Washing machine drain valve assembly and washing machine

Abstract

The present invention discloses a washing machine drain valve assembly and a washing machine. The drain valve assembly includes a valve plug arranged at the bottom of an inner barrel and a driving component for controlling the opening and closing of the valve plug. The driving component includes a centrifugal hammer that can swing upward or downward under the action of centrifugal force. The centrifugal hammer and the valve plug are connected by a lever structure. The lever structure has a lever fulcrum that can be rotatably supported and fixed at the bottom of the inner barrel. The center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer and the lever fulcrum are not on the same horizontal plane. The centrifugal hammer swings in a direction close to the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum is located under the action of centrifugal force. The valve plug moves downward or upward around the lever fulcrum as the centrifugal hammer swings to open and close. The present invention designs the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer and the lever fulcrum at different heights, so that the centrifugal hammer can swing in a direction close to the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum is located under the action of centrifugal force and the restriction of the lever structure, driving the valve plug to move upward or downward to drain water. The structure is simple and the drainage efficiency is high.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Prior art Most of the 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 without water between inner and outer barrels, comprising: an outer barrel; an inner barrel rotatably arranged in the outer barrel; during washing / rinsing, the centrifugal block is stationary relative to the inner barrel, and the plug body is maintained in the connecting pipe between the water inlet end and the water outlet end to keep the drain hole closed, and during dehydration, the centrifugal block moves under the action of centrifugal force, driving the plug body to move out of the connecting pipe between the water inlet end and the water outlet end to open the drain hole.

[0004] Although the washing machine disclosed in the above application solves the drainage problem of the inner barrel washing machine without holes to a certain extent, since the centrifugal block and the valve plug are connected by a flexible pull rope, the centrifugal block moves outward along the circumferential direction under the action of centrifugal force, driving the valve plug to move in the same direction to open the drainage hole. Since the inner barrel drainage hole is provided on the bottom wall of the inner barrel, the valve plug cannot be directly installed at the drainage hole to realize opening and closing. If it is directly installed on the drainage hole, a force along the central axis of the inner barrel is required to open the valve plug.

[0005] Therefore, a sealing valve is connected to the inner tub drain outlet, and the sealing valve includes an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe connected to the inner tub drain outlet at the water inlet end, and a valve pipe. The valve plug is telescopically arranged in the valve pipe to open the drain hole for drainage. Since the movement direction of the centrifugal block is not in the same direction as the axial direction of the inner tub drain outlet, a reversing connecting pipeline is required to achieve reversal, which is not only complex in structure, but also a large amount of wire scraps and impurities will accumulate in the connecting pipeline of the sealing valve during long-term use, which not only affects the cleaning effect of the washing machine, but also causes the valve body to be blocked for a long time, making it impossible to drain water normally, and the drainage efficiency is low.

[0006] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a washing machine drain valve assembly, wherein the centrifugal hammer is designed at different heights with the center of gravity and the lever fulcrum, so that the centrifugal hammer can swing downward or upward in the direction close to the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum is located under the action of centrifugal force and the constraint of the lever structure, thereby driving the valve plug to move upward or downward around the lever fulcrum to drain water. Under the action of centrifugal force, the centrifugal hammer will provide a force parallel to the central axis of the inner barrel to the valve plug, so that the valve plug of the drain valve assembly can be directly installed at the drain port, the structure is simpler, and it is not easy to cause drainage blockage, and the drainage efficiency is higher.

[0008] In order to solve the above technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0009] A washing machine drain valve assembly, comprising a valve plug arranged at the bottom of an inner barrel of the washing machine and a driving component for controlling the opening and closing of the valve plug, wherein the driving component comprises a centrifugal hammer that can swing upward or downward under the action of centrifugal force, wherein the centrifugal hammer is connected to the valve plug via a lever structure, wherein the lever structure has a lever fulcrum that can be rotatably supported and fixed at the bottom of the inner barrel;

[0010] The center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer and the lever fulcrum are not in the same horizontal plane. The centrifugal hammer swings toward the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum is located under the action of centrifugal force. The valve plug moves downward or upward around the lever fulcrum to open and close as the centrifugal hammer swings.

[0011] Furthermore, the lever structure comprises a swinging rod whose power end is connected to the centrifugal hammer and whose resistance end is connected to the valve plug, and the line connecting the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer and the lever fulcrum is arranged at a certain inclined angle to the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum is located;

[0012] The valve plug seal is arranged on the inner side of the inner barrel bottom, the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer is arranged higher than the lever fulcrum, the centrifugal hammer swings downward under the action of centrifugal force, and the resistance end of the swing rod drives the valve plug to move upward around the lever fulcrum to open the valve plug;

[0013] Alternatively, the valve plug seal is arranged on the outside of the inner barrel bottom, the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer is arranged below the lever fulcrum, the centrifugal hammer swings upward under the action of centrifugal force, and the resistance end of the swing rod drives the valve plug to move downward around the lever fulcrum to open the valve plug.

[0014] Furthermore, the two ends of the lever structure are respectively connected to the centrifugal hammer and the valve plug, the lever fulcrum is located in the middle position of the lever structure, the lever structure includes a power arm located between the centrifugal hammer and the lever fulcrum, and a resistance arm located between the valve plug and the lever fulcrum, and the projection of the center of gravity on the lever structure is located on the power arm.

[0015] Furthermore, a first elastic reset member is provided at the lever fulcrum, and the first elastic reset member is used to provide an upward or downward torsional force to overcome the gravity of the centrifugal hammer to the resistance end of the swing rod, so that the valve plug remains in a closed state in the initial state;

[0016] Preferably, the drain valve assembly further comprises a fulcrum shaft rotatably matched with the swing arm, and the first elastic reset member is a torsion spring arranged on the fulcrum shaft.

[0017] Further, the valve plug includes a sealing cover and a support rod, the drain valve assembly also includes a mounting seat fixed to the bottom of the inner barrel, the mounting seat has a hollow slideway, one end of the support rod is fixedly connected to the sealing cover, and the other end is slidably disposed in the hollow slideway and movably connected to the swing rod;

[0018] A second elastic reset member is provided between the sealing cover and the mounting seat, and the second elastic reset member is used to provide the valve plug with a tensile force to overcome the gravity of the centrifugal hammer, so that the valve plug remains in a closed state in the initial state;

[0019] Preferably, the second elastic return member is a tension spring or a compression spring sleeved outside the support rod, one end of the tension spring or the compression spring is connected under the sealing cover, and the other end is connected to the mounting seat.

[0020] Further, the drain valve assembly further comprises a linkage member rotatably connected between the valve plug and the swing rod, one end of the linkage member is hinged to the valve plug, and the other end is hinged to the swing rod;

[0021] The centrifugal hammer swings upward or downward under the action of centrifugal force, and the resistance end of the swing rod swings downward or upward around the lever fulcrum, driving the valve plug to move through the linkage member;

[0022] Preferably, the linkage member is a linkage rod, and a connecting portion is provided at the resistance end where the swing rod and the linkage rod are connected, a first pin hole is opened on the connecting portion, and a second pin hole is opened at one end where the linkage rod and the swing rod are connected, and the connecting pin can be rotatably inserted into the first pin hole and the second pin hole to connect the swing rod and the linkage rod.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine, comprising an inner barrel, a drain port is provided on the bottom of the inner barrel, and any of the above-mentioned washing machine drain valve assemblies is installed at the drain port;

[0024] During the washing or rinsing process, the valve plug of the drain valve assembly blocks the drain port so that the inner tub can independently hold water during the washing or rinsing process;

[0025] During the dehydration process, the centrifugal hammer swings toward the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum is located under the action of centrifugal force and the constraint of the lever structure, so that the valve plug moves upward or downward around the lever fulcrum to open the drain port.

[0026] Furthermore, the valve plug is located inside the inner barrel and blocks above the drain port, and the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer is higher than the lever fulcrum of the swing rod;

[0027] During the washing or rinsing process, the valve plug is tightly covered on the drain outlet under the action of the downward torsional force of the first elastic reset member and / or the pulling force of the second elastic reset member, so that the inner barrel can independently hold water during the washing or rinsing process;

[0028] During the dehydration process, the centrifugal hammer overcomes the downward torsional force of the first elastic reset member and / or the pulling force of the second elastic reset member under the action of centrifugal force and swings downward, so that the valve plug is driven by the resistance end of the swing rod to move upward to open the drain port.

[0029] Furthermore, the valve plug is located outside the inner barrel and blocks below the drain port, and the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer is set below the lever fulcrum of the swing rod;

[0030] During the washing or rinsing process, the valve plug is tightly sealed on the drain outlet under the action of the upward torsional force of the first elastic reset member and / or the thrust of the second elastic reset member, so that the inner barrel can independently hold water during the washing or rinsing process;

[0031] During the dehydration process, the centrifugal hammer overcomes the upward torsional force of the first elastic reset member and / or the thrust of the second elastic reset member under the action of centrifugal force and swings upward, so that the valve plug is driven downward by the resistance end of the swing rod to open the drain port.

[0032] Furthermore, the drain valve assembly also includes a rotating pillar, one end of which is fixedly connected to the bottom of the inner barrel, and the other end extends downward to be rotatably supported and connected to the middle part of the swing rod; a fulcrum shaft is provided on the lower end part of the rotating pillar, and a shaft hole corresponding to the middle part of the swing rod is provided to rotate with the fulcrum shaft.

[0033] After adopting the above technical scheme, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0034] 1. In the washing machine drain valve assembly provided by the present invention, the centrifugal hammer can swing downward or upward in the direction close to the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum is located under the action of centrifugal force and the constraint of the lever structure, thereby driving the valve plug to move upward or downward around the lever fulcrum to drain water. The centrifugal hammer will provide a force parallel to the central axis of the inner barrel to the valve plug under the action of centrifugal force. In this way, the valve plug of the drain valve assembly can be directly installed at the drain outlet without the need for reversing through a connecting pipeline, so that the structure of the entire drain valve assembly is simpler, drainage blockage is less likely to occur, and drainage efficiency is higher.

[0035] 2. In the washing machine provided by 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 lint residues. In the initial state, the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer is not on the same horizontal plane as the lever fulcrum. In the dehydration state, the centrifugal hammer will swing upward or downward under the action of centrifugal force and the constraint of the hard connection of the lever structure, thereby providing the valve plug with a force in a 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, and the valve plug can also be directly installed on the drain port at the bottom of the inner barrel, which is beneficial to improving the drainage efficiency of the washing machine.

[0036] 3. In the washing machine provided by the present invention, the drainage valve assembly is designed with the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer and the lever fulcrum at different heights and the lever structure is set, and the linkage parts are set, so that the installation position of the drainage valve assembly is more flexible. Compared with the drainage device of the existing washing machine, the structure is simple, easy to implement, and occupies less space, which is conducive to expanding the capacity of the inner barrel of the washing machine.

[0037] 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

[0038] 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:

[0039] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the assembly of a drain valve assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the open state of the drain valve assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the closed state of the drain valve assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention

[0042] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an open state of a drain valve assembly in a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the closed state of the drain valve assembly in the second embodiment of the present invention

[0044] In the figure:

[0045] 100, inner barrel bottom; 101, drain outlet;

[0046] 200, flange; 201, mounting notch; 202, mounting groove;

[0047] 300, valve plug; 301, sealing cover; 302, support rod; 303, sealing gasket;

[0048] 400, swing rod; 401, horizontal section; 402, vertical section; 403, lever fulcrum / fulcrum shaft

[0049] 500, linkage rod; 600, centrifugal hammer;

[0050] 700, guide seat; 701, guide portion; 702, fixed connection portion; 703, avoidance groove;

[0051] 800. Rotating support.

[0052] 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

[0053] 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. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention but are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0054] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside" and "outside" etc. indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are 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 direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0055] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected" and "connected" 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 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.

[0056] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0057] Embodiment 1

[0058] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, this embodiment provides a washing machine drain valve assembly, including a valve plug 300 disposed at the bottom 100 of the inner barrel of the washing machine and a driving component for controlling the opening and closing of the valve plug 300, wherein the driving component includes a centrifugal hammer 600 that can swing upward or downward under the action of centrifugal force, and the centrifugal hammer 600 is connected to the valve plug 300 through a lever structure, and the lever structure has a lever fulcrum 403 that can be rotatably supported and fixed to the bottom 100 of the inner barrel. The center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600 and the lever fulcrum 403 are not on the same horizontal plane, and the centrifugal hammer 600 swings in a direction close to the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum 403 is located under the action of centrifugal force, and the valve plug 300 moves downward or upward around the lever fulcrum 403 as the centrifugal hammer 600 swings to achieve opening and closing.

[0059] In this embodiment, the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600 and the lever fulcrum 403 are not on the same horizontal plane, and the centrifugal hammer 600 is rigidly connected to the valve plug 300 through a lever structure. Through the above design, the centrifugal hammer 600 of the washing machine drain valve assembly can swing downward or upward in the direction close to the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum 403 is located under the action of centrifugal force and the constraint of the lever structure, thereby driving the valve plug 300 to move upward or downward around the lever fulcrum 403 to drain water. Under the action of centrifugal force, the centrifugal hammer 600 will provide a force parallel to the central axis of the inner barrel to the valve plug 300, so that the valve plug 300 of the drain valve assembly can be directly installed at the drain outlet 101 without the need for reversing through a connecting pipeline, so that the structure of the entire drain valve assembly is simpler, drainage blockage is less likely to occur, and drainage efficiency is higher.

[0060] In this embodiment, the centrifugal hammer 600 is preferably made of a metal material with a relatively high density. Preferably, the centrifugal hammer 600 is coated with a rubber material, which can play a role in buffering and reducing vibration on the one hand, and prevent rust and corrosion on the other hand.

[0061] The lever structure of the drain valve assembly includes a swing rod 400 whose power end is connected to the centrifugal hammer 600 and whose resistance end is connected to the valve plug 300. Since the centrifugal hammer 600 is heavy, the weight of the swing rod 400, the valve plug 300 and other structures can be ignored. Therefore, in the present invention, only the positional relationship between the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600 and the lever fulcrum 403 can be considered when designing the drain valve assembly.

[0062] Specifically, the line connecting the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600 and the lever fulcrum 403 is arranged at a certain inclined angle to the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum 403 is located, and under the action of centrifugal force, the centrifugal hammer 600 will swing toward the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum 403 is located. The drain valve assembly can be designed in the following two embodiments.

[0063] In a first embodiment, if Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the valve plug 300 is sealed and arranged on the inner side of the inner barrel bottom 100, and the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600 is arranged higher than the lever fulcrum 403. The centrifugal hammer 600 swings downward under the action of centrifugal force, and the resistance end of the swing rod 400 drives the valve plug 300 to move upward around the lever fulcrum 403 to open the valve plug 300.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the structure of the swing rod 400 has the following two implementation schemes:

[0065] In the first solution, the swing rod 400 is a straight rod. In the initial state, the swing rod 400 is tilted. The swing rod 400 is gradually tilted upward from the inside to the outside. The swing rod 400 is gradually tilted upward from the resistance end connected to the valve plug 300 to the power end. The centrifugal hammer 600 will swing downward under the action of centrifugal force to approach the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum 403 is located. The valve plug 300 moves upward around the lever fulcrum 403 under the action of the lever structure to open the drain port 101 of the inner barrel bottom 100 for drainage.

[0066] The second option, such as Figures 1 to 3As shown, the swing rod 400 is a bent rod, and the swing rod 400 includes a horizontal section 401 and a vertical end. One end of the horizontal section 401 is connected to the valve plug 300, and the other end is connected to the vertical section 402. The vertical section 402 is formed by the end of the horizontal section 401 extending upward. The centrifugal hammer 600 is fixedly connected to the upper end of the vertical section 402. The center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600 is located above the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum 403 is located. The centrifugal hammer 600 will swing downward under the action of centrifugal force to approach the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum 403 is located. The valve plug 300 moves upward around the lever fulcrum 403 under the action of the lever structure to open the drain port 101 of the inner barrel bottom 100 for drainage.

[0067] In a second embodiment, if Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the valve plug 300 is sealed and arranged on the outside of the inner barrel bottom 100, and the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600 is arranged below the lever fulcrum 403. The centrifugal hammer 600 swings upward under the action of centrifugal force, and the resistance end of the swing rod 400 drives the valve plug 300 to move downward around the lever fulcrum 403 to open the valve plug 300.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the structure of the swing rod 400 has the following two implementation schemes:

[0069] In the first solution, the swing rod 400 is a straight rod. In the initial state, the swing rod 400 is tilted and gradually tilted downward from the inside to the outside. The swing rod 400 is gradually tilted downward from the resistance end connected to the valve plug 300 to the power end. The centrifugal hammer 600 will swing upward under the action of centrifugal force to approach the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum 403 is located. The valve plug 300 moves downward around the lever fulcrum 403 under the action of the lever structure to open the drain port 101 of the inner barrel bottom 100 for drainage.

[0070] The second option, such as Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the swing rod 400 is a bent rod, and the swing rod 400 includes a horizontal section 401 and a vertical end. One end of the horizontal section 401 is connected to the valve plug 300, and the other end is connected to the vertical section 402. The vertical section 402 is formed by extending downward from the end of the horizontal section 401. The centrifugal hammer 600 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the vertical section 402. The center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600 is located below the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum 403 is located. The centrifugal hammer 600 will swing upward under the action of centrifugal force to approach the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum 403 is located. The valve plug 300 moves downward around the lever fulcrum 403 under the action of the lever structure to open the drain port 101 of the inner barrel bottom 100 for drainage.

[0071] Furthermore, the two ends of the lever structure are connected to the centrifugal hammer 600 and the valve plug 300 respectively, the lever fulcrum 403 is located in the middle of the lever structure, the lever structure includes a power arm located between the centrifugal hammer 600 and the lever fulcrum 403, and a resistance arm located between the valve plug 300 and the lever fulcrum 403, and the projection of the center of gravity on the lever structure is located on the power arm. The center of gravity can be the center of gravity of the entire drain valve assembly, preferably, the center of gravity is the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600. Through the above design, the center of gravity falls on the power arm away from the valve plug 300 side, so that the centrifugal hammer 600 can provide sufficient driving force to the valve plug 300 under the action of centrifugal force, so that the valve plug 300 is opened.

[0072] In one embodiment, a first elastic reset member is provided at the lever fulcrum 403, and the first elastic reset member is used to provide an upward or downward torsional force to overcome the gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600 to the resistance end of the swing lever 400, so that the valve plug 300 remains in a closed state in the initial state. The torsional force is greater than the gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600, so that the valve plug 300 can maintain a sealed state in the initial state.

[0073] In the above scheme, when the valve plug 300 is arranged on the inner side of the inner barrel bottom 100, the first elastic return member applies a downward torsional force to the valve plug 300 so that the valve plug 300 remains sealed in the initial state; when the valve plug 300 is arranged on the outer side of the inner barrel bottom 100, the first elastic return member applies an upward torsional force to the valve plug 300 so that the valve plug 300 remains sealed in the initial state.

[0074] Preferably, the drain valve assembly further comprises a fulcrum shaft 403 rotatably matched with the swing rod 400, the fulcrum shaft 403 is fixedly arranged, and the first elastic reset member is a torsion spring arranged on the fulcrum shaft 403. One end of the torsion spring is connected to the fulcrum shaft 403, and the other end is connected to the swing rod 400, and a downward torsional force is applied to the resistance end of the swing rod 400, so that the valve plug 300 can be tightly blocked on the drain port 101.

[0075] Alternatively, in another embodiment, the first elastic return member is a tension spring connected between the fulcrum shaft 403 and the resistance arm of the swing rod 400, which applies an upward torsional force to the resistance end of the swing rod 400, so that the valve plug 300 can be tightly sealed on the drain outlet 101.

[0076] In this embodiment, the valve plug 300 includes a sealing cover 301 and a support rod 302, and the drain valve assembly also includes a mounting seat fixed to the inner barrel bottom 100, the mounting seat has a hollow slideway, one end of the support rod 302 is fixedly connected to the sealing cover 301, and the other end is slidably disposed in the hollow slideway and movably connected to the swing rod 400. A second elastic reset member is disposed between the sealing cover 301 and the mounting seat, and the second elastic reset member is used to provide the valve plug 300 with a tensile force that overcomes the gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600, so that the valve plug 300 remains in a closed state in the initial state.

[0077] Preferably, the second elastic reset member is a tension spring or a compression spring sleeved outside the support rod 302, one end of the tension spring or the compression spring is connected to the bottom of the sealing cover 301, and the other end is connected to the mounting seat. In the above scheme, the tension spring or the compression spring can pull the valve plug 300 to move in the opposite direction when the centrifugal force of the centrifugal hammer 600 disappears, so that the valve plug 300 is sealed at the drain port 101 of the inner barrel bottom 100, thereby realizing the automatic reset of the drain valve assembly to block the drain port 101.

[0078] In the above two solutions, the first elastic reset member and the second elastic reset member are provided separately, or they can be provided separately. When the first elastic reset member is provided separately, it is ensured that the torsional force of the first elastic reset member is greater than the gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600, and when the second elastic reset member is provided separately, it is ensured that the tensile force of the second elastic reset member is greater than the gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600. When the first elastic reset member and the second elastic reset member are provided at the same time, it is ensured that the sum of the torsional force of the first elastic reset member and the tensile force of the second elastic reset member is greater than the gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600.

[0079] In another preferred embodiment, Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the drain valve assembly further includes a linkage member rotatably connected between the valve plug 300 and the swing rod 400, one end of the linkage member is hinged to the valve plug 300, and the other end is hinged to the swing rod 400; the centrifugal hammer 600 swings upward or downward under the action of centrifugal force, and the resistance end of the swing rod 400 swings downward or upward around the lever fulcrum 403, and the valve plug 300 is driven to move through the linkage member. By setting the linkage member between the valve plug 300 and the swing rod 400, the movement between the valve plug 300 and the swing rod 400 can be made more flexible and smooth, and the fault tolerance rate is higher.

[0080] Preferably, the linkage part is a linkage rod 500, and the resistance end where the swing rod 400 is connected to the linkage rod 500 is provided with a connecting part, a first pin hole is opened on the connecting part, and a second pin hole is opened at one end where the linkage rod 500 is connected to the swing rod 400, and the connecting pin can be rotatably inserted into the first pin hole and the second pin hole to connect the swing rod 400 and the linkage rod 500.

[0081] In a further embodiment of this embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, in the initial state, the angle between the linkage rod 500 and the swing rod 400 is less than 90 degrees. Figure 2 As shown, the centrifugal hammer 600 swings downward under the action of centrifugal force, and the angle between the linkage rod 500 and the swing rod 400 gradually increases, driving the valve plug 300 to move upward, opening the drain port 101 for drainage.

[0082] Furthermore, if Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the guide seat 700 includes a cylindrical guide portion 701, the guide portion 701 is hollowed out to form the hollow slideway, and the lower end of the peripheral wall of the guide portion 701 is provided with an escape groove 703 that is arranged through along the swing direction of the linkage rod 500. Along the swing direction of the linkage rod 500, a first escape opening and a second escape opening are radially oppositely opened on the peripheral wall of the guide portion 701, and the first escape opening, the second escape opening and the interior of the guide portion 701 define the escape groove 703.

[0083] In the above scheme, the movement of the support rod 302 in the vertical direction is limited by the hollow slideway of the guide seat 700, so that the swing force movement of the centrifugal hammer 600 in the vertical circumferential direction is effectively converted into the movement of the valve plug 300 in the vertical direction through the linkage rod 500 and the swing rod 400. In addition, the avoidance groove 703 set on the guide seat 700 reserves sufficient avoidance space for the swing of the linkage rod 500, so that the support rod 302, the linkage rod 500, the swing rod 400 and the guide part 701 can be effectively coordinated, so that the valve plug 300 can move up and down under the water level of the swing rod 400 and the linkage rod 500 to open or close the drain port 101.

[0084] Embodiment 2

[0085] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, in this embodiment, a washing machine having the above-mentioned washing machine drain valve assembly is provided.

[0086] The washing machine provided in this embodiment includes an inner drum, and a drain outlet 101 is provided on the bottom of the inner drum, and the drain valve assembly of the washing machine described in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 is installed at the drain outlet 101; during the washing or rinsing process, the valve plug 300 of the drain valve assembly blocks the drain outlet 101 so that the inner drum can independently hold water during the washing or rinsing process; during the dehydration process, the centrifugal hammer 600 swings in a direction close to the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum 403 is located under the action of centrifugal force and the constraint of the lever structure, so that the valve plug 300 moves upward or downward around the lever fulcrum 403 to open the drain outlet 101.

[0087] In one embodiment, Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the valve plug 300 is located inside the inner barrel and blocks the drain port 101, and the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600 is higher than the lever fulcrum 403 of the swing rod 400;

[0088] During the washing or rinsing process, the valve plug 300 is tightly covered on the drain port 101 under the action of the downward torsional force of the first elastic reset member and / or the pulling force of the second elastic reset member, so that the inner tub can independently hold water during the washing or rinsing process;

[0089] During the dehydration process, the centrifugal hammer 600 overcomes the downward torsional force of the first elastic reset member and / or the pulling force of the second elastic reset member under the action of centrifugal force and swings downward, so that the valve plug 300 is driven by the resistance end of the swing rod 400 to move upward to open the drain port 101.

[0090] In another embodiment, if Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the valve plug 300 is located outside the inner barrel and blocks below the drain port 101, and the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600 is set below the lever fulcrum 403 of the swing rod 400;

[0091] During the washing or rinsing process, the valve plug 300 is tightly sealed on the drain port 101 under the action of the upward torsional force of the first elastic reset member and / or the thrust of the second elastic reset member, so that the inner tub can independently hold water during the washing or rinsing process;

[0092] During the dehydration process, the centrifugal hammer 600 overcomes the upward torsional force of the first elastic reset member and / or the thrust of the second elastic reset member under the action of centrifugal force and swings upward, so that the valve plug 300 is driven downward by the resistance end of the swing rod 400 to open the drain port 101.

[0093] Furthermore, the drain valve assembly also includes a rotating pillar 800, one end of which is fixedly connected to the bottom of the inner barrel, and the other end extends downward to be rotatably supported and connected to the middle part of the swing rod 400; a fulcrum shaft 403 is provided on the lower end part of the rotating pillar 800, and a shaft hole corresponding to the middle part of the swing rod 400 is provided to rotate with the fulcrum shaft 403.

[0094] The washing machine also includes a flange 200 installed on the outside of the inner barrel bottom 100. The flange 200 is provided with an installation notch 201 corresponding to the drain outlet 101 for accommodating the installation of the drain valve assembly. The fixing seat of the drain valve assembly is connected and fixed to the flange 200.

[0095] Preferably, the mounting seat includes a cylindrical guide portion 701 and a fixed connection portion 702 for fixing the guide portion 701 on the flange 200. The lower side of the flange 200 is provided with a circle of upwardly recessed mounting grooves 202. The fixed connection portion 702 includes an arcuate fixed wall embedded in the mounting groove 202 and a transition connection wall connected between the arcuate fixed wall and the guide portion 701. Through the cooperation between the mounting groove 202 and the arcuate fixed wall, the arcuate fixed wall can be hidden and occupy less space.

[0096] Preferably, the arc-shaped fixed wall and the flange 200 are fixed by screw connection, so as to facilitate installation and disassembly of the drain valve assembly.

[0097] In the preferred solution of this embodiment, a sealing gasket 303 is fixedly arranged on the lower side or the lower side of the outer periphery of the sealing cover 301. When the valve plug 300 blocks the drain port 101, the sealing gasket 303 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 300 blocks the drain port 101 from the inside of the inner barrel, when the inner barrel is filled with water, the water pressure of the inner barrel bottom 100 acts on the sealing cover 301, which can also provide auxiliary sealing force and improve the sealing effect.

[0098] The washing machine provided in the embodiment of the present invention has a drain valve assembly, in which the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer 600 and the lever fulcrum 403 are designed at different heights and the lever structure is set, and the linkage parts are set, so that the installation position of the drain valve assembly is more flexible. Compared with the drainage device of the existing washing machine, the structure is simple, easy to implement, and occupies less space, which is conducive to expanding the capacity of the inner barrel of the washing machine.

[0099] 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 washing machine drain valve assembly, comprising a valve plug arranged at the bottom of the inner barrel of the washing machine and a driving component for controlling the opening and closing of the valve plug, characterized in that: The driving component includes a centrifugal hammer that can swing upward or downward under the action of centrifugal force, and the centrifugal hammer is connected to the valve plug through a lever structure, and the lever structure has a lever fulcrum that can be rotatably supported and fixed on the bottom of the inner barrel; The lever structure comprises a swinging rod with a power end connected to a centrifugal hammer and a resistance end connected to a valve plug, and a line connecting the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer and the lever fulcrum is arranged at a certain inclined angle to the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum is located; the centrifugal hammer swings in a direction close to the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum is located under the action of centrifugal force, and the valve plug moves downward or upward around the lever fulcrum to open and close as the centrifugal hammer swings; The valve plug seal is arranged on the inner side of the inner barrel bottom, the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer is higher than the lever fulcrum, the centrifugal hammer swings downward under the action of centrifugal force, and the resistance end of the swing rod drives the valve plug to move upward around the lever fulcrum to open the valve plug; or, the valve plug seal is arranged on the outer side of the inner barrel bottom, the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer is lower than the lever fulcrum, the centrifugal hammer swings upward under the action of centrifugal force, and the resistance end of the swing rod drives the valve plug to move downward around the lever fulcrum to open the valve plug.

2. The washing machine drain valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two ends of the lever structure are respectively connected to the centrifugal hammer and the valve plug, the lever fulcrum is located in the middle of the lever structure, the lever structure includes a power arm located between the centrifugal hammer and the lever fulcrum, and a resistance arm located between the valve plug and the lever fulcrum, and the projection of the center of gravity on the lever structure is located on the power arm.

3. The washing machine drain valve assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first elastic reset member is provided at the lever fulcrum, and the first elastic reset member is used to provide an upward or downward torsional force to overcome the gravity of the centrifugal hammer to the resistance end of the swing rod, so that the valve plug remains in a closed state in the initial state.

4. The washing machine drain valve assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The drain valve assembly also includes a fulcrum shaft rotatably matched with the swing rod, and the first elastic reset member is a torsion spring arranged on the fulcrum shaft.

5. The washing machine drain valve assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The valve plug includes a sealing cover and a support rod, the drain valve assembly also includes a mounting seat fixed to the bottom of the inner barrel, the mounting seat has a hollow slideway, one end of the support rod is fixedly connected to the sealing cover, and the other end is slidably disposed in the hollow slideway and movably connected to the swing rod; A second elastic reset member is arranged between the sealing cover and the mounting seat, and the second elastic reset member is used to provide a tensile force to the valve plug to overcome the gravity of the centrifugal hammer, so that the valve plug maintains a closed state in the initial state.

6. The washing machine drain valve assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second elastic reset member is a tension spring or a compression spring sleeved outside the support rod, one end of the tension spring or the compression spring is connected under the sealing cover, and the other end is connected to the mounting seat.

7. The washing machine drain valve assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The drain valve assembly further comprises a linkage member rotatably connected between the valve plug and the swing rod, one end of the linkage member is hinged to the valve plug, and the other end is hinged to the swing rod; The centrifugal hammer swings upward or downward under the action of centrifugal force, and the resistance end of the swing rod swings downward or upward around the lever fulcrum, driving the valve plug to move through the linkage member.

8. The washing machine drain valve assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The linkage part is a linkage rod, and the resistance end where the swing rod and the linkage rod are connected is provided with a connecting part, a first pin hole is opened on the connecting part, and a second pin hole is opened at one end where the linkage rod and the swing rod are connected, and the connecting pin can be rotatably inserted into the first pin hole and the second pin hole to connect the swing rod and the linkage rod.

9. A washing machine, comprising an inner barrel, wherein a drain port is provided on the bottom of the inner barrel, wherein: The drain outlet is provided with a washing machine drain valve assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8; During the washing or rinsing process, the valve plug of the drain valve assembly blocks the drain port so that the inner tub can independently hold water during the washing or rinsing process; During the dehydration process, the centrifugal hammer swings toward the horizontal plane where the lever fulcrum is located under the action of centrifugal force and the constraint of the lever structure, so that the valve plug moves upward or downward around the lever fulcrum to open the drain port.

10. The washing machine according to claim 9, characterized in that: The valve plug is located inside the inner barrel and blocks the drain port, and the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer is higher than the lever fulcrum of the swing rod; During the washing or rinsing process, the valve plug is tightly covered on the drain outlet under the action of the downward torsional force of the first elastic reset member and / or the pulling force of the second elastic reset member, so that the inner barrel can independently hold water during the washing or rinsing process; During the dehydration process, the centrifugal hammer overcomes the downward torsional force of the first elastic reset member and / or the pulling force of the second elastic reset member under the action of centrifugal force and swings downward, so that the valve plug is driven by the resistance end of the swing rod to move upward to open the drain port.

11. The washing machine according to claim 9, characterized in that: The valve plug is located outside the inner barrel and blocks below the drain port, and the center of gravity of the centrifugal hammer is set below the lever fulcrum of the swing rod; During the washing or rinsing process, the valve plug is tightly sealed on the drain outlet under the action of the upward torsional force of the first elastic reset member and / or the thrust of the second elastic reset member, so that the inner barrel can independently hold water during the washing or rinsing process; During the dehydration process, the centrifugal hammer overcomes the upward torsional force of the first elastic reset member and / or the thrust of the second elastic reset member under the action of centrifugal force and swings upward, so that the valve plug is driven downward by the resistance end of the swing rod to open the drain port.

12. The washing machine according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that: The drain valve assembly also includes a rotating pillar, one end of which is fixedly connected to the bottom of the inner barrel, and the other end of which extends downward and is rotatably supported and connected to the middle part of the swing rod; a fulcrum shaft is provided on the lower end part of the rotating pillar, and a shaft hole corresponding to the middle part of the swing rod is provided to rotate with the fulcrum shaft.

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