Washing and protecting equipment

Abstract

The invention provides washing and caring equipment which comprises a shell, an inner cavity contained in the shell and provided with an opening and a machine door used for sealing the opening, and at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet are formed in the inner cavity; the air inlet and the air outlet are both used for communicating the inner cavity with the external space of the washing and protecting equipment. Due to the existence of the air inlet and the air outlet, air circulation exchange can be fully carried out on the inner cavity of the washing and care equipment and the external space, namely, the air inlet and exhaust functions are carried out at the same time, the oxygen content of the inner cavity is guaranteed, and the safety risk that children or pets enter the washing and care equipment by mistake to cause suffocation is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of washing machines, and in particular to a washing and care device. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of people's living standards, washing machines, clothing care machines, dishwashers and other washing and care equipment have entered thousands of households. The volume of common washing and care equipment on the market is generally above 60L, which can easily accommodate a child or pet. When the entrance of the washing and care equipment is low from the ground, children or pets can easily enter the washing and care equipment from the entrance. Once the door of the washing and care equipment is closed by mistake, the children or pets are prone to suffocation due to the closed space of the washing and care equipment. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to avoid the safety risk of suffocation caused by children or pets accidentally entering the washing and care equipment, the present application provides a washing and care equipment.

[0004] A washing and care device of the present application comprises: shell; an inner cavity, received in the outer shell, having an opening; A door, used to close the opening; At least one air inlet and at least one air outlet are provided in the inner cavity; the air inlet and the air outlet are used to connect the inner cavity with the external space of the washing and care equipment.

[0005] Optionally, projections of the air inlet and the air outlet on a horizontal plane do not overlap.

[0006] Optionally, the height of the air inlet on the inner cavity is lower than the height of the air outlet.

[0007] Optionally, the washing and care equipment is a drum washing machine, the inner cavity is an outer barrel, the air inlet is arranged at the rear of the outer barrel, and the air outlet is arranged on the annular barrel body of the outer barrel.

[0008] Optionally, the washing and care equipment further includes: The first pipe section is led out from the air inlet and extends upward, and the air inlet is connected to the outside of the washing and care equipment through the first pipe section.

[0009] Optionally, at least one of a shell air inlet opening and a shell air outlet opening is provided on the shell, and the shell air inlet opening and the shell air outlet opening are used to connect the air inlet and the air outlet respectively.

[0010] Optionally, in the case where there is an air inlet opening of the shell, the washing and protecting device further comprises a second pipe section for connecting the first pipe section and the air inlet opening of the shell; In the case where there is an air outlet opening of the shell, the washing and protecting device further comprises a third pipe section for connecting the air outlet and the air outlet opening of the shell; Preferably, at least a portion of at least one of the second pipe section and the third pipe section is a hose.

[0011] Optionally, the air inlet opening of the shell and the air outlet opening of the shell are higher than the highest liquid level in the inner cavity when the washing and care device performs a washing and care operation, and preferably are higher than the inner cavity.

[0012] Optionally, the washing and care equipment also includes: A one-way valve is arranged corresponding to the air outlet, and the one-way valve includes a valve core and a flow channel for gas flow. The valve core closes the flow channel when the wind pressure of the washing and care equipment to the outside through the flow channel reaches a target value, and opens the flow channel when the target situation does not occur.

[0013] Optionally, the valve core is a valve flap rotatably arranged in the flow channel relative to the valve body. The valve flap closes the flow passage when the target condition occurs; when the target condition does not occur, the valve flap opens the flow passage due to its own weight.

[0014] The washing and care equipment of the present application is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet in the inner cavity for connecting the outer space of the inner cavity and the inner space, so that when the door of the washing and care equipment is closed, the inner cavity of the washing and care equipment and the external space are connected to form a non-enclosed cavity; the existence of the air inlet and the air outlet allows the inner cavity of the washing and care equipment and the external space to circulate and exchange gases more fully, that is, the air intake and exhaust functions are performed simultaneously, thereby ensuring the oxygen content in the inner cavity and avoiding the safety risk of children or pets accidentally entering the washing and care equipment and causing suffocation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the washing and care equipment of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an outer tub 1S when the washing and care device of the present application is a washing machine; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an explosion of an outer tub 1S when the washing and care device of the present application is a washing machine; Figure 4 This is an overall schematic diagram when the washing and care equipment of the present application is a washing machine; Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the valve flap 1234 in the washing machine of the present application closing the flow channel 1232 when the wind pressure in the flow channel reaches a predetermined value; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing that the valve flap 1234 is in an open state due to its own gravity when the wind pressure in the washing machine of the present application does not reach a predetermined value.

[0016] In the figure, 1: inner cavity; 11: air inlet; 111: first pipe section; 112: second pipe section; 113: outer shell air inlet opening; 12: air outlet; 121: third pipe section; 122: outer shell air outlet opening; 123: one-way valve; 1231: valve core; 1232: flow channel; 1233: valve body; 1234: valve flap; 13: opening; 14: inner barrel; 1S: outer barrel; 2: outer shell; 3: machine door. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The following is a detailed description of this patent type in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. In this specification, the dimensions of the drawings do not represent the actual size ratios. The drawings are only used to reflect the relative position relationship and connection relationship between the components. Components with the same name or the same number represent similar or identical structures and are only for illustrative purposes.

[0018] As shown in FIG1 , the present application provides a washing and care device, including an outer shell 2, an inner cavity 1 and a door 3. The outer shell 2 forms the main appearance of the washing and care device; the inner cavity 1 is contained in the outer shell and has an opening 13, which is convenient for users to place items that need to be washed and cared for in the inner cavity; the door 3 is used to close the opening 13 to avoid the influence of the washing and care device on the outside when performing washing and care operations. The aforementioned washing and care device can be a washing machine, a clothing care machine, or a dishwasher. Such washing and care devices have at least an outer shell and an inner cavity. Taking a drum washing machine as an example, the drum washing machine includes an outer shell 2 forming a box body and a washing machine door 3. Corresponding to the inner cavity 1 mentioned in the present application is an outer barrel 1S, and a washing machine inner barrel 14 is rotatably arranged in the outer barrel 1S.

[0019] It is important that at least one air inlet 11 and at least one air outlet 12 are provided in the inner cavity of the present application; the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 are both used to connect the inner cavity 1 with the external space of the washing and care equipment; that is, the washing and care equipment introduces external air into the inner cavity 1 through the air inlet 11, and discharges the air in the inner cavity 1 to the outside through the air outlet 12. The number of air inlets 11 and air outlets 12 is not limited. In the optional scheme, the number of air inlets 11 and air outlets 12 provided in the inner cavity of the washing and care equipment is 1; in addition, in order to reduce the air circulation resistance and ensure the efficient circulation of gas, the equivalent diameter of the air inlet and the air outlet in the embodiment of the present application may be not less than 25 mm.

[0020] The washing and care equipment of the present application is provided with an air inlet 11 and an air outlet 12 in the inner cavity 1 for connecting the external space and the internal space of the inner cavity 1, so that when the door 3 of the washing and care equipment is closed, the inner cavity 1 of the washing and care equipment and the external space are connected to form a non-sealed cavity; due to the existence of the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12, the inner cavity 1 of the washing and care equipment and the external space can circulate and exchange gases more fully, that is, the air intake and exhaust functions are performed simultaneously, thereby ensuring the oxygen content in the inner cavity and avoiding the safety risk of children or pets accidentally entering the washing and care equipment and causing suffocation.

[0021] like Figure 2 As shown, taking a drum washing machine as an example, an air inlet 11 is provided on the outer barrel 1S, and an air outlet 12 is also provided. The air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 are both connected to the outside of the washing machine.

[0022] It should be noted that the inner cavity 1 of the present application is provided with both an air inlet 11 and an air outlet 12, and the two are independently provided, which is the key to the technical solution of the present application. The air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 can not only ensure the air pressure balance between the inner cavity 1 and the outside of the washing and care equipment, but more importantly, the gas circulation exchange between the inner cavity 1 and the outside world can be more fully carried out. Such a gas circulation exchange effect cannot be achieved by a single cylinder air port, so the present application can effectively ensure the oxygen content of the inner cavity and avoid the safety risk of suffocation caused by children or pets accidentally entering the washing and care equipment.

[0023] As an optional implementation scheme of the embodiment of the present application, the height of the air inlet 11 on the inner cavity is lower than the height of the air outlet 12, that is, there is a height difference between the air outlet 12 and the air inlet 11; such a setting can ensure that when pets or children are mistakenly locked in the inner cavity 1 of the washing and care equipment, the pets and children will increase the temperature of the inner cavity of the washing and care equipment, resulting in a chimney effect, that is, the thermal pressure difference will cause the airflow to be discharged from the higher air outlet 12, and the external airflow enters the inner cavity of the washing and care equipment from the lower air inlet 11, so that natural ventilation can be formed without additional power, thereby ensuring the circulation exchange of air in the inner cavity.

[0024] In actual products, in order to improve the above-mentioned circulation exchange effect, the projections of the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 on the horizontal plane do not overlap. When there is the same height difference between the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12, the distance between the air inlet and the air outlet is increased, so that as much gas as possible in the inner cavity 1 of the washing and care equipment can be added to the circulation exchange with the external air.

[0025] For example, Figure 2As shown, the washing and care equipment can be a drum washing machine, the above-mentioned air inlet 11 can be arranged at the rear of the outer barrel 1S of the drum washing machine, and the air outlet 12 can be arranged on the annular barrel body of the outer barrel; further, in order to improve the above-mentioned circulation exchange effect, the height of the air inlet 11 on the outer barrel is lower than the height of the air outlet 12, the air inlet 11 can be arranged in the lower area of ​​the rear of the outer barrel, and the air outlet 12 can be arranged in the top area of ​​the annular barrel body; further, in order to increase the distance between the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12, the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 are respectively placed on both sides of the vertical plane of the outer barrel 1 passing through the central axis, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 are respectively arranged at the lower left position and the upper right position of the outer barrel 1S shown in the figure.

[0026] like Figure 3 As shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the height of the air inlet 11 on the inner cavity 1 is lower than the height of the air outlet 12. When the air inlet 11 is at a low position, the fluid used for washing items in the washing and care equipment (such as washing water of a drum washing machine and a dishwasher) may overflow from the air inlet 11. In order to avoid this problem, the washing and care equipment in the embodiment of the present application may further include a first pipe section 111, which is led out from the air inlet 11 and extends upward. The air inlet 11 is connected to the outside of the washing and care equipment through the first pipe section 111. That is to say, the first pipe section 111 serves as an air passage, and the height of the end thereof connected to the air inlet 11 is lower than the end not connected to the air inlet 11. Therefore, the fluid used for washing items in the washing and care equipment needs to pass through a higher position to overflow.

[0027] It can be understood that there may be an air gap between the outer shell 2 and the inner cavity 1 of the washing and care device, for example, there is an air gap between the outer shell and the outer barrel of a drum washing machine, and the air gap is connected to the outside of the washing and care device, so in practical applications, the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 may be directly connected to the air gap between the outer shell 2 and the inner cavity 1 of the washing and care device. However, in order to conduct more comprehensive gas communication with the washing and care device, an optional solution is to directly introduce the air outside the washing and care device into the inner cavity through the air inlet 11, and / or to directly discharge the air in the inner cavity to the outside of the washing and care device through the air outlet 12.

[0028] Therefore, in the embodiment of the present application, at least one of the housing air inlet opening 113 and the housing air outlet opening 122 may be opened on the housing 2 , and the housing air inlet opening 113 and the housing air outlet opening 122 are used to connect the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12 respectively.

[0029] That is, in the first solution, only the shell air inlet opening 113 is provided on the shell 2, and the air outside the washing and care device enters the air inlet 11 through the shell air inlet opening 113, and then enters the inner cavity 1 of the washing and care device, and the air in the inner cavity 1 of the washing and care device is discharged to the air gap between the shell 2 and the inner cavity 1 through the air outlet 12. In the second solution, only the shell air outlet opening 122 is provided on the shell 2, and the air outside the washing and care device first enters the air gap between the shell 2 and the inner cavity 1, and then enters the air outlet 12 of the washing and care device through the air inlet 11, and the air in the inner cavity 1 of the washing and care device is discharged to the shell air outlet opening 122 through the air outlet 12, and then directly discharged to the outside of the washing and care device. In the third scheme, the outer shell 2 is provided with an outer shell air inlet opening 113 and an outer shell air outlet opening 122. The air outside the washing and care equipment enters the air inlet 11 through the outer shell air inlet opening 113, and then enters the inner cavity 1 of the washing and care equipment. The air in the inner cavity 1 of the washing and care equipment is discharged to the outer shell air outlet opening 122 through the air outlet 12, and then directly discharged to the outside of the washing and care equipment.

[0030] It can be understood that the first and second solutions mentioned above can isolate the air that will enter the inner cavity 1 from the air discharged from the inner cavity 1 through the outer shell 2, so as to prevent the air discharged from the inner cavity 1 from being quickly sucked into the inner cavity again; it is well known to those skilled in the art that when the washing and care equipment performs the washing and care operation, gas with a certain temperature and humidity can overflow from the aforementioned air inlet 11 and air outlet 12, causing certain corrosion to the washing and care equipment, so the third solution mentioned above can directly discharge the gas overflowing from the inner cavity 1 to the outside of the washing and care equipment without passing through the air gap between the outer shell 2 and the inner cavity 1, so as to prevent the washing and care equipment from being corroded. Of course, the above three solutions are all feasible, and the appropriate solution can be selected according to the actual product needs.

[0031] In the embodiment of the present application, the air inlet opening 113 of the housing can be directly connected to the end of the aforementioned first pipe section 111 relative to the air inlet 11, and the air outlet opening 122 of the housing can be directly connected to the air outlet 12. As an alternative embodiment, a connecting pipe section can be added, that is, when there is an air inlet opening 113 of the housing, the washing and care device further includes a second pipe section 112 for connecting the first pipe section 111 and the air inlet opening 113 of the housing; when there is an air outlet opening 122 of the housing, the washing and care device further includes a third pipe section 121 for connecting the air outlet 12 and the air outlet opening 122 of the housing.

[0032] For washing and maintenance equipment such as drum washing machines, it is well known to those skilled in the art that when the drum washing machine is in operation, the outer drum 1S (corresponding to the inner cavity in this application) will vibrate. In order to reduce the damage or falling off of the aforementioned pipe sections caused by the vibration of the outer drum, at least a portion of at least one of the aforementioned second pipe section 112 and the third pipe section 121 is a hose.

[0033] In addition, in order to prevent the fluid in the washing and care device from overflowing from the shell air inlet opening 113 and the shell air outlet opening 122, the shell air inlet opening 113 and the shell air outlet opening 122 can be higher than the highest liquid level in the inner cavity 1 when the washing and care device performs a washing and care operation, wherein the highest liquid level refers to the highest water level that can appear in the washing and care device, such as the highest water level that can appear in the inner cavity of a dishwasher or the outer barrel of a drum washing machine. Furthermore, the washing and care device may generate foam during the washing and care process, and the height of the foam may even reach the inner cavity 1 of the washing and care device, so in actual products, the shell air inlet opening 113 and the shell air outlet opening 122 can be set at a position higher than the inner cavity of the washing and care device to prevent the foam generated by washing and care from overflowing.

[0034] Reference Figure 2-4 Taking a drum washing machine as an example, the air inlet 11 arranged at the lower rear part of the outer barrel 1S of the drum washing machine is connected to the first pipe section 111, the first pipe section 111 is led out from the air inlet 11 and extends upward, and the other end is connected to the second pipe section 112, part of the second pipe section 112 is a corrugated hose, and the other end of the second pipe section 112 is connected to the outer shell air inlet opening 113 on the outer shell 2 of the drum washing machine; in addition, the air inlet 11 is connected to the outside of the washing and care equipment through the first pipe section 111, and the air outlet 12 arranged at the top of the annular barrel body of the outer barrel of the drum washing machine is connected to the third pipe section 121, and part of the third pipe section 121 is also a corrugated hose; wherein, the opening positions of the outer shell air inlet opening 113 and the outer shell air outlet opening 122 are higher than the outer barrel 1S of the drum washing machine.

[0035] like Figure 3 As shown, as a preferred embodiment, the washing and care equipment may also include: A one-way valve 123 is arranged corresponding to the air outlet 12, and the one-way valve 123 includes a valve core 1231 and a flow channel 1232 for gas flow. The valve core 1231 closes the flow channel 1232 when the wind pressure of the washing and care equipment to the outside through the flow channel 1232 reaches a target value of a predetermined value, and opens the flow channel 1232 when the target situation does not occur.

[0036] It should be noted that the aforementioned air outlet 12 connecting the inner cavity 1 of the washing and care equipment with the outside can balance the air pressure in the inner cavity and outside of the washing and care equipment. However, when the washing and care equipment performs certain operations that will generate high-humidity and / or high-temperature gases, such as the drying operation of a washing machine, a clothing care machine, a dishwasher, and the high-speed dehydration operation of a washing machine, the gas pressure in the inner cavity of the washing and care equipment is significantly higher than that outside the washing and care equipment, and the high-humidity and / or high-temperature gases overflow through the air outlet, causing an adverse effect on the external environment.

[0037] In order to avoid the above-mentioned high-humidity and / or high-temperature gas from overflowing through the air outlet, the above-mentioned one-way valve 123 is arranged corresponding to the air outlet 12. For example, the one-way valve 123 is arranged in the air duct corresponding to the air outlet 12, so that the flow channel 1232 of the one-way valve becomes a part of the air duct corresponding to the air outlet 12. Under normal circumstances, the flow channel 1232 is in an open state to ensure air circulation between the inside and outside of the washing and care equipment; however, the washing and care equipment performs certain operations that will generate high-humidity and / or high-temperature gases, and the high-humidity and / or high-temperature gases overflow through the above-mentioned ventilation channel. The wind pressure of the washing and care equipment through the ventilation duct is relatively high, and the wind pressure of the washing and care equipment to the outside through the flow channel reaches the target situation of a predetermined value. At this time, the flow channel 1232 is closed by the valve core 1231, and the high-humidity and / or high-temperature gases cannot be discharged to the outside of the washing equipment.

[0038] like Figure 2-4 As shown, in the drum washing machine product, in order to make the one-way valve 123 set at the air outlet 12 work effectively, the preferred solution is to set the air outlet 12 at the top of the outer barrel annular barrel body, so that when the drum washing machine is performing high-speed dehydration and drying, a larger air pressure is generated at the air outlet 12 to close the above-mentioned flow channel.

[0039] In the embodiment of the present application, the setting of the above-mentioned predetermined value needs to be determined according to the actual situation of the washing and care equipment. It only needs to ensure that under normal circumstances, the flow channel is in an open state, and when the washing and care equipment performs certain operations that will generate high-humidity and / or high-temperature gases, the flow channel 1232 can be closed by the valve core 1231 in time to meet the predetermined function.

[0040] The above-mentioned predetermined functions can be realized through an electronic control solution, such as the valve core is controlled by a motor, and the wind pressure of the washing and maintenance equipment to the outside through the flow channel is detected by a sensor. When the wind pressure is detected to reach a predetermined value, the flow channel is closed by controlling the valve core through the motor; it can also be realized by a common mechanical method of a differential pressure one-way valve.

[0041] As an optional solution, the valve core 1231 may be a valve flap 1234 rotatably arranged in the flow channel relative to the valve body 1233. The valve flap 1234 may be a plate-shaped body, which closes the flow channel when the above target situation occurs; when the above target situation does not occur, the flow channel is opened due to the self-weight of the valve flap 1234. Figure 5 The valve flap can close the flow channel when the wind pressure in the flow channel reaches a preset value; when the wind pressure does not reach the preset value, the valve flap is in an open state due to its own gravity.

[0042] The above content only describes the preferred implementation methods of this patent type and does not limit the scope of this patent type. Without departing from the design spirit of this patent type, various modifications and improvements made to the technical solutions of this patent type by ordinary technicians in this field should fall within the protection scope determined by the claims of this patent type.

Claims

1. A washing and care device, characterized in that: include: Housing (2); An inner cavity (1), contained in the outer shell (2), and having an opening (13); A door (3) for closing the opening (13); The inner cavity (1) is provided with at least one air inlet (11) and at least one air outlet (12); the air inlet (11) and the air outlet (12) are both used to connect the inner cavity (1) with the external space of the washing and care equipment.

2. The washing and care equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The projections of the air inlet (11) and the air outlet (12) on a horizontal plane do not overlap.

3. The washing and care equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The height of the air inlet (11) on the inner cavity (1) is lower than the height of the air outlet (12).

4. The washing and care equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The washing and care equipment is a drum washing machine, the inner cavity (1) is an outer barrel (1S), the air inlet (11) is arranged at the rear of the outer barrel (1S), and the air outlet (12) is arranged on the annular barrel body of the outer barrel (1S).

5. The washing and care equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The washing equipment also includes: A first pipe section (111), the first pipe section (111) is led out from the air inlet (11) and extends upward, and the air inlet (11) is connected to the outside of the washing and care equipment through the first pipe section (111).

6. The washing and care equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that: The outer shell (2) is provided with at least one of an outer shell air inlet opening (113) and an outer shell air outlet opening (122), and the outer shell air inlet opening (113) and the outer shell air outlet opening (122) are respectively used to connect the air inlet (11) and the air outlet (12).

7. The washing and care equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that: In the case where the housing air inlet opening (113) exists, the washing and care device further comprises a second pipe section (112) for connecting the first pipe section (111) and the housing air inlet opening (113); In the case where the housing air outlet opening (122) exists, the washing and care device further comprises a third pipe section (121) for connecting the air outlet (12) and the housing air outlet opening (122); Preferably, at least a portion of at least one of the second pipe section (112) and the third pipe section (121) is a hose.

8. The washing and care equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that: The housing air inlet opening (113) and the housing air outlet opening (122) are higher than the highest liquid level in the inner cavity (1) when the washing and care device performs a washing and care operation; Preferably it is higher than the inner cavity.

9. The washing and care equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: Also includes: A one-way valve (123) is provided corresponding to the air outlet (12), wherein the one-way valve (123) comprises a valve core (1231) and a flow channel (1232) for gas flow, wherein the valve core (1231) closes the flow channel (1232) when the wind pressure of the washing and care equipment to the outside through the flow channel (1232) reaches a target value, and opens the flow channel (1232) when the target condition does not occur.

10. The washing and care equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that: The valve core (1231) is a valve flap (1234) rotatably arranged in the flow channel (1232) relative to the valve body (1233). The valve flap (1234) closes the flow channel (1232) when the target situation occurs; when the target situation does not occur, the flow channel (1232) is opened due to the self-weight of the valve flap (1234).

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