IP Library Granted Patent US 10,697,109
Granted Patent B2
US 10,697,109 · App. 16/274,283 · Granted Jun 30, 2020

Washing machine

Inventors: Yoshinori Usui (Kawasaki, JP); Satoshi Nagai (Kawasaki, JP); Hiroshi Nishimura (Kawasaki, JP); Katsunori Matsushita (Kawasaki, JP)
Assignee: Toshiba Lifestyle Products & Services Corporation
D06F39/088D06F17/12D06F35/002D06F39/08
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,697,109
App. No.
16/274,283
Granted
Jun 30, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A washing machine includes: a washing tub in which clothes are stored; and a water supply mechanism for supplying water into the washing tub through a water supply path, the water being supplied from a water supply source. The water supply mechanism includes a water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply path, a water filling case for filling water into the washing tub, and a fine bubble generation device provided between the water supply valve and the water filling case and for generating fine bubbles.

Claims (31)

1. A washing machine, comprising:

a washing tub in which clothes are stored;

a water supply valve for opening and closing a water supply path that passes water supplied from a water supply source into the washing tub;

a detergent storage case in which detergent is stored; and

a fine bubble generation device provided between the water supply valve and the detergent storage case, and for generating fine bubbles.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein

the detergent storage case is provided in a water filling case for filling water into the washing tub, and

the fine bubble generation device is located between the water supply valve and the water filling case, and is provided in the water supply path in the water filling case.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2 , wherein

the fine bubble generation device is arranged downstream of an outlet part of the water supply valve, and in an inlet pipe of water of the water filling case.

4. The washing machine according to claim 2 , wherein

a small diameter part is provided in the inlet pipe of water of the water filling case, wherein at least a part of an outflow port side of the fine bubble generation device is inserted and connected into the small diameter part.

5. The washing machine according to claim 2 , wherein

the fine bubble generation device is interposed between the water supply valve and the water filling case.

6. The washing machine according to claim 2 , wherein

the water supply path is configured such that a flow direction of water discharged from the outlet part of the water supply valve is a same as a flow direction of water in the fine bubble generation device.

7. The washing machine according to claim 2 , further comprising:

a second water supply path without including the fine bubble generation device, separate from the water supply path including the fine bubble generation device.

8. The washing machine according to claim 7 , wherein

a second inlet pipe to which the second water supply path is connected is provided in the water filling case, and a bore of the second inlet pipe is different from a bore of a third inlet pipe to which the fine bubble generation device is connected.

9. The washing machine according to claim 2 , wherein

the fine bubble generation device is configured to include a narrowed part at a midway part on a flow passage extending from an inflow port to an outflow port, and wherein

the fine bubble generation device is constructed by combining an upstream side flow passage member which constitutes an upstream side of the flow passage and includes a protruding part that narrows a flow passage sectional area of the narrowed part, with a downstream side flow passage member which constitutes a more downstream side than the protruding part of the flow passage.

10. The washing machine according to claim 9 , wherein

the water filling case includes an inlet pipe of water to which the fine bubble generation device is inserted and connected, and

the inlet pipe includes a rib by which a tip end surface of the fine bubble generation device is locked.

11. The washing machine according to claim 9 , wherein

the water filling case includes an inlet pipe of water to which an upstream side flow passage member of the fine bubble generation device is inserted and connected, and

the downstream side flow passage member is integrally formed with the inlet pipe.

12. The washing machine according to claim 9 , wherein

the water filling case includes an inlet pipe of water to which the fine bubble generation device is inserted and connected, and a seal member for air-tightly sealing between an outer surface of the upstream side flow passage member and an inner surface of the inlet pipe.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2026
From: TOSHIBA LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES CORPORATION
To: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 075520/0170 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 12, 2019
From: USUI, YOSHINORI; NAGAI, SATOSHI; NISHIMURA, HIROSHI; MATSUSHITA, KATSUNORI
To: TOSHIBA LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS & SERVICES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 048574/0973 →
Priority Claims (2)
JP 2016-176642 · Sep 9, 2016 · national
JP 2017-012076 · Jan 26, 2017 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTJP2017020465 · Jun 1, 2017
Related Publication 20190177903A1 · Jun 13, 2019