Washer and dryer

Abstract

The present invention discloses a washing and drying machine comprising: a washing module, the washing module comprising an outer drum, an inner drum, and a motor, the inner drum being disposed within the outer drum, the motor being disposed on an end surface of the outer drum and connected to the inner drum; a drying module, the drying module having an air outlet and an air inlet, the drying module being configured to heat air drawn in through the air inlet and output the air through the air outlet; and a condensing module, the condensing module comprising a condensing air duct, the lower portion of which is provided with an air inlet, the upper portion of which is provided with an air outlet, and the bottom portion of which forms a water storage area. The drying module is disposed on top of the outer drum, the condensing air duct being disposed on the end surface of the outer drum and located to one side of the motor, the air outlet and the air inlet being respectively connected to the outer drum, and the air outlet being connected to the air inlet. By directly disposing the condensing air duct on the end surface of the outer drum, the space in the thickness direction of the washing and drying machine is fully utilized for placement of the condensing air duct, thereby reducing the overall size of the washing and drying machine and achieving a miniaturized and compact design.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of household appliances, and in particular relates to a washing and drying machine. Background Art

[0002] Washing machines are a common household appliance in people's daily lives. With the continuous development of technology, washing machines with drying functions are becoming more and more popular. Washing machines with drying functions can not only wash clothes normally, but also dry the washed and spun clothes.

[0003] Chinese patent application No. 201811058551.8 discloses an air duct filtering device and a washing and drying machine. The washing machine is equipped with a drying module, which is usually equipped with a fan and an electric heater. The drying module uses the fan to generate airflow to blow heated air into the inner drum of the washing machine to dry the clothes in the inner drum. During the drying process, the airflow output through the inner drum of the washing machine is treated with water in the air duct to condense and remove lint. However, the air ducts are distributed on the outer circumference of the outer drum, which increases the overall size of the washing and drying machine.

[0004] In view of this, how to design a technology with a compact structure to reduce the overall volume of a washing and drying machine is a technical problem to be solved by the present invention. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a washing and drying machine, which reduces the overall volume of the washing and drying machine by arranging a condensing air duct on the end surface of an outer drum, thereby meeting the design requirements of miniaturization and compactness.

[0006] In order to achieve the above technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] In one aspect, the present invention provides a washing and drying machine comprising:

[0008] A laundry module, comprising an outer tub, an inner tub, and a motor, wherein the inner tub is disposed in the outer tub, and the motor is disposed on an end surface of the outer tub and connected to the inner tub;

[0009] a clothes drying module, the clothes drying module having an air outlet and an air inlet, the clothes drying module being configured to heat air entering through the air inlet and outputting air from the air outlet;

[0010] A condensation module, the condensation module comprising a condensation air duct, an air inlet being provided at the lower portion of the condensation air duct, an air outlet being provided at the upper portion of the condensation air duct, and a water storage area being formed at the bottom of the condensation air duct;

[0011] The clothes drying module is arranged on the top of the outer cylinder, the condensing air duct is arranged on the end surface of the outer cylinder and is located on one side of the motor, the air outlet and the air inlet are respectively connected to the outer cylinder, and the air outlet is connected to the air inlet.

[0012] Furthermore, the condensation air duct includes:

[0013] A water storage cavity, wherein the water storage area is formed in the water storage cavity, and the air inlet is connected to the water storage cavity;

[0014] an air outlet cavity, the air outlet cavity being located above the water storage cavity, and the air outlet being connected to the air outlet cavity;

[0015] an air channel, the air channel communicating with the water storage cavity and the air outlet cavity;

[0016] Wherein, the side of the air channel close to the motor is an arc-shaped structure.

[0017] Furthermore, the water storage cavity is located obliquely below the motor, and the side of the water storage cavity close to the motor is also an arc-shaped structure.

[0018] Furthermore, the air outlet cavity is overlapped on the top of the outer tube.

[0019] Furthermore, the height of the water storage area is not higher than the height of the air inlet.

[0020] Furthermore, the condensation module further includes:

[0021] a first baffle, the first baffle being arranged in the condensing air duct and located in the water storage area, the first baffle extending downward from an upper portion of the condensing air duct;

[0022] a second baffle, the second baffle being arranged in the condensing air duct and located in the water storage area, the second baffle extending from below to above the condensing air duct;

[0023] Among them, along the air flow direction inside the condensation duct, the lower end of the first baffle is located in front of the upper end of the second baffle, and an air inlet area is formed between the first baffle, the second baffle and the air inlet, and an air outlet area is formed between the first baffle, the second baffle and the air outlet.

[0024] Furthermore, along the horizontal projection direction, the lower end of the first baffle and the upper end of the second baffle form a projection overlapping area.

[0025] Furthermore, the lower end of the first baffle is bent toward the second baffle, and / or the upper end of the second baffle is bent toward the first baffle.

[0026] Furthermore, an air guide portion extending toward the air outlet area is further provided on the upper portion of the first baffle, and the air guide portion is located above the second baffle.

[0027] Furthermore, the air guide portion extends obliquely downward.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the advantages and positive effects of the present invention are: by directly setting the condensation air duct on the end face of the outer drum and arranging it on one side of the motor, the space in the thickness direction of the washing and drying machine can be fully utilized to place the condensation air duct, and since the condensation air duct and the motor are located on the same end face, the condensation air duct will be placed in the space outside the motor protruding from the end face of the outer drum, effectively reducing the increase in the overall volume caused by the condensation air duct, reducing the volume of the washing and drying machine as a whole, and realizing a miniaturized and compact design. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a partial structure of an embodiment of a washing and drying machine of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 A partial structural diagram of a washing and drying machine of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the condenser with a lint removal function;

[0033] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The main view of the condenser with lint removal function;

[0034] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Middle AA section view;

[0035] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of area B in the middle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer" indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These are merely for ease of description and do not indicate or imply that the device or component described must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0038] like Figures 1-6 As shown, this embodiment provides a washing and drying machine, which includes a washing module 100 and a drying module 200. The washing module 100 has the same structural configuration as a conventional washing and drying machine, and includes an outer drum 10001, an inner drum (not labeled), and a motor 10002. The inner drum is disposed within the outer drum 10001, and the motor 10002 is disposed on an end surface of the outer drum 10001 and connected to the inner drum. The motor 10002 drives the inner drum to rotate within the outer drum 10001 to wash clothes.

[0039] After the laundry is washed in the laundry module 100 , the drying module 200 may be activated to dry the laundry in the laundry module 100 .

[0040] The conventional drying module 200 is composed of an electric heater and a fan. The drying module 200 has an air outlet and an air inlet. Under the action of the fan, the air sucked into the air inlet enters the drying module 200, is heated by the electric heater, and is transported from the air outlet to the outer drum 10001 to dry the clothes.

[0041] Regarding the specific operation methods of the washing module 100 washing clothes and the drying module 200 completing the drying of clothes, reference can be made to the structural forms of relevant components in a conventional washing and drying machine, and no limitation or elaboration will be made here.

[0042] During the drying process, in order to condense the high-temperature and high-humidity gas in the washing module 100 and filter out the lint mixed in the gas, the washing and drying machine is also equipped with a condensing module 300.

[0043] The condensation module 300 includes a condensation air duct 1 ; an air inlet 11 is provided at the lower portion of the condensation air duct 1 , an air outlet 12 is provided at the upper portion of the condensation air duct 1 , and a water storage area 103 is formed at the bottom of the condensation air duct 1 .

[0044] In order to achieve a compact structural design, the drying module 200 is arranged on the top of the outer cylinder 10001, the condensation air duct 1 is arranged on the end face of the outer cylinder 10001 and is located on one side of the motor 10002, the air outlet and the air inlet 11 are respectively connected to the outer cylinder 10001, and the air outlet 12 is connected to the air inlet.

[0045] The condensing air duct 1 is arranged at the end of the outer cylinder 10001 and is set on one side of the motor 10002. Since the motor 10002 is exposed between the end faces of the outer cylinder 10001, the condensing air duct 1 can be installed in the space area where the motor 10002 protrudes from the end face of the outer cylinder 10001, so as to fully utilize the space in the thickness direction of the washing and drying machine, making the overall structure of the washing and drying machine more compact and reducing the overall volume of the washing and drying machine. In addition, the height of the water storage area 103 is not higher than the height of the air inlet 11. The water level in the water storage area 103 will not exceed the lower edge of the air inlet 11. At the same time, for the control of the water level in the water storage area 103, the method of configuring the overflow port in conventional technology can be adopted, which will not be limited or elaborated here.

[0046] In another embodiment, the condensing air duct 1 includes: a water storage cavity 1001, an air outlet cavity 1002, and an air channel 1003. A water storage area 103 is formed in the water storage cavity 1001. The air inlet 11 is connected to the water storage cavity 1001. The first and second air shields are located within the water storage cavity 1001. The air outlet cavity 1002 is located above the water storage cavity 1001, and the air outlet 12 is connected to the air outlet cavity 1002. The air channel 1003 connects the water storage cavity 1001 and the air outlet cavity 1002. The side of the air channel 1003 near the motor 10002 is an arc-shaped structure.

[0047] Specifically, the condensing air duct 1 is an overall flat structure and is arranged longitudinally on the end face of the outer drum 10001. The side of the air duct 1003 near the motor 10002 is curved to avoid the motor 10002 and to allow installation within the space between the outer drum 10001, the motor 10002, and the outer casing of the washer-dryer. This allows the condenser 300 with lint removal to be fully utilized within the washer-dryer's interior, achieving a compact design.

[0048] In some embodiments, the water storage chamber 1001 can be positioned diagonally below the motor 10002, with the side of the water storage chamber 1001 near the motor 10002 also having an arc-shaped structure. The air outlet chamber 1002 can overlap the top of the outer cylinder 10001. This allows the water storage chamber 1001 to fully utilize the space diagonally below the motor 10002 for installation and securement, providing a sufficient volume for holding water to meet the requirements of lint removal and condensation removal. The air outlet chamber 1002 is an overall flat structure and arranged horizontally, overlapping the top of the outer cylinder 10001 to facilitate connection to the clothes drying module 200.

[0049] In another embodiment, in order to better remove the lint, the lint removal module 300 further includes a first windshield 2 and a second windshield 3 .

[0050] A first windshield 2 is disposed in the condensation duct 1 and extends downward from the upper portion of the condensation duct 1. A second windshield 3 is disposed in the condensation duct 1 and extends upward from the lower portion of the condensation duct 1. Along the direction of airflow within the condensation duct 1, the first windshield 2 and the second windshield 3 are sequentially arranged on either side of the air inlet 11, such that the lower end of the first windshield 2 is located in front of the upper end of the second windshield 3. An air inlet area 101 is formed between the first windshield 2, the second windshield 3, and the air inlet 11, and an air outlet area 102 is formed between the first windshield 2, the second windshield 3, and the air outlet 12.

[0051] In addition, a water storage area 103 is formed at the bottom of the condensation air duct 1 , the air inlet 11 is higher than the water storage area 103 , and the second wind shield 3 is located in the water storage area 103 .

[0052] In actual use, before the washer-dryer begins drying clothes, it's necessary to inject a certain amount of water into the condensation duct 1. This water condenses the hot, humid air and removes any lint from it. After water is injected into the water reservoir 103, and when the washer-dryer isn't drying clothes, the water level in the condensation duct 1 should submerge the lower end of the first windshield 2. This way, the first windshield 2 and the water within the condensation duct 1 isolate the air inlet 101 from the air outlet 102.

[0053] After the clothes drying operation is initiated, the moist airflow from the washing module 100 enters the condensing module 300. The lint-laden airflow from the washing module 100 passes through the air inlet 11 and enters the air inlet area 101 within the condensing air duct 1. Because the air inlet area 101 and the air outlet area 102 are separated by the first windshield 2 inserted in the water, the air pressure forces the water in the air inlet area 101 into the air outlet area 102. Ultimately, the airflow passes through the bottom of the first windshield 2 and enters between the first windshield 2 and the second windshield 3.

[0054] As the airflow passes over the surface of the first windshield 2, it fully contacts the water layer on the surface of the first windshield 2, effectively absorbing the lint. Simultaneously, the airflow impinges upon the surface of the second windshield 3, creating a large spray of water above the second windshield 3. The airflow between the first and second windshields 2, 3 is further cleansed by the spray, effectively removing lint from the airflow.

[0055] After the airflow output from the washing module 100 is condensed and lint-removed, it enters the air inlet of the drying module 200 through the air outlet 12 of the condensing module 300, and then flows into the drying module 200 to form a high-temperature dry airflow. The airflow then flows into the washing module 100 through the air outlet of the drying module 200 to dry the clothes in the washing module 100, thus completing one cycle of the airflow. The airflow is controlled to circulate repeatedly between the washing module 100, the condenser with lint removal function, and the drying module 200 until the clothes in the washing module 100 are dry. In this way, the washing and drying machine can simultaneously achieve the function of removing lint through the condensing module 300 during the drying process.

[0056] In other embodiments, to facilitate water injection into the water storage chamber 1001, a water inlet pipe 15 is provided on the air duct 1003, with the outlet of the water inlet pipe 15 communicating with the water storage chamber 1001. Specifically, the water inlet pipe 15 can be fed with water through the water inlet mechanism of the washing machine and dryer. The specific embodiment of the water inlet mechanism in the washing machine and dryer can be referenced to the water inlet module in a conventional washing machine, and no further description or limitation is given here.

[0057] In some embodiments, the water storage chamber 1001 is further provided with an overflow port 14, and the lower edge of the first windshield 2 is lower than the height of the overflow port 14. When water is injected through the water inlet pipe 15, if an excessive amount of water is injected, the excess water can flow out of the overflow port 14. The water level in the water storage area 103 can be controlled by a water level sensor or by quantitative water injection, which is not limited or elaborated herein. Furthermore, a drain port 13 is provided at the bottom of the water storage chamber 1001. After the clothes drying operation is completed, the water in the water storage chamber 1001 can be drained by opening the drain port 13.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the lower end of the first wind shield 2 and the upper end of the second wind shield 3 can form a projected overlap region along the horizontal projection direction. Specifically, the lower end of the first wind shield 2 is lower than the upper end of the second wind shield 3, so that the lower end of the first wind shield 2 and the upper end of the second wind shield 3 have a projected overlap region along the horizontal projection direction. After bypassing the bottom of the first wind shield 2, the airflow can be further guided by the second wind shield 3. This ensures that the airflow can flow between the first wind shield 2 and the second wind shield 3 and enter the air outlet area 102.

[0059] The air flow flows between the first wind shield 2 and the second wind shield 3. On the one hand, it can make the air flow fully contact with the water layer on the surface of the first wind shield 2 and the second wind shield 3 to remove the lint. On the other hand, it can also ensure that the air flow can fully contact with the water splashes generated by the second wind shield 3 during the rising process, so as to effectively improve the efficiency of lint removal.

[0060] In another embodiment, to further optimize the lint removal effect, the lower end of the first windshield 2 is preferably bent toward the second windshield 3. Specifically, after being guided by the lower end of the first windshield 2, the airflow flows toward the second windshield 3. This allows the airflow to be further guided through the second windshield 3 to remove lint. Furthermore, as the airflow flows upward along the second windshield 3, it can further impact the water layer above, forming a larger water splash.

[0061] Similarly, the upper end of the second windshield 3 is bent toward the first windshield 2. Specifically, the airflow directed through the second windshield 3 is directed through its upper end and then flows toward the first windshield 2. In this way, the airflow can be directed back to the first windshield 2 to fully utilize the water layer on the surface of the first windshield 2 to remove lint.

[0062] A more preferred solution is that the lower end of the first wind shield 2 and the upper end of the second wind shield 3 are both bent.

[0063] In some embodiments, an air guide portion 21 extending toward the air outlet area 102 may be provided on the upper portion of the first wind shield 2. The air guide portion 21 is located above the second wind shield 3 and further away from the air inlet area 101 relative to the second wind shield 3. Specifically, as the airflow passes over the lower end of the first wind shield 2 and continues to flow upward along the first wind shield 2, the airflow will be shielded and guided by the upper air guide portion 21 to extend the retention time of the airflow in the condensation duct 1, thereby achieving full contact between the airflow and the water for the lint removal operation, thereby effectively improving the efficiency of the lint removal. The air guide portion 21 is preferably designed to extend downwardly and obliquely, so that the airflow can be guided by the air guide portion 21 to flow toward the water surface at the bottom again, so that the airflow hits the water surface behind the second wind shield 3 again for lint removal.

[0064] Furthermore, the specific structures of the first and second windshields 2 and 3 can be designed in a variety of ways. For example, the first and second windshields 2 and 3, as well as the wind guide 21, can all be designed as arc-shaped structures. This allows the airflow between the lower end of the first windshield 2 and the upper end of the second windshield 3 to form a vortex, fully contacting the water and enhancing the lint removal effect. Furthermore, the wind guide 21 above the second windshield 3 can guide the airflow to form a vortex, further optimizing the lint removal effect.

[0065] To reduce the amount of mist escaping from the air outlet 12, at least one water baffle (not shown) is preferably installed within the condensing air duct 1, below the air outlet 12. Specifically, the water baffle is located below the air outlet 12. The water baffle blocks the rising airflow, thus blocking mist and entrained water droplets in the airflow. This reduces the amount of mist entering the clothes drying module 200, thereby improving clothes drying efficiency. If multiple water baffles are installed, they should be spaced apart vertically and staggered laterally.

[0066] In this embodiment, the specific structural form of the washing and drying machine is not limited here. As for the condenser with lint removal function, it can be built into the air duct of the washing and drying machine to maintain the overall aesthetics of the washing and drying machine.

[0067] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit the same. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, it is still possible for a person skilled in the art to modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or to replace some of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions claimed to be protected by the present invention.

Claims

1. A washing and drying machine, characterized in that: include: A laundry module, comprising an outer tub, an inner tub, and a motor, wherein the inner tub is disposed in the outer tub, and the motor is disposed on an end surface of the outer tub and connected to the inner tub; a clothes drying module, the clothes drying module having an air outlet and an air inlet, the clothes drying module being configured to heat air entering through the air inlet and outputting air from the air outlet; A condensation module, the condensation module including a condensation duct, an air inlet provided at a lower portion of the condensation duct, an air outlet provided at an upper portion of the condensation duct, and a water storage area formed at the bottom of the condensation duct; the condensation duct is configured such that the water level in the condensation duct is high enough to submerge the lower end portion of the first windshield; The clothes drying module is arranged on the top of the outer cylinder, the condensing air duct is arranged on the end surface of the outer cylinder and is located on one side of the motor, the air outlet and the air inlet are respectively connected to the outer cylinder, and the air outlet is connected to the air inlet; The condensation module also includes: a first wind shield, disposed in the condensing air duct and located in the water storage area, the first wind shield extending downward from the upper side of the condensing air duct; a second wind shield, disposed in the condensing air duct and located in the water storage area, the second wind shield extending from below to above the condensing air duct; Wherein, along the airflow direction inside the condensing air duct, the lower end of the first wind shield is located in front of the upper end of the second wind shield, and an air inlet area is formed between the first wind shield, the second wind shield and the air inlet, and an air outlet area is formed between the first wind shield, the second wind shield and the air outlet; The upper portion of the first windshield is further provided with an air guide portion extending toward the air outlet area, and the air guide portion is located above the second windshield; The first wind shield, the second wind shield, and the wind guide are all designed to be arc-shaped structures. The condensing module is configured so that the airflow flowing between the lower end of the first wind shield and the upper end of the second wind shield can form a vortex. The lower end of the first wind shield is bent toward the second wind shield, and the upper end of the second wind shield is bent toward the first wind shield. A plurality of water baffles are further provided below the air outlet, and the plurality of water baffles are arranged in a manner of being spaced apart up and down and being laterally staggered.

2. The washing and drying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The condensation air duct comprises: A water storage cavity, wherein the water storage area is formed in the water storage cavity, and the air inlet is connected to the water storage cavity; An air outlet cavity, the air outlet cavity is located above the water storage cavity, and the air outlet is connected to the air outlet cavity; an air channel, the air channel communicating with the water storage cavity and the air outlet cavity; Wherein, the side of the air channel close to the motor is an arc-shaped structure.

3. The washing and drying machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The water storage cavity is located obliquely below the motor, and the side of the water storage cavity close to the motor is also an arc-shaped structure.

4. The washing and drying machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The air outlet cavity is overlapped on the top of the outer cylinder.

5. The washing and drying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The height of the water storage area is not higher than the height of the air inlet.

6. The washing and drying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: Along the horizontal projection direction, the lower end portion of the first wind shield plate and the upper end portion of the second wind shield plate form a projection overlapping area.

7. The washing and drying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air guide portion extends obliquely downward.

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