A washing machine

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of washing machine technology, and discloses a washing machine including a water tank, a washing tub, and a pulsator. The washing tub is fitted inside the water tank, and the pulsator is located at one end of the inner side of the washing tub. The washing tub includes a tub wall and an agitator located inside the tub wall. The agitator can tumble the clothes inside the washing tub when the washing machine is operating. The agitator includes a slide rail and a slider. The slide rail is arranged along the axial direction of the washing tub and connected to the tub wall. The slider is slidably connected to the slide rail and protrudes from the tub wall. When the washing machine is operating, the slider floats up and down along the slide rail under the action of water flow, thereby tumbling the clothes inside the washing tub and improving the washing uniformity during the washing process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of washing machine technology, and more particularly to a washing machine. Background Technology

[0002] With the fast pace of life, people are washing more and more different kinds of clothes in washing machines, and their demands for washing machines are also increasing. The washing process of a washing machine mainly includes several stages such as washing, rinsing, and spin-drying. During the washing process, the pulsator or drum rotates, causing the clothes to rotate inside the drum, thereby cleaning the clothes.

[0003] In existing washing machines, the clothes rotate well but tumble poorly. This results in clothes near the pulsator being washed particularly clean, while clothes further away from the pulsator are difficult to clean.

[0004] In the existing technology, washing machines with agitation function generally have an agitator at the bottom of the inner drum to tumble the clothes, thereby solving the problem of uneven washing. However, this also creates new problems such as wear and tear on the clothes. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on the above, the purpose of this invention is to provide a washing machine that solves the problem of uneven washing of clothes during the washing process.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A washing machine includes a water tank, a washing tub, and a pulsator. The washing tub is fitted inside the water tank, and the pulsator is located at one end of the inner side of the washing tub. The washing tub includes a tub wall and an agitator located inside the tub wall. The agitator includes a slide rail and a slider. The slide rail is arranged along the axial direction of the washing tub and connected to the tub wall. The slider is slidably connected to the slide rail and protrudes from the tub wall.

[0008] As an optional feature of the washing machine, the slider also includes a sliding sleeve that is slidably connected to the slide rail.

[0009] As an alternative to washing machines, the slider is fitted onto the outside of the slide rail and is configured to rotate around the slide rail.

[0010] As an optional solution for washing machines, the slide rail has a circular cross-section, and the slider has a circular through hole along its axis, with the circular through hole and the slide rail having a clearance fit.

[0011] As an alternative to washing machine, the slider includes an arcuate portion that protrudes from the drum wall.

[0012] As an optional feature of the washing machine, a slide rail groove protruding towards the water tank is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the drum wall, and the slide rail is located in the slide rail groove.

[0013] As an alternative to washing machines, the agitator includes multiple sliders, all of which are slidably connected to a slide rail.

[0014] As an optional solution for washing machines, a dual-power reducer is also included. The dual-power reducer includes a first output shaft and a second output shaft, both of which output rotational motion, but in opposite directions. The washing tub is connected to the first output shaft, and the impeller is connected to the second output shaft.

[0015] As an optional feature of washing machines, multiple agitators are evenly distributed around the inner circumference of the washing drum.

[0016] As an option for washing machines, the sliders in multiple agitators have different densities.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0018] This invention provides a washing machine, including a water tank, a washing tub, and a pulsator. The washing tub is fitted inside the water tank, and the pulsator is located at one end of the inner side of the washing tub. The washing tub includes a tub wall and an agitator located inside the tub wall. The agitator can tumble the clothes inside the washing tub when the washing machine is operating. The agitator includes a slide rail and a slider. The slide rail is arranged along the axial direction of the washing tub and connected to the tub wall. The slider is slidably connected to the slide rail and protrudes from the tub wall. When the washing machine is operating, the slider floats up and down along the slide rail under the action of water flow, thereby tumbling the clothes inside the washing tub and improving the washing uniformity during the washing process. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the content of the embodiments of the present invention and these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a washing machine provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a stirrer provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of another stirrer provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional view of a stirrer provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5This is a three-dimensional diagram of another stirrer provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0025] In the picture:

[0026] 1. Water container;

[0027] 2. Washing drum; 21. Drum wall; 211. Slide rail groove; 22. Agitator; 221. Slide rail; 222. Slider; 2221. Sliding sleeve; 2222. Arc part;

[0028] 3. Impeller. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the technical problems solved by the present invention, the technical solutions adopted, and the technical effects achieved clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] Example 1

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a washing machine provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a washing machine, including a water tank 1 (also called an outer drum), a washing tub 2 (also called an inner drum), and a pulsator 3. The washing tub 2 is fitted inside the water tank 1, and the pulsator 3 is located at one end of the inner side of the washing tub 2. The water tank 1, washing tub 2, and pulsator 3 are all prior art and will not be described in detail here. The washing machine also includes a dual-power reducer, which includes a first output shaft and a second output shaft. Both the first and second output shafts output rotational motion, but in opposite directions. The washing tub 2 is connected to the first output shaft, and the pulsator 3 is connected to the second output shaft. During the operation of the washing machine, the pulsator 3 and the inner tub 2 rotate in opposite directions simultaneously, resulting in two opposing water flows inside the washing machine. This causes the clothes inside the washing tub 2 to undergo a complex three-dimensional rotation, thereby cleaning the clothes more thoroughly. At the same time, this water flow structure does not require intermittent water flow reversal, making the washing machine more energy-efficient and improving the washing effect.

[0032] The washing drum 2 includes a drum wall 21 and an agitator 22 located inside the drum wall 21. The agitator 22 can tumble the clothes inside the washing drum 2 when the washing machine is working. The agitator 22 includes a slide rail 221 and a slider 222. The slide rail 221 is arranged along the axial direction of the washing drum 2 and is connected to the drum wall 21. The slider 222 is slidably connected to the slide rail 221 and protrudes from the drum wall 21. When the washing machine is working, the slider 222 floats up and down along the slide rail 221 under the action of water flow, thereby tumbling the clothes inside the washing drum 2 and improving the washing uniformity during the washing process.

[0033] Specifically, in this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the drum wall 21 is provided with a slide rail groove 211 protruding towards the water-holding drum 1, and the slide rail 221 is located within the slide rail groove 211. The slider 222 protrudes from the drum wall 21 and can still contact the clothes while fluctuating up and down with the water flow, thereby achieving the effect of agitating the clothes. This arrangement allows the slide rail 221 of the agitator 22 to be embedded in the drum wall 21, achieving the agitation effect without occupying the washing space of the washing drum 2.

[0034] To be more specific, continue to refer to Figure 1 In this embodiment, the slider 222 further includes a sliding sleeve 2221. The slider 222 has a through hole, and the sliding sleeve 2221 is embedded in the through hole and fixedly connected to the slider 222. The sliding sleeve 2221 is sleeved on the outside of the slide rail 221 and slidably connected to the slide rail 221. Since there are many ways for the sliding sleeve 2221 to be slidably connected to the slide rail 221, the shapes of the slide rail 221 and the sliding sleeve 2221 will not be listed one by one here. Two typical methods are given as examples. First, the inner hole shape of the sliding sleeve 2221 is the same as the outer contour cross-sectional shape of the slide rail 221. For example, referring to... Figure 2 First, the inner hole of the sliding sleeve 2221 is square, and the outer contour cross-section of the slide rail 221 is square, with the side length of the outer contour cross-section of the slide rail 221 being smaller than the side length of the inner hole of the sliding sleeve 2221. Second, the inner hole shape of the sliding sleeve 2221 and the outer contour cross-section shape of the slide rail 221 are different. For example, refer to... Figure 3 The inner hole of the sliding sleeve 2221 is pentagonal, and the outer contour cross-section of the slide rail 221 is square. However, the sliding sleeve 2221 can be fitted onto the outside of the slide rail 221 and can still slide and connect with the slide rail 221, so that the slider 222 moves up and down with the water flow during the washing process of the washing machine.

[0035] Continue to refer to Figure 1As a preferred technical solution, the slider 222 includes an arcuate portion 2222, which protrudes from the drum wall 21. During the operation of the washing machine, the arcuate portion 2222 can reduce the friction between the slider 222 and the clothes, preventing the clothes from being scratched during rotation. Two exemplary shapes of the arcuate portion 2222 are shown. First, the outer contour of the radial cross-section of the arcuate portion 2222 is a single-segment arc, for example, the arcuate portion 2222 is a partial cylinder or a partial sphere. Preferably, the surface of the spherical slider 222 is uniformly provided with several hemispherical protrusions radially outward, such as... Figure 2 As shown. Second, the outer contour of the radial section of the arc portion 2222 includes multiple arc segments. For example, the outer contour of the radial section of the arc portion 2222 is similar to a plum blossom shape, including multiple convex semi-cylinders, such as... Figure 3 As shown.

[0036] More preferably, the agitator 22 includes multiple sliders 222, all of which are slidably connected to the slide rail 221 (not shown in the figure). Specifically, taking an agitator 22 with three sliders 222 as an example, the three sliders 222 are respectively named the first slider, the second slider, and the third slider. The slide rail 221 is divided into multiple sub-slide rails, named the first slide rail, the second slide rail, and the third slide rail. The three sub-slide rails are independent of each other and do not interfere with each other. The first slider is slidably connected to the first slide rail, the second slider is correspondingly connected to the second slide rail, and the third slider is correspondingly connected to the third slide rail. This arrangement allows the first, second, and third sliders to be responsible for tumbling different layers of clothing in the washing tub 2 along the height direction, ensuring the clothing is fully tumbled within the washing tub 2 and preventing the sliders 222 from merely floating on the water surface and failing to tumble clothing at different levels below the water surface.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] The washing machine provided in this embodiment has the same basic structure as that in Embodiment 1, with only some structural differences. This embodiment only describes the structures that differ from those in Embodiment 1.

[0039] As a preferred technical solution, the slider 222 is fitted onto the outside of the slide rail 221 and configured to rotate around the slide rail 221. This arrangement further reduces friction between the slider 222 and the clothes, preventing the clothes from being scratched during rotation. Simultaneously, the friction between the clothes and the slider 222 also drives the slider 222 to move along the slide rail 221, creating an interaction between the slider 222 and the clothes, further improving the tumbling effect and resulting in better washing performance and evenness of the washing machine.

[0040] Specifically, the slide rail 221 has a circular cross-section, and the slider 222 has a circular through hole along its axial direction. The circular through hole is clearance-fitted with the slide rail 221, allowing the slider 222 to rotate around the slide rail 221 under external force. Preferably, the slider 222 has a rotary structure, ensuring that the slider 222 has consistent dimensions in all directions when rotating, thus making full use of the space in the slide rail groove 211. Two structures of slider 222 are exemplarily shown. First, referring to... Figure 4 The slider 222 is cylindrical in shape. Preferably, the sidewall of the cylindrical slider 222 has a plurality of cylindrical protrusions evenly distributed radially outward, making the radial cross-section of the slider 222 quincunx-shaped. More preferably, the intersection of the end face and the sidewall of the cylindrical slider 222 is rounded to make its surface smooth and prevent damage to clothing. Second, refer to Figure 5 The slider 222 is spherical. Preferably, the surface of the spherical slider 222 is provided with a plurality of hemispherical protrusions evenly distributed radially outward.

[0041] Example 3

[0042] The basic structure of the washing machine provided in this embodiment is the same as that in Embodiment 1, with only some structural differences. This embodiment only describes the structures that differ from Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, multiple agitators 22 are evenly arranged circumferentially inside the washing drum 2, so that clothes located in different areas inside the washing drum 2 can be tumbled, achieving an all-around cleaning effect. Preferably, the sliders 222 in the multiple agitators 22 have different densities, so that the floating range of each slider 222 during the washing process is inconsistent, allowing the clothes to be fully tumbled inside the washing drum 2.

[0043] Note that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

[0044] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for 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 limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. The terms "first position" and "second position" refer to two different positions.

[0045] 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; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising a water tank (1), a washing tub (2), and a pulsator (3), wherein the washing tub (2) is fitted inside the water tank (1), and the pulsator (3) is located at one end of the inner side of the washing tub (2), characterized in that, The washing tub (2) includes a tub wall (21) and an agitator (22) located inside the tub wall (21). The agitator (22) includes a slide rail (221) and a slider (222). The slide rail (221) is arranged along the axial direction of the washing tub (2) and is connected to the tub wall (21). The slider (222) is slidably connected to the slide rail (221) and protrudes from the tub wall (21). The washing tub (2) is provided with a plurality of agitators (22) evenly distributed around its inner circumference; The sliders (222) in the multiple stirrers (22) have different densities; The slider (222) is sleeved on the outside of the slide rail (221) and is configured to rotate around the slide rail (221).

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slider (222) also includes a sliding sleeve (2221), which is slidably connected to the slide rail (221).

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slide rail (221) has a circular cross-section, and the slider (222) has a circular through hole in its axial direction. The circular through hole is clearance-fitted with the slide rail (221).

4. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slider (222) includes an arc portion (2222), which protrudes from the cylinder wall (21).

5. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner circumferential surface of the cylinder wall (21) is provided with a slide rail groove (211) protruding towards the water-holding cylinder (1), and the slide rail (221) is located in the slide rail groove (211).

6. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stirrer (22) includes a plurality of sliders (222), and the plurality of sliders (222) are slidably connected to the slide rail (221).

7. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a dual-power reducer, which includes a first output shaft and a second output shaft. Both the first output shaft and the second output shaft output rotational motion, but in opposite directions. The washing tub (2) is connected to the first output shaft, and the impeller (3) is connected to the second output shaft.

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