Washing machine

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application comprises a washing machine, which includes a cabinet, a liquid containing tub, a drum rotatable around an axis of rotation in the liquid containing tub, and a sealing gasket made of flexible material connecting the liquid containing tub and the cabinet, wherein the sealing gasket has axially deformable folds, and a ventilation passage connected with the sealing gasket and leading to the atmosphere, thereby leading to the liquid containing tub. During the dehydration process of the washing machine, the drum rotates at high speed, forming a negative pressure zone near the sealing gasket. Since the sealing gasket is connected with the atmosphere, at this time the external air is sucked into the space surrounded by the sealing gasket and the liquid containing tub, the overall air pressure in the liquid containing tub becomes larger, the folds of the sealing gasket are opened, thus avoiding abrasion and noise caused by friction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a washing machine, including a cabinet, a liquid container, and a drum rotatable about a pivot located inside the liquid container, and particularly to a venting structure for the liquid container. [Background Technology]

[0002] The washing machine includes a cabinet, a liquid tank, and a drum located inside the liquid tank that can rotate around a pivot. The liquid tank is connected to the cabinet by a pleated sealing gasket, and the liquid tank can move relative to the cabinet within a range that avoids collisions. In particular, during the washing machine's operation, the drum rotates, causing the liquid tank to vibrate.

[0003] Especially during the spin-drying process of a washing machine, the centrifugal force generated by the high-speed rotation of the drum creates a positive pressure zone on the outer side of the drum's circumference, resulting in negative pressure zones on both sides of the drum's axial direction. The sealing gasket is located in this negative pressure zone, causing its pleats, made of elastic material, to be compressed. Simultaneously, the vibration of the liquid-holding tub causes these pleats to rub against each other, generating noise and accelerating wear. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] One object of the present invention is to provide an improved ventilation structure for a washing machine.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention includes a washing machine comprising a housing, a liquid container, and a drum rotatable about a pivot within the liquid container. The liquid container has a sidewall located radially outward of the drum and an endwall located axially outward of the drum. One of the endwalls has a first opening opposite to a second opening on the housing. The first opening and the second opening are connected by a sealing gasket made of a flexible material. The sealing gasket has deformable folds in the axial direction, thereby allowing the liquid container to move relative to the housing. A ventilation channel communicating with the surrounding atmosphere is connected to and connected to the sealing gasket, thereby communicating with the liquid container.

[0006] During the spin-drying process of a washing machine, the drum rotates at high speed, creating a positive pressure zone near the side wall of the liquid container and a negative pressure zone near the end wall of the liquid container. The sealing gasket is located within the negative pressure zone. Because the sealing gasket is open to the atmosphere, outside air is drawn into the space surrounded by the sealing gasket and the liquid container, increasing the overall air pressure inside the liquid container. This causes the pleats of the sealing gasket to open, thus preventing wear and noise caused by friction.

[0007] The washing machine includes a detergent inlet device with a cavity open to the atmosphere. In some embodiments, the ventilation channel is fluid-conducting through the cavity. This simplifies the structure, requires less modification to the machine, and is therefore more economical and feasible.

[0008] In some embodiments, the detergent flushing device includes a housing and a detergent container located within the housing. The housing includes a water distribution section above the detergent container and a water guiding section below the detergent container. A cavity is formed in the water guiding section, and the water guiding section is connected to the sealing gasket via a guide pipe, thereby allowing liquid from the detergent flushing device to be fed into the liquid container through the guide pipe and the sealing gasket.

[0009] In some implementations, a portion of the ventilation channel is formed within the guide tube, thus eliminating the need for additional piping and saving costs, space, and assembly steps.

[0010] The guide tube and the cavity can be connected via a connecting channel.

[0011] The connection channel may be implemented as being at least partially integrally formed on the housing, or connected to the housing.

[0012] An optional implementation further includes a partition wall within the guide tube, forming a first channel for liquid flow and a second channel for air flow, thus forming part of the ventilation channel. Clean water or a mixture of detergent and water can enter the container through the first channel while maintaining unobstructed ventilation in the second channel to prevent water inflow obstruction.

[0013] An optional implementation also includes having the first channel and the second channel communicate at the top of the partition wall, thereby allowing the first channel to communicate with the ventilation channel when no liquid is flowing in the first channel, thus increasing the ventilation cross-section.

[0014] The embodiments of the present invention further include: a water seal structure is provided on the guide pipe, and the water seal structure is located between the first channel and the water guide section. After water enters the guide pipe, some water is retained in the water seal structure, thereby blocking gas from directly entering the water guide section through the guide pipe. Because the path from the liquid container through the guide pipe to the water guide section and then to the atmosphere is relatively short, when there is hot air in the liquid container, without a water seal, it will directly enter the water guide section through the guide pipe, at which point the temperature is high and it is easy to scald the user. Through the improvement of this embodiment, after the water seal is formed in the water seal structure, it prevents the hot air from directly entering the water guide section through the guide pipe, but instead makes the hot air detour through the ventilation channel, and finally communicate with the atmosphere through the water guide section. In this process, the air resistance is large, the hot air escapes slowly and less, and in the detour path, the hot air is cooled, so it is not easy to scald the user.

[0015] An optional embodiment further includes an outlet for the venting channel located on the housing, communicating with the water guide section, and vertically higher than but avoiding the detergent container. Being higher than the detergent container prevents water from entering the venting channel during water supply. This is because maintaining unobstructed water flow requires the liquid container to be open to the atmosphere. Vertically avoiding the detergent container is because when the washing machine performs a drying cycle, the hot, humid air in the liquid container condenses as it passes through the venting channel, thus preventing condensate from dripping onto the detergent container.

[0016] Another embodiment further includes a detergent container comprising at least one slot for manually added detergent, wherein the outlet of the vent is located on the housing, communicating with the water guide portion, and vertically above the slot. Thus, when hot, humid air inside the washing machine is discharged through the vent, condensate generated within the vent can fall into the slot containing manually added detergent without causing any adverse effects.

[0017] An optional implementation further includes forming a first cavity above the tank within the water distribution section. The bottom of the first cavity has a through-hole opposite to the tank containing manually added detergent, and the ventilation channel is fluidly connected to the first cavity. Air can then enter the tank through the through-hole at the bottom of the first cavity, while the tank, located in the water distribution section, is connected to the atmosphere. Simultaneously, condensate generated in the ventilation channel can also enter the tank through the through-hole.

[0018] An optional implementation also includes a detergent container comprising at least one storage box capable of holding multiple washes of detergent. In this case, it is particularly undesirable for condensation from the venting channel to drip onto the storage box, as this could cause user confusion or displeasure, and the condensation might enter the storage box and mix with the detergent, or damage or interfere with electrical components located on the storage box. Therefore, the outlet of the venting channel can be located on the housing, communicating with the water guide, and vertically higher than but avoiding the storage box. This avoids the aforementioned disadvantages. Simultaneously, it prevents water from entering the venting channel during water supply.

[0019] The washing machine is a front-loading type, with the rotating shaft horizontal or inclined relative to the horizontal direction, and the liquid-holding tank movably located inside the casing. The liquid-holding tank is elastically suspended and / or supported within the casing.

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention further include: the liquid container is connected to a device for providing hot air, and the control device is configured to run a drying program, which includes the process of providing hot air through the device for providing hot air and the process of rotating the drum at high speed.

[0021] The above embodiments can be combined in any feasible manner.

[0022] The following will illustrate some specific embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Attached Image Description]

[0023] Figure 1 This is a side view of a washing machine according to one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A diagram showing a washing machine viewed from the front to the back;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the detergent flushing device, viewed from the front to the rear.

Detailed Implementation Methods

[0026] Figure 1 A side view of a washing machine 1 is shown. The front portion refers to the side closer to the user during operation, and the rear portion refers to the side farther from the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the washing machine 1 has both washing and drying functions. The washing machine 1 has a control device 2 that controls the operation of the washing and / or drying programs. The washing program includes a spin-drying process.

[0027] The washing machine 1 has a liquid tank 4 located inside the housing 3. The liquid tank 4 can hold liquid used for treating clothes during the washing cycle. A device 5 that provides hot air is connected to the liquid tank 4, so that the liquid tank 4 is filled with hot air during the drying cycle.

[0028] The liquid-holding tank 4 contains a drum 8 that is driven by a motor 6 and can rotate around a shaft 7. In this embodiment, the washing machine 1 is a front-loading type washing machine, and the shaft 7 is horizontally arranged. In other embodiments not shown in the accompanying drawings, the shaft 7 may also be inclined relative to the horizontal direction. The drum 8 is in fluid communication with the liquid-holding tank 4, so that the liquid for washing clothes and the air for drying clothes can flow between them.

[0029] The liquid container 4 is movably located within the housing 3. "Movable" here refers to a certain range of motion, as opposed to being fixed, specifically confined to a range that prevents it from colliding with other components. The liquid container 4 is mounted using an elastic / damping device, for example, by... Figure 1 The spring 9, shock absorber 10, etc. shown are connected to the housing 3. The housing 3 includes the entire shell that defines the overall shape of the washing machine 1. Thus, the vibration generated during the rotation of the drum 8 to process clothes is transmitted to the liquid tank 4, and the liquid tank 4 vibrates elastically relative to the housing 3, thus having a certain displacement between it and the housing 3.

[0030] The liquid container 4 has a side wall 41 located radially outward of the roller 8 and an end wall 42 located axially outward of the roller 8. One of the end walls 42 has a first opening 43, opposite a second opening 31 on the housing 3. The first opening 43 and the second opening 31 are connected by a sealing gasket 11 made of flexible material. The sealing gasket 11 has axially deformable pleats 12, allowing the liquid container 4 to move relative to the housing 3 within a limited range. A door 14 is provided on the housing 3, which can open or close the second opening 31. When the door is in the closed position, it is in sealing contact with the sealing gasket 11.

[0031] The device 5 for providing hot air includes a channel 51 communicating with the liquid container 4, a heating device 52 for heating air located in the channel, and a fan 53 for promoting air circulation so that the heated air enters the liquid container 4.

[0032] The device 5 that provides hot air is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the heating device may also be located directly inside the liquid tank 4.

[0033] The washing machine 1 also includes a detergent inlet device 20 that supplies detergent to the liquid container 4. The detergent contains various chemical agents used for clothing care.

[0034] The detergent flushing device 20 includes a housing 21 and a detergent container 22 located within the housing 21. The housing 21 includes a water distribution section 23 above the detergent container 22 and a water guiding section 24 below the detergent container 22. The water guiding section 24 is connected to the sealing gasket 11 via a guide pipe 25. The water guiding section 24 also includes a portion located laterally to the detergent container 22. Water enters the water distribution section 23 from the water supply pipe 13, flushes into the detergent container 22, then enters the water guiding section 24, and subsequently flows through the guide pipe 25, past the sealing gasket 11, and into the liquid collection tank 4. For some detergent containers 22 containing detergent that can be added multiple times, there may also be a mixing chamber separate from the detergent container 22, in which fresh water from the water supply pipe 12 enters the mixing chamber before entering the water guiding section 24.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, during the washing or drying cycle of the washing machine 1, when the drum 8 is driven to perform high-speed spin-drying, the centrifugal force generated by the high-speed rotation of the drum 8 creates a positive pressure zone A on the outer side of the drum 8's peripheral wall, thus creating negative pressure zones B on both sides of the drum 8's axial direction. The sealing gasket 11 is located in negative pressure zone B.

[0036] To prevent the folds 12 of the sealing gasket 11 from being squeezed under negative pressure and from generating frictional noise and wear under the vibration of the liquid container 4, the ventilation channel 30, which is connected to the surrounding atmosphere, is connected to and circulates with the sealing gasket 11.

[0037] Therefore, due to the pressure difference, when the drum 8 rotates at high speed, outside air flows through the ventilation channel 30 to the negative pressure zone B and enters the space formed by the sealing gasket 11, the liquid container 4, and the door 14. The overall air pressure inside the liquid container 4 increases, and the pleats 12 of the sealing gasket 11 are opened, thus avoiding wear and noise caused by friction.

[0038] Furthermore, the drying process, under the control of the control device 2, includes a hot dehydration process. During the hot dehydration process, the hot air supply device 5 provides hot air, and the drum 8 rotates at high speed. At this time, due to the high-speed rotation of the drum 8, a negative pressure is generated in the area where the sealing gasket 11 is located, thereby drawing air from the outside in through the ventilation channel 30, without any hot air escaping out and causing injury.

[0039] When the pressure inside the liquid tank 4 is high, air may also flow to the outside through the ventilation channel 30. For example, this can happen during the process of the washing machine filling the liquid tank 4, or when a drying cycle is running inside the liquid tank 4. The airflow path within the ventilation channel 30 is shown in the attached diagram. Figure 1 The dashed line with double-headed arrows in the middle.

[0040] In one specific embodiment, the detergent flushing device 20 has a cavity 26 communicating with the atmosphere, and a venting channel 30 is fluidly connected to the cavity 26, thereby allowing the venting channel 30 to communicate with the atmosphere. Figure 1 As shown, the housing 3 has a vent 32 that communicates with the cavity 26, thereby allowing the ventilation channel 30 to communicate with the atmosphere.

[0041] In this embodiment, the detergent flushing device 20 is located as high as possible in the washing machine 1, thereby avoiding or reducing the overflow of detergent or foam in the liquid container 4.

[0042] In one embodiment, a cavity 26 is formed in a water guide portion 24, which communicates with a guide port 32.

[0043] In one embodiment, a portion of the venting channel 30 is formed within the guide tube 25. The guide tube 25 is connected to the cavity 26 via a connecting channel 33. The connecting channel 33 also forms part of the venting channel 30. The connecting channel 33 may be implemented as being at least partially integrally formed on the housing 21 of the detergent flushing device 20, or connected to the housing 21 via a separate pipe.

[0044] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, a preferred embodiment includes a partition wall 27 within the guide tube 25, thereby forming a first channel 28 primarily for the flow of liquid and a second channel 29 for the flow of air, thus forming part of the ventilation channel 30. The partition wall 27 can be integrally formed with the guide tube 25. Liquid from the water guide section 24 flows into the liquid container 4 from the first channel 28. The second channel 29 is substantially kept open to air.

[0045] The first channel 28 and the second channel 29 are connected at the top of the partition wall 27, so that when no liquid flows in the first channel 28, the first channel 28 is connected to the ventilation channel 30, thus increasing the ventilation cross section.

[0046] A water seal structure 251 is provided on the guide pipe 25, and the water seal structure 251 is located between the first channel 28 and the water guide section 24, which can also be said to be located upstream of the liquid flow direction of the first channel 28. After water enters the guide pipe 25, some water is retained in the water seal structure 251, thereby blocking the gas from directly entering the water guide section through the guide pipe 25, preventing high-temperature air from directly entering the water guide section through the guide pipe 25 during the drying process, which could potentially scald the user. Due to the blocking effect of the water seal, the high-temperature air can only pass through the ventilation channel 30 in a detour, and finally communicate with the atmosphere through the water guide section 24. In this process, the air resistance is relatively large, the hot air escapes slowly and less, and the hot air is cooled in the detour path, so it is not easy to scald the user.

[0047] The outlet 34 of the ventilation channel 30 can be located on the housing 21 of the detergent flushing device 20 and communicate with the water guiding part 24. The specific location of the outlet 34 can also be implemented in various ways.

[0048] For example, in one embodiment, the outlet 34 of the ventilation channel 30 is vertically higher than and avoids the detergent container 22, such as... Figure 1 As shown. Therefore, when the hot and humid air inside the washing machine 1 is discharged to the outside through the ventilation channel 30, the condensate generated in the ventilation channel 30 will not drip onto the detergent container 22.

[0049] In another implementation, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the detergent container 22 includes at least one trough 221 for holding manually added detergent, and the outlet 34 of the vent 30 is located vertically above the trough 221. Therefore, when hot and humid air inside the washing machine 1 is discharged through the vent 30, the condensate generated within the vent 30 can fall into the trough 221 containing the manually added detergent without causing any adverse effects.

[0050] The specific implementation also includes: a first cavity 231 is formed in the water distribution section 23 above the tank 221, and the bottom of the first cavity 231 has a through hole 232 opposite to the tank 221 that contains manually added detergent. The ventilation channel 30 is in fluid communication with the first cavity 231. The through hole 232 is in communication with the water guiding section 24.

[0051] In some embodiments, the detergent container 22 includes at least one storage box 222 for holding detergent for multiple washes. The outlet 34 of the vent 30 is vertically higher than and avoids the storage box 222. For example, the outlet 34 can be vertically positioned to avoid the entire detergent container 22, such as... Figure 1 As shown, or if the detergent container 22 also includes a trough 221 for manually added detergent, then the outlet 34 is positioned above the trough 221, as shown. Figure 3 As shown.

[0052] In embodiments not shown in the accompanying drawings, the sealing gasket 11 can also be directly connected to the atmosphere via a vent pipe independent of the guide pipe 25. One end of the vent pipe is connected to the sealing gasket 11, and the other end is connected to the detergent container 22, or directly to the housing 3.

[0053] The various specific embodiments described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only. Any modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the basic technical concept of this invention are within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising a housing (3), a liquid container (4), and a drum (8) rotatable about a pivot (7) within the liquid container, the liquid container having a sidewall (41) located radially outward of the drum and an endwall (42) located axially outward of the drum, wherein one endwall has a first opening (43) opposite to a second opening (31) on the housing, the first opening and the second opening being connected by a sealing gasket (11) made of a flexible material, wherein the sealing gasket has deformable pleats (12) in the axial direction, thereby allowing the liquid container to move relative to the housing, characterized in that: The ventilation channel (30) that communicates with the surrounding atmosphere is connected and connected to the sealing gasket, thereby communicating with the liquid container; The washing machine includes a detergent inlet device (20) having a cavity (26) communicating with the atmosphere, and a ventilation channel (30) communicating with the cavity in fluid. The detergent flushing device includes a housing (21) and a detergent container (22) located inside the housing. The housing includes a water distribution section (23) located above the detergent container and a water guiding section (24) located below the detergent container. The cavity is formed in the water guiding section. The water guiding section is connected to the sealing gasket through a guide pipe (25), so that the liquid in the detergent flushing device can be fed into the liquid container through the guide pipe and the sealing gasket. The guide tube has a partition wall (27) to form a first channel (28) for liquid flow and a second channel (29) for air flow, thus forming part of the ventilation channel.

2. The washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A portion of the ventilation channel is formed within the guide tube.

3. The washing machine as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The guide tube is connected to the cavity via a connecting channel (33).

4. The washing machine as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The connection channel is at least partially integrally formed on the housing or connected to the housing.

5. The washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The first channel and the second channel communicate at the top of the partition wall, thereby allowing the first channel to communicate with the venting channel when no liquid flows through the first channel.

6. The washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The guide pipe is provided with a water seal structure (251), and the water seal structure is located between the first channel and the water guide section.

7. The washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The outlet (34) of the ventilation channel (30) is located on the housing (21), communicates with the water guide (24), and is higher than the detergent container (22) in the vertical direction and avoids the detergent container.

8. The washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The detergent container (22) includes at least one trough (221) for holding manually added detergent. The outlet (34) of the ventilation channel (30) is located on the housing (21), communicates with the water guide (24), and is located above the trough (221) in the vertical direction.

9. The washing machine as described in claim 8, characterized in that: A first cavity (231) is formed in the water distribution section above the tank. The bottom of the first cavity has a through hole opposite to the tank (221) for holding manually added detergent. The ventilation channel (30) is in fluid communication with the first cavity (231).

10. The washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The detergent container (22) includes at least one storage box (222) for holding detergent for multiple washes. The outlet (34) of the ventilation channel (30) is located on the housing (21), communicates with the water guide (24), and is higher than and avoids the storage box in the vertical direction.

11. The washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The washing machine is a front-loading type, the rotating shaft is horizontal or inclined relative to the horizontal direction, and the liquid holding tank is movably located inside the box.

12. The washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid container (4) is connected to the device (5) that provides hot air, and the control device (2) is set to run a drying program, which includes the device (5) that provides hot air and the process of rotating the drum (8) at high speed.

Images