A washing machine

Abstract

The present invention discloses a washing machine comprising an inner tub capable of independently holding water during the washing process, a mounting assembly, and a drainage pipe. The drainage pipe is disposed on a side wall of the inner tub, with a lower portion of the drainage pipe suspended to form a suspended portion, which is secured to the inner tub via the mounting assembly. The present invention secures the suspended portion of the drainage pipe to the inner tub via the mounting assembly, so that the suspended portion receives support from the mounting assembly. During rotation of the inner tub, the drainage pipe is less susceptible to deformation and cracking, effectively preventing water leakage from the washing machine due to drainage pipe rupture, extending the service life of the drainage pipe, reducing production costs, and improving the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] At present, fully automatic washing machines have been widely used and are favored by more and more people. A fully automatic washing machine consists of an outer barrel and an inner barrel set inside the outer barrel. The side wall of the inner barrel is provided with a dehydration hole. When the washing machine is finished, the water in the barrel needs to be drained and the clothes are dehydrated. The process is as follows:

[0003] During dehydration, the drive mechanism rotates the inner tub, and centrifugal force forces the water from the clothes to drain from the inner tub's sidewalls and bottom drain holes into the outer tub. During draining, the drain valve opens, and the water between the outer and inner tubs flows through the drain port at the bottom of the outer tub, the drain valve, and the drain pipe, exiting the washing machine. During the dehydration and draining process, the water levels in the inner and outer tubs remain consistent until the water in the inner tub flows downward, through the drain hole at the bottom of the inner tub, and then out of the drain port at the bottom of the outer tub.

[0004] The above washing machine has the following problems during operation:

[0005] 1. Stains easily accumulate on the inner wall of the outer tub and the outer wall of the inner tub, which will cause secondary pollution to the clothes during the next washing;

[0006] 2. During washing / rinsing, the space between the inner and outer tubs needs to be filled with water. This water does not participate in washing, resulting in a waste of water resources.

[0007] As a result, washing machines on the market are moving towards "drum-less" washing machines, with the emergence of drumless washing machines, which include a non-porous inner drum and a water collection device located at the bottom of the drum. A dewatering port is located on the wall of the drum, just above the highest water level. A drainage pipe is installed on the wall of the drum, connecting the dewatering port and the water collection device, directing the dewatered water into the water collection device for discharge.

[0008] However, the current installation of drainage pipes has the following problems:

[0009] 1. In order to ensure that the drainage pipe is not deformed by centrifugal force when the inner drum rotates, the drainage pipe is made of metal materials with a certain degree of rigidity, such as stainless steel. This type of drainage pipe has high production costs and complex molding processes. At the same time, the metal drainage pipe increases the weight of the washing machine itself and generates greater noise.

[0010] 2. Some washing machines are equipped with plastic drainage pipes. Plastic drainage pipes have poor rigidity. When the inner barrel rotates, the plastic drainage pipes are easily deformed by the centrifugal force of the washing machine inner barrel. In particular, the part at the end of the drainage pipe that is not connected to the side wall of the inner barrel may produce large deformation or cracking, causing water leakage.

[0011] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the problems of high cost, complex molding process, and easy deformation and cracking of the existing washing machine drainage pipe, and to propose a washing machine so that the drainage pipe of the washing machine has low production cost, good structural stability, and is not easy to deform or crack.

[0013] In order to solve the above technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a washing machine, including an inner barrel that can independently hold water during the washing process, and also including an installation component and a drainage pipe. The drainage pipe is arranged on the side wall of the inner barrel, and the lower part of the drainage pipe is suspended to form a suspended part, and the suspended part is fixed to the inner barrel through the installation component.

[0014] Furthermore, the mounting assembly includes a support arm, one end of which is fixedly connected to the suspended portion, and the other end of which is fixedly connected to the side wall / bottom of the inner barrel.

[0015] Furthermore, the lower portion of the side wall of the inner barrel has a mounting portion, one end of the support arm is fixedly connected to the mounting portion, and the other end is fixedly connected to the suspended portion.

[0016] Furthermore, the mounting portion is a clamping protrusion, the support arm has a clamping slot, and the support arm is clamped on the clamping protrusion through the clamping slot;

[0017] Preferably, the clamping protrusion is integrally formed with the inner barrel, or the clamping protrusion is detachably provided on the inner barrel;

[0018] Preferably, the card slot is mounted on the card protrusion and is fixedly connected by screws.

[0019] Furthermore, a flange is provided at the bottom of the inner barrel, and the support arm is fixedly connected to the flange;

[0020] Preferably, the support arm has a slot, and the support arm is clamped on the edge of the flange through the slot.

[0021] Furthermore, one end of the support arm is fixedly connected to the inner barrel, and the other end has a groove structure. The opening side of the groove structure faces the outside of the inner barrel and the groove structure is arranged to pass through the support arm in the vertical direction. The drainage pipe is clamped and fixed in the groove structure and fixedly connected to the support arm.

[0022] Furthermore, the inner peripheral wall of the groove structure has relatively arranged positioning grooves, and the positioning grooves are arranged to pass through the support arm in the vertical direction. The outer peripheral side wall of the drainage pipe has a positioning boss, and the positioning boss cooperates with the positioning groove to engage with the positioning groove so that the drainage pipe is positioned and installed on the groove structure.

[0023] Furthermore, the inner peripheral wall of the positioning groove has a limiting groove opened from top to bottom, the limiting groove has a horizontally arranged bottom wall, and the outer peripheral side wall of the drainage pipe has a limiting boss, and the limiting boss can abut against the bottom wall of the limiting groove.

[0024] Furthermore, the support arm includes a curved strip structure that matches the outer wall of the inner barrel. The side of the curved strip structure that matches the outer wall of the inner barrel has a slot arranged along its length and having a horizontal opening. The slot is clamped on the side wall / bottom of the inner barrel.

[0025] Furthermore, the arc-shaped strip structure has two extension arms extending to the side opposite to the opening of the slot and arranged at intervals. The extension arms and the arc-shaped strip structure form the groove structure, and the drainage pipe is clamped on the groove structure perpendicular to the plane where the groove structure is located.

[0026] After adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0027] 1. The present invention fixes the suspended portion of the drainage pipe on the inner tub through an installation assembly, so that the suspended portion is supported by the installation assembly. During the rotation of the inner tub, the drainage pipe is not easily deformed or cracked, which effectively avoids the phenomenon of water leakage in the washing machine due to rupture of the drainage pipe, extends the service life of the drainage pipe, reduces production costs, and improves user experience.

[0028] 2. The suspended portion is fixed to the side wall of the inner tub through the support arm. Since the support arm has a large rigidity, the suspended portion is fixed to the support arm, so that the suspended portion is not easily deformed during the rotation and drying process of the inner tub.

[0029] 3. The support arm is fixed to the side wall of the inner barrel by engaging the protrusion on the side wall of the inner barrel with the groove on the support arm. The fixing method is simple, the installation process is fast and efficient, and the installation time is saved.

[0030] 4. The cam on the side wall of the inner barrel is integrally formed with the inner barrel, which makes the structure of the cam stable and prevents it from falling off from the side wall of the inner barrel, thus ensuring the stability of the support arm installation and further ensuring the stability of the drainage pipe installation.

[0031] 5. The flange at the bottom of the inner barrel is fixedly connected to the support arm. The support arm can be installed without changing the structure of the inner barrel itself. The structure is simple and the cost is low. The suspended part of the drainage pipe is fixed to the flange through the support arm, making the installation structure of the drainage pipe more stable and reliable.

[0032] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] 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 undue limitation of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without inventive effort. In the accompanying drawings:

[0034] Figure 1 It is a front view of the assembly structure of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 This invention Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the partially enlarged structure at center A;

[0036] Figure 3 is a side view of the assembly structure of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 4 This invention Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the partially enlarged structure at point B in the middle;

[0038] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the support arm structure of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 7 It is a top view of the assembly structure of the present invention.

[0041] In the figure: 1. Inner barrel; 11. Bottom of inner barrel; 12. Flange; 121. Flange edge; 13. Side wall of inner barrel; 2. Drain pipe; 21. Suspended portion; 3. Support arm; 31. One end of support arm; 32. Other end of support arm; 321. Slot; 33. Groove structure; 331. Positioning slot; 34. Arc-shaped strip structure; 35. Extension arm; 36. Screw.

[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 rather 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 terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating directions or positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0045] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; and direct or indirect connections through an intermediary. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the present invention provides a washing machine, which is a non-hole inner barrel washing machine. The inner barrel 1 of the non-hole inner barrel washing machine has a closed barrel body design, so that the inner barrel 1 can independently hold washing water during washing / rinsing.

[0047] A dehydration port is located above the enclosed area of the inner tub 1, above the maximum water level within the inner tub. The non-perforated inner tub washing machine also includes a water collection device having an open water collection chamber. At least the bottom of the inner tub 1 is located within the water collection chamber, which collects and drains water discharged from the inner tub. A drainage pipe 2 is installed on the wall of the non-perforated inner tub, connecting the dehydration port and the water collection device. This ensures that wash water remains within the inner tub 1 during washing / rinsing. During dehydration, the inner tub 1 rotates at high speed, causing the water within the inner tub 1 to rise along the wall under centrifugal force to the dehydration port, where it is guided by the drainage pipe 2 to the water collection device for discharge.

[0048] As an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine further includes a mounting assembly. The drainage pipe 2 is disposed on the inner tub sidewall 13, and the lower portion of the drainage pipe 2 is suspended to form a suspended portion 21, which is fixed to the inner tub 1 via the mounting assembly.

[0049] The present invention fixes the suspended portion 21 of the drainage pipe 2 on the inner tub 1 through the installation component, so that the suspended portion 21 is supported by the installation component. During the rotation of the inner tub 1, the drainage pipe 2 is not easily deformed or cracked, which effectively avoids the phenomenon of water leakage caused by the rupture of the drainage pipe 2 in the washing machine, prolongs the service life of the drainage pipe 2, reduces production costs, and improves user experience.

[0050] Specifically, as an embodiment of the present invention, the mounting assembly includes a support arm 3, which has great strength and rigidity. Preferably, the support arm 3 is made of stainless steel and is not easily deformed.

[0051] One end 31 of the support arm is fixedly connected to the suspended portion 21, and the other end 32 of the support arm is fixedly connected to the inner tub sidewall 13. Alternatively, the other end 32 of the support arm is fixedly connected to the inner tub bottom 11.

[0052] The suspended portion 21 is fixed to the inner tub side wall 13 by the support arm 3. Since the support arm 3 has a large rigidity, the suspended portion 21 is fixed to the support arm 3, so that the suspended portion 21 is not easily deformed during the rotation and drying process of the inner tub 1.

[0053] Furthermore, the support arm 3 is arranged horizontally, and the suspended portion 21 of the drainage pipe 2 is arranged perpendicular to the support arm 3. The suspended portion 21 of the drainage pipe 2 is arranged perpendicular to the support arm 3 so that the gravity of the suspended portion 21 acts entirely on the support arm 3, that is, when the inner tub 1 rotates, the suspended portion 21 will not be deformed due to its own gravity.

[0054] Furthermore, the overhanging portion 21 is located at the lower portion of the drain pipe 2, and the upper portion of the drain pipe 2 is connected to the inner tub sidewall 13 via screws. Preferably, the upper portion of the drain pipe 2 is positioned flush against the inner tub sidewall 13, and the overhanging portion 21 is fixedly connected to the inner tub sidewall 13 via the support arm 3. The connection of both the upper and lower portions of the drain pipe 2, i.e., the overhanging portion 21, to the inner tub sidewall 13, ensures a more secure installation of the drain pipe 2 and prevents deformation.

[0055] As another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the suspended portion 21 is arranged at the lower part of the inner barrel 1, and a mounting portion is provided on the side wall of the lower part of the inner barrel 1. One end 31 of the support arm is fixedly connected to the mounting portion, and the other end 32 of the support arm is fixedly connected to the suspended portion 21.

[0056] Specifically, the mounting portion is a clamping protrusion, and the support arm 3 has a clamping slot 321, and the support arm 3 is clamped on the clamping protrusion through the clamping slot 321. This mounting method has a simple structure and is easy to disassemble and install.

[0057] Preferably, the latching protrusion is integrally formed with the inner barrel, so that the structure of the latching protrusion is more stable and the latching protrusion is not easy to fall off from the side wall 13 of the inner barrel, thereby further ensuring the stability of the drainage pipe 2.

[0058] Alternatively, the latching protrusion is detachably arranged on the inner tub. When the latching protrusion is damaged, the washing machine can be operated normally by simply replacing the latching protrusion without replacing the inner tub, thereby reducing maintenance costs.

[0059] Further preferably, the card slot is provided on the card convex and is fixedly connected by screws 36. Fixing by screws 36 further ensures the stability of the fixed installation of the support arm 3 and the card convex, making the support arm 3 not easy to loosen, further ensuring the stability of the installation of the drainage pipe 2.

[0060] As another implementation of this embodiment, the mounting portion is a groove on the inner barrel side wall 13, and the support arm 3 has a fixed boss, which is clamped in the groove, further realizing the fixed installation of the support arm 3 and the inner barrel 1.

[0061] In another embodiment of the present invention, one end 31 of the support arm is fixedly connected to the inner tub bottom 11. The inner tub bottom 11 has a mounting plate integrally formed therewith, and the support arm 3 is secured to the support plate. Alternatively, the support arm 3 and the support plate are fastened together by screws. In this embodiment, the support arm 3 is fixedly connected to the mounting plate, which simplifies the connection and prevents the support arm 3 from shaking on the mounting plate, resulting in a stable and durable structure.

[0062] Alternatively, the inner tub bottom 11 is provided with a flange 12, and the support arm 3 is fixedly connected to the flange 12; preferably, the support arm 3 has a slot 321, and the support arm 3 is secured to the flange edge 121 via the slot 321. The support arm 3 is secured to the flange edge 121, providing a stable structure, and the flange edge 121 protrudes from the edge of the inner tub bottom 11, facilitating installation and removal of the support arm 3.

[0063] As an embodiment of the present invention, Figures 1 to 5As shown, one end 31 of the support arm is fixedly connected to the inner barrel 1, and the other end has a groove structure 33. The opening side of the groove structure 33 faces the outside of the inner barrel 1 and the groove structure 33 is arranged to pass through the support arm 3 in the vertical direction. The drainage pipe 2 is clamped and fixed in the groove structure 33 and fixedly connected to the support arm 3.

[0064] Furthermore, the shape of the groove structure 33 matches the cross-section of the drainage pipe 2, so that the peripheral sidewall of the drainage pipe 2 fully abuts the inner peripheral sidewall of the groove structure 33. In other words, there are many stress points between the drainage pipe 2 and the groove structure 33, and the stress points are evenly distributed, thus preventing damage to the drainage pipe 2 due to localized stress.

[0065] As another embodiment of the present invention, the inner peripheral wall of the groove structure 33 has a positioning groove 331 disposed opposite to each other. The positioning groove 331 is vertically disposed through the support arm 3. The outer peripheral side wall of the drainage pipe 2 has a positioning boss. The positioning boss engages with the positioning groove 331 to position the drainage pipe 2 in the groove structure 33.

[0066] Furthermore, the shape and size of the positioning boss match the shape and size of the positioning groove 331 .

[0067] In this embodiment, the positioning boss and the positioning groove 331 are provided for positioning and then fixedly connected, thereby effectively avoiding installation misalignment of the drainage pipe 2, improving the stability and accuracy of the installation of the drainage pipe 2 and the support arm 3, and improving the installation efficiency of the staff.

[0068] As another embodiment of the present invention, the inner peripheral wall of the positioning groove 331 has a limiting groove extending downward from top to bottom. The limiting groove has a horizontal bottom wall, and the outer peripheral side wall of the drainage pipe 2 has a limiting boss, which can be abutted against the bottom wall of the limiting groove.

[0069] In this embodiment, the positioning grooves and the positioning bosses are provided to vertically position the drainage pipe 2, thereby limiting the installation height of the drainage pipe 2 and preventing the drainage channel 2 from being installed too high or too low. Furthermore, this arrangement allows for more precise installation of the drainage pipe 2, ensuring both efficiency and accuracy.

[0070] Furthermore, as another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 As shown, the support arm 3 includes a curved strip structure 34 that matches the inner tub sidewall 13. The side of the curved strip structure 34 that matches the inner tub sidewall 13 has a horizontally open slot 321 arranged along its length. The slot 321 is secured to the inner tub sidewall 13 / inner tub bottom 11.

[0071] In this embodiment, the coordinated installation of the arc-shaped strip structure 34 and the inner barrel 1 is more reasonable, making full use of the position space of the inner barrel side wall 13 / inner barrel bottom 11, and ensuring the stability of the installation of the support arm 3 and the inner barrel 1.

[0072] Furthermore, the arcuate strip structure 34 includes two spaced-apart extension arms 35 extending toward a side opposite the opening of the retaining groove 321. The extension arms 35 and the arcuate strip structure 34 form the recessed groove structure 33. The drainage pipe 2 is secured to the recessed groove 33 perpendicular to the plane of the recessed groove 33. The support arm 3 in this embodiment has a simple structure, making it easy to replace and maintain, and suitable for standardized large-scale production.

[0073] In the present invention, the inner tub sidewall 13 is provided with multiple vertically arranged drainage pipes 2 evenly spaced around the inner tub. Each of these pipes 2 is fixedly connected to the inner tub sidewall 13 via a support arm 3. The provision of multiple drainage pipes 2 ensures efficient drainage of the inner tub 1. This connection, along with the support arm 3, prevents damage and deformation during the continuous rotation of the inner tub 1, effectively preventing water leakage in the washing machine.

[0074] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any form of limitation to the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed as above in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with this patent can make slight changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments using the above technical content without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention are still within the scope of the solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising an inner tub capable of independently holding water during the washing process, characterized in that: The utility model also includes a mounting assembly and a drainage pipe, wherein the drainage pipe is arranged on the side wall of the inner tub, and the lower portion of the drainage pipe is suspended to form a suspended portion, and the suspended portion is fixed to the inner tub through the mounting assembly; The mounting assembly includes a support arm, one end of which is fixedly connected to the inner barrel and the other end of which has a groove structure; The inner wall of the groove structure has relatively arranged positioning grooves, and the positioning grooves are arranged to pass through the support arm in the vertical direction. The outer side wall of the drainage pipe has a positioning boss, and the positioning boss cooperates with the positioning groove to engage with the positioning groove so that the drainage pipe is positioned and installed on the groove structure.

2. A washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the support arm is fixedly connected to the suspended portion, and the other end is fixedly connected to the side wall / bottom of the inner barrel.

3. A washing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lower part of the side wall of the inner barrel is provided with a mounting portion, one end of the support arm is fixedly connected to the mounting portion, and the other end is fixedly connected to the suspended portion.

4. A washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mounting portion is a clamping protrusion, and the support arm is provided with a clamping slot, and the support arm is clamped on the clamping protrusion through the clamping slot.

5. A washing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: The latching protrusion is integrally formed with the inner barrel, or the latching protrusion is detachably arranged on the inner barrel.

6. The washing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: The card slot is clamped on the card protrusion and fixedly connected by screws.

7. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A flange is provided at the bottom of the inner barrel, and the support arm is fixedly connected to the flange.

8. The washing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The support arm is provided with a clamping slot, and the support arm is clamped on the edge of the flange through the clamping slot.

9. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The opening side of the groove structure faces the outside of the inner barrel and the groove structure is arranged to pass through the support arm in the vertical direction. The drainage pipe is clamped and fixed in the groove structure and fixedly connected to the support arm.

10. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner peripheral wall of the positioning groove is provided with a limiting groove opened from top to bottom, and the limiting groove has a horizontally arranged bottom wall. The outer peripheral side wall of the drainage pipe is provided with a limiting boss, and the limiting boss can abut against the bottom wall of the limiting groove.

11. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The support arm includes an arc-shaped strip structure that matches the side wall of the inner barrel. The side of the arc-shaped strip structure that matches the outer wall of the inner barrel has a slot arranged along its length and having a horizontal opening. The slot is clamped on the side wall / bottom of the inner barrel.

12. The washing machine according to claim 11, characterized in that: The arc-shaped strip structure has two extension arms extending to a side opposite to the opening of the slot and spaced apart. The extension arms and the arc-shaped strip structure form the groove structure. The drainage pipe is perpendicular to the plane where the groove structure is located and is clamped on the groove structure.

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