A washing machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a washing machine, which includes an upper cover and a control panel base. A sealing strip is provided between the upper cover and the control panel base. The sealing strip has an arc-shaped sealing portion and two auxiliary stabilizing portions that are bent along the inner and outer ends of the sealing portion and extend close to each other. In a state where the upper cover is closed, the auxiliary stabilizing portions support the deformed sealing portion. By providing the arc-shaped sealing portion and the two auxiliary stabilizing portions, when the upper cover is closed, since the thickness of the sealing portion of the sealing strip is relatively thin, it can be easily deformed. After the sealing portion deforms towards the two auxiliary stabilizing portions, the two auxiliary stabilizing portions support the deformed sealing portion. The auxiliary stabilizing portions can provide a certain supporting force to the sealing portion, increasing the sealing effect; it avoids the continuous deformation of the sealing portion under the pressure of the foam, resulting in the overflow of the foam, and improves the sealing effect of the upper cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of washing machines, relates to a washing machine, and particularly relates to a washing machine with a sealing structure. Background Art

[0002] A washing machine is a cleaning appliance that uses electric energy to generate mechanical action to wash clothes, including a pulsator washing machine and a drum washing machine. Both the pulsator washing machine and the drum washing machine have an openable and closable lid. Opening the lid allows clothes to be put into the washing machine, and closing the lid seals the clothes inside the washing machine for washing.

[0003] For a top-opening drum washing machine, a sealing strip is provided between the upper lid and the control panel base to increase the sealing performance and prevent the overflow of washing water, especially washing foam. For the existing sealing strip, in order to increase the sealing performance, it is generally set with a cross-section of two circular ring structures connected up and down, which results in a large height space required for the sealing strip, and there is a large gap between the inner wall of the assembly groove after assembly, posing a hidden danger of water seepage into the assembly groove, and poor appearance aesthetics. And when the interference of the sealing strip base is large, the sealing effect is good, but it will cause a large closing force and make it difficult to close the door; reducing the rubber interference will result in a poor sealing effect and easy foaming overflow; that is, for the setting of the thickness of the sealing strip, when the thickness is relatively thin, the sealing force is insufficient and foaming overflows; when the thickness is relatively thick, the deformation is poor and the closing force is large. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a washing machine, which optimizes the structure of the sealing strip to enable the sealing part to be easily deformed and supports the deformed sealing part to improve the sealing effect of the upper lid.

[0005] To achieve the above technical purpose, the present invention is realized by the following technical solutions:

[0006] A washing machine includes an upper lid and a control panel base, and a sealing strip is provided between the upper lid and the control panel base. The sealing strip has an arc-shaped sealing part and two auxiliary stabilizing parts that are bent along the inner and outer ends of the sealing part and extend close to each other. In the state where the upper lid is closed, the auxiliary stabilizing parts support the deformed sealing part.

[0007] Further, the sealing strip is assembled and fixed in an assembly groove, and a first assembly part and a second assembly part that match the inner wall of the assembly groove are respectively provided on the two auxiliary stabilizing parts.

[0008] Further, the two auxiliary stabilizing parts are spaced apart.

[0009] Further, the sealing strip is assembled on the upper cover, and a sealing convex that protrudes upward and cooperates with the sealing portion is provided on the control panel base; when the upper cover is in a closed state, the sealing convex squeezes to deform the sealing portion.

[0010] Further, the two auxiliary stabilizing portions are symmetrically arranged, and the auxiliary stabilizing portions are arc-shaped.

[0011] Further, the arc height of the sealing portion is 2 mm to 4 mm, and the thickness of the sealing portion is 0.8 mm to 1.3 mm.

[0012] Further, the thickness of the auxiliary stabilizing portion is the same as the thickness of the sealing portion.

[0013] Further, the thickness of the first assembling portion is greater than the thickness of the sealing portion.

[0014] Further, the thickness of the first assembling portion is 3 mm to 5 mm.

[0015] Further, vertically arranged support ribs are spaced in the space enclosed by the sealing portion and the auxiliary stabilizing portion.

[0016] Further, the support rib has a first connecting surface connected to the sealing portion, a second connecting surface connected to the auxiliary stabilizing portion, and an arc-shaped supporting surface connecting the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface.

[0017] Further, the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface intersect.

[0018] Further, a clothing inlet is arranged on the control panel base in a downward-sloping manner along the inner side of the sealing convex.

[0019] Further, the vertical end faces of the first assembling portion and the second assembling portion are the inner diameter surface and the outer diameter surface of the sealing strip.

[0020] Further, the sealing strip is fixedly assembled in an assembly groove, and the first assembling portion and the second assembling portion are parallel to the inner wall of the assembly groove and are matched.

[0021] Further, a plurality of hooks are spaced on the first assembling portion, and convexes matching the hooks are provided on the inner wall of the assembly groove, and the hooks and the convexes are snap-fitted and fixed.

[0022] Further, vertically arranged assembly ribs are provided in the assembly groove, the first assembling portion is located between the inner wall of the assembly groove and the assembly ribs, and the thickness of the first assembling portion matches the distance between the inner wall of the assembly groove and the assembly ribs.

[0023] Further, a through opening is formed in the first assembling portion. One end of the opening away from the sealing portion is an open end, and the hook is connected to one end of the opening close to the sealing portion.

[0024] Further, a gap is provided between the hook and two vertical side surfaces of the opening, and the cross-sectional dimension of the hook is less than or equal to the cross-sectional dimension of the first assembling portion.

[0025] Further, the upper cover includes an inner cover plate and a detachable maintenance plate. Notches are provided at the corners of the inner cover plate, and flanges matching the notches are provided at the edges of the maintenance plate. The notches and the flanges cooperate to form an assembling groove for assembling and fixing the sealing strip.

[0026] Further, the flange has a vertical flange and a horizontal flange. An assembling flange is provided at one end of the second assembling portion away from the sealing portion, and the flange is located between the horizontal flange and the horizontal wall surface of the notch.

[0027] Further, an avoidance notch matching the flange is formed in the horizontal flange.

[0028] A washing machine provided by the present invention is provided with an arc-shaped sealing portion and two auxiliary stabilizing portions. When the upper cover is closed, since the thickness of the sealing portion of the sealing strip is relatively thin, it can be easily deformed. After the sealing portion deforms towards the two auxiliary stabilizing portions, the two auxiliary stabilizing portions support the deformed sealing portion, and the auxiliary stabilizing portions can provide a certain supporting force to the sealing portion, increasing the sealing effect; it avoids the continuous deformation of the sealing portion under the pressure of the foam, resulting in the overflow of the foam, and improves the sealing effect of the upper cover. By arranging the two auxiliary stabilizing portions at intervals, that is, the two auxiliary stabilizing portions are not connected and there is a certain distance between the two auxiliary stabilizing portions. When the upper cover is closed, when the deformed sealing portion does not contact the two auxiliary stabilizing portions, the auxiliary stabilizing portions do not provide supporting force to the sealing portion. Only after the sealing portion contacts the auxiliary stabilizing portions, the auxiliary stabilizing portions start to provide supporting force; when the deformed sealing portion starts to reach the gap between the two auxiliary stabilizing portions and has not contacted the auxiliary stabilizing portions yet, the upper cover continues to close, causing the sealing portion to continue to deform, so that the sealing portion contacts the auxiliary stabilizing portions; this avoids increasing the closing force, and the deformed auxiliary stabilizing portions can provide a certain supporting force to the sealing portion, increasing the sealing effect.

[0029] After reading the specific embodiments of the present invention, other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the washing machine proposed by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 is Figure 1 Cross-sectional view at the sealing strip after the upper cover is closed;

[0032] Figure 3 is Figure 2 Schematic enlarged view of part of the structure in the middle;

[0033] Figure 4 is Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a state when the upper cover is not closed in place in the middle;

[0034] Figure 5 is Figure 4 Schematic enlarged view of part of the structure in the middle;

[0035] Figure 6 is Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure after removing the sealing strip in the middle;

[0036] Figure 7 is Figure 5 Schematic enlarged view of the sealing strip in the middle;

[0037] Figure 8 is Figure 7 Schematic enlarged view of part of the structure in the middle;

[0038] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the structure of a section of the sealing strip;

[0039] Figure 10 is Figure 9 Schematic enlarged view of the cross-section in the middle;

[0040] Figure 11 is Figure 9 Schematic enlarged view of the hook in the middle. Detailed implementation manners

[0041] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "inside", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. is based on the positional relationship shown in the drawings. The direction closer to the axis of the outer tub of the washing machine is defined as the inside, and the opposite is the outside. These terms are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance; features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0043] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, terms such as "installed", "connected", "connected to", "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0044] Refer to Figures 1-11 , which is an embodiment of the washing machine proposed by the present invention. A washing machine is a top-opening drum washing machine, including a cabinet 10, a control panel base 2 provided on the cabinet, and an upper cover 1. A sealing strip 3 is provided between the upper cover 1 and the control panel base 2. The sealing strip 3 can be provided on the upper cover 1 or on the control panel base 2. Preferably, the sealing strip 3 is provided on the upper cover 1. The sealing strip 3 is of an annular structure. After the upper cover 1 is closed, the sealing strip 3 is located outside the clothing inlet 21 on the control panel base 1, so that the upper cover 1 and the control panel base 2 are sealed to prevent the overflow of washing water and foam. The sealing strip 3 has an arc-shaped sealing portion 31 and two auxiliary stabilizing portions 32 that are bent along the inner and outer ends of the sealing portion 31 and extend towards each other. In the state where the upper cover 1 is closed, the sealing portion 31 deforms towards the direction close to the auxiliary stabilizing portions 32, and the auxiliary stabilizing portions 32 support the deformed sealing portion 31. By providing the arc-shaped sealing portion 31 and the two auxiliary stabilizing portions 32, when the upper cover is closed, by setting the thickness of the sealing portion 31 of the sealing strip 1 to be relatively thin, it can be easily deformed under the premise of a small closing force. After the sealing portion 31 deforms towards the two auxiliary stabilizing portions 32, the two auxiliary stabilizing portions 32 support the deformed sealing portion 31. The auxiliary stabilizing portions 32 can provide a certain supporting force to the sealing portion 31, increase the sealing effect, prevent the continuous deformation of the sealing portion 31 under the pressure of the foam, and avoid the overflow of the foam, thereby improving the sealing effect of the upper cover.

[0045] See Figure 3 and Figure 7 As shown, it is preferred to set two auxiliary stabilizing parts 32 at intervals, that is, the two auxiliary stabilizing parts 32 are not connected, and there is a certain distance between the two auxiliary stabilizing parts 32; when the upper cover 1 is closed, when the deformed sealing part 31 does not contact the two auxiliary stabilizing parts 32, the auxiliary stabilizing parts 32 do not provide support force for the sealing part, and only after the sealing part 31 contacts the auxiliary stabilizing parts 32, the auxiliary stabilizing parts 32 begin to provide support force; when the deformed sealing part 31 starts to reach the gap between the two auxiliary stabilizing parts, it has not yet contacted the auxiliary stabilizing parts 32; the upper cover 1 continues to close, causing the sealing part 31 to continue to deform, so that the sealing part 31 contacts the auxiliary stabilizing parts 32; in this way, it can be set that when the upper cover 1 is about to be closed in place, the deformed sealing part 31 contacts the auxiliary stabilizing parts 32, that is, the sealing part 31 pushes the auxiliary stabilizing parts 32 to deform slightly, and the deformed auxiliary stabilizing parts 32 can provide a certain support force for the sealing part 31, increasing the sealing effect; and the auxiliary stabilizing parts 32 will not provide support force prematurely, thus avoiding increasing the closing force.

[0046] See Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the sealing strip 31 is assembled and fixed in the assembly groove 15. The assembly groove 15 is provided on the upper cover 1. Vertically arranged first assembly parts 33 and second assembly parts 34 are respectively provided on the two auxiliary stabilizing parts 32. The first assembly part 33 and the second assembly part 34 respectively match the two inner walls of the assembly groove 15, match the two side walls of the assembly groove 15, and are arranged parallel to the two inner walls of the assembly groove 15; it is beneficial to have good compatibility between the assembly groove 15 and the assembly of the sealing strip 1, so that the first assembly part 33 and the second assembly part 34 are attached to the two inner walls of the assembly groove 15, avoiding gaps. Preferably, the vertical end faces of the first assembly part 33 and the second assembly part 34 are the inner diameter surface and the outer diameter surface of the sealing strip 3, so as to ensure the fit between the sealing strip 3 and the two inner walls of the assembly groove 15.

[0047] The two auxiliary stabilizing parts 32 are symmetrically arranged. Preferably, the sealing strip 3 is set to be in contact with the two auxiliary stabilizing parts 32 simultaneously, and the auxiliary stabilizing parts 32 are set to be arc-shaped. The thickness of the auxiliary stabilizing parts 32 is the same as that of the sealing part 31, but the thickness of the first assembling part 33 is greater than that of the sealing part 31. Preferably, the ratio of the thickness of the first assembling part 33 to the thickness of the sealing part 31 is greater than 3, and the thickness of the second assembling part 34 is greater than that of the sealing part 31. By setting the thicknesses of the first assembling part 33 and the second assembling part 34 to be larger, it is beneficial to increase the stability of the sealing strip 1 after assembly. The arc height of the sealing part 31 is 2 mm to 4 mm, and preferably, the arc height of the sealing part 31 is set to be 3 mm; the thickness of the sealing part is 0.8 mm to 1.3 mm, and preferably, the thickness of the sealing part is set to be 1 mm. The thickness of the first assembling part is 3 mm to 5 mm, and preferably, the thickness of the first assembling part is set to be 4.5 mm.

[0048] See Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, vertically arranged support ribs 35 are provided at intervals within the space enclosed by the sealing part 31 and the auxiliary stabilizing parts 32. Setting the support ribs 35 is beneficial to increasing the structural strength, beneficial to the reset of the sealing part 31 after deformation, and avoiding the influence of the deformation of the sealing part 31 on the adjacent structure. Support ribs 35 are provided on both the inner and outer sides of the upper part of the sealing part 31, and the sealing part 31 located between the two support ribs 35 deforms. If the dimension in the inner and outer direction is the width, preferably, the width of the support ribs 35 is 0.08 to 0.15 of the width of the sealing strip 3. The support ribs 35 are in contact with the connection parts of the sealing part 31 and the auxiliary stabilizing parts 32. The support ribs 35 have a first connection surface 351 connected to the sealing part 31, a second connection surface 352 connected to the auxiliary stabilizing parts 32, and an arc-shaped support surface 353 connecting the first connection surface 351 and the second connection surface 352. The first connection surface 351 and the second connection surface 352 intersect. That is, support ribs 35 are provided at the corners of the space enclosed by the sealing part 31 and the auxiliary stabilizing parts 32, and the arc-shaped support surface 353 is provided, which is beneficial to the deformation and reset of the structure while increasing the structural strength.

[0049] See Figure 3 As shown, in order to cooperate with the sealing strip 3 on the upper cover 1, a sealing convex 22 protruding upward is provided on the control panel base 2; in the state where the upper cover 1 is closed, the sealing convex 22 squeezes to deform the sealing part 31. A laundry inlet 21 is provided on the control panel base 2 along the inner side of the sealing convex 22 and slopes downward, that is, so that water droplets or foam can reach the inner side of the sealing convex 22 along the laundry inlet 21. After being blocked by the sealing strip 3, the water droplets or foam can then flow downward along the laundry inlet 21 into the outer cylinder, which is beneficial to the reflux of washing water and foam.

[0050] See Figure 5As shown, for the assembly and fixation of the sealing strip 3, a plurality of hooks 331 are arranged at intervals on the first assembly part 33, and clamping protrusions 151 matching the hooks 331 are arranged on the inner wall of the assembly groove 15. The hooks 331 and the clamping protrusions 151 are clamped and fixed. By providing the hooks 331 and the clamping protrusions 151, the first assembly part 33 is fixed in the assembly groove 15.

[0051] See Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, an assembly rib 152 arranged vertically is provided in the assembly groove 15. The first assembly part 33 is located between the inner wall of the assembly groove 15 and the assembly rib 152, and the thickness of the first assembly part 33 is set to match the distance between the inner wall of the assembly groove 15 and the assembly rib 152. By providing the assembly rib 152, it is beneficial to increase the stability of the first assembly part 33 after assembly, increase the firmness of the engagement between the hooks 331 and the clamping protrusions 151, and prevent the deformation of the first assembly part 33 or even the detachment of the hooks 331 when the sealing part 31 is deformed.

[0052] See Figures 9-11 As shown, for the arrangement of the hooks 331, a through opening 332 is formed in the first assembly part 33. One end of the through opening 332 away from the sealing part 31 is an open end, and the hook 331 is connected to one end of the through opening 332 close to the sealing part 31. And there is a gap between the hook 331 and the two vertical side surfaces of the through opening 332, which is beneficial to the deformation and engagement of the hook 331, and when the hook 331 is deformed, it can avoid affecting other parts of the first assembly part 33. The cross-sectional dimension of the hook 331 is less than or equal to the cross-sectional dimension of the first assembly part 33, or rather, the hook 331 does not protrude from the vertical end surface of the first assembly part 33, which is beneficial to the fitting of the vertical end surface of the first assembly part 33 and the inner wall of the assembly groove 15.

[0053] In this embodiment, see Figure 5 As described, the upper cover 1 includes an inner cover plate 11 and a detachable maintenance plate 12. A notch 111 is provided at the corner of the inner cover plate 11, and a folded edge 121 matching the notch 111 is provided at the edge of the maintenance plate 12. The notch 111 and the folded edge 121 cooperate to form an assembly and fixation assembly groove 15, that is, an assembly groove 15 is provided between the inner cover plate 11 and the maintenance plate 12.

[0054] The hemming 121 has a vertical hemming 1211 and a horizontal hemming 1212. The notch 111 has a horizontal wall surface 1111 and a vertical wall surface 1112. At one end far from the sealing part 31, the second assembly part 34 is provided with an assembly flange 341, and the flange 341 is located between the horizontal hemming 1212 and the horizontal wall surface 1111 of the notch 111. The inner cover plate 11 and the maintenance plate 12 are fixed by screws. Therefore, the notch 111 and the hemming 121 are firmly fixed. By setting the flange 341 between the horizontal hemming 1212 and the horizontal wall surface 1111 of the notch 111, the firmness of the sealing strip 3 is ensured. An avoidance notch matching the flange 341 is formed in the horizontal hemming 1212, further increasing the tightness and firmness after fixation.

[0055] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention in other forms. Any person skilled in the art may use the technical content disclosed above to make changes or modifications into equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the technical solution content of the present invention still belong to the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising an upper cover and a control panel base, wherein a sealing strip is provided between the upper cover and the control panel base, and is characterized in that, The sealing strip has an arc-shaped sealing portion and two auxiliary stabilizing portions that are bent along the inner and outer ends of the sealing portion and extend close to each other; in the state where the upper cover is closed, the auxiliary stabilizing portions support the deformed sealing portion. The sealing strip is assembled and fixed in the assembly groove. On the two auxiliary stabilizing portions, a first assembly portion and a second assembly portion that are matched with the inner wall of the assembly groove are respectively provided. The first assembly portion and the second assembly portion are arranged parallel to the inner wall of the assembly groove. A plurality of hooks are arranged at intervals on the first assembly portion, and a clamping projection that is matched with the hook is provided on the inner wall of the assembly groove. The hook and the clamping projection are clamped and fixed.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein The sealing strip is assembled on the upper cover. On the control panel base, a sealing projection that protrudes upward and is matched with the sealing portion is provided. In the state where the upper cover is closed, the sealing projection squeezes the sealing portion to deform.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that Support ribs that are arranged vertically are provided at intervals in the space enclosed by the sealing portion and the auxiliary stabilizing portions.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein The support rib has a first connection surface connected to the sealing portion, a second connection surface connected to the auxiliary stabilizing portion, and an arc-shaped support surface connecting the first connection surface and the second connection surface.

5. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, An assembly rib that is arranged vertically is provided in the assembly groove. The first assembly portion is located between the inner wall of the assembly groove and the assembly rib. The thickness of the first assembly portion is matched with the distance between the inner wall of the assembly groove and the assembly rib.

6. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein A through opening that penetrates inside and outside is formed in the first assembly portion. One end of the through opening far from the sealing portion is an open end, and the hook is connected to one end of the through opening close to the sealing portion.

7. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The upper cover includes an inner cover plate and a detachable maintenance plate. A notch is provided at the corner of the inner cover plate, and a folded edge that is matched with the notch is provided at the edge of the maintenance plate. The notch and the folded edge cooperate to form an assembly groove for assembling and fixing the sealing strip.

8. The washing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The folded edge has a vertical folded edge and a horizontal folded edge. The second assembly portion is provided with an assembly flange at one end far from the sealing portion. The flange is located between the horizontal folded edge and the horizontal wall surface of the notch.

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