A pulsator for a washing machine and a washing machine having the same

Abstract

The present application provides a washing machine impeller and a washing machine thereof, the washing machine impeller comprising: an impeller disc; and a water-pushing blade protruding on one side surface of the impeller disc, the water-pushing blade being provided in a non-porous structure; the water-pushing blade being hollow inside, the other side surface of the impeller disc being provided with an opening, the water-pushing blade being recessed from the opening to the direction of the side surface of the impeller disc to form a concave cavity, the inner wall of the concave cavity being smooth. The washing machine impeller provided by the present application has the concave cavity inner wall of the water-pushing blade provided in a smooth structure, so that the accumulation of dirt such as lint in the concave cavity of the water-pushing blade can be reduced, and the cleaning work of the washing machine impeller can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of household appliance technology, specifically, it relates to a washing machine impeller and the washing machine thereof. Background Technology

[0002] Today, washing machines have become an indispensable household appliance, mainly including top-loading washing machines, front-loading washing machines, and washer-dryer combos. Among them, top-loading washing machines are still widely used. The agitator blades of existing top-loading washing machines have multiple ribs or other tiny structures inside. Debris and other dirt from the washing machine's water flow tend to accumulate near these structures inside the agitator blades. As the usage time increases, the washing machine agitator needs to be disassembled and cleaned frequently, which degrades the user experience.

[0003] For example, Chinese Patent Application No. 201711050027.1 discloses a washing machine impeller and a washing machine thereof. The washing machine impeller includes an impeller body, on which two protruding agitator blades are arranged, extending radially from the center along the impeller body. The two agitator blades extend radially on the same diameter. The agitator blades have multiple ribs inside. Debris and other dirt in the washing machine water flow tend to accumulate near these ribs, thereby increasing the washing frequency of the washing machine impeller.

[0004] For example, Chinese Patent Application No. 201820542440.3 discloses a pulsator and a washing machine. The pulsator includes a pulsator body, and the pulsator body is provided with hollow water-repelling ribs. The water-repelling ribs include a first side wall and a second side wall. The patent provides chip removal holes on both the first and second side walls of the water-repelling ribs. Since water flows into the water-repelling ribs through the chip removal holes, it will also cause a certain amount of lint to be deposited on the inner wall surface of the water-repelling ribs, thereby affecting the cleanliness of the inside of the water-repelling blades.

[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. On the one hand, the present invention provides a washing machine impeller that can improve the internal cleaning level.

[0007] In another aspect, the present invention provides a washing machine having the above-described washing machine impeller.

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0009] A washing machine impeller, comprising,

[0010] pulsator;

[0011] A water-repellent blade protrudes from one side surface of the impeller disk, and the water-repellent blade is configured as a non-porous structure.

[0012] The interior of the water-repelling blade is hollow, and an opening is provided on the other side surface of the impeller. The water-repelling blade is recessed from the opening toward the side surface of the impeller to form a cavity, and the inner wall of the cavity is smooth.

[0013] In the above solution, by making the inner wall of the concave cavity a smooth structure, the accumulation of dirt such as lint in the washing water flow in the concave cavity of the water-repellent blade can be reduced, thereby reducing the cleaning work of the washing machine impeller.

[0014] Furthermore, the intersection of the concave cavity and the other side surface of the impeller disk has a smooth transition surface.

[0015] In the above solution, by setting the intersection of the concave cavity and the other side surface of the impeller as a smoothly transitioning curved surface, the accumulation of dirt such as lint can be further reduced.

[0016] Furthermore, the opening extends outward from the center of the impeller, and 2-6 openings are evenly distributed on the other side surface of the impeller.

[0017] Furthermore, it also includes,

[0018] A cap is provided at the opening to close the cavity;

[0019] Preferably, the cap is sealed to the opening by heat fusion or ultrasonic welding.

[0020] In the above solution, by setting a cover at the opening to seal the cavity, and because the water deflector is designed with a non-porous structure, the water flow of the washing machine will not enter the cavity, thus ensuring the cleanliness of the cavity.

[0021] Furthermore, the cover is a plate-like object with a smooth surface.

[0022] Preferably, the plate-shaped object has arc-shaped surfaces at both ends along the radial direction of the impeller, and the arc-shaped surfaces are gradually convex outward from the edges at both ends of the plate-shaped object to match the smooth transition surface.

[0023] In the above scheme, by setting the two ends of the plate-shaped cover to be arc-shaped surfaces that match the smooth transition surface, the gap between the cover and the other side surface of the impeller can be reduced when the cover seals the cavity, thereby enhancing the sealing effect of the cavity.

[0024] Furthermore, the surface of the washing machine impeller is coated with a hydrophobic material coating;

[0025] Preferably, the surface of the impeller and / or the outer surface of the water-repellent blade and / or the inner wall of the cavity and / or the surface of the cover are coated with a hydrophobic material coating.

[0026] Furthermore, the hydrophobic material coating comprises nanoscale hydrophobic particles and / or microscale hydrophobic particles;

[0027] Preferably, the hydrophobic particles include titanium dioxide particles and / or silicon dioxide particles and / or alumina particles.

[0028] Further, the thickness of the hydrophobic material coating is 10-100 μm; preferably, the thickness of the hydrophobic material coating is 30-50 μm.

[0029] In the above solution, by coating the surface of the washing machine impeller or the surface of the washing machine impeller component with a hydrophobic material coating, the hydrophobic properties make it difficult for lint, water stains, dirt and other dirt to adhere to the washing machine impeller, thereby achieving the purpose of rapid dirt removal and effective self-cleaning.

[0030] A washing machine having a washing machine impeller as described in any of the above, comprising:

[0031] The inner tub has a washing machine impeller rotatably mounted on its bottom, with water-dispensing blades protruding from the surface of the impeller disc facing away from the bottom of the inner tub.

[0032] Furthermore, the relative structures between the bottom of the inner tub and the washing machine impeller are both smooth structures;

[0033] Preferably, the surface of the washing machine impeller facing the bottom of the inner tub is coated with the hydrophobic material coating.

[0034] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0035] The washing machine impeller provided by the present invention, by setting the inner wall of the concave cavity to a smooth structure, can reduce the accumulation of dirt such as lint in the washing water flow in the concave cavity of the water-dispensing blade, thereby reducing the cleaning work of the washing machine impeller.

[0036] The washing machine impeller provided by the present invention seals the cavity by setting a cover at the opening. Since the water deflector is designed with a non-porous structure, the water flow of the washing machine will not enter the cavity, thereby ensuring the cleanliness of the cavity.

[0037] The washing machine impeller provided by the present invention has an arc-shaped surface at both ends of the plate-shaped cover that matches the smooth transition surface. When the cover seals the concave cavity, it can reduce the gap between the impeller and the other side surface of the impeller, thereby enhancing the sealing effect of the concave cavity.

[0038] The washing machine impeller provided by the present invention coats the surface of the washing machine impeller or the surface of the washing machine impeller component with a hydrophobic material coating. By utilizing the hydrophobic properties, it makes it difficult for lint, water stains, dirt and other dirt to adhere to the washing machine impeller, thereby achieving the purpose of rapid dirt removal and effective self-cleaning.

[0039] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0040] The accompanying drawings, as part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the invention are used to explain the invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings:

[0041] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the washing machine impeller at one angle according to the present invention.

[0042] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the washing machine impeller from another angle according to the present invention.

[0043] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the pulsator structure of the washing machine of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 4 This is a side view of the impeller structure of the washing machine of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the washing machine of the present invention.

[0046] In the diagram: 1. Washing machine; 10. Washing machine impeller; 11. Impeller disc; 12. Water deflector; 13. Opening; 14. Cavity; 15. Smooth transition surface; 16. Cover; 17. Water inlet; 18. Impeller shaft hole; 19. Inner tub.

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

[0048] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0049] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0050] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0051] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0052] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the present invention provides a washing machine impeller 10, including an impeller disc 11 and a water deflector 12, which protrudes from one side surface of the impeller disc 11 and the water deflector 12 is configured as a non-perforated structure.

[0053] The interior of the water-repelling blade 12 is hollow, and an opening 13 is provided on the other side surface of the impeller 11. The water-repelling blade 12 is recessed from the opening 13 toward the side surface of the impeller 11 to form a cavity 14. The inner wall of the cavity 14 is smooth.

[0054] The washing machine impellers in existing washing machines mostly have multiple ribs inside their agitator blades. Due to the complex internal structure of the agitator blades, dirt such as lint can easily accumulate inside the agitator blades in the water flow, so the washing machine impeller needs to be disassembled and cleaned multiple times.

[0055] This invention reduces the accumulation of debris such as lint in the washing machine's water flow within the concave cavity of the deflector blade by making the inner wall of the cavity smooth, without ribs or other small structures. This reduces the need for cleaning the washing machine's impeller.

[0056] In some implementations, such as Figure 3 As shown, the intersection of the concave cavity 14 and the other side surface of the impeller disk 11 forms a smooth transition surface 15.

[0057] In the above scheme, by setting the intersection of the cavity 14 and the other side surface of the impeller 11 into a smoothly transitioning curved surface, the accumulation of dirt such as lint can be further reduced.

[0058] In some implementations, such as Figure 3 As shown, the opening 13 extends outward from the center of the impeller 11, and 2-6 openings 13 are evenly provided on the other side surface of the impeller 11.

[0059] Preferably, the length of the opening 13 is close to the radius of the impeller 11.

[0060] In the above scheme, by setting the length of the opening 13 to be close to the radius of the impeller 11, that is, ensuring that the length of the cavity 14 is close to the radius of the impeller 11, the flow range of the undulating water flow can be increased and the undulating flow rate of the water flow can be increased.

[0061] In some implementations, the area of ​​each stirring blade accounts for 10%-30% of the total area of ​​the impeller 11.

[0062] In some implementations, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, it also includes a cover 16, which is disposed at the opening 13 to close the cavity 14;

[0063] Preferably, the cover 16 is sealed to the opening 13 by heat fusion or ultrasonic welding.

[0064] In the above solution, by setting a cover 16 at the opening 13 to seal the cavity 14, and since the water deflector 12 is designed with a non-porous structure, the water flow of the washing machine will not enter the cavity 14, thereby ensuring the cleanliness of the inside of the cavity 14.

[0065] In some implementations, such as Figure 3 As shown, the cover 16 is a plate-shaped object with a smooth surface.

[0066] Preferably, the plate has arc-shaped surfaces at both ends along the radial direction of the impeller 11, and the arc-shaped surfaces are gradually convex outward from the edges at both ends of the plate to match the smooth transition surface 15.

[0067] In the above scheme, by setting the two ends of the plate-shaped cover 16 to be arc-shaped surfaces that match the smooth transition surface 15, when the cover 16 seals the cavity 14, the gap between it and the other side surface of the impeller 11 can be reduced, thereby enhancing the sealing effect of the cavity 14.

[0068] It is understood that the cover 16 may also be an impact-resistant thin film structure or other structures, as long as it can seal the cavity 14.

[0069] In some embodiments, the impeller disk 11 has an impeller shaft hole 18 at its center so that the impeller shaft 18 that drives the impeller to rotate can be inserted.

[0070] The impeller 11 has multiple water passage holes 17 in the area between the two water-dispensing blades 12 to connect the upper and lower sides of the impeller 11, so that water can flow through the perforations into the inner tub 19 to agitate and disperse the items to be washed.

[0071] It is understood that the shape and number of the water passage holes 17 can be set according to actual needs.

[0072] In some embodiments, the surface of the washing machine impeller 10 is coated with a hydrophobic material coating;

[0073] Preferably, the surface of the impeller 11 and / or the outer surface of the water-repellent blade 12 and / or the inner wall of the cavity 14 and / or the surface of the cover 16 are coated with a hydrophobic material coating.

[0074] In the above solution, by coating the surface of the washing machine pulsator with a hydrophobic material, the surface of the pulsator becomes hydrophobic. During washing, it is difficult for wash water to adhere to the surface of the pulsator, making it easier for dirt to bind with water molecules and be discharged during washing and spin-drying. Furthermore, because water molecules are difficult to remain on the surface of the pulsator, the number of water molecules remaining on the pulsator is greatly reduced. After washing clothes, the water molecules can quickly diffuse into the air, preventing the growth of bacteria.

[0075] In some embodiments, the hydrophobic material coating comprises nanoscale hydrophobic particles and / or microscale hydrophobic particles;

[0076] Preferably, the hydrophobic particles include titanium dioxide particles and / or silicon dioxide particles and / or alumina particles.

[0077] By coating the surface of the washing machine's pulsator with a layer of nano- or micron-sized hydrophobic particles, the pulsator acquires hydrophobic properties. These particles form raised bumps on the pulsator surface, with air filling the depressions between them, creating an extremely thin air layer with a thickness of nanometers or micrometers. Water droplets, with a diameter at least in the millimeter range, are much larger than these bumps. Therefore, when the washing water comes into contact with the pulsator surface, it can only make contact with a few points on the top of the bumps due to the thin air layer, preventing it from penetrating the surface. The water droplets, under their own surface tension, form spherical shapes and roll, attracting dust and effectively cleaning the coating.

[0078] In some embodiments, the thickness of the hydrophobic material coating is 10-100 μm; preferably, the thickness of the hydrophobic material coating is 30-50 μm.

[0079] In the above solution, by coating the surface of the washing machine impeller or the surface of the washing machine impeller component with a hydrophobic material coating, the hydrophobic properties make it difficult for lint, water stains, dirt and other dirt to adhere to the washing machine impeller, thereby achieving the purpose of rapid dirt removal and effective self-cleaning.

[0080] like Figure 5 As shown, the present invention provides a washing machine 1 having a washing machine impeller 10 as described in any of the above descriptions, comprising:

[0081] The inner tub 19 has a washing machine impeller 10 rotatably mounted on the bottom of the inner tub 19, and a water-dispensing blade 12 protrudes from the impeller disc 11 of the washing machine impeller 10 on the side surface opposite to the bottom of the inner tub 19.

[0082] The washing machine 1 also includes an outer tub, an inner tub 19 is disposed inside the outer tub, a washing machine impeller 10 is rotatably mounted at the bottom of the inner tub 19, and the upper part of the washing machine impeller 10 cooperates with the body of the inner tub 19 to define a receiving cavity for receiving laundry.

[0083] The inner tub 19 may have a through hole on its wall, in which case the inner tub 19 is set inside the outer tub as a washing tub; the inner tub 19 may also have a non-perforated structure on its wall, serving as both a washing tub and a water container for washing items to be washed.

[0084] Furthermore, the relative structures between the bottom of the inner tub 19 and the washing machine impeller 10 are both smooth structures;

[0085] Preferably, the surface of the washing machine impeller 10 facing the bottom of the inner tub 19 is coated with the hydrophobic material coating.

[0086] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-described technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A washing machine impeller, comprising: pulsator (11); A water-repellent blade (12) is protruding from one side surface of the impeller (11), and the water-repellent blade (12) is configured as a non-porous structure; Its features are: The interior of the water-repelling blade (12) is hollow, and an opening (13) is provided on the other side surface of the impeller (11). The water-repelling blade (12) is recessed from the opening (13) toward the side surface of the impeller (11) to form a cavity (14). The inner wall of the cavity (14) is smooth. The washing machine impeller (10) also includes a cover (16) disposed at the opening (13) to close the cavity (14). The relative structures between the washing machine impeller (10) and the bottom of the inner tub are both smooth structures.

2. A washing machine impeller according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intersection of the concave cavity (14) and the other side surface of the impeller disk (11) forms a smooth transition surface (15).

3. A washing machine pulsator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The opening (13) extends outward from the center of the impeller (11), and 2-6 openings (13) are evenly provided on the other side surface of the impeller (11).

4. A washing machine impeller according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cap (16) is sealed to the opening (13) by heat fusion or ultrasonic welding.

5. A washing machine impeller according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cover (16) is a plate-shaped object with a smooth surface.

6. A washing machine impeller according to claim 5, characterized in that: The plate has arc-shaped surfaces at both ends along the radial direction of the impeller (11). The arc-shaped surfaces are gradually convex outward from the edges of both ends of the plate to match the smooth transition surface (15).

7. A washing machine impeller according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: The surface of the washing machine impeller (10) is coated with a hydrophobic material coating.

8. A washing machine impeller according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: The surface of the impeller (11) and / or the outer surface of the water-repellent blade (12) and / or the inner wall of the cavity (14) and / or the surface of the cover (16) are coated with a hydrophobic material coating.

9. A washing machine impeller according to claim 7, characterized in that: The hydrophobic material coating comprises nano-sized hydrophobic particles and / or micro-sized hydrophobic particles.

10. A washing machine impeller according to claim 9, characterized in that: The hydrophobic particles include titanium dioxide particles and / or silicon dioxide particles and / or aluminum oxide particles.

11. A washing machine impeller according to claim 7, characterized in that: The thickness of the hydrophobic material coating is 10-100 μm.

12. A washing machine impeller according to claim 11, characterized in that: The thickness of the hydrophobic material coating is 30-50 μm.

13. A washing machine impeller according to claim 8, characterized in that: The hydrophobic material coating comprises nano-sized hydrophobic particles and / or micro-sized hydrophobic particles.

14. A washing machine pulsator according to claim 13, characterized in that: The hydrophobic particles include titanium dioxide particles and / or silicon dioxide particles and / or aluminum oxide particles.

15. A washing machine impeller according to claim 8, characterized in that: The thickness of the hydrophobic material coating is 10-100 μm.

16. A washing machine impeller according to claim 15, characterized in that: The thickness of the hydrophobic material coating is 30-50 μm.

17. A washing machine having a washing machine impeller as described in any one of claims 1-16, characterized in that, include: The inner tub (19) is rotatably mounted on the bottom of the inner tub, and the water-dispensing blades (12) protrude from the impeller disc (11) of the washing machine impeller (10) on the side surface opposite to the bottom of the inner tub.

18. A washing machine according to claim 17, characterized in that: The washing machine impeller (10) has a hydrophobic coating on the side surface facing the bottom of the inner tub.

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