Drain valve and washing machine

Abstract

The application discloses a drain valve and a washing machine, the drain valve comprises a valve body and a valve plug, the valve body is provided with a water inlet, an overflow inlet and a drain outlet, the valve body comprises a valve plug cavity, the valve plug is movably arranged in the valve plug cavity and used for opening / closing a drain water path between the water inlet and the drain outlet, and the overflow inlet and the drain outlet are arranged on the valve plug cavity respectively; the valve plug has two positions in the valve plug cavity, in the first position, the drain water path is opened, and an overflow water path between the overflow inlet and the drain outlet is disconnected; in the second position, the drain water path is closed, and the overflow water path between the overflow inlet and the drain outlet is connected. The drain valve can close the overflow inlet when the washing machine drains water, so that the washing water discharged from the washing machine can be directly discharged from the drain outlet, and cannot flow back into the overflow inlet, thereby preventing the overflow inlet from being blocked by residual dirt or thread scraps in the washing water.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of washing machines, and particularly relates to a drain valve and a washing machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the use of washing machines, the drain valve not only needs to normally drain the water in the outer tub, but also needs to drain the water overflowing from the overflow pipe, so as to prevent the water from overflowing from the upper end of the outer tub to the bottom of the washing machine, thereby damaging the components. When the washing machine is draining, the water in the outer tub flows into the drain valve through the water inlet, and then is directly drained from the drain port of the drain valve. As shown in Figs. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The existing washing machine drain valve 1' includes a valve body 10' and a valve plug 12', the valve body 10' has a water inlet 101', an overflow inlet 102' and a drain port 103'. Since the overflow inlet 102' and the drain port 103' are directly communicated, when the valve plug 12' is in the open state, the water in the outer tub will not only be drained from the drain port 103' through the drain valve, but also flow back to the overflow pipe from the overflow inlet 102'. When the water contains dirt or lint, it will cause the overflow pipe to be blocked. And when the washing machine is dehydrating, the water in the overflow pipe will be thrown to a relatively high position under the action of centrifugal force, at this time, the dirt such as lint in the water will adhere to the inner wall of the overflow pipe, and if the overflow pipe is narrow, it will also cause the overflow pipe to be blocked.

[0003] As shown in the Chinese patent with the application number 201320542946.1, a drain valve and a washing machine having the same are disclosed, the drain valve is located at the bottom of the outer tub of the washing machine, and includes a water inlet connecting pipe, a drain connecting pipe, a valve plug cavity between the water inlet connecting pipe and the drain connecting pipe, the water inlet connecting pipe and the drain connecting pipe are communicated with the valve plug cavity, and further includes an overflow connecting pipe, the overflow connecting pipe is at least partially located on the valve plug cavity and communicated with the valve plug cavity. By lowering the height of the overflow connecting pipe, the overall height of the drain valve is lowered, so that the washing machine can increase the capacity of the washing tub without changing the appearance volume. Since the overflow connecting pipe is arranged at the intersection of the valve plug cavity and the drain connecting pipe, when the washing machine is draining, the sewage in the outer tub will still flow into the overflow connecting pipe, causing the overflow connecting pipe to be blocked.

[0004] Therefore, the present application is proposed. SUMMARY

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present application is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, and one purpose of the present application is to provide a drain valve which can prevent the washing water from flowing back to the overflow inlet when the washing machine is draining.

[0006] Another purpose of the present application is to provide a washing machine having the above drain valve.

[0007] To solve the above technical problems, the basic idea of the technical scheme of the present application is:

[0008] The present application provides a drain valve, which comprises a valve body and a valve plug, the valve body is provided with a water inlet, an overflow inlet and a drain outlet, the valve body comprises a valve plug cavity, the valve plug is movably arranged in the valve plug cavity and used for opening / closing a drain water path between the water inlet and the drain outlet, and the overflow inlet and the drain outlet are arranged on the valve plug cavity respectively.

[0009] The valve plug has two positions in the valve plug cavity, in the first position, the drain water path is opened, and an overflow water path between the overflow inlet and the drain outlet is disconnected; in the second position, the drain water path is closed, and the overflow water path between the overflow inlet and the drain outlet is connected.

[0010] When the washing machine is draining, the valve plug is in the first position to open the drain water path between the water inlet and the drain outlet, at this time, the overflow water path between the overflow inlet and the drain outlet is closed, so that the washing water discharged from the washing machine can be directly discharged from the drain outlet, and cannot flow back into the overflow inlet, thereby preventing the residual dirt or lint in the washing water from causing the overflow inlet to be blocked; when the washing machine is overflowing, the valve plug is in the second position to close the drain water path between the water inlet and the drain outlet, at this time, the overflow water path between the overflow inlet and the drain outlet is opened, and the drain valve can directly discharge the overflowing water from the drain outlet of the drain valve.

[0011] Further, the overflow inlet is arranged at an end far away from the water inlet, and the drain outlet is arranged at an end close to the water inlet.

[0012] Further, the valve body comprises a water inlet cavity, the water inlet cavity is communicated with the valve plug cavity, and the water inlet is arranged on the water inlet cavity.

[0013] The valve plug cavity comprises a first cavity and a second cavity, the first cavity is arranged at an end far away from the water inlet cavity, and the second cavity is arranged at an end close to the water inlet cavity; the overflow inlet is arranged in the first cavity, and the drain outlet is arranged in the second cavity.

[0014] The valve plug is located in the first cavity in the first position, and the valve plug is located in the second cavity in the second position.

[0015] By arranging the overflow inlet and the drain outlet on the first cavity and the second cavity respectively, the overflow inlet and the drain outlet are not directly communicated, when the valve plug closes the overflow water path while opening the drain water path, the washing water flowing from the water inlet can be discharged from the drain outlet, and cannot flow back into the overflow inlet, thereby preventing the residual dirt or lint in the washing water from causing the overflow inlet to be blocked.

[0016] Further, dynamic sealing is arranged between the valve plug and the inner peripheral wall of the valve plug cavity.

[0017] Further, thickness of the valve plug in the moving direction is h, diameter of the overflow inlet is r, and r≤h is satisfied.

[0018] Further, the farthest distance between the water outlet and the water inlet cavity is L, diameter of the water outlet is R, thickness of the valve plug in the moving direction is h, and L≥R, L>h is satisfied.

[0019] Preferably, L=R, and h

[0020] Further, the first position is located in the valve plug cavity and close to the water outlet side of the overflow inlet.

[0021] Further, the valve plug cavity inner wall is provided with a protruding blocking part, which is arranged between the overflow inlet and the water outlet, and is used for limiting the valve plug to move to the first position when the water outlet is opened.

[0022] Further, the blocking part is an annular blocking rib arranged along the valve plug cavity inner wall in the circumferential direction, and the valve plug is sealed with the end surface of the annular blocking rib when the valve plug is in the first position.

[0023] Another aspect of the present application provides a washing machine with the above-mentioned water outlet valve.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0025] When the washing machine is draining, the water outlet valve can close the overflow inlet, so that the washing water drained from the washing machine can be directly drained from the water outlet, and cannot flow back into the overflow inlet, so as to prevent the residual dirt or lint in the washing water from causing the overflow inlet to be blocked; when the washing machine is overflowing, the water outlet valve can directly drain the overflowing water from the water outlet of the water outlet valve.

[0026] The specific embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are part of the present application, serve to further understand the present application, and the illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions serve to explain the present application, but do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 is a structural schematic view of a water outlet valve of a washing machine in a closed state in the prior art;

[0029] Figure 2 is a structural schematic view of a water outlet valve of a washing machine in an open state in the prior art;

[0030] Figure 3 Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of the washing machine drain valve in the closed state according to the present application;

[0031] Figure 4 Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of the washing machine drain valve in the open state according to the present application;

[0032] Figure 5 Figure 5 is another structural schematic diagram of the washing machine drain valve in the open state according to the present application;

[0033] Figure 6 Figure 6 is still another structural schematic diagram of the washing machine drain valve in the open state according to the present application;

[0034] In the figures: 1' and 1, drain valve; 10' and 10, valve body; 101' and 101, water inlet; 102' and 102, overflow inlet; 103' and 103, drain outlet; 11, valve plug cavity; 111, first cavity; 112, second cavity; 113, blocking portion; 12' and 12, valve plug; 13, water inlet cavity.

[0035] It should be noted that the drawings and the written description are not intended to limit the scope of the present application in any way, but are merely intended to illustrate the concept of the present application to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings of the embodiments of the present application. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present application, but are not used to limit the scope of the present application.

[0037] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are merely intended to facilitate the description of the present application and simplify the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application.

[0038] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connection", "connecting" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integrally connected; it can be mechanical connection, or directly connected, or indirectly connected through intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0039] Furthermore, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are used herein for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or an ordered sequence. Thus, features referring to "first", "second" etc. can include, explicitly or implicitly, one or more of such features. In the description of the application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is at least two, such as two, three or the like, unless otherwise expressly specified.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 to 6 , the present application provides a drain valve 1, comprising a valve body 10 and a valve plug 12, the valve body 10 is provided with a water inlet 101, an overflow inlet 102 and a drain outlet 103, the valve body 10 comprises a valve plug cavity 11, the valve plug 12 is movably arranged in the valve plug cavity 11, for opening / closing the drain water path between the water inlet 101 and the drain outlet 103, the overflow inlet 102 and the drain outlet 103 are arranged on the valve plug cavity 11 respectively. The overflow inlet 102 is arranged at one end away from the water inlet 101, and the drain outlet 103 is arranged at one end close to the water inlet 101. The valve plug 12 has two positions in the valve plug cavity 11, in the first position, the drain water path is opened, and the overflow water path between the overflow inlet 102 and the drain outlet 103 is disconnected, in the second position, the drain water path is closed, and the overflow water path between the overflow inlet 102 and the drain outlet 103 is connected.

[0041] When the washing machine is draining, as shown in Figure 4 , the valve plug 12 opens the drain water path between the water inlet 101 and the drain outlet 103 in the first position, at this time the overflow water path has been closed by the valve plug 12, so that the washing water discharged from the washing machine can be directly discharged from the drain outlet 103, and cannot flow back into the overflow inlet 102, to prevent the residual dirt or lint in the washing water from causing the overflow inlet 102 to be blocked; when the washing machine is overflowing, as shown in Figure 3 , the valve plug 12 closes the drain water path between the water inlet 101 and the drain outlet 103 in the second position, at this time the overflow water path between the overflow inlet and the drain outlet is opened, and the drain valve can directly discharge the overflowing water from the drain outlet of the drain valve.

[0042] Specifically, the valve body 10 comprises a water inlet cavity 13, the water inlet cavity 13 is communicated with the valve plug cavity 11, and the water inlet 101 is arranged on the water inlet cavity 13; the valve plug cavity 11 comprises a first cavity 111 and a second cavity 112, the first cavity 111 is arranged at one end away from the water inlet cavity 13, and the second cavity 112 is arranged at one end close to the water inlet cavity 13; the overflow inlet 102 is arranged in the first cavity 111, and the drain outlet 103 is arranged in the second cavity 112; the valve plug 12 is located in the first cavity 111 in the first position, and the valve plug 12 is located in the second cavity 112 in the second position.

[0043] By setting the overflow inlet 102 and the drain outlet 103 in the first cavity 111 and the second cavity 112 respectively, the first cavity 111 is set at the end far from the water inlet cavity 13, and the second cavity 112 is set at the end close to the water inlet cavity 13; the overflow inlet 102 and the drain outlet 103 are not directly communicated, when the valve plug 12 is in the first position, i.e. in the first cavity, the overflow inlet 102 is closed while the drain outlet 103 is opened, so that the water flowing from the water inlet 101 can be drained from the drain outlet 103, but cannot flow back into the overflow inlet 102, to prevent the overflow inlet 102 from being blocked by the dirt or lint remaining in the washing water.

[0044] The valve plug 12 and the inner circumferential wall of the valve plug cavity 11 are dynamically sealed. Since the valve plug 12 and the inner circumferential wall of the valve plug cavity 11 are dynamically sealed, there is no gap between the valve plug 12 and the inner circumferential wall of the valve plug cavity 11, so that the water from the water inlet 101 can be completely separated when the valve plug 12 is in the second position. When the valve plug 12 is in the first position, since there is no gap between the valve plug 12 and the inner circumferential wall of the valve plug cavity 11, the water from the water inlet cannot flow into the overflow inlet from the periphery of the valve plug, so that the sealing effect of the water inlet and the overflow inlet in the drain valve is just right.

[0045] Of course, in order to ensure the sealing effect of the valve plug on the overflow inlet when the valve plug is in the first position, i.e. in the first cavity, and to realize the function of automatic reset, a resilient member can be provided in the valve plug, for example, the resilient member can be a spring sleeved on the valve plug, a motor is provided at the end of the first cavity far from the water inlet cavity, and the valve plug is driven by the motor, at this time one end of the spring abuts against the inner circumferential wall of the valve plug cavity and the other end abuts against the valve plug.

[0046] The thickness of the valve plug 12 in the moving direction is h, the diameter of the overflow inlet 102 is r, and r≤h is satisfied. The farthest distance between the drain outlet 103 and the water inlet cavity 13 is L, the diameter of the drain outlet 103 is R, the thickness of the valve plug 12 in the moving direction is h, and L≥R and L>h are satisfied.

[0047] As an embodiment, as shown in Figure 4 At this time, the thickness of the valve plug 12 in the moving direction is h, the diameter of the overflow inlet 102 is r, and r≤h is satisfied, to ensure that the valve plug can completely close the overflow inlet, so that the washing water flowing from the water inlet can only flow to the drain outlet from the drain water path, but cannot overflow into the overflow inlet. As shown in Figure 3As shown, the valve plug closes the drain waterway and opens the overflow inlet when in the second position. At this time, the furthest distance between the drain port 103 and the water inlet cavity 13 is L, the diameter of the drain port 103 is R, and the thickness of the valve plug 12 in the moving direction is h, satisfying L ≥ R, L > h. That is, the drain port is in communication with the water inlet cavity through the second cavity, ensuring that the valve plug can open the overflow inlet while partially opening the drain port during movement, so that the overflow water from the washing machine can be directly discharged from the drain port.

[0048] As a preferred embodiment, the drain port is directly in communication with the water inlet cavity. At this time, the furthest distance between the drain port 103 and the water inlet cavity 13 is L, the diameter of the drain port 103 is R, and the thickness of the valve plug 12 in the moving direction is h, satisfying L = R, h < R, which ensures that the valve plug can open the overflow inlet while partially opening the drain port during movement, so that the overflow water from the washing machine can be directly discharged from the drain port.

[0049] As another embodiment, the first position is located in the valve plug cavity 11 on the side of the overflow inlet 102 close to the drain port 103. The inner wall of the valve plug cavity 11 is provided with a protruding blocking portion 113, which is arranged between the overflow inlet 102 and the drain port 103 and is used to limit the movement of the valve plug 12 to the first position after opening the drain waterway. In this embodiment, the valve plug opens the drain waterway without closing the overflow inlet, directly disconnecting the overflow waterway between the overflow inlet and the drain port. The protruding blocking portion provided on the inner wall of the valve plug cavity can limit the movement of the valve plug to the first position in the valve plug cavity on the side of the overflow inlet 102 close to the drain port 103 after opening the drain waterway, so as to disconnect the overflow waterway between the overflow inlet and the drain port, preventing the washing water from flowing in the drain waterway while flowing back into the overflow waterway, causing the overflow inlet to be blocked.

[0050] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5 the blocking portion 113 is an annular rib arranged circumferentially along the inner wall of the valve plug cavity 11. When the valve plug 12 is in the first position, the valve plug 12 is in end face sealing with the annular rib. After the valve plug opens the drain waterway, it moves to the annular rib arranged circumferentially along the inner wall of the valve plug cavity 11 and is in end face sealing with the annular rib. At this time, there can be a gap between the valve plug and the inner circumferential wall of the valve plug cavity.

[0051] It can be understood that, as another embodiment, as shown in Figure 6 the inner wall of the valve plug cavity does not need to be provided with a protruding blocking portion, and the valve plug is directly arranged in sliding sealing with the inner circumferential wall of the valve plug cavity, that is, there is no gap between the valve plug and the inner circumferential wall of the valve plug cavity, and the valve plug directly disconnects the overflow waterway between the overflow inlet and the drain port when moving on the inner circumferential wall of the valve plug cavity.

[0052] In some embodiments, the valve plug cavity of the drain valve is provided with a valve seat on the side opposite to the drain port, the valve seat is connected with the valve plug cavity, and the end is provided with a screw hole for fixing the drain valve to the bottom of the outer tub. After the drain valve is fixed to the bottom of the outer tub, the valve plug cavity is in a horizontal state, the water inlet and the drain port are in a vertical direction, the valve seat is integrally injection molded with the valve plug cavity, or the valve seat can also be an iron hoop with screw holes at both ends, and the drain valve is fixed to the bottom of the outer tub through the iron hoop. The above-mentioned drain valve is arranged on the bottom of the outer tub of the washing machine and is fixed by screws or bolts through the valve seat. The water inlet of the drain valve is communicated with the bottom of the outer tub, and the overflow inlet of the drain valve is communicated with the overflow pipe of the washing machine.

[0053] In some embodiments, the valve plug cavity of the drain valve is provided with a valve seat on the side opposite to the drain port, the valve seat is connected with the valve plug cavity, and the end is provided with a screw hole for fixing the drain valve to the bottom of the outer tub. After the drain valve is fixed to the bottom of the outer tub, the valve plug cavity is in a horizontal state, the water inlet and the drain port are in a vertical direction, the valve seat is integrally injection molded with the valve plug cavity, or the valve seat can also be an iron hoop with screw holes at both ends, and the drain valve is fixed to the bottom of the outer tub through the iron hoop. The above-mentioned drain valve is arranged on the bottom of the outer tub of the washing machine and is fixed by screws or bolts through the valve seat. The water inlet of the drain valve is communicated with the bottom of the outer tub, and the overflow inlet of the drain valve is communicated with the overflow pipe of the washing machine.

[0054] The above-mentioned only is the preferred embodiment of the present application, and does not make any form of the present application, although the present application has been disclosed as above, however, not in order to limit the present application, any skilled in the art of the technical personnel in the present application technical scheme range without departing from the present application, when can use the above-mentioned prompt technical content makes some more change or modification of equivalent variation of equivalent embodiment, but whatever is not out of the present application technical scheme content, according to the technical essence of the present application to the above-mentioned embodiment of any simple modification, equivalent variation and modification, still belongs to the present application scheme range.

Claims

1. A drain valve for a washing machine, comprising: The valve body and the valve plug, the valve body is provided with a water inlet, an overflow inlet and a water outlet, the valve body comprises a valve plug cavity, the valve plug is movably arranged in the valve plug cavity, and the valve plug is used for opening / closing a water outlet water path between the water inlet and the water outlet, characterized in that the overflow inlet and the water outlet are arranged on the valve plug cavity respectively; The valve body comprises a water inlet cavity, the water inlet cavity is communicated with the valve plug cavity, and the water inlet is arranged on the water inlet cavity; the valve plug cavity comprises a first cavity and a second cavity, the first cavity is arranged at an end far away from the water inlet cavity, and the second cavity is arranged at an end close to the water inlet cavity; the overflow inlet is arranged in the first cavity, and the water outlet is arranged in the second cavity; the valve plug is located in the first cavity in the first position, opens the water outlet water path, and disconnects the overflow water path between the overflow inlet and the water outlet; the valve plug is located in the second cavity in the second position, closes the water outlet water path, and connects the overflow water path between the overflow inlet and the water outlet; Dynamic sealing is arranged between the valve plug and the inner peripheral wall of the valve plug cavity; The thickness of the valve plug in the moving direction is h, the diameter of the overflow inlet is r, and r≤h is met.

2. The drain valve for a washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The overflow inlet is arranged at an end far away from the water inlet, and the water outlet is arranged at an end close to the water inlet.

3. The drain valve for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: The farthest distance between the water outlet and the water inlet cavity is L, the diameter of the water outlet is R, and the thickness of the valve plug in the moving direction is h, and L≥R and L>h are met, so as to simultaneously open part of the water outlet and the overflow inlet.

4. The drain valve for a washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: L=R, and h 5. The drain valve for a washing machine according to claim 2, wherein: The first position is a position of the valve plug cavity located on the side close to the water outlet of the overflow inlet.

6. The drain valve for a washing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inner wall of the valve plug cavity is provided with a protruding blocking part, the blocking part is arranged between the overflow inlet and the water outlet, and is used for limiting the valve plug to move to the first position to open the water outlet water path.

7. The drain valve for a laundry washing machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The blocking part is an annular stop rib arranged in the circumferential direction of the inner wall of the valve plug cavity, and the valve plug is sealed with the end face of the annular stop rib in the first position.

8. A laundry machine characterized by The valve has the water outlet valve for the washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 1-7.

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