A heating element terminal assembly for a washing machine

Abstract

This invention discloses a heating element terminal assembly for a washing machine, including a live wire terminal, a neutral wire terminal, and a grounding wire terminal. The key feature is that at least one terminal has a different structure from the others, and the grounding wire terminal has a different structure from both the live wire and neutral wire terminals. Preferably, the grounding wire terminal uses a ring-shaped patch structure, while the live wire and neutral wire terminals use a plug-in structure. This invention changes the plug-in structure of the grounding wire terminal to a ring-shaped patch structure, which facilitates the differentiation of the terminals and effectively reduces or even eliminates the risk of incorrect insertion. Furthermore, this invention employs a terminal protection structure to effectively prevent collisions between the terminals during assembly and transportation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of washing machines, and more specifically, relates to a heating tube terminal assembly for a washing machine. Background Technology

[0002] Washing machines typically use municipal tap water directly. The temperature of tap water varies with the seasons, especially in winter when the water temperature is too low, severely affecting the washing performance. To increase the temperature of the washing water, a heating device is usually installed in the washing machine. However, the wiring terminals of the heating device are usually exposed outside the back wall of the outer drum during the assembly process, making them prone to collisions. In addition, the terminals for connecting the live wire, neutral wire, and ground wire are usually plug-in, which can easily lead to incorrect connections and increase the safety hazards of the washing machine.

[0003] Chinese Patent Application No. 201721315416.8 discloses a washing machine and its fireproof component, including a protective part. The protective part includes a first protective member and a second protective member, and the first and second protective members can form a fireproof cavity to accommodate the wiring terminal of the heater. When a fire occurs at the wiring terminal, the first protective member can block the flame at the wiring terminal to prevent the flame from rising and igniting other parts of the washing machine. The second protective member can catch burning materials falling from the wiring terminal to prevent the burning materials from falling and igniting other parts of the washing machine. The fireproof component can effectively protect the wiring terminal during the assembly of the washing machine, but it cannot solve the problem of the wiring terminals being easily misconnected.

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

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a heating tube terminal assembly for a washing machine.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A heating element terminal assembly for a washing machine includes a live wire terminal, a neutral wire terminal, and a ground wire terminal, characterized in that: the structure of at least one terminal is different from the structures of the other terminals.

[0008] The structure of the grounding terminal is different from that of the live wire terminal and the neutral wire terminal.

[0009] Preferably, the grounding terminal adopts a ring-shaped patch structure, and the live wire terminal and the neutral wire terminal adopt a plug-in structure.

[0010] The device includes a protective component with an internal receiving space, wherein at least the live wire terminal and the neutral wire terminal are located within the internal space of the protective component.

[0011] The device includes a fixing component for securing the heating element of the washing machine, and the grounding terminal is disposed on the protective component and electrically connected to the fixing component.

[0012] Both the protective component and the fixing component are conductive. The grounding terminal is electrically connected to the protective component, and the protective component is electrically connected to the fixing component.

[0013] The protective component includes a conductive medium, and the protective component includes a bottom. The surface of the bottom away from the washing machine is attached to the surface of the fixing component near the washing machine. The grounding terminal is electrically connected to the fixing component through the conductive medium.

[0014] The protective component is provided with a mounting part, and the grounding wire terminal is fitted and securely connected to the mounting part.

[0015] The mounting section includes a terminal fixing structure for fixing the terminal head of the grounding wire terminal;

[0016] The terminal limiting structure is located below the terminal fixing structure and is used to limit the displacement of the terminal wire of the grounding terminal.

[0017] The terminal fixing structure is a round hole with the same shape as the terminal head of the grounding wire terminal;

[0018] The terminal limiting structure is a notch with an opening facing downwards.

[0019] The mounting part is located at the lower part of the protective component and is integrally connected to the bottom of the protective component.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0021] 1) This invention changes the plug-in structure of the grounding terminal to a ring patch structure, which is beneficial for distinguishing the wiring terminals and effectively reduces or even eliminates the risk of incorrect insertion between terminals;

[0022] 2) This invention employs a terminal protection structure, which can effectively prevent the wiring terminals from colliding during assembly and transmission;

[0023] 3) The present invention places the connection part of the grounding wire terminal on the protective part, which is different from the position of the live wire terminal and the neutral wire terminal, to ensure that there is no interference between the terminals and to prevent incorrect insertion that could cause a malfunction.

[0024] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings, as part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the invention are used to explain the invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a side view of the installation structure of the washing machine's electric heating element;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a front view of the installation structure of the electric heating element in a washing machine.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the wiring terminal structure of a washing machine;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the second structure of the washing machine's wiring terminals;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a front view of the protective component structure in the heating tube terminal assembly of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the protective component structure in the heating tube terminal assembly of the present invention.

[0032] In the diagram: 1. Heating element; 2. Fixing component; 3. Wiring terminal; 31. Live wire terminal; 32. Neutral wire terminal; 33. Grounding terminal; 331. Terminal head; 332. Terminal wire; 333. Connecting buckle; 4. Temperature detection device; 5. Fastening bolt; 6. Protective component; 61. Protective part; 62. Bottom; 63. Mounting part; 631. Terminal fixing structure; 632. Terminal limiting structure; 633. Wire harness fixing structure; 64. Avoidance structure; 65. Bottom mounting structure; 66. Bolt hole.

[0033] It should be noted that these accompanying drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, 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 with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0035] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0036] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly 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 or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a washing machine heating element terminal assembly typically includes a heating element 1, a fixing component 2 for supporting the heating element, a live wire terminal 31 and a neutral wire terminal 32 located at the tail end of the heating element, a ground wire terminal 33 located on the fixing component 2, and a temperature detection device 4 for detecting the washing water temperature. The live wire terminal 31, the neutral wire terminal 32, and the ground wire terminal 33 mostly adopt a plug-in structure. The terminal wire structure connecting the terminals is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, the plug-in structure of the connector and the terminal block is fixed by plugging. Since the positions of the live wire terminal 31, the neutral wire terminal 32 and the ground wire terminal 33 are close and all adopt the plug-in fixed structure, it is very easy to make incorrect plugging, which can cause failures such as inability to ground and the washing machine heating tube not working properly.

[0038] The present invention provides a connection for at least one of the live wire terminal 31, neutral wire terminal 32, and ground wire terminal 33, whose structure differs from that of the other terminals. By using different terminal structures to distinguish the terminals, the present invention can effectively avoid incorrect insertion during installation, facilitate quality inspection, reduce product quality problems, and greatly improve production efficiency.

[0039] The structure of the grounding terminal 33 in this invention differs from the structures of the live wire terminal 31 and the neutral wire terminal 32. Preferably, the grounding terminal 33 adopts a ring-shaped patch structure, while the live wire terminal 31 and the neutral wire terminal 32 adopt a plug-in structure. The ring-shaped patch structure is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, combined with Figure 3 and Figure 4As can be seen, the two have significant structural differences, which can effectively avoid the occurrence of plug-in errors, while also facilitating quality inspection and greatly improving the production efficiency of products while reducing the occurrence of quality problems.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, the heating tube terminals are all located outside the fixing member 2. During the assembly of the washing machine, the heating tube terminals are exposed outside the outer drum of the washing machine. During the assembly process, the exposed terminals are at risk of collision when transported on the production line. The present invention includes a protective member 6 with an internal accommodating space. At least the live wire terminal 31 and the neutral wire terminal 32 are located in the internal space of the protective member 6, which effectively avoids the risk of collision between the terminals during production and transportation, and avoids problems such as loosening or even falling off of the terminal wires, which could lead to poor assembly.

[0041] To further distinguish each terminal effectively, the grounding terminal 33 is set on the protective component 6 and electrically connected to the fixing component 2 to ensure the effective grounding function of the washing machine heating tube.

[0042] In one embodiment, both the protective member 6 and the fixing member 2 are conductive. The grounding terminal 33 is electrically connected to the protective member 6, and the protective member 6 is electrically connected to the fixing member 2. Through the electrical connection between the fixing member 2, the protective member 6, and the grounding terminal 33, the grounding function can be effectively guaranteed.

[0043] In another embodiment, a conductive medium is also included. The protective member 6 includes a bottom 62. The surface of the bottom 62 away from the washing machine is attached to the surface of the fixing member 2 near the washing machine. The grounding terminal 33 is electrically connected to the fixing member 2 through the conductive medium, effectively ensuring the realization of the grounding function.

[0044] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the protective component 6 is provided with a mounting part 63, and the grounding terminal 33 is fitted and fastened to the mounting part 63. When both the protective component 6 and the fixing component 2 have conductive properties, the fastening device can be a conductive medium or a non-conductive material. When the protective component 6 is a non-conductive material, the fastening device can be a conductive material, with one end abutting against the grounding terminal 33 and the other end abutting against the fixing component 2. The fastening device can also be a non-conductive material, and a conductive medium is provided between the grounding terminal 33 and the mounting part 63 during installation, with one end of the conductive medium abutting against the grounding terminal 33 and the other end abutting against the fixing component 2. Alternatively, the fixing component 2 can be a non-conductive material, and the protective component 6 can be a conductive material. Any setting that can realize the grounding function of the grounding terminal 33 is within the protection scope of this invention.

[0045] In this embodiment, the mounting part 63 includes a terminal fixing structure 631 for fixing the terminal head 331 of the grounding terminal 33; and a terminal limiting structure 632, which is located below the terminal fixing structure 631 and is used to limit the displacement of the terminal wire of the grounding terminal 33 to prevent the grounding terminal from colliding with the washing machine during operation and generating noise.

[0046] The terminal fixing structure 631 is a circular hole with the same shape as the terminal head 331 of the grounding terminal 33. The diameter of the circular hole is the same as the inner diameter of the annular ring of the terminal head 331. The terminal head 331 of the grounding terminal 33 is fastened to the terminal fixing structure 632 by a fastening device. The terminal limiting structure 632 is a notch with an opening facing downward. The size of the notch is the same as the diameter of the terminal wire 332 of the grounding terminal 33 or the size of the connecting buckle 333 between the terminal wire and the terminal head. This prevents the grounding terminal from colliding with the washing machine during operation and generating noise. It also provides support and protection for the grounding terminal.

[0047] like Figure 6 As shown, the mounting part 63 is located at the lower part of the protective member 6 and is integrally connected to the bottom 62 of the protective member 6. The mounting part 63 is also provided with a wire harness fixing structure 633 for fixing wire ties. Since there are many terminal wires of the heat pipe, wire ties are usually used to bind and constrain the wire harness. After fixing the wire harness, the wire ties can be fixed on the wire harness fixing structure 633, which effectively reduces the risk of collision of the wire harness during production line transportation, and at the same time reduces the noise generated by the collision between the wire harness and other parts of the washing machine.

[0048] The bottom 62 of the protective component 6 is provided with a clearance structure 64. The live wire terminal 31, the temperature detection device 4, and the neutral wire terminal 32 pass through the clearance structure 64, so that the live wire terminal 31, the temperature detection device 4, and the neutral wire terminal 32 are located in the internal space of the protective component 6. This effectively avoids the risk of collision between the terminals during production and transmission, and avoids problems such as loosening or even falling off of the terminal wires, which could lead to poor assembly.

[0049] The bottom 62 is also provided with bolt holes 66 and bottom mounting structure 65. The protective part 6 and the fixing part 2 are fastened together by the bolt holes 66 and bottom mounting structure 65 to prevent the protective part from falling off during production, conveying and transportation.

[0050] Combination Figure 5 and Figure 6 The protective part 6 is provided with a protective part 61. The protective part 61 is formed by the upper edge of the bottom 62 and the two side edges connected to the upper edge extending away from the washing machine. The extension height is equivalent to the exposed size of the wiring terminal, which can prevent foreign objects from colliding with the wiring terminal.

[0051] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-described technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heating element terminal assembly for a washing machine, comprising a live wire terminal, a neutral wire terminal, and a ground wire terminal, characterized in that: At least one type of terminal block has a structure that differs from the structures of other terminal blocks, including: The fastener is used to secure the heating element of the washing machine. The live wire terminal and the neutral wire terminal are both located on the outside of the fastener, which is conductive. The protective component has an internal receiving space. A grounding terminal is disposed on the protective component and electrically connected to a fixing component. A live wire terminal and a neutral wire terminal are located in the internal receiving space of the protective component. The protective component is conductive and electrically connected to the fixing component. The protective component includes a bottom and a mounting portion connected to the bottom. The mounting portion bends downward from the bottom and extends downward. A terminal fixing structure, a terminal limiting structure, and a wire harness fixing structure are provided on the downwardly bent extension surface. The terminal limiting structure is located below the terminal fixing structure. There are two wire harness fixing structures, which are respectively located on both sides of the terminal fixing structure and the terminal limiting structure.

2. The heating element terminal assembly of a washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The structure of the grounding terminal is different from that of the live wire terminal and the neutral wire terminal.

3. The heating element terminal assembly of a washing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The grounding terminal adopts a ring-shaped patch structure, and the live wire terminal and the neutral wire terminal adopt a plug-in structure.

4. The heating element terminal assembly of a washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: Includes a conductive medium, the bottom surface away from the washing machine is attached to the surface of the fixing member close to the washing machine, and the grounding terminal is electrically connected to the fixing member through the conductive medium.

5. The heating element terminal assembly of a washing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: The terminal fixing structure is used to fix the terminal head of the grounding wire terminal; The terminal limiting structure is located below the terminal fixing structure and is used to limit the displacement of the terminal wire of the grounding terminal.

6. The heating element terminal assembly of a washing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The terminal fixing structure is a round hole with the same shape as the terminal head of the grounding wire terminal; The terminal limiting structure is a notch with an opening facing downwards.

7. A heating element terminal assembly for a washing machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The mounting part is integrally connected to the bottom of the protective component.

8. The heating element terminal assembly of a washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal head of the grounding wire terminal is fastened to the terminal fixing structure by a fastening device.

9. A heating element terminal assembly for a washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective component is provided with a protective part, which is formed by the upper edge of the bottom and the two side edges connected to the upper edge folding and extending away from the washing machine. The height of the extension is equivalent to the exposed size of the wiring terminal.

10. A heating element terminal assembly for a washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the protective component is equipped with a clearance structure through which the live wire terminal, temperature detection device, and neutral wire terminal pass.

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