TW202500832A - Liquid tank and washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a liquid tank and a washing machine capable of suppressing filter clogging. The liquid tank (20) comprises: a discharge port (22) disposed at the bottom of the liquid tank (20) and capable of discharging liquid to the outside; a check valve (211) that opens and closes the discharge port (22) according to the loading and unloading of the liquid tank (20) relative to the washing machine; a filter (212) that covers the check valve (211); and a filter cover (213) that covers the top of the filter (212). The filter cover (213) is located above the discharge port (22) and forms a space inside for arranging the filter (212) and the check valve (211). A gap (G) is formed between the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank (20) and the lower end surface of the filter cover (213) to allow the liquid to be introduced into the space.

Description

Liquid tank and washing machine

The present invention relates to a liquid tank provided in a washing machine and a washing machine provided with the liquid tank.

Fully automatic washing machines are equipped with a liquid tank for pre-storing liquids (liquid detergent, softener, etc.) that are automatically put into the washing tank.

The liquid tank is equipped with a filter for removing foreign matter mixed into the tank (for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-42183).

[The problem the invention is trying to solve]

In existing liquid tanks, there is a problem of filter clogging.

One aspect of the present invention is completed in view of the above-mentioned problem, and its purpose is to provide a liquid tank and a washing machine that can suppress filter clogging. [Technical means for solving the problem]

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a liquid tank for use in a washing machine having an automatic liquid injection function, wherein the liquid tank comprises: a discharge port, which is arranged at the bottom of the liquid tank and can discharge the liquid to the outside; a check valve, which opens and closes the discharge port according to the loading and unloading of the liquid tank relative to the washing machine; a filter, which covers the check valve; a filter cover, which covers the top of the filter, and a space is formed inside the filter cover at the top of the discharge port, wherein the filter and the check valve are arranged in the space, and a gap is formed between the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank and the lower end surface of the filter cover, which can introduce the liquid into the space. [Effects of the invention]

A liquid tank and a washing machine according to one aspect of the present invention have the effect of suppressing clogging of a filter.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the washing machine of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In addition, in one aspect of the present invention, a "washing machine" refers to all equipment that performs various treatments on laundry, such as washing. The washing machine can list, for example, washing, drying, deodorizing, sterilizing, etc. as the treatment of laundry. The laundry is not particularly limited. As the laundry, for example, cloth products can be listed. As specific examples of laundry, for example, clothes, hats, gloves and other clothing, shoes, buns, handkerchiefs, towels and other carrying items, curtains, blankets, towels, quilt covers and other bedding, carpets, dolls, etc. can be cited. In addition, in FIG1, a vertical washing machine is illustrated, but as long as it is a fully automatic washing machine with an automatic liquid injection function, the type of washing machine in one aspect of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, the washing machine according to one aspect of the present invention may also be a drum-type washing machine.

FIG1 is a perspective view of a washing machine 10 according to the present embodiment. In the following description, the front side, the rear side, the width direction (left-right direction), the depth direction (front-back direction), the height direction, etc. mean directions in a state where the washing machine 10 is installed. The washing machine 10 has a cover 12 on its upper surface that covers the storage space of the liquid tank 20 described later, in addition to a cover 11 that covers the washing tub.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view (the dotted line enclosed portion in FIG. 1 ) showing a state in which the lid 12 of the washing machine 10 is opened and the liquid tank 20 is removed. As shown in FIG. 2 , in the washing machine 10, the liquid tank 20 can be loaded and unloaded in a state in which the lid 12 is opened. In addition, in the washing machine 10, as the liquid tank 20, there are provided a detergent tank 20A for storing liquid detergent and a softener tank 20B for storing softener, and when they are not distinguished, they are referred to as the liquid tank 20.

The liquid tank 20 has a liquid inlet on the upper surface and a small cover 23 for covering the liquid inlet. That is, the liquid tank 20 can be filled with liquid from the liquid inlet by opening the small cover 23.

In the past, foreign matter (solid matter) may be mixed into the liquid tank when the liquid is replenished, and a filter is provided to remove the foreign matter. When the filter is clogged, the discharge performance of the liquid from the liquid tank is reduced. The clogging of the filter mesh is caused not only by the adhesion of foreign matter, but also by the adhesion of the liquid with increased viscosity due to drying to the filter. In contrast, the liquid tank 20 of the present embodiment has a structure that can suppress the clogging of the filter.

FIG3 is a three-dimensional view showing a portion of the outer wall cut away so that the inside of the liquid tank 20 can be visually confirmed. In addition, the internal structure of the liquid tank 20 is basically the same in both the detergent tank 20A and the softener tank 20B. As shown in FIG3, the liquid tank 20 has a supply portion 21 at the bottom of the tank for supplying (discharging) the liquid in the tank to the liquid supply path of the washing machine 10.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the supply unit in the liquid tank 20. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the supply unit 21. As shown in Fig. 4, the supply unit 21 includes a one-way valve 211 provided on the bottom surface of the liquid tank 20, a filter 212 covering the one-way valve 211, and a filter cover 213 covering the filter 212.

In the supply part 21, a discharge port 22 (see FIG. 5 ) for discharging the liquid to the outside is formed at the bottom of the liquid tank 20, and a check valve 211 opens and closes the discharge port 22 according to the loading and unloading of the liquid tank 20 relative to the washing machine 10. That is, the check valve 211 closes the discharge port 22 when the liquid tank 20 is unloaded from the washing machine 10, and opens the discharge port 22 when the liquid tank 20 is mounted on the washing machine 10. By providing the check valve 211 at the bottom of the liquid tank 20, the liquid is prevented from leaking from the discharge port 22 when the liquid tank 20 is unloaded from the washing machine 10.

As shown in FIG5 , the check valve 211 includes a movable pin 211a, a spring 211b, and a support member 211c (see FIG4 ). In the check valve 211, a spring 211b is disposed between the movable pin 211a and the support member 211c, and the movable pin 211a is subjected to downward force by the spring 211b. In addition, the support member 211c also has the function of guiding the sliding movement of the movable pin 211a in the up-and-down direction.

When the liquid tank 20 is removed from the washing machine 10, the movable pin 211a is pushed to the discharge port 22 by the force of the spring 211b, and the discharge port 22 is closed (the state of FIG. 5 ). On the other hand, when the liquid tank 20 is installed in the washing machine 10, a protrusion (not shown) provided on the side of the washing machine 10 is inserted from the discharge port 22 and abuts against the movable pin 211a, and the movable pin 211a is pushed upward (slid upward) by the protrusion to overcome the force of the spring 211b. As a result, the movable pin 211a leaves the discharge port 22 and opens the discharge port 22.

When the liquid tank 20 is mounted on the washing machine 10, the discharge port 22 is opened to connect the liquid tank 20 to the liquid supply path (not shown) of the washing machine 10. In this state, when negative pressure is generated in the liquid supply path of the washing machine 10, the negative pressure becomes a suction force, and the liquid is introduced into the liquid supply path from the liquid tank 20. The amount of liquid supplied in this case can be adjusted according to the time when the negative pressure is generated in the liquid supply path, etc.

As shown in FIG4 , the filter 212 has a main body 212a and a protrusion 212b. The main body 212a is in the shape of a cylinder with an open bottom, and has a filter on the side of the cylinder. The protrusion 212b is formed to protrude upward from the upper surface of the main body 212a. The filter 212 is detachable relative to the liquid tank 20, and the main body 212a is installed on the check valve 211 to cover it. When the filter 212 is removed, the protrusion 212b can be used as a knob that the user grasps with his fingers.

As shown in FIG4 , the filter cover 213 has a main body 213a and a protrusion 213b. The main body 213a is in the shape of a cylinder with an open bottom. The protrusion 213b is formed so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the main body 213a. The filter cover 213 is detachable relative to the liquid tank 20, and the main body 213a is installed so as to cover the filter 212. When the filter cover 213 is detached, the protrusion 213b can be used as a knob that the user grasps with his fingers.

A base portion 214 having a substantially annular shape in a plan view is formed around the check valve 211 so as to protrude upward from the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank 20. The radius of the base portion 214 is substantially equal to the radius of the lower end surface of the main body portion 213a of the filter cover 213. When the filter cover 213 is mounted relative to the liquid tank 20, its lower end surface is supported on the base portion 214.

In addition, the base portion 214 is not a complete annular shape, but is provided in a shape of an annular discontinuity in at least a portion in the radial direction. Therefore, a gap G is formed between the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank 20 and the lower end surface of the filter cover 213 in the annular discontinuity portion of the base portion 214 (see FIG. 5 ).

In the supply part 21 having the above structure, a space formed by the filter cover 213 is formed above the discharge port 22, and the filter 212 and the check valve 211 are arranged in the space. When the liquid is supplied (discharged) from the liquid tank 20 to the liquid supply path of the washing machine 10, the liquid is introduced from the gap G into the space in the filter cover 213. The liquid agent introduced from the gap G passes through the filter 212 and the check valve 211 in sequence, and is supplied from the discharge port 22 to the liquid agent supply path.

In the liquid tank 20 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress clogging of the filter in the supply section 21. This is due to the following reason.

In the past, filter clogging in the liquid tank was mainly caused by the strong adhesion of the liquid to the filter. The liquid stored in the liquid tank tends to increase in viscosity due to dust accumulation on the surface (liquid level) of the liquid or evaporation of water. Therefore, when the liquid surface of the liquid stored in the liquid tank contacts the filter, the liquid with increased viscosity will adhere to the filter, sometimes causing filter clogging.

In contrast, in the supply portion 21 of the liquid tank 20 of the present embodiment, the liquid is introduced from the gap G at the bottom of the tank into the space inside the filter cover 213, and then passes through the filter 212. In this case, the liquid with increased viscosity near the liquid surface does not contact the filter 212, and the liquid is less likely to adhere to the filter 212. As a result, clogging of the filter 212 can be suppressed.

In addition, the liquid tank 20 of the present embodiment also has the effect of easily draining the stored liquid. This is due to the following reason.

As described above, the liquid is supplied from the liquid tank 20 to the washing machine 10 by the suction force from the liquid supply path. In the liquid tank 20, when the liquid level of the stored liquid is higher than the upper end of the gap G, the suction force works well and the liquid can be discharged well. Therefore, by reducing the height dimension of the gap G as much as possible (lowering the height of the base 214), even if the amount of liquid stored in the liquid tank 20 is reduced, the liquid can be sucked well. In addition, the filter cover 213 covers the filter 212 and the check valve 211, and forms a closed space between the gap G and the discharge port 22. Therefore, the negative pressure of the suction force from the liquid supply path is efficiently transmitted to the surface of the liquid immersed in the filter cover 213. With this configuration, even if the mounting step of the filter 212 or the check valve 211 is located at a higher position than the bottom surface of the liquid tank 20, the liquid located at a lower position than the mounting step can be sucked and discharged from the gap G, so that the liquid stored in the liquid tank 20 can be easily drained. In addition, when the dimension of the gap G in the height direction is reduced, instead of increasing the dimension of the gap G in the horizontal direction (width direction), the amount of liquid introduced from the gap G can be ensured.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the filter cover 213 is placed on the base portion 214 so that the base portion 214 is formed into a substantially circular ring shape in which the ring is interrupted at a portion, thereby forming the gap G. However, one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the base portion 214 may be omitted from the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank 20, and a cutout extending in the radial direction may be provided at a portion of the lower edge portion of the filter cover 213. In this case, the filter cover 213 is installed in a manner that its lower end surface is in direct contact with the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank 20, and the cutout formed at the lower edge portion of the filter cover 213 becomes the gap G.

Next, a suitable installation example of the filter cover 213 in the supply unit 21 is described. As shown in FIG4 , a plurality of (preferably three or more) press-fit ribs 215 are provided around the check valve 211 in the circumferential direction. Each press-fit rib 215 is formed to protrude upward from the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank 20. The filter cover 213 is pressed into the press-fit rib 215 from above, thereby being fixed to prevent floating relative to the liquid.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the supply portion 21 in a section different from Fig. 5 (a section including one of the crimping ribs 215). As shown in Fig. 6, the crimping rib 215 is arranged on the inner side of the filter cover 213 so that the outer peripheral side surface of the crimping rib 215 is in contact with the inner side surface of the main body 213a of the filter cover 213 (crimped).

The filter cover 213 can be positioned in the horizontal direction by making the plurality of press-fit ribs 215 contact the inner side surface of the main body 213a. In addition, the filter cover 213 is not limited to the direction of installation in the circumferential direction relative to the press-fit ribs 215, and can be easily installed.

Basically, the filter cover 213 is positioned in the vertical direction by bringing the lower end surface of the filter cover 213 into contact with the base portion 214. However, the liquid tank 20 may have a structure for more reliably positioning and holding the filter cover 213.

Specifically, as shown in FIG6 , a holding portion 216 for positioning and holding the filter cover 213 is provided on the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank 20 at a position corresponding to a portion of the lower edge of the filter cover 213. The holding portion 216 has a groove 216a extending in the up-down direction and open at the top. The lower edge of the main body 213a of the filter cover 213 mounted on the liquid tank 20 is inserted into the groove 216a.

A recessed portion (engaged portion) 216b extending in the horizontal direction is formed inside the groove portion 216a. On the other hand, a circumferential rib (engaging portion) 213c extending in the horizontal direction along the entire circumference of the filter cover 213 is formed on the side surface (outer side surface in the example of FIG. 6 ) of the main body portion 213a of the filter cover 213. When the filter cover 213 is mounted on the liquid tank 20 and positioned in the vertical direction, the circumferential rib 213c of the filter cover 213 is engaged with the recessed portion 216b of the holding portion 216, thereby preventing the filter cover 213 from falling off.

In addition, when the filter cover 213 is mounted on the liquid tank 20, a snap feeling is obtained by engaging the circumferential rib 213c with the recessed portion 216b. The user can recognize that the filter cover 213 is correctly mounted by the snap feeling, and can prevent the filter cover 213 from being improperly mounted due to insufficient pressing by the user.

In addition, the method of fixing the filter cover 213 installed in the liquid tank 20 is not limited to the above-mentioned press-fitting. For example, threaded portions (external threads and internal threads) may be formed on the lower edge of the filter cover 213 and the upper edge of the base 214, and the filter cover 213 may be installed and fixed by threaded tightening.

Next, a description will be given of a suitable mounting example of the filter 212 in the supply unit 21. The filter 212 is also inserted into the press-fit rib 215 from above. However, the filter 212 does not need to be press-fitted into the press-fit rib 215.

As shown in FIG6 , the filter 212 is arranged on the inner side of the press-fit rib 215 so that the outer side surface of the main body 212a of the filter 212 contacts the inner peripheral side surface of the press-fit rib 215. The filter 212 can be positioned in the horizontal direction by contacting the outer side surface of the main body 212a with the plurality of press-fit ribs 215. In addition, the filter 212 can be easily installed without limiting the installation direction in the circumferential direction when being inserted into the press-fit rib 215. In addition, as long as the filter 212 is not pressed into the press-fit rib 215, it can be easily installed and removed from the liquid tank 20 with a small force.

The filter 212 can be positioned in the vertical direction while the filter cover 213 is being assembled. Specifically, a portion of the filter 212 abuts against the filter cover 213 in the vertical direction, and the position of the filter 212 in the vertical direction is restricted by the filter cover 213. In the example of FIG. 6 , the upper surface of the main body 212a of the filter 212 abuts against the filter cover 213, and the filter 212 is restricted from floating upward by the abutment. Thus, when the filter cover 213 is positioned in the vertical direction, the filter 212 is also positioned in the vertical direction.

In addition, the upper surface of the main body 212a of the filter 212 abuts against the filter cover 213, so that the space in the filter cover 213 is divided into upper and lower parts with the abutting part as the boundary. Therefore, the suction force from the liquid supply path easily acts only on the lower space in the filter cover 213, and the liquid infiltrated from the gap G can be more reliably sucked. In addition, the protrusion 212b of the filter 212 can be suppressed from being immersed in the liquid, and the user can prevent the knob part that is used to be grasped with fingers when cleaning the filter from slipping due to the liquid.

The filter cover 213 may also be a transparent or translucent member. When the filter cover 213 is a transparent or translucent member, when the filter cover 213 is mounted on the liquid tank 20, it is possible to visually check whether the filter 212 is inside the filter cover 213, thereby preventing the user from forgetting to install the filter 212.

In addition, one or both of the protrusion 212b of the filter 212 and the protrusion 213b of the filter cover 213 may be omitted. In addition, the contact portion between the filter cover 213 and the filter 212 may be a rib extending from at least one side to the other side.

In addition, the filter 212 may be positioned in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by being engaged or screwed with the base portion 214. In this case, there may be no abutment portion that abuts against the filter 212 when the filter cover 213 is attached.

In the liquid tank 20 of this embodiment, the supply part 21 including the check valve 211 and the filter 212 can be arranged inside the tank. Thus, only the discharge port 22 can be seen on the outer bottom surface of the liquid tank 20, and the design of the appearance of the liquid tank 20 can be improved.

All aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and cannot be interpreted as limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not only interpreted by the above-mentioned embodiments, but is determined based on the description of the scope of the invention application.

10: Washing machine 20: Liquid tank 21: Supply unit 211: Check valve 211a: Movable pin 211b: Spring 211c: Support member 212: Filter 212a: Main body 212b: Protrusion 213: Filter cover 213a: Main body 213b: Protrusion 213c: Circumferential rib 214: Base 215: Press-fit rib 216: Retaining unit 216a: Groove 216b: Recess 22: Drain port G: Gap

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a state after the liquid tank in the washing machine is taken out. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a portion of the outer wall cut away so that the inside of the liquid tank can be seen. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a supply unit in the liquid tank. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the supply unit. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the supply unit on a section different from FIG. 5.

21: Supply Department

211: Check valve

211a: Movable pin

211b: Spring

211c: Supporting parts

212:Filter

213:Filter cover

214: Base part

22: Exhaust outlet

G: Gap

Claims (5)

A liquid tank, which is used in a washing machine with an automatic liquid injection function, includes: a discharge port, which is arranged at the bottom of the liquid tank and can discharge the liquid to the outside; a check valve, which opens and closes the discharge port according to the loading and unloading of the liquid tank relative to the washing machine; a filter, which covers the check valve; a filter cover, which covers the top of the filter; a space is formed inside the filter cover at the top of the discharge port, and the filter and the check valve are arranged in the space; a gap is formed between the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank and the lower end surface of the filter cover, which can introduce the liquid into the space. A liquid tank as described in claim 1, wherein, a plurality of press-fit ribs are provided around the check valve, the press-fit ribs are formed to protrude upward from the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank, the filter cover can be pressed from above relative to the press-fit ribs and fixed to the press-fit ribs. A liquid tank as described in claim 2, wherein, On the inner bottom surface of the liquid tank, a holding portion for positioning and holding the filter cover is provided at a position corresponding to a portion of the lower edge of the filter cover, The filter cover has a snap-fitting portion, The holding portion has a snap-fitting portion, and the snap-fitting portion snaps with the snap-fitting portion when the filter cover is positioned. A liquid tank as described in claim 1, wherein, when the filter cover is positioned and mounted on the liquid tank, the filter is positioned by abutting against the filter cover. A washing machine having an automatic liquid injection function, wherein, it has a liquid tank as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

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