A washing machine and its control method

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of washing machines, and discloses a washing machine and a control method thereof. The washing machine includes an inner tub, and a drain hole is formed in the bottom of the inner tub. The washing machine further includes a sealing mechanism disposed below the inner tub, and the sealing mechanism plugs the drain hole to form a closed inner tub for independently containing washing water. The washing machine further includes a pushing member that can spiral up / down. The pushing member spirally ascends under the drive of a driving mechanism to push the sealing mechanism to plug the drain hole. The washing machine of the present invention uses the pushing member to spiral up to push the sealing mechanism to plug the drain hole, so that the inner tub can independently hold water for washing. The rotation of the inner tub does not affect the positions of the pushing member and the sealing mechanism, and it is not necessary to position the inner tub before opening and plugging the drain hole. The control logic is simple and easy to implement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of washing machines, and more particularly, relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Existing washing machines generally include an outer tub and an inner tub disposed inside the outer tub. A plurality of dewatering holes are provided on the barrel wall of the inner tub to communicate the inner tub with the outer tub. When the washing machine is working, the outer tub holds washing water, and the inner tub holds the laundry to be washed. Part of the washing water exists between the inner tub and the outer tub, but this part of the washing water is actually not utilized, resulting in waste of washing water. On the other hand, dirt and lint carried in the washing water may remain in the space between the inner tub and the outer tub. As the working time of the washing machine increases, the dirt and lint gradually accumulate and are difficult to clean, resulting in bacteria and peculiar smell after long-term use. To solve this problem, the prior art has proposed a washing machine without dewatering holes on the inner tub, so that the inner tub can independently hold washing water during the washing process. However, at the same time, the existing method of setting the drain valve on the outer tub cannot achieve drainage of the tubeless inner tub.

[0003] To solve the above problems, Chinese Patent No. 201810903593.0 discloses a drainage sealing device and a washing machine for a washing machine. The washing machine includes an inner tub, and a drainage hole is opened at the bottom of the inner tub. The drainage sealing device is installed at the bottom of the inner tub and includes a sealing mechanism that can be sealingly matched with the drainage hole: during washing or rinsing, the sealing mechanism is sealingly matched with the drainage hole, and the inner tub holds washing water; during drainage, the sealing mechanism opens the drainage hole, and the washing water in the inner tub is discharged from the drainage hole.

[0004] However, in the above solution, the opening of the drainage hole requires the cooperation of the sealing mechanism and a driving mechanism fixedly installed below the inner tub. However, the sealing mechanism will change its position as the inner tub rotates. Therefore, before opening the drainage hole, it is necessary to first position the inner tub to make the positions of the sealing mechanism and the driving mechanism coincide. At the same time, a positioning structure is also required to lock the position of the inner tub to prevent the inner tub from rotating during drainage. The driving mechanism and the positioning structure for locking the inner tub need to be controlled by separate driving elements respectively, and the control logic is complex. The separately provided positioning structure also makes the assembly of the washing machine more cumbersome. At the same time, the setting of multiple driving elements increases the manufacturing cost of the washing machine.

[0005] In view of this, the present invention is specifically proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a washing machine with an inner barrel capable of independently holding water and its control method. The drainage hole on the inner barrel is blocked by a sealing mechanism pushed by a pushing member spirally rising. When the pushing mechanism cooperates with the sealing mechanism, it is not necessary to position the inner barrel, and the control logic is simple.

[0007] To solve the above technical problem, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0008] A washing machine includes an inner barrel, a drainage hole is opened on the bottom of the inner barrel, and the washing machine further includes a sealing mechanism arranged below the inner barrel; the sealing mechanism blocks the drainage hole to form a closed inner barrel for independently holding washing water;

[0009] The washing machine further includes a pushing member that can spirally rise / fall. The pushing member spirally rises driven by a driving mechanism to push the sealing mechanism to block the drainage hole.

[0010] Further, the sealing mechanism includes a sealing disc and a support rod. The sealing disc is used to block the drainage hole. One end of the support rod is fixedly connected to the sealing disc, and the other end is in contact and cooperation with the pushing member;

[0011] The support rod is slidably arranged in a fixed guiding slideway. The pushing member spirally rises to push the support rod to move upward, driving the sealing disc to move upward to block the drainage hole.

[0012] Further, the washing machine further includes a dehydration shaft that drives the inner barrel to rotate. The dehydration shaft has a dehydration shaft disc connected to the bottom of the inner barrel;

[0013] The sealing disc is of an annular structure. The annular sealing disc is coaxially sleeved on the dehydration shaft with a gap provided between the outer wall of the dehydration shaft; the drainage hole is arranged on the outer circumference of the dehydration shaft disc.

[0014] Further, a flange disc is fixedly connected to the bottom of the inner barrel, and a through hole corresponding to the drainage hole is opened on the flange disc; a sealing ring is arranged between the bottom of the inner barrel and the flange disc for sealing;

[0015] A sealing member is arranged on the surface of the sealing disc facing the inner barrel. The sealing disc moves upward driven by the support rod, and the sealing member contacts and seals with the flange disc to block the drainage hole.

[0016] Further, the sealing member includes a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion protruding from the upper surface of the sealing disc. The first sealing portion protrudes on the inner circumference of the sealing disc, and the second sealing portion protrudes on the outer circumference of the sealing disc;

[0017] The sealing disc moves upward, and the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are in contact with the flange for sealing. The drain hole is located between the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion to block the drain hole.

[0018] Further, a first annular groove is provided on the lower surface of the flange corresponding to the first sealing portion, and a second annular groove is provided corresponding to the second sealing portion. The drain hole is located between the first annular groove and the second annular groove;

[0019] The sealing disc moves upward, the first sealing portion is snapped into the first annular groove, and the second sealing portion is snapped into the second annular groove to block the drain hole.

[0020] Further, a mounting seat is fixedly provided below the inner barrel, and the pushing member is helically movable up / down in the mounting seat; the support rod passes through the mounting seat and is in contact and cooperation with the pushing member, and the guiding slideway is a guiding hole opened on the mounting seat.

[0021] Further, the sealing mechanism further includes an elastic member, and the elastic member applies a downward acting force to the support rod;

[0022] Preferably, the elastic member is a compression spring, and a limiting boss is provided at one end of the support rod away from the sealing disc; the compression spring is sleeved on the support rod, with one end abutted against the limiting boss and the other end abutted against the mounting seat.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a control method for the washing machine as described above. During the washing / rinsing stage, the washing machine controls the driving mechanism to act on the pushing member to make the pushing member helically rise, and push the sealing mechanism upward to block the drain hole;

[0024] During the draining stage, the washing machine controls the driving mechanism to stop acting on the pushing member, the pushing member helically descends, and the sealing mechanism descends with the pushing member to open the drain hole.

[0025] Further, a traction portion is provided on the pushing member, and the traction portion is provided on the outer periphery of the pushing member; the driving mechanism includes a traction motor and a traction member, one end of the traction member is connected to the traction motor, and the other end is connected to the traction portion;

[0026] During the washing / rinsing stage, the washing machine controls the traction motor to drive the traction member to contract, the traction member pulls the traction portion to drive the pushing member to rotate, so that the pushing member helically rises, and pushes the sealing mechanism upward to block the drain hole;

[0027] During the draining stage, the washing machine controls the traction motor to relax the traction member, the pulling effect of the traction member on the traction portion is released, the pushing member helically descends, and the sealing mechanism descends with the pushing member to open the drain hole.

[0028] After adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0029] In the washing machine of the present invention, the pushing member spirally ascends to push the sealing mechanism to block the drain hole, so that the inner tub can independently hold water for washing. The rotation of the inner tub does not affect the positions of the pushing member and the sealing mechanism, and it is not necessary to position the inner tub before opening and blocking the drain hole. The control logic is simple and easy to implement.

[0030] In the washing machine of the present invention, the drain hole is blocked by the contact seal between the sealing member and the flange. The lower surface of the flange is provided with a first annular groove and a second annular groove, and the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are respectively snapped into the first annular groove and the second annular groove, which is convenient for positioning the sealing disc and has a better sealing effect.

[0031] In the washing machine of the present invention, by arranging an elastic member to push the support rod downward, during the process of the pushing member spirally descending, the elastic member can push the support rod to descend synchronously with the pushing member, so that the sealing disc is separated from the flange, and the drain hole is opened to realize drainage, avoiding the situation that the drainage hole cannot be opened due to the jamming of the sealing mechanism.

[0032] In the washing machine of the present invention, the pushing member moves under the drive of the traction motor. Only one traction motor can control the blocking and opening of the drain hole. The time required to open and block the drain hole is short, the control logic is simple, and at the same time, the production cost is saved.

[0033] The following further describes in detail the specific embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0034] The accompanying drawings, as a part of the present invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The schematic embodiments and descriptions thereof of the present invention are used to explain the present invention, but do not constitute an improper limitation to the present invention. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments, and those of ordinary skill in the art can obtain other drawings according to these drawings without creative efforts. In the drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 is the present invention Figure 1 an enlarged structural diagram of part A therein;

[0037] Figure 3 is the present invention Figure 2 an enlarged structural diagram of part B therein;

[0038] Figure 4 is a top view of the washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 5 is the bottom view of the washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 6 is the bottom view of the washing machine removing the speed reducer in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 7 is the schematic assembly structure diagram of the pushing member, the mounting seat and the support rod in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 8 is the present invention Figure 7 front view of the shown structure;

[0043] Figure 9 is the present invention Figure 8 schematic diagram of the C-C cross-section in;

[0044] Figure 10 is the present invention Figure 7 exploded view of the shown structure.

[0045] In the figure: 100, inner tub; 101, drain hole; 110, dehydration shaft; 111, dehydration shaft disk; 200, water collecting device; 201, through hole; 300, sealing mechanism; 310, sealing disk; 311, first sealing part; 312, second sealing part; 320, support rod; 321, limiting boss; 322, screw; 330, first elastic part; 340, corrugated sealing sleeve; 341, fixing part; 342, fitting part;

[0046] 410, pushing member; 411, mating convex part; 412, extension part; 413, spiral concave part; 414, traction part; 415, pushing part; 420, mounting seat; 421, guiding part; 422, guiding groove; 423, second elastic part; 424, sleeved part; 425, spiral convex part; 426, guiding hole; 427, mounting hole; 500, speed reducer mounting plate; 600, flange; 601, through hole; 610, sealing ring; 621, first annular groove; 622, second annular groove; 700, traction motor; 710, traction member; 800, speed reducer.

[0047] It should be noted that these drawings and text descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept of the present invention in any way, but to illustrate the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. Detailed Embodiments

[0048] To make the objectives, 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 with reference to 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.

[0049] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "vertical", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the present invention.

[0050] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "installation" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0051] As Figures 1 to 10 shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a washing machine, including an inner tub 100, and a drain hole 101 is formed on the bottom of the inner tub 100. The washing machine further includes a sealing mechanism 300 disposed below the inner tub 100. The sealing mechanism 300 blocks the drain hole 101 to form a closed inner tub 100 for independently containing washing water.

[0052] The washing machine further includes a push member 410 that can spiral up / down. The push member 410 spirally ascends under the drive of a drive mechanism to push the sealing mechanism 300 to block the drain hole 101.

[0053] In the above solution, the inner wall of the inner tub 100 is not provided with dehydration holes at least in the area below the highest water level of the washing machine. By blocking the drain hole 101 on the inner tub 100 with the sealing mechanism 300, the inner tub 100 can independently hold water during the washing / rinsing process, saving the amount of washing / rinsing water. The sealing mechanism 300 is disposed below the inner tub 100, and the push member 410 spirally ascends to push the sealing mechanism 300 upward to block the drain hole 101. When the push member 410 spirally descends, the pushing effect on the sealing mechanism 300 is released, and the sealing mechanism 300 descends with the push member 410 to open the drain hole 101 for drainage. The rotation of the inner tub 100 does not affect the positions of the push member 410 and the sealing mechanism 300, and the inner tub 100 does not need to be positioned before opening and blocking the drain hole 101. The control logic is simple and easy to implement.

[0054] In a further solution of this embodiment, the sealing mechanism 300 includes a sealing disk 310 and a support rod 320. The sealing disk 310 is used to block the drain hole 101, and one end of the support rod 320 is fixedly connected to the sealing disk 310, and the other end is in contact and cooperation with the push member 410.

[0055] The support rod 320 is slidably arranged in a fixed guide chute. The pushing member 410 spirally ascends, pushing the support rod 320 upward to drive the sealing disc 310 upward to block the drain hole 101.

[0056] In the above solution, the sealing disc 310 is fixed to the upper end of the support rod 320 by screws 322. The support rod 320 is limited in the guide chute and can vertically ascend under the pushing action of the pushing member 410, thereby driving the sealing disc 310 upward until it contacts the bottom of the inner tub 100 to block the drain hole 101. During the washing / rinsing stage, the sealing disc 310 contacts the bottom of the inner tub 100 to block the drain hole 101, and the inner tub 100 can hold water independently. When draining, the sealing disc 310 separates from the inner tub 100 to open the drain hole 101, realizing the drainage of the inner tub 100. During the dehydration stage, the sealing disc 310 remains separated from the inner tub 100, and the inner tub 100 can rotate for dehydration. At this time, the drain hole 101 remains open, and the water discharged from the clothes can be discharged from the drain hole 101 at the bottom of the inner tub 100, ensuring the dehydration rate of the clothes.

[0057] In a further solution of this embodiment, the washing machine further includes a dehydration shaft 110 that drives the inner tub 100 to rotate. The dehydration shaft 110 has a dehydration shaft disc 111 connected to the bottom of the inner tub 100. The sealing disc 310 is of an annular structure, and the annular sealing disc 310 is coaxially sleeved on the dehydration shaft 110 with a gap provided between it and the outer wall of the dehydration shaft 110. The drain hole 101 is provided on the outer periphery of the dehydration shaft disc 111.

[0058] In the above solution, the sealing disc 310 is coaxially arranged with the dehydration shaft 110, and the sealing disc 310 is always located below the center of the inner tub 100, facilitating the cooperation with the pushing member 410 to achieve reciprocating up and down movement.

[0059] Further, a flange 600 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the inner tub 100, and a through hole 601 is opened on the flange 600 corresponding to the drain hole 101. A sealing ring 610 is provided between the bottom of the inner tub 100 and the flange 600 for sealing. Specifically, a plurality of drain holes 101 are provided and distributed along the outer periphery of the dehydration shaft disc 111. The sealing ring 610 is provided on the outer periphery of the plurality of drain holes 101, and the center of the sealing ring 610 coincides with the central axis of the inner tub 100.

[0060] The setting of the sealing ring 610 ensures that the water in the inner tub 100 is discharged through the drain hole 101 and the through hole 601 in sequence, and no water leakage occurs between the bottom of the inner tub 100 and the upper surface of the flange 600.

[0061] A sealing member is provided on the surface of the sealing disc 310 facing the inner tub 100. The sealing disc 310 moves upward under the drive of the support rod 320, and the sealing member contacts and seals with the flange 600 to block the drain hole 101.

[0062] In a further aspect of this embodiment, the seal includes a first sealing portion 311 and a second sealing portion 312 protruding from the upper surface of the sealing disc 310. The first sealing portion 311 is provided to protrude on the inner circumferential direction of the sealing disc 310, and the second sealing portion 312 is provided to protrude on the outer circumferential direction of the sealing disc 310.

[0063] When the sealing disc 310 moves upward, the first sealing portion 311 and the second sealing portion 312 are in contact with the flange 600 for sealing, and the drain hole 101 is located between the first sealing portion 311 and the second sealing portion 312 to achieve the blocking of the drain hole 101.

[0064] In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, a first annular groove 621 is provided on the lower surface of the flange 600 corresponding to the first sealing portion 311, and a second annular groove 622 is provided corresponding to the second sealing portion 312. The drain hole 101 is located between the first annular groove 621 and the second annular groove 622.

[0065] When the sealing disc 310 moves upward, the first sealing portion 311 is snapped into the first annular groove 621, and the second sealing portion 312 is snapped into the second annular groove 622 to achieve the blocking of the drain hole 101.

[0066] In the above solution, the blocking of the drain hole 101 is achieved through the contact sealing between the seal and the flange 600. The first annular groove 621 and the second annular groove 622 are provided on the lower surface of the flange 600. When the sealing disc 310 blocks the drain hole 101, the first sealing portion 311 and the second sealing portion 312 are respectively snapped into the corresponding first annular groove 621 and second annular groove 622. When the sealing disc 310 is slightly misaligned, the position of the sealing disc 310 can also be adjusted through the cooperation between the first sealing portion 311 and the second sealing portion 312 with the first annular groove 621 and the second annular groove 622 respectively, and the sealing effect is better.

[0067] In this embodiment, the first sealing portion 311 and the second sealing portion 312 are made of a rubber material with a certain elasticity. The widths of the first annular groove 621 and the second annular groove 622 are preferably slightly smaller than the widths of the first sealing portion 311 and the second sealing portion 312. Through the interference fit between the first annular groove 621 and the first sealing portion 311, and between the second annular groove 622 and the second sealing portion 312, the sealing effect is further enhanced.

[0068] In a further aspect of this embodiment, a mounting seat 420 is fixedly provided below the inner barrel 100, and the pushing member 410 is helically arranged to be able to move up / down in the mounting seat 420. The support rod 320 passes through the mounting seat 420 and is in contact and cooperation with the pushing member 410. The guiding slideway is a guiding hole 426 opened on the mounting seat 420.

[0069] In the above solution, by setting the mounting base 420, the installation and guiding of the pushing member 410 are achieved, and at the same time, the guiding hole 426 for guiding the support rod 320 is provided, with a simple structure.

[0070] In a further solution of this embodiment, the sealing mechanism 300 further includes a first elastic member 330, and the first elastic member 330 applies a downward acting force to the support rod 320.

[0071] Preferably, the first elastic member 330 is a compression spring, and a limit boss 321 is provided at one end of the support rod 320 away from the sealing disc 310. The compression spring is sleeved on the support rod 320, with the lower end abutted against the limit boss 321 and the upper end abutted against the mounting base 420.

[0072] In the above solution, the pushing member 410 spirally rises to push the support rod 320 upward, the first elastic member 330 is compressed, and an acting force is applied to the limit boss 321 to apply a downward acting force to the support rod 320. During the process of the pushing member 410 spirally descending, the first elastic member 330 pushes the support rod 320 downward, so that the support rod 320 descends synchronously with the pushing member 410, and then drives the sealing disc 310 to separate from the flange 600, opening the drain hole 101 for drainage, avoiding the jamming of the sealing mechanism 300, especially the situation where the first sealing portion 311 and / or the second sealing portion 312 are stuck in the corresponding first annular groove 621 and the second annular groove 622 and cannot fall off, resulting in the inability to open the drain hole 101.

[0073] In this embodiment, the specific structures of the pushing member 410 and the mounting base 420 are as Figures 7 to 10 shown.

[0074] The mounting base 420 includes a guiding portion 421 provided on the outer periphery of the pushing member 410, and a spirally extending guiding groove 422 is provided on the guiding portion 421. A mating convex portion 411 is provided on the pushing member 410, and the mating convex portion 411 is slidably arranged in the guiding groove 422. By driving the pushing member 410 to rotate through a driving mechanism, the mating convex portion 411 slides along the guiding groove 422, thereby driving the pushing member 410 to spirally rise.

[0075] Specifically, two guiding portions 421 are symmetrically arranged, two mating convex portions 411 are provided on the pushing member 410, and are respectively arranged in the guiding grooves 422 on the two guiding portions 421. The pushing member 410 rotates under the drive of the driving mechanism, and the mating convex portion 411 slides obliquely upward under the guiding of the guiding groove 422, thereby driving the pushing member 410 to spirally rise.

[0076] Preferably, the lower end of the guiding groove 422 is closed, preventing the mating convex portion 411 from slipping out of the guiding groove 422 when sliding downward along the guiding groove 422, resulting in the pushing member 410 falling off from the mounting base 420.

[0077] Furthermore, a second elastic member 423 is provided on the mounting base 420. One end of the second elastic member 423 is fixed, and the other end abuts against the pushing member 410, driving the pushing member 410 to spiral down in the mounting base 420.

[0078] Specifically, the second elastic member 423 is a compression spring. The compression spring is arranged in the guiding groove 422, with one end fixedly connected to the upper end of the guiding groove 422 and the other end abutting against the mating convex portion 411 of the pushing member 410.

[0079] In the above solution, the pushing member 410 rotates driven by the driving mechanism. The mating convex portion 411 slides obliquely upward under the guidance of the guiding groove 422, and the compression spring is in a compressed state. After the driving mechanism stops acting, the compression spring pushes the mating convex portion 411 obliquely downward along the direction of the guiding groove 422. The mating convex portion 411 slides downward in the guiding groove 422, causing the pushing member 410 to spiral down, realizing the automatic reset of the pushing member 410.

[0080] In a further solution of this embodiment, the pushing member 410 has a pushing portion 415 with an annular structure for contacting and cooperating with the support rod 320 to drive the support rod 320 to move. An extension portion 412 extends upward on the inner circumference of the annular pushing portion 415. The mounting base 420 further includes a socket portion 424 sleeved on the extension portion 412.

[0081] In the above solution, the extension portion 412 on the pushing member 410 is sleeved and cooperated with the socket portion 424 on the mounting base 420, restricting the displacement of the pushing member 410 in the horizontal direction and enabling the pushing member 410 to rise and fall smoothly.

[0082] In a preferred solution of this embodiment, a spiral concave portion 413 is provided on the outer wall of the extension portion 412, and a spiral convex portion 425 is provided on the inner wall of the socket portion 424. The spiral concave portion 413 on the extension portion 412 can slide along the spiral convex portion 425 on the socket portion 424. Through the mutual cooperation of the spiral convex portion 425 and the spiral concave portion 413, the spiral rising and falling movements of the pushing member 410 become more stable.

[0083] In this embodiment, the positions of the spiral concave portion 413 and the spiral convex portion 425 can also be swapped, that is, a spiral convex portion is provided on the outer wall of the extension portion 412 and a spiral concave portion is provided on the inner wall of the socket portion 424, which can play the same role.

[0084] The washing machine of this embodiment further includes a water collecting device 200 disposed below the inner tub 100, and a mounting seat 420 is fixed below the water collecting device 200. A sealing disk 310 is disposed between the inner tub 100 and the water collecting device 200, and a support rod 320 passes through the water collecting device 200 and is in contact and cooperation with a pushing member 410. A through hole 201 for the support rod 320 to pass through is formed on the water collecting device 200, and a sealing member is disposed between the support rod 320 and the through hole 201 for sealing to prevent water leakage from occurring in the water collecting device 200.

[0085] Specifically, the sealing member is a corrugated sealing sleeve 340 sleeved on the support rod 320, and the upper end of the corrugated sealing sleeve 340 is fixedly connected to the upper end of the support rod 320. A fixing portion 341 is provided on the inner side of the upper end of the corrugated sealing sleeve 340, and a fixing groove is provided on the outer wall of the upper end of the support rod 320, and the fixing portion 341 is snapped into the fixing groove to achieve the fixation of the upper end of the corrugated sealing sleeve 340. The lower end of the corrugated sealing sleeve 340 has a vertically extending fitting portion 342, and the fitting portion 342 is in sealing fit with the inner wall of the through hole 201.

[0086] In a further aspect of this embodiment, a reducer mounting plate 500 is further disposed below the water collecting device 200, and the mounting seat 420 is disposed below the reducer mounting plate 500 and is fixedly connected to the reducer mounting plate 500. The support rod 320 passes through the reducer mounting plate 500 and is in contact and cooperation with the pushing member 410. A mounting hole 427 is provided on the guiding portion 421 of the mounting seat 420 for fixedly connecting with the reducer mounting plate 500. A reducer 800 is disposed below the pushing member 410 and the mounting seat 420 to drive the dehydration shaft 110 to rotate.

[0087] In this embodiment, the driving mechanism for driving the pushing member 410 to rotate specifically includes a traction motor 700 and a traction member 710. A traction portion 414 is provided on the pushing member 410, and the traction portion 414 is provided on the outer periphery of the pushing member 410. One end of the traction member 710 is connected to the traction motor 700, and the other end is connected to the traction portion 414.

[0088] In the above solution, the traction member 710 is a traction rope. A pulling force is applied to the traction member 710 by the traction motor 700 to horizontally pull the traction portion 414. The traction portion 414 is pulled by the traction member 710 to cause the pushing member 410 to rotate, and cooperate with the convex portion 411 to slide along the guiding groove 422, so that the pushing member 410 spirally ascends, and further pushes the support rod 320 to move upward, and the sealing disk 310 upwardly seals the drain hole 101.

[0089] The traction motor 700 releases the pulling force to make the traction member 710 in a relaxed state, the pushing member 410 spirally descends under the action of the second elastic member 423, and the support rod 320 synchronously descends with the pushing member 410 under the action of the first elastic member 330 to open the drain hole 101 for drainage.

[0090] In this embodiment, a traction motor 700 can drive the pusher 410 to move, thereby opening and blocking the drain hole 101 on the inner tub 100. Compared with the prior art solution of first positioning the inner tub 100 and then opening the drain hole 101, the time required for the drain hole 101 to switch between the open and blocked states is short. At the same time, the number of drive components is reduced, the structure of the washing machine is simplified, and the production cost is saved.

[0091] This embodiment also provides a control method for the above-mentioned washing machine.

[0092] During the washing / rinsing stage, the washing machine controls the drive mechanism to act on the pusher 410, causing the pusher 410 to spiral upward and pushing the sealing mechanism 300 upward to block the drain hole 101.

[0093] During the draining stage, the washing machine controls the drive mechanism to stop acting on the pusher 410, and the pusher 410 spirals downward. The sealing mechanism 300 descends with the pusher 410 to open the drain hole 101.

[0094] Specifically, during the washing / rinsing stage, the washing machine controls the traction motor 700 to drive the traction member 710 to contract. The traction member 710 pulls the traction portion 414 to drive the pusher 410 to rotate, causing the pusher 410 to spiral upward and pushing the sealing mechanism 300 upward to block the drain hole 101.

[0095] During the draining stage, the washing machine controls the traction motor 700 to release the traction member 710. The pulling effect of the traction member 710 on the traction portion 414 is released, and the pusher 410 spirals downward. The sealing mechanism 300 descends with the pusher 410 to open the drain hole 101.

[0096] In the above solution, the washing machine realizes the opening and blocking of the drain hole 101 by controlling the operation of the traction motor 700. When it is necessary to block the drain hole 101, the traction motor 700 is controlled to contract the traction member 710. When it is necessary to drain water, the traction motor 700 is controlled to release the traction member 710. The control logic is simple, the program running time is short, and the reliability is high.

[0097] The washing machine of this embodiment has an inner tub 100 that can independently hold washing water during the washing process, saving the amount of washing water used and avoiding the problem in the prior art that dirt is likely to grow between the inner tub 100 and the outer tub and is difficult to clean. The sealing mechanism 300 for blocking the drain hole 101 on the inner tub 100 is installed at the center of the bottom of the inner tub 100, and its position does not change with the rotation of the inner tub 100. No positioning operation is required before blocking the drain hole 101 and opening the drain hole 101 for drainage, and the control logic is simple. At the same time, the setting of the positioning mechanism is cancelled, and only one traction motor 700 is needed to realize the blocking and drainage functions of the inner tub 100, the structure is simpler, and the cost of the washing machine is reduced. When the drain hole 101 is opened, the sealing mechanism 300 is separated from the inner tub 100, which does not affect the rotation of the inner tub 100, so that the drain hole 101 can be kept open during the dehydration stage, improving the dehydration rate of the clothes.

[0098] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not impose any form of limitation on the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with the preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art of this patent, without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, may make some changes or modifications using the technical content prompted above as equivalent embodiments of equivalent changes. However, as long as the content does not depart from the technical solution of the present invention, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising an inner tub, wherein a drain hole is formed in the bottom of the inner tub, and it is characterized in that, The washing machine further includes a sealing mechanism disposed below the inner tub. The sealing mechanism seals the drain hole to form a closed inner tub for independently containing washing water. The washing machine further includes a pushing member that can spiral up / down. Driven by a driving mechanism, the pushing member spirals up to push the sealing mechanism to seal the drain hole. A mounting seat is fixedly provided below the inner tub. The pushing member is arranged in the mounting seat so as to be able to spiral up / down. A support rod of the sealing mechanism passes through the mounting seat and is in contact and cooperation with the pushing member. The support rod is slidably arranged in a guiding hole on the mounting seat. The mounting seat includes a guiding portion disposed on the outer periphery of the pushing member. A spiral extending guiding groove is provided on the guiding portion. A cooperating convex portion is provided on the pushing member. The cooperating convex portion is slidably arranged in the guiding groove. The driving mechanism drives the pushing member to rotate, causing the cooperating convex portion to slide along the guiding groove, driving the pushing member to spiral up. A second elastic member is provided on the mounting seat. One end of the second elastic member is fixed, and the other end abuts against the pushing member, driving the pushing member to spiral down in the mounting seat and the sealing mechanism to open the drain port. The pushing member has a pushing portion with an annular structure. An extending portion extends upward from the inner periphery of the pushing portion. The mounting seat includes a sleeving portion sleeved on the extending portion.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing mechanism includes a sealing disc for sealing the drain hole. One end of the support rod is fixedly connected to the sealing disc, and the other end is in contact and cooperation with the pushing member. The pushing member spirals up, pushing the support rod to move upward, driving the sealing disc to move upward to seal the drain hole.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein, The washing machine further includes a dehydration shaft for driving the inner tub to rotate. The dehydration shaft has a dehydration shaft disc connected to the bottom of the inner tub. The sealing disc has an annular structure. The sealing disc with the annular structure is coaxially sleeved on the dehydration shaft and is spaced from the outer wall of the dehydration shaft. The drain hole is provided on the outer periphery of the dehydration shaft disc.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, A flange is fixedly connected to the bottom of the inner tub. A through hole is provided in the flange corresponding to the drain hole. A sealing ring is provided between the bottom of the inner tub and the flange for sealing. A sealing member is provided on the surface of the sealing disc facing the inner tub. The sealing disc moves upward driven by the support rod, and the sealing member contacts and seals with the flange to seal the drain hole.

5. The washing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The sealing member includes a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion protruding from the upper surface of the sealing disc. The first sealing portion protrudes upward on the inner periphery of the sealing disc, and the second sealing portion protrudes upward on the outer periphery of the sealing disc. The sealing disc moves upward, and the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion contact and seal with the flange. The drain hole is located between the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion to achieve the sealing of the drain hole.

6. The washing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, A first annular groove is provided on the lower surface of the flange corresponding to the first sealing portion, and a second annular groove is provided corresponding to the second sealing portion. The drain hole is located between the first annular groove and the second annular groove. The sealing disc moves upward, and the first sealing portion is clamped into the first annular groove, and the second sealing portion is clamped into the second annular groove to achieve the sealing of the drain hole.

7. The washing machine according to any one of claims 2-6, characterized in that, The sealing mechanism further includes an elastic member, and the elastic member applies a downward acting force to the support rod.

8. The washing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The elastic member is a compression spring, and a limiting boss is provided at one end of the support rod away from the sealing disc; the compression spring is sleeved on the support rod, with one end abutted against the limiting boss and the other end abutted against the mounting seat.

9. A control method for a washing machine according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, During the washing / rinsing stage, the washing machine controls the driving mechanism to act on the pushing member, causing the pushing member to spiral upward and push the sealing mechanism upward to block the drain hole. During the drainage stage, the washing machine controls the driving mechanism to stop acting on the pushing member, and the pushing member spirals downward, and the sealing mechanism descends with the pushing member to open the drain hole.

10. The control method of the washing machine according to claim 9, characterized in that, A traction portion is provided on the pushing member, and the traction portion is provided on the outer periphery of the pushing member; the driving mechanism includes a traction motor and a traction member, one end of the traction member is connected to the traction motor, and the other end is connected to the traction portion. During the washing / rinsing stage, the washing machine controls the traction motor to drive the traction member to contract, and the traction member pulls the traction portion to drive the pushing member to rotate, causing the pushing member to spiral upward and push the sealing mechanism upward to block the drain hole. During the drainage stage, the washing machine controls the traction motor to relax the traction member, the pulling effect of the traction member on the traction portion is released, the pushing member spirals downward, and the sealing mechanism descends with the pushing member to open the drain hole.

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