Three-way pipe and clothes processing equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a three-way pipe and clothes treatment equipment, and relates to the technical field of clothes treatment, and the three-way pipe comprises a first water inlet branch pipe, a second water inlet branch pipe and a third water inlet branch pipe, a second water inlet branch pipe; the water outlet branch pipe internally comprises a confluence channel, a first channel and a second channel, the first channel and the second channel are communicated with the first water inlet branch pipe and the second water inlet branch pipe respectively, and the first channel and the second channel converge at the confluence channel; and the exhaust branch pipe is communicated with the outside and the second channel. The exhaust branch pipe is arranged on the three-way pipe, the exhaust branch pipe is communicated with the outside and the second channel in the water outlet branch pipe, gas in the three-way pipe can be exhausted, and smooth drainage is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of clothing treatment, and particularly relates to a three-way pipe and a clothing treatment device. Background Art

[0002] For a clothing treatment device, a part of the drainage pipeline can be shared through a three-way pipe. The first branch pipe and the second branch pipe for water inlet on the three-way pipe are respectively connected to the drainage outlets of the first clothing treatment part and the second clothing treatment part of the clothing treatment device, and the third branch pipe for water outlet on the three-way pipe is connected to the main drainage pipe. That is, the drainage of each of the first clothing treatment part and the second clothing treatment part will pass through the three-way pipe and the main drainage pipe and be discharged outside the clothing treatment device.

[0003] However, in the drainage pipeline, gas is likely to exist. If the gas cannot be discharged, an air cavity will be formed in the drainage pipeline, blocking the water flow path and causing poor drainage of the clothing treatment device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on the technical problems existing in the background art, the present invention provides a three-way pipe and a clothing treatment device, which can avoid the formation of an air cavity in the drainage pipeline and cause poor drainage of the drainage pipeline.

[0005] The three-way pipe provided by the present invention includes:

[0006] A first water inlet branch pipe for connecting the upper drainage pipe of a household appliance;

[0007] A second water inlet branch pipe;

[0008] A water outlet branch pipe, the water outlet branch pipe includes a confluence channel, a first channel and a second channel, the first channel and the second channel are respectively connected to the first water inlet branch pipe and the second water inlet branch pipe, and the first channel and the second channel converge at the confluence channel;

[0009] An exhaust branch pipe, connecting the outside and the second channel.

[0010] Preferably, the exhaust branch pipe and the second water inlet branch pipe are arranged side by side in the same direction.

[0011] Preferably, the exhaust branch pipe and the second water inlet branch pipe share a side wall opening extending from the inlet to the outlet of the second water inlet branch pipe.

[0012] Preferably, the outlet of the exhaust branch pipe is flush with the inlet of the second water inlet branch pipe, or the outlet of the exhaust branch pipe is higher than the inlet of the second water inlet branch pipe.

[0013] Preferably, the three-way pipe further includes:

[0014] Mounting base, used to mount the three-way pipe on a household appliance. The mounting base is fixedly arranged at the inlet end of the second water inlet branch pipe, and both the second water inlet branch pipe and the exhaust branch pipe penetrate through the mounting base.

[0015] Preferably, a sealing structure for achieving sealing with the household appliance is provided on the mounting base.

[0016] Preferably, the outlet of the exhaust branch pipe, the inlet, the outlet of the second channel, and the outlet of the first channel decrease in height.

[0017] Preferably, the confluence channel, the first channel, and the second channel are all inclined downward from their respective inlets to the outlets.

[0018] The laundry treatment device proposed by the present invention includes:

[0019] A first laundry treatment unit, having a drain pipe that drains water in an upper drain mode;

[0020] A second laundry treatment unit, having a drainage part that drains water in a non-upper drain mode;

[0021] The above-mentioned three-way pipe, the first water inlet branch pipe and the second water inlet branch pipe are respectively connected to the drain pipe and the drainage part;

[0022] A drainage main pipe, connected to the water outlet branch pipe, for draining the water discharged from the drain pipe and the drainage part to the outside of the laundry treatment device.

[0023] Preferably, the second laundry treatment unit and the first laundry treatment unit correspond to a dryer and a washing machine respectively;

[0024] Therefore, a dryer water box is provided in the dryer, the drainage part is a drainage port provided in the dryer water box, and the second water inlet branch pipe is connected to the drainage port.

[0025] The beneficial technical effects of the present invention:

[0026] By providing an exhaust branch pipe on the three-way pipe, and the exhaust branch pipe communicating the outside and the second channel in the water outlet branch pipe, the present invention can discharge the gas in the three-way pipe and ensure smooth drainage. Description of the Drawings

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the laundry treatment device in the first embodiment proposed by the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 It is a partial enlarged view A-A of the laundry treatment device in the first embodiment proposed by the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3Cross-sectional view of the tee in the first embodiment proposed by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the gas and water flow directions of the tee in the first embodiment proposed by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the second laundry treatment unit in the second embodiment proposed by the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 Partial enlarged view B-B of the second laundry treatment unit in the second embodiment proposed by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of the tee in the second embodiment proposed by the present invention;

[0034] Figure 8 Cross-sectional view of the tee in the second embodiment proposed by the present invention;

[0035] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the structure of the water box of the dryer proposed by the present invention;

[0036] Figure 10 Explosion diagram of the water box of the dryer proposed by the present invention;

[0037] Figure 11 Cross-sectional view of the water box of the dryer proposed by the present invention;

[0038] Figure 12 Schematic diagram of the structure of the liquid level detection component proposed by the present invention.

[0039] In the figure: 1 - second laundry treatment unit, 2 - first laundry treatment unit, 21 - drain pipe, 22 - main drain pipe, 3 - tee, 31 - first water inlet branch pipe, 32 - second water inlet branch pipe, 33 - water outlet branch pipe, 331 - first channel, 332 - second channel, 333 - confluence channel, 34 - exhaust branch pipe, 35 - mounting seat, 351 - sealing groove, 4 - box body, 41 - box cover, 411 - check valve flap, 412 - liquid level detection component, 4121 - main body, 4122 - element to be sensed, 4123 - limiting plate, 4124 - buffer member, 4125 - mounting groove, 4126 - float, 4127 - sensor, 413 - through hole, 414 - limiting frame, 42 - ventilation pipe, 43 - drain port, 44 - air inlet, 45 - base. Detailed implementation manners

[0040] The present invention will be further explained below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0041] Embodiment 1

[0042] Refer toFigure 3 The tee pipe proposed by the present invention includes: a first water inlet branch pipe 31, a second water inlet branch pipe 32, a water outlet branch pipe 33, and an exhaust branch pipe 34.

[0043] The first water inlet branch pipe 31 is used to connect the upper drain pipe of a household appliance, such as the upper drain pipe of a washing machine adopting the upper drainage method.

[0044] The second water inlet branch pipe 32 is used to connect the drainage device of another device, which can be a laundry treatment device, a dishwasher, a vegetable washing sink, a laundry sink, etc.

[0045] The water outlet branch pipe 33 includes a confluence channel 333, a first channel 331, and a second channel 332 therein. The first channel 331 and the second channel 332 are respectively connected to the first water inlet branch pipe 31 and the second water inlet branch pipe 32, and the first channel 331 and the second channel 332 converge at the confluence channel 333.

[0046] The exhaust branch pipe 34 is connected to the outside and the second channel 332. When gas is generated in the tee pipe, it can be discharged to the outside through the exhaust branch pipe, thereby ensuring smooth drainage of the tee pipe.

[0047] Combination of the gas and water flow directions of the tee pipe Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the water flow entering the first water inlet branch pipe 31 sequentially passes through the first channel 331 and the confluence channel 333, and the water flow entering the second water inlet branch pipe 32 sequentially passes through the second channel 332 and the confluence channel 333; when the first water inlet branch pipe 31 and the second water inlet branch pipe 32 are simultaneously filled with water, the water flow entering the first channel 331 and the water flow in the second channel 332 converge in the confluence channel 333 and then are discharged. It can be understood that the first water inlet branch pipe 31 is used to connect the upper drain pipe of a household appliance, and gas is likely to exist in the upper drain pipe. If it cannot be discharged in time, it will cause unsmooth drainage of the tee pipe. The tee pipe of this embodiment further includes an exhaust branch pipe 34, and the exhaust branch pipe 34 is connected to the outside and the second channel 332, which can effectively discharge the gas in the tee pipe, thereby ensuring smooth drainage.

[0048] In this embodiment, the exhaust branch pipe 34 and the second water inlet branch pipe 32 can be arranged side by side in the same direction, which is convenient for the mold to be removed during the manufacture of the tee pipe, and the exhaust branch pipe 34 has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture.

[0049] In addition, it can also be set that the exhaust branch pipe 34 and the second water inlet branch pipe 32 share a side wall opening extending from the inlet to the outlet of the second water inlet branch pipe 32, which can further facilitate the mold removal during the manufacture of the tee pipe and can save materials.

[0050] In this embodiment, for the specific structural design of the exhaust branch pipe, the first implementation method can refer to Figure 3, the outlet of the exhaust branch pipe 34 is flush with the inlet of the second water inlet branch pipe 32. This method facilitates the manufacture of the mold when manufacturing the three-way pipe and also facilitates the subsequent installation of the three-way pipe on household appliances such as clothes treatment equipment.

[0051] The second implementation manner can be referred to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the outlet of the exhaust branch pipe 34 is higher than the inlet of the second water inlet branch pipe 32. Through this design, it is possible to prevent the water flow in the second water inlet branch pipe 32 from affecting the exhaust of the exhaust branch pipe 34.

[0052] In this embodiment, in order to realize the installation of the three-way pipe 3, the three-way pipe 3 may further include: a mounting seat 35 for mounting the three-way pipe 3 on a household appliance. The mounting seat 35 is fixedly arranged at the inlet end of the second water inlet branch pipe 32, and both the second water inlet branch pipe 32 and the exhaust branch pipe 34 pass through the mounting seat 35.

[0053] For the mounting seat 35, it can be integrally formed with the three-way pipe through a mold, or can be fixedly connected to the inlet end of the second water inlet branch pipe 32 by an existing fixing method; in addition, the three-way pipe is not limited to being mounted on a household appliance through the above-mentioned mounting seat, and other existing fixing methods can also be used to realize the fixing of the three-way pipe.

[0054] In order to prevent water leakage at the connection between the three-way pipe and the household appliance, a sealing structure for achieving sealing with the household appliance is provided on the mounting seat 35. The sealing structure can adopt an existing sealing method, or can adopt, for example, Figure 8 as shown in setting an annular sealing groove on the mounting seat 35, and a sealing member (such as a sealing ring, etc.) is filled in the sealing groove. Both the second water inlet branch pipe and the exhaust branch pipe are distributed in the inner circle of the annular sealing groove.

[0055] In this embodiment, the outlet, inlet, outlet of the second channel 332, and outlet of the first channel 331 of the exhaust branch pipe 34 can be decreasing in height. As is well known to those skilled in the art, based on this design, the gas in the three-way pipe can be more easily discharged from the three-way pipe.

[0056] It should be noted that the height involved in the embodiments of the present invention refers to Figure 4 , with the direction in the working state of the three-way pipe set as a reference. The height and other contents involved in this application are also described according to the state of the three-way pipe during operation.

[0057] In this embodiment, the confluence channel 333, the first channel 331, and the second channel 332 can all be set to have a structure that slopes downward from their respective inlets to their outlets. Through this setting, it is possible to prevent the problem of water accumulation in the three-way pipe after drainage.

[0058] Embodiment 2

[0059] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The present invention further provides a laundry treatment device, including: a first laundry treatment unit 2, a second laundry treatment unit 1, a main drain pipe 22, and a three-way pipe 3 provided in Embodiment 1.

[0060] The first laundry treatment unit 2 has a drain pipe 21 that drains water in an upper drainage manner. For example, the first laundry treatment unit 2 can be a washing machine in the laundry treatment device.

[0061] The second laundry treatment unit 1 has a drainage part that drains water in a non-upper drainage manner. For example, the second laundry treatment unit 1 can be a dryer in the laundry treatment device.

[0062] The washing machine and the dryer in the laundry treatment device can be arranged in a vertically stacked or horizontally side-by-side manner. When arranged in a vertically stacked manner, the dryer can be arranged above the washing machine.

[0063] The three-way pipe 3 has a specific structure as shown in Embodiment 1, mainly including a first water inlet branch pipe 31, a second water inlet branch pipe 32, a water outlet branch pipe 33, and an exhaust branch pipe 34; the first water inlet branch pipe 31 and the second water inlet branch pipe 32 are respectively connected to the drain pipe 21 and the drainage part described above.

[0064] As an optional implementation scheme, the second laundry treatment unit 1 and the first laundry treatment unit 2 correspond to a dryer and a washing machine respectively. The first water inlet branch pipe 31 is communicated with the drain pipe 21 of the washing machine for draining water from the washing machine. The second water inlet branch pipe 32 is communicated with the drainage part of the dryer. The drainage part can be a drainage port 43 provided in the dryer water box of the dryer. By communicating the second water inlet branch pipe 32 with the drainage port 43 of the dryer water box, the drainage of the dryer is realized.

[0065] The water outlet branch pipe 33 is communicated with the main drain pipe 22 of the laundry treatment device, and the water discharged from the washing machine and the dryer can be discharged to the outside of the laundry treatment device.

[0066] As is well known to those skilled in the art, due to the existence of the exhaust branch pipe, there may be a part of the water flow overflowing from the exhaust branch pipe to the outside of the drainage channel, causing pollution to the laundry treatment device or its surrounding environment. Therefore, as an optional implementation scheme, an air inlet 44 can be provided in the dryer water box, and the exhaust branch pipe 34 is communicated with the air inlet 44 to discharge the gas in the three-way pipe or the water flow overflowing from the exhaust branch pipe 34 into the dryer water box, which not only ensures the smooth drainage of the three-way pipe but also avoids the water overflow problem of the aforementioned exhaust branch pipe 34.

[0067] In this embodiment, the air inlet 44 can be provided at the bottom of the box body 4, or at other positions of the box body 4 such as the side or the top. Preferably, the air inlet 44 is provided at the bottom of the box body 4 to facilitate the loading and unloading of the exhaust branch pipe 34.

[0068] To prevent the drain port 43 from affecting the air intake of the air inlet 44 during the drainage process, the air inlet 44 can be set higher than the bottom wall of the accommodation space. For example, a vent pipe 42 with a certain height is formed by extending upward at the air inlet at the bottom of the accommodation space. The vent pipe 42 can be integrally formed with the dryer water box, or fixed in the dryer water box by existing means. The gas in the drain branch pipe 34 is discharged into the dryer water box through the air inlet and the vent pipe in sequence.

[0069] In this embodiment, the box body 4 can include a base 45 and a box cover 41. The base 45 and the box cover 41 together form an accommodation space. A relatively sealed environment is formed by the base 45 and the box cover 41 to prevent the water discharged from the dryer from flowing randomly. At this time, a through hole can be opened on the box cover as an overflow hole, and a one-way valve that conducts unidirectionally from the accommodation space to the outside is designed at the through hole to prevent the outside gas from entering the dryer water box and causing poor drainage.

[0070] Refer to Figures 9 - 11 , the type of the one-way valve can adopt conventional technologies in the prior art, such as a diaphragm pressure valve. In this embodiment, the one-way valve can include a check piece 411 and a through hole 413 provided on the box cover 41. The check piece 411 can be arranged on the upper side of the box cover 41 and pivotally connected to the box cover 41. Under normal conditions, the check piece 411 completely covers the through hole 413, and at the position where the check piece covers the through hole 413, one end of the check piece can only rotate away from the dryer water box and cannot rotate into the dryer water box, so as to realize the one-way flow allowing from the accommodation space to the outside.

[0071] In this embodiment, a limiting frame 414 for limiting the check piece 411 is arranged in the through hole 413. The limiting frame 414 is located on the side close to the accommodation space. Through the arrangement of the limiting frame, the check piece 411 can be restricted outside the accommodation space. On the other hand, to ensure the sealing performance, the check piece 411 is usually made of a flexible material such as rubber, so the check piece 411 may be deformed, and the existence of the limiting frame 414 can also prevent the flexible check piece 411 from deforming. In addition, in actual use, a torsion spring can also be arranged at the hinge joint between the check piece 411 and the box cover to form a force pressing the check piece 411 against the limiting frame, further improving the sealing effect between the check piece 411 and the through hole.

[0072] In this embodiment, the water box of the dryer further includes a liquid level detection component 412 disposed in the accommodation space. The liquid level detection component 412 is used to monitor the water level height in the water box of the dryer. When the water level height in the water box of the dryer reaches the warning water level line, it indicates that there is a blockage in the drainage pipeline of the laundry treatment device. At this time, the liquid level detection component 412 sends a signal to the main control board, and the main control board controls the laundry treatment device to stop working. At the same time, an alarm signal can also be sent to remind the user to check and repair the blocked pipeline.

[0073] The specific structure of the liquid level detection component can refer to the prior art. As an optional implementation of this embodiment, referring to Figure 12 , the liquid level detection component 412 may include: a main body 4121, a float 4126, and an element to be sensed 4122.

[0074] The main body 4121 can be installed on the box cover. The specific installation method of the main body and the box cover can adopt the prior art; an installation groove 4125 can also be provided in the main body. The installation groove 4125 is used to install the sensor 4127. The wire connected to the sensor 4127 is led out from one end of the main body 4121. The sensor is used to detect whether the element to be sensed 4122 is at the water level warning line position. When the element to be sensed 4122 is at the water level warning line position, the sensor transmits a signal to the main control board, and the main control board responds according to a preset program.

[0075] The float 4126 is movably arranged on the main body 4121. The float can move up and down along the main body 4121 under the buoyancy of the water in the water box of the dryer, so as to indicate the water level in the water box of the dryer.

[0076] The element to be sensed 4122 can be sensed by the sensor 4127. The element to be sensed 4122 is fixedly arranged on the float 4126. The element to be sensed 4122 can move up and down along the main body 4121 under the buoyancy of the water in the water box of the dryer with the float, and the position of the element to be sensed 4122 is detected by the sensor. The sensor can both monitor the position of the element to be sensed in real time and only monitor whether the element to be sensed reaches the water level warning line. That is, when the element to be sensed is below the water level warning line, it cannot be monitored by the sensor. When the element to be sensed is monitored by the sensor, it indicates that the water level in the water box of the dryer has reached near the water level warning line. At this time, a warning signal can be sent to the main control board through the sensor; the sensor in this embodiment can be a Hall sensor, and the corresponding element to be sensed can be a magnet.

[0077] In a specific product, two limiting plates 4123 can be provided on the main body 4121. The float 4126 is located between the two limiting plates 4123. The distance between the two limiting plates 4123 is the effective displacement distance of the float 4126. The specific size of the distance can be designed according to the actual situation. In addition, a buffer member 4124 can be provided on the side of the limiting plate 4123 close to the float 4126, which can play a buffering role for the moving float 4126.

[0078] The exhaust and drainage principles of the laundry treatment device can be referred to Figures 1 - 4 , the water in the washing machine passes through the drain pipe 21 and then successively passes through the first inlet branch pipe 31, the first channel 331 and the confluence channel 333, and finally is discharged to the outside of the laundry treatment device through the main drain pipe 22; the water flowing into the water box of the dryer in the dryer successively passes through the drain port, the second inlet branch pipe 32, the second channel 332 and the confluence channel 333, and finally is discharged to the outside of the laundry treatment device through the main drain pipe 22; the gas generated by the upper drainage of the washing machine is discharged from the exhaust branch pipe to the water box of the dryer, and then is discharged from the water box of the dryer to the outside of the laundry treatment device. In addition, the water overflowing in the exhaust branch pipe will also return to the water box of the dryer.

[0079] Refer to Figures 1 - 3 , in the first embodiment, that is, the outlet of the exhaust branch pipe 34 is flush with the inlet of the second inlet branch pipe 32. At this time, an air vent pipe can extend away from the three-way pipe at the air inlet 44 of the dryer water box. The air vent pipe can be integrally formed with the dryer water box through a mold, or can be fixed in the accommodation space of the dryer water box by an existing fixing method. The air vent pipe is communicated with the exhaust branch pipe on the three-way pipe through the air inlet. At this time, the outlet of the air vent pipe is higher than the drain port, which can avoid the water flow entering the second inlet branch pipe from the dryer water box from affecting the exhaust of the air vent pipe.

[0080] Refer to Figures 5 - 8 , in the second embodiment, that is, the outlet of the exhaust branch pipe 34 is higher than the inlet of the second inlet branch pipe 32. At this time, the exhaust branch pipe can directly pass through the air inlet 44 of the dryer water box and extend into the accommodation space of the dryer water box. Similarly, the outlet of the exhaust branch pipe is higher than the drain port, which can avoid the water flow entering the second inlet branch pipe from the dryer water box from affecting the exhaust of the air vent pipe.

[0081] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, for those of ordinary skill in the art, it can be understood that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principle and spirit of the present application. The scope of the present application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents, and all should be included within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A tee, characterized in that, Comprising: A first water inlet branch pipe (31) for connecting the upper drain pipe of a household appliance; A second water inlet branch pipe (32); A water outlet branch pipe (33), wherein a confluence channel (333), a first channel (331) and a second channel (332) are included in the water outlet branch pipe (33), the first channel (331) and the second channel (332) are respectively communicated with the first water inlet branch pipe (31) and the second water inlet branch pipe (32), and the first channel (331) and the second channel (332) confluence at the confluence channel (333); An exhaust branch pipe (34) communicating with the outside and the second channel (332).

2. The tee according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exhaust branch pipe (34) and the second water inlet branch pipe (32) are arranged side by side in the same direction.

3. The three-way pipe according to claim 2, characterized in that, The exhaust branch pipe (34) and the second water inlet branch pipe (32) share a side wall opening extending from the inlet to the outlet of the second water inlet branch pipe (32).

4. The tee joint according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outlet of the exhaust branch pipe (34) is flush with the inlet of the second water inlet branch pipe (32), or the outlet of the exhaust branch pipe (34) is higher than the inlet of the second water inlet branch pipe (32).

5. The tee according to claim 1, wherein, The tee pipe (3) further comprises: A mounting seat (35) for mounting the tee pipe (3) on a household appliance, the mounting seat (35) is fixedly arranged at the inlet end of the second water inlet branch pipe (32), and both the second water inlet branch pipe (32) and the exhaust branch pipe (34) pass through the mounting seat (35).

6. The tee according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sealing structure for achieving sealing with a household appliance is arranged on the mounting seat (35).

7. The tee according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The outlet, inlet of the exhaust branch pipe (34), the outlet of the second channel (332) and the outlet of the first channel (331) decrease in height.

8. The tee according to claim 7, characterized in that, The confluence channel (333), the first channel (331) and the second channel (332) are all inclined downward from their respective inlets to the outlets.

9. A laundry treatment device, characterized in that, Comprising: A first laundry treatment part (2) having a drain pipe (21) for draining water in an upper drain mode; A second laundry treatment part (1) having a drain part for draining water in a non-upper drain mode; The tee pipe according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the first water inlet branch pipe (31) and the second water inlet branch pipe (32) are respectively connected to the drain pipe (21) and the drain part; A drain main pipe (22) connected to the water outlet branch pipe (33) for draining the water drained from the drain pipe (21) and the drain part to the outside of the laundry treatment device.

10. The laundry treatment device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second laundry treatment part (1) and the first laundry treatment part (2) correspond to a dryer and a washing machine respectively; A dryer water box is arranged in the dryer, the drain part is a drain port (43) arranged in the dryer water box, and the second water inlet branch pipe (32) is connected to the drain port (43).

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