washing machine

Abstract

The present invention discloses a washing machine, comprising a housing, a washing tub rotatably arranged in the housing, the washing tub being a water-containing tub structure, a heating chamber arranged below the washing tub and connected to the inside of the washing tub, a heating unit arranged in the heating chamber for heating the water in the chamber and the washing tub. The washing machine also comprises a water receiving trough supporting the washing tub, the water receiving trough being arranged outside the washing tub, at least a part of which being arranged below the washing tub, and the water receiving trough also being provided with a drainage component; a first drainage port is arranged at the bottom of the washing tub, and the first drainage port and the drainage component are connected through a first drainage channel. The heating unit is arranged in the first drainage channel and / or in the drainage component. The washing machine of the present invention has a simple structure, low cost, high heating efficiency, and can control heating temperatures of different gears according to different functions, and can be used for both heating for washing and heating for sterilization, with precise temperature control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of washing equipment, and in particular relates to a washing machine. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of washing machine technology, washing machines have become increasingly large-capacity. While washing machines are gradually becoming large-capacity, the overall size of the washing machine will inevitably increase. At the same time, in the existing washing machines, water is distributed in the washing tub and the outer tub during washing, that is, water is also distributed between the outer tub and the washing tub, and the water consumption is large, resulting in a waste of water resources. Dirt in the existing washing machines is easily retained between the outer tub and the washing tub, thereby breeding bacteria, and because water is distributed between the outer tub and the washing tub, the amount of detergent used is also large, resulting in a waste of detergent resources, which is not conducive to cost saving.

[0003] For this reason, the related art proposes a washing machine that uses a washing tub as a water storage tub. However, since the washing tub is a rotating tub, the water in the washing tub cannot be directly heated, which greatly limits the function of heating water for washing. Therefore, some manufacturers have made improvements to this defect by introducing the water into the washing tub after heating. For example, Chinese patent application number 200420081848.3 discloses an improvement in the structure of an automatic washing machine with an inclined arrangement, wherein the inner tub is a hole-free inner tub, which is obliquely arranged in the outer tub, and a heater is provided at the water inlet on the upper part of the box body, and the heater can be an electric heating wire heating element, a PTC ceramic heating element, or an electric heating film heating element.

[0004] The Chinese patent application number 201510104031.6 previously developed by the applicant discloses a washing machine and a control method thereof, comprising an inner barrel and an outer barrel, wherein the inner barrel is provided with a drainage hole only at the upper part of the barrel body, and other parts are sealed, the inner barrel is a water storage barrel, and a heating device is provided in the outer barrel. The cavity between the inner and outer barrels constitutes a water heating space, and the water heating space is connected to the inner barrel through a circulating water system, and the heated water is introduced into the inner barrel, or the water in the inner barrel is heated by heat transfer from the inner barrel.

[0005] However, the first water heating method mentioned above is difficult to control the temperature due to different water pressures, and the water intake time is too long; while the second heating method requires increased production and use costs, and also occupies volume in the machine, and cannot achieve the effect of capacity expansion.

[0006] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a washing machine with a simple structure, low cost, high heating efficiency and controllable heating temperature.

[0008] In order to solve the above technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a washing machine, comprising a housing,

[0009] The washing tub is a water-containing tub and is rotatably disposed in the outer shell of the washing machine;

[0010] A heating chamber is disposed below the washing tub and communicated with the interior of the washing tub;

[0011] The heating unit is arranged in the heating chamber and is used for heating the water in the chamber and the washing tub.

[0012] Furthermore, the washing machine also includes,

[0013] A water receiving tank is arranged outside the washing tub, at least a part of which is arranged below the washing tub, and the water receiving tank is provided with a drainage component;

[0014] A first drain port is provided at the bottom of the washing tub. The first drain port and the drain component are connected through a first drain channel. The heating chamber at least includes the first drain channel.

[0015] Furthermore, the heating unit is arranged in the first drainage channel;

[0016] Preferably, the heating unit is disposed away from being directly below the first drain outlet and / or away from being directly above the water inlet of the drain component.

[0017] Furthermore, the heating chamber further comprises a drainage component, and the heating unit is disposed in the drainage component;

[0018] Preferably, the drainage component includes a second drainage port and a second drainage channel connected to the second drainage port, the second drainage channel is connected to the first drainage channel through the second drainage port, and the second drainage channel is provided with a drainage control valve for opening and closing the second drainage channel.

[0019] Furthermore, the heating unit is arranged in the second drainage channel;

[0020] Preferably, a side branch channel is provided on the side wall of the second drainage channel, and the heating unit is arranged in the side branch channel.

[0021] Further, the washing machine is provided with a water level detection unit for detecting the water level in the washing tub, and the water level detection unit is arranged in the heating chamber, or the water level detection unit is communicated with the heating chamber;

[0022] Preferably, the water level detection unit comprises an air chamber and an air guide tube, one end of the air guide tube is connected to the heating chamber, and the other end is connected to the air chamber;

[0023] And / or, the washing machine is provided with a circulating spray system, including a water circulation channel, one end of which is connected to the heating chamber, and the other end of which sprays water into the washing tub from the top of the washing tub.

[0024] Furthermore, the first drainage channel includes a first cavity and a second cavity, and the first cavity and the second cavity are relatively rotatably sealed and connected;

[0025] Preferably, the upper end of the first cavity is sealed to the bottom of the washing tub, the lower end opens toward the second cavity, and the interior communicates with the first drain port; the lower end of the second cavity is sealed to the water receiving tank, the upper end opens, and the interior communicates with the drain component.

[0026] Furthermore, the peripheral wall of the first cavity at least partially extends into the interior of the second cavity, and a sealing ring is sleeved on the peripheral wall of the first cavity, one side of the sealing ring is in sealing contact with the first cavity, and the other side of the sealing ring is in sealing contact with the second cavity.

[0027] Furthermore, the sealing ring is a skeleton oil seal and is fixedly mounted on the inner wall of the second cavity close to one end of the first cavity, and the inner ring of the sealing ring is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral wall of the first cavity.

[0028] Furthermore, a water guide channel is provided on the peripheral wall of the washing tub, the upper end of the water guide channel is connected to the interior of the washing tub, and a water outlet is provided at the lower end. The water in the washing tub enters the water guide channel from the upper end under the action of the centrifugal force of the washing tub's rotation, and is guided from top to bottom through the water outlet to be discharged into the water receiving tank or the heating chamber.

[0029] After adopting the above technical scheme, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0030] The washing machine of the present invention is provided with a heating chamber communicating with the inside of the washing tub at the bottom of the washing tub which is rotatable and capable of holding water, and the water in the washing tub is heated by heat transfer of the heated water in the heating chamber.

[0031] The heating chamber of the present invention is connected to the washing tub and the drainage component respectively, and can be used to heat water and also be used as a drainage channel of the washing tub.

[0032] The washing machine of the present invention has a simple structure, low cost, high heating efficiency, and can control heating temperatures of different levels according to different functions, and can heat for washing as well as for sterilization, with precise temperature control.

[0033] The specific implementation modes of the present invention are further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The accompanying drawings are part of the present invention and are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention, but do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work. In the accompanying drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a heating unit of the washing machine of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of another heating unit arrangement structure of the washing machine of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of a water guide channel of the washing machine of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of another arrangement of the water guide channel of the washing machine of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of a heating chamber structure of the washing machine of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of a heating chamber and a water tank of the washing machine of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of another installation structure of the heating chamber and the water receiving tank of the washing machine of the present invention.

[0042] It should be noted that these drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the conceptual scope of the present invention in any way, but are intended to illustrate the concept of the present invention for those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the 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.

[0044] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “inside” and “outside” are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and 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 direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0045] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, 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 directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0046] When washing clothes in an existing pulsator washing machine, the space between the inner barrel (washing barrel) and the outer barrel (water holding barrel) needs to be filled with water, but the water between the inner and outer barrels does not participate in washing, and the water that actually participates in washing is only the water in the inner barrel, which results in a large waste of water resources. In addition, too much water between the inner and outer barrels will also reduce the concentration of detergent / washing powder in the washing liquid. Many manufacturers have made improvements to the above defects and launched a water-saving washing machine, that is, there are no small holes on the barrel wall of the inner barrel for draining water, and all the water for washing and rinsing is concentrated in the hole-free inner barrel, making it both a water-holding washing barrel and a centrifugal dehydration barrel (also called a hole-free inner barrel). The outer barrel of the hole-free water-saving washing machine is actually just a water receiving device that collects the water thrown out of the hole-free inner barrel during dehydration. When draining, the speed of the inner barrel is increased, and the water in the barrel rises along the inner barrel wall under the action of centrifugal force and is discharged from the water outlet below the balance ring on the upper part of the inner barrel; or there is a controllable opening and closing drain outlet at the lower part of the inner barrel, and most of the water is discharged from the drain outlet; when dehydrating, the hole-free inner barrel rotates at high speed, and the residual water in the clothes rises along the barrel wall of the hole-free inner barrel under the action of centrifugal force, and is thrown out to the outer barrel outside through the water outlet, and discharged through the drain outlet and drain pipe at the bottom of the outer barrel. Since the water in the "sandwich" of the inner and outer barrels of traditional washing machines is saved, the water saving effect can reach an average of more than 50%.

[0047] Based on the above structure, some manufacturers have proposed the concept of expanding the capacity of the washing machine, making improvements to the outer barrel, reducing the upper part of the outer barrel, and retaining only the lower part for collecting water when the inner barrel is dehydrated. By setting a water guide channel that guides water from top to bottom on the peripheral wall of the inner barrel, water is guided into the water collecting structure at the bottom. There are also designs that completely eliminate the outer barrel and achieve water collection by adding a water collecting plate structure that is sealed and connected to the inner wall of the washing machine case under the inner barrel.

[0048] However, since the washing tub is a rotating tub, the water in the washing tub cannot be directly heated, which limits some heating and washing functions of the washing machine.

[0049] In view of the above-mentioned defects, the washing machine of the present invention has made some improvements. A heating chamber communicating with the interior of the washing tub is arranged below the washing tub. The heat of the heated water in the heating chamber is transferred to the washing tub, thereby heating the water in the washing tub.

[0050] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, a washing machine described in the present invention includes an outer shell 1, a washing tub 2 rotatably arranged in the outer shell, the washing tub 2 is a water storage tub structure, a heating chamber 3 is arranged below the washing tub 2 and connected to the inside of the washing tub 2, and a heating unit 4 is provided in the heating chamber 3 for heating the water in the chamber 3 and the washing tub 2.

[0051] The washing machine further comprises a water receiving tank 5 supporting the washing tub 2, the water receiving tank 5 being arranged outside the washing tub 2, at least a part of which being arranged below the washing tub 2, and the water receiving tank 5 being further provided with a drainage component 6; a balance ring 7 being provided at the upper opening of the washing tub 2, the balance ring 7 being sealedly connected to the washing tub 2, a first drainage port 21 being provided at the bottom of the tub, the first drainage port 21 and the drainage component 6 being connected through a first drainage channel 31. The drainage component 6 comprises a second drainage port 61 and a second drainage channel 62 connected with the second drainage port 61, the second drainage channel 62 being connected with the first drainage channel 31 through the second drainage port 61, the second drainage channel 62 being provided with a drainage control valve 63 for opening and closing the second drainage channel, the drainage control valve 63 being connected with a pipe 10 for draining water to the outside.

[0052] The water receiving tank 5 is connected to the outer shell 1 of the washing machine through the vibration reduction unit 8. The water receiving tank 5 supports the washing tub 2, which not only allows the washing tub to be rotatably arranged in the outer shell, but also can collect the washing water discharged from the washing tub and discharge it to the outside of the washing machine through the drainage component connected to the water receiving tank. The vibration reduction unit 8 can adopt the existing suspension rod vibration reduction structure of the pulsator washing machine (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), a damping vibration reduction structure supported upwardly under the water receiving trough may also be used, or a combination of the above may be used.

[0053] The water receiving tank 5 may be a barrel-shaped structure (see Figure 2 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 ), or a disc-shaped structure, or a groove structure composed of a support plate supported under the washing tub and an annular convex rib arranged above the support plate; the outer barrel of an existing washing machine or a groove structure lower than the upper edge of the washing tub can also be used (see Figure 3 and Figure 4 ).

[0054] During dehydration, the water in the washing tub 2 can be directly thrown out into the water receiving tank 5 through the dehydration port provided at the upper end of the peripheral wall of the washing tub 2, such as the existing inter-tub waterless washing machine structure, or a water guide channel 22 is provided on the peripheral wall of the washing tub 2, such as the inner wall or the outer wall (see Figure 3 and Figure 4), the upper end of the water channel 22 is connected to the inside of the washing tub 2, and the lower end is provided with a water outlet, which can be arranged on the peripheral wall of the washing tub or on the bottom wall of the washing tub. The water in the washing tub enters the water channel 22 from the upper end of the water channel 22 under the action of the centrifugal force of the washing tub, and is guided from top to bottom through the water outlet to the water receiving tank 5 (see Figures 2 to 4 ), the water receiving tank 5 is also provided with a third drain port 51, and the water introduced into the water receiving tank 5 by the water guide channel 22 is discharged from the third drain port 51 (see Figure 3 and Figure 4 ).

[0055] Alternatively, the water tank 5 is a support plate structure (see Figure 1 ), a water channel 22 is provided on the peripheral wall of the washing tub 2, the upper end of the water channel 22 is communicated with the interior of the washing tub 2, and the lower end extends to communicate with the first drain port 21 at the bottom of the washing tub 2, and the drain is discharged through the heating chamber 3 and the drain component 6.

[0056] Embodiment 1

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, the heating chamber 3 described in this embodiment includes a first drainage channel 31, and the heating unit 4 is disposed in the first drainage channel 31;

[0058] Preferably, the heating unit 4 is arranged away from being directly below the first drain port 21 and / or away from being directly above the water inlet of the drain component 6, that is, the second drain port 61. The arrangement structure of the heating unit being arranged away from being directly below the first drain port can prevent damage to the heating unit caused by the impact of water flow on the heating unit during drainage or water leakage at the installation caused by shaking of the heating unit. The arrangement structure of the heating unit being arranged away from being directly above the water inlet of the drain component can prevent accumulation of wire scraps on the heating unit during drainage, thereby affecting heating efficiency and drainage speed.

[0059] Embodiment 2

[0060] like Figure 2 As shown, the heating chamber 3 described in this embodiment further includes a drainage component 6, and the heating unit 4 is disposed in the second drainage channel 62;

[0061] Preferably, a side branch channel 64 is provided on the side wall of the second drainage channel 62, and the heating unit 4 is provided in the side branch channel 64. This structure can reduce the impact of the drainage water flow on the heating unit, and also prevent the heating unit from affecting the drainage speed.

[0062] The washing machine of the present invention can adopt the heating unit arrangement mode of the first embodiment or the second embodiment alone, or can adopt a combination of the two to improve the heating efficiency.

[0063] Embodiment 3

[0064] like Figure 5 As shown, the first drainage channel 31 described in this embodiment includes a first cavity 311 and a second cavity 312, and the first cavity 311 and the second cavity 312 are relatively rotatably sealed and connected. The peripheral wall of the first cavity 311 at least partially extends into the interior of the second cavity 312, and a sealing ring 313 is sleeved on the outer peripheral wall of the first cavity 311, and one side of the sealing ring 313 is in sealing contact with the first cavity 311, and the other side is in sealing contact with the second cavity 312.

[0065] Furthermore, the sealing ring 313 is a skeleton oil seal and is fixedly mounted on the inner wall of the second cavity 312 close to one end of the first cavity 311 , and the inner ring of the sealing ring 313 is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral wall of the first cavity 311 .

[0066] Preferably, the upper end of the first cavity 311 is sealed to the bottom of the washing tub 2, the lower end opens to the second cavity 312, and the interior is communicated with the first drain port 21; the lower end of the second cavity 312 is sealed to the water receiving tank 5, the upper end is open, and the interior is communicated with the drain component 6.

[0067] It is also preferred that one end of the heating unit 4 is inserted from the outer side of the peripheral wall of the second cavity 312 into the first drainage channel 31, and a certain installation distance is provided between the lower edge of the first cavity 311 and the heating unit 4 to prevent the water flow from being stirred when the two cavities rotate relative to each other, causing the heating unit to be unstable. Alternatively, the heating unit is inserted from the bottom of the water tank through the lower end of the second cavity 312 into the first drainage channel.

[0068] More preferably, the side wall of the first drainage channel 31 has a heat insulation layer, that is, the inner walls of the first cavity 311 and the second cavity 312 are provided with a heat insulation layer.

[0069] Embodiment 4

[0070] The washing machine described in this embodiment is provided with a water level detection unit (not shown in the figure) for detecting the water level in the washing tub. The water level detection unit is arranged in the first drainage channel or the second drainage channel, or the water level detection unit is connected to the first drainage channel or the second drainage channel.

[0071] Preferably, the water level detection unit comprises an air chamber and an air guide tube, one end of the air guide tube is connected to the first drainage channel or the second drainage channel, and the other end of the air guide tube is connected to the air chamber.

[0072] Embodiment 5

[0073] The washing machine described in this embodiment is also provided with a circulating spray system (not shown in the figure), including a water circulation channel, one end of which is connected to the second drainage channel through a reversing valve, and the other end of which sprays water into the washing tub from above the washing tub.

[0074] Embodiment 6

[0075] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the water channel 22 of the present invention is an independent hollow structure, including a water inlet 221 at the upper end and a water outlet 222 at the lower end, and the water channel 22 has a water channel chamber 220 from the water inlet 221 to the water outlet 222;

[0076] Alternatively, the water guide channel is a cover structure, which is arranged on the peripheral wall of the washing tub and cooperates with the peripheral wall of the washing tub to form a water guide chamber for guiding water downward, and the upper end is connected to the inside of the washing tub.

[0077] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention in any form. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment, it is not used to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with this patent can make some changes or modify the technical contents suggested above into equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention still fall within the scope of the solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising a housing, characterized in that: Also includes, The washing tub is a water storage tub, which is rotatably arranged in the outer shell of the washing machine, and a first drain port is arranged at the bottom of the washing tub; A water receiving tank is arranged outside the washing tub, at least a part of which is arranged below the washing tub, the water receiving tank is provided with a drainage component, the first drainage port and the drainage component are connected through a first drainage channel, the first drainage channel includes a first cavity and a second cavity, and the first cavity and the second cavity are relatively rotatably sealed and connected; A heating chamber is disposed below the washing tub and communicated with the interior of the washing tub, and the heating chamber includes a first drainage channel; The heating unit is arranged in the first drainage channel. The heating unit is arranged away from directly below the first drainage port and / or away from directly above the water inlet of the drainage component, and is used to heat the water in the first drainage channel and the washing tub.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating chamber also includes a drainage component, and the heating unit is arranged in the drainage component.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The drainage component includes a second drainage port and a second drainage channel connected to the second drainage port. The second drainage channel is connected to the first drainage channel through the second drainage port. The second drainage channel is provided with a drainage control valve for opening and closing the second drainage channel.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The heating unit is arranged in the second drainage channel.

5. The washing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: The side wall of the second drainage channel is provided with a side branch channel, and the heating unit is arranged in the side branch channel.

6. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The washing machine is provided with a water level detection unit for detecting the water level in the washing tub, and the water level detection unit is arranged in the heating chamber, or the water level detection unit is connected to the heating chamber; And / or, the washing machine is provided with a circulating spray system, including a water circulation channel, one end of which is connected to the heating chamber, and the other end of which sprays water into the washing tub from the top of the washing tub.

7. The washing machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The water level detection unit comprises an air chamber and an air guide tube, one end of the air guide tube is connected to the heating chamber, and the other end of the air guide tube is connected to the air chamber.

8. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end of the first cavity is sealed and connected to the bottom of the washing tub, the lower end opens toward the second cavity, and the interior is communicated with the first drain port; the lower end of the second cavity is sealed and connected to the water receiving tank, the upper end opens, and the interior is communicated with the drain component.

9. The washing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that: The peripheral wall of the first cavity at least partially extends into the interior of the second cavity. A sealing ring is sleeved on the peripheral wall of the first cavity. One side of the sealing ring is in sealing contact with the first cavity, and the other side is in sealing contact with the second cavity.

10. The washing machine according to claim 9, characterized in that: The sealing ring is a skeleton oil seal and is fixedly mounted on the inner wall of the second cavity close to one end of the first cavity, and the inner ring of the sealing ring is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral wall of the first cavity.

11. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water guide channel is provided on the peripheral wall of the washing tub, the upper end of the water guide channel is communicated with the interior of the washing tub, and a water outlet is provided at the lower end. Water in the washing tub enters the water guide channel from the upper end under the action of the centrifugal force of the washing tub's rotation, and is guided from top to bottom through the water outlet to be discharged into the water receiving tank or the heating chamber.

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