Air inlet system of multi-cylinder washing machine and multi-cylinder washing machine

Abstract

The application provides a multi-cylinder washing machine air inlet system and a multi-cylinder washing machine, which comprises an air inlet system, at least two washing cylinders and a frame, the air inlet system comprises a first air inlet pipeline, a second air inlet pipeline and a volute, the volute guides hot air into the first air inlet pipeline and / or the second air inlet pipeline, and then the clothes in the washing cylinder are dried, an air inlet valve is arranged at the connecting part of the first air inlet pipeline and the second air inlet pipeline, and the volute is communicated with the first air inlet pipeline and / or the second air inlet pipeline by adjusting the air inlet valve. The first air inlet pipeline is communicated with the fourth cylinder, the second air inlet pipeline is communicated with the third cylinder, the volute is communicated with the first air inlet pipeline and / or the second air inlet pipeline by adjusting the air inlet valve (85), and the third cylinder and the fourth cylinder can be dried simultaneously or selectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of clothing processing equipment, and more specifically, to an air intake system for a multi-drum washing machine and a multi-drum washing machine. Background Technology

[0002] Multifunctional twin-tub washing machines are currently very popular in the home appliance market. A twin-tub washing machine consists of two drums, upper and lower, which can work individually or simultaneously to complete the washing operation. To dry the clothes inside the drum, existing technologies incorporate a drying system that provides hot air to the drum. However, the drying system in current twin-tub washing machines can only dry one drum at a time; it cannot dry both drums simultaneously, nor can it be applied to multi-drum washing machines to dry multiple drums at the same time. Furthermore, the air inlet duct of the drying system is fixed to the drum body, generating significant vibration during drum operation, affecting the stability of the air inlet duct. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention aims to provide an air intake system and a multi-drum washing machine to solve the problems in the prior art where the drying system of a multi-drum washing machine cannot dry multiple drums at the same time and the air intake pipe is prone to vibration.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is implemented as follows:

[0005] A multi-drum washing machine air intake system includes an air intake system, at least two washing drums, and a frame. The air intake system includes a first air intake duct, a second air intake duct, and a volute. The volute guides hot air into the first and / or second air intake ducts to dry the clothes in the washing drums. An air intake valve is provided at the connection between the first and second air intake ducts. Adjusting the air intake valve controls the connection between the volute and the first and / or second air intake ducts. The first air intake duct is connected to a fourth drum, and the second air intake duct is connected to a third drum. Adjusting the air intake valve 85 controls the connection between the volute and the first and / or second air intake ducts, allowing simultaneous or selective drying of the third and fourth drums.

[0006] Furthermore, the air inlet valve includes a valve plate, an impeller, and a knob. The controller controls the knob to drive the impeller to rotate, and the impeller drives the valve plate to rotate.

[0007] Furthermore, a protrusion is provided at the air inlet valve, which is located on the side opposite to the second air inlet duct. The protrusion provides space for the impeller to rotate, ensuring that the impeller and valve plate can rotate freely, while ensuring a tight seal when the valve plate closes the first or second air inlet duct.

[0008] Furthermore, a corrugated connecting pipe is provided between the air inlet valve and the volute.

[0009] Furthermore, the frame includes a rear crossbeam, vertical beams, a top beam, and a bottom plate. The vertical beams, top beam, and bottom plate form a cuboid structure. A rear crossbeam is provided at the middle of the rear part of the cuboid. The two ends of the rear crossbeam are connected to the two vertical beams. The volute is connected to the rear crossbeam.

[0010] Furthermore, a notch is provided on the rear crossbeam, and the volute is connected to the notch.

[0011] Furthermore, the washing tubs are configured as four, namely a first tub, a second tub, a third tub, and a fourth tub. The first tub and the second tub are arranged side by side at the top, the fourth tub is arranged at the bottom, and the third tub is located between the fourth tub and the first and second tubs.

[0012] Furthermore, the washing tub is configured as three tubs, namely a first tub, a third tub, and a fourth tub. The first tub is positioned above the third tub, or the first tub and the third tub are arranged side by side, with the third tub positioned above the fourth tub.

[0013] Compared with existing technologies, the multi-drum washing machine air intake system of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0014] Because the volute is equipped with a fan, the air is prone to vibration when it is guided into the air intake duct. The vibration damping pad can effectively dampen the volute and prevent the volute from rubbing against the frame and generating noise when it guides the air in and vibrates.

[0015] The present invention also provides a multi-drum washing machine, including a heat pump system and the aforementioned multi-drum washing machine air intake system, wherein the air intake system is connected to the air outlet of the heat pump system, and the hot air generated by the heat pump system is delivered to different washing drums through the air intake system.

[0016] Furthermore, the heat pump system includes a housing, a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. An air duct is formed inside the housing, and an air inlet and an air outlet are formed on both sides of the air duct. The volute is connected to the air outlet through an air outlet pipe.

[0017] The washing machine described above has the same advantages over the prior art as the vibration reduction structure of the air intake system, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the multi-drum washing machine structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the drying system of the present invention connected to two cylinders in an embodiment of the invention;

[0020] Figure 2a for Figure 2 A magnified view of part A in the middle;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram from another perspective showing the drying system of the present invention connected to two cylinders in an embodiment of the invention;

[0022] Figure 3a for Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the central air intake system;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the drying system structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Sectional view of AA in the middle;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the air intake system (the bellows is not shown).

[0026] Figure 7 This is a top view of the air intake system;

[0027] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Sectional view of AA in the middle;

[0028] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of an explosion of the air intake system;

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0030] 100-Heat pump system, 1-Compressor, 2-Condenser, 3-Evaporator, 4-Air duct, 5-Air inlet, 8-Air outlet, 81-Air outlet pipe, 82-First air inlet pipe, 83-Second air inlet pipe, 84-Volume, 841-Connecting block, 842-Vibration damping pad, 843-Bellows, 85-Air inlet valve, 851-Valve plate, 852-Impeller, 853-Protrusion, 854-Knob, 86-Electric heating, 87-Fan, 101-First cylinder, 102-Second cylinder, 103-Third cylinder, 104-Fourth cylinder, 200-Frame, 201-Rear crossbeam, 2011-Notch, 202-Vertical beam, 203-Top beam Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments, the directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" refer to the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. The term "on..." means directly supported by the element, or indirectly supported by the element through another element integrated into or supported by that element.

[0032] like Figures 1-5 As shown, this embodiment provides a vibration damping structure for an air intake system, including an air intake system, at least two washing drums, and a frame 200. The air intake system includes at least one air intake duct and a volute 84. One end of the volute 84 is connected to an air outlet duct 81, and the other end is connected to at least one air intake duct. The volute 84 guides the hot air generated by the heat pump system 100 into the at least one air intake duct through the air outlet duct 81 to dry the clothes in the washing drum. A connecting block 841 is provided on the outer edge of the volute 84, and the connecting block 841 is connected to the frame 200. A vibration damping pad 842 is provided at the connection between the connecting block 841 and the frame 200. Since a fan 87 is installed inside the volute, the fan is prone to vibration when guiding the dry hot air generated by the heat pump system into the air intake duct. The vibration damping pad can effectively dampen the vibration of the volute, preventing the volute from rubbing against the frame and generating noise when guiding the air intake and vibrating.

[0033] Furthermore, the connecting block 841 is provided with a screw connecting post, and the screw passes through the connector to fix the connecting block to the frame. The vibration damping pad 842 is provided between the connecting block 841 and the screw and / or between the connecting block 841 and the frame to avoid noise generated by direct contact between sheet metal parts or between metal and sheet metal parts.

[0034] The frame 200 includes a rear crossbeam 201, vertical beams 202, a top beam 203, and a bottom plate. The vertical beams 202, top beams 203, and bottom plate form a cuboid structure. The rear crossbeam 201 is located in the middle of the rear part of the cuboid. The two ends of the rear crossbeam 201 are connected to the two vertical beams 202. The connecting block 841 of the volute 84 is connected to the rear crossbeam 201.

[0035] Furthermore, a notch 2011 is provided on the rear crossbeam 201, and the volute 84 is connected to the notch 2011 on the rear crossbeam. The notch 2011 limits the connection between the volute and the rear crossbeam 201, and at the same time prevents the pre-assembled volute from moving significantly left and right on the rear crossbeam 201.

[0036] A corrugated connecting pipe 843 is provided between at least one air inlet pipe and the volute 84 to reduce vibration of the air inlet pipe. The vibration generated by the volute 84 is effectively buffered at the corrugated connecting pipe 843, preventing the air inlet pipe from vibrating significantly when the volute 84 vibrates, thereby preventing the connection between the air inlet pipe and the volute from breaking or leaking.

[0037] In this embodiment, the air intake system includes a first air intake duct 82 and a second air intake duct 83. The first air intake duct 82 and the second air intake duct 83 are connected to the volute 84. The other end of the volute 84 is connected to the drying air duct through an air outlet duct 81. A corrugated connecting pipe 843 is disposed after the first air intake duct 82 and the second air intake duct 83 and before the volute 84. Optionally, the first air intake duct 82 and the second air intake duct 83 are connected and then connected to the volute 84. The corrugated connecting pipe 843 is disposed between the connection point of the first air intake duct 82 and the second air intake duct 83 and the volute 84.

[0038] An air inlet valve 85 is provided at the connection between the first air inlet duct 82 and the second air inlet duct 83. By adjusting the air inlet valve 85, the volute 84 is connected to the first air inlet duct 82 and / or the second air inlet duct 83, realizing hot air circulation drying of at least one drum. Furthermore, an electric heater 86 is provided between the air inlet valve 85 and the volute 84. The electric heater 86 further heats the hot air that is about to pass through the air inlet valve 85, improving the drying efficiency of the clothes entering the drum.

[0039] In this embodiment, such as Figures 6-9 As shown (the corrugated connecting pipe 843 is omitted in the figure to clearly show the structure of the air inlet valve), the air inlet valve 85 includes a valve plate 851, an impeller 852, and a knob 854. The controller controls the knob to drive the impeller 852 to rotate, and the impeller 852 pushes the valve plate 851 to rotate and controls the valve plate 851 to be held at a certain angle. Furthermore, a protrusion 853 is also provided at the air inlet valve 85. The protrusion 853 is located on the side opposite to the second air inlet pipe 83. The protrusion 853 protrudes away from the second air inlet pipe 83. The protrusion 853 provides space for the rotation of the impeller 852, ensuring that the impeller 852 and the valve plate can rotate freely, while ensuring a tight seal when the valve plate 851 closes the first air inlet pipe 82 or the second air inlet pipe 83.

[0040] like Figures 2-3As shown, the washing drum in this embodiment may consist only of a third drum 103 and a fourth drum 104, which are arranged vertically, with the third drum 103 positioned above the fourth drum 104. Alternatively, the washing drum in this embodiment may also include a third drum 103 and a fourth drum 104, as well as a first drum 101 or a second drum 102 (taking the first drum 101 as an example), i.e., a three-drum structure, with the first drum 101 positioned above the third drum 103, or the first drum 101 and the third drum 103 arranged side-by-side, with the third drum 103 positioned above the fourth drum 104. The volumes of both the first drum 101 and the third drum 103 are smaller than the fourth drum 104, and the volume of the first drum 101 is no larger than the third drum 103.

[0041] Optionally, such as Figures 1-3 As shown, the washing drum in this embodiment includes a first drum 101, a second drum 102, a third drum 103, and a fourth drum 104. The first drum 101 and the second drum 102 are arranged side by side at the top, and the fourth drum 104 is arranged at the bottom. The third drum 103 is located between the fourth drum 104 and the first drum 101 and the second drum 102. The volume of the four drums is in the order of first drum < second drum < third drum < fourth drum. Preferably, the volume of the first drum = the volume of the second drum. Since the third and fourth drums at the bottom have a larger volume, they can wash more clothes. The drying system primarily dries the third and fourth drums.

[0042] Furthermore, the first air inlet duct 82 is connected to the fourth drum 104, and the second air inlet duct 83 is connected to the third drum 103. By adjusting the air inlet valve 85, the volute 84 is connected to the first air inlet duct 82 and / or the second air inlet duct 83, allowing simultaneous or selective drying of the third drum 103 and the fourth drum 104. Preferably, when there are three or more washing drums, the two air inlet ducts preferentially dry the two larger washing drums.

[0043] like Figure 8 As shown, when the controller receives the drying command for the fourth cylinder, the control knob 854 drives the impeller 852 to rotate to a specific angle. At this time, when the valve plate 851 is in state a, the valve plate 851 seals the second air inlet pipe 83, and the first air inlet pipe 82 is connected to the volute 84. The hot air in the drying air duct can pass normally through the air outlet pipe 81 and the volute 84 and enter the interior of the fourth cylinder 104, and only the interior of the fourth cylinder 104 is dried normally.

[0044] like Figure 8As shown, when the controller receives a drying command for simultaneous drying of the third and fourth cylinders, the control knob 854 drives the impeller 852 to rotate to a specific angle. At this time, when the valve plate 851 is in state b, the valve plate 851 is in the middle position. The second air inlet pipe 83 and the first air inlet pipe 82 are both connected to the volute 84. The hot air in the drying air duct can pass normally through the air outlet pipe 81 and the volute 84 and enter the interior of the third cylinder 103 and the fourth cylinder 104, so as to carry out normal drying of the interior of the third cylinder 103 and the fourth cylinder 104 at the same time.

[0045] like Figure 8 As shown, when the controller receives the drying command for the third cylinder, the control knob 854 drives the impeller 852 to rotate to a specific angle. At this time, when the valve plate 851 is in state c, the valve plate 851 seals the first air inlet pipe 82, and the second air inlet pipe 83 is connected to the volute 84. The hot air in the drying air duct can pass normally through the air outlet pipe 81 and the volute 84 and enter the interior of the third cylinder 103, and only the interior of the third cylinder 103 is dried normally.

[0046] As one embodiment of the present invention, a washing machine is also provided, including a heat pump system 100 and the aforementioned air intake system. The air intake system is connected to the air outlet of the heat pump system, and the hot air generated by the heat pump system is delivered to different drums through the air intake system. The heat pump system includes a housing, a compressor 1, a condenser 2, and an evaporator 3. An air duct 4 (drying air duct) is formed inside the housing. The condenser 2 and evaporator 3 are disposed inside the air duct 4, and the compressor 1 is disposed outside the air duct 4. The compressor 1 is connected to the condenser 2 and evaporator 3 inside the air duct 4 through a refrigerant pipe. Both ends of the housing are connected to side beams 201, and the top of the compressor is connected to a top beam 203.

[0047] In this embodiment, the housing includes an air inlet 5 and an air outlet 8, located near both ends of the housing. The compressor 1 is positioned near the air inlet 5. Inside the housing, a condenser 2 and an evaporator 3 are sequentially arranged in the air duct from the air outlet 8 to the air inlet 5. Hot, humid air discharged from the washing drum enters the heat pump system's air duct through the air inlet pipe, first passing through the evaporator for cooling. This cooling may produce some condensate, which is discharged to the outside of the heat pump system through the outlet. The cooled, dry air only needs to pass through the condenser 2 for heat exchange before circulating back into the washing drum via the air outlet 8, the air outlet pipe 81, and the air inlet pipes of each drum to dry the clothes inside. The volute 84 is connected to the heat pump system's air outlet 8 via the air outlet pipe 81.

[0048] While the present invention has been disclosed above, it is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. An air intake system for a multi-drum washing machine, characterized in that, The device includes an air intake system, at least two washing drums, and a frame (200). The frame (200) is made of sheet metal. The air intake system includes a first air intake duct (82), a second air intake duct (83), and a volute (84). The frame (200) includes a rear crossbeam (201), vertical beams (202), a top beam (203), and a base plate. The vertical beams (202), top beams (203), and base plate form a cuboid structure. A rear crossbeam (201) is located at the middle of the rear part of the cuboid. The two ends of the rear crossbeam (201) are connected to the two vertical beams (202). The volute (84) is connected to the rear crossbeam (201). A connecting block (841) is provided on the outer edge, the connecting block (841) is connected to the rear crossbeam (201), and a vibration damping pad (842) is provided at the connection between the connecting block (841) and the rear crossbeam (201); the volute (84) guides hot air into the first air inlet pipe (82) and / or the second air inlet pipe (83) to dry the clothes in the washing drum, and an air inlet valve (85) is provided at the connection between the first air inlet pipe (82) and the second air inlet pipe (83), and the volute (84) is connected to the first air inlet pipe (82) and / or the second air inlet pipe (83) by adjusting the air inlet valve (85); The air inlet valve (85) includes a valve plate (851), an impeller (852), and a knob (854). The controller controls the knob to drive the impeller (852) to rotate, and the impeller (852) pushes the valve plate (851) to rotate and controls the valve plate (851) to be maintained at a set angle.

2. The air intake system for a multi-drum washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, A protrusion (853) is also provided at the air inlet valve (85), and the protrusion (853) is provided on the side opposite to the second air inlet pipe (83).

3. The air intake system for a multi-drum washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, A corrugated connecting pipe (843) is provided between the air inlet valve (85) and the volute (84).

4. The air intake system for a multi-drum washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, A notch (2011) is provided on the rear crossbeam (201), and the volute (84) is connected to the notch (2011).

5. The air intake system for a multi-drum washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The washing tubs are configured as four, namely the first tub (101), the second tub (102), the third tub (103) and the fourth tub (104). The first tub (101) and the second tub (102) are arranged side by side at the top, the fourth tub (104) is arranged at the bottom, and the third tub (103) is located between the fourth tub (104) and the first tub (101) and the second tub (102).

6. The air intake system for a multi-drum washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The washing tubs are configured as three, namely a first tub (101), a third tub (103) and a fourth tub (104). The first tub (101) is positioned above the third tub (103), or the first tub (101) and the third tub (103) are arranged side by side, and the third tub (103) is positioned above the fourth tub (104).

7. A multi-drum washing machine, characterized in that, The washing machine includes a heat pump system (100) and a multi-drum washing machine air intake system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the air intake system is connected to the air outlet of the heat pump system (100), and the hot air generated by the heat pump system (100) is delivered to different washing drums through the air intake system.

8. The washing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The heat pump system includes a housing, a compressor (1), a condenser (2) and an evaporator (3). An air duct (4) is formed inside the housing. An air inlet (5) and an air outlet (8) are formed on both sides of the air duct (4). The volute (84) is connected to the air outlet (8) of the heat pump system through an air outlet pipe (81).

Images