DESCRIPTION WASHING MACHINE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a washing machine that automatically supplies water using a water supply hose that connects a washing machine body and a water service faucet.

BACKGROUND ART

In the related art, for example, when water is leaked from a connected portion between a water supply hose and a hose attachment portion, a washing machine that prevents leaked water from adhering to an electrical component within the washing machine to cause poor insulation or the like is suggested (for example, refer to PTL 1). Hereinafter, a configuration around a connecting portion of the water supply hose of the washing machine in the related art shown in PTL 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of chief portions around the connecting portion of the water supply hose of the washing machine in the related art. As shown in Fig. 3, the washing machine in the related art includes at least washing machine body 101, water tub 102, operation box 113, water supply hose 114, water supply valve 116, hose attachment portion 117, threaded portion 117a, planar portion 117b, communication hose 119, water pouring cap 120, water level detector 121, and discharge guide 122.

Operation box 113 is provided in an upper portion of washing machine body 101, and water supply valve 116 controlled by a control unit (not shown) is provided within operation box 113. Hose attachment portion 117 is provided in an upper portion of operation box 113, and water supply hose 114 connected to the water service faucet is fastened by threaded portion 117a. Thereby, the water that has passed through water supply valve 116 via water supply hose 114 from the water service faucet is supplied to water pouring cap 120 via communication hose 119. Then, the supplied water is supplied into water tub 102 through the inside of water pouring cap 12 0. Discharge guide 122 is provided so as to engage with planar portion 117b provided in a lower portion of hose attachment portion 117, and is provided in an upper portion of an electrical component, such as water level detector 121, which is arranged below water supply valve 116. At this time, discharge guide 122 discharges the water, which has slightly leaked from a connecting portion between water supply hose 114 and hose attachment portion 117, to the outside of washing machine body 101 via a space that does not adhere to the electrical component. This prevents problems, such as short-circuiting, which is caused by the leaked water falling ft J on the electrical component.

However, in the configuration of the washing machine in the related art, there is a problem in that water overflows from discharge guide 122 if a lot of water leaks from a gap in the connecting portion between water supply hose 114 and hose attachment portion 117. Thus, the water that has overflowed from discharge guide 122 may fall on the electrical component, and the electrical component may break down. Therefore, a configuration that reliably prevents water leakage irrespective of the amount of leaking water is desired. Citation List

Patent Literature

[PTL 1] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2006-87454

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above problem, there is provided a washing machine including: a water tub that is elastically supported within a washing machine body; a drum that is rotatably provided in the water tub; a water supply valve that supplies water to the water tub; and a water supply hose that connects a water service faucet and the washing machine body. The water supply hose has a double structure constituted by an inside hose, and an outside hose that forms a space between the outside hose and the inside hose to include the inside hose. One end of the inside hose is connected to the water service faucet via a faucet connecting portion, and the other end of the inside hose is connected to the water supply valve via a water supply hose connecting portion. The water service faucet side of the outside hose is sealed by a faucet-side seal portion, and the water supply valve side of the outside hose is sealed by a water-supply-valve-side seal portion, and a branch hose that branches from the outside hose and communicates with the space is connected to the outside hose. This can prevent leaked water from falling on the electrical component within the washing machine body and prevent failure of the electric component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine in an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of chief portions around a connecting portion of a water supply hose of the washing machine.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of chief portions around a connecting portion of a water supply hose of a washing machine in the related art.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described, referring to the drawings. The invention is not limited by this embodiment.

Embodiment

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine in the embodiment of the invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the washing machine of the embodiment is equipped with at least washing machine body 1, water tub 2, drum 3, water supply valve 6, and water supply hose 20. Water tub 2 is elastically supported by a suspension (not shown) or the like inside washing machine body 1, and drum 3 is rotatably provided inside water tub 2. Drum 3 is rotationally driven in normal and reverse directions about rotating shaft 4, which inclines forward and upward in the horizontal direction, by motor 5 anchored to the outer wall of water tub 2. Water supply pipe 7 that supplies water into water tub 2 from water supply valve 6 is connected to an upper portion of water tub 2. Drain valve 9 that communicates with drain port 8 formed at a lower portion of water tub 2 is provided particularly below water tub 2 of washing machine body 1. Drain valve 9 is connected to on-floor drain port 12 through interior hose 10 and exterior hose 11. On-floor drain port 12 is a drain port provided to the floor (for example, a drain pan) where washing machine body 1 is installed. Thereby, the water within water tub 2 is drained through on-floor drain port 12 to a drain ditch outside washing machine body 1 after passing through drain port 8, drain valve 9, interior hose 10, and exterior hose 11, in this order, during drainage.

Water level sensor 14 is provided via air trap 13 in the vicinity of drain port 8 of water tub 2. Water level sensor 14 converts a change in the air pressure within air trap 13 into an electrical signal to detect the water level to be supplied to the inside of water tub 2. Control unit 15 that controls water supply valve 6, drain valve 9, motor 5, and the like, and that controls respective steps, such as washing, rinsing, and spin-drying, is provided in a lower portion within washing machine body 1. Water supply hose 20 has a double structure constituted by inside hose 16 and outside hose 26, which includes for example, tubular rubber hoses or the like, and connects water service faucet 18 and washing machine body 1. One end of inside hose 16 of water supply hose 20 is connected to water service faucet 18 via faucet connecting portion 17, and performs water supply to the washing machine. The other end of inside hose 16 of water supply hose 20 is connected to water supply valve 6 within washing machine body 1 via water supply hose connecting portion 19.

Hereinafter, the peripheral structure of water supply hose 20 of the embodiment will be described in Fig 2, with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of chief portions around a connecting portion of the water supply hose of the washing machine in the embodiment of the invention. As shown in Fig. 2, inside hose 16 of water supply hose 20 is included in outside hose 26, and space 28 is provided between outside hose 26 and inside hose 16. Outside hose 26 of water supply hose 20 has faucet-side seal portion 21 that covers the upstream side of faucet connecting portion 17 on water service faucet 18 side, and seals faucet connecting portion 17. Outside hose 26 of water supply hose 20 has water-supply-valve-side seal portion 22 that covers the downstream side of water supply hose connecting portion 19 on water supply valve 6 side, and seals water supply hose connecting portion 19. In Fig. 2, faucet-side seal portion 21 and water-supply-valve-side seal portion 22 have a seal structure using separate members, such as an O-ring. In Fig. 2, inside hose 16, and faucet connecting portion 17 or water supply hose connecting portion 19 is connected using a screw thread cutting or the like.

Branch hose 23 is connected to outside hose 26 of water supply hose 20 so as to communicate with space 28 via branch portion 27 of outside hose 26. Also, as shown in Fig. 1, branch hose 23 has such a length that lower end portion 23a at least reaches the floor where washing machine body 1 is installed, and lower end portion 23a of branch hose 23 is connected to exterior hose 11 or on-floor drain port 12. At this time, exterior hose 11 or on-floor drain port 12 is formed with, for example, a circular insertion port to be connected to lower end portion 23a. Water supply hose 2 0 of the embodiment is configured as described above, and is connected to water service faucet 18 and water supply hose connecting portion 19. The functions and effects of the respective portions of water supply hose 20 in a case where leakage has occurred will be described below. During the operation of respective steps of the washing machine, in a case where leakage has occurred from inside hose 16 and water supply hose connecting portion 19, or from faucet connecting portion 17 and water supply hose connecting portion 19, or in a case where inside hose 16 blowouts and leakage has occurred, the leaked water is discharged to space 2 8 between inside hose 16 and outside hose 26 . Then, the water discharged to space 28 flows to branch hose 23 that branches from outside hose 26.

At this time, since lower end portion 23a of branch hose 23 is connected to exterior hose 11 or on-floor drain port 12, the leaked water flows to the drain ditch outside washing machine body 1 from exterior hose 11 or on-floor drain port 12. This can prevent the leaked water from falling on an electrical component within washing machine body 1. As a result, failure of an electronic component can be prevented to realize a washing machine that has excellent reliability over a long period of time. Since branch hose 23 has such a length that lower end portion 23a at least reaches the floor where washing machine body 1 is installed, lower end portion 23a of branch hose 23 can be certainly connected to exterior hose 11 or on-f loor drain port 12 that is mostly arranged on floor. As a result, the leaked water can be prevented from being spilled over the floor or the like. Hereinafter, another form of the washing machine of the embodiment will be descried with reference to Fig. 1.

Another example of the washing machine of the embodiment is equipped with water leakage detector 24 including for example a water detection sensor, which detects water leakage, in the vicinity of branch portion 27 within outside hose 26, and is equipped with alarm unit 25 including, for example a buzzer sensor, which is provided within washing machine body 1. Then, in a case where water leakage has occurred in space 28 of outside hose 26, the water leakage is detected by water leakage detector 24, and an alarm is activated. At this time, alarm unit 25 has either a configuration in which an external alarm signal input function is given to washing machine body 1 side, and washing machine body 1 side activates an alarm, or a configuration in which a device separate from washing machine body 1 is provided. In a case where water leakage is detected, for example, a configuration in which water leakage information is transmitted to a handheld terminal may be adopted. This enables a person to know that water leakage has occurred even when outside the home, and convenience improves. As described above, in a case where leakage has occurred suddenly, this can be immediately reported to a user. Also, as the user closes water service faucet 18, problems, such as leakage, can be immediately eliminated. As a result, a washing machine having excellent safety can be realized.

In addition, in the embodiment, water supply hose 20 has been illustrated as water supply hose 20 including a tubular rubber hose. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, a resin hose, or a bellows-shaped hose that is stretchable or deformable and easily handled may be adopted. Thereby, handling becomes easy, and work can be efficiently performed during manufacture or use. Although, an example of water leakage detector 24 is provided in the vicinity of branch portion 27 within outside hose 26 has been described in the embodiment, the invention is not limited to this. For example, as long as water leakage detector 24 is within outside hose 26, for example, the water leakage detector may be provided in the vicinity of space 28 or lower end portion 23a of branch hose 23, or may be provided in any place below the horizontal surface of branch portion 27 of branch hose 23. In the embodiment, a front-loading-type washing machine has been illustrated as the washing machine. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, a top-loading-type washing machine, or the like, resulting in the same effects are obtained.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention is useful in the field of a washing machine that has the function to supply water which requires prevention of leakage during water supply. DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERAL AND SIGNS

1: WASHING MACHINE BODY

2: WATER TUB

3: DRUM

5: MOTOR

6: WATER SUPPLY VALVE

15: CONTROL UNIT

16: INSIDE HOSE

17: FAUCET CONNECTING PORTION

18: WATER SERVICE FAUCET

19: WATER SUPPLY HOSE CONNECTING PORTION

20: WATER SUPPLY HOSE

21: FAUCET-SIDE SEAL PORTION

22: WATER-SUPPLY-VALVE-SIDE SEAL PORTION

23 : BRANCH HOSE

23A: LOWER END PORTION

24: WATER LEAKAGE DETECTOR

25: ALARM UNIT

26: OUTSIDE HOSE

28: SPACE

CLAIMS

1. A washing machine comprising: a water tub that is elastically supported within a washing machine body; a drum that is rotatably provided in the water tub; a water supply valve that supplies water to the water tub; and a water supply hose that connects a water service faucet and the washing machine body, wherein the water supply hose has a double structure constituted by an inside hose, and an outside hose that forms a space between the outside hose and the inside hose to include the inside hose, wherein one end of the inside hose is connected to the water service faucet via a faucet connecting portion, and the other end of the inside hose is connected to the water supply valve via a water supply hose connecting portion, wherein the water service faucet side of the outside hose is sealed by a faucet-side seal portion, and the water supply valve side of the outside hose is sealed by a water-supply-valve-side seal portion, and wherein a branch hose that branches from the outside hose and communicates with the space is connected to the outside hose.

2. The washing machine of Claim 1, further comprising: an exterior hose that communicates an on-floor drain port of a floor where the washing machine body is installed to a drain valve provided in the washing machine body, wherein the branch hose is connected to the exterior hose.

3. The washing machine of Claim 1, wherein the branch hose has such a length that a lower end portion thereof reaches a floor where the washing machine body is installed.

4. The washing machine of Claim 1, wherein the branch hose has a lower end portion connected to an on-floor drain port of a floor where the washing machine body is installed.

5. The washing machine of Claim 1, further comprising: a water leakage detector that detects leakage, within the outside hose.

6. The washing machine of Claim 5, further comprising: an alarm unit that activates an alarm according to a detection result of the water leakage detector.