JP7748633B2 - Washing machine and liquid supply unit - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a washing machine and a liquid supply unit.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine with a liquid agent supply unit.

In the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, when liquid is poured into the tank that stores the liquid, a check valve installed at the tank's outlet opens, and a predetermined amount of liquid is supplied to the washing tub.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 53-55266

However, there is still room for improvement in stably supplying a predetermined amount of liquid to the washing machine tub.

Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to solve the above problem and to stably supply a specified amount of liquid medication.

A washing machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a housing, a washing tub rotatably mounted within the housing, a case capable of containing the liquid to be dispensed, a supply opening for supplying the liquid contained in the case to the washing tub, and a liquid dispenser attached to the housing, the liquid dispenser having a tank capable of containing multiple doses of the liquid, and a pump for dispensing a predetermined amount of the liquid contained in the tank into the case.

A liquid agent supply unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a liquid agent supply unit having a case capable of containing the liquid agent to be dispensed and a supply opening for dispensing the liquid agent contained in the case into a washing machine, a tank capable of containing multiple doses of the liquid agent, and a pump unit for dispensing a predetermined amount of the liquid agent contained in the tank into the case, and a liquid agent dispenser attached to the liquid agent supply unit.

This disclosure provides a washing machine that can stably supply a predetermined amount of liquid.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; Perspective view of the top of the washing machine Perspective view of the top of the washing machine Top view of the top of the washing machine A diagram showing the top of the washing machine with the liquid supply unit removed. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a liquid agent supply unit, a water supply valve, and a water supply flow path member; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a liquid agent supply unit, a water supply valve, and a water supply flow path member; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a liquid agent supply unit, a water supply valve, and a water supply flow path member; Perspective view of the liquid supply unit Perspective view of the liquid supply unit Top view of the fluid supply unit Exploded view of the fluid supply unit Exploded view of the fluid supply unit Tank side view A perspective view of a flow path member Exploded view of the fluid supply unit showing fluid flow Cross section of the pump Diagram showing the siphon structure in the case

(Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure)
In washing machines where the liquid agent is manually dispensed, the user visually measures and dispenses the appropriate amount of liquid agent, thereby supplying a predetermined amount of liquid agent to the washing tub. In such a configuration, the amount of liquid agent dispensed tends to vary, making it difficult to stably supply the predetermined amount of liquid agent to the washing tub.

On the other hand, there are washing machines equipped with an automatic dispenser that automatically dispenses a predetermined amount of liquid from a tank storing the liquid into the washing tub during the wash cycle. However, such washing machines have a complex structure and are expensive. Therefore, there is a demand for washing machines that can stably supply a predetermined amount of liquid while keeping costs down.

To solve these problems, the inventors of the present invention have come up with the subject matter of this disclosure.

Embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanations than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of matters that are already well known or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted.

The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

(Embodiment 1)
A washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[Overall configuration]
1A and 1B are perspective views of a washing machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The washing machine 1 is a vertical washing machine. FIG. 1A shows the washing machine 1 with a lid 21 of a housing 2 closed. FIG. 1B omits the lid 21. As shown in FIG. 1B , the washing machine 1 includes a housing 2, a water tub 3, a washing tub 4, a liquid agent supply unit 5, and a control unit C.

<Case>
The housing 2 is a component that forms the exterior of the washing machine 1. The top surface of the housing 2 is provided with a housing opening 20 (FIG. 1B) and an openable/closable lid 21 (FIG. 1A) that covers the housing opening 20.

<Aquarium>
1B, water tub 3 is provided inside housing 2 and is a generally cylindrical member with one end closed to store wash water. Water tub 3 may also be referred to as an outer tub. Water tub 3 does not rotate during operation of washing machine 1.

<Washing tub>
The washing tub 4 is a generally cylindrical member that is rotatably provided inside the water tub 3 and that accommodates laundry such as clothes. The washing tub 4 has a number of through-holes 40 that communicate with the water tub. The through-holes 40 allow the movement of wash water and detergent between the water tub 3 and the washing tub 4. The washing tub 4 further has an opening 41 facing the housing opening 20. Laundry is placed into the washing tub 4 through the opening 41. The washing tub 4 may also be referred to as a drum or an inner tub.

<Liquid supply unit>
The liquid agent supply unit 5 is a unit that supplies laundry treatment agents such as liquid agents and powder detergent to the washing tub 4. The liquid agents are used to wash laundry such as clothes, and may include detergent, fabric softener, and neutral detergent.

In this specification, "supplying laundry treatment agent" means discharging laundry treatment agent downward into the washing tub 4. Supply is performed automatically under the control of the control unit C of the washing machine 1. To distinguish from "supplying," "adding laundry treatment agent" means putting laundry treatment agent into the liquid agent supply unit 5 and making it ready for supply. Adding is performed manually by the user.

<Control unit>
The control unit C is a component that controls the operation of the washing machine 1. The control unit C 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.

The structure of the upper part of the washing machine 1 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the upper part of the washing machine 1. Figure 2 shows the liquid supply unit 5 in the stored position, and Figure 3 shows the liquid supply unit 5 in the extended position (arrow P1). Figure 4 shows a top view of the upper part of the washing machine 1.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the liquid supply unit 5 is housed in the housing 2 so that it can be pulled out. Specifically, the liquid supply unit 5 is slidable in the front-to-rear direction M between a pulled-out position and a housed position.

As shown in Figure 3, the liquid supply unit 5 has a liquid supply section 6 and a liquid supply device 7 attached to the liquid supply section 6.

The liquid agent supply unit 6 is a mechanism that receives a single load of laundry treatment agent each time the washing machine 1 is operated and supplies it to the washing tub 4. The laundry treatment agent dispensed into the liquid agent supply unit 6 is supplied to the washing tub 4 in the amount dispensed.

The liquid agent dispenser 7 contains multiple doses of liquid agent and is a mechanism that allows the user to dispense one dose of liquid agent into the liquid agent supply unit 6 each time the washing machine 1 is operated.

The liquid agent supply unit 6 and the liquid agent dosing device 7 are aligned in the front-to-rear direction M. Specifically, the liquid agent supply unit 6 is provided on the rear side M2 of the liquid agent dosing device 7. In this arrangement, when the liquid agent supply unit 5 is in the extended position, the liquid agent supply unit 6 is exposed to the housing 2 (Figure 3), and when the liquid agent supply unit 5 is in the retracted position, the liquid agent supply unit 6 is retracted into the housing 2 (Figure 2). On the other hand, the liquid agent dosing device 7 is exposed to the housing 2 regardless of whether the liquid agent supply unit 5 is in the extended position or the retracted position.

The top of the liquid supply unit 6 is open. Therefore, when the liquid supply unit 5 is in the extended position, the user can manually add laundry treatment agent to the liquid supply unit 6. When the liquid supply unit 5 is in the retracted position, the liquid supply unit 6 communicates with the water supply means (the water supply valve 10 and water supply flow path member 11, described below) inside the housing 2, allowing water to be supplied to the liquid supply unit 6.

Here, we will briefly explain how to use the liquid drug supply unit 5. With the liquid drug supply unit 5 in the retracted position, the user presses the button (buttons 78 and 79, described below) on the front of the liquid drug supply device 7. When the button is pressed, the pump (pump sections 72 and 73, described below) of the liquid drug supply device 7 dispenses a predetermined amount of liquid drug into the liquid drug supply section 6. Alternatively, with the liquid drug supply unit 5 in the extended position, the user may directly dispense the liquid drug into the liquid drug supply section 6.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the liquid agent dispenser 7 is located inside the outer periphery of the housing opening 20. More specifically, the liquid agent dispenser 7 extends in the width direction K and is shaped to fit part of the outer periphery of the housing opening 20. This configuration reduces the protruding shape that obstructs the loading of laundry in the front-to-rear direction M, even in a washing machine 1 equipped with the liquid agent dispenser 7. Furthermore, because the liquid agent dispenser 7 extends in the width direction K, is thin in the front-to-rear direction M, and is located at the rear of the housing opening 20, laundry can be easily loaded into the washing tub 4 while ensuring the volume of the liquid agent dispenser 7. Because the space of the housing opening 20 can be effectively utilized in the front-to-rear direction M, the liquid agent dispenser 7 is particularly suitable for use in top-loading washing machines.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing the top of the washing machine 1 with the liquid agent supply unit 5 removed. As shown in Figure 5, the housing 2 is formed with a storage compartment 22 for storing the liquid agent supply unit 6 (Figure 3). The storage compartment 22 is formed in the wall of the rear side M2 facing the housing opening 20, and extends from the housing opening 20 to the rear side M2. Inside the storage compartment 22, a rail (not shown) is provided that runs along the front-to-rear direction M. The rail supports the liquid agent supply unit 6 so that it can slide in the front-to-rear direction M.

The entire liquid drug dosing device 7 protrudes from the storage section 22 (Figure 4). Therefore, when the liquid drug dosing device 7 is retrofitted to the liquid drug supply unit 6, there is no need to modify the structure of the storage section 22.

A water supply means (a water supply valve 10 and a water supply flow path member 11, described below) is provided inside the housing 2 above the storage section 22.

Figures 6A to 6C are perspective views showing the liquid drug supply unit 5, water supply valve 10, and water supply flow path member 11. Figures 6A to 6C show the liquid drug supply unit 5 in the storage position.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the water supply valve 10 is a mechanism that supplies water to the liquid supply unit 5 via a water supply flow path member 11. The water supply valve 10 has two valves 12 and 13 that can be opened and closed. The destination of the water supply can be changed by opening and closing the valves 12 and 13. Specifically, when one valve 12 is opened, water is supplied to the detergent and powder detergent. When the other valve 13 is opened, water is supplied to the fabric softener. The water supply flow path member 11 is a member that connects the respective valves 12 and 13 to the case.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the water supply valve 10 forms a water supply port 10A. The water supply port 10A is a connection port for connecting the water supply valve 10 to an external water source.

As shown in Figure 6C, the liquid agent supply unit 6 is disposed below the water supply flow path member 11. The liquid agent supply unit 6 forms multiple cases for receiving water supplied from the water supply flow path member 11.

Next, the structure of the liquid drug supply unit 5 will be described in more detail. Figures 7A and 7B are perspective views of the liquid drug supply unit 5. Figure 7C is a top view of the liquid drug supply unit 5.

As shown in Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C, the liquid agent supply unit 6 has multiple cases 60, 61, and 62. Each of the cases 60, 61, and 62 contains a single dose of laundry treatment agent. In embodiment 1, the cases 60, 61, and 62 contain a single dose of detergent, fabric softener, and powder detergent, respectively.

Cases 61, 60, and 62 are arranged in order along the width direction K.

The top of each case 60, 61, 62 forms an upwardly opening inlet 66, 67, 68. When the liquid supply unit 5 is in the extended position, some or all of the inlets 66, 67, 68 are exposed, allowing the user to manually add liquid or powder detergent through the inlets 66, 67, 68.

As shown in Figure 7B, each case 60, 61 has a supply opening 60B, 61B at the bottom that communicates with the washing tub 4. Case 62 has a notch 62B recessed from top to bottom in the wall on the rear side M2. Liquid detergent or powder detergent poured into cases 60, 61, 62 is supplied to the washing tub 4 along with the supplied water through supply openings 60B, 61B and notch 62B.

As shown in Figure 7A, a liquid agent injection device 7 is connected to the front side M1 of the liquid agent supply unit 6.

The liquid agent dispenser 7 has tanks 70, 71 and pump units 72, 73. The tanks 70, 71 each contain multiple doses of laundry treatment agent. In an embodiment, the tank 70 contains multiple doses of detergent, and the tank 71 contains multiple doses of fabric softener. The pump units 72, 73 are mechanisms that draw up a predetermined amount of liquid agent from the tanks 70, 71 and dispense it toward the liquid agent supply unit 6. In an embodiment, the pump units 72, 73 are manually operated volumetric pumps. The pump units 72, 73 dispense a predetermined amount of liquid agent through manual operation by the user.

In this configuration, there are two routes for introducing liquid into the cases 60 and 61: via the upper inlets 66 and 67, and via the pumps 72 and 73. The user can select which of the two routes to use to introduce the liquid.

A pump unit 72 is connected to the tank 70, and the pump unit 72 is connected to the case 60 of the liquid supply unit 6. A pump unit 73 is connected to the tank 71, and the pump unit 73 is connected to the case 61. One tank corresponds to one pump unit and one case. In other words, between the liquid supply device 7 and the liquid supply unit 6, the path for the detergent and the path for the fabric softener are formed independently.

The pump units 72 and 73 each have a depressible button 78 or 79 on the front surface. By pressing the buttons 78 or 79 in the pressing direction P2, a fixed amount of liquid is ejected from the pump units 72 or 73. The pressing direction P2 corresponds to the direction toward the rear side M2. The pressing direction (rear side M2) of the liquid supply unit 6 and the pressing direction (rear side M2) of the button 78 are aligned, which prevents the liquid dosing device 7 from being forced out of the liquid supply unit 6 when the button 78 is pressed. When the button 78 is pressed, the pump unit 72 draws a fixed amount of detergent from the tank 70 and ejects it toward the case 60. When the button 79 is pressed, the pump unit 73 draws a fixed amount of fabric softener from the tank 71 and ejects it toward the case 61. The buttons 78 and 79 are pressed in the front-to-rear direction M.

The pump units 72 and 73 are positioned between the two tanks 70 and 71. The tanks 70 and 71 and the pump units 72 and 73 are aligned in the width direction K. Specifically, the front surfaces of the buttons 78 and 79 and the front surfaces of the tanks 70 and 71 are positioned on approximately the same plane.

The tops of tanks 70 and 71 are open and covered with a lid (lid 70D, described below). When the lid is opened, the internal space containing detergent or fabric softener is exposed.

When the liquid in the tanks 70, 71 becomes low after repeated operation of the pump units 72, 73, the user can open the lid and refill the tanks 70, 71 with liquid. To distinguish from "adding," "refilling liquid" means putting multiple doses of liquid into the tanks 70, 71 so that they can be added to the cases 60, 61.

As shown in Figure 7C, the liquid supply unit 5 further includes a connecting member 8 between the liquid supply device 7 and the liquid supply section 6.

The connecting member 8 attaches the liquid dosing device 7 to the liquid supply unit 6 and connects the liquid dosing device 7 to the liquid supply unit 6. The connecting member 8 forms a flow path inside that extends from the pump units 72 and 73 to the cases 60 and 61.

Next, with reference to Figures 8 and 9, the connections between the tanks 70, 71, pump units 72, 73, connecting member 8, and liquid supply unit 6 will be described. Figures 8 and 9 are exploded views of the liquid supply unit 5.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the liquid agent dosing device 7 is connected to the liquid agent supply unit 6 by a connecting member 8. Specifically, the liquid agent dosing device 7 is connected to the connecting member 8 in an attachment direction F1. The connecting member 8 is attached to the liquid agent supply unit 6 in an attachment direction F2 while holding the liquid agent dosing device 7. The attachment directions F1 and F2 correspond to the front-to-rear direction M. Meanwhile, the pump units 72 and 73 are connected to the tanks 70 and 71 in a connection direction F3 (i.e., from above).

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the tanks 70, 71 have a shape that is recessed downward from the top surface to accommodate the pump units 72, 73. Specifically, the top surface of the tank 70 has a first portion 70A and a second portion 70B that is formed at a lower position than the first portion 70A. The first portion 70A and the second portion 70B form a step in the tank 70.

The pump unit 72 is positioned above the second part 70B and is housed in a step in the tank 70. When the pump unit 72 is housed in the step, the top surface of the pump unit 72 is roughly flush with the first part 70A, thereby saving space in the vertical direction of the liquid agent dosing device 7.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first portion 70A has a refill opening 70C. The refill opening 70C is covered by a lid 70D that can be opened and closed. By opening the lid 70D, the user can refill the tank 70 with liquid medication through the refill opening 70C.

Figure 10 is a side view of the tank 70. As shown in Figure 10, the lid 70D moves between a closed position where the opening angle θ is 0° and an open position where the opening angle θ is 90° or greater. The opening angle θ is the angle between the refill opening 70C (i.e., horizontal) and the inner surface of the lid 70D. The maximum opening angle of the lid 70D is 90° or greater and 180° or less. With this structure, even if a user accidentally spills liquid medicine on the lid 70D along arrow E1, the liquid medicine will flow down the inner surface of the lid 70D along arrow E2 and into the tank 70.

Returning to Figures 8 and 9, the second part 70B has an upwardly opening pump connection port 74 that connects the tank 70 and the pump section 72.

The descriptions regarding the first portion 70A, second portion 70B, refill opening 70C (Figure 8), lid 70D, and pump connection port 74 of the tank 70 also apply to the first portion 71A, second portion 71B, refill opening 71C (Figure 8), lid 71D, and pump connection port 75 of the tank 71. In this embodiment, the tanks 70 and 71 have a symmetrical structure.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the pump unit 72 has a suction port 72A and a discharge port 72B. The suction port 72A is an opening for sucking up the liquid from the tank 70. The suction direction is upward. The discharge port 72B is an opening for discharging the liquid from the pump unit 72. The discharge direction is backward M2. Similarly, the pump unit 73 has a suction port 73A and a discharge port 73B. In this embodiment, the pump units 72 and 73 are common components.

Suction port 72A is inserted from above into pump connection port 74. Suction port 73A is inserted from above into pump connection port 75. This structure makes it easier to position suction ports 72A and 73A near the bottom of their respective tanks 70 and 71, reducing the amount of liquid left behind in tanks 70 and 71.

Tanks 70, 71 and pump sections 72, 73 connected to tanks 70, 71 are supported by connecting member 8.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the connection member 8 has a holding member 81 and a flow path member 82. The holding member 81 is a member that holds the tanks 70, 71 and the pump units 72, 73. The flow path member 82 is a member that incorporates a flow path that connects the pump units 72, 73 to the cases 60, 61. The holding member 81 and the flow path member 82 are fixed to each other, for example, by screws.

The holding member 81 has a U-shaped cross section that is open on the front side M1 and forms a recess 83 that is recessed rearward M2. The liquid drug dosing device 7 fits into the recess 83 from the front side M1.

More specifically, the recess 83 is defined by a side wall 81A, an upper wall 81B, and a lower wall 81C. The side wall 81A faces the mounting direction F1 (Figure 8) of the tanks 70, 71 and the pump units 72, 73. The upper wall 81B contacts the upper surfaces (first portions 70A, 71A) of the tanks 70, 71, and the lower wall 81C contacts the lower surfaces of the tanks 70, 71. With this configuration, the holding member 81 can firmly hold the tanks 70, 71 by sandwiching them from above and below.

Openings 84 and 85 are formed in the side wall 81A at positions corresponding to the discharge ports 72B and 73B of the pump sections 72 and 73, respectively. The openings 84 and 85 are openings that connect the pump sections 72 and 73 to the flow path member 82.

As described above, the connection direction F3 between the pump units 72, 73 and the tanks 70, 71 is the up-down direction, while the attachment direction F1 between the pump units 72, 73 and the connecting member 8 is the front-to-back direction M, which intersects with the connection direction F3. This configuration makes it difficult for the pump units 72, 73 to come off the liquid agent dosing device 7.

The flow path member 82 forms inlets 86A and 87A (Figure 8) that communicate with the openings 84 and 85. Detergent flows into the inlet 86A and flows out through the outlet 86B (Figure 9). The fabric softener flows into the inlet 87A and flows out through the outlet 87B (Figure 9). Inside the flow path member 82, a flow path extending from the inlet 86A to the outlet 86B and a flow path extending from the inlet 87A to the outlet 87B are formed.

Inlets 60A and 61A are formed on the front of the cases 60 and 61 at positions corresponding to the outlets 86B and 87B of the flow path member 82. The inlets 60A and 61A are openings for adding liquid agents to the cases 60 and 61. Detergent is added to the case 60 through the inlet 60A, and fabric softener is added to the case 61 through the inlet 61A.

The flow path member 82 forms recesses 88 and 89 on the rear surface 82A of the rear side M2 for the cases 60 and 61 to catch on. This configuration allows the flow path member 82 to support the liquid supply unit 6.

Now, the structure of the flow path member 82 will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the flow path member 82.

As shown in FIG. 11, two independent flow paths 86, 87 are formed inside the flow path member 82. Flow path 86 is a path corresponding to the pump unit 72 and the case 60, and flow path 87 is a path corresponding to the pump unit 73 and the case 61 (FIG. 9). Flow path 86 extends between an inlet 86A and an outlet 86B and is a flow path for adding detergent. Flow path 87 extends between an inlet 87A and an outlet 87B and is a flow path for adding fabric softener.

The flow paths 86, 87 have a curved shape. Therefore, when viewed from the front-to-rear direction M, the inlet 86A is offset from the outlet 86B, and the inlet 87A is offset from the outlet 87B. Specifically, the inlet 86A, 87A are formed near the center of the flow path member 82, and the outlet 86B, 87B are formed on one side of the flow path member 82. Therefore, even when the pump units 72, 73 are positioned in the center of the liquid agent dosing device 7, and the cases 60, 61 are positioned off-center, the liquid agent can be easily dosed into the cases 60, 61. The position of the cases 60, 61 relative to the pump units 72, 73 can be freely designed, improving the design flexibility of the liquid agent supply unit 5.

Furthermore, the inlet 86A, which is the upstream end, is formed at a higher position than the outlet 86B, which is the downstream end. The inlet 87A is formed at a higher position than the outlet 87B. This configuration makes it easier for the liquid to flow toward the outlet 87B, preventing the liquid from adhering within the flow paths 86 and 87.

Next, the flow of the liquid agent in the liquid agent supply unit 5 will be described with reference to Figure 12. Figure 12 is an exploded view of the liquid agent supply unit 5 showing the flow of the liquid agent.

As shown in Figure 12, detergent is dispensed from tank 70 into case 60 along arrow A (solid line). Fabric softener is dispensed from tank 71 into case 61 along arrow B (dotted line).

The liquid is drawn up from the respective tanks 70, 71 by the pump sections 72, 73 and then discharged in the backward direction M2. The liquid passes through openings 84, 85 of the holding member 81 and flows into flow paths 86, 87 (Figure 11). The liquid is guided by flow paths 86, 87 to the inlets 60A, 61A and introduced into the cases 60, 61.

Referring to Figure 13, the flow of liquid in pump sections 72 and 73 will be described in more detail. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of pump section 72.

As shown in FIG. 13, the pump unit 72 defines a pump chamber 72C therein, which has a predetermined volume. The pump chamber 72C contains a predetermined amount of detergent. When the user manually presses the button 78 in the direction of arrow C1, the predetermined amount of liquid in the pump chamber 72C is ejected from the outlet 72B along arrow D1. When the user releases the button 78, the button 78 returns to its original position, and the predetermined amount of liquid flows from the tank 70 through the suction port 72A into the pump chamber 72C (arrow D2).

The number of times buttons 78 and 79 need to be operated is determined based on the amount of liquid required for one washing operation. For example, the number of times buttons 78 and 79 need to be operated may be displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the housing 2 based on the weight of the laundry.

By operating the pump units 72 and 73, water is supplied to the cases 60 and 61 after a single dose of liquid has been added to the cases 60 and 61. The discharge of water and liquid from the cases 60 and 61 is suppressed until a certain amount of water has been supplied to the cases 60 and 61.

The operation of storing a certain amount of water in cases 60 and 61 will be described with reference to Figure 14. Figure 14 shows the siphon structure 65 in case 60.

As shown in Figure 14, the case 61 is provided with a siphon structure 65. The siphon structure 65 has a pipe member 65A that communicates with the supply opening 61B of the case 61, and an outer member 65B that covers the pipe member 65A. The pipe member 65A has a predetermined height H. When water is supplied to the case 61, the liquid agent and water flow from the case 61 into the flow path between the outer member 65B and the pipe member 65A. Until the liquid level in the case 61 exceeds the predetermined height H, the liquid agent and water cannot exceed the pipe member 65A and are retained within the case 61. This configuration makes it possible to control the timing of the liquid agent supply.

(summary)
The above explanations are summarized to describe the features of the present disclosure.

In addition to the liquid supply unit 6, the washing machine 1 has a liquid supply device 7. The liquid supply device 7 has tanks 70 and 71 that store multiple doses of liquid, and pumps 72 and 73 connected to the tanks 70 and 71. Therefore, the user can stably supply a predetermined amount of liquid to the washing tub 4 by operating the pumps 72 and 73 without having to measure out a single dose of liquid. Furthermore, compared to cases where a complex structure such as a motor is required, a simple structure can stably supply a predetermined amount of liquid. On the other hand, it is also possible to directly supply a single dose of liquid to the liquid supply unit 6, allowing the user to select the method of adding liquid.

The liquid dispenser 7 dispenses the liquid into the liquid supply unit 6 by pressing a button, and the liquid is supplied to the washing tub 4 at the same time that water is supplied to the liquid supply unit 6; that is, detergent during the wash cycle and fabric softener during the rinse cycle.

The liquid agent dosing device 7 is also designed to be attached to the liquid agent supply unit 6. This makes it easy to retrofit the liquid agent dosing device 7 to the washing machine 1 even without making major modifications to the internal structure and layout of the housing 2. When retrofitting the liquid agent dosing device 7, a connecting member 8 is provided to attach the liquid agent dosing device 7 to the liquid agent supply unit 6 and establish communication therebetween. The connecting member 8 forms flow paths 86, 87 therein, allowing the liquid agent contained in the tanks 70, 71 to flow into the cases 60, 61.

(effect)
The washing machine 1 according to the first embodiment can achieve the following effects.

As described above, the washing machine 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 2, a washing tub 4, a liquid agent supply unit 6, and a liquid agent dispenser 7. The washing tub 4 is rotatably mounted within the housing 2. The liquid agent dispenser 6 has a case 60 capable of containing the liquid agent to be dispensed and a supply opening 60B through which the liquid agent contained in the case 60 is supplied to the washing tub 4, and is attached to the housing 2. The liquid agent dispenser 7 has a tank 70 capable of containing multiple doses of liquid agent and a pump unit 72 that dispenses a predetermined amount of the liquid agent contained in the tank 70 into the case 60, and is attached to the liquid agent dispenser 6.

With this configuration, by using the liquid agent dosing device 7, a predetermined amount of liquid agent can be stably dispensed into the liquid agent supply unit 6 and then supplied to the washing tub 4. Furthermore, because the liquid agent dosing device 7 dispenses the liquid agent into the liquid agent supply unit 6 rather than directly into the housing 2, the liquid agent dosing device 7 can be easily retrofitted to the liquid agent supply unit 6 without having to modify the structure or layout of the housing 2.

The washing machine 1 of this embodiment further includes a connecting member 8 for attaching the liquid agent dosing device 7 to the liquid agent supply unit 6.

This configuration makes it easy to install the liquid drug injection device 7 and even easier to retrofit.

In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the connecting member 8 forms a flow path 86 that connects the pump section 72 and the case 60.

With this configuration, the pump unit 72 can be used to inject liquid into the case 60.

In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the inlet 86A (upstream end) of the flow path 86 is formed at a higher position than the outlet 86B (downstream end) of the flow path 86.

This configuration allows the liquid in the flow path 86 to flow more easily from the inlet 86A to the outlet 86B, preventing the liquid from remaining or adhering in the flow path 86. Therefore, a predetermined amount of liquid can be stably introduced into the liquid supply unit 6 through the flow path 86.

In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, when viewed from the mounting directions F1 and F2 in which the liquid agent dosing device 7 is attached to the liquid agent supply unit 6, the inlet 86A and outlet 86B are offset in the width direction K (horizontal direction).

With this configuration, the flow path 86 can be bent to guide the liquid to any position in the liquid supply unit 6, regardless of the position of the pump unit 72 or the inlet 86A.

In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the connecting member 8 has a pair of walls consisting of an upper wall 81B and a lower wall 81C that sandwich the upper and lower surfaces of the tank 70.

With this configuration, the holding member 81 firmly holds the tank 70 and the pump unit 72, preventing the tank 70 and the pump unit 72 from detaching from the liquid supply unit 6.

In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the tank 70 has a first portion 70A and a second portion 70B that is shorter in height than the first portion 70A, and the pump section 72 is connected to a pump connection port 74 provided on the top surface of the second portion 70B.

With this configuration, the pump unit 72 can be supported from below by the tank 70 while remaining in communication with the tank 70. Furthermore, the vertical dimension of the liquid agent dosing device 7 can be reduced compared to when the pump unit 72 is located in the first section 70A.

In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the connection direction F3 between the pump unit 72 and the tank 70 intersects with the attachment directions F1 and F2 between the pump unit 72 and the liquid supply unit 6.

This configuration supports the pump unit 72 from two intersecting directions, preventing the pump unit 72 from detaching from the liquid supply unit 6.

In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the first section 70A is provided with an openable lid 70D, and the maximum opening angle of the lid 70D is regulated to be between 90° and 180° relative to the horizontal.

With this configuration, the liquid can be refilled into the tank 70 by opening the lid 70D. Closing the lid 70D makes it less likely that foreign matter such as dust will get mixed into the liquid contained in the tank 70. Furthermore, even if a user accidentally spills liquid on the lid 70D when pouring liquid into the tank 70, the liquid will flow down the lid 70D and into the tank 70.

In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the pump unit 72 has a button 78 that is manually operated to supply the liquid agent to the liquid agent supply unit 6. The button 78 is pressed from the front side M1 (front) to the rear side M2 (rear) to supply the liquid agent to the liquid agent supply unit 6.

This configuration allows the user to add liquid to the liquid supply unit 6 with a simple manual operation. Furthermore, because the pushing direction (rear side M2) of the liquid supply unit 6 and the pushing direction (rear side M2) of the button 78 are aligned, when the button 78 is pressed, it is possible to prevent force from being applied in a direction that would cause the liquid supply device 7 to come off the liquid supply unit 6.

In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the front surface of the button 78 and the front surface of the tank 70 are formed flush with each other.

This configuration ensures that space is secured on the front side M1 of the liquid agent dispenser 7. Therefore, compared to when the button 78 protrudes toward the front side M1 of the tank 70, laundry is less likely to get caught on the button 78 when being dispensed into the washing tub 4.

The washing machine 1 of this embodiment has a case 60 (first case), a case 61 (second case), a tank 70 (first tank), and a tank 71 (second tank). The washing machine 1 has a pump unit 72 (first pump unit) connected to the tank 70 and feeding the liquid into the case 60, and a pump unit 73 (second pump unit) connected to the tank 71 and feeding the liquid into the case 61.

With this configuration, different liquids can be stored in tanks 70 and 71 and then dispensed into the liquid supply unit 6.

In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the pump unit 72 and the pump unit 73 are disposed between the tank 70 and the tank 71.

This configuration makes it easier for the user to operate the pump units 72 and 73 compared to an arrangement in which the tanks 70 and 71 are sandwiched between the pump units 72 and 73.

In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, a housing opening 20 that communicates with the washing tub 4 is provided on the top surface of the housing 2. The housing 2 is formed with a storage section 22 that opens to the outer periphery of the housing opening 20 and houses the liquid agent supply unit 6. The liquid agent dispenser 7 protrudes outward from the storage section 22 and is located inside the housing opening 20.

This configuration allows the space created by the housing opening 20 to be effectively utilized, allowing the liquid agent dosing device 7 to be retrofitted to the liquid agent supply unit 6.

In the washing machine 1 of this embodiment, the tanks 70, 71 and the pump units 72, 73 are aligned along the outer periphery of the housing opening 20.

This configuration makes it difficult for laundry to get caught on the liquid agent dispenser 7, even when the liquid agent dispenser 7 is located inside the housing opening 20.

The liquid agent supply unit 5 of this embodiment includes a liquid agent supply section 6 and a liquid agent dosing device 7. The liquid agent supply section 6 has a case 60 that can contain the liquid agent to be dispensed, and a supply opening 60B that supplies the liquid agent contained in the case 60 to the washing machine 1. The liquid agent dosing device 7 has a tank 70 that can contain multiple doses of liquid agent, and a pump section 72 that dispenses a predetermined amount of the liquid agent contained in the tank 70 into the case 60, and is attached to the liquid agent supply section 6.

With this configuration, the liquid agent supply device 7 can be used to stably supply a predetermined amount of liquid agent to the liquid agent supply unit 6.

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

In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the liquid agent supply unit 5 is part of the configuration of the washing machine 1, but this is not limiting. The liquid agent supply unit 5 may be sold separately and configured to be interchangeable with a normal liquid agent supply unit.

In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the liquid agent dosing device 7 has two tanks 70, 71 and two pump units 72, 73, but this is not limiting. For example, the liquid agent dosing device 7 may have one tank 70 and one pump unit 72. The liquid agent dosing device 7 may also have three or more tanks and pump units.

In the embodiment, an example in which the washing machine 1 has one liquid agent supply unit 5 has been described, but this is not limiting. For example, the washing machine 1 may have a liquid agent supply unit that is replaceable with the liquid agent supply unit 5 and has a different structure from the liquid agent supply unit 5.

In the embodiment, the liquid agent dosing device 7 is fixedly attached to the liquid agent supply unit 6, but this is not limiting. The liquid agent dosing device 7 may also be detachably attached to the liquid agent supply unit 6. For example, the washing machine 1 has a first liquid agent dosing device and a second liquid agent dosing device different from the first liquid agent dosing device, and the first liquid agent dosing device and the second liquid agent dosing device can be selectively attached. With this configuration, the user can select and replace the liquid agent dosing device to use depending on the application.

The washing machine in the first aspect comprises a housing, a washing tub rotatably mounted within the housing, a case capable of containing the liquid to be dispensed, a supply opening for supplying the liquid contained in the case to the washing tub, and a liquid dispenser attached to the housing, the liquid dispenser having a tank capable of containing multiple washes of liquid, and a pump unit for dispensing a predetermined amount of the liquid contained in the tank into the case.

The washing machine in the second aspect is the washing machine in the first aspect, further comprising a connecting member for attaching the liquid agent dosing device to the liquid agent supply unit.

In the third aspect of the washing machine, the connecting member forms a flow path that connects the pump unit and the case in the washing machine of the second aspect.

In the fourth aspect of the washing machine, the upstream end of the flow path in the washing machine of the third aspect is formed at a higher position than the downstream end of the flow path.

In the fifth aspect of the washing machine, the upstream end and downstream end of the washing machine in the fourth aspect are laterally offset when viewed from the direction in which the liquid agent dosing device is attached to the liquid agent supply unit.

A sixth aspect of the washing machine is a washing machine according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, in which the connecting member has a pair of walls that sandwich the upper and lower surfaces of the tank.

A seventh aspect of the washing machine is a washing machine according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which the tank has a first portion and a second portion that is lower in height than the first portion, and the pump unit is connected to a pump connection port provided on the top surface of the second portion.

In the eighth aspect of the washing machine, the connection direction between the pump unit and the tank in the seventh aspect intersects with the installation direction between the pump unit and the liquid supply unit.

A ninth aspect of the washing machine is the washing machine of the seventh or eighth aspect, in which the first section is provided with an openable lid, and the maximum opening angle of the lid is regulated to be between 90° and 180° relative to the horizontal.

A tenth aspect of the washing machine is a washing machine according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, in which the pump unit has a button that is manually operated to dispense the liquid into the liquid supply unit, and the button dispenses the liquid into the liquid supply unit by being pressed from the front to the rear.

In the washing machine of the eleventh aspect, the front of the button and the front of the tank are formed flush with each other in the washing machine of the tenth aspect.

A washing machine in a twelfth aspect is a washing machine in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the case has a first case and a second case, the tank has a first tank and a second tank, and the pump unit has a first pump unit connected to the first tank and injecting liquid into the first case, and a second pump unit connected to the second tank and injecting liquid into the second case.

A washing machine in a thirteenth aspect is the washing machine in the twelfth aspect, in which the first pump unit and the second pump unit are disposed between the first tank and the second tank.

A washing machine in a fourteenth aspect is a washing machine in any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, in which a housing opening communicating with the washing tub is provided on the top surface of the housing, and the housing has a storage section that opens to the outer periphery of the housing opening and stores a liquid agent supply unit, and the liquid agent dispenser protrudes outward from the storage section and is located inside the housing opening.

A washing machine in a fifteenth aspect is the washing machine in a fourteenth aspect, in which the tank and pump unit are aligned along the outer periphery of the housing opening.

A sixteenth aspect of the washing machine is a washing machine according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, in which the liquid agent dosing device is detachably attached to the liquid agent supply unit, and the liquid agent dosing device has a first liquid agent dosing device and a second liquid agent dosing device different from the first liquid agent dosing device, and the first liquid agent dosing device and the second liquid agent dosing device can be selectively attached.

In a seventeenth aspect, the liquid supply unit includes a liquid supply unit having a case capable of containing the liquid to be dispensed and a supply opening for dispensing the liquid contained in the case into the washing machine, a tank capable of containing multiple doses of the liquid, and a pump unit for dispensing a predetermined amount of the liquid contained in the tank into the case, and a liquid dispenser attached to the liquid supply unit.

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

This disclosure is applicable to washing machines. Specifically, this disclosure is applicable to top-loading washing machines, top-loading washer-dryers, drum-type washing machines, drum-type washer-dryers, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 washing machine 2 housing 3 water tub 4 washing tub 5 liquid agent supply unit 6 liquid agent supply section 7 liquid agent supply device 8 connection member 22 storage section 60 case 61 case 62 case 60A inlet 61A inlet 60B supply opening 61B supply opening 66 inlet 67 inlet 68 inlet 70 tank 71 tank 72 pump section 73 pump section 81 holding member 82 flow path member 86 flow path 87 flow path

Claims (17)

The housing and
a washing tub rotatably provided within the housing;
a liquid agent supply unit attached to the housing, the liquid agent supply unit having a case capable of containing a liquid agent to be added and a supply opening for supplying the liquid agent contained in the case to the washing tub;
a liquid agent supplying device attached to the liquid agent supply unit, the liquid agent supplying device including a tank capable of storing a plurality of doses of the liquid agent and a pump unit configured to supply a predetermined amount of the liquid agent stored in the tank into the case;
Equipped with
The pump unit has a manually operated button, and when the button is pushed from the front to the rear, the liquid agent is injected into the liquid agent supply unit . The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting member for attaching the liquid agent dosing device to the liquid agent supply unit. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the connecting member forms a flow path that connects the pump unit and the case. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the upstream end of the flow path is formed at a higher position than the downstream end of the flow path. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the upstream end and the downstream end are laterally offset when viewed from the direction in which the liquid agent dosing device is attached to the liquid agent supply unit. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the connecting member has a pair of walls that sandwich the upper and lower surfaces of the tank. The tank has a first portion and a second portion that is shorter in height than the first portion,
The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the pump unit is connected to a pump connection port provided on an upper surface of the second portion. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the connection direction between the pump unit and the tank intersects with the installation direction between the pump unit and the liquid supply unit. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the first section is provided with an openable lid, and the maximum opening angle of the lid is restricted to be between 90° and 180° relative to the horizontal. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the number of times the button is pressed from front to rear is determined according to the liquid required for one washing operation, and the number of times is displayed on a display unit provided on the housing . The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein a front surface of the button and a front surface of the tank are formed flush with each other. The case includes a first case and a second case,
The tank includes a first tank and a second tank,
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the pump unit includes a first pump unit connected to the first tank and configured to inject the liquid into the first case, and a second pump unit connected to the second tank and configured to inject the liquid into the second case. The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the first pump unit and the second pump unit are disposed between the first tank and the second tank. A housing opening communicating with the washing tub is provided on the top surface of the housing,
the housing has a housing portion that opens to face the housing opening and houses the liquid agent supply portion;
The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid agent dispenser protrudes outward from the storage portion and is positioned inside the housing opening. The washing machine according to claim 14, wherein the tank and the pump unit are aligned along the outer periphery of the housing opening. the liquid agent supply device is detachably attached to the liquid agent supply unit,
the liquid agent supplying device includes a first liquid agent supplying device and a second liquid agent supplying device different from the first liquid agent supplying device,
The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the first liquid agent supplying device and the second liquid agent supplying device are selectively attachable. The pump unit includes:
forming a pump chamber therein having a predetermined volume;
The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the button is pushed from the front to the rear to supply a predetermined amount of the liquid agent that has flowed into the pump chamber to the liquid agent supply unit.