Hinge assembly and laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a hinge assembly and a clothes processing device. The clothes processing device comprises a door cover and a cabinet. The cabinet is provided with a receiving cavity with an opening at one end. The door cover is rotatably connected to the cabinet through the hinge assembly to open and close the opening. The hinge assembly comprises a hinge seat installed on the cabinet, a hinge blade corresponding to the door cover, and a hinge shaft rotatably connecting the hinge seat and the hinge blade. The hinge blade is provided with a cam, and the hinge seat is provided with a damping sliding groove corresponding to the cam. The cam is slidingly arranged in the damping sliding groove. When the hinge blade rotates relative to the hinge seat, the damping sliding groove generates damping to the cam. The hinge assembly provided by the application buffers the rotation of the door cover through the cooperation of the damping sliding groove and the cam, prevents the door cover from opening too large or even rebounding, and prevents the door cover from closing too fast to pinch the hand when the door cover is closed, thereby improving the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of washing machine technology, and particularly relates to a hinge assembly and a clothes handling device. Background Technology

[0002] The existing washing machine door is hinged to the body at one end and locked to the body at the other end. Users need to apply a certain amount of force to open the door. If too much force is applied, the door may be opened too much or even bounce back, resulting in a poor user experience. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application provides a hinge assembly and a clothes handling device to solve the problem that when the door of an existing washing machine is opened with excessive force, the door may be opened too much or even rebound, resulting in a poor user experience.

[0004] This application provides a hinge assembly for use in a garment processing device. The garment processing device includes a door cover and a housing. The housing forms a receiving cavity with an opening at one end. The door cover is rotatably connected to the housing via the hinge assembly to open and close the opening. The hinge assembly includes:

[0005] A hinge seat is mounted on the housing.

[0006] The hinge blade is installed on the door cover, and the hinge blade is rotatably connected to the hinge seat through the hinge shaft;

[0007] The hinge blade is provided with a cam, and the hinge seat is provided with a damping groove. The cam is slidably disposed in the damping groove. When the hinge blade rotates relative to the hinge seat, the damping groove dampens the cam.

[0008] Optionally, the hinge blade is further provided with a mounting groove, and the cam is mounted in the mounting groove by an elastic element, which is used to undergo elastic deformation under pressure when the cam slides.

[0009] Optionally, the cam includes a connecting post and a boss, the elastic element includes a spring, one end of the spring is connected to the groove wall of the mounting groove, and the other end is sleeved on the connecting post, and the boss is connected to the end of the connecting post away from the elastic element.

[0010] Optionally, the boss includes a mating surface facing the damping groove, the mating surface including a first plane and a second plane that are connected and intersect each other.

[0011] Optionally, the damping groove has a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses formed along its extension direction, and each of the protrusions is connected to a recess on both sides.

[0012] Optionally, the extension direction of the damping groove is the same as the rotation direction of the hinge blade.

[0013] Optionally, the hinge seat includes:

[0014] The base is detachably mounted to the housing;

[0015] A pair of connecting blocks are spaced apart on the side of the base facing the door cover;

[0016] One side of the hinge blade is rotatably mounted between a pair of connecting blocks via the hinge shaft, and the other side is detachably connected to the door cover.

[0017] Optionally, the hinge blade is provided with cams at both ends of the pair of connecting blocks, and each connecting block is provided with a damping groove on one side of the hinge blade, and each cam is slidably connected to the corresponding damping groove.

[0018] Optionally, each of the connecting blocks is provided with a first pivot hole, the hinge blade is provided with a second pivot hole, the hinge shaft is provided with a pair of first pivot holes and a second pivot hole, and the hinge blade rotates around the hinge shaft.

[0019] This application embodiment also provides a garment processing device, including a door cover and a box body. The box body forms a receiving cavity with an opening at one end. The door cover is rotatably connected to the box body via the hinge assembly to open and close the opening. The device also includes the hinge assembly as described above.

[0020] The hinge assembly provided in this application embodiment has a hinge blade and a hinge seat rotatably connected via a hinge shaft. The hinge blade also has a cam, and the hinge seat has a corresponding damping groove. When the hinge blade rotates relative to the hinge seat, the cam rotates along with the hinge blade. The damping groove dampens the cam along its rotation path, ensuring the hinge blade can rotate normally while providing a certain degree of damping. Even if the user applies significant force when opening the door, the damping groove and cam work together to cushion the door's rotation, preventing excessive opening angles or even rebound. Similarly, when the door is closed, the damping groove and cam work together to cushion the door's rotation, preventing the door from closing too quickly and pinching the user's hand, thus improving the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] To gain a more complete understanding of this application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

[0023] Figure 1 An exploded view of the hinge assembly provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the hinge assembly provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the hinge seat of the hinge assembly provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the hinge blade of the hinge assembly provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 5 An exploded view of the hinge blade, cam, and elastic element provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the hinge blade, cam, and elastic element provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cam in the hinge assembly provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0031] 1. Hinge seat; 11. Seat body; 12. Connecting block; 121. First pivot hole; 122. Damping groove;

[0032] 2. Hinge blade; 21. Mounting slot; 22. Elastic element; 23. Cam; 231. Connecting post; 232. Boss; 24. Second pivot hole;

[0033] 3. Hinge pin. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0035] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0036] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0037] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0038] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different structures of this application. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. Of course, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples; such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed. In addition, various specific examples of processes and materials are provided in this application, but those skilled in the art will recognize the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0039] This application provides a hinge assembly and a clothes handling device to solve the problem that when the door of an existing washing machine is opened with excessive force, the door may be opened too much or even rebound, resulting in a poor user experience. The following description is in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0040] The hinge assembly provided in this application embodiment is applied to a garment processing device. The garment processing device includes a door cover and a housing. The housing has a receiving cavity with an opening at one end for accommodating a load such as garments. The door cover is rotatably connected to the housing via the hinge assembly to open and close the opening. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The hinge assembly includes a hinge base 1 and a hinge blade 2. The hinge base 1 is mounted on the housing. The hinge blade 2 is mounted on the door cover. The hinge blade 2 is rotatably connected to the hinge base 1 via a hinge shaft 3. The hinge blade 2 is provided with a cam 23. The hinge base 1 is provided with a damping groove 122. The cam 23 is slidably disposed in the damping groove 122. When the hinge blade 2 rotates relative to the hinge base 1, the damping groove 122 dampens the cam 23.

[0041] The hinge assembly provided in this application embodiment has a hinge blade 2 and a hinge seat 1 rotatably connected via a hinge shaft 3. The hinge blade 2 is also provided with a cam 23, and the hinge seat 1 is correspondingly provided with a damping groove 122. When the hinge blade 2 rotates relative to the hinge seat 1, the cam 23 rotates along with the hinge blade 2. The damping groove 122 dampens the cam 23 along its rotation path, ensuring that the hinge blade 2 can rotate normally while also providing a certain degree of damping. Even if the user applies significant force when opening the door, the damping groove 122 and the cam 23 work together to buffer the rotation of the door, preventing the door from opening at an excessive angle or even rebounding. Similarly, when the door is closed, the damping groove 122 and the cam 23 work together to buffer the rotation of the door, preventing the door from closing too quickly and pinching the user's hand, thus improving the user experience.

[0042] Optionally, please refer to Figures 4 to 6The hinge blade 2 is also provided with a mounting groove 21. The cam 23 is installed in the mounting groove 21 through an elastic element 22. The elastic element 22 is used to undergo elastic deformation when the cam 23 is pressed during sliding.

[0043] The cam 23 is installed in the mounting groove 21 via the elastic element 22. When the cam 23 slides in the damping groove 122, the cam 23 presses the elastic element 22, causing the elastic element 22 to undergo elastic deformation, so as to absorb the impact force between the cam 23 and the damping groove 122, prevent the cam 23 or the damping groove 122 from being damaged by hard compression between the cam 23 and the damping groove 122, and also increase the buffering force.

[0044] Optionally, the cam 23 includes a connecting post 231 and a boss 232, the elastic element 22 includes a spring, one end of the spring abuts in the mounting groove 21 and the other end is sleeved on the connecting post 231, and the boss 232 is connected to the end of the connecting post 231 away from the elastic element 22.

[0045] By fitting the spring onto the connecting post 231, the connection strength between the cam 23 and the mounting groove 21 is ensured. Alternatively, the elastic element 22 can be a rubber block, fixedly installed within the mounting groove 21. One end of the connecting post 231 of the cam 23 is fixedly connected to the rubber block, and the other end is connected to the boss 232. Optionally, the rubber block can be bonded to the groove wall of the mounting groove 21. Alternatively, the elastic element 22 can also be elastic foam, etc.

[0046] Optionally, please refer to Figure 7 The boss 232 includes a mating surface facing the damping groove 122. This mating surface comprises a first plane and a second plane that intersect. By setting the mating surface of the boss 232 as two intersecting planes, the probability of the boss 232 rolling in the damping groove 122 is increased, preventing interference between the mating surface of the boss 232 and the groove wall of the damping groove 122, thus hindering the sliding of the boss 232 along the damping groove 122. Furthermore, the connection between the first plane and the second plane is rounded to avoid sharp edges.

[0047] As an alternative implementation, the mating surface of the boss 232 may also include three planes connected in sequence, and the two adjacent planes are intersecting, further increasing the rolling probability of the boss 232 in the damping groove 122.

[0048] As an alternative implementation, the mating surface of the boss 232 can also be an arc-shaped surface. In this case, the boss 232 slides more smoothly in the damping groove 122.

[0049] Optionally, the damping groove 122 has multiple protrusions and multiple recesses formed along its extending direction, with each protrusion connected to a recess on both sides, i.e., one protrusion and one recess are alternately arranged. That is, the bottom of the damping groove 122 can be roughly wavy.

[0050] The shapes of the convex and concave portions are not further defined here. In some examples, the mating surface of the convex portion facing the boss 232 can be an arc-shaped surface arching towards the boss 232, and the mating surface of the concave portion facing the boss 232 can be an arc-shaped surface arching away from the boss 232. In other examples, the mating surface of the convex portion facing the boss 232 can be a trapezoidal surface arching towards the boss 232, and the mating surface of the concave portion facing the boss 232 can be a trapezoidal surface arching away from the boss 232. In still other examples, the mating surface of the convex portion facing the boss 232 can be a trapezoidal surface arching towards the boss 232, and the concave portion is a plane.

[0051] By staggering the convex and concave parts, the damping force of the damping groove 122 on the cam 23 is increased.

[0052] Optionally, the damping groove 122 extends in the same direction as the hinge blade 2, thereby ensuring that the damping groove 122 does not interfere with the cam 23.

[0053] Optionally, please refer to Figure 3 The hinge base 1 includes a base body 11 and a pair of connecting blocks 12. The base body 11 is detachably mounted on the housing; the pair of connecting blocks 12 are spaced apart on the side of the base body 11 facing the door cover; one side of the hinge leaf 2 is rotatably mounted between the pair of connecting blocks 12 via the hinge shaft 3, and the other side is detachably connected to the door cover.

[0054] Optionally, the base 11 can be screwed to the housing, or the base 11 can be riveted to the housing, or the base 11 can be welded to the housing.

[0055] Optionally, the hinge blade 2 can be screwed to the door cover, or the hinge blade 2 can be riveted to the door cover, or the hinge blade 2 can be welded to the door cover.

[0056] Optionally, each hinge blade 2 has a cam 23 at both ends facing the pair of connecting blocks 12, and each connecting block 12 has a damping groove 122 on one side facing the hinge blade 2. Each cam 23 is slidably connected to the corresponding damping groove 122. By providing cams 23 and matching damping grooves 122 at both ends of the hinge blade 2, the stability of the connection between the hinge blade 2 and the hinge seat 1 is increased.

[0057] Optionally, each connecting block 12 is provided with a first pivot hole 121, the hinge blade 2 is provided with a second pivot hole 24, and the hinge shaft 3 is provided through a pair of first pivot holes 121 and a second pivot hole 24, with the hinge blade 2 rotating around the hinge shaft 3. Further, the hinge shaft 3 extends through a pair of connecting blocks 12 and is placed inside the housing.

[0058] This application also provides a garment processing device, including a door cover and a housing. The housing forms a receiving cavity with an opening at one end. The door cover is rotatably connected to the housing via a hinge assembly to open and close the opening. The device also includes the hinge assembly described above. The hinge assembly includes a hinge base 1 and a hinge blade 2. The hinge base 1 is mounted on the housing. The hinge blade 2 is correspondingly mounted on the door cover and rotatably connected to the hinge base 1 via a hinge shaft 3. The hinge blade 2 is provided with a cam 23, and the hinge base 1 is correspondingly provided with a damping groove 122. The cam 23 is slidably disposed within the damping groove 122. When the hinge blade 2 rotates relative to the hinge base 1, the damping groove 122 dampens the cam 23.

[0059] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0060] The hinge assembly and garment processing device provided in the embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly for use in a garment processing device, the garment processing device comprising a door cover and a housing, the housing forming a receiving cavity with an opening at one end, the door cover being rotatably connected to the housing via the hinge assembly to open and close the opening, characterized in that, The hinge assembly includes: A hinge seat is mounted on the housing. The hinge blade is installed on the door cover, and the hinge blade is rotatably connected to the hinge seat through the hinge shaft; The hinge blade is provided with a cam, and the hinge seat is provided with a damping groove. The cam is slidably disposed in the damping groove. When the hinge blade rotates relative to the hinge seat, the damping groove dampens the cam.

2. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein, The hinge blade is also provided with a mounting groove, and the cam is mounted in the mounting groove by an elastic element. The elastic element is used to undergo elastic deformation under pressure when the cam slides.

3. The hinge assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cam includes a connecting post and a boss, the elastic element includes a spring, one end of the spring is connected to the groove wall of the mounting groove, and the other end is sleeved on the connecting post, and the boss is connected to the end of the connecting post away from the elastic element.

4. The hinge assembly of claim 3, wherein, The boss includes a mating surface facing the damping groove, the mating surface including a first plane and a second plane that are connected and intersect each other.

5. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein, The damping groove has multiple protrusions and multiple recesses formed along its extension direction, and each of the protrusions is connected to a recess on both sides.

6. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein, The extension direction of the damping groove is the same as the rotation direction of the hinge blade.

7. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein, The hinge seat includes: The base is detachably mounted to the housing; A pair of connecting blocks are spaced apart on the side of the base facing the door cover; One side of the hinge blade is rotatably mounted between a pair of connecting blocks via the hinge shaft, and the other side is detachably connected to the door cover.

8. The hinge assembly of claim 7, wherein, The hinge blade is provided with cams at both ends of the pair of connecting blocks, and each connecting block is provided with a damping groove on one side of the hinge blade. Each cam is slidably connected to the corresponding damping groove.

9. The hinge assembly of claim 7, wherein, Each of the connecting blocks is provided with a first pivot hole, the hinge blade is provided with a second pivot hole, the hinge shaft is provided with a pair of first pivot holes and a second pivot hole, and the hinge blade rotates around the hinge shaft.

10. A garment handling device, comprising a door and a housing, the housing forming a receiving cavity with an opening at one end, the door being rotatably connected to the housing via the hinge assembly to open and close the opening, characterized in that, It also includes the hinge assembly as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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