JPH0768084A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To facilitate the replacement of drainage hoses and the inspection and repair of internal movable parts while the washing machine is installed at the installation location. [Structure] The opening of the frame of the washing machine is provided on the front of the washing machine,
A panel member that covers the opening is detachably provided on the frame, and a connection portion between the drain valve and the drain hose is arranged near the opening. [Effect] If the panel member is removed while the washing machine is installed, the drain hose can be replaced from the front of the washing machine, which facilitates repair and inspection work.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine used in a general household, in which a draining hose can be easily changed in direction and movable parts can be inspected and repaired even when the washing machine is installed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in most washing machines, an opening and a back cover for covering the opening are provided on the rear surface of the main body, and the inside of the washing machine is inspected or repaired by opening the back cover. It was In addition, when processing the drain hose when installing the washing machine (depending on the position of the drain outlet, change the removal position of the drain hose from the main body), work from the opening or lay the washing machine sideways. Then there was something to work from the bottom.

Usually, a washing machine is installed with its rear surface facing a wall, and therefore it is necessary to move the washing machine for inspection and repair. However, due to domestic housing conditions, there is generally not enough space around the washing machine, so moving the washing machine is not easy and the workability is poor. It was the current situation. Furthermore, in recent years,
The washing capacity of washing machines is increasing against the backdrop of the habit of collective washing and other factors. With this trend, washing machines are becoming larger, and with the increasing popularity of clothes dryers, It is becoming more and more difficult to move the washing machine due to the increasing number of cases in which a column is attached to the rear surface of the machine and the space above the washing machine is used to install the clothes dryer.

Also, regarding the treatment of the drainage hose described above, it is necessary to perform the work before installing the washing machine at the installation location, so that workability is poor if there is no space. Further, when the drainage port is located behind or under the washing machine, it is difficult to work while visually checking when inserting the drainage hose into the drainage port, which may result in incomplete installation.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, there is known a front service type construction in which an opening is provided on the front side of a frame of a washing machine to perform assembly, inspection and repair from the front.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-197395 is known as the same kind as this.

[0006]

However, even the above-mentioned front service type does not disclose the treatment of the drain hose when the washing machine is installed.

In addition, at the time of inspection / repair, since the front surface of the frame is opened, the lower part of the washing machine can be inspected, but the upper surface of the frame, which is arranged on the upper surface and accommodates various control parts, In order to disassemble the cover and operating part, it is necessary to move the washing machine, the conventional technology is rather rather,
The focus was on assembly, rather than inspection and repair, and it was not sufficient from a service perspective.

An object of the present invention is to improve the workability of installing a washing machine (treatment of drainage hose) and to improve the serviceability that allows easy inspection and repair even when the washing machine is installed, and It is to provide a washing machine that is inexpensive and has excellent appearance performance.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an opening of a frame body including a washing tub and an internal mechanism is set to a front side of a washing machine, and the opening has a panel member covering the opening. To provide. The panel member is detachably attached by an operation from above or from the front of the main body. Provide the connection between the drainage valve and drainage hose, the fixed part of the drainage hose, and the extraction part from the body of the drainage hose near the opening.

The upper cover provided so as to cover the upper opening of the frame and the operation panel provided on the upper cover can be assembled and disassembled by a work from above or in front of the main body of the washing machine. It has a mounting means, or at least disassembles and assembles electric parts and the like arranged on the upper surface cover, the operation panel and the like by a work from above or from the front.

Further, an electrical connection portion between the upper electrical component and an electrical component such as a motor disposed in the lower portion and a connection portion between the water tube for detecting the water level and the outer tub are provided at a portion accessible from the opening.

The vertical dimension of the panel member is substantially the same as the height of the frame body, the width dimension is set to be larger than the opening portion of the frame body and smaller than the width dimension of the frame body, and the panel member is set in the horizontal direction. The cross section is formed in a substantially curved shape that projects outward, and the back surface of the panel member is in contact with a part of the frame body. The member is fixed to the frame by attaching means that is detachable from the frame.

The frame body is provided with a concave surface corresponding to the entire width of the panel member, and the panel member is mounted on this surface. The upper part of the panel member inserts the flange rising part of the panel member into a gap formed by the frame body and the top cover, and the lower part inserts the flange rising part of the panel member into the base fixed to the frame body. In this way, the four sides are restrained.

Further, the thickness of the panel member is made larger than the depth of the concave surface of the frame body, and when mounting the panel member, the panel member is attached to the frame body by an engaging method using a plurality of tabs or the like and screws. The claw is provided inside the outer edge of the panel member, and the screw is provided at a position 80 mm or more above the lower end of the leg of the washing machine. Further, both sides of the panel member are folded back inward so that the end face portions are not exposed.

The rear surface of the frame has a structure in which no opening or uneven surface is provided, except for a column mounting portion for a clothes dryer, and the column mounting portion can be turned on or off by exchanging the mold pieces. Accordingly, the surface of the front surface of the frame body, which is located outside the panel member, can be provided with or without the column mounting portion.

[0016]

[Function] The opening of the frame is on the front side of the washing machine, and the drain valve and the drain hose connection, the drain hose fixing part, and the outlet of the drain hose from the body are provided near the opening. As a result, the drain hose can be reliably treated even when the washing machine is installed.

Further, the top cover and the operation panel are disassembled.
Enabling assembly from above or from the front,
In addition, disassembling / assembling / inspecting without moving the washing machine by installing the connection parts of the upper and lower electric parts and the connection part of the water tube for detecting the water level and the outer tub at a position accessible from the opening.・ Can be repaired.

By making the vertical dimension of the panel member substantially the same as the height of the frame body and making the width dimension larger than the opening of the frame body and smaller than the width dimension of the frame body, the panel member can be downsized. By making the horizontal cross section substantially curved and contacting the back surface of the panel member with a part of the frame, chattering noise can be prevented and rigidity can be secured, and the plate thickness can be minimized and installed, Workability at the time of inspection can be improved. Further, this also improves the cost and productivity.

Further, the rigidity can be further enhanced by restraining the four sides of the panel member.

On the other hand, when the panel member is attached, the abutting surface between the panel member and the frame can be formed favorably in design by providing the engaging portion by the claw or the like inside the outer edge of the panel member. 8 member mounting screws from the bottom
By setting the position to 0 mm or more, the panel member can be attached and detached without having to move the washing machine even when installed in the waterproof pan.

Further, since the panel member can be downsized, the degree of freedom in the surface treatment of the panel member can be improved in terms of quality and price, and it is easy to realize a high-quality appearance and corrosion resistance, and the end surface portion of the panel member can be improved. The structure that is not exposed can minimize the influence on the appearance even if the end face portion rusts. Also, safety is preferable. Since it is not necessary to provide an opening for inspection on the rear surface portion of the frame body, a frame body having a high design property can be obtained over the entire circumference of the frame body.

By constructing the clothes dryer prop mounting portions on both the front and rear surfaces of the frame so that frames can be exchanged, and the width of the opening is set smaller than the total width of the frame. The front surface and the rear surface of the frame can be interchanged as needed. In this case, if a lid is used instead of the panel member, a washing machine with a rear opening similar to the conventional one can be provided.

[0023]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a basic structural diagram of a fully automatic washing machine. 1 is
The frame 2 containing the internal mechanism is a washing / dehydrating tub, and the fluid balancer 3 is provided on the upper part, and the rotatable stirring blade 4 is provided on the bottom. Reference numeral 5 denotes an outer tub that contains the washing / dehydrating tub 2, and a drive unit is attached to the bottom through a center base 6 made of a steel plate, and is supported from the four corners of the upper end of the frame 1 by a vibration isolator 7. Has been done. The drive unit is composed of a motor 8, a clutch 9 and a V-belt 10. The rotation of the motor 8 is transmitted to the clutch 9 via the motor pulley 11, the V-belt 10 and the P-pulley 12, and the clutch 9 has an internal structure at the time of washing. Rotational force is transmitted to the stirring blade 4 via the reduction gear, and at the time of dehydration, the rotational force is transmitted to the washing / dehydration tub 2 without passing through the reduction gear to perform dehydration. Reference numeral 13 denotes a water supply solenoid valve, one end of which is connected to the faucet and the other end of which is connected to the water injection port 14. Reference numeral 15 denotes an upper surface cover having a panel box portion, and inside thereof, a control unit 16 which is a control portion, a water level sensor 1 for controlling the water level.
7, a power switch 18, an input switch section 19, a progress display section 20, etc. are housed. Panel box part 21
Are provided in two places on the front side and the rear side.
A front panel 22 and a back panel 23 are attached. In addition, the upper surface cover 15 has an opening 24 for putting in clothes.
And a lid 25 for opening and closing the opening 24, and a mounting screw 26 from above from above through the front panel 22 and the back panel 23 so as to cover the upper opening of the frame 1 through the front panel 22 and the back panel 23. ) Is fixed to the frame body 1.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a drainage device, which comprises a drainage valve 28 and a drainage hose 29. One end of the drain valve 28 is
It is adhered to a drain port 5a provided at the bottom of the outer tub 5, and the other end is connected to a drain hose 29. Drainage hose 29
The other end of the drainage hose outlet 3 depending on the position of the drainage port.
Pull out from 0.

The water level is detected by the water level sensor 17 from the air trap 5b provided in the outer tank 5 through the air tube 31. The water level sensor 17
It is arranged on the near side in correspondence with the position of the air trap 5b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 1 is a steel plate member having a substantially rectangular horizontal cross section, and has an opening 32 formed in a side surface corresponding to the front surface of the washing machine. The connection part between the air tube 31 for detecting the water level and the air trap 5b of the outer tub 2, the connection part between the drain hose 29 and the drain valve 28, and the upper electric parts such as the control unit 16 and the lower part such as the motor 8 are arranged. Connection part of the wire harness 40 for electrically connecting the electric components that have been connected, the drain valve 28, the drain hose 29, the drain hose outlets 30a, 30b, 30c.
Are arranged at positions accessible from the opening 32.

Thus, even when the washing machine is installed, the inside of the washing machine can be inspected through the opening 32.

Further, since the top cover 15 is fixed to the frame 1 by the mounting screws 26 from above, even if the washing machine main body is placed at an installation place where there are obstacles on both sides, the air tube 31 And the air trap 5b and the wire harness 40 are disconnected, and the mounting screw 26 is removed,
The entire top cover 15 can be disassembled without moving the washing machine, and the upper parts can be easily inspected and repaired.

Further, the drain hose can be easily and surely treated. The treatment of the drain hose will be described later.

A synthetic resin base 34 having legs 33 is attached to the lower end of the frame 1 by caulking.
It prevents the steel sheet from being exposed, improves corrosion resistance, and protects it from injury. Also, the opening 3
2 is formed as follows. A steel plate serving as the main body of the frame 1 is bent into a substantially U shape, and an upper plate 35 made of a steel plate is integrally integrated by caulking, and a lower plate is formed so as to extend upward from the base 34. The portion 34a is provided and the opening 32 is formed. The vertical width of the upper plate 35 is set such that the strength of the upper plate 35 is not hindered even with the opening 32, and both sides of the lower plate 34a are attached to the frame 1 by screws 3 if necessary.
Fix with 6. Reference numeral 37 is a panel member made of a steel plate that covers the opening 32. The vertical dimension H of the panel member 37 is substantially the same as the height H ₁ of the frame body _1, and the width dimension W is larger than the width W ₂ of the opening 32 and larger than the width dimension W _{1 of the} frame body ₁ . It is set small.

The horizontal section of the panel member 37 is
It has a substantially curved shape to obtain the panel rigidity. Also,
By reducing the width dimension as described above, the span is shortened, which is advantageous in strength. The mounting surface 1c of the panel member 37 to the frame body 1 forms a step h _{2 with} respect to the surface 1a. As a result, the gap between the frame body 1 and the panel member 37 when viewed from the side can be made inconspicuous, and the panel member 37 can be prevented from being deformed in the lateral direction due to an external force from the P direction. h ₁ is a dimension with which both sides of the panel member 37 travel with respect to the surface 1 a. From the physical properties of the frame material as a washing machine and the press working process in production, the step h ₂ is
Since about 3 mm is the maximum, when h ₁ = 0, the rigidity of the panel member 37 becomes low, and it becomes necessary to increase the plate thickness. Therefore, h ₁ is provided to ensure the bending rigidity of the panel member 37 in the vertical direction.

Further, a part of the upper plate 35 is bent so as to come into contact with the back surface of the panel member 37 to improve the tensile rigidity.

As a result, the panel member can be miniaturized and the thickness of the panel can be minimized without impairing the appearance performance, and the miniaturization and weight reduction can provide good workability in a small laundry space.

Further, as a means for improving the tensile rigidity of the panel member 37, a reinforcing beam may be attached to the back surface of the panel member 37.

On the other hand, the panel member 37 is attached to the frame member 1 by a plurality of tabs 37a provided integrally with the panel member 37.
It is attached to the frame body 1 from the front with the screw 38 while being inserted into the corner mud 1b from below and being pushed up. The position of the claw 37a is set so that C <W in FIG. In addition, bent portions 37b facing the inner package are provided on both sides of the panel member 37. As a result, from the outside, the claw 3
7a, the corner mud 1b, and the end faces of the panel member 37 are not visible, which is good in terms of design. With such a structure in which the end face portion is not exposed, even if rust or the like is generated from the cut surface, it can be prevented from being visible in the appearance portion. Screw 38
After tightening, the cap 39 is covered so that the screw head is not directly visible. The position of the screw 38 is set at a position of 80 mm or more from the lower end of the leg 33 toward the upper side.
This allows the screws 38 to be disassembled and assembled even when the washing machine is installed in the waterproof pan. If a simple nut such as a speed nut is used for the frame body 1 corresponding to the screw 38, the retapping property can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper end of the panel member 37 has a flange portion 37c and a rising portion 37d, and the rib 15a provided on the upper surface cover 15 allows the rising portion 37d to be formed.
The panel member 37 is prevented from rattling. In addition, a slit 37 is provided at the center of the rising portion 37d.
In addition to the provision of e, ribs 15b corresponding thereto are integrally provided on the upper surface cover 15 to serve as a guide in the left-right direction when the panel member 37 is assembled, thereby improving the assemblability.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lower end of the panel member 37 is provided with a folded-back portion 37f and fitted in the groove portion 34b of the base 34. As a result, even if the panel member is pulled in the Q direction, there will be no gap or removal.

As described above, when the panel member 37 is attached to the frame body 1, the four sides are constrained so that the composite strength is increased and a strong frame body is obtained.

The material and surface treatment of the panel member 37 are
It is different from the frame 1 and uses a steel plate that has high corrosion resistance and is metallic, pearl, or decorated. Thereby, a high quality product can be provided without increasing the manufacturing cost of the entire frame 1.

On the rear surface portion 1d of the frame body 1, a column mounting portion 1e for a clothes dryer is provided. The pillar mounting portion 1e can be turned on and off by exchanging the press die for manufacturing the frame 1. In addition, the pillar mounting portion 1f is also provided on the front surface 1a of the frame body 1.
The presence or absence can be changed by exchanging frames. 1 on the back of the frame
No unevenness or opening other than the column mounting portion 1e is provided in d.

As a result, a frame structure having a high design property can be obtained over the entire circumference of the frame, and the degree of freedom of the place of installation can be increased and the cleaning property can be improved.

Further, the pillar mounting portion 1e is omitted and 1f
In addition to the above, by replacing the panel member 37 with a lid body that covers the opening 32 to the minimum and reversing the attachment of the top cover, a washing machine with a rear opening similar to the conventional one can be used. Can be provided.

Although the above explanation has been made on the frame body made of steel plate,
The same effect can be obtained with a frame made of synthetic resin.

Next, the treatment of the drain hose will be described.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the drain hose 29 is pulled out to the left when viewed from the front of the main body. Reference numeral 29a denotes a hose fixing portion, which is held and fixed by the hose holder 41 and the hose supporting portion 34c provided on the base 34 as shown in FIG. 29e is a connection port with the drain valve 28. Vibrations during dehydration of the internal mechanism portion are absorbed by the bellows portion provided between the hose fixing portion 29a and the drainage valve connection port 29e. Drain hose 2 at hose outlet 30
As shown in FIG. 9, the shape of 9 is such that a straight portion 29b and flanges 29f and 29g are formed on both sides of the straight portion 29b so that the position of the drain hose is determined.
The inner diameter D of the hose outlet 30 and the outer diameter D _{2 of} the collar 29f,
The relationship between the outer diameter D ₁ of the brim 29g is D ₁ > D ₂ > D. The outer diameter of the straight portion 29b is set to be slightly larger than that of the inner diameter D to stabilize the fixing. The outer diameter D ₁ is set so that the drain hose 29 does not easily move when the drain hose 29 is pulled outward.
In the case of an excessive external force, the load is applied to the hose fixing portion, and the load is not applied to the connection portion with the drain valve 28. The outer diameter D ₂ is set to such a size that the drain hose can be easily pulled into the main body when it is pulled out to the opposite side.

Fixed portion of drainage hose 29, hose outlet 3
0 and the drain valve 28 are provided in the vicinity of the opening 32 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, and are accessible from the opening 32.

Now, the procedure for pulling out the drain hose 29 to the opposite side will be described.

First, the panel member 37 is removed, and the opening 32 is formed.
Work from. After removing the hose holder 41 that is elastically fixed to the hose support portion 34c, the drainage hose 29 is entirely retracted into the machine, and the tip end of the drainage hose is pulled out through the hose outlet 30 on the opposite side. When it is pulled out to a predetermined length, the brim 29g serves as a stopper and the completion of pulling out can be confirmed. Next, the hose fixing portion 29a is applied to the hose supporting portion 34c, and fixed with the hose holder 41. At this time, the hose outlet 30 through which the drain hose 29 does not pass
Is closed by the cap 42, so it is moved to the opposite side.

Finally, the panel member 37 is assembled and the work is completed. As described above, according to the present invention, since the entire work can be performed from the front side of the washing machine body, there is no need to move the washing machine, and workability is good. Also, rotate the connection port 29e with the drain valve 29,
It is highly reliable because it does not need to be removed.

Next, the treatment of the drain hose when the drain outlet is located under the washing machine will be described. The drain hose 29 is provided with a pipe connecting portion 29d, and the drain hose can be cut at this portion to connect the drain pipe 43.

Therefore, when the drain port is located under the washing machine, the drain pipe 43 may be connected to the pipe connecting portion as shown in FIG. 10, and the tip of the drain pipe 43 may be inserted into the drain port. Since the position of the drainage port cannot be specified, the bellows part is provided between the hose fixing part 29a and the pipe connecting part 29d to cover the area under the washing machine. Also,
If necessary, drain pipes 43 having different lengths may be provided, or the drain pipe 43 may be lengthened and cut as required.

In any case, since the drainage hose can be treated inside the machine, the length of the drainage hose can be shortened as compared with the one which is led out to the outside and passed through the lower part of the washing machine to be treated. Will also be good. Furthermore, since you can work without moving the washing machine while looking directly at the drain port through the opening 32, it is easy to use without draining the drain hose, playing in the machine, or not completely entering the drain port. With this, reliable processing becomes possible. Of course, since it is not necessary to move the washing machine, there is no problem even when the clothes dryer is set.

FIG. 11 shows a packed state of the washing machine.

At the time of packaging, the drainage hose 29 is entirely retracted into the machine, and the drainage hose 29 is hooked on the hook 34d provided on the base 34 in the vicinity of the center thereof. The tip of the hose is fixed to the hose outlet 30 using the cap 42 described above.

As shown in FIG. 13, the hook 34d is a rib having a circular cross section with an opening at the center, and when the drain hose 29 is pulled in the O direction, the drain hose is detached from the hook 34d.

The hose tip is fixed as shown in FIG. 12, and the tip of the drain hose is inserted and fixed in the pipe portion 42a integrally provided in the cap 42, and the cap 42
Is a hook 42b provided integrally with the hose outlet 3
It is fixed by engaging with the zero fitting hole 30a.

Since the hook 29c of the drain hose 29 is rotatable, the hook 29c is attached to the cap 42.
The ribs 42c that prevent the rotation of the are integrally provided. Since the shape of the hose outlet 30 is a keyhole shape because the hook 29c needs to pass therethrough, it is to simplify the work of attaching the cap 42 during packaging.

From the above, the drain hose 29 can be packed in the state of being housed in the main body, so that the packing volume is minimal and economical. Further, since the drain hose 29 is supported by the hook 34d, even if the washing machine is carried in the unpacked state, the drain hose 29 does not hang down, and there is no risk of accidentally crushing the hose with the washing machine.

When the cap 42 is unpacked as described above, the hose outlet 3 on the side where the drain hose 29 is not pulled out.
Since it may be set to 0, it is not necessary to newly provide a cap for closing the hose outlet.

FIG. 14 shows the drain hose 29.

[0061]

According to the present invention, the drain hose can be treated while the washing machine is installed, so that the workability is good and the work reliability is high.

Further, since access to each part necessary for inspection and repair of the washing machine can be realized by disassembling from above or from the front of the washing machine, there are obstacles on both sides when installed in a waterproof pan or the like. Even in some cases, there is no need to move the washing machine and workability is good. Further, since the panel member can be made compact and lightweight, workability is good even in a narrow space, and it is economical. Furthermore, it is easy to achieve high quality and improved corrosion resistance of the panel member, and since it is not necessary to provide an opening for inspection on the surface facing the panel member mounting surface, it is possible to Higher design can be achieved.

Further, the frame body of the present construction can be realized by simply replacing the portion corresponding to the conventional back cover with a panel member, which is also advantageous in productivity.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a basic structural diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a development view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG.

7 is a sectional view taken along line EE in FIG.

8 is a sectional view taken along line FF in FIG.

9 is a sectional view taken along line GG in FIG.

10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 1, showing another embodiment.

12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line HH in FIG.

13 is a sectional view taken along line JJ in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of a drain hose.

FIG. 15 is a development view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Frame, 30 ... Hose outlet, 32 ... Opening, 37 ...
Panel member.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor, Yuzuru Miyano 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi-shi, Ibaraki Living company division, Hitachi Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A frame body which encloses a washing tub and an internal mechanism part, and has a substantially rectangular horizontal cross section, and an opening for loading clothes and a lid body for opening and closing the opening part on the upper part of the frame body. In the washing machine, the upper cover is provided so as to cover the upper opening of the frame, and the opening for inspection of the washing machine and the panel member covering the opening are provided on the front of the frame. A washing machine characterized in that a drainage path such as a drainage hose is provided near the opening.