C may store the same liquid.

Here, tank 62 is a general term for tanks 62A, 62B, and 62C. Similarly, liquid agent dosing device 63 is a general term for liquid agent dosing devices 63A, 63B, and 63C, and connection part 76 is a general term for connection parts 76A, 76B, and 76C. In the following explanation, tank 62C will be used as a reference as an example of tank 62. Figure 9 is a perspective view of tank 62 and liquid agent dosing device 63. Figure 10 is an exploded view of tank 62.

As shown in FIG. 9, the tank 62 forms a connection part 76 at its deepest part. The connection part 76 is structured to be connected to the liquid agent injection device 63. Each connection part 76 includes a check valve 68 (FIG. 12A described below) and a connection port. The check valve opens when the liquid agent injection device 63 is attached, and the tank 62 and the liquid agent injection device 63 communicate with each other. The connection port is an opening through which the liquid agent is sucked out, and faces the tank connection ports 77A, 77B, and 77C shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 10, the tank 62 comprises a main body 87 and a lid 88. The main body 87 is a box-shaped container that forms a front surface 91 and a back surface 92. The top of the main body 87 is open and is covered by the lid 88. The lid 88 is a lid that is removably held on the main body 87. The lid 88 has a small lid 88A that can be opened and closed.

Because the top surfaces of the tanks 62 have a common shape, the upper parts of the main bodies 87 have a common shape, and the structure for holding the lids 88 on the main bodies 87 is also common. Therefore, the lids 88 of the tanks 62 have a common shape and are interchangeable. More specifically, the lids 88 attached to any of the tanks 62A, 62B, 62C can also be attached to other tanks 62A, 62B, 62C. On the other hand, in order to make it possible to distinguish lids 88 that have a common shape, the colors, patterns, letters, and other external features applied to the lids 88 may be different.

A float 94 is rotatably mounted on the back surface 89 of the lid 88, which faces the bottom surface of the main body 87. The float 94 rotates around the float rotation axis V2. The float 94, together with a sensor 90 (Figure 6) disposed on the back surface 57 of the case 61, is configured to have the function of detecting the remaining amount of liquid agent in the tank 62. The float 94 is disposed perpendicular to the direction in which the float rotation axis V2 extends.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the lid 88. As shown in Figure 11, the float 94 has a first arm 95, a second arm 97, and a floating portion 98.

The first arm 95 is a rod-shaped member rotatably attached to the lid 88, and extends downward from the lid 88 when there is no liquid in the tank 62. A second arm 97 is connected to the first arm 95. The second arm 97 is a rod-shaped member bent relative to the first arm 95 so as to move away from the bottom surface and back surface 92 of the tank 62 and away from the sensor 90 (FIG. 12A) arranged on the back surface 92. In other words, if the connection point of the two arms 95 and 97 is the arm connection point P1, a bend is formed at the arm connection point P1. In this embodiment, when the first arm 95 extends downward, the second arm 97 extends diagonally downward. The float portion 98 is provided on the second arm 97 and is a member having buoyancy with respect to the liquid. Specifically, the float portion 98 forms a sealed cavity in a state in which air is contained therein. The float 98 moves up and down along the rotation direction R2, following the liquid level S1 (FIG. 12A) of the liquid agent. In response to the movement of the float 98, the first arm 95 and the second arm 97 rotate together.

The float 94 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 12A and 12B. Figure 12A is a cross-sectional view of the tank 62. Figure 12B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tank 62.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the float 94 further forms a magnet housing portion 96 that houses a magnet 99 therein. The magnet housing portion 96 is a cavity formed closer to the float rotation axis V2 than the float portion 98. As shown in FIG. 12B, with this structure, the rotation radius X1 of the magnet housing portion 96 is smaller than the rotation radius X2 of the float portion 98. Therefore, when the float 94 rotates, the amount of movement of the magnet housing portion 96 along the rotation direction R1 is smaller than the amount of movement of the float portion 98 along the rotation direction R2. This prevents the magnet 99 housed in the magnet housing portion 96 from moving away from the sensor 90, making detection difficult.

In this embodiment, the magnet storage section 96 is formed in the first arm 95. In combination with the above, the magnet storage section 96 and the floating section 98 are formed to sandwich the bend at the arm connection point P1 from both sides. Because the first arm 95 and the second arm 97 form a bend, the first arm 95 and the magnet storage section 96 can be brought closer to the back surface 92 with respect to the straight line (imaginary line X3) connecting the float rotation axis V2 and the floating section 98. Therefore, the magnet storage section 96 can be brought closer to the sensor 90.

The magnet housing portion 96 also extends in a direction perpendicular to the first arm 95. In other words, the magnet housing portion 96 extends in a tangential direction with respect to the rotation around the float rotation axis V2.

On the other hand, the float rotation axis V2 is located in a recess 100 formed in the lid 88. Therefore, even if the liquid level S1 of the liquid agent in the tank 62 rises, the float rotation axis V2 is separated from the liquid level S1. This prevents the liquid agent from adhering to the float rotation axis V2, and improves the ability of the float 94 to follow the liquid level S1.

Here, the structure around the float rotation axis V2 will be described in more detail. Figure 12C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tank 62 shown in Figure 12A.

As shown in FIG. 12C, the float rotation axis V2 is formed with a distance D1 from the rear surface 92 of the tank 62 in the front-rear direction M.

On the other hand, the magnet housing portion 96 protrudes a distance D2 to the rear side M2 relative to the float rotation axis V2. Therefore, the rotation of the float 94 is restricted by the magnet housing portion 96 hitting the back surface 92.

In this embodiment, the distance D2 is equal to the interval D1. With this structure, when the magnet storage portion 96 hits the back surface 92, the magnet storage portion 96 extends horizontally. Also, the distance D2 may be smaller than the interval D1. With this structure, it is possible to prevent the magnet storage portion 96 from hitting the back surface 92 when the liquid level S1 is high, and to prevent excessive restriction of the rotation of the float 94.

The magnet 99 is a magnetic detectable part that is detected by the sensor 90. More specifically, the magnet 99 has a first magnetic pole 99A and a second magnetic pole 99B, and the magnetic poles 99A and 99B generate a magnetic field that is detected by the sensor 90. In this embodiment, the first magnetic pole 99A is a north pole and the second magnetic pole 99B is a south pole. The magnet 99 is, for example, a ferrite magnet.

When the magnet 99 is housed in the magnet housing 96, the first magnetic pole 99A protrudes toward the rear surface 92 of the tank 62. Furthermore, the direction in which the two magnetic poles 99A and 99B are aligned, i.e., the magnetization direction J, is perpendicular to the first arm 95.

The sensor 90 is a proximity sensor that detects the magnet 99, which is the detected part. In this embodiment, the sensor 90 includes a Hall IC that detects the magnetic flux density, and outputs a voltage value according to the magnitude of the magnetic flux density passing through the Hall IC. The sensor 90 is positioned above the back surface 92 of the tank 62 so that the magnetic field lines generated by the magnet 99 pass through the sensor 90.

More specifically, when the magnet 99 approaches, the sensor 90 is positioned so that the first magnetic pole 99A of the magnet 99 faces the sensor 90 and the magnetization direction J is perpendicular to the sensor 90. When the magnet housing portion 96 abuts against the back surface 92 of the tank 62, the center line of the magnet 99 and the Hall IC of the sensor 90 are at approximately the same height. In addition, the magnetization direction J is perpendicular to the Hall IC.

The information detected by the sensor 90 may be processed by other configurations. In this embodiment, the sensor 90 is connected to a processing unit 82, a memory unit 83, and a display unit 84 (FIG. 13), and the detected voltage value is converted to a remaining amount by the processing unit 82.

Figure 12D is a graph showing the relationship between the distance D3 between the magnet 99 and the sensor and the voltage value output from the sensor 90. Figure 12E is a graph showing the relationship between the remaining amount of liquid and the voltage value output from the sensor 90.

As shown in Figures 12D and 12E, when the remaining amount of liquid decreases and the distance D3 decreases, the magnetic flux density of the magnet 99 received by the sensor 90 increases, and the voltage value output from the sensor 90 increases monotonically. Furthermore, when the distance D3 is sufficiently small, the position of the magnet 99 approaches a position in which the magnetization direction J is perpendicular to the sensor 90. In this state, the magnetic flux density received by the sensor 90 increases further, and the voltage value output from the sensor 90 increases further.

Returning to FIG. 12C, the magnet 99 is accommodated in the magnet accommodating section 96 by the lid 101 that closes the magnet accommodating section 96. The lid 101 seals the magnet accommodating section 96 by, for example, vibration welding. The lid 101 is welded by vibration welding to suppress the intrusion of laundry treatment agents and form a sealed space inside the magnet accommodating section 96. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the magnet 99 from corroding and reducing its magnetic force due to the laundry treatment agent adhering to the magnet 99. The lid 101 may seal the magnet accommodating section 96 by ultrasonic welding, adhesive, insert molding, or the like. The lid 101 has a protrusion 102 that protrudes from the main surface of the lid 101 toward the magnet accommodating section 96. The protrusion 102 can suppress the rattling of the magnet 99 in the magnet accommodating section 96. Therefore, the movement of the magnet 99 and the movement of the magnet accommodating section 96 can be matched. This allows the movement of the float 94, i.e., the movement of the water surface that the float 94 follows, to coincide with the movement of the magnet 99. By making the movement of the magnet 99 coincide with the fluctuations in the water surface, noise caused by the mismatch between the fluctuations in the water surface and the movement of the magnet 99 can be suppressed. In addition, when the magnet housing 96 shown in FIG. 12A is in contact with the back surface 92 that is at approximately the same height as the sensor 90, the magnetization direction J of the magnet 99 can be aligned with the sensor 90.

Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the electronic components associated with the float 94.

As shown in FIG. 13, the processing unit 82 includes a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or MPU that executes a program to achieve a predetermined function. The processing unit 82 calls up and executes a program stored in the memory unit 83, thereby detecting the remaining amount of liquid agent according to the voltage value output from the sensor 90. The processing unit 82 is not limited to a processor that achieves a predetermined function through the cooperation of hardware and software, and may be a hardware circuit designed specifically to achieve the predetermined function.

The memory unit 83 is a recording medium that records various information. The memory unit 83 is realized, for example, by a flash memory, a solid state device (SSD), a hard disk, other storage device, or an appropriate combination of these. The memory unit 83 stores the program executed by the processing unit 82, various information detected by the sensor 90, etc.

The display unit 84 is a display device that displays various information such as images and text. The display unit 84 is composed of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, an LED that only turns on and off, etc. The display unit 84 is provided in the housing 2 and is located in a position that can be seen by the user of the washing machine 1. The display unit 84 displays, for example, the remaining amount of liquid agent, or a fact that the remaining amount is low. Also, instead of the display unit 84, an application executed by a terminal such as a smartphone of the user may be used.

[Action]
Next, the operation of the float 94 in response to changes in the amount of the liquid in the tank 62 will be described with reference to Figures 12A, 14, and 15. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the tank 62 filled with the liquid. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the tank 62 when the amount of the liquid has decreased.

The float 94 rotates in response to the liquid level S1 of the tank 62. The float 94 rotates in a direction away from the sensor 90 as the amount of liquid agent contained in the tank 62 increases, i.e., as the liquid level S1 rises. On the other hand, the float 94 is closest to the sensor 90 when the floating portion 98 is not generating buoyancy, i.e., when the liquid level S1 is located near the bottom surface of the tank 62.

The operation of the float 94 will now be described in more detail. First, as shown in FIG. 14, the tank 62 is filled with the liquid. Due to the buoyancy caused by the liquid, the float 98 is located near the lid 88 together with the liquid level S1 of the liquid. In this state, the magnet 99 is located away from the sensor 90 in the front-rear direction M. Therefore, the voltage value Y1 output from the sensor 90 is at a minimum. On the other hand, because the rotation radius X1 of the magnet 99 (FIG. 12A) is small, the sensor 90 can detect the magnet 99 even in this position.

By performing a wash, the liquid agent in the tank 62 is used and reduced. As shown in FIG. 15, the liquid level S1 in the tank 62 gradually approaches the bottom surface of the tank 62. As the liquid level S1 descends, the float portion 98, which moves following the liquid level S1, also approaches the bottom surface of the tank 62. As the float portion 98 descends, the second arm 97 and the first arm 95 rotate. When the first arm 95 rotates, the first magnetic pole 99A (FIG. 12B) of the magnet 99 approaches the sensor 90, the distance D3 decreases, and the magnetic flux density detected by the sensor 90 increases. As a result, the voltage value Y2 output from the sensor 90 increases.

When the magnet 99 approaches the sensor 90, the magnet 99 rotates so that it moves approximately parallel to the magnetization direction J.

When the liquid level S1 of the liquid in the tank 62 further drops and the distance D3 is sufficiently small, the first arm 95 extends downward. The position of the magnet 99 approaches a position in which the magnetization direction J is perpendicular to the sensor 90. In this state, the magnetic flux density detected by the sensor 90 increases, and the output voltage value further increases. In this way, by bringing the state in which the remaining amount of liquid is low to the high sensitivity side (the side with high gain), the effect of noise on the voltage value can be reduced, and the state in which the remaining amount is low can be determined more accurately. Additionally, noise includes noise caused by disturbances such as shaking of the liquid level due to vibration during dehydration.

When the amount of liquid has decreased sufficiently and the magnet 99 approaches the sensor 90, the processing unit 82 calculates the remaining amount of liquid based on the voltage value output from the sensor 90. The remaining amount value calculated by the processing unit 82 may be displayed on the display unit 84. For example, if the calculated remaining amount value is 100 mL, the display unit 84 displays "100 mL remaining." In addition, a display method other than text, such as playing a sound or displaying an image, may be used.

Returning to FIG. 12A, as the liquid decreases further, the magnet housing 96 hits the back surface 92 of the tank 62, preventing the float 94 from further rotating. With the rotation angle of the float 94 limited by the lid 88 and the back surface 92 of the tank 62, the distance D3 between the magnet 99 and the sensor 90 is the shortest. In this state, the first magnetic pole 99A (FIG. 12B) of the magnet 99 faces the sensor 90, and the magnetization direction J of the magnet 99 is perpendicular to the Hall IC of the sensor 90. Therefore, the magnetic flux density detected by the sensor 90 is at its maximum, and the output voltage value Y3 is at its maximum. Also, in this state, the float 98 is located approximately at the center of the tank 62.

The user of the washing machine 1 can check the information displayed on the display unit 84 and refill the tank 62 with liquid as appropriate. When the tank 62 is placed in the case 61, the liquid can be refilled by opening the small lid 88A as shown in FIG. 10. On the other hand, when the tank 62 is removed from the case 61, the liquid can be refilled by removing the lid 88 or opening the small lid 88A.

The above explanation uses tank 62C as a representative of tank 62. The same float 94 can be applied to the other tanks 62A and 62B. However, because tanks 62A and 62B have different depths relative to tank 62, there are differences in the operation of the float 94. Here, the operation of the float 94 in tanks 62A and 62B will be explained, focusing on the differences with tank 62C.

Figures 16A and 16B are cross-sectional views of tank 62B. As shown in Figures 16A and 16B, tank 62B has a lid 88 and a float 94 that are common to tank 62C. When the liquid agent decreases in tank 62B and the float 98 descends together with the liquid level S1, the magnet housing 96 attaches to the back surface 92 of tank 62B and faces the sensor 90, as described above. In this state, a gap is formed between the float 98 and the bottom surface B12 of tank 62B. The depth of tank 62B is smaller than the depth of tank 62C, but is large enough to prevent contact between the float 98 and the bottom surface B12.

17A and 17B are cross-sectional views of tank 62A. As shown in FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B, tank 62A has a lid 88 and a float 94 in common with tank 62C. On the other hand, tank 62A is shallower than tanks 62B and 62C. Therefore, when the liquid in tank 62A decreases and float 98 descends, float 98 hits inner bottom surface B13 of tank 62A before magnet storage portion 96 attaches to rear surface 92 of tank 62A. In this state, further rotation of float 94 is restricted. However, even in this state, rotation radius X1 of magnet storage portion 96 is small, and distance D3 between magnet 99 and sensor 90 is small. Therefore, even if magnet storage portion 96 is not attached to the rear surface of tank 62A, sensor 90 can detect magnet 99 with high sensitivity.

Now, referring to Figure 18, the rotation trajectory of the float 94 in the tank 62 will be described in more detail. Figure 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tank 62A and the tank 62C. Figure 18 illustrates the float 194 as a comparative example of the float 94.

As shown in FIG. 18, the float rotation axis V2, the floating part 198 of the float 194, and the magnet 199 of the float 194 are arranged in a straight line. That is, the float 194 is formed in a straight line. The float 194 moves more greatly in response to the height of the liquid level than the float 94, so the dynamic range of the magnetic flux density is large. However, if the floating part 198 is located near the lid 88, the magnet 199 will be excessively far from the sensor 90. If the magnet 199 is excessively far from the sensor 90, the sensitivity of the output value of the sensor 90 to changes in the liquid level will be reduced, making it difficult to detect the position of the magnet 199 and changes in the liquid level.

However, the float 94 can prevent the distance between the magnet 99 and the sensor 90 from becoming too large. Therefore, compared to the float 194, the float 94 can ensure sensitivity that allows it to detect changes in the liquid level even when the liquid level is close to the lid 88.

The rotation of float 94 and float 194 in shallow tank 62A will be compared. When floating parts 98, 198 are in contact with inner bottom surface B13 of tank 62A, magnet 99 of float 94 is closer to sensor 90 than magnet 199 of float 194. By using float 94, magnet 99 can be positioned closer to sensor 90 even in shallow tank 62A, and compared to float 194, changes in the liquid level can be detected with high sensitivity at a liquid level where there is little remaining liquid.

As explained above, by applying the float 94 in this embodiment and the arrangement of the sensor 90 relative to the float 94, it is possible to detect the remaining amount of liquid with high sensitivity even in tanks 62 with different depths.

In addition, a protrusion 103 is formed on the inner bottom surface B13 of the tank 62A, protruding from the inner bottom surface B13. When the remaining amount of the tank 62A is sufficiently reduced, the float 98 comes into contact with the protrusion 103. The protrusion 103 separates the float 98 from the inner bottom surface B13 to an extent that does not significantly affect the distance D3. By separating the float 98 from the inner bottom surface B13, it is possible to prevent the float 98 from adhering to the inner bottom surface B13 due to the liquid agent covering the inner bottom surface B13. With this structure, it is possible to prevent the float 98 from adhering even when the float 94 is applied to a tank 62 with a small depth.

The above explanations are summarized below to describe the features of this disclosure.

The washing machine 1 according to this embodiment includes a float 94 having a first arm 95 and a second arm 97 that extend at different angles. Therefore, the float 94 forms a bend between the magnet storage section 96 and the float section 98 so as to bring the magnet 99 closer to the back surface 92. When the float section 98 descends as the amount of liquid decreases, the magnet 99 approaches the sensor 90. As the distance D3 between the magnet 99 and the sensor 90 decreases, the magnetic flux density received by the sensor 90 increases, and the output voltage value of the sensor 90 increases. In addition, as the amount of liquid decreases, the magnetization direction J of the magnet 99 approaches a position facing the sensor 90. The magnetic flux density caused by the magnet 99 passing through the sensor 90 increases, and the output voltage value of the sensor 90 further increases. Therefore, when the remaining amount of liquid is low, the output voltage value of the sensor 90 becomes larger than the noise, and the sensitivity of the sensor 90 improves. Therefore, the detection sensitivity of the remaining amount of liquid is improved.

[effect]
The washing machine 1 according to the first embodiment can provide the following effects.

As described above, the washing machine 1 of this embodiment includes the outer tub 3, the tank 62, the float 94, and the sensor 90. The outer tub 3 is elastically supported within the housing 2. The tank 62 contains the liquid agent to be supplied to the outer tub 3. The float 94 is provided so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis (float rotation axis V2) located at the top of the tank 62. The sensor 90 detects the detected part (magnet 99). The float 94 includes a float part 98 having buoyancy with respect to the liquid agent, and a magnet 99. The magnet 99 is positioned closer to the sensor 90 than the imaginary line X3 connecting the float part 98 and the float rotation axis V2.

With this configuration, the rotational trajectory of the magnet 99 when the float 94 rotates is located closer to the sensor 90 than the rotational trajectory of the float 98. This reduces the range in which the magnet 99 becomes too far away from the sensor 90 and accurate detection becomes difficult. Also, even if the tank 62 is shallow and the float 98 hits the bottom and stops rotating the float 94, the distance between the sensor 90 and the magnet 99 can be reduced, improving detection accuracy.

In addition, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the float 94 includes a first arm 95 and a second arm 97 extending in a different direction from the first arm 95. A magnet 99 is provided on the first arm 95. A float portion 98 is provided on the second arm 97.

With this configuration, the float 98 and the magnet 99 can be placed on two arms 95, 97 that extend in different directions, respectively, so that the magnet 99 can be placed at a position that is not on the imaginary line X3 that connects the float 98 and the float rotation axis V2. Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to configure a float 94 in which the magnet 99 is placed at a position closer to the sensor 90 than the imaginary line X3 that connects the float 98 and the float rotation axis V2.

In addition, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, when the magnet 99, which is the detected part, approaches the sensor 90, the magnetization direction J from one magnetic pole (first magnetic pole 99A) to the other magnetic pole (second magnetic pole 99B) faces the sensor 90. When the float 94 approaches the sensor 90 and then moves away from the sensor 90, the float 94 rotates so that the magnet 99 moves approximately parallel to the magnetization direction J.

This configuration allows the magnetic flux density to gradually decrease as the magnet 99 moves away from the sensor 90. This makes it possible to increase the difference between the magnetic flux density at the closest point and the magnetic flux density at the farthest point.

The washing machine 1 of this embodiment also includes multiple tanks 62 of different depths. The sensor 90 is provided on the side of the tank 62. The float 94 comes to rest when it abuts against the side of the tank 62 on the side where the sensor 90 is provided, or against the inner bottom surface of the tank 62, when the floating portion 98 is not generating buoyancy.

With this configuration, when the float 98 is not generating buoyancy, it abuts against the side wall in the deep tank 62C, and abuts against the inner bottom surface in the deep tank 62A. Therefore, in the deep tank 62C, the maximum amount of liquid at which the float 98 no longer generates buoyancy can be reduced.

In addition, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the float 94 is configured so that the float portion 98 is positioned approximately at the center of the tank 62 when the float portion 98 is not generating buoyancy.

With this configuration, even if the tank 62 is tilted relative to the horizontal and the liquid level in the tank 62 is tilted, the difference between the liquid level at the position of the float 98 and the liquid level when the tank 62 is positioned horizontally can be made small. Therefore, regardless of the position of the tank 62, the remaining amount in the tank 62 when the float 94 reaches a position where it does not generate buoyancy can be made approximately constant.

In addition, in the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the float 94 is configured so that the magnet 99 is positioned closer to the float rotation axis V2 than the floating portion 98.

With this configuration, the float 98 moves with a rotation radius X2 that is larger than the rotation radius X1 of the magnet 99 in response to changes in the liquid level.

In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the sensor 90 is disposed on the side of the tank 62. The float rotation axis V2 is disposed near the sensor 90. The float 94 has a floating portion 98 at the end away from the float rotation axis V2. The float 94 is closest to the sensor 90 when the floating portion 98 is not generating buoyancy. When the floating portion 98 is generating buoyancy, the float 94 rotates in a direction away from the sensor 90 as the amount of liquid agent contained in the tank 62 increases.

With this configuration, the rotation radius X2 of the float 98 is larger than the rotation radius X2 of the magnet 99, the rotation trajectory of the magnet 99 is closer to the sensor 90 than the rotation trajectory of the float 98, and the magnet 99 and the sensor 90 are closer when the amount of liquid is small. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect changes in the liquid level while ensuring detection accuracy when the amount of liquid is small.

Note that this disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various other forms.

In the embodiment, the liquid agent discharge flow path 64 is described as being inclined, but this is not limited thereto. The liquid agent discharge flow path 64 may be arranged in a horizontal direction.

Note that, although an example in which the magnet 99 is disposed on the first arm 95 and the float portion 98 is disposed on the second arm 97 has been described, this is not limiting. For example, the float portion 98 may be disposed on the first arm 95 and the magnet 99 may be disposed on the second arm 97. In this case, the sensor 90 may be disposed near the bottom surface of the tank 62.

In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the float 94 has a magnet 99 as the detected part, but the present invention is not limited to this. The detected part of the float 94 may be detected by the sensor 90 in a non-contact manner. For example, the float 94 may have a detected part that emits infrared rays instead of the magnet 99, and the sensor 90 may be an infrared sensor that detects the emitted infrared rays.

The shape of the magnet 99 is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape. The magnet 99 may be substantially circular. It is preferable that the shape of the magnet storage section 96 conforms to the outer shape of the magnet 99.

In the embodiment, an example in which the float 94 is provided on the lid 88 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a bridge may be provided across the opening of the body 87 of the tank 62, and the rotation axis of the float 94 may be provided on the bridge.

In the embodiment, an example in which the float 94 has a bent shape has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the float 94 may have a magnet housing portion 96 that protrudes toward the sensor 90. The float 94 may also be formed in an arc shape.

In the embodiment, the direction in which the multiple tanks 62 are arranged is described as the width direction K, but this is not limited to the above. The direction in which the multiple tanks 62 are arranged may be along the front-rear direction M, for example. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the tanks 62 may be along the front-rear direction M.

In the embodiment, the connection direction between the tank 62 and the liquid agent supply device 63 is described as the front-rear direction M, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the connection direction between the tank 62 and the liquid agent supply device 63 may be along the up-down direction.

In the embodiment, an example in which the liquid agent supply device 63 is connected to the liquid agent discharge flow path 64 on the outlet side has been described, but this is not limiting. For example, the liquid agent supply device 63 may be connected to the case 61 directly below the tank 62 on the outlet side.

Although the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, unless they depart therefrom.

The washing machine disclosed herein can improve the functionality of the configuration related to liquid injection, and is therefore useful as a home washing machine, a commercial washing machine, or any type of washer-dryer (e.g., a home drum washing machine).

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Washing machine 2 Housing 3 Outer tub 4 Inner tub 5 Drive section 6 Automatic dispensing unit 8 Connection flow path 10 Water inlet 11 Drain valve 61 Case 62 Tank 63 Liquid agent dispensing device 64 Liquid agent discharge flow path 65 Manual dispensing section 87 Main body 88 Lid 90 Sensor 94 Float 95 First arm 96 Magnet storage section 97 Second arm 98 Float section 99 Magnet K Width direction M Front-rear direction

Claims (5)

An outer tank elastically supported within a housing;
A tank for storing a liquid agent to be supplied to the outer tank;
A float rotatably provided around a rotation axis located at an upper portion of the tank;
A proximity sensor that detects the proximity of the detection target portion,
The float includes a float portion having buoyancy with respect to the liquid agent , and the detectable portion is provided at a position closer to the rotation shaft than the float portion,
The proximity sensor is provided on a side of the tank,
The tank includes a first tank and a second tank having a greater depth than the first tank,
The float is
a first float provided in the first tank, the first float including the floating portion and the detected portion;
a second float having a common structure with the first float and provided in the second tank;
The proximity sensor is
a first proximity sensor that detects the detection target portion of the first float;
a second proximity sensor that detects the detection target portion of the second float,
the first float comes into contact with an inner bottom of the first tank when the floating portion is not generating buoyancy , and thereby comes to rest without coming into contact with a side of the first tank on the side where the first proximity sensor is provided;
A washing machine, wherein the second float comes to rest by abutting against the side of the second tank on the side where the second proximity sensor is provided when the floating portion is not generating buoyancy . The float includes a first arm and a second arm extending in a direction different from that of the first arm.
Including,
The first arm is provided with the detected portion,
The washing machine of claim 1 , wherein the second arm is provided with the floating portion. The float has a detection target housing portion that houses the detection target portion,
The rotation of the float is restricted by the detection target accommodation portion coming into contact with the side portion of the tank on the side where the proximity sensor is provided.
The washing machine according to claim 1. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the rotation shaft is provided at a position closer to the proximity sensor than a center of the tank. the rotation shaft is disposed in the vicinity of the proximity sensor;
The float is
The float portion is closest to the proximity sensor in a state where the float portion is not generating buoyancy,
The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the floating portion rotates in a direction away from the proximity sensor as the amount of the liquid agent contained in the tank increases while the floating portion generates buoyancy.

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