JP7503267B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Patent Document 1 describes a washing machine in which an ultrasonic cleaning device is arranged around the laundry inlet on the top panel, for example in front of the inlet. The ultrasonic cleaning device includes a water tank for storing water, and an ultrasonic generating unit having an ultrasonic generator located directly above the water tank. The dirty part of the item to be cleaned is placed in the water-filled water tank, and the cleaning operation is started. Ultrasonic energy generated by the ultrasonic generator acts on the dirty part that has been penetrated by the water, and the dirt is peeled off.

JP 2018-68435 A

In the washing machine as described above, it is conceivable to configure the ultrasonic cleaning device so that the water tank is formed separately from the top panel, and to switch the position of the ultrasonic cleaning device between a position when in use in which the ultrasonic generating unit and the water tank protrude inside the loading port, and a position when not in use in which the ultrasonic generating unit and the water tank are stored around the loading port. In such a configuration, even if water splashes from the water tank during the washing operation, the splashed water is less likely to escape outside the washing machine. Also, when the washing operation is not being performed, the ultrasonic cleaning device is less likely to get in the way of laundry being loaded into the washing and spin-drying tub from the loading port.

However, even with the above configuration, when laundry is loaded into the washing and spin tub, part of the laundry may come into contact with the unused ultrasonic cleaning device located around the loading port, which may result in damage to the ultrasonic cleaning device.

In addition, when the items to be washed that have been placed in the washing and spin-drying tub are washed, the water stored in the washing and spin-drying tub may splash upward. The water in the washing and spin-drying tub contains detergent and dirt that has detached from the items not to be washed. If the washing machine is configured without a lid on the outer tub, the water in the washing and spin-drying tub may splash onto the ultrasonic cleaning device when not in use, which may result in detergent and dirt adhering to the ultrasonic cleaning device.

The present invention aims to provide a washing machine that can protect the ultrasonic cleaning device when not in use.

A washing machine according to a main aspect of the present invention includes an ultrasonic cleaning device that includes an ultrasonic cleaning unit having an ultrasonic generator, and a water storage unit located below the ultrasonic generator and having a water storage tank for storing cleaning water, and that applies ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generator to an object to be cleaned immersed in the cleaning water in the water storage tank to remove dirt attached to the object to be cleaned, a top plate having an inlet, a storage unit provided inside the top plate and including an apparatus storage unit in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is stored so that it can be pulled out into the inlet, an entrance formed by opening the front of the storage unit in the top plate and used to insert and remove the ultrasonic cleaning device from the apparatus storage unit, a cover that covers the entrance when the ultrasonic cleaning device is stored in the apparatus storage unit, and a supply nozzle that is disposed in the storage unit and has an outlet at its tip for discharging water into the water storage tank. When the ultrasonic cleaning device is not in use, the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit are stored in the storage unit, and in the stored state, the tip of the supply nozzle is located in the front of the water storage tank. When the ultrasonic cleaning device is used, the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit are pulled forward from the storage unit, and in this pulled-out state, the tip of the supply nozzle is positioned at the rear of the water storage tank.

According to the washing machine of this aspect, when not in use, the ultrasonic cleaning device can be stored in the device storage section inside the top panel, so that the ultrasonic cleaning device can be protected from contact with laundry inserted through the loading port. Moreover, when the ultrasonic cleaning device is stored in the device storage section, the entrance is covered with a cover, so that the ultrasonic cleaning device can be further protected from contact with laundry.

The washing machine according to this aspect may be further configured to include a linkage mechanism that opens and closes the cover in conjunction with the insertion and removal of the ultrasonic cleaning device from the device storage section.

The above configuration eliminates the need to manually open and close the cover, making it easier to use.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the storage section may further include a cover storage section provided adjacent to the device storage section. In this case, the interlocking mechanism may be configured to store the open cover in the cover storage section.

With this configuration, the cover is less likely to get in the way when the user uses the ultrasonic cleaning device to clean an object.

In the above configuration, the interlocking mechanism may include a first slider connected to the ultrasonic cleaning device, a second slider connected to one end of the cover so as to be rotatable in a direction that opens and closes the entrance, a holding section that holds the first slider and the second slider slidably in a pull-out direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is pulled out of the device storage section and in a storage direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is stored in the device storage section, a link that has one end connected to the first slider and the other end connected to the second slider, and that slides the second slider in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first slider slides by moving the other end in a direction opposite to the direction in which the one end moves, and a guide section that contacts the cover when the second slider slides in the storage direction to open the cover and guides it to the cover storage section.

According to the above configuration, when the ultrasonic cleaning device is pulled out from the device storage section, the first slider slides in the pull-out direction, the other end of the link moves in the storage direction, the second slider slides in the storage direction, and the cover abuts against the guide section and is guided to the cover storage section while being opened. Also, when the ultrasonic cleaning device is stored in the device storage section, the first slider slides in the storage direction, the other end of the link moves in the pull-out direction, the second slider slides in the pull-out direction, and the cover is taken out of the cover storage section and closed.

When configured as described above, the cover may be configured to include a main body portion that covers the entrance and an abutment portion that extends from the main body portion in the storage direction and abuts against the guide portion.

With this configuration, the cover can be opened without hitting any part of the pulled-out ultrasonic cleaning device. This makes it less likely that the cover or the ultrasonic cleaning device will be damaged.

The present invention provides a washing machine that can protect the ultrasonic cleaning device when not in use.

The effects and significance of the present invention will become clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiment is merely an example of how the present invention can be put into practice, and the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described below.

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a water supply unit according to the embodiment. Fig. 3(a) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the top plate when the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit are in the operating position according to the embodiment, and Figs. 3(b) and (c) are perspective views of the main parts of the ultrasonic cleaning device and the top plate when the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit are in the standby position according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic cleaning device according to an embodiment with a water reservoir removed. FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the main body unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an inverted reservoir according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning device, the reservoir tank, the supply valve, the supply nozzle, and the wastewater receiver when the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the reservoir are in the standby position according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic cleaning device, a reservoir tank, a supply valve, a supply nozzle, and a wastewater receiver when the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the reservoir are in an operating position according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a reservoir tank, a supply valve, and a supply nozzle according to an embodiment. FIG. 10(a) is an oblique view of an ultrasonic cleaning device, a cover, and an interlocking mechanism part according to an embodiment, and FIG. 10(b) is an oblique view of an ultrasonic cleaning device, a cover, and an interlocking mechanism part according to an embodiment, with the link retaining member and the cover guide member omitted. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a link retaining member according to the embodiment, and FIG. 11B is a perspective view of a cover guide member according to the embodiment. Fig. 12(a) is a side view showing a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning device according to the embodiment is stored in an equipment storage section and the cover is closed, Fig. 12(b) is a side view showing a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning device according to the embodiment is pulled out of the equipment storage section and stored in the cover storage section with the cover open, and Fig. 12(c) is a view showing a state in which the cover according to the embodiment is opened. 13A to 13C are diagrams for explaining removal of dirt from an object to be cleaned by an ultrasonic cleaning device according to an embodiment.

Below, one embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a fully automatic washing machine 1.

The fully automatic washing machine 1 has a housing 10 that forms the outer shell. The housing 10 includes a rectangular cylindrical body 11 with open top and bottom faces, a top panel 12 that covers the top face of the body 11, and a foot stand 13 that supports the body 11. A laundry inlet 14 is formed in the top panel 12. The inlet 14 is covered by a top lid 15 that can be opened and closed. A control unit 16 is disposed inside the front part of the top panel 12. The control unit 16 is composed of a microcomputer or the like, and controls the washing operation by the fully automatic washing machine 1 and the cleaning operation by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 described below.

In the housing 10, an outer tub 20 with an open top is elastically suspended and supported by four suspension rods 21 with vibration isolation devices. A washing and spin-drying tub 22 with an open top is disposed inside the outer tub 20. The washing and spin-drying tub 22 rotates around a rotation axis extending vertically. A large number of spin-drying holes 22a are formed on the inner surface of the washing and spin-drying tub 22 all around. A balance ring 23 is provided on the top of the washing and spin-drying tub 22. A pulsator 24 is disposed at the bottom of the washing and spin-drying tub 22. A number of blades 24a are provided radially on the surface of the pulsator 24.

A drive unit 30 that generates torque to drive the washing and spin-drying tub 22 and the pulsator 24 is disposed on the outer bottom of the outer tub 20. The drive unit 30 includes a drive motor 31 and a transmission mechanism 32. The transmission mechanism 32 has a clutch mechanism 32a, and by switching operation using the clutch mechanism 32a, the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted only to the pulsator 24 during the washing and rinsing steps, causing only the pulsator 24 to rotate, and the torque of the drive motor 31 is transmitted to the pulsator 24 and the washing and spin-drying tub 22 during the spin-drying step, causing the pulsator 24 and the washing and spin-drying tub 22 to rotate together.

A drain outlet 20a is formed on the outer bottom of the outer tub 20. A drain valve 40 is provided in the drain outlet 20a. The drain valve 40 is connected to a drain hose 41. When the drain valve 40 is opened, the water stored in the washing and spin-drying tub 22 and the outer tub 20 is drained outside the machine through the drain hose 41.

An overflow port 20b is formed at the top of the outer tub 20. When water reaches a predetermined overflow level or higher in the outer tub 20, the water is discharged from the overflow port 20b. An overflow receiver 25 is provided on the outer surface of the outer tub 20 to cover the overflow port 20b. One end of an overflow pipe 26 is connected to the bottom of the overflow receiver 25. The other end of the overflow pipe 26 is connected to a drain hose 41. The water discharged from the overflow port 20b is received by the overflow receiver 25 and then flows through the overflow pipe 26 to the drain hose 41.

The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is located approximately in the center of the rear of the top panel 12. The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 performs a cleaning operation to remove dirt that is partially attached to the item to be cleaned, such as sebum dirt attached to the sleeves and collar of a shirt, and oil dirt attached to work clothes, prior to washing in the fully automatic washing machine 1.

A storage tank 60 is disposed behind the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 at the rear of the top panel 12, and a drainage receiving section 70 is disposed below the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. The storage tank 60 stores water containing detergent to be supplied to the water tank 210 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. Hereinafter, the water containing detergent is referred to as "cleaning water."

The drainage receiver 70 receives water discharged from the water tank 210. The drainage receiver 70 is formed with a drain hole 71 through which the received water is discharged. One end of a drainage pipe 72 is connected to the drain hole 71. The other end of the drainage pipe 72 is connected to the upper part of the overflow pipe 26.

A water supply unit 80 for supplying tap water into the washing and spin-drying tub 22 is located at the rear of the top panel 12.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the water supply unit 80.

The water supply unit 80 has a water supply valve 81. The water supply valve 81 is a so-called dual valve, and has a main valve 82 and a sub-valve 83, which are electromagnetic valves. The water inlet 81a of the water supply valve 81 is connected to a water faucet via a water supply hose (not shown). The outlet of the main valve 82 of the water supply valve 81 is connected to a main water supply channel 84. The main water supply channel 84 has a water inlet 84a located at the top of the washing and spin-drying tub 22.

The water supply unit 80 includes an automatic dispenser mechanism 90 for automatically dispensing liquid detergent, which is one type of washing liquid, into the washing and spin-drying tub 22. The automatic dispenser mechanism 90 also has the function of supplying wash water to the storage tank 60.

The automatic dispensing mechanism 90 includes a detergent tank 91, a supply pipe 92, a first three-way valve 93, a sub-water supply channel 94, a supply pump 95, a detergent supply channel 96, a second three-way valve 97, and a cleaning water supply channel 98. The sub-valve 83 of the water supply valve 81 is also included in the automatic dispensing mechanism 90.

Liquid detergent is stored in the detergent tank 91 in its undiluted form. The supply pipe 92 directs the liquid detergent from the detergent tank 91 to one of the inlets of the first three-way valve 93.

The sub-water supply passage 94 is connected to the outlet of the sub-valve 83 and the other inlet of the first three-way valve 93.

A supply pump 95 is connected to the outlet of the first three-way valve 93, and a detergent supply path 96 is connected to the supply pump 95. The detergent supply path 96 has a supply port 96a located at the top of the washing and spin-drying tub 22. The supply pump 95 can be, for example, a piston-type pump.

The first three-way valve 93 can be switched between a state in which the supply pipe 92 is connected to the supply pump 95 and a state in which the sub-supply line 94 is connected to the supply pump 95.

A second three-way valve 97 is provided in the detergent supply channel 96. An upstream supply channel 96b of the detergent supply channel 96 is connected to an inlet of the second three-way valve 97, and a downstream supply channel 96c of the detergent supply channel 96 is connected to one outlet of the second three-way valve 97. One end of a cleaning water supply channel 98 is connected to the other outlet of the second three-way valve 97. The other end of the cleaning water supply channel 98 is connected to the storage tank 60.

The second three-way valve 97 can be switched between a state in which the upstream supply passage 96b is connected to the downstream supply passage 96c and a state in which the upstream supply passage 96b is connected to the cleaning water supply passage 98.

Next, the configuration of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the configuration of the surroundings of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, including the storage tank 60 and the wastewater receiving section 70, will be described in detail.

Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the top plate 12 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are in the operating position. Figures 3(b) and (c) are perspective views of the main parts of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 and the top plate 12 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are in the standby position. In Figure 3(c), the cover 19 is omitted so that the inside of the storage unit 17 can be seen.

The ultrasonic cleaning device 50 comprises an ultrasonic cleaning unit 100, a water storage unit 200, and a main body unit 300. The ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 has an ultrasonic generator 110 that generates ultrasonic waves. The main body unit 300 holds the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100. The water storage unit 200 is attached to the main body unit 300 and is located below the ultrasonic generator 110. The water storage unit 200 is provided with a water tank 210 that stores cleaning water. The water storage unit 200 can be detached by pulling it forward from the main body unit 300 through a detachment operation by the user.

Inside the top panel 12, a storage section 17 is provided in the center of the rear section, in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored. The top panel 12 opens in front of the storage section 17 as an entrance/exit 18. A roughly square-shaped cover 19 with light-transmitting properties is provided at the entrance/exit 18.

As shown in FIG. 3(a), when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is used and a cleaning operation is performed, the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200, i.e., the ultrasonic generator 110 and the water storage tank 210, are pulled forward from the storage unit 17 and protrude inside the inlet 14 of the top panel 12. The cover 19 is almost entirely stored within the storage unit 17. The positions of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 at this time are the operating positions.

On the other hand, as shown in Figures 3(b) and (c), when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is not in use and no cleaning operation is being performed, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is in a state in which the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are stored in the storage unit 17. The entrance/exit 18 of the storage unit 17 is closed by the cover 19, and the front of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 is covered by the cover 19. At this time, the lower end of the cover 19 abuts against the base end portion of the handle 201 provided on the water storage unit 200. The handle 201 protrudes forward beyond the cover 19. The positions of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 at this time are standby positions.

An interlocking mechanism, which will be described later, is provided inside the top panel 12 to interlock the cover 19 with the movement of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200. When the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are stored in the storage unit 17, the cover 19 moves from the storage position stored in the storage unit 17 to a closed position that closes the entrance/exit 18, and when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are pulled out of the storage unit 17, the cover 19 moves from the closed position to the storage position. The storage unit 17 is divided into an equipment storage unit 17a in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored, and a cover storage unit 17b adjacent to the upper part of the equipment storage unit 17a and in which the open cover 19 is stored.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 with the water storage unit 200 removed. Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the main body unit 300. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the water storage unit 200 turned upside down.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 includes an ultrasonic generator 110, a housing 120, and a cap 130.

The ultrasonic generator 110 includes an ultrasonic transducer 111, a vibration horn 112 coupled to the ultrasonic transducer 111, and a head portion 113 located above the ultrasonic transducer 111 and sandwiching the ultrasonic transducer 111 between the vibration horn 112 and the head portion 113. The vibration horn 112 is made of a metal material having electrical conductivity and has a shape that gradually becomes thinner toward the tip side. The tip surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 has a long and thin rectangular shape. A flange portion 112b is formed at the upper end of the vibration horn 112. A cushion material 114 made of rubber or the like is attached to the vibration horn 112 so as to cover the flange portion 112b. The ultrasonic transducer 111, the vibration horn 112, and the head portion 113 are connected by a bolt 115.

The ultrasonic generator 110 generates ultrasonic waves from the tip of the vibration horn 112 by high-frequency vibration of the ultrasonic transducer 111.

The housing 120 is made of a resin material, is long in the front-rear direction, and has an arm shape with its tip 120a bent downward. An opening 121 is formed on the underside of the tip 120a.

The housing 120 is formed by joining a lower member 140 with an open top surface and an upper member 150 with an open bottom surface. A metal reinforcing plate 160 is attached to the lower member 140. The lower member 140 is provided with a lower mounting hole 141 and a lower mounting boss 142, and the upper member 150 is provided with an upper mounting boss 151 corresponding to the lower mounting hole 141 and an upper mounting hole 152 corresponding to the lower mounting boss 142. A screw 171 passed through the lower mounting hole 141 is fastened to the upper mounting boss 151, and a screw 171 passed through the upper mounting hole 152 is fastened to the lower mounting boss 142. In this way, the lower member 140 and the upper member 150 are joined. The tip portion 120a of the housing 120 is formed by the lower member 140.

The lower member 140 has mounting bosses 143 in front and behind the opening 121. The lower member 140 also has an insertion opening 144 around the opening 121 into which the cap 130 is fitted.

The ultrasonic generator 110 is attached to the lower member 140, and its flange portion 112b is pressed from above by a frame-shaped fixing member 180. The fixing member 180 includes a main body portion 181 having a cylindrical shape corresponding to the upper portion of the ultrasonic generator 110, and mounting portions 182, 183 provided on both the front and rear sides of the main body portion 181. Mounting holes 182a, 183a are formed in each mounting portion 182, 183.

The fixing member 180 is passed through the top of the ultrasonic generator 110 from above, installed on the front and rear mounting bosses 143, and fixed to these mounting bosses 143 with screws 172. This fixes the ultrasonic generator 110 inside the housing 120. The tip side of the vibrating horn 112 protrudes downward from the opening 121 of the housing 120. A cushioning material 114 is interposed between the flange portion 112b of the ultrasonic generator 110 and the lower member 140 and fixing member 180, suppressing the transmission of vibration to the housing 120.

The fixing member 180 has a claw portion 182a formed on the mounting portion 182, and this claw portion 182a engages with the engagement piece 153 of the upper member 150 from above. This makes it difficult for the lower member 140 and the upper member 150 to separate from each other at the front side of the housing 100.

The cap 130 is removably attached to the tip 120a of the housing 120 and covers the portion of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 that is exposed from the housing 120.

The cap 130 has a configuration in which the cap body 131 and the guide portion 132 are integrally formed from a resin material. The cap body 131 has a cylindrical shape whose width in the front-back and left-right directions narrows toward the bottom, and covers the tip side portion of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 so that the tip is exposed.

The guide portion 132 is provided at the center of the front side surface of the cap body 131 in the left-right direction, protruding forward, and has a shape that is flat in the left-right direction. The lower portion of the guide portion 132 is provided with a guide surface 133 that is inclined diagonally downward toward the rear and curves at the lower end portion to become horizontal. Furthermore, the lower end of the guide portion 132 is located lower than the lower end of the cap body 131.

The cap 130 is attached to the fitting opening 144 of the housing 120 from below. At this time, protrusions (not shown) on the left and right sides of the fitting opening 144 fit into recesses (not shown) on the left and right sides of the cap body 131. This prevents the cap 130 from falling off the fitting opening 144.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the cap 130 is attached to the housing 120, the tip of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 is slightly exposed from the cap body 131. In addition, the lower end of the guide portion 132 of the cap 130 and the tip surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 are almost flush with each other. Furthermore, the guide surface 133 of the guide portion 132 is inclined so as to approach the vibration horn 112 as it approaches the water tank 210. Furthermore, in the left-right direction, i.e., in the direction perpendicular to the front direction of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100, the position of the guide portion 132 and the position of the tip of the vibration horn 112 coincide with each other.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the main body 300 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front. Rails 301 extending forward are provided on the left and right lower ends of the main body 300. An opening 302 is formed on the left side of the main body 300 through which the rear of the water storage section 200 and the supply nozzle 500 pass, and an insertion port 303 is formed to the right of the opening 302 through which the claw section 241 of the locking mechanism 240 is inserted. The rear section 120b of the housing 120 of the ultrasonic cleaning section 100 is fixed to the upper part of the main body 300.

Referring to Figures 4 and 6, the water storage unit 200 is made of a resin material and is somewhat long in the front-to-rear direction and flat in the up-to-down direction, with the left side extending further rearward than the right side. A handle 201 having an arc-shaped front surface is integrally formed with the water storage unit 200 on the front side of the water storage unit 200. The user holds the handle 201 when inserting or removing the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 into or from the storage unit 17, and when attaching or detaching the water storage unit 200 to or from the main body unit 300.

A water tank 210 having a shape that matches the shape of the water tank 200 is formed on the upper surface of the water tank 200. The inner peripheral surface of the water tank 210 is inclined so as to widen upward. A circular drain outlet 211 is formed in the lower part of the rear surface of the water tank 210.

The water storage section 200 is provided with a valve body 220 that closes the drain outlet 211, and a valve switching mechanism 230 for switching between a closed state in which the valve body 220 is closed and an open state in which the valve body 220 is open.

The valve body 220 is made of a resin material and has a generally cylindrical shape. The valve body 220 has an O-ring 221 on its peripheral surface, and the O-ring 221 is brought into close contact with the periphery of the drain outlet 211 to close the drain outlet 211 from the front.

The valve switching mechanism 230 includes a valve movable member 231, an operating portion 232, and a spring 233. The valve movable member 231 and the operating portion 232 are integrally formed from a resin material.

The valve movable member 231 is disposed on the rear side of the water storage section 200 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, i.e., in the opening and closing direction of the valve body 220. The rear end 231a of the valve movable member 231 projects rearward beyond the water storage section 200. At the rear of the water storage section 200, the valve body 220 is connected to the rear end 231a of the valve movable member 231.

The operating part 232 is provided at the front end 231b of the valve movable member 231. The operating part 232 faces the outside through an operating window 202 provided on the left side surface of the water storage part 200. The spring 233 biases the valve movable member 231 backward, i.e., in the direction of closing the valve body 220.

A locking mechanism 240 is provided at the rear of the water storage unit 200 to prevent the water storage unit 200 attached to the main body unit 300 from detaching forward. The locking mechanism 240 has a claw portion 241 and a button 242. The claw portion 241 is biased upward by a spring (not shown), and moves down when the button 242 is pressed down, and returns to its original position when the button 242 is released.

The water storage unit 200 is attached to the main body unit 300 from the front. The back side of the water storage unit 200 has insertion sections 203 at the right and left ends, respectively, and the left and right rail sections 301 of the main body unit 300 are inserted into these insertion sections 203, thereby guiding the water storage unit 200 to the rail sections 301. The left rear of the water storage unit 200 passes through the opening 302 of the main body unit 300. In addition, the claw section 241 of the locking mechanism 240 is pressed down against the upper edge of the insertion port 303 of the main body unit 300 and passes through the insertion port 303. When the attachment of the water storage unit 200 to the main body unit 300 is completed, the claw section 241 engages with the upper edge of the insertion port 303 on the back side of the main body unit 300. This prevents the water storage unit 200 from detaching forward from the main body unit 300. When removing the water storage unit 200 from the main body unit 300, the button 242 of the locking mechanism 240 is pressed down and the claw portion 241 is lowered. This releases the engagement between the claw portion 241 and the upper edge of the insertion opening 303. The water storage unit 200 is pulled forward, causing it to be removed from the main body unit 300.

When the water storage unit 200 is attached to the main body unit 300, the position of the tip surface 112a of the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110 is slightly lower than the position of the upper surface of the water tank 210, and the tip of the vibration horn 112 is slightly inserted into the water tank 210.

Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the storage tank 60, the supply valve 400, the supply nozzle 500, and the drainage receiver 70 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are in the standby position. Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, the storage tank 60, the supply valve 400, the supply nozzle 500, and the drainage receiver 70 when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are in the operating position. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the storage tank 60, the supply valve 400, and the supply nozzle 500.

In the storage section 17, a storage tank 60, a supply valve 400, and a supply nozzle 500 are arranged behind the ultrasonic cleaning device 50.

The supply valve 400 is an electromagnetic valve. The supply valve 400 includes a valve casing 410 having inlets on the left and right sides and an outlet on the bottom, a valve body 420 that opens and closes the outlet of the valve casing 410, and a drive unit 430 such as a solenoid that drives the valve body 420. The outlet of the valve casing 410 is connected to the inlet of the supply nozzle 500.

The storage tank 60 is made of a resin material and is divided into a first tank 61 and a second tank 62, separated by a supply valve 400. The first tank 61 and the second tank 62 are larger in left-right dimensions than in top-bottom and front-to-back dimensions. The left end of the first tank 61 protrudes further forward than the other parts, and the right end of the second tank 62 protrudes further forward than the other parts. The storage tank 60 is, overall, significantly larger in left-right dimensions than in front-to-back dimensions, and has a shape that is thin in the front-to-back direction and long in the left-to-right direction when viewed from above.

The first tank 61 and the second tank 62 are connected at their upper parts by a communication part 63 extending from the first tank 61. The first tank 61 has an outlet 64 formed at the lower part of its right side surface, which is connected to the left inlet of the valve casing 410. The second tank 62 has an outlet 65 formed at the lower part of its left side surface, which is connected to the right inlet of the valve casing 410. The first tank 61 and the second tank 62 have their outlets 64, 65 connected to each other via the valve casing 410.

The storage tank 60 has an inlet 66 for cleaning water to flow into the storage tank 60 at the left end of the first tank 61. The inlet 66 is connected to a cleaning water supply passage 98 of the automatic dosing mechanism 90. Cleansing water supplied from the automatic dosing mechanism 90 flows into the first tank 61 from the inlet 66, and then flows into the second tank 62 through the valve casing 410 and the communication part 63. This allows cleaning water to be stored in the storage tank 60. The water storage capacity of the storage tank 60 is larger than the water storage capacity of the water tank 210, and for example, water with a storage capacity of more than twice the water storage capacity of the water tank 210 can be stored in the storage tank 60.

When the supply valve 400, i.e., the valve body 420, is opened, cleaning water flows out from each of the first tank 61 and the second tank 62 of the storage tank 60 through the outlet of the valve casing 410.

The supply nozzle 500 is made of a resin material and extends forward from the supply valve 400, with its tip 500a bending downward. An outlet 501 is formed on the underside of the tip 500a.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are stored in the storage unit 17, the supply nozzle 500 penetrates the opening 302 of the main body 300, and its tip 500a is located at the front of the water storage tank 210. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 and the water storage unit 200 are pulled out to the inside of the inlet 14, the tip 500a of the supply nozzle 500 is located at the rear of the water storage tank 210.

In the storage section 17, a drainage receiver 70 is disposed below the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. The drainage receiver 70 has a roughly square dish shape with an open top and front. The bottom of the drainage receiver 70 is inclined so that the rear is lower. A drain hole 71 is formed on the right side of the drainage receiver 70 at the lower end of the rear, where the bottom is lowest. A drainage pipe 72 is connected to a connection pipe 73 that extends to the right from the drain hole 71.

Next, we will provide a detailed explanation of the cover 19 that opens and closes the entrance 18 of the storage section 17, and the interlocking mechanism 700 that opens and closes the cover 19 in conjunction with the insertion and removal of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 from the storage section 17.

Figure 10(a) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, cover 19, and interlocking mechanism 700, and Figure 10(b) is a perspective view of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, cover 19, and interlocking mechanism 700 with the link retaining member 720 and cover guide member 730 omitted. Figure 11(a) is a perspective view of the link retaining member 720, and Figure 11(b) is a perspective view of the cover guide member 730.

Inside the top panel 12, an interlocking mechanism 700 is provided around the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 so as to surround the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 from above, below, left and right. The space surrounded by the interlocking mechanism 700 becomes the device storage section 17a, and the space above the interlocking mechanism 700 becomes the cover storage section 17b.

The interlocking mechanism 700 is composed of two link mechanisms 710, one on the left and one on the right, a link holding member 720, and a cover guide member 730. The two link mechanisms 710 have opposite shapes on the left and right. The link holding member 720 corresponds to the "holding portion" of the present invention, and the cover guide member 730 corresponds to the "guide portion" of the present invention.

Each link mechanism 710 includes a first slider 740, a second slider 750, and a link 760.

The first slider 740 has a generally oval plate shape and is fixed to the lower side of the main body 300 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. Two rollers 741 are arranged in the front-to-rear direction between the first slider 740 and the main body 300. In addition, a shaft 742 that protrudes outward is provided on the front side of the first slider 740.

The second slider 750 has a generally oval plate shape. The second slider 750 has two cylindrical sliding portions 751 that protrude inward and are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The two sliding portions 751 are connected by two upper and lower ribs 752. The second slider 750 also has a shaft portion 753 that protrudes outward at its rear end, and a boss hole 754 formed at its front end. Furthermore, the right-side second slider 750 has an engagement piece 755 that extends outward.

The link 760 has a long, thin plate shape. A long, thin, oval connecting hole 761 is formed on one end of the link 760. The shaft 742 of the first slider 740 is slidably fitted into the connecting hole 761. This connects one end of the link 760 to the first slider 740. In addition, a connecting boss 762 is provided on the other end of the link 760. The shaft 753 of the second slider 750 is rotatably fitted into the connecting boss 762. This connects the other end of the link 760 to the second slider 750.

An oval fixed hole 763 is formed on the other end of the link 760. A fixed shaft 764 is inserted into the fixed hole 763. The fixed shaft 764 has a head 764a that is slightly larger than the fixed hole 763. The link 760 can rotate in the front-to-rear direction around the fixed shaft 764, and when one end moves forward or backward, the other end moves backward or forward in the opposite direction to the one end.

The link holding member 720 holds two link mechanisms 710, one on the left and one on the right. The link holding member 720 is composed of a metal base member 771 and left and right side members 772 and 773, both made of resin. The left and right side members 772 and 773 have opposite shapes on the left and right.

The base member 771 includes a bottom portion 771a, and a left side portion 771b and a right side portion 771c that rise from both the left and right ends of the bottom portion 771a, and a left side member 772 and a right side member 773 are attached to the outsides of the left side portion 771b and the right side portion 771c, respectively. The left side portion 771b and the left side member 772 form the left side portion 720a of the link holding member 720, and the right side portion 771c and the right side member 773 form the right side portion 720b of the link holding member 720.

A first slide hole 721 and a second slide hole 722 are formed at the bottom and top of the left side surface 720a and the right side surface 720b of the link holding member 720, respectively. The first slide hole 721 and the second slide hole 722 have an elongated oval shape and extend in the front-rear direction, i.e., in the direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is inserted and removed from the device storage section 17a.

The two rollers 741 of the first slider 740 are inserted into the first slide hole 721. The two rollers 741 slide inside the first slide hole 721, so that the first slider 740 can slide in the front-rear direction while being guided by the first slide hole 721. The two sliding parts 751 of the second slider 750 are inserted into the second slide hole 722. The two sliding parts 751 slide inside the second slide hole 722, so that the second slider 750 can slide in the front-rear direction while being guided by the second slide hole 722. In this way, the first slider 740 and the second slider 750 are held by the link holding member 720 so as to be slidable in the pull-out direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out from the device storage section 17a and in the storage direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored in the device storage section 17a.

A mounting boss 723 is formed in the center of the upper part of the left side surface portion 720a and the right side surface portion 720b. A fixed shaft 764 inserted into a fixing hole 763 of the link 760 is fixed to the mounting boss 723. The peripheral portion of the fixing hole 763 is stopped by the head 764a of the fixed shaft 764, so that the link 760 does not slip outward from the fixed shaft 764.

Mounting bosses 724 are formed at the front and rear ends of the upper portions of the left side surface portion 720a and the right side surface portion 720b, and a mounting hole 725 is formed near the mounting boss 724 at the rear end. The two mounting bosses 724 and the mounting hole 725 are used when attaching the cover guide member 730 to the link retaining member 720. Each mounting boss 724 is hollow and has an opening 724a on the inside of the left side surface portion 720a and the right side surface portion 720b.

The cover guide member 730 includes a top surface portion 730a and a left side surface portion 730b and a right side surface portion 730c that hang down from the left and right ends of the top surface portion 730a.

The top surface portion 730a has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. Flat rail surfaces 731 extending from the front end to the rear are formed on the left and right ends of the top surface portion 730a. Additionally, a mounting boss 732 is formed on the top surface portion 730a behind the rail surfaces 731 so as to face outward.

The left side surface portion 730b and the right side surface portion 730c have fitting bosses 733 formed at the front and rear ends.

The cover guide member 730 is attached to the upper end of the link retaining member 720. At this time, the two fitting bosses 733 of the left side surface portion 730b of the cover guide member 730 are fitted from the inside into the two mounting bosses 724 of the left side surface portion 720a of the link retaining member 720, and the two fitting bosses 733 of the right side surface portion 730c of the cover guide member 730 are fitted from the inside into the two mounting bosses 724 of the right side surface portion 720b of the link retaining member 720. In addition, the mounting boss 732 of the left side surface portion 730b of the cover guide member 730 is aligned with the mounting hole 725 of the left side surface portion 720a of the link retaining member 720, and the mounting boss 732 of the right side surface portion 730c of the cover guide member 730 is aligned with the mounting hole 725 of the right side surface portion 720b of the link retaining member 720. On both the left and right sides, the mounting boss 724 and the fitting boss 733 are secured with screws 781, and the mounting boss 732 is secured to the mounting hole 725 with screws 782.

The cover 19 is formed from a translucent resin material and includes a roughly rectangular plate-shaped main body 810 that covers the entrance 18, and side sections 820 that are provided on both the left and right ends of the main body 810 and extend rearward. The rear edge of the side section 820 has a recess 821 at the top that is recessed forward, and a straight section 822 that extends linearly below this recess 821. The side section 820 corresponds to the "contact section" of the present invention.

A rotating shaft 830 that protrudes outward is provided at the upper end of each side portion 820. The rotating shaft 830 is rotatably fitted into the boss hole 754 of the second slider 750. As a result, the upper end of the cover 19 is connected to the second slider 750 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, i.e., in the direction that opens and closes the entrance 18. A torsion spring 840 is attached to the rotating shaft 830 on the left side of the cover 19. One end of the torsion spring 840 engages with an engagement body 850 attached to the rotating shaft 830, and the other end engages with an engagement piece 755 of the second slider 750. The torsion spring 840 biases the cover 19 in the direction that closes the entrance 18.

Next, the operation of the interlocking mechanism 700 to open and close the cover 19 in conjunction with the insertion and removal of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 will be described with reference to Figures 12(a) to (c).

Figure 12(a) is a side view showing the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 stored in the device storage section 17a with the cover 19 closed, and Figure 12(b) is a side view showing the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 pulled out of the device storage section 17a with the cover 19 open and stored in the cover storage section 17b. Figure 12(c) is a diagram showing the cover 19 being opened. For convenience, the front end of the ultrasonic cleaning section 100 is shown in dashed lines in Figure 12(c).

As shown in FIG. 12(a), when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored in the device storage section 17a, the first slider 740 is located at the rear end of the first slide hole 721. One end of the link 760 connected to the first slider 740 is located at the rear and the other end is located at the front, and the second slider 750 connected to the other end is located at the front end of the second slide hole 722. The cover 19 connected to the second slider 750 extends forward from the cover storage section 17b and becomes approximately vertical due to its own weight and the biasing force of the torsion spring 840, closing the entrance 18.

The cover 19 is biased by the torsion spring 840, so it is difficult for it to move in the opening direction. Therefore, water splashed from the washing and spin-drying tub 22 is unlikely to enter the device storage section 17a through the gap between the cover 19 and the entrance/exit 18. In addition, even if the top panel 12 vibrates during the spin-drying process, the cover 19 is unlikely to open and close, and noise, etc. is unlikely to be generated.

When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out from the device storage section 17a, the first slider 740 slides forward, i.e., in the pulling-out direction. The link 760 rotates, with one end moving in the pulling-out direction and the other end moving backward, i.e., in the storing direction. This causes the second slider 750 to slide in the storing direction.

As shown in FIG. 12(c), when the second slider 750 starts to slide in the storage direction, the recess 821 of the side portion 820 of the cover 19 abuts against the front end of the cover guide member 730. Then, as the second slider 750 slides in the storage direction, the cover 19 opens and is stored in the cover storage portion 17b while maintaining the state in which the recess 821 abuts against the front end of the cover guide member 730. When the cover 19 opens to a nearly horizontal state, the straight portion 822 of the side portion 820 of the cover 19 rides on the rail surface 731, and then moves along the rail surface 731 in the storage direction. At this time, the side portion 820 of the cover 19 that protrudes rearward from the main body portion 810 abuts against the front end of the cover guide member 730. Therefore, the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 that has moved forward does not abut against the main body portion 810 of the cover 19, and the cover 19 reaches a nearly horizontal state. This prevents the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 from colliding with the main body 810 of the cover 19.

In this way, when the second slider 750 slides in the storage direction, the side surface 820 of the cover 19 abuts against the cover guide member 730, and the cover 19 is guided to the cover storage section 17b while being opened.

As shown in FIG. 12(b), when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out all the way and the first slider 740 reaches the front end of the first slide hole 721, the second slider 750 reaches the rear end of the second slide hole 722. This causes the cover 19 to be stored all the way in the cover storage section 17b. The bottom end of the cover 19 protrudes slightly forward from the cover storage section 17b.

When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored in the device storage section 17a, the first slider 740 slides in the storage direction to reach the rear end of the first slide hole 721, and the second slider 750 slides in the withdrawal direction to reach the front end of the second slide hole 722. This causes the cover 19 to close, as shown in FIG. 12(a), and the entrance 18 is closed by the cover 19.

In the fully automatic washing machine 1, various operation courses are performed for the washing operation. In the washing operation, the washing process, the intermediate spin-drying process, the rinsing process, and the final spin-drying process are performed in order.

During the washing and rinsing processes, the pulsator 24 rotates to the right and left while water is stored in the washing and spin-drying tub 22. The rotation of the pulsator 24 generates a water flow in the washing and spin-drying tub 22. During the washing process, the laundry is washed by the generated water flow and the detergent contained in the water. During the rinsing process, the laundry is rinsed by the generated water flow.

During the intermediate and final spin-drying steps, the washing and spin-drying tub 22 and the pulsator 24 rotate together at high speed. The laundry is dehydrated by the action of the centrifugal force generated in the washing and spin-drying tub 22.

When water is supplied in the washing process, the automatic supply mechanism 90 automatically supplies liquid detergent to the washing and spin-drying tub 22. At this time, the first three-way valve 93 is first switched to a state in which the supply pipe 92 is connected to the supply pump 95. Also, the second three-way valve 97 is switched to a state in which the upstream supply path 96b is connected to the downstream supply path 96c. When the supply pump 95 is operated, the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 91 is discharged by the pumping action. As shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 2, the discharged liquid detergent is sent to the detergent supply path 96 through the supply pipe 92, the first three-way valve 93, and the supply pump 95, and is stored in the upstream supply path 96b of the detergent supply path 96. The supply pump 95 operates for a predetermined time, and a predetermined amount of liquid detergent is stored in the upstream supply path 96b.

Next, the first three-way valve 93 is switched to a state in which the sub-water supply passage 94 is connected to the supply pump 95, and the main valve 82 and the sub-valve 83 are opened. Water from the water faucet flows through the main water supply passage 84 and is discharged from the water inlet 84a into the washing and spin-drying tub 22. At the same time, as shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 2, water from the water faucet flows through the sub-water supply passage 94, the first three-way valve 93, and the supply pump 95 into the detergent supply passage 96, washing away the liquid detergent. The liquid detergent washed away by the water is poured into the washing and spin-drying tub 22 from the supply port 96a of the detergent supply passage 96 together with the water, as shown by the dashed-dotted arrow in FIG. 2. When the water level in the washing and spin-drying tub 22 reaches a predetermined washing water level, the main valve 82 and the sub-valve 83 are closed, and water supply is terminated.

Furthermore, in the fully automatic washing machine 1, a cleaning operation is performed using the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. When a user is washing an item to be cleaned, such as a dress shirt, and the item to be cleaned contains stubborn stains in parts, the user performs partial cleaning of the item to be cleaned using the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 prior to washing.

When performing the cleaning operation, the user pulls out the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 from the storage section 17 and moves the ultrasonic cleaning section 100 and the water storage section 200 to the operating position as shown in FIG. 3(a). As shown in FIG. 8, the valve switching mechanism 230 urges the valve body 220 backward, i.e., in the closing direction, via the valve movable member 231 by the urging force of the spring 233. As a result, the valve body 220 blocks the drain outlet 211, and the drain outlet 211 becomes closed.

The user performs the specified start operation to start the cleaning operation.

When the washing operation is started, first, the automatic dispenser mechanism 90 supplies washing water to the storage tank 60. That is, first, the first three-way valve 93 is switched to a state in which the supply pipe 92 is connected to the supply pump 95. Also, the second three-way valve 97 is switched to a state in which the upstream supply path 96b is connected to the washing water supply path 98. Furthermore, the supply valve 400 is closed. When the supply pump 95 is operated, the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 91 is discharged by the pumping action. As shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 2, the liquid detergent discharged from the detergent tank 91 reaches the detergent supply path 96 and is stored in the upstream supply path 96b of the detergent supply path 96. The supply pump 95 operates for a predetermined time, and a predetermined amount of liquid detergent is stored in the upstream supply path 96b.

Next, the first three-way valve 93 is switched to a state that connects the sub-water supply passage 94 to the supply pump 95, and the sub-valve 83 is opened. As shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 2, water from the water faucet flows through the sub-water supply passage 94, the first three-way valve 93, and the supply pump 95 into the detergent supply passage 96, pushing away the liquid detergent. The water and liquid detergent are mixed to become wash water. As shown by the thick arrow in FIG. 2, the wash water flows into the storage tank 60 through the wash water supply passage 98.

When the water level in the storage tank 60 reaches a predetermined water supply stop level and that water level is detected by a water level detection unit (not shown), the sub-valve 83 is closed.

In this way, a predetermined amount of cleaning water and cleaning water with a predetermined detergent concentration is stored in the storage tank 60 by supplying cleaning water from the automatic dosing mechanism 90. In this embodiment, the amount of cleaning water stored in the storage tank 60 is set to an amount that allows two cleaning operations to be performed by replacing the cleaning water in the water tank 210. The amount of cleaning water stored in the storage tank 60 may also be set to an amount that allows three or more cleaning operations to be performed.

Next, the supply valve 400 is opened. The cleaning water in the storage tank 60 passes through the supply nozzle 500 and is discharged from the discharge port 501 into the water tank 210. The cleaning water is stored in the water tank 210, and the water level in the water tank 210 rises. As shown by the dashed line in Figure 8, when the water level in the water tank 210 rises to the height of the discharge port 501 and the discharge port 501 is blocked by the cleaning water, the air pressure in the storage tank 60 and the external air pressure are balanced. This stops the supply of water from the storage tank 60 while the supply valve 400 remains open.

When cleaning water is stored in the water tank 210, the user places the dirty part of the item to be cleaned, for example the collar of a shirt, from the front of the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100, on the water tank 210, i.e., between the water tank 210 and the vibration horn 112 of the ultrasonic generator 110.

The dirty parts of the object to be cleaned are soaked in the cleaning water stored in the water tank 210, and the cleaning water that has penetrated into the inside of the object to be cleaned seeps out to the surface. A thin layer of water is formed on the surface of the object to be cleaned, and the vibrating horn 112 comes into contact with this water layer. When the water level in the water tank 210 drops as the object to be cleaned absorbs water and the outlet 501 of the supply nozzle 500 is no longer blocked by cleaning water, cleaning water is replenished from the storage tank 60 into the water tank 210 until the outlet 501 is blocked by cleaning water again. This maintains the water level, i.e. the amount of water, in the water tank 210 at an appropriate level.

Until a predetermined standby time has elapsed after the supply valve 400 is opened, no current is passed through the ultrasonic transducer 111, and the ultrasonic generator 110 is in a standby state. During this time, cleaning water is stored in the water tank 210, and the object to be cleaned is placed in the water tank 210 containing the cleaning water. Once the standby time has elapsed, current is passed through the ultrasonic transducer 111, and the ultrasonic generator 110 is activated.

Figures 13(a) to (c) are diagrams for explaining the removal of dirt from an object to be cleaned by the ultrasonic cleaning device 50.

When the ultrasonic generator 110 is activated, ultrasonic waves are generated from the tip of the vibration horn 112, and the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the cleaning water inside the object to be cleaned through the cleaning water around the vibration horn 112. As shown in FIG. 13(a), inside the object to be cleaned, the ultrasonic vibration alternately reduces and increases pressure, creating a vacuum cavity in the area where the pressure is lowered. That is, a state in which many cavities exist in the dirty area of the object to be cleaned. Next, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the pressure in the cavity increases, and when the cavity is crushed by this pressure and destroyed, a shock wave is generated in the dirty area of the object to be cleaned. This shock wave separates the dirt from the object to be cleaned. As shown in FIG. 13(c), the ultrasonic vibration from the vibration horn 112 creates a water flow from inside the object to be cleaned into the water tank 210, and the dirt separated from the object to be cleaned is discharged into the water tank 210 by this water flow. In the water tank 210, convection is generated by the above water flow, making it easier to separate the dirt from the object to be cleaned. In addition, the detergent contained in the cleaning water also helps to separate dirt from the object being cleaned and makes it difficult for the dirt to reattach to the object. In this way, dirt is removed from the object being cleaned.

When cleaning of the object to be cleaned is completed, the user performs a predetermined termination operation to end the cleaning operation. The operation of the ultrasonic generator 110 is stopped, and the cleaning operation ends.

If the user does not intend to perform a new cleaning operation, as shown in Figs. 3(b) and (c), the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored in the storage section 17, and the ultrasonic cleaning section 100 and the water storage section 200 are moved to the standby position. As shown in Fig. 7, when the water storage section 200 is moved to the standby position, the rear end section 231a of the valve movable member 231 in the valve switching mechanism 230 abuts against the rear surface of the drainage receiving section 70, is pushed by these ribs 74, and moves forward relative to the water storage section 200 against the biasing force of the spring 233. The valve body 220 connected to the valve movable member 231 moves forward, i.e., in the opening direction, relative to the drainage port 211 of the water storage tank 210, and the drainage port 211 is opened. As a result, the cleaning water stored in the water storage tank 210 and the cleaning water remaining in the storage tank 60 are discharged through the drainage port 211. The cleaning water discharged from the drainage port 211 is received by the drainage receiving section 70 and discharged from the discharge hole 71. The wash water discharged from the drain hole 71 flows through the drain pipe 72, the overflow pipe 26, and the drain hose 41, and is discharged outside the machine.

The user may wish to replace the flush water in the water tank 210 and continue the flush operation. In this case, the user performs a movement operation to move the operation unit 232 forward. As a result, in the valve switching mechanism 230, the valve movable member 231 moves forward relative to the water tank 200, and the valve body 220 moves in the opening direction to open the drain port 211, just as when the water tank 200 is moved to the standby position. The flush water stored in the water tank 210 is drained through the drain port 211 and discharged outside the machine via the drain receiver 70, the overflow pipe 26, and the drain hose 41. At the same time, new flush water is supplied from the storage tank 60 to the water tank 210.

In this way, the user can drain the cleaning water from the water tank 210 and supply new cleaning water into the water tank 210 while keeping the water storage unit 200 in the operating position without moving the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. The cleaning operation then continues.

In the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100, the water tank 210 may become dirty as the cleaning operation is repeated. In this embodiment, the water tank 200 is detachable from the main body 300, so the user can remove the water tank 210 from the main body 300 and clean the water tank 210.

<Effects of the embodiment>
As described above, according to this embodiment, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 can be stored in the device storage section 17a inside the top panel 12 when not in use, so that the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 can be protected from contact with laundry inserted from the input port 14 and from contact with water splashed from the washing and spin-drying tub 22 during a washing operation. Moreover, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored in the device storage section 17a, the entrance/exit 18 of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 to the device storage section 17a is covered by the cover 19, so that the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 can be further protected from contact with laundry and washing water. Furthermore, because the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is hidden, the aesthetic appearance of the fully-automatic washing machine 1 is improved.

In addition, according to this embodiment, a linkage mechanism 700 is provided that opens and closes the cover 19 in conjunction with the insertion and removal of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 into and from the device storage section 17a, so there is no need to open and close the cover 19 manually, improving usability.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 700 is configured to store the open cover 19 in the cover storage section 17b, so that the cover 19 is less likely to get in the way when the user uses the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 to clean an object to be cleaned.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 700 includes a first slider 740 connected to the ultrasonic cleaning device 50, a second slider 750 connected to the upper end of the cover 19 so as to be rotatable in the direction of opening and closing the entrance 18, and a link holding member 72 that slidably holds the first slider 740 and the second slider 750 in the pull-out direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out of the device storage section 17a and in the storage direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored in the device storage section 17a. 0, a link 760 connected at one end to the first slider 740 and at the other end to the second slider 750, which slides the second slider 750 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the first slider 740 slides by moving the other end in the direction opposite to the direction in which the one end moves, and a cover guide member 730 which contacts the cover 19 when the second slider 750 slides in the storage direction to open the cover 19 and guide it to the cover storage section 17b.

According to this configuration, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out from the device storage section 17a, the first slider 740 slides in the pull-out direction, the other end of the link 760 moves in the storage direction, the second slider 750 slides in the storage direction, and the cover 19 abuts against the cover guide member 730 and is guided to the cover storage section 17b while being opened. Also, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored in the device storage section 17a, the first slider 740 slides in the storage direction, the other end of the link 760 moves in the pull-out direction, the second slider 750 slides in the pull-out direction, and the cover 19 is taken out of the cover storage section 17b and closed.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the cover 19 is configured to include a main body portion 810 that covers the entrance 18 and a side portion 820 that extends from the main body portion 810 in the storage direction and abuts against the cover guide member 730. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12(c), the cover 19 is opened without hitting the ultrasonic cleaning unit 100 of the pulled-out ultrasonic cleaning device 50. This makes it difficult for the cover 19 and the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 to be damaged.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications to the embodiment of the present invention are possible.

For example, in the above embodiment, the cover 19 is opened and closed in the vertical direction. However, the cover 19 may be opened and closed in the horizontal direction.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the storage section 17 is provided at the rear of the top plate 12, and the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out forward. However, the storage section 17 may be provided at the left or right of the top plate 12, and the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may be pulled out to the right or left.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 700 is configured to store the opened/closed cover 19 in the cover storage section 17b. However, the interlocking mechanism 700 may be configured not to store the opened/closed cover 19 in the cover storage section 17b.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 700 includes a link mechanism 710 having a first slider 740, a second slider 750, and a link 760, a link holding member 720, and a cover guide member 730. However, the configuration of the interlocking mechanism 700 is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and any configuration may be used as long as the cover 19 can be opened and closed in conjunction with at least the insertion and removal operation of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 relative to the device storage section 17a. For example, the interlocking mechanism 700 may be configured such that a slider to which the upper end of the cover 19 is rotatably connected is biased in the pull-out direction by a spring, and further, a wire extending from the slider is folded back by a pulley provided at the rear of the device storage section 17a and connected to the rear of the ultrasonic cleaning device 50. In this configuration, when the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is pulled out of the device storage section 17a, the slider is pulled by the wire and slides in the storage direction, and the cover 19 is opened. When the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is stored in the device storage section 17a, the slider slides in the withdrawal direction due to the spring force, and the cover 19 closes.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cover 19 is provided with side portions 820 having a predetermined plate shape at the left and right ends of the main body portion 810. However, the side portions 820 may have any shape as long as they protrude in the storage direction and come into contact with the cover guide member 730 at least when the second slider 750 slides in the storage direction. Furthermore, the cover 19 may not have side portions 820, and may be configured so that the back side of the main body portion 810 comes into contact with the cover guide member 730.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the automatic dispensing mechanism 90 may be configured to automatically dispense detergent and fabric softener. In this case, a fabric softener tank that contains liquid fabric softener is provided. The fabric softener tank is connected to the sub-supply passage 94 via a supply pipe and a three-way valve. During the rinsing process, the fabric softener in the fabric softener tank is supplied into the washing and spin-drying tub 22 by an operation similar to that for supplying detergent from the detergent tank 91.

Furthermore, the ultrasonic cleaning device 50 may have a configuration different from that of the above embodiment, so long as it applies ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generator 110 to the object to be cleaned to remove dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a fully automatic washing machine 1 equipped with an ultrasonic cleaning device 50 is shown. However, the present invention can also be applied to washing machines other than the fully automatic washing machine 1, for example, a fully automatic washer-dryer with a drying function. In a fully automatic washer-dryer, the top opening of the outer tub can be covered with a lid. In this case, water is less likely to splash from inside the washing and spin-drying tub to the loading port of the top panel during the washing operation. However, even in a configuration in which a lid is provided on the outer tub, the present invention can be applied to protect the ultrasonic cleaning device from contact with laundry loaded from the loading port when not in use.

In addition, various modifications of the embodiment of the present invention are possible within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims.

1. Fully automatic washing machine (washing machine)
12 Top plate
14. Insert port
17a Device storage section
17b Cover storage section
18 Entrance/Exit
19 Cover
50 Ultrasonic cleaning device
110 Ultrasonic generator
700 Interlocking mechanism
710 Link mechanism
720 Link holding member (holding portion)
730 Cover guide member (guide part)
740 First slider
750 Second slider
760 Link
810 Main body
820 Side portion (contact portion)

Claims (5)

an ultrasonic cleaning device including an ultrasonic cleaning unit having an ultrasonic generator, and a water storage unit located below the ultrasonic generator and having a water storage tank for storing cleaning water, in which ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generator are applied to an object to be cleaned that is immersed in the cleaning water in the water storage tank , thereby removing dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned;
A top plate having an input port;
a storage section including an apparatus storage section provided inside the upper panel and in which the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus is stored so as to be capable of being pulled out into the insertion opening;
an entrance formed by opening a front portion of the storage section in the top plate, for inserting and removing the ultrasonic cleaning device into and from the device storage section;
a cover for covering the entrance when the ultrasonic cleaning device is stored in the device storage section;
a supply nozzle disposed in the storage section and having a discharge port at a tip end for discharging water into the water tank;
When the ultrasonic cleaning device is not in use, the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit are stored in the storage unit, and in the stored state, a tip of the supply nozzle is located in front of the water storage tank,
When the ultrasonic cleaning device is used, the ultrasonic cleaning unit and the water storage unit are pulled out forward from the storage unit, and in the pulled out state, a tip of the supply nozzle is positioned at a rear part of the water storage tank.
A washing machine characterized by: The washing machine according to claim 1,
The ultrasonic cleaning device further includes a linking mechanism that opens and closes the cover in association with an operation of inserting and removing the ultrasonic cleaning device into and from the device storage section.
A washing machine characterized by: The washing machine according to claim 2,
The storage section further includes a cover storage section provided adjacent to the device storage section,
The interlocking mechanism stores the open cover in the cover storage section.
A washing machine characterized by: The washing machine according to claim 3,
The interlocking mechanism includes:
a first slider coupled to the ultrasonic cleaning device;
A second slider to which one end of the cover is rotatably connected in a direction for opening and closing the entrance;
a holder that holds the first slider and the second slider slidably in a pull-out direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is pulled out from the device storage section and in a storage direction in which the ultrasonic cleaning device is stored in the device storage section;
a link having one end connected to the first slider and the other end connected to the second slider, the other end moving in a direction opposite to the direction in which the one end moves, thereby causing the second slider to slide in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first slider slides;
a guide portion that, when the second slider slides in the storage direction, comes into contact with the cover to open the cover and guide the cover to the cover storage portion,
A washing machine characterized by: The washing machine according to claim 4,
The cover includes a main body portion that covers the entrance and an abutment portion that extends from the main body portion in the storage direction and abuts against the guide portion.
A washing machine characterized by:

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