Outer cylinder assembly and washing machine

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of washing machines, and discloses an outer drum assembly and a washing machine, wherein the outer drum assembly comprises: an outer drum; and an electromagnetic heating device installed on the outer drum to generate an alternating magnetic field radiating outward, and the alternating magnetic field forms a coverage area on the outer drum; and a foreign matter collecting groove is arranged on the inner surface of the outer drum along the outer periphery of the coverage area. In the present application, the electromagnetic heating device is installed on the outer drum and applied to the washing machine to realize non-contact heating of washing water. The foreign matter collecting groove is arranged on the inner side of the outer drum along the outer periphery of the coverage area of the electromagnetic heating device, so that the metal foreign matter remaining in the outer drum can fall into the foreign matter collecting groove, thereby avoiding the problem that the metal foreign matter remains in the coverage area, is heated by the alternating magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic heating device, and further causes the outer drum or the electromagnetic heating device to be damaged by high temperature.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of washing machines, in particular, relates to an outer drum assembly and a washing machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] The existing drum washing machine generally includes an inner drum and an outer drum, a plurality of dewatering holes are arranged on the drum wall of the inner drum and are communicated with the outer drum, and the outer drum contains washing water and the inner drum contains laundry for washing. However, during the washing process, the washing water between the inner drum and the outer drum cannot be utilized, resulting in the waste of the washing water. At the same time, the dirt generated during the washing process is partially left between the inner drum and the outer drum, which is difficult to clean, and long-term accumulation can pollute the washing water and affect the washing effect.

[0003] To solve the above problems, the prior art proposes a washing machine without dewatering holes on the inner drum, so that the inner drum can independently contain washing water during the washing process, thereby avoiding the storage of water between the inner drum and the outer drum during the washing process, saving the amount of washing water, and greatly avoiding the problem of dirt accumulation between the inner drum and the outer drum.

[0004] However, due to the absence of water between the inner drum and the outer drum during the washing process, the washing water cannot be heated by the form of arranging a heating pipe in the outer drum in the traditional washing machine. In order to solve the problem of heating the washing water in the washing machine without dewatering holes on the inner drum, a scheme of arranging an electromagnetic heating module on the outer drum is proposed. For example, a drum washing machine disclosed in Chinese Patent No. 201811191414.1 includes a hole-free drum without dewatering holes installed in the housing, a laundry putting opening is arranged on the side wall of the hole-free drum, and a door body capable of opening and closing the laundry putting opening is arranged on the drum. An outer drum is sleeved outside the drum, and an electromagnetic heating module is arranged on the outer drum to heat the inside of the outer drum and transfer the heating heat to the washing water contained in the drum.

[0005] However, in the above scheme, the electromagnetic heating module generates an alternating magnetic field after being powered on, and then generates an eddy current in the drum, so that the drum itself is heated to heat the washing water. If there are other objects that can be excited by the alternating magnetic field in the outer drum, such as metal accessories falling from the laundry and remaining between the drum and the outer drum after drainage, or some metal accessories left in the outer drum during maintenance of the washing machine, the metal foreign matter in the outer drum will also be excited by the magnetic field and heated, and then rapidly heated. In order to avoid the influence of the electromagnetic heating module, the outer drum is generally made of plastic material, which has a relatively low temperature resistance, and the rapid heating of the metal foreign matter may cause damage to the outer drum. In severe cases, the rapid heating of the metal foreign matter by radiation may also cause the temperature of the working environment of the electromagnetic heating module to rise sharply, affecting the working state of the electromagnetic heating module, and even causing damage to the electromagnetic heating module.

[0006] In view of the above, the present application is proposed. SUMMARY

[0007] The technical problem solved by the present application is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, and provide an outer drum assembly and a washing machine, wherein a foreign matter collecting groove is arranged on the inner surface of the outer drum, and the foreign matter collecting groove can be used to collect metal foreign matters remaining in the outer drum, so as to avoid the existence of metal foreign matters remaining in the coverage area of the alternating magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic heating device on the outer drum, and further cause the metal foreign matters to be heated and warmed by the electromagnetic heating device, resulting in the damage of the outer drum due to the high temperature of the inner wall of the outer drum.

[0008] To solve the above technical problems, the basic idea of the technical solution of the present application is as follows:

[0009] An outer drum assembly, comprising:

[0010] an outer drum;

[0011] an electromagnetic heating device installed on the outer drum, generating an alternating magnetic field radiating outward, and the alternating magnetic field forms a coverage area on the outer drum;

[0012] a foreign matter collecting groove arranged on the inner surface of the outer drum along the outer periphery of the coverage area.

[0013] Further, the electromagnetic heating device is installed on the drum wall of the outer drum, the coverage area at least includes the projection area of the electromagnetic heating device on the drum wall, and the foreign matter collecting groove is arranged on the inner surface of the drum wall.

[0014] Preferably, the electromagnetic heating device is installed on the bottom region of the drum wall, and the projection area is located at the bottom of the drum wall.

[0015] More preferably, the electromagnetic heating device is installed on the outer side of the drum wall, and the electromagnetic heating device is projected upward on the drum wall to form a projection area.

[0016] Further, the coverage area has a certain extension length along the circumferential direction of the outer drum on the drum wall of the outer drum, and the foreign matter collecting groove is arranged along the outer periphery of the coverage area at least at both ends of the extension length of the coverage area.

[0017] Further, the coverage area is located at a position close to the bottom of the drum wall, and the foreign matter collecting groove is arranged on the outer side of both ends of the coverage area and extends a certain length from the drum bottom to the drum opening direction.

[0018] Preferably, the bottom surface of the foreign matter collecting groove extends downward from the drum bottom to the drum opening direction.

[0019] Further, the width of the foreign matter collecting groove at the end close to the drum bottom is smaller than the width of the end away from the drum bottom.

[0020] Preferably, the foreign matter collecting groove gradually increases in width from the bottom of the outer cylinder to the opening of the outer cylinder.

[0021] Further, the inner surface of the covering area is arranged downwardly and obliquely from the bottom of the outer cylinder to the opening of the outer cylinder.

[0022] Preferably, the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder has a conical structure gradually increasing in diameter from the bottom of the outer cylinder to the opening of the outer cylinder.

[0023] Further, the cylinder wall between the covering area and the opening of the outer cylinder is protruded outwardly to form a drainage chamber in the inner part of the outer cylinder, and the foreign matter collecting groove is open at the end away from the bottom of the outer cylinder and communicates with the drainage chamber.

[0024] Further, the foreign matter collecting groove is protruded outwardly from the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder to form a protruding rib on the outer surface of the cylinder wall, and the electromagnetic heating device is arranged on the outer side of the cylinder wall and in the area surrounded by the protruding rib.

[0025] Preferably, the foreign matter collecting groove is arranged along the outer periphery of the covering area at both ends of the covering area in the length direction of the covering area to form two protruding ribs on the outer surface of the covering area at both ends, and the electromagnetic heating device is arranged between the two protruding ribs.

[0026] Further, the electromagnetic heating device has a radiation surface facing the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder, and the radiation surface is a circular arc surface coaxial with the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder.

[0027] Another object of the present application is to provide a washing machine comprising an inner cylinder and the outer cylinder assembly as described above, wherein the inner cylinder is arranged in the outer cylinder and is made at least partially of a metal material capable of generating eddy current in an alternating magnetic field.

[0028] After the above technical solution is adopted, the present application has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0029] In the present application, the foreign matter collecting groove arranged on the inner surface of the outer cylinder can be used to collect the metal foreign matters remaining in the outer cylinder, so as to avoid the metal clothes falling into the area covered by the alternating magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic heating device on the inner wall of the outer cylinder, prevent the metal foreign matters from remaining in the covered area of the alternating magnetic field, and avoid the situation that the outer cylinder or the electromagnetic heating device is damaged due to the sharp temperature rise of the electromagnetic heating device during operation.

[0030] In the present application, the electromagnetic heating device is installed on the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder, radiates an alternating magnetic field to the inner side of the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder for heating washing water, and is arranged at the bottom area of the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder, so that when applied to a washing machine, the concentrated area of washing water can be heated all the time, and the heating efficiency is high. The electromagnetic heating device is installed on the outer side of the cylinder wall, which can avoid contact with washing water, and also avoids the situation that when the electromagnetic heating device is arranged inside the outer cylinder, metal foreign matters are stuck between the electromagnetic heating device and the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder and cannot fall into the foreign matter collecting groove.

[0031] In the present application, the foreign matter collecting groove is arranged outside both ends of the covering area and extends towards the cylinder opening along the cylinder bottom, and is communicated with the drainage chamber located between the covering area and the cylinder opening, so that the metal foreign matters in the foreign matter collecting groove can enter the drainage chamber along with the drainage water flow, and then be discharged from the outer cylinder, avoiding the accumulation of metal foreign matters in the foreign matter collecting groove. The bottom surface of the foreign matter collecting groove is inclined downward towards the cylinder opening, and the width thereof gradually increases towards the cylinder opening, so that the metal foreign matters therein are more easily driven by the drainage water flow and enter the drainage chamber along with the drainage water flow.

[0032] In the present application, the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder protrudes outward, thereby forming the foreign matter collecting groove on the inner surface of the cylinder wall for collecting metal foreign matters, and forming the protruding ribs on the outer surface of the cylinder wall for defining the mounting area of the electromagnetic heating device and protecting the peripheral side of the electromagnetic heating device. The foreign matter collecting groove and the protruding ribs are simultaneously formed by the structure of the cylinder wall, which is simple. The radiation surface of the electromagnetic heating device towards the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder is a circular arc surface, which can be better fitted and installed with the cylinder wall of the outer cylinder, and when applied to a washing machine, since the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are coaxially arranged, the distance between each part of the radiation surface and the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder is equal, so that the cylinder wall of the inner cylinder can be uniformly heated, and the heating effect is better.

[0033] The specific embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] The accompanying drawings, which are part of the present application, serve to further understand the present application, and the schematic embodiments of the present application and the descriptions thereof serve to explain the present application but do not constitute improper limitations on the present application. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor on the basis of these drawings. In the drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 is a structural schematic view of an outer cylinder assembly in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 2 is a structural schematic view of the rear part of the outer cylinder in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 3This is a front view of the rear part of the outer cylinder in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 4 This is a bottom view of the rear part of the outer cylinder in Embodiment 1 of the present invention (without the electromagnetic heating device installed);

[0039] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the outer cylinder assembly from another perspective in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 7 This is the present invention. Figure 6 Schematic diagram of section AA;

[0042] Figure 8 This is the present invention. Figure 7 Enlarged diagram of point B in the middle.

[0043] In the diagram: 100, outer cylinder; 110, cylinder wall; 111, front cylinder wall; 112, rear cylinder wall; 120, cylinder bottom; 130, cylinder opening; 140, foreign matter collection trough; 150, drainage chamber; 151, drainage outlet; 152, rear wall of drainage chamber; 161, first rib; 162, second rib; 200, inner cylinder; 300, electromagnetic heating device; S, coverage area.

[0044] 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

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" 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 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.

[0048] Example 1

[0049] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides an outer drum assembly and a washing machine including the outer drum assembly.

[0050] Specifically, the outer cylinder assembly includes:

[0051] outer cylinder 100;

[0052] An electromagnetic heating device 300 is installed on the outer cylinder 100 and generates an alternating magnetic field that radiates outwards, forming a covering area S on the outer cylinder 100.

[0053] The washing machine in this embodiment also includes an inner drum 200 disposed inside the outer drum 100. The inner drum 200 is coaxially disposed with the outer drum 100 and is at least partially made of a metal material that can generate eddy currents in an alternating magnetic field.

[0054] In detail, the inner drum 200 does not have a dewatering hole, and the inner drum 200 holds water independently during the washing / rinsing process, with no water between the inner drum 200 and the outer drum 100.

[0055] The electromagnetic heating device 300 includes a coil. When a high-frequency alternating current is passed through the coil, the coil generates a high-frequency alternating magnetic field. The high-frequency alternating magnetic field generated by the coil radiates onto the metal inner cylinder 200, causing eddy currents to be generated in the inner cylinder 200 under electromagnetic induction. When the eddy currents overcome the internal resistance of the inner cylinder 200, they complete the conversion of electrical energy into heat energy, realizing the self-heating of the inner cylinder 200, thereby heating the washing water inside.

[0056] To prevent the outer cylinder 100 from heating up under the action of the electromagnetic heating device 300, the outer cylinder 100 can be made of a material that is not excited by the magnetic field, such as plastic. This also prevents the outer cylinder 100 from affecting the alternating magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic heating device 300.

[0057] In this embodiment, a foreign object collection groove 140 is provided on the inner surface of the outer cylinder 100 along the outer periphery of the coverage area S. The foreign object collection groove 140 has an opening facing the interior of the outer cylinder 100. When the electromagnetic heating device 300 is working, any metal objects within the coverage area of ​​the alternating magnetic field it generates may be excited by the alternating magnetic field and thus heat up. By providing the foreign object collection groove 140, any metal foreign objects that may be present in the outer cylinder 100 can fall into the foreign object collection groove 140, avoiding the situation where metal foreign objects remain in the coverage area S of the alternating magnetic field when they are present in the outer cylinder 100. Thus, when the electromagnetic heating device 300 is working, any metal foreign objects that may be present in the outer cylinder 100 gather in the foreign object collection groove 140, that is, in a position outside the coverage area S. This prevents the metal foreign objects from being rapidly heated by the electromagnetic heating device 300, which could cause structural damage to the outer cylinder 100 or damage to the electromagnetic heating device 300.

[0058] In this embodiment, the electromagnetic heating device 300 is installed on the cylinder wall 110 of the outer cylinder 100, and the coverage area S includes at least the projection area of ​​the electromagnetic heating device 300 on the cylinder wall 110. Correspondingly, the foreign matter collection groove 140 is provided on the inner surface of the cylinder wall 110, recessed into the cylinder wall 110, and its opening is close to the central axis of the outer cylinder 100.

[0059] Preferably, the electromagnetic heating device 300 is installed in the bottom region of the cylinder wall 110, and the projected region is located at the bottom of the cylinder wall 110. The electromagnetic heating device 300 is located below the inner cylinder 200 and radiates an upward magnetic field to heat the inner cylinder 200, so that the alternating magnetic field it generates is concentrated in the bottom region of the inner cylinder 200, that is, the region where the washing water is concentrated, thereby achieving higher heating efficiency.

[0060] More preferably, the electromagnetic heating device 300 is installed on the outside of the cylinder wall 110, that is, on the outside of the outer cylinder 100, and the electromagnetic heating device 300 is projected upward onto the cylinder wall 110 to form a projection area.

[0061] Installing the electromagnetic heating module outside the outer drum 100, rather than between the inner drum 200 and the outer drum 100, can prevent the electromagnetic heating device 300 from directly contacting the drain water flow when the washing machine is draining, and to a certain extent reduce the requirements for the sealing performance of the electromagnetic heating device 300.

[0062] On the other hand, the inner side of the cylinder wall 110, especially the inner surface of the covered area S, is smooth and unobstructed. Metal foreign objects falling into the outer cylinder 100 can fall into the foreign object collection tank 140 without hindrance, thus escaping the effective range of the electromagnetic heating device 300. However, if the electromagnetic heating device is installed inside the outer cylinder, the electromagnetic heating device itself may obstruct the movement of metal foreign objects, or even cause the metal foreign objects to become stuck in the gap between the electromagnetic heating device and the outer cylinder, preventing them from falling into the foreign object collection tank. This could lead to the metal foreign objects overheating after the electromagnetic heating device is activated, creating a safety hazard.

[0063] In a further embodiment, the electromagnetic heating device 300 has a certain extension length along the circumference of the outer cylinder 100. Correspondingly, the coverage area S of the alternating magnetic field has a certain extension length along the circumference of the outer cylinder 100 on the cylinder wall 110. The foreign matter collection tank 140 is provided at least at both ends along the outer periphery of the coverage area S in the length extension direction.

[0064] Metal foreign objects remaining in the outer tube 100 may be metal accessories that have fallen off clothing and fall into the outer tube 100 when the inner tube 200 drains water into the outer tube 100. In this embodiment, a centrifugal drainage structure is installed on the inner tube 200. The centrifugal force generated by the high-speed rotation of the inner tube 200 opens the drain hole on the inner tube 200 to drain water outward. The discharged water can flow a certain distance along the circumference of the outer tube 100 and on the inner surface of the tube wall 110 due to inertia. The foreign object collection tank 140 is set at both ends of the coverage area S. When metal clothing that may be present in the water flows through the opening of the foreign object collection tank 140, it will fall into the foreign object collection tank 140 and will not fall out of the foreign object collection tank 140 into the coverage area S.

[0065] The metal foreign object may also have accidentally fallen into the inner side of the outer drum 100 during washing machine maintenance. The metal foreign object falls between the inner drum 200 and the outer drum 100 due to gravity, moving approximately circumferentially along the outer drum 100. Foreign object collection grooves 140 are provided at both ends of the coverage area S extending circumferentially along the outer drum 100. This increases the likelihood that the metal foreign object will be collected through the foreign object collection grooves 140, preventing it from remaining on the inner surface of the coverage area S.

[0066] Furthermore, the electromagnetic heating device 300 is installed on the cylinder wall 110 near the cylinder bottom 120, and correspondingly, the coverage area S is located on the cylinder wall 110 near the cylinder bottom 120. The foreign matter collection trough 140 is provided on the outer side of both ends of the coverage area S, extending a certain length from the cylinder bottom 120 of the outer cylinder 100 towards the cylinder opening 130.

[0067] The cylinder wall 110 between the covered area S and the cylinder opening 130 of the outer cylinder 100 protrudes outward from the outer cylinder 100, forming a drainage chamber 150 inside the outer cylinder 100. The drainage chamber 150 has a drainage outlet 151 that connects the interior of the outer cylinder 100 with the external space. The foreign matter collection tank 140 is open at one end away from the bottom 120 of the cylinder and communicates with the drainage chamber 150.

[0068] In detail, the cylinder wall 110 of this embodiment is formed by assembling a front cylinder wall 111 and a rear cylinder wall 112, which are separately configured. The front end of the front cylinder wall 111 forms a cylinder opening 130, and the rear end of the rear cylinder wall 112 is connected to the cylinder bottom 120. The bottom region of the front cylinder wall 111 protrudes downward to form part of the cavity wall of the drainage chamber 150. The lower edge of the front end of the rear cylinder wall 112 has a vertically arranged drainage chamber rear wall 152, which is fastened to the front cylinder wall 111 to form a complete drainage chamber 150. The electromagnetic heating device 300 is installed on the rear cylinder wall 112 and is located behind the drainage chamber 150.

[0069] In the above scheme, since the drain chamber 150 is lower than other areas of the outer drum 100's wall 110, when the inner drum 200 drains water into the outer drum 100, the water entering the outer drum 100 collects in the drain chamber 150. The drain outlet 151 is connected to the washing machine's drain device, further discharging the water in the drain chamber 150 into the washing machine. During the drainage process, the water flow discharged from the inner drum 200 can flush the foreign object collection tank 140. The front end of the foreign object collection tank 140 is open and connected to the drain chamber 150, allowing metal foreign objects to enter the drain chamber 150 with the drainage water flow and then be discharged from the outer drum 100, thus preventing the accumulation of metal foreign objects in the foreign object collection tank 140.

[0070] Metal objects that fall into the foreign object collection tank 140 during the operation of the washing machine can be cleaned out of the foreign object collection tank 140 during the last drainage. In this way, when the electromagnetic heating device 300 is turned on for the next operation of the washing machine, there will be no metal objects collected in the foreign object collection tank 140. This allows for more effective collection of any metal objects that may fall in during the current operation.

[0071] Furthermore, the foreign object collection tank 140 has a vertically arranged sidewall on the side near the covered area S, and the side away from the covered area S is smoothly connected to the inner surface of the outer cylinder 100 wall 110 via a curved surface. When a large number of metal foreign objects are collected in the foreign object collection tank 140, approaching the height of the opening of the foreign object collection tank 140, the metal foreign objects are more likely to slide away from the covered area S, and will not easily enter the interior of the covered area S from the foreign object collection tank 140. In this way, the situation where metal foreign objects escape from the foreign object collection tank 140 and enter the covered area S, and are subsequently heated by the electromagnetic heating device 300, is avoided.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom surface of the foreign object collection trough 140 extends downwards at an angle from the bottom 120 of the cylinder towards the opening 130. Due to gravity, metallic foreign objects falling into the foreign object collection trough 140 may slide directly downwards into the drainage chamber 150, thus further distancing themselves from the coverage area S of the alternating magnetic field. For metallic foreign objects collected within the foreign object collection trough 140, since the bottom surface of the trough 140 is inclined, they are more easily swept downwards by the water flow during drainage from the inner cylinder 200, thus being cleaned out of the foreign object collection trough 140.

[0073] Furthermore, the width of the foreign object collection trough 140 near the bottom 120 is smaller than the width of the end away from the bottom 120.

[0074] Preferably, the width of the foreign matter collection trough 140 gradually increases from the bottom 120 of the outer cylinder 100 to the opening 130.

[0075] In the above scheme, the width of the foreign object collection tank 140 is set to gradually increase from back to front. When the metal foreign object slides forward under the action of water flow, the range of motion gradually increases, which helps to avoid the situation where the metal foreign object gets stuck in the foreign object collection tank 140 during the sliding process and cannot be cleaned out of the foreign object collection tank 140 by the water flow.

[0076] In this embodiment, after receiving the signal to start the washing program, if the washing water heating function is determined to be activated, the inner drum 200 is controlled to drain at a speed V after the water volume reaches a certain level. 排 Alternatively, the machine can rotate at a higher speed to open the drain hole of the centrifugal drainage structure on the inner drum 200, draining water into the outer drum 100 to clean the foreign object collection tank 140. After cleaning, the electromagnetic heating device 300 is then turned on for heating. In this way, the foreign object collection tank 140 can be cleaned before the electromagnetic heating device 300 starts heating, especially to flush out metal foreign objects that fall into the foreign object collection tank 140 during washing machine maintenance.

[0077] In this embodiment, the inner surface of the covered area S is inclined downward from the bottom 120 of the outer cylinder 100 toward the opening 130.

[0078] Preferably, the outer cylinder 100 has a conical structure on the side near the bottom 120, with the diameter gradually increasing from the bottom 120 to the opening 130.

[0079] Specifically, the rear cylinder wall 112 has a conical surface structure with a diameter that gradually increases from rear to front, and the front cylinder wall 111 has a basically consistent axial diameter along the outer cylinder 100.

[0080] In the above solution, the inner surface of the covered area S is set as an inclined surface. When a metal foreign object falls onto the inner surface of the covered area S, the metal foreign object can slide forward along the inclined surface under the action of gravity and then fall directly into the drainage chamber 150 at the front of the covered area S. This solves the problem that metal clothing that falls directly onto the covered area S, especially metal clothing that falls into the middle of the covered area S, is difficult to be collected by the foreign object collection tank 140.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment, the electromagnetic heating device 300 extends circumferentially along the outer cylinder 100, which is greater than its axial extension along the outer cylinder 100. Correspondingly, the coverage area S extends circumferentially along the cylinder wall 110 of the outer cylinder 100, which is greater than its radial extension.

[0082] The electromagnetic heating device 300 increases the heating area by extending circumferentially along the outer cylinder 100, thus avoiding the need to occupy a large area axially in the outer cylinder 100. This prevents it from occupying too much space in the bottom region of the cylinder wall 110 along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 100 and interfering with the structure of the drainage chamber 150. By extending the electromagnetic heating device 300 circumferentially in the outer cylinder 100 to provide a larger heating area, higher heating efficiency can be achieved.

[0083] On the other hand, the foreign object collection tank 140 extends approximately parallel to the axial direction of the outer cylinder 100, and the length of the covered area S along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 100 is shortened. This effectively reduces the distance that metal foreign objects need to move to remove them from the foreign object collection tank 140, making it easier to clean the metal foreign objects from the foreign object collection tank 140. Similarly, the movement path of metal foreign objects as they slide directly from the inner surface of the covered area S into the drainage chamber 150 is also approximately parallel to the axial direction of the outer cylinder 100. The shortened length of the covered area S along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 100 also effectively reduces the distance that metal foreign objects need to move to remove them from the covered area S, making it easier to keep the covered area S free of foreign objects.

[0084] In a further embodiment, the foreign matter collection groove 140 is formed by protruding outward from the cylinder wall 110 of the outer cylinder 100, and a first rib 161 is formed on the outer surface of the cylinder wall 110. The electromagnetic heating device 300 is installed on the outside of the cylinder wall 110, located inside the area surrounded by the first rib 161.

[0085] Specifically, the foreign object collection groove 140 is provided at both ends along the outer periphery of the coverage area S in the length extension direction of the coverage area S, and two first ribs 161 are formed on the outer side of both ends of the outer surface of the coverage area S. The two first ribs 161 are arranged in near parallel, and the electromagnetic heating device 300 is arranged in the interval area between the two first ribs 161.

[0086] In the above scheme, a foreign object collection groove 140 is formed on the inner surface of the outer cylinder 100, specifically on the rear cylinder wall 112, in a localized area at both ends of the coverage area S, protruding outwards from the outer cylinder 100. This groove extends along the edges of both ends of the coverage area S. The groove is used to collect metallic foreign objects from inside the outer cylinder 100. Simultaneously, a first rib 161 is formed on the outer surface of the rear cylinder wall 112 at a position corresponding to the foreign object collection groove 140. This rib defines the installation position of the electromagnetic heating device 300, facilitating its positioning during installation and providing protection to the periphery of the electromagnetic heating device 300 after installation. The simultaneous formation of the foreign object collection groove 140 and the first rib 161 on the cylinder wall 110 using the same structure results in a simple structure.

[0087] Furthermore, a second rib 162 extending circumferentially along the outer cylinder 100 is provided on the cylinder wall 110, or the rear cylinder wall 112, near the cylinder bottom 120. Both ends of the second rib 162 are connected to two first ribs 161. The two first ribs 161 extend forward from the cylinder bottom 120 to connect with the rear surface of the drainage cavity rear wall 152. The second rib 162, the two first ribs 161, and the drainage cavity rear wall 152 located at the front end of the rear cylinder wall 112 together form a closed area on the outer surface of the rear cylinder wall 112. The electromagnetic heating device 300 is installed within this closed area. The interconnection of the first ribs 161, the second rib 162, and the drainage cavity rear wall 152 around the electromagnetic heating device 300 provides complete protection around the device, resulting in more reliable protection.

[0088] In the electromagnetic heating device 300 of this embodiment, the coil is wound in a spiral shape, and a magnet is provided around the outer periphery of the coil. The magnet can shield the magnetic field lines radiating towards the outer periphery of the coil, reducing the leakage of the alternating magnetic field to the outer periphery of the coil and allowing the generated alternating magnetic field to radiate upwards more concentratedly onto the inner cylinder 200. On the other hand, the shielding of the magnetic field lines radiating towards the outer periphery of the coil also reduces the alternating magnetic field radiated by the electromagnetic heating device 300 to its periphery. This prevents the metal foreign objects collected in the foreign object collection tank 140 formed around the electromagnetic heating device 300 from being heated by the alternating magnetic field.

[0089] In a further embodiment, the electromagnetic heating device 300 has a radiating surface facing the wall 110 of the outer cylinder 100, and the radiating surface is an arc surface coaxial with the wall 110 of the outer cylinder 100.

[0090] In the above scheme, the upward-facing radiating surface of the electromagnetic heating device 300 is set as an arc surface, which can better fit and install it with the cylinder wall 110 of the outer cylinder 100. Furthermore, setting the electromagnetic heating device 300 as a whole as a plate-like structure with an arc can make the structure on the outside of the outer cylinder 100 more regular after the electromagnetic heating device 300 is installed.

[0091] In this embodiment of the washing machine, the inner drum 200 is made of a metal material that can generate eddy currents in an alternating magnetic field. The electromagnetic heating device 300 radiates to the inner drum 200, causing the inner drum 200 to self-heat, thereby heating the washing water inside the inner drum 200. The inner drum 200 is coaxially arranged inside the outer drum 100, so the radiating surface of the electromagnetic heating device 300 is also a circular arc surface coaxial with the inner drum 200. This arrangement ensures that the distance between all points on the radiating surface and the inner drum 200 wall is equal, resulting in a more uniform excitation effect on the inner drum 200 wall, causing the inner drum 200 wall to heat up evenly and improving the heating effect on the washing water.

[0092] In this embodiment, by setting a foreign object collection groove 140 along the outer periphery of the alternating magnetic field coverage area S inside the outer cylinder 100, metal foreign objects falling into the outer cylinder 100 can be collected in advance, preventing them from remaining in the coverage area S and being excited by the electromagnetic heating device 300 when it is turned on, causing a sharp rise in the internal temperature of the outer cylinder 100 and damaging the outer cylinder 100 or the electromagnetic heating device 300. The foreign object collection groove 140 is connected to the drainage chamber 150 on the outer cylinder 100. When the inner cylinder 200 drains water into the outer cylinder 100, the metal foreign objects collected in the foreign object collection groove 140 can be flushed into the drainage chamber 150 by the water flow and then discharged from the outer cylinder 100 through the drain outlet 151, thus realizing the automatic cleaning of metal foreign objects.

[0093] Example 2

[0094] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the upper edge of the foreign object collection trough on the side closer to the covered area is higher than the upper edge on the side farther from the covered area. That is, the upper edge of the foreign object collection trough on the outer side relative to the covered area is lower than the upper edge on the inner side.

[0095] With the above setup, as the amount of metal foreign objects collected in the foreign object collection tank gradually increases, if the height of the accumulated metal foreign objects exceeds the height of its outer upper edge, they can slide to the outside of the foreign object collection tank on the side away from the covered area, and it is difficult for them to cross its inner upper edge and enter the covered area.

[0096] This embodiment sets the upper edges of the foreign object collection trough on the inner and outer sides of the coverage area at different heights. This prevents metal foreign objects from sliding into the coverage area when they accumulate too high, thus ensuring the effectiveness of the foreign object collection trough in preventing metal foreign objects from entering the alternating magnetic field coverage area.

[0097] Example 3

[0098] This embodiment further defines Embodiment 1 above, by providing protruding structures on both sides of the foreign matter collection tank along its extension direction, extending beyond the inner surface of the outer cylinder wall. When a large number of metal foreign objects are collected, the protruding structures can block the metal foreign objects, preventing them from accumulating above the inner surface of the cylinder wall and sliding off the sides of the collection tank to the outside, effectively increasing the capacity of the collection tank to hold metal foreign objects.

[0099] In this embodiment, the protruding structure is a third protruding rib extending along the foreign object collection groove. The third protruding rib can be continuously extended along the side of the foreign object collection groove, thereby playing the role of blocking metal foreign objects in the entire range of the extension direction of the foreign object collection groove.

[0100] The third rib can also be intermittently arranged, that is, along the extension direction of the foreign object collection groove, the third rib has several notches. When a metal foreign object falls onto the wall of the outer cylinder, it can slide along the inner surface of the cylinder wall and then slide into the foreign object collection groove through the notches on the third rib. In this way, the third rib can both prevent too many metal foreign objects in the foreign object collection groove from sliding out of the groove and prevent metal foreign objects located outside the groove from being blocked by the third rib when there is enough space in the groove, thus avoiding the situation where metal foreign objects located outside the groove are blocked from entering the groove and being collected.

[0101] In this embodiment, by setting protruding structures on both sides of the foreign object collection tank that are higher than the inner surface of the cylinder wall, when the height of the metal foreign object in the foreign object collection tank exceeds the inner surface of the cylinder wall, it can be blocked by the protruding structures and will not fall out of the foreign object collection tank, thus avoiding the situation where the metal foreign object falls into the area covered by the alternating magnetic field.

[0102] Example 4

[0103] The difference between this embodiment and the above embodiment three is that the protruding structure is only set on the side of the foreign object collection groove near the covered area.

[0104] The raised structure is only set on the side of the foreign object collection tank near the covered area. It has a similar effect to the second embodiment above. When the metal foreign object accumulates to a certain height in the foreign object collection tank, it can slide out of the foreign object collection tank in the direction of the outside of the covered area. However, due to the obstruction of the raised structure on the side near the covered area, the metal foreign object will not easily cross the raised structure and fall into the covered area.

[0105] The configuration of this embodiment also achieves the purpose of preventing metal foreign objects from falling out of the foreign object collection tank and into the coverage area of ​​the alternating magnetic field. This avoids the situation where there are heatable metal foreign objects in the coverage area when the electromagnetic heating device is working, which could cause a rapid increase in temperature in a local area inside the outer cylinder and damage the outer cylinder structure or the electromagnetic heating device.

[0106] 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. An outer cylinder assembly, comprising: outer cylinder; An electromagnetic heating device is installed on the outer cylinder to generate an alternating magnetic field that radiates outwards, forming a covering area on the outer cylinder. The feature is that a foreign matter collection groove is provided on the inner surface of the outer cylinder along the outer periphery of the covered area; The electromagnetic heating device is installed on the outer cylinder wall, and the coverage area includes at least the projection area of ​​the electromagnetic heating device on the cylinder wall; the foreign matter collection groove is disposed on the inner surface of the cylinder wall; the coverage area extends along the circumference of the outer cylinder wall, and the foreign matter collection groove is disposed at least at both ends of the coverage area along the outer periphery of the coverage area in the length extension direction.

2. The outer cylinder assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electromagnetic heating device is installed in the bottom area of ​​the cylinder wall, and the projected area is located at the bottom of the cylinder wall.

3. The outer cylinder assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The electromagnetic heating device is installed on the outside of the cylinder wall, and the electromagnetic heating device is projected upwards onto the cylinder wall to form a projection area.

4. The outer cylinder assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The covered area is located on the cylinder wall near the bottom of the cylinder, and the foreign matter collection groove is set on the outer side of both ends of the covered area, extending a certain length from the bottom of the outer cylinder towards the cylinder opening.

5. The outer cylinder assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bottom surface of the foreign object collection tank slopes downward from the bottom of the cylinder towards the opening.

6. The outer cylinder assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The width of the foreign object collection trough near the bottom of the cylinder is smaller than the width of the end away from the bottom of the cylinder.

7. The outer cylinder assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The foreign matter collection trough gradually increases in width from the bottom of the outer cylinder towards the opening.

8. The outer cylinder assembly according to any one of claims 4-7, characterized in that, The inner surface of the covered area is inclined downwards from the bottom of the outer cylinder towards the opening.

9. The outer cylinder assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The outer cylinder wall has a conical structure on the side near the bottom of the cylinder, with the diameter gradually increasing from the bottom of the cylinder towards the opening.

10. The outer cylinder assembly according to any one of claims 4-7, characterized in that, The wall between the covered area and the opening of the outer cylinder protrudes outward from the outer cylinder, forming a drainage chamber inside the outer cylinder. The drainage chamber has a drainage outlet that connects the inside of the outer cylinder with the external space. The foreign matter collection trough is open at one end away from the bottom of the cylinder and is connected to the drainage chamber.

11. The outer cylinder assembly according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The foreign object collection groove is formed by protruding from the outer wall of the outer cylinder outward, and a rib is formed on the outer surface of the cylinder wall; the electromagnetic heating device is installed on the outer side of the cylinder wall, located inside the area surrounded by the rib.

12. The outer cylinder assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that, The foreign object collection groove has two raised ribs on the outer sides of both ends of the outer surface of the covered area; the electromagnetic heating device is disposed between the two raised ribs.

13. The outer cylinder assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that, The electromagnetic heating device has a radiating surface facing the outer cylinder wall, and the radiating surface is a circular arc surface coaxial with the outer cylinder wall.

14. A washing machine, characterized in that, It includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder assembly as described in any one of claims 1-13; the inner cylinder is disposed within the outer cylinder and is at least partially made of a metallic material capable of generating eddy currents in an alternating magnetic field.

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