A boom assembly and a washing machine

Abstract

The present invention discloses a suspension rod assembly and a washing machine. The suspension rod assembly includes a suspension rod and a shock-absorbing device sleeved on the suspension rod. The shock-absorbing device includes an upper bracket movably arranged on the suspension rod; a fixed seat arranged at the lower end of the suspension rod and fixedly connected to the suspension rod; a support rod arranged between the upper bracket and the fixed seat around the suspension rod, with at least one end of the support rod movably connected to the upper bracket and / or the fixed seat; and an elastic member sleeved outside the support rod. On the one hand, the present invention can simplify the maintenance process of the suspension rod assembly, avoiding excessive material waste and economic burden on users; on the other hand, by adjusting the elastic coefficient of the elastic member in the shock-absorbing device, the suspension rod assembly can be applicable to washing machines with different washing capacities, improving the versatility of the suspension rod assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of clothing treatment equipment, and more specifically, relates to a hanger rod assembly and a washing machine. Background Art

[0002] Washing machines are very popular in the Chinese market due to their convenience in use and moderate cost. They have a large market share and are frequently used in daily life. As a key shock-absorbing "hanger rod assembly" during dehydration, they require a large amount of maintenance. Moreover, professional maintenance personnel need to disassemble the washing machine to replace the "hanger rod assembly", resulting in excessive material waste and economic burden on users.

[0003] On the other hand, with the changes and developments of the times and people's needs, the capacity and functions of the washing tub are constantly changing. To adapt to washing machines with different washing capacities, hanger rod assemblies with different elastic coefficients need to be developed to adapt to the changes in the washing capacity of the washing machine. Most of the shock-absorbing devices in the existing hanger rod assemblies are a single spring, and the elastic coefficient of the spring is fixed, so the elastic force of the hanger rod cannot be adjusted. At present, the inner and outer tubs of washing machines are diverse, and this non-adjustable hanger rod is difficult to be commonly used on various washing machines, greatly reducing the versatility of the hanger rod.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention is specifically proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a hanger rod assembly that is convenient for maintenance.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine including the above-mentioned hanger rod assembly.

[0007] To solve the above technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0008] A hanger rod assembly includes a hanger rod and a shock-absorbing device sleeved on the hanger rod. The shock-absorbing device includes

[0009] an upper bracket, which is movably arranged on the hanger rod;

[0010] a fixed seat, which is arranged at the lower end of the hanger rod and fixedly connected to the hanger rod;

[0011] a support rod, which surrounds the hanger rod and is arranged between the upper bracket and the fixed seat. At least one end of the support rod is movably connected to the upper bracket and / or the fixed seat;

[0012] elastic members, and a plurality of the elastic members are respectively sleeved outside the support rod.

[0013] In the above solution, the maintenance process of the suspension rod assembly is simplified, avoiding excessive material waste and the economic burden on users.

[0014] Furthermore,

[0015] A plurality of the support rods and the elastic members are provided, and at least one of the elastic members is configured with an adjusting device for expanding and contracting the elastic member along the axial direction of the support rod.

[0016] Furthermore,

[0017] The damping device further includes a sleeve, the sleeve is connected to the upper bracket, the fixed seat and the sleeve can move relative to each other, and when the elastic member is compressed, the adjusting device is relatively fixed to the sleeve.

[0018] Furthermore,

[0019] A clamping groove is provided on the side wall of the sleeve, and there is a certain distance between the clamping groove and the upper bracket or the fixed seat, and the adjusting device is configured to be insertable and fixed in the clamping groove.

[0020] Furthermore,

[0021] The adjusting device includes

[0022] a spring bracket, the spring bracket is fixedly connected to the end of the elastic member, and an avoidance hole for the support rod to pass through is provided on the spring bracket;

[0023] a positioning portion, the positioning portion is connected to the spring bracket and is configured to be relatively fixed to the clamping groove.

[0024] Furthermore,

[0025] The positioning portion includes a body and a fixing member, one end of the body is connected to the spring bracket, the other end passes through the sleeve and has a folding portion, a through hole is provided on the folding portion, and the fixing member passes through the through hole and is inserted into the clamping groove;

[0026] Preferably, the clamping groove is a through groove in the radial direction of the sleeve.

[0027] Furthermore,

[0028] A sliding groove is provided on the side wall of the sleeve, the sliding groove extends along the axial direction of the sleeve on the side wall of the sleeve, and the positioning portion moves in the sliding groove to compress the elastic member.

[0029] In the above solution, the adjusting device can not only further simplify the maintenance process of the suspension rod assembly, but also adjust the elastic coefficient of the elastic member in the damping device, so that the suspension rod assembly can be applied to washing machines with different washing capacities, improving the versatility of the suspension rod assembly.

[0030] Furthermore,

[0031] One end of the elastic member is connected to the upper bracket, and the other end is connected to the spring bracket. The distance between the card slot and the upper bracket is adapted to the minimum length when the elastic member is compressed to its maximum stroke.

[0032] Furthermore,

[0033] One end of the elastic member is connected to the fixed seat, and the other end is connected to the spring bracket. The distance between the card slot and the fixed seat is adapted to the minimum length when the elastic member is compressed to its maximum stroke.

[0034] A washing machine includes the hanger rod assembly as described above.

[0035] After adopting the above technical solutions, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0036] 1. When repairing and replacing the hanger rod assembly of the present invention, it is not necessary to disassemble the whole washing machine. The repair is simple and does not require professional washing machine repair personnel. Users can also completely operate the above work of replacing the elastic member according to the repair steps recorded in the washing machine user manual, reducing the economic burden on users.

[0037] 2. The adjustment device of the present invention enables the hanger rod assembly to be applicable to various models of washing machines, greatly enhancing the versatility of the hanger rod assembly.

[0038] The following further describes in detail the specific embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The accompanying drawings, as a part of the present invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The schematic embodiments and descriptions thereof of the present invention are used to explain the present invention, but do not constitute an improper limitation to the present invention. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments, and those of ordinary skill in the art can also obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts. In the drawings:

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the hanger rod assembly of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a partial enlarged view at A in

[0042] Figure 3 is another schematic diagram of the structure of the hanger rod assembly of the present invention;

[0043] In the figure: 1, suspension rod; 2, sleeve; 3, upper bracket; 4, fixed seat; 5, first group of elastic members; 6, second group of elastic members; 7, support rod; 8, card slot; 9, spring bracket; 91, avoidance hole; 10, positioning portion; 101, body; 102, folding portion; 11, fixing member; 12, sliding groove.

[0044] It should be noted that these drawings and text descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept of the present invention in any way, but to illustrate the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. Detailed implementation manners

[0045] 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. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention but are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0046] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is 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.

[0047] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. 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.

[0048] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, the present invention provides a suspension rod assembly, including a suspension rod 1 and a shock absorption device sleeved on the suspension rod 1. The shock absorption device includes an upper bracket 3, the upper bracket 3 is movably arranged on the suspension rod 1; a fixed seat 4, the fixed seat 4 is arranged at the lower end of the suspension rod 1 and is fixedly connected to the suspension rod 1; a support rod 7, the support rod 7 surrounds the suspension rod 1 and is arranged between the upper bracket 3 and the fixed seat 4, and at least one end of the support rod 7 is movably connected to the upper bracket 3 and / or the fixed seat 4; elastic members, several of the elastic members are respectively sleeved outside the support rod 7.

[0049] In some embodiments of the present invention, the upper end of the support rod 7 is movable relative to the upper bracket 3, and the lower end is fixedly connected to the fixed seat 4. During the compression of the spring, the upper end of the support rod 7 passes through the upper bracket 3; or, the upper end of the support rod 7 is fixedly connected to the upper bracket 3, and the lower end is movable relative to the fixed seat 4. During the compression of the spring, the lower end of the support rod 7 passes through the fixed seat 4; or, the upper end of the support rod 7 is movable relative to the upper bracket 3, and the lower end is movable relative to the fixed seat 4. During the compression of the spring, the upper end of the support rod 7 passes through the upper bracket 3, and the lower end passes through the fixed seat 4. In this embodiment, the support rod 7 is relatively fixed to the suspension rod 1.

[0050] It should be noted that the washing tub (not shown) of the washing machine (not shown) is connected to the housing (not shown) by a plurality of suspension rod assemblies with damping characteristics. The suspension rod assemblies bear the gravity of the washing tub of the washing machine and absorb the impact energy generated by the washing tub during the washing and dehydration process to ensure the smooth operation of the washing machine.

[0051] For example, one end of the elastic member is connected to the upper bracket 3, and the other end is in contact with the fixed seat 4. When vibration is generated during the operation of the washing machine, the suspension rod 1 drives the fixed seat 4 to move upward relative to the upper bracket 3, while the upper bracket 3 moves downward, that is, the distance between the upper bracket 3 and the fixed seat 4 is reduced, and the elastic member arranged between the upper bracket 3 and the fixed seat 4 and sleeved on the outside of the support rod 7 is compressed, generating a damping force to absorb the impact energy of the vibration on the washing machine.

[0052] Specifically, the spring in the existing suspension rod assembly is usually mounted on the outside of the suspension rod. Due to the high frequency of use of the washing machine, it is easy to cause the spring to fail. For the failure of the suspension rod assembly caused by the spring failure, the current commonly used maintenance method is to disassemble the washing machine as a whole, remove the failed suspension rod, and replace it with a new suspension rod assembly. On the one hand, this makes the maintenance of the suspension rod assembly huge, causing excessive material waste and economic burden on users. On the other hand, the model of the replaced suspension rod assembly does not match the original washing machine, resulting in the suspension rod assembly cannot play a good shock-absorbing role in the dehydration process of the washing machine, which is not conducive to improving the service life of the washing machine.

[0053] like Figure 1As shown, in the present invention, the elastic member in the shock-absorbing device is arranged around the suspension rod 1. Preferably, in order to improve the balance of the elastic member during the shock-absorbing process, an even number of elastic members are generally arranged and symmetrically arranged about the center of the suspension rod 1. When the elastic member fails, it is not necessary to replace the entire suspension rod 1 assembly. Only need to open the part where the support rod 7 is connected to the upper bracket 3, remove the failed spring, and replace it with an elastic member having the same elastic coefficient as the non-failed spring. There is no need to disassemble the washing machine as a whole, the repair is simple, and professional washing machine repair personnel are not required. Users can also completely operate the above-mentioned replacement of the elastic member according to the repair steps recorded in the washing machine user manual, reducing the economic burden on users.

[0054] It should be noted that one end of the support rod 7 of the present invention is movably connected to the upper bracket 3, so that when the spring is compressed during the operation of the washing machine, the support rod 7 passes through the upper bracket 3. In order to enhance the strength of the upper bracket 3, at least the part of the upper bracket 3 in direct contact with the support rod 7 is made of a material with greater strength, such as metal, to prevent the support rod 7 from damaging the upper bracket 3. Of course, in some other embodiments of the present invention, the support rod 7 is movably connected to the fixed seat 4. It can be imagined that at least the part of the fixed seat 4 in direct contact with the support rod 7 should also be made of a material with greater strength.

[0055] Preferably, during the sales process of the washing machine, a replacement part for the spring can be attached, so that the replaced elastic member is exactly the same as the spring model of the factory setting, avoiding reducing the shock-absorbing effect due to the different model of the elastic member from the original one.

[0056] Furthermore, at least one of the elastic members is provided with an adjusting device for telescoping the elastic member along the axial direction of the support rod 7.

[0057] In some embodiments of the present invention, as Figure 3 shown, two groups of elastic members are arranged. The elastic coefficients of each group of elastic members are the same, two in each group, and are arranged pairwise opposite to the suspension rod 1. As long as the first group of elastic members 5 is compressed during the dehydration process of the washing machine to generate a damping force, the impact energy generated by the vibration on the washing machine can be absorbed. Therefore, the other second group of elastic members 6 can be set to be fixed after being compressed by the adjusting device and do not function during the operation of the washing machine, only as a backup for the first group of elastic members 5. When the first group of elastic members 5 fails, the failed first group of elastic members 5 is compressed and fixed by the adjusting device to make it ineffective, and then the backup second group of elastic members 6 is released by the adjusting device so that it is compressed during the dehydration process of the washing machine to generate a damping force and absorb the impact energy generated by the vibration on the washing machine. Through the above solution, the repair process of the suspension rod 1 assembly is further simplified, facilitating the operation of users and repair personnel.

[0058] In addition, in the shock absorption device of the existing suspension rod assembly, the shock absorption capacity of the elastic member cannot be adjusted, and it can only be adapted to a washing machine with a certain washing capacity. In some other embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of elastic members are provided in the shock absorption device, and the elastic coefficient of the elastic member can be adjusted according to the different washing capacities of different washing machines, so as to meet the requirements of different washing capacities of different washing machines for shock absorption. For example, three groups of elastic members are provided, with two elastic members in each group arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the suspension rod 1, namely the first group of elastic members, the second group of elastic members and the third group of elastic members. Among them, the elastic coefficient of the first group of elastic members is greater than that of the second group of elastic members, and the elastic coefficient of the second group of elastic members is greater than that of the third group of elastic members. When the washing capacity of the washing machine is 6 kg, only one group of springs is required to meet the shock absorption requirements. Then, the second group of elastic members and the third group of elastic members are compressed so that they lose their shock absorption function, and only the first group of elastic members need to work to meet the shock absorption requirements. If it is an 8-kg washing machine, then the third group of elastic members is compressed, and the first group of elastic members and the second group of elastic members work. If it is a 10-kg washing machine, then it may be required that all three groups of springs work to meet the shock absorption requirements, and at this time, none of the three groups of springs are compressed. Of course, the elastic members in the present application are generally springs. Through the above solution, the suspension rod assembly of the present invention can be applied to washing machines of various models, greatly enhancing the versatility of the suspension rod assembly.

[0059] Further, as Figure 2 shown, the shock absorption device further includes a sleeve 2, the sleeve 2 is connected to the upper bracket 3, the fixed seat 4 and the sleeve 2 can move relative to each other, and when the elastic member is compressed, the adjusting device is relatively fixed to the sleeve 2. A clamping groove 8 is provided on the side wall of the sleeve 2, and there is a certain distance between the clamping groove 8 and the upper bracket 3 or the fixed seat 4. The adjusting device is configured to be inserted and fixed in the clamping groove 8. The adjusting device includes a spring bracket 9, the spring bracket 9 is fixedly connected to the end of the elastic member, and an avoidance hole 91 for the support rod 7 to pass through is provided on the spring bracket 9; a positioning portion 10, the positioning portion 10 is connected to the spring bracket 9 and is configured to be relatively fixed to the clamping groove 8. The positioning portion 10 includes a body 101 and a fixing member 11. One end of the body 101 is connected to the spring bracket 9, and the other end passes through the sleeve 2 and has a folding portion 102. The folding portion 102 is provided with a through hole, and the fixing member 11 passes through the through hole and is inserted into the clamping groove 8; preferably, the clamping groove 8 is a through groove along the radial direction of the sleeve 2.

[0060] Specifically, the spring bracket 9 is preferably a ring-shaped structure. The hollow part of the ring-shaped structure forms an avoidance hole 91 through which the support rod 7 passes. When the spring needs to be compressed, the user or maintenance personnel operate the folding part 102 located outside the sleeve 2 to compress the spring. When the spring is compressed to the maximum stroke, the fixing member 11 is inserted into the card slot 8 through the through hole of the folding part 102 for fixation, so that the spring does not function during the operation of the washing machine.

[0061] Furthermore, in order to facilitate the user and maintenance personnel to operate the folding part 102 outside the sleeve 2, the adjusting device further includes a sliding groove 12. The sliding groove 12 is arranged on the side wall of the sleeve 2 and extends along the axial direction of the sleeve 2. The positioning part 10 moves in the sliding groove 12 to compress the elastic member.

[0062] In some embodiments of the present invention, one end of the elastic member is connected to the upper bracket 3, and the other end is connected to the spring bracket 9. The distance between the card slot 8 and the upper bracket 3 is adapted to the minimum length of the elastic member compressed to the maximum stroke.

[0063] Specifically, when the elastic member that does not play a shock-absorbing role is compressed, one end of the elastic member is connected to the upper bracket 3, and the other end is connected to the spring bracket 9. The technician compresses the end connected to the spring bracket 9 towards the upper bracket 3 so that it does not contact the fixed seat 4. Of course, the best implementation of this embodiment is to compress the elastic member to the maximum stroke. Correspondingly, the setting of the card slot 8 should also match it. The distance from the upper bracket 3 is adapted to the minimum length of the elastic member compressed to the maximum stroke. After the elastic member is compressed, the fixing member 11 can be inserted into the card slot 8 to fix the elastic member.

[0064] In other embodiments of the present invention, one end of the elastic member is connected to the fixed seat 4, and the other end is connected to the spring bracket 9. The distance between the card slot 8 and the fixed seat 4 is adapted to the minimum length of the elastic member compressed to the maximum stroke. The principle is the same as that of the above embodiment and will not be elaborated here.

[0065] The present invention also provides a washing machine, including the above-mentioned suspension rod assembly. On the one hand, it can simplify the maintenance process of the suspension rod assembly and avoid excessive material waste and economic burden on users; on the other hand, by adjusting the elastic coefficient of the elastic member in the shock-absorbing device, the suspension rod assembly can be applied to washing machines with different washing capacities, thereby reducing the storage volume of the suspension rod assembly in the spare parts warehouse, reducing the possibility of misusing and misinstalling due to different models of the suspension rod assembly, and at the same time avoiding resource waste caused by the mismatch of the suspension rod assembly, and improving user satisfaction.

[0066] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not impose any form of limitation on the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with the preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art of this patent, without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, can make some changes or modifications using the technical content prompted above into equivalent embodiments of equivalent changes. However, as long as it does not depart from the content of the technical solution of the present invention, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A boom assembly, comprising a boom and a shock-absorbing device sleeved on the boom, characterized in that: The shock absorption device includes an upper bracket movably arranged on the suspension rod; a fixed seat arranged at the lower end of the suspension rod and fixedly connected to the suspension rod; a support rod arranged around the suspension rod between the upper bracket and the fixed seat, with at least one end of the support rod movably connected to the upper bracket and / or the fixed seat; an elastic member sleeved outside the support rod; a plurality of the support rods and the elastic members are provided, and at least one of the elastic members is configured with an adjusting device for telescoping the elastic member along the axial direction of the support rod; the shock absorption device further includes a sleeve connected to the upper bracket, and the fixed seat and the sleeve are relatively movable. When the elastic member is compressed, the adjusting device is relatively fixed to the sleeve; a clamping groove is provided on the side wall of the sleeve, and there is a certain distance between the clamping groove and the upper bracket or the fixed seat. The adjusting device is configured to be insertable and fixed in the clamping groove; the adjusting device includes: a spring bracket fixedly connected to the end of the elastic member, and an avoidance hole for the support rod to pass through is provided on the spring bracket; a positioning portion connected to the spring bracket and configured to be relatively fixed to the clamping groove.

2. The boom assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: the positioning portion includes a body and a fixing member. One end of the body is connected to the spring bracket, and the other end passes through the sleeve and has a folding portion. A through hole is provided in the folding portion, and the fixing member passes through the through hole and is inserted into the clamping groove.

3. The boom assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: the clamping groove is a through groove along the radial direction of the sleeve.

4. The boom assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: a sliding groove is provided on the side wall of the sleeve, and the sliding groove extends along the axial direction of the sleeve on the side wall of the sleeve. The positioning portion moves in the sliding groove to compress the elastic member.

5. The boom assembly according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: one end of the elastic member is connected to the upper bracket, and the other end is connected to the spring bracket. The distance between the clamping groove and the upper bracket is adapted to the minimum length of the elastic member when it is compressed to the maximum stroke.

6. The boom assembly according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: one end of the elastic member is connected to the fixed seat, and the other end is connected to the spring bracket. The distance between the clamping groove and the fixed seat is adapted to the minimum length of the elastic member when it is compressed to the maximum stroke.

7. A washing machine, characterized in that: It includes a suspension rod assembly according to any one of claims 1-6.

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