Drain valve assembly and washing machine

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of washing machines, and discloses a drain valve assembly and a washing machine, wherein the drain valve assembly includes a valve plug and a driving component for driving the valve plug to move, the driving component includes a centrifugal slider and a reversing transmission mechanism, and the reversing transmission mechanism is respectively connected to the centrifugal slider and the valve plug; the centrifugal slider slides under the action of centrifugal force, and drives the valve plug to move through the reversing transmission mechanism; the sliding direction of the centrifugal slider is different from the movement direction of the valve plug. The drain valve assembly of the present invention is provided with a reversing transmission mechanism, so that the centrifugal slider and the valve plug can move in different directions. When the drain valve assembly is applied to a washing machine to realize centrifugal drainage, the installation position of the drain valve assembly is more flexible, and the installation space can be saved, which is conducive to the expansion of the inner barrel of the washing machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of washing machines, and in particular, relates to a drain valve assembly and a washing machine. Background Art

[0002] Most existing washing machines include an outer barrel and an inner barrel arranged inside the outer barrel, and a plurality of dehydration holes are arranged on the barrel wall of the inner barrel, so that the inner barrel and the outer barrel are connected to each other. When the washing machine is working, the outer barrel contains washing water, and the inner barrel contains clothes to be washed. The washing water may exist between the inner barrel and the outer barrel, but this part of the washing water will not be used, resulting in a waste of washing water. Moreover, as the working time of the washing machine increases, the dirt and thread scraps in the washing water will be retained in the space between the inner barrel and the outer barrel, which is difficult to clean, resulting in bacteria and odors generated during long-term use. To solve this problem, the prior art proposes a washing machine without dehydration holes on the inner barrel, so that the inner barrel can independently contain washing water during the washing process, but at the same time, the existing drainage method cannot achieve drainage of the hole-free inner barrel.

[0003] Chinese patent application number 201610767640.4 discloses a washing machine with no water between inner and outer barrels, comprising: an outer barrel; an inner barrel rotatably arranged in the outer barrel; during the washing / rinsing process, the inner barrel is filled with water, and there is no water between the inner barrel and the outer barrel; a drainage hole is provided at the bottom of the inner barrel, and a drainage sealing device is provided on the outer wall of the bottom of the inner barrel corresponding to the drainage hole; during washing / rinsing, the drainage sealing device keeps the drainage hole closed, and during dehydration, the drainage sealing device opens the drainage hole under the action of centrifugal force.

[0004] However, in the above scheme, the valve plug slides radially along the inner barrel to open / block the drain hole, and the sealing effect is not ideal due to the influence of water pressure. At the same time, due to the speed limit of the pulsator washing machine, the centrifugal force that can be provided by the centrifugal block is limited, and the drainage sealing device may not be able to open the drain hole. Adding a drainage sealing device under the inner barrel occupies the space at the bottom of the inner barrel, which is not conducive to the expansion of the inner barrel. If the installation position of the drainage sealing device in the above scheme is changed, since the valve plug and the centrifugal block slide synchronously along the radial direction of the inner barrel, it can only be set on the barrel wall of the inner barrel, that is, a drainage hole is opened on the barrel wall. Compared with the scheme in which the drainage hole is set at the bottom of the barrel, the drainage efficiency will be reduced.

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

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a drain valve assembly and a washing machine. The centrifugal slider drives the valve plug to move through a reversing transmission mechanism, so that the centrifugal slider and the valve plug can move in different directions respectively, making the installation position of the drain valve assembly in the washing machine more flexible.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0008] A drain valve assembly includes a valve plug and a driving component for driving the valve plug to move, the driving component includes a centrifugal slider and a reversing transmission mechanism, the reversing transmission mechanism is respectively connected to the centrifugal slider and the valve plug; the centrifugal slider slides under the action of centrifugal force and drives the valve plug to move through the reversing transmission mechanism; the sliding direction of the centrifugal slider is different from the movement direction of the valve plug.

[0009] Further, the sliding path of the centrifugal slider is coplanar with the moving path of the valve plug, and the reversing transmission mechanism includes a reversing rod, a first end of which is hinged to the valve plug, and a second end of which can move in the same direction as the centrifugal slider under the drive of the centrifugal slider;

[0010] The reversing rod swings in a plane formed by the sliding path of the centrifugal slider and the moving path of the valve plug, driving the valve plug to move in a direction forming a certain angle with the direction of action of the centrifugal force.

[0011] Furthermore, the centrifugal slider has a connecting portion, and the second end of the reversing rod is hinged to the connecting portion of the centrifugal slider; the centrifugal slider slides under the action of centrifugal force, driving the second end of the reversing rod to move in the same direction as the centrifugal slider, and the first end of the reversing rod swings around the second end to drive the valve plug to move.

[0012] Furthermore, in the initial state, the angle between the line connecting the first end and the second end of the reversing rod and the direction of the centrifugal force is less than 90 degrees; the centrifugal slider slides under the action of the centrifugal force, and the angle between the line connecting the first end and the second end and the direction of the centrifugal force gradually increases, driving the valve plug to move in a direction away from the sliding path of the centrifugal slider.

[0013] Furthermore, the first end of the reversing rod is arranged higher than the second end, the centrifugal slider slides horizontally under the action of centrifugal force, and the reversing rod swings upward driven by the centrifugal slider to push the valve plug to move upward;

[0014] Alternatively, the first end of the reversing rod is arranged lower than the second end, the centrifugal slider slides horizontally under the action of centrifugal force, and the reversing rod swings downward driven by the centrifugal slider, pulling the valve plug to move downward.

[0015] Furthermore, the valve plug includes a sealing cover and a support rod, one end of the support rod is fixedly connected to the sealing cover, and the other end is hinged to the reversing rod;

[0016] Preferably, one end of the support rod hinged to the reversing rod has an open mounting groove, the mounting groove is arranged through along the swinging direction of the reversing rod, and the first end of the reversing rod is inserted into the mounting groove and hinged to the support rod;

[0017] More preferably, the valve plug moves downwardly when the centrifugal slider slides due to the centrifugal force, and the connecting portion of the centrifugal slider passes through the mounting groove and is hinged to the reversing rod.

[0018] Furthermore, the drain valve assembly further comprises a mounting seat, the mounting seat comprises a guide portion having a hollow slideway, one end of the support rod is slidably disposed in the hollow slideway of the guide portion, and the other end extends out of the guide portion and is connected to the sealing cover;

[0019] Preferably, the valve plug moves upwards under the driving force of the centrifugal slider sliding with the centrifugal force, and the lower end of the guide portion has an escape groove which is arranged through along the swinging direction of the reversing rod;

[0020] Alternatively, the valve plug moves downwardly driven by the centrifugal slider sliding with the centrifugal force, and the upper end of the guide portion has an escape groove which is arranged through and along the swinging direction of the reversing rod.

[0021] Furthermore, the drain valve assembly further comprises a guide track, and the centrifugal slider is slidably disposed on the guide track;

[0022] Preferably, a guide groove extending in the direction of centrifugal force is provided on the guide track, and a mounting portion is provided on the centrifugal slider corresponding to the guide groove, and the mounting portion is slidably inserted in the guide groove;

[0023] Preferably, a first limiting portion is provided on the centrifugal slider, and a second limiting portion is provided on the guide rail, and the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion are relatively spaced apart; when the centrifugal slider slides under the action of centrifugal force, the first limiting portion gradually approaches the second limiting portion.

[0024] Furthermore, an elastic member is installed on the guide rail, and the elastic member is used to provide a reset force opposite to the direction of the centrifugal force to the centrifugal slider;

[0025] Preferably, the guide rail comprises a guide rod arranged along the direction of action of the centrifugal force, a positioning hole is arranged on the centrifugal slider, and the guide rod is slidably inserted into the positioning hole; the elastic member is a spring sleeved on the guide rod, and the two ends of the spring are respectively against the surface of the centrifugal slider and the guide rail;

[0026] More preferably, one end of the guide rod is fixedly arranged on the surface of the second limiting portion facing the first limiting portion, and the other end is suspended; a positioning hole is through-arranged on the first limiting portion, and the suspended end of the guide rod passes through the positioning hole; the spring is sleeved on the guide rod, and its two ends are respectively abutted against the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine, comprising an inner tub, a drain port being provided at the bottom of the inner tub, and also comprising the drain valve assembly described above;

[0028] During the washing / rinsing process, the valve plug blocks the drain port, allowing the inner barrel to hold water independently;

[0029] During the drainage process, the centrifugal slider slides from the inside to the outside along the radial direction of the inner barrel under the action of centrifugal force, and drives the valve plug to move in a direction parallel to the central axis of the inner barrel through the reversing transmission mechanism to open the drainage port.

[0030] After adopting the above technical scheme, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0031] The drain valve assembly of the present invention is provided with a reversing transmission mechanism so that the centrifugal slider and the valve plug can move in different directions. When it is applied to a washing machine to achieve centrifugal drainage, the installation position of the drain valve assembly is more flexible, and at the same time, the installation space can be saved, which is conducive to expanding the capacity of the inner barrel of the washing machine.

[0032] The drain valve assembly of the present invention realizes the transmission of the movement of the centrifugal slider and the valve plug in different directions by setting a reversing rod, and has a simple structure and is easy to implement. The reversing rod is inserted into the mounting groove at one end of the support rod and hinged, so that the force of the reversing rod on the support rod acts on the central axis of the support rod, thereby preventing the support rod from being subjected to eccentric force and thus affecting the movement of the valve plug.

[0033] The drain valve assembly of the present invention limits the horizontal movement of the support rod through the guide part of the mounting seat, thereby effectively converting the horizontal movement of the centrifugal slider into the vertical movement of the valve plug through the reversing rod. The setting of the avoidance groove reserves space for the swing of the reversing rod, so that the support rod, the reversing rod and the guide part can effectively cooperate to realize the up and down movement of the valve plug driven by the centrifugal slider.

[0034] The drain valve assembly of the present invention guides the sliding of the centrifugal slider by setting a guide track, and the second limit part on the guide track cooperates with the first limit part on the centrifugal slider to prevent the centrifugal slider from slipping out of the guide track when sliding under the action of centrifugal force. The elastic member on the guide track can push the centrifugal slider to move in the opposite direction after the centrifugal force disappears, thereby driving the valve plug to move, and realizing the automatic reset of the drain valve assembly.

[0035] In the washing machine of the present invention, the valve plug blocks the drain port during the washing / rinsing process to form a closed inner barrel, thereby avoiding the situation where water accumulates between the inner and outer barrels and causes dirt and thread residues to remain. The reversing transmission mechanism converts the sliding of the centrifugal slider along the radial direction of the inner barrel into the movement of the valve plug along the direction parallel to the central axis of the inner barrel, so that the drain port can be set on the bottom of the inner barrel, which is conducive to improving the drainage efficiency.

[0036] The specific implementation modes of the present invention are further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The accompanying drawings are part of the present invention and are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention, but do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work. In the accompanying drawings:

[0038] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the drain valve assembly blocking the drain outlet in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the drain valve assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention opening the drain port;

[0040] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure in which the drain valve assembly is installed at the bottom of the inner barrel in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 The present invention Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the enlarged structure at A in the middle;

[0042] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom of the inner barrel in the state where the drain outlet is blocked in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 6 The present invention Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the enlarged structure at B in the middle;

[0044] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom of the inner barrel in the state where the drain outlet is opened in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 8 The present invention Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the enlarged structure at C in the middle;

[0046] Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another perspective of the drainage valve assembly after installation in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Fig.10 The present invention Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of the enlarged structure at D in the middle;

[0048] Fig.11 It is a structural schematic diagram of the drain valve assembly blocking the drain outlet in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Fig.12 It is a structural schematic diagram of the drain valve assembly opening the drain outlet in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] In the figure: 100, inner barrel; 101, drain outlet; 110, barrel bottom; 200, valve plug; 201, sealing cover; 202, support rod; 203, sealing gasket; 300, centrifugal slider; 301, avoidance port; 302, mounting portion; 303, first limiting portion; 304, connecting portion; 305, connecting seat; 306, centrifugal portion; 401, reversing rod; 4011, first end; 4012, second end; 402, connecting pin; 500, mounting seat; 501, fixing portion; 502, guide portion; 503, avoidance groove; 600, guide rail; 601, guide rod; 602, spring; 603, guide groove; 604, second limiting portion; 700, water collecting device; 800, inner barrel flange.

[0051] It should be noted that these drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the conceptual scope of the present invention in any way, but are intended to illustrate the concept of the present invention for those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention but are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0053] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "inside", "outside", etc. indicate directions or positional relationships based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention.

[0054] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, 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 direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0055] Embodiment 1

[0056] like Figures 1 to 10As shown, the drain valve assembly described in this embodiment includes a valve plug 200 and a driving component for driving the valve plug 200 to move, and the driving component includes a centrifugal slider 300 and a reversing transmission mechanism, and the reversing transmission mechanism is connected to the centrifugal slider 300 and the valve plug 200 respectively. The centrifugal slider 300 slides under the action of centrifugal force and drives the valve plug 200 to move through the reversing transmission mechanism. Among them, the sliding direction of the centrifugal slider 300 is different from the movement direction of the valve plug 200.

[0057] In the above scheme, by setting a reversing transmission mechanism, the centrifugal slider 300 and the valve plug 200 can move in different directions. For example, the centrifugal slider 300 slides horizontally under the action of centrifugal force, driving the valve plug 200 to move in the vertical direction. The drain valve assembly of this embodiment can be applied to a washing machine for centrifugal drainage, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, when the centrifugal slider 300 slides horizontally along the radial direction of the inner tub 100, the valve plug 200 moves vertically in a direction parallel to the central axis of the inner tub 100 to open / block the drain port 101, so that the drain port 101 can be set on the bottom 110 of the inner tub 100, and the drainage efficiency is higher. At the same time, compared with the prior art solution of leading a connecting pipeline at the bottom of the inner tub 100 and installing a sealing plug body and a centrifugal block, the installation space is saved, which is conducive to the expansion of the inner tub 100 of the washing machine.

[0058] In a further solution of this embodiment, the sliding path of the centrifugal slider 300 is coplanar with the movement path of the valve plug 200, and the reversing transmission mechanism includes a reversing rod 401, the first end 4011 of the reversing rod 401 is hinged to the valve plug 200, and the second end 4012 can move in the same direction as the centrifugal slider 300 under the drive of the centrifugal slider 300.

[0059] The reversing rod 401 swings in the plane formed by the sliding path of the centrifugal slider 300 and the moving path of the valve plug 200, driving the valve plug 200 to move in a direction forming a certain angle with the direction of action of the centrifugal force.

[0060] Furthermore, the centrifugal slider 300 has a connecting portion 304, and the second end 4012 of the reversing rod 401 is hinged to the connecting portion 304 of the centrifugal slider 300. The centrifugal slider 300 slides under the action of centrifugal force, driving the second end 4012 of the reversing rod 401 to move in the same direction as the centrifugal slider 300, and the first end 4011 of the reversing rod 401 swings around the second end 4012 to drive the valve plug 200 to move.

[0061] In this embodiment, the centrifugal slider 300 further includes a centrifugal portion 306, and the mass of the centrifugal slider 300 is mainly concentrated on the centrifugal portion 306 to provide a centrifugal force to drive the centrifugal slider 300 to slide. The centrifugal portion 306 and the valve plug 200 are arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction, and the connecting portion 304 is a rod-shaped structure extending outward from the side of the centrifugal portion 306 close to the valve plug 200, so as to be hinged with the reversing rod 401. Under the action of centrifugal force, the centrifugal portion 306 slides horizontally in a direction away from the valve plug 200, and drives the valve plug 200 to move vertically through the reversing rod 401. Furthermore, when the drain valve assembly in this embodiment is installed on the inner barrel 100 of the washing machine, the centrifugal portion 306 can be closer to the outer periphery of the inner barrel 100, so as to have a larger rotation radius. When the mass of the centrifugal portion 306 is constant, due to its larger rotation radius, it can provide a larger centrifugal force at the same speed, thereby avoiding the situation that the centrifugal slider 300 cannot drive the valve plug 200 to move.

[0062] Specifically, a connecting seat 305 is provided at the left end of the connecting part 304, a first pin hole is opened on the connecting seat 305, a second pin hole is opened at the second end 4012 of the reversing rod 401, and the connecting pin 402 can be rotatably inserted into the first pin hole and the second pin hole to connect the connecting part 304 and the reversing rod 401.

[0063] In a further solution of this embodiment, in the initial state, the angle between the line connecting the first end 4011 and the second end 4012 of the reversing rod 401 and the direction of the centrifugal force is less than 90 degrees. The centrifugal slider 300 slides under the action of the centrifugal force, and the angle between the line connecting the first end 4011 and the second end 4012 and the direction of the centrifugal force gradually increases, driving the valve plug 200 to move in a direction away from the sliding path of the centrifugal slider 300.

[0064] In the above solution, the reversing rod 401 can be a straight rod or a curved rod with a certain curvature, both of which can achieve the purpose of reversing transmission.

[0065] Furthermore, the first end 4011 of the reversing rod 401 is arranged higher than the second end 4012 , the centrifugal slider 300 slides horizontally under the action of centrifugal force, and the reversing rod 401 swings upward driven by the centrifugal slider 300 to push the valve plug 200 to move upward.

[0066] In the above scheme, the centrifugal slider 300 slides under the action of centrifugal force, driving the valve plug 200 to move upward. That is, when the drain valve assembly is applied to a washing machine, the valve plug 200 moves upward to open the drain port 101 and moves downward to block the drain port 101.

[0067] Specifically, Figures 1 to 8As shown, when the drain valve assembly is installed on the inner barrel 100, the valve plug 200 blocks the drain port 101 from top to bottom from the inside of the inner barrel 100. The centrifugal slider 300 is installed below the barrel bottom 110 of the inner barrel 100. When draining water, the centrifugal slider 300 slides radially outward along the inner barrel 100 under the action of centrifugal force, and the connecting portion 304 drives the second end 4012 of the reversing rod 401 to move outward synchronously. The first end 4011 of the reversing rod 401 then moves upward under the drive of the centrifugal slider 300, pushing the valve plug 200 away from the drain port 101, and opening the drain port 101 for draining water.

[0068] In a further solution of this embodiment, the valve plug 200 includes a sealing cover 201 and a support rod 202 . The upper end of the support rod 202 is fixedly connected to the sealing cover 201 , and the lower end is hinged to the reversing rod 401 .

[0069] Preferably, the lower end of the support rod 202 has an open mounting groove, which is arranged through along the swinging direction of the reversing rod 401 , and the first end 4011 of the reversing rod 401 is inserted into the mounting groove and hinged to the support rod 202 .

[0070] In the above scheme, the mounting groove is arranged to pass through the central axis of the support rod 202, so that the hinge point between the reversing rod 401 and the support rod 202 is located on the central axis of the support rod 202, so that the force applied by the reversing rod 401 to the support rod 202 can act on the central axis of the support rod 202, thereby avoiding the support rod 202 being subjected to eccentric force, which would hinder the vertical movement of the valve plug 200.

[0071] In the preferred solution of this embodiment, a sealing gasket 203 is fixedly arranged on the lower side of the outer periphery of the sealing cover 201. When the valve plug 200 blocks the drain port 101, the sealing gasket 203 is sealed and fitted with the outer periphery of the drain port 101, thereby achieving a better sealing effect. At the same time, since the valve plug 200 blocks the drain port 101 from the inside of the inner barrel 100, when the inner barrel 100 is filled with water, the water pressure at the bottom of the inner barrel 100 acts on the sealing cover 201, which can also provide auxiliary sealing force and improve the sealing effect.

[0072] In a further solution of this embodiment, the drain valve assembly further includes a mounting seat 500, the mounting seat 500 includes a guide portion 502 having a hollow slideway, the lower end of the support rod 202 is slidably disposed in the hollow slideway of the guide portion 502, and the other end extends out of the guide portion 502 to be connected to the sealing cover 201. The hollow slideway extends in the vertical direction.

[0073] In the above scheme, the setting of the guide portion 502 limits the horizontal movement of the support rod 202, so that the horizontal movement of the centrifugal slider 300 can be effectively converted into the vertical movement of the valve plug 200 through the reversing rod 401, thereby opening the drain port 101 for drainage.

[0074] In this embodiment, the mounting seat 500 further includes a fixing portion 501 , and the fixing portion 501 is fixedly connected to the guide portion 502 , and is used to fix the mounting seat 500 on the inner barrel 100 of the washing machine.

[0075] In the preferred solution of this embodiment, the lower end of the guide part 502 has an escape groove 503 which is arranged through along the swing direction of the reversing rod 401. The first end 4011 of the reversing rod 401 is hinged with the lower end of the support rod 202 inside the guide part 502, and the lower half of the reversing rod 401 passes through the escape groove 503 and extends out of the guide part 502 when the valve plug 200 blocks the drain port 101. The setting of the escape groove 503 reserves space for the swing of the reversing rod 401, so that the support rod 202, the reversing rod 401 and the guide part 502 can cooperate effectively to realize the up and down movement of the valve plug 200 driven by the centrifugal slider 300.

[0076] like Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, in a further solution of this embodiment, the drain valve assembly further includes a guide track 600 , and the centrifugal slider 300 is slidably disposed on the guide track 600 .

[0077] Specifically, the centrifugal portion 306 of the centrifugal slider 300 is installed in cooperation with the guide track 600 and can slide along the guide track 600. The guide track 600 is provided with a guide groove 603 extending in the direction of the centrifugal force, and the centrifugal portion 306 of the centrifugal slider 300 is provided with a mounting portion 302 corresponding to the guide groove 603, and the mounting portion 302 is slidably inserted in the guide groove 603.

[0078] Preferably, the centrifugal slider 300 is provided with a first limiter 303, and the guide track 600 is provided with a second limiter 604, and the first limiter 303 and the second limiter 604 are arranged relatively spaced apart. When the centrifugal slider 300 slides under the action of centrifugal force, the first limiter 303 gradually approaches the second limiter 604.

[0079] In the above solution, the centrifugal slider 300 is guided by providing a guide rail 600, and when the drain valve assembly is applied to the washing machine, the guide rail 600 is fixedly installed below the inner tub 100, so as to realize the assembly of the drain valve assembly and the inner tub 100. The second limiting portion 604 on the guide rail 600 cooperates with the first limiting portion 303 on the centrifugal slider 300 to prevent the centrifugal slider 300 from escaping from the guide rail 600 when sliding under the action of centrifugal force.

[0080] In this embodiment, the centrifugal part 306 is a horizontally arranged plate-like structure, two guide rails 600 are provided, and the centrifugal part 306 is slidably installed between the two guide rails 600. For a pulsator washing machine, due to the limitation of the maximum speed it can reach, in order to provide a centrifugal force sufficient to open the drain port 101 through the centrifugal slider 300, it is necessary to increase the mass of the centrifugal part 306, that is, it is necessary to increase the volume of the centrifugal part 306. By designing the centrifugal part 306 as a plate-like structure, it can be installed in a close fit under the barrel bottom 110 without occupying too much space under the inner barrel 100, and the overall structure is compact and occupies little space.

[0081] Preferably, the centrifugal portion 306 has a concave avoidance opening 301 on one side close to the connecting portion 304, and the avoidance opening 301 has an arc-shaped edge, and the radius of the arc-shaped edge is greater than the radius of the drain port 101. The setting of the avoidance opening 301 ensures that when the drain port 101 is opened, the centrifugal portion 306 does not block the space below the drain port 101, and the drainage process is smoother. On the other hand, in order to achieve better cooperation with the valve plug 200, the barrel bottom 110 is convexly arranged at the outer periphery of the drain port 101 toward the bottom of the inner barrel 100, and the centrifugal slider 300 avoids the protrusion of the barrel bottom 110 at the drain port 101 by setting the avoidance opening 301.

[0082] In a further solution of this embodiment, an elastic member is further installed on the guide track 600 , and the elastic member is used to provide a restoring force opposite to the direction of the centrifugal force to the centrifugal slider 300 .

[0083] Preferably, the guide track 600 includes a guide rod 601 arranged along the direction of the centrifugal force, a positioning hole is arranged on the centrifugal slider 300, and the guide rod 601 is slidably inserted in the positioning hole. The elastic member is a spring 602 sleeved on the guide rod 601, and the two ends of the spring 602 are respectively against the surface of the centrifugal slider 300 and the guide track 600.

[0084] Specifically, one end of the guide rod 601 is fixedly arranged on the surface of the second limit portion 604 facing the first limit portion 303, and the other end is suspended. The positioning hole is through-set on the first limit portion 303, and the suspended end of the guide rod 601 passes through the positioning hole. The spring 602 is sleeved on the guide rod 601, and the two ends are respectively against the first limit portion 303 and the second limit portion 604.

[0085] In the above solution, the spring 602 can push the centrifugal slider 300 to move in the opposite direction after the centrifugal force disappears, and then drive the valve plug 200 to move downward through the reversing rod 401, thereby realizing the automatic reset of the drain valve assembly. When the drain valve assembly is applied to a washing machine, the drain port 101 can be automatically blocked when the speed of the inner drum 100 decreases and the centrifugal force is lower than a certain value.

[0086] This embodiment further provides a washing machine, comprising an inner tub 100, wherein a drain port 101 is provided at the bottom 110 of the inner tub 100. The washing machine further comprises the drain valve assembly described above.

[0087] During the washing / rinsing process, the valve plug 200 blocks the drain port 101, allowing the inner tub 100 to independently hold water;

[0088] During the drainage process, the centrifugal slider 300 slides from inside to outside along the radial direction of the inner barrel 100 under the action of centrifugal force, and drives the valve plug 200 to move in a direction parallel to the central axis of the inner barrel 100 through the reversing transmission mechanism to open the drainage port 101.

[0089] In this embodiment, no dehydration holes are provided on the barrel wall of the inner barrel 100 at least in the area below the highest water level of the washing machine. During the washing / rinsing process, the valve plug 200 blocks the drain port 101 to form a closed inner barrel 100, so that the inner barrel 100 can independently hold water during the washing / rinsing process. The washing machine may not be provided with an outer barrel, and only a water collecting device 700 is provided under the inner barrel 100, and the upper edge height of the water collecting device 700 is lower than the barrel mouth height of the inner barrel 100, so as to achieve the expansion of the inner barrel 100.

[0090] Specifically, the drain valve assembly is installed in cooperation with the barrel bottom 110 of the inner barrel 100, the fixing portion 501 of the mounting seat 500 is fixedly connected to the barrel bottom 110, the guide rail 600 is fixedly connected to the barrel bottom 110, the sealing cover 201 of the valve plug 200 is arranged inside the inner barrel 100, the support rod 202 passes through the drain outlet 101 and is inserted into the guide portion 502, and is hinged to the reversing rod 401.

[0091] In another scheme of this embodiment, the barrel bottom 110 of the inner barrel 100 is fixedly connected to the inner barrel flange 800, the inner barrel flange 800 is coaxially arranged with the inner barrel 100, and the drain valve assembly can also be installed on the inner barrel flange 800. Specifically, the fixing portion 501 is fixedly connected to the barrel bottom 110 to achieve the fixed installation of the mounting seat 500 and the inner barrel flange 800. The edge of the inner barrel flange 800 has a concave mounting opening, and two guide rails 600 are arranged in parallel and fixedly installed on both sides of the mounting opening, respectively, and the centrifugal slider 300 is arranged between the two guide rails 600. The inner barrel flange 800 and the drain valve assembly are installed on the inner barrel 100 of the washing machine as a whole, and the structure is more compact.

[0092] During the washing / rinsing process, the inner tub 100 is in a free state, and the valve plug 200 blocks the drain port 101. When draining, the inner tub 100 is controlled to rotate at a certain speed, thereby generating sufficient centrifugal force to slide the centrifugal slider 300. Under the action of the centrifugal force, the centrifugal slider 300 slides radially outward along the inner tub 100, driving the reversing rod 401 to swing, and then driving the valve plug 200 to move to open the drain port 2, thereby realizing the drainage function.

[0093] In the washing machine of this embodiment, the inner barrel 100 can independently hold water during the washing / rinsing process, and the drainage function of the inner barrel 100 is realized by the drainage valve assembly installed on the bottom 110 of the inner barrel 100. The drainage of the inner barrel 100 is completed by a pure mechanical structure, which eliminates the need for a separate drive motor for draining the inner barrel 100 in the prior art, thereby reducing costs. At the same time, there is no need to position the inner barrel 100 before draining, making the control simpler. The centrifugal slider 300 moves radially along the inner barrel 100 under the action of centrifugal force, and the valve plug 200 can be driven to move in the vertical direction through the setting of the reversing transmission mechanism, thereby directly opening / blocking the drainage hole 101 provided on the bottom 110 of the barrel, thereby achieving a good sealing effect and saving installation space.

[0094] Embodiment 2

[0095] like Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and the above-mentioned embodiment 1 is that the first end 4011 of the reversing rod 401 is set lower than the second end 4012, the centrifugal slider 300 slides horizontally under the action of centrifugal force, and the reversing rod 401 swings downward under the drive of the centrifugal slider 300, pulling the valve plug 200 to move downward.

[0096] In the above scheme, when the drain valve assembly is installed on the washing machine, the valve plug 200 is located below the bottom 110 of the inner barrel 100, and the drain port 101 is blocked from the bottom to the top from the outside of the inner barrel 100. When the inner barrel 100 is filled with water, the water pressure at the bottom of the inner barrel 100 acts on the sealing cover 201. In the process of the centrifugal slider 300 driving the valve plug 200 to open the drain port 101, the water pressure at the bottom of the inner barrel 100 can assist in pushing the valve plug 200 to open the drain port 101, thereby reducing the centrifugal force required to pull the valve plug 200, and avoiding the situation where the drain port 101 cannot be opened due to the low rotation speed of the pulsator washing machine.

[0097] In a further solution of this embodiment, the lower end of the support rod 202 has an open mounting groove, and the mounting groove is arranged to penetrate along the swing direction of the reversing rod 401, and the first end 4011 of the reversing rod 401 is inserted into the mounting groove and hinged to the support rod 202. The connecting portion of the centrifugal slider 300 penetrates the mounting groove and is hinged to the second end 4012 of the reversing rod 401.

[0098] When the valve plug 200 blocks the drain port 101, the upper half of the reversing rod 401 extends out of the mounting groove. When the centrifugal slider 300 drives the reversing rod 401 to swing, and then drives the valve plug 200 to open the drain port 101, the first end 4011 of the reversing rod 401 swings downward, so that most of the reversing rod 401 enters the mounting groove.

[0099] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper end of the guide portion of the mounting seat has an escape groove that is arranged through the swing direction of the reversing rod 401. The first end 4011 of the reversing rod 401 is hinged to the lower end of the support rod 202 inside the guide portion, and the upper half of the reversing rod 401 passes through the escape groove and extends out of the guide portion when the valve plug 200 blocks the drain port 101.

[0100] Since the swing direction of the reversing rod 401 in this embodiment is different from that in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the setting position of the avoidance groove is also adjusted, thereby reserving space for the swing of the reversing rod 401, so that the support rod 202, the reversing rod 401 and the guide part can effectively cooperate to realize the up and down movement of the valve plug 200 driven by the centrifugal slider 300.

[0101] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention in any form. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment, it is not used to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with this patent can make some changes or modify the technical contents suggested above into equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention still fall within the scope of the solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A drain valve assembly for a pulsator washing machine, comprising a valve plug and a driving component for driving the valve plug to move, characterized in that: The valve plug is used to block the drain port provided on the bottom of the inner barrel; the driving component comprises a centrifugal slider and a reversing transmission mechanism, and the reversing transmission mechanism is respectively connected to the centrifugal slider and the valve plug; The sliding path of the centrifugal slider is coplanar with the moving path of the valve plug, and the reversing transmission mechanism includes a reversing rod, a first end of which is hinged to the valve plug, and a second end of which can move in the same direction as the centrifugal slider under the drive of the centrifugal slider; The centrifugal slider has a centrifugal portion for providing a centrifugal force to drive the centrifugal slider to slide; the centrifugal portion and the valve plug are spaced apart in the radial direction of the inner barrel, and the centrifugal portion is closer to the outer periphery of the inner barrel than the valve plug; a connecting portion extending outward is provided on a side of the centrifugal portion close to the valve plug, and is connected to the reversing transmission mechanism through the connecting portion; The centrifugal slider slides radially along the inner barrel under the action of centrifugal force to move the centrifugal part away from the valve plug, and drives the valve plug to move in a direction parallel to the central axis of the inner barrel through the reversing transmission mechanism.

2. The drain valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reversing rod swings in a plane formed by the sliding path of the centrifugal slider and the moving path of the valve plug, driving the valve plug to move in a direction forming a certain angle with the direction of action of the centrifugal force.

3. The drain valve assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second end of the reversing rod is hinged to the connecting part of the centrifugal slider; the centrifugal slider slides under the action of centrifugal force, driving the second end of the reversing rod to move in the same direction as the centrifugal slider, and the first end of the reversing rod swings around the second end to drive the valve plug to move.

4. The drain valve assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: In the initial state, the angle between the line connecting the first end and the second end of the reversing rod and the direction of the centrifugal force is less than 90 degrees; the centrifugal slider slides under the action of the centrifugal force, and the angle between the line connecting the first end and the second end and the direction of the centrifugal force gradually increases, driving the valve plug to move in a direction away from the sliding path of the centrifugal slider.

5. The drain valve assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first end of the reversing rod is arranged higher than the second end, the centrifugal slider slides horizontally under the action of centrifugal force, and the reversing rod swings upward driven by the centrifugal slider to push the valve plug to move upward; Alternatively, the first end of the reversing rod is arranged lower than the second end, the centrifugal slider slides horizontally under the action of centrifugal force, and the reversing rod swings downward driven by the centrifugal slider, pulling the valve plug to move downward.

6. The drain valve assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The valve plug comprises a sealing cover and a support rod, one end of the support rod is fixedly connected to the sealing cover, and the other end of the support rod is hinged to the reversing rod.

7. The drain valve assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: One end of the support rod hinged to the reversing rod has an open mounting groove, the mounting groove is arranged through along the swinging direction of the reversing rod, and the first end of the reversing rod is inserted into the mounting groove and hinged to the support rod.

8. The drain valve assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The valve plug moves downwards under the driving force of the centrifugal slider sliding with the centrifugal force, and the connecting portion of the centrifugal slider passes through the mounting groove and is hinged to the reversing rod.

9. The drain valve assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: The drain valve assembly also includes a mounting seat, which includes a guide portion with a hollow slideway. One end of the support rod is slidably disposed in the hollow slide of the guide portion, and the other end extends out of the guide portion and is connected to the sealing cover.

10. The drain valve assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that: The valve plug moves upwards driven by the centrifugal slider sliding with the centrifugal force, and the lower end of the guide part has an escape groove which is arranged through along the swing direction of the reversing rod; Alternatively, the valve plug moves downwardly driven by the centrifugal slider sliding with the centrifugal force, and the upper end of the guide portion has an escape groove which is arranged through and along the swinging direction of the reversing rod.

11. The drain valve assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The drain valve assembly also includes a guide track, and the centrifugal slider is slidably arranged on the guide track.

12. The drain valve assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that: The guide track is provided with a guide groove extending in the direction of centrifugal force, and the centrifugal sliding block is provided with a mounting portion corresponding to the guide groove, and the mounting portion is slidably inserted in the guide groove.

13. The drain valve assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that: A first limiting portion is arranged on the centrifugal slider, and a second limiting portion is arranged on the guide track. The first limiting portion and the second limiting portion are arranged relatively spaced apart. When the centrifugal slider slides under the action of centrifugal force, the first limiting portion gradually approaches the second limiting portion.

14. The drain valve assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that: An elastic member is also installed on the guide track, and the elastic member is used to provide a reset force opposite to the direction of the centrifugal force to the centrifugal sliding block.

15. The drain valve assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that: The guide track includes a guide rod arranged along the direction of centrifugal force, a positioning hole is arranged on the centrifugal slider, and the guide rod can be slidably inserted in the positioning hole; the elastic member is a spring sleeved on the guide rod, and the two ends of the spring respectively resist the surfaces of the centrifugal slider and the guide track.

16. The drain valve assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that A first limiting portion is arranged on the centrifugal slider, and a second limiting portion is arranged on the guide track, wherein the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion are arranged with a relative spacing; One end of the guide rod is fixedly arranged on the surface of the second limiting part facing the first limiting part, and the other end is suspended; a positioning hole is through-arranged on the first limiting part, and the suspended end of the guide rod passes through the positioning hole; the spring is sleeved on the guide rod, and its two ends are respectively against the first limiting part and the second limiting part.

17. A washing machine, comprising an inner barrel, wherein a drain port is provided at the bottom of the inner barrel, wherein: Also includes the drain valve assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16; During the washing / rinsing process, the valve plug blocks the drain port, allowing the inner barrel to hold water independently; During the drainage process, the centrifugal slider slides from the inside to the outside along the radial direction of the inner barrel under the action of centrifugal force, and drives the valve plug to move in a direction parallel to the central axis of the inner barrel through the reversing transmission mechanism to open the drainage port.

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