A feeding mechanism and a washing machine

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of washing machine technology, and more particularly to a feeding mechanism and a washing machine. A feeding mechanism includes: a feeding box and a storage box, the feeding box having an open state and a closed state; a first contact portion is provided in the feeding box, and a second contact portion is provided in the storage box; when the feeding box switches between the closed state and the open state, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are in close contact. The washing machine of this invention has the following advantages: it prevents detergent leakage, saves detergent, ensures sufficient detergent is added to the washing tub, reduces the probability of damage to internal parts of the washing machine, and ensures the cleanliness of the washing machine's interior.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of washing machine technology, and more particularly to a feeding mechanism and a washing machine. Background Technology

[0002] Washing machines have become an indispensable household appliance, and users are constantly raising their expectations for their performance and the quality of washing various types of clothing. In particular, the impact of laundry detergent on different types of clothing, especially delicate garments, is receiving increasing attention. For example, for pure wool garments, fabric softener is usually added along with laundry detergent to maintain their softness after washing. To ensure the appropriate amount of detergent and fabric softener is used for each type of clothing, measuring cups are typically used to weigh the detergent before adding it to the washing machine. However, due to the inconvenience of this method, many users add detergent visually, which can damage the fabric or fail to achieve the desired cleaning effect. Therefore, many washing machines now feature a detergent dispenser instead of a measuring cup, or use sensors to measure the amount of detergent added and dispense the detergent and fabric softener separately into the washing tub, greatly improving convenience and user experience.

[0003] To facilitate adding detergent, modern detergent dispensers are often designed like drawers, opening and closing with a rotating mechanism. However, during use, leakage frequently occurs between the dispenser and the internal detergent compartment, wasting a significant amount of detergent, failing to meet the required dosage, damaging internal components, and hindering the washing machine's cleaning process. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention aims to provide a feeding mechanism that solves the problems of leakage, waste of detergent, insufficient amount of detergent added, damage to internal parts of the washing machine, and inconvenience in cleaning the washing machine by setting a seal between the feeding box and the storage box.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is implemented as follows:

[0006] A feeding mechanism includes: a feeding box with a first discharge port; and a storage box with a storage chamber and a first inlet, the first inlet being disposed on a side wall of the storage box opposite to the first discharge port and communicating with the storage chamber; the feeding box includes an open state and a closed state; when the feeding box is in the closed state, the first discharge port and the first inlet are in communication; when the feeding box is in the open state, the first discharge port and the first inlet are in a non-communication state or a partially communication state; a first contact portion is located on the side wall below the first discharge port of the feeding box, and a second contact portion is located on the side wall below the first inlet of the storage box; when the feeding box switches between the closed state and the open state, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are in close contact.

[0007] Furthermore, the feed box is rotatable relative to the storage box, and when the feed box switches from the closed state to the open state, the area above the first discharge port gradually moves away from the storage box.

[0008] Furthermore, the feeding box includes two or more feeding chambers, each feeding chamber being provided with a first discharge port; corresponding to each feeding chamber, a storage chamber is provided in the storage box; each storage chamber is provided with a first feeding port corresponding to each first discharge port.

[0009] Furthermore, two adjacent feed chambers are isolated from each other; two adjacent storage chambers are also isolated from each other.

[0010] Furthermore, the feeding box is provided with a second feeding port for each feeding chamber, and the inner surface of the bottom plate of the feeding chamber extends from the second feeding port to the lower part of the first discharging port.

[0011] Furthermore, the storage box also includes a pipe, with the first inlet located at one end of the pipe, and the other end of the pipe being sealed and connected to the storage chamber.

[0012] Furthermore, the pipe extends obliquely downward from the first inlet to the storage chamber.

[0013] A washing machine includes: a feeding mechanism, wherein the feeding mechanism is the feeding mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 7; and a washing tub; and a second discharge port is provided for each storage chamber, wherein the storage chamber is connected to the washing tub through the second discharge port.

[0014] Furthermore, the second discharge port is connected to the washing tub via at least one liquid pump.

[0015] Furthermore, a liquid pump is provided for each of the second discharge ports.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the feeding mechanism of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0017] The advantages of this technical solution are that it prevents detergent leakage, saves detergent, ensures that a sufficient amount of detergent is added to the washing tub, reduces the chance of damage to internal parts of the washing machine, and ensures the cleanliness of the washing machine's interior. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the feeding mechanism described in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the feeding mechanism described in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 The feeding mechanism described in the embodiments of the present invention Figure 1 Enlarged view of part A;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a front view of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the washing machine described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0025] 1-Feed box, 11-First discharge port, 12-Second feed port, 13-First contact part, 2-Storage box, 21-Storage chamber, 211-Second discharge port, 22-Pipeline, 221-First feed port, 222-Second contact part, 3-Liquid pump. Detailed Implementation

[0026] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0027] In this invention, the terms "first," "second," "upper," and "lower," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first," "second," "upper," or "lower" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Furthermore, the "horizontal" aspect of this invention refers to the horizontal placement relative to the lock cover sidewall. The technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of a person skilled in the art to implement them. Where the technical solutions of the embodiments can be combined, they are all within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0028] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0029] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a feeding mechanism includes: a feeding box 1, including a first discharge port 11; and a storage box 2, including a storage chamber 21 and a first feed port 221, wherein the first feed port 221 is disposed on the side wall of the storage box 2 opposite to the first discharge port 11, and the first feed port 221 communicates with the storage chamber 21; the feeding box 1 includes an open state and a closed state; when the feeding box 1 is in the closed state, the first discharge port 11 and the first feed port 221 are in a communicating state; when the feeding box 1 is in the open state, the first discharge port 11 and the first feed port 221 are in a non-communicating state or a partially communicating state; the side wall below the first discharge port 11 of the feeding box 1 is a first contact portion 13, and the side wall below the first feed port 221 of the storage box 2 is a second contact portion 222; when the feeding box 1 switches between the closed state and the open state, the first contact portion 13 and the second contact portion 222 are in close contact.

[0030] Material is input through the feed box 1, and the material can be one or a combination of two or more of the following: sand, liquid, or gas. In this embodiment, taking the injection of detergent into a washing machine as an example, the feed box 1 can be switched to the open state, and detergent powder or liquid detergent can be injected into the feed box 1. Then, the feed box 1 can be switched to the closed state. At this time, the first discharge port 11 and the first feed port 221 are in a connected state, and the detergent enters the storage box 2 from the feed box 1 through the first feed port 221. When the feed box 1 switches between the open and closed states, in order to prevent material leakage between the feed box 1 and the storage box 2, a first contact part 13 is provided below the first discharge port of the feed box 1, and a second contact part 222 is provided below the first feed port 221 of the storage box 2. When the feed box 1 and the storage box 2 switch between the open and closed states, the first contact part 13 and the second contact part 222 are always in close contact to prevent material leakage. In order to achieve close contact between the first contact portion 13 and the second contact portion 222, a seal may be provided on at least one surface of the first contact portion 13 and the second contact portion 222.

[0031] The feeding mechanism described above prevents detergent leakage, saves detergent, ensures that a sufficient amount of detergent is added to the washing tub, reduces the chance of damage to internal parts of the washing machine, and ensures the cleanliness of the washing machine's interior.

[0032] Specifically, the feed box 1 is rotatable relative to the storage box 2. When the feed box 1 switches from the closed state to the open state, the top of the first discharge port 11 gradually moves away from the storage box 2.

[0033] Feed box 1 and storage box 2 are mounted on a bracket, and feed box 1 is connected to the bracket via a pivot. In the closed state, the wall of the first discharge port 11 is parallel to the end face of the first feed port 221. When feed box 1 is to be opened, the upper part of the first discharge port 11 of feed box 1 is rotated away from the storage box 2 to open feed box 1.

[0034] Existing washing machines use a pull-out, drawer-like opening mechanism for the feed box, which occupies a significant amount of internal space. Applying the feed mechanism of this embodiment to a washing machine saves internal space compared to the existing pull-out feed box.

[0035] Specifically, the feeding box 1 includes two or more feeding chambers (not shown in the figure), each feeding chamber is provided with a first discharge port 11; corresponding to each feeding chamber, a storage chamber (not shown in the figure) is provided in the storage box 2; each storage chamber is provided with a first feeding port 221 corresponding to each first discharge port 11.

[0036] When multiple materials are input through the feeding mechanism of this embodiment, in order to prevent chemical reactions between the various materials, or when different types of materials need to be input separately according to different actual situations, the feeding box 1 needs to be set with a corresponding number of feeding chambers corresponding to the number of types of input materials. Correspondingly, each feeding chamber is provided with a first discharge port 13, and each storage box 2 is provided with a storage chamber, and a first inlet 221 is provided for each storage chamber.

[0037] For example, when the feeding mechanism of this embodiment is applied to a washing machine, laundry detergent or liquid detergent can be fed into one feeding chamber and fabric softener into the other feeding chamber. The laundry detergent or liquid detergent and fabric softener are fed into the corresponding storage chambers in the storage box 2 through the corresponding first discharge port 11 and first inlet port 221, respectively. This effectively avoids the mixing of laundry detergent or liquid detergent and fabric softener, which could lead to a chemical reaction.

[0038] Specifically, two adjacent feed chambers are isolated from each other; two adjacent storage chambers 21 are isolated from each other.

[0039] The two feed chambers and two storage chambers 21 are isolated to prevent the two materials from mixing.

[0040] Specifically, the feed box 1 is provided with a second feed port 12 for each feed chamber, and the inner surface of the bottom plate of the feed chamber extends from the second feed port 12 to the lower part of the first discharge port 11.

[0041] To effectively transfer material from the feed box 1 to the storage box 2, the bottom surface of the feed chamber is designed to extend from the second feed inlet 12 to the first discharge outlet 11. In this embodiment, the second feed inlet 12 is located above the feed box 1, and the first discharge outlet 11 is located on the side wall adjacent to the second feed inlet 12. When the feed box 1 is closed, the bottom surface of the feed chamber is inclined downwards. When the feed box 1 is fully open, the bottom surface of the feed chamber forms an angle of 0° to 5° with the side wall of the first feed inlet.

[0042] Specifically, the storage box 2 also includes a pipe 22, the first inlet 221 is located at one end of the pipe 22, and the other end of the pipe 22 is sealed and connected to the storage chamber 21.

[0043] Specifically, the pipe 22 extends obliquely downward from the first feed inlet 221 to the storage chamber 21.

[0044] The material is fed into the storage chamber 21 through the pipe 22. The pipe 22 is set to a downward slope, which further improves the efficiency of material feeding into the storage chamber 21.

[0045] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a washing machine includes: a feeding mechanism, which is the feeding mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 7; and a washing tub (not shown); a second discharge port 211 is provided for each storage chamber 21, and the storage chamber 21 is connected to the washing tub through the second discharge port 211.

[0046] By feeding detergent, liquid detergent, and fabric softener into the washing tub through a feeding mechanism, the quality of the wash can be guaranteed. The feeding mechanism employs a tight contact between the first and second contact parts to prevent detergent leakage, conserve detergent, ensure a sufficient amount of detergent is added to the washing tub, reduce the likelihood of damage to internal parts, and maintain the cleanliness of the washing machine's interior.

[0047] Specifically, the second discharge port 211 is connected to the washing tub via at least one liquid pump 3.

[0048] The efficiency of detergent delivery to the washing tub can be improved by using the liquid pump 3. Multiple storage chambers 21 can be used to deliver different types of detergent to the washing tub via a single liquid pump 3. Alternatively, separate liquid pumps 3 can be installed to pump different types of detergent into the washing tub separately.

[0049] Specifically, a liquid pump 3 is provided for each of the second discharge ports 211.

[0050] In this embodiment, it is preferable to set a liquid pump 3 for each second discharge port 211, which further ensures the mixing of laundry powder or liquid detergent with fabric softener and ensures the quality of washing clothes.

[0051] Other embodiments of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the following claims.

[0052] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A feed mechanism characterized by, The feeding mechanism comprises: a feeding box comprising a first discharge port; a storage box comprising a storage chamber and a first feeding port, the first feeding port being arranged on a side wall of the storage box opposite to the first discharge port, and the first feeding port being in communication with the storage chamber; the feeding box comprises an open state and a closed state; when the feeding box is in the closed state, the first discharge port and the first feeding port are in a communication state; when the feeding box is in the open state, the first discharge port and the first feeding port are in a non-communication state or a partial communication state; a side wall below the first discharge port of the feeding box is a first contact part, and a side wall below the first feeding port of the storage box is a second contact part; when the feeding box is switched between the closed state and the open state, the first contact part and the second contact part are in close contact.

2. The feeding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: the feeding box is rotatable relative to the storage box, and when the feeding box is switched from the closed state to the open state, an upper portion of the first discharge port gradually moves away from the storage box.

3. The feeding mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: the feeding box comprises two or more feeding chambers, and each of the feeding chambers is provided with a first discharge port; corresponding to each of the feeding chambers, a storage chamber is arranged in the storage box; corresponding to each of the first discharge ports, a first feeding port is arranged in each of the storage chambers.

4. The feeding mechanism according to claim 3, wherein: adjacent two of the feeding chambers are isolated from each other; adjacent two of the storage chambers are isolated from each other.

5. The feeding mechanism according to claim 3, wherein: the feeding box is further provided with a second feeding port corresponding to each of the feeding chambers, and an inner surface of a bottom plate of the feeding chamber extends from the second feeding port to a lower portion of the first discharge port.

6. The feeding mechanism according to claim 3, wherein: the storage box further comprises a pipe, the first feeding port is arranged at one end of the pipe, and the other end of the pipe is in sealed communication with the storage chamber.

7. The feeding mechanism according to claim 6, wherein: the pipe extends obliquely downward from the first feeding port to the storage chamber.

8. A laundry machine characterized by The feeding mechanism comprises: a feeding mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7; and a washing tub; corresponding to each of the storage chambers, a second discharge port is arranged, and the storage chamber is in communication with the washing tub through the second discharge port.

9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein: the second discharge port is in communication with the washing tub through at least one liquid pump.

10. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein: corresponding to each of the second discharge ports, a liquid pump is arranged.

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