A dispensing device and control method and a washing machine

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of delivery device, it includes: delivery waterway;Liquid storage box, store additive;Suction unit, the additive in liquid storage box is delivered to delivery waterway;Air inlet channel, outside atmosphere is connected with delivery waterway, gas is pumped into delivery waterway.The present application also discloses a kind of control method of delivery device, it includes, suction unit extracts the additive in liquid storage box to delivery waterway, additive flows out delivery waterway along with water flow;After stopping water flow and additive to flow into delivery waterway, gas in outside atmosphere is pumped into delivery waterway, the gas pressure in delivery waterway increases, residual liquid in it is discharged, to realize using the pressure difference between waterway and outside to discharge the residual additive and water etc.liquid in waterway, improve the drainage efficiency of delivery device, and then reach the technical effect that liquid is prevented in the waterway of delivery device.The present application also discloses a kind of washing machine, it is equipped with the above-mentioned delivery device with pressure relief function.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of clothes treatment equipment, and particularly relates to an additive feeding device for a washing machine and a control method, and also relates to a washing machine provided with the additive feeding device. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the improvement of consumers' quality of life, washing machines have become indispensable in people's life. The existing washing machine is generally provided with an outer drum for containing washing water, and a rotatable inner drum is arranged in the outer drum. A dewatering hole is formed in the inner drum to communicate the inner drum with the outer drum, so that the washing water flowing into the outer drum can flow in and out of the inner drum through the dewatering hole, so as to realize the effect that the washing water contacts with the load to be treated in the inner drum and the load is treated by the washing water.

[0003] The additive feeding mode of the above-mentioned existing washing machine is as follows: the additive feeding device feeds the additive into the pipeline communicated with the outer drum of the washing machine, and then the fed additive flows into the outer drum of the washing machine along the pipeline; then, when the washing machine executes the washing program, the fed additive is mixed with the washing water flowing into the outer drum, and part of the washing water mixed with the additive flows into the inner drum through the dewatering hole and contacts with the load to be treated in the inner drum, so as to realize the effect that the load is washed by the additive.

[0004] The above-mentioned existing feeding device is generally provided with a feeding waterway on the shell, and the feeding waterway is used for the washing water flowing into the washing machine; and the feeding device extracts the additive into the feeding waterway, so that the extracted additive flows into the washing machine together with the water flow.

[0005] However, in the use process of the existing feeding device, the residual additive and water of the feeding waterway after the additive is fed may occur. This is easy to cause the problems such as bacterial breeding and odor generation in the feeding waterway of the feeding device. Therefore, how to completely drain the residual liquid in the feeding waterway has become a technical problem to be solved urgently.

[0006] In view of this, the present application is proposed. SUMMARY

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present application is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, and to provide a feeding device to realize the purpose of air intake and residual liquid drainage in the waterway of the feeding device, and to prevent the problems such as liquid residue in the waterway of the feeding device.

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned technical problem, the basic idea of the technical solution of the present application is as follows:

[0009] A feeding device, comprising:

[0010] a waterway;

[0011] a liquid storage box storing the additive;

[0012] a suction unit for feeding the additive in the liquid storage box into the waterway;

[0013] an air inlet channel connecting the outside air with the waterway to pump air into the waterway.

[0014] Further, the feeding device further comprises a switching valve for selectively connecting the liquid storage box and the air inlet channel with the suction unit to feed the additive or pump air into the waterway.

[0015] Further, the feeding device is provided with a mounting cavity, the mounting cavity is provided with an outlet, a liquid inlet and an air inlet, the outlet is connected with the inlet of the suction unit, the liquid inlet is connected with the liquid storage box, and the air inlet is connected with the outside air through the air inlet channel;

[0016] a valve core of the switching valve is movably arranged in the mounting cavity to control the air inlet to be connected with the outlet or the liquid inlet to be connected with the outlet;

[0017] Preferably, the valve core is made of a material capable of elastic deformation.

[0018] Further, the bottom of the mounting cavity is provided with the outlet, the air inlet is arranged at the top of the mounting cavity, and the liquid inlet is arranged on the side wall of the mounting cavity, and the valve core of the switching valve is movably arranged in the mounting cavity in the vertical direction;

[0019] when the valve core moves upward to a first position, the air inlet is closed and the liquid inlet is opened;

[0020] when the valve core moves downward to a second position, the air inlet is opened and the liquid inlet is closed.

[0021] Further, a horizontal partition plate is arranged in the middle of the mounting cavity, a groove with an open upper end is arranged at the center of the partition plate, and the open upper end of the groove is arranged to overlap the projection of the valve core in the vertical direction;

[0022] a hollow part is arranged at the outer periphery of the partition plate, the hollow part connects the upper and lower parts of the partition plate, and the hollow part is arranged staggered with the projection of the valve core in the vertical direction;

[0023] Preferably, a plurality of circular hollow parts are arranged at the outer periphery of the partition plate, and the circular hollow parts are arranged spaced apart and vertically through the partition plate.

[0024] Further, the upper end of the valve core is connected with an upwardly extending connecting rod, the connecting rod vertically extends upward and downward, the connecting rod coaxially passes through the air inlet arranged on the top wall of the mounting cavity, the outer periphery of the connecting rod has a smaller radial dimension than the air inlet, and the outer periphery of the valve core has a larger radial dimension than the air inlet.

[0025] Further, a guide sleeve vertically extending upwards and downwards is arranged above the top wall of the air inlet channel, the upper end of the connecting rod passes through the top wall of the air inlet channel and is inserted into the guide sleeve, and the outer peripheral radial dimension of the connecting rod is equal to the inner peripheral radial dimension of the guide sleeve;

[0026] Preferably, the upper end of the connecting rod protrudes from the top of the guide sleeve, and the protruding part is connected to the driving unit, and the driving unit drives the valve core to move upwards and downwards through the connecting rod.

[0027] Further, the suction unit is a suction pump, the inlet of the suction pump is connected to the liquid storage box and the air inlet channel through the switching valve, and the outlet of the suction pump is connected to the liquid suction port of the water delivery path; the liquid suction port is arranged near the inlet of the water delivery path.

[0028] Preferably, the water delivery device comprises a water box, the water box has a cover, the cover is internally integrated with a water supply path, and the top wall of the cover is provided with an air inlet channel, and the two ends of the air inlet channel are respectively connected to the external atmosphere and the mounting cavity through downwardly arranged openings.

[0029] Preferably, the air inlet end of the air inlet channel is connected to a downwardly arranged connector, and the end of the connector passes through the cover and is connected to the external atmosphere of the water box.

[0030] The application further discloses a control method of the delivery device, which comprises,

[0031] The suction unit draws the additive in the liquid storage box into the water delivery path, and the additive flows out of the water delivery path together with the water flow,

[0032] After the water flow and the additive stop flowing into the water delivery path, the gas in the external atmosphere is pumped into the water delivery path, the gas pressure in the water delivery path increases, and the residual liquid in the water delivery path is discharged.

[0033] Further, after the water flow stops flowing into the water delivery path, the suction unit continues to work for a certain period of time, and the suction unit pumps the gas in the external atmosphere into the water delivery path through the air inlet channel.

[0034] Compared with the prior art, the application has the following obvious technical progress by adopting the above technical means:

[0035] By arranging the air inlet channel on the delivery device, the gas can be delivered into the water path through the air inlet channel after the additive is delivered by the delivery device, the air inlet in the water path is pressurized, the additive and water and other liquids remaining in the water path are discharged by utilizing the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the water path, the water discharge efficiency of the delivery device is improved, and the technical effect of preventing liquid from remaining in the water path of the delivery device is achieved.

[0036] The application further discloses a washing machine, and the washing machine is provided with any of the above-mentioned delivery devices.

[0037] Meanwhile, the present invention has a simple structure and significant effects, and is intended for widespread use.

[0038] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0039] The accompanying drawings, as part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the invention are used to explain the invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings:

[0040] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the washing machine installation structure under the exploded state of the dispensing device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 This is a top view of the dispensing device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the dispensing device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 4 This is an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the DD section;

[0044] Figure 5 In this embodiment of the invention, the valve core of the switching valve is in the first position. Figure 4 A magnified structural diagram at point A;

[0045] Figure 6 In this embodiment of the invention, the valve core of the switching valve is in the second position. Figure 4 An enlarged structural diagram of point A.

[0046] Key components in the diagram: 100, Dispensing device; 200, Outer cylinder; 300, Inner cylinder; 400, Window gasket; 500, Nozzle structure; 600, Conduit; 1, Dispensing water path; 2, Water box; 3, Top cover; 31, First part; 32, Second part; 4, Liquid storage chamber; 5, Liquid storage box; 6, Suction unit; 7, Communicating device; 8, Liquid suction channel; 9, Air intake channel; 10, Switching valve; 11, Outlet; 12, Inlet; 13, Suction port; 14, Mounting cavity; 141, Outlet; 142, Liquid inlet; 143, Air inlet; 101, Valve core; 102, Connecting rod; 103, Guide sleeve; 15, Divider plate; 151, Groove; 152, Hollowed-out part; 91, Connector.

[0047] 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 to illustrate the concept of the present application to those skilled in the art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical scheme in the embodiments will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in 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.

[0049] 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 only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0050] 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 electrical connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an 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.

[0051] The present application introduces an additive dispensing device for a washing machine, which comprises: a dispensing waterway 1; a dispensing unit for dispensing additives to the dispensing waterway 1; the outlet of the dispensing waterway 1 is connected to the inside of the outer drum of the washing machine through a dispensing structure, so as to realize the functions of supplying water to the inside of the outer drum of the washing machine and dispensing additives along with the water. In the present application, the dispensing structure can be any existing structure, for example: the outlet 11 of the dispensing waterway 1 is connected to the nozzle structure 500 through a pipeline, and the nozzle structure 500 sprays the additive solution supplied by the dispensing waterway into the inner drum 300 of the washing machine.

[0052] In the embodiment of the present application, the water channel 1 is integrated on the water box 2 of the additive dispensing device 100, the outlet 11 of the water channel 1 is arranged on the outer side of the water box 2, the nozzle structure 500 is arranged outside the water box 2, and the outlet 11 of the water channel 1 is connected to the nozzle structure through the conduit 600. By integrating the water channel 1 on the water box 2 of the additive dispensing device 100, the outlet 11 of the water channel 1 is directly connected to the nozzle structure, so that the additive and water drawn through the water channel 1 are jointly sprayed out, thereby achieving the purpose that the additive dispensing device 100 directly sprays out through the nozzle structure without passing through the water box part of the additive dispensing device 100.

[0053] As shown in the figure, Figures 1 to 6 In the embodiment of the present application, the top of the water box 2 of the additive dispensing device 100 is the upper cover 3, the water channel 1 is arranged inside the upper cover 3, the outlet 11 of the water channel 1 is exposed on the outer peripheral side of the upper cover 3, the inlet end of the conduit 600 is connected to the outlet 11 of the water channel 1, and the outlet end of the conduit 600 is connected to the nozzle structure 500 arranged outside the water box 2; preferably, the upper cover 3 comprises a first part 31 and a second part 32 which are mutually buckled, the first part 31 and the second part 32 are relatively spliced, and the water channel 1 is formed at the joint surface. Further preferably, the first part 31 and the second part 32 of the upper cover 3 are connected through a welding process to form a closed and pressure-bearing water channel structure inside.

[0054] Thus, the water channel 1 of the additive dispensing device 100 is integrated on the upper cover 3, so that the water and additive of the dispensing device 100 are directly dispensed through the water channel 1 inside the upper cover 3, thereby achieving the effect that the additive directly flows out of the outlet 11 on the outer peripheral side of the upper cover 3 and is dispensed.

[0055] As shown in the figure, Figures 2 to 6 In the embodiment of the present application, a dispensing device is introduced, which comprises,

[0056] A water channel 1 for water flow to pass through;

[0057] A liquid storage box 5 for storing additive;

[0058] A suction unit 6 for dispensing the additive in the liquid storage box 5 into the water channel 1;

[0059] An air inlet channel 9 for connecting the outside atmosphere to the water channel 1 and pumping gas into the water channel 1.

[0060] By arranging the air inlet channel on the dispensing device, after the additive is dispensed by the dispensing device, gas can be delivered into the water channel through the air inlet channel, the air inlet of the water channel is pressurized, so as to realize the effect that the additive and water and other liquids remaining in the water channel are discharged out of the water channel by utilizing the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the water channel, thereby achieving the technical effect that the water channel of the dispensing device prevents liquid residue.

[0061] In the embodiment of the present application, in order to realize the pumping of the gas into the water delivery path 1, the power unit is arranged on the air inlet channel 9 to realize the technical purpose of pumping the external atmosphere into the water delivery path. The power unit can be the existing suction pump arranged on the air inlet channel. Of course, it can also use the suction unit 6 arranged on the delivery device to achieve the technical purpose of pumping the external atmosphere into the water delivery path.

[0062] In the embodiment of the present application, when the suction unit 6 is used as the power unit of the air inlet channel 9, the delivery device can be specifically arranged as follows: the delivery device 100 further comprises a switching valve 10; the switching valve 10 is connected to the suction unit 6 in an alternative manner with the liquid storage box 5 and the air inlet channel 9, and is used for delivering the additive into the water delivery path 1 or pumping the gas, so as to realize the dual use purpose of the additive delivery and the gas pumping of the suction unit into the water delivery path 1 at different time nodes.

[0063] In the embodiment of the present application, the mounting cavity 14 is arranged on the delivery device 100, the outlet 141, the liquid inlet 142 and the air inlet 143 are arranged on the mounting cavity 14, the outlet 141 is connected to the inlet of the suction unit 6, the liquid inlet 142 is connected to the liquid storage box 5, and the air inlet 143 is connected to the external atmosphere through the air inlet channel 9; the valve core 101 of the switching valve 10 is movably arranged in the mounting cavity 14, and is used for controlling the air inlet 143 to be connected to the outlet 141 or the liquid inlet 142 to be connected to the outlet 141.

[0064] In the embodiment of the present application, at least part of the valve core 101 is made of a material capable of elastic deformation, so that the valve core 101 can correspondingly close the liquid inlet 142 or the air inlet 143 by using the elastic deformation during the movement.

[0065] In the embodiment of the present application, the bottom of the mounting cavity 14 is provided with the outlet 141, the air inlet 143 is arranged on the top of the mounting cavity 14, the liquid inlet 142 is arranged on the side wall of the mounting cavity 14, and the valve core 101 of the switching valve 10 is arranged in the mounting cavity 14 and can move up and down;

[0066] When the valve core 101 moves up to the first position, the air inlet 143 is closed and the liquid inlet 142 is opened;

[0067] When the valve core 101 moves down to the second position, the air inlet 143 is opened and the liquid inlet 142 is closed.

[0068] Therefore, the use effect that the outlet 141 which is always open and always connected to the inside of the mounting cavity 14 can be alternatively connected to the liquid inlet 142 or the air inlet 143 is realized.

[0069] In this embodiment of the invention, in order to improve the suction rate of the additive, multiple liquid inlets 142 can be arranged on the side wall of the mounting cavity 14, with each liquid inlet 142 at the same height. When the valve core 101 moves down to the second position, the outer peripheral wall of the valve core 101 is in contact with the inner wall of the mounting cavity 14. The outer peripheral wall of the valve core 101 is made of elastic material and overlaps and covers each liquid inlet 142, so that each liquid inlet 142 can be blocked and closed at the same time. Each liquid inlet 142 is connected to the liquid storage box 5, so as to increase the number of liquid inlets and improve the additive suction rate of the dispensing device 100.

[0070] like Figure 6 As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, in order to position the valve core 101 as it moves downward to the second position, the following settings are made: a horizontally arranged partition plate 15 is provided in the middle of the mounting cavity 14, and a certain distance is maintained between the partition plate 15 and the bottom wall of the mounting cavity 14, so that the valve core 101 is positioned when it moves downward to contact the partition plate 15, and the valve core 101 is restricted to the second position when it contacts the partition plate 15, so as to achieve the purpose of positioning the valve core 101 as it moves downward to the second position.

[0071] like Figures 2 to 6 As shown in the embodiment of the invention, the center of the partition plate 15 is provided with a groove 151 with an open upper end, and the liquid inlet 142 provided on the mounting cavity 14 is connected to the inside of the groove 151. Preferably, the liquid inlet 142 is provided on the side wall of the groove 151 and radially connects the groove 151 and the outside of the mounting cavity 14. The upper opening of the groove 151 overlaps with the vertical projection of the valve core 101, so that when the valve core 101 moves downward to the second position in contact with the partition plate 15, the lower end of the valve core 101 is correspondingly engaged with the opening of the groove 151, thereby achieving the effect of sealing and disconnecting the liquid inlet 142 and the mounting cavity 14 by correspondingly blocking the upper opening of the groove 151 with the lower end of the valve core 101.

[0072] like Figures 2 to 6 As shown, in this embodiment of the invention, a hollow portion 152 is provided on the outer periphery of the partition plate 15. The hollow portion 152 connects the two parts of the mounting cavity 14 divided into upper and lower sections by the partition plate 15. The hollow portion 152 and the valve core 101 are staggered in the vertical direction, so that the valve core 101 will not cover the hollow portion 152 in the first position and the second position. This allows the hollow portion 152 to connect the upper and lower parts of the mounting cavity 14 in real time. The liquid inlet 142 and the air inlet 143 are both connected to the upper part of the mounting cavity 14 on the upper side of the partition plate 15, so that the additives or air entering the upper part of the mounting cavity 14 can be guided into the outlet 141 of the lower part by the hollow portion 152.

[0073] Preferably, in the embodiment of the present application, a downwardly recessed and upwardly open circular groove 151 is coaxially arranged at the center of the partition plate 15, and a plurality of spaced circular hollow portions 152 are arranged on the outer periphery of the partition plate 15.

[0074] As shown in Figures 2 to 6 the embodiment of the present application, the upper end of the valve core 101 is connected to an upwardly extending connecting rod 102, the connecting rod 102 vertically extends upward and downward, the connecting rod 102 coaxially passes through the air inlet 143 arranged on the top wall of the installation cavity 14, the outer peripheral radial dimension of the connecting rod 102 is smaller than the radial dimension of the air inlet 143, and the outer peripheral radial dimension of the valve core 101 is larger than the radial dimension of the air inlet 143, so that a gap is formed between the connecting rod 102 and the inner wall of the air inlet 143, thereby achieving the use purpose of flowing the gas introduced from the air inlet channel 9 into the installation cavity 14 by using the gap.

[0075] In the embodiment of the present application, when the valve core 101 moves upwardly to contact the top wall of the installation cavity 14, the valve core 101 is in the first position, and the upper end surface of the valve core 101 covers at least the air inlet 143 arranged on the top wall of the installation cavity 14, so as to achieve the effect of closing the air inlet 143 and disconnecting the communication between the inside of the installation cavity 14 and the air inlet 143; preferably, the part of the upper end surface of the valve core 101 that is in contact with the outer peripheral part of the air inlet 143 is made of an elastic material, so as to close the air inlet 143 by using the elasticity of the valve core 101 when the valve core 101 moves upwardly to the first position.

[0076] As shown in Figures 2 to 6 the embodiment of the present application, a guide sleeve 103 vertically extending upward and downward is arranged above the top wall of the air inlet channel 9, and the guide sleeve 103 is coaxially arranged with the connecting rod 102 and the air inlet 143, the upper end of the connecting rod 102 passes through the top wall of the air inlet channel 9 and is inserted into the guide sleeve 103, and the outer peripheral radial dimension of the connecting rod 102 is equal to the inner peripheral radial dimension of the guide sleeve 103, so that the connecting rod 102 moves upward and downward under the guidance of the guide sleeve 103 without deviation.

[0077] In the embodiment of the present application, the upper end of the connecting rod 102 protrudes from the top of the guide sleeve 103, and the protruding part is connected to a driving unit arranged on the delivery device 100, the driving unit drives the valve core 101 to move upward and downward through the connecting rod 102; the driving unit can be any existing structure, for example, a driving motor, a wax motor, a hydraulic rod, an air pressure rod, etc. (not marked in the drawings).

[0078] In the embodiment of the present application, the suction unit 6 is a suction pump, the inlet of the suction pump is connected with the liquid storage box 5 and the air inlet channel 9 through the switching valve 10; preferably, the inlet of the suction pump is connected with the outlet 141 of the mounting cavity 14, and the valve core 101 moving up and down in the mounting cavity 14 is used to realize the effect that the inlet of the suction pump is connected with the liquid storage box 5 and the air inlet channel 9 alternatively. The outlet of the suction pump is connected with the liquid suction port 13 of the water delivery path 1; the liquid suction port 13 is arranged at the position close to the inlet 12 of the water delivery path 1.

[0079] As shown in the figure, Figures 1 to 6 In the embodiment of the present application, the water delivery device 100 comprises the water box 2 constituting the shell, the water box 2 is provided with the upper cover 3, and the water delivery path 1 is integrated in the inside of the upper cover 3. The top wall of the upper cover 3 is provided with the air inlet channel 9, and the two ends of the air inlet channel 9 are connected with the external atmosphere and the mounting cavity 14 through the downwardly arranged joints 91 respectively; preferably, the mounting cavity 14 is also integrated in the inside of the upper cover 3.

[0080] As shown in the figure, Figures 4 to 6 In the embodiment of the present application, the air inlet end of the air inlet channel 9 is connected with the downwardly arranged joint 91, the end of the joint 91 penetrates through the upper cover 3 and is connected with the external atmosphere of the water box 2; the bottom wall of the air outlet end of the air inlet channel 9 is provided with the air inlet port 143, the air inlet port 143 is arranged through the top and bottom, and the air inlet channel 9 is connected with the mounting cavity 14; the top wall of the air outlet end of the air inlet channel 9 is provided with the upwardly protruding guide sleeve 103 coaxially arranged with the air inlet port 143.

[0081] As shown in the figure, Figures 1 to 6 In the embodiment, the water box 2 of the water delivery device 100 is provided with the liquid storage box 5, the liquid storage box 5 is outwardly pullable and mounted in the water box 2 of the additive delivery device 100; the liquid storage box 5 is provided with at least one liquid storage cavity 4 for storing the additive, and each liquid storage cavity 4 on the liquid storage box 5 is connected with the water delivery path 1 through the communication device 7, and the communication device 7 is provided with a control device for controlling the communication between each liquid storage cavity 4 and the water delivery path 1 alternatively or in combination, and the communication between each liquid storage cavity 4 and the water delivery path 1 is controllable.

[0082] In the embodiment, the inlet 12 of the water delivery path 1 is arranged on the outer wall of the water box 2, and the inlet 12 of the water delivery path 1 is connected with the water inlet pipe of the washing machine, so that the washing water can flow into the water delivery path 1 through the inlet 12. The water box 2 of the additive delivery device 100 is provided with a water inlet joint, and the two ends of the water inlet joint are connected with the inlet 12 of the water delivery path 1 and the water inlet pipe of the washing machine respectively; further preferably, a control valve for controlling the water path is arranged at the water inlet joint.

[0083] In the embodiment, the middle part of the water delivery channel 1 is provided with a liquid suction port 13, which is communicated with the suction unit 6, so that the additive is sucked into the water delivery channel 1 from the liquid suction port 13. Preferably, the liquid suction port 13 is communicated with the outlet of the suction unit 6, the inlet of the suction unit 6 is communicated with the outlet 141 of the installation cavity 14, the liquid inlet 142 of the installation cavity 14 is communicated with the outlet of the liquid suction flow channel 8, the inlet of the liquid suction flow channel 8 is communicated with the outlet of the communication device 7, and the multiple inlets of the communication device 7 are one-to-one communicated with the respective liquid storage cavities 4, so as to realize the purpose that the additive in the liquid storage cavity 4 is sucked into the water delivery channel 1 under the driving action of the suction unit 6 through the above-mentioned flow channel.

[0084] In the embodiment, the part of the water delivery channel 1 downstream of the liquid suction port 13 can mix the additive flowing into the water delivery channel 1 with the water to form an additive solution. Preferably, the liquid suction port 13 is arranged close to the inlet 12 of the water delivery channel 1, so as to as far as possible extend the length of the water delivery channel 1 downstream of the liquid suction port 13, increase the space of the downstream part of the water delivery channel 1 where the additive and the water are mixed, and further improve the uniformity of the mixing between the additive and the water.

[0085] In the embodiment, the suction box 5 of the additive delivery device 100 includes multiple liquid storage cavities 4, each of which can respectively contain different types of additives, such as detergents, softeners, perfumes, disinfectants, etc. The delivery device 100 is provided with a control device, which is used to control the liquid storage cavities 4 to be selectively or combinedly communicated with the water delivery channel 1, so as to correspondingly deliver any one or simultaneously deliver multiple combined types of additives into the water delivery channel 1.

[0086] In the embodiment of the application, the control device can be any existing structure that can realize the above-mentioned functions.

[0087] In the embodiment of the application, each liquid storage cavity 4 can be respectively communicated with the water delivery channel 1 through a flow channel provided with a control valve, so as to realize the effect of the on-off control of each flow channel by controlling the opening and closing of each control valve, and further realize the purpose of independently delivering any type of additive or simultaneously delivering multiple types of additives.

[0088] Each liquid storage cavity 4 can also be one-to-one communicated with different inlets of the same reversing valve, the outlet of the reversing valve is communicated with the water delivery channel 1, a rotatable valve core is arranged in the reversing valve, which is used to control any one or combined inlet to be communicated with the outlet, and the same purpose of independently delivering any type of additive or simultaneously delivering multiple types of additives can also be realized (not marked in the drawings).

[0089] In the embodiment, the suction unit 6 is a pump arranged on the liquid suction flow channel 8 connected with the water delivery channel 1, and provides driving force for the liquid in the liquid suction flow channel 8 to flow from the liquid storage cavity 4 to the water delivery channel 1. In the embodiment, the liquid suction flow channel 8 is also arranged in the upper cover 3, the inlet of the liquid suction flow channel 8 is connected with the liquid storage cavity 4 through the communication device 7, the outlet of the liquid suction flow channel 8 is connected with the inlet of the pump, and the outlet of the pump is connected with the liquid suction port 13 arranged on the water delivery channel 1. By controlling the start and stop of the pump, the additive in the liquid storage cavity 4 can be pumped to the water delivery channel 1 for delivery.

[0090] In the embodiment, the suction unit 6 can also be provided with other structures, for example, the suction unit 6 is a suction pump, the suction port of the suction pump is connected with the water delivery channel 1, so that negative pressure is formed in the water delivery channel 1, and the additive in the liquid storage cavity 4 is pumped to the water delivery channel 1 through the liquid suction flow channel 8.

[0091] In addition, the suction unit 6 can also be a Venturi tube arranged on the water delivery channel 1, the Venturi tube is provided with a negative pressure area with a sudden change in pipe diameter, the negative pressure area can form negative pressure by the water flow, the negative pressure area of the Venturi tube is provided with a suction port, and the suction port is connected with the liquid storage cavity 4 through the liquid suction flow channel 8 (not marked in the drawing).

[0092] In the embodiment, a control method of the delivery device is also introduced, which comprises,

[0093] The suction unit pumps the additive in the liquid storage box to the water delivery channel, and the additive flows out of the water delivery channel together with the water flow,

[0094] After the water flow and the additive stop flowing into the water delivery channel, the gas in the external atmosphere is pumped into the water delivery channel, the gas pressure in the water delivery channel increases, and the residual liquid in the water delivery channel is discharged.

[0095] In the embodiment, after the water flow stops flowing into the water delivery channel, the suction unit continues to work for a certain period of time, and the suction unit pumps the gas in the external atmosphere into the water delivery channel through the air inlet flow channel.

[0096] In the embodiment, the specific steps of the delivery device for additive delivery are as follows:

[0097] Step S1, the valve core of the switching valve moves upward to the first position, as shown in Figure 5 The liquid inlet of the mounting cavity is connected with the outlet, and the air inlet of the mounting cavity is disconnected with the outlet.

[0098] Step S2, the suction unit starts to work, and the additive stored in the liquid storage box is pumped to the water delivery channel by the suction unit.

[0099] Step S3: Add the additive into the water flow path. The additive mixes with the water flow and flows out together.

[0100] Step S4: After the additive dosage reaches the preset conditions, stop the water inlet into the water channel and the suction unit stops working.

[0101] Step S5: The valve core of the switching valve moves downward to the second position, as shown. Figure 6 As shown, the liquid inlet and outlet of the mounting cavity are disconnected, while the air inlet and outlet of the mounting cavity are connected.

[0102] Step S6: After the suction unit has been working for a certain period of time, the gas in the outside atmosphere is pumped into the water delivery path by the suction unit. The air pressure in the water delivery path increases. Using the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the water delivery path, the residual liquid in the water delivery path flows out through the outlet of the water delivery path.

[0103] With the above settings, after the additive dosing step, the gas is delivered into the water circuit through the air intake channel to pressurize the air intake in the water circuit. This allows the residual additives and water in the water circuit to be discharged by utilizing the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the water circuit, thus achieving the technical effect of preventing liquid residue in the water circuit of the dosing device.

[0104] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment of the invention also provides a washing machine equipped with the aforementioned dispensing device 100, which includes: an outer drum 200, and an inner drum 300 with an opening on the same side as the outer drum 200. The outlet 11 of the dispensing water passage 1 of the dispensing device 100 is connected to a dispensing structure provided on the outer drum 200 via a pipe, so as to achieve the purpose of allowing the additive to flow into the outer drum 200 of the washing machine along with the incoming water. In this embodiment of the invention, preferably, the dispensing structure is a nozzle structure 500 installed on the washing machine; a window gasket 400 extending outward from the opening of the outer drum 200 is connected, and the nozzle structure 500 is installed at the window gasket 400. Of course, in this embodiment of the invention, the dispensing structure can also adopt any other existing structure that can dispense the additive mixture into the outer drum 200.

[0105] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-described technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. The implementation schemes in the above embodiments can be further combined or replaced. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dispensing device comprising: a dispensing waterway; a liquid storage box storing an additive; a suction unit dispensing the additive in the liquid storage box into the dispensing waterway; characterized in that: further comprising, an air inlet channel connecting the outside atmosphere with the dispensing waterway to pump gas into the dispensing waterway; a switching valve selectively connecting the liquid storage box and the air inlet channel with the suction unit to dispense the additive or pump gas into the dispensing waterway; the dispensing device is provided with a mounting cavity, the mounting cavity is provided with an outlet, a liquid inlet and an air inlet, the outlet is connected with the inlet of the suction unit, the liquid inlet is connected with the liquid storage box, and the air inlet is connected with the outside atmosphere through the air inlet channel; a valve core of the switching valve is movably arranged in the mounting cavity to control the air inlet to be connected with the outlet or the liquid inlet to be connected with the outlet; when the valve core moves upward to a first position, the air inlet is closed and the liquid inlet is opened; when the valve core moves downward to a second position, the air inlet is opened and the liquid inlet is closed; a horizontal partition plate is arranged in the middle of the mounting cavity, a groove with an open upper end is arranged at the center of the partition plate, and the open upper end of the groove is arranged to overlap the projection of the valve core in the vertical direction; a hollow part is arranged at the outer periphery of the partition plate, the hollow part connects the upper and lower parts of the partition plate, and the hollow part and the projection of the valve core in the vertical direction are staggered.

2. A dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein The outlet is arranged at the bottom of the mounting cavity, the air inlet is arranged at the top of the mounting cavity, and the liquid inlet is arranged on the side wall of the mounting cavity; the valve core of the switching valve is movably arranged in the mounting cavity.

3. A dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein The upper end of the valve core is connected with an upwardly extending connecting rod, the connecting rod vertically extends upward and downward, the connecting rod coaxially passes through the air inlet arranged on the top wall of the mounting cavity, the outer peripheral radial dimension of the connecting rod is smaller than the radial dimension of the air inlet, and the outer peripheral radial dimension of the valve core is larger than the radial dimension of the air inlet.

4. A dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein A vertically upward and downward extending guide sleeve is arranged above the top wall of the air inlet channel, the upper end of the connecting rod passes through the top wall of the air inlet channel and is inserted into the guide sleeve, and the outer peripheral radial dimension of the connecting rod is equal to the inner peripheral radial dimension of the guide sleeve.

5. A dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein The upper end of the connecting rod protrudes from the top of the guide sleeve, the protruding part is connected with a driving unit, and the driving unit drives the valve core to move upward and downward through the connecting rod.

6. A dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The suction unit is a suction pump, the inlet of the suction pump is selectively connected with the liquid storage box and the air inlet channel through the switching valve, the outlet of the suction pump is connected with the liquid suction inlet of the dispensing waterway, and the liquid suction inlet is arranged near the inlet of the dispensing waterway.

7. A dispensing device according to claim 6, wherein The dispensing device comprises a water box, the water box is provided with an upper cover, a water supply waterway is integrally arranged in the upper cover, an air inlet channel is arranged on the top wall of the upper cover, and the two ends of the air inlet channel are respectively connected with the outside atmosphere and the mounting cavity through downwardly arranged openings.

8. A control method of the dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: the suction unit extracts the additive in the liquid storage box into the dispensing waterway, and the additive flows out of the dispensing waterway together with the water flow, characterized in that: after the water flow and the additive stop flowing into the dispensing waterway, the gas in the outside atmosphere is pumped into the dispensing waterway, the gas pressure in the dispensing waterway increases, and the residual liquid in the dispensing waterway is discharged.

9. The control method of a release device according to claim 8, wherein after the water flow stops flowing into the dispensing waterway, the suction unit continues to work for a certain period of time, and the suction unit pumps the gas in the outside atmosphere into the dispensing waterway through the air inlet channel.

10. A laundry machine characterized by: The delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 7 is installed.

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